130 Years Ago
Nov. 25, 1892
We took occasion Wednesday to call on Messrs. E. R. and H. C. Draver, the accommodating gentlemen who look after the Alliance Milling company’s mill, and were surprised at the number of valuable improvements recently added to the premises. First, there is the large addition just finished, which increases the storage capacity of the mill to 25,000 bushels and bins arranged to keep each grade of wheat separate. Another elevator put in has a capacity of 1,500 bushels per hour.
125 Years Ago
Nov. 26, 1897
Dr. M. Bannister was superseded the latter part of last week as medical examiner for the Burlington Relief by Dr. B. F. Bettelheim, who came from St. Joe to assume the duties. The change was made by Dr. Bannister tendering his resignation, on account of the arduous duties demanded by the position. He will return to practice in Ottumwa, Iowa.
120 Years Ago
Nov. 28, 1902
Ridgell’s new bowling alleys were opened to the public last evening, the place being thronged with spectators to witness a contest and admire the new paraphernalia. Albert Kimmons Prince, Frank Vogt and Guy Daniels, the musicians who are touring the world, furnished the music. The new alleys are the Brunswick make, regulation, and as good as can be obtained. The contest was three games, five of the “town” bowlers against five of the “railroad.” The former won, having twenty-one points the best of the “argument.” Mesers. Gilman. Hoyt, Knight, C. E. Marks and A. Renswold comprised the winning team, the railroad boys being, Mesers. Waples. Lawler, H. Rehder, J. Rehder and McIntyre.
115 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1907
H. M. Baker returned to Alliance yesterday morning on 43 from Springfield, Mo. He expects to go to work here as a fireman. He resigned from that position here a few months ago, and went to that part of the country to try his hand at farming. Funny how they all come back to Box Butte.
110 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1912
Earl Mallery, representative-elect to the Nebraska legislature, is lying at St. Joseph’s Hospital severely injured as the result of being caught under his automobile Wednesday afternoon. The accident was due to a break in the steering gear, which caused the car to run off the road, plunge over a three foot embankment and turn turtle at the bottom, with Mallery pinioned beneath it. Had it not been for the timely arrival of Guy Rust, a farmer who witnessed the accident, it is likely that Mallery would have soon died under the machine.
105 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1917
Under the name of T. Vanderpool, a young man registered at the Western hotel last night and within three minutes he made his escape from the building with $18 of another man’s money. Vanderpool was assigned to a room which included two beds; the other was occupied by H.. B. Black. On the dresser was a pile of currency and cash totaling $18 which belonged to Mr. Black, who was asleep in the room at the time. Vanderpool spied the money, raked it into his hat and made his get-away just as Mr. Black roused up. Vanderpool left the hotel saying he was going to get some matches, but he bought a ticket for Denver and boarded the train. Officers were notified and he was arrested just a few minutes before the train left.
100 Years Ago
Nov. 28, 1922
Burglars ransacked the Denton family home between 8:15 and 8:20 o’clock. Also on Saturday night, before 7:45 o’clock, burglars entered the home of H. F. Thiele, 512 Emerson avenue, where they made off with an automatic revolver and two necklaces. The same night an attempt was made to enter the home of W. W. Johnson, 708 Big Horn avenue. The heel prints at the window of the Johnson home were identical with those found at the Thiele home.
95 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1927
One of the most cold-blooded and brutal murders in the annals of this section of the state was perpetrated at 8 p.m. Saturday night when two men standing in the darkness outside a window fired a shotgun charge through the screen, glass and curtain and killed William H. Kinsley, 42 as he was walking across the parlor in his farm home five miles west of Berea. The charge of the gun struck Mr. Kinsley in the middle of the back, killing him instantly. Today a charge of first degree murder was filed against Robert R. Garrett, jr., by County Attorney P. E. Romig.
90 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1932
When an automobile which had been stolen a short time before from the street here overturned on the road near the Kilpatrick dam last Thursday, two men alleged to have taken the car received minor injuries. One of them, John Raza, 25, was located in Alliance Saturday by Policeman Dan Hoppes and charged with auto theft. His companion White Riley, 27, former Denver filling station operator, is the object of an intensive search by officers. The auto belongs to Ben I. Joder and was stolen while the family was attending church during Thanksgiving services.
85 Years Ago
Nov. 26, 1937
Alliance city parks have received a high rating, according to word from the United States department of the interior which recently conducted a survey of municipal and county parks in the United States. In comparing the advantages of the Alliance parks with others, that is in regard to facilities for swimming, play ground, band shell and similar facilities, Alliance ranked very high.
80 Years Ago
Nov. 27, 1942
Theodore Janis, tough guy, will have time to soften up on a bread-and water diet in the county jail. Judge P. E. Romig jolted the him with a 30-day sentence on conviction this morning of being drunk and kicking out a window at the Town Tavern beer parlor. Janis served an 18-month term in the state penitentiary for biting the thumb of Sheriff Green of Sheridan county when he was arrested in Rushville on a drunk charge. He started a disturbance at the beer parlor and was thrown out. On the outside he kicked out a large front glass window.
75 Years Ago
Nov. 28, 1947
Radio comedians to the contrary, the champion egg-layer of 1947 is an Austra-White pullet owned by Fred Retke, who farms 16 miles west of Berea. This young hen laid a double egg. The outside egg broke a lot of records. It measured 7 ½ inches around the middle and 10 inches in circumference around the ends. The egg contained a big yolk and white. The surprise was that inside the big egg was another normal-sized egg. Mr. Retke’s pullet is resting comfortably in a specially built nest with two poultry doctors attending her every minute. Other hens in the Retke chicken yard are gossiping, naturally, but the facts are indisputable and about all the champions’ enemies can say to detract from her heroic accomplishment is to remark that “the shell was certainly rough and uneven.
70 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 1952
Marvin Dietrich’s application for transfer of his package liquor license from 206 Box Butte Avenue to 827 East Third Street was denied by the Alliance City Council, 3-2. After remarks by Attorney Don Williams, representing Dietrich, and representatives of the Alliance Ministerial Association and Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Councilman Charles Podhaisky made a motion that the council deny the application. Councilman H. D. Shellenberger seconded the motion. Mayor Lee Strong also voted in favor of the motion. Councilmen Harry McKibbin and H. F. Timbers voted against the motion for the denial.
65 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1957
Dr. F. P. Sucgang Friday awarded contracts to construct his new medical clinic in the 500 block of Niobrara Avenue. The Fricke Construction Co. of Alliance obtained the general contract; H. G. Young Plumbing and Heating, the plumbing job; a Scottsbluff firm, the heating and air conditioning. Still to be awarded is the electrical contract. Total cost will be about $76,000, and completion is expected next June. The building will occupy two lots.
60 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1962
Ernest Wesley Purdum, 73, who was injured in a 2-car accident here, died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Mr. Purdum, driver of one of the cars involved in the mishap, submitted to head surgery following the accident and never regained consciousness. Mr. Purdum lived in Hemingford for about 12 years. He first owned a restaurant in Hemingford and later a liquor store which he sold a short time ago.
55 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1967
We would like to extend an open invitation to “the Marksman,” who used the High School sign as a target, to visit one of our meetings at the Jr. Rifle Club. Of course, our targets are quite a bit smaller, being regulation bullseye targets fired at from 50 feet. We are also taught the proper care and use of firearms, sportsmanship and courtesy of the hunter. So, “Mr. Marksman,” come out some Wednesday night and let’s see just how good a sportsman you really are.
50 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1972
State Senator Leslie Stull called from Lincoln today to announce that three young people from Northwest Nebraska will serve as pages in the coming session of the Legislature. They are Rusty Reno, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norval Reno, and Michel Brunkow, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Brunkow, all of Alliance; and Irene Hollstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hollstein of Rushville. All are college students. Reno is a junior with his major courses in journalism and political science, and Brunkow is a junior in electrical engineering. All three attend the University of Nebraska.
45 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1977
A 68-year old Alliance man was found dead in an old airport hangar where he worked for a trucking firm, authorities reported. Box Butte County Sheriff Bill Stairs said the man was found pinned between two trucks. The victim’s name was being withheld pending notification of relatives. Stairs said it had not been determined exactly what happened, but it appeared one truck began rolling and pinned the victim against the door of the other truck. The old airport property is leased by the trucking firm, Stairs said. The man’s body was discovered after he failed to come home from work.
40 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1982
Workmen started excavation work at the Alliance Post Office to build a ramp so trucks can load and unload at dock level. The ramp will eliminate two scissor lifts now used. The excavation work at the Post Office is part of an effort to spruce up the building. The renovation project, which includes painting, roof repair and concrete work, is estimated to cost between $30,000 to $55,000.
35 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1987
As a new and proud American citizen, I would like for all of us to pay a little more attention to Old Glory. The United States flag is not a business or personal symbol, it is the symbol of this wonderful country. We should be proud of our flag, it deserves to be flown right, to look its best at all times and to be displayed with pride and honor throughout this town. I would like to share a few important rules that were passed by Congress in 1942: 1. When displayed outdoors, the flag should be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It may be displayed at night only if lighted. 2. Do not display the flag outdoors in rain, snow, high winds, or inclement weather. 3. The flag, when in poor or damaged condition, should not be flown. It should be destroyed by burning. Our flag “stands for the dignity of humanity as children of God, for equal rights, justice and freedom for all mankind.” Let’s fly it right! Sincerely, Marcela B. Marnett
30 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 1992
Victor Covalt, who grew up in Alliance and graduated from Alliance High School, will appear on the 48 Hours television program Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. on cable Channels 7 and 10. The program will feature a discussion on capital punishment. Covalt, now an attorney in Lincoln, has been involved in an attempt to have the death sentence of Harold “Walking Wili” Otey, who was found guilty of the slaying of an Omaha woman, commuted to life in prison.
25 Years Ago
Nov. 27, 1997
Staci Watkins, of Alliance, has been selected to represent the State of Nebraska in the 1998 Miss Rodeo American Pageant in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 30-Dec. 7. Watkins, a 22 year-old senior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, is the daughter of Larry and Sandi Watkins.
20 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 2002
Kristen Glazier and Jesse Hammel dance as the Snow Queen and King in the performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” by the David Taylor Dance Theatre, at the Alliance High School Gym.
15 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 2007
The Good Samaritan Health Care Center is in the process of remodeling the activities room. Tim Dahlberg is currently working on installing new energy efficient windows and lowering the ceiling in order to cover the exposed pipes from the newly installed fire sprinkler system. He plans to insulate the walls and hang Sheetrock while a new heating and cooling system is in place.
10 Years Ago
Nov. 30, 2012
Karena Soriano and student Austin Robertson perform at the Alliance Public Library open house. Soriano later played a medley of Christmas tunes that got everyone into a singing mood. The open house provides an opportunity for the public to meet staff and see services available. Adult Services Librarian Steven Gerth helped introduce a new program – a mailing list to ensure patrons are kept informed of events.
5 Years Ago
Nov. 29, 2017
This past Saturday Vern Planansky blew out the 100 candles that decorated his one of a kind farmhouse cake created by his granddaughter. The cake replicated the home that he has lived in for the vast majority of his life located on the homestead where he was born in 1917.