130 Years Ago
October 27, 1893
Prof. Williamson informs us that there are now about 275 scholars enrolled and attending school. Alliance’s public schools are justly celebrated many miles around for their excellence, much of which is due to Mr. Williamson’s tireless efforts.
125 Years Ago
October 28, 1898
A twelve-pound baby was born to Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Colvin last Sunday. We extend congratulations.
120 Years Ago
October 30, 1903
D. E. Colvin was in Alliance this forenoon for the second time within a few months on a sad errand. His little son, two years and two months old, died at Spearfish Wednesday at 3:15 a. m. from catarrhal laryngitis, and was brought here today for interment. Mr. and Mrs. Colvin buried another of their children in September. In the double affliction that they are called on to bear within so short a time, they have the sympathy of many Alliance friends.
115 Years Ago
October 23, 1908
Miss Maggie Barry has reopened her hotel business. The building has lately been remodeled, a bath-room put in, repainted and repapered inside, and veneered on the outside with pressed brick, and is now as handsome a hotel building as there is in the city.
110 Years Ago
October 28, 1913
Thieves entered the George Gadsby furniture store and the Bicknell Grocery some time after twelve o’clock Sunday night, securing about $200 worth of knives and razors and some small change from the registers.
105 Years Ago
October 29, 1918
Willie Dunbar, the lad arrested for breaking into the E. G. Laing store several weeks ago, broke up an excursion party to the state penitentiary Sunday night when he ran away from the sheriff at the depot and he has been on the missing list ever since.
100 Years Ago
October 26, 1923
C. L. Reynolds this week disposed of his lease and furnishings in the Drake Hotel, Fifth and Box Butte, to Mrs. Pearl M. Davis of Sheridan, Wyo., who assumed charge on Monday. Mrs. Davis is an experienced hotel manager and brings excellent recommendations to Alliance.
95 Years Ago
October 25, 1928
The bad check artist is always appearing in some roll a little different from the one last worked, and the D.A. Johnson Clothing Company suffered another loss last Saturday night through a rather clever exercise of nerve upon the part of a perfect stranger who, with a young companion, entered the clothing store and accosted Dee Johnson, grand-son of the owner, in a way indicating intimate acquaintance.
90 Years Ago
October 24, 1933
William W. Norton, 73, pioneer business man of Alliance, passed on here Monday morning at 5:15 at St. Joseph’s hospital. Since his arrival from California three weeks ago he had been ill of a severe cold which developed into an infection of the ear. His death was due directly to uremis poisoning.
85 Years Ago
October 25, 1938
Farmers-do you have some seed or table potatoes or some corn of which you are proud? Housewives-did you have good luck when you canned this summer? Or are you proud of your ability as a cake, cookie or candy maker? Or do you pride yourself on your knowledge of chickens and turkeys? The Fall Festival general committee has planned something for you and prizes will be given for the best exhibits.
80 Years Ago
October 22, 1943
Under the direction of Ed Jordan plans are rapidly maturing for a top-notch Fall Festival in Alliance Saturday, October 30. Capt. Olson, of the Special Services section at the Army Air Base is wholeheartedly co-operating to given the affair a sparkling military angle.
75 Years Ago
October 22, 1948
Purebred Hereford bulls-75 of them-will be shown and sold in Alliance Monday and Tuesday. This is the annual fall event of the Western Nebraska Hereford Breeders association, one of the cattle sales that has made Alliance the “registered cattle capital” of the district.
70 Years Ago
October 24,1953
The annual Alliance High School Homecoming celebration was history today. The school has a Homecoming Queen, the senior float was judged the best in the afternoon parade, and Coach Al Zikmund’s Bulldogs remained in the running for the Big Ten title with a 26 to 7 victory over the Kearney Bearcats in the yearly encounter.
65 Years Ago
October 25, 1958
A well-balanced offering of replacement cattle passed over the block Friday at the Alliance Livestock Commission Company and a steady strong market resulted for the unseasonably large offering of cattle sold. Bidding was active by out of state buyers with premiums being paid on choice to fancy cattle and lightweight yearlings. Steer calves topped at a new season’s high of $42.
60 Years Ago
October 24, 1963
Alliance High School second year typists, seated at the desk, showed their skill by swiftly turning out name tags for District VI teachers. Teachers from all sections of the big Nebraska Panhandle district filed through the Junior High School gymnasium to accomplish registration tasks.
55 Years Ago
October 25, 1968
In a year already crowded with construction improvements to City facilities, more were assured by City Council actions Thursday night. The full Council, with Mayor Walter Mischnick presiding, unanimously approved plans for Sewer District No. 88 which will bring sewer service to parts of South Alliance and Hills Additions. Bids for the project, estimated to cost $31,170, by the planning engineers, Harold Hoskins & Associates are requested for opening Nov. 7 in advertising within this edition of The Times-Herald. Not unanimously, ordinance No. 1152 creating paving district No. 85 in the vicinity of the new Episcopal Church, was passed with rules suspended. Councilman Anthony Yeager cast a “no” vote to the rules suspension and to the final vote.
50 Years Ago
October 25, 1973
Beginning in November, box Butte County will provide a homemaker service to individuals in the county in an effort to help disables, blind, or elderly residents remain in their own homes instead of going into nursing homes for care. The program is a “first of its kind” in the Panhandle although it has been available in other areas of the state and nation. Mrs. Myrtle Shannon has been hired by the county welfare department as the first homemaker in the program.
45 Years Ago
October 25, 1978
Something was obviously mixed up at the state Soil Conservation Office on Oct. 17. That was the logical conclusion the Box Butte County Commissioners came to Tuesday afternoon as they opened five letters concerning their proposed roadside seeding plan. The plan had been developed with District Conservationist Dennis Gerdes of the SCS. Through it, the SCS would pay for 75 percent of the cost of the project, while the county could provide the other 25 percent in equipment and labor. The plan was specifically designed to provide erosion protection for the new roads built in the county this summer.
40 Years Ago
October 25, 1983
Wrecker crews worked through the night to clear the tracks after a Burlington Northern train loaded with coal derailed Monday evening in the railroad yards here. At 5:40 p.m. Monday, BN employees reported that 46 cars of a four-engine, 111-car train coming in from Gillette, Wyo., had derailed. The depot and switch area were badly damaged. But the people on the train were not injured.
35 Years Ago
October 25, 1988
When the new school year began in Alliance, the high school saw some changes—a new principal, a new assistant principal and students transferring from St. Agnes Academy and rural districts. A new organization began its activities as well. Enter “The Blue Crue Pep Club.” Dick Boness, new Alliance High School principal, believed school spirit needed some help so he, along with the school board, asked Mrs. Rita Schrock to help organize a pep club.
30 Years Ago
October 25, 1993
The Alliance High School Marching Band performed at halftime at Chadron State College’s Elliot Field during Saturday’s Homecoming and Band Day. The Alliance High School and Alliance Middle School Marching Bands were multiple winners in the band competition. The bands, under the direction of Dick Rischling and Dave Rischling, respectively, tied for the top honors in the parade competition. The high school band received the President’s Trophy for overall excellence and the Class AA trophy for field competition.
25 Years Ago
October 24, 1998
Tammy Haslow, Soprano, Rob Caryer and Ryan Sherlock, both Tenors, will be attending the Vocal All State convention in Kearney Nov. 19-21. The choir consists of the top 450 high schooler vocalists in the state. Alliance students auditioned in Scottsbluff. Once in Kearney Tammy, Rob and Ryan will have to reaudition individually using four of the six song selections which will be performed at the All State concert.
20 Years Ago
October 25, 2003
In 1988, Congress passed Red Ribbon Week in honor of a Drug Enforcement Agent who was killed in the line of duty. Alliance High School Student Council members place red plastic cups in the fence to make a sign to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. They used cups instead of ribbons for increased visibility and less time involved.
15 Years Ago
October 25, 2008
Western Nebraska Community College is reporting record growth at the Alliance Campus as Chadron State College prepares to phase out their distance learning here. Over the next three semesters, CSC will be moving courses currently taught via interactive television to online courses.
10 Years Ago
October 25, 2013
The Alliance Police Department recently reported there have only been two accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians on bicycles. As weather has started to cool off, cyclists are a site seen less and less frequently.
5 Years Ago
October 24, 2018
Children enjoyed a day off school Friday, most unaware of the reason, but thankful nonetheless. Teachers filled Alliance High School for “Tech”cellence 2018, the Alliance Public School District’s annual technology fair. Forty-five minute sessions focused on topics such as “zSpace,” “Geocaching 101” and “Phun with Photography.” Heidi Manion, APS Educational Technology director, coordinates the tech fair, an event that started in 2010 or 2011, she said.