Days Gone By
Ten Years Ago, 2013 Sara Paider, St. Paul’s new elementary principal, was introduced to the students at the end of the year activities in the elementary gym on Monday morning. She was accompanied by her son, Leyton, and daughter, Avery.
Moses the comfort dog, and the dog’s handler, Reverend Glen Keylon of Christ Lutheran Church in Cairo, visited the Heritage Living Center on Wednesday. Comfort dogs bring comfort to many people who have experienced grief, sadness, anxiety, etcetera. Moses had been one of the comfort dogs to go to Sandy Hook after the shooting at the elementary school, and he was also taken to Boston and Waco, Texas.
Twenty Years Ago, 2003 On Tuesday night, Jared Nielsen and Amy Brenden were named the winners of the St. Paul High School Babe Ruth Award. The announcement was made at the high school athletic banquet. Nielsen is the son of Bob and Pam Nielsen of St. Paul and Natalie Meyer of Grand Island and Brenden is the daughter of Merlin and Bonnie Brenden of St. Paul.
It may have taken over thirty years, but Howard County can now boast a beautifully restored oneroom country schoolhouse. The dedication of the recently restored St. Libory District 41 school will take place on Saturday, May 24th, at 1:30 p.m., at the Howard County Historical Village in St. Paul…The dedication will begin with an opening by board member Ron Sack of Lincoln. Evelyn Dvorak of St. Paul and Shirley Johnson of Dannebrog will make a special presentation to the Howard County Historical Society. Jim Leschinsky of St. Libory, a former student of District 41, will raise the American flag with his sister, Joyce Leschinsky Ward of St. Paul. Pat Holtorf Paulsen of St. Paul, another former student of the school, will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Former students Betty Knuth Greenwalt, who resides near Farwell, and Bev Windolf Kunze, of Owasso, Oklahoma, will cut the dedication ribbon and lead the crowd into the school…One of the special guests at the dedication will be Betty Schipman of St. Libory. Schipman is a former teacher at District 41…The City of St. Paul purchased the schoolhouse at public auction in the mid-1960s. For many years, it was considered the “main” building of the Howard County Historical Society…Around 2000, the board decided to begin restoration of the school… Members of the Nebraska State Historical Society say it is one of the best-restored country schools in the state of Nebraska.
Thirty Years Ago, 1993 On Sunday, May 23, 1993, at the 10:30 a.m. worhip service, the United Methodist Church of St. Paul will have the mortgage burning and dedication of their church building. Nebraska Conference Bishop Joel Martinez and Central District Superintendent Gil Kargas will participate in the service. The United Methodist Church (as it is known today) was the first organized religion in Howard County, with the first church founded on March 3, 1872. The church celebrated 100 years in their building at 815 9th Street in May of 1990. This building was demolished in February of 1991. On December 10, 1989, the final vote by the congregation was taken on erecting a new building after all the necessary preliminary steps. Groundbreaking was held on March 18, 1990, with construction beginning immediately. The first service at the new church at 1320 Bater Street was held October 21, 1990. The Howard County Historical Society is preparing for the opening of the Historical Village on Memorial Day Weekend. All members and any volunteers are asked to attend a brief meeting this Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Parkside Plaza before breaking into cleaning groups that will give the buildings a good spring cleaning.
Forty Years Ago, 1983 Liana Rose and Mitch Stoltenberg were named St. Paul High School’s outstanding girl and boy athletes at the school’s athletic banquet on May 10th.
Galen Poss, a junior student at Elba High, has been selected to be included in the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students 1982-83.”
Fifty Years Ago, 1973 Congressman Dave Martin today announced approval of a $10,000 Bureau of Outdoor Recreation grant to St. Paul. Martin said he was notified of the grant by the Interior Department. It is to assist the community in development of a ballfield. Included will be the addition of lighting and bleachers to an existing softball little league field and bleachers at two other ball fields in the recreation area. The project is located at Elm and Taylor Streets in St. Paul.
The girls’ state track meet at Grand Island on Saturday saw the St. Paul Wildcat 440 relay team picking up first place in Class B. Alice Meyer, Elaine Stefanowicz, Mary Stefanowicz, and Karen Kulwicki raced for a 0:52.3 timing to win the event. Mary Stefanowicz, who also qualified to participate in the 100- and 220-yard dashes, finished second in the 100 and third in the 220.
Sixty Years Ago, 1963 The dry spell was broken in the area Tuesday night when rain brought a total of near an inch in the St. Paul area. In the Cushing area, 2.20 was reported, with about the same amount in the Rockville and Boelus area. The rain was accompanied by a severe electrical storm. A very light fall of hail was evidenced at Cushing.
Over 400 persons attended the annual Bowling Banquet on Monday evening at the Legion Hall in St. Paul. After the banquet, a program was held, with Harold McDermott as toastmaster. Short speeches were given by the presidents of the various leagues. The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the king and queen.
Seventy Years Ago, 1953 Robert C. Brehm is the new owner of the Rexall Drug Store in St. Paul. Sale of the business was made this week in a business transaction between L.R. Dillard and Robert Dillard and Mr. Brehm. The new owner comes to St. Paul from Broken Bow, where for the past 2.5 years he has been associated with the Varney Rexall Drug Store. Mr. Brehm is a graduate of the University of Nebraska in 1950, where he received his degree pharmacy.
A fire that could have been dangerous brought out the fire department in a hurry on Monday evening. A gasoline pump at Cook’s Standard Oil Station ignited from a short circuit. The pump was being repaired at the time. The fire was brought under control and was prevented from spreading, though the pump was probably damaged beyond repair.
Eighty Years Ago, 1943 South Pacific Base, May 15th—Two Nebraska men, Lt. (j.g.) Robert T. Gordon, McCook, and Naval Chief Ray E. Coons, St. Paul, members of a dive bomber squadron which has sunk eighty thousand tons of Japanese shipping, including three carriers, have been awarded decorations for their prowess in aerial attacks on the enemy. Lt. Gordon has been awarded the Navy Cross and Naval Chief Coons has received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Coons received his present rating at the same time he was awarded the DFC. Ray Coons is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Coons of St. Paul. His wife is a women guard at the Q-O Ordnance plant near Grand Island and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wall of St. Paul.
Lt. Alvin Christensen, son of Mrs. Carl Christensen of this city, was one of those soldiers fighting in North Africa whose picture appeared in last week’s “Life” Magazine. He was cited for gallantry in action recently in battle and received a silver star. The picture goes with an article on North Africa and the battle in Tunisia.
Ninety Years Ago, 1933 The cloud that opened the heavens in a downpour and washed out a railroad track had a silver lining for six youngsters, all members of an Orphan’s Home at Passaic, New Jersey... Seeing the embankment give way from their windows, they rushed down the track waving raincoats and flagging a commuters’ train carrying 500 people. The engine stopped fifty feet from the racing waters...Their reward is to be Babe Ruth’s guests at a ball game and a trip to the World’s Fair at Chicago by the Erie R.R.
Dannebrog News—As the result of an arithmetic contest, the seventh graders entertained the eighth graders with a wiener roast after school Monday evening. The party was sponsored by their teacher, Mr. Luddington, and wife. A fine time was enjoyed by all.
100 Years Ago, 1923 The St. Paul fans are made of the right stuff. That was proven last Sunday in no uncertain manner. They were pulling their best for St. Paul to win the ball game for the visitors. And it was such a good game. No crabbing. No rag-chewing. No baiting the umpire. Frank Hayes, a new man handling the indicator, made several questionable decisions, but the visitors laughed them away and never made a kick. It was a pleasure to attend such a game of ball. It looked like we were beat until the eighth inning, when we drove in two earned runs, tieing the score. Everybody was excited...Then, something happened that changed all this. Elmer Duryea is a pretty square sport and a good fellow. Very seldom does he make a kick about anything on the ball field...Imagine our surprise last Sunday when he walked off the field and objected to playing ball with a “doctored” ball, one that was driven full of nails...Someone had forgotten that he was a gentleman and a clean sport and he had driven three phonograph needles into the ball, where they were entirely out of place. The enthusiastic fans were shocked and dumbfounded. They filed down to the scorer’s booth and asked to see the ball and wanted to know if the kick made by “Hook” Duryea was justified, and when we told them it was, they quit the game in numbers or else returned to their places and sat dumb and mute for the rest of the game. That shows that, while they wanted to win the game, and were doing all they could, in a legitimate way, to help the local lads, as soon as they found out that someone had tried to do something not on the square, they closed up like a clam and not another bid of assistance did they offer to the home crew...We are glad to note that so many of the good sports of the city are absolutely on the square and that they will not tolerate anything that looks like it may be crooked work.
Miss Olive Gruber is a good whistler and a good singer. Most of the local people know that, but her fame has not reached the outside world as yet, although she has appeared before the public in other places. On six occasions this week—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons and evenings—she is to appear on the Majestic stage in Grand Island and whistle and sing for the patrons of that popular play house. We are willing to predict that when she completes her en-gagement there, she will have made several thousand additional friends and admirers.
110 Years Ago, 1913 Bermidja, Minnesota— A fly wheel, ten feet in diameter and weighing seven tons in the mills of the Crookston Lumber Company, burst and instantly killed Charles Johnson, an engineer.
News was received in San Francisco of the wreck and abandonment of the lumber laden schooner Lyman D. Foster, bound from Billingham for Lavuka in the South Seas, on April 30th. Captain Killman and the crew of eleven men were saved and made shore at Kambara Island.
120 Years Ago, 1903 The remains of Alfred Davis, who died in the Philippines, were shipped home for burial at Weston, Nebraska. He was a member of the first infantry and a brother of Mrs. A.C. Moss, who lives near Wolbach. She came over yesterday and took the train for Weston to be present when the body was lain to rest.
Advt—Lost: a gold watch between the old Andrew Henry farm north of the river and St. Paul. The watch has an engraving of an engine on one side and also has a long hair chain with gold clasp. The chain bar is gone. A liberal reward will be given for the return of the watch to George White at Our Meat Market, St. Paul.
130 Years Ago, 1893 Fred Olsen, the pioneer merchant and all-around businessman of Nysted, has sold out his entire interests in that burg. Rey Standskov is the purchaser of the store building, livery stable, and residence, and Postmaster Petersen takes the stock of merchandise and will continue to serve the old customers at the old stand with groceries, dry goods, and general merchandise. Fred has become such a well-known and popular landmark in our neighboring town that his absence will greatly be missed. We understand he contemplates moving on his farm.
Ord, Neb., May 15th— Two desperadoes were arrested here Friday night, the first charge being that of carrying concealed weapons, and their trial was held today. They are suspected of being horse thieves and to have broken into several houses and stolen property. Other charges will follow the first. There were found upon their persons revolvers, knives, saws, wrenches and, in fact, they had a full outfit for carrying on the business in which it seems they were engaged: that of burglary, highway robbery, etcetera. A letter was found on the person of one man purporting to be from his mother in Omaha. It is found, however, that they are travelling under fictitious names and it is believed to have been lucky for the life and property of citizens that they have been captured and put into the hands of the authorities.
140 Years Ago, 1883 Mr. R.E. Martin was caught out in a hailstorm in Valley County on Tuesday of last week and got a terrible pounding by the hail stones. He thinks that, if the storm had been much more severe, it would have done him serious injury, but he escaped with a few bruises. He says that a number of houses were unroofed in the Mira Creek Valley and a great deal of damage done.
We learn that a serious accident befell the family of John Deiks, who lives about three miles northeast of town. His sod house fell in during Tuesday night and buried his family in dirt and sods. J. Sparks and family were staying there, and they also were badly mixed up. Mrs. Sparks was the only one injured by the disaster. The wet weather probably softened the sod and caused it to collapse.