From Our Files

• Feb. 6, 1947

Billy, the 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Linder, received some painful burns when a water heater in the yard exploded. Duane had just lighted the heater and Billy was standing near when it exploded. The left side of his face was burned and his hair and brows were singed, but the eye was not injured. He quickly recovered from the injuries.

Former Hartley resident, Mrs. William Lemke, was featured in the daily Sioux City papers for her work with the Sunshine League in that city. She was a founder and president of the organization which helped shut-ins, crippled and aged persons, and paralyzed children. She had contacted over 4,000 handicapped persons either by card, letter or personal calls. She had previously lived in Hartley when her husband was associated with the Lemke Brothers Department Store.

• Feb. 17, 1972

Due to declining enrollment, the Hartley school board decided to reduce by two the number of classroom sections in 1972-73. The plan called for only two sections of first grade and two sections of sixth grade. Kindergarten enrollment in the fall was expected to be approximately 40 students.

Don Hagen, of Primghar, planned to construct a second townhouse in Hartley. He purchased the Clarence Olhausen property on the corner of First Avenue East and First Street Southeast, where he planned to construct four two-bedroom apartments. Another complex of four one-bedroom apartments was also a possibility.

Wilbur Wacker, who had previously served as Hartley light plant superintendent, agreed to act as temporary superintendent but would not seek to permanently replace Wilferd Schmeling, who was leaving Hartley for a similar job at Pocahontas.

• Feb. 20, 1997

Hartley librarian Merna Menke was the guest of honor at a retirement coffee. She had been employed at the library for 28 years. Krista Ahmann, representing the Friends of the Library, presented Menke with a framed drawing as a retirement gift.

The conversion of the former Fran’s Dress Shop building in downtown Hartley into the central administration offices of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District was progressing. Custodians were remodeling the building to provide offices for the superintendent, board secretary, technology and curriculum coordinators, as well as a reception area, board meeting room and office storage. The district had purchased the building for $11,000. Vacated space at the high school was being converted to an Iowa Communications Network classroom and equipment storage room.

“From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.