From Our Files

• June 26, 1947

Six midget mules, the only hitch of its kind in the United States, were in Hartley. According to handler Brownie Beck, the rare animals were gotten together after a long search over many states. Pulling a calliope, the little fellows attracted a large crowd of all ages.

In a very appropriate service at the Methodist church, Rev. Stanley Kruschwitz, assisted by Mrs. L.J. Parks and Mrs. Hobart Putnam, presented service folders to the young men and women whose service stars had been on the service flag of the church. The folders bore the actual stars that had been on the flag.

J. Dwight Denny, of Hartley, was elected principal of the Sheldon High School for the 1947-48 school year. The Hartley board’s choice to replace Denny was Harry Dobe, of Brule, Wis., who had served as principal of the Waino High School for seven years. The remainder of the Hartley faculty was nearly complete.

• June 22, 1972

Ordination services were planned at Trinity United Church of Christ during which Thietje Hunt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hunt, would be ordained in the ministry. He was the first native born Hartleyite to become a minister in the United Church of Christ and, as far as could be ascertained, the first native born to be ordained in the Christian ministry. Rev. Hunt attended Westmar College before entering United Theological Seminary at New Brighton, Minn.

Ila L. Tanhoff, of Everly, announced her candidacy for State Representative for the Fifth District. A resident of Everly since 1944, Tanhoff had been active in the Democratic Party in Clay County for 10 years.

Mrs. Walter Leland, American Red Cross County Blood Chairman, presented volunteer chairman pins to Mrs. Amos Lloyd and Mrs. Evelyn Kenyon, local chairman and co-chairman.

• June 26, 1997

Tom McHugh, Safety Director with the Iowa State Patrol, spoke to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn driver’s education students about the importance of following traffic laws, especially those related to drinking and driving. Students were shown what happened when a driver was stopped and the tests that were given when officers suspected someone violated drunk driving laws. Other safety presentations were planned to supplement classroom learning and driving experiences.

Sorensen Excavating and Construction was awarded the contract for the Morningside Estates First Addition Public Improvements Project. The Hartley firm’s total bid was $113,386 for underground utility construction, curb and gutter, and a city maintenance project on 8th Avenue East. The city also approved final language of the subdivision improvements project agreement with developer Marjean Westerman.

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