From Our Files

• Dec. 4, 1947

Clifford Ostrom, of Rock Island, Ill., a former South American sales manager for John Deere, purchased the Hartley Feed Mill from Vern Donnenwerth.

A new six-lane bowling alley at May City was preparing for its official opening. Bill Boernsen was the proprietor of the new establishment.

The plane of Forest Newcomer, of Rock Rapids, was damaged Thanksgiving Day at the Hartley airport. No one was in the plane when a gust of wind tipped it up on the telephone wires. Damage was done to both wings and the windshield. Mr. Newcomer had flown to Hartley while his wife and family came in the car. Unfortunately, the family’s car was badly damaged a few days later in a head-on collision near Rock Rapids.

• Nov. 30, 1972

A crowd of about 250 4-H members, parents and leaders took part in O’Brien County’s annual 4-H conference. Margaret Gable, of Hartley, was among those elected to serve on the 1973 county 4-H council. Orville Rusch, of Hartley, was recognized for five years as a leader of the G&W Feeders club.

The Hartley Adult Drama Club was preparing its second semiannual full-scale dramatic production. The program ran the gamut from the sublime with a tragedy entitled “Idols” to the ridiculous with a farce pantomime titled “The Camel and the Vampire.”

The O’Brien County school system, in cooperation with the Iowa Heart Association, scheduled a Heart Sound Screening Program for third graders. A mini-computer was used to detect previously-unknown heart problems in young students. The method was automatic and believed to be very accurate.

• Dec. 4, 1997

Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company held its 50th annual meeting at the Everly school gym. The cooperative had another successful year with total assets increasing to nearly $18.5 million. The cooperative had elevators at Everly, Hartley, Royal, Spencer, Langdon, Greenville and Milford.

Cheryl Petersen accepted the position of counselor for the Homestead Cooperative of Hartley. She was available to answer questions and take reservations for homes in the cooperative. Construction of the housing units was expected to begin in the spring of 1998.

The Hartley Police Department was accepting bids for a new vehicle. Specifications called for a 1998 Ford Explorer or a Dodge Durango. Either would be a four-wheel drive, four-door unit. Bid forms were sent to several dealers in the area.

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