From Our Files

• Jan. 1, 1948

The free mailing privilege which service men and women had enjoyed since March 27, 1942, by simply writing “Free” in the upper right hand corner of the envelope and the name, serial number and address in the left hand corner, ended on Jan. 1. A bill was introduced in Congress to extend the privilege for two more years.

J.T. Powell had the misfortune to have his leg broken when he was milking a cow. The cow was startled and jumped, striking Mr. Powell and breaking both bones above the ankle. He crawled to the house and was taken at once to the Hand Hospital, where a cast was put on.

W.A. Hamilton placed first and Dr. J.C. Peterson, Jr. placed second in the home division of the Christmas lighting contest. Business awards were given to E.U. Thomas, first place, and the Hub Clothiers, second.

• Dec. 28, 1972

Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Dass announced that their hardware store, formerly Coast-to-Coast, would be affiliated with Cotter and Co., thus becoming one of over 4,000 TruValue franchise stores in the country. The new name of the local store was Dass TruValue Hardware and Auto.

Rich McCarty, of Hartley, was a member of the executive committee of the Sioux, O’Brien and Osceola County Solid Waste Agency. William Rush, of Sheldon, was chairman and Raymond Schmidt, of Melvin, was vice chairman. Each municipality in the agency was to be assessed 50 cents per capita for initial costs and expenses.

Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States, died at a Kansas City, Mo. hospital at the age of 88. He was buried on the grounds of the Truman Memorial Library in Independence, Mo.

• Jan. 1, 1998

The jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, created some excitement when he made a last minute pre-Christmas stop at Red’s Café in order to hear Hartley area children’s up to the second gift requests. Santa decided to forego his usual reindeer-powered sleigh to make his visit to Hartley. Instead, he rode into town in a horse-drawn wagon driven by Dale Lux.

The average value of an acre of Iowa farmland climbed to $1,837 during 1997, the fourth-highest average recorded since Iowa State University started doing an annual survey of land values in 1941. The average value of land in O’Brien County was $2,522 in 1997, which was up 9.5 percent from the previous year. Clay County farmland averaged $2,215 per acre while land in Osceola County averaged $2,125. Both saw increases of approximately 9.7 percent.

Editor’s note: Last week’s “From Our Files” column was cut due to holiday spatial constraints. It is included below.

• Dec. 25, 1947

Bill Powers had the misfortune to lose one of his matched team of horses. The animal was injured by a sharp object which pierced its stomach. It was a big loss as Powers had raised the team and had been offered a very good price for them.

In spite of the penetratingly cold evening, a good-sized crowd gathered on Main Street to vie for the 60-some prizes which were awarded by Hartley business firms and the Chamber of Commerce. Leo Rasmussen did a nice job of handling the drawing.

The union choir comprised of members from Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Methodist Church presented the cantata “Chimes of the Holy Night.” Forty-one voices were directed by Mrs. Paul Woodke, accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Harrison Pike.

• Dec. 21, 1972

An organizational meeting was held for a Committee for Community Concern. One topic discussed was a community choir comprised of Hartley residents and those of the surrounding area. If enough interest was shown, the choir would be organized to prepare for an Easter concert.

Due to a very poor turnout, the election of officers for the Hartley Industrial Development Corporation was postponed. It was announced that options on industrial sites were available, something which was required for the data sheet to be supplied to the state industrial development group.

A new junior fair board was being formed to help conduct and improve the O’Brien County Fair. The group was to consist of six present or former 4-H or FFA members, between the ages of 16 and 21. The junior group was to meet separately from the 16-member O’Brien County Fair Board.

• Dec. 25, 1997

A house owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Nelson was moved from its original location in May City to a lot in Hartley. However, the home was too wide to fit between a tree and a light pole when it was only one block from its new location. The tree that blocked the way was scheduled to be removed in 1998, so the city cut it down to allow the house to pass.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School instrumentalists selected to participate in the Northwest Iowa Honor Band were Stacy Havlik, Sara Rogne and Ethanie Wallinga, flute; Becky Gerritson, Jennifer Harms and Shanna Vetter, clarinet; Jillian Scheerhoorn, oboe; Rachel Funke, bassoon; Christa Funke, French horn; and Matthew Havlik, trombone.

Jason Jacobs, a fourth grade student at H-M-S Elementary, won the school-level competition of the National Geography Bee and qualified to advance to compete in the state-level competition.

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