From Our Files

• Jan. 29, 1948

The Hartley Town Council voted to repeal the outmoded poll tax that had been on the statutes of the town for many years. The tax, which placed a levy upon the head of each able-bodied man of military age, was considered by many to be in effect little more than a “veteran’s tax.” The levy was originally intended to secure a fund of labor for the construction of roads.

Harlan Goetsch was attending a school for farm equipment management, which was conducted by the International Harvester Co. exclusively for dealers and their personnel.

The skating rink at the athletic field was enthusiastically received by the young people of Hartley. In spite of sub-zero weather, many had taken advantage of the new recreation facility.

• Jan. 25, 1973

The O’Brien County Board of Supervisors voted to install stop signs at the railroad crossing in east Hartley. Cost of the installation was borne by the county. The stop signs were one of the safety aims of the Community Improvement Project.

Dale Brigham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Brigham, was selected for membership in the American Musical Ambassadors Band. The group of outstanding high school and university musicians was to tour Europe during the summer. Brigham played bass clarinet in the Hartley High School band.

The nation again mourned the passing of a former president. Lyndon B. Johnson, 64, died of a severe coronary disease at his ranch home in Texas. Funeral services were held at the National City Christian Church after Johnson’s body had lain in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

• Jan. 29, 1998

A special election was scheduled for April 7 to determine if a one percent local sales and service tax should be imposed in the City of Hartley. The date was set by the Board of Supervisors as the tax was a county tax and not a city levy. The city council designated all receipts of the tax for “community betterment.”

Russ Adams, principal at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School, was named Area Education Agency 4 “Middle School Principal of the Year.” Adams, who was in his third year at H-M-S, was selected for the honor by other AEA 4 principals.

Korey Ebel, a senior at H-M-S High School, was one of 44 players selected as a member of the North Squad for the 1998 Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Classic. The game was held to raise funds for Shrine Hospital programs.

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