From Our Files

• July 15, 1948

The new Hartley Home Lockers building on Highway 18 was in the final stages of construction. The plant was complete with slaughter facilities, smoke room, lard rendering department and the latest in freezing and storing equipment.

The town council let a contract for the resurfacing of most of the streets in Hartley. Funding for the $17,863 expenditure would come from the special one-cent gas tax. The council also discussed the possibility of erecting a new jail and scale house.

The casketed remains of Pvt. Edward C. Krueger, who served in the Army during World War II, were being returned from overseas for final burial. His body had been interred in a military cemetery in Luxembourg, but was being returned to this country at the request of next of kin in Hartley.

• July 12, 1973

Hartley was “on the go” with several construction projects underway. They included the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association building on Central Avenue, townhouse rental units being built by Don Hagen, and homes being built for Howard Borchard, Verlis Fanning, Elmer Krebs, Postmaster Doug Magnussen and B.J. Sayre.

The Rock Island Railroad was seeking authorization to abandon the section of line between Hartley and Sibley. No mention was made concerning the section between Hartley and Royal, which had been in question. There was still the possibility that section would be repaired to handle grain from the new terminal to be constructed near Hartley.

Superintendent William Hutchinson was authorized to attend the city council meeting in regard to putting asphalt on the bus parking in front of the elementary school at the same time as street work was being done in Hartley.

• July 16, 1998

Eleanor Bremer, a resident at the Hartley Senior Wellness Center, celebrated her 103rd birthday on July 4. She was born at Ocheyedan in 1895, and attributed her long life to “faith, hard work, a little humor and never giving up.” A family barbecue was one of the events held to celebrate the milestone.

Hartley Cub Scout Pack 158 donated a children’s reading table to the Hartley Public Library. The table was dedicated in memory of Daniel and JoAnne Lefever. Four children’s stools were also purchased with the help of local clubs and memorial gifts.

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School Board approved participation in the Head Start program, to begin with the 1998-99 school year. The district agreed to provide classroom space and transportation for up to 16 children, ages 3-5, who were eligible. The district would also fund a teacher associate position.

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