From Our Files

• Dec. 9, 1948

William Heitritter, 48, was taken to a Hull hospital after being gored by a two-year-old bull at his farm near Melvin. His injuries included two broken ribs and several cuts and bruises. He was testing cattle in a barn when the bull became enraged and attacked him.

A large crowd had already assembled in Hartley when Santa Claus arrived by plane at the local airport. Old Saint Nick was escorted to the school grounds by the Hartley Fire Department, from which point he led a parade through the streets of town.

Orlan Ott, Hartley heavyweight, scored a quick knockout victory when he sent Frankie Majors, of Louisville, Ky., down for the count in the first round. Ott finished off his opponent with a left hook and a cross to the head. It was the seventh consecutive victory for Ott.

• Dec. 6, 1973

The eighth grade students of the Hartley Junior High presented a play entitled “The Boston Tea Party” to their parents and to the teachers and students of grades 4-7. Mr. Burt presented the background material to the students and Miss Houston directed the play which made history come alive.

The Hartley Drug and Fabric Center building had a new front. The upgrade virtually completed the remodeling project which began earlier in the year when Hartley Drug purchased the former Yager Department Store.

The city council spent considerable time discussing ways of alleviating the parking problem around the Spencer Foods fabricating plant. One of the suggested solutions was to obtain additional parking space from Elmer Neebel, who owned property near the plant.

• Dec. 10, 1998

Steve and Cheryl Taylor, of Hartley, placed second in the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s 1998 young farmer achievement award contest. The couple received a $250 gift certificate for FS products from Growmark, Inc.

A new type of farm was taking shape as the first 18 wind turbines were being erected south of Peterson. The goal of Zond Development Corporation was to build 257 wind turbines, each standing 212 feet tall and topped with three blades 80 feet in length.

InVision Architecture, of Sioux City, was tentatively engaged to prepare specifications for demolition of the buildings on the north and east sides of Stoplight Lounge. Superintendent of Public Works Bryan Gerritson recommended having a professional engineer draw up the plans due to the structures’ close proximity to another building.

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