From Our Files

• Jan. 13, 1949

The Genevieve Rebekah Lodge No. 154 held private installation of their officers at the I.O.O.F. Hall. The district deputy president, Mrs. Smith, and her staff from Sheldon did the installing. The Noble Grand of the lodge was Laura Shouse and Vice Grand was Carrie Rampenthal.

Clarence Smith, who had been connected with construction work for a number of years, and worked on the Hartley sewage disposal plant, decided to make Hartley his permanent home. He joined the sales force of Foxbilt Feeds and was assigned to the southeast corner of O’Brien County.

A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a grain elevator at Paullina. Approximately 16,000 bushels of flax, shelled corn, soybeans and oats were reported lost. Firemen from four communities fought the blaze for five hours. A nearby cement plant was damaged.

• Jan. 10, 1974

Marvin Kruse, of Spencer, suggested airport improvements including a paved runway 50 feet wide and 2,550 feet long, paved runways at each end and a paved taxiway. The engineer’s estimate called for two inches of asphaltic concrete over a six-inch compacted base, which would cost $80,000.

Hartley students and school staff responded to the energy “crunch” in the following ways: the study of the problem in elementary and secondary classrooms, turning off all unnecessary lights and turning back thermostats. Sweaters were more in evidence and fewer cars were seen in the student parking lot.

The first baby born in 1974 at the Hartley Community Memorial Hospital was James Lee Vogt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lon Vogt, of rural Hartley. James, who was the couple’s first child, was born on Wednesday, Jan. 2. He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces.

• Jan. 14, 1999

Despite frigid temperatures, construction continued on an addition to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Workmen from Stewart Construction, of Rock Rapids, brought in a crane to lift rafters into place. The project was undertaken by St. Paul’s to improve handicapped accessibility.

Everly area native Bob Goeken was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Security State Bank in Hartley. He had joined the bank in October of 1998 as Executive Vice President and secretary of the Board of Directors.

Upper Des Moines Opportunity provided services to 268 persons in 93 households in Hartley from Oct. 1, 1997-Sept. 30, 1998. Of those receiving assistance, 154 were female and 114 were male, nearly all were white, and more than half (141) were under school age or still in school.

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