From Our Files

• Feb. 17, 1949

Emmet Hirt, who farmed near Hartley, was featured in the “Checkerboard News,” a publication of Purina Mills with a nationwide distribution. The article, complete with pictures, demonstrated the advantages of large pigs at birth and of big litters. Of the four litters described in the article, Hirt saved an average of 10.5 pigs per litter.

Workmen started the remodeling program at the Huntting Elevator, which included new elevator machinery, enlarged loading platform, enlarged cupola and new exterior finish of sheet aluminum.

Although final returns were not complete, it could safely be said that Hartley exceeded its quota of $1,300 in the March of Dimes drive. The dance at Neebel’s Danceland was highly successful and capacity audiences filled the theater for the shows donated by the MacDowells.

• Feb. 14, 1974

The new county shed for vehicle storage and maintenance for this part of O’Brien County was nearing completion. The building was located on the east side of Hartley, just south of the O.K. Sheep Ranch. The old county shed on East Maple Drive was to be disposed of when the new building was finished.

A fire of unknown origin destroyed a building on the Arlene Harders farm southeast of Hartley. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Kranz lived on the farm. The fire destroyed the building and contents including a car, boat, bicycles and other items, most of which belonged to the Kranz family.

Dr. Lee Marven joined Dr. Ivan E. Brown in practice at the Hartley Medical Center. Dr. Marvin, a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, had previously practiced family medicine at LeMars and was on staff at a hospital in Virginia. He was residing in the apartment in the medical center.

• Feb. 18, 1999

Mayor Edward Robinson received word that RAGBRAI XXVII would pass through Hartley on Sunday, July 25. Over 8,000 bicycle riders were expected to leave Rock Rapids that morning, with their first overnight stop to be in Spencer. George, Ashton and Melvin were other communities along the first-day route.

Twenty students at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School were initiated into the Octavio Paz chapter of the Spanish Honor Society. The initiates were committed to the study of the Spanish language. The group was the largest to be initiated into the chapter up to that time.

The Artist in Residence program at H-M-S Elementary concluded with a program presented by the fourth grade students. Fax Gilbert, of Fairfield, worked with the students to prepare scenes from his “Great Iowa History Play.” One fourth grade section presented brief mime dramatizations of modern themes.

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