From Our Files

• June 23, 1949

A copy of The Hartley Sentinel was among the Iowa newspapers microfilmed and placed in a vault at Des Moines to be opened in 2049. The ceremony was part of the Des Moines Register’s centennial celebration.

The person or persons who robbed the local liquor store of $236 in cash were still at large. The robbery occurred when Henry Meehlhause, then on duty, went to the basement. When he went to make change for the next customer, the money was gone from the cash drawer.

Warm weather and abundant rain made the crop outlook for this part of Iowa very promising. Rains did much to aid in the rapid growth of farm crops. The only foreseen menace was the corn borer.

Funeral services were held for pioneer businessman August Feldhahn, 86, who had operated a harness shop until 1944 when ill health forced him to retire.

• June 20, 1974

The Community Betterment Council appealed by letter to Greyhound-Armour for removal of the unsightly and unsafe buildings on their property in east Hartley. A grass fire pointed up the hazard of the vacant stockyards to the adjoining residential area.

One of the most patriotic acts Americans of all ages could perform was emptying the family piggy bank. According to Gale Bobolz, vice president of Security State Bank, the nation faced a penny shortage because people were withholding some 30 billion pennies from circulation.

In addition to the usual radio, siren and flashing lights, the new police car purchased by the City of Hartley was equipped with a cage-type barrier between the front and back seats for the protection of the officer on duty, while transporting suspects or prisoners.

• June 24, 1999

Harrison Township #6 school held a reunion at Neebel Park in Hartley. Teachers honored at the event were Bertha West, Inez Smith, Alice Benson and Mary Byers. A good representation of students, parents and guests attended. They spent the afternoon reminiscing about old school days.

Cathy Jochims and Chantal Orthmann, third grade teachers at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School, were nominated for Disney’s American Teacher Awards. Both were nominated by students who felt they had made an impact on them.

Helen Kuehl and Jan Hall created the winning design for Hartley’s RAGBRAI shirts. Profits from the sale of the shirts with the theme “Get Pumped in Hartley” would help cover expenses related to the upcoming visit by thousands of cyclists.

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