From Our Files

• July 14, 1949

Dr. C.E. Radcliffe, who had been associated with Dr. J.C. Peterson in the Hand Hospital for three years, was leaving for Iowa City where he planned to take a postgraduate course in dermatology. Dr. L.F. Grams joined Dr. Peterson on the hospital staff.

Don Burns was elected commander of the Arthur W. Kirchhoff post of the American Legion. Other officers were Franklin Newel, first vice commander; Donald Hebbel, second vice commander; Earl Burns, adjutant; R.C. Hoper, historian; and Hobart Putnam, chaplain.

An amended state traffic law required all drivers to bring their vehicles to a complete stop before entering or crossing any public highway from a private road or drive. The law, in effect, placed a “stop sign” at the end of every farm lane and private drive opening upon a public road.

• July 11, 1974

The valiant work of Hartley firemen saved the buildings adjoining the L&L Café when that building was destroyed by an early morning fire. Firemen fought the blaze, which started in the kitchen area in the back, for over two hours. The building and contents were considered a total loss. The city clerk’s office to the south and D&S Hardware to the north sustained considerable smoke damage. The work of the Hartley firemen was remarkable as a strong south wind was blowing at the time.

The first reunion was being held for all those who attended or graduated from the Moneta school through the years from 1923 to 1959. Ironically, the first reunion to be held in the building would possibly be the last, for the Everly school district that had used the building in its system decided to abandon it.

• July 15, 1999

Nearly 50 persons, including volunteer firemen from Hartley, Sanborn, Melvin and Primghar, joined to help remove the lanes from the former Hartley bowling center. The lanes were removed in 12 sections, 40 feet in length and weighing approximately 16 tons. The sections were loaded onto a trailer and transported to Bowl-Mor in Sanborn, where they were installed and were ready for sanding.

Architects Collaborative, of Spencer, recommended tearing down the existing Hartley Public Library and constructing an 8,000 square foot building on the site encompassing the existing structure and the lot to the west. The recommendation was based on construction costs and the difficulty of combining roof lines and the interior design of the existing structure with an addition.

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