From Our Files

• Aug. 18, 1949

The livestock portion of the 1949 O’Brien County Fair, which was held in Hartley, was brought to a successful conclusion with the selling of 66 head of prime beef at an average price of $27.69 per hundred. Large crowds were also on hand to enjoy the free acts on Central Avenue. Despite the scorching heat, many O’Brien County youngsters thronged the streets of Hartley to take advantage of the free rides.

Douglas Graves resigned as the instructor for the veterans’ on-the-farm training program. His late resignation made it almost impossible to set up the program and receive qualified instruction.

About 250 White Rock pullets and roosters were stolen at the Ralph Bethke farm, and chicken thieves also took about the same number of pullets and roosters at the Lawrence Bethke farm. The farms were about a mile apart.

• Aug. 15, 1974

President Richard M. Nixon, who had been reelected by a landslide vote in November of 1972, resigned from office in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as Nixon’s successor. It was the first time a president had resigned, and Ford was the first chief executive who had not been elected either vice president or president.

The Hartley cheerleaders earned several awards at the Great Lakes Cheer Camp. They came out on top with a blue superior ribbon and earned a “spirit stick” for displaying the greatest amount of team spirit.

Voters in the Hartley Community School were asked to approve an additional 1-1/2 mill levy for a five year period. The levy was needed to fund necessary improvements to buildings and grounds. The $21,000 in estimated revenues would allow the district to complete about one project a year.

• Aug. 19, 1999

Seth Erichsen, son of Alan and Lori Erichsen of Hartley, participated in the International Pedal Pullers Association tractor pedal pull at Yankton, S.D. He placed third in the boys’ age 11 division with a pull of 23 feet. It was the last year he was eligible to compete.

A new car wash was under construction in northwest Hartley. The business was owned by Hugh Johnson and Keith Stoltz. The car wash was designed to have one automated drive-through bay and two bays where vehicles could be washed by hand.

Because of the construction project, the class schedule at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School was adjusted. Classes were to start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:17 p.m. The adjustment was necessary in order to provide time for a third lunch period.

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