From Our Files

• Sept. 15, 1949

Rivin Bros., formerly of Scotland, S.D., purchased the Kaplan Markets, including the Kaplan Store in Hartley. Riven Bros. also owned seven stores in South Dakota. The new store name was Rivin Bros. Food Market, but few other changes were anticipated.

After much deliberation Roger Luedke, all state back of 1948, and his brother, Gordon, an all-conference tackle, picked the University of Iowa as their school of choice. At least a dozen big-time colleges had sought the services of the two outstanding high school athletes.

The O’Brien County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase and installation of flashing signals and bells at the Milwaukee crossing on South Central Avenue. The action had to be approved by state and federal authorities. Ten percent of the cost would be borne by the railroad, which would do the installing.

• Sept. 12, 1974

Over 200 persons crowded every inch of little Covey Church, located eight miles south of Hartley, for the celebration of the 100th year of the first church in O’Brien County. The church was named after its first pastor, Rev. John Covey.

Cortland Construction completed the eight silos at the Cook Industries grain terminal just west of Hartley. Around the clock work on the silos was completed in a few days.

The fabrication division of Spencer Foods, Inc., located in Hartley, was closed permanently, according to Gerald Pearson, chairman of the board. Labor and management had failed to reach any kind of agreement before the contract deadline. Community leaders and representatives of the workers attempted to bring about some kind of negotiating meeting, but their efforts failed. The possibility of the Hartley plant reopening under new ownership could not be confirmed.

• Sept. 16, 1999

Joe’s Ready Mix, of Sioux Center, was granted an additional 15 days to complete the Central Avenue curb and gutter project in Hartley. It was felt the curb and gutter work would be done by the new deadline; however, it was not clear if the asphalt paving could be completed in time.

The City of Hartley received a refund totaling $8,757 from Northern Natural Gas. The pipeline company refunded the difference between what it had charged for transporting natural gas and the transportation rate approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Keith Weber accepted the position of president of Security State Bank in Hartley. Weber also continued to serve as a director of the bank, a position he had held since 1979. Weber had been a veterinarian in Hartley since 1969, and looked forward to assisting with the transition to new ownership of the bank.

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