From Our Files

• Sept. 22, 1949

The town council announced the purchase of a 10-acre tract located just south of the railroad tracks, on the west side of Central Avenue. The total purchase price was $5,000. The primary purpose of the purchase was to develop it into a home for the O’Brien County Fair.

A number of motorists who left their cars parked in Hartley were victims of pranksters who loosened the valve cores and let the air out of two or more of the tires. The general pattern was to let the air out of two tires on the same side.

J.P. Martin, of Sutherland, Iowa’s last remaining Civil War veteran, passed away at his home. He would have been 102 years old in November. The celebrated member of the Grand Army of the Republic had been too weak to attend the final encampment of that organization.

• Sept. 19, 1974

Twenty-five young people from the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church in Hartley joined with another 100 young people from other O’Brien County communities in a “Walk for Hunger.” Well over $300 was raised by the Hartley youth for the appeal to stop hunger in the world.

Mrs. Rudolf Riessen, of Hartley, was second runner-up in the “Recipe Roundup” in an issue of “Farm Wife News,” a national publication for rural women. Her winning dish, calico beans, was great for picnics and potluck dinners, and could be enjoyed hot or cold.

John L. Bisek was transferred by the Grain Division of Cook Industries, Inc. from Emmons, Minn. to Hartley, where he assumed responsibilities of the company’s new inland sub-terminal. Bisek was an employee of the Speltz Grain Co. for eight years prior to its acquisition by Cook Industries in 1974.

• Sept. 23, 1999

Security State Bank in Hartley donated $6,000 toward the new track at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn athletic field. According to financial records, $24,600 remained to be raised in order to finish paying for the project.

Enrollment at H-M-S continued to decline, but the rate of student losses had slowed. The 1999-2000 enrollment was 904, which represented a loss of 12 students. The decrease was significantly less than the 35-student drop the district experienced the previous year.

Three candidates filed for two four-year terms on the Hartley City Council. They were incumbent Walt Ronnfeldt, Blayne Johnson and Gerald Verhoef. Two candidates also filed to fill an unexpired term on the council. They were Ron Hengeveld, who did not file to run for another four-year term, and Arlo Snider.

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