1918: Alva Olson dies after fighting in France

Sept. 12, 1918

HARTINGTON — This year’s tax levy for Cedar County has been set at 23 mills, which is the same as it was last year.

Sept. 12, 1918

HARTINGTON — Alva Olson, who was injured in the fighting in France on July 21, died in the hospital there 10 days later, according to his father, Oscar W. Olson, in a telegram received Friday.

Only a few days previously a letter dictated by Alva saying he had been injured had been received. In the letter he stated the injury was to his left arm and was quite serious. The letter was written a week after he was injured and two days before his death.

Alva Olson was only 17 when he enlisted in May, 1917, leaving Hartington with the first volunteers for the training camp.

He was a member of the Methodist church and superintendent of the Sunday school. No more popular youth resided in the community, With the declaration of the war his patriotic zeal was fired and nothing could stay his desire to do his share to support his country.

Owing to the inability of his former pastor, Rev. Handel Collier to attend at a later date a memorial service was held last Sunday afternoon at the Congregational Church , which could accommodate but a fraction of the crowd which attended.

Rev. Jones, of Ewing, read the invocation, Rev. Munsell delivered a short talk after which Supt. A.M. Nelson of the local schools paid a tribute to the manly qualities possessed by his former student.

Rev. Handel Collier, who was pastor of the Methodist Church here then delivered the memorial address which was a glowing tribute to the young soldier who gave his all for his country.

A mixed quartette rendered several musical numbers.

Sept. 13, 1928

HARTINGTON — A cyclone hit Fordyce last Thursday. As a result, three men were killed and several thousand dollars worth of damage was done to property.

Sept. 13, 1928

HARTINGTON — Henry Werthman and Joe Nicholas were riding a gas car along the railroad when the wind blew it into the ditch. Both of them were seriously injured in the accident.

Sept. 13, 1928

HARTINGTON — Ralph Smith was chosen to fill out the unexpired term of Harvey Sorensen as secretary of the Hartington Commercial Club.

Sept. 13, 1928

HARTINGTON — Cedar County is reported to have some of the best roads in the state according to last year’s Nebraska Agricultural Statistics. Sept. 13, 1928

HARTINGTON — Anyone who believes Cedar County corn is not up to par should inspect the acres owned by Ed Dirks. He says his corn will yield between 50 and 60 bushels per acre this year.