1949: Area men kidnapped by bandits
June 9, 1949
HARTINGTON — The manhunt for three desperate armed robbers and killers centered in Cedar County for a time early Monday when their trail led across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and into Nebraska.
The first knowledge Sheriff Ralph Clements had of the manhunt came at 6 o’clock Sunday evening when Minneapolis authorities called and reported the robbery and killing of a police man Saturday morning at 2:30 a.m. in a Minneapolis suburb. They said that the trio, Aruther Bistrom, 37, his brother Carl Bistrom, 27, and Allen Hartman, 20, all of St. Paul, Minn., had kidnapped an officer, Ralph Senn, of Mandan, N.D., and were believed headed this way.
June 9, 1949
HARTINGTON — The Hartington municipal airport was officially opened and dedicated here Sunday and a large crowd of visiting pilots and local citizens made the event highly successful. The weather was ideal for both pilots and spectators.
June 9, 1949
HARTINGTON — Eighty six eager youngsters appeared at the auditorium Wednesday to sign up for summer playground activities under the direction of Jolly Carlson and Miss Carolyn Olson.
June 16, 1949
WYNOT — Mr. and Marloave Olsen and their 17 month old baby had a narrow escape Sunday evening when lightning struck their house shortly before eight o’clock.
They were preparing for bed when the bolt came, hitting the baby’s bed and demolishing it, damaging the radio, knocking plaster off the walls and doing much other damage.
The most severe damage was to the living and bed rooms although the castors on the kitchen stove were shattered.
June 16, 1949
HARTINGTON — According to the estimate of expenses published by the Hartington school district in a legal notice in this issue of the paper, the Hartington school district will require $36,852.40 to be raised by taxation.
June 16, 1949
HARTINGTON — Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters, of near Pleasant Valley celebrated their golden wedding anniversary June 6 with a solemn high mass at St. Joseph’s church in Constance and a reception at the home.