• July 26, 1945

There had not been as much comment about anything on Hartley’s main street as there was in the case of the “missing bench.” Before it was put on the missing list, the bench was situated just north of the entrance to the new post office, but one bright day it disappeared. Comment was both for and against its absence and amateur sleuthing was rampant, but no matter of investigation divulged its whereabouts. It was just plain gone.

Workmen were busy getting things arranged so that the school building would be ready for occupancy when the new year began in September. The lower halls were redecorated and several changes were being made in the room partitions on the second floor.

• July 23, 1970

A group of 11 girls was hired to collect junk in the ditches of Hartley, Lincoln and Omega townships. Along with the usual accumulation of bottles and cans, dead animals, burlap and scrap iron were also found. It cost the taxpayers $1,778.96 to have the accumulation of trash picked up.

An early morning fire caused heavy damage to the building and contents of the Everly News located in downtown Everly. Firemen from Everly and Spencer battled the blaze and were able to confine it to the newspaper plant and prevent its spread to the adjoining locker and tavern.

The new St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hartley was dedicated at a special service by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Joseph M. Mueller, D.D. A Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving followed the dedication of the church. Total cost of the structure, furnishings and architect’s fees was $168,283.

• July 27, 1995

Amy Harder, daughter of Don and Dee Harder of Hartley, was among the 76 students to receive a Robert D. Blue Scholarship from the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation. Each recipient was awarded $500 to assist in covering expenses at an Iowa college. Harder planned to attend Northwestern College in Orange City.

Approximately 300 well-wishers attended the Thanksgiving Mass and retirement open house for Father Cecil H. Friedmann. He had been a priest for 45 years and had served the Catholic parishes in Sanborn and Hartley for five years.

A wind storm that swept across northwest Iowa downed several large utility poles carrying NIPCO power into Hartley. Electrical service was interrupted for approximately four hours. Crews were called in from LeMars to replace the poles. Standby municipal power was turned on in the business district so work at Beef Specialists of Iowa was idle only a short time.

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