From Our Files
1971: Spencer Foods workers end 7-month strike
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• Sept. 5, 1946
The local school was fairly bursting at the seams with an increased enrollment in practically every grade. It was believed that the freshman enrollment of 60 was a record for any single class. There were 452 pupils enrolled in the Hartley Public School. That number represented an increase of about 10 percent over the previous year.
Hartley’s deluxe bowling alley opened to mark the inauguration of the 1946-47 season. Mr. Peters, proprietor, announced that already more than enough teams had signed up to fill all the time allowed for league bowling. At least 40 teams of men and women were ready to launch the season.
Having received an honorable discharge from the Merchant Marines, Harlan Goetsch arrived home from Oakland, Calif. after four years of service, including 22 months in the Pacific area.
• Sept. 2, 1971
Members of the Hartley local of the Amalgamated Meatcutters and Butcher Workmen voted to accept a contract and end their strike that started in January at Spencer Foods’ Hartley plant. The vote to ratify the contract was 68-14 following a three-hour meeting at Danceland. According to Fred Schoelerman, president of the Hartley local, a meeting of the union and company would determine when workers would go back to work.
Total enrollment of the Hartley Community School on opening day was 735, which was down from the 1970-71 count of 747. The high school enrollment of 278 was the largest then on record.
Members and guests at the United Methodist Church were encouraged to worship on Labor Sunday in their work clothes as a reminder of the way the community saw the church in action, through the lives of its members.
• Sept. 5, 1996
The Hartley and May City fire departments shared $1,655 in proceeds designated by a local foursome that participated in the Mutual Golf Tournament of Champions and a local qualifying tournament. The Hartley team, representing Farmers Mutual Insurance Association of O’Brien County and comprised of Donald Treimer, Dennis Burns, Dennis Cmelik and Mark Riedemann, finished tied for third among the 25 groups in the field.
Brown Medical Industries informed the Hartley Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Merlyn Feddersen of the firm’s intention to relocate to either Mankato, Minn. or Spirit Lake. Four other communities, including Hartley, had responded to requests for proposals to attract the company. The HEDC board, working with Feddersen and Council Member Walt Ronnfeldt, had prepared an incentive package to encourage BMI to remain in Hartley.
“From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.
