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Dec. 17, 1930
LAUREL - Laurel, the home of champions.
That’s the title this city can well lay claim to in the future. And the daily papers have been spreading the word the past few days to that effect. Last Friday evening in Omaha, the state boxing tournament of the Nebraska A. A. U. was held. And three local boys were entered in the simon-pure bouts. All three of them brought home the state championship in their division and that is the reason that Laurel is known as the home of champions.
Gerald Cherry is a veteran in these tournaments. He has won several titles in the past few years and this year was entered as the defending champion of the welterweight division. He won both his fights of the evening, the last by a knock-out to retain his crown.
His younger brother Merle or “Mutt” as he is known to all was entered in the lightweight division and won his first bout by a technical knock-out and won his crown as champion by getting the decision in the second fight which was said to be the feature fight of the evening.
Hoogner Lundquist was entered in the heavyweight division. It was his first trip to the tourney but he made good, knocking his opponent cold in the second round after having him down for a count of nine in the first round. He looked good and won wild applause by his excellent work. And so there is the record of our three champions. Here is what the Omaha World-Herald had to say of the fights in the Saturday paper: To the merry tune of slapping leather, Nebraska state Mid-Western A. A. U. champions in eight classes were crowned at the annual simonpure fiesta at the Elks club Friday night. About five hundred attend the bouts. Outstate boys hogged most of the honors, the town of Laurel claiming three champions. They are Hoogner Lundquist, heavyweight; Gerald Cherry, welterweight and Merle Cherry, lightweight.
Lundquist won the top prize by chilling Ralph Foreman of Kim Jensen’s gym in the second round. The tall Laurel puncher had Foreman on the mat for a nine-count in the first round and ended it after 50 seconds in the second session with a determined attack to head and body.
Gerald Cherry successfully defended the title he won last year by knocking out Charles Williams, Omaha Elks club, in the first round of the welterweight finals. Younger brother Merle Cherry won an extraround decision over Charles Fleischman of Louisville, in the finals of the lightweight bracket.
Dec. 17, 1930
LAUREL - A great deal of interest was shown in the school election.
The matter voted on was for the issuing of bonds to take up the warranted indebtedness of the school district and put it on a cash basis. The vote was in favor of issuing the bonds, the vote being 142 for and 79 against. According to law the proposition had to have sixty per cent of the vote cast and this was done by a good majority and so the issue was declared carried.
There was considerable opposition to the proposition as many people wanted an audit of the books before voting for the bonds. However the issue has been settled by the popular vote of taxpayers and is now a closed story.
Work of issuing the bonds will start immediately, and in a short time the warrants will be called in and the school district run on a cash basis from now on.
Dec. 17, 1930
LAUREL - Laurel opened its basketball season with two wins over the Belden quintets Friday. It was a typical opening season for both fives — much willingness and imperfect team work marking the play.
The first string game opened with Smith, center for Belden, barraging the Belden goal with three baskets and a comfortable lead. However as the locals gradually warmed to their task, Ulrich broke loose for a couple of markers in reply. Then, playing on fairly even terms for the remainder of the half, the teams left the court with a 10-14 lead in favor of Belden.
In the third quarter Laurel managed to even things up, and in the fourth stanza Paul and Nielsen found the basket for the points to bring the final score 22-16 in favor of Laurel.
Smith was outstanding for Belden while Ulrich, high point scorer for the locals, was ably assisted by Nielsen.
The locals played minus the services of Ward, who lettered at guard the past two seasons. An able substitute was uncovered in the person of Kenneth Wyant. Woodrow Beckley also played a nice game considering the fact it was his first experience with basketball. All told it was a very creditable showing for the locals and a nice clean game throughout.
The second team also showed their mettle by defeating the Belden seconds 14-1.
Howard Tolles proved to be their undoing, with Dwight Ankeny assisting very ably. George Wendal provided the entertainment of the evening when he attempted to give the Belden seconds a break by attempting to score a field goal for them. Fortunately he missed.
Dec. 17, 1930
LAUREL - The Presbyterian church was the scene of the high school football team banquet which is put on annually by the mothers of the boys. It was a most delightful affair from start to finish and the boys were royally entertained. The tables were arranged in the shape of the letter “L” with a decorative scheme of Christmas colors and candles. Places were layed for 38. Following a prayer by Rev. King, a fine two course banquet was served by the ladies.
Dr. J. D. Lutton, president of the school board acted as toast master and kept the crowd in a happy frame of mind throughout.
Kenny Wyant, the new captain for next year’s team was the first to respond with a toast on “Possibilities”. Glen Paul, the retiring captain was next and spoke on “Unison”. Martin Ward responded with a toast on “Running When Afraid”. Superintendent Rhodes spoke on “Trying” and Coach Macklem came through with “Summaries”.
The toast master then read the names of the boys who had earned their letters. One of the delightful features was the appearance of the pep team of girls who so loyally stood by the team the past season. They serenaded the party and brought Coach Macklem a telegram wishing him a happy birthday. The mothers also presented a birthday cake and Captain Paul on behalf of the team presented him with a birthday gift.
