1918: Sign destroyed at German language newspaper

July 25, 1918

HARTINGTON — A little ceremony not on the regular scheduled program took place on Broadway while the drafted men were in the city Sunday afternoon.

Ever since the entry of our country into the war with Germany, the German sign designating the location of the “Wachter,” Hartington’s German newspaper, has proved a reprehensive object to the view of the patriotic people of this city.

German language has been taboo in Nebraska for some time, and the presence of some signs inscribed in that language are no more popular than the use of the language itself.

Accordingly, the forty-odd young men in the city on Sunday preparing to leave on the mission to take up arms against the Kaiser, considered this an opportune time for the removal of said sign.

So with perfect order and with due ceremony, the sign was removed from its fastenings and consigned to flames right on Main Street in the presence of a considerable gathering of local people.

In justice to our good friend, Chas Weiss, whose term as the publisher of the Wachter is now nearing its 20th year, the News desires to state the destruction of his sign Sunday afternoon cannot be interpreted as any insinuation against his personal attitude in the present struggle.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Weiss have proved themselves 100 percent American in every enterprise incident to the war.

It is only that their native language and the things represented by Amercanism at this time that the incident of Sunday afternoon occurred.

July 25, 1918

HARTINGTON — Last Saturday was the closing day for the filing of nominating petitions of candidates to be voted for at the approaching primaries on August 20.

Very little interest had been manifested previously in the coming political campaign, and right up to within a few hours of the closing of the time for filing, indications were that many of the offices would go without candidates on one or the other of the dominant parties,while contests for nominations on either party ticket seemed improbable.

But as the close of the time for filing approached a new interest seemed to mysteriously gather in the political arena, and the county clerk’s office was a busy place Saturday afternoon in handling the petitions which unexpectedly appeared.

The following is the full list of candidates filed for the darius nominations: For Representatives. H. A. McCormiek, Coleridge, democrat.

W. H. Burney, Hartington, republican.

For County Clerk: F. B. Thomann, democrat. H. C. Beaty, republican. For County Treasurer: L. M. Hochstein, democrat. A. F. Suing, democrat. F. O. Robinson, republican. For Sheriff: D. E. McFadden, democrat. Hartly Chase, democrat. L. A. Case, republican. C. M. Olson, republican. For County Attorney: H. E. Burkett, republican. R. J. Millard, democrat. For County Commissioner: A. W. Jones, democrat. J. B. Bagne, democrat. Chas Salemson, republican. H. A. Harper, republican. For County Judge: Wilbur F. Bryant, non-partisan For the latter two offices, candidates for which will appear on the nonpartisan ballot, filing may be made up to within ten days of the date of the primaries.

July 25, 1918

HARTINGTON — J. P. O’Furey, publisher of The News was honored by the University of Wisconsin recently with an invitation to go to Oshkosh, Wis., and address the publishers of that state assembled in a “War Conference” arranged by the University and the publishers organization. The meeting will be held Friday and Saturday July 26-27. The invitation stated all expenses of the trip would be paid.

Mr. O’Furey secured the assistance of Mr. Eugene Rhian, of Yankton to conduct The News during his absence, planning to leave today noon for Oshkosh, from where he expected to go to Youngstown, Ohio, to visit his mother and sister, and other relatives.

But along came an attack of ptomaine poisoning last Friday and Mr. O’Furey has been under the care of Dr. King ever since.

Mr. Rhian arrived Sunday evening and instead of getting a flying start with the aid of Mr. O’Furey, has been compelled to jump into the harness in a strange community and do his best.

July 25, 1918

DIXON — Harry McCoy, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John McCoy who has been working during the summer at the Ed Donahue home near Dixon had the misfortune Wednesday, July 17 of having his leg broken in a runaway.

Young McCoy was in a wagon and somehow the deck yoke came down frightening his team causing them to runaway throwing him out with above results.