125 YEARS AGO: 1898
It is predicted by a woman, writing for the New York Evening Sun, that the downfall of the new woman will come from the old and inevitable accidents with the color button. Either that or she must learn to swear.
John P. Holland has invested and built a submarine boat, which is now being tested in New York Harbor, which is designed to navigate 50 feet beneath the source of the water and carries torpedo and dynamite guns capable of destroying the largest vessels afloat. If the boat proves a success, the government will buy her.
An apartment in the basement of the Paul building is being utilized as a croquet court through the kindness of Mr. Paul. The croquet enthusiasts, unwilling to wait for the appropriate season, had decided to erect a building for that purpose, but the offer of Mr. Paul changed their resolve.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
In an atmosphere of modern and pioneer mixture, Mrs. Hattie Pierce, volunteer nurse during the Indian outbreak and attack on Hutchinson in September 1862, celebrated her 78th birthday with eight old friends. Pierce was born in New York state. Mr. Pierce, well-known pioneer, came here with the Pendergasts from Massachusetts. He was a first lieutenant in the Hutchinson Home Guard under Captain Lewis Harrington and second lieutenant in the 27th regiment of the state militia.
Shall $30,000 in bonds be issued by the city of Hutchinson for the extension, improvement and enlargement of the waterworks system is the question to be decided at the city election Tuesday, April 3, 1923. The present waterworks system is out of date, unsanitary , and not adequate to the needs of a growing city.
75 YEARS AGO: 1948
Morris Peik, Brownton, who hauls milk for the Kraft Foods Co. here, miraculously escaped serious injury when a heavily loaded trailer ran wild and crashed into the front of his tank truck, ramming the hood through the windshield. Many people have viewed Peik’s truck since it was brought here and it is amazing that he received no more than a bad shaking up, a few cuts and a black eye. The motor of the truck was pushed far back and the hood literally lifted and shoved through the windshield.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
Two thieves, one with a gun, made off with about $32 from the wallet of a janitor after the janitor and his wife discovered them in the Velvet Coach supper club on Highway 7 East between 4 and 4:15 a.m. according to Artie Saar, co-owner of the establishment. Saar said that the thieves gained entry to the building by knocking a hole in the south wall of the structure. When janitor Harvey Thompson and his wife entered the darkened building, Saar said one of the thieves pulled a gun and directed the pair to wait in another room in the building. Saar said Thompson and his wife were unable to see the intruders in the dark. The thieves rummaged through the files, the office and bar areas of the establishment apparently looking for money.
25 YEARS AGO: 1998
The ongoing tug of war between the city of Hutchinson and its cable franchise holder, Triax Cablevision, can rival any hit Broadway musical for longevity. The City Council voted to retain the services of the firm Bernick & Lifson for the purpose of drafting customer service standards that the city could hold Triax to. City Attorney G. Barry Anderson said he was recommending that course of action because of continued complaints from Hutchinson residents.
Hutchinson girls’ hockey players, parents and fans haven’t scored yet on varsity ice — they’ll have to wait until March 24 before making plans for the 1998-99 season. The Hutchinson Board of Education put the girls’ hockey decision in a scheduling penalty box, but not for anything proponents did to try to win. “The big issue is the budget issue,” said Board Member Pete Carlson. He voiced the first concern about timing of the proposal. The six-member board is in the midst of a series of administration meetings to review the budget, which also includes whatever result there is from teacher-contract negotiations. He said he felt the board needed more time to consider the proposal, as well as any other academic or activity proposals. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that at some point in time, we’re going to have girls’ hockey in this district,” he said. He just wasn’t convinced it was time to move ahead.
