Sidney Herald

2008.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final year of Sidney Herald stories in celebration of its 100th anniversary in 1908. If our readers would like the newspaper to continue with this feature in the fall, please e-mail publisher@sidneyherald.com or contact the Herald office and let us know.

2007.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Richland County commissioners agreed in January to contribute $300,000 to the Fairview pool project.

2006.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

First baby of year Brayden Wade Sundheim was born Jan. 2 to proud parents, Lisa Lorenz and Faron Sundheim.

2005.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Sidney Country Club began remodeling the clubhouse in January. The work included a 20-foot expansion to the west end providing additional seating and expansion to the bar, the kitchen was moved and a new pro shop was added. The new clubhouse complimented and enhanced what is thought to be the finest 18-hole golf course in eastern Montana.

2004.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The former Moo Juice Dairy was sold to the Bos family, Manhattan, in January. The business was called Bostana Dairy

2003.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Katherine Irigoin was sworn in as the new district judge in the Seventh Judicial District, Department 2.

2002.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The 2002 Chamber president was introduced in January. Jim Steinbeisser, a third generation rancher of Sidney succeeded Brad Franklin of 1st Bank as president of the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for 2002.

2001.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Savage school officials decided to end the football co-op with Lambert in January. The two schools started the co-op in 1989, and the team was called the Lambert-Savage Furies. Savage's school enrollment was able to continue to play eight-man football. Lambert's enrollment had them looking at six-man football.

2000.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

All the fears of the Y2K problems that were to happen with the New Year didn't materialize. The country worried about power failures, banking problems and technical problems for hospitals. The country and county was prepared for the change, and nothing happened. It was later debated if Y2K was an over hyped product of the modern media or if the world simply did an excellent job of avoiding disaster?

1999.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Montana had to vote on changing girls' basketball to a winter activity and girls' volleyball to a fall sport. The change was voted on at the Montana High School Association's annual meeting. It had failed in the past. But the threat of a lawsuit could force the issue if the resolution wasn't passed.

1998.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

After a year of discussion, the Richland Youth Hockey Association finalized plans for the interior of the Sidney hockey facility. In January the organization began advertising for bids from contractors. Plans included locker room, showers, coach's office, referee's dressing room with shower, storage, skate rental room and restrooms. The upper level included a commercial kitchen, dining/concession area, meeting room and restrooms.

1997.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The American Association of School Administrators named John McNeil, superintendent of schools in Savage, the 1997 Montana Superintendent of the Year in January.

1996.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Kiwanis Club named Mayor Harold Mercer Citizen of the Year for 1995 in January. Mercer was elected mayor in 1957 to 1965 and again in 1985.

1995.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Sletten Construction tore down the old Yellowstone Bridge in January. The old bridge was unsafe and too narrow. There were five sections to the bridge; each section was dropped into the water one at a time.

1994.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of six U.S. West exchanges to Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Circle, in January. The exchanges included Savage, Roundup, Baker, Lavina, Melstone and Ryegate. The company, headquartered in Circle, operated 8,513 miles of telephone line and had 63 employees.

1993.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Sixth grader Brian Rasmussen won the Rau Elementary geography bee in January. The effort qualified him to compete at the state level of the National Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Amtrak.

1992.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Usually warm weather caused tons of water to ooze from piles of stored beets in January. Holly took steps to minimize damage to the beets such as insulating the piles with straw and using huge blowers to regulate the temperature within the piles.

1991.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The plans for purchasing property south of town for a new landfill came under some controversy in January. Surrounding landowners were unhappy with the location that the county planned on purchasing for the new landfill. The landowners, mostly from the Rau School District, organized the "Keep it Clean" Committee to fight the purchase. Eventually negotiations between the landowner Steve Shelly and the county broke down and the land was sold to Sidney radiologist Dr. Greg Faul.

1990.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Richland County Youth Hockey Association members received their inflatable dome in January. Preparation had been going on for weeks to make room for the dome, located west of the city pool on city property.

1989.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Montana Legislature convened in January to write a new school equalization formula. The old formula was ruled obsolete in 1988.

1988.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

A record year was marked for Holly Sugar on Jan. 15 when the two millionth 100-pound bag of sugar slid down the chute at the factory in Sidney. It was a corporate record for one season in Sidney and the corporation's seven other operations in Texas, California and Wyoming. At the time of the record the corporation was in the process of merging with Imperial Sugar Company.

1987.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Sidney Chamber of Commerce executive director J.T. Petrik resigned in January.

1986.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The county adopted a curfew law in January for its three unincorporated towns - Savage, Lambert and Crane. The sheriff's department made the request because of late night antics by young people.

1985.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

On Jan. 17 the U.S. posstage rated increased from 20 cents to 22 cents, the first rate increase in three years.

1984.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Dawson Community College, Glendive, announced it would offer Associate of Arts degrees through classes taken exclusively in Sidney; it was planned for the 1984-1985 school year.

1983.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

With no insurance on the Snowden Railroad Bridge for vehicular traffic, Burlington Northern steps up in January to help Richland and Roosevelt counties find an insurance firm to write another policy.

1982.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

A lone gunman robbed the Sidney Chamber of Commerce of $1,015 in January.

1981.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

After months of limbo, lawsuits and negotiations, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the sale of Crestwood Inn to the E.A. Curtis Co., Kennewick, Wash., in late December 1980. The new company took over operations of the inn Jan. 1.

1980.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

MMorrison-Maierle published its report about Sidney; it updated a 1972 study plan that was quickly outdated. Its purpose was to provide an "orderly growth and expansion of Sidney during a time of accelerated growth rather than sporadic development leaving Sidney with undesirable urban sprawl. The report listed nine goals and objectives for the future:

1979.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Snow and blowing snow were the words in January 1979. The snow and the equipment break downs kept the county crew, 23 including the county commissioners, hopping. Many county roads were closed for days, even weeks at a time. The county had to plow protective ridges in the fields to keep the snow from blowing back on the roads. Area farmers and ranchers helped out by plowing with their own equipment. Snow drifts at the Jim Thiessen ranch reached 12 feet. Cost for snow removal ran $2,000 a day when everyone and all the equipment were working. An average year's budget was $645 per mile.

1978.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The farm strike grows in January 1978 with pickets up at grain elevators throughout the county and the livestock auction yard in Sidney stopping the flow of grain and cattle in the area. Holly Sugar Corporation reported a net loss of $6 million, or $3.82 per common share due to the low sugar prices during 1977.

1977.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Frontier Airlines won its two-year battle discontinuing airline service to Sidney and Wolf Point. The Civil Aeronautics Board notified the Sidney Airport on Jan. 10 that Frontier was given permission to stop service. The airport commission appealed the decision.

1976.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 60th anniversary during the banquet on Jan. 22 held in the Viking Room at the Lalonde Hotel.

1975.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The 44th annual Lower Yellowstone Valley Feeder Tour was held Jan. 11. The tour stops included the Rau Brothers' ranch and feeding operation southeast of Sidney and the Gary Sorenson operation northeast of Sidney.

1974.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Hubert and Paul Johnson, owners of Johnson Hardware and Furniture, were named co-winners of the Sidney Jaycees' Boss of the Year award held in January 1974. Their father, Carl, was the first man to receive the award. John Cayko received the Boss of the Year in Fairview.

1973.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Knife River started the process of reclamation of scarred lands. By January, 60 of the 200 acres mined since the operation began stripping coal in 1958 had been reclaimed.

1972.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The first baby of 1972 was born on Jan. 2 to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Dorothy Lunstad. The baby girl was named Julie Ann and joined six other children.

1971.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The story of Bill Cheney's ride for life was published in "Old West" in January 1971. The quarterly magazine was published by Western Publications, Inc. and depicted the true story of Cheney and his love for his horse Nig who carried him to safety from hostile Indians in July of 1881, near Sidney.

1970.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Frank DiFonzo, Cabin John, Md., joined the Sidney Police Department as a patrolman in January 1970. DiFonzo was 22 at the time. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1969, attended Dawson College before joining the department. His wife, Mary, was a teacher at Central Elementary.

1969.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The year of 1969 started off with a cold chill with temperatures dipping to 31 below, and with it came plenty of snow. The three weeks leading up to the year's beginnings, 15 inches of snow accumulated. The weather kept service stations busy trying to start cars. The Sidney Police Department kept busy as well, since the icy roads caused several "fender benders," none of which were serious.

1968.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Greek immigrant and Fairview resident Pete Kiamas celebrated 55 years of service working for the Great Northern Railroad in January. Kiamas was the section foreman in charge of track maintenance from Snowden to Watford City and Sidney to Richey. Along with an eight-man crew, he took care of 115 miles of track. Kiamas came from Greece at 16 to Williston, N.D., when he started working for Great Northern in 1912.

1967.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Cecilia Prevost, 12, Lambert, received a special telephone for Christmas that enabled her to participate at school in January without leaving home. Cecilia had a fourth operation that prevented her from attending school. Lambert School contacted The School to Home Telephone Service with provided the service enabling the child to attend classes from home.

1966.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

A gunman with a nylon stocking pulled over his face robbed the Lalonde Hotel Jan. 4, 1965. Bookkeeper Mrs. Florence Newell was finishing up when a man with a rifle demanded money. She responded by telling him to go away, when he insisted she gave him $10 and told him to leave. The man demanded more and struck Newell on the head when she refused him for the third time. The gunman scooped the rest of the money from the till and fled getting away with $81.80.

1965.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

John Marmon Sr. was named "boss of the year" at the annual Jaycees Bosses Night Banquet in January. The Distinguished Service Award went to Jack Fulkerson; the Outstanding Young Farmer went to Sherman Dynneson and the Good Government Award went to Hazel Houglum.

1964.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

State Sen. C.R. Thiessen, Lambert, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for lt. governor in January 1964.

1963.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The city councilmen heard a plan for a truck route in January 1963. The proposed route would allow trucks carrying such products as sugar beets, livestock, hay, feed or articles destined for the railroad or livestock yards to leave the main highway, detour the business and residence section; it would be essentially a "farm to market" road.

1962.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Montana Gov. Donald G. Nutter lost his life on Jan. 25, 1962, in a plane crash near Helena. Rites were held at the capitol and then followed with services at the Sidney High School, where over 3,000 people attended. Several groups attended the service, including the Knights Templar, the Lower Yellowstone Masonic Lodge No. 90 and other lodges, the Elks, DeMolay, Highway Patrol Honor Guard and the class of 1933.

1961.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Republican Donald G. Nutter, Sidney, was sworn in as Montana's governor on Jan. 2, 1961. An attractive, brown-haired Mrs. Nutter stood several feet away with arms crossed and smiled a little in wifely pride.

1960.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Republican State Chairman Donald G. Nutter, Sidney, announced in January 1960 he would resign as GOP leader. He was going to run for office and wanted a new chairman named as soon as possible.

1959.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

City fathers approved parallel parking for Central Avenue in January 1959. Parallel parking replaced angle parking and allowed four lanes of moving traffic.

1958.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The United Fund Drive for Richland Homes reached $88,560 on Jan. 6, 1958, the goal for the drive was $250,000.

1957.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The headline on Jan. 3, 1957, was "Basin boom moves back into 'high.'" New discoveries in Sheridan County, northeast Montana and Billings County, N.D., helped create more interest in the Madison formation. The outlook for 1957 would see more drilling.

1956.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

MDU buys land near Sidney; rumors dispelled was the headline on Jan. 18, 1956. MDU purchased 156 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. Darold Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Kallevig and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Kallevig, Sidney, with the intention of building a power plant.

1955.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Approximately 187,000 tons of beets were processed during the 1954-55 campaign. Final sugar production content was 15.98 percent and the campaign ended on Jan. 15, 1955, lasting 103 days.

1954.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Paul Cresap was elected to head the Sidney Chamber of Commerce in January 1954. He replaced N.N. Lund, the 1953 president. Cresap of the law firm Sanders, Cresap & Koch had been a director of several chamber projects over the years.

1953.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Nord Lund was elected president of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce in January 1953.

1952.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

"Sugar factory finishes shortest slicing campaign" was the headline in January 1952. The Sidney factory of the Holly Sugar Corp. finished its 27th campaign the last week of December, the slicing period was only 80 days, the shortest campaign since 1929.

1951.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In January, J. C. Cottingham succeeded Milton G. Anderson as county attorney. Anderson returned to private practice and had offices over the Richland National Bank. Cottingham received his law degree from Colorado State University in 1947.

1950.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Richland Legion Post No. 12 moved into their new home on Jan. 17, 1950. It was learned that the original Finneman Building, which occupied the lot, was destroyed by fire on Jan. 17, 1943.

1949.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

On Jan. 5, 1949, an explosion and fire occurred at the Gem City Garage, resulting in a total loss of the building. The building was located on the corner of Central Avenue and Stanhope Street, presently second street.

1948.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

After being in operation since early 1944, the extension farm labor office went out of existence on Jan. 1, 1948.

1947.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

January brought the Sidney Tailors and Cleaners to a new building located on the southeast corner of Peer Street and Yellowstone Avenue (presently, Second Avenue and Second Street Northeast). Math Dasinger and sons, Tony, Bob, Walt and Math Jr., which is now known as the Sidney Cleaners and Laundry, owned the establishment.

1946.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

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1945.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Elmdale post office in the west part of the county was closed in January 1945. Patrons would receive their mail through the Enid post office.

1944.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

January 1944 brings the fourth war loan bonds with the quota for the county set at $495,300. The President's Ball was held at the Triangle Jan. 29; the proceeds from the ball went to the annual infantile paralysis fund or the March of Dimes.

1943.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Jan. 11, 1943, brought a scheduled blackout for the city, which took place over five days. Three sectors of the town would be involved in the blackout from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Sector wardens called ahead to let everyone in the effected sector know what day the blackout would happen. Raymond A Gerber, commander of the Richland County citizen's Defense Corps, along with J.F. Murphy, the city air raid warden precinct chief, and sector wardens conducted test blackouts earlier in the month.

1942.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

January 1942 bring the news from the war department. First-class seaman Earl Morrison and Sergeant Carlo Micheletto were listed as victims of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Mr. and Mrs. Otis Huston received news from their son Arnold that he was safe. He was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Oklahoma when it was bombed in the attack.

1941.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

A bill governing liquor licenses and the closing of liquor establishments outside city limits proposed by Senator R.S. Nutt, Richland County, was presented to the State Senate in January 1941. It would require the sale of beer and liquor outside city limits to end a 2 a.m. it also required roadhouses, etc. to apply for beer/liquor licenses and obtain approval of their application from county commissioners.

1940.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Richland County Cooperative Federal Credit Union announced in January 1940, after being open three and one-half months, that it had 131 members with approximately $1,600 paid in on shares. W.K. Kemmis was the president and Wm. J. Williams was the secretary-treasurer of the local.

1939.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in January; H.H. Kincaid as president of the chamber succeeded Carl Brattin.

1938.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The headline in January 1938 was "L.Y. Rural Electrification project gives light, power to farms throughout valley." President Nels Bach gives details about the project during the annual meeting.

1937.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The first annual meeting of the Lower Yellowstone Rural Electrification Association was held on Jan. 12, 1937. All farmers who had not signed up for service were urged to do so.

1936.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The weather in January 1936 was most inhospitable. With sub-zero temperatures and snow-blocked roads, most country folk stayed close to their fires. The Sidney-Fairview stretch of road was almost impassable at one point. It took one farmer two hours to drive from Fairview to Sidney, a trip of less than a half an hour ordinarily.

1935.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Olson Jewelry store was robbed in January 1935. The thief broke the window and grabbed a watch with a value of $55. Mr. Olson who lived in the back of the building heard the crash of glass and came running with his revolver to discover what had happened. The thief made his escape with only the watch in hand.

1934.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The Ford Agency name was changed from Burleigh-Kincaid Motor Co. to Yoder-Kincaid Motor Company effective Jan. 1, 1934.

1933.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Jan. 10, 1933, marked the longest run at the Holly Sugar Factory. The campaign started Oct. 2, 1932, where 250 employees sliced sugar beets for 100 days straight. Approximately $1 million was paid to the growers and labors during the campaign. Labor cost was slightly over $300,000 and growers received $689,103 for a total of 153,134 tons of beets. It was noted that the industry had been a saving factor locally throughout the depression.

1932.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

It was announced in January 1932 that the Great Northern Railway would discontinue service to Enid.

1931.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Frontier justice prevails in January 1931 as news of a lynching in Schafer, N.D. (McKenzie County) made headlines. Confessed slayer of the Haven family, Charles Bannon, was moved back to the Schafer jail from the safety of Williston for arraignment. A masked mob stormed the jail, held the deputy sheriff under guard and battered their way into Bannon's cell. The mob took him to the Cherry Creek bridge a half-mile east of Schafer and hung him. This was the last lynching recorded in North Dakota history.

1930.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In January 1930, the Herald announced, "Well known young couple are married." The marriage of Miss Alice Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Kelly and Ed McGrady, son of Mrs. P. MacGrady of East Side, took place at the congregational parsonage. The Herald joined their host of friends in extending congratulations and best wishes.

1929.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

January 1929 R. S. Nutt was elected the new president of the chamber of commerce with Dr. R. D. Benson, vice president, and J.A. Loken, treasurer.

1928.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

January 1928 found the Yellowstone River overflowing its banks due to an ice gorge that formed near the Fred Moore farm east of Sidney. It created havoc among the farms upstream, several occupants had to abandon their homes temporarily due to a 15-foot rise in the river. This was unusual for that time of year and old-timers could not recall it happening before, especially considering the season. No loss of life occurred due to the efforts of Sheriff O'Brien and Officer Hurst sounding the alarm. Livestock (mostly horses), grain and hay were lost, however.

1927.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

A measure abolishing the use of narrow sleds on roads and highways was passed in January 1925. Apparently the retailers of narrow sleds, nor the public, paid attention to the law as the sleds continued to be sold and used throughout the previous year. Because of the lack of enforcement, fines for using narrow sleds were not enforced until January 1928. Dealers faced fines from $25 to $100, and users of narrow sleds were fined not less than $10 for each offense.

1926.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

It was announced in January of '26 that an "Outdoor Pool is a Worthy Project." Apparently it was thought that a swimming pool would be a great benefit to the community. The pool was thought to go far toward solving the "Boy and Girl Problem," that was perplexing parents and agitating welfare organizations.

1925.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

News in 1925 was filled with announcements of new businesses and old businesses expanding all around the county.

1924.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The year 1924 brought good news and bad news to Richland County. In the Jan. 18 issue of the Sidney Herald it was stated that "financial institutions of Sidney are on sound footing, which reflects prosperous conditions of Richland County." Deposits in the two banks of Sidney totaled $690,040.35, according to the composite statement compiled from these banks at close of business Dec. 31, 1923.

1923.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

On April 20, 1923, the Sidney Herald announced that Sidney was the "trade center of the lower yellowstone valley." Sidney's population was a proud 1,400. Sidney was the county seat, the center of the Lower Yellowstone River Irrigation project, the center of Northern Pacific Railways. "Sidney is home to a fully equipped and fully accredited high school, enrollment 159. Grade school enrollment, 416."

1922.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

1922 brought another year of cutting edge news coverage for the Sidney Herald. On Jan. 27, 1922, William H. Ketcham, the one time publisher of the Herald died at the home of his daughter in Seattle, Wash. Ketcham was born in 1842, and he learned the printing trade as a youth. He began work in the newspaper business and upon moving to Sidney, purchased the Sidney Herald from L.N. Barton. After publishing the Herald for about a year, he sold the newspaper to his son Harry G. Ketcham and returned to his home in Nebraska. He returned to Sidney and the Herald staff in 1912. "While a resident of this city Mr. Ketcham made many friends. He was a gentleman of the old school with a pleasing personality that attracted people to him."

1921.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Sidney Herald, February 18, 1921, "Last week started the 14th year of the Herald and it is the intention of the Editor to publish interesting items of "14 years ago" from time to time and the first installment will begin this week. This reading that the doings of Sidney in its earliest moments will be of deep interest to all and in the names we will recognize a lot of the old timers in the valley, some of whom are with us yet, others who have passed to the great beyond and a number who have moved to other parts of the country."

1920.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In 1920 the Sidney Herald reported that Montana had "the best all round public school system in the United States" according to the Russel Sage Foundation. The school year began on Sept. 13. The total enrollment was 422 students and the high school numbered 120. There were 11 high school teachers and 13 grade teachers. "This is the largest enrollment of both instructors, and pupils that has ever been enjoyed in the Sidney Schools. The college preparatory classes were expanding and a motion picture machine had been purchased for "visual education," and 175 feet of film was also purchased with plans to show geographical, historical and agricultural films. The agricultural department of the Sidney High School were studying the "business of dairying" and thus offered to test the milk samples of farmers free of charge.

1919.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

1919 brought a year of recovery following WWI and the Sidney Herald was there to report it. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending the war. The war veterans of Richland County decided to organize the American Legion of Richland County. It was determined that approximately 800 veterans of WWI were residing in Richland County in 1919.

1918.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

1918 was a year of big news and the Sidney Herald was there to report it all. Mr. Lampson was voted Mayor of Lambert with a unanimous vote. The legislature enacted a law requiring that all firearms within the state be registered. The Yellowstone Mercantile was giving every baby boy born in 1918 a pair of trousers with a card congratulating the parents. The trousers were said to be for the boy's first birthday, so he could say that he got his first pair of pants from the Yellowstone Mercantile.

1917.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

1917 was a year of great change for our nation with ramifications affecting cities large and small. The Sidney Herald worked to keep the community abreast of all that was going during this critical time.

1916.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In 1916 Woodrow Wilson was reelected as the President of the United States while World War I continued to rage on in Europe. Albert Einstein completed his mathematical formula of the theory of relativity which included gravity. The Sidney Herald kept the growing community informed of all the news at home and abroad.

1915.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In 1915 our nation continued to fight in its second year of World War I. The Sidney Herald worked to keep the community updated on the war while Germany plotted a change of tactics, fighting defensively in the West and trying to defeat Russia quickly by attacking, and the Allies aimed to break through on their respective fronts. Meanwhile, Serbia came under increased pressure, and Britain planned to attack Turkey.

1914.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

In 1914 the people of Sidney began to focus on making their town and surrounding areas their main focus. Everyone knew it was only time before the county became official. The paper's mission was to become one of the best newspapers in eastern Montana, vowing to do so for all of their readers. The school also became an extremely important issue. Until this time, only students up to the eighth grade could attend school, but Sidney was hoping to expand on this issue for the upcoming years. With the Germans attacking and raiding the allies, most Americans knew it was only time before America needed to become involved, even though they hoped to stay neutral for as long as possible.

1913.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

Words were continuously being shared between the Glendive and Sidney paper about the county change. The railroads kept expanding across this part of the state making travel and trade a much easier task. Sidney also continued to upgrade their community, which made the town more pleasantly received by town members and on lookers.

1912.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

With the Herald now established as a dominant county newspaper after three years of reporting, the paper went under attack receiving their first taste of bitter community members at their finest.

1911.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

With the new year came a new attitude to the paper. The Sidney Herald began to optimistically advertise their community and the potential it brought. Beautiful luncheons along with the many local businesses and growing town were a big chunk of the news. The Sidney baseball team began to take on a favorite pastime for nearly all community members, the paper also began to expand its news from primarily Sidney to other local towns, such as Glendive, Savage, Crane, Fairview and what was then Fox Lake.

1910.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

The paper in 1910 began to take a more local turn, up until 1910 the paper covered a wide variety of news, with the majority going toward national happenings. Starting in 1910 the entire front page covered Sidney news and its surrounding areas.

1909.... Sidney Herald, 100 years of stories

With one year of news reporting under its belt, the Sidney Herald was determined to make sure it was in the best possible circumstance to make the paper stay around for a long time. A new publisher, William H. Ketchem, was hired for the position near the tail end of the year. With that change came a new look, complete with new fonts and a drastic lay out change.

1908...Sidney Herald, one hundred years of stories

Editor's note: The Sidney Herald, the oldest continuously printed newspaper in Richland County, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008. The first edition was published March 13, 1908. In recognition of 100 years, each Sunday the Herald will be sharing excerpts from past issues. The partnership between the MonDak Heritage Center and the Herald is where the history of the MonDak area is recorded with the center having on file, or access to, every issue of the Sidney Herald.