May 1918 - 100 Years Ago "in That Thriving Town"

Issues with several spring storms caused the loss of one barn and several cows, as well as problems with spring planting. The Andes Recorder reported on this and noted that several people were ill with German measles, rechristened for the war to Liberty measles.

May 3, 1918

·       There have been several cases of the Liberty measles in town.

·       A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Russell on April 29.

·       Homer Burgin left Thursday to enlist.  John Myers has enlisted in the navy.

·       Guy Rockafeller is now employed by Dennis Hughes to buy second hand bags.

May 10, 1918

·       Frank Miller has moved into their house, which they recently purchased of Mrs. W.T. Forrest. Herman Johnson moves to the rooms vacated by Mr. Miller in H.C. Burgin’s house.

Bovina Far Above Loan Quota

Bovina’s total subscriptions to the Third Liberty Loan, including Lake Delaware, was $46,450.

Lightning Caused Big Fire in Bovina

Large Barn of John M. Miller and 10 Heifers Burned Monday Night

The large barn of John M. Miller up Pink street, about two miles from Bovina Center, on what is known as the John R. Thomson farm, was struck by lightning about 8 o’clock Monday evening and entirely destroyed. …

The loss is a heavy one and will far exceed the insurance….He will prepare to build at once.  At present part of the stock is kept at W.T.  Miller’s and some at Mrs. Kate Barnhart’s.

May 17, 1918

·       The Dry Milk company’s truck is now being used.

·       The Lake Delaware school has been closed because of the measles.

·       Hazel Aitken is assisting at Wm. S. Thomson’s through house cleaning.

·       In the list of men who have qualified at the third series of Officer’s Training schools at Camp Dix and eligible for appointment as second lieutenants, appears the name of Lauren Archibald of Bovina.

Will Re-Build at Once

John M. Miller, up Pink street, whose barn was burned last week, will re-build at once.  Mr. Miller will get the timber for the frame from his own woods and W.G. Coulter will move his mill up to do the sawing.

May 24, 1918

·       Frequent heavy rains cause delay in getting in crops.  Many oats are still unsown.

·       A heavy storm passed over Bovina Sabbath afternoon.  In some parts of the town there was considerable hail.

·       For the month of April the patrons of the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery received 62 cents per pound for butter fat.

Bovina Feed Dealer Breaks Leg

Milton Hastings, who conducts a feed business in Bovina Center, met with an accident on Sabbath which resulted in a broken leg.  His sister, Miss Jennie Hastings, who is a teacher, came to visit him.  In order to make room for her in the barn he went to start his large auto truck ahead.  The truck in some way had been left in gear and when he cranked it the machine leaped forward and knocked Mr. Hastings down and ran onto him breaking his leg just below the thigh.

May 31, 1918

·       Miss Jane Archibald is home from Cornell University.

·       Jas. W. Archibald and wife are here from Ilion getting ready for their sale Saturday.

·       Harold Robson and Wilber Archibald left for training camp Wednesday.

Lightning Kills Seven Cows

During the severe thunder storm of Sabbath night, lightning struck and killed seven cows belonging to Robert E. Thomson, a well known farmer residing on Coulter Brook.

Bovina Men Breaks Finger

Robert Hunt had his little finger broken in two places, while cranking the auto truck belonging to the Dry Milk Company.