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

July 1918 in Bovina included a damaging storm that killed three cows and damaged several gardens. 

July 5, 1918

·       The first allotment of boys arrived at the Gerry Camp in southern Bovina Monday [July 1] afternoon. 

·       In Bovina, the total enrollment of women was 76 as follows: Republican 39; Democrat 5; Prohibition 32.

July 12, 1918

·       Misses Kate and Freda Muller spent the Fourth at William Russell’s.

·       Milton Hastings, who broke his leg several weeks ago, expects to soon be able to go about on crutches.

·       Alex Burns and wife and David Draffin and wife enjoyed a motor trip around by the Gerry estate and Andes on the Fourth of July.

·       Will Roney, of Andes, and a representative of the International Harvester company were here Tuesday [July 9] and sold 3-horse power kerosene engines to Al Thomson, Harry McCumber, Mr. Kelsey and Mr. Taft.

Insurance Paid

Mrs. Ida E. Miller, of Bovina Center, has received from the Travelers Insurance company, though W.C. Oliver’s agency, $1,000, being in full payment of policy held by her son, Clark G. Miller, who was killed in action in France last May.

July 19, 1918

·       Ed Craddock and family, of New York City, are staying at the hotel for a few weeks.

·       Herbert White, of Delhi, was here Monday [July 15] making repairs to a machine at the Dry Milk plant.

Will Go As Chaplain

Rev. Hugh B. Speer, a former pastor of the United Presbyterian church of Bovina, and who several months ago resigned his pastorate at Omaha, Nebraska, and has been at Hanover, Illinois, expects soon to sail for overseas as chaplain with the Red Cross.

July 26, 1918

·       A few of the farmers will finish haying this week.

·       Andrew T. Doig was in New York City this week.

·       Frances Ewing and family, of New York city have moved into the house on Mrs. Dickson’s farm.

·       Alfred Russell, son of W.C. Russell of this town has enrolled as a sailor in the Merchant Marine and left last week for Boston.

Heavy Storm in Bovina

Much Damage Sustained to Crops in Storm Friday [July 19]

During a heavy thunder and hail storm that swept over Bovina last Friday afternoon considerable damage was done by hail and lightning.  At Adam Laidlaw’s lightning followed in to the house on the telephone line but did no special damage. A.B. Phyfe had three cows killed – his entire dairy.  At the home of the Misses Muller a maple tree was struck.  Gardens were damaged by the hail.

In Bovina, the area of the storm passed over Bovina Center and for a mile west, being heavy at John Blair’s and William Archibald’s at the latter place cut his buckwheat to pieces.  Some of the first stones that fell were nearly as large as plums, but in the main storm they were larger than peas.