Looking Back in Kings County

Editor's note: Today The Sentinel starts a new monthly column of interesting excerpts from past newspapers, dating back 100 years and earlier.

::100 years ago

::Nov. 22, 1909

::Four sermons on temperance

Rev. Irving B. Bristol and Rev. J. R. Schultz, representing the Anti-Saloon league, occupied the pulpits of four of Hanford's churches yesterday, the former at the Methodist church in the forenoon and the Presbyterian church in the evening and the latter at the First Baptist church in the morning and the Christian church in the evening. The subject of temperance was their theme. Rev. Bristol's subject was, "Shall the People Rule the Saloons or Shall the Saloons Rule the People?" while Rev. Schultz spoke as an advocate for civic righteousness.

The addresses yesterday were not especially an attack on the saloon interests here, but against the traffic in general.

::Two drowned near Sanger in river

The swift running rivers of Kings River this morning claimed two more victims, the wife and daughter of a rancher named Peterson meeting death in the stream while endeavoring to ford it at a point near this city. The bodies have been brought to Sanger and an inquest will be held over them here this afternoon.

Peterson, accompanied by his wife and daughter, set out in a large wagon this morning for a ranch across the river for a load of hogs. When the river was reached the horses waded in, but when out only a short distance they lost their footing. The wagon sank in the deep hole in the river bed and the occupants were thrown into the stream. Peterson was entangled in the lines and was unable to aid the two women, only saving himself after a hard struggle with the swift water.

A farmer named Hobbler, whose place is near the scene of the sad accident, heard the screams of the drowning women and raced to the scene on horseback. Plunging into the stream on his horse, Hobbler managed to recover the bodies of Mrs. Peterson and her daughter, but not without a valiant struggle against the current.

The tragedy has cast a gloom over the town and surrounding country.

::75 years ago

::Nov. 22, 1934

::Hanford girl is returning here in Fox picture

The advent of the picture, "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," to be shown at the Fox Theater Thursday and Friday night, recalls the many memories of the leading lady, Pauline Lord, who plays the character of Mrs. Wiggs in that much loved story. Since this star spent her younger days in this city, the picture is of local interest to Hanford folk, especially to those who knew and played with Miss Lord in childhood.

Miss Lord, who is now Mrs. Moore, was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Lord. The family came to Hanford when Pauline was not yet five years of age. Mr. Lord was in the hardware business. His store was located in the 100 block of East Sixth street, facing the S. P. freight offices. The family lived on East Seventh street, just west of the corner of Harris, opposite the present site of the Cousins Tractor company garage.

Even in her childhood days, Pauline showed the talent and inclination which later made her a star on the stage. One old acquaintance recalls the shows she was constantly putting on in which she was always the leading lady.

The family left Hanford in the late 90's. Mr. Lord having sold his business to A. J. Delaney and moved to San Francisco, later going on to New York.

::50 years ago

::Nov. 21, 1959

::Kit Carson School studies crowding

Edwin Vanderziel, president of Kit Carson Union School board of trustees, has called a special meeting of the board for Monday night at 7.

The meeting was called at the request of several groups in the community who have been concerned with crowded conditions at the school, and all interested persons are urged to attend.

It has been noted the picture for next year and beyond that is not promising unless something is done to alleviate overcrowding. All classrooms now are beyond capacity, with part of the first grade meeting in the cafeteria. The cafeteria, in turn, is too small to allow for an assembly or mass serving of children at the noon meal.

At present, the board can offer double sessions but points out that this is a temporary measure since the enrollment is expected to reach 300 this year. Attendance is 275 now compared to the 220 last year, following closely the annual estimate of nationally recognized authorities.

::25 years ago

::Nov. 21, 1984

::City makes a square deal

The City of Hanford and developer Max Walden closed a deal Tuesday night and became partners in the completion -- and hopefully the profits -- of Courthouse Square.

The city council approved agreements giving Walden the first half of a $550,000 loan that the developer said he needs to finish the project.

In return, the city becomes a limited partner and gets 18 and a half percent of any profits made by businesses operating in the historic building.

Walden already has invested almost $1.3 of his own money in the project since he started renovating the former Kings County Courthouse in 1979.

City Manager Jim Armstrong told the council Walden had incurred "considerable expense" recently and was "in a slight cash-flow problem."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Nov. 21, 2009)