Trigger and Rod column - Bill Hinel

Some may remember this column from about 50 years ago - this in a December 1970 issue of Clay County News.

 

1920 County Census Report

This is the 1920 census report for Clay County. It gives the comparison for 1900 and 1910 for each political subdivision.

I've heard persistent comments that the population of Sutton topped out at 2000 at some point in the past, usually given as about 1900. I'm guessing that that is a misrepresentation of someone at sometime taking the Sutton Township statistics and assigning them to the city of Sutton. The township includes the 36 square miles with the farms, almost all of the city of Sutton, and half of Saronville. That was a bit over 2000 during 1900 to 1920.

Griess Name & Sutton was Featured in 1922 Lincoln Paper

This article in a 1995 issue of The Clay County News told the story of a 1922 article in The Lincoln Sunday Star about the Griess family of Sutton. 

The original 1922 article follows.

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The headline banner of the Lincoln paper on July 30, 1922 surely caught the eye of Sutton locals.

This collage of photos was the centerpiece of the 1922 Lincoln Sunday Star article.

1871 Sutton Businesses

 Under Construction

1895 Sutton Businesses

 Under Construction

1970 Sutton Businesses

This collection of local and area businesses doing business in Sutton comes from the holiday wishes issue of the Clay County News on December 21, 1970.

1920 Sutton Businesses

 Under Construction

1945 Sutton Businesses

1995 Sutton Businesses

 Under Construction

2020 Sutton Businesses

 Under Construction

1920 All-County Football Team

Four county football coaches named the 1920 All-County Football Team. The Clay County Republican newspaper published their list on December 23, 1920 - front page news.

We'll take a run at uncovering first names for the players - on going project for a time. (see below) Suggestions appreciated. Also, any comments about Grandpa or your Great, Grand Dad. 

Sutton Players mentioned:

Kniss       - Alfred, Class of '21
Schultz    - Fredrick, Class of '23
Wieland  - Edwin, maybe Milton, Class of '22 - both on Sutton's 1922 Class A championship basketball team
Speilman - Herbert, Class of '23, also on '22 Class A championship team.
Bennett   - Alton, Class of '21

Kahm       - Alex, Freshman, Class of '24, known to some as Catherine Cassell's brother.
Wenzlaff  - Theodore, Class of '21 - Col. U.S. Army & Sutton historian

Clay Center Players

Gilkeson

Ablott

Jones

Briggs

Hanson

Campbell

Haylett

Spriegel

Kinyoun

Fairfield Players

Hutchinson

Feeny (?)

Lewis

Bayles

Steinbach

Shent

Athey

Hovet

Carlson

Thatcher

Mock

Edgar Players

Woodhead

Organ

Boomer

Powell

Musik

Overturf

McCue

Mallory

As I said, work in progress. Sutton players appear in the 2001 Sutton Alumni Directory, a priceless treasure. The rest will have to come from deeper digging (searching and browsing the 1920 census for instance.)

The Carnegie Library was Razed 50 Years Ago

The December 17, 1970 issue of The Clay County News carried the story of the demolishing of Sutton's Carnegie Library.

The left photo shows the sidewalk superintendents anticipating the first swing of the 3,300 pound demolition ball. In the second shot, the roof is gone. The wrecking ball was at the cornerstone in the third picture. 

 And yes, before you ask, I did notice that my dad was mentioned in the article adjacent to the library article. 

Admiral Jocko Clark - under construction

 Under construction

Who knows the connection between Sutton and Admiral J. J. Clark?

Be back shortly to finish this post.