A handcar and cowpies

Tues., July 18, 1933 - Managed to finish my book just in time.  I went to the Dinette this noon.  There were only about 6 there.  Marjorie and her roommate Florence Nellis invited me to come up to their room at noon and I went.  I tried to study this evening but was too tired. Oh!  How I do miss Alma!
Wed., July 19, 1933 - I went to chapel with Hazel McDonald.  A missionary form China spoke to us concerning the conditions there.  I worked on my autobiography.  Wrote a long letter to Alma tonite.  Gerald wrote a postscript in the margin.
Thurs., July 20, 1933 - I worked on my autobiography until 12:30 tonite.  After supper I was so nervous that I had to take a short nap.  Was at Marjorie's room again this noon.  She said Virgine was coming this p.m. and visit her until Saturday.

I was perusing "History of Wayne Country" and found the following little tidbits re Winside.  No specific time frames are given, but it seems to be from the very early days of the town

     Pioneer young folks had to have their good times.  On one occasion a group decided to go to Wayne for a dance, leaving only Mr. and Mrs. McDerby to look after the town.  There seemed to be no other way to make the trip than by team and wagon.  John Morin proposed going on a handcar so two planks were arranged for seats and the party set forth.  Mr. and Mrs. Morin, Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Carter's sister and Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Clark started for the dance with two section men running the man-power car.  At the dance the two section men went the limit of saloon days and were unable to run the car for the return trip.  Mr. Carter, Mr. Cherry, Mr. Clark and Mr. Morin were not used to operating a handcar but they had to do so and the remainder of the night was spent on the return trip.

     When Winside was being built, all the stores were placed on the north side of the street, leaving on the south side vacant lots which belonged half to Bressler & Patterson and half to the town site company.  It was proposed to place some corncribs on the vacant property and the business men objected to having the cribs between their stores and the depot.  They took grievance to Bressler & Patterson who agreed that if the town site company would do the same, they would contribute their share of the land for a park.  Both agreed and the land was given for a park with the understanding that if it were ever used for another purpose it would revert to the original owners.  Trees were planted and the park has been a beauty spot in the town ever since.

     In the early days there were no sidewalks and considerable amount of grass grew in front and around the stores.  Early settlers tell that wires were stretched from the lawn in front of a store to the well at the rear and an iron ring fastened to this permitted "bossy" to "mow the lawn" and then go for a drink unmolested.

Two things come to mind here.  What would happen if the park ceased to be a park now?  Would the town have to locate Bressler & Patterson heirs?  Also, long grass is a problem in front of a store, but so it manure, right?  Fun times back in the day.