Our collection of Reginald Tillotson’s early 1930s photos includes two “before” and two “after” snapshots with notes that say “Farmers Terminal Elevator, Geneva, Nebr., Repair and Ironing Job 1932.” Without photographic support, an additional note records that in the following year Van Ness Construction Co., of Omaha—which employed Reginald and his father Joseph—“Tore down two old, rebuilt one new” in the nearby Fillmore County town of Exeter. 

A search of articles in the Nebraska Signal newspaper, of Geneva, turns up little additional information about either job. One item suggests the elevator had been closed during the spring. Further elaboration is awaited. 

We did learn that by January of 1932, a pair of burglars, Louis Shallenberg and Clifford Crowder, had been arrested in Grand Island and “confessed to robbing the farmers’ elevator at Exeter and taking a radio and other articles valued at $50. They are also implicated in numerous other robberies in this and nearby counties. Shallenberg was released from the pen last summer after completing a term for robbery and Crowder recently served a jail sentence at Wilber.”

In lieu of information about elevator “repair and ironing,” we present the following items from the Nebraska Signal that describe 1932 activities in Geneva. 

The annual business meeting of the Farmers elevator was held Tuesday afternoon at the I.O.O.F. temple. The meeting was called to order by the president, Henry Jensen. At the election of officers Fred Underwood was re-elected secretary and Henry Kolar and William Morgan were re-elected directors. The report showed that the company had a good business year and a ten per cent dividend was declared on shares, eight percent on gas and one-half cent on grain. About $90 of undivided profit was given to the American Legion fund. Due to the blocked condition of the roads only about forty were present. Nebraska Signal, Jan 14, 1932 

The Farmers Elevator of Geneva will open Saturday, April 30, and thereafter on Friday and Saturday each week until further notice. We will have a full line of farm seeds. Will exchange some for some good seed corn. Come and see our new machinery at used machinery prices. Sheridan Grain & Machinery Co. Nebraska Signal, Apr. 28, 1932 

Orange cane, Honeydrip and black, 50 cents per bushel. Fridays and Saturdays every week at Farmers elevator, Geneva, Neb. We buy grain Fridays and Saturdays only. Wm. Sheridan. Nebraska Signal, May 26, 1932

The Farmers Elevator will be open every day after July 1. Phone 98. Nebraska Signal, June 30, 1932

We will pay a premium for mixed wheat and oats. Also have Grim alfalfa seed at $6.50 per bushel. Farmers Elevator. Nebraska Signal Aug. 11, 1932 

The Farmers Elevator Co. at Geneva will have No. 66 Turkey Red seed wheat free from rye will exchange for other wheat reasonable. 48-1. Nebraska Signal, Aug. 24, 1932