The Frontier. j
VOLUME XXVIII. O’NEILL. NEBRASKA. THURSDAY. APRIL 16.1908 NUMBER 43
DAMAGE BYPRAIRIE FIRE
Large Territory Swept and Much
Property Lost.
MOST DESTRUCTIVE IN YEARS
Several Families Burned Out and
Fears Entertained That One Man
Is Fatally Burned.
Probably the worst prairie fire in
t he history of this community swept
over a portion of the county Tuesday
afternoon and evening. The fire
started from a smoldering straw stack
that had been burning several days
about five miles northeast of town
and was carried north to the Redbird
before a strong south wind. It was a
hard fight for life and property for
those living in the track of the fire.
The inflamable condition of every
thing burnable, because of long con
tinued dry weather, aided by heavy
winds, rendered people almost help
less before the awful sea of flame.
While the fire was raging in the
Reabird country, devouring hay
stacks, fence posts, barns, buildings
and other property, the wind sudden
ly changed to the northwest and the
fire leaped to the south and east as if
in pursuit of other victims. The ter
ritory burned is estimated at about
thirty square miles and forms a huge
and blackened L-shaped track, the
north limb extending east to the An
telope slough country and the west
ean limb extending south to the Elk
horn river.
A Frontier representative drove
over a portion of the blackened re
mains yesterday, along the route
traveresed by the Holt County Tele
phone company’s line and back along
the Burlington railroad. A strip
seven miles wide, extending from a
half mile east of Henry Hoxie’s to
Hay Point on the Burlington, was
burned between here and Page. Three
families near the railroad were burn
ed out and several others farther
north, besides thousands of tons of
hay being destroyed, hundreds of
frnce posts and scores of telephone
poles. The poles of the Holt County
Telephone company’s llna are burned
for a mile at a stretch without a pole
standing. Fences are down and many
line groves of trees are blackened and
burned.
Of those living southeast of O’Neill
James Cameron is probably the heav
iest loser. His house, barns, sheds
and everything went but the clothing
they wore and their horses and cattle.
Five head of hogs, four dozen chick
ens and about 20 tons of hay—all he
had—went with his buildings. Mr.
Cameron’s loss in buildings and per
sonal effects will exceed $1,200, with
no insurance.
William Gannon, living not far
from Mr. Cameron, lost all his build
ings—but the house—hay, several
head of hogs, and came near losing
his family. Mrs. Gannon went with
the children to the outside cellar,
which caught fire and they were near
ly suffocated when rescued.
Charles Rockford, living on the old
Price Babcock place north of Camer
on’s, was also burned out. His little
boy was herding cattle about two
miles from home when Mr. Rockford
saw the fire. He hitched up a team
and went after the boy and when he
got back everything on the place was
burned except a trunk and feather
bed Mrs. Rockford had succeeded in
saving, with the wagon into which
she had loaded them. Mr. Rockford
feared the cattle he had left on the
prairie were overtaken by the fire, but
they were found yesterday.
J. B. Dailey was another living in
that vicinity to lose heavily, but The
Frontier has not learned the full ex
tent of his loss.
Sam Wolf lost 100 tons of hay upon
which he had $50 insurance.
Further north, Con Shea lost every
thing but one barn; Peter Sullivan
all his buildings but the house; and
an old gentleman by the name of
Davenport, who came here this spring
from Iowa and is living on the old
Florence Sullivan place, was cleaned
out of buildings, lost 27 head of hogs,
4 head of cattle and had seven other
cattle badly burned. Mr. Davenport
was himself,it is thought fatally burn
ed, though he may recover.
E. W. Bloemker, living a little
farther east and a half mile north
was working in the field when he saw
his neighbor’s premises in danger.
He put his horses in the barn and
hastened to his assistance. Before he
got back his barn and four horses were
burned.
Pat Regan lost his new barn 40x50,
corn cribs and a new grauery with a
capacity of 2,000 bushels. He esti
mates his loss at $1,200, and carried
$700 insurance.
Thousands of tons of hay were burn
ed and the damage In general cannot
be computed.
Clyde Mills Passes Away.
Clyde Mills died Tuesday shortly
before noon, after an illness covering
a period of about five months. The
funeral will be held at 2 o’clock this
afternoon at the Presbyterian church,
conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr.
Hullhorst.
Henry Clyde Mills was born Oct. 24,
1890, in this city, being 17 years, 5
months and 14 days old on the date of
his death, April 14. He was the sec
ond son of R. H. Mills, one of the old
citizens of the community. Last No
vember he was taken ill with rheu
matism and was confined to the house
all winter. After the disappearance
of the rheumatism heart trouble de
veloped which finally resulted in his
death. He suffered much during the
long months of wasting disease, but
bore it patiently and showed every ap
preciation of the efforts of the devoted
ones around him to relieve the suffer
ing.
Clyde was a bright young boy just
blooming into manhood and bis tak
ing away is a severe blow to the fam
ily and friends. He was a general
favorite among his associates and
companions at school because of his
many marked commendable traits o'
character.
Interment will be made in the
Protestant cemetary, the remains
laid beside those of his mother who
died some twelve or fourteen years
ago.
Governor to Meet Fleet.
Governor Sheldon’s special party
for San Francisco is planned to leave
Lincoln in a special train of sleepers
at 7 p. m. April 25, provided 100 or
more go. The route is via Denver,
thence over the Santa Fe to the Coast
via the Grand Canyon. The schedule
is arranged so as to allow plenty of
leisure time in southern California en
route to San Francisco. The party will
arrive at San Francisco about noon
of May 5th. The fleet will reach Gold
en Gate about May 6th. The presen
tation of the silver service to the
battleship Nebraska takes place May
8th. The r? ilroad fare from Lincoln,
including side trips, returning via the
direct route, is 866.80. This is a very
low and favorable excursion rate.
Governor Sheldon has issued an in
vitation to the representative citizens
of the state to join this party. The
Nebraska party headed by the gover
nor and his staff will doubtless receive
much social attention on their trip to
the coast.
Galloway Bolls for Sale.
A nice lot of young Galloway bulls
ready for service for sale at W. A
Gannon’s, 2 miles north of Inman,
Holt county, Neb. Call and see them.
Low down, blocky, heavy coated
fellows._39-6
Mose Campbell of Atkinson was cir
culating among O’Neill friends yes
terday.
J. P. Mann & Co.
A FE W OF THE BARGAINS
We Are Offering in Our
Men’s Furnishing Department
X
Silver Shirts—In a large range of patterns, attached and
detached cuffs, $1.25.
Men's Neckwear—We carry an exceptional strong line in
all the new shades and styles. 25c to 50c.
Collars—We have the best collars made at the price. Two
for 25c.
Men's Dress and Driving Gloves—Plymouth buck, $1.50;
Indian tanned, $1.75; imported kid, $2.00; imported cape,
outside sown, English tans and Havana shades, $2.25.
Men's Burlington and Black Cat Hoscry—The most reliable
brands in America; correct in every detail; black and fancy.
15c to 50c.
Men's Underwear—Summer weight plain Egyptian separ
able, 50c each; separable short sleeves and knee drawers,
50c; Jersey ribbed union suits, $1.00 to $2.00; fancy colored
separable, 25c to $1.50; extra size 44 to 50 separable, 50c.
Shoes that Fit—We have the celebrated Honorbilt line, in
all leathers and shapes; tans, patent kids and velour calf.
Hats—We carry the “Tiger” hat, the one that is known to
be the best and the leadei^of style, $3.00. Also a line of John
B. Stetson in staple shapes, $5.00.
Clothin. —We have the most complete line carried in this
section of the state and ask no fancy prices but give you
some of the'best values that it is possible for us to secure in
the best clothing market in the world. Come in and look our
line over before buying. $12.50 to $20.
J. P.Mann &Co.
Tl The Loafer.
An unknown author: They ar<
lounging at the corners, they are loaf
ing on the walk, and they want t
situation winding up an eight daj
clock; they’re a sore upon the surface
of this glad and smiling earth, where
the man who earns his living is the
only man of worth. They are loafing
in the sunshine, and their talking
never fags, while their wives are doing
washings and their kids are wearing
rags, they are critizlng Teddy, roast
ing Taft and Hughes as well, they are
proving that the country Is a sailing
straight Ito hell; and their wives are
tired of sweating o’er the washtub’s
greasy curve, while the loud and lazy
loafers breathe the air they don't
deserve. O we chuck the drunks in
prison when they snort and prance
around and we soak the man whose
chickens scratch an inch or two of
ground; we behead the hungry father
who would swipe an oyster shell, but
we let the lazy loafers stand around
all day and smell.
Advertised Letters.
The following letters remain uncall
ed for in the O’Neill postofflce for the
week ending April 16,1908:
Milliard Bennett, Wm. Filly, Miss
Pearl Foster, Karl W. Heitler, Mrs.
E. W. Norris, Joe Peterson, T. A.
Pickering, Ross Thomas, W. D. Valen
tine, Charles Barbone, H. H. RatzlofT,
John Dease, Dresher the tailor, Ed.
| J. Myer, Basile Kemeran (foreign.)
Postals—G. H. Boetel, Fred Buck,
Merlyn Bogle, Henry Casper, Mrs.
Anna Carlson, Francisco Agusta, L.
Dartmouht, Wm. Grothe, Miss Mary
Smith, Leander Smith, M. V. Vivian,
Mary A. O’Keefe.
In calling for the above please say
“advertised.” If not called for in
fifteen days will be sent to dead letter
office. R. J. Marsh, Postmaster.
Vote by Wards.
The official canvass of the city elec
tion returns shows the following
result:
For Mayor— 1st w. 2d w. 3d w. Tl.
Ed F. Gallagher.49 47 38—134
J. P. Gallagher.49 20 49—118
For Treasurer—
J. F. Gallagher.74 67 73—204
For Clerk—
Clarence Campbell... 72 56 68—196
ForPolloeJudso—
J. H. Wise.76 56 78—206
For Counellmen—
T. V. Golden.37 — 37
T. D. Hanley.56 — 66
Neil Brennan.— 34 34
J. P. McManus.— 31 31
William Froelich_— — 51— 51
J. B. Mellor.— — 33— 33
Get Busy.
We are arranging our list for 1908 in
Antalope, Knox, Pierce, Boone and
Holt counties. If you have anything
to sell or trade, “get busy.” List
with McLeod Bros., Real Estate, Ash
land or Brunswick, Nebr. 41-4
M. J. Enright is building a neat
little cottage a few blocks west of the
court house.
How About That Easter Hat
That You SHovild Bviy for Caster Svirvde^y?
I I have just got in the latest summer
1 novelties in men's new hats. The Patter
1 son hat needs no introduction to the
| public, as the name is well known, and
I the wearers can speak for the quality of
a the hat.
I I have hats for men, women and child
I ren. For the ladies I have a very unique
I line of sun shades, or fishing hats, and
I for the children a good line of sailor hats.
I Remember / carry a well assorted line
I of men's shirts, neligee and with or with
I out collars, neckties, collars, suspenders
I and gents furnishings.
I
ft
ft
joynM j, p, GALLAGHER
Superintendent Mote Did Not Apply.
—Will Quit Teaching.
SUCCEEDED BY T. N. FLEMMING j
Some Changes Made Among the Grade
Teachers.—Home Talent Is
Employed.
At the regular meeting of the school
board last Monday evening the follow
ing teachers were elected for the en
suing year: Prof. T. N. Flemming,
Lyons, Neb., supt.; Miss OeliaGorby,
principal; Miss Jessie Moore, assistant
principal; Miss Margaret Grady, Miss
Mary Horiskey, Miss Anna Donohoe,
Miss Anna O’Donnell, Miss Catherine
Doyle and Miss Blanch Abbott, grade
teachers. The only changes in the
corps is that of superintenent and
two grade teachers. Prof. Fldmmlng
succeeding Prof. Mote, who has been
superintendent of the city schools the
past two years but who was not a can
didate for re-election. We understand
Prof. Mote expects to move west and
go into business. Be has given splen
did satisfaction here and himself and
family will carry with them the best
wishes of the people of O’Neill for
their future prosperity. His succes
sor, Prof. Flemming, is highly spoken
of as an educator and he will no doubt
keep the O’Neill schools up to the
standard they have long occupied, at
the head of the high schools in this
portion of Nebraska. The two new
grade teachers, Miss O’Donnell and
Miss Doyle, succeed Mrs. Mary O’Neill
and Mrs. Fritz, who have taught the
past year. These young ladies are
natives of O’Neill and since their
graduation from St. Mary’s Academy
two years ago have been numbered
among Holt county's most successful
teachers.
Educational Notes.
Teacher’s examination will be held
Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18.
We are sending out Junior Normal
announcements to all teachers in this
and surrounding counties. A teacher
is not entitled to her last month’s
wages until she has made out a term
summary and classification'report and
the same has been approved.
April 22nd is Arbor Day for Ne
braska. Holt county has space for
many trees, most school yards being
void of a single tree or shrub We
hope to hear of school districts that
have hitherto done nothing toward
beautifying the school property, mak
ing a beginning by planting a number
of trees on or before Arbor Day. Dis
trict No. 60 has made the best record ’
along the line of tree planting this
spring. It planted three hundred and
fifty poplars and elms. The trees cost
the district 810. We predict this will
prove to be the most satisfactory 810
investment ever made by the district.
District No. 42, in Rock Falls town
ship, petitioned to allow unorganized
territory lying south of the district to
be attached to said district. The
petition contained the names of two
thirds of the voters, hence was grant
ed. Within the unorganized terri
tory added are the homes of two
families having children of school age.
The last county teacher’s meeting
for this year will be held at Ewing,
Saturday, April 25th. The commit
tee has been particular in making a
program of practical topics for this
meeting. The O’Neill high school will
furnish the music for the afternoon
meeting. The drama to be given in
the evening at the opera house will
be free to teachers.
Florence E. Zink,
County Superintendent.
State Journal: A petition was filed
in district court by Ruby S. Maher,
the prayer of which was that she be
granted a divorce from John G. Maher,
the well known democratic politician.
Accompanying the petition was the
voluntary appearance of the defen
dant, who reserved the right to
answer within ten days. The ten days
have expired since the signing of this
instrument and immediately after
the filing of the petition Mrs. Maher
appeared before Judge Stewart and
gave her testimony. The grounds for
divorce alleged in the petition are ex
treme cruelty whereby her health was
imparled and she became nervously
and physically debilitated and by
reason whereof she has lost all affec
tion for defendant, and by reason of
said cruelty by the defendant the
legitimate ends and functions of mar
riage have been destroyed. In addi
tion to a divorce she asked that defen
dant be excluded from all interest in
her separate estate. In her testimony
to the court the plaintiff stated that
the cruelty complained of consisted of
nagging, hectoring and a general surly
and unloving manner. They were
married in this city November 10,
1898.