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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 1925)
IRVING HARDING WRITES FROM TUCSON 1129 N. Tyndall Ave., Tucson, Ariz., February 4, 1925. Dear Editor: As many requests have come to me for another “shot in the paper” I will try and write of a few incidents and conditions as I have found them here. I wish I was more adapted to writ ing as I see so many things of in terest here, in fact this town and the communities near here have furnished the plots or settings for many stories, and a number of writers and novel ists live here, perhaps the best known among them is Harold Bell Wright. During the month of November we spent most of our time adjusting our selves to the conditions here, and just rested as much of the time as we could. Kenneth started to school on the 3rd and as all the schools here took part in the parade Armistice day we allowed him to enter the parade with our school, but failed to tell him where to meet us when the parade was over and you can imagine our chagrin as we looked for our nine year old boy in that <£owd. It was estimated four thousand took part in the parade and over ten thousand spectators. We looked for him frantically for about an hour and decided my wife should come home and I would go back and get the police to help me hunt him, so we started home and found him almost half way home safe and on the right way. One day about the last of November we took our dinner and went to Sa bino Canyon out about sixteen miles in the foot hills of the Catalina Moun tains. We ate our dinner in the shade of a large Sycamore tree, many kinds of trees, Cacti -and the ressurection moss grow here. There is a few small ponds in the canyon and people tell me that water runs there about ten months out of the year but was dry now on account of the excessive dry weather here the past season and this is the only place within fifty miles of llere that I have seen any water except where it is irrigated. The rocks and rock formations there are beautiful so many different colors and much of the rock contains mica. There is also huge -slabs of eranite. They have paths up the mountain sides where hikers can climb to their hearts content. At this time I was unable to climb any and could not get around very much over the rocks an account of the rheumatic condition of my knees and ankles. Many people were out there that day and one picnic party had a pho nograph along. On December 3rd we went out to San Xavier Mission. This is amost beautiful church used mostly by the Papago Indians of the Papago Indian Reservation here and is 237 years old. At this time they were having their Harvest Festival and they had come in from all over the reservation and set up their tents as the festivities last for three days and nights. The mornings are spent at worship and evenings at dancing. This is one'of the most civilized tribes in the United States and they dress much the same as the whites, no feathers, war paint pr anything like the Indians of South Dakota. Their dance is much like our two step, but their music is just one con tinuous rum-tum. They had a large bowery with cement floor and walled up on the west end with adobe for their dance hall. Many of these In dians are well educated and the gov ernment maintains a fine school for them here. On December 14th we took a trip to Nogales. This is a town built on both sides of the border between the United States and Old Mexico and is about seventy miles south of here. The border consists of a four wire fence, they have gates on the jnain streets of town with Custom officials stationed on both sides of the line. We had to register on our side before we could cross. Although it was Sun day the banks, saloons and most of the stores were open just the same as on week days. We went through the Public Market. It is truly a wonder ful sight with its tons and tons of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. I bought some fresh fish for 15 cents per pound and one could get all the fresh vegetables he could carry for a quarter. . * I couldn t help but notice the con trast between our soldiers and the Mexican soldiers. Ours (a Negro con tingent stationed there) were stately and clean with shoes and buttons shining, while on the other side they were unshaven, dusty, poorly dressed and slovenly looking. Although the south part of town is below the Valstead line and a great many thirsty from this country go down there on Sundavs the town was very quiet and we didn’t see any one intoxicated. • The holidays passed quite merrily for us and Santa Claus found us all. We received many presents two boxes of “eats” and a number of greetings, which help so much to make life “worth while” when a pers >n is among strangers. We had cc ipany for dinner Christmas day with large goose from home the “Piece e re sistance” after dinner we all v at to the show and the day passed .afore we knew it. The weather wa nice with a temperature of about 6J. On January 21st one of my neigh bors and I went up north of here about seventy miles to see a new country that is being developed now by the government and the Southern Pacific Railway Company. They are starting up two new towns there and the government has started a $15,000,* 000 irrigation project that will pro vide water for two hundred thousand acres along the Gila river valley. The railroad company is building a new line through the heart of the proposed irrigated section and the country is booming there now, although it will probably be five years before thee irri gation project is completed and they can get any water. We saw several farms in the valley watered by pumps owned by private irrigation companies. The land is very fertile and an average crop there is worth from one to three hundred dollars per acre per year depending of .course on the amount of water avail able. They raise wheat, barley, al falfa, cotton, grapes, melons and garden truck, many car loads of head lettuce leave the valley there each day now. On this trip we visited what is call ed the Casa Grande ruins This is an old fort built of Caliche. The walls are about three feet thick and the structure is about three stories high. It is supposed to be over seven hund red years old and .is a wonderful piece of work. It is hard for me to imag ine how it was built and who would be fighting in that desert so long ago. Two small holes about one and one-half inches in diameter across ar ranged in the walls that on the 8th of April and 8th of October each year the sun will shine directly through both walls and it is supposed that is what the civilization of that time reckoned time by. The structure sets within three degrees of straight with the world. This is certinly a wonderful climate for sick people and is especially good for people affected with lung trouble. Thousands of people come here each year and most of them get relief al most before they can realize it and I see by a record kept by the City of Tucson that only 278 persons died here with T. B. in 1924 and most of those that died were people that had waited too long and had no resistance left when they came. For example, a young lady from Illinois came here the middle of December and died Jan nary 3rd. She had suffered seven years and only weighed sixty-five pounds when she came, while two others, an elderly couple from the same state, came here lasr fall. They both have T. It and the Mrs. was bed fast until Christmas, but they are both well on the road to recovery and seem to enjoy life much the same as any one else now. There are at least 2500 disabled veterans being ; erved hv the local Veterans Bureau and most of these boys have T. B. I have, gained about twenty pounds and feel so much better than I did when I came. Last Sunday I climbed to the top of a mountain with no ill ef fects and feel confident that I will be well again in a few months. Hope to be able to go back home in June. The weather is very nice here now, bright and clear every day with maximum temperature about 85 aryl minimum about 50. Farmers are planting the small grains and are getting the fields ready for cotton planting, gardens nice, lawns are green and the trees that shed their leaves in winter are budding, a number of different kinds of fruit trees blossom this month. Regretted very much to hear of the big fire in O’Neill and also the e~ verity of the winter there, so far. Hope it has moderated before this. Yours truly, I. R. HARDING. Gladyce Simmons Writes. This past week has been one of un usual interest to me. Last night was the so-called Congressional Reception which is one of the four given each year by the President and his wife. The first is in honor of the diplomats, and -to that all official Washington is invited; the second, in honor of the Judiciary; the third, of Congress, and the fourth of the Army and Navy. The guest list at each are capacity ones and fortunate is the person who get an invitation unless he is a mem ber of one of these groupes. An invitation to the White House is said to be equivalent to a command. One is not to stay away unless ill. I scarcely supposed however that one would be missed in such a crowd, but as we went out of the White House the other night we saw the Doorkeep er checking with great lists the tick ets which had bten presented, so that evidently they do keep a record. At these receptions the diplomats and officials above the House are in vited for nine o’clock and at the main (north) entrance, members of the House and other common folks for nine thirty at the east entrance. That is doubtless a good arrangement but by the time we get in most of the dip mats and celebrities have paid their respects and left The process is the same in them all. One goes to the entrance desig nated along with crowds of others, presents card of admission, checks wraps, and joins a very long line which moves forward not too slowly through a long corridor lined with paintings of former Presidents of their wives, up a stairway into a large en trance hall where is stationed the Marine Band, resplendent In scarlet uniforms and playing beautifully, twice around the large state dining room, and finally in single file into the Blue Room where.stands the re ceiving line. Here an aid presents one to the President, then on to Mrs. Coolidge, and to whomever they have with them in line (last night it was Senator Cummins, President protem of the Senate, and Mrs. Cummins, and Speaker Gillette.) Then on out into the great East Room, which is al ready packed, and hundreds more coming behind. Everywhere flowers and ferns, beautiful gowns, here and there an aid, resplendid in gold braid, and at the "Diplomatic” occasionally a diplomat in the picturesque court attire of his own country. At the "Diplomatic” we worked our way back into the Blue Room and stood on the other side of the room, watch ing those receiving and the crowds passing through. It was the most interesting part of the evening. The President looked, I thought, very tired and as though he most ardently wish ed it were over, shaking hands and passing people on so fast that they scarcely stopped at all. The Mrs. Coolidge looking (as always) very lovely, smiling and friendly. Then Secretary of State Hughes, who greeted people in a most gracious, friendly manner, and finally Mrs. Hughes, who wras again gracious, but more dignified and distant in her manner. I am so glad we were able to watch the line that evening, but last night they allow’ed none btot cer tain “elect” to enter on the other side in the Blue Room. Another inovation or rather custom revived from years ago, was the danc ing, which started about ten thirty in the East room. It was terribly crowd ed, but seemed to lend an air of friend liness and to take away the stiffness which one always feels to some de gree. Another interesting occasion of the week was Cabinet day at home. The Cabinet laddies, so the books say, used to always observe Wednesday as “at home” day, but to relieve them selves of some of the burdens now only have certain ones each season. This was their second and last for this season. A friend and I thought we would make the rounds so far as possible. We went to the Gilletts (the Speaker has the same social rank as a member of the Cabinet) and the Hughes, because both of those are leaving their offices—Mr. Gillett will he a Senator and Mr. Hughes will take up the practice of law. Mrs. Gillett is a handsome woman who always wears exactly the gown to bring out her attractive color. Mrs. Hughes is more dignified, but one likes her. Mrs. Stone, wife of the Attorney General, whoso appointment as a member of the Supreme Court has been approv*d, is also one to like. And Mrs. Wilbur, wife of the secretary of the Navy, is the most friendly, homy body, whom I liked the first time I saw her. At each place things were similar, as the beautiful furnishings, pictures, rugs, and tables lovely with silver ware, flowers, or candelabra, linen. \lso caterers in dress suits, serving delicious cakes, sandwiches, ices, can dies and so on, and ladies at the tables, pouring tea and coffee. When \ye were at the Wilbur’s we thought it was time to go home, but an ac quaintance said, “Have you been to Mellons, It is worth a trip to Wash ington just to see it.” So, of course, we went. We found it on the fifth floor of one of Washington’s most fash ionable apartment houses, and far from any conception I have had of an apartment. The reception room in which Miss Mellon received was so large that the grand piano at one end was scarcely noticeable, and the din ing room proportionate. Miss Mellon is very young to have had the respon sibilities of a Cabinet hostess for four years. She is now around twenty, and a very pretty girl. I was glad to see —but the apartment! Walls lined with wonderful tapestries and rare paintings, beautiful furniture, lovely rugs, flowers. There being no ex cuse to linger in the reception room, we really didn’t see as much of.it as we would have liked. In the dining room we spent a very long time over our ice, looking at everything. Every one else was doing the same and we felt no embarrassment. Again there were wonderful paintings, and here on foreign looking tables around the walls, many large vases of beauty and value. And the table—such a lovely collection of filet, and embroidery. It covers an immense table and hangs down two feet. We were indeed glad we went, but I for one am glad I don’t have to live in such a place nor have the responsibility of the wealth pos sessed there. We joked about the pos sibility of getting one meal a day by regular attendance at teas, and a friend said that last year one woman was caught doing that very thing. Probably others do it, but are not caught. Certainly one sees every type of persons at such really public plac es. It must be a great burden to the hostess. me must interesting occasion ot all was that where some friends (Massachusetts people) told of Inti mate experiences with Mr. Coolidge, having been very closely associated with him for many years. First, of how he came to the Massachusetts legislature, lean, lank, gawky, most un prepossessing Then his first speech and the profound effect it had upon the hearers and upon their opinion of him. Of his experience when Gover nor of „ Massachusetts, settling the strike in Boston. When pressed by political advisers to change his tactics or he would not again be governor, he said “Gentlemen, it Is not necessary that I be governor of Massachusetts.” Of his great interest in his boys—the day after his nomination for the presi dency spending half an hour talking with this old friend just about the boys of them both, while men, with important politics to discuss, waited. Of how they entertained at dinner the Coolidges when they were Vice Presi dent and second lady. The Massa chusetts lady going into dinner with Mr. Coolidge, said "Do you know, Mr. Coolidge, even as long as I have konwn you. I have a thrill of going into din ner with the vice-president of the United States.” And he replied with his peculiar tfasal tone, “Well, you are getting old enough to be getting over such foolishness." Gladyce W. Simmons. History Told by Coins Roman coins illustrate the religion, the architecture, the games and sports, historic events and, in a striking man ner, the advent of Christianity. The early Constantine coins disclose the classic heathen gods; after his con version the coins bear the symbol of the cross. The diversity of this coin Informa tion was enhanced by the practice of sending the mint master along with Roman armies. Soldiers were paid in the field with money minted in the field, often from locally mined metals, in England's civil war Charles I, dur ing his refuge in castles and forts, struck off coins to pay his troops and defray his personal expenses. These are the "siege-pieces” referred to by collectors of English coins. All Accounted For The clergyman’s daughter was a good, sweet soul. She was so Inter ested in all the parishioners and loved to know that they were comfortable and had nil they wanted. More than one Ill-natured person had been heard to call It nosiness, but no matter. One morning she met little Tommy Gunter on his way home with a basket of groceries. “Well, Tommy,” she said, stopping and smiling at the little fellow, "and how nre you all getting on?” “Nicely, t?i4tnk you, miss,” answered Tommy, touching his cap respectfully, "mother, she’s got rheumatism, I’ve got a boil and father’s got a moi^th In Jail.”—London Tit-Bits. Probably Windiest State The weather bureau says that the question of which Is the windiest state in the Union lias never been accurate ly determined, and it Is probably im possible to make a positive statement. However, it is quite probable that Oklahoma, as a whole, is the windiest state in the Union. This Is due to the fact that the winds are rather con stant at moderately high velocities during the entire year in this state; in many other sections the wind may at times average higher than Oklahoma, nevertheless, they are not so constant or cover so completely the entire state. Causes of Earthquakes It has been thouglrt by some that the center of earthquakes and vol-. canic disturbances is always near the sea or other large supplies of water, and that the disturbances are directly caused by the filtration of the water down to igneous matter, and the con sequent generation of vast quantities of steam, which frees itself by explo sion. Others have sought to explain earthquakes os part of the phenomena of a planet cooling at the surface or to the yielding of strata so as to slip downward upon each other. Slippery Slope Greenboy—Of course I know mar riage Is a grave step. Oldun—Step? My dear lad, It’s more like a flight of steps and every one of ’em greased.—Pearson’s Maga zine. PLEASANTVIEW ITEMS. Dell Johnson delivered hogs in Em met Friday. Aca Worley called on A. Klinglers’ Tuesday afternoon. Fred Barnes and Fred Vanfleet called in Joe Bruder, Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Henning arc the proud parents of a baby girl. Jim McDermith and Elmer Strong called on Albert Sterns Friday. Ed Steskal’s family spent Sunday with their daughter, Mrs. Alvin Wal nofer. Mr. and Mrs. Orville Siebert spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith. Ralph Reise and family spent Sun day with their uncle, Nels Anderson and wife. Albert Klingler shipped a Red turky to Atlantic, Iowa, from Emmet Tuesday. Carl Miller shelled corn for Ermal and James Fullerton Sr. Monday and Tuesday. Marcella and Tresey Ulrich spent a few days with their brother, Lenord and wife. About fifty friends and neighbors of Paul Roth spent Wednesday evening with him. Mr. and Mrs. James Mullen were dinper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ulrich Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. James Mullen were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Winkler, Friday. Lloyd Quinn and Katie Ulrich were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hitchcock Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Millington were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Ilcrshburger, Friday. Miss Marie Coalsmidth, of Atkin son, was an over Sunday visitor with Mr. a/id Mrs. Ivan Cone. t Miss Henrietta Reise returned to her school near Butte after spending Sunday with home folks. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Palmer, of near O’Neill, spent the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Cone near Atkinson. Miss Margaret Reise, of Omaha, is spending a few days with her mother, Mrs. George Reise of near Atkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Reise spent Saturday | Royal Theatre I ttttmtmttnmtttttttmutttttxtmttmttt n: HOME OF GOOD PICTURES - FRIDAY Ben Alexander, Lloyd Hamilton, Pat soy Ruth Miller and Matt Moore in “A SELF M ADE FAILURE” -SATURDAY Buck Jones in “VAGABOND TRAIL” Comedy and “Riddle Rider” -SUNDAY & MONDAY Dorothy Devore and Cullen Landis in “A BROADWAY BUTTERFLY” A Story of Broadway as never told before. Comedy -TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY “GOLD HEELS” A story of the race track. Thrills bigger than the biggest mountains. DON’T MISS IT. Matinee—Tuesday—4 p. m. Last Matinee before Lent. -THURSDAY & FRIDAY Jackie Coogan in “CIRCUS DAYS” AH the Thrill of the Big Show. IA11 the Glamor, Noise, Bang and Joy in the Greatest Picture of Jackie’s Career. Come One—Come AH—Don’t M iss the Fun. Clowns, Freaks, Monkeys, Ele phants, Aerial Feats, Jumping Won ders, Tank Divers, Elegant Eques triennes, Funny Jugglers. A11 „the Greatest Circus Marvels. Coming— “His Hour.” “This Woman.” “Secrets.” “Sun Down.” “Golden Bed.” 4 {Mfl . This Coupon is good for Thursday Only, if used with one paid admissidn. evening with Mrs. Emma Reise and family. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Winkler and daughter, Dorothy, spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Albert Klingler. Ed. Steskal and family and Mrs. Albert Klingler called on Mr. and Mrs. James. Diehl, of Atkinson, on Saturday. Mrs. Wm. Murphey and son, of near Emmet, are spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Brud er and family. George Seifes has moved on the R. H. Parker farm vacated by Oliver Drexler and family. Drexler moved onto the Strong farm west of Emmet. Oscar Jr., 9omer and George Ful lerton spent Sunday with relatives and friends in Atkinson. Miss Francis Elder returned home with them after : spending the week end with her father T. E. Elder and family. PUBLIC SALE! <r As I have decided to quit farming I will sell at public auction on the old McCafferty place, 4 miles north and 3 3-4 miles east of the O’Neill fair grounds, the following described property, beginning at one o’clock, on Wednesday, Feb. 25th 6 Horses and Mules One team of mules, smooth mouth, weight 900 each; 1 team of geldings, smooth mouth, weight 1100 each; 1 bay mare, with last fall colt, weight 1000, smooth mouth. 57 Head of Cattle Twenty black Angus cows coming 3 and 4 years old, with calf; 10 head of coming 2-year-old heifers; 10 yearling calves; 10 milch cows coming fresh soon; 7 last fall calves. 5 Heavy Sows With Pigs FARM MACHINERY, ETC. One John Deere 2-row eli in good shape; 1 Moline disc; 1 Moline lister; 1 two section harrow; 1 3-section harrow; 1 McCormick mower; 2 sets of work harness; 1 hay rake; 1 wagon with hay rack; one good wagon; 1 cultivator; about 125 bushels of corn; and also good seed corn. About 6 dozen chickens; about 1 dozen ducks; other articles too numerous to mention. FREE LUNCH AT NOON. BRING YOUR TIN CUPS. TERMS—Nine months’ time will be given on approved security and 10 per cent interest. $10.00 and under cash. No property to be removed until settled for. Mrs. Lewis Ward, Owner COL. JAMES MOORE, Auctioneer. FIRST NATIONAL BANK, Clerk.
