The Frontier
VOL. LIII. O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, JUNE 30,1932. No. 6
AN EDITOR S DREAM OF O’NEILL
FIFTY YEARS AGO
OL1) FILES TELL OF PROSPERITY
The following article, headed O’
Neill, Its Past, Its Present, Its Future,
is taken from the files of the Holt
County Banner and from the issue of
January 2, 1883. Our readers will
note that two of the men, who were
in business in this city at that time,
H. M. Uttley and Charles C. Millard,
are still residents of this city.—Editor.
“It it interestingto note the progress
of our thriving village and casting an
eye back to its commencement, to re
call to mind the order in which the
buildings on the business streets have
been erected and number them as we
go: The first building was erected by
John Mayberry, in the fall of 1878, and
was afterwards enlarged into the
store now occupied by Patrick Hag
erty. On this spot Mr. Hagerty hasl
been doing a thriving business forj
several years, and has, by his strict
attention to business, honest dealing
and accommodating manner, built up
an extensive and lucrative business.
He was for several years the only
merchant here; but during that time,
and even to the present day, has never
sold intoxicating drinks—which shows
that he held the good of the commun
ity above his own desire to make
money. He now carries a large stock
of goods, buys everything the farmers
have to sell, and is doing a very ex
tensive business. The next building
was the old Catholice church, which
has since been converted into a school
house and moved to the west side of
town, where Professor O’Sullivan is
now conducting a large school, which
is progresing finely under his charge.
The third building was the one now
owned by Jyhn O’Donnell, and known
as the Valley House, where Mr. O’Don
nell and his wife are prepared to fur
nish food and lodging for boarders
and travelers. The fourth building was
the blacksmith shop of Michael Tier
ney, which is still occupied by him,
and where all can get work in his
line done in good style, and with dis
patch. Fifth, we come to the City
Hotel. This building has been en
larged and improved in various ways,
until now, under the management of
Mr. and Mrs. Sparks, it presents the
appearance, both inside and out, of
a first class hotel, and is doing a good
business. The fifth building in order
of time was the store now occupied by
J. J. McCafferty, and where Brennan
& McCafferty carried on the hardware
business so successfully for several
years. The next building erected in
our town was that which has since
been remodeled and fixed up into the
fine office of the Wilcox Lumber Com
pany, occupied by our esteemed friend
John McBride. It was in this build-;
ing that the first whisky was sold in
O’Neill by Dr. Daggett, who did more
to create a race of drunkards in this
vicinity than any other man who has
dealt out the stuff in our midst; for
when he could not sell it he would give
it away, so that drunkenness was very
prevalent in and about his den. Hag
erty’s residence was the next building,
John McCann’s next, and Brennan’s
building, since occupied as a court
house, nt :t. This building is wholly
inadequate for the use to which it is
put, and it is a disgrace to a county
like Holt tha’, a better building is not
provided. The building is now' occupied
by Sanford Parker,county clerk, David
L. Darr, treasurer, and M. D. Long,
deputy clerk. C. H. Wixson, county
superintendent of schools, also makes
it his headquarters while in town. The
next building erected was the Dan |
Kelly building, first occupied by Dag-|
gett Brothers’ drug store, next by the;
Frontier, next by J. G. Fritz, and now
by Mrs. N. Martin’s dress making and
millinery shop. Here you can have
work done in good style in that line.
The next building erected was that
now known as the Red Front, occupied
by C. B. Herman. Mr. Herman is an
old and experienced merchant, having
done business for several years in;
Blair, this state, and he keeps a well
filled store neat and orderly, which is
a credit to our town. The next is the
old Capwell store, now occupied by
J. G. Fritz & Co. This is one of the
best kept and best filled stores in
town, and under the present manage
ment is doing a good trade and in a
lively business tow'n like O’Neill is
sure to build up an extensive and
profitable business. This store, like
the others we have already mentioned,
is a credit to our town. We next come
to the law office of Rice & Uttley,
which was the next building in order
of time, and now occupied by the a
bove mentioned trustworthy law firm,
which is doing a good business and is
a credit to our county. The fifteenth
building was the one now occupied by
Del Akin, and next to the present
I Frontier building, occupied by the O’
Neill postoffice and the Frontier, a
weekly newspaper which probably has
the largest circulation of any paper
in Northern Nebraska outside of O’
; Neill. Its circulation is probably near
! ly equal to the Banner, which now
j stands at the head. We nowr come to
i the Commercial Hotel, which has, since
| its first establishment, been enlarged
1 and improved in many ways, until it
I is now' the largest hotel in town and
has the largest run of custom. The
| propritor, Ed. E. Evans, is always on
; hand to attend to the wants of his
j guests, and constantly exerts himself
to accommodate the traveling public.
The next building erected was the store
of M. M. Sullivan, who also keeps a
large general stock in as nice order
and as tastefully arranged as any
store in town. Though not the largest
this is one of our best stores, and
helps greatly to make up that large
and fine assortment of goods for which
our town is noted. The next building
was that now owned and occupied by
O. J. Ellis’s meat market; and the
next the well stocked harness shop
of J. F. Pfunder, adjoining. Next in
order was the shop now occupied by
J. C. Smoot, our good natured barber,
who is ever ready for business; and
there are few more diligent in busi
ness than he, and we are glad to see
that he is prosperous. Wilcox’s well
kept hotel and boarding house was
the next to make its appearance. And
then came our bank building; and we
flatter ourselves there is not a better
bank building in the state—certainly
there is none more accommodating.
J. P. Purcell’s store was next in order,
where is now kept a full line of gen
eral merchandise. This makes the
fifth general store, and, like the bal
ance, it is well filled, neatly arranged,
and an ornament to our town. We
have every reason to believe that all
of our five general stores are doing a
profitable and constantly increasing
business. The next was Kinkaid’s fine
law office—which is temporarily va
cated, while its owner and former oc
cupant, Hon. M. P. Kinkaid, has gone
to the state senate, having been elected
to that office by a large majority.
The next was Toohill’s new shop; then
O’Neill’s law office, now occupied by
Frank Campbell; and following that
the new fine drug store of Ed. Hersh
iser, which is hai’d to beat. Well filled
and well kept, it makes our town just
what it could not be without a first
class drug store.
“Then we discovered one fine morn
ing a small but cozy little building
springing up just north of the post
office, which is now’ occupied by two
young ladies of our town as a dress
making and millinery shop. Miss
Bessie Wisegraver and Miss Sarah
Cannenburg will be found here, ever
ready to do for their friends and cus
tomers anything in their line. These
twro young ladies possess the energy
and industry which is sure to bring
success.
“The next building was our own com
modious office, and the new Catholic
church, which is now nearly completed,
was commenced about the same time.
This church is very large, nicely fin
ished, and will cost about five thous
and dollars. It is built in a sightly
place and is a fine ornament to our
town. The office now occupied by
Carlon & Gearon came next. This law
firm is doing an extensive real estate
business in addition to their legal
practice, which is also quite extensive.
“Among the earliest buildings erected
in our town was the shanty-like livery
barn of Charles Millard. It was sur
prising to see the amount of business
done in that little shell; but the wis
dom of its proprietor was made man
fest when during last summer a large
new livery barn took the place of the
old structure, and Charlie is now as
well fixed for business as he could
i resonably desire.
“The boot and shoe shop of John
, Mann was next built, and here, as also
at the boot and shoe shop of James
Sulivan, which was erected soon after
ward, everything in the line of new
work and repairs can be had on appli
cation. The next was Ward’s fine
| livery barn, which is also doing a
thriving business. The next was the
new building of Patrick Fahy, occupied
by Bennet Martin; and last the new
harware store of J. J. McCafferty,
which is not yet completed, but which,
when done and filled with goods, will
be second to no store in townj We
have now finished the tour of our
two principal business streets. We
have not time or space to make men
1 tion of our many beautiful residences.
Suffice it to say, in conclusion, that
we have stores and various business
houses equal to all demands, pood
hotels, fine livery stables, an excellent
school, healthful climate, pure water,
and everything needful to make a fine
town except a prist mill and grain
buyer. Our town affords a fine open
ing for the two last mentioned voca
tions. We are proud of our thrifty,
enterprising village.”
BRIEFLY STATED
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Hynes,
! Friday, June 24, a baby girl.
Mildred and Helen Rhode had their
tonsils removed Wednesday morning.
Attorney J. C. Alexander, of Orch
ard, was transacting business in this
j city Tuesday.
—
Luther Shaner, of Page, was in
O’Neill Monday, and called at The
j Frontier office.
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Streeter drove
| to Brunswick Sunday to visit with Mr.
' Streeter’s parents.
—
Judge M. L. Leamy, of Pierce, came
I over last Friday afternoon to attend
j the Harrington funeral.
_
Miss Grace Kilmurray, of Atkinson,
is in the city the guest of the Misses
j Genevieve and Dorethea Grady.
Pat Stanton was up from Tilden last
Saturday, having come to attend the
funeral of his old friend, M. F. Har
rington.
Attorney W. A. Meserve, of Creigh
ton, was in the city last Saturday
attending the funeral of M. F. Har
rington.
Senator Christ Anderson was over
from Bristow last Saturday, having
come over to attend the Harrington
funeral.
- - - V v
Mrs. P. B. Harty entertained the
Martez Club at her home last Satur
day evening. Mrs. F. J. Biglin won
the guest prize.
B. E. Sturdevant and Ed. Kilmurry,
of Atkinson, were in the city Saturday
last, having come down to attend the
Harrington funeral.
Attorneys W. M. Ely and A. W.
Scattergood, of Ainsworth, came down
last Saturday morning to attend the
Harrington funeral.
Former Attorney General and Mrs.
O. S. Spellman came up from Nor
folk last Saturday to attend the funer
al of M. F. Harrington.
Frank Heenan and Attorney Mur
ray, of Spencer, were in the city last
| Saturday, having come over to attend
I the Harrington funeral.
William Hough left this morning
for Norfolk where he will spend a few
| days visiting at the home of his son,
Merlin Hough and family.
Dr. W. F. Finley left Sunday mom
| ing for Chicago, where he expected to
| be an interested spectator at the demo
cratic national convention.
I
Miss Margaret Ryan, who has been
: visiting friends here the past ten days,
; returned to her home at Creighton
the latter part of last week.
Attorneys Ralph Kreiger, S. D.
Thornton and Joe Spirk, of Neligh.
came up last Saturday morning to
attend the funeral of M. F. Harrington.
Mr. and Mrs. William Gatz left last
| Sunday morning for Omaha and east
ern Iowa, where they will spend ten
days visiting with relatives and
friends.
E. A. Steskal, of Atkinson, was an
j O’Neill visitor last week and while in
; the city made this office a pleasant
call, extending his subscription for
| another year.
Cecil Conklin came up from Lincoln
j last Friday afternoon for a few days
| visit with the home folks and to at
I tend the Harrington funeral. He re
! turned home Sunday.
Sister Maxine, who has been the
painting teacher in St. Mary’s Acad
emy for the past ten years, and Sister
Mary Anna left last Sunday for Lex
| ington, Ohio, where they will make
| their future home.
Howard Ashton, of Hartington, and
Miss Violet Olga Knapp, of Clear
water, were united in marriage at the
Presbyterian Manse last Wednesday
afternoon, Rev. H. D. Johnson officiat
ing.
Mr. and Mrs. George Agnes and
children left last Saturday morning
for Akron, Iowa, where they visited
over the week end with relatives and
friends, returning home Tuesday even
ing.
Mrs. R. M. Sauers and daughter,
Lolee, went down to Omaha Monday
morning, Mrs. Sauers returning Tues
day evening. Lolee will spend the
week in Omaha and attend the Belle
vue Summer Conference for Presby
terian youth.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb Rice, of Norfolk,
drove up last Saturday morning to
attend the Harrington funeral. Mr.
Rice is one of Norfolk’s leading at-1
torneys and a few years ago the demo- J
cratic nominee for congress from the
Third Congressional district.
Miss Anne Harty entertained about
twenty-two of her young friends with
a birthday party at her home last
Tuesday afternoon. Miss Anne was
the receipient of many birthday pre
sents and the young guests were royal
ly entertained and all hud a very
happy time.
| T. P. Mullen came up from Albion
last Thursday night to attend the
funeral of his old friend, M. F. Har
rington. Mr. Mullen was a resident
of this city for many years, leaving
here about twenty-six years ago for
Boone county, where he has since
made his home.
Since the afternoon passenger train
has been taken off the O’Neill-Norfolk
bus picks up the mail every afternoon
at Oakdale and brings it on to O’Neill,
arriving here at 4:30 in the afternoon,
0^ only about a half hour after the
train used to arrive. This service is
appreciated by O’Neill business men.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Moss left last Sat
urday morning for the Minnesota
lakes, where they will spend ten days
angling in some of that states noted
fishing lakes. Before returning home
they will make a short visit in Canada.
Local anglers are looking forward to
some good fishing stories when Ira J
returns.
Judge A. M. Morrisey, former Chief
Justice of the state supreme court, and
Frank Hopkins came up from Omaha
last Friday evening to attend the!
Harrington funeral. Judge Morrisey |
returned home Sunday while Mr. Hop-1
kins remained in the city for a few
days visiting friends and looking after
business affairs.
Mrs. Mary Spindler, of Blair, who
has been visiting friends here for the
past few weeks, was a pleasant caller
at this office last Monday and ex
tended her subscription to this house
hold neessity. Mrs. Spindler says
that it would be almost impossible
to keep the house without the weekly
visits of The Frontier.
About thirty of the friends and
neighbors of Clyde Kellar gathered at
his home last Sunday evening and
treated him to a surprise party, it
being his birthday anniversary. The
neighbors came, bringing with them
well filled baskets, and proceeded to
have a very enjoyable evening with
cards and games until the small hours
of the morning, when all departed for
home, but wishing that such birthday
parties were celebrated oftener.
Ode Vernable, a colored man who
has been employed at odd jobs around
the city for the past six months, and
a white man named Dave, took on a
good sized load of corn, or pehaps
it was rye, one evening the first of the
week and scared several of the in
habitants of the western and southern
part of the city last Tuesday evening,
shortly after dark. They were wand
ering around, evidently hunting for
some place where their appetite could
be appeased, when officers were called
and they were both taken into custody.
While denying that they had been
imbibing of the cup that cheers, but
inebriates, they were placed in dur
ance vile' and were told that they
would have to leave town and stay
out. The white man has departed and
the colored man has promised to bid
good bye to this city by the end of the
; week.
HUGH J.McKENNA PASSES AWAY
Hugh J. McKenn died at a hospital
at Norfolk last Monday afternoon at
1:55 p. m., after an illness of several
months, of kidney trouble, at the age
of fifty years, eight months and
wenty-three days. The body was
brought to O'Neill Monday afternoon
and the funeral was held Wednesday
morning at 9 o’clock from St. Pat
rick’s church, interment in Calvary
cemetery.
Hugh J. McKenna was born at In
dependence, Iowa, on October 4, 1881.
In the spring of 1881 his parents
moved to this county and settled on
a homestead about five miles south
west of this city where the family
made their home for many years,
finally moving to this city where the
deceased made his home up to the
time of his death. He had always en
joyed good health until last winter
when he suffered a severe attack of
the flu, from which he never fully re
covered although he has been able to
be around town for the past three
months until about two weeks ago
when he suffered a relapse and went
to a hospital at Norfolk for treatment,
but his vitality was so sapped by his
long illness and the desease had gained
such a foothold that it could not be
checked and he passed away peace
fully Monday afternoon.
Deceased was united in marriage
at Sac City, Iowa, to Miss Annie
Neary on November 11, 1910, who,
with two brothers and one sister a?
well as several nieces and nephews are
left to mourn the death of a kind and
loving husband, brother and uncle.
The brothers are: C. F. McKenna, of
this city and James of Saskatcheson,
Canada and one sister Mrs. J. P. Mc
Manus of this city.
As a young man Hugh became in
terested in horses and he spent about
twenty years of his life as a trainer/
owner and drive of trotting horses and i
he owned and handled some good ones;
in his day. He attended practically
all the racing meets held in Nebraska,
Iowa and Missouri for several years
and won some good purses. He was
recognized as a good, shrewd driver
and had the respect and esteem of
all the horsemen, owners as well as
drivers. An old-time race driver and
owner, who is still in the horse game, ]
but not as a driver, told the writer not
many months ago, when discussing the
old time race meets, that twenty years
ago were so popular in this and ad
joining states, that “Hugh was a j
crackerjack as a driver, always willing i
to take a chance and his fearlessness [
as a pilot won for him many races.” j
Hugh’s many friends throughout the
state, among the old-time horsemen,
will regret to learn that he has
“scored” his last race.
Deceased had many friends in this
city and county. He was a likeable
man and possessed a charming and
pleasing personality, and his passing,
while still in the prime of life, is a
severe blow to his many friends and
relatives. The Frontier joins the
many friends of Mr. McKenna in ex
tending to the relatives its condolence
in their hour of sorrow.
FI NERAL OF M. F. HARRINGTON
The funeral of M. F. Harrington
was held from St. Patrick’s church
last Saturday morning at 9 o’clock and
was one of the largest funerals seen;
in this city for a good many years, ]
Monsiegnor M. K. Cassidy officiating,
interment in Calvary cemetery.
Father Cassidy delivered a splendid
tribute to the deceased, who was a life
long friend. He said that the de
ceased had been very liberal in his
gifts to charity, that he had gone to
him for assistance to help some of the
needy and that he had never applied
in vain. He called attention to the
uncertainty of life and cautioned his
congregation to be always prepared
to render a final account of our stew
ardship, as we knew not at what
moment we would be called.
The church was well filled by people
from all walks of life. Judges from
this section of the state and lawyers
from all over western Nebraska, farm
ers and business men from not only
this county but from several of the
adjoining counties, were present to
pay a final tribute to their departed
friend and fellow citizen.
T. F. Birmingham and C. E. Stout
left last Sunday morning, by auto
mobile, for Galena. 111., where they
' expected to spend the evening and Mr.
Birmingham would spend a few hours
with old friends there. On Monday
they were to go on into Chicago where
they hoped to be able to witness the
big show on there this week, the
j democratic national convention.
SEVERAL NEW CASES FILED
IN DISTRICT COURT
INCLUDE TWO CRIMINAL CASES
O ... ..Q
T. H. Courtney Sr., has filed suit in
i the district court to foreclose a mort
gage given by Edwin D. Korab and
1 Myrtle Korab on June 15, 1928, for
$1,750.00 on the northeast quarter of
section thirty-four, in township thirty
three, range twelve, in Holt county,
Nebraska. Plaintiff alleges that the
! defendant Edwin Korab is now de
! ceased and suit is brought againt
Myrtle Korab, impleaded with others.
! He further alleges that the defend
! ants agreed to pajy insurance and
! taxes on the land, during the life of
the mortgage, but that they failed to
pay the taxes for 1931, amounting to
$02.80, which the plaintiff was com
j polled to pay to protect his interest,
and that the interest due on June 15,
1932 amounting to $122.50 was not
paid. Plaintiff elects to declare the
entire principal now due which, with
interest and taxes, amounts to $1,
939.34 for which he asks a decree of
foreclosure and sale and such other
relief as may ho equitable.
Anna L. Johnson has filed suit in
the district court against John C.
Johnson and all persons having or
claiming any interest in the southwest
quarter of section nineteen and the
northwest quarter of section thirty,
township twenty-six, range thirteen
and the east half of the east half of
section twenty-three, south west quart
er of twenty-four and the northeast
quarter of section twenty-five, in
township twenty-six, north, range
fourteen west, in Holt county, Ne
braska.
She alleges in her petition that she
is now and has been for more than ten
I years last past in actual, open, notor
i ious and peaceful possession of this
land. That on June 14, 1914, the
plaintiff and her husband gave the
defendant a warranty deed for the
above described premises. That while
| a deed was given it was given as
I security for a loan by said John C.
Johnson to the plaintiff. That on or
about January 22, 1918, the plaintiff
paid said indebtedness and said John
| O. Johnson made and delivered a re
lease of the mortgage on said land,
hut did not deliver a deed reconvey
ing said land to the plaintiff. She
asks that she may he adjudged to be
the owner in fee simple of said real
estate and that defendants be ad
judged and decreed to have no inter
est in said real estate and for such
other relief as may he equitable.
The ease of the State of Nebraska
vs. Patrick Gallagher has been filsd in
district court. This is a charge of non
support, brought on complaint of hi3
wife, Eileen Gallagher.
Lee E. Downey has filed suit in the
district court against the heirs, dev
isees and personal representatives of
Moses L. Bright, deceased to quiet
title to the following real estate: Be
ginning at a point 1.25 chains north of
the southeast corner of section twelve,
township twenty-nine, north, range
nine, thence north 2.25 chains, thence
west 3.82 chains, thence south 2.75
chains, thence east to the place of be
ginning. He alleges that he is the
owner and in possession of the fol
' lowing: Beginning at the routheast
Corner of section twelve, township
! twenty-nine, north, range nine, west
! of the Sixth p. m., thence west 3.82
chains,thence couth 1.83 chains, thence
east 8.82 chains to place of beginning.
That on February 12.1910, John H.
Eberly and Mary Eberly, his wife,
delivered to Raymond V. Beagson a
! deed to above property. Bengson died
in September, 1929, and plaintiff has
deeds from his legal representatives
for the property, under date'of April
12, 1932. He prays for a decree find
! ing him to be the owner and that any
others claiming to have any right, in
i tercst or lien on the premises be
forever barred and that title be quited
: in him and for such other relief as
may be just arid equitable.
The Travelers Insurance Company
has filed suit in the dis*rict court a
gainst Ellen Martin, et al. to foreclose
a mortgage for $12,000.00 on the fol
lowing Holt county real estate. The
I south half of section twenty-two;
i southwest quarter and the north half
of section twenty-seven; and the east
half of section thirty-three, all in
township thirty-one, north, of range
eleven west of the Sixth P. M., in Holt
county, Nebraska. The mortgage was
given on May 5, 1919, and was due
March 1, 1925. A further extension
was given and plaintiff alleges that
defendant failed to pay the principal
Continued on page' 8