ouciety
The Frontier
VOL. LIII.
O’NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1933.
No. 37
ERNEST J. SOUCEK
' FARM WORKER OF
PAGE IS A SUICIDE
Takes His Own Life In An
O’Neill Rooming House
Monday At Midnight
Ernest J. Soucek, 40 years old, was
found dead in his room at the Schultz
rooming house in this city last Tues
day afternoon. The top of his head
had been blown off with a charge of
shot, the gun lying on the floor at
the side of the body.
Coroner Cronin and Deputy Sheriff
Bergstrom viewed the body and de
cided there was no question but that
it was suicide and no inquest was held.
His wife was notified at Page and
she came to O’Neill Tuesday after
noon. Neither his wife nor any of
his relatives could give any reason
why Mr. Soucek ended his own life.
His brothers, Fred and Frank Sou
cek, prominent farmers living near
Venus, his mother and two nephews,
George and Raymond Soucek, came
over from Knox county this morning,
accompanied by several friends and
the body was taken to Knox county
and will be interred in the cemetery
at Jelen, about ten miles from Verdi
gre.
Mr. souceK was Dorn near wainui,
Nebr., and had lived in this section of
the state all his life. He was mar
ried about six months ago and had
been working near Page, while his
wife has been employed in a cafe at
Page. He came to O’Neill last Mon
day and took the room at the rooming
house, that had been occupied by his
wife prior to their marriage. The shot
gun, with which he killed himself, be
longed to his brother-in-law, Dallas
Robinson, who lives near Page. He
came to O’Neill from the Robinson
farm home and Mr. Robinson did not
know his gun was gone until after he
had heart! that Soucejk had killed
himself, then he found that the gun
was gone.
From facts that have been gleaned
it appears that he took the gun and
went to the rooming house with the
intention of doing away with himself.
Several others in the rooming house
at the time heard the shot, or noise,
about midnight or a little after, but
did not investigate until the next day,
when the lifeless body was found.
FARM BUREAU COST
IS OVERESTIMATED
The estimate of expense for the Holt
County Farm Bureau as listed in the
County estimate of expenditures for
1933 is too high according to Farm
Bureau officials. William Riege, of
Page, Farm Bureau President, stated
Saturday that the budget filed by the
Farm Bureau with the County Clerk is
for $1,900.00. The amount published
was $3,200.00 or $1,300.00 more than
the Farm Bureau asked for. The Farm
Bureau cannot draw more than the
budget which is filed at the beginning
of the year.
At the time the estimate of expend
itures was made the Board of Super
visors was unaware that the budget
for $1,900.00 was on file in the County
Clerk’s office.
JohnTodson.of Grand Island, and Bob
Hetchler, of Spaulding, came up last
Saturday and spent a couple of days
visiting at the Pete Todson home,
Mr. Todson being a brother of Pete’s
and Mr. Hetchler a nephew. They re
turned home Monday afternoon.
JURY SELECTED
TO TRY SLAYER
OF PAUL LOWERY
Flannery to Stand Trial for
Shooting Last August 30
Which Killed Lowery
The jury that is to decide the fate
of William Flannery, on trial for the
murder of D. Paul Lowery on August
30 last, on the highway near Pierce
was empaneled late Monday afternoon.
Most of the jurors are farmers. The
state has not revealed whether it will
ask the death penalty in the event that
Flannery is convicted.
Assistant Attorney General Chaney,
of Lincoln, is assisting the county at
torney in prosecuting the case, while
Hugh J. Boyle, of Norfolk, and W. L.
Moyer, of Madison, are conducting the
defense.
Flannery is accused of slaying Low
ery from ambush in a farm yard near
Pierce, while Lowery w as aiding Sheriff
Sclnvartz, sheriff of Pierce county, tow
a large liquor laden automobile, seized
on the premises, to town. As the
sheriff and Lowery, riding in the of
ficers car, approached the highway
from a lane shortly after midnight,
they were met with shot gun fire from
nearby bushes. Lowrery was struck
in the head and face and died on the
highway.
Flannery was arrested later in a
room he occupied in the farm house
vrith his wife. Officers found a shot
gun they said had been fired recently.
Flannery admitted ownership of the
automobile, according to the officers.
Ernest Lowery, brother of the slain
young man, was in court for the open
ing of the trial. He has not been
called as a witness.
BEER BILL MAY BE
PASSED AT THIS SESSION
With full speed ahead the U. S. Sen
ate finance committee last Monday re
ported the Collier-Blaine bill, to legal
ize 3.05 per cent beer, back to the
senate with the recommendation that
it be passed. The line-up in the com
mittee was 12 for to 5 against.
Senate leaders announced that the
bill to repeal the eighteenth amend
ment, sponsored by Senator Blaine, of
Wisconsin, would be given precedence
over the beer bill, but they believed
that both would be voted on at this
session of congress.
Senator Smoot, chairman of the
committee, had announced that hear
ings would be held on the bill and
several prohibition leaders were wait
ing outside the committee room to be
heard, when the committee decided to
recommend the bill for passage with
out any hearings.
The bill provides a tax of $5 a barrel
and this was endorsed by Secretary
Mills as likely to raise more revenue
than any other levy.
Miss Marjorie Joan Cronin enter
tained a dozen of her little friends at
her home last Saturday afternoon, it
being her tenth birthday anniversary.
The young ladies were taken to the
picture show in the afternoon and then
dinner at the Cronin home at 5:30.
Roy Griffin drove to Lincoln last
Sunday, taking his son, William back
to Lincoln, where he is attending the
state university, after a few days
visit at home. From Lincoln Mr. Grif
fin went to Omaha, where he is sitting
this week as a member of the Federal
Grand Jury.
1
CHARITY SOCIAL
Cards, Dance and Lunch
K. C. Hall
Friday, Feb. 3, 1933
A Good Time Assured
Music by Streeter’s Orchestra
Tickets 25c
BRIEFLY STATED
Miss Grace Huiggens entertained
the Twe-NixClub last Monday evening,
Frank Phalin won the cribbage
tournament at the K. C. hall last Mon
day night.
George Harrington was looking
after some legal business in Creighton
last Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Moss drove to
Omaha last Friday, returning home
Sunday afternoon.
Sheriff Peter Duffy is looking after
business before the state legislature
in Lincoln this week.
Supervisor Jesse James is in a hos
pital at Atkinson suffering with a
severe attack of asthma.
Supervisor John Sullivan returned
from a visit to legislative halls in
Lincoln last Friday evening.
Mrs. Aimee Maxwell came up from
Omaha last Friday and spent the week
end visiting friends in this city.
Fred McNalley closed up his bowl
ing alley last week and the alleys
were taken out of the building.
W. H. Stein returned last Sunday
from South Bend, Ind., with a new
Rockne car that he had sold to Hugh
Coyne.
Mrs. C. F. McKenna and Miss Grace
Joyce made a business trip to Sioux
City, Iowa, last Friday, returning home
Sunday.
Pat Stanton, of Tilden, and Hugh J.
Boyle, of Norfolk, drove up last Sat
urday morning to attend the funeral
of J. F. Gallagher.
Wednesday Supervisors John Sul
livan and John Steinhauser drove down
to Lincoln, where they will spend a
few days on business.
Mr. and Mrs. Jot Beha and little
daughter came up from Sioux City
last Saturday and spent Sunday visit
ing with the home folks.
Mearl Sparks and Miss Berneita
Brittell, both of Newport, were united
in marriage at the county court room
by Judge Malone last Saturday.
John Dailey came over from Win
ner, South Dakota, last Friday to at
tend the funeral of J. F. Gallagher,
returning home Monday morning.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Gallagher
came up from Lincoln last Friday to
attend the funeral of J. F. Gallagher.
They returned home last Sunday after
noon.
Mrs. George Agnes entertained the
Martez Club at her home last Monday
eevning. Miss Rose Taylor, Mrs. Ira
Moss and Mrs. Ed. Campbell won hign
scores.
William McClellan, of Joy, one of
the county’s progressive farmers, was
a caller Tuesday morning and advanc
ed his subscription to The Frontier
to 1934.
Miss Marie Biglin arrived in the city
last Friday to attend the funeral of
J. F. Gallagher and for a few days
visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
P. J. Biglin.
Mrs. R. B. Mellor entertained the
Delta Deck Club at her home last
Thursday evening. Mrs. John Mc
Manus and Mrs. P. B. Harty were the
prize winners.
Mrs. J. L. Quig, Mrs. Pace nad Mrs.
John Lydon went down to Plainvievv
last Sunday and spent the day at the
home of Mrs. Lydon’s parent, Mr. and
Mrs. C. C. Collins.
Mr. and Mrs. John Kersenbrock and
children drove to Osmaond last Sunday
and spent the day visiting at the home
of Mrs. Kersenbrock’s brother, Ervin
Krotchival and family.
Lao Ryan, foremrly one of this
county’s prominent ranchers living
southwest of here, was in the city last
Friday looking after his real estate
holdings. He is now living in Sioux
City, Iowa.
Dr. and Mrs. M. F. Meer, of Valen
tine, spent Sunday in the city visiting
relatives. On their return home they
were accompanied by Miss Hilda Gal
laghet who will spend a week visiting
at Valentine.
J. P. MANN PRESIDENT
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
At a meeting of the stockholders of
the First National bank, held in the
banking rooms last Tuesday afternoon,
J. P. Mann was elected president to
fill the vacancy caused by the death
of J. F. Gallagher, and Mrs. E. F.
Gallagher was elected to the board of
directors.
The new president of the bank has
been a stockholder and a director of
the bank for the past forty years.
Pete Todson, local manager of the
J. C. Penney store, drove to Omaha
last Saturday where he attended a
meeting of the executives of the var
ious Penney stores in the state, which
was held in that city that afternoon
and evening. One of the largest
Penney stores in the United States
will be opened in Omaha the coming
month and the managers of the var
ious stores in the state were taken on
a tour of inspection of the new store.
Mr. Todson returned home Sunday
afternoon.
IRENE PALMER BECKWITH
Irene Ellora Palmer was born at
Lavonia, New York, February 13, 1870
and departed this life January 30, 1933
at her home, near Emmet, at the age
of 62 years, 11 months and 17 days.
At the age of three years she moved
with her parents to Oakdale, Nebr.,
where her father operated the first
stoie in that place.
At the age of thirteen she returned
to Geneso, New York, where she fin
ished her education. After her grad
uation from the Geneso State Normal
she taught school two years in New’
York, then returned to Oakdale where
she taught one year.
On September 5, 1893 she was united
in marriage to Fred F. Beckwith. To
this union were born eight children,
seven sons and one daughter.
At the age of fifteen she united with
the Baptist church, and later with the
Presbyterian church at Oakdale. For
several years prior to her death, she
was a member of the First Presbyter
dan church of Atkinson, Nebr., remain
ing faithful in the same until death.
one was a wunueriui muuicr, a tuu
sistent Christian and a kind neighbor.
She leaves to mourn her departure,
a loving husband, six sons, Guy, Rex,
Leon, Ralph, Dean and Verne, all of
Emmet, Nebr., and one daughter, Mrs.
Ernest Garvin, of Scottsbluff, Nebr.
One son, Kenneth, preceeded her in
death several years, when he was but
ten years of age. All the living child
ren and her husband were at her bed
side at the time of death.
Services were held from the home
three miles west of Emmet, Wednes
day morning, 10:00 A. M. Scripture
was read and prayer offered by Rev.
J. I. Elrod, Presbyterian minister of
Atkinson and the sermon was given
by Rev. S. M. Ohmart, of O’Neill. In
terment was at Oakdale beside her son
Kenneth. xxx.
THOMAS QUINN
Thomas Quinn died at his home in
this city last Tuesday night, January
31, about 11 p. m. after an illness of
several weeks of cirrhosis of the
liver, at the age of 74 years, four
months and 25 days.
Thomas Quinn was born at Dubu
que, Iowa, on September 6, 1858. When
Mr. Quinn was quite young the fam
ily moved to western Iowa and on
January 16, 1879, he was united in
marriage to Miss Johanna Eubank at
Vail, Iowa. Three children were
born, who, with their mother are left
to mourn the death of a kind and
loving husband and father. The child
ren are: James C. Quinn, Mapleton,
Iowa; Mrs. R. J. Regan, Creighton,
•Nebr.: and E. F. Quinn of this city,
all of whom were at his bedside when
he passed away.
Mr. Quinn lived in western Iowa
until the spring of 1911 when he came
to this county, coming here from Map
leton, Iowa, and located upon a farm
a half mile north and two miles east
of this city where he farmed for a
few years then moved to this city
where he resided up to the time of
his death. After his removal to this
city he was for several years engaged
in the flour and feed business or. low
er Fourth street, retiring a few years
ago.
Mr. Quinn was a good citizen and
neighbor and his passing will b«
mourned by a large circle of friends
in this city and vicinity.
The body was taken this morning
to his former home at Mapleton, Iowa
'accompanied by his wife and children
and the funeral will be held there from
'the Cathcflic church tomorrow morn
j ing at 9 a. m. burial in St. Mary’s
cemetery.
HOLD-UP OF CHAMBERS
BANK IS THWARTED BY
PRESIDENT ED. ADAMS
-«
Phil Bross, of Lincoln, was in the
city yesterday and favored this office
with a short call. During the admin
istration of Governor McKelvie he was
head of the department of Finance
and made a good record in that office.
He was later for several years con
nected with the Nebraska Farmer. He
is now' engaged in the newspaper sub
scription business, boosting the sub
scription lists for the several news
papers that may need his services.
He says that business, considering the
times, has been exceptionally good.
Insurance adjusters last week settled
with Warner & Sons for the fire loss
on their hardware stock. In the set
tlement they received the salvage from
the stock and are now holding a fire
sale in the building north of the post
office. Walter Warner says that the
salvage from the fire will bring in
more money than they had anticipated
at the time of settlement, and that
their stock is going fast.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Young, of Op
portunity, are mourning the loss of
a little son w’ho wras born on January
31st and died yesterday. The funeral
was held Thursday, at 11 a. m. and
burial in Marquette cemetery. The
bereaved parents have the sympathy
of their many friends in their bereav
ment.
Mrs. F. J. Dishner went down to
Columbus last Sunday for a weeks
visit at the home of her sister, Mrs.
F. J. Kinsman.
NEW BANKING BILL PASSES
State Journal: Governor Bryan
signed H. R. 167 Wednesday atfernoon.
ThiB bill, introduced by banking com
mittees in both houses, has the sanc
tion of the state administration and
becomes effective immediately. It will
permit failed banks to continue to op
erate and do a limited banking busi
ness when the state banking depart
ment gives it approval.
The banking bill was signed by
Lieutenant Governor Jurgenson and
Speaker O’Malley during the after
noon. It was sent by Secretary Port
erfield to the governor’s home and re
turned to the executive office bearing
Governor Bryan’s signature of ap
proval.
Banks which have been taken over
by the state department may continue
to operate by agreement between the
bank and the unsecured depositors
and unsecured creditors, the agree
ment to be approved by the depart
ment of trade and commerce. The
bank will then be allowed to pay
checks, receive deposits and do a limit
ed banking business. The agreement
must be approved by depositors and
creditors representing 85 per cent of
the total amount of deposits and un
secured claims, and by the bank or
its board of directors. The object is
to restore the bank to solvency. De
posits received shall be kept separate
as a trust fund for the security and
repayment of the deposits so received
and shall not be subject to payment of
any deposit or debt of the bank there
tofore created. Several banks are said
to be ready to comply with the law
and ask for leave to continue to oper
ate.
Seizes Bandits Gun and
Sons Capture Him
Stealing a Ford 1D31 model coupe,
at Fremont, and arming himself wit*’
a 22 calibre long barrel revolver and
a supply of Nebraska corn in bottles,
J. L. Boyle, of Columbus and Fre
mont, started out last Wednesday to
get some easy money. He reached
Chambers about four o’clock in the
afternoon and attempted to hold up
the Chambers State Bank but fell
down on the job and is now in the
county jail waiting trial on the charge
of attempting robbery with a gun and
the chances are that Mr. Boyle will
have a long time at Lincoln to ponder
the question of whether or not crime
pays.
Edward Adams, president of the
bank, and his two sons, Leo, 30 and
cashier of the bank, and John, 28,
assistant cashier, were in the bank
closing up the days business when the
gunman entered and with leveled gun
ordered them to raise their hands.
Both of the younger men complied,
but Edward Adams could not see it
that way. Instead of complying with
the request Mr. Adams moved a little
closer to the would-be bandit and he
advanced toward Mr. Adams, saying
as he did so that he “did not want to
shoot the old man but that he guessed
he'd have to.”
As the bandit came within arms
reach of Mr. Adams the latter grabbed
the arm that held the gun pushing it
away from him and struck the bandit
in the face. The latter reeled and his
head jammed into a glass door and the
two young men jumped on him and
soon had him overpowered.
They bound him and held him under
guard until the arrival of Deputy
Sheriff Bergstrom, who peached Cham
bers a little over a half hour after the
attempted orbbery. When he got there
Boyle was tied up and had a good sized
guard, armed with shot guns, rifles
and revolvers were around him to see
that he did not make a get away. He
was brought to this city and put in
the county jail, the sheriff reaching
here with his man about 5:45 last
evening.
The refusal of Edward Adams to
hold up his hands and tackling the
robber undoubtedly saved the bank
from being robbed, but he was taking
desperate chances. When a man tries
robbery with a gun he is generally
prepared to go through with it and
shoot if necessary. That he did not
shoot is what saved Mr. Adams from
serious injury, if not death, at his
hands. He was so close to the robber
that he could hardly ha\e missed him
if he had fired and even with a 22
calibre revolver the wound would have
been serious. It probably would have
been better to have let him get away
with the loot and get him aftemards
than to take the chances that he took.
But one thing is certain, those seek
ing to obtain easy money will fight
shy of the Chambers State bank after
this, at least as long as Ed Adams i3
at the helm.
Boyle is about thirty-six years of
age and is a veterinarian by profes
sion. He made his home at Columbus
(Continued on page 4, column 6.)
NOTICE!
THE Nebraska Bankers Association has
recommended that country Banks be not
open for the transaction cf business during
the noon hour cf each business day. In accord
ance with this recommendation the Banks of
O’Neill will not be open for business during the
noon hour, being from 12:00 nocn to 1:00 F. M.
on each business day, commencing cn Monday,
February 6, 1933. This is a precautionary
measure against daylight holdups.
O’NEILL NATIONAL BANK
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
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