Neb. State Historical Society
The Frontier
—-— — ——---=a*
VOL. LV. , O’NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1934. No. 22
HANS WALSTROM
DEAD FOLLOWING
A SHORT ILLNESS
1 ■"¥*
Funeral Services Held Last Sunday
From The M. E. Church
At Inman.
Hans Peter Walstrom, a long
time resident of Stafford, passed
away at his home October 11, 1934,
after an illness of about ten days.
Deceased was born in Lulu,
Sweden, December 14, 1860. He
was 73 years, 9 months and 27
days old at the time of his death.
Mr. Walstrom left Sweden when
in his early twenties and came to
the United States and settled in
Illinois where he resided for three
years and then came to Stafford
where he had since resided, with
the exception of a year and a half,
which were spent in Oregon.
On February 9, 1888, Mr. Wal
strum was united in marriage to
Miss Evelyn Shobe, the ceremony
taking place at the farm home north
of O’Neill. Six children were born
to this union, Clarence Elmer, Ida
Duncan, Sylvia Bentz and Charles
W., all of whom live in Oregon.
Two children, Mary Lucille and
Roy Alvin died in infancy. Besides
his wife and four children Mr. Wal
strum is survived by fourteen
grand children and two great
errand children.
Funeral services were held Sun
day afternoon at the M. E. church
at Inman. The pastor, Mertie E.
Clute officiating. The floral offer
ings were beautiful. Mrs. L. R.
Tompkins and Mrs. Harold Miller
sang while Mrs. A. N. Butler pre
sided at the piano. Interment was
made in the Inman cemetery.
Griswold Defends His
Record In Legislature
The following statement has
been issued by Dwight Griswold,
republican candidate for governor:
“I am rather surprised by the
attitude which has been adopted
by my democratic opponent for
governor. He is devoting most of
his campaign talk to a discussion of
me and if the newspaper reports
are correct he is completely mis-i
representing my stand on many
public questions. I am proud of
the record I made as a member of
the legislature where I served for
four terms. In 1924 I was elected
to the state senate by a majority of
2,500 votes, in 1926 by a majority
of 3,500 votes, and in 1928 by a
majority of 4,500 votes, the latter
being the largest majority that
district has ever given any candi
date for state senator. This shows
what the people of my own district
thought of my record as a legisla
tor. I am sure that on the whole
my record was progressive and in
the interest of good citizenship in
this state. I made mistakes, of
course, but they were made hon
estly and sincerely and I am sure
that even the democrats who served
with me will vouch for that fact.
In this campaign, however, my
democratic opponent is making
false statements regarding my leg
islative record, although I am ready
to believe that the newspapers
have misquoted him or else he is
being falsely advised by his politi
cal associates.
In my campaign talk 1 am not
attacking the character of my op
ponent and I do not even mention
his name except once when I read
a brief newspaper clipping. I am
conducting my campaign on a high
plane and hope that after it is over
I will have the respect of the people
of Nebraska, whether or not they
wish to vote for me. In my talks
I devote my time to telling the
people of Nebraska how I propose
to make our state government more
efficient and more economical.
“I sincerely believe that the
political conditions in our state cap
itol call for new leadership if they
are to be corrected, and I certainly
feel that I am justified in showing
the people of Nebraska that my op
ponent is a part and a major in
fluence in the Bryan political
machine. For five and a half years
he has been head of one of the
Code departments under Governor
Bryan. Two years ago he virtu
ally managed Governor Bryan's
campaign which was based largely
upon the road building activities
of the state. In thut 1&12 cam
paign my opponent wrote thousands
of political letters at public expense
and traveled all over Nebraska
making talks at public expense, all
to the end that Governor Bryan
wouud be elected and that I would
be defeated. Campaign contribu
tions were solicited within the
highway department and employees
who refused to contribute were dis
charged. Engineers in the high
way department who had been life
long republicans were forced to re
register as democrats and employ
ees who were known as republicans
were discharged and replaced with
Bryan appointees.
“Now, in this 1934 campaign,
state employees arranged to have
petitions circulated asking that my
democratic opponent file for gover
nor and more recently, state em
ployees have again been put to
work pushing his campaign and
they have been forced to contribute
to it.
“In view of these facts, the
people of Nebraska are surely jus
tified in believing that my opponent
is now and has been a very major
factor in the Bryan political or
ganization and I am of the opinion
that the people of this state cannot
look Ito him for the leadership
which is needed at this time, to the
end that we shall again have hon
est and common sense administra
tion of government in this state.
“I intend to continue this cam
paign as I started, without talking
about my opponent or criticising
his character, and I trust that in
the future he will confine his state
ments to the truth.”
Decision In Favor Of
Plaintiff In Bond Case
The first of the week Judge Dick
son rendered a decision in the case
of E. H. Luikart, receiver of the
Citizens State bank of Stuart, vs.
John M. and James C. Flannigan
and Thomas Mains and. the Amer
can Securities company, giving the
receiver judgment for $5,000 against
each of the three defendants, or
$15,000 in all. The American Se
curities company was on the bond
of the officers of the bank.
The decision held that the re
ceiver of the bank was entitled to
recover on the personal surety bond
of the officers because of alleged
irregularities in paying salaries,
withdrawing funds and favoring
certain depositors.
The case was tried in the district
court here last March. It will un
doubtedly be appealed to the su
preme court.
Junior Project Club
A new Club was formed Tuesday
afternoon, October 16 at the home
of Mrs. L. G. Gillespie, which will
be known as the Junior Project
Club. The following are the offi
cers: President, Mrs. Peter Heri
ford; Secretary and treasurer, Mrs.
Nora Knapp; Alternates, Mrs.
Arthur Cowperthwaite and Mrs. L.
A. Carter; Reporter, Mrs. John L.
Quig; Leaders, Mrs. L. G. Gillespie
and Mrs. Quig.
The members are: Mrs. George
Miles, Mrs. T. M. Harrington, Mrs.
Cowperthwaite, Mrs. W. P. Curtis,
Mrs. Nora Knapp, Mrs. Arthur
Harry Bowen, Mrs. Peter Heriford,
Mrs. Bennett Gillespie, Mrs. L.
A. Carter, Mrs. C. J. Malone, Mrs.
J. C. Parker, Mrs. John L. Quig,
Mrs. L. G. Gillespie.
Home tailored accessories was
demonstrated. Nine members were
present and two visitors, Mrs. Eldon
Woods and Mrs. Fairbanks.. Lunch
was served by the hostess.
The next meeting will be held at
the home of Mrs. L. A. Carter on
November 13. xx
Can’t Seem To Hit’em!
A couple of local nimrods, who
shall be nameless, went out pheas
ant hunting the first of the week.
Both of these wolild-be hunters
were novices at the game, but tney
had heard others discuss 'nunting
for years and finally decided that
they would go out, bag a few birds
and show the real hunters that they
could also be classed as hunters.
They drove out in the country a
few miles and looked for pheusants.
They went quite a while without
sighting any birds when they finally
came to a patch of pumpkins, a
very desirable place, and one of
them blazed away in the patch,
after taking deliberate aim. Then
there was a flutter of wings and a
dozen nice pheasants got out of
the patch and they both blazed!
away until they emptied their guns, j
| but nothing fell. “Well," remark-;
• d the one who hud not fired the
I first shot, "we must have one any
how, you must have got the first
bird you shot at.” “I did not shoot
at a pheasant,” remarked the
other, “I never saw’ them, I shot at
a pumpkin,” and to convince the
other that he had they went over
and looked the pumpkin over, but
there was no bird shot in evidence,
either in the pumpkin or around it.
So they became “regusted” and
came back home. Bill says, how
ever, that he will keep on until he
gets the knack of hitting them.
Dinner Given Here
For Senator Norris
United States Senator George W.
Norris was in the city last Monday,
coming here from Norfolk and he
was tendered a dinner at the Golden
Hotel that evening that was at
tended by about sixty of the busi
ness and professional men of the
city. The dinner was given the
Senator on account of his long and
faithful service in the senate and
was attended by republicans, demo
crats and independents, politics
being eliminated. At the conclu
sion of the dinner Julius D. Cronin,
in a few well chosen remarks, in
introduced the guest of honor, Sen
ator Norris, and the latter spoke
briefly, telling his audience that he
always was glad to come to O’Neill.
He related a few humorous stories
and told his audience that he be
lieved that a man who could and
would do something for the benefit
of his fellow man, had not lived in
vain. His remarks were very brief
and after the dinner the Senator
met most of those who were pres
ent at the dinner as well as several
from the country who had come to
town to listen to his address. The
Senaor was highly pleased with his
reception and we know that he will
have a warmer spot in his heart
than ever for this city and her
people.
Will Open Drug Store
Andresen & Beckman, of Bloom
field, Nebr., have rented the build
ing formerly occupied by Mar*
garet’s Beauty Shop and the Idle
Hour cafe, on Douglas street, and
will open up a drug store therein
as soon as the building has been
remodeled. Workmen are now en
gaged in tearing out the petitions
in the building, so that it will be
one big storeroom. They are try
ing to get the building ready so
that they can open up for business
on October 27. Andresen & Beck
man have been engaged in the drug
business at Bloomfield for the past
four years. They will continue
their Bloomfield store and one of
the partners will come to O’Neill
to operate the store here and make
this his future home. The Frontier
welcomes this firm to the business
ranks of O’Neill.
O’NEILL PROJECT CLUB
The first lesson, home tailored ac
cessories, was demonstrated at the
home of Mrs. T. M. Harrington,
with Mrs. John Miller assisting, on
October 10. Berets, gloves and
scarfs were exhibited, patterns
made and instructions given on how
to plan, cut and tailor such articles.
There are twenty-two members
in this Club of which nineteen were
present. Luncheon was served by
Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Olson.
State Journal: The appeal of
Elenora Brady from a judgment of
the Holt county district court deny
ing her workmen’s compensation
for the death of her husband, for
mer cream buyer for the Beatrice
Creamery company, was heard by
the supreme court Tuesday. She
says he died from heat exhaustion
following a business journey be
tween towns, and the rule of law
that recovery cannot be had where
his exposure was no greater than
that of the public to the heat does
not apply, because company sup
plies he carried in his car prevented
circulation of air. The company
says he died of natural causes, and
that his death was accelerated by
worry over family troubles.
Bob Simmons was in the city last
Sunday night, stopping here over
night while on his way from Scotts
blutfs to Osmond, where he re
newed his campaign Monday morn
ing. Bob says that he is meeting
with splendid receptions in all parts |
of the stale and that he believes 1
that victory will perch upon the
banner of the republican nominee:
after the votes are counted on No
vember 6.
NEBRASKA’S CORN
CROP IS ONE-NINTH
OF YEAR AGO YIELD
Hay Is Slightly Better Than Ex
pected; Potatoes And Beets
Injured By Frost.
Parts of Northern Nebraska
have a little corn and a fair corn
fodder crop. Western Nebraska
potatoes were injured badly by the
freeze which also checked the
growth of sugar beets. Stocks of
grain are a little higher than ex
pected. Hay crops are slightly
better than earlier estimates indi
cated says the State and Federal
Division of Agricultural Statistics.
The estimate of corn for all pur
poses is 25,659,000 bushel, as com
pared with 234,698,000 bushel last
year and the 6-year average of
230,002,000 bushel. Outside of a
few irrigated spots, corn is almost
a failure in the southern half of the
state. A small portion of the corn
in northern Nebraska may have
enough grain to husk. September
weather was more favorable in that
the rainfall was normal or slightly
above. A killing frost during the
last week in September injured
corn for forage. Corn forage
yields are extremely light except in
parts of northern Nebraska where
the yields are fair.
The production of all wheat is
15.097.000 bushels as compared
with 29,206,000 bu$hel last year.
The average yield of winter wheat
is 7 bushels and the production
14.021.000 bushel. The average
yield of spring wheat is 4 bushels
and the production 1,076,000 bushel.
Oats are extremely poor, being
almost a total failure. Yield is
estimated at 5 bushel per acre and
the production 7,235,000 bushel as
compared with 23,373,000 bushel
last year and 74,190,000 bushel in
1932. Barley is averaging 5.5
bushel per acre with a production
of 2,200,000 bushel as compared
with 8,390,000 bushel in 1933 and
18.360.000 bushel in 1932. The
best barley was produced ^ln the
southern panhandle counties and a
little in northeastern and east cen
tral Nebraska. Elsewhere, the
crop was nearly a failure. A very
large portion of both oats and bar
ley were not harvested. Flax and
buckwheat are nearly a failure with
wheat 2 bushel per acre. The yield
of grain sorghum on the small per
centage of the crop harvested for
grain will approximate 5 bushel per
acre.
The average yield of potatoes is
estimated at 30 bushels per acre
and the production at 4,320,000
bushel as compared with 8,625,000
bushel in 1933. The farm crop in
southern and most of eastern Ne
braska is practically a failure. Po
tatoes in the Kearney district aver
aged about 200 bushel per acre.
There were some light yields in
northeastern Nebraska and in the
sandhills. The late commercial
crop in western Nebraska, which
had a fair chance a month ago, was
severely injured by a heavy freeze
during the last week of September.
The condition was spotted prior to
the freezing due to varying rain
fall. In general, the dry land crop
will be extremely short except in
parts of Sheridan and Kimball
counties. The irrigated ptotatoes
in the North Platte valley gener
ally range from 50 to 100 bushels.
A few fields having plenty of water
are averaging up to 300 and even
400 bushels per acre.
Sugar beets were injured by the
freeze during the last week in Sep
tember in the North Platte valley.
There was an unusually heavy
abandonment this year with a total
of about 58,000 acres left for har
vest. A preliminary estimate of
yield is 9.8 tons and the production
568.000 tons us compared with 1,
067.000 tons last year. The early
freeze will no doubt reduce the
sugar content somewhat.
The estimate of average yield of
all tame hay is .91 tons and Ihe
production 1,764,000 tons. Alfalfa
is averaging 1.2 tons and comprises
1.446.000 tons of the total tame hay
crop. A considerable portion has
already been either fed or shipped
out. The wild hay crop is very
short and practically a failure in
the southern portion of Nebraska.
The crop varies considerably in the j
sandhills ranging from light to a ■
good c*rop, particularly in the west
ern portion of the sandhills. The
larger acreages harvested were in
the areas producing a good crop.
Stocks of wheat on farms are
estimated at 10,568,000 bushel, corn
at 56,496,000 bushel and oats at
9,044,000 bushel including the
carryover of the 1933 crop.
Beans will average 4 bushel per
acre making the production 112,000
bushels. The condition of pasture
is 30 per cent. The estimate of the
total apple crop is 218,000 bushels,
peaches 5,000 bushel, pears, 13,000
bushel and grapes 1,064 tons.
Farm wages with board average
$18.75 per month and without board
$26.50 per month. Farm day labor
averages $1.00 per day with board
and without board $1.50.
Get Information On
Fourth Street Paving
Mayor John Kersenbrock and Su
pervisors Sullivan, Carson and
Steinhauser went down to Lincoln
last Wednesday afternoon. The
Mayor went down to interview the
“powers” on the paving of Fourth
street, which had been promised
and for which bids were advertised
for and then withdrawn. It is said
that the bids that were asked for
was only as far south as the Bur
lington depot and that the federal
engineers objected, as that would
leave a block of street unpaved,
between the Burlington and North
western depots. It is understood
here that they are going to read
vertise and take in the whole
street. It was for the purpose of
ascertaining the status of the mat
ter that the Mayor went down. The
supervisors went down to be pre
sent at the opening of the bids on
some road work that is to be done
in this county, as well as the wid
ening of the paving on highway hjo.
20 thru the city.
A Sketch Of The Life
Karl Stefan, Candidate
For Seat In Congress
Almost every person in north
cast Nebraska is familiar with the
voice of Karl Stefan and most of
them “listen in” to his noon-day
program of news and markets
from the Norfolk radio station, yet
many have never had the opportu
nity to. meet him in person. Judg
ing from his radio voice, the aver
age person pictures Karl as an un
usually large man, but as a matter
of fact he is of medium stature and
only average weight.
Mr. Stefan was recently drafted
by the republicans as a candidate
for congress from this district,
thousands of his friends signing
petitions to place him in the race.
For that reason, a short story of
his life may be interesting to our
readers at this time.
Karl was born near Mullehausen,
Austria, in 1884. His parents
brought him to Omaha when he
was two years of age. There he
attended the public schools and
night school. His father wanted
him to learn German so he sent
him to a German parochial school
and his mother wanted him to learn
her native tongue so she sent him
to a Bohemian school. This pio
neer family had many struggles
and at an early age Karl was ob
liged to go to work. He became an
expert telegrapher and was sent to
the Phillipine Islands in the gov
ernment service, and later to China
as an interpreter. Thereafter he
traveled in many countries, study
ing the languages and observing
the customs and habits of the
people. Returning to this country
with his bride, he located in Nor
folk twenty-five years ago and for
fifteen years served as telegraph
and cityeditor of the Norfolk News.
In 1924, he resigned to go into
business for himself.
When radio station WJAG was
started in 1922, Karl was its first
announcer, dedicating his program
to the ordinary home and farm,
stressing the human side of life and
devoting his work to the farming
community and towns of the terri
tory, His program is probably the
most popular news broadcast in
the country. Every good cause is
given assistance and no opportunity
is lost to bring happiness into the
homes of his listeners. Many still
remember the “Shut In Club,”
formed in the early duys of radio,
which brought receiving sets into
the homes of almost two hundred
of the poorer people who were bed
fast, and many other similar inci-'
dents.
Karl Stefan knows the people of|
this district and their problems.:
He knows by close daily contact
just how things are on the Nebras
ka farms, how the people look at
things and. what they need in the
way of legislation. He has courage,
good judgment and the desire to
serve. If he goes to Washington,
he will tell it to Congressmen and
other officials of the government
just as plainly as he has talked to
his listeners all these years.
Celebrate Golden
Wedding Anniversary
O'Neill friends received a re
minder of the old days in this
county the first of the week
when they received, word that Mr.
and Mrs. John McCaffrey, of Pitts
burg, Pa., celebrated their Golden
wedding anniversary at their home
in Pittsburg on Saturday, October
13, 1934.
John McCaffrey and Miss Mary
Donlin were united in marriage in
St. Patrick’s church in this city on
October 13, 1884, Rev. T. J. Smith
officiating. Mrs. McCaffrey was
the daughter of the late Mr. and
Mrs. John Donlin, pioneers of the
northern part of the county, who
passed away several years ago.
Mrs. McCaffrey’s brother, John,
now resides on the old homestead
which she left as a bride fifty years
ago, and a brother, Thomas, lives
in this city.
Mr. and Mrs. McCaffrey have
visited here frequently and have an
extensive acquaintenance in this
city and vicinity. For many years
they have been readers of The
Frontier and have thus been able
to keep track of their old friends
in this section. Their many Holt
county friends hope that they may
enjoy muny more anniversaries to
gether.
Mr. and Mrs. McCaffrey were
blessed with thirteen children, four
of whom survive, and eleven grand,
children.
Corn-Hog Compliance
Check Near Finished
The work of completing the first
check up on corn-hog compliance
is nearly completed and forms have
been mailed to landlords for sign
ature. It is hoped these will all be
returned promptly so they may be
sent to Washington in order that
the second second checks due No
vember 15, will not be delayed.
There are about 100 regular pay
ment contracts that have not been
paid but Treasurer Frank Allen is
expecting them to all be completed
within the next few weeks. With
the completion of the first compli
ance over one hundred thousand
dollars will be brought into Holt
county.
Cattle Program Is
Temporarily Reopened
The purchasing of cattle by the
government is to be continued for
a short time to take care of only
the most distressed cattle and not
as a market. Over 15,000 cattle
have been purchased by the gov
ernment in Holt county. The price
received for these cattle is over
$220,000. The average for all cattle
sold is approximately $14 per head
for cows, yearlings and calves.
Only a few more sales will be held
and only limited quotas will be al
lowed at each town. So all cattle
that will be sold should be listed
with the local committeeman imi
mediately.
Hospital Notes
Maria Garey is recovering from
an operation for appendicitis, which
was performed Friday evening.
Patrick Hynes was operated on
for acute appendicitis Sunday after
noon. He is improving rapidly.
Montana Jack Sullivan arrived
in the city from Butte, Mont., last
Thursday evening for a few days
visit with old time friends in the
“old home town.” Jack says that
business has been very quiet in
Butte for several months, brought
on by a strike of the miners, nec
i essitating the closing of some of
i the mines. The strike has now
| been settled and he looks for busi
j ness to get back to normal there
! shortly. Jack went down to
1 Omaha Wednesday afternoon for a
| few days visit with frienda there and
will then return here for a few
days before hia return to his home j
at Butte,
Howard W. Harris and Miss!
Wilma Clyde, both of Page, were
granted a marriage license in.
county court last Friday.
SENATOR NORRIS
SPEAKS HERE ON
LEGISLATIVE PLAN
Makes Plea For The Support Of
His Plan For A One House
Legislative Body.
Senator George W. Norris was
in the city last Monday evening
and addressed a large audience in
the K. C Hall on the unicameral
legislative amendment that is to be
I voted on November 6.
George Harrington, who is an
ardent of the one house plan, pre
sided and introduced the speaker.
The Senator made a splendid plea
for the adoption of the one house
plan, telling his audience the many
advantages of this form of govern
ment. He said that it would end
the enactment of legislation by con
ference committees, the use of
which, according to his theory, was
responsible for the passage of much
obnoxious legislation.
The Senator made a plea for the
support of the amendment as a vin
dication of his stand on the ques
tion. He said that he was advo
cating the passage of this amend
ment because he believed it would
be of benefit to the people of the
state, and that was the only reason
he was advocating its passage, and
not, as some affirmed, that it would
be of benefit to him.
Senator Norris was liberaly ap
plauded throughout his address
and at its conclusion. There is
very little sentiment here favorable
to the one house plan, but there is
no question but what the Senator
made some votes for the proposal
in his talk here.
Senator Norris is accompanied
on his trip by his private secretary,
John Robertson, and they left Tues
day morning for Chadron where he
was to speak Tuesday evening.
Methodist Sunday School
Board Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Meth
odist Sunday School Board was
held at the church Tuesday even
ing at 7:30 and after devotions and
some general discussions in the in
terest of the Sunday school for
the year the following officers and
teachers were elected:
Superintendent, D. S. Conrad;
Secretary, Miss Elva Stauffer; As
sistant secretary, Miss Ruth Leach;
Treasurer, Miss Esther Sexsmith;
Libriarians, Miss Esther Sexsmith
and Miss Gertrude Conrad; Super,
intendent Cradle Roll and Home de
partment, Mrs. Lettie Sexsmith;
Superintendent Primary Depart
ment, Mrs. Ed Olson; Teachers,
Adult department: Mrs. Letta
Sexsmith, A. Bowen, Elmer Stolte,
A. J. May, Mrs. J. S. Ennis, Mervin
Kee, Mrs. D. S. Conrad, Mrs A. J.
May, Mrs. Enard Leach. Primary
department, Miss Lorane Ennis,
Clara Aim, Mrs. J. R. McClees.
EDUCATIONAL NOTES
Any high school graduate or un
employed person who is interested
in earning some college credit in
Study Centers should communicate
at once with the city superintend
ent of his school. These study
centers will be organized agdin
this winter if enough students are
interested to. form a center. A
maximum of nine college hours can
be earned in 12 weeks.
Eighteen teachers enrolled last
Saturday for the Teachrer’s Study
Center Institute which will be con
ducted this winter. Another meet
ing of this group will be held in
the court room at O’Neill on next
Saturday morning, October 20, at
9:30 o’clock. Any other teacher
who i3 interested in joining this
group is invited to attend this
meeting. Three college hours of
work will be taken up at this time.
George Scnries, who lives near
Stuart, was arraigned in the dis
trict court before Judge R. R. Dick
son Thursday afternoon. He plead
guilty to an information filed there
in by County Attorney Juliua D.
Cronin, charging him with steal
ing seventeen chickens from Rob
ert Battenhorst, of Stuart, on the
night of October 6. Judge Dickson
continued the case until Friday for
sentence.
Mrs. John Erwin and son, Billie,
of Norfolk, came up last Friday
afternoon and spent a few day*
, visiting relatives and friends in thia
city, returning home Tuesday,