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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1938)
-- - The Frontier VOL LVIII. O’NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1938. No. 51 ROBERT M. CONARD RITES TO BE HELD FRIDAY AT INMAN Pioneer Resident Of Inman Taken By A Heart Attack At His Home Late Wednesday. Robert M. Conard died at his home in Inman about 6:30 last Wednesday evening, of a heart at tack, at the age of 75 years and 26 days. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the Methodist church in Inman, with burial in the Inman cemetery. Robert M. Conard was born at Muncy Creek, Pa., on April 8, 1863. He lived in his native state until he had attained his majority when the family moved to this county, coming here in the spring of 1884 from Pennsylvania, and he had been a continuous resident of this county since that time, 54 years last spring. On January 8, 1890, he was united in marriage to Mary Cath erine Liddy, the ceremony being performed in this city. Nine children were born of this union, seven of whom with their mother, are left to mourn the passing of a kind and affectionate husband and father. The children are: Mrs. R. D. Stevens, Page; Mrs. E. C. Peter son, O’Neill; George, Martin and Edward, Inman; John, Neligh; Mrs. Gertrude VanEtta, Omaha. He is also survived by one brother, George, living northeast of this city, and two sisters. Bob Conard was one of the old time pioneers of the county and had an extensive acquaintance all over the county. He has not en joyed good health for several months, and while his death was sudden, it was not the shock that it would have been had his family not known of the condition of his heart. He was a good citizen and his passing will be regretted by relatives and friends in all sections of the county. Rail Board Huge Affair John J. Harrington of Washing ton D. C., who had been spending a few days here with his family, re turned to his duties the first of the week. Mr. Harrington is now an officer of the United States Rail road Retirement Board with head quarters in Washington, having previously spent a year in the district office of the board in Chi cago, which was opened in 1936. He, together with eight other of ficers, have authorized the pay ment of all pensions and annuitant grants, and during the 1936-1937 fiscal year, 48 million dollars have been allocated for this purpose to 75,000 beneficiaries. There were but 75 employees in the Boards entire personnel when Mr. Har rington joined it two years ago, and it now takes 2,500 to admin ister all activities of this large organization. An added increase in the staff is contemplted shortly, due to the expected acquiring of unemployment insurance for rail road employees now administered under the Social Security set-up. Mr. Harrington returns to Wash ington the latter part of the week. M. F. Norton Is 91 M. F. Norton, county surveyor, entertained sixteen guests at din ner last Sunday, in celebration of his 91st birthday which occured Friday, April 29. Mr. Norton re ceived telegrams of greetings and congratulations from his children in various parts of the United States. Mr. Norton is still hale and hearty, and could outdo many men who have not yet reached the three score and ten mark. HOME COMING MEETINGS The congregation of Center Union will hold their annual meeting at their church as follows: Friday night at 8 p. m., Saturday after noon and all day Sunday. Six ministers will participate and oth er programs in between. Basket dinner Sunday. Everybody invited who wishes to come for spiritual refreshment. BUSY HOUR CLUB The Busy Hour club met at the home of Clara Johnson Thursday, April 28. Eight members respond ed to roll call with the name and how to care for their favorite flower. Josie Lorenz joined the club and Mrs. Lizzie Pelcer was a visitor. The afternoon was spent in sewing quilt blocks for the hos I tess and playing games, at which Linda Wayman won the prize. Al vina Wayman and Zillah Miller re ceived birthday gifts. A delicious luncheon was served by the hostess consisting of sandwiches, dessert and coffee. The next meeting will be held at the home of Alvina W ay man on Thursday, May 26. Basketball Letters Are Awarded Tuesday To Seven At St. Mary’s Last Tuesday was letter day at St. Mary’s and in the afternoon a program was given at which the following players received their letters for basketball: Francis Valla, Edward Quinn, Basil Price, guards; Bardy Kubit schek, Edward Stein, Robert Shoe maker, forwards; Francis Connolly, center. Valla, Quinn Stein and Kubitschek are seniors and have worn the red and white for the last time. The monograms were presented to each player by Coach Jack Ar buthnot, after which he made a short talk during which he praised the sportsmanship of the Cardinals, “which is a lot better than the win ning of games.” The Cardinals had a mediocre season, winning nine and losing eight regular games and taking thiTd place at the B tournament held in Atkinson. They reached their peak in mid-season, when they defeated the Bristow team that had a thirteen game winning streak and were unbeaten until they met St. Mary’s. Washington Gamblers Carry On Congress passed a law against the “numbers racket” in Washing ton, but the numbers kings have other ways to beat the law. “Meal tickets” with certain numbers have appeared on the streets and an other new gag is to hire girls in government departments to take bets, instead of messengers. No receipts are given, “because they are evidence,” but most employees know the girls are backed by the ring. The racketeers take bets from one penny and up to dollars. Steve “Sits Tight” Steve Vasilakos, a native of Greece, landed in New York in 1910 and shortly after he came to Washington and set up a popcorn stand at the corner of the White House grounds. The cops and some of his competitors tried to drive him away. Steve wouldn’t go be cause the “President” told him to “sit tight.” That President was Coolidge. Since then every occu pant of the White House has been Steve’s friend. So after 28 years of this battle to stay on the White House grounds with his popcorn stand Steve has finally decided to become a citizen. He said the other night that he had always been a citizen in “heart, mind and eyes.” But now he’s happy because in a few months he’s going to get his papers. There is no other land in the world in which an alien even in his wildest dreams, could hope for such favored treatment. Size of TVA is Staggering The TVA investigation is now started and for months to come every phase of this gigantic gov ernment project will be gone into, along with an inquiry into the charges made against his two as sociate board members by former Chairman Arthur E. Morgan. Charges are made in Washington that perhaps this investigation board may be prejudiced in favor of the TVA. But so far as the House is concerned, it is satisfied that a fair investigation will be held. The inquiry will not be con fined solely to TVA activities but will also embrace the activities of the utility companies in the area and their opposition to TVA. By the time the inquiry ends the public should have a reliable report of the entire TVA story. That is the in tent of congress in this investiga tion and the result should put at rest many of the unofficial charges that are being made against this gigantic project. The TVA undetaking is so gi gantic that it sometimes gets be yond human conception. To obtain sites for the big dams, millions of acres of land were bought. Whole towns were condemed and moved out of the valleys needed for res ervoirs. Gigantic quantities of ma terials were needed. The job of building one dam has been enor mous and the TVA is building seven and may build even more. Contracts for power from com pleted plants have also been ques tioned by some of the strongest advocates as well as opponents of the program, it is hoped the in quiry will develop what are the big facts upon all phases. There are many advocates of this gigantic program and there are many op ponents, but the TVA is there. It has not only spent 155 million dol lars but will spent twice as much more. The big question which members face is—how will the plan ultimately work out? This entrance of the government upon a general power program has been bitterly fought by the private utility companies. More than 100 suits were brought in the federal courts, to contest the program from one standpoint or another. The Supreme Court, so far, has sus tained the government’s position. The hostility engendered has re sulted in all kinds of charges and counter charges and demands for an investigation. Nebraskan Directs Rebuilding Of White House Fence Much has been said about the ex pense of rebuilding the W'hite House fence. The old fence, which was installed sixty-six years ago, will not be wasted. Neither will the fine granite base in which the iron fence is imbedded, be wasted. The old fence goes around a his toric site here in Washington and the fine old granite is being cleaned and reset in modern concrete. The new iron fence and work of in stallation will cost $.‘15,700 and the wont is Deing uune uuuer u«j ui rection of an outstanding Nebras kan, Arno Cammere, who is Direc tor of the National Park service. The old fence around the White House has a great history and many years of American history have transpired within it. Daily hundreds of people who love Am erican history have watched the workmen as they tore down the old fence. Many of them picked up little bits of the old granite which were chipped off the big blocks by the stone masons who were flitting them for the new fence. The necessity for the new fence is that the old one is too low. Many of the iron stakes have been broken and become loose from the granite. Thousands of tourists who come to town annually lean and hang over the fence and many climb over into the south lawn of the White House. The new fence is expected to last for a life time and will eliminate much of the necessity for guards to keep crowds out of the grounds. Many Patents Suppressed Talking about patents, one of to day’s big corporations is charged with owning 15,000 patents. It employs skillful engineers to de velop new patentable devices. All suppressed patents are not useful. Many suppressed patents are suc ceeded by familiar patents which are highly improved over old ideas on which the corporation holds patents. To release the suppressed patents would ruin the market for the new products. Pooling of pa tents, cross-licensing evils and sup pression of patents are admitted evils which are hard to get at thru laws according to little factory owners. CAKI) OF THANKS The Sisters of St. Francis of St. Mary’s Academy express sincerest appreciation for the kindly help and cooperation of the citizens of O’Neill in making the benefit at Danceland a success. Many re ports come to us of the good will of our friends and may God’s bless ings attend each of you is the daily prayers of Mother Cherubin and her Sisters. Tuesday night at midnight John Kersenbrock completed four years in the office of Mayor of O’Neill and retired to private life. During his tenure of office many improve ment were made in the city and its population increased several hundred. He made a splendid may or, one of the best in the history of the city and he retires from office with the best wishes of all the people for his continued pros perity and happiness. DAMAGE DONE TO PROPERTY NEAR EMMET BY STORM Year’s Rainfall Total Roosted To Nearly Seven Inrhes By The Past Weeks Showers. This county has been blessed with splendid precipitation during the past week. Last Sunday after noon clouds came up in the west and this city received .46 of mois ture during the evening. Wind about 6:30 that afternoon did con siderable damage to property just east of Emmet. Following is the account of the storm as written by our Emmet correspondent: A tornado struck the south Em met community late Sunday even ing, destroying a great deal of property. The house on the Andy Brown place was moved four feet from its foundation, and the win dows were all broken. A hay barn and windmill were also wrecked. The barn at the Clarence Farr home was moved and a small milk house was totally wrecked. Also several trees around the house were uprooted. The popular picnic grove at this place was badly hit. The school house situated just north of this was completely de stroyed and the wreckage strewn over hay meadows for a great dis tance. The Bob Fox home suffered most. All buildings except the house, and the windmill* were swept away. The shingles on the west end of the house were torn off and six windows were broken. The family saw the tornado com ing and raced for the road ditch where all escaped injury. Four windmills belonging to the Emmet Hay Co., were in the path of the storm and were blown down. On the Ryan ranch an alfalfa stack, a feed rack and part of a grove of trees were blown away. The wind seemed to have lost its force at this point and no further damage | was reported. All fences in th t form area were demolished and ranchers were out the next morning gathering up their strayed cattle. While the rainfall here was a little less than half an inch, it was much heavier north of the fcity, and the farther north the heavier the rain was, until it reach ed a little over three inches along the Eagle. It war. about 2 inches at Midway and ranged from two to two and a half inches west of there. At Emmet and north of there the rainfall was estimated at 3 inches or better and farmers say the fields and pastures were cov ered with water even at noon the next day. It is reported that the wind did a little damage west.of Chambers, the large barn on the Lawrence O'Malley farm being badly dam aged, and that of a neighbor also partially wrecked. Tuesday evening another nice rain visited this county, the total precipitation here being measured at .73 inches. This rain was also quite general over the county. The rain brings the total precipitation here since the first of January to 6.84 inches, which is greater than we have had at this time of the year for several years. Following is the weather chart for the past week: Hif?n Low rrecip. April 28 .60 38 .37 April 29 _ 79 43 April 30 83 50 May 1 _ 81 61 May 2 . 78 49 .46 May 3 _ 75 50 May 4 _ 53 43 .73 Total precipitation for May, 1.19. Total precipitation since Jan. 1, 1938, to date 6.84 inches. Filings For Office J. C. Stein, who has been super visor for the First district for sev eral years and was Chairman of the Conty Board last year, has filed as a candidate for renomination on the republican ticket to succeed himself. Henry Fuelberth of Dustin, has filed for the democratic nomina tion for supervisor from the First district, a position now held by J. C. Stein, republican. J. H. Gibson, now supervisor for the Second district, has filed for the democratic nomination for re election to his present position. Thomas Trosyniski, of F*mmet township, filed on May 4 as a can didate for the democratic nomin ation for supervisor from the First district, now held by J. C. Stein. Mr. Troschyniski was the demo cratic nominee for this office four years ago and lost out in a three cornered race at the election to J. C. Stein by ten votes. The third candidate in the race was a re publican who ran by petition. SOUTHWEST BREEZES By Romaine Saunders Employing the figure of an ocean going vessel, Mr. Roosevelt says he is sailing full steam ahead. So was Capt. Smith of the Titanic. New Guinea has a town named Put Put. Wyoming has a flare for the unusual in naming towns, such as Ten Sleep and Greybull. But it remained for Holt county citizens to show their Joy and Bliss in naming postofflees. A writer with a propensity for figures says if each citizen of the U. S. A. would pay $250 toward the national debt there would still be five billions left to pay. But as there is only money enough all told to allot each of us $50 we couldn’t pay our debt if we had to. After more than four months continuous suffering, Mrs. Fannie Riley was able Sunday to ride out with her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, and it was in deed a pleasure to have them drive into the yard. The many friends of the family are glad to learn of her improved health. Recalling the days when Art Mullen arrived fresh from Ann Arbor and went into the populist coupty convention with youthful assurance and legal attainments there are probably political op ponents in Holt county who could contribute a paragraph to his forth coming biography. On the other hand, others whom he has befriend ed would like to have their say. Citizens of Amelia and suburbs have been indulging freely in fish fries as the result of overflow of the Pierce lake, occasioned by April rains. Meadows and nearby lowlands have been flooded, dis persing the lake’s stock of fish to shallow waters where they have been easily caught, according to “fish stories” recounted over this way. Nearby neighbors came to our door Sunday evening with the alarming word that a cyclone was sweeping thru here. For an hour or more ominous clouds had been gathering in the west and a heavy black mass hung with threatening fury across the horizon, portend ing the gathering of a violent storm. There proved to be no cyclone, but at nightfall a rain storm broke upon us that continued with intermissions thruout much of the night. We are getting some what under water and the south west appears to be reverting back to its normal water supply. A Kansas editor throws out this bit of encouragement to the fellow who has had the courage to “take it” the past few years: “Some of these days someone will stop talk ing about the poor people on relief and say something in defense of the hundreds of families who are attenmpting to hang onto their property and keep their taxes paid. There are hundreds of families who do not have as much to live on as the people who are on relief. They are the kind of citizens who need help and encouragement. They are carrying on with the true spirit of the pioneers who built this nation. They are the ones who will even tually organize and demand that the present theories be junked and people be given a chance to have some reward for their industry and thrift.” SAND HILL CALF CLUB The Sand Hill Calf Club held their meeting Wednesday, April 22, at the school house in Dist. 152. All members were present. The next meeting will be held at the D. C. Shaffer home May 27. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Cross and children of Creighton, were in the city last Sunday visiting at the home of Mrs. Cross’ brother, James Oppen and family. Jimmie Merriman entertained at a theater party and lunch at his home Sunday in honor of his tenth birthday. Following is the precipitation recorded in this city the first four months of the past three years, as kept by Weather Observer Bowen: 1936 1937 1938 Jan. .88 1.33 .25 Feb. 1.45 .09 .75 March _ 1.02 .72 1.71 April . 1.59 1.60 2.94 4.94 3,74 5.65 NFLA Office Work To All Be Done In O’Neill Farmers holding Federal Land bank and land bank commissioner loans thru the National Farm Loan associations at O’Neill, Newboro and Butte should contact the farm loan office at O’Neill in regard to any matters concerning their loans, according to James F. O’Donnell, recently elected secretary-treasur er of the three associations. Mr. O’Donnell, who was elected secretary-treasurer of the associa tions at a recent meeting of direc tors, announced that the new meth od of operation is now in effect. The three associations hold 1,120 loans totaling over $3,390,000 and the O’Neill office will continue to serve the farm mortgage needs of farmers desiring long-term credit, he pointed out. Under the new plan of operation, which became effective April 16, the associations will receive regu lar allowances from the Federal Land bank of Omaha sufficient not only to pay all operating expenses but also to build up reserves as protection against future contin gencies. The secretary-treasurer empha sized that there is no legal con solidation of the associations under the new plan. Each group retains its own set of books, its own board of directors and its assets are kept independent of the other groups. The plan simply centers the office work of all three associations under one roof. The O’Neill office is authorized to make new loans in Holt and Wheel er counties. Here And There M. J. Wallace, who ia the new Texaco Station manager here, leaves tomorrow evening for Nor ris, S. D., his old home town, for Mrs. Wallace and his daughter, who are still at Norris. Mr. Norris came here about ten days ago and took over the management of the Texaco station. He said that he was very partial to O’Neill as he had two daughter here, who were students at St. Mary’s Academy, one of whom graduates this year. He has a son, Stephen, who is studying medicine at Conception College at Conception, Mo. Mr. Wallace says that he is in love with the city and hopes to make O’Neill his permanent home. In order that he could keep posted on the happening in this city and county he ordered The Frontier sent to his address for the ensuing year. Mr. Wallace is a very pleas ant gentleman to meet and The Frontier welcomes him to the busi ness ranks of the city and hopes that his fondest dreams will be realized. Eda Burnhans filed suit in the district court asking for a decree of divorce from Eugene Burnhans. 1 In her petition she alleges that they were married at Grand Island, Nebr., on June 17, 1926, and that she has been a resident of this county for more than two years. She accuses him of extreme cruelty and alleges that he left her in De cember, 1937, and since that time has failed, refused and neglected to live with or support plaintiff. There are three children, the eldest 11 years old and the youngest 4. The eldest is now in the custody of the father, while she has the care and the custody of the two younger children. She asks for an absolute divorce and the custody of the two minor children and such other re lief as may be just and equitable. A party of friends gathered at the home of Mrs. C. F. McKenna last Saturday afternoon to assist her mother, Mrs. J. H. Meredith in celebrating her birthday anniver sary. Ten ladies, all pioneers of the city, were present and they spent an enjoyable afternoon in talking over the pioneer days of this city and county. A delicious dinner was served at 5 o’clock, after which the guests departed for home after wishing Mrs. Mere dith many more happy birthdays. NEW ORGANIZATION OF CITY’S OFFICIALS EFFECTED TUESDAY Miles Named to Succeed Coyne On Council. T. J. Coyne Named As Assistant Police. The City Council met in regular session in the city council chamber last Tuesday evening and organ ized for business for the coming year. The old council closed their business at a meeting last week and the new council took over their duties Tuesday evening. Mayor Coyne called the council to order and the first business was the selection of a councilman from the Second ward, to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Council man Coyne to the Mayorality chair. He suggested the name of Gerald E. Miles for the position and he was promptly confirmed by the council, so the session started c*f with two new members on the council, Fred McNally, who suc ceeded Fritz Bazelman as a mem ber from the Frist ward, and Mr. Miles. Councilman Protivinsky of the First ward, was elected president of the council. Mayor Coyne then presented the lowing nominations to the council and they were all promptly con firmed: For City Attorney, Janies P. Marron. Chief of Police and Pound Mas ter, Chester Calkins. Assistant Police, T. J. Coyne. Engineer at Pump House, Jesse Scofield. Medical Advisor and City Phy sician, Dr. L. A. Carter. Mayor Coyne then presente the following list of committees for the coming year and they were confirmed by the council: Streets and Alleys—-Uhl, Yantai and Miles. Lights — Protivinsky, Lindberg and McNally. Water—Yantzi, Uhl and Proti vinsky. Sewers—Lindberg, McNally and Miles. Walks ajid Crossings—Miles, Yantzi and Protivinsky. Parks—McNally, Lindberg and Uhl. Auditors—Uhl, Protivinsky and Miles. Custodian of City Propetry— Yantzi. Finance Committee—Protivinsky and McNally. THE NEBRASKA SCENE By the Lowell Service Lincoln, Nebr.—A spirited cam paign for and against the short ballot amendment, submitted to the voters by the last legislature, will be carried on during the summer. Short ballot agitation was pro nounced in Nebraska when the first discussion of the unicameral legis lature plan took place in 1911. A number of governors have endorsed the short ballot. In the constitu tional convention of 1920 there was. a prolonged fight and the submis sion of a short ballot amendment was defeated by a narrow margin. John N. Norton of Polk, was one of the leaders in all these fights for short ballot reform. Mr. Norton and Senator John D. Reynolds of Knox presented the bill which was approved by the unicameral legis lature. Mr. Norton will open the short ballot campaign with a speech to the League of Women Voters at Omaha. Secretary of State Harry Swanson and several state officers will oppose the amend ment. Hugo Srb, clerk of the unicam eral legislature, has asked At torney General Hunter for a writ ten opinion on what should be done about having the lieutenant gov ernor, as presiding officer, sign fGOO in employe salary vouchers. The attorney general has declared that Jurgensen is disqualified to hold office from the date of his conviction on an embezzlement charge, March 7, in the Lancaster district court. The auditor has stopped Mr. Jurgenson’s salary since that date. Attorney Gener al Hunter also filed a quo warranto suit to declare the office vacant. Auditor Price insisted that an opinion be given as to the legality of the signature of Speaker Chas. J. Warner on the vouchers. Dur (Continued on page 8, column 3.)