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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1941)
• Neb. State Historical Society SOUTHWESTERN BREEZES By Romaine Saunders It doth appear, from the noises I hear morning and evening, that ; most of the pheasants eluded the hunters. The harsh call of the male birds indicates that there are a lot of pheasants left over to generate the broods next next season. Many of the workers in struck factories and mines would prefer to stay on the jobs but are called out by union bosses, whose proper treatment would be good stiff fines and a few years in a penitentiary. There is said to be ten million horses in use on the farms as against twenty million a score of years ago. Maybe therein lies an answer to the ‘‘farm problem." Alaska’s contribution to the country’s fish supply is 1,241,000 cases of canned Salmon as the season's pack. But this is a story I was told by a friend who visited an Alaska Salmon cannery: Signs hung plentifully around in dicating strict sanitary regula tions, but he saw a chap at work packing the cooked Salmon into cases as he thought no one was looking squirted his tobacco stain ed spit into a can and filled it with the red flesh of the Salmon. Mr. and Mrs. George Meals, Melvin and Marvin, and Mrs. Hannah Meals, were out Sunday from their home near Atkinson. I learn from them that Frank Meals, a native of O’Neill, com mander of a cutter in the coast guard service, was on patrol duty in these cold and dangerous wat ers around Iceland in August and when last heard from, a few weeks ago, was along the coast of a deso late and uninhabitable region of Greenland. Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Baker spent Sunday evening at the home of the Breezes. Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Saunders gave their conversation al attention to matters of feminine fancy, while Tom and I settled the map of Europe. Tom is native of Bristol, England, and I am a British sympathiser in this in stance, so we settled it as two such would. In the meantime the tragic horrors are not preceptibly lessened. The violent wind of the Sunday previous furnished Tom with a job ot setting to rights a wagon and lllhd of hay that had been blown over. A subscriber came into my newspaper office in a little Ne braska town and announced he was there to pay his account, after greeting me with the famil axity of one who had grown up with me. I was new in the com munity and did not know many of my readers, so as I turned to my records resorted to that miserable suberfuge, “Let’s see, how do you spell your name?’’ I was about floored when he drawled ouL “S-m-i-t-h,” but escaped confus ing embarrassment by saying, “Some spell it ‘‘S-m-y-t-h-e.’’ The late John Horiskey, ever alert to the need of the moment, saved a country lady from what might have been an embarrassing situation one day on the street in O’Neill. She passed John and I as we stood in front of the old post office when we noticed that her dress had come unfastened and was sagging ominously to earth. John took in the scene, realized its seriousness and step ped gallantly to the rescue, in forming the lady of the situation. The weather was hot, but little clothing was worn and no telling what a few steps more might have meant to that sister. The valuable state historian down at Lincoln, A. E. Sheldon, proposes that the survivors of the populist national convention held in Omaha July 4, 1892, get to gether again in that city on the 50th anniversary of that gather ing of westerners next year. Who was in at that convention from Holt county I do not know but our prairies and gulches were as thick with eligible patriots as lice in an army camp. Of those who iden tified themselves with this prairie fire movement Dan Cronin, Jim Harrington and Miks McCarthy have survived the wreck of time and are best known. The move ment, built upon the ashes of dis appointed hopes to transform the prairies of Buffalo Bill into corn fields and inspired by implacable hatred of republicans who held all O’Neill High Trims Gregory High School The O’Neill Eagles came roar ing back in the second half to down Gregory High School 19-7 on a slippery field at Gregory, South Dakota, on Octobtf 30. In their first out-of-state game, the O.H.S. outfit had to come from behind in order to gain its margin. From the first kickoff, the ! Eagles drove to a touchdown but | failed to make the point. The score was made by Wetzler on a pass frmo Manzer. Gregory rebounded to repeat the O’Neill drive and scoie a touchdown, making the 7-6. as the try for point was suc cessful. This brief flurry gave the only scores in the first half. In the third quarter, O.H.S. went on a drive which netted a score when Burgess broke loose for a long broken-field run. Wetz ler scored the extra point on an other pass. On a fake line plunge in the closing minutes of the quar ter Manzer took a lateral bnd skirted the end for the last touch down. Besides the scorers, outstanding for O’Neill was Calkins, multi threat fullback, whose psses punts, runs and tackles contribut ed brilliantly to the Eagles vic tory. He prevented two touch downs by the opponents when he overtook Gregory backs who were in the clear. O’Neill completed three of six passes, Gregory one of four. Council Oak Had Grand Opening Last Week. The Council Oak opened thpir new store, in the new Vincent building last Friday, and held an open house that day and Saturday to hundreds of customers and other hundreds of prospective customers. The new store is a beauty and is one of the largest country grocery stores in the state. Manager Rhode, and a large force of efficient clerks were busy last week attending to the wants of their many customers and new friends and expressed himself as highly pleased with the reception accorded their new store, and the business transacted during their two days opening sale. Council Oak stores solicit your patronage by the liberal use of printers ink. They tell you what they have to sell and the price asked for each item, which is putting their cards right on the table. Visit their store, when you are in town, this week, you will be surprised at it’s beauty, and the ; enormous stock of seasonable merchandise they carry. From Manager Rhode down they will , all be glaal to see you. Riser-Spadt At a candle light ceremony on the evening of September 27, Miss Cleta Riser of Lincoln, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riser of Friend, Nebraska, became the bride of Mr. A1 Spadt of Lin coln, son of Mrs. Katie Spadt. The ceremony was performed at 8:30 by Rev. Henne at his home with only the immediate families at tending. The bride wore a brown street length dress suit with plaited skirt and striped trimming. Her shoulder corsage was of gardenies. The couple were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Peterson of Lincoln, close friends of the bride and groom. Mrs. Peterson wore a gray street length dress with wine accessories with a shoulder cor gage of roses. Mr. Peterson and I Mr. Spadt wore convenitional dark suits. A reception followed the cere mony, at the home of the bride groom’s mother. Mrs. Spadt is a graduate of the Friend High School with the class of ‘36, and has been employed in Lincoln for the past four years. Mr. Spadt is employed by a Motor Company, and the couple are at home at 1121 North 29th Street, Lincoln. the offices, developed some not able if not picturesque characters in Nebraska, among the great or near great of whom was Mike Harrington of O’Neill, and J. P. Mullen of Emmet, who became known locally as the Idol. From county surveyor to governor of the state, all officers were swept un der the control of the populists, but we still had to pay taxes, work for a livlihood, suffer loss from hot winds and experience the biting penury of industrial stagnation. S. J. Weekes, Pioneer Banker and Holt County Resident, Passes Away Stephen John Weekes passed away at his home in this city this morning at 6 o’clock, after an ill ness of about four months of a heart ailment, aggravated by an asmethic condition, at the age of 73 years, four months and twenty three days. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock, from the Presbyterian church, with Rev. J. Spencer officiating and burial in Prospect Hill cemetery. The funeral will be in chrge of the Masonic lodge. Stephen John Weekes was born at Waterloo, Iowa, on June 13, 1868. When he was eleven years of age in 1879, his parents moved to this county and lived on a ranch northeast of this city for about three years, when his father disposed of his investments there and they moved to O’Neill in the spring of 1883, and this city had been his home ever since, with the exception of one year that he spent on the Pacific coast, but noti satisfied, with the climate there, he returned to the land of his youth. On June 12, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Dickin son, of Tekamah, Nebr., the cere mony being performed at Tekam ah. No children were bom of this union and Mrs. Weekes is left to mourn the passing of a kind and affectionate husband. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs Maud Curl, of Los Angeles, Cali fornia and Mrs. Frank Martin, of Riverton, Wyoming. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces. John Weekes, as he was gener ally known, was one of the most beloved residents of this county, of which he had been a resident for over sixty-one years. When the family moved to this city from the ranch John attend the O’Neill High School graduating with the class of 1888. After his graduation from school he served as a clerk and later deputy treasurer in the office of the county treasurer. In 1894 he entered the real estate and investment business in this city, in which he was unusually suc cessful. He continued in this busi ness until 1897 when he was ap pointed registrar of the United States land office in this city, a posittion he held for practically ten years. It was after his retire ment from this office that he went west. He returned to O’Neill within a year and entered the O’Neill Na tionl bank as cashier in 1908 thirty-three years ago. He served as cashier of thu, bank until 1920, when he was selected president of the bank a position he held at the i time of his death. He was recog-' nized as one of the ablest bankers I in the state of Nebraska, and was held in high esteem by the mem bers of that profession all over the state. During the years of his resid ence here, he was always active in civic affairs and worked con stantly for the advancement of the city he loved *and for its re sidents. He served as a member of the School board of his Alma Ma ter for eight years, then retiring.. He was often importuned to serve the city In other capacities, but he preferred to remain in private life, but was always willing to do what he could, financilly or otherwise, for its advancement. In the death of John Weekes the writer loses his oldest and best friend. We were boys together here sixty years ago, grew to man hood here, attended the same school and #ere both mem of the same graduating class of the O’Neill High School, but the writer was com§>elled to leave school before graduation. During the years of our manhood, we have been close personal and political friends. During the years of our acquaintance, we have known John to dip into his pockets many times to help others in distress and he performed this duty with out a blare of trumpets or hope of reward. There are many in this city and county who can testify to his wholehearted generosity. He was one at the most influential! residents of the c:*y, and when it became necessary to promote any thing for the benefit of the city or county, John Weekes was the first man to be interviewed to get his reaction to the proposition, and when his ok„ had been secured victory was always in sight.. Th^re is no man in O’Neill, or in this section of the county who had, more or loyal friends, and while | his death had not been unexpect ed, the knowledge of his passing will be received with regret by, hundreds of the people of this city, county and state. Good Bye. J6hn. You lived a useful and not a selfish life and we hope that your many good deeds while on earth will bring you happiness hereafter. You have been gone from us but a few hours as this is writtn and already we have heard so many expressions ofsorrowthat we know that you will live long in the memory and hearts of the people of your home city, county and state. Holt County Boy Wins Trip To Chicago ■ ■ '■" Ralph Allyn of Stuart received notice this week that he was awarded a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago during the International Livestock Show. The trip awarded by the Chicago and Northwester Railway Company and the National 4-H Club Congress wil be attended by 4-H members from every state in the United States. The National Club Congress is one of the high est honors that can be earned by a 4-H member and has been given to Ralph because of his outstand ing 4-H club work over the past five years. The Nebraska 4-H Congress de legation will leave Omaha on Saturday, November 29 to be en tertained throughout the follow ing week in Chicago returning to Omaha on December 4. This high honor is one which has been earned by outstanding efforts and is an achievement for which Holt County can be proud. Captains For The Coming Red Cross Drive Captalins for the Red Cross drive for 41-42 have been chosen. The following ladies will act as Captains for the drive, which will start Wednesday November 12. Northeast quarter, Mrs. Wm. Froelich. Southeasst quarter, Mrs. Clinton Gatz. Northwest quarter, Mrs. Ed. Campbell. Southwest quarter, Mrs. James Walling. Go To Iowa To Attend Funeral — Mrs. M. A. Whaley, received word Wednesday of the death of D. A. Whaley of Marshalltown, Iowa, of a heart ailment. Al though he has had failing health for many years, he was able to attend the funeral of his brother, Marion Whaley in O’Neill last September. This is the third death in Mrs. Whaley’s close family within the past two months. Mrs. M. A. Whaley and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Whaley leave tonight for Mar shalltown to attend the funeral. COUNTY COURT John Andrus Atkinson, arrested by Patrolman John T. Meistrell, charge of delinquent operator’s license, date: October 30. Plead guilty, fine $1.00, costs $3.10. Leonard Pate of Butte, arrester by Patrolmn C. C. Brandt, charge Speeding, date November 1. Plead guilty, fine $10.00 costs $3.10. William Robinson of Missouri, arrested by Patrolman C. C. Brandt, charge Recklesss Driving, date November 3. Plead guilty, fine, $10.00, costs $3.10, H. L. Hollenbeck, Inman, ar rested by Patrolman John Meis trell, charge delinquent operator’s license and driving without a tail light, date November 3. Plead guilty, fine $1.00 and $2.00, costs $3.10. Notice Due to the fact that Tuesdy is Armistice Day, the Commercial Club meeting will be held Wed nesday of the following week. Livestock Receipts Heavy Prices About Steady Receipt of livestock were heavy last Monday both in the cattle and hog divisions. Buyers were here from several states and the in creased supplies found ready out let. Prices held about steady tho there was some tendency for prices to ease off on the plainer kinds. A few choice steer calves paid $12.50 or more, but the supply of this kind was rather limited. Bulk of the lightweight steers cashed from $11.00 to $12.00. Heifers were plentiful and sold as high as $10. 75. However, the long end of the heifer calves turned at $9.00 to $10.50. Yearling steers cashed most from $9.00 to $10.00 with a few reaching upwards to $10.50. Sev eral straight load sold at prices ranging from $9.65 to $9.85. An unusually large supply of cows was here. Fat cows took from $7.00 to $8.00. Feeding cows sold mostly from $5.50 to $6.50. Bulks paid from $7.25 to $7.85. Hogs receipts were consider ably increased with about 40 head on sale here. Butchers bulked at $10.00 to $10.10. Sows ranged in price from $9.35 to $9.75 Heavy feeder pigs had a price spread from $11.15 to $12.25. About 35 sheep completed the day's offering. The next regular action will be held on Monday, November 10. Derickson-Lundeen A very pretty wedding was solemnized at the Dorsey Presby trian church on Sunday, October 26, when Olive Virginia Derickson became the birde of Wallace Lun deqn. The ceremony was performed at 4 o’clock by Rev. Wright of the Methodist church of O’Neill. Preceding the cermony, Mrs. Lee Brady Jr., sang “O Promise Me.’’ The Lohgrein wedding march was played by Mrs. Lee Brady Sr. The bride wore a deep wine af ternoon dress fashioned on the princess lines. She carried a bou quet of yellow roses. Mrs. Frank Bren Jr., of Omaha, the bride’s niece, was matron of honor, Miss Sadie Derickson, the bride’s sisiter, maid of honor, they carried a bouquet of tea roses. Miss Vera Arylene rnd Olive Darylene Pickering of Lynch, Mil dred Derickson of Star, Virginia Derickson of Dorsey, the birde’s nieces were bridesmaids. They carried yellow carnations and wore brown and green dresses with matching accessories. Walter Lundeen served as best man, the ushers were Lester Der ickson, Iroin Nightingale, Jack Brady, and Carl Peterson. The flower girl was Mabel Derickson. The reception was held at the home of the brides mother, Mrs. Samuel Derickson of Dorsey. The brides father was unable to attend because of ill health. The couple left immediately after the reception for their new home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Hammie Allen Funeral services were held Sun day Nov. 2nd at the Biglin Funeral Home for Hammie Allen who died, Friday, at a hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He leaves a twin brother Ed H. Allen of Des Moines, Iowa, D. H. Allen, Emmet, Nebr., and three sisters, Mrs. Charles Ison, Al cester S. D., Mrs. Henry Millard Washington, D. C. and Mrs. Bert Gaffney of Emmet Nebraska. Out of town relatives and friends attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Allen of Des Moines, Iowa, Guy Ison and daughter laura of Alcester, S. D., Mr. and Mrs. George Jacobson of Beresford, S. D., Mr. and Mrs. Jack Keene of Huron, S. D., and Mr. and Mrs. Doc. McNaley of Ha warden, Iowa. The pall bearers were Pat Mc Ginnis, Guy Cole, Pete Duffy, Wiliam Dailey, Charles Withers and James Ryan. Rev. Peacock conducted the services and interment was in Pleasant Hill cemetery. HOSPITAL Earl Woodworth of Venus, pat ient Sunday and Monday. Dorothy Dalton, admitted Sun day and dismissed Monday. John Vitt, Jr., patient Saturday. Mrs. Richard Tomlinson a son born Sunday. Mrs. Forest Henderson, a son bom Monday. O'Neill Men In Auto Accident Near Bassett — While on their way to Ains worth, last Monday night, a car driven by L. G. Gillespie, with Archie Bowen and Leon Sargent, turned over near Bassett, with the ! result that Mr. Gillespie and Mr. : Sargent were taken to a hospital there, while Mr. Bowen, who was considerably bruised and suffered a broken left wrist came home that evening. Mr. Gillespie, suf fered a severe cut on the head and is suffering from shock and bruis es. Mr. Sargent suffered a few broken ribs and is also suffering fromshock and bruises. It is ex pected that they will be in the hospital until possibly Sunday. The boys were on their way to Ainsworth to attend a meeting of the I.O.O.F. lodge. When a little ways this side of Bassett there was a pickup truck on the high way, without flares or lights. Jt had evidently been loaded with potatoes for near the center of the highway there were 3 sacks of po tatoes that had been taken from the truck. In attempting to go around the sacks the wheels of the car hit a sack and threw it into the ditch, and it turned over. The car is said to have been badly wrecked. Marriage Licenses Conrad Bott, Oskosh, Gertrude Miksch, Stuart, November 1. John Marvin Gallagher, Inman, Velda Jennette Kemper, Page, November 3. Melvin Ramon Poeschl, Norfolk and Leslie Elaine Bishop, Pierce, November 5. BRIEFLY STATED - i Mrs. Margaret McCormick, of Valentine, spent Saturday night with her cousin, Mrs. Wilbur Han cock. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barkus and daughter, of Plainview, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Yo cum and family Sunday. Mrs. F. N. Brennan, Mrs. Fran cis Cronin, Mrs. Pat Harty, and Misses Marie Biglin, Bernadette Brennan spent Friday in Sioux City, Iowa. A group of schoolmates and friends had a farewell party Mon day evening, at the home of Miss Bernadette Brennan in honor of Miss Lenore Reka, who left Tues day for Omaha to make her home. Games furnished the evening en tertainment, and a lovely lunch was served at the close of the eve ning. Miss Mary Harty, returned from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Monday, after spending several days there visiting friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Rickly, moved Saturday to the home for merly occupied by Mrs. Theresa Connelly and family. Howard Graves and Robert Lowery, left Thursday, for Balti more, Maryland, where they have secured employment. Louis Jones, arrived Sunday, from Miles City, Montana, and is visiting at the home of R. H Mur ray. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCormick and Ernest Foster of Valentine, spent Saturday night and Sunday, with Mrs. Frank Hunter and Mrs. Joe Hunter. Mr. and Mrs. George Hart and son, Jerry, spent the week-end in Grand Island, visiting his parents. Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Schultz and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Schultz of Atkinson, Miss Sybil Harmon of Bassett, were guests of Mrs. Helen Simar Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Beilin entertained a group of friends Sunday eve ning. Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt won high score at Pitch and Mr. and Mrs. Virg Kline received low. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Youngs ; worth, of Lincoln, were week-end j guests at the of Mr. Younsworth’s sister, Mrs. Paul Beha. — Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Liddy and children, came down from Long Pine, Saturday, to visit his mo ther, Mrs. Goldie Liddy. Mr. Lid dy, returned to Long Pine Tues day, but Mrs. Liddy and children remained for a longer visit. District Court Met Monday The fall jury term of the Dis trict Court of this county opened Monday with District Judge D. R Mounts on the bench. This is the first jury term held by Judge Mounts in this county since his appointment. A criminal case entitled The State against Clarence Tasler was the first case to be tried. Tasler, a farmer living southwest of Atkin son about ten miles, was charged with stealing a calf from Dvorak Brothers, who are also farmers living in that locality, on the af ternoon of April 15th last. A jury was empaneled Monday and the reception of evidence started that aftrnoon. The evidence offered by the state was to the effect that Tasler on the afternoon of April 15th, stopped his car near an alfalfa field in which Dvorak Brothers had some cattle, climbed over a fence and drug out to his car a newly born calf; one of the Dvo rak boys was in the field in a car looking at the cattle and seeing the car stop and the man enter the field drove that way honkling his horn; Tasler seeing the ap proaching car dropped the calf got in his car and left, with Dvo rak in pursuit. Other evidence re lated to the two cars passing dif ferent points between the alfalfa field and the Tasler home. Joe Dvorak, Mrs. Clarence Grieg, Mrs. Lillain Heying, William Marsoun, Alfred Haying and Arthur Kaplan were the chief witnesses for the - state. Mr. Tasler, on his part, denied being on the road near the al falfa field on the afternoon in question and denied taking the calf or having anything to do with it and called several witnesses in his behalf. The case went to the jury about 4:30 Wednesday and the jury returned a verdict of guilty about ten o’clock that night. Mr. Tasler has three days to file a motion for a new trail which must be acted upon by the Court before sentence can be passed. Judge J. J. Harrington represent ed the defendent Tasler and County Attorney Julius D. Cronin the state. The case created more interest and attracted more specta tators than any case tried here in recent years; the court room in cluding aisles were completely filled each day long before Court opened and the doors locked leav ing many in the halls unable to get in. Thursday morning the case of Williard Schroeder of Keya Paha county against William Stor johann of this county growing out of an automobile collision near Stuart, sometime ago came on for trial and was submitted to the jury, late Thursday afternoon. Schroeder is asking damages of Storjohann, because of injury to his truck and its contents. About two hundred dollars is involved. Francis D. Lee of Atkinson, re presents Schroeder and Judge J. J. Harrington Storjohann. The last case for trial at this term and which is expected to be started Friday morning is that of ! J. L. Fisher, formerly of Ewing, but now of Norfolk, against Ora Keeler, of Ewing, based upon a promissory note given by Keeler, some years ago. It is expected that the trial will take a day and a half. Fred Deutsch of Norfolk, and Julius D. Cronin, represent Fisher and J. J. Harrington, Keel-%. er. Holt County A. C. A* Notes — Educational meetings are being held this week throughout the county for the purpose of ac quaint farmers with the new 1942 AAA and Farm Defense Program. At a later date community com mitteemen will contact the farm ers throughout the county. Holt County has been asked to make the following increases in food: Milk and dairy products— 11 per cent in 1942 over 1941. Eggs—8 per cent in 1942 over 1841. Chicken—27.5 per cent in 1942 over 1941. Hogs for slaughter—11.9 per - cent in 1942 over 1941. Prices on these foods will be the best since the World War. Claude R. Wiekard, Secretary of Agricul ture, states that one billion dollars has been set aside to keep these foods up to 85 per cent parity.