,wu\ ML ft fe pM SM M*** UrW8t % The frontier VOU LXIII O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1942 NUMBER 2 SOUTHWESTERN BREEZES By Romainc Saundcn After the passing of thirty right years Kid Wade is still dis cussed. which illustrates the grip the memory this young romantic outlaw still has on public fancy. The accompaning story of his ab * duct ion and hanging I gave to J Frontier readers in this column in I 1937. Interest in that criminal A yet heroic chapter of our history ■seems to live on. which is the ex jScuse for reprinting it here. Few ■if any liberties have been taken IgVvith the historical background.— KID WADE Wednesday night, February 6, «1884. the Kid was hung to a F. E M. V. whistling post one-half ■ mile east of Bassett. A coroner’s I jury empaneled in Brown county, I of which Rock wa then a part, I said he came to his death by hang I ing at the hands of unknowm in [ dividuals. Those who knew con I sidered it a time when silence was golden. After justice had laid an inex orable hand on Doc Middleton, the Kid was the recognized lead er at the eastern end of a band of outlaw's operating from the Black Hills to the Missouri. At the time of his apprehension young Wade—he was 22— was under indictment in Iowa, Ne braska. Dakota, WTyoming and Montana. Some distinction for a Holt county citizen. He had been schooled in the craft of a horse thief by the elder Wade, whose ranch on the Big Sandy nearly due north from Atkinson was a rendezvous for the outlaws. There were always provisions in abundance in the Wade cabins. Mams, sides of bacon, antelope t 4 eat and beef hung from rafters. * *The last I knew, people by the name of Younkin were on the old Wade place. The operations of the Middleton band caused the settlers of the Niobrara valley to organize what was known as regulators or viga lanters. They were officered with captains and lieutenants. It was often suspected but seldem proved that some of these “regulators” were using the organization as a blind to cover up their misdeeds. On the strength of the various indictments, as well as general principles, four Holt county citiz ens, Capt. C. C .Dodge, Lt. Peter Hansen, Charles Messenger and Michael Coleman, undertook the task of apprehending the Kid. January 12, 1884, they swung in to their saddles, reining their hor* ses eastward. Information had been received that the Kid was near LeMars, Iowa. On the evening of the 16 they arrived in LeMars. Here they learned that the object of their quest was at Manseld, sixteen miles out. The morning of the 17th Messenger, not knowu to the outlaw, rode out to Mansfield and located Wade, with w'hom he negotiated the pur chase of a horse. A forfeit was posted and Messenger informed Wade if he would accompany him into LeMars they would get the money from the bank for full pay ment. The Kid consented to this, not without some misgivings. On A! he way into into LeMars he cast frequent searching glances at Messenger, who rode stocially on. At they were leaving tneir horses to the care of the livery barn attendant in LeMaifs the companions of Messenger quietly closed in from three side and drew their guns—and the Kid, the terror of the Niobrara, was a prisoner. After twenty-four hours in the saddle, the Kid in irons, they ar rived in Yankton, S. D., the even ing of January 18. He had agreed to accompany them without a requisition on the promise of the four that he should have a fair trial in Holt county They remain ed two days in Yankton. Here they saw commercial possibilities with their prisoner. A hall was engaged and it was advertised that Kid Wade would give an ex hibition of his skill with the six shooter—at 50 cents admission. He had the reputation of being the best that ever flashed an ivory- handled 45 in this territory. That he went through this per formance in good faith without making a kill and his get-away clearly indicates his confidence in a square deal being given him, with no thought of the tragic end Jm aited. And looking back over we intervening years the retro active forces the conclusion that the Kid, outlaw that he was, had high regard for his word of honor and a faith that was betrayed in those qualities in others. At Yankton a second prisoner was taken. Joe Jordan, a brother in-law* of young Wade. It ap pears that Jordan was released upon the arrival in Holt county with the two prisoners. Thus far the activities of the regulators w*ere clothed in the honored vest ments of law* and order. On February 1 a kangaroo court was held at Back Berry's at Pad dock. Delegations of Brown and Holt county vigilanters w*ere pres ent to “examine ” the Kid. A tragedy was averted at this meet ing by Mike Coleman relieving Henry Richardson of Brow*n county of his gun when he was in for shooting the Kid on the spot for telling him “you are as big a horse thief as I am." Maybe desiring to shift further responsibility the majority of the Holt county bunch favored turn ing Wade over to the mercies of the men from Brown and the Kid saw* the promise of a fair trial and his hopes vanish. S. J. Weekes of the O'Neill National bank was among the boys and men then liv ing in the neighborhood to congre gate at Paddock to “see the excite ment.” Coleman and Hugh O Neill pro tested the turning of the Kid over to the Brown county vigalanters. He had been promised a fair trial at home and should have it They did more than protest. Hastening into O'Neill they swore out a war rant for the arrest of the Kid and sent Sheriff Ed Hershiser out to bring him in. Ed, like the North west Mounted, generally got his man. He trailed the group to the vicinity of Long Pine. The Brown county delegation, under command of Capt. A. J. Burnham, probably by this time also inclined to shift responsibil ity, turned the Kid over to Her shiser. Capt. Burnham and an other of the party by name of Matson, offered to accompany the sheriff in with his prisoner. These three with the Kid pulled into Bassett to spend the night. Hotel rooms were all occupied but they were told they could stay in the bar room. The Kid rolled in to a blanket and went to sleep on the floor. The sheriff with his two companions settled at ease in their chairs. The cold February night wore on. Suddenly a crash of glass as gun barrels were thrust thru the windows startled the watchers. At the same time the door was flung open and a body of grim and disguised men appeared. The regulators had come. The Kid was awakened and led to his doom. One story was that he trembled with fear and asked to be spared that he might have a chance to mend his ways. Another was that he implored his awards to give him a pair of six shooters and he would get away from the mob and come into O’Neill and surrender. In telling of the affair when he got back to O’Neill Sheriff Hershiser said the last words he heard tha Kid say were: “I have been feed ing you fellows and now you are going to hang me.” Did the Kid recognize his ab ductors as his own band of out laws who resorted to a hanging to protect themselves? The Methodist Church V. C. Wright. Minister Church school 10:00 a. m., H. B. Burch. Superintendent. Public Worship 11:00 a. m. Music by the choir and sermon by the pastor. Youth fellowship devotions :<)0 p. m. Sunday, May 31, Rev. D. S. Con ad will preach in the absence of he pastor. Rev. V. C. Wright will leave Monday for Nebraska Wesleyan I niversity Commencement and f-jmmer School of the Board of Ministeral Training. The school f r the licentiates will run from May 26 to June 5, the Graduate 8 hool from June 1 to 4. Rev. Edmund D. Soper of the chair of r ligions in Garrett Biblical In titute will deliver eight lectures n “The Idea of God In the Re ligions of the World.” Rev. William W. Sweet of the chair of American Christianity in the School of Religion of Chicago t niversity will deliver eight lect tires on “Methodism in American Eistory.” Rev. Wright is the dean c" both schools. EDUCATIONAL NOTES The Holt county Eighth Grade Promotion Exercises will be held in O’Neill, Wedneday, May 27, at 2. p. m., at the Public School Auditorium. Elja McCullough, County Superintendent. MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES SATURDAY, MAY 30th Parade at 9:15 A, M. All participants please meet at the Arbuthnot Service Station at 9:15 A. M. Order of march: Colors, Band, Auxiliary, Legion. O’NEILL PUBLIC SCHOOL AUDITORIUM 10:00 A. M. 1. Selections.* Band 2. Invocation ------- Reverend R. J. Parr 3. Vocal Selection.St. Mary’a Academy 4. Reading ------- O’Neill High School 5. Reading ------- St. Mary’* Academy 6. Address ------- Colonel F. M. Brennan 7. Remarks - - - Paul L. Beha, Commander of Legion 8. Benediction ------ Reverend R. J. Parr 9. Taps ----- Davene Coy - Dorothy Lowery Taps at Cemetery - - Dorothy Lowery - James Golden Celebrates Fifty Years As Teacher In Sisterhood Jubilee bells rang out joyous proclamations at St. Mary’s Academy on the morning of May 15th on the occasion of the cele bration of Sister Alexia's Fiftieth Anniversary of her religious pro fession. At eight o’clock, accompanied by ten little pages and maids of honor dressed in white and carry ing flowers. Sister Alexia was es corted to St. Patrick’s church where a special prie-dieu orna mented with gold-leaf and white, in the center aisle, was reservd for her. A High Mass, celebrated by Rt. Rev. Monsignor McNamara, and sung by a mixed choir of High school and Grade children, follow ed. In his address, Monsingor explained the beauty and efficacy of the religious life and paid special tribute to the Jubil arian’s beautiful life of service and sacrifice. After the services in church, the faculty and student body as sembled iu_the auditorium of the Academy where congratulations were extended and gifts present ed. A very impressive Phantasy in costume, symbolizing the sheaf of Golden Years of the Jubil arian's useful life was staged. Songs by the Glee Club were in terludes to the poetic echoes of the past years in the following pro gram: Guardian Angel_Chickie Her Spirit of Sacrifice — Winnie Coyne Spirit of Golden Years Mary Menish Spirit of Emulation _ Gertrude Sullivan Spirit of Purity of Purpose — Jean Slaughter During the day old friends called at the Academy to con gratulate and visit with Sister. The Jubilarian enjoyed reviewing the events of the pioneer days of St. Mary’s. Thus the day linked the chain of fifty years of self-sacrifice and charity of this happy religious teacher, and friend of youth. Mrs. William Oswald Funeral services were held at Beemer Saturday afternoon. May 9 for Mrs. William Oswald of Beemer. Interment was in the Beemer cemetry with six nephews acting as pallbearers, Dallas Schantz, Dale Oswald,' Wilford Erb.Earl Oswald and Elmer Os wald. Mattie Oswald, daughter of Ja cob and Fannie Erb, was born May 4, 1886, near O’Neill, and died at her home in Beemer, May 6, 1942, at the age of 56 years and two days. In 1910 she was united in marriage to William Oswald. To this union nine children were born, five sons and four daught ers, of whom 4 sons and 4 daugh ters survive. They are Harold and Dan of Indiana; Mrs. William Schweitzer, Mrs. Rueben Schantz, Bertha and Doris of Beemer, Rob ert of Camp Dentson, Iowa, Ar thur of Pomeroy, Iowa.. Als6 sur viving are her husband and two sisters, Mrs. Jacob Oswald, Sag erstown, Pa- and Mrs. L. A. Ott, O’Neilltwo brothers, Albert, Fort Lyon, Colo., and John of Lake Wilson, Minn, and five grand children. * Her lister, Mrs. L. A. Ott, north of this city was in attendance at the funeral. S. M. A. Senior Class Day Exercises The Senior Class will welcome their relatives and friends to the Class Day Exercises at St. Mary’s at 8 p. m., Thursday, May 28. Lorretto Phalen Given Rare Distinction Mr. and Mrs. Frank Phalin; bave received the good news that t leir daughter, Loretta, was given t le honor of giving the class ad- j ress in the graduating exercises ' of the college of la|tr of De Paul ■ t niversity in Chicago. She is the first lady in the history of the University to be given that dis- j t nction. O’Neilll friends tender congrat-' ilations to Miss Phalin for this recognition of her high standing a', the University. Loretta is also t graduate of the University of Chicago. Almost forty years ago Frank aid Mrs. Phalin came to O’Neill f om Wiisconsin. During their years here they reared five child en. All of them not only enter- j d schools of high learning, but each one has completed the work t) fit each for service in profes sorial work of some kind. Two s >ns are now in the medical ser vice of the United States. Frank and Mrs. Phalin should be very proud, along with their family, far their accomplishments. More than that they should be vain, bat vanity does not seem to be one c! the parts of their way of life. Anyway we will take this oppor tmity of congratulating them in raising a family that any father end mother, anywhere on earth should be proud of. S. M. A. Grade Pupils Entertain Friday Eve St Mary’s Grade pupils will close the school year with a pro gram Friday evening, May 22, at 8 o’clock in St. Mary’s Gymnas | ium. Grade 1. Playlet: All Out For Defense. Grade 2. Playlet. Who Will Be Queen? [ Grades 3 and 4, Vocal Selections: There’ll Always Be America Our United States The Americans March Grades 5 and 6, Vocal Selection: j Morning. I Grade 7. Playlet: Auction of the Graduates, 1 Grade 8. A Tribute to the U. S. Marines. 1 School Song: There’? only one school For Us. Awarding of Honor pins and Excellent ribbons by the Rev. Monsignor McNamara. Richter-Fritton Miss Luella Richter and Frank Fritton, both of O’Neill, were united in marriage Saturday morning at 5 o’clock at St. Pat rick's church in O’Neill, with Monsignor J. G. McNamara offi j iating. The bridesmaid was a cousin of the bride. Miss Vera Scholl meyer and the best man was a friend of the groom, James Sou kup, jr. The bride was attired in an c’d rose colored dress with blue and biege accessories and the l idesmaid was attired in a biege c dored dress with brown acces saries. The groom and his at . endaitt wore teal blue. After the weddding a break i st was served at the home of t :e bride’s mother for the im i diate family and friends. The i ur tier wedding cake was baked t' the bride’s sister, Mrs. Rod r. y Tomlinson. j Mrs. Fritton is the youngest caughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. 1 ichter of this city and Mr. Frit t n is the youngest son of the Fritton family of O’Neill. The happy young couple will make j heir home in this city. xx Twenty-two Graduate From S. M. A. Friday The Graduation Exercises of the Class of 1942 of St. Mary’s Acada mey, will take place at St. Pat rick's church, Friday, 10:30 A. M. After the baccaulaureate address, diplomas will be distributed and scholarships awarded. The following members of the graduating class invite all their friends and those of St. Mary’s to their exercises. Shelia Barrett, O’Neill, Nebr, Marion Bosn, O’Neill, Nebr. Joe Early, O’Neill, Nebr. John Fernholz, O’Neill, Nebr. Coney Golden, O’Neill, Nebr Jack Harty, O’Neill, Nebr. Gene Higgins, O’Neill, Nebr. James Higgins, O’Neill, Nebr. Chickie Iler, O’Neill, Nebr. Mary Ann Janousek, O’Neill, Nebrssk^ Millie Jindra, O’Neill, Nebr. Paul Kubitschek, O’Neill, Ne braska. Vera LaPonte, Rosebud, S. D. Mary Helen Martin, O’Neill Nebraska. Dorothy Moore, O’Neill, Nebr. Minella O’Bryan, Wood, S. D. Bill O’Connell. O’Neill, Nebr. Tillie Peter, O’Neill, Nebr. Harry Piercy, Kennedy, Nebr. Geneva Pribil, O’Neill, Nebr. Mary Ellen Schaaf, Atkinson, Nebraska. Stella Wohlgemuth, Tularosa, New Mexico. • Republican Central Committee Held Meeting Monday Evening Here Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wherry of Pawnee City, Nebr., accompan ied by Mr. and Mrs.Bert Howard of Scotts Bluffs, and Frank Marsh of Lincoln, secretary of state, were in the city last Mon dy evening in attendance at a meeting of the republican county central committee. It was a get together meeting. Since Mr. Wherry’s last visit here he has been appointed as western mana ger for the republican national committee and he will probably relinquish his state chairmanship at the next state convention. Mr. Howard of Scottbluffs is a candidate for the republican nom ination for congress in the new Fourth district, of which Holt county is now a part. While here he met a few of our local people but said that he would be back in about a month and would try to get; acquainted with the voters in the different sections of the county. Secretary of State Frank Marsh says that to Holt county belongs the credit for electing him again to office and so he is naturally inclined to look on Holt county as one of the chosen spots of the state. A fair sized crowd was in attendance at the meeting and everyone enjoyed the speeches delivered. St. Mary’s Alumnae Reunion May 24th The members of the St. Mary’s Alumnae Association will hold their Reunion Sunday, morning with Holy Mass at St. Patrick’s church at 9 o’clock. The Alum nae members will receive Holy Communion at this Mass. Break fast at the Golden Hotel will fol low. At 5:30. Benediction with the Most Blessed Sacrament will be given in the Convent Chapel A business meeting for the Alum nae members will follow Bene diction. At 6 o’clock the annual banquet will be served at the Academy. The Sisters and Alumnae offi cers hope to welcome a large crowd of former St. Mary’s students. Hospital Notes H. E. Braddock of Page was admitted Saturday. Carl James admitted last Thurs day and is fine. Mrs. Walter DeVall and baby dismissed Tuesday. Mr. Harvey Tompkins and baby of Inman dismissed Thursday. Mr. Nellie Golden admitted on Wedneday. Marriage Licenses Francis Fritton and Luella Richter of O’Neill on May 15, 1942 Charles Henry Alexander of Burton and Elsie Laura Robert son of Springview, on May 15. Parents who wish to start their children as beginners in the band are requested to meet at the Pub lic School next Saturday after noon at 2 o’clock. Ira George, Director. Mrs. Anna Jordan Mrs. Anna Jordan was found : dead in bed last Monday morning at her home in the Wilcox resi-j donee, of a heart attack, at the age of 44 years four months and ten days. The funeral was held last Wednesday morning from the Catholic church. Rev. R. J. Parr officiating and burial in Calvary cemetery at the side of her hus band, who passed away in Sep tember, 1938. The funeral was very largely attended. Anna Carr was born on the ranch of her parents near Staf ford on January 8, 1898. She grew to womanhood in this county and attended St. Mary’s Academy, from which institution she was a graduate. On Febru ary 8, 1921, she was united in marriage to Richard Jordan, the j ceremony being performed at j Chadron, Nebr. One daughter! was born of this union, who is j left to mourn the passing of a kind and affectionate mother. She is also survived by her mother, Mrss. John Carr; one brother, Emmet, with the U. S. Army at Camp Roberts, Cal.; six sisters, Mrs Ellen Ragan and Mrs. Max Wanser, Ewing; Mrs. Mary Lyman of Boston, Mass.; Mns. Agnes Sutcliffe of Rapid jCity, S. D.; Mrs. Loretto Shatto ; of Philadelphia, Pa.; and Mrs. j Catherine Keiser of O’Neill. Mrs. Jordan was a charming young woman and had a host of friends in this city and vicinity. She was always cheerful and in dustrious, and always took an active interest in church work and in the different activities staged for the benefit of St Mary’s Acadmy. It was not generally known that she had heart trouble but a few of her intimate friends knew that she had a weak heart, but nevertheless her sudden death j was a severe shock to her r.'la ' tives and friends. C ARD OF THANKS We wish to express our hear. felt thanks to the many kind friends and neighbors for the expressions of sympathy and the many acts of kindness shown us following the death of our be loved mother, daughter and is ter.—Dorothy Jordan, Mrs. John Carr and family. -, Mother-Daughter Banquet At M. E. Church On Tuesday evening at the Methodist church the annual Mother and Daughter banquet was served to over a 100 Mothers and Daughters. The tables were beautifully decorated with May Baskets filled with the seasons beautiful flow ' ers. At each place was an indi 1 vidual May basket filled with candies and nuts and lovely pro grams with a Mother, Daughters i pictures on them. The colors of lavenders, blues, pinks and yel lows made the tables very attract ive. Our toastmistress was Mrs. Irv ing Johnson. The evening start i ed by the singing of the National Anthem; the balance of th pro gram as follows Opening prayer, Mrs. June Johnson. Comments, Mrs. June Johnson. Trio, Mrs. Lindberg, Mrs. Es ther and Mrs. Manzer. Toast to Mothers, Miss Irma Manzer. Toast to Daughters, Mrs. Rei mers. Vocal Solo, Bonnie Yarnall. Closing prayer, Mrs. V. Wright. Appropriate songs for Mother ! and Daughters were sung by the group during the different courses led by Miss Marjorie Graybiel. It was a very enjoyable occas ion to all who were there and a sincere thank you to the ladies who worked to have it. Also thanks to the men and boys of the church who so ably served the meal. SMA Sonors Entertain With Play Tuesday Tuesday at 8:15 p. m„ the cur tain rose in the O’Neill High School auditorium on the clever three-act comedy, “Spring Fever” staged by the Senior Class of St. Mary’s Academy, under the direc tion of Sister Laurissa. The aud i ience was given an evening of clean, wholesome entertainment. Gene Higginss, as the young in ■ ventive genius in loee with the town beauty: Chickie Her as the maiden aunt, Geneva Pribil, Mar i ion Bosn, Constance Golden, Paul iKubitchek. Jim Higgins and ■ Harry Piercy, all contributors to ! an evening of hearty laughs. Poppy Day To Be Observed Next Saturday New names on America’s roll of honored dead give new meaning to the memorial poppy this year, Mrs. E. M. Gallagher, Poppy Day Chairman of the local American Legion Auxiliary Unit, pointed out as she worked on final ar rangements for the distribution of the little red flowers Saturday. “Wearing a Poppy is the in dividual way of honoring the men who have sacrificed their lives in the nation’s service,’’ said Mrs. Gallagher. “Ever since the first World War the poppy has been worn in tribute to the men who gave their lives in that conflict New names are being inserted among America’s heroic dead. The poppy is for them, too. It is a symbol of our sorrow and pride. It is a pledge that we will always remember them and serve on in the cause for which they died. “The poppy springs from the blood and tears that are the price of victory—the price of freedom in this world of conquest and oppres sion. Again and again Americans have had to pay this price to win and maintain their existence as a free nation. When we wear the poppy this year we will be show ing that we are not shrinking from paying that great price once more in order that we may pass on to Americans to come the heri tage of a free America. “As we honor those who give their lives, we should think, too, of those who sacrificed health and strength, and of the families left in need because a father or son has served his country. They are still within the reach of our help. Let us be generous in our contri butions for the poppies. Every penny of the money given goes to support the work The American Legion and the Auxiliary are do ing for the disabled and depen dent families of the first World War and of the present conflict.” Livestock Trends Strengthen; Heavy Runs Of Hogs Monday A general tendency toward Srmness dominated the livestock auction here last Monday and prices were somewhat stronger tian a week ago, especially on he better grades. Receipts were heavier than for the past few weeks with an unusually large upply of hogs, many of which were extra fine in quality. De t; and remains good on all classes nd the market was active thru ut.. The best kind of lightweight teer calves offered here sold as igh as $14.25 and $14.30. How t er, the long end of the supply placed mostly from $12.00 to $13. Heifers in this class sold from $11.00 to $12.00. Lightweight yearlings were in good demand and paid upwards to $12.00 with the bulk of sup plies selling from $10.50 to $11.50. A considerable number of cows with calf at side were sold and brought fancy prices. Good beef cows sold upwards to $9.80 on 1250 to 1300 weights. Medium to good cows ranged in price from $8.25 to $9.25 with plainer grades selling for less. | Bulls weighing around 1250 cash ed mostly from $9.00 to $9.50. Hog supplies numbered around 500 head. The extreme top paid for butchrs weighing 180 pounds was $13.90. However, the popular price ranged from $13.70 to $13.80 Several fine, smooth gilts, scaling from 210 to 260 brought $14.00 to $14 40. The bulk of the sow I offering sold from $13.35 to $13.55. Feeders were in heavy supply I and paid from $14.50 to $15.15. A I large number of small pigs sold at fancj prices. A few horses completed the | regular auction. In addition r Dave Bellar donated a bushel of seed corn which was sold and the receipts turned over to the O'Neill chapter of the American Red Cross fund. The next ale will be on Monday, May 25, 1942. St. Mary’s Cornet Trio Wins Excellent Rating In last weeks issue of The Fron tier our reporter, who gave us the write up of the Music contest, omitted to mention three of St. Mary’s young musicians., Tom Harty, Edward Campbell and Betty Gallagher, who appeared on the program as St. Mary’s Cornet Trio. The young folks aco.uitted themselves admirably and won a rating of Excellent for ! their effort. One of the Judges I complimented thm very highly and said that he wanted to see | them back in two years.