The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965, September 27, 1951, Image 1
12 PAGES — 2 SECTIONS North-Nebraska’s Fastest-Growing Newspaper VOLUME 71.—NUMBER 21. O'NEILL, NEBRASKA. THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 27, 195L___PRICE 7 CENTS ^ ni3TSOC Lease - Holders Biding Time t - Adopt ‘Wait - and - See’ Attitude on Sales (See statement on page 11.) Holt county’s school land lease holders are biding their time this week while marshalling strength for a legal battle, if ne cessary, to stop the sale of school land leases. Their organization, the Holt County School Land Lease-Hold ers’ association, has retained Wil liam P. Kelley, of an Omaha law firm, Matthews, Kelley, Matthews and Delehant. lNo action had been filed until Wednesday. The Holt people are awaiting the outcome of a re straining order being sought in federal court at Lincoln. The plaintiff in the federal court action is a Grant lease holder, who says he is testing the selling of the leases in be half of himself and about 2,300 other lease-holders in the state. The Grant man wants to re strain the slate from going a head with the sales. A week ago the Holt organiza tion met and reelected Ira C. Watson, o f Inman, president; James W. Rooney, of O’Neill, secretary-treasurer. J. Harold Cowan, of the Oma ha World - Herald’s staff, spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Holt getting “the other side” of the lease sale story. | The state board of educational lands and funds has set about to sell at auction about 2,300 leases renewed throughout • the state since 1947. These are being sold because a recent state supreme court ruling invalidates the 1947 law, which stated that ihe cunent lessee had the absolute right to renew the lease at the expiration of the term. These leases since 1347 are 12 year agreements. During the in terval many lease-holders have geared their operations .large and small, to a 12-year plan. In many instances they have built or made improvements. The supreme court held as un constitutional the automatic re newals. ^ There are 193 Holt county leas es and 166 individuals affected by the court’s ruling, which means their 12-year agreements with the state of Nebraska are worthless. Twenty-one leases are to be of fered for sale heie next month. Only 3 are for full sections. In auctions already conducted in the western Nebraska wheat areas, without exception the leas es have been for entire sections. Most of Holt county's 166 lessees are not regarded as "big operators." In some instances real hardship will result if the sales are conducted as sched uled. Rooney was quoted in Wednes day’s World-Herald as .saving, M’hat’s a regular little dictator ship at Lincoln. Lessees are at. the mercy of the board and the gov Watson claims ‘he state board was “too hasty in starting to sell the leases. I don’t believe anyone around here would have object ed if the the leases were allowed to run their course. Nobody ob jects to the policy of auctioning leases. But to renege on a con tract places the lessee in an awful predicament.” There is a widespread idea in the state that school lend lease holders have been making a kill ng‘This is not true in the hay country.” Watson explains. A typical hay land leaseholder iast year had about $12 invested in every ton of hay, including rent and operational costs. And, if he fgot rich, it was not on school land,” he said. One lessee with a half-section near O’Neill told The Frontier he would be happy to lose his school land lease. “We’re paying too much for it; we can rent other land for less,” he explained. Officials of the Holt associa tion are anxious for the public and prospective bidders to know exactly what they are buying when the Holt auctions begin October 12. Rooney has prepared a statement on page 11. (See legal notice on page 7 for description of school land leases and sale dates.) Sam Barnard Fractures Hip Sam Barnard, 91, father of \Mrs. C. E. Yantzi, fell and frac tured his hip last Thursday morning. , , He was taken to Clarkson hos pital in Omaha in Biglin Bros, ambulance. He was accompanied by Mrs. Stanley Soukup, R. N., and his granddaughter, Margaret Jean Metschke. His condition is report ed as “very good.” Danceland Is Being Torn Down — The pavilion at Danceland, lo cated lVfe miles northwest of the city, is being razed this week. The corner, at the junction of U S. highways 20 and 281, will be the site of ac!rive-in theater. The property was surveyed a week ago. t Frontier for printing. —’The Frontier Engraving Private Boyer ... a Page high school graduate in 1945. PAGE* SOLDIER KILLEDJN KOREA Pfc. Gerald F. Boyer Overseas Short Time: Here in April PAGE—Pfc. Gerald F. Boyer, 23, a Page high school graduate in 1945, has been reported killed in action on August 27. News of the casualty reached relatives this week. He was a son of Oscar Boyer and Mrs. E. C. Wilbur, who for merly lived at Page but now re sides at Fremont. Private Boyer was inducted December 5, 1950, at Ft. Riley, Kans. In February of this year he went to Ft. Belvoir, Va„ for further training with the army cambat engineers. In April he was home on fur lough for 2 weeks after which he went overseas. He was a member of the Second infantry division. Boyer was not inducted from Holt county. Survivors include: Sisters—Mrs Leo (Ruth) Wiseman, of Page; Mrs. Joseph Kencil, of Madison, and Betty Ann Boyer, of Fre mont; brothers—Ernest Boyer, of Fremont, and Pfc. Richard J. Boyer, of Presque Isle, Me., who is in the air force. Sunset Members Feted at Ewing EWING—The 31st annual sun set banquet was held Thursday evening, September 20, at the Ewing Methodist church parlors, sponsored by the Women's Soci ety of Christain Service. At 5:30 the registration of the members and guests began. Each member was tagged with the state or country in v^hich he or she was born. On the program were: Rev. John Graham, toastmaster; Rev. Charles Chappell, prayer o f thanks; Mrs. R. B. CrelUn, wel come; Miss Anna Van Zandt, re sponse; songs, by A. A. Alden, ac companied by Mrs. Chappell at the piano; music, by R. B. Crel lin, on his accordian with An drew Olson on the autoharp; in terviews by Wm. Spence; pre sentation of prizes, by Mrs. Har old Harris; Rev. P. F. Burke, benediction. Interviews began with James Gunter, who was born in Holt county before Ewing was on the map; W. A. Brown reviewed highlights of important state and national events; Mrs. Nellie Con ner began a chain of stories which might have been called an oldtimers’ roundup; Mrs. Leota Butler, Mrs. Minnie Primus, Mrs. J. C. Kay and her brother, George Davies, of Lincoln, told of inci dents which occurred during the terrible blizzard of 1888. School days were recalled when a teacher received $15 a month and often was the person in the community with the best educa tion. Prairie fires, a serious men ace in those early days, were thoroughly rehashed. George Da vies said pioneer Nebraska was a sportsman’s paradise. Many of the sunset club mem bers have wandered far from the place of their birth. Countries represented were Belgium, Den mark, England, Wales, Germany and Canada. States represented were Illinois, Kansas, Massachu setts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia, New Mex ico, Iowa and, of course, Nebras ka was represented with the largest number. Nels Jacobson, 87, bom in Denmark, was the eldest present. DIES IN KOREA Pvt. Charles Vance, of Naoer, was killed in action in Korea on August 15. This word has been received by his mother, Mrs. Hat tie Vance. The soldier’s father was the late Harry S. Vance. RUES TODAY FOR MRS. RENTSCHLER Death Claims Another Member of Pioneer O'Donnell Family Death Tuesday, September 25, claimed the life of another mem ber of the pioneer O’Donnell fam ily Mrs. F. M. Rentschler, 78, nee B. O’Donnell, died at 10:15 a.m. at the O’Neill hospital, where she had been a patient since Fri day when she suffered an apo plectic stroke. She was not un conscious following the attack. On July 14 her brother, Pat rick, died suddenly. Funeral rites will be conduct ed at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at St. Patrick’s Catholic church. Burial will be in Calvary ceme tery. A rosary rite was held Wed nesday evening at 8:30 o’clock at the O’Donnell residence. The late Mrs. Rentschler was born September 10, 1873, at Audenried, Pa., a daughter of the late John P. and Ellen Brennan O'Donnell. She was reared at O'Neill. In July, 1918, she married F. M. Rentschler, of Springview, at O’Neill. She lived in Springview until Mr. Rentschler’s death, whereupon she returned to O’ Neill. Survivors include: Brothers — John O’Donnell, of Palo Alto, Calif.; M. F. O’Donnell, of Dal las, Tex.; Edward L. O’Donnell, of Salina, Kans.; sisters—Mrs. E. J Lyman, of Omaha; Miss Anna L. O’Donnell, of O’Neill, and Mrs. Susan Deaver, of O’Neill. Biglin Bros, are in charge of funeral arrangements. Pallbear ers will be H. E. Coyne, P. C. Donohoe, F. N. Cronin, P. B. Harty, Bennett Gilligan, Joseph Gallagher, Harry Harte and Ed ward Campbell. _ Cub Trophy Award to Stanley Cobb Monday night, September 24, at the courthouse in O’Neill, the Boy Scout district held its first meeting of the school year. Forty four Scouts and Cubs represent ing every town in the district were present, also all of the as sitant scoutmasters and all but one of the scoutmasters. Excellent participation was re ported by Dick Miller, field ex ecutive. The scouting roundtable dis cussion was conducted by Rich ard Perry, of O’Neill, and the Cub scouting talks were led by William Yost, of Stuart. The district meeting, which preceded the roundtable sessions, was led by J. E. Davis, of O’Neill, who acted in the absence of District President Judge D. R. Mounts. The program of the district meeting covered the following items: A commissioners’ flag, to be donated by Mr. and Mrs. Don Lyons, of 0”Neill, the flag to be passed each month to the troop which has had the largest in creese in membership during the preceding month; a contest was originated whereby all Cute and Scouts in the district will submit designs of the proposed flag during the next 30 days, the boy submitting the winning de sign will receive a wall plaque; and, finally, the presentation of the Cub trophy to Stanley Cobb, of Stuart. This trophy was pre sented on the basis of increase in membership during August. Final plans were discussed for a camporee to be held October 5, 6 and 7 on the Scout “40”, 4 miles east of O’Neill. Good participa tion is expected. Discussion of the fall roundup also took place. The boys are “going all-out for it,” according to Miller. Addition al prizes have been added besides the pony. These include: a bi cycle, a set of luggage and a tele vision set. Refreshments were served af ter the Monday meeting. Hus bands, wives and friends are in vited to the next district session, Miller added. Nick Baker Honored on 78th Anniversary — REDBIRD—A community bir thday party was held recently for Nick Baker on his 78th an niversary. A large crowd ol neighbors and relatives gathered at the Baker farm home to sur prise him. Progressive pitch was played Nick opened his many gifts. DELINQUENTS NEXT WEEK First publication of the Hoi county delinquent tax list wil be made next week. Taxes thai are to become delinquent nex week must be paid bv noon Sat urday, September 29, to avoic publication and accompanyinf costs. Attend Ordination— Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mansor attended the ordination of Ronalc Burt at the Clay Center Christiar church on Sunday. .. m a i a * ' LADS LAND 30-INCH NORTHERN . . . James (“Buck”) McAdams, 15 (holding fish), and his brother, John, celebrated John’s 8th birthday an niversary Friday by landing a 30-inch 7V4-pound northern pike in an Elkhorn river bayou. They —The Frontier Photo * EnKravInB are sons of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. McAdams, who have lived in O’Neill only a short time. "Buck” has consistently been pulling out big fellows since his arrival, uses pork rind for bait, impro vising it to resemble frog legs. ATKINSON MAN ! DIES IN STREET Heart Attack Fatal to Claus Dierks, 64; Rites Tuesday ATKINSON—Claus Dierks, 64, Atkinson resident for more than half a century, was stricken with a heart attack on the streets of Atkinson in the early morning hours Sunday and is believed to have died immediately. His body was discovered about 8 o’clock by Simeon Ames, who was enroute to work. The body I was found north of the Ames; residence. Mr. Dierks had been seen about midnight and was en- , route home when he died. Dr. N. P. McKee said death was caused by a heart attack. Funeral services were con ducted Tuesday, September 25, at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian church. Burial was in Wood Lawn cemetery. Rev. Orin C. Graf officiated. Survivors include: Brothers — Henry, of Atkinson; William, of Scottsbluff; sisters — Mrs. Ed : (Margaret) Clausen, of Atkinson; I Tina, of Omaha, and Anna, of 1 California. The late Mr. Dierks was born at Scribner. He was a laborer for many years in the Atkinson community. Doubt U.S. 281 Finish in 1951 Although a contract for gravel surfacing on about 5 imiles of U.S. 281 between Camp and Eagle creeks, north of O’Neill, was a warded September 18, state high way officials doubt that the con struction will be completed in 1951. Lee & Johnson, Inc., of Sioux City, have an $8,528.50 contract for supplying and placing 4,160 cubic yards of gravel on the 4.8 miles of highway. Contracts for grading and constructing cul verts on this portion of 281, the last project in rebuilding the highway from O’Neill to the Spencer corner, were awarded in June, 1951. According to highway department construction reports, as of September 15, only 11 per cent of the culvert work and only 34 percent of the grading work was done. This grading work percentage includes that done on the detour as well as on the high way. The extremely wet summer just past has made normal construct tion progress impossible, accord ing to Harold L. Aitken, state engineef. "It's no easier for contract ors to use their heavy grading equipment when the ground is soaked than it is for farmers to plow their fields when they are muddy," Aitken said. He declared that the grading and culvert work on this portion ' of 281 could be finished during November “only if the weather , if practically perfect every day between now and then1.” Laying the gravel will require about a (month after the grading and culvert work is completed. The highway most likely will not not be completed until the spring of 1952. Postmaster Exam Being Reopened — The civil service commission has announced that competitive examinations for the O’Neill postimastership are being reopen ed. Examinations were given ear lier this year to 3 candidates: Acting Postmaster Thomas J. Sul livan. John Hynes and Lester Jo nas. Examinations are being giv en again in order that at least 3 candidates can be graded. Sullivan has been acting post master since January 1, when Mrs. Agnes E. Sullivan retired, i There is no relation between the ' Sullivans. — Region Escapes Damaging Freeze Corn raisers in the O’Neill re gion have kept their fingers crossed this week. The weatherman has threaten ed a freeze on at least 3 occasions, but thus far the region has es caped frost. The weather during the week has been characterized by damp ness, cloudy skies, chill winds, and late autumn-like atmosphere. Lowest temperature during the week was 36, posted early Satur day morning. There were no re- j ports of frost damage, however, in the immediate area. , Showers Sunday afternoon and evening netted well over an inch of moisture. There were traces of moisture on several other occa sions. Average date for a killing froel here is about September 12. • County Agent A. Neil Dawes estimates Holt’s corn needs from 2 to 3 weeks of good weather to mature and he doubts seriously if Mr. Freeze will hold off. Many farmers probably will realize more out of their corn by cutting it for silage. Denting has only nicely begun. Week’s weather summary, bas ed on 24-hour periods ending at 6 p.m., daily, follows: Date Hi Lo Prec. September 19 .... 75 50 September 20 — 80 47 September 21 _ 51 44 September 22 69 38 September 23 52 36 September 24 68 38 1.03 September 25 60 45 Forbearance Asked in Mail Deliveries Postal officials here this week urged forbearance on the part of patrons on the new door-to-door mail delivery routes, which go into effect October 1. The transition from box and general delivery to door-to-door service involves considerable de tail work, explained Assistant Postmaster Harold E. Weier, and “we’ll be several weeks getting all the wrinkles ironed out.” The carriers will be John Hines and Jerry Spittler. Hines, presently a clerk, will work the main route in residential and bus mess sections in the forenodns. Spittler will handle the afternoon downtown district delivery and handle parcel post deliveries throughout the city. Frontier for printing . . prompt deliveries. THOMAS F. NOLAN, LAWYER, EXPIRES Rites Saturday for Life Long Resident of O’Neill Thomas F. Nolan, 66, lifelong O’Neill resident, died unexpect edly about 4:30 a.m. last Thurs day. September 20. He was found dead in his room at the Frank Valla residence by Mr. and Mrs. Valla. He had not been ill and had made his usual trips to the business section the day before. Funeral rites were conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Pat rick’s Catholic church with Very Rev. Timothy O’Sullivan, church pastor, officiating. Burial was in Calvary cemetery. Pallbearers were Merle Hickey, John R. Gal lagher, H. E. Coyne, P. C. Don ohoe, John McManus and Frank Valla. Biglin Bros, were in charge. Twelve members of the Fif teenth judicial district bar asso ciation attended the rites in a body. They were: William Ely, Samuel E1 y, William Smith, George Farman, John Cassell, all of Ainsworth; Herbert Curtis and Arthur Weber, both of Bassett; Charles E. Chace, of Atkinson; Julius D. Cronin, William W. Griffin, Norman Gonderinger and John R. Gallagher, all of O’Neill. The late Mr. Nolan was born at O'Neill on March 22. 1885. a son of the late John and Brid get Donohoe Nolan. He was ed ucated in the O'Neill school and attended Creighton university, where he received a law de gree. A part of his boyhood was spent at Ft. Randall. In recent years Mr. Nolan maintained his law office in the former Nebraska State bank building. His wife was the former Nell Ryan, of Denver, Colo., formerly of O’Neill. Survivors include a brother, John Nolan, of Denver. A rosary was offered Friday evening at 8 o’clock at Biglin’s. Mrs. Edward Gallagher Named Chairman— Mrs. Edward M. Gallagher .of O’Neill, will serve as chairman for the 1951 Christmas seal sale in Holt county, the Nebraska Tu berculosis ascotiation announced Wednesday. Selection of committee chair men and members will be made by Mrs. Gallagher in the near future. The sale of Christmas seals will be conducted in Holt county by the Christmas seal committee from November 19 to December 25. This year’s Christmas seal sale, to be conducted throughout the nation by the 3,000 associa tions affiliated with the National Tuberculosis association, marks the 45th Christmas seal sale in this country. A campaign meeting was held at Bassett on Wednesday, Sep tember 19, attended by Mrs. Gal lagher, Mrs. James Carney and Mrs. Dale Kersenbrock. MARRIAGE LICENSES Joseph Francis Hansen and Miss Kathleen Dolores Flood, both of O’Neill, on September 24. Ronald Everett Borg, of O’ Neill, and Miss Rosemary Kra mer. of Stuart, on September 24. FORMER HOLT OFFICIAL DIES John C. Gallagher, 59, Hites Today at^ St. Patrick’s A former Holt county clerk, John C. Gallagher, 59, died Mon day, September 24, at 8:30 p.m. at his home here. He had been in failing health for several years and had been critically hi several days prior to his death. Funeral services will be con ducted at 9 a.m., today (Thurs day) in St. Patrick’s Catholic church. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery with Biglin Bros, in charge. A rosary was offered Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock at the Gallagher home. Pallbearers will be Leo Carney, P. B. Harty, M. J. Golden, Jack Arbuthnot, M. H. Horiskey and John Sullivan. The late Mr. Gallagher, son of William F. and Fannie Mur phy Gallagher, was born Oc tober 16, 1891, at O'NeilL He graduated from O'Neill high school in 1909. On June 4, 1924, he married Fannie H. Harper at Kirksville, Mo. They became the parents of 4 sons and 1 daughter. The late Mr. Gallagher was employed 1909-’12 by the late R. R. Morison store; 1912-’16 by the J. P. Gallagher store and from 1922-’26 he operated the Grand cafe here. He was elected Holt county clerk in 1930. Between 1917 and 1925 he was O’Neill city clerk. In recent years he served as night clerk at the Golden ho tel. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include: Widow; sons—John, jr., of Gothenburg; William, of O’Neill; Jerome, who is in the army stationed at Ft Monmouth, N.J.; James, of O’ Neill; daughter—Miss Mary Ann, who is in nurses’ training at St Catherine’s hosDital. Omaha. All of the children were to be here for the funeral. Stanford Ross, Wife Married 62 Years Mr. and Mrs. N. Manford Ross on Saturday, September 22, cel ebrated their 62d wedding anni versary. They were married at Boone, la., in 1889. Mr. Ross came to Holt county in May, 1904, serving as the van guard for the family. He brought with him household goods and livestock. Mrs. Ross, the former Anna Louise Forslund, and the children followed later. The family farm ed northeast of Midway, about 20 miles north of O’Neill, for ma ny years. Later, Mr. Ross was a mason. They have 2 sons and 1 daugh ter: Elmer, of O’Neill; Mrs. Mar tha Miller, of Fremont, and John, of Atkinson. There are 5 grand children. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Ross en joys good health. Spencer Pair Wed 51 Yean— SPENCER—Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kayls, of Spencer, Sunday, Sep tember 23, celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Mrs. Kayls was bedfast a year ago at the time of their golden wedding. They observed open-house at the Comunity hall. A daughter, Mrs. Frame Weder, was receptionist. ENTERTAINS EDUCATORS ATKINSON — Superintendent of Schools Harold Hutcheson, of I Atkinson, will be host to ap ' proximatelv 75 educators from north - central Nebraska today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. The group will make plans for teachers' conventions in October and dis cuss educational problems. COLLISION AT CORNER There was an automobile truck collision at the corner of Seventh and Douglas streets a bout 7 o’clock Sunday evening. Vehicles belonging to Roy Shel hamer, of O’Neill, and Mr. Van Fleet, of Royal, were damaged, but no one was injured. PHONE HEARING SET Friday, November 2, has been set as the date for a hearing in Lincoln by the state railway commission. The complaint of the Page Improvement club, charg ing that telephone service at Page is “poor and inadequate.” i will be heard at that time. HAY STILL IN WATER DELOIT—It soon will be com ] picking time but ranchers west j of here are still trying to get their hay out of the water. Rain fell here Friday and Sunday. The corn crop will be good if the frost stays away at least another 2 weeks.