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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1952)
12 PAGES—2 SECTIONS ✓ North-Nebraska’s Fastest-Growing Newspaper VOLUME 71.—NUMBER 39. O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1952. PRICEt 7 CENTS _ - -------—----- ■ — Reverend Samuel Lee and family . . . David, 14, Mrs. Lee and Jonneth Anne, 5 . . . they came to O'Neill from the northern-most settlement on the North American continent. —whanai wa i rwarsattistj': v~- wmaseaam —The TYontler Engraving Eskimo women helped Reverend Lee construct the new church . . . all materials came from Seattle, several thousand miles away. Lees Enjoyed Life in Eskimo Colony _ XXX Fuel Oil Freezes at 53 Below in Arctic (By a Staff Writer) We Nebraskans make a big ado about the weather — it’s too hot or too cold. This socalled rigorous Nebras ka weather is mild stuff for Rev. Samuel Lee, Mrs. Lee and their 2 children, David, 14, and Jon neth Anne, 5. They recently came to O' Neill from the northern-most settlement on the North Amer ican continent—from the land of the midnight sun, from a tiny village on the Arctic ocean where eerie winds blow. Fifty-three degrees below zero was the low mark on the ther mometer during the Lees’ 5-year residency at Barrow, Alaska, 10 miles from the historic Point Barrow. In summer? Well, the all-time record high temperature at Bar row is a sizzling 70 degrees but the Lees, native Nebraskans, learned to regard 40 degrees as a comfortable midsummer after noon. Reverend Lee is the new pas tor at First Presbyterian church here and will also serve Bethany Presbyterian and Kellar Presby terian in the rural Ewing and Chambers localities. The Lees, frankly, fell in love with the land of the Eskimos and its native people as Christian missionary workers in an Arctic outpost. A nostalgic glow fills their faces when they recall the | “gorgeous sun.” “Usually between 10:30 p.m. | and 3 a.m. in summer the mid- l night sun wears a beautiful rosy fringe. Even the natives, accus tomed to it as they are, frequent ly arise and take a walk on the flat beaches to admire the scene,” explains Reverend Lee. Barrow is a settlement of one thousand natives and about 30 white folks. The Point was ex plored by whites in 1889. Today it is a ’omantic Arctic outpost where natives are slowly outgrowing their traditional hunting, trapping and fishing oc cupations and selling out to Un cle Sam’s exploitation of the Point as a weather station, geo detic survey headquarters, navy base (the Arctic is open only a few weeks out of the year) and trading post. Even during the few years the Lees were there they saw the primitive colony give way to Uncle Sam’s plans. The story of how the Lees were beckoned to Barrow be speaks the missionary spirit of the young Presbyterian minis ter and his wife. Samuel Lee was born and rear ed at Dawson. He went to York college. There he met Byrdine Wilcox, of York, who was born at McCool Junction, near York. The Lees in their Arctic dress . . . Reverend Lee, David, Mrs. Lee; foreground—Jonneth Anne and her doll. Mr. Lee graduated, entered Om aha Presbyterian seminary, was ordained at Emerson, la., his first pastorate. Then came a few years at Hor ton and Huron, Kans. Besides serving 2 churches Reverend Lee found time to do mission work with the Kickapoo Indians on their Kansas reservation. His keen interest and success with the Indians attracted the atten tion of the Presbyterian national board of missions. A few weeks later the young Nebraska minister, his very help ful wife and their son, then 8 years-old, boarded a vessel at Seattle, Wash., and soon were churning northward into the realm of icebergs and whales. Except for a few weeks in sum mer when the ocean is navigable the only method of getting into and out of Barrow is by air, us ually from Fairbanks, which is 700 miles to the south. Barrow is an exclusive Presby terian mission field—exclusive by gentleman’s committee agree ment among the churches. Until settlements grow and one denom ination no longer can care for the spiritual needs other church es stay out. Reverend Lee’s religious pro gram revolved around a rectang ular frame church, a non-insulat ed building with a crude potbel lied stove in the middle. The Lee home was always a focal point, too—one evening a week was op en-house and following Sunday evening church service whites and natives alike would gravitate to the Lee home. Natives, the Lees say, ob serve few health habits. When meal is plentiful they eat all they can. They're not entirely unfamiliar with baths, but wa ter is scarce. They are their own worst enemies as carriers of diseases and many families have at least one case of tuber culosis. No one is isolated, re gardless of disease, and the (Continued on page 8) Demos, G OP Hit Lease Handling _ A ' Resolve to Convey Issue to State Conventions Holt county democrats and re publicans are agreed on at least one item. They both heaped condemna tion on the manner in which the state of Nebraska has handled the current school land lease problem. The demos blessed the Tru man administration and the republicans skipped any ser ious discussion of presidential nominees. Principal purpose of the pre primary conventions was to se lect delegates to the respective state conventions. The republicans chose: Mrs. Guy F. Cole, of Emmet; Julius D. Cronin, of O’Neill; Frank J. Brady, of Atkinson; William W. Griffin, of O’Neill, and Earl Col lins, of Atkinson. The democrats picked: Joseph Wagman, of Atkinson; James Mullen, of O’Neill; John Sulli van, of O’Neill; John R. Galla gher, of O’Neill, and Francis D. Lee, of Atkinson. Democratic alternates are: Jer ry Lamason, of Page; R. D. Copes, of Page; James Gallagher, of In man; Anthony O’Donnell, of O’ Neill, and John Tushla, of Atkin son. The demos levelled a blanket censureship at “the entire admin istration of state school lands.” And they urged their delegates to support the Truman adminis tration at the state convention. Both political groups, meeting in O’Neill Saturday afternoon, resolved that their school land attitudes should be taken to the floor of the state conventions and they resolved to press for similar action at those conventions. The republicans went deeper into the subject of school leases. Their resolution “deplored the action of the state board of edu cational lands and funds during 1951 and at the outset of 1952.” The resolution declared, "If the present policy of inducing exhorbitant bonuses contin ues, the land will not be op erated according to sound soil conservation practices . . . the net result will be financial dis aster to the lessees or a deter ioration of the soil or both. “The present method of handl ing leases creates enmity among neighbors . . . “Therefore, this convention proposes as a solution that all school lands should be sold and placed on the tax rolls. “And, further, if this cannot be arranged, all monies derived from school land leases should be for the exclusive benefit of the counties in which the monies are collected, rather than for the state at large, because many eastern counties have long since sold all school land.” Earl Collins, of Atkinson, ad vised the assembly that he had been appointed chairman of the Holt county Robert Crosby for governor committee. The republicans met at the Holt county courthouse. Chair man William W. Griffin, of O’ Neill, presided and Earl Collins, of Atkinson, acted as secretary. The democrats convened in the Knights of Columbus hall. Chair man John Sullivan, of O’Neill, presided. John R. Gallagher, of O’Neill, is secretary-treasurer. Polio Response Is Still Slow Response to the 1952 Holt county polio fund-raising drive is still lagging, it was announced this week by John H. McCarville, publicity chairman for the Holt chapter, National Infantile Paral ysis Foundation. Returns have been slow in be ■'g received from outlying rura sections. But workers in the O’ Neill community have reported “good” results. A home talent show will be held at the American Legion aud itorium on Friday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to the polio funds. Anyone wishing to participate as an actor or actress is urged to contact D. H. Clauson or Mrs. Gene Sanders. Ritchie Ashbum and his Tilden Townies will face the O’Neill Lions team in a benefit basketball game on Thursday, February 14, at the school auditorium. It will be the main event of a twin bill. The South side business men will tangle with a North side team in the preliminary. Hereford, Augus Sales Coining Up Annual sales of the Holt Coun ty Hereford Breeders’ association and the Holt County Angus Breeders’ asociation, both to be held at the O’Neill Livestock Market, top The Frontier’s sale calendar. On Saturday, February 2, the Hereford breeders will offer 62 registered Herefords. Show will begin at 10 a.m.; sale at 1 p.m. The Hereford sale will include this breeding: Anxieties, Larry Dominos, Regents, Mischiefs, Dominos, Paladins, Bozatos, Stan ways, Pioneers, Asters, North Stars, Royal Dukes, Silver Knights, Bacas, WHRs and T O Lintons. James W. Rooney is sale man ager. The 6th annual sale of the Holt County Aberdeen-Angus Breed ers’ association will be held on Tuesday, February 5. Show will start at 9:30 a.m.; sale at 1 p.m. Bandolier breeding will predom inate in the 51 bulls and 22 fe males. Freeman L. Knight, secretary treasurer, explained that the as sociation feels very fortunate in securing Tex Spitzer, of Pleasant Plains, 111., as judge of the show. He is with the J. Garrett To lan farms. The annual Angus banquet will be held the preceding evening at the American Legion auditorium. Mr. Spitzer will give a type dem-! onstration with a live Angus on stage. The Chamber of Commerce will present a loving cup to the grand champion breeders at both sales. Other sales: Friday, February 8: Sale of 176-acres of Boyd county land, adjoining northwest edge of Spencer; Mis. Hans Mathisen and John Mathisen, owners; also per sonal property including 10 head of cattle, 3 horses, complete line of farm machinery, household goods. Thorin-Reynoldson Auc tion Service, O’Neill, is handing the sale. (See advertisement on page 6.) Saturday, February 23: North Central Nebraska Hereford Breeders’ association, Bassett, 56 registered Herefords. For cata log address Tug Phillips, secre tary, Bassett. Friday, March 7: Niobrara Val ley Hereford Breeders’ associa tion, Butte, 40 registered Here fords. For catalog address: Walt er G. Sire, secretary, Butte. Frank Vlcan, Wife Married 50 Years— LYNCH—Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vlvan celebrated their 50th wed ding anniversary at their home in Creighton Sunday, January 27. Eight o’clock high mass was said at the Catholic church in Creighton after which open house was held in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Vlcan began farming on a farm 1 mile north east of Monowi 50 years ago ant. lived on that farm until last Oc tober when they moved to Creighton to live near their daughter. They have 4 sons and 3 daugh ters. —The Frontier Bnftrftvlng < Niobrara basin development plan (map) grows nearer . , . (left-to-right): Clyde E. Burdick, of Ainsworth, area engineer for the bureau of reclamation; Vern P. Lindholm, of Ainsworth, sec retary-treasurer of the Niobrara Basin Development association, and Albert N. Williams, of Denver, Colo., author of Duell, Sloan & Pierce book published in 1951, "The Water and the Power."— Photo courtesy Ainsworth Star-Journal. OHS Announces 3d Honor Roll Supt. D. E. Nelson of the O’ Neill public school, this week an nounced the honoi* roll for the 3d six-weeks period: Freshmen: Carol Leidy, all A’s; Marilyn Lindberg, all A’s; Bob Sanders, all A’s; Ruth Young, all A’s Jeanene Backhaus; Vera Ernst; Janice Holsclaw; Alfred Meyer. Sophomores: Evalyn Asher, all A’s; Duane Booth, All A’s; Fred Fetrow; Marilyn Fetrow; Janice Landreth; Etta Murray; Margie Norman. Juniors: Margaret Aim; Lyle Fox; Doris Pierson; Edward Price; LaVonne Rieck; Marlene Waring. | Seniors: Barbara Bennett all A’s; Joellyn Backhaus; Paul Fe trow; Phyllis Harmon; Claryce Johnson; Hazel Johnson; Verle Ralya; Dale Strong. Students who were on the honor roll all 3 six-weeks periods were: Carol Leidv, Marilyn Lindberg, (all A’s), Bob Sanders, Ruth Young, Jeanene Backhaus, Janice Holsclaw, Alfred Meyer, Evalyn Asher (all A’s), Duane Booth, Fred Fetrow, Marilyn Fetrow, Jargaret Aim, Marlene Waring, Barbara Bennett, (all A’s), Paul Fetrow, Phyllis Harmon, Claryce Johnson and Dale Strong. New Air Beacon Goes into Action— A new 24-inch 500-watt aerial beacon was energized Wednes day night at Municipal airport, according to Aiprort Manager Gordon O. Harper. The city of O’Neill procured the beacon from Brady where it had been in service a number of years on the Salt Lake City-Om aha aerial route. The beacon will be a vital nav igation aid for airmen in north central Nebraska. TO SCHOOL PARLEY Supt. and Mrs. D. E. Nelson, Ira Moss and H. J. Lohaus went to North Platte on Monday where they attended a Nebraska state school board association meeting which was held for 2 days, Mon day and Tuesday Linda Lee Sends Warm ‘Thank-You Little Miss Linda Lee Tolbert, daughter of Marine Cpl. and Mr£ James R. Tolbert, of Atkinson, Holt county’s baby derby cham pion for 1952, this week sent a warm thank-you to the O’Neill business firms who cooperated with The Frontier in showering her with gifts. She was bom in the Stuart hospital at 10:59 a.m., on January 4. Her letter: Atkinson, Nebr. January 21, 1952 “To The Frontier and the generous merchants of O’Neill who sponsored the shower of gifts, I want to thank you for making my arrival such a joy ous and rewarding occasion. “Even when I go far away from here to be with my daddy I shall not forget you and will be waiting anxiously to hail Holt county’s first 1953 baby. “I would have written to you sooner but have been very busy keeping my mommy busy. "Thank you again! Thoughtfully yours, LINDA LEE TOLBERT” "P.S.: Would it be possible to send my subscription to my great - grandmother, Mrs. Winnie Blue, 724 East Bridge port, Spokane, Wash.? You see, my grandparents here, Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Johnson, and ma ny of my other relatives al ready take The Frontier.” Thanks, Linda Lee, for the nice letter. Of course, we’ll be happy to forward your hard earned gift subscription to your great-grandmother in Spokane. Furthermore, Linda Lee, may we congratulate you on your ex cellent handwriting! Visits Mother— Robert Eby, who was discharged recently from the navy, is now employed in Omaha. He visited his mother, Mrs. E. J. Eby, from Saturday until Sunday. ARE YOU A PROSPECTIVE FATHER? . . . It’ll be through this nursery window that many proud fathers will have their first glimpse of lit tle Junior or Sally. Its’ a view of a portion of the nursery at the new St. Anthony’s hospital here. The room at right will be the all-important form ula-mixing station. The top floor nursery will be spacious and bright. Painters are now at work decorating tht interior of the half-million dollar 40-bed health center. Most of the general con tracting has been completed, much of the equip ment has arrived and soon St Anthony’s hospital will be in operation. AUTHOR URGES UNIFIED ACTION Albert N. Williams, author of a widely - acclaimed historical narrative, “The Water and the Power,” was the principal speak er at a joint meeting of the Nio brara Basin Development asso ciation and north-central Nebras ka editors and publishers held Saturday night at Ainsworth. Williams urged unified effort on the part of basin inhabitants in order to fulfill the plans of the Niobrara association. He told how "community quarrels" had led to retarding Niobrara basin development "60 or 70 years." Pioneers in the Mirage Flats vicinity early conceived the pos sibilities tor irrigation. Crude homemade irrigation projects were undertaken but the plan was abandoned in the 1660’s when cattlemen and farmers couldn't decide on the distnbu I tion of water and the location of their crude canals. Congress could have been in terested in advancing money to the Mirage Flats proposal at that time and was “almost ready to intercede,” Williams declared. Mirage Flats could have been the birthplace of reclamation. A generation passed, howev er, before reclamation came in to being under President Theo dore Roosevelt. An Arizona group sent a delegation to Washington outlining a plan in 1902. The Arizonans wanted the gov ernment to advance money for development and their legal body of citizens would repay it—and did. Williams dwells at length on this background in his book pub lished last year by Duell, Sloan & Pierce, New York. Despite unfavorable weather conditions a representative group of basin enthusiasts from Brown, Rock, Holt, Boyd and Sheridan counties attended the Ainsworth parley. Holt representatives were Lyle P. Dierks, of Ewing, association vice-president; Walter Ries, of Atkinson, member of the board of directors; and Carroll W. Stewart, of O’Neill, editor-pub lisher of The Frontier. Williams is director of devel opment at the University of Den ver. Vem Lindholm, of Ainsworth, secretary-treasurer of the Nio brara River Basin Development association, announced in open ing the meeting that it was the first meeting in the history of the association that had not been at tended by its president, E. A. House. Mr. House at present, is confined to his home, under the doctor’s care. He is gravely ill. Clyde E. Burdick, area engi (Continued on page 5) Twice Wounded GI Returns— Sgt. Maynard G. Morrow, of O’Neill, Saturday reached Seat tle, Wash., aboard the navy trans port R. L. Howze. Sergeant Morrow was twfce wounded in Korean fighting. He* is coming home to greet a Iittlfe’ daughter whom he has never seen. Mrs. Morrow is the former Virginia Bennett, of Ewing. WILL ENTER BUSINESS George Janousek, son of Mrs. Lod Janousek and the late Lod Janousek, has announced plans for opening a grocery store next month in the Jaousek building on North Fourth street, the for mer Farmers Union building now owned by the Janousek fam ily. No date has been set for the opening.