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12 PAGES — 2 SECTIONS
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North-Nebraska’s Fastest-Growing Newspaper
VOLUME 71.—NUMBER 46._O'NEILL, NEBRASKA. THURSDAY. MARCH 20. 1952. PRICE: 7TeNTS.
HIST SOC
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kurtz ... on their wedding day — March
18. 1902. :
★ ★ ★
Ray Kurtz, Wife
Wedded 50 Years
Mr. and Mrs. Kay Kurtz cele
brated their golden wedding an
niversary on Wednesday, March
19, by holding open house from
2 until 4 o’clock at the home of
their son-in-law and daughter,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cooper, in
O’Neill. Sixty-five guests besides
the immediate family, signed the
guest register.
Mrs. Kurtz is the former Rilla
Johnson, daughter of the late Mr.
and Mrs. John Johnson, who
lived at Irving, la. Mr. K ur t z
was the son of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Andrew Kurtz, who lived at
Colo, la.
They were married at Colo on
March 18, 1902. They lived in
Iowa until 1928, when they mov
ed to Nebraska onto a farm
north of O’Neill on the Niobrara
river. They lived there one year,
moved onto another farm for a
few years, and then moved to the
farm on which they now reside.
This place is 20 miles north of
O’Neill on Eagle creek. Mr. and
Mrs. Kurtz became the parents
of nine children, two of whom
are deceased. Curtis, who died
in infancy, and Melvin, on Feb
ruary 25, 1951.
The seven living children
joined their parents for the an
niversary celebration. They are:
Mrs. Hal M. Bucher and An
drew Kurtz, of Pasadena, Calif.;
Mrs. Fred (Doris) Harvey, of
Mission, Kans.; Clifton Kurtz, of
Bethel, Kans.; Mrs. Dan (Ladon
na) Snyder, of Atkinson, and
Mrs. Robert (Charlotte) Larson
and Mrs. Charles (Bonnie) Coop
er, of O’Neill.
The Kurtzes spent a portion
of the winter in the South.
Both Mr. Kurtz, 68. and his
wife, 70, are in good health al
though Mrs. Kurtz has been
ailing for 18 months.
Decorations for the open-house
observance were done in white
and gold. A multitier cake, yel
low roses and jonquils graced
the serving table where Mrs.
Wayne Hill poured.
Other relatives present, be
sides the children and 15 grand
children, were Mr. Cooper, Mr.
Snyder, Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Clif
ton Kurtz and Mrs. Andrew
Kurtz.
Chambers Auto Hits
Patrol Vehicle
A state patrol automobile, op
erated by Trooper Hugh Sprad
ling, of Norfolk, was struck and
damaged at 7 p.m. Monday
while parked 416 miles west of
Norfolk on highway 275.
The car was struck by one
driven by Merle J. Fagan, 42,
of Chambers, Spradling report
ed.
Spradling said he had stqpped
his car behind a pickup truck.
Fagan passed on the right hand
side of another car going the
same direction, and then cut in
and struck the parked patrol
machine on the right rear side,
Spradling stated.
Fagan, according to the patrol,
then drove “several blocks” be
fore stopping his car. The patrol
car was damaged about a rear
fender, bumper and rear light.
There also was some damage to
the other machine.
The patrol Tuesday noon was
still investigating the accident.
Chambers Couple
Marks Anniversary—
CHAMBERS—A family dinner
party was held here Sunday in
observance of the 54th wedding
anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J.
W. Wintermote, at the home of
their son and daughter-in-law,
Mr. and Mrs. Gaius Wintermote
and family.
The J. W. Wintermotes’ grand
! son, Robert Wallace, was among
the guests. He has been serving
with the navy air force the past
two years and is now stationed
at Washington, D.C. He visited
here enroute to Washington from
Stockton, Calif., where he had
visited his mother, Mrs. Ida
Howard, and other relatives on
a leave.
-
WEATHER SUMMARY
Hi Lo Prec.
March 13_33 25 .05
March 14_34 22
March 15 ........33 19
March 16 ;_42 16
March 17_47 32
March 18 _. 11 28
The Kurtzes today . . . spent the winter in the South.
650 PARTICIPATE
IN 4-H FUN NIGHT
Record Throng Sees
Presentation of
Awards
A record crowd of 650 partici
pated in the annual 4-H family
fun night festivities Saturday
night at the O’Neill public
school auditorium.
An array of 4-H talent paraded
onto the stage to entertain the
throng. ,
Many awards were given out
as a result of the work done by
the members and leaders in 1951.
There was a total of seven club
week trips or registrations giv
en, which is the largest number
won in this county.
These members will spend a
week at Lincoln at the agri
culture college and will even
gel sepcial cars on the railroad
to take them to Omaha for a
day.
Many gold medals were given
out to county champions in the
various projects. hocai leadership
was aiso given recognition by
presentation of 4 two-year leau
ership plaques, five leaders with
live years of leadership — small
silver four-leaf clover pins. One
leader with 1U years service was
given a gold four - leaf clover
pin.
County Agent a. Neil Dawes
presented these awards and was
assisted by lvirs. Bayne Grubb,
ox Chambers, wno is a member ox
me county 4-H club committee,
xne committee selected the win
ners by examinmg records and
special report forms of the 4-H
members and recommended to
the state 4-H club office that
tney be considered for state
compeution. borne of the awards
given were state competition a
wards.
Those receiving awards were:
iia June Coon, ivieiua uobiovoi
ny, Hay Dvorak, Betty Coxbiil,
Carol Schultz, Hois Puckett,
Dons Wara, Corine bweet, Mrs.
iierb Sweet, Alice Young.
Alice Young, Hay Coventry,
Brenda Cohnan, Carolyn lams,
Dorothea Vitt, Murray Meilor,
oaiiy Christon, Edward Boyle,
itaymond Wagman, D e m a r u s
vv efso.
Bob Tams, Roland Hansen,
joenyn Backiiaus, bamuei Wat
son, Richard Boyle, Carolme
okopec, Binnelle f ompkins, Al
ice Wnaley, Walter Reis, jr., Ves
ta Mitchell.
Hona bpry, LeRoy Gary Hol
comb, Elaine Babutzke, Charles
Pierson, corna iviarceiius, cionel
ickes, Mary F. Vitt, Gale Hol
comb, Juuy Trowbridge, Tom
Christon, John Vut, Patrick
toOyie.
The evening’s entertainment
consisted of a variety of music
al, dramatic and physical ac
complishments. it was necessary
to limit each club that wished to
take part to only one number.
in discussing the program,
Clarence Ernst, of O Neill, stated
he got “much more good out of
seeing these local boys and girls
appear than he would out of
seeing a highly trained profes
sional group perform.”
The evening’s program:
Community singing, led by
Barbara Trowbridge, of Page,
Mrs. Howard Manson at the pi
ano.
Riverside club: Club song, ac
companied by Mary F. Vitt on
accordian.
Wide Awake club: Skit and
song, “I Want a Man.”
Sandhill Billies: Skit and song,
trio.
Clover: Four girls sang, “A
(Continued on page 5.)
No Foundation for
Narcotics Stories
Stories of narcotics traffic in l
Holt county nave been rampant |
in recent weens, particularly in j
O Neill since the slaying ol O’
Neill s Police Chief Chet Calk
ins.
Both Holt County Sheriff Leo
S. i'omjacK ana noit County At
torney William W. Gnfiin said
Weanesday uiere is no founda
tion tor the reports.
Lloyd Collins
Books Auction
Lloyd Collins, owner of the
Holt County implements, has
booked another big machinery
auction for Saturday, March 2y.
The sale will be held on the east
ouiSKirts of the city, starting at
12:20 p.m.
‘ Tills is not an inventory, ev
erything goes,” Mr. Cuinns said,
as he readied his list of farm
equipment and machinery. (See
big advertisement on page 4.) in
cluded will bo zb tractors—
mar-new and used.
Cols. Bd rhorin and Wallace
O’Connell, bom of O Neill, will
be auctioneers; O’Neill National
bank, clerk.
Another sale on The Frontier’s
calendar includes a 040 - acre
ranch and personal property
owned by Clinton and Sy villa
s>v{ie.rraei‘, why reside 25 miles
south and 6 miles east of Bassett.
Their sale will be held Tuesday,
by the T’norm-Neynoidson auc
tion service, of O’Neill.
C. F. Small & Sons, of Amelia,
held their dispersion sale Wed
nesday, attenueu by a large
crowd. Ten persons came in four
airplanes. The crowd was big
despite adverse road conditions.
vern Sageser, of Amelia, paid
$l,ouo for CM Mischief Maker
•list, the registered Heieiord herd
sire. Top Hereford female
ui ought S<10. One hundred fif
teen nead of cattle were sold, In*
ciuumg registered Hereford bulls
ana remaies and 2Y dairy cows,
dale prices were revalued as
good. Col. Bd T horin, of O’Neill,
was auctioneer.
Rev. Bell Reported
in ‘fair' Condition
Condition of Rev. V. R. Bell,
pastor of the O Weill Methodist
cnurch, was posted as “fair”
luesuay at it. Jbrancis hospital,
urand Island.
Reverend Bell, who suffered a
heart auaek on Monday morn
ing, March iu, was transferred
from ms residence here to Grand
island late bunoay. Mrs. Bell is
near him.
ineir son, Rev. Joseph Bell, of
Nasnviiie, ienn., or.iy member
of me family living a considera
ble distance away, was summon
ed to Grand island. Re will sub
stitute for his father at the Sun
day morning worship here.
Robert Taylor, 22, of O’Neill,
is being held by Holt county
authorities at the request of
Boyd County Sheriff Claude Col
lins.
Kerr Breakfasts
Here During Tour
U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr,
of Oklahoma, was an O’Neill
visitor Friday. There was a
breakfast held in his honor at the
Town House, attended by a large
crowd.
Senator Kerr is a democratic
candidate for the presidency. He
flew from O’Neill to Grand Is
land for his next speaking en
gagement.
i
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Richter greet U.S. Senator Robert S.
i Kerr during breakfast visit. Kerr is a demo presidential candidate.
MEMORIAL FUND REACHES $2,500 . . .
The Chet Calkins memorial fund Wednesday
reached the $2,500 mark, according to officials of
the Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the
move. Chamber Secretary Laurence ilaynes
(left) and O’Neill’s Mayor J. E. Davis are shown
presenting Mrs. Calkins with the fund records
and bank deposit books at her home. Her hus
baad, O’Neill’s beloved police chief for 17 years,
was slain in his automobile between 1 and 2
a.m.. on March 7.
Aitken to Speak
at Spencer Meet
SPENCER — State Highway
Engineer Harold Aitken, of Lin
coln, will be principal speaker at
a Nebraska Highway 281 asso
ciation meeting here Friday
night.
Aitken is expected to discuss
the future of the north-south
U.S. route which passes through
O’Neill, Grand Island and Hast
ings between the Kansas - Ne
braska and South Dakota - Ne
braska boundaries.
The O’Neill Chamber of Com
merce will be represented at the
dinner meeting. O’Neill is the
seat of the Nebraska Highway
281 association, a non-profit or
ganization.
Bible Teacher
50 Years Dies
\
STUART—Mrs. L,. L. Cosner,
81, a resident of Stuart for many
years, died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. D. B. Mareellus,
Monday, March 17.
Mrs. Cosner taught a Sunday
school class in the Methodist and
Federated churches in Stuart for
over 50 years and had also re
i ceived recognition as a member
of the WSCS for the longest
time before the group disband
ed.
Survivors include: Daughter—
Mrs. D. B. (Mary) Mareellus, who
lives near Stuart; son — Law
rence, a military officer station
ed in Arizona.
Funeral services will be held
at the Community church Sat
urday, March 22, at 2 o’clock.
Kersenbrock Out
of Mayor 1 Race
John Kersenbrock, former
mayor of O’Neill and a petition
candidate for the same office
this year, verbally has advised
City Clerk O. D. French that he
is withdrawing from the mayor
alty race.
j Kersenbrock did not sign
i his acceptance. Signature is re
quired before a name can appear
on the ballot.
Other petition candidates for
municipal offices are:
J. E. Davis (incumbent), for
mayor.
Joe Stutz, for city council,
Second ward.
L. M. Merriman (incumbent by
appointment), for city council,
First ward.
Emmet Crabb, for city coun
cil, Second ward.
O. D. French (incumbent), for
city clerk.
John C. Watson, for city trea
surer.
Petition candidates for O’Neill
city school board of education
posts are Mrs. Loretta Hynes and
H. L. Lindberg.
They are slated to succeed Miss
Anna O’Donnell and Dr. H. L.
Bennett, who are not candidates
for reelection. Both have served
on the board for many years.
MARTENS BUY BULL
ATKINSON— Alfred Martens
paid $1,950 for the reserve cham
pion bull at the Western Nebras
ka Hereford association’s show
and sal? at Alliance Monday,
March 10. The bull, NZ Royal
Emblem 421st, was consigned by
George Heinz, of Henry. Top
bull in the sale sold for $3,900.
★ ★ ★
Hunt for Unknown
Assassin Continues
ARC Fund Drive
Well Underway
“Many of the good old ways
that made the 'good old days’
good have fallen by the way, but
old-fashioned neighborliness is
still going strong in Holt coun
ty,” according to Mrs. Tom Sul
livan, chairman of the Holt
county Red Cross chapter’s 1952
fund campaign.
“The Holt county Red Cross
chapter’s $2,189 campaign goal
is nothing more than a goal of
neighborliness,” Mrs. Sullivan
said in reporting the campaign’s
progress. ‘‘The campaign’s slogan
is ‘Answer the Call,’ meaning
the call of neighbors in time of
need.
“So far the people of Holt
county have always answered
that call. This sum is a pledge
of neighborly help, through the
Red Cross, to people everywhere.
It’s the kind of neighborly as
sistance that made it possible for
people knocked out by last sum
mer's floods to make a come
back. It’s the call for blood to
save the life of a wounded sol
dier in Korea, and for help
sought by thousands of service
men and their families every
day. It’s help that you, yourself
may never have to seek, for it’s
help in time of human suffering.
At the same time, it’s the kind
of help that you would be-quick
to offer if you came face to face
with the person in need. It’s help
that must be there, ready when
your neighbor here in Holt
county or thousands of miles a
way needs it.”
Mrs. Sullivan pointed out that
the Red Cross is the means of
carrying out a person’s natural
impulse to help others, providing
a practical way for people to
give of their time and financial
support for that purpose.
"The Red Cross is the people,”
she stressed. “Volunteers make
its service possible, and every
person who backs them up wiui
funds is a part of the Red Cross.
It's your Red Cross, not just a
few people’s. You have helped
make Red Cross what it is, and
you will help shape its future, i
When a volunteer solicitor calls
on you here in Holt county to
‘Answer the Call,’ remember that
the call is not a call for Holt
county alone, but a call for all
people to give a hand to a neigh
bor wherever he may be in
need,” she concluded.
District IOOF
Meet Next Week
CHAMBERS— The Chambers
Odd Fellows lodge will be host
in a combined meeting of IOOF
districts 29 and 31 next Tuesday,
March 25.
There will be a banquet at
6:30 p.m., at the Methodist
church parlors followed by an
evening session.
3 TEACHERS RESIGN
INMAN—Three Inman public
school teachers have resigned ef
fective at the end of the current
term: Joseph Coon, Mrs. Amber
Schlotman and Jack Emmons.
‘Hot Tip*’ Continue
to Fizzle As
Search Goes On
Authorities continue to work
day-and-night in the hunt lor
the unknown punman who mur
dered O'NeiH's chief of police,
Chet Calkins, 51, in his cruiser
car during the early morning
hours March 7.
Investigators feel that the as
sassin had several important
lucky breaks:
(1) . When the body of the
chief was found about 2 a.m. by
Walt Calkins, a brother, it was
originally thought the officer
had died from a heart attack.
About an hour elapsed for the
assassin’s get-away.
(2) . Because death was thought
to have been the result of natur
al causes, the cruiser car was
moved from the scene.
(3) . A fresh snow began fall
ing several hours later, helping
to confuse the authorities.
But a relentless search goes
on. Several dozen other persons
have been questioned.
“we’ve turned up lots of oth
er interesting information about
some of the characters in this
part of the country,” Holt Sher
iff Leo Tomjack reported Wed
nesday, ‘‘but we have nothing
definite.”
Working almost full-time with
Tomjack are Capt. Harold Smith,
of Lincoln, chief ol the Nebraska
safety patrol’s bureau of criminal
investigation, and Lt. Harry Brt,
head of the patrol’s Norfolk
area.
They have made numerous
“side-trips” to various localities
to check tips and clues, all un
availing.
The clothes Chief Calkins wore
the night he was murdered have
been forwarded to the federal
bureau of investigation labora
tories for a thorough examina
tion.
Detective Inspector Harry
Green and Detective Capt. A1
Clinchard, both of Omaha, were
here Friday in connection with
the Calkins case. They have for
warded several .32-calibre guns
confiscated in Omaha to labora
tories for ballistics checks.
The slayer of Calkins fired
five or six shots into the chief's
body in the upper right chest
area. One pierced the heart.
Calkins died instantly.
Authorities are contacting
members of the student bodies
of Plainview, Broken Bow and
Neligh high schools. Basketball
teams from those schools were
participating in the district class
B cage tourney here on the eve
of the slaying. •
At least five persons said they
saw Calkins talking with a man
near the scene of the slaying
These include Mrs. Mary Fleming
and Harry Wayman, both of O’
Neill, and Richard Spittler, 20.
LeRoy Boies, 20 and Bill Sisson,
all of Ewing. They reported Cal
kins inspecting the rear of a
Kaiser sedan between 1 and 1:15
a.m.
On several occasions during the
week the investigators have ,
latched onto what they regarded
as “hot tips” but the trails invari
ably led into a stone wall.