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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 22, 1952)
o 9 9 North-Nebraskas Fastest-Growing Newspaper VOLUME 72.—NUMBER 3. O'NEILL. NEBRASKA. THURSDAY, MAY 22. 1952. _ PRICE: 7 CENTS. nvtt*«w*>c Slayer Search Renewed Here ‘We’re Giving Calkins Case All We’ve Got,’ Smith Says Officers Wednesday “started from scratch” again in their in vestigation of the murder March 7 of O’Neill Police Chief Chet Calkins. Capt. Harold Smith and Sgt. R. E. Nichols, of the criminal investigation bureau of the state safety patrol, arrived to con tinue the search with Holt Coun ty Sheriff Leo Tomjack. Thus far every probe has come to a dead end. “You might say we’re starting all over again,” Captain Smith said. “We intend to review the case. We hope to explore some new angles that have come up.” During the next few days, he said, the officers will call in sev eral of the persons previously questioned for “re-examination.” "We've been giving this case all we've got/' Captain Smith said. "There have been no really hot clues, but we've fol lowed up everything that has possibilities." The body of Chief Calkins, 51, was discovered in the early morning hours at the wheel of his cruiser car parked near the O’Neill business district. He had been shot five times in the right side, apparently at point blank range. Several persons told officers they saw Chief Calkins shortly after 1 a.m. talking with a man and inspecting the trunk of a car. It is believed the officer was searching for a blue suit case stolen earlier in the night from a car here. The suitcase carried the silver initials “D.D.” Thousands of circulars with a description of the suitcase have been distributed throughout the country, but no leads have re sulted, officers said. Captain Smith recently went to Mankato, Minn., to question two men in jail there on a charge of possessing burglary tools. One of the men admitted be ing in central Nebraska early in March, the officer said, but denied ever being in O'Neill. “We had reports of some men in a maroon car stuck in a ditch between Ord and Burwell at that time,” Captain Smith said. “They were also seen in several other towns in that region. A maroon car was connected with the arrest in Minnesota. I went up there in my own car to talk to them.” He indicated he could not con nect either of them with the O’ Neill crime. Smith said he expects to make a trip to Kansas within a few days to conduct some additional questioning. It is apparent to newsmen who have been covering the Calkins case that authorities are grasping for straws and that to date the investigation has result ed only in a lot of hard work. It is also apparent that the authorities still have the same enthusiasm in tracking down the murderer. As one of them said: “It’s a cop-hater on the loose and, eventually, we’re going to catch him.” 250 Served at Alumni Banquet The annual St Mary’s academy alumni banquet was held Sunday, May 18. More than 250 were in attendance, according to Mrs. Charles Yarnall, an alumni of ficer who served as toastmaster. The theme was “Gay Fiesta.” The auditorium was decorated in accordance, giving the atmosphere of Spanish festivity. Toasts were given by Very Rev. Timothy O’Sullivan, “Welcome”; Jerry Tomjack, of Ewing, “Our Clergy”; Dottie Her, “Alma Ma ter”; Romona Schneider, “Our Sisters”: Mrs. Grace Hammond Moss, “Welcome to the Class of ’52”; Suzanne Moss, “Response.” Musical entertainment was giv en by mixed octette singing “Old Woman”: girls’ trio, “Beautiful Lady Dressed in Blue”; Mrs. Kathleen Flood Hansen, “Addio,” frbm La Boheme. BANQUET TONIGHT The annual rural youth ban quet will be held at the Amer ican Legion auditorium tonight (Thursday). Clifford Sobotka. of Inman, will be toastmaster. Earl G. Maxwell, University of Ne braska extension forester, and Dr. Ramond Pool, retired head of the Nebraska university bot any department, will be speak ers. They reached O’Neill Wed nesday evening. Banquet starts tonight at 7 o’clock. FIREMEN CALLED O’Neill firemen were summon ed at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday to the Elsa Eppenbaugh residence. Several towels hanging above an electric stove had caught afire. Miss Esther Grosenbach, of Hot Springs, S.D., is a guest at the home of her brother and sister in-law, R»v. and Mrs. Melvin Grosenbach. She is teaching the Bible school this week at the Wesleyan Methodist church. Rock Falls Oddities Again Make News ROCK FALLS—Leave it to Rock Falls to produce the news! This week: A valuable saddle horse im paled himself on a post. The post had to be sawed off to free the horse. A deer was found tangled in a fence—presumably having been a “prisoner” for some time. The deer was about dead and those who found it were convinced it could never re cover. A two-year-old child put his foot in a freshly - baked cake that his mother was tak ing to a social affair. Result: Dirty shoe; no cake. Edwin L. Jardee Dies; Burial Here Edwin Lawrence Jardee, 66, of O’Neill, died Wednesday, May 14. He had been ill for two days. Mr. Jardee was bom in New port, and came to Holt county in 1927. He married Emma Andersen in 1919 at Newport. Survivors include: Widow; sons —John C., of O’Neill; Benjamin, of Rifle, Colo.; George E., of Dead wood, S.D.; Thomas U., of Elcojan, Calif.; Joseph B., of Wayneville, Mo.; daughter—Mrs. Dale LaSart, of Climax, Colo. Funeral services were held Friday in the Biglin Brothers fu neral chapel with Rev. M. H. Grosenbach officiating. Burial was in Prospect Hill cemetery. Lions Will Pick Beauty Queen The O’Neill Lions club will se lect a beauty queen next Monday night. May 26, at a banquet and program to be held at the Metho dist church, beginning at 7 o’clock. Tne winner will receive a $25 U. S. savings bond and a trip to the state convention at Norfolk, with all her expenses paid for two days—June 1 and 2. There will be about 12 candidates en tered. H. V. Osterberg, manager of the Norfolk Chamber of Com merce, will be here and give an address There will be guests here from Norfolk, Neligh, and Bassett Lions clubs. The O’Neill Lions club quartet will offer several musical numbers. The ladies are invited. Plan 7 - County Mothers’ Camp A seven-county one-day moth er’s camp will be held at Long Pine on July 31. Plans are be ing developed by the extension club sponsors. Counties expect ed Jo be represented are Boyd, Keya Paha, Holt, Brown, Rock, Garfield and Custer. There will be a coffee period and registration at 10 a.m., a meal at noon. The afternoon’s program will include a display of pottery and demonstration of handicraft, probably wood. Annual Extension Picnic June 5th The annual Holt county ex tension club picnic will be held in Fords’ park, O’Neill, Thurs day, June 5. The Elkhorn Valley and Gold enrod clubs, both of O’Neill, will be hosts. Members from those clubs will have charge of enter tainment and games for chil dren. Refreshments will be fur nished. A spokesman said all exten sion clubs and club members are invited. Individuals are ask ed to bring their own dishes, silver and a covered dish. Shirley Leahy Queen of May ■ Miss Shirley Leahy, a senior, was elected queen of May by the St. Mary’s academy high school student body. It was her honor to crown the Blessed Virgin Mary in rites at St. Patrick’s Catholic church Wednesday evening. NEW PATROLMAN Patrolman Robert Gude, of Ne braska City, has been assigned to the O’Neill territory for the Ne braska safety patrol. He was for merly stationed near Ainsworth. He will work with Patrolman Frank Dineen, who has been sta tioned here since January, 1950 Saddle Club to Meet— The meeting of the O’Neill Saddle club which was scheduled for May 25 has been postponed until June 1. The meeting will be on the club grounds east of the city. “Voice of The Frontier” . . . 780 kc., thrice weekly. ® * * €• ; - 1,500 Applaud as Donna Mae Gets Diploma Plucky Polio Victim, 19, Smiles from Stage; Tutor Also Heroine By C. D. ANKNEY Staff Writer Life for most of us is a series of eternal obstacles. And to keep going we must overcome them. How insignificant and unim portant most of our discourage ments are when compared to those of others! I’m thinking about the case of Donna Mae Fuhrer, the 19-year old O’Neill farm girl, a helpless polio victim who has endeared herself to the hearts of thousands ot people by surmounting all the obstacles in the book to win an education. Last week Donna reached an important milestone when she received her high school diplo ma without having been inside a high school classroom. Five years earlier she graduated from the eighth grade and that accom plishment was important enough to win nationwide attention. And now her latest triumph is a classical legend in Nebraska ed ucational annals. Let's talk for a few moments about this plucky Donna Mae Fuhrer. Let's move behind the scenes in that modest little farm home and really get ac quainted with this pretty lit tle heroine—this young lady whose personality and philoso phy of life make your heart beat just a little quicker. Consider for a moment learn ing to write with your mouth, and having to turn the pages of a book with an instrument held by the teeth. That’s what Donna has accomplished — with profi ciency! She has earned all the credits required by high school with high grades. She received 19 one’s, which rate 93 to 100, and six two’s, which rate 85 to 93. At last Thursday’s graduation rite Donna, her hair neatly done, wearing a green blouse, black slacks, and a corsage, was hand ed a certificate for being the outstanding student in the Uni versity of Nebraska high school extension course. She finished with the highest grades ever reg O'Neill's widely-known polio victim, Donna Mae Fuhrer, receives her O'Neill high school di ploma from an ambulance cot from Dr. L. A. Burgess, president of the board of education. At right are Principal Joel Lynman. Teachers Mar vin Miller and Mrs. Leo Mullen. Donna Mae has never been inside an O'Neill high classroom.— O'Neill Photo Co. istered in the high school exten sion course of study. James Kurtz, of the universi ty’s extension branch, recently noted on one of her test papers: “Congratulations, Miss Fuhrer. It is seldom we have an oppor tunity to grade a perfect paper." In Donna’s presence one forgets her handicaps as she contem plates the future. She already has inquired from the University of Nebraska concerning a fur ther course of study, which will include public speaking and ra dio work. Though at first frightened by the “mike" when interviewed for the radio, she has the desire to enter radio work with a program of her own. She wants to help bring cheer to those who are downhearted and afflicted by the means of radio. And there is no question a bout her succeeding in that, too. Should you visit Donna Mae to cheer her up, you will find your, self smiling and laughing while the process is reversed. You ex pect sadness and a downcast spirit. Instead you are greeted with a bright face, a beaming smile and generous dimples. Behind all this has been the will to win. This has meant a great deal of hard work. It has not been easy. Each inch of progress has been a mea sure of triumph. When you try to tell her how wonderful it is that she has ac complished all this, in sincere modesty she replies, “It would not have been possible without the help of Mrs, Johnson.” And this introduces another heroine in this story of victory. Mrs. Clay Johnson, sr., of O’ Neill, has for five school years and three summers attended to the supervision of Donna’s edu cation. Except when snowdrifts prevented, Mrs. Johnson visited the Fuhrer home regularly twice a week for the first year and once a week thereafter. In years gone by Mrs. John son, a well - educated woman, taught school in Omaha. Mrs. Johnson is a public speaker, too, and was especially qualified (Continued on page 5) Chamber to Urge Courtesy Parking Secretary Laurence Haynes, of the Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday an educational courtesy parking campaign will be launched this week, directed at O’Neill businessmen and their employees. Owners and em ployees will be contacted relative to parking vehicles in the rear of business establishments and parking lots to help alleviate parking congestion. The parking situation is be coming more serious each day, Haynes said. 125 Attend Father Son Banquet— A father-son banquet was held Tuesday evening in the Metho dist church basement under the sponsorship of the young adults. About 125 fathers and sons were in attendance. The theme for both decorations and the program was “Fisher men.” Burl Munsell acted as toast master, or chief “line-caster.” The program follows: “Father We Thank Thee,” by John Kurtz; reading, “Itty Bitty Tad pole," by Curtis Peacock; ad dress, “Sons—A Tribute," by D. E. Nelson; “Hints on Fishing,” by Doi) Green; song, “Eventide Songs for Fishermen,” by John Bowen; address, “Respect for Fathers,” by Gordon Lorenz; music, by L. B. Price and son, Edward; “Ever Hear This One?” by Matt Beha, and “Nine Little Fishermen,” by Gary Gillespie, Danny Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan, Jim Reynoldson, J. B. Munsell, Leroy Heiter, Perry Dawes and Fred Eby. LANDS BIG ONE Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Gaskill, Dick and Mardell returned late Tues - day from a five-day fishing trip into Minnesota. They fished on Little Rock lake- Their luck was “extremely good,” Mrs. Gaskill said. Mr. Gaskill caught a lOVi pound northern pike 36 inches long. MARRIAGE LICENSES Lyle Twain Clemens, of Ne ligh, and Miss Norma Jean Far rier, of Chambers, on May 17. Darrell Ray Wedgewood, of Alma, and Miss Ardith Rae Far rier, of Chambers, on May 17. Paul V. Chapman, of Amelia, and Miss Mary Regina Kotewa, of Fairmont, Minn., on May 17. OFFICIAL’S WIFE DIES SUDDENLY Mrs. Albert Frost, 62, Discovered Dead by Her Husband ATKINSON — Mrs. Albert Frost, 62, wife of a newly-elect ed Atkinson city councilman, was found dead late Saturday, May 17, by her husband, upon his return to his home. She had not been ill, relatives said, and death was attributed to a heart ailment. Funeral services were con ducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 20, at the Methodist church with Rev. E. G. Hughes, church pas tor, officiating. Rites were held at Grundy Center, la., on Wed nesday where burial was made in a family plot. Survivors include: Widower; son—Dr. Vern Frost, an army physician stationed in Califor nia; daughter — Mrs. Lewis C. (Avis Jean) Dickerson, of Lin coln; mother; four grandchil dren. The late Inez Peterson was born at Grundy Center. She came to Atkinson in 1916. Mr. Frost is a veteran in the produce buying and plumbing business. QUICK SALE Some sort of a sell-out record was established Friday during the Mode O’ Day’s smoke dam age sale. The racks and shelves were cleared by a throng of eager women buyers in one hour and 10 minutes. First advance word of the forthcoming sale was broadcast at 9:45 a.m., Wed nesday, May 14, on the “Voice of The Frontier” program. A quarter-page ad in The Frontier announced the sale to Frontier readers. The Mode O’ Day will reopen today (Thursday). O'Neill and Spencer Midgels lo Clash— A midget ball game is sched uled for 2:30 o’clock Sunday be tween O’Neill and Spencer. The game will be played on the north diamond. The O’Neill juniors will play Orchard at Orchard on Sunday. Game time is 2 p.m. “Voice of The Frontier” . . . Mon.. Wed., Sat., 9:45 a.m. Stuart ScouU Win Trophy ATKINSON — The Stuart Scout troop 182, of the Covered Wagon council, was the winner of two days of competition at the district Scout camporee held at the Atkinson state park Fri day, Saturday and Sunday, May 16, 17, 18. The Stuart troop re ceived a trophy whereas all oth er troops competing received a ribbon for their troop flag. The other troops represented were O’Neill, Spencer, Jamison, Ainsworth, Ewing, Chambers, Troops were scored as follows: and Atkinson. Stuart, 242; O’Neill, 224; Spen cer, 212; Jamison, 152; Ains worth, 145; Ewing, 130; Cham bers, 116, and Atkinson, 103. The basis of the competition was a daily inspection of camp sites, cleanliness, preparation of and type of food being prepared, scouting skills such as fire build ing, first aid, signaling, compass work, knot tying, bridge build ing, etc. Additional points were earned depending upon percent age of Scouts and adult leaders in troop in attendance at camp oree. Cub Scouts and parents at tended Sunday afternoon, dur ing which time a series of dem onstrations was carried out. A registration of 94 Scouts and 17 leaders was taken for the three days. It was estimated that about 70 Cubs and 100 spectators were in attendance Sunday. Glass Etching— The Star Get-Together club met at the home of Mrs. Ben Mil ler Wednesday, May 14. Eighteen members answered roll call. The mother’s camp at Long Pine was discussed. Glass etching was dem onstrated by Mrs. Ewalt Miller, Mrs. Nels Linquist and Mrs. Fred Timmerman. The club pre sented Mrs. Roland Miller a gift in honor of her 25th anniversary. At the close of the meeting a lunch was served by the hostess. Next meeting will be at Mrs. Fred Timmerman’s June 11. MRS. SUITER EXPIRES PAGE—Mrs. Francis Suiter, 97, of Oacoma, S.D., died on Tues day, May 6. Funeral services were heid at Iona, S.D., Friday, May 9. Mrs. Suiter was the moth er of William Williamson, of Page. She is survived by three other sons and one daughter. 30 ENROLL FOR BAND SCHOOL Municipal Band Will Make First Appearance in Parade The newly-organized O’Neill' summer band school got under wav in the public high school building on Monday, May 19, with over 30 students enrolled, according to Charles B. Houser, the regular band teacher. Full band rehearsals will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning at 9 a.m. In addition, class and private les sons will be offered on all the band instruments. A special class for beginners is scheduled to meet every Tues day and Thursday at 10 a.m. to give each child a chance to try all of the instruments to see which one suits him best. “It will not be necessary for the people in this group to pur chase an instrument until after i this trial period,” Mr. Houser said. First meeting of the munici pal band this summer will be for the memorial day parade. All band members who plan to be in town that day should dust off their instruments and be in uni form for this event, according to the director. AT HOBSON INQUIRY PAGE—Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Howell have received word from their son, Lt. W. S. Howell, that he was with the fleet out on maneuvers when the destroyer mine sweeper Hobson was sunk. He was on the Rodman, the sis ter ship of the Hobson. The Rodman brought the damaged Wasp that ran into the Hobson back to New York City. Lieuten ant Howell will stay at Byonne, N.J., until after the investiga tion of the accident. LANDMARK MOVED The Henry Cook house, an old frame landmark at the comer of Madison and Douglas streets, known as the Outlaw comer, is being moved. The property re cently was sold by Mrs. T. J. Donohoe to Carl and Ann Asi mus. This week they are moving it onto lots west of their famous “goat house” on West Everett street. WARM GROWING WEATHER NEEDED But All Crops Looking Good; 40 Percent Corn Now Planted Holt county farmers and ranchers are generally agreed that some warm growing wea ther is needed. Temperatures have been abnormally low for this segson of the year. They disagree, however, on another score: north-Holt farm ers would welcome a good rain; south-Holt men beg nix. James McNulty, who lives north of O'Neill, said Wednes day a good shower would be welcomed in his neighborhood, mostly for the small grain. On the other hand. Joseph Galla gher, of Inman, said: "Don't you dare order rain!" But a heavy rain fell late Wednesday night. That discussion points up an age-old problem in the O’Neill sector where soil conditions and altitudes vary. County Agent A. Neil Dawes estimated Wednesday about 40 percent of the corn has been planted. All crops are looking real good, mostly because of the a bundance of spring moisture. With so many meadows under water it is too early to tell about the hay and bluegrass crops. Some farmers say their alfalfa may soon have to be cut because of its rapid growth even though it hasn’t been in bloom. Farmers are guided on the cutting prob lem by examining the new shoots. Week’s we ather summary, based on 24-hour periods ending at 5 p.m., daily, follows: Hi Lo Prec. May 15 _ 75 39 May 10 59 44 .71 May 17_ 63 45 .26 May 18_ 66 37 May 19 _ 67 44 .03 May 20 __71 44 May 21 _71 50 ; Kicked by Hone, Surgery Needed PAGE—Ed Stewart, 36, farm er residing three miles north west of Page, was kicked by a horse on Tuesday, May 13. He was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, Norfolk, where emergency surgery was perform ed that evening. His condition is "improved”, attendants say, and he may be released later this week. His wife has been staying at Norfolk to be near him. Mr. and Mrs. Gene Mudloff and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wettlaufer and Sherry and Mickie Stewart went to Norfolk Saturday evening where they visited the injured man. Sherry and Mickie remained with their mother; the others returned that evening. Teaching Vacancy Exists at OHS A vacancy still exists on the O’Neill public school teaching staff, according to Supt. D. E. Nelson. A successor is being sought for Joseph George, who taught so cial science in the high school the past term and was not a candidate for reelection. Twenty - one other teachers have signed contracts, Nelson said. Africa Missionary Speaks Here— At the Assembly of God church Tuesday evening, Rev. Murray Brown, of Africa, was a special missionary guest speaker. He also showed slides about Af rican life and about his work with natives there. Reverend Brown left Wednesday for Valen tine. Achievement Day Fixed— Mrs. Vern Sageser, of Amelia, has announced that achievement day will be held in O’Neill on November 6. Highlights of the program will include a report on the national meeting at Raleigh, N.C., films on North Carolina, a safety skit and booths on safety. HEAR COMPLAINTS The Holt county board of equalization was in session Wednesday and will convene a gain this afternoon (Thursday). The board heard numerous as sessment protests during Wed nesday’s busy session. Decisions on Wednesday’s business may be told this afternoon. Marilyn Fritton, who attends St. Catherine’s schol of nursing, Omaha, will spend the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A1 Fritton.