Prairleland Talk . . . Reader Contemplates Book By ROMAINE SAUNDERS LINCOLN — The Frontier has friends in distant places. An interesting letter comes from Newport, R. I., addressed to Prairieland Talker and is signed by F. M. Felts. It is discovered by reading the letter that the writer of it is the Florence o Roseler whose childhood home was on the prairie northeast of O’Neill a few miles. Her mother was born in a log cabin in 1888 in the Eagle creek country, the daughter of a pioneer family, the A. J. Mohrs who later moved into O’Neill. Her father, Albert Roseler, came to Holt county from Illinois during the 1880 homesteading period, married here and acted his part in the development of the town and country. She is interested in the history of prairieland and has in mind to produce such a work in book form. There is a mine of rich material for such a work and who but a native daughter should compile it. The letter expresses a sincere word of esteem for what this department brings to its readers and I’m taking the liberty of having it reproduced below': Dear Sir: You do not know me and I do not know you, only through your articles in the O’Neill paper. O’Neill is my home town and very dear to my heart although I have traveled considerably since leaving there after graduating from high school in 1929. < I enjoy so much your articles in The Fron tier. They are so full of human interest and so alive with the future as well as the dreamy thoughts of Nebraska in its past. Your bits of poetry and prose are fascinating. I do not get every copy of the home town paper, but when ever my sister, sees an article that she feels is of interest to me, she sends it on. I have the Diamond Jubilee Edition. Personally I have always wanted a history of O’Neill. My grand parents came to O’Neill about 1886 or ’87, as my mother was born in a iog cabin on Eagle creek the year of the big blizzard—1888. She was one of a family of 14 children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood but one. He died at the age of 14 and is buried in the ceme tery at O’Neill. You will no doubt know some of my ancestors. My grandfather on my maternal side was A. J. Mohr. He and his family came to O'Neill from Pennsylvania sometime in the 1870’s in a covered wagon. He often made the remark that O’Neill was only a few buildings along the main street at that time, the K. C. hall being one of them. He and his family settled first on Eagle creek and later moved to O’Neill. My father was Albert H. Roseler, who came to O'Neill from Illinois and married my mother. They settled on a farm northeast of O'Neill. To their union were born five children—Harry, Emmett, Florence, Helen and Violet. I am Florence. My father is buried at Columbus. My mother is remarried and is living in Portland, Ore. Her present name is Mrs. J- M. Filsinger. My step father was friendly with Mr. Miles before they went out West. They left O’Neill in a caravan of three families some 20 odd years ago and since then have sold the home in O’Neill and bought in Portland. Two years ago after not seeing my family for 12 years I took a trip to the West coast. I did so regret not having the time to stop in O’ Neill. Recently I saw the inclosed snap of a street scene in O’Neill in Quick magazine. I think it would be difficult for me to recognize the town. I can’t seem to place this scene unless it is on the Golden Hotel side of the street. Now, I will get to the reason for my writing you, that is besides telling you what a pleasure it is to read Prairieland Talk. I wonder if you have any data on O’Neill before 1878? Just how many buildings it con sisted of and its first population census? The size of the first postoffice and courthouse, and the same in its present buildings? What year the two railroads entered O’Neill and why, if there is a reason one of them ends there? How can I get the statistics on the corn, wheat and hay out put of Holt county. The mile age area of same? Nebraska’s present rating in regard to its cattle production per year? I hope to some day write the history of Holt county centeralizing around O’Neill. Would it be too much trouble for you to give or tell me where* I could obtain such information as might be necessary? Since I work eight hours a day five days a week it doesn’t give me much time for reseach. And Newport being a New England seaport town doesn’t have a very large library. I should like to get started on my history these long cold winter evenings. Any possible information you can give me will certainly be appreciated. Since I do not know your address in Lincoln I am mailing this in care of The Frontier. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Most sincerely, F. M. Felts 24 E. Bowery Street Newport, R. I. One of those packages of dry nothing known as breakfast food encourages us to make a meal of it on the grounds it has incorporated within its crumbled contents 146.7 percent—One thing and another, everything but something to eat . . Alcoholics Anonymous now number more than 90,000 men and women who had been floored by John Barleycorn, according to a woman writer, one of them . . . Washington is going to let the com planter alone for ’53 and he can plant as he sees fit . . . He was lugging quarters of beef into the locker plant as I passed. Been butcher ing? Yep—cattle too cheap now; we’re going to eat ’em. Cheap at $25 and $30 a hundred! We thought we were not doing so bad when we got $5 . . . The individual’s share in the 343 billion dollar national production for the year is about $230. A family of 10 would have only $2,300 . . . O’Neill has had in the past a half dozen or more native sons of Syria in the mercantile business. Unlike the native sons of Ireland, a Syrian has no urge to run the country by seeking public office or pack a policeman’s gun. He would rather sell you a banana. Editorial The Commercial Christmas Each year The Frontier publishes a special issue known as the Christmas Shopper. It is the one Important time of the year when all the leading O’Neill retail stores collectively and impressively herald the arrival of the yule shopping season. They put forward their best foot with interesting and attractive advertisements to be found in these pages. What we are about to say may have a familiar ring. You might say it’s repititious. But O’Neill has rapidly become the Christmas shop ping city for all north-central Nebraska and for several South Dakota counties. And O’Neill merchants, whose appealing invitations appear in these pages, are determined that this city will this year, next year, the next and the next retain its position of preeminence. This unique recognition does not come easy. The fine tradition and good will enjoyed by these leading stores are not merchantable. They can not be sold like a chattel. They are the products of many weeks, months and years of hard work and sound business practices. The splendor of yule merchandise bursting forth from show windows, cases and shelves simply doesn't come about by coincidence. It all began last spring and early in the sum mer when the bulk of the yule merchandise was carefully purchased. Each buyer had uppermost in his mind the likes and preferences of people in this particular region. Buyers learn down through the years how to buy for their clientele. They know what quantities are reasonable and prudent. A few weeks elapse, possibly a few months, then the yule merchandise begins arriving. It’s carefully unpacked, invoices are checked and double-checked, and retail sale prices are com puted. Finally, in November, out it comes from the stockrooms and basements. The yule buying season was officially ush ered in on Friday, November 28, in connection with the citywide store window unveiling. This Chrislmas Shopper issue of The Frontier signals the start of the gTand, final 12 days of yule shopping. These pages are jam packed with gift shopping information. The advertisements colorfully tell the story of ex citing bargains that will thrill hearts, young and old. O’Neill stores mirror a big comer of Santa’s North Pole workshop. Merchants here have pro \ ivied a wide selection of gifts from a celluloid d 11 far baby to a new automobile for pop — a selection that will rival the offerings of a city o many times the size of O’Neill. An O’Neill clergyman last year took us to task concerning our Christmas Shopper editorial which entolled the wares of our merchants. He said we missed the real meaning of Christmas altogether; that our editorial was strictly com mei'c al and would be referred to as such from his pulpit the following Sunday. We agree — except: the Christmas Shopper . is exactly what the name implies. The commercial aspects of Christmas have come to make it big business in every sense of the word. This we defend as a fine American tradition. Other customs are products of peoples from many lands. As long as most folks find a special source of satisfaction in giving rather than receiving the yule season will have an important place in the business world. In subsequent issues of The Frontier, be tween now and Christmas day, the columns of this newspaper will deal at length with the real Christmas story. In church and school news, in greetings and in editorial content we’ll deal at length with the story concerning Him whose birthday the Christian world is about to cele brate. Meanwhile, we offer the Christmas Shopper issue. We hope you’ll find it a worthy guide to happier, easier and better yule shopping. Certainly Holt county will be represented among the thousands who’ll invade the nation’s canitol for Ike’s inauguration. Wonder who they will be. > — --- -- — - ■ I It’s Our Number One Problem (Guest Editorial from the Nebraska Signal, Geneva) We were interested in noting reactions to a recent statement by Nebraska’s governor-elect, Robert Crosby, who announced that he considers Nebraska’s number one problem is its schools, not its roads. Peculiarly, the statement seems to have aroused no opposition. Also, we note, it has failed to excite any strong affirmative views. We do not interpret Mr. Crosby’s statement to mean he will ignore the problem of improving Nebraska’s roads, merely that he will give first place to meeting the problems of Nebraska’s schools, which, in view of the seriousness of the problem in some localities, would seem to be a commendable attitude. Only those who are working closely with the schools probably appreciate the problems faced in many localities. The general public doesn’t realize that in spite of high taxes most schools have to operate with insufficient funds, the re sult of which is that they are not able to secure the type of teachers they would like. Many do not know of the crowded conditions in some schools, nor do they know that hundreds of high school graduates are being offered horse and buggy cur riculums in an atomic age world. Perhaps one reason the governor-elect stirred up so little comment by his statement is that the average person, while admitting the accuracy of the statement, is too concerned with national policies such as taxes, the war in Korea and the business of changing administrations, to give thought to matters so close to home. If we can bring ourselves to the realization that the chil dren we are educating won’t stop growing while we solve world problems, it will be possible for us to give intelligent cooperation to efforts of the new governor to handle Nebraska’s number one problem. All of us like to get the most value for the money we spend. Here’s a tip. In terms of pro tection from tuberculosis, there’s no better buy than Christmas seals. Christmas seals are a down payment on the gift of good health for others— and for yourself, too. So buy Christmas seals— and use them! An oldtimer with 70 years of Nebraska living behind him forecasts the Thanksgiving week storm means a mild winter. As far as we are con cerned Nebraska’s weather is so utterly unpre dictable that weather vanes of any sort don't impress us much. Does anyone ever long for a ride in the good ol’ bobsled? That unfortunate young generation —they’ll never know what they’ve missed. Now a whirl of church and school activities for the children—ail with the yule tneme. Editorial & Business Offices: 122 South Fourth St, CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher Established in 1880—Published Each Thursday Entered at the postoffice in O’Neill, Holt county, Nebraska, as second-class mail matter under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. This news paper is a member of the Nebraska Press Associa tion, National Editorial Association and the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Terms of Subscription: In Nebraska $2.50 per year; elsewhere in the United States, $3 per year; abroad, rates provided on request. All subscriptions are strictly paid-in-advance. About Highways . . . 11 New Unicam Senators Go on Record for Increased Road Revenue Legislation By CLIFF SANDAHL Chairman, Nebraska Editors Highway Conference When the Nebraska legislature goes into session next month, there will be 11 new members and, significantly, most of them will be ready to act quickly and favorably on increased highway revenue legislation. That’s obvious from commit ments made to the All Nebraska Association of Road and High way Associations (An-Ar-Ha). All of the senators-elect except Ernest A. Hubka of Beatrice are on record. Some say “yes” flatly while others qualify their answers as to whether they believe urgent need exists and whether they will give active support to im mediate and long-range financ ing. Here is what they say, by districts: Second — John Aufenkamp, Julian: “I believe that present revenue is inadequate to main tain our present highways and build the new roads and bridges that are desirable. I have re frained from any firm commit ment. I 9 • "I am particularly interested in a good longrange building program, but I believe that in the meantime we have emerg ency situations as to certain roads." Third — Tom Dooley, Papil lion: “Yes” unqualifiedly. Nineteenth — Howard L. Britt, Lincoln: “I am definitely for an adequate ton-mile levy on the heavier trucks, graduated up ward as the weights increase. 1 am against increasing gas tax and car licenses at this time.” Twenty-Fifth—Lester H. And erson, Aurora: “I was one of the introducers and supporters of the 1949 session gasoline tax and license increase. Well, you know what happened—defeated nearly 2 to 1 in my district. I thought I was doing what the people wanted in ’49. There is only one question before the people and that is who pays for the roads ” Thirtieth — Joseph D. Martin, Grand Island, “Yes” unqualifed ly, plus: “My final answers will' depend on the efficacy of the plans introduced.” Thirty-Second — Dr. William A. McHenry, Nelson: “We have fooled around too long with the highway situation. It is time that the legislature does something about it. I think the way to get this done is in a real appraisal of highway needs, on a long range program, which should be worked out by all interested parties. We must realize that the highway improvement, which is needed, will require more funds, and I think the legislature should do that.” Thirty-Third — Tom Coffey, Alma: “I believe that the Ne braska highway problem is con siderably larger than finance alone. I shall insist that the en tire highway problem be taken up and not just one section. I realize that this will delay the highway construction program by a month or two, but I am firmly convinced that if the en tire highway problem were given consideration and action that 5 or 10 years from now Nebraska would be much better off. We cannot approach this problem from a short-sighted, panicky view.” Forty-First — J. Monre Bixler, Harrison: “Yes” unqualifiedly, plus: “Without a doubt the in adequate system of financing new roads along with the past methods of taking care of the big pressure groups or those who yelled the loudest with political implications, all on a year-to year basis, is in my opinion, one of the biggest reasons for the road mess we now find our state in. "To correct this, or at least get started on the way, we need new methods of collect ing revenue, or expanding the old ones." Forty-Second — Terry Car penter, Scottsbluff: “Yes” un qualifiedly, plus: ‘There is ur gent need for additional road revenue and this is the only problem that no cne has the guts to try to solve to the extent that it will some day have to be solved. If I understand the road problem, the amount of money we need can only be raised by a sales tax. Why not face it? Why use arguments of a diver sionary nature in order to split opinions so that we will end up with nothing? Let’s get the job done!” Forty-Third — A. A. Fenske, Sunol:‘ ‘Yes” unqualifiedly. All in all, that gives a pretty good idea of the thinking of those who did not have a chance to vote in the 1951 session on reenactment of the 1949 highway financing legislation repealed by the people in the 1950 election. Gallagher Heads Crusade Fund Edward N. Gallagher, O’Neill banker, has been appointed as a state committeeman for the 1952 Crusade for Freedom cam paign, it was announced by State Chairman George W. Holmes of Lincoln. Mr. Gallagher will assist in raising a national fund of $4,000 000 to support and expand the activities of radio free Europe and radio free Asia. “The Crusade for Freedom of fers each one of us, as individual citizens, an opportunity to strike a blow for freedom—to add our voice to the voices of truth which are piercing the iron curtain,” said Mr. Gallagher. He urged citizens of O’Neill to support the campaign by mail ing a contribution to Crusade for Freedom, care of the post master. REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS WD—William P. Seger to George Schiffern & wf 4-30-52 $42,250-SpSWy4 4-S%-NEy4 5 28-14. WD—Atk Memorial Hosp Inc to Arthur Humpal 7-1-52 $1000 Lots 11 & 12 in A.V.W. Add — Atkinson. WD— Charles R. Bartak to County of Holt 10-29-52 $79 — Part of SWy4SEy4 Sec 1-25-9 2y4 acres. EYES AND STOMACH AGREE At least one Nebraska man can boast that his “eyes are not bigger than his stomach.” He is Floyd Clement, a Scotia farm er who won first prize at Sco tia’s annual pancake day by eating 32 pancakes — complete with butter, syrup and sausage. Letting Soon for 6 Weigh Stations Concrete Approach for Stafford Pit Bids for constructing six truck weighing stations are being re quested for a department of roads and irrigation letting De cember 18, State Engineer Har old L. Aitken said this week. Bids for two of the stations, near Waverly and Hebron, vcere taken at a letting October 9 and rejected. The other four stations pro posed for the December letting are to be located near O’Neill, Columbus, Northport, and Cul bertson. The proposed work at all weighing stations will consist of grading, culvert work, construe- j tion of reinforced concert ap proaches to the scale pits and the building of a scale house. Southeast of O’Neill a truck- ! weighing facility is to be built at the Stafford junction of U.3. highways 20 and U.S. 275. The station will be just southeast of the junction with one driveway on U. S. 20 and one on 275. The contractor is to construct a grade 50 feet wide and build concerete approaches to the scale pit. Other surfacing will be done by highway department employees. The station at Waverly is to be on the southeast side of the highway, about a half-mile northeast of the corporate limits. If contracts are awarded for these six stations, all 12 weigh ing scales, authorized by the '51 legislature, will be erected or under construction. lhe weighing site near Colum bus is to be built in the island at the junction of U.S. 30, and U.S. 81 just south of the Loup river. Near Culbertson, a station is to be constructed on the north side of the highway just east of the junction of U.S. 6 and U.S. 34. Contractors also will be asked to bid on erecting 7,937 linear feet of guard rail and 1,321 guard posts at a department of roads and irrigation letting December 18. State Engineer Harold L. Ait tection work would be placed ken said this week that the pro alongside highways newly con structed or now under construc tion. He said that guard rails are placed at bridge ends and along high fill sections and that guard posts with reflectorized buttons are erected at curves and along smaller fills. In Boyd and Holt counties, 139 guard posts and 200 linear feet of guard rail are to be placed on highway U.S. 281 between the intersection with Nebraska high way 12 and the south side of the Niobrara river. The Frontier want advs. assure you of quick, economical results on anything you wish to buy sell or trade. W. F. FINLEY, M.D. O'NEILL First National Bank Bldg. OFFICE PHONE: 28 DR. H. D. GILDERSLEEVE. OPTOMETRIST Permanent Offices in Hagensick Bldg. O’NEILL, NEBR. Phone 167 Eyes Examined . Glasses Fitted Office Hours: 9-5 Mon. thru Sat. ' DR. J. L. SHERBAHN CHIROPRACTOR O'Neill, Nebraska Complete X-Ray Equipment V2 Block So. of Ford Garage MONEY TO LOAN ON AUTOMOBILES TRUCKS TRACTORS EQUIPMENT FURNITURE Central Finance Corp. C. E. Jones, Manager ' O'Neill : Nebraska I DEAD ANIMALS REMOVED “ONE HOG OR MORE!” CATTLE - HOGS - HORSES Prompt Sanitary Service Call Long Distance and Ask for ENTERPRISE 1000 (No Toll Charge for Enterprise Calls) ATKINSON - O’NEILL RENDERING SERVICE O’NEILL, NEBR. (Owned by Valley Rendering, Ord, Nebr.) _ __ For You Feeders who want A Sweet %nST wroi fllGH fROTElM t "One of the finest supplements foe growing stock we've ever used." say cattlemen. And they're right! LASSY 22% is a great 2-in-1 supplement—rich in both PROTEIN and MOLASSES SUGARS that steers need to develop fast. . . finish into market-topping aas*| mals. In addition, there's plenty of minerals, vitamins and other bone and meat building nutrients that stretch grains and roughages . cuts feedina costs to a minimum. It's easy to fec