Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 1953)
780 k. c. 9:45 a.m. Pages 1 to 12 North-Central Nebraska’s BIG Newspaper Volume 72. Number 40. O’Neill, Nebr., Thursday, February 5, 1953. Seven Cents. Mows Small Trees, Finally Stops This westbound auto driven by Ray Lienhart left the U.S. highways 20-275 roadbed five miles east of here late last Thurs day night, mowed down a half-dozen smaller trees in a shelter belt and finally came to a stop when confronted with a man-sized tree (above). The ear travelled about two hundred feet on an angle into the shelterbelt before coming to a stop. The Lienhart machine was struck from behind by a westbound 1953 model car driven by James Earley and owned by Charles Fox, jr. No one was hurt.—The Frontier Photo. Dual-Murder Suspect Once Owned.32Pistol 0 ^^ Hereford Breeders’ Sale February 11 61 Lots Are Entered; Farms to Sell * C-. The annual spring sale of the Holt County Hereford Breeders’ association is next on the regis ered livestock auction agenda. Sixty-one head will be offered at the O’Neill Livestock Market next Wednesday. The show, which will be judged by Wilford Scott of Chadron, will b4gin at 10 a.m„ and the sale will commence at 1:30 p.m. Consignors include: Glen R. Ballagh of Amelia, C Bar M Hereford ranch of O’ Neill, Clarence Ernst of O’Neill, Ralph L. Ernst of Miltonvale, Kans., Forrest Farrand of O’Neill, Ray Hoffman of Chambers, Emil Klabenes of Ewing, Edward Kruman and son of O’Neill. Har old Melcher of Page, Art O’Neill and sons of O’Neill, S. R. Robert son of O’Neill, George Rowse and sons of Chambers, M. L. Sageser and sons of Amelia, Marvin Syn der of Page, H. A. and R. E. Van Horn of Page, Whitaker and Whitaker of Chambers, Elven White and son of Stuart, and Henry Wood of Ewing. James W. Rooney of O’Neill is sale manager. Meanwhile, the Oak View ranch, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Paul McBride of Middlebranch, will be offered at auction on Tuesday, February 10. The ranch is located 17 miles east, 4 miles north and 1 mile west of O’Neill, or AVz miles north and 1 mile west of Venus. Also to be sold are 150 head of high grade Hereford cattle. Col. Ed Thorin and William Bowker are auctioneers and brokers. (Details on page 8.) Mrs. Walter Spangler, whose husband died last week, has scheduled an auction of her 160 acre farm and machinery on Fri day, February 13. The place is located 2 miles north, 5 miles west and 2V4 miles north of O’ Neil. (Details on page 9). Col. Ed Thorin of O’Neill is auctioneer Carl Max of Page has sched uled a sale of livestock and farm machinery on Wednesday, Feb ruary 18. (Details in next issue.) The annual spring sale of the North-Central Nebraska Hereford Breeders’ association will be held at Bassett on Saturday, February 21. 11 Get Orders for Physical Exams Eleven Holt county selective service registrants departed from O’Neill Wednesday morning for induction. Meanwhile, 11 more registrants have been ordered to report for preinduction physical • examina tions Tuesday, February 10. They are: John W. Lamason of Page; Raymond H. Sobotka of Inman; Bill J. Timmermans, James R. ‘ Hytrek and Kenneth J. Mlinar. all of Stuart; Maxie D. Angus of Ewing; Franklin J. Malena of Amelia; Vernon L. Barry of At kinson: James D. Langan of S-^encer; Donald R. Godel and John C. O’Neill, both of O’Neill. New Chevrolet Dealer Signed ATKINSON—R. M. Knowles, better known as “Dick” Knowles, soon will open a new Chevrolet ° auto dealership in Atkinson. The firm will be known as the Knowles Chevrolet company, o Mr. Knowles says he expects to be ready for a grand opening in early February. Special to The Frontier OMAHA—It was learned late ; Wednesday that Nick F. John son, 33, suspected of murdering an elderly Omaha physician and his wife, once owned a .32-cali bre pistol. He had three firearms regis tered and two .22-calibre pistols were in his possession when he i was arrested Tuesday at North Platte. The third registered in his name, but not located, was a .32. Inspector Harry Green of the Omaha police department told The Frontier that Johnson will be questioned thoroughly in con nection with the unsolved mur der of O’Neill’s Police Chief Chet Calkins, which took place in the early morning hours on March 7, 1952. Calkins was killed by an assailant who emptied a .32-cal ibre pistol into the chief’s body on a sidestfeet in O’Neill. Green had taken a personal | interest in the Calkins case and said he had assured Holt County Sheriff Leo Tom jack he would question Johnson about the O'Neill murder. Johnson was taken from North Platte to Omaha early Wednesday. He continued polite and unruffled even after hours of questioning. Omaha police plan to conduct a ballistics test on the two .22 calibre pistols, one a revolver and the other an automatic, found in Johnson’s possession. About 10:30 o'clock Monday evening an intruder went into the Omaha home of Dr. Bryon W. Hall, 75, and his 87-year old wife. He riddled Doctor Hall’s body with bullets then went into a bedroom and similarly killed Mrs. Hall, who was hard of | hearing but was disturbed by j the volley of shots in the adjoin ing room that killed her hus band. I The murderer then toured the j house but overlooked Mrs. Min i nie Peterson, housekeeper, who i hid behind a door. Mrs. Peterson said the intrud er fired another shot into Doctor Hall’s body as the the gunman left the house. Johnson was arrested by state patrolmen in North Platte while driving Doctor Hall’s car, which had been reported missing. Johnson was discharged from the navy for “nervousness” and told authorities a rambling tale of wanderings “to get away from prying people.” He was served with a first de gree murder warrant Tuesday, night at North Platte in connec tion with the Hall shootings. Johnson has steadfastly denied any connection with the double slaymg and told officers the car 0 ,, ™as drivinS had been “giv ,en him in Sioux City. Extensive Loss in Creighton Fire j The Leo Finn Hardware store building and contents were de j stroyed by fire on Tuesday at ; Creightoii. I Damage was also listed for the new Dohmen building, housing a bowling alley in its basement, ana the Ballewege and Rayer pool nal and barber shop, adjacent to the hardware building. Creighton Fire Chief Otto Bal lewege operated the barber shop. Mayor E. E. Jacobs arrived downtown at 5 a.m. to begin op erations at his bakery and dis i covered the blaze, origin of which was undertermined. Both the Plainview and Winne toon fire departments aided the Creighton force in preventing spread of the blaze. No estimate of the amount of loss was known Wednesday be cause owners of the store live at Wichita, Kans. Employees declined to estimate the damage. Angus Sale Here Hits $25,000 Sharp Price Decline Noted in Sale of 53 Bulls, 36 Females A sharp decline in prices was evident in Tuesday’s annual spring sale sponsored by the Holt County Aberdeen - Angus Breeders’ association. The tradi tional sale was held at the O’ Neill Livestock Market with 53 bulls and 36 females being of fered. ^ Twenty-four animals went to South Dakota buyers, who have been purchasing in increasing quantities from Holt breeders. The sale grossed $25,040. The ltl top bulls in the offering aver aged $557. The bulls grossed $18,710, averaging $353, and 31 cows grossed $6,580, averaging $212. Five 4-H or FFA heifers brought $750 or an average of $150 each. Grand champion honors in the show went to a partner ship bull. Steel Creek Bando lier 94th, entered by Glen Lor enz and Ray Siders. The buyer was Ben Vonasek cf Star and the purchase price was $600. Fora L. Knight showed the reserve champion bull, Bandolier of Star 6th, sold to Dale Peterson of Bonesteel, S.D., for $500. Boyd Ressel exhibited the grand champion female, a cow. Pur chaser of Bandolier Barbara was Marvin Lau of Delmont, S.D., and the purchase price was $200. Fora L. Knight’s reserve cham pion female, Bando’s Quality Coed Kni 2d, a 4-H or FFA en try, went to Ivan Lau, also of Delmont, for $165. Charles Reece, jr., of Simeon, veteran Angus breeder, was judge of the show. The top selling bull in Tues day’s sale was Erica’s Bandolier 5th, consigned by E. L. Miner & Son. Frank Beelaert of Page paid $800. Top selling cow was Band olier’s Barbara 15th, entered by "RbsseT, and purchased by I R. L. Lapsley of Carter, S.D. Mr. Lapsley bought 10 head out of the entire offering—the largest single purchaser. A large crowd was on hand for both the show and sale. On the eve of the event, the annual Angus banquet was held at the American Legion audi torium. James W. Rooney of O’ Neill was toastmaster. Ray Siders of Inman, president of the Holt Angus group, made a few re marks followed with response by Claire McVay of O’Neill, presi dent of the Nebraska Hereford Breeders’ association. McVay stated that the live stock industry should embark on an extensive 44eat meat” adver tising campaign. The advertising should be conducted on a grand scale in a high-type, organized manner. He predicted such a campaign would help stabilize livestock prices. Marvel Baker of the Universi ty of Nebraska college of agri culture was principal speaker. Following the show the O’Neill Chamber of Commerce cup was awarded to Mr. Lorenz for the grand champion entry. The cup must be won three years in a row to retain permanent pos sesion. Mr. Lorenz also will re ceive The Frontier’s trophy for the best three bulls exhibited. The Frontier, for printing. Grand Champ of Angus Show uien .Lrorenz or Js/wing exhibits for the cam eraman Steel Creek Bandolier 94th, the grand champion of Tuesday’s Holt County Aberdeen Angus Breeders’ show held here. The prize winning bull was calved May 6, 1951. He is joint ly owned by Lorenz and Ray Siders of Inman and comes from the Rosemere Antelope family. Pictured with Lorenz and the champ is Charles Reece, jr., of Simeon, veteran Angus breeder and judge of the show. The bull brought $600. (Story in column 3.) Vn -./ of the first annual auto show . . . cars were "perfectly groomed."—The Frontier Photo. 3> ★★★ + + + -A_ -4. Fall on Ice Proves Fetal ' Man, 70, Unconscious 6 Days EWING—A fall on the ice on Sunday, January 26, was blamed for the death of Frank Belmar, sr., 70, retired Chicago & North Western railroad section fore man. He died Saturday in Ante lope Memorial hospital, Neligh, having failed to regain con sciousness following the injuries. The fall was originally thought fatal. A physician ordered Mr. Belmar taken to the hospital where he lay in critical condi tion for six days. He suffered a brain concussion and skull frac ture. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 3, at the Christian church in Clearwa ter. Burial was made in the Stanton cemetery'. The late Mr, Belmar and his family resided at Ewing for sev eral years while employed by the railroad. Upon his retire ment in 1945, the Belmars mov ed to Clearwater. Mr. Belmar was born at Ne ligh but spent much of his life in the Clearwater vicinity. Survivors include: Widow (second wife); sons — Ralph of Wisner; Frank, jr., of Page; Mick of Iowa; daughter — Mrs. Ruth Matthews of Stanton. The three sons and one daugh ter are children of Mr. Belmra’s first wife. Cooking School, J-D Day Coming Included in the calendar of coming events are the Maytag cooking school, sponsored by Jacobson’s, and the John Deere day entertainment, sponsored by the Harry R. Smith Imple ments. The Maytag school will be conducted next Tuesday eve ning, February 10, starting at 7:30 o’clock at the American Legion auditorium. (Details on page 5.) The John Deere entertainment will take place at the Legion on Friday, February 20, starting with a free lunch at noon. The program will start at 1:30 p.m. > Gillette & Son of Chambers showed Chevrolet . . . what's under the hood draws interest. ____ —f^ie frontier Photo by John McCarville. Swimming Pool Petition Passed 6 Organizations Back Movement A petition was being circulat ed Wednesday and being signed by O’Neill taxpayers and free holders asking the city council to consider a 40-thousand-dollar bond issue for swimming pool purposes. The movement has the back ing of six organizations: Cham ber of Commerce, Lions club, Simonson post of the American Legion, Simonson unit of the American Legion auxiliary, Friends of St. Mary’s and Par ent-Teachers association. By statute law cities of the O'Neill class can bond only up to 40-thousand-dollars for park purposes. James Thorbum, Norfolk en gineer, estimates that a 40x80-ft. pool capable of accommodating 225 persons at one time can be erected for less than that amount. However, the 40-thou sand figure does not include bath houes and other accessories. Proponents of the move would undertake to raise the funds for the bath house, walks, fountains and landscaping by contributions and other fund raising means. The petitioners are requesting that the council call a special election at an early date. March of Dimes Receipts Doubled Mothers’ Drive Brings in $778.10 The annual march of dimes campaign in behalf of the Nation al Foundation for Infantile Par alysis has come to a close. Re ceipts almost doubled those re corded in 1952. In O’Neill the fund reached $2, 969.76 with almost all receipts tabulated, reported Mrs. H. D. Gildersleeve, chairman of the O’ Neill push. This is “very close to a dollar per capita,” she said. “I am personally very grateful to the wonderful people who worked so harql to make the 1953 drive a success,” Mrs. Gilder sleeve said. "I have never seen anything like the enthusiasm shown by both the workers and the don ors. It makes one very proud to be a part of such a fine com munity." The incidence of polio in Holt county during 1952 reached near epidemic proportions and the Holt county chapter was in the red paying hospital and medical expenses for polio victims. A complete accounting of the fund-raising drive in the county will be published very soon. The mothers’ march, which was launched at 7 p.m., last Thurs day, netted $778.10, several times greater than a year ago. The last in the series of benefits was the Elkhorn Project club’s card par ty and lunch at the Legion audi torium Sunday evening, netting $76.70. Receives Transoceanic Phone Call — Miss Betty Dailey received a long distance telephone call early Monday morning from her fiancee, LeRoy Rossman, FN, of the navy who is stationed in the Far East. At the time he called he was in HongKong, China. He succeeded in getting his call through at 8 p.m. while it was 6:15 a.m. here. Walter Spangler Dies in Hospital Emmet Farmer 111 10 Days Walter Spangler, a 71-year-old resident of the Emmet commun ity, died about € o’clock Thurs day morning, January 29, in St. Anthony’s hospital here. He had been ill about 10 days. Funeral services were con ducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan uary 31, from the Biglin Broth er funeral chapel with Rev. W. B. Smith, Methodist church pas tor, officiating. Burial was in Scottville cemetery. The pallbearers were Joe Pon gratz, William Schmohr, Guy Beckwith, John Kee, Leonard Dusatko and Harold Givens. The late Mr. Spangler was born November 10, 1881, in Ger many, a son of August and Fredricka Henry Spangler. He came to Holt county in 1894 from Germany and home steaded northeast of O'Neill. He was reared and educated in that locality and for many years was a well-known Holt farmer. On August 24. 19,?5, he mar ried Ada Stahley at O’Neill. Survivors include; Widow; son—W. A. Spangler of Grant’s Pass, Ore.; one grandchild; brother — Await Spangler of Star; sister—Mrs. A. Merrill of Geneva. NEW GAMBLES MANAGER . . , Henry Lofflin (above) has succeeded Burl Munsell as manager of Gambles store here, one of the largest com pany-owned stores in Nebras ka. Mr. Lofflin comes to O’ Neill from Lawrence, Kans. He has had 19 years of merchan dising experience in Nebras ka, Missouri and Kansas. 3,000 See 1 st Annual Auto Show Exhibition B rings Many Visitors to City for Two Days An estimated three thousand persons, exceeding all expecta tions, filed through the doors last Thursday and Friday to view O’Neill’s first annual auto show. The event was sponsored by 11 leading automobile dealers in the region in cooperation with The Frontier. Even before the show for mally opened at 1:30 pan., last Thursday, several hundred persons had a preview of lh« offering of sparkling new cars. High points in the two-day af fair were the half-hour special broadcast from the floor of the show (WJAG, 780 kc), starting at 3:45 p.m. There was barely el bow room in the big auto-filled auditorium for the broadcast conducted by George Hammond with the “Voice of The Fron tier’s” special events microphone The Lions club male, quartet (composed of Rahe Johnson, Rev. R. W. Olson, Rev. W. B. Smith and Roy D. Johnson) sang three selections. The quartet also sang at 9 o’ clock Friday evening as the two day exhibition drew to a close. The show cars were perfectly grqemed and their chrome sparkled ah visitors poured con tinuously through the turnstiles. Usually one or more attendants wa«*^ta{k>ned at each car while demonstrator rides were made available in sidfllar models out side the auditorium. Dealer were generous with literature concerning their en tries aad colorful banners and draperies were used to attract interest. They also distributed a variety of gifts including yard sticks, pencils, balloons, etc. Free coffee and cookies were served by Jacobsson’s la cooper ation with Sunbeam appliance. Mrs. Verne Bowen, Sunbeam home economist, and Mrs. Lowell Johnson of O’Neill were hostess es. Several auto manufacturer representatives were also pres ent and assisted with ^ht show. The following automobiles and firms were represented: Buick — A. Marcellus of O’ Neill; Chevrolet—Gillette & Son of Chambers; Chrysler— C. M, Wilson of Butte; DeSoto—Smith Motor Co. of O’Neill and Peter son Motor Co. of Neligh; Ford— Lohaus Motor Co. of O’Neill. Lincoln — Diers Motor Co. of Grand Island; Mercury—Contois Motor Co. of Neligh; Nash —. Meiergard Nash of Norfolk; Packard—Foree Bros, of O’Neill; Pontiac—Wm. Krotter Co. of O’ Neill and Spencer. Plymouth—Smith Motor Co. of O’Neill; Willys—Outlaw Imple ment Co. of O’Neill. . . Bill Bowker was the show manager. Carroll (“Cal”) Stewart announced that the second an nual show will be held next year. ‘The response was far greater than anticipated,” he said, “and we of The Frontier sincerely want to thank the pub lic, the cooperative auto dealers and the auto manufacturers who also participated.” Physical Inspections for Students Talked In order that each child may be given every possible advan tage of good progress in school work, Parent-Teachers’ associa tion here is working on plans for a physical inspection for the en tire enrollment of the O’Neill public school, a spokesman for the P-TA said this week. The inspection has been tentatively set for April. Such a physical inspection is a regular annual procedure in most schools and the association hopes to make it a routine practice here, the spokesman said. The P-TA committee in charge of working out the details for - the inspection met last week and reported it had received the as surance of the cooperation o$ physicians, dentists and oculists. The public will be informed of further developments on this pro ject and the P-TA officers ask for the cooperation of the par- ’ ents so that ttfe children, in which both are mutually inter ested, may receive the greatest possible benefit. Ewing Pair Marks 54th Anniversary EWING—Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Alden, longtime residents of Ew ing, quietly celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary at their home Sunday, February 1. State Sen. Frank Nelson ar rived last Thursday night to spend the weekend here, return ing Sunday to Lincoln.