0Prairieland Talk . . .
Rare Calf Brings Notoriety
By ROMAINE SAUNDERS
LINCOLN—It has taken a hairless calf to<
bring discovery to the American press gentry
that there is such a place on the map of Nebras
ka as Amelia.
There are other novel and unusual features
of that charming community in southwest Holt
county but these are attracting
no attention and the peaceful
community of Amelia would
have still moved along in quiet
enjoyment of sane living on
prairieland unknown to most of
the state had not a cow at
Glen White’s ranch drawn at
tention to the community from
far and wide by adding a hair
less calf to the ranch herds.
State papers have taken it up
with a two-column picture ci
the calf in all its pink naked- Romaine
ness. Saunders
Of course, Glen’s ranch is not a part of Am
elia but spreads its verdant loveliness a few
miles south of the town. The town of Amelia is
unusual in that it has no such thing as a town
pump. The village sits in the heart of the flow
ing-well belt and homes and business places are
supplied with 100 percent pure water from the
flowing-wells.
* * *
A clergyman friend has been retired
by his church superiors after 32 years in
active church work. He is no weakling or super
annuated individual, nor is he too proud to work
with his hands, and he has taken on a job that
means some hard work and long hours. This is
not necessary from a standpoint of securing a
livelihood as the church group with which he
has ministered through the years provides well
for its retired workers by a plan known as “sus
tentation.’’ He is one of the rare characters of
our times, an able speaker, a capable account
ant and above all a warm hearted, friendly
person, whom to know brings to you an inspir
ation. When an individual has reached the per
iod of life that he really knows something, has
discovered what it is all about, why retire him?
This one declines to retire; he goes to work.
* * *
Following some sunless days and starless
nights which brought a steady dripping of rain
this morning the land is flooded with sunbeams
The “combelt” is well watered and fields of
growing grain hold a promise of abundant har
vest. Relatfves from near central Kansas with
us recently report the wheat outlook poor down
that way because of drought conditions that pre
vail and daily dust clouds stirred up by the
winds.
* * •
The ancients, too had their problem of youth
and age. like some greybeards and sprightly
young fellows today, the one feeling the other
has it yet to learn, and youth considering age of
no importance in the scheme of human things.
An oldtimer of 1520 B.C. got this off his chest:
“But now they that are younger than I have me
in derision, whose fathers I would have disdain
ed to have set with the dogs of my flocks.’’
♦ * *
The family took off for Omaha this morn
ing, so with no active boys around pestering their
little sister the house is so quiet and empty of
animated life that I jump at sight of my shadow.
“What is home without a mother?" triHs srtill
on memory’s tablet; and what is a big house
when they are all gone unless it is meant for
grandpa to relax?
* * *
At the time of the revolution our nickname
was Brother Jonathan. In the war of 1812 that
was changed to Uncle Sam, and as most uncles
a»e pretty popular it still sticks.
* * *
The two-dollar-a-day man saved money; the
two-dollar-an-hour man has to borrow money.
■> Highway travel in the United States last
year is said to have equalled 486 billion miles.
A Hebrew prophet who became prime minister
for King Cyrus may have had a vision of the Ne
braska highway when he wrote about the time
when “many shall run to and fro.’ . . If it can
dodge the deadly aim of an O’Neill gent out gun
ning, a wild goose that visits Swan Lake twice
a year may live for 70 years. . . The University
of Rhode Island came out with a watermelon
that has a castiron rind, guaranteed not to break
when tossed into trucks for transportation. . . Col.
Irene Galloway heads of women’s army corps.
To address a lady as “colonel” sounds a bit un
gentlemanly. . . The great state of Ohio has nev
er been formally admitted to the Union, although
being known as a state since 1803. . . Irrigation
projects in Mexico, New Mexico, Texas and
Colorado have greatly reduced the volume of
water in the Rio Grande. Holt county’s historic
Niobrara will be reduced to a dry run if the up
per reaches of the river are diverted to irriga
tion projects.
* * *
Playing the piano for 245 hours without a
pause is one gent’s contribution to the world’s
musical marathon. It was not disclosed if there
were any within hearing distance among surviv
ors. . . Animal life rises superior and conquers
over the machine age. In a trial tug-o’-war be
tween an elephant and a gasoline-powered ma
chine the whizzing, sputtering tractor was pulled
all over the lot by Jumbo. . . Maybe the burden
ed taxpayer has chuckled a bit over the dilemma
of the county assessors. . . The heavens wept to
day, hour after hour the steady drip kept up and
at intervals the faucets of the heavens let out a
downpour—a swell day to curl up on the bed and
let ’er rain. . . It was in 1902 temperamental
bird dogs were brought to O’Neill from other
states for the field trials, the lay of the land and
stock of prairie chickens offering the best for
such events. Now, 51 years later, scientists have
found in the O'Neill community what they had
been looking for as a testing ground.
* * *
Vivian Lemmer of Atkinson is one of the
101 university women making up the coed
council board which will do the "big sister"
act in behalf of girls coming to the university
for the first time next fall.
* » *
A day in November in 1931 we received word
through the board of governors of the Nebras
kana society that The Frontier had been made an
honorary member of the society in recognition of
the society in recognition of public spirited work
on the part of the management. Nebraskana was
an organization that collected and recorded facts
about leading citizens of the state as well as
keeping a watchful eye upon progressive under
takings in communities of the state. Since 1880
The Frontier has boosted—and more than once
started—worthwhile undertakings.
* * *
Social security is being considered again this
session of congress A member of the house com
mittee informs me that the inequalities of the
social security payments to the beneficiaries is
one feature to be dealt with. Some are receiving
more than others and members of congress are
favoring a flat rate for all. Now is the time for
that branch of industry that has an equal share
with labor in creating the social security fund
to demand that they also have an equal share in
the benefits.
* * *
Whether it detracts or adds to a fellow's
popularity these days it is difficult to say—a
member of the stale railway commission was
jailed for drunkenness while behind the steer
ing wheel on a busy Lincoln street.
* * *
Who remembers when we went swimming—
we didn’t vote?
Editorial . . .
Mr. Decker Scores at Denver
State Supt, of Public Instruction Freeman B.
Decker, who was appointed by Gov Val Peter
son to succeed Wayne Reed and who subsequently
was elected to the same post, got into print dur
ing the weekend on the basis of what he told an
educators’ group assembled in Denver, Colo.
Mr. Decker, a veteran northeast Nebraska
schoolman and for a time a successful private
businessman, sounded off with something that
appeals to The Frontier.
He charged the Veterans administration with
interfering in the conduct and administration of
schools attended by former GI’s who are further
ing their education through VA benefits. It was
during this post-World War II that a good many
irregularities in education occurred. He charged
the move was an encroachment on the historic
rights of states.
Mr. Decker came out forthright for the home
rule of schools and speculated that schools might
get more money under a federal program, but
they would stand in danger of losing their inde
pendence.
This is refreshing, indeed, to hear this alert
talk from our state capitol school chief. It has
been downright fashionable during the past 20
years or so for officials to advocate getting aboard
the federal spending wagon and relinquish lo
cal control at every turn. This tendency in educa
tion, as well as in highways, medicine, and any
thing else, alarms some of the conservative ele
ment of our country.
Mr. Decker is a solid, substantial citizen and
a practical educator along with ample academic
background.
We like his old-fashioned idea that schools
are one of the really important phases of a work
ing democracy and control should be kept at the
local level.
Rabies Call for Alertness
(Guest editorial from Pierce County Leader)
First a few cases of rabies in skunks 20 or 30
miles northeast of Pierce, then reports not too
many miles north of Pierce—then this was fol
lowed by two cases right in this community. Now
at O’Neill a case of rabies in a domestic cat and
a rabid cow.
These cases are becoming numerous enough
for people to be on the lookout in both domestic
and wild animals for rabies. It is time that par
ents heed these warnings and tiy to instill into
the minds of their children ordinary precautions
of safety.
In the latest case reported at O’Neill the
family cat attacked and bit a mother and her
grown daughter. At noon the daughter fed the
cats in the farm yard and as she turned to walk
away the cat ran after her and jumped on her
legs and stratched and bit her. Then about 5 o’
clock in the afternoon the mother went into the
bam to gather eggs. The cat jumped on her and
although she fought off the cat and ran for the
house she was badly stratched and bitten.
The veterinarian’s report showed the cat
brain had “positive proof of rabies” and both
►
women are receiving medical attention.
The milk cow on another farm near O’Neill
began to act queerly and a veterinarian was
called and he ordered the animal destroyed. No
person was exposed to the rabid cow.
It is the duty of every adult to be constantly
alert for strange behavior in both domestic and
wild animals.
Dame Rumor
(Guest editorial from the Neligh News)
An example of what proportions rumors
can reach was portrayed recently when early in
the week it was heard that O’Neill was going to
get an air force jet base.
“Just like O’Neill to get something like that,”
a few Nelighites commented.
The spreader of that particular rumor also
supplied the information that the old air base at
Ainsworth was not big enough, would have to be
completely re-built, so O’Neill was going to be
the spot.
Next day, the jet base had been changed to
a weather station for O’Neill. It was to be the
biggest weather station in the U.S., a tremendous
outlay
When the rumors finally became fact later
in the week through the courtesy of Cal Stew
art s O’Neill Frontier, we read what was actually
going to happen at O’Neill: A team of some 125
scientists will make a six-week weather study
starting about August 1.
That was a good illustration of what service
a newspaper can be in separating fact from fic
tion.
Incidentally, we can think of no better place
to study the weather than O’Neill, which seems
to have all of it if the “Voice of The Frontier”
is a reliable spokesman for the area.
This is a good time of the year to plan the
summer’s vacation. That is, if you’re in the group
that can qualify for a vacation.
We can consider ourselves fortunate in escap
ing a clobbering like Hebron got in a Saturday
night tornado.
Frontier
Editorial & Business Offices: 122 South Founh 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 pei
year; elsewhere in the United States, $3 per
year; abroad, rates provided on request All
subscriptions are strictly paid-in-advance
Down Memory Lane
• Miss Florence Lindsay, The Frontier’s Amelia corresondent,
furnishes these pictures of Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Bliss (above) who
put Amelia on the map of Holt county 69 years ago. Romaine
Saunders provides the text: “The town originally was located a
half-mile west from the present location and was little more
than the home of the Bliss family who volunteered to act as cus
todians of the few letters to be mailed or handed out to the set
tlers. Mr. Bliss would hoof it into O’Neill to mail letters and pick
up such as was there for the folks out his way. Miss Lindsay re
calls that when Uncle Sam finally got around to authorizing a
mail route and government postoffice it was known as Bliss.
This was changed to Amelia in honor of Mrs. Bliss whose name
was Amelia. Another postoffice in the Cashe creek country east
of Chambers later was known as Bliss. A buckskin clad guy that
kids in O’Neill knew only as John, admired his handsome horse
almost to the point of worship and looked with juvenile envy at
his big saddle with a solid silver horn, came into the countyseat
on occasion with the mail and thus saved foot-weary Bliss a trip.
Amelia county, down in old Virginia, was the home of a notable
poet, John Bannister Tabb. Holt’s own Amelia community has
not produced any notable poets; but what is more important it
has from the beginning been a community of industrious, God
fearing and contented people contributing much to the wealth
and industry of Holt county.”
When You and I were Young. . .
Cinnabar Ore
Found in Gulch
Contains About 200
Ounces Quicksilver
50 Years Ago
After the regular business meet
ing of the Masonic lodge, Its mem
bers held an informal smoker in
honor of J. J. King, who is mov
ing to Washington state. . . A par
ty of men from Gross, who were
prospecting in Verdes gulch near
the river, discovered a large body
of cinnabar ore lying exposed by
a recent slide. One member of
the party who was familiar with
the ore, estimated it would pro
duce 200 ounces of quicksilver to
the ton. However, samples were
sent to Omaha for an accurate
valuation. . . Miss Nellie M. O’
Fallen closed district 17 after a
successful 6 - month term of
school. . . Thomas H. Cafferty of
Ewing was in the hub and filed
on a homestead. . . Dan Finnigan
won a few “scheckels” in a foot
race at Ainsworth. . . In order to
enjoy life a man must be a little
miserable occasionally.
..DANCE..
AT O’NEILL
American Legion Auditorium
Saturday, May 16th
ACES OF RHYTHM
Orchestra
Adm.: Adults $1, Students 50c
20 Years Ago
Mr. and Mrs. Norb Uhl became
parents of an 8*^-pound son born
May 10. . . The senior class pre
sented a comedy three-act play,
“Adam and Eve”... County Agent
James Rooney gave a talk to the
rural sociology class at St. Mary’s
academy. . . Thomas Brennan will
open a grocery store in his build
ing on Fourth street... Coffee was
25 cents a pound, 10 bars of soap
were 25 cents, 100 pounds of po
tatoes were $1.20, and canned
fruits were 5 cents a can. . . Mr.
and Mrs. H. L. Lindberg became
parents of an 8^-pound son on
May 10. . . Ben Harty moved his
dry cleaners to the Zimmerman
building on East Douglas street.
10 Years Ago
A third call is made to gather
scrap metal and impress on the
people’s minds how urgently it
is needed. . . Joe Martin and
Frank Clements took an involun
tary bath in Wolfe lake when
their boat sank in about 10 feet
of water. They lost all of their
fishing equipment. . . Mrs. John
M. Grutsch received a radiogram
for mother’s day from her son,
Pvt. John E. Grutsch, stationed
in Hawaii. . . Lt. John R. Galla
gher and Romaine Stein, both of
O’Neill, met in Guadalcanal. . .
State Sen. Tony Asimus’s bill to
allocate more money to the rural
sections for farm-to-market roads
probably will rate as one of the
most important bills considered
by the unicameral this session...
Cpl. Leonard Young was honored
at a party while home on furlough.
1 Year Ago
P. B. Harty, 62, died May 12
while seated at hi$ desk in his
place of business. . . Miss Eliza
beth Gallagher and Alfred Hamilc
were married May 10 in St. Pat
rick’s Catholic church. . . Mrs.
Ray Lawrence entertained seven
girls in honor of the birthday'
anniversary of her daughter, Bon
nie. . . Chet Calkin’s reward fund
is offisially closed at $1,550. . . A,
doe visited the Inez school 20
miles south of Atkinson. . . Rev.
and Mrs. Robert Olson returned
from a 3 week.'- vacation in Wis
consin. . . 125 rural eigth grad
uated on May 12.
Frontier for printing!
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