Prairieland Talk ...
Pull Stakes to Start Boyd
By ROMAINE SAUNDERS
North Nebraska’s BIG newspaper, now more
than three score years and 10, reaches into towns
north of the Niobrara river for the stories of the
activities in those places.
The Frontier wras before there was a Bristow,
a Butte, a Spencer or a Lynch—communities now
taken for granted. Also The
Frontier was before there was
a Boyd county. We knew it at
one time as the domain of Spot
ted Tail’s redskin braves who
came over occasionally to see
us and went into camp down by
the Elkhorn.
That would be something
to put a thrill into O’Neill kids
today!
When the Indians were
moved to South Dakota their
reservation was open to settle- Romaine
ment and became organized as Saunders
a county during the term of Governor Boyd. Sam
Sample, John McCafferty, Joe Mann, Casper En
gelhaupt, Cal Moffat and some others pulled up
stakes at O’Neill and went to the new county and
started the town of Spencer where the wigwams
of the Sioux had lately stood.
Ed Whiting, Holt county’s first excuse of a
superintendent of schools, who had become a
squawman by taking an Indian woman to wife,
joined in the exodus of his spouse’s tribe and
went along to the Rosebud.
From mountain recesses in a region beyond
Denver, Colo., comes the story of a personage
known as Dr. N. Doreal and his plans to escape
the wiping out of the human race at Armageddon,
which he predicts will hit about August 10, not
later than early September. To meet this contin
gency that gent has secured a following, evident
ly well-heeled, and put up one hundred modern
homes and an elaborate temple. He bases his pre
dictions, so the story goes, on prognostications of
a 16th century soothsayer and certain mystery
works of the stargazers. As John, the revelator,
gives it Armegeddon is the sixth of seven plagues
to overwhelm the earth, so if the Doreal forecast
materializes by August It) there will be some
tough times between now and then. And so an
other smooth manipulator is heard from who
fascinates a following and rakes in a million. But
the investors in such a setup get a good house to
live in and mountain scenery to go with it, while
European citizens who invested 4.5 billion in Rus
san stocks and bonds lose it all as the present
Russian government repudiates its debts.
* * *
Some genl who can couni above 100 has 11
figured out that there are more people living
above the fifth floor in New York City than the
entire population of five western states.
• * *
I talked today with Andy Randall. That
means nothing to prairieland friends. But Andy
Randall, a resident of Lincoln, tells the tragic
story of Harry Orchard, who nearly 50 years ago
set the bomb that took the life of the governor
of Idaho during the days when the Western Fed
eration of Miners was bombing and killing in the
Western mountain states. Andy Randall was the
deputy sheriff who, with Sheriff Nichol, tracked
down and arrested Orchard. He attended the trial
at Boise and saw the whole legal proceedings
that resulted in conviction of Orchard and his be
ing sentenced to be hung. Mrs. Stuenenberg,
widow of the slain governor, interceded and had
the sentence commuted to life imprisonment,
probably what not many would have had the
Christian grace to do. Orchard, now an old man,
long since repented of his evil ways as the killing
agent of the miners’ big chief, Bill Hayward,
with a record of a score of violent deaths, is still
a prisoner of the Idaho penitentiary but is given
his liberty to go about freely.
* * *
Draw me not away with the wicked and
with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace
to their neighbors but mischief is in their
hearts.—Ps. 28:3.
* * *
The fellows housed up in the winter’s sport
capital by 18-foot snow drifts no doubt now are
yielding to the lure of the fish pond.
Beautiful the days marching down the high
way of time as seasons come and go—the Hand
that sent the hoary frost of heaven now shapes
the petals of the rose, the crystal waters unseal
and lays a verdant loveliness on hill and vale and
field. The onward sweep of the years creates new
life and gathers a harvest of death. A few more
days from now and we go once more to the
abode of the dead and leave there a floral tribute
to their memory. Since the last memorial day
was observed fresh mounds mark the resting
places of others who wer* among the living a
year ago. The years come and go and stealthily
mark us for life’s sunset. But until the silver cord
be loosed, the golden bowl be broken and the
pitcher be broken at the fountain, life holds its
animated interests, its opportunities to play upon
the harpstrings and bring a bit of melody to some
lonely soul.
• * *
Committees, organizations, societies,
leagues and what have you, one functioning
under the honored name of Abraham Lincoln
Brigade, another the sacred Christian party,
American Peace Crusade and some hundreds of
others with equally high sounding names are
listed for federal government departments to
shy at if members of any of these setups come
looking for government jobs,
* * *
I wonder if it is all so. Or is the lure of the
soft flutter of tens and twenties dropped into the
lap of highway promoters back of the squawking
about Nebraska roads? The hundred miles or
more traveled yesterday found the highways very
satisfactory and to an oldtimer who had known
what it was to travel the prairie trails in a wagon
drawn by four horses these concrete highways are
heavenly. And looking out upon the rich black
earth of southeast Nebraska where row upon row
of lister furrows indicated corn had been planted
and then coming upon the scene where scores of
metal granaries holding in storage the fruits of
other seasons you feel that the guy who belly
aches about roads instead of feeling grateful for
the blessings of bountiful Providence ought to
get a kick in the pants.
* • *
“Nebraska is scheduled to put under contract
less money than any other state in the union for
new road construction in 1953.” Is The Frontier’s
highway editor trying to give Nebraskans a
black mark? If he will tell the rest of it and the
straight of it, he must say it costs less money to
lay a highway across Nebraska in any direction
than in any other state. There are no mountains,
no tunnels, no crooks and turns every few rods
like in other states. A highway here is a
straight-away from start to finish. Cost of con
struction is determined largely by the nature of
the country to be traveled. In this respect Ne
braska is a favored land.
* * *
I
Taking the oath in federal court in Lincoln,
31 men and women of foreign birth became full
fledged citizens of the United States earlier this
month. Countries represented in this list are Bel
gium, Latvia, Germany, Mexico, England, Nor
way, Ireland, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Italy,
France, Czechoslovakia. One Britisher to just now
become a citizen and whom I have known for
some time has been in this country over 40 years
and now with his wife they become voters and I
personally know them to be the kind who make
good citizens.
* * *
The “new woman” is a wonder,
Never out for plunder.
Yanks the machine into place,
Gets the washing out in haste.
Rolls the bread into dough,
Thumbs the piecrust just so,
Or swings a hoe to see the onions grow.
She’ll raise the hood to see
If carbureter is as it should be,
And with wrench and screwddiver
Fixes things very clever.
Hands that rocked the cradle were grandmother’s,
Hands on the steering wheel are granddaughter’s.
Editorial . * * ^
Speeder Remedy: Report ’Em
“It’s a wonder someone isn’t killed!”
That’s a commonplace exclamation among
observant O’Neillites commenting on the wild
and reckless driving witnessed every day on the
streets of our city.
But the exclamation usually goes the way of
the empty comments about the weather. Nobody
does anything about them.
There is a sharp difference, however, in the
relative importance. The prospect of some pe
destrian, probably a child, being mowed down or
maimed for life is vital in our book; the turn of
the weather is routine.
Last week two O’Neill tennagers were whisk
ed into traffic court. One, a 16-year-old who em
ploys a highly-colored automobile on a part-time
job, was charged with “excessive speeding, over
40-miles-per-hour, in the O’Neill residential dis
trict” on a street along which more than 30 chil
dren reside. The other rounded a comer and
smacked into a light pole and was charged with
reckless driving. Persons are legion who have
watched both driving recklessly and could fill
a courtroom.
These two offenders, both found guilty and
duly punished by the court, represent only a
small portion of the crowd, made up of old and
young alike, who race about in steel jalopies
weighing two or three thousand pounds— verita
ble death wagons.
It seems to us the police are not turning
in their share of violators, else the columns of
The Frontier each week would chronicle more
traffic cases than they do.
One of the teenage Barney Oldfields (except
Barney did it for pay and used his head) was
prosecuted last week as the direct result of a
complaint filed by a Frontier staff member. And
this is the point we wish to make:
Citizens have a right and a duty to report
to authorities flagrant violations of traffic regula
tions.
Now that school is out and children are cross
ing streets and playing by the hour in and along
streets, the moral obligation of a citizen to report
violations is exceedingly great.
Report 'em and take along your neighbor,
if he or she also is a witness. It's a sure cure
for crazy drivers, young or old. because the
courts are getting tougher and people don't do
„ much driving without a license. Suspension of
licenses oftimes nicks the offender where it
hurts the most.
George Hammond, “Voice of The Frontier”
announcer, worked on this same theme on his
Monday morning newscast (WJAG, 780 kc., 9:45
a.m.)
“This lunatic driving should be stopped and
must be stopped,” he said, “or you and I will be
just as guilty as the driver who is going to
wreck the life of some youngster in O’Neill—he
may be yours or he may be mine.
“I’m going to do everything possible in my
power to stop these senseless carryings-on. You
say, ‘What can I do?’
“You and I, as private citizens, on seeing a
gross violation of speeding laws endangering
the life and limbs of all, have the right and duty
to make an immediate complaint with the city
attorney, who, in turn, will see that the offender
is arrested and brought to trial.
“If this be the answer, grasp it by the horns
and let’s use every available opportunity—that
you and I may say that we have done everything
possible to make safe the streets of O’Neill.
“You and I knowv children are not in the
right a great deal of the time in walking and
running in the streets. They cannot judge the
speed of an oncoming automobile.
“I call on every parent in O’Neill to defend
their youngsters’ right to live and to play. I call
on you to put an end to race-track, lunatic driv
ing on O’Neill streets.
“And to you speeders, if you’re listening,
you can bet I’ll see you in court!”
Colorful Terry Carpenter continues to occu
py the floor of the unicameral for what seems to
be more than his share of the time. Of course, '
taxpayers are paying heavily for his right to dis
course and prolong, perhaps by weeks, the length
of the current session.
The proposed eight blocks of paving in the
four square blocks in the heart of the city appears
to be meeting with more popular support among
the property owners affected than observers had
envisioned. Only a few discordant notes have
been heard. All of which proves that O’Neill is
marching ahead with progress.
--“---—--- I
I
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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 pet
year; elsewhere in the United States, $3 per
year; abroad, rates provided on request. All
subscriptions are strictly paid-in-advance.
When You and I Were Young . .,
O’Neill Needing
Active Dog-Catcher
90 Percent Canines
Worthless
50 Years Ago
The Holt county teachers’ in
stitute will convene for two
weeks. . . Michael Hynes, neph
ew of Barney Hynes, arrived in
O’Neill from Ireland to make his
home with relatives. . . After the
regular business of the IOOF
lodge, an informal smoker was
held in honor of E. B. London,
who is moving to Columbus. . .
Within the city limits there is a
total of 498 head of horses, mules
and cattle subject to taxation.
... It never rains in Nebraska,
it just pours. . . Fred Hans, the
Elkhorn detective, was indicted
by the grand jury at Ainsworth
for the killing of David Luce, a
ranchman. He was put under
$10,900 bond. . . If Mayor Har
rington wishes to gain the ever
lasting gratitude of a long suf
fering public he will appoint a
dog catcher who will kill off
about 90 percent of the worth
less canines that infest this com
munity. . . Lawrence Skirving,
who has been attending the
Kearney military school, has re
turned home.
20 Years Ago
Hugh Birmingham and Super
visor Jesse James enroute to
Atkinson were hit on the fender
by a passing car near Emmet.
Hugh pulled over to avoid fur
ther collision and hit soft dirt
which caused the car to roll ov
er into the ditch. No one was
hurt. . . The Chicago & North
Western railroad is advertising a
10-day trip on the Century to
Chicago for $13.95, approximately
one cent per mile. . . Judge R.
R. Dickson, J. D. Cronin, Emmet
Harmon and George W. Harring
ton went to Ainsworth to attend
the quarterly meeting of the
Fifteenth judicial district bar as
sociation. . . Miss Esther McCar
thy entertained the St. Mary’s
basketball team with a party at
her home. . . Memorial day
speaker was Rev. H. D. Johnson.
A quartette composed of Dr. L.
A. Burgess, D. H. Clauson, C. E.
Yantzi and George Bay offered
two selections.
10 Years Ago
Eighth grade exercises were
held for 184 students. Edward
Hynes had the highest average
for the rural schools with 95 Yt.
Richard Fenderson and Richard
Morgan tied for first place in
the city schools with an average
of 95 %. . . Ruthven C. Anderson
of Bancroft is the new school su
perintendent of the O’Neill pub
lic school. . . Mrs. H. J. Ham
mond went to Paris and Abeline,
Tex., where she visited her
daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Chace,
and son, Pvt. George Hammond,
who is stationed there. . . Legis
lative bill 129, introduced by
Sen. Tony Asimus, for the pur
pose of dividing the gasoline
tax among the counties passed
the Nebraska legislature and was
signed by Governor Griswold. . .
Ed Quinn, USN, was promoted to
yoeman second class. . . Harry
Jolly left for Alaska to work as
a guard on the Alcan highway.
. . . S/Sgt. Jim Holsclaw of Poca
tella, Ida., arrived home on fur
lough.
One Year Ago
Miss Bernadette Hynes was
chosen “Miss Task Force” by the
31st infantry Dixie division at
Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. . . Miss
Mary Lou Wilson was chosen
Lions club queen. . . The me
morial day address was given by
Judge Lyle E. Jackson of Ne
ligh. . .L . B. Price and son, Ed
ward, offered a piano duet at the
father and son banquet in the
Methodist church. . . Miss Shir
ley Leahy had the honor of
crowning the Blessed Virgin Ma
ry statue at the May procession.
. . . O’Neill netted $256.02 from
the sale of poppies.
Guests at the Bert Ott home
from Monday night until Wed
nesday morning were Mr. and
Mrs. Ezra Stutzman and family.
Mrs. Stutzman was formerly
Alice Erb.
DANCE I
at
SPENCER
Sat., May 30
Music by
Elmer’s Accordion
Band
W’BFA LODGE SPONSOR
CHRISTENSEN'S
Registered
HEREFORD
BULL SALE
45 Head of Aster
and Supreme Breeding
Chamberlain, S.D.
Livestock Sales Pavilion
Mon., June 1
— 2 P.M. —
★ Hugged, Perfectly
Conditioned Bulls
C. M. Christensen
& Son
Reliance, S.D.
Dundee, Minn.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tooker . . . will reside in Atkinson_
O'Neill Photo Co.
n n n
Grothe-T ooker
Nuptials Read
Christ Lutheran church was
the scene of a wedding at 9:30
a.m., on Wednesday, May 20,
when Miss Bernice Grothe,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wil
liam Grothe, jr., of Emmet, be
came the bride of Robert Took
er, son of Mrs. Claude Humphrey
of Atkinson. The single-ring cer
emony was officiated by Rev.
Robert W. Olson.
The bride, who was given in
marriage by her father, chose a
street-length dress of white ny
lon featuring a pleated skirt. She
wore a corsage of pink roses.
Mrs. Herman Grothe, matron
of-honor, wore a street - length
dress of blue lace. She wore a
corsage of pink roses.
The bridegroom was attired in
a gray suit and Herman Grothe,
his attendant, wore a tan suit.
At the ceremony the special
music was offered by Rev. Rob
ert W. Olson, who sang “Be
cause” and “The Lord’s Prayer.”
A reception was held at 12
o’clock at the Town House for
the immediate family.
Fallowing the reception the
couple left for a short trip to the
Western states. Upon their re
turn, they will make their home
in Atkinson where Mr. Tooker is
employed at the Knowles Chev
rolet company.
The bride graduated from the
O’Neill high school in 1949 and
taught in a rural school for four
years. The bridegroom graduated
from the Atkinson high school in
1942 and immediately entered
military service, participating in
World War II. At the beginning
of the Korean conflict he re
enlisted for four years. He has
had eight years of active duty in
the service and two years in the
reserves.
Vacation Choices
Told at Meeting—
The Star Get-Together club
met at the home of Mrs. Elmer
Juracek on Monday, May 11,
with 14 members and two visit
ors present. Roll call was an
swered with “where you’d like to
spend your vacation.”
After the business meeting
several games were played and
a lunch was served by the host
esses.
The next meeting will be at
the home of Mrs. Leonard Jura
cek on June 10.
I O'NEILL LOCALS
James (“Jim”) Schueth of Elgin
has joined the staff of the Council
Oak store here, it was announced
Monday by Store Manager Rich
ard (“Dick”) Schmidt.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Redlinger
departed Monday for Pamona,
Calif., where they will make their
home. The Redlingers held a pub
lic auction of their household
goods Saturday. Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Jenkins and family have
moved into the residence vacated
by the Redlingers. Mr. Jenkins
is employed by O’Neill Cleaners.
(Mir. and Mrs. Elbridge Maynard
and family of Creighton were
Sunday visitors in the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Elden Butterfield.
Miss Lois Morsbach of Inman
was a Friday through Tuesday
visitor in the F. S. Brittell home.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Versa! and
son, Jerry, of Atkinson spent Sun
day visiting her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. E. L. Quinn.
Sunday dinner guests in the
Freeman Knight home were
James Bartos and family of Ew
ing, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bartos
_JIT" —-.
and family and Miss Albino Bar- »
tos of Detroit. Mich.
Miss Betty Dailey visited Mrsv
Gertrude Rossman at Atkinson
over the May 16 weekend.
MILLER THEATRE
— Atkinson, Nebr. —
Fri.-Sal. g
Sun.-Mon.-Tues., May 31. June 1-2
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Wed-Thurs. June 3-4
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ATKINSON, NEBR.
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