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North-Central Nebraska’s BIG Newspaper
's A A • •. . . ' * . V .:
Volume 73.—Number 5. O’Neill, Nebraska, Thursday, June 4, 1953. Seven Cents
STATE HIST SOC
Over 300 Present
for Alummi Banquet
lifelong Holt
Resident Dies
Mrs. W. S. Devall, 63,
111 14 Months
Mrs. W. S. Devall, 63, died
at 2:30 a.m., Monday, June 1,
in St. Anthony’s hospital here.
She had been ill over four
months and had been in the hos
pital aimost two months.
Funeral services were con
ducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday,
June 3, from the Paddock Union
church with Rev. John Thomas
of O’Neill officiating. Burial was
in Pleasant Valley cemetery.
The late Mrs. Devall, whose
maiden name was Mary Stcrjo
hann, was born July 30, 1889, in
the Turner community, between
Phoenix and Turner, in Holt
county.
Her parents were Claus and
Mary Sleinbock Storjohann
and both parents were Ger
man immigrants.
On July 5, 1909, at O’Neill sne
married Mr. Devall. They resid
ed for many years on what is
known as the home place, locat
ed one-half mile east of Mid
way.
The Devalls became the par
ents of eight sons and five
daughters.
. Survivors include: Widower;
sons—Arthur of Gering; Elmer
and Walter, both of O’Neill;
Clarence of Portland, Ore.; How
ard of Bristow; Leonard, who is
in the air force, stationed at Del
Rio, Tex.; Martin and Roy, both
of Spencer; daughters — Mrs.
Rosie Kloepper of O’Neill; Mrs
Ethel Craig of Omro, Wise.; Mrs.
Edith Mitschke of Chambers;
® Mrs. Hazel Ruda of Bristow and
Evelyn of O’Neill; 29 grandchil
dren; one great-grandchild; sis
ters—Mrs. Emma Diehl of At
kinson; Mrs. Martha Fleener of
O’Neill and Mrs. Rose Goeke of
Atkinson; brothers—Henry and
William Storjohann, both of
Spencer.
Sister-in-Law Dies
when Auto Overturns
Mrs. Ben Peterson, 51, wife of
a Polk farmer and sister-in-law
of Mrs. C. E. Jones of O’Neil!,
was killed Monday afternoon
when the automobile she was
driving overturned eight miles
west of Polk on state highway
66. She was enroute to Central
City. Investigators said a tire
apparently blew out.
Survivors include: Widower;
one sister and two brothers.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones departed
late Monday for Polk to attend
the funeral. Mrs. Peterson had
visited O’Neill several times.
School Superintendent
Clarifies Age Matter—
“In order to enter the kinder
garten the next school year a
child must be 5 on or before Oc
tober 15,” explained Miss Alice
French, Holt county superintend
ent of public instruction. “If a
child’s fifth birthday comes be
tween October 15 and Christmas,
he may take the test which de
termines whether he is ready for
school or not We will plan tc
have a tester from Wayne the
last part of August again this
year. If you are interested in
having your child take the test,
please contact the office of the
county superintendent soon.
“We must know the approxi
mate number who wish to be
tested,” she added.
MEETINGS IN PROGRESS
The Elkhorn Valley Holiness
association is sponsoring its an
nual camp meeting, which gets
underway today (Thursday) and
continues for 10 days. Rev. Fred
Lester of Burlington, la., is
evangelist. Site of the meetings
is Wesleyan Methodist church.
A returned missionary from
China, Miss Florence Murray,
will be guest speaker in services
at the public school auditorium
on Sunday, June 7, starting at 2
p.m.—one of the highlights of
the meetings.
BROTHER DIES
EWING—Mr. and Mrs. F.arl
Billings received word Saturday
morning of the death of his
brother, Charles Billings, who
lived at Denver, Colo. Funeral
services were held Monday at
, Denver. The body was brought
to Neligh on Tuesday. A short
service was held at the Episco
pal church on Wednesday nnd
burial was made in the Ewing
' cemetery at Ewhng.
® DIES AT BASSETT
INMAN— Mrs. Alice Kox of
Bassett died at her home and
was buried at Bassett on Sun
day. Mrs. Kox was a sister of
Walter Jacox, a former Inman
resident.
FRONT LINE DUTY
CHAMBERS — Mr. and Mrs.
Joe Koci received word that
their son, Pfc. Robert Koci, was
in the front lines in Korea.
A/3c Wally Shellhammer, who
is assigned to a fighter intercept
or wing located at Kimboo air
base in Korea, witnessed a sur
prise bombing of the base on
Wednesday, May 27. Shellham
mer was unhurt.
° Miss Shirley Schultz, daugh
ter of Mrs. Florence Schultz, left
Monday, May 25, to -visit her
brother-in-law' and sister, Mr.
and Mrs. Clarence Tadd, and
children of Terre Haute, Ind., fcr
the summer.
O
o°
CHAMBERS—Only two class
es in the history of Chambers
high school were not represent
ed Friday evening in the first
alumni banquet ever held in
this south-Holt county commun
ity. Not represented were the
classes of 1920 and 1928.
However, over three hun
dred graduates, teachers and
guests were on hand, headed
by Ernest Farrier, member of
the class of 1919. It was that
year that Chambers boasted
for the first time a full 12
grade course of study. There
were five members in that or
iginal senior class.
Mr. Farrier was given special
recognition and it was noted
that his wife graduated in 1924
and their five sons are CHS
alumni. The youngest son, John
L., was graduated with the class
of 1953 and will join his father
on the farm.
The ambitious banquet was
served by members of the Wom
an’s Society of Christian Service
of the Methodist church. It was
the biggest undertaking of its
kind in the history of the town.
The dinner menu was tomato
juice, Swiss steak, whipped po
tatoes, buttered peas and carrots,
souffle, salad, rolls, pickles, ol
ives, jelly, angel food with apri
cot topping, and coffee.
The alumni officers timed the
banquet on the eve of memorial
day to appeal to many former
residents who would be return
ing to decorate graves of loved
ones.
Memories of school days was
the theme, using red candles
and black slates on the tables.
The stage was set with a little
red schoolhouse against a scenic
background. Figures of Humpty
Dumpty and Mary and her littie
lamb led to the school. Decora
tions were in charge of* Gene
vieve Gibson Gillette, ’29.
The program theme also was
“Memories.” The welcome was
given by the toastmaster, Rew
Ward Smith, ’31, and a welcome
sung by all present. Interesting
facts concerning graduates were
given by the toastmaster. The
The largest occupational group
is that of a housewife—185. Mure
than 87 graduates have served in
the armed forces—28 are serving
at the present time, and three
graduates, Calvin Crandall, Paul
Fisher and Harlan Miille, were
killed while in service. Of the
502 graduates, 11 are deceased.
Honor class graduates present
were: 1923 — Winnie McClena
han Gibson; 1933 — Helen Cal
houn Ermer, Norma Coppoc Ver
Maas, Ruth Grubb Baker, Leola
Fluckey Stapleman, Zetha
Hubbard Eason, Wilbur Osborn,
Forrest Sammons; 1943 — David
Burk, Genelle Held Shonka, Mil
ne Hubei Race, Lee Mitchell,
Edward Read, Bette Lou Young
Mitchell; 1953—13 present. Each
was presented with a flower.
The class prophecy of 1953 was
read by Darlene Grimes, 1943 by
Bette Mitchell, and 1923 by Win
nie Gibson.
As the names were called, each
graduate present stood with their
class. The teachers were intro
duced.
Reverend Smith pointed out
that not a single graduate had
ever been convicted as a crim
inal—and the announcement
brought a round of applause.
A short business meeting was
conducted by the president, Ber
nice Smith Platt. Motion was
made by Ross Allen, ’25, to “pass
the hat” for funds to carry on
next year, and $112 was collect
ed.
New officers are: Ruby Whit
aker Holcomb, ’30, president;
Lorine Walter Smith, ’37, vice
president; Jean Wandersee Hoff
man, ’45, secreatary; Gordon
Harley, ’46, treasurer; Bernice
Smith Platt, advisory past pres
ident
Those attending the banquet
from out-of-state were: Dr. and
Mrs. Loran Coppoc of Ottumw'a,
la.; Mrs. George Hodgson of
Chugwater, Wyo.; Jim Newhouse
of Wichita, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs.
Hale Osborn of Winner, S.D.;
Mrs. Emerson Smock of Boise,
Ida.; Mrs. Jack Thompson of
Flint, Mich.
A “Voice of The Frontier” tape
recording was made and re
broadcast the following morn
ing at 9:45 (WJAG, 780 k.c.)
250 Present at Page
Alumni Banquet—
PAGE—The Page alumni ban
quet was held in the Page school
auditorium Friday evening. The
meal was cooked and served
by the American Legion auxil
iary. About 250 guests were pres
ent. Mrs. Harold Heiss, president
of the association, gave the wel
come and Ronnie Parks, ’53 gave
the response. Elton Trowbiidge
of Saratoga, Wyo., was toastmas
ter. Donald Medcalf, a former
instructor, gave the address.
Mrs. Velma Silvers of Holdregc
gave the “Memorial” talk.
Various other numbers made
up the program after which
Ralph Gray led the group sing
ing.
Among O’Neillites attending
the banquet were: Mr. and Mrs.
Freeman Knight, Miss Lee Sar
tos, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brewster,
Mrs. Laurence Haynes, Mr. and
Mrs. Dale Fetrow.
Visits Parents—
A/3c Lois M. Bredehoeft ar
rived Saturday for a brief visit
v/ith her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Bredehoeft. She is station
ed at Maxwell air force base,
Ala.
ELECTION SLATED
The Chamber of Commerce
will have election of officers
Monday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m.
This is only a portion of the crowd that filled the Chambers high school auditorium Friday evening for the first alumni banquet. (Story in column 2.)—Frontier Photg.
Ernest Farrier, class of 1919
. . . five sons are graduates.
Protest Hikes in
Tax Valuations
One hundred Holt county bus
iness and professional personal
tax schedules have been revised
upward by the board of equal
ization. Persons concerned have
received notification in writing.
(For detailed information on in
creases see official board pro
ceedings on page 7.)
About 30 of the persons affect
ed by the revisions appeared be
fore the board of equqalization
on Monday and Tuesday. The
board will convene again on
Tuesday, June 16, to hear pro
tests on the board’s earlier ac
tion.
Attorneys represented five
firms during the two-day de
liberations.
Most of the controversy with
the board arises over personal
property schedules, although
both real estate and personal
valuations are being hiked.
The O’Neill Municipal band
will be organized at three levels
for the summer months—begin
ners, intermediates and Munici
pal. The beginners are to ar
range time with Director Charles
Houser beginning at 9 a.m., Fri
day, June 5; summer band —
June 2; Municipal band—Mon
Monday, Tuesday and Wednes
day, 1 p.m, beginning Tuesday,
day evenings, 7:30 p.m.
Robert Wallace 1
Med School Grad
Gets Degree fro r~~
Creighton ‘U’
Robert Wallace, son of Mr and
Mrs. M. J. Wallace, today (Thurs
day) is receiving his doctor of
medicine degree from the
Creighton university college of
medicine in Omaha.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Connors
and family of Greeley drove
here Monday to visit her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Wallace. Mr.
Connors returned Tuesday and
Mrs. Connors and her parents
drove to Wahoo the same day to
visit another son and his vile,
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Wallace,
and family until today (Thurs
day). They left this morning for
Omaha where they will attend
Robert’s graduation.
Dr. Robert Wallace will in
terne at St. Joseph’s hospial in
Sioux City. Mrs. Dale Kersen
brock, the Wallaces’ other
daughter, took care of the Con
nors’ children during their par
ents’ absence.
Postoffice Jumps
to First - Class
O’Neill’s postoffice on July 1
will become a first-class office
after having been in the second
class category for many years.
The classification is based on
volume of business during the
fiscal year—July 1 to June 30.
The breaking point between
first- and second-class is a 40
thousand-dollar annual volume.
The O’Neill office during the
fiscal year now ending will have i
increased its volume about $7,- i
500 and will finish the year in
excess of 44-thousand-dollars.
Meanwhile, a general PO
box rent increase and the new
classification will change box
rentals here, it was explained
this week by Assistant Post
master Harold Weier.
Boxes formerly renting for 60
cents per quarter will be in
creased to $1-10; 75 cents to $1.50;
$1 to $2.25; $1.50 to $3.
It is the first box. rental in
crease since 1907.
Try Frontier want advs. for
quick results!
3 O’Neillites See
Eliz’s Coronation
At least three O’Neillites—
Cpl. j Donald Borg 'and wife,
who reside at St Jean, France,
and Pvt. Gordon Hiatt, who is
* stationed at Verdun, France
—were among the teeming
millions who lined London’s
ancient streets Tuesday for
Elizabeth II's coronation pro
cession.
Transportation and facilities
for a relatively small group of
American servicemen and their
families were provided by the
army as a part of a three-day
conducted tour.
The coronation rite itseJf
took place in Westminster abbey
and attendance was restricted
to royalty, nobility, diplomatic
corps and special guests.
Many persons listened to the
proceedings on the radio, start
ing about 4 a.m.
Next State Primary
to Be in August
Nebraska voters will go to the
polls in August next year to
choose candidates for the 1954
general election — thanks to a
bill introduced in the unicamer
al legislature by O’Neill’s Sen.
Frank Nelson.
The legislature wrestled more
than an hour with the question
of August primary vs. spring pri
mary for the non-presidemiai
years. When the debate had
ceased, advocates of uniformity
in Nebraska election dates had
lost on three counts.
They failed to knock the
August primary out of the bill
which had started out originally
only to shift the primary from
April to a later month because
weather and road conditions are
not favorable for campaigning
for the earlier date.
They failed next to kill the
bill, and finally, failed to keep it
from advancing to engrossment
for final reading.
Sen. Charles F. Tvrdik of Om
aha brought up the question with
the comment that periodically it
would cost Omaha $40,000 for an
extra election to leave the “off
year” primary in August.
When the bill finally advanc
ed, Senator Nelson termed it “a
very unusual bill—it has been :
shot at three times.”
Flower Girls in Memorial Parade
O’Neill Saturday paid honor to is war dead
with a memorial day parade, which was led by
the colors followed by the Municipal band, firing
squad, Boy Scouts and flower girls (pictured
above). Flags weer flying at half-mast as the pa
rade moved west on Douglas street and returned
to the American Legion auditorium where brief
rites were held.—The Frontier Photo.
Appears on Heidt’s Network Show
Miss Colleen Ann Williams, 16 (above), daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Ray Williams of Sheridan, Wyo., last Thursday evening was
heard singing “A Guy Was a Guy” on the Horace Heidt network
radio program, which originated that evening from Sheridan. Miss
Williams’ mother is the former Anastasia Murray, member of an
early O’Neill family. The mother left O’Neill in 1916. Miss Colleen
had been auditioned earlier and O’Neill relatives were advised
by phone of the broadcast. She is a piano student as well as voice
student and attends high school there.
‘Queen Iris’ Theme
of Show, Atkinson
ATKJJNSON — “Comation of
j Queen Iris” is the theme for the
Atkinson Iris society’s eighth ann
ual iris show which will be staged
at the high school auditorium in
Atkinson Saturday, June 6. The
show will be open to the public
at 2 p.m., when the exhibit win
ers will be announced and the
awards will be presented by At
kinson's hay days royalty, Queen
Cathleen Weichman and King
Lawrence Pacha. Admission is ;
free.
Honored Guest—
EWING—James Gunter, one of
Holt county’s pioneer citizens,
was the honored guest at a fam
ily reunion held Sunday at the
country home of his son and
daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.
Lionel Gunter. Six of his 12 chil
dren were present and eight of
his great-grandchildren. A no
host picnic dinner was served Ao
the 49 relatives in attendance.
There were no major accidents
to mar the long memorial day
weekend in the O’Neill area,
authorities have reported.
Legion to Sponsor
‘Miss O’Neill’ Contest
A “Miss O’Neill’-beauty contest
will be sponsored Tuesday eve
ning, June 9, at the American
Legion auditorium.
Simonson post 93 is searching
for a lovely to represent the city
in statewide competition. Win
ner of the state contest will go
to Long Beach, Calif., to compete
for the titles of “MisS United
States of America” and “Miss
Universe” in a beauty pageant
that opens July 9.
A host of inducements are be
ing offered the “Miss Universe”
winner, including a motion oic
ture contract, sports convertible,
trophy and watch. Two runners
up also will receive film con
tracts.
In connection with the contest
the Legion is sponsoring a beau
ty contest ball, featuring the
music of Don Shaw and his
Trombonaires.
Contest entrants can be either
single or married women be
tween the ages of 18 and 28.
Frontier for printing!
Crop-Maker
Rains Are
Welcome
T o
Sunshine Following
Soaker Encouraging
to Farmers in Area
A first-class crop-making rail*,
general over northern Nebraska,
moved into the O’Neill region
about 9:30 p.m., Tuesday > and
dumped .72 of an inch of mois
ture.
A series of thunder shortens
had characterized the weather
for the pas seven days. Usually
showers have fallen during tbe
night with an abundance of sun
shine following during the day.
The happy combination of
adequate moisture and sun
shine has helped erase the
slow start of the growing sea
son brought about by unsee
sonal cold weather during
May.
Tuesday night’s storm was ac
companied by sharp electrical >
disturbances. One bolt of light
ning struck the Consumers Pub
lic Power district substation
here and knocked out electric
service momentarily. No one wae
hurt.
Lightning struck Consumers
lines in Boyd county and Butte
and Anoka were without power
for six hours. J
The street lighting system on
until late Wednesday the street
Fourth street was kayoed and
was still in darkness, workmen
unsuccessful in locating the
trouble.
Atkinson reported a half-mrri
of rain Tuesday night, Bassett,
.75; Burwell, .21; Stuart. 1,
Clearwater, .62; Creighton, .GO;
Bonesteel.S. D., 1.50.
A small tornado rippvi
across the South Dakota-Ne
braska line north of Valentine
and did some damage to RCA
lines.
O
Wind damage was greater in
the Bassett-Ainsworth-Valentine
area than in Holt county.
A cow belonging to Joe Son
kup was struck by lightning on
Wednesday, May 27, about 7 o'
clock, about 2Vz miles north of
here.
Weather summary for 24-hour
periods ending at 6 p.m., follow*:
Hi Lo Prec
May 28 _:_ 80 56 .13
1 May 29 .. 87 65
May 30 _ 82 53 .Iff
May 31_1_ 77 51
June 1 _ 80 52
June 2_ 83 62 04
June 3_ 85 56 .77
Total- 1.0T
Alice French’* Office
to Be Housing Center
The office of Miss Alice
French, Holt county superintend
ent of public instruction, has
been designated as a center lor
channeling housing provision®
and requirements in connection
with the air force’s wind test to
be held here later this summer.
The air force research center
at Cambridge, Mass., has asked
the Chamber of Commerce to ar
range for “firm commitments'”
on rooms and apartments to
provide for around 150 mili/ary
and civilian personnel. Advance
parties will arrive anound July
15. The tests are to get under
way August 1 and continue for
about six weeks.
The Chamber has arranged
with Miss French to handle the
detail work. Her office is in the
courthouse basement and her
teleohone number is 224. Resi
dents with rooms or apartments
are urged to contact her right
away, President William McIn
tosh said.
Lt. Bryan T. Postman, who hasr
made two trips here in connec
tion with advance planning, ex
pects to arrive July 8 and r err airs
here until after the test is con
cluded. World - famous civilian
scientists will be among the*
city’s guests during the tests.
Hermann Again
Play Supervisor
Last week arrangements were
made by the P-TA park commit
tee to again engage Wilharo
(“Willie”) Hermann, . the bike
man, as park supervisor. He will
be on hand for playground su
pervision from 1 to 5 p.m., Mon
days through Saturdays — the
same schedule as last year.
The P-TA held two bake sales
shortly before school was out to
raise money for the park fund
and the American Legion > aux
iliary contributed $150 to tne
P-TA for park use.
Four years ago the P-TA pur
chased the equipment for Ford’s
park and has paid for a play
ground supervisor each year
since.
Tuesday June 9, will be ladie®
night at the regular fortnightly
session of the Lions club.
O
