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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (July 9, 1953)
Prairieland Talk . . . Trial by Jury Stands Test By ROMAINE SAUNDERS Retired. Former Editor, The Frontier i_.ixnuul,xs— wno is next tnat must suDmii to the call of the invisible and unknown? The passing of Sumner Downey—he never employed the name Charles— takes from the community another native son. Born the winter of the big blizzard out on the big prairie, as an infant he was ushered into a stormy world that later years developed the man that Sumner was. His life was cut short of the full sweep of three score years and ten and he now lies at rest until awakened to the mysteries of the life to come. Maybe Sumner dropped the name Charles because he felt that there was only one Charles 0 Downey. Prairieland Talker Romaine knew his folks, pioneers with Saunders the vision to see, the courage to dare. From O’ Neill to Minneola, on to Star, from there to Stony Butte and then to Niobrara, was one daily stage line of Charley Downey’s. Another reached from O’Neill to Creighton. Today’s high tension civilization has devel oped educational privileges and home comforts for young America who are thereby denied the chance to develop self-reliance that taught the youth of the pioneers to stand on their own and forge on the anvil of life’s experiences a worth while destiny. I never saw Sumner nor his broth er, Lee, as boys loitering about the streets smok ing cigarettes as we see kids today. The Downey boys came from the Holt county prairies to make their own way in life and succeeded, as other sons and daughters of pioneers have done, be cause of the background of early life. • • • There are no more Abe Lincolns maybe be 0 cause modem educational frills have robbed us of the conditions that made a Lincoln. . . A member of the state railway commission was fined $100 in municipal court where he faced a charge of driving on the streets of Lincoln in a state of in toxication, the municipal judge taking the posi tion, we presume, that a state official is no better than the rest of us. . . A county judge of Holt county at one time was involved in a scandal that smelled to high heaven, but he was permitted to finish his term. He was no worse than some others—just was caught at it. . . South of the frame building that was O’Neill’s first depot and across the tracks there was a log house, the home of the Jim Campbell family. There were three boys in the family, Homer, Ollie and Dick, who now are living in the Seattle, Wash., com munity, and their parents are buried there. . . It is noted that the city of O’Neill started a lawsuit a week or so ago against former citizens, long since dead. Fear not—the ghosts of the John O’ Neil and Pat Hagerty tribal groups will never come back to claim right, title or interest in the city park. • * * What those reds of North Korea did as peace negotiations were underway demonstrat ed what sort of an outfit men of goodwill have to deal with. * * * Everybody in the vicinity where my type writer sits knew it was hot. Day following sun burned day oppressive heat poured upon us from the celestial furnace. Good corn growing weather, as Mike Boldt used to say. Pretty much the same the country over. Letters coming from West coast points tell of hot days, and my son, Glenn, out from Ohio a recent weekend, said Old Sol had not overlooked them. Electric fans have been hum ming, a new thing that wind has to be manu factured in Nebraska. The weather bureau then came up with the forecast of rains, possible cy clones and a cooling off. A northwest gale drop ped temperatures and the rain and cyclones were omitted. * * • Thrifty citizens, loyal patriots, resent having a representative from the courthouse coming to their homes and asking senseless questions, are the walls and roof insulated, what are the floors made of and when was the house built? A trip to the basement, a peek into each room and the number of these jotted down. All of this a pro duct of the latest in taxation assessment coming from this present state administration, which may spell the end of republican control at the state capitol when another election rolls around. The intent of the law is said to be to equalize valua tions. Some see it as such, many feel it to be a step dictatorward. A gent came down from Canada to xen us>, among other things not to his liking, that trial by jury is obsolete. He is not the first to arise and undertake to pick our representative form of government to pieces. It has stood that test for nearly two hundred years, during which time we have grown to world leadership; and that could ultimately spell the downfall, not trial by jury. The idea is that one charged with a crime was considered innocent until found guilty by a jury of his peers. And if there is anything wrong with the jury system therein lies the catch. It was a bunch of his “peers” who saved Billy Reed (who killed Sheriff Kearns) from a trip to the gallows. Others in early days in Holt county, guilty as sin, escaped with a whole hide because the guys com posing a jury of “peers” didn’t know how soon they would need some “peers” to keep them from a trip to the pen. But now that the ladies have a part in determining the guilt or innocence of one accused of a crime, the accused not only faces his “peers” but his superiors. ♦ * * It is the considered judgment of the engi neer of this department that what O'Neill needs is sidewalks, not more paved streets. • * * A member of congress from Indiana proposed the congressional investigation to ascertain what the bomb explosions had to do with the epidemic of cyclones, a pretty generally widespread sus picion on the part of many not in scientific cir cles being that the bomb is the answer, though others say not. Out of the tragedy and destruction of tornado-swept states comes a suggestion for the revival of the storm cave, a safety zone that just about every pioneer in Holt county provided himself with. As to what produces a twister among the clouds of a gathering storm, it is yours to figure out. Maybe, as some believe, that old cloven-footed troublemaker, the “prince of the power of the air,” has something to do with it. A big blow has beaten Holt county a good many times. Chambers, the Little and McClure ranch communities, down along Dry creek, and the Page neighborhood, each has had a touch of what real twisters can do. * * * Seated with a girl in a tavern, a Wisconsin youth of 18 boasted that could drive his car 105 miles an hour “or kill myself trying.” He did just that; his last ride was to the graveyard. . . . The casualties of World War II are now reported to have been 936,259, of which there were 234,874 killed. Ten and a half million saw military ser vice. A Caesar has died in Hollywood, where he was in the script writing end of the movie bus iness, something of a contrast to the career of his illustrious namesake. . . Miss Ethel Mellor is as sistant cashier of the Omaha National bank, the first woman to become a bank officer in Omaha. . . . Mrs. T. J. Gist, born in Richardson county, Nebr., in 1865, at the age of 88 is writing the story of her interesting life. . . Mary T. Davis, a teacher in the schools of Clay Center, has booked passage for an extended tour of Europe. * * * In the book, “U.S. 40,” the author pauses long enough in a sweep across the land from At lantic City, N.J., to San Francisco, Calif., to say this when he reaches prairieland: “In sheer gran deur and massive scenic effect the most magnifi cent mountains scarcely exceed the high plains.” Prairieland is not only a picture of verdant beauty to behold but it produces the stuff that provides an abundant table three times a day, while the “sheer grandeur” of the mountains turns out mineral you might be interested i;i once in a lifetime. * * * The night was hot. Calm but not hushed. Children out in the open shouting at their play and a boy counting loudly up to 100—10 at a time —in a game of hide-and-go-seek. Activities dwin dle. Across the street blankets are spread on the porch and our group does likewise, taking pillows also. Moments pass. All is hushed save now and then the glare and rumble of a passing auto. Morpheus has wooed to rest tired kids.. I spread a quilt before the open door and drop to the floor. Not a quiver of night air reaches me and I sweat it out until midnight and then go to bed. • • m Just across the way he lies helpless on his bed the victim of the tragedy of old age, cannot find relief in either the sleep of death or restored health. For more than a year the shadows of life’s sunset have brought pain and suffering. And when life shall ebb away none survive to mourn. He once had a life’s companion but no sons or daughters. Editorial . . . Nelson Eyes Unicameral Bv FRANK NELSON. O'Neill (Senator from 28th District) (A Guest Editorial) Your inquiry of my views in regard to changes needed in the unicameral has just been received. Inasmuch as the governor is elected on a political ballot and has certain platform pledges to carry out it would be much to his advantage to have the legislature elected on a political basis. As matters now stand each senator is what you might call a free lance with no party responsibil ity and no platform pledge to help carry out in unison with his group. How far do you think a football team would get if each player played for himself alone? I believe in the two-party system and feel that with a non-political legislature we are break ing down both political parties. It seemed that way to me in some of the leg islation passed at this last session and other leg islation advocated but not passed. Your political conventions will be no better than the delegates sent there by the people and . there must be work to do or the people will lose interest. I believe it is easier to pass a law in the unicameral than in the two-house system, as in some instances 22 votes are not hard to get. There were not many special interest bills that got through this year but there are several on the books from former years. A large number of senators might help but unless area was considered as well as population some areas would be hurt as they were when we changed from the two-house to the unicameral. Then if more senators were added, unless other changes were made in the constitution each sen ator’s salary would be cut, as there is a certain sum set up for salaries of members. There has been much criticism of the 65th session, such as too many laws passed, too large a budget and too long a session. Of the 595 bills introduced, 60 percent were passed. All were giv en careful consideration and all were asked for by someone. K The length of the session was caused by the great number of bills, many of which were quite controversial, and no senator shirked his duty but stayed till all received a fair consideration. The two-house system would cost more moa ey as there would be more members and more help would be needed. A sifting committee would perhaps dispose of many of the bills without any public hearing so the session could be shorter. In a body with as few members as the uni cameral many close friendships are formed and each one must be extra careful to weigh each bill on its merits and not let the matter of friend ship affect his vote or poor legislation may result. We are in a time where most farm products have declined in price and commodity prices are still high and wages still rising, so there is bound to be unrest in an agricultural area until adjust ments have been made. Seven Nebraska colleges are to share in the $9,000 allotted to this territory from the $150,000 the Standard Oil company invests this year to aid independent schools of higher learning. Two of these institutions are in Lincoln, Union college and Nebraska Wesleyan university. Communists abroad and sympathizers in America are horrifed over the execution of the Rosenbergs, traitors to their country, but bat not an eye over the starving, enslavement and butch ery of millions that crimson their hands. Editorial & Business Offices: 122 South Fourth St. Address correspondence: Box 330, O’Neill, Nebr. 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 newspaper is a member of the Nebraska Press Association, 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; rates abroad, provided on request. All sub scriptions are paid-in-advance. Audited (ABC) Circulation—2,200 (Mar. 31, 1953). Upped to Corporal Donald Rzeszotarski (above), son of Mr. and Mrs. Gaines Rzeszotarski of Emmet, was recently promoted to the rank oi corporal. Donald is serving with the army, stationed in Alaska. His address: Cpl. Donald E. Rzeszotarski, US 55251243, H & S Co., 832 E.A.B., APO 731, c/o PM, Seattle, Wash. Newlyweds Will Reside in Georgia DELOIT— On Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m., Miss Shirley Bar tak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Bartak of Deloit, became the bride of Richard J. Sunderman of Humphrey at the Presbyterian church in Ewing. After a short honeymoon the couple will live in Brunswick. Ga., where the bridegroom is stationed. The bride'graduated from high school at Bartlett and attended college at Wayne. She has been employed in a bank at Norfolk. Other Deloit News Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bauer of Neligh spent Saturday and Sun day at the home of their daugh ter, Vera Dell, and family in Grand Island. Mr. Bauer is im proved and able to be about. Mr. and Mrs. Otto Reimer of Lincoln spent the weekend with home folks. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Demaray, Joyce, Carol Ann and Gene spent last Thursday evening at the H. Reimer home. They recently vis ited Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Dema ray in camp in South Carolina and Mr. and Mrs. William Fritz in service in Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller aU tended the funeral services for Mrs. Miller’s aunt of Silver Creek on Wednesday, July 1. She was a sister of Mrs. Miller’s mother, who died a few weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Stearns visited Mrs. Athel Fuller in a hospital in Omaha Sunday. Mrs. Donald Starr and Eliz abeth of West Point spent the first of the week at the home of her sister, Mrs. Henry Reimer, and family. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Funk and Vera Dell visited Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ziska and daughter in Atkinson and also attended a wedding. Mr. Ziska is a welder in a shop in Atkinson. Deloit is in need of moisture. A very light rain fell Friday after noon and evening. Mrs. Zoe Huffman and two granddaughters of Omaha spent last Thursday at Stanley Huff man’s. Elayne Reimer spent Friday and Saturday with Joyce Dema ray and attended the Fourth of July celebration at Bartlett. Mrs. Ronnie Hemenway and son spent Saturday at the Hem enway home near Orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Funk and Vera Dell were dinner guests at the Swindt home in Neligh last Thursday. The Rays of Omaha and ’he Tomjacks of Hastings spent Sat urday at R. M. Tomjack’s. The two oldest sons of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bauer of Iowa have been visiting at the G: A. Bauer home. They are to be em ployed by Bill Day. WD—Robert Jensen to Frank Wewel 12/11/52 $l-% Int Lot 13 Blk 6 Hallock’s Add-Stuart. ROYAL THEATER Thurs. July 9 OPERATION SECRET Starring Cornell Wilde, Karl Malden, Steve Cochran, Phyllis Thaxter. Family night $1.00; adult 50c; children 12c; tax incl. FrL-Sat. July 10-11 Luke Short’s Saturday Evening Post story of fighting men! RIDE THE MAN DOWN Trucolor by Consolidated. Starring Brian Donlevy, Rod Cameron, Ella Raines, Forrest Tucker, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills, with J. Carrol Naish and Jim Davis. Adult 50c; children 12c; tax incl. Matinee Sat. 2:30. Children un der 12 free when accompanied by parent. Sun.-Mon.-Tues. July 12-13-14 THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE Color by technicolor. Starring Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Thelma Ritter, John Carroll, with Eddie Foy, jr. The musical that’s bustin’ out all over! The happiest wedding of song and dance in many a honeymoon. Adult 50c; children 12c; tax incl. Matinee Sun. 2:30. Children un der 12 free when accompanied by parent. Letters to Editor Enroute to Florida from Butte, Mont. Editor, The Frontier: This is a true “It’s a Small World” story that pertains to O’ Neill and may interest the few remaining oldtimers who read your worthy journal: In the year 1906 I had gone to Athens, Greece, as a member of the American Olympic team and participated as a discus thrower from the San Francisco Athletic club. When I returned from Greece, I became a professional boxer and in 1908 Tommy Burns, heavyweight champion of the world, took 'me to Australia where he booked me for several fights. After several months in Australia, I was signed to box in London, England, and shipped out through the Indian ocean and Suez canal. At Port Said, Suez, the toughest town in the world, I went ashore with another box er while the ship was taking on cargo. We went into a big bazaar cafe that was filled with Arabs, Turks, Egyptians, Lascar sailors —the toughest looking polyglot crowd that could be assembled anywhere on earth. A man who looked like an American came up to us and said: “You fellows look like Americans. Where are you from? I am the manager of this place.” I said: “I was born in O’Neill, Nebr.” He said: “Holy mackerel, so was I. I’m the grey Carney from out on the Emmet road.” So even back 45 years ago you were apt to meet someone from O’Neill in some far-off place on the face of the earth. MONTANA JACK SULLIVAN 101 E. Granite St. Butte, Mont. * * * North Bend, Nebr. Dear Sir: I have finally established n new home and I miss the old Frontier. It was such a disagree able day when I left O’Neill that I overlooked renewing my sub scription. So put me on your list on a new renewal. I always en poyed your paper and if it had not been such a disagreeable day I surely would have attended to it before I left. I am sending you a check so you can start me off from here on. EDW. A. EARLY Respectfully, Kleins Now Located ai Denver— Lt. George Klein spent the weekend with his wife and chil dren, Jean, Jimmy and Kenneth. Mrs. Klein and the children re turned to Denver, Colo., with him where they will make their home. They have been residents of this community for five years. Their new address will be 196 Pontiac, Denver 20, Colo. Lieutenant Klein, a reservist, recently was recalled by the air force. To California— Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Quinn and grandson, Jerry Verzal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Verzal of At kinson, left Tuesday for San Di ego, Calif., where they will visit Mr. and Mrs. Edward Quinn, jr., and family. 7 Lynch Children in First Communion LYNCH—First communion ser vices were held in the Assump tion BVM Catholic church of Lynch Sunday, July 5, at 8:30 a.m. Six girl communicants, Rose mary Heiser, Sue Allen, Sharon Courtney, Teresa Chvala, Susene Lueken, Alvina Mulhair, and one boy, Leslie Purviance, were led to the Altar to receive their first communion. The leaders were Raelene Hav ranek and Linda Courtney, who were dressed as angels. After church the participants were guests of Rev. John Wiec zorek at breakfast at the rectory. Pictures were taken of the group.__^ | SAWS FILED All type* of saws filed quickly on our p r e c i * i o n Foley Automatic Filer. Your saws will cut faster, cleaner, truer. Old saws re toothed. Lawnmowers SHARPENED You’ll save time and effort when your mower is sharpened on our Foley Lawn Mower Sharpener, Ail work guaran teed. ■ Pete’s Saw Shop 491-W — O'Neill Insurance of All Kinds INSURANCE Bonds — Notary Public 20% SAVINGS ON YOUR PREMIUMS RELIABLE COMPANIES PROMPT SETTLEMENTS Office in Gillespie Radio Bldg. PHONE 114 or 218 — O'NEILL — L. G. GILLESPIE AGENCY Established in 1893 Our Terrible Thirst l / If your town doesn’t have to worry about its water supply,‘ you’re lucky. A lot of towns do. Trouble is, some communities never dreamed that they might double and triple in size, that new industries would come to town, that citizens would use more water than ever before. We’ve reached the point where we use about 1100 gallons per person a day in the United States. Yet why should water be short when 25 times our needs falls from the skies every year? Unhappily, it doesn’t always fall when and where we need it most. Many reservoirs were built with no idea that towns would grow so fast. And 75% of our communities rely on water from lakes and streams. Today many of these are polluted and require treatment before use. When faced with a shortage, cities suddenly discover to their sorrow that new water sources take time to complete. For years General Electric has contributed toward de velopment of better and more efficient water-works equip ment. This is not so unusual, since motors and other electric equipment are important in water systems, large or small. Some of the things we’ve learned about water supply, and the related problem of water pollution, have been put to gether in motion pictures and booklets, prepared in coopera tion with the U. S. Public Health Service. Any town fathers who are interested in what’s available can write to General Electric, Room 123-2, Schenectady 5, N. Y. /oa amuowi cenjfae/ice GENERAL (|| ELECTRIC % There's a... 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