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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1953)
Prairieland Talk . . . A Thirsty Old Woman By ROMAINE SAUNDERS, Retired, Former Frontier Editor LINCOLN—The story is told as historically true that a young woman who was spending a few days on the sea coast supplied a cup of cold water to an old lady whom she had overheard express a wish for a drink. The old lady expressed her gratitude and wonderment that this charming young person should have an interest in the welfare of an old woman with gray hair. She learned of the girl’s age, date of her birth, nam ; and where she lived. Time passed. The girl was home hold ing a job in a music store. On the day of her 19th birthday anniversary a man walked into the store and handed her a seal ed envelope. Opening the en velope she found a short mes sage from the old woman she — had given a drink of water two Romaine years before and a check made cylinders out to her for $27,500. Now, kids, don’t be looking for an old wom an or old man to whom you could give a lift ex pecting something like that to come your way. And there was the young fellow who was having a struggle to get a medical training. He went hungry at times. One day he stopped at a home and. asked the young woman who came to the door for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry. She gave him a glass of milk in place of water. The years came and went, that woman lies on a cot in a hospital with a disease that baffles the specialists but before being given up to die a physician of nationwide repute was called to her bedside. The woman recovers. The physician asked the hospital authorities to let him to see the bill before it was given to the dis charged patient. She got the bill and was about to have a relapse as she thought about how she would ever pay such a sum, when she read at ,the bottom, “Paid in full with one glass of milk. Interesting stories. But maybe your exper ience has been like the merchant’s that I talked to. He had tried to help people by extending them credit and had been stung for hundreds of dollars. * * ft Livestock marketing, now done at sale rings, at one time was the active business of several buyers and shippers in O’Neill. A day in the long • ago a group of these buyers collected at the “Gal lagher corner” were telling some experiences. One related seeing a gent stop his team and un cover a large stone in the wagon box and dump it out. He was on the way up town to weigh in the wagon after unloading hogs at the stockyard. The buyer of those hogs paid for 10G pounds more hog than he got. Others told of seeing farmers scrape the wagon clean of hay and mess before weighing back after unloading. One gent had a novel scheme to plug the weight of his load of hogs. He had fastened a sack of sand under the wagon and on the way back to the city scales af ter unloading got out and slit the sack. Another gent who had sold cattle and was driving them in to turn over to the buyer was caught two miles out of town filling the cattle with feed and water, the agreement in the transaction being that the seller would take the shrinkage occasioned by moving the herd For a week the sun has poured merciless heat upon the city. The concrete carrying foot and wheel traffic reflects the heat coming like a blow torch when the breeze stirs. Drink a quart of water and it is sweat out like squeezing a sponge. As Old Sol reaches the zenith today white bars of clouds hang motionless above the hot earth. From the scorched plains of Kansas, Ok lahoma and Texas comes the hot breath of early August. The weather forecaster mentioned some thing about continued heat with here and there “local showers.” Maybe those bars of white clouds up there in the blue firmament will darken as the hours go marching on and drop us a cooling shower. It is something like a half century since I fell in with R. R. Dickson as we walked along the “cutoff” toward our respective homes. It was a chilly day in early July. We talked of the weather, expounding the wisdom of a lawyer and printer. Conclusions were that the sun, as a great ball of fire, was losing heat and we were head ed for another “ice age.” The solar orb has been replenished since that chilly day in July. * * • Dressed in creased trousers and white shirt he is pictured inspecting the situation in a Ne braska corn field. Not an honesl-to-goodness clodhopper who produces the stuff from which we get cornbread and mush, but one of those specialists that agriculture has added to its yearly crop yield. • * * Alf Landon, the victim of the new deal of the 30’s, was up from Kansas the other day mixing | a little politics with business during his sojourn in Lincoln. The one time presidential coandidate cast a barb at Senator McCarthy of Wiscon sin. Others are doing that not without castine suspicion on themsevles as red sympathizers. Probably Landon is not in this class. As a kid in southern Wisconsin, my best pal was a kid named Ed McCarthy. Maybe Joe is his illustrious son. At any rate, he has the backing of the great state of Wisconsin and has done more than any other one in congress to hunt down the traitors. * * * In the death of Senator Taft another of the nation’s ablest statesmen passes out of the pic ture. Nebraska republicans have looked upon the Ohio senator as presidential quality and will re gret his death second perhaps only to friends in his home state. Men die—the humble and great, the well known and the unknown, and the affairs of the nation and those of the communities that make up the nation continue to function and will so continue as long as time lasts while patriots stand on guard in behalf of liberty and justice and truth. * * * Friends of Julius D. Cronin learn with plea sure that he is to head the Nebraska State Bar association. J.D. has consistently shunned pub licity but without his knowledge and consent Prairieland Talker, who has known Mr. Cronin from the days of his childhood, feels free to say that he is not only a capable lawyer who will be an asset to the bar association as its president, but like his dad before him is an all-around great guy. Editorial . . . ‘ Valuations Don *t Make Taxes ’ We are amused by the profound announce-* ment from Gov. Robert Crosby and the state board of equalization declaring that “valuations don’t make taxes.” This cliche was forthcoming simultaneously with the state board’s upping of Holt county city and town real estate values 438 percent; farm real estate values, 207 percent; household goods, 100 percent; and business schedules, 25 percent. Further, the state board admonished persons concerned (and who isn’t?) to take their tax bur dens to their county, school, town and township boards. Don’t come to us, they said, because “val uations don’t make taxes.” On page one of this issue of The Frontier there is a table showing levy comparisons be tween 1952 and 1953. An asterix designates three state funds on which the levy is fixed by statute law. Combined they represent 1.85 mills or $1.85 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Holt county’s valuations have been increased roughly from 38-million-dollars in 1952 to 42 million-dollars in 1953 — or a total of 5-million dollars. The fixed state levy last year for state building purposes produced something like 40 thousand-dollars in that single fund from Holt county alone. This year that same fund will get 46-thousand-dollars. And two new fixed levies (teachers’ pension and medical college building funds) have been added! The state has shed its 75 percent of the med ical load for care of the aged, blind and ■other persons unable to pay their own way. This has been dumped entirely on the counties, which formerly footed 25 percent of the bill. This is a big item subtracted from the state treasury yet the state bigwigs were unable to reduce the state levy more than a mill in the face of tremendous valuation increases like Holt’s. Holt county, O’Neill school district and O’ Neill city officials have succeeded in slicing the levy some, and we wonder how far an individual would get in pressing one of those boards to re duce its texas—as the state board of equalization suggests we do. It would seem the economy could begin at the state level, which fixes its levy first. And, the state board, after all, is in the middle of the present tax muddle. “Valuations don’t make taxes,” the board chirps. But somehow the state’s take becomes appre ciably bigger and bigger. Ruth Was Best Paid Player Babe Ruth still ranks the best paid ball play er in the history of baseball. We don’t care what you say about Ted Wil liams getting the highest salary or what figures you produce. Figures are facts but they can fool you. Babe RuWs biggest salary year was the $80, 00Q. he drew down in 1931. Ted Williams hit the $125,000 mark. He might have earned the most dollars but he wasn’t the highest paid. Out of the $125,000 paid Ted Williams the government dipped in so heavily that he had only $62,028 left after paying his taxes. When Ruth pocketed the $80,000 in 1931 the government left him $68,535 as his “for keeps.” Those figures in themselves are not capable of telling the whole story. The $68,535 received by Ruth would buy twice as much as the $62,028 “net after taxes” of Williams. We still say that Babe Ruth was the best paid ball player in history. One lady’s comment on the Lincoln city council proposal to outlaw the female parade in shrots: ‘They’ll never do it—too many men want to see us that way.” End of Honeymoon? The first general partisan attack on the Eis enhower administration comes seven months af ter it took office. It comes from democratic wheel horse Sam Rayburn and is aimed directly at the republican congress rather than at President Eisenhower. This is notable. While it is natural for Mr. Rayburn, as the house minority leader and former speaker, to deal particularly with congressional action, he appears also to share a general demo cratic wariness about “shooting” at the president. If the Rayburn blast signals an end to the admin istration’s political honeymoon, it avoids—for the present—the hazard of running head-on into the popularity of Mr. Eisenhower. To be sure, however, it is a prelude for low ering the boom on Mr. Ike. After all, Ike was a protege of democratic new dealers like Franklin D. Roosevelt, George C. Marshall, and others, and miffed the demo wheelhorses when he emerged from the GOP comer. Mr. Rayburn declares the administration has failed to keep its campaign promises. It has not balanced the budget, cut taxes, halted inflation, or developed a new foreign policy. Holding the party in power responsible for everything that isn’t done—or that goes amiss—is a recognized tactic in political warfare. And voters who ex pected a bigger and quicker change may be at tracted by the argument. The Rayburn case will have much more ap peal next year if the administration fails to “pass a miracle” and somehow balance the budget while cutting taxes. But the republicans can reasonably ask Mr. Rayburn if the nation would not have been even further from balancing the budget, cut ting taxes, halting inflation, and finding a new foreign policy if the democrats had continued on the Truman road. His remarks cast a forelight on democratic strategy. Plainly one feature is to be a strong at tack on the ' hard-money” policy under which in terest rates have already been raised. The admin istration can argue that this tightening of credit is one of the best ways to curb inflation. It may even prove statistically that there are more cred itors than borrowers in America. But politically this row can be very hard to hoe. Frankly, we have not been impressed with Ike’s record during the first seven months, and we suspect his record will deteriorate now that he has lost the wise, sound counsel of Robert A. Taft, who had Ike’s ear on occasion much to the bewail* ment of Sherman Adams, Thomas Dewey, Herbert Brownell, et al. Frontier CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher Editorial & Business Offices: 122 South Fourth St. Address correspondence: Box 330, O’Neill, NeLr. 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). Tractor Shed Lost in Farm Blaze Fire Starts While Refueling CHAMBERS — A fire at the Emil Klabenes farm east of Chambers on Tuesday, August 4, destroyed a tractor shed and equipment and caused consider able damage to a tractor. The fire started when the son, Bob Klabenes, was refueling the tractor to go to the hay field. Neilghbors assisted in putting out the blaze before it reached other buildings. The Chambers fire department was on the scene. Fortunately neither Bob nor his sister, who was nearby, was burned. Neighbors came in and assist ed Mr. Klabenes in finishing his I haying. Other Chambers News Mrs. Ann Alday and daughter, Thersa, of West Plains, Mo., came Thursday, August 6, and visited until Tuesday, August 11, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Taggart, and family. Miss Mary Taggart of Omaha was a week end visitor. Mr. and Mrs. Hale Osborne and. Sharon of Winner, S.D., came Sunday to visit relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne left for home Sunday evening. Sharon re mained for a week’s visit. The family had been visiting relatives i't Sioux Falls, S.D., and Wisner. Miss Bonnie Grimes of Eaton, Colo., who has been visiting rela tives in Sioux City, came Tues day evening, August 4. She will spend a couple weeks with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Carpenter, and Mrs. Genevieve Bell and other relatives. Dinner guests in the Hattie Tibbets home were Mr. and Mrs. Hale Osborne and Sharon of Winner, S.D., Bonnie Grimes of Eaton, Colo., Mrs. Geenvieve Bell and Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Cooper of Chambers. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Grimes and three sons left Sunday for the West coast. They will visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hus ton, at Sedro Wooley, Wash., and other relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Kieth Sexton and Nadine returned Sunday from a two - weeks’ vacation spent in Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Emmet Medcalf of Sedro Wooley, Wash., arrived during the past week to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Medcalf, and brother and sister in-law, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Med calf. Dr. and Mrs. Floyd Walter and son of Detroit, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Walter of Hoisington, Kans., and Mr. and Mrs. Irven _ Walter of Mapleton. Ia., visited their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Walter, last week. Mrs. Genevieve Bell returned Saturday from a week’s visit with her son and daughter-in law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Grimes, at Eaton, Colo. Mr. and Mrs. Joe O’Malley and family of Oakland, Calif., are guests of his mother, Mrs. Law rence O’Malley, and brothers, Jerry and Leo. Mr. and Mrs. Homer Roe of California came last week to vis it her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walter. Mrs. A. C. Stiles and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Stiles, Patty and Judy of Lincoln visited the for mer’s sister, Mrs. Esther Wood, a few days last week. Mrs. A. C. Stiles remained for another week. The others returned to Lincoln Sunday. Mrs. Grover Shaw of O’Neill is also a guest of Mrs. Wood this week. Rev. and Mrs. Ward Smith and family left Monday for Homer City, Pa., where he will be con nected with the West Indies mis sion. A shower was held for them at the Memorial Baptist church on Friday evening. A musical program was presented followed by a showing of pictures taken by the Smiths during their stay in Honduras. Central America. A/2c and Mrs. Richard Harley and son, Wayne, came Wednes day, August 5, from Limestone airbase, Me., for a 30-day leave which they will spend in Cham bers. Richard is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Harley. He will be sent to England following his leave. Mrs. E. R. Carpenter, Mrs. My ers, Mrs. Neilson and Mrs. Cooke were hostesses to the Woman’s Society of Christian Service last Thursday afternoon in the Meth odist church parlors. The presi dent opened the meeting and had charge of the business session Seventeen ladies answered to roll call and one visitor was present. Mrs. Darrel Gillette led the de voticnals and gave the quadren cers are asked to bring in their nial goals for 1953-1956. All offi reports for the first quarterly report at the next meeting. Mrs. John Honeywell played the pre lude, Mrs. Sarah Adams gave the scripture. Leona Gleed gave the lesson on socialism and evangel ism. Mrs. Hansberry gave the prayer. A lunch was served at the close of the meeting. The next meeting will be in the church parlors on August 20. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald McDer mott returned Wednesday, Aug ust 5, from a three-weeks trip' to the West coast. At Portland, Ore., they visited his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. John Lawyer, also Mr. and Mrs. Fred Collins and family and Mr. and Mrs. William Dailey. They also visited her brother, Lynn Hanna, and family at Roseburg, Ore. Sister M. Quentin, OSB, and I Sister M. Hortense, OSB, of Atchinson, Kans., left Friday af ! ter spending a few days visiting at the home of Mrs. Bertha Con way and other relatives. Auxiliary’s Member Quota Fixed at 236 The American Legion auxiliary of Simonson post 93 met Wednes day, August 5, at the Legion aud itorium with the president, Mrs. Virgil Laursen, presiding. Mrs. Melvin Ruzicka was au thorized to go ahead and get the bamboo drapes for the lounge ARTHRITIS? I have been wonderfully blessed in being restored to active life after being crippled in nearly every joint in my body and with muscular sore ness from head to foot. I had Rheumatoid Arthritis and other forms of Rheumatism, hands deformed and my ankles were set. Limited space prohibits tell ing you more here but if you will write me I will reply at once and tell you how I receiv ed this wonderful relief. Mrs. Lela S. Wier 280$ Arbor Hills Drive P.O. Box 2695 Jackson 7, Mississippi upstairs. The child welfare chairman, Mrs. Collene Greene, corrected the safety test papers for the bi cycle campaign which was held in July. The auxiliary had given $5 toward this campaign. The new five-gallon server section, 120-cup coffeemaker has arrived. Mrs. Laursen read a letter from the state department stating the membership quota for 1954 is to be 236. The 1954 dues can be paid now to Mrs. John Stuifbergen. The people attending the North - Central Nebraska Here ford tour will be here the night of August 19. Anyone having a room for one person or a couple, please get in touch with Mrs. Laursen, Mrs. Marie Siefken or Mrs. Palmer Skulborstad. Mrs. Axel Borg, being the only one who attended the department convention in Omaha, gave a re port of the happenings during the three days there. The new department president is Mrs. Lowell Johnson of Valley. The door prize was won by Mrs. H. D. Gildersleeve. The lit tle red school house fund amounted to $2.41. The lunch committee for Sep tember will be Mrs. A1 Carroll,. Mrs. William Griffin, Mrs. Pal mer Skulborstad, Mrs. Borg and Mrs. Laursen. Frontier lor printing! I— DR. H. D. GILDERSLEEVE OPTOMETRIST Northeast Corner of 4th & Douglas O’NEILL, NEBR. Phone 167 Eyes Examined - Glasses Kitted Office Hours: 9-5 Mon. thru Sat. Service Representative Kay Wallace scanned the note. Puzzled, she looked at the man who had brought it to her desk in the telephone business office. He touched his mouth and his ear, then shook his head. “You’re deaf and can’t speak?” she wrote on a slip of paper. He nodded, reaching for the pencil. Mrs. Wallace soon learned his need. The handicapped man’s wife was ill; he wanted to call relatives out of town. Quickly she put the call through. “I’m speaking for Mr. Samson ...” she began. Then as penciled notes were exchanged, she continued a six-minute conversation. When the call was finished, her customer’s gestures conveyed his thanks. Kay smiled and wrote a last note. “You’re welcome. Always glad to lend a hand—or a voice!” The story you’ve read here was taken from telephone files. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of people in it. You might meet Kay Wallace, the service representative, in your telephone office. You’re sure to meet someone very like her—for her helpfulness is typical of telephone people in every town we serve. To attract and hold good workers like Kay Wallace, to provide them with proper training to serve you well — your telephone company must have reasonable rates for service. We must stay financially sound to continue to bring good telephone service to everyone who needs it... to continue to make your telephone worth more than it costs. Do you know a true telephone story like this? Send it to Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., Omaha, Nebraska. Northwestern Bell Telephone Company '.. It Happened In NEBRASKA— ■ M I . ■ In the mid-1800’s, the frontier border often resounded with shots from “sporting” buffalo hunts. Trainloads of white men would stop near a herd of buffalo to shoot down the beasts for pure “sport,” leaving the carcasses to rot on the plains. These actions caused many an Indian war. Vhat a change in Nebraska, even to its NEBRASKA DIVISION outlook on tavern operation. 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