The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965, July 22, 1954, SECTION ONE, Page 2, Image 2
Prairieland Talk . . . Days of iConsenting’ to Run Over By ROMAINE SAUNDERS. Retired. Former Frontier Editor LINCOLN—Too bad there are not public of fices sufficient to supply all who were hit this year with the itch for office. The day is past when candidates had to be drafted and then re luctantly consented to “make the race.” This thing we call the primary, where the dear people are supposed to have the say about naming candidates, though less than 25 percent of the voters showup at the polls at primary elections, is responsible for the army of candidates and attend ant confusion. Only one can get the nomi nation for any one office. Under the party convention system candidates were selected with care to be voted for at the No vember election. Any expense attached to these party conven tions was met by its delegates, Romaine whereas the primary means the Saunders cost of an election passed on the public. * * * Charley Hall did it for $50 a month, what an ornament at the bank comer now costs the town $250. Besides, Charley kept the water pumps going down at the “power house” so that those who didn’t visit Bill LaViollette’s corner could have fresh water to drink. . . Patriotism, community pride or egotistical bombast inspired the editor of the Plain Dealer in an issue in July, 1901, to say that Dr. P. J. Flynn of O’Neill was locating in “Atkinson, the only town in the Elk horn valley.”'. . The Stuart paper that same week said Harvey Stocking of O’Neill, in the butter shipping business, had bought 1,500 pounds of butter at grocery stores in Stuart. Those were the days when there was a butter maker from real cream on about every quarter section in Stuart precinct. * * * The annual bellyache over weather conditions is in full tune. Newspapers go at it with 60-point headlines. July has been hot on prairieland and elsewhere. Most always is. Grass is green, harvest is over with an average yield, com is coming on, cows are giving milk, food markets are loaded with grub, everybody has money in their pockets or in the bank, the lords of creation are off on fishing trips and prairieland women are stocking the cellars with provisions for the coming winter. * * * Den Hunt, now living in retirement with his wife, the former Nellie Cronin, on East O street in Lincoln, in July, 1901, was appointed district dep uty of the Royal Highlanders for all of Nebraska north of the Platte river. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are both of pioneer families of the O’Neill communi ty. . . At a gathering in O’Neill that year of the Holt County Sunday-School association, C. A. Moss of Amelia was elected president, Charles Phelps of Page, vice-president; Blanche Adams of O’Neill, secretary; E. H. Benedict of O’Neill, treasurer; Lena Peck of Atkinson, superintendent of primary department, and J. T. Carson of Ew ing, superintendent of home department. A group of scientists and educators gathered at a medical institution in southern California to ponder the problem of alcoholics and how to deal with it. Believe Montana Jack Sullivan would join this humble pilgrim in suggesting the surest way to avoid alcoholics is to stay on the water wagon. * • * There are 13,500,000 American patriots over 65 years of age. So if your auburn locks have turned to gray you are in big company. Child hood and youth, then full age, and down the western slope to life’s sunset and after that the dark. And may there be a cherished memory of the one who then embarks. * * * Go west, young man! A bit of advice to an earlier genralion offered by Horace Greeley. Something the great editor once said is less frequently quoted. "Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings and those who cheer today will curse tomorrow. Only one thing endures — character." That's something available to all. * * * Lincoln has a federal “air base” ostensibly to train flight crews to perfection. Now something like a half million dollars of public money is to be blown on a swimming pool, a gymnasium and an officers’ club. Nice layout for the gents on Uncle Sam’s payroll, but what does it add to the security and general welfare of the country? * * * Idle combine men looking for work harvest ing a wheat crop that just isn’t are reported from some western Nebraska communities. Had the region been left as nature made it and as Holt county still is, there might have been a thrifty crop of calves out there to brand at roundup time instead of nothing. * « * There are now in fhe United Stales 7,500, 000 widows, ages from 40 to 65 and over. The number is reported to be growing at the rale of 100.00G annually. * * * A Missouri patriot, via lawsuit, seeks to re cover $250,000 in damages from several tobacco firms on the basis of lung cancer he alleges is the result of using the products of the firms involved, they having claimed their particular brand of smokes were harmless. * • * After 24 hot rainless days, accompanied by the artillery and earth shaking thunderbolts of the sky, a two-inch rain wet the city last night. Lightning found one Lincoln home, two inmates of which were taken to a hospital for treatment for electric shock. * * * O’Neill reports 4.88 inches of rain for the nonth of June. F. B. Cole, long numbered among he dead, measured the community rainfall for a forgotten generation and one year reported 27 nches of rain for the month of June. Editorial . . . Higher Death Rate for Smokers The American Cancer society recently clear ed up most of the confusion about health and cigarette smoking, when it reported that deaths among cigarette smokers from 50 to 70-years-of age are as much as 75 percent higher than those among non-smokers. The report was no tentative, or qualified report. On the contrary, it resulted from a study by the society in nine states which covered the last 2% years and which included tests of 187,766 men between the ages of 50 and 70. The report contained amazing news which is sure to have a stunning impact on the smoking habits m this country. Originally, the American Cancer society intended to wait another year be fore reporting on the study, but officials of the society report that cigarette smokers were found to have so much higher death rates they didn’t think they could withhold the information an oter year. They also said they were releasing the information because “we are thinking of sav ing lives.” Part of the eye-opening findings of the 2\k year study are: Lung cancer deaths were found to be at least three times, and possibly nine times, as common among cigarette smokers as among non smokers. Excepting lung cancer from statistics, the death rate from other forms of cancer was also higher among cigarette smokers. The death rate among heavy smokers, between the ages of 50 and 64, was twice as high as that among non smokers in the same age brackets. It was found that there was a definite sta tistical relationship between death rates and the amount of cigarette smoking. It was found that the lung cancer death rate was at least five times, possibly even 16 times, as high among heavy smokers as among those who never had smoked regularly! The death rate for cigar smokers was slightly higher than for non-smokers, but the rate for pipe^smokers was not appreciably different from that for non-smokers. This is stunning news of great significance to the civilized world, and it cannot be ignored or contradicted by medical authorities anywhere. The American Cancer society certainly has no aw to grind. It has beer, conducting this study for years and will continue it for another 2% years. It was originally begun as a five-year compre hensive study to finally resolve the controversial question whether cigarette smoking is harmful to the body. In our opinion, the American Cancer society’s report removes the last vestage of doubt as to the harm being caused by cigarette smoking, ana al though filtered cigarettes and other devices may reduce the damage to an unknown extent, we be lieve the society’s report will have a tremendous impact on the smoking habits in this country. Un til a sure-fire cure is found for lung cancer, at least, many Americans will think twice before becoming chain-smokers, or heavy smokers, and many others will probably curtail their smoking or switch to pipes or cigars. Tuesday morning’s shower demonstrated the fact the sky still is capable of yielding moisture —although one entertains certain misgivings when the mercury lingers around the century mark day-after-day. Let’s Keep Uhlik in Mind The “Crusade for Freedom” probably will never find a better subject than Vaclav Uhlik. The “Crusade” sponsors the Radio Free Eur ope broadcasts, which are beamed to captive countries in several languages. People of the sub jugated countries trust Radio Free Europe. If you could ask Uhlik you would find un mistakable evidence of the power of the truth broadcasts. Now is our chance for we Americans to do something more than talk about freedom. Let’s keep Vaclav Uhlik in mind. The armored car, in which be escaped, demonstrated graphically what captive people can accomplish so long as their will to freedom is sustained. Through “Crusade for Freedom,” which backs up Radio Free Europe, we Americans can act. And if all of us act, history may well record suc cess. Checks may be addressed to either “Crusade for Freedom” or “Radio Free Europe” and sent in care of your postmaster. College on Confederate Money Leonard W. Stark says he believes he can send two daughters through college with Confed erate money. Contrary to what most people be lieve, he says, Confederate States of America currency is sometimes worth more than its face value. His collection of old bills, including Confed erate money, Government of Texas currency and Republic of Texas money is now valued at several thousand dollars and, by the time his two young daughters go to college, he estimates it will be worth at least $15,000. Stark says Confederate bills of value include a $5-note, called the “Indian Princess bill,” which is worth $20. The bill is dated September 2, 1861. The July 25, 1861, $5-bill is valued at $10 and the September 2, 1861, $5-bill is worth $5, accord ing to Mr. Stark. Unfortunately, however, most Confederate bills of other dates are' not worth similar amounts, or even their face value. If you think things have been hot the past ' few days, keep a weather eye on the final stretch in the primary election campaign. CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher Editorial & Business Offices: 122 South Fourth St. Address correspondence: Box 330, O’Neill, Nebr. 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—2,335 (Mar. 31, 1954) Watch Your Step, Congress! ‘Titanic’ Calls The telephone rang at the house and the voice said in rath er broken English: “This is ‘Titanic’ a speakin’. Can you come down? Why not bring your camera?” “Okay, Vic,” I responded. “I’ll be there.” Vic Halva dubbed himself “Ti tanic” for kicks because he knew I would readily recognize who was calling. Back in 1912 Vic fled from one of the tiny Central European countries that now comprises Czechoslovakia. He assaulted a military guard in his flight and survived the trag edy of the Titanic to reach the United States. Today, he ranks as a genius in the electric motor and generator repair field. Vic and his wife, who is of pure Bohemian extraction, have raised their family and live comfortably in their home on East Fremont street When the “Czech Freedom Tank” made its dramatic punc ture of the iron curtain about a year ago and the eight refugees worked their way to the United States, O’Neill’s Vic Halva was impressed. One of the escapees was a Czechoslovakian girl, the wife of a U.S. army soldier who had been unable to get away from the reds and rejoin her hus band, a Sioux City meat cutter. Vaclav Uhlik, the originator of the “freedom tank” idea and the builder of the bogus machine, included the U.S. soldier’s wife in the group of eight in their courageous strike for freedom. Sioux City went all-out to welcome Mrs Cloud when she i and her husband were reunited. ! Mrs. Cloud Contacted Vic contacted Mrs. Cloud with a personal visit. Furthermore, he urged Mrs. Cloud to prevail up on Uhlik to come to the midwest ... to O’Neill. Vic had the idea he’d like to be able to induce Uhlik, the master mechanic turned-hero, to work with him in the business of rewinding motors and generators. That’s what brought Uhlik to O’Neill last Thursday, accompan ied by his wife, Marta, and their two children — a boy, 6, and a girl, 4. When I reached the Halva household the Uhliks and Hal vas were finishing their meal. The strange European gibberish was being spoken freely and I understood not a word. Neither did I know whom I was about to meet or why. Uhlik had a thatch of dark hair, somewhat unruly. He was smoking Pall Mall cigarettes and I studied his features. Not a large man. Piercing dark eyes. Rather high cheek bones. Mrs. Uhlik began to help Mrs. Halva clear the table. Several conversations in the foreign tongue were now in progress. The two Uhlik children bounded in and more linguistic confusion resulted. Finally, in an impetuous way, I knifed in with the suggestion we get on with the picture. But first I’d like to know a little about the subject. Who, what, when, etc. . . ? * * » Imagine the surprise when I realized the kind of a story that had been dumped at the door step. With the picture-taking and in terviewing over, it was a great pleasure to shake the hand of the little Czech mechanic who so hated the Russian tyranny he successfully schemed a way to do something about it. Uhlik explained, through the Halvas, who acted as interpret • ers, that he and his family were in this country on temporary visitor’s permits. Vaclav’s suit and hat were somewhat bedraggled, having ridden a bus from Springfield, Mass., to O’Neill, via Sioux City. They traveled frugally because it was necessary to save every dime. There were certain questions Vaclav preferred not to discuss, especially those concerning rel atives and any references that might jeopardize any of his friends left behind. —CAL STEWART ... .. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm o Visitors Here— Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Oker lund of Crosby,' Minn., were Wednesday overnight guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Appleby. i.- - - - - , . ... DRS. BROWN & FRENCH Eyes Tested—Glasses Fitted Broken Lens Replaced in 24 Hours Other Repairs While You Wait Complete X-Ray It Happened Is NEBRASKA— f-r“-r---— Here on the Nebraska plains where wood was always scarce, pioneer inventiveness developed the “hay burning stove.” Though ! a dangerous fire hazard in the home, this type stove was widely used for some years. See how the hay was twisted into “sticks” _ and then fed into a cylindrical fire box. It has taken foresight, too, to develop the NEBRASKA DIVISION Nebraska tavern industry into a well-run, highly respected business. But today the public esteem held for the tavern industry Foundation is greater than ever before. . 710 rirst Nat 1 Bank Bldg., Lincoln ______ ■ metWM! £ You get these outstanding LANE features: • Pressure-tested for aroma tightness, • Moth protection guarantee. • Aroma-tight lock. • Beautiful rubbed and polished "deep-gleam” finish. Delivers to Your Home! BIGLIN’S BOB CLINKSCALES — GEORGE HAMMOND Phone 38 O'Neill ^6* ^etlSmavuws i**75cl2y‘t ‘Suieik. , /,V aMmipnDpUarttidn-andno fooJm YOU can see for yourself the gay and gorgeous styling that’s sure to be the fresh note next year, too. And you can easily learn that here is power a-plenty—the highest V8 power, Series for Series, in the annals of Buick history. But what you can never know, till you try it yourself, is the feel of a Buick in motion. It’s a ride as precision-soft and firm as only coiled steel can make it. Yes, coil springs on all four wheels. And a full-length torque-tube drive for true tracking. And a massive X-braced frame for solid steadiness. And specially cali brated shock absorbers, V-braced struts, — ..... —* ‘ wide-rim wheels, a unique front-end geometry—plus a host of other better ments too numerous to mention. You feel the result of this advanced engineering every mile you drive — in what is literally and figuratively a Million Dollar Ride. You feel it in the superb and buoyant cradling. You feel it in the serene level ness of your going over ruts and ridges. Y)u feel it in the precise snubbing of jars and jounces. You feel it in a new kind of steadiness, handling ease, curve control. Only thing for you to do, we believe, is to come try this miracle of motion—and we'll be glad to oblige. That way you’ll also learn firsthand about < the style, the power, and the value that have made Buick such a best-selling success this year. For Buick today is out selling all other cars in America except two of the so-called “low-price three. ” (Smart tip: With Buick such a beautiful buy this year, think what a winner it’s bound to be at trade-in time! Gome see us this week!) i *"^**'" - ■ "" WHB< Bern* AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT *UICK WIU BUILD THEM A. MARCELLUS PHONE 370 O