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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1954)
Mon. — Wed. — Sat. 9:45 A.M. — 780 k.c. North-Central Nebraska’s BIGGEST Newspaper Volume 74.—Number 32. (TNeill, Nebr., Thursday, December 9, 1954. Seven Cents Soap, Beer Cans Strewn in Accident Property Loss Fixed At $3,000 Two trucks collided 4 miles west of Emmet early Friday morning on a straight - away stretch of U.S. highway 20. Holt County Sheriff Leo Tomjack said both trucks were “crowding too closely” the white division line in consideration of the width of the trucks. Gatz Bros, of O’Neill owned the eastbound vehicle driven by Dan ny Helmor. Amalgamated Truck Lmes of Alberta, Can., was own er of the westbound diesel, doing transportation for the Canadian . government. The cargo included soap and chocolate. The Gatz truck carried cases of beer. The cargo was strewn over the scene of the wreckage. Because a foreign govern ment was involved, the federal bureau of investigation was summoned to make a report. i omjaek said conservative estimates would place property damage in the neighborhood of three thousand dollars. Helmer said hi? was enroute to O’Neill after a late trip to Valentine. A machine driven by Joe Kokes of Atkinson smacked into a cow belonging to Charles Ma honey of O’Neill on a highway 2 miles east of O’Neill. The mishap resulted in $250 to $300 damage to the Kokes car and a $200 loss of the cow, which died a few minutes after the impact. Mr. Mahoney said he did not know his cow was loose. The critter popped out of a ditch in front of the Kokes car so quickly the driver said he had no time to avoid the accident. Jack Gilman of Amelia, driver of a truck, figured in a sideswipe mishap with a vehicle driven by Joseph Kamphaus, also of Am elia. The side of the Kamphaus •' . car was literally torn out. Prop erty damage, the report stated, would be about one thousand dollars. Complete or partial insurance covered all of the losses. Santa Coming to O’Neill December 18 Ol’ St. Nick has sent word from the North Pole he plans to be in O’Neill on Saturday, December 18. The jolly fellow said he would be laden with treats for the kids. As Santa has done the past few years, he will buzz to O’Neill in his jet (or atomic) powered air plane, be met at the airport by an O’Neill fire truck and meet the smallfry at the O’Neill public school. His arrival at the school building is set for 2 p.m. Former Ewing Teacher Is Dead EWING — Funeral services were conducted last week at Ponca for Mrs. Jack Humphrey, . formerly of Ewing. Mrs. Hum phrey was the former Miss Es ther Schram, who was a music teacher in the Ewing public school in recent years. Survivors include: Widower; I son—Jeff, age 14-months. Give The Frontier for Xmas! 2 Registrants to Army This Week Two Holt county selective ser vice registrants leave this week for military service. Elmer L. Schwager, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Schwager of Ewing, goes as a draftee and Eu gene V. Krysl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Krysl of Stuart, goes as a volunteer. Both go to the regular army. J. W. Reftz/72, Rites at Chambers Holt Resident Since 1889 Long 111 CHAMBERS— J. W. Reitz, 72, died Friday, December 3, in the Neligh hospital. He had been ill of cancer over six months. The late Mr. Reitz submitted to surgery at Rochester, Minn., this year and was hospitalized there 40 days. He was accom panied to Rochester by Arnie Mace, sr., a longtime friend. Mr. Reitz leaves no near relatives. Funeral services were conduct ed Tuesday, December 7. at 2 r m., from the Methodist church here with Rev. J. M. Hodgkin, church pastor, officiating. Burial was in the Chambers cemetery under the direction of Biglin’s. Thomas Lambert and Stanley Lambert sang, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. C. V. Robert son. Pallbearers were Leonard Petersen, Earl Medcalf, Fred Tucker, William Ermer, Mark Gribble and Mr. Mace. The late Mr. Reitz was born December 5, 1881, at Waverly, the only son of John and Mar garet Hedges Reitz. He ac companied his parents to Holt county in 1889, coming from. Lincoln. He never married and was a rancher in this community for many years. His father died on March 17, 1951, at the age of 95. Survivors include several cou sins in Pennsylvania and second cousins in Nebraska. Two Central C ity men, both named George Hedges and both second cousins, were the only kin at the funeral. Former O’Neillite Pneumonia Fatality Bernard (“Barney”) Hynes, 28, former St. Joseph’s hall student, Atkinson, and an O’Neill high school graduate, died Monday, December 6, in a Portland, Ore., hospital. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Hynes of Portland, who formerly resided north of O’Neill. The young man had been ill about a month and entered the hospital two days before his death, which was caused by in fluenza turning into pneumonia. Funeral services will be con ducted today (Thursday) at Portland and burial will be there. Survivors include: Widow — Betty; parents—Mr. and Mrs. D. P Hynes of Portland; sisters — Mrs. George (Ellen) Munyer of Chicago, 111., and Virginia; broth ers—Francis, Thomas, John and James. In August, 1953, one of his brothers, Austin, together with Austin’s two children, was killed in an automobile accident near Osceola while enroute from Ft. Riley, Kans., to O’Neill. This OF House . . . The dwelling (below), owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Townsend of Page (above), is now 40-years-old. Moreover, the house is riding along on a more interesting reputation: It has never Witnessed a birth, a death or a wedding. Furthermore, it has never harbored a bed bug, according to Mrs. Townsend. The oc cupants are pictured examining a photograph. —Frontier Photo. Spacious combination wash-smoke rooms for men and women at opposite ends of the car are features of the new, streamlined Challenger-type day coaches, which were inaugurated this week on the Omaha-to-Chadron line of the Chicago & North Western. The railroad officials ordered new equipment used on the last two remaining p issenger-mail-express trains during an experi mental period.—The Frontier Photo. “Wonderful” was the word Mrs. Abbie Homer of Ainsworth (foreground) used to describe the riding qualities of the Challenger coaches used Tuesday for the first time by the North Western railroad. The newest-type day coaches feature reclining seats and air-conditioning.—The Frontier Photo. Fine Carpentry, Cattle Are Hobbies By MRS. N. D. ICKES, SR. Special Feature Writer PAGE — Seldom have we known a man more versatile and efficient than Paul Shanner, w’ho came to Holt county March 13, 1883, being then only 10-weeks old. His father, James L. Shan ner, homesteaded the quarter of land on which Paul resided un til 1944, when he moved to Ar kansas. In the South he spent two years at Booneville and five years at Charleston, returning to Page in 1951. When a lad of 17, he tried his hand at the carpenter trade and built the house where he now lives. He joined two old home stead shanties together, doing the work himself and transforming them into a creditable home. In 1910 a barn was built—36 by 85 by 40 ft. high. Even by modern standards it is regarded as ‘•quite a barn.” The major framing on the St. Mary’s academy convent roof at O’Neill is another monument to his structural ability. Having worked for and with a number of individuals and companies, he felt he had a complete under standing of that line of work. He was graduated from the Chicago School of Carpentry and Joinery in April, 1913. This formal training coupled with the practical knowledge he had acquired earlier indeed made Mr. Shanner a remark able craftsman. In 1914 Paul was responsible for the silent movie at Page, a gas-operated job. In 1916, he in stalled the electric plant at Page and did the wiring, much of which is still in use. He was vil lage engineer for Royal at the tame the plant was built there, also supervised the rebuilding of the plant at Chambers. He also did most of the house wiring at Wannetoon. In 1923 the Page plant was sold to the Foshay syndicate. The franchise at Page successively was in the hands of Interstate Power company- and * Consumers Public Power district. With the advent of the sound movie, the silent movie was dis continued and the theater (the old Methodist church) was moved to the fai'm and made into a gran ary. Upon the death of his father in I 1929, Paul was beckoned home ; to take charge of the farm and i be with his widowed mother. There was a string of grade Guernseys on the farm. In 1934, he decided he might better the situation so he purchased two fe males and a male, all regisitered Guernseys. This move proved a worthwhile investment as nearly 1,500 have been reared from that foundation herd in the interven ing 20 years. Taking 23 head of the best to Arkansas in 1944, he returned six years later with 87 head. A scurce of special pride is the herd sire for that six-year period and some of the foundation cows and their daughters that were full sisters. The herd was finally dis persed in March, 1954, keeping five of the most outstanding, the foundation for another val uable herd. One of the founda tion cows was 20-years-old and has since been put to sleep. At present, Paul is following a hobby and making it pay off in dollars and cents. He has equip ped a room in his home with the tools necessary to ply his trade ■nri iwiiii in—i —mu mm and has more than he can get done. One of his first projects was to mend some very fine old chairs which he found dismantl ed in the dump. A friend pointed cut to him that it took four chairs for a set, so he set about copying the pattern and matching the wood. This he has done so cleverly that it is difficult to de termine which is original and which are copies. He now has a very fine set of antique chairs. Many scraps of fine wood have been tooled into useful and beau tiful articles. Fitting electric clocks into cherished old wood frames is another example of his skill. Many Page homes boast a drop-leaf table made from a square, oblong or round-type ta ble that still matches the buffet and chairs while taking up less room. But the seating capacity remains the same. As news of his success spreads, tables are now coming in from far distant points to be refashioned. (Continued on page 12) mamaem "ini.~ • — in ■mi Paul Sha,nnei- . . . cedar chests, any size.—The Frontier Photo. I Presbyterians Plan New Church Here ‘S-D’ Day to Be Noted in County Holt Safety Council Picks Officers and Plans for Campaign A Holt county safety council has been organized in compliance with appeals from President Eis enhower and Governor Crosby to reduce highway accidents and fatalities. The newly-formed Holt council is preparing for county wide participation in “safe driv ing” day, which has been desig nated as Wednesday, December 15. Assistant Holt County Agent Harry Stokeley presided at Tues day’s organizational meeting, which was instituted by the ex tension service. Officers elected are: Mrs. Vern Sageser of Amelia, chairman; Matthew Beha of O’ . Neill, vice-chairman; Mrs. Albert Carson of Redbird, secretary. Roger Bowen of Page, farm safety chairman; Mrs. Robert Clifford of Atkinson, home safe ty chairman; County Sheriff Leo Tomjack of O’Neill, traffic chair man; Mrs. N. D. Ickes, sr., of Page, publicity: Harry Stokeley, ot O’Neill, other groups. Mrs. Quentin Hickok of Stuart, 4-H chairman; Gene Closson of Stuart, rural school chairman; Mrs. Elsie Chase of Ewing, city and town school chairman. Finance committee members are: Mrs. Ira Watson of In man, chairman; Lawrence ilamik of Stuart, vice-chair man; Vincent Thiele of Clear water and Leonard Miller of Chambers. Inman School Supt. Gerald Nelson said there are 38 thousand fatalities per year on U.S. high ways with 3,800 farm and 2,900 home fatalities. Cal Geapr of Inman made the first contribution to the finance department. He gave $20 — the cost, he explained, of having a car fender repaired. His vehicle was damaged on the O’Neill streets that day while he was seated in his parked car. James W. Rooney offered a $25 contri bution in behalf of the O’Neill Production Credit association and Roger Bowen gave $10. Methods of obtaining additional funds were discussed and probable ex penses were considered. A fatality-free December 15 is the national objective, Mrs. Sag eser pointed out. Mayors of cities and towns, superintendents of schools and organizations will be contacted for cooperation. Another meeting is set for Tuesday, December 14, at 2 o’ clock to further plans for the campaign and name working committees. Elkhorn Valley IOOF lodge 57 of O’Neill, through its noble grand, Dwayne Phiibrick, has sounded its desire to cooperate in the “S-D” day campaign. The lodge originated the slogan: “Be odd—be courteous.” Mrs. Ickes, publicity chairman, said the council feels there is “a very definite need” for safety pa trolmen in the O’Neill area. County Sheriff Leo Tomjack and Deputy Sheriff James Mullen have been “covering” accidents and making reports, but Tomjack declares extensive patrol work is not provided for in the sheriff’s budget. The council recommends fre quent surprise visits to small towns in the area and appearance of cruiser cars on main arteries (other than federal highways) to make all residents safety - con scious. “Blind” corners were dis cussed, also bad placement of signs at intersections were talked about. Recent highway accidents and their causes were discussed by Sheriff Tomjack. (See details elsewhere on page 1.) Lynch Woman Is Loser in Court BUTTE—Boyd county was the winner in district court here Monday in a suit brought by Miss Mabel Mulhair of Lynch. She contested the legality of a road built by the county across part of her property. District Judge D. R. Mounts of O’Neill ruled in favor of the county and ordered Miss Mulhair to pay the costs of the suit. The next district court session here will be Monday, January 3. Burge Family Starts Building Fund with $3,000 i n Calves Preliminary planning is under way for a new 75-thousand-dollar Presbyterian church to be erected here. Rev. J. Olen Kennell, church pastor, announced to the congrega tion Sunday a plan for financing of the project is preceding “at a very encouraging pace”. The initial contribution came from Mrs. Bessie Burge, her son, Harold, and her daughter, Miss June, who pledged 40 head of spring calves valued at about three-thousand-dollars. J. H. Pat terson agreed to feed the calves and fatten them until October 1, 1955—possibly doubling the value. Patterson already has moved the calves to his place. These two gestures touched off the finance drive which is under the direction of D. H. Clausen. Alfred Drayton is chairman of the building committee; District Judge D. R. Mounts, treasurer; Mrs. Dwight Harder, secretary; Mrs. D. C. Schaffer and Mr. Patter son, committee members. The new edifice, which has not yet been sketched, will be erected on the site of the present church and manse. Preliminary planning calls for two units. The first unit will be the combination Sunday school department and social rooms; the second unit the main church auditorium and attached rooms. Architectural details have not yet been worked out. The present church is believed to be about 72 years-old. C of C Seeks Names Guard Enthusiasts Heninger Trip to O'Neill Delayed Men interested in joining a national guard tank company, in the event O’Neill is chosen as the site for the not yet activated com pany D, are asked to contact Robert Hornby, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, phone 162-J. The larger the informal list of enthusiasts the greater is O’ Neill’s chance for winning the competitive race for the unit. Meanwhile, Brig.-Gen. Guy N. Heninger of Lincoln, head of the Nebraska national guard, has de layed until January a meeting with the C of C’s new industries committee. The state administra tive officer for the guards, Col. F.var Peterson, Wednesday told James W. Rooney, committee chairman, the meeting scheduled for Friday, December 10, at O’ Neill would have to be postponed until “sometime in January.” Peterson has already made an ii.formal inspection of armory sites here. A full-strength tank unit would consist of 105 enlisted men and five officers. Thirty enlisted men would be the minimum needed to start a unit. A full - strength company would mean an annual payroll of 40-thousand-dollars. One million dollars’ worth of tank equipment will be located in the city chosen as a “home” for company D, which at present does not even exist. If the unit is located in O’ Neill, suitable quarters for leas ing would have to be secured. A new armory would be built in the town selected. The armory would contain classrooms and facilities for equipment. Facilities would be built for a rifle range. The building would have a large audi torium with a kitchen. National guard officials encourage the use of the armory for certain civic activities. For company D, the armory would have to offer door clear ance of 13*/.? feet wide for the hi? tanks; also access routes that would support tanks to a rural training area. Men over 18%-years-old who are physically fit would be eli gible to enlist in the guard. Men of draft age who enlisted would not be subject to draft as long as they performed their duties “satisfactorily.” They would have a 1-D classification. Men enlisting would drill once each week. Field exercises would be in addition. One of the re quirements would be 15 days of service annually in camp, prob ably in Camp Ripley, Wise. Julius D. Cronin is spending this week in Sioux Fails, S.D., on business New Rail Coaches Go into Service Improved Equipment Appears 5 Weeks Ahead of Schedule Westbound Chicago & North Western passenger-mail-express train number 13 rolled into O’ Neill at 6:30 a.m., Tuesday car rying the latest-type, streamlin ed daycoach. The daycoach is of the Chal lenger series—the finest owned by the C&NW—and features re clining seats and modem air—1 conditioning. C&NW Vice-President J. E. Goodwin, from his headquar ters in Chicago, 111., decided last Thursday the improved passenger service would be provided ahead of the holidays. First news of the move reach ed North-Nebraska when Mr.* Goodwin telephoned Carroll C'Cal”) Stewart, publisher of The Frontier. In November the C&NW an nounced it was considering tak ing appropriate steps to remove trains number 13 and 14, which ply the 447-mile run between Omaha and Chadron (via Fre mont, West Point, Norfolk, Ne ligh, Valentine). At a public hearing in Valen tine November 18, Mr. Goodwin was impressed with the group’s desire for better service and agreed to put modern coaches on the line “sometime in January.” Inauguration of the new coach es on the line is the C&NW’s an swer to criticism that the passen ger equipment is outdated. (The trains have been drawn by late type diesel locomotives more than two years.) In addition, Mr. Goodwin, dur ing the interval between the No vember meeting and last Thurs day’s announcement, arranged for the-equipment to make the complete trip from Chicago-to Chadron, making it unnecessary to change trains or coaches in Omaha. On the present schedule, train Ti umber 14 (eastbound) leaves Chadron at 3:55 p.m. (MST) and O’Neill at 12:18 a.m. (CST); ar rives in Omaha at 6:30 a.m.; leaves Omaha at 8 a.m., and ar rives in Chicago at 8:40 p.m.—an hour or more earlier than the streamliners which leave Omaha r round noon for Chicago. Train number 13 (westbound) leaves Chicago at 9:51 * a.m. » (CST); arrives in Omaha at 9:30 p.m.; leaves Omaha at 11:30 p.m.; O’Neill at 6:44 a.m., and arrives in Chadron at 1:50 p.m. (MST). For the present, Mr. Goodwin said the schedule would remain unchanged — although the 0 C&NVV officials are reviewing the schedules with a view toward speeding up the run ning time, possibly at a later date. (The Omaha - Chadron speed limit is 58-mph.) Pullman service is available on alternate days. Westbound first class passengers desiring to use the Pullman may board the train and retire upon number 13’s ar lival in Omaha. In accordance with the under standing reached at Valentine, « the C&NW will watch closely the patronage figures on the two trains for a period of eight months, beginning Monday, De cember 6 — the date the new coaches rolled from Chicago on the first run to Chadron. “We have no desire to remove passenger trains or no intention of doing so if they’ll pay their way,” Mr. Goodwin told the Val entine audience. The C&NW claims the two trains—13 and 14 —are operating at an annual def icit of 60-thousand-dollars. Civic groups along the line are devising means to cooperate with the railroad in making all three departments of the trains—pas enger, mail and express-^arry greater payloads. Mrs. Abbie Horner of Ains worth was one of a number of passengers aboard the new coach when it reached O’Neill. Asked by a reporter how she enjoyed the riding qualities, she exclaim ed: “Wonderful!” O PUBLIC LIKES ’EM Eastbound train number 14 passing through O’Neill at 12:18 a.m., today (Thursday) carried a near-capacity load of passen gers in the new daycoach. There were eight Pullman passengers.