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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 1955)
o - mm O $ 9:45 A.M. — 780 k-C. North-Central Nebraska’s BIGGEST Newspaper Volume 74.—Number 38. / O Neill, Nebr. Thursday, January 20, 1955. ' Seven Cents Miss Marian Classen (above), business office employee for Northwestern Bell Telephone company, demonstrates the new “hands free” telephones now available here With the new gadget, you simply answer the phone by depressing a button in the base of the set. A sensitive microphone and a small loudspeaker (the latter is on the end of an extension cord) enable a person to carry on with their work with “hands free.” Thus, it is no longer neces sary to hold the combination receiver-transmitter to your ear. The conventional and “hands free” features are incorporated in the \ set, leaving its method of use optional with the user.—The Frontier Photo. National Guard Chiefs to Confer Here Today Former Montana Cage Great Dies Gerald Huston Bom at Ewing EWING— Mrs. Harriet Welke received news of the death of her nephew, Gerald A. Huston of Glasgow, Mont., on January 3. He had suffered an illness of sev eral weeks. He was born in Ew ing November 18, 1915, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Hus ton. They moved to Glasgow when he was 2*^-years-old. His father died 31 years ago. The late Gerald Huston was graduated from Glasgow high school where he was outstanding in basketball and was selected as a Montana all-state forward. He was inducted into the army July 7, 1942, and served more than two years overseas. He took part in the Tunisian campaign in North Africa, the EVday land ing with assault troops in Sicily piid Naples. He was a medical technician with the Third divis ion of the army. His awards in cluded the bronze arrowhead and meritorious unit award. He was a member of the Am erican Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was buried v/ith military honors beside the grave of his father, who served as a Rough Rider in the Spanish American war. Surviving him are his mother, Mrs. Adell Huston of Glasgow, several aunts, uncles and cousins in both Glasgow and Ewing. NEW SEMESTER PAGE—The second semester began Monday, January 17, at the Page public school. New courses offered include: Advanced science, mechanical drawing and book keeping. The enrollment in the high school totals 69 pupils. Helen Heggmeyer transferred to Ver digre at the close of the first se mester. Auction Calendar There are seven auctions listed on The Frontier’s sale calendar to be held within the next few weeks: Monday, January 24: C. M. Wilson, Butte, liquidation sale, combination garage, service sta tion, shop and office equipment, merchandise, also near - new dwelling, starting 10 a.ra., in Putte; Thorin-Bowker Auction Service, O’Neill, sale managers. (Details on page 12.) Monday, January 24: Complete closing-out sale, Dailey Bros., (Claude and Ralph), 7 miles south of O’Neill on U.S. highway 281, 2 miles west, 2 miles south, 1 mile west; including 1,600-acre highly-improved ranch; complete dispersion of choice Hereford herd; haying and ranching equip ment. (Details on paeg 11.) Erme Weller Associates, Atkinson, will conduct auction. Friday, January 28: Mrs. Ralph Nelson, seven miles north of New port, five west, one north and one v est, will dispose of 70 head of Hereford cattle, farm and hay ing machinery, 125 tons hay, some household goods; Col. Wallace O'Connell, O’Neill, auctioneer: First National Bank, O’Neill, clerk. (Details on page 11.) Friday, January 28: Henry Heese farm sale, 2% miles north of Page and 4% miles east; 7 head of cattle; hay and grain; machin ery; Cols. Max and Buv Wanser auctioners; Farmers State Bank Ewing, clerk. Saturday, February 5: Hol1 County Hereford Breeders’ Asso ciation sale, O’Neill, 58 lots—4C bulls, nine females; James W Rooney, O’Neill, sale manager (Write for catalog.) Tuesday, February 8: Hoi County Aberdeen Angus Breed ers’ sale, 35 bulls, 35 females, O’ ' Neill; Blaine Garwood, president (Write either Garwood, Amelia or E. L. Miner, O’Neill, secretary treasurer, for catalog.) Saturday, February 26: North Central Nebraska Hereford asso • ciation, 44 bulls, Bassett. (Writ* Tug Phillips, Bassett, for cata ' leg.) Brig-Gen. Ghy N. Henninger, Nebraska’s adjutant-general and commander of the state’s national guard, will arrive here by air at 3 p.m., today (Thursday). He will confer with civic leaders relative ti the possible location of a guard company here, and study several buildings with a view toward making them a temporary armory in the event a tank company is activiated in O’Neill. General Henninger, who will be accompanied by Col. Evar Peter son, top administrative officer in the guard, will be met by James W. Rooney, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce’s new industries committee. Colonel Pet erson is a brother of Former Gov. Val Peterson. In the event a guard company is located here and becomes full strength the annual payroll could be in the vicinity of 40 thousand-dollars per year. Several Nebraska cities are competing with O’Neill for the as yet unborn tank company. Civic leaders from several nearby communities will join with Rooney and members of his committee and entertain General Henninger and his aides at dinner this evening. Meanwhile, a large number of present guardsmen, war veterans and prospective guardsmen, all interested in the establishment o£ a company here, will convene at 8:30 o’clock in the American Legion auditorium. Several candidates for com manding officer for the propos ed unit will be interviewed by General Henninger and Colonel Peterson. Establishment of a successful guard unit could ultimately lead to the building of a large armory. The guards make available their armory facilities to certain types of community functions. A 170 thousand-dollar armory recently was completed at Holdrege. Mrs. Snelson at 81 st Milestone AMELIA—Mrs J. H. Snelson ce lebrated her 81 birthday anniver sary Sunday, Jan. 16, at her home in Atkinson. The afternoon was spent visiting. A luncheon of ice cream and oake was served to 23. Those present, besides the honored guest and her husband, Mr. Snelson, were their daughters —Mrs. Ira (Elsie) Goodwin of Long Pine, Mrs. Opal Vargason of Atkinson, Mrs. Delbert (Emma) Edwards and family of Amelia; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Emil Snel son of Long Pine. Other friends present were Mrs. Harry Russel of Long Pine; Mrs. Huff of Stuart; Mrs. Emma Lind sey, Florence Lindsey and Mrs. Etta Ott all of Amelia; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edwards and family of Chambers; Rev. and Mrs. F. M. Payas of Atkinson, and Charlie McMillan. Mrs. Payas took several pic tures and as the group was pre paring to go home they sang “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” and the “Happy Birthday” song. Mrs. Goodwin sang a special birthday song. Doctor Wilson Named ARC Head Dr. Rex W. Wilson, O’Neill physician and surgeon, Tuesday night was elected chairman of the Holt county chapter of the Am erican Red Cross. Other officers are: James Lyons and Leigh Rey roldson, both of O’Neill, vice chairmen; A. P. Jaszkowiak of O’Neill, secretary, and J. B. Grady of O’Neill, reelected treasurer. A kickoff for the 1955 ARC membership drive will be launch ed in February. Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. Ben Wetzler and family enter tained at a dinner honoring her father, C. E. Worth, on his > birthday anniversary. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Page and Barbara of Page, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Miller and family, ■ Mr. and Mrs. Roy Worth and ; family, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Karr of • Spencer and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Worth. Fauquier Rites Held; Dies at 100 Centenarian, Resident of Holt Since 1900, Recalled A. Lincoln (Photo below) A 100-year-old O’Neill man, Charles Alvin Fauquier, who had never been ill a single day until after he had attained his 98th birthday anniversary, quietly died Thursday, January 13, at his home here. During the past two years his health declined and he was hospitalized on several occa sions. The late Mr. Fauquier vividly remembered Abraham Lincoln and the Civil war era, also the assassination of President Lincoln in Ford’s theater. He was born at Troy, O., February, 1854, the son of Ephriam and Margaret Fau quier. At the age of 2 he moved with his parents and an older brother to Keokuk, la., where he resided until 1872. His father had been a member of the Union army, but never re turned from the war, dying in a Little Rock, Ark., hosptial. At the age of 18, the late Mr. Fauquier moved to Merrick coun ty, near Central City, locating six miles north of the Oregon trail. At Central City in 1881 he mar ried Emma Jane Pemberton. They became the parents of six chil dren. The Fauquiers celebrated their golden wedding anniversa ry in 1931. Mrs. Fauquier died in 1937 and one son, Anson, died in July, 1949. Mr. rauquiei oruugm ms xam ily to Holt county in 1900, settling 10 miles southeast of Chambers. He purchased the farm from a homesteader. Several generations of folks in the Chambers community looked upon a unique friendship between the late Mr. Fauquier and the late John Leinhart. Neighbors, they lacked a week of being the same age and regularly celebrated their birthday anniversaries together until Mr. Leinhart died. Mr. Fauquier, an avid dem ocrat who managed to keep posted on current events until the past few months, often told about Indian battles, the turb ulent life in the West follow ing the Civil war, and frontier hardships. He lived in semiretirement and retirement the past 30 > years. Af ter the death of his wife he made his home with his children. In 1954, he celebrated his 100th birthday anniversary at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Margaret Elkins, with whom he spent most of the time during his late years. On that occasion all of his living descendants were present. He was among a handful of centenarians honored in 1954 by the metropolitan newspapers in connection with Nebraska’s cen tennial celebration. Survivors include: Sons—Adel bert of Chambers and Charles C. of O’Neill; daughters—Mrs. J. F. (Lizzie) Coleman of Woodbum, Ore.; Mrs. Margaret Elkins of O’Neill, and Mrs. Asa (Susie) Hubbard of Chambers; nine grandchildren; several great grandchildren. Funeral services were con ducted at 2 p.m., Monday from the Methodist church in Cham bers with Rev. J. M. Hodgkin, church pastor, and Rev. Char les Soderstein of Clearwater officiating. Burial was in the Chambers cemetery. The remains lay in state at Biglin’s in O’Neill Sunday eve ning and until the funeral hour on Monday. Pallbearers were Alvin John son, Alfred Walters, Charles Green, Alvin Tangeman and Sey mour Harkins, all of Chambers, and Ray Leinhart of O’Neill. Among relatives from a dis tance attending the funeral were Mrs. Belle Fauquier and family ' of Chapman; Mr. and Mrs. John 1 Mueller and Clifford Fauquier, all of Central City; Hubert Boelts of Archer; Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Dowd of Sioux City. New Baptist Pastor Arrives at Chambers ; CHAMBERS — Rev. Earl F. . Schwenk of East St. Louis, 111., newly-named pastor of Memorial Baptist church at Chambers, ar rived here Friday with his fam ily. They have moved into the church parsonage. Vernon Smith and Bob Adams moved the household goods for Reverend Schwenk, his wife and l family. , A fellowship reception, supper 1 and pound social was held Mon E' day evening at the church par . lors. There was a large attend ance. Woman Gives Birth to Twins; Dies PAGE—Funeral services were held at Fullerton Tuesday after noon for Mrs. Richard Bennett, 24, of Lincoln, who died Saturday afternoon—two days after giving birth to twin daughters. Mrs. Bennett is the former Mar ilyn Weir, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weir of Hartington and granddaughter of Mrs. Dora Townsend of Page. She is surviv ed by her husband, twin daugh ters, parents, several brothers and sisters. Mrs. Gailord Albrfght of Page attended the funeral services. ‘Safe Driving Like Baseball Game’ Woman Expert Speaks to Group The January meeting of the Holt county safety council, held Friday afternoon at the American Legion hall at O’Neill, began with the showing of the film strip, “This Is Life,” after which Mrs. Vern Sageser of Amelia, presi dent of the council, introduced Sgt. R. R. Shorney of Ainsworth of the Nebraska safety patrol. Shorney described causes of traffic accidents that occur, for the most part, in daylight, in clear weather, on the straight away. Many of them, he said, are cne-car accidents. “Dropping our guard, letting bad habits get the best of our driving, taking a drink to build up courage equal to challeng ing every driver on the road, and putting hurry ahead of safety, trying to make up time on the road, are principal caus es,” he declared. Other factors are travel fatigue and the habit of cheating a bit in stead of obeying the traffic laws. Sergeant Shorney said: “In an attempt to build a better record, for 1955, we may face some legis lation, adding more laws that re quire more personnel to enforce. I feel we have proper laws and ways and means are constantly being introduced for the travel er’s safety and protection, if only the drivers would obey the traf fic rules. “The signs referred to as ‘The Signs of Life,’ are placed there to guide you safely on unfamiliar roads,” Shorney stated. The film strip, “It’s In Your Hands,” was shown. This was made by the Omaha safety pa trol as its contribution to the “Crusade for Safety” and depict ed many of the wrong approach es to traffic problems—the cause of most accidents. Mrs. Sageser introduced Dr. Irmagene Halloway of Cin cinnati, O., a member of the ' national safety council. She is the only woman to hold the de gree of doctor in the safety field. Doctor Halloway declared that the class room of the driver of tomorrow is the family car of to day. She likened the driving game to a baseball game. The objective m both cases is “getting home safely.” Several high school stu dents assisted in the quiz section of her lecture and the points made by Sergeant Shorney were re viewed. Doctor Halloway quoted the startling figures that for every cne polio patient there are 15 deaths from accidents among chil dren and 50 cripples from the same. “We have taken much interest and donated funds for research and care of the polio victim, but have neither raised a hand nor lifted a voice in an effort to com bat the greater threat to our children,” she declared. “Whenever the general public assumes personal responsibility for the prevention of accidents, we will see a drop in the accident and fatality rate, but not until the drivers see fit to cooperate.” A petition was circulated for signatures asking for a patrolman to be stationed in this area. Charles Alvin Fauquier . . . born in Civil war era.—Frontier Photo. Bob Thomas, manager of radio station WJAG, Norfolk, conducts interview at railroad boosters’ meeting here Monday night. Left-to-right: A. L. Eccles of Norfolk, C&NW division superintendent; N. J. Rich of Norfolk, division traffic representative; Ira Watson of Inman, hay dealer and secre tary-treasurer of the Save-the-Trains association, and Robert Krottcr, O’Neill businessman Rail Revenue Figures The following figures represent some comparisons of passenger and express revenues on Chicago & North Western trains 13 and 14 at selected stations: TICKETS EXPRESS DECEMBER DECEMBER Station 1953 1954 « 1953 1954 Norfolk . 591.70 803.85 (does not apply) Clearwater . 21.28 142.09 113.38 Ewing . 7.95 52.76 122.69 149.21 Inman . 9.00 36.65 44.63 52.57 O’NEILL . 551.97 766.37 1,505.12 1,584.53 Atkinson . 289.00 424.00 770.72 832.65 Stuart . 37.00 174.00 292.24 326.95 Newport .56 176.39 182.12 135.9C Bassett . 367.00 435.00 633.91 727.8S Ainsworth . 860.00 754.07 1,089.85 1.088.2C Valentine .. 720.00 940.00 2,174.85 2,186.64 Chadron .1,063.00 1,641.00 1,365.25 1,042.00 Note: It should be pointed out the passenger revenues do not include tickets sold on trains by conductors (some stations are closed when trains pass through). It must also be considered there was some “bad weather” rail travel in 1953 whereas December, 1954, was characterized by outstandingly good weather. Mrs. Seery ... ill more than a year. Mrs. Fred Seery Rites at Chambers Lived Near Chambers Since 1938 CHAMBERS—Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Janu ary 15, from the Methodist church here for Mrs. Fred M. Seery, 70, who had resided on a ranch south of Chambers since 1938. Mrs. Seery died Wednesday, January 12, at 12:15 p.m., in the Commun ity hospital at Burwell. Burial was in the Chambers cemetery. Pallbearers were Lyle Watson, Verne Wilkinson, Everett Jarman, Herman Shipman, Glenn Taylor and William Turner. Hymns sung were “Under His Wing,” “In the Upper Garden” and “Beyond the Sunset.” Singers were Letha Cooke, Mrs. Ed Eis enhauer, Stanley Lambert and Er nest Farrier, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. C. V. Robertson. K.ona Aimeda Hodgson, daughter of George and Clara Hodgson, was born at Cairo, August 27, 1884. She spent her childhood in that community. On December 26, 1906, she was united in marriage to Fred M. Seery of St. Michael. They made their home at St. Michael until 1919, )^hen they moved to a ranch north of Ballagh. In 1938 they moved to this com munity. To this union two children were bom. Mrs. Seery and her husband ob served their 48th wedding anni versary in December in a quiet way. Mrs. Seery had been in ill health for over a year, and seri ously ill the last two weeks, fol lowing several strokes. Survivors include: Widower; son—Roy of Chambers; daughter —Mrs. Pearl Westover of Burwell; three grandchildren—Wilma and Janet Seery of Chambers and Con Westover of Burwell, broth er—James Hodgson of Burwell. Rev. J. M. Hodgkin officiated at the funeral rites. Among relatives from a dis tance here for the rites were: Mr. and Mrs. Eli Seery and Mrs. Bertha Seery, all of Cairo; Mrs. Myrtle Fowler and Mrs. Fern Julian of Lubbock, Tex.; Mrs. Ernie Rowse, Mr. and Mrs. Law rence Franssen, Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Benton, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Benton, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gar wood and Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Hodgson and family, all of Bur well; also many friends from Bur well, Atkinson, Ord, St. Edward, O’Neill and Neligh. , Nelsons Hosts— Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Houser and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith son were Saturday evening guests of Mr and Mrs. D. E. Nelson. Mothers’ March on Polio Jan. 27 ‘Dime Time* Revue Is in Making Benefit activities for the 1955 march of dimes fund-raising'cam paign are coming up thick-and fast. The O’Neill push is a part of the countywide drive in behalf of the Holt chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Mrs. H. D. Gildersleeve is county polio chairman; Mrs. No ma Hall of Stuart is county drive chairman; Mrs. J. D. Osenbaugh is in charge of the fund campaign in the O’Neill business section. On Thursday evening, Janu ary 27, between 7 and 8 o’clock, O’Neill mothers will stage their annual march on polio. Sirens wall blare and bells will ring as the door-to-door solicitation starts. Mrs. William W. Griffin is in charge of coin boxes in the city. Sgt. James Lyons will head a bot tle drive to be held Saturday, February 12. Richard Smithson, O’Neill public school vocal in structor, is arranging a home tal ent show entitled “Dime Time Revue.” Date will be announced. Simonson post 93 of the Am erican Legion will present a bene fit dance. Mrs. Hall said rural commun ities are organized separately for the 1955 drive and will be cred ited individually. Mrs. Hall points out the national need is for 64-million-dollars to treat po lio sufferers and for research. Project clubs and school groups have been asked to stage polio benefit affairs. Last year’s goal of $12,000 fell considerably short, Mrs. Hall points out. Donations may be sent directly to Mrs. Noma Hall, Stuart, and the proper community will be credited. Academy Rewiring Discussion Topic The Friends of St. Mary’s held a business meeting Monday even ing. A good crowd attended. The men discussed the much-needed project of electric rewiring St. Mary’s. A financial resume was given by Mother M. Agnesine. The eighth grade class enter tained with a short program and a lunch followed. ‘Railroad’ Theme Results in Ride “Railroading” is the topic for Cub scouts this month. Hence, members of Cub dens I, II and III boarded the west bound Chicago & North West ern passenger - mail - express train number 13 here at 6:44 a.m., Saturday and rode the plush streamlined daycoaeh to Atkinson — a distance of 20 miles. The happy Cubs, many of them having had their first train ride, were met at the At kinson station by their parents and several of the leaders. They returned to O’Neill by auto and devoured a heavy breakfast at the M&M Cafe & Bakery. Dust Accompanies High Wind in Region High winds last Friday whip ped considerable dust across north-Nebraska skies. The wind subsided at nightfall. The O'Neill region shares dry ness with the rest of the nation. Light snow fell here Tuesday, but moisture is badly needed. Hi Lo Prec. January 13 .49 1 January 14 .48 24 January 15 .45 9 January 16 .29 13 January 17 .24 9 January 18 .23 9 .06 January 19 . 26 13 Ewing Woman, 86, Oldest Aux Member EWING — Mrs. Clara May Tucker, 86, has joined the Amer ican Legion auxiliary, Sanders unit 214, at Ewing. She has the honor of being the eldest member in 1955. Mrs. Tucker, a longtime resi dent of Ewing, has had three sons and 10 grandsons who have seen active duty in the late wars in which the United States has been involved. Her eldest son, Ray Tucker, is a World War I veteran, Ora and Floyd Tucker are veterans of World War II. One grandson, Ralph C. Ellsworth, was killed in World War II and is buried at Luxemburg, Germany. Grandsons now serving in the armed forces are Robert R. Pru den in Korea and Lyle. Tucker in Europe. Another grandson, John Pruden, recently was separated from the armed forces. He served several months in France. Save-Trains Group Says Gains Made Stations in Region Report Substantial Jumps in Revenue Forty persons from cities and towns along the Omaha-to-Chad lon line of the Chicago & North Western railroad heard encour aging reports on the December, 1954, revenues on trains number 13 and 14—the last two remaining passenger-mail-express trains in northern Nebraska. The reports covered passenger and express revenues by stations from Hooper to Chadron. Invitations had been sent to rail enthusiasts and civic groups rang ing from Norfolk to Ainsworth. An organization was formed. Carroll (“Cal”) Stewart, publisher of The Frontier and acting chair man of the meeting, was elected piesident; Francis Hebard, Bassett farm implement dealer, was nam ed vice-president, and Ira Wat son, Inman hay dealer, was elect ed secretary-treasurer. The group designated Save-the Trains association as its formal title. Clearwater, Ewing, Inman, O’Neill, Atkinson, Stuart, New port and Bassett were among the stations showing substantial gains in passenger ticket sales in December 1954, compared to December, 1953. This was “encouraging,” the t association officials said, in view of the national trend in which r railroads have been losing heavi i ly‘ A. L. Eccles of Norfolk, division > superintendent for the C&NW, > said the “eight-months experi ) ment is not far enough along to make any pronouncements.” How ever, he agreed the picture has ) improved since December 6—the 1 date the streamlined equipment j went into service and the date the experiment began. Eccles also pointed out that December, 1954, 1 was an “open month” in which ; there was no noticeable “bad , weather traveling on rails.” He agreed that if there had been bad weather, perhaps one or more additional coaches would have been needed. (Two passen ger coaches were in service two i weeks.) In December a year ago and two years ago some rail travel was induced by severely bad weather conditions. It was also pointed out the first week of December had elapsed before the streamlined coaches went into service. Railway express business in creased at Ewing, Inman, O’Neill, Atkinson, Stuart, Newport and Basett, the reports showed. Stewart told the group the rail road officials, at the top level, had demonstrated good faith on at least four counts in an effort to save the trains which the C&NW says are incurring operational losses of 60-thousand-dollars an nually: 1. Streamlined coaches and Pullmans were placed in service December 6 (three weeks follow ing the public hearing at Valen tine, attended by J. E. Goodwin,, C&NW vicerpresident). 2. Through service was pro vided at Omaha, enabling passen gers to travel to and from Chi cigo (and intermediate points> without changing trains. 3. A public relations expert has lectured to railroad agents, assistants, trainmen and others in contact with the public and con ducted seminars for rail em ployees at five points (including O’Neill). This was the C&NW’s answer to charges made at Val entine that some of the employee* were discourteous. 4. The C&NW has strengthen ed its promotional and solicitation staff on the line to make an ag gressive bid for business and thereby help retain the trains. “It looks like we have cut out for ourselves a big task,” Stew art told the group. Robert Krotter, O’Neill busi nessman, who presented the reve nue reports, said he was satisfied the C&NW and the public had made “honest attempts” Ip save the trains and wondered if the rail unions would come up with some economy suggestions. Krot ter pointed out the flagmen (working in several shifts) draw 20- to 25-thousand-dollars per year, collectively. He questioned the need for flagmen and said their salaries represent “about one-third’- of the loss. Forty-eight trainmen are em ployed on the two trains and they’ll be obliged to look else where, he said, if the experi ment doesn’t workout. Ed Wilson of O’Neill cited some railway express rates and pointed cut that many items of merchan dise and supplies, especially for (Continued on page 6.)