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North-Central Nebraska’s BIGGEST Newspaper
Volume 75.—Number 23._O'Neill, Holt County, Nebraska, Thursday, October 6, 1955. _ Seven Cents
Crash Injuries Fatal
to Former Resident
(
Years Illness Fatal
to Atkinson Woman
Funeral Plans Not
Completed
ATKINSON — Mrs. Stanley
Johnson, 49, who had been in
failing health about a year, died
at 2:35 a.m., Wednesday, Octo
ber *5, in Atkinson Memorial hos
pital. She had been hospitalized
here 37 days.
Funeral arrangements had not
been completed late Wednesday
night, pending notification of rel
atives in Washington, Oregon
and California. Services are ex
pected to be held either Friday
or Saturday at St. John’s Luther
an church here with Rev. E. W.
D&nitschek, church pastor, offi
ciating.
The late Mrs. Johnson,
whose maiden name was He
lena Elizabeth Bausch, was
bom September 7, 1906, on a
ranch northeast of Atkinson, a
daughter of Steven and Mollie
Nitz Bausch.
She attended high school at
Spencer and Wausa and was
graduated from Wausa high
school.
She spent most of her life in
the Atkinson community with
the exception of a short period at
Wausa and several years work
ing in Omaha.
She was married December 24,
1935, to Mr. Johnson at a pri
vate ceremony performed at Ce
lia. The Johnsons lived on a
ranch north of Atkinson until
1950, when they purchased a
home in Atkinson.
Mrs. Johnson had been bap
tized as an infant in the Luther
an faith, was confirmed at St.
John’s April 1, 1923, and was
treasurer of the Dorcas society
until ill health forced her to re
sign. She had also been active in
garden club work.
In December, 1954, she en
tered Methodist hospital at
Sioux City for major surgery
and received extended medical
treatment prior to her hospital
ization here.
Her mother died in April, 1947.
Survivors: Widower; father—
Steven Bausch; sisters — Mrs.
Leonard Edna Stanley if Seattle,
Wash.; Mrs. Don (Clara) Eckard
of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Roy
(Emma) Nielson of Newport;
Mrs. O. (Bertha) Hamilton of
Omaha; Mrs. Roy (Laura) Par
shall of Potter; brothers—Lester
Bausch of Portland, Ore., and
Edward Bausch of Atkinson.
Woman, 90, Goes
to Nebraska City
and Return by Air
STAR—In this neighborhood
the folks refer to Mrs. Ray
Noble, 90, as a veteran in the
air.
In the past she made a trip
to California by air and not too
long ago enjoyed a short hop
with Eddie Hrbek at the con
trols.
But her latest sky outing has
made her a confirmed air en
thusiast. One of her neighbors,
Roland Miller, who owns and
flies his own plane, flew Mrs.
Noble to Nebraska City where
she visited for two weeks with
his sister, Mrs. Blanche Bisby,
78. Upon completion of the
trip, Mr. Miller went to Ne
braska City for her.
“Mrs. Noble recognized Lin
coln during the trip,” the pilot
reported. “Occasionally, I’d
turn around and ask her if
everything was all right.”
“Don’t worry about me,” re
sponded the venerable north
eastern Holt county nonagen
arain. “I’m all right!”
Mr. Miller flies a two-seated
Aeronca 90. Mrs. Bisby lives
nine miles south of Nebraska
City.
Holt Legon, Aux
Groups Entertained
CHAMBERS—The Holt coun
ty meeting of the American Le
gion posts and auxiliaries was
held Friday evening at the Le
gion hall in Chambers.
Edwin Hubbard, commander of
the Chambers post, was in charge
of the program consisting of
songs by a mixed sextet, violin
solos and a humorous number,
•‘ The Kitchen Clatter Orchestra,”
which was presented by local
members.
Speakers were the county Le
gion commander, George Wett
laufer of Page; the county adju
tant, Lawrence Hamik of Stuart,
and the district commander,
Charles E. Chace of Atkinson.
Ewing High Plans
Oct. 21 Homecoming
EWING — Plans are progress
ing for Ewing high school’s
homecoming activities on Friday,
October 21.
Feature of the day will be the
football game between the un
defeated Ewing Tigers and the
visting Stuart Broncos, ancient
intracounty foes. There will be
a parade and royalty will be
crowned.
Spend Weekend Here—
Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Sullivan
and daughter, Patty, of Omaha
spent the weekend at the Ivan
Cone home.
> Robert E. Strong, 65, a Nor
folkan and a former resident of
the Emmet and O’Neill communi
ties, died Sunday, October 2, in
a Norfolk hospital. He died of
injuries suffered in a two-vehicle
accident which occurred Sep
tember 24 at a Madison county
road intersection 11 miles south
of Norfolk.
Mr. Strong was driving a pick
up truck. Driving the other ve
hicle, also a pickup, was Donald
Dover, 32, of Madison.
Both vehicles were demolished
in the accident.
Funeral services were conduct
ed at 2 p.m., Wednesday, October
5, from the First Methodist
church in Norfolk.
Survivors include: Widow —
Hazel; daughter — Mrs. Bernice
Huebner of Norfolk; sons—El
win of Norfolk, Robert, jr., of
Newman Grove, Leo of Neligh,
George of Oakdale; sister—Mrs.
Orville Leu of Ewing; brothers—
Frank and Ernest, both of Nor
folk, Clarence, sr., and William,
both of O’Neill, Thomas of Hugo,
Okla.
Among those attending the fu
neral from O’Neill were Clarence
Strong, sr., Mr. and Mrs. Clar
ence Strong, jr., Mr. and Mrs.
Gilbert Strong, Mr. and Mrs.
Theodore Strong, Mr. and Mrs.
Vernon Strong, Bessie Klingler
and Dale Strong.
The late Mr. Strong farmed
near Emmet for a time, also near
O’Neill and Opportunity.
A Madison county coroner’s
jury in session Monday found
that Mr. Strong died in an acci
dent “without felonous intent.”
New Manager at
Osborne’s Shoe Store
Moving to O’Neill this week
are J. C. (“Jerry”) Nordmeyer
and family. Effective October 8,
Mr. Nordmeyer will be the new
manager of the Osborne Shoe
Store, replacing William W. Wat
son, who is moving to Omaha.
Mr. Nordmeyer has had many
years experience in larger shoe
departments in the state. When
interviewed, D. M. Osborne, own
er of the store, said, “We are for
tunate indeed to have obtained
the services of a manager with
“Jerry” Nordmeyer replaces
“BUI” Watson.
such a rich background in all
phases of selling shoes.
“Since we are in the process of
expanding our operation, we be
lieve this doubly important,” Mr.
Osborne added.
Mr. Osborne also made the
statement that even though the
Osborne Shoe Store presently
carries much larger stocks than
any other store in north-central
Nebraska, even larger stocks will
be carried under Mr. Nordmey
er’s direction in the future.
15 AT C OF C MEET
Fifteen members attended the
October meeting of the Chamber
of Commerce held Tuesday eve
ning. G. E. Miles presided. A
meeting of the retailers will be
held at 10 a.m., Monday at the
M&M cafe, it was announced.
Steer Calves
Hit 22.90 in
Feeder Sale
One-Third of Carload
Offering Purchased
by Illinois Buyers
Forty-six carloads of stocker
feeder cattle were sold here
Wednesday in connection with
the annual sale sponsored by the
Sandhills Cattlemen’s association.
The O’Neill sale is one of five
sponsored by the group.
One-third of the offering was
grabbed by Illinois buyers alone.
Other buyers came from eastern
Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota.
The auction was described
as a “good, active sale with a
strong market.”
In the judging of carload lots
prior to the sale, Robert Clifford
of Atkinson won first and second
on his steer calves; he placed
first with heifer calves and Joe
Gallagher of Inman placed sec
ond in the heifer calf division.
Other placements:
Yearling steers—James Galla
gher, first; L. D. Putnam & Sons
of O’Neill, second; yearling heif
ers—L. D. Putnam & Sons, first;
Rudy Dvorak of Atkinson, sec
ond.
Two-year-old steers — James
Gallagher, first; Harry Moore of
Inman, second; two-year - old
heifers—L. D. Putnam & Sons,
first and second.
Clifford’s top-ranking steer
calves established the $22.90
top for the sale. They averaged
583 pounds. Top price paid for
heifer calves was $20.50.
The visiting buyers and mem
bers of their families were feted
in a steak fry on the eve of the
sale at the Country club. The
Junior Chamber of Commerce
arranged and prepared the food
while the Sandhills association
and Jaycees were joint hosts.
Similar sales were being held
at Burwell, Valentine, Alliance
and Gordon.
Wednesday’s sale launched a
three-day run at the O’Neill
Livestock Market. The regular
weekly sale will be held today
(Thursday) and the second in a
series of special calf sales will
be held Friday.
‘Homegrown’ Movie
to Be Exhibited
ATKINSON—A motion picture
described by its photographer,
director, producer and editor as
“homegrown” will be presented
in Atkinson Wednesday, October
12, at 8 p.m., in the public school
auditorium.
The American Legion-sponsor
ed showing of the “Four-H
Story” will be for the benefit of
child welfare.
The one-man film company is
Charles Skopec, jr., who resides
on a ranch seven miles west and
2% miles south of Atkinson.
Mr. Skopec has “covered”
many 4-H events with his camera
to get material for the film.
Winners Named—
Mrs. Mabel McKenna was
hostess Tuesday evening to the
Martez club. Winners were Mrs.
Guy Cole and Mrs. McKenna.
Robertson . , . specialist on stocks and repairing.—The Frontier Photo.
Sparetime Gunsmith Keeps Busy
By MRS. N. D. ICKES. SR.
The Frontier’s Feature Writer
A 69-year-old O’Neill man
named Fred Robertson has the
title of operator at the sprawling
anH. fascinating mesh of steel at
the north end of Second street
known as the Consumers Public
Power district substation.
Part of Mr. Robertson’s chores
involve reading a maze of meters
and transmitting, receiving and
relaying messages in a shortwave
radio network.
The job at the. brightly lighted
steel skeleton looks interesting
enough and Mr. Robertson is
looking forward to retirement
next March. But his hobby—be
ing a gunsmith—is equally inter
esting and his hobby is the sub
ject of this story.
Folks who aren’t too compli
mentary of the gunsmith and
some of the smithy themselves
caustically refer to a hobbyist
of this stripe as a “gun nut.”
This gun-lover, we’ll call him,
has always liked working with
wood and the stocks of weapons,
old and new, have been his spe
cial interest.
New stocks are made from se
lect quality American walnut and
from imported French and Eng
lish walnut. Ornate stocks us
ually are made from Oregon myr
tle wood found only in Oregon
and Washington state.
“It has fine figure and color
or colors and makes beautiful
gun stocks,” Mr. Robertson ex
plained to this unknowing visit- j
or.
jotaure worm war 11, it was
possible to obtain Circassian wal
nut grown in the Caucasus moun
tains of Europe. Hiis variety of
walnut is noted for handsome
figure and fine quality that are
universally in demand for the
most expensive guns.
Making gunstocks used to be a
highly specialized trade and still
is when handmade. But in the
factory, most of the work is done
by machinery. However, for the
better than ordinary grades and
for those known as custom
grades, much handwork is involv
ed on both the metal parts and
the stock. Components must fit
(Continued on page 4)
Pickup, Trailer
Damaged at Bridge
EWING—A westbound pickup
truck and a house trailer being
drawn behind were extensively
damaged Tuesday on the U.S.
highway 275 bridge at the east
edge of Ewing. The pickup, own
ed and driven by Carl Miller of
North Bend, struck and killed a
cow owned by Elmer Woeppel
of Ewing. In swerving to avoid
hitting the critter, the truck and
trailer raked the south bridge
railing.
Highway Patrolman Robert
Gude of O’Neill, who investigat
ed, estimated six hundred dollars
damage to the pickup and a sim
ilar amount of damage to the
trailer.
M errimans in Georgia—
Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Merriman
went to Omaha Saturday to join
their daughter - in - law, Mrs.
James Merriman, and daughter,
Tracy, who were visiting her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Jes
se. They will drive to Ft. Ben
ning, Ga., where Lieutenant Mer
riman is stationed.
Nun from Atkinson
Expires in Missouri
ATKINSON — News reached
here Tuesday morning of the
death of Sr. M. de Chantel, the
former Bridget O’Donnell. Fu
neral services will be conducted
this morning (Thursday) at Ar
cadia, Mo., where sne died.
She was born eight .miles east
of Atkinson on December 27,
1883, a daughter of Michael and
Anna O’Donnell. She entered in
to religious life in 1906, taking
her vows at York. Later, she
was assigned in Ursuline con
vents at Falls City, Hartington,
Lawrence, Orleans and at Sts.
Peter and Paul church in Om
aha.
Sister de Chantel taught at
Poplar Bluffs, Mo., until two
years ago when illness forced
her to retire.
Survivors include: Sisters —
the Misses Ellen and Margaret
O'Donnell, both of Atkinson;
brother—Anthony O’Donnell of
Atkinson; six nephews and five
nieces.
FIREMEN CALLED
O’Neill firemen were summon
ed about 9 aun., Friday to a fire
in a dwelling occupied by Mrs.
Tyler, situated near the Tri-State
plant. The house is owned by
Mrs. Ella Thompson.
A clothes rack near the kitchen
range caught afire. The dwelling
interior was badly smoked.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Towle of
Norfolk visited Sunday at the D.
D. DeBolt home.
Contingent from Turkey Visits Holt
Seventeen agriculture specialists from Tur
key in the Middle East spent Monday afternoon
and night at O’Neill and early Tuesday studied
the Earl Coxbill seed plant in Atkinson. The vis
itors were particularly interested in bluegrass op
erations. The Turks, accompanied by an interpret
er and a member of the University of Nebraska
extension service, were sent to the United States
by the Turkish government. One in the delegation
holds the title of minister of agriculture and the
others hold offices comparable to county agents
and assistant agents. Inspecting the Shelhamer
Equipment company’s lot were Adil Sener, Abid
in Tutenk and Yasar Zender. Explaining equip
ment parts with the “sign language’’ is Lyle
Benda (at left).—The Frontier Photo.
M rs. Esther Downey
Back from Europe
Mrs. Esther Downey returned
Saturday from an extended sum
mer tour of Europe. Among the
countries she visited were: Aus
tria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy
and France.
56th Anniversary—
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Cone enter
tained in their home September
30 in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Al
bert Klingler, who were cele
brating their 56th wedding an
niversary. A number of friends
were present for the occasion.
‘Hot* Coon Trail
Leads to Surprise
HOCK FALLS—Coon hunt
ing reports from this bailiwick
are not unusual. But there was
something unusual about the
hunt on Wednesday night, Sep
tember 28.
In coon hunt language, the
trail had been a “hot one.” One
eager hunter decided to ascend
a tree. The foliage was so
heavy a climb was considered
necessary to explore the pos
sibilities of one of the animals
being stowed away behind a
lofty limb.
The inquisitive hunter was
a surprised little man when he
excited a swarm of bees.
He made a disorderly re
treat to the opposite side of a
nearby creek.
The coon hunt continued
without him.
Ewing Woman, 87,
111 for Year, Dies
Funeral Service* Set
Today
EWING—Funeral services will j
be conducted at 2 p.m., today j
(Thursday) form the Methodist
church in Ewing for Mrs. Clara
Tucker, 87, who died Sunday
evening, October 2, at her home
in Ewing. She had been in failing
health for about a year.
She was born November 28,
at Fiatt, 111., and at the age of
three accompanied her parents
to Central City where they
homesteaded.
On December 2, 1891, she was
married to J. H. Tucker at O’
Neill. The newlyweds embarked
in a horse-drawn carriage for
their wedding trip which took
them to points near O’Neill and
to the Emporia neighborhood,
north of Ewing.
The Tuckers made their home
at St. Joseph, Mo., for many
years. Mr. Tucker died in 1941
and was buried there. His widow
then came to Ewing where she
continued to reside until her
death.
The Tuckers became the par
ents of nine children—two of
whom died in infancy.
The late Mrs. Tucker was
baptized in the Baptist church
and later became a Methodist.
Rev. E. L. Brigden, church
pastor, will officiate at the fu
(Continued on page 6)
Fall Range
Refreshed
by Rains
More Than Inch of
Precipitation Here
During Fortnight
Made-to-order Fall rains, total
ing more than an inch at O’Neill
during the past fortnight and up
to 3*/fe inches elsewhere in the
region, have been highly bene
ficial to pastures.
Farmers have been cheered by
the moisture which has gone far
to prepare the ground for Fall
sowing of grain.
During the seven-day period,
September 22-28, inclusive, the
precipitation here totaled .79 of
an inch. During the September
29-October 5 period, inclusive, an
added .25 was recorded.
The first frost was foreeast
Saturday night but missed.
Weather summary:
ni uu x'rec.
September 29 .69 50
September 30 67 42
October 1 68 44
October 2 71 45 .05
October 3 . 68 59 .20
October 4 .69 60 Trace
October 5 .77 62 Trace
.60 of Inch Rain
Recorded at Chambers—
CHAMBERS — Sixty - hun
dredths of an inch of rain fell
here Sunday afternoon and eve
ning during an electrical storm.
Lightning struck the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Werner
and only slight damage was done.
Lightning struck and burned a
haystack "belonging to George
Sladek and also hit a stack on
the Ralph Hoffman place. Both
farms are southeast of town.
Rev. Meyers to ,
Leave Spencer—
SPENCER—Rev. L. W. Meyers,
pastor of Immanuel Lutheran
church In Spencer and the Christ
Lutheran church in Lynch, has
announced that he is leaving
these psatorates.
He has accepted a call to serve
Faith Lutheran church in West
chester, 111., a suburb of Chica
go.
The Meyers family will leave
Spencer late in Octbber or early
in November.
I. • -
The Draytons . . . both from pioneer families.—The Frontier Photo.
Reared with ‘HandinPickleBarreV
By a Staff Writer
ORCHARD — Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas A. Drayton, who were
married on October 4, 1905, re
ceived 300 guests here Sunday on
their golden wedding anniversary.
The observance was held at the
Masonic temple.
Mr. Drayton, 72, was born on a
farm about five miles northeast of
the present site of Orchard in
March, 1883. His parents were
among the early settlers in that
locality.
The Fremont, Missouri Valley
& Elkhom (now Chicago & North
Western) railroad was completed
that spring as far west as Ewing,
which was the nearest town. The
Drayton family made occasional
trips to Ewing to procure sup
plies.
Mrs. Drayton, 71, whose
maiden name was Nellie David
son, was born at Dorsey and
spent her early years there. Her
father, William Davidson, oper
ated a general merchandise
store at Dorsey, in northeastern
Holt county.
Mrs. Drayton describes her
childhood “growing up with one
hand in the pickle barrel.” That
is her way of expressing the life
ot a daughter of a pioneer store
keeper.
The Davidsons later moved to
O’Neill and then went to Orchard
where they operated a store for
many years. The Orchard store
later was sold to the Goldsmith
family and is still in operation.
Miss Davidson and Mr. Drayton
met on Robert Burns’ birthday
anniversary at a party and dance
held in the Orchard school. A
few Scots in the community tra
ditionally celebrated the birthday
of their beloved countryman.
Nellie Davidson attended
Wayne normal. She married Mr.
Drayton at Orchard. Several
guests at Sunday’s open-house
observance were present at the
wedding, including Mr. and Mrs.
H. H. Drayton of Orchard, Mrs.
Fred Drayton of Orchard, Mrs.
Herman Link of Chadron and
Mrs. Art Contois of Clearwater.
The latter was a small child in
1905.
Mr. Drayton entered the bank
ing business in 1905 and was act
ive in the Citizens State bank
until 1932.
The Draytons always maintain
ed their home in Orchard al
though for 40 years Mr. Drayton
directed the operation of a farm
five miles southeast of town.
About 10 years ago he turned the
farm over to the couple’s son,
Gurney, who continues to conduct
extensive cattle feeding opera
tions. Mr. Drayton kept quite
active in buying and selling cattle
until 1954.
The Draytons became the
parents of two children. Their
daughter is Mrs. James (Mau
reen) O’Neal of Phoenix, Ariz.
The O’Neals live at Holyoke,
Colo., most of the year and
spend their winters in Phoenix.
There are five grandchildren
and one great-grandchild. All of
their descendants were present
for Sunday’s observance except
two grandsons.
The Masonic temple at Orchard
formerly was the First Presby
terian church. About 20 years
ago the church was transformed
into a lodgfe hall for the Masons
and Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Drayton has long been a
member of the A1-&AM lodge.
Mrs. Drayton was the first wor
thy matron of the Eastern Star
at Orchard and has been a Re
bekah more than 50 years. The
Draytons belong to the United
Brethren church.
Decorations in the temple fea
tured bells, candles and flowers
in lavender, gold and white.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Drayton
enjoy “reasonably good health.’’