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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 1955)
' <9 TWELVE PAGES o O © * 9 Pages 1 to 12 V; ■ ; * . ■ |jg | . ^ . ■■ j & North-Central Nebraska’s BIGGEST Newspaper Volume 75.—Number 25. O Neill, Holt County, Nebraska, Thursday, October 20, 1955. Seven Cents STATE HIST SOC ~ _ *VA A Mrs. Benash Born During ’88 Blizzard __ By a Staff Writer Mrs. Frank Benash, 67, who came into this world to the ac companiment of the howling winds at the time of the historical blizzard of January 12, 1888, and her husband, 78, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Monday, October 17. They re ceived scores of friends and neighbors during the open-house observance of their 50th wedding date. Mrs. Benash’s maiden name was Margaret Oesch, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Oesch. She was born on a home stead in the Maring community northwest of O’Neill. Mrs. Oesch died during childbirth and a number of days elapsed before the funeral could be held. The mother’s death was a crushing blow to the Oesch family. The infant Margaret was tak en to Milford where she was reared by her grandmother, later to return to Holt county. Mr. Benash was born at Rush City, Minn. In 1881, jvhen he was 3%-years-old, he came to Holt county in an ox-drawn cov- ' ered wagon with his parents, the ! late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Benash, sr. The family settled 14 miles north and two miles west of O’ Neill. Miss Margaret Oesch met Mr. Benash at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Benash, with whom she had come to ipake her home. It was a case of the Oesch sisters marrying Benash brothers. The wedding took place at Fairfax, S.D., and the couple be gan housekeeping on the Benash homestead. They retired from the farm 13 years ago and Mr. Benash kept active until recently by repairing clocks, sewing ma chines and sharpening saws. “Can’t stand that kind of work anymore,” explains Mr. Benash, “because my nerves won’t take it.” Mrs. Benash describes her health as “not so good.” The Benashes have one daugh ter, Mrs. Vernon (Della) Harding, who lives 22 miles north of O’ Neill, and two sons—Gilbert of Milford and Clarence of Beatrice. There are 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. One daughter, Mrs. Jake (Fre da) Sandoe of O’Neill, died in 1944. A family dinner was served at the Harding home on Sunday in honor of the O’Neill couple. There were 45 relatives and friends present, including: Mrs. Elizabeth Benash and Mr. and Mrs. Aar-on Benash, all of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Benash and family of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Benash and family, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Eenash and family and Mrs. Em ma Bass, all of Beatrice; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Benash, Sidney Benash and Mrs. Vernon Freouf and daughter, all of Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Jake Sandoe and family of Hastings; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Deans and sons of Chad ron; Mrs. Clyde Van Every and son of Council Bluffs, la.; Mrs. Mary Sowers of Ord; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Wagner of New York and Ralph Wagner of O’Neill. (A tape - recorded interview with Mr. and Mrs. Benash was broadcast on the Wednesday, Oc tober 19, “Voice of The Frontier” program.) Wheeler School Dedication Today BARTLETT—The new Wheeler county high school here, a mo dern, unique, metal-type build ing, will be dedicated today (Thursday). State Education Commissioner F. B. Decker of Lincoln will speak at the ceremonies. The Wheeler county high school was approved by voters after three special elections. The high schools averages about 85 students. Car Hits Train Clarence (“Buddy”) Focken, 19 (above), son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Focken of Atkinson, suffered several fractured ribs Sunday night when. his south bound car struck a westbound Chicago & North Western spe cial freight train that had just drawn to a stop. The accident occurred at the east edge of At kinson where state highway 11 crosses the tracks. Focken is in “good” condition in the Atkin son hospital. A 1955 Atkinson high school graduate, he and his father had attended church services at O’Neill, he had just delivered his father to the fam ily home, and young Focken was enroute back to work at the Harvey Hanson ranch, south of Atkinson when the crash took place.—O’Neill Pho to Co. Mr. Benash ; . . homesteader. Mrs. Benash . . . her mother died at childbirth.—The Fron tier Photos. Mei ber of 1901 Class is Honored 280 Attend Banquet at Stuart STUART — Two hundred and and eighty persons were served at the annual Stuart high school homecoming banquet served Sa turday evening, October 15, in j the Stuart auditorium. Those receiving special recog nition were: Mrs. Floyd Gardner of Grant’s Pass, Ore., the former Bernice Shearer (the woman traveled the greatest distance to attend); John N. Bigelow of Los Angeles, Calif., (the man travel ing the greatest distance); Mrs. Leonard Roberts of Stuart, the former Ida Kraft, the oldest wo man graduate present (member of class of 1901), and Fred Zink of Stuart, oldest male graduate (member of class of 1903). Highlights of the banquet was a talk by C. H. Velte, who was superintendent of the Stu art schools 1916-’17 and a por tion of 1918. He resigned in midterm to join the armed forces during World War I. He is now superintendent at Paci fic Junction, la. A program of music by the high school students and dance numbers by Mrs. J. G. Brewster’s dancing class followed the banquet. A dance and social time brought the evening to a close. At the half of the Stuart-Ains worth football game (won by Ainsworth, 32-6) drills and mu sic were presented by the Stuart band. Within a heart-shaped for mation of the band, Terry Cobb and Myma Kaup were crowned homecoming king and queen for 1955-’56. The crowning was done by the retiring royalty, King Jack Hytrek and Queen Carolyn Cobb Jansen. Miss Kaup, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kaup, is a senior, a cheer leader of the Pep club, in mixed chorus, girls’ chorus and dramatics. Terry Cobb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cobb, is vice-presi dent of the senior class, is on the Wrangler staff, and is a letter man on the football team. The Freshman float depicting a boxing match between Stuart and Ainsworth, was awarded first place in the afternoon par ade. 100 Wild Horses to Be Brought Here Walt Plugge of Bartlett has an nounced that one hundred wild horses from the Bad Lands re gion of South Dakota will be brought here for the O’Neill Sad dle club-sponsored tryouts to be held here Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30. Fifty horses will be used each day in the shows, starting at 2 2 p.m., to be held in the Carney park arena. (Details on page 10.) Winkler, O’Conner Make Moves— EMMET—Ed Winkler has mov ed into the house which he pur chased from Mr. and Mrs. James O’Connor. The O’Connors moved to their new home in O’Neill where they will reside after liv ing in Emmet for 27% years. Mr. O’Connor owned and operated a tavern here and the business has been sold to Mr. Winkler. MARRIAGE LICENSE Alfred Paul Schneider, 24, of Atkinson, and Fern Katherine Waterman, 18, of Page, October 17. E. L. Sisson, Wife Wed 60 Years Deloit Couple Reisdes in Holt 38 Years; Feted at Dinner By MRS. HAROLD HARRIS Special Correspondent EWING — The culmination of 60 years of married life was cel ebrated Sunday, October 16, by Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Sisson, 82 and 79-years-old, respectively. The Deloit couple, residing 14 miles from Ewing, were honored at their home by 40 relatives, who gathered for dinner and a social afternoon. The 1 o’clock dinner was prepared and served by their daughters. Scores of friends called during the afternoon at the big white house in which the Sissons have resided most of the 38 years they have spent in the community. A four - tier pink-and-white wedding cake topped with a three-bell ornament, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Robley Sisson, sr., made up the table centerpiece. This was flanked by bouquets of chrysanthemums, gifts from Mrs. Blanche Sisson, Miss Jeanne Welke and the Deloit Pinochle club. Mr. Sisson was born in Wis consin and was one - year - old when he came to Nebraska with his parents. The family took a homestead in Boone county, near St. Edward. Mrs. Sisson was born in the St. Edward locality. Her maiden name was McKelvie and her mother was German. The Sisson boy and McKelvie girl have been virtual lifelong companions. When she was nine-years-old they accompanied their mothers on a trip “back to Wisconsin.” The couple was married at St. Edward on October 15, 1895, by a Reverend Crawford. They mov ed their family to Holt county (Deloit) in 1917. Mr. Sisson has been a lifelong farmer, cattle raiser and livestock feeder and has kept very active until the last few years. All of the children of the cou ple were present for Sunday’s observance: Mrs. Otto (Helen) Reimer of Lincoln; Mrs. Robert (Echo) Fisher of St. Edward; Mrs. Melvin (Fern) Rexin, who lives on a farm two miles north of Ewing; Fred, who makes his home with his parents; Clarence (“Jack”), who lives north of Ew ing, and Robley, who is employed by Clarence. Ten of their 12 grandchildren were present. Robley Sisson, jr., of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. Yvon ne Biddex of California were the only grandchildren absent. There are 10 great-grandchildren. Other relatives attending in cluded Mrs. Sisson’s brother, Jay McKelvie, and Mrs. McKelvie of Lincoln; Mr. Sisson’s sister, Mrs. George Graham, and Mr. Graham of Albion; and his brother-in law, Edward Maloney of Lincoln. Mrs. Maloney could not at tend because of illness. The Maloneys attended the Sissons at their wedding 60 years ago. The afternoon was spent in formally. Pictures of two four generation groups were taken. One included the Sissons; their son, Clarence; his daughter, Mrs. George Adrian, and her son, Mar vin. The other included the Sis sons and their son, Robley, sr.; his daughter, Mrs. John Steskal, and her son, John. During the evening motion pic tures were shown by George Ad rian and Miss Vera Riceling. The Sissons received many gifts and cards. (A tape - recorded interview with the Sissons, conducted by Cal Stewart, was broadcast on the Monday, October 17, “Voice of The Frontier” program.) Jaycees Schedule Stage Revue— The Tom Crotser stage revue that the Junior Chamber of Com merce is sponsoring on Friday, November 4, at the O’Neill high school auditorium is the product! of years and years of hard re search and endeavor. Lavish cos tumes, costly scenery, and thous ands of secrets and just a part of the tremendous amount of time and money spent in developing this fabulous stage revue. Crotser just concluded a tour of the Far East securing a vast amount of new materials and un told knowledge of the legends of the mysterious Orient. This added to his fame of Hol lywood and Broadway makes for a masterpiece of a production, the Jaycee officials explain. CAR IS WRECKED A 14-year-old Atkinson boy, who misappropriated and wreck ed a 1950 model car belonging to his brother, was questioned by Holt county Sheriff Leo Tom jack. The boy was driving the car east of Atkinson on a gravel road and wrecked the machine. The boy was not held. Mr. Sisson . . . livestock man. Mrs. Sisson . . . born in Boone county. — The Frontier Photos. Rites Today for Drowning Victim Frederick Body Is Found Downstream LYNCH—Funeral services will be conducted today (Thursday) from St. Paul’s Catholic church at Marty, S.D., for James Fred erick, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Frederick of Greenwood Indian Agency, S.D. Young Frederick drowned late Monday, October 10, in the Mis souri river near the Lloyd Spen cdr farm in the Sunshine Bottom locality, east of Lynch. The Frederick youth and four teenage boys had crossed to the Nebraska side in a bor rowed motor boat. The boat broke loose from its mooring and Frederick swam after it. He disappeared. Search for the body was press ed for eight days. The body was found about 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon about four miles down stream (near the Boyd-Knox boundary) by three boys from Greenwood. Burial will be at Marty. Meanwhile, a crew of river trained workers from Sioux City has joined in the search for the body of Gary Hansen, 19. He has been missing in the Missouri since Sunday, October 16, when the boat in which he and three companions were hunting ducks went to the bottom. The companions said they last saw Hansen standing on a sand bar. The accident occurred lvfe miles west of Santee (Knox county). Mrs. Sam Fuhrer entertained at dinner Tuesday evening in the honor of her son, Michael, on his sixth birthday anniversary. fHomegrown9 Movie Pleases - ~ - By a Staff Writer ATKINSON—Among the scores of persons who witnessed the pre miere showing of the “home grown” moyie, “The NewT Fron tier,” here Wednesday night, Oc tober 19, the reaction was the same: Folks liked it. Their enthusiasm, naturally, was in varying degrees. All were generally agreed the show is a homey, amateurish effort with some grand photographic effects spotted through the one hour 20 minute showing. Charles Skopec, jr., who op erates a ranch eight miles southwest of Atkinson, is the producer-cameraman - direct or - editor - script writer and I shoulders the commentary. . j The full-length color film was “shot” over a period of several years and the sound track was added this year. Originally the film was labeled “The 4-H Story,” and it centers largely around the activities of sandhills youths. The story is sweet, thin and simple because the work is primarily of a doc umentary nature. Dick Whittier (his real name is Richard Prussa) is a ranch kid with a grumpy dad, Joe Whittier (played by Charles Freouf). The show opens with barefoot ed Dick snagging bullheads from the crystal clear waters of the upper Elkhorn river. His con stant companion is his dog, Mack (the dog belongs to Mr. Skopec and his wife and the rightful name is Slewfoot). The whittlin’ ol’ man Whittier keeps Dick on the wood pile and intercepts mail, denying the kid from becoming active in 4-H club work. The neighbor kids (all 4-H’ers) have an outing at Hidden Para dise at Long Pine. Here the di rector of the film brings in hun dreds of Holt and Rock county youths and some adults. Dick, meanwhile, stacks wood. Finally, Uncle Floyd (whose real name is Floyd Butter field) rescues Dick from the squalid surroundings and takes him to his (Uncle Floyd’s) hig ranch. There the cycle of life for a sandhills ranch kid begins from calving time in the spring through the bluegrass and hay harvest, roundup time in the fall and marketing time. On the big ranch Dick works alongside the hired hands. The film is climax ed with a visit to the colorful Atkinson hay days and the view er has a good look at the parade. Meanwhile, Miss Caroline Sko pec (the film man’s daughter, who is now at the University of Nebraska) appears periodically working her box camera. The scenes she “shoots” are natural (Continued on page 12) Narrowly Escape C&NW Freight Train CLEARWATER — Three per sons jumped to safety as their car was demolished in a railroad crossing accident on Main street. Carl Haake of Clearwater and his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schrinner of Madison, Wise., visiting here, were in the car. Mrs. Schrinner wa$ driving, according to the North Western railway report, when the car stalled on the tracks in front of a freight train. Club Meets— The Jeudi club met last Thurs day. Mrs. John Watson was hos tess. Winners were the Mesdames A. P. Jaszkowiak and Louis Rei mer. Frontier for printing! i Charles Skopec, jr. . . produeer-director-cameraman-editor eommentator for “The New Frontier.”—The Frontier Photo. mam g Caroline Skopec . . . the pro posal was subtle.—O’Neill Pho to Co. Richard Prussa . . . the hero of the 4-H film story.—O’Neill Photo Co. Ries Wins Cherry County Soil Honor ATKINSON — Walter Ries of Atkinson whose ranch is located 18 miles south of Wood Lake, has been selected by the Cherry coun ty soil conservation district board of supervisors as the cooperator making the most progress in con servation for the past several years. Mr. Ries will be presented a certificate of award and he and Mrs. Ries will be guests of the Nebraska State Association of Soil Conservation districts at a banquet at Hastings on November 8. Miss Amy Fox of Sioux Falls, S.D., arrived Sunday for a visit with her brother-in-law and sis ter, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bazel man, and family. Auto Dealership Has New Owners The Shierk Motor Company, DeSoto-Ply mouth automobile dealership here, passed into new ownership Saturday, October 15, but will con tinue to operate under the established firm name. Verlyn Gibbs (left), a former employee of the city police and water departments, and William Thelander of Orchard (right) purchased the agency from Paul Shierk (center), a veteran O’ Neill automobile dealer who will devote full time to his insurance business. — The Frontier Photo. \ Martin Miksch, 94, Burial at Stuart STUART — Funeral services were held Saturday, October 15, at 10 a.m., in St. Boniface Catho lic church for Martin Miksch, 94, who died in his sleep early Thursday morning, October 13. Mr. Miksch nad been ailing for two years and was bedfast the past eight weeks. Rosary was held at the Seger funeral home in Atkinson Thurs day evening and at the Miksch home in Stuart on Friday eve ning. Interment was in St. Boniface cemetery in the family plot. Pallbearers were grandsons: Eugene Hoffman, Kenneth Krysl, Frank Greger, Martin Miksch and Andy Hytrek. The late Martin Miksch was born in Raab, Czechoslovakia, on November 9, 1860, and became an orphan at 9, years of age. He grew to manhood at Tiebersehlag, Czechoslovakia and immigrated to United States in 1885. He worked as a hiredman for John Maurer of Madison for five years. In 1890 he took a homestead 10 miles south and two miles west of Stuart. He married Maria Walenta of Tiebeslag, Czechlovakia and their nine children were reared on the old homestead now owned by a son, Henry. He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1907, a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Mrs. Stencil (Mary) Hytrek, who died in 1930, and a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Margaret) Greger, who died in 1938. He moved to his present home in Stuart in 1924. He always took a preat interest in flowers and cultivated many beautiful specimans as well as raising a garden and caring for fruit trees. Survivors include: Sons—John, Henry and Joseph, all of Stuart; daughters—Mrs. John (Therese) Hytrek and Mrs. William (Rose) Hoffman, both of Stuart; and Miss Cecelia Miksch of Tekamah; 33 grandchildren and 61 great grandchildren—totaling an even one-hundred living decendents. Find Dead Woman at Rail Station Mrs. Max Berger, 40, Boards Train Here; Body Is Returned Mrs. Max Berger, about 40, of Omaha, wife of a former O’Neill man, was found dead at 6:45 a.m., Wednesday, October 19, in the Chicago & North Western passenger train. 14 shortly after the train’s arrival at Omaha. Mrs. Berger, who had been visiting^ in. O’Neill, boarded the train in O’Neill about midnight Tuesday night. She had consult ed a doctor here earlier in the day. Ambulance officers who were called to Union station at Omaha said there was no evidence of foul play. The body late Wednesday was enroute to O’Neill for burial. Mrs. Victoria Woods Dies at Chambers CHAMBERS—Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m., Tues day, October 18, for Mrs. Victoria Catherine Woods, 85, widow of the late Joseph A. O. Woods. The rites were conducted from the Methodist church with Rev. J. M. Hodgkin, church pastor, officiat ing. Burial was in the Chambers cemetery under the direction of Biglin’s. Pallbearers were Char les Grimes, C. V. Robertson, Glenn H. Adams, Alvin Tange man, Joe Daas and Herman Hol comb. o The late Mrs. Woods died about 2:45 p.m., Sunday, Octo ber 16, at her home at Cham bers. She had been ill two years. Her maiden name was Victoria Catherine Carson, daughter of William and Mary Boyer Carson She was born at Grant, Va.„ March 16, 1870. She married Mr. Wioods at Grant January 30, 1885. They be came the parents of six children. The Woods family came to the Chambers locality In 192# from Madison county. Mr. Woods died in April, 1946. She was a member of the Methodist church, Woman’s So ciety of Christian Service, and the Rebekah lodge. Survivors include: Son— Wil liam of Chambers; daughters— Mrs. Ida Anderson of Norfolk, Mrs. Lela Grubb of Chambers^ Mrs. Thomas (Edith) Osborn of Wisner, Mrs. Ernest (Wayve> Farrier of Chambers and Mrs. Kenneth (Chloe) Adams o f Chambers; sister — Mrs. Bert Greear of Troutdale, Va.; nu merous grandchildren. Police Now Using Own Radio System At 12:01 a.m., Wednesday the O’Neill police department began using its own two-way shortwave radio communications system. Installation of the transmitter at the police headquarters and equipment in one of the two cruiser cars was completed. Here tofore the patrol car has been tuned to the county sheriff’s fre quency. Persons desiring to contact the police can do so instantly by phoning 68 (police headquarters —public lounge). The headquar ters will be in continuous contact with the cruiser. Mayor Alva Marcellus said this week the city officials and police department will appreci ate the public’s cooperation in the parallel parking policy that is being instituted on Douglas street from Second street (Texa co-Conoco comer) westward and from Fifth street (Ford-Standard comer) eastward on Douglas to me cny minis. t'arauei parsing has also been adopted from Ev erett street south to the railroad tracks on Fourth street. “This is in compliance with state-federal highway regulations and must be enforced,” the may or declared. “Double parking also will be prohibited on these principal streets,” the mayor said. Meanwhile, the segment of resurfaced U.S. highways 20-281, extending from near the West O’ Neill corner to the O’Neill Drive In theater corner, has received its final (armoured) coat of as phalt. Resident Highway Engi neer John Osenbaugh said the highway wil be opened to traffic early next week. “Weather dur ing the past few days has been ideal for curing,” he stated. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Ander son spent the weekend at Ains worth visiting Mr. Anderson’s brother, George, who is in the Ainsworth hospital suffering from injuries received in a dump truck accident. He has a fractured ver tebra in his neck and will be in the hospital for some time.