Prairieland Talk . . . Fateful Order Issued 65 Years Ago By ROMAINE SAUNDERS, Retired, Former Editor The Frontier LINCOLN—This from the archives: i Headquarters Department of Dakota, St. Paul, Mipn., Dec. 12, 1890.—To the Commanding Offi cer, Ft. Yates, N.D.: The Division Commander has directed that you make it your special duty to se cure the person of Sitting Bull. Call an Indian agent to cooperate and render such assistance as will best promote the purpose in view. Acknowl edge receipt and if not perfectly clear repeat back. —M. Parker, Assistant Adjutant-General. By com mand of General Gurger. The carrying out of the foregoing order resulted in the killing of the noted Sioux ghost dance pro moter by the Indian police, Lieu tenant Bullhead precipitated the battle of Wounded Knee, the last open conflict between Indians and the pale faces. Bullhead later fell with a bullet in his side. Now on the day this is writ ten just 65 years since that order was dispatched from military headquarters to the commander at Ft. Yates, a new generation Romaine has taken over who never heard Saunders of Wounded Knee or Sitting Bull. Here they are with whom I meet from time to time, from the Dakotas, Nebraska, and some from Iowa, who can tell you what the TV show put on or who won at the card party but manifest ignorance of the history of the great prairieland in which they live. Clergymen, clerks, teachers alike should se cure a copy of Will Spindler’s latest book, “Trag edy Strikes at Wounded Knee,” and become in formed on events of that period of our history that sawr the end of Indian wars and introduced what is seen today in efforts to help the red man. It took the slaying of nearly 200 on Pine Ridge and bringing terror to hundreds of Indian children and women to bring it about. * * * Time wasted, millions spent while commis sions, boards, committees and delegations beat the air in vain and fancy rag chewing over the “farm problem,” while Clodhopper Jack out on the land looks on and grins as he goes about the business of producing another supply of grub for the experts and loafers like me. * * * A friend in a distant city, who as a lad of 11 years landed in Holt county in 1882, has a philoso phy of life evolved from memories of the days that were. In a recent letter he observes that “the tools of technology can never again bring the peace and inspiration we knew in prairieland in that natural environment oldtimers thought of as God’s coun try.” Yes, the glow of the pink dawn and the gold of sunset on prairieland for more than 70 years have written upon the scroll of time their changes. The antelope is gone, the prairie chicken no long er wings away as it did of yore, wire fences stretch across from post to post where you, old timer, once roamed at will. Yet here lies much of prairie land unspoiled by the hand of man. The prairie roses bloom, the goldenrod nods its bright crown of floral glory, the meadow lark is here from spring until autumn, the gollen crested eagle soars aloft o dp stately wings, the sly coyote trots to his hide away, the landscape is robed in green in summer and lies peacefully under a blanket of snow in winter. The lakes, the streams where flow crystal nectars of the sand, the sweep of grass lands are still here. Prairieland patriots have their worries in these days of astronomical inflation but we haven’t been floored yet. And the sunbeams come and go and the wind blows and the stars glow and Tom Nightengale can still handle the fiddle and the bow. * * * “If I were a young man with my way to make in the world, I would pack my bag and hurry to Texas,” an outburst from a gifted writer in a popular publication. As he sees it, the Lone Star state is the “boomingest, wealthiest, most vital, expanding and exciting state in the Union.” Com ing up across Texas from El Paso at one time, the train I was on was all but blown from the track and the flying dust and sand were so thick that I wondered how the engineer could see the next town for a stop. Today we reach a hand across the snow to bring to friends afar and those near the old, old story that is ever new and expressed in a word, merry Christmas. December brings to Prairieland Talker not only the memory of the earth’s greatest event but adds to him one more milestone down the highway of time. I was a cold weather baby in the long ago in a countyseat town in southern Wisconsin. On that same December morning five years later the baby girl who became my life’s companion first breathed the air of Sullivan coun ty, Missouri. She now lies under the sod on Pros pect will The day we observe as Christmas is doubtless not the true birthday anniversary of that Babe bom in a stable in Bethlehem, because there was “no room in the inn.’’ The day is not important. What is important is the message that came from a celestial Being to those sheep herd ers watching their flocks at night on Judean hills and which comes to us down through the cen turies, “For unto you is bom this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. * * * North Nebraska inherited its most noted out law from Texas, the redoubtable Doc Middleton. Billy Reed, who shot Sheriff Barney Kearns at the Arcade hotel which stood where the Knights of Columbus hall now is — Third and Douglas streets, came from Texas and returned there to fall in a fight with a bullet in a vital spot. * * * It was in the Texas dust storm period of the 30’s that a rancher down there brought his herds to Nebraska and filled them up on good prairie laud hay in the Swan and Josie country of the em pire of Holt. Montana, Wyoming and Dakota cat tlemen did likewise. A contributor to the Nebraska History magazine at one time wrote down that the grass lands of the Nebraska socalled sandhills re gion surpassed anything in America for stock rais ing. Citizens are commended for loyalty to their home state. None surpass a Texan in this respect. Oil wells down that way contribute a major share in the boast of being the “wealthiest.” Nebraska has its oil fields, too. * * * A little old lady, her face showing what can not be concealed of the marks of time, carried a parcel and headed for the postoffice. That parcel contained a gift for an absent one from that moth er’s home and with that parcel went a mother’s heart throbs. Scores of mothers, of daughters and sons are taking their packages to postoffices to send them on the way this last week before Christ mas to remind someone far away that they are not forgotten. And there may be lonely souls sitting the winter days through and no gift as a token of love or cheering message ever comes to them. * * * Over in Illinois, Welfare Director Otto L. Bet tag is promoting measures to the end that the state provide homes for aged men and women who are ' at present in mental institutions, who are not men tally ill but have been so committed by members of their families who have taken that way of stow ing away mother or dad. Today’s paper reports 20 babies born in Lincoln. Hardly think that a Ne braska baby when grown up will petition for mother or lad to be sent to Hastings. * * * Three of the Ford millions float this way to fill the treasuries of some of our educational in stitutions and hospitals. Responding to a com munity call, $4,000 was tossed into the fund to see that 1,000 needy children in the capital city were given a merry Christmas. “The poor ye have always with you,” whether it be a homeless kid or big institution covering a city block. • * * A lady, a native of O’Neill, now residing 2, 000 miles hence, writes to Prairieland Talker, and among other interesting observations wonders why with all the modern conveniences, push buttons, gadgets, washers and dryers there is so little time to just live, visit a neighbor, see your friends or just relax, as did our mothers who had to build fires, scrub on a washboard, do their own baking and mending and care for a large family. Well, sister, our mothers lived in a peaceful age while we inherit a troubled world. Editorial .... There Is a Santa Claus New York, N.Y. September, 1897 “Dear Editor: “I am 8-years-old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in the Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth is there a Santa Claus, Yours truly, VIRGINIA O’HANLON” It was only September, and 1897’s Christmas was three months in the future. But Virginia O’ Hanlon’s concern was with an important problem t’ at, to her, knew no season. That was why she wrote her letter to the New York Sun. The answer to Virginia’s question, written In a moment cf deep spiritual insight by Francis B. Church, stands even today as a testament express ing two thousand years of faith. It has been re printed here because it always will deserve to be read again. “Yes, Virginia! “Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age—they do not believe except what they see— they think that nothing can be which is not compre tiensible by their little minds. “All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. “In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. “He exisits as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make toler able this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extin guished. “Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! “You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus—the most real things in the world are those neither children nor men can see. “Did you ever see fairies dancing on the. lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there—nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world. “You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, or even the united strength of all the strongest men, that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside the curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. “It is all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. “No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever — a thousand years from now, Virginia, nay ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.” This is the month to give money to charitable causes, and get it taken off your income tax, if you have any money. Why is it that deep-voiced commentators sound so authoritative, even when talking about non-skid lipstick? There are always two ways to look at a ques tion and usually more than two and your way is often the wrong way. Despite all the co-eds could do, the football season has come to an end, and so has another prosperous year. The best friends are usually not those people thought of as such. Front® CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher Entered at the postoffice in O'Neill, Holt coun ty, Nebraska, as second-class mail matter under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. This news paper is a member of the Nebraska Press Associa tion, 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 subscriptions are paid in advance. Audited (ABC) Circulation—2,530 (Sept. 30, 1955) When Yon and Were Young . . . Curious Held at Bay by New Fence Whitt emore Trial Is in Progress 50 Years Ago For the preservation of the property and building material on the hotel corner, a fence is being erected to keep out mis chievous boys and curious men. . . . William Krotter was a wit ness at the Whittemore trial in district court. . . Miss Anna Kiltz and Thomas EL Alderson were married at the home of the bride’s parents, seven miles north of Chambers. . . Mrs. Ida Vequist Widtfeldt died at her home in Shields township at the age of 27. . . William Jilg is preparing for a big public sale at his place six miles northwest of town. . . Philip Heckel of Dorsey suffered a broken leg when a horse he was riding fell with him. . . Doctor Brown of Chambers started for Virginia where he always spends the winters. 20 Years Ago An oil transport went into the ditch north of the city and was badly damaged. The transport was loaded with gas for South Dakota. . . The Busy Hour club held a Christmas party at the home of Mrs. John Schmohr. . . Edwin, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Porter, left for near Cham bers to spend a week with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. EM F. Porter. . . At the meeting of the county board, they sold the county jail building to Jake Her ley and EM Pavel of Chambers. . . . Miss Loretta Enright, who is teaching at the Petersburg public school, came home to spend the Christmas holidays. . . Mrs. George Weingartner, who underwent an operation recently at the Stuart hospital, returned home. She is in satisfactory con dition. . . The South Side Im provement club held its annual Christmas party at the home of Mrs. EYances Clark. . . The to tal amount of money raised by the ladies of O’Neill in their campaign to furnish toys to ev ery poor child in O’Neill and vi cinity amounted to $112. 10 Years Ago James W. Skeels was arrested at the Western hotel and taken to the county jail. FBI agents have been on his trail for over two years. He is charged with desertion from the air field at Lincoln. . . Mrs. Ella Riley died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Cronk, after an ill ness of several months. . . Mrs. Loren Nelson will spend the week at Columbus, O., on bus iness. . . The fire department hustled out in response to an alarm turned in from the Nu Way cafe. . . Frank Howard, ac companied by his daughter, Margaret, went to Sioux City where Frank expects to under go hospital treatment. . . Orville K. Dailey of Inman and Miss Marion W. Weston of Portland, Ore., were married at Portland. One Year Ago An ammunition truck figured in an accident at the Burlington railroad crossing of U.S. high way 20 at the east edge of town. A car driven by Eldon Croxen crashed into the rear of the am mo truck that had stopped at the crossing. . . E. J. Revell and Elmer Juracek received a plaque given by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company. The award was in behalf of the Holt coun ty soil conservation district. . . Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Johnson will observe their golden wedding anniversary with open-house at their home. . . For the year 1954, St. Peter’s Catholic church has sent 1,037 pounds of clothing to needy people in foreign lands. . . . O'Neill merchants are wind ing up one of the best merchan dise seasons in history. Shoppers have thronged the stores daily. Arrives for Holiday— Miss Ann Waters of Omaha ar rived Monday to spend the holi days at the Mrs. William J. Biglin home. Niobrara Hereford Bulls Average $239 BUTTE—The annual Niobrara Valley Hereford association win ter sale and show Tuesday, De cember 13, grossed $5,147 for the bulls, with an average of $239.87, it was announced by Walter G. Sire of Butte, secretary. A bull exhibited by Dewey C. Schaffer of O’Neill was named the grand champion by Dewey €. Schaffer of O’Neill, judge. The grand champion was purchased by Ed Murry of Taylor. C. H. Fisher of Spencer show ed the reserve champion. J. M. Magness of Miller, S.D., was the auctioneer. Rural Youth Group to Sing Carols The O’Neill Rural Youth held a business meeting and a Christ mas party on Sunday, December 11, at the courthouse assembly room. The recreation and dec orations were planned in holiday style. Lunch was served and gifts were exchanged. A group of guests was present. Future events will be Christ mas caroling on Friday, Decem ber 23, and in January an IFYE student from Nebraska, who has been to India, will speak, ac cording to Audrey Henderson, news reporter. Regional Deaths Alfred Joseph Lucas Clearwater — Alfred Joseph Lucas, 76, died Tuesday, Decem ber 6, at the Neligh Antelope Memorial hospital. He had been a Holt and Antelope county res ident for many years, moving into Clearwater last March. Sur vivors include: Widow — Nora; four sons — William, Thomas, Floyd and Arthur; four daugh ters — Mrs. Deloss Thompson. Mrs. Lloyd Kimes, Mrs. Vernon Hixson and Mrs. Vincent Seir; 17 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and six sisters. Hugh Raymond NELIGH — Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, De cember 13, at Neligh for Hugh Raymond, 63, who died Sunday, December 11, at Antelope Me morial hospital. Survivors in clude one daughter, three sons, seven grandchildren, two sisters and three brothers. Eagle Creekers Hold Yule Party— The Eagle Creek 4-H club met at the home of Betty and Mary Jo Curran on Sunday, December 11, for a Christmas party beginning with dinner at noon. The after noon was spent playing games, singing Christmas songs and ex changing Christmas gifts. The next meeting will be held January 22 at the home of Vin cent Ernst. — By Vincent Ernst, reporter. Rex W. Wilson, M.D. Robert M. Langdon, M.D. PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS 128 W. Douglas St., O’Neill Phone 138 BIDS ... on that new home or business building. WE SPECIALIZE In custom cabinets, fixtures and furniture. FREE ESTIMATES Gerald W. Monk Phone 431-M Box 205, O’Neill i t • New NATIONAL HOMES available in O’Neill’s North Heights addition, or on your own town or country lot any where in the area. Numerous floor plans and designs from which to choose. Low monthly payments. NORTH-NEBRASKA BUILDERS FRANCIS GILG — HARRY E. RESSEL Phone 150 Phone 548-M .. DANCE .. AT O’NEILL AMERICAN LEGION AUDITORIUM AND BALLROOM Sunday, December 25th DUFFY BELORAD and His Orchestra Admission: Adults, $1 ; Students, 50c r '' : State Irrigation Meet February 29— The 1956 Nebraska irrigation clinic will be held February 29 at Broken Bow, A. Neil Dawes, Holt county extension agent, an nounced last week . He said the one-day meeting, to which all farmers and ranch ers in a 19-county area are invit ed, will present outstanding au thorities on irrigation problems and methods, as well as panel dis cussions on such important mat ters as crop insects, fertilizers, sprinkler irrigation, cropping sys tems and irrigated pastures. More than a thousand ranchers and farmers attended the 1955 irrigation clinic, which was held at Central City. Mr. Dawes stressed that the 1956 meeting will bring new ideas and methods to the attention of Nebraskans, and urged all ranch ers and farmers in Holt county to make arrangements to attend the meeting. O’Neill News Mr. and Mrs. Harden Anspach spent the weekend in Lincoln. They brought their grandson, Ste vie, home with them. Mr. and Mrs. Kieth Anspach and Kelly came up Tuesday from Lincoln to spend the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. Milton J. Baack entertained Mr. and Mrs. Willard Solfermoser, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Murman, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Rei mer, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith son and Mrs. Charles Houser Fri day evening after the Atkinson basketbal game. Carnival skating parties, Sun. night, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1, at Ne ligh Rink. 34p30 Mrs. G. D. Janzing of Emmet spent Friday evening at the Ger aldine Schoenle home. She went by train to Omaha to visit her husband, who is in St. Joseph’s hospital. Mr. Janzing will cele r" — brate his 88th birthday anniver sary Friday. Mrs. Janzing also visited a brother in Omaha. Donohoe Const. Co. CAT — SCOOP — DOZER Dormor or Elevated Grader Work John E. 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