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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1956)
Prairieland I alk . . . Shaggy Dog Is Best Friend By ROMATNE SAL'NDKRS. Retired, Former Editor The Frontier LINCOLN—He is a friendly little Swede, name tnding with the indispensable "son.” He is one of tnat hardy race whose native land, though sur rounded by turbulent, warring nations, is forever *: peace Also, he is just one of the countless num ber who have forsaken native land, father and another and friends to become American citizens. He has made his stake on prairieland, lives by himself with his "best friend"—a shaggy little dog; »ut daily walking streets and - * * —« tanes with the dog on the end of O f a string; will talk to one he meets recounting a vivid story jf the wonders performed by that 10-year-old marvel of a dog. The personal pronoun ‘T” is rarely in the background. A friend from the British Isles has t in stock. London, Belfast, Dub lin and always prefixed by “I” as the Britisher takes you through such places. He, too, Romaine now belongs to prairieland, has Saunders his life’s earnings with saw and hammer paying him three percent interest and lives with his wife in peace and plenty in a cozy five-room dwelling all their own. And this is a lure that draws the genus homo from the ends of the earth to prairieland. « * * That emblem of good luck, the horse shoe, having disappeared from over the doors of Am erican homes, we no longer enjoy the visionary oversight of a fanriful talisman and the erack ups and disasters pile up. * * * Today, May 22, is Salvation Army day. The drum rumbles as the lassies in their snoods and bonnets accompany the major and general on the march The army is something infinitely more than a parade spectacle. It feeds tht hungry, clothes the destitute, gathers in the outcasts and hastens to the aid of disaster victims everywhere. It rebukes pretense, puts to shame religious arrogance. A ianctimonious guy stood by a group pretending he was Christ when the Salvation Army came march pig down the street singing, “I shall know Him by Tie prints of the nails in His hand!” Let me see vour hand demanded one of the crowd near the pogus messiah. He made his getaway down an dley. Every community has the counterpart of the Salvation Army—church groups and others doing what they can to relieve suffering as well as im parting the solace of spiritual inspiration. Here in Lincoln the Army has a downtown store of "sec and hand” household necessities and if your fi nancial standing is such you can’t buy as much as a toothbrush they will fix you out with a good outfit and accept your thank-you in payment. * • • A state game offieial faced a charge of preaking the law he is employed to enforee, shot a quail. He complains the charge was inspired dy two "disgruntled” former employees of the commission. Be that as it may, he should walk ■ p and pay the fine, say nothing and smile about a. Two summers ago the busybodies were plan ning flood control, diverting water courses on pa per and building dikes and reservoirs. Mother Na ture took over and did the job. The tune of the busybodies has been changed to float out on an alarming key calling for water Oldtimers who have survived three-quarters of a century of floods, droughts, flush and tight times, a boiled potato dinner and tables loaded with roast turkey, pump kin pie and all the trimmin’s look on in venerable amusement. Financial stringency, full purse, abun dance today, nothing tomorrow, flooded streams and dry creek beds—days, months, years, centuries come and go—always something for the busybodies to set straight. * * * A comibnation of federal law, court rulings and organized labor renders our "right to work" voted by Nebraskans as well as in other states of little avail. Added to this, the nonunion worker encounters refusal if applying for work at a "closed shop" on the grounds, fictitious or real, that no additional help is needed. * * * He sat on the ground, back against a tree, with book In hand, mental faculties centered on the accumulated wisdom absorbed during another year in college. In a few- days the final struggle will be over, will it be the sheepskin or failure? He was a young man from Texas in college in Lincoln preparing to enter medical school in a Southern California community, had earned his way through college by working. Now the problem of financing the $1,200 a year the medical school asks of each student would confront him. Somehow, I don’t know how, that young man will make it, as scores of young men and young women the coun try over have met the problems of life and through difficulties and empty purses have come out professionally equipped to fill their niche in the affairs of men. * * * A friend of Prairieland Talker in a distant state calls attention in a letter to the scenes of beauty "every place in the world." Beauty every where glowing in crystal charm above the sordid, the ugly, the revolting things along the way. This friend writes of the thrill that was experienced rolling along the prairie trails when living in prai rieland, and retains in vivid memory the warm hearted, friendly and hospitable people he knew here. Beauty everywhere, even on the desert. A few years ago on an Arizona desert the midnight hour could not woo to slumber. The vast empty land, stars glowing like balls of fire out of the depth of eternity above—a desert picture worth a night out. * * * A group of postal clerks in session down at | Columbus “whereased” and resolved that their working conditions are bad and they swing into action to achieve their ideal. There have been times when we were not concerned over "working conditions,” we wanted a job. In the days of Coxie’s armies of thousands of unemployed, bread lines and a bowl of soup, any job was welcome irrespective of working conditions. But today we are 60 years farther along the road to El Dorado and here’s hoping the postal boys evolve working conditions to their liking. Editorial . . . Eggs in Three Baskets Squabbling among the armed services Is un g^easant, but we doubt if any great harm will re jult from the explosions of interservice criticism necently. They are the natural results of healthy cavalry, plus the defense department’s attempt to naintain an excessive secrecy. Indeed, they remind is that fortunately the United States’ defense eggs ire not all in one basket. But if the publication of air force documents guestioning the value of the army’s nike ground o-air missile and the navy’s giant carriers is to •eave more than hard feelings, certain steps will lave to be taken. We do not mean a congressional investigation to determine who is responsible for die disclosures. What is much more needed is an impartial and objective evaluation of the weapons brought into question. In 1949, when the navy questioned the air force’s claim for the B-36 bomber, it was simply slapped down. The B-36 itself was not adequate ly investigated, and millions continued to be pour- , *d into the building of this complicated and un reliable weapon. Proper tests would have shown that strong defense against it was already available. Last fall controversy over the nike—chief re liance for close-in aid defense of American indus trial targets—caused tests to be made. They were inconclusive. That is not good enough. Adequate aests should be made—and judged by an impar tial board, not by one service. If necessary to estab lish the facts, civilian experts should be brought <*t. At the same time tests should be run of the talos—the missile developed by the navy but fa rored by the air force for ground-to-air defense of liases. It will be more difficult to prove the value of <he big aircraft carriers, for this would involve the operation of a whole naval task force, with all the uncertainties of sea and air weather. But an attempt should be made. And again some impar aon authorities should set up the conditions for a test. For the investment in this weapon is ap proaching a billion dollars, and it is time that its sapabilities were more fully known. Homecoming for ‘Simp’ Neighboring Nebraska communities — Platte Center and Columbus—paid honor to Gen. Alfred Gruenether during the weekend. The recently re ugned commander of North Atlantic Treaty Or ganization and a distinguished war leader spoke at the Platte Center high school alumni banquet and appeared in Columbus in connection with that city’s centennial celebration. Gruenther, known as “Simp” to lifelong friends at Platte Center, has astonished his col leagues in the American military and those of al lied nations with his decision to quit NATO and go into industry at a high-level. In this regard, Gruenther is but one in a succession of high mili tary men who have abandoned the profession to take on more lucrative business and industrial positions. General Gruenther has made his mark as a wartime general and aide to Dwight Eisenhowrer; he has demonstrated unusual qualities of leader ship and statesmanship ability in improving the efficiency and environment of the NATO organiz it ion; he is a conservative, solid-thinking Nebras kan of whom its residents are immensely proud. Power intoxicates men. It is never voluntarily surrendered. It must be taken from them. The rapreme court must be curbed.—James F. Byrnes, former justice of the supreme court of the United States. Politicians Ponder Election (From Tierce County Leader) The radios and daily newspapers are trying their best to evaluate and make something out of the recent Nebraska primary election. Some try to find evidence of a farm revolt . . . some try to decide if Eisenhower is losing his pop ularity . . . some try to discover if 80 percent, 90 percent or 100 percent of parity is wanted. The best thing about an election is that your vote is “secret” . . . also why you. voted the way you did vote is nobody’s business if you want to keep “your mouth shut.” When you go to the polls you ask for what ever party ballot you want . . . you vote the way you want . . . after all the votes are in and count ed it still does not tell why you voted that way. This is the “United States” . . . your vote . . . your use of the ballot is yours and youfs alone. The “why” is also yours and thank goodness no one can with authority question your American right to put an “X” where you please. Ike’s Health Questioned The political seismograph in the nation’s cap ital has been registering a spate of rumors to the effect that President Eisenhower will not run again. He will bow out for reasons of health just before the republican convention—that’s the way the ru mor mongers dish it up. A tip regarding his health might be read into the announcement the president would limit his campaign appearances on a half-dozen television shows. It is the season for.commencement—for grad uation—for an end to a way of life and the begin ning of another for the graduates—and for dis courses by commencement speakers. We hear little these days about the college yokels who swallow gold fish. Apparently the in terest has been switched to raids on gals’ dormi tories. To consult with the wisest and the greatest men ... to use books rightly.—Ruskin. B<? slow in choosing a friend, slower in chang ing.—Benjamin Franklin. What really teaches man is not experience but observation. CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher ARTHUR J. NOECKER and ESTHER M. ASHER, Associate Publishers 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. AuditedT(ABC) Circulation—2,530 (Sept. 30, 1955) Youngsters Inspect M-47 lank These youngsters swarmed over the national guard M-47 tank on display in downtown O’Neill on armed forces day: Left-to-right: James Sulli van (straddling the cannon), tsannein i-vacoc*., Thomas Schcinost of Page, Gregory Tenborg and Gary Coulter.—The Fronteir Photo. When You and I Were Young . . . No Serious Hurts in Fa rom Horse Gillespie Is Thrown from 50 Years Ago Refrigerators from $10 up at Neil Brennan's. . . Lloyd Gilles pie is still with his father at their homestead near Rushville. The judge suffered no serious injuries after having been thrown from a buggy. . . John F. Gallagher, son or Mr. and Mrs. Michael Galla ;her, graduated seventh in his class at the medical department of Washington university. St. Louis, Mo. . . Six young ladies graduated from O'Neill high. They were the Misses Lucille Meredith, Edna Howe, Bessie M. Jones, Josie Howe, Fannie Mil lard and Bessie Roberts. . . Char les Vequist of Ray returned from South Dakota where he filed a claim near Rapid City, S.D. 20 Years Ago A banquet, attended by 30 old timers, was held at the Golden to honor a former businessman and a real town booster, Ben A. DeYarman, 80, of Vancouver, Wash. . George Shoemaker, south of town, furnished his beautiful blue grass lawn and more than one hundred friends and neighbors gathered under the big shade trees to help Miss Cleta McNichols celebrate the closing of her school, a very successful term. 10 Years Ago Miss Catherine Lou Winchell died at the family home. . . Miss Jane Chace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Chace of Atkinson, won the highest score of 959 compet itors in the examinations given by the state merit system last month. . . Marvin Holsclaw won the regents' scholarship to the University of Nebraska at O’Neill high. Gordon Hiatt was chosen alternate. . . George Janousek wrote in a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lod Janousek: “The people in Tsingtoo, China, are half starved” and then he elab orated. He is with the navy. One Year Ago Mrs. John Silverstrand of At kinson repersented Holt county in rural homemakers’ recognition activities in Omaha. . . W. J. Mc Nichols of Hollywood. Calif., who left this community in 1909, had a reunion with Romaine Saunders and presented him with a fancy black beaver hat, 10-gallon size. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tushla of Atkinson and Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Copes are observing their 50th wedding anniversaries this week and next. . . Herman Hesse of Laurel, formerly of Page, and Mrs. Leatha Morrow died. I J ...field engineered to your needs See Us For IRRIGATION of Any Kind! • Engineers to figure youi needs. • Wells — Pumps i • Irrigation pipe of all Kinds. • .Ames ball coupler pipe. • Continental engines. • Berkley or Fairbanks Morse pumps. Le us figure on your needs. We will save you money on any order. Outlaw Impl. Co. O'Neill, Nebr. Art Chosen for Lincoln Display Jeannie Simmons. 6, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Simmons of Hastings, ha l art work chosen ] for exhibit in i j Lincoln depart ment store. Hers was one of 4‘J1 pieces on dis play. Five thou sand were sub mitted. Jeannie is a granddaugh t e r of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sobotka of Jeannie O’Neill. Simmons Jeannie's art entry was one of nine submitted from the entire Hastings school system. Return from Vacation— Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Johnson and daughter, Lynette, and son.-, Tames and Rolland, recently re turned from a a week’s vacation at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Osborn of Olathe, Kans. They also spent a dav in Kansas City, Mo. I Letters to Editor Eldora, la. While visiting a niece in Au rora last November, she noticed an item in the Sunday World Herald quoting Mr. Saunders, taken from the O’Neill Frontier. It was in regard to Doe Middle ton. The item rang a bell with me. My parents left their homestead cn the Niobrara river in 1890 and took over the Pacific house in Stuart, which they operated for six years. Then they bought the Northwestern hotel, which they operated until 1902. So I grew up. from 6-years-old to 18-ycars-oid, in hotels in Stuart and have lis tened in on many stories concern ing Doc Middleton which I can relate. I also recall the life of my parents the first few years on their homestead. Sincerely, IVAN MeKAY « M * 940 First Nat’l Bank Bldg. Omaha, 2, Nebr. My name was mentioned re cently in the Omaha newspaper about sodhouses. I have heard f.om many people interested in ■■soddie" lore. 1 have taken the liberty of ar ranging a meeting, open to ev eryone interested in pioneer Ne braska life, to be held at the lecture hall of Joselvn Memorial ert museum, '2218 Dodge street. Omaha, at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 10. —CHARLES S REED « * * 1028 Conn. Ave., N.W. Washington 6, DC. 1 have been engaged in the writing of a historical novel around the Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866, led by Gen O' Neill. Having just learned that your city is named for him, wondered if I could secure any information about h i m that would help me in rounding out his character. Is it possible that he either has descendants, or there are de scendants of friends, who might have information about him; for instance, a picture of any stage in! his life; his feelings about the movement, or. in fact, any infor mation about him? Of course. I have seen a pho tograph of him, but the descrip tions of him in so many books vary—as to his size, his hair and mustache, his humor or lack of it, have all been very sketchy. I certainly would appreciate any help you could give me. GEOFFREY GALWEY Colonel, U.S.A. (Ret.) * * * Emmet, Ncbr May 16, 1956 We want to thank you for let ting us visit your studio Tuesday, May 15. We listened for our voices thus morning but we will listen Saturday instead. We enjoyed watching the linotype machine and the way the papers are print ed. We are looking forward to see ing our picture in the paper. Sincerely yours, District 20 By Jeanic Foreman Carol Pacha of Atkinson is visiting this week in the Leon ard Davis home. fortified with solids by the vacuum process HOTEL LINDELL LINCOLN, NEBRASKA Fine Foods Reosonohlr Rotas Mgr. Frank Klein Res 2-1006 “I 3-Bedroom Custom Line as low as | $500 I DOWN / on F11A BJ| accepted lot ■ ■ mWM • 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 --1 Acadt k Amd that improved home wiring can put an end to this? 80% of America's families experience some thing like this sooner or later. Yet modern wiring is moderate in cost and easy to install and can be paid for on easy monthly terms! M odern Living demands M odern W ring! I OBSOLETE Most homes are equipped with main entrance panels such as those shown at the left. If your fuse panel is similar to one of these, mawmmmkh y°u have only enough “HOL'SEPOWER” for a few lights and small AMS MANCH citcuir plug-in appliances! To adequately and efficiently supply your constantly increasing electrical requirements of today, and tomorrow, your “rasin” should be rated at 100 amperes, 120 and 240 volts! A SURE SIGN YOUR HOME NEEDS MODERN WIRING Ui in your home that look like this, it li a aura ing system is completely out-dated and very probably at to do? CALL YOUR OWN ELECTRICAL TODAYS Have him make his experienced recoin modern wiring system that will provide enough md a sufficient number of outlets to assure you of ivenience and efficiency you need for truly I YOUR AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS PROPER WIRING Many air conditioners require Z40 volt service. All air conditioners rtould be operated on a separate circuit to which no other appliances ire connected! For maximum ef ficiency, be sure your air condi tioner Is connected properly! This advertisement published as a public service by Nebraska's Low-Cost Progressive Electric Service