Prairieland Talk
Eli Tracks Runaway Son
Rr ROMA1NE SAUNDERS. Retired. Former Editor The Iron tier
LINCOLN—The crimson glow of breaking
day lighted up the bluffs just beyond where the
troubled waters of the Niobrara flow
A sleeper a mile or so to the south was
roused from his lowly bed, a bed on the ground,
his saddle for a pillow, saddle blanket under him
and yellow slicker spread over him to protect
the sleeper from the night
dews, lariat rope on the *<*► ' t ^
•round forming a circle about 4_
his lodging place to keep ®
open range learned that a
out snakes. Riders of the
rattler will not crawl over
a rope.
The sleeper stirred, got
tip, looked the landscape
over, saw what he had come
there for, caughl up his bay
gelding, put on the bridle and
saddle, took off the hobbles Romaine
and mounted, reigning his Saunders
.teed in a direction that led to a covered wagon
tie saw in the valley below.
‘'Hi boys!" And out popped three heads.
Hay McCure, two Tierney boys and, as I recall,
another youthful adventurer made up that group
of kids from O’Neill homes that had ventured
forth a day or two before to head for the reser
vation, what is now Boyd county, and join Spot
ted Trails braves and roast vension at the camp
fires. The lone gent mounted on that bay geld
ing was Eli Hershiser who had been hired by the
McClure household to run down their runaway
son. ‘‘Hitch up, boys, and head back home.”
They were glad to do it, half-starved as they
were for the vision of chunks of roast deer meat
as they sat by camp fires had not materialized.
* * ft
A cargo of proposed laws float into the
legislative hopper again as the unicameral got
underway for the 1957 session. And amend
ments to our state constitution lurk in the minds
of the state’s great statesmen. Governor Ander
son favors lowering the voting age to 18. I do
not favor it. That's not important what a
superanuated "has been" favors or does not
favor. But I am a friend of youth—let them
stay kids as long as they can. The responsi
bility of citizen, voter, taxpayer and man of
affairs comes soon enough as it Is. Let the 18
vear-olds have tlielr fun while they can.
• * •
Val Peterson, civil defense administrator,
visions a wrecked and ruined America. He has
dwelt upon the visionary need of bomb bursting
shelter until it has become a horrible reality
with him. The last visit I had with Mr. Peterson
as he was about to fold his tent and walk out of
the governor’s office at the state house, he had
other visions. The call to civil life loomed be
fore him when he again would be free from offi
cial duties and become a private citizen out on
prairieland’s velvet green. But President Eisen
hower called him to the frightening job ofp repar
mg us to dodge the death-dealing bombs. He says if
,i bomb strikes New York City all that will be
left where now eight million Americans carry on
life's activities, would be a 250-ft. crater. But will
it be? Not at all likely. None of America’s en
emies are so dumb but that they know what
would happen to their own country if they start
ed bomb warfare on us. Maybe this view of the
matter is what inspired my niece who had headed
the woman’s division of civil defense to quit the
job and retire to peaceful farm life in southern
Indiana.
January 12 the Blizzard club meets in Lin- I
coin, members gather at banquet tables to feed '
upon the luxuries of the day and then listen to i
stories of death and survivals during prairie- I
land’s greatest day, January 12, 1888. when from |
somewhere out of blizzard land came the great |
winter storm that the Blizzard club has now laid j
upon Memory's altar one more tribute to surviv
orys of that day on prairieland 69 years ago. I
know a few, a very few, in the O’Neill commu
nity who were there that day and year in the
long ago when snow-packed clouds dropped to
earth driven by violent winds, saw the morning
after dead cattle strewn across the prairie and
heard the stories of dead men and women found
frozen. A few Blizzard club members knew the
day 69 years ago in all its furry, others are keep
ing the cluk> alive in memory of its founders
Charley Harding, Henry Grady and Lloyd Gil
lespie are three left in O’Neill who lived out that
blizzard and many more in the years that fol
lowed.
• • •
Was it yesterday I saw a little girl com*
ing down the foot-worn path that led from her
home on Kid Hill, the exclusive residential dis
trict of O’Neill of more than 60 years ago. That
little girl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dave
Adams, came gayly down that path many times.
And it was for that little girl, Dave Adams
stopped at the Bentley store and got a whole
quarter's worth of candy to take home. No,
it was not just yesterday but many yesterdays,
many years ago that I saw little Constance
Adams coming down the path. She grew to
womanhood, became a wife and mother, the
wife of a native son, Frank Biglin, who laid
dowm his life a few years ago. Now Constance,
a native daughter, has gone the last mile. And
so another who had spent her days on earth
where she had been born has stepped into the
shadows of life’s sunset.
* * *
• Pioneer patriots early felt that they should
organize and elect county officers, so on August
26, 1876, an election was held.. This election
was declared invalid by special commissioners.
Then on December 27 that year they went at it
again, coming up with the following set of county
officers: James Ewing, Harry Spindler and H.
W. Haines, commissioners; John Cronin, judge;
J. T. Prouty, clerk; J. L. Smith, treasurer; J. B.
Torbet, surveyor; I. R. Smith, sheriff; Joseph
Estep, coroner; E. L. Whiting, school superintend
ent. By 1881 the taxable property of the county
was listed as real estate $53,124, personal pro
perty (mostly livestock) $363,090, money and cre
dits $6,468. To organize as a county the pioneers
had to show that there were 200 citizens free
holders in the county which at that time was
mostly government land.
• * *
Marian Anderson, the great Negro that rose
out of proverty in a neglected section of Phila
delphia to become the country’s greatest soprano
singer, was nee asked by a newspaper reportei
what had been the greatest moment in her life.
She had many great moments meeting the great
of earth, great moments singing before vast au
diences in the great cities of America and abroad.
My greatest moment, replied that humble Negro
woman, was when I had reached to where my
earnings were such that I could go home and
tell my mother she need not take in washings
any longer. A great moment! And I knew a
lad in the long ago that told his widowed mother
when he got a five-dollar-a-week job she need
not go out to work now. The great moments—
they come in the lives of all!
Editorial
Not Time for Defeatism
The cynic and the defeatist is having a
field day as he scans the headlines of the news
papers. There is so much to give him reason to
say “what's the use—why should I plan ahead—
this world is. going to go up in smoke and H
bomb blasts?"
It's true that there is much for discourage
ment as we face the new year.
We cannot know what is ahead and for
many reasons it is a good tiring we cannot know.
Those who die a thousand deaths on their
knees of anticipation find little to cheer about.
One doesn’t have to be a defeatist to realize
that the world is walking a tight wire above
-complete disaster, 14 stories up and no net beneath
to save us—as we tread a razor edge line between
peace and war.
Trouble in Egypt. Trouble in Hungary. Po
tential trouble in Poland and East Germany with
the knowledge that the rulers of the Kremlin
would be willing to risk pulling the world down
in total disaster if they and their own regime are
threatened.
But history was ever thus. History reveals
in almost unbroken record of continuous conflict
and peril. There have been few “eras when pros
pects weren’t frightening.” There have been few
'‘eras of normalcy." And, we wonder how many
•would be content to go back to the “good old
days" when life flowed on in what the old-timers
regarded as a placid calm.
These are days when we must walk with
faith and confidence.
We cannot live one year at a time but by a
day at a time.
We must live as every day was our last on
-earth and try to make that day the happiest
and brightest and most fruitful ever.
This should be the day of the optimist and
nal the defeatist
No Drouth-Breaker
(Guest editorial from The Lincoln Star)
Nebraska, it seems, weathered its first cold
wave of the New Year without serious loss and
some gain. The Arctic bulge that pushed deep
south of Nebraska before it lost its force and
into America’s heartland, even several states
retreated, left a general mantle of snow.
. In terms of moisture, any amount of it, no
matter how little is welcome. The first snow
fall of 1957 was not a drought breaker but it was
a help. It was worth the discomfort. It was
welcome in other ways. It was accompanied by
a maximum amount of loss and no notable ex
amples of privation or tragedy.
But it must remain for later winter storms
to fullfilL, if they will, this area’s great need for
moisture. Nebraska’s entry into 1957 is not yet
guaranteed as a normal crop production year.
It will take another 60 to 80 days to spell out
spring crop prospects. Meantime, interest will
*ot lag in the development of Nebraska irrigation.
If there is a silver lining in this recent and
perhaps continuing dry period it is the impetus
ft has given to agriculture to seek more security
in ever-normal production, to trust more in man’s
* ' |
management of water. Nebraska will emerge
from its weather experience a more stable and
more productive state.
Lowly Nickel to Rise Again!
Lo and behold the nickel! To what lowly
depths it sank as the inflationary spiral rose and
it wouldn’t even buy a telephone call across the
street, a good cigar, or a fat candy bar.
It seemed that the dime was destined for
great things as the universal medium of minor
exchange. The nickel was relegated to one hour
in the parking meter—nay, even a half hour in
some places. What a comedown from the days
when a nickel would buy a violent-colored
bottle of sarsaparilla!
But now the United States post-office may
be coming to the rescue of humbled nickle. Re
ports come that Postmaster General Arthur
Summerfield is talking seriously of raising the
postage rate on letters from three to five cents.
He has a deficit he isn’t proud of, and feels that
a rehabilitated nickel may be the answer.
No better news for nickel enthusiasts has
come out of Washington in years. Now appears
a prospect of redeemed prestige and new glory.
So nickel lovers, unite! You have nothing to lose
but two cents on every letter.
A scientist says the world would be better
off if four little boys named Eden, Nasser, Kru
shchev and Dulles had buddied around together
when young. But would it really make interna
tional conferences any more harmonious if all
four participants addressed one another as Stinky?
The first hurricane of the 1957 season will
be named Audrey, and it’s pretty hard to worry
about her, but says the Kansas City Star’s Bill
Vaughan, look out for Number 2—called Bertha.
Meal time is that time of day when the kids
sit down to continue eating.
New Year’s resolutions should be taken with
a grain of salt—and two aspirins.
Every minority has a tendency to blame the
majority for its own mistakes.
!
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.
Audited (ABC) Circulation—2,559 (March 31, 1958
When You and I Were Young . . .
Editor Provides
Puzzle for Readers
Rosier Markets Two
Hogs for $48
50 Years Ago
Here is a puzzle: Take the
number of your living brothers,
double the amount, add to it
three, multiply by five, add to it
your living sister's, multiply the
result by 10, add the number of
deaths of brothers and sisters,
and then subtract 150 from
the result. The right figure will
be the number of deaths, the
middle figure will be the number
of living sisters and the left fig- i
ure will be the number of living
brothers. Try it and see. . .
H. W. McCUire of Sioux City
formerly of O’Neill, died. . .
Judge Malone married Joseph
Eppenbaugh of Minneola and
Myrtle E. Moore of Star, and
Charles J. Dougherty of Venus
and Minnie Huston of Middle
branch. . . Henry Rosier sold twro
hogs that were a little over a year
old to John O’Malley for $48
20 Year* Ago
S W. Schaaf of Atkinson "froze
to the controls” of an auto when
the motor exploded and the fly- j
wheel zoomed through the floor !
boards. The blow fanned the
cuffs of his trousers and lodged
in the back of the car. He was j
unhurt. . . Les Hough and Charles
Richardson of S e d r o Woolly,
Wash., former residents, visited
old friends for a week. . . J C.
Stein was elected chairman of the j
Holt county supervisors. . . C. D.
Keyes of Inman, who has been in
an Omaha hospital where he had
major surgery, has a serious case
of the flu. . . Mary Lou, infant
daughter of Mr. and Mr. John
Conard of Emmet, was baptized. I
. . . Loyal Hull of Meek is home [
from the Lynch hospital.
10 Years Ago
Deaths: Joseph McNichols, 63,
father of four daughters; Mrs.
Fred I. Carey, 61, mother of nine
children. . . Coyne Hardware was
damaged by fire. . . Lt. Freeman j
Lee Knight, USNR, has received a!
citation for the air medal. . . Lit- j
tlo Connie Jo Bazelman has been
ill the past several weeks. . . j
9FF winners were Mrs. Harrison
Bridge, Mrs. Dean Reed, Mrs. R. j
E. Evans. . . Mrs. Stanley Holly I
is entertaining Mrs. Marjorie
Thacker of Omaha. . . Mrs. R. R.
Morrison, Mrs. Edward Campbell
and Evelyn Stannard were win
ners at Martez club. . . L. B. Price
celebrated their 25th wedding an
niversary.
One Year Ago
Leona Baumeister, 17, of Butte,
was killed in a car-truck accident.
. . . Deaths: Anna J. Ahle, 63, of
Atkinson; Mary MacAuley, 90, of
Clearwater; Mrs Marlin R. Mar
lott, 78, of Spencer; Mrs, Nora
McNally, 73, the former Nora O’
Malley. in Chicago. . . Mrs Ed
ward M. Gleeson suffered a neck
fracture in Sioux City in a car
accident.
Wayman with Engineer
Unit at Belvoir—
Army Pvt. Ivan L. Wayman,
whose wife, Iona, and parents,
Mr. and Mrs Ed E. Waymn, live
in O’Neill, recently was assign
ed to the 79th engineer group at
Ft. Belvoir, Va.
Wayman, a member of head
quarters and service company of
the group’s 588th engineer bat
talion. entered the army in Sep
tember. 1956. and completed
basic training at Ft. Chaffee,
.Ark
Bick Assigned to
Far East HQ—
Army Pvt. Clifford R. Dick.
22, son of Mr. and Mrs. John
F Dick of O’Neill, recently was
assigned to headquarters, army
forces, Far East, and Eighth
army, in Korea.
Dick, an administrative spe
cialist, entered the army last
January and completed basic
training at Ft. Hood, Tex.
He was graduated from O’Neill
high school in 1951.
Bake Sale
a Success—
CHAMBERS—A bake sale for
the benefit of polio was held
Saturday, January 12 at Dobbs
store.
The proceeds amounted to
$46.50
A moters’ march for polio is
planned for this week.
Echoes from the Valley
Winning Spurs on Trail
By >IKS. MERRILL ANDERSON
Let's talk about the famous
sandhills—today one of the most
important cattle areas in the Uni
ted States. The hills originally
were looked upon as nothing but
a death trap. The first cattle were
brought here from Texas,
The eastern cities provided the
best markets for the Texas ranch
ers, therefore they drove their
cattle to shipping points on the
Union Pacific. Ogallala was the
mod important of the early Ne
braska "cow towns”. It was as the
northern end of the famous Chis
holm trail which started at Ban
dera, Tex., and extended through
Dodge City, Kans. The long drive
provided exciting work, even
though filled with hardships.
Many a tenderfoot won his spurs
between Bandera and Ogallala,
thus the cowboy has afforded a
colorful background for innumer
able Western stories and pictures.
O' ye, lands of furtile prairie,
Blest abode for both great and
small,
In thy majesty surrenders;
Offering fortitude to all.
O’Neill News
Mr. and Mrs. Don Peterson
and children spent Sunday in
Lake Andes. S. D. with her par
ents, Mr, and Mrs. George Pad
rnos. They also took Dana Peter
son to Armour, S. D. where he
will be employed.
Mr. and Mrs. Reg Pinker
man and children were supper
guests of his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Veldon Pinkerman of Red
bird on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Pinker
man and children were Sunday
dinner guests of her parents,
Mr and Mrs. Vigo Christensen
of Monowi. Her sister, Kay
Christiansen, of Monowi spent
the weekend with them.
Mr. and Mrs. L. Tenborg
were Sunday ainner guests of
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Embody.
Peter Walnofer of Atkinson
visited his daughter and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tooker from
Thursday until Saturday.
Dr. and Mrs. W. D. Backe
j derg and daughter, Beverly of
Winner, S. D. called on Mr. and
i Mrs. Paul Shierli Friday on their
; way to Omaha.
Mr. and Mrs. A1 Gowler and
I daughter of Columbus, and Mrs.
Mae Knapp of Orchard, were
Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and
Mrs. Earl Smith.
Dedication of
Klee trie Organ—
CHAMBERS—A service ded
icating the electric organ recent
ly' purchased by the Methodist
church was held Sunday evening.
January 13 Duane Mattson
of Bloomfield, gave an organ re
cital. This was in connection
with family night
About 75 persons from Cham
bers and Amelia we.re present.
Lunch was served.
Leave for Lincoln—
Mr. and Mrs, Guy Cole de
parted Monday for _ Lincoln
where their daughter. Miss
Jeanne, is a student at the Uni
versity of Nebraska. They also
plan to go to Kansas.
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..DANCE..
American Legion Ball Room
— O’Neill —
Saturday, January 19
Music by
Johnny Hider Orchestra
Famous Recording: Band From Mandan, N I).
Admission $1.00
MIDWEST FURNITURE
and Appliance Co.
Annual Store Wide
Clearance Sale
STILL IN PROGRESS
REAL SAVINGS
From 40% to 70%
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE
MIDWEST FURNITURE
and Appliance Co.
Phone 346-J — West O’Neill
A record 40,000 Big M's being built in January... a 43% increase over December.
A Mercury a minute, every minute of the day and night! AU Mercury assembly
plants are working overtime with the largest work force in Mercury history to
meet the tremendous buyer demand. The landslide swing to Mercury is solid
evidence that the new Big M is the most exciting car value of 1957. Never
before has so much bigness and luxury cost so little. Prices for America's most
beautiful and advanced car are just an easy step above the low-price three.
MERCURY for ’57
with DREAM-CAR DESIGN
Don’t miss the big television hit, “THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW,” Sunday evening, 9:30 p.m. KTIV, Channel 4
TONY ASIMUS
_125 WEST DOUGLAS O’NEILL, NEBR.
