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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 1957)
i ‘ « ;■ . TWELVE PAGES ★ North-Central Nebraska’s BIGGEST Newspaper Volume 77.—Number 3. O’Neill, Nebraska, Thursday, May 16, 1937. Seven Cents Holt -'ipervisor Batenhorst (seated) and State Accountant Cecil Wav discuss township orders and checks during Monday's special meeting of the Holt board.—The Frontier Photo. State Auditor Raps *Improper ’ Procedure Lionel Siefken, 40, Is Heart Victim Beverage Man Dies Unexpectedly Lionel L. Siefken, 40, manager of the Robertson Beverage com pany at O'Neill, died suddenly about 6:30 p.m., Sunday, May 12, while working at the Rob ertson warehouse on South Fourth street. The late Mr Siefken, a vet eran of the marine corps during World War II, had suffered a heart ailment for more than a year. Funeral services were con ducted at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, at First Presbyterian church in O’Neill with Rev. J. Olen Kennell officiating. Burial was in Prospect cemetery at Norfolk at 3:30 p.m. Pallbearers were Roy Robert Siefken . . . marine veteran. son of Norfolk. Clint Riege, Neil Ryan, Wilber Kimes, Jack Lan man and Don Miller. The late Mr. Siefkin was born December 1. 1916. at Pilger, a son of the late William R. and Gladys Tift Siefken. On February 10, 1947, at Co lumbus, he was married to Marie Christiansen. They became the parents of one son, Jerry. Survivors include: Widow— Marie; son—Jerry; brothers— Wallace of Norfolk and Clair of Denton, Md.; sisters—Ms. Mel vin Follette of Norfolk, Mrs. Ray Willers of Stanton and Mrs. James Mello of Uakersfield, Calif. ‘Beck’ Wallen Loses Right Leg in Surgery El wood ("Beck”) Wallen, 76, retired O’Neill businessman who ' has been residing at Genoa in a rest home, submitted to the am putation of his right leg Frdiay in an Omaha hospital. He suffered from hardening of the arteries and gangerene had set in, neces sitating the surgery. His son. Jack, of O’Neill and daughter, Mrs. Noel Keith of Amarillo, Tex., were near him, also his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jack Wallen. A series of rural and town school groups in the area have visited points of interest in O'Neill, including The Fron tier and "Voice of The Fron tier” studios, during the past week. Space limitations in this issue prevent publication. State Auditor Ray C. Johnson Monday morning advised the Holt county board of supervisors, call ed into special session, that a series of township orders and checks in the Sixth supervisory district are under investigation. Monday’s 10 o’clock meeting was called by County Clerk Ken neth Waring at the order of County Attorney William W. Griffin. A. M. Batenhorst of Stuart, democratic supervisor for the past eight years, was critized by Johnson and two members of the state auditor’s staff for "improp er” procedure in handling of township accounting. The checks, now in the hands of County Attorney Griffin and under investigation, aggregate more than $3,100. The order checks involved were issued to Mr. Batenhorst and date back to 1949, according to Johnson. At the conclusion of the meet ing at which all members of the board were present and newsmen were invited. State Auditor John son told The Frontier: "I have just reported to the L-ounty board findings of our in vestigation of five townships in this county relative to payments made to one of the county sup ervisors. “I presented the claims to gether with the checks, showing payment, and have turned them over to the county attorney for his further investigation. “We presented the facts, as we found them, relative to the finan ces of these five townships, and we have two or more to check. The Claims ana cnecus in question go back to 1949 and total $3,100 plus.” Mr. Batenhorst, after the meet- i ing, offered this comment to The I Frontier: •‘Well, I think his whole thing j can be ironed out. It’s all through exchange of work on mail routes and culverts. Some townships have machinery and road equip ment; others don’t”. Mr. Batenhorst has been on the Holt board eight years. Said the county attorney: "The matter has been referred to me by the county board and it is in the investigation stage. We intend to make a complete and detailed investigation and run down all of these various items and see if there is a proper ex planation for them. Until we have completed that further in vestigation. I am not prepared to say what the investigation will show up”. Most of the supervisors had no advance information that the state auditor would be on hand to make a presentation. However, Keith Larson of Johnson’s office has been working at the court house and in the field for more than a month. Assisting Johnson in the pre sentation was Cecil Way of Lin coln, state accountant. GAMES RAINED-OUT Rain and wet fields forced posrtponement of Sunday’s open ing games in the North-Central baseball league. Meanwhile, these games are scheduled tonight (Thursday): Chambers at O’Neill, Bassett at, Atkinson, Stuart at Ainsworth. RABID SKUNK LYNCH—In district 35, west of Lynch, farmers have been watch ful for signs of rabid animals. Joe Slechta, jr., killed a rabid skunk in his yard and was in structed to destroy his cats and a good cattle dog. These T ownship Orders, Checks Probed A series of township orders and checks, made out to A. M. Batenhorst, are under investigation by the state auditor and the Holt county attorney. The order-checks listed bear the same dates. Several of the checks bear Mr. Batenhorst's first endorse ment; others carry second endorsements. The order-checks be ing investigated: Township Date Amount STUART, repair .. July 5, 1949 $558.00 FRANCIS, fixing road Nov. 23. 1951 834.00 STUART, grading Jan. 2, 1950 488.00 STUART, labor ... _ June 4. 1951 259.00 STUART, road work _ Sept. 29, 1951 520.00 STUART, culverts June 14, 1953 134.00 STUART.‘culverts ... ... Oct. 5, 1953 118 32 STUART, snowplow and drag _ Aug. 2, 1954 260.00 STUART, culverts Jan. 17, 1955 16.20* * Check on this order is still outstanding. * t • # • * • • * • • • McConnell, 47, Dies as Tractor Upsets St. Mary’s to Graduate 44 Seniors A w a r ds Announced; Eighth Graders to Be Graduated Today St. Mary’s academy seniors will graduate at 10 a. m., Friday, May 17, at rites in St. Patrick's Catho j lie church. Rev. Alfred Hoesing ' of St. John’s church, Deloit will i give the address. Members of the class: Patricia Alles, Cecelia Babl, Connie Bazelman, Bonnie Buri val, Cera Corkle, Catherine Cud dy, Ellen Donohoe, Frances Ernst, Mary Graham, Jean Hick ey, Eleanor Hoehne, Mary Hoff man, Helen Hynes, Rita Jilg. Lorraine Kellar, Betty Krobot, Peggy Lee, Charlene Mahony, Carolyn Muff, Sharon Murray, Patsy Pollock, Marie Ritz, Mary Ryan, Carlene Schoenle, Donna Lou Turner, Dorothy Vitt, Eunice Van Horn, Judy Wanser. Richard Allen Arnold Babl, James Becker, James Burival, Leo Havelka, James Froelich. James Hickey, Richard Jonas, Jerry McGinn, John O’Keif, Gene O’Neill, Dan Putnam, Tom Schnieder, George Shoemaker, Gordon Slaight, Mike Murphy. In addition to awards announ ced last issue, Miss Connie Jo Bazelman has accepted a scholar ship to Marycrest college, Dave port, la.; Miss Bonnie Burival, scholarships to Creighton univer sity, Omaha, and St. Mary’s col lege, Xavier, Kans.; Miss Marie Ritz, Norfolk Junior college scholarship, and Miss Carlene Schoenle, Webster college. The folowing students will be graduated from the eighth grade at St. Mary’s academy today (Thursday). Teresa Bosn, Gale Boyle, James Corkle, Kathleen Donohoe, Mar garet Donohoe, Tim Gilligan, Leonard Havranek, Catherine Hawley, Joseph Howard, Bill Hynes, Jerry Jergensmeier, Fran ces Kelly, Randy Lyons, Robert Muiphy, Douglas Spittler, Maria Elena Stevens, Sue Tomlinson, Elizabeth Turner. Sue Tomlinson and Douglas Spittler rank first and second in their class. Ex-Orchard Woman Spends 9 Years as Commie for FBI ORCHARD—A former Orchard woman. Mrs. Oscar Hanson, whose maiden name was Evelyn Strope, testified a fortnight ago in federal court in Oakland, Calif., that for nine years she was a member of the communist par ty working under cover for the federal bureau of investigation. Her father, the late Frank Strope, formerly was a postmast er here. She attended school in Orchard and was graduated from high school in 1926. Mrs. Hanson made her dis closures before a federal judge in hearings of the subversive ac tivities control board of Californ ia. She named several persons who she said worked as commu nists with her. During the hearing she was asked why she joined the party. She replied: “To furnish informa tion to the FBI.” She belonged to an Oakland cell and revealed to the court names of communists not regis I McConnell . . . fatal accident for rancher.—O'Neill Photo Co. Pauline Nickolite Suffers Long Illness EWING—Mrs. Pauline Niuk olite, 77. who died Thursday, May 2 was buried Monday, May May 6, in St. St. Peter’s ceme tery northeast of here following 9 am., funeral services in St. Peters Catholic church. Rev. Peter F. Burke, church pastor, officiated. Pallbearers were John Bauer, Donald Van dersnick, Edward Kaczor, Jo seph Kaczor, Julian Sojka and Lewis Vandersnick. The late Pauline Vandersnick, only child of John and Mary Vandersnick, was born at Co lumbus August 19, 1879. She moved with her parents to Ewing when she was a small child and she spent 75 years on the same farm. She was married to John Nickolite in about 1900. They became the parents of five chil dren. The late Mrs. Nickolite suf fered a stroke May 13, 1940 and she was in poor health until her death. Survivors include: Sons—Wil liam of Plainview, Steve of Dear born, Mich., Ignatius and Pete both of Ewing; daughter—Mrs. Genevieve Muehlmeier of Al bion. ‘When I Grow Up’ Production Ready The O’Neill kindergarten class will present “When I Grow Up”, a song play in one act, at the public school auditorium at 8 p.m.. Tuesday. May 21. It was written by Elinor Smith Gerber of Lexington, formerly of O’Neill. Mrs. Harry Petersen is the di rector. There will be a matinee dress rehearsal Monday at 1:30 p.m., which will be a finished produc tion. Children unable to sit quietly through the evening per formance may be brought Mon day afternoon. The grade school children will be present Monday afternoon with their teachers. During Tuesday evening’s per formance, the north and south doors leading to the rest rooms will be closed. They will be opened at intermission only. WINS PRIZE PAGE—Mrs. Elsie Cork was the winner of the prize offered to the lady selling the most pop pies on poppy day. She had 83 poppy sales to her credit. A to tal of $46.55 was realized from sales. EMMET—Mr. and Mrs. G. Ow en (“Bud”) Cole went to Omaha Friday where Bud entered the hospital for a back injury. Wheel Breaks Causing Machine to Go Out of Control on Hiway Howard J. McConnell, 47, O’ N'eill rancher living 13 miles south of here, was fatally injured | about 1:15 p. m., Wednesday when his suothbound tractor up set, crushing turn. Holt Sheriff Leo Tomjack, who i investigated, said he believed Mc Connell died instantly. McConnell’s death was the first highway fatality in Holt county in 1957. The large tractor McConnell was driving was pulling an un derslung. One of the front dual wheels snapped off while the rig was moving down the highway. Tom jack theorized the break caused the tractor to spin, veering off onto the soft shoulder of the road. The tractor traveled about 40 feet, Tomjack said, from the point where the wheel snapped. Tomjack believes the tractor went out of control completely, finally upsetting backwards and pinning the driver under the right wheel (upright it would be the left rear wheel). Passersby summoned an am bulance, doctor and Sheriff Tom jack The machine had to be propped ] in order to extricate the body. Assisting were Bernard Gribble, Omar McClenahan, Henry Durre, Frank Fiala, and several olhers. The accident occurred about 13tfe miles south of O’Neill on U. S. highway 281 or about a mile south of the McConnell place. McConnell had been working with Eldon Butterfield of O’Neill. The late Mr. McConnell was born in Holt county, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex McConnell of At kinson. He was a twin. His wife is the former Audrey Gilster. The McConnells lived for a number of years south of Emmet where they were in partnership with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Puck ett. For the past several years they have lived 13 miles south of O’Neill on a ranch where Mr. Mc Connell raised livestock. Survivors include: Widow — Audrey; sons—Jay of Sudbury, Man., Can.; Larry, who is now in Japan with the navy; Pat, 12, at home; daughter—Miss Kathleen, at home, rural school teacher; one grandchild; parents— Mr. and Mrs. Alex McConnell of Atkin son; sisters—Mrs. Walter (Le nora) Puckett of Atkinson, Mrs. Fred (Maxine) Saunto of O’Neill, and Mrs. Harry (Harriette) Little of Omaha (twin sister); brother— Eli of Atkinson. Biglin’s will be in charge of funeral arrangements. William Hock Will Head Page School PAGE—William Hock has been elected superintendent of schools at Page for the coming year. He has been principal of the Regan schools the past four years. Stanley Gross, retiring super intendent, will go to Omaha Cen tral where he will teach biology. Leigh Cull and Mrs. Anna Cart ter, English, will return to Page. The grade teachers, Mrs. Helen Braddock, primary, Mrs. Hazel j Park, intermediate teacher and | Mrs Faye Taylor, 6, 7, and 8 grade teacher, will remain. Edd Stewart will remain as custodian and Mrs. Harrison Hallman will continue as cook in charge of the lunch program. Leonard Sawyer of Royal, band director, will be at the town hall Friday evening, May 17. Any stud ent interested in taking band who has not already contacted Mr. Sawyer will please see him then. Miss Alice L. French, Holt county superintendent (in black, seated at cen ter) poses with the 1957 rural school eighth grade graduates during promotion exercises held here Monday.—O’Neill Photo Co. • '• . • ' •••• . ■ •••••: • Howard McConnell, driver of this tractor, was fatally injured Wednesday afternoon when one of the front dual wheels (black arrowed) sn upped off and caused the tractor to go out of control, upsetting on the driver and crushing him to death. Body was extricated from under partially seen rear wheel (white arrow). Camera faces north on U. S. highway 281 at point 13Vi miles south of here.—The Frontier Photo. Mr. and Mrs. Strong . . . nine children, 29 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren.—The Frontier Photo. Bill' Strong, Wife Honored at Reception O’Neill Couple Wed Half-Century Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (“Bill”) Strong, residents of Holt county since 1920, on Sunday, May 12, observed their golden wedding an niversary. They were honored at a family dinner at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Walter (Lettie) Calkins Tucker. A reception was held in the afternoon for friends and relatives. Mr. Strong is in fragile health; Mrs. Strong enjoys good health. Mr. Strong was born at Garden Grove, la., and came to Madison county with his parents when he was 18-months-old. He was 11 years-old at the time of the Jan uary 12, 1888 blizzard in which both of his feet were frozen. Her maiden name was Martha Slothe. She was born at West Point. Her parents later moved to Creighton, in Knox county, and :hen to Pierce county. (Continued on page 6.) ARC Drive Being Kept Open During Month of May General Alfred Gruenther an announced that the Red Cross fund drive will be kept open during the month of May, and asks that all who have not made donations to please do so. The floods In Texas and the the tornadoes in Nebraska alone have accounted for much high er expenses that will have to be raised. J. B. Grady, Holt county chair man, reports that the drive has raised $1,817.01 todate with sev eral towns missing. Mr. and Mrs. Harry McGraw have taken over the drive in Inman where the original chair man, Ray Siders, died several weeks ago. Incomplete reports todate show the following. O’Neill $705.86 Atkinson .. $519.45 I’age $ 76.60 Emmet $198.50 Chambers $278.60 Stuart $ 38.00 Mrs. John Wells expects to leave Friday for Topeka, Kans., where she will visit with friends. 81 Rural Eighth Graders Promoted Small Class Hears Doctor Hoiberg Eighty-one rural eighth grad ers from Holt schools were pro moted Monday in exerrises at the O’Neill public school audi torium. “Learning to Live" was the title of the graduation address presented by Dr. Otto G. Hoi berg of the University of Ne braska. Program included: Piano processional, “War of the Priest’s March”, by Roy Bridge and John Kurtz of the O’Neill public school; invocation, by Rev. Egon Kirschman; sing ing of the national anthem by the audience; flag salute, led by Prof. Merton V. Welch of Nor folk; piano solo, “Water Spri tes at Play”, by Marilyn Ziska of district 169 Song, “On Our Graduation Day”, by pupils of district 107— Delbert Fleck, I^arry Swanson. Thomas Taggcrt, Roger Walter and Ronald Young; piano solo, “The Music Box”, by Maxine Pacha of district 77; vocal duet, “Beautiful Ohio", by Joyce Mik kelson and Douglas Jarman of district 178. Accordian sollo, “Hie Merry Widow Waltz”, by Terry Galla gher of district 157; piano solo, “The Guitar” by Mary Lou Hood of district 169; piano solo. “Saints Go Marching In”, by Beverly Meyer of district 180. The seventh and eighth grade chorus, directed by Professor Welch with Mrs. Howard Man son as piano accompanist, sang “Marines Hymn”, “Old Folks at Home” and "Home on the Range.’* Miss Lucille Mitchell, presi dent of the Holt Rural Teachers’ association, presented arithmetic awards, and Miss Alice French, county superintendent, present ed diplomas. Benediction was offered by Reverend Kirschman. (Superior students are listed alphabetically; also others are listed alphabetically): Superiors: Roseanne Blake, Ben Bollwitt, Bonnie Crumly, Gary Devall, Edward Ethington, Gary Fick, John Gilg, Gayleen Kaasa, Marion Rosenkrans, Larry Swanson, James Tenborg, Rita Vequist, Beverly Whitcomb, Mar ilyn Ziska. uthers: Paul Adams, Dale Bogue, Rita Braun, Shirley Braun, Phillip Breiner, Norma Brewster, Ken Butterfield, Hal lie Carsten, Janette Clemens, Robert Clifford, Rodney Dobias, James Dusatko, Vietta Edwards, Darold Ermer, Ruth Evans, Del bert Fleek, June Focken, Robert Fuelberth. Roma Fundus, Terry Gallagh er, Jerry Gokie, Donald Grieg, Nicky Hammerlun, Pat Harkins, Gene Harvey, Mary Lou Head, Georgia Herold, Robert Howard, Sharon Howard, Arthur Hrbek, Ralph Kaup, Robert Knutson, Robert Jansen, Douglas Jarman. Joyce Krogh, Roger Lange, Jer ilyn Leubcke, Agnes Mahony. Beverly Meyer, Joyce Mikkelsen, Dick Mlnarik, Margaret Mullen Orville Osborne, Maxine Pacha, Lavern Phipps, DeLynn Picker ing, Veldeen Pinkerman, Shar on Prewitt. Gaylor Rossrnan, Terry Rueg ge, Maureen Schaaf, Navonne Schmidt, Owen Schmidt, Bruce Schollmeyer, Thomas Taggart, Judy Tinsley, Edgar Tunender, Gordon Vanek, Michael Wabs, Roger Walter, Karon Weller, Norman Wettlaufer, Leo Wither wax, Leon Wragge, Ronald Young, Patricia Zakrzewski, Dave Ziems. Miss French said the class was one of the smallest in re cent years. Ten of the 14 su periors attained a “median of 11.3 grade leveL