Prairieland Talk—
Time for Partisan Upheaval
By ROMAINF, SAUNDERS. 4110 Sooth Slot St. Lincoln «, Nebr.
LINCOLN -When I was living down in Swan
precinct one day I received a letter from an excit
ed brother up in the the O'Neill community, the
letter signed "Broadminded Democrat."
Was surprised to learn that one could be both
broadminded and a democrat!
That partisan group is in control of the U. S.
congress, but the republican
president gets the credit from
"broadminded" citizens for
the high taxes, inflated costs
ef living, agricultural worries,
domestic and foreign unrest.
Sixty years ago patriots of
prairieland brought on a poli
tical upheaval through an or
ization known as the Farmers'
Alliance which expanded Into
a political party, the Popu
lists, and from that to Free Konmlae
Silver advocates Saundera
Another group with GOP background floated
the banner of Abe Lincoln republicans. O. M.
Kem of Custer county, a bonified son of the soil
holding down a homestead and with a gift of gab,
was elected to congress by the populist party, as
was William V. Allen of Madison county, who was
elected to the senate where he made a speech that
entertained the wise men of the east for a week
and demonstrated that there was one of the wes
tern "jack asses" who knew a thing or two.
Some of the socalled "broadminded” (or lib
eral! republicans seem to he getting the GOP into
a heap of trouble now adays.
Maybe its time for another partisan upheaval.
• • •
Son ami daughter In-law, with their baby
daughter, from Marion, Ind., spent two nights and
a day with us and then took off for the Colorado
(Cockles. Lincoln city dwellers these hot July
days could but vision sitting out there a mile
high on a mountain side. But It’s good corn
growing weather!
• • •
A Texas citizen at the steering wheel crashed
into an iron railing in South Omaha one more
rests in a grave . . . The 7,000 Presbyterians in
Lincoln will devote a fund of $170,000 to charitable
work the next four years . . . This Sunday morning
there comes over the air the plea of clergymen to
pray for peace. Peace are we now on the thresh
old of war? . . . Nebraska ranks seventh in the
nine state group that has received $16 billion of
federal funds since 1934. How much of these "fed
eral funds" came out of the pockets of Nebraskans?
. . White teenage school boys in Chicago plan
ned the killing of a colored boy. The lad that did
the killing goes to prison for 50 years. . . To friends
down at Amelia—thumb your noses at them in the
state h<*use and take care of the strip of highway
connecting with 11 yourselves. Art Doolittle,
Bernie Kennedy and Tom Baker will come over
and help.
• • *
A three hour downpour the morning of July
l brought to the capital city 4Va inches of rain,
what the late Colonel Doyle would call a “gully
washer." The city’s concreted streets were
washed clean and then came man over muddy
roads to mess things up.
Itching palms for more of the filthy lucre are i
reached out again from city hall sources in Lincoln.
This time it is the cat that is set up as a mark for
license crazy officials to cast a lasso over. Cats
to wear a licensed necktie. Dainty-toed Tabby and
playful kittens about the house no more unless you
walk up to the license clerk and fork over the fee.
What next? Shall each new horn babe start on
time's highway with a license tag to live. Oh, ma
and pa have settled with doctor and nurse for this
new life. Will the householder be asked to lay In
in itching palm the price of a license tag for the
cluster of red roses blooming in his yard? Maybe
not yet just the household kittie to wear a license
tag to scare away the mice.
• • •
Nebraska’s t'. S. Sen. Roman L. Hruska
compiled a report of federal government affairs
as dealt with by congress, such as the budgets,
foreign aid, farm surpluses, etc., which the sen
ator sends to many Nebraskans who otherwise
would not know of the matters the senator brings
to their attention. As to that American soldier,
tiirard, in far distant Asia, Senator Hruska is
against turning the young man over to the mercy
of Japense courts. If a Jap soldier became in
volved in a similar affair here in the USA, what
then?
* * *
A neighbor who has traveled in Wisconsin.
Minnesota and North Dakota in recent weeks re
ports that section of the country’s bread basket
looking its best. Wisconsin cow's rolling out bar
rels of milk, grain fields across Minnesota and the
Dakotas promising a good yield. And from what
Mayor Schaffer of O'Neill told me on my recent
visit up there of the many cattle he runs this sea
son on his ranch, added to the thousands wearing
Charley Peterson’s brand in the Atkinson region,
the country will be supplied with steaks and Ne
braska’s standing as the beef state will he boosted.
* • •
Summer has robed our prairieland with a far
reaching coat of green verdure, grain fields and
grass lands, full flowing streams and may it be
presumed the lake today overflows where Ray Bly
and this former prairie wolf upset our boat and
went in up to the neck in cold water, but saved
our string of fish. Prairieland has it about all—
fishes, beasts and birds, the golden crested eagle
soaring aloft on stately wing, plant life, potato and
onion, wheat and com, miles of grassands where
once the buffalo roamed, flowers and trees, a
people loyal to their God and country, a heritage
from the toil-worn hand of the sod-house pioneer!
• * *
Highway maps are being studied—"vacation
time", off to far places for a few days or a few
weeks where sons and daughters or brothei-s and
sisters await your arrival. Or maybe to mountain
resorts, to a lakeside or ocean shore. Travel
across the land, what do you see—just another
place, another town. Is there anything that can
compare with the quiet charm of our green velvet
robed prairieland, where you can get away for
the crowded human haunts and look out upon a
landscape spread to distant horizons by nature’s
matchless Hand.
Editorial—
Interstate Estimates Go Up
That “vital" interstate highway is in the news
again.
During the recent session of the Nebraska leg
islature the biennium budget was whopped 100-mil
lion-dollars, and the increase is marked primarily
for the super-duper highway on a matching fund
ratio (the state’s one dollar matches approximately
nine dollars of federal money).
The wheels now tell us the cost of the super
duper will be substantially more per mile than the
original estimates. This should come as no sur
prise to anyone, because that is the bureaucratic
way of “selling” projects.
As we've stated before in these columns, the
colossal interstate highway is designed to benefit
only a few Nebraskans; it will inconvenience a few,
and all will have the opportunity to pay for it.
Weekend news stories in the dailies told of:
(1) the increased cost (over figures used in “sell
ing” the project to the people, who foot the bill,
and the legislators); (2) continuing jawing over
where the route will enter Nebraska from the east.
Nebraska’s principal federal east-west high
ways- 20 2, 30 and 6—could be straightened, wid
ened and possibly nickel-plated with the hundreds
of millions of dollars going into the interstate.
These four routes woud be used by infinitely more
Nebraskans.
The supers (as the autobahns in Hitler’s Ger
many) are a joke in time of defense. They can
be easily interdicted by conventional warfare meth
ods and made almost useless with a couple of
well-placed bombs.
Connecting and interconnecting haru surfaced
highways, allowing for alternate routes, etc., have
far greater value in time of a national emergency.
Much of the grandiose interstate scheme was
aold on the basis of national defense. And now
the federal bureau of highways doesn’t want the
revised cost estimates made public until after the
new figures have been submitted to congress.
Then there is another feature which is offen
sive to us. The interstate planners would bypass
Lincoln on the north but zoom right through the
heart of Omaha. Either Lincoln is being cheated
because it’s “cheaper" and “more practical” to go
through the heart of a city, or the Omaha plan is
extravagant and reckless.
The interstate highway system, dear friends,
strikes us as the grandad of all “WPA" projects,
and it’s a political scheme pure and simple. Our
state level politicians and congressional-level pol
iticos will catch some backwash in due course.
Wait and see.
Old Fashioned Fourth
(By W. H. Plourd in Nance County Journal)
Well, next Thursday it’s the Fourth of July
again. It will be a happy day for millions of
Americans, but we personally are thankful that as
a small boy we lived in an era when the Fourth of
July was a highlight in a year’s experiences and
not just another day off as it is now.
The few days preceding the national holiday a
boy’s time was pretty well taken up with the bud
geting of the dollar or so that had been hoarded
for the purchase of fireworks. A dollar bought a
pretty impressive supply of firecrackers, salutes,
torpedoes, nigger-chasers, sparklers, Roman can
dles and skyrockets. Boys always got up early
on the Fourth. There was an ice-cream freezer
to turn in the morning and chickens to pick in
readiness for the big noon meal.
In the early afternoon the band led a parade
of the GAR members and other organizations and
the crowd followed it to the park, where the speak
er of the day eloquently reviewed the blessings and
privileges of living in the greatest country in the
world. The band played, firecrackers popped, ba
bies cried and the free lemonade flowed freely.
There were foot races, wheelbarrow races, greased
pole climbing and a tug of war, and other spirited
contests. An occasional drunk, a horrible object
lesson to a small boy, would be laid in the shade
to accumulate flies and sleep it off.
There was impatience for it to get dark so the
night fireworks could be shot off. When the last
fuse had been lighted and the last of the freezer
of melting ice cream had been consumed, tired chil
dren slept soundly after a day that would be long
remembered with happiness.
Weed Patch Transformed
While the mercury hovered at the century
mark Sunday afternoon, Ford park was filled to
capacity with picnickers and swimmers.
Just a few years ago the park site was a ver
itable sea of weeds. A handful of members of the
Parent-Teachers association installing swings and
teeter-totters, spurred O’Neillites to do something
about the park. Several years later various other
organizations got enthusiastic about a pool, a bond
issue was voted, and today most of the activity at
the park revolves around the pool, playground
equipment and picnic tables. Other improve
ments at the park came naturally and today Ford’s
park is a fine asset to our city.
But while picknickers enjoy lavishly set ta
bles and swimmers—young and old—dip in the re
freshing waters, we look back just a few years and
remember the weed patch.
The backwoods boy had been hired to do some
hauling. The job completed, he was informed that
it would be necessary to submit a statement be
fore being paid. After much study, he produced
the following: “Three comes and three goes at four
bits a went, 53.”
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, 52.50
year; elsewhere in the United States, 53 per year;
rates abroad provided upon request, All sub
scripitons payable in advance only.
When Yon & 1 Were Young . . .
Normal Student
Visits at Agee
Miss Alma Ridgeway
at College Here
SO Yean* Ago
Fred O. Humphreys and
Blanche G Sweigert, both of Stu
art. were granted a marriage li
cense. . Miss Alma Ridgeway
who attends O’Neill State Normal
school, spent Sunday with her par
ents at Agee. . , Mark Howard
was up from Page, departing on
the 9:40 North Western train. . .
Mrs. Fred Tesch and son, Fred,
jr., of Atkinson, left by train for
Bloomfield, where they visited the
families of H W. Phillips and
Rev. C. F. Schmidt, who are
former residents of Atkinson.
20 Years Ago
John Crandall, a Holt county
extensive landowner, died after
a six weeks' illness. . . Mr. and
Mrs. Ted McElhaney entertained
a dozen couples at a picnic at a
grove southwest of town. . . Ira
H Moss, William and John Mar
tin, Herb Hammond. Rev. B. J.
Leahy and Mike Horiskey left
for Minnesota on a fishing trip. . .
P W. Duffy, Bill Fallon and John
Sullivan attended the races at
Omaha.
10 Years Ago
Mrs. Ella Karr celebrated her
83d birthday anniversary. . ,
"Fieldbom Fritz", a one year old
male German <jx>inter, arrived
from Michigan to become the
property of F. J. (Fritz) Bazel
man. The dog has won ribbons
and medals. . . Eight fishermen
went to Lake-of-the-Woods, Can
ada. They were H. J. Lohaus,
and his brother-in-law, Mark
Fangeman of Omaha, Charles
Weatherford, C. E. Gatz, A. P.
Jaszkowiak, Sumner Downey and
Ed Gallagher.
One Year Ago
Deaths: Edward Boyle, father
11 children; Theodore Norwood of
Lynch; Mrs. W. J. Cronin of Ew
ing; Ronald J. Sibbel of Butte. . .
Sixty-five ranchers, farmers and
businessmen and a group of Tur
kish agriculturists toured Holt
county fertilizzer research test
plots and meadows. Rudy Dvorak
said: "A blind oow would find a
stack of fertilized hay ". . . The
son-in-law of Dr. and Mrs. H. H.
Johnson of Lincoln, formerly of
Inman, perished in the air crash
over the Grand Canyon.
Madison Prepares
For Big Race Meet—
Enlarged grandstand facilities
and numerous other improve
ments completed during the past
year at Madison Downs will pro
vide race fans with top conven
ience and enjoyment. The sum
mer racing season at Madison,
Nebraska will start Tuesday, July
9 and continue until Saturday,
July 19 with racing every day ex
cept Sundays and Mondays.
Earl Moyer, secretary of the
Madison County Agricultural so
ciety, announced that a record
number of entries for the races
has been received and the offi
cials have been busy selecting the
finest horses to race at Madison.
There will be nine races daily
starting at 3 p.m., with the daily
double windows open at 2 p.m.
Recently enlarged parking
areas with graveled surfacing
will provide handy facilities for
spectators at Madison. New
horse stables have also been con
structed during the past year.
The new grandstand addition will
increase the seating capacity to
about 4,000 persons.
O’NEILL LOCALS
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Humrich and
sons attended the Fourth of July
celebration at Stuart and were
guests of her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Art Runnels. The Humrich
boys won second place In the pa
rade with their rabbit "Pinky".
Mrs. Esther Reka of Glendale,
Calif., is visiting her brother-in
law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Leo
Mullen. Mr. Mullen has been re
leased from St. Anthony's hospit
al.
Leaving today (Thursday) for
their home in Simsbury, Oonn.,
is Mrs. Joseph Hanley, sr., Patty
and Peter. They arrived Wednes
day, July 3, to visit Mrs. Hanley’s
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hanley, jr.,
the former Kay Martin.
Miss Genevieve Biglin of Sioux
City is recuperating at the home
of her brother-inlaw- and sister,
Mr. and Mrs. F. N. Cronin. They
brought her here Tuesday, July
2.
MTTmtA Ik
Lynch News
Mr. and Mrs Art Peters and
Mr. and Mrs. Arch Maxwell, all
of Spencer. Mr. and Mrs Allan
Koscan and family of Butte and
Mr. and Mrs Wallace Courtney
and son of Lynch picnicked with
Mrs. Eunice Teadtke west of
town on July 4.
Mr. and Mrs Frank Weeder
and family and Mr. and Mrs.
Don Allen and family spent July
4 at Picks town. S.D. .
Mr. and Mrs. Anion Darnell ol
Scottsbluff visited at the Fix'd
King home Wednesday, July 9.
The Darnells were houseguests
at the Ernest Darnell, sr., home
while visiting here. They depart
ed Saturday for home, going by
way of the Black Hills.
Mr. and Mrs. Beryl Moody and
family. Mrs. Patty Johnson and
daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred
King ami sons and Mr. and Mrs.
C. A. Moody, sr., motpred to
Niobrara Sunday to spend the
day at the Ralph Moody home.
Mrs. Ernest Darnell, jr., and
Susan of Detroit, Mich., spent
the past week at the Ernest Dar
nell, sr., home.
Ivan Ward of Pierre, S. D.,
spent the past week visiting rel
atives here.
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Barnes and
Mrs. Gladys l>avis of Riverton,
Wyo., visited with Miss Eva Bar
nes at Butte one day last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mulhair
and son. Joe Mieanek, jr., and
family. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight
Mieanek and family and Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Schindler and family
picnicked at the Schindler dam
July 4. They all spent the eve
ning at the Frank Mulhair home.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Greene of
Hastings came July 4 for a visit
at the Buss Greene home. They
also visited with the Ray Davy
family, who are visiting relatives
here.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Spencer
returned to their home in Rapid
City, S.D., Thursday after a 10
day visit here.
Mrs. Gladys Davis of Riverton,
Wyo., is here visiting her sisters,
Mrs. Guy Barnes and Mrs. Char
les Bare, their families and also
other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Judith Pickering and Mrs.
Jennie Binkerd Loros of Sioux
City visited relatives and old
friends here last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Lou Hanel of
Omaha visited Mrs. Hand’s sis
ter, Mi's. Ray Long, and family
and several brothers in the Bris
tow community last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Novak of
Kent, Wash., have been visiting
relatives here, also at Bristow
and Spencer.
Mrs. W. T. Alford returned
home from Omaha where she had
visited her son and family.
Mrs Martin Jehorek departed
Friday, July 5. for a week's visit
with her daughter, Mrs. Robert
Connelly, and family in Lincoln
Her husband motored there with
her and returned home the' same
e%ening.
Mrs Leland Stewart and baby
of Lincoln are here visiting rela
tives.
Evelyn Barta of Dorsey spent
last week with her grandparents.
Mr. and Mrs. George Barta
Mrs Glen Craig of California
is here visiting the Craig fam
ilies.
Mrs Maude Shrunk returned
home from an extended stay with
her daughter, Mrs. John Hewit
son, and family in Gary, lnd.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Davy of
Scottsbluff came July -4. for a
visit with relatives here. They
returned to their home Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stenger and
family of Edwards, 111., spent
last weekend with the former's
uncle, M. P. Stenger, and fam
ily.
O’Neill News
Paul Young and two daughters,
Luella and Janet, arrived from
Doniphan the Fourth of July to
spend the weekend with the Walt
er Young. Orton Young and Carol
Summerer families. Mr, Young
has four children at home and he
works on rural electrification con
struction Mrs. Young died 18
months ago. The oldest son
Larry, is at the Lincoln airbase,
having returned from the Far
East. One daughter, Inez, is with
the air force at Denver, Colo.,
and a younger son. Paul C., is
with the air police stationed in
England.
Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Grady and
sons. James and John, departed
early Sunday for Crescent ;
Beach at Lake Okoboji, la., I
DR. II. l>. GILDERSLEEVE
OPTOMETRIST
Northeast Corner
of 4th Sl Douglas
O’NEILL, NEBR
Phone 167
Office Hours:
Eyes Examined-Glasses Fitted
Monday thru Saturday
where they will spend a two
weeks vacation
Mr, and Mrs. Robert Jenkins
and children went to El Dorado,
Kans Wednesday, July 3, to visit
his brothers and sisters. They
returned Friday. Linda Jenkins,
their daughter, is visiting her eon*
sin, Debby Jones in Omaha this
week.
Mrs. David Runitmugh and
family of lVs Moines, la., are vis
iting her mother. Mrs. Irene Mar
tin. __
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