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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1959)
Prairieland Talk ' 'Sour Apple' Judge By ROMAINE SAUNDERS, 411U South 51st St., Lincoln 6, Nebr. The large upper room of the old court house that served the needs of Holt county for a half century was the scene of court trials, political squabbles, oratorical and comedy outbursts and other affairs to which the citi zens came. Judge M. P. Kin kaid was hearing a case. Had the dignified and ‘sour apple' judge ever cracked a smile, his colorless lips would have crack ed too. Another young guy and I sat listening to the lawyers prosecuting and defending a guy charged with burglary. One of the lawyers got off a funny one that made we two young fellows laugh. The judge teomalne jerked around, looked at us and saunders scowled. We subsided. A father with a sixshooter straped on him sat listening to the trial of his son, whom he had reason to believe was not guilty of cattle rustling. Had he been declared guilty, the complaining witness would have fell to the floor dead in the court room, a bullet in his heart. Dur ing the trial of one charged with the Barret Scott hanging, coat tails of lawyers would at times flop up and expose the gun the lawyer had armed him self vvfhi. The late James A. Donohoe defeated one of the last attempts to recover alleged damages from the Northwestern railroad, when Donohoe ap pealed to the jury that a verdict for the one bring ing the suit would throw the gates open for all the Omaha 'Roselip’ Charleys, Cactus Kids, Fainting Berthas and Denver Anns to come here with a damage suit against the railroad and thus pile up costs on the taxpayers of Holt county. * * * Walk or run the highway of life forever resolved that no chance of unpleasant things that may lead to a destiny of fate somewhere ahead will not crush that firm resolve of your determined soul! * * * At last the equator has been discovered six miles below the surface of the seas. Said to be a well defined line of white rock supposed to be circling the earth midway between the north and south poles. The discovery of deep sea divers may now inspire land lubbers to dig a six-mile deep trench in search of that line of rock below the imagined surface line marking the equator. That done then by 196-1 they tell us we will travel to the moon. There is a considerable group planning to take off in the near future from this troubled world, not for the moon, but for that eternal city with gold paved streets. * * * The experts tell us that regular sleep adds years to human lives. Do you want to live long? Go to bed * * * The first Monday in September—another Labor Day. As it is a day for husband and dad to loaf, why not dub it loafers' day. Wife and mother carry on Labor Day as on all other days, cooking and performing the duties of housekeeper and family caretaker. Labor Day—the old man out at play, his mate at work at home. But she had a Mother’s Day some months ago. So hard working dad takes a day off and takes in the fun at the Nebraska state fair. • * * Time rolls on; here today; gone tomorrow. The earth remains, the living know it all, the dead know not anything. • * * It was midsummer in 1905. Pat Biglin hitched our horses to his Standard Oil outfit and headed for Middle Branch, Maylon Price going along to see the country . . . O'Neill spellbinders were in de- j mand for the 1th ot July celebrations, M. F. Har rington speaking at Elgin, E. H. Whalen in Ewing and Judge Kinkaid over at Spencer . . . O’Neill , banks were paying 5 per cent on time deposits, loaning it out at 12 per cent . . . The Evans was "the only first class hotel" in the city, but at the Merchants Hotel you could get it all, bed and three meals, for a dollar . . . O. F. Biglin was called to Inman to take charge of the funeral there of Mrs. John Autin . . . The "expert’s” report disclosed that three Gratan township officers were "short”— it being popular those days to uncover such things . . . Mrs. J. H. Meredith was visiting relatives in Iowa. * * * Three or four men with destroying hands worked most of the day in sight and sound of where I write, cutting away the branches and laying low the logs of a stately tree, a tree that human hands had planted many years ago. Pioneers built and planted; we modems pull up and tear down. A few months ago I stood with some friends on the open prairie a few miles out from O’Neill where in the long ago I was one of a homestead family. The last tree planted by my father’s hand more than 70 years ago had been rooted out and was gone. A year or two ago it still stood robed in velvet green leaves and my two daughters who were with me each plucked a sprig from that tree and have them today. They bringing to me memories of that family homestead home where today stretches the open prairie and nothing, not even a tree. That planting pioneer lies'in the abode of the dead up ton Prospect Hill where the remains of others lie as j the destroying hands of moderns pull up and tear Idown to remake things to their liking. Editorial Murder Case Economy The courtroom at Butte was nearly empty— the curious crowd that had packed that same room when the 17-year old l>oy and his mother, charged with first degree murder, faced the judges for the first time was either not interested or had lost some of its curiosity. And yet, far more information and far more interest was generated there when District Judge Lyle Jackson sat below the single bare light bulb, his nearly bald head glistening in the nearly empty room. Many things came to light last week even though the actual trial of Sadie Dickerson, charged with the murder of her son, Frank Vanderlinde, had not yet begun. (See full story page 1.) Normally it is not the policy of this newspaper to comment on the actions of a judge in a trial while he is hearing that trial. We take exception this time because we believe w'e would be failing in our responsibilities of pointing out something that every citizen in Holt or Boyd or every other county in the state should know about. One point taken up by Judge Jackson was the number of prospective jurors that would be called for examination when the trial begins in earnest on October 26. The defense, headed by William Brennan — a fine lawyer and an experienced one — voiced the opinion that the defense would need 60 men and women to make up the jury of 12. The defense contended that very many would disqualify them selves under careful examination before evidence was introduced. And then Judge Lyle Jackson made a statement that every judge, every lawyer, every citizen, of every county in this state should have heard: "1 want you both (the deiense and the prose cution) to understand that I'm not going to burden any county with a very expensive and large number of prospective jurors, ' he said. "The cost to the county of providing them all with per deum and mileage expense would oe excessive, 1 believe." Weil said, Judge Jackson, we wish there were many more judges like you! It’s high time that this kind of opinion be voiced throughout our judicial system. It's high time that every prospectne juror examine his own true feel ings concerning tins business oi disqualifying himself. Murder trials at the expense of counties are bad enough, without compounding the expense. We do not wish to go on record as approving a hap hazard system of obtaining jurors, but we do think reasonable care on the part of every judge and every lawyer should be taken where the county will toot nearly ail die cost of trials of tins nature. Before the morning was over, the decision was made to call 40 men and women. Perhaps tliis will not be enough, but it is to the wisdom and good judgment of the court in Butte that an attempt will be made to lairly decide this case keeping economy in mind. Not so long ago, this editorial writer, while with a large daily paper in Lincoln, watched the Stark weather trial with particular interest in the lack of regard for the funds of Lancaster county. Jus tice in that particular case came very high and the taxpayers' pocketbooks are being depleted right now because of it. Again we say: Well said, Judge Jackson. We wish there were more like you. What the Voters Want A number of congressmen have polled constituents ; to learn what they want in the way of a labor bill. J The evidence is overwhelming that the voters want a really strong bill—far stronger than any that has so far been given serious Congressional considera tion. Representative Conte of Massachusetts asked: ‘‘Do you feel that labor reform legislation should cover the problems of secondary boycotts and black mail picketing?” The results: 843 people said Yes, as against 43 No. Representative Latta of Ohio asked: “Do you favor legislation to effectively curb the irregular ities revealed by the McClellan committee in some of the labor unions?” The result: 95 2 per cent of those replying said Yes; 4.8 per cent No. Representative Berry of South Dakota asked: "Following the findings of the McClellan Labor Rackets Committee hearings, the President recom mended labor legislation which would do four things: (1) Safeguard workers' funds in union treas uries against misuse of any kind whatsoever; (2) protect the rights and freedoms of individual union members, including the basic right to free ana secret election of officers; (3) advance true and responsible collective bargaining; (4) protect the public and innocent third parties from unfair and coercive practices such as boycotting and black mail picketing. Do you want me to oppose legisla tion which falls short of these four goals?” The result: 74 per cent said Yes; 14 said No. It’s hard to see how Congress, despite all the pressures for doing nothing brought by unions, can disregard such expressions of public opinion. The nation wants adequate labor legislation and it wants it now. — MON. - WED. • SAT. “VOICE OF THE FRONTIER" JAMES CHAMPION. CA-Publisber j JERRY PETSC1IE, Editor Term* of Subscription: In Nebraska, $2.5C per vear; elsewhere in the United States, $3 per year, ' itva abroad provided upon request. All subscriptions payable in advance. Entered at the postoffice in O'Neill, Holt coun ty, Nebraska, as second-class mail matter under th« Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. This newspaper is a member ol the Nebraska Press Association, Nation al Editorial Association and the Audit Bureau < Circulations. N AT! O N Al I 011 OR I Al / Sia lAS§>c5"§N / ^ • - nmui 1 Riverside News By Mrs. Lionel (•unto Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Gunter of 'Japa, California carne Sunday for i visit at the Keith Biddlecome K>nte enroute to visit relatives in owa and Illiniois. A dinner at the aonel Gunter home was held in heir honor. Other guests were Mr. ind Mrs. Keith Biddlecome, Mr. ind Mrs. Dewitt Gunter, Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Hoke and Clayton, Mr. and M.-s. Lyle Switzer, Mr. and Mrs. WiJ Conner and the Alfred Napier family. Mrs. Ora Switzer and Mrs. Wen Jell Switzer attended a baby show er for little Kimberly Ann Mc Caman at the Clearwater Method ist church on Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Norwood, Mrs. Amy Jacobson of Ewing and Mrs. Helen Lee and daughter, Sharon of Eureka, California spent the evening Thursday at the Dave Pollock home. A late lunch of ice cream and cake was served. Friday morning Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Bennett accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bennett of O’Neill to the Black Hills for a few days. Sandra Shrader was home from Wayne over the weekend. The Rodney Pollock family of O maha are spending the weekend at the Dave Pollock home. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Napier and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Fry and family were supper guests September 7 at the Richard Napier home in honor of Marilyn's birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Archie Johnston and family visited Tuesday, Sept ember 8 evening at the Will Shrader home Mr. and Mrs. George Montgom ery called Wednesday evening at the R. A. Hord home. Mrs. Helen Lee and daughter, Sharon of Eureka, Calif, visited Friday afternoon at the Grant Mott home. The Lynn Fry and Lee Fink families were dinner guests Sun day at the Willie Shrader home in honor of the September birthdays. Mr. and Mrs. George Montgom ery were Neligh visitors Sept ember 7. The Bill Hobbs family visited last Sunday evening at the Billy Lofquist home. iimzlzi—_ The Ernst Mott family of Orch ard were Sunday dinner guests at at the Grant Mott home. The Archie Johnston family visit ed Thursday evening at the Robert McDaniel home. Paul Gunter spent the weekend in Omaha. Melonie and Ellen Miller were guests Thursday at the Don Larson home while their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Miller, Joan, Stevie and Becky and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Miller attended the state fair in Lincoln. Danny Miller stayed at the Howard Miller home. Wilberta and Cindy Miller of Omaha visited a fey days at the | John Miller home. Lynne Rotherham was an over night guest Friday at the Billy ; Lofquist home. Terry Lofquist spent the night at the Rotherham home. On Saturday afternocr Edna Rotherham took Terry Lofquist home and Lynne return ed home with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Z. H. Fry and Mr and Mrs. Dale Napier left Wed nesday morning for Minnesota where they plan to do some fishing They expect to return home some time Monday. The Happy Hollow 4-H club plar to meet Monday evening at the Grant Mott home. Edna Lofquist and the Merlyr Meyers famlily of Ewing and the Reuben Meyers family of Neligl were supper guests Saturday even ing at the Billy Lofquist home ir honor of Billy’s birthday. Melonie Miller had the measles last week. The Jolly Workers club met Thur sday afternoon with LaRae Mott, i The ladies tied a quilt for the , hostess. Mystery sisters were re i vealed and names drawn for the coming year. Alice Shrader and Margaret Fry were "o-ho desses. ; The Seek and Share Project ! club met Wednesday afternoon 1 with Alice Miller. Gloria Montgom 1 ery served the lunch. The Rjvenside 4-H club met Tuesday, September 8 evening at the Ralph Shrader home. Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Hoke and Clayton went to the boat dock east of Niobrara Monday afternoon to take a ride in the Alvin Nelson cabin cruiser. Mrs. Alice Chmiel of California visited Saturday aftenoon at the Billy Lofquist home. The Richard Napier family visit ed Thursday evening at the Wayne Fry home. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Miller visited September 6 evening at the Dave Pollock home. Biddk-come of Columbus visited Joe Hagr of Madison and Vlonda Sunday evening at the Keith Biddlo eome home. Ro ella Ahlers left September 7 for Wayne to attend college there Star Community News By Mrs. Ewalt Miller Willowdale club met with Mrs. Ewalt Miller September 9, the first meeting since June 10. In place of the July meeting a fam ily picnic was held July 17 at Ford's park in O'Neill and for the I August meeting the group gather ! ed in O'Neill August 12 for a tour of several business places. Roll , call was answered with "a dif ferent way of serving chicken." A report was given on the bread sale, the pro -eeds of which go to the new l-H camp at Halsey. Two new members joined the club. They are Mrs Nels Linquist and Mrs. Owen Davis. An election of officers resulted as follows: Mrs. Ewalt Miller. | president; Mrs. Bill Hibbs, vice president; Mrs. Lysle Johnson, secretary-treasurer and Mrs. Ewalt Miller, news reporter. The October meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Lysle Johnson. Mrs. Bob Tomlinson will entertuin this month for the special event. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Frerichs of Satina, Kan. spent the weekend of September 5-6 at the homes of their parents, the Fred Timmer mans and Fred Frerichs. Mr and Mrs. Johnny Babl and family are moving to this com munity to the farm vacated by the Frank Kopojtka family. Their daughter, Coleen will attend the Gibson school. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Butterfield of Topeka, Kans. spent Sunday, Sept. 6 with the Nels Linquist family. They were dinner guests at the Kenneth Hill home near Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield are former Holt county residents. They also visited with Mr. Butter field's sisters, Mrs. Lloyd Brady and family near Lynch and Mrs. A1 Winklebauer and family at Neligh. Last week callers at the Ewalt Miller home to visit Mrs. Lysle Johnson were Mrs. William Der ickson, Mrs. Soren Sorenson and Mi's. Dave Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Boelter I and Alien of Verdigre called at 1 the KwaIt Miller home Sunday, Sept. 6 on their way home from the Grandma Hull birthday cele bration. Mrs. Hoelter is a grand daughter of Mrs. Hull. Mrs. Tom Zakrzewski called on Mrs. Kwalt Miller Thursday af | temoon 23 BIG DAYS ' i STOCK CAR RACES! Stuart, Nebr. Sunday, September 20 8:00 p.m. SPECIAL RACE-POWDER PUFF DERBY ADDED ATTRACTION-MIDGET GO-CARTS Enjoy top-notch stock car racing at the Pioneer Stock Car Track of North-Central Nebraska. "The Best-Paying Track in The Area" ADMISSION—Adults, $1.00; High School, 50c; Children, 12 and under—FREE ■■ ■■■■■■ i. ~ ..———^ DOLLY'S OWN SPECIALTY SHOP MAGNETIC DRAWING SET—PERMANENT MAGNETIC PENCIL y, AN EXCITING FAVORITE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY I LITTLE MISS I HOUSEKEEPER I REFRIGERATOR ■ EQUIPMENT HAULER UNBREAKABLE POLYETHLENE WELLS FARGO SINGLE SHOT HOLSTER HONEY BUN A BIG DOLL FOR LITTLE GIRLS LITTLE MISS HOUSEKEEPER SINK RIDE 'EM COWBOY FAVORITE WITH YOUNG COW POKES I BOWLING SET WILL NOT DAMAGE FURNITURE WINDUP MONKEY READS NEWSPAPER SMOKES PLAY DOH CLEAN NON-TOXIC jE3BBB1 AUTOMATIC WASHER BATTERY OPERATED SMALL FRY CARNIVAL BOTTLE GAME ROAD SCRAPER BULLDOZER CONSTRUCTION SET \ TELESCOPE ON \ TRI-POD TAKE A LOOK AT THE STARS MANY, MANY MORE UNADVERTISED BIG, BIG BUYS |