Prairieland Talk
American Tradesmen Well Paid
By ROM AIN E SAUNDERS, 4110 South 51st St., Lincoln 6, Nebr.
Five million American workers out of jobs to
day, and some fifty million still at work. Union
printers in Lincoln pull down $22 a day, and a
printer friend of mine gets in two days a week at
the city's newspaper plant—
$41 a week and lives pretty well
on that together with a monthly
social security check. In the
20 s and 30's they were paid
$40 for a 48-hour week. He
signed his political observations
as Sambo Sunflower. A young
squirt out there in Sheilds
precinct in the happy days of
long ago. Then he left the
prairies of Holt county, got a _
... „ Item alne
stereotypers job in a California
city, and on a visit to O’Neill 8aunders
62 years ago boasted big to me that he was “pulling
down $7 a day.” American tradesmen have ever
lieen well paid for Iheir services. In that distant
Oriental country of China there are 600 million bias
eyed human beings. Not all well fed and clothed.
And we are told that along the banks of that great
river in South America many babies do not survive
to become two years old, not sufficient food, no
medical care, and mothers down there die with
their baby in their arms.
* * t
and weighed a half a ton. I saw him once a few
years ago walking up O street in Lincoln, a 10-footer
looking down upon us with contempt, or was it
envy. Six feet is about the limit of growth as we
travel toward the end of the road. But I recall a
happy 7-foot Irishman on a homestead six miles out
from O’Neill 70 odd years ago, and if a newcomer
settler needed a potatoe or a hayburner full of hay
Long Mike had it for him.
* * *
We formerly met face to face, friendly eyes
looking into friendly eyes. Now we meet via the tele
phone. Of late I have had the telephone visit with
three from Holt county and the O’Neill community
who live today in Lincoln, but have cherished mem
ories of life up there where they came from. Lew
Nissen is a native of the Atkinson community, at
one time carried the mail over Star Route to
Amelia, has a sister, Mrs. Frank Pierce living near
Amelia whom he visits from time to time. He and
I settle the world problems recently by telephone.
Nellie Cronin Hunt, widow of the late Den Hunt,
both of pioneer O’Neill families. Mrs. Hunt had been
sick for several weeks but was up and going again.
She is a sister of the late Dan Cronin a prominent
and substantial citizen from pioneer days of the O’
Neill community. Nellie was a clerk in the J. P.
Mann store and for a time set type for her brother
in-law who published the O’Neill Sun, that set in
oblivion in the 1890’s. Tom Brennan is another from
O’Neill with a pleasant home today on south 17th
street in Lincoln. Tom called me recently to inquire
about my son-in-law, Harold Eno, who had been hit
and his car wrecked by another car on the streets.
Tom is a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Neil Bren
nan, pioneers and Neil being many years in the
hardware business in O’Neill. Tom has property
interests in O’Neill and thinks he and his better
half will return there some day soon to live where
they were bom. And Tom would like to stir up the
old town so we would hear of it in the news today.
Go to it, Tom!
* * *
A white blanket of snow lay across prairieland
as the first week of March went out. Wheat farmers
rejoice as they consider the snow will wet up the
wheat fields and assure a good start for another
crop. But I wonder how Tom Baker down there west
of Amelia liked it getting out in the snow to poke
hay in for his Shorthorns.
* * *
Daughter writes from Burbank, Calif., that they
need rain as it is very dry, little or no rain the past
winter. But the boys and girls out there are near
the great Pacific ocean and can jump in any day
and wash their feet.
* * *
A group of students from academies in nearby
states operated by a church organization were in
our Capital City a weekend recently and gave us a
touch of lovely things in song. Much is said and
published today about the “juvenile delinquents.”
Too little notice given to the young people that are
going straight. It was a thrill for the aged to listen
to, these young men and maidens sing their lovely
songs and we could but say Thank God for talented
young Americans now devoting their lives to the
better things.
* * *
Traveling along life’s lengthening lane today
there may have touched us a shade of sadness, a
blush of shame because of no worthy action done.
Night comes rest until dawn of another day, travel
along once more down life’s lane and at set of
sun a smile instead of a frown, a happy touch
where yesterday was a blush of shame, we gave
some fellow travelers a lift along the way today.
* * *
Nebraska formerly had sLx members in the
lower house of congress, and O’Neill was the home
of one of them, M. P. Kindaid. Now we have but
four congressmen and that is to be reduced to
three. Nebraska congressional districts reduced to
only three. Not cutting much ice down in Washing
ton from now on.
Beware of all offers that promise something for
nothing because common sense tells you that you
have to pay for what you get.
If you receive such a proposition call O’Neill
businessmen who will do the same type work. Let
your local dealers quote their prices and you will
find that you have saved money.
When you do business in your own hometown,
eventually the money spent will find it’s way back
to your pocket along with the good will which comes
from helping your neighbor.
A 14-year-old girl in a southern state is reported
h> be 8 feet and 2 inches tall, and still growing.
Maybe going hack to Garden of Eden life, it being
understood today that Father Adam was 12 feet tall
Editorial
Death of A Town
Mineola at last has expired. The last landmark
of the once thriving community located 26 miles
east of O’Neill will soon be gone from the scene
erasing all trace of the town which once bustled
with activity. The schoolhouse which is the only
remaining tie with the past was sold at public auc
tion Friday.
Desks, chairs and even the old school bell were
knocked down to the highest bidder. Some unidenti
fied person purchased the school bell via a written
request accompanied by a check for $10.
There is something about a public auction of
anyone’s possessions that carries an undertone of
sadness. If nothing else the fact remains that some
thing once worth a struggle no longer as value for
the owner.
To Charles V. Cole, who came to Mineola as
a lad of 14, this feeling of nostalgia was perhaps
more acute than to the casual bystander.
Mr. Cole's father, E. E. Cole, managed the
lumber business in Mineola during the 1880’s. As a
lx>y, Charles remembers his father and Charles
Morgan making the long trip to Running Water,
S. D., to haul lumber back to Mineola. The trip took
two days and the Missouri River was crossed via
ferry.
The town of Mineola was at its height during
the 1880’s, Founded by a man named Charles La
mont, who ran the pioneer trading post, the little
community grew rapidly during those years. The
Tomlinsons, Coles, Thomas Dillit, Benjamin Powells,
Full Cycle
Massive federal programs of taxation, ‘‘bene
fits” and controls to protect all of the people against
all the rigors of living have little respect for mi
nority or individual rights.
Our forefathers fled from Europe seeking free
dom from oppression. They asked nothing but life,
liberty and pursuit of happiness.
It is alarming to read that some people are
now leaving the United States because they feel
they can no longer pursue these goals here. Ac
cording to an Associated Press repbrt seven Amish
families near Canton, Ohio have purchased farms
and are preparing to move to Canada. In the words
of AP the Amish are “a quaint religious people who
live the simple life without many of the con
veniences modem Americans rely on . . . They
are leaving this country because they are opposed to
compulsory social security, and other strictures of
our modern welfare state society.
At the risk of being anti-social one cannot help
wondering what the pilgrims would think of the
present state of the Union.
John Addison, the Fuller brothers, Anton Sivisind,
Nels and John Gibson, Swan Aim and Clayton Mes
sner, and Joe and John Hunter were only a few
of the pioneers who saw possibilities in the settle
ment.
A blacksmith shop, dressmaker’s shop, harness
shop, feed and grain store, lumber business and
several stores soon sprang up to make a mainstreet.
Dr. Love moved his practice to Mineola and brought
many an offspring into the world in that community.
A newspaper, the Mineola Sun, set up shop and for
several years the future of the town looked rosy.
Charles Lamont entered the cattle feeding
business, bringing Texas Longhorns north to
pasture. But in the fateful blizzard of 1888, La
mont’s entire holdings w>ere wiped out. The small
community suffered a blow from which it was un
able to recover. During the following years the
small town declined until there remained only a
store and postoffice. The postoffice wras closed some
years ago.
Charles Cole is one of the few remaining people
who can recall when Mineola was in its hay day,
and you could drive from Mineola to O’Neill without
encountering a road or fence between the two towns.
The last page of the history of Mineola was
written Friday. The sands of time have run out for
Mineola.
Mineola is dead.
It's That Time of Year
It’s that time of year again when the quick
talking, high pressure salesmen start contacting
the home owners with bright promises of the “best
deal” possible.
The “deal" may include promises of commis
sion for future customers—all this for letting them
use your name for selling purposes. Norfolk has
been beseiged with this type of itinerant salesmen
who are working the re-siding racket.
Then there is the crew of workers who swarm
on the towm with magazine deals, furnace repair,
tree-triming propositions and house painting set-ups.
Since Hector Was A Pup
A leading American Oil Company summarized
the history of the federal gasoline tax in chart form
under the apt heading “A Temporary Bite That’s
Lasted Since Hector Was A Pup.”
1932— First ‘‘temporary” federal gas tax of 1
cent a gallon, to expire in a year.
1933— ‘Temporary” tax extended for two years
and ‘‘temporary” %-cent was added. This addition
was scheduled to expire with repeal of the 18th
(Prohibition) Amendment. That actually happened
in 1934, and the tax reverted to the still ‘temporary”
1-cent rate.
1935, 1937 and 1939—The “temporary" tax was
extended on each date for two years.
1940—"Temporary” 1-cent tax was “temporari
ly” increased %-cent.
1941 This “temporary" lVi-cent tax was made
permanent.
1951—Tax was increased “temporarily" to 2
cents, with the increase scheduled to expire March
31, 1954.
1954—“Temporary” increase renewed for one
year.
1956 Tax as boosted to 3 cents because of the
national highway program.
1959— Tax was increased “temporarily” to 4
cents—increase to expire June 30, 1961.
1960— Now the plan is to continue 4-cent rate
and, if other highway tax measures proposed by
the Administration are not approved by Congress,
to add still another r^-cent.
State and federal gas taxes amount to about half
the cost of the fuel less taxes. This is a far higher
rate than that imposed on even absolute luxuries,
such as diamonds and mink coats. If anyone has a
completely justified tax gripe coming, it’s the
American motorist.
Frontiers
Ago
50 YEARS AGO
A complete line of ladies and
childrens hats will be shown in
the Spring Hat Showing by Ca
therine Grady, and by Mrs. Fitz
simmons. . .People of Page come
to an agreement and present a
petition for incorporation of town
to board of supervisors that is
accepted. . jAt an executive ses
sion of the House of Lords March
15, Thomas H. Gallagher was
unanimously elected police judge.
. .R. H. Parker has a fine new
enclosed touring car.
25 YEARS AGO
Mrs. George French entertains
at oyster supper for her son, Dr.
O. W. French who celebrats birth
day February 29. . .Mrs. L. C.
Chapman of O’Neill dies March
9 at home of son, Lawrence in
Omaha. . .Judge Lomlinson esti
mates that there is a shortage of
300 farms in Holt county. . .A
baby boy was born to Mr. and
Mrs. Glenn Saunders March 7.
10 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ressel cele
brated their 60th wedding anni
versary March 11. . .Alice Ann
Minton, 86, Holt pioneer, dies
March 13 at home of daughter,
Mrs. Jane Judge. . .Bull sells
for $2,500 at Butte to Clyde H.
Fisher of Spencer. . .38 Ewing
high school students in style
show.
5 YEARS AGO
John Gray and wife greet 117
guests at celebration of their
60th weddin ganniversary March
10. . .Holt county district court
jury awards Dwayne Anderson,
18, of Omaha $10,000 damages as
a result of case arising when
youth suffered bums in explosion
at Lloyd Evans farm north of
Atkinson. . .Chambers mother,
Mrs. Wayne Smith, is winner of
Albion contest in competition for
“Mrs. Nebraska.”
The Long Ago
At Chambers
50 YEARS AGO
The meeting of the WCTU has
been postponed until April 13. . .
Herb Kemp left Monday for Can
ada to look up a new location. . .
Mrs. Otto Walters was quite bad
ly hurt one day this week by
being thrown from a wagon. . .
Dr. Bernard and Odd Jarman
went to Omaha the first of the
week with cattle.
CHAMBERS AGO
25 YEARS AGO
Northcentral Nebraska Here
ford association is organized. .
The $4700 sale at the local pa
villion made it the record sale
of the two years it has been in
operation—one mule alone brought
$202. . .A shower will be given
at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Mel Doran for Mr. and Mrs.
Almond Jenkins, newlyweds.
Alice’s Beauty Shop
3 Operators
Open 8:30 a m. to 9:00 p.m.
125 East Douglas
Phone 263 — O’Neill
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Capitol News
i
No Backing for Increasing Board
Members for University, Colleges
LINCOLN—The makeup of the
boards that govern the state’s
institutions of higher learning con
tinues to get public eyeing but
not much backing for a change.
The Legislature declined to give
committee approval to a proposal
to increase the University of Ne
braska Board of Regents from
six to 12 members.
And the State Normal Board,
which governs the teachers col
leges at Wayne, Chadron, Peru
and Kearney, frowned on a re
commendation that its group be
expanded from 6 to 11 members
who would represent geographic
areas.
In the latter case the Normal
Board was referring to a sugges
tion of Dr. Lyman Glenny of Ca
lifornia who studied the Nebras
ka education picture for the ben
efit of the current Legislature.
The proposal affecting the Uni
versity came from Sen. Marvin
Lautenschulager of Grand Island
who not only wants to enlarge
the Regents but to cut their erm
length from 6 to 5 years. John
K. Selleck, secretary of the Re
gents, said the Grand Island
senator’s idea was unnecessary
and ill-advised.” It would have
called for a vote on a Constitu
tional amendment.
The board is efficient now and
to make it larger would set up
a sitution where full atendance
of members at meetings would
foe difficult, Selleck said.
Regarding the teachers colle
ges, Glenny felt an 11-man board
would be less prone to political
and regional pressures which he
said were a problem of the cur
rent size operation. Glenny pro
posed the Normal Board mem
bers also not foe from a county
containing one of the teachers
colleges.
Spending
There’s been another analysis
by the Legislature’s budget com
mittee on the size of state spend
ing that could result from bills
pending in the Legislature.
Fifty-nine proposals pending be
fore the lawmakers would cost
Nebraska $3.8 million in tax dol
lars, Budget Chairman Richard
Marvel said. The largest single
chunk of money would be $1.9
million for providing surgical
care for the aged.
Supreme Court
The State Supreme Court has
a new judge— Robert C. Brower,
64, of Fullerton. He was appoint
ed by Gov. Frank Morrison to fill
the nearly six years left of the
unexpired term of the late Judge
Adolph Wenke who collapsed and
died in the statehouse.
The governor feels Judge Brow
er is a “leader of the Nebraska
bar for many years, a man of
broad educational background
and high integrity who would be
a distinguished member of any
court in the country.”
State senators who served with
the new judge when he was a
member of the Legislature from
1953-57 know him to be a man
of high principles, with an en
gagingly dry humor.
Judge Brower has 3 children—
Thomas, who is a practicing at
torney in Kimball, John who
practiced with the new judge in
Fullerton and Mrs. James Porter,
wife of a University of Nebras
ka professor.
Judge Brower, like Governor
Morrison, is a Democrat. How
ever, judges of the State Supreme
Court hold non-political posts and
run for election on a non-par
tisan ticket.
Governor Candidates
Nebraska senators are wrestl
ing with this problem, posed in
Legislation during the current
session: Who should be permit
ted to run for governor? The pro
posed legislation concerns only
public office holders and would
not stop private citizens from fil
ing.
Tentatively, the lawmakers de
cided to permit a vote on a Con
stitutional amendment that would
allow the lieutenant governor to
file for governor.
They have nixed a suggestion
that state senators be prohibited
from running and refused to en
dorse a Constitutional amend
ment that would have allowed
heads of state executive depart
ments to make the race for chief
executive. Now, only those out
side state government and state
senators in government can run
for governor.
Proponents of permitting all
state officials to seek the tcp ex
ecutive office in the state said
one time fears that current -of
fice holders could build a politi
cal machine now are groundless.
The scrutiny of the Nebraska
press is too keen, senators were
told in debate, not to catch at
tempts of anyone to sart fashion
ing a machine to boost the office
holder to the governor’s chair.
Motor Pool
Gov. Frank Morrison is going
to try to see if the state can’t
set up a motor pool in Lincoln
to better utilize state vehicles.
This has come up frequently
among past governors, the least
being former Republican Victor
Anderson. But the plan was
abandoned because of costs in
volved. However, Morrison feels
that the motor pool is feasible
and it can save the state thou
sands of dollars.
The governor assigned State
Purchasing Agent George Morris
and State Auditor Ray Johnson
to make a more detailed study
and present a feasibility report
to him on the motor pool idea.
Each department now is as
signed cars and some employes
take the vehicles home after
work. Under the Morrison plan
the vehicles would be stored in
a central location and used only
as needed.
A Poem
From Mrs. Eby •..
—The Touch of the
Masters Hand—
Twas battered and scarred and
the auctioneer, thought it hard
ly worth his while.
To waste much time on the old
• violin but he held it Up with a
smile.
What am I bidden, good folks!
He cried, who'll start the bid
ding for me?
A dollar, now two, only two, two
dollars and who’ll make it
three,
Three dollars once, three dollars
twice, “going for three”, But
no!
From the back a gray man came
forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the
old violin and tightening up all
the strings,
And played a melody pure and
sweet, Sweet as an angel sings,
The music ceased and the auc
Do You Know Your Neighbor?
"Know Your Neighbor" is not a contest. There are no prizes given
for correctly identifying the person pictured. The only reward is the
satisfaction of knowing your neighbor.
lyamm
Last week’s Guess Who was Francis Tighc, manager of Central
Finance in O’Neill.
Here’s an O’Neill businessman you’ve met.
I
tioneer, with a voice that was
quiet and low;
Said “What am I bid for the old
violin and he held it up with
the bow,
A thousand dollars, and who’ll
make it three?
Three thousand dollars, three
thousand, twice—And going and
gone “said he’’.
The people cheered, but some of
them cried, We don’t quite un
derstand,
What changed it’s worth? The
man replied, “The touch of the
Master’s hand’’
And many a man with life out of
tune and battered and torn
with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thought
less crowd, much like the old
violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of
wine, a game and he travels on.
He’s going once and going and
going twice, He’s going and al
most gone;
But the Master comes and fool
ish crowd never can quite un
derstand,
The worth of a soul and a change
that’s wrought! By the touch of
the Master’s hand.
(Selected) <
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It takes a time like this to make you realize
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