Prairieland Talk
"Cuban Situation No Better"
By ROMAINE SAUNDERS, 4110 South 51st St., Lincoln 6, Nebr.
Off the Florida coast aliout the distance from O'
Neill to Ixing Pine in the waters of the Atlantic lies
the island of Cuba and things grow no I letter fast
down there. When Henry Grady, Charley Hall,
Charley Harding, John Oleson,
Martin Cronin, John Maher and
the others left O’Neill that day
in the 1890's to help Teddy
Roosevelt's Rough Riders sub
due the Spaniards and give
Cuba to the Cubans we had no
suspicion that it would all turn
out this way. The mistake we
made was that we did not take
over Cuba as United States ter
ritory. Those Ix'autiful islands _
Romjilnc
far out in the Pacific became
ours and now form one of the Saunders
states of this great country of ours.
* * *
In the long ago a few miles out from town in
the days when f was a lad on the open prairies of
Holt county in the community we called home there
were seven or eight homestead families living. Now
not a one. Where are they dead, gone to other
states or movixl into towns. Not a homestead house
n/ue .1 unrlinrr Vinrrle / «f liui’n ♦ n Iron ntrnr nrhnTY*
once dwelt Corbet, Ihe Bently family, Lathrups,
Barnes, McTaggert, my people and the others. And
then in my own one-section homestead days 27 miles
south of O’Neill there were some fifteen families
living. Today none. And there too herds of cattle
have taken over. And when this pilgrim was but a
lad and first came to O’Neill it was a “wild west”
town of some 100 citizens. Today some four thousand
boys and girls, men and women strut about on the
streets of O’Neill. Where are the pioneers, where are
the hooted and spurred gents and their six-shooter
guns drawn at times to kill? Like Billy Reed, Doc
Middleton, Kid Wade, the Dutchers, and that charm
ing Belle Sheilds of horse thief fame -all now no
more.
* * ♦
Winds hit it off 102 miles an hour in sections of
prairieland a day in the last week in April. Gentle
breezes across the Capital City much of the month
of April.
* * *
A gathering of preachers of the Southern Baptist
body of church people who claim a membership in
this country of about ten million communicants, in
a recent gathering commended President Kennedy
for his public stand on the traditional American
principal of the government keeping hands off of
religious setups, church and state go their separate
ways. Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat and Roman
Catholic, so we understand he follows the instruction
of the Lord who said we are to “render unto Ceasar
the things that arc* Ceasars, and unto God that which
is God’s.”
Members and friends of the State Historical
Society who have the price of admission will gather
about the banquet tables for the annual spring feast
and get together down in Omaha the first Sunday in
May. The day this is written a group of ladies and
gents who have traveled life’s lane from babyhood
to old age get together in their yearly Old Folks
Parly, shake hands and friendly eyes look into
friendly eyes not over in Omaha or other distant
groujw <> human dwellings but here in our Capital
City. As we of the genus homo are social creatures
there is joy in thus coming together from time to
time.
* * *
Yes, the winter is passed, spring and summer
again on prairieland. The song of birds, the buzz of
flies and insects aplenty. A mild winter. What will
the summer be- just another period of pleasant
days, the roaring thunder, the south winds steady
roar and the products of earth that keep mortals on
the go. And another Fourth of July with its bit of fun.
* * *
Walking down the street on my way home I
came upon him, a very small boy, greeted him and
then gave him a bit of candy which I most always
have for such as he that I meet by a home along
the street. He expressed his joy upon getting the
candy, then remembered his little sister. Can I
have one for my sister? This he said, and I was
pleased to learn that the little fellow thought of his
sister. Sure—here's another for sister. Was he hold
ing me up for two sticks of candy for himself? No.
He ran at once to his little sister, and exclaimed,
See what the Candy Man gave us.
* * *
O'Neill's Fourth street south of Fremont street
is a lonely sorry sight today, but in the years now
gone it was different. Along that street we went to
see the passenger trains come and go, greet in
coming friends and bid goodbye to departing loved
ones. Now no trains except the freight and livestock
cars rushing by. In other days business activity
along that street, and on south of the railroads down
to the Elkhom, cast in hook and line and catch a
three-foot pickerel; strip off to the nude to plunge
in and have a swim. Only a memory today to a few
remaining in the community.
* * *
A Mrs. Gray living in Hastings has been selected
by our governor as the Mother of The Year for Ne
braska. If it were put up to me to name the Father
of the Year I would crown Cal Stewart, lately edi
tor of The Frontier, with that honor.
* * *
They are going to “educate” us so all will favor
doping our good Nebraska water with rat poison.
The high brows need to be educated to understand
that the Creator knew how to make water as well
as the diy land.
Editorial
Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet
The best way to solve community problems is
to get all kinds of local organizations working to
gether on a comprehensive, do-it-yourself program.
That is the view of Arthur H. Motley, President of
the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
On the highly specific side, he said that legisla
tion now pending in Congress “could kill chambers
of commerce and other local voluntary organiza
tions working for community development . . .
(and) could eliminate independent local govern
ment.”
That’s quite a statement. But Mr. Motley has
evidence to support it. More than 250 local subsidy
bills are pending. They provide Federal aid for
repairing streets, sidewalks, bridges, parking lots,
recreation facilities, garbage disposal facilities,
sewage and sanitation facilities, police and fire pro
tection, and many other local matters.
The thinking behind such proposals can only be
that the Federal government should do everything.
If that is to be the case, local government along
with civic groups might as well shut up shop and
call it a day. Then, in the matter of Federal taxes,
controls, and regimentation, it will be a case of
“we ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Long May It Fly
The ^following appears at the masthead of a
Texas newspaper:
“The Pecos Independent is a non-partisan, con
servative newspaper dedicated to promoting the in
dividual's freedom and the growth of Pecos and
West Texas . . . We subscribe to the belief that
freedom is a gift of God and not a political grant
We believe that Freedom is consistent only with
Christianity. We believe that our welfare shall de
pend on our own initiative and ability; we believe
in maintaining a society in which the citizen has
fullest individual freedom and the government’s pri
mary and paramount role is the protection of that
freedom.”
In this objective lies the freedom of the press.
SHREVEPORT, LA., TIMES: “Hitler's first
step was to seize the German school system, then
the newspapers and radio stations, and then to bum
the Reichtag. It was the seizing of the schools that
put the Nazi state on its way. From then on Hitler
and Goebbels directed the curriculum and thus the
guidance of thinking, starting with youth.”
I II Ml II It I—II —
Frontiers
Ago
50 YEARS AGO
William Laviollette came up
from Omaha last Friday evening
to look after his property inter
ests. . .Miss Lulu Wilcox of In
man went to Fremont last Sun
day where she will attend school.
-Farmers have their small
grain about all in, in this locality.
. .Neil Brennan advertises Flan
ders 20 Acyl, three styles body
cad at $725. . .H. J. Hammond
elected president of the O’Neill
Fire department
25 YEARS AGO
Ira Moss, R. M. Sauers, W. J.
Biglin, P. C. Donohoe, L. A. Bur
gess, W. J. Hammond and F. M.
Gallagher are named to Country
club board. . .Mesdames J. J.
Harrington, R. R. Morrison, Max
Golden and Ira Moss entertain
xauicd <x\> a scvcii um*
ner, the first post-Lenten party. .
.Annual Niobrara Valley field
and track meet held in this city. .
.Margaret Gaughenbaugh of Em
met becomes bride of Joseph Zis
ka of Atkinson April 20 in Em
met Catholic church.
10 YEARS AGO
M. B. Huffman, vice president
of Farmers State Bank at Ewing,
is named president of Group HI,
Nebraska State Bankers associa
tion. . .Mr. and Mrs. John A.
Schommer of Spencer observe
50th wedding anniversary. . .O’
Neill junior, Donald Calkins, de
legate to Boys State. . .Mary
Jane Froelich and William Mont
gomery exchange vows. . .O’
Neill Eagles capture Holt coun
ty track meet; Kloppenborg sets
new hurdle mark.
5 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Holliday
of Orchard celebrate 50th wed
ding anniversary April 26. . .
F. E. Parkins re-elected presi
dent of O'Neill Community Con
certs association. . .$13,000 rural
fire truck purchased here. . .Mrs.
John R. Krotter of Spencer dies
unexpectedly. . .Neighbors aid
Lowell Clouse, who has been ill.
. .Fred H Tucker, 61, Chambers
rancher, dies April 21 at Norfolk.
. Don Frickel of Atkinson sets
pole vault record. . .“Uncle Will
ie’’ Boettcher honored at party at
Spencer when he celebrates 90th
birthday.
The Long Ago
At Chambers
50 YEARS AGO
Arthur Noble has rented the
Ingersoll farm in Harold and will
work the same this year. . .Pres
byterian aid met yesterday with
Mrs. Reed Bell. . .Sheriff Henry
Grady offers $10 reward for in
formation leading to arrest of
parties who stole windows and
doors from Reitveld house near
Chambers. . .Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Pierce have moved into the Frank
Dyson house. . .LaPretoria Cigars
for sale, 3 for 10 cents. . .T. S.
and B. C. Ingersoll offer their
farm at public sale.
25 YEARS AGO
Twenty-one men file notice erf
incorporation for forming of
Chambers Sales company; direc
tors are A. B. Hubbard, Leo T.
Adams, W. A. Smith, W. H. Russ
and T. E. Newhouse. . .John Ar
thur and Joann, children of Mr.
and Mrs. Bill Alderson, receive
bruises and cuts when thrown
from horse. First sale of North
Central Nebr. Hereford associa
tion brings $140 average on 32
older bulls, while 10 yearlings
average $94 each.
Orchard News
Mrs. Wilbur Mahood
Phone TW 3-3185
The St. Peters Lutheran Ladies
aid met for the second quarter
LWML meeting April 27 in the
church parlors. The meeting
opened with singing. This was
followed by scripture reading and
prayer. A skit “A Christian Wo
man’s Stewardship” was pre
sented by Mesdames Bill Metteis,
Bill Kruger jr., Robert Schwager,
Leland Stelling and James
Meyer.
Pastor Walter Seefeldt lead the
lesson discussion. During the
business meeting the president
reported that the committee for
buying the rug and shades for the
parsonage have completed its
work. Mrs. Seefeldt expressed her
thanks to the Aid for these items.
A Mother’s Day Tea is being
planned for May 9 to honor cer
tain members in the Aid.
The meeting closed with the
ixiru s erayer in unison.
Mrs. Henry Letterman was
honored at the birthday table.
Lunch was served by Helen Mit
teis, Mary Montgomery and
Marguerite Mosel to the 30 mem
bers present and the visitors,
Sandra Stelling, Mrs. Eldon
Schacht and Mrs. Jan Curtis.
Mrs. Cora Cannenburg spent
several days with her mother,
Mrs. Lottie Van Ostrand.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stelling
left Thursday for Chico, Calif.,
to spend a few weeks with their
son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and
Mrs. Marvin Knee.
Mr. and Mrs. Milo Gorgen of
Inman were Monday visitors in
the Raymond Hoxsie home.
Mrs. J. W. Mahood visited Ne
ligh Monday morning.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Barton
and Kevin of Columbus were
weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Bernard Schacht. Mr. and Mrs.
Barton were supper guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Homer Barton and
Linda.
Ted Berry returned home
from the Veteran* hospital at
Grand Island to upend several
weeks, before undergoing more
surgery.
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Thelander
and family spent the weekend in
Omaha.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Auman
and Jori Wells, all of Norfolk,
were weekend guests in the How
ard Johnson home.
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Clifton
and Danny spent three days vi
siting Mr. and Mrs. James Clif
ton.
Mrs. Ralph Shrader and Mrs.
Pearl Johnson attended the
funeral of Philip Campbell at
Osceola Wednesday.
WSCS met Wednesday after
noon with 70 persons in atten
dance. Six persons from Royal
attended. Mrs. Harold Mitchell,
president, presided over the
meeting.
The feature for the afternoon
was a talk given by Mrs. Cora
Cannenburg on the “Leper
Colony in Hawaii.” Mesdames
Gail Brodie. E. Bruce. Alfred
Cleveland, Jessie Shaw, Oliver
Dempster and R. A. Willats and
Miss Marjorie Willats wen*
honored at the birthday table.
The table was centered with a
birthday cake. Other tables were
decorated with spring flowers.
Mrs. Lee Bjomsen and daugh
ter and Mr. and Mrs. J. H.
Bridge visited relatives in Spen
cer last Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Springer
of Elba were weekend guests in
the Raymond Stevens home.
Mrs. Paul Kopp, Kathryn and
Chuck of Sunnyvale, Calif.,
have be«ui visiting In the home
of her mother, Mrs. Flora
Young, for two weeks.
Mrs. Dwane Lenz and three
children left Friday noon to visit
the Rev. Mr. Lenz, who is a
patient at the Kearney hospital.
He plans to return home Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Mitchell of
Clearwater and son ;ind daugh
ter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clark
Mitchell of Corvalis, Ore., were
Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Tiede.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter LaFrenz
were Norfolk visitors Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Deines, Mrs
Herman Writing and Mrs. George
Johnson were Grand Islam! vi
sitors Friday.
Mrs. Lyle Jackson and Mrs.
Elsie Bakacek of Neligh were
visitors in the Henry Drayton
home Friday.
Mrs. Lester Withee entered the
Methodist hospital in Sioux City
Saturday and had major surgery.
She is reported to he improving
satisfactorily.
The Neighbors Birthday club
was honored by Mrs. E. Bruce in
her home April 21 with all mem
bers present. The afternoon was
spent playing bridge. Prizes were
won by Mrs. Allen Hill. Mrs
Blanche Fletcher and Mrs. Gor
don Drayton. Mrs. Bruce served
lunch. The cake was decorated in
pink and white.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hansen
of Sioux City visited in the home
of Mrs. Hansen’s sister, Mrs
Gordon Drayton Wednesday.
Orchard was second hiph in
the county for Heart Fund do
nations. Elgin was first.
Octette Bridge club met Tues
day afternoon with Mrs. Cecil
Lee. Mrs. Gurney Drayton and
Miss Gertrude Gribble were
guests. Mrs. Lee and Mrs.
Gurney Drayton won prizes. The
next meeting will be with Mrs.
Kenneth Bruce.
Mrs. T. Hurtig and Mrs. Henry
Drayton were Norfolk visitors
Friday.
The ITYOA club met with Mrs.
Ray Hill Thursday afternoon
with 15 members and one visitor,
Mrs. Stewart from Page, present.
Quilting was done for Sherry Hill.
Mrs. Olive Everhart spent the
weekend with her daughter, Mrs.
George Voorhies of Elgin.
Mrs. Bruce Fletcher and
{laughter, Connie, and Mrs. D. L.
Fletcher visited Mrs. Olive Ben
nie at Clearwater Friday.
The Frontier—
the new shape of
Refreshment
©fSAVES\ f3AVES\ /SAVES\
l space J l flavor i l trips J
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I
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