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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (June 22, 1961)
Prairieland Talk "W. J. Bryan in Mullen Home" By ROM AIN E SAUNDERS. 4110 South 51st Sr., Lincoln 6, Nebr. His name was Mullen. Accepting the way of mankind in domestic matters he took a wife; then he and Mrs. Mullen made their home for a time next door to Arthur's bitterest critic, D. A. Doyle. Mi Mullen was a lawyer by profession, a politician in prac tice and in soul. It was a day some 60 years ago the noted William Jennings Bryan came to O’Neill on a political speak ing tour, Mr. Bryan the “free silver” advocate that set that Chicago convention wild, shout ing "You shall not press down u(ion the brow of labor a crown of thorns! You shall not crucify r ,,,„ Rom ill ne mankind on a cross of gold! Bryan st<x»d at a make shift Saunders speaker's stand in Ihe street by the First National Bank and addressed those that came to hear him, a disappointingly small crowd. The Mullen home, flags hanging about the door, enterained the dis tinguished guest. Mr. Mullen was always a friendly fe llow and tolel me of his disappointment at the small turn exit to greet Mr. Bryan. But he himself Arthur, late r turned from Bryan, left O’Neill and e nded his days in Omaha. * * * lie gets a grip on $125 each week in this year P16I, has a family, owns a well furnished home and that weekly inceime geies to maintain it all and buys gas and oil for the family car. Sixty and more years ago his aging father diel what he is doing today on an income in business or working for others for a little less than $125 in fwo months. And his grand dad diel it all on about $125 in six months. • * • As he stood there* looking out across the waters of that inland sea where* he had been a fisherman, Jeihn concluded that “the world passeth away, but he* that doeth the wall of God abideth forever.” * * * So Jeihn Sullivan has crossed that Elkhorn river bridge for the last time. The last time I looked into John’s aged and wrinkled face I knew it would not be long until he tex> was laid away in the* alxide of the dead. The* first time I saw him, he was a timid, bashful lad of 10 or 12 years of age. Each morning he came across the river to go to the school taught by Kate Mann in the old Methodist church building. N« grand school buildings up on the hill those early times. That Sullivan lad grew to manhood and was a worthy, patriotic citizen, his long life now at an end. and so another pioneer is gone. * * * By the 10th day 61 this month I had met a few prairieland patriots from north Nebraska and other sections of our beloved state. They were in our Capital City on missions of their owm. The few I was privileged to meet spoke of the favorable con ditions in their communities, a fruitful season and citizens enjoying life, industrious and promoting the interests of the community in which they live. * * * At bat in a ball game you may strike at the coming bail and miss. Pleasures of life pass by at limes and we are not there to enjoy them. Thus it was a recent weekend. Returning to Lincoln after a day and a night away from state legislative duties Senator Frank Nelson stopped at my abiding place to see me and I was away. I missed another pleasure of life, a visit with my good friend, Frank. Soon now, Mr. Nelson will leave Ihe Capital City to re tum to his Holt county home, the state legislature closing its doors once more. But I trust that I may take Frank by the hand before he goes home to pitch hay. Come again Senator! * * * South Dakota has a Potato Creek, Colorado has a Dirty Women River, Holt county has a Louse Creek and a Goose Lake. * * * After many years active in the business affairs of O’Neill he sits today in any easy chair at his r;uiv home over on the west side. And who is that? 0. that is just that old guy everybody loves or en vys H. E. Coyne, retiring some years ago from the hardware business. How do you like it now, Friend Hugh, just sitting there sucking your Ihumb? Hope to see you again on my next visit to O’Neill, and we can have ice cream together. * * * It was the 16th day of June 74 years ago when my father died sitting in his chair at his home on the prairie five miles northeast of O’Neill. Seated in a chair. Yes. his last and deathly illness was such that he could not lay upon his bed. A soldier with General Grant’s army when the men wearing the grey lay down their arms and the “Civil War" was over. Father was not old, only 57, when life ended with him and he was one of the first to be buried in the east one of the two graveyards at the northwest limits of O'Neill, his body marked by wounds sustained in that war between the north and the south. He had been bom in Pennsylvania on St. Patrick’s Day. And I have a son bom on St. Patrick’s Day. Also have another son bom on the 16th day of June. But enough of father and son. The prairie out where father had once walked is still robed in summer green, no longer the abode of countless numbers of prairie chickens and the men, women and kids there more than 70 years age now gone. Just those bawling critters from which you get your beefsteak. * * * The weather man said yesterday the night woulc bring it, a crashing thunder storm and rain. It has not come; so again the weather man was mistaken. Had a prairie wolf announced by his howls the coming of a storm we would get it. Never knew a wolf to miss it. Editorial How Will You Spend The 4th? Industrial Press First, he built a portable desk. Friends helped him move it into a rented room at Market and 7th Streets, Philadelphia. Then Virginia lawyer Thomas Jefferson, quill in hand, wrote a 1,817-word manu script. ("When in the course of human events”—) On June 28, 1776, the committee appointed to put together a declaration of independence reported Jefferson’s results to the Continental Congress. Verbal fireworks went off. Congress—which in cluded an ironmonger, soldiers, merchants, a mini ster, and printer Ben Franklin—didn’t "buy” word for word what Jefferson's quill pen had written. ("We hold these truths to be self-evident,”—) Members of Congress said the suggestions were "deplorable.” But Congress didn’t okay Jefferson’s arraignment of the British people and King George in for encouraging slave trade, which Jefferson called "an execrable commerce.” Some 86 changes were made, eliminating 480 words and leaving 1,337. ("that all men are created equal,”—) In the final form of the Declaration, capitaliza tion was erratic. Also Jefferson had written that men were endowned with "inalienable” rights; in the final copy it came out as “unalienable” and has been thus ever since. The Declaration was adopted on July 4th,— but only two men signed on that date. The Presi dent of Congress stepped up and signed his Johr Hancock to the document; and, as witness, secre tary Charles Thomson affixed his name. (“that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,”—) At day’s end, the Declaration was turned over tc printer John Dunlap to be printed on broadsides But the original copy was lost and one of his broad sides wat attached to a page in the journal of the Congress. It was read aloud four days later in Philadelphia; in Easton, Pa., and in Trenton, N. J. Then, on the night of July 9, it was read by order ol General George Washington to his troops in New York City’s City Hall Park. (“that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”) The Declaration—engrossed on parchment—was signed by members of Congress on and after Augusl 2, 1776. In fact, Thomas McKean of Delaware re joined Washington’s army before signing and said later he signed in 1781. True, there were changes from the original document. But not one word, not one letter, was al tered in this part of the Declaration: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Frontiers Ago 50 YEARS AGO Agnes Kelley, who has been teaching in the public schools at Tilden the past year, and Mayme Cronin, who has been teaching in Dakota City are home for the summer . . . During the thunder storm last Thursday night O. E. Ott of Joy lost seven milk cows by lightning . . . Jack Sullivan left Wednesday morning for San Francisco where he will take on a few of the aspirants for the middleweight pugilistic champi onship . . . Edward Gallagher, one of the pioneer resident of this county, died at a Sioux City hospital June 8 . . . E. D. Henry of Opportunity has moved his family to town so he could take charge of the electric light sys tem . . . Mrs. H. B. Hubbard moved out on their ranch near Agee until school opens. 25 YEARS AGG Work on the new courthouse is progressing rapidly. . .Mary Jean Hammond has arrived home for summer vacation from Creigh ton university. . .Little Thomas Harty fell from a trapeze in the yard at his home Wednesday and cracked a bone in his left arm. . .Jane Simmons of Page had two of her fingers accidentlly cut off by a sister who was playing with an axe. . .June rainfall so far is nearly two inches total. . .At tempt is made last Thursday night to rob Emmet bank. . . J. D. Cronin, one of the delegates to the Republican national con vention at Cleveland, left last Sat urday morning for that city. 10 YEARS AGO L. M. Merriman, head of an O’Neill Bottling firm, is appoint ed new first ward city council man. . .The Rev. Luvern Jay, XUUUUUV, 10 oupv.1 111 tendent of the newly created O'iNeill district and will reside in former P. J. McManus resi dence. . .Because oi illness in family, Walter Trussell, living eight miles southeast of Cham bers, is offering his 480-acre im proved livestock and hay unit at public auction. . .Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tomjack, Ewing, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. . . Mrs. Donna Foster, R. N. re turned to Stuart June 1 to again take up duties as superintendent of the Community hospital. 5 YEARS AGO Robert Tingle succeeds Edward Panowicz as manager of the Midwest Furniture & Appliance. . .Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Lohaus announce this week they have purchased the Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Gatz interest in Lohaus Motor company after partnership of 17 years. . .Mrs. J. P. Brown to head Concert Membership Drive. . JDuane Miller of Tekamah will be new instrumental instructor at O’Neill high school. . Heart attack is fatal to Mrs. Harry Sny der. Burial was in Page ceme tery. . .Robert LaR)ue, president, Verne Reynoldson, vice presi dent, and Virgil Laursen, second vice president, are new officers of Chamber of Commerce . Dr. H. D. GILDERSLEEVE OPTOMETRIST Eyes Examined—Glasses Fitted Contact Lenses Phone 167 — O’Neil], Nebr. Hours 9-5—Mon. thru Saturday Closed Wednesday ! - The Long Ago At Chambers 50 YEARS AGO Jerry Wilson yesterday sold his ranch at Little to H. George of Sioux City, the sale being made by the C. M. Smith Land com pany. . .There is considerable complaint just now among the farmers about the cut-worm dam aging the corn. . .A communi cation from Walter Grimes who is at Hot Springs, S. D., ander treatment for rheumatism, states that he is considerably improved. . .Willie Calkins yesterday in stalled a new Inman Line phone in Smith Bros., cash store. . . Mrs. F. E. Nelson, a former res ident of Chambers, died at her home in Griswold, la., June 1. . .F. H. Leonard and Lewis Lin der each hauled a big load of flour for F. M. Boyce Monday. 25 YEARS AGO A pre-nuptial shower was ten dered Miss Helen New at the Ed Wilson farm home May 29. . Leo Auxier had the misfortune to have his left shoulder dislocated Saturday working on the new highway leading to Ewing. . . Mr, and Mrs. Hugo Holz of O’ Neill are the happy parents of a fine baby boy bom May 17. . .At the annual meeting of Chambers school district held Monday night Leo Adams was elected to succeed his father as treasurer. . .Mr. and Mrs. Walt Richard left Sunday by truck to help their son, Clar ence, and family move from An selmo to Holyoke, Colo. . .Miss Eula Wintermote who has been specializing in Home Economics the past year at the University of Nebraska, is home for the summer. Atkinson News Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Purnell of Tacoma, Wash., came Saturday to visit his sister and family, Mrs. F. W. Withers, Omaha, who were up for the weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Braziel and Ken, Lincoln, arrived Friday to spend the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kazda. They also attended the wedding of her cousin, Mary Lou Uhl, in O’Neill Saturday morning. Mrs. Charles Tillitson and daughters, Kion, Tam and Teri, Glenview, 111., accompanied her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Wi thers, Omaha, to Atkinson to spend a week visiting her sister and family, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Funk. Mr. and Mrs. C. Kokes, Louisi ana and Mr. and Mrs. G. Kokes and daughters of Chicago, 111., ar rived Thursday to attend the wed ding of their sister, Miss Sharon to Stephen Gaines of Grand Is land. The couple will live in Lin coln where the bridegroom will study for his master degree in education. Miss Mary Margaret Slattery of Omaha came late Friday to spend a few days with her father, Tom Slattery. She has just com pleted the term of teaching in the Omaha schools. Mr. and Mrs. Denton Colfack, Bristow, visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Colfack Sunday. In the aftednoon they attended the O’Neill rodeo and were accom panied by Bill Wefso and Mrs. De Marus Carlson of Crofton. Mrs. William Wefso and her grandson, Scott Carlson, accom panied Mr. and Mrs. Brice Bra ziel and Kent on their return to Lincoln Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Wefso and Scott will visit at the home of her brother, Hoy White. They will return the latter part of the week. Mr. and Mrs. Don Withers, Chadron, were week-end guests of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lance Withers.- Mr. Withers is associated with the bank at Chad ron. The family of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Withers had a family pic nic Sunday at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Funk. Mrs. J. W. Carlson, Crofton, came Friday to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wefso. Her son, Scott, is spending a few weeks at his grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. George Randol and Mona Rae went to Sioux City Saturday morning. Enroute home they stopped at Ponca to visit George’s father and other rela tives. Mrs. Dick Burbank and child ren of Hay Springs are spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Weichman. Mrs. Burbank was the soloist at the wedding of Sharon Kokes and Stephen Gaines. Mr. Jerry Hickman, Omaha, ac companied Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hytrek to Atkinson to spend Fa ther’s Day with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Hickman. Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Mitchell; and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Mitchell attended the O’Neill rodeo Sun day. Emmet And Community Dolores Tunender Emmet’s Little League base ball team met West O’Neill at Emmet last Monday night. Score was West O’Neill, 3<j, and Em met, 4. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ramold jr. and family called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Tunender and family Tuesday night. Emmet Altar society met Tues day afternoon at St. Michael’s hall. The rural life report was given by Mrs. A1 Havranek, “The Fields of Wheat”. The Rev. Ralph O’Donnell read about “Father Pio’s Mass”. Sixteen members were present. Hostesses were Mrs. Joe Ramold sr., Mrs. Rob Cole, Mrs. Joe Pongratz and Mrs. Bernard Dusatko. Victory Homemakers club met at the home of Mrs. Clifford Bur ival with an afternoon luncheon Nine members answered roll call with favorite quotations. Mrs. John Babl led the group singing and Mrs. Bob Gallagher read “Is Nature Getting Neurotic. “Guess What” was won by Mrs. John Schaaf, door prize by Mrs. A1 Havranek. Games were played. Mrs. Clifford Burival received “Mystery Sister” gifts. Next meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Bob Gallagher September 13. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marcel Ins and family called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Carr of O’Neill for a birthday dinner in honor of Gene Carr Wednesday night. Mrs. Joe Ramold sr. and boys called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Timmerman and fam ily Thursday night. They took Mary home after spending a few days with her grandmother. Mrs. Donald Marcell us and girls and Mrs. Carrol Marcellus called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forest Henderson Friday and were dinner guests. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marcellas and family were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Focken and family of Newport, Afternoon callers were Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Possenecker, Rich ard, Gene, Maxine and Marlene of Atkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cava naugh and Pamela Kay and Mrs Joe Pongratz called at the home of Mrs. Agnes Heeb Thursday af ternoon. Mrs. Pongratz also call ed at the home of Mrs. George Pongratz of O’Neill. Patty Allen and Sharon Nel son were hostesses at a bridal shower in honor of Miss Ellen Havranek Saturday night. Mr. and Mrs. A1 Havranek call ed at the home of Mrs. Barbara Dvorak in honor of Mrs. Dvorak’s ! birthday. Mr. and Mrs. A1 Havranek and Ellen were last Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Fehringer of Bloomfield. In the afternoon they attended a show er for Miss Havranek. Mrs. Vaughn and Larelie Seunders were hostesses. Delores Francis Tunender nnd Marian Deemier left Sun day morning for Sioux City where they met Sister Bernetia and Sister Vanna and brought them here. They are to teach two w«ieks «rf summer school at Emmet. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marcel lus and family were Father's Day dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Marcellus of Stuart Sunday. Mr and Mrs. Joe Ramold and family called at the home of Mr. find Mrs. Ray Tunender and fam ily Sunday night. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marcel lus and family were Father’s Day guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sou Jcu/p of O’Neill. They also had a farewell party for Leonard Hav ranek. INSURANCE Hospitalization Mutual of Omaha LIFE United of Omaha Oscar Spitzenberger Box Telephone 888 O'Neill, Nebr. Office at 429 North 3rd Street 38t.f — Find it fast in the YELLOW PAGES of your phone book TUESDAY^ JULY 4th NO RACING ON SUNDAYS OR MONDAYS (Except Monday, Jaly 3) 8—RACES DAILY—8 ADMISSION 75e (Including Stott end Federal Tax) LADIES' DAYS TUESDAY and FRIDAY EXCEPT TUESDAY, JULY 4 Admission for Ladies 35c NO CHILDREN ADMITTED 9-Kaces Every Saturdoy-9 AND HOLIDAYS DON'T MISS THE $15,000 AK-SAR-BEN HANDICAP JULY 4 HOLIDAY IN OMAHA * The keener your judgment of motor car value, the more certainly you will come to a Cadillac. The car’s distinc tion and elegance meet every requisite of good taste. Its masterful performance, incomparable comfort, and precise response make driving a never-ending pleasure. And Cadillac’s renowned economy, dependability and enduring worth underscore, again, the wisdom of your choice. Why not visit your Cadillac dealer—soon? - VISIT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER Van Vleck Motors, Inc. Phone 100 O'Neill, Nebraska %
