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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1961)
Prairieland Talk "'Prairieland Talker' Hurt In Fall" (Ed. Note: Romalne Saunders, iwir Prairleland Talker for many years, is unable to write his usuaJ column for this week. His daughter, Mrs. Harold Eno, sends us this note: “My father had a fall a week ago and has lw*cn unable to write “Pralrieland Talk” this week. We don’t know yet whether he’ll be able to write it for next week or not.” We know the old gentlemen would be immense ly pleased if his many friends and readers would drop him a note or card at Ills home at 4110 So. 51st street, Uneolii (i, Nebraska.) I thought ai>out writing a column to take the place of the Prairieland Talk for this week . . . but I have no background to talk of the days of Holt county when Kid Wade and Doc Middleton were known to one and all . . . nor can I remember when Sioux Indians camped along the Elkhorn . . . even though in my mind’s eye I can see their tepees standing along the banks of this beautiful river. Nor can I talk of the early history of O’Neill when homesteads dotted the prairie around a sprawling frontier town and the people who were destined to become known as the cattle and mer chant kings of the town were grubbing their ex istence by hand from the rich range land. In a country as rich in history, legend and faille as North Central Nebraska, an old-timer such as Mr. Saunders with a sharp memory could regale us with many tales and that is just what ho has been doing these many years. The lynching of Barrett Scott alone is a subject for many columns of type in the hands of someone Editorial who has information on the subject. And the individual stories of the various home steaders who came here from the east to go on to riches and fame in other locations and endeavors would fill many books. The beauty of the prairie in spring and fall is something on which I could converse but not with the eloquence with which Mr. Saunders approaches the subject, for I do not have the many years in Prairieland that the old Talker has. I have seen it turn from winter’s browns and russets to the first green of spring . . . and then go on to the rich lushness of the range at its best, literally sprinkled with the various wild flowers that grow in profusion throughout the summer . . . going from an abun dance of one flower to another as the season pro gresses . . . but the poetic expression of Mr. Saund ers would be lacking. I thought of writing of the current scene as Mr. Saunders does, but he always compares it to by gone days when the world was different and man stood on his hind legs and asked no one for aid . . . Federal or otherwise . . . even though he would be the first to offer the strength of his arm or brain to a needy neighbor . . . and with no strings at tached to the offer. No, I feel that I am not qualified to write of the country as Mr. Saunders does . . . therefore I won’t. I will just add my foment hope that the Old Prairieland Talker has a speedy recovery and is soon back writing his weekly column. Until then we’ll just work a little harder to keep the pump primed and the chores done. — B. R. It's the Parents' Job, Too . . . In the first weeks preceding and following the opening of school in the fall the public is beset on all sides by admonitions to drive carefully for the sake of school children. In the schoolrooms—especially the lower grades —children are taught to cross only at comers, with the lights, look before crossing and many other safety precautions. Bicycle riders are told to obey traffic signals the same as any other vehicle lest the children be come victims of an accident. In the opening paragraph we said “beset on all sides” but that is not quite true. THE PARENTS ARE THE ONES WHO GOOF! Don’t believe it? Go park nea^ the schools when parents are picking up or dropping off their child ren. They turn little tikes loose to cross alone in the middle of a busy block, let the children out of the car on the side of the street opposite the school, run stop signs and commit dozens of other safety infractions. How in the world ean we expect the children to practice safety if we adults set such lousy ex amples: School officials can talk themselves blue in the face trying to get the kids to be careful and a par ent can undo all this teaching in 30 seconds with a bad example. Wonder how these same parents would feel if they had to pull the mangled body of their child from under the wheels of a car? Wonder how they would like to undergo the suffering and torture of getting a phone call saying, “There’s been an ac cident. Your child ran into the street and was hit by a car . . . ”? If parents don’t practice, teach and insist on safety education in the children all other teaching is wasted. Taxes Always Increase You can say one thing with virtual certainty about taxes—they always increase. Take the social security tax as an example. The combined employe-employer rate, with each paying half, was 2 per cent on a maximum of $3,000 a year in earnings when the plan went into effect in 1937. Now the rate is 6 per cent on $4,800. This isn't all. The tax is scheduled to reach 9.25 per cent in 1969- without increased benefits. If benefits are increased, the tax will have to be boosted still further, and applied to higher income levels. Physicians in 48 states and the District of Columbia provided free medical care worth $657,535,000 in 1960, according to a survey by New Medical Materia. Treatment of private patients without charge forms the greatest portion of the typical physician’s free services. Posing A Problem Retailers employ great numbers of young people who attend school on a full-time student basis and work for limited periods in the afternoons or evenings, on Saturdays and during vacation periods. This employment provides untrained youngsters with a source of income and, additionally, enables them to learn skills and responsibilities that will prove valuable in later life. But the newly-expanded Federal wage-hour law, which includes retail workers for the first time, poses a serious problem. A statement by the American Retail federation puts it this way: "We are convinced that ... if re tailers are required to pay the going minimum rate, most of the job opportunities now available for full time students will disappear. Retailers cannot be expected to pay the full legal minimum to part time, inexperienced workers. But the type of work now done by these students, in most cases, will not be performed by adult workers. It will either be done by mechanization, changes to self - service or through other economies. In some cases it will not be done at all. with the resulting loss of stu dent jobs as well as service to the public.” The law is supposed to provide exceptions in situations such as this. Unless it does, in actual practice, the increased unemployment many feared would result from an expanded minimum wage law will become a reality. Taxes Are Good—But! The National Education Association has issued a booklet entitled “Taxes Are Good.” It observes that “taxes are the price we pay for civilization.” This, of course, is a truism. Taxes, as one writer puts it, are good and necessary for civilization, in the same way that fire and water are good. But you don’t have to bum down your house to warm your hands—and you don’t have to open a dam and drown in the flood to get a drink. The “Taxes Are Good” argument is used as a support for an almost endless list of government projects and proposals which advance the welfare state, reduce or destroy local rights and responsibili ties, limit the freedom of groups and individuals, and dry up the mormal sources of taxation—for example, housing subsidies, farming subsidies, public power schemes, federal aid to schools, federal medical aid plans, and son on. So the “Taxes Are Good” theme needs to be carefully analyzed. They are good when levied for necessary purposes. They are bad when levied for purposes which should be undertaken, if they are to be undertaken at all, by local government or private enterprise. Frontiers Ago 50 YEARS AGO Dave Stannard was Up in Min nesota last week and while away sold his race horse Speed On to a Wisconsin man. . .Miss Mary Coyle departed Tuesday for Nor folk to take up her position as teacher in the city schools for the ensuing year. . .The first of the week Mellor and Quilty closed a deal with George Devlin by which Mr. Devlin becomes the owner of the equipment of the former’s livery stable. . .Gene Sullivan, Butte, Mont., defeated Earl Jackson, Lynch, in a six round bout at the opera house in Spencer Wednesday night before a good sized crowd. . .John Big lin came Up from Hastings last Saturday for a few days visit here and to enjoy a few days shooting. 25 YEARS AGO Lee Bergland, living near Op portunity, was brought to O’Neill Saturday with a fractured collar bone, the result of a fall from a horse. . .Someone stole a quani ty of home-canned provisions from the Joe Schollmeyer farm 20 miles northeast last Saturday night. . .Herman Medlin came in Monday with a large truck from Jefferson city to load his house hold stuff for removal to that place. . .The Rev. and Mrs. Ot: to Fink, who have been serving the Methodist church here the past three months, returned to their home at Neligh Sunday. . . School opended Monday morning in District 192 with Miss Helen McConnell as teacher. 10 YEARS AGO Mr. and Mrs. William Waif, Ewing, have been married 50 years; their childhoods were spent in sod shanties. . .The Cliff Rundquist store, Royal, was bro ken into by burglars Tuesday night, the second time this year, and losses are figured at more than $1,000 in value. . .Miss Ros alyn Bosn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Bosn, has graduated from St. Elizabeth’s school of nursing August 30. . .Paul Jenk ins, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Les lie Jenkins, who reside several miles east of Park Center; was killed instantly when struck by car Monday enroute home from school. . .“Joltin’ Joe’’ McCar ville, captured the 1951 O’Neil] city golf championship by defeat ing Max Golden 4-3 Sunday af ternoon. 5 YEARS AGO Frank McKenny returns from Rapid City, S. D., to be soft lines department manager at Gambles. . .Charlie Bigelow cele brated his 90th birthday Septem ber 8 at Stuart. . .Mrs. William A. Anderson, 74, a Holt county resident since she was one year old, died September 7 in St. An thony’s hospital after year’s ill ness. . .The Church of the Epip hany at Emmet was the scene of a wedding September 12 'uniting in marriage Miss Rose Mary Babl and James H. Schmitz. . The Page drill team of the Royal Neighbor lodge went to Bassett Monday evening and won a tro phy for largest attendance. The Long Ago At Chambers 50 YEARS AGO A wagon load of fruit, peach es, pears and grapes for canning, has arrived here through the ef forts of Smith Brothers. . .Mrs. Od Jarman and children moved into the Nesbitt house last week in order that the children may at tend the Chambers school this winter. . .Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Kemk have moved into part of the Grubb house. . .The Chambers Commercial club and Band Boys boosted for the Fair yesterday morning and were met at Emmet by an O’Neill delegation which hosted them at dinner in the Ev ans hotel and took them to the McGinnis Creamery company for an inspection and a taste of their manufactured ice cream. 25 YEARS AGO Mrs. Alma Farrier and daugh ter, Alice, returned Friday eve ning from a 4,000 mile auto trip east. . .At a quiet wedding last Thursday evening Miss Wilma Slavicek became the bride of Asa Anderson jr. . .Porter’s Corner changed hands last week when Ace Hubbard purchased the Ser vice Station and five acres of ground and will take possession about October 15. . .Mrs. Billy Cooper suffered a stroke of para lysis on the left side Monday morning. . .Mr. and Mrs. Sewell Johnson, Emmet, are the happy parents of a seven and a half pound baby daughter, Kay Ar lene, born to them August 28. Pete Clarke of this city won first and second prizes at' the swim ming contest at Atkinson August 30. Riverside News By Mrs. Lionel Gunter Bus Napier and Louis Shrader went to Blair early Friday morn ing to get the Verl Gunter fami ly, called home by the death of her mother, Mrs. Martha Shra der. Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Fry and Mrs. Willie Shrader went to Wayne Friday afternoon after Douglas and Sandra Shrader and Archie Johnston. Verl Gunter went Friday evening to Storm Lake, la., for Sharon Johnston. Sandra, Douglas and Sharon re turned to attend the funeral rites for their grandmother, Mrs. Mar tha Shrader. Mrs. Don Larson came home Thursday after spending a few days in the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy left Fri day morning for Wichita, Kan., to visit their son-in-law and daugh ter, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wein kaump. Mr. and Mrs. George Montgom ery visited in Neligh Friday af ternoon. Mrs. Wayne Shrader and the twins, John and Ruth, visited Fri day afternoon at the Leo Miller home. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Pollock vis ited their grandson, Blaine Pol lock, in the Neligh hospital Fri day afternoon. Blaine had a ton sillectomy Friday morning. Johnny and Jamey Gunter were overnight guests Friday at the Lionel Gunter home. Evening vis itors were Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Mosel and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Schmidt and Tommy. Alice Shrader worked last week at the Johnson Drive-In in O’ Neill. Mrs. Leo Miller and Becky vis ited in Neligh Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Miller and Danny went to Denver, Colo., last Tuesday to visit at the Gerald Hadduck home and brought Mr. and Mrs. Howard Miller home with them Thursday evening. The Howard Millers has been visiting at the Hadduck home. Mr. and Mrs. Willie Shrader and David visited Tnursday eve ning at tne Don Larson home. Mrs. Dewitt Hoke visited Mrs. Weldon Alexander last Monday evening. The Leo Miller family were din ner guests last Sunday at the Bert Fink home. Mrs. Lynn Fry took a carload of pupils from the Riverside school to the Frenchtown school Friday morning to see two film strips on “Health and Safety”. Barbara Ernesti was an over night guest Friday of Sharon Mott. i i iv. fi ui» J ii vinvi^ v ium »*»v* Thursday afternoon with Mrs. Lester Johnston. The women sewed carpet rags for the hos tess. Frances Shrader, presi dent, conducted the business meeting. Gifts were exchanged and “mystery sister” names were revealed. Members drew names for the coming year. Twenty-two members and one visitor, Mrs. Flora Newman, California, were present. The president appointed two women to buy a gift for Connie Turay, who is to have a series of op erations on her hip. Connie is five years old. Mrs. Charlotte Lord, California, came last Sunday evening to the Bert Fink home for a visit. Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Hoke and Clayton joined the Alvin Nelson family, Plainview, last Sunday for some boat riding near Niobra ra. Susan Napier visited Wednes day at the Dale Napier home. The Busy Hands 4-H club met Thursday evening at the Dale Na pier home. The Robert Ahlers four child ren, Wisner, stayed a few days the forepart of last week at the Rudy Ahlers home while their mother was in the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. John Napier and children visited Thursday and were supper guests at the Jerry Cuddy home in O’Neill. The Lynn Fry family visited in Norfolk Tuesday. Alfred Napier was an Omaha visitor Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Keith Biddle come visited Thursday evening at the Joe Hegr home near Madi son. The William Lofquist family joined the Robert Lofquist family, Fremont, the Reuben Meyers family, Neligh, and the Merlyn Meyers family and Mrs. Edna Lofquist, Ewing, for a picnic din ner in a Norfolk park Sunday. Mrs. John Napier and Mrs. Al fred Napier were in Neligh Thurs day afternoon for the project les son on “Arranging Cabinets”. Mrs. Ed Hoag stayed with the John Napier children and Stave Napier stayed at the Gary Tess mer home. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Napier and family visited Tuesday eve ning at the Wayne Fry heme. ROYAL THEATER Fri.-Sat.-Sun.-Mon.-Tues. Sept. 22 23-24-25-26 THE PARENT TRAP Hayley Mills Maureen O’Hara Brian Keith In Technicolor We<l.-Thurs. Sept. 27-28 Family Night BIMBO THE GREAT In Eastman Color STo Nebraskans ,.. a glass of beer is many things Up and down the wide Missouri... out over the numerous lakes which dot Nebraska... the joys of boating are taking a big place in the lives of many Nebraskans. It’s a part of good living. And so is a glass of light, refreshing beer. But even more, beer is a symbol of political rights and freedoms... the freedom of choice between a cup of warming coffee or a friendly glass of beer. This is a right which should be long to all men, everywhere. MB. AND MBS. RONALD W. OONNOT were married August 19 in St. Mary's Catholic church at Spencer. The bride is the tormer Sharon Kay Havranek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Havranek, Spencer. Mr. Connot is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William (Viniiot, also ol Spencer. The couple is residing on a farm west of Spencer. Verdigre News liy V ac Ran (la Last Weeks News— Sunday evening the MYF met at the ranch home of Dr. and Mrs. V. A. Walstrom one mile north of town for a pctluck sup per. There were over .'JO mem bers of the MYF and their g'uests in attendance. There were eight couples of adults as guests beside their sponsors. Guests of honor were the Rev. and Mrs. David T. Gustafson. After the supper hour there was a short song and wor ship service, a talk by the Rev. Gustafson, and at the close of the evening a square dance was held. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Walstrom, Spencer, la., left September 5 after a visit in the home of their son. Dr. V. A. Walstrom. Rebecca Jo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Farnik, was bap tised Sunday in the Verd'gre Methodist church with the Rev. D. T. Gustafson officiating. John Farnik was soloist accompanyed by his sister, Jo Ellen. A recent farewell party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Svoboda for their son, William M. Svoboda and family, who have moved to Battle Creek where they have purchased the bank. Dr. James Carlson bought the W. M. Svoboda home. Other guests at the farewell party were Gordon Havlicek and Allen Havlicek, Lincoln, and Mrs. Mary Jelinek, Verdigre. Bidders for 411 and FFA calves sold at the Knox Coun ty Fair at Bloomfield were Verdigre (Improvement club, Verdigre Livestock Market, Mastalir's, Verdigre Bakery, Verdigre Creamery, Verdigre Maly Implement company, Bank of Verdigre, N & B Gas company, Tom’s Tavern and the Farmers Co-op Association. Sixteen awards were presented to the members of the high school biology and general science clas ses for their entries in the Knox County Fair at Bloomfield. The awards included 15 superiors and one excellent. Members are Judy Ondracek, Lana Ruzicka, Larry Viterna, Robert Frank, Marvin SoUcek, Janet Rudloff, Darlene VanBuren, Nancy Svoboda, Mil dred Cemy, Sharon Vech, Bonnie Wirth, Jean Dryak, Dennis Dvor ak, Kathy Kucera, Kenneth Son der, Judy McCormick and Lavon ne Hildreth. CASE STUDY 20 Lincoln Area Family Enjoys Electric Heat hh mmtmm • ' mm mxmmmmmm ‘Perfect For Cleanliness—And We Get No Blasts Of Hot Or Cold Air’ Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz Brauer moved into their new 2,200 square foot home in Waverly earlier this year. Mr. Brauer, a farnaer-tumed-carpenter, helped build it. So he knows that he Imh the heat — including flameless electric beat ehririe heat is wonderful,” says Mrs. Brauer, a first-grade teacher in Lincoln’s Pershing School. “Ditto for aa," say Daughters Mary Ellen, 16, and Lois Jean, 12. They especial ly Eke the even heat from their baseboard units. “And, of course, we have a thermostat in every room for individual control," said Mr. Brauer. h cost no more to install modem electric heat in the Brauer home, and operating costs wfH average around $26 a month for the nine-month heating season. “We figure it costs no aaare to have die best,” said Mr. Brauer. Consumers Public Power District Nebraska Public Power System