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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 1962)
Prairieland Talk "Town-Country Commuters" By KOMAINE SAUNDERS, 411) South 51st St.. Lincoln 6. Nebr. It was in the lK80's John Halrene living some two miles west of Inman, went to O'Neill day after day to work at painting and building. Alexander Boyd, living seven miles out, came in atiout every day to build some houses In tho mirth east part of town. Montana Jack Sullivan’s father living in the country came in on foot morn ing after morning to help keep the county records even tiefore we had a court house. My fa ther living five miles out came in from time to time to do his bit in getting things going, as did others out on the prairie holding down a homestead. So Haandera the town of O’Neill was built where it stands today, , the hands that did the work long ago no longer swinging hammer and saw. But there stands today some things those hands put there. * • • Friends in Holt county and elsewhere have sent me cheering “get well” greetings. It touches these human hearts of ours to know that friends of other days still cherish memories and think of us. And thank you all for your helpful greetings. • * • A cheering note comes from lawyer Clint Cronin down at Grand Island who also sends me a maga zine w'ith the story of that horse race from Chadron to Chicago where the world's fair was on at the time. * • * There are here and there a few lonely old souls sitting and waiting for the end to come. Step in and see them and they will rejoice over it. • * * Three doors west of the First National Bank Tom Morris and his father operated a drug store which became headquarters for editors, lawyers and doctors that gathered there evenings to set the community in order. The drug store was started by Ed Hershiser, later sheriff and last post master. The fellow Ed sold to sold to Tom and his father and they continued to serve the public W'ith drugs and medicine until the death of Tom’s father. The next to take over was Gilligan & Stout. Tom Morris w’ent to Meadow Grove and he too passed away. His father and mother are buried in the O’Neill grave yard, and so are Dr. Gilligan and Charley Stout. No drug store there today but one two doors away where the Mann store had been. Tom never married while here in the drug business, but was a grand vvaltzer on the dance floor. r- I • . . i It was Sunday and the state fair was on at our Capital City, so the largest crowd ever was on the fair grounds, 125,000 citizens out to take in the big show. • • • On the banks of the Elkhom River to the south of O’Neill was in the long ago a camp of Indians. One late afternoon I rode into that Indian camp on my horse and as I sat there on my horse I saw that those Indians seemed to be planning some thing, maybe to take my scalp, so I touched my horse with my heels and we got out of there and me with my scalp on. And “forever and forever as long as ‘that’ river flows, as long as the heart has passions, as long as the life has woes”, the memory of that stop in that Indian camp still lingers. * • * In a far distant land earth quakes killed and left homeless many thousands of the citizens. Now just out there at Salt Lake City an earth quake shook them up. Prairieland has escaped so far. But the prophet tells us that "in the last days there will tie earth quakes in many places”. * * * So Holt County’s aged sister has taken .'mother step along the highway of life. Grandma Hull is now one-hundred and seven years old, something more than eighty years of this time she has spent out there in that beautiful region some fifteen miles north of O’Neill, where she went as a bride in the eighteen seventies. She has seen it all, the Indians, the outlaws and the good settlers. She was there in the days of Kid Wade, Doc Middleton, the Dutch er Brothers and some other noted characters of the long ago. Mrs. Hull was the mother of sons and daughters and they were very good citizens of the community. One of her daughters was the first wife of Senator Frank Nelson. Now she is just old Grandma Hull and it is so wonderful that she is still with us. * * * A block up the street from where I eat and sleep a large commodious house built by hands now no more has been torn down and one of those fancy "apartment” structures will take its place. * * * Today it is a laundry. Once it was the “wash woman”. The first such that I recall in the long ago in O’Neill was at the Sulkerc home a block south and half a block west of where the Presby terian church now stands. The lady of the house was the boss of the job hut the man of the house was at the wash board rubbing the clothes up and down. Hard work, but they had their fun too. rational Add Your 2 Cents Worth Thoreau said that every man lives in a state of quiet desperation. Well, we don’t know about "every man” but we do know that the average man who is trying to support a family and at the same time pay his required share of taxes, visable and hidden, must know many a moment of actual fear. As an American father and husband, he con siders his job on the rockpile as a privilege if it makes adequate provision for his family. He will even go farther than that by contribut ing his fair share toward helping people of other countries, especially children, to enjoy decent living standards. It is to his eternal credit that the Amer ican is ready and willing to send dollars for foreign aid. The tragedy is that these dollars are so often put into the hands of men who are untrained and unscrupulous. Right now the Alliance for Progress is operating in Brazil with our money to actually save that country from collapse and communism. Few, if any in this country know who is hand ling this relief money but it is known that one of the first aid efforts is the building of a $‘280,000 soccer club. At the same time word from Washington says that "progress there is spotty”, and that the ob stacles are “staggering and frustrating”. It is a known fact that even our representatives d6n’t know and can't find out who spends our foreign aid funds and for what. T’.iese facts make it plain that just providing the money won’t do the job — wc. the people must follow that up with a demand to know where this money really goes. Someone has spread the idea that only a crackpot writes to his congressman, the president or the newspaper. And no doubt it would serve some interests well if we believed this, but the time is here now when the people must demand an accounting and it can be done largely by mail or telegram. Ask and demand to know for what and where these funds are going. There is no other way to stop waste and corruption and we must do it now. The hour is late — far too late for us to just huddle in the comfort of our American homes and hope for the best. If Russia ever succeeds in Brazil’s downfall, it may well be because the dishonest, bungling public servant who betrayed his country there, would have them face the firing squad while waiting to put the finishing touches on his $280,000 soccer club. BJR From The INKIings Column— Valentine Newspaper NEWS VIA the grapevine this week reports that fans attending the O'Neill-Valentine football game at O'Neill Friday night got their moneys worth. The grid fans were treated to a football game by the high school athletes, and then some of the adults who were apparently unhappy over the results re portedly squared off in a boxing match in another O'Neill-Valentine duel. No one seems to know* which side started the brawl or who won. but when it was all over the score still read 27-6 in favor of O'Neill. The incident was probably one of the few times in this area when more fans went home with bruises and black eyes than the football players. The inci dent certainly doesn't show much sportsmanship. Valentine is a good sports town with a reputation of turning out good teams. It only takes a couple of such acts by fans to ruin any achievements the high schoolers have won for themselves in the past. Frontiers Ago Peaches for 65 cents per crate J. C. Horiskey — adv. . .The county board is in regular month ly session this week. . .P. J. Big* lin can supply you with any kind of soft coal you want. Prices right. . .Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Han cock were in O'Neill last Sunday to visit their son, C. P. and fam ily. . .It seems like old times to see Doc Matthews hobnobbing with the boys around the First National Bank corner the past four or five nights. 25 YEARS AGO One hundred were present at a dinner given for the Country club ladies Tuesday evening. . .Miss Leona Ann Pribil became the bride of Russell J. Shoemaker, Sept. 20 at 7 a m. in St. Patrick’s church, O’Neill. . .The first foot ball game of the season for O’ Neill high will be with Verdigre. . .L. D. Putnam is elected as head o f the O’Neill Livestock Market. 10 YEARS AGO Dick Tomlinson is planning to build a 20 unit motel on the east outskirts of the city. . .Pancake Day in O’Neill is Tuesday, Sept. 30th. Don’t miss it! . . . The O’ Neill band sports a membership of 72 this semester, 38 in public school, 34 from St. Mary’s. 5 YEARS AGO Mercury dips to 32, corn rais ers chilled. . .Donohoe, Schneider leave for military service Sept. 10. . .Members of the O’Neill pub lic school will start on a project to raise money for new band uni forms. . .Harold Young was hon ored at a dinner Sunday evening to celebrate his birthday anniver sary. The Long Ago At Chambers 50 YEARS AGO Greater and bigger than ever— Southfork Fair, Chambers, Nebr., September 25-27, Don’t miss it . . .Dr. Hemmingway is here this week, bring in your grinders and have them ground. . .Ned Alder son lost a horse one day last week having to pull it out of the creek the actual cause of death is not known. 25 YEARS AGO Several farmers in this vicinity have been losing horses lately, with “Sleeping Sickness”. . .G. Rector had the misfortune to have his car catch on fire while he parked at the filling station Wed nesday. . .The Keller Aid Society met at the Glee Grimes farm home Thursday. Royal News By Mrs. R. J. Bering Colored slides of Hawaiian scenes were shown at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hall Thursday evening, the pictures were taken by Mrs. Gladys Hall Burch, sister of Mr. Hall when on a tour of the island. Mrs. H. Burch, who lives at Lake Tahoe, Calif., is a guest in the home of her brother. T I Vi J .T Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Rabbass, Boston and his father, Carl Rab bass, Orchard and Mrs. Alva Rare, Clearwater, daughter of Carl, were guests during the week of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Burch. The meeting of the BTC club scheduled for Thursday the 13 was postponed for two weeks and the 27th selected for the meeting with Mrs. E. E. Blackmore. The reception for the Rev. and Mrs. Alvin Smith of the Methodist church and for Supt Louis Car ter and other school instructors will be held Thursday, Sept. 20. School was dismissed Friday afternoon to permit teachers and pupils to attend the funeral of Mrs. L. Waterman. Freshmen Initiation was held Thursday with the high school giving orders to four meek fresh men who obeyed reluctantly. Fol lowing the parade through the streets and about the village, the freshmen were taken to Grove Lake for a wiener roast. The freshmen are: Sandra Rundquist, Tommy Hofer, Gayland Holm, Roland Frahm and Wilfrid Hen ry. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Rundquist went to Storm Lake, la., the last of the week to enroll their son, Tom in Buena Vista College where he plans to major in ath letics. Mr. and Mrs. Rundquist visited his brother, Del and fam ily, while in the city. Mrs. Leonard Mentel and her sister, Gertrude Stritmatter, of the Millerboro community and their sister, Mrs. George Dimig, Omaha, returned Friday from Delano, Minn., where they had gone to visit their brother, Joe Strittmater. Mr. and Mrs. Mylon Johannes, Dexter, Minn. , left for home Thursday following a visit with Mrs. Johannes Brother and wife. Inman News By Mrs. James McMahaa Ira Watson went to Norfolk Sat urday evening to meet Mrs Wat son who was returning from Om aha where she* visited her sun-in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Langley and family. Mr. and Mis. David Morsbach and Mary and Mrs. Violet Sholes attended the Golden Wedding ce lebration of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Conard at the RLD9 church at Clearwater Sunday. Mr. Conard is an uncle of Mrs. Sholes and Mrs. Conard and Mrs. Morsbach are sisters. Harold Subotka, Valentine, spent the weekend visiting his fa ther, John Subotka and to at tend the Sobotka-Bobn wedding Saturday at St. Patrick's church, O'Neill. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Abney at tended pop corn days at North Loup Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Howard DeMerritt and grandson, Dix, visited Satur day with Mrs. Frames May ami Jean Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Luben and family, Fremont, spent the weekend visiting his mother, Mrs. Charles Luben. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Abney, San Juan, Tex., visited Tuesday and Wednesday with Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Abney. Keith Kivett, Wayne State Col lege student, spent the weekend visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vaden Kivett. Mrs. James Kelley and Ann j Kelley spent the weekend at South Sioux City visiting James Kelley who is employed there. Mrs. James McMahan was dis Step into Glov-Elts for the thrills of the famous e , r , , , “Bubble-Soft Soft as a cushion .. . tight as a feather. . Full wedgie sole Steel shank for extra support. A & M Shoe Store 421 East Douglas Phone 139 _ • mimed from St Anthony's has piUl Thursday after upending a week there receiving medical treatment. Mr. and Mrs. Dean Banka and family, Lincoln, visited Sunday in the home of hi* parent*, Mr and Mrs. James Batiks and 1U> ger. Mrs. Hex Oberle, Minneapolis, Minn., came Saturday evening hi visit in the home of her parents. Mr. and Mrs K, H South Mr. and Mrs. W E Rickard, Chambers, were Sunday dinner guests of Mr ami Mrs. James Batiks and family. About M guests attended open house at the K. B. .South botnr ■Sunday In tumor of Mrs. South's NOth birthday anniversary. The event was arranges) by her children, Mrs. John (dnurd. Emmet, Mrs. Re* Oberle, Min neapolis, Mias., and Harden Ansparh, O’Neilt. The table was decorated III red and centered with a three tier birthday rakr. Carroll, fkirt and Kenneth |*ra cock, O'Neil], entertained the group with several musleul numbers. Mrs. South received many lovely gifts. Out of town relatives and friends here for the wedding of Helen Sobotka and Max Bohn, Saturday were Mr. and Mrs j Glenn Baldwin, Stanton, Mr. and Mrs. John Davis, Norfolk, Mr j anti Mrs. George Sobotka and i Rose and Frank Stixrtka, Battle' Creek, Mrs. Gail Uoiea, Mrs. Rose Hauers, Mr and Mrs Frank Bohn and Mrs. Dale Wajda, Ew ing. Hamid and Jan* Edwards, Valentine, J J. Hoff man. Kansas City, Mo, Mrs. Bernard Grimes, Chambers, Ed ith Grimes, Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Ruhard Hohnand and *«n, Fre mont, Mr. and Mr* Eddie M«» to*, Friend, John Bohn. Seward, Mr*. Bertha Meyer*. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Meyers and Mr*. John Etherton. Beatrice, Barbara Meyer*, Omaha, John Riley, Spaulding, Mrs. Zane Edward*. Amelia, Lewta Koenig, Elgin sail Mrs Gary Schemost. Spencer SEE Bonkertlifemon — fcrnie Brinkman IN *TK!NMON At out A Guaranteed Investment Program. I 10 WAYS 1 the Dale Carnegie Course Will Help Men and Women • NeW Self-Confidence • Think and Speak and Poisa on Your Feet • Speak Effectively • Control Fear and Worry fl • Sell Yourself • BiiSiffinalltl and Your Ideas «Develop your ■ • fLlI°.ur B*st Hidden Abilities With Any Group • win That Better Job, • Remember Names More Income §§ DALE CARNEGIE COUR3E8 rresented by Donald A. Dahlberg & Associates 812 Kiewit Plaza Omaha, Nebr. Locally Sponsored by O'Neill Lions Club Tough now 63 6hemlot Trucks ore hers! ...THE ONES THAT WHIPPED THE BAJA RUN...TOUGHEST UNDER THE SUN.. TO SHOW THE WORTH OF NEW ENGINES, FRAMES AND SUSPENSIONS - - Sometimes the caravan crept along for hours in low gear. It took 17 days to go 1,066 milesl This is the road near Loreto. 1 Round trip from Detroit to the end of I , the Ba/a Peninsula is over 8fiOO miles. I Millions of years ago nature fashioned a proving ground for trucks that man can never duplicate. Today it is known as the Baja {bah' hah) California Peninsula, Mexico. These pictures give you only a bare idea of the place. The road is fine for 140 miles below the U.S. border. Then the Leating begins. Rocks and hard-baked ruts bang, jab and jerk the trucks from stem to stern. Loose sand makes them struggle and strain. Dust chokes them. Heat roasts them. Rivers drench them. The Baja Run took this Chev rolet truck caravan 17 days to go the 1,066 miles. All the trucks performed magnifi cently. Not one was forced to drop out because of mechanical difficulty. Trucks that can take this kind of beating can take on your tough est truck jobs. Come in now and see tough quality-built ’63 Chev rolet trucks with all their new im provements. QUALITY TRUCKS COST LCSS _See the “New Rdiahles” new at your Chevrolet dealerfs! Spitzenberger Chevy-Olds Co. j O'NEILL, NEBRASKA