Loup City Northwestern
__OFFICIAL PAPER OF SHERMAN COUNTY. NEBRASKA. _
LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY NEWSPAPER IN SHERMAN COUNTY. THE PAPER THAT THE PEOPLE READ
VOLUME XXXIII LOUP CITY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY. September, 17th 1914. NUMBER 39
- __ . _ A
“Wrl Yhe Whole Veer"
WOOD RIVER MAN
TAKES OWN LIFE
Mat Smithwick Tires of Life on Farm Rear Litchfield, Elderly Lady First
Discovered Rash Act—Left Note in Drawer.
SHOOTS SELF AHO CITS THROAT WITH RAZOR
(Grand Island Independent)
Litchfield, Sept. 11. — Mat
Smithwick, aged about 45 years
and a single farmer living four
miles east of here committed sui
cide at 2 o’clock yesterday after
noon. He cut his throat from ear
to ear with a razor and shot him
self in the forehead with a 22 cali
ber rifle. An elderly lady is the
housekeeper at the place and when
she left for a short time the rash
act was committed. A physician
was called from here but there
was no chance to save the man.
Henry Smithwick, a brother, ar
rived today and will accompany
the remains to Wood River where
the funeral will probably take
place tomorrow. Mr. Smithwick
lived on the ranch here for about
three years. There is no cause
known for taking his own life
though he was very despondent of
late.
Sheriff Wilson, of Custer coun
ty, gives a more graphic story of
tne suicide, and in looking over
the effects of the man found a
a note which was locked in a
drawer of the dresser, which reads
as follows:
“September 8, 1914.
To whom it may concern:
Please give me a decent burial,
my brother, Mat Smithwick.
“If anything is left after my debts
are paid, please give it to my
brother’s children.”
Ella Bedford, aged about 50
years, is the elderly lady who
kept house for Mr. Smithwich.
She came from Omaha six months
ago. Yesterday afternoon she
was asked to get the mail and
Mr. Smithwick hitched up the
t&am of mules for her. When she
returned he did not come out to
unhitch the team and on entering
the house she made the horrible
discovery, and at once notified the
neighbors. For the last few days
the lady states, the man acted
very stupid and seemed to be
brooding over something, and
this tallies with the date the note
was written.
Cheaper in Europe
Than in the U. S.
It is claimed that products pur
chased in America are sold cheap
er on the European markets than
here at home, and that the higher
prices here are due to the manipu
lations of the fellows controlling
the merkets on such products. To
prove the above, we give quota
tions of American stuffs sold in
London cheaper than in Omaha,
according to the Bee, as follows:
England formerly received its
sugar supply largely from Ger
many, and some from the United
States. The war cut off 'ts supply
from Germany, and it brought a
lot from the United States. Im
mediately sugar took an enormous
jump in America until many gro
cery stores in Omaha are selling it
at 8 1-3 cents a pound with none
too much profit to themselves at
that. This London paper quotes
sugar at 7i cents, American
money.
Lump sugar is quoted in Lon
don at 8i cents, while in Omaha
people are paying 12i cents, “be
cause there is war in Europe. ”
Butter is quoted at 364 cents in
London, while in Omaha, one of
the greatest butter producing
towns in the world, and not at
' war with anyone, consumers are
paying 37 cents, or i cent more
than in London.
Cheese is quoted in London at
19 cents while in Omaha the same
grade of cheese is sold at 22 cents.
Bacon is quoted at 29 cents, while
in Omaha people are paying from
30 to 35 cents.
Flour is quoted at $2.85 at hun
dred in London. In Omaha it is
selling for $1.75 for a % 48-pound
sack, or, in round figures, $3.60 a
hundred. Here is a difference of
Sheriff Wilson, who was on the
scene, reports that from appear
ances the man cut his throat first,
severing the windpipe half in two.
A mirror was on the wall just in
front where his body lay in a tub
of cobs. It is believed that when
the shot was fired he fell over in
the tub. After a thorough inves
tigation the sheriff came to the
conclusion that it was a plain case
of suicide. The bullet which en
tered the forehead, penetrated the
skull and brain, either wound be
ing sufficient to cause death. Mr.
Smithwick lived three hours after
the act was committed.
Mat Smithwick was about 45
years of age and was born in the
vicinity of Woodriver. He farmed
for many years in the western
part of the county and three years
ago located in Custer county.
Four brothers and a sister are left
to mourn the loss of the brother.
They are Mike, Jack and Henry
Smithwick of this locality, and
Will Smithwick of Illinois. Mrs.
Stewart, the only sister, resides
at Amherst.
Vic Swanson left for St. Joe
Monday morning after new goods
stopping off at Aurora between
trains for a few boors’ visit; ""
MRS. F. HARM
LAID TO REST
_l
Was An Invalid For Over Fourtaen
Years.
_
DIED SORDAY SEPTEMBER IS.
Again a resident of our city has
been called away by the grim
reaper. On Sunday the 13th of
September, Mrs. Fred Hapke was
called to her reward after a long
and lingering illness, she was
born at Wilhalmnhaven, Ger
many, the 1st of May, 1871, and
thus attained an age of 43 years,
4 months and 13 days. At the
age of eight years she came to this
country, and while quite young
lost both of her parents. In the
year 1890 she was united in holy
wed lock to Fred Hapke, and
made her home with him on a
farm a mile and a half from Ash-'
ton, always delicate of health she
became quite sick a few years af
ter her marriage and fourteen
years ago became so incapacited
that she was forced to take a
chair and from that time on has
not been able to walk. Some
four weeks ago she was taken with
a bad fever and herself realizing
that the end was near received
Holy Communion and in every
way made ready for that long and
final journey from which no one
ever returns. From that time on
her condition rapidly became
worse, and on Sunday the 13th,
surrounded by relatives and
friends she breathed her last. Her
hnsband, and children, three sons
and three daughters remain to
mourn her loss, also a great num
ber of relativss and friends.
The funeral was held at the
German Evangelical St. Paul
Church with burial at the Ever
green Cemetary. We extend out
heartfelt sympathy to the be
reaved, husband and to the sorrpw
Ing children.
Falls Down Stairs and
Escapes Serious Injury
Last Sunday morning, as Mrs.
Vic Swanson was descending the
stairs at her home, with her little
daughter in her arms, her heel
caught in some manner at the
head of the stairs and she and the
little one fell the full length to
the lower floor. By presence of
mind, and to save herself and little
girl from injury so far as possible,
she threw herself backward and in
this way saved a forward fall,
which might have meant death or
serious injury to herself or daugh
ter, or both. While the lady was
badly bruised and rendered un
conscious for a time, she escaped
otherwise and the little girl re
ceived one slight contusion on the
arm. It was a most fortunate ac
cident.
about three-quarters of a dollar
between the price of dour in Lon
don and the price of flour in
America, with the lower price ob
taining in London, while much of
this flour in Londen comes from
the United States.
Will Sconeidereit left Tuesday
morning for Davenport, Iowa,
where he may conclude to stay,
but his primary purpose is to
visit his sister, Mrs. Emil Sch
nack and family. Later he will
go to Rockport, Ills., for a visit
with his sister, Mrs. Roy Fisher
and family.
Mrs. E. S. Hayhurst and Miss
Harriet Hayhurst left Monday
noon of this week for a visit with
Rev. Madeley and family at Pali
sade, Nebr.
Train Hold-Up
Breaks Jail
Paul Myers, the young man
held in Hyannis on $500 bond
awaiting trial for forcing a ride
on a Burlington train at the point
of a gun last week, escaped from
the Hyannis sheriff Sunday night
and hasn't been located since.
Special Agent Kish was notified,
but as he was in Lincoln at the
time the young man was faraway
before he could reach the scene,
Kish captured the lads at Hyannis
last freek after being notified that
they had the train in their power
and would not get off when order
ed by the train crew.
Myers plead guilty to the charge
before the Hyannis authories and
was facing a ten year term in
prison. The other lad entered a
plea of not guily and his trial is
set for Thursday of this week.—
i Ravenna News.
Burned in a Very
Peculiar Manner
While working in his shop
welding a piece of steel a man
named Smith, at Shelton, was ac
cidentally burned in a most pecu
liar manner. At the time he was
working with a blow pipe, pre
paratory to welding. A helper
passed carrying a can of gasoline
and stepping on a plowshare or
some other piece of scrap iron he
stumbled. Smith turned to S06 I
the cause of the trouble and the
gasoline can struck the red hot
piece of steel which he held in a
pair of pinchers with bis left
hand. The gasoline exploded.
The helper reached for a fire ex
tinguishing powder and scattered
it over the clothes of Smith, put
ting out the flames. While the
hand was badly burned it is also
feared that the fire extinguisher
may have poisoned the hand and
for this reason a specialist will be
consulted regarding the injury.—
Ravenna News. _
Rarve Owens and wife and
Harve Farrington and wife, all °f
Fullerton, Nebraska, drove up in
their car last Saturday and visited
over Sunday with Mr. and Mrs.
O. G. Hunt in Webster township.
Mr. Farrington and Mrs. Owens
are brother and sister of Mrs.
Hunt. They returned home Mon
day. - _
Omaha, Sept. 16—Great plans
are being made by the Knights of
Ak-Sar-Ben for Omaha Home
Coming Week. It will be one of
the big features of the Ak-Sar-Ben
fall festival, September 30 to Oct
ober 10. _
Mrs. N. E. Jensen of Danne
brog came up last Thursday even
ing to visit a few days with her
daughter, Mrs. J. R, Gardiner.
W. FUUITOK AT
IAT. CMTEATMM
_ I
Conrcde Willis FsKHm Tails af tfo
6.11. rims at Bsfrsit, Michigan.
FOII HIIIIED THOISaId TIERE.
St. Joseph, Mich., \ Sept. 8,
1914.—Friend BurleigK: As I
promised you a letter while ab
sent in attendance on thd National
G. A. R. Reunion, here fores.
Mrs. Fulliton and I Arrived at
St. Joseph Sunday and found our
cousin well and glad , td see us.
She remained there whilh I visited
the great re-union at Detroit. I
arrived in the city on ^Monday
evening and had a very pleasant
time with the dear did comrades.
There were some 30,000 bf us old
coffee coolers present. Some 20,
000 were able to march in the
parade, while 275 autos Were pro
vided to carry those who were too I
feeble to fall in line. Tlj* people
[of detroit sure did give us old
boys a grand receptioh, They
showed us every kindness, had
places provided for us to ftay and
guides to take us to ail places of
interest provided free of charge,
and gave us a fifty-mile ride on
the lake. The parade upas over
three milejs in length |nd the
march was five miles from start to
finish, while all along theline was
one solid mass of people sheering
and waving us welcome, It is es
timated that there were at least
400,000 in the city besides old
soldiers and everything passed off
so pleasant.
On Wednesday evening I left
Detroit for my dear old bjome in
Ohio on business and pleasure. I
found friends and relatives well
and glad to see me. 1 wi
Youngtown that state, an
the old home of my mot!
is on the banks of the Mooning
river and kra beautiful place, stiff
kept in the family. A history of
my mother’s people is now in pre
paration, with some 4,000 names
attached, tracing back to Scotland
and Ireland. Many took part in
the Revolution and in the War of
1812. We have a reunion each
year on the 13th day of August,
but I was not able to be present
this year and make report of my
side of the house, so had to make
this a part of my business east
this time.
At this writing, I am back at
St. Joseph where I left Mrs. Ful
liton, and where she has been en
joying herself immensely.
St. Joseph is a beautiful city
overlooking Lake Michigan. It
is one of the finest fruit countries
in the United States, peaches, ap
ples, grape and other fruits grow
ing to perfection.
I have a full and correct report
of encampment and will hand it to
you when I return home, some
time next week. With kindest
regards to all inquiring friends,
Yours, Willis Fulliton.
Brown, a Billy Bryan democrat,
has been nominated by Wilson
postmaster of Lincoln. Judging
by the ease in which Bryan
palmed off Beushausen for post
master on Loup City, the demo
crats down there may be assutred
that what Bryan says goes.
William Jennings is still cock of
the roost in democratic circles,
and all others are merely ten-pins
in Billy’s bowling alley.
M. P. Kinkaid received the re
publican, progressive, socialist
and prohibition nominations for
congress in this district, while
Frank Taylor was favored with
the democratic and populist nomi
nations. It is thought that Hr.
Kinkaid will accept neither the
socialist nor prohibition nomina
tions.
Attorney Stephens returned the
first of the week from a trip up
in the north part of the state.
Mrs. 8. F. Reynolds leaves this
morning for a visit at Waterloo
and Dubuque, Iowa.
Mrs. Floyd Howard and Mrs.
Anna Gash and children went to
Albion, this state, on a visit yes
terday morning.
Mrs. R. E. Dale and sister-in
law, Mrs. Keutxen, and their chil
dren, left yesterday, to/ a visit at
Denton, this state.
Thomas’ plurality for state
superintendent of public instruc
tion over Elliott was 1,463.
Mrs. J. H. Froehlich returned
last week from her extended, visit
With her daughter at WahhiR,
AUTO ACCIDENT
NEAR ARCADIA
MadMM Strikes Hog, Tern Turtle
Three Seriously Injured.
HO FATALITIESOCCOR.
Last week Wednesday evening,
Clayton Ward, while driving his
Ford car on the road just north of
Arcadia, with Miss Flint, Miss
King and Miss Nygren, teachers
in the Arcadia schools in the car
taking a joy ride, and in attempt
ing to pass another car, the mach
ine struck a hog, the car turning on
one side, flopped over on the other
side and then righted itself, re
sulting in all the occupants lieiog
thrown out violently, Miss King
suffering paralysis from the waist
down. Miss Flint rendered uncon
scious for the time, and Chauffuer
Ward suffering from a broken
collar bone. The only occupant
of the car escaping injury was
Miss Nygren, who fortunately
came out of the general mix-up
without the least bad results. Al
bion Ohlsen of Loup City, who
was just ahead of the Ward car,
picked up the injured parties and
took them into'Arcadia, while Mr.
Baird, garage man of that village
went out and drove the Ward car
in, which outside of badly bent
fenders was but little damaged.
As near as can be be ascertained, !
Ward was running his car at aj
pretty rapid rate, perhaps twenty j
miles an hour, when he attempted ,
to pass Ohlsen and struck the i
porker, hence the contact came i
with severe force, and only won
der is that one or more of the oc
cupants of the Ford were not
killed, instead of getting out of
the accident in so fortunate a
manner as above. Reports as
late as Friday evening from Ar
cadia were to the effect that
Miss King was still iaa paralyzed
condition as stated above, Miss
GERMANS FALLING
BACK EVERYWHERE
Reports Are to The Effect That The German Armies Nave Reached The
Apex of Their Efforts.
_ _ _
THE BEGIHHIHG OF THE EBB.
Sunday's; Monday’s and Tues
day's war news are to the effect
that German armies are moving
backward from French soil, and
that the allied forces are pressing
fast on their heels. Up to Tues
day the entire five German armies
had been pressed back some 75
miles, and all prospects for the
kaiser’s forces to take Paris are
seemingly at an end. The crest of
the Teuton wave seems broken
and they are rapidly retreating,
while offering but feeble resist
ance to the allies, who are much
encouraged and enthused and
pressing on after their common
foe with renewed energies.
In the east, however, the Rus
sians are not having smooth sail
ing or marching to Berlin. While
for a time there was prospects of
Russians taking Berlin and the
Germans taking Paris, now it
looks little likely that either will
be realized. It may be that the
Germans, looking backwards and
realizing the peril besetting them
in the east have concluded to
Flint was still unconscious a por
tion of the time, and Mr. Ward
was getting along as well as a
broken collar bone would allow.
What State Veterinary
Thinks of Bennett
I
Art Bennett was down to the
State Fair last week, especially to
look after matters relating to hog
ehoiera which is getting in its
work in these parts. While there
and witnessing pictures thrown
on the screen, his intelligent ques
tions and appreciation of matters
pertaining thereto so impressed
the state veterinarian and his as
istants that they made inquiry as
to who he was and pertinently re
marked that if the state had more
such men, who seemed to see
through and understand the situa
tion, there would be less of dis
ease among cattle, horses and
hogs and a more intelligent under
standing of what was needed in
stamping out these diseases. All
of which shows that in Mr. Ben
nett our people have a man worth
having in the community along
veterinary lines.
Sherman County
School Notes
The school bells have gone into
service for another school year
and their ringing was welcomed
by a large number of pupils who
resumed their studies with cheer
ful faces and fresh minds. The
opening of the schools was also
welcomed by the teaching force of
the county, for this is the work
they have been looking forward
to for several months past.
The teaching force of the coun
ty includes a number of new
teachers who are teaching in the
oounty for the first time, but most
of these new teachers have bad
some experience in other counties,
4U except three of the beginners
are high school graduates who are
well prepared for school work so
far as subject matter is concerned
and their sucoess depends upon
their interest in and enthusiasm
for the work.
We have with us on the whole
the highest grade of teachers that
we ever bad and certainly in most
of the schools the best teaching.
The high grade of teachers is due
in part to the fact that there are
enough yonng men and young
women now prepared fbr teach
ing who fnlly realize teach*
ing is a calling that deals with
human nature, and that one vital
element in the character of the
teacher is sincerity, so that the
weak and giddy are not needed
fpr teachers.
The teacher has a cause to
serve. That cause is the training
of boyhood and girlhood, the
making of manhood and woman
hood. To this cause he must be
loyal. He must throw into his
.work his whole soul. He must
be willing to dehy himself for it.
Hemqst have “A deep, groat,
*
genuine sincerity.” 0ne lacking
such sincerity has no place as a
teacher of children.
Every school in the county is
now in session. Only one district
voted less than eight months of
school.
Teachers let us start a campaign
for regular attendance and punctu
ality at the begining of the school
year. Parents are responsible to
a large extent in this matter, but
the tocher also has her part to do
in keeping the child in school.
Let us put fourth special effort to
keep the daily attendance up to
the highest possible mark.
Every rural teacher ift the
county is required to make* a re
port to the county superintendent
at the close of the first two weeks
and after the first month a month
ly report. If there are any
teachers in the county who have
not received the course of study,
report oards to parents, attendance
certificates, and teachers’ report
blanks please write the superin
tendent at once. Please send in
the special report promptly at the
close of the first two weeks of
school.
We wish once more to ask all
teachers to send in items of inter
est'for the county school notes.
Do not merely mention the event
but write the item out ready for
publication.
The Hall County
Fair Association
By the advertisement in this
week’s Northwestern you will see
that the Central Nebraska Agri
cultural Association of Hall county
will hold its annual fair Sept. 29
30 and Oct. 1-2. This is a Hall
county undertaking) heartily en
dorsed by the fanning community
abandon their great move to cap
ture the French city and save
Berlin from the Russians. There
has been some talk of compro
mises and of stopping the great
war, but England balks bullishly
and says no peace will be consid
ered till Germany is thoroughly
crushed.
Austria-Hungary may now be
said to be nearly out of the war
game, which spells greater hard
ship for Germany who will event- ,
ually have to go it alone and pro
bably get her quietus some little
time later. It is and has been un
equal struggle from the first-Ger
many and Austria - Hungary
against the whole Eastern world,
and while Germany has shown
wonderful fighting powers and
capabilities, it has not been
thought outside of the war zone
that the end could be anything
but defeat in the end for the kai
ser and his armies. If the whole
war will put an end to dynasties
and those countries in the end
will be changed into republics,
there may be some adequate com
pensation for the horrors of war
whitf’a have encompassed them
about.
and by representatives of each
town throughout the county.
There will be splendid free at
tractions, parades, excellent horse
races, ball games, motorcycle
races, and entertainment of inter
est for young and oid. Two
thousand five hundred dollars will
be awarded in premiums. Better
make your arrangements to attend
one or more days of the fair.
Dr. J. H. Long,'who had been
“visiting with his many friends
here for a few days, taking the
the rest cure from his medical
practice, returned home to Gree
ley Center, last Thursday.
Little Girl Has
Infantile Paralysis
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hinman
returned from their trip to Oma
ha last Thursday evening, where
they had been to consult a special
ist over the condition of the arm
of their little daughter, Katherine.
The doctor proclaimed the trouble
infantile paralysis, claiming the
little one would never again have
, the full use of that mepiber, hut
igave medical attention which
he said would in six months’ time
make the the arm as good as it
would ever be. The parents have
i the sympathy of our people over
| the affliction which has come upon
their first-born.
J. W. Burleigh, editor of the
Loup City Northwestern and re
publican candidate for representa
tive from the 57th Nebraska dis
trict, was a Grand Island visitor
last evening, being en route to the
state fair at Lincoln. Mr. Bur
leigh has been in the newspaper
game in Loup City for the past
ten years and has made a success
of it, giving the people of that lo
cality a thoroughly readable and
reliable weekly publication. Mr.
Burleigh reports that The Daily
Independent’s news service is
making a great hit in Loup City,
beating the other daily papers
there by several Lours and keep
ing the people posted on the hap
penings of the war.—Grand Is
land Independent, Sept. 9.
, *
^ ‘ * ii