THE NOKOLK. WEEKLY NEWS-JOURNAL FRIDAY JULY 9 1909
LEE McNEELY POSTMASTER ,
Senator Allison's Former Secretary
Postmaster of McNeoly In Trlpp.
Lee McNeoly , private Bocrotnry to
Soimtor AlllBon at the time of the
InUor'n death , has been nntuod as the
.first poBtmnstor of the now Trlpp
county town of McNeoly , BO named In
Jiln honor. McNeoly IB the govern
ment townslto iUtcen miles straight
west of Dallas and was first known
sin Mlnncotn. It IB on the George La-
inonrcan ranch. The homestead of D.
C. Ilcgan , a former hospital attend-
nnt , Is only three miles away.
Commissioners' Proceedings.
Madison , Nob. , Juno 20 , 190 , 1 p. m ,
The board of equalization mot pur
minnt to adjounmiont. Present , Burr
Tnft , Henry Sundormnn and John Ma
loiio , county commlsslonors , and P. W.
Unlit , county assessor , and Goo. B.
Jllclwrdson , county clerk.
On motion the assessment of Eva
13. Donaldson , on G acres In subdl
vision of the oVi of neVi of noV4 , and
e& of soVi of no > 4 28-24-1 , was re
duced from $2f , > 00 to $1,850 , assessed
wnluc , on account of apparent cross
Injustice on account of overvaluation.
On motion this assessment on nw
15-213 , land of Joseph Muck , was
rained from $4,000 , actual value ; to
38,500 , actual value.
On motion the assessment on lot 3 ,
block 2 , Dcdorman's addition to Nor
folk , Nob. , was reduced from $700 to
$500 , actual value , on account of ap
parent gross Injustice by overvalue
lion.
lion.Tho
The matter of the assessment ol
the Crowoll Lumber and Grain Co. , of
Newman Grove , Neb. , came up for
hearing. Mr. J. A. Ltndorholm , super
intendent of said company , appeared
In the matter of allowing the offset
of debts against the book accounts
nd credits of said company listed al
Jiownmn Grove , on motion said offset
was not allowed and the sum ol
. $9,300 , book accounts and credits was
added to the assessment of said com
j > any at Newman Grove. Richardson
voted "yes , " Ruth "yes , " Malone "yes,1
Sunderman "no , " Taft "yes. " There
upon the Crowoll Lumber and Grain
Co. made application In writing to the
ibonrd that the item of $9,300 , book
accounts and credits , bo stricken from
the schedule of said company at New
jnnn Grove , as not property nssesslblo
and as having been erroneously listed
nnd on motion said application was
denied.
Crowell Lumber and Grain Co. o ;
Newman Grove , Neb. , made appllca
lion to have assessment on item o
merchandise reduced from $8,000 to
$7,000 , actual value , and on motion 1
was voted to leave said assessment
.stand as returned by the assessor.
The matter of the assessment o :
tlio Farmers' Elevator Co. of Madl
son , Nob. , came up for hearing. M. C
Oarrett , secretary , appeared and was
sworn nnd examined. Item of 1m
provements on leased land raised from
$3.000 to $4,250.
The matter of the assessment o
tlio Nye-Schnelder-Fowler Co. at New
man Grove , Neb. , came up for hearing
Mr. Tom Davlo appeared for said com
pany. In the matter of allowing the
offset of debts against the book ac
counts and credits of said company
listed at Newman Grove , on motion
asalrt offset was not allowed nnd the
sum of $4,860 , book accounts and cred
Its , was added to the assessment o
said company at Newman Grove , and
thereupon the Nye-Schnelder-Fowle
Co. made application to the board tha
the Item of $4,860 be stricken from
the schedule of said company at New
man Grove not property assessibl
nnd as having been erroneously listed
and on motion said application was de
Tiled.
Tiled.The
The matter of the assessment of J
A. Pence , at Madison , Neb. , carne u
for hearing , he having appeared be
fore the board , and on motion his as
sessment was raised from $3,600 to
54,300. actual value , on Item of mer
chandise.
The matter of the assessment of the
Hume-Robertson-Wycoff Co. came up
for hearing. C. E. Pearso , Secretary
r the company , voluntarily appeared
for the company. After examination
of the books of said company and of
Mr. Pearso as a witness , said matter
was dismissed.
In the matter of the personal as
sessment of Gus. Teske , F. M. Cook-
Ingham appeared for Mr. Teske and on
motion further hearing was adjourned
to July 1 , 1909 , nt 1 p. m. , at which
time Mr. Tesko Is to appear.
The assessment of the Herrlngton
Drug Co. , at Newman Grove , was by
agreement raised on Item of merchan
dise from $2,250 to $3.200 , actual val
ue.
ue.On
On motion the board then adjourned
to July 1 , 1909 , at 1 p. m.
Geo. E. Richardson ,
County Clerk.
Battle Creek News.
The Lutheran mlsslonfest last Sun
day was well attended In the after
noon. Thunder
storms prevented a
good crowd in the morning. The col
lection on this occasion amounted
close to $100 , Among the guests from
outside wore : Mr. nnd Mrs. August
Jloikofsky , Mr. and Mrs. Nlc Peterson
and Mrs. M. Soulier of Tllden ; Mr. nnd
Mrs. B. W. Jonas and daughter , MRR !
Battle Jonas , Mr. nnd Mrs. Bonnlng
of Norfolk ; Rev. E. Just of Green Gar
den , and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Relkof-
aky of Wnrnorvlllo.
If the robins and bluojays would eat
potato bugs now Instead of cherries ,
It would ba a benefit In our vicinity.
J. B. Landreth and Joe Miles were
lioro Friday from Tlldon.
Mrs. Guy Deuel and daughter of
TValthlll , Neb. , were visiting here the
latter part of last week at the T. M.
JMorrls home ,
xE. C. Mertz has opened a real es-
unto office In the Sevora building , on
the south side of Main street.
Mr. nnd Mrs. Wm. Hawkins wpro
lore Friday from Meadow Grove.
Miss Bertha Lamport has taken a
osltlon in W. L. Beyer's gonornl store.
About 4 o'clock Saturday morning
[ ghtnlng struck the barn of Andy Col-
Ins , near Blnkoly , nnd killed his four
vork horses ,
Mrs. Dolllo Endrps and two dough-
ors of Norfolk wore visiting hero Saturday -
urday nnd Sunday with her parents ,
Mr. nnd Mrs. Goo. Pratt.
Mrs. John Peters nnd Mrs. S. Kuhrts
'Isltcd from Saturday till Monday
with Rolmor Hlntz nnd family at No-
Igh.
Igh.James
James Mink , who lives south of
hero , Is seriously 111 nt this writing.
Henry Stuckwlsch Is building n now
barn on his farm north of the Elkhorn
river.
Mrs. Llzzlo Carrablno nnd son , Tim ,
of Norfolk , visited hero from Satur
day till Monday with her Bister , Mrs.
T. D. Preoco nnd family.
Dr. Wnrren R. Hall of Iowa Fnlls ,
a. , a graduated dentist of the Crolgh-
on university at Omaha , arrived hero
Monday and opened up an ofllco In the
Sovora building.
Sam Kent , sr. , was hero Monday
from Kent Siding , visiting relatives.
Mrs. John Wade was here from Nor
folk Saturday for a brief visit with
relatives.
C. P. Hicks of Mullen , Hooker coun
ty , is hero on an extended visit at the
ionic of his friend , Shine Osborn.
James Clark has bought the old
'blue front" restaurant building , on
Main street , now occupied by Matt
Wagner for n billiard hall. The build
Ing belonged to John Rodges , at Bono
steel , S. D.
Mrs. T. D. Preece , accompanied by
her children , went to Norfolk Tuesday
for a visit with relatives.
W. R. Martin of Schoolcraft , candl
date for republican nomination fov
sheriff , was hero Tuesday viewing his
political fences. \
Miss May Willis , resigned deputy
postmistress , will soon depart for the
Pacific coast for an extended visit with
relatives.
Herman Eyl went 10 Hot Springs ,
S. D. , Sunday for the benefit of his
health.
Barney Barnes , who had been visit
ing here about one week with rela
tives , returned to his home at Cody
Sunday.
Mrs. Luella Hoover visited the latter
part of last week at ithe home of her
daughter , Mrs. Tom James , at Tllden
Fred C. Miller's large new house Is
nearly completed. It will be the fin
est dwelling in East Battle Creek.
Oliver Cunningham was here Mon
day from Maple Grove.
M. L. Thomson made a business trl
to Platt Center Monday.
Railroad News.
About 500 cars of cattle from Te as
have been brought north this season
by the Northwestern road and deliv
ered in western Nebraska , South Da
kota and Wyoming to feed. That IB
about as many as usual , but the rapid
settlement of some parts of what was
in former years range country by
homesteaders , especially about Belle
Fourche , shows how the land is being
taken up. The farmers there and in
some parts of western Nebraska take
small bunches of cattle to graze and
the big ranchers take less , for the
open range Is being narrowed grad
ually. The Northwestern officials say
that in the Nebraska sand hills and in
Wyoming there is still a great deal of
range.
Lynch Journal : A car of co'al was
bunted off the east end of the coal
chute Saturday evening while switch
ing up a couple of cars to be unloaded.
The front end of the car dropped off
the chute and hung there as the coal
had been used from that end of the
car while It stood on the siding. A
brakeman on the car felt that his time
was of short duration for a few min
utes. Monday morning the wrecking
crew arrived and pulled the car down
by fastening a rope to the west end
and pulling it to the east. The car
came down on end and , after balanc
ing for a half minute , fell to the south ,
crashing into a car of gravel on the
house track , thus closing up two of
the tracks. The eastbound passenger
was taken around on the siding , as was
also the westbound at 11 o'clock.
Along with quite a crowd we watched
the wreckers straighten up the car
and place It back upon its wheels.
PRAYERS AFTER BALL GAME.
Novel Plan of Pastors at Central City
to Secure Crowds.
Omaha , July 6. The people of Gen
tral City , Neb. , especially the rellglou
ones , have hit upon a plan for getting
out crowds to the church services , a
least during the hot months. There
are five Protestant churches in town
and five pastors.
These pastors realize that the
church attendance dwindles and tha
when the weather is so Intensely warm
there are a lot of the regular attend
ants who would prefer a ball game tea
a sermon , They have arranged It so
that the aforesaid lukewarm churcl
goers may. see both.
Central City has a baseball team In
which the citizens feel considerable
pride. Sunday games are the regula
thing nnd they draw like a four-horse
team. Now the pastors propose to
make this team draw people to the
religious services. The Protestan
churches have united their forces am
have taken In the Y. M. C. A. The
plan Is to have union services each
Sunday afternoon , until cooler weather
sets in , nt the baseball park. The
games are called at 4 o'clock , and ns
soon ns they are over the grounds wll
be In charge of the church people , who
will open regular services , including
prayers , singing and sermons. In this
way It Is expected that not only wil
the church members bo caught , bu
that many of those who go to BOO the
game will remain.
The pastors have not placed a ban
on ' people going to the ball games , yet
of course , they would rather that they
would stay away nnd como to the lot
nbout the time of the commencement
f the church program.
There Is not n pastor In the town
vho approves of Sunday ball , but they
ontond that there are many things
worse and that If the people will at-
end the services nftor the close of the
"nines n whole lot of good will bo nc-
ompllshcd. In fact , they declare that
f they will do this It will bo bettor for
Item nnd for the churches than to
nvo those same people remain away
rom church nnd loaf on lawns or on
ho sidewalks Sunday evenings.
WOMEN WANT SOUTH DAKOTA
National Suffragette Association May
Meet Next In Sioux Falls.
Seattle , July 6. The national con-
entlon of the National Woman Suit-
age association elected the following
officers : President , Rev. Anna H.
Show , Moylan , Pn , ; first vice presl-
ient , Mrs. Rachael Foster Avery ,
Swnrthmoro , Pa. ; second vice presl-
lent , Mrs. Florence Kelley , New York ;
corresponding secretary , Miss Kate M.
Gordon , Now Orleans ; recording secro-
ary. Mrs. Ella S. Stewart , Chicago ;
reasurer , Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton ,
Wnrren , Ohio ; first audltpr , Miss
Laura Clay , Lexington , Ky. ; second
auditor , Miss Alice Stone Blackwoll ,
Boston.
The question of the next convention
city was left to the general officers for
decision. The candidates were Sioux
Falls , S. D. , nnd Washington , D. C.
The general officers had recommend
ed Washington to the convention , but
when their choice was made the finan
cial Inducement offered by the Sioux
Falls business men had not been sub
mitted. In the convention the argu
ment that to hold the national conven
tion in Sioux Falls just before election
would swing South Dakota into the
suffrage columns was used very effec
tively. The matter did not come to a
vote , however , a motion to refer to the
general officers prevailing.
Rattlesnake Is Sociable.
Trlpp County Index : A young lady
who drew a homestead and came out
and filed near Wltten , expecting to
enjoy blessed loneliness , has been
much mistaken as she has excess ol
company. This companion company
consists of a huge rattler who has
taken posesslon under the floor of her
house and keeps her company by Brat
tling most too often. Some tlrnes too
much company is excessive as in this
case.
Ball Player Killed.
Clearwater Record : A report has
been circulated here that Billy Allstot
a former resident of this vicinity and
a ball player of some note locally
had been killed In a ball game down
in Mexico. He got hit by a ball in
the back of the neck , killing him in
stantly.
Horse Thief was Bold.
Beemer Times : One of the mosl
brazen and bold horse robberies that
has taken place in this county in
many a day was perpetrated here
Tuesday night. The thief or thieves
entered the A. A. Phelps livery barn
and took three head of horses and so
far have been successful in getting
away with them.
Lightning Strikes Church.
Carlock South Dakotan : OnWednes
day morning about 7:30 : o'clock light
ning struck the belfrey tower of the
Catholic church. It struck at the
northwest corner of the tower , tearing
up the shingles , and entered the base
of the tower at the northwest corner
From there it glanced to the studding
at the front of the church and followei
downward , tearing loose a good portion
tion of the sheathing and siding , split
ting a part of the studding and throw
ing plaster all over the floor of the
building. Part of the arch over the
door was split and a portion of the
foundation and the front steps were
Jarred loose. No part of the building
was burnt. The damage is reckoned
at from $200 to $400 , as nearly the
entire front will have to bo removed
and rebuilt.
Bank of Burke to Quit.
Burke Gazette : The various proper
ties of the Bank of Burke were this
week purchased jointly by the Burke
State bank and the German American
bank , and It will be discontinued ns
soon ns Mr. Kearvllle can liquidate
its affairs. The affairs of the bank
were not transferred and do not enter
into the deal at all. Mr. Kearvllle
will pay his depositors , make his own
collodions , nnd quit business.
HOME MISSIONARY'SOCIETY.
Tenth Annual Met.ting Held at Oakdale
Last Week.
The tenth annual meeting of the
Woman's Homo Missionary society of
the Methodist church of the North Ne
braska conference , was held at Oak-
dale last week.
The department secretaries made
good reports of the past year's work.
The corresponding secretaries of the
districts reported active work having
been done in each of the four districts
during the past year.
The young people of Oakdalo , Tilden
nnd Elgin furnished some excellent
music for the convention.
Mrs. M. E. Roberts , national organ
izer , gave three Interesting nnd inspir
ing addresses.
The people of Onkdale pleasantly en
tertained the visiting delegates in
their homes.
Officers were elected as follows :
President , Mrs. F. A. High , Elgin ;
vice president , Mrs. L. M. Beeler , Nor
folk ; recording secretary , Miss Lena ,
Mills , Norfolk ; corresponding secre
tary , Mrs. Wm. Gorst , Omaha ; treas
urer , Mrs. E. T. George , Nellgh ; sec-
etory literature , Mrs. TSffle Taylor ,
'lalnviow ; secretary inlto boxes , Mrs.
James Lough , Norfolk ; secretary sup-
> UCB , Mrs. John Crows , Blair ; score-
ary young people's work , Miss M.
Brnlnard , Oakdnlc ; mnnngor training
schools , Mrs. C. E. Dunktn , Oakdalo ;
superintendent temperance work , Mrs ,
J. H. Oxunm , Norfolk.
The apportionment for the yonr
1909-10 wns raised to $1,000 , an ad
vance of $100 over the past year ,
Victor Held for Murder.
Aberdeen , S. D. , July C. Enill Vic-
or , the farm hand employed by John
Morrow of RUdolph , who was arrested
on suspicion of having murdered J.
W. Christie , his wlfo and daughter
Mildred and 15-year-old Michael Ron-
ynn , hns been held to nwnlt the action
of the courts.
Implicated In the Murder.
Rudolph , S. D. , July 6. The-follow-
; ng verdict was rendered by the cor
oner's Jury regarding the murder of
four people on a farm near hero :
That the said persons came to their
death from gunshot wounds nnd n
blow on the head , said Injuries Inflict
ed by some person or persons un
known to us ; nnd wo , the Jurors , do
further sny that from the evidence
presented to us wo In our opinion bo-
ilove Emll Victor wns Implicated In
the death of the said persons.
J. C. Daly , B. H. Rice , J. T. Elliott ,
Jury.
George Countryman , Coroner.
Money Back from Gunness.
Aberdeen , S. D. , July C. Asle Hel-
goleln , brother of Andrew Helgeleln ,
who was one of the victims of Belle
Gunness , the ogress of the LaPorte ,
Ind. , murder farm , has been awarded
a verdict In court In Indiana for $3,145 ,
being the sum the woman secured
from his brother , together with inter
est nt 6 per cent.
The case was not contested strin
gently , the plaintiff being required to
show that Mrs. Gunness secured the
money. This was done by submitting
letters from the brother after he had
gone to LaPorte to Asle , who lives
near here , and also letters from the
woman to Asle after he had become
suspicious of his brother's fate. There
was also submitted a letter of the vic
tim to his slayer.
Asle Helgelein has made three trips
to LaPorto to adjust the suit , and says
that the opinion now generally prevails
vails that the woman fiend perished In
the house which was burned on the
murder farm.
Belden Hit byFire. .
Belden , Neb. , July 6. A. fire which
started In the dry goods store of West-
rbp and Harper wiped out an entire
block of the town. The postofllco
burned , Martin's Jewelry store , a pool
hall , a saloon , a hardware store and
milk depot wore entirely consumed.
Loss , $75,000. The mall In the post
office was saved. The fire was of In
cendiary origin.
Race Horse Falls On a Rider.
Dallas , S. D. , July 6. Special to The
News : In a running race here yester
day , during the Fourth of July cele
bratlon , Charles Bournoyer's horse ,
ridden by Thomas McMann , fell upon
the rider.
McMann's ankle was broken and he
sustained other injuries.
The carnival will continue all the
week. Large crowds are in attend
ance.
RESTORED TO THE COMPANY.
Federal Officer Ordered to Release
Locomotive.
Sioux Falls , S. 'D. , July 6. Judge
Garland of the United States court ,
discharged the levy under which a
deputy United States marshal on Sat
urday took possession of a locomotive
belonging to the Chicago , Milwaukee
and St. Paul Railway company , to
satisfy a judgment awarded Mrs.
Marie "Westby of Madison , by a fed
eral jury for a little more than $6,000
for the death of her husband while
In the employ of the railroad com
pany.
The levy was discharged on the
ground that it was an illegal levy , for
thp reason that the locomotive , when
seized was attached to a passenger
train hauling United States mall ,
which was about to depart for Sioux
City and Chicago.
Reception to Mrs. Taylor.
Madison , Neb. , July 6. Special to
The News : A reception was tendered
last night to Mrs. Emma Taylor , who
has made her home in Madison for
three years and who leaves now for
her former homo in Prairie City , la.
Mrs. Taylor has been a very active
member of the Rebekah lodge and it
was by the lodge that the reception
In her honor was tendered. A bcautl
ful ring , set with sapphires and pearls ,
was presented to the guest of honor.
Mrs. Taylor is a sister-in-law of
Editor Blackmail of the Chronicle and
has been working In the Chronicle
office.
Meyer County May Open Soon.
There Is a well defined report circu
lating in the Rosebud country to the
effect that Meyer county will bo
opened to settlement within the next
year and a half , according to Fred M.
Hawksworth , one of the fifty-seven
Norfolk land winners In Trlpp 6ounty ,
who IB In town from his homestead
fora few days. ) "I believe Trlpp - county
ty will bo opened next year , " he said.
New Settlers "Good Fellows. " *
Mr. Hawksworth , who was a com
merTHal traveler for the Standard OH
company before ho drew a claim , is
enthusiastic over homesteadtng. He
likes the life and says ho wouldn't give
It up. Trlpp county is settled with a
bunch of "good fellows , " ho says , and
life In that region Is all the more enJoyable
Joyablo on that nccount.
A great many homesteaders have al
ready g6ne Into the new territory , nnd
by September 1 It Is expected that a
claim Bhnck will dot every qunrtor sec
tion.
Some Already Have "Cold Feet , "
Some of those who have gene into
ho now prnlrio country hnvo already
'got cold feet" and hnvo gene bnclc to
tholr former homes.
Mr. Hnwksworth says that there are
storloB on the Rosebud to the effect
hat the Northwestern will extend
from Dallas within a yonr nnd there
nro also stories that the Burlington
will build up Into that territory.
Mr. Hawksworth says that the sod
corn on his farm Is eighteen Inches
ilgh.
Much In Store Theatrically.
That the coming theatrical season
promises moro for Norfolk than in
some years past , is Indicated by the
good fortune of Manager Jencks of the
Sioux City Now Grand theater , book
ing agent for the Norfolk Auditorium ,
who hns Just returned from Now York
city , where ho mot with splendid suc
cess in new bookings. Concerning his
trip , the Sioux Falls Argus-Lendor
says :
The season nt the Now thcati - HI
open nbout the middle of August , when
Sioux Fnlls theatergoers will have the
opportunity of seeing moro of the hot
ter attractions than have ever boforp
visited Sioux Falls in ono season.
Manager Jencks of the Now theater ,
lias been In the east booking shows
for his circuit for the approaching sea
son , and informed a representative of
the Argus-Leader that he was moro
than pleased with the outlook for good
plays for Sioux Falls. The last couple
of years have not been successful ones
for managers of theaters generally ,
owing to the fact that there has been
a great scarcity of the best class of at
tractions , and it has not been possible
to keep the time filled In the ono-nlght
stands. >
However , such will not be the case
during the next season , Inasmuch ns
such producing managers as Henry W.
Savage , William A. Brady , Henry B.
Harris , Charles Frohinan and others
who make the best plays possible , will
next fall have a larger number of at
tractions than ever , while In the last
year or two they have had comparl
lively few on the road.
The opening attraction for the New
theater has not been announced , but
some of the many good things to come
will be John E. Young In a new mu
slcal play called "Lo. " ( Mr. Young
will be recalled as the fine little com
edian In "The Time , the Place , and
the Girl" last year ) ; Mr. Edmund Car
roll who was seen t yo seasons ago In
Walker Whlteside's "We Are King , "
will appear In n new production ; and
the Lynmn ' Twins , with a much larger
company'and a new play , como early
in October.
"The Man on the Box , " and "The
House of a Thousand Candles , " are
two plays taken from well-known nnd
popular novels. The Princess Amuse
ment company who last year gave us
"Honeymoon Trail. " "The Time , the
Place and the Girl , " and "A Stubborn
Cinderella , " will offer a new musical
success which Is now running at the
Princess theater , Chicago , "The Gold
en Girl , " "The Red Mill" with 'M 'peo
ple , will have Its first presentation in
Sioux Falls soon after. Wagenals &
Kemper will again give "Paid In Full. "
"The Girl at the Helm" will be an
other of the big-musical attractions ,
while "Babes In Toyland" will be ie-
vlved next fall and will be one of the
largest attractions to appear nt the
New theater. Mr. W. B. Patton in
"The Blockhead , " comes a little later ,
followed by a musical attraction called
"The Girl from the U. S. A. , " and on
Thanksgiving "The Wizard of Wise-
land , " a new musical comedy , will hold
the boards for a matinee and evening
performance. "A Stubborn Cinder
ella , " which gave such great satisfac
tion a few months ago , will play a
return engagement , and shortly after ,
George M. Cohan will present Miss
Trlxle Frlganza and a company of
seventy-five people In his latest suc
cess , "The American Idea. " Mr.
Charles. Frohman will again offer an
excellent company In "The Thief , " and
New Year's day Mr. Frederic Thomp
son , who has been connected with the
New York Hippodrome , Luna Park
and Coney Island , will bring one of the
very biggest and best shows of the
season in "Polly of the Circus. " The
company will be a large one , carrying
an entire circus equipment , including
horses , ponies , mules , etc. On the 4th
of January , Henry W. Savage's most
successful company gives "The Merry.
Widow , " the aggregation numbering !
105 people , Including n large orchestra , '
which will make it one of the featured
attractions of the whole season. Miss
Rose Stahl in "The Chorus Lady"
has appeared here before and will
need but little introduction to this
city. "The Traveling Salesman" will
be given later In January , followed by
"The Third Degree , " both of them suc
cesses , now running In New York. "A
Knight for n Day" is slated for a re
turn date , and the next day Mr. Rob
ert Edeson will appear Jn "The Noble
Spaniard. " William A. Brady will
present "A Gentleman from Mississip
pi , " which Is a play along the lines
of national politics and somewhat on
the order of "Tho Man of the Hour , "
and Miss Grace George will appear
with an all-star cast In a new play n
little later. "The Right of Way. " "Lit
tle Johnny Jones , " "The Three Twins , "
"Keegan's Pal , " nnd several others
could bo ndded to this list of most ex
cellent attractions , nnd Manager
Jenckb fuels certain that the coming
season will be the most successful one
in several years at the New theater.
West Point Celebration Marred.
West Point , Neb. , July 6. Special
to The News : The Independence day
festivities at West Point wore somewhat -
what marred by the cold , drizzling
rain which set In at daybreak and con
tinued , with only slight intermissions ,
until noon. The proposed festivities
at the Riverside park were abandoned
nnd the celebration -was held on the
business streets of the city. The
Greater Nicholas Carnival company
was encamped north of the business
section and furnished amusement for
the people who , in spite of the uncom
fortable and threatening weather
thronged the city. Hon. William V.
Allen of Madison delivered the oration
of the day , Judge S. S. Krake presid
ed at the exercises and A. Ralph Rich
read the Declaration of Independence ,
High School Musi Be Practical ,
At the regular mooting of the board
of education , which was hold at the
homo of A. II. Vlolo last evening , the
superintendent's report was received
and a few bills allowed. The mooting
terminated in n lawn party , In which
Mr. Hoffman treated the board to fire
works , Mrs. Vlolo doing honors with
Ice cream nnd cnk *
The superintendent's report shows
that the nvorago dally attendance for
the past year was 70 greater than for
the preceding year , and that two more
teachers were added to the corps. Thb
average number of pupils per teacher
has remained practically the same <
The number of students at the close
of school was 119 greater than at the
close of the preceding year , which
shows an increasing tendency for the
pupils to complete the school year
rathe/ than to drop out.
The superintendent recommends an
additional school room , to bo known as
the "unclassified room , " for the benefit
of handling backward pupils , such as
nro too old for tholr grades. Ho also roc-
ommciuls medical inspection for ade
noid growths , defective sight nnd de
fective hearing nro most of the cases
affecting pupils In the Norfolk schools ,
These pupils would become members
of the unclassified room.
Following Is the report :
Norfolk , Neb. , June 21. 1909. To the
Honorable Board of Education , Nor
folk , Neb. Gentlemen : I beg to sub
mit herewith the annual report of the
city schools of Norfolk for the school
year 1908-1909.
Statistical Report.
There have been in your employ dur
ing the school year Just closed thirty
teachers of whom two were supervis
ing officers and five principals. The
teachers were distributed as follows :
High school proper , six ; high school ,
grades VI-VIII , four ; Grant school ,
grades Prel.-V > six ; West Lincoln
school , grades III-VI , four ; East Lin
coln school , grades Prel.-II , four ;
Washington school , grades Prel.-III ,
three ; Jefferson school , grades Prel.
II , one.
The school census , taken August ,
1908 , shows a school population of
1,571. The table following shows the
enrollment and other statistical Items
for the year 1908-1909 , in comparison
with the same for the previous year.
1908-09 1907-08 Inc.
Total enrollment.1,678 1,361
Transfers 452 199
Actual number
rolled without
duplication . . . .1,226 1,162 64
Average daily at
tendance StfiO 890 70
Average number
of pupils per
teacher 34 34
%
Number * belong
ing at close. . . .1,006 887 119
High school en
rollment 157 148 a
High school av
erage dally at
tendance 132 113 19
It will be noted from these figures
that the average dally attendance for
the past year was 70 greater than for
the preceding year. Inasmuch as two
teachers were added to the corps the
average number of pupils per teacher
has remained practically the same.
The number belonging at the close
of school was 119 greater than at the
close of the preceding year. This , I
think , shows an increasing tendency
for the pupils to complete the school
year rather than to drop out.
Although the enrollment of the high
school has shown an increase of only
nine , the average daily attendance has
shown the commendable increase of
nineteen , at least a healthy growth.
Normal Training.
The school year Just closed has wit
nessed the establishment of several
important policies. At the beginning
of the year the normal training de
partment was established In the high
school. The success of one year's op
eration of this department has made
it unquestionably a permanent depart
ment in the school. The class this
year consisted of sixteen members ,
nine of whom graduated on May 28.
The other seven are members of the
next year's graduating clasb. The
members of the class who leave the
high school this year have passed the
examinations for teachers' certificates
with exceptional credit , and with their
observation of the work of Norfolk's
best teachers and their experience In
substitute work they begin their ca
reer as teachers with chances of sue-
jcess far above those of the average
teacher. The amount of service which
the normal trained teacher can render
the community and the state cannot
be estimated. It remains only to say
that the city of Norfolk and the board
of education are to be congratulated
upon having taken a step which Is of
such vast importance.
The Practical In the High School.
Through normal training and three
years' German instruction our high
school course has become to some ex
tent practicalized. But even yet the
chief aim of our high school Is to prepare
pare for college. The great demand
of the time Is for practical prennrntlon
for life. Intthls respect we , of course ,
dp the right thing In preparing our
young people for nnd encouraging thorn
to go to college. But the majority , of
our pupils either cannot go to college
or are incapable of taking a college'
education. They have , to stop with
what our own schools can glvo them.
Many of them , therefore , not wishing
college preparation , either drop school
at the end of grade VIII or during the
high school course. This Is shown by
the fact that only 12 % pur cent of our
enrollment for the year 1908-1909 was
In the high school. The high school
enrollment should constitute nt least
20 per cent of the total. This enmo
tendency is farther shown by the fact
that in the grades there were moro
boys than girls , while in the high
school there were 50 per cent moro
girls than boys. This tendency is ex
ceedingly harmful In the largest sense ,
not only to the individual , but to the
community. All these young people
should remain In school until they
have at least completed a high school
education. But this cannot be expect
ed unless the high school course is
such that It will give those who do not ,
as well as those who do , go to college
a practical foundation for their life
work.
I would suggest , therefore , that as
soon as It may be practicable the
board of education might find it a
profitable educational policy to fur
ther practlcallzo the high school work
by nddltlonnl courses of Instruction.
Ward Prlnclpalshlps.
A second stop of Importance during
the yonr just closed has been the em
phasis placed by the board of educa
tion upon the Importance of the ward
prlnclpalshlps. The policy of the
board early in the year was to Increase
the responsibility of the principal of
fice. Tills ended with the creation of
a salaried position nt the close of the
yonr for the head of each of the ward
schools. This change lu the degree of
responsibility of the pnnclpnlshlp , In
my opinion , adds greatly to executive
efficiency of the supervising corps and.
Is a policy which will bo a permanent
benefit to our schools ,
School Ground Improvement and
The policy of Bchool ground Improve
ment nnd decoration was adopted ear
ly In the year. It has resulted : (1) ( ) In
the beginnings of n beautiful lawn
around the high school building ; (2) ( )
In the gradual Improvement of the
grounds of all the buildings by the
planting of trees , vines and flowers
on Arbor day and nt other seasonable
times , and by the building of commit
walks and the painting of the out
buildings ; (3) ( ) in the artistic decora
tion of the high school assembly room
with Bplcndlil pictures through the
kind efforts of the Woman's club nnd
j i through student effort , with n ilno pi-
inno purchased Inrgely through student
effort , nnd with n line piece of stntu-
nry presented by the graduating class.
Those high pchool Improvements alone
represent over $300 rnlse'd by student
effort during the year.
The continuance of this policy
means an Investment of the most per
manent kind in that which counts most
for a community. The school should
lend In things cultural and artistic ,
things which broaden and deepen in
dividual life , as well as in things muro-
ly Intellectual and practical.
Kindergartens.
The decision of the board to estab
lish kindergartens In all of the schools
having beginning classes came near
the close of the year. The results of
the adoption of this policy cannot , of
course , bo seen until next year ; but
they will , in my opinion , moro than
justify the action of the board.
Compulsory Education.
Largely through the efforts of the
Madison county delegation a very sat
isfactory amendment to the compul
sory education law was secured at the
last session'of the Nebraska legisla
ture. This measure leaves no ques
tion as to the application of the pen
alty provided by the law to the viola
tion of it in city school districts. This
will , I think , make possible n much
more effective enforcement of this
very important law than has boon pos
sible in the past. I would , therefore ,
recommend that this law bo rigidly
enforced in Norfolk during the coming
school year.
year.Unclassified
Unclassified Room.
Another matter to which I would
direct your attention during the com
ing school year Is the need of some
means or method of handling back
ward pupils. In'our school system , as
In every other , there is always a con
siderable number of pupils too old for
their grade. These pupils become dls-
Satisfied , do poorer work than they
otherwise would do if among children
of their-own ago and size and , consequently
quently , soon leave school. This typo
of pupil becomes , upon leaving school ,
a class very undesirable to the com
munity. The Impossibility of provid
ing for such pupils with only our pres
ent system is readily seen. To pass
them to a higher class than the one in
which their scholarship places them
Is to place before the lazy yet really
capable pupil a premium for his indo
lence. Some addition to our school
system especially for such pupils
should be made. I would suggest that
as soon as practicable an unclassified
room be established for this purpose.
This is the means used In many other
schools and the experience of such
schools is that it secures the results
desired.
Medical Inspection.
Very frequently one of the causes
for the above mentioned retardation of
pupils In the grades is some physical
defect. Almost as frequently the de
fect Is one that may be remedied eas
ily by the proper medical attention.
In most of the larger and more effec
tive achool systems of the country n
knowledge of these facts has lead to
the establishment of systematic med
ical Inspection. In this way cases of
adenoid growths , defective sight and
defective hearing are easily detected
and the proper remedy suggested to
the parents or guardian. I would rec
ommend that some such system of
medical Inspection bo established In
our own schools. This could bo done ,
I think , with very little expense and
would be worth many times its cost to
the people of the community.
Printing of Rules and Regulations.
I recommend that the rules and reg
ulations of the board of education , to
gether with the reports of the officers
of the board , and a synopsis of the
course of study for both the high
school and the grades be printed for
distribution. The benefit resulting
from such distribution will certainly
more than justify the expense.
Finally , let me say that the school
year 1908-1909 has , apparently , been a
successful one for the Norfolk schools.
For whatever success may have
crowned the year lot mo thank , first ,
your honorable body for Its most hear
ty co-operation and support in the ad
ministration of the affairs of the
schools. Lot me thank , too , the school
patrons for their high educational
ideals and their loyalty to the best in
terests of their own children.And ,
further , let me thank the splendid
corps of teachers who labored so har
moniously and untiringly for the edu
cational upbuilding of Norfolk.
Rainwater Recaptured. '
Long Pine Journal : An Indian po
lice from the Pine Ridge ngency wns
in town Monday night nnd took back
with him a young Indian lad named
Rainwater , who was running away
from homo to join a show. The name
gf the officer was Knife.
Junction News' .
R. Murrayjs on this week's sick list.
Engineer Holt nnd Fireman Mar-
chant were up from Scrlbner Monday
to attend the lecture in the air brake
instruction car.
The Chicago and Northwestern air
brake instruction cnr , which has boon
hero for the past alx days , left on No.
S last evening for 5remont for a four
days' stop.