The Colfax County Press publishes a weekly column entitled Peeking into the Past, which is comprised of articles taken from earlier Colfax County Press files, written by Helen C. Evans. A special thank you to the Colfax County Press for allowing me to reprint those articles! The following are selections from that column:
October 21, 1921 - reprinted January 3, 1990Mrs. V. Simerl is confined to her bed with a serious kidney illness and under the care of a trained nurse and Dr. Meyer.
The Catholic Sokol girls gathered at the Poledna home and tendered Miss Antonia Poledna with a shower of misellaneous articles for which she will find need in her household after the coming week. Various games were played and a sumptuous luncheon added to the pleasure of the occasion.
Theo. Axen, the new salesman at the Palik store, is the proud daddy of a bouncing boy which arrived at their jome. Dr. Hebenstrlet reports the family is doing well.
Ben Schlecht who has been living on the old Bristol place north of town, moved into the vicinity of Norfolk. He moved his personal belongings on board of trucks, Howells Motor Co. and Thos. Nadrchal each making a truck load.
Frank Fiser and Alex Hruby went to Omaha to make purchase of additional stock for their merchandise store.
John Hobza of Maple Creek precinct was suddenly taken ill with kidney trouble and the advice of Dr. Meyer, left immediately for Rochester, Minn., for consultation with the famous specialists of that city.
Mrs. Fanny Dvorak had as guests at her home her sister, Mrs. Marie Matejka and daughter, Georgia, and Mrs. Jos. Crow of St. Paul.
A jolly bunch of Howells young people consisting of the following named—-Misses Sophia Prusa, Antonia Poledna, Barbara Pinker, Alma Poledna, Frances Stanek, Eleanor Rysavy, Maria Drahota, Tillie and Anna Karel, Bessie Herout, Agnes Folda, Anna Pekarek, Adela Dvorak and Helen Konsel and Messrs. James Karel, Jos. Havelka, Frank Peltz, Norman Folda, Jerry Vacha and Filbert Wacha and Frank Kratochvil of Clarkson, motored to Dwight where the ladies participated in an exhibition in the course of a picnic given by the Catholic Sokols of that place, They all spent a most enjoyable Sunday and feel well repaid for the trip.
An auto accident occured on the Black Hills Trail about five miles east of Stanton when a car ran into Cleve Troy, who was driving a team of mules along the road from the field to the farm house of Harry Nicholas, where M. Troy is employed. Mr. Troy was knocked about thirty feet to one side of the road, one arm was broken in two places and he was otherwise badly injured, In fact, so much so, that at first little hope was held for his recovery. He is now in a hospital in Norfolk. The car is supposed to have been an Iowa car, according to information obtained by Sheriff Eli Best, who went to work trying to apprehend the driver who failed to stop after the accident occurred. Thus far the driver has not been located. Mr. Troy is a married man with four small children. He suffered the loss of an eye last year, and this, is [sic] a way, might have been partly responsible for his recent misfortune. —Picket.
At a meeting the proposition of organizing a junior band at Stanton was practically assured. Forty-three students have signified their willingness to become members of the band, and of this number about fifteen have instruments. The ones having no instruments are making rapid strides toward the purchase of suitable instruments and more definite information as to the exact number will be known Friday, as that is the day set for the reporting on the purchase of instruments. A meeting will be held in the city hall at which time it is hoped for a complete organization. —Picket.
The Platte County Union of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union held their annual meeting at Platte Center.
The price agreed upon by the convention for corn husking was 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cents per bushel.
The following resolution was adopted:
Believing as we do that our county taxes have become a burden at this time and that our county board of supervisors are spending money regardless of the burden they are placing on the taxpayers, both in road and other matters, and having no means to ascertain except by personal inspection if the claims are excessive, therefore be it resolved
That it is the sense of this meeting that a committee of three be selected by this convention to inspect those claims and ascertain if excessive and have power to act in those matters and also make a complete report to this convention at each quarterly meeting. —Humphrey Democrat.In commemoration of the event of their marriage which took place fifty years ago, a reception and dinner was given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Werkmeister, Sr., Saturday, October 8th, at the country home of Mr. and Mrs. William Wittgow, with whom the elderly couple make their home. More that half hundred guests were present to recall with them memories of the past half centuries and to wish them many more years crowded with such happy events.
Mr. and Mrs. Werkmeister were married in New York City, October 8th, 1871. They lived there for two years and then came to Nebraska where they have ever since made their home except for eight years spent in Colorado.
They have five children and all of these were present to celebrate the golden wedding. There are also eighteen grandchildren and they too, assisted in commemorating the golden anniversary. A notable feature was the fact that none of the third generation is married.
Though Mr. and Mrs. Werkmeister have reached the advanced age of 77 and 76 respectively, they are still in good health and enjoyed the day immensely. Their children are Henry and Herman Werkmeister and Mrs. William Wittgow of Madison; Mrs. Wymer of Stanton and Mrs. Machmuller of Norfolk. Other relatives from a distance were Mrs. Lucy Weber of Omaha and Mrs. Keler of Norfolk.Romaine Rybinski of Spalding is somewhat at sea as to just where he stands before the world. He is even puzzled a little as to whether he is legally in the world. He feels that he is, and people who talk to him insist he is no ghost, but you never can tell.
Friday, Rybinski walked into Legion headquarters and asked Mark Burke for a bit of advice. To begin with Rybinski enlisted from Platte county in the Great War. He gave his birthplace as "Tarnov", and the obliging clerk finished the designation up by adding "Nebraska".
That made him a citizen in the eyes of the military authorities, although as a matter of fact the Tarnov he had honored by making his first appearance was in far off Poland. He was made a member of Company B. First batallion of the 355th, and in the St. Mihiel salient was badly gassed. So badly that he was reported dead. Later he was discharged and his discharge says he was born in Tarnov, Nebraska.
Now he wants to become a citizen. The naturalization clerk looks at his discharge and says he is one. Also there is an army record that declares he is a "dead one".
And there you are. He cannot vote, being ineligible on two counts, that of being an alien and being dead. On the other hand the army records show that he was born in this country. They also show that he was killed in action. It is a devil of a mess. —Columbus Daily News.
October 21, 1921 - reprinted February 28, 1990John Krula of Schuyler was quite painfully injured last Sunday while north of Dublin church. Mr. Krula had stopped along the highway to visit with Frank Ruzicka. The cars were parked in both sides of the road, when Frank Kasal attempted to drive between them. Mr. Krula was struck, receiving two broken ribs. Mr. Kasal took the injured man to his home and medical attent ion was called. Mr. Krula is again able to be about.
T. J. Ryan moved his family and household goods to Omaha last week, Mr. Ryan having accepted a position with the Henningson Engineering Co. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have been residents of Schuyler for the past nearly two years. He had charge of the construction work of the Wells-Abbott-Nieman company elevator at Schuyler. Mr. Ryan also built the Farmers elevator at Clarkson. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. James Ryan, who will also make their home in Omaha.
William Kunkle, eight-year-old son of Mrs. Carrie Kunkle of Schuyler, had an accident Sunday afternoon about three o’clock that resulted in the breaking of both of his arms. He and another little boy were playing with a sand bag suspended from a tree, when he fell to the ground receiving two fractures of the left forearm and a fracture of the right forearm and a badly sprained wrist. The accident proved to be very painful. William is doing as well as can be expected under the unfortunate circumstances.
Henry Foltz of Schuyler, through his attorney, filed a petition in the district court against Frank J. Muller of Howells, resulting from an automobile collision near Cornlea, Platte county, September 21, when both cars were demolished and Mrs. Foltz was seriously injured according to the petition. The plaintiff brings action to recover $l,200 for the damage to his Buick car, $20O medical attention, and $500 damages by reason of being depived of his wife’s society and companionship. The plaintiff was driving a Buick, and the defendant a Pathfinder, and both cars were “side-swiped” and so badly demolished that both were reduced to a mass of junk, neither being considered worth repairing.
In spite of the rainy weather last Friday, the bankruptcy sale of Floyd Ayers personal property was fairly well attended, the receipts of the day’s sales having amounted to nearly $2000. This amount will approximately settle the claims of the two local banks, but the merchants to whom Ayers was indebted with all probability must suffer the loss as there remains no other property to be liquidated. Mrs. Ayers, who was deserted by her husband, is now on the county’s list, drawing monthly the amount of $30.00 as mother’s pension. It is said Ayers is to be hiding himself somewhere in Colorado, however, there is no conclusive proof available to this effect. This was the first foreclosure sale taking place in this community of late years, but it is thought that there will be more similar failures before next spring.
Alois A. Pimper, proprietor of the Howells battery station, was at Omaha the first of the week making purchase of various electrical goods for his stock. He was accompanied by Leo Weidner who went down to select necessary machinery for his pantorium which he expects to open before long.
Miss Pauline Miller of Leigh spent Sunday here with her friend, Miss Agnes Kolar.
Mr. and Mrs. James Palik, who have been at Excelsior Springs, Mo., the past three weeks, are reported to be on their way home and if all is well expect to be here by this evening.
Warning that Sunday dancing in Platte county must cease under penalty of arrest of the participants was issued by Deputy Sheriff Jaworski last Friday upon receipt of a letter from State Sheriff Gus Hyers of Lincoln, requesting such action. The letter came to Sheriff Kavanaugh but in his absence from the city, Deputy Jaworski handled the matter.
Hyers’ letter said in part:
"You are informed that we have complaints that they are holding dances in your city and your county on Sunday nights. This is against the state laws, and you will please stop further dances that may be held in your city and county on Sunday nights."
Deputy Jaworski promptly notified parties whom he knew had been conducting Sunday dances in the county that they would no longer be tolerated, and insofar as he has been able to acertain there was no terpsichorean indulgence within the limits of his domain Sunday evening. —Columbus Telegram.Four more wrestlers have been added to the card for the American Legion Athletic carnival at Columbus on Armistice day. They are Frank Buresh of Clarkson, Neb., who meets Ralph Ferris, of Palmer, Neb., at 170 and 165 pounds respectively.
Hugo Otoupalik, of Ames, Ia., vs. Stanley Buresh of Clarkson, Neb., both men wrestling at 175 pounds. The matches are of two falls out of three with time limit of one hour and the match to be decided on points if not won within the hour by two falls. Ferris is looked upon as a comer and won a decision over Glover in six minutes at Grand Island last week.
The Buresh brothers are both spoken of as being in the Stecher class, and Otoupalik, who claims to be the championship heavyweight of Iowa, has a record of three years as full back of the football team of the Nebraska university and was heavy weight wrestling champion of that institution. The completed bill is perhaps as imposing and significant as any event of this character during the past two decades. Two wrestlers, (one an exchampion) Stecher and Peters, each feeling that the coming match here will decide their right to force a try at the world championship.
October 27, 1921 - reprinted January 10, 1990JOIN HANDS FOREVER
The first chapter in the wedded life of Frank C. Kratochvil of Clarkson and Miss Antonia L. Poledna of Howells was attained on Tuesday morning on which day they set the date of their marriage. The performance of the nuptial affair consummated at the altar of St. John’s Catholic church at Howells and gave aspect of a very fashionable autumn wedding party.
The ceremony was witnessed by a large throng of friends and relatives. The escorts of the bridal pair were Misses Alma Poledna and Sylvia Kabes and Messrs. John Poledna and Jerome Brabec, all of whom are closely related to the bride and groom. Alice Knight and Marlowe Roether of Clarkson enacted the roles of ring bearers.
After leaving the chapel, the bridal pair, attendants and guest returned to the bride’s home in Howells where an acceptible reception was held.
In the evening a complimentary ball was given in honor of the wedded couple at the Boh. Nat. hall at Howells, music for which was supplied by the Jirovec orchestra of Clarkson. Several hundred guests from Clarkson and Howells responded to the invitation by attending the dance.
The groom is the son of Mrs. Mary Kratochvil of Clarkson, having spent his boyhood days in these presence. He is endowed with the qualifications of a prepossessing young man and will make an affectionate husband. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Poledna, Howells, where she counted her friends by her acquaintance. She is a young lady of captivating beauty and highly entrancing traits of character. For a number of years she held a position at the Howells postoffice and was considerably active in the social affairs of that city.
Mr. and Mrs. Kratochvil will make their home in Clarkson, and will take charge of the Kubik confectionery and ice cream parlor. The Press offers heartiest congratulations to the bridal pair wishing them many years of wedded life filled with life’s richest blessings.The gallon Thermos bottle raffled off for the benefit of the public library was won by Miss Ida Krofta, the lucky number being 10. The drawing took place after the moving picture show and was witnessed by a large crowd.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Faltys, sr., entertained a number of young people at their home in Midland precinct at a birthday party given in honor of their daughter, Miss Elsie. Games and music occupied the greater part of the evening. Promptly at twelve a dainty two-course luncheon was served to the guests.
The guests departed at a late hour, having greatly enjoyed themselves and wishing Elsie many, many more happy birthdays.
Those present at the party were Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cada, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Faltys, Misses Sylvia Cada, Elsie Faltys, Alice Stoklasa, lone Telecky, Stella Tobias, Stella Sindelar, Loretta Faltys and Messrs. Edward Faltys, Adolf Balak, Stanley Tobias, Alvin Teply, Edwin Novotny, Joe Stoklasa, Bohus Cada, Stanley Cada, Frank Cada, Miles Sindelar, Bohus Sindelar and Robert Faltys.Chas. Hansen of Scribner filed a suit in the United States District Court of Minneapolis, Minn., against the Tram City Co., manufactures of farm tractors and plows, for $50,000 damages. Hansen alleged in his complaint that a short time after he purchased one of the company’s plow tractors in [sic] the spring holding the seat broke throwing him and causing the plow to cut him so that it was necessary to have his right foot amputated.
A carload of Colorado apples on U.P. tracks at Schuyler, Friday, and if any left Saturday. Prices $2.00 to $2.40. These apples are of good and select. Free from worms especially the wine-saps. Bring yoursacks. Please tell your neighbors. Car open after supper until 8:30.
The guessing contest conducted at the John F. Pimper store for some time was closed. The object of the contest was to guess the number of pairs of husking mitts exhibited in one of the show windows at the store. With each pair of mitts the purchaser was entitled to a guess and winners were to receive $15.00 in cash in two prizes.
The exact number of mitts placed in the window was 1921 and after divulging the submitted conjectures it was found that Frank Cinfel and John Podany are entitled to the first prize of $10.00, as both turned in the same number, estimating that there were 1920 pairs of mitts in the display.
The second prize, $5.00, was captured by Chas. Brabec, who missed the correct count by only three points, his guess being 1925. The next closest number was 1935. Comparing the numbers it was found that there was a variation of from 200 to 10,000, submitted by approximately 150 contestants taking part in the contest.Kiss Me Caroline? Yes! "Once to Every Man", Sunday evening at the opera house.
CLARKSON MARKETS
Wheat...... $.85
Oats...... .20
Corn...... .25
Rye....... .52
Hogs...... 7.00
Butter...... .23 Eggs...... .37
October 27, 1921 - reprinted January 17, 1990Messrs. R. V. Prokop and Oscar Hahn took charge of the Farmers State Bank, Creston, which passed into the hands of a new management and of which bank they are now stockholders. The others who have purchased stock in the bank are J. D. Wolf and William Hahn, both of whom are to be elected as members of the directorate. These four gentlemen now own controlling stock in the institution. Insofar as the meeting of the directors had not as yet been called it has been informally mentioned that J. D. Wolf will become president of the bank, while R. V. Prokop is to be the cashier and Oscar Hahn, assistant cashier. William Hahn is to be elected as one of the directors.
The bank has been doing a remarkable business since its establishment and we entertain hopes that the new management will be treated to the same courtesy of the Creston people as were their predecessors. In the change Oscar Hahn also became owner of the former cashier’s home, turning in on the deal a 160-acre tract of land owned by him for some years near Wessington, South Dakota.Special attention is called to Johns [sic] F. Pimper’s advertising, announcing a real special in aluminum ware. He is offering a $1.10 kitchen utensil for only 49 cents.
JOYS OF THE COUNTRY EDITOR
Elizabeth, N.J., News
Everybody has written about the trials and tribulations of the country editor, but few have written about his joys.
He stands ahead of the preacher, the lawyer and the public speaker, because he never talks to empty benches, but speaks in all the homes where his paper goes. He never makes impromptu speeches which generally disgust the audience, but writes with deliberation and premeditation. The preacher’s influence for good seldom reaches farther than his congregation, while the editor’s field for good reaches all the congregations of the county. The lawyer makes a great speech in the court house and only one or two hundred persons hear him, but when the editor writes good editorial it is copied in various papers.
The editor distributes more flowers than a florist and he asks nothing in return for them but thanks. The editor has an opportunity to do the individual citizen a service and he never hesitates to do it if consistent with his obligations to the public. The editor has an opportunity to convert men and women to his way of thinking on public questions. As the lighthouse on the shore warns the ships from the rocks the editor can warn the public from frauds and fakers. The editor has the greatest oppportunity to protect society from evil by standing for the law and creating public sentiment for it.
The editor never tires of boosting his town and county, and if both do not grow it is not his fault. He helps the deserving young men With words of commendation and restrains the old by words of warning. His field of usefulness is broader than anyone else in the community, and he does not get any returns for his efforts for settlement he has sufficient reward in seeing things get better. He rejoices in his opportunity for service to his fellow man, his town and his county, and goes on his way rejoicing, whether or not he gets any returns for it.THE PLIGHT OF CORN
With last year’s corn hardly above 23 cents and the new crop going into the elevator in most Nebraska communities at less than 20 cents, the subject of corn as a fuel becomes again a live one. Corn now brings about $7 a ton. Fairly good coal costs just about twice that. By burning corn the farmer saves the cost of hauling the corn to town and the coal to the country. The fuel value of the coal must accordingly be about twice that of corn, pound for pound, to justify the burning of coal instead of corn.
The staple memory of cheap corn to the present generation of Nebraskans goes back to the winter of 1896-7. Much corn was sold that winter for 9, 19 [sic], 11 and 12 cents. The new crop of corn for that winter for 9, 10, 11 and 12 money price of about 50 cents higher than the famous low level of 25 years ago. But the dollar of this year is worth less than one-half the dollar of 1896. In actual buying power, accordingly, corn of 1921 is considerably lower in price than the famous cheap corn of 1896. It takes seventy-five bushels of corn to buy as good a ton of coal now. A hundred bushels of 1896 corn bought a fairly good suit of clothes. It takes about 150 bushels to get an equivalent in clothes value now. As to the difference in taxes, one chokes when he considers it. So it goes down the list, with only a few exceptions.
These comparisons show how extraordinary is the plight of this year’s corn farmers. And let there be no doubt about it, this means a corresponding plight for those who live by trade with the farmers. The coal miners will feel it. The railroals, losing two tons of traffic for every ton of corn used for fuel, will feel it. We must face the fact that this bottomless corn market accentuates severely the industrial and financial problem, not of the corn belt only, but the entire country. —Lincoln Journal.MARRIAGE LICENSES
The following marriage licenses had been issued by the county judge since the last report:
Rob. Doernemann, West Point......24
Kath. Pietzmeier, Dodge...... 28Frank C. Kratochvil, Clarkson......34
Antonia Poledna, Howells......27Wm. Kleinschmidt......22
(Menominie, Neb.)
Anna I. Leikhues, Howells......20Geo. Novotny, St. Edwards......24
Emma L. Konopik, Shell Creek......20Good, well-bred hogs are still in high favor with those who have a vision of the future. This was illustrated at the sale of Poland Chinas on the J. E. Smatlan farm near Schuyler. Farmers and breeders from considerable distance to attend the sale, and the top of the offering, No. 5, was purchased by J. W. Townley of Abie at $87.50. Several others sold around $75, with a general average for the 30 head sold of $43.50.
Buyers were present from Minden, Bartley, Walthill, David City, Utica, Ashland, Cedar Bluffs, Prague, besides throughout Colfax County. Perhaps a larger percent of the offering left the county this year than any sale Mr. Smatlan has ever held. The best value on the farm the past year has been the hog and the milk cows, and farmers who look into the future are preparing for the better marketable farm products.The first public Sale of the season that of Preston Paden near Rogers, was well attended and the property brought splendid prices. Teams sold as high as $250, machinery was snapped up at good prices, and a cow brought a record price, $152. The animal was an exceptionally good one, a Holstein. Mr. Paden has not decided what he will do in the future.
Charles Kutin, 32, of Clarkson, and Miss Esther Svoboda, 19, of Stanton county, were married by County Judge Fiala, in his court chamber.
Miss Agnes Vraspir and John Petr, Sr., Clarkson, were Schuyler callers and purchased tickets for San Francisco and left for the coast. The former expects to spend several months there and the latter will spend the winter with a son, a resident of that city.
October 27, 1921 - reprinted January 31, 1990New Zion Presbyterian Sunday School News:
It doesn’t take only high school and college classes to have pep and spirit as the member of the Golden Rule class will show you. This is one of our liveliest classes and consists of ten members with Mrs. R. B. Hohn for their teacher. As the class motto, these ten girls have chosen the Golden Rule and for their emblem they have rings. The president of this class is Elinor Noh and the secretary-treasurer is Olga Folda. The other members are: Mary Karel, Libbie Zak, Mildred Fillipi, Emma Nebola, Frances Fayman, Edna Indra, Lillie Bukacek and Helen Schwartz. Some time ago, Elinor Noh and Olga Folda gave a program for the benefit of their class. The proceeds of $5.20 will be used for a banner for the class.Our friend, Blahoslav Novotny, is again confined to the bed with his old ailment. Dr. Knight makes daily calls at the home.
Adolph Lukl left for Hastings to attend the state convention of the Nebraska blacksmiths’ association.
Jos. J. Roether has been at Howells where he is in charge of the city light plant during the absence of Engineer Jos. Becker. Mr. Becker is taking medical treatment at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Mrs. John A. Glandt and Mrs. Dora Glandt were down from Leigh calling on friends and doing some shopping.
Several local people were at Dodge taking in the Sokol tournament.
Miss Vlasta Humlicek, who is teaching school at Shelby, came up for a week-end visit with home folks. Her brother, George, took her back with his Ford.
William Svoboda returned home from Wessington, South Dakota, where he spent several days in the interest of real estate holdings. We are informed that he was successful in selling his interest in a 160-acre tract while there. William reports having made a liberal profit on his investment, adding that considerable land has been turning there lately.
John Petr, Sr., and his niece, Miss Agnes Vraspir, left by way of Schuyler for an extended visit to California. They plan to spend the winter months with Dr. Frank Petr, who is enjoying a lucrative business in his western location.
A. J. Karel, F. B. Schultz and Anton Prazak left for a week’s hunting excursion in Cherry county and the neighboring country.
Mrs. Lawrence Roubinek returned here from her visit at Primrose and on Monday departed for her home at Blue Springs after an extended visit with her parents.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Kratochvil of this city, a baby girl, the little Miss having been ushered into this kingdom by Dr. Kavan.
Dr. Knight is making daily calls at the Arthur Hahn home, attending their son, Lloyd, who is laid up with severe case of bronchitis.
County Treasurer Geo. Smith and Otto Dlouhy of Schuyler were in this part of the county, delivering the delinquent tax lists to the newspapers for publication.
John Kopietz and family are enjoying a week's visit from their daughter, Miss Tillie, who arrived here from Detroit, Mich., where she is making her home. Before leaving for the east she will visit with relatives at Schuyler, Omaha and other places in the state.
James A. Drahota of Howells who purchased the large stock of farm implements at Madison, will conduct a clearance sale next Saturday and Monday. Farmers, there is your opportunity to purchase implements at unheard of prices during the past five years.
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