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:
March 17, 1908 - reprinted May 16, 1984John Janda is building a residence on the forr-acre tract owned by him in Cibulka’s addition to Clarkson.
A little daughter brought great joy to the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Ternes in Midland precinct.
Adolph Lukl has sold his two acres Suchy’s addition to Adolph Fiala and Emil Tomes, with each taking one acre. They paid $225 per acre for the land. It was only a few years back that this same land sold for $50 per acre.
Joseph Krikac sold an unimproved 40 acres in Wilson precinct belonging to Emil Zoubek to Gus Johnson for $95 per acre. Pretty good price for unimproved land!
An insurance adjuster came to make a settlement with the Zion church people. Lightning struck the church some time ago, and the sum of $216.75 was awarded. The church people are well pleased with the prompt settlement made.
After a residence in this neighborhood of five years, Vaclav Podany and wife took their departure for their native land— Bohemia. Upon their arrival here they invested in land, which they recently sold at a large advance netting them a considerable sum; they also prospered at farming and have much to show for their five years in America.
There were quite a few of their friends at the depot to see them off and wish them a pleasant and safe voyage. It is their intention to spend the rest of their lives in their native land, but the writers would not be at all surprised to see them back in a few months.Emil Sedlacek returned to his home in Colorado, after several weeks visiting at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sedlacek.
John Bohac, a member of the local Lodge, Z.C.B.J., passed away in the Roman Catholic hospital in Columbus. Adolph Bukacek, secretary of the Lodge, received the sad news.
Bloodhounds will be secured to track down persons who have been cutting wires, breaking down lines and poles for the Big Four Telephone Company. If the parties who have been doing this damage to their line do not quit, they may go to court and get a term in jail or other punishment, they had better mend their ways.
March 24, 1908 - reprinted May 30, 1984A little son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Anton Zabka of Leigh
Frank Hypsa left for Virginia, where he will visit his daughter and family, and if the southern country agrees with his health, he may conclude to go there to live.
Vaclav Podany is hauling out lumber with which to put up a large house and a full set of buildings on the half section farm which he purchased some time ago from Ed Arnold.
A citizens’ caucus was held at the city hall with a large crowd in attendance. J. D. Wolf was chosen chairman, and Joseph Mlnarik, secretary. J. D. Wolf and Dr. S. G. Allen were made nominees for village trustees.
The Chas. Mastny place of 80 acres in southern Adams precinct, was sold at administrators sale at Schuyler and was purchased by Mrs. Mastny for $81 per acre.
Mrs. Anton Zabka passed away March 21 after a residence in this community of 33 years.
Frank Dudek, a former Clarkson boy, has been given an advancement in the business world, having recently been elected assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at Orchard.
John Kopietz, Jr., met with a painful and serious accident at the Fisher farm a few miles northwest of town. He was engaged in discing when the team he was driving took fright and ran away. He was thrown to the ground and the disc passed over him bruising him up in bad shape and cutting a couple ugly deep gashes in his left foot. Dr. Allen was called and attended to his injuries.
They need a bridge across the Platte at Schuyler, but it does appear to us that they will have to wait until the county is in little better shape than it is at present before it is built. The bad taste that followed the last bridge deal is not yet out of the public’s mouth nor have the taxpayers forgotten the illegal debt then incurred.
Kopac Bros. are at work putting in phones for the farmers new company. This is taking place in the Jaroska neighborhood. The new company will connect with the Star Telephone Company line, and through it with the Clarkson exchange.
There was a peoples’ caucus held at the city hall. Ed Koza and W. J. Moore were nominated for village trustees. James Chleboun presided over the caucus and W. J. Moore was secretary. A goodly number of voters turned out.
There is not an extra store building or residene in Clarkson at the present and there is constant call for houses. Several are in the course of being constructed but all are spoken for. Our little city has never experienced a boom, but she has had a steady, substantial growth which is much better.
The time for the assessor’s annual visit is about at hand and some of the men, who during a greater part of the year, swell up and tell of the thousands they have made and have out at interest, put on a poor face and do not list much more for taxation than the inmates at the county poor farm. Some of these chaps need to have a lesson taught them and some day they are going to get it. Not alone do they think their share of the public burden, but they add the crime of perjury to the offense.
Last Saturday a clump, of trees that stood in the center of the street leading east from the Folda residence, 11 in number, were sold at public auction by the village authorities to John Fillipi for $3.10. They have been in the way for some time and the street will be much improved by their being cut.
March 31, 1908 - reprinted June 20, 1984Postmaster Krahulik spent Sunday in Dodge having gone to visit his father, Jos. Krahulik, who is staying at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Janecek, who is seriously ill. He returned to Clarkson to make necessary arrangements to leave his work at the post office expecting to return to Dodge to assist in the care of his father, but after his arrival in Clarkson, he received the sad news that his father died. He died at the age of 83, and during the last four years was burdened heavily with the sorrow of the death of two daughters and then his wife.
The Jos. Krikac home is under quarantine for diphtheria, their son Stanley, being ill with the disease.
Emma, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nemec is sick with lung fever following an attack of the measles.
Dr. T. C. Chudomelka, who recently graduated from a veterinary college at Chicago, has decided to locate in Clarkson, having come up from Dodge yesterday.
During the past week Ed Schultz has been making a killing of ducks and geese at the Schultz farm near Heun, one of his best killings being four geese from a single flock.
The Clarkson debate team will hold their final debate next week. The question and popular research investigation will be: “That School District # 58 should build a 6-room School Brick House.”
After all plans were made to meet, the debate was cancelled because two of the leading debaters were unable to be present.