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:
December 6, 1917 reprinted June 24, 1981A.M. Kander, 72, pioneer Stanton County farmer, passed away Nov. 29. He was born in France in 1845 and saw active duty in the Franco-Prussian war 44 years ago when he was captured by the Germans and taken to Germany where he passed through many hardships. Survivors include 6 sons, 3 daughters, Anton, Louis, Charles, Elmer, Clarence and Michael and Mrs. Hugh, Mrs. John Butterfield and Mrs. Frank Schauerhammer.
William J. Higgins of Schuyler was shot and seriously injured by S.E. majors on the Higgins farm about west of Mema in Custer County. Majors was a renter on the Higgins place. There is said to have been bad blood between the two for some time. Both parties are well advanced in age. The shooting was done with a shotgun.
J.C. Mastny, who is stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas wrote to the publishers of The Press and told them that he was promoted to sergeant and is now battalion color sergeant, which means that "I now am carrying our Old Glory in the field and am going to carry it all the way to Berlin."
Jos. Kotan marketed 8 hogs to Jonas & Zak for which he received the sum of $736.50 or $92.06 for each.
Dr. Allen reports the birth of a baby boy to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Teply; and baby girls to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Sobota of near Heun and Mr. and Mrs. Emil Knapp. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. John V. Jura of Wilson.
Walter Hahn and Wm. Svoboda returned from Wessington, S.D. where Mr. Hahn owns a half section of land. Mr. Svoboda is very well pleased with the land and chances are that he many invest.
Mrs. Louis J. Sedlak of Leigh and her mother, Mrs. George Hanel of this place are spending a few days with relatives in Fremont. Mr. Sedlak is attending the implement dealers convention in Moline, Ill.
Miss Emma Jensen and Mr. Ben J. Haas were married by the county judge in Schuyler. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jensen, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Haas, all of Howells.
Howells Editor H.E. Phelps and wife, Edward Kolash and Dr. H.D. Meyers made a motor drive to Fremont to interview Hon. Dan V. Stephens, United States congressman, who has just returned from a 49-day tour through the war zones in Europe.
Dr. Meyers reports the birth of a baby girl to Mr. and Mrs. John Novotny.
Anton, 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Miller of Howells is confined to his room with an attack of quinsy.
The Press Office had an ad in the paper: "Have your sale bills printed in English or Bohemian."
Missing Date - but probably December 6 or 13, 1917 - reprinted July 8, 1981Word was received here from Bruno, that the 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Koci, met his death while attending a tractor. In some manner his coat was caught in the clutch, and being forcibly thrown to the frozen ground, he suffered a fractured skull. The accident occurred while shelling corn.
John F. Rosenberry of Clarkson and Miss Olga McDade of Spiller, Ohio were married in Fremont by Judge Wintersteen.
The organization of the home guard in Clarkson was completed and the following officers appointed: Bob Novotny, captain; R.B. Prokop, first lieutenant; J.D. Wolf, second lieutenant and Joseph F. Jirovec, bugler.
John J. Novotny accompanied by his daughters, Mrs. Rudolph Hamsa, and Misses Emma and Agnes, left for Kansas to visit their son, Emil who is stationed at Camp Funston.
Miss Josephine Walla, who had been staying at the Emil Teply home, returned to her home in Morse Bluff.
James Diouhy and Jos. F. Kovarik are proud owners of large gas engines and shellers, which they purchased from Mestl Bros.
J.K. Koza, Howells, had a half page ad advertising Pathephone and Victorolas and the prices ranged from $25 to $150.
Auctioneer Phil Roether announced that Jacob Vogel, living 1 ½ miles east and 7 miles north of Clarkson, would hold a public sale December 27.
Kopac Bros., Anton, Ed, Joe and Frank and Mrs. Anton returned to Schuyler from a 7 weeks tour during which time they passed through ten states, covering a distance of 6,742 miles. They arrived home in a howling blizzard, with the thermometer registering 23 degrees below zero. To add to their reception home, they met with tire trouble between David City and Schuyler, and had to change tires in miserable weather. The trip was taken in two Dodge Brothers cars; one had a record of 2,172 miles, and the other 3,000 miles before starting on this long trip. The first car met with two mishaps, two broken springs, and a broken tire rod, the cost of repairs amounting to $1,327, the second car made the entire trip with out one penny spent for repairs
Ralph Milhulka, who has been picking corn out at the George Gless farm near Rogers, claims the champion record for Colfax County this season. On Thanksgiving Day he picked 185 bushels in 9 hours. He picked 105 bushels in four hours and 42 minutes in the forenoon, and 80 bushels in four hours and 18 minutes in the afternoon. He picked four loads and did not have a driver. He unloaded the corn himself, but not in the time mentioned.
W.J. Higgins accompanied his sister, Mrs. F. H. Pollard to his home in Schuyler from Merna where he was hospitalized after being shot by Mr. Majors. He is getting along nicely.
Stealing a march on their friends, Dr. O.P. Schnetzky, well known physician and surgeon at Schuyler and Miss Josephine Kloplitz, nurse at Dr. Schnetzky’s hospital there went to Council Bluffs and were married in the afternoon by Judge James Cooper.
Mrs. E.E. Brodecky at Howells has been quite seriously ill, and Dr. Knight is attending physician. Dr. Knight is also caring for Mrs. W.J. Zrust, who had not been feeling too well of late.
Fire broke out in the Leigh World office when one of the employees was filling the engine, with gasoline, and fumes were ignited from a nearby stove. This caused an explosion which caused flames to spread rapidly over the entire office. Firemen quickly extinguished the fire and a lot of damage resulted. Mr. Kuhle carried about $2,700 worth of insurance. The next day the forms were brought to the Press office to run off the pages of the World.
Prazak Motor Co., reports the sale of new Ford cars to James Stonacek, Edward Stoklass, Anton Urbanek, Henry C. Bahn, Mike Boubin, and W.W. Luxa
Edward Lacina returned to school after a week’s absence.
In geometry the pupils are measuring the distance from the blacksmith shop in the northeast part of town, and the opera house, from the windows of the schoolhouse. This is done in the same manner that shores are measured from ships, for laying out maps.
December 13, 1917 - reprinted July 15, 1981Miss Mary Simunek, one of our practical dress makers, has organized a sewing class which is composed of Misses Frances Kucera, Mary Herinek, Bessie Bos, Anna Hanzl, Agnes Castka, Agnes Popelka, Carrie Malasek, Anna Jirsak and Anna Nadrchal.
Mrs. Frank J. Miller and son, Frankie, were in Omaha Friday and Saturday, where the boy had his tonsils removed by a specialist.
Last Monday was the coldest December day we have had for the past 25 years, when the mercury dropped to 15 below zero.
Mrs. Anna Juva, Sr., died early Saturday morning. She was allotted 73 years of age and is survived by her husband and three sons, Joseph, Frank and John, all of Wilson precinct.
Mrs. Harry Hunt of Leigh experienced a runaway that may have resulted serious. When she started from the farm home the horse she was driving started to run away. Her sister’s children were not thrown from the buggy and when the horse arrived at the farm, the children were still in the buggy and were unhurt.
Miss Josephine Kuzel tendered her resignation as dining-room waitress at the Merchant’s Hotel in Howells and left for her home in the Heun vicinity.
District Clerk Roether was a busy man Friday and Saturday when 18 persons of the Bohemian nationality, and one from Sweden applied for declaration of intentions.
Charles Haidley, a young farmer living southwest of Schuyler, had his hand so badly injured in a corn shredder that it was necessary to amputate all of it but the thumb.
Mrs. Anna Slavik, 68, died at the farm home of her son, William Slavik, after being ill five weeks suffering from heart trouble and dropsy. She was married to Paul Slavik in Moravia in 1873. He died July 6, 1912. Survivors are children, John J., Raymond J., Frank A., Anton J. , William R. Slavik, and Miss Fannie M. Slavik all of this county, and a brother, John Svec of Colfax county.
Frank Smrz, a brother of Mrs. Frank Bos, left for Omaha, where he enlisted in the Ft. Crook Military Band.
The entire community was shocked to hear that Patrick Grogan had died from injuries sustained from being attacked by a vicious bull on his farm north of Schuyler. Grogan, who is retired, went to the farm of his son, Frank, and while driving home the cows and bull that were pasturing in the corn stalks, the bull turned and attacked him, striking him in the back and knocking him forcibly to the ground face downward. Joseph Holoubek, who happened to be riding horseback at the time, saw Mr. Grogan’s perilous situation and rode up to where the bull stood near Mr. Grogan’s prostrate form and tried to drive him away. The bull attacked Holoubek’s horse and knocked it down. He was finally driven away and Mr. Grogan was taken to the house and a doctor summoned. He later died of internal hemorrhaging.
Mrs. Frank Faltys of Clarkson visited Tuesday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Telecky at Howells.
Dr. Myers reports the birth of a baby girl to Mr. and Mrs. Bohumil Svoboda of the Huen community.
December 27, 1917 - reprinted July 22, 1981Miss Bessie Miller was the lucky winner of the diamond ring given away by W.F. Adamek and company’s store. The elegant piece of jewelry is valued at over $50.00.
Jay Arnold, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Arnold of Stanton County, enlisted in the aviation service to help Uncle Sam and is now stationed at Scott Field, Bellevue, Illinois.
The 11-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hahn is seriously ill with pneumonia. Dr. Allen and Miss Anna Rosicky are attending the little fellow, who had been ill several days.
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stoklasa.
Miss Esther Faiman was a passenger to Stanton to visit her sister, Edna, who is one of Stanton County’s rural teachers.
Miss Pauline Polansky is visiting in Neligh with her sister, Mrs. Louis Spangler and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Holoubek are the parents of a fine 12-lb baby boy. Dr. Kalal reports mother and baby are doing very nicely.
Earl Rosicky who is employed in Lynch by the Dusatko-Lightner Grain Co., came by auto for a visit with relatives. He will go to Mondamin, Iowa for a visit with his brother, William.
Jos. Cada, Jos. R. Vitek, Louis Rother, Thos. Chudomelka and their wives, and Miss Rose Cada and Jerry Hanel had Christmas dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Mrsny at Leigh.
Gus Lerch, who resides 3 miles east of Clarkson will hold a public auction January 8.
Edward Kutin returned from Traer, Iowa, where he spent the last week visiting relatives. Mr. Kutin also brought back his youngest son, who has been staying with his grandparents since the demise of Mrs. Kutin.
Clarkson markets: Wheat—42.00, Oats--.72, Corn --$1.15, Hogs--$16.00, Butter -.30, Eggs--.35.
Frank Benes and sons, Frank and Emil spent Christmas in Howells at the Ludwig Luxa home.
Thursday proved to be an unlucky day for Henry Neuhaus of Leigh. That morning he lost a fine horse and later in the day as he was standing on the endgate to unload some corn, the endgate gave away and he fell and broke his right forearm.
Last week we reported that two of Leigh’s teachers, Misses Grace Titus and Nellie Armstrong had resigned. School was dismissed in the two rooms taught by these two teachers. The school board held a special meeting and adjusted matters so that the teachers went back to teaching Monday. The trouble arose over the grading of some of the pupils. The school board passed a resolution to leave the pupils in their present grade until Feb 1 on trial; if they fail to show improvement they will, of course, be put back.
Frank J. Miller reports the sale of pianos and players to the following: Ed. Cinfel, Frank Trojan, Louis Rozmarin, Jos. Nemec, Frank Rozmarin, Jos. Vesely, Frank Novotny, Jos. Novotny, Jos. R. Vitek and Emil Konicek.
Mrs. Vaclav Roubal, 79, is quite ill at the home of her son, Emil, in the Tabor locality.
Harry May, who had been farming the John Noh place the past few years, will hold a public auction Jan 16.
At meetings held by Howells and Clarkson businessmen, it was decided to close all business houses hereafter at 6:00 p.m. commencing Jan. 1, 1918. This is advocated by the State Council of Defense, and is done for the reason to save fuel and light during the period of war. All places will close with the exception of restaurants, barber shops, drug store and soft drink emporiums. In the summer time when heat and light will not be needed, it is quite likely that this rule will be changed.
A baby girl arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Dvorak at Howells.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vacha, Sr. entertained on Christmas Day for their son, Jerry, who is home on a 12 day furlough. The Vacha’s reside on a farm two miles south of Howells. Jerry is stationed at Great Lakes, Ill.
Mrs. Josephine Kuzel journeyed to Clarkson form Howells to spend the day with Mrs. Frank Vrbicky. The ladies are sisters.