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 4, 1917 - reprinted May 6, 1981The State began the prosecution of Vaclav Rehak charged with the murder of his wife near Clarkson last summer. Thirty men were examined as jurors and of the men examined the following will pass upon the fate of Rehak: T.W. Dowd, Herbert Lewis, Joseph Herink, Frank J.Evert, J.E. Higgins, Frank J. Dostal, M.M. Brichacek, B.F. Sindelar, Carl Botker, F.J. Hobel, Frank Distier and John Wittera.
The harvesting of Nebraska’s gigantic corn crop is going to tax the labor resources of the State very heavily this year, so heavy that every available man and boy will be needed. Already large, Nebraska’s normal corn acreage was increased more than two million of acres when winter killing of wheat necessitated the replanting of more than three million acres.
Miss Margarete Kuhner, who is presently employed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Hahn is engaged to marry Fred Colsch on Oct. 18.
C.N.W.R.R. Time Table: Going East No. 310, Passenger 9:28 a.m. No. 366, Freight 6:00 p.m. No.340, Freight 8:40 p.m. Going West No. 339 Freight 7:45 a.m. No 365 Freight 1:45 p.m. No. 309 Passenger 9:37 p.m.
F.J. Miller had a quarter page ad advertising The Hammond Melo-Harp Player-Piano.
Kopac brothers, Joe, Anton and Frank, and Judge Fiala of Schuyler returned from a week’s trip to Erickson, where they went on a chicken hunt. Chickens are not too plentiful, but they found a lot of ducks in the lakes thereabouts, but not having decoys, boats or other equipment were not too successful.
Emil J. Novotny and Joe Hejtmanek were among the third contingent of Colfax County’s quota to leave for training at Camp Funston in Kansas.
A Grand Ribbon Ball will be held Oct. 14 at Heun, Nebr. Each lady is requested to bring a piece of ribbon in an envelope and a like piece to have pinned on her dress, or otherwise she will be charged 25 cents admission. The envelopes will be sold to gentlemen and each will be requested to dance three times with the lady, whose envelope he purchased; the gentleman also must treat this partner. Swoboda’s Band will furnish the music.
Howell’s Motor Co., L.J. Evert, proprietor had this ad in The Press: The Buick Valve-in-Hand for 1918-4s and 6s. Model E-4 34 Roadster $795, Model E-4 35 Pass. Car $795. Model E-6 44 Roadster $1265. Model E-6 45 Touring Car $1256. Model E-6 46 Coupe $1695; Model E-6 47 Sedan $1795.
George Humlicek, Editor-In-Chief of Clarkson School News, announced that the CHS Tennis club has been organized and officers are Prof. Prokop president and Miss Toothe, treasurer. Each student will be taxed .25, which will be used to buy several rackets, nets and other necessary equipment. The first match will be with the Leigh High School Tennis Sharks.
George Humlicek also stated that the pedagogy class has been trying some very interesting experiments and came to the conclusion that a person should believe only half of what he sees, and Prof. Lawrence added, “and nothing that he hears.” They also proved that a person is subconscious two thirds of his life – even in daytime, and Prof. said that he had noticed that on several members of the class long ago.
Mrs. Jerry Telecky and little daughter, Genevieve, were passengers from Howells to Omaha, where they plan to visit relatives and incidentally to take in the glorious street parade of the Aksarben.
Kunhart & Drahota sold 80 acres of land that remained in their possession and which was formerly owned by J. Uher and located northeast of Howells, to Louis Vlach for $132.00 per acre.
James A. Drahota sold 120 acres of land located six miles south of Dodge to Louis Bohaboj for $147.00 per acre.
Miss Marie Hajek, who is employed at the Kriz Café in Howells, was called to Clarkson by the serious illness of her mother, Mrs. Peter Hajek.
Mr. and Mrs. Orlie Miller of Howells are mourning over the death of their little boy who died a few hours after birth. Interment was made in Forest Hill cemetery two miles south of town.
Messrs. V. Tresnak and son, Joseph, Frank Semerad, Sr., Fred Taylor, Frank and Joseph Bazata, Edward Dvorak and Misses Mary and Helen Pekarek and Clara Dvorak, journeyed to Omaha to view the grand sights at the Aksarben.
October 17, 1917 - reprinted May 13, 1981The wedding of Verna Kemper of Leigh and Guy Brown of Clarkson was performed by County Judge Fiala at Schuyler. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Kemper and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Brown.
At a special meeting of the Clarkson fire department, it was decided to purchase an auto fire-truck for the use of the department. Clarkson will be the first village in this section of the state to have a fire-fighting apparatus of this kind.
Col. G.A. Eberly, who is quite well known to many of our readers, having practiced law at Stanton several years ago, was appointed Colonel of the colored regiment to be organized at Camp Dodge near Des Moines, Iowa.
Dr. Schultz will devote one hour of his time daily to dental work for drafted men who are called into Uncle Sam’s army service. This work will be done free of charge.
Frank W. Ruzika arrived from Hilger, Mont., to attend the funeral of his mother. She died after a prolonged illness at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Marek at Fremont. She was 61 years old at the time of her death. She came to this country with her husband in 1873. Survivors are three sons, Frank of Hilger, Mont. and Joseph and Anton of this neighborhood and two daughters, Mrs. Henry Marek of Fremont and Mrs. F. J. Vlach of Leigh.
Rev. Filipi solemnized the wedding of Debora Margaret Kuhner and Fred Dolsch at the local Presbyterian Church. The bride is a sister of Mrs. Henry Heifti.
Our attention was called to the fact that the county is flooded with peddlers selling patent medicines of every description and for “everything”. Nearly every farmer buys some of their dope. This may have proved fatal for Mrs. Jerry Hegr who had taken a dose of the stomach medicine which they purchased from a peddler. She had her stomach out of order and thus had taken the medicine. After taking it, her condition became alarming and Dr. Kalal was immediately called and found the medicine used was of very poor quality and not fit for use.
The W.F. Adamek and Co. store advertised Gordon Sheep Lined Coats from $7.50 to $20.00. The Gordon Mackinaws were selling from $7.50 to $13.50.
Christmas packages for Uncle Sam’s soldiers in France must be mailed by Nov. 15 to insure delivery to the boys. This bulletin was received by postmaster G.A. Koza
Mrs. Mary Platz of Scottsbluff arrived at the Anton Odvarka Jr. home for a visit and to get acquainted with her new grandson, Morris Anthony Odvarka.
Wm. Hahn and sons, Walter and Arthur returned from South Dakota, where Walter purchased a half section near Huron, S.D. He and his family plan to move there next spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kunhart and daughter, Vlasta, and son, Waldimir, motored from Howells to Schuyler to visit relatives. They made the trip in their new Buick “6” which they purchased from Howells Motor Co.
Rev. Bartik performed the marriage of Rosie Dusek and Frank Mosansky at Trinity church in Heun. They were attended by Helen Dusek and Otto Cech.
A class of 147 were confirmed at St. John’s church in Howells by Archbishop Harty of Omaha. The entire parish formed in line and headed by the Howells Band met the Bishop near the city park.
October 25, 1917 - reprinted May 20, 1981E.H. Koza, 35, met death in an auto accident on the road leading south of town. He was in company with Anton Nemec, Gustav Gross and Emil Zrust when the car hit a small walk bridge, ran up an embankment and hit a tree. Koza and Nemec were pinned in the auto and the others were thrown from the car. All suffered cuts and bruises. Koza was married to Rose Sindelar, who survives as do two daughters, Alma 10 and Palma 5; aged parents; sister, Mrs. Jos. F. Jirovec and brothers, Joseph R., John W. and Gustav A.
Anton Svehla, Sr., a pioneer of Colfax County, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Vitek.
Miss Frances Pospichal became the bride of Henry Lhotak at SS Cyril and Methodius church with Rev. Bata officiating.
The World-Herald of Omaha requested Emil Folda to open a fund here for tobacco to be sent to the soldiers in France. $8.00 was collected. Those contributing were: Moore and Hobza $1.00, Frank Kubik 0.75, Fred Cosch .50, Jos. Gloser .50, John F. Pimper .60, A.J. Karel .60, Mary Bartak .40, Emil Folda $1.00, Jos. Mundil, Ablin Folda, Adolph Filipi, R. Prokop and Stanley Kubik $2.65.
Clarkson Markets: Wheat $1.95; Rye $1.60; Oats $0.51; Corn $1.70; Eggs $0.32; Butter $0.33 and Hogs $15.00.
J.J. Costello, former resident of Colfax County and father of Mrs. Jaroslav Folda of Schuyler, died in Grand Island after an illness of 7 years, because of Brights disease.
Miss Johanna Nagengast of Howells was married to Herman Zuerline of this city at SS Peter and Paul church in Howells. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. G. Nagengast and the groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Zuerline of Humphrey.
The ringing of the bells in St. John’s church in Howells announced the death of Frank Tuma, 56, who had been ailing for a year. He married Agnes Dolezal, who survives. Also mourning his death are six children, the oldest a boy is 15 and the youngest is 3. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Anton, Martin, Eman and James, and Mrs. J.J. Miller and Mrs. Meister.
Jos. J. Hledik traded his pool hall in Howells with F.J. Thomas of Central City for 80 acres in that vicinity.
John F. Cech, 62, died at his home in Schuyler. He was troubled with an ulcer of the stomach and had been ill about two weeks. He was married to Mary Balata in 1879. Surviving children are Mrs. Emma Miller of Pilger, Mrs. Marie Sindelar, Misses Eleanor, Rose and Helen and Matilda all of Schuyler.
Dr. Kalal reports the birth of bouncing baby boys to Mr. and Mrs. Jos. F. Brabec and Mr. and Mrs. John Podany.
Misses Bozena Odvarka and Olga Cada of Omaha are visiting relatives here for a few days.
F.J. Miller was called to Dodge with his auto hearse to assist Srb Bros. in caring for a funeral. He was also called to Wisner and Howells on a similar mission.