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:
April 2, 1931 - reprinted January 30, 2002Two trios of fitch arrived from Europe for propagation purposes at The Nebraska Fur Farm, near Madison. One trio of dark-fitch comes from Germany and the other a pure white from Sweden, all of which are extra fine animals. This is a newly developed animal and there are only a few pair in the entire United States.
A carload of various other animals is scheduled to arrive at the farm from Texas in about 10 days. It is planned to open the farm to the public on April 19th, and keep it open to visitors only on Sundays and holidays thereafter.The many friends of Chas. F. PolaChek will undoubtedly be pleased to read the glad news that Charles was united in marriage the previous week to Miss Gladys O. Davis, of McAlester, Oklahoma. "Chuck" as he is known to his friends here, has made his home in Clayton, New Mexico, for the past two years and we are told that he and his wife will establish their future home in that city. Some time ago, Mr. PolaChek changed his adopted name to Charles F. La Vance, the name of his deceased father.
Following is an account of the nuptial rites as published in the Clayton, New Mexico, paper:
Ancient Prayer Rug Figures in Local Nuptials
Miss Gladys Davis, Grade School Teacher, Becomes Bride
An event of unusual interest to local folk took place in the city, when Miss Gladys O. Davis became the bride of Mr. Charles F. La Vance at one of the most attractive weddings of the season.
The service took place at the home of Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Winchester, which was charmingly decorated for the occasion with flowers in pastel colors. The bride and groom stood on a prayer rug made in Arabia in 1616, under an arch decorated in ferns. The beautiful and impressive ring ceremony was read by the Reverend Van Gundy. Seven-thirty was the hour for the event. Mrs. La Vance was attended by Miss Dia Heringa, and Fletcher Davis, Jr., acted as best man for Mr. La Vance.
The bride presented a lovely picture in a striking costume of skipper blue georgette ensemble with a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
Mrs. La Vance is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Davis of McAlester, Oklahoma, and is a woman of unusual personality. She attended the Southeastern Teachers College at Durant, Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma, and last summer she studied violin in the University of California at Berkeley. The young married set will welcome Mrs. La Vance as a charming new addition to Clayton.
Mr. La Vance is the son of Mrs. Frances Polacheck of Clarkson, Nebraska, who has made a host of friends in this city. He plans to continue the study of medicine at Oklahoma University in September.
They will make their home at 511 E. Main Street.Mr. and Mrs. C.F. La Vance gave a four-course birthday dinner for Mrs. La Vance's brother, Fletcher Davis. Covers were laid for the following: Mr. and Mrs. La Vance, Miss Dia Heringa and the honor guest, Mr. Fletcher Davis, Jr.
Mrs. Orin Stepanek arrived here from Lincoln for a few days' visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Folda. Mrs. Stepanek made the trip in a new Chevrolet sedan which they purchased a few days ago.
Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Miller were in Omaha where they made selection of additional stock for their furniture store.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Folda, Mrs. J.A. Kucera and Mrs. Orin Stepanek, the latter of Lincoln, made a trip to Omaha.
Jos. Novotny, who had been visiting at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Hula, near Blue Rapids, Kansas, returned home.
John Roether and son, Allan, were under the care of Dr. Vosika for a few days both suffering with ptomaine poisoning.
The snowstorm had a detrimental bearing upon the financial success of the operetta, "Oh, Doctor!" presented that evening at the opera house by the music department of the Clarkson High School. Many outsiders, who planned on coming, were prevented from attending and the audience for the greater part was comprised of town people. However, those who ventured out in the blizzard, highly enjoyed the entertainment.
Adolph Belohard, well-known piano accordion player, favored the audience with a number of pleasing selections played on the wrinkled instrument. Miss Shophie Musil presided at the piano and was chief accompanist for those appearing in the operetta.
The characters appearing in the operetta were: Joe Janda, Lorraine Chleboun, Wylma Dudycha, Paul Koudelka, Joe Pospisil, Donald Jirovec, Valentine Belohrad, Irene Ruzicka, Esther Bukacek, Delores Swoboda, Alice Knight, William Janecek, Joe Ruzicka, Joe Holoubek, William Polacek.
Characters in the ballet were: Emily Zelenda, Wylma Nykodem and Ruth Hahn.
The singing choruses of the patients, nurses and visitors of the sanitarium, cowboys, Mexicans, goddesses and Spanish boys and girls were comprised of the following: Mercedes Beran, Filomena Bourek, Mary Cech, Ardyth Dudek, Margaret Hefti, Anna Hermes, Stephana Juva, Martha Kabes, Ola Kavan, Agnes Lacina, Libbie Nykodem, Helen Richtig, Wylma Nykodem, Lavinia Roether, Lillian Prazak, Wilma Prazak, Adeline Sperl, Elinor Tobias, Arline Travnicek, Florence Vlach, Mary Walla, Marcella Wasko, Rawlin Karel, Joe Loukota, Johnny Mastny, Joe Holoubek, Marvin Teply.
The following appeared in the dancing choruses: Ardyth Dudek, LaVerne Hefti, Barbara Dudycha, Ruth Hahn, Helen Hamernik, Erma Janda, Frances Jonas, Roma Kabes, Esther Loukota, Albie Musil, Vivian Noh, Blanche Polodna, Lillian Stodola, Mildred Stodola, Jennie Sup, Rose Sup, Anne Svoboda.
April 12, 1931 - reprinted August 15, 2001Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Tobias of this city are in receipt of the glad tidings informing them of the arrival of a newly born baby girl at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Rozmarin at Sacramento, California.
A delegation of Clarkson club women consisting of Mrs. F.W. Noh, Mrs. Frank Vnuk, Mrs. L.J. Evert, Mrs. Adolph Kudrna, Mrs. J.R. Vitek, and Mrs. W.F. Hahn were at Leigh attending a public card party given by the Woman's Club of that city. The guests speak of a royal entertainment which also included a fine lunch.
The five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos Molacek fell down a flight of steps while attending rural school and cut a deep gash in his head. The wound was of such serious nature that it was necessary to procure the services of Dr. Kavan.
A delegation of Clarkson people consisting of the following: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ferenc, Mr. and Mrs. Bohumil Beran and little daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. F. Jirovec, Mr. and Mrs. John Schaffer, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Folda, Mrs. V.L. Odvarka, Thomas Drapela, Miss Helen Kacin and Jos. A. Kucera, attended a Bohemian operetta, "Lucifer," at Omaha. Several members of the delegation remained in the city until the following day.