The Leigh World publishes a weekly column entitled Looking Back at the World, which is comprised of articles taken from earlier Leigh World files. A special thank you to the Leigh World for allowing me to reprint those articles. The following are selections from that column:
July 3, 1924 - reprinted October 22, 1997Frank Swoboda spent the early part of the week in Omaha, having been called by the sudden death of his niece, Mrs. Emma Semerad, wife of Frank Semerad, who came to her death through a most pitiful accident.
Mrs. Semerad was returning with her husband from a visit with her parents and while crossing one of the more important streets in the city, Mr. Semerad’s car ran over a traffic wart, the jar throwing Mrs. Semerad out of the car against the pavement. In the fall the ill fortunate woman suffered a severe scalp wound and succumbed to her injury the following day.
She was a woman of about thirty-five years. The funeral was held and besides Mr. Swoboda was also attended by Frank Houfek, Jr. of near Clarkson, who happens to be a distant relative of the Semerad family.
July 3, 1924 - reprinted October 29, 1997Dr. Kavan was a very busy man the past few days. Besides answering numerous minor calls to the sick he presented three families of this neighborhood with baby girls. The lucky parents are Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Karel of this city; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Novotny, living southeast of town and Mr. and Mrs. John S. Podany of Stanton County. Mrs. Novotny will be better remembered as Miss Emma Vitek, formerly of our city.
Anton Kratochvil had the misfortune of having a fine cow killed by lightning in the storm. The cow was insured.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Hoff and daughter, Elaine, were enjoyable visitors at the Rosenbery-Moeller home.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Shuster, Mr. and Mrs. John Shuster and son, Edward, and Ben Bayers spent Sunday visiting at the Frank Trojan home.
Jerry Cerv and family visited at the Jos. Lauda home.
Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Moeller and son, Allen Duane, visited at the A.J. Kratochvil home.
The marriage of Lumir Pokorny and Miss Anna Cakl was consummated at the Heun church on early Tuesday morning. Both principals of the nuptial contract are life-long residents of Colfax County and are popular young people.
Mr. Pokorny is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pokorny, prosperous farmers of Midland precinct. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Cakl, residing east of Clarkson, and a sister of our esteemed townsman, Jos. Cakl.
The wedding jubilee was a quiet affair and was attended only by the very nearest relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Pokorny will reside on a farm in the vicinity of Heun.Three automobile accidents occurred on the main highway leading east of Clarkson within a few hours. While returning from a patient in the country at a late hour of the night, Dr. W.J. Kavan had the misfortune of colliding with a Ford car driven by several boys, son of Joe Dubsky of Schuyler, who were headed eastward. The accident happened near the A.C. Fajman farm one and a half mile east of town. The doctor’s car, a new Dodge coupe, was damaged to the extent of about $75.00. One of the front wheels was rendered useless by the shock and besides this the front fender and frame were absent in. The other car was reduced to a heap of junk.
The second wreck took place near the railroad crossing a mile east of town only a short distance from where the preceding accident happened. Two young men from near West Point were returning home late in the night and having poor lights on their Ford they ran into the signal in the middle of the road east of track. They smashed the front of their car and after getting the necessary repairs in town were able to proceed homeward.
The day wound up with a third accident when Rudolph Nemec and Frank Zdenek came together with theirs cars on the crossing near the Frank Wolf residence on the extreme east of the town. Luckily, both were driving slow and the damage done to the cars does not amount to much. No serious injury was done to the occupants of the cars in either of the three accidents.CLARKSON MARKETV.J. Bosh and family of Marion, Kansas arrived here for a two weeks’ visit with Clarkson relatives and old-time friends. Mr. Bosh is a former Colfax County resident, having moved from here to Kansas a good many years ago. Mr. Bosh has met with exceptional success in Kansas and today is the owner of several fine farms in the vicinity of Marion. His land holdings adjoin rich oil fields and producing wells may be found within a few rods of his land. Mr. Bosh and his family made the trip to Clarkson by automobile, covering the distance in nine hours.
Wheat------------------$1.00
Corn----------------------.82
Oats----------------------.48
Hogs--------------------6.30
Rye-----------------------.60
Butter--------------------.25
Eggs---------------------.20Dr. Kavan removed adenoids for Vernon, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton F. Teply.
Frank J. Svik sold the residence property he owned in the northwest part of town for several years to Edward Panek, the consideration being $3150. Mr. Panek and his wife are making arrangements to leave the farm and will move to town. The property is now being occupied by the Frank Polacek family.
Victor Wacha, who had been employed at the Fajman Motor Co.’s garage resigned his position and departed for Chicago where he has taken up employment with an undertaking firm. Victor decided this to be his future vocation and will at once also take up embalming.
After a lingering illness of many months, the past four months helpless and bedridden, Joseph Liekhus, Sr., a pioneer and early settler of Dodge, laid down the burdens of life and went to his reward to the glories of the Great Beyond.
The deceased, so well known to almost everybody in these parts, was ever a man right with himself, with his fellow beings and with God. A true honest man of sterling qualities and highest aims. Ever helpful, kind and obliging, and although his trials and tribulations were many, he bore all with fortitude and forbearance of true and ever trusting and obeying the supreme powers above. Of him it can be said that his earthly sojourn was one of love and devotion and all loved ones surviving mourn a departed parent to whom respect and reverence is due.
Joseph Liekhus was born in the year 1843 in Germany, on July 25, having attained the age of almost 81 years. He was united in marriage as yet in his native land to Miss Mary Wieneke and they immigrated to the United States in 1875 and located in this section which had been the home of the family ever since. To the union were born, Mrs. Mary Wick of Texas, Henry of Lincoln, Bernard of South Dakota, Anna of Constance, Kansas, Joseph, Jr., Martin, August and Elizabeth, all living near Dodge.
The funeral was conducted with requiem mass and services at the Sacred heart Church at Olean and Internment made in the burial adjoining.
July 3, 1924 - reprinted November 5, 1997Dominik Markytan, a prudent young farmer residing northeast of Howells, died at his home Saturday morning. Mr. Markytan arose that morning at his usual hour and went after his chores. His first work was to feed the horses and after this was done he harnessed one of the teams and was preparing to go out into the field. As he was not returning from the stable to get his breakfast, Mrs. Markytan went to the barn to see what was detaining him and to her surprise found his lifeless body.
The deceased was a man of thirty-five years of age, having been born in Bohemia on the 2nd day of August 1889. He came to America about sixteen years ago and for several years made his home on a farm in the vicinity of Heun. Four years ago he moved onto the Gus Bazata farm in Cuming County, northeast of Howells, and lived here up to this time.
The deceased is a brother of John Markytan of Clarkson and Mrs. M. J. Benes of near Howells. Besides his widow he is survived by three sons, Stanley, Ladislav and Frank, and one daughter, Alice. He also leaves an aged mother, one sister, and one brother in the old country.
The funeral was held with internment in the Bohemian National Cemetery west of Howells.C.M. Phillips, Schuyler, who was so severely injured while in the employ of the Fremont Construction Co., on the new bridge crossing Shell Creek, south of the Ernest farm, in Shell Creek precinct, has so far recovered that he is now able to be about. His many friends are pleased to learn of his fast recovery, and that he will so completely recover his former good health.
Rev. Bergt is now qualified to give this admonition, “ Look out for the cars while the bell rings and the whistle sounds,” having a clear understanding of how a motor driver sees danger approaching, and he says it is the next thing to the “nightmare”
Monday, while crossing the Higgins & Coufal crossing, Mr. Bergt had a narrow escape from being hurled into eternity or of being al mussed up at least. He noticed the freight switching in the yards, and also the approach of No. 12. At that instant he was thinking of stopping about 15 paces from the crossing until the trains had cleared. Instead, his mind went blank and before he awakened he was in the middle of the main tracks, and the fast Colorado Special bearing down upon him but a few feet. His engine was giving evidence of halting and with presence of mind sufficient to realize imminent danger, he pressed his foot against the Ford starting clutch and cleared the track just as the monster of steel passed by.
Mr. Bergt fancies his mind became confused because he ;has been driving two cars, one a Buick and the other a Ford, and momentarily he lost all sense of car control. Many motor operators would shrink from confessing this story, but Rev. Bergt believes it should be given full publicity, feeling that perhaps this may be a warning to many who approach a railway crossing with mind focused upon some other topic.Jos. Noh and wife arrived here from Newark, N.J., for an extended visit at the F.W. Noh home. They made the trip by automobile and made stops at numerous places along the route.
Fred Sixta and family who visited here, returned to their home in Gregory, S.D.
Adolph Tomes, member of the Hastings ball team, was here for a few hours visiting at home and calling on friends. The Hastings team is at Norfolk. Quite a few Clarkson people were at Norfolk taking in the games and rooting for the Hastings.
Mrs. Jos. Orel of Howells was here visiting at the home of her sister, Mrs. Frank Benes
Mrs Mary Psota was a passenger to Dodge for a few days’ visit.
Jos. Janecek and family spent time with friends at Pierce. Mr. Janecek is of the opinion that the crops in that part of the state are much better than those right around here..
A.J. Fayman took his wife and little daughter over to Norfolk, where Mrs. Fayman and the child boarded a train for Verdigre to spend a week’s visit with the lady’s parents.
Frank Suchy and Albin Gloser of Omaha were attending the administrator’s sale of the Suchy estate property.
Vaclav Klimes was on the sick list but is now on the mend after having had the attention of Dr. Kavan for several days.
F. J. Miller and son, Frankie, and Frank Houfek, Jr., were Omaha visitors. At Scribner the party was joined by Jos S. Severa of Beemer and Frank Brazda of West Point
Frank Vlach and family spent Sunday with Clarkson relatives. We are informed that Frank is moving his family to Omaha this week from Leigh with the intention of making the city their permanent home Mr. Vlach is connected with the Security State bank at South Omaha.
Two lots belonging to the estate of Frances Suchy, deceased, situated on the corner east of the Presbyterian church, were sold in public sale this afternoon to J.M. Mundil for $1925.00. The intention of Mr. Mundil as to what he intends to do with the lost has not been learned at this late hour..
There were twelve carloads of livestock shipped to Omaha through the Farmers Shipping association of Clarkson. The shippers were: Frank Lacina, car of cattle; John Lange and Emil A. Nykodem, car of hogs; Frank Malena and Anton Kucera, car of hogs; Herman Schaffer and Jos. Indra, car of hogs; Frank J. Brabec and F.J. Novotny, car of hogs; Jos Jilek and John Kassal, car of hogs; John Benes and Jerry Pacas, car of cattle; Smejkal Bros. and Albert Travnicek, car of cattle; J.J. Dvorak and Jos. Jura, car of hogs; Jos. W. Pospichal, car of hogs; Mrs. Mary Brabec and Frank Bartak, car of hogs. One car was made up of individual consignments.
Howells is to have another new brick business structure before long, the same to be erected by Dr. H.D. Myers in a very short time. The doctor has just purchased the two lots south of the Kovar harness shop and as soon as he can get to it he will have a strictly modern office building built on the site. The price paid for the lots is reported at $1100.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted November 19, 1997Providing the plans turn out the way they are being promulgated, Clarkson will have a public park within the period of a very short time. City authorities have entered into bargain for the two lots until lately belonging to the Frances Suchy estate, adjoining the opera house building on the rear, with were bid if for the city at the administrator’s sale by J.M. Mundil at a price of $1925.
We understand that the property is also to serve as a site for the proposed soldiers’ memorial. Although there is a much better site in town available for the purpose than the one decided on, we are lead to believe that the action of those at the head of the movement will be favored by the public as the town is in serious need of an institution of this kind.The steam threshing outfit offered in public sale by the Clarkson Huber Co, was purchased by Messrs. Frank Houfek, Jr., Frank Makovsky and Alois Kudrna, who will operate the outfit jointly. The purchasers were members of the old company and the price paid for the outfit is $450. The shed used for storing the outfit was bought for $185, bringing the total price to $635.00.
The compilation of the program for the big dedication of Colfax County’s magnificent court house and soldiers” memorial to be held at Schuyler is about completed. A summarized outline of which may be found in the double-page spread devoted to the cause in this week’s issue of The Press.
The new courthouse is a building originated on a simple Grecian order, built of light cream faced brick trimmed with light terra cotta The building faces the north, occupying the north half of the block, being 91 feet from east to west and 71 feet from north to south and 52 feet high. There is no basement in the building—there being a ground floor, some four feet above the walk level and three floors above. An electrical self-operating elevator located in the west part of the building runs to all floors.
On the ground floor there is only one office, that of the county surveyor and engineer. There are, however, restrooms for men and women, two large storage vaults, a G. A. R. and American Legion room and a large auditorium.
This auditorium is 56 feet by 42 feet and easily accommodates 500 people. This room is very desirable for holding conventions, public gatherings and meetings. The main offices of the county are on the first floor—the county judge, clerk, treasurer, commissioners and assessor and superintendent of schools having their offices in this part of the building. The commissioners’ office is located between that of the county treasurer and county clerk, this being a very desirable arrangement.
On the second floor may be found the office of the sheriff, county attorney , clerk of the district court and the district court chambers, with separate offices for the district judge, the reporter and cloak and smoking room for the lawyers. The court room is the last word in convenience.
On the third or top floor we find the jail. Separate cells for men and women, a juvenile room, a jailor’s and bailiff’s room and two separate jury rooms. The equipment for this floor provides a sick bed or hospital equipment for emergency cases.
All of the stairways and wainscotting is finished in marble, the corridor floors and toilets in tile. All the office floors are finished in the best grade battleship linoleum. All the main offices are furnished with private toilets and on the second floor, the district court floor, there is a separate toilet and rest rooms for the men and women.
The structure is modern in every respect and was erected at a cost of $250,000.00Shortly after the sun had displayed its rays in the eastern skies, the blast of the fire whistle called out the citizens of Clarkson from their cozy slumber places, denoting that a damaging fire had been discovered in the confines of the town. All attention was directed to a good-sized barn belonging to John Janda, Sr. on the south main street, which was being rapidly consumed by fire.
The fire department appeared on the scene in record time and after playing two streams of water on the wicked conflagration the fire was soon brought under control but not until after the blaze had eaten its way through the top of the roof and one side of the structure.
The alarm was turned in by Mrs. Wm. A. Karel who was sleeping near an open window through which the smoke from the fire fanned by a southeasterly wind worked its way into the room. Mr. Janda estimates his damage at about $100.00 and carried no insurance on the building. The origin of the fire remains a mystery.Below is the list of livestock shippers through the Farmers Shipping Association in Clarkson:
Jos. W. Pospichal, car of hogs; Mrs. Mary Brabec and Frank Bartak, car of hogs; Jos Zoubek and Anton Prosek, car of hogs; Jos. Houfek and Jos Juva Jr., car of hogs; Jos Kral and Theo. Indra, car of hogs; Edward Cinfel, car of cattle; J. Holoubek, car of cattle; Jos. Stoklasa and Frank Jelinek, car of cattle; Jos. Belohrad, car of cattle; Frank Hamsa and Jos. Kucera, car of hogs; Jos. Lauda and Frank Hledik, car of hogs. One carload was comprised of individual loads.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted November 26, 1997History of Colfax County
Compiled from the History of Nebraska, published in year of 1882.
Contributed to the Dedication of the Colfax County Court House and Soldiers’ Monument, at Schuyler, Monday July 21, 1924
Location and Natural Features
Colfax County is one of those rich, prosperous eastern counties of Nebraska situated in the great Valley of the Platte. Dodge County lies to the east, Platte to the west, Stanton to the north and Butler to the south. The county is 41’30’ north latitude, and is located in almost the exact geographical center of the United States.
About 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, the atmosphere is, as a rule, pure, dry and invigorating. The general surface of the county consists of undulating prairie highlands not broken or abrupt, but stretching out in long reaches.
What timber land is left consists of cotton wood, box-elder, ash, walnut, and soft maple, found principally along the streams, About a million forest trees are still standing.
The valleys are well drained by the Platte River and its tributaries, and as the soil therein is a rich loam, plentifully intermixed with sand, immense and fine quantities of hay are raised.
Springs abound throughout the county. Shell Creek, which joins the Platte in the southeastern part of the county, and flows northwest, contains good water powers. In 1868 the first grist mill was erected by J.P. Becker on that stream in the western part of Colfax County. It has now four run of stone.
In 1870 Wells & Nieman erected their mill on Shell Creek. In 1874, W. Dvorak built a grist mill five miles northwest of Schuyler. Messrs. Hansel and Nowak also northeast of town. The grist built a fourth mill tow miles northeast of town. The grist mill of Wells & Nieman has been discontinued, the firm having just built a fine steam mill at Schuyler. The Big Maple and the Little Maple creeks also water the county to the north and northeast, but have no improved water powers.
The farming lands which lie principally outside the valley flourish. Unimproved land sales are prolific in the yield of corn, but wheat does not greatly flourish. Unimproved land sales are prolific in the yield of corn, but wheat does not greatly flourish. Unimproved land sells usually at about $7 per acre, while improved land will range all the way from $10 to $30 according to location. The railroad lands are now about all taken up; only about 30,000 acres laying outside the ten-mile limit being in the market.
Traces of coal have been discovered both in Colfax and Butler Counties, but little has been accomplished towards developing the deposits.
As to livestock, Colfax County is well adapted to the carrying on of this business---especially as it has been noted above, in the Valley of the Platte which abounds as the fine quality of grasses. The best varieties of horse principally raised are the Norman and Clydesdale, of cattle the Shorthorn and of sheep the Merino and Cotswold.
Colfax County contains 276,480 acres of land, and according to the last return made by the assessors, 7,040 acres of this is improved, and 158,346 unimproved—the total valuation $820,146. It is but fair to remark that on account of the great proportion of foreign population the returns do not represent the actual condition of the county. In most cases the figures have bee received from but six out of the eleven assessors, and those who have made returns say that in many cases they found it almost impossible to make their mission plainly understood. With this explanation, the figures, which are in some cases estimates, are given as being the only data, though somewhat unreliable, that could be obtained. The personal property is assessed at $505,048; improved village or city lots $81, 950; unimproved $104,730. This makes the total valuation of property throughout the county, over $1,500,000. This estimate is far below the actual value of such property.
Of the 60,559 acres under cultivation, 26,628 have been sown to wheat, and 28, 189 to corn. There are only a thousand acres of cultivated timber in the country. The livestock exhibit is as follows, the returns being made for 1881: Cattle in the county, 9,058; sheep, 10, 763; horses, 2,802.
According to the last settlement made with the County Treasurer, Jan 20, 1882 there was a balance in the treasury of$19,326.97, The estimated expenses for 1882 are $42,800; the bonded debt of the county, principally on account of bridges and courthouse, is $121,500. At the time the county was organized in 1869, it contained a population of but 200. Within the next years this figure had increased to nearly 1,500. In 1875 the population was 3,651; in 1882, 7,264. In 1869 the property of the county was assessed at $613,615; in 1870, $800,950; 1874, $1,322,610; 1882, $1,512,739.
Until the summer of 1866 the increase in population and property valuation was very slight. There were, generally speaking no houses in the county which were not along the old military road, until the iron horse bounded over this worn trail when not only did new settlers locate, but properly advanced in value and the new civilization came into life. The military road followed quite faithfully the Platte River, while the railroad passed several miles to the north of it. It passed through the entire southern part of Colfax County, there being eighteen miles of road within in bounds. As early as 1860, The Western Union Telegraph Company put up one wire along the military road, but in 1869 this was taken down and a new set of poles and three wires placed in position. Two years later the U.P.R.R. put up a new set of poles and two wires. So that now Colfax County is bound by “all the modern improvements” to the outside world, and its means of communication are complete.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted December 3, 1997In April, 1856, a company was formed in Omaha for the purpose of founding a city at some point on the Platte River beyond North Bend. Gen. Eastbrook, Col. Miller, Isaac Albertson and E. W. Toncray, were among the prominent members thereof, and the latter two were sent out to fix upon a site. In crossing the Elkhorn, Mr. Albertson met with a mishap, which might have cooled the ardor of one less persevering, but not his.
At the date mentioned there was no bridge west of Omaha, and when that stream was reached he prepared to transfer his team and other impedimenta the best way he could. After swimming over his animals he placed his wagon on a raft and started.
The Elkhorn had other than peaceful designs upon himself and companion, however, and turned over every thing human into its raging bosom. The raft and wagon sped down the stream and stuck fast in the mud and thick brush, and the wet, tired and hungry survivors had to carry on a long process of tunneling and chopping before they reached their wagon.
The two men finally halted on the east bank of Shell Creek a little above where it enters the Platte, Range 4 east, and proceeded to found the town of Buchanan. The locality was a few miles east of Schuyler, and the date April 27, 1956. Isaac Albertson and E.W. Toncray afterward held many offices of local trust, being among the foremost citizens of the county.
Mr. Albertson was the first Probate Judge of Platte County, and Mr. Toncray the second. Mr. Albertson lives at present in Fremont, E.W. Toncray at Buffalo. A month later the founders of Columbus passed through Buchanan. Soon afterward the erection of a log “town house” was commenced, but that was about the extent of Buchanan’s growth.
According to the latest returns from the census enumerators the population of Colfax county is 6,588.
But Columbus to the west and North Bend and Fremont to the east sapped its ”life” away, and Buchanan went down finally as hundreds of other paper towns, of the West done. The next permanent settler after the arrival of Mr. Albertson was Daniel Hashberger, who arrived in October, 1856, and still resides upon a portion of the claim he then selected. At the time of his settlement, there were but twenty-five people in Platte County; among those were the families of Albertson and Toncray at Buchanan. These people were among the unfortunates who were obliged to suffer the hardships of the hard winter of 1856-57. Mr. Hashberger was one who braved the storm to Omaha and return.
In February, 1857, his provisions being almost exhausted, he started to make the trip on foot, for the purpose of buying flour, etc. He was unable to return for over a week on account of the terrible weather. At length hearing that the road was opened to the Elkhorn River he hired a team and managed in the course of two days to transfer himself and provisions to that locality where he rested long enough to “dump” his goods. Mr. Hashberger then continued the way afoot.
The biting weather, however, soon enabled him to start back to the Elkhorn with two yoke of oxen and bring the precious freight to its destination. Its journey occupied sixteen days. Fuel was also very scarce that winter, and so difficult to be hauled when obtained, that most of the families in the county were obliged to resort to hand sheds.
To Fort Calhoun, Washington County, for flour and to Omaha for provisions, were the trips which had to be taken, rain or shine, frost of fire, in order to keep body and soul together. It was a fortunate circumstance for the early settlers, however, that game was so abundant. Mr. Albertson, for instance, during the first winter of his stay, shot thirty-three deer and eight elk.
Among the settlers best known who came during the next year, were R.W. Corson, who was the second Justice of the peace of the county of Platte, Henry Kemp and Joseph Skinner in the fall. It soon became somewhat evident that Buchanan would never be a metropolis, and an attempt was made by parties from Council Bluffs to establish a town, the city of Neenah, five miles west of the present Schuyler. Another log shanty was erected, called the “town house,” but the city was even shorter lived than Buchanan. This “city” was located near Shinn’s Ferry. The schemes of speculators evidently did not flourish, and those who settled with the design of tilling the ground fared little better when they had to pay $3 a bushel for miserable soft, seed corn; which they obtained from the Pawnees.
David Anderson, who was an early settler of Colfax County, writes the following, in the nature of a reminiscence: “When I first located in what is now Colfax County, in 1960, I found Judge Albertson and family on the homestead they now occupy; William Davis living on the farm he still owns, two miles east of Schuyler; R. W. Corson moved on to his present farm the same spring; and Daniel Hashberger was engaged raising corn and entertaining pilgrims, where he now resides. William Gillson owned a farm adjoining Hashberger’s that now embraces a portion of what is known as Clarkson’s Addition to Schuyler.
Mr. Rolfer, an old Hollander lived and kept ranche at the slough bridge on the farm now owned by Mr. Hall. James Jeffries owned and lived on the Hurford farm, three miles west of Schuyler. Bushnell, late of Butler county, lived on the adjoining place west; and next to this farm was the famous “Russell’s Ranche”, well known to everybody, owned and run by Joseph Russell, an eccentric old Englishman, who notwithstanding his many eccentricities and bluff manners, was a good neighbor, and valuable citizen.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted December 10, 1997Early History of Colfax County
I have known more than one hundred emigrants to be comfortably entertained at Russell’s during one night, old California, Colorado miners, Oregon families, ranchmen from off the plains and freighters to the mountains. Russell’s House, in fact, became famous as a place of hospitality and fun. Nothing remains today to mark the spot that once was so full of life and animation, but a few locust and cottonwood trees set out by Mr. Russell, whose body is now encased beneath the sod somewhere in the State of Missouri.
Directly south of Russell’s Ranche the well-known Shinn’s rope ferry crossed the Platte River. Moses Shinn, afterward one of the wealthiest citizens of Omaha, preached the gospel in those days to emigrants who passed through that city enroute for the great West. When the Pike’s Peak excitement was on the “rampage”, he is said to have reaped many sly dollars by interspersing among his sermons well-turned advertisements holding up the advantages of Shinn’s ferry over the Columbus institution.
Previous to the building of the Union Pacific road, there were not, in fact, more than a dozen families, who could be called actual settlers in what is now Colfax County. There were the Albertsons, the Toncrays, Michael Erb, Jonas Welch, William Wetherer, Abram Beaman, Joseph Russell, Joseph Skinner, William Davis, Messrs. H. Bushnell, George Spaulding, S. H. Fowler, the Quinns, A. Dunlap, and a few others along the line of the military road, from east to west. Soon after Buchanan was appointed Postmaster, who continues to be oppressed with his honor for some time.
When the road was built the trains, at first, ran very irregularly. It happened, moreover, that they generally passed Buchanan at night, the mail bag being thrown at random, if the train was anywhere in the vicinity of the “post office”. The postmaster’s duties, there fore, as an anxious office holder in continual search of his official documents, were quite arduous. Mr. Davis, the incumbent , at this time, felt that sufficient safeguards were not thrown around the sanctity of the United States mail, upon being informed, once upon a time, that a squad of Indians were coming up the track trying to sell the contents of the bag to all the section whom they passed. P. M. David, therefore, sent in his resignation, and Mr. Albertson again assumed the duties of his position.
A petition was circulated for the appointed of Daniel Hashberger at “Shell Creek”. It was granted by the Government and the new appointee marched over to Buchanan; Mr. Albertson reached overhead and unfastened from the rafters a pine box about three feet in length and two in width, passed the office and its honors over to Postmaster Hashberger, who took both with him to the future Schuyler..First Murder in Colfax County
Five or six years previous to the time when these occurrences were taking place, a tragedy had stirred the monotony of these early days. It was the first within the present limits of Colfax County. The facts are stated by the one conversant therewith, to be as follows:
”The tragedy occurred about three quarters of a mile east of Folda & Lawrence’s stock ranche. High waters occasioned a delay in the crossing of two or three weeks, and during that short period about one thousand wagons gathered on the north bank of the treacherous quicksand hole, called the Great Platte River. As the trains and teams arrived they were numbered so that there would be no quarrelling about crossing first.
At the close of the first day’s ferrying, Hill was killed. His teams and loose stock were the last that were crossed that evening. The last boat were cows; one young calf jumped overboard and came to this shore. As soon as the boat landed the cow came back also. Hill came back with the boat to look after them. He got the cow tied up, they went to the camp of the Brady brothers. As it was their turn first in the morning, Hill asked the privilege of taking his cow over in one of their wagons One of the boys said something about his keeping the cow on the other side when he had her there. Hill became enraged, and as he was under the influence of whiskey, became very abusive. One of the Brady boys knocked him down with a wagon wrench, the blow breaking his left cheek bone. Hill raised himself to a sitting posture, and drawing a pistol, shot Brady in the arm. The other brother knocked him over, took the pistol from him and shot him through the head, killing him instantly. The murderer was arrested and taken before Justice Kemp, whose place was two miles above.
After spitting all over the stove several times, in order to get time to “reflect”, he announced as his decision—“No cause for action.” So that, “legally “speaking, the shooting was no murder, although the man was killed instantly.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted December 17, 1997Early History of Colfax County Other Pioneer Events
The first deed of land recorded for Colfax County was that by which Abram P. Beeman, then of Platte, transferred the fractional lot 6, section 27, Township 17, east of the Sixth Principal Meridian, being part of the island in the Platte River, to James Hashberger. The land consisted of 33.80 acres, and the date was August 18, 1860.
The first homestead entry made in what is now Colfax County, as by Samuel H. Fowler, January 9, 1863, in Section 13, Township 17, Range 2. After the county was organized, Joseph Marshall made the first entry—March 2, 1869. then came D.W. Egbert, Joseph Papez, John Steible, J.W. F. Williams and E.D. Ralston. The latter date was March 24, and at the same time five of the Edgars and the two Tennants entered land. After this the number was legion.
Of the early marriages which took place before Justice Corson are these: James Beaman and Eliza M. Hazen, August 22, 1863; William Warren and Evaline Baldwin, April 10, 1865; Frank McCormick and Agnes Clough, May 27, 1868; Nathan Woods and Angeline Hashberger, August 22, 1868.
In 1867, P.P. Landon, G. M. Toung and James Case settled in what was then Colfax precinct. Among the other early settlers of Colfax County was Mr. Kirk, who came from Omaha in April, 1868, and stopped at “Buchanan”. The town then contained two families—Isaac Albertson, (one) J.M. Paine, F.E. Frye and Mrs. Perige (two). Mr. Kirk finally settled on the southwest quarter, Section 32, Township 18, which was ten miles from Schuyler via Buchanan.
At this time north of Shell Creek and east of the ten mile limit were Messrs. Albertson, Paine and others, Levi Kimball, one mile east of Albertson’s, F. Dunn, P.P. Landon, G.M.Young, on Maple Creek. He commenced a house as soon as he could haul lumber from Fremont, that being the nearest point from which it could be brought. Levi Kimball commenced to build on his pre-emption about this time also. This was afterwards the farm of Neil R. Bellong. He completed his house first. Mr. Kirk had partially finished his, and moved into it May 20. Before the last trunk was taken into the house there commenced one of the hardest blows and thunder storms ever experienced. The door not being hung, threatened to sail off on the wings of the wind. No wonder the women of the house tremblingly asked, “Will we blow away?’ But the wind passed and with it their fears.
Della West, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I.M. West, was the first child born in Schuyler, the date being November 30, 1869. When Mr. West first came to Schuyler, in October of that year, the place contained but twenty buildings. He at once contacted with J.D. Marlin and H.P. Upton, and had erected a building just back of the grange corner, using the front as a provision store and the back part as a dwelling house. Here it was the first child in Schuyler was born.Directors of Stanton County Schools, 1924-1925
1.J.D. Reid, PilgerMayor Ed. Zerzan of Schuyler and his brother Chas. J. Zerzan, an attorney of Portland, Oregon, were in Howells visiting at the Lambert J. Sindelar and L.R. Coufal homes.
2.F.F. Koch, Stanton
3.R.J. Drewelow, Stanton
4. Herman Raabe, Stanton
5. Ed Chilcoat, Stanton
6. Louis Pohlman, Stanton
7. D.J. Wolverton, Pilger
8. Maurice Barr, Stanton
9. Arthur Moritz, Stanton
10. J.F. Perrin, Norfolk
11. Ed Fuhrman, Norfolk
12. A.V. Johnson, Stanton
14. O.M. Scherer, Pilger
15. Mrs. Alf Childrey, Stanton
17. Emil Reichow, Stanton
18. Fred Koehlmoos, Pilger
19. H.F. Voelker, Stanton
20. John Oeltjen, Madison
21. Ernest Sporn, Norfolk
22. Henry Brehmer, Stanton
23. Alvin Barr, Stanton
24. Chas. Dubksy, Stanton
25. Herman Ritze, Pilger
26. Fred Lundquist, Stanton
27. Louis Busch, Howells
28. Otto Fechner Stanton
29. Joseph Pospichal, Clarkson
30. Jos. W. Luxa, Stanton
31. Peter H. Claussen, Leigh
32. Rudolph Shanle, Howells
33. Mrs. Ned Burnham, Pilger
34. Wm. Buckendahl, Stanton
35. Walter Barr, Stanton
36. Leo Ertzner, Norfolk
37. Hilmer Peterson, Creston
38. Louis Tomka, Clarkson
39. Wm Steckelberg, Madison
40. James Walla, Clarkson
41. Fred Baumert, Howells
42. Jerry Cerv, Leigh
43. W.T. Burris, Pilger
44. Elmer Loe, Stanton
45. Wm Harsch, Clarkson
46. Paul Tiedtke, Pilger
47. Ed Tiedtke, Pilger
48. Alois Luxa, Leigh
49. Frank Drapela, Clarkson
50. Otto Eckert, Stanton
51. Emil H. Koza, Stanton
52. Peter Petersen, Stanton
53. Joseph Vesely Clarkson
54. A.A. Hekrdle, Stanton
55. M. L. Black , Madison
56. Otto Brabec, Clarkson
81. Alex Bleyhl NorfolkMrs. Wm. Parr and son, Billy, of Omaha, are in Howells visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hader and other relatives and friends.
Lemer, Thomas and Adaline Tichacek of Linwood were in Howells visiting at the home of their aunt, Mrs. L. R. Coufal and family. Lemer and Adaline returning home the same day while Master Thomas remained for an extended visit.
Frank R. Moore, the efficient and accommodating clerk of the district court of Schuyler, was mingling among the Fourth of July crowd renewing acquaintances and making new friends in Howells. It is needless to say that his many friends were pleased to see him. Mr. Moore is again seeking re-election and, no doubt, that the service he has been rendering will have much to do with his re-election next fall.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted December 24, 1997Gus Harnack, a former resident of Howells, now an inspector for the U.P. railroad in Omaha, was in Howells shaking hands with his many oldtime friends. He has been visiting at the home of his wife’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Jacobs north of Howells, where he and his small son arrived. The young man remained at the farm for the summer while Mr. Harnack returned.
Naturalization Examiner Bode of Omaha was in Schuyler in the official capacity of filing petitions for naturalization. Petitions were filed for the following applicants: Mr. and Mrs. Josephine Kramar of Schuyler; Mrs. Rose Mary Havlik of near Clarkson; Rev. Joseph Havlik of near Clarkson; Frank Steffel of near Dodge. This now makes twelve petitions pending in the district court of Colfax County. Said petitions will be heard on November 12, 1924.----Schuyler Sun
Appropriation Ordinance for 1924
An ordinance making the annual appropriation for the fiscal year a beginning May 1, 1924 and ending April 30, 1925.
Be it ordained by the Chairman and Board of Trustees of the Village of Clarkson, Nebr.
Section 1. that there be and hereby is appropriated for the fiscal year, beginning May 1, 1924 and ending April 30, 1925, for the Village of Clarkson, Nebr., the sum of Twenty-One Thousand Six Hundred Dollars (21,600.00) to be appropriated as follows:Salaries--------------------------$2000.00Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.
Light and water-------------------9000.00
Interest & bonds------------------5000.00
Streets and alleys-----------------1000.00
Attorney fees----------------------100.00
General expenses----------------2500.00
Park fund-------------------------2000.00
Total---------------------------$21,600.00
Passed and approved this 1st day of July 1925.
A. J. Valch, Chairman
Jos. Minarik, ClerkFrank Horak a farmer residing near West Point, and well-known in this section, was arrested by the sheriff of Cuming County on a charge of operating a still. One hundred and fifty gallons of mash and seven gallons of liquor were seized. Horak was fined $200 and costs
Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Brunswick of Leigh plan to leave for a motor trip of several weeks to Montana where they will visit the family of a brother of Mrs. Brunswick. Mrs. Brunswick and her brother have not met for twenty-three years. They will be accompanied by Mrs. Anton Kunhart and daughter, Vlasta, of Howells, who will visit relatives at Lewiston, Montana, enroute the party will tour Yellowstone Park.
Gasoline prices took a tumble in Leigh from 22 to 17 cents per gallon. This step was taken by the local independent oil company. It is stated that they were forced to it by competition from neighboring towns where a gasoline war price is in progress. One local station which handles both the Standard gas and the independent gas, and which operates two gas line pumps, had up large signs quoting the price of 17 cents on the independent pump and 22 cents on the Standard pump
F.L. Vlach and family of Leigh moved to Omaha where they will reside. Their many friends here will regret their departure, but will wish them well in their new home. They were tendered a farewell party at the Joe Vlach home near Clarkson where all their relatives gathered to bid them Godspeed.
An effort was made to revive the Leigh Commercial Club. A meeting was held at the town hall at which about a dozen business men were present. Officers were elected as follows: President, R. H. Goodge; vice-president, John Brock; sec.-treas., Gordon McNary. Members of the board of directors are Louis Hahn and Wm. Hespe. It was decided to have a band stand erected that can be used for the fort-nightly band concerts as well as other public gatherings. A committee, consisting of Wm. Hespe, Louis Hahn, John Brock and Joe Tesar, was appointed to have charge of the matter. It was also decided to have signs at various places along the roads leading into Leigh, with the name of the town and the distance on them. This matter was left to Messrs. Wm Hespe. Thos Mortimer and F.J. Smrz.
We are told that the John F. Pimper family of Howells is making arrangements to move to Scribner where Mr. Pimper will take charge of the Clifton hostelry. John has had some experience along this line and from the way the proposition looms up he will have a good thing. The Pimper residence here is to be occupied by the Frank Pimper family who will move here from Howells in a few days. Mr. Pimper is employed as meat carver at the Ference butcher shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Jaroslav Holas, who expect to move in a short time to Czechslovakia, will dispose of their household furnishings and other personal property at public sale, Saturday, July 19.
Suit has been filed in Dodge county district court by the state of Nebraska through Attorney General O.S. Spillman requesting that the first state bank of Nickerson be declared insolvent and turned into the hands of the receiver.
The state asks that Emil Folda of Clarkson be appointed receiver. A report to show that the capital has been impaired is attached to the petition. The institution recently figured in the news with the indictment of C.E. Negus, and Wm. Anderson, former officials of the bank, on embezzlement charges. Last fall the bank was reported to have been robbed of nearly $26,000 when the time lock safe was found open on a Monday morning.Fred Kucera, one of the prominent farmers and breeders of this locality, has just received a fine accordion from Czechoslovakia. It is an elegant instrument and has cost Mr. Kucera a good sum of money. We understand that several other parties from this neighborhood have placed orders for the same king of instruments and are expecting their arrival most any day. Mr. Kucera is a fond lover of music and is an expert manipulator when it comes to handling an accordion.
July 10, 1924 - reprinted December 31, 1997F.C. Kratochvil severely injured the thumb on his left hand while cutting ice. The big ice saw he was using fell forcibly on his thumb, severing a blood vessel near the second joint.
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brester of Howells. Dr. Myers reporting both mother and babe doing fine.
Emil Hanzel and family of Oakley, Idaho, were guests at the Jos. J. Hanzel home. Mr. Hanzel came down by auto and visited with relatives at Platte Center and Dodge.
Mrs. John Stracek of Howells was taken seriously sick and was at once ordered to the hospital at Schuyler where she underwent an operation for gall stones. At this writing she is getting along very nicely.
Anton Elbracht, Sr., an old resident of Howells, is seriously ill at his home with infirmities incident to old age. He is receiving medical attention at the hand of Dr. Myers.
Frank Bazata and his wife of Howells returned from Omaha where Mr. Bazata spent several weeks in a hospital. Although he feels greatly improved in health, it will require several more weeks before he will be able to be around.
Jos. A. Novak and family of Howells motored to Omaha for a short visit.
Pytlik Bros. have just installed a large new ice box in their meat market in Howells. It is a good deal larger than the old one and is equipped with a modern cooling system.
Jerry and Edward Telecky of Howells each shipped two carloads of prime cattle to the Omaha market and as always has been the case they received the top price of the day for the class of cattle they had. They were a fine bunch and their condition disclosed that they were handled by competent feeders. The Telecky Bros., four of them in number, are extensive cattle feeders as was their father, Frank Telecky, in years gone by. It is seldom that they ship stock and do not set the pace for the day at the Omaha market.
F. W. Noh, Anton Dusatko and Ernest Hamsa returned to Omaha to resume their duties as jurymen in federal court after spending several days at home. The gentlemen have been serving for several weeks and from the appearance of the long list of cases on the docket, they may be needed for a few more. Judge McGee of Minneapolis, the presiding officer, has meted several stiff fines and sentences to a number of bootleggers and is trying his best to clean up the list as rapidly as possible.
William Noh, an ex-Clarkson resident and his son, Harry, of Twin Falls, Idaho, arrived in Clarkson for a short visit with relatives and a renewal of friendship with our old-timers. They stopped off on their return trip from Chicago where they marketed a six double-decked carloads of sheep for which they received a fancy price.
Messers. Noh and Noh are engaged extensively in the sheep business operating on a large scale. From our conversation with Mr. Noh, Sr., we have learned that the sheep business out west is a very profitable proposition and many sheep raisers have realized handsome profits on their flocks. Farmers who devoted their time exclusively to the sheep business are in splendid financial shape and generally know nothing of the hard times so frequently heard of among the cattle raisers of the country. Mr. Noh is of the opinion that he is living in as good a community as can be found anywhere in the United States. The climate is more stabilized and anything from vegetables to the very choicest grade of fruit can be raised in Idaho profitably.CLARKSON MARKETLarge addition will be added to all three of the hog barns at the Colfax County Fair grounds and work on the same will be started in the near future. The committee in charge of this work has had the matter under consideration and has decided to add an addition of 30 feet to each of the three barns. Some other needed improvements will also be made.
Wheat------------------------$ .95
Corn--------------------------- .87
Oats----------------------------.48
Rye-----------------------------.60
Hogs--------------------------6.45
Butter---------------------------.25
Eggs----------------------------.20P.J. Engel and Chas. R. Kuhle, who have made a recent survey of the county in the interest of the fair, report that they find much interest in the coming fair everywhere. Many orders for hog pens have already been received and from the present indications the hog, horse and cattle barns, as well as the poultry barn, will be filled to overflowing.
Filbert Wacha is a receipt of a letter from his brother, Victor, wherein he is told that the young man arrived safely at his destination, Chicago, and has immediately taken up employment with the undertaking firm of Cermak & Kostecek, known as one of the leading Bohemian concern of this kind in Chicago. So far Victor is greatly pleased with his new avocation and speaks in praise of the windy city.
Louis Jurka went to Fremont for a visit with his brother, John, and also to look after property interests in that city.
Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Richtig and Mrs. F. J. Miller and children motored to Omaha this morning.
Rev. B.A. Filipi was at Prague delivering an oration at the fourth of July celebration held in that city.
Miss Rosie Manak returned to her position at Omaha after spending a few days with her brothers north of town.
Through his carelessness in handling fire crackers, Frank Herout, seventeen-year-old son of Anton Herout, came near losing his right eye. A large cracker exploded near his eye, severely injuring it and causing an internal hemorrhage. Dr. Myers dressed the injury and from present indications he will be able to save the eye.