RED CROSS AUCTIONEERS

THE Burt County Red Cross auctioneers made a record for patriotic service during the war that was most commendable, and this record would be incomplete without a mention of their gratuitous work in converting many thousands of dollars into the Red Cross treasury. When the method of community auctions was adopted as the most efficient and satisfactory way of raising Red Cross war funds, the work of the auctioneers began. They responded gladly to each call, sometimes singly, other times in groups, raising the largest funds that their voices and unique abilities would permit. For their valuable service they accepted nothing but thanks. The two pictures on this page, Col. H. N. Marsh of Tekamah, and Col. Thompson of Lyons, are known in their respective localities as successful auctioneers of many years experience in farm and live stock sales of which they make a specialty. The big Red Cross auction sale that was held in Tekamah April 22, 1918 had six auctioneers, the sale opened at ten o'clock A. M., and continued without recess until near midnight. The band played the Star Spangled Banner, to open with Col. Askwig asked for bids on the tune, (not the music) it ran up to several hundred dollars. The crowd would bid on any and everything offered. The Decatur Red Cross report gives Col. Thompson a nice compliment for the successful sale he conducted there. Col. Askwig's mention on next page will give a better idea as to the magnitude of the auction block as a money raiser for Red Cross funds. He was one of the most enthusiastic men in this county in all war drives to raise funds to win the war.

CHAMPION RED CROSS AUCTIONEER

COL. ED. J. ASKWIG of Oakland has the record of raising more money for war activities than any one in this part of Nebraska. It is estimated that the total from the auction sales that he conducted, would aggregate $250,000.00 for the Red Cross and other war funds. Col. Askwig acquired the reputation of being the champion Red Cross auctioneer, his service was in demand far and near. He raised money for the Red Cross at over 70 farm sales in this county, also at 50 miscellaneous meetings, box socials, etc., at one box social he sold 20 boxes for 680.00. Other large sales that he assisted in conducting were the Red Cross drive at Wahoo, Nebraska, which totalled $78,000, Tekamah $27,000, Oakland $25,000, Winslow $25,000. Col. Askwig sold a car of donated Red Cross hogs at the stock yards in Sioux City for $4,500, the largest amount ever paid for a car of hogs on that market. He sold two carloads of Red Cross hogs from his home town at the Omaha stock yards for $7,000. All of this service was rendered without compensation, and to the neglect of his own private affairs. Col. Askwig was (aside from the gratuitous service as auctioneer) personally a large contributor, the Oakland branch of the Red Cross received$2,500 from him in a lump sum, he never asked others to give more than he was willing to do himself.

  Ed. J. Askwig is a Burt county product, the son of pioneer parents, his mother, then a little girl, was a member of the first colony of white people who made permanent settlement in Tekamah, in July, 1855; his father came here in 1857. After their marriage in the sixties, they moved to the Logan valley. The Askwig home was in the early days the halfway house between Tekamah and West Point. It was noted for its hospitality, no one seeking shelter or food was ever turned from the door. The city of Oakland is built on a part of the Askwig's old homestead. Col. Askwig is an energetic, influential man, he knows everybody and everybody knows and respects Ed. J. Askwig.