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:
March 7, 1905 - reprinted April 18, 2001This neighborhood was startled to learn that the lifeless remains of Anton Vasek had been found in a field on the farm of his son, Joseph, in Wilson precinct. It appears that the deceased had left his home the afternoon or evening before to go to the home of his son, who lives on an adjoining farm, and not returning before bed time the family naturally thought that he had decided to remain with his son over night. At the son's, no uneasiness was felt for it was thought that the father had gone home. The first intimation they had of the great loss they had sustained was the finding of the remains by a member of the family.
Northern Star Camp, M.W.A. held their ninth annual mask ball at the Kmoch Hall. As on previous occasions this ball was looked forward to with a good deal of interest by our people, both young and old, for the Woodmen balls have always been enjoyable events, and this one was no exception to the rule. By nine o'clock the hall was comfortably filled with merry dancers, keeping time to music by the Zak band, and among the maskers, were many attractive costumes, and the judges' task was by no means an easy one.
Prizes were awarded as follows: First ladies', Emma Splichal, Star of Bethlehem; second, Frances Stodola and Emma Zastera, bakers; third, Julia Mundil, school girl; first gents', Frank Holoubek and Joseph Vavruska, basket and brush makers; second, Mrs. V.J. Chleboun, news boy; third, John Roether, Spanish matador; most comical, Joe Mundil, Clyde and Willie Karel, ball players.