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:
June 5, 1906 - reprinted January 27, 1982Frank Cerv has had John Pospichal move his harness shop back 26 feet from the street line apd will at once build an iron-clad addition to the front of the same 24 by 26 feet. This will be a store room and the remainder of the building for a work shop.
Jacob Lacina passed away from the joy and sorrows of this world last Friday and at the approach of eventide fell into a long and dreamless sleep of death after a residence in this county since the early 70’s.
Miss Anna Vlach became the bride of Emil R. Molle at the Congregational church, Leigh. Their attendants were Miss Anna Vlach and Charles Vlach, both of Clarkson. They have gone into housekeeping at the Molle farn north of Leigh.
June 12, 1906 - reprinted February 17, 1982The town has purchased a new, up-to-date machine to be used to tap water mains. It is not a very imposing looking machine, but it cost $65.00 and does the work to perfection.
Adolf Tomes and Miss Libbie Severa were married by Judge Mapes in Schuyler. They were attended by Miss Emma Chleboun and Joseph Severa, Jr.
Just as we were ready to go to press with this issue of The Herald, little Bohumil Bukacek came to us saying: “There is a dead man at the livery barn and he took poison.” Investigation showed that our little friend was right — there was a dead man in the livery barn. That man was known in life as Vinc Kucera, and he and his family made their home on a farm owned by Widow Musil, about 3 miles south of town. He did not work the place, but occupied the house and worked for neighboring farmers and in town.
A dispatch from Leigh under date of Saturday last gives the following account of the suicide of a farmer of that neighborhood: “Carl Dietz, Sr., an aged farmer, who resided 3 miles northwest of town, was found hanging in the corncrib this morning, a short distance from the house. It seems impossible for him to have taken his own life in the position the body was in. His feet were resting on a pile of cobs and one hand was braced against the side of the crib. He had evidently strangled. The farm on which he resided was just over the line into Stanton county, and the coroner from Stanton held an inquest this evening. As far as his family knows, there is no cause for the suicide. He was about 68 years old.
While working on the Cerv building R. P. Basta fell and struck a joist in such a way as to cut a deep gash about midway between his knee and ankle. Dr. Allan found it necessary to close the wound with a number of stitches.
June 26, 1906 - reprinted February 3, 1982The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Kabes met with a painful accident while at the home of his grandparents. While the 4-year-old was playing in the yard, he was knocked over by a horse and stepped upon by the animal. He received a deep gash cut above the eye, requiring Dr. Allan to put in several stitches to close the wound.
The funeral of the late Vinc. Kucera was held in the C.S.P.S. hall, the services being in charge of the Woodman of the World, the deceased being a member of the order. He carried insurance in the sum of $1500, payable to his wife and two children.
Albert Wolf and Oscar Noh of Midland precinct got in a couple Reeves steam threshing outfits, one of the best rigs made, and when this year’s crop of small grain is harvested, they will be on hand for their share of the work.
James Machacek has purchased the Jos. J. Fajman and Frank Benes three lots formerly owned by them on Main Street a short distance south of the Wolf & Vais implement house. The purchase price Was $600 and we understand that James will build a livery barn on the same.
Joseph Bogner departed this life at the family home, 3˝ miles east of Clarkson. The deceased had not been in good health for some time, but of late he had been much better. The day of his death he was in company with his friend, Rev. Schnuettgen of Howells. Shortly after his departure, Mr. Bogner, who was in the yard, was seen to reel and fall. He had been seized with an attack of the heart, and before he could be taken to the house, his spirit had returned to his Maker.