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:
July 7, 1908 - reprinted March 13, 1985A little daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gus Muhs.
John Svoboda went to Omaha the Fourth of July to visit his two sons, who were both operated on for appendicitis. He returned last evening. His daughter, Annie, who went down to assist in caring for her brothers, has been taken ill with smallpox. This family is certainly having more then their share of affliction.
The Clarkson band boys have some nobby new suits which they wore for the first time on the Fourth on ther trip to Nickerson, where they filled an engagement to furnish music for the celebration at that place.
Before leaving here Saturday morning, they favored our people by playing a number of selections on our streets, and after their return Sunday, they gave an open air concert.The fine new awning recently put up by Miss Mary Bukacek in front of her place was destroyed by fire in some unaccountable manner. Some think it was struck by lightning during the electrical storm during the night.
Charles J. Malena sold 40 acres of land to F. J. Hobel which now gives Frank a nice farm of 160 acres. The price paid was $80 per acre.
Among the accidents recorded which occurred last week, we notice that the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burner, formerly of this locality, had a hole blown through his head by the explosion of a blank cartridge while loading a toy pistol. The family resides in Stanton, where John is now running a hotel.
Jos. S. Lodl has disposed of his livery stock and business to Jerry Sindelar. The new owner has been employed at the barn and goes into business knowing just what he is undertaking.
Mrs. L. Roubinek, who has been receiving treatment for the past three weeks at Omaha, preparatory to an operation to be performed today, arrived Saturday evening to spend Sunday with her family. On her return to Omaha yesterday, she was accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Rainold Folda.
In the Fourth of July celebration here, the following received prizes in the various contests conducted that day, first, second and third prizes:
Men race - Louis Tomes, Carl Stangel, Philip Roether;
Boys race, 15 and under - L. Roether, A. Hahn, E. Stangel;
Girls race - Agnes Vraspir, Elsie Roether, Ida Swoboda;
Egg race - Carl Stangel, Jos. Kratochvil, L. Kubik;
Sack race - Anton Teply, Henry Hoffmann;
Three-Legged race - Jos. Vitek and Arthur Hahn; Louis Tomes and Jos. Kratochvil;
Ladies clothes pin contest - Mrs. E. F. Kutin, Josie Pojar, Agnes Bohaboj;
Wheelborrow race - blindfolded - Arthur Hahn and Jos. Vitek.
The horse race was won by Frank Hunt’s horse, with Frank Fisher’s a close second.
July 21, 1908 - reprinted April 17, 1985Friends here are in receipt of the news of the marriage in South Dakota last week, of Frank Sima and Mrs. Rose Mundil, formerly of this place.
As we go to press, Will Hahn has just finished harvesting 33 acres of winter wheat on his farm north of town, which averaged 30 bushels per acre. At the present market price, 80c the crop is worth about $24 per acre.
Joseph Rozmarin, carrier on route No. 3, tells us that on Sunday night a mare and 10-month-old colt were stolen from the Emil Bohaboj place, 10 miles north of town. Up to last evening no trace was found, but Sheriff Stucker of Stanton is on their trail with bloodhounds.
A pubic reception was held for Fred Sixta and E. F. Kutin and ther wives at the Bos hall, Saturday evening.
While visiting a patient, Dr. E. Wirth suffered a stroke of paralysis which affected the right side of his body. His family was notified and his wife and daughter arrived in the evening of the same day and in a few days when it was felt safe for him to be moved, they took him to his home in Omaha.
Clarkson is to have another fine brick business block, the same to be erected by John Chleboun on the corner where now stand the two buildings occupied by V. J. Chleboun & Bros., with their store of general merchandise.
The building occupied by the grocery last week [was purchased?] by Mr. Chleboun of J. D. Wolf for the consideration of $500.
The building used for the dry goods department has been sold to F. J. Miller, who will move it onto the lot he recently purchased of Mr. Chleboun for $1,350, situated just north of the post office. After being moved it will be added onto making it 100 feet in length.
The new brick block, which will be occupied by V. J. Chleboun & Bros. will be 45 x 100 feet, one story and a basement.