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 5, 1917 - reprinted February 4, 1981Fajman Motor Co. sold 5 high priced cars to the following in 10 days: Mrs. F.W. Vath of Sidney, a Cadillac 8; M.J. Higgins of Schuyler, a Cadillac 8; Hon. W. McAllister of Neligh, a Cadillac 8 and to Mr. McIntosh of Sidney also a Cadillac 8; Miles Husak, an Overland.
Mrs. Mike Dvorak had the misfortune to become quite severely scalded by overturning a vessel she had on her stove at her home in Howells.
John Pokorny purchased the J.M. Watt 350 acre farm located 9 miles south of Howells for $51,000.00.
Miss Tillie Dostal has accepted a clerkship position with the J.E. Sindelar store in Howells.
People who are always constipated which brings on headaches, sallow color, foul breath, poor appetite should not delay a minute but take Holister’s Rocky Mountain Tea. Now for .35 at Koza Pharmacy.
Fajman Motor Co. reports the sale of a Wallis Cub Junior tractor to Leo Krepela. They also equipped Mr. Krepela with a set of triple plows and a 12-foot engine lift harrow.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Indra are rejoicing over the arrival of a baby boy born Sunday.
A threshing union was formed between Jos. Kabes, Jos. Travnicek and Anton Travnicek who have purchased the threshing outfit from Fajman and Prazak. The outfit consists of a cub tractor and a Reeves separator, which makes first-class equipment to the purchasers.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Roether accompanied by Edward Zelenda and Miss Elsie Roether took in the auto races July 4 in Omaha. Their main pleasure was to meet Wm. Karel and Leonard Noh, who are stationed at Fort Crook.
A.C. Fajman accompanied by Jos. Vacin, delivered a Cadillac 8 cylinder car to Sidney, Nebr. They left Schuyler accompanied by Mrs. F.W. Vath, purchaser of the car and her 3 sons, at 8 o’clock this morning. They reached Grand Island a distance of 111 miles at 11:30 after making several stops. At 12:30 they proceeded on their trip. At 5 p.m. they arrived in North Platte taking an hour and forty-five minutes for refreshments and lunch. They reached Sidney at 9 50 p.m., a distance of 375 miles from Schuyler. When only the actual time they spent on the road is taken into consideration, it was a very good run and bespeaks of the merit of Cadillac cars. Mrs. Vath is a sister of A.M. Salak of Schuyler.
July 19, 1917 - reprinted February 11, 1981Wednesday morning Vaclav Rehak, a farmer living two miles southwest of town on the old Anton Nykodem farm shot and killed his wife and then attempted to take his own life. She was 37 years old and leaves children ages ranging from ten to fifteen, and her aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Bartos and a host of relatives and friends. Rehak was taken to Schuyler where he will be confined in a hospital under the care of the county sheriff.
At about nine o’clock in the evening Frank Nemec was returning home from the meadow and while crossing the bridge on Maple Creek, east of town near the Svehia place, with the hay stacker, John Novotny, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Novotny ran into the stacker with his car. The stacker was considerably demolished and the car remained undamaged. The occupants escaped injury.
The Clarkson Red Cross Chapter will give a dance at the J.J. Dudycha farm next Saturday with the Krofta band furnishing the music.
The new Folda Bank in Schuyler is rapidly nearing completion. The brick and stone work is done and the crew is working on the interior.
Mrs. Vaclav Kvetensky, who had been visiting home folks, returned to her home in Racine, Wisc. Mrs Kvetensky was accompanied to Omaha by her sisters, Mrs. Frank Teply and Miss Vlasta Telecky.
Mrs. Frank Chleboun returned to her home after undergoing surgery in an Omaha hospital.
Prazak Motor Co. reports the sale of Ford cars to Jos. Cinfel, Jos. Sedlacek, Jr., Jerry Mundil, Emil Tomes, James J. Bartek, Jos. E. Hegr, George Klimes, Charles Bartak, Anton Krejci and H.J. Sanders.
Otto Sobeslavsky returned home from McCool, Nebr. where he had been employed by Ed Cekal for several months.
Dr. Kalal reports the birth of a baby boy to Mr. and Mrs. Anton Houdek. They reside in the Tabor neighborhood.
The farmers south of town organized a threshing company and the company is constituted of the following: John Mundil, Chris Gross, Emil Musil, John Petr, Jr., Jos. Zastera, J.F. Dudek, J.J. Dudycha, Jos. Hejtmanek and Jos. Zrust.
Frank J. Miller sold four pianos last week to Gus Muhs, Frank R. Richtig, Chas. Busch and Mrs. Fred Chleboun
John M. Zrust, Frank Makovsky and Arthur Hahn made a business trip to Lincoln.
Jaroslav Folda, Chas. Mastny, Anton Pesek and Anton Langer of Schuyler were in town regarding the Red Cross picnic which will be given by the Schuyler Sokols.
A comparison of the number of children of school age in the county during the past 11 years: 1917, 4294; 1916, 4266; 1915, 4276; 1914, 4190; 1913, 4119; 1912, 4055; 1911, 4051; 1910, 4124; 1909, 4046; 1908, 4046; 1907, 4061; 1906, 4061.
Prominent farmers residing a short distance northeast of town have purchased a complete Nichlas-Shephard steam threshing outfit and have formed a company. In the company are Jos. K. Vlach, Wm. Hahn , Jos. Vesely, Jos. Kotan, Anton Hamernik and Frank Nykodem.
Emil Suchan purchased of the Howells Motor Co., a dandy latest model 1911 Buick touring car. Same is fully equipped, having four wheels, danger signal horns and a self starter that works only when the car stands on a steep hill incline. It is a two-cylinder affair usually; oftimes one responds, and is rated to be 17 h.p. when going on high. Take a ride with Emil and when you’re on the "go" you’re going some
Misses Mayme and Anna Dvorak of Omaha arrived for a few weeks visit with friends and relatives at Howells.
M.J. Miller sold his residence and lots in Howells to John Hamsa for the consideration of $1250.00
Joseph Hanzl leased his farm north of Howells for a period of several years to Frank Samec. The price per acre rent named in the contract was $7.00, which is a good figure indeed, but the place is well worth the price.
Stanislav Sloma met with a painful accident by having a hay stacker fall on him while he was operating it. He suffered two broken ribs and is under the care of Dr. Myers.
Chas. Lodes, who is at present stationed at Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., wrote to the editor and told of the meals they were served on 4th of July: for breakfast-oranges, fried eggs, current buns and coffee: dinner-chicken soup, salad, ripe olives, sweet pickles, roast chicken, dressing, boiled ham, mashed potatoes, peas, mince pie, wine cake, ice cream, candies, cigars, cigarettes and coffee.
Markets were: Hogs, $14.00; Wheat, $2.20; Corn, $1.80; Oats, $0.65; Butter, $0.30; Eggs, $0.25.
James Palik, Howells, had the following prices listed in his store ad: Oil Sardines, per can $0.05; Mustard Sardines, per can $0.10; Pink Salmon, per can $0.15; Head Rice, per lb., $0.10; Tomatoes, 3 lb. can $0.20; Pork and Beans, 2 lb. can $0.25; Navy Beans, per lb. $0.20; Lima Beans, per lb. $0.15; Prunes, per lb. $0.15; Union Leader Tobacco, lb. $0.50.
July 12, 1917 - reprinted February 1?, 1981The appropriation ordinance for the year beginning May 1, 1917 and ending April 30, 1918 read: There be and hereby is appropriated the sum of $10, 130.00 to be used as follows: For interest on bonds, $165.00; For salary fund, $1,865.00; For Streets and alleys $1,000.00; For coal and gasoline, $4,000.00; For Electric and water works supplies $2,500.00; For Attorney fees $100.00, For general fund $500.00. Total $10,130.00
Mr. and Mrs. John Kratky of South Omaha made a pleasant call here. Mrs. Kratky is the former Miss Tony Opocensky who left Clarkson with her parents over 18 years ago. She expressed great delight over the wonderful progress of our city, which was at the time of her departure, a small prairie mark.
Clarkson markets: Wheat 2.25, Corn 1.73, Rye 1.60, Oats 0.63, Hogs 14.50, Butter 0.30, Eggs 0.25.
Albert Wiese, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wiese formerly of Howells and now of Lindsay, died Saturday from blood poisoning caused by an infection.
Dr. B.E. Katz, Howells veterinarian and Miss Nelson of Hooper were married in Fremont at the courthouse by the county judge. They are making their home at rooms in the Merchant’s hotel until they can secure a home of their own.
This week Edwin J. Kriz and his carpenter crew commenced on the erection of a fine 6 room bungalow for Emil Suchan in the park addition of west Howells.
Emil Uher, 16, who is making his home at the A. Kaizler farm east of Howells, is down with a severe attack of purpura hemmorrhagica or bleeding internally.
Mrs. Joseph Votava of Omaha accompanied by her sister, Miss Olga Dusatko, returned to Omaha. Miss Dusatko will spend a few days at the metropolis.
John J. Dudycha is advertising a social dance to be given at his farm 4 miles south of town Saturday evening.
A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Vaclav Molacek on Friday.
Mrs. Jos. Fillipi returned from Omaha where she underwent an operation of gall stones a few weeks ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Korecky and daughter, Ida, were passengers to Omaha to seek medical aid for Ida.
Blahoslav Novotny left for Chicago going down to consult a specialist regarding limb trouble with which he has been suffering lately.
Chas. E. Lodes, who is stationed with the army corps at Mare Island. Vallejo, Calif., wrote to his father this week enclosed his first pay check of $25.00 from Uncle Sam as electrical engineer in the service.
The haphazard auto driving at Clarkson is a thing of the past. The traffic ordinance was passed last summer and since that time it was the auto driver’s duty to educate himself accordingly.
July 26, 1917 - reprinted February 25, 1981A few figures taken from the county superintendent’s office for 1917 - Census—In town districts 2159 and in rural districts 2135 with a total of 4294. Enrollment in town districts 1763 and in rural districts 1396. Private schools have an enrollment of 206 with the total being 3365. Number of teachers in town districts 64, in rural districts 65, in private schools 5 for a total of 123.
Total students enrolled in county schools: Schuyler 968, Clarkson 366, Howells 4446, Leigh 268, Rogers 44 and Richland 67.
Value of all school district property $297,325.29. Paid male teachers, $12,550.38. Paid female teachers, $49,305.87. Paid for building, $18,277.77. Paid for repairs, $3,881.36. Paid for fuel, $545.68. Paid for library books, $935.68. Paid for books and supplies, $7,708.48. Paid for furniture, $2,890.10. For other purposes, $11,634.20. Amount now in hands of district treasurers, $20,092.87. Total, $132,828.87Marriage licenses were issued to Hersed K. Vauglin, 21, of Norfolk and Lucile M. Patton, 18, of Loup City; W.E. Sturdvant, 21, of Columbus and Grace May Luber, 23, also of Columbus; and John F. Casey, 24, of Schuyler and Hattie Tuma, 24 of Elba.
Miss Agnes Kudrna returned from a visit in Petersburg in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Kamensky.
Miss Elsie Roether and Edward Zelenda were married at Schuyler by a minister from the First Methodist Church. They were escorted to Schuyler by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Roether. After the ceremony a sumptuous and delicious wedding feast was spread in the home of the bride’s brother, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Roether. They will make their home with Mrs. Roether Sr., mother of the bride in the eastern part of Clarkson.
Quite a delegation attended the installation services at Thurston when Rev. Lexsa was inaugurated as minister of that congregation. Those attending from here were Rev. B.A. Filipi and family, Frank Seda and family, Mr. and Mrs. Albin Fajman, August Fajman, Misses Josie and Pauline Zrust, Emma Vitek and Emma Storek, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Dudek, Vinc Fajman, Emil Petr and family, Miss Josie Sterba and Mrs. Adolph Vraspir.
Jirovec orchestra members decided to visit their fomer member, W.A. Karel and also Leonard Noh, both of whom are stationed at Fort Crook with the military band of the 4th Nebraska Infantry. Making the trip by auto to Omaha were Jos. F. Jirovec, Clyde Karel, Leo Zelenda, Rudolph Hamsa and Ed Zelenda. They reached Fort Crook at the time the military band was busily practicing.
Skeeter Lewis, a farmer living four miles east of Schuyler, narrowly escaped death when his Rambler car was ground to shreds under the wheel of the U.P. Lewis was returning home a few minutes after 6 p.m. with Charles Haidley in Lewis’s big Rambler car. The engine struck the auto squarely in the side, at a rate of about 65 miles an hour, hurling, dragging and smashing it along the track for over a quarter of a mile. The only parts left worth salvage were three tires torn off but still inflated and left a quarter of a mile away in good condition.
Miss Clara Pojar and Edward Stanek were married at St. Wenceslaus church in Dodge by Rev. Drbal. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pojar Sr. of Dodge. Her chosen mate is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Stanek of Howells.
Anton Stepanek of Clarkson rented the Frank Bazata farm north of Howells.
At the regular meeting of the Village Board of Clarkson the following estimate of the probable amount of money for all purposes to be raised for the fiscal year May 1, 1917 to April 30, 1918, was prepared as follows: For interest fund $165.00; Salary fund $11865.00; For Streets and alleys $1000.00; For coal and gasoline $4000.00; Electric and waterworks $2500.00; Attorney fees $100.00; For general fund $500.00; total $10,130.00.
Fisher and Hruby Club Rooms in Howells is the only place that you can secure the famous Anheuser-Busch Bevo in brown bottles.
Frank R. Rychtig reports collecting $240.00 for the Red Cross in Wilson precinct.