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 7, 1917 - reprinted December 24, 1980Colfax County can well be proud of her boys, for on June 5, 1038 registered as coming within the war limits, and subject to conscription. Below is a tab of the various precincts. Richland registered 68; Shell Creek, 49; Wilson, 73; Stanton, 127; Schuyler 1st Ward, 75; Schuyler 2nd Ward 58; Schuyler 3rd Ward, 76; Grant, 59; Midland, 62; Adams, 125; Rogers, 42; Colfax, 42; Maple Creek, 123; Lincoln, 123; Total 1,038.
Last Sunday, this section of the state was visited by one of the heaviest rain storms for many years. Several corn fields around Clarkson were partially washed out. Several hundred feet of railroad tracks between Howells and Dodge were washed out, delaying trains considerably.
At a recent meeting, the board of education has accepted the application of Prof. Rudolph Prokop of Wilber, as principal of Clarkson high school with a salary of $97.50 per month. Prof. Prokop held a similar position in Dodge and comes highly recommended as a very efficient teacher. Miss Cora Heater was elected Domestic science teacher in addition to the 8th grade position at a salary of $80 per month. Miss Zdenka Sinkule was re-elected music teacher at $20.00 per month. The line-up of teachers for next fall is: P.M. Lawrence, superintendent; Rudolph Prokop, principal and manual training; Miss Esther Adamson, assistant principal; Miss Zdenka Sinkule, music; Miss LaCora Heater, domestic science and 8th grade; Miss LaNell Heater, 7th; Miss LaRena Heater, 6th. The Misses Heater were also assigned the departmental teaching. Miss Libbie Cibulka, 5th, Miss Lydia Hejtmanke, 4th; Miss Pauline Zrust, 3rd; Miss Helen Kline of Brainard, 2nd; Miss Anna Jirovec, 1st and Mrs. H.C. Reinecke, primary grade.
Miss Hattie Prochazka, principal at the highschool, departed for her home in Dodge; and Miss Anna Horak, the assistant principal, left for her home in Winnebago. They will not return to Clarkson next year, both having accepted similar positions in their respective home towns.
June ??, 1917 - reprinted December 31, 1980Louis Renter and his sister left this morning for Snyder to visit with their grandmother for a few days.
Fajman Motor Co. report the sale of a fine Cadillac convertible winter closed car to E.E. Dudek of Neligh.
Emil Folda is in receipt of a letter from Fred Jelinek, former principal of the local public school and of late years assistant cashier of the Clarkson State Bank, but now located in Hilger, Mont. Mr. Jelinek is the cashier of the First State Bank at Hilger and receives a monthly raise of $25.00 over the salary he received here.
Chas. G. Lodes, a Howells boy, writes the editor that he is at an electrical school in the navy yards on Maresland in Vallejo, Calif.
Liquor permits were granted to C.J. Safarik and C.M. Janacek. These are permits to operate under the prohibitory laws of the State, and passed upon favorably by the Governor.
The "Shady Lane" a real summer resort at Columbus, Nebr., opened its season Friday with Messrs. Kramer and Walter as promoters of the beautiful amusement park.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Koci gave their daughter, Miss Hegina, in marriage to Mr. Wm. Kral of Milligan. She taught school near Milligan and he is a prosperous farmer of Filmore county.
Sam Ling, owner of the Chinese laundry at Schuyler, met with a very painful accident at Schuyler. According to witnesses, Ling was crossing Montana street east. C. S. F. Payne was driving his Ford north. Ling started across in front of the moving car and then changed his mind and started back. Payne was unable to stop his car and knocked Ling down, one wheel running across his lungs and the other across his feet, severely injuring one knee and crushing one lung. Ling was taken to the hospital by Dr. Schnetzky, who reports his patient in a critical condition.
Mrs. Emil Tomes left for Omaha to visit in the home of her son, Joseph, whose wife is seriously ill.
Frank Dudek and P.C. Flora of Rogers were seriously injured in an automobile accident near Omaha. They were returning home when the steering wheel broke, causing the car to plunge into a ditch and turning a complete somersault. Mr. Flora’s leg was broken between the knee and thigh. Mr. Dudek suffered a broken knee cap. Flora was taken to a hospital in Fremont and Dudek was brought to his home in Rogers.
Prazak Motor Co. reports the sale of Ford cars to Jos. Bourek, F.L. Knapp, Carl Vogel, Mike Zrust, Edward Cada, J.B. Korte and James Kacin. A Buick 6 was sold to Stanley Hanel.
Born on Febr. 2, 1870 in Rojice, Bohemia, Europe, Joseph Pekarek, 47, died May 30 in an Omaha hospital after being ill several weeks. He came to this country with his parents in 1881. He was married to Miss Marie Novak on Febr. 3, 1897. Seven children survive as do his wife and aged mother, who is past 70 years of age and one sister, Mrs. Frank Maderansky of Dodge. His children are Mary, Helen, Annie, Joseph John, Adela and Lambert, the youngest being barely three years of age.
Miss Emma Poledna and Rudolph F. Misek were married by Rev. C.L. Zak at St. John’s church in Howells. Miss Elma Poledna; and Jos. Suchan were their attendants. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Poledna. The couple will live in Lynch, where the groom has a home in readiness to welcome his chosen mate.
The Most Rev. Archbishop Jeremiah Hartley will be at St. John’s church in Howells to give holy rites of confirmation to persons from St. John’s, St. Henry’s, Clarkson and Olean parishes July 19, 1917. Rev. Zak regularly visited the Clarkson parish and Rev. J. Peiper is pastor of St. Henry’s. The Archbishop will preside at similar services at SS. Peter and Paul’s church in Howells.
Alois Luxa, who was employed at the Nye Schneider yards, left for Plainview, where he will act as relief agent.
Jos. Fillipi, Jr. arrived from Holyoke, Colo., where he has been engaged in farming with his brother Theodore. While here, Joseph also attended to his registration duty.
Frank Ferenc and Edward Tomes met with quite a serious accident when on their way home from the country. Driving their Ford at a lively speed they had the misfortune to have a blowout which resulted in upsetting the auto and throwing the occupants out. In the fall Mr. Ferenc sustained a fractured limb and severe bruises on his spine while Edward luckily escaped with only a few minor scratches Mr. Ferenc is walking with the aid of a cane and sometime will pass before he is able to resume work at the butcher.
Two more men volunteered for the U.S. service. They are Bohumil Hamernik and Frank Kubes.
No Date - reprinted January 14, 1981During commencement exercise held at the university in Lincoln last week, Miss Josie Zrust of Clarkson was awarded the first prize for having the highest grades in U.S. history throughout the year.
Specials at Fred Colsch store in Clarkson were: Red Crown Motor Gasoline, per gal. .24; Best Jap Rice, per lb. .10; Best Rolled Oats, 4 ½ lbs. for .25; Fancy Navy Beans, per lb. .20; New Onions, per lb. .10; New Cabbage per lb. .07.
Now 26 boys are enlisted in the service from Clarkson. Leonard F. Noh left yesterday for Ft. Crook where he is assigned to the 4th Infantry band as a clarinetist and …
Marriage licenses were issued to Edgar G. Morrisy, Schuyler, 32 and Carrie E. Coles, Schuyler, 31; Frank G. Herbrick, Schyler, 30 and Mary Beznoska, Schuyler 23. County Judge A. Fiala married the latter couple at the Fuller county home north of Schuyler.
Last evening while returning from a pleasure trip to Howells, Leonard Rozmarin and 2 lady friends met with an accident that might have been a fatal one. We were told one of the girls was driving the Ford car at a reckless speed when suddenly it swung across the road and flip flopped down the hill near the J.M. Buhacek farm east of town, making several somersaults. They escaped with a few bruises. The car is badly damaged, one of the front wheels, the windshield and the top being demolished.
The Praha-Clarkson boys beat the Schuyler cubs 9 to 7 on the Praha diamond at Sobota’s. Clarkson players were: Dobry c.f., Tomes 1st, Hahn 2nd, O’Brien s.s., Vlach 3rd, Miller c., Dolezal p., Miller 1.f., Svec r.f.; Schuyler players were: Stastny s.s. Wigingtin c.f., Varejcka 2nd b., Tichy 1 b., Otradovsky r.f., Spidle 1.f., Mears 3rd b., Bures p., Sluc c.
Edward Suchy died at Denver where he had been receiving treatment in a sanitorium for consumptives. The young man was a native of America, having been born at Clarkson 22 years ago. The remains were brought here for internment and were laid to rest in the cemetery west of Clarkson, following forenoon services at the Presbyterian Church. Rev. B.A. Fillipi officiated.
Miss Louise Polansky became the wife of Louis Spangler of Nickerson. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Jos. Polansky of this city, and has successfully filled the duties as teacher at the Maliha school the last season. The couple will live in Nickerson.
Joseph Suchan left via auto route to Schuyler, and at that point took the U.P. Flyer for Salt Lake, Utah, where he will enlist in the U.S. Army.
Mrs. Robert Novotny and Mrs. Fred Jelinek and little daughter, Marie, left for Hilger, Mont., where they will make their future home. Mr. Novotny is engaged in farming there and Mr. Jelinek is holding down a position of cashier in the Hilger State Bank.
Lada Hanel and his force of carpenters are erecting a modern residence for Frank Dobry in the Dry Creek locality.
Rudolf Rosicky left for Lynch, where he accepted employment at the Dusatko and Lightner elevator and lumber yards. The vacancy at the local Crowell Lumber and Grain quarters will be filed by Filip Swoboda.
The directors of the ZCBJ opera house have plans underway for the laying of a cement walk on the south side of their premises.
Dudycha Bros. are advertising a grand dance to be given at the John Dudycha farm Saturday night.
F.J. Miller reports the sale of two Cable-Nelson pianos, one to F.R. Rychtig and the other to Chas. Busch.
W. J. Moore, governor of the C.C.G.R.A. for Adams precinct reports the following new members for the association: Wm. and Arthur Hahn and Frank Makovsky.
Mrs. A. J. Studnicka was quite seriously injured while raking hay on the farm of her brother, Albin Zastera. The team she was driving became unmanageable and ran away throwing her to the ground with great force.
Rev. V. Losa, former Presbyterian pastor here now of Corapolis, Pa., visited old friends here.
Pat T. Tully, real estate man from Schuyler, was here yesterday with a party of land seekers, viewing some land in Stanton county.
Miss Anna Sedlacek of Lincoln was a visitor at the V.J. Chleboun home.
Anton Novak is reported to be seriously ill in his home in the eastern part of town.
Fajman Motor Co. reports the sale of overland cars to Juluis Kudera, John Cernin, J.W. Konicek and Steven Chudomelka of the Dodge neighborhood; Willy Knight to John Bures of Dodge and a Cadillac Eight to Herman Holstein of Dodge.
Miss Mary Hajek left for Howells, where she has been given a steady position at the Kriz café.
Below is a comparison in the prices of commodities during the Civil War in 1864 and those of today. [First price listed is 1864 price - followed by price in 1917]
Sugar, per lb.: .20 - .09 1/2
Coffee, per lb.: .55 - .25
Tea, per lb.: 2.00 - .50
Molasses, per gal.: 1.50 - .80
Matches, per box: .40 - .07
Kerosene, per gal.: 1.10 - .18
Calico, per yd.: .50 - .10
Muslin, per yd.: .75 - .12-.15
Gingham, per yd.: .60 - .25
Ticking, per yd.: .65 - .25
Flannel, per yd.: .80 - .15-.20
Thread, per spool: .15 - .05
June 28, 1917 - reprinted January 21 [?], 1981The Clarkson Commercial Club met and decided to change its name to Clarkson Community Club. The change was made for the reason that under the new organization, the farmers may be encouraged to take more interest in the welfare of the club.
Mrs. F.J. Miller and son, Frankie and Mrs. John Chelboun visited with Mrs. Frank Chleboun at an Omaha hospital.
Rev. B.A. Fillipi accompanied by his son and Edward Makovsky made a trip to Schuyler from which place the Reverend had taken a train to Omaha.
The sad news was circulated early Sunday morning of the accidental drowning the previous evening at around 6:30 p.m. of John Uher and his brother-in-law, Otto Brazda, both residents northeast of Howells. Uher is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Uher and Brazda is the present tenant of the Jos. J. Hanl farm. They drowned in a lake near Wisner. The drowning was witnessed by a third member of the party, Vaclav Klima. The bodies were taken to Wisner for the night and the next forenoon conveyed to the saddened Uher home until funeral services Tuesday at St. Wenceslaus church in Dodge. Mr. Uher was soon to be married to a near Dodge young lady resident and the banns were to be announced from the church on the very morning that sounded this death knell.
Officers and committees of the new Community club are B.A. Fillipi, president, W.J. Moore, vice president, W.F. Adamek, secretary and Adolf Dudek, treasurer. The executive board members are B.A. Fillipi, W.F. Adamek, Emil Petr, Jos. R. Vitek and John F. Pimper. On good roads committee are A.C. Fajman, V.L. Prazak and Adolf Fillipi; Finance: Adolph Dudek, Emil Petr and John M. Zrust; Entertainment: Frank Kubik, J.M. Bukacek and F.J. Miller; Publicity: Otto Odvarka, Anton Odvarka, Jr. and J.J. Pimper; Membership: Emil Folda, W.J. Moore and J.R. Vitek; Municipal: Anton Dusatko, F.W. Noh and E.E. Dudek; Agricultural: Jos. Blecha, Wm. Hahn and F.C. Schulz; Railway: W.F. Adamek, A.E. Vanderbeck and S.G. Allen; Educational: P.M. Laurence, Stanley Kubik and Alois F. Tomes.
Mrs. Jos. Tomes died at her home in Omaha. She had been critically ill since the arrival of a bouncing boy at their home a few weeks ago. The remains were laid to eternal rest in a graveyard adjoining Fremont, which city was the home of Mrs. Tomes in her childhood days.
John F. Bukacek bought half interest in Emil Tomes pool hall and confectionery store.
Mrs. Frank Chleboun of this place underwent an operation for appendicitis at Lord Lister hospital in Omaha. Mr. Chleboun and daughter are staying with her.
Adolph Bukacek and Frank J. Miller were called to Dodge with their auto-hearses to assist at the funerals of the late John Uher and Otto Brazda.
Lieutenant Governor Edgar Howard will give a patriotic speech at the 4th of July celebration at Shady Lake in Columbus.
A son was born to attorney and Mrs. Walter C. Hronek at Schuyler.
Anton C. Knipping sold his dray and express business in Howells to Roy Lovstad.
F.J. Prucha of Howells has embarked into the automobile business, having secured agency for the Patterson and Monroe lines.
J.K. Semerad shipped 5 young bulls out of his elegant Hereford herd to J.C. Price, a breeder at Ogden, Utah.
Dr. F.B. Schultz and Bohuslav Novotny were passengers to Fremont Tuesday.
Joseph Herout Sr. died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Anton Dolezel, south of Howells.
Andrew Stollenberg is laid up for some time with severe bruises on his leg being kicked by a vicious horse.
Mrs. J.W. Wragge and Mrs. Schlautman were called to Snyder by the serious illness of their brother, Fred Meier. He had expired half an hour before their arrival.
A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Podany.
Miss Libbie Slama was a passenger to Omaha where she will spend a few days visiting relatives.