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 22, 1917 - reprinted October 15, 1980Mrs. T. C. Chudomelka and Miss Rosie Cada visited relatives and friends at Dodge Tuesday.
Mrs. Anton Odvarka, Jr. left for Fremont as a delegate from the local camp to attend the triennial state convention of The Royal Neighbors of America.
Dr. C.G. Moore, who has practiced medicine in Schuyler for a number of years and was associated with Dr. Painter, moved to Omaha to make his future home.
The following Clarkson teachers will spend their vacations in a profitable manner: Miss Telecky, Miss Markitan and Miss Horak will attend school in Chicago: Mrs. Reinecke, Miss Zrust and Miss Jirovex will go to summer school in Lincoln during June and July.
A.C. Fajman, who has been staying at the Lord Lister hospital in Omaha for the past four weeks, has returned home. He is greatly improved, but it will be some time before he can take up active work in the garage.
Mrs. John J. Pechanee underwent an operation at the hands of Dr. Kalal. Miss Blanche Clark, a trained nurse from Omaha is attending her. Miss Clark is a niece of Dr. Kalal.
Word was received here by Prazak Motor Co., that a car load of Buick autos which was directed to the firm was totally destroyed by a fire while side tracked in a Wisconsin town. The autos were conveyed from the factory on a flat car and it is thought the fire was set by a strayed spark from the engine. Total loss is estimated at about $3,000.00
Edward Cinfel met with an accident as he was homeward bound after making his purchases in town. As his team proceeded to cross the ditch in the road north of the Holan place they became frightened as they sank into the mud and broke the tongue of the buggy. Mr. Cinfel clung to the lines trying to manage and quiet them but in so doing was pulled out of the buggy and thrown to the ground where he was later found unconscious. Dr. Kalal tended to him and found he had suffered a dislocated arm and a bruised face.
Anton J. Smejkal, who conducted an exclusive shoe store in Schuyler, died Saturday evening in his home.
A huge house dog, black in color, belonging to Anton Dolezal, who resides 5 miles south of Howells, was discovered to be acting rabid without any question was suffering from hydrophobia. He went for his shot gun and fired at the dog, but as the range was quite distant the dog got away bleeding and wounded. He requests us to mention this as a warning to all people as it is not known where the dog has wandered and anyone is asked to kill him at sight.
A baby boy was born at the Frank Vasa home at Olean. The mother is in a critical state, and is under the care of Dr. Alger, who called for the assistance of Dr. Kolouch of Clarkson. Miss Rosicky, a trained nurse from Omaha, is at the bedside.
The following Howells H.S. pupils have an 85% or above in their studies for the past six weeks and were admitted to the "Eighty-Five" Club: Frank Dolezal, Tillie Dostal, Emma Wragge, Joseph Stracek, Irma Quesner, Agnes Stangel, Emily Pokorny, Wilhelmine Ritzdorf, Grace Palik, Tillie Pokorny, Mary Strudl, Emma Dolezal, Bertha Luxa, Vernon Forbes, Ayone Telecky, Thomas Shaefers, Alice Jusak, Lumir Novak, Stephen Cech, Hilda Straube, Agnes Folda, Loretta Limbach, Edward Dostal, Lillian Cakl, Gustav Dostal, Alois Alger, Emma Konvalin, Rose Behrens, Bessie Chadek, Vera Heun, John Knipping, Herman Blechwehl, Joseph Stangel, Josie Ruzicka, Lambert Radhaus, Adolph Cech, Fred Risch, Lawrence Bogner, and William Kalisek.
Miss Katie Chelboun spent Sunday and Monday in Beemer at the home of her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. S. Severa.
The little child of Mr. and Mrs. Vaclav Cech, residing southeast of town, is reported to be seriously ill. Dr. Kalal is the attending physician.
Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Studnicka are proud parents of a baby boy who arrived at their home last week.
John C. Lacina left for Fremont where he has employment as bricklayer on the new "Pathfinder" hotel.
During his visit at Clarkson last Thursday, Dr. Warta of Omaha with the assistance of Dr. Klalal performed a number of nose and throat operations.
Miss Alma Poledna of Howells is helping out as clerk in the Variety store owned by her brother-in-law, John F. Pimper.
John Sousek, who has been seriously ill at his home for the past few weeks, was taken to Omaha to receive treatment from specialists in the city. He was accompanied by Mrs. Sousek, Dr. Allen and J.D. Wolf.
The 8 year old daughter of Mrs. Jos. Karel, living north of town is seriously ill with pneumonia. Dr. Kalal is taking care of her.
Dr. Myers reported that a baby girl arrived at the Herman Busch home in Howells.
The Howells high school band went out to serenade the many Josephs of St. Joseph’s Eve. They collected a good sum of money, which they spent for a supper after the evening of tramping through muddy streets and playing. They also set aside a large amount of money with which they will buy a supply of new music.
A case of pneumonia is reported to be at the F. J. Studnicka home north of town, a little boy being the victim.
Tom Chudomelka was at Dodge Monday, renewing old acquaintances.
Mrs. Wm. Roether and daughter and little Emily Zelenda of Schuyler visited here with relatives from Saturday until Tuesday.
FOR SALE:A light farm or driving team Wt 2300 lbs., 6 and 9 years old; sound and gentle One buggy and harness, Dr. Zoerb, Clarkson.
New suits for boys just in. New patch pocket models with the nobby pinch and pleated backs - $4.50 to $7.50. W. F. Adamek and company.Fred Jelinek returned from Montana, where he spent a few weeks attending to matters of business.
Dr. Zoerb announced that he will not go into partnership with Dr. Lowery at Leigh. The Press was misinformed and we advise our readers of the corrections.
March 29, 1917 - reprinted October 22, 1980R.J. McNary, cashier of the First National Bank at Leigh died after being ill with pneumonia. He came to Leigh from Beemer in 1894. In June 1898 he was married to Miss Edith L. McMoines. Survivors are his wife and three children.
D.B. Mayfield, who taught the Fisher school in Stanton county for several years, has purchased the Beemer Times. Don is well familiar with newspaper work, having assisted in the printing office of his father, G.A. Mayfield who is editor of the Stanton Picket.
Anton Dusatko, president of the Standard Chautauqua Co. assigned us the following days for our chautauqua August 24 to 28 inclusive.
Mrs. E. Jungbluth of Leigh was elected delegate to the supreme convention of the Royal Neighbors to be held in Buffalo, N.Y. during the week of May 21, 1917.
James Pavlik is opening his new store in Clarkson this week. He is placing on display his elegant new line of ready-to-wear men’s and youth’s clothing.
F.K. Sindelar met with painful accident while engaging in grading and dragging the main highway 2 miles southeast of Howells. He was taking the place of his son, Bohumil on the grader, and while near the Ant. Zvacek place the heavy evener broke and the single tree snapped causing Mr. Sindelar to be thrown forward, his face thrust onto the iron casting. He sustained severe cuts about the face and chin. A deep cut in the chin made it necessary for Dr. A. J. Knight to make several stitches to close up the wound.
Mrs. Joseph Herout, Sr., who was born Maria Sekera in Bohemia. Europe in the year 1849, died at her home in Howells. In the year 1893 while yet in her native land, she married Joseph Herout, who survives her. No children were born to this union.
Rud. Misek, Joe Suchan, Jos. F. Wiese and Jos. P. Fiala of Howells were to Gillette, Wyo., where each filed for 320 acres and will go back Sept 1 to make homesteads on land about 50 miles from the above stated town. Also filing for homesteads were Rudolph Suchan, Frank Johns and Henry Laur.
Louis J. Evert of Howells Motor Co. made a delivery of a Buick "6" to Frank Blazek of the Rogers locality.
Prazak Motor Co. reports the sale of Ford autos to the following: John Calelly, Jerome Faltys, Arthur Hahn, Frank Krofta, Charles Suchan, Jos. F. Podany, Wm. Ternes, Anton Vavra, Hans Pahl, N. B. Balzer, George Klimes, and Adolf O. Teply, they also sold a fine Buick touring car to Jerry Hanel.
Earl Caddock, the young Iowa star who is training at the Chicago Athletic Association visited the Colfax County Press office. He is training of the supreme test of his rather brief career on the mat-a match with Joe Stecher, American Champion, which takes place in Omaha April 11.
A baby boy arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Pimper at Howells.
Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Bazata of Howells are the parents of a bouncing baby boy, born Friday.
Anton H. Mestl, Jos. A. Novak and E.E. Brodecky went to Omaha and drove back a new “Oakland” touring car that Mr. Mestl sold to Charles Dvorak.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank V. Uridil and little son and Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Rozmarin of Leigh took in the Lenten feature at the Royal theatre at Howells.
Walter, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Sorrick has been on the sick list for a week.
Frank B. Mike and Mr. and Mrs. James Sindelar, Jos. Brickacek, Mrs. Frank Pojar and Mrs. Emil A. Sindelar went to Omaha to visit Emil A. Sindelar, who is receiving treatment at St. Joseph’s hospital.
V. L. Prazak, Dr. F. B. Schultz and James Hamsa took the passenger to Omaha and drove back a new Buick the same day to be delivered to one of Mr. Prazak’s customers.
A son was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Anton Bourek, according to Dr. Kolouch.