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:
September 6, 1917 - reprinted April 8, 1981E.E. Hardy of Leigh had an ad stating that he would tune pianos for $2.50 each.
Our public schools opened Monday with Supt. P.M. Lawrence, pedagogy and Bohemian: Rudolph Prokop, principal and mathematics. High school teachers: Selma Hult, Latin and science; Irene Toothe, history and English; Zdenka Sinkuke, music, all grades. Grade teachers were: Cora Heater, 8th; Nelle Heater, 7th; Lorena Heater, 6th; Libbie Cibulka, 5th; Lydia Hejtmanek, 4th; Pauline Zrust, 3rd; Helen Klein, 2nd; Anna Jirovec, 1st; Mrs. H.C. Reinecke, kindergarten.
Prazak Motor Co. reports the sale of 105 Fords during the past year. New Fords were sold this week to John Havel, Milo Horak, Joseph Zoubek, Anton Hamernik, Fred Kraus, Jerry Cernin, Vaclav Kvetensky, Mrs. Kraus and Fred Kroeger.
Cenek Mrstik purchased the Anton Hamernik 160-acre farm in Stanton county for $142.50 per acre.
Lada Hanel and his force of men are erecting a garage and small building on the Joseph Nemec farm north of town.
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Kopietz of South Omaha visited at the John Kopietz home.
Fred Teply, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. R. Teply, called at our office and bid us farewell, saying he was going to Schuyler and report for duty in the U.S. Army.
Miss Vlasta Telecky, who will make her new home in Iowa, was honored at a farewell party.
Joseph M. and Peter Lopour left for Gregory, S.D. to visit their brother John.
A company of land seekers which was constituted of Mat. Boubin, Joseph Vavrin, John Vodehnal, and Jos. Drapela, all of Stanton county, left Clarkson for Montana, to look at some land. They are making the trip overland in Mr. Drapela’s car.
Frank Navrkal left for O’Neill, Nebr., where he owns 60 acres of hay land. The Holt county land has produced an enormous crop of good hay.
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Daniels in Stanton county.
Mr. and Mrs. Alois Tomes were in Omaha, from where they brought home with them their little nephew, son of Joseph Tomes, who will now be in their care. Since the death of his mother, the infant is doing as nicely as can be expected.
Dr. Kalal reports the birth of a fine baby girl to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hoffman of Stanton county.
The Martha Club and choir of the Presbyterian church honored Mr. and Mrs. Vaclav Telecky and family with a farewell party. The family is moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Jonas returned from a three-week sojourn to California.
Frank J. Srb disposed of his “Never-break” factory and one lot to Frank J. Rychtig, who will use the same for a blacksmith shop.
Fred Colsch, who came to our neat little city 22 months ago and paid cash, $4000.00 for the A.V. Hejtmanek brick building and lot and on June 7th of this year bought the Joseph Krahulik 9-room residence and 3 ˝ lots in the southwest part of town, just west of the standpipe, said business was very good. He paid spot cash for this property too. In appreciation for the good patronage, he is offering a special price on sugar and flour this week. $9.25 per 100-lb. sack of sugar and $3.00 for 48-lb. sack of Snyder flour.
Jerry Vrbycky reports that in harvesting his wheat on his farm near Howells, his wheat yielded 42 bushels per acre.
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Drahota and Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Molacke attended the state fair exhibits.
Michael Thiem of Humphrey visited friends in Howells today. His wife and children who were visiting relatives returned home with him.
September 13, 1917 - reprinted April 15, 1981The Schuyler women lead the entire county by a large majority in the registration held yesterday. Six hundred and forty-three women registered and pledged their assistance in the world’s war. At Howells 240 women registered and 233 at Clarkson. Leigh was not heard from.
Frank Miratsky and Jos. Francl who had been visiting at the Frank Houfek and Vacl. Budin homes, left for their homes in Omaha.
Charles Bartak of Stanton county and Miss Bessie Vlasak of Cuming county were married at West Point. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bartak of this city.
Emil Folda, Adolph Bukacek, Jos. R. Vitek and Peter Zak left for Cedar Rapids, Iowa to attend a ZCBJ Lodge convention.
Mrs. Frank Tobias had the misfortune of having her right hand caught in the teeth of a corn sheller disk while shelling corn at her home. Her third finger was badly mangled.
Anton Teply, Sr. met with a painful accident while digging a well. He was engaged in pulling dirt from the wall with the aid of a holster and as he was about to reach for a bucket full of dirt, he lost control of the handle which struck him in the face, inflicting a deep gash on his right cheek.
Music for the Grand Ball to be held at John J. Dudycha’s picnic grounds will be furnished by the Krofta Band. Frank J. Rychtig and James R. Dudycha are in charge.
Mrs. S.G. Allen received word that her father, Anton Beran, Sr., died in Chico, Calif. The remains were brought to Ord, Nebr. for burial.
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. R. Krofta received a telegraphic message from Gregory, S.D. informing them of the death of her sister, Miss Libbie Kucera, who died of typhoid fever. She was only 17 years old and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Kucera
William Kunkle of Schuyler who suffered with infantile paralysis only since Wednesday, died at his home Saturday. Private funeral services were held Sunday. He is survived by his wife, two small children, father and mother and one brother, Adam Kunkle.
Miss Emma Schaefers and Joseph Nagengast of Howells were married at St. Magdeline’s Church in Omaha.
George Humlicek was Editor-in Chief of the Clarkson School news. Senior class officers were: Prof. Lawrence, class advisor: Joseph Indra, president; Libbie Novotny, vice-President; Martha Bukacek, secretary; Bohumil Krofta, treasurer and Joseph Noh, class editor.
The junior class of Clarkson public school elected the following officers: Miss Toothe, advisor; Lambert Faltys, president; Mable Moore, vice president; Olga Dusatko, secretary; Tillie Fiala, treasurer and Libbie Fillippi, class editor.
Sophomores at Clarkson public schools elected their officers as follows: Miss Hult, advisor; Esther Wolf, president; Nathan Moore, vice president; Olga Faltys secretary; Blanche Humlicek, treasurer and Libbie Houfek, class editor.
Freshman Class officers at Clarkson public school were: Mr. Prokop, advisor; Lawrence Folda, president; Victor Wacha, vice president; Jerry Polansky, secretary; Arline Folda, treasurer; Alice Schultz, class editor and Ida Krofta, class pianist. They chose the lily of the valley as their class flower and green and white are the colors they will defend.
The polls for the registration of women were opened yesterday at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. With Mesdames L.J. Roubinek, John F. Pimper, F.J. Miller, Emil Petr and Jos. R. Vitek, as volunteer registrars. The city hall was neatly decorated in national colors. Many of the women registered for services in France. Several women who now may be considered as slackers failed to register.
The list of women registered are: Anna Pechanec, Laura Folda, Amelia Hubenak, Louise Allen, Emilie Petr, Anna Dusatko, Frances Faiman, Mary Filipi, Bertha Dusatko, Barbara Bos, Emma Dudycha, Vlasta Telecky, Libbie Seda.
Sophie Seda, Antonette Folda, Julia Markytan, Josie Roubinek, Frances Srb, Alby Vitek, Katherine Nadrchal, Anna Nadrchal, Frances Rayman, Sylvia Rayman, Emma Zak, Vesta Adamek, Marie Lodl, Louise Cimfel, Emma Vitek, Mary Bukacek, Emma Storek, Anna F. Vitek, Marie Zelenda, Katerina Pavel, Mary Alice Cech.
Marie Urbanek, Rose Makousky, Klotilda Wacha, Anna Jurik, Agnes Jonas, Emma Havel, Josefa Mundil, Lena Odvarka, Sophie M. Grover, Anna Stoklasa, Anna Kamensky, Jennie Dudek, Agnes Jindra, Mollie Hahn, Sylvia Sobeslavsky, Anna Nemec, Elsie Svoboda, Amelia A. Konicek, Josephine Bukacek, Anna Stodola.
Mary Miller, Mary Simunek, Hermie Totusek, Anna Castka, Josie Castka, Carrie Castka, Emma Castka, Rose Koza, Cleo Shuster, Christia Dvorak, Emma Nemec, Pinna Odvarka, Kate A. Kopietz, Rose E. Severa, Emma Jilek, Hermie Jilek, Bertha Schultz, Libbie Slama, Lena Wasko, Agnes Castka, Anna Pokorny, Mary Houfek, Emma Roether, Josie Castka.
Josie Libra, Mary Novotny, Barbara Hamsa, Sophie Stoklasa, Mary Faltys, Polly Musil, Anna A. Fillipi, Anna J. Vitek, Frances Vlach, Josephine Sterba, Stazie Sterba, Frances Knapp, Frantiska Tomes, Emily Tomes, Emma Tomes, Agnes Havel, Julia Teply, Frances Wolf, Helen Hamsa, Christie Podany, Emma Podany, Ethel Vanderbeck, Agnes Kudrna, Pauline Zrust.
Philomena Pimper, Martha Bukacek, Rosie Pacas, Josephine Fillipi, Lottie Koci, Bessie Miller, Clara Budin, Tillie Fiala, Pauline Hajek, Margaret Kulner, Mary Novotny, Winifred Scovill, Ann Fajman, Lillian Jonas, Teresa Moticka, Josefka Holan, Josie Prazak, Alice Karel Adeline Severa, Mabel Moore, Esther Fajmon, Marie Slama, Frances Lodl, Lucia Svoboda.
Bessie Ayers, Josie Bukacek, Albina Zrust, Agnes Klimes, Julia Lukl, Mary Chleboun, Marie Walla, Justina Urban, Katerina Chleboun, Bertha Hudec, Cora Heater, LaNelle Heater, Anna E. Klimes, Cecila Novotny, Stazy Karel, Mary Novotny, Emma Krofta, Hermina Filipi, Lorena Heater, Francis Polcin, Agnes Vraspir, Marie Hajek, Rose Blecha, Josie Wolf, Anna Chleboun.
Zdenka Sinkule, Tony Jirovec, Mrs. J.L. Zrust, Josephine Moore, Lucille Severa, Alvina Hahn, Stazie Chlebouon, Adela Rosicky, Agnes Musil, Emma Petr, Hanna Hoffman, Bertha Gutleben, Stefana Schaffer, Emma Fajman, Anna Jirovec, Helen M. Klein, Libbie Cibulka, Frances Fillipi, Agnes Loukota, Lydia Hejtmanek, Mary Folda, Josie Svoboda.
Marie Kalal, Anna Pospisil, Lilly Suchy, Libbie Fillipi, Mary Svik, Anna Bos, Elva Folda, Emma Novotny, Bessie E. Novotny, Marie Karel, Irene Toothe, Josephine Schultz, Mary Herynek, Selma Hult, Esther A. Novotny, Libbie Novotny, Antonia Indra, Frances Musil, Mary Middleton Josephine Stodola, Anna Cleary, Frances F. Wolf, Tillie Slama, Frances Paroulek, Elsie Kamensky, Julia Severa, Olga Dusatko, Helen C. Reinecke, Katerina E. Chleboun.
Antonia Koza, Agnes Novotny, Anna F.Severa, Anna Koza, Julia Hobza, Anna Kubik, Josephine Noh, Frances Zoubek, Frances Mundil, Frances Prazak, Anna Vacovsky, Tillie Gloser, Antonie Suchy, Mary Kudrna, Ida Karel, Mary Bartak, Mary Kopietz, Anna Splichal, Mary Dudek, Mary Jirovec, Bessie Hajek, Frances Hamsa, Edith Vanderbeck, Sophie Benes.
Anna Houfek, Julia Jilek, Marie Humlicek, Emilie Viktorin and May A. Vanderbeck.
September 20, 1917 - reprinted April 22, 1981More ladies volunteered since last week and we wish to state that we overlooked and failed to make proper mention of Mrs. S.G. Allen’s devotion and faithful performance of the preparatory work for the registration. Added to the “Honor Roll” which brings the total number in Adams Precinct to 247: Eva Hobza, Agnes Kudrna, Mary Roether, Victoria Krofta, Bessie Roether, Mary Schulz, Rosie Zdenek, Josie Tobias, Marie Brabec, Elsie Zelenda, Kristie Brabec, Tillie Poledna, Beatrice Faltys, Frances Fajman and Christina Roether.
Mrs. James Severa of near Leigh was handed a cream check which broke all previous records in this part of the country. She delivered to W.A. Adamek & Co., a can of cream weighing 72 lbs. for which she received a check amounting to $21.35. The test of the cream was 62 ˝.
James Brdicko and Mrs. Jos. Bourek were passengers to Neligh, going down to bid farewell to their brother, Joseph who is called for army service.
A telegraphic message was received here announcing the death of Joseph Capek, 52, of Ord, who many years ago was a resident of this locality. The family lived on the farm which is now owned by Louis S. Novotny, four miles south of Clarkson.
The Howells Red Cross Chapter delivered a large shipment of winter apparel to the county headquarters in Schuyler to be distributed among our boys at the front across the sea. This consisted of 50 bed shirts, 192 handkerchiefs, 36 nightingales, 61 water bag covers, 168 bed socks, 24 sweaters, 27 pairs of wristlets, 17 scarfs and 17 pair of socks.
The boys who were called for the first half of the selective draft army from Colfax County left on the U.P. for Fort Riley, Kansas and will train at Camp Funston. Before leaving a large number of citizens from throughout the county gathered at the Schuyler city hall from where a parade was formed which was headed by school children of Schuyler and two bands, the Krofta Band of Clarkson and the Schuyler band. Following are the men who made up the second contingent of the county’s quota for the draft: Wm. W. French and Frank Krekci, Jr., Schuyler: Jos V. Havelka, Howells; Emil Hladky, Henry J. Dvorak, Rudolph Jedlicka, Frank J. Janousek, Alois F. Totusek, Jos. Kudera and Edward Cada, all of Clarkson.
The lady clerks at Chleboun Bros. store experience quite an excitement when one of the girls spied a large “tarantula” spider leap from a banana stock. Without any assistance whatever the fair ones had courage enough to capture the creature and enclosed it in a glass jar. The spider is one of the largest we have ever seen and we admire the girls for having such nerve and pluck as they did while capturing the dangerous assailant. The tarantula is about the size of a silver dollar and would make a fine specimen for our high school classes. Its sting is very dangerous, probably the most venomous of any living creature of its species.
Dr. Kalal reports the birth of a fine boy to Mr. and Mrs. Jakub Sperl of Stanton County.
Word has been received here that Frank C. Kratochvil, who left here last spring in the company of Wm. Decker for Montana, was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Jerome Faltys made an auto trip in his Ford to Norfolk with a party of friends.
Misses Anna Jirovec and Zdenka Sinkule, Mrs. Frank Uridil of Leigh, Frank Kubik and Jos. Mundil, Jr., made an auto trip to Bruno last Sunday.
Friends of Rev. and Mrs. Kvetensky will be happy to learn that they have changed location from Racine, Wisc. To Corapolis, Pa.
Rev. Jos. Bata was passenger to Omaha to consult an architect regarding the building of a new parsonage for the local Catholic congregation.
"Cop" Middleton brought another offender of the local traffic rules before Justice of the Peace Renter. A Howells man was making a flying home early Monday morning about one o’clock, passing through our streets at a terrific speed, undoubtedly thinking that there was no one in sight, when suddenly the "Cop" called him down. He plead guilty and paid a fine of $5.00 and costs. This case proves that the Mat. Is on duty when others are in deep slumber.
Mrs. Jos. Fillipi left for Holyoke, Colo., to visit her sons Theodore and Joseph, who are located near that place.
Miss Anna Wright autoed across from Schuyler for a few days visit with Mr. and Mrs. Anton Odvarka.
Fred Colsch ran his photo above his weekly grocery ad. Specials were : Sugar, 100 lb. bag, $9.00; Flour, 48-lb. bag, $2.85; Red Crown Motor Gasoline, gal .23; Perfection Stove Oil, gal. .12; Mason Fruit jars, quart size, doz.75; Rolled Oats, 4 ˝ lb .25.
Wolf & Vitek advertised Case Oil Tractors in five sizes, a size for every farm: 9-18, 10-20, 12-25, 20-40, and 30-60.
Grace M. Palik, editor of Howells school news, reported that 242 pupils are registered for the new school year.
Mr. and Mrs. John Pospichal who visited about two weeks in Garbar, Okla., returned home this week.
Rud. Hobza announced that he will give a social dance at his farm southwest of town. Dancing will take place in the hayloft of his new and spacious barn. Good music will be furnished.
September 27, 1917 - reprinted April 29, 1981The Clarkson chapter of the Red Cross shipped out 200 pounds of finished garments for our servicemen. The shipment consisted of 110 suits of pajamas and 24 dozen crocheted-edge wash rags.
Palma, five year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Koza, was injured while playing on the pipe fence which encloses the Catholic yard. She received a broken arm when she lost her hold and fell to the ground.
Miss Mary Podany became the bride of Rudolph L. Chudomelka at SS Cyril and Methodius church. Father Bata spoke the binding rites. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Podany of Stanton County and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chudomelka of Dodge.
While chopping wood at the farm home in Wilson precinct, Frank Kudera, Sr. had the misfortune to sustain a deep and painful cut on his right foot. He took a full swing with his axe at a stump and in some manner he missed the object and struck his foot with the sharp edge of the axe inflicting a deep wound.
Pvt. Wm. Rozmarin, who is stationed in Honolulu, wrote this to the editor of the Press: “The native bells with their dreamy dark eyes, and the girls from far away Japan, whose ordinary costume is 10 cents worth of calico and a pleasant smile, cannot wean us away from the thoughts of real, honest-to-goodness girls in God’s country, back in dear old Clarkson. We are all anxious to correspond with all the girls in Nebraska.
John J. Dudycha and Anton Novak are making preparations to hold a combination sale of 50 thoroughbred Hampshire hogs. The sale will take place at Mr. Novak’s premises in the eastern part of town.
DADDY HAS ASSISTANT—Never before had I, Anton Odvarka, Jr., one of The Press publishers, more joyfully reported a news item than this week when my better half presented me last Monday with a big sturdy baby boy weighing nine pounds. Dr. Kalal of this place, who rapidly is gaining a wide practice because of his splendid medical proficiency; was in attendance, most ably assisted by Miss Anne Wright of Schuyler, a registered nurse of Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. The boy who promises to be a fine assistant in his daddy’s sanctum and the mother are getting along excellently under the efficient care of Miss Wright.
Fajman Motor Co. reports the sale of 8-cylinder Willys-Knight automobiles to Anton Hradec of Stanton county and Adolph J. Mrsny of Leigh. The firm also sold an Overland car to Ed. Otto of Leigh and two Overland “Country Clubs” to Anton and Otto Odvarka.
Vaclav Podany sold a 240-acre farm which he owns in Stanton County to Edward Zvacek of Thurston for $140.00 per acre. The deal was closed by F.C. Schulz and Phillip Roether.
Mrs. N. Balzer and her mother, Mrs. Barbara Hefti were passengers to Fremont where they spent the day visiting.
Misses Emma Kunhart and Anna Cerny and Jos. Hejtmanek left this morning for a short visit in Omaha.
Jos. B. Sobota, a progressive farmer in Midland precinct, marketed a load of five hogs here which he sold to Noh and Vlach and received a check for $314.95. A record-breaking price, indeed. Mr. Sobota brought the porkers in with his new auto truck which he just recently purchased.
Monday evening, brothers and sisters and closest relatives of Jos. V. Havelka of Dodge assembled at the home of his sister, Mrs. V. Melena, where a farewell party was given for Joseph who left yesterday for service in Uncle Sam’s army. Joseph leaves a little boy, Frankie, two years of age, who is the first war orphan in Colfax County. As Frankie’s mother died last fall his relatives are going to take care of him while Joe is serving his nation.
Jos. M. Bos, one of our prosperous Duroc Jersey breeders purchased a fine thoroughbred animal this week from John M. Bader of Scribner, to add to his splendid herd.
A few illustrations from The Howells High School Annual "the 1917 Forget-Me-Not", "Rig" Norman Folda business manager; Grace Palik, editor-in-chief; Prof. Jerome Ve Srb. Supt, "Every woman should have a home of her own"; Emma Wragge "One of herself is true. And therefore must be the same to you"; Frank Dolezal, "He has no time for girls or fame. A mere Diploma is his aim." Irma Quesmer, "As brimful of mischief, wit and glee-as ever a human form can be,"; Walter Kunhart, "If hot air were music, Kunie would be a Brass Band."
Gerald Knopf, 29, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ernest, northwest of Schuyler. He was assisting his father in the erection of the new German Lutheran church. A hemorrhage following the noon meal was the immediate cause of death. He was married Oct. 11, 1909 to Christie Vesely. She survives as do children, Markyta 7, Edward 6, Rudolph5, and Alois 2. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Knopf of Schuyler.
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kopac of Schuyler returned from an auto trip to Hot Springs, S.D. The trip was made via the Black Hills and Anton is not over enthusiastic over the auto route. He said the trail is very poorly marked and that the roads are so poor that speed of over 15 miles per hour is impossible, owing to the great holes in the highway.
Accompanied by Rev. J. Pieper of SS Peter and Paul Church, Howells, Miss Mary Knipping left for Clyde Mo. to enter the Catholic monastery at the point and don the celestial robe of nunnery. She will be at the same convent with her cousin, Verna Mann of Dodge, who is now designated as Sister Tarsia.
M.J. Borgmeyer and P.J. Thiem of Howells motored to Lindsay, where the former is offered a flattering position as manager for the local general store. The offer contains a very substantial increase in salary and it is quite likely that Martin will accept.
Registration of Nebraska women for patriotic service is to go on until every loyal woman citizen over 16 years of age is registered. This announcement came form Mrs. A.F. Sheldon, chairman of the registration department.