March 7, 1918 - reprinted September 30, 1981Mr. and Mrs. John Kopietz left for Wichita, Kansas to attend the funeral of Mr. Kopietz’s brother, Engelbert, who succumbed to the attack of pneumonia. During Mr. Kopietz’s illness, his son-in-law, Fred Selenthrop of Great Bend, Kansas and little son were at his bedside and on their return trip, their auto ran against a bank, instantly killing Mr. Selenthrop. The little boy escaped injury.
Fillipi Brothers, Theodore and Joseph, left with a carload of household furnishings for Walthill, where they will make their future home. Mrs. Fillipi will, however remain here until the boys have all in readiness for housekeeping.
Stanley Kubik, who teaches school in the district east of town, is complaining of having a thief about the premises. Someone opened the desk drawer and took some money which was donated by the children to the Red Cross. It is very regrettable, indeed, that the guilty one had the audacity to attempt a robbery of this kind.
Noh and Vlach reported that they had sold over 1040 tons of coal in 1917.
Edward Zvacek and Blazej Vacha and their families arrived here from Thurston County to make their home here. Mr. Zvacek occupies the old James Podany farm north of town, and Mr. Vacha farm, formerly known as the Hegr farm, four miles southeast of Clarkson. The new-comers purchase the farm last fall.
Henry Hoffman of Midland precinct disposed of 160 acres of land, selling the same to Vaclav Cech. The price paid was $25,600.00 for the entire quarter.
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Indra are rejoicing over the birth of a fine baby boy who made his appearance on Sunday evening.
Joseph Rayman sold the 1160-acre farm which he purchased some time ago of Edward and Adolf Cinfel, to his son-in-law, Emil Sindelar. The land is located 3 miles northwest of Clarkson and price paid was $140 per acre.
Louis Totusek is here from Camp Funston, Kansas and speaks in glowing terms of army life and says that Uncle Sam is giving them good treatment.
Mrs. Frank Rozmarin, Jr. and children left for Ceresco to make their future home. Mr. Rozmarin left a few days before with livestock and machinery.
Mrs. Thomas Hyland, Sr., 75, died at her home in Albion, following a paralytic stroke which overtook her just before Christmas. Catherine E. Warner was born April 23, 1843 in Smithport, Pa., and was married to Thomas Hyland Oct. 30, 1865. They lived in Wisconsin until 1874, when they moved to Leigh. They moved to Albion in 1911. She is survived by her husband and 7 children: W. H. Hyland of Stanton, Thomas F., Mrs. J.H. Pieper and J. Edward of Albion, Mrs. D.W. McCurdy and Mrs. D. E. Conant of Cedar Rapids, John P. Hyland of Leigh and Dr. E.H. Hyland of Schuyler; and 14 grandchildren.
Mrs. Charles R. Kuhle is now rapidly improving in her home at Leigh after an illness which has stretched over a period of 4 months. She submitted to 7 operations and a total of 14 incisions were made for the extraction of the infectious pus. Miss Emma Vlazny, a trained nurse from Omaha, who had been taking care of Mrs. Kuhle, returned home this week.
Joe, Rudolph and William Franek returned from Camp Funston, Kansas, where they visited their brother, Louis.
Mrs. Joseph Barta purchased of Emil E. Brodecky, the former Emil Brodecky, Sr. home place in Howells, of late occupied by Mrs. Joseph Baumert. Consideration was $2900.
John C. Sprecher of Schuyler is under quarantine for small pox at his office, where he rooms. He was ill last week and went to the doctor who diagnosed his case as chicken pox. Mayor Roberts later learned that he had small pox instead of chicken pox, and placed his quarters under quarantine. George C. Birken thoroughly fumigated his barber shop Saturday night as Mr. Specher was a frequent visitor there.
The wedding of Miss E. Delzell Biggs of Schuyler, and Charles E. Doty of David City, which took place in Omaha, came as a great surprise to her many friends in Schuyler. The groom is associated with her father in contracting work in David City.
Adolph Lukl made an announcement in The Colfax County Press that hereafter it will not be necessary to discard anything of machinery on account of some broken part, as he now has a full line of modern acetylene welding equipment.
Fajman Motor Co. had this ad: You know your old car is "right" but your family wants appearance—they won’t ride in it. Now you can get a Universal Smith Form-a-Truck for any make of car. Priced from $400 to $350. In five hours, by the watch, your used car is taken off your hands and you motor truck is running.
March 14, 1918 - reprinted October 7, 1981The first declamatory contest ever to be held at the Bohemian National hall in Howells was a decided success. First honors went to Miss Grace Palik, who said “The man of sorrows.” Agnes Stangel won second place and Miss Cakl won honorable mention.
Wolf and Vitek decided to add a new line to their extensive hardware and implement business having selected the renowned Maxwell truck. The new department will be in charge of Julius Wacha.
According to reports made by the farmers of this locality, Clarkson will soon have a farmers’ cooperative grain elevator and lumber yard.
Since the street lights were discontinued, the attendance of the ladies of the Red Cross evening sessions is not as large as previously. The ladies would attend but are fearing injury by falling off the walks on their way to work or on their homeward bound. We are hereby appealing to the village board in behalf of the Red Cross workers to take this into consideration and keep on the street lights every Wednesday and Friday, so the ladies will have protection, especially since they are doing so much voluntary work.
Chief Game Warden Koster and two deputies visited Schuyler and vicinity in their quest of duck hunters.
Joseph R. Vitek, member of the village board of trustees and Frank Prazak, mechanical advisor, are spending a week at Wausa making preparations to remove a Corliss engine that the village board purchased at that place to be used for our municipal lighting plant. The engine was used only a short time in a farmers’ roller mill at Wausa, which concern abandoned the business and sold the equipment at a fractional price.
The taxpayers of Schuyler are undecided as to whether it would be better for them to install a new light plant this year or not. The result has been much discussion
Yesterday, shortly after the sun had set it’s rays ‘neath the western skies, the final summons came to Jos Kocanda at his home in the southern part of town. He was 77 years old. He lived in Colfax County since he immigrated here from the land of his birth, Bohemia. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Rayman and Mrs. Josie Najman. Funeral services will be from the home to the Z.C.B.J. Opera House where the impressive obsequies will be held.
John D. Wolf and Emil Petr are precinct committeemen in charge of the third Liberty Bond campaign. They have named the following to serve on sub-committees: B. Novotny, Jos. Konicek, John Musil, Frank Sterba, Frank Houfek, Adolph A. Bohac, Jerry Telecky and Albin Zastera.
Joseph, 10 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. M. Bukacek, fractured his collar bone when he fell on his way home from school.
George Klimes left for Excelsior Springs, Mo., Where he expects to stay for several weeks.
Mrs. Clyde Karel and son left for Norfolk, where they will visit with her sister, Mrs. Peterson, who resides in that city.
V.J. Svoboda and family left for Yukon, Okla., where they will make their future home on a farm near that place.
The village and school caucuses at Clarkson, F.W. Noh and Jos. R. Vitek, were nominated as trustees for the period of three years, and V.J. Chleboun, Emil Petr, Rev. B.A. Fillipi and A. Dusatko were nominated as members of the school board.
Many of our citizens viewed with admiration the evening skies when the northern heavens were aglow with a radiant aurora borealis. This natural phenomenon which is due to a discharge of electricity into the clear air filled the northern horizon with light tinged beams of yellow, green, purple and rose. The wire service of the country was crippled where the aurora borealis was most vivid.
Otto Sobeslavsky went to Neligh to drive back a second hand Franklin car for Ference, which he purchased at that place.
Emil Hejtmanek left for Wayne where he has employment on a farm. His brother, Jos., is also employed on a farm in that neighborhood.
The following Clarkson boys went to Lincoln to represent Clarkson at the basketball tournament: Robert Tomes, Elden Faltys, Rudolf Tomes, Joseph Noh, Frank Basta and Theodore Urbanek. Accompanying the boys were P. M. Lawrence, Stanley Kubik, John Rosburg, and George Humlicek. It was too bad that George Humlicek and Joseph Indra were disabled to partake.
Jos. Novak and F.J. Prucha have notification from the Sayers-Soville Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio that the elegant new automobile hearse for which they placed an order at the Kansas City auto show, had been delivered to the railway station at Howells.
John Dingslauge was a passenger to Omaha, where he visited Mrs. F. Waldschmidt. We are pleased to relate that Rev. Waldschmidt is in receipt of cheerful news from her bedside and she is expected to return home soon.
Two prominent Leigh couples were married recently. Carl J. Thorpe and Blanche Coper were married Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. Miss Martha Wullschleger and Ed Meiselbach were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Wullschleger. The groom came here last summer from Scribner and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Meiselbach.
March 21, 1918 - reprinted October 14, 1981The Farmers Local 190 at Leigh gave a debate at the Glandt School following an oyster supper. The question for the debate was: “Resolved: That country life is more enjoyable than city life.” Speaking on the affirmative were Harry Hunt, Pete Claussen and Frank Harlow, while those on the negative were Emil Trojan, Miss Maliha and John Novotny. Judges were W.S. Graham, Mr.Mohnson and J. Aspinal, who were in favor of country living.
John Fuchs of Howells is around with a petition wanting farmers to donate hogs, which will be sold, and the money given to the Red Cross. Farmers signing already are : John Fuchs, J.K. Semerad, F.A. Dvorak, F.J. Mejstrik, Sobata Bros., Louis Vondruska, John Beran, Jos. Vrba, Louis Brester, Stephan Ruschoff, Joe Evert, Frank Evert, Jos. Mestl, F. Vacha Sr., F.P. Belina, Jake Bart, Frank Bart, B.F. Sindelar, Louis Studnicka, Joe Nagengast, Theodore Knust, Conrad Knust, Henry Ridder, Herman Hegeman, B. Wieneke, Frank Svoboda, F.J. Petricek, Jos. J Petricek, John Tichota, Frank Sebek, F.T. Sindelar, and J.R. Novak.
This week Rudolph Telecky marketed 500 bushels of fine hard wheat receiving $2.03 per bushel from the Howells Milling Co. His check was over $1,000.
Frank Bazata is getting about on crutches on account of a serious accident at the Hedeja blacksmith shop. He was assisting with the sharpening of discs when one slipped out of his hand, falling on one of his legs, cutting it seriously above the ankle.
Quite a number of our students witnessed the declamatory contest at Howells. They were Pauline Hajek, Libbie Houfek, Elizabeth Polansky, Bertha Hudec, Tillie Fiala, Libbie Fillipi, and Stanley Kubik.
The following students had a perfect attendance up to this time of the year: Seniors- Martha Bukacek, Libbie Fillipi. Juniors – Jos. Jaroska. Sophomores – Olga Faltys, Blanche Humlicek, Marie Koci, John Swoboda, Esther Wolf, Joseph Zak. Freshmen - Bertha Hudec, Ruth Novotny, Elizabeth Polansky, Jerry Polansky, Alice Schultz, Stephanie Swoboda.
George Hermes, 43, died at his home in Stanton County after a siege of pneumonia. He is survived by his wife and 4our children.
Mrs. Barbara Pinker, 64, died at her home 6 miles north of Howells. She was born in Bohemia in 1854 and was married to Martin Pinker in her native country. Of 12 children born to this union, three died in infancy. Mr. Pinker died 7 years ago. Survivors are Anna, wife of Henry Schuetze, Bessie married to Emil Novotny, Frances, wife of Wm. Holoubek, and four sons, Joseph C., Bart., Emil and George.
Referee George J. Busch sold the Ben Mick estate property at the courthouse at public auction. One residence property was sold for $4600 to Mrs. Hahn and Wm. Roether bought the other residence for $1500.00
Joseph Juva, Fr., 83, died at the home of his son, John, in Wilson precinct. Funeral services were held at Heun and burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Adolph J. Fajman of Clarkson, auto dealer from Clarkson; Joseph Hledik, auctioneer from Howells; Sanford Van Housen, who has been clerking for Jos. Otradovsky at Schuyler and F.W. Shonka, popular cashier at the Schuyler National Bank, are four men who were drafted and will leave for Camp Funston.
James Chadek sold his new modern residence in Howells to Joseph Baumert for $4200.
F. F. Walters conducted public auction at Howells and the property brought $2,785.00. Mike Harder being the purchaser. The auction hammer of Col. Wm. Bierbaum, brought good prices.
E. Fealty, the fellow arrested some time ago as the author and star performer in the shooting of F.C. Oltmman and John Vavra at the Louis Ashe home, where they were playing cards, is now back among his friends in Lincoln, as the guest of Warden Fenton. It appears that Fealty broke out of the pen without completing his sentence for horse stealing and much wanted in Lincoln
Emil E. Dudek, assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank, purchased the residence property of Mrs. Kasper Zrust now occupied by the Anton Adamek family, paying $2,500 for the same.
Frank Podany, Jr., living 10 miles north of town is carrying both hands bandaged up, as a result of an accident. Podany was engaged in adjusting a carburetor on his automobile in the light of a lantern and as he lay under the car a large portion of the gasoline leaked into his sleeves which, when he took hold of the lantern combusted severely burnt both of his hands.
Dr. Kalal reports the birth of a baby boy at the Frank J. Machacek home. He also reports the birth of a baby girl at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Kacin in town. The Machaceks live in Wilson precinct.
On Monday P. Hampl disposed of an 80-acre farm which he owned four miles northwest of Clarkson. The purchaser was Harry M. May. He paid $160 per acre for same.
The contract for the erection of the new SS Peter and Paul Catholic church in Howells was let last week, and excavation is now underway.
Agnes Novotny was editor-in–chief of the Clarkson Public school news.
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Votava of Omaha were visitors at the A. Dusatko home.
The Press is in receipt of a communication from John C. Mastny, stating that he safely arrived in France and is now ready to enter the great struggle for freedom of the world.
Frank, the 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Brabec was seriously injured as a result of being knocked down by the fly-wheel of a gas engine, while shelling corn. The pin in the fly-wheel caught his coat, knocking him down to the ground with great force and breaking his left arm below the shoulder. The wrist of his right hand and his left foot were also fractured.
E. J. Pokorny, J.M. Bukacek and Ed. Zelenda went to Omaha, each returning with a Ford product for the Prazak Motor Co.
Fajman Motors reports the sale of a fine Buick “6” to Frank F. Zrust.
Frank Uhlik of the Tabor locality is really deserving of complimental mention of his activities in behalf of the Government in this time of war. He was the first one in Lincoln precinct to buy the limit of $1000 in War Saving Stamps.
Gus A. Mudrow will dispose of his livery property at auction March 23. Sold will be a thoroughbred stallion, some driving horses, buggies, harnesses, wagons and other supplies pertaining to the livery business.
March 28, 1918 - reprinted October 21, 1981Pastor B. A. Filipi; Joseph M. Bukacek, Clerk and Board of Trustees Emil Nykodym, Joseph E. Ruzicka, V.J.Chleboun, Emil Petr, F.W. Noh and Frank Teply signed the Articles of Incorporation of the New Zion Presbyterian Church in Clarkson.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rabeler and daughter, Margaretha, and Gus Hahn of Leigh went to Omaha where they went to hear the famous Harry Lauder.
Marriage licenses were issued to Alois Bures, 22, of Clarkson and Mary Pacas, 19, also of Clarkson: and R.B. Kramer, 36, and Clara Korte, 34, both of Leigh.
Colfax county had 13 banks in 1918; First National Bank, Banking House of F. Folda, Schuyler State Bank and Schuyler Savings Bank in Schuyler; Colfax County Bank, Howells State Bank and Farmers State Bank in Howells; Clarkson State Bank and Farmers State Bank in Clarkson; First National Bank and Leigh State Bank in Leigh; Richland State Bank in Richland and Bank of Rogers in Rogers.
A half page ad on the front of The Colfax County Press, printed in bold type read: During the Civil War $3,000,000,000 was raised through Government bond sales, and in the same ratio of Liberty Bonds in our present national wealth, we could, if necessary, in this war raise $74,000,000,000.
W.F. Adamek & Company advertised the highest quality men’s and boy’s dress and work shoes from $2.75 to $1.69. Men’s heavy work shoes were on special at $3.79. Men’s white duck shoes sold for $3.39. The finest dress shoes were on sale for $4.89.
James Sayers, 60, died at Lord Lister hospital after a lingering illness with diabetes. He was married to Miss Mary Church 42 years ago and leaves to mourn his wife and nine children, vis: Robert, Roy, Frank, Edward, Nancy, Isabel, Dessise, Daisy and Lydia.
Emil Meiselbach and Hazel Hunt were united in marriage in Fremont. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hunt and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meiselbach. The groom is following the painter’s trade, following a honeymoon in Omaha. They will go to housekeeping in the Kumpf cottage.
Fred Rabeler Jr. has contributed a Miami Baby Six electric gauze cutter to the Red Cross for the use of surgical dressing workers.
Henry Hooker, F.J. McKinley and Frank Uridil started on a mission in the country but when they came to the Molle place in the southeastern part of town their car began to skid and finally landed in the ditch. Hooker was at the wheel, and although he was running the car at low rate of speed, he was unable to control it. They shot through a wire fence and when the car landed in the ditch McKinley was thrown out of the car head-long. No one was hurt seriously. It is thought that a part of the steering device, which was broken, probably when it struck some ruts caused the accident.
Earl Chleboun left for Denton, S.D., where he will be employed by his brother, John, who farms near that place. We understand Earl will stay there the entire summer, returning late in the fall.
Gus Mudrow disposed of his livery property and left immediately for Excelsior Springs, Mo., where he will take treatments for his rheumatic ailment.
Mrs. John Callely, who lives north of town, was honored on her 75th birthday. The event was attended by scores of guests.
Thos. J. Miller, sales manager for Atlas Land Co. in Humphrey recently won the reputation of being a phenomenal real estate salesman and the leader in this branch of business in northeastern Nebraska. Mr. Miller accomplished a record that seldom can be excelled nowadays. During the fiscal year of March, 1918, he succeeded in selling 13,000 acres of Nebraska land which sales amounted to approximately $1,000,000.00
Fire broke out in the garage of Mrs. Frank Rozmarin, north of town-turning the property to ruins and ashes. No one was near the garage and flames were piercing the roof, when noticed by family members. It was too late to save the garage and a Ford car that belonged to Leonard Rozmarin who was out with the car, just a few hours before the fire broke out.