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:
April 5, 1923 - reprinted January 18, 1995The Union Pacific second trick telegraph operator and ticket agent Sulc of Schuyler was held and robbed of $60.00 last Friday. Two men and woman did the work. One man and the woman remained outside the station while the third member of the part [sic], armed with an automatic revolver, went inside. After compelling Sulc to lie down on his face on the floor the looted the cash drawers and escaped in a Chevrolet touring car bearing a Kansas license number. This is the fourth of a series of robberies of depot agents in this section of the state. Second trick operators on the early evening shift have always been the victims.
We have bben asked by the village to announce that there will be no electric light service through the day on Sundays, for at least a few weeks. Last Sunday the service had been shut down on account of certain changes at the Scribner plant. On next Sunday several changes will be made by local lines and for that reason the service will be closed off. This is done for the convenience of the workmen in charge of the work. After all lines are repaired we shall have uninterrupted 24-hour service, regardless of Sundays or holidays.
By a vote of 28 to 1 the state passed the Reed-Hastings bill which amends the fish and game license laws so that they restore the right taken away two years ago from landowners. In order to increase license fees the last legilature required a land owner, before hunting or fishing on his own land, to permission and a license from the state. This bill says he can freely do either or both without paying for the privilege. Other amendments to the law give women and boys under 16 the right to fish without licenses and boys under that age may also hunt without a permit if accompanied by parent or guardian. Another important amendment takes away the present requirement that one must carry his license on his person, by setting up that if he is able to show it is sufficient. Many persons carry their licenses in their cars, and because they did not have them their persons when the deputy game warden came around, the courts had fined them.
April 12, 1923 - reprinted January 18, 1995Mrs. Jos. Holoubek, who moved here recently with her esteemed family from Howells, was overtaken by a complete surprise Sunday evening when a bunch of relatives gathered at her home in commemeration of her 36th birthday. Although unprepared for an occasion of this kind, Mrs. Holoubek soon managed to find er [sic] say out of the predicament and succeeded in proving her skill in preparing an enjoyable time for her friends without loss of much time. The evening was whiled away at cards and social conservation. Refreshments were also served. The guest departed in the late hours of the night, wishing Mrs. Holoubek many happy returns of the day.
Richtig Bros. have secured the local agency for the Gray car which they are now displaying at the garage. From the brief experience we have had with this car we find it is a pleasure to drive an automobile that is as easy to handle and is as responsive as the Gray. It is a dependable car and promises to give the same unfailing service in day to day driving that was given by the famous Gray transcontinental economy car which made a record run from San Francisco on a saving of one-third of the gas. The car is said to have covered the distance of 4819 miles and with a total gasoline consumption of 142.53 gallons or an average of 33.81 miles per gallon. It is a handsome and sturdy little car adaptable to all means of travel and has the same features produced by the higher-priced cars. Kopac Bros. have the state agency for the Gray output of cars and according to Richtig Bros., they have disposed of eight-five cars of different models during the month of April. It is claimed that the Gray car is designed to become a persistent rival of the popular Ford cars. Be sure to read the announcement of Richtig Bros. elsewhere in these columns for further information regarding the Gray car.
Roy Miller, Burlington brakeman, saved the life of Carl, four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reinecke at Grand Island Saturday, by grabbing it from in front of a locomotive with but two feet to spare, carried the little one to the front of its home, and resumed his duties with the crew of his freight train just as if nothing unusual had occurred. The little tot crawled up on the track just as the freight of eighty-five cars came through the yards. Brakes were applied but the weight of the long train prevented a stop. With all of his four years the tot, Carl, Stood on the track almost bidding the train to come on. Miller as on the tender steps. Carefully calculating distances he jumped from the engine, swiftly ran ahead and snatched the boy to one side just as the engine ground by in a shower of sparks.