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 5, 1931 - reprinted November 7, 2001Quite a number of moves have been noted the past week:
Ernest Cech, who had been living on the Mestl Bros. farm north of Clarkson, moved onto the Emil Lodl farm vacated by Ladie Karel, who moved with his family onto one of the Emil Cinfel farms. The Mestl farm is now occupied by Longin Hajek.
Mrs. Mary Karel and her family, who had been living on the Jos. Franek, Sr. farm north of Leigh, moved onto the James Marik farm north of Howells.
Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Dvorak, who lived south of Wells, moved into the vicinity of North Bend.
Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Cernin vacated the former Richard Karel acreage property in the southeast part of Clarkson and took possession of the Jelinek property in the south part of town. They will inhabit the property jointly with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Speckman.
The Richard Karel property, which was purchased some time ago by Mr. and Mrs. James R. Severa, is now in charge of the new owners.
Emil Sindelar moved his family from the former Rosalie Cerv dwelling, now owned by A.V. Hejtmanek, into the Philip Roether property in the east part of town, vacated recently by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cinfel, who moved to California. The Hejtmanek rental property is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Severa, who made their home with Mrs. Severa's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Indra.
James Dolesh and his family, who occupied the Mrs. Sixta property in the southwest part of town the past year, moved onto their farm north of Leigh. The Louis Tomka family is now living in the Sixta property.
Frank Jura, who lived in the vicinity of Madison, moved onto the A.E. Woodman farm in Wilson Precinct.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Pavlis and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pavel moved from the Leigh vicinity to Newboro, Wheeler county.
Joe Pacas moved from the Dudek and Wolf farm near Heun, onto one of the Thos. Coleman farms south of Leigh."Brown-Eyed Betty" a rural comedy will be presented March 11 at the Presbyterian Church basement. Members of the cast are:
Edmund Dudek, Lillian Filipi, Hilda Kabes, Edwin Kabes, Alden Zastera, Chester Koza, Daniel Teply, Rudolph Kabes, Florence Vlach, Lily Tichy, Wylma Nykodem, Martha Wolf.The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Evon Jonas was rushed this afternoon to Norfolk, suffering with painful body burns. While playing in the family car, the child is said to have found a match which she struck thoughtlessly against the side of the car and ignited her clothes. Her injury was of such grave nature that Dr. Kavan, who gave her first aid, advised the parents to take the child to Norfolk.
March 5, 1931 - reprinted November 14, 2001Sheriff Roy Whalen and his assistant, Deputy Eli Best, of Stanton, raided the Emil Hamernik farm three miles north of Clarkson, commonly known as the "chicken ranch," and took Emil Hamernik and Frank B. Musil into custody. A charge of bootlegging was filed against the young men. Both were taken to Stanton where they appeared before Judge Louis Dern to answer the infraction. They were each given a fine of $100.00 and costs, making a total of $240.00. "The boys were given a good lecture and promised to clean-up the place," Judge Dern informed us over the telephone.
Little Wilma, two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alois F. Totusek, residing southeast of Clarkson, who had been seriously ill the past few weeks, fell into the realms of eternal sleep at an Omaha hospital where she had been taken.
The child had contracted pneumonia several weeks ago and when nearly recovered from the siege, complications of double mastoids set in and her condition became serious. She was taken to an Omaha hospital, where the best of medical aid was brought to her rescue, aut all was of no avail.
Besides her parents, she is survived by two sisters, one being a twin sister of Wilma.
The remains were brought to Schuyler from where they were taken by Chas. J. Novotny to the home of the grief stricken parents, southeast of town. The funeral was held from the family home with services at the Zion country church. Interment was made in the adjoining cemetery.After suffering for a period of several years, Frank Zelenda, an ex-service man and a former Clarkson boy, made his supreme sacrifice at the Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he had been a patient for a long time. Word of his demise reached Clarkson relatives. He died at the age of 39 years, 8 months and 8 days.
The deceased was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on the 19th day of June, 1891, and when a small boy he came to this community with his parents. The family located on a farm in Stanton County and after losing both of his parents, Frank came to Clarkson and made his home here for many years.
Shortly after America declared war on Germany, Frank joined a group of Clarkson volunteers and entred Uncle Sam's fighting forces. He left Clarkson on May 3, 1917, with the first contingent of volunteers and remained in service for almost three years.
He returned to Clarkson in the fall of 1919, after having served in the Philipine and Hawaiian Islands. His health had been greatly impaired and he was unable to find relief for his illness.
In 1925, he was admitted to a Veterans hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, where death ended his suffering.
The remains were brought to Clarkson and interment was made in the local cemetery. The rites were conducted from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Zelenda, with services at the New Zion Church conducted by Rev. Filip.
The deceased is survived by three brothers, Joseph Zelenda of Schuyler, Edward and Leo Zelenda of Clarkson; two sisters, Mrs. Anton Makovsky of Buhl, Idaho, and Mrs. W.H. Roether of Schuyler.Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cinfel took their departure for California, where they expect to make their home for some time. For the present, they will make their hadquarters on the Hobel chicken ranch near San Diego. This ranch is operated by Frank Hobel, Mr. Cinfel's nephew, on a five-acre tract and we are told that at present they have over 8,000 laying hens on the place.
Mr. Cinfel and Rainold are planning to take a homestead in the desert section, northeast of San Diego, which they will attempt to build into productive farms.Pupils of Mrs. Ann Stransky will present a musical recital March 5 at the Presbyterian Church in Clarkson.
She is assisted by Mrs. Louise Zelenda, Mrs. Clarence Hahn, Miss Esther Bukacek, Frank Ference, Charles J. Novotny and Goerge C. Novotny.
Pupils include: Rawlin Karel, Mildred Cimfel, Frank Vidlak, Vivian Noh, Roma Kabes, Geraldine Teply, Esther Bukacek and Mrs. Clarence Hahn, Olga Gloser, Marcella Knapp, Hugo Slama, Margaret Hefti, Ruth Hahns, Sophie Musil, Emily Zelenda, Wilma Schaffer, Arthur Fayman, Lillian Kabes, Maxine Schulz, Frank Ferenc, Charles J. Novotny, Ann Stransky, Frank Jonas, Lillian Vavra, Anita Faiman, George C. Novotny, Frankie Blecha, Paul Filipi.The fourteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Houfek, has been confined to his bed the past few days and is under the care of Dr. Kavan.
Believe it or not as Ripley would say, Wm. Polacek, helper at the local creamery, caught a three-legged mouse, and an examination revealed that it was born that way. It had two front legs and only one hind leg and there is no indication that the fourth leg was ever lost in a trap.
James Vlcek and son, Louis, of near Florence, Nebraska, visited at the Jos. Slama home. Mr. Vlcek is a brother of Mrs. Slama and Frank Vlcek of this city.
The Louis V. Hanel family, who occupied the Adolf Vraspir residence, took up living rooms in the Anton Teply home in the northwest part of town.
Edward Stehno, who had made his home in the western part of the state, moved onto his brother Joe's farm four miles south of Clarkson, vacated recently by the Francis Corey family. Mr. Stehno intends to make his future home in this community.
March 5, 1931 - reprinted November 21, 2001Mrs. Frank Hobza was tendered with a surprise party by a group of lady friends in honor of her birthday. The event was well planned and Mrs. Hobza was over-taken by real surprise. Card playing was the chief diversion of the evening. Mrs. Frank Vidlak carried off first honors and Mrs. Adolph Kudrna came out second.
Following card playing, the gathering indulged in a fine luncheon brought by the visitors. Those present at the party were: Mesdames Frank Vidlak, Hrdlicka, Frank G. Wolf, V.J. Chleboun, F.J. Wacha, John Schaffer, Jos. F. Jirovec, J.A. Indra, L.J. Evert, Frank Vnuk and son, Wallace, Adolph Kudrna and daughter, Doris, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Maliha and sons, JOs. and Lawrence, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hobza.Dr. Kavan was called to render medical aid to the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolf Svitak, who severely cut her knee on the edge of a bed.
Use Shell gasoline for best results and Shell kerosine for your incubators. Holoubek Service Station.
The Jos. Sedlacek sale of household goods attracted a good-sized crowd of buyers and everything sold for all it was worth. Mr. and Mrs. Sedlacek departed the same day for Tacoma, Washington, where they will make their future home. The property in the east part of town, which they sold recently to Miss Hermie Jilek, was taken over by the new proprietress.
Leo Krepela, prominent farmer and livestock man residing six miles northeast of Dodge, was fatally injured when his automobile collided with a truck on the highway four miles east of West Point.
Krepela sustained head injuries which resulted in his death in the West Point hsopital.
The accident occurred when the car in which Krepela was riding alone was side-swiped by a truck owned by a Huron, South Dakota, trucking company. It was understood that one of the occupants of the truck was asleep at the time of the collision, while the other, the driver, was unable to give a clear account of the accident. It was also reported that both men were being held pending investigation.
Mr. Krepela, who was en route from West Point to Oakland on a business trip, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krepela of Dodge vicinity. He was about 36 years of age, was married and had five children.Clarkson Market: Wheat, 60c; Corn, 42c; Oats, 30c; Hogs, $6.40; Butterfat, 25c; Eggs, 15c; Hens, 14c.
Mrs. Marie Psotta, who is slowly convalescing from her recent serious illness, left for Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where she will take treatments for about six or eight weeks. Her son, Louis, took her as far as Omaha.
Report was received in Howells recently by old-time friends of the Jas. Kavan family, residing in California, announcing the sudden death of F.E. Kavan, son of the late James Kavan. No details were given at the time but L.R. Coufal received word that Mr. Kavan had been shot by bandits. One of the California dailies made the following report on the shooting:
"Because F.E. Kavan, 53 years old, prominent San Bernadino nurseryman, is hard of hearing and evidently mistook a bandit's curt command to "stick 'em up" for an innocent inquiry as to the time, the San Bernardinan lay seriously wounded in the Ramona hospital.
Kavan, who resides at 1423 Arrowhead avenue, was parked in the 400 block on Third Street, east of E street, about 9 p.m. when approached by two youthful bandits. He understood them to inquire as to the time. When the nurseryman reached for his watch one of the bandits fired point blank.
Deputy Sheriff D.W. Brown, who was driving on Third Street a few yards from the shooting heard the shot and saw Kavan fall. Brown leaped from his car and had one of the bandits covered before the youth had made good his attempt to duck through the Third Street traffic. The other bandit was able to lose himself in the crowd.
Kavan was shot once through the left breast by one of two men who walked up to his machine and demanded his money."
Kavan died of his wounds the following day.
Kavan's father, James Kavan, of Van Nuys, California, died in October, 1929, leaving $100,000 estate to his son and daughter, Mrs. Maude Richardson. The Kavan family before locating in California, many years ago, resided in Howells, Mr. Kavan having conducted a general merchandise store here.Dr. Myers is making frequent calls out to the Frank Kasal farm home, giving medical aid to their son, Junior, 1 1/2 years old, who is laid up with pneumonia.
John Shuster and his family of Howells took their departure for Martin, South Dakota, where they will again make their home.
James Hajek and his family of Howells left for South Dakota, where they expect to locate permanently. We wish them good luck in their new home.
The Auto Hospital in Howells sold a new Chevrolet coupe to Anton M. Novotny, who purchased same for his son, John.
J.H. Busch of Howells is confined to his bed with a siege of rheumatism and is under the care of Dr. Myers.
Frank Verba and Victor Folda of Howells were at Neligh attending to business matters.
Miss Emily and Rose Simerl of Howells motored to Fremont where Miss Rose underwent an operation for sinus trouble at the Richmond Hospital.