Colfax Co. - Looking Back (1943) NEGenWeb Project
Looking Back At The World (1943)
By The Leigh World
Colfax County, Nebraska


The Leigh World publishes a weekly column entitled Looking Back at the World, which is comprised of articles taken from earlier Leigh World files. A special thank you to the Leigh World for allowing me to reprint those articles. The following are selections from that column:


September 3, 1943 - republished July 12, 2017
Attendance at the Colfax County Fair was up 40% from attendance two years ago.

The Rozmarins had a family reunion in North Bend at the home of their sister, Mrs. Rose Krepel.
    Those who attended were: Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Rozmarin, Leigh; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rozmarin, Clarkson; and Frank and Will Rozmarin and Joe Kunes and their families.

Mrs. Orville F. Salmen, formerly Miss Leona Hunteman, writes from Arkansas:
    "The rustic charm of the Ozarks has great appeal for me and I don't think I'll ever tire of the winding roads, the mountain peaks, the multicolored rocks, and the millions of trees one sees in every direction. Mountain Home is a small town of about a thousand people, in the extreme north central part of Arkansas. Norfolk Dam, with which my husband is connected, is thirteen miles to the southeast.
    The project is for flood control and electrical power and is to be finished by next summer. Much effort is being made to receive congressional authority to begin construction of another dam west of town soon to alleviate the annual ravages of floods of the Arkansas River and its tributaries.
    Our home is located in the Government Village, a residential area just outside of town that is reserved for families of the engineers.
    There are no basements or furnaces here, however homes are completely modern and well kept up.
    Mountain Home itself is much like any small American town, but the life of the country people certainly is different.
    One of my favorite pastimes is to be downtown on Saturday to watch these people coming in to spend the day. Whole families, from grandmother to small infants, ride in a wagon drawn by horses or mules. They bring their dinner and food for the team and stay in town all day.
    Or several families may ride in the back of another farmer's truck. There are more trucks, wagons, and buggies parked down town than there are automobiles.
    The blacksmith shop is busy continually.
    Equally interesting is the dress of these country people and particularly their drawling speech. I never tire of listening to them.
    When traveling comes into its own again after the war, I hope that friends from the Leigh community will stop to call on us if any of them should happen to be coming to the Ozarks. They will be most welcome.

Miss Helen Cisler became the bride of Stanley Pospichal of Leigh in a double ring ceremony read by Reverend C.Z. Petlach in the Catholic Church at Clarkson on Wednesday, August 25th.


September 3, 1943 - republished July 19, 2017
The 29th annual reunion of the Feye families was held on Sunday at "Dead Timber" park, near Crowell. Those present at the gathering: Mrs. Alma Feye, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Feye and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Feye and family and Mr. and Mrs. Werner Sander and son, Dennis, of Creston.
    Mrs. Hermine Feye and Mrs. Louis Gernstein, of Leigh; Mr. and Mrs. William Feye, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Feye, Mr. and Mrs. Moseman and family, and Mr. and Mrs. William Ruether and family of Hooper; and Mr. and Mrs. August Feye and daughter of Bennington.

School opened at Creston High School Monday morning with the following teachers: Marvin Stoval, superintendent; Mrs. Elwin Langhoff, prinicpal; and Mrs. Paul Gorman in the high school. Mrs. Joe Jura will teach the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, while Margaret Gorman will teach the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
    At the close of registration day there wer 46 enrolled in high school, 7 seniors, 13 juniors, 7 sophomores and 19 freshman.
    Only 5 of those freshman live in town, the others come from Districts 45, 21, 58, 37, 78, 20 and 53.

The storm last week caused considerable damage to the buildings, and serious damage to crops. In town the top blew off the town water tank. It was carried several rods down the road to the south. The top of the tank is 20 feet in diameter and was made of wood covered with tin.
    At William Wenk's farm, the roof blew off the house and some machinery was overturned.
    At Ewald Hake's a 60-foot hog house and a small building were demolished and the corn stripped.
    At A.L. Barrett's the chimney blew off the house and there was considerable water damage in the house. At the Osten farm a barn blew down and small buildings were damaged on many other farms. A strip one mile wide and 10 miles long, starting north of Creston and ending near Leigh, the hail damage is estimated at 10% loss to 100% loss.


September 10, 1943 - republished July 19, 2017
The Leigh Public Schools opened Monday with an enrollment of 147 pupils, which is a slight drop over last years enrollment of 156.
    Beginners to the primary room this year are: Gary Belohrad, Shirley Hoff, Allen Polenz, Larry Mackenstadt, Dean Houfek and Thomas Kumpf.
    George C. Kumpf will have charge of the football this year. Seven games are scheduled for the season.
    Supt. William J. Dunn will coach the basketball boys for the coming season.
    Ten games will be played. The schedules with be printed in "The Leigh World" later.
    The faculty is as follows: William J. Dunn, Superintendent; Miss Josephine Sterba, Principal - Normal Training - Manual Arts; Miss Ropha Rayne, Science - Mathematics; Miss Zoe Smith, Latin - English; Mrs. Clara Dunn, History - Social Science; Mrs. Rachel Shinnery, 7th - 8th; Mrs. Maude Harms, 5th - 6th; Miss Ree Hoesley, 3rd - 4th; Mrs. Nellis Wullschleger, 1st - 2nd.

John J. Karel was commissioned a second lieutenant in ceremonies held Saturday, August 21, at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
    He was a member of the Armored Officer Candidate school.
    Lt. Karel is a brother of Mrs. Ed Horejski of Leigh. He entered service on October 2, 1942.

Mrs. Lambert Houfek entertained a group of youngsters at her home on Tuesday of last week in honor of the sixth birthday anniversary of their son Dean. Those at the party were Calvin and Carolyn Hobel, Douglas Hobel, Allen Polenz, Marcella Prokop, Larry Mackenstadt, Virgil Dykes, Rodney Rynearson, Shirley Hoff, Donna Rae Hoff, Arlen, Evelyn and Ronald Beck. Mrs. Beck was also a guest.


September 10, 1943 - republished July 26, 2017
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ludvik Zrust at the Columbus hospital on Thursday of last week. Dr. Eby officiated at the birth of the child.

Marcella Engelbart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhold Engelbart, of Creston, became the bride of Reinhardt Theilen, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Theilen, of Creston at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Creston on September 2.
    Attendants were Ilene and Irene Engelbart, sisters of the bride and Harold Theilen, brother of the groom.

Charles Marx, William Wenk, Elmer Hoesly, John Barrett and Newell Westcott and son, Dick, drove to Lincoln Monday to attend the State Fair.

Supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bachman Friday evening were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Dasenbrock and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Busch and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bachman and family, Miss Delores Littelman and Walter Hillen.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Anson, William, Elaine and Elwin, and Mr. and Mrs. George Summers drove to Lincoln Saturday and attended the State fair on Monday.
    William Anson remained in Lincoln at the home of his sister, Mrs. Carol Dahlbert and will enroll as a student at the university.

Gertrude Wiemer, Dorothy Busch, Anita Oldings and Mildred Bachman will attend Midland College this year.

Lieuteant Raymond Stevens graduated and received his silver wings Monday, August 30th. He was granted a ten-day furlough and arrived at his home at Polk on Wednesday. Friday he came to Creston and visited friends until Saturday noon. He reports to the Air Base at Columbus, Ohio, September 10. Lt. Stevens was Math and Science teacher and coach at Creston High School before joining the Air Corps.

An electric truck hoist is being installed at the Farmers Elevator to make grain dumping easier. The driveway from the dump is being extended.


September 17, 1943 - republished July 26, 2017
At nine o'clock on Monday morning, at St. Bernard Catholic church northeast of this city, with Rev. Father Claude, pastor officiating, Miss Margie Pfeifer, of that parish, and Tony Reichmuth of this community were married before a large congregation of relatives and friends.
    The bride's sister, Miss Cecelia Pfeifer, was maid of honor and the groom's niece, Miss Lois Reichmuth was bridesmaid. The groom was attended by the bride's brother, Anthony Pfeifer, and by the groom's nephew, Richard Reichmuth.

Zion Lutheran Parochial School reports an attendance of 37 pupils.
    Eight beginners have entered school this year. They are: Gladys Marty, Clinton Johannes, Victor Olson, Jr., Ronald Beck, Donald Franzen, Melvin Dehing, Marjorie Korte and Noel Meyer.

Hedwig's Beauty Shoppe moved to 1 block north of schoolhouse, third house from the corner on north side of street in Creston.

The first killing frost hit this community Sunday night. Thermometers were reported as low as 26 degrees.

The teacher and pupils of Zion Lutheran School were at Schuyler on Thursday of last week, at the Colfax County Teachers Institue. They were requested by the county superintendent, Miss Loretta Dowd, to demonstarte the teaching of three-part singing. There were 35 children in the group. They were taken to Schuyler in cars driven by Rev. E.C. Werner, Mrs. Carl Mullenhoff, Jr., R.W. Korte, Ed Franzen, Arnold Olson, and L.A. Dittmar, driving Henry Beck's car.
    After the demonstration, they went to a park where the group enjoyed a wiener roast.

A daughter, Karen Kay, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Kluck, of Richland on Sept. 15, at St. Mary's hospital, Columbus.
    Mrs. Kluck will be remembered as Helen Bakenhus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Bakenhus, formerly of Leigh.


October 1, 1943 - republished August 2, 1997
The classes in the Leigh School have elected their officers and chosen their sponsors for the coming year. They are: Seniors-President, Allen Schroeder; Vice President, Fern Korte; Secretary, Priscilla Fowler; Treasurer, Ladean Korte; Sponsor, Mrs. Dunn.
    Juniors-President, Urban Imholte; Vice President, Lawrence Gernstein; Secretary, Angela Novotny; Treasurer, Gladys Paper; Sponsor, Miss Sterba.
    Sophomores-President, Henry Hefti; Vice President, Jeanette Hobel; Secretary, Marjorie Mackenstadt; Treasurer, Mercina Pimpara; Sponsor, Miss Smith,
    Freshmen-President, Ardath Reichmuth; Vice President, Marilyn Hauk; Secretary-Treasurer, Nadine Asche; Sponsor, Miss Payne.

Grand Champion Fowls at the fair: Grand Champ Cock, Alfred Sander, Creston; Grand Champ Hen, Miss Anna Kovar, Schuyler; Grand Champ Cockerel, Elaine Tejkl, Leigh; Grand Champ Pullet, Mrs. Frank Charipar, Leigh; Grand Champ Old Pen, Frank Reichmuth, Leigh; Grand Champ Young Pen, Albert Cerv, Leigh.

An Extension Club was organized last week by Miss Gayor of the County Agent's office in Columbus. The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Fred Walter, Sept. 24. Miss Gayor was leader for the meeting which concerned making over winter clothes, Color charts, patterns and sewing stitches were demonstrated.
    Officers elected were: President-Mrs. Fred Walter; Leaders-Mrs. Alvin Prang and Mrs. Louis Boning; Secretary/Treasurer-Mrs. Herman Hansen; Music-Mrs. E.K. Luedtke; Reading Leader-Mrs. Kenneth Loseke; Reporter-Mrs. DeForest Jansen.
    Meetings will be held once a month on the third Tuesday.


October 8, 1943 - republished August 2, 1997
D.L. Gross, extension agronomist at the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, reported that soy bean production in Nebraska was much higher this year than in the past.
    There are approximately 110,000 acres of soy beans planted in the state this year, the largest acreage ever planted. On the better fields the yield is placed at from 20 to 30 bushels per acre. Most of this is planted in the eastern part of the state.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Leigh on Thursday for Dessie Sayers who was killed in a truck/bus collsion in Omaha. She was born in Colfax county, the daughter of a pioneer family, Mr. and Mrs. James Sayers, on December 11, 1897. On September 28, 1908 she was united in marriage to Walter Church and they made their home in Leigh until 1909 when they moved to Boone county. They lived there until 1926 when they moved back to Leigh where they have lived till just a few months ago when they moved to Omaha.
    She is survived by ther husband, her daughter Mrs. James Wallace (Vernetta), her mother Mrs. James Sayers, three brothers, Robert, Frank and Roy Sayers, and four sisters; Mrs. John Specht, Leigh, Mrs. Adam Fuhr, Leigh, and Mrs. George Dawkins and Mrs. James Dawkins of Albion.
    Pall bearers were six nephews: William and Raymond Fuhr, Charles and Glen Dawkins, Ralph Specht and James Dawkins.

Members of St. Mary's Church gave a farewell for the Reverend John Maciejewski Tuesday evening at the club house. He will leave today for Omaha where he will be installed as chaplain at St. Catherine's Hospital. The affair was hosted by the ladies of St. Mary's Social Society.

Cpl. Earl L. Fuhr, of Bluethenthal Field, Wilmington, N.C. who had spent a 14 day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Fuhr and family and relatives and friends, left Thursday of last week.
    Cpl. Fuhr was honored at a dinner at the home of his parents on Sunday. Those present were Cpl. Earl L. Fuhr, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Fuhr and sons, Mr. and Mrs. William Fuhr, Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Severin and Darlene, Mrs. Mary Sayers, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sayers and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fuhr and family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sayers and family, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sayers and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Specht and family, Mr. and Mrs. George Dawkins and family, Mrs. Jake Hekerdle, Miss Libbie Hekerdle, and Henry and Carl Fuhr.

Miss Emma M. Holmes originated the idea of the Grandmother's Tea and became the first chairman eight years ago. The primary purpose was to honor Mrs. Margaret Loseke who was one hundred years old.
    Grandma Loseke was honored as the oldest guest three times and she was known to have referred to it as "my party." After her passing the teas were continued until it has become an established custom. Mrs. F.O. Nelson, publicity chairman, wants everyone to know that the Woman's Club cordially invites all grandmothers young and old.

All public schools of Colfax County and the Junior Red Cross are gathering bundles of clean, usable clothing of all kinds for the underprivileged children in America and British refugee children. Good shoes, warm garments, and adult's clothing are being put into bundles by the patrons who are responding to this drive. Parents are also assisting the teachers in getting the bundles to the collection centers. These places are Howells, Leigh, Clarkson schools and Colfax County Implement Company of Schuyler.

The first meeting of the Creston Woman's Club was held September 28, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church.
    Guests at the meeting were Dr. and Mrs. Homer Palmateer and Dr. and Mrs. Bruce, of Madison.
    They have taken several trips into Old Mexico and to Florida where they have taken colored moving pictures. They brought their picture machine and films to the meeting which furnished the evenings entertainment.
    Especially beautiful were the scense of the flowers and trees and cathedrals. Action pictures included many fishing scenes and a bull fight.


October 15, 1943 - republished October 8, 1997
Mrs. Louise Gernstein entertained at dinner honoring her son, Harold, and Jerald Held, who are serving in the Navy and are now home on a furlough.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eller at the Lutheran Hospital at Columbus. The little lad weighed eight pounds and three and three-fourths ounces, and has been named Gene Douglas.


October 15, 1943 - republished August 9, 2017
Thirty-five grandmothers braved the samp and dreary weather of the day on Tuesday and responded to the invitation of the Leigh Woman's Club to attend their tea party at the club house. Mrs. W.F. Hobel was given the prize for being the oldest native grandmother, having been born in this state.
    Mrs. Fritz Miller was honored for having the youngest grandchild, and Mrs. Jams Aspinall was honored for having the most number of grandsons in the service - five. Prizes were plaques containing Bible verses, and were presented by Mrs. Fred J. Rabeler.

Although the house was not occupied, fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the house on the Asche Brothers farm, about six miles northwest of Leigh on Sunday afternoon.
    By the time firemen arrived flames had reached such proportions that the heat was so intense, it was impossible for firemen to get near enough to do anything with the chemical spray.

A P.T.A. group was organized at Zion Lutheran School at a meeting held Friday evening.
    The purpose of these groups is to promote a better understanding between the parents, teachers and pupils. Reverend E.C. Werner was elected chairman and Ed Franzen was elected secretary-treasurer.
    A program committee was chosen, consisting of L.A. Dittmar, Mrs. Arnold Olson, and Mrs. R.W. Korte. It was decied to hold another meeting in December.
    A free-will offering will be taken up at each meeting to defray any expenses that may occur.
    The pupils of the school provided the entertainment at this meeting.
    Roland Korte conducted the newly organized rhythm band and Aletta Van Heufelen accompanied.
    The second and third graders also presented a lesson in Bible History.
    Group songs closed the evening program, after which a social time including a lunch was enjoyed.

Lillian Tedford and William Plessner were married in Lincoln on October 2nd. Witnesses were Mrs. Frank Vlach, of Clarkson, sister of the bride and Louis Plessner father of the groom.
    [The bride is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Tedford and received her schooling here. The bridegroom is the son of Louis Plessner] At present the groom is stationed with the Armed Forces at the Lincoln Air Base. The couple will make their home in Lincoln.

Wedding Dance at the Lakeside Ballroom in Clarksion honoring Miss Evelyn D Jonas and S/Sgt. Arnold A. Podany. Music will be provided by the Duffy Belohrad Orchestra.

Mrs. Ed Franzen recently receiving a letter from her brother, Clarence "Pat" Linn, who is somewhere in the South Pacific.
    The exact location of his group and its project is a secret. He writes that he "hopes to be home before the turkeys are all gone."

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brock and their twins, Udith and Jacqueline, and Mrs. Rose Utemark, of Wakefield, were dinner guests at the John Brock home on Thursday.
    Other guests at the dinner were Mrs. Esther Cooper and Mrs. Harvey Stoops of Cordova, Maryland and Mrs. W.W. Rynearson and Bobby.

A practice game between the Leigh panthers and the Alumni was held on Sunday, resulting in the defeat of the Alumni, 20 to 18.
    The beginning line-up of the Alumni was: Tom Trojan, Lavern Combs, Dick Reichmuth, Milan Loseke, Melvin Settje, and Dick Marty.
    The beginning line-up for the Panthers was: Alvin Reichmuth, Robert Starkey, William Combs, Allen Schroeder, Dick Lowe, and Lawrence Gernstein. Substitution s were John Glandt and Arlo Watchorn.
    The score at the half was 12-12. Reichmuth, Lowe and Glandt made the touchdowns for the game.
    The attempt for an extra point by passing was made by Glandt wo William Combs, but without success.

The Upper grades in Creston had a club meeting, Wednesday, during which time they elected Patty Sander as door monitor.
    Harriet Palmateer and Franklin Rosendahl as housekeepers.
    Also discussion was held about being better citizens.
    Book reports were given on Friday instead of English class. All classmates give one book report a month.
    In art they made Halloween decorations for the room.
    The party will be Friday, October 29th.

A farewell party was given at the Presbyterian Church on Friday evening for the Reverend and Mrs. Wallace Stockwell and family who are moving this week from Madison to Minnesota.
    Reverend Stockwell has been pastor of the Presbyterian Churches at Creston and Madison the past years.
    A short musical program was presented by members of the choir.


October 15, 1943 - republished August 16, 2017
Frank Woodward arrived Wednesday morning from Lexington for a week's visit with his son and family and to help with the poultry exhibit at the Leigh Hatchery.
October 22, 1943 - republished October 8, 1997
William Eller, 85, a brother of Frank Eller of Leigh, died early at his home at David City and was buried at Bellwood.
    Mr. Eller was a pioneer of that community. He was stricken with a stroke of paralysis and another stroke brought about his end. He is survived by grown children, three sons and a daughter; and also one brother, Frank Eller, of Leigh.

Walter Church, 57, filed a suit in district court for $48,947.50 damages against the street railway caompny as the result of an accident in which his wife was killed and he was injured.


October 22, 1943 - republished August 16, 2017
The holding of the 1944 state fair seems rather doubtful at the present time although fair officials declined to make any statement.
    The state board of agriculture has leased eight buildings on the fair grounds to the war department for storage purposes. Space under the grandstand and practically all the large buildings on the fair grounds are now being used by the 811th Army Air Forces specialized depot. The lease will terminate June 30th.

The Young People's society of the Congregational Church held its second meeting Thursday, October 14, at the home of Dr. Charles D. Eby. Miss Charlotte Eby presented the lesson which was a discussion on "Right or Wrong in regard to a Christian Young Person."
    It was decided that the October 21 meeting be held at the home of Lee Hunt with Miss Eileen McMullin presenting a Missionary lesson. Halloween plans will also be discussed at that time.

"I have been well and happy all the time. Everything will be all right."
    This short message received on a card from a Japanese prison camp Monday ended the two and one-half years of worry for Mrs. W.L. Metcalfe, 2012 Sahler Street, for the letter came from her husband, Captain "Bill" Metcalfe, who was taken prisoner with the fall of Corrigedor, according to a news item in the World Herald.
    Mrs. Metcalfe was with her husband in the Philippines for some time before the Japanese attack, but she returned to this country in June, 1941.
    A daughter was born in November, 1941. The last time Captain Metcalfe heard from his wife was when she was in the hospital, indicating that the many letters she wrote failed to reach him.
    Mr. Metcalfe practiced dentistry here for a time following the death of Dr. H.C. Mason. Being in the Reserve Corps Dr. Metcalfe was at the time called to the CCC camps.

A total of 2,370 pounds of clothing was collected and has been shipped to a distribution point in Missouri.
    A crew of volunteer workers headed by Mrs. Machacek packed the clothing for shipment to American and British refugee children.
    Mrs. Machacek and officers of the Junior Red Cross wish to express their appreciation to the public for the contribution of these bundles of clothing. They also wish to give this same recognition to the parochial schools who participated in this drive.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hunt took their daughter, Mrs. Albin Brodecky and daughter, Judith Ann, to Columbus, Wednesday evening from which place she entrained for Providence, Rhode Island, to join her husband who has been transferred to that city by the company with whom he is employed.


October 22, 1943 - republished August 23, 2017
Richard Daniels and daughter, Trudie, arrived this week from Colorado. Mrs. Daniels and the two younger children have been in Creston three weeks visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Briard.

Mrs. Kenneth Duff, of Seattle, Washington, who has spent the past three weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Wenck, left Sunday for her home. Mrs. Duff was formerly Laura Wenck.

School will be dismissed at the end of this week for a two-weeks corn picking vacation. Most of the high school boys have jobs lined up for the two weeks. Several of the boys have been going out after school and on Saturdays the past two weeks to help with the cornpicking.

Mildred Bachman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Bachman of Creston, has been named director of Basketball on the W.A.A. Council at Midland College.
    President of the Y.W.C.A. Miss Bachman is a member of Phi Omega Sorority, Religious Council and Cardinal Key.

From the Senior Class of 1943 in Creston Russell Wardenburg clerks at the Farmers Store; Miss Eunice Prang is attending Wayne State Teacher College; Miss Pearl Wurdeman has a position at Madison; Rene Peterson, Gertrude Wiemer and Dorothy Busch are attending Midland College; Helen Kapels has a position at the bank in Columbus; William Anson is attending the University of Nebraska; LeRoy Anson has a position at Fremont; Jim Donnelly is a member of Uncle Sam's Coast Guard; Junior Conyers is in the Navy; Melvin Settje is working on a farm.
    The following are at home: Marjorie Morlok, Melvin Sander, Lawrence Hellbusch, Leonard Becher, Martin Dirks, Lois Brauner, Evelyn Rosendahl, Roland Rosendahl, Lavern Wurdeman, Nora Kapels, Macena Decker, Milton Lueschen, Kenneth Meyer, Twyla Henry and Harold Theilen.


October 29, 1943 - republished August 23, 2017
Cattle shipments to country points in the state decreased about 22% over the July through September period of 1942. The total shipped for the three months this year was 75,495 as compared with 96,388 head for last year.
    Tomatoes and kraut led the list of products canned by the Nebraska state institutions. They formed the highest percentage of preserved vegetables products. The board of control announced that a total of 334,359 quarts had been canned during June, July, August and September.

Schools in the western part of the state extended their potato harvest holidays when students failed to return to classes after the allotted time. Investigation showed that most students were still in the fields so a couple of days were added to the vacation.


October 29, 1943 - republished August 30, 2017
The Leigh Public Schools have been closed on Thursday and Friday while the teachers are attending the Nebraska State Teachers Convention.
    Superintendent and Mrs. William J. Dunn attended the convention in Omaha and the others, Miss Ropha Payne, Miss Zoe Smith, Miss Josephine Sterba, Miss Rae Hoesely, Mrs. O.C. Wullschleger, Mrs. Rachel Whinner, and Mrs. Maude Harms attended meetings in Norfolk.

Members of the St. Mary's Church welcomed their new pastor, the Reverend Father Joseph Lane at a "get-together" party given at the club house on Wednesday evening. The affair was sponsored by the St. Mary's Social Society.

Mrs. Joe Moser, 63, died at her home in Scribner on Thursday of last week. Funeral services were held at the St. Lawrence Catholic church at Scribner. Her nephew, Father L.C. Baechler, a chaplain in the Army stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, flew to Scribner to sing the requiem high mass. He was assisted by Father Nache at the organ, the Scribner choir and Mrs. Walter Pheiffer.
    Mrs. Moser is survived by her husband, Louis Moser, twelve children, who were all present at the funeral; Vincent Moser, Henrietta Moser, Mrs. Lawrence Emanuel, Angela Moser and Mrs. Allen Wegner all of Los Angeles; Mrs. John Herink and Mrs. Emil Kasik of Leigh; Joe Moser, Jr., Humphrey Moser and Edward Moser of North Bend; Lawrence Moser of Hooper; Mrs. Al Parr and Sally and Ray Moser all of Scribner and 42 grandchildren.
    Those from Leigh who attended the funeral rites were Mr. and Mrs. John Herink, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bahns, Mrs. John Odenreider and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reichmuth.

The attendance of students from Colfax County at the University of Nebraska in recent years has been around the thirty mark. This year the attendance has been reduced to about one-fourth.
    Among the eight students from Colfax county at the University of Nebraska this fall, four are from Schuyler, Edward Houfek is a junior in the college of arts and sciences, and Duane Heuckendorf, Gladys Kasal and Phyllis Dworak all are freshmen.
    Clarkson is represented by Anita Indra and Arlene Wacha, both sophomores in the teachers college.
    Cyril Trofholz, from Leigh and Vernelle Perrin, from Rogers are freshmen.

In the untimely death of Senator Emil Brodecky, Colfax County loses one of its first citizens. Mr. Brodecky represented this county in the legislature for several terms. He was first elected to the bicameral legislature in 1933 and in 1936 was elected to the unicameral.

David Reins, of Omaha is here visiting at the Fritz Miller and Henry Miller homes and also doing some pheasant hunting.

James Sedlacek, Jr., returned on Thursday from Beatrice where he attended the Nebraska Fireman's Convention.

Mrs. Charlotte Eby accompanied Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dunn to Omaha Wednesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn will attend the teachers convention and Miss Eby will have her eyes examined.

Mrs. Lumir Janacek who spent a month here visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Specht, left Wednesday, to be with her husband Pfc. Lumir Janacek who is stationed at Stuttgart Field, Arkansas. Pfc. Janacek plays trumpet in the Air Corps Band.

The Walther Leagues of Zone 8 Missouri Synod, held their fall Rally at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Columbus, Sunday evening, October 24. Those from Leigh who attended were Reverend E.C. Werner, Lawrence Dittmar, Virgil Marty, Irma, Ruth and Fern Korte, Mabel Hake, Norma Mullenhoff, Lulu Wurdeman, Helen Wurdeman, Lorinda Asche and Lorinda Kramer.

At a beautiful ceremony at the St. John's church on Sunday afternoon Miss Esther Kapels and Heino Siefken were united in marriage. the ceremony was performed at three o'clock with Reverend Ochs officiating. A large group of friends and relatives witnessed the wedding.


November 5, 1943 - August 30, 2017
The reports of the annual stockholders meeting of the Colfax County Agricultural Society, held on Monday evening, revealed that the organization came through with a balance of over $1,400 on hand with practically all the bills paid.
    Charles R. Kuhle, president, and all other officers and directors were re-elected. They are Henry Wurdeman, vice president; and Otto C. Weber, secretary-treasurer.
    Directors elected were: F. Rabeler, George C. Kumpf, A.H. Breunig, M.C. Phillips, Arnold Barjenbruch, Henry Fuhr, George Reininger Sr., George Bruhn Sr., L.L. Hobel and F.J. Miller.
    It was the consensus of opinion expressed at the meeting that the premium list be greatly increased and that the premiums on open classes be resumed at the coming fair.

At a seven o'clock dinner for 21 guests, held at the Thurston hotel on Wednesday evening of last week, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Moeller announced the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Lois Ann to Debold Abbott, of Shelby. The marriage will take place in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus, Sunday, November 21st at 4 o'clock.
    Following the three course meal the group went to the Moeller residence where bunco was played.

In memory of their son, Bernard F. Thalken, who was killed in action on July 31st in the war in Africa his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Thalken was given a Gold Star and a Purple Heart. The presentation was made last Sunday by John Morfeld, commander and Urban Imholte, adjunct of Sucha Post of the American Legion, Leigh.
    Pfc. Bernard F. Thalken entered the service on August 1, 1941. He landed overseas on November 8, 1942. His parents were notified of his death on August 16, 1943.

The work of scraping and painting the inside of the water tower and building a new roof on it to replace the one demolished in August storms was completed this week by Zieg & Son of York.


November 5, 1943 - republished September 6, 2017
Pfc. Irvin Engelbart spent two weeks in a hospital in Sicily, ill with malaria.

Wesley Fowler was out from Lincoln Wednesday for a pheasant hunt. He was accompanied by a group of friends from the capital city.

Louis Sander, 83, a member of the Creston pioneer family died on Monday after a week's illness.
    Mr. Sander was born in Germany, April 8, 1860 and passed away at his home 3 miles south of Creston about noon, on Monday, November 1, 1943. He came to America when he was 23 years of age and has been a resident of this community since. He has long been a member of St. Paul's church.
    On December 17, 1891, he was united in marriage to Mathilda Grotelueschen. They started housekeeping on the farm where his son, Werner, now resides, only a short distance from where he resided at the time of his death.
    In 1941 Mr. and Mrs. Sander were honored by their relatives and a host of friends on their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
    Mr. Sander is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Fred Hollmann of Creston; two sons, Werner and Harvey, both of Creston; five grandchldren; two great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Bakenhus of Leigh and Mrs. John Hempleman of Omaha; five brothers, William of Kearney, Herman of Newman Grove, George of Leigh, Fred of Columbus, and Adolph of Creston.

The work of scraping and painting the inside of the water tower and building a new roof on it to replace the one demolished in August storms was completed this week by Zieg and Son of York.


November 12, 1943 - republished September 6, 2017
Creston reports that there was no mail bus through after 6:30 Sunday morning until Tuesday night. The drifts in some places were higher than the cars.
November 12, 1943 - republished September 13, 2017
Mrs. Belle Hobel, of Chula Vista, California, who has spent the past three weeks amongst relatives at Leigh, Dodge and Fremont, came over from Dodge, Tuesday and visited until the next day at the house of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Hubenka.
    On Wednesday she was accompanied to Dodge by her father, Otto Dunker and wife and she left from there for Memphis, Tennessee, for a few days stay with her son, Harold. He is in the armed service and is studying radio aviation. Mrs. Hobel will return to California from Memphis. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Loehing accompanied Mrs. Hobel and will locate in Los Angeles, California to be near their daughters.

An early snowstorm struck Nebraska Saturday night and lasted until Tuesday. It was wet snow until Sunday early afternoon when it was then accompanied by high winds and roads were soon blocked. Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Cramer who were on their way home from Omaha were stranded at Rogers, where they stated about 50 motorists were stranded over night at the filling station and garage.
    A.H. Breunig was also among those storm bound on their way home Sunday. He was returning from a business trip to Snyder and was able to get only as far as Clarkson. On Monday he came on to Leigh with Filbert Wacha. Many farmers were caught with corn in the field, some reporting as much as a hundred acres yet to be picked. The Leigh rural mail carriers made most of their routes on Tuesday.

A memorial service honoring Frank Novotny, fireman 1/c in the U.S. Navy, will be held in the Catholic Church at Clarkson on Saturday, November 13, at 10 o'clock a.m.
    Frank met his death one year ago on November 13, 1942, in the Battle of Guadalcanal. He served nine months in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on December 7, 1941, the day of the attack by the Japs on Pearl Harbor, having reached the age of 38 years. In January, 1942, he enlisted in the navy and served on the Cruiser Genoa in Pacific waters.
    He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Novotny, of Leigh.

Five-year [old] Douglas Hobel was host to a group of playmates on Saturday. A round of games preceded refreshments.
    A color scheme of red, white and blue was carried out in the table decorations. Flags centered the tables and candles were placed in a large "V".
    Guests were Ronald Beck, Dean Houfek, Gary Belohrad, Larry Mackenstadt, Tommy Kumpf, Allan Polenz, Harlan Trofholz, Bob Hobel, Calvin Hobel, David Kuper, Delores and Regina Spanhake, Sharon Kay Knight, Georgiana Bruhn, Judith Stevens, Donna Rhea and Shirley Hoff, Carolyn Hobel, Nadine Myrstny, Ethal May Woodward, Mignon Jones, Ludmilla Kasik, Emma Holmes, Mrs. George Bruhn, Mrs. Chris Wiegert, Mrs. Bertha Fowler, Mrs. Henry Hefti, and Mrs. Adolph Hobel.

Three Creston girls, enrolled as freshmen at Midland College, have been pledged members of the Pi Epsilon sorority social group on the campus.
    They are Gertrude Wiemer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Wiemer, Anita Oldigs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Oldigs, and Dorothy Busch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Busch, all of Creston.


November 19, 1943 - republished September 20, 2017
Army Air Base, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 15th - Working together, soldiers from the AAF Training Command's Air Base at Lincoln and the scrap and salvage committees throughout the state are putting every effort into an all-out drive to collect scrap.
    Dispatched by Brig. Gen. Early E. W. Duncan, commanding gneral of the Base, 16 trucks, 62 enlisted men, and five officers toured Madison and Platte counties last week, scouring the countryside for scrap metals.
    The scrap collected is to be sent to mills throughout the country for re-smelting and use in America's war machine.
    Thus far, the drive has proven to be very successful, over 1,200,00 pounds of vital war metals has been collected in the counties tackled.

Land northwest of Leigh sold for $84.50 an acre; this included the land with the buildings on it.
    The quarter section of unimproved land lying adjacent to the farm sold for $60.00 per acre.

Quite a number of people in this community will enjoy a turkey or chicken because the mangement of the Leigh Theatre will give them away at the show on Thursday evening (Thanksgiving Evening) at the local playhouse.
    Those who attend the show on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings will be eligible for the birds.
    Movie fans will see the great current picture, "China," starring Loretta Young and Alan Ladd with William Bendix also in the cast.

S/Sgt. Arthur Gersib left Sunday for San Francisco on his return trip to the Hawaiian Islands where he is stationed with the Air Corps.
    Although Sgt. Gersib has been in the service for four years this is his first furlough and he spent two weeks here with his mother, Mrs. J.A. Bahnsen.
    Sgt. Gersib was with the air corps when the Japs struck Pearl Harbor. He was at the airport that was bombed but was fortunate to not be injured by shrapnel.
    He stated that everything is quiet on the Hawaiian Islands now but that the servicement are ever on the alert.

Mrs. O.F. Salmen left, Wednesday, for her home in Mountain Home, Arkansas, after a few weeks visit with home folks, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Hunteman and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heins and Alice Johannes, of Platte Center, and Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Littleman spent Thursday evening of last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Johannes.
    The occasion was their father's birthday anniversary. Miss Alice remained at the home of her parents until Monday when she returned to Platte Center.

Cpl. Henry Barjenbruch arrived, Friday, from Seattle, Washington, to join his wife in a visit to home folks, the Barjenbruch and Kuper families.
    They are also spending a day at Hooper with Mrs. Barjenbruch's relatives. Henry is stationed at Fort Lawton where he has charge of the buying of food supplies for the army hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rickert have been spending the past week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Johannes, and are now visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Rickert, in the Christ Lutheran neighborhood.
    Pfc. Rickert served with the army in North Africa and was honorably discharged from military duty to assist with farm work. During his absence from this country Mrs. Rickert, formerly Irene Johannes, has worked in Washington, D.C.

Word has been received from Mrs. Lumir Janacek, who is with her husband at Camp Stuttgart, Arkansas, that her husband has just been promoted to Corporal.
    Cpl. Janacek plays trumpet with the air corps band at Stuttgart Field.

Lt. Milton Staab, who has seen service in England and Ireland the past year, has been returned to the States and is hospitalized at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
    He is recuperating from injuries he received in a fall. Mrs. Staab has been with her parents at Minden.

Mrs. Gottfried Marty Sr. observed her 73rd birthday on Sunday afternoon. Those in attendance besides her son, Otto, and daughter, Irma were: Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Marty and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marty and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Aerni and Judith and Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ahrens, Robert and Patricia, of Columbus; Mr. and Mrs. William Johannes and Alice; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ludwig and family; Mr. and Mrs. Art Marty and Gailya; Mrs. Esther Marty, Lynton and Betty Lee, of Leigh and Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Wilke, Norma and Allen of Richland.

Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Wolken entertained at a duck dinner, Sunday. Their guests were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Price and Miss Margaret Wolken, of Colorado, Cpl. and Mrs. Victor B. Wolken and daughter Karen, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Wolken and Mrs. Albert Limbach.

The pupils of Creston High School elected Carolyn Ritter and Della Mae Summers as cheerleaders for the coming basketball season.
    The Pep Club has been organized and gave a demonstration at the Convocation period on Monday.
    Mrs. Langhoff is sponsor of the Pep Club. The first basketball game is November 30th.


November 26, 1943 - republished September 27, 2017
Writing from East Port Orchard, Washington, Mrs. John Wiegert states that they missed the pheasant shooting this fall.
    Climatic conditions in that section of the country are damp and cool.
    The Wiegerts are finding that there is no fall season where they are but rather six months of rainy weather and six months of dry.
    Rain has fallen almost continually since October 15 and persons native to the locality call it "mountain soup." The sun comes out only rarely and usually in the late afternoon. In past years they have had as much as 140 inches of rain during a single season.
    The Wiegerts have not been able to meet up with Mr. and Mrs. Fred McMullin and Fred Ehlers of Portland; their trip was postponed.

Friends and neighbors of Fred Marx husked his corn for him Tuesday. Dinner was served at noon by the women of the neighborhood.
    Twenty-seven teams and 60 men turned out, picking 1060 bushels of corn in three and one-half hours.

The members of the Brotherhood of St. Peter's Church had a husking bee on their God's Acres tract of land north of Creston.
    Thirty-five acres of corn was husked and shelled that day. On Thursday the cobs were sold.


December 3, 1943 - republished September 27, 2017
The Nebraska Lumber Merchants Association has just completed a survey which shows that two-thirds of all the coal dealers in Nebraska have no coal.
    Phil Runion, secretary of the association, predicted that a number of Nebraska schools will have to close because of lack of fuel and that unless quick action is taken there will be suffering, especially in the western part of the state.

It was a new experience for Nebraskans to attend the launching of the first sea going army craft made in Nebraska, the WAC, a 104 foot army barge.
    Lt. Gladys Stillman of the WAC crashed the bottle of champagne on the prow of the barge and the ship was "launched" far from water, right in the midst of the prairie.
    The barge will be knocked down and shipped to be reassembled when it reaches its destination.

Miss Vera Velma Grotelueschen became the bride of Walter Hellbusch. The bride is the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Grotelueschen. Miss Nora Kapels was her maid of honor, Miss Delores Grotelueschen her bridesmaid.
    The groom is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hellbusch. His best man was Sgt. Emil Hellbusch, brother of the groom and Roy Grotelueschen, brother of the bride was groomsman.
    Rueben Hellbusch and Herman Otto were ushers.

Sgt. Quentin M. Breunig, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Breunig, Leigh, Nebraska who was graduated this week from the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School at Fort Myers, Florida, will be retained as an instructor at the school.
    A top-ranking classman, he finished third highest in jeep range firing.
    He was selected because of his high standing in the class and his natural qualities of leadership which were observed by the officers here during the course of instruction.

Mrs. Adolph Folda, 61, of Howells, died at St. Mary's Hospital in Columbus on Saturday after a lengthy illness.
    Funeral services were held Monday from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Adolph Pokorny at Schuyler to St. John's Catholic Church at Howells cemetery. Her maiden name was Bessie Prucha.
    She was born in Cuming County but went to Howells when she was ten years old to attend parochial school.
    She continued to make her home at Howells with her sister, Mrs. Joe Novak, and on April 21, 1902 she was married to Adolph Folda.
    Mrs. Folda was well known in Red Cross circles over the county and enjoyed a wide acquaintance. Mr. Folda died in February, 1914.
    Surviving are one son, Lambert of Omaha; and two daughters, Martha, of Chicago, Illinois; and Mrs. Leona Pokorny of Schuyler. There are six grandchildren.


December 3, 1943 - republished October 4, 2017
Miss Norma K. Gordon, of Great Bend, Kansas, and Leo Hunt recently of Great Bend also were married there on Sunday afternoon, November 21.
    The ceremony was performed by the Post Chaplain in the chapel at the Army base.
    The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gordon, of Wichita, Kansas and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Hunt. He is a graduate of Leigh High School and of the University of Nebraska. He is an employee of the Boeing Aircraft Company, of Seattle, and is a technical ground engineer.
    Mr. and Mrs. Hunt arrived at Leigh, Friday for a brief visit with his parents. They left on Saturday for Seattle, Washington.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holoubek, living near Clarkson, are the parents of a son born on Thursday.

Twin daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Hobza, Saturday.
    They have been named Donna Marie and Doris Jean.

At a sale held recently in Leigh a used binder brought $250; a Hammer mill $150; a team of horses sold for $354 and cows all brought over the one hundred dollar mark.
    These are almost ceiling prices.

Larry Rynearson was given a surprise, Wednesday, when friends gathered at his home to help him observe his 11th birthday.
    The boys were taken to the Leigh theatre for the Henry Aldrich picture and treated at the bakery by Mr. and Mrs. Rynearson after the show.
    A two tier birthday cake featured the lunch. Larry treated pupils of the parochial school during the afternoon.
    Guests for the evening party were Lester Woodward, Carol Lowe, Harlan and Ronald Trofholz, Bob and Jim Sadler, Bob Hobel, Charles Hauk, Arlen Beck, Norman Hoveling, Bob Marty, Marlverne Hoff, Willis Deichman, Rodney Rynearson and Lawrence Dittmar.

Fred Kucera, a former instructor at Creston High School is now with the Armed Forces in England.

Lt. Dale Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Barrett of Creston, is the first Creston boy in the Armed Services to receive a medal.
    Dale, who is in the Pacific war area, was awarded the Air Medal by Lieutenant George Kenny, commander of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific, for meritorious achievement while participating in 25 operational flight missions.
    Throughout these flights he demonstrated outstanding ability and devotion to duty.
    Creston is very proud of Dale and all the other servicemen.

Not long ago Mr. and Mrs. George Michaelsen, lost most of their winter canned goods in a fire at their home.
    They were prepared to get along without it but now they won't have to.
    Last night they went to their son, Melvin's for an evening visit. When they arrived they found their old friends and neighbors had gathered for a canned fruit and vegetable shower.
    Later they played Schafskopf and pinochle with a dinner to follow.
    Attending the party were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schwank and Jack, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Muth, Mr. and Mrs. John Koci and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sander and family, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Martensen and family,
    Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marty and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Theilen, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Janssen and son, Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Hamling and son, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hellbusch and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moeller, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hollman and family, Miss Apple Wemhoff, Joe Wehmhoff, Mr. and Mrs. William Muth and family and N.J. Mrziak.


December 10, 1943 - republished October 18, 2017
The request made by the Home Bakery through the columns of this newspaper for photographs of the service men from the Leigh community met with fine response.
    As a result over 70 photos of the boys in service are now on exhibition in the Home Bakery windows. Most of the men are in army uniform, only a small per cent being in civilian clothes. There is room for other photos.
    That Leigh boys have qualified in every branch of service is evidenced by the fact that so many have earned promotions and commissions. There is one lieutenant colonel, Adolph Kafka; two majors, Edwin F. Filipi and John Daniels; three captains, Wayne Wiegert, John C. Kaiser and Andrew Price.
    There are many first and second lieutenants and sergeants.
    Four Leigh families each have three sons in the armed forces. John, Lester and Fred Daniels, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Daniels; Harold, Sam, and Earl Tedford, sons of Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Tedford; Lauren, Harold and Arnold Hespe, sons of William Hespe; and Wilbur, LeRoy and Quentin Breunig, sons of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Bruenig.
    Photos of the two Leigh boys who have given their lives in the service of their country are shown.
    Frank Novotny, who met death in the Battle of Guadalcanal, November 13, 1942 and Bernhard Thalken, killed in action in North Africa, July 31, 1943.

Lt. LeRoy Breunig was a member of the class of fighter and bomb pilots graduated from training at Randolph Field, Texas, Sunday and was awarded his silver wings.

The Congregational Young People's society held a social meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McMullin, Thursday evening of last week. Betty Wullschleger, chairman, and her committee planned a hay ride.
    The wagon was drawn by a tractor driving by Russell McMullin.
    Guests were Mr. and Mrs. William Dunn, Camilla Popelka, Ema Jane Wullschleger, Carl Meiselbach, Robert Neuhaus, Russell, Robert, Ruth and Morton McMullin.

Pfc. Elmer Kramer who is in the army air corps in Fort Leonard Wood, Kansas City, Missouri, spent the weekend here with his mother and sister, Mrs. Clara Kramer and Miss Lorinda. Miss Leona Kramer, employed in the Mead plant at Wahoo and Walter Kramer, of Omaha, were here also.
    Elmer and Walter made the drive out from Omaha on a motorcycle.

The St. Peter's Sunday School in Creston recently celebrated their 25th anniversary as an organized Sunday School. One hundred ten were present to enjoy the anniversary program of which Mrs. Jake Buchman was chairman.
    Ralph Ritzen, of the Lutheran seminary, was a guest speaker. A history of the Sunday School was read and Rev. Jobman presented a gift to Fred Walter in appreciation of his 25 years of continuous service as Sunday School superintendent.
    Seven Sunday School teachers and officers were cited for ten years of continuous service.
    They are Mr. and Mrs. P.M. Hoesly, Elmer Hoesly, Mrs. Ernest Gigax, Thelma Wenk, Mrs. Fred Walter, and Mrs. Jake Bachman.

The Pep Club cleared $20.11 at a food sale Saturday.
    The money will be applied on costumes for the girls. They expect to get purple jumper dresses with long sleeved white blouses.
    The cheerleaders, Delia Summers, junior, and Carolyn Ritter, freshman, wear purple skirts with white facing and white sweaters.
    Mrs. Elwin Langhoff is Pep Club sponsor.

The members of the Ladies' Aid of St. John's Church of Creston held their Christmas party at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Ochs Thursday, December 1st in the form of a covered dish luncheon.
    It was the election of officers also and the following were elected for the coming year: President, Mrs. Henry Kapels; vice, president, Mrs. Emil Mueller; secretary, Mrs. Walter Berends; and treasurer, Mrs. Ernest Henke.

Martin Korbitz, who arrived in England recently with the armed forces, wrote that he had spent a day with his father, Chaplain Korbitz, also with the army in England.
    Martin says England is beautiful and that the days are warm but the nights are quite cold at this time of the year.


December 17, 1943 - republished October 18, 2017
The Nebraska State Board of Vocational Education has laid plans to provide specialized adult instruction in food production and war training, a program made possible by federal funds.
    This program served a vital need when the war effort was sped up. Last year the state used $36,841 of this money in conducting more than 100 classes without having to match the sum of money.

Dr. W.S. Petty announced that Nebraska was getting through to the end of the year with an unusually good health record, but warned that health authorities must be on the watch for smallpox.
    People are careless about vaccination for the disease and just one or two cases would send the disease skyrocketing.
    Outside the infantile paralysis cases around Omaha there were no serious spread of any diseases during the year, with no diphtheria, little scarlet fever and practically no malaria.

Mrs. Janet Boyd, of North Bend became the bride of Lt. Paul Leavitt of the U.S. Marine Air Corps, in a ceremony read in the Little Chapel of the Roses at Chula Vista, California on December 3rd.
    The groom is the youngest son of Rev. and Mrs. F.W. Leavitt, of Liberty, formerly of Leigh.
    He graduated from the Leigh High School in 1940 and met his future bride while attending Doane College.
    Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hobel, of Chula Vista, formerly of Leigh and Clarkson, were the attendants.

Major Chaplain John Daniels, former Leigh boy, passed through Columbus this morning on his way to the west coast.
    He has been in the armed service for the past three years and has been stationed in the Panama Canal Zone.
    His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Daniels, and sister and brothers, Lillian, Herbert and Donald, drove to Columbus this morning to visit with him during the train's stop.

A deal closed the first of this week gives Frank Cremers possession of the drug store building which he occupies. The building was owned by Mrs. Caddie McKinley, of McCook, formerly of Leigh.
    The purchase price was $3,000.
    Alva Dykes purchased the Mrs. C.O. Kloppel building on Main street Thursday of last week for $315.
    The building was occupied until recently by Fred Schlueter's plumbing equipment. Mr. Dykes will move his barber shop into it.


December 17, 1943 - republished November 1, 2017
Mrs. Adolph Belohrad and Elmer Cinfel, of Clarkson shared honors at a surprise birthday party at the clubhouse, Monday evening.
    The group of friends drove into the Belohrad yard singing "Happy Birthday."
    Accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Belohrad they drove to the clubhouse where arrangements had been made for an evening of cards.
    Others present were Mrs. Elmer Cinfel, Miss Sylvia Belohrad, Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Belohrad, Cy Wanek, and Mrs. Joseph Brabec of Clarkson, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Drahota, of Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Richtig and Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Kafka.

St. Peter's Church announces that there will be a Christmas Eve program at 6:30.
    German worship services on Christmas Day at 11:00 a.m. English Christmas services on Sunday, December 26, New Year's services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in January 1st.
    Church services will begin one half hour later during the winter months. Sunday School will begin at 10:30 and worship services at 11:30.


December 24, 1943 - republished November 1, 2017
Writing from Multnomah, Oregon, Mrs. Fred McMullen tells of a visit which she and Mr. McMullen, Fred Ehlers and Mr. and Mrs. Will Naber recently enjoyed with Mr. and Mrs. John Wiegert, of Bremerton, Washington.
    All former Leigh people they met at Centralia, Washington, and had the day together.
    Mr. McMullen has continued in his work as a mechanic in a garage, and is one of the sergeants in the Sheriff Guard Patrol. Mrs. McMullen is at work again in the meat department of a store.
    Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McMullen have bought a home in Eugene, Oregon, about 125 miles from Multnomah. Raymond works as a meat cutter and his wife operates a beauty parlor.
    Pvt. Bob Price was a visitor in the McMullen home for a short time only as he was stopping between trains on his way to Milton, Oregon, to spend furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Price.
    Mrs. McMullen believes that the thousands of people who have gone to the coast to work in defense plants will be returning to the Middle west as soon as the war is over.

Mr. and Mrs. Art Scheffler were surprised on Sunday evening by friends and relatives who came to help them celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. The evening was spent playing pinochle, after which they were given a gift of china, representative of the anniversary.
    Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Salter, Mr. and Mrs. P.M. Hoesly, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hoesly, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Fittje, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gigax, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Loseke, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Bachman, Charles Marx and family, Mrs. Anna Luedtke and Elsie.


December 31, 1943 - republished November 1, 2017
Miss Emily Vlach, of Howells, a bride of the coming week, was honor guest at a miscellaneous shower given by mrs. Henry Thalken and Mrs. Clyde Sucha and Alice at the clubhouse, Sunday afternoon. Bingo furnished entertainment for the 40 friends in attendance.
    Later in the week another shower was hosted at the Opera House in Howells. Mr. and Mrs. Thalken and Walter and Mrs. Anton Teply and Delora of Clarkson, drove to Howells to be present at the party Sunday evening.

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