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:
October 4, 1951 - reprinted July 20, 2005Friends in Leigh received word that Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Buchner of Bloomer, Wis. are the proud parents of a girl, Carolyn Camilla, born on Sept. 1. Mrs. Buchner is the former Camilla Popelka, formerly of Leigh.
A few of the students of Leigh High School have been unfortunate. Many of us have acquired a few aches and pains that we didn’t have when school started. Among the injured are Evelyn Beck, who was out of school about a week and a half with trench-mouth; Charles Hauk, who suffered a bruised shoulder in the LHS-St. Pat game; and LaVern Wendt, who got a honey of a black eye in the LHS-Bellwood game.
This summer, Mrs. Henry Beck found a pin in her garden with the following inscription on the back—Humorous-First. L H.S. 1931 and with the initials M.V. inscribed on it. The pin would be some 20 years old and Mrs. Beck stated that it was still bright and shining when she found it. She has no idea how many of the 20 years the pin was lost in her garden.
When returning from Norfolk on Friday evening, Cpl. Walter Meyer was forced off the highway a few miles west of Leigh on Highway #91 when he was blinded by a spotlight turned on him from an oncoming car.
Cpl. Meyer, who had driven to the edge of the road to avoid hitting the offending car, struck some lose gravel which spun him around in the road and landed in the opposite side in the ditch. He recracked two which were injured just before he left Korea and injured his right knee in the mishap. He also received a minor cut on the head. The car, belonging to his father, was badly damaged on one side.
A second accident occurred on Saturday when a D and H Oil Truck driven by Gordon Hoff, and a car driven by Anton Kmoch collided at the intersection of Highway No. 1 at the south edge of Leigh. Mr. Hoff had backed out of the Knapp driveway when the Kmoch car, unable to turn out in time was struck, damaging the side of the car. No one was hurt.Thursday afternoon, September 27, became a bright spot in the lives of the Leigh students, for it was at this time that Bob Bradford and Jiggers Johnson were made known to us. Bob Bradford, an amazing young impersonator, ventriloquist and singer, together with his animated, comical little friend ”Jiggers Johnson” entertained the Leigh students in a hilariously fast moving demonstration of voice versatility. Particular specialties were his talking cornet, which refused to stop playing the “Sugar Blues,” and Jiggers temper fits when put to bed.
October 11, 1951 - reprinted July 20, 2005Construction on the relocation of Highway Nebraska No. 91 between Leigh and the intersection with Nebraska No. 15 and on spurs south of Clarkson and Howells is scheduled to begin on or before October 22nd, according to a State Highway Department announcement.
Three contracts for this work were awarded on September 18th. Theisen Brothers of Osmond have a $123,757.51 contract for grading on the 10.2 miles. Benzing Company of McCook is to receive $97,117.72 for constructing culverts. For building two new bridges, both over Maple Creek, Diamond engineering Company of Grand Island is to receive $82,079.36.
According to the terms of the contracts, the culvert work is to begin by October 22nd, the bridge construction by November 19th and the grading by April 14, 1952. The start of the work on the bridges is dependent upon the contractor securing the necessary steel and State Engineer Harold L. Aitken says that it is highly unlikely that the contractor will be able to secure steel by November, since many bridge projects in Nebraska scheduled to begin more than a year ago are still being held up by steel shortages.
The grade of the new highway will be 32 feet wide and will be a straight alignment with the relocation now under construction from Dodge west to No 15. The spurs to be built south of Howells and south Clarkson will connect these towns with the new highway.A Colfax county feeder, James Severa, had high-selling fat steers at the Omaha market Monday, 20 head weighing 1,225 that sold at $38.00
Willie Loseke of Platte county had $22.00 hogs at the Omaha market last week, 42 head of 208 pounders.
Market-topping hogs at Omaha Monday included a shipment from Harvey Jepsen of Platte County, 26 weighing 234 at $21.50.Mrs. Henry Wurdeman’s mother, who spent several weeks at the Wurdeman home, fell last Wednesday afternoon. She was taken to the Norfolk hospital where an X-ray disclosed a broken leg.
Keith Lightner fell while practicing football at school in Omaha and received a bad fracture of his wrist.Peggy, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gigax tumbled down three steps at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gigax, Tuesday and received a double fracture of her left arm.
Harold, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ogan, fell off a fence last week and fractured his shoulder.
The following men from Colfax County left for induction into the Armed Forces October 4, 1951; Maurice A. Vogel—Dodge, Edward C. Boubin—Madison, formerly of Clarkson, Laurn W. Oltmer—Schuyler, Anton J. Vrba Jr.—Schuyler, Steven F. Navrkal—Clarkson, and Robert J. Muhle—Leigh.
Miss Florence Herink was pictured in the Society section of Sunday’s World-Herald. Caption beneath the picture was “She’ll Wed Navy Man.”
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Herink of Leigh, Nebraska have announced the engagement of their daughter Miss Florence Herink of Omaha to S1c Dale E. Hittner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad J. Hittner of Columbus, Nebr.
Dale is taking an electronic course at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Ill.
Miss Herink is doing secretarial work for a firm in Omaha
October 18, 1951 - reprinted July 27, 2005Nebraska farmers paid with two lives, 194 fingers, 18 hands, 10 arms, four toes, one leg and two feet in gathering approximately 225 million bushels of corn last year.
Extension Engineer John C. Steele of the University of Nebraska, who is a member of the state safety committee, supplied the cost figures. He said these were only the reported cornpicker accidents and undoubtedly the cost was higher, He added that 25 men at least were hurt in corn elevator accidents.
Mr. Steele pointed out that failure to stop the cornpicker before trying to remove the stoppage of the machine accounted for almost every accident. Trying to make adjustments, applying compound to the rollers with the machine in operation and running the machine without powershift shields accounted for others.
The extension engineer said that everyone connected with corn harvesting must be made to recognize the safety hazards and how to avoid them. He suggests that farmers discuss the safety problems with their harvest crew. He said the breakfast table s the place for the farm wife to caution the crew about accidents.A surprising housewarming party was held for Mr. and Mrs. Allen Schroeder at their home south of Leigh on Wednesday evening, Oct. 3.
Friends and neighbors came with filled baskets to welcome the couple into the neighborhood. Cards for the men and bingo for the ladies was played for entertainment.
Those who attended the housewarming were: Mr. and Mrs. F. Otto Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Motycka and family, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Motycka, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Rahtz, Mr. and Mrs. George Deichmann and daughters, and Mr. and Mrs. Roland Watchorn and family and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Folken and children.Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Dixon, former Creston residents, will hold open house for their friends at the City Hall at Humphrey, Sunday October 21st, from 3 o’clock to five.
The occasion is their 60th wedding anniversary.Pfc. Emil Machacek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Machacek of Leigh is spending a 14 day furlough with home folks. Pfc. Machacek entered the service in February of this year and is stationed at Camp Atterbury in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Marion Miller, son of Mrs. Viola Miller, spent a three-day furlough with home folks here. Pfc. Miller returned to Fort Meade, Maryland by plane on last Sunday night.Chief James Sedlacek and Arlen Beck of the Leigh Volunteer Fire Department attended the Monday session of the Firemen’s Convention held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at Norfolk.
Mr. and Mrs. Arlen Beck and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leigh attended the banquet held at the Auditorium on Tuesday night.
About 800 firemen, wives and guests attended.
Governor Val Peterson gave a short address.During the week, last week, improvements were being made to the Congregational parsonage. Members of the congregation gathered and insulated the home.. Following this, the parsonage was given a new coat of paint. Another addition is a new name sign of the church placed on the lawn in front of the church.
Also last week, members of the Zion Lutheran Church gathered and reroofed the parsonage. A new bulletin board was also recently installed on the lawn in front of the Zion Church. This board was contributed by the Walther League of the congregation.
W.C. Deichmann has had the front of his place of business on main street painted a bright orange. Trimmed in blue, these are Westinghouse colors, whose appliances Mr. Deichmann is the agent for.
October 25, 1951 - reprinted August 3, 2005Mr. and Mrs. Esty Sadler have moved back to Leigh from Clarkson and have reopened their business on main street. During the past few weeks, the Sadlers have had the booths removed and card tables put in for card players enjoyment.
Lunches and short orders will be served and the Sadlers have a fresh supply of candy, cigars, cigarettes and Swift’s Ice cream to offer.
The Sadlers invite you to come in and enjoy a game of cards. They will continue to serve the public as their friends and former customers were accustomed to be served.
The open-air skating rink, which they operated in Clarkson, has been stored for the winter months in Leigh.
Mr. and Mrs. Sadler have rooms at the home of Mrs. Anna Wullschleger occupying the front of the house.
In a deal completed on this Monday, the 160 acre farm owned by Mrs. Ella Olson was sold to Mr. Harold McMullin for the consideration of $331.25 an acre. The $53,000 quarter sold for more money than has ever been paid for land near Leigh, according to Geo. C. Kumpf, agent to both parties.
In a second transaction completed on Monday by Geo. C. Kumpf, real estate agent to both parties, Gustave Spanhake purchased 80 acres from Harold McMullin for a consideration of $25,000 or $312.50 an acre. This land is located south of Leigh and is part of which is known as the Bridges estate and the Drahota estate.
In a transaction completed last week, the farm, consisting of 194 acres, located one mile east of Leigh, was sold to Peter Claussen of Leigh. Dr. Howard Heine of Fremont was the former owner and Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ehlers were tenants of the farm.
A consideration of $31,040 was given for the farm. J.J. Skoda, agent handled the sale.Funeral services were held for Joseph R. Teply, 91, on Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church at Clarkson. Rev. B.A. Filipi officiated at the last rites. Burial was in the Clarkson cemetery. Mr. Teply passed away on October 21st.
Joseph Teply was born in Czechoslovakia where he spent his youth. At the age of 17, he came to the United States and soon after settled in Colfax County. He married Katherine Panek to which union 4 sons and two daughters were born. They lived for many years on a farm east of Leigh. Mrs. Teply passed away in 1945 at the age of 93.
He is survived by his 4 sons, Joseph R. Teply of Leigh, James of Clarkson, Fred of Lincoln and Emanuel of Clarkson; two daughters, Mrs. Katie Vyskocil of Clarkson and Mary Teply of Norfolk; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of friends and acquaintances.
Pallbearers were 5 nephews Frank Trojan, Emil Trojan Jerry Teply, Ed Teply and Herman Teply and John L. Morfeld.Friends of Mrs. Rachel Whinnery will be glad to know that she has left the hospital and is recuperating at the home in Grand Island from a broken arm.
Mrs. Bruno Zuerlein was released from St. Mary’s hospital at Columbus.
Mrs. C.J. Thorpe returned from a two week’s visit with the sister, Mrs. Grace C. Macgoey of Des Moines, Iowa and her niece and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Soderlund of Minneapolis, Minn.
Donny Wurdeman, son of Mrs. Dolores Wurdeman, entered St. Mary’s hospital at Columbus for a tonsillectomy.
Robert Hobel, student at Midland College in Fremont, spent the weekend at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hobel and son.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Barjenbruch and sons, Steven and Leslie of Columbus, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Barjenbruch of Grand Island spent Sunday visiting at the Clarence Barjenbruch home.Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hamernik, Jr. were pleasantly welcomed on Friday evening when neighbors gathered for a housewarming at their home west of Leigh.
The evening was spent informally with cards for the men and bingo for the women furnishing the entertainment. The newlyweds were presented with a gift from the group, after which a lunch, which had been brought by them was served.
Neighbors attending were Mr. and Mrs. Hilger Wietfeld and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Franzen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Maliha, Mrs. Bill Dehning and Melvin, Mr. and Mrs. John Hyland, Jack and Sharon Green, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bahns, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vlach, Mr. and Mrs. Ladean Korte and Davey, and the parents of the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bilek and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hamernik, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Norman Behrens entertained on Wednesday evening at their home near Columbus in celebration of Mrs. Behren’s birthday anniversary.
The evening was spent at cards and visiting. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Rikus Rosendahl, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Schroeder, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Folken and children, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schmidt and family of Columbus, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Grotelueschen, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Harnapp and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Behrens and family, all of Columbus.The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women meeting held at Columbus, on Monday as attended by Mrs. John Morfeld, Mrs. John Herink, Mrs. Frank Reichmuth and Mrs. Urban Imholte of Leigh and Mrs. Emil Kasik of Richland.
850 women were in attendance at the program which began with a Mass celebrated at St. Bonventure church followed by reports of achievements by the presidents of the respective deaneries and a panel on “Serving Christ in business, in the home, in the school and in the Council.”
A luncheon at 1 o’clock was served by the ladies of St. Bonaventure, during which Archbishop Bergen addressed the group. An interesting program followed after which the guests were treated to a tea.The Sunnyside Club met at the home of Mrs. Lizzie Aukerman on October 18 with 20 members and 3 visitors present.
We plan on having a Christmas party on December 13th at the Club House with no host lunch and exchange of gifts.
November 1, 1951 - reprinted August 10, 2005On October 21 Miss Mary Ann Charipar and Pfc. Jerry H. Karel were united in marriage at the New Zion Presbyterian church in Clarkson with Rev. B.A. Fillipi officiating.
Preceding the double ring ceremony, Miss Lorraine Lauda and Miss Lorriane Sixta sang a duet, “ I Love You Truly” and during the service they sang “Because”.
The bride, entering the church to the strains of the wedding march played by Mrs. Chas. Novotny, was given in marriage by her father. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Charipar of Leigh. She attended rural school in Stanton County. Since then she has been assisting at home and doing house work.
Her dress was of traditional white skimmers rayon satin with an illusion neckline of nylon net on a bodice of chantilly lace. Featuring a peplum, the skirt of shimmering satin, fell into a three yard train. Her headdress, a pearlized orange blossom tiara, was completed with a fingertip veil of nylon net. She wore a rhinestone necklace and earrings, a gift of the groom. She carried a bouquet of white carnations and red roses.
In carrying out the tradition, something old was a ring that her mother wore at her wedding. Something new was her gown, something borrowed was a rhinestone pin, and something blue was a blue ribbon in her shoe. She also wore a six pence in her shoe.
Preceding the bride to the altar were the bridesmaid and the Maiden of Honor. The bridesmaid, Lucille Matthies, close friend of the couple was attired in a sea foam green floor length gown, made identical to the bride’s dress. Her lace tiara hair dress matched the dress and she wore matching mitts. She carried a colonial bouquet of mixed flowers and she wore a rhinestone necklace, a gift of the bride.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Karel of Clarkson. He attended rural school in Stanton County. Since then he has been assisting his father on the farm, until January of “51” when he entered the Armed Forces and has been stationed at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, where he will report back Oct. 30.
His groomsman was Milo Karel, brother of the groom, and Gerald Bahns, brother-in-law of the bride, was best man. The men all wore dark suits and the groom wore a white carnation while his attendants had dark pink carnations. The bride’s gift to the groom was an initialed belt. The groom’s gifts to his attendants were neckties and white handkerchiefs.
Ushers were Albin Charipar, the bride’s brother, and Frankie Karel, the groom’s brother. The ushers and fathers wore dark pink carnation boutonnieres.
The groom’s grandmother, Mrs. Josephine Mundil, wore a white carnation corsage. The bride’s mother wore a green crepe dress with black accessories and a corsage of pink carnations. The groom’s mother wore an aqua crepe dress with black accessories and a corsage of pink carnations. Mrs. Dorwin Hockamier, sister of the groom, was in charge of the guest book at the church. She wore a white carnation corsage.
Mrs. Albin Charipar, sister-in-law of the bride, cut the three tiered wedding cake which was decorated with pink roses and green leaves topped by a set of wedding bells and doves. A supper was served at the bride’s home at 5:00. Cooks were Mrs. Ralph Mathies, Mrs. Joseph Fichtl, Mrs. Oliver Johnson and Mrs. Alma Bahns. They each received a box of handkerchiefs, gifts from the bride.
Table waitresses were Marlene Bahns and Delores Fichtl. They wore black dresses and white aprons, gifts of the bride.
In the evening a dance was given at the Clarkson Ballroom.Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Belohrad entertained at a 6 o’clock dinner Sunday evening, honoring Jack Green on his birthday anniversary.
Those present to help him celebrate the occasion were Dorvin Burger, Mr. and Mrs. Lumir Stodola, Mrs. Mary Belohrad of Clarkson, Mr. and Mrs. John Hyland, Jack and Sharon Green, and hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Belohrad and Gary.Elmer Dasenbrock, Leigh, had the top-producing dairy herd among members of the various herd improvement associations over Nebraska during September.
The herd of Holsteins owned y Dasenbrock averaged 39.1 pounds of butterfat for the best record in the 16-cow-or-more-class.
The Platte Valley Dairy Herd Improvement Association, of which he is a member, ranked fourth in the state.Beverly Ann, 7-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Merry, was painfully cut in an unusual accident at their home Saturday.
The little girl had gone downstairs on an errand for her mother. Her brother followed her, and in trying to keep ahead of him, she fell and her knee struck a storm window near the foot of the steps, knocking a piece of glass out.
Beverly’s leg was cut in two places on the jagged edge of the glass that remained in the frame.
Eighteen stitches were required to close the wound.
Jackie Schmitz received cuts on his neck and chin that required seven stitches to close when he ran into a fence while playing Thursday.Mr. and Mrs. Donald Botsch and Myrna Rae, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Botsch and family and Mr. and Mrs. George Botsch were Fremont visitors Saturday.
On Friday, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Watchorn, Arlene and Ardith and Mrs. John Beitz and Roger journeyed to Norfolk. While there, they visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Beitz and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller.
Mr. and Mrs Ed Frazier, Edward and Linda, and Hilard Speck of Plattsmouth visited at the Julius Skoda home Sunday. Mrs. Frazier is a niece of Mr. Skoda.
Mrs. John Beit and Robert Raasch of Norfolk are now making their home at the Bernard Beitz residence here in Leigh.
Kenneth Sedlacek underwent a tonsillectomy at the Lutheran hospital at Columbus Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Belohrad and Gary, and Jack Green were Columbus visitors on Friday.
Sunday dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Watchorn were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller and Carlene. The afternoon was spent playing cards and socially. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are of Norfolk and Carlene is now teaching in Randolph.Among the rural school teachers from Leigh who attended the teachers convention in Omaha last week include: Misses Marilyn Kmoch, Marilyn Henke, Velda Held, Gladys Mullenhoff, Rita Malena, Nadine Smejkal, Dolores Bruns, Agnes Herink, Shirley Cinfel, Velma Bahns, Alletta Van Heufeln and Marilyn Bruhn, and Mrs. Leonard Hanel.
The Auxiliary members met last Tuesday evening in their club room and along with the meeting, enjoyed a Halloween party.
Mrs. Harvey Koch was in charge of the games.
Prizes were won by Mrs. Will Clausen, Mrs. Otto Pieper, Mrs. Harold Ogan, Mrs. Dale Bachman and Mrs. Herman Settje.
There was a short study of the U.N. in observance of United Nations Day.
Lunch was served.The Leigh Fire Department will hold their regular monthly meeting on November 8th instead of on November 1st. The reason for the postponement was because the Platte Center v. Leigh Panthers Football game is scheduled for November 1st which conflicts with the meeting date.
November 8, 1951 - reprinted August 17, 2005On Monday, November 12, the business places in Leigh will all be closed for the day in observance of Armistice Day which falls on Sunday of this year.
Due to the fact that all business places will be closed because of the holiday, patrons are asked to purchase enough groceries and other supplies to carry them over the two day holiday.A miscellaneous shower was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Salak of Schuyler in honor of Miss Mary Lou Gaeth of Schuyler. She will become the bride on November 23, of Pfc. Harry E. Hahn, former resident of Leigh, now stationed at Perrin, Okla.
Those from Leigh who were present included Mesdames Geo. Botsch, Donald Botsch, Glenn Botsch, Lizzie Aukerman, Newell Lowe, Oliver Knight and daughters and E. F. Filipi.
Hostesses were Mesdames Charles Salak, Elwin Langhoff, Ed Roberts, and Oliver Knight.
Other guests present included Miss Mary Lou Gaeth, Mrs. Herbert Gaeth, and Gayle, Mrs. Kemp, Mrs. Zehner, Mrs. Vanderkalk, Mrs. Stranerd, Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Gustave Hahn, all of Schuyler; Mrs. Harry Hahn, Mrs. Hilmer Peterson, Mrs. Emil Settje, and Mrs. Lynn and Donna, all of Fremont; Mrs. John Langhoff of Creston; Mrs. E.W. Langhoff of Valley; Mrs, Ed Roberts of Omaha, and Mrs. Paul Deichmann of Central City.The St. Mary's Catholic Church was the scene of a beautiful fall wedding on Tuesday, October 30th, when Miss Delores Romona Huisman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Huisman, was united in marriage to Reynold J. Spulak, son of Mrs. Antonia Spulak of Stanton. Rev. Daniel F. Brick officiated at the double ring ceremony.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Motycka and family and Lorinda and Aletta Van Heufeln drove to Lincoln to see the Homecoming Day decorations. Lorinda and Aletta remained in Lincoln over the weekend, to attend the football game and to visit with Miss Muriel Motycka, a student at the University of Nebraska. The girls returned to Leigh Sunday afternoon while Mr. and Mrs. Motycka and family returned home Friday evening.
Urban Imholte, Jr. has recently received the promotion of Cpl. according to word received here by his wife and parents. In a letter recently to his parents, Cpl. Imholte stated that he and the rest of his company had been issued winter weight clothing, had moved into larger tents which contained heating stoves and were supposedly all set for winter in Korea.
Pvt. Stanley Bachman, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, spent Saturday evening and Sunday at his home in Creston. He came as far as David City with a friend from camp and his parents drove there to meet him. Stanley is taking a 8 week specialized course in Communications.
Dick Ritter, who was recently dismissed from the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, has been assigned to 12 months of limited duty in the 11th Naval District, which includes San Diego. Limited duty was requested for him by the Doctors at the Naval Hospital, where he was a patient for nearly six months, and was approved in Washington. Dick is now at the Naval Receiving Station waiting assignment to a duty station.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hall of Wayne were hosts to a turkey dinner served to relatives and friends at the Wayne Auditorium. Each family brought part of the food.
Those from Leigh who attended were Mr. and Mrs. George Neuhaus and family, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Fuhr and son, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Neuhaus, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hall and family of Clarkson, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Spulak of Schuyler and Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Neuhaus and sons of Polk.Mrs. M. C. Phillips will serve as local chairman of the Thanksgiving season "Care-For-Korea" campaign of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, it was announced by Mrs. George Bruhn, Jr., President of the Leigh Woman's Club.
National goal of the campaign, which will be conducted by Federation affiliates throughout the United States from November 12th through Thanksgiving Day, has been set at 150,000 CARE packages. All funds contributed will be used to provide CARE packages of food, clothing textiles and blankets for Korean orphans, refugees and other civilian victims. Delivery will be made in time for the Christmas holidays.
Cooperating with the Woman's Club in the local campaign will be many other of the village's civic organizations. Members of the campaign committee which will spearhead local solicitations include: Mrs. M. C. Phillips, Chairman, Mrs. W. S. Woodward, Treasurer, Mrs. Wm. Clem, Secretary and Mrs. Fred Leigh and Miss Emma M. Holmes, Publicity.Rev. and Mrs. W. H. Clem, Mr. Harold McMullin, Mr. Frank Smejkal, Nadine Smejkal, Georgianna Bruhn, Judy Stevens, Lauretta Smejkal, Kenneth Wullschleger and Morton McMullin attended a Pilgrim Fellowship Rally at Arlington.
Miss Nadine Smejkal was nominated as an alternate from Nebraska, to the General Council, in California next June.Mr. and Mrs. Howard Brown are the parents of a baby daughter born to them at the Lutheran Hospital at Columbus on October 31. The little miss tipped the scales at 7 pounds and 10 ounces and has been named Connie Kay.
A son was born on October 31 to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Schlueter of Omaha, former residents of Leigh. The Schlueters also have two daughters to welcome the little lad into the household.The Colfax County Rural Youth organization was host to Rural Youth members from the surrounding counties at Heun Hall at a Hard Times Party. Dodge, Platte, Cuming and Stanton counties were represented.
The early part of the evening was spent looking at slide shows by Elaine Brabec. A few games were played after which the group enjoyed square dancing. A lunch was served later in the evening.
About 125 Rural Youth members were present.Mrs. John A. Glandt and sister, Mrs. C. J. Cekal of Lincoln. were called to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, by the death of the two ladies' mother, Mrs. Anton Zabka.
Mrs. Zabka has been ill for some time. Mrs. Glandt and Mrs. Cekal have made several trips to and from Wisconsin in the past few months visiting with their mother before her death.Mr. and Mrs. Ladean Korte were hosts at a dinner honoring their son, Davey, on his second birthday.
A two course dinner was served and places were laid for fourteen guests, including the child's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Raasch of Norfolk, and Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Korte; his great-grandmother, Mrs. Lena Franzen; and Misses Winnie Raasch and Ellen Brandhorst of Madison, Karen, Lowene and Roland Korte, Mrs. Elise Hake and Miss Mathilda Korte.
The afternoon was spent informally, at the close of which a lunch was served by the hostess.WANTED: One to two inches of rain, day or night. Some lightning and thunder OK. Helen Evans.
November 15, 1951 - reprinted August 24, 2005
"Excuse My Dust", a comedy starring Red Skelton, Macdonald Carey and Sally Forrest, will be shown at the Leigh Theatre on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
"Excuse My Dust" is the story about an inventor, Red Skelton, who invents one of the first horseless carriages at the turn of the century. His girl friend is the daughter of the owner of the town’s leading livery stable and O! the complication.. it will keep you in stitches. For songs, races, fun and local color…see “Excuse My Dust” at the Leigh Theatre this weekend.George Mortimer, 59, passed away about one o’clock on Tuesday noon after presumably suffering a heart attack. Mr. Mortimer had gone out to work in his work shop at the rear of his home and was found by his wife about five minutes later as she went out to hang up some clothes.
Mr. Mortimer’s sudden death was a severe shock to his wife and relatives as he was in apparently good health and felt especially good during the morning.Oldigs and Oldigs of Platte County had $38.25 fat steers at the Omaha market last week, 17 head of 1,275 pounders.
A Colfax County feeder, Fred Kluck, had high-selling fat heifers at the Omaha market Monday, 26 head averaging 192 pounds that topped at $37.25
Asche Bros., of Colfax County had $38.25 fat steers at the Omaha market last week, 9 head of 1,206 pounders.
Emil Kasik of Colfax County had $20.65 hogs at the Omaha market last week, 37 head of 223 pounders.Mrs. Geo. Bruhn, Jr., president of Leigh Woman’s Club, and Mrs. Adolph Hobel, alternate delegate, attended the Thursday session of the 3rd District Women’s Club Convention held in Wayne. Mrs. Wm. Litteleman, attending as a county delegate, remained until Friday. Reports of the convention will be given at the next Woman’s Club meeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Wiese and Mrs. Anna Wolken were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Don Callies at Lincoln on Sunday and Monday. Cpl. Donald Callies, stationed at Denver, was home on a weekend pass.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maliha entertained the following guests at a 6:00 dinner on Sunday evening; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bahns, Velma Jean and Donald, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Vlach and Sandra, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Fajman and Gayle, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Fendrich and Loren, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mullenhoff and Charles, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Maliha, and Donny Lee, and Joseph Maliha, Jr.
Twenty members of Stanton Chapter O.E.S., Stanton Nebraska were guest of Progress Chapter 293, Thursday evening.
Following the regular order of business, the following program was given:
Reading: "Where There’s A Will" by Dorothy Holbel; Trumpet duet: "Tis the Last Rose of Summer" and "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" by Gene Cinfel and Dean Prazak; "The Star in Story and Song: by Mesdames Dorothy Hobel and Blanche Thorpe; Vocal duet: "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" by Eleanor Sousek and Dean Prazak. Musical numbers were accompanied by Mrs. Anna Novotny.
Thanksgiving appointments centered the tables when a two course luncheon was served by the following committee: Mesdames Alice Barr, Martha Meiselbach, Amanda Wurdeman, Dorothy Hobel and Miss Julia Nelson.The County American Legion meeting will be held in Schuyler at the Legion Club on Wednesday.
The guest speaker will be Peter E. Marchetti, Department Commander of the American Legion. This will be Department Commander Marchetti’s official visit to Colfax County.
All Legionnaires are urged to attend this meeting and should contact Commander Morfeld at once if you plan to attend.Farmers showed a lot of interest in corn drying with around 140 attending the special meeting held at the Community Room in the Courthouse Tuesday night. E.A. Olson and Milo Mumgaard, Agricultural Extension Engineers, spoke to the group about the need for drying and making use of present buildings and the cost of drying. Leonard Feehan Electrification Advisor, with the Cornhusker REA at Columbus, spoke about the size of motors and power requirements. He stressed that farmers should contact their power district ahead of time if they to intend to install a drying unit which means changes would be probably needed in their powerline setup.
Several farmers have been in my office recently and much of the corn is still testing 25-30% moisture so the handling of this high moisture corn is the number one headache of the farmers this fall.A joint birthday party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lake on Sunday afternoon, honoring Bobby and Donny Lake on their birthday anniversaries. Bobby’s birthday was on Friday and Donny’s birthday is next Sunday.
Those who came to help the children celebrate were: Mrs. Louise Hefti, Mrs. Arlo Ahrens and Linda of Columbus, Mrs. Werner Sander of Creston, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lake, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Lake and children, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hollmann and children, all of Columbus.
Bobby and Donny each received some nice gifts in honor of the occasion. Mrs. Lake served her guest a lunch highlighted with birthday cake.Six prominently known men from the Leigh community will appear before the television camera of Station WOW TV, Omaha, in a program sponsored by the Staley Milling Company of Kansas City, on Monday night, December 17 at 9:30 p.m.
According to Mr. Elmer Wurdeman, local Staley dealer, the well known local men will be seen and heard on a “quiz” type program in which three businessmen from Leigh will be matched against another team made up of three prominent farmers near Leigh.
According to information released from the Omaha office of the Staley Milling Company, the “town” team will be asked questions relative to farming while the “farm team will receive questions concerning city life.
Mr. Wurdeman will also appear on the TV program and will be the score keeper. Each question counts 15 points for the team answering the question. To date, no one knows whether the town people know more than the farm people or vice-versa.. for the lead has see-sawed with almost every program. But its fun to find out so make a date with your TV owner neighbor or have your television installed before the program on Dec. 17 so you won’t miss the fun when these Leigh folks appear on the screen on a fifteen minute program ending at 9:45.
Those to appear on the town team will be Gustave Spanhake, Mayor of Leigh, Geo. C. Kumpf, Cashier at the Bank of Leigh, and Coach Jack Sloey, teacher at Leigh High School. This team will match with a farm team made up of Marvin Weber, C.J. Johannes and Charles Mullenhoff.
November 22, 1951 - reprinted August 31, 2005In a recent letter to John Morfeld, Commander, Lloyd L. Pospshil commends the Leigh delegation for the splendid manner in which they assisted the Boys’ and Girls’ County Government, which was held at Schuyler on Thursday. The arrangement was that Schuyler would pay one-half of the cost thereof, and each of the Posts on the North end would pay one-sixth of the cost thereof. When this aggregate amount has been ascertained, we will be duly advised of our proportionate share thereof by County Commander Speckman.
"You have done a magnificent job with the rebuilding of your auditorium", said Mr. Pospishil, "and since perhaps you will need some financial assistance, please find enclosed herewith as a token of my appreciation to your Post for past favors, my personal check in the amount of $10.00 to apply thereon."The 320 acre farm owned by Eddie Kafka was sold by Adolph Zicht of Norfolk last week for $250.00 an acre or $80,000.00. Two brothers, Lloyd Kudrna of Wisner and Frank Kudrna of Hay Springs, purchased the farm. The north quarter with the improvements was purchased by Lloyd Kudrna, who will take possession of the farm on March 1st. The south quarter was purchased by his brother, Frank.
Mr. and Mrs. Kafka will have a farm sale on December 19 with Vasek and Vasek auctioneers. Their plans for the future are still indefinite.Mrs. Ed Bausch was honored at a birthday party on Thursday evening, Nov. 15 when friends and relatives gathered at her home in celebration of the occasion. Two birthday cakes, one baked and decorated by Mrs. Emma Nebola and the other baked and decorated by Mrs. Harold Bausch highlighted the occasion.
At the close of the social evening, lunch brought by the guests, was served.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bausch, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Thalken, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thalken, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bausch and family, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Brown and Alan, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bausch and daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Thalken, Raymond and Bertha, Mr. and Mrs. George Reininger and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Thalken and family, Mr. and Mrs. George Deichmann and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Thalken, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hall, Mrs. Adolph Nebola and Mrs. Emma Reininger.W. J. Reddel, principal of St. John’s Lutheran school, was elected director of the Circuit 8 Lutheran Choral Union at a meeting last Monday. He succeeds E.A. Buchholz.
H. E. Grabau, principal at Zion, Leigh, was elected assistant director. Other officers chosen were Arthur Bakenhus, Jr., president; Miss Dorothy Ludwig, secretary; and Miss Miriam Buchholz, treasurer.
It was decided to present an Easter cantata or pageant instead of the usual Christmas concert. The group will begin practices in January.An estimate of $375.00 damage occurred to the Ford car owned by Rev. W. H. Clem on Wednesday evening when his daughter, Mrs. Nancy Clem Hunt, who had use the car for delivery of some Avon products at the George Bruhn Jr. home, lost control of the car.
Mrs. Hunt had just turned west off the side street and as it was turning dark, decided to turn on the car lights but in the semidark instead pulled out the throttle all the way. The sudden burst of speed caused by this mistake, was so unexpected that Mrs. Hunt lost control of the car which zigzagged into the Asche yard over a deep ditch, smashed into a tree which smashed the radiator in, crippled a fender, tore off a head light, ruined a tire, and dented the side of the car and returned back to the road before it was stopped.On Friday morning, the car driven by Mrs. Flossie Held and the car driven by Dean Vlach figured in a two-car crash at the intersection near the Bank corner when Dean Vlach, making a "U" turn, ran into the side of the car driven by Mrs. Held, being driven north through the intersection. The left front fender was crushed in on the Vlach car while the lower rear side of the door of the Held car was dented inward.
Emil Knapp was hospitalized for several days last week when his car overturned near the Shell Creek bridge on the Monastery road on Wednesday. The car is a complete wreck and was towed back to Leigh. A small son, who was riding with Mr. Knapp,received small cuts and bruises while Mr. Knapp was more severely hurt.
Miss Mary Ann Hoffman, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hoffman of Creston, became the bride of Mr. Herbert Wurdeman, son of Mr. Ernest Wurdeman, at a beautiful fall wedding at St. John’s Lutheran Church south of Creston, on Thursday afternoon November 8, 1951. Rev. B.L. Ochs officiated at the double ring ceremony at 2:30 o’clock.
During the ceremony the congregation sang "O Perfect Love."
The bride was beautifully attired in a white nylon marquisette gown which featured a beaded yoke which buttoned down the back and which had long fitted sleeves that came to a point at the wrist. The bodice came to a point at the waist and the full gathered skirt ended in a train. Her nylon fingertip veil was bordered in lace. For her flowers, the bride carried a bouquet of red roses and white mums tied with a white satin bow. She wore a three strand necklace of pearls with earrings to match a gift of the groom.
Mrs. Lawrence Hellbusch of Creston, sister of the bride, was the Maid of Honor. She wore a gown of yellow net over satin which featured a satin yoke and bertha collar. Miss Ruth Jansen of Creston, a close friend of the couple was bridesmaid. She was attired in a gown of pink made identically like that of the Maid of Honor. Both attendants wore matching headdresses and carried bouquet of colonial flowers tied with pink and white satin bows. The gifts from the bride were matching earrings.
Charlene Ann Hoffman, three year old niece of the bride, was flower girl. She was dressed in a white satin gown and carried a colonial bouquet tied with a large white satin bow. Jeff Stonebraker of Humphrey, age four was ringbearer.
Attendants for the groom were Arlen Wurdeman, brother of the groom, and Laurence Hellbusch, both of Creston. They were attired in blue suits. The groom was attired in a light blue suit and he and his attendants wore boutonnieres of white and yellow respectively. The groom gave his attendants tie clasps.
Eldon Kapels of Creston and LaVern Hoefelman of Humphrey were ushers. The bride's mother chose a black crepe dress for the occasion and wore a pink carnation corsage.
A reception was held immediately after the ceremony, in the church basement for about 75 friends and relatives. A three-tiered wedding cake, topped with a miniature bride and groom, centered the bride’s table with candles at either end. The room was attractively decorated in pink, white, and yellow streamers and featured a white wedding bell.
Mrs. Art Hellbusch, Mrs. Ernest Hellbusch, Mrs. Henry Kapels, Mrs. Leonard Barrett, Mrs Ernest Koch, and Miss Julia Wurdeman, all of Creston, prepared the food. Waitresses were Miss Barbara Hellbusch of Creston, Mrs. LaVern Hoefelman of Humphrey, Miss Violet Boden of Humphrey, Miss Esther Horn of Newman Grove and Mrs. Milan Lueschen of Creston.
A dance honoring the couple, was held at the Creston Legion hall in the evening. Duffy Belohrad and his orchestra furnished the music. The couple will make their home in Omaha. The bride completed her schooling in Clarkson. The groom attended Creston High School and then farmed until he entered the service. He served three years, two of which were overseas, in the army. Following his discharge, he again took up farming.
November 29, 1951 - reprinted September 7, 2005Mrs. Carl Callies, 21, and her mother-in-law, Mrs. William Callies, 48, were the victims of a crash involving the car driven by Carl Callies and the parked truck owned by Donald Willits of Osceola when their lives were claimed on last Sunday night.
The Callies’ are cousins of Ed Callies of this city. The accident occurred 7 miles north of Madison on Highway 81 when the Callies car struck the rear of the truck which was parked, and wedged beneath the trailer. Mrs. Carol Callies died of a fractured neck and Mrs. William Callies passed away early Thursday at a Norfolk hospital where she was rushed following the accident.
Double funeral services were held on Friday morning for Mrs. Wiliam Callies and Mrs. Carl Callies at the Trinity Lutheran church at Madison. Burial was made in the Corwn Hill Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Callies, Mrs. John C. Ehlers and Mrs. Herbert Dasenbrock attended the funeral services from Leigh.The Leigh Volunteer Firemen were called about 9:30 on Saturday morning when the County bulldozer, located south of the Arnold Wendt corner, caught fire when workmen were trying to heat it up thinking there was ice in the fuel line. The tractor had run for about an hour but kept stopping so the men took it apart to see what the cause was
However, before the firemen had got very far they were called back because the fire had been put out. A can of milk off a milk truck which happened along was thrown on the burning grease and dirt, extinguishing the fire. Little damage was caused.Miss Mary Lou Gaeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Gaeth of Schuyler became the bride of Cpl. Harry E. Hahn, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Hahn of Fremont, former residents of Leigh , at a candlelight ceremony held at 7:00 o’clock on Friday evening at the Presbyterian church at Schuyler. Rev. Patterson officiated at the wedding ceremony.
Mrs. Perry Vanderfkolk of Bellwood was matron of honor and Miss Phylis Smation of Schuyler was the bridesmaid. Miss Donna Lynn of Fremont was the candle-lighter and Gail Hadley was the flower girl.
Marvin Hahn, brother of the groom and Dean Gaeth, brother of the bride were the groom’s attendants. Jay Salak was the ring bearer. Ushers were Perry Vanderfilk and Oliver Knight of Leigh.
Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church basement. Those attending from Leigh were Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Knight and children, Mr. and Mrs. George Botsch, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Botsch and Myrna Rae, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Botsch and family, Mrs. Lizzie Aukerman, Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hahn, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hobel, Jeanette and Carolyn, and Mr. and Mrs. Jon Langhoff of Creston.J.F. Hubenka is a patient at the Veteran’s hospital at Omaha where he underwent a cataract operation on his eye a week ago Thursday. Mrs. Hubenka remained with him for several days following the operation and visited with him again on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Arnold Hubenka and Roger Paul Littelman visited him at the hospital on Saturday.
After suffering a severe stroke, relatives were called to the bedside of Adolph A. Kumpf on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Kumpf passed away on Monday morning at 7:40 a.m. at the Clarkson hospital in Omaha where he was taken when he became seriously ill
Funeral services were held at the Kountze Memorial church at Omaha on Wednesday afternoon of this week. Brewer-Korisko funeral directors took charge of the arrangement.
Mr. Kumpf and his family spent a greater part of their life in the Leigh community, last living on the farm where the George Neuhaus family now reside. After leaving Leigh, they moved to Lexington after which they moved to Omaha where Mr. Kumpf worked at the Commission Co. Stock Yards.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; sons, Raymond, Robert, Roger; daughters, Mrs. Charles Willits, Mrs. Harold Hirsh, Mrs. Dale Foreman, Mrs. Jerry Welch, Misses Earlene and Merlyn Kumpf; brothers Edward and Geo. C. Kumpf; sisters, Mrs. Herman Wurdeman, Mrs. Otto Wurdeman, Mrs. Minnie Mulligan, Mrs. W. C. Deichmann, Mrs. Emil Bakenhus; and 17 grandchildren.Grace Methodist church, Lincoln, was the scene Sunday afternoon, of the wedding of Miss Mildred Raymond and Fay Whitla, both of Lincoln. Dr. Harold C. Sandall officiated at the double ring ceremony in the presence of a large group of relatives and friends.
Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Raymond of Columbus, brother of the bride, and Martin Luschel of Lincoln lighted tapers.
Mrs. Fred Raymond of Columbus, sister-in-law of the bride, served as matron of honor.
Bryce Whitla was best man for his brother.
The bride, a graduate of Kramar High school, is employed by the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company, a position she will retain. The groom is a senior at the College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska, and is affiliated with Kappa Psi. He has part time employment at the May drug store. They will reside at 531 So. 18th St. Apt. 409, Lincoln.Guests at the home of Mrs. Clara Pimpara on Wednesday evening were Lester Pimpara of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Koch and family of Creston, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Prokop and family of Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Kafka and family and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gernstein and Gawyn.
Geo. C. Kumpf, real estate agent, completed two transactions on Wednesday of last week when Charles Botsch purchased 80 acres known as the Bridges eighty from Harry Watchorn.
In the second transaction, Laurence Belsky of Dodge purchase 80 acres located six miles southeast of Dodge, owned by Mrs. Helen Cramer. Mrs. Cramer received $237.50 an acre from Mr. Belsky.
J.J. Skoda, real estate agent, sold the 200 acres known as the Fleming Estate, to Frank Novak of Pender, last week. The farm is now tenanted by Wm. Fuhr. A consideration of $45,000 was made.Miles Hoffman is a patient at the Veterans hospital at Lincoln. Twelve more inches were removed from his leg when he underwent an operation there. Mr. Hoffman will remain at the hospital for some time before he will be able to be home again with his family. Mrs. Miles Hoffman and daughter, Charlene, Paul Hoffman and Milton Lueschen drove down last week to visit him.
On December 5, the Leigh Woman’s Club will hold a Christmas Party at the Clubhouse. There will be a gift exchange and the program with Mrs. F. Otto Nelson, chairman, will be on "Christmas in Other Lands". Mrs. Gus Spanhake will be hostess for the Christmas party.
This will be an evening meeting to give everyone a chance to attend.
December 6, 1951 - reprinted September 14, 2005Mr. and Mrs. LaVern Thalken and family entertained friends and relatives at supper Thursday evening, honoring Mrs. Herman Thalken on her birthday anniversary.
Guests at supper were Mr. and Mrs. Herman Thalken, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Aspinall and Tommy, Mrs. A.A. Aukerman and Mrs. Anna Deichmann.
Surprise guests who joined the group later in the evening were Mrs. Emma Reininger, Mrs. Ed Bausch, Mr. and Mrs. Luis Bures and sons, Mr. and Mrs. George Deichmann and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Sucha and Alvin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thalken and Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Thalken and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Thalken and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thalken. A sociable evening was enjoyed.Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hake will hold a farm auction sale at their home on December 12. This will be a large sale, as a large number of items have been listed. Besides the farm machinery, there will be 37 head of cattle, 98 head of hogs as well as 300 Austra White pullets.
If you need anything in good used farm machinery, attend this sale next Wednesday. The farm is located 4 ½ miles west of Leigh.Forty one volunteer workers gathered at the Memorial hall on Monday evening to help with the reconstruction of the building.
The public and especially the skaters will be glad to know that about 7 feet of flooring, the length-wise of the hall was laid down, thanks to the cooperative help.
As of Wednesday 12 feet of flooring has been laid so far.
On several occasions last week, other groups of men also gathered at the hall volunteering their help. At that time, the walls in the outer room, used as the check room were replaced.
To date, the furnace, donated by L.W. Metzger, has not been installed. After the hall can be heated, the Auxiliary and other ladies of the community can have a varnishing bee, finishing the walls and doors.The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Held was baptized at S. John’s Lutheran church last Wednesday evening. Rev. Karl Gigstad officiated at the baptismal services at which the little girl was named Linda Lou. Cpl. Robert Held and Mrs. Jerry Sedlacek were sponsors.
After the services at the church, Mr. and Mrs. Held were hostesses to a supper, honoring their daughter. The occasion was also a farewell party for Cpl. Robert Held, and the birthday anniversary of Nordin Busse.
Those present at the supper were: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Busse, Nordin and Orville, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sedlacek, Kenneth and Carolyn, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Larson and son, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hoff and Ronnie, Mrs. Flossie held, Cpl. Robert Held, Velda and Eunice held and Mrs. Jean Steiner.Mr. and Mrs. Archie Dillon of Stanton announce the engagement of their daughter, Roberta Dillon of Stanton to Gilbert Morfeld, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Morfeld, Sr. of this village.
Miss Dillon graduated from Stanton High school in 1951. Gilbert Morfeld attended Stanton High School for two years and then attended school at Conception, Mo., the next two years, from which he graduated in 1948. He left for the Air Force last Thursday from Norfolk. He went to San Antonio, Tx.Mr. Amos Svoboda, editor of the Schuyler Sun, has been taken to Fitzsimmons, a veterans hospital at Denver for treatment of a serious lung disease, we understand. Having spent the past few weeks at the Veterans hospital at Lincoln, Mr. Svoboda was given a three day pass before going to Denver, so that he could take care of a few personal matters before being transferred.
At Fitzsimmons, Mr. Svoboda stated in a letter written at his home for his paper last week, that he would attempt to continue to write something for the column “This Week” occasionally.A surprise party was held at the honor of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Belohrad on Friday night, honoring Duffy on his birthday anniversary. The evening was spent socially and a lunch was served the guests at the close of the evening.
Those who came to help Mr. Belohrad celebrate this occasion were Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Kafka, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hake, Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Lumir Stodola, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rabeler of Dodge and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Barjenbruch.Barbara Hellbusch entertained the following friends at a supper at her home, on her birthday. Those present were Janet Meyer, Shirley Correll, and Janet Prang.
The supper table was centered with a white cake, beautifully decorated, and topped with 15 candles.
Guests after supper included: Mrs. Stanley Wagner of Fremont, Mrs. Muth and Walter, Mr. and Mrs. Art Hellbusch, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johannes and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marty and Edgar, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henke and Lye Prang.
The evening was spent playing Canasta and Sheepshead.The Missionary Society of St. Peter’s church held its annual bazaar and lunch in the church basement Friday afternoon. A large crowd attended.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gorman and Paul and Ann Gigaz went to Columbus Saturday.
A covered dish luncheon was enjoyed by members of the Kensington at the home of Mrs. Marvin Wurdeman Thursday at one o’clock.
A short business meeting was held during the afternoon.
At the election of officers, the present officers were unanimously elected for another year. The officers are President, Mrs. Marvin Wurdeman; Vice President, Mrs. William Claussen; and Sec-treas., Mrs. John Zentner.Mrs. Alvin Prang was hostess to the Women’s Club at her home on Wednesday afternoon. Leaders were Mrs. Fred Walter and Mrs. Enno Grotelueschen.
A one-act play was presented by a group of ladies of the club, including Mrs. Dallas Sander, Mrs. Bob Ritter, Mrs. Jack Nichols, Mrs. W.F. Conyers, Jr., Mrs. Louis Boning and Mrs. Alfred Hollatz.
The hostess served doughnuts and coffee after the play.Mrs. Belle Bradstreet died Thursday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E.A. Stevens at Neligh. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are former residents of Creston.
Mrs. Bradstreet was taken to Spencer for burial on Saturday.On November 13 pupils of our school enjoyed an interesting silent movie entitled "The Panama Canal". The title depicted the many handicaps in the construction of this canal. It showed how a tremendous amount of earth had to be removed, what an enormous amount of concrete had to be used, and the maze of electrical engineering necessary to complete this huge project. We learned also how this “time-saver” canal saves oceanliners several thousand miles which would otherwise have to be traveled in going around the continent of South America. The canal is located in the Isthmus of Panama and is the largest in the world.
December 13, 1951 - reprinted September 21, 2005Frank Smejkal received a prize and a certificate of recognition at a four state meeting of Gooch’s Feeders and Dealers at Lincoln, Wednesday. Mr. Smejkal marketed 90 head of hogs, which averaged 203 pounds in 5 months and 10 days from the time they were farrowed, and received 15 cents above the top price for the day. These hogs were raised from eleven sows which had been fed Gooch’s Pig and Sow Meal before farrowing. The pigs were fed Gooch’s Pig Starter and finished on Gooch’s 40% Hog Fattener.
A young farmer from Iowa was the only other hog raiser that beat Mr. Smejkal’s record. However, the Iowa man marketed considerable less hogs.
About 100 dealers and feeders from Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska were shown through the Mill and attended a banquet at the Lincoln Hotel.
Mrs. Smejkal and Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Phillips accompanied Mr. Smejkal to Lincoln.The home tenanted by Mrs. Anna Johannes and Ellen at present, and which was the home of the late Mr. J.R. Jenny and Mrs. Jenny, was sold by Ernest Jenny, owner, of Norfolk, on Thursday to Mrs. Johannes.
Mrs. Dora Reins sold her home in north Leigh to Adam Fuhr on last Tuesday. The Fuhrs” plan to move into town about March 1st. A few days later, Mrs. Reins purchased the Lloyd Sucha home in east Leigh, now tenanted by the Jack Sloeys”. L. L.. Skoda, agent, took care of the details in the latter transaction.
Dick Ritter received an unexpected Christmas leave of 20 days, and arrived home early Monday. The Electronic Laboratory at which he is stationed in San Diego, Calif., will be closed for a week before the holidays, and because of the distance to his home, he was given extra time.
He will leave to San Diego Christmas Day.Norman Behrens, Ray Bakenhus, and Lavern Brock joined 36 other young men in Columbus on Monday, December 10th, and went by bus to Omaha where they took their physicals for the armed services. The young men returned home that evening. If they have passed their physicals, they expect to leave for induction after the first of the year.
Gary Huisman and Reynold Spulak, prominent young farmers in Stanton county, were called to the armed services on Thursday, December 6th. They left from Stanton. Gary and Reynold are the son and son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Huisman. The addresses of the young men are not available as yet.
Roland Korte and Ernest Spanhake have both enlisted recently in the Air Force. Ernest Spanhake leaves for induction on December 22 while Roland leaves for induction on the 12th. Both boys are expected to go to Texas.
LaVern Hollatz arrived home on Monday and will spend his first Christmas at home in five years. He returned from Korean waters last week and has a 30 day leave.
S1c Leonard Bahns and Donald Nebola SN returned via plane for 14 day furloughs early Wednesday morning December 5th. Neither of the two boys knew that the other was coming home or taking the same plane until a few minutes before flight time. A pleasant visit was enjoyed by the two Leigh boys on the flight home. Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Nebola met the two boys at Omaha and brought them to Leigh.Walter Tipton left last Saturday for Toronto, Canada where he attended a Dealers Tour of the Massey Harris large Combine Factories at both Toronto and Botavia, New York.
Mr. Tipton reported that the material shortage will considerably ration the amount of combines and other machinery to the dealers for sale. “Tip” stated that he greatly enjoyed his tour of the factories where he watched the combines being assembled etc. He returned to Leigh on ThursdayMr. and Mrs Leo Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. Herman C. Sohl, Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Schroeder and family, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Bruns, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Grotelueschen and Luella and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Becker and son drove to Norfolk on Saturday night to hear The Jolly Coppersmiths of Wagner, S. Dak. at King’s Ballroom.
Walter Sohl and Hattie Lierman of Norfolk joined the group at Kings Ballroom to spend the evening with them.Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Grabau and Angelynn drove to Hampton on Sunday to visit with Mr. Grabau’s brother, Merton who is a teacher at that place.
A miscellaneous shower was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hoveling of Columbus last Wednesday evening in honor of Miss Doris Gertsch. Those attending the shower were from Columbus, Newman Grove and Leigh.
The evening was spent playing bingo at which prizes were given. Miss Lilas Franzen of Leigh won the door prize.
After Miss Gertsch opened her many lovely gifts, a delicious lunch was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Carl Hoveling and Shirley and Mrs. Esther Marty. Miss Gertsch became the bride of Norman Hoveling, former Leigh resident, on Wednesday, December 12th.
Those attending from Leigh were Mr. Heie Franzen, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Franzen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Franzen and family, Mrs. Addie Franzen and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Van Heufeln and daughters. The men enjoyed an evening at cards.S1c Leonard D. Bahns, who returned home early Wednesday morning for a 2 week furlough, was the victim of a car accident about 4:00 a.m. on Thursday morning on his way home from Norfolk when the 1949 Chevrolet he was driving left the road near the railroad tracks east of Leigh. S1c Bahns had evidently gone to sleep just minutes before he would have reached the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Bahns, and the car crashed to the north side of a bridge, hit the east bank, flopped over on its top and ended on all four wheels facing south.
The car was an almost total wreck but S1c Bahns received only several severe cuts on his hands and one gash on the side of his head.
Lumir Fajman, who lives near the scene of the accident, was awakened by the sound of the horn blowing, which was stuck after the accident. He brought Leonard to Leigh and he was taken to a Columbus hospital about 5:00 a.m. by Geo. C. Kumpf and Mr. Fajman, where he remained for treatment of his bruises and just until afternoon.
The car was hauled to Norfolk on Friday.Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoskinson are the proud parents of a son born Friday at the Lutheran hospital at Columbus. The little lad weighed 8 lbs. and 2 ozs. and has been named Michael Scott.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Malasek are the proud parents of a daughter born Wednesday, Dec. 5th, at the Lutheran hospital at Columbus. The little lady weighed 7 lbs. and 13 ozs. and has been named Janelle Kay. Mother and baby came home Monday.
December 20, 1951 - reprinted Sept. 28, 2005Water spurting out of the ground near the Elmer Cinfel residence at the sidewalk intersection to his home caused much concern on Sunday morning and necessitated having the water turned off over the greater part of town from 1:30 p.m. until about 6:00 p.m. in order that the main which was broken could be repaired.
The water, before it was turned off, cascaded down the street leaving a trail of ice and slush in the sub-zero temperatures. The runway at the D & H Oil Co. was covered with several inches of ice which had to be scraped off during the afternoon.
Workmen worked diligently all afternoon digging down to the broken main in the freezing temperatures. Because of weather conditions, etc., the main was fixed in a temporary condition. It was not until late in the evening that residents living on the hills again had water for use.
It was known last spring that there was a leak in the main, but because it caused no serious trouble it was not fixed. Water leaked out of breaks in the pavement at several points south of the broken main at different times during the summer. Possibly the pressure of frozen ground caused the climax to the situation on Sunday when temperatures dropped below zero at the end of the week.Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Svoboda received word Sunday that his brother, Phillip Svoboda of Omaha, passed away Sunday at St. Joseph’s hospital in Omaha. Funeral arrangements were not complete on Monday.
Word was received here that Mrs. Charles Boetel of Omaha passed away Friday at the Doctors Hospital at Omaha. Mrs. Boetel died of a lingering illness. She was a cousin of Mrs. Walter Hahn and John A. Glandt of Leigh.
Herman Neuhaus, George Neuhaus, Mrs. Emma Neuhaus, Mrs. Alva Dykes and Harold Neuhaus of Clarkson, drove to Elkhorn, Thursday to attend funeral services for Mrs. Busekist.Cpl. Urban Imholte, who has been stationed in Korea for the past several months is now on his way to Japan where he will remain for some time. His division has been relieved by another division taking over their position in Korea. When giving his address in the paper last week, we stated that Urban as a Pfc. He has had a Corporal rating for some time already.
The Friendship Circle Extension Club entertained their husbands at a six o’clock dinner and party at the home of Mrs. Jake Bachman Friday evening.
The three course dinner was served at tables in the rooms which were beautifully decorated for the Yuletide season.
Centerpieces, favors, and napkins carried out the Christmas theme.
After dinner, all enjoyed a series of games provided by the entertainment committee, and the evening ended with a gift exchange.The home of Mrs. Minnie Barrett was prettily decorated for the Kensington’s Christmas dinner party on Thursday evening.
Places were laid at one long table and two small ones. Green and red nut cups also served as place cards and the napkins carried out the Christmas theme. The dinner was served in three courses.
Later in the evening, a group of games and contests were enjoyed. Mrs. Ralph Lueduke won the door prize. Mrs. Clara Palmateer guessed the number of cranberries in a quart jar. Mrs. Willard Claussen’s artistic free hand Christmas card won first prize, and Mrs. Ida Oeltjen’s group won the character contest. The award was decided by an applause meter, concocted by the entertainment committee.Relatives of the Botsch families gathered at the Clubhouse on Sunday for an early Christmas dinner. The afternoon was spent at visiting.
Those present for the dinner were: Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Swoboda of Newman Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Botsch of Norfolk, Mr. and Mrs. John Nitz of Stanton, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Botsch, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Botsch, Jr. and daughter of Madison, Pvt. Gordon Deichmann of Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Deichmann of Central City, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Fenster and family of Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Roger, Mrs. D. H. Zehner and Mrs. M.A. Kemp of Schuyler, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Nitz and children of Columbus, and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gotsch [sic] and family, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Botsch and Myrna Rae, Mr. and Mrs. George Botsch, Charles Botsch, Mrs. Lizzie Aukerman, Mrs. Anna Deichmann, Zig Mortenson and Dale Hansen all of Leigh.Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Barjenbruch and Olin of Columbus visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Bruhn, Jr. Sunday evening.
December 27, 1951 - reprinted October 5, 2005Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hobel entertained at dinner Sunday evening in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary. A color scheme of silver and white was carried out with a beautifully decorated two-tier cake, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Rynearson, being used as a centerpiece, on the table. A bouquet of white mums and snapdragons, together with white tapers in silver holders were used on the buffet. These and an orchid corsage and white carnation boutonnieres were gift from the children.
Places were laid for Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hobel and Calvin, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Meiselbach, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hahn, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Skoda, Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Hobel and Douglas, and Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Ernest Jenny, Carole and Lowell of Norfolk. The hosts had a very pleasant surprise in the afternoon when Mr. and Mrs. Frank Timperley, of Benson, drove out to extend their congratulations. Mrs. Timperley, formerly Hazel Schaeffer, and Leonard Hobel had been the attendants for their wedding. The two course dinner was served by Jeanette and Carolyn Hobel.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobel received lovely gifts and many cards of congratulations. Pictures were taken. The evening was spent socially and showing moving pictures and slides.Virgil Marty also received a new rating recently. He is now Cpl. Virgil Marty and is stationed at the Air Force Base at Rapid City where he has been for some time.
Louis J. Kudera has had the rating of Pfc. since last July, wrote Mrs. Mildred Kudera in a card to this office this week. In the listing of last week his address still read Pvt. Louis Kudera. We are happy to make this correction.A canasta party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman C. Shol on last Sunday night in celebration of Mr. Sohl’s birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Thalken and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Daniels and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Hoessel, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Paper and children came to help him celebrate the occasion. Mrs. Sohl served a tasty lunch.Relatives drove to Columbus to help Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hoveling celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.
A delicious dinner was served the group of about 70 guests in the basement of Immanuel Lutheran church. After the meal the guests gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hoveling where the evening was spent at playing cards and visiting. A delicious lunch was served by the hostess at about midnight. Mr. and Mrs. Hoveling received many lovely gifts in honor of the occasion. Those who were present from Leigh were Mr. Heie Franzen, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Franzen, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Van Heufeln, and daughters, Mrs. Addie Franzen, Clarence Kumpf, Mrs. Lena Franzen, and Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Korte and family.Zion Lutheran Church was the scene of a double baptismal ceremony on Sunday morning when the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoskinson and the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Malasek were baptized. Rev. E.C. Werner officiated at the baptismal ceremonies.
Mr. W.W. Rynearson and Miss Ruth Korte were sponsors for Michael Scott Hoskinson while Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Hake were sponsors for Janelle Faye Malasek.
After the church services, a dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Korte, honoring Michael Hoskinson. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Edw. Korte, Ruth and Marjorie, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoskinson, Mrs. Don Willman, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Rynearson and sons, Rev. and Mrs. E. C. Werner and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Osborn and Christine of Lincoln, and his great-grandmothers, Mrs. Carl Mullenhoff, Sr., and Mrs. Fred Carsons of Hoskins.
A dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Asche following the church services. The dinner honored Janelle Malasek and was also a Christmas dinner. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Asche and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Malasek and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Hake and family, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Hake and family, Mrs, Elmer Hake and daughters, Miss Mathilda Korte and Mrs. Elise Hake.A large crowd braved the blowing and drifting snow and below zero temperatures on Thursday evening to attend the Leigh High School band’s first concert.
There were 51 members of the band who participated in the concert which was really enjoyed by all. With less than three months of practice, the band really sounded good, and much applauding at the end of the concert induced the members and their director Miss Scrivner, to more such enjoyable music.
Mary Mackenstadt played a trombone solo, "Blue Bells of Scotland" and Kenneth Wullschleger played a clarinet solo, "White Christmas" and also "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". Arnie Olson and Kenneth Wullschleger played a clarinet duet, "Winter Wonderland". Dick Jirovec played a trumpet solo, "I’ll See You in my Dreams", and Arnie Olson, Kenneth Wullschleger and Ramonal Reichmuth played a clarinet trio, "Cradle Song" to give the concert variety. Victor Olson then played a coronet solo, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" followed by "First Noel" and "O Holy Night", solos by Arnie Olson. A trumpet trio "We Three Kings" by Dick Jirovec, Vidtor Olson and Norbert Kmoch was also very much enjoyed.
Following the concert, open house was held throughout the school. Parents and guests enjoyed viewing the attractive Christmas decorations in the various rooms and were also guests of the Homemaking class in the Home Economics room for refreshments.Dick Ritter, who has been home on a 20 day leave, left on Christmas night for San Diego, California where he is stationed at the Naval Electronics Laboratory.
Pvt. Joseph M. Fichtl of Fort Knox, Ky. is spending the Christmas holidays at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fichtl.
Pvt. Robert J. Muhl of Fort Ord, California is spending the Christmas holidays at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Muhl.
Pvt. Norris Groteluschen, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, spent the Christmas holiday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Groteluschen.Leland Olson, 36 of Columbus, formerly of Leigh, was killed instantly about 4:15 on Saturday when the car which he was driving collided with Meridian bus on the Platte river bridge on Highway No. 81 south of Columbus. Hom Hastins, a passenger in the Olson car, sustained cuts and bruises and was taken to the Lutheran hospital at Columbus but was released after treatment.
The bus driver, Wes Baxa and two passengers in the bus escaped injury. Some 40 feet of the bridge railing was torn off in the accent.
Mr. Olson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Olson. He received his education in the Columbus schools. In 1939 he was united in marriage to Miss Ruby Loseke of Creston. He spent two years in the Navy, receiving his discharge in 915. Eighteen months of this service was spent overseas as a radar technician. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Olson is survived by his wife, two daughters, Linda Rae, 11, and D’Ette, 9, a son 4 ½ months old, his parents, five brothers, Clarence of North Platte, Harold of the U.S. Navy. Ralph of Bell, Calif., Glenn and Darwin of Columbus; and three sisters, Mrs. T.H. Steger of Oceanside, Calif., Mrs. Joe Soulliere, And Doris of Columbus.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Evangelical Free Church at Columbus with Rev. Herbert Kyrk officiating. Burial was made in Roselawn cemetery.