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 8, 1953 - reprinted June 13, 2007Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Woodward and Ethel May returned from a twelve day vacation in western Nebraska and Colorado.
At Overton, they visited Mr. Woodward's brother, Glen Woodward, his wife and family, and at Scottsbluff they visited Mr. and Mrs. Faye Starr and family.
Scenic points of interest at Colorado Springs and Denver were on the schedule and in Denver they visited former Leigh residents, Mrs. E.C. Jungbluth and Mrs. C.O. Kloppel.
On the return trip, the Woodwards were joined by their son Lester at Superior and from there they went to the Leigh Chester football game at Chester.Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hobza entertained at a picnic dinner at their home.
Guests present were Mr. and Mrs. Bohous Hobza, Clifford and Gordon of Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Shuster, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Balmer and family and Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Shuster and Sharon of Schuyler, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Sander of Creston, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Wendt and family, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hobza, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Callies, Bonnie and Bob, and Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Hobza, Marjorie and Myron.Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Clem and delegates, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Fuhr and Mrs. Alice Barr went to Omaha to attend the annual meeting of the Omaha Association of Congregational churches at the Central Park Church.
Mr. and Mrs. John Morfeld, are on a month's vacation to the East Coast where they are visiting their oldest son, Master Sgt. and Mrs. Leonard Morfeld and family at Langely A.F.B., VA.
Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Skoda returned from a two weeks vacation in CA. Besides going sight-seeing, they visited with the following relatives and former Leigh residents; At Long Beach, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Skoda, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Skoda and Mrs. Adele Neely and sons and Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Sadler.
At Los Angeles, they visited Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Skoda and son and at Claremont, they visited a cousin, Hary Johnson and family. At Chula Vista, CA., they were house guests of Mrs. Belle Hobel and while there, they visited Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hobel and David, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rinkleif and Paul, Mrs. V.D. Vaught, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Underwood and family and Mrs. Nadine Hobel.Darlene Fay Groteluschen daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Groteluschen, was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. E.C. Werner officiating.
Mrs. Doyle Andreasen of St. Edward and Victor Olson of Leigh were sponsors.
Guests at the Leo Groteluschen home for dinner in honor of the occasion were Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Andreasen and Wayne, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Andreasen of St. Edward, Mrs. Freida Groteluschen and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Olson and family of Leigh.
Afternoon visitors were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fittje and family of Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Groteluschen, Doreen and Willie, Mr. and Mrs. Art Ehlers, Billy and Diane, all of Leigh and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Went, Sharon and Terry of Creston.Mr. and Mrs. Carl Koerner of Torrance, CA are the parents of a daughter. The baby's name is Carol Jo. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Gee of Los Angeles are grandparents and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dasenbrock of Leigh are great grandparents of the new arrival.
October 15, 1953 - reprinted June 13, 2007Miss Dorothy Scrivner, Mrs. Adolph Hobel and Carolyn, Douglas Hobel and Miss Georgianna Bruhn went to Fremont where they attended the "Friends of Music" concert which was presented by the Guard Republican Band of Paris, France.
Mrs. Rose Mortimer recently sold her home and acreage in east Leigh to Mr. and Mrs. Ewald Hake. Edward Korte real estate agent represented both parties.
Mr. and Mrs. Hake will move to Leigh the first part of November. Mr. Hake will be employed at the Farmers Union Co-operative Oil Co. in Leigh as a route man.Mr. and Mrs. Viggo Jensen of Lewistown, Montana are house guests of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Hubenka and Arnold while visiting relatives in Nebraska.
A no hosts party was held for Mr. and Mrs. Jensen at the Hubenka home with the following relatives in attendance: Mr. and Mrs. James Polard of North Bend, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Jonas and Mrs. Tillie Jonas of Schuyler, Richie and Gordon of Fremont, Mrs. Henry Stangel, Dennis and Dianna of Howells, Miss Norma Littelman of Columbus, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Littelman, Roger and Linda, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Malena of Leigh.Word was received this week of the death of Mrs. Louis (Lena) A. Fuhr, who passed away on September 30, 1953 at North Platte, Nebraska. Mrs. Fuhr was a former resident of Leigh, having lived here years ago and is well known among the old timers in this community.
Funeral services were held at the First Lutheran Church at North Platte with burial in the North Platte cemetery. Rev. John Rupley, officiated at the last rites.
Mrs. Fuhr was born in Germany and is survived by four children, Eleanor Harms of Hooper, Carrie Wright, Hattie and Ed Fuhr.
Mrs. F.C. Severin and Mrs. Alvina Paper attended the funeral service while they were visiting at North Platte that week.George Elsner and Willis Jones of Norfolk, who were employed at the Henry Oldigs farm south of Leigh, were killed instantly when while [sic] returning from work on a farm owned by Henry Oldigs near Silver Creek, NE. The truck they were driving was struck by a Union Pacific freight train at a country crossing about three miles west of Silver Creek.
Before the train was able to stop after hitting the truck carrying the two men, it was pushed down the track about three quarters of a mile. Mr. Jones was thrown from the truck and was dragged by the train in the cinders. Mr. Elsner's body had to be pulled from the completely wrecked truck.Sgt. Donald Marty of Camp Pendalton, CA arrived home for a furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marty.
Pfc. and Mrs. Ronald Trofholz of Great Falls, Montana arrived here to spend a furlough with relatives and friends.
Dr. and Mrs. Ed Lewis of San Jose, CA are the parents of a son. The little lad weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces. Mrs. Lewis is the former Miss Dolores Herink of Leigh.
Recent high sellers at the Omaha market included:
From Colfax County: Thos R. Trojan, 13 lambs, wt. 96 pounds $20.50 (top Sept. 30); Chas. F. Groteluschen, 35 sows, wt. 347, $22.75; Anton Malena, 93 hogs, wt. 220, $24.50; Merle Folken, 10 steers, wt. 972, $25.50; Asche Bros, 18 steers, wt. 1168, $27.50 (top Sept. 24).
December 17, 1953 - reprinted August 1, 2007The Hanel Oil Company are putting the finishing touches this week on an addition they recently built on the north side of the oil station this fall. This addition will enable them to give their many customers better service, especially during the winter months.
The Choral Union Christmas Concert will be presented at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Columbus.
The chorus is made up of about 60 members from the Lutheran Churches in circuit 8 and is being directed by Mr. H.E. Grabau of Leigh.Funeral services were held on Monday for August Moser, Sr. of Creighton, NE who passed away following an operation for a tumor on his stomach. He is survived by 7 sons and 4 daughters.
Those from Leigh who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Morfeld, Jr. and children, Mr. and Mrs. John Herink, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reichmuth, Joe Herink, and Mr. and Mrs. Emil Kasik of Richland. Vincent Moser of North Bend was also in attendance.Grandpa Fuhr (Adam Fuhr) of Leigh has a hard time keeping up with passing out the treats these days in honor of his new grandchildren. Two of his sons, Gordon and William presented he and his wife with new grandchildren on the same day.
A second coincidence is that both of the mothers are confined at the same hospital...the Lutheran in Columbus and yes they are in the same room. The grandchildren weighed at birth just one ounce different, says Mr. Fuhr.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Fuhr are the parents of a son, and Mr. and Mrs. William Fuhr are the parents of a daughter.They're over the top! The new membership list now numbers 277 members. The goal of 250 members in the Leigh Community Club has been reached before the Christmas Day deadline and the number of members has exceeded the goal set by the committee, as 277 Leigh Community residents have now joined the Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Loseke and Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hobza, Jr. returned from Verdigre, NE where they had been deer hunting last week. Mr. Hobza stated that sixteen inches of snow fell during two days of the hunting trip. In spite of the heavy snow, both men bagged their deer.
Miss Mathilda Brock of Omaha won $20.00 worth of groceries for identifying the Grocer of the Day on "Your Grocery Boy" Radio Show Program over KOIL.
Mr. and Mrs. George Wendebank and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Perry of West Point were guests at the home of Mrs. Eva Hook for dinner and supper. Mrs. Belle Phillips was also a supper guest. Mrs. Wendebank was formerly Dorothy Naylor.
Frank Perry was guest soloist at the Presbyterian Church at the morning services. He is an accomplished musician, having studied voice while attending Iowa State and Grinnell Colleges. His wife is his accompanist.
Harriet Palmateer was guest of honor at a miscellaneous shower at the Presbyterian Church Guild room. Mrs. Dallas Sander was hostess. Mrs. Fred Gigax was in charge of the games and contests.
Mrs. Myron Rosendahl and Mrs. Ray Loseke assisted at the gift table. Refreshments were served.
December 24, 1953 - reprinted August 1, 2007For the benefit to those who are home for Christmas and also for the benefit of those who were unable to attend other showings, Pastor E.C. Werner will present his travelog again in Zion Lutheran Church. There will be color slides of Europe, Egypt and Palestine.
The Leigh Panthers suffered their first defeat of the season by falling to Clarkson 41-33.
The game was played before a capacity crowd, with Leigh making up a large part of the delegation.
Arnold Olson was the leading scorer for Leigh with 12 points. Bob Moore paced Clarkson with 12 points also.
The Leigh reserves were also beaten for the first time this year 46-35.Mr. and Mrs. Russel McMullin entertained at a supper in Honor of Mrs. Harold McMullins' birthday.
Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Neuhaus and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold McMullin and family and Mr. and Mrs. Russel McMullin and family.Fern J. Moran, daughter of Mrs. Camden Moran of Des Moines and the late Mr. Moran, and Mr. William Hyett, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Hyett of Wright, Iowa were united in marriage. The ceremony took place at the Epworth Methodist Church in Highland Park, Des Moines, with Rev. Francis Brokman officiating.
The bride spent her early life in Creston and graduated from Creston High School. She attended Wayne Normal, Omaha University, Drake University, and the University of Iowa. At the latter college she specialized in music. She is now a teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools.The Christmas meeting of the Woman's Club was held at the home of Mrs. Alfred Hollatz. Assisting hostesses were Mrs. Anna Craig, Mrs. Connie King and Mrs. Everett Craig.
In charge of the program was Mrs. Jack Nichols. The program's theme was Gifts; the Gift of Christmas, the Gift of Happy Memories, the Gift of Children's happiness, and the gift of God's Love.
Mrs. W.J. Ritter read the Christmas Scripture with Mrs. RObert Ritter playing appropriate Christmas Carols. Mrs. Marvin Kratochvil sang "O Holy Night". Mrs. N.L. Westcott told of the "Christmas Spirit"; Mrs. Churchill read of "Christmas Angels" and Mrs. Ves Hollatz of Christmas Bells. Mrs. Tom Hutton sang "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".
Lighted candles were then given to everyone present, and the lights were turned out while Mrs. L.J. Ritter and Mrs. Kratochvil sang "Silent Night" to conclude the program.
After a gift exchange, a two course lunch was served by the hostesses.Mrs. Lola Farnsley and Mrs. Myron Rosendahl and sons went to Cornlea Friday to the Christmas program at the school taught by Mrs. Elmer Graham.
Harry Tafler and Marvin Prager, table tennis champs, presented an hour program of fancy tennis capers in the high school gymnasium.
Some of their types of entertainment were various fancy serving and the playing of musical songs with different cooking utensils and tennis balls.
This program was most entertaining to the little youngsters.Recent high sellers at the Omaha market included: From Colfax County: James Severa, 21 steers, wt. 1039, $25.00; Otto Hamann, 29 hogs, wt. 221, $24.25 (top Dec. 17) and Val Belohrad, 30 hogs, wt. 242, $24.00; 11 wt. 299, $23.00 and 5 steers, wt. 1091, $21.50.
Pupils of the Glandt school in Stanton County, taught by Mrs. Rose Mortimer, won first prize in a talent contest sponsored by Stanton merchants. Sixteen schools in Stanton County participated in the program, the prize money which amounted to $20.00, was divided among Mrs. Mortimer's four pupils that took part in the program.
Misses Esther and Julia Nelson received a Christmas letter from Col. George Kibler, informing them that he is now located in Korea, about 20 miles from Seoul. Col. Kibler is a former Leigh resident.
Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Rynearson, Rodney and Larry, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reichmuth, Frankie, Quentin and Richard, and Mrs. Henry Bahns, Bob and Nancy drove to Madison to attend the wedding of Miss Janet Carson and Mr. William Reichmuth at St. Leonard's Catholic Church. A reception followed immediately after the ceremony. The wedding cake was baked by Mr. Rynearson. Frankie Reichmuth was one of the attendants.
December 31, 1953 - reprinted August 1, 2007A-3c Willis Deichmann of Chanute, AFB, Illinois spent the holidays at the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Deichmann.
Pvt. Dennis Sander of Camp Polk, La. arrived at his home in Creston for an 8-day furlough with home folks.
Miss Bonnie Jelinek, mid-year graduate from Wayne State Teachers College in Home Economics has been hired by the members, of the school board of Dist. No. 39 to teach the second semester at the Leigh Public High School. Mrs. Minnie McKinsey of Stanton has been teaching the Home Ec. classes and other subjects at the school, as a substitute teacher, in the absence of a permanent teacher. Miss Jelinek is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Jelinek of Bloomfield, Nebraska.
Looking back over the past year which we were able to do through going over the past issues of The Leigh World, we were able to note the many changes that has taken place during 1953. Because the additions were changes are graduated through the 12 months of the year, one doesn't take too much notice. But in compiling this data we were surprised to find that among our numbered business people in Leigh, so many changes were made within one year.
Early in February, the first of many business changes in Leigh began with the auction sale of Moser Billiards, its building and contents. Mr. V.C. Moser, owner of the business moved then from Leigh having purchased a cafe business at North Bend.
The building housing Moser Billiards was purchased by Ed Busse, who secured Karl Otte to raze it and rebuild anew on the same site. This was one of Leigh's oldest buildings, having been built in the early 1900's and was torn down. A new concerete building was then erected and since Mr. Busse has received a license to sell liquor, he began a new business known as Busse's Tavern, holding a grand opening on July 1st.
Ed Callies purchased the building then known as the Mid-West Motor and Implement building on the west side of main street and moved his Callies Implement Co. business uptown on June 1st. His old location is still vacant.
The Busse Livestock Market ceased operation. Mr. and Mrs. Busse had been in the commercial hauling and livestock buying business for 21 years prior to that.
Also in April, a businessmen's organization, The Lion's Club, disbanded at their regular meeting. A new idea was formulated from this action whereby the now enthusiastic Community Club was organized after the Commercial Club also disbanded to give way to the new Community Club. One of its major accomplishments, with the help of other volunteers including the Boy Scouts, was the clearing of grounds for the Leigh Park in southwest Leigh.
Miss Aletta Van Heufeln opened "Aletta's Beauty Shoppe" on June 1st. This has been another going business since except for the few weeks Aletta took off from her work to wed Mr. LeRoy Kumpf and go on a honeymoon. This new business established during 1953 is located in her home in west Leigh.
On August 1, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Emanuel of Fort Collins, CO took over the publishing of the Leigh World from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Leigh. Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel have recently moved to Leigh after the transaction was made.
In August, the County Fair Board built a new grandstand on the Fair grounds located in Leigh. However the greatest building project in Leigh during the year was the construction of the new addition to the Leigh Public Schools. This building is of brick construction and workmen are working rapidly now to complete the interior of the auditorium section of the building so that basketball games scheduled for 1954 might be played on the new gym floor.
James Hanel, who acquired the Drahota Oil Co. business early in April of this year has just recently completed a new, sizeable addition to the property. This business is now known as the Hanel Oil Co.
Mr. Jack Einkopf of Witten, So. Dak. took over the operation of the local pharmacy formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cremers. After purchasing the pharmacy, Mr. Einkopf renamed it the "Leigh Pharmacy"