Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

During the times that I lack for something to write I open my old newspaper and collect a lot of good information that reminds us of life in the past. The following are some notes from the July 21, 1899 issue of The Prickley Pear written as they appeared in the newspaper.

The editor writes of the paper, “the Prickley Pear, published at Bloomington, by T.F.Ashby and A. H. Byrum, is one of the brightest and newsiest exchanges that come to our desk. Being but four-weeks-old, it has taken its place in the front ranks of journalism already.”

Franklin Local News

“Amasa Hadden’s new brick faced business shows up well on main street.

“A commodious addition is being erected by J. B. Staten’s residence.

“James Buck, ‘Jim’ as we call him, has taken up the trade of painter. He is jerking the brush like a professional, on the home residence.

“A few parties of the Catholic faith were looking about town last Saturday for a church building site. They are also considering the matter of purchasing either the Christian or the Lutheran buildings.

“Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Smith, a baby girl, also to Dr. and Mrs. Petite, another of the usual size and beauty.”

Bloomington Locals

“J. M. Barber started on a business trip to Kansas City, Wednesday evening. (Mr. Barber was a big cattle buyer and raiser at this time period.)

“Hippe Yelken has built a large and commodious barn on one of his farms in Macon Twp.

“Z. U. Buck and wife of Naponee were in this booming city the latter part of the week.

“Mrs. Dr. Ella P. Sumner has left the city and gone to Silven Lake for a summer outing.

“Deputy United States Marshall Frank W. Barber was doing business in Bloomington, Saturday.

“Joe Brunke has purchased some land for pasture in Sec. 12-3-13 and had the same surveyed last week.

“Miss Bertha Douglas of Hagler, is spending a few days upon a visit at the home of C. C. Carlile and family.

“B. Klien has completed a much needed improvement on his farm near Macon, in the shape of a barn 32 x 59 two stories up.

“M. S. Budlong of Campbell, orders The Prickley Pear sent to this address the coming year. Hot winds or no hot winds.

“The P.E. O. order of this place held their last meeting for the summer at the home of Mrs. A. K. Feigly Thursday evening.

“Andrew Erickson, one of the leading farmers of Buffalo Twp, is summer feeding a car load of cattle, also a car load of hogs.

“One of Charley Blys’ boys was quite severely injured last Wednesday by being kicked by a horse squarely in the face. Dr Malick dressed the wound.

“Sheriff Dunn was down to Franklin Wednesday, on business concerning the attachment, appraisement and sale of the Fletcher residence property.

“H. M. Crane, who shoved the quill that furnished the news for the Echo, has purchased a new wheel and now take his constitutional spins with the rest of the boys. (At this time there must have been two newspapers in Bloomington.)

“John Sorrenson, who lives north of Riverton in Webster Co. has recently taken unto himself a brand new wife, having procured her from Omaha.

“Mr. C. D. Rowland of Naponee was in town Wednesday. Mr. Rowland soon goes to Alva, OK, where he owns a large flourmill, which he will take charge of and operate.

“Wm. Matheny of Webster County has purchased 80 acres of land in Franklin County, on Sec.36-4-13 and will at once move thereon. He says he desires to have everything in shape and be moved long enough before the fall election to vote the Republican ticket.

“Tobias Tobiassen of Macon has felt the effects of prosperity coming his way in years past and has remodeled his barn and out buildings and has made other and lasting improvements on his farm. He also has become an appreciated reader to the Prickley Pear.

“Harry Pettit of Geneva, a nephew of W. W. Morse, came up this week, to be present at the wedding of their daughter, Minnie Morse to Oscar Hill, which took place in this city Thursday. The Prickley Pear extends congratulations to the newly wedded couple.

“A. M. Fouts of Ash Grove, one of the farmers that was a welcome caller at the Prickley Pear office, Friday.

He reports a water famine in his part of the county caused by the stillness of the atmosphere during the last few days, there not being force in the elements to set the windmills in motion.

“The Franklin County fair will be held this year, September 27, 28, and 29. $3,000 of premiums. Entries are free. Family tickets, $1.25 good for the three days. Amusement features are provided. A genuine ostrich, lady hippodrome and chariot racers, music, ball games and speaking. Plenty of places to rest in abundance. Everything is going to hum. The exhibits promises to be immense…J. W. Robinson, Sect’y.”

The Prickley Pear was a short lived newspaper in the little berg of Bloomington, but there are some of the best historical items ever given us in the few issues printed. T. F. Ashby wrote a column called “Way Back In The 70’s.”

Someday I will print what he wrote about Franklin County. T. F. Ashby homesteaded on Center Creek, northwest of Franklin long before there was a Bloomington and Franklin.

Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens. Daniel Webster

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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