Days Gone By

Ten Years Ago, 2012

The queen and king of this year’s Grundlovsfest at Dannebrog were Linda Bornmann and Don Smith, both of Dannebrog. They rode in the Saturday morning parade and reigned over the two-day celebration that was held under ideal weather conditions. This was the twenty-fifth year that Dannebrog has held Grundlovsfest to celebrate their Danish heritage.

Clara Pawloski celebrated her 100th birthday with a family gathering on June 2nd at Heritage Living Center in St. Paul. Clara played her accordion for the guests. She was born June 1, 1912, on a farm near Elba, to Jake and Mary Tuma. Her family consists of one son, Ron Pawloski of Farwell; two daughters, Agnes Kelly of Grand Island and Catherine Hilderbrand of Central City; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Twenty Years Ago, 2002

A large crowd attended the cel ebration for the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Quasquicentennial in Farwell on Sunday, June 2nd...Over 400 people were served a catered dinner...A per manent sign has been erected on the south side of Highway 92 east of the entrance into Farwell. It reads: “Welcome to Farwell, Home of St. Anthony’s, Oldest Polish Catholic Church in Nebraska”.

A large crowd attended the Grundlovsfest Parade on Saturday morning in Dannebrog. Grundlovsfest Queen Sharon (Christensen) Sheldon of North Loup and King Keith Berg of Shickley reigned over the 2002 festivities.

Thirty Years Ago, 1992

The last eighth grade graduat ing class at Farwell Public School graduated in May of 1992. The school will be optioning their seventh and eighth graders next year. Members of the last class of eighth graders are Amy Kruse, Cindy Koperski, Tarra Mrkvicka, Stacy Wysocki, Joe Smydra, Brandon Wardyn, Loran Kaiser, and Zach Hypes.

On May 17th, a red Belgian mare owned by Rueben and Arlene Meyer of rural Wolbach presented them with a rarity when she gave birth to twins. They are smaller than normal but appear to be in good health. According to a local veterinarian, Dan Nielsen of St. Paul Vet Clinic, twin foals are very rare, and it is even more rare for them to survive. Nielsen added that twins are almost always spontaneously aborted. Meyer said the registered mare is over ten years old and estimated her weight around 1,600 pounds. The stallion, he added, weighed around 2,100 pounds and he expected the off spring, named Zip and Zap, to mature to around a ton.

Forty Years Ago, 1982

Rev. Eldon Walth of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul is being honored Sunday afternoon, June 13th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with an open house at the church’s fellowship hall to commemorate his thirtieth year in the ministry...Rev. Walth and his wife, Vi, were married August 14, 1949, and they have three children, Sue Walth of St. Paul, Minnesota, Jan Anderson of St. Paul, and Mark of Lincoln. The couple has one grandchild, Derek Anderson of St. Paul.

Larry Whalen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Whalen of Wolbach, was notified by telegram Tuesday that he had been drafted in the fif teenth round of the professional baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs. The 1979 graduate of Wolbach High School was in Kansas when the word was received and so was unavailable for comment... Whalen will be a sen ior at Kearney State College next year. The outfielder set a base-stealing record for the Kearney State Antelopes last season and was named to the 1982 All -Conference team. He has been playing for the Wolbach Rainmakers this summer.

Fifty Years Ago, 1972

“We need volunteer help,” said Dr. Mathews, “Some person or persons willing to help, particularly on the administrative end.” The doctor referred to the local effort to get an Emergency Rescue Unit established in St. Paul. Such equipped vehicles are located at Elba, Palmer, and Wolbach, and it is reported that each has been proved of inestimable value to its respective community. But St. Paul, noted as a medical center with good doctors, dentists, a modern hospital, a nursing home, and a number of people trained in first aid, is lacking an emergency unit. Private vehicles are pressed into service, in an emergency. The owners are eager to help, but very few such vehicles have any of the equipment needed to meet physical emergencies...Also, it is desirable that there be a local census of all people who have been trained in or engaged in first said work in recent years, for those people have life-saving knowledge not enjoyed by others..In many communities, the emergency unit is housed by the fire department, and the list of approved drivers includes the firemen, the police, and the sheriffs.

Miss Betty Marie Prochaska and Richard D. Czarnek were united in marriage on Saturday, June 3rd, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul...Parents of the bride are Mrs. Beata Prochaska and Edward J. Prochaska of St. Paul. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Czarnek of Loup City.

Sixty Years Ago, 1962 Bill Bader was visited

Bill Bader was visited by Mr. Glen Strain, state director of ag education, and Mr. C.A. Cromer, area consultant, on the afternoon of May 30th as another step in his application for the top degree that a Future Farmer can receive. He is now in the “semifinals”. He was congratulated by both men on his many fine accomplishments, but was told that it would be late June before he would be notified as to whether he is to be successful, as his application has to still go through two committees. Bill will leave in late June as a member of the Nebraska Farm Youth Goodwill Tour to Europe, where he will have the opportunity to visit a number of European countries.

Births–June 1: To Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Bergantzel, Wolbach, a girl, wt. 5 lb. 1-1/2 oz. June 2: To Mr. and Mrs. James Beck, Greeley, a boy, wt. 7 lb., 7 oz. June 3: To Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Potter, St. Paul, a boy, wt. 6 lb., 4-1/2 oz.

Seventy Years Ago, 1952

Henry Goering, of Cushing received a badly bruised leg and suffered from shock when his tractor, which he was using to plow a siding place in the field, upset and pinned him down by his leg. He lay there helpless for almost an hour when his cries were heard by his wife. Assistance was called to get him out and he was brought to Memorial Hospital. No bones were broken and his condition is reported to be good.

The city bought a new street sweeper Monday... The mechanical sweeper will be used to keep all paved streets in town as free as possible from dirt and rubbish. It has been a problem to keep them clean with so much mud brought onto the streets after rains. The city council approved the new machine; it was bought from the Island Supply Co. of Grand Island and cost $7,500.

Eighty Years Ago, 1942

Andrew Sorensen, residing in the Nysted neighborhood, was killed Tuesday afternoon about 3:30 when four horses with which he was cultivating corn ran away. Albert Sorensen, a neighbor who was working in an adjoining field heard Mr. Sorensen cry “Whoa” to the horses a number of times, and, when he got to the place where they had stopped, he found Mr. Sorensen dead under the cultivator. His head had been struck by the cultivator beam, and his lower jaw was broken. He also suffered many bruises.

Hail, which came up about eight o’clock Thursday evening, did a great deal of damage to crops, especially small grain, in a mile-wide swath, which had its beginning in the vicinity northwest of Farwell and came down east of Farwell and extended as far east as St. Paul. Most of the damage near St. Paul was in the vicinity north and south of the North Loup River about four miles north of town. Hail was reported as large as hen eggs, and several farmers reported losing chickens, which were hit by the hail...In talking over the hail storm with one farmer living north of St. Paul, he stated that there had been a large number of rabbits killed by the hail, and, on a lake near the river, it was stated that a number of ducks sitting on nests had been killed by the same.

A cablegram received from Lt. Alvin Christensen by his mother, Mrs. Carl Christensen, tells that he is in Ireland and that the scenery is lovely. One thing they miss there is cigarettes and chocolate bars. They are unable to be bought, and all they get is what friends and relatives send to them. He has received two letters from his folks since arriving in May.

Ninety Years Ago, 1932

Dale Walters and Oliver Nielsen are two young men who are in the automobile racing game for the summer. They have purchased a racing car, having a Pontiac engine, and it is capable of making good speed. They are going to Franklin next week, where they are entered in the races.

During the Monday night storm, a severe wind storm in the community east of Cotesfield did a lot of damage. The outbuildings at the Wm. Hughes home were blown down, also at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jude Madsen. Mrs. Madsen lost nearly all of her chickens, and three small calves were blown away. Mr. Madsen found the last one several miles away on Friday. A large barn at the Joe Johnson home was demolished, the hay loft settling down on seven head of horses that had been tied in the barn. They were uninjured and were gotten out safely. A windmill and some small buildings at the Carl Nielsen farm, and one at Tony Jepsen’s, were blown down. Another big rain Wednesday night raised the creeks again, and took out a couple more bridges. It is reported that, as a result of both storms, seventeen bridges in this district were damaged, either being washed out or having the approaches washed out.

100 Years Ago, 1922

C.J. Christensen went to Omaha Monday afternoon, where the undertakers of the state are meeting in state convention this week. He will have on display his recent patented device, “The Undertaker’s Friend”, which will be in use in practically every undertaking establishment when the undertakers once become familiar with the use of the same. He will return home the latter part of the week.

The Elba ball club in the Sherman-Howard League are going like good fellows in their mad rush to annex the pennant. In fact, there is no doubt as to who will eventually carry home the flag. Last Sunday, they journeyed to Rockville where they took the Rockville, lads to two cleanings. That is going some. Jack Sumovich is the hero of the Elba team, as he pitched both games. The last game of the day, he did not allow the Rockville lads to score. The Elba lads are feeling mighty good over their success.

110 Years Ago, 1912

Elba News–Arrangements have been completed whereby the Elba baseball team becomes a member of the Sherman-Howard League. Loup City dropped out and the Elba team will play the schedule which Loup City was to have played.

Logan Locals–A picnic was held at the river on Sunday afternoon by the Loganites; some from St. Paul and Cushing were present. Ice cream, lemonade, cake, and sandwiches were served yo all present, and all seemed to have a jolly good time.

120 Years Ago, 1902

Henry Nietfeld has opened up another new industry for St. Paul. He has received a carload of fine Kentucky whiskey and a carload of the choicest California wines, and will enter into the wholesale business on a large scale. Instead of sending away for your goods, just simply come to St. Paul and have your wants supplied, whether they be large or small. All goods of all quality.

130 Years Ago, 1892

Girls wanted to strip tobacco by the Cuban Cigar Co.; call at once at the factory in old Franklin House.

Closing the saloons on Memorial Day this year was not a success as far as preventing drunkenness is concerned.

Look out for your dogs after Monday, June 6, 1892. If your license is not paid, your dog may be killed. The council is determined to enforce this ordinance. By order of Council. B.F. Adams, City Clerk.