From the Osmond Republican Files
July 1, 1897 —
Geo. Mitchell has purchased the general store of Culton & Foreman in this place, and they are now taking an account of stock.
All arrangements have been made for a grand businessmen’s parade on Saturday, July 3rd at this place.
Mrs. Wood had quite an accident happen to her coop of 21 full-blooded Buff Coachin chickens. Someone carelessly using a shotgun killed 13 of them one day last week.
It is a terrible accident to be burned or scalded; but the pain and agony and the frightful disfigurements can be quickly overcome without leaving a scar by using DeWitt’s Witch Hazel Salve. Sold by Long & Hoes.
100 Years Ago. . .
In the School Notes: Miss Jones and some of the members of the botany class went on a botanizing hike the other evening, walking out as far as McLean and coming back on the train.
May 1, 1925, was Farmers Union night in Osmond, and it certainly was an occasion long to be remembered by those present. Dancing was the main event of the evening, and all enjoyed the social good time immensely. The gathering comprised the four Farmers Union locals tributary to Osmond, and Will Schultz, the buyer for the union, was presented with a beautiful pipe and leather billfold by his fellow members as a token of their appreciation for the big work, which he had done for the Farmers Union.
The graduating class of the OHS numbered 14 in 1925. The following were the members: Vernon Landreth, Frank Landreth, Milton Cizek, Kenneth Carver, George Pochop, Ursula Davis, Rose Leuenhaegen, Lucille Senift, Lucille Neumann, Bertha Thomsen, Mildred O’Brien, Verna Weingartner, Erna Schumacher, Helen Roberts.
Chas. Rohrberg advertised that Mondamin (his stud horse) Would make the season at the following places and days and be in charge of Claus Albers: Monday and Tuesday, Henry Nissen; Wednesday and Thursday, Oscar Johnson, and Saturday and Sunday, Rohrberg barn. Terms: $15 to insure mare with foal. Meanwhile, Henry Moeller had Missouri Bill Jack making the season at his place with terms: $10 to insure colt to stand and suck.
75 Years Ago. . .
The Schmitz Hardware announced the following list of prize winners. Prizes were awarded for guessing the serial number of a Monarch stove. First, Alfred Ehrhardt, McLean, $30 credit on purchase of new stove; second, Mrs. Gerald Broekemeier, set of silverware; third, Mrs. Arnold Buchholz, assortment of plastic kitchenware items.
Twelve high school seniors officially severed their schoolgoing relations with Osmond High. The comparatively small class of nine boys and three girls received diplomas during the commencement program which took place at the city hall on May 18, 1950. Members of the class were LaVern Gansebom, Dwaine Johnson, Marvin Koehler, Byron Kratochvil, LeRoy Middleton, Wayne Moes, Gerald Moore, James Rodgers, Edith Schmitz, Marlin Schultze and Donald Streich.
Ten eighth graders graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School in exercises at the Lutheran parish hall. The 10 students were Orville Broekemeier, Joan Brummond, Maynard Dirks, Raymond Dirks, Carleen Fuelberth, LeRoy Gerdes, Byron Gutz, Althea Schuttler, Joan Nierman and Kenneth Warneke.
A list of friends and business associates of George W. Woolley who gave donations for a cash purse presented to Mrs. Woolley at the time of the death of her husband in a fuel tank explosion was printed in the Osmond Republican. Amounts given ranged from $1 to $5, which the rural Fire District giving the largest amount, $10.
65 Years Ago. . .
In the Osmond Library column: Hurlburt’s Bible stories for children has long been asked for. We have it at last; it arrived last week, a beautiful thing with colored illustrations. This and Robert Kennedy’s “Enemy Within,” are both gifts from the Osmond Woman’s Club.
Commencement exercises took place on May 17, 1960, at the city auditorium. Dwaine Francis was the class valedictorian, and Angelyn Buchholz was salutatorian. Dr. Joe Nichols, professor at Wayne State, was speaker at the commencement.
Kenneth L. Dawson piloted a three-place airplane down in an emergency wheat field landing near the small town of Brock, NE, and the larger towns of Humboldt and Nebraska City only seconds before it burned and melted into a heap of twisted and charred rubble. Mr. Dawson, Osmond filling station and transport operator, was enroute from Norfolk to Humboldt. On the day of the unhappy incident, his own business plane was not flyable. He arranged for transportation with Andy Risser, veteran Norfolk pilot. Risser was dozing in the rear seat of the plane when the pair sensed smoke, presumably from a cigarette which may not have been completely extinguished. Dawson spotted a nearby wheat field and began immediate descent. The plane settled to the emergency landing without incident and when the doors were opened for a quick exit, the smoldering fire in the luggage compartment broke into uncontrollable open flame. The plane was destroyed in minutes as the men stood helplessly by.
50 Years Ago. . .
A reported 12 tornadoes were spotted in eastern Nebraska on May 6, 1975, in what was described as ideal tornado conditions. Locally, the closest twister to Osmond touched down on the Dean Kiichler farm about 3½ miles east on Highway 20, destroying a steel lean-to shed and fences, and breaking windows in the house as well as other damage. It also destroyed the farm places of Elmer and Dennis Wragge southeast of Osmond. Probably a different tornado swooped down on a farm 8¾ miles east of Osmond, locally known as the “bee farm.” A large barn and building utilized for the processing of honey were destroyed and the house badly damaged. It was believed that the “bee farm” twister continued in a northerly direction and was the one that did major damage in the small village of Magnet. The business places on the main street of Magnet were nearly all destroyed or badly damaged as were many of the dwellings. There were no major injuries reported in Magnet, which was very significant considering the amount of damage done.
Grading and site preparation was nearly completed for the construction of a new education building for the United Methodist Church. Projected cost of the completed building was expected to be between $75,000 and $85,000.
25 Years Ago. . .
Joining The Elite Club of American Legion Post 326 was Bud Veik who received a 50-year continuous membership award from Commander Wes Kumm. The Elite Club was started by the post in 1995 and with the addition of Veik, now numbered 27 members.
10 Years Ago. . .
Twenty seniors completed their secondary education when they crossed the stage at Osmond Community School and received their high school diplomas. Valedictorian of the Class of 2015 was Margaret Kruse. The salutatorian was Michael Simmons.
For the second year in a row, senior Cameron Moes of Osmond High School was a Norfolk Track and Field Classic Champion. In 2014, he won the 3,200 meters and in 2015, the 1,600 meters.
