From the Osmond Republican Files
April 7, 1898 —
Gus Kissinger, the King Rancher of the country, is in the city this week, buying stockers. He already has 600 head in his yards and will increase this number to 1,000. His speculations in cattle will run into the thousands of dollars during the year.
At the village election held on Tuesday, there was very little interest taken in the result as all the candidates were good men and honored citizens. The vote resulted as follows: Billerbeck, 47; Boyle, 47; Hladik, 47; Friday, 42; Borchert, 42; Bogenhagen, 41; Matteson, 37; Saunders, 35. The interest of the town will be in safe hands for another year.
100 Years Ago. . .
L. E. Taylor rented the building formerly occupied by Bruegeman and Reed [on the east side of State Street about in the middle of where Security Bank is now], and cut a door between that room and his building, and was going to open up a bargain store in his new quarters. He would retain his clothing store just as it was, and the new business was simply an addition to his business.
Miss Myrtle LeMonnier, who had been assistant principal in the high school the past year, was rehired for another year and promoted to the position of principal at a salary of $150 per month. Miss LeMonnier was a graduate of the Osmond High School and also of the Wayne Normal, and her many friends were glad to see her make good in her chosen profession.
Bruegeman and Reed bought out the Henry Grosse Rhode meat market and butcher shop [on the west side of State Street where Osmond Laundry is now] and took possession. They moved their own stock of groceries and meats over to the Grosse Rhode building and were now nicely located in their new quarters, the Grosse Rhode building, where they would conduct their business in the future.
A report of the condition of the McLean State Bank at the close of business March 29, 1926, showed total resources and liabilities of $165,407.31.
LaVerle Christensen celebrated her 10th birthday on Saturday, April 10. There were 20 children there to help at the occasion and also some papas and mamas. After spending the afternoon playing games, a delightful luncheon was served, consisting of sandwiches, ice cream and cake.
75 Years Ago. . .
Local music lovers were treated to two music concerts during the past eight days. The first was a solo concert when a large crowd heard 21 soloists perform. The following week, a good-sized audience heard seven ensembles, the mixed chorus and the Osmond high band perform. At the solo concert, the following students performed: Don Schumacher, Elnor Gansebom, Norman Weeces, Norma Kenny, Don Jensen, Donna Overhue, Marvin Schumacher, Mildred Wortman, Junior Schmer (cornet solo), Dorothy Bilau, Eugene Schmit, Barbara Wilson, Nylotis Overhue, Irene Wegner, Carol Schneckloth, Arleath Stratton, Barbara Burt, Charles Pfanstiel, Sharon Reed and Delno Fuelberth. In addition to the songs sung at the ensemble concert, the boys’ octette presented Mrs. Reed with a strand of pearls in appreciation of her work with them. Also at the latter concert, Junior Schmer once again entertained with his cornet solo, and Don Schumacher played a sousaphone solo.
The St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary met at the hospital with about the usual number present. They did some of the usual folding of bandages, stretching gauzes, etc., all of help to the Sisters. Mrs. Meade Larson brought the cake and there was a lot of fun when she drew the piece with the dime in it. The Sisters served coffee. At the bake sale the next afternoon and evening at the Stanosheck store, which kindly furnished space for the affair, nearly $26 was taken in. Considering the bad weather, it was very good.
Items on sale at Stanosheck Hardware and Mortuary included: black garden hose $7.39 for 50 ft.; Frigidaire 9.3 Cu. Ft. refrigerator, $229.95; galvanized bath tubs, $6.98; De Laval separator, all stainless, 550 lb. capacity, $142.95; 12 ft. Armstrong Linoleum, 89¢ sq. yd.; South Bend split bamboo casting rod, $9.89; casting line, 79¢ per spool; Kids! Daisy one cent BB packs, 6 for 5¢. Outboard motor to be given away absolutely free on the last day of Hardware Week.
Work was started on a new permanent type construction building at Osmond which would be leased to the Postal Department and serve as Osmond's post office. The building would be ready for occupancy sometime during the summer. It was being built on the Theisen lot directly south across the street from the Maxey Tavern, or across the street to the east from the Huey Garage.
65 Years Ago. . .
Members of the Youth Workers and the former Junior Choir of the Methodist Church met at the church basement for a farewell party in honor of three members who were leaving the group and joining the Methodist Youth Fellowship. The members who were leaving the group were Janice Johnson, Carol Rasmussen and Janet Neubauer.
After several days of anxiety by parents and friends, it now appeared that four-year-old Alan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Reed of this place, would be the same live, happy boy — perhaps a bit more careful in his tricycle riding — that he was prior to the time a car nearly snuffed out his life. Alan’s body went under the front end of an automobile and came out between the rear wheels near his home here as his parents watched in horror. Unconscious, he was rushed to a Sioux City hospital. Miraculously, there were no broken bones. The extent of internal injuries could not be determined immediately. Some five days later, the parents were able to bring little “Butch” to the new family home, now little the worse for his harrowing experience. “Butch” was wearing a heavy parka-type coat when the accident happened. The parka with its headgear may have saved his life.
Band and chorus mothers held a meeting in the band room of Osmond Public School. The new organization would be called the “Music Boosters.” There were 52 members in the chorus and 55 members in the combined bands. The purpose of the group of mothers would be to get choir robes and band uniforms and arrange for the upkeep of both.
50 Years Ago. . .
In a picture on the front page of the April 14, 1976, Osmond Republican, Mrs. Elvera Peters displayed an Easter egg tree she had designed. What made the tree interesting and was not apparent in the [black and white] photograph was the color of the eggs. The eggs were various shades of light green, which was the natural color. Mrs. Peters explained that she had three oriental hens that laid these pre-colored Easter eggs.
Three young men escaped serious injury in a one-car accident west of Osmond. Robert Erwin, 20, lost control in the gravel and the car rolled over. Erwin and two passengers — Larry Libra and Vernon Hanson, were admitted to Osmond General Hospital in satisfactory condition. Meanwhile on the same day, Kirk Weyhrich, 19, was injured when he swerved to avoid hitting cattle on a country road southeast of town. The car went into the east ditch and rolled over at least twice. He suffered cuts and bruises and was taken to Osmond General Hospital.
Dens 1 and 2 of the local Cub Scouts competed in Randolph’s annual pinewood derby. Local winners of the derby were Dennis Kuhl, first place, and Kelly Bruckner, third.
Frank Stech was injured while working near Staplehurst. He was climbing a 30-ft. pole when the pole broke off and he fell with the pole to the ground. He suffered a broken jaw and cuts and bruises. He was taken to a Seward hospital for treatment and then transferred to the Osmond hospital. Stech was employed by Wayne Public Power District but was assisting with the storm damaged lines in the southern part of the state.
25 Years Ago. . .
The first wind storm of the spring season buffeted a large area of the country. Virtually anything not well secured, and even some things that were, fell victim to the wind. Two buildings in which J. P. Theisen & Sons stored equipment were damaged. The roof was blown off one while the other was completely destroyed.
Golden egg winners at the 2001 Easter egg hunt were Austin Thelen, Trevor Doyle, Jason Stech, Emily Aschoff, Colton Beacom and Matthew Doyle.
10 Years Ago. . .
Osmond postal customers would soon be enjoying their new post office boxes. Employees of the U.S. Postal Service began installation of the new boxes, which would be a little bit bigger than the old wooden ones. All would be keyed entry boxes. As for the old post office boxes, they were sold on the website, www.govdeals.com.
Winner of the Spare Time Alley Thursday bowling league competition was the New Frontier team of Garret Kuhl, Kelsey Nuesch, Dennis Kuhl, Marlin Schmit, John Lange and Grant Albers. The team won both halves of the competition.
