From the Osmond Republican Files
April 21, 1898 —
Col. Stewart and Judge Hoes are ready to declare war — bug guns, torpedoes, infernal machines and dynamite bonds enter largely into their munitions of war. They do not intend to use these explosives on the Dons, either; it is their intention to keep the town cow from browsing down the large number of shade trees they have set out on their respective lots this spring.
100 Years Ago. . .
The winner of the Most Popular Ladies Contest was Leila Adams, with 698 votes. In second place was Hilma Naslund with 580, and in third was Goldie Reed, 468 votes.
Leila wrote the following thank you in poem form: "I'm not so good at making rhymes, but here is where
I'll try. I'm all enthused with joyous bliss and thoughts of you are high. I
want to thank you one and all who gave their votes to me. 'Twas your ambition and delight that won the prize for me. 'Twas very sweet and kind of you to help me win the set. My wish for each of you dear friends is that you never will regret. Thank you again and then some more, I never
shall forget, the many courtesies you have shown and helped me to win the toilet set.”
Despite the high wind, a large crowd was on hand at the rodeo on June 10, 1926. Over 100 cars were on hand. Twenty-eight head of horses and steers were ridden, and the outlaw horses bucked like only broncos can buck. They were ridden one-handed, face to face, backwards and saddled. Many were present from a distance and they said it was as good a show as they had ever seen. The riders deserved great credit for their skill and daring. The ball game was a draw, only four innings being played on account of the high wind.
Edward and James Cizek took the agency for the Chevrolet car for this territory and were already doing a big business, having sold seven cars in a few weeks. The new Chevrolet "is a dandy," and this new firm was to be known by the name of the Cizek Chevrolet Co.
Miss Gertrude Craven closed a very successful term of school by giving a program and a picnic dinner. All the parents showed their appreciation of the teacher by leaving their field work and coming to spend the day. The first thing that happened was blindfolding the teacher. Then the pupils marched around her each leaving a pretty handkerchief pinned to her dress. Then all the well-filled baskets were spread out in picnic form. After dinner an unusually good program was given by the children.
Then all were treated to ice cream furnished by Miss Craven.
75 Years Ago. . .
Norfolk Sign Service was making a "Hospital" sign which would be placed on Highway No. 20 at Osmond. The sign was ordered and was being paid for by the Osmond Community Club.
Three of five new "Osmond" arrow and mileage signs were erected by Tom Goodman and Bud Theisen when wet weather kept them from routine jobs. The three scotch light signs were at the three mile corner east of Osmond on Highway 20, another at the nine-mile corner, and one at the 81 and Creighton road intersection south of Wausa.
Two more signs were going to be placed. The signs were ordered and paid for by the Osmond Community Club. They represented a cost of approximately $250.
Among the many fishermen from this section going to the South Dakota lakes were Jim Broekemeier, Alton Fuelberth and Delmer Gansebom.
They reported that besides getting their limit of bullheads of Lake Madison, Alton came up with a seagull to his credit.
Foundation work began on a new permanent type building by Lundstrom Motor Co., local Studebaker and home appliance dealers. The new structure, of brick and tile, was to be located just to the east of the firm's current buildings on the Burlington right-of-way on Highway 20 at the intersection of Osmond's principal street. It would be used to house the Studebaker shop and equipment. The original Lundstrom building was built about 15 years prior. The current shop was added in 1945.
Playing at the Osmond Theatre on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 9, 10 and 11, "Rio Grande," starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara - "A masterpiece of unforgettable entertainment of the west.” Playing on Wednesday and Thursday, June 13 and 14, "The Redhead and the Cowboy,” starring Glenn Ford, Edmond O'Brien and Rhonda Fleming.
65 Years Ago. . .
Many were the duties and occasions to be of service for a hospital auxiliary. That at Osmond was no exception. After election of officers in June, the ladies were invited to prepare huge bundles of rhubarb, donated by Dr. C. E.
Rodgers, for the hospital's freezer locker. The job was accomplished while other matters were postponed to a later meeting.
At the June meeting of the Osmond American Legion Auxiliary, the poppy chairman, Mrs. Koenig, gave
a report. Nine hundred poppies were sold, netting $95.55.
Esmail Farshad, an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate from Iran, arrived in Pierce County on June 17, 1961. He stayed for two weeks with the Alvin Nelson family south of Plainview. Mr. Farshad was 29 years old. His religion was "Islam," which meant he ate no pork or pork products. He was working with the Community Development Program in Iran, similar to the work of the County Extension Agent in the U.S.
Superintendent Lawrence Graham of the Osmond Community Schools had a physical hand in the construction of the huge building from which he would administer affairs of education. Asked what his particular job was on the new District 42R near half million dollar school, Mr. Graham confided that he was a welder by trade (as well as a school administrator), but that he was currently pushing barrows full of cement. That stuff, he said, was pretty tricky as sometimes it tended to shift in one direction, giving the impression to the wheeler that he had a herd of elephants by the tails.
A two-car collision occurred three miles east of Osmond on Highway 20. Cars involved were driven by Rod Ronspies, soon of Mr. and Mrs.
Ed Ronspies, and Carl Shurtleff.
The Ronspies '60 Chevy sustained about $500 damage while only minor
damage was reported to the Shurtleff car. No injuries were reported. Both cars were headed east and Ronspies, unaware that Shurtleff was going to make a left turn, was unable to stop and avoid collision. Shurtleff, charged with driving without a license, was accompanied by his father.
50 Years Ago. . .
Six-year-old Kelly Thomsen was one of 250 pupils in Nebraska to win citations for outstanding work in the 29th Nebraska Elementary School Art Exhibition, sponsored by the UNL Extension Service and Miller & Paine
Department Stores of Lincoln.
Recent vandalism of lock boxes at the Osmond Post Office and stolen mail box on rural route were being investigated by a United States Postal Inspector, according to Postmaster Norman Windeshausen. The post of fice lobby would remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, if vandalism continued, the lobby would be closed at 4:45 p.m. when the last employee was off duty. It was noted that there was a $2,000 fine and up to five years in prison for tampering with mail boxes as it is a federal offense.
The political focus of the nation dwelled primarily on the states of Ohio and California. However, for the small northeast Nebraska com munity of McLean, an election just
as important was held — one which would provide better facilities for the village of less than 100 residents. A bond issue in the amount of $60,000 plus was approved by the voters — carrying big for the size of the community, 32 to 10. However, all $60,000 would not have to be repaid as the FHA secured an outright grant of $22,500 for the town.
A float representing the Osmond community made the first of a number of appearances in bicentennial parades at the June 13, 1976, Verdigre parade.
25 Years Ago. . .
Osmond Republican managing edi tor Bernice Blecha received a plaque
for a Northeast Auctioneers auction bill judged the overall winner in the 2001 advertising contest at the 53rd annual convention of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association. The twocolor auction bill received the honor over full-color entries in the compe- tition. The auction bill production team at the Republican also included Regina Kumm and Dale Lorenz.
10 Years Ago. . .
Monday, June 6, 2016, was a long one for Vietnam veteran David Diek- man of Osmond. He arose at 2 a.m.
to travel to Washington, D.C., on an honor flight chartered by Patriotic Productions of Omaha. Diekman and a number of northeast Nebraskans were among 500 veterans to visit the Vietnam Memorial on the 72nd
anniversary of D-Day. The veterans also visited the World War II Memo- rial, the Korean Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Washing -
ton Monument.
