The Columbus Journal, January 10, 1900

John Boss, a farmer twelve miles west in Loup township, killed one of his large fat ducks for Thanksgiving dinner. In the craw were found particles of what looked like gold, but the incident was forgotten for a time. For New Year's two ducks were killed, and in one of the craws was found a piece of gold, pronounced so to be by a jeweler, and valued at about $2.00. It is thought that perhaps there is gold in the creek that runs through his place.

DIED
ASCHLER--Scarlet fever is still epidemic in this city. David Aschler, who died Wednesday last at the home of his sister, Mrs. Thomas Noon, was aged 18 years. The other three children of Mr. and Mrs. Noon afflicted with the same disease, are still improving and now considered out of danger.


The Columbus Journal, January 17, 1900

It seems that the courts have decided that a marriage contract is voidable if made on Sunday. The evident moral attached is not to do courting on Sunday.


The Columbus Journal, March 7, 1900

The premises of Jack Lannan and Charles Klaus were quarantined Saturday - scarlet fever having made its appearance at both homes.

Fred. Gottschalk's oldest daughter is afflicted with typhoid pneumonia.


The Columbus Journal, April 18, 1900

Martin Jansen, the man who some days ago was so badly injured at Platte Center, that one of his legs had to be amputated, has been at St. Mary's hospital ever since. He will have one good leg to go with.


The Columbus Journal, May 9, 1900

Charles Sanpak, charged with attempting to poison meat with arsenic, was held to bail by Justice Curtis to appear before the district court-bond $150.


The Columbus Journal, May 16, 1900

Our policemen call for $2300 a year; lighting the streets $1600; sprinkling $1200.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Patterson of St. Edward found a little girl baby wrapped up on their door-step, last Saturday week. In its dress was found $25 securely sewed in. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have been married twenty years, but this is the first child that came to their home.


The Columbus Journal, June 6, 1900

DIED
PUGSLEY--Mrs. Jennie Pugsley, divorced wife of the Elkhorn agent at Inland, died from a dose of carbolic acid. She had been east for some time and only returned the day before to investigate the divorce proceedings of which she was entirely ignorant until a few days ago, though she had corresponded with Pugsley during her absence. The death has aroused suspicion.


The Columbus Journal, June 27, 1900

Two more families were quarantined for scarlet fever Sunday-Krebs' and Keller's. One is on the edge of town and the other is in the country, but in the quarantine limit. The cases are all mild ones.


The Columbus Journal, July 11, 1900

S. P. Curtis passed his eighty-fifth birthday last Friday. He was born in the village of Swanville, Waldo county, Maine, on the 6th day of July, 1815. He remembers very distinctly the great meteoric shower which occurred in November, 1833, and which has been generally referred to as the "Stars Falling." He cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836, and was an ardent supporter of John C. Fremont in 1856. Should he live until November next he will have voted for sixteen presidential candiates--a record seldom attained and rarely beaten. Although far past the allotted three score and ten, he is in good health, walks without a cane and has good eyesight. His father lived to the ripe old age of 93. He received a number of presents from his friends.

At August Boettcher's farm eleven miles northeast of the city Sunday evening about 6 o'clock the barn was noticed on fire by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Evert, who live on the place, and who were returning from the meeting at Gottberg's grove. The barn and all contents, was destroyed, such as about two tons of hay, several hundred bushels of oats, besides some harness, machinery, etc., perhaps $500 in value so far as the barn is concerned--as to the rest we have no further information. The windmill tower was on fire, but the flames there were easily subdued. We have since learned that the young daughter of Carl Evert, was the only one at home and she did not notice the fire until it was flaming out of the roof. The loss is now put at about $300 with $150 insurance.


The Columbus Journal, July 25, 1900

County Judge Robison handed down his decision in the Barnum case Friday, stating that it is his belief that a guardian is needed for Guy C. Barnum, his large property interests not being safe in his own hands, while there is at least doubt of his sanity. Gus. B. Speice was named as guardian. Mr. Barnum's attorneys have given notice of appeal.


The Columbus Journal, August 1, 1900

The board of insanity, consisting of Clerk of the Court Gruenther, W.N. Hensley and Dr. Baker, gave decision Monday, as to application regarding Hon. Guy C. Barnum, adverse to his being deprived of his libery.

Mrs. Ben. Eggleston unsuspectingly stepped back from the table, and, the trap-door of the cellar being open, she fell a distance of about ten feet. Beyond severe bruises and a shaking up, there seems to be no reason to fear worse consequences.


The Columbus Journal, August 8, 1900

Dr. Pugh of Platte Center and Mrs. Luke of Monroe, were in a run-away accident Friday, when both received painful injuries, Dr. Pugh having a long cut in his forehead, and Mrs. Luke one dislocated, and one broken arm. The doctor was taking Mrs. Luke to Platte Center to nurse a patient when the horse became frightened at some hogs, just outside of the town, with the above result.


The Columbus Journal, August 15, 1900

Arthur Connelly plead guilty of assault on Alfred Smith at Lindsay, Aug. 1, and was fined $5 and costs, amounting to $14.50, by Justice Curtis.


The Columbus Journal, September 12, 1900

Wednesday morning last Roy, the 7-year-old son of Wm. Steinbaugh, got up to light to kitchen fire, and soon an explosion was heard. He had used the kerosene can, and, his clothing afire, he ran out-of-doors and rolled on the ground, thus putting the fire out. A Mr. Clark going by the house to work, noticing the trouble, helped put matters to rights.


The Columbus Journal, October 17, 1900

A police call was turned in Sunday morning by Mat. Ellison. He had been having trouble with the Micek's in the bottom, and didn't feel like being run over.


The Columbus Journal, November 7, 1900

Mr. Herschick, the young man who came over about seven weeks ago with Mr. and Mrs. Kohler from Switzerland, was badly cut in the face by a kicking broncho, a week ago Sunday. He is working on the farm of Wm. Ernst. On Sunday he was cautioned not to go near the heels of this broncho and he replied he did not think the horse would kick and put his hand on its hip, when it immediately kicked him in the face, cutting his under lip and flesh down one side of his face in a frightful manner. Dr. Evans sewed up the flesh taking forty stitches in the wound.


The Columbus Journal, November 14, 1900

C.H. Buschman has become proprietor of the Grand Pacific hotel and is renovating and refitting it.


The Columbus Journal, November 21, 1900

Two pairs of shoes were found in Speice's coal shed Monday morning, and Miss Anna Berger of von Bergens' recognized them as ones she had sold Saturday to Caesar Ernst, and supposed to have been stolen out of his wagon.

Thomas Kuzion, Wm. and M. Cutsor and Thos. Cusak were arrested Monday by Policeman Schack for fighting, and fined $3 and costs, each, by Police Judge Curtis.


The Columbus Journal, December 12, 1900

OELSON--The following article is taken from the Signal published at Platte Center, the scene of the tragedy, and is probably a fair and impartial account of the deplorable affair:
Probably no one incident in the history of Platte Center, or Platte county for that matter, ever stirred her citizens up to such an extent as did the attempt of N.J. Gentleman to kill several people in our midst Wednesday afternoon.
A few months ago Gentleman and Martin Burns had some difficulty over some hogs. The difficulty was settled in the courts, but Gentleman made threats to kill Burns, and provoked an assault several times, whereupon Burns had him arrested and placed under a peace bond. About two months ago Ed. Van Allen caused his arrest on a charge of disturbing the peace. A few days after this he was arrested for assault and battery on the complaint of S. Olesen. He has seemed for several weeks to have had a special grudge against these three men.
On Wednesday morning Van Allen who is also a stockman, bought some hogs which Gentleman had expected to procure. This angered him and about one o'clock he met Burns near the Kehoe elevator and provoked a quarrel in which he got the worst of it. Outsiders separated them, Burns going up the hill towards his home. Gentleman followed him and plunged a knife blade into his back. Burns ran and hid. This quarrel seemed to arouse a bloodthirsty desire in him to kill some one and he displayed a revolver and knife and many heard him say that he would kill Olesen, Van Allen and Burns. About 4 o'clock Marshal Hays went into his office and found Gentleman there with his (Hays') shot gun, partly concealed under his coat. He immediately left the office with the gun, Hays following close after him. He crossed the street to Olesen's blacksmith shop, stopped in the door, raised the gun and without speaking fired directly at Olesen, who was coming from the back part of the shop and was within six feet of the muzzle of the gun. Olesen dodged and threw up his hands as the shot was fired, and received the greater part of the charge in his right arm. The end of his left thumb was also carried away. Olesen sprang and grasped the gun with his left hand and although the second barrel was discharged the charge went into the air. Bob Wilson, who works for Olesen, was close by and immediately seized Gentleman and held him while Hays took the gun away from him. Wilson, with other assitance led Gentleman to the lockup which is near by, and placed him in a cell and Hays locked the cell door. Gentleman, who had a revolver in his pocket which had not been taken from him, fired through the grates three times in rapid succession into the crowd which was about the door, and every shot took effect. Henry Tangier was hit in the back, Wilson got one in the chest and Hays in the lower right hip. All scattered and the outside door was closed and locked. Gentleman soon broke out of the cell and fired a shot out of the east window. Not knowing how many cartridges he still had no one cared to go very close to the lockup, but armed guards were placed near by to intercept him should he break open the outer door. Sheriff Byrnes was telephoned for and, accompanied by two deputies, came on the 7:30 train and removed him to Columbus and lodged him in jail.
Of the wounded probably Olesen is the most seriously injured. He was taken to Pugh & Siems' drug store and later to the Clother house, where doctors Pugh and Conlan dressed his wounds. The gun was loaded with small buck shot, and while the bone was not seriously injured the muscles were terribly lacerated. He will always have a crippled arm even if an ampuation is not necessary.
Tangier is an old gentleman, a carpenter, who was at work on Hansen's house, and his home is in Columbus. The bullet which hit him went through a truss he wore and entered his back about an inch. The truss probably saved his life. He was taken to Columbus that night without having the ball removed. He is in a critical condition. Should he survive the shock he will be helpless, the ball having passed so close to the spine that his lower limbs are paralyzed.
Bob Wilson was taken to Dr. Conlan's office and his wound dressed. It was found that the bullet entered his upper right breast and followed the bone around to the middle of the breast and was removed without difficulty. He will be out in a few days. Hays' wound was very slight and he has not been confined at home.
The knife cut on Burns is not serious, the blade striking the shoulder blade. Had it been a trifle nearer the center of the back the blow was severe enough to penetrate the lung.
We have given the facts in this serious and most outrageous affair just as they occurred. LATER.--After a consultation between Drs. Pugh, Hansen and Conlan, Thursday evening, the decision was reached that Olesen could not live. This (Friday) morning at 10 o'clock, his condition is still worse, and unless a favorable change takes place during the day, death seems inevitable.
OLESEN DEAD.
The Journal adds that since the above was printed, Olesen died the evening of the 7th as a result of his injuries. He was a blacksmith and was well known and liked by all. He had lived at the Center for eight years, and owned and operated the electric light plant. Two brothers of the deceased from Fremont were at the bedside to witness his last moments. He was unmarried, a sober, hard working, intelligent man, and his untimely end is deeply regretted.
INQUEST OVER OLESEN.
On the 8th inst. Coroner Metz of Humphrey empaneled a jury at Platte Center, which viewed the remains of S. Olesen and rendered the following verdict:
"That on the 5th day of December, 1900, between the hours of 3 and 4 o'clock p.m., Soren Olesen received a gunshot wound fired at him by N.J. Gentleman, with feloneous intent, from the effect of said gunshot S. Olesen died December 7, 1900."
WILL BE CHARGED WITH MURDER.
It is said that Gentleman will be charged with murder in the first degree, and that J.M. Gondring has been employed to assist County Attorney O'Brien in the prosecution, while Reeder & Albert and McAllister & Cornelius have been retained by the defense.


The Columbus Journal, December 19, 1900

Attorneys Kilian and Hobart had an interesting case in the county court last week wherein the interstate laws between Prussia and the United States are brought up. John Schmidt of Woodville township died in '99, leaving 400 acres of farm land and other personal property. The estate was settled according to our laws on the rightful heirs, sisters of the deceased. There now is a petition from Mrs. Pfeifer, another sister from Prussia, asking the estate matter opened up that she may be permitted to appear and receive her rights as an heir. The court found in favor of the defendant. The case will probably be taken to a higher court.

The Columbus Journal, Jan. 9, 1901

Four cases of smallpox were reported Thursday night in the family of Mrs. Anthony, six miles southeast of St. Edward. The youngest is a child of 4 years the oldest 12. The disease has been in progress more than ten days and members of the family have been present at dances and other public gatherings. The disease is supposed to have been carried there by a daughter of Mrs. Anthony from Leavenworth, Kansas, who thinks she got the germs in the waiting room of the depot at Valley, Nebraska, from a woman whose face showed signs of smallpox. A strict quarantine has been established.


The Columbus Journal, Jan. 16, 1901

BROWNER--John Browner, one of the pioneers and one of the organizers of the city of Columbus, died at his home two miles northeast of town Monday morning at 8:30, after several weeks' illness and a number of years of disability.
Mr. Browner was born June 24, 1820, in Wexford county, Ireland. He came to America in 1852, and after a few months' stay in New York moved to Illinois, coming to Columbus in 1856. He took a timber claim on Shell Creek and for several years spent about six months of the year on his claim, going in the summer time to Omaha as mason and bricklayer. In 1869, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Curry, who died in May 1890, leaving two children by her first husband, Sam and John Curry. Mr. Browner leaves four children: Mrs. Sam Drinnin, Will, James and Miss Nellie Browner.
Mr. Browner was the fifth sheriff of this county, his official duties extending to the western boundary of the state, the counties west of Platte being unorganized.
There have been preserved, and treasured as among the jewels of Platte county's historic crown, many instances of his fidelity to duty and his efficiency in serving the public who entrusted him with their most important functions, in those days, of the chief executive or peace officer of the county.
He had lived on his farm the past twenty-seven years, the last third of his life being in full consonance with the first of it. He had lived a long and useful life, departing in the full noon of the 81st year of his earth pilgrimage, to the spirit land, after seeing his family grown to full manhood and womanhood.
The memory of his goodness of heart, of his wisdom of life, and the pungent pleasantness of his conversation, will remain as a benefaction to relatives, neighbors and acquaintances.
A good citizen, a just and kindly neighbor, a loving father, has gone to his reward, and on this side the veil we know there is weeping and that sorrow will not end in a day, but on the other side, let us believe that there is joy with departed friends, who have gone before.
The funeral services will be held at St. Bonaventura church this Wednesday at 3 o'clock p.m., with burial in the cemetery near-by.

[Mr. Browner was one of the original 13 founding fathers]

The Columbus Journal, Feb. 6, 1901

John Burrell, a well known citizen of the city is in jail as the result of a hearing before Justice Curtis upon the charge of assault upon the 11-year-old daughter of Mat. Allison. The little girl, whose name is Poeli Allison, in the complaint filed, alleges July 15, 1900, September 15, December 12 and January 21, 1901, as the four times of assault upon her. The crime charged is, to all right-minded people, a loathsome and vile offense against decency and law. If guilty he should receive the punishment due for such offenses. If not guilty, and the prosecution is, as Burrell claims, a piece of blackmail, whoever is responsible for that ought to be punished. In either case, it is a bad affair, and the public, never indifferent, should hold opinion until a full, legal investigation of all the facts, circumstances and surroundings, gives definiteness to the case. The bond required of him was for $3,000, which he could not give.

Walter Borowiak, son of Mrs. C.A. Borowiak, and Martin, son of Mrs. M. Borowiak, cousins, were taken to the temporary pesthouse, the town hall north of the city Sunday, having been found to have smallpox. Both young men are about 19 years old. Both live with their widow mothers near the Catholic school and both were taken ill Thursday, but the doctors did not pronounce the cases smallpox until Sunday. The young men are doing nicely and precautions are being taken to prevent any further spread of the disease. The family are unable to find out how they were exposed to the disease. Dr. Baker is the attending physician.


The Columbus Journal, Feb. 13, 1901

Nicholas Gentleman was arraigned February 4, on the charge of murder and plead "Not guilty." Since that various motions have been made preliminary to the trial by jury. We understand that the accused is fully prepared for the trial, and it is doubtless begun as we go to press, 2 o'clock this Tuesday, Feb. 12. Earlier in the day a special venire of 50 had been ordered by the judge. Mr. Gentleman's attorneys are: Reeder & Albert and McAllister & Cornelius. For the State, County Attorney O'Brien, J.M. Gondring, Judge A.M. Post and Attorney Dolzell of Fremont. Judge Hollenbeck, presiding.


The Columbus Journal, Feb. 20, 1901

C.K. Davies' has bought the 120 acres known as the Lute North farm, one and a half miles northwest of the city, and expects to build in the spring.

Misses Mary F. Borowiak, Jess and Louisa Schram, also a little girl named Mary Wulzy, have been stricken with smallpox and the residences quarantined.

John Burrell was arraigned Monday and plead not guilty to the crime with which he is charged. His trial will probably begin, after the Gentleman trial is finished.


The Columbus Journal, Feb. 27, 1901

C.C. McDowell, operator at the B.& M. depot, having, in some way, caughter the small pox contagion, walked out to the pest-house Thursday, and entered it as a patient.

There is now but the one case of smallpox at the pest house, that of Clyde McDowell. All the patients elsewhere in quarantine are doing nicely.


The Columbus Journal, Mar. 6, 1901

Charles Segelke recently added to the machinery at his pop factory a gasoline engine, with which he is much pleased. We are glad to mention this evidence of his growing business. Twenty years ago he started here with an investment of $350, and his plant today is easily worth $5,000. With the assistance of his engine he now saws all the wood for the manufacture of the boxes used in the shipment of his product, besides pumping all the water he uses. He don't think he would care to go back to the old method of doing his work--horse power.


The Columbus Journal, Mar. 13, 1901

Creston has established a fire limit, prohibiting the erection of frame buildings within what is now regarded as the business center of the town. A number of new, brick houses are being planned to be built when the season is ripe.


The Columbus Journal, Mar. 27, 1901

Platte Center's three saloon keepers, D.H. Carrig, J.H. Frevert and George Klanke are made defendants in an action brought by Mrs. Louis A. Hilliard, for $2,000 damages for selling intoxicating liquor to her husband, contrary to her orders, depriving her and their three children of support on account of her husband's habitual drunkenness the last two years.

DIED
BARNUM--The death of this pioneer [Guy Barnum] occurred at the residence south of the Loup Monday morning, March 25, 2 o'clock. The funeral is to be at 10 o'clock today (Wednesday), from the residence, the Masons having charge.
He was born at Monkton, Vermont, April 5, 1825, coming of good Revolutionary stock. At 17 years of age he came west with his parents; to Nauvoo, Ill., in 1844 where they lived on a farm three years; to "Winter Quarters," Neb., for a while, then removed to Iowa, where he remained till 1860, when he came to Nebraska again taking a pre-emption of 160 acres south of the Loup which has really been his home ever since. Here his father died in 1861, and his mother in 1877. Mr. Barnum was married to Miss Miranda J. Fuller December 24, 1845, at Nauvoo, Ill. She died March 17, 1895. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living: Guy C. Barnum, jr., Shoshone, Idaho; George E. Barnum; Mrs. W.B. Doddridge, Paola, Kansas; Mrs. G.W. Barnhart, Ft. Worth, Texas. Mrs. John Lisco died about three years ago, and another daughter Kara eighteen years ago.
Mr. Barnum was a member of the Territorial legislature in 1866; of the Senate in 1869, being the only democratic member of that body. He was county commissioner for this county six years, beginning in 1870. During the active years of his life, while the wife of his youth, the mother of his children, was with him, he prospered and flourished in business and in affairs generally, his land holdings reaching to eleven hundred acres, and his ranch becoming a model one for farming and stock-raising. Mr. Barnum was always sympathetic, helping all in need who called upon him for help; outspoken and plain; very decided in his views; an ardent advocate for what he regarded as for the public good.


The Columbus Journal, Apr. 10, 1901

Asche & Ryan will occupy the Henry building for several years used as a second-hand store by Hopkins & McDonald, just east of the Asche & Ryan grocery. There will be a large opening cut between the two buildings. The present structure has been found too small for the increased trade of Asche & Ryan, and the new addition will be found of great value to them.


The Columbus Journal, Apr. 17, 1901

Adam Smith of Platte Center was in the city Monday. The old sharp-shooter of the Civil war has been troubled with rheumatism

James B. Drake, who waylaid Miss Emma Bohac near Clarkson, while she was going home from the station, but who successfully fought her assailant until rescued, has had his trial for the crime and been sentenced to five years in the penitentiary.


The Columbus Journal, May 29, 1901

There are about ten families quarantined in Norfolk for small pox. The public schools were closed at noon Friday although the rooms had been decorated for closing day exercises. The town seems to be well exposed to the disease. It is best to obey the quarantine law and avoid so much trouble and sickness.

Frank Micek has been taken to the reform school under an indefinite sentence. He seemed to have an uncontrollable propensity to take things that did not belong to him, that is, he continually violated the law in that particular, many different people suffering loss of valuables by him. It is to be hoped that where he has gone, he may be taught self-control; mastery of his evil propensities; the value of right employment of his time and talents. There is no doubt but the boy has talent which if rightly self-directed, would make him a useful citizen.

Mrs. Fred Gottschalk is still very sick, and is being cared for at St. Mary's hospital. She was one of the sturdy pioneers of this country, full of energy, and with large capacity for business.


The Columbus Journal, June 5, 1901

DIED
GOTTSCHALK--Another of Platte county's pioneer settlers has gone to the majority.
Mrs. Fred Gottschalk died Friday, May 31, at 10:45, a.m., after an illness the closing weeks of which were passed at St. Mary's hospital. Mrs. Margaratha Gottschalk was born in Bavaria, December 28, 1826. She came to Chicago, Illinois, in 1854, and to Columbus in 1858, since which time she has made this her home. June 5, 1858, she married Adam Dank, who died in 1860. August 20, 1861, she married Fred Gottschalk and to them were born three children, one son and daughter dying in youth, the other son being L.F. Gottschalk, who with the husband survives her. The funeral services were held at the German Ind. Protestant church, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, by the pastor, Rev. Neumarker, who spoke in German.
Mrs. Gottschalk came to this country in the pioneer days when privations and hardships meant more than the younger generations can appreciate. She had the peculiar strength of character to withstand any troubles that might arise, and always come out victorious on the side of right. Few of the older people in the county, but know that she had the mental ability and the courage to maintain right against any assailant. She was perfectly fearless, where a question of right and wrong was concerned. Mrs. Gottschalk had no desire for public prominence, and her whole life was devoted untiringly to home interests and home ties.


The Columbus Journal, June 12, 1901

At the J.N. Dineen sale of horses in the city Saturday, 35 head were sold, colts ranging from $25 to $30; a span of workers $200; for the saddle $100 to $150; a pacer $810. There was a large crowd present.

Charles Ball with a force of men and teams has completed the work of excavation for the addition to St. Mary's hospital. The excavation is 126 feet long, east and west; the east half is 50 feet wide; the west half 48 feet wide, and all four feet deep.


The Columbus Journal, June 19, 1901

During the storm Saturday the large barn owned by Wm. Fyfe, nine miles south of town near the Ball school house, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Ten horses, a number of hogs and farm machinery were destroyed. Loss on barn about $1500, partly insured.

The force of workers in the Standard Beet Sugar company's fields will in a few days complete their job. M. Jerome has charge of the fields around Columbus and has a pay-roll of 140 people, mostly children. The wages paid are 50c, 75c and $1.25 a day. They take care of 200 acres and have all the fields under irrigation. The earning of money by the children is a good thing and many a boy and girl clothe themselves in this way.


The Columbus Journal, June 26, 1901

Two boys, old enough and big enough to know better, were brought up before Justice Hudson Friday on a charge of indecent exposure of person, the occasion being a swim at the river. A small fine, and a severe reprimand were the result, in hope that work of the kind would be stopped without further prosecution.

Brother Howard of the Telegram purchased one day last week the two-story brick on Nebraska Avenue known as the Whitmoyer building, to which he will soon remove his printing plant. This paper is pleased to make this mention and is sure he will find the new quarters much more convenient and agreeable than the old.

The barn of M. Cassin at his residence property, Fourteenth street, was burned to a wreck Sunday morning. The firemen were called about 5:30, but the flames had gained such headway as to make it impossible to save the place. It is thought the fire was started by tramps sleeping in the loft, as the flames first came from the hay in the mow. The barn was insured for $150.


The Columbus Journal, June 26, 1901

Rev. Schimmelpfenning, pastor of the German Lutheran church eight miles northeast of Platte Center, met with quite a severe and painful accident last Friday afternoon. He was in the act of shooting a dog with a revolver and just as he pulled the trigger the dog jumped between his legs and pushed his, Mr. S's, foot in front of the revolver, and the ball entered the top of his foot. He was driven to town at once and Drs. Pugh and Moore dressed the wound. The ball was taken out from the bottom of the foot. He returned home that evening, and we learn that the wound is healing very satisfactorily. The dog escaped injury.


The Columbus Journal, September 4, 1901

There has been so much complaint lately as to the placing of telephone poles in the city that when next concessions are asked of this city the probabilities are that very strong objections will be made to any location of poles except in alleys. There is supposed to be reason in all things that are tolerable.


The Columbus Journal, September 25, 1901

George Lehman is about to erect an addition to his hotel, the Thurston, three stories high with basement, the addition to be 44 feet front and 42 deep. There will be two store rooms fronting south on Thirteenth street. The new structure will add eighteen bed rooms to the Thurston, and be a very considerable improvement to that hostelry.


The Columbus Journal, October 9, 1901

Examine the $5 silver certificates you get. The Treasury department has issued warning against a new counterfeit, series of 1899, check letter B, plate No. 37, and bearing the portrait of the Indian chief "Onepapa." The counterfeit is printed from photo-etched plates, of fair workmanship, on good quality of paper, bearing lines in imitation of the silk fiber of the genuine.


The Columbus Journal, October 23, 1901

DIED
PUGH--Billie Pugh, a cowboy who went with Buffalo Bill's Wild West on his foreign tour and remained in England, died at the Middlesex hospital in London, October 5, of consumption. He came from Texas to Nebraska years ago with horses, and worked some time for Troy Hale in Madison county.


The Columbus Journal, October 30, 1901

It may be several years in the future when the streets of American cities and towns will not be ornamented by telegraph and telephone and electric-light poles and other poles of a somewhat similar nature, but the time will probably be postponed until present projected improvements in that line are perfected. When they do come, the devices may be so simple and so cheap as to surprise everybody by their very simplicity. Wireless telegraphy is at least suggestive of poleless telephony, even if the time of its advent may be heralded through a long-distance route.

What seemed very close to a fearful smash-up occurred at the north track of the Union Pacific crossings on North street, Saturday afternoon about 4 o'clock. The yard engine, with flat cars front and rear, was backing eastward, when a team of large horses was noticed on the gallop passing the Schupback drug store. The wagon was loaded with fence posts. Frank Sokol was driving, and John J. Kudron was sitting in the seat beside him. Sokol says that he heard no ring of bell or blowing of whistle, but others near say that there was a continuous ringing of the bell and alarm by one of the trainmen at the end of the car being pushed, but the driver paid no attention. Had the team been driven a shade slower or the train not slowed up some on sight of the team, the probability is that the men and horses would have been killed. As it was, the wagon was overturned, two spokes of the right hind wheel were broken out, but nothing serious in the way of injury. The men were abundantly able to load up their wagon and drive off. It was a closer call than you will wish to have.


The Columbus Journal, November 1, 1901

Considerable excitement was caused in Lindsay Wednesday when workmen grading down a hill on the village streets exhumed the skeletons of four white men. The bones were found side by side at the top of the hill. No weapons or other marks of identification were found. Many theories are advanced as to how the bones came there, and the one which finds the most favor is that a party of white hunters sought shelter behind the hill from an attacking party of Indians, and four of them were killed. After the Indians had been driven off the dead men were buried where they fell. It is presumed that this was at least fifty years ago, as some of the oldest settlers here have no knowledge of any Indian fight in that vicinity. Dr. Walker, of Lindsay, examined the bones and pronounced them to have been of white men. One skull shows plainly the manner in which death came. A large hole presumably a bullet hole, being above the left temple.

Charley Johnson, a colored man, was detained here yesterday morning by Policeman Schack on suspicion that he had been connected with a burglary at Schuyler the previous night. Upon his person were found two watches, one of which, corresponding with a description of the stolen property was thoroughly identified by its owner, who accompanied the Schuyler chief of police to this place, when he came to remove the man yesterday afternoon. The burglary had been committed early in the evening when most of the populace was attending a lecture by W.J. Bryan. There were two men in the raid, but one has eluded capture. Evidently they were looking for money, but aside from the two watches nothing of value was secured in a raid upon two houses.

Fire broke out in Calland's restaurant on Thirteenth street at about 11:30 o'clock last night. The fire was confined to the kitchen alone, and completely glutted the room. All of the stock was rendered worthless by the smoke and water, and many of the fixtures will have to be replace. Both building and stock were covered by insurance.


The Columbus Journal, November 8, 1901

John Brock has recovered from the effects of an encounter with the family cow while trying to teach her how to wear a halter one day last week.


The Columbus Journal, November 15, 1901

The Gray mercantile company has this week substituted electric for acetylene gas lights in all departments of the store.


The Columbus Journal, December 13, 1901

Fritz Jaeggi, chief owner of the irrigation interests in Platte county and of the Columbus Elevator mills, arrived from Switzerland last Monday, and will remain here indefinitely. He comes to make one last effort to arouse the interest of Columbus property-owners in the irrigation and water-power problem. Failing to incite sufficient interest here, he will transfer his efforts to Fremont or some other city where the people are awake to their own welfare.


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