Published in The Columbus Journal January 28, 1903

A telegram was received here last Tuesday evening by Mrs. C.D. Evans from Miss Bess Holloway of New York City telling of the supposed death of Miss Mae North. Miss North left New York a few days previously and no trace had been found of her the word was sent to Mrs. Evans. A letter received later from Miss North with the postmark Buffalo indicated that she contemplated self-destruction. So far, no facts can be learned if she is alive or dead, and Mr. North expects to leave today for Buffalo in order to make a more thorough search.

While digging in the yard at Wm. Terrell's in the northwest part of the city, Frankie, the young lad, found a valuable relic, a mastodon tooth. The piece measures 19 inches around, 8 inches wide and although the root of the tooth is broken off it is 7 3/4 inches long, and weighs 8 1/2 pounds. There is no doubt as to its being a tooth. Where the relic came from is somewhat of a mystery. It may have been thrown up with dirt when digging the cellar or have been in the soil used in filling up the lot. Years ago the head of a mastodon was found on the farm of Franz Henggler, northeast of Columbus, the one now owned by his son George Henggler. The latter last Saturday, in conversing about the indicent, told us that it was in 1873 while digging the cellar for the house they found the entire head of a mastodon about five feet below the surface in the sand. The horns were 10 to 12 feet in length and the head was in all ways very large. The bones were not well preserved and finally crumbled to pieces. The peculiar part about it was, that they were found on one of the hills and in a bed of sand, indicating that at some remote time, perhaps thousands of years ago, that section of country was covered with water. Mr. Henggler also tells us that he can remember when the bluffs north of Shell creek showed a distinct water line, as if, years ago, high water had left trees, shrubbery, etc., along the banks, and where young trees grew up from the debris. He also says that about seven years ago, while digging a well on the farm of Gerhard Loseke an ash tree, in good preservation, was found.


The Columbus Journal, February 4, 1903

The drug store of C.L. Stillman has been sold to Charles Dack and the building to Thomas Dack. The Stillman store is the oldest drug store in the state, having the same proprietors or relatives as managers, and it is also one of the oldest in the United States, having been established in 1856. Charles Stillman expects to move west but has not yet decided in what business he will engage.

J.E. North returned Monday from Buffalo where he went in search for more particulars in regard to the supposed death of his daughter Mae. He found no trace of her further than had been learned before, and guards along the Niagara Falls whose duty it is to guard the bridges reported that they had seen no one fall into the falls since the 3d of January, although there is abundant opportunity for one to disappear into the falls at night time.

Last Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock, Mary, the little four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Mielenz, pulled the cloth from the parlor table on which rested a large lighted lamp. When the lamp broke, flames immediately spread to carpets, curtains, wall paper, etc., and to the clothing of the little girl. Mrs. Mielenz as quickly as possible, carried the child to the rain barrel which stood outside the kitchen door but before she could extinguish the flames Mary had her left side from hip down burned severely, and Mrs. Mielenz burned both hands badly in saving her child. The furniture was entirely ruined and the walls of the room damaged to a great extent. An alarm of fire was sounded, but before the firemen arrived neighbors had succeeded in quenching the flames with water furnished by the bucket brigade. The residence, which is the third building north of the M.E. church, is owned by Rev. Olcott.

A peculiar disease has affected the cattle on the farms of Kummer Bros. and Adam Smith, south of town, which causes the hoof and foot bones to rot away. The cattle have been afflicted in this way for four weeks, about thirty of the Kummer Bros. herd and all of Smith's being troubled, many of which have had to be killed to relieve them from their suffering. State veterinary surgeon, Byers, was sent for and last Tuesday examined the stock. His opinion was that the overflow of the Platte river last spring had left a poisonous substance in the meadows which in getting between the hoofs of the cattle cause this disease. The doctor does not consider this to be contagious.


The Columbus Journal, February 11, 1903

Mr. Fritz Jaeggi of Berne, Switzerland, nephew of Adolph and Leopold Jaeggi, arrived here last week from New York where he has been with Mr. H.E. Babcock working in the interest of the Columbus Power canal. Mr. Jaeggi is accompanied by Dr. Kaiser also of Berne, who is here to look up the possibilities of establishing a factory for the manufacture of condensed milk. Dr. Kaiser is a chemist by profession, and should the power canal be successfully established, and he finds conditions favorable in this locality for the manufacture of this product, he will become one of the business promoters of this city. The manufacture of condensed milk would mean a great deal to the community not only in the way of factory work but to farmers in the dairy business. Mr. Jaeggi is well pleased with the progress made in regard to the power canal, and will probably remain until March in the United States.


The Columbus Journal, February 25, 1903

Last Wednesday at a wolf hunt across the river five coyotes were scared up, all getting away but one, which was captured by the youngest and smallest man in the crowd, George Kummer, who is 15 years old. There were about 90 men present in the chase, the crowd gathering at the home of Jim Thompson where lunch was served. Thursday of this week another chase will be made over the same ground.

Hugh Hughes, one of the oldest and most substantial business men of the city, has sold his lumber yard to John E. Kaufmann who is now in possession of the business. Mr. Kaufmann has in turn sold his lumber yard stock to the P.D. Smith company, which they will move to their yards near the B.& M. depot. Mr. Kaufmann intends erecting dwelling houses for renting purposes on the lots which will be vacated by the lumber yard. Mr. Hughes will spend his time in arranging business matters and will have his office on Twelfth street in the rooms recently vacated by Elliott & Speice in the Meridian hotel building.


The Columbus Journal, March 4, 1903

Carl Schubert has invested in a mechanical shooting gallery. It has a piano, and the entire machine is run by steam. He will have it in running order in a few weeks.

At the wolf hunt in the Kummer neighborhood last Thursday one wolf was killed and that by Frank Gerhalt. There were about 300 participated in the hunt. Four wolves were surrounded but three escaped. The hunt lasted an hour and a half, commencing about noon.


The Columbus Journal, March 11, 1903

Henry Hobbensiefken moved last week to his new farm near Platte Center. William Behlen will occupy the former farm of Mr. Hobbensiefken, which has been purchased by Mr. Fred Behlen, sr., father of Wm. Behlen, who will of course get some one to help him bake pies.

Last Saturday Joseph Sokol filed a suit in district court here against Mary Kozlowski for $3,000. He claims he received injuries while intoxicated by liquors bought at the saloon owned by the defendant in Duncan. Sokol says he was allowed to go home in a wagon in this condition from which he was thrown and received serious injuries.

DIED
ANDERSON--A terrible tragedy was committed by Mrs. Soren Anderson of the Looking-glass neighborhood a week ago last Sunday. It has been difficult to obtain particulars of the affair but we take the following facts from the Newman Grove Herald: "Mrs. Anderson had been troubled with insomnia and headache for some time and was unable to rest on the night of the tragedy. Along in the morning Mr. Anderson built a fire in a down stairs room so that she would not catch cold in going about the house, and then lay down on the floor and was soon asleep. About 4 o'clock he was awakened by a burning sensation about his mouth and neck. In awakening he found the doors locked but finally opened a window and went to his brother-in-law, Hendrickson's home, a short distance, where he received help. Soon after his daughter came also with word that the mother was dead and the baby dying. The woman had attempted to give the daughter a dose of the carbolic acid saying it was cough medicine. The girl finally took a small quantity in her mouth. The mother then gave the thirteen-months-old baby a dose, from which it died, and drank the last in the bottle herself from which she soon after died. Dr. Munk of Newman Grove was called. About a year ago Mrs. Anderson attempted suicide. The funeral of Mrs. Anderson and the baby was held last Thursday. Mrs. Anderson had sued for a divorce from her husband but the judge last month decided that there was no cause for action. She leaves besides her husband, two boys and two girls.


The Columbus Journal, March 18, 1903

Chris Huggler, of near Osceola, came near losing his life in the flood last Monday. He had been visiting his sister, Mrs. John Ernst, west of R.Y. Lisco's, and was returning home when the flood of ice and water overtook him south of Lisco's residence. The horse became frightened and broke away from the buggy and soon the vehicle was thrown by the ice to a barb wire fence. Mr. Huggler by following the fence managed to save his life. Misses Lydia and Josie Sparhawk also had a narrow escape on Wednesday. They were driving near the Lisco residence and in attempting to go around a culvert where a bridge had been washed out, their horse got into a deep hole, and but for the timely assistance of some one passing, all might have been drowned.


The Columbus Journal, April 8, 1903

James Pearsall the Columbus architect was up here Monday. Mr. Pearsall is at present working on plans for the new First National Bank building, which will be erected as soon as the plans are perfected.


The Columbus Journal, April 15, 1903

H.E. Babcock left Saturday for New York where he will resume work in the interest of the power canal.

Glur & Braun is the name of a new business firm who have formed a partnership to do painting and paper hanging. The gentlemen have their shop on east Eleventh street.

The Quill says that some time during the next thirty days the name of the Schuyler flour mill will be changed and the firm will be incorporated. It will be known as the Wells-Abbott Nieman company. The growth of this concern has been phenomenal. In 1870 it was established as Wells & Nieman on Shell creek and had fifty barrels capacity. The mill has grown steadily from the beginning and during last summer additions were made and the capacity of the flour output alone reached 1,200 barrels a day. During this summer the capacity will be increased 300 barrels. Besides flour the mill has an extensive corn meal department, probably the largest of its kind in the state and makes several brands of cereal foods. The output reaches all points of the United States and also a number of foreign countries. At the present time fifty people are on the pay roll of the company.


The Columbus Journal, April 29, 1903

The Hoehen drug store on Eleventh street has been purchased by Garrett Hulst and was re-opened last Tuesday afternoon with Louis Schreiber, jr., in charge. It will be remembered that several weeks ago F.K. Strother bought the store at forced sale.


The Columbus Journal, May 6, 1903

John Hinkleman is erecting a story and a half residence north of the High school building which will cost about $1,700.

The police were busy Monday evening looking for Stephen Corbett of Osceola, a brother of James Corbett of this city. The fellow was not found, although he was in the city and it is supposed here that he returned home. The following telegram appeared in the morning Omaha World-Herald sent from Osceola, dated Monday: "Mrs. Minnie Jones was shot twice this afternoon by Stephen Corbett, and is in a critical condition. The affair occurred at the home of young Corbett, where Mrs. Jones has been staying during the past three months. A quarrel was had between the two, and without warning Corbett drew a 22-caliber revolver and commenced shooting. The first bullet passed through a stocking which Mrs. Jones had around her throat, and made an ugly wound. The second shot was fired while the woman was on the floor, and as she put her hand up before her face the bullet passed through the hand. Corbett then hastened into the yard, and going to the barn, harnessed his horses and drove away. The neighbors were notified and word was brought to Osceola, and the sheriff started immediately in pursuit of the man. It is thought that he will go to Columbus, as he has a brother there, and word brought in says that he was started in that direction. She had been keeping company with Corbett, and it was over a matter of jealousy that the trouble started."


The Columbus Journal, May 13, 1903

Several cases of sore eyes have been reported here the last two weeks, and the disease seems to be somewhat contagious. Among those who have suffered are Phil and Frankie Echols, Horatio Adams, Harry Jenkinson and C.C. Jones. Mr. Jones has been confined to the bed, and his case seemed quite serious for a time.


The Columbus Journal, May 27, 1903

Dr. Hans Petersen, physician and surgeon, office over postoffice.

The brick walls for the addition to the rear of H. Oehlrich's building on Thirteenth street, occupied as a saloon, has been almost completed. The addition is two stories high, 22x27 feet, and contains kitchen, wash and bed rooms, sewer connections and other modern conveniences have been added, making the property much more valuable.


The Columbus Journal, June 3, 1903

H.J. Hendryx, father of Mrs. T. Adams of this city, and Thomas Branigan, who lives about ten miles south of the city, have purchased of J.E. Kaufmann the property and buildings on Lewis and Tenth street recently used for a lumber yard by the latter. They expect to remodel the buildings and go into the business of bringing in western horses and fitting them for the market.


The Columbus Journal, June 10, 1903

E.D. Fitzpatrick purchased Monday the portion of a lot to the rear of his building on Thirteenth street which is to be occupied by F.N. Stevenson. The property was formerly owned by Patrick Murray which he sold a few weeks ago to several business men of the city and is 22x66 feet.

F.N. Stevenson has leased the Fitzpatrick building on Thirteenth street and will soon start in the creamery business. The building is being improved by a system of waterworks and sewer connection and will soon be ready for machinery which the lessee will place soon. There was no more popular business man in Platte county a few years ago than Mr. Stevenson and all regretted his leaving Columbus, and now that he will make this city his home again, will wish him the best of success in his new business.


The Columbus Journal, June 10, 1903

O.C. Pennington received a patent Saturday from the government for a weed destroying attachment for cultivators which appears to be practical and may be the means of bringing him a fortune. Mr. Pennington has made and tested the device and friends have pronounced it very successful. The inventor has not yet decided what disposition he will make of the patent but has already received inquiries relative to it.

The state association of undertakers met in Grand Island four days of last week and Henry Gass, jr., of this city won first prize for dressing a dead body the quickest and neatest in the contest which came off Friday afternoon. There were six undertakers entered the contest, one of them from Omaha, and Henry made the best time, dresing the body from head to goot in twelve minutes. The longest time was thirty-five minutes, and the prize he received was an embalming grip and instruments valued at $35.


The Columbus Journal, July 1, 1903

The Fullerton Post says that a son of Mr. Adamson living at the mouth of Horse creek was on the street one day last week with a human skeleton supposed to be that of an Indian. The body had been buried in a sitting posture as Indians bury their dead. The head of the skeleton was well preserved and contained almost a full set of teeth. This county at one time was the headquarters of a tribe of Indians called the Pawnees and this is probably the remains of one of their past chiefs. Mr. Adamson was digging a cave when he came upon the skeleton.

Last Wednesday R.Y. Lisco living southwest of town across the Loup had their family horse stolen. The same night D.H. Harrington at Duncan missed his harness and buggy and the thief who had evidently visited both places was traced to Shelton where he had sold the outfit for $50. At that place he expressed a saddle to Kearney and Sunday Sheriff Byrnes caught his man there and brought him back to Columbus. He gave his name as C.F. Beedle.
Prof. Watters arrived here Friday from St. Paul and will begin at once to put his rooms, rented above the post-office, in shape for the opening of the business and normal college. He will be assisted in the business department by Prof. H.J. Hoff who is a graduate of the Gregg Commercial college of Chicago, and who has since been a successful teacher in the St. Paul business college. Mr. Watters is a graduate of a normal school and since 1894 has been superintending schools at different places. He was re-elected superintendent of the St. Paul schools for the coming year but resigns to take up the college work here. A town the size of Columbus that has no business or normal college is behind the times, and if there is any enterprise we have needed it is in these lines.


The Columbus Journal, July 22, 1903

Grand Island enthusiasts of a "rest room" for farmers' wives and daughters are agitating the setting apart one room in their new court house for this purpose. Central City has such a place and the Fremont Tribune advocates the same thing for that city. If a few of our city men and women could experience the inconvenience of the majority of the women coming from the country into town on business we doubt not that within a few years not only Columbus but every town would possess a "rest room." A convenient apartment with toilet facilities, comfortable chairs, couches on which sleeping children could be laid and where women could wait after having finished their shopping, would be the means of making a trip to town a pleasure. The men have many places to pass their time in town but there is absolutely no place for the women and children.


The Columbus Journal, July 29, 1903

The Bismark creamery building recently purchased by Mr. Reynolds will soon be in place on Olive street. It was brought from a distance of about five miles on wheels and passed along Eleventh street this Tuesday morning. The building will be converted into a livery barn.

The one-story frame known as the Phillipps building just north of the Meridian hotel on Olive street was torn down last week, thus removing another old Columbus landmark. The timber used in its construction was of cottonwood and it was erected some time in the 60s.


The Columbus Journal, August 26, 1903

For several weeks past this city has been bothered by a burglar or burglars who have entered houses, always in the residence portions. The home of L. Jaeggi was entered one night last week, the burglar gaining entrance through a back window. The man could be distinctly heard down stairs but before the women folks, who were alone in the house, could call aid he was frightened away. At the home of Peter Luchsinger a watch and other jewelry have been stolen. A. Heintz had a gold watch and fifteen cents in change taken last Tuesday night, and about two weeks ago at the Grand Pacific hotel Mr. Brock had a gold watch and nearly $10 in money stolen. Other houses that have been disturbed by some one prowling about are I.H. Britell, Mrs. Miles Ryan, D. Schupbach and E.H. Putman. At the latter place the intruder tried to gain entrance to the house before the family had retired.

The city council met last Friday evening in regular session. D. McDuffy appeared before the board requesting that the ditch on the north and west sides of block 42 be filled. The matter was referred to the committee on streets and grades. A. Heintz asked the council to enter into a contract with him for the furnishing of electric street lights for a term of years. The request was referred to the committee on public property and waterworks. The council and mayor accepted an invitation by the fire department to appear in parade on firemen's day which will be celebrated September 7th. The council, upon recommendation of the committee on streets and grades, ordered Seventeenth street to be graded. A permanent crossing was ordered made over M street on the north side of Eleventh. C.M. Taylor resigned his position as chief of police and Mayor Becher named Frank A. Hagel as his successor. The appointment was confirmed by the council.


The Columbus Journal, September 4, 1903

DIED
CLOTHER--Mrs. Eliza Clother, formerly of this county and one of its earliest pioneers, died Wednesday at the home of her son-in-law, Wesley Johnson, at Fremont, with whom she had made her home for the past five years. The remains were brought to this place for burial this forenoon, and a short service was conducted at the grave in Columbus cemetery by Rev. G. A. Munro. Mrs. Clother was the widow of Columbia D. Clother, who settled in Columbus in 1859, coming from Saratoga, New York. A year or two later he took up a homestead near the old Barnum ranch, south of the river, and for several years conducted a sort of tavern, where emigrants on the overland trail to the plains might stop for rest, or trappers might trade their furs for commodities of the household. Later the family moved to Columbus and built the Clother hotel, which bears their name to this day. Since leaving Columbus Mrs. Clother had resided at various towns in this section of the state.


The Columbus Journal, September 30, 1903

The High school physics laboratory have received an X-ray tube and a Geislers tube. Tuesday of last week a radioagraph was taken of Miss Nettie Gondring's hand, showing a distinct outline of the smaller bones.


The Columbus Journal, October 7, 1903

Charles Welch is erecting a neat cottage on north M street in Becher Place addition. ... V.A. Macken is making some valuable improvements on his North street residence property. ... Perry Loshbaugh is erecting a one-story 22x38 dwelling on Olive and Nineteenth street in Pearsall's addition. So many new buildings are going up in this part of the city that it is difficult to keep account of all.

The L. Phillipps Co. are having erected in the rear of their business place on Olive street a brick structure 22x22 feet in size one story with basement. The same will be occupied by the firm as a work shop and the front room will be enlarged thus giving more space for increasing business. Charles Wurdeman has the contract, Herman Fricke doing the brick work.


The Columbus Journal, October 14, 1903

The undertaking department of the Gass store has received a valuable addition to their conveniences in the way of a heated apparatus to be placed in the carriages during funerals.


(the above article is displayed as written, including all typing & spelling errors)

Click Here To Close Window

The excerpts in this area were obtained from the website - Platte County, Nebraska Researchers. You can find many of the newspapers on line by clicking HERE