July 30, 1896. . .
Quite a severe hail storm passed south of town on Tuesday afternoon. It destroyed about $200 worth of crops for Wm. Huwaldt; 110 acres of wheat and oats for C. W. Scott, while Albert Gregerson and in fact all who had small grain standing, lost it all. Corn, while badly injured, will recover and will make a pretty good crop.
August 20, 1896. . .
The fellow that took my three-horse evener from the plow is respectfully requested to return it and save the disgrace of being branded a thief. – H. J. Billerbeck.
100 Years Ago. . .
One Friday evening, a couple of aeroplanes were seen hovering over Osmond, and soon a number of our young fellows were at their landing place, and soaring among the clouds with the pilots. Among those who went up were Nic Goeres, Fred Schmitz, David Buchanan, Carl Thomsen, Paul Thomsen and Ben Luebbers. The price for a ride was $5, and the boys said it was worth it.
Otis Gore, John Volk, Milton Cizek and Milton Rohrberg went on a fishing trip to Smith Lake, leaving Saturday and returning Monday afternoon. On the round trip, they covered 270 miles and caught 200 of the finny tribe.
In 1918, the Village of Osmond was in debt $30,434.61. In 1924, we were in debt $16,055.16. In other words, besides raising the money to run the town during the last six years, the board paid $14,375.45 in old debts together with the interest on the same, or cut the debt of the town almost in half. The publisher wrote: We think those in charge of our village affairs for the past six years have done wonderfully well, and at this rate our town will be out of debt in six or seven years, with the town hall and water works all paid for.
The engagement of “The White Sister” at the Sun Theatre in Omaha a few weeks before proved so popular that the management had to insert ads in papers asking its patrons to stay but for one performance so that everybody could see the picture. The manager said that hundreds had remained over to see Lillian Gish in two performances. “The White Sister” was going to be shown at the Osmond auditorium the following Tuesday and Wednesday.
75 Years Ago. . .
Attorney D. K. Peterson of Wausa, himself a World War II infantry captain, delivered the address on Memorial Day. He cautioned his listeners to be every alert to the danger of war and its terrible price. Vocal solos were sun by Gene Schumacher and Miss Norma Huey. There were no sponsored services at the cemeteries. White crosses were erected on the lot north of the city hall and a short ceremony held there after the indoor services.
A lady patient at St. Joseph hospital here needed a transfusion of “O” type blood sometime in the next two days if a scheduled operation was to be performed. For anyone having that type blood, the doctors, patient and all concerned said they would greatly appreciate them volunteering as a donor.
Took too much for granted. Two tourists, arriving here at 8 a.m. by bus, planted themselves complacently in the old Loeding station wagon up the street with its less decorative “ Niobrara” inscription atop the vehicle, intent on continuing to Plainview. Waiting for several hours in the parked vehicle, they wondered why that man Loeding was not starting on his mail-passenger trip. Making inquiry, they learned that Mr. Loeding, owner of two similar vehicles, had long since departed on his route. So the accommodating Mrs. Loeding drove the passengers to their destination and cautioned them to listen for the “all aboard” signal before embarking on future trips.
65 Years Ago. . .
Osmond Community Club named three winners in a landscaping contest at the new Osmond park and swimming pool site. The three were Wayne Wanke, Jim Hoffman and Richard Hoestje. All received complimentary season tickets.
American Legion Post 326 signified its intention of purchasing an item of recreational equipment for Osmond’s municipal swimming pool. The Legion, a spokesman said, would probably buy a water slide representing an investment of some $250.
Ben Luebbers, long-time Osmond resident and proprietor of a machine shop here, received a gold pin designating him as a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for 50 years. The presentation was made by Chief Ranger Dwain Hoffman. Only one other Osmond man, the late Gus Marek, had ever received the 50-year pin.
Reed Lockers installed a refrigerated air conditioning unit to become the first food market in Osmond to afford such comfort for its patrons.
50 Years Ago. . .
Maria Schmit, eight-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schmit, received notification that she was the second-place winner in the Holy Year Poster Contest sponsored by the National Catholic Society of Foresters. She was awarded a $50 savings bond for the winning poster which was judged by the art department of DePaul University of Chicago.
The Handy Dandies held their 4-H meeting at the Dwaine Johnson home on May 28. They started their meeting by having two demonstrations, one on swine and one on sewing. Dean and Doug Koehler led the demonstration on how to notch hogs’ ears, while Susan Johnson demonstrated how to take measurements for a pattern.
A helicopter again landed on the grassy lawn of the Osmond General Hospital. The aircraft again carried Dr. James Shapiro of the Physicians’ Pathology Laboratory in Lincoln and the pilot, Jim Hampton, but this time they were riding a sleek new Bell Jet Ranger II helicopter. The helicopter would most likely become a fairly common sight in Osmond as it delivered the doctor for his monthly visits. Pilot Jim Hampton requested that parents inform their children of the potential danger of approaching the aircraft because the rotors of the machine coast for some time after landing. Due to the speed with which they travel, they are almost invisible making it deceiving and easy to walk into the propellers.
25 Years Ago. . .
A new flag was raised at the Avenue of Flags along Highway 20. Tom Vernon of Bloomington, IN, was a guest during the past hunting season of Norman and Jacquie Lorenz at their bed and breakfast which adjoined the Avenue of Flags. He had maintained an interest in the POWs and MIAs and secured a flag which he sent to the Lorenzes to add to the “avenue.” It is situated at the west end of the row of flags.
Activity along the Nebraska Northeastern Railway tracks in Osmond attracted numerous visitors from the community early one morning as an entourage of the First Iowa Division of the North American Railcar Operators Association put their “cars” on the track here for a day-long outing. The transportation mode for the outing was by inspection motor cars, also commonly called “pop cars” in this area. Joining the trip were Rod Ronspies and Marvin L. Koehler of Osmond.
10 Years Ago. . .
As winter drew to a close in Osmond in 2014, residents observed light poles being dropped off at Osmond Ball Park. Long poles were to replace the ancient ones existing around the base- ball field in the ball park. But Mother Nature wasn’t the most cooperative. Weather conditions prevented getting started as planned. Finally on June 2, the new lights were turned on. The seven poles of 1937 vintage were removed and replaced with six poles, each 60 feet above the ground. Work toward the new lights had been in progress for a number of years.
