September 3, 1896 –
Prof. Preston has moved his family into rooms over the Farmers State Bank, and is bringing order out of chaos. He will open the schools of our village on Monday next, and by what we learn from Wausa we believe he will give us a splendid service.
Alderman Blackmer showed us a letter from a nephew down in Connecticut from which we glean that many good old democrats are out for McKinley. He also informs our fellow citizens that corn is 35 cents, oats 33, butter 25, a large crop of apples and no sale, potatoes, 40, hay, a good crop and sells for $20 per ton.
100 Years Ago. . .
At the state Forester convention held in Crofton, Gus J. Marek was honored by this great organization and elected State Chief Ranger for Nebraska. This is a most important office and Mr. Marek’s selection spoke very highly for his standing as a Forester, and also as a citizen. It was not only an honor to Mr. Marek but to Osmond as well.
The Farmers State Bank insurance agency reported that the following lost livestock through lightning in the recent storms: Fred Schmitz, Louis Koppelman, Louis Hinrichsen and Noah Green. Mr. Green lost seven head of cattle. Several hail losses and storm losses were also reported.
Raymond Goeres, while carrying a milk bottle, fell down and cut his left hand so badly that it was necessary to take him to the Norfolk hospital. A cord in the hand was cut.
On Sunday afternoon on the Osmond ball diamond, Arlington and John Hoffman, Otto Behrenger and Merle Davis entertained a large crowd of spectators with bronco busting. The boys rode anything brought to them, and were experts with the tough ones.
Frank Timmerman was obliged to undergo a second operation at Rochester, the surgeons taking a piece of bone out of the other leg to graft onto the sick member. Frank was sure having a tough time of it, and his many friends hoped that he would soon be home again a well man.
75 Years Ago. . .
A picture printed on the front page of the June 15, 1949, Osmond Republican was taken just as Miss Kathleen Thomsen, deaf daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thomsen of Osmond, said “I will” in sign language, giving her marriage vow that she wished to become the bride of Sydney Hruza, deaf son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hruza of Omaha, in ceremonies here at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. Ernest Mappes, pastor for the deaf of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Omaha, officiated. This was the 102nd deaf couple he had married.
The Osmond Gun Club held a grand opening for its new gun club grounds Sunday, June 12, 1949, at its new location one mile southwest of Osmond, with over 600 people inspecting the facilities of this new sporting place. A trap shoot was held in the afternoon and cards were played in the newly-redecorated clubhouse, with spring chickens as the prizes.
Chick’s Grocery in Osmond opened for business in the building north of the Osmond State Bank, formerly occupied by Jewell Furniture, but which had been remodeled in the past month and grocery equipment installed. The store had for sale all kinds of groceries, vegetables, frozen foods, meats, dairy foods and baked goods. Customers were to wait on themselves in the new grocery.
65 Years Ago. . .
M. V. ( Vernon) Enevoldsen, 47-year-old Osmond farmer was named President of School District 42-R, a newly-created educational subdivision comprising former District 42, which was known as Osmond city district, and 13 surrounding school districts. On the board besides Mr. Enevoldsen were Willis Nissen, Phil Beckwith, Walter Koehler, John Schnoor and James Stratton. The magnitude of the new board’s responsibilities was illustrated in its obligation to supervise operation of as many as necessary of the consolidated district’s schools until such time as central facilities were provided.
In the week and a half of operation in 1959, hundreds of children and adults had taken advantage of the swimming pool built in 1958. Lifeguards were Donivan Huwaldt and Gerald Thomsen. Office manager Marlene Dempster reported that about 176 season tickets had been sold, at $5 each. Seventy-seven children were in the starting class; 26 in the intermediate class, and 40 adults reported for instruction. Lessons were free with season tickets. For non-ticket holders, the charge was 10¢ per lesson.
At precisely eight minutes after 8 o’clock on June 19, 1959, water from a new source of supply coursed through the steel veins which constituted the transportation portion of Osmond’s municipal water system. The equipment put into operation at that time was not automatic but for all practical purposes it made little difference. There was ample water for ordinary purposes, said Charles Smith, city water commissioner. That night, electricians from Hartington, working with Buchanan Well Co. who drilled the new city well, pulled the switch which started a new 40-horsepower electric motor adding new water to a badly depleted supply. Osmond water users were paying a flat rate of $24 per year for water, doubled from $12 a few months before.
50 Years Ago. . .
The Osmond women’s softball team outlasted the Crofton women in a seven-inning game by a score of 25-24. The game was saved in the bottom of the seventh inning on a play by the shortstop, Cindy Hoffman, on a line drive stab. The Osmond nine also had good defensive play in the outfield by Mary Wiese and Helen Steckelberg. The hitting was led by Twila Edwards and Sherry Kiichler. The Osmond women were sponsored by Chick’s Grocery. The women wore attractive new uniforms furnished by their sponsor, Chick Reed. Others on the team were Janet Bruckner, Pauline Dillaplain, Robbie Edwards, Colleen Edwards, Darlene Hoffman, Liz Wattier, Vickie Fleming, Marilyn Kudera, Bonny Korth, Becky Kuhlman and Barbara Buchanan. Coaches were Lynn Edwards, Dallas Steckelberg and Bill Korth. Bat girl was Yvonne Edwards.
Another phase of the creation of a park and playground north of the city auditorium was completed when the Jaycees constructed two sun shelters at the park. One provided a shaded area for playground equipment use and the other shaded three picnic tables, also constructed by the Jaycees.
25 Years Ago. . .
Members of Osmond Community Club gathered for their annual steak fry at Poolside Park on June 24. The event had been postponed from the regular night because of rainy weather. The tentative schedule for the Aug. 1 community celebration — Osmond Summerfest ’99 — was reviewed. Events were planned for the entire day Sunday, In addition, a dance with a western theme — Stockmen’s Country Ball — was planned for Saturday evening in downtown Osmond, featuring “Heartland Renegades.”
Larry and LaVonne Hummel of Osmond entered their 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 in the Fourth Annual Berry Pepper and Q125 Car Show in Creighton. They won first place in the 1949-1965 street machine division.
10 Years Ago. . .
Placed just off Highway 20 on the west edge of town, a new sign proclaimed that one was entering Osmond. The sign was a project of HOME Team, a group dedicated to improving Osmond.
