Dec. 8, 1892. . .
We met John Swan on the streets last Saturday, accompanied by a box of cigars and, after inviting us to smoke, he said that he had a new boy at his house. All concerned doing well. [John Swan was the father of Robert Osmond Swan, who claimed to be the first white child born in Osmond. The boy born here, who would have been younger than Robert, was not listed in the 1900 census, so probably did not survive childhood.] The bridge gang on the Yankton & Norfolk [Railroad] arrived in town Monday and are now busy at work on the line between here and Wausa.
100 Years Ago. . .
Both in the town and country, there were many moves on or soon to take place: Mrs. Anna Kruetzfeld and sons expected to leave for Wisconsin. The George Hering family would move into their house, while the house then occupied by George Hering would be the new home of Herman Huwaldt and family. Pat O’Brien and wife would move into their home in south Osmond, and Barney Luebbers would also take a year off from farming and come to Osmond. Tom Moore, who had recently had a sale, had moved to town and would start a dray line. Andy Gregersen would occupy the Adams house, and Albert Gregersen the Bessmer house.
The previous April, M. J. Kuhl stated he had invested in 1,000 Berlin 4% bonds, which he had just resold at an advance of 100%. Mr. Kuhl stated the original investment, however, was not very great, as they were purchased for 60¢. The profit, however, would buy his breakfast for one meal.
The union revival meetings being held by the M. E. and Presbyterian churches during the week were drawing good crowds. Six preachers were present, from all over the county, and the meetings were continuing through the week. Tuesday evening meetings were held on the street in front of the post office prior to the regular church service.
75 Years Ago. . .
Fourteen 300-lb. hogs perished in a hog house fire at the farm operated by Lloyd Pochop five miles northwest of Osmond. The fire consumed the hog house and was not discovered until neighbors noticed smoke. Neighbors Henry Wecker and Clarence Pochop went to the Pochop place and told the farm operator, who was still indoors, of the loss. The fire presumably was started by a defective tank water heater.
“Where they don’t often get mail, they really appreciate it.” Evidence aplenty of that was acclaimed by John Loeding, Osmond-Niobrara mail carrying bus driver, who during the recent storm period had hung his overnight hat in every town through which his bus passed on one occasion or more. He got back to Osmond after a couple of days at Niobrara. On arrival there, he had found two boxes of candy and the pen-written good wishes of a group of the business people and mail patrons awaiting him. When he pulled out for home, the good people of the river town insisted on paying his board and room bill.
65 Years Ago. . .
Osmond, founded in this fertile part of Pierce County and northeast Nebraska some 70 years before, throughout nearly three-quarters of a century had never been without a drug store. Sometimes there were two. But now, in 1959, Osmond was without a pharmacy. Van Ackeren Pharmacy closed its doors for all practical purposes early that year. The owner was employed in his profession at Norfolk and his family moved there. A sign on the door stated it would be open on specified hours of specified evenings. Grocery stores were laying in increasing supplies of normal drug store items. The local drug store was for sale. The proprietor-owner authorized the following statement: “The reason this store is closing is that we are not getting prescription business. I have a profession; I am going to practice it.”
The Wilson grade school basketball team pushed its lead to an even wider margin in play at the auditorium. The league leaders vanquished the Stanosheck team 20-8 with Burlingame and Buchholz making 6 points each for the winners. Rod Kumm had the same for Stanosheck’s. In other games, it was Thomsen’s 15-Theisen’s 14, and Lyle’s 19Bank 9.
50 Years Ago. . .
After all of the thawing and freezing during several days, there were many patches of ice in the sheltered areas which could be very dangerous. The ice caused painful injury to Mrs. Arkie Lee Green, who was staying at the home of Mrs. Irma Squire. Mrs. Green was walking from the Squire home to her car, in front of the house, when she fell, injuring her leg. She was able to crawl back to the home, ring the doorbell and call for Mrs. Susie Wragge, Mrs. Squire’s daughter, who was in the house and who called for an ambulance.
In the McLean News Section: The Hi-Lo Card Club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schurman with high scores going to Art Wurdinger and Mrs. Lillie Stueckrath and lows to Ricky Coenen and Mrs. Lavern Jones. Traveling prizes were awarded to Lavern Jones and Mrs. Warren Janssen.
The Hillside Pals Extension Club met at the home of Mrs. Marvin R. Koehler. Nine members answered roll call with a New Year’s resolution. Mrs. Dale Lorenz, president, led the group for the meeting. Club goals were discussed with interest shown in giving a party at Pierce Manor. Mrs. Marvin R. Koehler gave the lesson entitled “The Truth About VD.”
In the News Notes of the Elementary Grades, Stephanie Onnen was enrolled in the first grade, bringing the total enrollment in the first grade to 14. Three new students were welcomed in the third grade. They were Valerie, David and Lisa Onnen. This brought the third grade enrollment to 25. The fifth grade enrollment also grew with the addition of Marty and Vicky Onnen. This made a total of six new elementary students welcomed that week.
Robin Reed, 6-ft. 3-in. senior guardforward for the Osmond Tigers, accomplished a feat not often matched in high school basketball. He scored his 1,000th point with five regular season games and district tournament play still to come. In notching 1,000 points, Robin established a school record.
25 Years Ago. . .
Osmond Mayor Kevan Schuettler advised that he was made aware of “phone stickers” which listed 911 emergency dialing for the city of Osmond. Residents were reminded that Osmond did not yet have “911” service and residents should use the “748” numbers they had always used to summon police, ambulance or fire department. Coincidentally, the subject of 911 use also came up during a recent meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Recognized for spirit at St. Mary’s Catholic School for the second quarter were Cassie Hoffman, leadership; Chance Lambrecht, community; Vanessa Schmit, academic, and Carly Schmit, religious.
10 Years Ago. . .
The Osmond Tigers boys’ freshman and sophomore team members played in the Wausa 9-10 basketball tournament and came home with the championship trophy. In the first game, the Tigers defeated host Wausa 40-23. In the championship game, the Tigers defeated a tough Hartington squad 41-34.
More than 300 persons joined in the kickoff for Osmond’s Q125 celebration at a “Soup-er” Bowl soup dinner. At the close of the day, sponsors termed it a very successful event. In addition to a meal featuring three kinds of soups, sandwiches and a wide variety of desserts, guests could also purchase memorabilia items. Available were the reprinted Osmond Centennial Cookbook, Q125 T-shirts, Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklets and the 1990 Centennial history book, “A Century of Memories.”
