Rock County, Nebraska; Excerpts from The Rock County Leader, 1897-1917 USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist. *************** Extracted by Bev Hopkins, Yellowhawk_51@webtv.net ROCK COUNTY LEADER Bassett Nebraska December 17, 1897 SALOON the man from Long Pine who was here last week feeling the pulse of our people in regard to opening a saloon, has gone to look for a more inviting place. December 24, 1897 CLOSE CALL A. (Abe) Smith who lives about 20 miles south of Bassett, had an experience in the storm Wednesday of last week that he will not soon forget. He started to go to the schoolhouse with a team to bring his children home. In the blinding snow he lost his way, wandered around until near dark when he came to a hay stack, taking a new course he started again. After wandering for about an hour he pulled up to the same stack. Thinking it not advisable in the storm to again start out, he unhitched his team and burrowed into the stack. About 9 o'clock finding the storm had abated and the sun was shining he again started for home and this time succeeded in reaching his destination. His children were taken to a nieghbor. Mr. Cash living still further south attempted to go to the schoolhouse for his children but when within 60 rods of the schoolhouse lost his way and wandered over the prairie but fortunately found home in safety. December 31, 1897 COUNTY OFFICERS Commissioners: L.L. Bates; Frank Leonard; Albert Jacox Clerk: G.A. Hillburg Treasurer: A.O. Smith Judge: Fred N. Morgan Superintendent: Hugh Miller Attorney: J.A. Douglas Sherriff: O.E. Smith Surveyor: J.H. Davenport CITY OFFICERS Chairman: Hugh Miller Councilmen: Samuel Likens, William Lodwig, Sam Corder, William Richards City Clerk: W.T. Phillips OPERA HOUSE The Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company will be at the Opera House Tuesday, January 4, 1898 and will remain for one week. January 14, 1898 FIRE!! FIRE!! FIRE!! Last Saturday night at about 9 o'clock the alarm Fire! Fire! Fire1 The Bassett House is a fire! Soon the beautiful travelers home was in ashes. The Bassett House was the first building erected on the south side of the Railroad. Elias Martin erected the house about 14 years ago and run it or it run him for about five years. It was occupied by different persons with indifferent success until about seven years ago. Mrs. Artus who with an invalid husband and small means just "having Lost" all in a fire in Iowa rented the Hotel. It was soon apparent that the house had fallen into good hands. There was a marked change for the better. Mrs. Artus purchased the house. Three years ago repaired and built an addition. Her husband died and she sold the house to John Grandstaff, who conducted it for a short time and then sold it back to Mrs. Artus who had only taken possession a few days. As to the origin of the fire it will remain a mystery. All had gone to the Kickapoo show leaving a lamp burning in the office. The house was valued at $1500 with an insurance of $1,000. The furniture was valued at $500, which was a total loss, except the kitchen furniture and some bedding. Among the losses George Marsh lost most of his clothing. Mr. Sterns a Medicine peddler lost his grip containing, $108.00. A man from Grand Island and two men from the south part of the county each lost their baggage. The sympathy of the community is with Mrs. Artus in her loss. Mrs. Artus intends to build again as soon as spring opens. The old Bassett House has been the scene of many exciting occassions in it's early history it was from this house that Kid Wade a notorious horse thief was taken by a vigilance committee and hanged. January 28, 1898 NEW! D.O. Sybrant, has built him a merry go round to grind feed with. It is quite an ingenious arrangement. Children can climb aboard and have a fine ride while fed is being ground. February 18, 1898 Editor W.T. Phillips of the Bassett Eagle was a pleasant caller Saturday - Long Pine Republican Mrs. H.J. White presented her husband with the fifth daughter Tuesday night. It is thought that the Dr. will survive, but it is an open secret that he hoped there would be a variation! March 4, 1898 A full set of teeth for $5. Made by Dr. McCresson, March 21-22-23. August 5, 1898 MURDER A long remembered event, which shocked the nerves and very much disturbed the peace and quiet of citizens of this county, occured in 1886 which was the Anderson murder. A Scandinavian by the name of Anderson and his wife were living alone on a homestead about five miles east of Bassett, and one half mile north of the railroad track, their children being grown and living in Omaha and they had a few head of cattle that the old folks were keeping for them. The old man Anderson wished to purchase some machinery on credit, but could not get the credit without mortgaging some stock and he wished to give a mortage on these cattle, which belonged to his children; his wife objected to it and it made trouble between them; he several times threatened her life (so she told the neighbors, especially one Mrs. Nigrn, who lived near, and also Mrs. Peter Young, whom we are partially indebted for this information). The quarel continued until November 1886 when there ame a blizzard and Mrs. Anderson (as was her custom) was doing the chores in the morning and Mr. Anderson struck his wife on the back of the head with a water pail while she was drawing water from a shallow well in a low piece of ground near the house. The blow cut the scalp fromf the drown of her head down to the back of her neck and nearly from ear to ear, which hung down on her neck and knocked her insensible. Another blow was struck on her forehead just above her left eye which broke in a small portion of her skull, it appeared as by the pole of an ax. She was then put in the well, head down, and some old clothing over her and sod put in the well until it was filled up to the top and a tub or a half a kerosene barrel was turned over all. The blizzard lasted for three days and Mrs. Nigren, the nearest eighbor not seeing her around as usual doing chores, supposed there was something wrong and went to inquire of her and noticed blood around the well and it in the condition of the above described, she inquired for Mrs. Anderson and she was told that she had gone to Omaha to see the children, which story was not credible owing to the blizzard and the train being blocked. Mrs. Nigren notified the people in Bassett, a search was made and the woman found as described above. Mr. Anderson was immediately arrested and proven guilty and sentenced to the penitentary for life. October 12, 1900 Bob Rose, a former conducter on this division attacked Superintendent Reynolds at long Pine Wednesday morning and struck him several times. The affair grew out of the discharge of Rose, who claims that in addition to being discharged he was black-listed. October 26, 1900 Bob Rose, who relieved his feelings toward Superintendent C.H. Reynolds, superintendent of the eastern division of the Elkhorn Road, so forcibly last Wednesday went to Ainsworth Friday night and plead guilty next morning before Judge Potter to a charge of assault. He was fined $50 and $7 costs, which he cheerfully paid, declaring he had fully $57 worth of satisfaction. November 2, 1900 BODY FOUND Tuesday morning Sherriff Smith was notified by J.M Mead of Long Pine that the house on his farm 2 and 1/2 miles northeast of Long Pine had burned at 2 o'clock the preceeding night and an examination revealed the charred remains of a human body. Coroner Layne was at once sent for. The body was found to be that of a young man but burned beond recognition. A coroner's inquest was held and the remains interred on Bassett Hill. No clue or explanation has been found and the matter remains an entire mystery. November 30, 1900 CENSUS Rock County - 2,809 Brown County - 3,470 Keya Paha County - 3,076 Boyd County - 7,332 Holt County - 12,225 April 26, 1901 new gasoline lamps will be installed in Lodwigs Hall. Mr. Genung has bought the H.C. Barto land W.H. Hart has bought the Same Frake farm. W.H. Allen recently received a box of fine cigars from R.G. Golder, Sgt. of Troop F., 7th Cavalry, US Army stationed at Havana, Cuba. May 3, 1901 Last Friday a flying spark from a chimney set fire to a bunch of hay on the place of Mr. Richardson near Sybrant and the wind carried it to his barn burning it, a chicken house, some grain, tools etc, entailing a loss of about $250. July 26, 1901 Kit McCoy sold his hay yesterday to Mr. James who resides near Newport who will feet it to his stock. August 2, 1901 Grace Alderman is quitelow with typhoid fever. August 9, 1901 The family of D.M. Gorbell, Butka, are recovering from smallpox. January 20, 1910 W.J. Tillotson is installing a hot water heating plant in his residence this week. February 3, 1910 Tsharner and Solson have installed a neat looking refrigerator in their market, they have also added a gasoline engine to run their sausage machine. February 10, 1910 COUNTY CENSUS Saturday afternoon C.F. Stockwell held the examinations for census enumerators at the school house. Four hours were allowed by the government to answer all the questions and fill in the necessary blanks provided. Those taking the examinations were; L.C. Armstrong, C.L. Carpenter, W.T. Phillips, Jonas Haller, Fred Hopkins, Chas. Ammon, Geo. Ammon, J.O. Donell and W.B.Good. March 17, 1910 BUILDING OF NEW RESIDENCE Karl Linke, who is a well known rancher and prominent man of means in this community has let a contract to J.S. Kelley of this place for the eretion of a modern residence. The building will be the finest mansion along the Elkhorn Valley, is to be three stories high with basement and will be equipped with everything that oes to make a building up to date, including lighting and a water plant. The building when completed will cost $8,500 and is to be built on a piece of land Mr. Linke recently acquired of James Hall. March 24, 1910 NEW PICTURE SHOW Chester Stockwell and J.T. Mudd have installed a moving picture machine in the opera house and intend giving a good moving picture show two nights a week, Wednesday and Saturdays. Their first appearancewas Saturday evening and they certainly gave a first class show and a good house. SCHOOL TERM OUT The school term closed here on March 4th. Miss Bessie Cash has without any exception given the best satifaction as a teacher. Miss Cash gave an entertainment and basket social that netted the district $41.50. This money is now being used to finish the interior of the school house and to buy books that have been a long felt want. The Rose School is one of the best in the county and we hope for more than three months school next year. March 31, 1910 NEW STORE AT DUFF Dewitt Eagr, the merchant of the Duff store has just completed and addition on his store, owing to the fast increase in business. Mr. Eager has for sometime been greatly in need of this improvment. He now has a fine large modern store building. May 12, 1910 NEW LIGHTS The tall poles from which the street lamps were hung at the street intersections were taken out last week. It is the intention of the town board to put up some shorter ornamental iron poles for the street lights in a short time. ABANDONED BABY Long after dark on Tuesday May 3rd, the family of mr. Molatt who resides two miles west of the Cuba post office were made aware that someone was seeking admittance. Upon going to the door a bundle containing a two or three week old baby boy was found on their doorstep. The parties, leaving the child, whoever they were; had made their disapperance in the surrounding darkness. A note of explanation was left with the baby at the Molatts with the request that it be named Paul, a fifty cent piece was also left with the child. 1910 GRADUATING CLASS The end of the school year is now approaching and the graduating class is busy with their program. The baccalaurette sermon will be preached by Rev. Magill Sunday evening May 22nd at the M.E. Church. On Wednesday evening, May 25th, a program will be given. For their motto, the class have chosen: "Out of School Life into Life's School". The following pupils graduate this year: Ralph Ammon, Sollie Lipman, Florence Ctterill, Karl Linke and Ralph Alderman. June 16, 1910 NEW EQUIPMENT Dr. C.H. Root returned from Lincoln and Omaha Saturday evening where he had been a few days on business. He brought bac with him for use in his practise, what is called a blood pressure machine, which will greatly aid him in diagnosis in many obsure diseases. It is a small machine and costs lots of money but the Dr. does not stop for expense and his office is now the best equipped of any in this part of the state. August 25, 1910 STORM FATALITY About 12 o'clock Saturday night this section of the country was visited by a high wind and electrical storm accompanied by rain and some hail. Several out buildings were blown over and trees broken off. In the Railroad yards a roof was blown off one of the cars standing on the sidetrack. At Newport two large hay barns were blown down, one belonging to E.L. Myers and the other to W.H. Allen. TheMyers hay barn proved to be a death trap to a stranger traveling through the country. The man who gave his name as W.F. Clark was a sign painter by trade and had been in Bassett all week doing some work. Saturday noon he went to Newport with the expectation of securing work there. He had tried to obain a room at the hotel but on account of a full house he was truned away and went to the hay barn to sleep. He was probably asleep when the storm struck and had no chance to ge away. Timbers pinned him beneath the wreckage and he lay there until morning continually yelling for help with large spikes driven into his breast and a piece of timber in his side. He was discovered about six o'clock the next morning by two boys who were viewing the wreck and they gave the alarm. He lived about an hour after he was taken out and gave his name and said his Mother lived in Kewaunee, Illinois. Telegrams were sent to his mothe but no reply received by Monday afternoon and he was buried at Newport. He had merely six or seven dollars on his body, so the good people of Newport bought him a fine set of clothes and a coffin to lay him to rest in. October 13, 1910 MISSING PERSON Hans Hanson, a young Swedish farmer who had been living on the Albertson place eight miles south of Newport, mysteriously disappeared one night about two weeks ago. As nearly as can be ascertained he left considerable livestock and grain without making arrangments for their proper care. Rumor has it he is in Omaha, while another version is that he met with foul play. December 8, 1910 CENSUS According to the report of the census bureau issued November 29th, the population of Rock County is 3627 as against 2800 in 1900. This shows an increase of 50% in the last ten years, which certainly helps some. November 17, 1910 ARREST Judge Spann's time was occupied Monday afternoon hearing the trial of A.F. Peterson vs Cyrus Harmon. It seems Peterson accused Harmon of striking him in the face with a hammer a few days before and Peterson came to town and had a warrant sworn out for Harmon. During the trial it was claimed by the defendant that he did not use a hammer but admitted of giving peterson a good beating with his fist. The jury, after being out but a short time, acquitted Harmon of the charge filed. Peterson and Harmon are brother-in-laws and it is said have been at outs for some time. ROCK COUNTY LEADER Bassett, Nebr. January 20, 1916 INJURED BY FIRE C.M. Phillips, James Salling, and Elijah Henry, in charge of a steam ditching machine, were badly burned by an explosion of gasoline at Riverview Friday afternoon. The three men brought a ditching machine here from Norfolk several weeks ago and started with it to Springview where they were to dig the ditches for laying the water maines. They broke down a few miles out of town and were laid up for several days finally getting started again and reached the Chas. McCulley home where they broke down again. The accident happened in a washhouse on the McCulley farm near Riverview when the party started a fire to get warm. Gasoline saturated cobs were thrown into the stove, in which the fire was supposed to have been put out and a quanity of gasoline poured over them. Hot askes in the bottom of the stove ignited the explosive and a terriffic explosion resulted enveloping the interior of the house in flames. One door of the house was locked and the other boarded up and the men had a hard time making their escape. Phillips and Henry made a dash through the third door while Wallace broke through a window. Phillips received the most severe burns. His heavy canvas coat and trousers were burned from his body. With presence of mind by the others he was rolled in the snow. He received burns on the back, chest and face. Wallace hands and face were badly burned while Henry is thought to have inhaled hot flames. The McCulley washhouse was saved from a complete destruction by a bucket bridade of the McCulley family. January 6, 1916 COURT NEWS The preliminary hearng of Frank Dye, who shot W.W. Lake in a street fight several weeks ago was held Wednesday afternoon. Bond was fixed at $1,500 which was furnished. RETURNING Dr. Root is returning to Bassett to practise medicine. Among his plan is the establishment of a hospital here as soon as suitable locations can be secured. ROCK COUNTY LEADER November 8, 1917 Names of those in the area: Frank Wewel, Newport Fred Wiesel, Newport Harry Harrier, Duff Lewis Gilg, Newport Yongolfur Haller, Bassett Walter Keller - Newport Frank Stolcpart - Newport Raymond Gates - Hammond Volna Stockwell - Bassett George Lashmett - Newport Olif Christopherson - Sybrant Roscoe Anderson - Mariaville m.J. Laughlin - Newport Jack Ryan- Newport July 26, 1917 Joes Large was a postal carrier on the Bassett-Hammond route. He recently turned his job over to Jess Wick of Sybrant. June 14, 1917 PROBATE Charles Towie- Evyln Towie, executer Elizabeth Wiegrife - Laura Jacox, exec. June 7, 1917 PROBATE C.R. Chesnut - Monna Chesnut, exec Laura Hartung William Farr May 10, 1917 NEW CHURCH The people in the Sybrant neighborhood are jubilant over the prospects of soon having a house of worship. Arrangements have been completed and work will soon be underway for the church building which is to be about 24X28 on a plot of ground donated by J.E. Harlan. The church will be nonsectarian. Rev. Lawrence has been holding meetings in that neighborhood all winter and has been having good success in the way of conversions and promoting the interest for a church building. NAMES IN AREA Howard Lyman Chas. Brisco Will Wahen M.K. Hicks H.D. Stahl Sam Brown Charles B. Dale - auto salesman Nina Bailey - teacher Frank Dye - moved to Canada Vernon VanNorman Archie Wood - Homestead Charles Watson - Homestead. INVENTION A.A. Dorsey of Newport has received a patent on an invention of a dividing board for mowing machines. May 3, 1917 Bassett Oil and Gas Company organized. Officers elected: President - G.A. Hillburg; Vice President - C.L. Carpenter; Secretary - E.A. Hopkins; Treasurer - A.J. Litz. Board of trustees - R.A. Hunt, S.H. Halldorson, H.J. Miller, W.E. Preble and H.W. Galleher. January 4, 1917 NEW COUNTY OFFICIALS Sherriff - J.R. Leonard Vice - C.A. Davison Treasurer - J.C. Wallace Clerk - M. Spann Judge - F.N. Morgan Commissioner of 3rd District - J.H. Copeland Superintendent - Chas. G. Ammon County Atorney - Herbert D. Curtiss Accessor - W.H. Hart ROCK COUNTY LEADER February 28, 1918 KIDNAPPING Rev. Harvey, erstwhilist revivalist, at Mariaville, was kidnapped by a number of residents of that part of the county recently, hustled into a waiting auto and taken to Newport. He was released at the depot told to leave the country on the first train and not to return. Considerable excitement was caused by the kidnapping which took place but a few minutes before services were to begin. The cause of the kidnapping is said to be the result of the brand of religion dished out by the preacher. It is alleged that he exercised hypnotic control of certain followers who manifested trance and hysteria. In a measure his teachings and actions became obnoxious to a number of citizens and it was that best by them to remove the cause. Many accuse the revivalist of unpatriotisim. The preacher was unharmed by his abductors who made no effort to conceal their identity. Harvey some 20 years ago was pastor of the Newport Church and only a few years ago pastor of the Springview Church. April 4, 1918 Alvin Booth of the Shelden neighborhood, met death through an accidental discharge of a shotgun, Tuesday morning. Mr. Booth had been using the gun and while in the act of setting it away in the pantry it was discharged the full force of the shell entered Mr. Booth's chest. He lived an hour after the accident. Mr. Booth was a man of 51 years and had only recently moved onto the former Booker ranch in this county. April 25, 1918 Kirkwood has organized a Home Guard company with Frank Bassett as Captain; Ralph Leonard First Lieutenant; H.P. Myers Second Lieutenant. The company is the first of it's kind in Rock County. July 25, 1918 John Sybrant and the Berryman ranch have put in autogates on the Sybrand road through their places. They are not actual gates but answer the same purpose, allowing a car to go through without stopping to open or close a gate. The construction of this gate is similar to a cattle guard on a railroad. A ditch is dug and narrow planks with an open space between each are bridged over the ditch. Cattle will not attempt to go across these but cars can be safely driven over. If a few more farmers would follow suit it would shorten distance to town materially. November 21, 1918 Mr. and Mrs. Homer Likens arrived here Sunday morning with the remains of their oldest and their youngest sons for burial. The youngest son age five died Tuesday November 12 and the oldest boy age Seventeen died Friday, November 15. Both deaths were due to influenza. February 20, 1919 For several days the past week the local authorities were confronted with the problem of gathering information as to who was breaking into business places and making away and cash and goods. Tuesday morning the matter cleared up when Thomas McCoy, a youth of 18 and Earl Taggart, aged 14 were arrested and questioned. Both confessed that they were the guilty parties and revealed the hiding places that led to the recovery of some of the stolen articles. McCoy was given his hearing Wednesday and bound over to District Court. Young Taggert is to have his hearing Thursday. A prison sentence stares McCoy in the face and Taggart will possibly be sent to reform school. March 16, 1919 John Taggart was here from Riverton, Wyoming. He expects to take his son Earl, with him on his return. The youngster was paroled to the care of his father the first of the week, after sentencing him to an indetermined period in the reform school. May 1, 1919 In the case of Thomas McCoy,defendant pleaded guily. Sentence was suspended for a period of Five years and defendant was placed in charge of John and Florence McGuire and he is to report to the court on the first day of each regular term of court and during this time to be of good behavior or suspended sentence will be enforced. Young McCoy was mixed up in several cases of breaking and entering business places during the early winter. February 6, 1919 County Attorney, County Coroner, was called to Newport Sunday to hold an inquest on the body of Mrs. Mary Myers at the request of relativies of the deceased. Mrs. Myers, who was more familiarly known in Rock County as Mrs. Stolcpart, after her marriage to Mr. Myers went with her husband to Didsberry, Canada. Last week the Newport relatives received a telegram from the husband saying she was dead. The communication also stated that death was caused by a kick from a horse. Examination of the body upon it's arrial made the relatives suspiciious and they demanded an inquest. At the inquest Sunday Dr. Bartholomew made the necessary examination and the coroner's jury returned a verdict finding that the deceased death was not caused by accident and a thoro investigation of circumstances surrounding the reported accident be undertaken. Fourteen different wounds and lacerations were found on the deceased. Mrs. Myers was 64 years of age. The family of Mrs. Myers will make a trip to Canada in the near future. Rock County Leader July 17, 1919 William N. Randolph, a resident of Rock County for the past 13 years, living about 24 miles southwest of Bassett shot and killed his wife, attempted to kill his oldest daughter and later killed himself Saturday morning. From the story as told by the daughter, fourteen years of age it seems Randolph arose and dressed about 5 o'clock, filled his shotgun stepped to the door of his wife's room and shot her as she lay asleep by the side of the youngest child, a daughter five years of age. The shot killed her instantly as she rested on her right side. After firing the shot that killed his wife he pumped another shell into the gun and stepped up the stairs to his daughters room and shot at her, inficting a flesh wound in the right hip. Undoubtedly he would have killed the girl had she not been awakened by the shot fired at her mother and as she seen her father coming up the stairs she jumped from the bed and to one side of the room just enough to be missed by the shot. After the shot had been fired the girl ran in, grabbed the gun and tussled with him for some time. As she became exhausted she plead with her father to save her life and finally persuaded him to do so. He then told her to clothe herself and take the baby to the neighbors, first helping to dress the wound he had inflicted. He then went down and picked the baby up from the side of it's dead mother, dressed it and handed her to the older girl with a note containing the address of parties he wished to be notified, kissed them both goodbye and told them he would never see them again. The girl hastened with her little sister to the Margaret O'Keefe home and told of the tragedy at home. Neighbors were soon on the scene to see what could be done but did not arrive until after Randolph had killed himself. Going back into the house Randolph drove a large nail into the door casing hung the trigger guard of his gun over this, stepped back and placed the muzzle against his left breast gave it a pull and ended his life within ten feet of where he had killed his wife. The remains of both Randoph and his wife were brought to Bassett. Randolph was intered at the Bassett Cemetery and his wife's body was taken by her brother Edwin Davis of Florence, Nebraska for burial at the old home. ACCIDENT January 29, 1920 Little Phillip Alexander, eight year old son of Mr. & Mrs. O.G. Alexander living southwest of Bassett, was instantly killed Monday afteroon by being thrown from a saddle horse. The boy was just rding into the yard on his return from school when a sheep that was lying behind the house jumped out and scared the horse. The sudden jump of the horse threw the boy onto the hard ground on his head, his foot catching in the halter rope and holding him tight. This still more frightened the horse and it kicked the little hanging bundle of humanity several times. Two of the blows striking the back of the head and crushing it. It is thought theboy was knocked unconscious when he was thrown to the ground and as a consequence did not suffer from the rough treatment that followed. Phillip Alexander was born in Bassett February 21, 1910 and lacked but 28 days of reaching his ninth birthday. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alexander and W.T. Phillips. ACCIDENT February 5, 1920 Harvey McCance, age seven, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. McCance, was dragged to death by a horse Sunday afternoon. The boy together with an older brother rode a pony out to bring in a couple of horses that had been turned loose with halters dragging. Harvey was holding both horses while his brother drove back some colts. In the confusion one horse commenced jumping and he turned it loose, the other also gave a lunge and it is thought the halter rope was given a half hitch around the youngster's neck and dragged him off his feet. This still more frightened the horse and it ran around the field several times dragging the boy until it was caught by the father, who wittnessed the accident from a distance. Internment was in the Bassett Cemetery August 5, 1920 NEW SCHOOL HOUSES Messrs. Iverson and Lawton are building a school house in District 53, kown as the Dugger District. It will replace the one destroyed by fire last winter. District 37 in Thurman precinct has also purchased the materials for a new school to be erected in the next few weeks. District 10 at Fish Lake will also have a new school house ready for this fall term. Rock County Leader October 14, 1920 MURDER Floyd Wick, of the Sybrant neighborhood is in county jail charged by county officials with murder and according to his own confession guilty of killing Clyde Patterson, a neighbor, altho claiming self defense as his motive. The finding of Patterson's body and the subsequent confession of young Wik clears up the mysterious disappearance of Patterson. Patterson, a bachelor 45 years of age, took up his homestead in the Sybrant neighborhood some fifteen years ago and mingled very little with his neighbors consequently it was several weeks before his disappearance became noticeable. The fact of his disappearance was soon communicated to the county authorities. Neighbors informed them at the same time that Floyd Wick had taken possession, of Patterson's personnel effects. Investigation disclosed the fact that Wick had sold Patterson's buggy, two head of cattle and the potatoes in the field, 4 head of cattle, corn, team, harness, wagon and chickens were taken to Wick's place. On the first trip to the Patterson ranch Sheriff Leonard and County Attorney Curtiss met young Wick comiing to town and they asked him if he knew of Patterson's whereabouts, the lad replied that he had gone to Colorado. Asked as to how he knew he replied that he had a letter from him regarding stock that he had purchased. As to the point in Colorado he did not remember but promised to send up the letter which was at home. Later he advised county officials that he could not find the letter. Still later, following communication, he sent up a letter with the supposed to be postmark and cancelled stamp torn off as though it had been done while opeing the letter. The letter was dated as coming from Burt, Colorado and while short gave to Wick the necessary authority to take charge of Pattersons stock on the former agreement for their purchase. In the meantime relatives of the missing man were notified to come here. On the arrival of Morris Patterson, a brother, last week, the investigation was resumed in an effort to locate the man in Colorado. It was soon discovere that there was no Burt, Colorado and this strengthened the doubly growing suspicion against Wick. Saturday morning Sheriff Leonard, Attorney Curtiss and Morris Patterson started for the Patterson ranch with a united determination to comb out the mystery. On their way down they picked up young Wick and went on to the Patterson place. After carefully going over the ground the missing man's glasses were found and this gave the searchers a "hunch" that the man was buried on the place. Following this clue the searchers discovered evidence of old hay having been pulled over a certain part of an old cave not far from the house. Digging only a few feet under this they found Patterson's remains, the body having been buried on a slant with the entrance of the cave. The head and shoulders being about two feet under ground and the feet were about a foot and a half under ground. Examination of the body indicated that the man had been killed with a shotgun at a distance of approximately twenty feet. The wads of the shot being found in the wound that caused death which was about two inches by four at the base of the throat. The body was in such shape as required the investigators to build a box for its transportation to town immediately after a coronor's jury had been impannalled and viewed the remains. Wick was held on suspicion and brought to town at the same time. Monday morning Wick signified his intention of making a written confession and was taken before County Attorney Berryman for that purpose and a preliminary hearing. In substance his confession is that on August 15 he and Patterson went hunting returning to Patterson's home at the noon hour and Patterson started to prepare a meal for both, asking Wick to go to the well for a pail of water. Wick picked up the paid and just as he got to the door he heard the click of a gun hammer, looking back he seen Patterson aiming his gun at him. He jumped out the door just as the shot went through, ran around the house and grabbed his gun and shot Patterson as he came around the house. After taking Patterson's money and watch from the body he dragged it to the cave threw it in and buried it with dirt and old hay. Washed away the blood from the ground, drove some of the cattle home and later returned for some other things. That the letter he exhibited as authority to take possession of the property was a forgery and that he had set fire to a stack of hay last Thursday in oreder to divert the county officials from their investigations thinking they would be led to believe that the body was destroyed by fire. Authorities have another version of the shooting. From their investigation, they believe the shot was fired at a distance of twent feet, while Wick's confession claims it was done at a distance of about nine feet. The fact that the glasses were found more than thirty feet from the house along the path leading from the house to the barn seemed to convince them that the shooting did not take place close to the house. Not far from where the glasses were picked up a haycock was noted and walking over to this the authorities found an exploded shotgun shell, they then stepped off the distance between the hay and the point where the glasses were picked up aking it just seven paces substantiating the theory that the shot was fired from behind the hay cock while Patterson was either coming or going to the house, and that his glasses fell at the spot where he dropped when shot. Wick just reached his eighteenth birthday Tuesday and was born and reared in the south part of Rock County. He attended Rock County High school for two terms and is a rather quiet sort of a chap. At the preliminary hearing monday he was bound over to the district court. Patterson is survived by several brothers and his aged parents who reside in Oklahoma. Considerable creit is due to the officers, Leonard and Curtiss, who made at least six trips to the south end of the county before the mystery was cleared up. Rock County Leader 10/21/1920 Floyd Wick, the self confessed slayer of Clyde Patterson, was taken to Holt County jail at O'Niell for safe keeping Saturday noon. The Rock County jail has been condemed for sometime. Since the arrest of Young Wick on the charge of murder it is remembered that about one year ago he was paroled to his father for burglarizing the Potter Hardware at Long Pine. Wick at that time was going to school in Long Pine and batching in his fathers house. Ammunition and guns comprised the extent of his burglarizing the hardware store. At the hearing he just barely escaped the reform school by the pleading of his parents. December 2, 1920 At an adjourned session of the Rock County fall term of district court Floyd Wick, the self confessed murderer of Clyde Patterson, appeared before judge Dickson and was sentenced to life imprionment in the state penitentiary. Young Wick was allowed to plead guilty to murder in the second degree on account of his youth and in this way avoid the death penalty which might otherwise have been inflicted. Wick had changed his confession several times since his preliminary hearing and although the authorities are inclined to believe various parts of his several stories contend that his latest confession is the nearest correct. In the last confession he contends that he deliberately shot Patterson without any provocation. The deed was committed with the shot gun as at first admitted. That the gun was lying on the ground and when Patterson approached him coming towards the house from the well he picked up his gun, pretended to look it over as to whether the action was working and suddenly swung on Patterson shooting him in the throat. After burying his victi he rode to Ponylake to witness a ball game and bucking broncho exhibition. The crime was not discovered for about five weeks after it had been committed, during which time Wick had visited in Wyoming and other points. In the meantime Sheriff Leonard and County Attorney Curtiss had been making ivestigations and later called the murered man's brother, Morris patterson, from Oklahoma. Upon his arrival the search was continued and the crime finally layed to Wick, after his various stories were proven partially untrue. The body of Patterson was finally located in a potato cave covered with old dirt and hay. In imposing sentence Judge Dickson said that he believed that lack of parental discipline and failure to support discipline of the school teachers was responsible for so many juvenile criminals today. The esire to reap without sowing and the lax enforcement of the laws also had a great deal to do with the wave of crime. "I could sentence you from ten years to life but I am going to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without solitaryconfinement at hard labor." Wick was taken to the penitentiary early Tuesday morning by Sherriff Leonard. (End of File)