Barnes County: A Moment in Time
1921 100 Years Ago... Comes Long Way to Wed Barnes County Man
Acres and acres that seem to grow sunshine and happiness instead of discontent and sorrow, are before Miss Bertha Caeez, of war stricken and desolate Czecho—Slovac, the bride of Frank Princ, of Oriska, Barnes county. Cupid safely piloted Miss Bertha Caeez to America and with her, for company came Miss Frances Princ, sister of Mr. Princ. The trip across the Atlantic and then half way across the United States followed a successful letter romance of several years’ standing, culminating in the wedding at Oriska by the Rev. Fr. Simon of the Catholic church of that little village. Mr. Princ told the wedding attendants that he had not seen the girls since they were four years old, their age when he left for America to make his future home. During the war letters passed between Mr. Princ and his bride. In one of those letters he promised that when the war was over he would send for her. In that letter something was written between the lines which they both understood and built into their dreams for a home in the New World. “Why America is just like heaven.” smiled the bride as she and her husband left the church. “We lived, you see, just 20 miles from the Austro-Italian frontier. Oh, it is so quiet and peaceful in America. No! No I never want to return to the Old World.”
Everett McGowan
Everett McGowan, who proved himself such a favorite in local baseball fans eyes last summer, when he played with the crack Valley City baseball team, is not only a baseball player he is also international amateur skating champion, and recently defeated Norval Baptie of Bathgate, N.D., in three fast races, marking his
first victories as a professional. McGowan so far has clearly showed himself able to outsprint Baptie, who needs three victories in order to gain a tie, in which event the deciding contest will be a mile race. McGowan played in the outfield for the Valley City team last season.
1946 75 Years Ago...
Deer Season Over-Big Elk
Causes Queries on Street With deer season a thing of the past, the sigh of a 450-pound animal lying in a trailer parked at a local filling station caused more than one passerby to come over and make a personal inspection. But no laws were broken-the animal was not a deer, but an elk being transported by Game Warden Bud Morgan from near Canada, where it was killed, to Kindred, Morgan’s home. The elk was one of a herd of 50 which roam the St. James Game Farm near the Canadian border. When the herd became too large, 10 of the animals were turned loose. Elk, Morgan explained will not leave the place where they were raised so the 10 who had been given their freedom broke down a wire fence and returned to the farm.
It was then decided that some of the animals would have to be killed. Twelve elk were shot by the game wardens. The meat is being distributed to the wildlife associations throughout the state. Recipients of meat from the animal Morgan was bringing to Kindred for quartering will be the Kindred Rod and Gun club and the Hankinson Wildlife Federation, both of who will receive a quarter. The remaining half of the animal will be sent to the Wahpeton Wildlife Federation to furnish the meat for a banquet. Morgan states that a plan to put the excess elk in the Sheyenne park has been abandoned when it was discovered that the animals are much more destructive than most big game.
Wallace Loken Given Up As Dead on Missing Sub
Wallace Loken of Valley City, aboard a U.S. submarine missing since November 30, 1943, has been given up as dead, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Loken, 302 1/2 Main, from Secretary of Navy James Forrestal. His communication said: “Your son Wallace Eugene Loken, Motor Machinists Mate, 2nd class USN, has been carried on the official records of the Navy Department in the status of missing in action as of 30 Nov. 1943. He was serving on board the USS Corvina when that submarine failed to return from patrol operations in the Pacific area. “On 4th of November, 1943, the Corvina departed from Pearl Harbor to patrol waters in the Western Pacific where she was likely to encounter the enemy. On the 6th of November, 1943, she took on fuel at Johnston Island enrollee to her patrol station. There after she was unreported. “In view of the length of time that has now elapsed since your son was determined to be missing and because there have been no official no unconfirmed reports that any of the personnel of the vessel survived or were taken prisoners of war, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son is deceased.
1971 50 Years Ago... Rick Diemert
Rick Demerit, 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Klein, Valley City as named the Citizen of the Year and given a plaque so designating him as the Elks Lodge of Valley City inaugurated a new recognition plan. Demerit was chosen to receive the first award given by Valley City Elks Lodge 1110 for his actions in saving the life of his four year old cousin, Paul Ford, last September. Paul Ford is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Ford, Grand Forks. A group of four children were playing near the Klein home on a hillside near a pond. Young Ford ran down the hill and accidentally slipped in to the pond, a receptacle for spring water. Rick told the other two children to stay where they were an went to the pond where he pulled the four year old out of the water. The plaque of recognition was given to Demerit Saturday evening following initiation ceremonies at the Elks Lodge. The plaque was given to him by Exalted Ruler Alfred “Jiggs” Becker as members of his family and Elks members looked on. Steve Hoss, a member of the Elks officers, and chairman of the recognition committee said the Citizen of the Year award was an annual presentation in many Elks Lodges but was just being initiated into the Valley City lodge at this time. A class of 21 were initiated into the lodge previous to the award ceremony and were installed by the ritual team of the Mandan Lodge. Initiatees, officers of the lodge and their wives and members of Diemert’s families joined in a dinner at the lodge following the presentation.
V.C.H.S Choir: Governor’s Chorus ’71
The Valley City High School choir has been designated by Governor William Guy as the official Governor’s Chorus for 1971. The choir is directed by John J. Reed. The Valley City Concert Choir has 68 members selected by auditions from students in grades 10 to 12. It repertoire includes music of all periods. the choir presents an annual Christmas Concert and a Spring Concert. Every other year the choir exchanges concerts with another high school choir. The choir has also visited the College of St. Benedicts at St. Joseph, Minn. and has toured St. John’s College at Collegeville, Minn. It has also performed a combined concert with the Valley City State College Choir and Mr. Roger Tweiten, Kenosha, Wis., conducted a clinic at the school. The Valley City High School Chamber Chorale, an outstanding choral group, numbers 18 singers and has three instrumental accompanists. These are selected from members of the concert choir. The group has performed at Valley City at numerous functions. Many of the Valley City students have distinguished themselves at various music festivals. One student this year was selected for the tour choir of the
International Music Camp and toured Europe with that group last summer. Reed is a 1960 graduate of Jamestown College who taught at Tuttle, N.D. and Lancaster, Calif., before becoming vocal instructor in the Valley City school system where he is now in his fourth year. He completed his graduate work at Occidental College, Los Angeles. Each year Governor Guy appoints an official Governor’s Chorus. During 1970 the Hettinger High School Choir was the Governor’s Chorus.
1996 25 Years Ago... Jeff Nathan Now Sole Owner of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel
Jeff Nathan, who has been associated with Oliver’s Funeral Chapel since May 1990, became the sole owner as of Jan. 1. The name has been changed to Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. It is located at 251 Central Avenue South in Valley City. Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel originated in 1917 under the name Holberg Funeral Home. On April 1, 1931, Oliver Peterson became part owner of the funeral home. The name was changed to HolbergPeterson Funeral Home. In 1943, Oliver Peterson became sole owner of the funeral home. Then in 1953, the name was changed to Oliver’s Funeral Chapel. Oliver Peterson sold the business to Ty Peterson and Lee Holm in 1965. Nathan purchased Ty Peterson’s interest in the business in 1991. Nathan and Lee Holm, who had been with Oliver’s for more than 30 years, then continued to serve the area. Nathan’s wife, Ruth, and Pam Holm, daughter of Elvera and the late Oliver E. Peterson, assisted with the operation of the business until Nathan purchased the business this month. Ruth still continues to help parttime, but she is also employed at First National Bank of Valley City. “Since we’ve been in Valley City, we’ve tried to serve the needs of this community in an honest and dignified manner with personal dedication to the families we serve,” Nathan says. “With the remodeling and purchase of new equipment, we feel confident that our customers will find our funeral home offers the highest commitment to both quality and service,” he adds. Nathan, a graduate of Wyndmere High School, attended North Dakota State University and Wayne State, Wayne, Neb., where he received a bachelor of science degree. He then received a bachelor of science degree in mortuary science from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas, Texas. Before coming to Valley City, Nathan was employed in Finley, Cooperstown and the Bismarck area. He is the son of Dennis and JoAnn Nathan, Wyndmere and grandson of Annie Jensen and Otto and Sylvia Nathan, all of Valley City. Nathan is a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, treasurer of North Dakota Funeral Directors Association, serves on the advisory boards of the Sheyenne Care Center and Mercy Hospital. He is also a member of the V-500 board, Kiwanis and Optimists, Clubs Valley City Chamber Ag Committee chairman, the Valley Troubadours, the Valley City Country Club, the Elks and the Eagles. The Nathans have three children. They are Erica, Joshua and Amber.
Pvt. Raftevold Completed Basic Training
Army National Guard Pvt. Channing Raftevold has completed basic training at Fort Leonard E. Wood, Paynesville, MO. During the training, students received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid and Army history and traditions. Raftevold is the son of Mary Neubauer of Valley City.