could be Buffalo's crossing the platte

 Research Papers


Today is:

From the Historical Tidbits File

I was sorting through files recently and found one labeled Historical Tidbits. Thought I’d share some today.

A. History Repeats Itself

Today we hear arguments about irradiated beef, genetically altered plants, and all kinds of additives


Have you read the label on a package of All-purpose Flour?
        There are three important words -- Enrichd - Bleached - Presifted


The best part to me is it says “presifted” since I spent many years baking before that feature was added.

It also says “Enriched”
        Look at the list of Ingredients:
            wheat flour, malted barley flour
            Niacin (a B vitamin)
            Iron
            Thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1)
            Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
            Folic Acid (a B vitamin)

And it says “bleached” – How many of us question bleached flour? Cooks expect white flour

Bleaching flour was a big issue back in 1909

            In that year the Sec. of Agriculture ruled that it was permissible to sell bleached flour only within the state
            where it was milled but could not be shipped outside the state


            The millers in Nebr. and Iowa were up in arms because they had gone to considerable expense to install
            machinery to “properly produce flour of the whiteness desired.”


            Nebraska wheat was claimed to contain the highest percentage of gluten of any wheat in the US.
            But when ground into flour the color of flour it produced was not very white
            So, it was necessary to bleach it to get the desired whiteness the housewife wanted

            A professor from the State University [probably UNL] testified that bleached flour was pure and healthful

            The controversy raged all summer and into the fall

B. Speaking of Wheat

In 1896 a man in southwest Custer County bet his whole wheat crop on the election of William Jennings Bryon.
        --- He lost

So he went to Armada, [this would be just before it moved across the Wood River to become Miller]

He bought a 4 oz. bottle of Laudanum  [the cure-all syrup of the day which was basically opium]

He drank it all

Fortunately the doctor found out and used a stomach pump which saved him

C. Two Cases of Insanity

1. Kearney Hub, August 1889

        John Schackler [Sheckler] was taken to Lincoln by two of the Sheriff’s deputies

        He was one of the first settlers of this county
        He owned a large ranch on the Loup River and the only natural grove of large timber in this part of the state

        “Had the misfortune to become hopelessly insane which necessitated his removal to the asylum. “

2. Semi-Weekly Hub, October 1909

        Mr. Maxley, father of Mrs. Elizabeth Hurley, was judged to be insane – sent to Hastings

        “Now 106 years of age and has become most unruly.”


D. Thoughtless [Not a Bright Move]

1. May 1896 Buffalo County Sun
        C. A. Jackson, put his gloves on and proceeded to wash the gloves with gasoline
        (today we would use cleaning fluid)

        He was enjoying a smoke with his pipe at the same time.

        Then in attempting to relight his pipe the gasoline on one of the gloves caught fire.

        He tried to put out the flames with the other hand and both were ablaze.

        Before he could get the gloves off, both hands were so badly burned that the skin slipped off with the gloves.

        Dr. Bastin was called to treat him. He did not lose either of his hands.

2. January 1935 Kearney Hub

        [this was before antifreeze had been developed and alcohol was used to keep water from freezing]

        Police Judge John Cameron is recovering from injuries suffered when he lit a match to see if there was sufficient
        water in the radiator.


        Alcohol in the radiator blew up in his face, inflicting quite painful burns.

        He was not seriously hurt


E. Driving Directions

        In January 1890 – Drivers were reminded “when you drive along the streets, take the right hand side.
                                                                      Be sure you do this.”


        So this was a practice started back in the horse and buggy days, before automobiles.

F. Obituary – Shelton Clipper – Jan 26, 1911 [The Golden Record]

                                                        Faithful “Old Dick” is Dead

            "After a quarter of a century of daily service on the S. A. Thomas dray [delivery wagon], old Dick, who has probably pulled more loads of merchandise than any other horse in Buffalo County, turned up his toes to the daisies and his soul took flight to that barn from which no horse ever returns.

            'Old Dick' passed in his chocks last Thursday morning after having been ailing for some 4-5 days. He was 29 years of age and for over 24 years past he has been in daily service on the Thomas dray without having missed a single day, except Sundays, until a few days before his death. During the time of his service on the dray, he has worn out three other horses – Barney, Bill, and Joe."

G. Divorce

September 2, 1889 Kearney Hub

"Mrs. V. J. Moses filed for divorce from William Moses because of habitual drunkenness and lack of support and several other acts of cussedness."

 

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