Author Archives: Seneca Nemaha

2024 Annual Meeting

The Nemaha County Historical Society Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Vice President Ilene Enneking presided in the absence of President Anita Heiman.

The board reviewed several reports, including the 2024 financial summary, a membership update, and a web presence report. Over the past year, the society welcomed 8 platinum sponsors, 41 gold sponsors, and 89 additional sponsors or members. Additionally, 68 donors contributed a total of 539 items to the historical society’s collection, bringing the number of cataloged records in the system to 12,486.

RAINBOW COMMUNICATIONS GRANT UPDATE

An update was provided on the Rainbow Communications grant, which is nearing completion. The conversion of the museum’s PastPerfect software to a cloud-based system is almost finished, while the upgrade of wireless access points will be postponed until Rainbow completes its fiber installations.

COLLECTION POLICY PROPOSED

A draft policy outlining the types of items the society collects was presented for an initial reading. The board also discussed the continued need for a printed newsletter and potential content changes.

Additionally, a calendar of upcoming activities was reviewed, along with maintenance projects for the museums.

The 2025 Board of Directors was approved, with the addition of Bill Love and Kylee Bergstram. Officers elected for 2025 are: President: Ilene Enneking; Vice President: Marcia Philbrick;  Secretary: Patty Byers; Treasurer: Raymond Thieme.

STORY WALK GRANT PROPOSAL

Ellie Haynie introduced a potential grant opportunity for a “story walk” along the north side of the military museum. While still in the discussion stage, this project would highlight the stories of Nemaha County veterans from various wars.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

The board extends its gratitude to all sponsors and members for their continued support of the society’s mission: to collect, preserve, and share the history of Nemaha County. Community members are encouraged to support the society by becoming members. Annual membership is $20 for an emailed newsletter or $25 for a printed version. Checks, along with a note requesting membership and a mailing address, may be sent to: Nemaha County Historical Society, P.O. Box 41, Seneca, KS

For more information, visit http://nemahacountyhistoricalsociety.com/.

1941 War News

1941

Legion Farewell to Draft Contingent
Earle W. Taylor Post will give a farewell party to eight of the nine selectees of Nemaha County who will be inducted in military service at Ft. Leavenworth, July 16. The party will be Monday night, the 14th, at the Legion cabin at Lake Nemaha. The boys to be honored are Henry A. Holthaus, Raphael L. Dalsing, Joseph C. Huninnghake and Wilfred Kramer, Seneca; John A. Barrett, Wetmore; William B. Stanton, Centralia; Albert J. Boeckman, Goff; Lester E. Noble, Oneida. Kenneth L. Gernand, Goff, another credited to Nemaha County, is in Washington, D.C.
At the meeting of Earle W. Taylor Post Tuesday night it was agreed that the Legion will do all it can to promote the drive for aluminum July 21.
The Post is plugging for its Junior ball club, now in second place in the league. The post is hopeful of good attendance next Sunday when the club plays the Marysville club here.

Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS) 10 Jul 1941

1917 War News

World War I

WAR NEWS

Main street streams with the National Colors. Every place of business is showing the Stars and Stripes. Many are decorating their cars with flags. It cannot be said that people here are at a high pitch of war spirit, yet on every hand there is a disposition to see the thing through and a calm disposition to stand by the government in its hour of peril. Many a mother and father are considering and debating the sending of the boys to enlist and there are few instances where parental objections will keep the young men at home. Sentiment is sharply divided on the question of fitting out an expeditionary force. If the war continues indefinitely that will be a likely result. Some seem to think that the government has entered into a quasi-belligerency—a sort of receptive warfare. It is to be hoped that Providence may spare us sending the boys to the trenches. In the meantime it will be well for us to prepare our minds for just such a contingency.

Ed. Wellborn the west barber shop and Luzerne Harvey of Carey’s restaurant are members of the National Guard and probably before this is in print will receive their call to the colors. Mr. Wellborn is a newly married man and may be entitled to privileges, though that is hardly likely.

Mrs. Amos Smith left Saturday morning for Abilene to visit with her brother, Ames before he enlists. Ames has been studying banking in New York City with a view to fitting himself for banking work in South America. He writes that all of his associates are enlisting and that he cannot think of being a slacker.

With the prospects of war many thrifty Seneca people have laid in a big supply of flour. One Third Ward housewife has ten or twelve sacks stored away. Levick’s Grocery sold out early Friday and other stores were compelled to turn down orders. Flour is selling at $3.00 per sack when this is written. Many look for wheat to go up to $3.00 a bushel before the new crop comes in. Every person with whom we have talked in Seneca is in favor of government control of food prices if the upward trend continues. That is likely to be the logical result. Farmers here are feeling good over the prospects for wheat this week. Wheat here has been in bad shape for want of rain. Many fields are spotted with the prospect of half a crop or less. Not many of these fields will be plowed up if there is any prospect of getting anything like a crop.

Daniel B. Honeyman, son of Mrs. Mary Honeyman of Seneca, who has been working as a lineman for several weeks past, enlisted in St. Joseph the other day. Out of the seven boys who went down from Hiawatha three were accepted, including Dan.

Loren Simon, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Simon of Seneca will probably enlist. Loren said Sunday while here on a visit to his folks that he had about determined to enlist. He said that he had been trying to induce some of his friends to go with him and that Herbert Jordan might go with him. Loren went down to Topeka Monday to look it over, as he put it.

Forman DeForrest came up from Kansas City last Saturday noon and visited his parents until Monday morning. Forman expects to be called back to his regiment any day, and came home while he had the chance. —Wetmore Spectator.

Captain Louis Miller of Sabetha who was with the Company K, 22nd Kansas in the Spanish-American war has offered his services in case they are needed.

Clarence Durst, son of the editor of the Sabetha Star has joined the Navy.

Harry Myers who is a member of the battery of the Third Regiment was home from Kansas City a few days. He joined January 28th and expects to see service on the border, the Philippines or Panama. The destination of the National Guard now leaving Kansas City is not published.

Robert Iles went to Hiawatha Monday afternoon to take an examination for admission to the National Guard.

Ed. Ochse and Carl Iles went to Lawrence Tuesday morning to join the National Guard. Carl is a senior in the high school and will receive his high school credits and diploma.

Old Glory now waves over the Seneca Brick and Tile Yard. All the boys that work out there went in together and bought a big 8×10 flag and will put it up Tuesday the 6th on a 20-foot pole. All the boys seem proud to have Old Glory waving over their heads while they work.

Our wars have always resulted in heavy bond issues. The President was right in his desire to raise as much of the huge sums as possible by taxation. And that society down at Topeka the other day, that favored taxing to the full, exempt incomes over $5,000 was right too. The average family will furnish the blood and brawn. Let the moneyed family furnish the capital. In other words, let capital “bleed” too.

Loren Simon went down to Topeka Monday morning to enlist in a hospital corps under a doctor who served in the Spanish-American war. Loren was disappointed for the Doctor had more recruits than he could use when Loren arrived. He will wait and may enlist in some other department. Roger Murphy has two boys in this corps.

Clayton Simon of Goff has written in for authority to recruit a Nemaha county company. It would be fine if the boys from Nemaha county who are thinking of enlisting could go as a unit.

Uncle Dick McCliman received a batch of dodgers Monday which he tacked up over town. They call for 800 men from Kansas and Missouri for the navy. A streamer in the post office lobby calls for naval gunners “to shoot U-boats on sight.” Despite the fact that the Navy offers opportunities for greater variety of experiences and adventures the recruits from this section for the greater part are joining the army.

Dr. Carter may seek enlistment in the medical staff. The Doctor placed his services at the disposal of the Government nearly two years ago. He will take the matter up with the medical staff again.

Joe Boeckman, who has been working for F. J. Holthaus, made application to Postmaster McCliman for enlistment in the navy. Jake Krotinger will very likely offer his services to the government in the line of his trade as a baker. The army and navy have great need of skilled craftsmen.

Austria has broken off diplomatic relations with America. Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to follow suit.

The Wetmore band under the leadership of R. C. Landers of this city gave an hour’s concert at their home town Loyalty day. The band of twenty pieces played “The Star Spangled Banner” as the flag was raised.

Courier Democrat (Seneca, KS) 12 April 1917

1941 War News

War News

ALUMINUM TO BE COLLECTED
ON THE 21st OF JULY

Mayor Jack Houston Asked to Head Campaign—Will Call Scouts

Aluminum has become a precious metal—precious to national defense. Uncle Sam finds he needs a greater stream of it than present aluminum plants can make. While new plants are being built, the government is calling for donations of used aluminum—old pots, pans, pieces of machinery, any scrap that can be given, to bridge the gap.

Mayor Jack Houston this morning has a request from Governor Payne Ratner that Seneca take part in the national aluminum collection campaign. The mayor is requested to act as chairman.

Mayor Houston said he would enlist the aid of Seneca Boy Scouts; perhaps of other organizations.

National aluminum collection day will be Monday, July 21.

It is suggested that now is the time to look about the house, the garage, shop, basement or other places where there might be old aluminum; not to wait until the 21st to hunt the metal.

Tentative plan is to have a block-by-block collection, with aluminum to be placed on porches or otherwise handy for collection. Mayor Houston said this morning he does not think it will be wise business for anyone but the authorized collection groups to gather any aluminum.

A fenced enclosure may be erected in front of the city hall to display the aluminum as it is collected the 21st.
The Courier Tribune (Seneca, Kansas) 7 July 1941, page 1.