NEBRASKAland
OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland March 1967 50 cents A LOOK AT "DIC" MIDDLETON'S HIDEOUT GETTING GEESE THE EASY WAY SECRET WEAPON FOR BASS AN EXPOSE ON THE BIRD WATCHING NEBRASKALAND FISHING-PART 1
Fore your house or office NEBRASKAland COLOR MURALS
SPEAK UP
NEBRASKAland invites all readers to submit their comments, suggestions, and gripes to SPEAK UP. Each month the magazine will publish as many letters as space permits. Pictures are welcome.—Editor.YOUNG HUNTERS-"Our third-grade science class of 25 pupils created this original list of hunting rules. It will be a big lift to their morale if you can spare the space to publish them." —Grace Corners, Auburn.
HUNTING RULES BY CHILDREN 1. Wear bright clothes, and in good condition, not tattered clothing. 2. Take out bullets before putting any gun under a fence. 3. Never cock a gun until you are ready to shoot. 4. Never have a loaded gun in a car. 5. Do not point any kind of gun at anyone. 6. Make sure you know what you are shooting at. 7. Shoot outside of any city limits. 8. Have permission from the farmer to hunt on his land. 9. Hunt only when the season is open. 10. Hunt only in daylight hours. 11. Children should hunt only with adults. 12. Children should stay close to adult hunter.FAST RESPONSE —"I am sure you must remember me. Sometime ago I wrote to you for some information on your state capitol. It came at once. A few other students were chosen to write letters to other state capitols, but I was first to receive mine. In fact, it came before I even had a reply from the Chamber of Commerce right here in Atlanta." — Anna Maribona, Atlanta, Georgia.
GUYS AND GUNS-"Today I got another one of the NEBRASKAland Magazines. It always goes for top reading in our shop. Some of the guys read it before I do, they like it so much. It starts them talking about guns, rabbit hunting, and such. We even talked my chief into forming a gun club."-Stan A. Henseleit, AMS-3, Patrol Squadron, Philippine Islands.
BEER CANS AT MERRITT DAM- Four senior Girl Scouts from Valentine, working with their leader, Eva Tyler, in the Merritt Dam area picked up 2,000 beer cans one evening and 2,250 the next day. The girls, who were Nadine Fischer, Rosita Bloom, Carol Cumbow, and Carolyn West, wanted to earn money for a summer trip to Minnesota. Lynn Colburn of the Colburn Tire Shop wanted the cans picked up so he paid the girls 1 cent a can. Colburn hopes this removal of litter will help keep Merritt Dam one of the show places of NEBRASKAland." — Valentine Newspaper, Valentine.
HENHOUSE SKUNK-"We had seen a white skunk around for several weeks. Then one day Alan, my son, saw him slip under a steel culvert. He put Sherry, his sister, to watching while he came home for more help.
"Hey, Dad, I've got your white skunk," he shouted as he came through the door of the house.
"Not with you, I hope," I said to myself.
"Next came the problem of getting him out of the culvert. Mother's picnic basket worked like a trap. Alan at one end with a stick and I on the other with the basket. Anyone can guess who had to carry him home in the basket while the rest rode in the car.
"Living quarters came next. We lined a crate with wire mesh and used a five-gallon oil can with the bottom removed for a hide-out, nailing it to the end of the crate. Then to make it seem home-like, we thought it should be dug into the ground. That was a mistake. He spent the night pulling dirt into the crate until he barely had room to move. So we removed his house from underground and placed it in the shade.
"By turns we caught grasshoppers for his breakfast and gave him fresh cow's milk to drink. After this we transferred his crate and all to the chicken house. He really has not skunked up much as yet. Perhaps his age and inexperience are in our favor.
"Now we are undecided whether to kill him and mount him, sell him to a zoo, or keep him and have him descented. We are taking guests for ranch vacations and may keep him as a pet.
"One thing for sure, however, the Harris family will be sporting a new picnic basket come next spring." — Sherman W. Harris, Rushville.
MYSTERY HOUSE-"In the July 1966 NEBRASKAland, you published an article, THIS OLD HOUSE, and mentioned the house at 19th and D streets in Lincoln which was supposed to have been built and occupied by General John J. Pershing of AEF fame. You wrote that no proof substantiated the claim.
Follow the wild animals that made these tracks! See how they live, hunt, hide, train their young. All in these LIVING WORLD BOOKS The tracks pictured above are made by a raccoon and a deer. You'll find them and the whole story of each animal, observed and photographed in the wilds, in Living World Books. Each of these celebrated books deals with a single species, observed throughout the entire year. Habits and habitat are fully described and illustrated in each book with 100 spectacular photos. Order on the money-back coupon.
"It is actually the Whedon House and here is some information on it. You are welcome to use it." —R. D. Scott, Lincoln
The red-stone house at 1845 D Street was built about 1891 by Captain Rolo Phillips of the Burlington Railroad. The stone was shipped from Colorado. The house had three floors and a full basement, and a tile roof with copper gutters and downspouts.
For 15 years, the Whedon hom was the center of activity. The Whedon family had five children. Mr. Whedon kept his horses and carriages in the carriage house, and entertained his many friends, including General Pershing and other prominent personalities. The ballroom was used for sorority dances.
After Mrs. Whedon died in 1910, and Mr. Whedon in 1913, some members of the family lived on in the house a few years. During the First World War, it was sold to the Jessee Strode family for $25,000. The Strodes only lived there a short time. Now the house is occupied by a university fraternity and the carriage house has been converted into an apartment building.
FISH BAIT —"Please, if you can find space in NEBRASKAland publish a piece on the raising of night crawlers. I am interested in producing my own worms to take on my fishing trips." —Joseph Travincek, Omaha.
We have a story on worm culture in this issue of NEBRASKAland—Editor
A-HUNTING SHE WOULD GO- I thought you might be interested in this story about a hunting grandmother. Lillie Bermoud of Grand Island waited for some weeks for her grandson to take her hunting. He was not able to take her, so she decided to go by herself. She bagged two roosters and one grouse." — H. W. Dennis, Omaha.
COLOR APPRECIATION-"As a service-man overseas trying to explain what my home state is like I have found copies of your magazine invaluable. The color 'center spread' will rival anything "Playboy" can put out for pure beauty." — Thomas D. McMurtry, Taiwan, China.
PARI SI EN VIEW-"Hunting is an interesting sport and the U.S.A. is the Paradise of the hunters and fishermen. But I am not a hunter or fisherman, and I wonder why kill all those animals? When I visited the states two years ago, making a trip of 25,000 miles in the West including Omaha and Alaska, I went in your National Parks; Yellowstone and Yosemite. They were marvelous. When I saw grizzlies, buffalo, and other animals in liberty in the parks, it was for me a magnificent souvenir. Why in NEBRASKAland do you give so much space to hunting and fishing?
"I do appreciate articles such as 'Notes on Nebraska Fauna'. The text is very good and the illustrations perfect.
"As a Western Writer of France, I am also an active member of the Western Writers of America, I am interested in articles on the history of the West. I enjoy articles on the old time in Nebraska. Why do you not publish a large group of photos and a large article on the U.P. Museum in Nebraska? Please give us some more historical articles."-George Fronval, Paris, France.
See our January issue. It has 20 historical articles. — Editor
6 NEBRASKAlandBACKYARD FARMER
Corral ourself a whole season of fishing fun with some easy-to-raise night crawlers by Allan M. SicksTHE CITIZENS of the town returned the fire of the bank robbers, and in an instant the Dalton gang ceased to be. "Just another Saturday night movie," was one of the comments I heard as I turned off the television set. It had been a boring night and as we got ready to leave the lodge, someone suggested going fishing the next morning. After a heated discussion, the three of us decided to try the lake south of town, and then the question of bait popped up. The lake had a good reputation for bluegill, and since I've always had good luck with night crawlers I mentioned that we ought to give them a try. My friends agreed and since it was my idea, they appointed me procurer of the bait. The next morning, I drove over to the bait shop only to find it closed. We were forced to use artificial lures and I was quite disappointed at the outcome of the fishing trip. I bombed out!
This dependence on outside sources for such a prosaic item as fishworms bugged me all week, so I decided to look into the possibilities of raising them. After some inquiry, I learned that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service puts out a free leaflet, FL-23, on worm culture. I got hold of one and followed its recommendations.
First of all I needed a box, or "bed" as the pros call it, of special construction, and since I was going by the book I decided to follow the leaflet's recommendations to the letter. I scrounged around the garage for some old lumber and shaped it into a bed 3% feet long by 2% feet wide by 18 inches deep. 1 ien I had MARCH, 1967 to decide if I wanted to put my "corral", as I called it, in the basement or outside the house. If I put it outside the house, it would require an area in complete shade, because this type of livestock doesn't thrive on range that receives lots of sunshine. A roof was needed over the corral to keep rain from ruining my chances of becoming a successful rancher.
Wherever I decided to put the corral, I would have to make sure that the inhabitants would not be bothered by mice, rats, ants, and other pests that might stop in for a good meal. Larger pests could be detoured from the area by covering the top with wire screen, and the leaflet stated that several insecticides are available to take care of the smaller beasts. I also thought it best to elevate the whole thing so my wiggling worms would have some ventilation. This helps to keep the wood from rotting since the culture material must be watered several times a week. I finally settled on a basement location.
After building the bed I stopped in at the local feed store and picked up some culture material. This consisted of one part manure, one part screened topsoil, and one part peat moss. My leaflet stated that cornmeal should be added to provide enough carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to keep the worms healthy. It should be added at about one-half pound for each cubic foot of filler material. It was recommended that a layer of alfalfa be placed in the bottom of the corral to improve drainage, and to keep the material from sticking to the boards. Two-thirds of the culture material should be placed on top of the alfalfa. This setup will accommodate about 500 night crawlers and after scrounging about I bought mine from a bait dealer. After the worms had a chance to spread throughout the range, I added the rest of the filler material. Supplementary food for the worms consisted of five pounds of rabbit food, one pound of soybean meal, and a pound of sugar. This whole mixture was watered two or three times a week. The culture material must be kept moist but not soggy. Too much water will kill the squirmers.
I didn't have to worry about males and females when I bought the worms because they are hermaphroditic —both sexes are found in one individual. About three weeks later I noticed small brown egg cases in the culture material, and realized it was time to move the adult worms to another corral. Dumping the entire mixture on the ground I raked it into a cone-shaped pile. After waiting several minutes for the worms to work to the bottom of the pile I started sorting the egg cases out of the upper part of the mixture. I transferred these to the original corral and placed the breeding stock in a new one. The egg cases would not be ready for harvesting for about 60 to 90 days, but in the meantime I had plenty of night crawlers for bait.
The next time my buddies suggested that we try the lake south of town, I was Allan on the spot with the bait. My friends were a bit surprised when I told them that we were going to use my own private stock.
THE END MARCH, 1967 7
MARCH ROUNDUP
Any month with this much prestige has the right to come in like a lion. Centennial celebration gets a grand kickoffWEATHER-WISE March may make the scene like a lamb but activity-wise it's going to be roaring like an African lion. March 1 is the official kick-off date for the Nebraska Centennial, the one-hundredth anniversary of a great state. Plans for many of the events are still in the tentative stage but a gigantic birthday dinner in Lincoln is almost firmed up. County and city festivities are scheduled to coincide with the official ceremonies in the Capital City.
March 1 isn't exactly New Years Day but for Nebraskans it will be a reasonable facsimile for it isn't every day that a state can celebrate being 100 years young.
Townsend Studio, Lincoln's oldest business still operating in its original building, will open its gallery of old pictures, March 1. Selected from the studio collection which dates back to 1895, the gallery will include pictures of prominent Nebraskans, buildings, and scenes from the past 72 years.
Nelson adds a Centennial Ball to the March 1 agenda, while Wallace residents will get an early start with a Centennial breakfast. Ainsworth mixes tunes and tools with its "Sand Hills' Serenade" Musical and Old Fashioned Bargain Day also on March 1.
Religious Sunday on March 5, heads up a week of spiritual observances, culminating with special services in all of the churches on March 12.
Pablo Casals, world famous conductor, will open the Omaha observance of the Centennial on March 5. Mr. Casals with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus and five internationally known soloists will present the cantata, "El Pesebre," (The Manger). On March 9, the Omaha Symphony Orchestra will present Arthur Rubinstein in piano concert.
Centennial activities will be joined by a host of regular March events. High school basketball ends the 1967 season with the State Basketball Tournaments March 9 through 11. Omaha hosts the Class A teams while Class B, C, and D games will be held in Lincoln.
University of Nebraska Theatre will present Brendan Behan's play, "The 8 Hostage" on March 3 and 4 and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot" on March 10 and 11. The Nebraska Union will present guitarist Sabicas on March 9.
March 17, St. Patrick's Day, is going to be remembered for a long time by Nebraskans. The big celebration will be headquartered in O'Neill, but every town in the state plans to put a little extra effort into celebrating the "wearin' of the green".
Man's reliance on the lunar time table to set important dates will be the subject of the "Easter in the Heavens" sky show at Ralph Mueller Planetarium in Lincoln from March 1 through 27.
From Ainsworth's "Sand Hills' Serenade" to the Irish St. Patrick's celebrations, this month's activities will give a memorable kick-off to the Nebraska Centennial year.
THE END WHAT TO DO 1 —Centennial Kick-off Ceremonies, Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln 1—Unveiling of the Commemorative Stamp, Lincoln l-"Sand Hills' Serenade" Musical and Old Fashioned Bargain Day, Ainsworth 1 —Centennial Birthday Ball, Nelson 1 — Centennial Kick-off Breakfast, Wallace 1 -Townsend Studio Gallery showing of old pictures, open all year, Lincoln 1-Webster County Historical Show, Red Cloud 1 - Each county will have Centennial kick-off ceremonies 1-26-"Easter in the Heavens", Mueller Planetarium, Lincoln 2-Class A-2 Basketball Tournament, Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln 2-4-Spring Production by Midland Players, Fremont 3 — Iowa State Singers Concert, Omaha 3-"The Burmese Harp", Sheldon Art Gallery, Lincoln 3-4-State Gymnastics Meet, Lincoln High School, Lincoln 3-4-State Debate Tournament, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 3-4, 17-18-"The Hostage", University of Nebraska, Lincoln 3-12-Nebraska Wesleyan University Musical Tours of State, Lincoln 4-Film-lecture, "Switzerland", Union College, Lincoln 4-Films for Children, Sheldon Art Gallery, Lincoln 5-Columbus Boys Choir, Hastings 5-Square Dance Festival, Civic Auditorium, Omaha 5 — Laurel and Hardy Short Films. Sheldon Art Gallery, Lincoln 5 — Centennial Talent Show, Stuart 5 —Centennial Religious Sunday, statewide 6 —Pablo Casals' Concert, Music Hall, Omaha 6 —James Day Concert, Midland College, Fremont 6-"Gold and Fizdale" Concert, Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln 6 —Symphony Concert, Civic Auditorium, Omaha 7 — Symphony Concert, Stuart Theatre, Lincoln 8-11 —"Romeo and Juliet", Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln 9 —Arthur Rubinstein Concert, Music Hall, Omaha 9-Playhouse Opera, "The Ballad of Baby Doe", Omaha 9-11 —Omaha University Theatre, Omaha 9-11 —Class A State Basketball Tournament, Omaha 9-11-Classes B, C, and D State Basketball Tournament, Lincoln 9 —Sabicas, Nebraska Union, Lincoln 10-"Ikiru", Midland College, Fremont 10-11-"Waiting for Godot", University of Nebraska, Lincoln 11 —"La Dolce Vita", Midland College, Fremont 12 —Boston Balsam, Droll-Heifitz Trio, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha 13-"Ranch Life and Wildlife", Love Library Auditorium, Lincoln 14 —Orchestra Concert, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln 14 —First Chamber Dance Quartet, Nebraska Union, Lincoln 16-18 —Model United Nations, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln 16 —Spring Dramatic Club Production, Peru 16 —University Orchestra Spring Concert, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 17-19 —St. Patrick's Day Centennial Celebration, O'Neill (Continued on page 53) 8 NEBRASKAland
THE NOTORIOUS "DOC" MIDDLETON
Rumor of Pine Ridge hideout sparks a search for truth behind crumbling ruins by Bob SnowIT WAS A trick of the imagination, a product of the Indian summer haze, and a Western mirage of the sunbaked hills, but as I stood beside the tumbled building, I sensed D. C. "Doc" Middleton's presence. He was there, older now, his once-steady gun hand palsied by age, and his cold brown eyes dimmer. But he was there, Nebraska's most famous or infamous outlaw.
The shimmering shade of the old renegade seemed to be listening to the whisperings of the pines, telling about a man who looked more like a minister than an outlaw.
An excited shriek broke the spell and Doc was gone. I turned in time to see Ron Rawalt pawing through the loose dirt. Trimuphantly, my 17-year-old companion held up an old rimfire cartridge, a possible relic of Doc's outlaw past.
Doris Rawalt and her son Ron, and Bobby and Susan Powell of Chadron heard about Doc Middleton's hideout while on an earlier Pine Ridge excursion to Whiskey Cave and the Spanish Carvings. I was on that jeep trip and when they asked me to go on this one I jumped at the chance.
Doc Middleton was the "King of Horse Thieves," but even though he became a Nebraska legend, mystery surrounds his life and actual deeds. Just about everyone in the Pine Ridge can tell a story or two about the famous outlaw, and a few old-timers are around who knew him. It is claimed that Doc left an account of his life, but so far no one has come up with it. Those who knew him say he could be trusted as long as horses weren't involved.
In delving into a legendary figure's past, it is often hard to sort the truth from just plain story telling. But after you talk to enough people, and hear enough stories, a truer picture emerges.
No one really knows where Middleton hailed from or when he found his way into Nebraska. But stories indicate that he came up from Texas as a cowhand after he killed a man in a gunfight there.
It is believed that Middleton's Nebraska career got its start in Sidney. Doc was a gambler and one night in a saloon, a soldier from Fort Sidney decided to make mincemeat out of the 5-foot, 10-inch man. Middleton, who had neglected to check his guns at the door, drew his pistol, fired, and killed the soldier. He rode out of Sidney with the law close behind and into Western history as a badman.
Now, our group was going to retrace a part of that history. Doc's supposed hideout is 10 miles west of Fort Robinson and about 1 1/2 miles south of U.S. Highway 20 as the ravens fly, but about 2 1/2 to 3 miles by jeep trail. It is located on private land so we asked Harold McDowell, the owner, for permission to visit the site. He granted it and offered to serve as guide, a real favor since every trail looked like every other one to us. There is only one leading to Doc's hideaway.
Deep ruts and loose sand and dirt made the going rough, but Ron's jeep was equal to the job. Just before I got seasick from the rolling and pitching ride, Harold pointed to a pine-studded hill and said we were close. We stopped at the crest of the hill of the White River Valley and then piled out of the jeep.
Harold told us that we were only 30 yards away from the ruins of the house, yet it was difficult to see. Bobby and Susan ducked under a barbed wire fence and followed a small path leading to the ruins.
At first the site's picturesque beauty held us, but when Harold mentioned he had picked up a few relics around the place we turned souvenir hunters.
The hideout, built of native stone, has crumbled with the years. But it came alive again as we prowled through the ruins, trying to reconstruct its past, each in our own way.
A door frame and almost the entire west wall are standing, but the back and front walls for the most part have fallen down. The northeast corner of the wall peaks to a height of about five feet and then slopes to ground level. The floor must have been hard-packed earth at one time, but now yucca, bushes, and grass have gained a foothold. In one corner there is a stone fire pit.
Harold showed us a large stone cistern in front of the house and another smaller one to the west. With an abundance of stone in the area, the builder had constructed a stone terrace around the house, making a level front and side yard. But the terrace, too, was crumbling away.
Harold had some stories about the house and Middleton, so he began to tell us why he thought the site was one of the famed outlaw's hideouts.
From the stone house you can see for miles to the south. It made a perfect observation point for spotting the approach of a posse of lawmen or a group of angry ranchers. To the east, a tall bluff forms a lookout to the east, north, and south. To the west is a deep canyon where a guard could set up an excellent vantage point.
MARCH, 1967 11
According to Harold there were seven trails leading to the hideout. If a posse was coming up one trail, Middleton's gang, called the Pony Boys, could beat a hasty and undetected retreat down another. If the horse thieves wanted to fight, three or four men with rifles could hold off a posse for days from the strategically placed house.
Harold's description and the awesome beauty of the place created the image of old Doc himself, but after Ron made his find I shook off the spell and started doing some serious souvenir hunting on my own.
Square-headed nails were common, and we all found our share. As I scraped the dirt away from an undercut in the hill, I uncovered a cartridge case and an old button with a military emblem on it. The empty shell might have been dropped by a deer hunter, but I like to think it once belonged to Doc. Anyway, I had some suitable take-home relics.
As I examined the button, an earlier story of Harold's came to mind. Doc was a shrewd operator and knew a good piece of horseflesh when he saw it. Middleton was daring, but not a fool. Horses at Fort Robinson were the finest of breeds, especially the officers' horses, but Doc knew he couldn't steal them, so he did the second best thing. He bribed the grooms with whiskey, and got them to bring some of the finest stallions in the fort to mate with his mares.
We wanted to be back in Chadron by dark, so reluctantly we decided to head back. Our cache of souvenirs included a military button, two cartridge cases, a battered, but still recognizable leaden bullet, square-headed nails, a top to an old medicine bottle, part of a shaving mug, a stove frame with the date 1889 etched on it, and various pieces of colored glass. The place and the relics whetted my desire to know more about Middleton and his day.
Two weeks later I was back in the area on a free weekend to delve into the man's past. Some oldsters seemed to feel that the old stone house overlooking the White River Valley was not Doc Middleton's, others claimed it most definitely was. There was a mystery to solve and the only way to solve it was to talk to more people, and do a lot more reading. By looking at the man's past and his habits, I figured I'd be able to satisfy myself one way or the other.
12 NEBRASKAlandMiddleton was definitely an organizer and after the shooting incident in Sidney, he began to gather a gang of some of the toughest men to be found in Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Among its more famous members were Kid Wade, eventually hanged for horse stealing, "Little Joe" Johnson, and "Black Jack" Nolan. In 1877, the gang started to gain a reputation for lawlessness.
Doc claimed that he stole only from Indians, and occasionally a rancher. But as his fame grew, every missing horse and cow was blamed on the gang. Middleton was making such a name for himself that drovers were first warned of the horse and cattle thief, and then told about the Indians, water holes, the violent storms, and other perils that might beset their herds.
Cattlemen took steps to stop Middleton's gang by offering a reward of $1,000 for the outlaw's capture. Bounty hunters began to comb the hills looking for members of the gang and clues to Doc's whereabouts.
In May of 1879, William Henry Harrison Llewellyn, a James West for the U.S. Department of Justice, was assigned to the case. About the same time a detective for the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association named Lykens and another detective named Hazen started to track down the outlaw.
Even with bounty hunters and special detectives combing the hills, Middleton's gang struck with constant regularity. Doc had a dozen or more hideouts spread over Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. After every raid, horses, cattle, and men would simply disappear.
Some people say Doc wouldn't have gone to the trouble of building a stone fortress and a terrace. But a man who would dig a 300-foot tunnel from the Cams Post Office to an underground stable, is capable of building anything.
It is pretty evident that Doc and the boys were making a buck or two from their forays. Businessmen and ranchers were more than willing to buy stolen horses to make a quick profit and they weren't too concerned about bills of sale. Middleton supposedly had a ranch near Rushville, but its hardly likely that he kept stolen horses there. The evidence would be too easy to gather. The little valley behind the old stone house could have made an ideal holding pasture for his stock.
The well-concealed house and its location in the Pine Ridge are other indications that the stone structure might have been his headquarters. Middleton admitted he did steal horses from the Indians. In the 1870's, Indians were forever coming in and out of Fort Robinson. If Doc was stealing from Indians it seems that he would pick a spot close enough to the fort to do some stealing, but far enough away to be safe.
The Pine Ridge site is centrally located for possible raids into Wyoming and South Dakota, and when it came to boundaries Doc wasn't partisan.
The law finally did catch up to Doc when Llewellyn tricked the outlaw into a deadly ambush. The government detective offered an almost assured pardon from Governor Albinus Nance of Nebraska if the famed horse thief would give up. Something highly unlikely in the day of hemp-rope justice.
Llewellyn arranged a meeting with Doc to talk over the possible surrender. Before reaching the hangout the detective put Lykens in some underbrush next to the trail with orders to shoot Doc when they came by.
Llewellyn arranged a meeting with Doc to talk over the possible surrender. Before reaching the hangout the detective put Lykens in some underbrush next to the trail with orders to shoot Doc when they came by.
MARCH, 1967 13
"KA-RONK"
by Chuck Davidson One-word aria of haughty honker is Pied Piper's music for Mike Dutko and two tagalongsMIKE DUTKO was doing his best to sweet talk the Canadas down but they were wary. They made their sweep, high and far from our blind, circled the decoys, and then as if on command made their decision. They were coming in. Mike's reach for his shotgun was conditioned reflex as the big birds cupped their wings and spilled toward the decoys. The hunter came up in the blind, his 12-gauge autoloader leveling at the closest bird. He slapped the trigger and only the click of the firing pin snapped the electric tension.
Quickly, the surprised hunter racked out the defective hull and swung anew on the now-startled birds. This time the trigger slap was followed by a satisfying boom. A climbing goose folded up, and then started that last, long slant.
"First one," Mike breathed, "one to go."
Three of us were on a Platte Valley honker hunt on a day, so cold and rough that most sensible men were content to stay home by the fire. Yet, it was a fine day for goose hunting and that's what we were doing. At least, Mike was hunting, we were just along to watch him practice his craft.
14 NEBRASKAlandSteve Katula, a NEBRASKAland photographer, and I had made arrangements with Mike to go on a goose hunt, but with one thing and another cropping up, we never got around to it until December 3, 1966. I'm a regional information and tourist representative of the Nebraska Game Commission, headquartered in Alliance, while Mike operates a service station in Lisco, Nebraska. His town is a jump-off point for some of the finest Canada hunting on the Central Flyway.
Mike is a dyed-in-the-wool goose hunter. He claims that no other hunting can match it for thrills and satisfaction. In his (Continued on page 53)
THE MARTIN INCIDENT
Sioux rampage leaves two for dead but Doniphan children survive by miracle by Warren SpencerFOR GEORGE MARTIN and his sons, Henry Nathaniel, better known as Nate, and Bob, that summer morning in 1864 was no different from most of the rest. There was plenty of work to do around their Doniphan homestead and they were out to see that it got done. There was a rumor that the Sioux were kicking up a ruckus in the west, farther up the Little Blue River. But it was nice and peaceful on the Martin homestead and there seemed little chance that it was going to change.
The Martins were perhaps a bit better off than most of the settlers in the neighborhood in that they always had plenty to eat and plenty of horses for their work. Still, it was haying time and well to do or not, the Martins had a lot of cutting to be done.
The Martins were perhaps a bit better off than most of the settlers in the neighborhood in that they always had plenty to eat and plenty of horses for their work. Still, it was haying time and well to do or not, the Martins had a lot of cutting to be done.
In the field west of the house, the elder Martin untied the team he had been leading behind the buck-board and hitched the horses to his mower. Climbing aboard the machine he started around the field while the boys prepared to rake and haul the cuttings. They tied the mare they had ridden to the field behind the wagon and started out behind their father. All morning they made steady trips between farmyard and field. At noon they broke for dinner.
Shortly after noon the tempo of the day began to change. A mounted band of about nine Sioux warriors appeared on a hill overlooking the field. While they caused the farmers a bit of worry because of the news from up river, they were certainly nothing to run from. Seeing Indians was nothing new to the Martins since there were often hunting parties and small bands passing through. But these Indians didn t move. For a long time they stayed on the hill, just sitting and watching.
Suddenly, the Sioux whipped their ponies to a gallop and whooping at the top of their lungs, came charging down into the meadow. George was the first to break and run. He was off the mower and in the waiting buckboard before the first arrows whizzed by.
Yelling to the boys to get to the house, he headed his horse for home, driving like the devil was after him.
Both the boys scrambled off their wagon and leaped atop the trailing horse. But as they swung around and headed for the house, the Indians cut across until they were between the pair and safety. Bob was up front of his brother and as the Sioux moved into position, he pulled the horse off course, heading away from the warriors.
One brave was within range by now and let go with an arrow. The boys' luck held and the next shots went as wide as the first. But the worst was yet to come.
Sensing that her colt was in danger at the house, the mare took it in her head to make a dash to its aid. There was nothing that the boys could do but hang on and keep low. As they charged toward the waiting Indians, the air filled with arrows. All were as ineffective as the first volley until the boys were past the band. Then one of the shafts caught Nate in the right elbow, sliced through the skin and lodged between the bones. Another slammed into his back just below the right shoulder blade, punctured his right lung, and sped on through his body to imbed itself in Bob's spine, pinning the boys together. Both riders began to slump as a third arrow knifed through Nate's leg and buried itself in Bob's thigh.
With their mount running full tilt, the youngsters fought to stay aboard, but soon the loss of blood and intense pain became too much. They slipped from the animal, the arrows tearing loose from Bob's body as the two brothers crashed to the prairie.
Immediately their attackers were on them. The Indians were sure that Nate was dead. No one could live with the wounds he had, an arrow piercing clean through his body. But they were not so sure about Bob. Leaping on him, they beat him severely about the head to make sure that he was dead. One of the braves suggested that they collect a couple of scalps, but another cut the idea short, saying there was no honor in scalping children.
From atop the wagon seat, George snatched glimpses of the horrible ordeal. He was sure that both of his sons were dead, so he rushed on to the house to pick up the rest of his family and get them to safety as fast as he could. Mrs. Martin and the other three Martin children, Anne, Hepzibal, and William, were waiting when he arrived, and a minute later they were hightailing it for Fort Kearny.
16 NEBRASKAlandNone of the Martins could see the Indians now, but they pushed on to put as much distance as they could between them and their attackers before the horses tired. A few hours out of Doniphan they met an east-bound bull train. The temptation to return to the homestead was too much to resist, in spite of the horror they feared awaited them. George and his family joined the train and returned home.
When they arrived, they found the place a shambles. Personal belongings were strewn across the yard and pieces of furniture were shattered and thrown about. The house had been gutted as the rampaging warriors took what they wanted and destroyed the rest.
But the biggest shock came when the family entered the barn. There, lying on a makeshift bed, were the two brothers, badly mutilated, but alive. The Indians had left them for dead on the prairie, but they had regained consciousness and pulled themselves toward the homestead and safety. The pain was almost unbearable, but somehow they made it into the barn before they collapsed.
The family felt great joy at seeing the two boys alive, but it was clear that Nate and Bob needed help quickly. They were stubbornly clinging to life, but they couldn't hold out much longer. They needed a doctor's help immediately, but the nearest competent M.D. was in Nebraska City and it would take a week to reach him. Mrs. Martin and the two girls did what they could for the boys while Mr. Martin hitched up the team and made the wagon bed as comfortable as possible for the risky journey. The parents did not know if their sons would survive the trip, but the goal seemed worth the risk.
Mrs. Martin sat behind her husband and nursed the boys as they bounced over the plains. The injured boys suffered terribly at each jolt. Even though the party made it halfway, they finally decided to turn back. Nate and Bob were suffering such pain and discomfort that the Martins were sure neither of the boys could survive.
It seems only logical that they would have gone on once they reached the halfway point in their trek. But, perhaps the boys would have never made it had they gone on. Anyway, the parents' wisdom in turning back paid off. At home and under the constant vigil of the family, both boys began to mend. It was a long, hard ordeal, but the boys proved worthy of their parents' care. Although weak for quite a while, both Nate and Bob recovered almost complete health. For 36 years Bob led a relatively normal life but in the end the wound killed him. In later years it developed into spinal meningitis.
Nate took over the family farm after his father died and stayed until his retirement. Then he moved to Hastings, but the memory of his 1864 ordeal stayed with him. He delighted in showing the arrows to friends and relatives. Civic organizations and clubs often called on Nate to tell of his adventure, and display his arrows.
On June 27, 1928, Nate Martin died. But unlike most men, his story did not follow him to the grave. His cherished arrows were given to the Hastings House of Yesterday where they remain on exhibit, recalling a dangerous past. In 1965, a marker was erected on the spot where the boys were left for dead. Both Martin boys are gone but not forgotten, for their story will live on and on, as long as Nebraskans honor their frontier heritage.
THE END MARCH, 1967 17
BURCHARD "BASS" MASTER"
by Chuck Davidson Persistence, know-how turn teacher's angling trips into string of award winnersTHERE'S NO doubt about it, Gary Nickels is a master angler when it comes to enticing lunker largemouths out of heavily fished Burchard Lake. Gary, a Beatrice, Nebraska school teacher, earned five Master Angler Awards for bass in 1966 and all of them came out of Burchard. That's a mighty proud accomplishment, since a largemouth has to weigh five pounds or more to be eligible for the Nebraska Game Commission's Master Angler Award.
I first heard about Gary and his fishing abilities when his third affidavit for a lunker largemouth hit my desk. I'm a regional Information and Tourism representative for the Nebraska Game Commission, and was stationed in Lincoln when Gary went on his big fish binge.
One or two award-winning fish can be an accident because even anglers get lucky sometimes, but when three come in from the same man, you can figure he's a lot more than just a lucky worm dunker. I didn't lose any time contacting Gary to find out what he had going for him and he didn't lose any time showing me.
On our second fishing session, he latched onto and landed a 5-pound, 9 1/2-ounce bass to win his fourth award. Later in the summer, he took a fifth bass to wind up his year of the big fish.
It was late June and hotter than blazes when Gary caught No. 4 and he made it look downright easy. He warmed up with several small bass including a three-pounder and then he settled down for some hard-nosed fishing to catch Mr. Big and another angling certificate.
The Beatrice art teacher and I were fishing from a boat and giving the mossy shallows a good play when the bass nosed up through the weeds and smacked Gary's "popper". Once the lunker felt the steel, he made one leap and then bored into the greenery, hoping to snub the leader and break away. But his opponent was a veteran and checkmated the fish's every move. It was a good scrap while it lasted but the school teacher's 7 1/2-foot fiber glass rod had backbone enough to horse the bass when it had to. An eight-pound-test leader was strong enough to take the shock of the maddened fish and still light enough to add plenty of suspense to the battle.
As I watched Gary, I realized that here was a craftsman at work — a man who understood fishing in general and bass fishing in particular. He played it cool and it wasn't very long before the big bass was netted and on the stringer.
After the excitement waned a bit, I went after some secondhand information and experience with a netful of questions.
'You called that lure a 'popper', but it really isn't a popper, just what is it?" I queried.
"No, its actually a L and S jointed top-water lure and it imitates a crippled minnow. I prefer a
"How come you work it so fast?" I came back.
"Burchard Lake is usually rippled, because we seem to have an eternal wind down here, so I have to move the lure fast to get a popping action out of it and disturb the surface enough to attract a fish. They're pretty sophisticated at this time of the year and you have to make enough commotion to let them know you're around.
The master angler held up the lure and pointed to the front treble. Only one hook was left and it rode up, making the lure practically weedless.
"Most bass strike short anyway and are caught by the trailing hooks," he explained. "By eliminating some of the hooks, I cut the risk of hang ups by about half. Also, my method of casting along the edge of the moss rather than into it helps some. Still, you've got to fish where the fish are."
Although Gary likes the "popper", he doesn't use it all of the time. Early in the season, he fishes with purple crawlers which are specially made. Their hooks are small and he fishes them without a weight. He casts them right into the weeds and moss and more or less skitters them to fool big fish. Last year he took two award-winning bass on crawlers, one a 6-pound, 12-ounce monster, the other, a 5-pound, 6-ouncer. His third lunker succumbed to a red-and-white spoon.
I examined Gary's boat as we talked. It is a 12-foot, flat-bottomed, aluminim craft, and has a high orange-colored chair in place of one seat. As I looked at the boat, I realized it was almost perfect craft for fishing.
"That chair gives the fisherman better visibility. From up there you can see snags, moss, hidden logs, and other likely looking bass covers," Gary said.
Gary's anchors are old window weights that are manipulated by a pulley and cinch arrangement in the boat. Gary pointed out that they were free, effective, and weedless. A 3.9 horsepower outboard completes the outfit.
My companion has a pretty good system going for him during the summer. He works as a summer ranger at the Homestead National Monument and has Mondays and Tuesdays off.
"It works out just right," he said. "I miss the big weekend crush at Burchard and fish the first of the week. Generally, I have the lake pretty much to myself and can concentrate on fishing. Tempting big bass is a patient process and it doesn't take much to spook them, so the fewer disturburances the better."
Gary knows the lake real well and was in a talkative mood, so I got a verbal "cook's" tour of the lake from him. He told me that Burchard was an artificial lake formed by a rock-fill dam that backs the water up in a 160-acre spread. The lake has two arms that sprawl out in a rough V running east and west from the main pool. These arms often produce fine fish. Besides bass, Burchard has bluegill, northern pike, catfish, green sunfish, crappie, and bullhead. Close to the eastern Nebraska population centers, it is a favorite recreation spot of thousands.
20 NEBRASKAlandAt first glance, Burchard doesn't appear to be typical bass water. It hasn't a lot of shore line cover and there is only a scattering of trees in the lake itself, yet it harbors some fine bronze backs. Gary's five lunkers are proof.
I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of answers from my mentor but there was one thing that kept bugging me and finally I laid it on the line.
"You know the lake, you know your fishing gear, and it's obvious that you know how to catch big bass, but a lot of other anglers have all these attributes, too. Yet, you score consistently and other men don't. How do you explain that?" I asked.
"Elementary, my dear friend, elementary. Persistence, just plain old persistence. That's all it takes," the master angler replied.
Do you know what? I think he is right.
THE END
JIGSAW OF A MILL
by Bess Eileen Day It was too big to move to Verdigre in one piece, so villagers turned grinder into huge puzzle. Result is a symbol of pastA WINTER'S WORK, a giant jigsaw puzzle for the whole community, was what the old grist mill on Steel Creek became in 1961 to the citizens of Verdigre, Nebraska. The mill, all that was left when the hamlet of Pishelville vanished 40 years ago, once had stone burrs, wooden gears, and a huge water wheel.
Only the millhouse, the stone burrs, and parts of the handmade wooden gears remained to intrigue the Verdigre villagers. Many agreed that the old mill was interesting, but William R. Fosterman, a retired farmer, was the first to talk of the historical value of the mill to other members of the community. In 1957, he took Mrs. Fostermann, Mrs. Bessie Svoboda, and Stasie Pilar out to view the mill and study the possibility of preserving it.
Finally, Fosterman came up with the primary question: "How do you preserve something so big, it is too expensive to move in one piece?"
Edward S. Pavlik, then mayor of Verdigre, with a few others came up with the answer: "Take it all apart and move it in pieces."
So volunteers started in the fall and took the old mill apart, marking each piece to match the next. In this way, they made their pattern for reassembling all the separate units. When it was hauled into Verdigre to a plot of ground donated by the village, the old mill made seven truck loads.
Clearly it was a giant knocked-down puzzle, and Mayor Pavlik thought for sure it would remain only a pile of kindling, but he reckoned not on the industry of the Czech Alpiners. The Czech Alps is the humorous nickname the inhabitants of Verdigre have given their community because of its predominantly Czechoslovakian citizenry.
Once the reassembling got under way, the mill carried all the fascination of an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. A volunteer who had planned only to help for an evening was back the next day and the next, hunting for the adjacent matching piece. Altogether 158 members of the community donated time, money, and labor.
When the restoration was making substantial progress, a deadline for completion was set for July 8, 1962. Verdigre wanted the mill to be ready for exhibition on the date of its Diamond Jubilee, and it was. Hundreds of people from all over Knox County and other nearby counties went through the mill.
Those who had helped restore the mill, along with visitors, had the thrill of hearing its ancient works, with much squeaking, rumbling, and knocking, perform the familiar milling processes. They stood about, observing how marvelous it was that the primitive parts could effectively grind out flour and corn meal.
Interest in the mill's restoration and operation stirred naturally an interest in its history. Visitors are forever asking questions.
"You say stone burrs? What are they? Where did they come from?"
"The gears are wooden toothed? How do they work and how did they get here?"
"It had a water wheel? When was that and how was it shipped?"
So Fosterman, Pavlik, and others involved in the restoration collected some historical answers. The mill was one of the first stone-burr mills built in Nebraska. It was erected in 1878 on Steel Creek, west of Pishelville, by Vaclav J. Jilek who had been a miller in old Bohemia. Anton Pischel had seen the need for a flour mill in the area and invited Jilek to come over from the old country.
The stone burrs used in grinding are grooved circles of flint with steel collars. At one time it was believed they were bought from a mill built by Mormons that had burned down, but now the later information claims they came from a mill at Running Water, South Dakota. The wooden-toothed gears were handmade by a pioneer neighbor of Pischel's named Vac Dusek.
A mechanism that powered the flour sifter and other parts were shipped in from England. They came to Yankton, which was the nearest shipping point, and were loaded on a ferry and shipped by water up the Missouri and Niobrara rivers as far as the ferry could go. From the ferry they were hauled by oxen to the farm where Pischel built the dam. For timber he cut down large trees near the river and hauled them by oxen to the mill site. Pischel's neighbors who needed the mill helped him hew out the timber and construct the millhouse. Some of them walked as far as 14 miles to help with the work. They used mostly wooden pegs, dovetail joints, and wedges. Very few nails were used in the mill's construction.
At first the grist mill served the community well, but in time, since there was no other mill around, it proved insufficient to the needs of the abundant harvests. So Jilek sent back to Bohemia for a partner, Vincet Ellis, and built a more modern addition to it in 1885.
Rollers were shipped from Sioux City by boat and again transported by oxen. Jilek operated this improved mill for some years. In 1890 he sold the mill to Frank Tuch (Continued on page 56)
22 NEBRASKAland
SHUTTER BIRD
Lady doctor focuses on hobby that keeps her happy, busy, and brokeMY TONGUE was so far in my cheek that I looked like I had lockjaw when I went on my first bird-watching foray. I was living in New York City at the time and couldn't pursue my favorite hobbies of golf, mountain climbing, and camping. Bored stiff, I was ripe for anything that would get me out-of-doors for awhile. Still, I was pretty skeptical when a friend suggested I join her bird-watching group.
That was 12 years ago and since that time, Fve been firmly hooked by anything that wears feathers and flies. My luke-warm interest in ornithology became red-hot after that first trip. At first I was content to observe birds, but in time I turned to photographing them, a time-consuming and frustrating refinement that has kept me happy, busy, and broke for most of the last decade.
MARCH, 1967 25
Since coming to Nebraska and acquiring a car, I've been able to pursue my hobby to my heart's content, except for the little matter of making a living. I'm an associate professor at the University of Nebraska's College of Medicine in Omaha and my time gets a little crowded. But between evenings, weekends, and vacations, I manage to get in a lot of watching and a lot of shutter clicking.
Like every other photographer, I've always got my eye on better and more elaborate camera gear. By trial and error, I've come up with a pretty good outfit. It is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera with 300 and 500 mm lenses, a layout that represents a victory over my prudent self. For years, I struggled along with inferior equipment and was about convinced that bird photography was a waste of time and that it was much more fun just to watch the little rascals. After seeing the results of my work with the more expensive gear, I'm glad I didn't drop the photography bit.
Anybody who thinks bird photography is easy should have been along with me two years ago when a companion and I were on a bird-watching expedition to Halsey National Forest. We started around a perimeter road to find mountain bluebirds and pipits and I didn't pay much attention to the road. By the time I realized there weren't any tire tracks and that it was abominably slippery, I was committed.
My companion sat tight-lipped and silent as I skirted washout after washout and ground up grease-slick rises. Somehow I made 35 miles of treacherous going before bogging down 100 yards from the highway. There it was, no road at all on the right side and no way to get around.
You can't drive on air, so I sent my companion to the fire tower to telephone for help while I waited. I'm not at all good at doing nothing, so I got to thinking about a tiny plastic snow scoop that I had in the car.
"I'll just build a road," I said to myself.
Scoop by scoop I packed clay to make a path for my car's right wheels and finally, with more courage than good sense, I drove across my makeshift engineering without a hitch. Around the bend from the highway, a stout cable with a "Road Impassable" sign barred my way. I thought it was rather nice of them to tell me that the road was out, even if the message was a little belated. I got the cable down and drove right on through.
It took an hour to find my companion. She had panted up the tower, only to find it locked, so she hitched a ride back to the headquarters and talked them into sending out a truck. I caught up to her just as she set out to rescue me. I suppose I should have let her, because I think she was frustrated after her St. Bernard effort, but she is a good friend and forgave me.
Watching can get you into all kinds of situations because birds do the darnest things. Early in my bird watching career, I decided to work the prairie chickens' mating dance at Burchard Lake, east of Beatrice. I set up a blind, crawled in, and got ready to do some shutter clicking. One male bird tried to use the top of the blind to display his footwork. The whole blind vibrated to the tempo of thumping feet until I was sure that I was going to have a lapful of blind, camera, and love-sick prairie chicken. Finally, the dancer tired of the cloth surface and took off for more reverberatory surroundings. Another bird stuck his head in the blind and I think he was just as startled as I was. After a second or two of mutual astonishment, he withdrew, cackling furiously.
Prairie chickens have a penchant for staging their best performances before there is adequate light for photography. Also, I have a positive genius for picking murky, cloudy days to try my picture taking. Even so, I've got some good pictures that I prize as much for the memories they evoke as I do for their technical perfection. Last year was the year for me to get a picture of a long-billed marsh wren. I put on my waders, slipped camera and lenses into plastic bags and hung them around my neck. Gingerly, I stepped into the marsh and felt that sinking sensation as the mucky bottom reached for me. There were plenty of marsh wrens around but they wouldn't stay put long enough for me to manipulate a long lens into position to get a big image of a tiny bird. Before long, it became pretty evident that the wrens did not give a hang for photographers.
I was standing in mud up to my knees and water up to my hips and sinking all the time. After three hours of this, I was about ready for a snorkle when my scolding and harassed wren cooperated with an equally harassed photographer to give me a pretty good picture.
MARCH, 1967 27
I range the whole state for pictures when I can but when time gets shy, I work Fontenelle Forest, DeSoto Bend, and the Salt Valley areas around Lincoln. Of all my "hunting" grounds, Crescent Lake Wildlife Refuge is my favorite. Bird populations are high there and include such charmers as lark buntings, horned larks, vesper sparrows, eared grebes, and long-billed curlews.
Long-billed curlews have the Indian sign on me. I've never been able to get a picture of their nests. But I'm going to keep trying and sooner or later, I'll find one.
It is best to work from a blind, but that is not always possible. I've learned to work pretty well from my car, using the front-door window ledge to steady my camera. I drive around an area watching for birds with the camera pre-set and focused. When I spot a target, I take my foot off the accelerator, turn off the key, and let the drive train drag the car until I'm close enough to shoot. Practice has made me pretty adept at this. Still, I get an awful lot of going-away shots.
Sometimes I take a stool and tripod and set up in high weeds or cornstalks. I sit motionless and wait until I get a good picture. This is risky business when working with cranes or wild geese; make the tiniest After trial-and-error method, Dr. Tremaine selected 35 mm reflex camera for hobby movement and these elusive migrants will flare away, far out of camera range.
Twice each year I go mildly insane over the wild geese. There is something about seeing their skeins in the sky and the wild free sound of their passing that fills me with excitement. Perhaps it's the thought of all the miles they travel to the wild country of the north, or perhaps it's just envy of their free and unfettered lives that arouses my emotions, but I can't see one or a thousand without feeling an electric thrill.
I must have 300 pictures of wild geese but each migration finds me out trying for more. Each picture is different and there's always the challenge of trying to get close enough for "just one more". Spook distance for wild geese seems to be about 100 yards and you can't take good pictures at that distance. It becomes a battle of wits to try and outguess them. I try to pick a good spot for a blind or else pull a sneak through a ditch. I know from bitter experience how frustrating it must be to the sportsman who makes a good stalk, only to have the birds flare just out of gun range.
Wild geese of every kind always have a sentinel, a bird with an alert, stretched-up neck and head who keeps a wary eye out for interlopers. Once, he gives the word, the flock departs with a roar like an express train. Geese aren't wait-and-see types.
Some migrating shorebirds are pretty accommodating to the photographer. They will congregate at one particular lake or slough and return to it year after year. So, if I muff a chance at a good picture, I know that come next year, I'll get a second chance. The semi-palminated or least sandpipers are one of my favorites. How they can eat so much and so rapidly and still stay so small baffles me, but they do it. Diet-conscious women, including me, would give a pretty penny to know their secret of staying slim and trim.
Once in a while, I get half lucky. I was working around Valentine when I saw a Baltimore oriole hanging upside down on a barbed-wire fence. At first glance I thought he was caught, but he was feeding on some insects tangled in a spider web. It was a chance for a very unusual picture and I thought I had it made since the oriole didn't pay attention to me. But the rascal never stopped moving and fluttering as he picked away at the bugs. Try as I would, I couldn't get a picture without movement.
Bird watching and photography aren't without hazards, but even they are fun, afterwards. Pants get snagged on fences, feet get wet, skin turns jelly red from the sun, and flat tires are an almost daily occurrence when you do off-the-road exploring. But I wouldn't trade all the soft living in the world for my hobby.
If you want to join me and others in this fascinating game, contact your nearest ornithological group. In Nebraska, write to Roger Sharpe, University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln.
The Nebraska Ornithological Union is an active state-wide organization which holds two or three formal meetings a year with field trips as part of the programs. Additional spring and fall trips are held as well. We are happy to show out-of-staters our specialities, or welcome beginner or advanced in-staters.
I can't promise you a Lewis's woodpecker on a fence post along a busy highway or a once-in-a-lifetime picture of a short-eared owl, but I can promise you that bird watching is an exciting and rewarding outdoor sport every month of the year.
THE END 28 NEBRASKAland
THE OLD SODDY
by E. P. Hewitt In my colume of memories The pages contain, Much of sorrow and joy, Much of loss, much of gain. But non as I sit In the fast-fading light, Some scenes of my childhood Parade in my sight. I can see the old soddy, The scene of my birth, With its thick sturdy walls Made of freshly-turnd earth. Such a buffer, those walls, That in comfort we-d meet, Both Winter's fierce storm And Summer's blistering heat. It was rough on the outside But was spotless within With its well-plastered walls That were always kept clean. It was small, it was homely, It was squatty and crude With an over-all roof Of the same virgin sod. 32 NEBRASKAland The house as a whole Was a two-room affair, But a family of ten Was all quartered there Still never a stranger Was turned from our door If shelter was needed There was still room for more. But we'd gather each morning Before we took foor At the old family altar Where we'd kneel and ask God To watch over and guide us Each hour of the day, To help us be honest, And to walk in His way. Then not far from the house Was the old dug-out cave Where we kept all the produce We were able to save For we'd little to sell So 'twas little we'd buy But in the Autumn we'd store All the Winter's supply. There were onions and turnips And potatotes gaore, With pumpkiuns and cabbage And squash by the score. All our meat was supplied Fro our cattle and swine. Some was smoked, some pre-cooked, Some just put down in brine. But meat from a market To us was unknown. We just did without If we'd none of our own. Then there was the well That was not far away, The sole water supply For the needs of wach day. With its tall, slender bucket And value in its base Designed for utility Rather than grace. With its pulley and windlass And filled to the brink, It surfaced the water For the livestock to drink. Then I see the old stable With its thick straw-packed wall With its thick sloping roof And spread over all Was a layer of brush So by the night or by the day The wind could ne'er blow That straw roof away. But the scourge of the prairie, The settler's worst fear, Was the wild prairie fire At certain times of the year. So a broad fire guard Was kepy plowed round our home To protect it and us If a fire should come. So the time sped along Till finally we'd come To the place we were able To build a new home. It was taller and roomier With walls not so thick, For 'twas wholly constructed Of lumber and brick But with plenty of trees We were sheltered at last From much of the force Of the cold Winter's blast. Now the old soddiesare gone, We'll ne'er see them again But they nourished breed Of virile men. Hard-working, God-fearing With courage to face The rigors of life With stamina and grace. But they fashioned a country So staunch and so grand 'Twas the hope and the envy Of each foreign land. But if ever America Grows flaccid and soft And eschews the stern virtues That sent her aloft. If delinquency and crime Are the order of the day And respect for authority Are lost by the way, Then she'll crumble and fall And no longer be "The home of the brave And the land of the free". We may think automation Electronics and skill Have carved us a place None other can fill, That our standard or living Has made us a class That no other people Can ever surpass But the world marches onward And the modes of today, By tomorrow may seem Just as crude and passe As the old two-horse plow With it's mouldboard of rods Or the house on the prairie Made only of sod. MARCH, 1967 33
MASTERS OF ANGLING
APRIL WILL mark the first anniversary of the Game Commission's Master Angler Awards program. During the past year, 255 fishermen have joined the ranks of the Master Anglers with catches running the gamut from trout to drum. They took fish on everything from beefsteak to surface plugs, and they caught them all across Nebraska from the Missouri River to Lake Minatare.
Last year may be remembered as the year of the walleye as more awards were given for this fish than any other. To qualify, the fish has to weigh at least eight pounds. During the year 83 anglers received walleye awards. Here are some of the facts pertaining to landing these lunkers:
Lake Maloney produced the most record fish with 28; Harlan County Reservoir was second with 24; Lake McConaughy, third with 18; Johnson had 5; Swanson, 2; the Missouri River, 2; Medicine, 2; and Jeffrey, 2. The remainder came from other lakes such as Minatare and Rock Creek.
The peak fishing period was from June 1 to June 15 when 20 lunker fish were reported. Second best time was from May 15 to May 30 with 16, followed closely with 13 taken from June 16 to July 1. Last day on which a big fish was reported on the run was July 19. After a slow spell, the next lunker was noted on August 14 and he was taken from Lake McConaughy. That same day, two other lunkers were reported from Big Mac. From then on through the fall, only two other fish made the records.
The angling on Lake Maloney was fantastic. June 18 was a red-letter day, with four whoppers landed. The month of June saw 27 record walleye taken there. Fishing got hot on May 30 when two were checked in and reached its peak on June 18. It then tapered off toward the end of the month.
Harlan County Reservoir got into the record books in a strong way over Memorial Day weekend with seven big walleye. The fact that more fishermen were out trying their luck influenced the take. Most other big days fell on the weekends such as June 11, 12, and 13 when nine big ones were reported from Maloney, McConaughy, and Harlan.
When fishing pressure increased so did the catches of large fish. To summarize the results, angling was excellent for big walleye from May 1 to July 1 in Maloney and Harlan. Lake McConaughy began to hit its stride about June 15 and held up until about July 19. It then dropped off with only a few lunkers coming in again during the week of August 14.
The first walleye recorded was one of the top six and was taken April 7 from the Missouri River. Another big Missouri walleye was checked in April 12, 34 NEBRASKAland though the 12th also showed some activity from Harlan and Johnson.
The spinner-night crawler combination was far and away the top walleye producer. A distant second was the minnow-spinner rig. A few lunkers succumbed to jigs, flatfish, spinners, and other such underwater lures.
Largemouth bass anglers earned 61 citations. Eastern Nebraska held the spotlight on the bass, with most of the big ones coming from farm ponds and sand pits. The largemouth activity began in mid-March, with five reported from March 15 to April 1. There were four bass reported in April. May showed the most activity with 21. Mid-month was the best. June was second while March, April, July, and August bunched for third.
Burchard Lake in southeastern Nebraska led all lakes with seven largemouth. One fisherman, Gary Nickels of Beatrice, was responsible for all but two. This points out that a fisherman concentrating on large fish can take them with some consistency. Nickels landed big bass on May 7 and 21, June 8, June 28, and August 7. Two of Nickels' lunkers were taken on a purple crawler, two on surface plugs, and one on a red-and-white spoon.
Sand pits near Columbus, Genoa, Grand Island, and Kearney offered top fishing. Knox County farm ponds also were good producers. Farm ponds in Otoe, Lancaster, Pawnee, and Seward counties made the select list. Duck Lake in Cherry County turned up two award winners. Smith Lake in the Panhandle, Carter Lake in Omaha, DeSoto Bend in Washington County, and Harlan County Reservoir also came in with big fish.
Lures and baits were varied on largemouth, but three accounted for nearly half of the big fish. Number one was the rubber night crawler, second best was the spinner or spinner-bucktail combination, and third was the weedless spoons and pork-rind rigs. Underwater plugs of many makes hooked 14 fish, surface lures took 11, minnows 3, and jigs landed 2.
There were 22 rainbow trout entries with all but 2 coming from McConaughy.
Twenty of the award catches were taken on black and white, pearl, and Gantron-orange flatfish. Two were taken on the Rapala or Rebel.
Top trout action came from the 7th to the 15th of July. Trouting slacked off until September 18th and then warmed up. At least one big fish was checked in every day until the 28th. Two showed up on the 3rd of November with the last winner coming on the 19th of that month.
Channel cats came in hot and heavy with the top fish tipping (Continued on page 48)
MARCH, 1967 35
THE DANBY FARM
Nebraska donkeys cross party lines and ride with Humphrey and GoldwaterATOP A building in New York City a miniature donkey lounges in the luxury of a lush penthouse garden. This Sicilian donkey, a Nebraskan by birth, has climbed to the top of his social ladder, if a "longear" has a social ladder to climb.
But Nebraska donkeys bred at Danby Farm, located 17 miles from downtown Omaha, just off Interstate 80, have the unusual habit of being placed in some of the better homes around the country. One burro proudly claims Vice-President Hubert Humphrey as his master, while another lives in Arizona with Barry Goldwater.
Several more of the friendly, gentle pets, which have been compared to overgrown house dogs, have gone to the top. Three saw the glitter of television and live with Raymond Burr. But Danby Farm, the world's largest breeder of miniature donkeys with a 36 NEBRASKAland herd of 150 out of the 1,000 found in the United States, also places longears in homes where loving care and a child's smile are enough.
The reddish or mouse-gray donkeys are humble beasts. All Sicilian donkeys have one very predominant marking —a dark strip that runs down the back and across the shoulders. The cross is said to be a mark of honor, for Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and the Virgin Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem.
Danby Farm is famous for its donkeys, but
it is also one of the top Shetland pony breeding
and training farms in the United States.
The farm, which enjoys an international reputation,
has put the name of Nebraska before
pony lovers in show arenas across this nation
and Canada in the course of a few years.
At the Millard farm, the Shetland ponies and
MARCH, 1967
37
donkeys hold the spotlight, but behind the scenes, a
family of animal lovers work to enhance the animals'
reputations. Daniel Langfeld, Sr., and his wife Beatrice
head the operation, while Daniel Langfeld, Jr., manages
the farm with his wife Lee's assistance.
Success is the story of Danby Farm. What makes this story so unique is that the farm has grown to its national prominence in a relatively short time.
Like all tales about dreams come true, this story starts with a "once upon a time". In 1951, the elder Langfeld, lured by fresh country air and the prospect of getting away from the hurry ofbig city life, bought a rural residence. The farm supported one house, three barns, and a garage.
Now, in every tale a fairy godmother enters the picture, but in this yarn a godfather by the name of Leo Moraczewski made the scene. Leo, an employee of the senior Langfeld at his Inland Manufacturing Company in Omaha, came to the farm in 1952 to wave his wand, actually a hammer, for needed improvements.
One of Leo's major projects was to remodel the 1892 home that commands the bottomland of a small 38 NEBRASKAland comes to going into a pony business. But as in any business venture, the Langfelds had to determine if there was a market for the animals and if the venture would be worth their time and money.
The family felt there was a natural market for horses and with careful planning the business could be profitable. While they were considering the possibility of such a business, a single pony was sold for $30,000 and another went for $50,000. It is then the Langfelds decided someone had to be making the money.
Why pick Shetlands? Why not saddle horses or thoroughbreds? In going into any business, a person has to choose a product that will appeal to the greatest number of people in all age groups. After long discussions and weighing one breed against the others, the Langfelds decided Shetlands would be to their advantage.
A Shetland appeals to youngsters, for the pony is their size and easy to ride. The loveable little animals seem to cotton up to adults, too. Besides being an excellent mount for youngsters, adults find riding in a pony roadster, pulled by a Shetland, an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
Through the years Shetlands have unfortunately picked up the reputation of being mean and very tempermental. Many seem to believe that a Shetland will throw their child higher than Pecos Bill's well-known trip. It was back in the 1800's that the pony gained his infamous reputation. But in the late 1800's horse lovers began to tame the ponies through selective breeding. Today, the American Shetland pony is likened to a miniature saddle horse. Even tempered and gentle, the pony is gaining a reputation as a child's horse.
Raising ponies would seem to be a full-time job, but to a family who has reared everything from kangeroos to exotic birds, donkeys seem to fit right into the picture. When the Langfelds first moved to the farm every member of the family had a dog and a horse, everyone except Barbara, who is handicapped. The Langfelds bought their daughter a playful Sicilian donkey to take the place of a horse. When they realized that the donkey (Continued on page 55)
MARCH, 1967 39
WHY NOT THE DOVE?
THE FOLLOWING letter came in to the Nebraska Game Commission and was given to the Game Division for reply. Norman Dey, who answered the letter, is a game biologist with a masters' degree in game management. His answers give some of the biological reasons why the mourning dove could be classed as a game bird.
Game, Forestation and Parks Commission Lincoln, Nebraska Dear Sirs: I am interested in hunting, and in various outdoor magazines I have read articles on mourning dove hunting. There are a lot of doves near my home and I was wondering why there is no season on them in this state. Also, could you tell me what states do allow dove hunting and if they were ever legal in Nebraska? Thank you. Norman Kment 618 W. 22nd Street Schuyler, NebraskaDear Norman:
The sport of mourning dove hunting has been prohibited in Nebraska since 1953, the year the legislature classified the dove as a song bird. Each year that the Nebraska Unicameral is in session a bill has been introduced to put the dove back on the game-bird list. And each time the dove bill has come closer to passage. Some time in the future Nebraska hunters may again be able to have a dove season. At the present time 30 of the continental states permit the shooting of doves.
The dove is designated a game bird in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Each year the Secretary of the Interior issues the dates during which doves can be hunted, the maximum number of days, and the maximum daily bag and possession limits allowed. Although each state is allowed a mourning dove season by the federal government, each one must follow regulations set up each year by the Department of the Interior.
Each state then decides its own season within the framework set up by the Department of Interior. Although the states may be more restrictive with the season, they cannot exceed the limits set by federal regulations. Some states like Nebraska outlaw the shooting of doves entirely.
Each year mourning doves produce a surplus of young that will never live through their first winter. It is this surplus that is available to the hunter for harvest. In areas where the dove is protected, the annual mortality is similar to areas where they are hunted. The birds removed from the population during the hunting season reduces the losses from other factors. First-year mortality of doves is usually around 65 per cent. Birds that live through the first year have a 50 per cent chance of living an additional year.
Some people feel that any hunting will eventually destroy all of the wildlife in the United States. During the settlement of this country many species of wildlife were greatly reduced in numbers. At that time there were no regulations governing the harvest of the game. Many of the game species were not shot out but were simply crowded out because of changed conditions. Buffalo and elk could not possibly exist on the Plains today as they did in the past due to man's extensive agricultural program. Prairie grouse are another example of what habitat loss can do to populations. The disappearance of their native grassland had far more to do with their reduced numbers than did hunting even though they were once favorite targets of the market hunter.
Since restrictions have been placed on the harvest of game birds and animals most of the species have increased to equal, and in some cases exceed their numbers during the pioneer days.
The mourning dove is one species that has benefited from the agricultural practices of modern man. Being primarily a seed eater, the dove has found an abundance of food due to the increase in grain crops. Forest edge, created by man's cultivation of the land, has improved nesting cover. In the prairie states the land has been broken, destroying the native grasses and replacing them with annual weeds and grain crops and thus increasing the range of the dove.
Doves are adaptable in their nesting habitat. Where woody cover is available, they will nest in trees. They also nest on the ground. The doves' greatest downfall is that they are not efficient nest builders. Nests usually consist of a few small twigs interlaced in a fork of a tree. These flimsy structures are easily destroyed by high winds and afford little protection for the young during a rainstorm. Thunderstorms destroy many eggs and kill many dependent young.
To counteract the high nestling mortality, doves nest an average of three times a year in Nebraska. When a nest is destroyed, the parents will build another nest, often in the same location. The usual number of eggs is two or rarely three. Males assist in the incubation and feeding of the young. Should the female die after the eggs have been laid, the male can still raise the young.
Nesting here begins in late April and continues through early September. Incubation takes about 14 days and the young doves leave the nest in another 14 days.
Later in the summer, the young doves gather in flocks in preparation for their migration south. These flocks begin to appear in late June and increase in size through July. Flocks begin moving south in August.
When the birds leave Nebraska they go south and west. This information is gained from banding records. Although Nebraska does not have a hunting season on doves, Game technicians co-operate with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in conducting breeding-ground surveys and a banding program. It is through these programs that regulations are set.
Prior to 1953, when dove hunting was allowed in Nebraska, the harvest was very low. Most of Nebraska's doves have moved south prior to the September first opening date. Although doves are not at their peak number in September, there are still more than enough birds left to provide good hunting.
The question often arises that when doves are hunted in September, aren't adults that are still nesting shot? Most of the birds are through nesting by 40 NEBRASKAland September, and the few that are still incubating eggs remain close to the nest. Most dove hunters find hunting most profitable in grain fields and at watering sites. The birds using these areas are primarily juveniles from farther north.
Another factor making the dove a favorable game bird is his large breeding range. Breeding doves are found in all 48 of the continental states, giving them the largest range of any upland game bird in the country. Nebraska ranks third in the number of breeding doves in most years.
From 1953 to 1962, Nebraska's dove population fluctuated with the number of doves in states where there is an open season. High populations occurred in 1953 and 1960 when there were over six million breeding doves in the state. The low year was 1958 when the population dropped to slightly over 2 1/2 million.
When dove populations become too high, additional hunting pressure should be allowed to permit hunters to utilize the surplus which will otherwise be lost to some other natural mortality factor.
Common arguments against dove hunting claim that they are too nice a bird to be slaughtered by the gun, that hunting will eliminate the dove from our wildlife populations, and that landowners don't want another hunting season.
Death from a shotgun may not be to everyone's liking. However, nature does not guarantee a painless death. Starvation, disease, and predation are often more merciless.
Hunting harvest by taking the place of natural losses serves as replacement mortality, not an additional mortality. When the population is high, there is overcrowding in nesting, feeding, and wintering range. There are only so many birds that any given area will support, and if the doves exceed that number, which they do each fall, the surplus birds are removed from the population by natural causes.
Hunting doves is unlike any other upland-game sport. During a day's hunt a hunter will usually work only one area. Dove hunting is similar to waterfowl hunting in that you can select a good feeding or watering area and let the birds come to you.
Generally speaking, most people opposed to dove hunting are against any kind of hunting. Although their intentions are good, there is no sound biological reason why the mourning dove could not be added to the game-bird list in Nebraska.
THE END MARCH, 1967 41
NEBRASKAland FISHING
A PRETTY BLONDE wife mutters in disgust as an alarm clock buzzes at 5:30 a.m. Her husband, who is usually harder to get up than a hibernating bear, bounds out of bed, dresses, grabs a fishing rod, and with a quick good-bye is gone for the day. He returns that night, beat to a frazzle.
A typical Nebraska scene, but this wife, like thousands of others, can't help but wonder what makes a man spend a day off with a rod in his hand. Some have found out by tagging along. If they are discerning and sensitive women they will soon learn that to the dedicated fisherman angling is a challenge, a strategy game like chess. Anglers make the first move, but fish sometimes make the last.
The ardent angler is constantly trying new techniques, glomming onto new tips, and looking for real fishing hot spots. In Nebraska with its 11,000 miles of streams and more than 3,300 lakes, the rod wielder is faced with the decision of where to go and what to try for.
Nebraska fisheries is divided into five districts, and each has a distinct angling personality. This article, the first of five in Outdoor NEBRASKAland, will deal with District One, the Panhandle. To anglers, Panhandle connotates stream fishing for trout, but several lakes and reservoirs cannot be overlooked.
Western Nebraska has 26 trout-producing streams, with approximately 390 miles of them harboring the rainbow, brook, and brown trout. District One encompasses three drainage areas, the North Platte River, Pine Ridge, and the Niobrara River.
NO. NAME SPECIES, BEST TIME, AREA AND METHOD BAIT 1 Monroe Cr. Brook—Year around, upper 2 miles, work pools o u. i— DC 1 —J 2 Sowbelly Cr. Brown, Brook—Year around, upper 5 miles, work pools 3 Hat Crs. Brown, Rainbow—Year around, both branches to forks, work pools 4 Soldiers Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Year around, middle branch, work pools 5 White River Brown, Rainbow—Year around, upper 15 miles, bait and fly fishing 6 Deadhorse Cr. Brook—Year around, Upper 3 miles, bait fishing pools 7 Chadron Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Year around, Upper 9 miles, bait fishing pools 8 Bordeaux Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Year around, Upper few miles, bait fishing pools 9 Beaver Cr. Brown—Year around, upper few miles, bait fishing pools 10 White Clay Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Year around, upper 8 miles, bait fishing pools 11 Niobrara River Brown, Rainbow—Year around, state line—Box Butte, bait and fly fishing 12 Pine Cr. Brown—Year around, upper 10 miles, bait and fly fishing 13 Deer Cr. Brown—Year around, entire stream, bait and fly fishing 14 Sheep Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper 10 miles, bait and fly fishing 15 Spottedtail Cr, Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper 5 miles, bait and fly fishing 16 Tub Springs Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper 5 miles, bait and fly fishing 17 Winter Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early summer, upper 4 miles, bait and fiy fishing 18 Nine Mile Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, 10 miles, bait and fly fishing 19 Wildhorse Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, both branches 16 miles, bait and fly fishing 20 Red Willow Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, 9 miles, bait and fly fishing 21 Greenwood Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper few miles, bait, fly fishing 22 Lodgepole Cr. Brown—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper few miles, bait, fly fishing 23 N. Platte River White Bass, C. Catfish, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, Rainbow, Oct. to Mar., White Bass, C. Cat., Spring, early Summer Garden Co., set lines. 24 Stuckenhole Cr. Brown, Rainbow—Winter, Spring, early Summer, upper end, bait casting 25 Smith Lake N. Pike, L.M. Bass, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Bullheads—Spring, Fall, Winter good for pan-fish and N. pike, entire lake, drifting in boat, wading shoreline, still fishing Worms, minnows, artificial flies 26 Island Lake N. Pike, L.M. Bass, Perch—Spring, Fall, entire lake, drifting in boat, wading, shore Worms, various artificials 27 Crane Lake N. Pike, L.M. Bass, Perch—Spring, Fall, entire lake, drifting in boat, wading, shore Worms, various artificials 28 Lake Minatare N. Pike, Walleye, C. Catfish, Perch—Spring, Fall, Winter good for perch, entire lake, trolling, drifting, still fishing All baits 29 Walgren Lake C. Catfish, Bullheads—Spring, Summer, entire lake, drifting, still fishing Worms 30 Box Butte Dam N. Pike, Walleye, L.M. Bass, S.M. Bass, White Bass, C. Catfish, Sunfish—Year around, entire lake, C. Catfish in upper end in Spring, trolling, still fishing, casting Live—Artificial 31 Whitney Lake N. Pike, Walleye, White Bass, C. Catfish, Crappie— Spring, Fall, entire lake, still fishing, drifting Live—Artificial 32 Kimball,Res. N. Pike, Walleye, Perch. Crappie—Spring, Fall, entire lake, drifting, still fishing Live—Artificial 33 Chadron City Res. Trout, L.M. Bass, Bluegill—Year around, entire area, casting, still fishing Live pref. 34 Bridgeport Pits Trout, L.M. Bass, S.M. Bass, C. Catfish, Bluegill— Spring, Fall, entire area, casting, still fishing Live pref. 35 Government Dams L.M. Bass, C. Catfish, Bluegill, Bullheads—Spring, early Summer, Fall, North Crawford, numerous ponds, castings, still fishing Live pref. 36 Isham Dam private—by permission L.M. Bass, Perch, Bluegill, Bullheads—Spring, early Summer, Fall, entire area, castings, still fishing Live pref. 37 Terrys Pit Trout, Bullheads—Year around, entire area, castings, still fishing Live pref. 38 Chadron Park Pd. L.M. Bass, Bluegill, Bullheads—Spring, Summer, Fall, entire area, casting, still fishing Live pref. 39 Univ. Lake L.M. Bass, Bullheads—Spring, Fall, entire area, casting, still fishing Live pref. 40 Cochran Lake Bullheads—Spring, Summer, Fall, entire area, still fishing Live 43 MARCH, 1967 43
In Nebraska, the season is a year-round affair, and an angler can fish 24 hours a day as long as he doesn't exceed the bag and possession limit of seven trout. There are no size limits.
All trout are rugged competitors, but rainbows in the tributaries of the North Platte River system are among the toughest of the tough. Any fish who can swim 70 to 120 miles is bound to be the Humphrey Bogart of the finny world.
These long-distance rainbows make a spawning run from Lake McConaughy to streams in the Minatare and Scottsbluff areas every year. Wives of devout anglers become weekend widows when the trout are running.
The first movement starts near the end of September or around the first of October and hits its peak in mid-November. In a good year there may be two other distinct movements, one in January, and another in February or March.
After the rainbows reach a tributary, they will remain in the water from 50 to 100 days before making the return trip to Lake Mac. The average trouter will make eight or 44 NEBRASKAland nine, four-hour trips each fall to his favorite stream and will come home with one or two three-pound trout.
The majority of spawning rainbows are two and three-year-olds, plenty old enough to know the ways of fishermen. A trout hatched in January, 1967, will remain in the stream until about March, 1968, and then leave the stream for Lake McConaughy. After spending a year in the lake, probably in a kind of get-used-to-fishermen school, the rainbow returns to the stream of his birth.
Nine Mile Creek is typical of the North Platte River system streams. The creek gradually changes from a mere trickle at its source to a street-wide waterway as numerous springs, small tributaries, and seepages add their volumes to it. It is not a glamour stream as it winds its way through prairies, farmlands, and swamps. There are no boulders, waterfalls, or shady pine forests along its course. But it has a certain beauty and a definite personality. If the angler wants to catch fish, he will have to learn to know her. On Nine Mile Creek, the "bushy mile", two miles north of U.S. Highway 6, is an excellent rainbow hangout, but every experienced Nine Mile Creek angler has his own secret spots.
Early-rising anglers seem to have the best luck during a rainbow run. Baits vary, but many anglers strip a female rainbow of her eggs and wrap them in pieces of nylon stocking. Very few fishermen use flies, but quite a few use worms and minnows.
Egg hooks should be small, Nos. 14 or 16 with short shanks. Minnow hooks, Nos. 6 to 10, should have long shanks. The hook should be long enough to slip through the gill and hook in behind the dorsal.
The well-conditioned rainbows are real publicity getters in the North Platte drainage area, but big browns in the streams also get their share of headlines. Super-cagey, these sly fish are hard to catch.
While anglers fish for rainbows in deep holes, the browns are waiting out the barrage in the undercut banks and near the riffles. Worms and minnows are effective baits.
As with the rainbows, browns are most easily caught in the fall, winter, and spring. Bill Schoenecker, District One fisheries supervisor, explains that tributaries in the area are used for summer irrigation. Some streams are diverted into irrigation canals, while others receive irrigation waste water. Silt and a higher water level, curb summer trouting, but some are caught.
But even in the unaffected streams browns do not bite as well in the summer. They are at their hungry best in the spring when the water starts to warm up and again in the fall when it begins to cool off.
About 55 per cent of the trout water in the Panhandle is in the Pine Ridge where there are browns, rainbows, and a smattering of brook trout. Trout are smaller in the Pine Ridge, mainly because the streams are smaller, but they fight enough to please most anglers.
Big trout names in the Pine Ridge are the White River, Soldiers, Hat, and Monroe Creeks. Other trout waters that are fair to excellent include Sowbelly, Big and Little Bordeaux, Beaver, and Larrabee Creeks, plus Chadron Reservoir and Chadron Creek.
Pine Ridge streams are characterized by deep pools, separated by long, shallow riffles. The streams are often too narrow and the pools too small for effective fly casting. Spring and fall are considered best times, but fish can be caught all year around.
Without the shelter of rocks, real deep water, and fast white-water riffles, Pine Ridge trout are mighty spooky. Consistent catches depend on a quiet approach, use of small hooks, and thin leaders. Too many anglers tromp around like water buffaloes and pay little attention to foot vibrations that can spook trout. Other trout scarers are shadows. The smart angler doesn't let his shadow fall over the water.
Another common error of a novice trout angler is his see-and-cast method. Some trouters see a fish darting out of a hole and will immediately throw bait at the fish. Nine out of ten times the trout will look the angler in the eye and seem to mumble:
"Buddy, you don't really think I'm that dumb!"
One successful Pine Ridge angler has a system going for him. He stands upstream from a selected hole and makes a dozen casts, letting the bait drift into the trout's lair. If he doesn't get a strike, he moves on to the next hole. This lad knows there are fish in the holes, but if after 12 casts they don't hit he figures the trout aren't going to bite.
Another species of trout, the pan-sized brook, can be found in a few streams in the Pine Ridge. Monroe Creek has a fair population, Dead Horse Creek, in the extreme upper end, has a few, and anglers fishing Sowbelly may catch an occasional one.
Brook trout haven't been stocked for quite a few years, but they have maintained themselves fairly well, especially in Monroe Creek. Schoenecker explained that hatcheries aren't rearing brookies any more.
Most of the streams in the Pine Ridge have suitable habitat for limited natural reproduction. But the Game Commission does a lot of stocking of six to eight-inch trout in the early spring. Fingerlings are stocked in some streams.
The White River is the grand-daddy
of all trout tributaries in the
MARCH, 1967
45
Pine Ridge drainage system. The
upper end of the White River is
considered fly country, but bait
fishermen do well. Trout fishing on
the White River starts near Andrews
in Sioux County and is good to within
a few miles of Fort Robinson. Near
the fort the water starts to warm up
when it is diverted over to Whitney
Lake for irrigation purposes. Keeper-size
trout are stocked, although
some natural reproduction takes
place. Fishing pressure in the fall
and winter is almost nil in the Pine
Ridge. According to Schoenecker
anglers are missing a real bet by not
trying fall and winter fishing.
"If they can brave the cold weather, they should catch fish," he claims.
Another trout-holding drainage area in the Panhandle is the Niobrara River system. The Niobrara River itself, and Pine and Deer Creeks with only fair fishing, are the only streams with suitable trout water.
Rated as one of the best fishing waters in the state, the Niobrara River starts in Wyoming, and by the time it reaches Nebraska it is a trout haven for bait as well as fly fishermen. From the state line down to Marsland, where the water starts to warm up, fishing is rated excellent.
Brown trout are the kings of these waters, but some real good rainbows can be taken in the upper end of the river and around Agate. The river was renovated in 1965 in conjunction with the Box Butte project. The whole stream was rotenoned and that fall restocked with browns and rainbows. It was stocked again in January 1966.
The upper end of the Niobrara is typical of Nebraska's prairie rivers. Tag alder, willow, and cattails lace the banks as it winds through the valley of grass. In places it narrows to a yard wide and yard deep, hardly an indication of the river's force where it joins the Missouri.
The stream, entirely on private land, stretches 120 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska line to Box Butte Dam, and about 70 miles of that is considered prime water. Fish in that stretch hide under grass-covered banks and work the riffles for food. Baits vary, but minnows and worms work well.
Pine and Deer Creeks are Niobrara River tributaries in the Sand Hills. They offer trout fishing, but Deer Creek is almost out of bounds to the public angler.
Pine Creek flows out of Smith Lake and holds a fair brown trout population. About three miles from the lake the water starts to cool off and this is considered the best stretch. This stream depends almost entirely on stocking for there is little natural reproduction.
A big problem in the Niobrara River system, along with the Platte and Pine Ridge drainage areas, is public access to the waters. Only Soldiers, Monroe, and parts of Chadron Creeks are open to public fishing. Permission is needed on the rest of the waters.
In summary these are Nebraska's hot trout waters. During the spawning run Nine Mile and Red Willow Creeks and Scottsbluff valley streams are considered tops. The White and Niobrara Rivers, and Soldiers Creek make the team. The North Platte River during the rainbow run, along with its white bass and catfish angling near Lake McConaughy, make it a fine fishing possibility.
District One has 6,200 acres of public lake and reservoir fishing waters. Box Butte, Whitney, Minatare, and Kimball Reservoirs are the major irrigation impounaments offering fishing. Sand Hills' lakes add sparkle to fishing prospects in this area.
Box Butte Dam is one of the best impoundments in the district. Renovated and restocked in 1965, the lake will be a real hot spot for northern pike, walleye, channel cats, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white bass, and red-ear sunfish in the years to come.
Many northerns, stocked in the spring of 1966, reached 19 inches in six months, a good growth rate. In the fall of 1966, lake fishermen were bringing in bass up to 10 inches that were stocked just the year before.
Box Butte Reservoir, along with other waters in the district, is going to take hard work if you expect to catch fish. The chair and bobber method won't work here. If you are a bank fisherman, move up and down the shoreline, and try a variety of baits and lures. Slack off during the heat of the day, then hit it hard as the sun starts dropping westward.
Boat fishing and trolling on Panhandle reservoirs probably brings 46 NEBRASKAland the most luck. Trollers cover plenty of lake and sooner or later they can find the fish.
Whitney Reservoir in Dawes County is a private irrigation project, and in the summer the water draw down often reaches drastic proportions. But don't let that bother you for there are good populations of crappie, catfish, perch, walleye, and a few northerns to be caught.
This lake gets its main play in the spring before irrigation starts, but Whitney, Minatare, Box Butte, and Smith Lakes offer good hard-water fishing. Nebraskans who don't take advantage of winter fishing are missing some good action.
Lake Minatare in Scotts Bluff County is one of the better perch lakes in the state, but walleye, northerns, crappie, and a few channel catfish also call it home. Yellow perch at the lake average about 10 inches and are easy to take in the winter. Live baits, especially minnows, are tops, but many ice anglers prefer rubber legs and jigs. This lake could stand a lot more pressure.
Kimball County Reservoir is not as good as the other reservoirs in the Panhandle, for irrigation draw down is severe at times. In the future it is hoped a renovation project can be carried out.
Sheridan and Garden counties in the Sand Hills have a lot of blue water, but the greatest percentage of the lakes are either too shallow or too alkaline to support fish populations. The lakes that might have potential are on private lands. In Sheridan County, Smith Lake is one of the finest Sand Hills' lakes in the whole state.
This 200-acre lake is not deep, but its fish run big. The state-record bullhead, weighing 3 pounds, 8 ounces, was pulled from its waters in 1963 by Alfred E. Porter. The average bullhead, however, runs 10 inches, with bluegill hitting 8 and crappie, 9 inches. Smith Lake also has good-sized northerns, up to 15 pounds, that will give the experienced angler a run for his money. Channel catfish aren't abundant, but some 12-pounders have been caught.
A fly rod, small artificial flies, or rubber legs, and bluegill team up to give the angler fast-action fishing in the spring. Just wade out beyond the rushes at Smith Lake, and start whipping that fly. A gunny sack full of 8 to 9 inch bluegill is common.
In Garden County, Cresent Lake Refuge, run by the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, has two lakes that offer good fishing. Crane Lake, renovated two years ago, has a good population of northern pike, bass, and perch. Island Lake is pretty good for northerns, but the lake has a lot of carp. Renovation plans may be in the making.
On the refuge anglers are restricted to lures, worms, or other baits not considered a fish. Fish, dead or alive, or parts of a fish cannot be used. A wildlife refuge, fishing is not allowed on these lakes during the fall migration flights.
Walgren Lake in Sheridan County was renovated in 1964 and offers good bullhead and channel catfish angling. It is also closed during the waterfowl migration.
Back in the Pine Ridge, government dams are scattered throughout Dawes County. Some of the dams are not worth stocking, because many dry up or are so shallow they will not support fish. But those that can support fish have real good bass and bullhead angling. Most of the dams have one limiting factor. They are very hard to find.
Trout, bass, and bluegill are stocked in the Chadron Reservoir and at times provide rapid-fire fishing.
Now that we have thoroughly infuriated the wives, and tempted their fishing husbands with this rundown, we close with this remark! "Don't knock fishing, until you've tried it."
The next issue of NEBRASKAland will examine fishing in District Two, the Sand Hills.
THE END
"DOC" MIDDLETON
(Continued from page 13)neared Lykens, he bounced up and drew a bead on Middleton. He couldn't possibly miss from that short range and fame would be his, if he placed the shot well. He squeezed the trigger. But Doc's gambling luck was holding out to the last and the rifle misfired.
With the click, Doc drew his gun and spurred his horse. Hazen fired, hitting Middleton in the side. But Doc, not one to give up without a fight, shot back. The slug knocked Hazen out of the saddle.
Meanwhile, Llewellyn was taken out of the line of fire when his horse started to buck, or so he reported. Recovering control of his mount, he shot and killed two members of the gang. Kid Wade, thinking there were other men in the bushes, spurred his horse and took off across the hills, while Llewellyn, thinking he was the only one left to face the outlaws, headed for Fort Hartsuff and help.
When the smoke cleared two bodies were stiffening in the mud and the famed outlaw, gravely wounded, was hiding in the brush. Hazen, also seriously wounded lived to brag about the famed gunfight with Doc. It is believed Lykens took off for the tall uncut. His rifle wouldn't fire and he was no fool. Members of his gang found Middleton and took him back to his wife, Mary. She nursed him back to health. Later Llewellyn returned with some soldiers and carried Doc off to jail.
On Sept. 9, 1879, Middleton started to serve his five-year sentence at the Nebraska Penitentiary for horse stealing. The outlaw was a model prisoner and in June of 1883 he was released. While in prison he cut off a finger tip, but that is not all that happened. Doc started to reform.
After Doc was released from prison, he started in the saloon business. His wife had married another man while he was serving his sentence, but that didn't bother him too much. He married his first wife's younger sister.
Middleton's reputation followed him as long as he lived. Everytime he passed through a town a small squib on the front page would read The notorious Doc Middleton stopped here today on his way to...." But Doc liked publicity. It reminded him of his younger days.
On July 3, 1897, a Richard Middleton filed for some land near the stone house. Middleton went by the surname of David C, but in some references he is referred to as Richard.
Again mystery surrounds the famous outlaw. Did he take a homestead near his old haunt as a reminder of his legendary past? Did he remember the beauty and solitude of the area and returned to escape society and the brand it had placed on him? Or is it the same Middleton? Maybe it is just a coincidence that a man with a similar name filed for land near what might have been Doc's old headquarters.
In December 1913, the famed Doc Middleton died in a Douglas, Wyoming jail where he was being held on a boot-legging charge. He died broke with only the remembrances of his legendary life. Not a romantic ending for a western legend, not a fitting ending for a man who was branded the "King of the Horse Thieves," not a fitting ending for a man who was respected by many.
My visit to the stone house over-looking the White River Valley was more than just an outing, it started me on a journey for knowledge. The house may not be Middleton's hideout, but until I find definite proof that it isn't, I'll be seeing old Doc standing on the hill every time I visit the site.
THE ENDMASTERS OF ANGLING
(Continued from page 35)the scales at 38% pounds. It was taken on worms at Red Willow Reservoir.
Harlan County Reservoir dominated the catfishing with 14 of the 30 awards. Lake Mac joined Lake Maloney with three each. Singles came from Smith Lake, Swanson, Hord, Medicine, Fremont lakes, and the Brady Canal. Farm ponds and sand pits yielded the remainder.
Cat action got underway in late March with the first candidate coming on the 23rd. Activity peaked in mid-April at NEBRASKAland Harlan and McConaughy and held up through May. June indicates that fishing in ponds and sand pits picked up but reservoir fishing slumped.
Shad or shad entrails accounted for half of the award winners, perhaps even more as some anglers indicated minnows when they meant shad. Turkey livers, prepared bait, night crawlers, chicken entrails, and even a field mouse got into the bait picture.
A 25-pound northern pike caught by E. D. Ondrak of Hastings in Enders Lake in Brown County took top honors for this species. His northern took a bullhead that Ondrak was landing and he eventually landed both.
In the brown and brook trout categories, the top brownie came from the Snake River below Merritt Dam and weighed 6 pounds, 3 1/2 ounces. A Mepps spinner draped with salmon eggs was his undoing. This same type spinner accounted for all eight of the brook trout.
Only two smallmouth bass were reported, one from Lake McConaughy and one from the Missouri River in Knox County. The Missouri, below Gavins Point Dam, turned up the only two sauger to make the awards. The big river also yielded an award-winning sturgeon of 13 pounds, 2 ounces. Bob Kruger of Creighton caught it.
The Missouri turned in the top drum with a 9 pound 8 ouncer. Other winners came from Jeffrey and Harlan.
One unusual catch that topped the buffalo category was made by Mrs. Lyle Clemens of Clay Center. She landed a 33-pound, 8-ounce whopper on a Mepps spinner. Buffalo seldom take artificials, but big fish can be unpredictable.
Farm ponds dominated the bluegill qualifiers. A l 1/4-pound fighter from a Gage County pond took the heavyweight crown. Yellow perch found Lake McConaughy to their liking. Four of the top five came from there with the largest weighing in at an even two pounds.
Only four anglers caught crappie oyer the two-pound qualifying weight. White bass anglers had it even tougher with only one topping the three-pound mark. Weight requirements on white bass is being lowered this year to the 2 1/2-pound mark. This reduction will undoubtly bring a flood of this popular fish into the ranks. A few other minor changes have been made in the awards program, but it will be much the same for 1967 as it was last year.
The attractive parchment awards given in 1966 recall some exciting fishing moments to their recipients. Through the awards the Game Commission is able to pass along some angling information from those that have outwitted the finny clan, and to help those that aspire to join the ranks of the master anglers.
THE END1966 MASTER ANGLERS LARGEMOUTH BASS
NAME Joseph J. Cudly Jr., Lincoln Michael B. Yanney, Omaha Charles C. Syslo, Omaha Michael N. Kaup, Genoa Rudy Tuxhorn, Auburn Christine M. Brown, Bucktail Leonard Obershaw, Oakdale Tom Kingsley, Topeka, Kan. Mae A. Steinmeyer, Clatonia Merle B. Anderson, Burwell Steve Carr, Garland Jack Higgins, Omaha Bob Jensen, Bennet Mrs. Lyle Clemens, Clay Center Harold C. Yohe, Filley Chuck Keown, Grand Island Arthur L. Skinner, McCook Walter L. Johnson, Colby, Kan. Mae Covert, Kearney E. M. Rasmu^sen, Oakley, Kan. Don Lehl, McCook Lynn Scott, Lincoln Harold L. Zimmerman, Cozad Jack Lee, Auburn Mrs. Abe Duryea, Alliance John Heflin, Ogallala Emil L. Kreycik Sr., Verdigre C. H. Zimbleman, North Platte Ellis Gallatin, Clayton, Kan. Stanley Blum, Alma E. D. Ondrak, Hastings J. W. Rempe, Lincoln Henry Brown, Colby, Kan. Paul Hasenpflug, Creighton John R. Rouzee, North Platte Joe Adams, Mullen** Darrell Farnsworth, Big Springs Dale Styskal, Grant Wade Sanders, St. Johns, Kan. Rollo Ulsh, Ulysses, Kan. Norbert Brockmann, Grand Island Ralph "Shark" Lyman, Bassett Paul J. Hornbeck, Lincoln Leo H. Dawson, Norfolk Gene Hornbeck, Lincoln Elmer Bean, Seward George Green, Hershey Bill Stolldorf, Crawford Larry Wallin, Kimball 1966 MASTER ANGLERS LARGEMOUTH BASS WEIGHT PUCE 8 - 0 7 - 10 7 - 8 7 - 7% 7 - 0 1 1 1 1 1 33 31 383/4 27 25 25 22 2 2 2 2 9 7 5 5 25 14 13 12 11 4 2 2 2 1 6 5 5 5 George Harms, Gurley Ralph H. Eymann, Ogallala Tom Knaub, Ogallala Dick H. Schaffer, Lincoln Jack M. Taylor, Sioux City, la. Randell Lee Nelson, Wausa Duane Booth, Creighton Robert Kruger, Creighton Orly Stolts, Republican City Gary Hasenpflug, Creighton Ray Hansen, Bloomfield Bill Bailey, Lexington Dennis McBride, Leoti, Kan. Vern C. Miller, Elwood • Best of Class **State Record 10 8 8 8 7 7 5 13 12 11 11 11 11 11 Boy Scout Lake, Richardson Co. Sand pit, Douglas County Plattview Lake, Douglas County Gravel pit, Boone County Farm pond, Nemaha County SMALLMOUTH BASS 3 - 8 Lake McConaughy 3 - 7 Missouri River, Knox County WHITE BASS 3 - 0 Lake McConaughy BLUEGILL 4 Farm pond, Gage County 3. Wallace Lake, Loup County 3 Farm pond, Seward County Farm pond, Douglas County 2 Farm pond, Lancaster County BUFFALO 8 Seirs Lake, Hall County 8 Blue River, Gage County BULLHEAD 4 Sand pit, Hall County CHANNEL CATFISH 0 0 1 0 0 Hugh Butler Lake Swanson Lake Whitney sand pit Harlan County Res. Harlan County Res. FLATHEAD CATFISH 31 - 4 Harlan County Res. CRAPPIE 8 Sand pit, Dawson County 4 Overland sand pit 3 Frye Lake, Grant County 1 Lake McConaughy HI DRUM H Missouri River, Knox County 8 Jeffrey Res. 8 Harlan County Res. 6 Harlan County Res. NORTHERN PIKE 0 4 8 8 15 Enders Lake Bluestem Lake Hugh Butler Lake Rod and Gun Club, Antelope Co. Pelican Lake HH perch 2 - 0 Conway Lake, Cherry County 1 - 4 Lake McConaughy 1 - 4 Lake McConaughy 1 - 3 Lake McConaughy 1 - 1 Lake McConaughy BROOK TROUT 0 Pawnee Springs, Lincoln County 6 Farm pond, Brown County 3 Farm pond, Brown County 0 Farm pond, Brown County 15 Farm pond, Brown County BROWN TROUT 3 1/2 Snake River, Cherry County 12 Birdwood Creek, Lincoln County 9 White River, Sioux County White River, Sioux County RAINBOW TROUT 9 15 3 3 8 2 1 Lake McConaughy Lake McConaughy Lake McConaughy Lake McConaughy Lake McConaughy SAUGER Lewis and Clark Lewis and Clark LURE OR BAIT DATE night crawler lure L S Miro-lure Blue Jig Lazy Ike 4-23-66 7-16-66 5-3-66 3-19-66 5-29-66 minnow worm 6-18-66 7-24-66 crayfish tail 6-5-66 worm plastic worm, spinner artificial MLH fly worm 6-2-66 5-22-66 5-7-66 5-5-66 5-8-66 Mepps spinner cut shad 9-4-66 6-19-66 worm 6-20-66 worm 4-22-66 minnow 8-10-66 turkey liver 7-10-66 carp 5-18-66 minnow 4-16-66 night crawler lure minnow minnow white jig minnow crayfish night crawler minnow beefsteak Daredevle bluegill minnow Les Davis Hot shot minnow Cherry bobber worm hellbender Willow Wood spinner squirrel-tail Mepps Mepps spinner Mepps spinner Mepps spinner Mepps spinner Mepps, Salmon eggs worm worm Mepps spinner 6-1-66 5-6-66 6-26-66 6-19-66 unknown 9-20-66 5-17-66 5-20-66 5-16-66 6-26-66 3-27-66 4-3-66 4-21-66 4-24-66 1-16-66 10-25-66 10-25-66 7-9-66 7-11-66 5-5-66 3-5-66 7-25-66 5-20-66 7-25-66 7-15-66 6-19-66 5-31-66 5-16-66 pearl flatfish flatfish flatfish flatfish flatfish minnow Skitter Jig STURGEON Missouri River, Knox County minnow WALLEYE 5 Harlan County Res. 12^2 Missouri River, Knox County 10 Missouri River, Knox County 4 Johnson Lake 0 Lake McConaughy 1 Johnson Lake fly white doll minnow minnow white doll fly Bear Valley spinner spinner, night crawler 11-3-66 7-10-66 7-8-66 7-15-66 10-7-66 3-30-66 4-3-66 4-30-66 4-11-66 4-12-66 4-7-66 4-10-66 7-8-66 6-16-66 MARCH, 1967 49
BLUE RACER
NOTES ON NEBRASKA FAUNA... by Karl Menzel Senior Biologist With a name that is partly fable, and his speed a matter of reputation, greenish-yellow reptile is dangerous only to field mice, lazy frogsBIOLOGISTS IN their more whimsical moments like to baffle the uninitiated by telling them that the blue racer, a rather speedy reptile of Nebraska, got his name from historical sources. The claim is that the snake got his label from Blue, an early Nebraskan, who got his kicks by running foot races against the serpent. It's a nice little fable, but that's all it is, a fable.
Of the 21 species of snakes in Nebraska, the blue racer is one of the most common. A member of the family Colubridae, he goes by the scientific name of Coluber constrictor flaviventris. The generic name Coluber is derived from the family name; constrictor is a misnomer, since a blue racer does not constrict his prey; and the subspecific name of flaviventris refers to the yellow belly of the adult.
This sleek and streamlined snake is found throughout most of the United States and in parts of Mexico and Canada. Flaviventris, Nebraska's subspecies, is also found in most of the central and southwestern states. Distribution here is state-wide, with probable occurrence in every county.
Nebraska's blue racers are usually greenish-olive above and yellowish-white below. However, in the 50 NEBRASKAland eastern part of the state, specimens withjfark bluish coloration on their backs are occasi^flly observed. This blue coloration, more general plrther east, is the^ reason for the common name. Young of the species wear strikingly different garb. Youngsters haHre a row of 65 to 80 chestnut blotches along the middle of the back between the head and the forward part of the tail. Along either side and orfthe belly are numerous chestnut or blackish dots. This color pattern is well developed in individuals up to 16 inches, but the spots disappear or are barely visible in specimens over 21 inches long.
Adult bluer racers average about 41 inches in length. A maximum of 71 inches is recorded for an Ohio snake. The tail comprises about 25 per cent of the total length. Body scales are absolutely smooth, as distinguished from some snakes which have keeled scales. There are 17 scale rows on the forward two-thirds of the body and 15 rows on the posterior third.
Terrain doesn't seem to bother this reptile. He is equally at home in moist and dry habitats, and in wooded areas, and prairies. Although he is chiefly a ground snake, he has been known to climb bushes and trees. A blue racer frequently lies on bushes a few feet above the ground to sun himself or to capture small birds. This harmless fellow is completely diurnal, spending most of his day in the open unless temperatures are high. At night or during warm weather he may be found under stones or other shelter. Like other snakes, blue racers commonly lie along roadsides during cool weather.
Snakes use three principal methods of securing prey. Some grab with their jaws and overpower their MARCH, 1967 prey by sheer weight. Others kill by constriction. A minority of shakes injure or kill by the injection of poisonous saliva. Racers are non-poisonous and do not constrict, so they use the first method, grabbing and holding. They use their jaws to seize an animal small and weak enough to be swallowed whole. After the victim is captured, the snake may coil about it, but doesn't exert pressure as would a constrictor. Swallowing commences when the prey has been sufficiently quieted to submit to it.
Blue racers have a varied menu consisting of insects, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, mice, small birds, and birds' eggs. With the exception of birds and their eggs, the majority of animals eaten by these snakes are injurious to man or have no economic value, so racers are generally considered beneficial. One specimen examined contained 14 grasshoppers, 3 lizard eggs and 1 lizard. Another racer was observed seizing a copperhead, and after considerable struggling, spent an hour in swallowing his prey.
Female racers lay from 8 to 25 eggs in June and July. These eggs measure about 1 inch by 1.4 inches and are laid in the ground, in rotten logs and stumps, or in other similar debris. Eggs hatch in about two months and the youngsters are on their own.
Tales of the blue racer's speed are exaggerations. Like most other snakes, he can do about five miles an hour if he has to. However, by taking advantage of the terrain and available cover, he gives the impression of great swiftness.
Unless, you're a big, fat field mouse or a lazy frog, you haven't any reason to fear this handsome reptile.
THE END MARCH, 1967 51
OUTDOOR ELSEWHERE
Sharp Shooter. A Hampden man won one division of the Eastern Zone Open Skeet Championships with 100 straight hits, plus a shoot-off. But, he did have a handicap. He had to leave a wheelchair and balance himself on his unbroken right leg each time he fired.— Massachusetts
A Scent for Education. Last summer an inquisitive shunk tried to enter a school in Pennsylvania. A box trap suddenly ended his quest for higher education, and he became a dropout. In this case, you might say, that education wasn't worth a scent. —Pennsylvania
Kettle of Fish. Ever heard of hooking a kettle offish? A youngster from Lawton, Oklahoma did that just recently. Ralph Ross, a 13 year old, while fishing at City lake, thought he had a bite. Reeling in his catch he found a small wastebasket, and in the wastebasket were two live lunker catfish, weighing 25 and 15 pounds respectively. Quite a catch! — Oklahoma
Shock Treatment. Some Colorado Game Department employees got a shock this past deer season while working a check station. After peering into the back of a stopped car, they beat a hasty retreat. They found a live bear in the back seat. It proved to be a tame bear on exhibition at shopping centers to take on all-comers at wrestling. — Colorado
Undone. A Mainelander still in his underwear shot an eight-point buck from his front porch, after spotting it through the kitchen window. He did stop to dress before dressing down the buck. Undies are not the proper dress for cleaning up an eight-pointer. — Maine
Golden Goose. A New York teacher struck it rich during the hunting season. He shot a goose with a crop containing 89 bits of shiny metal. Tests in the school's science laboratory proved them to be gold. He got both a goose and a golden egg.—New York
$100 Dinner. One Baltimore angler was mighty sorry. He dined on a tagged rock-fish that would have been worth $100 if he had taken it with its tag to a beer company distributor that sponsored the tagging project. That is really eating up the profits. — Maryland
De-Bait-Able. A lady angler from Bismarck, North Dakota, has a bait she recommends for carp and catfish — French fried potatoes. It has, she says, one distinct advantage. If your catch is poor, you can eat your bait.— North Dakota
Sole Mate. Recently a mouthless 16-inch carp was caught by a Missouri fisherman near St. Charles. Biologists speculated that the carp must have received a supply of small food particles through gill openings.— Missouri
Solid Comfort. A mother rabbit apparently wanted the best for her offspring. After a survey of the surrounding area, mother cottontail climbed to the second floor of a building at a Pennsylvania game farm and raised her brood in the comfort of a chicken brooder.— Pennsylvania
Backfire. While inspecting predator traps, a Pennsylvania game warden and his deputy found they had caught a skunk.
"Don't shoot it! Flip it, and you won't get any stink," the deputy yelled. In the process of showing how to do it, he was hit between the eyes with a flowery spray.— Pennsylvania
Second Sight. A hunter claimed he killed his buck with a bow and arrow, but the Wisconsin game warden was suspicious. Using a hospital X-ray machine, the game warden found a rifle bullet in the arrow wound. — Wisconsin
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(Continued from page 8) 17-"Throne of Blood", Sheldon Art Gallery, Lincoln 17-18 —Kosmet Klub Centennial Presentation "Irma La Douce", Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln 19-W. C. Fields Short Films, Sheldon Art Gallery, Lincoln 19-April 9 — Contemporary European Watercolors, Elder Art Gallery, Lincoln 19 —Symphonic Band Concert, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 20 —Third City Home and Recreation Show, Grand Island 21 — Paul Doktor Concert, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha 21 —Travelogue, Grand Canyon, Hastings 21-22 —"A Century of Progress" Civic Auditorium, Omaha 23 —Pauline Frederick, speaker, Nebraska Union Lincoln 23 — YES Pancake Feed, Pershing Auditorium, Lincoln 23-25 — Chimney Rock Stone Age Fair, Bayard 26 — Easter Sunday 27 —"Generation" with Hans Conreid, Stuart Theatre, Lincoln 27-May 28 - "Solar Spectacle", Mueller Planetarium, Lincoln 29 - Athletic Association of the Deaf, Basketball Tournament, Omaha 29-April 2 - Omaha Home Show for Modern Living, Civic Auditorium, Omaha 31-April 16-"You Can't Take It With You", Community Playhouse, Lincoln No Date Set-Farm and Home Show, Scottsbluff Late March-May 4-Horse Races, Fonner Park, Grand IslandKA-RONK
(Continued from page 15)book, the honker is the game bird supreme, a haughty, elusive, and always challenging adversary.
The Platte Valley is one of the few areas left in the United States where dedicated goose hunters are not a vanishing breed. Big concentrations of south-bound Canadas flock into the area to provide sportsmen with some of the finest shooting in the country. Garden County Refuge and Clear Creek Water-fowl Management Area help to hold the big travelers in the locality through most of Nebraska's 75-day season. Much of the land along the river is privately owned and permission to hunt is a must, but inquiry and a straight-out request often brings an invitation from a blind owner or lessee.
When I phoned Mike to set up the hunt, he was both eager and hesitant.
"Can't promise anything, but I'll sure give it a good go. Sometimes Canadas are pretty subborn but if the weather is 'good', we'll get some action," he said.
Dawn was a promise when Steve and I drove into Mike's station for the start of our hunt. He was a little late, so we took advantage of the delay to ready cameras and other gear for what could be a long day in the blind. A few minutes later, Mike drove up and after hurried introductions, suggested we follow him to his hay-meadow blinds. He bounced his pickup over a gravel road and then turned off on a trail that wound toward the river. After a few miles Mike parked beside a clump of scrub brush and came back to our car.
"There's a pretty good slough for mallards right around the bend. We might as well put on our boots and give it a looking over on the way to the goose blind. It's a little past legal shooting time now, so we're all right on that score," he explained.
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A sneak failed to put up any ducks, so we slogged on toward the goose pit. As we walked I tried to snuggle deeper into my clothes for the wind was chill and cutting. It was a gray day, the kind that probably inspired the old saying, "It's a great day for ducks". The wind had bit through my jacket and insulated underwear before we reached the blind, and I was glad when Mike said that it was heated with a small gas burner.
The pit blind was on land owned by a friend and former employer of Mike's, so we didn't have any problems with the permission bit. As we stowed our gear and picked up the decoys, I gave the blind a quick examination. It was dug into a slight rise that frowned over a small slough and was well camouflaged with swamb grasses. It had three ports and a bench and was surprisingly comfortable. Originally, its main structures had started out as a cattle tank and a culvert tube, but a welding torch and plenty of work had made it into a cozy, if somewhat cramped hideout.
Mike studied the wind and got busy with his geese decoys. As I toted armloads of the fakes to the front of the blind, I watched how he put them out. He made two dry-land sets with one group of decoys on our left and another on our right. A few duck decoys were scattered on the slough to make the layout complete. With the decoys out, there wasn't much to do but wait, so we settled down in the blind and Mike started briefing us on the finer points of duck and goose hunting.
"These bigger-than-life decoys and their positions — some resting, some feeding, and some on the alert — look natural to flying birds, so if the geese move at all we should be in business. There's another blind here and it might be a little better for geese, but it isn't heated and on a day h le this, it could be mighty cold. Besides, this slough attracts ducks and I might as well shoot a couple as long as we are here," he explained.
We were half way through a thermos of coffee when the Lisco hunter pointed to some specks on the horizon.
"Mallards working this way," he said. "Maybe I can call them in."
He fumbled for the smaller of the two calls that hung from his collar and blew the "come-on". The greenheads got the message and swung toward the slough. As they came in, Mike muffled his call to the grub-on-the-table pitch. The ducks dropped in fast, anxious to join their own "kind".
Mike's first blast was off, but his second crumpled a fat drake that was just a little slow in the getaway department. After the retrieve, we went back to the blind and Mike resumed his discussion of waterfowl hunting.
"Three types of shooting are popular here —river blinds on the Platte, hay meadow pit blinds, and barge blinds on Lake McConaughy. All of them will work on any given day, all of them will fail on any given day, so you have to take your chances. Calling and decoying are important. Geese hit the meadows to forage and that is why we have these blinds here."
Ducks were trading back and forth and I knew that it was only a question of time before Mike collected his second duck, but I wasn't sure about the geese and neither was my companion.
'They're just not moving today. Wonder what's wrong?" he grumbled, expecting no answer.
A flock of mallards swung over the blocks and pitched down. Almost nonchalantly, Mike collected his second bird.
"Now, it's geese or nothing," he remarked, tossing the duck into the blind.
We resumed our waiting and Mike continued to talk about the hunting in west-central Nebraska.
"It's a fine area for pheasants, and quail seem to be on the upswing. There are prairie grouse back in the hills and they offer some good shooting during the season. For big game, we have both mule and white-tailed deer. Then, of course, we have the waterfowl hunting."
I was working on a cup of coffee when Mike's yelp startled me so much that I almost scalded Steve with the hot stuff. He had spotted some specks on the far horizon and experience told him they were geese. We crouched lower in the blind, letting only our eyes follow the 54 NEBRASKAland approaching birds. Somewhere below us, two shots split the air, but we didn't see any geese fall.
"Veei, darn you, veer," Mike muttered under his breath. "Come a little lower now, just a little lower."
Experience told the hunter when the geese reached call range. Mike had made some modifications on his goose call and the rig was taped together, but the Lisco man knew who to use it. The baritone to tenor honk sounded like the real thing to me and apparently to the Canadas. Their responding chatter reached our elated ears as Mike kept coaxing them in.
"Ka-ronk. Ka-ronk," Mike hailed and from high in the sky came the answer, "ka-ronk, ka-ronk, ka-ronk."
The moment of truth was approaching now. Powerful rhythmical wing beats were bringing the Canadas closer and closer but the issue was still in doubt. Mike reduced the volume of his call and kept talking as the still-suspicious birds made their circle. Then, as the birds swept overhead, Mike stopped calling.
Deciding whether or not geese are in range or not is a tough part of goose hunting. Geese loom up like 3-D movies when they're still 60 yards out. To score you have to practice restraint and that's hard on the nerves, but it's the mark of a master hunter.
Mike was a pro at the business and the birds were well within range before he made his play. With the misfire, it is well that he did, for the Canadas were picking up yardage before Mike got squared around for his second try. His prize was a lesser Canada and weighed about five pounds. After the retrieve, we straightened up the wind-tossed decoys and spied another flock coming in from the west. We scooted back to the blind and hoped that the birds hadn't seen us. They flew on without giving us a pass but Mike wasn't disappointed.
"Too high. But we'll get another chance, the geese are moving more all the time," he said, watching the birds dwindle into the distance.
A new flock materialized out of the horizon to back his confident words. The wavy formation came on, its loudening gabble sending chills of anticipation and excitement racing along my spine. Mike was calling hard now and the geese were responding. They circled high and then started slanting down, their powerful wings braking to slow their descent, could see their legs straightening and the opening webs of their feet as the birds sought the earth.
Mike picked his target, established his lead, and fired. The front bird crumpled and dropped, his dark body in sharp contrast to the winter-seared landscape. Mike's second take of the day was considerably larger than the first. We estimated that he would nudge the 10-pound mark.
Our walk back to the vehicles wasn't near as cold as the trek out. Mike had two mallards and two geese to tote while Steve and I were warm and exhilarated by the hunt, although we hadn't done any shooting. We had learned a lot just watching one of the valley's top goose hunters practice his craft and that was reward enough for the long morning in the blind. Later, as we headed for home I decided that come next season I was going after honkers on my own, and I guess Steve feels the same way. Mike doesn't know it, but when next season rolls around he's going to have another coaching job on his hands.
THE ENDDANBY FARM
(Continued from page 39made an excellent playmate, they decided there might possibly be a market for the animals, and they were right.
Unlike many fairyland stories, elves didn't build the farm. The Langfelds have worked long hours to improve the 156-acre rural residence. Young Dan with the help of his mother, father, and Leo began to mold the place to their desires. The farm grew to maturity fast and when the galloping building pace had slowed to a walk, a total of 52 buildings, most of them painted a soft green, dotted the rolling hills.
Danby Farm is no longer just a family hobby; it is a thriving business. Its plant includes one of the Midwest's largest private indoor training rings, a lighted outdoor arena, two new houses, and shelters in every pasture for ponies and donkeys.
Weaving over the alfalfa-covered hills are 22 miles of fences, not counting the border fence. Unlike most farms, the rural acreage does not have one strand of barbed wire, because the ponies and donkeys are much too valuable to chance scratches. Woven-wire fences are used instead. Although the eight-foot fences and a steel gate blocking the entrance to the farm seem to indicate No Trespassing, the Langfelds welcome all visitors on appointment.
A $2 million investment in buildings, fences, and general improvements will not put a farm in contention for No. 1 honors as the nation's top breeder and trainer of Shetland ponies. Danby Farm's reputation was made in show rings across the nation with ponies that have brought more than 600 first-place championship trophies and ribbons to the farm.
To win that many first-place awards, you have to be willing to travel. In one year Daniel Langfeld, Jr., traveled over 80,000 miles and visited 32 states to bring the name of Danby Farm before the people. However, not all the awards were won in faraway show rings. In 1964, Danby ponies journeyed to the Nebraska State Fair where they won every class they entered for a total of 22 wins.
Whenever a sport is competitive, there
are always certain individuals who stand
out as superstars. In this case the superstars
in the show ring are Shetland
ponies. Danby Farm can lay claim to
several ponies who have earned that
much-sought-after title. The farm's
superstars include: Mystery Challenger,
recently retired as Canada's undefeated
National Champion; Paraders 76 Trombones,
grand champion for four years
and winner of every class he has entered
for a total of 52 wins; Larigo's Teresa, a
National Champion; Larigo's Patton L.,
2nd, a world champion; and, Danny
Patton and Patton's Look Alike, Champion
Pair and Tandem.
Why have Danby ponies proved to be big winners in the arena? There are many reasons. In the show ring, a pony is judged on his performance and conformation. Conformation in layman's terms means overall beauty or how the pony is put together. Judges look at these characteristics: Does the horse have an upright neck? Does he have a good well-shaped back? Are his ears pointed and well placed on the head? Does he seem vigorous?
Prize-winning conformation comes from breeding. The farm's program centers around selective and line breedings on the famous Larigo and Patton L. bloodlines. Patton L., foaled in 1940, was the first National Grand Champion Stallion selected by the National Pony Congress. He came to the farm in 1953, and is still active as the senior sire of the Patton line. This Shetland is recognized nationally as one of the great sires of all time.
Danby ponies carry the characteristics of their proven forefathers, but to have the same genetic makeup is not enough. In order to win, ponies must be taught to perform. Teaching ponies takes constant work. Show ponies go through a rigorous one-hour training session each day, six days a week. To train a pony for halter classes takes about six months, while training a pony for roadster or fine harness competition may take one to three years.
The Langfelds know ponies and how to train them and this has led them down the road to success. The family is willing to share their winning formula, gained through show-ring experience, with others. A little over a year ago the farm innovated a rather unique school for pony lovers.
The school's purpose is to teach youngsters, as well as adults, the fine points of training and caring of a pony. Students come from California, Montana, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, New York, Florida, and South Dakota to attend the school.
One of the major problems in starting the school was to find an acceptable and understandable textbook. Since there were few such books available, the younger Langfeld found it necessary to write a fully illustrated book to coincide with his planned course.
With a host of superstars and with Danby's reputation, you might reason that a pony would be out of the reach of the average pocketbook. Danby ponies foal 60 to 70 colts a year. The farm picks 10 likely prospects from the group on the basis of bloodlines, and from that 10 selects 3 colts on their conformation for training.
The rest of the colts are up for sale with the good show prospects going for more than the average pony. The price of most ponies, however, is within the reach of the average person.
Besides running the farm, writing books, and showing and training ponies, young Dan keeps busy by serving on the Advisory Council of the United States Equestrian Team. He takes an active part in the American Shetland Pony Club, judges horse shows throughout the country, and plays an active part in several other horse clubs.
In addition to these activities Dan heads the Associate Farm program to perpetuate the pure-bred Shetland and the Patton L. Bloodlines. Associate Farms are under the direction of the home farm, and all breeding programs must be approved by it. For those associate members who wish help in training and exhibiting, Dan Langfeld is at their service and will fly to the farm and aid its owner.
After all this careful selection and dedicated training, it is no wonder that Danby Farm ponies and donkeys reach the very top of the social ladder. After all, they have a good start.
THE ENDJIGSAW OF A MILL
(Continued from page 22)and his partner. After a time Tuch's son took it over.
In the 1900's the mill and the farm were sold to Adolph Rischmiller. By this time there were many flour mills in operation and the making of flour was discontinued at Steel Creek. Only custom grinding of corn and other grains for local farmers was still done.
The mill had been at first powered by a huge waterwheel, but in time that gave out and a modern turbine, set 11 feet underground, was used. Then in 1913, a flood came and destroyed the water storage dam, and all milling had to be discontinued. What was left of the mill went with the farm when Mr. Rischmiller retired in 1929, selling out to Henry Ruzicka.
It was to Adolph that a delegation from Verdigre went in September of 1961. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Roubicek, Jim Chalupnik, Tony Chocholousek, the Fostermans, and Edward S. Pavlik drove out to the mill site and made inquiries. A short time later a committee of Dr. Walstrom, Ben Roubicek, Jim Maly, and William Fosterman concluded arrangements for the mill to be donated to Verdigre.
So the citizens of Verdigre, proud of their possession of the unique old mill, have an interesting story to tell in how the problem of moving a mill provided its own solution. Taking the mill down into thousands of pieces and then restoring it became a fascinating game, a giant jigsaw puzzle in which a whole community took part. And so to the citizens of Verdigre, the mill became both a great challenge in the assembly and a great satisfaction in the completion.
THE END 56 NEBRASKAlandNEBRASKAland TRADING POST
Classified Ads: 15 cents a word, minimum order $3.00, June, 67 closing date, April 1 BOATING KAYAKS—One-man $19.50; two-man $24.50; Sailboat $44. Exciting Sitka Kayak Kits known world wide for speed and safety. Assemble in one afternoon. Free pictorial literature. Box 78-N, Brecksville, Ohio. 44141. DOGS HUNTING DOGS: German Shorthairs, English Pointers Weimaraners, English, Irish, and Gordon Setters, Chesapeakes, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers. Registered pups, all ages, $50 each. Robert Stevenson, Orleans, Nebraska. WANTED AKC PUPPIES and purebred kittens Excalibur Kennels and Cattery 908 North 40th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104—Bird Dog Specialists. TRAINING and boarding; all pointing breeds and retrievers. Field and obedience training Special rates on year around boarding and conditioning. Occasional top bred pointers and retrievers for sale Stud service. Individual concrete runs; best of feed and care. Platte Valley Kennels, Route 1, Box 61, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801. FISH BAIT SUPERIOR Red Worms. 1,000, $6; 5,000, $27.50. Guaranteed. Inquire Worm Service, 1914 Lenox Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin 53511. FISH LURES FISHERMEN'S SPECIALS Fly fisherman—for a limited time offer receive 12 (assorted colors) extra fancy Skitter streamers $5 postpaid—White bass spinners—receive 12*4 oz. spinners $4 postpaid— Try Skitter's jig on white bass-walleye Receive 214 oz. jigs yellow-white $1 postpaid. SKI1 ItAi PRODUCTS, 205 South 15th Norfolk, Nebraska 68701. GUNS AND AMMO NEW, USED AND ANTIQUE GUNS. Send long addressed lOc-stamped envelope for list, or stop in. Bedlan's Sporting Goods, Fairbury, Nebraska. STONEGROUND CORNMEAL. Most complete line Health Foods. Many processed daily. Come see us or write. Brownville Mills, Brownville, Nebraska. COLLAPSIBLE Farm-Pond Fish Traps; Animal Traps, postpaid. Free information, pictures, Shawnee, 3934-AX Buena Vista, Dallas 4, Texas. OLD FUR COATS restyled into capes, stoles, etc. $25. We're also tanners, and manufacture fur garmets, buckskin jackets and gloves. Free style folder. Haeker's Furriers, Alma, Nebraska. 600 ASSORTED SWEET ONION PLANTS with free planting guide. $3 postpaid. TOPCO, "home of the sweet onion," Farmersville, Texas 75031. TURKEY HUNTERS—More fun and hunting success with a deluxe combination hen and gobbler call. Tested and proven on Nebraska gobblers. Native Aromatic cedar construction. Satisfaction guaranteed. Attractive gift for your hunter friends. Full instructions enclosed. $6.95 check or money order. Specialty Wood Products, 2335 North 139 Street, Omaha, Nebraska. AUTOMOBILE BUMPER STRIPS. Low-cost advertising for Special Events, Community Projects, Resorts, Motels, Tourist Attractions, Organizations. Write for Free Brochure, Price List and Samples. Reflective Advertising, Dept. N, 873 Longacre, St. Louis, Missouri 63132. SOLID PLASTIC DECOYS. Original Do-It-Yourself Decoy Making Kit. All Species Available. Catalog 25c. Decoys Unlimited, Box 69E, Clinton, Iowa 52732. SCUBA EQUIPMENT BOB-K'S AQUA SUPPLY Nebraska's largest Scuba dealer. U. S. Divers, Sportways, Voit, Swimmaster, Scubrapro. Air Station, Regulator Repair. Telephone 553-9483, 1419 South 46 Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska. TAXIDERMY GAME heads and fish mounting. 40 years experience. Cleo Christiansen, Taxidermist, 421 South Monroe Street, Kimball, Nebraska. FISH MOUNTING A SPECIALTY—Crappie, bass, trout, walleye, Northerns and other trophy fish. Two to three week delivery until fall. 20 years experience. Livingston Taxidermy, Mitchell, Nebraska. TRAVEL TRAILERS MUSTANG Travel trailers and Pickup Campers. 14' to 24'. Dealer information MUSTANG, Box 130, Gering, Nebraska. NICKELS CAMPER AND TRAILER SALES, Weeping Water, Nebraska. In Stock, pick-up campers: Freeway, Del Rey, Covered Wagon, Hill Crest. Pick-up covers: B B Toppers. Travel Trailers: Bon Aire, Covered Wagon, De Camp. From standard to selfcontained. We rent 8 and 10 ft. pick-up campers, travel trailers and tent type trailers. Over 30 units in stock. Open every day, evenings, and all day Sunday. Phone 267-4855 or 267-3195. THE BIG WINNERS ARE.. OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland Classified Advertisers Because: More than 50,000 OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland readers form an active buying market for all types of products. From sporting equipment to health foods, all are sold through OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland classified ads. OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland's reading audience keeps growing, but OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland's classified advertising rates remain LOW . . . only $.15 per word with a $3.00 minimum. 9 Classified advertising in OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland is attractively displayed so no advertisement is lost. The classified section consistently has high readership. # Most important, OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland classified advertising SELLS! So whatever you want to sell or buy, you'll hit the jackpot with OUTDOOR NEBRASKAland of the Air SUNDAY KGFW, Kearney (1340 kc) 7:05 a.m. KRGI, Grand Island (1430 kc) 7:40 a.m. WOW, Omaha (590 kc> 7:40 a.m. KMMJ, Grand island (750 kc) 7:40 a.m. KXXX, Colby, Kan. (790 kc) 8:00 a.m. KBRL, McCook (1300 kc) 9:45 a.m. KAMI, Coxad (1580 kc) 9:45 a.m. KM A, Shenandoah, la. (960 kc) 10:00 a.m. KODY, North Platte (1240 kc) 10:45 a.m. KLMS, Lincoln (1480 kc) 11:00 a.m. KIMB, Kimball (1260 kc) 11:15 a.m. KVSH, Valentine (940 kc) 1200 Noon KOGA, Ogallala (930 kc) 12:30 p.m. KFOR, Lincoln (1240 kc)12:45 p.m. KCNI, Broken Bow (1280 kc) 1:15 p.m. KUVR, Holdrege (1380 kc) 2:45 p.m. KNCY, Nebraska City (1600 kc) 5:00 p.m. KRVN, Lexington (1010 kc) 5:40 p.m. KTNC, Falls City (1230 kc) 5:45 p.m. KFAB, (Mon.-Fri.) Nightly MONDAY KGMT, Fairbury (1310 kc) 1:00 p.m. KSID, Sidney (1340 kc) 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY KJSK, Columbus (900 kc) 1:30 p.m. KCOW, Alliance (1400 kc) 4:30 p.m. FRIDAY WJAG, Norfolk (780 kc) 4:15 p.m. KHUB, Fremont (1340 kc) 5:15p.m. SATURDAY KCOW, Alliance (1400 kc) 9:30 a.m. KOLT, Scottsbluff (1320 kc)11:45 a.m. KAWL, York (1370 kc) 12:45 p.m. KHAS, Hastings (1230 kc) 1:00 p.m. KRFS, Superior (1600 kc) 1:00 p.m KWRV, McCook (1360 kc) 1:45 p.m. KBRX, O'Neill (1350 kc) 4:30 p.m. KMNS, Sioux City, la. (620 kc) 6:10 p.m. DIVISION CHIEFS Willard R. Barbee, assistant director Glen R. Foster, fisheries Dick H. Schaffer, information and tourism Richard J. Spady, land management Jack D. Strain, state parks Lloyd P. Vance, game CONSERVATION OFFICERS Chief, Carl E. Getrmann, Lincoln Atnsworth—Max Showalter, 387-1960 Albion—Gary L. Baltz, 395-2516 Alliance—Richard Furley, 762-2024 Alliance—Leonard Spoering, 762-1547 Alma—Wihiam F. Bonsall, 928-2313 Arapahoe—Don Schaepler, 962-7818 Benkelman—H. Lee Bowers, 423-2893 Bridgeport—Joe Ulrich, 100 Broken Bow—Gene Jeffries, 872-5953 Columbus—Lyman Wilkinson, 564-4375 Crawford—Cecil Avey, 228 Creighion—Gary R, Ralston, 425 Crete—Roy E. Owen, 826-2772 Crofton—John Schuckman, 388-4421 David City—Lester H. Johnson 367-4037 Fairbury—Larry Bauman, 729-3734 Falls City—Raymond Frandsen, 2817 Fremont—Andy Nielsen, 721-2482 Gering—Jim McCole, 436-2686 Grand Island—Fred Sa'ak. 384-0582 Hastings—Bruce Wiebe, 462-8317 Hay Springs—Larry D. Elston, 638-4051 Kearney—Ed Greving, 237-5753 Kimball—Marvin Bussinger, 235-3905 Lexington—Robert D. Patrick, 324-2138 Lincoln—Leroy Orvis, 488-1663 Lincoln—Norbert Kampsnider, 466-0971 Lincoln—Dale Bruha, 477-4258 Long Pine—William O. Anderson, 273-4406 Nebraska City—Mick Gray, 873-5890 Norfolk—Robert Downing, 371-2675 North Platte—Samuel Grasmick, 532-9546 North Platte—Roger A. Guenther, 532-2220 Ogallala—Jack Morgan, 284-3425 Omaha—Dwight Allbery, 558-2910 O'Neill—Kenneth L. Adkisson 336-3000 Ord—Gerald Woodgate, 728-5060 Oshkosh—Donald D. Hunt, 772-3697 Ponca—Richard D. Turpin, 2521 Tekamah—Richard Elston, 374-1698 Thedford—John Henderson, 645-5351 Valentine—Elvin Zimmerman, 376-3674 Valley—Daryl Earnest, 359-2332 Winside—Marion Schafer, 286-4290 York—Gail Woodside, 362-4120 MARCH, 1967 57
Robidoux Pass Steinhart Park WHERE-TO-GO
ONE NEBRASKA site which symbolizes the state's role in the early movement to the Pacific Coast is a remote point in Scotts Bluff County known as Robidoux Pass. Here, at the end of an enchanting valley, at the foot of steep pine-covered bluffs, and adjoining one of the finest springs on the California Trail, the early gold-seekers stopped to camp.
In this wilderness of 1849 lived the Sioux and one calculating Missourian of French ancestry named Robidoux. Robidoux operated a trading post and blacksmith shop which made enormous profits from the unlimited demand for goods, and the lack of competitors. Robidoux, the earliest settler in western Nebraska, was the only visible white resident in the 300 miles between Forts Kearny and Laramie.
Just west of Gering is a high range of bluffs, which runs parallel to the Wildcat Hills. At its eastern end this range makes a sharp bend to the north which is separated only by a patch of badlands from the river. The massive north ridge, the summit of which is accessible by a scenic road, is present Scotts Bluff, and the V-shaped cleft which separates it from the range is called Mitchell Pass. Both are in Scotts Bluff National Monument. At the western end the range approaches the Wildcat Hills, being separated from them by a low sandy ridge, unexpected in its craggy surroundings, which is Robidoux Pass.
The Robidoux route was used almost exclusively by fur traders, missionary parties, soldiers, and immigrants up to 1850. Scotts Bluff, lying across the valley like a prairie Gibralter, and surrounded by jagged badlands, was too much of a barrier, forcing travelers to detour into Robidoux Pass. The ruts of yesterday's rumbling Conestogas are still evident where the Oregon Trail wound through the pass.
Robidoux Pass still has several features which came up regularly in journals of past travelers — romantic scenery, an exceptionally good stretch of roadway, a spectacular westward view toward distant Laramie Peak and even a diorama of Robidoux himself, complete with his Indian wife, children, and "poor relation." All of these features survive in their relatively unspoiled historical setting. Ironically, Robidoux rests in an unknown grave.
But, Nebraska offers recreational areas as well as historic sites. West of Nebraska City, off Nebraska Highway 2 and Central Avenue, is Steinhart Park, playground of southeastern Nebraska and one of the beauty sites of the state.
This 45-acre park includes a swimming pool, baseball diamond, tennis courts, children's playground, picnic grounds, fishing ponds, and a nine-hole golf course. Tables, barbecue pits, and fireplaces complete with firewood are available. During the summer months concerts are provided by the city band.
On high ground, overlooking the park is Steinhart Park Lodge. The lodge, erected in 1949, is similar in design and material to the famous lodges in Yellowstone National Park. Fifty feet wide and 150 feet long, it is larger than most national park lodges and is made of native limestone quarried from nearby Cass County. The lodge opens on Easter Sunday, March 26, and is renowned for the fine buffet it serves on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Steinhart lodge is also open nightly for regular menu service. Approximately 200 public and private events are held there each year.
Funds for the development of the park's facilities and erection of the lodge were donated to the community by Morton Steinhart. Both the park and lodge are named after his father, John W. Steinhart, pioneer banker and food packer. Morton Steinhart, a state leader in industry and founder of Nebraska City's nationally known Morton House Kitchens, has also been instrumental in helping Nebraska City attract more industries. Still a resident of the city, Mr. Steinhart has plans underway to purchase more land to add to the city park.
Other attractions in Nebraska City include beautiful Arbor Lodge State Park, John Brown's Cave, and the Russell-Majors-Wadell marker.
THE ENDFISHERMAN'S LAMENT
by BRETCEHN EINEMANN Rod and reel, net and pail, All these things were of no avail. It mattered not what was used for bait, For in the end, not one fish ate. Tm not a real impatient guy, But I sure would like one fish to fry. So tell me please, what does it take, To get the fish up from the lake?
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