Who is Thomas Crapper?

Does anyone remember the tank above the toilet that had a chain to pull for the flush? Does anyone know how the name "Crapper" came about? What a myth! And was I ever surprised to find out the truth.

Yes, Thomas Crapper invented the modern device known as the "Crapper."

Just AskJeeves.com to get the straight skinny. And we thought it meant something else!! Sorta? Heh! I guess the name fits???

-- Submitted by Dallas Adams

Additional links:

Thomas Crapper & Co., Ltd.

Nadine Workman

We are saddened to read the obituary of Nadine (Wright) Workman in this week's Benkelman Post & News Chronicle.

A partial version of the obituary is:

Nadine Eulalie (Wright) Workman was born May 25, 1934, attended school in St. Francis, Kansas then married Charles Workman on July 18, 1954. They were married 53 years and lived on the family farm in northwestern Cheyenne County, Kansas.

She leaves to mourn, her husband Charles Workman and children Phyllis & husband Roe Custer, Charla & husband Dewie Womble, and sons Steve & wife Tami Workman and Danny & wife Cindy Workman and eight grand-children; 3 step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and brothers Keith Wright of Hutchinson, Kansas, Leon Wright of Indianola, Nebraska and David Wright of St. Francis, Kansas and many other family members and friends.

Services were held on September 13, 2007 at the Zion Luthern Church in Haigler with the Rev. Chris Farmer officiating. Interment followed at the Haigler Cemetery with Knodel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

--A complete obituary can be read in the Benkelman Post & News Chronicle, September 26, 2007.

Velma Neville

Another long-time Haigler resident, Velma Neville, more recently a resident of a care center in Sterling, Colo., passed away on Friday, September 21. Her obituary can be seen in the McCook Daily Gazette.

Condolences go to her family for their loss.

Annual Soup Supper

The Haigler Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their annual soup supper this year on Saturday, October 6, from 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. to kick off Fire Prevention Week, at the Haigler Legion Hall. A Fireman's Ball will follow from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. with D. J. X-Press from McCook.

Update on Don Smith

As some of you may have heard, my dad, Don Smith, was advised by a cardiologist to make a trip to Lincoln and check into the Nebraska Heart Hospital, where a catheterization was done on Friday. The discovery of the major blocked artery required a double bypass surgery on Monday.

This morning (Tuesday) I found him sitting up having a piece of toast and a cup of coffee. Today he walked around on the floor where he is staying until he enters Madonna later this week.

We expect him to be up to his ornery normal tricks soon!!

When Dad is transferred to Madonna, we'll post an update with mailing address where cards can reach him.

-- Submitted by Pat Fortkamp

HUMOR FOR LEXOPHILES (LOVERS OF WORDS):

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I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
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Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
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A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
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Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
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We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
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When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
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The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
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The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
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The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
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If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.
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A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
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A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
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A will, is a dead giveaway.
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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
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A backward poet writes inverse.
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In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
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A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
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If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
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With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
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Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
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When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
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The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
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A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.
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You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
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Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.
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He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
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A calendar's days are numbered.
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A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
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A boiled egg, is hard to beat.
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He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
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A plateau, is a high form of flattery.
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Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
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When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
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If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.
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When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
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Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
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Santa's helpers, are subordinate clauses.
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Acupuncture: a jab well done.
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--submitted by Alice Gregory

HAIGLER WOMEN’S CLUB - 1922-2002

The following article, contributed by Laura Pearl Wall, was printed in the Haigler items by Opal Collicott in 2004. When it got to the point of four ladies in attendance (two others paid dues) it was decided to disband. The money in the treasury was given to local needs.

HAIGLER WOMEN’S CLUB 1922-2002

Haigler, like many little pioneer towns, was holding its own in extreme southwest Nebraska and had been incorporated in 1909. The schoolhouse was 35 years old. The Methodist Church was 34. The nearest thing to organized social life was the gathering of a few women who met to sew quilts and blankets. That was fine for those who like that activity; but what about the others? No radio, no television, no internet! So when a notice appeared in the Haigler News inviting all women in Haigler and the vicinity to a meeting to organize a Woman’s Club, several ladies responded and Haigler Woman’s Club became reality Oct. 5, 1922. The preamble to the Constitution and Bylaws expressed the goals of the organization. “In pursuit of happiness, it is necessary to develop the best within ourselves, then reach out and help others. Therefore we, the women of Haigler and vicinity for our mutual improvement do form ourselves into an organization by the name of the Haigler Woman’s Club.”

Banquets and plays were often held in the early years. Many of the enjoyable and appreciated events of the Haigler Community are results of the Woman’s Club in cooperation with other organizations. The sings and the first walks at the school; sponsoring of Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Heart Fund, Music Week, Essays for students, Art appreciation, donations to Nebraska Children’s Home, glass backboards in the gymnasium, poetry contests and the library are all things which come to mind.

A book-Memories of Country Schools Near Haigler, NE-was sponsored by the Haigler Woman’s Club. The land where the town park is located was purchased by the Woman’s Club and given to the Village of Haigler in 1950. The Gazebo Park belongs to Woman’s Club. The gazebo and cowboy sculptures are maintained by club members; along with the whisky barrel flower planters. A flower garden in the cemetery, has been maintained by club members since 1974. It is hoped that these activities can continue to be performed.

The community is grateful for 80 years-1922 to 2002. Membership has dwindled due to health, death and disinterest. Haigler Woman’s Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the fellowship hall of the United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited.

Fire in Bitterroot National Forest

This awesome picture was taken in the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana on August 6 by a fire behavior analyst from Fairbanks, Alaska, by the name of John McColgan, with a Digital camera.
-- Cal Frehling

The Flour Sack

BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT

IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSATILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.

PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL,TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.

THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHER AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.

BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS.
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!

AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!

AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!

WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!

SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"

All these girls dresses were from flour sacks

--Submitted by Dallas Adams

Dennis the Menace - Dallas

Judy and I went to the Puyuallup State Fair today, supposedly the sixth largest fair in the United States. I was reminded by some long time friends at the fair how menacing I used to be.

A Fire Caption found some droppings on his glass top office desk. It was nothing more than stock licorice, that had been skillfully cut and shaved by a pocket knife. The next day there were rat traps and mouse traps all over the fire station trying to catch these pesky little critters. chuckle, chuckle, but I never fessed up. We really did not have any mice at the Fire Station.

Somebody else mentioned they used to find tootsie rolls in the Mico-wave oven???? Who me??? What the Heck is that???

Yea, Dennis the menace still lives, oh what a lasting impression I must have left. A real legendary character leaving a mark of innocence, not knowing what kind of wake of memories left years ago that I had actually forgotten about. Only to be reminded at a State Fair by some old time friends with some really good laughs about the past. More was said than I am printing.

Only at the state fair.

--Dallas Adams

Looking for Lydiatt Ancestors in Haigler

I was in Haigler last Sept. and was looking for my GGrandpa Job Lydiatt who died 1921? Haigler. He owned land and was well acquainted with the Tibbetts family, Maces, and McDaniels. Some sources say he was buried in Haigler Cemetery but I did not find him. Anyone with info about my family living there 1919 to 1930 please contact me.

--Thank you.

Wayne Mace
Email:	wwaynetheman@excite.com

Family Trees

Do any of you research your family tree? Do you have online trees that you would like to share?

Genealogy has been a "hobby" of mine ever since my mother transferred the "disease" to me in the 1980s. I lived in Salt Lake City at the time and was able to spend some time in the LDS genealogy library searching for records. I purchased some software called Personal Ancestral File (PAF) and ran it on a Tandy 286 that had a 10 mg hard drive. From that beginning, we now have over 3,000 names in the current Family Treemaker file, along with a large collection of family pictures that we have scanned from family picture albums and boxes.

Recently I began putting our TREE online at Ancestry.com and call it The Crabtree - Gregory Connection. Feel free to visit it when you have some time.

I'm beginning a new sidebar item that I hope you will enjoy. It is called The Haigler Trees and will be a place to list the family trees of Haiglerites. So if you'd like to share yours, just send the link to me and I'll post it.

Have a great day!

-- Editor

Happy Birthday to Floy! (Sept. 17)

Click the speaker button to turn on the sound.

I'm sure Floy would enjoy receiving birthday greetings by email or card. Her email address is ffisher@bwtelcom.net.

The 10th was Dan Leinen's Birthday!

We missed wishing Dan Leinen a Happy Birthday! So here is a belated birthday greeting to you, Dan. Hope you had a great day and have many more!

-- Editor

Tom Wall Stopped by

Tom Wall stopped by the blog and left this comment in the guestbook...

I accidentally came across your blog and I am so glad I did! It's two AM in California, and I will pay the price at work in the morning. This is the best and I thank you for it. Even though I was only there a short time Haigler got all over me, and I think about folks there often. thanks again, Tom

We're always glad to hear from Haiglerites from all over the country. So if you stop by and enjoy the blog, feel free to tell us about your "Haigler" experiences.

-- Editor

Connie is So Precious

Famous Crabtrees

Audrey (Audie) and Mary Lou Crabtree are internationally-known taxidermists. Their work is displayed throughout the world, including the International Wildlife Museum here in Tucson. While surfing the net this evening, I came across their website:

http://www.wildliferecreationstaxidermy.com/index_002.htm

I hope you all will enjoy looking through this site.

Audie is the son of Floyd Crabtree who grew up south of Parks, Nebraska and is a nephew of Frank Crabtree.

--submitted by Leone Carlson

Dreadful Accident takes a Child's Life

On Monday morning, September 10, Floy Ruggles, of Haigler, received the sad news that her 10 year old great-granddaughter did not survive a rollover accident, throwing her out of the car in which she was riding with others of her family and friends. The other occupants of the car were not seriously injured. However, her mother, Tonja, was understandably emotionally distraught. Floy's daughter, Sharna and husband Richard Richardson of Wray left for Callaway as soon as they got news of the accident. They got the more dreadful news on their way to be with Tonja.

The funeral will be on Friday in Wray, Colorado.

Army Special Operation Soldier dies in vehicle related accident

U.S. Army Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 8, 2007) — An Army Special Operations Soldier died Sep. 7, 2007 when he succumbed to injuries sustained in a Sep. 2 vehicle related accident while on leave in Warrensburg, Mo.

Capt. Clayton E. Palmrose, 27, was a military intelligence detachment commander assigned to the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).

A native of Colo., Palmrose attended Central Missouri State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and his commission through the university’s Reserve Officers Training Command (ROTC) program in 2003. After completing Military Intelligence Officer Basic Training in 2004, Palmrose was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A), and served as the assistant military intelligence officer for two years. He then served as the battalion’s military intelligence detachment commander until his death.

He deployed twice with 3rd SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2004 and in Jan. 2006.
Palmrose is survived by his wife, Lacy and their stepdaughter, Brea of Fayetteville, N.C.; and parents Bruce and Connie of Wray, Colo.
http://news.soc.mil/advisories/Press-Media%20Releases/2007/Sept/070908-01.html
-- Deb Schorzman

Montana Heat !!

Hi,
As you can see from the pictures, it is unseasonably hot here in Montana.
Actually, I am here working on some of the fires and thought some of the folks back home might like to see these.
--Roger Douglass

Dallas's Universe

Judy and I returned from Ocean Shores, WA. today. Beautiful weather and in the high 70's. Trips can be expensive, but here are two trips that are FREE. You rotate on earth every 24 hours at no cost and see the sun daily.

I think these trips are phenomenal to our univers we live in and not expensive at all compared to our man made expenses. It is just how you look at it??!!!

No, I didn't get too much sun, and I don't argue with Mother Nature.

-- Submitted by Dallas Adams

A New Roof

Old South 67 schoolhouse is continuing to receive TLC (tender loving care.) The roof is being prepared for the new shingles. Trucks are in place to collect the old shingles as they are being removed.

Harford Ranch Celebration

A DOUBLE CELEBRATION - The Harford Ranch celebrated their 100th year of owning their ranch and Don and Virginia's 68th wedding anniversary in the Haigler Village Park on Saturday, September 1st. Over one hundred friends, relatives and well-wishers were in attendance to enjoy food and fellowship under near perfect southwestern Nebraska weather. Out of town grandchildren of Don, Virginia and Melba included Ty Mayo from Grapevine, Texas; Sharla Harford from Omaha, Nebraska; Brad Harford from Cambridge, Nebraska; Ami, James and Julian Crowe from Aurora, Colorado; Deb Neville from Denver, Colorado; Darcy Brown from Ft. Collins, Colorado and Nikki Gelvin, Spencer and Sydnee Cheek from Wray, Colorado.