Horse Thief Cave

In previous posts, Horse Thief Cave has been talked about and a picture of "how it looks now" was posted. I have personally visited the site and have been curious to learn more about how it came to be known by that name.

Recently, I was able to find and purchase a copy of "Dundy County Heritage", A Bicentennial Commemorative Edition by the Dundy County Extension Council. In the Foreword written by Anna L. (Gorthy) Benge, it states that the book was published in 1976.

One of the chapters is a story about Horse Thief Cave told by James Gorthy and written by his daughter Anna L. (Gorthy) Benge.

You can read the story in the History section of Genealogy Trails - Dundy County, Nebraska.

Golf Anyone?

If you play golf, you might want to visit the one just outside Holyoke, Colorado.

Watch this video: BallyNeal

The old GOC Tower

I have been curious lately about the old G.O.C (Ground Observation Corps). I am looking to hear any stories, maybe a list of names of the people that worked there, and pictures of the old GOC Station.

The GOC was already gone before I came along but I do remember Dad talking about it and telling me little tidbits about it from time to time. Then again, I might be crazy as a loon. Anyway, if it did really exist, it is an interesting part of Haigler history that I would like to know more about.

Thanks,
Roger Douglass
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Thanks Roger for your question.

Here is a scan of the picture found in the 1976 Haigler book, but there is no story or other comments about the volunteers who "manned" the observation tower.This tower was located just to the east and south of the old water tower.

I do remember going there with my mother on a regular basis and that people would get recognition for the number of hours they spent watching for "unfriendly" airplanes. I seem to remember a chart or a booklet that had the silhouettes of alot of different aircraft with their names and the country that they represented. There were also pictures of the markings that could be on the planes. We all had a pair of binoculars that we would look at the airplanes through - to determine if they were "friendly". There was also a record book to write down every aircraft we spotted.

Anyone else remember this?

Didn't we refer to it as: GOC Hill?

What years did we do it?
(It seems that it was during and after the Korean War, but it could have been later than that? )

Were you a volunteer?

Did you get a pin?

Write and tell about your experience: Email to the Editor

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Here is some information on GOC as Mom (Veda Douglass) and I remember it. I was just a little kid, and Mom said she hadn't thought about it in years, so her memory may be a little fuzzy. The pictures were in a small pocket book approximately 3X5 inches. Each aircraft picture showed a silhouette from the front, side and bottom. The markings were on posters hanging on the walls. GOC was manned solely by volunteers, 2 per shift.

She remembers it only being 1 hour per day per week. Mom was partnered with Hazel? Daniels (Rex's Mom), and Dad (Lloyd) was partnered with Sam Clegg. Glen Childers was the over-seer.

I would guess it was phased out in approximately 1959 or 1960, so since I was only 5 or 6 years old, I wouldn't remember many of the actual details, but I do remember looking at the books, and the posters on the walls of the building.

I'm sure there are others who remember more of this, but thought I would fill in what I remember.
-Doug (Lorenzo) Douglass
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In response to Roger's question about GOC, at my parents' (Ray and Melba Harford's) we had what seemed to be a pretty large cylinder in our south yard.

Whenever a plane flew over there was a horn that sounded and we were to observe the plane, call a telephone number and report our sighting.

Until a few years ago my parents' place had a registered landing strip, so I expect that is why we were designated as a sighting spot. I doubt our reports were always accurate!
- Linda J
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I was a GOC observer and still have all my pins
-Barbara Dexter Platon
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New Catagory - 100 Years Old

While posting obituaries on the Genealogy Trails - Dundy County web page, I have run across some Haigler residents who have lived to be past that age of 100.

I have created a new category to list these people.

If you know of someone who has passed their 100th birthday and you would like them included, send the name and a short story and we will post it on the list.

Mary (Wolfenden) Clegg

Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1935

Mary (Wolfenden) Clegg

After having lived in this troubed world for the space of 103 years, Mrs. Mary Clegg laid down life's burdens Wednesday noon at the home of her son, H. 0. Clegg, in Haigler.

Mrs. Clegg was apparently in good health until a short time ago when relatives noticed that she was failing until the end.

Mary Wolfenden, born in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, July 29, 1832, died In Haigler, Nebraska, at the home of her son, Harry 0. Clegg, August 14, 1935, at the age of 103 years and 16 days.

She immigrated to the United States at the age of 22 years, settling in Philadelphia, where she was united in marriage to Henry C. Clegg, at which place her eldest child, Harry 0. Clegg was born.

In the year 1862 she moved to Tabor, Iowa, where Samuel S., John W., Iva H., and Anna Clegg were born and reared to maturity. From there she moved with her family to Haigler, Dundy county, Nebraska, in 1887, being among the early pioneer settlers of this section.

After leaving Haigler she traveled extensively in the western part of the United States, living in Denver, Colorado, a good share of the time. She moved from Denver to Haigler in 1927, where she remained until she passed sway.

Her life was one of thoughtfulness for others.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry C. Clegg and two sons. The surviving members of her family are Harry 0. Clegg and Samuel S. Clegg, Haigler, Nebraska, Anna C. Miller, Phoenix, Arizona, nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the home last Friday at 9 a. m.—Haigler News.

Suspicious Death in Dundy County - November 1906

Another sad death to be annexed to the history of this county was that of one Thomas Ciser, which according to evidence obtained, occurred about one mile and a half northeast of Haigler in what is known as the isolated and sandy regions on or about November 1, 1906. The unfortunate young man was 19 years of age.

When found his face was horribly disfigured by reason of the rats which gnawed the flesh from one side of the; face entirely. Aside from the alcohol, a few cigars, some letters and $2.93, nothing was found on his person.

There is not one iota of evidence to justify the suspicion of foul play.

Various theories are advanced as to the manner by which death was caused. Among the most plausible that have thus far been offered is that the deceased was lightly troubled with paralysis and that he was overtaken with one of these strokes shortly after leaving Haigler and in the district where he was located where seldom anyone has occasion to visit, died from the cold and the lack of proper care.

Another is that he was addicted to the use of liquor and had become so badly intoxicated that he was unable to walk further and in the stupor which followed, froze to death.

Both of these theories are without foundation from the fact that the muscles of the body did not indicate paralysis and there was nothing to justify the belief of intoxication further than that a quart bottle containing alcohol was found in the pockets of the clothes of the dead man. Not more than a few spoons full of this had been taken out and Dr. Fuqua analyzed this alcohol and found that it contained no little amount of methyl spirits (wood alcohol,) and while it was impossible for him to ascertain just what part of the fluid was made up of this deadly poison, it is believed that enough was contained to cause almost instant death.

The alcohol has been forwarded to the state department for analysis and it may develop that the greater part of it was of the rank poison fluid which explains the mystery and the reason of the sudden death.

There is nothing on the bottle to show where it was purchased, but it is believed that the mistake was on the part of carelessness with some bartender and not malicious or intentional.
~Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1906

Farm Auction

I just found out that there will be an auction of the farm equipment from Platte Valley Academy where I went to high school.  The school was closed a couple of years ago and the farm is no longer in operation.  If you are interested in farm auctions, the sale bill is located at:  http://www.ruhterauction.com/PlatteValley/SaleBill.htm

February Birthdays

The following are the February Birthdays that we know of. If you know someone that should be added, please e-mail me and I will add it.

Don Harford - February 2
Lester Adams - February 4
Bernice (Smith) Douglass - February 15
Ed Card - February 27
Leah (Gregory) Brewer - February 29

RELATIONSHIP

Another week has passed. I sat out in the sun this afternoon and read some Junior Guides stories. The house stays cool and the sun felt good. There are people walking by almost any time of the day. They are the kind that know that walking is good for them to keep from getting feeble.

Last night when I got ready for bed I was in the writing mood. I seldom get that way any more. I just started writing, not knowing where I was going with it. As I wrote it just sort of unfolded ahead of me. It is quite simple, but maybe someone can get some encouragement or a blessing from it.

RELATIONSHIP

When I was a little child so many years ago
I learned there was a God above beyond the stars that glow,
Who loves and cares for each of us who follow where He leads.
We simply need to pray to Him and tell Him all our needs.
He always hears our faintest cry when troubles ʽround us fall.
When things donʼt go as we had planned, Heʼs not concerned at all.
Because He knows whatʼs best for us, He will not allow
Our spirits to be overwhelmed when we before Him bow.



Sometimes we go through tunnels, so fearful and so dark.
We feel like we are all alone - like we have missed the mark.
As day by day and step by step, we blindly move along;
But when we reach out for His hand, He bids us sing a song.
Although we, in our darkest hour, are filled with fear and dread,
We sense His presence, take His hand, then see a light ahead.
We keep our eyes fixed on that light as brighter it becomes..
Soon we will bound out into light, (point upward with our thumbs!)



Even when weʼre old and weak, our side Heʼll not forsake.
He tenderly provides for us. Our burdens, He will take.
It does no good to worry so, be fretful or complain.
Completely put your trust in Him. More blessings you will gain.
We donʼt always know just why He leads us as He does;
But through it all we realize Heʼs closer than He was.
So praise Him from a grateful heart for blessings He bestows.
Heʼs pleased when we acknowledge them. Relationship thus grows
Until we come into His kingdom, walking hand in hand,
Enjoying endless pleasures in that bright and happy Land


~floy fisher January 31, 2009