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