Red Willow, the town and school

The gifts of items expanded last month when we received several issues of the Red Willow Zephyr, the earliest of which was the 1939 annual. Since I grew up in Indianola, I am very familiar with the Red Willow School. The two high schools were competitors in sports, and I sat in the original building’s gymnasium for basketball games. The 1949 annual contains a picture of a young man who quite obviously was very involved in school activities, Densel O’Dea. His participations included football, basketball, boys’ glee club, track, class officer, student council, junior play and scholastic day. Densel is still a Red Willow, Nebraska fan today having spearheaded the placement of historical signs at both the location of the original location of Red Willow, the town, and the Red Willow School building. His classmates that year included Richard Lenneman, Dorothy Kircher, Shirley Kotschwar and Marilynn McKillip.

It’s funny how seeing those albums brought up memories! Red Willow, Bartley, and Indianola seemed to have varied boundaries when it came to school attendance. We would have someone in our class one year and the next year they would be riding the bus to Bartley due to district changes. One classmate attended school at whichever school his mother was teaching in. The 1949 Red Willow graduating class was only 5 students and the grade school classes were combined with Miss Stevens teaching First, Second, and Third grades, the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grades teacher was un-named in the photo but Seventh and Eighth grades were taught by Mrs. Malcom. As was also true in Indianola, Ninth grade was part of High School. We had a Kindergarten class in my school, but none were pictured in the 1949 Zephyr. I believe that this could be explained by the fact that the baby boom after WWII was just starting to hit the school systems so there may not have even been any Kindergartners at Red Willow that year.

Now to cover some items that caught my eye from the McCook Tribune on July 8, 1909! From the Marion personals column: “ Stella and Lizzie Eifert went to Wilsonville Monday to celebrate (the 4th of July) and from there to Beaver City to visit their Grandmother Eifert a few days. “

Continuing the Marion News: “The Fourth is past and we had a very small celebration, consisting of a short programme and an oration an and political speech by Clyde J. Wright of Socialist frame, and it is the first time we ever heard of a political speech on Independence Day and think the committee lacked good judgment that made the arrangements.”

The North Valley news contained these items: “Wheat harvest is in full swing here, this week, and promises to be a heavy crop. Elmer Robbins commenced harvesting Monday afternoon. Mark Ribble is putting up alfalfa this week. Walter Rankin cultivated corn for Mark Ribble a few days the first of the week. Chas. And Ernest Bell are the proud owners of a new typewriter. Anyone wishing letters written on short notice, give the boys a call.”

Danbury news included a summary of the activities the community held for Independence Day: “Long before sunrise, Saturday morning, you could hear the roar of the anvil. It reminded you that it was July 3rd. The day was still and warm, and at 10 o’clock the parade led by the band marched to the grove. After a program they ate their dinners. At 3:30 the races commenced. After the races Danbury and Wilsonville played ball, Danbury winning by a score of 10-2. Wilsonville did not score until their last inning, when one player made a home run and a runner on second came home also, making two scores. The at 8:00 Danbury basketball girls played McCook girls, and Danbury won by a score of 6 to 13. At 9:00 were the fireworks and then the dance and home talent play.”

It seems we have returned to those olden days because McCook also held no celebration in 1909 but the celebrations surrounding were well attended by locals and McCook residents as well. Perhaps that is how it should be.

SWNGS is located at 110 West C Street, Suite M-3.