From the files of The Wilson World
From the files of the August 4, 1971 edition of The Wilson World.
GOOD TURN-OUT AT TWO-DAY FESTIVAL
Wilson outdid itself again with the 1971 version of the After-Harvest Czech Festival. It was bigger and better than ever before. Saturday’s attendance probably was less than last year’s 12,000 but with the Festival being held on Friday as well, the two day attendance total no doubt beat 1970’s.
People came from as far away as Ethiopia, Hawaii, Panama, Alaska and Canada. In addition, they were here from Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma,New York, Colorado, Maryland, Alabama, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington D. C., as well as all over Kansas.
People were lined for blocks along the parade route Saturday morning to see the annual event which this year had a centennial theme. The U. S. Army band from Ft. Riley and the Silver Sabre Cadettes from Salina highlighted the hour long parade.
Church and lodge organizations, local restaurants and individual short order stands kept people well fed throughout the two days. Organizations and cafes featured Czech foods such as jaternice, roast duck and pork, sauerkraut and dumplings, kolaches and etc.
Accordion players roamed the streets both days, playing polkas as well as requests from onlookers.
“This year’s Czech Festival was better than ever” is a remark heard frequently these days. Now all thoughts are turned towards the 1972 version of the After-Harvest Czech Festival.
PONY PULL RESULTS
Out of nine contesting teams in the pony pulling contest held Saturday afternoon, Homer Henry, Cheney, won first prize; Noland Scott’s team, second, and from St. John, Ray Smith’s team scored third. Announcer for the event was Mrs. Roy Betz.
Mr. and Mrs. Noland Scott of Hutchinson are the president and secretarytreasurer of the Mid-Kansas Pulling Club which was organized some seven or eight years ago.
In order to qualify, all teams of ponies must be 46 inches and under. And in accordance with club ruled, these miniature teams must be able to pull a sled six feet, starting with at least 100 percent of their total weight, increasing until a final team has accomplished the highest weight. Saturday’s winners accomplished a 225 percent pull. It is not uncommon to achieve a 375 percent pull with these hearty little beasts, the club reports.
A large crowd enjoyed the event held at Jellison Field. It is one of the latest additions to Wilson’s Annual Czech Festival.
RITES HELD MONDAY FOR MRS. PTACEK
Funeral services for Mrs. Frank Ptacek, 73, a lifelong resident of the Wilson and Dorrance communities, were held Monday morning at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with F. Maurice Ptacek as principal celebrant of a con-celebrated Requiem Mass. Fr. Emil Sinner assisted. Burial was in the Wilson Catholic cemetery with Stiles Mortuary handling the arrangements.
A rosary was said Sunday evening at the mortuary chapel.
Mrs. Ptacek died Friday at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. She was born Sept. 6, 1897, in Wilson, and was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Church.
Survivors include the widower of the home southwest of Dorrance; Dr. Edward Ptacek, Ellsworth; Ernest, Russell; Wilfrid, Wilson; Alfred, Minneapolis; Francis, Salina, and Fr. Maurice, Aurora; three daughters, Mrs. Beatrice Gerstenkorn, Murdock; Mrs. Anna Mae Janda, Lyons, and Mrs Helen Reeves, Garden City; two brothers, Anton Kepka, Wilson, and Henry Kepka, Dorrance; 42 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Casket bearers were: Edward Ptacek, Ronald Ptacek, Richard Ptacek, Edmund Gerstenkorn, Michael Gertenkorn, Duane Ptacek, Steven Ptacek and Terrance Ptacek.
ONE INJURED IN GAS EXPLOSION
A propane gas explosion at Interstate House north of Wilson was the cause of serious burns sustained by a Wilson man and his six year old daughter. Richard Lantz, manager of Interstate House restaurant and service station, said the accident happened about 5 p.m. Sunday.
Cleve Burkhead, 45, was taken to the Ellsworth Hospital by Stiles Ambulance Service. His condition is reported to be serious. His daughter, Doris, is also hospitalized at Ellsworth, but is said to be in satisfactory condition.
It is thought that Mr. Burkhead backed into the propane tank with his car and knocked it off its blocks. The valve on the bottom was broken and it was leaking gas.
He had three children with him, but they got out of the car and away from the tank before he went back and tried to start the car. When he turned the ignition switch, everything exploded to about 60 feet. Destroyed in the fire were Burkhead’s 1969 station wagon, and 1962 and 1966 model cars. Also heavily damaged were a 1957 sedan, tires on a tractor and the bed of a farm truck. Several tires on the rack were also destroyed along with the 1000 gallon propane tank.
The Wilson fire department were at the scene and got things under control as soon as possible.
FROM OUR EARLY FILES
99 Years Ago August 4, 1921
The City Council voted to purchase a new steam engine for the light plant. Rev. Milton E. Bollinger, pastor of the Bunker Hill — Excelsior pastorate, died after a brief illness at his home in Bunker Hill.
An ice cream social to benefit the City Library was held on the lawn of the Danner home with an orchestra furnishing the music for dancing on the cement driveway.
O. B. Coffe remembered at the breakfast table last Monday morning that an anniversary celebration was coming to him, for it was on August 1, 1871, just fifty years ago, that he came to this place.
H. S. Davis was stricken with apoplexy at Wilson State Bank and died that evening.
Alice Somer and Belle Todd returned from Cripple Creek, Colo., last Thursday. They had been guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dolezal.
The Misses Edna and Helen Keyser returned from Greeley, Colo., last Saturday where they have been attending summer school.
Boyd Kyner took the tent and other paraphernalia in his truck over to Downs Tuesday to go camping. The five Scouts who went were Edward Somer, Ellis McCoy, Charles Fielder, Joe Kyner and LaMotte Young. The rest of the boys were taken over by Rev. Wolfe yesterday evening.
74 Years Ago August 7, 1946
The festival drew record crowds. A total of 3,963 tickets were sold with the 1946 Hudson car being won by eighteen year old George Kraft, Holyrood.
Funeral services were held for Joe F. Socha, Dorrance who died as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident last Monday.
Miss June Feil and Miss Doris Koetkemeyer have enrolled in the Brown-Mackie School of Business, Salina.
Miss Coralie Shull has been hired to teach in the Wilson schools next year.
The Wilson City Band gave a concert at the Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina, under the auspices of the Wilson Red Cross.
Miss Gerldine Cross has signed a contract to teach English in the high school at Dorrance this fall.
Earl J. Riley received an honorable discharge from the Navy Separation Center last week.
Leola Marie Heinze, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Heinze, became the bride of Earl J. Riley, son of Mrs. Jennie Riley, August 1.
Miss Marie A. Ptacek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil J. Ptacek, became the bride of Aloysius W. Kratky, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kratky, August 6 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
59 YEARS AGO August 3, 1961
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon for David D. Beisel, 79.
The 32nd Annual Picnic of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church was held Monday night. It was a grand success with 2250 being served the fried chicken supper.
Miss Linda Davis was honored with a bridal shower Sunday afternoon.
54 YEARS AGO August 4, 1966
Wally Wiechen received a BS degree in industrial arts from Fort Hays State College.
Funeral services were held for Mrs. Mary Miller, 88, Saturday.
Tuesday’s primary election showed a light vote.
The historic items on this page appear as they did in the original publication.