History Articles

Source:  The Superior Express Date unknown (partial)

Angus, located in the northern part of Nuckolls County not far from the Nebraska-Kansas line, was named after Mr. J.B. Angus, a railroad official of the B&Q Railroad.

In 1970 all eligible voters of this hamlet of 17 voted unanimously to abolish this towns status as an incorporated village. The last day of the Post Office was July 18, 1975. 

At one time the name of Angus was widely known for its mass production of the fuller car.  Over 600 cars were produced between the fall of 1907 and the Spring of 1909 in the factory founded by Charles Marion Fuller at the east edge of Angus, with dealerships as far distant as Denver.  The Fuller Car with a 4 cylinder motor was a best seller which sold for around $2500.00.  One of the cars still in existence, was featured at Lady Vesty days in Superior, Nebraska Memorial day 1996. 

At one time the population of Angus was 600-700 people.  It boasted a bank, hotel, lumberyard, livery stable, three general stores, two elevators, stockyard, blacksmith shop, telephone office, hardware store, depot and two Churches, one church which is still there.  Angus also ported a cement swimming pool just east of town from the early 1920's to the later 1940's, the first cement swimming pool in the county. (I believe this was then owned by the DeVore family). 

There was also a train that came through Angus.  The depot was closed in 1942 and torn down, but the track was still there until the 1980's and trains carried grains between Edgar and superior. 

The grave of the famous Government Caravan Scout, Indian fighter, and foster father of the notorious Wild West figure Caliamity Jane, Phillip Robert Landon, or P. Parson Bob, as he is more commonly known, is located on the lookout overlooking the Little Blue River approximately one and one half miles east of Angus.  The Oregon Trail passes through there.

Many deer now roam around in herds and lay around in the tall weeds and grasses in and around Angus. Also, large flocks of wild turkeys are evident as are great horned owls and bald eagles. There are a few bobcats and reports of mountain lions in the vicinity. In 1983 someone released two African Lion Cubs which were finally captured one mile west of Angus. They were transported to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. The Little Blue River flows as close as 1/4 mile from Angus and is a hot spot for catching a lot of catfish.

Source Evening State Journal, Lincoln Nebraska September 27, 1927

 Angus Building Destroyed by Fire

Citizens Unable to fight Early Morning Blaze due to a lack of water system

ANGUS NEB. Sept 27 Fire starting in the Gerlock Brothers' General store at Angus early this morning presumably from an over heated flue destroyed three frame buildings and a contents at a total estimated damage of $10,000.  The frame buildings were owned by Rudolph Burress of Hastings and housed Gerlock Bros. Store, the Post Office Harding Cream Station, Joy Barber Shop, and Freuds Grocery Store.

Angus is without a water system and fire trucks called from Edgar were unable to reach Angus because of muddy roads.  The records in the post office were saved but a quantity of mail burned. A small amount of stock in the Frued Grocery was also saved. The loss is partially covered by insurance.

Source: Newspaper Article Source Unknown, 1927

 Angus Stores Are Destroyed in Fire

 Fire of Unknown Origin destroys almost entire business block.

 Tuesday morning about three o'clock the fire whistle sounded the warning and the public was informed that the town of Angus was on fire.  The fire originated from unknown cause in Gerlack's store and spread rapidly to the Fruede Store.  Both stores were ruins but the Fruede stock was practically all saved by the heroic efforts of the citizens and the farmers living near Angus.  The post office burned, also the barber shop and the windows and doors of the bank burst from the intense heat. 

The Edgar fire truck manned by the five captains, CH Merrill, CH Moore, SL Denton, Ferd Schnitker and Harry Grossman and Chas. Todd started for Angus but had to give up the trip after having consumed a half hour in traveling four miles.  Other cars also had to give up on account of the heavy going but their help probably would not have availed much as the buildings were beyond saving in a short while after the fire was discovered bursting through the roof on the west side of the Gerlack building. 

At the time this is written the origin of the fire is unknown.  The fire truck made it back home under its own power and if you think riding the whip at the county fair has its thrills, ask any of the firemen who clung to the truck to and from their attempted destination

Source:  Evening State Journal April 6, 1929 

FIRE AT ANGUS

ANGUS Neb. - Fire did more than $7,000 damage in the post office, general store and cream station here Saturday when it destroyed the O W Freude Building.  The blaze started in an oil burner in the cream station.

Source:  Nebraska State Journal Wednesday August 22, 1923 

Gang of More than 700 men with Cooks and Supplies Expected in Vicinity of Deweese. Fifty carloads of heavy iron pipe from Ohio have arrived here to date and fifteen at Angus, just southeast of here, consigned to the Sinclair Pipe Line Company and will be used in construction of the oil pipe line running from Tea Pot Dome, near Casper, Wyo. to the Chicago main.  The pipe line is being laid rapidly from the northwest counties of this state and the gang of over 700men with their own cooks, camp and supplies is expected to enter the county in the near future .  The line will pass a mile east of here where it will cross the burlington tracks and pass south of Angus running to Deshler Neb. where the first pumping station south of here is under construction.  The second pump station south will be at Washington Kan where much work has also been started.  The closest pump station north is at Ayr, near Hastings.

Source:  Lincoln State Journal Wednesday April 20, 1938 

Angus Youths Are Placed on Probation 

Friend, Neb. (AP) District Judge Proudfit suspended sentence after Eldon Judy, 17, and Garth Melvin, 17 both of Angus pleaded guilty to burglary at Angus April 10. 

Neighbors asked leniency for the youths, and Judge Proudfit placed Judy and Melvin on probation two years, naming WA Peters, Angus farmer, probation officer.  The youths were arrested last Friday and waived preliminary examination at their arraignment in Nuckolls county court.

Source:  Nebraska State Journal September 25, 1908

We Have buyers for cheap farms, ranches and wild lands; list your bargains with the Angus Land Co. Angus, Neb.

Source:  Nebraska State Journal August 28, 1897

Nelson, Neb. Aug 27, The Modern Woodmen of America held a county log rolling here yesterday.   Large delegations of Woodmen were present from Angus, Lawrence, Nora, Superior, Bostwick, Mt. Clare and Ruskin.  Two hundred and fifty Woodmen were in the parade and fully 1,000 people were on the grounds.  Congressman Sutherland was the principal speaker and he delivered a neat and well time address on fraternal insurance.  A county log rolling association was formed, which will hold an annual picnic.  The Ruskin and Nelson bands furnished the music.

Source:  The Lincoln Evening News, Feburary 5, 1901

ANGUS, Neb. Feb 1 - The smallpox scare had died out.  Up to the present time there have been ten cases all of mild form and if no new cases develop, the quarantine will be raised this week.

Source:  The Lincoln Evening News, February 5, 1901

The M. W. A. band of Angus and several outsiders went to Hastings to hear Sousa's Band concert on Friday Night.

Source:  Letter July 23, 1977 to Mr. and Mrs. Dohse  from Harold E. Fleckenstein 2902 Oak Street Hays kansas 67601

Harold E. Fleckenstein
2902 Oak Street

Hays Kansas 67601

 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dohse

 Attached hereto please find your book we borrowed "From Hoppers to Copters" and the four pictures of the old BLUE BLUFF MILL.

     I want you to know that your trust and cooperation is sincerely appreciated.  This is the first time any of our family has ever seen a picture of the old mill built by my Great Grandfather Martin Smith.  We generaly believed it to be lost in time and history and to find a picture has been a delightful experience for all.

     The last day I was in Ruskin, we finished our work early so I drove to Edgar, Nebraska to see if I could find where my great grandfather Martin Smith was buried.  After contacting the lady at Edgar who keeps the burial records, it was found that my Great Grandfathr and Great Grandmother are both buried in the Edgar Cemetery.  In addition the Nelson weekly newsppaper just that week came out with a section giving the events that happened 75 years ago and there was an article telling about the death of my great grandmother.  We do not have pictures of these two or at least I do not know of any, so it is my hope that we can make a trip to Edgar and Angus and search the area for a picture.

     I have recorded some of the events, dates and history of my mother's family several years ago before my Mother and My Aunt passed away and for your information I will give you what is recorded.

     Martin Smith was born February 1, 1824.  He formerly lived in Pittsburg, Penn., before moving to Nebraska.  Where he was born is not known at this time. On November the 3rd (year unknown) he was united in Matrimony to Margrett Stover.  The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. L. Link of Pittsburg, Penn.  To this union one child was born Leander Henry Smith.

     In the year 1871Martin Smith moved to Clay County, Nebraska near the town of Fairfield where the family took a homestead between Fairfield and Harvard. 

     Martin Smith being a miller by trade owned and operated a mill in Pittsburg, Penn.  before moving to Nebraska.  Later after farming for a time, Martin smith built a mill at Angus, Nebraska on the Little Blue River.  The mill was known as the BLUE BLUFF MILL.   This business enterprise was operated in partnership with his only son, Leander, and was operated between the years of 1880 and 1888.

     Martin Smith died on November the 16th, 1884 at Angus, Nebraska at the age of 60 years, 9 months and 15 days and it is assumed that he is buried somewhere near that town.

     My Grandfather Leander Smith continued to operate the mill after the death of his father until the year 1888 at which time it was sold.  He did however continue to work at the Mill until 1896.  he then moved to a farm located on the Ox Bow Creek and known as the Ox Bow Farm.  He lived there until 1903 and traded it for a farm near Willsonville, Nebraska where he lived for the next two years.

    Again I want to thank you for the use of the pictures and book and in the event we get to Angus or Edgar we will certainly get in touch with you.

 Sincerely

Harold E. Fleckenstein

Source:  Nelson Gazette July 14, 1983

 Tuesday morning, July 5, Nuckolls County Sheriff, Donald Squires, captured an African lion cub, about a mile west of Angus.  The sheriff's department had been receiving many reports, that lions were roaming loose in the Angus area.

 During the capture, the cat, about six months old, put several scratches on the sheriff's car door in an attempt to get into the auto.

 After R. L. Culbertson arrived with a steel dog trap, which was in the back of his pickup, the lion cub jumped up into the pickup and was easily coaxed into the trap.  This animal apparently hadn't had much to eat as it seemed weak and didn't look very healthy.

 A Nebraska game commission officer came Tuesday morning and took the cat to Omaha to the zoo.  Squires reported this week that the cat is doing fine now and gaining weight.

 Late Friday evening, Sheriff Squires and Deputy Sheriff Jim Marr captured another lion cub, five miles north and one and a half miles East of of Nelson.

 This cub was not as easily caught as the first one, as it was healthy and more active.  They got the cub into a brick building and Deputy Marr threw a rope over its head and held on while Sheriff Squires carefully slipped a cage over the cat.  This cat jumped and roared if one got near the cage.

 A Nebraska game commission officer came later that evening and took the lion cub to the Animal Hospital in Hebron.

 What will be captured next in the wilderness of Nuckolls County?

Source:  Newspaper Article Superior Express July 1983

 With the capture of a second African Lion cub Friday evening Nebraska's most experienced lion hunters hope to retire.

 Area law enforcement officers and residents kept both eyes open following the capture of the first cub just west of Angus last Tuesday morning.

 With the capture of the second cub, Nebraska Game and parks Commission officers are reported to be stepping up the investigation of the animal's origin. 

 Conservation officer Dale Johnson, Hebron, who assisted with the capture of both cubs, said the pair, believed to be litter mates, apparently were released in the wild intentionally.

 "We have a pretty good idea who did it but we don't know why," said Johnson.  "We are confident however that there are no other lions around."

 The second cub was found at a vacant farmstead about 2 1/2 miles west of Angus.

 Squires, who had been patrolling the general area in search of the cub, went to the farm after receiving a report the lion had been seen around the buildings.

 He found the cub nestling in a plastic chemical tank.  it appeared the cub had been calling the tank home for some time.  The tank was cut in half and filled with cloth sacks.  A Bucket of water and grain were nearby.

 The second capture was more difficult than the first.  The cub appeared to be in much better health and was not nearly as playful.  In fact, Squires said "He was pretty feisty."

 Squires enticed the lion into a shed and then waited for reinforcements to arrive.  The capture wasn't completed until Deputy Sheriff Jim Marr and his brother, Joe,  a part time Superior police officer and Burlington Northern worker arrived.

 Like the first capture, they were able to place a rope around the lion's neck and then drug the animal into a cage.

 The undernourished first lion, which was captured on a road had shown no hostility.  In fact it was quite playful and willing to be caught.

 The second was in much better physical condition and appeared to weigh 10 to 15 pounds more than the first.

 The second lion was housed at the Valley View Animal Clinic, Hebron, until Monday when it was transferred to the Henry Doorly Zoo.

 The operator of the Hebron Clinic said the lion was pretty growly and would definitely bite.

The cub was described by officers as a "potentially dangerous animal, especially to small children."

 Initially there was some question if the second cub was a male or female.  The capturing officers said a close  up analysis wasn't worth the effort.

 Randy Stutheit, a game biologist with the state game commission, said "his roar sounds like a male and that's good enough for me."

 Stutheit, told Lincoln Star reporter Dean Terrill, "What's the difference whether it's a male or female - it's a lion."

 The feisty animal earned enough respect that four men were called to transport it from Hebron to the Omaha Zoo.

 Lee Simmons Jr., zoo director, cleared the question about the lion's sex.  He said it was definitely also a female.

 The cub was reported to have "settled down pretty nicely" when placed in a pen with the first cub.  Both will be kept temporarily until they can be placed in another zoo or similar facility.

 The Omaha zoo is short of cage space and doesn't want a pair of hand-raised lions.  Simmons said putting them in with the zoo's pride - three adults, would be like throwing Christians to the lions".

Source:  Hastings Tribune July 5, 1983

 NELSON (TNS) - An African lion cub was picked up this morning by Nuckolls County authorites on a country road about two miles west of Angus.

 The brownish-gold cub apparently was abandoned by an area farmer who no longer wanted it, said Jim Marr, Nuckolls County deputy.  The animal is about six months old and weighs about 80 pounds.  It appeared to be hungry and malnourished when it was found this morning, he added.

 The state game commissioner could press charges over the incident, Marr said.

 An area farmer reported the animal today about 7:30am.  It was within 100 feet of a farm house when it was captured, Marr said.  The animal had fangs and claws, but appeared more playful than dangerous, he said. 

 Authorities used a rope and a cage to capture the animal.  it took less than an hour to complete the task, Marr said.

 The lion has been taken to the Lincoln Zoo.

Source:  The Lincoln Star, July 25, 1975

 Postoffice Closing Attracts Many

Angus - A number of residents, former residents and three former postmasters gathered here to witness the last pouch of mail to be carried out of the Angus Post Office, marking the close of the station.  The former postmasters on hand were Ivan King. Bernice Wise and Florence Jorgensen, all of Edgar.  Roy Burkett, the longest continuous patron of the post office, was the last patron to make a purchase.

Source:  Lincoln Daily News, June 12, 1912

 Nuckolls County Land List Free.  No. 185. All purpose 240, 65 alfalfa - 80 pasture - Balance Plow.  Good Improvements and location. $75 E. Moore, Angus Nebr.

Source:  The Nelson Gazette, June 27, 1996, by TaeRee Sellers

 I am from the small rural town of Angus, Nebraska. The population is twelve and has been for quite a few years. Instead of telling you of the town in today's view, a view that is just about completely erased from the land, I want to share with you the Angus, Nebraska, that once existed a s a thriving community. I thought I knew my town's history but when reading into old newspaper articles and publications I found a town full of exciting stories. Although Angus is almost physically erased from the land, it's name will always live on in the pages of history.

Around 1870 pioneers wandered into the Little Blue River Valley of Nuckolls County. The valley was beautiful with its groves of oak trees lining the river and streams entering the valley. The pioneers would let their livestock graze on the lush prairie grass and drink from the river or from the several artisan springs in the valley. These springs flow year round, and the coldest winter will not freeze them over. Many of the pioneers arrived to this valley with almost nothing. My great, great, grandfather, like many of the early pioneers, lived in what they called dug outs. These dug ours were caves made into he side of a bank or hill. Sod blocks were then made and stacked to make and complete the walls. Some of these dug outs had plastered walls and wooden floors, but quite a few, like my great, great, grandfather's had dirt floors and walls. one of the dug outs was the first local school house. However, this cave life was about to change. In 1886 the Nebraska and Colorado Railroad decided on making a railroad from Edgar to Superior. After viewing the green and lush Little Blue Valley, the Lincoln Land Company decided to lay out a town called Angus, named after Mr. J. B. Angus, the railroad official. The town instantly started to grow. By 1890 Angus had two general stores, two churches, a post office, blacksmith shop, railroad depot, hotel, stock yard, and a real school house. all seemed to be going well until 1889 when Angus had its first disaster. In the spring of that year a tornado struck the community destroying the school and several of the homes. One of the homes destroyed was the home of the Elifritz's. According to my grandmother's recollection, one of the sons, name Walter, was out in the yard cutting on little twigs and branches with the new knife he had gotten for his birthday. he noticed dark thick thunderhead clouds moving quickly towards him. In minutes the wind started whipping fast, and the clouds above him were moving in and out of each other with great speed. he stopped as if petrified, looking up with wide eyes and open mouth. Suddenly the gusts of wind stopped and all was deathly still and quiet. Walter tilted his head to listen. he though he could hear the roar of a train, yet it wasn't the scheduled time for the train to come through town. straining his neck and looking southwest towards the roaring sound he saw a long black pillar reaching down from the sky. With his heart in the throat and with legs that felt like custard, he clumsily ran towards the house. Bargain in the front door he yelled to the family, "We're in for a real old Jimmy Cain". The family which obviously had not been taught tornado safety, ran to all the doors leading the outside and with great effort tried to hold the doors hut. this plan did not work. While everyone was concentrating on doors, Gertie, one of the daughters, was sucked out the south window and sent into the air taking along with her a patch work quilt. Mr. Elifritz suddenly seeing his flying daughter, yelled over the roar of the wind, "Come down from there at once!" Gertie eventually came down, unharmed, a quarter of a mile away. Later that day a pair of Mr. Elifritz's trousers were found hanging from a fence a mile away from his home. When retrieving them he discovered that the three dimes and two pennies were still in his pockets.

A tornado was not going to slow down this town's determinations, and in 1907 Angus boasted of its Angus Automobile Company. This factory produced the Fuller Cars. It began with Charles Fuller, who when he was only twenty-four years old, built the first car in the state of Nebraska. He headed east and for a couple of years he worked at different car factories learning new techniques and contributing his ideas to the factories. In 1907 he brought two Lambert cars to Angus. The town loved the cars and decided to build a car factory if Charles would run it. when he consented to operating the factory, the town collected money for erecting the building by selling shares for $10.00. It was a small building made from concrete blocks. A door and seven windows lined the front of it and above these were painted the words, Angus Automobile Company inc. The inside appeared the size of a basketball court with a twelve foot ceiling and a cement floor. only thirteen cars could be assembled at one time by the factory's forty workers. Between the fall of 1907 and the spring of 1909 the factory produced around six hundred cars. These cars were elaborate and could only be bought by the wealthy. the upholstery was made from genuine leather, and on leaving the factory all the cars required no less than sixteen to eighteen coats of paint. The cars ranged from an elaborate 4 cylinder touring car with a 35 to 40 horsepower engine. It was called the Model A and was sold for $2,000. The factory also mad the runabout or roadster which only had a 24 horsepower engine. it was called the Model C and sold for $1,600. next, the factory came up with a powerful 6 cylinder car with a 60 horsepower engine. This car was sold for $3,50-0. One of these 60 horsepowered cars was given a test run on the half-mile circular racetrack at the Nuckolls County Fairgrounds in 1908. The car circled the dusty track twice in only sixty seconds. When a group of men in Omaha heard of this outstanding car, they offered to buy out the factory and move it to Omaha where they could easily ship out the cars. The men offered $100 for each of the $10.00 shares that were put into the factory. Charles Fuller was ready to accept the offer from Omaha, but the Angus stockholders would not forgive up their factory. Seeing what a valuable factory they really had, they decided to keep the factory in Angus. When Charles saw that Angus had rejected the offer from Omaha, which would have meant a promising future for him, he left the factory. The following morning the Angus Automobile Company closed its doors for without Charles the factory was useless.

The town would still not give up. In the early 1920's Angus decided on having the first swimming pool in the county. The pool was built on a farm just east of town. Large limestone blocks lined the bottom and sides of the pool. A warm spring fed the pool constantly for the twenty years it was in operation. Behind the pool Was grove of oak trees with cool shady grassy spots ideal for family picnics. A couple of years ago I went hiking east of town to research for the old swimming pool. What I found was an impression of a pool. the warm spring had just about run dry, and the limestone floor of the pool was cracked and buckled where little saplings had forced themselves up through the cracked floor and had grown into might oaks.

In 1931 Angus proved to have wealthy fossil deposits. many years later national Geographic would put the most famous of these fossil finds in its September 1979 issue. Mr. Ross Brooks working with Mr. A. M. G. Brooking, Director of the Hastings Museum, uncovered the world's largest mastodon ever found up to that time. Upon digging further they discovered that all of its bones were intact in what appeared to be a wall of sand. Apparently the mastodon had fallen into a sand pit and had died there, unable to get out. Because of his massive size of 147 inches at his shoulder and his fossilized ivory tusks with a diameter of 10 inches, he was sent to the Denver Museum of Natural History where he remains on display today.

Southeast of Angus contains another historical site. This site is the Boy Scout cabin where Parson Bob lived and is buried. He is know for his scouting and moral character. He was named a parson after he conducted a funeral service for a pioneer woman who had been killed by and Indian raid. Since there was no one left in her family to care for her little baby girl, Parson Bob took the child in and raised her calling her, as we know her, Calamity Jane. Before he died he spoke these word of Angus, "her was the happiest time of my life. I had my little girl with me , my little Calamity Jane. I loved here as a father loves his daughter. Yes, she was a good woman whatever men may say." He requested to be buried by the cabin. I have hiked the woods around the cabin many times and have seen his grave. The valley where the cabin sits is beautiful. the dense oak trees grow right to the edge of the Little Blue River creating a peaceful wilderness for the deer, wild turkeys, bob cats, raccoons, opossums, and squirrels. Taking a walk through these quiet woods and listening to the sound of the flowing river nearby one can realize why Parson Bob loved his life there so much.

Angus which is now only desolate beauty and peaceful surrounding may someday completely disappear but its name and history will never die. Many lives have grown and died there and yet that pattern of life still goes on. The town where I live and knew nothing about has been opened up to me in a special new way.

Source:  The Superior Express 10-1-1992

 The annual reunion of the former Angus E.U. B. church was held Sunday, September 20, at the Nelson Senior Citizens' Center. These reunions began four years after the church disbanded in 1968 and the get-togethers have continued each year since.

Thirty people attended Sunday's gathering and they all agreed to continue the reunions. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the closing of the church and plans are already being made for what will be a special day of remembrance and fellowhsip.

After a potluck dinner shorlty after noon on Sunday a busniness meeting was conducted by acting president, Tom Jensen. After the secretary's report, Wayne McClure was elected president and Ruth Watts was elected secretary. Following the meeting, the group was entertained by the harmonica playing of Gene Jensen who was accompanied by Tom Jensen on guitar. Ruth Watts also performed for the group with a vocal solo. Pastor Bod Wieduwilt of Fairview, Kansas who ministered at the church in 1947, also played two harmonica solos and later performed an impromptu duet with Jensen.

A time was also set aside for each of those who attended to share favorite memories of the former church. Finding those memories was not difficult for the group which simply served to remind everyone of how special it was to have been part of the church known as the Angus E.U. B.

Source:  The Superior Express, date unknown.

Nuckolls County had six railroads , that went to these towns

1.    Missouri-Pacific 1888 Superior, Mt. Clare, Abdal, Lawrence

2.    Chicago and Northwestern 1880 Superior, Nora, Cadams, Angus, Oak

3.      Santa Fe 1888 Superior (the only town in Nebraska)

4.    Rock Island 1887 Ruskin , Nora Nelson

5.    Union Pacific 1872 Sedan

6.    Burlington Northern 1880 largest railroad in Nuckolls County with three lines:

        1.  Bostwick, Superior, Hardy

        2.    Lawrence

        3.    Angus, Nelson, Smyrna, Superior

March 1958 was the last passenger train that traveled in Nuckolls County

Source:  Sunday World Herald, November 8, 1970, by Tom Allan

Angus, Neb. - This tiny Nuckolls County Village that some said isn't any more definitely is.

    Mrs. Marion Devitt, Village Clerk, wishes reporters who said Angus voted itself off the Nebraska map in Tuesday's elections would tend to their knitting.

    That's what she intends to do.

    What actually happened was that all of the 11 eligible voters in this hamlet of 17 voted unanimously to abolish the town's status as an incorporated community.

    But please, unless you want to face Mrs. Devitt and her knitting needles, Angus will remain on the map.

    Actually, the vote means the folks here were tired of government red tape.  Mayor Wayne Wroughton, who took time out from helping harvest milo, and Mrs. Devitt explained.   "I'm done being called your honor" his honor said.  "It'll be up to the county commissioners from now on.

A RELIEF

    "As of Jan 1 we just won't have any more city business to transact," added the white haired city clerk.  "It'll all be done over at the county seat at Nelson, 10 miles Southwest.  And I'll have more time for my crocheting and knitting.  It'll be a relief."

    The mayor blamed a population decline from 35 in the 1960 census as well as the government red tape for stepping out of the incorporated ranks.  "We don't have a sewer, power, or water system so what difference does it really make?" He said.

    It was the way the state kept sending us new forms to fill out, asking us to make estimates of what were we going to do with streets and sewers and the like six years ahead,"  Mrs. Devitt added "why, for months we don't even have a bill coming in and they want estimates six years in advance.

"It was a headache.  Well now the county can grade our gravel streets (her husband operates a county road maintainer).  If not, we'll do it ourselves or wade in the mud."  Both officials said there was another major factor --no youth.

HUNTING AREA

    They said the youngest citizens are 45-50.  The board, besides Mayor Wroughton, Mrs. Devitt and her husband, includes Frank Lindville, 85.  his wife is city treasurer the sixth member is Mrs. Bonnie Springer.

    Mrs. Devitt said she had told the mayor she was going to resign before the election.  Then he went down and got together with the county attorney and we put the dissolution of the incorporation of Angus on the ballot,"  she said.  "it was getting to the point where when you are all as old as we are on the board, it was getting nerve-racking."  Farmer - General Store Operator, Kenneth Dohse said Angus is definitely on the map as one of the states best hunting headquarter.

    Two hunters from Oklahoma moved in Thursday for the pheasant season opening Saturday and he expects 10 to 15 more hunting season residents as well as scores of others who stop off at the store for supplies, his artistry as a licenses shell loader, and hunting tips.

NO FEDERAL AID

    Dohse is upset that maybe the voting residents "jumped the gun" in the eelction.  he claimed the business people had no vote.  He and his wife live outside of town.  So does the operator of the only garage and Mrs. Pansy Overtuf, Postmaster.

    "We wish they had waited until they had to "  Dohse said.  "As I understand it, we now are no longer eligible for federal aid funds, low-cost housing and the like and I imagine it will be more difficult for us to get bank loans.  I think they out to have waited until they saw what happens when the Angus Dam goes in.  That could mean a lot of new people in here.

    Angus Dam is part of the Little Blue Project of the Missouri Basin Plan.  The proposed dam would be two to three miles upstream from the town.  The mayor and Mrs. Devitt concede a touch of sadness over the declining forthunes of the village.  The town, named for a Burlington Railroad official, once had a bustling economy.

    Neal wehrman 89, the oldest resident, remembers it as a boy when the Burlington first lured settlers.

    We used to have a railroad depot, two elevators, lumberyard, blacksmith shop, a hotel, and a bank,"  Mrs. Devitt said.  "we had two churches but they moved ou the united Brethren.  now all we have left is the store, garage, post office and the Church of Christ where we voted and a rural school out in the county.  Oh, yes we still have our sod house we built for the state centennial three years ago.

    Asked about Angus's Future, Mrs. Devitt said she wouldn't tempt to say."

    If we don't get young people in and if the old people all pass on I suppose we might just become a spot on the road" she said.  "but until we do we are certainly going to be on the map.

Source Daily Nebraska State Journal August 12, 1884

 Fairfield Herald.  Mr. Hamilton Who resides near the old overland trail at the Blue Bluffs Mills while plowing last week unearthed 4 one dollar pieces, 2 two and a half, 1 five, and 2 five franc pieces.  The money was doubtless hid by some one during perilous times of frontier life.

Nelson Gazette September 1927

Farm for Sale 240 Acre Farm, three miles south of Angus, Four miles west of oak, Good improvements, 75 acres in pasture, balance farm land, price $77.00 per acre.   Herman E. Klawitter, Angus, Nebraska

October 6 1927

Garage and Blacksmith Shop and equipment, Tuesday October 18, at one o’clock at the place in Angus, lots 7 & 8 located in Angus, consisting of one garage and blacksmith shop combined; cement block building 24 feet by 88 feet, garage equipment, tools, hoist, compressor, tank, 8 horse engine, trip hammer, emery mantle, disc sharpener, tire shrinker, power drill, two vises, and vil forge, and all auto accessories. Will sell building and all equipment together if wanted. Will accept half down day of sale, balance February 15, 1928, at six per cent.

M F Grossman, owner

Nelson Gazette

Paul Hatten

Gleanings in bee culture, Volume 16, 1888, page 501

 If you only knew how much good you are doing me by the Home talks you would rejoice.  it is just what I need to help me walk uprightly before God.  Oh, if all the young christians could have the Home talks to help them along!  I wish GLEANINGS were a weekly, for it does me so much good.  may God spare you and bless you for the good you are doing.

Angus, Neb.    - Daniel Miner -

The Horseless Age: the Automobile Trade magazine, Volume 21, Page 304, 1908

An automobile Show opened in Lincoln, Neb., on February 26.  About a dozen local agents exhibited their cars and besides, a new Nebraska Manufactuer, the Angus Company, of Angus, Neb., which showed three of it's Fuller cars.

Source:  Obsolete American Securities and Corporations, by Roland Mulville Smythe, p 91, 1911

Angus Co-Operative Grain & Live stock Co., Angus, Neb. - Nebraska Charter cancelled 1909

Source:  The Superior Express September 2, 2010, Tonya R. Paddock

With temperatures soaring into the 100s or close in recent days area residents are looking for ways to keep cool.  One popular way is a visit to the swimming pools in Edgar, Nelson, Lawrence and Superior.  There was a time before air condition was common in Nuckolls County when the way for many to beat the heat was a trip to Angus and visit to the first swimming pool in Nuckolls County.

According to records at the Nuckolls County Museum, the first cement swimming pool was built in 1920 on a farm owned by William and Pearle Devore just east of Angus.  The Devore family built and ran the pool.  it is reported to have been larger but more crude than the pools now found in the area. 

The Angus pool had a slide on the west side, diving boards on the south east end and a teete-totter which came straight out from the bath house.  The pool operated for more than 20 years.  It was closed in 1949 or 1950.  The pool used spring water.  A Water powered ram pump moved the water from the spring to the pool.  

In museum records it is recorded that Betty Koontz told how Elmer shuck pulled her out of the pool and saved her from drowning.  From 1933 to 1945, the Edgar Women's Club sponsored free swimming lessons given at the pool by Celia Hunter.  Her father, Bruce merril, made a small automobile with a spring buggy seat that Hunter drove to Angus for the lessons.  

Roger Mountford told of how his mother, Mrs. Doc (Irene) Mountford, would load her car up with all the children after the jobs she had lined up for them were done and they would all drive to the pool in Angus.   B.J. Culbertson and Charley Devore were among the boys who served as lifeguards.

The pool was part of a large park with ponds, oaks and picnic tables.  It was reportedly popular with children and residents of Davenport, Angus, Oak, Edgar, Nelson and Deweese.

Jack and Barbara Cox, current residents of Edgar have fond memories of visiting the Angus pool.  "It was always full of people and the water was green," said Mrs. Cox.  She remembers being at the pool frequently from the time was a small child.  She was born in Angus and her parents, D.A. and Nellie Jackson, worked at the pool.  "It was beautiful there," said Cox, "There were big shady trees and a lot of people went for picnics, especially on Sundays." Admission was a dime and bathing suits were available for rent.  There were dressing rooms where those renting suits could change.

The property where the pool was located is now owned by Ruth McLaughlin, Edgar.  Jack Cox said he and his brother have attempted to locate the pool in recent years but the area has been overgrown by trees and they have been unsuccessful.  he recalls, "I used to go down there all the time when I was younger, but I'm 78 now."