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Peterson v. Skjelver – 1895 NE Supreme Court Case

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The following pages come from The Northwestern Reporter and outline an 1895 Nebraska Supreme Court case between Otto Skjelver, Sr. and Charles G. Peterson.  The case is in regards to a boundary dispute on the eastern side of the SE1/4 of Section 28, which is the quarter that Otto homesteaded in 1883.  On March 9, 1891 Otto filed against Charles Peterson in the district court of Webster county for possession of the premises in dispute as well as $100 for lost profits and rent.

The outcome of the district court case is best summarized in this paragraph:
“A jury was waived, and the first trial had to the court. There was a finding and judgment in favor of Peterson, which was set aside at his request, and a new trial ordered. At a subsequent term of court the second trial occurred before the court and a jury, and Skjelver was successful, the jury returning a verdict in his favor. A motion for a new trial was filed by Peterson, argued and overruled, and judgment rendered on the verdict, and Peterson has prosecuted error proceedings to this court.”

The Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the district court, which had ruled in favor of Skjelver.

One interesting piece of information in the document states “The testimony develops that the S.E. 1/4 of 28, the Skjelver land, was first occupied by Hans Tullifson in 1872 or 1873, who abandoned it very soon, probably a month after settling on it. It was then occupied by one Cunnard, who in 1876, surrendered his claim to Skjelver”.  I was unaware that this parcel of ground had ever been occupied by anyone other than the Skjelvers or their descendants.

Download (PDF, 813KB)

Source:
The Northwestern Reporter, Volume 62
Published 1895
Pages 43-46

Maurice C. Krichau Obituary

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Maurice C. Krichau, the son of James and Anna Rhode Krichau, was born June 22, 1900 at Litchfield, Nebraska.  He departed this life on Saturday, March 15, 1986 at the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska, at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 23 days.

In 1905, Maurice moved with his family to Hazard, Nebraska, where he grew up and received his education.

On February 14, 1921, he was united in marriage with Ruby Hazel Reiter at Grand Island, Nebraska.  They made their home on a farm near Hazard until 1935, when they moved to the Bladen community to farm.  Maurice retired from the farm in 1975 and in 1979, he and Ruby moved to Hastings to make their home.

Maurice and Ruby were privileged to celebrate both their Fiftieth and Sixty-fifth Anniversaries with their family and friends.

Maurice always enjoyed his farmwork and working with the livestock.  In his retirement years, he relaxed by working in his yard and growing many different types of flowers.  His greatest love in life was for his family.  He especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Pete, Art, Hans and an infant brother; and his son-in-law, Norman Karr.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of sixty-five years, Ruby; one daughter, Regina Karr, of Blue Hill; a son, Russell Krichau, and wife, Delores, of Bladen; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ed Krichau of Ravenna, Nebraska, and Elmer and wife, Marie, of Pleasantville, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Christina Lovett, of Mason City, Nebraska; other relatives and his many friends.  Maurice will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

The funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 1986 from the United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Reverend Lyle Linder officiating.  Music was provided by Hubert Payne, vocalist, and Marybelle Bird, organist.  The casket bearers were Jim Krichau, Alvie Lovett, Palmer Krichau, Bert Krichau, Ronnie Lovett and Loren Krichau.  Interment was in the East Lawn Cemetery in Bladen with the Simonson-Williams Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mathilda Karr Obituary

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BLADEN (TNS) – Mathilda D. Karr, 89, of Bladen, died Saturday in a Red Cloud hospital.

Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Bladen United Methodist Church, with the Rev. melvin Shafer officiating.  Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery at Bladen.

Mrs. Karr was born in the Cloverton community of rural Blue Hill and was a lifelong resident of the area.  She married William Karr in 1920.  She was a member of the Bladen United Methodist Church WSCS.

She is survived by her husband, William; three sons, Clayton, Norman and Dever, all of Bladen; two daughters, Mrs. Russell (Delores) Krichau of Bladen and Mrs. Kenneth (La Veda) Berns of Blue Hill; one sister, Emma Schulz of Bladen; one brother, Carl Schulz of Minden; 19 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Simonson-Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.

Final Rites for Mathilda Karr

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Mathilda D. Karr, daughter of Robert and Louise Schulz, was born February 2, 1893, on a farm northwest of Blue Hill and passed away at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud on February 20, 1982, at the age of 89 years and 18 days.

She was baptized and confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church in blue Hill and later transferred her membership to the United Methodist Church at Bladen.

On February 25, 1920, she was united in marriage to William Karr.  They were blessed with five children.  In 1980, she and her husband celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  She spent her entire life in the Blue Hill and Bladen communities.  She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister and on grand daughter.

On January 10th she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered.  She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, William; three sons, Clayton, Norman and Dever, all of Bladen and LaVeda Berns, of Blue Hill.  Three daughters-in-law, Betty, Regina and Arlene; two sons-in-law, Russell Krichau and Kenneth Berns.  There are nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.  A sister, Emma Schulz, of Bladen; a brother, Carl Schulz, of Minden, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Hester Schulz of Blue Hill and Ferne Schulz, of Minden and other relatives and friends.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 1982, from the United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Reverend Melvin Shafer officiating.  Wylma Fletcher sang, “In The Garden” and “Take My Hand Precious Lord”, accompanied by Mrs. Marjorie Lockhart, organist.  The pallbearers were Darrell Karr, Garold Karr, Jim Karr, Kevin Karr, Karl Berns and Rob Wilson.  Interment was in the East Lawn Cemetery with the Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud in charge of the arrangements.