Cambridge, Nebraska | November 13, 1947 |
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The Cambridge Clarion, newspaper, Cambridge, NE, Nov. 13, 1947 Microfilm Roll No. 9648, copied by Audra McGee Sept. 1988 at the Butler Memorial Library, Cambridge, NE MRS. DORA BELL HOUSE HAS INTERESTING LIFE The following is an autobiography of Dora Bell House Runkle, and will no doubt prove interesting to readers, as she was one of the early settlers near Cambridge. I came to Nebraska in the spring of 1885 in a covered wagon from 15 miles south of Chillicothe, Mo., sleeping on the ground under the wagon for two weeks. My father, Eli Runkle and I had the sum of $2.45 when we started from Missouri, and only $0.45 when arriving here. We lived in an old sod house with no windows and no floors for about a month, after which our abode was and 8 x 10 frame building with a one half window and a dirt floor. Father borrowed an old cook stove from Rube Finch's mother, and it wouldn't bake, so I went one mile and a half to bake my bread all summer twice a week. Father and Albert slept in the bed and I slept on chairs. We ate off of a box, and lived all that summer. Then father built a sod house, using lumber from the little frame house for the roof. He then returned Mrs. Finch's stove and bought a new one, but we lived all winter on a dirt floor and the following summer he put in a floor, with floor boards 12 inches wide. The inside walls were plastered with clay and straw, then I papered it with newspaper. I can recall the time when the Bohemians drowned. We could see it raining over there where they drowned, but it wasn't raining at our place. Father's brother, Albert saw all of them at the undertakers and I remember the blizzard we had here. We lived here until 1890, then moved to Dorchester, Nebr., and in March 1891 moved to Lincoln, Nebr. I have sold lots of eggs at 8c/ a dozen and butter at 8c/ per lb. At that time there were no fences between Cambridge and Wilsonville, Nebr. having rode horseback over the old trail to Wilsonville. Holding Down your Claim Come west young man, And take some land And make yourself a name Be tried and true to dare and do A holding down your claim As life is rough, It will make you tough Is very neat and hard to beat Come and show yourself a man In years you will look blue But this land you will refuse today Some others will fill his pockets full Opportunity lost you will say, With nothing to eat but bread salt and meat It is as much as anyone can stand It is your wish to get rich in land cattle and such It will emence you in the end. Dora House The Cambridge Clarion, newspaper, Cambridge, NE, Nov. 13, 1947 Microfilm Roll No. 9648, copied by Audra McGee Sep. 1988 at the Butler Memorial Library, Cambridge, NE OBITUARY DORA BELL RUNKLE Dora Bell Runkle, daughter of Eli and Lydia Ann Runkle was born June 13, 1869 at Colimer, Whitley County, Indiana and departed this life at Cambridge, Nebr., Nov. 3, 1947 at the age of 78 years. She was the only child left of the family of 10 children. She was united in marriage to Henry Lincoln House, July 1, 1891, who preceded her in death Aug. 3, 1938. To this union were born six children, James F. of Cambridge, Harley E. of New Point, Albert P. and Walter L. of Stanberry, Mo., two children, one boy and one girl who died in infancy. She leaves to mourn her passing four sons, eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren besides a host of relatives and friends. She came to Cambridge with her father the year of 1885 where they home- steaded south of Cambridge now known as the Austin Hayes farm leaving there in 1890 and moving to Dorchester and Lincoln, Nebr., where she resided until her marriage to Henry L. House and coming back to Cambridge in 1892. She lived most of her life in and around Cambridge. Be good and kind to one another, We may not long be here This weary one is free from pain, The one we loved so dear. The angels they are calling me and beckon me to go, So I must go to the promised land, Where sorrow is no more. Composed and written by Dora House CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank the friends and neighbors for the floral offerings and the many deeds of kindness and sympathy shown us in our time of sorrow. Jim House Harley House Albert & Walter House