More History

This is a photo that is new to me (ok, so it was in my stuff???).  It is a photo of the Dewey S. Riddle Ranch in Painter Wyoming.  The date on the photo is 1931.  Dudes and a/the dudette??  The original is very small and not terribly clear, but once again it shows a part of the ranch house and a really neat car.

These are people we need to know.  From left to right, Rose Kray (Krajicek) Allgeier, Helen Kray (Krajicek) McGinnis, Elsie Kray (Krajicek) Riddle and Ann/Nance Kray (Krajicek) Rice.  These are the sisters of our Grandmother Louise.  Photo was taken in 1955.

This photo was taken in 1949 and is of two of Louise's brothers, Joe and Henry.

Dad often commented about how hard it was to not know much about his family (as in Aunts and Uncles, etc.).  This note from Rose to Mary Quick (she married Roscoe after Louise died) suggests, I think, there was longing on both sides.

This is a tiny photo of Great Grandmother Veronika. Not of great quality, but here you go.

This is a photo Elizabeth shared with me several years ago.  Veronika Mach Kray is in the front and her sisters are behind her.  Elizabeth was not sure who was who, but their names are Antoinette (maybe Greenwald?), Anna and Kathrine "Kate".  Any ideas?  Again a very old and poor photo, but it may be helpful somehow.
I know this is a long post, but I have got to pass on stuff that I should have taken care of years ago.  Hopefully some of this is worthwhile to someone.  

Veronika Krajicek

 

Aunt Rose and Grandmother Kray

This picture was taken in Rose's garden in Deer Park, Washington. It was well known that Aunt Rose loved to garden. In her waning years she continued to grow her beautiful flowers. I do believe this is one of the last pictures of Veronika (on the left). Either Rose was very tall or Veronika was very short!

Rose's Story Continued

"Father decided he would try digging a well. It was in a draw where it was very rocky. The farther down he dug the more rocks we found. To us it was fun finding all those pretty rocks; however that was all he did find; even if he had dug through to China!

That first summer we raised some wheat and in the fall had a threshing crew at the farm. All the farmers' wives were very wonderful in bringing foodstuffs and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves even with all the work there was to be done. That was stored in one end of the house until Father bought some sacks.

Father and Mother were ardent and beautiful dancers and, of course, they had to take us along all riding in the wagon box on some straw. Those of you who have read 'The Virginian' will have a good picture of everybody's kids being packed on the floor of one room to bed, while the parents enjoyed the dancing.

I remember the old covered wagon in which we moved out from Alliance, a dilapidated tarp covering it about half way. There was more of "us kids" than furniture. Mother's feather beds, some quilts made from samples of goods for men's suits, as father used to have in the shop.

Remember we stopped that first day going out, at Tim O'Keefe's farm overnight. She had some old lace curtains on the windows which I thought were very wonderful.

Stanley, Lou, and I started to school that fall; we had three miles to walk. Didn't seem to think much about it as walking went. It wasn't Kindergarten stuff, it was first Grade. You had to be smart in those days. Father and Mother had taught us the "1-2-3's" and ABC's before we ever started to school, but they were in the Czech language."

I wish that there were more to this story, but am grateful to Rose for sharing these tidbits, which help us envision this family which had left Cleveland, Ohio, and found their way to far western Nebraska to homestead. Imagination can fill in some of the pieces, but the rest may be a mystery for years to come. We cannot imagine what came about that there was a divorce between Veronika and Frank, and that he went back to Omaha to ply his tailor trade making uniforms for conductors for the passenger trains that went back and forth across the continent. But we can imagine a family striving to establish a soddie and make good on a homestead, and the difficulties involved therein. I'm so glad that Rose included the little paragraph about her mother and father being beautiful dancers, and that they did find some enjoyment in their lives.

Rose's Story

This picture of our great-aunt Rose B. Krajicek Allgeier was taken in 1956 at her home in Deer Park, Washington. The back of the picture has more information - Rose painted the vase and plate in the center of the picture. The German pipe by her head came from Joe Krajicek when he was in Germany in 1918 after WW I. He was still in the army of occupation. (Another note says that he was in Koblenz).
It seems appropriate to inclue the story that Rose wrote for the Kray Round Robin letter in January of 1967, as transcribed by our mother, Minnie Blood. I realize that most of my siblings have a copy of this, but there may be others who would find it interesting, since it is the only first-hand history we have of the family. The Krajiceks had moved to Nebraska by the time this story is told.

"Back to bygone years: When Mother and Father were building the sod house on the claim, they went to Pine Ridge across the Niobrara River and cut logs for the roof. We kids were supposed to debark them as our part of the work.

Henry was about 6 months old, and we had to take care of him. Mother had gone the three quarters of a mile to Mrs. Schultz's and Lou was using the little ax to loosen the bark. We had Henry sitting by, and like a baby, he had to help, so he reached over and his little finger mixed with the ax.

We were all frantic. Lou picked him up and ran all the way to Mother. Mrs. Schultz chewed snuff, I guess, or tobacco, anyway she grabbed a chunk of the stuff from her mouth and bound it to the little finger. It grew together in no time, but Henry always had that broken fingernail.

Stanley had a job herding cows for Tom O'Keefe at Nonpariel, which was 17 miles or so away. He would come home sometime on Sunday. Father had to stay in Alliance most of the time on account of his tailoring business. When he came out he would cut some sod and then we would help mother build the sod walls as high as our supply lasted. . . we thought it was fun to run up and down the walls as the sod was laid as if building stairs. . .

We hauled our water from the Niobrara River in a barrel, guess it was two barrels, which was five miles, and that road was old Indian trail which ran up and down over hills and rocky hillocks. Those barrels bounced around in back of the wagon and old Jack and Bill, the oxen, would run down with the wagon pushing them, back up hill they had to pull it. Mother surely had a time to control the entire outfit. Had to tie the barrels so we would get home with our supply; as it was we did get our backs soaked as the water splashed from side to side in the barrel. Crow Agency wasn't very far away and some squaws often crossed through our land.
(To be continued)

Louise Krajicek Blood

When I scanned this sometime ago, it had such an emotional impact on me. It is only now that I felt I could post it. Perhaps it is the reality of the length of her life: 26 years and 14 days. Because this is the same printing as Louise's and Rose's wedding announcements, I believe that it was the mother, Veronika that had this death card printed.

Our Krajicek (Kray) great-aunts and uncles.

Mother's perserverance in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s in keeping in contact with the Kray family members gives us a great deal more knowledge than we knew before. These great-aunts and uncles look at us from their time - styles have changed, but the pictures are timeless. There were not many grandchildren for Veronika - (we do not have an actual date for Frank's death as yet).

Stanley Kray had two children, Louise left one living child, Rose had three children, Henry 2, and Joseph had 1 child. Louise's one living child, (Russell Blood - our father) had six children, and they, in turn, gave Russell and Minnie 34 grand children (if I count correctly).

Elsie Krajicek Riddle

And yet another picture of our great-aunt Elsie - the hat is absolutely wonderful; she was a pretty woman.

More of Elsie Krajicek Riddle

Born and raised by Bohemian parents, Aunt Elsie as a Wyoming dude ranch owner/manager with her husband, Dewey Riddle in Sunlight. While it sounds romantic and certainly brought the contact of rich eastern "dudes", the ranch was hard work and a financial challenge.

Elsie Krajicek

An early picture of Elsie Krajicek, a sister of our Grandmother Louise. She later changed her last name to Kray. She married Dewey Riddle and we knew of her as Aunt Elsie or Elsie Riddle.

Siblings of Louise Krajicek

Will Allgeier is Rose's husband. Elsie, Stanley and Rose are brother and sisters.
This was a gathering of the four daughters of Veronika and Frank Krajicek. From left to right they are: Rose (Allgeier), Anna (known as Nance Rice), Helen (McGinnis) and Elsie (Riddle).
On the back row are husbands: Dewey Riddle and Will Allgeier.

These sisters and brothers-in-law were extremely close, at least in their later years. In their letters to each other, they spoke liberally of their affection for each other. And they wrote often of missing their sister (our grandmother) Louise. They supported one another through illnesses and had a great time in health. I will be posting portions of those letters as I get them done.

The relationship of the Krajicek siblings was unusally strong, and but it has been duplicated in the six chidren of Russell and Minnie Blood.

Family History - A Little About Our Ancestry

I received a phone call from a nephew asking who some of these people are who are mentioned in the blog. Judy is working on the story of Elsie and Dewey Riddle and their role in Dad's life. She will get that posted as soon as she can post on the blog again( this is called selective blogging!). Following is a very poorly formatted list of our Blood and Krajicek ancestors that may be helpful to later generations (corrections are welcome - gently!). There are no dates included because of space but they are available for the asking. There is much research to be done and many hands make light work, so please join in our fun project. Elizabeth, Judy and I are trying to carry on with what Mother and Dad had worked so hard on during their life time. Mother was always researching and Dad became a "convert" in later years. Dwight is hoping we will keep him up to date on how we are doing, Louise is cheering us on and Steve has real potential to become a researcher - We invite anyone/everyone to jump in. One of the many places we are stuck is Iowa James Preston Hawkins and Barbara H. Davis, so go to work. If anyone wants to contact us by email, please contact me at tannerpaka@yahoo.com.

Russell Marion Blood ------------------------- Minnie Arrilla Wasden

Children: Louise Blood, Dwight (Dwight Melvin), Elizabeth Gage, Judy (Judith) Petersen, Ann (Kathryn Ann) Tanner and Steve (Stephen Michael)

Parents of Russell Marion Blood = Roscoe Marion Blood and Louise Krajicek

Russell had a baby brother who died immediately after birth.

Parents of Minnie Arrilla Wasden = James Brooks Wasden and Tilda Christena Christenson

Minnie’s siblings: David Wasden, Brooks Wasden, Sofe Wasden Johnson, James Orville Wasden, Cindy (Lucinda) Wasden Sorensen, Elna Wasden House

Parents of James Brooks Wasden = John Brooks Wasden and Ane Sophie Olsen

Parents of Tilda Christena Christenson = John Christenson and Christena Nilsson Akesson

Roscoe Marion Blood siblings = Roy Blood, Ray Blood, Clara Blood, Mabel Blood,

Louise (Louisa or possibly Alouisa) Krajicek siblings = Stanley Krajicek, Elsie Mae Krajicek Riddle, Rose Bonheur Krajicek Allgeier, Henry Charles Krajicek, Joseph Louis Krajicek, Anne (Anna Marie called Nance) Krajicek Rice, Helen Krajicek McGinnis, Frank Krajicek (died when 12 years old)

Parents of Roscoe = Moses Blood and Sarah Batty Hawkins

Parents of Moses = Abel R. Blood and Laura Lucas

Parents of Sarah Batty Hawkins = James Hawkins and Barbara H. Davis

Parents of Louise = Frank Krajicek and Veronika Katherine Mach

In the blog, there was mention of a family by the name of Metlicka. Antoinette Mach (called Aunt Nettie is some of the old letters) was Veronika’s sister and she married Charles Metlicka. That makes the family connection to that name.

Parents of Veronika = John Mach and Anna Czermakova

Parents of Frank Krajicek = _________________

Krajicek Story About Early Days In Nebraska

Because we are getting to know our Krajicek ancestors just a little better through the blog, I thought this little piece of their family history might be interesting for those who have never heard this story.

From letter of Rose Krajicek Allgeier in Round Robin, January 23, 1967 – received January 26, 1967 (Mother had handwritten Rose’s notes, but I have typed them to save space on the blog)

Back to bygone years. When Mother and Father were building the sod house on the claim, they went to Pine Ridge across the Niobrara River and cut logs for the roof. We kids were supposed to debark them as our part of the work.

Henry was about 6 months old and we had to take care of him. Mother had gone the three quarters of a mile to Mrs. Schultz’s and Lou was using the little ax to loosen the bark. We had Henry sitting by and like a baby he had to help, so he reached over and his little finger mixed with the ax.

We were all frantic. Lou picked him up and ran all the way to Mother. Mrs. Schultz chewed snuff, I guess or tobacco. Anyway she grabbed chunk of the stuff from her mouth and bound it to the little finger. It grew together in no time, but Henry always had that broken finger nail.

Stanley had a job herding cows for Tom O’Keefe at Nonpariel, which was 17 miles or so away. He would come home sometime on Sunday. Father had to stay in Alliance most of the time on account of his tailoring business. When he came out he would cut some sod and then we would help Mother build the sod walls as high as our supply lasted. We thought it was fun to run up and down the walls as the sod was laid as if building stairs.

We hauled our water from the Niobrara River in a barrel, guess it was two barrels, which was five miles and that road was an old Indian trail which ran up and down over hills and rocky hillocks. Those barrels bounced around in back of the wagon and old Jack and Bill, the oxen, would run down with the wagon pushing them, then back up the hill they had to pull it. Mother surely had a time to control the entire outfit. She had to tie the barrels so we would get home with our supply. As it was, we did get our backs soaked as the water splashed from side to side in the barrel. The Crow Agency wasn’t very far away and some Indians often crossed through our land.

Father decided he would try digging a well; it was in a draw where it was very rocky. The farther down he dug the more rocks we found. To us it was fun finding all those pretty rocks; however that was all he did find; even if he had dug through to China!

That first summer we raised some wheat and in the fall had a threshing crew at the farm. All the farmers wives were very wonderful in bringing foodstuffs and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves even with all the work there was to be done. The wheat was stored in one end of the house until Father bought some sacks.

Father and Mother were ardent and beautiful dancers and of course, they had to take us along, all riding in the wagon box on some straw. Those of you who have read “The Virginian” will have a good picture of everybody’s kids being packed on the floor of one room to bed, while the parents enjoyed the dancing.

I remember the old covered wagon in which we moved out from Alliance, a dilapidated tarp covered it about half way. There was more of “us kids” than furniture. Mother’s feather beds, some quilts made from samples of good for men’s suits, as Father used to have in the shop. I remember we stopped that first day going out, at Tim O’Keefe’s farm over night. She had some old lace curtains on the windows which I thought were very wonderful.

Stanley, Lou and I started to school that fall. We had three miles to walk. Didn’t seem to think much about it as walking went. It wasn’t Kindergarten stuff, it was first grade. You had to be smart in those days. Father and Mother had taught us the “1-2-3’s and ABC’s before we ever started to school, but they were in the Czech language.