Carnegie Library Cornerstone Opened August 1971

Officials opened the cornerstone from the Sutton Carnegie Library in August 1971. This story appeared in the Clay County News on August 26th. 

1971 Clay Co School Teacher Story

The Clay County News reported on the new teachers in county schools in the August 26, 1971 issue. 

Township Captains for the Old Settlers Parade - 1921

The Old Men - residents of Clay County for 45 years in 1921 - were selected as Township Captains for the Old Settlers Parade.

This article appeared in The Harvard Courier on August 18, 1921. 

Clay Center softball teams in 1946

Clay Center had some clever names for their summer softball teams in 1946. (We promised to post this in our column.

Clay County School population and funding stats

These pupil stats are from the school census in 1921. The school census counted those from ages 5 to 21, so school attendance was less that this.

1921 Harvard Advertising

 Ads from The Harvard Courier in 1921

1921 Edgar Advertising

 Advertising from the Edgar Sun in 1921

1921 Fairfield Advertising

 Advertising from Fairfield, 1921

1921 Clay Center Advertising

 These ads are from the 1921 Clay County Sun

Stella's Brother, Admiral J.J. "Jocko" Clark

There is a Sutton connection, close enough for our purposes, with one of the more fascinating heroes of Naval aviation.

Admiral J.J. "Jocko" Clark was an older brother of Stella (Clark) Olinger, wife of LeRoy (Roy) Olinger, Sutton residents who owned farms northwest of town. The Sutton story appears at the end of this article.

Joseph James Clark and Stella Clark were born on a farm near Chelsea in Oklahoma Indian Territory, J.J. in 1893, Stella in early 1900. Their parents were William and Lillie Clark. An older brother died in infancy, eight Clark children survived.

This photo of William Clark's family appears in Chapter 1 of "One the Warpath in the Pacific" by Clark G. Reynolds. The farmhouse was near Alluwe, Indian Territory in 1906. Left to right Joe, 12 with his dogs; "Papa" Will Clark, 45; Mary, 8; Stella, 6; "Mama" Lillie Belle, 33; twins Bill, Jr. and Dollie; and Lucy, 11.  

Joseph Clark received an appointment to the U.S. Navy Academy in Annapolis and in 1917 became the first native American to graduate from the academy. Tradition calls for plebes to receive a nickname, Midshipman Clark became "Jocko" a name that stuck with him throughout his career in WWI, WWII, to the end of the Korean War. 

He was assigned to one of the earliest aircraft carriers and immediately was attracted to flying becoming a Naval Aviator in 1925. 

Early in his career, he was the only aviator assigned to an inspection team evaluating new carrier aircraft and procedures for carriers and their aircraft. He was involved in developing carrier tactics until the end of his career, tactics that are key to naval carrier operations today.

Jocko developed a well-earned reputation for his aggressive nature and leadership. He became known as "Patton of the Pacific." Several videos about the admiral live on youtube.

Patton of the Pacific from Cherokee Nation Archivists. 

Admiral Jocko Clark and the Battleship New Jersey - The New Jersey was Admiral Clark's flagship in the Korean War.

After the Yorktown (CV-5) was sunk at Midway, a carrier that was under construction on the east coast was renamed the Yorktown CV-10). Then-Captain Clark was assigned as the new commander and he picked up the carrier before all interior work was done. Crews completed the ship as Jocko drove it through the Panama Canal and to the war in the South Pacific. He was launching aircraft into combat six months later.

A movie production crew accompanied the Yorktown filming what became an hour-long navy promotional movie called "The Fighting Lady." The narrator (Robert Taylor of Clay Center fame) purposely did not name the Yorktown to honor all carrier crews and airmen in the flick.

The Fighting Lady - an hour-long movie by 20th Century Fox.

The film is illustrated by navy combat film. A commentator pointed out that the Yorktown was the only ship with color film so all color photography in the film came from Jocko's ship. Jocko gets good coverage especially of him chewing out the crew and directing traffic on deck. The original film had no sound so we enjoy Jocko's words in a voice-over.

Back to the Sutton connection. Jocko's sister Stella Clarinda married LeRoy (Roy) Olinger in Oklahoma in 1918. Roy and his sister Bertha (wife of Dr. Fred Figi) were Sutton High grads in 1914 and 1913. (Dr. Figi in '12). 

Roy and Stella's daughter Jody married Paul McBeth and farmed an Olinger farm northwest of town. (I scooped corn with Paul many a time on our neighborhood corn-shelling crew.) Their daughter Paula was my classmate, class of '61. Second daughter Jody ('65) lives in Omaha - we had a great conversation about her great uncle Jocko and the books. Elizabeth was in the class of '72 and Dr. William McBeth in '74. 

Clark G. Reynolds assisted Jocko with his autobiography. Reynolds was the nephew of Admiral Clark's personal aide and snagged the gig when he was 19. Writing the book had to wait until Reynolds had his PhD from Duke years later. 

Reynolds was upset that the editor cut the story of Jocko's early years (including all mention of Stella) so that the autobiography concentrated on the admiral's career on carriers. So, we now have a full-fledged biography that does include the admiral's formative years in Indian Territory, hi-jinx at Annapolis (oh yeah), and pretty robust genealogy coverage of the admiral's various lines, including the Cherokee ancestry.

Jody and I captured the last copies of "Warpath" at amazon, so if you're interested (I recommend it) you'll have to wait or find another source.

Big Wrestling Match in Sutton - 1921

It must have been a big night in Sutton 100 years ago with these champions of Iowa and Nebraska meeting.

The last line reminds us to remember the date, place, and time. O.K. It's on July 7th. Doors open at 7:30. I see where to buy tickets and I can also wire George Sinner for tickets. But where is the match? Is "Sutton" sufficient to find the venue. I guess so.

Farm Names Were a Thing in 1921

There was a movement to name farms in 1921. This article from the June 23, 1921 issue of The Clay County Patriot newspaper describes that effort. Names were registered with the county clerk.

Wonder why that didn't catch on. Seems like a cool idea even now a century later. Europeans, at least Italians, have been naming their houses for a long time. 

Sutton School Rescue Trophies Project

Trophies! Trophies! Trophies!   We got dozens and dozens of Trophies. 

Did you ever wonder what happened to the trophy you won when you were in school? How would you like to have that thing to add a little credibility to the stories you tell your grandkids?

Or, maybe your dad, mom, grandpa, or great-grandpa told a story - you might get to hold, and keep some memorabilia from whatever that was.

The Sutton Museum unexpectedly became the home of several dozens of trophies from the Sutton schools dating from the early 1930s and into the '00s. We can't, and won't provide permanent storage for these, so...

The collection, be it priceless or worthless will be on display, and distribution at the Sutton Museum during Dugout Days, Friday and Saturday (July 2 & 3) afternoons from at least 1 to 5 p.m. If you have questions about the trophy collection, call me at 402-773-0222 or email jjhnsn31@gmail.com. See the following posts for details sorted by decade - links below. This effort will not conclude on the third, we'll entertain contacts and offers to relieve us of these gems - they, deserve a home, rather than where recently destined. 

We've cleaned up most, repaired a few, dropped one, and found the rightful home for another - the 1934-35 SNAC Co-Champ trophy listing M. Kohler as team captain. This gem is now the possession of the Morrie Kohler family. Whoopie! Even if nothing more comes of this project, we can declare victory, a satisfying victory. 

I think we've identified the right guys here: M. Kohler – Captain (Morris), V. Kohler (Vic), R. Mehlhaf (Richard), L. Unterseher (Lester), J. Heinz (John), D. Sparks (Donald), R. Sparks (Robert), P. Schwarz (Paul).

I'm guessing S.N.A.C. was the Southern Nebraska Athletic Conference. Nicht wahr? 

The early trophies were before the era of plastic and are hefty constructs. And, hey, the plates with the inscriptions can be peeled of and replaced with new ones of your choosing. Isn't there something you wish you would/could have done? Now you can prove that your the grandkids. Right? I won't tell.

1990's and 2000's Trophies available

1980's Trophies

1970's Trophies

1960's Trophies

1950's Trophies

1940's Trophies

1930's Trophies

Sutton High Trophies from the 90s and 00s

These trophies fell into the hands of the Sutton Museum. The museum will be open from 1 to 5 pm on Friday & Saturday, July 2 & 3 during Dugout Days. We'd like to put these in to the hands of someone who'd appreciate them. Stop by to check them out.

 

2002 Girls Champion Centennial 9^th Grade Invitational

 

2005 Girls Champion Hastings St. Cecilia Jr. Varsity Basketball Invitational

 

2005 2^nd Place Girls Centennial Freshman Invitational.

 

  

1990 Girls Champ Clay County Track & Field

 

1990 Boys Champ Clay County Track & Field Meet

 

1990 Boys Champs Tri-County Invite

 

1990 Girls Champs Tri-County Invite

 

1990 Boys Runner-up Sandy Creek Track & Field Meet

 

1991 Boys Runner-up Sandy Creek T & F Meet

 

1991 Sutton Relay Track Meet Runner-Up (Girls & Boys)

 

1991 Boys Champion Clay County Track and Field Meets

 

1992 10^th Year Award NSBA State Marching Contest Plaque

 

1992 Boys Runner-up Henderson Jr. High T & F Invite Plaque

 

1995 Div 1 Superior – NSBA Marching Band Festival (Some assembly required)

 

1996 Girls Tri-County Champ 9^th Grade Basketball

 

1997 Girls 3^rd Place Centennial 9^th Grade Invite

 

1997 News Bowl 6th Grade State Champs

1998 News Bowl 5th Grade State Champs

1998 News Bowl 6th Grade State Champs

1998 News Bowl 7th Grade State Champs

1996 5th Grade State Champs

1995 5th Grade State Champs

2001 4th Grade State Champs

1995 6th Grade State Champs

2001 5th Grade Runner-up

2001 6th Grade Runner-up

Thinking Cap

1991 5th Grade 2nd Place

2000 6th Grade 2nd Place

2001 5th Grade 3rd Place

two undated 2nd place

1996 5th Grade 1st Place

 

Sutton High Trophies from the 80's

We have about 25 trophies and plaques from the 1980's (there are more to add - watch this space). Check them out and see if you, or someone you know would appreciate one, or two, or (?).

We'll likely post some more pics as the week goes on...

1980 Outstanding Rating Div 1 NE Marching Band Festival

1981 Boys Champions Clay Co Track Meet

1981 Boys 1^st Place Harvard H-Club Track meet

1982 Outstanding Div 1 Nebraska Marching Band Festival (27 in. tall)

1982 Plate recognizing 25 years (1958-1982) Sutton High Band in the NE Marching Band Festival

 

1982 1^st Place Clay Co Track Meet

 

1982 2^nd Place Boys BB Sandy Creek Reserve Tourney

 

1985 7^th & 8^th Grade Boys Overall Champ Geneva Jr High Track Inv

 

1985 7^th Grade Boys Champ Geneva Jr High track inv

 

1986 8^th Grade Boys Champ Geneva Jr High Track Inv

 

1986 Boys Champ Sutton High Track Inv

 

1986 Girls Runner-up Sutton High Track Inv

 

1987 Girls Champ Clay Co Jr. High Track Meet

 

1987 Boys Champ Clay Co Jr. High Track Meet

 

1987 Girls Runner-up Henderson Track & Field Inv

 

1987 Girls Runner-up Clay Co Track & Field Meet

 

1987=1988 Runner-up Boys Tri-County Varsity Track Inv

 

1988 Boys Champ Clay Co Track & Field Meet

 

1988 Boy-Girl Champ Harvard Track Meet

 

1988 Boys Champ Sutton High Track Inv

 

1988 Champion Sutton High Relay Track Meet

 

1988-1989 Runner-up Tri-County Varsity Boys Track Inv

 

1989 Jazz Ensemble Very Good Wade Nelson Mid-west Festival of Music

 

1989 Boys Champ Henderson High Track Inv

 

1989 Boys Champ Clay Co T & F Meet