My Most Unusual Genealogy Adventure of 2024

The Midwest Blizzard of 1906, the Mystery of Clinton Metz, and the Unsettling AI Podcast Experience

This post is my contribution to Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, week 41. The subject is: Most.

I would say this was the most intriguing side trip I have taken lately in my genealogical research, covering what might have been the most devastating blizzard of 1906. And, adding a modern twist, I used a most unsettling AI tool to help me dig deeper into the story of Samuel Clinton Metz, known as Clint to his friends.

The Subject of My Research

Samuel Clinton Metz—oh, where do I even begin?

I first stumbled upon Clint while investigating my own family tree. The story goes that a middle-aged Clint tried to marry my teenage Aunt Susie back in 1912. What were you thinking, Mr. Metz? Really?

I wanted to know more, and naturally, so did my cousins, Mel and Kate.

The three of us tossed around theories. Did someone put Clint up to this—maybe my grandmother, or someone else in the family? The newspapers at the time speculated it was to keep Susie from testifying in an upcoming trial. But how exactly would marrying Clint prevent her from testifying? We couldn’t quite make sense of that.

We also wondered: Was Susie expecting a child?

In those days, that would have been a common reason for a rushed marriage. But the newspaper accounts made no mention of this, and those papers were not exactly shy about reporting on scandals. After reading through all the articles and discussing the possibilities, we still have no idea.

Piecing Together Clint's Life

When I want to figure someone out, I start building a basic life picture—family, background, places lived.

For Clint, I did what most of us genealogy sleuths do: I snooped around on sites like Familysearch.org, WikiTree.com, and FindAGrave.com. These sources might not be perfectly verified, but they can give you a starting place. Clint’s name wasn’t terribly common, which made things a bit easier, and someone had done excellent work on his FindAGrave profile. I was able to identify him and get an outline of his life pretty quickly.

I also created a tree for Clint on Ancestry.com, treating him as if he were my own relative.

I was not thorough on every little detail, but I verified his parents and siblings and their spouses. I also figured out where they all lived. Then, it was time to hit the Nebraska newspaper archives—both the free sites and Newspapers.com—and start searching.

I also reached out to people on Ancestry who had Clint in their trees, hoping to connect with someone who might know more.

I found distant relatives, but none who had personal stories about him. Maybe one day I’ll come across a grandchild or great-grandchild. Clint had one son early in his adult life, but it’s unclear how much they knew each other.

The Blizzard of 1906: The Most Devastating Event

What I found out about Clint was both baffling and heartbreaking.

In 1906, he lost his wife, Mary, and two daughters in a deadly snowstorm. Lottie was seven years old, Nellie just five. They were caught in a blizzard while walking between family members' homes.

Clint's account to the newspapers was poignant.

He talked about how his Nellie had been walking two miles to school every day. Within six months she had gone from not knowing her letters to reading from the second reader. He was clearly a proud father, invested in his children’s lives.

So what led Clint, years later, to attempt to marry Susie, a girl the same age as his lost daughter?

One newspaper said there was a rumor he was promised a house and some land if he went through with the marriage. Was that his reason? Or was he just profoundly lonely? Did he see in Susie some way to reclaim what he had lost?

The Role of Railways and Siblings

I was initially confused about all the traveling Clint did between eastern and western Nebraska, with occasional stops in Holt County.

Could people travel conveniently back then? I asked in my genealogy group and got the suggestion to check the railroad routes. Sure enough, railroads connected the places where Clint lived, and O’Neill, in Holt County, was right on the line. His siblings also moved between these same areas.

Google’s NotebookLM: A Most Unsettling Tool

To pull everything together, I decided to try NotebookLM, a new AI tool from Google.

The "LM" stands for Language Model. While I didn’t let it organize all my notes (because, let’s be honest, it still skips details and jumps to strange conclusions), I did give it a clean set of documents and a map to work with. What I really wanted to test was the feature that creates a podcast on the fly, without being given a script.

The voices were AI-generated, and so were the words.

How do I feel about this? Honestly, it’s both amazing and eery. As a tech professional, I feel obligated to keep track of these advancements. As a consumer of information, I find it unsettling that it’s getting harder to tell whether we’re listening to real people or not.

And I have to admit, a couple of things the AI voices said were fairly insightful.

Closing Thoughts: Clint’s Legacy and the Poem

Once I found his family tree information, I figured out that Clint tried to marry little Susie when he was 51 and she was just one month past her 14th birthday.

At first I couldn't help but think, Dude, really? But this drama pulled me in and led me to dig deeper into Clint’s life, and in the end, I came away with a different perspective on Clint. He wasn’t just the lecherous old guy I had imagined at first.

He was a man shaped by unspeakable loss, a father who took pride in his daughters’ accomplishments, and a suitor who just kept searching for connection, even if his choices didn’t always make sense. None of his wives stayed with him long, except for Mary. Maybe she was the one for him, and her loss left him grasping for something he could never quite replace.

And then, I discovered something that added an unexpected touch to Clint’s story.

Shortly after the snowstorm that claimed the lives of his wife and daughters, a distant pastor from Scotland wrote a poem inspired by the tragedy and sent it in to be published in the Nebraska newspaper. The poem, “Lost in the Storm,” reflects the sadness and isolation of that day, capturing the heartbreak of the family’s fate.

You can find the poem included below in the transcript of newspaper clippings. I used Suno AI to set it to music, which is in the video. These are not lyrics I would typically write, but they honor Mary, Lottie, and Nellie in a style of language that would likely have resonated with them in their time and place, reflecting the sentiments and expressions of the early 1900s.

Lastly, for anyone reading this who may be a relative of Samuel Clinton Metz or simply curious about more details, I’ve included a transcript of all the newspaper clippings I found in the addendum below. Feel free to reach out if you have more information or if this story touches on a part of your own family history.

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Full copy of the AI generated Podcast from NotebookLM:

Full version of the poem set to music, Happy Land:

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Addendum: Transcript of Newspaper Clippings

Note: To make this shorter I’ve put the addendum in a separate note here:

1. 1896-12-18 The Rushville Recorder

https://www.newspapers.com/image/752562629/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

    Decrees of divorce were granted in the cases of Gilderoy Hardy vs Mary Hardy, and Clinton Mets vs Mary Mets.

2. 1898-10-21 Sheridan County Star

https://www.newspapers.com/image/752896815/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

    Clinton Metz has bought the old C. M. Rebbeck Farm of A. E. Clark.

3. 1898-12-02 Sheridan County Star

https://www.newspapers.com/image/752897066/?match=1&terms=%22clint%20metz%22

    Clint Metz’s team ran away last Sunday. They ran about 15 miles before they were caught and lost a pig, on their rounds which was never found to date, which was in the wagon box. 

4. 1899-09-29 Sheridan County Star

https://www.newspapers.com/image/752899111/?match=1&terms=%22clint%20metz%22

    Clint Metz, better known as McKinley is about to move to the Greux ranch for the winter.

5. 1901-07-25 Harrison Press-Journal

https://www.newspapers.com/image/699875783/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

Sheriff’s Sale

    By virtue of an order of sales issued by the clerk of the district court of Sioux County Nebraska, and to me directed, upon a decree rendered in said court in favor of the county of Sioux as plaintiff and against Clinton Metz, Mrs. Clinton Metz his wife whose Christian name is unknown to plaintiff, Marie C. Dorrington.

    I will on the 26th day of August 1901, at one o’clock in the afternoon of said day, at the east front door of the court House of said county, at Harrison, Nebraska, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash in hand, the following described real estate situated in said county, to wit:

    The North east quarter of section twenty five in township thirty-thee north of Range fifty-three west of 4th principal meridian.

    To satisfy said order of sale in the sum of Thirty-two dollars, seventy-five cents and costs and searching costs.

    Dated July third, 1901.

Alex Lowry, Sheriff

6. 1903-02-06 Crawford Bulletin

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674245660/?match=1

    Mrs. Clinton Metz was visiting at Mr. Everson’s one day last week and started form home after night. She somehow missed her course and became bewildered and wandered around in the bad lands and on the prairies all night. When daylight came she espied a house at some distance and went to it. It proved to be A. Carlson’s place, some 5 or 6 miles from Everson’s, in the opposite direction from her home. The weather happened to be mild at the time and she only suffered from fatigue and, of course, mental anguish. 

7. 1906-03-16 The News Cedar Bluffs Standard

https://www.newspapers.com/image/673289634/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

WOMAN AND CHILDREN FREEZE

Bodies of Three Found Near Harrison After Blizzard Last Week.

    HARRISON—The bodies of Mrs. Clinton Metz an her two children, who were frozen to death in the recent blizzard, have been found a half mile from the Metz ranch. The children became lost on the way home from school and the mother was lost while searching for them.

Note: This simplified article was reprinted in many papers. If you do not continue to read other articles, you will not get the full story.

8. 1906-03-15 Valentine Democrat

https://www.newspapers.com/image/81472551/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

Loses Wife, Son and Two Daughters Within 30 Days

(Harrison, Neb. Sun)

    On last Sunday Robert Lux brought the news to Harrison of the death of Mrs. Clinton Metz and her two little girls, 7 and 5 years old, which occurred near Adalia, in this county.

    Mrs. Metz and her two children were lost in the storm of March 1 and frozen to death. As far as is known, Mrs. Metz and her two daughters, Dollie and Nellie, were visiting Mr. Metz’ brother, near Sugar Loaf, and on the afternoon of the storm they set out on foot to go from the home of Mr. Kirk Mets to his brother Scot’s, a distance of about mail and were not seen again until their bodies were found the next day by the school teacher and scholars by the roadside, frozen to death.

    Funeral services were held at the Union Star church, conducted by Revs. McKee, Burke, and Current.

    Just one month ago Mr. Metz lost his only son and this no affliction includes the entire family, and Mr. Metz is left alone.

9. 1906-03-16 The Harrison Sun

https://www.newspapers.com/image/699890225/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

(From the Crawford Courier)

    Died on last Thursday night March 1, from exposure and freezing, Mrs. Mary A. Metz, aged 44 years 10 months and 15 days and her two little daughters, Lottie aged 7 years, 9 months and 10 days and Nellie aged 5 years 7 months and 2 days, the wife and daughters of Clinton Metz, who resides 1- miles northeast of Crawford. 

    The blizzard of last Thursday, which was the worst known to this section since the severe winter of ’88, brought with it death and destruction. The saddest of all was the death of Mrs. Clinton Metz and her two little daughters who were lost in the storm near Adelia. They left home a week ago Sunday for a visit with Mr. Metz’s brother J. C. Metz who lives eleven miles north of Clinton’s place, and on Thursday they visited the school near Adelia that is taught by Miss Hale and afters school intended going over to another brothers Scott Metz to spend the night, but having forgotten their overshoes return to J. C.’s to get them before starting for Scott’s. By that time the storm was very bad and they were lost as before stated. 

    Friday morning the eldest son of J. C. Mets was sent over to the home of his uncle to see if they had arrived there safely and finding them missing a search was immediately instituted and the first development was the finding of Mrs. Metz in the road by the school teacher Miss Hale, while on her way to school and only three hundred yards from the home of Scott Metz. She was lying on her face and judging from the bruises about her limbs and face she had fallen many times in a vain endeavor to get to the house to secure aid.

    The neighbors and section men were at once notified and were soon out on horseback and on foot looking for the children who were not found until Saturday afternoon about 2 o’clock. In the mental the grief stricken father had been sent for and arriving on the scene suggested that they dig in the drifts near where the mother had been found. After a little time they were located about 100 feet northwest from where their mother was found in a snow drift three feet deep. Before the mother had left the children she had taken off her wraps and put them on the oldest child. When found both children were lying together, the younger on lying over her sister with her arms clasped around her. Those who were there at the time of the finding of the little ones say it was th most heart rending scene they had ever witnessed and is almost indescribable for there stood the poor father with every hope of life blighted and all that near and dear to him had been taken away and he is the only surviving member of the family. What makes it still sadder is the fact that they had lost a little boy just a month to the day that the mother and little girls perished. The mother had been sick from grief over the death of the little one and had taken but little nourishment since.

    They were bright children and the father in speaking of them stated that the youngest girl who was only five years of age had walked two miles to school for over six months and during that time had only lost one day. She did not know her letters when she started to school in September but at the time of her death was in the second reader and could read and spell every word in the first and second readers.

    The funeral services which were largely attended were held in the Union Star church Sunday and were conducted by Rev. Burke of Harrison and were very impressive.

    The Courier joins with the many friends of Mr. Metz in extending their heartfelt sympathy during his bereavement in the loss of a loving wife and two little daughters.

10. 1906-04-20 The Harrison Sun

https://www.newspapers.com/image/699890268/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

LOST IN THE STORM

From the Crawford Tribune

The following lines were written shortly after the author read an account of the death of Mrs. Clinton Metz and her two children, who perished in a snow storm about a month ago near Adelia, Nebraska.

A mother and her children

  Lost in nightly gloom,

Wander in the darkness,

  Seeking for their home.

Fast the snow is falling;

  Cold the wintry blast;

Faint with weary wandering,

  Then lost hope at last.

See the tear-stained children,

  On their snowy bed;

While the crystal snowflakes

  Garlands o’er them spread.

See the mothers’ anguish;

  Hear her groans, her cry;

And her two dear babis

  Left alone to die.

See God’s holy angel,

  Bending o’er them, wait;

Bear them to bright mansions

  Through the pearly gate.

Happy home in heaven,

  Where are angels bright;

Happy land of sunshine,

  Where there is no night.

Rev. J. A. McNab

Glasgow, Scotland

11. 1907-04-05 Crawford Tribune

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674353558/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

Married—On March 26, at the home of Edward Pelren, on Sand creek, Clinton Metz to Mrs. Marabelle Collins.

Question: Is Sand creek the Sand creek in Holt County? I am not certain if there are other Sand creeks.

12. 1907-04-05 The Harrison Sun

https://www.newspapers.com/image/699891203/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

Clinton Metz, who lost his wife and two children a year ago this month by freezing to death in a blizzard near Adelia, was married Tuesday evening March 26, 1907. The fortunate young woman, is Mr.s Marabelle Collins, she came 1800 miles to marry her ardent lover. Mr Mets makes the following statement: “She is one of the finest women in this world. She has a little girl two years old which is the prettiest little child I ever saw.” They were married at the home of Ed Pelrens his brother-in-law who lives on Sand Creek. —Crawford Courier.

13. 1907-04-19 Crawford Tribune

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674353672/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

Mrs. Clinton Metz, after 12 days of married live in Sioux County, hit the trail on Saturday last for her old home in the Buckeye state, says the Harrison Sun. In last week’s Sun we made mention of the happy marriage of Clinton Metz and Mrs: Colton’s, but the ink was hardly dry on the paper when the happy (?) bride had flown. No doubt that Mr. And Mrs. Metz have learned by this time that marriage is a failure — in their case, at least. Clint went to the timber on Friday, staying over night with a neighbor, and Mrs. Metz took the early morning train at Adelia before he arrived home. We suppose he survived the shock.

14. 1907-09-26 Chadron Record

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674355542/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

Clinton Mets, J. W. Keller, and Will Mason were in the city Monday on a contest case.

15. 1908-09-04 Chadron Record

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674347266/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

To Mary Bell Mets, Non-resident defendant.

    You will take notice that on the 27th day of August A D. 1908 Clinton Mets plaintiff herein filled in the district court of Dawes county Nebraska, his petition against said defendant, the object and prayer of which are to obtain a decree of divorce from you. 

    You are required to answer said petition on or before September 29th, 1908, or the same will be taken as true. 

    Clinton Mets, 

46-48 By his Attorney C. Dana Sayrs.

Note: This same notice is repeated a few times in surrounding weeks.

16. 1909-05-07 Crawford Tribune

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674357610/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

Clinton Metz is having a new country house built a short distance north of town and P. P. Grant’s house near the same will soon be completed

17. 1910-11-03 The Craig News

David Metz Buried Here

    David Metz was born in Lancaster County, Penn., June 18, 1826. Moved to Ohio when young. Married Mary Willow, April 3, 1851. Eleven children were born to them, six boys and five girls. Moved to Nebraska about 35 years ago. He died, sitting at the breakfast table, at his home in Sioux City, Nov. 1st. The remains were brought here this morning and interred in the cemetery. Funeral services were held in the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Janssen.

Note: David Metz is father to Samuel Clinton Metz.

18. 1910-02-10 Tekamah Journal

https://www.newspapers.com/image/771945212/?match=1&terms=%22clint%20metz%22

    A divorce case has been filed in the district court in which CLint Metz wants legal separation from an entangling matrimonial venture he entered into up in Sioux county about three years ago. Metz’s petition says the lady he chose for better or worse gave him the “worse” part of it. After dwelling with her three days in matrimonial bless she asked for $200 to send for some furniture she had in Ohio and to pay up a chattel mortgage holding the goods in hock, freight from Ohio to Nebraska, etc. He scratched up the $200 in long green and on the first train both wife and money departed and nary a trace of either has he since beheld. He now wants his freedom though it is plainly evident the wife of his bosom has considered herself free for the past three years.

19. 1911-09-28 The Wakefield Republican

https://www.newspapers.com/image/764071344/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

Real Estate Transfers

    For the week ending Sept 23, 1911, as reported from the Abstract office of J. H. Hurley, Ponca, Neb. F. J. Dishner to Clinton Metz lots 2-3 bulk 24 Ponca $1500

20. 1911-12-08 Crawford Tribune

https://www.newspapers.com/image/674344912/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

    Claydie Metz vs Clinton Metz — Divorce; defendant defaulted; decree as prayed granted by court; also $50 attorney’s fees; $15 suit money awarded against defendant.

21. 1912-04-16 Neligh Leader

https://www.newspapers.com/image/730417805/

    A couple from O’Neill were refused a marriage license Thursday morning by County Judge Ingram. The girl was apparently not over fourteen years of age and the man forty. The sheriff of Holt county telephoned the judge here that the same couple had applied for a license in that county, and it had been denied for cause, notwithstanding the parents of the girl had no objection to her marriage. From other sources it is learned that the girl is the prosecuting witness against a man fifty years of age, with a family of ten children. He is charged with criminal assault, and it is supposed that this fact has something to do with the activity of the Holt county officials in stopping the marriage.

22. 1912-04-30 Norfolk Daily News

https://www.newspapers.com/image/730843839/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

CARVER GIRL IN CUSTODY

Judge Dickson at O’Neill Orders the Child Held as Witness

    O’Neill, Neb., April 30. — District Judge R. R. Dickson has ordered Sheriff Grady to hold in custody the Carver girl, who figured in the elopement with Clinton Mets to Neigh last week, as a witness in the trial of Frank Hamilton set for the June term of court. Hamilton is charged with improper relations with the girl and Judge Dickson is determined to get to the bottom of this case and dispose of it as quickly as possible

23. 1912-05-02 The Neligh Register

https://www.newspapers.com/image/730154934/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

The 14-year-old Carver girl who came to Neligh last Thursday with Clinton Mets to be married, was taken home by her father on Friday and is now in custody of Sheriff Grady of Holt county to be held by him upon order of District Judge Dickson as a witness against Frank Hamilton, a man of fifty years of age, who is held to the district court charged with her ruin.

24. 1912-05-03 The Frontier and Holt County Independent

https://www.newspapers.com/image/741938647/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

    Last week a fellow about 50 years of age and giving the name of Clinton Mets appeared at the office of Judge Carlos and applied for a license to wed the little 14 year old Carver girl. The girl is the prosecuting witness in the case against Frank Hamilton now pending. The licence was refused. Then he took the little child to Neligh and there again tried to secure a license, but was again refused. The child gave things away to a lady and the officers hustled the old man out of town and notified the officers here. The girl was brought here the next day and placed in custody of the police until Monday when Judge Dickson ordered her held as a witness in the Hamilton case and ordered her into the custody of the Sheriff. Thus ends the first chapter, but we hope the next will give the guilty parties all they deserve.

25. 1912-05-03 The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal

https://www.newspapers.com/image/728754193/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

    O’Neill, Neb, April 30 — District Judge R. R. Dickson has ordered Sheriff Grady to hold in custody the Carver girl, who figured in the elopement with Clinton Mets to Neigh last week, as a witness in the trial of Frank Hamilton set for the June term of court. Hamilton is charged with improper relations with the girl and Judge Dickson is determined to get to the bottom of this case and dispose of it as quickly as possible.

26. 1912-05-03 Neigh Leader

https://www.newspapers.com/image/730417909/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mots%22

    It is believed that the attempted marriage between the Carver girl and Clinton Mets, both of Holt county, which was frustrated by County Judge Ingram of this county, refusing them a license, was planned to get the girl out of the way, so that her testimony could not be taken in the case where she was the prosecuting witness, the crime being criminal assault. It is even hinted that the prospective groom was promised a house and lot at Ponca, valued at $1400, if the plan proved successful. The father of the girl was in Neigh Friday of last week and took his daughter home on the afternoon train, and planned to place her in the sister’s school at O’Neill. He stated that he never signed the application to the judge for his daughter’s marriage but it was signed by his wife. The body of the writing and both signatures seemed to have been written by the same person. A dispatch from O’Neill dated April 30, to the Norfolk News, contains the following additional news regarding this case: “District Judge R. R> Dickson has ordered Sheriff Grady to hold in custody the Carver girl, who figured in the elopement with Clinton Mets to Neigh last week, as a witness in the trial of Frank Hamilton set for the June term of court. Hamilton is charged with improper relations with the girl and Judge Dickson is determined to get to the bottom of this case as quickly as possible.

27. 1914-03-12 The Frontier (O’Neill)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/738733563/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

    Clinton Metz is building an addition to his house in the western part of town. 

Clark Lewis, contractor for the Chambers mail route, was in town the first off the week, engaged Clinton Metz to drive for him beginning last Monday.

28. 1914-08-07 Neligh Leader

https://www.newspapers.com/image/730406625/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

Marriage License Issued

    County Judge Ingram has issued the following marriage licenses:

James E Esch and Mary B. Keher, both of Spaulding, Neb, August 3; Clinton Mets and Mrs. Eva Alder, both of O’Neill, married by the county Judge August 3; …

Note: Eva may also have gone by Effie per divorce notice in 1928.

29. 1916-03-30 The Nebraska Journal-Leader; Ponca, Nebraska

https://www.newspapers.com/image/751393877/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

    Granville M Mets, to G. M. Lindquist, 81/s 81/x sw1/4 9-28-5 $3,500

Clinton Mets, to Joe Davey, Lots 2 and 3, block 24, Ponca  $1. 

30. 1928-03-30 The Frontier and Holt County Independent

https://www.newspapers.com/image/742306734/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Mets%22

WANTS “KNOT” UNTIED

    By his attorney, Lewis Chapman, Clinton Mets filed a petition in the district court last week asking an absolute divorce of Effie Mets. The petition states that they were married at Neligh, Nebraska, August 3, 1914, and that he has acted as a kind and considerate husband up to about September 1, 1920, when without just cause she deserted him and left his bed and board and has continued to absent herself from that time to the present. The case will come for trial in district court when called.

31. 1929-04-19 The Lynch Herald

https://www.newspapers.com/image/711175940/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

    Notice is hereby given that Clinton Metz, of Meek, Nebraska, who, on March 24, 1924, made Stockraising homestead entry Lincoln-02968, Alliance-020576, for NE1/4, NW1/4 Section 21, Township 32 N., R. 10 W., and SE1/4 SW 1/4, Section 10, Township 32 N, Range 11 @. 6th Prin. Meridian, has filed notice of intention to make final three-year Proof, to establish claim to the land above described, before County Judge, at O’Neill, Nebraska, on the 4th day of May, 1929. 

Claimant names as witnesses:

Ernest Mott, Joseph Kethcart and Edward Hull all, of Red Bird, Nebraska, William Kethcart, of Meek, Nebraska, Jas H. H. Hewitt, Register. First pub. March 21 — last April 18. 

32. 1929-05-17 The Atkinson Graphic

https://www.newspapers.com/image/670447689/?match=1&terms=%22Clinton%20Metz%22

    Clinton Metz of Meek, Nebraska made final proof in count court Saturday for an eight-acre stock-raising homestead north of O’Neill. Elliott Earl Rhodes of Stuart also made final proof in count court on an eighty-acre homestead Monday.

33. 1930-03-01 The Rocky Mountain News

The Rocky Mountain News (Daily) March 1, 1930 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection

SAYS WIFE HAD ANOTHER MATE

    Woman Files Divorce Suit! and Husband Seeks l Annulment | it ! Her husband protested her use of the Bible and declared she was only a housekeeper to him, Mrs. Ella Mets charged in a divorce suit filed in Denver district court yesterday against Granville Mets, Colorado rancher. Simultaneous with the filing of his wife’s divorce action, Mets answered | her suit and filed a cross bill asking {for annulment, Mets, said by his wife to be worth $60,000, charges his spouse was the undivorced mate of Charles William Hansen at the time Mets says he went thru a marriage ceremony with her, July 26, 1925. Mrs. Mets declares she and Mets were married in Salida, Colo, July 1, 1926. According to Mets’ complaint, his wife divorced Hansen April 5, 1926. A divorce, alimony of $75 a month and an order restraining her husband from disposing of his property, are asked by Mrs. Mets. (This is Clinton’s brother.)

34. 1945-07-06 Crawford Tribune

https://www.newspapers.com/article/crawford-tribune-obituary-for-j-e-pelren/155945625/

Mrs. J. E. Pelren Dies in Idaho

    Mrs. J. E. Pelren passed away at her home in Kuna, Idaho, at 3:14 a. M., Sunday, July 1, 1945, following a heart attack aged 80 years, 8 months and 1 day.

    Ella Mets, daughter of David and Mary Mets, was born October 31, 1864 near Dayton, Ohio. She immigrated with her parents from Dayton to Indiana. At the age of 10 years, she moved with her parents to Fontannella, near Blair, Nebraska, going to Tekamah, later, where she grew to womanhood. 

    On January 3, 1884 she was united in marriage to John E. Pelren at Ponca, Nebraska. To this union seven children were born, two of whom preceded her in death, Cora in December, 1894, and Frank F. In July, 1935.

    They resided at Ponca, Nebraska for a short time and then moved to Chambers, Nebraska. In the fall of 1887, they came to northwest Nebraska, with their two small daughters, and located on a homestead fifteen miles northwest of Crawford, where they lived until June, 1921, when they went to Idaho, and after living on a farm, near Melba, for a few years, they moved into Kuna, Idaho, where she resided until the time of her death.

    Mrs. Pelren was a devoted wife and mother and was a true friend and neighbor. She will long be remembered for loving words and kind deeds. She was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and will be sadly missed by relatives and friends.

    She leaves to mourn her departure beside her aged husband, four daughters, Mrs. Carrie Ross, Mrs. Lottie Cullers and Mrs. Pear Arner of Crawford, Nebr, and Mrs. Lillie Harney, of Beaumont, Idaho, and one son, Harry of Crawford; twenty-five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, also two brothers, Granville Mets of Fort Morgan, Cole.; and Curtis Mets of Castle Rock, Oregon; one sister, Nellie Barnes of Dallas, South Dakota; also numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

    The body was brought to this city and funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church conducted by Rev. W. C. Fawell and burial was made in the Crawford cemetery.

Note: Ella’s full name was Nancy Rosella Metz