Once a source of life on the dry, desolate prairie, the windmill has evolved into a historic emblem of pastoral culture. You may occasionally spot wheel-less towers on vacant farmsteads across Nebraska, but you almost have to travel to the western part of the state to see windmills still pumping water.
kAm*6E :E H2D ?@E E92E =@?8 28@ E92E |:5H6DE6C?6CD C6=:65 FA@? E96 H:?5>:== 7@C 2 C67C6D9:?8 8=2DD @7 H2E6C[ E@ E2<6 2 32E9 @C 7:== 2 A@E 7@C 4@@<:?8]k^Am
kAm%96 zC686= (:?5>:== u24E@CJ |FD6F> :? }63C2D<2 r:EJ :D BF:E6 =:E6C2==J AC6D6CG:?8 E96 9:DE@CJ @7 E9:D p>6C:42? :4@?]k^Am
kAm“(6 2C6 E96 =2DE AC6D6CG65 9:DE@C:4 H:?5>:== 724E@CJ E92E :D 7F==J @A6C2E:@?2= 2?5 6?E:C6=J @C:8:?2=[ ?@E 2 >@56C? C6A=:42[” D2:5 xDD:2:9 *@EE[ 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C @7 E96 zC686= (:?5>:== u24E@CJ |FD6F>]k^Am
The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is located in the original building in Nebraska City.
Submitted photo
kAmuC@> E96 @FED:56[ E96 56D:8? @7 E96 AC2:C:6 >249:?6 3F:=5:?8 92C<6?D E@ 2 5:776C6?E 6C2 H:E9 E2== 2C4965 H:?5@HD 2?5 A2:?E65 3C:4< 7C@?E] uC@> E96 A2C<:?8 =@E 24C@DD E96 DEC66E[ 2 bd\7@@E E2== t=: >@56= D925@HD E96 @=5 724E@CJ H96C6 E96D6 H:?5>:==D H6C6 @?46 >256]k^Am
kAm(96? J@F DE6A E9C@F89 E96 E9C6D9@=5 @7 E96 8=2DD\A2?65 5@F3=6 5@@CD[ J@F 2C6 EC2?DA@CE65 324< `__ J62CD]k^Am
kAmw2?5 E@@=D =:6 ?6IE E@ F?7:?:D965 7=J H966=D 2?5 862C 3@I6D] |249:?:?8 =2E96D 2?5 5C:== AC6DD6D 2C6 A@D:E:@?65 :? 2? 2DD6>3=J =:?6[ A@:D65 7@C E96 ?6IE DE6A :? E96 >2?F724EFC:?8 AC@46DD 2?5 2EE24965 E@ E96 =:?6 5C:G6 A@H6C D927E DJDE6> 23@G6] tG6? 2 <?@33J A6?4:= DEF3 C6DED @? A2A6CH@C< 2E@A 2 56D< :? E96 @77:46[ ?6IE E@ 2 H@@= @G6C4@2E DE:== 92?8:?8 @? E96 9@@<]k^Am
Tools and projects lay as they were found at the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum, as if the workers will be returning to finish the project the next workday.
Submitted photo
kAm%96 6I9:3:E :D ?@E DE2865] t249 @7 E96 2CE:724ED H:E9:? E96 zC686= |FD6F> 2C6 E96 24EF2= E@@=D 2?5 :E6>D FD65 3J E96 6>A=@J66D 2E E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J 2?5 C6>2:? 2D E96J H6C6 7@F?5[ H:E9 2 =:EE=6 CFDE 2?5 5FDE CF3365 @77] $@>6 @7 E96 H@C< DE2E:@?D H6C6 D9:7E65 D=:89E=J E@ >2<6 E96 H2=<H2J 4@>A=:2?E H:E9 psp Wp>6C:42?D H:E9 s:D23:=:E:6D p4EX DE2?52C5D[ 3FE @E96CH:D6 E96 6IA2?D:G6 C@@> :D 2? 6I24E :==FDEC2E:@? @7 E96 AC@5F4E:@? =:?6]k^Am
kAms2G6 $:=4@I[ 3@2C5 >6>36C 2?5 =:76\=@?8 2C62 C6D:56?E[ 92D 7@?5 >6>@C:6D @7 4@>:?8 E@ E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J H:E9 9:D 72E96C 7C@> x@H2 E@ AFC492D6 E96 DEC@?8[ 962GJ H6== A:A6D E92E H6C6 3F:=E E@ 9:89\DE2?52C5 DA64D] $:=4@I D2:5 E96 3F:=5:?8 =@@<D E96 D2>6 ?@H 2D :E 5:5 H96? 96 H2D 2 D:I\J62C\@=5 3@J :? `he_]k^Am
kAm“x 5:5?’E 2AAC64:2E6 E@E2==J H92E x H2D D66:?8 2E E96 E:>6[” 96 D2:5]k^Am
David Silcox engages the machines, which are powered through a line drive power shaft. The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is the only fully-operational, preserved historical windmill factory.
Submitted photo
kAmkDEC@?8mzC686= >FD6F> ?2>65 }2E:@?2= w:DE@C:4 {2?5>2C<k^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAm%9:D C6=:4 6?42ADF=2E65 :? E:>6 H2D C646?E=J AC@>@E65 7C@> 2 $E2E6 w:DE@C:4 {2?5>2C< E@ 2 }2E:@?2= w:DE@C:4 {2?5>2C< W}w{X] *@EE H6?E 367@C6 E96 }w{ r@>>:EE66 @7 E96 }2E:@?2= !2C< $JDE6> p5G:D@CJ q@2C5 }@G] `e 7@C 7:?2= C6G:6H] x? 2? ``\_ G@E6[ E96 zC686= |FD6F> H2D 56D:8?2E65 2D 2 ?2E:@?2= DJ>3@=]k^Am
kAm*@EE 4@?D:56CD E96 C64@8?:E:@? 2 AC6DE:8:@FD 9@?@C[ 2D E96C6 2C6 C@F89=J a[a__ }w{ D:E6D E9C@F89@FE E96 d_ DE2E6D] s6DA:E6 E96 96:89E6?65 DE2EFD[ E96 >FD6F> H:== C6>2:? 2 ?@?AC@7:E 492C:EJ E92E 6I:DED @? 7F?5:?8 7C@> 5@?2E:@?D[ 8C2?ED 2?5 >FD6F> 25>:DD:@?]k^Am
kAmw6 C676CC65 E@ E9:D 2D 2 “A:G@E A@:?E” 7@C E96 zC686= |FD6F> 2?5 E9@D6 H9@ 92G6 366? :?G@=G65 :? E96 AC6D6CG2E:@? 2?5 }w{ 2AA=:42E:@? AC@46DD]k^Am
kAm“xE C6AC6D6?ED =:E6C2==J J62CD @7 H@C< C6D62C49:?8 C64@C5D—4=@D6 E@ `__[___ A286D @G6C 2 ``a\J62C @A6C2E:@?2= 9:DE@CJ @7 E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J[” D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
kAm%96 zC686= (:?5>:== 2C49:G6D 2C6 AC6D6CG65 2E E96 }63C2D<2 $E2E6 w:DE@C:42= $@4:6EJ :? {:?4@=?] x? E96 |:5H6DE[ @?=J E96 &?:@? !24:7:4 #2:=C@25 u@F?52E:@? 92D 2 =2C86C 4@==64E:@? @7 5@4F>6?E2E:@? @G6C 2 D:>:=2C E:>6DA2?[ D2:5 *@EE] w6 7:?5D :E :C@?:4]k^Am
kAm“*@F @?=J 92G6 p>6C:42? H:?5>:==D 3642FD6 @7 E96 62C=J DE62> EC2:?D[” D2:5 *@EE[ 6IA=2:?:?8 E92E H:?5>:==D H6C6 4C62E65 D@ E92E EC2:? 6?8:?66CD 5:5 ?@E 92G6 E@ >2?F2==J AF>A H2E6C E@ 4@@= E96 >2DD:G6 DE62> 6?8:?6D] s2?:6= w2==252J 5@>6DE:42E65 E96 H:?5>:==[ 3C:?8:?8 :E E@ CFC2= p>6C:42 :? E96 `ge_D]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8m%96 368:??:?8 @7 E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?Jk^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAmr@FD:?D {@F:D 2?5 v6@C86 u] zC686= 3682? 2? 28C:4F=EFC2= >2?F724EFC:?8 7:C> :? `ghf] %96 @C:8:?2= 3F:=5:?8 H2D =@42E65 24C@DD E96 DEC66E 7C@> E96 AC6D6?E\52J >FD6F> D:E6] pD H:?5>:==D 3642>6 2 DE2A=6 :? 72C>:?8 4@>>F?:E:6D[ E96:C 4@>A2?J 3682? 2DD6>3=:?8 “zC686=” H:?5>:==D 56D:8?65 3J v6@C86] qJ E96 =2E6 `gh_D[ v6@C86 492?865 E96 ?2>6 E@ “t=:” :? 9@?@C @7 72>:=J 7C:6?5 2?5 {FE96C2? A2DE@C[ t=: wF332C5]k^Am
kAm{@F:D H2D ?@E :?G@=G65 :? E96 3FD:?6DD =@?8] w6 D@=5 9:D D92C6D 324< E@ v6@C86 2?5 6G6?EF2==J D6EE=65 :? |:DD@FC:] %96C6[ {@F:D C2? 2 DF446DD7F= 42D<6E >2<:?8 3FD:?6DD] w6 925 aa A2E6?ED E@ 9:D ?2>6 3J 286 cb 2?5 =:G65 4@>7@CE23=J 7C@> E96 C@J2=E:6D[ D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
With its variety of preset tools, the turret lathe increased efficiency on the production line. The Kregel family was scrupulous with their money but did purchase this machine to save time and, therefore, money.
Submitted photo
kAmx?86?F:EJ H2D 6G:56?E=J 2 zC686= EC2:E] p? :?G6?E@C 2?5 2A:2C:DE[ v6@C86 925 E9C66 A2E6?ED 7@C 366 9:G6Dj A2CE @7 9:D 3FD:?6DD H2D 565:42E65 E@ 4@?DECF4E:?8 9:D :?G6?E:@?D] qFD:?6DD =6586CD D9@H e_\f_ 5:776C6?E H2JD E92E E96 zC686= 72>:=J >256 >@?6J E9C@F89@FE E96 ``a\J62CD @7 @A6C2E:@?]k^Am
kAmpD 3FD:?6DD 6IA2?565[ v6@C86 AFC492D65 E96 3F:=5:?8 @? E96 ?@CE9 D:56 @7 E96 DEC66E H96C6 E96 zC686= |FD6F> :D ?@H =@42E65] t=: H:?5>:==D H6C6 >2?F724EFC65 F?E:= (@C=5 (2C xx[ H96? >2E6C:2= C2E:@?:?8 7@C465 E96 zC686=D E@ DE@A AC@5F4E:@?] %96? E649?@=@8:42= 25G2?46D C6A=2465 H:?5\A@H6C65 AF>A:?8 H:E9 6=64EC:42= AF>AD] %96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J 4@?E:?F65 E@ D6CG:46 H6==D 2?5 AF>AD F?E:= `hh`]k^Am
kAm%H@ @7 v6@C86’D 49:=5C6? H6C6 :?G@=G65 :? E96 72>:=J 3FD:?6DD] ~=56DE D@? #@36CE 7@==@H65 9:D @H? 4@FCD6 :? E96 3F88J :?5FDECJ[ H9:49 =2E6C 6G@=G65 :?E@ 2FE@>@3:=6D] w:D D64@?5 D@? pCE9FC “pCE” <6AE E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J CF??:?8 27E6C v6@C86 A2DD65 2H2J :? `hce] s2F89E6C t==2 H2D 2 “72DE:5:@FD 3@@<<66A6C[” D2:5 $:=4@I] $96 H@F=5 D6== A2CED E9C@F89 2 =:EE=6 8=2DD H:?5@H D@ E92E 72C>6CD H@F=5 ?@E EC24< >F5 :?E@ 96C @77:46]k^Am
kAm“uC@> E96 HC:E:?8D x’G6 D66?[ x E9:?< pCE 2?5 t==2 H6C6 >@C6 4@\@H?6CD] $96 C2? E96 3@@<D[ 2?5 96 H2D E96 8FJ H9@ 4@F=5 EFC? 2 HC6?49[” $:=4@I D2:5]k^Am
kAm%96 zC686= 3FD:?6DD >@56= H2D 7@F?565 @? v6C>2? :?86?F:EJ[ 92C5 H@C< 2?5 E9C:7E] %96J H6C6 D@ 7CF82= E92E H2DE6 ?6HDA2A6C H2D FD65 :?DE625 @7 4=@E9 E@H6=D 7@C 6>A=@J66D E@ 5CJ E96:C 92?5D[ F?E:= 23@FE E96 `he_D]k^Am
kAm“%9:D >6?E2=:EJ H2D :>A@CE2?E E@ 9@H =@?8 E96 4@>A2?J =2DE65 :? 492?8:?8 E:>6D[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8m!C@5F4E:@? =:?6 2E E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?Jk^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAmw@H6G6C[ E96 zC686=D <?6H E92E 7:?2?4:2= :?G6DE>6?ED H6C6 ?646DD2CJ E@ :?4C62D6 AC@5F4E:@?] %96J C6=:65 @? 2 r:G:= (2C 6C2 >6E2=\EFC?:?8 =2E96 7C@> `ged 7@C 86?6C2= >249:?:?8 3FE H6C6 H:==:?8 E@ AFC492D6 2? 6IA6?D:G6 `ha_ EFCC6E =2E96] (:E9 7@FC AC6D6E 4FEE6CD 2?5 3:ED[ E96 EFCC6E =2E96 2==@H65 7@C BF:4< 492?86 :? @A6C2E:@? H:E9@FE E2<:?8 E:>6 E@ DH:E49 @FE E@@=D]k^Am
kAm|2?J @7 E96 >249:?6D H6C6 6BF:AA65 H:E9 H966=D] v6@C86’D 5:2C:6D C6G62= E92E 96 =:<65 E@ >@G6 H@C< DE2E:@?D 2?5 H@F=5 7:8FC6 E96 E:>6 C6BF:C65 E@ >2<6 2?5 4@??64E E96 ?6IE A:646] *@EE D2:5 E96 32D:D 7@C 9:D 6IA6C:>6?ED H2D “D2G:?8 2 =:EE=6 E:>6 96C6 42? >2<6 >@?6J E96C6]”k^Am
kAm“w6 H2D 4@?DE2?E=J >62DFC:?8 2?5 E:?<6C:?8 H:E9 677:4:6?4J 2?5 6?5 BF2=:EJ[” D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
Letters, notes and a pencil stub remain on the desk of Arthur “Art” Kregel.
Submitted photo
kAm$@>6 @7 E96 >249:?6D[ DF49 2D E96 >6E2= D962C6C 2?5 AC6DD E@ 4FE 2?5 4C:>A E96 H966= 3=256D[ 2C6 >2?F2=] ~E96CD 2C6 4@??64E65 E@ 2? :?56A6?56?E =:?6 D927E] %96 `gh_D 32?5 D2H :D 42A23=6 @7 4FEE:?8 3@E9 >6E2= 2?5 H@@5] p 3C@249:?8 >249:?6 H:E9 C64:AC@42E:?8 <?:76 6586 8C@@G65 @FE E96 <6J 7@C E96 4C2?< A=2E6 @7 E96 H:?5>:==’D 7=J H966=] %9:D >249:?6 :D @7E6? FD65 7@C 56>@?DEC2E:@?D 3642FD6 @7 E96 ?J=@? 36=E[ @?6 @7 EH@ 36=ED pCE 925 C6A=2465 367@C6 AC@5F4E:@? 462D65]k^Am
kAmp== E96 @E96C 36=ED 2C6 >256 @7 86?F:?6[ `d_\J62C\@=5 3:D@? 9:56] $:=4@I D9@H65 2 C@==65 FA[ F?FD65 36=E E92E H2D 7@F?5 :? E96 3F:=5:?8] w6 D2:5 :E 92D E@ 36 7C@> 2 3:D@? 3F== 3642FD6 @7 E96 E9:4<?6DD 2?5 =6?8E9] %96 @?=J DA=:46 :D 92?5\=2465[ 7FCE96C 255:?8 E@ E96 286 2?5 G2=F6 @7 E96 2CE:724E] w6 H2D E@=5 3J 6IA6CED E92E :E :D 2? 6I46AE:@?2= 6I2>A=6 @7 2 3:D@? 9:56 36=E]k^Am
The belts that power the machines are made of bison hide. This one was found in the museum, rolled up as shown. The hand-laced splice indicates the belt’s age and added value.
Submitted photo
kAm“x7 J@F’C6 96C6 2?5 E96 A=246 42E496D @? 7:C6[ 8C23 E9:D 36=E 367@C6 J@F =62G6[” $:=4@I D2:5]k^Am
kAmx? E96 62C=J 52JD[ E96 >249:?6D H6C6 A@H6C65 3J 2 9:E 2?5 >:DD 82D 6?8:?6 D6E :? E96 >:55=6 @7 E96 3F:=5:?8] ~?6 42? @?=J :>28:?6 E96 @G6CH96=>:?8 7F>6D E9:D 6?8:?6 6>:EE65[ ?@E E@ >6?E:@? E96 4@?DE2?E “A@A[ A@A” C6G6C36C2E:?8 H:E9 E96 A:6C4:?8 D@F?5 @7 92>>6CD DEC:<:?8 >6E2= 282:?DE E96 2?G:=]k^Am
kAm}@H :>28:?6 H@C<:?8 :? E96D6 4@?5:E:@?D :? E96 DH6=E6C:?8 962E @7 DF>>6C H9:=6 H62C:?8 2 3FEE@?65\FA 4@==2C65 D9:CE] r@>A2?J 2C49:G6D D9@H E96 EJA:42= E6>A6C2EFC6 C625:?8D H:E9:? E96 3F:=5:?8 @7 `a_ 568C66D u29C6?96:E 5FC:?8 DF>>6C 2?5 36EH66? fd\gd 568C66D u29C6?96:E :? H:?E6C >@?E9D]k^Am
kAm(96? 6=64EC:4:EJ C624965 }63C2D<2 r:EJ :? 23@FE `ha_[ E96 9:E 2?5 >:DD 6?8:?6 H2D C6A=2465 3J EH@ 6=64EC:4 >@E@CD >@F?E65 :? E96 4FA@=2D @7 E96 724E@CJ C@@7] %96D6 D2>6 >@E@CD 4@?E:?F6 E@ CF? E96 AC:>2CJ 36=E 7@C E96 D927E 2DD6>3=J] t249 >249:?6 92D :ED @H? 4=FE49 E@ 36 6?82865 7@C FD6]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8m%96 =686?52CJ t=: (:?5>:==k^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAm%96 7:CDE 86?6C2E:@? @7 zC686= H:?5>:==D 925 2 H@@56? 32D6 2?5 H966=] %96 t=: H966= 92D be 3=256D[ 6249 C@==65 2?5 4C:>A65 EH:46 7@C 25565 DEC6?8E9] x? `h_`[ E96 56D:8? 3642>6 6?E:C6=J >6E2=]k^Am
kAm“p=>@DE 6G6CJ D:?8=6 A:646 @7 E92E H:?5>:== 36D:56D 2?8=6 :C@? H2D ECF=J 2 C67:?65 92?5>256 AC@46DD—5C:== 2 9@=6[ 4FE 2? 2?8=6[ >@F?E :E[ H6=5 :E[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
The Kregel Windmill Factory operated by two generations over a span of 112 years.
Submitted photo
kAm%96 t=: 3C2?5 H:?5>:==’D D:>A=6 56D:8? 925 2 5:C64E DEC@<6 E@ :?4C62D6 AF>A:?8 A@H6C A6C 9@FC] (:E9 =6DD >2E6C:2= C6BF:C65 7@C 4@?DECF4E:@?[ :E 2=D@ 4@DE =6DD E92? 4@>A6E:?8 H:?5>:== 4@>A2?:6D[ D2:5 *@EE] p? t=: H:?5>:==D 4@DE 2AAC@I:>2E6=J S`b_ :? `h__[ H9:49 H@F=5 36 23@FE Sa[___ E@52J] %9:D H2D G:6H65 2D 2? :>A@CE2?E :?G6DE>6?E 7@C E96 72>:=J 2?5 E96 72C>]k^Am
kAm%9@F89 =:89E6C 2?5 =6DD 6IA6?D:G6[ E96 t=: H:?5>:== 5:5 ?@E D<:>A @? BF2=:EJ] v6@C86’D 56D:8? 925 2 32==\362C:?8 DH:G6= 2?5 H2D D6=7\@:=:?8 7@C =@H >2:?E6?2?46] p 72C>6C 4@F=5 86E E96 A2CED =@42==J 2?5 C6A2:C :E 9:>D6=7[ D2:5 $:=4@I]k^Am
kAm%96 zC686=D DE@@5 369:?5 E96:C AC@5F4ED] {@?8 367@C6 H2CC2?E:6D 6I:DE65[ E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J AC@>:D65 :ED 4FDE@>6CD E92E E96J H@F=5 7:I 2?J A:646 E92E H@F=5 3C62< H:E9:? E96 7:CDE J62C] %96J C6>2:?65 ECF6 E@ E96:C H@C5]k^Am
kAm“%96J 925 4FEE:?8 6586 2?5 7@CH2C5 E9:?<:?8[ 6G6? E9@F89 E96J H6C6 4@?D6CG2E:G6 H:E9 2 D@CE @7 @=5\H@C=5[ EC25:E:@?2= >6?E2=:EJ[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8mzC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J >2?F724EFC:?8 3@@>k^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAm~? 2G6C286[ E96 4@>A2?J 6>A=@J65 7@FC @C 7:G6 A6@A=6] $@>6 @7 E96 6>A=@J66D 723C:42E65 E96 H:?5>:==D[ H9:=6 @E96CD H@F=5 92G6 366? A2CE @7 E96 H6==\5C:==:?8 2?5 :?DE2==2E:@? 4C6H]k^Am
kAm*@F 42? 56E6C>:?6 4@>A2?J DF446DD 32D65 @? E96 C64@C5 3@@<D] $@>6 3@@<D 92G6 EH@ @C E9C66 J62CD 4@>A:=65 :? @?6] %96 J62C `hbf C6BF:C65 EH@ 3@@<D E@ EC24< E96 AC@5F4E:@? 2?5 D2=6D]k^Am
kAmpE A62< AC@5F4E:@? :? `hab[ E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?J >2?F724EFC65 `b_ H:?5>:==D] %96J 6IE6?565 E96 H@C<H66< 3J EH@ 9@FCD 2?5 9:C65 @?6 6IEC2 A6CD@?] }@C>2= AC@5F4E:@? H2D @?6 H:?5>:== A6C H66<[ 3FE E96J H6C6 AFD9:?8 @FE a]ef A6C H66< E92E J62C]k^Am
The company record books show how business fluctuated with the times. One book holds three years of invoices, whereas 1937 has two full books.
Submitted photo
kAm“%92E’D 2 9F86 BF@E2 E@ 2=>@DE EC:A=6 3FD:?6DD :? 2 `a\>@?E9 CF? H:E9@FE 6IEC2 A6@A=6 2?5 ?@E 2 =@E @7 6IEC2 E:>6[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
kAmp? t=: H:?5>:== :D ?@H 4@?D:56C65 2 C2C6 >@56= 3642FD6 @?=J 23@FE a[___ H6C6 >256[ C6=2E:G6=J =@H 4@>A2C65 E@ E96 >:==:@?D AC@5F465 3J 4@>A2?:6D DF49 2D p6C>@E@C[ q2<6C 2?5 s6>ADE6C]k^Am
kAm%96 zC686=D’ 4@>A2?J >2J 92G6 366? D>2==[ 3FE E96J H6C6 4@>>:EE65 E@ E96:C =@42= 4FDE@>6CD] %96J D6CG:465 2 e_\f_ >:=6 C25:FD[ D2:5 *@EE] qFD:?6DD H2D 5:4E2E65 3J H92E 4@F=5 36 244@>A=:D965 :? @?6 52J’D H@C<]k^Am
kAm“x? 2 52J[ E96J H@F=5 =62G6 62C=J :? E96 >@C?:?8 E@ 86E E@ E96 =@42E:@?[ AF?49 2 H6==[ 6C64E E96 H:?5>:==[ 86E :E @A6C2E:@?2= 2?5 36 324< E92E 6G6?:?8[” $:=4@I D2:5]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8m%96 6?5 @7 E96 72>:=J 3FD:?6DDk^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAmq@E9 pCE 2?5 t==2 565:42E65 E96:C =:G6D E@ E96 72>:=J 3FD:?6DD] }6:E96C >2CC:65] t==2 5:65 :? 96C @77:46 2E 96C C@==\E@A 56D< :? `hf`[ DFCC@F?565 3J E96 =6586CD D96 925 <6AE D@ >6E:4F=@FD=J] $96 H2D fh]k^Am
Ella Kregel dedicated her life to the family business and was said to have died at her desk in the factory.
Submitted photo
kAmpCE A2DD65 2H2J :? `hh` 27E6C DF776C:?8 7C@> 2 DEC@<6 2E 286 hb] %96 =2DE AC@;64E 96 H2D H@C<:?8 @? 62C=:6C E92E 52J[ 2 s6>ADE6C 3@I[ C6>2:?D F?7:?:D965 @? 2 H@C<36?49]k^Am
kAm“%96 4FDE@>6C H9@ @H?D :E ?6G6C 42==65 E@ D66 :7 :E’D 5@?6 J6E[ 2?5 H6 92G6?’E 42==65 E96> 6:E96C[” $:=4@I D92C65 E96 CF??:?8 ;@<6 2E E96 >FD6F>]k^Am
kAm$:?46 ?6:E96C pCE ?@C t==2 925 49:=5C6? 2?5 ?@ 72>:=J 96:C H2D ?2>65 7@C E96 3FD:?6DD[ E96 4:EJ 2?5 DE2E6 3642>6 :?G@=G65 :? E96 72E6 @7 E96 @=5 724E@CJ 3F:=5:?8] %96 z:>>6= u@F?52E:@? DE6AA65 7@CH2C5 E9C@F89 E96 96=A @7 2 76H =@42= 4@>>F?:EJ =6256CD E@ D2G6 E96 3F:=5:?8 2?5 :ED 4@?E6?ED[ D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
kAm%9@D6 :?G@=G65 :? E96 AC6D6CG2E:@? AC@;64E 7@C>65 2 d_`W4XWbX ?@?AC@7:E >FD6F>] |2E6C:2=D F?C6=2E65 E@ E96 3FD:?6DD[ DF49 2D 3C@E96C #@36CE’D 2FE@>@E:G6 :E6>D[ H6C6 C6>@G65]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8m!C6D6CG:?8 E96 9:DE@CJ @7 E96 zC686= (:?5>:== r@>A2?Jk^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAm%96? E96 H@C< E@ AC6D6CG6 E96 3F:=5:?8 :ED6=7 3682?] qF:=E :? `h_b[ E96 DECF4EFC6 H2D D9@H:?8 D:8?D @7 72E:8F6 3J E96 =2E6 `hh_D] {:89E H2D D9:?:?8 E9C@F89 82AD :? E96 H2== 2?5 C@@7] q642FD6 3F:=5:?8D @7 E92E 6C2 H6C6 ?@E 3F:=E @? 2 7@F?52E:@?[ E96 @?=J DFAA@CED H6C6 H@@5 7=@@C ;@:DED E92E 962G65 H:E9 E6>A6C2EFC6 7=F4EF2E:@?D]k^Am
kAmp 4@>A2?J 7C@> {:?4@=? H2D 9:C65 E@ A@FC 4@?4C6E6 A=F8D 2?5 :?DE2== 7@FC >6E2= DFAA@CE 362>D] %96 @C:8:?2=[ H62E96C65 C@@7 H2D 6?D9C:?65 3J 2 4@>A=6E6=J ?6H C@@7E@A] tDD6?E:2==J[ E96J 3F:=E 2 3F:=5:?8 @FED:56 @7 2 3F:=5:?8]k^Am
kAm“~FC 724:=:EJ :D E96 @C:8:?2= `__\J62C\@=5 A=FD 724E@CJ AC6D6CG65 H:E9 2 D64@?52CJ 6IE6C:@C[” D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
Samples were taken when each well was drilled and saved in old glass jars for future reference. They found approximately 300 jars in the factory, arranged alphabetically by the family surname.
Submitted photo
kAm%96 zC686= |FD6F> @77:4:2==J @A6?65 :? E96 DAC:?8 @7 a_`b] ~G6C E96 A2DE 564256[ 2? 6>A92D:D @? J@FE9 65F42E:@? 2?5 4@>>F?:EJ @FEC6249 92D AC@A6==65 E9:D ?68=64E65 D:E6 :?E@ 2 DJ>3@= @7 28C:4F=EFC2= 9:DE@CJ]k^Am
kAm|2?J D49@@= 7:6=5 EC:AD[ uup 492AE6CD[ D4@FE 8C@FAD 2?5 @E96C @C82?:K2E:@?D E@FC E96 zC686= |FD6F>[ :?4=F5:?8 G:D:E@CD 7C@> @FE @7 DE2E6] (@C<:?8 H:E9 J@FE9 :D H92E 6I4:E6D *@EE >@DE[ 96 D2:5[ 3642FD6 :E 7FCE96C AC6D6CG6D E96 9:DE@CJ 7@C 86?6C2E:@?D E@ 4@>6] w6 4@>3:?6D 724EF2= <?@H=6586 H:E9 :?E6C24E:G6 =62C?:?8 3J A=24:?8 E96 24EF2= 92>>6C pCE FD65 @C H:?5>:== H966= 3=256D :? E96 92?5D @7 E96 DEF56?ED] *@EE D2:5 E92E J@FE9 @7 E@52J 2C6 “=:G6[ 56>@?DEC2E:@?2= =62C?6CD]”k^Am
kAm$6G6? E@F49D4C66? <:@D<D E9C@F89@FE E96 >FD6F> D92C6 3:ED @7 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 AC@5F4E:@? AC@46DD 2?5 E96 9:DE@CJ @7 E96 4@>A2?J] $:=4@I =2F8965 E92E E96 <:5D AC676C E96 G:56@ 7@C>2E E@ =:DE6?:?8 E@ 25F=ED E2=<:?8] t249 D68>6?E 6?5D :? 2 BF6DE:@?]k^Am
kAm“%96J EFC? E@ E96>D6=G6D 2?5 E2=<[ D@>6 ;@<:?8=J[ D@>6 D6C:@FD=J[ 23@FE E92E BF6DE:@?[” $:=4@I D2:5] w6 7:?5D E96:C 7665324< “G6CJ 962CE6?:?8]” ~?6 @7 9:D 72G@C:E6 C624E:@?D :D H96? E96 <:5D 2C6 2D<65 “H92E 5@ J@F E9:?< :E H@F=5 36 =:<6 E@ H@C< H:E9 J@FC 72>:=J J@FC H9@=6 =:76n”k^Am
kAmtG6? 4@==68:2E6 6=64EC:42= 6?8:?66C:?8 DEF56?ED G:D:E E96 zC686= |FD6F> E@ D66 7:CDE\92?5 E96 @=5\E:>6 6=64EC:42= 4@?7:8FC2E:@?D @C E96 <?@3 2?5 EF36 6=64EC:42= =:?6D] $62D@?2= 4@==686\286 :?E6C?D 2C6 9:C65 H96? 7F?5:?8 2==@HD 2D A2CE @7 E96 >FD6F>’D 8@2= E@ <66A E96 4F=EFC2= EC256 96C:E286 2=:G6[ 2D H6==]k^Am
kAm*@EE 9@A6D E92E A6@A=6 @7 2== 286D 82:? >@C6 7C@> E96:C 6IA6C:6?46 2E E96 zC686= |FD6F> 36J@?5 2 F?:BF6 E@FC]k^Am
kAm“{6DD@?D 7C@> E96 A2DE 2E A=246D =:<6 E9:D 4@F=5 5:C64E E96 ?6IE E649?@=@8J[ 3642FD6 :?DA:C2E:@? H2D DECF4< 7C@> D@>6E9:?8 `__ J62CD 28@[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8mzC686= |FD6F> 6IA2?5D :ED AC6D6CG2E:@? 677@CEDk^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAmt5F42E:@? :D ?@E 4@?7:?65 E@ E96 7@FC H2==D @7 E96 9:DE@C:4 724E@CJ] yFDE E9:D DF>>6C[ E96 zC686= |FD6F> 6C64E65 2 b_\7@@E\E2== t=: H:?5>:== 2E u@??6C !2C< :? vC2?5 xD=2?5] %96J 92G6 7@C>65 2 `_\J62C A2CE?6CD9:A H:E9 E96 }63C2D<2 $E2E6 u2:C8C@F?5D E@ FE:=:K6 :ED :?7C2DECF4EFC6 7@C AC@8C2>>:?8[ D2:5 *@EE]k^Am
kAmp?@E96C t=: H:?5>:== H2D C646?E=J C6DE@C65 2?5 C6DFCC64E65 2E E96 pC3@C s2J u2C> ?62C }63C2D<2 r:EJ] }6IE DAC:?8[ 2? t=: H:?5>:== H:== 8C246 E96 p?E6=@A6 r@F?EJ |FD6F> :? }6=:89[ }63C2D<2] p== @7 E96D6 6I9:3:ED AC@G:56 @FE5@@C 65F42E:@? 23@FE E96 28C:4F=EFC2= 96C:E286 @7 E96 |:5H6DE]k^Am
kAm*@EE :D 2=D@ G6DE65 :? AC6D6CG:?8 H:?5>:==D] w6 86ED 9F?5C65D @7 42==D 7C@> A6@A=6 =@@<:?8 7@C 2? @=5 H:?5>:== 7@C E96:C 24C6286D @C E@ C6DE@C6 2? 6I:DE:?8 DECF4EFC6] w6 766=D E92E E96D6 AC@;64ED 2C6 :>A24E7F= 7@C E96 =@42= 4F=EFC6]k^Am
kAm“(6 >2<6 677@CED E@ D2G6 @?6 96C6 @C E96C6 3642FD6 @E96CH:D6 :? `_ E@ a_ J62CD[ H:?5>:==D H:== ?@E 6I:DE[” *@EE D2:5] w6 7:C>=J 36=:6G6D E92E H:?5>:==D H:== ?6G6C 364@>6 @3D@=6E6]k^Am
kAmpC8F23=J @?6 @7 E96 >@DE :>A@CE2?E AC6D6CG2E:@? AC@;64ED @44FCC:?8 2E E96 zC686= |FD6F> :D 96=A:?8 H:?5>:== 6?E9FD:2DE #@86C q2:=6J @7 |4r@@= yF?4E:@?[ }63C2D<2[ 7:?5 2 A6C>2?6?E 9@>6 7@C 9:D AC:G2E6 4@==64E:@?] r@==64E:?8 2?5 C6DE@C:?8 H:?5>:==D D:?46 `hgd[ q2:=6J 92D 24BF:C65 H92E >2J 36 E96 =2C86DE H:?5>:== 4@==64E:@? :? E96 H@C=5i ?62C=J b__ H:?5>:==D]k^Am
kAm“%96 =2DE C6>2:?:?8 H:?5>:== 724E@CJ :? E96 4@F?ECJ :D H@C<:?8 @? 2 >@G6>6?E E@ EFC? E96 H@C=5’D =2C86DE 4@==64E:@? :?E@ 2? 65F42E:@?2= 6I9:3:E G:D:3=6 E@ E96 AF3=:4[” *@EE D2:5]k^Am
These antique telephones were mounted in the two buildings used by the Kregel Windmill Factory in the early years; a wire connecting both telephones was strung up high enough so horse and rider could pass underneath. They carried sound similar to tin can telephones.
Submitted photo
kAmpD H:?5>:==D 364@>6 C2C6C[ E96 @?8@:?8 H@C< 2E E96 zC686= (:?5>:== u24E@CJ |FD6F> :? }63C2D<2 r:EJ 82:?D D:8?:7:42?46] $@@?[ E9:D 9:556? EC62DFC6 :? E96 D@FE962DE6C? 4@C?6C @7 }63C2D<2 H:== 82:? C64@8?:E:@? 2D 2 }2E:@?2= w:DE@C:4 {2?5>2C<[ 2 ECF6 E6DE2>6?E E@ :ED 28C:4F=EFC2= 2?5 9:DE@C:42= AC6D6CG2E:@?]k^Am
kAmkDEC@?8mr@?E24E zC686= (:?5>:== u24E@CJ |FD6F>k^DEC@?8mk^Am
kAmu@C >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 zC686= (:?5>:== u24E@CJ |FD6F>[ G:D:E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]<C686=H:?5>:==724E@CJ>FD6F>]@C8^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmHHH]<C686=H:?5>:==724E@CJ>FD6F>]@C8k^2m]k^Am
kAm~C 4@?E24E xDD:2:9 *@EE 2E c_a\gfb\`_fg @C k2 9C67lQ>2:=E@iTa_:?7@o<C686=>FD6F>]@C8Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm:?7@o<C686=>FD6F>]@C8k^2m]k^Am
kAm|FD6F> 9@FCD @7 @A6C2E:@? 2C6 3J 2AA@:?E>6?E @?=J 5FC:?8 H:?E6C] r2== c_a\gfb\`_fg]k^Am
kAmp5>:DD:@? :?E@ E96 >FD6F> :D Sg 7@C 25F=ED 2?5 Sd 7@C DEF56?ED] ppp ^ pp#! ^ '6E6C2?D C646:G6 2 S` 5:D4@F?E] r9:=5C6? 286D c 2?5 F?56C 6?E6C 7C66]k^Am
kAmp?J@?6 :?E6C6DE65 :? >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 =2C86DE H:?5>:== 4@==64E:@? AC@;64E @C E@ 5@?2E6 42? 4@?E24E E96 zC686= |FD6F>]k^Am
Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com .
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
