We would like to present a book, which describes lives and history of Bohemians in the Knox County.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
When the average person thinks of the Czech settlements of Nebraska, he is apt to have in mind the large numbers of this national group who are located in the comparatively centralized area of Douglas, Saunders, Butler, Saline, and Colfax Counties. Few seem to realize that one of the larger of the Czech settlements of the state is to befound in Knox County, a section considerably I removed, and having relatively few contacts with the Czechs in the above-mentioned counties.
It is the purpose of this thesis to tell the story of these Knox County Czechs. In it effort will be made to present as clearly and accurately as possible the facts regarding their settlement of Knox County and their early trials and hardships. Along with this, information will be given concerning their economic struggles and accomplishments, and attention will be paid to their religious, fraternal, educational, social, and political activities.
Furthermore, an attempt will be made to show that their contribution to the commonwealth lies not in the greatness of a few individuals but in the persistence and toil of the peasant home-steaders, who, while retaining the peculiarly valuable traits of their own nationality, defied drouth, insect plagues, poverty, and a multitude of other handicaps, and eventually achieved economic independence and Americanization.