Nebraska Newspapers

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SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION- FOUR PAGES
VOLUME XX VIII
PLATTSMOUTn, NEBRASKA MONDAY DEOEMHEK 27, 190!
NO 97
Places
spipji of ciimsiii siiiii
111 PUTTST.10UTH 0BSERVM1GES
Different Churches Hold Services and Day is Filled With Family
Reunions and Much Good Cheer.
"Peace on earth good will to
men." There Is no season of the
year In which this message of the
Prince of Peace strikes a more re
sponsive chord In human nature than
In the two or three weeks Immediate
ly following the winter solstice.
It la the season during which,
from a time when the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary,
the bond of human sympathy Is the
strongest. The pagan Romans ob
served It not only as a season of merry-making
but of gift-giving, a sea
Bon not of selfish pleasure but of
effort to give pleasure and happiness
to others. The heathen of Northern
Europe illuminated yule fires and
made It a time for general rejoic
ing. A survival of the ancient festivals
Is Been In the custom which, In some
places, still reckons that Christmas
lasts until Twelfth Night from De
cember 25 until the Feast of Epip
hany, which falls on' January 6. It
is a season which something in hu
man nature makes the greatest fes
tival of the year.
Few historians of Christianity
claim that Christmas is the anni
versary of the birth of the Savior
of the world. Few of them profess
to be able to place with confidence
the month or the season of the year
in which the Nativity occurred. For
a time in the early history of the
church Christmas was a movable
feast, as Easter still is.
But surely the early Christians
could not have fixed upon a more ap
propriate .time , tor celebrating the
coming of him whose whole exist
ence on earth was a sacrifice of love
for the good of mankind.
There is something wrong in the
soul which does not at this season
feel a keen pleasure In the tokens
of remembrance that come to him
and in letting others know that they
are not forgotten. It is the time
of all others when more happiness
comes from giving than from receiv
ing. This Christmas was more like the
Christmas of fifty years ago in ap
pearance. The day dawned with fif
teen inches of snow spread over
Mother Earth, much to the delight of
the youngsters. In fact, the smile of
good cheer appeared upon the count
enances of the passers-by upon the
street. They smiled to know that
this was indeed a White Christmas,
and those who were able to do so,
put in the day sleigh-riding and the
merry Jingle of the bells was music
to the ear. Notwithstanding the
Christmas Eve was very was very dis
agreeable in getting around. Enter
tainments were held at several of
the churches, in which the children
took the principal parts However,
the attendances were not nearly so
numerous as they would have been
had the snow not been so deep. Be
low we give accounts of the various
church entertainments:
St. Luke's Church.
St. Luke's Episcopal church heir1
Christmas Carol services on Christ
mas Eve at the church, and after the
whole congregation had been given a
treat in the way of song service by
the splendid trained and equipped
choir, the young people and children
of the congregation marched in . a
body to the A. O. U. W. Hall, which
had been decorated and arranged for
the occasion. A splendid program
was prepared and rendered by the
children and was thoroughly enjoy
ed by all. After the speaking and
singing the candy and presents were
opened and everyone received a re
membrance of the happy occasion.
Presbyterian Church.
The Christmas exercises of the
Presbyterian Sunday school were held
Friday evening in the auditorium of
the church, and consisted of a little
play entitled "Is Santa Claus a
Fraud" and in which a number of
the children of the Sunday school
participated. The attendance was
not as large as hoped for, owing to
the inclement weather but still there
were quite a number who braved the
elements to enjoy the entertainment
riven by the children and which was
thoroughly enjoyed by those fortun
ate enough to bo present.
For the occasion the pulpit had
been extended and prettily decorated
with Christmas bells, holly wreaths
and the like, which were very artis
tically and appropriately arranged.
The scene presented a court
room. At the back of the stage was
to be found the Judge's bench, with
a canopy overhead. On each side of
the Judge's bench was to be found
the counsel's desk and the witness
box. To the front of the stage and
on one side was the Jury box. On the
opposite side Beats had been arranged
for the witnesses and choruses. The
play opened with the counsels busily
writing at their desks and the usher
and crier stalking up and down the
room. Ed. Zuckweller was counsel
for, the prosecution and Will Schmldt
mann, Jr., counsel for defendant.
Blythe Rosencrans acted as-crler and
Joe Eaton as usher.
Father Time was the first Juror
and foreman of the Jury. He was
dressed In a white robe, wore long
white beard and forelocks and car
ried a scythe and hour glass. Mother
Goose came next and she was dressed
In a quilted petticoat and pointed
bodice. She wore high heeled red
slippers, peaker had and many rib
bons and adornaments. Next the sand
man who was dressed like a monk,
wearing a brown robe and cowl, and
carried a bag of sand. Pierrot then
danced gayly in.. He was dressed
in the conventional costume of white
with Tosettes of all colors. The Queen
of May then entered. She was dress
ed In a dainty white frock, wore a
crown of flowers. Jack Frost was
the next juror and was dressed in
white, dotted with tufts of cotton
wool.- Next "came a Doll. She was
dressed to represent a doll and walk
ed stiffly like a Jointed doll. Jack-O-Lantern
then entered with a mad
rush. He wore a green "Robin
Hood" costume and a largo, paper
pumpkin made to fit over the head.
The Fairy was the next one called
and she entered wearing the usual
spangled costume. She was followed
by April Fool. He was dressed in
the costume of a court Jester and
wore a fool's cap and bells. The last
one" of the Jury was the Godess of
Liberty and she was dressed in the
regulation costume of 'Columbia. The
judge them entered in a very pomp
ous and dignified manner. He wore a
judge's wig and gown. The prisoner
was then announced. He was pre
ceded by his two heralds. They were
dressed in a page's costume with de
corations of misletoe and holly and
carried trumphets with banners hang
ing from them. They advanced to
the front of the stage and blew their
trumpets and then marched to both
ends of the stage, in front, and re
mained there until the prisoner ap
peared. A chorus of Christmas Waits,
dressed like, the Burpllced choirboy,
then entered and chanted a Christ
mas carol. The Waits then stepped to
one side of the stage and a number
of little folks dressed in their night
clothes and carrying stockings filled
with Christmas gifts, then entered,
sang a Christmas carol and stepped
to the places assigned to them.
The jingling of the sleigh bells
could then be heard, snow balls were
thrown in at the door and amidst
a bustle of cheery welcome Santa i
Claus entered. The Christmas Walts
and children with stockings gathered
Hbout him and sang a Christmas
carol to the tune of "Jingle Bells,"
while Santa stood in the center of
the stage smiling benignly. Santa
then sang a solo then took hia place
at the bar. The questions was then
argued by the counsels and the first
witness called was Dame Rumor. She
was dressed in a fantastic costume
with "tongues" cut from rod flannel
sewed all over her gown. She testi
fied that Santa was a fake and lra
poster. Tho next witness called was
History. Sho was dressed in college
cap and gown and carried a long roll
of' parchment. She testified for
Santa.. Tradition was then called
and testified that the prisoner was
not a frdud. She was clad in misty
white and wore a misty veil over her
face. Foetry wbb called and testified
for tho prisoner. She was dressed in
white, wore a wreath on her head
nnH fnrrlnri a frllf lvra In Iwii tiiitwl
Folk lorn took tho ultnonn ntnnrl nnvt '
and also testified for Santa. She wore
a fantastic garb which conblned hints
of any or alienations, but not modern.
The Jury then called on the pris
oner to speak for himself. Follow
ing Santa's explanation, a few words
by the judge and a song by the child
ren, the case was turned over to the
Jury.,
The Jury found him not guilty and
the Interesting little play was brought
to a close by a few remarks by the
Judge.
Folowlng the play Santa Claus dis
tributed pop corn and candy to the
little people, as well as the older
ones.
" At the Methodist Church.
The Methodist Episcopal congre
gation held services last Friday even
ing at the church on Matoi street and
followed them by a Christmas cele
bration and program, consisting of
songs and recitations by the little
folks and a few solos. One particu
larly beautiful boIo by Clara Mae Mor
gan pleased everyone.
The usual games were played and
a general good time enjoyed. The
program was in charge of Mrs. C. S.
Johnson, who deserves credit for fur
nishing a happy Christmas Eve. In
stead of a Christmas tree, Santa
Claus had a little house and came and
looked out of the chimney to see that
his children were well taken care of.
At the Christian Church.
The Chlrstlan church held services
Christmas Eve and celebrated after
ward with a Christmas tree graced
by Santa Claus in true Christmas
style. Rev. Moore had charge of a
pleasing and Interesting program and
this was followed by candy and all
that goes to make up Christmas Eve
festivity. After an evening of hilar
ity the distribution of presents was
made and everyone received some
remembrance.
Christmas passed off as one of the
most successful and enthuslatlc yule
tide celebrations ever held in this
city, the various churches and Sun
day schools throughout the city hold
ing song services and Christmas
trees, according to immemorial cus
tom, and gladdening the hearts of
young and old alike with gifts.
Aside from family reunions and
dinner parties too numerous to men
tion, each church and Sunday school
had celebrations to which all were
made wlecome.
li
Mr. Alva E. Stites and Miss
Mabel A. Stewart, Married
at the Home of Bride.
Our popular young druggist, Al
va E. Stites, departed last week for
Alnsworth, Iowa, and the neat wed-
lng cards received here disclose the
object of his visit to that city. The
cards announce the marriage of Mr.
Stites and Miss Mabel Stewart,
the pleasant affair taking place at
the residence of the bride's parents,
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Stewart, at Alns
worth, Iowa, on Wednesday even
ing December 22. The Ledger did
not receive the details of the wed
ding in time for publication, but we
are safe in saying that it was one
of the most pleasant social affairs
that has occurred in that vicinity.
The bride is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. J. M. Stewart, one of the
prominent and highly respected fam
ilies of Alnsworth, and 1b a young
lady of high education and unlimited
popularity. The groom, Mr. Alva
E. Stites, is one of our most popular
and energetic business men, having
been in the drug business in Union
the paBt three years. He was born
near here and all his acquaintances
have taken pride in watching his
development from a "barefoot boy"
to the top of Union's business direc
tory.Mr.' Stites is the eldest son of
Mr. and Mrs. J. II. Taylor, tho fam
ily being numbeerd among our best
citizens. The new married couple
will arrive here in the near future to
make this village their permanent
home, and many friends will bo ready
to greet them, and extend hearty
congratulations. Union Ledger.
Dance at Murray.
The dancing club of Murray, will
give a dance at Jenkln's hall in Mur
ray on Friday 'night (New Year's
Eve) December 31. Music will be
furnished by Jacob's orchestra (of
Omaha and a general good time is
assured. The club members will be
admitted free but an admission fee
of 75 cents will be charged those
who are not members of tho club.
DIED III HOSPIT
AL Iff UIICOLII
i
Mr. Dr. A. E. Walker, Formerly
Miss Jessie Gilmore, Passes
Away Saturday Evening
December 26th, 1909
Died In the hospital at Lincoln,
Nebraska, at 7:30 o'clock Saturday
evening last, December 25, 1909,
Jessie Gilmore Walker, aged 21
years, 1 month and 13 days.
Jessie Gilmore Walker, or assbe
was better known to her friends in
this city by hor maiden name, Jessie
Gilmore, wa3 the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Wlliam Gilmore and was
born In Cass county at the old home
place one mllo south of Plattsmouth,
on November 12, 1888, where she
lived all her life up to the time of
her marlage. She attended the
Plattsmouth High school where she
was .well known and loved by all.
After leaving this city she taught
various schools In this county and
made a host of friends. On June
9, 1909, she was married to Dr. A.
E. Walker, of Nehawka, and went
there to make her homo. Some time
ago she was taken sick at her home
and it became necessary to remove
her to the hospital in Lincoln. The
attending physicians decided it would
be advisable to operate upon her for
apendlcltls, and the operation was
occordlngly undertaken last Monday.
Her condition at the time of the
operation was such, however, that
she failed to rally from the shock,
and she passed away Christmas night
as above stated.
The body of the deceased arrived
this afternoon at 1.15 on the Bur
lington and the funeral will be held
at 2:00 o'clock from the United
Brethern church one mile south of
town and interment made in the
Horning cemetery.
The announcement of Mrs. Walk
er's death comes as a distinct shock
to everyone, as she numbered all her
acquaintances as friends and was be
loved by all.
Besides hor father, mother and
husband, all of whom are living,
there are throe sisters and two broth
ers who survive her and morn her
loss. They are: James Gilmore,
Ulysses, Neb.; Will Cilmore, Lin
coln; Mrs. B. W. Livingston, living
south of town, and Hestor and Fannie
Gilmore, at home.
Population Increased in Oklahoma.
The Journal is in receipt of a
letter from its good friend, John
Murray, Jr., of Alva, Okla., in which
he states that the Merry Christmas
time came to them with doublo Joys
this year. They were blessed by the
arrival of a 12-pound baby girl,
which of course is grounds for great
Joy to the happy father and. mother.
Mr. Murray further states that they
are having the most severe winter
that he has ever seen in Oklahoma.
Plenty of snow, and the past three
weeks of solid freezing weather,
something he has never Been In that
country until after Christmas, and
he says it wil probably put the farm
ers back with their spring work. He
extends good cheer to all friends in
hla native city (Plattsmouth) and
Cass county, and that he is pleased
to note from the Dally Journal that
sho is donning a progressive spirit,
and endeavoring to become one of
the live cities' of the state.
Another Christmas Wedding.
Another ChriBtmaa wedding took
place day before yesterday at the
home of F. Lindholm, west of this
city, when his daughter, Miss Stella
Lindholm was united in the bonds of
Holy Matrimony to Adam Fred
Nagelo, Jr., son of the prominent
Cass county farmer of the same
name.
Rev. Austin of the M. E. church
preached the ceremony which was
witnessed by the relatives and inti
mate friends of the bride and groom.
Both parties are well known in this
vicinity, where they have many
friends who unite with the Journal in
extending good will and best wishes
for a long and prosperous married
life.
John Mclslnger, Jr., one of tho
best farmers of Cass county, was
In tho city today, and while here
called at tho Journal offico to renew
his subscription to tho semi-weekly.
John is one of tho fellows like a chip
off tho 6ld block, ho nover belloves
in becoming delinquent with the
printer. Ho resides about two miles
south of Cullom. '
leath at Weeping Water.
A special from Weeping Water,
under date of December 23, says:
Julia, the eight year old daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Will Willis, died
here at the home of her grandmoth
er last evening. Death was due to
pneumonia. Hor parents are in Okla
homa, and the mother is so seriously
111 that neither could come to the
bedside of their dying child. The
child has been staying with her
grandmother that she might attend
school hero.
KILLED BY CARS
An Employe of the Atwood-New-
ell Quarries Struck by No.87
and Body Horribly
Mangled. '
On Saturday evening last, a man
by the name of McMahan, whoso first
name Is unknown, was Btruck by
train No. 87, a fast freight going
ea6t about one-half mile west of Ce
dar Creek and his" body .was literally
ground to pieces. From all reports
it would seem that the man was
walking on the track when he was
struck. This train does not stop at
Cedar Creek, and the engineer first
noticed blood and other evidences of
a person being run over when he
stopped at Oreapolis and the authori
ties at Cedar Creek were notified.
Parties who gathered up the remains,
say they were scattered from a half
mile west to a half mile east of Ce
dar Creek. McMahan had been
employed in the Atwood-Newell
stone quarles near the town. Sixty
seven dollars in money and a time
check was found upon hla person. It
was known that he had not been
drinking, as he had not Indulged in
anything intoxicating for Beveral
months. The night was stormy and
the snow so doep that he chose the
track to walk upon to keep out of
as much snow as possible and did
not hear the approaching train. He
was not an old man, and is, snld to
be a hard working fellow, and was
well liked by everyone of his as
sociates. As to relatives, no one
knew of any, and consequently his
body was taken charge of by Slander
Bros., undertakers tit Louisville, and
Interment made in the Waldradt
cemetery. No blame Is attached to
the trainmen, neither can hia un
timely death be" attributed to the
saloon keeper, as some will perhaps
endeavor to make it appear. -
A Slight Stroke of PuralyslM.
Mr. A. W. White, the well known
groceryman of this city, was strick
en with a slight stroke of paralysis
early Christmas morning, and while
hla condition Is greatly improved to
day he la still confined to his bed.
While the attack waa very light it
affected a portion of his left side
and neck and throat, and was not
notlcablo by M.r. White until he at
tempted to arise on Christmas morn
ing, when from the throat and tongue
condition he waa unable to speak.
No seriousness is anticipated and Mr.
White will be back at his duties in
the store within a few days, which
will be pleasing to his many friends.
A Pleasant Time at the Cook Home,
A very much ChrlBtmas time was
strongly in evidence at the pleasant
home of vur good friends, Mr. and
Mrs. C. E. Cook, immediately south
of town, on both Saturday and Sun
day last. The house waa filled with
guests, and we feel safe In saying
that the host and hostess were equal
to the occasion and treated their
guests with all the good things of
the glad occasion. Those present
were Mr. and Mra. Sam Cashner of
University Placo, Miss Nolllo Dream
er and MIbs Ida Johnson of Lin
coln, Mr. and Mra. Fred Dreamer
and two children, Ruth and Stanton,
and Miss Cora Rung, of Alvo.
Joyous Christinas tilft.
As Christmas is the most joyous
time of the entiro year, this time it
waa counted doubly so at tho homo
of Mr. and Mrs. John Brlttlan. for
on Friday morning they were blossed
with tho safo arrival of a bright eyed
bouncing 12-pound bnbv boy. and
you may bet it waa the happiest
Christmas ti mo that "Jack" has Been
In many a yonr, as the pleasant smile
that donned hia faco truly indicated.
Tho mother and little stranger are
doing nicely, and "Jack" will bo able
to resumo his dutio8 at the Burling
ton shops not later than January
first.
I CEDAR
TO BE DRIED
NEXT VIED U ES DAY
Harry E. Graves and Miss Jennie
E. Marks Will Unite in the
Holy Bonds of
Matrimony.
. C. L. Graves and son Harry, were
in the city between trains this morn
ing, C. L. looking after some im
portant legal . matters, while Harry
visited the county judge's office on
more Important business at least
to him. In looking over the license
record, we note that our young
friend secured a permit yto marry
one of Cass county's sterling young
ladles, in the person of Miss Jen
nie E. Marks, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. W. H. Marks, who reside one
mile west of Union The wedding
will occur at the homo of the par
ents of the bride on Wednesday even
ing, December 29, at 8 o'clock, the
ceremony to be pronounced by Rev.
Arthur Perry of Nebraska City.
While It Is a little out of the or
dinary to make an extended notice
of the happy event so far In ad
vance, but Harry's countenance
beamed in upon the Journal force
so bright, with a box of cigars in
hand, that we could not possibly
resist the temptation to 'blow him
up," before hand.
Harry Is editor of the Union Led
ger, and one of the most genial
young men on land or sea, while the
brldo-to-be belongs to one of the
best families in Cnss county, and a
most beautiful, charming and accom
plished young lady. The Journal
and all hands connected therewith,
unite in extending congratulations
to the couple, with the hope their
matrimonial career through life will
be one continued round of pleasure,
and may the bright wings of love
hover over them to the end.
A Pleasant Social Kvent
From Friday's Pally. , - t
Last evening Plattsmouth 'council
No. 123, Loyal Mystic Legion of
America, held a very pleasant ses
sion at their council chambers. The
spirit of "Peace on Earth and Good
Will to Men," prevailed, which was
made manifest by providing some
needy companions with coal. After
closing the members were invited
Into the banquet room to partake of
dainty refreshments prepared by the
social committee.
Plattsmouth Council ranks among
the best of the fraternal orders in
the state for sociability as well as
for morality benefits, and while it
Is not a bargain counter institution,
Is a "pay for what you get" perptual
and substantial life and accidental
Insurance society, conducted by re
liable Nebraska men.
Home for (lir'.xtmas.
Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Ruffner were
the recipients yesterday of a lino 20
pound turkey from their son Grover,
who lives at Duncan, Neb. Tomor
row at the Ruffner home there will
gathered around the festive board a
number of the children of this most
estimable family, including Grover
himself. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Dr.
Roy Dodge and Horace Ruffner of
Omaha, and Perry, of South Om
aha. There will be but one of the
family absent, Will Ruffner, of St.
Louis, who writes that on account
of pressing business he will be un
able to be here at this happy family
reunion.-
Elevator Jtoanl Meets.
From FrMav'8 Daily.
II. J. Schneider and John Albert
returned home last evynlng from
Cedar Creek, where they were yes
terday attending the meeting of the
board of directors of ,the Farmers'
Elevator at that placo. Aa la cus
tomary the board of directors meet
In December, adjust all business mat
ters that come before them, and sot
the dato for the annual meeting of
the stockholders, which was pet for
the 4th of January, this year.
In District Court.
Judge Travis held a brief session
of court last evening to try tho enso
of Susan Eldenmlller vs. John T.
Eldenmiller in which tho plaintiff
sued for a divorce from the defend
ant. As the facts cf tho petition
were found to bo true, nnd aa tbe
defendant did not appear in court
to oppose Uq petition, the court
granted tho decree to tbe plaintiff,
together with the custody of tho
minor children.