ITsirapfca Etctt Hiitoil- cal Sociaty X VOL. NO. xxxvn. PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1921. NO. 98 a! FIRE CAUSES DESTRUCTION OF BUILOIN STRUCTURE OWNED BY JESS F. WARGA AND OCCUPIED BY HIS BUSINESS BURNS One of the uor.-t fires that has visited the lily in many months oc curred "arly Sunday morning when the building owned ly Jess F. Warga ;i ti (J located between Fifth and Sixth .-treats on Main, was wiped out by the raging fames ii a very short lime. The fire had evidently originated ' in the rear portion of the second! floor of the building which was oc rupied in- John I'. Sattler as an un dertaking room and when frst dis-j covered ir had pained great head way. The first intimation or the fire was when Dick Allen, the taxi driver, saw the vast clouds of smoke roll out of the front of the building shortly before 1 o'clock and gave the aiarm. in a snort lime me wnoie in- i etrior of the upper floor was a rar - in iuruace oi iiaines waicn spreau , rapidly to tne jower noor oi tne building as the second story caved in. i The building was one of the old-' en on Main street and the structure: was very in flamable as it was con- j strutted entirtly of wood and fur nished an ea.-y prey to the eager flames. 1 More or less trouble was experi enced at the outbreak of the fire in netting the alarm to the shops and the cries of persons seeing the smoke soon had The fire truck on the scene and the members of the fire depart ment who wore on hand attempted to Uet onto the job as efi'ectively as possible and to check if possible the blae sprea.'.ii.g to the adjoining buildings, as the burning buildin' was situated in the middle of the block and f;- a time the stor of Weyrieh 4L- Hadraba as well as the ladies Toggery of F. P. liusch were threatened by the itioreasfng force of the lire. While the fire department wai able to reach the lower flour with a stream of water. the second floor, where the wor?t cf the fire was lo cated, was hard to get at and there tin- flames held full sway and were checked only at the front of the building. The blaze seemed the worst in the center of the structure and there the floor of the second story, collapsed as the roof fell in. making a complete wreck of the building. So far as could be learned there can be no explanation made as to. the cause of the fire as the building had been closed since Friday, owing to the holiday, and on the second floor where the fire was the worse. there were no stoves or wiring thc.t might have caused a fire. i The los to the owner of the build ing will be quite heavy as there was) only $i;.(m'Hi insurance carried by i Mr. Warga on the building and his stock of goods and he had a large amount of high priced electrical! equipment and appliances on hand, the greater part of which were en tirely wiped out. Mr. Sattler had a large number of caskets as well as I'athe musical in struments in stock and these were all destroyed or so badly damaged as to make them a total loss. He has $1,300 insurance on the stock but I this will not near cover the loss. The lire raged until nearly ?.:(( o'clock before it was entirely extin guished and as a result the building now stands practically gutted and it will require a new structure to re place the burned building. In this fire as at a number of others that have occurred there seemed to be a division of authority that tended to check the effective I ness of the fire fighters and led to more or less confusion and delay in getting the full force of the fire'C fighting equipment on the source ;f . the fire. The fighting of the fire was a very strenuous job and the workers were soaked by the streams of icy cold wa ter and several had narrow escapes from injury during the height of the, fire when tiie roof of the building fell. A. F. Braun was the only one reported as seriously injured, he suf fering from a scalp wound received from the glancing blow from one of the hand axes. The stock of goods in the Ladies Toggery was quite badly damaged by smoke and the lines of high class silks and fine fabrics of many of the ready-to-wear dresse were affected by the thorough smoking and the whole sttwk suffered a greater or les-s extent from the effects of the smoke. The cellar .of the Toggery store as well as that of "Weyrieh & Hadraba suffered to som extent from the water that forced its way in from the basement of the burned building. THREE ARE BAPTISED. From Monday's Dally. Last evening at the Christian church there was received into the church three members who were giv en the sacrament of baptism by the nastor. Rev. A. G. Hollowell. The attendance at the service was the largest at any evening service for several months and much interest shown in the receptio nof the tew members into the church. PASS YEAR OUT MERRILY. The passing of the old year 1920, was speeded on in merry fashion Fri dav evening at Coates hall on the 'occasion of the carnival ball given bv the Cosmopolitaan club and from early in the evening until the pass ing of the midnight hour the merry dancers enjoyed the time in bidding farewell to the passing ear. Horns, fancy carnival cans as well as the streamers of paper and the loads of , confetti were in evidence as the car nival spirit was made evident by the jolly crowd. The Molly orchestra wsa on hand to dispense the favorite jazzy classics ?nd the new song hits and were up to their usual high standard and pleased everyone. WATCH OUT THE :l r"A5a!Nu It An Services at Methodist Church Friday Evening1 Very Largely Attended and Great Interest Shown. On Friday evening the Methodist (.1U r(.jj wa tjlt, Sant New Yer scene of a very plea ; watch party, as has j;een trie custom of the church for the past twenty-five years. The watch parties have in the past been held at the home of the Wescott family. "Sunnyside". but this year a diver sion was made from this custom and the event held in the church where a ( larger number could be accommo dated. . The earlier part of the evening wa? devoted to a social gathering and in which the members of the party enjoyed themselves immensely in an informal hour. At 10 o'clock the ladies s?rved a very dainty and en joyable luncheon, consisting of sand wiches, cakes and coffee and which came as a delightful climax of the sreial portion of the program. Fol lowing the luncheon the members of the party adjo urned to the main au ditorium of the church where th- remainder of the evening was spent. The opening portion of this service -was ir the singing of the old songs and tl:ese sweet melodies of memory and fond recollection proved a happy feature of the occasion. This was : followed by a film lecture, the "Piz ; neer Trail", In which the life of the early church workers in the west was shown in the moving pictures. . in cluding Oregon fct-ttlement. the pio neer mission in the west and the manner in which the cause of the ; church was brought to the western wilds. At the approach of the midnight hour the congregation gathered at the pulpit and a concecration service was held with the serving of the com munion to the members of the church. DEATH OF MRS. P. T. BECKER TODAY Taken 111 On Sunday and Suffering From Effects of Paralysis Caused By Rupture of Blood Vessel. From Tuesday's Dally. This afternoon at 2:45. Mrs. P. T. Hacker died at her home in this city following an illness of a very short duration, she being taken ill on Sun dav evening when she suffered what seemed to be a stroke of paralysis. She has been in very serious condi tion since that time and a specialist from Omaha was called in consulta tion on the case and from the begin ning of her attack her recovery has been a matter of grave doubt. Mrs. Becker was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gruenther, Sr., of this city and has spent practically her en tire lifetime in this county residing for the greater part of the time on the farm west of this city. Several months ago the family moved to this ty, where they have since made their home. To mourn her death, there remains the husband and one son. John H. Becker. II. seven years of age. The parents and the follow ing brothers and sisters are also left to share the grief that her death has caused: Mrs. John Bauer. Sr.. Mrs. H. E. Becker, cf this city; Mrs. Geo. Wallinger of Ashland: Mrs. Jacob Lohnes of Cedar Creek, and Fred Gruenther, residing west of Platts mouth. NEW LAUNDRY WORKING From Monday's DaTy. The Hotel Wagner today com menced the use of their own laundry plant and the laundry of the hotel was put through in record breaking time and the result was the finest and whitest of linen from the new plant that Fred Wagner, the proprie tor of the hotel has just had install ed. The new machinery is to han dle all of the regular linen service of the hotel and is a great money saver as well as much more prompt, and convenient when the towels, sheets and table linen were sent out to be laundried. The new plant is located in the basement of the hotel and for the first day has been a very busy place and when the work is fully under way it will be a great improvement to the service of the hotel. As time progresses Mr. Wagner expects to have the plant enlarged to care for the needs of his guests as well as that of the hotel. CHANCE FOR CITY DELIVERY HERE IS GOOD POSTAL DEPARTMENT GIVES AS SURANCE THAT CITY WILL HAVE CLAIMS EXAMINED ! The matter of free city mail deliv ery that has frequently been agitated by the progressive residents of this community as a move to have the city secure one of the privileges of a modern mail svstem. is at last to have some action taken in the matter by the postal department of the gov ernment. This need of the city delivery has been felt in the past few years as the postoflice here has developed into a first class office and the receipts are more than the amount specified for an office that has delivery. During the time since the matter of delivery was first suggested a number of years ago. an extensive program of side walk construction has been carried out by both the city and the indi vidual citizens and which now pro vides a great system of connecting sidewalks. This removes one of the greatest obstacles that stood in the way of city delivery in the first place and at this time the residents of the city should strive to see that their sidewalks are kept up in first this?, shape. The postal department has notified Postmaster I). C. Morgan that they will have an inspector visit the city and look over the conditions that ex ist here with a view of deciding on the matter of free city delivery. Let the community unite in making the city a- convenient as possible as re gards sidewalks and means of getting over the city for a mail carrier, as this will be one of the requirements exacted. Many cities in the state fsr smaller in population than Plattsmouth have systems of free city delivery and ir seema high time that there was a. fjreiful and vigorous effort made to ee that this city was placed on the map as far as this modern method o' handling mai! is concerned. HISTORICAL NECKLACE TO BE PRESENTED Mrs. Harriett MacMurphy, Formerly of This City to Give Jewel to State Historical Society. Presentation of the "Fontenelle" necklace, owned for seventy-five years by Mrs. Henry Fontenelle pioneer Indian woman, to the Ne Lracka State Historical society, in Lincoln. January 11. by Mrs. Har riet S. MacMurphy. of Omaha, will be one of' the most historic and in teresting features of the forty-fourth annual meeting of that organization. The necklace comprises thirteen large rhinestones set in lS-karat gold. It has been kept for years in a quaint beaded bag given to Mrs. Fontenelle by some of her Indian friends especially for this purpose. The bag will go with the necklace to the State Historical society, says Mrs. Harriet MacMurphy. Links Three Families The necklace was given by Peter A. Sarpy of the famous French and Indian family to his cousin. Emily Pat tan. a maiden of the Pawnee In dian tribe, -.event y-five years ago. In time Emily married Henry Fon tenelle of the Omaha Indian Tribe, the necklace thus binding together three of the most noted Indian fami lies of the middle west, the Pat tans, the Fontenelles and the Sarpys. Mrs. Fontenelle. now about S5 years old. placed the necklace in the care of her old friend. Mrs. MacMur phy. last year, vrith the understand ing that it should go to the Nebras ka State Historical society. Mrs. Fontenelle. spending the win ter with her only living child. Eu gene Fontenelle. at Decatur, Neb., and Mrs. Mary Mitchell, a progres sive Indian woman from the same town, are expected to attend the presentation ceremonies in Lincoln. Mrs. MacMurphy. a pioneer citi zen of Decatur, and long a friend of the Fontenelles. probably is better versed in Nebraska Indian lore than any other person in this section of the state, say her friends. COURT WORK FOR 1920 In the office of the clerk of li.c district court for the year 1920. there was tiled 1SS civil cases which is a showing of much less litiga tion than the previous year when 255 cases were placed on the dock et. For the past year there is a record breaker in the criminal line not a single case having been filed. In the divorce line the tendency seems to be for happier matrimonial lives among tiie resident's of the community as only 12 decrees of di vorce were granted as against 25 for the year of 1919. In the office of County Judge Allen J. Benson 144 marriage licenses were issued which shows a slight gain from 1919. when 142 liienses were issued in this office. We do all kinas or job printing. SUFFERS SCALP WOUND. While A. F. Braun, former chief of the fire department, was assisting in the work of fighting the fire at the Warga building early Sunday morn ing he was injured by having a se vere sculp wound inflicted. Mr. Braun was struck a blow on the head when -an ux which hi war: using was j deflected and as a result it was neces sary to have several rtitches taken ir: III; the head and the injured man de as comfortable as possible. Mr. jp.'sun ir. one of the experienced fire I men cf the city ar.J w hile retired , frjm the department through ser vice, is always willing to assist in the fighting of the flames to save the property of others and his many friends will regret very much to bear o: bis injury. . NEW YEAR'S GALL OF THE FAST Vir.it cf Plattsmouth. Gentleman on New Year's Day Brings Eack Mem cries cf the Past Festivities On New Win dham, McC'a :i ley afternoon Year's day Messrs. R. B. T. W. Glenn and Will'ani spent a short time in the in following an old time custom that was once so popular, that of making new year calls on their friends. Tne calls were much en joyed but not made with the same degree of hilarity as in the days of yore as was shown by the follow'ng card -which the gentlemen found while they were making a call at the home of Mrs. Rebecca Kennedy, and her daughter. Miss Ella, and which card was left in the custody of the gentlemen. Thi card which on New Year's day ticulariy interesting was presented 1S79. was par lo Mr. Wind- ham. as he was one of the members ho were in the merry party. The card is headed "Compliments or the Vulnus iTiimediECahile Orchestra." nd their motto given as "Eat. Drink and Be Merry." The members of the party wore listed es follows: Conducter Prof W. W. Drum tnond, (with a vacum. ) Mezzo Soprano Deskin Bushnell (of great capacity.- BassD Prof: ivndri .Prof. E. II. V.'ooley, (with his hvr.rt in his stom ach. Voice a la Trombone J sen. (always hungry.) Upper Notes R. B. ( pie warrior. ) A Flat E. B. Lewis. . E. Morri Windham. (with an empty void. I Double Rests E. D. Stone, satis- fied. t Solowist Prof. J. W. Love, (with a yawning abyss.) The gentleman had their price list printed on the card and which at that time produced much merriment among the friends on whom they called. One song was slated at $2.50 song with chorus at S.T.r.O and the full orchestra at $fi.".0. but in most cases the good things provided by the par ties on whom they called produced tiie melody without the necessity of appealing to the price list. In those days there was always something waiting for the merry new year caller and lunches and re freshments were served in royal hos pitalitv as the calls were a regualr part of the new year's program. Mr. Glenn states to the Journal reporter that on their visit yesterday they took veryone by surprise and while receiving luncheon at the homes fail ed to receive any of the old time cheer, not even home brew. ENTERTAIN THE OLD FOLKS NEW YEARS Party of Local Entertainers Visit Ma sonic Home on New Year's Day and Assist in Pleasant Program. On New Year's day the residents of the Nebraska Masonic Home in this city were given a very pleasant treat when a party of Plattsmouth's talented entertainers visited the home and presented a short informal pro gram that was much enjoyed proved a pleasing diversion of holiday season. The party was composed of and the Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Wescot. Mr. and Mrs. William Baird and Mrs. Allen J. Beeson. and the program they pre sented wa sone that made a great impression on the members of the home. Mrs. Wescott gave a number (f vocal selections. Mr. Wescott pi ano numbers while Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Beeson were heard in several of their pleasing readings and Mr. Baird offered a few of the Ilarrj Lauder songs in which he was seen vl his best and which were much en joyed. This kindly spirit shown on the part of the residents of the city to the residents of the home is certainly to be commended and all those in the city who are gifted as entertain ers will find that their kindness is verj- deeply appreciated by the mem bers of the big family at the home. FARM WANTED. Wanted to hear from owner of farm or good land for sale worth price asked. L Jones, Box 551, Ol ney. 111. DEATH COMES TO A PIONEER WOJP HERE MRS. J. V. D. PATCH DIED SUD DENLY LAST NIGHT OF HEART TR0UELE AT MASONIC HOME From Tuesday's latlv. Last evening at 10 o'clock at the Nebraska Masonic Home in this city occurred the death of Mrs. J. V. 1). Patch, one of the pioneer residents of the state and one whose eventful life had brought her many high hon ors in her associations in the work of the busy world in which she had been a prominent figure. Mrs. Patch had not been some time, but her case was sidered as dangerous and at well for not con- the time ot her death she with Mrs. Lillian was conversing Carraber, head nurse at the home, and pausing for a moment in her conversation she closed her eyes and had passed into the dreamless sleep of death whose awakening knows no call until the end of time. Mrs. Patch was a pioneer daugh ter of Nebraska and her life is close ly interwoven with many of the his toric events of the early days in the territory and state. Pearlieite Reed, was a daughter of Judge and Mrs. Edward S. Reed, who came to Ne braska in 1859. tnd was born in Os wego. New York, August 21, 1S47. The Reed family on locating in Ne braska City became actively identi fied with the life of the community and the father. Judge Reed was hon ored with many offices of honor by his constituents, being register of the land office by appointment or President Lincoln, and also for a number of years probate judge of Otoe county and one of the members of the first legislature of the &tate and assisted in laying out the pres ent city of Lincoln. While the -family were residing at Nebraska City, the daughter joined with the Methodist church and for many years was very active in the church work and for several years was head of the Ensworth Deaconess hospital at St. Joseph. Missouri. The subject of our 3ft etch - reeei red-- her education in the public schools of Nebraska City and also graduated at the Tabor college of Tabor, Iowa. In the year 18C2 there arrived at Nebraska City a young man from the east. an. artist who had been sent west by the Harper's Weekly to make sketches of life on the fron tier, and soon between the daugh ter of the Reed family and this young man, J. V. D. Patch, there sprang up a warm friendship that culmin ated in the marriage of the young people on July 4th. 1865. at the home of the parents of the bride. Rev. H. T. Davis, pioneer Methodist minis ter performing the ceremony that united their lives. After the marriage the young peo ple resided in the Otoe county city for a number of years," Mr. Patch abandoning temporarily his work as an artist and entered into the jew elry business and continued in this ! line of work until in 1S70, when the family removed to St. Joseph, Mo. In the Missouri city Mr.' Patch won high honors as an artist and the Patch family were numbered among the most distinguished in that city and Mr. Patch in his work was given the honor of painting portraits o some of the most distinguished resi dents of the state and his work is found in a number of the public buildings of that state. Mrs. Patch was very active during her lifetime in the Eastern Star or der and was a charter member of Queen Esther chapter No. 1 of Ne braska City, founded in 1870. and the last female member of the chap ter, all having preceded her in death and Mr. Patch is now the sole sur viving memaer. tiotn -vir. ana :urs. Patch are honorary life members of the St. Joseph chapter of the East ern Star. She was also president of the social club of the Eastern Star for a period of nine years while a resident of St. Joseph, and was also very active in the work of the Wo man's Relief Corps and was at one time president of the department of Missouri Relief Corps and delegate on several occasions to tne national encampments. Mrs. Patch was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and had been verv active in the work of the so ciety. She leaves to mourn her passing the aged husband and two children, Mr. Patch being with the wife at the time of her death, they being admit ted to the Masonic Home in this city in 191S. and have since made their home here. The children are Mrs. A. F. McKissen of Oakland. Califor nia, and E. R. Patch of Chico. Cali fornia. Mrs. Patch had during her year? of life in St. Joseph, joined the Con gregational 'hrrch and was a mem ber of that faith at the time of her denth. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock at tbo Masonic Home and the ! body taken on the 2:30 Missouri PacifW to Nebraska City. Rev. H. jG. McClucky will have charge of th ' services at this nlace. The burial will he at the Wyuka cemetery iB the Otoe county city. Journal want ads pay. Try them. SMALL BLAZE NEW YEARS The New Year was opened with more than usual excitement at the home of Mr. and "Mrs. Charles T. Peacock on Pearl street, when short ly before 8 o'clock Saturday morn ing the neighbors discovered that the roof of the Peacock home was ablaze. The alarm was turned in and the truck responded at once, but the prompt and egective work of the neighbors and members of the fam ily had put out the fire with but a very small loss to the building. The fire was supposed to have originated in sparks from the chimney alighting on the shingle roof. The prompt work in extinguishing the blaze un doubtedly saved the family from a serious loss as the fire was rapidly gaining headway when discovered. FIRE DESTROYS A REFRIGERATOR CAR Small Fire on Dip Track in West Yards of the Burlington Causes $1,000 Loss This Morning;. From Monday a Daily. This morning about 4 o'clock, night yardmaster, Lee McCarthy, of the Burlington, discovered a refrig erator car that was standing on the "dip track" just this side of the pumping station of the water com pany, in flames. The crew in the yard and the switch engine was hur ried to the scene of action and the cars which were near the burning car were removed to a point of safety; and the refrigerator car which was wrapped in flames was left to burn out as it was wholly useless to at tempt to save it. the water supply being too far away to do any good. The examination made of the car when the fire was first discovered indicates that the blaze had been set by someone, as from the indications there had been a fire built in the interior of the car and this bad burn ed a hole in the floor and spread to the rest of the car. The loss was complete as far 83 the body of the car was concerned, only the truck remaining to indicate that there had ever been a car there. The loss to the railroad company will be in the neighborhood of $1,000. Owing: to tbe44ac f coca-the --city lir lim its the general alarm was not given. SENIOR LITERARY. This year it is planned to again take up literary work in the high school, following the plan, whereby each of the four classes will give a literary program during the course of the year. The general plan calls for all the various phases of literary work, such as readings, essays, de bates and short plays. Of course, there will be vocal and instrumental solos also. The senior class will give the first of the four programs, and from all indications this coming event will be one of the "red letter" days of their school experiences. Nothing has been permitted to interfere with the preparation of the numbers to be presented and all are looking for a very successful and beneficial eve ning. The question for debate is resolved, "that the literary test restriction on immigration should be repealed." This question is a popular one and has been adopted as the question of debate in the Nebraska High School League. To add spice and enthusi asm to this number the seniors have challenged the juniors as opponents and will be represented by Gladys Liston and Fern Noble on the affirm ative, while Carl Wurl and John Ptak will present the negative arsument for the juniors. A small charge of fifteen cents will be charged. Fifty There are two sides to 'Trade-at-Home" agitation. The merchant has a right to expect the patronage of fellow townsmen. Fellow towns men have the right to expect honest quality and fair prices from the merchant. Plattsmouth has no reason to fear outside competition if we will all work together on a fifty-fifty basis. The First national Bank f Bank whepe you feel at moe OIATTSMOUTFI URGING MANY NEEDED REFORMS ij. A. Lenvitt, Superintendent of So 1 ciery of Friendless, Visits This 1 " City in His Wcrk. From Monuy- livlly. j This morning J. D. Leavitt of Oma l ha, superintendent of the Society of jthe Friendless of the t-tate, was in j Platu-moatn in the inteysts of his I work and of the society which is striving for the betterment of the condition that causes crime and .suffering among the people of the : state. Dr. Leavitt has long ben connected with this tociety and hl- endeavors in his chosen field ban brought forth much good among the unfortunates with whom he Is work ing every day of the year. The purpose of the society is that of the preventation and cure of crime, the reclamation and restoration ot the criminal and the relief of the needy and the distressed and In these lines they have done much good in their quiet and little advertised way. Dr. Leavitt personally has been in close touch with the fcufl'ering among the unfortunates in the cities and in the prisons of the state and his con stant effort has been to see that the causes that lead to these conditions are wiped out as well as the restora tion of manhood and respectability to those kho have paid the price to so ciety for their misdeeds, and to makt society more suited to creating a higher time of man or woman by wip ing out the things that leads to crime of all kinds. At this time he has several pro positions that are worthy of the thoughtful attention of the people of the state in the wiping out of many of the unhealthy conditions that tend to breed the criminal. One of these i a .custodial farm for men where those who are confined in jail for any extended period can be employed at useful labor and their good qualities not entirely lost; the creation of a farm for epileptics is another of tb measures that is urged by Dr. Lea vitt and his society, as there is not not a single state institution wber these cases can be handled as they should be. as they are either taken care of In the state insane hospital or in the feeble minded institutes. liw. ife-emdilitns -art - far- froiii what they should be in caring for cases of this kind. The society has Itself done much ffood in securing reforms, particu larly in the management and care of the occupants of the state prison. It secured the passage of the measure for the custodial farm for women, the court of domestic relation, and the mother's pension law. In the year 1912 the society through its pres ident. Judge Lincoln Frost, exposed the conditions at the state peniten tiary and also in a number of the county jails over the state and twiw that these reforms were carried out and the conditions made more civi lized. The Society of the Friendless and Dr. LeaTitt are certainly deserving of aay aid and support that can W given them in making for a cleaner and better standard of society. COLLAR BONE FRACTURED While Herbert Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Johnson, of this city, was engaged in riding on the rear of a wagon Friday afternoon, he wa? thrown off and as the result suffered a fracture of the left collar bcnie. The injured boy was taken to the of fice of a surgeon where the injury was looked after and the victim made as comfortable as possible. As the result of the accident Herbert will wear the arm and shoulder in a sling for a number of eeks. Fine ttationery. Journal office. - Fifty" NEBRASKA