Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1936)
Hitr. State Historical Society 5e f 1 i i 11 a VOL. NO. IH PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1936. NO. 10 Undermining of Bridge Approach Closes Highway State Highway Department Closes No. 75 North of the Platte River Bridge Sunday Night. The falling Platte river Sunday left in its wake a washout under the paving on highway No. 75, just north of the Platte river bridge, which caused the closing of the highway and bridge to travel shortly after 6 o'clock last night. The state department hurried a force of workers to the scene and started to try and fill the washout with sandbags to prevent the further sinking of the pavinv and endanger ing a considerable section of the con crete paving. The travel over the bridge Sunday was exceptionally heavy as all of the eastern Nebraska truck, bus and auto travel has in the past week been routed through this city and the result was the clos ing of the highway caused a great deal of inconvenience to the travel ing public. The state department late in the afternoon curtailed the travel to a few cars whose owners were en route home, but later this was rescinded and all traffic prohibited over the damagc-d section of the roadway. The Cotcer bus was able to make the trip to this city at 5:40 but on the re turn was forced to travel via the Mis souri river bridge and Glenwood to Omaha. Work was carried on all night at the bridge to try and repair the dam age and allow travel to be resumed, but the washout continued and the workers continued to place sandbags in the washout trying to reinforce the paving and checking further spread of the washed out area. The closing of the bridge created a traffic problem in this city as the hundreds of autoists who were out for a Sunday holiday sought to get to their homes north of the Platte river. Chief of Police Libershal and Officers "Plckrel and Stewart were kept busy all night in directing the traffic through the city to the Mis souri river bridge. Mayor George Lushinsky also serving as a traffic officer to help handle the congestion. The bread trucks that supply this territory were sent "around by the Iowa side of the Missouri river and Omaha newspapers' that usually ar rive here at an early hour were not available until later in the day. HAS VERY BUSY TIME Sunday evening and today were busy times at the Missouri river auto bridge, east of this city, which was carrying the volume of travel from this part of the state into Omaha and return. With the closing of highway No. 75, one of the busiest in the state. It was necessary to divert the travel to and from Omaha via the Missouri river bridge, Glenwood and Council Bluffs. The force of toll keepers was re inforced by H. A. Schneider, presi dent of the Plattsmouth Bridge Co., and Carl J. Schneider, who remained at the bridge until very early this morninsr. Carl Schneider continuing on the job until 4 this afternoon. The bridge company, in face of the emeregeny made the flat rate of fifty cents, regardless of the number of passengers, from the regular rate charged and which was a much ap preciated accommodation to the traf fic. The autoists who were in strait ed circumstances were also very gen erously cared for by the bridge oper ators and no one turned back from reaching their homes, altho many were in very slim financial condition. DIES AT MURDOCH From Monday's Dally Lyle Horton of the Horton funeral home, was called to Murdock this morning by the death of "Grandma" Crawford, one of the oldest residents of that section of Cass county. The deceased lady was in ner 95th year and has been In failing health for some time due to her advanced age She is one of the old time residents of western Cass county where her sons, Robert and James Crawford re side In the vicinity of Murdock. The funeral arrangements will be in charge of Mr. Horton. SHOWS IMPROVEMENT C. C. Wescott was a visitor at the clothing store of C. E. Wescott's Sons Saturday afternoon for the first time in several weeks, remaining for a short time and greeting a number of the friends. Mr. Wescott is recov ering nicely from his operation and treatment and is feeling very much better. It is hoped that he may soon be able to resume his usual activ ities. He was also able to teach his Sunday school class at the Methodist chuhch on Sunday as usual, the first time in a great many weeks. Clover Farm Store Moves to New Location John Hatt Moves Business House From Masonic Building to South 6th Street. From Holiday's Dally The Clover Farm store which has been operated by John V. Hatt iu the Masonic building on Main street, i3 locating in the building on South Slth street where the Mullen markot sas formerly located. Tne stock of inerchandlse was ue injr :iioved today to the new location and Mr. Hatt busy in getting the stock lined up and the shelving placed in the building in readiness for business. The building has been remodeled and arranged following the fire on New Year's day that did consider able damage to the structure and is now in first class shape in every way. Paul Wohlfarth, the contractor, has had charge of the repair of the building which has taken some time as it entailed the placing of a large part of the floor as well as remov ing of partitions and the taking out of the large ice box that Was-ln. use by the Mullen market. The interior of the store has been decorated in green and white and is very attractive in every way and when the paving is completed along Sixth street will be well located for business. Mr. Hatt will arrange a formal opening later when the store is all arranged, but is now able to take care of the trade as usual. GIVEN SURPRISE Clifton Gooding, one of the popular students of the high school, was given a most pleasant birthday sur prise at his home on his 17th anni versary. The young man was assist ing his father, E. L. Gooding, In re pairing a car Saturday evening, when he was sent into the house to secure some needed article. As the young man opened the door he was greeted by the school friends with shouts of surprise. After the shock of the surprise the guest of honor joined the other mem bers of the party in games and con tests that passed the time most de lightfully. In honor of the occasion the young man was given a very fine array of gifts as remembrances of the jolly party. Rev. and Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Ed ward Ofe, Sunday school teacher of Clifton, were guests of the young people. The evening was closed with the serving of a very dainty luncheon and which was featured by the handsome birthday cake. TAKEN TO HOSPITAL From Tuesday's Dally This morning Miss Josephine Clif ford, who has been confined to her apartment at the Hotel Plattsmouth, since her accident three weeks ago, was taken to Omaha. Miss Clifford will be placed in a hospital for exam ination and treatment, she apparent ly not showing the progress that was hoped for in her case. She fell on the sidewalk on North 8th street during the snowy and icy weather and may have suffered a hip fracture. GO TO MISSOURI Sunday afternoon Mrs. Fred Sharp nack and little son, Jerry, with Mrs. Emmons Ptak, mother of Mrs. Sharp nack, departed for Savannah, Mis souri' Mrs. Sharpnack will take a course of treatment at the hospital at Savannah for a short time. Rotary Club Has Fine Meeting Monday Night Edward F. McFaddin of Hope. Ark., Director and "Bob" Hastings, Dist. President, Here. Last evening the members of the Plattsmouth Rotary club with their ladies, entertained an intercity meet ing of the club at the Legion audi torium on Vine street. There were over 100 in attendance at the pleasant session with a large group from Shenandoah, Glenwood and Red Oak, Iowa, while Council Bluffs sent Mr. and Mrs. Ray Meyers, the former a past district president. Nebraska City was represented by genial Harry Rice at the meeting. Dr. H. G. McClusky, local presi dent, presided and gave the official welcome to the visiting members and their ladies to the most happy event. District President "Bob" Hastings of Crete, gave a short talk and in which he touched on the affairs of Rotary in the 19th district, the ac tivities that the various clubs had carried on. He urged all the clubs to send representatives to the spring conference that is to be held at Aber deen, South Dakota. In April, a meet ing that will be filled with a great deal of inspiration to the groups that comprise western Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Edward F. McFaddin, long one of the leaders of Rotary, gave a fine talk; on the purposes of the organization,! the carrying out of the aims and ob jects of the society. Mr. McFaddin urged the membership to live in their daily lives the principles on which Rotary is founded, that a better world might be realized through the fel lowship of the members. ' . The dinner was served by the Am erican Legion' auxiliary, who had ar ranged a most delicious repast that was exquisitely served amid the most attractive surroundings. The tables were arranged with the candles and the flags of the various nations to symbolize the internation al aspect of the Rotary. HAS PECULIAR ACCILENT Several days ago, Hillard Grass man, while engaged in window de corating at the Bates Book store, was the victim of a peculiar accident. Mr. Grassman in arranging some crepe paper had placed a tack in his mouth and while working the tack slipped down his throat. The victim of the accident felt little Inconven ience over swallowing the tack. This morning Mr. Grassman was taken with a very violent coughing spell and suddenly up came the tack, hav ing lodged in the windpipe. It is needless to say that the appearance of the tack has been a great relief to Mr. Grassman. JUDGE WILSON HERE Judge W. W. Wilson of Nebraska City, long time leader of the Otoe county bar, was In the city Monday afternoon to visit with his friends and look over the city. Judge Wil son has just recently filed for the office of district judge in the second judicial district, comprising Cass, Otoe and Sarpy counties. Judge Wil son has been in practice since 1896 at Nebraska City and served on the state supreme court commission until that body was dissolved by the legis lature. He has since been engaged in his private practice. Judge Wil son was accompanied by his daugh ter. MARRIED HERE SATURDAY The marriage of Miss Edna Eva Gilbert of Creighton, Nebraska and Mr. Foster Asher Crowell, of Has tings, took place Saturday afternoon at the residence of Rev. and Mrs. G. A. Pahl of the St. Paul's church. The young people were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schaeffer of Weeping Water, who witnessed the ceremony. VISIT IN THE CITY Mr. and Mrs. William J. Vallery and their daughter-in-law, of Lin coln, were here Saturday to enjoy a few hours visit with the many old friends and relatives. PROJECT IS HALTED From Monday's Dally: The public works project 676, which included the clerical workers at the office of the county judge, was halted today. The allotment for the work has been exhausted and which will be temporarily closed until ad ditional funds are secured. The noti fication of the suspension of the work was given to Judge Duxbury by the employment office at Nebraska City and it Is hoped that the necessary iunds may soon be available to con tinue on with the work later. Some fouremploye s are affected by the or der. Highway 75 Open to Traffic Over the Platte Strengthen Paving North of Bridge and Traffic Resumed Monday Shortly After 4 p. m. The cars and trucks are again traveling over highway No. 75 north of this city after being closed for al most twenty-four hours, due to a washout on the north side of the Platte river bridge. The highway was closed to traffic Sunday evening and since that time workmen were busy in repairing the damaged roadway and strengthening the section of paving that had showed signs of sinking due to being under mined. The ban on travel was lifted Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock and! traffic was resumed altho slow signs were placed on the highway in the vicinity of the washout. The busses and other traffic were operating today on their regular schedule and the usual heavy traffic Cowing through the city on the way both north and south. With the road closed Monday tJer"a''only those who had business that: were to &e found on the highway, the long trip via Glenwood to Omaha restricting travel to those who were forced to make the trip. The repair of the bridge on No. 6 near Ashland, has diverted the Lin coln traffic that has been routed through here for the past two weeks. The rivers at this point are getting back to normal, altho still high and unless something unforseen occurs the ice trouble and high water will be safely passed at this point. HAVE SPLENDID MEETING The W. C. T. U. met on Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. J. E. Wiles, an unusually large number of the members being in attendance at the meeting and to enjoy the fine pro gram that had been prepared. Miss Elizabeth Spangler had the devotions, the 100th psalm being se lected for the afternoon. Following this feature the flag salute and pray er was given. Rev. V. C. Wright, pastor of the First Methodist chuhch, was intro duced to give a book review that was appreciated to the utmost. The re view was of the life and activities of Carrie Nation, noted militant pro hibitionist of Kansas, whose activities against the liquor traffic In the late nineties and the early 1900's made her a national figure. The book wbb the experiences of Mrs. Nation her self and was graphically given by Rev. Wright and left a very strong impression on the audience. The afternoon was closed with the serving of dainty refreshments by the hostess. MOVING TO ILLINOIS L. A. Warlick, who has been farm ing in the vicinity of Murray, was in the city Monday afternoon for a few hours and while here was a caller at the Journal, renewing his subscrip tion. Mr. Warlick and family are moving to Illinois where he has a farm near Greenville, and which he will farm for the coming summer. ATTEND SHERIFF MEETING Sheriff Homer Sylvester and De puty Sheriff Cass Sylvester, were at Osceola, Nebraska, Tuesday where they were in attendance at a confer ence held by the law enforcing of ficers of several of the eastern Ne braska counties, discussing various problems that are met with in the discharge of their duty. Local Orators to Attend the Ditrict Meet Every One of Four from Here Entered at Sub-District to Go on Sandin Places First. from "VFeanepaavs With one first and three seconds, Plattsmouth high school led the seven schools entered at the sub-district declamatory contest in Nebraska City yesterday in total number of points scored. Nebraska City follow ed with two firsts and one second. Incidently, every one of the four con testants entered from here in the original oratory, extemporaneous, dramatic and humorous classifica tions, by virtue of their placings, are slated to go on to the district meet at Blair Friday and Saturday of next week. It was a distinctive victory for Plattsmouth high school and Bpeaks well for the oratorical and dramatic training received in the local schools under Wayne Alvord and Lumir Ger cer, instructor of public speaking. Original oratory, interpretative oratory and extemporaneous were presented on the afternoon program. Edwin Hesseman of Nebraska City, speaking on "The Constitution of the United States" won first place in the original oratory group, with James Webb, of Plattsmouth, speaking on "Breaking the Depression," placing second. Plattsmouth had no entries in in- terpretatlve oratory, First place went to Robert Armstrong, Jr., of Auburn, and second to Esther Barkhurst of Nebraska City. In the extemporaneous group, with subjects relating to the government's TVA program assigned speakers one hour before time to appear, Arlo Wirth of , Dunbar speaking on "Dis tribution1 of the Power" was awarded first place, with Stephen Davis, Plattsmouth entry, running him a close second with his speech on "The Recent Supreme Court . Decision. -on the TVA." The Evening Program Dramatic and humorous numbers were reserved for the evening pro gram, with plenty of competition in each of these groups. In dramatic, Frances Hardy, of Ne braska City, was first with her offer ing of "Fifty-Two" and Kathryn Armstrong, of Plattsmouth, second with "Daddy Doc." The humorous class had a con testant from every school entered in the meet and some fine numbers were given. As previously predicted by the Journal; Plattsmouth had one contestant who was certain to take first place in the sub-district and probably go through the state meet, in the person of James Sandin. Jim came through with flying colors to the loud applause of all those pres ent and won first preference by his masterly presentation of "Ladies Aid at the Local Theatre," which he has given before a number of local luncheon clubs and civic meetings since winning the local contest here two weeks ago. Second place in this group went to Leota Tonslng, of Syracuse, on her offering, "The Yanks are Coming;" Of the local group winners, two are Freshmen and two Seniors. James Sandin and James Webb came into the high school this year following their graduation from St. John's Parochial school last spring. Stephen Davis and Kathryn Armstrong are Seniors, the former being a member of the Public Speaking class. Louisville, with entries In original oratory, dramatic and humorous, was the only other Cass county school represented at the meet. The attendance at both the after noon and evening programs is re ported as having been very slim, in fact the Plattsmouth visitors and Ne braska City students just about com prised the entire afternoon audience, and the night crowd was little larger. The contest was judged by R. Fos ter Patterson, member of Tarkio col lege faculty and a former national college champion speaker. Third place awards were announced, , but only first and second place winners are eligible to go on to the district meet. Plattsmouth was the only school entered to have all Its con testants place. The entire local group will com - pete in .the stiffer competition at the Blair meet, and the Journal renews Its prediction that "Plattsmouth has one contestant, at least, who will go through to the state meet." District Meet to Be Held at Blair Blair, Neb., March 10. Sub-district winners of high school ora torical honors competing this week will meet March 20 and 21 here in the annual district declamatory meet. Supt. I. J. Montgomery of Blair is in charge. The district includes five sub dis tricts, as follows: No. 1 Washington, Burt and Douglas counties (except Omaha). No. 2 Cass, Otoe, Nemaha and Richardson counties. No. 3 Colfax, Dodge, Sarpy and Saunders counties. No. 4 Platte, Nance, Butler and Polk counties. No. 5 Central, Technical, North, South and Creighton Prep high schools of Omaha, and Fremont high school. Submit Plan for First Missouri River Wharf Federal Engineers to Conduct Hear ing on Proposed Plattsmouth Structure 50x250 Feet lans for a dock on the Missouri river at this point are being given consideration by U. S. engineers, who must approve such construction, according to a formal notice sent to all communities in this area. The proposed dock is the first to be sub mitted for approval along the en tire section of the river now being made navigable. According to the notices, sent out by Captain Herbert B. Loper, Dis trict U. S. Engineer, the dock is to be a cresoted wooden structure, 50 by 250 feet, supported on creosoted piling and will extend to the author ized channel line just east of this city. The plans submitted for approval also include a warehouse 30 by 200 feet constructed of wood and cor rugated metal, having a floor eleva tion of 955 feet, which is 1.4 feet above standard high water. Captain Loper announces in the bulletin that the federal engineers will take written arguments for and against the proposed unit until the 14 th of March. FINE DAIRY SALE Rex Young, well known auction- eer, has just returned from a trip to Keith county, where he held a dairy sale for John L. Stander, former Cass county man. Mr. Stander has been operating a dairy at Roscoe, near Ogallala, which has been most suc cessful, but he desired to close out a part of the herd and has had a most successful sale in every way. This was the first cow sale in Keith coun ty in eight years and the result was very pleasing. Some of the cows of fered brought over 1100, the sale average being $80 per animal. The Standers have conducted their dairy for some years and have been securing 110 gallons of milk at each milking. They Btill have thirty-five head of fine pure blooded Ayshire cattle that will be used on the dairy farm. ATTEND VETERANS MEETING From Wcdneiday's Dally Last evening John Lutz, Charles L. Carlson and Mayor George Lushin sky, were at Omaha, where they at tended a meeting of the Burlington veterans. The meeting was addressed by a representative of the pension department of the railroad, discuss ing with the representatives from various points, the matters pertain ing to the pension system and re tirement methods of the railroad. UNDERGO T0NSILECT0MY Several of the local people have undergone tonsil operations in the last few days. These have all been performed locally and the patients' are recuperating at their homes. On Saturday Edward Stava of south of. more with the most interesting trips the city and Mrs. John L. Hadrabato many nearby points which includ- were both given a tonsilectomy, while Monday Louis Harris was operated on. All are doing nicely and show- ,ing a nice Improvement. Louisville Man Sought in Murder Case Man Known as "John Osborne" Is Wanted for Murder, Investiga tion at Omaha Reveals. Some six years ago a strange char acter came to Louisville, living in a shack along Mill creek near the Mis souri Pacific station, the man who had given the name of John Osborne, being more popularly known as "Boat John." He had built a number of row boats and from which he derived bis nickname, also being interested in supplying bait to fishermen as well as renting the boats at the state re creational park. Three weeks ago he disappeared from his accustomed haunts and con siderable anxiety was created that he had frozen while wandering around on one of his frequent drinking sprees. James Jones, who lives in one of the shacks near the creek, was perhaps the closest to Osborne, and reported that he had been acting queerly for several days before lie disappeared. The last he had seen of Osborne he had said he was going to see Dr. E. H. Wortman. Jones related that Osborne had often complained that someone was prowling around his shack and that he thought they wished to kill him. He changed his sleeping place each night and never spent two nights successively in the same place, alter nating between his shack and an old garage. Later Osborne was reported in an Omaha hospital where his action led to the police being notified and he was held for investigation, being photographed and finger printed. The photographs and prints are thought to be his undoing as he was later reported to Omaha police as bting wanted in connection with a murder charge and that a reward of $2,000 was offered for his capture. An Omaha detective was at Louis ville to investigate the caee and try and locate some trace of the man. Louisville people are of the opinion that Osborne, which name 19 now thought to be an alias, had a sinter living in Omaha. MANY ATTEND SALE One of the largest attended sales in this section was that held by Otto Schafer and Son, at the Schafer farm "'est or hurray, wnere a large arru of horses as well as Duroc bred Kilts were offered for sale. The horses offered for sale were among the best that has been placed on sale in this section in a long time, bringing good prices, some as high as $200 apiece from the bidders. There were many of the bidders from the neighboring state of Iowa as well as from many of the adjoin ing counties in Nebraska, the com petitions being keen as the animals were offered. Rex Young of this city officiated at the sale and was much pleased at the result of the auction. VISIT SPRINGFIELD LODGE Tuesday evening William A. Rob ertonson, grand senior warden of the Nebraska A. F. & A. M., was at Springfield to attend the meeting of the Springfield lodge and assisting the officers in the conferring of the degree work, other visiting masters also being in attendance. He was accompanied by County Treasurer John E. Turner, County Attorney W. G. Kieck and Frank A. Cloldt. Springfield is the old home of Mr. Kieck and he is a past master of the Masonic lodge at that place, so b was among old time friend and neighbors. RETURNS FROM EAST Mrs. Albert Funk, who has been visiting at Baltimore, Maryland, where her daughter, Miss Alice Marie Funk, who has been located there for the past several years. Mrs. Funk had a very delightful time at Balti- ed Washington. While at Washing ton she had the privilege of viewing the capitol and watching congress in session.