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home, but later this was rescinded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.
