.A
Hebr. State Historical Society
vol. no. in
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1936.
NO. 84
Kh
Stomal
HIM HdW
County Oil Men
Name Carl Ofe
as Chaiman
Organization Meeting Held at Platts
mouth Hotel Last Evening ; H. H.
Halm Addresses Group.
From "Wednesday's Daily : an parts of the United States parti-
Carl Ofe was named chairman oflcjpated in the contest competing for
the Cass county oil men at their or- the three college scolarships which
ganization meeting in the Platts
mouth hotel last evening. George
Trunkenbolz of Eagle acts as first
vice chairman; E. J. Knecht of South
Bend and Charles Vallery are vice
chairmen. J. J. Cloidt was named
secretary and E. C. Giles, assistant.
Members of the legislative committee
are R. C. Pollard of Nehawka, G. D.
Peters of Greenwood, and Robert T.
Rummel of Plattsmouth. Earl C.
Sipple and C. E. Welshiemer of
riattsniouth and Ernest Ilaning of
Weeping Water were named on the
public relations committee. Local af
fairs committee members are R. L.
Keckler of Weeping Water, E. G. Ofe,
F. H. Gerbeling, and L. L. MeCarty
of Plattsmouth.
II. H. Hahn of Lincoln, secretary
of the Nebraska Petroleum Industries
committee explained that the chief
purpose and main objective of the
organization would be to secure fair
and equitable taxes and legislation
lor Nebraska motorists and those en
gaged in supplying their needs.
"Oil men. like their customers, be
lieve that excessive gasoline tax rates
should be reduced to reasonable
levels, and that the revenue be used
for the original and only justifiable
purpose of the tax the construction,
improvement, and maintenance of the
highways. This tax cost our custom
ers more than $800,000,000 in 1935
alone," he said.
He objected to the federal gaso
line tax as an invasion of the states'
tax field and stated that it should be
eliminated. "From 1919 through
1935 our customers over the United
States Itave paid more than $3,518,
000,000 in gasoline taxes ... or a
cost of $35 per year to the average
motorist," he said.
In conclusion the speaker stated
that "Recent studies of the U. S. Bu
reau of Public Roads show that every
dollar spent upon roads initiates a
movement which results in industries
which results in the distribution of
to. 15 for material and wages in 24
different industries. Every four men
put to work on roads creates jobs
for seven additional men in industries
which supply road-building material,
equipment and service. By spending
the revenue from reasonable taxes
for economical, planned roads over a
long period, we automatically and in
expensively promote highway pro
gress, reduce unemployment and in
augurate trade activity. Oil men
everywhere have welcomed the tax
ation of gasoline to finance roads. But
they insist that the tax be reason
able, and the money raised spent only
fo' roads."
20 representatives of oil com
panies throughout the county attend
ed the meeting last evening.
ENTERTAINS AT LUNCHEON
Mrs. J. L. Stamp entertained at a
luncheon Monday afternoon at her
home. The honored guest was Mrs.
Fred Spangler who is to leave soon
for California to spend the winter.
The table decorations were very
unique. The centerpieces were min
iture yellow orange crates filled with
the golden fruit and tied with huge
bows of yellow ribbon. The tapers
were also yellow in crystal holders.
Small pots containing orange blos
soms were arranged over the table.
The place cards were tiny automo
biles and concealed in the cars were
slips containing "advice" to the guest
while she is away on her trip.
In a contest Mrs. Ernest Hutch
ison won first prize and Mrs. Walter
Martin second.
Mrs. George Mumm favored the
ladies with a piano solo "California."
The ladies gave a shower for Mrs.
Spangler and little Miss Mary Kath
arine Mumm brought the gifts in her
large doll buggy which was decor
ated very artistically in yellow paper.
Mrs. Stamp was assisted in serv
ing by Mrs. Georgia Creamer, Miss
Helen Johnson, and Mrs. George
Mumm.
NEHAWKA GIRL WITTS
The Cass county champion in the
1936 4-K Club Food Preparation and
Preservation contest is Ruth Schwarz
of Nehawka.
Winning of the contest in the coun
ty entitles the champion to the Servel
Electrolux gold medal of honor
which is awarded by the sponsors of
the project.
More than 250,000 4-II girls from
go to national winners to be an
nounced at the national 4-H club
congress in Chicago, scheduled lor the
week of November 27 to December 5.
400 Attend
Concert by High
School Students
Over 1C0 Students Participate in All
Musical Program Under Direc
tion of Lee Knolle.
From Wednesday's Daily
Over 100 students presented one f
the finest musical programs ever given
in the Plattsmouth schools last eve
ning. An audience of 400 showed a
hearty appreciation of the numbers.
Lee Knolle directed the two hour con
cert in the high school auditorium.
A march group by the band open
ed the program. They played Wash
ington Post, Officer of the Day, The
Premium, and Go. A college pep song
group included Wave the Flag, Vic
tory March, On Wisconsin, and Illi
nois Loyalty.
32 boys took part in the boys' glee
'numbers. My Nebraska, Ragged Vaga-
bond. Friend O'Mine, and the Platts
mouth Loyalty Song were interpreted
by the group.
Small vocal groups included two
girls sextettes. One sang Where E're
You Walk and Lovely Night -from
Tales of Hoffman. The other gave
Night from Liberstraum and Little
Pee Weet. The boys octet sang Alex
ander and The Story of a Tack.
Plattsmouth's high school orches
tra has twenty pieces. It played a
group of five numbers last evening.
Our National Honor, Dance of the j
Goblins, March Militiare, Celebrated j
Minuet, and Songs of the South. j
The old favorite, Ciribiribin, wasi
given by a girls' glee of 64 voices.'
The girls also sang Indian Dawn,
Honey Town, and The Big Brown
Bear. Three numbers by th? mixed
.glee followed, Czecho-Slovakian Dance
Song, When Jesus was a Little Child,
and the triumphant Hellelujah
chorus from th? "Messiah" closed the
program.
Accompanists for the groups were
Jean Knorr and Edna Mae Petersen.
JUNIOR HIGH ENTERTAINS
The 7th and Sth grade girls enter
tained the Junior High school with
a Thanksgiving program in the gym
nasium Tuesday morning. The mu
sic was under the direction of Miss
Lois Brandhorst, teacher of music
and art in the junior high school.
The program consisted of numbers
by the glee club, small groups, duets
and other musical numbers. V.erona
Toman and Helen Barkus sang a duet.
The accompanying for the groups was
done by Ruth Westover.
The following is the program:
"New Kind of Fairytale," "Magnet
and Churn." "November" by 7th
grade girls; "Hermit Thrush," "Four
Things." "Deep Sea Chanty" by Sth
grade girls; Duet, "Old Black Joe,"
Verona Toman and Helen Barkus;
"Old King Cole." "Bees A'humming,"
"Prayer of Thanksgiving," by 8th
grade girls; "Young Nightingale" by
a group of Sth grade girls.
ENTERTAIN FOR GUEST
The attractive Sattler home in the
south part of the city was the scene
of a charmingly arranged 1 o'clock
luncheon on Tuesday, the event hon
oring Miss Katherine Waddick of
Sheridan, Wyoming, who is visiting
in the city, a group of the friends
being invited by Mrs. John Sattler,
Jr., to enjoy the occasion.
The afternoon was spent at bridge
and in which 'Mrs. Hilt Martin won
high score.
Mrs. W. C. Kenner of Nebraska
City, was an out of town guest.
City Council
Hears Report of
Cemetery Board
Chairman Evers Telis cf Work and
Plans City Makes Sale cf
Olson Euilding.
The city council held their regular
bi-monthly meeting on Monday eve
ning and with a large number of mat
ters to come to their attention.
A communication was received
from H. A. Jacobs, asking permission I
to build a tin covered garage in the
rear of the Barclay building on Main
street. This was referred to the fire
and water committee for action.
Chief of Police Joe Libershal in
compliance with the request of the
city council reported that he had
found five record playing music slot
machines in the city, other smaller
vending machines and some punch
boards.
Mayor Lushinsky asked the opinion
of City Attorney Davis as to the tax
ing of the music machines.
Mr. Davis in his opinion stated
that he did not believe there was any
possibility of taxing the machines or
music boxes. They were leased or op
erated on a percentage basis by the
persons in whose places they were
located, that the business who owned
the places paid an occupation tax and
it was no more likely to tax these
than cooling machines or any other
device that was leased. In regard to
the punch boards, the city attorney
stated that they were in violation
of law and should be removed.
Mayor Lushinsky ordered the chief
of police to notify all places where
the boards are located to have them
removed.
Police Judge C. L. Graves report
ed that for the week of November 14
there had been two arrests, bond be
ing supplied to assure .the payment
of the fine and costs.
Councilman Webb presented an as
signment from John Bauer to John
F. Bauer, of the property on which
the former livery barn building had
stood. The change in the deed which
is held in escrow, was ordered made
and the property to be held in the
name of John F. Bauer.
A resolution was presented by
Chairman Webb of the tax and prop
erty committee authorizing the fore
closure of twenty-four certificates of
tax titles held by the city. The com
mittee was authorized to start the
necessary action and J. A. Capwell be
retained as counsel under contract to
conduct the necessary court action.
Mayor Lushinsky complicented the
committee for the thorough manner
in which they had looked after the
handling of the various tax title
properties.
Councilman Tippens reported that
in the street department, Charles
Gradoville had asked to be relieved
for the winter and that the commit
tee had designated John Kubicka to
carry on the work of Mr. Gradoville.
The dirt streets had been worked as
far as possible to place them in shape
for winter.
Chairman Brittain of the parks
and improvement committee, asked
that the lock on one of the cells in
the city jail be repaired and also
that a speed sign on South Chicago
avenue be replaced. This work was
ordered done by the committee.
W. F. Evers, chairman of the city
cemetery board was present and at
the request of Mayor Lushinsky gave
a statement of the work of the board.
Mr. Evers stated that they found the
records of ownership of lots and
graves very badly mixed up, that they
had secured a special planned record
that would in the future give a per
manent and complete record of the
lot ownership. An approval of a
WPA proposition for clerical hire to
permit the gathering of the neces
sary record from the city records in
the the past had been secured. This
would give them two persons for six
months to check the records. When
the records were in shape they hoped
to contact the lot owners as to assess
ment on lots or the perpetual care
plan. Mr. Evers reported that prac
tically all the driveways in the ceme
tery had been graveled and that it
had been cleaned up for fall.
The city then received bids for the
sale of the building at Third and
Main streets, known as the "Olson
building," which was sold to A. J.
Trilety for the ,sum of $50, Mr.
Trilety to repair the building and
look after future tax payments.
The following bills were ordered
paid by the council:
Duxbury & Davis, insurance$ 74.00
Duxbury & Davis, insurance
on hall 3C.0S
Albert Olson, stamps 2.00
Lincoln Telephone and Tele
graph Co., phone rent 4.95
Chas. Gradoville, st. work 2.S0 j
John Kubicka. same 23.80 '
Ivan Taylor, same 32.00
Geo. Taylor, street work with
team i 4 8.00
K. W. Johnson, tractor work 23.00
Mrs. L. W. Egenberger, in
surance on houses 11.05
Ote Oil Co., gas and supplies
for fire truck 10.75
Ofe Oil Co., special police,
road supplies
21.9:
Plattsmouth
Girl is Wedded
in Illinois
Miss Beatrice Krejci and Mr. Paul
Griffin Married at Beardstown,
Illinois, Friday Morning.
Miss Beatrice Krejci, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. S. Krejci of this city
and Paul Griffin, son of Mr. and Mrs.
W. H. Griffin of Vigus, Missouri
were married in Beardstown, Illinois
on Friday morning, Nov. 20.
The ceremony was performed at
Saint Alexius rectory at 10 o'clock by
Rev. James Ahern, pastor of St.
Alexius parish.
The bride wore a gown of autumn
brown velvet with accessories to
match and a shoulder corsage of
cream colored tea roses.
Miss Thressa Smith, the bride's
attendant, wore a frock of black crepe
and contrasting accessories.
The groom and his attendant, Mr.
Leonard Martin, both wore dark
conventional suits.
Mr. and Mrs. Criftni. will make
their home in Beardstown, 111.
The bride has been one of the
popular young ladies of the commun
ity and a graduate of the Platts
mouth high school in the class of
1930.
RECEIVES HEIRLOOM
Miss Pearl Staats came into pos
session of a very interesting heir
loom last week end. Sugar tongs,
which were hidden under a bridge
during the Revolutionary war, are
the prized possession. .
The silver tongs were brought to
Miss Staats by a cousin, Walter Stout
of Lincoln who, with his wife, were
here to visit his uncle, George Staats,
seriously ill at his home.
I. C. B. is engraved upon the handle
of the tongs. They have been handed
down through the Barcalow family at
least five generations and with them
the story of how they were hidden
under a bridge near Rariton, New
Jersey, during the Revolutionary war.
A very thin border in a dainty de
sign is the only decoration beside
the initials. The silversmith's mark,
C. N. W., is engraved in the bowl.
The heirloom was the possession
of the late Mrs. C. W. Stout.
SEEKS MARRIAGE ANNULMENT
From Wednesday's Datly
A petition was filed in the district
court this morning in which Claude
A. Johnson, father and next friend
of Doris Johnson, seeks to have the
marriage of his daughter to Burdette
B. Hike, annulled.
The petition states that the daugh
ter is a minor of the age of sixteen
years, that she was married on No
vember 23, 1936, at Council Bluffs,
Iowa, to the defendant Hike, that
the father was not present and did
not give his consent to the marriage.
The annulment is asked on the
ground that the marriage was not
legal owins to the age of the girl
and the lack of consent.
PLAN CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
From Tuesday's Daily
Miss Estelle Baird was named gen
eral chairman for the Christmas pro
gram which will be given at the
Presbyterian church by the Sabbath
school at a meeting of the officers
and teachers last evening. Plans were
also made for a teacher-training class
to be opened after the Christmas
holidays.
George Staats
Passes Away
This Morning
Long Time Resident of Plattsmouth
and for Many Years Employe
cf Postoffice Here,
From Wednesday's Daily
Early this morning, November the
twenty-filth, there passed from our
midst a well-known citizen, who had
spent the greater part of a long life
in this community.
George King Staats was born in
Jerseyvillc, Illinois, June 17, 1850.
Just a year later his father died,
leaving him and his sister to the care
of their mother. At the beginning of
the Civil v ar his mother took the
children to the home of her mother,
Mrs. John King, in Spring Lake
township, near Pekin, Illinois. There
a year later she died leaving the chil
dren in charge? of their grandmother.
He was educated in the schools of
Jerseyville, Spring Lake, Pekin, and
Tremont. Early in life he united
with the Reformed Church in Spring
Lake, where he was very active, espe
cially in the choir. Later he trans
ferred his membership to the First
Presbyterian church of this city,
where he has been a faithful member
and attendant until his health pre
vented his attendance. Even then his
collection envelope represented him
each Sabbath.
After completing his education, Mr.
Staats farmed for a time with his
uncles at the home of his grand
mother until the call of the west
lured him to Nebraska, and he ar
rived in Plattsmouth on September
15, 1877. After a brief visit here, he
went on to Dewitt, where his sister
liyed. Not finding the opportunity he
sought there, he returned to Cass
county and worked on a farm south
west of Weeping Water for a year
or two. Then he came to this city to
take a position as deputy postmaster,
in which position he served until
three years later he became manager
of the Whitebreast Coal company.
After this company sold out, he filled
various positions as clerk, tax col
lector, census taker until he pur
chased a laundry, which he operated
until 1900. In 1901 he became mail
dispatcher at the local postoffice and
held that position until his retire
ment at the age of seventy on a pen
sion. He did not give up his business
activity, however, until the age of
eighty-one, when he suffered a stroke
that caused him to lose his sense of
balance, making walking difficult.
During that time he handled the Bee
News for a period of three years, and
then became city weigh master.
On August 2C. 1SS5, Mr. Staats
was married to Miss Anna Gertrude
Porter of Spring Lake, Illinois. Two
children remain to mourn the loss of
an ideal father, his wife having pre
ceded him in death a year and nine
months.
Very optimistic by nature, Mr.
Staats had a cheery word and smile
for everyone. He took a keen in
terest in current events, politics, and
religion. He never ceased to be in
terested in people and never for
got a friend.
Funeral services will be held at
two o'clock on Friday afternoon at
the Sattler funeral home.
TO STAGE DEMONSTRATION
The Cass County Implement Co., of
this city is to stage a demonstration
here on Saturday, November 2Sth, of
their lines of trucks and farm ma
chinery. The company will stage a parade
of trucks and tractors during the day
and the evening will culminate in a
free dance honoring the farmers and
truckers of this territory. Mr. Bab
bitt, the manager of the company
will have good music and a free
lunch for the guests.
SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
The reports from Sebetha, Kansas,
are to the effect that Mason Wall and
Dale Brumbaugh, local young men
who were badly burned a few days
ago, are doing as well as possible un
der the circumstances. The boys are
under constant care and while their
injuries are very severe it is hoped
that they may soon be able to show
definite gains.
POLICE COURT DOINGS
Saturday evening Officers Jarvis
Lancaster and David Pickrell were
busy in rounding up several offend
ers against the peace and dignity of
the city by overindulgence in intoxi
cating liquor.
Harry Heyor, a resident of the
camp north of this city, was charged
with disturbing the peace and for
which he was fined $10 and costs. He
! was realsed on the recommendation
and promise to pay by December
19th.
Louis Kuhney was also charged
with intoxication and received a fine
of $10 and costs and which he ar
ranged to settle and was released to
secure the iunds.
Claude A. Ruse
Wins First Place
in Auto Sales
Plattsmouth Dealer's Percentage of
Increase Over Last Year's Quota
Highest in Omaha Branch.
Claude A. Ruse lias recently been
announced the winner of the sales
contest in the Omaha Branch Terri
tory which includes Nebraska, Iowa,
and part of South Dakota. The award
was made by the Ford Auto Co.,
upon the basis of the increase of sales
over last year's quota. Rogers of Lin
coln and McGuire of Grand Island
were the other winners. The three
received a free trip to Dallas, Texas
as a prize.
There are about 180 dealers in the
Omaha branch who entered the S. T.
S. campaign. Over 800 dealers in
territories over the United States and
Mexico were given free trips to the
Dallas Exposition November 13 to 1C.
The Ruse Auto Co. has sold about
210 cars and trucks during the past
year. Prospects for the next year
look good as the company has re
ceived orders for 35 new Fords dur
ing the first week. Mr. Ruse entered
business here in April 1932. He has
been a Ford salesman since Sept
ember 192C and came from Omaha to
Plattsmouth.
During October Mr. Ruse attended
the meeting for Ford dealers which
was held in Detroit. 38 special trains
carried dealers from all part of the
United States, Mexico and Canada to
this meeting. About 8,000 attended.
TALKS ON SPAIN
The weekly luncheon of the Ro
tary club was marked Tuesday by a
very fine talk on one of the most
rital subjects today in the minds of
the world, that of "Spain."
Miss Jessie Whelan of the local
high school faculty, was the speaker
and took up the program with a clear
and thorough discussion of the
causes of the great civil conflict that
is now wrecking the once great na
tion. The long centuries of misrule
and oppression by the ruling classes
had sown the seeds of the present
storm of revolution that is laying
waste the whole nation in the strug
gle against the communistic govern
ment forces by the fascist revolution
aries, who are now battling on the
outskirts of Madrid. The talk was
splendidly given and reflected the
deep study that the speaker had given
to the subject. It was one of the
best discussions of current events
that the club has enjoyed in many
months.
Chester Foster and Herbert Stand
er. high school students, who have
been honorary members of Rotary
for the month of November, also gave
a fine talk on their impressions of
Rotary" and Its work.
P00TBALL BANQUET
The banquet honoring the Platts
mouth high school football team has
been definitely set for Monday eve
ning, November 30th. The banquet
will be at the American Legion
building. The program will embrace
a talk by Marchmont Schwartz, foot
ball coach at Creighton university,
as well as the pictures of Nebraska
Minnesota game and which will be
featured by Johnny Williams, well
known Husker star. The admission to
the banquet will be sixty cents, this
admitting a man and a student. The
school will assign the boys to their
adult escorts.
Louisville
Courier Changes
Ownership
l! J. Mayfield Disposes ol Publication
to D. C. Huffman In Mayfield
Family for 53 Years.
With the issue of the Louisville
Courier this week, the ownership and
management of the paper passes from
the hands of the Mayfield family.
who for a period of over fifty-three
years have conducted the paper.
The present owner, L. J. Mayfield.
has disposed of the paper to D. C.
Huffman, of Lincoln, who will assume
charge of the plant and the publi
cation of the paper on December 1st.
Mr. Huffman comes of a newspaper
family, three of his brothers bing
engaged in the business and Mrs.
4
v ill
L. J MAYFIELD
Long Time Editor of the Louisville
Courier, Now Retiring
Huffman, who will assist her hus
band in the conduct of the Courier
is also a newspaper woman. Both
are linotype operators and have had
years of experience in the newspaper
and printing game.
Mr. Huffman was formerly in the
newspaper business in Wyoming, but
for a number of years has been en
gaged in this line of work at Lin
coln. The newspaper fraternity of Cass
county will extend to Mr. Huffman a
cordial welcome to the field here and
at the same time regret very much
to see Lee Mayfield and Mrs. Mayfield
retire from the newspaper game. Mr.
Mayfield has been actively in charge
of the Courier for the past forty
three years and Mrs. Mayfield has
been in charge of the news depart
ment of the paper and both are well
known over the entire county.
With the sale of the plant Mr. and
Mrs. Mayfield will have the oppor
tunity of going to Texas again this
winter for their fourth visit to the
gulf coast country, where they may
remain as long as they wish and have
no care to mar their outinp. They
are leaving after the first of Decem
ber for the south and may go on to
California from Texas later in the
season, but expect to return to Louis
ville late next spring.
VISITS IN OLD HOME
From Tuesday's Daily
A. W. Propst of Jacksonville,
Florida, was here for a snort time
today to visit with the old friends,
while en route to Nebraska City,
where he was located in the auto
mobile business for several years.
Mr. "Propst has been at Rock Island.
Illinois, for the funeral services of
his father-in-law, Charles S. Johnson.
Mrs. Propst is remaining at Rock Is
land for a short time.
HAS INJURED FOOT
James Benedict while engaged in
cutting wood Saturday, had the mis
fortune to injure his left foot and
which makes necessary his getting
around on crutches. The ax he was
cutting with glanced from the wood
and the side of the ax struck the
young man on the foot, causing a se
vere bruise and injury that will make
it necessary for him to be off the foot
for some time.