VOL. NO. iin
Official Announcement Made by A. K. Donovan,
State WPA Director of Information, at
Meeting Chamber of Commerce
OTHER STATE WPA
T. H. Pollock, Chairman of Missouri River Improvement
Committee, Outlines the Project A. A. Batson, Lloyd
Woodard, D. P. DeBord, Mark Kerns Heard
A. K. Donovan, director of information, today ave the long
hoped-for announcement of the approval of a WPA project for
construction of a dock and warehouse on the Missouri river at
Flattsmouth. The information was given at the noon luncheon of
the Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce.
T. H. Pollock, chairman of the Missouri River Improvement
committee of the C. of C. outlined the project and reviewed the
history of its approval, dating back to early 1935 when application
was first formulated. Other members of this committee are A. L.
Tidd and E. J. Richey.
D. P. DeBord, chief engineer for the Works Progress Ad
ministration in Nebraska, made a few remarks and praised the
Plattsmouth committee. A. A. Batson, assistant director of WPA
in Nebraska was also introduced. Director Felton had planned to
attend the meeting here, but was called away on urgent business.
Llovd A. Woodard, supervisor of operations of WPA in Nebraska,
made a few statements to the chamber.
Mark Kerns of Nebraska City, project inspector, was also pres
ent at the meeting. He has been active in getting the project shaped
for final approval and will carry on the construction work of the
dock and road leading thereto. D. R. Thornton, head of the U. S.
Engineers office in Ptaffsniouth showed his enthusiasm for thc-
building of a dock at Plattsmouth
given to Mr. Thornton for his work on the project by E. J. Richey,
member of the committee. Praise was also given to Capt. Herbert
I.oper and his force of engineers for their co-operation.
A. L. Tidd told of the work in
finally securing aproval of the dock
project and praised both the city and
the county commissioners for their
assistance.
Carl Schneider, president, called
upon Searl Davis, chairman of the
committee appointed to raise the
last $2,000 required to assure "WPA
approval through private subscrip
tion in Plattsmouth. Mr. Davis as
sured the workers of the backing
of the city as the work progresses.
Other members of the finance com
mittee were Waldemar Soennichsen,
John Sattler and E. J. Richey.
Other guests from out of town
were Russell Peters, managing edi
tor of the Omaha Bee News and
Ernest Jones, representing the Om
aha World-Herald.
Following the meeting, the com
mittee with their guests drove to
the river site to see the future loca
tion of the dock.
Will Involve Large Expenditure
Between 65 and 75 thousand dol
lars will be spent in Plattsmouth. The
project consists of three parts. A
concrete dock 250 feet long by 56
feet wide and a warehouse on the
dock 30 by 200 feet are to be con
structed. The road from First Btreet
to the dock is to be graded and rock
surfaced. The third part of the con
tract calls for the grading and rock
surfacing of Lincoln Avenue from
3rd Btreet past the shops to high
way No. 75, one and a quarter miles.
While working on the rivtr im
provement project, the War depart
ment graded and paved a waterfront
at the site of the future dock which
is over 2000 feet long. This water
front has an 80 foot board mattress
under water. It was put in at an
expense of approximately $40,000.
Work to Begin Immediately
Bids will be let immediately and
it is expected that work will open
with at least 100 men on the Job
early in June. T. H. Pollock will
work with Mark Kerns of Nebraska
City, project inspector. They will
have offices in the Gund building on
4th and Main streets in Plattsmouth.
A building is being erected near the
site of the dock for offices and as a
warehouse for materials and tools.
Plattsmouth will have the firBt
dock above Kansas City, a federal
barge line is now operating as far as
DIRECTORS HERE
in his remarks. High praise wasjaisle to take their positions in the
Knn?'iq Citv whih eives 391 miles
of river navigation. Plattsmouth will
tmi thp rivpr mileaee to 634 miles
Engineers have declared that no point;
above Plattsmouth has as favorable
a location for a dock as Plattsmouth.
Transportation Next Summer
Earge lines are expected to come
up the Missouri by the summer of
1938. It is expected that a nine-foot
channel will be cut by that time with
a width of 1,000 feet. A single barge
is able to carry 27 carloads of freight
and one tow boat is able to push six
barges. As a result cheap transpor
tation rates will be in effect.
Assurance that the pavement on
the "O St." road will be completed
gives Plattsmouth a paved road to
Lincoln. As a result this will prob
ably be the port of entry for Lincoln
and points west.
Fort Peck Dam Control
Water for the Missouri river chan
nel will be regulated through the
Fort Peck dam which is being con
structed at Fort Peck, Montana. This
is to be the largest artificial body of
water in the United States. Surplus
water is to be stored here, at the
head waters of the Missouri, and run
into the channel during dry periods.
Grading on the road and on Lin
coln Ave., will be done this fall and
the rock surfacing will be completed
during the winter months. WPA
labor is being used on the project.
Cass county commissioners have
voted $9,000 toward the project and
the city has raised $2,000 by private
subscription.
Mo. River Improvement Committee
Credit for the location of the dock
at Plattsmouth may be given to the
Missouri River Improvement commit
tee which was appointed from the
Chamber of Commerce three years
ago. T. H. Pollock is chairman. He
has been assisted by E. J. Richey,
A. L. Tidd and John Turner.
In March of 1936, Messrs. Pollock,
Tidd, and Richey drove to Peoria, 111.,
where they inspected the dock along
the Illinois river and the general ef
fect of river navigation and water
rates on the commercial life of that
section. They came back enthusiastic
over the success of the dock there and
worked on the Plattsmouth dock.
Gains for Farmers
The present project was approved
nr
nearly a year ago but the amount
for labor against material has
changed the plans a number of times
since so that final approval has just
been made. '
Gains to Cass county farmers
through cheaper transportation has
been estimated at $150 per year per
ICO acre farm. The river transpor
tation will also mean cheaper rates
for fuel nad lumber supplies to Platts
mouth people.
Five acres for the dock site and
66 feet for the road have been
donated by T. H. Pollock.
Members of the committee have
subscribed to a clipping bureau and
feel confident that new industries
will find Plattsmouth a favorable lo
cation for their operations.
Impressive
Church Wedding
Held at Manley
Miss Rose Sheehan and Mr. Lyras I
Massoth Married Thursday at
St. Patrick's Church.
About fifty relatives and intimate
friends gathered in St. Patrick's
church, in Manley. Thursday, May
iULii iu ftiiutsa mt- niaiuagf ui
Rose Sheehan and Mr. Lynus Mas -
on!. . 1. :. f
soth.
To the strains of Lohengrin's wed
ding march, played by Mr. George
Rau, the bridal party moved up the'
sanctuary, which was beautifully de
corated with spring flowers.
The ceremony, performed by the
pastor, Rev. James Hennessy was fol-
- juiinraiic i'.squaa 01 11 veterans next springjtnat enueareu mm to tno.se
l"c "U'H""
jceieoratea. i he music throughout the
mass was simP,e but effective and
during the offertory an Ave Marie
was sung by Mr. George Rau.
The bride, attractively gowned in
powder-blue with white accessories
and wearing a shoulder corsage of
sweetheart loses was attended by her
sister. Miss Catherine Sheehan, wear
ing a daffodil colored gown, white
accessories with a shoulder corsage
of orchid sweet peas.
Mr. Massoth was attended by his
brother, Mr. Charles Massoth of
Geneva.
Miss Sheehan has lived in Man-
ley all her life, has hosts of friends
and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Sheehan, one of the best
known and highly esteemed families
in the community.
Mr. Massoth who has made many
friends during his residence in Man
ley, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John
Massoth of Geneva, equally well
known and respected in their com
munity. Following the church services a
wedding breakfast was served at the
home of the bride's parents. Be
sides the close relatives the follow
ing friends were included: Rev.
James Hennessy, Mr. George Rau,
Mr. Ralph Welte and Mr. and Mrs.
John Stander.
Immediately after the breakfast
Mr. and Mrs. Massoth left for a brief
wedding trip. They will be at home
to their friends in Manley after June
15th where for the preset they will
reside.
Those attending from a distance
included Mrs. John Massoth, mother
of the groom, son Charles, and
daughter, Dorothy, Mrs. J. A. Schrop
fer." aunt of the groom, Geneva,
Xebr.; Mr. and Mrs. John Zoz, Cook;
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Meyer, Avoca;
Miss Margaret Sheehan, Omaha; Mr.
Edward Sheehan, Falls City.
PROMOTIONAL EXERCISES
The eighth grade promotional ex
ercises of the Cass county schools will
be held on Saturday, May 29th at 2
p. m. at the Plattsmouth high school.
State Superintendent Charles W.
Taylor will be the principal speaker
of the program.
il 1
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, MAY
nn
jiJ
George Adam
Captain Tarkio
Tracksters
Flattsmouth Young: Man Selected to
Head the Owls Track Team for
the Season cf 1933.
George Adam, a junior at Tarkio
College and a graduate of Platts
mouth high school in the class of
1933, has been elected captain of the
Tarkio College track team for 193S.
George has made a letter on the
Owl team for the last three years.
competing in the low hurdles and
the half mile relay. He has also
won two letters in football at guard
position, though he is one of the
smallest linemen in the Missouri con
ference. In addition to his competition in
athletics, George has had time to
sing in the tenor section of the men's
glee club and on the quartet of the
gospel team.
Though these activities consume a
great deal of time and he must work
a part of each day to help pay the
expenses of his education, George
has ranked in the uyper fifteen per
cent of his class and his name has
appeared on tne scholastic
!eat - h vear.
honor roll
The honor which has come to
George at the hands of his team -
mates is a well deservod one because
he is a hard worker an 4 a conscien -
tious observer of training rules.
The Tarkio team finished second in
the Missouri conference this year
after holding the championship in
1934 and 1936. George will head
wnicn mil inriuae io lormer nans..
; mouth high school team-mates, Don!
Cotner, state champion broad-jumpor
and holder of the Missouri record and
Stuart Porter, champion shot-putter.
RETURNS FROM HONOLULU
Mrs. E. G. Ofe returned Tuesday
evening from a three month trip to
Honolulu, Hawaii. She left in Feb
ruary and went by way of Canada.
In Honolulu Mrs. Ofo visited her sis
ter and husband, Warrant Officer and
Mrs. Berggren.
Mrs. Ofe was especially impressed
by the vivid coloring of the flowers
ion the island. She describes the soil
as being of a deep reddish brown. It
is composed of volcanic ash. This
coloring makes the foliage and bios
soms look even more brilliant. She
found the climate to remain the same
all the time she visited the island.
The temperature remained btween
70 and S5 degrees. Mrs. Ofe stated
that it rains very easily on the island
not hard rains but fine mist falls.
The ocean is warmer than the air and
the group went swimming at Christ
mas time.
More oriental people are on the is
land than whites. Most of the white
people are connected with either the
army or the navy. All kinds of re
ligion are to be found on the island.
The trip across the ocean took five
days.
The return trip was made on the
Molola to Los Angeles. Mrs. Ofe
spent a month visiting friends in
Oceanside. Los Angeles, and San
Diego, Calif. She reports that the
weather was quite cool in California
during her visit there and she found
the weather here much warmer. Mrs.
Ofe arrived at S:03 in Omaha on the
Union Pacific Challenger.
RETURN FROM CONVENTION
Plattsmouth dentists returned
from the Nebraska State Dental So
ciety convention in Omaha Wednes
day evening. They report a very fine
session. 560 dentists were registered
this year, which is the largest num
ber in the past ten years. Child
health and preventative dentistry
were stressed throughout the convention.
J S3
J
24, 1937.
ATTEND HEARING
From Thursday's Daily
Mayor George Lushinsky, City At
torney J. Howard Davis and Council
man John E. Schutz were at Lincoln
today where they appeared before the
state liquor commission. A hearing
is being held before the commission
today 011 the matter of the applica
tion of Joseph Lapidus for a license
for a retail package liquor store. The
application was not approved at a
meeting of the city council owing
to the city ordinance that recom
mended only two of the package
stores in the city. Mr. Lapidus and
counsel were also in attendance at
the hearing to present their case be
fore the commission.
'Mont' Robb of
Union Dies After
a Long Illness
A Pioneer Resident of Northern Otoe
and Southern Cass County Is
Called to the Last Rest.
W. H. M. Robb, a pioneer of north
ern Otoe county and southern Cass
county, died Friday morning at his
home at Union where he has been
I critically ill for the past five months.
i Complications was given as the cause
; of death.
"Mont"
Robb, as lie was best
1 known, has long been an active fig-
Jure in the life of Cass county and had
j a very wide acquaintance especially
'among the older residents of the
j county and his friends were mans'.
aihe having a very genial personality
TufnYpfvf
the opportunity of knowing him best.ja ost cleliffAUui opening oi tne ec-
Mr. Robb has largely lived hisjnin
life in Wyoming precinct, Otoe coun-! L- S. Devoe, superintendent of
ty and in Union, altho he was for J schools, presided as the master of
some time a resident of Plattsmouth ceremonies while the song leader was
and operated the Hotel Riley some
twenty years ago.
During his lifetime Mr. Robb was
very prominent in republican poli
tics in the state and his presence was
noted at all of the gatherings both
state and county and he was recog
nized as one of the leaders in this
section. He was at one time steward
of the state penitentiary under Gov
ernor John H. Mickey.
Washington Hammond Montgom
ery Robb was born August 14, 1S54,
in Muncy. Pa., the son of Fleming
and Ellen W. Robb. Two years later
they came to Nebraska, settling in
Wyoming precinct. The elder Robb
added to hi3 land holdings, became
one of the most influential of the
early settlers. Although he had been
a tanner in Pennsylvania and follow
ed the trade for a number of years,
his ambition was to move west and
acquire a home.
W. H. Robb grew to manhood in
Wyoming precinct. A member of the
Episcopal church, it is significant
that his father established the Wyo
ming church and Bishop Talbot
preached the first sernon in the
Robb home. The family, arriving in
Nebraska, crossed the river near the
townsite of Old Wyoming, now a
"ghost town."
W. IT. M. Robb was married June
29, 1S76, to Jessie M. Walbridge In
Wyoming precinct. There were three
children. C. August Robb, Union, and
F. W. Robb, Lincoln, who survive,
and Hugh M. Robb, who is dead.
Other surviving relatives are Jane,
John, Mary Donnelly and Elizabeth
Robb, grandchildren.
Mrs. Robb died at Union on March
28, 192S. Mr. Robb was a member
of the M. W. A. lodge.
SECOND OPERATION
Charles Koke had a second oper
ation made Wednesday for the drain
ing of his lung. Dr. Pucelik perform
ed the operation. Mr. Koke is report
ed to be slightly better today. He is
now at the home of his mother-in-law,
Mrs. Virgil Arnold.
n aa ri rji
fqm 1 oj CT f
Community Banquet Honoring
Heroism of Sylvester Brothers
Attended by Large Number
More Than 150 Gather to Extend Honors to the
Cass County Officers Who So Bravely
Carried Out Duties of Office.
GIVEN BEE-NEWS SCROLLS, WINCHELL ORCHIDS
D. T. Ladd, Director of the
at Chicago, Principal Speaker Recognition Paid
Sylvesters by Other Speakers 011 Program.
Sheriff Homer Sylvester and Deputy Sheriff Cass Sylvester
were the honor quests a-t the banquet held Thursday evening at the
American Legion community building sponsored by the King Korn
Klul). in which they received well deserved tribute for their capture
here on the evening of April 16th, of Alfred Powers and Robert
Suhay. Xew York bank bandits and slayers of H. W. Baker,
federal operative, earlier that same day in the postoffice at Topeka,
Kansas.
The sheriff and his efficient deputy were presented with
framed scrolls on which were inscribed "the citation of their brave
deed, the scrolls being signed by R. L. Cochran, governor of Ne
braska, and J. Kdgar Hoover, head of the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation in Washington. The scrolls were prepared and offered
i. gift from the Omaha Bee-Xews. Also, an orchid was presented
to each of the two nationally famous brothers, as a special gift
from Walter Winchell. redio commentator and newspaper colum-
:vst. -who has twice mentioned the
The banquet was prepared by thejdiatrk.t q tbe WM caUe(1 upon
ladies of the American Legion Aux-, ... ,
j illJ1 d"u '
.
who hadiservecl 1,y tne 'oun&er girls and made
j oeorge Jaeger wun t. 11. v escoo. ii
the piano.
The high school orchestra, which
has so graciously aided 'in several of
the community gatherings, gave a
fine musical program during the serv
ing, Lee Knolle being the director.
Visitors Presented
Toastmaster Devoe took the occa
sion to call on a number of the visi
tors and Mayor O. C. Hinds, of Weep
ing Water gave a very witty and
clever response for the delegation
from that city, the largest outside
group present.
Others presented and responding
were Elmer Hallstrom, of Avoca,
Walter Wunderlich of Nehawka,
Charles Barnard of Mynard, Sheriff
Beadel, of Sarpy county, County
Commissioner E. B. Chapman of
Union, William Boland of Omaha
who extended words of congratula
tion to the honored guests of the eve
ning. Mayor George Lushinsky extended
the welcome to the visitors in behalf
of the city and added his voice to
the community feeling of gratifica
tion for the splendid work of the
Sylvester brothers and the fine ex
ample that they have given of brave
and fearless officers.
State Sheriff William Flake, head
of the state law enforcing depart
ment, was present as the represent
ative of Governor R. L. Cochran, pay
ing a fine tribute to the services of
the Sylvesters which had brought
honor to the record of law enforce
ment in Nebraska. He praised the
fine spirit of co-operation that had
been shown between the county and
state officers in seeing that the laws
were enforced properly.
Toastmaster Devoe presented Mrs.
Homer Sylvester and Mrs. Cass Syl
vester who received a very enthu
siastic greeting as well as the daugh
ters of Sheriff and Mrs. Sylvester who
were present at the banquet. The
daughters are Mrs. Olive Richardson,
Avis. Mayone, Willa, Margaret and
Patty Ann.
II. B. Fletcher, head of the Omaha
Nefcr. S'ate Historical Society
NO. 31
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Sylvesters over the air, ,
' anu gave a icn vtij tiuniuf, k .i
i of nraise for the work of the Sylves-
ters in the capture of the two bandits
here in April, expressing for his de-
Ipartment the appreciation felt for so
promptly ard effectively placing be
hind the bars two desverate criminals.
Mr. Devoe also presented the mem
bers of the banquet committae of the
King Korn Klub, R. W. Knorr, chair
man; F. P. Busch, C. C. Wescott,
Henry Soennichsen, 11. A. Schneider.
John E. Turner, and E. A. Webb, who
received tha greetings of the aud
ience. How It Happened
The idea of the public recognition
of the Cass county officers came as an
inspiration of the directors of the
Omaha Bee-News and to their efforts
was due the fine climax of their plans
and the details that linked the ban
quet, as a state and national recog
nized event. The staff had prepared
the scrolls and other details that
made the event one long to be re
membered. Fred I. Archibald, asso
ciate publisher of the Bee-News was
presented and told of the fine work
of the Cass county officers. Mr.
Archibald stated this was a very
notable occasion, that the eyes of the
nation had centered on Cass county
and Plattsmouth and their law en
forcing officers and that all of the
praise and recognition was well de
served by the modest and faithful
officers of Cass county. Mr. Archi
bald made the presentation of two
very beautiful orchids, the gift of
Walter Winchell and which will long
remain a pleasant memory for the
Sylvester family.
Mr. Archibald Introduced Rus
sell H. Peters, managing editor of
the Bee-News, who had been the
originator of the plan for the public
recognition of the two Cass county
officers. Mr. Peters told of the birth
of the idea, as he had been deeply
interested in the fine work of the
Sylvesters and thought that it should
have more than a mere passing recog
nition that might be given in the
news. He contacted J. Edgar Hoo
ver and who had inspired him to the
preparation of the scrolls and their
signatures ty Governor Cochran and
Mr. Hoover. Mr. Peters made the for
mal presentation of the scrolls to
the two guests of honor and these
later were passed through the ban-
OContinuod on ptft I .)