K.U. alila Mitotic!
7Th(
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semi-weekiy edition- eight pages
VOLUME XXVI11 PLATTSMOUTII, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAKCII IS 1909
vt.
FREIGHT DEPOT
Fire Consumes B. & IY1. Struc
ture Early Sunday Morning
Fire yesterday morning at five
o'clock wiped out a land mark in the
shape of the Burlington freight sta
tion. The loss was placed at approx
imately $2,000 nearly all of which Is
on the building. As is usual on Sat
urday the goods are quite generally
cleaned out for Sunday and this was
no exception.
The origin of the fire is unknown
but it is thought to have started from
an overheated stove or possibly by
matches ignited by rats. Whatever
the cause the flames did a good Job
as there was literally nothing left
of the frame part of the building.
The platform did not ignite and re
mained In good shape for business.
The fire was first seen by Joe Per
ry, who notified Night Policeman An
ton Nltka who turned in the alarm.
Within a few minutes after discov
ery the building was a mass of
flames, the large open space of the
freight room making a powerful
draft through which the flames roar
ed and blazed. The fire department
arrived when it was too late to save
the building or its contents, but they
did excellent service in saving a big
string of freight cars standing along
' side the doomed building. Owing to
the quiet night, there being no wind
to speak of, the flames were con
fined to the depot and to one car
which was badly burned. South of
the depot are two large oil tanks
of the Standard Oil Company and for
awhile it was feared they would fall
victims to the devouring element.
Dies in Oklahoma.
Died Nevotony. Mrs. Joes., at her
home near roccassett, Okla.. of.
heart failure, on February, 27,
1909, aged 73 years.
Word was brought to this city by
Mr. John Vettesnik of the death at
Poccassett, Okla., of Mrs. Joseph
Novotny, formerly of this city. This
estimable woman died very suddenly
of heart failure. Her husband had
preceded her to the Great Beyond
about one year ago last July. The
sorrowing children of the deceased
have the entire sympathy of the ocm
munity in their sudden rebcavetn
munity in their sudden bereavement.
Mrs. N'evotny was born In Bo
hemia and when an infant came to
America with her parents. Later she
met Joseph Nevotny, an estimable
Bohemian citizen, and they were
married. Of this union two children
survive, Frank, a son, and Ludmila,
a daughter, both residents of Okla
homa, living near Poccassett. In
addition there was an adopted son
John who also lives in Oklahoma.
Mrs. Nevotny's many friends In
this city, will hear of ber passing
with the deepest possible regret.
The Late Par Minus Turn.
Died. Turn. Par Minus, at his
home In Plattsraouth, Neb., on
, March 13, 1909, aged 68 years, 3
months and 3 days. Funeral Sun,
day, March 14, 1909. Kev. John
Swanson officiating.
Mention was made last Saturday
of the death of Mr. Turn, for twenty
one years a resident of this city.
Born In Sweden on December 10,
1840, Mr. Turn came to America in
1879, locating In this city. On Jan
uary 28, 1888, he was married to
Miss Johanna Johnson In this city,
she surviving him.
The funeral was held yesterday
from his residence, Rev. John Swan
son of Wahoo, preaching the ser
mon. There was a large attendance
of friends and relatives.
Among those attending the funeral
from abroad were Mrs. Oscar John
i son, Mrs. Nels Johnson and Mr. Chns.
Matson of Omaha, all relatives of the
deceased. The sympathy of the entire
'community Is extended to the sor
rowing widow.
In County Court.
1 In county court today a license
was Issued to Jas. Flnshman, aged
34, and Miss Sophia Helmut, aged
2."), both residents of the neighbor
hood of Nehawka and both popular
people, of their neighborhood.
$ A license was also Issued last Sat
urday to Chrlss Rasmussen, aged 26,
tnd Miss Ingeborg Christine Morgen
wn, aged 23, both of Weeping Water.
IS DESTROYED
Had they taken fire the explosion
which would have followed would
have ignited the storehouse of the
Gund Brewing Company and the res
idences of the neighborhood, causing
heavy loss. Chief Koubek was
promptly on hand and directed the
fire fighting with a view of saving
these tanks and buildings and was
quite successful.
The loss of the building Is placed
by railroad men at $1,500 while the
loss on contents in the building is
placed at $100. A freight car and
contents were destroyed, the value of
the car being placed at $350 while
the contents are estimated at about
$100 in value. One unfortunate fea
ture of this car was that it con
tained the household goods of Mr.
Harmon, a brakeman on the road,
who was moving Into this city from
Lincoln. These were a total loss and
it falls heavily upon him as he was
just starting out housekeeping.
The fire burned nearly an hour
and lit up the heavens with its glare.
The building destroyed was an old
timer, having been originally built
as a part of a combination freight
and passenger station in 1869. Later
it was removed to where the cattle
later It was again moved to where th
later it was again moved to the foot
of Main street where It has since
stood. It will undoubtedly be rebuilt
at once and likely made a better
structure as the railroad policy is
toward making permanent Improve
ments. Basket Making In Plattsmoutli.
An Industry of which few people
are aware of In Plattsmouth Is that
of basket making. John Jilek, an en
terprising Bohemian basket maker
has been for some time engaged in
making baskets which he has placed
on the Omaha market at fancy prices
prices. The trouble is lack of cap
ital to develop this Industry and if
the Commercial Club or some enter
prising local capitalist would furnish
money to start this Industry they
would find it a most profitable one.
Machinery bhould be secured and
every effort made to develop the bus
iness. Mr. Jilek is a finished work
man and has been selling baskets as
fast as he could turn the mout. In
their construction he uses hickory
wood nnd this makes a splendid bas
ket. Further consideration will be
given this matter later, space for
bidding an extended write-up today.
It is something which local business
men and capitalists could take up
and they will find it highly profit
able. State-Wide Prohibit ion.
From Monday's Pally.
llev. Luther Moore, the pastor of
rousing mass meeting in the First
Methodist Episcopal church In this
city Sunday evening, In which the
opening of the campaign for state
wide prohibition in 1910 wns official
ly announced.
The address was an eloquent and
masterful one, and coming on the
eve of the defeat of county option
by the state senate by only one vote,
he advised the listeners to at once
begin organization for the year 1910.
The members of the three
churches, the Methodist, Presbyter
Ian and Christian, and many others
formed the large audience, which the
speaker had with him from the be
ginning to the finish.
Mrs. Hilt Wescott led the choir
of sixteen voices that furnished mist
excellent music. One feature was a
fine solo by Mr. Don C. York, on,, o,'
the city's best singers.
The meeting was given under the
auspices of the Women's Christian
union.
Turners He on Hand.
The attention of those taking
turning nt the German Turners' 1 1 nil
Is called to the new work outlined,
which Includes new drills and march.
Ing exercises, also work on appa
ratus. The full membership of the
active class should make It a point
to attend us these exercises are of
benerit and with a large number Is
very Interesting. A project to or
ganize a "Hikers" club among the
members for walking "stunts" Is also
among the new Ideus to be acted on,
so be sure and attend ,
I MOM M EXT TO MEMORY
OK ABRAHAM L1XCOLX.
IVmocratie Legislature Makes Ap
propriations of $110,000 for
Same.
Lincoln, Neb., March 16. (Special
Correspondence. ) Notwithstanding
the fact that the republican party has
been In control of the state of Ne
braska nearly all the years that has
intervened since its admission as a
state it fell to the lot of a democra
tic legislature to make a liberal ap
propriation to erect a monument at
the state capital to the memory of
Abraham Lincoln. Twenty thous
and dollars has been set apart for
this purpose and at last the state
wi.l have done proper honor to the
memory of the great emancipator.
The democratic members of the
house have held a caucuB and select
ed from its members a sifting com
mittee, which will have charge of the
work of picking out the important
bills that will come before the' lower
house for consideration. Two mem
hers were selected frdm each con
gresslonal dlstrich, and two republi
cans were given a place upon the com
mittee. Speaker Pool will be chair
man, and the fact that the selection
of this committee was made by the
members of the caucus was no reflec
tion upon this gentleman, who has
the confidence and respect of the
house, but it was done in confor
mlty to the democratic principle ln
augurated at the opening of the sea
slon, and by which the house took
upon Itself the prerogative of select
ing its own committees. Represen
tatlves Taylor of Custer, Henry,
Bowman, Clark and others were ac
tive in advocating this plan, and that
it has met with approval Is evidenced
by the fact that strong words of
commendation in is favor have come
from every part of the entire coun
try.
The general appropriations bills
have taken up part of the time of
the house during the week. A defi
ciency of one hundred and ten thous
and dollars came down to the leg
islature .from the last republican
administration which must be made
up and the bill paid. The people of
the state will be glad to know that
the wards of the commonwealth will
be properly cared for by this legis
lature. That the state Institutions
will be maintained and that every
dollar necessary for their proper
maintenance will be generously giv
en. No one desires that the people
should be niggardly in this respect,
but it Is now patent that the governor
and the legislature propose to see
that every dollar appropriated goes
Into proper channels, and that useless
and unnecessary extravagance are cut
off.
, One of the strongest speeches made
during the session was delivered by
Senator Donohue of Holt on Wednes
day in support of his bill for the en
actment of the initiative and refer
endum. Among the other strong
members of this body from out in the
state are Ollis, Henry, Tlbbets and
Fuller.
One of the ' bills passed by the
house is the proposal to repeal that
part of the revenue law providing for
the appointment of precinct assessors
and making these officials elective,
and placing their selection back again
In the hands of tho people where It
rightfully belongs.
The railroad lobby made n strong
effort during the week to have tho
cemmitteo on railroads of the house
report the demurrage bill for lndef
Inite postponement, but signally fail
ed in their efforts in this direction,
and the bill was recommended for
passage. This bill provides that
shipments must bo forwarded without
delay, and carries a penalty for fail
ure to do so, making the conditions
reciprocal, as the railroads now
charge demurrage for failure to un
load cars within a certain time, re
gardless of how long the car may
havo been In transit.
The proposed law for the physical
valuation of all corporate properties
In the state is being antagonized by
every intrentched Interest within Its
borders. The bill has passed the
senate nnd will become a law. Judge
Mcl'herson, who recently decided
against the two-cent passenger law
In Missouri, based his opinion on the
earnings upon n valuation fixed by
the railroad companies. Had the
proposed Nebraska law been In force
there these valuations would have
been ascertained by the state Itself
and the facts accurately arrived at.
As an instance of what this law seeks
to accomplish It may be stated that
It Is openly asserted here that a local
gns company has charged rates based
on a valuation of their property thro
dollars or which Is water and one dol
lar actual money or Its cqulvolcnt
in value. To forever wine out this
kind of financiering and exDoso the
; methods by which corporations have
evaded taxes and charged exorbitant
rates is the purpose of this democrat
ic legislature In passing: this law.
Governor Shallenberger has signed
tne bill prohibiting the formation of
fraternal societies in the public
schools.
The bank guaranty deposit law has
passed the house and will pass the
senate as soon as the same is reached
This measure has been carefully writ
ten, and has been endorsed by the
best intelligence on this subject In
tne state. A coterie of national
bankers have quietly been taklne a
stab at this bill whenever opportunity
arroraed but their efforts have been
unavailing.
Both the house and tho senate
have recommended for passage bills
for changes in the road law. While
the measures differ in some respects
yet they each provide for the forma
tion of new road districts by the
county board, the payment of one
half of the road tax in money and
for .other changes which meet with
the approbation of the farmers in the
legislature.
The house on Friday morning by a
decisive vote refused to legalize the
donation of the Carnegie fund to the
State University professors, thus re
pudiating the efforts to have the rep
utation of our great University taint
ed with money amassed by the head
of the steel trust . Mr. Carnegie
himself has recently admitted that
the fortunes created in Bteel industry
were made under the protection of
laws which he says now ought to be
be repealed.
Death of Mrs. llartz.
Died At her home in Manley, Wed
nesday, Mrs. John Bartz, another pio
neer of Nebraska, aged 70 years, of
a stroke of paralysis, which had ren
dered her unconscious for two weeks.
Mary Newman Bartz was born near
Bltteburg, Germany, July 2, 1839.
She came to this country in 1876 and
was married to John Bartz in Dyres
vllle.'lowar October l.'ISTG. To this
union wer born 7 children. 5 sons
and 2 daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartz came to Cass
County in 1872 where they have re
sided ever since,' living for many
years on a farm southwest of Mur-
dock and for the last few years In
Manley.
Mrs. Bartz was much loved and re
spected by all who knew her and In
losing her the community loses one
of Its best cltlcens and most honored
pioneers.
The funeral services were conduct
ed by Rev. Father Hennessey nt the
Catholic church in Manlev nt 10
clock March 12. Interment wns mnde
at College Hill ecemetery.
Mrs. Bartz is survived by her hus
band, one daughter and eight irrand
children.
Those who attended tho funeral
from out the city were Mrs. Michael
Metz, daughter Rose and two sons of
hxlra, Iowa, and Mrs. Joe Droeco of
this city.
Pleased With the Country.
From Momluy'a Dully.
John Vlttensnlfl came In vestcrdav
afternoon from Chlcknsha and Poc
cassett, Oklahoma, where he has been
visiting with relatives and friends for
several weeks past. He had a de
lightful visit and found mnttcrs in
tho new state in a prosperous and
flourishing condition. Barley 'wns
up and in fine shnpe while wheat was
in the top notch condition. Thero
Is considerable corn planted and tho
general outlook for the coming year
Is very good. A heavy snow fell
there on Friday and it wns fine for
the crops. Mr. Vettesnik Is glad to
report that the former Plattsmouth
people In that country are dolns: well
and prospering. Frank Nevotny Is
doing particularly fine. Mr. Vett
esnik was much taken with Chlckn
sha which he states Is a modern and
live town of some 15, 000 people.
Is Recovering Health.
From Momluy'n liHy.
J. M. Melslnger returned vestcrdav
afternoon from n trip to Oklahoma
where ho took M-s. Melslncer for
medical treatment. The great many
mends of this lady will be pleased to
learn thnt she Is making good pro
gress and all unite in the hope that
she will he able to return home short
ly n well woman. Mr. Mclslnitor
found things in thut section very
pleasant except for an unusual snow
storm which made travel difficult
and annoying. The moisture which
the snow cased was tin excellent
thing for the country as It puts the
ground In fine condition. Mr. Mela
Inger rame up over the Rock Island
and had a very nice trip.
HOW PRICES WERE
TH1RTV-XIXE YEARS AGO.
Interesting Statement of Account
Showing the Range of lVlees
in Early Days.
Tecumsch, Neb.. March 13. Ben
son Harmon of this city has in his
possession an old statement of ac
count which is very interesting, giv
ing, as It does, the prices of common
commodities In this section in 1870.
At that time Mr. Harmon's father.
the late George Harmon of Tecumseh,
was living on a homestead bordering
on the Missoure river, Just across the
river from Brownville. There was
a little town of three or four busi
ness places near the Harmon place,
and not far from tho present town of
Phelps City, Mo., in Atchison coun
ty. The little town was called North
Star.
In Mr. Harmon's employ on the
homestead was an old colored man
who had his family and lived in a
cabin on the Harmon homestead.
The colored man possessed the his
torical name of George Washington,
and ho did his trading with a mer
chant named R. V. Mulr. at the little
town of North Star. The statements
of Mr. Washington's account were
submitted to Mr. Harmon and In set
tlement with his labor Mr. Harmon
always paid Mr. Mulr. The state
ment in question 1b dated at North
Star, Mo.,' July 1, 1870, and some of
the prices charged upon the different
items are here given:
Coffee, per pound $ .33 u
Matches, per small box 10
Tea, per pound 50
Mitts, per pair 1.75
Molasses, per gallon 1.10
Coal oil, per gallon 70
Sugar, per pound 16 2-3
Kid shoes, per pair 4. 50
Half-gallon stone fruit Jars, each..
.20
Calico, per yard 10
Yarn, per skein 1.25
Braid, per yard 10
Flannel, per yard .90
Muslin, per yard .20
Plain buttons, per don . . . . 20
Chewing tobacco, per pound. .50
A goodly portion of the old Har
mon homestead has long since suc
cumbed to the ravages of the ever-
changing channels of the areacher-
ous old Missouri river and been
swept down stream.
The above Item in the World Her
ald attracted the attention of J. C.
York who well recalls all tho parries
o the nhove transaction and the times
It refers to. Mr. York was a resi
dent of the vicinity of North Star
and quite distinctly remembers the
George Harmon spoken of above.
Ho bIho can verify tho statements of
prices which tho table shows wire
charged. The negro servant spoke of
George Washington Is also a fam
lllar figure In his mind. The mat
ter 1s very Interesting and well worth
re-production.
Entertains Past Chiefs,
From Tuemluy'H Dally.
The past chiefs of tho Degree of
Honor were entertained at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. E. II. Booth Friday
afternoon. When Invited to the
Booth home tho pnst chiefs always
expect a delightful time and their
expectations were fully realized in
the entertainment of Friday.
For a time social conversation
and other amusements were thor
oughly enjoyed and the delicious two
course luncheon from the prctMlv
decorated table In the dining room
was not the least appreciated of the
many delightful things provided by
the thoughtful hostess for the enter
tainment of her guests. Tho color
scheme of pink and white was used
In tho servlco as well ns the decora
tions. MesdameB E. K. Parmele, Wm.
McCauley and Whlttaker assisted
Mrs. Booth In serving.
Mr. Sharp well Dies.
Word has been received In this
city of the death at Cashmere, Wash.,
of Mr. Shnrpwell, a son-in-law of
Isaac Pollard of Nehawka. The clr-
cumstnnces surrounding the deuth
make It very sad as It occurred Just
about the time of the death of Mr.
Pollard's son-in-law Thos. Bnrnum.
Mr. Shnrpwell met his death by ac
cldent also. He married Miss Lottlo
Pollard a number of years ago and
wns a splendid type of inn 11. A third
son-ln-lnw Dr. It. II. Wallace Is also
numbered among the dead. The sym
pathy of all goes out to the sorrow
Ing widow and relatives who have
lost so fine a man as Mr. Shnrpwell
was.
William Volk was a passenger this
morning for Ashland, where he will
spend the day.
Ih'atli f Mrs, Wohlfarth.
Died Wohlfarth. Mrs. Mary e".
at her home in Plattsmouth, Neb. on
Sunday, March 14, 1909, aged 42 jrs.
6 mo. and 3 days. Funeral Wednesl
day, March 17. 1909 from the Ger
man Evangelical Church at 2 o'clock
P. ra. Rev. Longhorst officiating.
Death yesterday claimed Mrs.
Mary E. Wohlfarth, the loving wlfo
of William Wohlfarth, and In so do
ing took from tho Earth one of the
best and most lovable of women.
In her lifetime Mrs. Wohlfarth was
a kind, considerate and loving wlfo
and mother and a true friend. It
is sad that such good women as she
was must pass and the loss of the
husband and children falls heavily
upon the community at large. A
woman with a wide acquaintance, a
kindly christian character, her nn.
sing is the cause of untold sorrow
and in their bereavement the family
have the indivied sympathy of the
public.
Born in Germany on August 11,
1866, deceased came to America In
1883, locating In Plattsmouth.
Three years later she married to
William Wohlfarth in this city. Of
this union six children were born, of
whom three survive her. These
three are sons; Herman and Otto and
a daughter Freda, all living at home.
in addition the husband also sur
vives her. Three sisters; Mrs. H.
M. Soennlchsen and Mrs. John Wlch
man of this city and Mrs. Anna Paash
of Scrlbner, Neb. survive her and two
brothers, Claus Ploohn of Scribncr,
Neb. and George Ploehn of Oklaho
ma. Laid to Rest.
The funeral services of the late
Frank Saffer wan held last Sunday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the
Christian church of which Mr. Saffer
was a member. The services were
conducted by Luther Moore, the pas
tor of the church. Mr. Moore spoke
from the text found in Rev. 4:1, a
text suggesting his topic, "Heaven's
Open Door and Calling Voices." At
the close of the discourse the speaker '
paid a short tribute to the life and
special emphasis on the fact of the
kind heartedness and devotion of
Mr. Saffer toward his wife and
children. It was said by an old
neighbor who had known him many
yenrs that ho was never heard to
speak a cross or unkind word to any
member of his family.
Many beautiful floral designs rest
ed on the casket which bore evidence
of the esteem Mr. Saffer held hi the
hearts of those who knew him. These
offerings were from Individuals.
Bible school classes and the Cigar
Makers' Union of which organization '
Mr. Saffer had been n member for
a number of years. The members of
this organization acted ns pall bear
ers and laid tho body to rest In Oak
Hill cemetery.
Mr. Saffer leaves n widow and six
children, five girls and one boy, to
mourn his early death. The child
ren were all present except Earle,
who Is married and lives in Brooklyn,
N. Y. In their affliction Mrs. Suf
fer and children have the sympathy
of the entire community.
Moving Days.
Mc.Maken & Sons have been quite
busy the past few days moving var
ious pnrtles from one place to anoth
er In the city, the usual spring custom
Among those moving were M. Kurth,
the butcher, who Is moving Into a re
sidence upon high school hill and L.
E. Shafroth who Is occupying the
rooms over M. Funger's store on Main
street. G. O. Owens an employ of
the Burlington, also loaded his house,
hold goods yesterday preparatory to
moving to Lincoln, where he will
mako his headquarters in the future.
Altogether spring moving has been
quite lively this year and there aro
many changes In prospect.
Xcw CnMiior at State Hank.
H. L Mouse), who has been cashier
of tho Cambridge State Bank for
nhout a yenr, hns severed his connec
tion with the Institution and will
move back to his runch, where the
business demands his attention.
The new cashier of the bnnk wih
he Mr. C. A. Phillips, of Plattsmouth,
who will arrive here with his family
next week. Mr Phillips wns former
ly cnshler of the bnnk nt Marquette
nnd bus had six yeurs experience In
the banking business nnd seems to bo
n very pleasant gentleman. Cam
bridge Clarion.
Former Senator S. L. Thomas wus
a passenger this noon on the mail
train for Omaha where he had bus
iness matters to transact.
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