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SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION- EIGHT PAGES
VOLUME XXVI11
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, TIIUHSDAVT DECEMBER !, IdOb
NO 92
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3
ER
Ill VISITS THE
DESTRUCTIVE M
Nearly a Whole Block of Business Houses Laid in Ashes Early Mon
day Morning and the Ledger Building is Among the Ruins.
Union, Neb., Dec. 6 (Special to
the Journal) Union has been visit
ed once more by a destructive con
flagration and, as a result, a large
number of business houses are today
wiped off the map. Five store build
ings were destroyed completely and
In most Instances the stocks went
with them. Conservative estimates
place the loss at 112.000 with very
little insurance, the high rates which
had been charged by the companies
preventing many of the firms from
carrying protection against fire. In
the cases in which the stocks were
not destroyed, they were hurriedly
taken from the buildings and piled
In the street where they stand now
exposed to the elements.
Street Scene in Union, Showing
Side From Stites' Drug
The t flam ..were ..discovered at
about 1:30 this morning when Agent
Williams of the Missouri Pacific at
Wyoming, and a traveling salesman
for the Loose-Wiles Candy com
pany of Kansas City, Mo., came up
the Btreet from the late Missouri
Pacific passenger train from the
north. The train was late and the
men were on their way to the hotel
at the head cf the main street of the
town when they saw flames In the
rear of Stites & Co.'s drug store. This
store stands at the Bouthwest corner
of the street intersection and a lit
tle over one block east of the Mis
souri Pacific station. As soon as the
men discovered the flames they gave
an alarm and within a few moments
a large crowd of the townspeople
were on the scene but the fire had ob
tained too great headway to be stop
ped and the drug store was Boon a
roaring mass of flames. The building
is a frame structure, which has been
built for several years and it burned
, with great rapidity. As the town is
without .fire protection little could
be done to stay the advance of the
flames and the men devoted them
selves to saving what they could 'In
the way of property.
From the drug store the flames
ate into the office of Attorney C.
L. Graves, destroying his library and
quickly reducing the office building,
also a frame structure, to a mass of
smoking ruins. The resturant of C.
W. Clark next fell a prey to the
flames and then the barber Bhop of
Louis Curtis8 went up in smoke.
Warned by the onward march of the
fiame.s editor Harry Graves of the
Union Ledger, summoned help and
while the flames were raging next
Reporter Kisses Rrido
County Judge Bceson's assistant
marriage license clerk Miss Gertrude
Deeson, this morning issued a mar
riage license to Fred W. Hunt, aged
20, and Miss Lena Kimmel, aged 17,
both of Cuncll Bluffs. The couple
came in this morning on No. 4 and
after securing the license, hurried
before Judge M. Archer, who tied
them up with neatness and dispatch.
The couple departed this afternoon
for their home.
The newly married couple got a
sudden shock while at the Burling
ton station this afternoon when a
reporter for the News assailed them
and made the bride let him kiss her.
The affair created a genuine Bensa
tlon among spectators and the sta
tion employes as It was quite unex
pected and somewhat unconvention
al to Bay the least. The happy cou
r
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ILA6E OF
door ne succeeded in getting his of
fice furniture and supplies out and
just as this was done the building
caught and went up in smoke. The
plant of the paper was saved by this
promt action and It now stands in
the open street waiting until Mr.
Graves can secure a room In which
to print his paper. He states he will
issue his paper as usual this week
and Is already hustling for space in
which to install his machinery.
The restaurant of H. M. Towns
ley came next and, although most of
the stock was saved, the building
was soon reduced to ashes. At this
time it is impossible to place ac
curately the extent of the loss In
flicted owing to some of the prop-
Scene of Fire, Block on South
Store West to Depot.
erty having been saved but those'ln
a position to estimate place the loss
at not less than $12,000 and it may
run to $15,000. Few of those los
ing property can place any figures
on the Insurance at this time but it
is known it is nowhere near enough
to cover the loss and the result is a
hard; blow to the little city.
This Is the third fire of conse
quence in the town within the past
eighteen months. It is but a short
time since the Woodman Hall and
Panning Bros. Implement house, lo
cated a block east of the buildings
just burned, were destroyed with
heavy loss and these structures have
just been replaced with new brick
buildings better and much more
creditable to the town than those de
stroyed. And it is only a short time
since that the Union Hotel went up in
smoke. The site of the latter build
ing has not been rebuilt. The fire
this morning came near extending
even farther as it wa3 close to the
blacksmith and wagon shop of W.
W. Wolfe. Fortunately the amount
of snow on the building and the
ground prevented this catching and
saved perhaps several other build
ings in the town. There is no clue
to the origin of the Are nor can any
reasonable basis for it be discovered.
It could have started from an over
heated stove but there are rumors of
Incendiarism. Owing to the number
of fires which have taken place In
that town recently the latter rumor
receives some credence. It too
early yet to say whether the burned
structures will be replaced or not but
the general belief is that part, at
least, of them will soon be recon
structed. .
ple seemed dazed at the suddenness
of the assault and the groom was
so paralyzed that the affair was over
before he could get into action and
put the ambitions of the gent on the
blink.
Advertised Letter List.
The following letters remain in
the Plattsmouth postofflce uncalled
for on this (December 6,) date, and
unless called for within a reasonable
length of time will be sent to the
Dead Letter office at Washington
Parties calling for same will please
say, "advertised:" Mrs. U.K. Billups,
S. L. Fllson, II. Kinney, Richard
Morlan, Peter Sichtermnn, Tom II
Sherwood, Frans Sager.
Mrs. L. E. Schallls Is spending
the day in Omaha, going there this
mcrnlng on No. 15.
letter ran
SENATOR OIS
II
Extends Congratulations to Mor
gan, Schlater and Beeson
Though the courtesy of Judge
Ramsey, the Journal takes pleasure
in publishing the following letter
from ex-Senator Samuel L. Thomas
written from his new home at Long
Beach, California. It will be ob
served that Senator Thomas, Repub
lican, though he be, and a good one,
too, does not fall to indicate his
great interest In the result of the
election last month. The strong at
tachment among and between the
early pioneers and for the success of
their children, Is something often so
strong as to ignore patrisan politics
entirely. Senator Thomas' careful
notation of the temperature of that
far away coast will Interest the read
er: Long Beach, Cal., Nov. 15, 1909.
Judge B. S. Ramsey,
Plattsmouth, Neb:
Dear Judge:
One month ago today I bid you
and many of my friends goodby for
the Land of the Sunset. Our long
coast line here Is facing the south
and the big waves that beat against
the beach seem to come from the
far south, where the thread Is be
ing Blowly spun the world In happy
wedlock.
I could hardly wait till the Platts
mouth Journul could reach me, giv
ing the returns of the election.
Frank, Jake and Clel elected, and to
see Frank's big majority seemed to
be the work of natural magic. I had
known their fathers from the pioneer
days of Nebraska saw them grow
as boys and develop as men.
Judge, I will send you the record
of temperature that I have kept with
a tested thermometer, beginning No
vember 1, 1909:
Nov. , Morning Noon
1 48 75
2 54 74
3 40 78
4
5
6
7
9 raining
10'
11 raining
12
12
14
15
73
65
68
74
64
52
56
54
46
54 cleared up 64
46 66
52 quit raining 58
48 64
42 66
54 64
39 64
I will send you the temperature of
the balance of this month the first
of December, 1909. The temperature
rises so slowly in the forenoon tbat
you do not notice it. An hour by
sun it will have raised 2 or 4 de
grees, ' Yours Truly,
S. L. THOMAS.
Mrs. Donat Returns Home.
Mrs. Ed. Donat, who has been
spending quite a length of time In
the hospital at Omaha, has so far
recovered that it was possible to
bring her to her home in this city
yesterday. Her husband was a pas
senger to Omaha on the morning
train and accompanied her on her
return. The lady's many friends will
be glad to note her favorable con
dition and pleased that her recovery
is assured. She has been getting
along nicely and stood the return
trip to her home easily. Mr. and
Mrs. Donat also bring reports that
other patients in the hospital from
this city are getting along very nice
ly and are well on the way to good
health. Among them is Mrs. Dr.
Cook, who is doing famously and
for whom no fears are entertained.
She has stood the operation to which
she was subjected nicely and the at
tending surgeons report her recov
ery as assured. The same is true
of Mrs. Englekemeler, who also un
derwent a severe operation and
whose condition ia pronounced .very
good indeed.
And Todd In Town.
Ami B. Todd of Denver, Col.,
came In last night on No. 2 to remain
over night with relatives, departing
for Omaha this morning, where he
will spend the day and expecting to
return to Denver tonight. Mr. Todd
Is looking very well now and seems
to be getting along very nicely. He
reports that there is snow all the
way from Denver to this city, the
snow being much heavier farther
west than here and the state of Col
orado and western Nebraska being
covered by a heavy fall. Ho in
tended to make a visit with his
brother west of the city but aband
oned the plan when ho found tho
condition of tho country roads and
tho Impossibility of getting about.
Judge II. D. Travis departed last
evening for Beatrice, where ho will
resume the trial of the Chamberlain
banking case today.
Funeral ot Nelson Jones.
The funeral of the late Nelson
Jones took place yesterday afternoon
from his late residence on lower
Mais street. There was quite a large
attendance of friends assembled to
pay a last tribute of respect to this
excellent friend. The services were
brief, being conducted by Elders
Baker of Omaha, and Lowden of
Council Bluffs. Following the ser
vices at the house the remains wer
taken to Oak Hill cemetery, where
they were laid to rest, a large num
ber of friends braving the very bad
roads and forming a cortege to the
grave. The pall bearers were all
fellow members of the fire depart
ment," being: Peter Claus, Se
cretary, Frank LIbershal; Chief
Anton Koubek; Foreman, Sam
Gouchenour; , P. W. McCrary and
Wm. Mendenhall. There was a large
attendance of members of the de
partment. The sympathy of many
friends Is extended to the sorrowing
members of the family of the deceas
ed. HE OF CUPID'S
Miss Bertha Hall and Mr. John
Fezell United in Marriage.
A quiet homo wedding took place
yesterday afternoon at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. John. S. Hall on South
Sixth street when their daughter,
Miss Bertha, was united In marriage
to John Fezell, living near this city.
The ceremony was a private one
largely, those present Including only
the immediate relatives of the con
tracting parties and a few very close
friends. The ceremony was perform
ed by Justice M. Archer.
Immediately after the performance
of the ceremony, the happy couple
and the guests sat down to a bount
eous wedding dinner, which Mrs.
Hall had prepared for the auspicious
occasion. Later., in the evening. Mr,
and Mrs. Fezell departed for their
home In the country.
The bride Is the charming daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hall, a
young lady of talent and refinement
and one whose many lovable quali
ties' have won her a high place in a
large circle of friends. The groom
ia a prosperous and energetic young
farmer living near this city, a young
man of energy and true worth and
one whom sterling character and
ability have made him many friends.
The large circle of friends and ac
quaintances of the contracting part
ies will all unite In extending their
congratulations to the happy couple
and their best wishes for a long and
happy wedded life.
It Ixxiks Suspicious.
Tom Svoboda is evidently prepar
ing for the future if one can Judge
by what he is doing. He last Satur
day concluded the purchase of the
residence property of Judge Beeson,
situated in the Becond ward on west
Elm street. The consideration is
$1,500 and it is considered a bar
gain at that price. The house is a
nice, comfortable, modern one In
every respect with plenty of good
outbuildings and lots of ground and
it will make an Ideal home. It is
not known yet Just where Judge Bee
Bon will locate and he Is Bald to be
very sorry that he made the sale.
Rumor has It that Tom's purpose
Is to take unto himself a wife before
a great while and that he had this
in view when he made the purchase.
In the meantime the smiling custod
ian of the county building Is saying
nothing but doing a lot of wood saw
ing. Tho New Cathedral at Lincoln.
Yesterday's State Journal contains
a nice write-up of the new Catholic
cathedral of that city. Tho write-up
Is Interesting to people of this city
among other reasons because the
pastor is Rev. Father Bradley, form
erly located here. Previous to Father
Bradley assuming charge of the ca
thedral, Rev. Father M. S. Shine now
located here, was the pastor, and it
largely owing to his energetic work
that the success of the great under
taking was assured. Tho write-up is
quite well illustrated with cuts of
the cathedral and its Interior na well
as tho church luminaries.
Wayne Murphy was a visitor In
the city over Sunday, coming down
from his home In Omaha yesterday
morning and returning in the evening.
VERY GUTE GAPERS
BUT ONE POOR
LITTLE MERIT
To Tell the Result of One Day's
Wandering for Wild Game.
Capt. James M. Johns and Capt.
Paul Wohlfarth arose betimes yes
terday morning and marched forth
to slew ducks, geese and rabbits,
leaving their downy couches at the
hour when the clocks were tolling
five a. m. They spent the greater
part of the day wandering along the
Missouri and Platte rivers and up the
intersecting streams and when night
fall came they had one.poor, soli
tary little rabbit to show for their
valor. And this was owing to a
case of deliberate suicide by the rab
bit. Capt. Wohlfarth claims the
glory there be to this case. He Is
said to have discovered the rabbit
and gave it pursuit on foot, being
of uncertain aim and fearful that
even this one might escape him if
he bombarded it. The rabbit did Its
best to escape but finally gave the
case up and It deliberately ran under
his feet, one of them descending up
on his neck with a dull Blckening
thud which forever more settled the
fate of bunny. Paul emitted a yell
of triumph and picked up the body
of the animal, discovering that his
aim had been true and that his heel
had broken the animal's neck. Capt.
Johns was consumed with envy and
all day has been claiming the vic
tory of Capt. Wohlfarth was a stroke
of luck and not genius thus Imita
ting Admiral Sampson and Lieuten
ant Peary and other great warriors
and explorers. The two doughty
warriors returned by a back way last
evening after the shadea of night
had fallen much worn by their long
tramp and with nothing tangible to
show their friends or families. Pub
lic opinion, however, condemns such
sportsmanship as running down an
Innocent rabbit in the Bnow.
' Last Night the Coldest.
From Wednefiday's Dally.
Last night was tho coldest bo far
of the winter. The thermometer
crawled below the zero mark for the
first time this winter and it has been
slowly getting above that mark ever
since. The cold was of the still
variety and did not make Itself felt
so much as If a wind had been blow
ing but It was all there. Trains from
the west and south are late on all
roads, although those from the east
have been practically on time. Train
No. 10 from the west due here at
3 o'clock a. m. was several hours
late, while No. 6, due here at 7:53
a. m., did not get here until 9:30.
No. 2 last night was three hours late
but most of this was due to a derail
ment In the east end of the Hast
ings yards. - The Missouri Pacific is"
running from three to six hours late
from the south and malls are conse
quently much delayed.
The weather indications are for
continued cold weather with more
snow. As there Is now nearly two
feet of Bnow on the ground another
hard snow will make sleighs and
cutters in great demand as wagons
will find the going mighty hard. The
snow Is reported as covering the
eastern slope of tho Rocky Mount
ains and extending to the Mississippi
river. Colorado, Oklahoma, ' New
Mexico and the Texas Pan-handle are
all burled under a deep coat of fleecy
whiteness and trains are making
their way with difficulty. The same
Is true of North and South Dakota
and Wyoming and Montant with
snow falling there today. The snow
In this section started in again this
noon and this afternoon there is a
steady downfall which bids fair to
last all night. Farmers who have
ventured to the city, state that snow
Is desirable now bo that they may
get around better but it probably
means a tremendous loss in corn as
thcro are thousands of acres still In
the fields ungathered. Coal men hail
the freeze and tho snow with glee
as It stiffens the roads so that they
can make deliveries.
Operated Upon for Appendicitis.
Mrs. August Engelkemcler, from
near Murray, was oporated upon last
Saturday at the Immanual hospital,
Omaha, for appendicitis. At the time
of tho operation her condition was
considered quite serious, but later
reports are to tho effect that she is
getting along aa well as could, rea
sonably be expected. Mrs. Engel
kemcler Is a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. John Albert of Plattsmouth.
How the Vote Stands.
This Is the last week of the great
World-Herald's automobile contest
and interest in It is at fever heat.
The Journal prints the standing of
Cass county's entries so that all can
see how they stand on the final
stretch of the fight. They rank fol
lows: Lona M. Lemon. Greenwood.
29,860; Katherlne Oliver, Platts
mouth, 300,969; Norma McDonald,
reenwood, 300,860; Luella Han
11, Union, 229,800: Marguerite
Thomas, Plattsmouth, 178,900;
Louise Bradway, Plattsmouth, 166,-
60; Frances Morley, riattsmouth,
27,520: Janet Brantner, Platts
mouth, 81,360; Leone Switzer, Weep
ing Water, 49,820; Ethtl Leyda,
Plattsmouth, 49,120. Clara Jenkins,
Manley, 17,160; Daisy Langhorst.
Elmwood, 10,340; Zclma Tuey,
Plattsmouth, 8,620.
A
GALL GAME
The Fairmont Team 'Litterally
Wiped the Plattsmouth Boys
Off the Face of the Map.
The basket ball game last Satur
day night at Coates' Hall was a one-
Bided affair In which the Fairmont
team literally wiped the Plattsmouth
team off the map. The game was
so one-sided that there was no In
terest In It and those who attended
were soon wearied of the slaughter.
The Fairmont team simply played
rings around the locals and scored
about whenever they got good and
ready. The final score was Fair
mont 72, Plattsmouth 20, which Is
some destructlveness. If the score
is any criterion the locals haven't
any business in the same class with
Fairmont, who seem to know about
all the rudiments of the game and
how It should be played. The visi
tors returned home yesterday flush
ed with triumph andcarrylng a nice.
new, ciuan scaip at their belt.
Monthly Public Auctions.
We note that several cities
throughout the west are holding pub
lic auctions for the benefit of farm
ers who have live stock or
other articles they want to dispose
of. The commercial club of Inde
pendence, KnB., has held these
monthly auctions for several years,
and they find that they are a great
benefit to the city. Any farmer is
permitted to bring in anything ho
has for Bale, and hundreds of farm
ers attend them every month. A
farmer may have a horse, a cow or
other stock to sell, and It may prove
to be Just what another farmer
wants, and In this way these auc
tions have proved a great thing for
the farmers, and the merchants have
benefitted therefrom. Would It not
be a good idea for the commercial
club of this city to Interest Itself
in something of this character?
Acquitted Herself Nobly
Recently at Peru, Neb., the- mem
bers of the Athenian Debating club'
debated the subject: Resolved, "That
Champ Clark's Ideas of Civil Service
are More Desirable Than Those Em
bodied in the Present System." Miss
Emma Falter of this city was one of
those taking the affirmative and she
acquitted herself with the highest
credit delivering an able argument
to sustain her side of tho debate.
The voice department of the Normal
also gave a fine concert last Satur
day night, Miss Dora Kaffenberger
of this vicinity taking part in it, be
ing one of the Blngdrs of a trio which
attracted much attention and which
was PxcnpiUnE-lv well e-lven
Cac Continued,
In county court last Saturday af
ternoon the caso against' the four
boys charged with breaking'ijnto a
house belonging to W, Aj'klrby and
taking therefrom a quantity? lum
ber and other stuff was'tpbirtihued
for thirty days as to Lcte'r'' Mahon
and Frank KInnamon atld -dldiHlssod
aa to Frank Petersen. '"t'Klrby, the
complaint, dismissed tlie'aso" fi to
Petersen, when the ottfer two5 hoys
took a thirty days conMriiUitrCiV on a
showing which their counVl, -VYl A.
Robertson made. County lAttorney
Ramsey appeared for the complaint.
Georgo Snyder drove to the city
this morning, coming in despite of
the very bad conditions of the roads.
Tho trip was a necessary one and he
found that he had to make it re
gardless of weather or rough roads.
OIIE-IDED