Nebraska Newspapers

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VOLUME XXXI.
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, MAY 6, 1912.
NO. 35.
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Be. PMII. OLDEST METHODIST
PREACHER III NEBRASKA ASHED
Well Known to the Old Residents of This Vicinity, and Preached
His First Sermon on the Ground Where Omaha Now Stands
April 24, 1850 Ninety-" Years of Age.
A special from Lincoln, under
date of May 1, says that Rev. Har
rison Prcsson, 96 years old, fath
er of Colonel J. II. Prcsson of
Omaha, at present chief recording
clerk in the governor's otlice, was
suffocated to death by gas there
today.
His housekeeper, Mrs. Helen
Whitlock, was almost overcome
when found and a 17-year-old
niece of the latter died a few
minutes afterward as a result of
the inhalation of the fumes.
Mr. Presson was one of the
pioneer Methodist preachers of
Hie state and was the oldest liv
ing minister of that denomination
in the world. He was very agile
for his years and recently when a
birthday party was held for him
here he told several of his Grand
Army comrades that he expected
lo pass the hundredth birthday.
Sixty-two years ago, in 1850,
Mr. Presson preached a sermon
on the ground where Omaha noV
stands, his congregation was
composed of a very few white
settlers, several curious Indians
and a number of westbound emi
grants, who were in the wagon
train with which be was crossing
the plains.
His grandfather lived to be 105
years old and his grandmother
died at the age of 101. His mother
died when 90.
DEPARTMENT STORE
The Proprietor of Ranger's Enter
tains Clerks and Their Escorts
at a Moonlight Picnic.
From Friday' Dally.
M. Fanger, the genial propriet
or of Ihe department store, came
in from Iowa yesterday, and
recognizing the strenuous efforts
of the charming young ladies at
his store to sell more goods this
season I ban any past year, Mr.
Fanger's generosity got the better
of him and last night, after clos
ing the store, he tendered the
young ladies and escorts a moon
light picnic down by the big
bridge.
Tie passes were procured for
the entire party through the in
fluence of some of the young gen
tlemen, and with the necessary
equipment in the grub baskets
the prty set out for the scene of
festivities. A roaring bonfire wag
started near the supper hour and
beans were cooked, weinies toast,
ed, eolTee boiled and other tooth
some dishes prepared for the
whetted appetites of the lady
clerks. The desert consisted of
hard boiled eggs and cream pie.
After the picnic supper the
party watched the moon rise,
which came up on time, viz. 9:15,
then circled about the. blazing
embers and related ghost stories
until they were afraid to come
home. The boat ride had lo be
abandoned, as Ihe water was said
to be too rough for safety. At
not a very laic nour tne merry
picnickers, chaperoned by Mr.
Fanger himself, started for the
city, and everyone on Main street
from First to Fill) were serenaded
by the home-coming crowd.
It's a Girl.
From Friday's Dally.
Anton Nesladok, of West Main
street, wore a smile about so
broad and about so high when be
reported lo T. H. Pollock this
morning I hat he would not be
able to go out on the telephone
line today. To Mr. Pollock's in
quiry as to the reason, Anton re
plied, as his smile broadened, "It's
a girl. She was born last night."
Mr. Pollock informed the young
man that he was perfectly ex
cusable and Anton returned to his
home about the happiest man in
town. The mother and child are,
doing well.
CLERKS PICNIC
In addition to the above the
Lincoln Star says:
Mr. Presson's claim to being the
first Methodist to preach a ser
mon in Nebraska is based upon
the fact that during his march to
California he stopped on the pres
ent site of Omaha, April 21, 1850,
and preached before a band of
about 100 Pawnee Indians.
Rev. Presson's early days in Ne
braska were spent preaching in
the vicinity of Plattsmouth. His
first charge was in Union. Since
that time he has preached in many
of the towns of the Nebraska City
conference. He was one of the
ministers who made up the first
conference of the Methodist
church in this state and remained
in this conefrence until he was
superannuated in 1880. His last
charge was at Greenwich, Neb.
Mr. Presson celebrated the
ninely-sixth anniversary of his
birth at his home in Lincoln, Feb
ruary 19. At this time many
friends and relatives visit fd him
and the local G. A. 11. post attend
ed in a nouy. Aiinougii wen ad
vanced in age, Mr. Presson
preached sermons up until a few
years previous to his death. He
was always known as nn active
man in church affairs and took
great interest in the development
of the church in Nebraska.
Going Some.
Dietrich Koester and his good
team figured in a runaway last
Saturday. He was coming over
the tracks by the Missouri Pacific
pump station, when the team got
scared. They ran and Mr. Koester
pulled until one line broke, and
the team turned in across A. Fi.
Jameson's lot. There is almost
everything from water tanks to
thresher engines in that vicinity,
and Ihe wagon did not miss hardly
anything movable or immovable
There was another occupant with
Mr. Koester, who finally got out
of the wagon and Mr. Koester
vainly tried to make his escape,
Once he did get out when (hey
ran over a pile of lumber, but he
was tossed in the air and was
making a good display like an
aviator, only he came down ami
lit in the wagon again. The team
ran into a telephone pole over by
Mrs. Hammer's and strange lo re
late, no damage was done. "That
was the fiercest ride I ever took,"
says Dietrich, and now maybe he
will buy an auto. Weeping Water
Republican.
John Meisinger Sick.
John Meisinger, living on Ihe
old home place west of this city
was taken ill last Monday, which
illness proved lo be an attack of
appendicitis, and while his con
(lit inn has not been considered
serious, he has suffered con
siderable and it may be necessary
to take him lo Ihe hospital for an
operation later. His parents, who
are residents of Ibis city, have
been at his home, and should the
young man be compelled to go to
Ihe hospital Mr. and Mrs. Mei
singer will look after the farm
until he returns.
In From Nehawka.
From Friday's Dally.
John Knabe and L. II. Young
from near Nehawka, were in the
city a few hours today, driving up
from their homes to look after
some linsiness mailers. liotn
gentleemu are among Ihe enter
prising, progressive and promin
ent farmers of south Cass and
both are good friends of the Jour
nal. We are pleased lo class them
among the large family of Jour
nal readers. While here Mr.
Knabe paid Ihe olllce a brief visit,
renewing his subscription lo
1913.
Mrs. Anton Svoboda and daugh
ter, Miss Marie, were passengers
on the morning train for the me
tropolis today, where Ihey visited
friends for Ihe day.
Dandelion Killer.
Gus Olson, the Plattsmouth
photographer, was in town Tues
day and Wednesday taking
numerous views of streets, houses
and public buildings. Mr. Olson
has recently bought his old part
ner out and is now going to in
crease the business, be says, until
he will have thirty or forty work
ing printing cards. He has a
dandelion killer that he declares
will kill the miserable weeds, and
will soon have it placed on sale.
If he has succeeded in finding
such a bonanza that can be guar
anteed to kill dandelions, his for
tuns is sure made. Weeping Wa
ter Republican.
BE REPRESENTED
Quite a Number of the Members
of the Plattsmouth Commercial
Club Will Attend Meeting.
From Friday's Dally.
Platlsmoulh will send a number
of live wires of the business com
munity to the slate convention of
uiimercial dubs which convenes
it Hastings Tuesday and Wednes-
ay of next week. The delegates
from tin' Plaltsniouth club are K.
. Wurl and John Halt, both
ntcrprising, up-to-date mer
banls. These gentlemen will be
lccoiupanieil by President or I tie
nmcrcial Club T. H. Pollock,
Secretary A. L. Tidd, Treasurer
Ilea Patlerson, J. P. Falter, C. C.
armele, II. A. Schneider, E. H.
Wescotl, George Falter and as
many more as will spare the time
and money to make the trip. It
will be a' booster delegation for
Mattsmoutb and Ihe bigger the
delegation the more it will attract
attention and start inquiries re
garding commercial advantages of
our beautiful and enterprising
ity.
The attractions of the conven
tion will be .Governor Aldrich as
one of t he speakers, and also Pro-
essor Harbour of Ihe state uni
versity. On the evening of May
8 a line banquet will be served at
one of the leading hotels, the
delegates and their friends par
ticipating. We hope that many
more than those named above will
catch the spirit and accompany
the delegation.
Among other mailers discussed
for the benefit of the cities of the
stale will be Ihe question of good
roads, which is one of grow
ing importance and a topic that
our own city is interested in as
much as any other. Last year
three or four members of Ihe club
attended the slate convention and
brought home ideas that has ma
terially benefited the community,
and it is President Pollock's hope
that fifteen or twenty will go on
this occasion and return chuck
full of enthusiasm for the busi
ness interests of Plattsmouth.
Miss Helen Waugh Married.
The following is taken from the
Stale Journal. The bride has
large circle of friends in this city,
whose best wishes will ever attend
her in her new home;
1 he marriage or Miss Helen
Waugh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Waugh of this city, and
F.rnesl K. Jeffries of Timber Lake,
S. !., took place quietly Wednes
day, May 1, at noon at the bride's
home, 1330 F street. The groom's
father, Ihe Ilev. John JelTries of
Honesteel, S. D., officiated. The
bride was gowned in while linen
I rimmed in Cluiry lace, and sht
carried a bouquet of sweet peas
The ceremony was followed by a
wedding breakfast for the smiil
company of relatives. The dining
room was decorated in spring
daisies. Those present from out
of Ihe city were: Ilev. and Mrs
.John JelTries, Honesteel, S. I).
Mrs. Williams, Imlay, Mich.; Mrs
Charles Howlby, Friend; Mrs. R.
W. Arndl, Denver; Mr. and Mrs
Fred Waugh, Omaha; Miss Hazt
Dovey and Miss Lillian Cole
Plaltsmoulh. Mr. and Mrs. Jef
fries left in Ihe early aflernoon
for Ihe groom's ranch in South
Dakota."
Mrs. Andry Smith of Thurman
Iowa, arrived in this cily today at
noon for a visit with her mother
Mrs. Lampson and daughter, Mrs
C. II. To.Id. Mrs. Smith called nl.
this office and renewed her sub
PLATTSMOUTH WILL
script ion.
LOUISIANA AS A STATE
FOR HOME-SEEKERS
Corn Growing Has Received More
Attention In the Past Three or
Four Years Than Ever.
From Friday's Dully.
Mr. Almond of Louisiana and
L. H, Sinner of Lincoln entertain
ed an audience of farmers and
land buyers at the Majestic
theater yesterday afternoon with
a lecture and sterioplican views
of products of the alluvial lands
of Louisiana. Mr. Almond has
resided in Louisiana for twenty
two years, and in speaking of its
climate, stated that there never
had been a drouth, or cyclone, or
hail or snow during the years of
his residence.
He quoted government statistics
to show that his state was a good
place to invest money in farm
lands. There was not a month in
the year but that some farm or
garden crop could be planted. He
reminded his audience that not
less than four crops could be
raised from the same Held during
one twelve months. In speaking
of his slate as a corn state, Mr.
Almond said that corn had re
ceived more attention Ihe past
three or four years and the pro
duction of the cereal had in
creased about M per cent in that
lime. The Hoys' Corn Club of
Louisiana had produced KM
bushels per acre, and the speaker
thought men skilled in growing
the crop could do much better,
He referred to the late David
Hankin of Missouri, who had 3i,-
(100 acres of farm land put to di
versified farming, but mostly to
corn. Mr. Hankin estimated that
his income was about 3 per cent
on' his investment, one year with
another. Mr. Hankin visited the
,ouisiana alluvial farm land dis
trict and spoke very highly of it.
The lecturer dwelt on the near
ness of the seaboard as an nd-
aritage to the Louisiana farmer,
and prices would undoubtedly be
higher there than here.
In referring to Ihe climate on
Ihe Fourth of July, 1911, when Ihe
thermometer registered above the
100 mark in New York, Hoslon,
Chicago and the large cities of the
north, in New Orleans it regisler-
'd 89, and there were but two days
ast summer when it went above
95 degrees. The death rate on an
average over the United States is
placed at 17 per 1,000; in
Louisiana it is 15 per 1,000. More
people live out of doors the year
round in that stale than anywhere
and although Mr. Almond is a man
75 years of age he never has felt
a pang of rheumatism while in
Louisiana. Some fine views were
shown of fields of growing crops
and of products of Ihe soil. After
Mr. Almond had finished Mr.
SI oner slated on what terms the
lands could be purchased.
Entertained at Brantner Home.
From Friday's Dally.
The Social Workers of Ihe M
K. church held their regular meet
ing at the home of Mrs. Fd Brant.
ner yesterday aflernoon and were
very pleasantly entertained. Dur
ing the early part of the after
noon the ladies held their regular
business session, afler which they
participated in social conversa
tion and stitching on dainty
fancy work, these diversions be
ing most enjoyably interspersed
with instrumental and vocal
music. At tne usual nour a nanny
luncheon was provided by the
hostess.
Bridge Ready in Ten Days.
From Friday's Dally.
Glen Smilli, the bridge con
tractor, doing the repair work on
Ihe Pollock-Duff wagon bridge
yesterday completed Ihe pile
driving for the first sleel span
Driving Ihe tiles for Ihe false
work has occupied some time, but
the work will move with greater
speed from this on. There is on
more sleel span for which ste
piles will be driven and Ihe work
of driving the piles and placing
Ihe superstructure on the piles
will require about ten days lo
complete.
John Brooks, who is spending
this summer on a farm near
Cedar Creek, was in Ihe city lo
day to take in the circus and
I visit his parents over Sunday.
E. E. HILTON, FORMER
II PUSSES All III FLORIDA
Mr. Hilton Came to Plattsmouth Some Thirty Years Ago and
Resided Here Until About Two Years Ago Was County Sur
veyor for Seven Terms Death Due to General Breakdown
News of the death of F. F. Hil
ton, at Kissimee, Florida, was re
ceived by friends in the city a few
days ago. The funeral occurred
a week ago today, lie probably
died on April 25, death having re
sulted from a general breakdown
of health, the climate there not
having agreed with him.
Mr. Hillon and wife and son,
Howard, moved from Omaha to
Florida several mouths ago, where
he had a good position as survey
or for a real eslate syndicate. He
leaves surviving two sons and
two daughters and a devoted wife.
His oldest son, Gwenilh, resides
in Omaha, where he has a posi
tion with an electrical company;
Howard, Ihe younger, resided wild
bis parents; Ihe two daughters
are married, Mable residing in
loieiio, oiiio, ami ucrtnide in
Canada.
Mr. Hillon was born near Fort
Wayne, Indiana, ami received a
college education in bis nativi
slate. He was a nephew of Ihe
lale Colonel H. C. McMaken. He
came lo Platlsmoulh about, thirty
Building to Be Renovated, and a
Stronger Levy Needed to Keep
Supplied With Books.
The library board met last
Thursday night, those present be
ing Misses Barbara Gering, Olive
Join's, Messrs. A. L. Tidd and N.
Abbolt. Councilman Lush-
insky, chairman of Ihe committee
tin improvements at. the library
building, was also present to in
spect Ihe work which
has been
lone. The board tendered Mr.
.usbinsky ami the cily council a
vole of thanks for the very great
improvement in constructing the
oncrele wall and terracing and
sodding the properly and con
structing a concrete walk on the
east side of Ihe lot. A vote of
thanks was also given Flmer Holl-
slroni for acting as librarian dur
ing Ihe lime Miss Jones was de
tained at home with sickness in
the family. The .board decided lo.
have Iho building renovated dur
ing Ihe present month and left
the matter in Ihe hands of the
librarian.
.L. Tidd was appointed a com
mittee of one to present the mai
ler of a stronger levy lo Ihe city
council. The hundreds of volumes
in Ihe library are being constantly
worn ny Ihe many readers who
daily apply for books, and the levy
heretofore has been inadequate to
keep up the expense of supplying
new volumes and rchinding old
ones, ine terms or three mem
bers expiring, the board recom
mended Ihe appointment of A. L.
Tidd, D. H. Smith ami D. O. Dwyer
as new members. :
The following interest ing re
port was filed for March: Num
her of boox exchanged 1,071; a
year ago, 1,209. Number of books
used by cily teachers, 2: by
county teachers, 11. Hooks do
naled, Mrs. T. P. Livingston, 11;
Norn Livingston, 2; Mrs. Fmil
Wurl, 7; Mrs. Bowkcr, 5. Num
ber of men borrowers, 17; last
year, 26. Magazines donaled lo
country patrons, 30.
For April Ihe librarian filed the
following: Hooks exchanged,
1,210; a year ago, 1,058. For use
city teachers, 20; country leach
ers, 7. Hooks donated, Nora Liv
ingston, 3. Magazines donated to
country patrons, 10. Number of
men borrows, 11; last year, 14
Frank Heal came in from his
run last evening for a visit with
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. M
Heal. Frank is on the Sioux City
run, I rain No. 87, and this is only
his third visit at home since last
November.
LIBRARY IS IN VERY
FLOURISHING SHAPE
PLATTSMOUTH
II
years ago and for a few years wa9
connected with the government
surveying olllce will) Ins uncle,
Mr. Fairfield, later accepting a
position as surveyor for the Bur
lington and resided at Wymore,
Hebron and other points for a few
years, later returning to Platts
mouth. Here lie was elected to
the important olllce of county
surveyor on the republican ticket,
taking his olllce January 1, 1891,
and was seven times re-elected to
Ihe same position and then de
clined lo serve further in that
capacity, having filled the position
for sixteen years, going out of
olllce in January, 1910. He was
a faithful public, official, always
giving his best efforts to Ihe dis
charge of his dtilies. Afler going
out of office he removed with his
family lo Omaha, where he re
sided until going to Florida a few
months ago. Mr. Hillon had a
wide acquaintance in this county
and his death will be deeply
mourned by a large circle of
friends here, as well as else
where. Canon Burgess Resigns.
Canon Hurgess of St. Luke's
church, resident pastor of the
church in Ibis city for most, than
tbirly-eiglit years, on April 2 lib
handed in his resignation to the
veslryinen. At a meeting of the
vestry on last Monday night the
following written acceptance of
Canon Hurgess' resignation was
adopted:
"Canon II. H. Hurgess, Plalts
'mnutti, Nob. '
"Dear Canon Hurgess It is
with deep sorrow thai we accept
your resignation, under dale of
April 21, as rector of St. Luke's
church, to lake effect May 1st.
More than Ihirty-cight. years of
. niil hiul service nas endeared you
unspeakably lo every member of
your parish; and our words of
praise for your noble work here
in Plattsmouth are but a faint ex
pression of (he innermost feeling
of your people. We have elected
you Hector Finerilus of St. Luke's
church and ask you to accept with
this our strongest wishes for the
best health and happiness for
yourself and Mrs. Hurgess in your
days of retirement. Assuring you
of our most hearty desire for your
future comforts, we remain, re
spectfully yours,
"George Falter,
Secretary.
"W. J. White,
Senior Warden.
"C. G. Fricke.
"J. H. Thrasher.
"George Dodge,
Junior Warden."
"Plaltsniouth, Neb., April 29,
1912."
Canon Hurgess' successor has
not yet been selected, although
Ihe mailer of extending a call to
a rector will be considered very
soon.
One Thousand Will Sing.
A magnificent chorus of one
thouusand voices in concert will
feature the entertainment which
will be provided for the State
Sunday School convention when it
holds it s annual meet ing in Oma
ha on June 18, 1!) and 20. The
chorus of one thousand, to bo
composed of female voices select
ed from the Sunday schools of
Douglas county, will give a con
cert on Monday night, June 17,
preceding Ihe three days' conven
tion of the slate association. The
chorus will be under Ihe direc
tion of John S. Helgren, who ha9
bad considerable suuecess as a
director of large choruses. Tho
concert will be given in the Audi
torium, which will provide ample
accomodations for Ihe large
gathering. Officers of tho state
association anticipate an attend
ance of 1,500 at the annual meet
inpr. ' '
Tho Journal office carries ill
kinds of typewriter supplies.
I