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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1914)
J 2 - 1 ! VOL. XXXIII. PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1914. NO. 41. I Y P 1 r V THE FATHER OF WESCOTT'S SDNS MAKES A TALK Reviews the Intervening Years From the Time He Came Here to the Present. The celebration of the thirty fifth anniversary of the C. E. Wescott's Sons business career in Plattsmouth opened today un der the most favorable auspices. Thrones of well-wishers, old friends and customers frequent- ed the store all the morning, andU the Messrs. C. G. and E. II. Wes- eoft. Mr. C. E. Wescott, founder of the firm, was unavoidably detain ed by a washout on the Denver & Rio Grande railroad in Colorado, and will not arrive until tomor row. A retrospective view of the thirtv-five years career of the Wescott family in this city forms an interesting bit of history con nected with the business life of Plattsmouth. Mr. Wescott said: "My memory may not serve me perfectly, and all records in books, etc., were swept away by the floods, but we landed in Plattsmouth in April, 1879, and opened up April 25th for business in a little one-story frame building owned by Henry Boeck, and ..made vacant by Schicketanz, the barber. It was the only available room to be had on Main street, and obtained large!" through the persistent demands" atrrf"' klndrless of Mr. Boeck. The location was be tween Third and Fourth, just east of Shannon's livery barn, and about where the Wetenkamp building now stands. The firm name was Wescott & Powell. Business improved be yond our expectations, and also beyond the capacity of our room. In October, 1879, the opportunity presented of getting a larger room and better location between Fif',h and Sixth streets, on the north side of Main, owned by Thomas Shryock. A change in the firm occurred January l, 1880, by Mr. C. A. Powell retiring, and a fire which consumed the building, and also every dollar of stock, occurred on January 29, 1880, the loss being S5.G00. Fortunately there was 2.000 insurance on stock, and after settling with my creditors I had $850, my little family up on High School Hill and the wide, wide world before me. Supt. Touzelin of the B. & M. gave rne a pass to Chicago, and to my joy I found that my credit was not impaired. Encouraged. I at once returned to Plattsmouth to seek a new location, and suc ceeded in getting the little frame building-, 10x24, that rested on posts on the lot where East wood's hardware store is now, and owned by Mrs. Rockwood. While Jim Coleman was stop ping lip cat-holes, making tables and shelves, I was off to Chicago and bought my new stock, amounting to ?1,550, and on April 15, 1880, I flung the doors open to the public, and in no un certain way, declared myself ready to devote my whole time and energy to serve the people, and "no monkey business." It was a small beginning and fraught with much to repel and discourage me in way of strong and bitter competition. And the harder thing to bear the cruel inhumanity of some people who delight to kick a man who is down, and struggling for his life. But my blood was up my wife and baby boys were on my heart my soul in the contest and that kind of pressure most al ways wins, especially when right and justice are in the balance. About the next thing that hap- perided to your "Uncle Edward was, one Drigm aay, i mint in September, 1883, they hitched onto my frail . little store and pulled it around the corner into Fifth street, almost wrecking; it, to clear the ground to erect the Rockwood block.. , - Again I va out in the cold but luck favored me, and in October I secured and movec info a new brick buildin on lower 'Main street, owned, think, by A. B. Smith. In the meantime, during: the fall and winter of 1883-8 4, the Rockwoor diock was completed, ana on March 1, 1884, we occupied the new room, which continued to be our home for eighteen years In February, 1902, I acquired by purchase, the Frank Carruth buildin?, on the corner of Fifth and Main streets, and which is today, I am glad to say, our per manent location for business This, I believe, brings us down fo this auspicious hour, coverin all that need be said concernin ine ine-riisiory or mis firm in Plattsmouth. I may be permitted to say however, that much more might injecied in(o this mUe sfory and downs, incident to the multi tude of experiences during thirty four years of strenuous, busy life. Hut I will only add that feel a just pride in the knowledge that this store has continuouslv advanced from the start. It has stood for all that is good in man aiifiiifm una mir ueuung. us good name and reputation is what we love and cherish, and are sure its future is in hands that will protect it. MEETING OF GAS AND ELECTRIC MANAGERS The Hotel Riley ' Scene of the Gathering Banquet Last Night. From Wednesday's Dally. Yesterday and t4day there has been a meeting of the managers of companies in Iowa and Ne braska controlled by the Contin ental das and Electric corpora tion of Cleveland, Ohio. The oc casion has been in the nature of a get-acquainted gathering- of men in charge of gas and electric light plants controlled by the company named. The gentlemen in attendance at the meeting were as follows: W. II. Abbott, vice president Continental Gas and Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio. F. H. Roberts, general manager Red Oak-Plattsmouth transmis sion system, Red Oak, la. Fred Kidder, general manager Red Oak Gas Light Co. J. B. Harvey, general manager York Gas and Electric Co. T. C. Messplay, new business manager, York, Neb. Thomas Rice, manager Gage County Gas Co., Beatrice, Neb. L. J. Klein, Beatrice, Neb. R. J. Ritchie, manager Peoples' Gas Co.. Shenandoah. Ia. R. N. Pritchard, manager Elec tric and Power Co., Shenandoah, Iowa. O. A. Bell, new business man ager, Shenandoah, Ia. F. E. Kopecky, general news business manager. Red Oak. H. T. Boehner, manager Light and Power Co. R. C. Wood, supt. of construc tion. Red Oak, Ia. W. E. Sweezy, manager Ne braska Lighting Co., Plattsmouth, Neb. II. F. Yiot, Omaha. Charles Granden of Burgess Granden Co., Omaha. J. W. Bateman, C. W. Chest nutt, F. W. Johnson, Western Electric Co., Omaha. After the men assembled in Plattsmouth yesterday they were addressed by Mr. Abbott, vice president of the company, and he told the meeting of present conditions and what it was pro posed to do in the near future in developing and improving' the various plants in this territory. A banquet was served at the Hotel iRIey - last evening, which was highly enjoyed by those par ticipating. The sessions, both social and business, were all held at the Hotel Riley. ANOTHER CASS COUNTY LEAGOE BALL GAME Cedar Creek Loses a Close Game to Man ley on the Locals' Grounds. (Contributed.) One of the best games of bal played this season was pulled off in the Cass County league circuit between Manley and Cedar Creek on the local's grounds. It was a pitchers' battle, in which Con nor had the best of it until the ninth inning, when his support faltered, coupled with a very rank decision by Manager Tighe, who umpired for the .visitors, the oc casion being a walk given to a Manley batter when there were balls and 2 strikes, and Connor put a fast one square across the plate at the waist line. Even the visitors own players were in clined to think it was a good strike. However, it is a cinch it is impossible for a manager to ive a clean and unbiased de cision in a pinch without showing his desire to be with his team, and therefore it would not be a bad rule to disbar anv manager o officiate as umpire. Let it be as it was, it was as good as game as could be asked for if played by professionals all around. The first round was the only dent to be noticed in the de fense of the locals, when Scheid- er had two Dad errors mat cost one pearlie, but as this same gook" was the first man to face Mr. Miller he rapped the sphere or a clean 3-sacker over the left fielder, and also in the third in ning he took a single and a score when the famous local favorite, larry Carl, rapped the pill for another 3-sacker, which he tried to stretch into a homer, but was caught by a perfect throw by a remarkably close margain. After this there was nothing to it but a pitchers' duel, each twirler work ing like a clock. Connor may be an oucast, but we welcome Mr. Connor to our lineup and our lit- le berg would not exchange with Pa Rourke for the pick of his wirling staff, which is some strong expression of what is thought of the "porlsider" as a twirler and ball player. The old war horse, Phil Hirz, was back in the game at his old station at the second corner, and he way he played this position was a miracle, considering- his being out of the game for nearly two years, but he must have had numerous dreams about the game or he could not have come up to the standard of excellence as he did. As stated before, everyone played ball all the time and it hould have had been a 1 to 0 ictory. ThB first of the ninth, with one man down, Umpire ighe presented Manley with a base on balls, three strikes, and then our standby, Walt Salsburg, over-confident of taking- his man on a pop-up tiy 10 snorisiop, ropped the ball and placed the econd man at his station. It was then tlyit Mr. Miller won his own game by placing- a clean ick, scoring the two runners ahead of him, and after a short single scored himself. The two twirlers stacked up ike this: i Connor Struck out, 11; base on balls, 1; hits, 4; hit by pitched ball, 0. Miller Struck out 8; base on balls, 2; hits, 3; hit by pitched ball, 0. The number of bases gained by the hits were 7 for Cedar Creek out of 3 hits, and 5 out of 4 hits for Manley. The score by in nings: Cedar Creek. .0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 01 Manley 10000000 3 4 Batteries Cedar Creek, Con nor and Wolff; Manley, Miller and O'Brien. You will see some tall scrambl ing to beat Manley on the Cass County league circuit, for they play ball all the while and are a hard hitting a bunch as you vvil run up against in amateur bal Watch the prediction. Graduates as a Nurse. The announcements of the twentieth annual commencemen exercises of the Clarkson hos pital training school for nurses at Omaha has been received here and among the names of the nurses who have finished their courses and graduated with honor from the class appear that of Miss Henrietta Dorothy Martens, daughter of Mrs. II Martens of this city. Miss Mar tens has been taking training- at the Clarkson hospital for the pas few years and her excellent work has received the warm approva of the college faculty. DAY WILL BE OBSERVED Manner In Which the Program Will Be Carried Out on That Memorable Day. As announced in these columns some days ago, the efforts of the A. 11. post to observe Decora tion day in an appropriate man ner, are to be supplemented by he assistance of the Commercial club, the public schools and the ). A. R. Superintendent I?rpks is co operating with the committee from the D. A. R., and the matter s receiving more than for some years past, the attention of the children. The special music for the aft ernoon's program at the Parmele will be furnished by a large chorus of children from the grades, who will sing the old patriotic songs. They are being drilled on these songs and are much interested in their part of the program. As a special feature of the observance of the Jay, the D. A. will give a declamatory con- est at the Parmele in the even ing at 8 o'clock, which will be of- ered free to the public. This program has been contemplated by this society for some time, and their offering it at this time is most appropriate and will be very much appreciated by the old oldiers and the public generally. The several numbers composing he contest will be rendered by members of the High school and will be largely patriotic in char acter. A lively interest is al ready manifest on the part of the contestants and some excellent work in the declamatory line is expected. The D. A. R. has of fered a medal to the winner in uch a contest, to be given for five consecutive years, and the winner of the first one will be announced at the close of the program at this time. An award of the money prize offered earlier in the year in the seventh and eighth grades for a composition on "The Revolutionary Period" will also be made upon this oc casion. Music for the evening will be furnished by a large chorus from the High school. Both choruses are rehearsing and will render the old patriotic ongs as they have not been ren dered for some years. The chorus work is under the direction of Mrs. Mae Morgan. Big Platform Dance. There will be a platform dance at the Koukal prove, near Streight's pond, northwest of the city, on Saturday evening next. here has been a fine dancing platform erected here and the managers will see that the best of order is maintained. The music or the dance will be furnished by the Svoboda orchestra and every one Is invited to come out and have a good time. 5-18-d&w D CORA I THE GREAT CITY OF THE MIGHTY WEST J. N. Wise Writes of Some of the Great Institutions of Chicago. The following very interesting letter has just been received here from our former fellow towns man, J. N. Wise, who, with his wife, has been enjoying a visit at Chicago with their daughter, and Mr. Wise gives some very pleas ing facts of the great city, which are most interesting, as Mr. Wise is a close observer and takes a great interest in all matters that tends for the advancement of his fellow citizens: Chicago, May 16, 1914. Editor Journal: Would your readers enjoy, through the columns of the Jour nal, a few items of more than or dinary interest concerning some of Chicago's great things? Chicago is on the borders of Lake Michigan, in the great state i of Illinois, but then your readers now that. Chicago is a great city, and the Journal readers know that also. However, there are some things that make Chi cago great that many of your readers do not know. Mrs. Wise and her husband lave been enjoying a lew weeks visit with their daughter, Mrs. Jackson and family. During our visit we have seen and learned of many of the wonders of this great city. The parks constitute one of Hie most enjoyable" o"f the adornments of the city. Thev are reautifully green and attractive, and afford recreation and enjoy ment to their thousands upon thousands of visitors. The magnificent public li braries, art museums, jincoin park, conservatories and zoo, rield museum of art and sculp ture, art institute galleries and paintings, sculpture and art col- ections, together with number- ess other places of absorbing interest afford endless enjoyment and education without cost to the public. The street railways, surface and elevated, carry their millions of passengers with extraordinary afety and comfort. These two ystems are independent, one of the other. But the merging of the two into one is under con- ideralion, and I have no doubt the consolidation will be brought about within a very few years. he next step will probably be a ubway service. The city re ceives from these corporations 55 per cent of their net earn ings. How much revenue the city treasury derives from this serv ice I am not prepared to say, but one can easily imagine that it amounts to a vast sum. The Chicago school system is very line. e all know w hat the public school system of America is, as every neighborhood-: and hamlet throughout the country enjoys the benefits which our public schools provide for our oncoming- army of children and youth. But there is one feature of Chicago's educational or High school system which has im pressed me more, pernaps, man any one ordinarily found in the course of High school educa tion. I had the pleasure about two years ago of visiting the ane Technical school, where everything- is taught that is necesasry to equip a young man or the activities of life, from the preparation of the molds in he foundrv to the finished prod uct as the iron comes from the alhe in the machine shop. Everything in machinery and woodwork, drafting, mechanical engineering-, wireless telegraphy, chemistry, etc. This High school is for the education of boys only. Since that visit there has been erected in the north part, of .the citv a fine building- three stories in height and covering- ten acres of ground, making thirty acres of floor space, in which 2,000 pupils are receiving their training. This buildin; "contains the largest High school auditorium in the United States, with one excep tion. The floors are divided into rooms where everything is "taught as I have described in the Lane school, and in addition music, domestic science, cooking, needle work, the languages, telegraphy and telephony. This school is provided with swimming pool, baths, athletic conveniences, etc, A week ago we had the pleas ure to attend a concert and to witness the activities of the stud ents in the several departments in this great school. The audit orium in which the concert was n'von fiMnA n-ifh fln in. ferested mothers, fathers and friends. Twenty-two violins, be ciilfc Vinio -5rl rnpnli fluff . ...... ..wv.., drums and 150 pupils, boys and girls, filled the stage. It was an tion of training of these boys and girls. While 2,200 persons were .ninvin, i,rc r,,.f o i i i- number were visiting in the halls and other parts of the building. I am proud to have a grandson in each of these fine schools. This new scnooi is the the Aicnoias . . , , Senn." After visiting these schools the thought came to me what won derful opportunities are here aid open to young men and .M..r H-it- - , uiu.m i of life. Then mv thoughts run back to the days of mv boyhood, when opportunities like these were not within the reach of anv save the children of the rich, and even thev were far short of the conveniences and opportunities of today. J. N. Wise. II Large Crowds Attracted by the Wescott Thirty-Fifth An niversary Celebration. Thn store f Wesentt's Rone is a very busy place today, as tne anniversary celebration is on in full blast, and from early morn- CELEBRATION A V ERSARY DA'S CROWDS ing until late at night the store farcical entertainment, "A Corn was crowded by an enthusiastic manding position," a most pleas- crowd of friends and customers, Today is boys day and the firm I has given a fitting recognition of Young America in the giving of prizes. From 8:35 to 8:45 each boy was given a lead pencil, and for ten minutes at noon a cap I and whistle were given away, From 4:30 to 5 o'clock every boy i t . : . i . : i l : v. 1 . : -. I wio ming.s uis n.uiiiex n 1,1.1... to the store win receive a pair o nnK cuu ouiions, auu me iui mai can show nis teaciier s certincaie mat ne nas not missed a aay 01 school will receive a ticket to the air dome free. The collection of relics of the times when the store was established is attracting a great deal of attention from everyone who passes by, and each day something more interesting is brought out to add to the col lection. The firm yesterday re ceived a large bouquet of. Ameri can beauty roses from the Byrne Hammer Co. of Omaha as a remembrance of the occasion, and this morning a bunch of thirty-five magnificent white snowballs were presented by Mr. and Mrs. M. Whelan to the Wes cott firm. A message was re- ceived this morning announcing inai, iur. l. j. cscoit would De here tomorrow morning on No. G to take part in the celebration Farm for Sale. Farm of 121 acres, 5 miles northeast of Union; 14 acres hay land, 20 acres pasture timber, rest in cultivation; well improv ed. Price right if taken soon. Address Miss Etta Nickels, Mur ray1, Neb. . Try a sack of Forest Rose flour Your money refunded if not satis, factory. GRADUATING CLASS TO- GIVE TWO PLAYS Class Plays Are Being Rhearsed by Students for Presentation at the Parmele. The students of the senior school class of the local High " , busily engaged in the prepara tions for the closing1 exercises of , .,Ut . , ll,, II. - class plays which the talented members of the class of 101 i will ?ffertlto.,he Pub,ic ,f I'lattsmoulli I V . n I I w . r H . . -m - - 1 s-.n 'I'll 1 n t Jlu 11 u'iJ1 even i ii g, May 28lh, at the Par- mele theater. Kentucky lllUe' wi" I,e ne of1the r,?,ys offered, being a comedy of the 1 . ... J, , ... .. rpffinn or n i u en i hp tv wnri nil , , . ' . , . v ' the settings of fair ladies and brave men that has characterized the reputation of that state. The play is a short one, but well suit ed to the young people, and in their hands will be given a most pleasing rendition. The cast of characters for this paly will be as follows : Miss Hariah Douglas, a maiden lady Emma Cummins Isabel Douglas, niece of Miss Douglas Nora Rosencrans Marie Van Harlenger, friend to Isabel Helen fiass Col. Wm. McMillian, suitor to Isabel Norman Dickson John Cason Gordon, alias Jack TJarson, a wealthy student of sociology Byron Arries Miss, JVtadden, , a train nurse.. Lillian Dwyor Dr. Blake, a middle-aged prac- tioner Harris Cook Mrs. Gordon, mother of John Cason Gordon .. .Lillian Dwyer Miss Gordon, sister of John Cason Gordon ....Helen Gass Four telephone linemen, .Ttebal, Meisinger, Cook, Lutz Cindy, negro maid Ilariett Clement Henry, negro boy, engaged to Cindy Chester Tuey Young men of the village Hunter and Richardson The second of the playlets to be given bv the class will be the ing selection for the purpose of keeping the audience in a good humor with themselves, and the voung people have gotton the production down to where they feel that they can present it to the amusement-loving public of the cits. The cast of characters for this offering is as follows: Mi!SS skinflint .... yjolet Freese Marian Young. .Gladys McMaken Ethe, chloride Josie Riser The Doctor viola Haynie Mm MuPphy Cressie Hallckenberg Mrg SofUy Pauline Palacek Jane Mildred Snyder Chorus of Nurses Lydia Todd, Edna Morrison, Gertrude Ilitt, Helen Hadraba, Freda Wallen gren, Ruth Beverage, Mildred Snyder, Hose Jirousek. Patients May Glenn, Violet Freese, Let a Jacks, Elizabeth Holly, Lillian Bajeek, Nora Rosencrans, Helen Gass, Helen Egenberger. Several neighbors of Mrs. Mur phy A negro, a German, an Italian Harriett Clement, Elizabeth Hollj-, Ruth Beve rage. Social visitorsEdna Morrison, Helen Hadraba. Ten Little Children Lydia Todd, Edna Morrison, Mildred Sny der, May Glenn, Violet Freese, Ruth Beverage, Helen Hadra ba, Freda Wallengren, Harriett Clement, Leta Jacks. chorus of Mothers Gertrude Ilitt, Rose Jirousek. Motorcycle for Sale. In excellent condition, good as new. Big, powerful 2-cylinder, developing 7-10 H. P. Need the money. Must sell at once. See Ed Steinnauer at Journal office.
