Ncbrr.sfci State Histori
cal Society
VOL. XXXVL
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1919.
No. 81.
FRANK SMITH
WRITES FROM
OVER THERE
former journal reporter
riRECTS LETTER TO COL.
BATES RECENTLY.
IN SERVICE NEARLY TWO YEARS
Tells of Experiences in France and
Says He is Hopeful of Getting
Home This Sunurer.
From llnnday'n Dally.
Colon el M. A. Bates received a let
tr late!y from our former report
er. Frur.k H. Smith, who has been in
the service very nearly two years
no v.- ami who is located at Lz.Man.3,
France, where he is a company cleric
for t): American Expeditionary
force.
Frank writes a very interesting
b-tter. in the course of which he
says that although iuany of the boys
are ret urn ins, he has no idea when
he will return, hut hopes to be able
to pet back to the states some time
this summer. He also states that he
met Matthew llerold a short time
ago, but that he seldom ever pets to
s e a Plattsmouth boy over there.
Mr. Smith also suggested it would
be pretty nice if he could receive a
few c-pifs of the Plattsmouth Jour
nal pud f ome news from the old
low n.
The particular branch of work in
which Le is engaged precludes the
possibility of Mr. Smith's early dis
iliarg?. s there are innumerable
company records to be straightened
out and the work closed up as men
are demobilized.
WHEN JOHNNY COMES
MARCHING HOME !!
From Monday's Ial1v.
One day the" lad you had loved
from babyhood marched away to war.
It seemed then that the sacrifice was
yours inrtead of his. Later you vis
ited him in camp and Faid good-bye.
before he went overseas. As his tears
mnigled with yours and he pressed
you to his heart, the burden teamed
greater than you could bear, your
heart .-t rings all but snapped. Last
r,::h your boy came home to you,
strong. broadshouldered and hand
some, better ihysically and mental
ly for his training. Then your Joy
kuew no bounds, nothing in the
whole world mattered, you had him
saf at home.
V'om?n of Nebraska! Let's make
the Victory Liberty loan the Thanks
giving donation, the real peace offer
ing of the world war. Let's be proud
to do it. and let's not be stingy about
it. Woman's Victory Liberty Loan
Commit tee.
RECEIVES AN EvIPORTANT
LEGISLATIVE POSITION
F-om Aionday's" Dallv
Hon. R. D. Windham, who is a
member of the Nebraska legislature,
departed yesterday afternoon for
Lincoln to resume his wcrk,. after
baring spent Sunday at his home in
this city. Mr. Windham "lias receiv
ed an appointment as a member of
the sifting committee, whose func
tion is to go over the large accumu
lation of bills that have been intro
duced and remain unpassed during j
the last few day or tne assemmy,
setting the time at which the more
important ones should come on for
hearing and otherwise disposing of
them. This is a highly important
appointment and the w-ork of the
rifting committee entails upon its
various members strict attention to
each of the innumerable bills and the
familiarizing themselves with every
pet measure that has been introduc
ed, in order that they may not pass
up a really meritorious bill. In this
capacity, however. Mr. Windham, on
account of his large experience and
broad views, will prove himself Just
the man for the place.
FARM FOR SALE.
The E. R. Todd
Homestead
acre improved farm, S miles west
of Plattsmouth. now owned by
Russel Todd. Price $ 250.00 per
acre. T. H. Pollock, riattsmouth.
VISITED A SHORT TIME HERE.
From Wertnesila y's Dnlly.
J. J. Roberts, brother of J. M.
Huberts of this city, who has been
visiting here for some time and
stepping on his way from California,
where he has been for some time
past, departed this afternoon for his
home in Sioux Falls. So. Dakota.
Mr. Roberts was called to the wet
to see his sister Mrs. John Sinclair,
who lives at Los Angeles, and who
has but lately lost her husband. It
will be remembered that Mr. and
Mrs. Sinclair visited in this city lart
fall, and were the guests at the
heme of Mrs. Sinclair's brother J.
M. Roberts of this city. Since re
turning home last fall. Mr. Sinclair
sickened, and died, which necessitat
ed the going to the west of her
brother. J. J. Roberts to look after
some business matters for his sis
ter. He was visiting here on his
return to his home in the north.
HEARS FROM BROTH
ER NOW OVERSEAS
Mrs. Jean Mason Receives a Letter
from Her Brother, Sol Brissey,
Written February 27th.
From Wednesday's Daily.
Mrs. Jean Mason Is in receipt of
a utter from her brother, feoi ttns-
ey, now overseas with the "Ameri
can Kxpeditionary forces, telling or
life in France as he is seeing it
with the army of occupation. Here
is his letter, written from Liffot le
Grand. Vosges, France:
February 27. 1919.
Dear Sister and All:
Your welcome letter of February
C arrived yesterday. Glad to hear
frcm ycu and that you got the band
kerchief. I sent you some French
coins some time ago. Hope you got
them all right.
I am well and very anxious to get
back home. It rains over here about
two-thirds of the time. I have been
in the army over nine months now.
I received nine letters yesterday. No,
I haven't heard of or seen any of
thore boys you mentioned. I haven't
aiy more pictures of myself, but will
have some taken when I get home
and send you one. It is very hard to
have pictures made over here. The
French are so hard to understand.
I am in a 'railroad operating divi
sion, that is why they callus Trans
portation corps. I sent raother a nice
silly hand worked pillow top today.
It had flowers and a big butterfly
worked in it. I sent four boxes of
souvenirs home. The first one got
there the last I heard.
Our company operates a railroad
from here to Germany. I have seen
lots of country since leaving home.
We came through Indiana, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and New York, sailing
for France from Hoboken, New Jer
sey. Guess we will be over here for
several months yet as we have to
help move the troops and supply the
army of occupation.
Are prices pretty high over there,
and how is work? I hear work 23
very scarce. We get the European
edition of the New York Herald, but
I hardly ever get to read it. We have
Y. "M. C. A. buildings and K. of C.
buildings. They furnish us with
writing paper and numerous other
little articles to help us to be com
fortable. Well, as I have several
letters to write. I will close for this
time. Hoping you are well and
happy, I am, your brother,
PVT. SOL BRISSEY.
C9th Co.. Trans. Corps,
Am. E. F. A. P. O. 758.
CAPTURED A LARGE
AMERICAN
EAGLE
Bird Measured Seven Feet and Eight
Inches from Tip to Tip of Its
Wings Fine Specimen
From Monday's Dally.
While out hunting yesterday, Her
man Otterstein captured an Ameri
can Eagle which had in some way
been wounded, and this morning he
had the bird in the city for display
l
; It is an elegant ppecimen, but was
inot feeling very lively, having little
strength due to its wounded condi-
0 tion. The bird measures seven" feet
and eight inches from tip to tip of its
t wings and If given proper attention
may be saved from flying as a result
ot its wounds.
PLATTSMOUTH
CITIZENS RE
CEIVE BUILDING
DEDICATION EXERCISES LAST
EVENING AT NEW H. S.
WELL ATTENDED.
AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM GIVEN
Many Out of Town Speakers Pres
ent Glee Club Sang and Lo
cal Men Spoke Also.
Notwithstanding the inclemency
of the weather, there was a large
sized crowd of Plattsmouth citizens
present last night at the formal
opening exercises and dedicatory
program of the new High -school
building that stands at the summit
of Main street hill. The large audi-
torium was comfortably well filled at
an early hour and everything was
in readiness for the program which
was to follow.
E. H. Wescott. secretary of the
Board of Education, acted as master
ceremonies, telling in his opening
Qftrlraac rtf t h a orVi 1 hlnlftinir tvViir.Ji 1
1' . 1 w& 1 1 V . ' V 11 ' X ' 1 1 1 U 1 1 V 1 I 11 1 I 11 I ' 1
was begun in 1S73 and completed in
1875, and how now, nearly fifty
years later, another generation had
come together to dedicate another
and more magnificent temple of
learning to the boys and gjrls of
today who will be the men and
women of tomorrow. He also spoke
of the struggles incident to the rea
lization of the dream of the board
which was being so happily consu
mated at that time when a half
thoustand taxpayers and representa
tive citizens of the city were gather
ed together to celebrate the occa
sion. One of First Class Present
There was present one graduate
of the first class to go out from the
Plattsmouth High school, she being
Mrs. Dr. J. H, Hall, formerly Miss
Jessie Wiles and a member of the
Class of 1879. Although there were
numerous other members in the class
all but she have gore elsewhere.
Coming down to the present, Louis
Hallas, president of the Class of 'IS,
the last one to graduate, was call
ed to the platform and responded
with a short but highly interesting
talk.
President E. L. Rouse
Mr. Wescott then introduced Presi
dent E. L. Rouse, the first speaker
of the evening, who made a very able
address, telling of the struggles of
the school in its earlier days when he
was a Superintendent here, and com
plimenting its success. He brought
to the minds of bis hearers the im
portance of obtaining in such a
building a proper workshop, staling
that ours was among the best in the
state "of Nebraska. Mr. Rouse said
he had but recently assisted in plan
ning a school building in his own
home town, which had cost a hun
dred thousand dollars, and which he
thought was the best in the common
wealth, but when lie had inspected
.the -Plattsmouth building
he was
, willing to concede that there were
better appointments here than there.
One fact the speaker brought most
forcibly to the minds of his audience
was that the teacher, who has spent
her life for the school, should be paid
better salaries. He said that in the
ww1- I I i ,.1 1 ;.t-tt -4 - Jl Tt Ti
lTrt K-irs&Tr -3 Pit' -S! a V-MtMrn :
I District of Columbia, the minimum
salary had been one thousand dol
lars, ar.d that in one state it has
been placed a.t $7;"0. His desire, he
declared, .was to s"o the minimum
placed at not less than $1,000 for
all the states of ihc union. He de
plored the idea r.r the underpaid
teacher, whom he said have given
their lives unreservedly to the work
ajid should be paid for it according
ly. President Rous' was greeted by
great applause. lK.tli when he began
and at the conclusion of his address.
Couldn't Come Sent Regrets
It wa.i a n.atter of much disap
pointment to ir.ar.y of tho.e present
that former Superintendent John V,.
Gamble was unable to be present. He
was to havt been driven down from
Omaha at the close of his business
day. but the rain put the roads in
such condition it was impossible for
him to reach here. Of all the su
perintendents who have had charge
of the local schools, none have been
more successful in a business way
than has Mr. Gamble. He had an
ticipated the poss!bility of being un
able to be present and written a
letter of regret, offering congratula
tions on the attainment of the new
building and best wishes for the fu-
THE PLATTSMOUTH NEW HIGH SCHOOL
ture success of the schools.
Superintendent N. C. Abbott J
superinienuein auuuii siaieu iuai
he had been much interested in the
welfare of the city since first com
ing here, and that it hd been his
good fortune to be privileged to aJ
tend the dedication exercises of the
Public Library some two and a half
years ago. which had been a very en
joyable event. He offered corgratu
lations to the city upon having at
tained such a good place in which to
give their young people proper edu
cational advantages. , .
Speaking of the faithful teachers
and those who had given much of
their lives for the good of the Platts
mouth schools he mentioned Misses
Olive Cass, Anna Heisel. Amelia
Martins, Nettie Hawksworth and
Mrs. Mae S. Morgan.
Mr. 'Abbott dealt upon national
affairs to some extent, endorsing the
stand taken by President Wilson on
the League of Nations, and saying he
believed that was the only way the
peace of the world could be main
tained. Graduate of Local Schools
Miss Kittie Cummins, one of the
most accomplished musical instruct
ors and a musician of great ability,
was next on the program, furnishing
her listeners with one of the most
exquisite piano selections. The num
ber was so pleasing that the audi
ence would not be put off without
another number, which was grace
fully rendered. Miss Cummins grad
uated from the Plattsmouth schools
in 1S93, or about the same time as
did the secretary of the Board of
Education.
Need Better Ward Buildings
Superintendent W. G. Brooks, who
is now at Nebraska City, where tie is
making an excellent superintendent
of the schools down the river, as he
did In this city, was next on the
program. It was while he was Su
perintendent here that the proposal
to erect the present building first
came up for consideration and he
was greatly instrumental in keeping
the matter moving along during its
early stages. And now he was re
warded by seeing the finished work
that he and the board had planned
before he left to enter the education
al field at Nebraska City. Superinten
dent Brooks called the attention of
his audience to the fact that there
is a growing cry for better ward
echoor buildings and he voiced the
poinion that the time is not far
distant when Plattsmouth will re
spond to the demand, as has Nebras
ka City and provide spacious and
elegantly equipped ward schools, as
well as the central high school. Mr.
Brooks' address- was filled with tru
ism from beginning to end and that
it wa? highly appreciated, is evi
denced by the reception accorded
the speaker.
Plattsmouth Schools "Star A"
The audience gave vent to their
demonstration of Jcy when Superin
tendent G. E. DeWolf arose to speak
and it was some time before he was
able to proceed.
Facts bristled from .his every ut
terance and one thing which he
said rt the beginning was of more
than ordinary interest, it being the
calling of attention to the fact that
with school being held in the new
building the range of -percentages
had been from fifteen to twenty-seven
points higher than heretofore.
He told alto cf the credits which
had ben accorded in the past, and
of Plattsmouth being in grade "II"
or third in line of calculation. But,
at a recent meeting of representa
tives of schools from all -over the
union, which was held in Chicago,
the Plattsmouth schools, on account
BUILDING
cf the completion of the new build
ing had been raised to "Star A," the
highest possible grade. This shows
the ready response with which the
improvement has met from cutside
as well as from home sources.
Led by Mason Wescott. the Class
of 19 greeted this announcement
by giving their class and school yells
in a mo?t vociferous manner. Their
contribution to the program was ap
preciated by all.
Citizenship of Plattsmouth
This was the subject to which At
torney C. A. Rawls,' one of the most
pleasant speakers on the evening's
program, addressed himself. He con
gratulated the city' on the culmina
tion of her dream of a perfect school
building for the instruction of her
youth. He said he did not care to
have the high school yells be the
only demonstration of the evening,
and he proposed three cheers for the
teachers who have so unselfishly sac
rificed for the success of the schools
said cheers being given in such man
ner as to denote they -were hearty ex
pressions of appreciation. Then fol
lowed a rousing cheer for the Board
of Education, who had put the new
building across and then the greatest
of all was one for the boys and girls
for whose sake the schools are main
tained. He punctuated his address
with the idea that there is no such
thing as retreat in this business of
education, telling a story of the late
war to illustrate bis point.
While we had to fight the war for
the sake of peace, he wanted to
leave the impression that the cost of
the war would have accomplished
many times greater results if the
money had been expended for edu
cational purposes, and the war prob
ably never would have occurred. His
idea summed up is as follows:
"Were half tire wealth bestowed
on camps and courts.
Given to redeem the human mind
from error
There would be no need of arse
nals and forts."
With a selection from the Glee
club of the High school, which is a
permanent and very pleasing insti
tution of our educational system, the
exercises were left to be terminated
by the benediction.
The dedicatory prayer at the open
ing of ,the exercises was offered by
Rev. H. G. McCluskey and Rev. A.
V. Hunt pronounced the benediction.
With the conclusion of the exer
cises. Secretary E. H. Wescott gave
instructions as to how to see the
building and immediately the audi
ence began upon a tour of inspec
tion. Every room in the building
was lit up and open for inspection.
The indirect lighting system show
ed t lie rooms off to elegant advan
tage and every appointment was
found complete.
The Board of Education
The members of the Board of Edu
cation who put the new High school
building across so nicely, weje seat
ed on the platform with the single
exception of one. Philip Theirolf,
who was sick at his ,home. They are
Dr. C. A. Marshall, president; Frank
E. Schlater, vice-president; E. H.
Wescott, secretary; T. H. Pollock,
Phillip Thierolf and J. A. Schulhof.
They were the recipients of many
complimentary remarks and much
praise for the faithful manner in
which they have done their work.
The City Teachers
Plattsmouth is very fortunate in
the matter of having an excellent
teaching force, and the success which
ha come to those who have gone
out from the local schools, is a tes
timonial of the efficiency and pleas
ing methods of this coterie of in
structors. From the teacher of the
primary department in the ward
schools to the superintendent him
self every one of the teachers is an
artist in his or her especial position.
The personnel of the teaching force
is as follows:
G. E. DeWolf. Superintendent of
Schools.
Senior High School: Edith Wood
burn, Principal; Estelle Baird. Elsie
Hoberg, Claire Dovey, Jessie Moore.
Gretchen Mackprang, Pearl Staats.
Glenne Dixon.
Junior High School: Mrs. Mae
Morgan, Anna Heisel, Clara Wey
rich and Golda Noble.
Grades: Teresa Hercpel. Anna Rys.
Julia Kerr, Mattie Larson, Mrs. C.
R. Daltan. Mart Swoboda, Amelia
Martens, Nettie Hawksworth, Jesste
Whalen. Zella Elliott, Vesta Doug
lass. Florence Rummel, Lydia Todd.
Norene Schulhof, Jessie Sprecher,
Frances Morley, Rose Prochaska, Ma
rie Kaufmann and Ethel Seybert. -
DOING A GOOD BUSINESS NOW.
From Wednesdays Daily.
Harry Baxter who is the author
ized sales agent for the Fordson
Tractor, the Ford cars. Ford trucks
and Republic trucks, and who is
with the T. H. Pollock Auto Co., is
meeting with much success in his
work in this county. He had dur
ing the past week sold three cars,
and tomorrow is delivering a Ford
son tractor to the farm of F. H.
Johnson near Weeping Water, where
Mr. Johnson will use it on his farm
for farming purposes. On Friday
he will go to the farm of Harrison
Livingston, not far from Louisville,
where he will attend a demonstra
tion, in which there will be three
Fordson tractors in operation. Mr.
Baxter is demonstrating good sales
manship, in the explaining the
workings of the machines which he
handles to the satisfaction of all
whom be comes in contact with.
A SERVICE MESSAGE
Prompt
fm HIS bank, because of its complete facil--"
ities and ample resources, is prepared
to meet all requirements in the matter of
farm loans.
Those whose needs of funds is immediate will find
our services decidedly helpful free from red-tape nd
unnecessary delay.
Farmers of this community are especially invited to
investigate this service. Our transactions with the
farmers in the past have been so uniformly satisfac
tory that we know we are unusually well qualified to
serve tbem.
irst National Bank
Plattsmouth, Nebraska
PLATTSMOUTH
GIRL DIES AT
HOME IN EAST
LETTER FROM CLEVELAND. 0.,
TELLS OF THE DEATH OF
EMILY McFADDEN.
WAS FORMERLY MISS GUTCHE
Left This City Some Seventeen or
Eighteen Years Ago Died
from an Operation.
From Momlay'a Pallv.
A letter has just been received by
Henry Ofe and wife, from John A.
Gutche. of Cleveland, Ohio, telling
of the death of his daughter. Emily,
who was Mrs. J. H? McFadden, and
who died from the shock of an opera
tion which she underwent on Janu
ary 24th.
Her health had been failing of
late and she was taken to the hos
pital for the operation from which
she never recovered. Besides her
husband. 6he left four children, two
daughters and two sons; her par
ents, J. A. Gutche and wife, and a
sister, Mrs. Roberts, all of whom re
side in Cleveland.
Mrs. McFadden and the other rel
atives mentioned will be remember
ed by numerous friends here, as hav
ing resided in Plattsmouth pome sev
enteen years ago.
SLXTH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE OMAHA CYCLONE
From Monday's Dally.
1 Yesterday, marked the sixth anni
versary of the Omaha cyclone. Both
days were warm, only the Sunday
six years ago was more sultry and
the air remained still all day. Resi
dents of Plattsmouth will recall dis
tinctly the appearance of the sky in
the evening as the storm swept down
upon the metropolis and cut a swath
across the city, killing nearly a hun
dred persons and injuring five times
as many. Today, in Omaha, there is
scarcely any noticeable effect of the
tornado visible, which shows how
quickly a city like Omaha may re
build its devastated area and con
tinue its program of expension.
THREE IN FAMILY CELE
BRATE THE SAME DAY
From Monday's Daiiv.
Last Saturday, March 22nd. was a
momentous day for three people, all
of one family. Mrs. Elizabeth Mann
arrived at the end of her S4th year,
ahd she celebrated the event, while
her son-in-law, George W. Thomas,
arrived at the end of his 44th year,
and his son. the grandson of Mrs.
Mann. Carl Thomas, was 18 years of
age on the same day. There were
quite a few mutual congratulations.
Rea5 the Journal Ads It Pav
Loans!
l
