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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1930)
HeV. State Historical Society lattemout oucna VOL. No. XLVI PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, DEC. 15, 1930. NO. 91 She Charge Wife wiih Murder of Husband Following Report of Finding Poison in Stomach Examination by University Hospital Reveals the Presence of Strychnine in a Sufficient Quantity to Cause Death. PLEADS NOT GUILTY Mrs. !nas Wever Arrested Saturday Night on Return from Lincoln and Arraigned in County Court Held without Bail in Douglas County Jail Mrs. Ines Wever, 27. widow of George Wever. 33. whose death sud denly on last Tuesday has been un der investigation by Sheriff Bert Reed. County Attorney W. G. Kieck and State Sheriff W. C. Condit, was formally charged with first degree murder here Saturday night at 7 o'clock. The arrest of Mrs. Wever at her home here followed the telephone communication received by County Attorney W. G. Kieck that the ex amination of the stomach of Wever had disclosed the presence of strych nine in sufficient quantities to have caused death. The examination of the stomach was made by Dr. H. E. Eggers and Dr. John T. Myers of the University hospital at Omaha. The report has been awaited for sev eral days before formal!' arresting Mrs. Wever against whom suspicion has been directed since the .first of the investigation on Wednesday when the order was made by County Attorney Kieck for the examination of the organs of Wever to test the poison theory. The arraignment of Mrs. Wever followed in a few moments after her arrest, being held before County Judge A. H. Duxbury, when the woman entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder. Mrs. Wever was accompanied in court by a brother-in-law and heard without ap parent emotion the charge preferred against her and clearly and firmly gave her plea of not guilty. The offense not being of a bailable na ture, the woman was turned over to the custody of Sheriff Reed and in a few moments was taken to Omaha to be lodged in the woman's ward of the Douglas county jail to await the preliminary hearing which was set by Judge Duxbury for December 30th. Mrs. Wever was taken to Oma ha by Deputy Sheriff Rex Young, Pat Reed and Mrs. Lottie Rosencrans. county probation officer. George Wever was taken violent ly ill Monday afternoon at the Burl ington shops where he was employed and was taken to his home where on Tuesdal at 1 o'clock he passed away, suffering convulsions and under such circumstances that the physician called. Dr. R. P. Westover, refused to give a death certificate until the case was fully investigated and on whose report the inquiry was started in the case by County Attorney Kieck on Wednesday. It was developed early in the in vestigation that on two recent dates prior to the death of Wever that pur Reception of Santa Claus to be Real Event City Government as Well as Repre sentatives of Schools to Join in Greeting Local prenartions are advancing rapidly for the appearance of Santa Claus in our midst for a pre-Christ-mas visit, Tuesday, Dec. 23. Santa is coming all the way from the mys terious Northland where he dwells between the Christmas seasons and he is bringing with him Prancer and Dancer, two of his best reindeers, also two of his Eskimo friends to help him with the reindeer. Reindeer require a lot of attention because they are not accustomed to this mild middle-west climate and somebody has to watch them constantly to see that they do not get too much to eat or get too much violent exer cise. As far as we know now Santa will come in from the west by some sec ret road of his own. When he gets here we are going to give him a royal welcome and a parade. The Plattsmouth high school band have generously agreed to assist. The Boy Scouts will be on the Job as us ual. The Mayor will greet him and give him the key to the city, and then we are to have for him a Guard of Honor, composed of representatives HEARING DEC. 30 chases of poison had been made by Mrs. Wever at local drug stores. While the funeral services of Mr. Wever were being held here Thurs day, a search of the premises oc cupied by the family on west Locust street, was made by State Sheriff Condit and the Cass county officers but without success as to locating any suspicious clues. Later in the day State Sheriff Condit returned to Lincoln and at the Wyuka cemetery secured Mrs. Wever and had her ac company him to his office for ques tioning. The wife at the questioning denied at first the purchase of poison and later admitted buying the poison land told of Its location at the home j and where it was found later by : Sheriff Reed and Officer Joe Liber shal, a small bottle of strychnine being located at the home. She wz.s not, however, arrested at that time. The decision of the local officers as to the fact that the death w; s not due to natural causes was strengthened by the fact of the re port of domestic difficulties between the husband and wife, she having on many occasions having visited the court house to complain of her hus band its to drinking and that other women were attempting to lure him from her and also by disagreements alleged to have arisen between the husband and wife over alleged asso ciations of the wife with other men. Mrs. Wever at the Douglas eouny jail in Omaha broke her silence to deny the charges made. "I believe that my husband killed himself," Mrs. Wever said relut lantly. Her husband, she said, had told her one day last week to go to the drug store to buy a poison to "get rid of some rats" about the home She went to a pharmacy and bought a small quantity of the poison, she said, bringing it home and giving it to her husband. Friday, Mrs. Wever related, her husband came home from his work and remarked, that the poison was apparently no good. He sugges'ed she get another poison, she said. The wife complied and bought 25 cents worth of the poison. She hid this in the basement, she said, for fear their child might get hold of the poison. After he had been intoxicated all day Sunday, she said, the man came home ill Monday. She called the doc tor, the wife declared. There was no martial discord in the Wever family. Mrs. Wever said. "We had no family trouble, al though his folks didn't like me," she said. from every school in the county. The procession will march down Main street to the Burlington station and then bark to the Court House lawn where we expect to have a lodge pre pared for Santa and a coral for the raindeer. Here everv bov and srirl can l.ilk with Santa and as many as possible pat the dear old reindeer they have heard so much about in the story books but have never seen in real life. Santa promises he will arrive in town about 9:30 Tuesday morn ing. Dec. 23. but we advise everv one interested to be on hand early as re might surprise us and come ahead of time. Full details of the parade and the program will be in this paper. Watch for it. Santa must leave by 12 o'clock noon on Tuesday to meet another ap pointment, so be sure and be here in the morning. ATTENDING BUSINESS COLLEGE Two Plattsmouth young people, members of the 1930 class of the local high school, are now engaged in attending business college at Oma ha, they being Warren Farmer and Miss Irma Pittman. Both of these young students have shown splendid progress in their work and their ad- l vancement has been the source of a ! great deal of pleasure to the instruc ! tors of the young people. Finest line of Christmas cards we I have ever had and two places to serve I yon Bates Book Store and Journal i office. FIND SKULL OF ANCIENT A skull, apparently that of a man, was unearthed a few days ago in the sandpits of the Lyman-Richey Co., northwest of this city and which was rescued from the pit and taken by one of the employes of the com pany. Other bones no doubt a part of the body to which the skull be longed, was also discovered and un earthed, but the other bones were destroyed in the machinery of the pit before they could be rescused. The skull was uncovered at a depth of some fifty feet and no doubt was one that has been there many, many years and perhaps was a relic of the ancients that once made their habi tation in this section. Whether the skull was that of an Indian or white man has not been determined. Basketball Holds Stage at Hfeh School Squad Cut to Playing Size as Start of the Season Is Drawing Very Close Basketball. popular midwinter sport of schools and colleges, is now holding the center of things athletic at Plattsmouth h'trh as Coach Fred Rothert's blue and white squad arc working out for the forthcoming opener of the season here with Blair on Thursday, December 18th. The number that has been out for basketball has been quite large but the scuad has been cut to nineteen members and who will have the op portunity of battling for place on the team this year. Many of the younger players have shown a great deal of promise and the coach will have a fine reserve force for his team and many of the younger play ers will see a lot of time on the regular team before the season closes. Those who are to form the squad are: Chet Wiles, (captain). Robert Hartford. John Galloway, Merle lfc Crarv. Garland McClenry, Henry Donat. James Begley. Mott Frady, Clarence Forbes. Fr-mk Yelick. Rob ert Hire, L. Knoflicek. Maynard Mr- Cleary. Gilbert Hirz. Robert Rum rnel. William Ronne. Dave Robinson. Richard Spangler, Sam Arn. The schedule for the season is as follows: December 18. Blair, here. January 7, North, here. January f, Glenwood. there. January 16. Auburn, there. January 17, Peru, there. January 24. Ashland, here. January 2S, Neb. S. Deaf. here. January 27. South, there. February 6. Havelock. here. February 13. Nebraska City, there. Februarv 14, North, there. February 20, Nebraska City, here. February 25. Glenwood, here. February 27, Wahoo. there. February 27-28, County Tourna ment, Eagle. March 5. 6. 7, Regional Tourna ment. March 12-14. State Tournament. CIVIL WAR VETERAN ELL Robert Troop, 88, veteran of the civil war and pioneer of Nebraska, is ill at his home in this city, incident to his advancing years. The best of medical attention and nursing is be ing given this grand old man. Mr. Troop was born in Ireland, coming to America when a small babe, they lo cating in Davenport, la. From this place he went to the war, serving during the entire civil war. He spent a number of months in the confed erate prison at Tylerville. Texas. He is one of the few remaining members of the Grand Army post here. Today was the sixtieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Troop and a number of the relatives from Nehawka and other points came to join in wishing this estimable couple many happy returns of the day, but owing to the fact that both Mr. and Mrs. Troop were not so well they were unable to have any extended reception of the friends. Several very handsome bouquets were received, however, by the bride and grom of sixty years ago. FUNERAL OF GEORGE WEVER From Friday's Dat-y The funeral services of the late George "Wever were held yesterday afternoon at the Sattler funeral home at Fourth and Vine street, was large ly attended by the friends of the young man who have been so greatly shocked by his sudden death here on Tuesday. Rev. C. O. Troy, pastor of the First Methodist church, conducted the ser vices and gave words of comfort to the family and friends on the be reavement that has come to them with such suddeness. During the services Mrs. E. H. Wescott gave two vocal solos. "The City Four Square" and "Going Down the Valley," Mrs. J. M. Roberts be ing the accompanist. At the conclusion of the service the body was taken to Lincoln where it was laid to rest in the Wyuka cemetery in the east portion of that city. A number of the friends here accompanied the cortege to Lincoln. Seniors Enter tain at the High School Today Present Fine ProgTam at the Con vocation Held at School This Morning. From Friday's Paity The convocation program at the high school this morning was pre sented by the senior class. The com mittee which had charge of the ar rangements for the clever entertain ment given the student body were: Ed Howard. Lucille Albert and Mar garet Shelienbarger, with Miss Flor ence Bieghley as class sponsor. Five acts were given and each showed the ability of the senior class members to put on a enjoyable program and also that they had done considerable hard work to get the various numbers ready. The seniors used a novel method of introducing the talent by having the Ferrie twins. Rose and Ruth tell the audience of the num bers by the use of posters which the girls had designed. The first number was a farce-comedy in three acts entitled "The King of the Cannibal Islands." The stage was made to represent a southsea island with swaying palms and the actors were garbed in, the habiliments of the southsea islander. The part of King Mumbo Jumbo was played by George Lepert, his daughter was Reine De Les Dernier, the Wizard Kokobola was George Stoll and Paul Iverson the cast away sailor. The first act closed showing the dusky king to be very hungry and desirous of a taste of the white man. The plot thickens in the second act when the king desires to eat the sailor but finds him to be too skinny to be de lectable and in his rage determines to make soup of the Wizard Koko bola. The last act sees the wander ing mariner entranced by the charms of the ebony-hued princess and by concocting a delicious porridge, he wins the friendship of the king and the hand of his daughter, while Koko bola perishes in the soup. Margaret Shelienbarger acted a interlocuter. The second mimbei presented six senior boys, Paul Iverson, Ed How ard, James Begley, George Stoll, Robt. Bestor and Geo. Lepert in a novelty dance wherein by the use of a cur tain only six pairs of shoes could be seen above the curtain. This number was highly amusing. The third number was billed as a one act play by Marvin Tritsch and Ed Howard as the cast. It was a short and silent drama. James Begley as Prof. Dingleberry. famed musician and his assistant Doolallv (Robt. Bestor) entertained Ithe audience with a few mystify ag tricks of magic. The final number was entitled the Long and Short of the Senior Class, featuring Paul Iverson and Ed How ard in several minutes of clever and comic dialogue which closed the pro gram with many outbursts of laugh ter from the audience. The whole program was very clever and the class, committee and sponsor deserve much credit for the work which they did in presenting the school with the program. DEATH OF MRS. EMMA MILLER From Friday's raily Mrs. Emma Miller. 63. was found dead this morning at her home in the east portion of the city, the dis covery of the body being made by the son, Frank A. J. Miller, as he came to awaken the mother as was his custom. The death had come evidently as a result of an heart at tack and the aged lady had passed quietly and peacefully away. Mrs. Miller has made her home here for a great many years and was well known to a large circle of friends who learn with much regret of her passing and share with the family the sorrow that the death has brought. The deceased is survived by her husband. Jacob Miller, three sons, John of Knoxville, Iowa; Frank and Charles of this city and four daugh ters, Mrs. Myrtle Vroman of Men doka, Idaho; Mrs. Clara Boom of Chi cago; Mrs. Ethel Sitzmann of Lin coln, and Mrs. Bertha Strats of Three Forks, Montana. WOODMAN CIRCLE ELECTS Frotr Thursday's Dally The Woodmen Circle held their regular meeting last evening at the home of Mrs. Harry Kruger. Initia tion and election of officers. The officers for the ensuing year will be: Mrs. Elizabeth Buttery. Guartlian: Mrs. Rozina Ripple. Advisor: Mrs. Harry Kruger, Banker: Marie E. Kaufmann. Secretary; Miss Adelia Lee, Chaplain; Mrs. B. McGuirc. In ner Sentinel: Mrs. Max Fltzmeyer, Mrs. Mary Hartwick, Miss Lee, Audi tors; Junior Circle Supervisor, Marie E. Kaufmann. After the close of the meeting de licious refreshments were served by the hostess, assisted by Loutse Fitz meyer. The members of the Wood men Circle are giving the members of the Junior Circle a Christmas par ty this coming Saturday afternoon at the home of Mrs. John Zatopek. FIND GIRL WANDERER From Saturday's ra11v Last evening Sheriff Bert Reed was called to one of the farms south of this city on highway No. 75 where it was reported that a young girl had been found wandering alsng the highway and in need of assistance. The girl gave the name of Mable Hager. and stated that she had left Nebraska City ior Omaha searching for work and had hiked as far as the Glenn Perry farm, when cold, hungry and footsore she had to give up the hike and seek shelter in one of the farm houses near the Perry place. She was exhausted and worn out with the long hike and her exposure and hunger. She was brought on to this city by the sheriff and Constable Tom Svoboda and cared for. The young lady was 18 years of age and had been out of work for some time, she stated, and thought perhaps she might find some work in Omaha. $44,000 Asked for Damages in Auto Smashup Creamer Family Bring Action Here for Death of Lincoln Cream er and Injuries. From Saturrtnys Pany This morning in the office of the clerk of the district court a series of actions were filed that aggregated the sum of $44,213 against Rev. Father Marcellus Agius of this city, the cases being filed by members of the Lincoln Creamer family. The plaintiffs in their petition al lege that on October 1. 1930, Lin coln Creamer, Mrs. Ida Bell Creamer, Helen Creamer and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Creamer were riding in a five pas senger Pord sedan, the property of Lee Creamer, on highway No. 11, ten miles east of Lincoln. They further claim that the defendant. Father Agius, was driving west in the same direction as the plaintiffs and that his car passed that of the Creamers and further allege that the Chrysler car of Ftther Agius struck the car of Lee Creamer in such a manner as to cause damage to the car and a front tire to blow out and making the car get beyond the control of Mrs. Eunice Creamer, who was driving, and as the result members of the party in jured and the car damaged. The largest sum asked was that of Ida Belle Creamer, administrator 'of the estate of Lincoln Creamer, ask ing $20,850.60. alleging that on Oc tober 18, 1930, Mr. Creamer died of the injuries received in the acci dent. Mrs. Ida Belle Creamer is also plaintiff in her own name for an action for $5,163 which asked for injuries and expense of medical care. Miss Helen Creamer is plaintiff in an action for $18,200, which she asks ' for alleged injuries and which it is claimed will interfere with her work and productiveness. In the county court Lee Creamer, owner of the car, is plaintiff in an action for $200 which he asks as damages to his car, in which all of the Creamers were riding at the time of the accident. MODERN WOODMEN ELECT From Thursday s Dally Last evening Cass Camp No. 332 of the Modern Woodmen of America held their annual election of officers for the ensuing year and the follow ing selected: Venerable Consul O. A. Finny frock. Adviser Fred H. Vincent. Banker Edward Gabelman. Clerk Henry F. Foos. Watchman William Schuldice. Managers V. T. Arn. three years; A. J. Snyder, two years. Physician R. P. Westocer. There was a very pleasing number of the members in attendance at the meeting and to participate in the naming of the new officers. DIES IN DAKOTA From Thursday t Daily-- The message was received here to day conveying the news of the death last evening at Lead. South Dakota, of Mrs. Harvey Henrys, formerly Miss Florence Bradway of this city and daughter of Mrs. John Geiser. The death came after an illness of some duration and in the last few weeks the condition of the patient has been such as to give but little hope of her recovery. The deceased lady was forty-four years of age and is survived by the husband and three children as well as the mother, Mrs. John Geiser, one brother, August Bradway of St. Louis and two sisters, one of whom resides at Neola, Iowa, and one at Tallahas see, Florida. A plate supper and social will be given on Thursday evening. Dec. 18. at Dist. 97, 2 miles east of Cedar Creek. Everybody welcome. Mary Swatek, teacher. There is no slack business period for the merchant who advertises his goods the year round. Retailers to Sponsor System of Decorations Plan to Start Decorative Plan to Extend Over Four Year Period in City There hs been more or less dis cussion from time to time of a uni form decorative system for the busi ness section of the city and to ad vance this plan, the retail section of the Chamber of Commerce, compris ing the retail business men of the city, started the ball rolling yester day at their noonday luncheon. This plan is to cover a four year period as it Is felt that the outlay nt once would be too great to be un dertaken at this time and the me thod chosen will give the same re sults with not so burdensome cost. It is planned to have each street Intersection arranged with decora tions of Christmas trees at each corner, festoons of colored lights running from the trees to the center over the street intersection, making a bright and colorful setting for the street and one whose brightness will reflect the Christmas spirit and in the center to be suspended a lighted star. This year it is planned to have the decorations arranged for the Sixth and Main street intersection as one of the main points along the highway No. 75 north and south and 134 east and west, they joining at this point. Each year the decorations will be added for additional intersections and the system will be expended to in clude the festoons of lights for the entire length of the Main street, when completed this making a really wonderful plan of street decoration. The retail section is sponsoring the move and is hopeful that it will ap pear to the residents of the city and particularly in the business section that they will join in the support of the proposition by financial aid that will lessen the cost very much to each person along Main street. This certainly is a splendid oppor tunity to secure a permanent ard uniform decorative plan that should be supported by the business men a4 citizens as a real forward step to ward making a bright and attractive ly decorated city for the holiday sea son in keeping with similir moves in all the wide awake cities of our class. W. B. A. HOLDS ELECTION '. P"rom Fnrtav- DuSty Last evening the W. B. A. held a very interesting meeting at the pleas tant country home of Mrs. Walter Tritsch. west of this city and where ! the members enjoyed a fine business jand social session. The business session WM largely ; occupied with the election of the officers of the lode and the follow ing were selected: President Mrs. Emmons Ptak. Vice-President Mrs. J. H. Mc Maken. Active Vice-President Mrs. Rea MoMaken. Chaplain Mrs. John Baieck. Financial Secretary Mrs. John Livingston. Treasurer Miss Mary Peterson. Lady of Ceremonies Mrs. Fred Sharpnack. Sergeant Mrs. Herman Eiekot ter. Inner Hostess Mrs. Sophia May field. Outer Hostess Mrs. Fay McCiin tock. Press Reporter Mrs. Joe McMa ken, Jr. Following the business session of the lodge the members enjoyed a fine social evening and in which cards were the diversion. Mrs. J. EL Mr Maken being the winner of one prize and the other awarded to Mrs. Guy Long for their skill. At a suitable hour dainty and delicious refresh ments were served that added much to the pleasure of the lad DEATH OF AGED VETERAN From Friday Dany E. L. Craig, 8 8. for many years a resident of Glenwood. and well known here, died yesterday at his home in the Mills county city as the result of an attack of pneumcria which at his advanced yars caused his death. Mr. Craig made his home here at several different times with his son and other relatives but in late years has made his heme at Glen wood. The deceased was the father of Mrs. Mary Pickrell and the grand father of David Pickrell, local police officer. He was also one of the few surviving civil war veterans in Mills county. Mr. and Mrs. David Pickrell and Mrs. Mary Pickrell were at Glen wood today to attend the funeral services of Mr. Craig, the interment of the body being in the West Lib erty cemetery near Silver City. SECURES DIVORCE Mrs. Ida Schliscke of -.his city has been granted a decree cf divorce in the district court here from her hus band. Gust Schliscke. the cause be ing uncontested and the decree grant ed as prayed for. AGED RESIDENT LAID TO REST The funeral of James Hadraba was held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of the son. .Joseph Il.iuraba on west Viae street and at tended by a lare grup of the old time friends and neighbors an.ong v hem Mr. Hadraba had lied for !: re than fitly yeas. Rev. C. O. Troy ot Lhl First Meth dis: church had charge ot the serv -aud spoke words of eo'nfort to ihove vhi had been bereaved by the lakiiig Wy of this old tiP'e :.-iue.it of the c- immunity. Two of the old hit.ns, "Rod: of At;cp" and "Nearer My ;os to Thee ' were given as a duet by Mrs. R. i;. 1 i a cott and Mrs. E. C. Shcllenbar gcr. T he interment was at the Oak Hill cemetery west of this ci'y. County and Banks Reach Agreement on County Funds Temporary Settlement Made to Await Action of Legislature to Re lieve Situation. The question of the handling of county fund deposits by the banks of the county, which has for several months been adding troubles to the burdens of the county treasurer and county commissioners, seems to have been temporarily at least settled in an agreement made by the commis sioners and the county bankers as to the handling of the funds. The banks have since the abolish ing of the state bank guaranty law, been compelled to supply bonds or securities to secure the county de posits and this they have claimed, has entailed a great deal of addi tional expense to the banks, and with the law requiring the payment of two per cent on the daily deposits of the county, all of which is sub ject to check, the banks have felt that they were handling the county funds unprofitably, if not at a loss. The banks proposed that the county pay a service charge of one per cent on the deposits to partially repay them for the outlay for bonds and interest. The commissioners, while recog nizing the claims of the banks, have felt that they were handicaped by the law, that specifies that the banks pay the rate of two per cent on coun ty funds and also makes no provision as to paying any service charge and seeking legal opinions the commis sioners could find no advice as to the legality of granting the request. The situation has become such that some action was necessary to allow the placing of the county funds, and accordingly on the general practice over the state of each county settling their own problem, the local commis sioners have voted to allow one half of one per cent of a service charge to the banks, and which is to remain in force until after the legislature has an opportunity of enacting some law that will clear up a very an noying situation both for the various counties and the bankers. 3RIDGE NOW OPERATING The Louisville bridge, new struc ture Just completed over the Pla'.te river at that place. Is now In full op eration and the Louisville Bridge Co., is engaged in the collection of tolls, John H. Busche. long lime resident of this city, who has far several yea's Ured at Louisville, blng cue of the toll keepers. The bridge replaces the old wooden structure which has been operated as a free bridge and the residents of that locality are now making their contributions to the new bridge and which will ultimate ly make the new bridge a free struc ture also. With the amount of traf fic that passed through that section of the county the attainment of a fine modern toll free bridge ought not to be the matter of but a few years. The bridge was built under the piovisions of the Hughes-Davis bill that permits the state to pay halt the cost of the purchase price of the bridge and the county or counties that adjoin the bridge to pay their half of the bridge price by the means of tolls. FINED FOR HUNTING Fr m Thursday' Dally Yesterday Louis Matovsnick of Omaha was before Judge A. H. Dux bury on a charge preferred by game wardens of having been hunting on a farm near Nehawka without the permission of the owner as is re quired by the new state law In that respect. The defendant was given a fine of $10 and costs for the offense and after paying the amount of the fine was released from custody. SHOWING some: improvement The friends here of the Henry Egenberger family of Omaha, will be pleased to learn that their son, Bernard, is showing very nice im provement at the hospital at rmnha where he was operated on Tuesday. The little lrd has ben quite sick but is now showing some improve ment and seems well or the highway to recovery.