Sfafc Historical Society
lattemoutb
ourna
VOL. No. XLVI
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY. DEC. 25, 1930.
NO. 94
Neb
I.
Highway Pro
gram to Cost
Over a Million
Measure in Congress Would Add
$1,750,000 to Expenditures
in Nebraska
State Engineer Cochran said Sat
urday night that public construction
projects calling for expenditures (f
approximately 11.241,000 will be un
dertaken in Nebraska within the
next few months. Most of these will
he advanced to provide additional
mployment.
If congress adopts a measure now
in its hands for Immediate advance
ment of federal aid funds to the states
for highway construction. Mr. Coch
ran added. $1,750,000 more will he
available for furthering congressional
employment relief plans.
If this extra money is allotted to
the state, about 250 miles of par
ing, 50i miles of graveled highways
and the necessary bridges will be
built.
The largest of the projects will be
completion of pavement between
Gretna and Ashland the last unit
in the Omaha-Lincoln highway, a
fourteen mile gap and incidental
construction of a new right of way
near Gretna. Also called for is a new
bridge over the Platte river south of
the present crossing now inadequate
for traffic over the Denver-Lincoln-Detroit
highway.
The Gretna-Ashland paving, plus
construction of an overhead crossing
or underpass near Gretna, together
with the right of way. will total
about JaOO.OUO. The bridge is to
cost 150,000. Immediately after
Jan. 1 two other important projects
will be started. An overhead eras
ing at Columbus is to cost about
$250,000 and one at La Platte will
require about $65,000.
An 800 foot overhead crossing at
Fort Crook will cost about $125.-
Both this and the crossing at
La Platte will cross federal highway
Xo. 75, main traveled highway from
Omaha to Kansas Cjty. Railroads,
together with federal and state gov
ernments will finance the program.
Another huge crossing is proposed
for Grand Island on the Lincoln high
way over the Union Pacific tracks.
It will cost about $125,000. Pro
posed one cent addition to the gas
tax would enable the legislature to
materially expand this program. Mr.
Cochran said.
DEATH OF ANDREW FUDGE
From Monday's DaiiT
The message was received here
Sunday by George R. Sayles. county
clerk, announcing the death of his
brother-in-law. Andrew R. Pudge, at
the family home at Montgom ry.
West Virginia, on Sunday morning.
Mr. Fudge has not been in the best
of health for some time and has been
suffering from pneumonia for the
past few days, gradually growing
worse until death came to his relief.
Mr. Fudge was born in the state
of Virginia in 1S67 and at the time
of his death was sixty-three years of
age. He was married to Miss Susie
Sayles, eldest daughter of the late
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Sayles at
Cedar Creek. Nebraska, on June 2u.
1 v 4. The family have lived in Vir
ginia and West Virginia since the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fudge.
The deceased leaves to mourn his
l ss. the widow, two daughters, Ruth
and Anna and one son. Robert.
Mr. Fudge and his son. Robert,
were engaged in conducting a hard
ware store at Montgomery. West Vir
ginia, where the family hnve made
their home for a great many years.
Mrs. W. H. Seyhert. of this city,
sister of Mrs. Fudge, is visiting her
children at Dayton. Ohio, and will
attend the funeral services at Mont
gomery. MARRIED AT OSCEOLA
On Sunday afternoon at the Luth
eran church at Osceola occurred the
marriage of Miss Lillian E. Jones,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Jones
of Osceola to Mr. Raymond Meisinger,
son of Mr. and Mrs. John Meisinger,
Jr.. of Plattsmouth.
The marriage lines weie read by
the Rev. C. A. Sward, pastor of the
church.
The bridal couple were attended by
Miss Irene Jones, sister of the bride,
as bridesmaid, and Mrs. Ixwell Nel
son of Benedict, as the best man.
Following the reception for the
young people, they departed for the
on a wedding trip and on their
return to Osceola will make their
home at that place.
Mr. and Mrs. John Meisinger, Jr..
and family were at Osceola for the
wedding.
MAY RETURN THIS WEEK
From .Monday's Dany
Ray Larson, who is at the Metho
dist hospital at Omaha taking treat
ment is doing just as well as pos
sible, but is still under treatment
for the attack of ulcers of the stom
ach. The condition of Mr. Larson
S4 ems to be all that could be wished
but whether or not he will be able to
return home for Christmas has not
been decided by the attending physicians.
VACATION DAYS ARE HERE
The Plattsmouth young people who
are students at the various colleges
over the state as well as those who
are engaged in the teaching profes
sion at other places, are now arriv
ing home for the vacation period that
will cover until after New Years
I day. The greater part of the local
students are at Nebraska university
and Peru with several at other col
leges and schools and these are now
home for the holiday season.
The presence here of the young
people will bring added interest to
the social gatherings that feature
the week from Christmas to New
Vears.
Marriage of
Wei! Known
Young People
Miss Marie Peterson United in Mar
riage to Victor Meisinger
at Sedalia. Mo.
The marriage of Miss Marie Peter
son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.
M. Peterson, Of 1(12 Hast Seventh
street. Sedalia, Missouri, to Mr. Vic
tor Meisinger, son of Mr. and Mrs.
John P. Meisinger of Plattsmouth,
Neb., took nlace Thursdav evening
at 8 o'clock at the home of the bride s
parents. The Rev. Ralph Emerson
Hurd, pastor of the Epworth Metho
dist Episcopal church officiated in
the presence of relatives and a small
number of friends.
The home was beautifully decor
ated in the Christmas colors.
The couple was attended by Mis
Alice Pearson, sister of the bride,
and Mr. Dale Rhodes, of Plattsmouth.
The bride was gowned in brown
crepe with accessories to match, and
carried an arm bouquet of bride's
roses. She wore a beautiful neck
lace, a gift of the groom. Miss Alice
Peterson wore blue crepe de chine
with accessories to match. She car
ried an arm bouquet of roses.
The wedding cake was cut. and re
freshments, carrying out the Christ
mas colors, red and green, were serv
ed.
Mr. and Mrs. Meisinger will, spend
the Christinas holidays with the
bride's parents, returning early in
January to Plattsmouth where they
will make theoir home on a farm
near that place. They will make the
trip by automobile, and will be ac
companied by Miss Alice Peterson
and Mr. Dale Rhodes.
PRESENT FINE PAGEANT
Prnra Monday's I'allj
Last evening at the worship hour
at the First Methodist church was
presented a very beautiful and im
pressive pageant appropriate to the
Christmas season, "Why the Chimes
Ring." The story was of a ivcat
cathedral whose chimes Ring." The
story was of a great cathedral whose
chimes were to ring only by the giv
ing of the pet feet gift. Kings, of
great wealth, seers and scientists
brought their gifts in vain and it was
when a child with two pennies, his
sole possessions came with his wift
that the bells pealed forth and the
chimes mingled with the voices of the
angels in rejoicing.
The various characters in the story
were well taken by the members of
the church and Sunday school and
made a most impressive presentation
of the story and with appropriate
scriptural readings bv the pastor,
Rev. C. O. Troy.
The beauty of the production was
enhanced by the special lighting ef
fects of the platform and which was
arranged by W. F. Evers.
Mrs, E. H. Wescott, director of the
choir was in charge of the presenta
tion and also was heard in one of
her very beautiful solo numbers, dur
ing the progress of the pageant.
MEETS WITH BAD LUCK
From Monday's PaTlv
Late Saturday night a young man.
giving the name of Orville Norton
and his home as Nebraska City, ar
rived here from a sojourn in Omaha
and had evidently partaken too free
ly of the distilled spirit of the corn.
He was having difficulty in regain
ing his car after having stopped here
for a lunch, and at this time Officer
'David Pickrell came along and es
corted the young man to the city
(jail to rest up from the overindulg-
ence and to save himself as well as
jthe public from his driving on the
highway in his condition. Sunday
morning Judge C. L. Craves was call
led to his office and held a short ses
sion of police court as the young
man wished to oe released and ac
cordingly he was given a fine of $i
and costs for the offense and being
able to travel was sent on his way.
TERMS OF DISTRICT COURT
District Judge James T. Begley of
the second district is announcing the
terms of court for the coming year
in the three counties that comprise
his district. In Otoe county the terms
commence February 9th. May 11th
;and September 21st; in Sarpy coun
ty on March 9th. May 2oth and Octo
ber 19th, and in Cass county on
April 6th, June 15th and November
23rd.
The Meaning of
Christmas to
AH the World
Sermon Delivered by Judge James T.
Begley at the St. Luke's
Church Dec. 21st
Now when .! sii.--
lehem of Judea, in
the King, beheld
men from the east
ing: "Where is he
of the Jews? For
star in the east
worship him." Win
had heard these
troubled, and ail
was born i a Bet h -the
days of Herod
there came wise
to Jerusalem, say
that is born King
we have seen his
and are come to
n Herod the king
things, he was
Jerusalem with
him. And when he had gathered all
the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he demanded of
them whore Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, "In Bethle
hem of Judea." "For thus it is writ
ten by the prophet. And thou Bethle
hem in the land of Judea art not the
least among the prino-s of Judea for
out of three shall come a governor,
that shall ru'e my people Israel."
Then Herod when he had privilly
called the wise men. Inquired of the
diligently what time the star ap
peared. And he sent them for the
voting child; "And when ye have
found him bring me word again that
1 may come and worship him." When
they had htjard the king they de
parted: "And lo. tha star, which
They saw in the east, went before
them, 'til it come and stood over
where the young child was. When
they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy. And when they
were come into the house, they saw
the young child with Mary His mo
ther and fell down and worshipped
him: "And when they had opened
their treasurers they presented unto
him gifts: gold, frankincense and
myrrh."
Thus in a conquered province of
the Roman Empire in a city of appro
hrious name: to woman and a man
of the lowliest station, a man child
was born, and they called his name
Jesus. His life was to be brief, but
thirty-three years from the manger
to the cross. An exile in childhood,
executed in the flush of manhood as
a malefactor; yet he was to be im
mortal among men. He was to found
a kingdom and acquire fame that
would endure when Rome's statliest
monuments and costliest palaces
should become dust. All men were
to be come his subjects. Yet he was
never to command an army, lead a
charge, or storm a fortress. Violence
was to have no place in the establish
ment of his dominion. He was to
spill no blood. His empire was to
be founded by sacrifice but the sacri
; :ii e was to be his own life. Only His
own blood was to be shed. The
: quality of his soul was to be His only
weapon. But with it he was to de
stroy Paganism, overthrow idolitry
land set the bondman free. He was to
i redeem the human race and win im
mortality, not for himself alone, but
j for all the sons of men. Through him
whosoever would, throughout all the
I centuries was to have eternal life,
(llis life on earth with the exception
I of his exile in childhood, was con
fined to Palestine, a little country
forty-five miles wide by 145 miles
in length. The east and west had
not been met. Each nation and each
community lived unto itself with no
means of communication or inter
course except by courier or messen
ger, through long. slow, fatiguing
journeys. He possessed neither name
nor wealth, nor place, nor influence.
In material possessions he was poor,
poorer than the birds or foxes. They
had nests and holes, but he had not
where to lay his head. lie went
mostly among the common people;
and many days of his brief ministry
were spent upon the highways and
iii the fields. He knew the solitude
of the hills better than the halls of
state.
How impossible it seems that one
born of such parentage, in such a
land, of such a race, amid such an
environment, and in such times,
should in three brief years of teach
ing and ministry, set in motion moral
tides which should sweep all peo
ple, change the laws of all nations
and overturn the altars of all re
ligions. And how unbelievable that
such an one, writing no word and
speaking only to ignorant fisherman
who could remember but little of
what he said, should acquire fame
that should obscure the geniuses of
all time, draw in his train inhabi
tants of all lands, and link with
himself all human hopes and des
tinies. Even the benefactors of the
race who are known are soon for
gotten. Neither marble nor bronze:
Nor brush nor chisel, not the art
preservative itself, can perpetuate
their names or make their deeds to
the passing succeeding multitides.
Only this manger child has been
able to triumph over oblivion, and
achieve enduring universal fame. To
Him has been given a name. "That
is above every man;" and because his
personality was greater than his en
vironment, he alone is loved, adored
and worshipped everywhere' in Am
erica, Europe, Asia. Africa and the
farthest islands of the sea.
To satisfy ourselves that Jesus is
worthy of the place he holds in the
affections of mankind, we have only
to note his influence upon human
thought, institutions and affairs. He
was not a physician. Yet he cured
the sick: clensed the unclean; made
the maimed whole: caused the deal
to hear and the blind to see; he has
created a spirit of compassion in our
modern world. He was not lawyer.
But lie know the principals that
abide. And with the passing years
i he orincinies he declared are find-
ling lodgment, more and more, in the
hearts and minds of men. Statutes
are tiuiided. and constitutions ai
founded upon thetn. He was noi an
author. So far as we know, he wnt
nc word other than a single lint in
the dust of the ground which disap
peared within the hour of its writ
ing. But the gospel he preached,
written out by others, has survived
the viscitudes and cateclyisnis of the
centuries.
The successful author is able to
reach but comparatively few of the
worlds population. Only the excep
tional work is translated into for
eign languages but the words of
Christ have been published through
out the world in 770 languages and
dialects. From the day of his birth
he has had a part in all literature,
in all story, in all history, and in
all song. Although not widely known
as an orator, the literary wrok of
his discourses are incomparable.
They grip the moral faculties of all.
They speak to the elemental, univer
sal soul. He knew every form and
aptitude of human speech; illustra
tion and imagery, epigram and meta
phor, parable and allegory, simile
and symbol. He understood every
human passion, and could have play
ed upon them all. But he only spoke
to the better angels of our naiure.
He was neither poet nor musician.
But for 19 centuries he has inspired
the worlds' greatest music. But for
Him the symphonies of Mozart, the
melodies of Shubert. and the harmon
ies of Beethoven would have found
no expression, Mendolsohn's "St.
Paul' and his "Elijah." Hayden's
Creation." Handel's glorious "Mes
siah." and his "Israel in Egypt,"
would have forever gone unvoiced
and un com posed. Without him the
..'ealth of literature which now en
riches the world could not be. Nei
ther Milton nor Pope would have
spoken. Dante and Shakespeare
would have remained dumb. Tenny
son and Browning and Longfellow
and Whittier, would have ha.d no
vision and found uo -fice. Kn.erson
and Carlyle. Bacon and McCiuley.
and Hugo and Lowell would have
left no message. Paul and Luther
and John Wesley would have had
no mission. The great christian
hymns would have remained unwrit
ten, there tunes uncomposed. With
out Him there would be no "Corona
tion." "Nearer My God to Thee."
"Rock of Ages." "Jesus Lover of My
Soul." or "Lead Kindly Light." No
glorias: no hallelujahs: no peaons of
praise: no Te Dennis of Thanksgiv
ing; no sonnets of consecration, no
odes of devotion. The race wojld be
spiritually bankrupt. Jesus wms not
an artist. He never painted a pic
ture or carved a piece of statuary in
all his life. But if all that he has
inspired were taken out of the art
galleries of 'e world, there would
be little left of the great masters,
either old or new. Put for Him.
Raphael would have been visionless.
Michael Angelo without genius, Mur
illo, fameless. There could have
been no "Enunciation." in fact or
:irt and Hoffman's "Christ '.n the
Temple" would have found no can
vas. He was not an architect. But in
a little more than 19 oentur es the
world has been filled and enriched
with a multitude of architectural
forms of marvelous combinations,
dedicated to his name and consecrat
ed to his worship. Church, temple
and cathedral, the Sistine Ch.ipel in
the Vatican. St. Denis Cathedral in
Paris. St. Sophia's in Constantinople.
St. Pauls in London. St. Peters in
Rome, attest the draught he has been
upon the architectual genius of the
race.
He was no statesman. Yet no
statesman of any age or any nation
has so widely, so profound ly, or so
abidingly influenced the affairs of
state or the destinies of nations, or
so stirred the constructive genius of
the race. His rule and dominion will
be universal. "For unto us a Child
is born, unto us a Son is given: and
his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor. The Mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of
Jeace." Of the increase of his gov
ernment and peace there shall be no
end.
Oh. holy child of Bethlehem.
Descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sins, and enter in.
Be born in us today.
We hear the Xmas Angels.
The great glad tidings tell:
O Come to us, abide with us.
Our Lord Emmanuel.
WILL UNDERGO OPERATION
From Ti.e1av'a ratt?
Charles Tunnell was taken to the
Immanuel hospital at Omaha last
evening, suffering from a sudden and
very acute attack of appendicitis with
which he was stricken yesterday and
his condition become such that an
immediate operation was found necessary'-
The many friends of the
young man here are anxiously await
ing word from his bedside and trust
that he may have a speedy recovery
from the malady and the operation.
Santa Claus
Receives a Gala
Welcome Here
Thousands of Children From All
Parts of the County Here
to Greet Him
! From Tnesdav s Dull
This mein'ng Sa"a Clans made
his formal entry into Plattsmouth
and wn received bv a lare crowd
'that numbered into the thousands
las the genial visitor that represented
'the spirit of the holiday season mad"
Ibis way through the main part of
I the city to the lodge which was ar
ranged on the court house lawn.
Viewing with the Sar.ta Claus in
the interest of the little folks was the
reindeer that were used in the haul
ing of the sleisrb of Santa, he hav
ing with him, Dancer, Prancer. Blit
zen and Viven. to at: 1 the sleigh,
the reindeer being attended by an
Eskimo family of man and wife and
little Eskimo boy.
The children begin assembling
near the court house long before the
hour set for the arrival of Santa and
by the time tha' the parade was to
form there were hundreds of the chil
dren cheering and playing on the
lawn and patiently awaiting the ar
rival of Santa and his force.
The parade formed at the Amer
ican Legion building and moved south
on Sixth to Main street and thence
east on Main street to the Burling
ton and then counter marched to the
court house.
Chief of Police Jess Elliott headed
the parade on a white charger and
followed by the car containing Mayor
Sattler. E. A. Wurl. president of the
retail section of the Chamber of
Commerce, F. M. Bestor. the treas
urer and F. P. Bust h. the secretary.
The high school band under the di
rection of B. E. Woodward followed
the officials and then came the Boy
Gcouts and Camp Fire Girls with the
flags, then coining the pony detach
ment of the parade.
Preceding the sleigh of Santa
Claus came the guard of honor, com
prising the elected representatives
from the schools of the county and
who were given the added honor of
being welcomed in the enclosed space
where the lodge was located.
After greeting the guard of honor.
Santa preceded to greet all of the
children and also to distribute candy
remembrance to the little folks.
In the handling of the affairs Dr.
O. Sandin. as director of the parade
with J. H. McMaken. James Begley.
Jack Troop and Francis Libershal.
proved real workers.
JONES-MEISINGER WEDDING
From Tuesdav's Dally
Mr. and Mrs. John Meisinger. Jr..
who were at the wedding of their son.
Raymond, to Miss Lillian E. Jones,
returned home last evening from the
happy event which occurred on Sun
day at the Lutheran church at Swed
enhome. The church was very beautifully
arranged in the color scheme of pink
and blue, potted plants and palms be
ing used in the decorative plan of
the church.
Preceding the ceremony Miss Sarah
Fredrickson. sang very sweetly, "I
Love You Truly."
The bridal party comprised Miss
Irene Jones, sister of the bride, as
bridesmaid ami Miss Fredrickson as
maid of honor. Miss Jones being
gowned in bin. silk with a corsage
of red roses while Miss Fredrickson
wore pink taffeta and carried the
pink roses.
The gown of the bride was of
white satin, she wearing the flowing
veil and carrying an arm bouquet
of the Bride roses.
The groom was attended by Lowell
Nelson as best man and Walter Jones,
brother of the bride, all wearing
dark suits.
The young people were united in
wedlock by the Rev. C. A. Sward, pas
tor of the Lutheran church.
Following the wedding a dinner
and reception was held for the newly
weds at the home of the bride's par
ents, Mr. and Mrs. J A. Jones near
Osceola, where a verv dainty repast
was enjoyed and at which the Rev
Sward gave a few words of congrat
ulation and advice to the voting peo
ple. The Jones homes was beautifully
arranged also in the color scheme of
pink and blue, flowers forming the
decorative features of the home.
Mr. and Mrs. Meisinger ure to re
main at the home and where Mr.
Meisinger is to continue in his work
at farming.
DIES IN CALIFORNIA
From Tuesday's naTty
The message was received here this
morning by Albert Timmas. announc
ing the death of his mother. Mrs.
Rosina Timmas. which occurred last
evening at San Francisco where she
has been making her home with a
daughter at that place for the past
year. Mrs. Timmas was not in the
best of health for some years. The
deceased lady was an old time resi
dent here and had a very large ac
quaintanceship in the city who will
regret to learn of her death. A more
extended sketch of the life of Mrs.
Timmas will appear later in the
Journal.
HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Robert Herold
arrived Tuesday from New York City,
where they have been as guests of
Mi. and Mrs. Matthew Herold. Mis
Henry Herold has just returned from
a visit of several months in Europe
and was met at New York City by
Mr. Herold who has been attending
the Richard Hudnut Co., conference,
the annual meeting of this large cor
poration of which the Pfeiffer family
an- now the owners. Mr Herold is
the manager of the interests of the
c. mpany in the states of Oklahoma,
Arkansas and Iouisiana. with bead
quarters at Oklahoma City, and to
which place the family will go after
the holidays here.
Death of Mrs.
Louis Keil at an
Omaha Hospital
Well Known Resident of This Part j
of Cass County Dies After
Long Illness
From Monday's Dally
Last night at the Lutheran hospi
tal at Omaha occurred the death of
Mis. Louis Keil, well known resident
of this portion of Cass county and
who has been in failing health over
a neriod of some ten years, but in
the past few weeks has been In very I
critical condition, little hope being
given for her recovery.
Mrs. Keil was formerly Miss Chris
tine Schroeder. daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Jorgenson Schroeder. and at the
time of her death was nearing her
forty-fifth birthday, she having been
born on Februarv 9. lsS. Her par
ents came to this county and settled
in the vicinity of Cedar Creek where
they have since made their home and
where on January 30. 190S, she was
united in marriage to Louis Keil. a
member of one of the pioneer fam
ilies of this part of Cass county. Af
ter their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Keil
continued to make their home on the
farm until a few years ago when they
moved into this city and have since
made their home here. In her child
hood Mrs. Keil was baptised in the
Lutheran faith and has since been
a members of this church. She is
survived by the husband and one
son. Carl, and a foster daughter. Miss
Thelma Johnson, the parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Jorgenson Schroeder of
Cedar Creek, three brothers. Peter
Schroeder of South Side Omaha,
Oeorge and Hans Schroeder of Cedar
Creek and one sister, Mrs. Mary True,
of Cedar Creek. One sister. Anna,
preceded her in death.
In her residence here Mrs. Keil
has made many friends who share
with the members of the family cir
cle the grief tba her passing has oc
casioned and in the circle of her ac
quaintance she will be greatly miss
ed. ENJOY CHRISTMAS CAROLS
The community Chiistmas carols
at the First Presbyterian church on
Sunday afternoon were attended by
a very pleasing number of the resi
dents of the city. The event was un
der the leadership of Mrs. Robert
Reed as chairman of the committee
and Miss Cora Williams as the direc
tor of the singing. Mis. H. F. C.oos
played the accompaniments on the
pip- organ of the church.
The devotion ala of the afternoon
were led by Rev. H. ('.. McCluskv.
pastor of the church.
The quartet composed of Miss
Catherine Schneider. Mis.- Cora Wil
liams. Frank A. Cloidt and L. O.
Minor gave a very beautiful num
ber. "In the Silence of the Night"
while James Begley. Jr.. one of the
youthful musicians of the city was
heard in the Christmas song. "Night
of Nights."
The entire audienrii joined in the
singing of the Christmas carols and
whose beautiful musical message
brought tidings of the coming of the
King of Kings and of universal re
joicing. WILL BUILD BARGES
The Smith Brothers Co.. which has
the contract for the laying of the na
tural gas line for the Consolidated
Construction Co.. across the Missouri
river at this place, will employe
barges in the work of battling with
"Ole Man Ribber" and placing the
pipe line under the waters of the
uncertain and tricky Missouri.
The contract for the work has been
let to the Lyman-Richey Sand &
Gravel company and whose employes
will at once start work on the con
struction of the new barges to be
used in the work of laying the pipe
across the river, sinking the various
lines and anchoring them to the bot
tom of the river.
The placing of the pipe line on the
river bed is a real piece of engineer
ing work and one that has all raited
national and international attention,
all of the leading papers having car
ried articles on the work and a com
mission of the Soviet government of
Russia having been here fo the pur
pose of inspecting the work.
Nothing equals the Dennison line
of Decorative material. So why use
substitutes, when you can get any
thing you want in t ie entire Denni-
Civil War Vet
Clears Mystery
of Skeletons
90-Year-Old Veteran Tells of Mor
mon Colony Deaths fiom
Smallpox in 1S49.
Johe F. Jones, one time resident
of Mills county, now at the Iowa
State Soldiers home at Marshalltow tt.
a veteran of the civil war and now
ninety years of age. has apparently
cleared up the mystery of the Had
ing of skeletons in graves south of
Council Bluffs.
On Wednesday, Mr. Jones en route
to Plattsmouth to visit a brother,
stopped in Glenwood. Iowa, where
he visited the Opinion-Tribune office
and talked with city and county offi
cials. Mr. Jones, the son of Mr. and
Mrs. G. L. Jones, was born October
14, 1S40 in Muncie, Ind. He came the
same fall with his parents, who lo
cated in a little settlement called
Bircher City on the Nishna river near
where the town of Hamburg now
stands The family resided there un
til 1848 when they came to Mills
county and located on Waubonsie
t'reek.
During the winter of 1949, Mr.
Jones recalls that he with his pat
ents and a Mormon woman who was
a servant in their home drove over
land to transact business in the gov
ernment land office In Kanesville, a
small settlement which later became
Council Bluffs. He recalls that along
the hills just where these human
bones were recently found, there was
a settlement of Mormons, about 400
in number, living in dugouts along
the hills. This was a group of Mor
mon people, who were press! n on
toward the promised land in the wake
of Brigham Young. Mr. Jones says
he recalls that they saw a number
of human bodies piled on the ground
on the top of one of these hills await
ing burial and that the bodie had
been divested of all clothing, as cloth
ing in those days was too scarce and
hard to secure to permit the burying
of clothed bodies. Preparations were
being made to bury all of these bodies
in a common grave and Mr. Jones
wanted to press up the hillside and
visit the Mormon camp but was per
suaded not to do so by the Mormon
girl who worked for them, as she
explained there was undoubtedly an
epidemic of some contagious disease
which had caused so many deaths in
the camp, and explained that in her
experiences in traveling and living
with the Mormons in their westward
march she had encountered four such
epidemics and persuaded the Jones
family to pass around on the out
skirts of the camp. He said they later
found that the girl had been correct
and that smallpox In a violent form
had taken a heavy toll of life in this
little Mormon settlement that winter
where without the aid of a doctor
and proper housing facilities the
death rate was heavy. Mr. Jones
therefore believes that in the disin
terment of these human bones, the
unwritten book of the early day his
tory of this country has been opened
on a chapter of sorrow and tragedy
which walked hand In hand through
this little Mormon settlement on the
hills northwest of the present town
of Glenwood just 80 winters ago.
Mr. Jones enlisted In Company F.
15th Iowa regiment which was or
ganized at Keokuk. March 19, 186J.
and which was composed of men
largely from Mills and Fremont coun
ties, and served with the Union
forces until the close of the war. Mr.
Jones, while in Glenwood. visited
Comrades A. D. French and Earl
Hodges and enjoyed visiting with the
older resident concerning events here
and there three quarters of a century
ago. Despite the fact that he is past
90. Mr. Jones retains his physical
vigor, enjoys good health and is able
to travel about alone.
ALUMNI GAME FRIDAY
The alumni of the high school, who
have in the past played on the blue
and white basketball teams, who are
here or can reach here by Friday
evening, will participate in a game
wtih the 1930-31 Platters, the old
timers, to see how good their condi
tion may be as well as to give the
locals a good working out. In the
tentative lineup of the alumni will
be Ed Wescott, "Bun" Galloway and
Ralph Mason of the 192S class, Geo.
Rehal of the 1927 class. Joe Hart
ford of the 1929 class and Roy Turn
er of the 1930 class.
The game should be a pleasing
treat for the fans and give the op
portunity of viewing the former stars
of the years gone by.
MRS. D. A. YOUNG BETTER
From Monday's Dally
The many friends over the coun
ty of Mrs. D. A. Young, pioneer resi
dent of this community, will be pleas
ed to learn that this estimable lady
is now showing some improvement.
Mrs. Young Is at. the home of her
daughter. Mrs. Guy White in this
city and has been cared for by Mrs.
White and Mrs. Lawton. another
daughter. The trouble of Mrs. Young
feems to be clearing up and it Is
hoped the effects will soon pass and
Mrs. Young be restored to her form
er good health.
