Ncbr. State Historical Society
VOL. NO. L
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1934.
NO. 20
Large Number
Attend Opening
of Scout Camp
Despite Wind and Dust Storm, Fully
300 Present for Ceremonies at
Camp Wheeler Sunday.
From Monday's Dally
A very pleasing crowd was present
yesterday for the opening program
and dedication of Camp Wheeler, the
new Boy Scout recreational grounds
six miles south of Plattsmouth. Al
though the weather was most dis
agreeable fcr an open air program,
fully 300 people drove to the new
camp and listened intently to the
program. In fact it required most in
tent listening to hear what was be
ing said so strong was the wind at
the crest of the hill where the camp
flagpole is located.
The program was carried out exact
ly as published in the Journal Satur
day afternoon, with the exception of
the presentation of the Plattsmouth
dues to the Cornhusker area for 1934,
this being impossible owing to ab
sence of C. D. Damast, of Nebraska
City, the district treasurer of this dis
trict. The check fcr $90 has gone
forward to Mr. Damast by mail to
day, leaving Plattsmouth paid up and
in gocd standing until the first of
next January.
The ceremonies opened with the
blowing of assembly call by Scout
Trumpeter Burton Rishel. Scoutmas
ter Raymond Larson acted as chair
man and introduced the speakers.
The first event was the flag raising
ceremony with Bill Rosencrans and
Bob Taylor having charge of hoisting
the large Sxl2 flag to the top of the
flag pole, while the salue to the flag
and Scout oath were led by Aulton
Roland, junior Scoutmaster. The in
tense wind made the task of raising
the flag a difficult one and after it
was safely at full staff there were
times when it seemed as if the wind
would carry it and the upper part of
the flag-pole hurtling to the ground,
with possible injury to some of the
Scouts assembled on that side. Later,
they moved to a point of greater safe
ty, but the pole withstood the strain.
The invocation followed the flag-raising
portion of the program, being de
livered' by Dr. H. G. McClusky.
Then came two stanzas or "Amer
ica," led by John Cloidt, with Fran
cis Libershal accompanying on the
trumpet. As chairman of the build
ing committee, Elmer Webb was call
ed upon to present the new cabin to
Scouting, and outlined at seme length
the fine contributions cf material,
trucks, team, equipment, etc., that
have been provided by interested citi
zens and governmental agencies. It
was interesting to note that slightly
over ?400 worth of new material was
purchased, while the fair value of all
salvaged material contributed by the
City of Plattsmouth and local orga
nizations and individuals ran slight
ly over ?G00, or a total of $1,027.66
for the two items, not including labor,
contributed trucks and team or any
of the furnishings for the new cabin,
lists of which were also read and
posted in the building where visitors
nuld see them.
Mr. Webb stressed the fact that
the new cabin is not a one-troop prop
osition, but will be open to all the
troops that may be organized to take
care of boys now clamoring for ad
mission into the ranks of Scouting
and for years to come, urging one or
more additional troops be organized
at once to take care of such demand.
Mrs. Wm. Evers, chairman of the
Woman's club committee that had re
cently promoted a shower of dishes
and kitchen utensils for the cabin, in
a few brief remarks presented this
equipment with the well wishes of all
those who had contributed.
The response was by E. II. Wescott,
pioneer Scout leader in Plattsmouth,
who has recently rounded out eigh
teen years of service as a registered
Scouter and has been connected with
every Scout activity here in all that
length of time. He reviewed the his
tory of Scouting locally and named
the various Scoutmasters, some of
whom got into the work and have
made their way up the ladder until
today they hold high positions in
Scouting. He particularly recalled
Clarence Peden, who is a Scout execu
tive in Missouri, and Irving Wiltse,
now a high Scout official in South
America. He called upon Russell
Reeder, present assistant Scoutmas
ter, and Raymond Larson, Scoutmas
ter to receive applause from the as
sembly for the long and faithful ser
vice they have been giving, both hav
ing been drawn into Scouting thru
the area school conducted here some
years ago as part of the service the
community receives for its annual
area dues. lie said he believed the
occasion was a mcst happy day for
Scouting in Plattsmouth and that he
anticipated great growth in the num
ber enrolled and the interest given
the movement by the general public.
Mr. Wescott's splendid talk was
followed by brief remarks on "What
Scouting Means to Me," by members
of the Legion troop, James Robert
son, 2nd, Allen White and Elmore
Brink. James, who is an Eagle Scout,
outlined the viewpoints of living he
had gained from Scouting, all prac-'
tical and wholesome lessons in the
art of living, while the other two
told of some of the things in the
Scouting program that have partic
ularly appealed to them. James also
presented a set of twelve Rogers
knives and forks for use in the new
cabin, the gift of Mrs. Walter White
and daughter, Miss Mabel, who are
near neighbors of the Robertson fam
ily.
The remarks by the boys were fol
lowed by a short talk by Harry WThite
on "A Dad's View of It," in which
he said that dads are all-too-busy for
real contact with their boys and he
appreciated the fine work the Scout
ing program is doing along that line.
Presentation of the area dues was
dispensed with due to absence of Mr.
Damast. the district treasurer, who
was slated to receive the check.
Searl Davis was called upon to
speak on "Outlook for the Future,"
and visualized a growing campsite of
sufficient proportion to take care of
all needs in this line for years and
years to come. He told of the fine
response on the part of Mr. and Mrs.
Patterson for leasing of the ground,
at a time when a few days delay in
concluding the negotiations would
have meant the loss of CWA fund3
with which to pay for the labor of
building the cabin, and of their
pleasure that the camp had been
nsmed Camp Wheeler in honor of
Mrs. Patterson's father. He also paid
a tribute to Hilt Wescott for his long
service in Scouting.
Mrs. Robert Patterson followed
with a brief talk on "What These
Hills Have Meant to Me," She told
of the thrills she had experienced in
playing there during her girlhood
days and expressed the hope that the
Eoy Scouts of Plattsmouth would find
pleasure and enlightenment on their
back-to-nature visits at the cabin.
Rex Young presented a picture of
the first log cabin ever built in Cass
county, the gift of his father, D. A.
Young, aged pioneer, and read a brief
history of that immediate locality as
written by his father, which was very
interesting, and which the Journal
hopes to print within the next few
days. During the reading of the his
torical sketch. James Polin, mention
ed therein as sharing with Mr. Young,
Sr., the distinction of being the only
persons now living who attended
school in the log cabin, was called
from the crowd and applauded.
The benediction by Cannon W. J.
H. Petter brought the meeting to a
close. Both before and after the pro
gram, people filed through the cabin
in large numbers to see what facili
ties have been provided for over
night camping trips and longer stays
during the summer vacation season.
DIES AT MASONIC HOME
On Saturday evening at the Ne
braska Masonic Home occurred the
death of Miss Christine Reikman,
who had been a resident there since
April 9, 1929. Miss Riekman was
born at Davenport, Iowa, September
15, 1857, spending her younger years
there and later removed to Council
Bluffs where she resided and then
later moved to Chadron, Nebraska.
She wa3 admitted to the Home
through Samaritan lodge No. 158,
A. F. & A. M. and had since made
her home here. The deceased is sur
vived by one sister, Miss Theresa
Riekman, of Council Bluffs. The body
will be taken to Council Bluffs where
services will be held Tuesday after
noon from the Episcopal church in
that city and the interment made at
the cemetery there.
Journal Want-Ads get results
W. C. Ramsel, Jr.
to Take Trip to
Boknirrso IclawJc
aiiCLlkla. 3LOla.illO
Sen cf Former Plattsmouth Man to
Have Unusual Opportunity Giv
en Him at Granduation.
Following his graduation from the host to the convention.
Dartmouth in June, an Omaha boy, j Mr. Wescott was the speaker of the
William C. Ramcey, jr., 21, son of; evening and had as his subject, "i
the assistant attorney general, willjWil! Be Christian," a very able dis
accompany Dr. William Heche to the'eubsion of many or the problems that
Bahama islands where the famous the young person meets with when
deen sea exnlorer will trv to tct ai taking up their life work i.nd the
descent record.
The young man is a grandson of
Mrs. B. S. Ramsey of this city.
Young Ramsey and his college'
roommate, Perkins Bans (who accom
panied Dr. Eeebe on a previous trip)
were chosen over 150 applcants.
They will spend three months with
the expedition, after which Ramsey
will return to school to study law.
The understanding is that the two
boys are not to accompany Dr. Beebe
and his chief assistant, Otis Bartiri,
during their descents in the diving
globe, or bathysphere. And that
suits Mr. Ramsey Just fine. But still
Dr. Becbe told Perkins Bass that
there might be ,an orportunity fcr
him to go down once or twice. And
if Perkins Bass makes a decent in
that bathysphere, Billy Ramsey in
tends to go also!
Last year Dr. Eeebe de3cended to
2.200 feet. This year, with modern
ized equipment, he expects to reach!
a depth of three thousand feet.
Billy's experience at Cheley's camp,
in Colcrado, during the rast seven or
eight summers, have accustomed him
to outdoor life. The boys have been
instructed by Dr. Eeebo to learn what
they can of the art of photography.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, Dan, who is
at Inland Stanford, and Elizabeth
will all attend the Dartmouth grad
uation exercises. June 14 to 10.
GIVES FRIEND FAREWELL
Sunday the home of Mr. and Mrs.
J. E. Lancapter wa3 the scene of a
very pleasant gathering of the rela
tives and close friends who came in
to enjoy the day with the Lancaster
family and to tender Mr. Lancaster a
farewell on his coming departure for
Lincoln. Mr. Lancaster, who has just
been appointed a deputy state sheriff,
is to leave Tuesday to take up his
new duties. The day was featured
by a fine dinner served at the noon
hour and the remainder of the time
was spent in visiting. In the evening
the members of the group enjoyed a
theatre party.
Those who were in attendance
were: Mr. and Mrs. John Eppings and
family, Richard, Emma and Carl
Buck of Murdock; Mr. and Mrs. Earl
Lancaster, and children, David,
Neva, Florence and Raymond, or
Murray; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Iloschar
and daughter, Mary Ellen, of My
nard; Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Arnold,
Russell, Eva and Freda June, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Kupke and con, Charles,
Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harris, Ger
trude and Mary Jane, Mr. and Mr3.
J. E. Lancaster and Harold and
Margie of this city.
HAVE DELIGHTFUL TIME
The children's Bingo party which
was held at the Knights of Columbus
hall on Saturday afternoon was at
tended by over 200 of the youngsters
of the city to participate in the pleas
ures of the day that had been ar
ranged for them. The time was spent
in the playing of bingo and at which
a great deal of pleasure was derived
by the members of the jolly group.
The children were given a treat
at a suitable hour and which was
much appreciated by all of the mem
bers of the party.
CONTRIBUTION OF CLOCK
John Crabill, local jeweler, con
tributed a large eight day wall clock
to the Scout cabin committee Satur
day, which was taken down Sunday
morning and placed on the wall be
fore the opening program yesterday
afternoon. The clock will provide the
beys with accurate time, so there can
be truth in the statement that every
thing at camp runs like clockwork.
Mr. Crabill's generous gift is much
appreciated.
ADDRESSES MEETING AT
SHENANDOAH SUNDAY
E. II. Wescott of this city was at
Shenandoah, Iowa, unday evening
where he was a guest sptakor at the
closing cessions cf the two day meet-
jing of the district organization of the
christian Endeavor.
The meeting was held at the First
Christian church of which Rev. Clif
ford Cecil is the pastor and who was
joining of their life to Christ.
extortion Plot
Alleged Against
Cass Co. Man'rnc
Gilbert Euike Held Kere as Result cf
Arrest in Omaha With Roomer's
Key to Deposit Box.
Gilbert Burke, cZ Weeping Water,
is being held at the county jail here
for investigation in an alleged extor
tion plot against Joe Campbell, a
boarder at the heme cf Burke in
Weeping Water, while Nay Posten,
a relative of Burke .is a!:;o in cus
tody at the city jail to undergo in
vestigation on the same charge-.
The case came to light w hen Burke
j appeared at Omaha Saturday morn
ing with the keys to a safe deposit box
cf Campbell at the Omaha National
bank, having also an order signed by
Campbell for permission to open the
box. The man was hell for Sheriff
Sylvester and later 1 rough t to this
city and lodged in jail.
The story told by Campbell to the
officers was that Bu.ke and a friend
had kept Campbell under guard with
a gun all night Fridayat the Burke
home in Weeping Water until he had
given up the keys to the safe deposit
box and the order to the bank to al
low the box to be opened. Later
Campbell had been able to escape
from the guard and Saturday morn
ing had gotten in touch with the
officers and told of the alleged ex
tortion. The story related by Burke was
that 'the proposition of giving the
key and order was that of Campbell,
who Burke asserted had been atten
tive to a sister of Burke, Mrs. Hattie
Craig. Friday night. Burke stated,
he had gone home and found Camp
bell trying to force his attentions on
Mrs. Craig, who was screaming and
fighting off the man. Burke had got
ten a gun and had intended to shoot
Campbell but was rrsuaded nt to
by the sister.
Later acocrding to Burke he and
a friend had started to bring Camp
bell to this city to he turned over to
the sheriff when Campbell made the
proposition to settle the matter by
giving the keys to his bank box and
permit the turning over of the con
tents to settle the matter. The party
had then returned to Weeping Wa
ter and where Mrs. Craig had de
murred at taking the keys and Burke
had taken them and gone on to Om
aha. Campbell denied that he had been
attentive in :ny way to Mrs. Craig
and that the story was a fabrication.
He had escaped from the second man
just as Burke v.a3 getting in his car
to start to Omaha and that the other
man had joined him in the car. He
claimed that the safe deposit box at
Omaha contained stocks worth at
least $2,000.
Sunday evening Sheriff Sylvester
picked up Nay Posten at Weeping
Water and brought him to this city
for investigation and questioning.
Posten at the city jr.il was question
ed and stated that the shakedown of
Campbell had been plannetl a few
days previous. Posten is related by
marriage to Burke and Mrs. Craig
and has been living near Weeping
Water for several years.
RETURN FROM ILLINOIS
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fornoff and
son, Leonard, and daughter, Freda,
have returned from Peoria, Illinois,
where they were called last week
by the death of Mr. Fornoff's sister,
Mrs. Louisa Weisert. The funeral
was held Monday. Mrs. Weisert's
husband died this last January, so it
was sad for her children.
Village of
Manley Visited
by Burglars
General Store, Bank and Barber Shop
Visited Tuesday Evening Loss
Discovered This Morning.
The pleasant little community of
Manley, where peace and quiet is the
general order, was stirred today with
the discovery that the community
had been visited during Tuesday
night by a gang of bandits who had
made a good job cf looting several of
the business places.
The heaviest loser was that of
Theodore Harms, whose general store
was broken into and v. here the rob
bers secured large quantities of cig
arettes, smoking and chewing to
bacco, men's shoes, ladies and men's
cse, shoes and other items of eloth-
g, making a clean sweep through
the stock and selecting the articles
that they might easily dispose of.
Entrance to the store was gained by
prying open the frcnt door of the
building.
The barber shop also was entered
by prying open a rear door and here
the robbers proceeded to take all of
the equipment in the shop save the
barber chair, all razors, scissors,
clippers and other lines of supplies
being carried away.
The Bank of Manley was also visit
ed, a window in the front of the bank
being broken and which permitted
entrance. The bank was ransacked
but nothing of value was taken as
the invaders were unable to get into
the vault of the bank.
The time of the burglaries is un
known as the fact of the general
looting was net discovered until the
owners of the various places arrived ,
this morning to open up.
This is the second burglary in this
county in the last two weeks and
the looting at Avoca as well as at
Manley, points to the work of the
same gang.
FICK UF RUNAWAYS
From Monday's Pally
Officer David Fickrel last evening
pithed up three young lads, who had
run away from the Father Flanagan
Home .at Omaha on Saturday hitch
hiking to this city where they had
spent Sunday.
The boys gave the names of Steve
Smith. 15. Tulsa, Oklahoma; Steve
Rzonvka, 14 and Clyde Hart, 14, of
Omaha. Hart.-however, was net from
the Home but had ran away with the
other two boys.
The Hart boy gave his address as
4212 South 2 4th street, the police
getting in touch with his parents and
late Sunday night the parents came
down and tcok the boy back to Om
aha. The other two boy3 are being
held here for return to the Father
Flanagan Home.
This is the second time that Smith
and Rzouvka have attempted to
make their escape from the Father
Flanagan home, they stated to the
police.
OMAHA PARTIES HERE
Sunday evening Officer Roy Stew
art was called upon to act as friend
in need for two young men and two
young women of Omaha who were
here en route from Brock, Nebraska
near where they had been spending
a short time. The party arrived here
in a Star car that was in the last
stages of usefulness and when reach
ing this city they disposed of the car
to Jake Miller, dealer in Junked cars.
The officer assisted the Omaha par
ties in getting a taxi to take them
on to their homes in Omaha.
VISIT HERE SUNDAY
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Rihn, well
known residents of Union, were in
the city Sunday where they enjoyed
the day visiting at the home of Mrs.
J. F. Clugy and daughter. Hazel, old
time friends and neighbors of the
Rihn family. This was the first visit
the friends have been able to enjoy
together for some time and was very
much appreciated by them all.
Mrs. Marie Trumble and son,
Ernest, of Lincoln, were here Sun
day as guests at the home of Dr.
and Mrs. H. G. McClusky and visit
ing with the many friends in this
city.
DIES AT MASONIC HOME
The death of Mrs. Mary Helen
Fitchett, 71, occurred early this
morning at the Nebraska Masonic
Home where she has made her home
for the past few years. The deceased
had been bedfast for some time and
her illness wa.' of such a nature that
little hope was held fcr her recovery.
Mrs. Fitchett was born June 1, ISiiU
in Philadelphia, where she spent
her younger years, coming to the
home here on November 15, 19:12.
Mrs. Fitchett was admitted from
Covert lodge No. 11, A. F. fc A. M.
of Omaha.
The body will be taken to Omaha
where funeral services will be held
and the interment made in the Forest
Lawn cemetery.
Wei! Known
Young People
Wed at Fremont
Miss Irene Simcns and Mr. Gustcf A.
Weiss Are Joined in Wedlock
Tuesday Afternoon.
On Tuesday afternoon. May 1st, at
Fremont, Nebraska, occurred the
marriage of two of the well known
and popular young people of this city,
Miss Irene Simons and Mr. Gustof A.
Weiss. The marriage lines were read
by the Rev. Hal Shafcr.
The bride wore a very . attractive
ensemble of blue with accessories to
match while the groom was attired
in a dark blue suit.
The- bridal party was unattended.
The bride is a daughter of Mrs.
Janet Simons and lias grown to wom
anhood in this city, where she re
ceived her education in the city
schools, graduating in the class cf
IDS 2. She has fcr the past year and
a half been engaged at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Roy. O. Ccle near My-
nard. - -
The groom is a son of Mrs. Martha
Weiss and was born and reared on
the farm near this city and is a
young man held in the highest esteem
by a very large circle of friends who ,
will join in their well wishes on his
new found happiness. Mr. Weiss is at
the present time engaged with the
Plattsmouth Feed yards.
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss will make their
home at 850 Lincoln avenue where
the groom has a home awaiting the
coming of the his bride.
The many friends here will join
in their well wishes to Mr. and Mrs.
Weiss for many years of happiness
and success.
ROTARIANS TO OMAHA
From Tues?.y's Da"y
The Plattsmouth club of the In
ternational Rotary held no meeting
today as the members who could do
so were in attendance at the confer
ence of the nineteenth district being
held at Omaha.
The program at the noonday
luncheon cf the convention was un
der the auspices of the Plattsmouth
avid Crete clubs and included among
other features a talk by Searl S. Da
vis of this city as well as several
numbers by the Rotary quartet com
posed of Frank Cloidt, R. W. Kncrr,
II. G. McClusky and George Jeager,
the accompanist being E. H. Wescott.
Duane Harmon of Weeping Water,
was also a feature of the program.
FILES FOR COMMISSIONER
Tuesday afternoon J. H. Rauth,
or "Herman." as he i3 better known
ever the county, entered the race
for the office cf county commissioner
on the democratic ticket in the sec
ond district, subject to the wishes cf
the voters at the party primary.
Mr. Rauth is one of the well
known residents of Center precinct
where he 13 engaged in farming and
where lie has made hi3 homo for a
great many years. He is a native of
Cass county, his birthplace being on
a farm near this city, the family1
later moving to the vicinity of Man
ley where they have since resided.
Mr. Rauth filed in response to a
petition signed by some thirty-eight
of the residents of Manley commun
ity who had been urging him for
some time to make the race.
Joseph Manacek and Miss Laura
Grassman of Omaha were here Sun
day, to spend a few hours viiting
with the relatives and friends.
John Farris
Dies at Home
Near Murray
One cf the Well Knovcn Residents
of This Section of County
Fasses Away Tuesday.
The death of John Farris, one- of
the well known residents of tin; com
munity south of Murray, died Tues
day at his home following an illness
that has existed since last October
when he suffered a stroke and from
which he had gradually been grow
ing weaker until death came to hi1?
relief.
John Farris was a native of Vir
ginia, born near Seven Mile Ford, in
that state on March 4, 1S71, .spend
ing his boyhood and your.gcr years
in that section of the country. Ho
came with his family to Nebraska
some thirty-one year.? ago and has
! since been engaged in farming in
this community with the exception
of one year that was spent in Min
nesota. Mr. Farris is survived by the
widow and three children, -Mrs.
George Reike, Curtis and John Far
ris, Jr., all residing north of Unlcr..
There are also left to mourn his
loss four brothers and one sister,
H. C. and J. B. Farris. who rcide
in Virginia; Mark Farris, living in
Wisconsin; and Clem Farris and
Mrs. Lucy Walshem of Spokane,
Washington.
The funeral services will b1 held
cn Thin. --day afternoon at 2 o'clock
frcm the Presbyterian church at
Murray.
FILES FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY
Fro ill Wednesday's Pally
This morning W. G. Kieck, pres
ent county attorney, filed for re-election
to the office that he has so
capably filled in the past, subject to
the will of the voters at the republi
can primary on August 14th.
Mr. Kieck has had an excellent
record in the office and given the
people cf Cass county a service that
deserves the appreciation of the peo
ple cf the county. In the discharge
of his duties Mr. Kieck ha3 exercised
good judgment in protecting the in
terests of the taxpayers in every way
possible and to save all unnecessary
expense to the county where pos
sible. II is excellent judgment has
prevented unnecessary and wasteful
litigation in which the burden would
have to be borne by the taxpayers of
the county.
Mr. Kieck in his office has been
fair and just to all that have come
before him and has served to pro
tect those innocent as well as to
prosecute those who were guilty of
crime.
In his service to the county Mr.
Kieck ha3 handled many important
cases that have involved not only the
criminal law violations but as well
important civil cases in which the
county has been a party.
RETURNS FROM DETROIT
Mrs. Ocar Gapen, Sr., wno lias
been visiting at the home cf Mr. ar.d
Mrs. Otto Marck, at Detroit, has re
turned home aftere a visit of some
time there. Mrs. Gapen found her
daughter, Mrs. Marck, recovering
very well from the effects cf her re
cent accident in which s!i? wad badly
scalded by boiling water while en
gaged in her washing. Mrs. Marck
suffered the accident on March Kith
and has since tht time been under
medical care but is jkcv rapidly im
proving but still suffering from the
injury to one of her hands a great
deal.
DEATn OF J. C. YORK
The death of John C. York. 7S,
occurred on Tuesday evening at Om
aha where he had made his home for
the past several years. Mr. York had
been ill for the past several montii3
and in the last few weeks gradually
grew worse. lie passed away at 8:20
last evening anel the body was
brought here to the Strcight funeral
home pending the funeral arrange
ments. Mr. York came to riattsmouth
some thirty-three years ago from
Watson, Missouri, and had a large
circle of old friends who will learn
with regret of his passing.