TjeV.. Slate Historical Society
(i lie
V O
JJ
VOL. NO. L
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1934.
NO. 39
Robert Allen Bates
Publisher of Journal
Goes to Last Rest
Illness of Many Months Duration is Terminated
This Afternoon at the Family Home
on North Seventh Street
THIRTY -TWO YEARS LEADER IN COUNTY
Deceased was Sixty-four Years of Age and Had Spent J
His Lifetime in the Newspaper Business in
Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.
From Friday's Daily
This afternoon at 2:30 at the
family home at Seventh and Locust
streets, Robert Allen Bates, pub
lisher of the Plattsmouth Journal,
passed peacefully away after an ill
ness that has covered a period of
many months.
In face of the malady that was
V;..
V.
5 v '
J
ROBERT A. BATES
slowly claiming him, Mr. Bate3 had
bravely carried on the fight and with
christian fortitude has faced the
fact that the days of mortal life had
been numbered. Up until the last
three weeks he has made his daily
visits to the Journal printing plant
to be there in the participation of
the daily activities of the paper.
Robert Allen Bates was born In
Marion, Williamson county, Illinois,
December 14, 1869, spending his
boyhood there and later entering Into
the line of activity that "was to be
his life work and at which he had
attained more than usual success.
While a child he suffered the be
reavement of his mother and spent
several years with relatives in Illi
nois and when a youth came west
to Missouri where his father, Col.
M. A. Bates had located, assisting
him in the newspaper work. In the
year 1SD5 Mr. Bates embarked In
the newspaper business at Pacilic
Junction and which he continued
until his plant was destroyed by fire
he then going to Silver City. Iowa,
to conduct the Times there until
coming to Plattsmouth in April
1902.
On June 29. 1909, Mr. Bates was
married at Council Bluffs. Iowa, to
Miss Martha H. Rupley, who is left
to mourn his passing. There is also
Milford B. Bates, who
has been here for the past eight
weeks with the uncle in his last
moments and to assist the faithful
wife that has ministered to his wants
until the end.
The community has lost one of its
leading figures in the taking away of
this good man, he has given liberally
of his services, his means and his
paper to all worthy community en
terprises and to individuals in the
city he had been a true friend in
need.
The affection in which he was held
was characterized by the fact to all,
whether old acquaintances or not he
was best known as "Uncle Bob" and
enjoyed nothing as much as a service
to some of his fellow men.
The Journal force has lost the one
that has guided them on in the years
that he has owned the paper and it
is expected to carry on as he would
have with the paper that aside from
the precious memory of him, is his
greatest monument.
Funeral of
Robert A. Bates
Held Sunday
Sn vice Attended by Very Laige Num
ber of Friends from. Many Points
Many Beautiful Flowers
The funeral services for Robert A.
Bates, publisher of the Plattsmouth
Journal, were held on Sunday after
noon at 3 o'clock at the beautiful
chapel of the Sattler funeral home.
The wide acquaintance and the,
universal esteem in which Mr. Bates
was held was attested by the large
number that was present and the
banks of beautiful floral remem
brances that surrounded the bier.
The Episcopal funeral service was
conducted by Canon W. H. J. Petter,
rector of the St. Luke's church with
the scripture lesson and prayer by
Rev. H. G. McClusky. pastor of the
First Presbyterian church. -
The Rotary quartet composed of
Frank A. Cloidt, K. G. McClusky.
R. W. Knorr and George Jeager gave
the beautiful hymn, "Lead Kindly
Light," while Mr. Cloidt gave as a
vocal solo. "Face to Face." E. H.
Wescott served as the. accompanist
for the quartet and Mrs. J. M. Rob
erts for Mr. Cloidt.
The body had lain in state during
the day and hundreds called to pay
their last tributes of respect to his
memory. The body had been at the
family home Saturday evening and
taken Sunday morning to the funeral
home to lie in state.
The interment wasat the Oak Hill
cemetery, the pall bearers being
members of the Journal force, George
B. Mann, M. S. Briggs, William Nel
son. Floyd Yelick, Frank Smith and
Carl B. Graves.
Canon Petter conducted the service
at the grave.
Among those from out of the city
here for the services were Mr. and
Mrs. Guy French of Kansas City,
Mrs. T. B. Bates, Kansas City; Sen
ator W. B. Banning, Union; Hon.
W. H. Pitzer, Nebraska City; Mr.
and Mrs. Victor Zuckor, Mrs. W. D.
Smith. Mr. anc Mrs. Paul Grassman,
Miss Laura Grassman, Joseph Ma
nacek, Omaha; Dr. G. H. Gilmore,
Lincoln; Mr. and MrsJ Murray Kline,
Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Laugh
lin, Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. E. O.
Mayfield, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. L. J.
Mayfield, Louisville.
VISIT OUT IN STATE
Mr. and Mrs. John Beck of Omaha
were In the city Wednesday accom
panied by their daughter, Charlotte,
to look after some matters of busi
ness and while here Mr. Beck visit
ed with a number of the old friends.
They have Just recently returned
from a trip out in the state, visiting
relatives at Bloomfield and Hastings
and report that at that time the con
ditions were very dry and the coun
try through which they passed had
suffered a great deal from the drouth.
DOING VERY NICELY
The reports from the St. Joseph
hospital at Omaha are to the effect
that Anton Svoboda, who was oper
ated on several days ago there, is
doing Just as well as could be ex
pected. Mr. Svoboda is well advanced
in years and his condition has not
been so good and it was found
necesary to have an operation in the
hope of giving him permanent relief.
Retailers to
Aid in Traffic
Problems of City
Move to Stop Paiking of Cars of
Business Men in Main Sections
cn Wednesday, Saturday.
The Plattsmouth Business Men's
Ad club at their meeting on Wed
nesday, voted to aid in the solution
of the constantly increasing traffic
problem of the city, by the adoption
of a resolution that would request
all business men and their employes
from parking their cars on Main
street or Sixth street in the business
section on Wednesday and Saturday
nights when large numbers of out-of-town
cars are here. A fine of $1 to
each member of the club is the
penalty.
Many propositions have been ad
vanced to aid in the solution of the
need for mere parking space for cars
in the business section and the best
one seems to be that of geting a large
tract where proper parking space can
be provided and the cars have the
protection of a watchmen. This move
has been considered a great many
times but never put into execution.
A lot south of the H. M. Soennich
sen Co. store and east of the J. H.
McMaken offices has been offered
several times for the use of an auto
park.
The increasing flow of motor trof
fic has become such that some steps
must be taken to relieve the situation
to assure safety to the public and the
establishment of a parking place. that
can be watched to protect the cars
from pillage seems the best solution
of the matter.
DRAW .THIRTY DAYS
From Friday's Daily . .
A trio of Lincoln youths were
present in the county court today to
answer to a charge of draining gaso
line from cars at Elmwood several
nights ago. The three young men
had been discovered in the act of
draining gas by Marshal Sterner and
who had arrested them and held for
Sheriff Sylvester.
The three boys stated that they
had ran out of gas while out joy
riding and had taken this means of
replenishing their supply.
Judge A. H. Duxbury imposed a
sentence of thirty days in the county
jail which would be suspended if the
three would produce the costs of the
case 517.50 by Saturday evening.
WILL UNDERGO OPERATION
From Thursday's Daily
Elmer A. Webb, .councilman from
the first ward and a member of the
Journay composing room force de
parted this morning for Lincoln to
enter the U. S. Veterans hospital.
Mr. Webb has been bothered for the
past year with an affliction thought
to be a fatty tumor on one shoulder
and which has become so severe that
it had been difficult for him to carry
on his work. It is. hoped that he may
soon be able to recover from the or
deal and be able to return home to
this city permanently relieved of his
condition.
SEEKS COMMISSIONER JOB
E. II. Armstrong, one of the well
known residents of near Greenwood,
Wednesday filed his name a3 a candi
date for the republican nomination
for county commissioner in the third
district. Mr. Armstrong is a native
of the west portion of Cass county and
has lived In the vicinity of Green
wood since a child. He is one of the
well known farmers of west of Green
wood and a members of one of the
old families of that locality. His
filing increases the candidates in that
district to three, William Borneimier
and H. C. Backmeyer being the other
candidates for this office.
VISITING IN THE CITY
Mrs. C. F. Weber and Edward
Scotten of Chicago as well as Mrs.
Thomas L. Murphy of Omaha, are in
the city for a visit at the home of
their mother, Mrs. W. T. Scotten and
sister. Miss Margaret. Mrs. W. T.
Scotten has been quite poorly of late,
suffering from a Bevere attack of
stomach trouble and is quite ill at
this time.
Robert minx 33atcs
There ig scr-e from the scene of his active labors,
cr.e who ha3 occupied a large part in the community
life Robert Allen Bates, publisher of the Journal.
To all who have had intimate contact with Mr.
Bates, his going has brought a keen sense of the
reparation that they have had visited upon them. Ti e
good thst lie has brought to the community and to hio
friends will long live on in the memory of the old
friends and associates.
To us of the Journal the going away of "the boas,"
ha3 brought a sorrow whose burden is only lightened
by the recollection and the memory of the frank,
friendly and comrade-like association that to all has
covered a period of years. To us he has been a friend
and advisor in many things, a guiding hand in the
many details of the departments of the paper, whose ab
sence will be sadly missed.
Hi3 example of courage and leadership will scrv
as a beacon to guide on those who must take up the
tasks that have fallen from his tired hand3 at the
close of life's fitful fever, now o'er.
n
When hearts whose truth was proven,
Like thine are laid to earth
There should a wreath be woven
To tell the world their worth.
Collins Arraigned
in Federal Court
Under Lindy Law
Alleged Author of Extortion Note to
. Ccurty Attorney W. iih 3iecfc-
Enters Not Guilty Plea; ' -
Albert Collins, accused of sending
an extortion note to County Attor
ney W. G. Kieck, on June 12th, was
arraigned Friday at Omaha before
United States Commissioner Mary
Mullen.
Collins was arraigned under the
new "Lindbergh" law, covering kid
naping and which carries a very se
vere penalty of kidnaping and ex
tortion. The prisoner entered a plea
of not guilty to the charge.
The preliminary hearing of the
case was set for Tuesday, July 3rd
at Omaha.
The defendant is charged with be
ing the author of the note mailed in
this city and addressed to County
Attorney W. G. Kieck, demanding
that the sum of $50 in bills be de
livered to the Karry Miller cafe at
South Omaha, addressed to Mrs.
Addie Spicer, and threatening serious
consequences if the demand was not
complied with.
A letter was left at the cafe In
compliance with the threat but was
not called for as officers were there
to arrest any one that might claim
the letter. Later the man Collins was
located here and arested and placed
in jail to be turned over to the fed
eral officers for their action.
FILES FOR REPRESENTATIVE
Paul Schewe, residing near Mur
dock, is one of the latest to toss his
hat into the political ring, fling Wed
nesday as a candidate for the demo
cratic nomination for state represent
ative from the sixth district. -
Mr. Schewe is one of the well
known democrats of his portion of
the county and has been active in
the life of his community where he
is one of the successful farmers and
leaders In that section of the county.
Mr. Schewe has been a candidate
several times in the past and has a
large accquaintanceship over the
county and his many friends will be
Interested in learning that he is to
be a candidate for this importont
office. He is a student of the public
questions of the day and amply qual
ified for the office that he Is seeking.
SUFFERS PAINFUL ACCIDENT
John Royer of near Murray was the
victim of a very painful acident one
day thi3 week while he was engaged
in putting up hay. Mr. Royer had
his left thumb caught in a pully and
torevthe end of the thumb off. He is
getting along now as well as could
be expected under the circumstances.
Jury Acquits
Gilbert Burks of
Kidnap Charge
Return Verdict This Morning at
WJ Opening of Court After Several
..-- Hoars Deliberation.
From Thursday's Daily
The jury in the case of the State
of Nebraska vs .Gilbert Burks, which
has been deliberating since Wednes
day afternoon on the issues of the
j case, returned a verdict this morn
ing finding the defendant not guilty.
The defendant, was charged with
kidnaping Nick Hau and with Na
poleon Posten and Mrs. Helen Craig
it was alleged had forced Hau to de
liver to them a key to a safe deposit
box in Omaha as well as an order
to the bank to allow the entrance
to the bank.
The verdict of the Jury was
criticised by Judge Livingston as not
folowing the evidence and the In
structions of the court which he
thought had not been thoroughly
understood by the jurors. The court
ordered that the defendant be kept
in custody until further orders of
the court.
The trial has covered the past
three days and attracted more or less
interest as it was one of the first
cases of its kind to "be tried here in
the local court.
RETURNS FROM THE EAST
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Holmes re
turned home Thursday afternoon from
their vacation and outing on the east
coast, having a very delightful time
in that section. They spent the
larger part of their time at Camden,
New Jersey, where their son, Ralph,
is located. Ralph Holmes 13 con
nected with the television depart
ment of the R-C-A Victor company,
having one of the chief positions in
that organization.
They also visited New York City
at the time the U. S. fleet was as
sembled for the presidential review,
as well as making short visits at
Atlantic City, well known east coast
resort.
W. B. A. HOLDS MEETING
Wednesday evening Miss Mary
Peterson was hostes to .he members
cf the W. B. A. a: her home, th?
occasion being enjoyed by a verv
' I'-ge number of the member. who
srsnt the tii'i' in th pleasures oi
cards. In th.i pir.ying rizes werr
won by Mrs. J. H. McMaken and Mrs.
Emmons Ptak for their skill.
Refreshments closed the social
orlion of the evening and al in at
tendance felt that they had an
evening of the rarest pleasure.
Phone the news to No. 6.
SURPRISED ON BIRTHDAY
Miss Antonia Vanek, eelebratinj
the passing of her birthday anniver
sary Wednesday, was given a most
delightful surprise last evening at
her home in the south part of the
city. A group of the friends had
gathered and motoring to the Vanek
home proceded to give the guest of
honor a real surprise.
The evening was spent in games
and in which a great deal of enjoy
ment was derived by all of the mem
bers of the jelly party.
The ladies had come with well
laden baskets and which provided the
basis for a dainty and delicious
luncheon that all appreciated to the
fullest extent.
Dismiss Charges
in Alleged Kid-
naping cases
Mrs. Helen Craig and Napoleon Pos-
ten Complaints Dismissed as
Result of Burks Verdict.
From Friday's Daily
This morning in the C:sr:ct court
on the motion of County Attorney
W. G Kieck, the charges of kidnaping
filed some weeks ago against Mrs.
Helen Craig and Napoleon Posten
were dismissed by Judge D. W. Liv
ingston. These two with Gilbert Burks were
charged with having kidnaped and
held one Nick Hau, alais Joe Camp
bell, at t heir home at Weeping
Water to force him to deliver to them
certain Ftocks that he possessed.
They were arrested .at Omaha and
have since been in the county Jail
here awaiting trial.
The case of the state against Gil
bert Burks was the first to be tried
this week and after a thre day trial
resulted in the acquittal of Mr.
Burks.
In view of the fact of the verdict
and to avoid the necessity of further
cost to the people of Cass county,
Mr. Kieck decided on the dismissal
of the charges as the prospects of
conviction of Mrs. Craig and Posten
was less likely than that in the Burks
cass.
Burks, who has been in jail since
the return of the verdict of acquit
tal on Thursday morning was also
released and the trio returned to
their home at Weeping Water.
SUFFERS BEE STING
A tourist passing through this city
Thursday afternoon from Illinois,
suffered a strange accident and one
that for a short time seemed destined
to have a fatal ending for him. The
man with his wife was riding in an
auto the window of which was par
tially lowered. In driving along the
highway a bee suddenly buzzed into
the car and the man tried to drive
it out with the result that the bee
stung him on the throat and he was
knocked out. It was with difficulty
that the wife was able to get him
down to the business section of the
city and where the injured man was
treated by Dr. L. S. Pucelik. After
a short time the man recovered suf
ficiently to be on his way but will
avoid any battle with bees in the
future.
CASE IS DISMISSED
From Friday's Daily
The Jury in the district court re
called to service last Monday, wound
up their labors today when the case
of the Manley State bank vs. Frank
J. Sangler and H. J. Livingston was
suddenly terminated. This action
was for judgment on a note for 52,
000 v ith interest, and on which the
defendants had been security. As the
case drew to the close the defense
moved that the defendants be given
a directed verdict and which was sus
tained by Judge Livingston.
ENJOYS LAWN BREAKFAST
From Saturday's Dally
This morning Mr. ana Mrs. E. H.
Wescott entertained at a family
breakfast for Mr. and Mrs. Mason
Wescott of Chicago who have been
spending the week here. The at
tractive lawn made a most delight
ful spot for the event and was en
joyed to the utmost by all of the
members of the party.
Cleanup of
Chicken Theffc
by Co. Officers
Sifting Down of Clues Lead to Re
covery of Chickens and Pay
ment for Those Sold.
From Friday's Dally
This morning in the rouniy court
was arraigned Charles Claik of Om
aha with Elvin Shryock, 17, and
Charles Blunt, IS, of this city
charged with stealing chickens on
two occasions from the Nebraska
Masonic Home in this city.
To the charges as preferred Shr
yock and Blunt entered pleas of guil
ty and waived their preliminary
hearing while Clark made a plea of
not guilty.
This case represents some excel
lent work on the part of Sin-riff
Sylvester in tracing down the parties
that had looted the Masonic Home
of some 147 chickens in the last
month.
The first steps were when Shryock
and a young man named Ed Price
were arrested in Sarpy county after
having taken license plates off a car
here and using them on their car.
When the car of the boys was ex
amined a sack was found that con
tained chicken feathers and started
the officers on this aspect of the
case, ith care and hard work tne
officers finally traced down the fact
that the chickens had been fold at
Omaha to a colored man named
Ecton and who had some of them
still at his place of business. These
were found to be chickens from the
Masonic Home flock and Sheriff
Sylvester at once notified Superin
tendent Evers and a check of the
flock revealed that some 1 47 were
missing.
The sherjiffwlth Mr. Evers viiilud
Omaha and the place where the
chickens had been disposed of, re
covering seventy-live or tnem anu
the owner paid over the sum of $39
for the chickens that he had already
sold. There was no evidence to con
nect him with the case except that
of a purchaser.
The officers then arrested Clark
and brought him to this city and
the investigation involved the Platts
mouth young men and were also
taken into custody and will be
brought before the district court for
arraignment a3 soon as possible.
FUNERAL OF L. J. MARQUARDT
Funeral services were held for the
late L. J. Marquardt at the family
home at Avoca at 2 o'clock Monday
afternoon, the Rev. Fred Hall offi
ciating. Music was furnished by the mixed
quartet composed cf Ruth Luge.
Mrs. Edith Maseman, Calvin Car
sten and Ernest Golner. They tang
"Abide With Me," "Jesus. Lover of
my Soul" and "Lead Kindly Light."
Mrs. Martha Ruge accompanied.
Mr. Marquardt was well known
in Avoca and surounding community
having given long terms cf service
as member of the town board, presi
dent of the Bank of Avoca, treasurer
of the church and director of the
! school board.
A large number of relative.; fnm
out of town and a hot of frlei.ds at
tended the services.
Louis John Marquardt was bom in
Avoca, Iowa, August C, 1S78. His
parents moved to Wahoo, Nebraska,
when he was a child. They settled
in Avoca, Nebraska, May 1. lSb.
where he has resided ever since. On
June 25, 1903, he was united in mar
riage to Miss Eeckord, of Utk-a, Ne
braska. To this union two children
were born, one son, Fred, cf Avoca,
and a daughter, Dorothy IIil of
Beaver Crossing, Nebr. He departed
this life June 9. 1934, at the age
of 55 years, 10 months and 3 days.
He is survived by his wife and chil
dren, by three sisters, Mrs. Eda
Cockle, of Omaha; Mrs. Minnie
Erendel, of Avoca, and Miss Selma
Marqaurdt, of Omaha, and by one
brother, Harry Marquardt. of Avoca.
He leaves many relatives and friends.
Cass conty farmers produce a
full share of the foodstuff cf the
nation. It is to your interest and
mine that their business of pro
ducing be placed on a profitable
basis, for then we will all share
in that prosperity.
