Netr. Stale Historical Society
omn
K0
VOL. NO. L
PLATTS3I0UTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1934.
NO. 80
Armistice Day
Quietly Observ
ed in This City
November 11th Falling on Sunday,
Holiday Observed Today Pro
gram at High School.
The passing of Armistice day, that
event which sixteen years ago elec
trified the entire world, wa3 very
quietly observed here today, the only
formal program being that presented
at the high school this morning.
Sunday, the churches of the city
took recognition of the event in their
services with special sermons by the
pastors on the lessons of the war and
the need for universal peace on
earth.
The community prayer service at
2 o'clock at the St. Luke's church was
attended by a large number to join in
prayer and the silent tribute to the
dead of the war days and prayers for
the preservation of the nation in the
future. This service was participated
in by the various ministers of the
churches of the city.
The banks of the city today are
closed for the holiday as are a num
ber of the offices at the court house.
The passing of Armistice day brings
many recollections to the veterans of
the world war and to those who suf
fered the bereavement of some loved
one in tlm great conflict. Local ser
vice men were in many outfits and on
Armistice day were in service from
the far off islands of the Pacific to the
very front lines, where in the last
weeks of the war the Americans had
fought and blasted their way to the
key position of Germany at Sedan,
where the lines of the German com
munication was under the range of
the American artillery. Many of the
i",U3,,luul" .Luicu iu
the St. Meihel and the Muse-Argonne;,
I A. A. 3 1 4 M. . .
campaigns tnai aaa ojasiea iue aope
or uerraan victory.
HAVE DELIGHTFUL MEETING
The members of the Fontenelle
chapter of the Daughters of the Am
erican Revolution held a most charm
ing Armistice day meeting Monday
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. A.
Robertson. Vestetta Robertson Gray
was the hostess of the meeting with j
Miss Helen Farley and Mis3 Caroline
Baird as the associate hostesses.
The home was beautifully ar
ranged with large baskets of the yel
low chrysanthemums that added
their charm to the scene.
The meeting was largely attended,
there being twelve guests who arc
eligible to membership in the society
and the chapter also received a new
member, Mrs. Philip Grant.
The ladies enjoyed a delightful
program which comprised several vio
lin numbers by Miss Rachel Robert
son while the hostess was heard in
several of her artistic piano selec
tions. Miss Olive Gass, one of the well
known musicians of the city, gave a
wonderful talk on "Colonial Music,"
covering the history cf development
of music from the time of the first
settlers and the development of Am
erican composers.
The members of the chapter join
ed in greetings to the national pres
ident, Mrs. Magna on her birthday
anniversary.
With the close of the meeting the
members were invited to the hand
somely arranged dining room where
a most delicious two-course luncheon
had been arranged, one that was ap
preciated to the utmost by all of the
members of the party.
SHOWING IMPROVEMENT
riattsmouth folks who called on
Sister Celestine, higher grade teacher
in St. John's parochial school, at St.
Joseph's hospital in Omaha yesterday
report that she is showing consider
able improvement following a course
of electrical treatments for the malady
that took her from the schoolroom to
a hospital bed some ten days ago.
She is hopeful of returning to her
duties here before Thanksgiving, but
not yet assured that she will be able
to do so.
During her absence the Grammar
grades are being taught by Sister
Delores, regular Primary teacher,
whose place in that department i3
being taken by Constance Rea.
DENIES DEATH REPORT
The report received here last week
of the sudden death of Esper Mc
Cleary at Arcadia, Nebraska, seems
to be without foundation. The death
which occurred was that of Gerald
Billinger, a nephew of Mrs. McCleary
and in the message sent to the son
at Peru it had been misunderstood
that Mr. McCleary had died and the
son left Peru burdened with the
thoughts of the father's passing, only
to find on reaching Ansley that the
father was there to meet him. The
friends here will be pleased to learn
that the report was not true and that
Mr. McCleary is still among the liv
ing. Fine Religious
Drama Offered
at M E Church
"The Gift," a One Act Drama Proves
a Wonderful Presentation
of the Theme.
From Monday's Daily
"The Gift," a one act drama was
presented at the Methodist church
last evening. Its theme was the heal
ing power of the Christ.
Mr. George Kaffenberger played
the part of the bed-ridden old man.
Wilbur Hall, the blind man who was
seeking the Galilean. Each gave ex
cellent presentations of his character.
Miss Virginia Samek as the self-
rightecus, energetic woman who fol
lowed Jesus with the curious crowd,
gave a fine interpretation of her char
acter. Joel, the cripple boy was played
by Joe York, and Gabriel his friend
by Bobble Hayes. Dorothy Duxbury
was the little neighbor girl. The
story centered around Joel the crip-
. - the naturalneSs of his act
wafl flne
M Walter Herger and Ward
Whalen were in charge of the plat
form, curtains and lighting.
This is the first of a series of plays
to be presented by the Epworth
League. Work will be started Im
mediately on "The Dream That Came
True."
On December 23rd a candle light
ing service wrill be given.
On Christmas eve at 7:30 the
Sundav SChocl program will be held,
and at eleven o'cclock "Why the
Chimes Rang" will be presented. At
the midnight hour the plan Is to pre
sent "The Perfect Gift."
DEATH OF PIONEER
The death cf Dempsey White, 96,
occurred at his home at Surprise, Ne
braska, near where he had resided for
the past sixty years, he having home
steaded near the present town of
Surprise.
Mr. White was born near Chilli
cothe, Missouri, in July, 1838. He
was a resident of Cass county for
some j-ears in the late sixties before
moving to the newer sections of the
state.
Mr. White was the oldest resident
of Butler county and up until the
past few weeks he had been able to
be up and around and in his usual
good health.
He had made his home with a
daughter. Mrs. Belle Coleman In Sur
prise for several years. He is sur
vived by two sons, the wife having
passed away several years ago.
Mr. White was a brother of the
late Ivan White and great uncle of
Mrs. F. R. Gobelman of this city.
CHILD BADLY BURNED
Richard Elliott, who is engaged
In river work near Peru, was In
the city Sunday for a short time and
reports a serious accident that be
fell their little son, Larry, 3, on Fri
day. Mrs. Elliott and the little son
have been visiting relatives at Co
lumbus Junction, Iowa, where the
accident occurred. The child in some
manner fell into a tub of very hot
water and before he could be extract
ed from the tub had suffered severe
burns, those on the back being es
pecially severe. The child was taken
to the hospital at Muscatine, Iowa,
where he is being cared for.
Superintendent L. S. Devoe spoke
at the Armistice day exercises at the
Louisville high school Monday afternoon.
Former AIvo
Girl Wedded at
Clarinda, Iowa
Miss Violet Johnson, of Des Moines
Wedded to Mr. Charles Devlin in
Pretty Church Ceremony.
The many friends of the former
Miss Violet Johnson will be pleased
to read the account of her marriage
taken from the Register and Tribune
paper of Des Moines, Iowa.
The marriage of Miss Violet John
son of Des Moines, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Robert F. Johnson of Clar
inda, and Charles E. Devlin, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Devlin of.
Tacoma, Wash., took place Saturday
at 9 p. m. at the First Methodist
Episcopal church.
The Rev. James Brett Kenna of
ficiated. Miss Marie Hunt and Ovil
Lansing Benet were the atendants.
After a short wedding trip to Chicago
?.Ir. and Mrs. Devlin will be at home
in the Jefferson apartments.
Mrs. Devlin attended the Univer
sity of Chattanooga where she was
affiliated with Alpha Delta PI soror
ity. Since locating in Des Moines she
has been employed by radio station
K-S-O at The Register and Tribune.
Mr. Devlin was graduated in 192S
from - Beloit college, and in 1933
from the Harvard Business school. At
Beloit ha affiliated with Tau Kappa
Epsilon social fraternity; Sigma
Delta Chi, national journalistic fra
ternity and Omicron Delta Gamma,
national economics fraternity.
At Harvard he served cn the edi
torial board of the Harvard Business'
Review. He is now with The Des
Moines Register and Tribune Co.
Mr. Devlins father is president of
the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul
railroad.
Mr. Delvin'a father is president of
at Alvo, Nebraska. After completing
her high school and college course.
she experienced seven years as a ra
dio entertainer and continuity writ
er. She is the granddaughter of the
late Paul Johnson of Alvo, Nebraska,
also granddaughter of Mr. W. A.
Fowler of Ashland, Nebr.
CENTRAL BUILDING PROGRAM
Mrs. Clara Wescott, member of the
D. A. R., addressed the students at
Central building Monday, November
12, in observance of Armistice day.
Mrs. Wescott spoke of the many dan
gers that threaten the nation and
that we must be ever on our guard
against Institutions that have for
their purpose the destruction of the
United States.
In addition to Mrs. Wescott's talk,
which wa3 very much appreciated,
the program consisted of: Song,
"Beautiful Blue Danube." combined
5th and Cth grades; Readings, "The
Grandson of Veteran" by Shirley
Walling; "Our Beautiful Banner,"
by Maldon Allen, Ronald Lester,
Fritz Schacknels, Corbin Davis,
James Yelick, Elmer Haffke; song,
"Katy Did." fifth grade group; Read
ings: "Music of the Waves" by Peggy
Wiles; "For My Country," by Leroy
Bashus; "Peace to the Brave," by
Betty McKissick; "Our Flag" by Ver
ona Toman; "The Flag Goes By,"
by Betty Jo; "The Song of the Flag"
by Sylvia Moore.
RETURNS FROM CHICAGO
Louis Patton returned home Sun
day from Chicago where he spent
a week visiting with his brother.
Ward Patton and enjoyed the clos
ing days of the Century of Progress
exposition. Louis accompanied his
father, R. H. Patton to Maconville.
Georgia, near where they have a
large pecan plantation. The crop of
this year was not yet ripe and the
managers of the plantation expect to
ship the crop north later In the sea
son. GIVES ADDRESS
Attorney J. A. Capwell of this. city
was at Alvo for the Armistice day
services which were held at the high
school there on Friday. Mr. Capwell,
a war veteran, gave an Interesting
account of the observance of the day
in the territory where he was sta
tioned at the time, also drawing les
sons from the results of the great
war that should lead the world to
peace.
ADDRESSES JUNIOR HIGH SCH00Lj
Attorney J. A. Capwell spoke to
the Junior High school Monday, No
vember 12, at 11:00 a. m. in observ
ance of Armistice day. Thi3 is the
third time ,that Mr. Capwell has
spoken to this student body and has
always proven to be interesting,
Mr.
Capwell stressed the fact that there
are opportunities for- Junior High
pupils to be patriotic and can do so
by being law abiding citizens and
pay the proper respect to the flag
and the nation.
In addition to this the program
consisted of: An essay by Lester
Reeves; "Liza Jane" by Jack Can
terbury; "Roses of Pickardy," Helen
Hiatt; song by DorotHy Ann Will.
Death of George
L Berger, Cass
County Pioneer
Colorful Figure of the Early Days of
Cass County Dies at Home
of Son in Omaha.
The death of George L. Berger, 8S,
pioneer of Cass county and one of
the last of the old time Eettlers in
Nebraska, died on Sunday at the
home of his son, W. II.. Berger, 2308
Douglas street, Omaha. The passing
of Mr. Berger was quite sudden as
he had been at Plattsmouth on last
Wednesday to bid old friends fare
well as he was planning on leaving
soon for Orange, California, to spend
the winter there.
Mr. Berger was born near Greens
ville in Mercer county, Pennsylvania,
this parents being Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Berger. The family came to Nebras
ka in 1857 and it was one of the
interesting events In the life of Mr.
Berger when a3 a youth he came
from the steamboat at . Plattsmouth
to make his future' home in the
west. The family located on a farm
in Louisville precinct and where Mr,
Berger still has land interests.
Mr. Berger completed his educa
tional work In the primitive schools
of the pioneer days and later spent
two years at school in Plattsmouth
He had been a careful and thrifty
man and was possessed of much land
Interests in Cass county and espec
ially in the vicinity of Elmwood
where he resided for several years
after moving from the farm ' near
Louisville.
The deceased was married on No
vember 3, 1870 to Miss Florinda Kil
gore, who died some two years ago
at Orange California, where the
family spent several years. There
are a number of children surviving
the passing of the father, Mrs. Wil
liam Stander, Bertha and Anna Ber
ger, Orange, Calif.; W. H. Berger
and Mrs. Flora Zachay, Omaha.
Mr. Berger was a speaker here at
the old settlers day of the Korn Kar-
nlval and related many of the inter
esting incidents of early days at that
time.
The funeral service of this pioneer
resident will be held on Sunday aft
ernoon at 1 o'clock at Elmwood and
the interment be in the cemetery
there.
HOLD MASQUERADE
The eighth grade boys and girls
had a masquerade party in the high
school gymnasium last Friday night.
At the beginning of the evening
they enjoyed a program by some of
their members. Janet Westover sang
"The Old Spinning Wheel," accom
panied by Ruth Westover at the
piano; Maxlne Nielsen played a
piano solo; Berla Helen Ault tap
danced and Bill Armstrong, Robert
Hayes and JImmie Jones presented
some magic tricks. A very greatly
enjoyed magic show was presented
by Mr. Devoe at the end of the even
ing. The greater part of the even
ing was spent In playing games un
der the leadership of Mr. Devoe.
A committee of mothers, Mrs. John
Hatt, Mrs. Walter Byers, Mrs. Ray
McMaken, Mrs. R. P. Westover, Mrs.
Harry Nielsen and Mrs. Frank Bar
kus, served delicious refreshments at
a suitable hour.
From Tuesday's Dally
S. S. Davis was in Lincoln today
where he was called on some business
and iniidently to enjoy a short stay
with his mother, Mrs. Mary M. Davis.
q Q
A. F. Jonas at
Omaha Tuesd'y
Well Known in This City Was Head
of U. P. Surgeons for
Many Years.
The death of Dr. August Frederick
Jonas, 76, one cf the leaders of the
medical profession in the state, well
known to a large circle of Platts
mouth friends, occurred Tuesday at
the family home, 106 South 31st ave.,
Omaha.
Dr. Jonas retired Trom practice and
from teaching seven years ago, fol
lowing a stroke. Sunday he suffered
another stroke, and death came at
10 yesterday morning.
Dr. Jonas was for 29 years chief
surgeon for the Union Pacific rail
road. At the time of his retirement
he was chairman of the department
of surgery at the University of Ne
braska medical college at Omaha. He
was a contributor to many medical
magazines and was regarded as one
of the pioneers of surgery.
Native of Wisconsin.
Dr. Jonas was born in Wisconsin
and was graduated from the Bennett
Medical college in Chicago in 1877.
He studied in Vienna, Berlin and
Paris from 1882 to 1884, and was
graduated from the University of
Ludwig Mavmillian in Munich in
1884.
Coming to Omaha in 1887, Dr.
Jonas became connected with the
Union Pacific. In those days Omaha
was the medical center for all the
territory to the west, and Dr. Jonas,
as one of the test-known surgeons,
ordinarily spent the entire morning
at hospitals operating.
To Omaha School in '92.
Dr. Jonas was a member of the
Societe Internationale de Chirurgie,
was once-a vice-president of the Am
erican Medical association, a vice-
president of the American Surgical
association, a fellow of the American
College of Surgeons, president of the
Western Surgical association, presi
dent of the Missouri Valley Medical
association, and of the Nebraska
State and Douglas County Medical so
cieties. In IS 92 Dr. Jonas joined the fac
ulty of the Omaha Medical college
with the title of professor of clinical
surgery. In 1899 he became dean of
the college, remaining in that post
until 1902, when the college was
taken over by the University of Ne
braska as its medical department.
Organized War Unit.
During the war Dr. Jonas took a
leading part in organizing base hos
pital unit No. 49, with an ambulance
company. He was medical adviser to
the governor on military matters. As
aide to the governor, he had the rank
of captain.
In 1929 Dr. Jonas asked to be re
tired, and by action of the univer
sity's board of regents was given the
title of professor emeritus. The uni
versity also conferred upon him the
degree of doctor of laws, in recog
nition of his service to the school.
Services on Thursday.
The doctor's writings on surgery
gained him a wide reputation both in
the United States and in Germany,
as he spoke and wrote German flu
ently. He had lectured in German
on medical subjects. .
Never restricting himself to medi
cine. Dr. Jonas was known also as
an amateur mineralologist. He had
a large collection of minerals. He
was also Interested in art and liter
ature, and had a small collection of
Egyptian art.
Following his retirement, Dr.
Jonas spent a good deal of time trav
eling, mostly in Europe.
Surviving Dr. Jonas are the widow
and three children, August Freder
ick, jr., Mary Elizabeth and Carl
Stebbins Jonas.
Funeral services will be Thursday
at 2 at the home, in charge of Rev.
Charles Durden. Burial will be at
Forest Lawn.
A HAPPY EVENT
The home of Mrs. Hans Seivers Is
one of the happiest in the city owing
to the arrival there of a fine little
granddaughter, born to Mr. and Mrs.
Sanford Short. The mother and lit
tle one are doing nicely and the oe-
casion has brought great Joy to the
little brothers and the proud father.
VISIT AT SPENCER, IOWA
Sunday Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Bates
and children, Texanna, Milford, Jr.,
and Roberta, motored to Spencer,
Iowa, where they enjoyed the day
visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Osburn Cheney. Mrs. Cheney is a
cousin of Mr. Bates and the visit was
the first they have enjoyed for a
number of this years. Mr. Cheney is
well known in this city as he form
erly resided at Shenandoah, Iowa, and
was connected with the receivership
of the First National bank here. He
is now engaged in the banking busi
ness at Spencer, one of the fine small
cities of northern Iowa,
Truck Strikes
'Zephyr' East
of Greenwood
Crack All Steel Burlington Train and
a Truck Load of Corn Have a
Collision None Injured
The fast streamlined train of the
Burlington, the "Zephyr" and a
truck loaded with corn crashed
Tuesday evening at a crossing east
of the town of Greenwood.
The truck was driven by Paul
Armstrong of Riverton and who was
accompanied by William Smith, a
friend, and neither the driver or pas-
enger were injured in the crash.
The front end of the loaded truck
was somewhat damaged. The train
was going about thirty miles an
hour when the crash took place.
Witnesses said the truck hit the
train near the front, and as it was
vliirlcd about struck the train a
second time. A doorstep to the mail
car was bent and there were a few
dents on the stainless steel side of
the train about forty feet further
back. Repairs on the train were
made Tuesday night in Lincoln.
' The train was stopped after the
accident and backed up to the point
of collision. Burlington officials said
the Zephyr was running exactly on
schedule.
SURPRISED ON 16TH BIRTHDAY
A large crowd of neighbors and
friends gathered last Saturday night
at the Alexen home to help celebrate
Miss Ruth Alexen's sixteenth birth
day. Miss Alexen, who is a senior in
Louisville high school was not home
during the day and was greatly sur
prised to see so many of her friends
at her home when 6he came home
that evening for a week end visit
with her parents, brothers and sis
ters. The evening was spent in dancing
playing games and cards. At a suit
able hour a delicious lunch was
served by Mrs. Alexen and Mrs. An
ton Meisinger. The guest of honor
received many useful gifts which will
long be remembered.
Those present were: Oliver, Clyde
and Catherine Meisinger, John and
Ellen Kelly, Norma and Thyra
Baumgart, Louie and Mary Wagner,
Leroy Meisinger, Cecil Schaal, Carey
Zimmerman, Mildred Young, Albert
and Florence Sedlak, Marie Hughes,
Herbert Meisinger, Vivian, Anna
Jane and Freddie Terryberry, Ber
nese Kaffenberger, Dorothy Rhoden,
Norene, Winifred and Virginia Kaf
fenberger, Lloyd Heil, Andrew Alex
en, Frank Fight, Mr. and Mrs. Earl
Meisinger, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer
Tschlrren, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Mei
singer, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Alexen,
Mr. and Mrs. Tinus Romberg and
family, Elmer, Irene, Marie, Betty
and Mildred Alexen, the guest of
honor's grandfather and the guest
of honor.
HERE FOR VISIT
Oliver Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Roy Taylor, arrived home on Sun
day from San Diego, California,
where he is in the naval training
station at that place. Oliver has a
leave for ten days and will enjoy it
here with the parents and host of
friends that he has in this commun
ity. Oliver has been in service for
the past three months and makes ajficent vote given me at the election
fine looking representative of this ion November 6th. I wish you all to
branch of Uncle Sam's service. The accept my sincere thanks. I shall
.many friends are delighted to have
the opportunity of a visit with Oliver t
teven if for only a short time. j
Civic Body is
Advised of Camp
Plattsmouth
Supt. W. lu. Wallace of Camp and
Two Young Men Residents,
Guests of C. of C.
The members of the board of di
rectors of the Chamber of Commerce
at their luncheon Tuesday noon at
the Stewart cafe, had the pleasure of
l aving with them three representa
tives of Camp Plattsmouth north of
this city.
W. L. Wallace, superintendent of
the FERA camp, told of the work of
the organization over the nation, the
number of camps that have been es
tablished to care for the young boys
that may be wandering over the na
tion. The program for the handling
of the educational work, planning
activities and training that would
fit the boys for useful lives and the
general rehabilitation of the youth
was among the points (uV(.n-,J by
Mr. Wallace. He also discussed the
work of the local camp and their ac
tivities there.
With Mr. Wallace was two of the
young men of the camp, Roy Zeigler
and Robert Hanke, one a resident of
New York City while the other had
made his home in Louisiana, both
now being residents of the camp.
They gave their impressions of the
camp and answered a number of
questions e.s to their plans and the
benefits that they had felt they de
rived from the camp training and
associations.
The Chamber of Commerce voted
to send a representative to the navi
gation congress at St. Louis which
will deal with Improvement woik on
the upper Missouri and Mississippi
rivers. It was voted that A. E. Stew
art, manager of the Norfolk Packing
plant here, be the official represen
tative of the city of Plattsmouth.
The Chamber of Commerce had as
guests two of the prominent resi
dents of the La Platte community,
Charles Grosshans and Amos Iske.
CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY
Mr. and Mrs. John HIber of this
city observed on Saturday the pass
ing of their fifty-second wedding an
niversary and Saturday and Sunday
had a number of relatives with them
to enjoy the occasion. Mi3s Emma
Toman and John Hiber were married
here on November 10, 18S2 and have
made their home here continuously
since that time. They have been
numbered among the best and most
highly respected citizens of the com
munity and have a large circle of
friends to Join In their congratula
tions to them on the anniversary. Mr.
and Mrs. Hiber are the parents of
six children, John Hiber, Jr., of Hast
ings, Mrs. Frank Bestor of this city;
Mrs. Herbert Rckhar of Phoenix,
Arizona; Frank Hiber of Riverton,
Wyoming; Joseph Hiber and Miss
Eleanor Hiber of this city. Mrs. John
Hiber, Jr., of Hastings was here to
assist in the anniversary.
ENJOY A FINE MEETING
The Catholic Daughters of Amer-
ica held a very much enjoyed nieet
Ing on Tuesday evening at the hos
pitable home of Mrs. Frank Mullen,
with Mrs. Frank Bestor, Mrs. Cyril
Kalina, Mrs. Edgar Creamer and
Mrs. W. V. Ryan as the associate
hostesses.
There were six tables of cards, the
ladies spending the evening in bridge
and pinochle, Mrs. John Bergniann
being the winner in bridge and Miss
Betty Ecrgmann in pinochle.
A short business session was held
to take up a number cf rruittora of
importance to the court.
Guests of the evening were Mrs.
Thomas Walling. Mrs. Joe Weber,
Miss Ruth Ferrie and Miss Lucille
Case.
Dainty refreshments were served
by the ladies at the close cf the
evening and which added to the
pleasures of all those In attendance.
TO THE VOTERS
Deeply appreciative of the magni
.strive to give you the best possible
administration of the office of sheriff.
II. SYLVESTER.