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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 1936)
tletr. State Historic! Society j ST B 1 I v ri VOL. NO. IH PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1936. NO. 13 Card Racket Reveals Older Crime in Omaha Sheriff Sylvester in Investigating Dis covers Second of Weiss Brothers Was Backet Victim. RhPriff TTompr Svivosrpr who h been investigating the various angles of the "con" card racket that Arthur Weiss was victim of in Omaha, has uncvoered the fact that Ernest Weiss, a brother, also was the victim of apparently the same gang. The robbery of Ernest Weiss oc curred two years ago and in the time he has maintained a deep silence un til the card game in which his bro ther was fleeced. It seems that Ernest Weiss in Om aha made the acquaintance of a man who promisd to see that he had a job and made an appointment to meet Wels3 later along north 16th street. Weiss kept the appointment but looked in vain for the friend with the Job. As he stood on the street corner, two strangers came by and inquired if he was looking for some one. he told them he was and accord ingly they claimed to know of the hangout of the friend. The trio adjourned to a nearby apartment house and where the sug gestion was made that they Join in a game of poker and which Weiss re fused. Later they suggested that Weiss buy a few drinks and which In the meantime he declined to do the friend with the job failed to ap pear on the scene and Weiss started to leave, saying that he would seek the friend later. The two companions of Weiss as he started to leave the room, pulled a gun and commanded him to produce what money he had on him and any other valuables. The men secured $70 in cash and also a ring that Weiss was wearing. They then informed Weiss that he was coming to Plattsmouth and secure more money, ordering him. to make four checks for 525 each, which they forced him to cash at different local business houses and they took the money. The men then left Weiss here and with the warning that he was to keep still or that they would see that he made no more complaints. Sheriff Sylvester had Weiss at Om aha to look over the pictures of con and holdup men In the police bureau and he at once identified the man Davis, held in the Arthur Weiss card game racket, as one of the men that robbed him. As soon as Davis completes his present ninety day sentence it is ex pacted that a complaint will be filed against him in the Ernest Weiss case. SINGLE JUDGE SYSTEM AT BLAIR DECLAMATOBY MEET The opinion of one judge will de termine winners in the district de clamatory contest at Blair today. R. Foster Patterson, who judged the entire sub-district meet at Ne braska City last week, will officiate in like capacity for the oratorical and extemporaneous groups. Don Buell, member of the speech department at the University of Nebraska will then take up the task of judging the dra matic and humorous offerings. Oratorical, extemporaneous and dramatic are taking place during the day, beginning at 10:30 this morn ing. Tonight's program will consist of only humorous, of which there are a large number entered. Plattsmouth will be represented in this group by James Sandin, who won first place at the sub-district meet with his "Lad ies Aid at the Local .Theatre," and who is rated sufficiently good to go on to the state meet. The local schools have a contestant in all four classifications, the group of competing students leaving this morning for Blair. STILL CONFINED TO HOME Mrs. Paul Vandervoort who has been ill for the past week, is still confined to her home and while im proving It has been very slowly. She is suffering from an ear infection that has been very difficult to re lieve. Used cars, livestock, household goods all oan be sold through inexpensive Journal Want Ads. DIES AT OMAHA (Torn Thursdays Dally The death of Mrs. George Rice, 41, occurred early this morning at an Omaha hosoital where she has been ill for the past two weeks. Mrs Rice leaves her husband in this city as well as a number of brothers and sisters in Minnesota, her former home. The body was brought to this city to tne Horion iuneiai nome wnere u w111 remain until funeral arrange- menis are compieiea. In his bereavement Mr. Rice will have the deep sympathy of the many friends in the community. Presbyterian Circles Hold Their Elections Select Officers to Guide Affairs of Various Groups in Program for the Coming Year. From Thursday's Daily The circle groups of the Woman's Federation of the Presbyterian church met yesterday and elected their officers for the coming year as follows: Circle No. 1. Chairman, Mrs. Hilt Martin; assistant chairman, Miss Helen Hunter; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Will Schmidtmann; missionary chairman, Mrs. Bertha Shopp. Circle No. 2 Chairman, Mrs. Geo. Farley; secretary. Mrs. John Palacek; treasurer. Airs, uemmy matt; mis sionary chairman, Mrs. John Wolff. Circle No. 3 Chairman, Mrs. Roy Knorr; secretary - treasurer, Mrs. Greer; missionary chairman, Miss Helen Farley; assistant missionary chairman. Miss Agnes Muenster. Circle No. 4 Chairman, Mrs. E. C. Giles; secretary, Mrs. Ralph Wehr bein; treasurer, Mrs. Emma Cappell; missionary chairman, Mrs. Frank Cloidt. Circle No. 5 Chairman, Mrs. Phil lip Hirz; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Ray Larson; missionary chairman, Mrs. Nettle Lush in sky. Luncheons were served by cora millees from each qlrcle at their meetings yesterday at the church, and a social period followed that made the occasion an enjoyable one. VISITS IN OLD HOME Myron Wheeler, of Lincoln, mem ber of one of the pioneer families of this city, was here Thursday to spend a few hours visiting with the old time friends and looking over the city of his boyhood days. During his stay here he was a visitor with Dr. T. P. Livingston, who has not been in the best of health, the members of the Patterson family and at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Herold. Mr. Wheeler is a son of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Wheeler, who played a prominent part in the early history of Cass county and Plattsmouth and whose old home stood where the pres ent Cass county court house was built in 1891. Mr. Wheeler has made his home in Lincoln for a great many years and served as a district court reporter there up until a year ago when he retired from active work. OLD FOLKS ENJOY OUTING Wednesday afternoon a group of some fifty of the residents of the Ne braska Masonic Home of this city were guests of Tangier temple of the Shrine at Omaha to enjoy the Shrine circus now being held there. The Shrine had arranged a spe cial matinee at which they had in vited as guests a large group from the various homes in and near Omaha. Included in the group In addition to the local Masonic Home residents were residents of Father Flannagan's Home, Florence Old Peoples Home, Good Shepherd Home, Boy's Masonic Home of Omaha. The local guests were taken to Omaha by autos provided by the mem bers of the local Masonic bodies. VERY PLEASANT EVENT Mr. and Mrs. George Kalasek are the happy parents of a fine little daughter that arrived at their home on March 16th. The mother and little one are doing nicely and the vent has brought a great deal of pleasure to all of the members of the family circle. Good Showing Made at Blair Declamatory Three Local Entries Bate Fourth in Eespective Classes Among the Keenest of Competition From Friday's Daily Two contestants of the ten entered from the second Sub-District won a top three place rating at the district declamatory contest at Blair yester day. They were James L. Armstrong, of Auburn, rated first in interpreta tive oratory, and Arlo Wirth, of Dun bar, third, in extemporaneous. Arm strong will go on to the state meet. Competition at the Blair meet is reported as having been plenty keen, with entries from Omaha schools, Fremont, Blair aoid Fullerton, all of which have been leading forensic contenders for years and have includ ed debating and public speaking in their regular curriculum, beginning as low down as in the Junior High. Withal, three of Plattsmouth's four contestants rated fourth place rating in the "honorable mention." They were James Sandin, humorous; James Webb, original oratory, and Stephen Davis, extemporaneous. Omaha schools. Blair, Fremont and Fullerton took most of the first, sec ond and third places. Original and interpretative oratory and extemporaneous were judged by R. Foster Patterson, while Don Buell, of the speech department of the Uni versity of Nebraska judged dramatic and humorous entries. Medals were awarded first and sec ond place winners in each group, who will go on to the state contest. Trophies were also awarded to the five schools winning the respective sub-district contests, the schools to receive this recognition being Ben son; Fullerton, Plattsmouth, Blair and North Bend. The four local contestants and their coach, Lumir A. Gerner, were taken to Blair early yesterday morn ing by Mrs. J. R. Reeder and spent a most enjoyable day there, gaining some valuable information on the manner in which district oratorical contests are conducted. The fact that two of the Platts mouth students ranking fourth are Freshmen is most pleasing to school officials, who look forward to great er triumphs in the field of 'oratory in future years. DIES AT DENVER. C. F. Harris, former county com missioner, was in the city today and stated that he had suffered the be reavement of a grandson, Hayes Har ris, 19, who passed away on March 17th at Denver. The deceased was born at Union, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Vance H. Har ris, spending his boyhood there and where he was educated in the schools of that place. He was a very apt student and was selected for a schol arship at the University of Nebraska, attaining one of the highest ranks of any student up to this time. He had been at Denver for the past five weeks attending night school and also being employed on a day Job. He was stricken a few days ago with pneumonia fever and died on March 17. The body will be taken to Fort Dodge, Iowa, for interment and many of the members of the family from this county are to drive over to attend the service which will be held on Friday. TRACK DAYS APPROACHING Coach Fred A. Rothert of the high school, is planning to start the track season for the year In the very near future as soon as the athletic park is In proper shape and the weather favorable for the outdoor activities. There are several back this year that showed well last season, Bob Val lery, Earl Taylor and Bill Carey, all having had experience in the field sports. Joe Hendrix who was one of the track men of last year, will prob ably not be out this year, owing to his physical condition. The coach Is also having spring football practice to warm up the gridsters of last fall and place them In shape for action this coming sea son when school reconvenes In the fall. SAYS ADVERTISING PAYS Thursday one of our farmer friends from the southern part of Cass coun ty was in the city and called at the Journal to express his appreciation of the good results that a small for sale ad had brought him in the Jour nal. He had advertised the sale of several pigs and the ad brought him in some $300 in results. Another of the local ads run caused the advertiser to be aroused at his home last night and asked to come to his place of business to see some articles advertised, the result being that a bill cf goods amounting to $77 was sold and delivered. Regional Meet ing of Officials Here April 22 Plattsmouth. to be Host to 'City Dads' from Ninety Nebraska Towns, Including Lincoln, Omaha You may have heard what the gov ernor of North Carolina said to the governor of South Carolina, but no one will know what the mayor of Lincoln may say to the mayor of Omaha until after the regional meet ing of city officials scheduled to be held in this city on Wednesday, April 22nd. Ninety towns in eastern Nebraska are included in this region and will be urged to send representatives here for this important meeting being ar ranged by the Nebraska League of Municipalities to talk over important city problems. Since both Lincoln and Oinaha are included in this reg ion, Brother Charlie and Mayor Roy will be among those present, accom panied by goodly delegations of oth er officials from their respective cit ies. And there will be'lot, of other mayors, councilmea, city clerks, city treasurers and city attorneys here from other towns over the region, as well. As host city, Plattsmouth will pro vide the assemblage with a meeting place, or rather meeting places, as the different groups meet separately to discuss their respective problems. The main session will be held at the public library auditorium, with group meetings in the city hall, the County Court room and the Legion building. Registration will begin at 11 a. m., with the visiting delegations gather ing together in luncheon groups at the different Plattsmouth restaurants, prior to the call to order at. 1:30. The entire afternoon will be taken up with discussions or the serious problems of municipal government. Following adjournment, shortly be fore six o'clock, Plattsmouth will be host to the visitors at a dinner at the Legion community building. Fully 200 yisiting city officials are expected to attend this complimentary dinner at which the serious side of municipal affairs will be forgotten and a pro gram of fun and entertainment pro vided. Superintendent L. S. Devoe has consented to act as toastmaster or master of ceremonies. R. Foster Pat terson, of Tarkio college faculty and a former Plattsmouth school man, in the role of a "braintruster," will be the principal after dinner speaker, addressing the assemblage in humor ous vein on "How to Run a Munici pal Government." Following this, a series of snappy comedy situations will be unfolded and all will get to hear what the mayor of Lincoln may have to say to the mayor of Omaha. The climaxing number on the even ing's program of fun, will be a bur lesque session of the, city council of Hopetown, Prosperity county, Nebras ka, enacted by a trained cast from script now being written. This farce on city management 'promises to be about the funniest thing arranged here in recent years and should wind up the day's activities in fine shape, leaving the visiting officials with happy memories of the pleasant time provided them in Plattsmouth. NOTICE After April 1st, the following den tal offices in the city 'will be closed Thursday afternoons the year around. Dr. P. TV Helneman, Dr. F. R. Molak, Dr. W. V. Ryan. ml6-2tw-10td Phone news Items to No. 6. River Naviga tion Proves Boon to Peoria, 111. Committee of Plattsmouth Men Re turn Enthused from Illinois City Where They Inspected Dock. T . t a m TT IT ..t. TT! T i r riaay uigni i. ii. x-uuucn., iu. o. Richey and Attorney A. L. Tidd re turned home from several days spent at Peoria, Illinois, where they in spected the docks along the Illinois river at that place, as well as the gen eral effect of river navigation and water rates on the commercial life o fthat section of Illinois. While they have been deeply in terested in the matter of river navi gation, they return highly enthus iastic over what this may mean to the central west and to the cities that line the Missouri river and will serve as the ports of entry to the sections farther w'est. The Plattsmouth visitors were given every courtesy by the city gov ernment of Peoria, two of the mem bers of the board of aldermen, Sam uel L. Mathis of the fifth ward and Henry W. Stein of the fourth ward, being a committee that arranged that they might have every opportunity of seeing the workings of the water rates in the developing of industry. The city has a $400,000 municipal dock along the Illinois river and while there they saw two practical examples of the advantages that the low water rates have bine Peoria. There was being loaded a barge that is capable of hauling fifty-five car loads of merchandise, manufac tured in Peoria, to other points for shipmentt to all parts of the world where the low water rates give them the opportunity of competing with the goods from other sections.' - While they were at ' Peoria they also witnessed the arrival of one of the large barges from down the river that was bringing in a load of wood pulp from Denmark, which was to be used in the manufacture of paper boxes and other articles that will be manufactured and then shipped out at the low water rates. Two of the concrete examples that Peoria has to show for the advan tages of the water rates is the mam mouth manufacturing plant of the Caterpillar Tractor Co., which .has been movel there from California as well as the plant in Minnesota, mak ing an Institution that occupies 155 acres of land, 53 acres being covered with buildings. There are 9,000 per sons employed by the Caterpillar com pany and the force is working twenty-four hours a day. The other industry that has come to Peoria since the advent of water transportation! Js the distillery of the Hiram Walker Co., which has their main plant there now. This plant covers many acres and employes 1,760 persons. They have large stor age houses, one of 70,000 barrels and another of 80,000 barrel capacity, as w ell as the distilling plant. Mr. Stevens, the manager of the plant took the local men over the buildings and was enthusiastic over the ad vantages of the river rates to their company In shipping their products to all parts of the world. In speaking of the visit the Peoria Star has the following account: Three leading citizens of Platts mouth, Nebr., spent today in Peoria inspecting the river terminal and gathering data useful for promoting a similar improvement in their town of 4,000 on the banks of the Mis souri river. The visitors were T. H. Pollock, E. J. Richey, lumber and coal dealer, and A. L. Tidd, attorney-at-law. Mr. Pollock and Mr. Richey are members of the Chamber of Commerce river improvement committee. Alderman Sam Mathis and Henry Stein of the Peoria river terminal council , committee had the visitors in tow, conducted them through the terminal, took them to Mayor E. N. Woodruff, and then escorted them on a visit to Hiram Walker & Sons dis tillery and the Caterpillar Tractor company. ' Government Improves River "We are gathering Information here on what our needs are in Platts mouth In the way of dock facilities," Mr. Richey said. "Our town is 20 miles south of Omaha on the Mis souri, which the federal government proposes to make navigable as far an Sioux City. It is expected that the river will be opened for traffic to Omaha sometime next year, and we want to be prepared to take advan tage of the water traffic." The visitors asserted that plans are already drawn for a terminal at Plattsmouth but they needed facts to bolster their arguments in favor of a terminal. Thus the Peoria trip. Mr. Pollock declared that Platts mouth is a railroad town, and it is hoped that river freight lines might be opened to make Plattsmouth more attractive to small industries. Want Cheaper Rates "We are earnestly trying to find methods of bringing new industries to Plattsmouth," Mr. Pollock said. "Our community is a rich agricul tural center, and we are interested in water traffic from the standpoint of cheaper rates." He said that inasmuch as the gov ernment plans to spend millions in making the Missouri navigable, some citizens of his town felt that it should provide facilities to unload and originate freight. The men declared that they had heard of Peoria's terminal through Mr. Miller, secretary of the Missouri Valley Navigation association of Kan sas City. Mr. Tidd made the con tact. They drove here in nine hours yesterday, and plan to return tomor row. Birthday Party of the Legion is Well Attended Auxiliary Joins With Members of Organization in Very Pleas ant Social Evening. From Friday's Daily The Hugh J. Kerns post No. 5C, of the American Legion, last evening at their building, enjoyed the eight eenth anniversary of the establish ment of the American Legion nation ally as well as the eighteenth year of the organization in Plattsmouth. The members of the American Le gion Auxiliary also joined in the oc casion and provided the fine lunch eon that was a part of the evening entertainment. ' The large group . enjoyed very much the showing of the films of "The Legion Marches On," a story of the St. Louis convention of the Le gion Jast summer and to add to this was shown the pictures of the King Korn Karnival, these being made pos sible through the courtesy of the Anheuser-Busch Co., of St. Louis, who donated the Legion films and E. J. Weyrich who provided the Karnival pictures and ran the films. Judge A. H. Duxbury, past com mander and long time service officer, spoke of the early history of the Le gion, the caucuses that were held in March, 1919, in Paris as well as at St. Louis, to join the members of the AEF and those in this country. He also covered the first Legion con vention held at St. Louis. E. A. Webb, post adjutant since August, 1920, gave some historic facts connected with the local post, revealing Judge Duxbury as the "father" of the local American Le gion Auxiliary, organized under his' term aa commander. Mr. Webb also gave the names of the past com mander of the local post as follows: Prank Smith, 1919; A. H. Duxbury, W. H. Shopp, 1920; Emil J. Hild, 1921; Eugene Lister, A. W. Holl- meyer, R. J. Larson, 1922; R. J. Lar son, 1923; W. R. Holly, 1924-1925; Thomas Walling, 1926; Henry Soen- nichsen. 1927; Leslie W. NIel, 1928; Fred Lugsch, 1929; Otto Lutz, 1930; Garold Holcomb, Albert Olson, 1931; W. T. Distell. Clyde Jackson, 1932; Albert Olson, 1933; Dr. R. P. West over, 1934; C. A. Marshall. 1935; Fred Herbster, 1936. Mrs. James Farnham on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary con gratulated the Legion on its birth day and aided by Mrs. Otto A. Keck, Auxiliary president, presented the Legion with a large and handsomely decorated birthday cake as well as a check for a substantial sum in appre ciation of the use of the building which has been turned over to the Auxiliary when needed. Commander Fred Herbster made the response for the Legion and praised the excellent work of the ladie3 in carrying on the work for the service men and women. Cards followed the evening pro gram and the evening ended with the serving of the luncheon. SPENDS VACATION HEBE Miss Geraldine Griffin, who is at tending Stephens college, at Colum bia, Missouri, is home to enjoy the spring vacation. She has as her guest for the vacation, her school mate, Miss Wyline Baird of Newport, Tennessee. Merchants Join in Spring Sales for Four Days Offer Large and Complete Stock3 at Prices as Low or Below Those to be Found Elsewhere In this issue. of the Journal thorn appear a 'goodly number of timely thritt message's lrom IMaltsmmiili business houses that should be care fully road by our readers. The spring trade season is at hand and Plattsmouth stores are ready for it. Throughout the winter months, careful buyers hive been busy scour ing the merchandise marts of the nation in search of outstanding value to pass on to their customers with the opening of the spring trade sea son, now at hand. Clothing for milady and the nun folks as well has been selected with an eye to 'style and color in keeping with the new season. Staple goods groceries, meats, hardware, etc. all are included in the special trade days offerings being advertised. Plattsmouth's popularity as a trad ing center has been built up through pleasing the buying public giving customers what they want, and with al, adhering strictly to quality re quirements and buyers thi3 year for the various stores have striven espt -ially hard to uphold that well earn ed reputation. The opportunity to purchase goods in Plattsmouth at a saving was never greater than during the present week, when, beginning Wednesday and run ning to Saturday night, special Spring Trade Days sales are in the air. .o drastic price slashing, but good, hon est prices fcr reliable merchandise the equal of those you will find any where in the country. That is the background of this feature .sale, and we cannot refrain from urging our readers again to scan the ada care fully and come to Plattsmouth this week to do your Spring and pre-Eas-ter trading. We are confident you will not be disappointed. Stores will be open Wednesday evening and it is announced that the first "Gift Night" program of the summer season will be held that night. The broadcast system will be in operation and some special en tertainment is promised. GIVE FRIEND SURPRISE From Saturday's Paily: Last evening the neighbors, a few of the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Wil liam C. Tippens gave them a n.ost delightful surprise on the birthday of Mrs. Tippens. Mr. and Mrs. Tippens had gone to the main portion of the .city to at tend the theatre and when they ar rived home the jolly party of friends came to their home and showered the guest of honor with congratulations and well wishes. The members had brought with them dainty refreshments ar.d includ ing the birthday cake which male a part of the fine feast. Those from outside the city t: at tend were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hild and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Tutt, cf .Mur ray. CANDIDATE VISITS CITY Thursday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Haning, of Weeping Water were in the city, where Mr. Haning. one of the candidates for the uni cameral legislature, was meeting the voters in the business section of the city. Mr. Haning has resided and farmed in southeastern Nebraska for the past thirty years and stales in his announcements that he 1 a lib eral republican and favors more leg islation favorable to the farmer. This is his first effort to secure public office. JUDGES AT SPRINGFIELD Mrs. E. II. Wescott was at Spring field Friday evening where she served as one of the judges of the music contest of the Springfield high school. She had charge of the Judging of the vocal numbers of the contest. The contest was very cleverly ar ranged in the manner of Major Bowes auditions and a large group of the young people participated, there being glee club and individual vocal and instrumental numbers.
