XTebr. State Historical Society
'St
ouzu
VOL. NO. in
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1936.
NO. 2$
Membership
Tea is Given by
WCTU Ladies
Many Interesting Tacts Told of the
Work of the Organization, in
This Community.
Thursday morning, May 7th. at 9
o'clock the W. C. T. U. held a break
fast as a close to their membership
drive for new and renewed members.
In the dining room of the Methodist
church tables were arranged in the
form of the letter T and set with
silver and linen and the whole room
made cheerful with bouquets of tu
lips and columbine. Here for a short
time friends gathered and visited un
til breakfast was served. Because of
some misunderstanding the state sec
retary did not arrive, but the local
union being organized in 1874 has
some interesting history and Miss
Olive Gass was asked to take the
speaker's chair. She i3 the oldest
.meriwp- in vthe present organization
ifnd with Mrs. Jyjia Troop, past pres
ident for fifteen years, Miss Eliza
beth Spangler, treasurer for eighteen
years and still an officer; Mrs. Sarah
Kerr, pioneer member and officer;
Mrs. Ella Wiles, a past president;
Mrs. Anna Wills, white ribbon recruit
secretary; Mrs. Genevieve Hayes, ac
tive in scientific temperance instruc
tion over twenty years. Mrs. Flora
Arn, recording secretary for ten
years and still recording; Mrs. Clara
Wescott, present president, Mrs. Mira
Propst, past secretary and vice pres
ident, Mrs. Edna Wescott, Mrs. Lyda
Pollock, Mrs. Martha Wetenkamp,
Mrs. Mary Spencer and Mrs. Minnie
Troop; all these have never failed
to pay their dues since becoming
members.
When Plattsmouth organized in
1874. there were fifty-three charter
members, only one of whom, Miss
Flora Wise of Kansas City, is now
living. Miss Gass related many more
interesting events of those early days
of the local W. C. T. U. which it
would do well for all of us to emu
late. Mrs. Kerr, a lover of Miss Wil
lard, the woman, again told us some
interesting items of this leader's life
and tlie members marveled at her
ability to remember dates Mrs.
Troop inspired the members anew
with her enthusiasm for the work
from which she was forced to retire
as active officer because of physical
inability. Then the chairman of the
campaign took occasion to explain
briefly the objections of the local
W. C. T. U. and how the one dollar
dues are used. State, county, and
local all receive a percent and each
member receives the state paper.
Local work includes the placing of
the national paper, "The Union Sig
nal," printed weekly, in schools and
library. The S. T. I. work sponsored
throughout the high school grades of
the city; temperance work through
Sunday school and Daily Vacation
Bible schools; and there was on dis
play a flag formed by red, white and
blue pledge cards signed by Sunday
school children and adults in the
Methodist Sunday school as a part of
the regular temperance Sunday school
lessons. This with special meetings
and projects require money and that
more may be done in the line of ad
vertising the good effects of total ab
stinence and the awfulness of free
license to drink alcoholic beverages,
this drive for increased members was
made.
The local union is happy to report
20 new paid members and one honor
ary member. Men may become honor
ary members and the union hopes
many will be interested enough to
give their dues ($1.00) to the local
union, because it all remains in the
local treasury for work at home in
temperance education, peace and
child welfare. This doubles last
year's membership and altho this
drive closes a national project thru
every state, the work of gaining mem
bers for the current year will con
tinue until the state convention in
the fall. Especially are those ladies
invited to attend W. C. T. U. meet
ing who are interested in that pro
gram and in sympathy with the ob
jective, whether they are able to pay
due3 or not. The union is happy to
greet so many new members, some
of whom have just moved among us
and their interest and enthusiasm to
spread interest in this cause to oth
ers greatly encourages those of us
who have carried on when the tide
seemed against us. To the commit
tee of eight members who so faith
fully labored to make this drive a
success, the union wishes to extend
most heartfelt appreciation.
VISIT AT GUIDE ROCK
Mr. and Mrs. Cass Sylvester, Mrs
Edward Gabelman and Mrs. John Jor
dan, were visitors Sunday at Guide
Rock, Nebraska, where the mother,
Mrs. J. J. Boom is residing and en
joying a very pleasant outing. They
found that section had received a
very fine rain that was much appre
ciated as there has been a drouth
condition in that section for the past
three years.
Death of Former
Resident Occurs
at Havelock
Mrs. Joel Messersmith Dies at the
Ripe Old Age of Eighty Years ;
Here Forty Years Ago.
Mrs. Anna A. Messersmith, 80,
widow of Joel Messersmith, and a
resident here some forty years ago,
died Saturday afternoon at her home
2601 R street, Lincoln. She has been
ill for several months and has failed
very rapidly in the last few weeks.
The family made their home here
for a number of years where Mr.
Messersmith was engaged with the
Burlington and the many old time
friends of the family will regret very
much to learn of her passing.
She has been active in the social
circles at Havelock and was a past
president of the Degree of Honor and
the Rebekah chapters in that place,
as well as an active member of the
Royal Highlanders. She was affiliat
ed with the Second Baptist church.
Mrs. Messersmith is survived by a
son, Charles, of the Maywood store
of this city, two daughters, Mrs. G.
W. Mathison, McCool, Nebraska, and
Mrs. R. W. Klotz, of Golden City.
Mo., three grandchildren and five
great grandchildren. Mrs. John W.
Alwin of this city is a niece.
HAVE IMPRESSIVE SERVICE
The Young Men's Bible class of
the Methodist church held a most
impressive observance of Mother's
day on Sunday at the service hour.
Wilbur Hall, one of the long time
members of the class gave the very
beautiful vocal solo, "Little Mother
O'Mine, that was very much enjoyed
by the large number in attendance.
Judge A. H. Duxbury paid a very
fine tribute to motherhood from the
class membership that was very elo
quent and impressive.
The members then joined in the
silent tribute, in which the members
silently arose from their places and
deposited in the turn, the red petals
for the living and white for the de
parted mothers.
There were four mothers present
for the meeting, Mrs. W. B. Rishel,
Mrs. George Hall, Mrs. A. H. Bush-
nell, Mrs. Virginia Trively.
The meeting was presided over by
Earl Koeble, class president, in a
most impressive manner.
VERY HAPPY EVENT
Mrs Josephine Janda of thi3 city
was given a most delightful Moth
er's day remembrance Sunday in the
person of a fine little granddaughter.
The little lady was born early Sun
day at the Methodist hospital at Om
aha to Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Janda,
and with the mother is doing very
nicely. This is the first child in the
family and the many friends of the
happy parents will join in their con
gratulations. The little one weighed
six pounds.
ALBERT-GLAZE
Mrs. John Albert of Plattsmouth
announces the engagement and ap
proaching marriage of her grand
daughter. Miss Lovisa Albert, to La
Verne B. Glaze of McCook. Miss Al
bert is a graduate of the Peru State
Teachers college and is a member of
the teaching staff at McCook. Mr.
Glaze is employed in government
work in McCook. The wedding will
take place in early summer. State
Journal.
Mr. Glaze is a son of Mr. and Mrs.
C. F. Glaze of this city.
'Mother' Theme
at Local Churches
Sunday Morning
Day Is Dedicated to Mothers of the
World and Special Musical
Programs Offered.
The churches of the city on Sun
day featured services that were dedi
cated to the motherhood of the world
and to especially the local mothers,
many of whom were able to be pres
ent in their places in the houses of
worship to receive the tribute given
to their services.
The day was one that was ideal and
permitted the presence of large con
gregations at all of the churches
which were arranged in the spring
flowers.
The St. Luke's Episcopal church
observed the Mother's honors in the
sermon of the rector at the 10:30
morning service.
The St. Paul's Evangelical church
held their English service at 10:30
and in which the message of the day
was carried by Rev. G. A. Pahl, in
The Picture of a Mother," with ap
propriate musical settings by the
choir.
Dr. H. G. McClusky at the First
Presbyterian church, spoke on "My
Mother." a very beautiful tribute to
the motherhood of the nation. The
choir gave a special number, "The
Holy City."
The First Christian church ob
served the day with the message by
Rev. R. F. Allen on "Mother" and
special musical selections appropriate
to the spirit of the day.
Rev. V. C. Wright of the First
Methodist church spoke very elo
quently on "Mothers and Destiny"
at the morning service and with the
choir giving a special musical pro
gra mthat recognized the mothers, a
large number being in attendance at
the service.
Over the city there were many
home gatherings arranged in honor
of the mother on this day set apart
for her special honor.
HONOR BRIDE-TO-BE
Sunday afternoon the home of Mrs.
Frank Koubek was a delightful scene
of entertainment when Mrs. Koubek
assisted by Antoinette and Lillian
entertained at a miscellaneous shower
for Helen Koubek whose marriage to
Mr. John V. Svoboda will take place
on May 20.
The afternoon Was spent by play
ing various games and contests in
which prizes were won by Mrs. Lor
ene Urish and Mrs. Ray Wysel and
the Misses Eleanor Swatek, Ruth
Slavicek and Lillian Chovanec.
The bride-to-be was presented wUi
huge box decorated in pink and
green and shielded with a parasol of
this color. It was filled with the
many lovely gifts of her friends
which she will always treasure.
At the close of the afternoon the
hostesses served a luncheon which
further carried out the color scheme
of pink and green.
Those who attended were the
Misses Antonia Vanek, Anna Jirou-
6ek, Rose Janda, Dorothy Svoboda,
Eleanor Swatek, Mary Swatek, Lil
lian Chovanec, Ruth Slavicek, Ann
Zitka, Helen Smetana, Mary Holy,
Beatrice Krejci, Carolyn Kalasek,
Anna Knieke, Mrs." Lester Thimgan,
Mrs. Leonard Stoehr, Mrs. Ernest
Janda. Mrs. Lorene Urish, Mrs. Fran
cis Toman, Mrs. Louis Swoboda, Mrs.
Hermie Svoboda, Mrs. Catherine
Hiber, and Mrs. Adolph Koubek, all
of Plattsmouth; Mrs. Ray Wysel of
Wahoo and Mrs. Robert Wesolowski
of Omaha, and the guest of honor.
Those who were unable to attend
were the Misses Irma Pittman, Bea
trice Knoflicek, Florence Larson,
Frances Picntek, Elinore Smetana,
Marie Vallery, Josephine Janda, Ruth
Janda, Kathryn Hirz, Mrs. Alex Duc
cine of Plattsmouth; Lovisa Albert
of McCook; Mrs. Ed McGuire of Ben
kleman; Mrs. Ross Bourne of Murray
and Mrs. Donald Harris of Union.
VISIT AT WAHOO
Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Briggs of this
city and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Franzen,
of Omaha, were visitors In Wahoo
Sunday where they enjoyed the day
visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs,
Leland Briggs and family, returning
home Sunday evening.
CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY
Saturday was the sixth birthday
anniversary of little Miss Marilyn
Kieck and in honor of the occasion
a group of the friends and playmates
were invited to the home of her par
ents to spend the afternoon in games
and visiting. The guest of honor re
ceived many fine gifts in remem
brance of the birthday that added to
the pleasures of the day. Dainty re
freshments were served at an appro
priate hour and which featured the
large handsome birthday cake with
its glowing candles. Mrs. Kieck was
assisted by Mrs. Henry Starkjohn in
serving.
To Organize
Cass Co. Histori
cal Society
Meeting to Be Held at Weeping
Water Wednesday, May 20th to
Perfect Organization.
Dr. G. H. Gilmore of Murray, was
in the city Monday looking after
some worK in connection witn nis
historical research into old time Cass
county happenings.
Dr. Gilmore has called a meeting
for the organization of a Cass County
Historical Society, to be held at Weep
ing Water on Wednesday, May 20th.
The meeting will be held at 2:30 at
the American Legion hall and rep
resentatives from all part of the
county are invited to be present.
There is hardly a county of the
state that has more historical lore
than Cass county and it is to pre
serve this that tne society is being
formed, to gather up the many inter
esting relics, pictures and records of
early days that they may be left to
future generations. ,
This is a real worthwhile cause and
should have the hearty co-operation
of every citizen in making a perman
ent basis for the preservation of the
early history of Nebraska and Cass
county.
H. D. Patterson, of the Sarpy coun
ty society, will be one of the speak
ers and assist in the organizing.
YOUNG PEOPLE WEDDED
The Methodist parsonage was the
scene of two marriages on Saturday
afternoon and in which the lives and
destinies of the two couples were
joined. Miss Betty Jane Swanson of
Council Bluffs and Mr. Josephe Ben-
amine Bujarski of Omaha, were the
first to be married and their cere
mony was witnessed by a party of
some ten friends from Omaha. The
second marriage was that of Miss
Mary Margaret Boyce and Mr. Law
rence F. Sponsler, both of Humeston,
Iowa, and the young people depart
ed at once after the ceremony for
their home.
At the office of County Judge
A. H. Duxbury occurred the mar
riage of Miss Marguerite Merle Bes
ler and Mr. Guy Everett Verley, both
of Grand Island. The marriage lines
were read by Judge Duxbury in his
usual impressive manner.
ATTENDING GRAND CHAPTER
From Monday's Dally
Mrs. Ralph M. Wiles, grand Ruth
of the grand chapter of the Eastern
Star of Nebraska, with Mrs. A. H.
Duxbury, departed this morning for
Lincoln where they will attend the
grand chapter of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Duxbury will be one of the
pages of the grand chapter and the
ladies were present when the open
ing of the chapter occurred this
morning.
Mrs. L. W. Niel, worthy matron
of Home Chapter No. 189, Miss Clara
Weyrich, secretary and Mr. and Mrs.
R. C. Cook are expecting to attend
the session of the grand chapter on
Tuesday.
OBSERVE COMMUNION
A group of the members of the
Knights of Columbus as well as
Catholic Daughters of America, were
present at communion on Sunday at
the Holy Rosary church in the west
part of the city. The members of the
order observed the occasion in honor
of their mothers by the communion
service. The Rev. J. J. Kaczmarek
celebrated the mass and the com
munion.
City Council
Holds Regular
Session Monday
Reports and Routine Matters Take
Up Large Part of Session Dis
cuss Cemetery Board.
The city council held their first
meeting in May last night at the
city hs.ll and the evening was large
ly taken up with the discussion of
routine business and reports of the
various officers. All of the members
were present with the exception of
Councilman Tippens of the second
ward.
The report of the library board was
presented which showed the expend!
ture of $3,010.38 in all departments
of the library and also the fact that
43,335 books had been circulated in
the past year.
A communication was received
from residents on Vine street near
the Elks building, protesting an in
cinerator that had been placed in the
rear of the Elks building. Thi3 was
referrf d to the board of health and
the chief of police notified to have
the same removed.
The L. W. Egenberger agency re
ported the sum of $21.60 that had
been ocllected in rentals from city
property and turned over to the city
treasurer.
A communication was received
from J. C. Petersen asking license for
the operation of a recreation parlor
and enclosing the fee of $150. The
council voted unanimously to grant
the license as prayed for.
City Treasurer M. D. Brown re
ported that there was a balance at
this time of $10,744.06 in the city
treasury.
City Clerk Albert Olson reported
that he had in the month of April
collected the sum of $1,763.78, which
amount had been placed in the hands
of the city treasurer.
Chiaf of Police Joe LIbershal re
ported four arrests for the month
of April and fines and costs of $12.25.
Police Judge C. L. Graves report
ed that the week of April 30th, there
had been one arrest and fine and
costs of $5 and for the week of May
7th, two arrests and fines and costs
of $21.50.
Mayor Lushinsky reported that the
board of health found that what cases
of sickness existed in the city were
not serious and the cases all doing
well and hoped that it would all be
cleared in a short time.
Chief O. Sandin of the fire depart
ment reported two fires, March 14th
at the Woods residence on Granite
street and no loss and the residence
of Dr. T. P. Livingston on May 3rd
with loss of $600 on building and
contents.
Councilman Webb of the claims
committee reported that the Bauer
case over tax title property had been
settled and removed from court and
that the city was ready to file their
appeal to the supreme court in the
cases against the Standard Loan &
Building association and asked that
$25 be voted as court costs to start
the appeal and which was granted.
Chairman John E. Schutz of the
fire and water committee reported on
the petition for a fire hydrant on
South 9th street, that it was found
that hose owned by the city could
reach this place from hydrants al
ready in and that the committee
would not recommend the placing of
the hydrant at this time.
"thairman Brlttain of the ceme
tery committee reported that he had
discussed' the condition of the ceme
tery with Sexton Tulene and that the
workmen would be placed there In
plenty of time to have all cleaned for
Memorial day and that water would
be there for the accommodation of
the lot owners.
Chairman Bestor of the WPA com
mittee reported that there had been
good progress on North Sixth street
and that under favorable weather
that it should be open to traffic in
two weeks. The brick taken from the
street also had brought a brisk de
mand. Chairman Palmer of the lighting
committee took up the matter of the
placement of the electrolier lines
along the curbing on the north side
of Main street in the new paving
district and urged that a heavier lead
line be used so that the current on
the ends of the electrolier lines might
be stronger. After some discussion
it was decided by the council, that
the heavier line be placed along the
north side at once and that the com
mittee take up the estimating of the
cost of the line on the south side and
to report at the next meeting.
Councilman Bestor of the commit
tee that arranged the meeting here
for the Nebraska League of Muni
cipalities, asked that a vote of thanks
be given to Superintendent L. S. De
voe, the members of the cast of the
playlet, the Chamber of Commerce
and Joseph Lapidus, for their aid and
courtesies during the meeting.
A resolution was received from the
finance committee designating the
Plattsmouth State bank as a deposi
tory for the city and also approving
the bond of $10,000 and the collateral
which had been placed as security
to the city.
The bonds of the police officers for
$1,000 each and of J. Howard Davis
for $600, were then read and ap
proved and the officers sworn in by
Mayor George Lushinsky.
Mayor George Lushinsky then
stated that he was ready to appoint
the members of the park board of
the city, selecting men that would
be active and had the time to devote
to the interest of the parks of the
city. He named as the members of
the board, A. L. Tidd, John J. Cloidt
and John Lutz. On motion of Bestor,
seconded by Webb, the names were
confirmed and the parties declared
the new members of the board.
Councilman Webb stated that the
NYA which had a number of boys
employed in the past several weeks
here, did not approve of the use of
the boys in street cleaning or other
work that had no permanent value
and he thought the park board should
take the matter up and secure this
work for the boys in the parks of
the city or building the new rock
garden.
Councilman Vroman called the at
tention of the city council to the ex
terior of the city hall and urged that
it be repainted and placed in bet
ter shape. This would be taken up
later, Mayor Lushinsky stated.
Mr. Westerlund. of the Cass the
atre was present and explained to
the council the handicap that the
mid street parking from 6th to 7th
was causing by making parking or
travel difficult in tlie busy times.
Mayor Lushinsky stated that this was
a proposition that the city had un
der consideration and was preparing
to take up as a WPA project or to
have the city repave the center and
eliminate the present useless park
way. Councilman Webb brought up the
matter of refunding of the city bonds
at a lower rate of interest that would
cut the interest cost from $700 to
$900 per year. The finance commit
tee was authorized to take the matter
up and to try and get some lineup on
the matter of securing the refund-
ng of the bonds at a lower rate of
interest.
Councilman Vroman asked that the
matter of the extension of the gas
mains to the extreme south part of
the city be taken up with the light
company as there were a number in
that section that desired service. He
thought the franchise of the com
pany provided for the extension of
mains from time to time.
The council then adjourned and
discussed informally the rough draft
of the new cemetery ordinance. This
would provide for a cemetery board
of six members, two selected for one
year, two for two years and three for
three years and then the regular
three year terms. The board was to
select their own chairman and sec
retary. All monies collected by the
board were to be turned into the city
treasury but was to be paid out only
on the order of the board. The ceme
tery board was also to make their
own rules and rates.
L. W. Lorenz was also present and
made a protest as to the curb in the
vicinity of their store on North 6th
street and near the Conoco oil sta
tion. ANNOUNCE MARRIAGE
The announcement is made of the
marriage and Miss Jean Hull and Mr.
Elmer Philips of this city. The
young people are well known here,
the bride being a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Hull of Rock Bluffs
and Mr. Phillips, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Lee Phillips. The many friends
will Join in their well wishes to these
estimable young people.
District Rotary
Meeting Draws
Large Number
Frank A. Cloidt and Searl S. Davis
of This City Part of 500 Mem
bers and Anns at Meeting.
From Wednesday's Bally
Frank A. Cloidt, president-elect of
the Plattsmouth Rotary club and
Searl S. Davis, past president and
long time member of the organiz
ation, returned this morning from
Aberdeen, South Dakota, where they
have been attending the district con
vention of the International Rotary.
They report Aberdeen as a most
hospitable city and the members of
the club there had spared no effort
to make the meeting one of the most
enjoyable that has been held in the
district.
The Plattsmouth men joined the
Omaha delegation on Sunday and
made the trip to Aberdeen in a spe
cial Pullman over the Northwestern
railroad, they having with them the
general manager of the system and
who also placed his private car at the
disposal of the Rotarians.
There were many fine speeches in
the conference and the members
present gathered a great deal of in
spiration from the talks and the con
tacts with each other.
L. R. Phelan of Aberdeen, was
named as the president of the 19th
district and he also served as the
chairman of the convention commit
tee that staged the fine meeting.
Fremont was selected as the meet
ing place for the 1937 conference
of the Rotary clubs.
HAVE FINE MEETING
The Rotary club at their meeting
Tuesday noon had a very entertain
ing program offered them and which
was enjoyed by all as a real treat
and filled with much inspiration.
Misses Janet and Ruth Westover,
daughters of Dr. and Mrs. R. P. West-
over, furnished the entertaining fea
tures of the progra, Janet presenting
several readings ixi her clever manner
and Ruth offering several very artis
tic piano numbers that added much
to the program.
The guest speaker of the occasion
was C. K. Morris, of the extension de
partment of the University of Ne
braska, who gave a very Interesting
and worthwhile talk along the lines
of the educational work of the Uni
versity which is being carried on in
all parts of the state through the
medium of the extension department
and which has found a warm re
sponse from the people of the state.
WILL VISIT IN EAST
From Tuesday's Dally:
Mr3. R. A. Bates departed thl3
morning over the Burlington, for
Aurora, Illinois, where she will spend
week or ten days visiting with
relatives there and at Joliet end
Lockport, before returning home.
This Is the first visit with the rela
tives there for a number of years
and a very pleasant time Is being
anticipated by the members of the
family In the reunion. An aged aunt
of Mrs. Bates is residing at Lockport
and It has been a great many years
since she had the opportunity of
visiting her.
DOINGS IN POLICE COURT
From Tuesday's Ia.Ily:
This morning in the court of Judge
L. Graves, John Offard and Frank
Brown, residing at the camp north of
this city, were arraigned on charges
preferred by Chief of Police Joe Lib-
ershal. The men were arrested last
night on Main street and in a state
of intoxication. The charges against
Offard was that of disturbing the
peace and intoxication on which he
drew $10 and costs each. While
Frank Brown was merely charged
with intoxication.
ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT
Miss Lillian Garrett of the Platts
mouth school faculty, was elected at
the meeting of the Nebraska State
Art association as vice-president of
the organization for the ensuing year.
This is very pleasing news to the
many friends here and an honor to a
most capable teacher who has made
a fine record in her teaching wcrk.
