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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1939)
Nebr. State Historical Society Vol. No. IV PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1939. NO. 7 Legislative Committee Has Many Protests Cass County People Support Carsten Bill to Make Power Lines on Sec tion, Half Section Lines. The public works committee of the unicameral had a busy afternoon on Friday in hearing: on LB No. 276 by Senator Fred L. Carsten of Avoca. providing that the exercise of eminent domain shall be permitted power dis tricts only along section and half-section lines. A large group of Cass county farmers were present to urge the passage of the bill. It developed that the bill is more far reaching than its introducer in tended and applies to irrigation as well as power. R. O. Canaday, sec retary and legal counsel for the Tri Cour.ty, said that, under its language, it applies to irrigation ditches and water canals of all kinds. Upon dis covery of this fact, proponents said this had not been their intent and they requested a corrective . amend ment. Say Heavily Damaged Troy L. Davis, of Weeping Water, said that while farms may be dam aged from 2,000 to $3,000 because of diagonal high tension lines, the own er is perhaps offered $75 for a per petual right. Others speaking for the bill: II. E. Carson, Murdock; Louie Wendt, Murdock; Mrs. George Moon ey, Cass county; L. A. Rogers, Lan caster county; Carl A. Tefft, Avoca and E. J. Robins, Fremont attorney. Proponents argued that their lands will be damaged, that they must pay taxes' on the land occupied by these cross farm lines, that weeds will not be controlled by the distrfct anI that there is a definite hazard due to such location. Mr. Tefft said there is nothing in the bill which will prevent, by agree ment with the land owner, diagonal line construction. It will not, he said, work any great hardship if power of ficials are correct in their statement that the diagonal line is less damag ing than straight line construction. He said that under the present law if the owrer does not agree to take what he is offered he must go into court. Appearing for the power districts were Ed Lusienski, C. C. Sheldon; treasurer of the Loup river public power district and chairman of its right-of-way committee; Mavor C. II. Fisher, Ogalalla, director of the Suth erland district; D. J. DeLoer, chief construction engineer with the Loup river district; B. E. Bringliam, Sew ard county farmer and Attorney Can aday. Mr. Lusienski said it is the policy of all districts to use diplomacy in approaching land owenrs. The dis tricts, he said, are not arbitrary in applying eminent domain. Unnsual Request Mr. Sheldon said that queries were sent to other states and that 26 re plies were at hand, all indicating that in those states eminent domain or right tp condemn is not limited to section and half-section lines. He figures to show that diagonal options had been easier to produce than straight line options. He said that it is impossible to follow section lines with these double pole lines. As to price paid for casements, he said the district is more generous than other states or private utilities. "We probably are paying too much," he said. Mayor Fisher said that with 490 miles of transmission line constructed by the Sutherland, all easements but three have been settled. "We are trying to give something to the farmer," he said. It was the farmer who underwrote the project." Engineer DeBoer said that line con struction along section lir.es cr near them damages trees and the property. He said that along most every road w a telephone line on one side and. in many cases rural electrification on the other. "We want to build as economically as possible, consistent with good en gineering " he said. "We admit that it is an inconvenience to the farmer but we expect to pay for it. Those states with construction experience of this type build diagonally." Mr. Bringham, owner cf two Sew ard county farms, said that he has the diagonal line cn one and the straight line on the other and that he prefers the diagonal. Attorney Canaday said that pro ponents of the bill live in territory where lines are yet to be built and have not the experience back of them of farmers of other districts who ap preciate the advantages of the diag onal over the section or half-section line. These farmers, he said, do not want lines near their fences. Bates Building Fire is Cause of Much Excitement Hillard Grassman Suffers Burns While Attempting to Stop Fire Origin . a ting in Furnace Room. From Friday's Dally The fire department was called this morning shortly after8 o'clock to the Bates building- at Fifth and Main streets where a fire in the furnace room of the building was checked with the prompt work of the firemen The fire originated when some waste paper and a box near the fur nace caught fire and as the result a very dense smoke rolled up from the smouldering articles and made fight ing the fire difficult. Hillard Grassman, of the book and stationery store on the first floor of the building, was in the furnace room and at once started to battle the fire, and opened manholes in the walk to permit the escape of the smoke. The blaze, however, con tinued, and in trying to extinguish the blaze with buckets of water he suffered burns on the face and with the intense smoke that filled the room he lost consciousness. Floyd Yelick, residing on the second floor of the building, was starting to work when he saw the clouds of smoke rolling up and ran to the basement t-t the building where Mr. Grassman was found lying in the door leading to the furnace room. Mr. Yelick car ried the unconscious man to the street where he was revived and later taken to a physician for treat ment. The firemen extinguished the fire with chemicals but much smoke had penetrated into the building to cause an undetermined loss to stock stored in the basement adjoining the fur nace room and also smoke reached the upper floor of the building. The building and the stationery and book store Is owned by Mrs. R. A. Bates, who arrived at the scene a snort time alter tne nre alarm was given. TAKE POSTMASTER EXAMS From Saturday's Ta.lv This morning the examination for the appointment as postmaster of Plattsmouth was held at the city hall with Mrs. Minnie Alwin, local civil service secretary in charge and con ducting the examinations. From the three highest the selec tion of the person for recommenda tion as postmaster is expected to be made. Those taking the examinations were: Rae F. Patterson, William Schmidtmann, Jr., J. A. Capwell, Fred Mann, R. J. Larson,7 Robert D. Fitch, George W. Olson, Jack Stamp, Frank J. Libershal, Milo Price, Dr. J. J. Stibal, E. C. Giles. HAVE NEW SON From Friday Dally Mr. and Mrs. Don Cramer are the proud parents of an SVs pound baby boy born to them at the Anton Kani hospital in Omaha last evening. The mother and little one are doing very nicely and the event has brought a great deal of happiness to the mem bers of the family circle. Mrs. Cramer was formerly Miss Eleanor Sprieck of Louisville. Today is alS the third wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Cramer. A NEW ARRIVAL Mr. and Mrs. Elverson Freeland are the proud parents of a fine 7 pound son, born to them Wednesday morning at the Immanuel hospital in Omaha. The mother and little one are getting along very nicely. Mrs. Freeland was formerly Miss Lauretta Coffelt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Coffelt. Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Keefer Observed Friends at Glenwood and Plattsmouth Join in Fitting Observance of of the Happy Occasion. On Tuesday evening, February 21st. at the country home cf Mis. Roy O. Cole near Plattsmouth, a very impressive reception was held celebrating the golden wedding anni versary of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Keefer, parents of Mrs. Roy O. Cole. Some seventy guests were present to pay their respects and well wishes to this couple who are scions of two well known pioneer families and who have resided in this county, near Alvo, the greater part of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer have two daughters, Mrs. Roy O. Cole who was hostess and Mrs. C. G. Samuelson, of Milford, who assisted in receiving the guests, and two sons, Donald Keefer of Treynor, Iowa, who with his wife and daughter, Delores were present to help celebrate their par ents golden wedding anniversary, and Maurice Keefer, of Laramie. Wyoming, who found it impossible to be present. The decorations for the dining room iconsisted of a large white cake artistically decorated in golden color, for the center piece while bouquets of yellow roses and daisies gave a beautiful setting. In the living room were bouquets of calendula and jon quil. During the evening dainty re freshments were served in the dining room, consisting or ice cream, cane. coffee and mints. A short program, appropriate for the occasion was rendered during the festivties which was very much enjoyed by those present, especially the humorous poem composed and read by Chas. M. Skiles, well known attorney of Lincoln, and a brother of Mrs. Keefer. Raymond Cook sang. Put on Your Old Gray Bonnnet" while the guests joined in on the chorus. Eloise Cole was also on the program with an appropriate piano solo. One of the interesting highlights of the evening was the fact there were several guests present who were guests at the wedding fifty .years ago, they being Mrs. S. O. Boyles, sister of Mrs. Keefer, and Mr. Boyles, of Alvo, Mrs. Clara Prouty and Chas. M. Skiles of Lincoln, sister and brother of Mrs. Keefer and M. L. Keefer, of Utica. brother of Mr. Keefer. In recent years Mr. and Mrs. Keef er have resided in Glenwood, Iowa where on the afternoon of their anni versary seventy-five friends and neighbors called to offer congratu lations and wishes for many more happy anniversaries. DONORS TO FUND The Plattsmouth Woman's club milk and shoe fund reports the fol lowing contributions to the fund for shoes and milk funds for the chil dren of the city: George Lushinsky. 50c: Elmer Sundstrom $1.00; Mrs. Elmer Sund- strom, $1.00; Mrs. John Woest, 50c; Mrs. R. B. Keller, 50c; Mrs. R. W. Knorr, 50c; Mrs. L. S. Devoe, 34c; Mrs. P. Y. McFetridge. 25c; Mrs. R. T. Cuthrell. 25c; Mrs. H. L. Gaver. 25c; Mrs. WmP Schmidtman, chil dren's shoes; Mrs. Carl Ofe, chil dren's shoes. Mrs. William Nelson $1.00 Judge C. L. Graves 1.00 Mrs. George For n off .25 Mrs. William Baird .25 Mrs. L. D. Hiatt .25 Mrs. Frank Mullen is treasurer of the organization and contributions may be made to her. PREPARING DEDICATION The senior class of the high school are . planning a dedication and memorial for Harriet Case, deceased class president. The organization of the various committees is being made but so far no definite dedication has been decided upon. SUFFERS FROM ILLNESS Ordell Hennings, manager of the Hinky-DInky grocery store, is ill with the flu and grippe at his home. His illness has forced him to remain in bed a few days, it preventing him from looking after the usual duties and tasks of the business. LOCAL MAN IN PLAY CRETE, Neb., Feb. 23. Joe Ilen drix is in the cast of the Shakes pearean comedy, "The Tempest" which will be presented by the Doane Players on their spring tour through the western part of the state and parts of Colorado. Seven of the men will also be cast in "The Other Apostle," a religious drama which will be presented chiefly in churches on Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. D. Cecil Carter will accompany the players on their trip. Platters Lose at M-I-N-K Debate at Peru Friday Many Fine Teams Entered in the Con test Coaches Express Regret at Loss of Harriet Case. The somewhat disorganized Platts mouth debaters failed to make much of an impression upon the Peru de bate tournament judges yesterday. The two veteran senior boys. Barton and Bestor, did not function very well as a debate team. They did win from the Omaha Technical girls and from Auburn B but lost to Auburn A and to Hastings' third team. (Hast ings' first two teams, along with Lin coln's first team and some others from this end of the state were in Hastings for the Hastings college in vitation tournament.) John Morris, a junior who Is a first year debater, turned in a bet ter afl around job of debating than did either Barton or Bestor. His col - league, Ruth Lowson a freshman, performed remarkably well. She has been working with the first teams only since the death of Harriet Case, but gives promise of some day equal ing the record left byAI;s& Case. The prestige of Plattsmouth de batfng and more particularly of Harriet Case was evident from the numerous inquiries from the coaches and debaters of eastern Nebraska relative to her death. Evidently she had come to be one of the best known high school students in this section of the state. It is certain that she left a record in many fields at which future Plattsmouth high school stu dents may well aim. In the field of debate she left a record of 32 vic tories from her 62 contests with other high schools. This includes her sophomore year, when she was com peting against junior and seniors from other schools. A batting aver age of above .500 over a period of three years is very difficult to achieve. No other Plattsmouth de bater, under the coaching of Mr. Price, has such a record. There were evidences at Peru that the Barton-Bestor combination could be whipped into a winning team be fore the district tournament' March 17 and 18. If not, John Morris will be a dependable replacement. VISITS OLD FRIENDS From Friday Dally Louis Kunkak, for many years a prominent resident of the Avoca community, who is now residing at Raymond, Nebraska, was here today to spend a few hours with old friend?. Mr. Kunkak has been at Omaha at tending the lumbermen's convention and Is on his way home. DEPARTS FOR NEW MEXICO From Saturday's Dally - Rev. Joseph R. Sinkula, pastr ol the Holy Rosary Catholic church, de parted this evening at 5 o'clock for Albuquerque, New Mexico where he will spend some three months visit ing and enjoying the many high places of interest. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors, also the pas tpr and singers for their kindness during the sickness and death of our beloved father, Charles A. Har vey. The Harvey Family. GIVEN DIVORCE DECREE Judge W. W. Wilson Friday after noon entered a decree of divorce in favor of William F. Clark, against Elsie Clark, non-resident defendant. The charge was extreme cruelty. W. H. Puis is Renamed Sec'y State Assessor Veteran Assessor Will Again Serve in Capacity He Has So Ably Fill ed ; Harry Scott President. Harry Scott of Lincoln, Lancaster county assessor, was elected presi dent of the County Assessors asso- jeiation of Nebraska at the concluding jsession of the 25th annual meeting i Friday at the Lincoln hotel in Lin Icoln. He succeeds Ludvick Johnson of Buffalo county. A. R. Brox of Val ley county was named vice presi dent, and W. H. Puis of Cass county was elected secretary-treasurer. Assessors from 74 of Nebraska's 93 counties participated in the meeting, making it the largest on record. The assessors accepted the report of the legislative committee and endorsed three bills pending in the legisla ture: L. B. 51, providing for the payment of precinct assessors; L. B. 255, providing additional means of taxing intangible property, and L. B. 137, which makes the assessor's job full time. In the latter bill, the con- jvention voted to strike out the phrase which would forbid the assessor do ing any other work. The assessors also went on record epposing L. B. 5. which calls for a reassessment in 1939, as "only an added expense." This action was taken by motion from the floor, fol lowing the report of the real estate committee recommending that there be no 1939 reassessment. The con- jvention also endorsed the report of the public utilities and power district committee, newly formed this year. (recommending that the property of all public power districts in the state be placed on the tax roll. .Fairbury was selected as next year's convention city by an over whelming vote after Al Milburn of Beatrice sang a booster song written specially for the occasion by Milburn and E. H. Weerts, secretary of the Fairbury chamber of commerce The last item of business was the voted addition of former President Lud vick Johnson to the legislative com mittee. COUNTY COURT HAS BUSY TIME The probate division of the coun ty court had a very busy time Fri day with a great many matters (com ing up for the consideration of Judge Duxbury. Petition was filed by Cappie Chris wisser asking for the probate of the estate of Mrs. Rachel Shrader, deceased, of Nehawka. Petition for the probate of the estate of Oscar Duncan, deceased, of Weeping Water was filed and Mrs. Duncan named as the executrix. Final settlement was held in the estate of Frank N. Rauen, deceased of this city and the administratrix discharged. Application was made for the pro bate of the estate of Fred L. Dow, deceased. William A. Robertson was named as the administrator of the estate. MRS. COOK RETURNING HOME From Saturday's Daily Mrs. E. W. Cook, who has been in the Clarkson hospital for the past ten days, returned home today after being iindej observation and treat ment. Mrs. Cook has been in poor health for some time and it was thought that hospitalization would be necessary to check her condition. WARN OF OLD NUMBERS The state highway patrol has re ceived notice that after the first of March they will be expected to pick up all cars operating under old li censes and found on the highway. The parties are to be brought into the county seats and complaint made against their operators. TAKEN TO HOSPITAL Mrs. John Hiber, Sr., was taken to the St. Joseph's hospital where she was placed for treatment and observation. Mrs. Hiber has not been in the best of health for some time and It was thought that hospital care was necessary to relieve her of her condition. TAKEN TO HOSPITAL Sheriff Joe Mrasek was in Lin coln Wednesday where he took Elmer Higman, who has been confined in the county jail. Mr. Higman, is a World war veteran and was severely wounded by shrapnel during the Argonne offensive of 1918. Yester day an old shrapnel wound on his neck broke open and started in ternal bleeding and he was rushed to the U. S. Veterans' hospital at Lincoln for care. Platters Lose in Hard Fought Game at Wahoo Nip and Tuck Contest Keeps Wahoo's Record to One Loss for Season; Locals Stage Hard Fight. The Plattsmouth high school bas ketball team played the last game of their scheduled season Friday night on the Wahoo court, losing a hard fought game to their Saunder county hosts by the score of 32 to 27. The game was close all the way and never were the two teams separated by large leads. The small court served as an ad vantage to the Wahoo quintet as they were used to the play and which handicaped the locals to a great ex tent and especially in the earlier stages of the game. The Wahoo team in their guard. Junior Dvorak has an outstanding player and whose individual work had a great deal to do with the turn ing back of the Platters, he scoring fifteen of his team's points and also serving to upset many of the Platters' trys. The Wahoo team led 17 to 12 at the half time. In 'the last half ' of the game and especially in the fourth quarter, the Platters made a great bid for victory, coming from behind, secured a 27 to 25 lead over Wahoo that however was tied by Dvorak and then a gruelling finish was staged by the two teams with Dvorak securing in the last seconds the winning basket. In the defense of the Platters Jacobs and Wall staged a brilliant game and fought hard to keep down the scoring opportunities of their foremen. The box score of the game was as follows: Plattsmouth (27) FG FT PF 2 1 1 3 0 1 TP 5 10 9 3 0 0 Rebal, f 2 Reed, f 3 1 4 1 1 0 0 Hayes, c . - 4 Wall, g 1 Smith, g 0 Jacobs, g 0 10 7 9 27 Wahoo (32) FG FT PF TP Beranek, 1 6 0 4 12 Lawson, f 10 2 2 Kling. c 1113 Dvorak, g 7 1 2 15 Urban, g 0 0 0 0 Kerstine, g 0 0 0 0 9 32 FIFTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Godwin, old residents of the city, this week ob served their fifty-ninth wedding an niversary very quietly at their home in the south part of the city. Mrs. Godwin has been bedfast for some time as the result of a stroke, this preventing any extensive observance by the family. Mr. and Mrs. Godwin were mar ried in Texas and came at once to Plattsmouth where they have since resided and been numbered among the most highly respected residents of the community. MRS. DEVOE ILL Mrs. L. S. Devoe has been con fined to her home for the past few days as the result of an attack of the flu which compelled her to give up her usual activities. She is doing just as well as possible under the circumstances. SPEND HOLIDAY IN UNION Register of Deeds Ray Becker and Mrs. Becker, were at Union Wed nesday where they spent the day visiting with the relatives and friends. Phone new Items to flo. C Death of John F. Vallery, Once Resident Here Was One of the Well Known Rail road Men of the West, Passes Away at Home in Denver. John F. Vallery, 75, tiorn and reared in Plattsmouth. a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Vallery, Jr., died Wednesday at th St. Joseph hospital in Denver as the result of an attack of pneumonia. Mr. Vallery was taken to the hos pital last Friday from his home at 1360 Monaco parkway. A cold from which he was suffering at the time developed into pneumonia. The family of Mr. Vallery were among the early settlers of Cass county, coming here in 1S5G. where the family were reared and made their homes for many years. Receiving his education here he entered the services of the Burling- on in 1887 in this city and continued in the railroad service until his re tirement from active service in 1334 after forty-six years of service with the company. He was assistant freight agent of the Burlington for a great many years until retired at the acre limit of the railroad. In his service with the Burlington he was lofated at Omaha. Cincinnati and Chicago prior to going to Denver where the greater part of his lifetime has been spent. In Denver Mr. Vallery was active in the Masonic order and was a mem ber of the Oriental lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M.; Colorado Chapter No. 29, Royal Arch Masons; Reeky Mountain consistory No. 2; past com mander Denver commandery No. 25. Knights Templar; grand treasurer of the Colorado grand commandery of the Knights Templar for a number of years and of EI Jebel " temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Vallery is survived by the widow, two sisters, Mrs. Kate Minor of Los Angeles, Mrs. E. T. Dutcher of Warrensburg, Missouri, and one brother, Charles A. Vallery of St. Joseph. Missouri. Mr. Vallery was an uncle of L. O. Minor, superin tendent of the Plattsmouth Water Corporation. HONORED BY FRIENDS Mr. and Mrs. El wood Snodgrass were given a surprise farewell re ception Friday evening as they are soon to move to Plattsmouth. The evening was spent in playing pinochle, pitch, checkers and visiting. At a suitable hour lunch was served. Those present to enjoy the eve ning were: Mr. and Mrs. John Hob seheidt, George. Frank, Margaret and Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hansen and Rollin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Camp bell and family, Mr. and Mrs. Marion tVorthan, Ruby, Billy and Ocmer. Raymond Lancaster, Sheldon Smith. Don and Alice Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. S. Y. Smith, Julius Severn. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Thompson and Rose Marie, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Srott. Frank. Jack, Lloyd and Patty, Bert Worthan nd the guests of honor Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Snodgrass. Robert and Roger. FELLOWSHIP ASSOCIATION MEETING AT PLATTSMOUTH The Cass County Christian Fel lowship Association will meet at the Methodist church in Plattsmouth on Sunday, March 5th, at 2:30 p. m. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Ray E. Hunt, long time pas tor of the First Christian church at Lincoln, who will speak on 'The Church in Social Action." Special music and an opportunity for sing ing will be given. The public Is in vited to attend this meeting. AN APPRECIATION On behalf of my pupils and my self, I wish to express our apprecia tion to the many kind friends who have helped us win the Fifth Week ly Prize of the Rural School Contest. We sincerely thank you. Especially do I wish to extend my appreciation to the parents of the pupils I teach, and members of the school board, for their fine cooper ation. VELMA FULTON, d&w Teacher of Dist. tl.