Nebr. State Historical Society
Sou
nut
Vol.- No. LV
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, TKUESDAY, MAY 4, 1939.
NO. 20
Junior Drum
Corps Wins the
U. .P Trophy
Make Splendid Showing at Celebra
tion in Omaha Also Awarded
$60 First Prize Money
With heads up and lines held unl
form the Hugh J. Kearns American
Legion Junior Drum and Bugle Corps
went through their drill formations
at Omaha Saturday with the great
est precision and snap they have
ever shown according to Legion
naires who have been wont to accom
pany them on out of town competi
tion trips the last few years. In fact.
.so perfectly did they execute the
series of competitive formations and
maneuvers that one of the judges
added personal praise to the $60 in
cash and L'nion Pacific trophy that
was awarded them.
It was a great day for the boys as
they helped to bring to a close the
four day Golden Spike celebration in
the metropolis, parading the down
town streets and later showing their
ability on the Central high drill field
before the judges and a large crowd
of interested spectators.
Several local car owners co-operated
by transporting the boys to and
from Omaha.
Few realize the amount of work
involved, not only in training the
corp3. but in arranging transporta
tion for them on their numerous out
of town trips to advertise Platts
mouth, and in looking after their
safety and well-being while away
from home.
Changes and additions in the
membership will require the pur
chase of considerable more equip
ment for the corps this summer. In
order to supply. this and. pay a mod-j
erate allowance for director, it has
been estimated it will be necessary to
raise in the neighborhood of $200
with which to carry on the work
this season. Heretofore, Director C.
A. Marshall has given his time thru
long hours of rehearsal without be-
ing compensated in any way, other
than an appreciation token given
him last fall at the time of the dis
trict Legion convention here.
In the transportation and other
phases of the work he has been as
sisted materially by members of the
Legion's drum corps committee, all
giving their time and cars without
compensation, and as these proved
insufficient, various individuals of
the community have responded to
the numerous calls for cars and
taken time off from their business
or employment to get the boys to
and from the different towns in
which they have appeared.
Last fall they won second place
in Veterans' day competition at the
state fair and also made a fine show
ing at the state Legion convention
at Fremont. They participated in
celebrations in numerous Nebraska
and Iowa towns and also had an ac
tive part in the four day Korn Kar
nival in Plattsmouth, as they have
every year since first organized.
The winning of the handsome first
prize trophy and cash award at Om
aha this early in the year enables
them to start the season with pep
and enthusiasm, and, backed by the
community they have served and ad
vertised so well, they should do even
more this year in keeping the name
Plattsmouth before the public.
MRS. MEISINGER ILL
Mrs. Elizabeth Meisinger, one of
the well known residents of Platts
mouth, is in serious condition at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Lena
Tritsch where she has made her home
for the past several months. Mrs.
Meisinger, who is an invalid, has not
been in rugged health for some time
and in the last few days her condi
tion has been quite serious.
RECOVERING FROM PNEUMONIA
Friends of Marvin Allen will be
pleased to learn that he is showing
q very pleasing reaction from his re
cent attack of pneumonia. He was
quite 111 for several days from the
lung infection but is now able to be
up a part of the time and gradually
recovering from the effects of the
sickness.
RETURNS TO FARM HOME
Mrs. M. E. Phillipson, who resides
at her home on the Riverview farm
south of Plattsmouth, returned to
this city from Chicago after spend
ing the winter at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. R. A. Foster in that
city. Mrs. Phillipson reports that a
mild winter, except for two severe
storms, was witnessed in the big city
during her visit there.
Hearing on
Farm Bureau
Shows Feeling
Opponents and Friends of Continu
ance of Appropriation Heard
Before County Board.
From Tuesday's Daily
The district court room at the
court house was the scene of a very
largely attended meeting this morn
ing of friends and opponents of the
appropriation being made for the
maintenance from tax funds of the
Cass County Farm Bureau.
The meeting was held before the
board of county commissioners upon
whom devolves the approving or dis
approving of the appropriation for
the operation of the bureau.
The matter dates back to the elec
tion in November when it was sub
mitted as to whether or not the
amount of $2,800 be appropriated to
care for the expenses of the farm
bureau.
At the election the appropriation
was approved by a plurality over the
opposition, but which lacked a major
ity of the total vote cast in the coun
ty, a number failing to vote on the
proposition.
It was held by the office of Attor
ney General Hunter that the proposi
tion had failed to receive a major
ity of the total vote and had accord-
njly failed to be approved and the
amount should not be appropriated.
This was also the opinion of the then
county attorney, J. A. Capwell.
The question was later raised again
and in an opinion as to the approval
ir disapproval of the issues, an opin
ion by Assistant Attorney General
3vclx, held that the fact that disap
proval of the appropriation failed to
receive a plurality or majority of the
vite, therefore the appropriation was
to be. continued as the voters had fail
ed to reject it, the county board au
thorized to make the necessary ap
propriation. This ruling of the at
torney general was the same as the
opinion of County Attorney Walter
H. Smith given to the board at their
request.
Since the opinions were received
the county board of commissioners
have failed to make the appropriation
and request for the same was made
by the Cass County Farm Bureau,
which in the past few months has
operated on their surplus funds ca
quired through commercial activities.
The request of the hearing brought
on the meeting today which was a
heated argument, at times much
feeling was shown by the opponents
and friends of the measure. A large
group of the audience represented the
membership of 4 -II and extension
clubs from different parts of the
eounty.
RETURNS FROM OMAHA
Mrs. Fannie Crosser, who has been
in Omaha for the past week visit
ing at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Frank Lippold, returned to this
city. Mrs. Crosser had been in Omaha
to enjoy the four-day celebration of
the premiere of "Union Pacific."
UNDERGOING TREATMENT
Mrs. Paul Long, of near Mynard,
Is at the Methodist hospital at Oma
ha where she is undergoing treat
ment as her health has not been the
best of late. The many friends of
VIrs. Long are hopeful that she may
i.oon be able to return home and re
sume her usual activities.
VISITS OLD FRIENDS
Mrs. Lillian Gorton, of Dunbar, Is
here as a guest at the home of" her
friend and neighbor, Mrs. Julius
Hall. Mrs. Gorton was a resident
here for a number of years when
her father, C. F. Stoutenbrough, was
the agent of the Missouri Pacific.
Woman's Club
Closes Year with
a Fine Banquet
New Officers Installed and Members
Hear Fine Illustrated Talk by Dr.
Palmer Findlay of Omaha.
From Tuesday's Daily
The Plattsmouth Woman's club as-
eembled at the St. Paul's church last
evening where the annual banquet
for all of the members, visiting guests
from this city and out of the city was
held. Some eighty-one were served
during the course of the dinner.
The Bpecial guests cf the evening
included Mrs. W. S. McGrew, first
district president, of Louisville, Mrs
G. R. Eveland, county president, of
Elmwood, Mrs. C. R. Caley, state vice-
president, of Springfield, Mrs. John
Gorder of Springfield, the members
of the Plattsmouth Junior Woman's
club, Vincent Kelley, president of
the Junior Chamber of Commerce,
Mrs. Uhley of Louisville, Miss Kiger,
Instructor in the Springfield schools,
of Springfield. Dr. Palmer Findlay
of Omaha, and Mr. Barton of the
Eastman Kodak company.
Lovelv Arranged Banquet
The tables at which the members
and their visiting guests were seated
in friendly association were neatly
decorated with the spring flowers of
the season. May baskets which were
beautifully made and decorated
served as the favor holders. Lighted
candles, placed at the corners of the
tables, added a pleasing touch to
the scene.
The ladies of the St. Paul's Aux
iliary had arranged a very tempting
menu and which was served by the
younger girls of the church group
The menu was as follows:
Raspberry Ice
,; " Beef Tenderettes with
Mushroom Sauce
Scalloped Potatoes
Whole Kernel Corn
Spring Salad
Pickles - Jelly
Buns - Coffee - Mints
Cake a la Mode
During the dinner Mrs. E. H. Wes-
cott, chairman of the program com-
mittee, led in the singing of a num
ber of old favorites with Mrs. L. S.
Devoe at the piano, all of the party
joining heartily into this feature of
the event.
Mrs. Elmer Sundstrom, outgoing
president, served as the mistress of
ceremonies and in her usual pleasant
manner presented the speakers and
entertainers of the evening.
Mrs. L. S. Devoe and Mrs. R. W.
Knorr rendered a beautiful piano
duet, " Valse Brillante," by Moskow-
6ki.
Mrs. R. C. Shellenbarger was
heard in three selections, "The
Elegie," by Massenat, "Sing Sing
Birds on the Wing," by Godfrey
Nutting, and "Second Minuet," by
Maurice Besly. Mrs. L. S. Devoe
served as her accompanist.
During the -course of the program
Mrs. Sundstrom called -upon and pre
sented the various guests of the eve
ning. Each of the officers of the
district and county responded by
speaking a few words.
The banquet also terminated the
work of the 1938 officers of the club
and brought the new officers of 1939
in. Mrs. Sundstrom, 1938 president
of the club, gave a short talk in
which she enumerated a number of
things that the organization had
done during the year while she, as
sisted by the other officers, were in
office. Her report showed that a
very successful year had been held
in the way of humanitarian, club,
civic, and spiritual work. The out
going officers who were responsible
Tor the success of 1938 were: Mrs.
Elmer Sundstrom, president; Mrs.
William Heinrich, vice-president;
Mrs. Frank Horsak, recording sec
retary; Miss Wilhelmina Henrichsen,
corresponding secretary; Mrs. Frank
Mullen, treasurer.
' Install New Officers
Mrs. C. R. Caley, state vice-president,
was called upon to install the
newly-elected officers of 1939. they
being: Mrs. Frank Mullen, president;
Mrs. John Woest, vice-president; Mrs.
Frank Horsak, recording secretary;
Mrs. John Wolff, corresponding sec
retary; Mrs. Peter Carr, treasurer.
She also installed the officers of
the Junior Woman's club, these com
prising: Miss Wilhelmina Henrich
sen, president; Miss Edith Solomon
vice-president; Miss Fern Jahrig,
secretary; Miss Gertrude Vallery
treasurer. Mrs. Mullen of the senior
group was presented the club's gavel
for the coming year.
Mrs. Sundstrom also presented the
three main committees who were re
sponsible for the social gatherings
and programs that Were presented
during the year, each aiding her in
making the year a pleasant one
These committees were: Social com
mittee: Mrs. John Wolff, chairman
Mrs. J. C. Woest, Mrs. Frank Horsak
Mrs. Frank Mullen, and Mrs. William
Heinrich.
Mrs. E. H. Wescott, chairman of
the music committee and who made
it possible, .through her immediate
willingness and untiring efforts, to
afford a wonderful and enjoyable pro
gram for the banquet members and
guests.
The finance committee, with Mrs
Pete Carr as chairman, also aided the
officers of the local organization in
financial affairs.
Mrs. William Baird was also pres
ent and she was called upon to pre
sent a special pin of the club to Mrs
Sundstrom as a fitting tribute for the
splendid work that she had achieved
during the term of her office as presi
dent. -
Address and Motion. Pictures
Following the program In the
church parlors everyone gathered in
the main auditorium of the church
where the speaker of the evening,
Dr. Palmer Findlay was presented
as guest speaker. " Dr. Findlay has
done an extensive amount of travel
ing through the continent of Europe
and during his travels took many pic
tures depicting the many beautiful
and historical scenes of the old world.
Dr. Findlay had chosen Scandinavia
as his main topic for the evening.
Mr. Barton of the Eastman Kodak
company had assisted him by pre
senting the slides.. The pictures
shown were of Sweden, Norway and
other parts of the Scandinavian coun
try.
While on their trip to Europe Dr.
find Mrs. Findlay had the pleasure
of. meeting W. Otto Swanson, pres
ent king of Ak-Sar-Ben of Omaha,
and his wife.
Dr. Findlay had talked consider
ably on Sweden and enumerated a
number of points of great quality
that the people were proud of.
Sweden is 2J times the size of our
own state; it has 350,00.0,000 peo
ple. They are small-and poor," Dr.
Findlay said. "Sweden is the earliest
kingdom of Europe, one of Its kings
serving as a general in Napoleon's
army," he added. He told or tne var
ious sources of wealth that the
Swedish people have, these being pre
sented in rotation:
1. Farming is their most import
ant and is the most extensively used
in that country as a source of their
income.
2. One of the amazing facts about
the country of Sweden is that it is
half covered with forest.
3. The third source of Income is
their mines, which the nation of
Germany is so deeply dependent up
on. Iron is the principal product that
is mined, with copper in second place.
4. Electric power is the fourth
source of income used by these peo
ple.
Dr. Findlay also told of the living
conditions in Sweden. Living con
ditions in Europe are very cheap but
laxes are a heavy burden to the peo
ple. While certain things are exceed
ingly cheap, the people still pay for
them in their taxes.
He spoke highly of Norway, this
country being the "Playground of
the Continent."
One of the beautiful scenes of the
slides that were shown was the "Land
( the Midnight Sun." This scene
was especially interesting and one
which brought back memories of the
younger days to Elmer Sundstrom,
visiting guest. It was from here that
Mr. Sundstrom came to America
when eighteen years of age.
Dr. Flndlay's address was one that
was whole-heartedly enjoyed by all
present. The slides, which were
ihown along with his talk, had made
the talk much more complete and
one that held the interest of the aud
ience. AN APPRECIATION
I sincerely want to thank my
friends and neighbors for their many
kind remembrances.
MRS. HENRIETTA OFE.
Reorganization
of Board of Edu
cation Effected
J. A. Capwell Selected as President
of the Board and Frank A.
Cloidt as Secretary.
The board of education of the first
district of Cass county, met Monday
afternoon at the high school build
ing for the purpose of organizing for
the coming year.
The board this year received two
new members. Dr. u. z. liuason
elected to succeed Miss Marie E.
Kaufmann and Edward G. Ofe to
fill the position made vacant by the
resignation of Mrs. Pearl Mann from
the board, R. W. Knorr, the third
elected, this year succeeding himself
The board organized for the year
by selection of the following officers
President J. A. Capwell.
Vice-President R. W. Knorr.
Secretary Frank A. Cloidt.
The members will be assigned to
the various committees and the or
ganization be ready to function for
the best interests and advancement
of the city school system.
The new members of the board
will bring a great deal of force to
the organization as "they are both
greatly interested In the school work
and will give It the full benefit of
their ability and experience. Dr.
Hudson has long been one of the close
followers of school activities and for
years has served as the physician for
the athletic department of the school.
He has children in school and is a
property owner. Mr. Ofe is one of the
local civic leaders and commander of
the American Legion post and iden
tified with all of the activities cf a
community nature in the recent
years, tie is a property owner ana
manager of one of the large business
enterprises of the city.
The board voted to secure an addi
tional teacher In the high school to
teach English and history, classes in
these subjects being quite large and
it is felt that an additional teacher
Is needed to relieve the situation. The
board will act on the matter at the
next meeting.
CASS COUNTY WOMEN'S CHORUS
Last fall forty women from differ
ent extension clubs all over the
county organized a chorus known as
the Cass County Women's Chorus.
This chorus in a self-supporting or
ganization and meet in practice every
two weeks at the Farm Bureau office
n Weeping Water. Mrs. J. R. Reeder
of Plattsmouth is the leader and con
ductress and Mrs. Roy Cole Is the
pianist. They have been heard at
different times and at the three coun
ty achievement programs and are
willing to accept invitations to sing
at entertainments. In accord with
the National Music Week which is
sponsored here by the Plattsmouth
Woman's club the chorus will give a
recital at Plattsmouth at the Meth
odist church on Thursday, May 11th
2:30 p. m. There will be no
charges and the public is very cor
dially invited and the chorus mem
bers hope to have a large attendance.
rhe program will appear in this
paper later.
POSTPONE TULIP SHOW
Through the weather conditions
that " have checked the development
of the tulips this season, it has been
decided to postpone the tulip show
which was announced a few days ago.
The promoters of the show find that
the tulips now out will not be ade
quate to present in a show so this
will be laid over for this season.
REJOICE IN NEW DAUGHTER
Mr. and Mrs. August Siemonelt
of near this city are the happy par
ents of a fine little daughter born
Tuesday. The mother and little one
are both showing excellent progress
and the occasion has brought much
happiness to all of the family circle.
SUFFERS FROM INFECTION
Jimmy Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Maiden D. Brown, is suffering from
an infection on his right foot. The
youth has been suffering for the
past few days with the infection and
the injury is such that has made It
necessary to use crutches.
FIND CHIEF IMPROVING
Monday afternoon Officers Herbert
Johnson and Frank Boetel were a
Omaha where they visited with Chie
of Police Barclay at the Clarkson
hospital. They found the chief feel
ing very much improved and appar
ently well on the way to recovery
He will however remain at the hos
pital for some time yet so that his
case may be fully cleared up.
Mynard Club
Members Hold
a Fine Meeting
Program Furnished by Plattsmouth
Group of Ladies and School Stu
dents and Much Enjoyed.
The regular meeting or the Mynard
Community club was held on Friday
at the community building with
Royal Smith, president, presiding.
There was a very large number of
the members and friends in attend
ince at the meeting.
The group singing was led by Mrs.
I. C. Barnard and was a much enjoy
id feature of the evening.
The committee from the east side
jvere in charge of the program and
had provided a very clever and thor
oughly enjoyed array of talent to take
part. Chairman Ray Cook announced
the program as "Guest Night" and
presented the fine array of talent for
the event. The ladies quartet from
the First Presbyterian church, com
prising Mrs. Hilt Martin, Mrs. J. R.
Reeder, Mrs. Carl Keil and Mrs.
Everett Pickens, gave two numbers.
"Come to Our Heart and Abide," by
Winner and "Content" by Parks.
Shirley Walling gave a most de
lightful reading, "Robert Makes
Love" which was presented very clev
erly. George Jacobs was heard in a solo
number, "Little Sir Echo." with the
accompaniment by Whipple Leonard.
Miss Irene LaHoda was presented
in a charming dance number, accom
panied by Betty Ann Albert.
All an White of the Plattsmouth
high school, gave his dramatic read
ing, "A Message From Khufu," which
he had presented in the declamatory
contest, and also favored the group
with a trumpet solo, "Castles In the
Air" by Clay Smith. Mrs. Reeder
served as the accompanist for Mr.
White.
Mr. Reeder was also presented and
greeted by the audience as a tribute
for his fine work as principal of
the high school.
MARRIED IN OMAHA
The marriage of Miss Helen E.
Persinger to Steve P. Wiater is be
ing announced, the ceremony taking
place Saturday at Omaha and the
young people are now receiving the
congratulations of the many friends.
Both of the young people are en
gaged with the Norfolk Packing Co.,
where they have worked for several
years.
The bride is a daughter of Mrs.
Stella Persinger and has grown to
womanhood in this community and
where she was educated in the city
schools.
PRIVATE FARM SALE
Having rented my farm I will sell
at private sale at my farm 4 miles
northwest of Plattsmouth, the fol
lowing property:
1 John Deere corn elevator; 1 J. I.
Case lister; 1 John Deere riding cul
tivator; 1 6-ft. disk; 1 Hammer
grinder; 1 cultivator for Farmall 20
tractor new; 1 mowing machine for
Farmall; 1 hay rack and wabon and
box; 1 piano, nearly new; 1 spring
wagon; 1 Jenny Llnd tongue culti
vator; 1 complete set of blacksmith
tools. RUSS TODD..
ASSESSORS MAKE REPORT
The first two assessors to make
their report and turn in their sched
ules to County Assessor W. H. Puis,
were Edward Gabelman of the fifth
ward of this city and Roy Coatman,
of Alvo, assessor of Greenwood pre
cinct. Mr. Gabelman brought In his
returns Monday afternoon and Mr.
Coatman arrived this morning to turn
over the completed schedules.
Subscribe for the Journal.
Chicken Thief
Suspects Fall into
Hands of Law
One of Duo Attempts Escape and Is
Shot in Leg for Refusing to Halt
in Flight From Scene.
Tuesday night Sheriff Joe Mrasek
and Deputy Sheriff E. J. Doody made
the capture of two men who are
suspected of being the parties who
bave been looting the chicken houses
of a large number of Cass county
farms in the past few weeks.
The sheriff and deputy the past
3everal nights have been patroling
the highways In the vicinity of Mur
ray where a number of depredations
have occurred and last night about
11:30 their efforts were rewarded
when they came on the men and
their car in a field near the Chilson
school house on highway No. 1 west
of Murray.
In all of the cases reported of
the thefts, the officers have found
that parties had been in the habit of
parking their car or truck in fields
and after raiding the hen roosts had
carried the fowls to the car and
made a clean get-away.
Last night, the officers making a
careful survey, found a car parked
near a strawstack in a field near the
school house and also discovered the
wo men, who at once broke for
cover as the officers approached.
The sheriff and deputy called on
the two men to halt and a shot fired
by Deputy Doody halted one of the
men who threw up his hands, but
the second of the men continued to
run, altho called upon by Sheriff
Mrasek to halt. The sheriff then
fired at the fleeing man and the
charge of shot struck him in the left
leg and halted his progress.
The officers In searching the car
found a sack apparently used in the
carrying off of the poultry and which
bore evidence of frequent use.
The sheriff and deputy called Dr.
Kunkel of Weeping Water and the
injured man taken on into that city
where the Injuries were dressed and
he later taken to the Nicholas Senn
hospital at Omaha where he is now
being treated and kept under guard.
The men gave the names of John
Wels, 30. address 2002 North 18th
street, Omaha and Charles Wheeler,
29, 1905 Paul street. Omaha.
A checkup of the car disclosed that
the tire marks on the car were the
tame as that found near other places
where chicken thefts have been oc
curring near Murray and the west
part of the county. Overshoes worn
by the men are claimed to check with
tracks found near the scene of raided
chicken houses in the vicinity of
Greenwood.
Men Have Records
Sheriff Mrasek and Deputy Sheriff
Doody in investigating the case
through the state sheriff's office have
revealed the fact that both of the
men captured have criminal records
and have both served time for
chicken stealing in the Iowa state
penitentiary at Anamosa as well as
one at the Nebraska penitentiary.
Weis, it is revealed had sarved
time in 1935 at the Iowa penitentiary
for chicken stealing and in 1937
had been arrested for killing a
Chinaman in Omaha.
Wheeler's record revealed that in
1928 he had served time for chicken
stealing in the Iowa penitentiary,
later being held for a prison escape
md sentenced to five years. In 1937
he had served a term at the Nebras
ka penitentiary for chicken stealing.
The prompt and efficient work of
the officers has apparently struck at
what has been systematic conducted
raids on the chicken houses of this
part of the state and they are to be ,
commended for their able handling of
the affair.
CALLED ON SAD MISSION
Mrs. Earl Hardison departed Sun
day for Atchison, Kansas, where she
was called by the death of J. C.
O'Brien, 48, a brother-in-law of Mrs.
Hardison. Mrs. O'Brien is a sister of
Mrs. Hardison.
VISIT SOLD FRIENDS
Mrs. C. J. Meitzwn if Milwaukee.
Wisconsin, formerly of Omaha, Is
here to spend a few days with old
friends and is a guest at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Emll Ptak and family.