Nebraska Newspapers

    rTefcr. Stats Historical Society
Vol. No. IV
PLATTSilOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, MAY 15, 1939.
NO. 23
Senior Class
Presents Their
Annua! Play
First of Two Night Offering of Class
of 1939 Held at High School
Is Well Presented..
From Friday's Daily
The class of 1939 of the Platts
mouth high school last evening gave
the first of a two night offering of
the class play, a most appreciative
audience being present to enjoj the
well presented offering.
The class had selected "The Seven
Keys to Baldpate." one of the clever
dramatic offerings of recent years as
the play of the year, this clever
corned v drama having been an im
mense success on the stage and later
on the screen.
The play, by George M. Cohan, is
one filled with mystery, dramatic and
thrilling developments and holds the
closest attention of the audience from
the prologue until the close of the
epilogue that brings to the close the
story of a wager and the resultant
story of adventure, thrill and" love.
Milo Trice , local teacher, had
charge of the coaching of the cast
that has worked on the play for the
past several weeks and gave a most
pleasing rendition of the roles of the
play.
Theodore Baker and Edythe Lush
insky appeared in the roles of "Mr.
and Mrs. Elijah Quimby," caretakers
of the "Baldpate Inn" and with John
Kenneth Bestor who carried the male
lead of the play, as "William Hollo
well Magee" furnished the opening
chapter of the excitement filled se
quence that followed.
John Tidball appeared as "John
Bland," political fixer, while Miss
Gloria Johnson carried the female
lead as "Mary Norton,"" newspaper
woman seeking an interview with
"Magee" and finding herself in a web
of mystery and romance. Maxine Niel
sen was cast as "Mrs. Rhodes," com
panion of "Miss Norton" and an ad
mirer of "Jim Cargan," the corrupt
mayor of a city, which role was
taken by Ronald Rebal. One of the
loved characters of the play is that
of "Peters," the hermit, in which
role Elmore Brink was very clever.
Mary McCarroll gave a very artistic
rendition "of the role of "Myra Thorn
hill," adventuress, who was an active
figure in the effort to secure the bribe
money of the street car magnate,
"Thomas Kayden," played by Stephen
Wiles, which had been planted at
"Baldpate" for "Mayor Cargan."
Thomas Solomon made a very dra
matic "Lou Max," cne of the real
gangster type. Bernard Jackson as
"Jiggs Kennedy," police head and
his efficient force, Roy Wilson and
Robert Yelick, added to the dra
matic effects of the play. Theodore
Libershal appeared as the owner of
"Baldpate" and loser in the bet on
the success of the novel written by
"William Hallowell Magee."
The second performance of the
play will be given this evening at
the school and with several changes
In the cast, this year a double cast
being arranged for the play and
which proved a very successful move
on the part of the director, Mr. Price.
In the performance tonight. Bill Arm
strong and Naomi Wood appear as
the aretakers of "Baldpate," Roy
Hughes as "John Bland," Janet West
over in the role of "Mary Norton,"
Kathleen Nolte as "Mrs. Rhodes,"
Rose Mary Steppat as "Myra Thorn
hi'.l." Clarence Mayabb as the owner
of "Baldpate" and Stuart Sedlak as
a policeman.
Preceding the play and In the
intermission the high school orches
tra gave a number of very pleasing
musical offerings.
The members of the cast. Coach
Price and his assistants are to be
congratulated on the success of the
play and the very fine manner in
which the difficult roles were given.
Dorothea Fulton served as floor man
ager, Theodore Libershal as elec
trician and Helen Dieter as prompter
for the cast, all doing a good job of
their tasks and helping in the play's
success.
VISITS AT BELLEVUE
From Thursday's Daily
Mrs. Henry Starkjohn returned
home yesterday from Bellevue where
she spent the past two days visiting
with her two sisters, Mrs. F. A.
Schiele and Mrs. S. W. Stefan.
GIVE FINE ENTERTAINMENT
From Saturday's Daily
Last evening a group of some sixty
of the friends and neighbors of John
F. Wehrbein, as well as the friends
from the Omaha packing and com
mission houses, gathered at the
Wehrbein "shack" on the Platte bot
tom. The occasion was a steak, fry and
those who were present found an
ample supply of the most delicious
steaks prepared under the direction
of George Sexton, well known com
mission man and farmer. All of the
good things that go with the feast
had been arranged to make it a very
fine treat.
During the evening a short musical
program was given by talent from
Omaha, which added very much to
the pleasure of the occasion.
Engagement
of Local Couple
" is Announced
Miss Laura Mrasek Betrothed to Mr.
Vincent Kelley of This City
Popular Young People.
Sheriff and Mrs. Joseph Mrasek
announce tne engagement oi
their youngest daughter, Miss .Laura
Elizabeth Mrasek to Mr. Vincent O.
Kelley, son of Mr. and Mrs. V. F.
Kelley of Plattsmouth.
Both of these young people are
very well known and have a large
group of friends and relatives who
are glad to hear of the recent an
nouncement.
Miss Mrasek, who Is nineteen years
of age, was a graduate of the Platts
mouth high school in the class of
1938. Since her graduation, Miss
Mrasek has been engaged as steno
grapher in the office of her father,
Sheriff Joseph Mrasek and is a young
lady of very pleasing personality.
Mr. Kelley is the eldest son of
Mr. and Mrs. Y. F. Kelley of this
city and is a young man very am
bitious and one who takes a very
active part in community and civic
affairs. At present he is manager of
the local Joe's New Way grocery
store and is also president of the
Junior Chamber of Commerce of
Plattsmouth.
No date for the wedding has been
announced by the couple.
WlLL APPEAL AWARDS
County Judge A. H. Duxbury has
been notified" by the Loup River
Public Power district tha the dis
trict will appeal all but two of the
awards made by the board of apprais
ers involving land in Cass county,
nought to be condemned for a right-of-way
for a transmission line.
The total of the awards and costs
is $19,332.15.
The only two awards not to be
appealed is that of $50.50 to the
Kahler Pottery Co., and $10 to Helen
LaTour, both pieces of land being
located at Louisville.
RECEIVE PLEASANT NEWS
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs.
Newell Pollard, formerly of this city,
will be pleased to learn that they are
the proud and happy parents of a ten
and a half pound son, born to them
at White Salmon, Oregon, on Wed
nesday. May 10th. This little one is
grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Ka
lina of this city, Mrs. Kalina being
at White Salmon to welcome the little
one. The many friends will join in
their best wishes for the future wel
fare of the little one.
TO ATTEND TULIP FESTIVAL
Fiom Thursday's Daily
Dr. and Mrs. P. T. Heineman and
daughter left last evening for Pella,
Iowa where they will spend the next
few days visiting and participating
in the tulip festival now In progress
in Pella. It is a festival when all
of the citizens of the town dress, and
dine in the Dutch fashion. '
HAVE NEW DAUGHTER
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Graut are
the parents of a fine nine pound
daughter, born at their home on
Wednesday. The mother and little
one are reported as doing nicely and
the occasion bringing much happi
ness to all of the family circle.
Youth Organi
zation Has Very
Fine Meeting
Number of Activities Planned for the
C.Y.O. in Summer Months
Have Social Hour.
From Friday's Dally
The May business meeting of the
young men's C. Y. O. of the lioly
Rosary church was held last evening
at the home of Joseph and Frank
Kvapil at 1502 Main street. Asso
ciate hosts were Thomas Gradoville,
James Kozak, Frank Aschenbrenner,
and Kenneth Durell. Around twenty
members and two guests, Leroy
Bashus and Harley Cotiingham, were
present.
Due to the absence of the president,
Henry Krejci the meeting was pre
sided over by the secretary-treasurer,
Joseph Kvapil. this being preceded by
the devotionals led by Father J. R.
Sinkula.
"Business and Social Reports" was
the general theme of the evening's
business session. The financial re
port of the annual spring ball, which
was sponsored by the club Saturday
evening, April 29, was submitted-by
the financial chairman and was one
which showed a favorable and pleas
lag profit from the ball rece?pU The
recent Founder's Day brer.kfnst re
port was also given.
The club also approved a mot inn
for the purchase of membership prns
for all of the present members of
the organization.
The C. Y. O. will hold special
Mother's Day observance on Sunday,
May 14. The young men will receive
corporal communion in a body on that
day.
A lengthy discussion was held on
the formation of a baseball team
among the local members. The C.
Y. O. team would be scheduled to
play various C. Y. O. teams around
the vicinity of Plattsmouth. A com
mittee of three, comprising Matthew
Sedlak. Thomas Gradoville, and
Frank Aschenbrenner were selected
to arrange for this formation and
schedules.
Plans and arrangements were also
ompleted by the organization to
iponsor a benefit card party the
earlier part of June. A committee
will be selected to carry on the
event.
Bernard Knofllcek was chosen as
committee chairman for the purpose
of organizing a C. Y. O. quartet.
Following the business session, the
club was very happy to have with
them for the first time since his re
turn their moderator, Rev. Joseph R.
Sinkula who served as the guest
speaker of the evening. Father Sin
kula addressed the group on "New
Mexico," the state where he spent
some time visiting and sightseeing
recently. Father Sinkula told of the
living conditions in that state, enum
erated the peculiarities of the In
dians, and described the heavy bliz
jard and snow storm that New Mex
ico witnessed, a condition that is very
rare and seldom exists. His talk
proved very interesting and inspiring.
At the conclusion of the meeting
ice cream and wafers were served
by the committee, this being followed
by a social hour of card playing.
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our deepest
3ense of appreciation to the many
kind friends and neighbors who were
bo thoughtful in the long Illness ot
our loved one, to Rev. Walter Kieker,
the members of the St. Paul's choir
and all who assisted in the funeral
services of our 'loved mother and
grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Mei
singer. Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Tritsch
and Family; Mrs. Lena Tritsch and
Wilma; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Meisinger;
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fornoff.
ADDRESSES INSURANCE MEET
From Thursday's Dally
Edgar S. Wescott, who is manager
of the advertising department of
the Bankers Life Insurance Co., of
Nebraska, is in attendance at the
national meeting of the Association
of Life Insurance Advertising Man
agers at Excelsior Springs. "Mr. Wes
cott, who has made a very fine record
in his work with the Nebraska Life,
was one of the speakers today on the
program of the meeting of the asso
ciation. The meetings are being held
at the Elms Hotel.
ATTENDS TULIP FESTIVAL
From Saturday's Dally
Emil Weyrich, well known photo
grapher and druggist in this city, re
turned home from Pella, Iowa yester
day where he spent the time attend
ing and enjoying the fifth annual
Pella Tulip Festival, which was held
May 11, 12 and 13. The festival is
held in memory of Iowa's first Hol
land settlers who founded Pella in
1847.
Thousands of imported Dutch tu
lips and hundreds of Dutch antiques
were shown in downtown store win
dows. Tulips were seen m full bloom
around parkways, school grounds,
residential districts and a number of
other spots in the city.
During his visit in Pella Mr. Wey
rich took many pictures of the fes
tival. Miss Lois Jean
to Become Bride
William Barber
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson
Jean, Former Plattsmouth Resi
dents, to Marry June 3.
Announcement ot nuptials to be
solemnized in June for a prominent
Valley couple was made at a tea
given Friday, May 5, from four to six
o'clock by Mrs. Nelson Jean at her
home on North Sixth street. Donna,
Texas, honoring her daughter, Lois.
Miss Jean's marriage to W. E. "Bill"
Barber, son of T. C. Barber, Browns
ville, and the late Mrs. Barber, will
take place June 3.
Blossoms in pastel shades with
roses and snapdragons predominat
ing were arranged about the recep
tion rooms, the flower tints blending
with the formal frocks worn by
members of the house party.-
The honoree was especially lovely
in a full skirted model of peach net
the matching basque top being made
of insertion and lace. Her corsage, a
gift from the bridegroom-elect, was
of sweetheart roses.
Receiving with Miss Jean and her
mother were the attendants for her
wedding. They are Mrs. Tommy Mor
ris, Harlingen; Miss Mary Kathryn
Jean, sister of the bride-to-be; and
Mrs. Charles Bracht, Harlingen, and
Miss Charlotte Barber, Brownsville,
sisters of the groom-elect. Spring
blossoms fashioned corsages which
harmonized with their costumes.
The interesting announcement, re
versing the adage about a secret be
ing kept under a hat, was conveyed
by silhouette folders heaped Jn an
old-fashioned bonnet held upside
down and decked with garlands of
flowers. Likenesses of affianced
couple, artistically mounted in a
booklet and included with the nup
tial date, were presented the guests
by Mrs. Forrest Graves.
Mrs. J. M. Tischler, San Benito,
had charge of the bride's book.
An all-white theme developed in
decoration of the dining room, em
phasized the bridal theme. White
roses and white flower tapers mingled
in a crystal bowl centered the table
which was lace laid. On the buffet
was an arrangement of white" gladioli
between tall white tapers in crystal
holders. Mrs. Vernon Sutphen and
Mrs. W. S. Petch, presided at the
silver services and served tea dainties
that reflected the bridal motif.
About fifty guests were received.
Miss Jean is a niece of Mr. and
Mrs. G. E. Weidman of this city, and
she is a "young lady well known and
liked by all who had the pleasure of
her acquaintance. During her resi
dence in Plattsmouth she has made
many friends who are glad to hear of
her recent engagement.
ADDRESSES AD CLUB
At the luncheon of the Business
Men's Ad club at the Hotel Platts
mouth on Wednesday, Mrs. William
Henrichsen, Jr., the assistant man
ager of the local Credit Bureau, was
a guest speaker. Mrs. Henrichsen,
who is very efficient and thorough
In her handling of this organization,
gave a most complete and interest
ing explanation of the workings of.
the bureau and its benefit to the
business interests of the city.
The club had as guests of the
luncheon. Sheriff Joe Mrasek and
Deputy Sheriff Emery J. Doody, who
enjoyed the opportunity of hearing
of the working of the organization.
Auto Accident
Claims Life of
Auto Driver
M. V. McKnight, Companion of Dead
Man Injured in Crash Members
of a Telegraph Gang.
From Saturday's Daily .
This morning shortly after 12:30
Lester Holman, residing north of
this city on highway No. 75, was
arcustd from his sleep by a noise and
thinking that someone was after the
chickens on the farm, arose and se
curing his shotgun started out of the
house. He noticed a light appar
ently in a ditch south and east of the
place and accordingly hurried to the
scene.
Holman found a car overturned
in a ditch north of the protecting
fence and in the car, a 1937 coupe,
were two men, one apparently being
conscious and moaning " while the
other was apparently dead.
Mr. Holman hastened to the resi
dence of Karl Grosshans to give the
alarm, but found that the car in the
wreck had torn down a pole and
put the telephone line out of service.
Mr. Grosshans hastened on into this
city to secure help and notify the
authorities.
Sheriff Joe Mrasek, Deputy Sheriff
E. J. Doody, Dr. L. S. Pucelik and
several volunteer assistants, hurried
to the scene and were able to extri
cate the men from the car.
The car had apparently come from
the south and failed to make the
proper turn north of the Grosshans
place, in some manner missing the
turn and the car then ran for some
distance along the shoulder north of
the fence and between the guard
rail and the ditch. The car had con
tinued its "wild course until striking
a culvert and where it had apparent
ly upended and then turned on its
side.
One of the men was identified as
D. W. Crum, 39, of Seward, owner
of the car and who had been driv
ing, he having been almost instantly
killed by a severe head wound. The
second man was found to be M. V.
McKnight, of Hickman, who was par
tially conscious and seemed to be
suffering a shoulder injury, altho not
thought to be in a critical condition.
The Horton ambulance was called
and McKnight taken on into Omaha
to be placed in the St. Joseph hos
pital by the Horton ambulance while
the dead man was brought on into
the Horton funeral home.
Both men were found to be mem
bers of a gang of telegraph linemen
bf the Burlington, working in the
vicinity of Bellevue, they having
been visiting in this city earlier in
the evening and were apparently on
their way to Bellevue at the time of
the accident.
Relatives of the dead man, D. W.
Crum, were located at Calhoun, Mis
souri, his home," and where the body
Is to be sent for burial.
TO GRADUATE AT KEMPER
Among the one hundred and forty
nine cadets at the Kemper Military
School, Boonville, Missouri, to be
graduated at the ninety-fifth com
mencement exercises of Kemper,
scheduled for May 25, will be
Stephen M. Davis, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Searl S. Davis of this ity. He
will be graduated from the Junior
College at Kemper.
Commencement week exercises dur
ing May 23-26 will include music
recitals, public speaking exhibitions,
military, athletic exhibitions, band
concerts, a dress parade, a com
mencement ball, presentaton of ath
letic, military, scholastic and general
awards. Events,, will be culminated
with the formal commencement exer
cises at which Colonel A. M. Hitch,
superintendent, will preside. Hun
dreds of visitors from many middle
western and southern states will
throng on the Kemper campus to be
in attendance for the various exer
cises. RETURN FROM FUNERAL
Dr. and Mrs. J. J. Stibal. who
have been at Lidgerwood, North Da
kota, in attendance at the funeral
services for the aged father of Dr.
Stibal, returned home Friday after
noon. They have the deep sympathy of
the many friends in the bereavement
that has come to them.
COUNTY COURT DOINGS
Friday was a very busy day in the
probate section of the county court
a large number of estate hearings
coming up before Judge A. H. Dux
bury, several of the estates being
closed and the executors and admin
istrators discharged.
Final settlement was had in the
estate of T. S. Clifford, deceased with
Thomas Clifford, a brother, as admin
istrator, closing the affairs of the
estate.
Final settlement was had in the
estate of Mrs. S. K. Harmon, de
ceased, of Weeping Water, C. E. Tefft
being the executor of the estate.
The will of the late Levi G. Todd.
of Union, was offered in court and the
appointment made of Mrs. Mary G
Todd as the executrix of the estate
Music Director
Has Many Duties
Over County
Full Week of Activities Mark Work
of Recreation Center Mu
sical Department.
One of the largest filled schedules
of any of the activities of the Recrea
tion Center of Cass county, is that of
the music department of which Peter
Gradoville is the head.
On Monday morning the director
has the students of clarinet and altos
of the city schools to instruct and
on Monday evenings the Plattsmouth
municipal band has their drill and
instruction.
On Tuesday Mr. Gradoville Is out
in the county, visiting at Murdock
from 9 to 10 o'clock to work with
the Murdock high school band. From
10 to 12 he Is at Alvo to serve as
instructor to the school band. Tues
day evening he is at Elmwood, 7 to
8 o'clock being taken up with the
school' band and from 8 to 10 with
the Elmwood city band.
Wednesday afternoon Mr. Grado
ville is busy with his radio work and
orchestra practice.
There are a number of formal con
certs over the county of which he
Is director, Elmwood on Wednesday
Crom 8 to 10; Weeping Water, Thurs
day from 8 to 10 and Murdock on
Friday from 8 to 10.
On Friday morning Mr. Gradoville
has work here with the Plattsmouth
high school band group and on Sat
urday there are group practices.
Sunday when possible Mr. Grado
ville has orchestra practice and drill
to start out a very busy week of
activities.
INTERESTING EXHIBIT
As a part of the music week ob
servance in the city, an unusually
interesting exhibit, especially to the
older residents of the city is that of
musical organizations of the past in
Plattsmouth, is shown in the east
window at Wescotts.
The pictures show the great in
terest that has been felt in this com
munity in music from the earliest
days, including the development of
bands formed from early day Ger
man and Bohemian emigrants here
who with their old world love of
music soon added their part to the
community life.
Then there are pictures of the
church music groups from the various
religious houses of worship, groups
that were staged in many light
operas as well as cantatas so popular
in the nineties and the early years
of the new century.
The pictures that represent music
life in Plattsmouth, would of course
not be complete without E. H. Schul
hof, bandmaster and who has helped
keep musical instruments and groups
well in tune, this also being shown
as a part of the exhibit.
The showing is a truly pictured
saga of music work in Plattsmouth
and vicinity.
INTERNE AT NEW ORLEANS
Marvin Tritsch, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Mike Tritsch, will be placed as
an interne in the United States Ma
rine hospital at New Orleans follow
ing his graduation from Creighton
University at Omaha in June. Mr.
Tritsch has majored in the field of
dentistry and during his years at
the university he has made an en
viable record in his line of profession.
Cass County
Extension Club
Chorus Heard
Outstanding Feature of Music Week
Given at Methodist Church on
Thursday Afternoon.
One of the most enjoyed musical
treats heard in the city for some time
and which was an outstanding fea
ture of the music week observance
here, was the presentation of the Cans
County Extension Club chorus under
the sponsorship of the music commit
tee of the Plattsmouth Woman's club
at the First Methodist church.
This group is composed of some
thirty-five of the women of Cass cou
nty who have a deep interest in the
development of music culture in their
organizations and homes. They have
Leen under the direction of Mrs. J.
II. Reeder, an outstanding figure in
musical work in the county and for
mer music instructor in the Elmwood
and Plattsmouth schools.
The members of the chorus made a
very colorful picture in gowns of dull
red tones.
The group singing o" the chorus was
very beautiful and their numbers em.
braced some of the best known tnd
lovely of the standard compositions.
In this gToup "God of All Nature" by
Tochaikowsky and "God Bless Am
erica", the closing number were
splendidly given.
Mrs. R. C. Shellenbarger of Platts
mouth, sang the Hebrew Melody,
'Kol Nidrei."
Mrs. Reeder, director of the group.
gave a solo, "Don't Talk to Me of
Spring", in her usual talented man
ner. Mrs. Jlenry Ruhg-a, of Elmwood,
who had a very fine soprano voice.
i gave a vocal solo of outstanding qual-
ity.
The vocal trio composed of Mrs.
Eugene Nutzman, of Nehawka. Mrs.
Walter Farmer of Ashland and Mrs.
Fred Creamer of Elmwood, gave a
fine rendition of "Little Mother o
Mine" by Burleigh.
The audience of the afternoon had
an unusual treat afforded them in the
piano quartet piven on two pianos
by Mrs. Elbert Wiles and Mrs. Roy
O. Cole and Mrs. L. S. Devoe and
Mrs. R. W. Knorr. The ladies gave
as their offerings, "Hungarian Rhap
sody" by Franz Liszt, and "March
Militaire" by Franz Schubert.
Mrs. J. R. Reeder, dire, tor ot the
chorus and Mrs. Roy O. Cole, accom
panist, were presented with a beau
tiful bououet on behalf of the ladies
of the group in recognition of their
work. The presentation was made
by the little daughters of two ot
the members.
At the close of the program, the
Plattsmouth ladies of the group serv
ed dainty refreshments in the church
parlors.
TO LOCATE ON WEST COAST
Mrs. Etta Gorder, of Springfield,
was in the city Friday for a short
time to visit with the old time
friends. She reports that her son.
Harlan Corder, who has been engaged
in the operation of a drug store
at North Platte, has disposed of his
business interests and with the wife
is leaving for the west oast where
they will visit and probably locate
in the future.
JOHN JAC0ES MENDING
The reports from the Anton Kanl
hospital at Omaha are to the effect
that John Jacobs Is rallying nicely
from the effects of his illness and
operation for appendicitis. John has
so far recovered that he can now
take nourishment and it is hoped to
have him home by the middle of next
week.
WILL RETURN FROM HOSPITAL
From Saturday's Dtty
Fred Guenther, who is in an
Jmaha hospital recuperating from a
recent illness, will be brought to his
home here in Plattsmouth Sunday.
The many friends and relatives of
this good man will be pleased to learn
that he will be able to return home
so soon.
Royal Dance Sat Kite.
Paul Sing Electric guitar orchestra.
At the Legion Ballroom, 25c.