Nehr. State Historical Society
So
nut
Vol. No. IV
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1939.
NO. 32
t
Grade
Promotional
Exercises Held
Large Number Attend Event Held at
the Congregational Church at
Weeping Water.
The 1939 promotional exercises oi
the eighth grade pupils of the Cass
county schools were held Saturday
afternoon at the Congregational
church at Weeping Water, under the
direction of Lora Lloyd Kieck, coun
ty superintendent.
There were 124 of the young peo
ple to be promoted and of these 101
were present to take part In the in
teresting program arranged for the
eve'nt.
Mrs. Roy Cole, of near this city,
played the prelude as the class en
tered the church' for the exercises.
Rev. X. B. Calloway, pastor of the
Methodist church at Louisville, gave
the invocation.
The rural school chorus was heard
under the direction of Rev. I'aul
Dick of the Mynard U. B. church and
gave a very fine part of the program
this being followed by the pledge of
allegiance to the flag by the entire
group.
The rhythm band of Cedar Creek,
district No. 31 was present and gave
a fine demonstration of their skill
Superintendent L. A. Behrends, of
Weeping Water, gave the welcome to
the students and the teachers and
which was responded to by Ermond
Moore, of Elmwood, district No. 23.
Two fine musical numbers were
given by Weeping Water young peo
ple who have been outstanding in
their work, Lyman Lorensen in a
trombone solo and Tom Molden in a
well chosen vocal offering.
The address of the afternoon was
given by W. O. Samuelson on the
"nbject, "Where Do , We Go from
Here," the speaker stressing the
value of the education in the high
s.hool to which the students are
now eligible.
Maurie Shirley gave a very charm
ing vocal offering as a part of the
entertainment.
The Weeping Water girl's quar
tet composed of Doris Marshall, Dor
othy Everett, Mary ElizabethJlinds
nnd Marian Fitzpatrick gave a fine
number.
The diplomas were presented by
Mrs. Kieck to the laree class of
young people as a token of their
very fine work in the grade schools
which they are now completing.
Mrs. James Tollard. of Nehawka.
nn behalf of the Jonathan Cass chap
ter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, presented the history
awards to the students.
The honor roll of the class of
1939 wa3 read as the closing feature
of the program.
COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS
Several probate matters were
heard in the county court the last
of the week, final settlements being
had in the estate of C. Lawrence
Stull, Frank A. Cloidt, administra
tor; Edna S. Dinger, estate, and in
the Gertrude S. Wolph estate, of
which Miss Evelyn Wolph is the
executrix.
Hearing on the determination
of heirship in the estate of T. S. Clif
ford was had before the court and
the rights of the heirs determined.
Hearing was had on the appoint
ment of an administrator, DBN in
the estate of Hannah. Penn. deceased,
owing to the death of Judge W. C.
Ratcliff. of Red Oak. Iowa, former
administrator. Lester A. Westerland
of Prairie Home, Nebraska, was
named as administrator.
Hearing was had today in the mat
ter of the estate of J. F. Wortman.
deceased, of Portland, Oregon. The
deceased left an estate valued at
142.000, a party of the estate being
land in Cass county.
UNDERGOES OPERATION
Miss Bernadine Graham, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Graham of
Louirville. underwent a tonsilectomy
nnd adnoids operation Tuesday after
noon at the office of Dr. L. S. Puce
lik. The young lady came through
the i.rltal in very good condition
and following the operation sh was
taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Orville Kiutz to reeuperate.
Eighth
CAR HAS WRECK
Sunday afternoon shortly before 6
o'clock a car wreck occurred south of
the city on highway No. 75 near the
Charles E. Cook farm.' Several cars.
j loaded with Omaha Boy Scouts were
returning nome from a picnic at
Arbor Lodge, when one of the cars
m trying 10 pass anotner, struck one
of the large concrete spillways and
was uvenurnea. l ne car was aam-
aseu uui me live rcouis anu me
driver escaped with minor scratches
and being shaken up to some extent.
Many Attend
Funeral Service
of Elva Patterson
Hundreds of School Friends and As-
sociates at the Sattler Funeral
Home for Last Services.
Monday afternoon the Sattler fun-
eral home was filled to its capacity
as hundreds of the school friends and
life loner associates of Elva Olson Pat-
terson, gathered to pay their last
tokens of respect to the young woman
whose death had brought such a
shock to the community and friends,
The services were conducted by
Dr. H. G. McClusky, pastor of the
First Presbyterian church, who
brought to the sorrowing husband
and grief stricken relatives a mes-
sage of hope in the promise of an-
other reuniting when the cares of
earth should have passed away.
During the services Mrs. Gladys
Glaze and Miss Fern Jahrig, friends
of the departed young matron, gave
two of the old and loved hymns,
Sometime We'll Understand" and
Beautiful Isle of Somewhpro." E H.
Wescott being the accompanist.
At the close of the service the
body was borne to the Oak Hill ceme-
tery where it was laid to rest beside
the mother and others of the family
circle that hatl gone on before. The
pall bearers were old friends and
school mates of the past years, they
being Earl Taylor, Robert Vallery,
Morris Hennings, John Urish, Rob
ert Slavicek, Alvin Johnson.
LEAVE FOR THE EAST
From Tuesdays. Dally
Mr. and Mrs. William Ainsworth
Robertson and children, Miss Rachel
and Billy departed for the east this
morning where they will visit for
the next two weeks and enjoy the
graduating exercises of the United
States naval academy at Annapolis,
Maryland.
On the way to the graduation they
are stopping at Hagerstown, Mary
land, where they will be guests of
cousins of Mr. Robertson, Mr. and
Mrs. J. R. R. Black and family, Mr.
Black being county clerk of Wash
ington county, Maryland, and was
recently here on a visit while en
route west.
James M. Robertson, II, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Robertson, is a member of
the graduating class at the naval
academy.
HUMBOLDT HERE SUNDAY
The local Merchants baseball team
will play the Humboldt team here on
next Sunday at the Athletic park, the
management of the team states.
The Humboldt team is one of the
fast organizations in their part of
Nebraska and comes here with a well
balanced group to meet the locals
who are now hitting a good stride.
The Merchants have a very effec
tive team in both hitting and field
ing and excellent pitchers In Thim
gan, Thierolf and Sedlak. Jacobs,
one of the local staff will probably be
out of the game owing to his recent
operation.
RETURNS FROM SCHOOL WORK
Cecil W. Comstock returned home
Saturday from Vesta, Nebraska,
where he has been teaching for the
last year. Cecil has had a very suc
cessful year in teaching and has been
re-elected as teacher and principal
of the Vesta high school. He will
teach history, English, typing, and
dramatics for the coming: year. He is
to take Bpecial work at the Univer
sity of Nebraska this summer In pre
paring for his work. The young man
is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs.
J. C. Comstock of this city.
Hirz-SIavicek
Wedding Reveal
ed to the Family
Reveal Marriage Occurred at Blair
at Same Time 0f Mrasek
Kelley Nuptials
in a 'marriage that tooc place on
April 30 at Blair, Nebraska," before
Judge John A. Carrigan. Miss Jean-
ette Ilirz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Fred W. Hirz, and -Mr. Robert Slavi-
cek, son of Mrs. Frank Slavicek were
united in marriage, this being the
second surprise wedding that was
announced Sunday. The wedding
took place on Sunday evening, April
30 at S:30.
The happy couple was attended
by Miss Laura Mrasek and Mr. Vin-
cent Kelley who were also married
during the same evening
This was the third surprise wed-
ding announcement in Tlattsmouth
during the last two weeks, the wed
ding of this popular young couple
coming as a complete surprise to
their many friends and relatives.
The bride was dressed in a plum-
colored dress and she wore black ac-
cessories.
h The bridesmaid wore a dark tail-
ored suit with light blue accessories.
The bride is the only daughter of
Mr- and Mrs. Fred W. Hirz of this
city, where she was born and reared.
She s a young lady who is well-
"keel and popular In this city. A
graduate of the Plattsmouth high
school in the year of 1937, she has
been employed as a stenographer in
tne law onice or Attorney Joseph A.
Capwell.
I he groom Is the only son of Mrs.
rank blavicek who resides in the
west part of the city, he also having
been born and reared in this city.
A young man of splendid character,
Mr- Slavicek is employed in the local
Joe's New Way grocery store,
The many friends and relatives
Pf tnia happy couple wish them a
happy and successful wedded life
in the future years. They will make
their home in this city.
SPECIAL DAY FOR 4-H LEADERS
4-H club leaders who find it pos
sible to attend the special program
prepared for them on May 29th, as
the opening day of Boys and Girls
Club Week, in Lincoln will feel well
repaid for the many worthwhile
ideas and the inspiration for conduct
ing 4-H clubs they are bound to re
ceive. Monday, May 29th. from 10 a. m.
to 9 p. m. will be known as Local
Leaders' Day. The program is ar
ranged to interest not only those who
register for the week, but for every
local leader of a 4-H club and all the
public who have been taking part in
any of the general extension pro
grams. Cass county 4-H club leaders
are invited and urged to attend if
at all possimle.
MAKE GUILTY PLEA
Monday afternoon in the county
court Zene Denman and Robert Mar
tin, of Omaha, were arraigned on
the charge of illegal fishing on the
farm of William A. Metzger with
out the permission of the owner.
The two men made a plea of guilty
to the charge of Judge A. H. Dux
bury then gave a fine of $25 and costs
to the defendants, this however be
ing suspended during the good be
havior of the defendants and they to
pay the costs. The costs were paid
and the parties released to return
home.
SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
Byron Galland and children and
Mrs. H. D. Everett of Union were in
Omaha Sunday where they spent the
afternoon with Mrs. Galland who has
been there recuperating from an
operation. They reported that she is
showing rapid improvement and may,
perhaps, be able to return to her
home here about Friday.
RADIO ANNOUNCER HERE
Russell Jensen, WJAG radio an
nouncer at Norfolk, Nebraska, ar
rived here Saturday evening and
spent the week-end with his relatives
in this city, Mrs. Fritz Kaffenberger,
Mrs. John Wehrbein, and Mrs. Harry
White being his aunts.
SUFFERS EROKEN LEG
Charles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wal
ter Martin, residing south of the
city, suffered the fracture of his left
les Sunday morning at the farm
home. Charles was trying to ride a
horse in the barnyard and apparent
ly was bucked off the horse and as
he fell the horse kicked him and with
the result that the leg was broken
Just below the knee. The injured
youth was brought here to the office
of Dr. L. S. Pucelik and later to the
St. Joseph hospital at Omaha.
Young People
Reveal Marriage
at Papillion
Miss Cary Zimmerman and Mr.
Harold Mead Wedded at Papil
lion on April 30th.
The fifth wedding to be revealed in
the last two weeks is that of Miss
Cary Zimmerman, eldest daughter
of Mr. andTIrs. C. F. Zimmerman of
Plattsmouth and Mr. Harold Mead.
3on of Mr. and Mrs. William Mead
of near Union. The wedding cere
mony was very quiet, the couple
motoring to Papillion, Nebraska Sun
day afternoon, April 30 where they
were pronounced man and wife by
Judge Harry Collins. They were at
tended by a couple from Papillion.
The marriage was kept a complete
secret and this week the happy
couple had made the revelation of
their wedding, the event coming as
a complete surprise to their many
friends and relatives.
The bride is the eldest daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Zimmerman,
prominent farmers who reside In My
nard. Born and reared in Cass coun
ty she is a young lady who has a
host of friends who wish she and
her husband the best of success in
their married life. Prior to her mar
riage she had been employed by a
number of business houses of this
city.
The groom is a young man well
known in Plattsmouth, Murray, and
Union, he being the son of Mr. and
Mrs. William "Bill" Mead. He was
also born and raised in Cass county,
his parents being farmers who run a
small dairy near Union. Mr. and
Mrs. Mead expect to farmin Cass
(county
VISIT WITH RELATIVES
Mrs. Grace Hall and daughter, Mls9
Elizabeth Hall, of Grant, Nebraska,
are here for a visit with the rel
atives and friends in this city and
vicinity, at the home of their son
and brother. Major I. Hall and family
and other relatives.
Sunday Mrs. Hall and daughter,
with James I. Hall and Mr. and Mrs.
Luke L. Wiles, motored to Glenwood,
accompanied by I. R. L. Wiles, of St.
Louis, Missouri, the youngest of the
family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Wiles. They visited at Glenwood
with Mrs. B. B. Dean, the eldest of
the Wiles family and sister of Mrs.
Hall, Luke and I. R. L. Wiles. On
the way home they came by way of
Omaha to visit with Mr. and Mrs.
T. F. Wiles and family for a short
time.
HEAR FISH STORIES
Tuesday at their luncheon the
members of the Rotary club had a
most interesting story of fishing at
the Minnesota lakes given by Carl
Ofe. who with Rotarian Fred Lugsch,
Carl Schneider and Rudolph Iverson
have just returned from an outing
of a few days. The fishing was ex
cellent and the local fishermen caught
a nice array of the game fish and
had a fine outing.
Robert M. r.'alling told of the in
tercity meeting at Glenwood in
which a large group from this city
participated and heard a very fine
program.
RETURNS FROM HOSPITAL
H. E. Becker, who has been at the
Clarkson hospital at Omaha for the
past several days, taking treatment
as the result of a severe nose
hemorrhage, was able to return home
Saturday. He is being kept quiet
at the home for a few days and It is
hoped will have no serious results of
the attack.
Mr. and Mrs.
A. L Becker are
Long Residents
Both Born in Liberty Precinct Where
They Have Been Active Factors
in Its Development.
Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Becker, who
in the long years of their life have
made their home on the farm in Lib
erty precinct, have the distinction of
being born in that locality and which
they have seen grow from a lew scat
tered farms to one of the most thriv
ing parts of Cass county.
Both are members of pioneer fam
"lifs that came to Nebraska, in the
territorial days and their forebears
had an active part in the winning of
Ih- west from the wild Indian coun-
rrv to a land of farms and prosper-
dus villages and towns.
Abraham Lincoln Becker was born
on the farm of his parents, a mile
and a half north and two and three
quarters miles east of Union, on Feb
ruary 16, 1863, his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Peter J. Becker naming him
in honor of the great president then
guiding the nation through the
horrors of the civil war. The father
of Mr. Becker at the time was
serving with the armed forces of
the Second Nebraska in guarding
against the Indian attacks feared in
the northern part of the state. In
that early day A. L. Becker soon was
able to do his share in the work of
farming and stock handling and
which was later to be the source of
his greatest success. In his boyhood
Jays he was engaged by John OJd-
ham pioneer farmer and stockman
to help on the farm and with the
long and hard hours of farm work
of that time he established the rug
ged character that later carried him
to much success. In that day and
time, the fcrm worker arose at the
first signs of. the approach of dawn
and labored until long after the dusk
had come to complete their shores
around the farm. Serving Mr. Old
ham well and faithfully, in March
1SS6 Mr. Becker visited the place
that has so long been his home and
finally as a young man he purchased
the property where for many years
he farmed and where his family was
reared to manhood and womanhood.
Mr. Becker on June 23, 1887 was
married to Eva L. Taylor, a daugh
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Taylor,
the former a native of Virginia, who
came west to locate in Cass county
and later married Barbara A. Lynn,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua
Lynn, some of the earliest residents
of southeastern Cass county. Their
wedding occurred at the Methodist
church which was situated where
now the James rwday farm Is lo
cated, the church building later be
ing moved into Union.
Mr. Becker became after a few
years one of the leading stockmen of
the eastern Nebraska territory and
his ability in judging stockf in feed
ing cattle and swine soon brought
him into the ranks of the leading
farmers of this section of the state
and at his farm home northeast of
Union great feeding sheds, elevator
and barns made it a show place for
that part of the country.
In later years Mr. Becker engaged
n the mercantile business in Union
rlth members of his family, but his
real love and which he still regards
with his old time vigor and shrewd
ness, was that of the stock raising
and marketing of the cattle t.nd hogs
and at which he was among ihe best,
consulted by those who wished the
ripest judgment on the handling of
their livestock.
Mr. and Mrs. Becker in their beau
tiful and hospitable home reared a
fine family that are still with them
and active In the life of the com
munity in which they live. Henry
Becker resides at Union, Roy Becker
is engaged in farming near that
place, Mrs. Otto Ehlers, a daughter
and Mr. Ehlers are also in the farm
ing activity of Liberty precinct. Miss
Mary Becker resides at Union and
John Becker is engaged in farming
also to carry on the family tradition.
Ray F. Becker, twin brother of Roy,
is the register of deeds of. Cass
county, selected at- the last election
and now living in Plattsmouth.
Rubber Stamps, prompt TeTIv
ery, lowest prices. All sizes at the
Journal office.
TRESPASS ON FARM
Deputy Sheriff E. J. Doodv was
-ailed Sunday to the Metzger farm
near Cedar Creek where two strang
ers were reported as trespassing on
tha property. It was found that two
men, claiming Omaha as their resi
dence had entered the farm and
started fishing without the permis
sion of the owner and it was claimed
were preventing the cattle from be
ing able to secure water. It is ex
pected thfat charges -will be filed
against the men this afternoon.
Rotarians and
Anns Attend Dis
trict Meeting
ntercity Meeting at Glenwood Honors
New President, Fred Haas and
Mrs. Haas of Omaha.
Monday evening the Glenwood Ro-
tarians were hosts to an intercity
meeting of the International Rotary
and which brought to that city Ro-
tarians and their Anns from Ashland,
Plattsmouth, Omaha, Council Bluffs,
Bed Oak, Malvern, Tabor, Shenan-
doah, Nebraska City, Blair.
The event was arranged in honor
if Fred Haas, newly-elected district
president, of Omaha, and Mrs. Haas.
The members had a very fine din-
ner arranged for them by the Glen- the scripture reading during the eve
wood people and a very fine pro- ning. He took two passages of scrip-
gram that was filled with many in-
teresting features. Frank A. Cloidt
of this city led the singing for the
large group and Al Standifield, presi-
dent of the Rotary club was the pre-
siding officer.
William Jeffers, president of the
Union Pacific railroad was the
speaker of the evening and gave a sang a fitting number, "Eye Hath
fine talk on the present day condi- Hot Seen," by Gaul,
tions of the nation, gathering from A four-group committee represent
his long years of practical service ng the junior class of the high
in the railroad and business world school served as ushers for the baeca
practical knowledge that he applied laureate service, these being Harley
to the present conditions that exist Cottingham, Edward Smith, Ralph
in the United States. '
Among those who attended the
meeting from this city were Mr. and J
Mrs. E. J. Richey, Judge and Mrs. A.
H. Duxbury, Mr. and Mrs. Art Troop, I
Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Thornton, Mr.
and Mrs Frank Mullen, Mr. and Mrs.
F. I. Rea, Richard Scantier. Mrs.
Nellie Spangler, Mr. and Mrs. Frank very inspirational. Interesting, en
A. Cloidt, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Devoe, couraging, and educational. "Ex-
John E. Frady. John P. Sattler, Sr., celsior" was the topic from which he
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Bernhardt, Mr. addressed the students. Rev. Low
and Mrs. George Hetrick, Mrs. Fred son's sermon follows:
Lugsch. Robert M. Walling, Elmore
Brink and Stephen Devoe, high school
members of the club.
DRIVE PROVES SUCCESSFUL
The drive for the benefit of the
Plattsmouth Legion Drum and Bugle
corps conducted recently proved to
be a huge success, a total balance
of $288.41 being placed on hand in
the treasury. Fred Herbster, chair
man of the drive, announces the fol-
lowing .receipts and expenditures of
the drive:
Receipts
Bake Sale $ 25.50
Boxes 55.28 1
Raymond Evers, total north
side donors 111.35
Soennichsen, total of south
ide- donors 70.50
Golden Spike award 60.00
Total amount in treasury be
ginning of drive 18.18 i
$340.81
Disbursements
Fetzer Shoe Store $ 3.00
Golden Spike trip expense 16.00
Drum repairs
6.00
Cleaning Clothing 27.40
$ 52.40
Total balance on hand. $288.41.
BIRTH OF SON
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Arnold of
Union, are the parents of an eight
pound boy born to them at the home
of Mrs. Arnold's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. H. W. Griffin at Union. Mrs.
Arnold was the former Miss Ella
Griffin, and the little one Is a grand
son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Arnold of
this city. Both mother and son
are doing fine.
FOR SALE CHEAP
Automatic Deep "Well Pump, com
plete with motor and pressure tank.
Charles Stastka, Murray, Nebr.
Subscribe for th Journal.
Baccalaureate
Services Held
Sunday Evening
Services Held at First Presbyterian
Church Rev. J. C. Lowson.
Gives the Sermon.
From Monday's Dally
The First Presbyterian church, as
usual, was filled to its capacity last
evening when the baccalaureate ser
vice for the 1939 senior class of the
Plattsmouth high school took place.
Amid the scene of well-arranged
floral decorations of Iris and ferns
and the impressiveness of the service,
the senior class of seventy-two mem
bers were seated In the center of
the church, blue and white stream-
ers being placed on the sides of the
pews. h. Wescott. organist of the
Methodist church, played the prelude
and processional.
The doxology, "Praise God From
Whom All Blessings Flow," was sung
y the congregation.
.Dr. H. G. McClusky, the host pas-
tor, pronounced the invocation as
the service began.
Wilbur Hall rendered a beautiful
solo, "The Blind Ploughman." his
sister, Miss Mildred Hall serving as
his accompanist.
Rev. J. w. Taenzler, pastor of the
First Christian church, presented
ture, first from Phlllpplans, third
chapter, and portions of the chapters
ot First Corinthians.
The pastorial prayer was given
by Rev. Paul Dkk, pastor of the
Mynard U. B. church.
The Methodist church choir, Mrs.
E. H. Wescott being the director, '
Stava and Joe York.
E. H. Wescott served as the ac-
companist at the console of the
church organ for the Methodist choir.
processional and recessional.
vRev. J. C. Lowson, pastor of the
Methodist church, -gave the sermon
of the evening, his remarks iin-
"Excelsior"
I was present at a gathering of
men some time ago, and the chair
man in the course of .introducing the
speaker said: "Most of us here are
mediocre" . . . that meant most of
us were just the ordinary run of in
dividuals who did not excel in any
thing. But he went on to say, "We
have with us tonight a speaker, a
champion, a man who excels in his
profession." Now, these remarks set
me th5ukinS- Wfay are there so many
mediocre people in the world? Why
are there so many people who are
satisfied not to be able to excel in
anything? Why do bo many people
become soon satisfied with themselves
as they are?
We used to have a movie entitled
"I is Tough to be Famous," but if
I had anything to say, it is not half
so tough to be famous in these days
as it is to be one of the vast multi
tude of ordinary people who are
among the unwanted
The number of
the unemployed grows larger
every known profession is overcrowd
ed
a dozen men available for
every opportunity for a better posi-
tjon. And the greatest question and
problem we face today is "What are
we to do with our latent man
power?"
At any rate it would be well for
you young people to remember thia
world into which you go forth is en
tirely different to that In which your
father began. The world Into which
you are about to enter is not exact
ly waiting for your coming it Is
not preparing a place for you. You
are not going forth into a world la
which there is suitable work for
every man and woman. You are go
ing forth into a world of keen com
petition a world In which the op
portunities to succeed, as the world
calls success, are a thousand times
less than they were say fifty years
Continued on Page 8.