Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1940)
Jlrtr. State Historical Society M v M H El M iV M-H H fcl 53 IS M 23 F.-3 1 XU1 VOL. NO. IVI PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, HAY 13, 1940. NO. 29 Number Hear Story of War on Frauds Dwight L. Holmes, of Better Business League Tells of Work in Fight ing "Gyp" Schemes. From Friday's Dally A large crowd filled the dining room of the Hotel Plattsmouth last evening to hear the expose given by Dwight L. Holmes of the Better Business League, of many of the rackets and "gyp" schemes; that are every day worked on the American buying public. Preceding the arrival of Mr. Holmes a short program of songs was enjoyed by the group as a part of the music week program, David Fow ler, Jr. of the music department and L. S. Devoe leading the singing of the songs. The mixed octette of the high school, composed of Allan "White, Ralph Stava, Warren Allbee, Bill Knorr, Helen Hiatt, Darlene Holou bek, Shirley Petersen, Wilma Swatek, gave two very much enjoyed num bers. Mr. Holmes was presented to the audience by E. H. .Bernhardt, gen eral manager of the Norfolk Pack ing Co., and member of the Commit tee of 100 for Nebraska. Mr. Holmes in his openlr.g discuss ed the moves that had been started by his organization against various forms of fraud and misrepresentation, citing the prosecution just completed of the F. M. A. C. at Omaha, the ac tivities of which had been partially revealed by the Business Bureau. The result was three men were to be sen tenced Monday for their conviction. The Better Business League had been organized in 1936 at Omaha, suc cessfully operating to save hundreds of thousandj of dollars by checking the activities of the people preying on the creditability of the American people. Mr. Holmes exposed in his talk methods used in many loan shark concerns in Omaha and on which the Better Business League was now leveling its investigations. In many cases borrowers were found to have paid as high as 240 per cent interest. Telling of the operations of many of the "gyp" salesmen that visit the residential districts and prey on the housewife and buyer, he told of the "imported" rug salesmen, going from house to house with the rugs. These had been investigated and found to be jute rugs, worth only a trifling amount. The salesmen had been rounded up and ordered out of Oma ha. From one town they drift to another to ply their tactics on the victims. The magazine salesmen, the "Irish lines" salesmen and the large field of misrepresentation in the Bale of furs was also exposed by the speaker. The Tur coats are represented as every thing from sable to mink had been found on investigating to be only rabbit fur dyed to resemble other furs. These had been sold at stiff prices to the unwary public. Through the Bureau efforts the misrepresen tation in advertising of the furs had been checked by an agreement among the dealers themselves Radio advertising was scored by the speaker, who placed at the hands of the public the remedy for this line of attempting to work the public, that of not purchasing the articles that were misrepresented over the air. Mr. Holmes summed the main thought for the buying public when dealing with strangers and traveling peddlers and salesmen and women, "Before You Invest, Investigate." The speaker had with him several devices that found ready market among the gullible people, static eradicators for radios, furniture pol ish, roach and bug eradicator made from ordinary kitchen cleaner. Ex tracts and other lines of preparation wore brought to the homes and sold, while in tome cases being good goods, could be bought at local stores at a far less price. Many bottled goods vers sold under false names and labels. It was the custom of the "gyp" artist to have labels print ed at dome sweatshop print shop and then used to reap the dimes and dol lars from the "suckers." Large Mr. Holmes also exposed the ac tivities of man who visit commun ities and endeavor to interest church. Internal or patriotic societies in selling their product at a small per cent to be donated to the society. In this method articles or products were sold as high as $1 when the cost at other places would be but two bits. At the close Mr. Holmes answered a large number of very pertinent questions as to the methods of men and women that yearly rob the household of millions of dollars. The program was under the spon sorship of the Business Men's Ad club. Death of a Pioneer Resident of Nehawka John Murdoch, Sr., 64, Passed Away Thursday Afternoon Funeral Held on Sunday. Funeral services for the late John Murdoch, Sr., were conducted at Otterbein church, four miles north of Nehawka, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment took place at the Mt. Pleasant cemetery near Ne hawka. The deceased was born on May 13, 1875 within a short distance of his present home in Nehawka. Mr. Mur doch would have celebrated his sixty- fifth birthday Monday but, unfor tunately, death ended a long and successful career of farming. On March 1, 18S9 Mr. Murdoch wedded Miss Emma Baier, also from Nehawka. and following their mar riage they moved to the farm where he died a farm they lived on for over forty years. A very prominent civic and church leader in Nehawka, Mr. Murdoch at the time of his death, was president of the Nehawka school board. For many years he served as superin tendent of Sunday school at the Otterbein church. The deceased is survived by the wife, Emma; two sons, Paul, who re sides on an adjoining farm, and John Murdoch, Jr.; one daughter, Mrs. Vilas Kelelhut, Nehawka; three sis ters, Mrs. Hugh Warden, Union, Mrs. J. W. Thomas, Lincoln, and Mrs. Mary Norris, Nehawka. TO RE-OPEN PROJECT Through the efTorts of Mayor Ar nold J. Lillie and members of the city council who made a trip to Lin coln Tuesday, the Chicago avenue storm sewer project is to be reopen ed to take care of a sonken place in the street at. the corner of Seventh street and First Avenue. The men called at the state WPA offices and were given assurance that the matter would be given prompt attention. Yesterday WPA engineers were here and conferred with city officials. It was agreed that before repair of the sunken place is under taken some excavation will be made to determine whether any possible water leaks exist that might be con tributing to the sinking of the pav ing at this point, which is where the new sewer connects with the old one at the Tidball lumber yard corner. Tiiis is the second time the pav ing has sunken down at that point. The excavation there reached a depth of nearly 1C feet and was done in December, 1938, when the sewer job was first started. Nearly a year later, before the sewer job was completed, a sink-hole required attention and the WPA workmen took up the brick and relaid them. This spring a further sink developed that, with the "WPA project closed, promised to cost the city a considerable sum to repair. Now, with the project reopened, the city will be saved the labor cost of making such repair. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank all who assist ed in any way at the funeral of our beloved husband and father, also those who sent flowers. We want to thank Rev. Schick for his words of comfort and consolation. We shall always remember with heartfelt gratitude the many expressions of sympathy. Mrs. Mary Starkjohn and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Starkjohn. St. Paul's Church Pays Honor to Aged Mothers Woman's Guild of the Church Has Very Fine Program for the Ladies Over Seventy. Thirty well-known, highly respect ed, and beloved mothers were to be honorary members of the birthday party tendered in their behalf by the Woman's Guild of the St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed church Friday afternoon at 2:30, however some of them were unable to at tend. The party honored all ladies within the church who are seventy years of age or over this year. The parlors of the church were elaborately decorated with the spr,ing floral bouquets interspersed witlr greenery. Three long tables seated the honorary members and guests. Mrs. Louis Ward EgenDerger, Mrs. Samuel G. Schick, and Miss Sophie Kraeger served as committee mem bers for the birthday party. Place j cards which contained a photograph , of the church and the names of the ; honorary members, the date of their birth, and their present age, were given each honored guest. "Dear Honorary members, that pass our way, i Bide with us now and spend a day, i Our paths now meet, too soon must part, j But how the meeting warms j the heart. Fain would we pause and bid them stay. Dear members, there, that pass our way." Mrs. Frank (Frances) Horsak was toastmistress for the program rendered during the afternoon. Two German numbers were sung by Mrs. Otto Pitz and Mrs. George Klinger "Das Lead Das Mutter Sang," and "Harre Meine Seeler Mrs. Wiley Sigler served as their accompanist. Mrs. Ray Herring sang a solo num ber appropriate for the occasion "Little Old Lady," with Mrs'. Sigler as her accompanist. Mrs. Samuel Schick sang the solo number "Wan dering Back." The pastor of the church addressed the fine group of ladies and other guests. In his re marks Rev. Schick thanked the ladies for their co-operation and fine support that they had given during the old organization and society, and welcomed them as proud members of the present new society. - A birthday luncheon followed the afternoon program and all enjoyed a social hour of visiting among the group present a visit which proved very dear as many of them have not been able to see each other for some time. Corsages were pinned to the honorary members present. The honorary members of the church are listed as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Tritsch was 88 years old February 2; Mrs. Adolph Wesch was 83 January 24; Mrs. Anna Lillie, 82 on April 14; Mrs. Theodore Starkjohn, 81 on April 10; Mrs. William Hassler, 80 February 23; Mrs. Rudolph Spahni, 78, April 22; Mrs. Martha Zimmerman, 78 May 2; Mrs. Mary Falter, 75 March 21; Mrs. Hans Seivers, 74 March 27; Mrs. Louisa Bauer, 70 March 9; Mrs. John Kopp, 70 February 10; Mrs. P. P. Meisinger, 71 January 2G; the following ladies will observe their forthcoming birthdays as follows: Mrs. John Albert will be 83 June 20; Mrs. Peter Goos will pass her 82nd birthday October 6; Mrs. Mary Egenberger's 81st birthday will occur on June 5; Mrs. August Richter has a birthday on October 20 and she will be 80 years old; October 25 Mrs. Fred Baumgart will be 79; No vember 27 Mrs. iBenno Seydlitz will be 76 years old; Mrs. Chris Mocken haupt will be 75 years old May 19; Mrs. Herman Tiekotter, Sr., Mrs. Al bert Tschirren, and Mrs. Henrietta Ofe will all be 73 years old in August; Mrs. Chris Tschirren will be 75 August 10; Mrs. J. G. Meisin ger, 70, June 24; Mrs. John Hirz, j70, September 17; Mrs. Henry Beck, 171, June 23; Mrs. Elizabeth Schu- beck. 72, December 19; Mrs. J. G. Lohnes, 72, July 12; Mrs. Philip Thierolf, 73, December 2; and Mrs. William Budig, 80, October 25. All of those above listed, however, were not able to be present, but the majority of them were. Mrs. Mary Falter of Hooper, Nebraska was among those not present, however, she sent a contribution to the Guild. VERNON WATERMAN HONORED FREMONT, Neb. Vernon Water man, instructor at Plattsmouth high school, was one of 28 Midland col lege alumni initiated to membership as Pi Delta Epsilon, national jour nalism fraternity, established its first Nebraska chapter at Midland. Midland's is the 21st chapter in the nation and the fifth west of the Mississippi. Watecxnan was business manager of the Midland college weekly newspaper, in 1937-38. He was graduated in 1939. Plattsmouth Shows Gain of 461 in Census Unofficial Figures Issued by Super visor Ivan Elevens Shows Gain Over the 1S30 Census. The unofficial figures on the result of the 1940 census in Plattsmouth were released this afternoon at the office of District Supervisor Ivan Blevens, at Beatrice. The results show a population gain of 4G1 for the past decade, the 1940 figures being 4,254 as against 3.79S in the 1930 count. The increase was foreshadowed in the fact that the housing situation here has been more increasingly crowded in the past two years as manv have been locating here to en gage in government and other work. The population of Tecumseh in creased from 1,829 to 2.0SC, th.; supervisor's office states. Eagles Elect Officers for the Ensuing Year Fred H. Vincent Named Worthy Pres ident of Local Aerie Will Name Minor OITicers Later. Thursday evening riattFmouth Aerie No. 3Cr, Fraternal Order of Eagles hold their election of officers with the result that the following were selected: Worthy President Fred II. Vin cent. Worthy Vice - President August Kief. Worthy Secretary Leo Eoynton. Worthy Treasurer W. H. Wool- cot t. Trusteee, one year, Lester Gay lord: trustee, three years, V. E. Handley. The election and appointment cf other officers was laid over until the next regular meeting of the aeria. B. G. Wurl. who has for the past four years been the treasurer of the area, declined re-election to the posi tion th-t he has so acceptably filled. FUNERAL OF MRS.' LONG The funeral services for Mrs. Emma Long were held on Friday afternoon at the Horton funeral borne chapel at Seventh and Oak streets, where many of the old friends were present to pay their last tributes. Rev. G. A. Cain, pastor of the United Brethren church at Mynard, was in charge of the services for the departed, who had been a long time resident of the Mynard community and a member of the church. During the services Mrs. J. R. Reeder and Raymond C. Cook gave three of the old hymns, "Rock of Ages," "In the Garden" and '"Jesus Lover of My Soul." Mrs. R. O. Cole served as the accompanist. The interment was at the Forest Lawn cemetery at Omaha. PARENTS OF FINE DAUGHTER The many friends here of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Boggess, will be pleased to learn that they are the parents of a fine seven and a half pound daugh ter, born May 8th, at Canton, Mis souri. The little one has been chris tened Patricia Ann. Mr. Boggess, former athletic coach of the Flatts mouth high school, has been located at Canton since leaving this city, he being engaged in government work:. Public Sing Proves a Very Great Success Large Number Gather at Fifth and Main Streets to Participate in Evening of Song. From Thursday'a DalTj Last evening the public sing, spon sored by the Plattsmouth Woman's club with the aid of the local schools, was held at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, making a very decided success and one that was enjoyed very much by the large crowd In at tendance, estimates placing the crowd at 1,000. The school students were much in evidence as they joined in the sing ing, David Fowler directing the singing of this group of talented young people. From the platform at the Fifth street intersection. Superintendent L. S. Devoe served as the song leader, doing a very effective job and stirring up the enthusiasm of the group to join in the tinging of the familiar melodies. Mrs. Devoe played the ac companiments at the piano, assisting materially in the snappy rendition of !he various numbers. The songs embraced the old time melodies of Stephen Foster down through the years with standard se lections and the popular "Oh Johnny," whose revival as a song has swept the country in the past months. The Masonic quartet composed of Frank A. Cloidt, Raymond C. Cook, It. W. Knorr and II. G. McClusky, were also a feature of the evening program, giving two numbers, "The Bells of St. Mary's" and "I Love a Lassie," with E. II. Wescott as the accompanist. Mr. Frank Cloidt also added to the charm of the rrograw with two very fine vocal solos, "Remember," from Romberg's "Blossom Time." and closing the program in singing "God Bless America," a very fine finale to a most worth while evening. Those who have worked in the preparation of the plans for the mu sic week program can feel well pleased with the result of their ef forts in the excellent programs given. Sunday the churches made their con tribution to the music, on Monday the Woman's club banquet was a part of the program. Tuesday eve ning the city school spring music festival was held and last evening the public Eing. ATTEND MASONIC KEETEKG From Saturday's DaI7 Last evening a group of the mem bers of Plattsmouth lcdpe No. 6 A. F. & A. M. were at St. Edward, Ne braska, to attend a meeting of Delta lodge No. 210 A. F. & A. M., at which the degree of Master Mason was con ferred upon Eugene Burdic, St. Ed ward banker. The work was conferred by Carl J. Schneider, past master of Platts mouth lodge and brother-in-law of Mr. Burdic. Other members of the Plattsmouth party took part in the initiatory ceremonies. The members of the Flattsmouth party were dinner guests at the Bur dic home preceding the lodge meeting. At the conclusion of the work of the evening the members of the Platts mouth party were called upon for short responses. Those frcm here were W. A. Robertson, past grand master of Ne braska, W. F. Evers," Raymond C. Cook, deputy grand custodian, L. W. Niel, secretary of Plattsmouth lodge, H. A. Schneider, Henry F. Nolting, William Schmidtmann, J., George Dobson, and Carl J. Schneider. CARD OF THANKS We wish to extend our sincere thanks to members of the Platts mouth volunteer fire department, friends and neighbors who aided In any way possible, and the Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph company op erator who assisted us in obtaining the help needed during the recent fire, which destroyed our brooder house. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Mel-singer. Subscribe for the Journal. SUFFERS INJURY Shirley Walling, drum majorette of the high school band, had a close call from a serious injury Wednesday while returning with her staff of twirlers from practice. They were halted near the steps leading to the Central building campus when a discus which was being used by some oi the boys in practice, rolled over the top of the terrace and struck the y ung lady on the right arm. The discus hi the upi cr part of the arm and inflicted a severe bruise of the arm and right hand. An examination showed that theie was no fractured bones, however. Death of Mrs. J. G. Wunderlich at Nehawka Home Death Comes After Long Period of Failing Health Was Na tive of Cass County. From Saturday's Dally . This morning at the family home near Nehawka occurred the death of Mrs. John G. Wunderlich, 74, a life time resident of Cass county, a lady loved and honored by a large number of friends in the southern portion of the county where she lias made her home. Mrs. Wunderlich has been a sufferer from a heart ailment for the past few 3'ears wrhich has curtailed a great deal of her activities. For the past winter she has been at South Bend with her daughter, Mrs. J. F. Knecht and family, returning a short time ago to the old home which is now occupied by her daughter, Mrs. Sadie Shrader. Lena Carsten was born December 2G, 18G.j 5n Avoca precinct, spending her younger years in that commun ity. On March 9. 1887 she was mar ried to John Wunderlich at Berlin, Otoe county. Shortly after their mar riage Mr. and Mrs. Wunderlich mov ed to the farm near Nehawka where they have since made their home. The husband and father passed away last October. There is surviving the passing of the well beloved mother, five children. Mrs. J. F. Knecht of South Bend.! Walter, Lester, Mrs Sadie Shrader and Mrs. Charles Adams, all of Ne hawka. There are also four grand sons to mourn her death. Jack and Bob Wunderlich, Gerald Shrader and Biily Rosencrans. The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the farm home near Nehawka and in terment in the Nehawka cemetery be side Mr. Wunderlich. HERE FiOM THE EAST From Thursday' Dally Mrs. Earl Lamberson and infant daughter, Mary Jane, who have been making their home at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, arrived here today in company with Mrs. W. H. Burns and son, Dickie. Mrs. Burns and son have been visiting in the east and brought the Lambersona here for a visit. Mr. Lamberson has been trans ferred to the naval stations on the west coast where the family will later join him. They are here at the home of Mrs. Cora Hirz, mother of Mrs. Lamberson and Mrs. Burns as well as at the A. E. Lamberson home. NOTE OF THANKS Omaha, May 9. 1940. I hereby wish to express my deep est appreciation to eo many of my dear friends of Plattsmouth who bo kindly and thoughtfully remembered me in my time of illness, with beau tiful flowers and comforting mes sages which will comfort your friend for a long time to come. May God bless you all with the best health forever. Tours sincerely, Emily Dickson Tungate. GOES TO HOSPITAL From Saturday's Dally This morning Mrs. D. F. Waller was taken to Omaha where she will undergo hospitalization for some time. She was taken to Omaha by Mrs. P. Y. McFetridge and was ac companied by Mr. Waller, who will remain In Omaha with the wife. Mothers-Daughters Enjoy Fine Banquet Thursd y Eight Mile Grove Lutheran Church Scene of Very Pleasant Event Have a Fine Program. Thursday evening 'at the parlors of the Eight Mile Grove Lutheran church, was held the annual Mothers and Daughters banquet, at which there were 100 of the mothers and daughters of the community in at tendance. The tables for the banquet were arranged in the rainbow color scheme, a very bright and attractive setting for the fine evening of en tertainment. Each of the members of the group was presented with corsages of sweet peas- in the rain bow colors. The mothers were the hostesses and provided a wonderful feast for the party, the menu comprising: Fruit Cocktail Chicken a la King Mashed Potatoes Green Beans - Rainbow Platter Rolls - Jelly Raspberry Sherbet - Wafers Coffee The banquet was served by the sons, the committee in charge com prising Gerold Keil. chairman, Joe Puis. Walter Fornoff, Herbert Mei singer, Clyde Meisinger, Emmons Meisinger, Robert Meisinger, Robert Albert. The committee of ladies arranging the banquet were Mrs. Ed Gansemer, Mrs. Louis Friedrich, Mrs. Ed Mei singer. Mrs. Otto Meisinger, Mrs. Franz Petereit. Mrs. A. Lcntz presided over the toast list in a very charming manner to present the various features ot the occasion. The members of the party gave a musical grace, Mrs. J. R. Reeder serving as the leader for the singing with Miss Malinda Friedrich at the piano. The members enjoyed a num ber of the old and familiar songs ap propriate to the occasion. Mrs. Henry Engelkemeier, on be half of the mothers extended the welcome to the festive board, with the response given by Miss Kath erine Hild. A very attractive feature was the rainbow recitation given by a group of seven girls who carried out their portion of the program very clever ly. Miss Betty Schafer was heard in a vocal solo, artistically presented, and Miss Norma Schafer in a cleverly given recitation. The address of the evening was given by Mrs. James C. Lowson of Plattsmouth, her subject being "Loy alty to the Home." Mrs. Lowson brought to the members of the party the message of the loyalty that ties together the mothers and the daugh ters in the home. The tics of love and affection of the family is one of the greatest blessings and enjoy ment of life, the speaker stated in her remarks. Mrs. Lcntz on behalf of the ladies presented Mrs. Lowson with a beau tiful bouquet of tulips as a remem brance of the event, as well as an angel food cake to Mrs. Reeder for her services. The oldest mother present was Mrs. August Engelkemeier, the youngest daughters being Jean Ruth Albert and Janet and Janis Reeder. The daughters will be hostesses at the meeting next year. CLOSING ACTIVITIES OF WEEPING WATER SCHOOLS Closing activities of the Weeping Water high school began Thursday evening, May 9, with the presenta tion of the senior class play, "Elmer the Youngest." at the high school auditorium, and the Junior-Senior banquet Friday evening. May 10, at the Congregational church. Baccalaureate services will ba held at the Congregational church Sunday evening, May 19, when Rev. W. D. Lenker will be the speaker. Commencement exercises will bei held Thursday evening. May 23, when Prof. Charles Patterson of the Uni versity of Nebraska will be the speaker.