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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1944)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1944 THE JOtJEUAL, PLATTSMOTJTH, HEBEASXA PAGE HVE Subscription payment for The Plattsmouth Journal mar be paid locally; to Mrs. THOS. MURTEY. Representative Sgt. Helen Hayes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Hayes, of Weep ing Water, has been transferred from Camp Forest to Miami, Fla. Sgt. Ralph Lane, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Lane, Weeping Water, arrived home Saturday, after receiv ing a medical discharge from the army. Sgt. Lane has Wen' confined a.- - ! . - i TT iU it.; .1 X to a uuspnai ai xiamiuuii r iciu, vai.,i for some time. His discharge comes after twenty-one ' months service with the Air Force. His wife is the former Miss Shirley Bates.' . .. Seaman 1st class Robert Resso, spent the week end at the home of his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. DeForest Brown. Robert is stationed at Des Moines. Pvt. G. H. Downey, Weeping Water's former Movie Theatre own er, is at home this week on furlough, enroute from Ft. Bliss to Camp Haan. Pvt. Downey is with the anti aircraft division of the coast ar- tillery. . i Mr. and, Mrs. Lloyd Antes and children, Arline and Howard, of Avoca, were Sunday visitors with Mrs. Antes' parents, Mr. unci Mrs. Earl , Demnaing. , , Mr.-and Mrs, Earl Oldham attend ed a dinner and meeting as the guests of the Allied Mills at the Castle Hotel, Omaha, Monday even ing. Mrs. " Edd Sperry left Saturday for a two weeks visit with relatives in Des Moines. Seaman 1st Class Robert Resso, who is stationed at Chicago, spent the week "end here at the home of QJD)VE IFILD(SIR3 fMfe OTIS CARNEY S CHAPTER I At nine o'clock on Monday morn ing, December eighth, nineteen-for-ty-one, I was in the mood to take up the sword. "Come back with a birth certifi cate, a transcript of your high school and college record, and three letters of reference. Then we'll talk to you." That was all the Navy had to say. At any rate, that was all the officer in charge of enlistment on Chica go's Navy Pier had to say. He was a large, squat man with a ruddy face. Now that the war of nerves was finished, he was much relieved. In fact, he was feeling first rate. "Where did you go to college? he asked genially. "Yale University, sir." "Where is that?" he asked blank ly, resorting to a time-worn device that fetched a gale of laughter from the crowd of applicants. "New Haven, sir," I said, red dening. Then I left Approximately two weeks later I returned armed with a birth certifi cate, transcripts of my academic efforts, and three high-powered let ters of reference that would have sold slavery to the North. "A leader, yet withal not over bearing. He is strong, yet adapt able, light-hearted, but not frivo lous, steadfast in the line of duty, ever hewing to the distant Truth. I unhesitatingly recommend this boy to the Navy and the service of our country. I have known his family for twenty-two years. Sincerely, Edgar R. Lumpkin." Thus wrote the vice-president of Bittersweet Condiments, and he was well within himself. With this to back me I expected a measure of success. I was apply ing for the V-7 program which turned college graduates into offi cers and gentlemen in ninety days. A yeoman sat at the desk where I had previously found the enlisting officer. The place was empty. "It's Tuesday," said the yeoman. "It certainly is." That much I knew. "Nobody here" he gestured at the empty room. "Never anybody here on Tuesday." "I've come to enlist in the Navy's Officer Training School right now." The yeoman crossed his arms on his chest, and rocked back and forth. Sit "Fine," he said. t.'tt t "Where are the authorities?" I asked. "Go to the seventh floor of the old Post Office Building." It sounded like the ghostly advice you get in graveyards at midnight, but I was in a hurry to join the legions. I hurried off. The Navy's room on the seventh floor of the old Post Office Building was occupied solely by another yeo man. j "It's Tuesday," he said. ! "Where is everybody?" I asked. "This bein' Tuesday they moved 'to another office," explained the yeoman. Tuesday seemed to stir the Wan derlust in city-bound seafaring men to the point of madness. "You can find 'em down on twenty-eight Canal Street," he said. I found nobody but another yeo man down on twenty-eight Canal Street. The Navy apparently sta tioned them about like buoys. "Nobody here. They ain't ar rived yet," he said. This bein' Tuesday I never ex pected them. Outside I explained the problem to the cab driver, who was tiring of the chase. "They're somewhere betweenhere and the seventh floor of the old Post Office Building." I told him. He looked glumly away as if he suspected our next move was to drag the river. Two days later the enlisting officer turned up in the Merchandise Mart. The officer in charge looked through my papers. He studied the birth certificate. "Lester Dowd, eh?" "Yes, sir," I said, wondering if the question of legitimacy would arise. He poured over the records. "Where is Yale University?" he asked, unable to resist the tempta tion. "New Haven, sir," I said when the laughter had died. "You're the boy we're looking for," he continued earnestly. "We need officers. We need men like Dewey, men like Farragut, and Jones. We're counting on you boys. Wait a minute," he said, looking closer at my college record. "Dowd, have you had two years of college math?" he faltered. "I took it at prep school, sir," I countered truthfully. "But have you had two years of college math?" he insisted. "What sort of math is that, sir?" "It's just two years of college math," he thundered dumbly. "The Bureau requires it. Look here" he pointed to a list of specifications "Two years of college math for V-7 candidates." "But. sir, I had advanced mathe matics in prep school." I clung to my point. A little thing like some V-" JOIN -"tt24JEIlr gg4 THE NAVY V Where is Yale University?' misplaced trigonometry was not go ing to come between us. "The Bureau says you have to take it in college. I hate to lose you, my boy. but if you haven't had two years of college math . . ." "Do you actually use it?" I asked, wondering how much time John Paul found for scientific algebra. "No." he admitted wistfully. That's the funny thing." I never took any mathematics In college, and consequently I never got into the V-7 class. It was a disappointment. From the begin ning my preference was for the Na vy, a sentiment that cannot logical ly be explained. Perhaps it was the lure of ships. Perhaps it was a vain conception that the Navy was ever so choosey regarding its per sonnel. There was a conviction among us that it took a pretty good man to get into the Navy. "We get the cream," beamed Commander Whitman at dinner one night. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center. He knew Father in the last war and was a frequent visitor at our house. "To the cream," I toasted the Commander's statement. "Be it ever so thin," muttered Father, who was an Army man. Beyond this may have lurked a subconscious desire to frustrate the best-laid plans of the draft board. This never amounted to a willful evasion of the law. I could not convince myself that the Army had my best interests at heart. The Navy was different. They gave you your choice. They did until the gimmick of college math appeared. At first I had an astronomical draft number. "You won't go until the Germans get to Indianapolis," Mr. Green, the head of the board, advised rue fully from his office in Libertyville. There, with a pretty eye for sym bolism, he had set up headquarters. When the Japs started coming through the floor, he was forced to revise the estimate. And then I re doubled my efforts. More than ever I wanted to serve with the Navy. The lure of ships can be a very potent thing at times. Barred from the V-7, I was nonetheless determined to be en listed by sundown. The Coast Guard needed men. "Why don't you go and see them?" urged the enlisting officer. "They're on the seventh floor of the Old Post Office Building." They actually were. It was blowing hard outside. The winter wind had pinched my eyes up protectively. I got just inside the Coast Guard quarters when the examining doctor crossed from one room to another. He was in his shirtsleeves and taking large, rapid strides. Spying me in the doorway he pointed with his stethoscope and said loudly while in full flight: "You have a facial squint." He disappeared into another room. I moved a little slower after this burst of old family kindness. In one corner a huge man with a stom ach like a barrel stood naked wait ing for his examination. As I start ed to take off my clothes, the doctor reappeared. "You with the facial squint, keep your clothes on," he ordered. He came over to me. "We can't use a man with a squint," he menaced. Lacking two. years of college math, it was best to keep a sweet, even disposition. "I never had squints in my life," I said irritably. "You have now," said the doctor. "It's just cold and windy out. As soon as I thaw out, it will be all right." - - He laughed derisively. "There's the sort of man we want" he pointed at the Boulder Dam in the corner. "I'm a college graduate," I said, trying to rouse his interest. "Where did you go?" he asked absently. "Yale University." He placed both hands on his hips. "Now, where is that?" ha asked la a silky vole. It was plain that the name of Dowd would not be added to Cae sar's rolls this day. "Brattleboro, Vermont!" I shout ed at him. His face opened and fell. "They moved it stone by stone," I was still shouting in the halL For a month I sulked like Achil les. It was a tantrum with limita tions, however. I never claimed an influence with Mr. Green com parable to the Greek's sway over Agamemnon. It is not much of a sulk if you know that the local draft board can rout you out of your tent any day it chooses. I was not the only victim of pet ty discrimination. Jumbo Russel, who was built like a bronze and had never known a sick day in his life, was discarded. His nose was always stuffed. But you get used to that. It takes a good deal more than a sinus block' to stop a man like Jumbo." Still,' no service would touch him with a ten-foot pole. Tim my Guile had an operation on his pyloric valve when he was eight months old. That put him out in spite of the fact that twenty-three years later he was a picture of American youth. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn announced the enlistment of their son Walter, jun ior, in the paratroops. Nobody had counted on Walter for more than a 'couple of pints of plasma at the most. Here he was in the para troops. To those who were turned away on the grounds of facial squint, or sinus block, it was a dreadful blow. "I don't know," Jumbo told me dazedly. "It's taken a lot of wind out of my sails." In one strategic move Walter metamorphosed from worm to won der while other established charac ters, such as Jumbo Russel and Barney Tree, who had a flat foot, fell off one to five points. On every tide, one heard what a fine chap Walter was, what a wonderful fel low he always had been, and what a world of good the paratroops would do for any minor failings he might possibly have owned. Before the date of his induction, Walter Quinn, junior, was a green gem of sin. I suspect that after the Pow ers have made another just peace, he will return the same despicable toad he went away. However, there is a theory in my home town that Armageddon has a medicinal effect on all blighted souls. They will not accept the sad truth until Walter establishes it Those of us who knew and loathed him are counting on the boy to keep our faith. After Walter took the high road, there was feverish activity among those of military age. The young people turned to Washington in their moment of crisis. Invariably there was a friendly captain in the Bureau with a sympathy born of an ancient wedding party. He was reached on the long-distance wire expense was no matter when the country was imperiled and ques tioned about available billets. Deal ings of this sort were kept a strict secret If the details were detect ed, it motivated a scene like the Oklahoma land grab as everybody between eighteen and forty-five stampeded for your claim. When the business was successful, the lucky prospector packed his bag in the dead of night, slipped off, and was next heard from as an aide In Australia. I concentrated on Commander Whitman. I explained my prob lem, and he promised to obtain a waiver in no time. Weeks went past, and still the V-7 slocd on two years of college math. "The point is," said Mother, glar ing at the Commander gorging him self on our very good food, "is Les ter the cream or not?" There was never a definite an swer to that question. - However, the Commander's face and that of his wife vanished forever from our table, : i I was about to give myself up to Mr. Green when, a call for volun teers issued from the Navy's dirigi ble service. ...... (TO BE COXTLWED) his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. DeForest" Brown. In his honor a dinner was given Sunday at '- the home of Mr. and Mrs. DeForest Philpot, with Mr. and Mrs. DeForest Brown, Robert Resso,' Miss Kathrine Hike, Donald Resso and Miss Wanda Propp, as guests. Mrs. James Ross and son, John J of Council Bluffs, are visiting at the home of Mrs. Ross' sister, Mrs. De Forest Brown, this week. i After serving in the Air Force for twenty-one months, Sgt. Ralph Lane returned home Saturday from the hospital at Hamilton Field, Cal., where he received a medical and honorable discharge from military duties. George Weber Norton and Robert Norton left last week for their home at Belle Mead, New Jersey. Weber as he has always been known, is with the General Electric Company, in New .York City, and commutes to his farm at Belle Mead each day. Robert is overseer at the farm. Two days later, Miss Helen Norton left for Belle Mead. Miss Norton is also employed in New York City, and Mrs. Gail Sturm left for her home at Vancouver the same day. They were all called here by the death of their mother, Mrs. Edd Norton, two weeks ago. 1st. Lt. Max Rains arrived here Saturday for a four day furlough en route from Denver to Carlyle Bar racks, Pa., for six weeks training, then from there he expects to go to Tuskaloosa, Ala., for six weeks and from there to New Orleans. He is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Rains. Miss Jean Ruhga, who Is attend ing the Commercial Extension Busi ness College at Omaha, spent the week end at home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Ruhga. She was atcompanied by her room mate, Miss Kathrine Langer. Visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Groesser, Sunday, were Mr. and Mrs. Ray Wiles, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rough and their daugh ter. Miss PauliDe Rough. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Groesser and son, Don ald. Mr. and Mrs. Torrence Flemming, who have been visiting here the past month, expect to leave for their home at Long Beach, Caiif., Friday. Mrs. Charlotte. Hoffman left Fri pects to spend tee winter with her -xa aus "jCinqjid joj Xbd grandson, Russel Lowery and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Troy Jewell and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jamesen were Sunday guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Jewell's, Sunday. Mrs. Julius Nielsen, Mrs. Sterling Wiles and daughter, Corrine, and Mrs. Robert Wile3, were business visitors in Plattsmouth, Saturday. Mrs. Earl Demming went to Minneapolis, Minn., two weeks ago to join her daughter, Mrs. Carl J. Gess, who was visiting her husband, Fireman 1st Class Carl J. Gess, who was taking training at the Univer sity of Minnesota. Completing hia training here, and having an eight day leave, they all returned home last Friday. Flc Gess left Tuesday for Schomaker, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Martin were Lincoln visitors Thursday. Mrs. Emma Larson and her dau ghter. Miss Marietta Larson of Omaha, spent Sunday at the home of Mrs. Larson's sister, Mrs. R. E. Martin and Mr. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Moore of Oma ha were Sunday evening visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Henen ger. Mrs. Lola Stacey 'left Tuesday' evening via Omaha, for Chicago, where her daughter from Cincinati was to meet her for a three days visit before she left for her home at Saginaw, Mich. Mrs. Thomas Stacey invited ten girls to their home Sunday afternon to help Charlotte celebrate her 10th birthday. They attended the matinee at the Chief theatre, after which they returned to the Stacey home for a luncn. "The Weeping Water liepublican" has moved into the lower floor of the I.O.O.F. building. The move was made the latter part of the week, after the paper went to press. This will bring their office closer to the heart of the business part of -town, and be much more convenient for both the editor and for the public. Judge Paul Fauquet and his fam ily moved to Plattsmouth runday. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Anderson, wno bought the Fauquet home, are hav ing the interior of the house redec orated before they move into town. They expect that this will take about two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knaup and daughter, Roberta, and Mrs. Beryl Hansen were Omaha visitors Wed nesday. I Rev. and Mrs. Samuel McKeowrJ and Mrs. John Mead attended the district conference of the Methodist church, at Dietz Memorial church in Omaha, Wednesday. Chief of Police Noah Parker and wife, of Plattsmouth, and Mrs. Sadie Schomaker of Union, and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Cooper were Friday visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Ruby. The wedding of two out of town young people took place at the Methodist church parsonage last Tuesday evening. The bride was Miss Dorthy Jane Await, of Miami, Fla., and the groom was Pvt. John Wes ley Farmer of Ft. Crook. Those attending the Cass County Sunday School convention which was held at Nehawka last Friday, were Rev. and Mrs. Samuel McKeown and Rev. John H. Pryor. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gibson, Mrs. Jack Hays, Mrs. Leonard Houser and son, Larry spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Thurslund at Bellevue. Mrs. Hays and son, Tommy, remained for a weeks visit i Mrs. Arthur Wiles visited her sister, Mrs. L. R. Willis at Lincoln, Tuesday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wiles spent Sunday at the Oscar Uffelman home, at Syracuse. Weeping Water Woman's club met Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. C. E. Tefft and Her daughter, Miss Esther Tefft, when Mrs. John Norris presented a review of the book, "The Way Our People Liv ed," and Mrs. Ole Ol&en read a paper on "An Ounce of Prevention" which gave suggestions about the preven tion and cure of cancer. Special music was furnished by " ten gins from the eighth grade at school, who j sang two numbers, and by Mrs. Carli Day who presented two piano solos. At the close of the program Mrs. Tefft served a delightful luncheon, which is unsusual at club meetings, and very much enjoyed by all pres-j ent. Wanda Rhodes, eight-year-old daughter, of Mr.' and 'Mrs. Virgil Rhodes, who fell from her Siorse and broke her arm recently, is at home again from the hospital. It was a bad break, In the elbow, but It seems to be responding to treatment and she is hoping that It will again aoon be as good as new. i Sunday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Oldham, Mr. and Mrs. Art Tay lor and family and Mrs. Clifford Cooper and Lula Jeanlne, visited Wanda at her parent's home. Javrnal FiM KapreMntttfr Mr. and Mrs.' Wm. Vonspreckel- son left last week for Clay county to visit friends. Mr. Vonsr reckelsons parents live five miles from the scene of the recent explosion at the Hastings base. They had just gotten their mail and were sitting by a window reading when the explosion occurred. The window (as all the windows) was blown In, showering them with glass. One piece of glass was imbedded in the leg of a chair. The lock was torn out of a door that happened to be closed. Mr. Ed Wagner, the painter, has rented a room in Louisville and will make that his headquarters for the winter. Glen Buck was home for a few days last week. ' ' Leo Rikli and Henry Bornemeier of Elmwood attended a. cattle sale at Hyannis last week and purchased three car loads of feeders for their feed lots. They were shipped by rail to Murdock and trucked to their farms from here. Mr. E. H. Brockman of Elmwood was looking after business in Mur dock Friday of last week. Mr. H. E. Carson has recovered from his recent illness and is back at the elevator. Mrs. Norman Bornemeier of Elm wood was in town Wednesday col lecting September freight bills handled by the Elmwood Transfer. Mr. H. Addyman was in Lincoln Tuesday for repair to his new trail er lunch truck he has been building. It Is 24 feet long and equipped with stove, ice box and counters. Mr. Otto Eikhof of California came Wednesday to visit bis sister, Mrs. Herman Schmidt. Several from this vicinity went north last week to assist in the potato harvest but got home Mon day. Mrs. Chas. Buell had a new com position roof put on her farm home last week. Fred Wilkin and son did the work. Carl Meierjurgen was an Ashland business visitor Wednesday. Richard Epping returned home the fore part of the week from over seas where he has completed his fifty missions as a B-24 pilot. We understand he will not be return ed to Europe but may be sent to the. Pacific area. Mr. J. A. Golden of the Wabash vicinity was in town Thursday for material in repairs of hi3 farm buildings. Grover Hill of near Elmwood was a Murdock visitor Thursday. . i Village Board Meeting The village board met in regular cession with all members present. The following bills were present ed and allowed: WATER FUND R. M. Gillespie I 13.00 Nebr. Power Co., 9.99 Clarence Wilson 10.00 Ruth Patton G05.00 Geo. Blessing 8.50 STREET FUND Aug. Wilken - 20.00 W. T. Weddell 39.75 STREET LIGHT FUND Nebr. Power Co. 37.14 Resolution No. 3 was adopted relatives to the inclusion of 1943 taxes to tax foreclosure certificates. A motion was adopted to instruct the village clerk to send notices to parents asking their co-operation in preventing the use of bicycles on the Bldewalk. The minutes were read and ap proved and a motion prevailed to adjourn. Chas. I. Long, Village Clerk 1MEAN MORI THAN A (good investmentJt J CkviwKivil fwayeakeitt Complete with Permanent eMLT MS? A Wave Solution, curlers, shampoo and wave set nothing r ekse to buy. Requires no heat, electricity or ma chine. Safe for every type of hair. Over 8 mil lion aold. Honey back guarantee. Get a Cbarm Kurl Kit today. CA DRUG, KN0RRS, STIBAL VARIETY SYMPATHY or? IF FIRE destroys your pro perty, your neighbors may sym pathize with you because you haven't sufficient insurance. But sympathy doesn't pay off! Before it happens to you find out from this agency if you have adequate insurance. SEND W. B. PANNING to the . UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE From the 3rd District Cass and Sarpy Counties Farmer Horticulturist. Knows the State and its needs and activities. Experienced in Legislation in previous sessions. MORE NEXT WEEK POINTERS on saving time while preparing meals. Your Hinky-Dinky Store has a complete line of prepared dinners and time sav ers. You not only save time but also money. Shop and Save at Hinky-Dinky. AMERICAN BEAUTY MACARONI DINNER 3- 25 SPICED LUNCHEON MEAT ARMOUR'S TREAT 33' EXTRA FANCY, 1-LB. llf BLUE ROSE RICE .29' BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS WHEATIES r APPLES FANCY RED SNAPPY VIRGINIA JONATHANS Pound RING PACKED FULL BUSHEL $4.19 DELICIOUS ONIONS 50-LB. BAG WHEN CABBAGE 100-LB. BAG WHEI CELERY CARROTS FANCY RED WASHINGTON 2 POUNDS U.S. NO. 1 COLORADO YELLOW 10 POUNDS 50-LB. BAG WHEN PACKED : $135 FRESH SOLID GREEN HEADS POUND 100-LB. BAG WHEN PACKED . ; $2.79 ir 23' 23' LARGE WELL BLEACHED STALKS EACH CALIFORNIA GREEN TOP 3' 15' 9 LARGE BUNCH DID njfl DC VEAL-U.S. GRADE A or M ilD tnUrU SIRLOINS POUND LOIN CHOPS -$- grade pund 40 GROUND VEAL - - . 29' VEALBREATS '.17 31' 27' 35' 49' BOLOGNA BAKED LOAVES C0TT0 SALAMI LUNCHEON ARMOUR'S ' LARGE STAR J POUND WILSON'S QUALITY . POUND SWIFT'S OUAUTY ... POUND CUDAHY PURITAN SPICED ALL MEAT POUND Prices in this ad effective October 10 through October 12 subject only to market chn5es in fresh fruits,' meats and vegetables. We reserve the right to limit quantities. No sa'es to dealers.