Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1947)
CASS COUNTY'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER E tPD-ATTTSIMKIBUTrM J OJ TO AIL nn n J &ul M Em s Weekly Monday - Thursday Largest Paid Circulation of All Cass County Newspapers VOLUME 63. TWELVE PAGES PLATTSMOUTK, CASS COILNTY, NEBRASKA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1947 FIVE CENTS PER COPY NUMBER 1. Fred Rebal Has Super Market on The West Coast The Valley News California, in their vember 13th. has a of unusual interest of Montrose, issue of No story that is in this city where the Rebal family have lone; made their home. The story is of the opening of Rebal's great super market and trading center in the heart of the Creseenta Valley at Verdugo City. Mr. and Mrs. James Rebal of this city, are the parents of the members of the family, that rue launching this fine new bus iness, rind they can look back with pleasure on the success of their children in their business vent u res. The super-market is the brain child of Fred J. Rebal. one of the sons who has spent the last years on the west coast as the manager of the modern type stores. He had the vision of see ing the future development of the mercantile business in the west. The new plant of Rebal's i events an investment rep that and that rr aches $100,000 in building stock, in the new center they have prepared for the coast cities that adjoin the new place of business. Fred has been termed tht "Market Man of the Future" be cause of his progressive methods of merchandising. He has at last attained the objective of his am bition, a great market that is based en his vision and in which he is to have the assistance of members of his family in more fully developing. Fred on leaving school was a member of the U. S. Marines in China for a number of years un til he was discharged in 1928 and came home for a visit. He later got into the merchandising game in Omaha with the Pigg'y Wiggly company, pioneer cf the self served stores of the nation. In 1930 he moved to Californ ia "th wvaixwvt.ftfJfl Wilmington, later taking a turn in the mrnaging of stores at Taft and Santa Monica. He moved to the Creseenta Valley in 1037 to manage a Safeway store and later to open the new Safeway store which he managed until in 1D42 when he bought a store i Glendale and went into business for himself. In 1946. he sold out in Glendale because as he expressed it. "I want to own a super market'. In the new market he will have the asistance and support of his brothers, James, Edward, and Raymond. Frank Rebal of this city has an interest in the store but is not active in the business operation. Another brother, George E. Rebal, has been operating a large store in Iewa City, Iowa, where he has been very success ful. However the start of Rebal's Incorporated was received here at the parents home. Mrs. Mann Named Head of Home Chapter 0. E. S. Homo chapter No. 189 of the Order of the Eastern Star held their regular election of officers on Tuesday evening at the regu lar meeting in the Masonic hall. The following officers were selected for the ensuing year and will be installed at the January meeting: Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dorothy Mann. Associate Matron, Mrs. Erma Sullivan. Wort lu lled. Associate ration, Raymond Patron. John Glaze. Nellie Conductress, Mrs. Hamblen. Associate Conductress, Mrs. Mary Beverage. Secretary, Mrs. Pearl Mcising er. Treasurer, Mrs. Katherine Wiles. WEEKS lFr Transfer Funds rv Resolution Mi he board of county commis sioners at their meeting on Tuesday took up a number of matters that were demanding their attention. A sesolutiou was -passed bv the board to permit Clerk of the District Court C. E. Ledg way. to care lor unallocated funds in his office. These funds were in the of fice at the time Mr. Ledgway took over the position, and a resolution was necessary to clear the record and place the amounts in proper funds. 'i'e board voted that of the $2,848.78 remaining in the office of the clerk, the sum of $2,500 be transferred to the county gen eral fund, $348. 7S remain in the custody of the clerk of the court to be used in settling claims that might later arise. Liquor And Beer Dealers Hold Meeting, The liquor and beer dealers of the city met Wednesday evening at the Pine room of the Rainey coffee shop, where they had as guests, the representatives of the law enforcing- department of the county and city government Sheriff Tom Solomon, Deputy Sheriff Shradcr Rhoden. County Attorney Walter H. Smith, and Mayor Clement Woster being present. The dinner was much enjoyed and the meeting was then placed in the hands of Henry Donat, chairman of the local dealers group. The time was spent in an in formal discussion of the prob lems that beset the dealers, the habitual drunks, the seekers of after hour sales, minors, and the types of drinkers that cause more or less trouble at the tav erns of the city. One of the suggestions offered .SVfAthpt r rprvrnittec be appoint ed to Dass on the question of the desirability of placing a ban on drinkers over the city and this be transmitted to the various dealers for their action. This idea of a steering committee was finally given up for the present at least and the responsibility of regulation left in the hands of the owners and bartenders of the various places. On the question of Sunday sales of beer at the taverns. Mayor Woster stated that the matter would have to be settled by a vote of the people, not by the action of the city council. The mayor urged that the deal ers govern their places as they thought best as the responsibili ty was their own to see that the operation was run in the proper way. County Attorney Walter H. Smith stated that the local offic ials had tried to enforce the li quor laws as leniently as possible for the common good. One of the greatest problems for the tavern keeper was the persons that insist in imbibing- too heavi ly and insist on being served when their condition dces not warrant it. The tavern operators should be able to judge of the wants of the customer and his ability to handle what he had ordered. Another of the matters brought in the matter of nors around the taverns that that of the places that served food, where the farmers and others might want a lunch and bring in their children also for a sandwich or lunch. It was ex plained that this had been handl ed by having the minor served food but not allowed to loiter around the places of business. The matter of cards for sus pects that might be minors was also brought up and discussed and the best means of securing identification of all suspects. A suggestion was offered that the operators should judge the local patrons at their places and take what action they might think best to sell or refuse to sell to the patron. No definite program was voted on by the meeting but the gen eral sentiment was that the op trators should keep closer con tact with each other in their problems of the trade and also aid the law enforcing officers in any way possible. UNDER DOCTOR'S CARE William Carmichael is show ing slight improvement after a serious illness. Mr. Carmichael is under a doctor's care at his home north of the end of Eighth street. Read the Plattsmouth Journal or th latest news. Izaak Waltons Elect Officers Monday Night The members of the local chapter of the Izaak Walton Leag-jc met on Monday evening at the Forty and Eight club rooms to spend some time most interestingly in discussing the plans for the next few weeks. As had been previously an nounced, the chapter took up the election of the officers for the ensuing year, and fhe follow ing were selected: President, Robert M. Walling. Vice-President. Clement Woster. Secretary. William Nelson. , Treasurer, Clyde Rosborough. ' The selection of the members o: the board of directors was delaved until a later meeting. The chapter voted to sit the second Tuesday of each month as the regular meeting date in the future. j The trap shoot committee re ported that they had secured a stock of shells. Blue Rocks and traps that will be ready for the sport of the members. On next Sunday it is hoped to have as many of the members as possible ; at the rifle range so that the ! traps may be placed and all readied to go. With the close of the business session the members were treat ed to an oyster stew that had been arranged by Gam Arn. M. H. Williamson, and William Sehmidtmann. Woman's Club Christmas Party Monday Night The Plattsmouth Woman's club held their annual Christmas party on Monday evening at the home of Mrs. Louis Hansen with a fine attendance of the members present. - - 4 - I ' ..it the members of the Social com mittee of the club. Mrs. K. WT. Grosshans. Mrs. Alpha Mauzy, Mrs. Philip Hirz. Mrs. R. B. Kel ler, Mrs. P. F. Rihn. Mrs. San ford Short. Mrs. Guy Wiles, Mrs. Guy Griffin. The devotional period was un der the leadership of Mrs. E. G. Ofe who gave the Christmas storv from the scriptures. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Mrs. H. R. Wolever. The ladies had a short bus iness session and discussed var ious matters that ing attention of fore the opening were demand the club be of the coming year. The program was most in teresting and featured Mrs. Mar garet Todd, of Murray, well known as a collector of bells of various types. Mrs. Todd told the story of bells, their historic al background and usages down to the present day. Mrs. Todd had with her a collection of forty-eight bells, explaining the different bells, a most interest ing feature for the members of the group. The members of the club en joyed the sinking of the Christ mas carols, Mrs. E. H. Wescott leading the sineing while E. H. Wescott was the accompanist for the group. The evening closed with the serving of refreshments by the social committee. RETURNS FROM HOSPITAL Mrs. Naomi Daniel, who was in the Methodist hospital in Omaha this week for treatment, was released Wednesday afternoon. ant a Claus Arrive Plattsmouth December 13 Santa Claus, who is to visit this city on Saturday, December 13th, has sent reassuring letters here for the children of the com munity that he will be on his set date to meet the youngsters of this locality. The North Pole dear children Do you dream at night that Christmas is already here? Well, I do. I even dreamed that I had forgotten to pack the electric trains and dolls and had to come back to Santa Claus Land after them. Wouldn't that have been dreadful? Just as I was turning the reindeer back, I woke up and found it was all a dream. So first thing this morning the elves and I packed every single ht 'v t " j Jp I I V ST iWte'fr iintiiaiiTii'nnnnrrirrifiimiiifiififWiit Left to Iliyht, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Smock, best couple; Mis. George Thun, best lady Memories of Omaha Slaying Is Revived The Jake Bird murder case on the Pacific coast has revived a great deal of interest especially among the older residents here, ef the brutal murder in Omaha in 1928 of Mrs Gertrude Resso and her sister. Miss Creda Brown. The two slain women were members of -well known fami i; . . C... County reie. daughters of the Lee Brown j family. I The murders occurred at their j homes in the Carter Lake area j of Omaha and after months of j work on the part of the Omaha ; police department and the state law enforcing bodies, the case , was closed as an unknown mys- ! tery as it was not possible to p:n ; the deed on any one person. Jake Bird, a negro, was one of the suspects that was held but later was released from custody and exonerated from any part in ; the crime. j The tragedy is faintly recalled ' by Melvin Resso of this city. ; who at the time was a babe of i nine months when his mother and aunt was slain. Bird was later apprehended and tried in Iowa for Another slaying in that state and for which he received sentence and served fourteen years in the Iowa state penitentiary. He was released and later went to the west coast where he was arrest ed and is now being held. County Fair Board Meeting A meeting of the county fair board, and all others interested in the Cass County fair. was held Monday afternoon at Weep ing Water, .when Chris Elgaard was re-elected as their president for the coming year; Jack Phil pot, as vice president. Owen Welch, secretary-treasurer; with two other members of the board elected this year. They are Oscar C. Hinds and John Bender. Read the Journal for N'ws Writes letter; Will 1 yv doll and electric train. Now, my toy sack fairly bulges and I'm still not through. WTith such a large sack I always suck in my breath as I go down the chimney. That way, I become ever so tiny. And would you believe it, I can always get down the smallest of chimneys! My goodness, I nearly forgot i costume and Tony LaHoda. best man costume. Photos by Chriswiser. John W. Mead is Dead at Union John W. Mead. 71. member of one of the well known families of the south Dart of Cass Countv. died early Tuesday morning at the home of his son. Virgil Mead, at Union. Mr. Mead has spent the preater part of his lifetime in Missouri. John W. Mead was a native of Fairplav. Missouri. where he was born August 10. 1876. He was married there in lf.08 to Mi" M.iv Reaves, who died in 1907. He was married eleven prs later to Alice .Brown of Jericho Sprines, Missouri, who survives together with the fol lowine rhildren. all bv his first wife: Mrs. Allie G. Estes, Lin col": Virgil Mead, Union; James A. Mead. New York: Mrs. Svlvia Weber. Chicago: Mrs. Dora Neal. Bolivar. Missouri. There are eleven grandchPdren and eight great grandchildren. Mr. Mead had lived in Fort Scott. Kansas, moving to Boli var. Missouri, about a year ago and to Union to see his son, Vir gil, in October. He was a car penter and machinist throughout his lifetime. The funeral services were held Thursday at 2 p. m. with Rev. D. H. McMillan, of Nebraska Citv. officiating. The interment will be at Bolivar, Missouri. The pallbearers werr Arthur Mead, George Mead, Roy Hall, Steve Sitzman. Bill Estes and Lester Hathaway. The Porter funeral home of Nebraska City had charge. Local Youth is Injured in Wreck Harry Richardson is now able to be uo and around after very serious injuries sustained in an auto wreck near Fairfax. South Dakota, two weeks ago. The car that Harry was driv ing skidded from the highway into a ditch and the driver was caught in the wreck and badly injured. He suffered severe scalp wounds and alro had the knee cap fractured three times and two ribs broken. He W3s hospitalized but is now able to be around with the aid of crutches, but still shows the effects of the accident. to tell you that your local bus inessmen have written and wired requesting me to make an ap Dearance in Plattsmouth as in vears past. I will be in Kansas City next week and on Satur day, December 13th will pass through Plattsmouth in the bus that will stop at Hotel Platts mouth at 1:30 p. m. I hope all you bovs and girls wi'l be at the Hotel to meet my I bus and of course there will be j a present for each of you as us i ual. Christmas is such fun, isn't j it? And now I must try on my i brand new Santa Claus suit and j get ready for my trip next week. Love, SANTA CLAUS Garden Club Meet Has Display of Winter Bouquets The members of the Platts mouth Garden club met in regu lar session at the library audi torium last Tuesdav afternoon. Under the direction of Mrs. Louis Hansen the group made large Christmas sprays of pine springs and pine cones, tied with red ribbon. Two of the sprays were taken to the Masonic Home and two were presented to the library. In addition, the group made corsages of a combination of pine and bittersweet, tied with gay Christinas ribbon. Miss Verna Leonard, librarian . and her assistant. Mrs. Merle Rainey each received a corsage as' did each of the club members. Miss Julia Svoboda supervised the making of these. The sprays and corsages and other arraneemcnts on display demonstrated the use of mater ials in their natural state, the only artificial item used being the ribbon. Mrs. E. H. Wescott arranged a hanging basket with a colorful winter bouquet usiny a Christmas mtif. This is now on the inside door at the en trance of the library. Miss Svo i boda also brought a winter bou I quet arranged from plants in her garden illustrating the re sults of careful planning of the summer garden. A unique arrangement was that brought by Mrs. L. W. Egenberger. This was a large basket of fir. pine and bitter sweet highlighted by a large crystal ball in the center of the bouquet Christmas tinsel was used to decorate the base of the long handle of the basket. The club dispensed with the regular rule of supplyng- the library with a book on garden ing and voted instead to present it with a copy of another book in great demand, a dictionary. New Manager of Gas Company Meets Patrons Walter T. Gleason, new man ager of the Central Electric & Gas Company office, was in the city Tuesday where he was en gaged in meetiny the patrons and residents of Plattsmouth, his new field of activity. Mr. Gleason was accompanied by Dwight Edwards, who is leaving soon for his new post at Norfolk where he will be the district manager for the com pany. Mr. Gleason has been in the service of his company since 1929 in various cities and capaci ties in this section of the state. Prior to his appointment to the Plattsmouth post he was located at Aurora, Nebraska, as the manager of the company. Streets Take on Yule Look The streets in the business sec tion of the city are taking on a real Christmas look as the ! new street decorations are com j pleted and ready for the holiday season. The new illuminated decora tions on the electroliers make one of the most attractive that has ever been used during the holiday season, presenting- a beautiful sight at night when they are lighted. The electrolier posts are ar ranged with the streamers of green with large wreaths tied with bows of red. that adds a colorful touch to the scene. It will make a fine setting for the arrival of Santa Claus on Saturday, December 13th to greet the children of Cass and adjoining counties that may be here. Vern Harter is Hurt in Accident Vern Harter of this city, a driver for the Greyhound bus line south of Omaha, was injur ed on Wednesday while engaged in driving a bus to Des Moines. Mr. Harter was going to the Iowa city to secure a new bus and on the way east from Om aha, the bus was damaged The full particulars have not been learned of what the nature of the accident might be, but Mr. Harter is at Atlantic. Iowa, to await physical examination. He states in a messag-? to Mrs. Har ter, that he is suffering a bruised leg and shoulder, but the full extent of the injuries has not been determined. He is able to be around despite the accident. Tony and Friend Am Phyllis Eonnater, 16-year-old 4-H Club member from Kes wick, Iowa, cuddles up to Tony, her 1100-pound Hereford steer, entered in the 48th annual In ternational Livestock Exposition in Chicago. More than 12.500 animals from 32 states and Can ada, many of them raised by 4-H youngsters, competed. Gas Transport Is Overturned A gasoline transport belonging to the Shyler Oil Co.. left the highway south of Plattsmouth near the Hi Way Cafe at 10:15 Dec. 2. 1947. The driver, Marion II. Mitzner of Nebraska City was not injured according to Deputy Sheriff Rhoden who in vestigated the accident. The truck was loaded with oil and turned over on it's side in the ditch. Mitzner told Rhoden that he took to the ditch" in order to avoid hitting a car which was in his lane which was driven by Wayne Surface of Union. Sur face states that he was forced into the other lane by another truck. Use Journal Want Ads At The Cass County Court House In the office of the clerk of the district court on Tuesday an action was filed by Mary Agnes Wetenkamp against William W. Wetenkamp. The plaintiff states in her petition that the parties were married on January 22, 1934. There are three minor children, the issue of the mar riage and the custody of the children and suitable child sup port is asked by the plaintiff. In the countv court Tuesday petition was filed for the pro bate of the estate of Ben A. Olive, deceased. The petition asks for the appointment of Mrs. Emily Olive as administratrix of the estate. County Court was a busy place on Monday in hearing traffic cases filed by the state highway patrol. Paul M. Riddle, Lincoln, was charged with speed ing at night and as the result made a guilty plea and was as sessed a fine of S10 and costs amounting to S14 which was paid. D. Emerson Williams of Wichi ta, Kansas, was charged with speeding and received a fine of $10 and costs for the offence. Patrolman Fred Whalen was the arresting officer in both cases. Pat Bowers was released on $500 bond in the case of the alleged attack on James Kivett and also disturbing the peace. County Treasurer Ruth A. Patton announced Wednesday that the new auto license plates for 1948 will not be issued until after January 1, 1948. The plates next year will be blue numerals on a background of aluminum. The plates will be issued after the first of the year by order of the state. A complaint was filed in coun ty court Dec. 3. 1947, by Harold Kearney of Union against Ted Clark also of Union. Kearney states that Ted Clark, a bartend er, struck him on the face dur ing the evening of Dec. 2, 1947 in Union. Ted Clark was arrest ed today by the sheriff's office on a Warrant and was arraigned in county court. Clark pleaded not guilty and was released on a $100 bond. Trial will be held next week. I- ii .r 66 Years of Service in This Community The Plattsmouth Journal is entering its sixty-sixth year of service in this community, a period of years that represents life since the coming of the rail road to this side of the Missouri river, the space of time when the city was growing, replacing its mud streets with paving, wooden sidewaiks with brick and then concrete. installing of storm sewers that replaced the open creeks that at one time flowed from the north and south to be joined in the business sec tion of the city. It was in 1831 that C. W. Sherman, a young printer, from Glenwood, Iowa, arrived here and started the Journal that has since served the people of the community. Mr. Sherman and his associate, John Cutright, served many years in the oper ation of the paper in the days when all type was set by hand and the paper printed on an old time hand press. This period was the era of the old time "hand sticker" at the case and many old timers are recalled in the history of these days. "Shorty" Armstrong. "Bill" Benfer, "Dick" Barr, "Tommy" Dabb. George Mann, "Chiny" Hoffman were among those who helped make the paper in the years down past the turn of the century. Succeeding Mr. Sherman in the paper operation was Bart Kirkham and Frank E. Green, who carried on for several vears. following the operation of the Journal by Harry Groves William Reed Dunroy. In the years the paper part of the time a daily and was and otherwise a weekly. In 1901 the Journal was pur chased bv George B. Mann and W. K. Fox who continued its operation until April 1002 when the paper was sold to R. A. and T. B .Bates, who operated- the Journal for a few years and it was then that the interest of T. B. Bates was purchased by R. A. Bates who continued its publi cation until his death in 1934. In this period from 1904 Journal was first a weekly, the then a dailv and semi-weekly from 1905. Mr. Bates was very sue- eessful in the operation of the paper and in his ownership the old hand set type for the paper was abandoned for the linotype and self feeding press printed the paper. With the passing of Mr. Bates, the publication of the paper was taken over by his widow, Mrs. Martha Eates, who contin ued the publication as a daily and semi-weekly, during which time she installed wire news service. On November 1, T945 Mrs. Bates disposed of the paper to Lester A. Walker of Fremont, who continued the daily until in 1947 when it was changed back to a semi-weekly. The Journal was purchased in May by Ronald R. Furse. vet eran newspaper man, who has operated papers at Republic. Kansas. Sutton, Nebraska and several places in California. Mr. Furse is a member of a newspa per family that 'for many years has operated the Alma, Nebras ka Journal, one of the well known papers of the state. With his long experience in the op eration of a country home paper, Mr. Furse has developed the Journal since he took over the plant into one of the best local papers in this section of the state. Charles Meade Named Head of Masonic Lodge Monday evening the members of Plattsmouth lodge No. 6. AF & AM met at the lodge rooms in the Masonic building for the an nual election of officers and the following were named: W M Charles M. Meade, Mur ray. S W Verner A. Meisinger. j V C. E. Ledgway. Treasurer Frank A. Cloidt. Secretary L. W. Niel. The appointive officers will be announced later by the new worshipful master and installed into their posts at the meeting in January. The new master of the lodpe has been a very active worker in the order and is just complet ing his work as senior warden. Mrs. Jack Reno was an Omaha visitor Monday.