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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 1948)
L .Clearance Sale. I Believe Death Due to Murder Suicide Friday (Continued from Page One) neighbors labored in trying to search the still smouldering ruins and at 2:30 in the after noon the terribly burned re mains of Blanche Griffin was found in the ruins in the north east part of the kitchen-dining room. The fire had terribly burned the body with the arms and legs consumed and only to to to to it.. to to to to to to to to to to to la? to Is ? the torso and the head were left intact. The body was taken to the Caldwell funeral home for a check as to identification. At the funeral home in the examination of the body of Olive Horning, it was found that death had been caused by blows on the left side of the head, two wounds being re vealed, one a gash two inches long, another that had crush ed into the skull and brain, leaving it very clear that the aged victim had been slain as TOYS AND GIFTS . . . MANY AT COST OR LESS All Roller Skates -Price $1.98 Xmas Tree Lights $1.19 Good Supply of Xmas Light Bulbs. $4.25 Scooters l2'Price 79c Wind-Up Car 49c S2.10 Cork Guns $1.49 S2.00 Doll Beds $1.49 Dart Games -Off New Haven 39-Hour Alarm Clocks Vz-Price $15.00 Portable Phonograph (Electric) $10.00 $9.50 Value 24 Piece Stainless Steel Dinnerware with Chest $5.95 Pen Lights 39c Checkers with Backgammon Board $8c Wood Trays-up to $2.50 value. .$1.00 Biles Paint & Wallpaper Store FRANK K. BILES, Owner she slept and without resis tance. The medical examination was made by Dr. L .S. Pucelik. When the body of the second sister was brought to the fun eral home, it was impossible to find any evidence of violence on the pitiful remains and identi fication was made by Dr. P. T. Heineman, dentist, who had cared for the teeth of the vic tim and whose chart checked perfectly with that of the dead woman. Near where the body of Blanche Griffin was found in the home, was a small hatchet that in the opinion of the au thorities was used in the slay ing of the older sister. The hatchet will be taken to Lincoln for a test as to possible blood stains. The body of Blanche Griffin revealed that she was dressed in her workday attire, parts left unburned, indicating that she had been up and down in tha kitchen where the fire origin ated. It is the theory advanced that Mrs. Griffin after the mur der of the sister had gone to the kitchen and there had set herself on fire or was caught in the flame from the stove and overcome had sunk to the floor where hours later the charred body was found. The murder-suicide of the Horning sisters, take away the last of one of the pioneer fam ilies of this community. This farm where the tragedy oc curred was homestaded by the parents, Cornelious and Christ- , The jury is to continue its ina Horning at an early day, probe this week with the exam here the family was reared. The ination of W. F. Evers, superin- sisters and their brother, the tendent cf the Nebraska Ma late Ben F. Horning, made their sonic Home where James Grif- home there for their lifetime, fin, husband of Blanche, is a Last Time Monday, Dec. 20 Mickey Rooney and a Big "Cast. "SUMMER HOLIDAY" Comedy, Cartoon and News Tuesday Only December 21 Bargain Day Adm. 12 and 20c Randolph Scott and a Big Cast. "BELLE STARR" Bro't back as one of the great est of all outdoor pictures! Comedy and Novelty Wednes., and Thurs., Dec. 22-23 Dan Dailey and Nancy Guild "GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY" Big Technicolor Musical with Charles Winninger! Comedy and late March of Time to to II to II to to to H to 11 to II to to to to to to to MOST fa fa fa WILL REMAIN fa m pln) DUDOU fa fa although other members of the family married and moved from the old home. Both of the sisters engaged in teaching school in Cass county and were members of the faculty of the Plattsmouth schools, Blanche Griffin being engaged in teaching here for a period of some twenty-five years. In the last few months the sisters had sought to secure someone to stay with them at the farm home and just a few days ago renewed efforts were made to secure help. The younger sister had desired to move into Plattsmouth to enter a nursing home but this was opposed by the older sister. In his early youth, James Griffin had come to the farm to assist in the work, remaining there until a short time ago. When Mr. Griffin, through ill health, was compelled to seek greater medical attention, cn his leaving the farm it was re vealed that he and Blanche Horning had married some twentv-five vears before but this had been kept a family secret until in the transfer of lands it was necessary to be re vealed. Mr. Griffin is now 85 years of age and is a resident at the Nebraska Masonic Home. There is surviving one broth er living in the western part Of the state and a large number of nieces and nephews. Saturday morning County At torney Walter H. Smith, acting corner, impanneled a jury to hear evidence and probe into the seeming murder-suicide case. The members of the jury selected were: Edward G. Oie, Harry A. Meisinger, Chester Welshimer, Emery Doody, for mer deputy sherilf; William F. Kraeger and John J. Cloidt. The hearings were held at the district court room and later the jury visited the Caldwell funeral home to view the bodies, also the site of the burned house where the tragedy had occurred and to examine a number of the witnesses. The testimony of Dr. L. S. Pucelik relative to the nature of the wounds on the head of Olive Horning was received. Dr. P. T. Heineman, dentist, testified as to the dental work found in the charred remains of Blanche Horning, that the body was undoubtedly that of the unfortunate woman. The testimony of Newton Sullivan, neighbor of the Hom ings and who had farmed their 240 acre farm, was received. Mr. Sullivan had been untiring in his efforts in assisting the sisters on their place since they had been left alone. The testi mony of Mr. Sullivan revealed that Blanche Horning had on a previous occasion threatened to take her life. He told of her be ing taken to an Omaha hospi tal a year ago suffering from an overdose of sleeping pills. While at the hospital she had tried to leap from a window. Mr. Sullivan testified that while the sisters were well to do, they had not been in the habit of keeping much money around the house. The two sisters had disagreed as to leaving the farm, Blanche desired to move into Plattsmouth while Olive had desired to remain on the farm. The hatchet found at the time ol the recovery of the body of Blanche, as well as oil soaked clothing, will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investi gation at Washington. The con tents of the stomach of Blanche Horning will go to the Univer sity of Nebraska labratory at Omaha for examination. resident; physicians who at tended her for nervous break down, as well as local firemen. It was indicated that Omaha psychiatrists who had inter viewed the late Blanche Horn ing might be called to testify. A verdict in the case is not expected until late this week. Mrs. W. H. Homan of Omaha, i former resident of the Weeping Water community, was in the i city Friday and a caller at the i Journal office, where she added her name to the list of sub- J scribers. She wishes to keep in 1 THE PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL Monday, December 20, 1948 PAGE FIVE touch with the old friends in Cass county. Use Journal Want Ads. No postmaster in the United States is allowed to shoot ducks. It's a federal statute. To Enjoy Christmas Vacation Trips Miss Jessie M. Robertson, who is engaged at the State Teach ers College at Peru, was here Saturday to visit with her sis ter, Mrs. H. L. Gamer for the day. She is leaving this week for Phoenix, Arizona, for a visit until after the holidays. She will be the guest of her niece, Mrs. H. O. Murphey and family in the Arizona city. Mrs. Helen Gray Robertson, who is the house mother at the sorority house of the Delta Del ta Delta sorority at Lincoln, is leaving on a holiday vacation trip to the east. She will visit with her son, Lt. James M. Rob ertson and family, at Annap odis, Maryland, until after the close of the holiday season. I JPff&sss I II II Rescue Work Is Familiar Task George Mumm, who with James Lepiert. carried the body of Miss Olive Horning from the home where she was slain, is rather familiar with the work of rescue from the scene of fires. In the early part of the ' year, he was one who rescued J. H. Wooaers from a fire at j Mynard and assisted in getting j him to a place of safety. Mr. i Wooders died several weeks later j from the effects of the injuries. ! ca AH! Toys isa Sts& WE HAVE A FINE LOT OF TOYS IN STOCK TO BE SOLD AT COST OR LESS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Bwiy Toys How Assd Save 5 area iniarawauns and Appliance fa rj-ar fa fa w 517 MAIN sj. 5l- ls- tat Xsxi- 5; PHONE 3171 fa Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Goodchild of Los Angeles, arrived Friday to be here at the home of Mrs. P. A. Horn, mother of Mrs. Goodchild and the other mem bers of the family over the holidays. Your CHRISTMAS Trip Will Be Happier UNTIL CHRISTMAS PLATTSMOUTH MERCHANTS HAVE A FINE SELECTION OF MERCHANDISE FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM. SHOP IN PUTTSM0UTH SAVE WEAR AND TEAR ON YOUR CAR AND YOURSELF. NO PARKING PROB LEMS. PROMPT, COURTEOUS SERVICE BY MERCHANTS AND CLERKS YOU KNOW. ie.; to to to to to to ? STORES WILL CLOSE AT 6.30 P. M. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 AND REMAIN CLOSED TILL MONDAY A. M. This Advertisement Published By BUSINESS MEN'S AD CLUB fa fa i fa fa fa fa fa fa I NYLONS 1 MAKE LOVELY g CHRISTMAS v v KAfe S ft Don't battle holiday traffic Take a carefree ride home Go Greyhound for a merry holiday adventure! Frequent schedules get you there quickly. You can stay longer at family reunions, visit with old friends and neighbors, and still profit by the inexpensive fares. Your Greyhound Agent will be glad to give you complete travel in formation on any holiday trip. GET AWAY FROM WINTER! Leave winter's wrath behind, and enjoy a vacation under sunny skies' Let your Grey hound Agent help plan your trip. Transportation, hotels, sightseeing all pre-planned lor one LOW price. Ask ior FREE folders! CREYHOVSD LEADS IS COURTESY 1 ERNA LAPIDUS HOTEL PLATTSMOUTH 6th Main Dial 3200 We Own and Offer a Limited Number of PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA WATER REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS IN THE OPINION OP COUNSEL, THESE BONDS ARE: 1- EXEMPT FROM THE NEBRASKA INTANGIBLE TAX. 2- INTEREST IS EXEMPT FROM ALL FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER EXISTING LAWS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED WRITE OR CALL US AND WE WILL BE GLAD TO FURNISH YOU COMPLETE DETAILS. First TrustQmbny LINCOLN, X NEBRASKA 4 TRUST BUILDING TELEPHONE 2-1201 15 DENIER a;.l NEW WINTER SHADES SHOE STORE X-PERT SHOE REPAIR ii H The Time Grows Shorter ... Note Carefully these Suggestions for the Closing Days Monday Till 9 O'clock tonite you can buy Arrow Shirts Jason Shirts Champ Hats Glover Pajamas Esquire Sox Cooper Underwear Wembley Ties Hickok Belts Tuesday Let's call this Hpandkerchief Day An all white satin border 35c A finer all white satin border hand rolled edge 50c Any Initial. A box of 3 ass't fancy border $1 Pure linen 65c Wednesday This would be a good day for neck scarfs. We have plains in maroon, gold, brown, blue and white 1.95 to 3.95 Beautiful bro cades in white and fancy 2.95 Scarfs and Glove Sets to match 3.95 Thursday Just to put you wise these Re gal Monogram Ties are the last word. They may all be gone by Thursday ... so you better hot foot thither soon as you read this ad. Friday Had you thought of Sox . . they're always good. We have the popular Argyle patterns Cotton 55c All wool 1.50 Saturday A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS YES! Green Stamps with Every Cash Purchase. Watch our Window o. OPEX EVENINGS TILL 9 O'CLOCK Wescott's CLOSED ALL DAY CHRISTMAS I I n fa SINCE 1879