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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1949)
'4 CASS COUNTY'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED SEMI-WEEKLY IIon (1 ay-Th u 1 '?d a y Largest Paid Circulation of All Cass County Newspapers VOLUME 65 TWELVE PAGES PLATTSMOUTH, CASS COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1949 FIVE CENTS PER COPY NUMBER 9 Gonzalious' Confessions Reveal Crimes The three page confession Riven by Tony Gonzalious to Sheriff Tom Solomon here fol lowing his arrest at Murray, started a general roundup in Omaha by the Omaha police department. The first raid was. on the home of Cleone Montgomery, who in Omaha is better known as "Baby Joe Woolcott." The visit at the Montgomery homo on the south side, was staged by the Omaha police and Sheriff Solomon, who had a warrant for Montgomery for the Cotner & Son breakin at this place. The raiding officers arrested three colored men, including Mont gomery, and found a handful of counterfeit $20 bills, and a 23 calibre gun, a part of the loot stolen from the $5,000 breakin at the National Tire Company in Omaha on December 2, 1949. Cleone Montgomery signed a confession admitting his part in three big Omaha breakins, the Ford garage breakin at Papil lion, and that at the garage of Cotner & Son at Plattsmouth. Montgomery also implicated Tony Gonzalious. Another col ored man giving the name nf James Nicholas of Omaha wr.s listed by Montgomery in his con fession as a helper in the Cotner breakin. Omaha authorities will try the offenders as the charges against them involve larger robberies committed in that city. The Cass county authorities are to take over the men when they are released from custody. Midnight Mass At Holy Rosary lew Year's Day By a special privilege pastors of the diocese may arrange to DTfcr Midnight Mass on New Year's Day. Holy Rosary will take advantage of this permis sion. The Midnight Mass will be preached by a Holy Hour of Reparation, beginning at 11 o'clock Saturday night. The first half of the Holy Hour will be devoted to private devotions. At 11:30 Vespers and Compline will be chanted. Vespers and Compline are the last twro parts of the Divine Office recited daily by all the priests and re ligious in the universal Church. This part of the office consti tutes the evening prayer of the Catholic church, and so it will be appropriate for the closing of the old year. Father Tuchek will celebrant during the Office Jit Vespers and Compline. The four assistants in choir will be the four chanters: Don Clifford, Ramon Koubek. Cliff Girardot. and Dan Rohan. Don Clifford will chant the Antiphons to the Psalms; Ramon Koubek will be lector. Dick Janda and Joe Lin hart will be thurifers. The high mass sung by the Holy Rosary Choir will follow Compline. The second Mass will be offer ed at 8 o'clock. A Columban Father will offer Mass at 10 o'clock. Martin Zaar Dies At Omaha Home The death of Martin B. Zaar, 76, for many years a resident of South Bend and vicinity, oc curred Sunday at his 1 home in .K)maha. 4724 North 39th street. Mr. Zaar will be remembered bv many of the older residents of Cass county, as he was very active in the South Bend, com munity and through that sec tion of Cass county, one of the leading farmers of that part of the county. He is survived by the wife, Lucy; daughter, Mrs. Florence M. Blum, of Omaha. The services were held Wed nesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Plymouth Congregational church in Omaha. The inter ment was at Forest Lawn cem etery. Three Received Into Eastern Star Tuesday evening Home chap ter No. 189 of the Order of the Eastern Star held their regular neting at the lodge rooms in the Masonic building with three candidates being initiated into the order. The ritualistic work was exemplified by the officers of the chapter. Following the business ses sion of the evening the members of the chapter were treated to refreshments to complete a very delightful evening. Accident at Union Corner Harold F. Reddinger, 2523 Bris tol street. Omaha, reported to Sheriff Tom Solomon that he was a victim of an auto acci dent at the Union corner on Sunday and as the result his car was very badly damaged. He states that he was driving his car and in attempting to pass a truck at the junction of high ways No. 75 and 34, a car came from the opposite direction and forced him to take to the ditch, striking a high line pole with his new 1949 car. While the car is a complete wreck he was able to escape without serious in jury. Murray Bandit Draws Five Years In Penitentiary Tony Gonzalious, who was captured at Murray on Sunday. December 18th by Sheriff Tom Solomon, caught redhanded in the robbery of the tavern and restaurant at that place, is to have time to meditate on the folly of crime, as he has been sentenced to a five-year term in the state penitentiary at Lan caster by Judge Dunbar. He will start in on his term at once at the state prison, adding another prison rap that he has served in his crime career in several states. The arrest of this man brought out the revelation of many crimes in this part of the west that are now being investigated by the officers in efforts to clear . up what have been unsolved crimes in the past year. The wife of Gonzalious has been returned to Omaha where she will be under parole for a three year period until she can rehabilitate herself and be able to care for her family. Evi Speir Dies at Home at Lincoln . Evi Speir, 56. resident of Plattsmouth for a number of years, died on Saturday at the family home at 2738 North 48ih street, Lincoln, after an illness of some duration. Mr. Speir came to Plattsmouth as chief clerk in the store de partment of the Burlington rail road, spending a number of years here, or until the store department was transferred to Lincoln, and he moved to Lin coln where he has since resided. While a resident of Platts mouth he was married to Miss Muriel Streight, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William J. Streight, who survives the hus band, with one daughter, Mrs. G. J. Farrell, of Lincoln, and one son, Donald Lee Speir of Lincoln. Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. C. Bauler of Aurora, Illinois, and one brother, George Grandville Speir of La Grange, Illinois. Funeral services were held on Tuesday m'orning at 10:45 at the chapel of Roper and Son, Rev. Lloyd Rising officiating. The body was brought to Platts mouth with interment at Oak Hill cemetery. Mrs. Tony Klimm Is Home From Hospital Mrs. Tony Klimm, who has been at the Clarkson hospital at Omaha for the past several weeks under treatment and sur gery, has so far recovered that she was able to return home Tuesday. Mrs. Klimm is still quite weak from the effects of the opera tion and long illness and has . lost a great deal of weight but! it is hoped that a short time at home will place her back in her usual former good health. At The Cass County Court House In the county court on Wed Jirisday morning a complaint was filed charging Edna J. Ly tle with disturbing the peace and also intoxication. The de fendant being arraigned, made a plea of not guilty to the charge. The preliminary hear ing was set for Tuesday, Janu ary 3rd. The defendant was released on bond of $250 pend ing the healing. The first hearing was had in the estate of Chlodia Ann Thim gan, deceased. Objection . was raised to the appointment of the party designated in the petition and Judga Richard, C. Peck named as the administra tor, Leo Thimgan. - - 4 t 4 f AI.CO r i 9 C&'J ir I sjJk 4c- ft JWS SSMtWVVfe C'i ' YOU KNOW ME, ALCOMETER ... A machine that sniffs your breath and tells how much laughing soup you have lapped up is on display at tite'ehemical industries exposition in New York. Chamber of Commerce to Meet Jan. 5th The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held at 6:30 on Thursday eve ning, January ' 5, 1950, at the main dining room of the Hotel Plattsmouth. This meeting will elect the of ficers for the ensuing year, and it is hoped a large attendance of the members will be present. The reports of the various com mittees will be given at this time and this should interest every one as to the work of the pact year and what may be expected in the coming year. The local Chamber of Com merce has been active in many civic projects in the last year that had been 'most important to the further expansion and dj velopment of Plattsmouth, these will be embodied in the reports of the officers and committees for the year. The selection of the new of ficers will be a most important matter as these new officers will have the task of completing many of the civic advancements that have been planned. The future of the city depends a great deal on the type of civic leadership so all who can do so should participate. Aged Resident Of City Dies Wednesday Wednesday afternoon shortly before the closing of the day, Mrs. John Libershal, Sr., aged 96, passed to her last reward at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry J. Meisinger, closing a long and eventful life that has largely been spent in this com munity. Anna Koubek was born in the former Austria-Hungary em pire on September 17,- 1853, spending her childhood and early girlhood in that country. She was married in the old home to John Libershal, Sr., and a few years after their marriage Xhe family started to a new home across the Atlantic to the United States of Ameri ca, where they located in Ne braska, settling at Plattsmouth and where they have since re sided. Mr. and Mrs. Libershal were honored citizens of the community for their lifetime, where they reared their family. Mr. Libershal preceded the wife in death some twenty-five years ago, since that time, Mrs. Liber shal has retained . the family home until a year ago when her advanced years and failing health made necessary her care at the home of her daughetr, Mrs. Meisinger. Mr. and Mrs. Libershal were among the early charter mem bers of the Holy Rosary Catho . (Continued on Page 6) RETURNS HOME William Howland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Howland. return ed this week from the Immanu el hospital at Omaha, where he had undergone surgery. He is feeling much improved and will recuperate at the home of his parents. The many friends are delighted to see Fred home and trust he may soon be able to resume his studies at the Uni- .versity of Nebraska. mwjf rrrr'v; "'SHI Christmas Observance Of Templars On Christmas day at 11 o'clock at their lodge rooms in the Ma sonic building the members of Mt. Zion Commandery No. 5, Knights Templar, held their annual Christmas observance iveness as that rite com iveness as that the rite com manded. The invocation was by E. Sir Raymond C. Cook, past com mander. Song. Reading of sentiments of M. E. Robert Brainerd Gaylord, Grand Master, by Sir. Raymond F. Hild, Recorder. . Toast to R. E. Sir Arthttr W. Melville, Grand Commander. Response by IT. Sir Edward F. Wehrbein. P. C Toast to Mt. Zion Command ery No 5, K. T. Response by E. Sir Robert Mann, Command er. Toast to Adoniram Council No. 5, R. & S. M. Response by E. Sir William F Evers, I. M. Toast to Nebraska Chapter No. 3, R A. M. Response by Sir Newton Sullivan, P. H. P. Toast to Plattsmouth Lodge No. 6. A. F. & A. M. Response by Sir Clarence E. Ledgway. S. W. Toast to The Nebraska Ma sonic Home. Response by E. Sir Raymond C. Cook, Vice president. Toast to Our Beloved, depart ed Sir Knights. Response by E. Sir Luke L. Wiles, P. C. Benediction by E.ir Raymond C. Cook, Prelate. HOLDS FUNERAL SERVICE Rev. Roy Morris, of Murray, was the clergman officiating a the funeral services of William Rieke at Union instead of Rev. McMillian, of Nebraska City, as was stated. The services were held at the Baptist church at Union. Stores Closing Hours Set for New Year's The stores of this ciy have agreed on closing hours to be observed during the week end holiday that marks the New Year's day. It has been agreed that the stores will close on Saturday evening at 6:00 and will remain closed for Sunday and Monday and resume their usual activities on Tuesday, January 3rd. This will cover all stores affiliated with the Plattsmouth Business Men's Ad Club. This will give the employers and employees an opportunity for a two day holiday and rest from the usual business activ ities. In addition to the business houses of the city, the bank, court house and BREX shops will be closed for the two day holiday. The Plattsmouth Journal will be printed on Saturday for the Monday edition of the paper so the advertisers and reporters are urged to get their ads or articles in for Saturday instead of Monday as is usual. The public Is urged to note the closing hours of 6:00 Sat- i urday night. Subscribe for The Journal. City Council Approves New Fire Ladders The city council had a very snappy session Monday night with Councilman Frank Rebal, president of the council presid ing and Councilman Woster and Am present to carry on the business of the evening. The city hall heating condition also served to help an early ad journment, as heat was a minus quantity' in the councli cham ber. William Bayly, a resident near Hillcrest, was at the meeting to discuss with the council the matter of assessment of his property in the Hillcrest pav ing district, he having his prop erty taxed in that part of the paving known as the -horseshoe", although he is located some distance away, but his property in the half block area for taxation. The matter will be taken up by City Attorney Lebens and the council later. The city council also received me piumi ui me r. r. re ier-1 son Baking Co., of Omaha, in regard to the city ordinance that levies a tax on trucks op erating in this city. The pro test alleged that the ordinance was illegal and unconstitution al. This protest is received each year from the company and was placed on file. The city council received the recommendation of the Platts mouth fire department of the purchase of badly needed lad ders from the Lincoln Fire Equipment Co., of Lincoln. The recommendation was adopted by the council for the purchase of the ladders at $283.50. This will be paid out of the fire equipment fund Police Judge C. L. Graves in his report showed that for the week of Decmber 18, there had been one arrest and fines and costs of $13.25; for the week of December 25th, three arrests and fines and costs of $33 25. Chairman V. T. Am - of the Htf&jiz. alleys and bridges com mittee reported that the new machine shed, built to store the city grader and other machin ery from the winter weather, had been completed, and was in service. Mr. Am also reported a letter from the Gas company in regard to replacement work by the city on paving that had been billed to the company. The company stated that the la bor costs in the bill seemed ex cessive in regard to the small amount of work involved. This (Continued on Page 3 "Dynamite Pete" Dies at Nursing Home Monday Levi Everett, aged recluse of near South Bend for many years, died at the Hillcrest Nursing Home here on Monday at the age of 87 years, thus ending a very colorful life that attracted even nation-wide attention a , number of years ago. He at one time was a "pow der monkey" for the quarries along the Platte river and from this occupation he received the nickname that he has carried for a ,?reat many years. He made his home in a dug out or cave near South Bend, coming to Louisville about once a week for supplies and then returning to the cave, where he made his home. He raised a great deal of his food and was known over this part of the county for his tobacco growing, keeping himself in smoking to bacco the greater part of the time. While in good health he would make trips to Louisville, play his violin on the streets and by his appearance and at tire attracted a great deal of attention. He was taken to Omaha in 1939 by a publicity agent and he appeared at one of the Omaha theatres with a number of the girls of the show and later was taken to New York City, where he was on the pro gram, "We the People". His only known relatives are a sister, Mrs. Otto Peterson, of Los Angeles, and a nephew, Roy Richards, of South Bend. The funeral services wrere held today ( Thursday) at the Cald well funeral home at 7th ?treet and Avenue B with the inter ment at Oak "Hill cemetery. A short graveside service was held by Rev George W. Swiney, pas tor of the First Christian church. Sell It Thru journal Want Ads. Death of William Krisky at Home On West Coast William F. Kriskey, 74, a resi dent of Plattsmouth for a long period of years, passed away Saturday morning at 8:40 at the family home at Los Angeles where he has been ill for some time. Death came as the result of a third stroke which followed a long period of failing health. Mr. Kriskey was born in Plattsmouth, the family home being located on what is now Avenue C near the Masonic Home. He grew up here and later after his schooling, entered the service of the Burlington railroad. He was a fireman and engineer for the railroad until his retirement from active serv ice some ten years ago. Mr. Kriskey and Josephine Wooster were married in this city in 1901 and made their home here until the death of the wife in 1024, the husband later moving to Omaha to be nearer his work on the railroad. He was married on November 25, 1923 at Omaha to Catherine Skomal of that city, they mov ing to California eight years ago to make their home. There is surviving his passing the widow; four sons, Raymond of Plattsmouth, William and Tom of Lincoln, Jerry of Omaha; one daughter, Mrs. Helen Bougher of Omaha. The body was brought to Oma ha Wednesday morning from Los Angels to the Dworak funeral home at Omaha. The funeral will be on Friday at St. Wenceslaus church in Omaha. Rosary will be recited at the Dworak-Chapuran chapel at 16th and Vinton streets. Burial will be at the Holy Sepulcher cemetery in this city with Father Edward C. Tuchek conducting the graveside serv ices. Royal and Select Masters Install New Officers Monday evening the members of Adoniram chapter No. 5 of the Royal and Select Masters held their meeting at the rooms in the Masonic building with a large attendance of the mem bership present. The chapter held the installa tion of the new officers for the ensuing year as the chief order of business. Raymond C. Cook, retiring illustrious master, ser ving as the installing officer. The following were installed: Illustrious Master William F, Evers. Deputy Illustrious Master Edward F. Wehrbein. Principal Conductor of the Work Robert M. Mann. Treasurer Raymond C. Cook. Secretary Raymond F. Hild. Captain of the Guard New ton Sullivan. Conductor of Council Leon ard Born. Steward Clair E. Shellenbar ger. Chaplain Luke L. Wiles. Sentinel Donald H. Born. Lieutenant Tincher Visits With Parents Second Lieutenant Ray Tinch er, who several months ao was commissioned in the reg ular army at Fort Riley, Kan., officer's training school, was home for the holiday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tincher. Lt. Tincher is now stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he is attending the school of fire of the United States artillery course. He likes the assign- ment at Fort Sill very much. . SITTING PAT . . . The eonnlenance of Pat Valentino proves Joe Louis' ri-ht still packs a terrific wallop. Pat takes a 10-count after belnf propelled thronth the rtpea la Chicago bout. DENIES CHARGE . . . Gen. Jun ius Jones, ex-inspector-general, denies Maj. Itacejr Jordan report ed to him that Russia received atom data and uranium through White House orders during wat for atom research. Cass County Sustained in Protested Claim District Judge Thomas E. Dun- j otherwise he might still be be bar, has sustained the demurr- hind the iron curtain. He had er of Cass county in the- case of Don J. Arundel vs. V. Coun ty of Cass, entering t.r.U tainini the defendant c.. December 23rd.- This action arose ove i r.r letting of the contract tor Workman's Compensation ar; Public Liability insurance ; the county board of commis Monei iu uie riutiuy am. ias- , bm;(ilv, on the part cf the Gor ualty Co., of New York, of which m:)n, ni- ,hMr r(,n,mi)nitil,4 thslf. J. Howard Davis is the local agent on March 15, 1049, the premium which was $410.43. Objection to the clami was filed by Don J. Arundel, agent of the Employers Mutual Cas uatly Co., whose bid was claim ed the lowest submitted to the board. The objection of Mr. Arun del to the allowance of the award was overruled by the county "board of commissioners and on March 23. 1949, the ob jectors filed notice of appeal of the award to the district court of Cass county. The case was heard in the district court and on the de murrer of the defendant coun ty, their demurrer was sustain ed and the appeal dismissed by the court. In the litigation Cass County was represented by County At torney Walter H. Smith, who prepared the demurrer offered' in the case by the defendants, while Joe McGrorty, of Omaha, appeared lor Mr. Arundel and his insurance company. ; Midshipman R. C. Livingston Here Midshipman Richard Cloidt Livingston, of the United States Naval Academy at Annauolis, Maryland, was here this week to visit with his mother, Mrs. Lillian Livingston, as well as his grandparents, Mr. anel Mrs. John Bajeck and B. W. Living ston, as well as the other rel atives and friends in this vi cinity. Midshipman Livingston is now in his third year at Annapo lis and the past months has had some strenuous cruises and training in amphibian service that occupied several weeks of the summer. He dep3rted this (Thursday for the le cast stopping for a short at Fort Wayne, Indiana, time at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he will be a suest of his brother, John Benton Living - ston and family. John is now located at Fort Wayne in the contracting business, but is still a member of the naval re.-trve of the United States and keeps in touch with the training courses of the navy. Guest Tells of Germany at ! Rotary Club J The weekly luncheon of the j Rotary club Tuesday following j the two day Christmas ob ;erv ancc. was one filled with tin I g ' atest. interest in the fact j that the members were p.rmit j ted to hear a vivid story of tin. j Ge rmany of today, or tha. sec j tion in the western zone. j The guest speaker was Hans i Koldcwcy. student at the Syra cuse university at Syraeus, New York, who was selected as one of seventy-two students iu be interchanged with the Unit ed States in studies in the Uni versities. Mr. Koldewey spent two and a half years in the German army in the last war. At tin close of the war had been m i the eastern section that was j taken over by the Russians. ! Through the efforts of the I British friends that he had made, through his ability to I speak English, he was able to j be passed through as a released British prisoner of war and was I thus nut nf thp Rn;;irm 71111c I met Captain James F. Begley in the British sector of Germnav, and became acquainted and was given the opportunity of serving as interpreter for the allied forces following the war. The speaker discussed inter s ni'.dy and informally the con :i. ions as he had observed '.hem in v.'.-s' Germany, touching on the gtneral trend toward ro- i ..-.. ,u e war. the necessity of the peoples of the various sections to rebuild their lives on the new basis of demociv.tive government, as has been provicl. J in the new Ger man constiiuti. n and its reure sentative goverr.::i nl. He stat ed thai it would be necessary to give the new si ate arising in the West Germany the strength of American experience. the presence of American leaders to see that the new form of gov ernment was given the oppor tunity to build and grow strong. In the matter of the forma tion of a West German army the people were not wholly in sympathy with this idea, not favoring the idea of military government. The speaker was most entertaining and had a fine grasp of his subject and the needs of his native land. Rnv W TCnnrr was tbp rrn- m r,iai,mnn nnri nrPsfntPd Attorney Begley, who in turn introduced the guest speaker. The club also received letters of appreciation from their ail ing members, Dr. H. G. Mc Clusky and George L. Farley for the remembrances at the Christ mas season. The high school boys were absent from the meeting but will make up their attendance at the January meeting. Guests of the clay were J. P. Davis, of Geneva, father of At torney J. Howard Davis, and Robert Rea, of Murray, a guest of his father, Fred I. Rea. Dr. R. J. Dietz Opens Offices In Plattsmouth Dr. R. J. Dietz. graduate of j Creighton University , Medicine, has opened School of , Medicine, has opened his offices .in newly refurnished rooms in (the Donat building at 107 North Fourth street, it was announced this week. Dr. Dietz, who interned at St. Joseph's hospital in Omaha, has spent the past two years in gen eral medical practice with the U. S. Air Forces, resigning his commission to open his own of fices in this city. Office hours will be from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. on week days, while 10 a m. to 9 p. m. will be the schedule on Saturdays. Dr. and Mrs. Dietz have taken an apartment at 1115 Avenue E. for the present. Learns of Death Of Cousin Sunday Mrs. W. E. Hickey received tho message Monday of the death cf a cousin, H. L. Saylor, which oc curred on Christmas day at his home in Des Moines as the re sult of a sudden heart attack: Mr. and Mrs. Saylor are known to a number here as they havi been frequent visitors at th? Hickey home in the past year. Subscribe for The Journal.