Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1954)
STATS HIST. SOCIETY XXX R ST. Day -"Vktiinni rtnmerD' Cass county had the unwanted honor of recording the first personal-injury accident in Nebraska Wednes day (Safe-Driving Day) when 24-year old Eli P. Best drove his car into a center island at the intersection of highways 75 and 34 near Union. Best, an employee of the state highway department, was driving south on highway 75 and rammed into the island at 5:20 a. m. He suffered cuts on the face, hands and neck, and was released after treatment at St. Mary's hospital in Nebraska City. Best told Sheriff Tom Solomon, who investigated, that he didn't see the island. Best was struck in the face by flying glass after a large sign, mounted on a four by four timber, knocked out the car's windshield. The sign warned motorists to drive to the right of the island. Best was dazed by the accident, and drove nearly 400 feet down the road before he stopped. The car was damaged about the bumper, hood and windshield. It was Cass county's only personal-injury accident of the dav. j The nation recorded , only 41 deaths Wednesday, which is relatively low. Admiral H. B. Miller, director of the president's action committee on traffic safety, said "There is every reason to believe America is demonstrat ing its ability to use teamwork, common sense and caution to reduce the traffic toll substantially." Nebraska had no traffic deaths Wednesday, as pa trolmen worked long, hard hours to keep motorists from risking their own and others' necks. Iowa recorded one death near Northwood about 11 p. m. Wednesday. Officials are reporting the world's first Safe-Driving Day as a success. Although there were many accidents and many deaths, there seemed little doubt but that at least a few lives were saved and at least a few persons were saved from serious injury. The record left Nebraska significantly lower in ac cident death rate over last year when 328 died from auto mobile mishaps through' December 15. This year only 306 had become traffic victims. However, neighboring Iowa was up from 558 in 1953 to 591 in 1954 Mote rp2 I oily S y CASS COUNTY'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER VOLUME 74 D yen lop ISesogois; Foyqyet Moaned Citv Attorney Plattsmouth's city council was looking for a new po lice chief this week. And they were just one jump behind their vacancies after confirming Paul Fauquet as city attorney Monday night to fill that spot which had been open since May 1 when Harold Lebens term ended and the council refused to confirm Mayor Meisir.ger's appointment of Fauquet, the first of several times. - Police Chief Kenneth Wiysel Elected As Fire Chief Ray Wiysel, a member of the Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire De partment for the past 15 years, this week was elected as fire chief for the 1955 year by mem bers of the department. Officers elected and listed by the group for the city council Monday night were approved by r. unanimous vote. Wiysel succeeds Sam Am as chief. Carl J. Schneider was elected president of the organization; William J. Highfield, vice pres ident; John V. Svoboda, secre tary; Howard Hirz, first assist ant; Louis Swoboda, second as sistant; A. W. Huebner, driver; Walter Bryant, driver; Leo A. Jj Hohman, driver; and Herbert' Baumgart, chemical. Otheri members for 1955 are Dr. O. Sandin, William Schmidtmann, Fred Lugsch, Franklin Kief. C. T. Woster, H. F. Schuetz, W. Ray Herring, John Sattler, Louis W. Kief, James Begley, Ernest Yen ney, Carl Chriswiser, D. B. Ash taugh, Herbert Minor, Hugh Stander. Jr.; Ben Anderson, Clark Finney, John J. Cloidt, Jr., Joseph Kruntorad, and Win ford Dasher. Secretary John V. Svoboda re ported to the city council that V. T. Arn was given a leave of absence and that Harry Cane and James Aspedon resigned. Choral Concert Well Received A well received choral con cert was attended by 300 to 400 persons at the Plattsmouth's new high school auditorium Tuesday night. The high school choral group of 128 voices presented a vari ety of choral numbers, during the first halt or tne program and sang Christmas music dur ing the last half under the di rection of Melvin McKenny, Plattsmouth High School " chor al and band director. The choral concert replaced a vesper service which was giv en last year. Shirley Story was soloist of the evening accompanied by a madrigal group. The Madrigals will perform traditional Christmas carolling in Plattsmouth during the week end. A boys quartet, "The Uncalled Four." presented a specialty on the program Tuesday night. Mpmhprs of this groun were Bob Carr. Marion Hild, Bill Todd, and Terry Ernst. Mr. McKenny has announced that Plattsmouth will be host to all schools of the Ak-Sar-Ben Conference on Feb. 10 for a choral clinic. About 600 visit ing students are expected. Cash Taken In Station Break - In The sheriff's office is inves tigating a break-in at Huebner's Phillips 65 service station Wed nesday night. Th3 only loot was some pettv cash left in the sta tion overnight. An attempt was made to raise the south window in the station, but it would not open and the thief forced the west window to gain entrance. THE WEATHER Compiled for the Journal at the Masonic Home Weather Station. Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Dec. 13-15. High Low Prec. Monday 23 ,12 Tuesday 54 . 2'2 Wednesday 44 " 20 Forecast: Today (Thursday) Cloudy, tonight colder, showers changing to snow flurries. Consolidated With EICHTEEN PACES Dunlap, who handed in his resignation several days ago, said he is going into "other service" and that his leaving the job as police chief had nothing to do with the police department or the operation of the city council. The council had held up accepting Dunlap's resignation until they could urge him to stay. But Dun lap was determined and the council Monday night ac cepted and placed on file the letter of resignation which is effective Dec. 23. , Meisinger told the council that he had several prospects for chief in mind but that none seemed to measure up to the job. The council finally became a critical mass Monday night and exploded like a nuclear device when all lour councilmen and the mayor sat down together for the first time in several meetings'. "Earlier, absences or resignations had held off a quorum on the explosive city attorney question. Paul E. Fauquet But last night they were all there and they put Fauquet in on a 3-2 split vote, with Mayor Leo Meisniger voting when the four councilmen stood each other off 2-2.. To the councilmen, the vote on the city attorney appeared easily foretold but when Meis inger tossed in the name of Fauquet again, for confirmation, the last of. a number of times since May i', Councilman Clark Finney exploded in an extensive monologue which left the coun cil and those present with little doubt that he was against con firming the attorney. Council man Howard "Hob"' Hirz also expressed himself, though less violently, against confirming (Continued cn Page 4) NEHAWKA (Special) A site for a 350-student school build ing to serve newly created Dis trict No. 103 was voted in here Monday night. Now the board, headed by chairman Mrs. Mar ion Tucker, faced thj problem of building on it. The site, chosen from among three presented by a site com mittee, wtll be at the northeast corner of town here partly in the city limits partly out, amounting to 6V4 acres and known as the Higgens property. Out, of 190 school patrons at tending the meeting, 149 voted for the finally selected site; 31 voted for putting the building on the Teffts property, about 10 acres at the east end of Main Street; and 10 voted for the Hogue property at the north edge of town. Most noted advantage of the Higgens property was that, it is situated on a road with water piped in front of it. The final selection carried on the first ballot of 190 patrons present, with 55 percent of the votes being necessary for-pas- ' sage at the legally called, elec- V ; Ii " si ? the Nehawka Enterprise PLATTSMOUTH, Who's Playing Mystery Santa Claus w-ill be wrhen cash prizes will go to the personator. The Santa Claus will ''It' "'" ' - - 'h- 3 - ' it-.. , j, I r f 1 I i( i: sC S4 I Jt fe , v . " j . i 4 - - i 4 i -w, v - f - I J1 from 3 to 4 p. m. Saturday. Thirty-five balloons containing mer chandise certificates will be released at 2:30 p. m. The Christmas project is sponsored by the Elmwood Commercial Club. With Santa Claus in this photo are Carol Wilken, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Wilken of Elmwood and Arman Nielsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Swain Nielsen of Wabash. Journal Photo. $25 Reward As a public service, The Plattsmouth Journal will pay $25.00 in cash to anyone for the apprehension and proof of theft or destruc tion of Christmas street decorations. During the past two weeks dozens of globes have been taken from decorated trees in front of stores. Not only has thefts spoiled the ap peara ice of Plattsmouth's decora ng efforts, but has cost r-ierchants a good sum for replacement. A group of youths driving a York (17) county license was seen by a Journal em ployee taking lights from one tree but escaped before being apprehended.' Others have been reported to this newspaper. A person would have to be several degrees lower than a snake's belly to stoop to destroying the spirit of Christmas. So bring in the proof and get $25.00 in cash. The Journal will take care of filing charges. tion at ' the Nehawka auditor ium. - Boyd Mayfield, chairman of the site selection committee, told the patrons Monday night that the board might save enough money, because of the location and already installed water line, to add an additional class room and perhaps 2 teachers. It is near the present shop building ! and the athletic field. Members of the site commit tee were Mayfield, Martin Ross, Elmer Stoll, Elmer Fitch, Mal colm Pollard, Ned Nutzman and Fred Hansen. The committee- worked with Freeman Architects of Lincoln in the final recommendation and selection during the, past two weeks. Negotiations have begun on the purchase of the site from Higgens cf Kansas City, Dr. R. R Anderson, Claude O'Conner, and Rev. A. B. Small and daugh ter. Committeemen . expressed themselves at the meeting that no trouble in purchasing the site was contemplated. Money to purchase the site LATTrSBflGDOrir and Elmwood Leader-Echo CASS COUNTY, NEBRASKA, Santa Claus? the game in Elmwood Saturday person who can identify this im- be in an Elmwood store : window ; Schools Close For Christmas This Friday Plattsmouth school will halt for a Christmas vacation Friday with the completion of regular school hours. Students will get a 2-week break in studies and return for classes on Jan. 3, 1955. Most other county schools would break on various days with varying length vacations, some one week, some two. Most Plattsmouth schools were winding up work with pro grams with Christmas themes. Kindergartens were holding programs at various times dur ing the week. Grade school have generally set their Christmas programs and parties for Friday after noon shortly before dismissal for vacation. At the high school, the annu al program will be held at 2 p.m. Friday. A guest reader, Mrs. Ray Norris of Plattsmouth, will give ''The Fourth Wise Man." will come from funds already raised through" mill levies in the past, now being held for build ing purposes. A vote to use funds to purchase the site, which were designated for build ing only, was taken Monday night with 173 voting for using them for the site purchase, three voting against. Though condemnation pro ceedings could be used to obtain the land, the committee said it was hoped that the land could Hp hmiirht. nt n rpasnnnhio nrip without resorting to that meas- j ure The school district, reorgan- ized from old districts 13, li; 18 I and 19 plus the old District 103, i plus parts of two districts in j Otoe County, is now the largest I school district in Cass County.! Reorganization was voted by pa- Irons of the district on Nov. 3, ; 193- J j rresenuy, stuaents m tne ais- tricts are under jurisdiction Of the new District 103 board and are being taught either in old 1-room schools in various dis tricts or being brought to Nehawka. Sot Li U Delivered Twice Weekly THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, Promise A Promise With U. S. Mailmen The word "immediately" has taken on an entirely new meaning for E. E. Vro . man of . Plattsmouth. This is why in 1923 Vro man checked with the Plattsmouth post office about getting mail delivered by city carrier at his home. Certainly, he was told, immediately after he put in a sidewalk ... in fact, they - would start the very next morning after the sidewalk was finished. . , So, in 1923, Vromarr says, he finished the sidewalk as specified. Last Monday, 31 years later, city mail delivery ; started at Vromah's home. Gas Costs More Next Month Natural gas - rates of more than 1,300 Plattsmouth users will go up on Dec. 27 this year. This will be in line with plans or tne tentrai luecuic anu oab tn ii ppnts wr l ood cubic feet of fuel used. - 4 ' : An , ordinance presented by Walter Gleason, manager of the local company, was advanced to second reading Monday night by the Plattsmouth City council and it was expected to be passed establishing the new rate at the next meeting. Gleason told the city council Monday night that the Central Electric and Gas Company was asking for no raise in rates, on behalf of itself' and that none of the proposed additional charge will go to the Northern Natural Gas Company, the pipe line company. The raise in rates is now before the Federal Power Commission for approval. Until the proposal is acted upon, the raise in rate will be collected by the gas com pany under bond to be returned if the new rate is not established by the federal government. A previous raise asked by the gas company, which was col lected under bond beginning Nov. 27, 1952, was refused and is now under a process of being figured out by the company for refunding to customers. This re fund, which may amount to be tween four and five cents per 1,000 cubic feet of -gas used, will be made as soon as the figuring can be completed and court ap proval made. Plattsmouth Motors Auction Is Tonight A used car auction will be held in Plattsmouth Thursday night for- the sale of 25 cars and trucks by the Plattsmouth Motor Company, it has been an nounced. Safe opens at 7 p. m. Thursday j with selling by Auctioneer Frank Sorrell of Syracuse, be ginning at 7:3Q. Plattsmouth Motors have an nounced that they will also trade at the auction and urge inspection up to sale time. Terms will be one-third of auction price with balance on monthly payment if needed. Attends Meeting In Grand Island L. A. Caldwell, of Caldwell Linder Funeral Home, drove to Grand Island Wednesday morn- ing where he attended a meet- nS f .ihTLgislU C, tee of the Nebraska Funeral Di- actors Association. The group lne? .Proposed - changes m Nebraska's mortician laws to bnn them up-to-date. . Zi Z Car Lot IO Open A new USed car lot will open in Plattsmouth on Friday ac- cording to an announcement by 1 the onerators Fink and Sharp will begin op eration of the lot on Friday dealing in all makes and models. The lot will buy, sell or trade used cars at 516 Chicago avenue, Plattsmouth. to More Than 3000 Cass 1954 Wiysel Auto New Packard Dealer Here Ray Wiysel, veteran Platts mouth automobile executive, has been appointed Packard dealer at his Wiysel Auto Service here, Clara E. Briggs, vie president of Packard announced this week. Wiysel left Tuesday for Dal las, Tex., where he was present on Wednesday for the first showing of the 1955 Packard models. Highlight of activities planned for an open house celebration in Plattsmouth about Jan. 17 in the dealer's show room on J& . "OX. s'V m ii Ulliliif Ray Wiysel Chicago avenue, will be the first showing of the Packard luxury line. Wiysel has been in the auto mobile business since 1938 when he entered at Wahoo. Well known in civic as well as automotive circles, Wiysel is the present fire chief, having been elected chief by the Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department members this week. He has been a member of the organization for the past 15 years. The. agency will now be a dual one, handling both the Stude baker ' and Packard lines. The Plattsmouth designation is one of the first dual franchises es tablished under the Studebaker Packard program. "This will give us two lines of passenger cars which are- com plementary and non-competitive," Wiysel said. "Thus we have complete coverage of the pas senger car market, with models in every price field." King, Queen at , t'Kltwi -T : : lw:.i a i : t. . v. WfM "'rA Elected king and queen at the F. F. A.-F. H. A. Christmas party in the high school auditorium Monday night were Ruth Bruns and Roger Hild (under the crown). Betty Morris (left) and Doris Ehlers were attendants to the queen, and Roger Wehr bein attendant to the king. Havely Sayers, honor attendant to the king, was not present for the picture. " It was the first F. r. A. F. H. A. Party in Plattsmouth, because the farm group was or ganized here only last fall. Jeurnal photo. County Families FIVE CENTS PER COPY Dtn(s u u Chamber of Commerce Points Out Advantages of Shopping at Home Christmas shopping conveniences were numerous in Plattsmouth this weejc as the holiday turned toward the last stretch of hurried completion of plans to buy gifts for the nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. And the other folks you almost forgot. Santa Clus was even attending to his business in an intense manner as he prepared for the rush. He had put a helper in downtown Plattsmouth on duty every night at the gas company offices. Plattsmouth merchants are Red Cross Gets 101 Pints in Elmwood, Drive As a joint effort of several ;Xr"1t"- ,r 101 pints of blood were contrib uted to the Red Cross bloodmo bile Monday. The goal of 120 wasn't reached because 49 per sons failed to appear for their appointments. As it was, 115 persons appeared but 14 of them were- rejected because of the sniffles, high blood pressure or bother causes. A physical examination is given l-all -donors : to-insure against them having a reaction or pass ing along diseases to the recip ients. Mrs. Emily Gonzales of Elm wood, temporary chairman of the blood drive, was in charge of the operation. Voluntary nurses who helped were Mrs Ralph Dreamer of Alvo, Mrs. Donlan of Eagle, .and Mrs. Rich ard Pratt and Viola Bornemeier of Elmwood. Lunch - was served by the Legion ' Auxiliary, Mrs. Vincent Phillips, president. Dale FleischmanV commander of the American Legion post, was in charge of procuring help for loading of equipment, etc. Drs. O. E. LLston and Glen. D. Knost of Elmwood. helped give the ex aminations. James Assigned as Fighter Mechanic Airman 3c Johnny R. James, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer James of Platsmouth," has been assigned to Amarillo. air force base in Texas as a student jet fighter mechanic. He was trans ferred to Amarillo from Lack land A.F.B., Texas. He is a graduate of Platts mouth high school. Amarillo is the nation's only training cen ter devoted exclusively to the training of jet fighter and bomber mechanics. Monday Party t v' 'A '4 ',?T'-"' 1JJ S' t M MS "A X- i 1 '' ! , ... - 3: 3 Ai A PUBLISHED Monday - Thursday SEMI - WEEKLY NUMBER 7 adding to the 'convenience of' last-week shoppers by stretch ing the shopping days. Original ly, plans had been made to stay open at night only through the last week before Christmas, but a change for further conven ience was made this week and Plattsmouth business will stay open the remaining evenings including tonight (Thursday . and Friday. Stores will be open as usual on Saturday night. It is an added effort by Plattsmouth merchants and businesses to ease the last minute shopping efforts of their customers. The Chamber of Commerce and merchants have urged the people of Plattsmouth to take advantage of the convenience offered by this added service, "Your hometown merchants have established their busines ses for the purpose of service the public in and around Platts mouth," Charles Allen, manager of the Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce said today. . "Show your appreciation to those mer chants for their efforts directed toward giving you better ser vice. Why shop out of town, adding to cost by travel plus frustration in traffic and facing parking problems, overcrowded stores and streets, picked over merchandise, impersonal serv ice and frayed nerves?" He asked. 'This is something to keep in mind, not only during the Christmas season, but during the entire year," he continued. "Your home town merchants are interested in satisfied cus tomers and will give every con sideration at their disposal to serve the people of Plattsmouth. Merchants and business men of Plattsmouth are constantly striving to make service better," he said. The Chamber of Commerce, the organization of Plattsmouth business men, merchants and civic leaders, sponsor for cus tomer benefit various activities such as special sales promotions, barbeques, banquets and other community activities, Allen pointed out. "They aer interest ed in you and want you to be come interested in them and their services," he said. Allen pointed out the dif ficulty of making exchange of gifts if purchases are made . outside Plattsmouth ind noted the First Charge Sj'stem is in operation for the benefit of customers. ' Plattsmouth has all the ad vantages of big city shopping plus," he finished. Pvt. Roloff Soon Home on Leave Pvt. Bill Roloff Private Bill Roloff. son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Roloff of Omaha, will; be home from basie train ing at Ft. Bliss, Tex., early in January. He is a graduate of Platts mouth high school, class of 1952, and wbrked in the Burling ton shops in Omaha before his induction. Journal Want Ads Fay- onlv 7 wwppinqaavsil m wrtsTmasiw A , a .