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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 17, 1957)
i mtmrn'm w mm 1X23. STAT- U-T' 1500' It ST. liscoln, t-Ba; DTM JJflDtUKRIM. CASS COUNTY'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER Time (Platu PUBLISHED SEMI-WEEKLY Monday-Thursday Consolidated With the Nehawka Enterprise end Elmwood Leader-Echo Read Twice Weekly by More Than 3500 Cass County Families VOLUME 76 SIXTEEN PACES PLATTSMOUTH, CASS COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1957 TEN CENTS PER COPY NUMBER 95 IFire Building To Be Enlarged The City Council Monday ni ght agreed in a unanimous mo tion to enlarge the present fire building In preparation for the new 750-gallons-u-mlnute pumper truck with aerial ladder equip ment which Is on order. Eight feet will be added to the east end of the two existing truck stalls. This, it is said, will make room for the new large truck In one stall and allow 'Riser' Request Is Required In connection with the District 14 sanitary sewer project pend ing here, the City Council Mon day night instructed the city at torney to prepare a form which property owners will have to use to request "risers" on sewer laterals. The attorney advised the coun cil to have installation of these inspected by the project Inspec tor, marked on the inspection map and assessed to property owners along with the other pro ject costs. The written requests and the agreement to have the cost added to the assessment will be filed with the city clerk. Verdict 'Guilty' in Rape Case A jury District Court of 3 women and 9 men here Monday returned a verdict of guilty a gainst Gene Raymon Haswell, 26, Plattsmouth, on a charge of statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl. i The Jury went Into delibera tion at 4:20 p.m. and returned its verdict at 7:50 p.m. No date has been set for sen tencing. The charge carries penalty of from 3 to 20 years. Haswell is free on $2,500 bail bond. The defense has 10 days in which to file a motion for new trial If it desires. Haswell was arrested in com pany with the girl at a farm home northwest of here March 1 by Sheriff Tom Solomon. He was arraigned March 2 in Coun ty Court and pleaded not guilty. At a preliminary hearing Mar ch 11, County Judge Raymond J. Case bound Haswell over to District Court. At the trial Monday. Solomon Shrader Rhoden (deputy who accompanied Solomon the day of the arrests) and the girl were witnesses for the state. Haswell was the only defense witness. Two exhibits used by the state as evidence were documents purporting to be statements! given to the sheriff by Haswell after his arrest. Serving on the jury were Fore man Ernest M. Gruber, Fred Knuppel, Eric J. Charling, Rich ard L. O'Donnell, Norman C. McKerlie, Mrs. Margaret Gar rens, Omar J. Persinger, Mrs. Betty Morehead, Mrs. Dixie Buchloz, J. A. Sterling, Gerald Switzer, and Gilbert Armstrong. County Atty. James Begley was attorney for plaintiff, Fran cis Casey for defendant. FHA Has D istrict Co nvention NEHAWKA Officers Installed at the District were Con- vention of Future Homemakers of America at Nehawka School Saturday. One-hundred and fifty-six FHA members were present for installation of: president Susan Schneider, Auburn; vice pres ident Judy George, Waverly; secretary Marge Grosshans, Plattsmouth; historian Jane Dietl, Nehawka; reception chair man, Mary Lou Rickman, Louisville; song leader Mary Ellen Day, Barneston; publicity chairman Alta Hardin, Tecum seh. District candidates are: for president, Miss Grosshans; for first vice president, Carol Mc Lean, Auburn. Mary Lou Briley was mistress of ceremonies during the lunch eon program. Rose Wanek was guest speaker. In the talent program. Sue Johnson sang and Miss Briley gave a reading. room for fire equipment work toward the rear of the other stall. The third fire truck will have to be housed elsewhere. Council man Louie Swoboda, also a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept., said the department is prepared to seek other housing for the third truck. Swododa represented the fire department's Interest in the dis cussion. In connection with the addi tion to the fire building, the city will take steps to eliminate a bad drainage situation In the street department's equipment yard. A catch basin and drain tile to connect with the storm sewer in 5th Street will be pro vided. It was thought the project may be started within a week. The fire department vounteer ed to furnish all the labor In connection with the building add ition. Swoboda said the department has heen discussing building additions for some time, looking ahead to the time when the city becomes a city of the first class and some paid firemen will be maintained. He said living quarters then would have to be provided. Delegation from Weeping Water at Commission Meet A delegation of three persons from Weeping Water appeared at the Board of County Comm issioners meeting Tuesday in answer to an evident rumor that the secondary road east of Weep ing Water was being dropped as a federal aid project. They were told by the com missioners that there is no know ledge here of the project being dropped. As far as the board knows, It will be the first of the federal aid matching projects. The delegation of three, led by Attorney Mrs. W. L. Dwyer, presented a petition of 48 signers saying: "We the undersigned urge and highly recommend the completion of plans for the fed eral aid secondary highway lead ing east from the City of Weep ing Water regardless of the opinion expressed and other wise by those with no knowledge of the necessity of this road. ." Fund for Historical Society Museum in County Grows Under the leadership of Dr George Gilmore, T. H. Pollock and A. D. Tidd the Cass County Historical Society was founded and subsequently planned for a museum in which to preserve the valuable relics and records of this county. The present membership is continuing to work toward this goal set by our founders. There is a drive for funds in progress at the present time in the care of Miss Grace Livingston of Plattsmouth, and many individ uals and organizations have been contacted by letter and appeals have appeared in this paper from time to time. Gifts con tinue to come in. The Goldenrod Study Club of Mynard community started the V.,, i DISTRICT FHA OFFICERS Shown above are the newly-installed officers of District 8 of the Nebraska Future Homemakers of America. Installation was at district convention at Ne hawka High School Saturday. Left to right are: Marilyn Bird, Eagle, publicity chairman; Judy George, Waverly, vice president; Susan Schneid- I ) V. ,n r ;'. - 1 i , ; f V i I ' ' TEACHERS, TOWNSPEOPLE MEET Plattsmouth teachers and people of the town met, dined together and had a get-acquained ses sion Monday night at the high school. It was the annual Chamber of Commerce Teacher - Teachers Guests at 'Mixer' Plattsmouth Business and pro fessional folks and their wives were hosts to the teachers of the Plattsmouth schools at a mixer Monday evening. It was a buffet affair under the supervision of the Women's Division of the Chamber of Cobi merce. Serving at the buffet table were Helen Lessman, Hellen Ei tmg, Mrs. Marie Richards, Mrs. Thelma Baker, Dean Dunham, and Cecil Karr. Head cooks for the evening were Sam Am and Dale Bow man, which probably accounts for the sudden illness of Chris Bulin, immediatly after having eaten. He was taken backstage where an emergency operation was preformed by Dr? Merlin Jochimsen. This medical feat was silhouetted for the viewing of the guests and was received with laughs and "Ahs", depen ding upon the reaction of the viewers. After this emergency had passed, the evening was spent playing games. Federated club cooperation by pledging $25 a year for three years. It is the sincere hope of the Historical Society the Coun ty Women's Clubs will also see the need for the museum and take the development of its pro gress as one of the clubs pro jects. Some clubs have already contributed to the financial sup port and have developed a per sonal Interest In the society. ' Some of the oldest families in the County are represented in these county clubs. Their in terest and membership would be of great value in helping to pre serve the early day relics. The Historical Society is as sured of a considerable sum through bequests, but more is (Continued on Page Three) Auburn Mew O Bridge County Atty. James Begley Tuesday gave the County Board of Commissioners a new opinion which might change the picture in the controversy about a coun ty section line bridge near here. Begley said in his opinion that "if the adjacent landowners are making no objections thereto (to the opening of the section line as a rcadi that as a matter of good business judgement, this bridge should not be removed until a final determination is made upon opening the section line. If the road is subsequent ly opened, the ratification will be complete and the claims for the construction of the bridge can then be allowed". In a previous opinion, the att orney had advised that the brid ge was unauthorized, should be removed and a labor claim for its construction not allowed. The bridge was built this year across 4-Mile Creek southwest of Plattsmouth. Subsequently property owners petitioned for opening the road. Begley's opinion further said that since his first opinion "A petition has been filed for the opening of said section line and in view of such additional facts the question now arises as to whether the board can now ra tify the act of Commissioner (William) Nolte and thereby val idate the construction of the bridge". He cited law cases supporting such ratification by county St. John's Staff Goes To Institute The teaching staff of St. Johns School attended the parochial school teachers institute in Lin coln, Monday. Teaching Staff of St. John's School attending were: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Przudzik, Rt. Rev. Msg. Joseph Tupy, Rev. Victor Stachowiak. Sisters M. Janette, M. Annalita and M. Angelina. Rt. Rev. Msg. Przudzik conduc ted one session, "Teaching Sci ence in Elementary Schools." t- - s I . : t , ... .' f '! ftilhtfiii-IWitflMililif'--1'-'- -liir'itia er, Auburn, president; Jane Dietl, Nehawka, historian; Alta Hardin, Tecumseh, parliament arian; Marge Grosshans, Plattsmouth, secre tary; and Mary Ellen Day, Barneston, song lead er. The girls were elected last summer during a workshop at Crete. Most are presidents of their own local chapters of FHA. Merchant - Mixer. Shown above during the Mixer, left to right, are: William Shiel, John Svoboda, Mr. and Mrs. William Templeman, Mrs. Svoboda and Mrs. Shiel. pinion Bn ffair boards and added: "Since the county board had full authority to open this section line and pro vide for construction .of said bridge in the first place, had the action been regularly taken, it is my conclusion that if the board subsequently opens the section line and ratifies the construction of the bridge, this ratification will relate back to the original act." , Road Hearing Set Nov. 20 Hearing o.i a petition to the Board of County Commissioners to open section line road 3 miles south and about 2 west of here will be Nov. 20 afternoon. Persons wanting to file dam age claims connected with the proposed opening will have un til noon to file them. The hearing will be held when the board reconvenes for its after noon session. The road is one which has been in contention among the board for several weeks. A bri dge was built across 4-Mile Creek on the section line beyond the extent of the road now open. Subsequently, a petition of ad jacent property owners asked opening of the road. Too, the board asked the coun ty attorney for an opinion on the bridge and he advised that it was unauthorized and should be removed. A claim for payment for labor to construct the bridge should not be allowed, he said. Sewer Project Here Dropped A 4-block sanitary sewer pet itioned by persons controlling 16 of 30 lots which might have been affected by such a sewer was "dropped" by the City Council by a unanimously-passed mo tion Monday night. It was proposed for 17th Street and 3rd to 16th. City consulting engineer Doug las McKnight of Lincoln, estim ated the cost of the project at $4,175. The individual lot of assess ment would have averaged near ly $140. McKnight's estimate was bas ed on low bid prices submitted at the letting for District 14 san itary sewers Sept. 23. The city attorney said seven of the affected lots are involved in tax foreclosure proceedings. The petitioners had hoped the project might be approved and constructed along with the Dis trict 14 work. evils'. Students By KATHY JOHNSON PHS Senior President Once again the time is draw ing near for the big event of the football season, homecoming, Friday, Oct. 18 is the big day. The whole school is burst ing with enthusiasm and antici pation. As the students go to their classes there Is a murmur of, "What are you wearing? yblle- ysftem Deer Killed by Car on U. S. 34 NEHAWKA A 100-pound doe deer was killed when struck by a car a mile east of Nehawka corner on U. S. 34 early Monday morning. The deer was killed in stantly when struck by a car owned by Phyllis Wright of Nebraska City. The car sus tained major damage to the grill and radiator. Sheriff Tom Solomon pick ed up the deer and turned it over to the a rendering com pany for disposal. . Steps Near In Flood Control Plan Two important steps in pre first paring for construction of dams In this area's flood con trol program may soon be taken as a result of negotiations now progressing toward a climax. Monday night the City Coun cil received a draft of a propos ed easement from the Missouri Pacific Railroad which would pave the way for construction of a dam in the 1st Avenue-rail road tracks area. The draft was referred to the flood control administration's consulting engineer, Lee Jack son of the Soil Conservation Service at Syracuse. If It is approved, the final major deterrent to getting that project contracted will have been removed. Flood Control Administrator Paul Fauquet said he has asked Jackson for a re port by the Oct. 28 meeting of the Council. An easement is needed from the railroad because one end of the dam would be on railroad right-of-way and some right-of way could be within the emer gency flood storage area. inis aam, iu-a, would serve an area taking in the bigger part of the Washington Avenue watershed. The other step which is im minent is on dam 18-A, to serve the Shop area. It would be lo cated about 2 miles southeast of the city. Fauquet said the University of Nebraska Board of Regents is expected to consider an ease ment on property adjacent to that proposed dam Saturday. If these easements are obtain ed, he said, a contract letting could be expected by about Jan. 1 for work next spring. Federal funds for flood con trol are in hand as well as some of the local assessments. Fau quet said other local funds might have to be collected as assessed some time ago in order to get the project started. Flood control has been sought here since application was first made for federal assistance in 1955. The two initial dams might cost about $30,000, Fauquet es timated. There will be 9 when the program is completed. THE WEATHER Compiled for the Plattsmouth Journal at the Masonic Home Weather Station, Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Oct. U, 15, 16, 1957. Date High Low Prec. Monday 70 46 .00 Tuesday 76 56 .40 Wednesday 76 42 .00 Forecast: High near 70. Lows tonight in 40 s. Warmer tem peratures Friday. Sun sets tonight at 5:41. Sun rises Friday at 6:39 a.m. "Who are you going with?" "Think we'll win?" The big question, of course, is who will the king and queen be?" The voting takes place dur ing the week. The girls are nominated by the football boys and the boys are nominated by the pep club. All the nominees are voted on by the school and the results are not known unvll the dance at night. mrifcrv u Scouting Is Still Growing The Covered Wagon Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Nebraska will open its finance campaign Oct. 23. Carl Schnei der Is chairman for the Platts mouth portion of the drive. "Almost one out of every three boys of Cub Scouting age in in America now belongs," ac cording to Dr. Arthur A. Schuck chief Scout executive of the Boy Scouts of America. "Better than one out of everv four boys of scouting age belongs' and In the group of Explorer age 14 and older we have the remarkable result of reaching one out of every eight," he said. The Covered Wagon Council serves 12,000 boys in 450 units through eight districts in north east Nebraska. The south district of South O maha, Sarpy County, Platts mouth and Louisville serves a bout 1,550 Scouters. Membership in the Covered Wagon Council is up 750 from last year as 53 new Cub, Boy Scout and Explorer units were organized. The local leaders and drive sponsors have asked the comm unity's help In making the cam paign a success. Rev. Nees Is Missioner Guest Here The Rev. Martin Nees, Kansas City, Kans., has been named Guest Missioner for First Luther- ran Evangelism Week here. The week of Oct. 20. He is pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Kansas City. The Rev. Mr. pastor of Faith Nees has been Lutheran since REV. MARTIN NEES 1948. He came to Kansas City after establishing a circuit of preaching stations in the moun tains of Colorado and organizing Bethlehem congregation in Lake wood, a suburb of Denver. He served that congregation for If, years. Pastor Nees is a grad uate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., class of 1924. During Mission Week, Pastor Nees, will conduct special eve ning services. These services are scheduled for 8 p.m. The general theme upon which Pas tor Nees will be speaking will be "Christ Is For All". Hot Lunch Program For School Here The hot lunch program for St. John's Parochial School here has been approved by the gov ernment and allocations of food have been made. The program is expected to be in operation soon. Down the halls there are pieces of blue and white crepe paper, which is a trail to the gym where the pep club girls are busy decora ting for the dance, which follows the game. All the football bovs and our coaches, Burdette Hansen, John Adkins, Cecil McKnight, and Stan Cole are working to pre pare the boys for our strong, '-$0 X ' ' ' : X 'A Eye H Book The City Council Is consider ing revamping its bookkeeing system after an audit of ac counts of the city offices re ported at the regular Monday night Council meeting. The accounting firm of Karr and Sochor presented its audit for the period May 1, 1954, to April 30, 1956, and made com ments on the cHy's system of accounting and recommenda tions for its improvement. An offer by the firm to assist the rity in setting up a new set of book Is under consideration by the Coun cil. Councilniembers at the meeting favored such a move but a decision was de layed so that Councilman Ray Moore who was absent could be consulted. Moore is chairman of the Council's finance committee. Karr & Sucher recommended that a double-entry bookkeep ing system be Installed to show receipts by source for each fund and to show expenditures by kind for each fund. This would enable the city clerk-treasurer to determine the receipts by source and expendi tures by kind at the end of each month's accounting period for month and year to date figures, the firm said. Other recommendations: There were 33 funds as of April 30, 1956. It is recommend ed that they be reviewed and consolidated where feasible under existing city and state statutes. It is recommended that all transfer of funds be approved by the council at their meeting and be Included In the minutes of the cocuncil. It is recommended that a "work order" system, In cluding accounts receivable ledger be set up showing amount of charges includ ing labor, rental of equip ment, material and supplies used for individuals by the city for which it should b? reimbursed. This record would show char ges made, amounts paid and balances due the city. It would be a supplemental record and the income would not be re ported until paid and receipt issued. It is recommended that an inventory be taken of capital assets owned by the city and that records be set up and maintained showing the addi tions and disposals of assets. This would enable city officials to determine if insurance car ried is sufficient to cover city assets. And in order to get an accur ate statement of receipts and expenditures for each fund it is recommended that receipts and expenditures for each fund be credited or charged to only one fund, instead of being credited or charged to several funds. This would facilitate pre paration of the budget for the next fiscal year. The Karr & Sochor audit is a 48-page document Including exhibits of points made In a 3-page recommendations sup plement. The firm said it found only minor discrepancies in the ac counts and that its recommen dations were intended to make the city's bookkeeping system easier and more useful. The Council approved the bill of $800 for the audit. The a mount was set by council action before the work started. Discussion of the audit took more than two hours and the council's session lasted from 7:30 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. A Classified Ad in The Journal casts as little as 50 cents omecoming opponent, Bellevue. All the "De vils" are readv to meet their foe Friday night. Last year's queen and kinn, Sharon Harbaugh Cundall and and Mike Lewis will be on hand to crown the new king and queen. Everyone is looking forward to seeing all the alumni at the Same and dance.