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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1962)
ss PUBLISHED SEMI-WEEKLY Monday-Thursday JAN 16 1982 Consolidated With the Nehawka Enterprise and Elm wood Leader-Echo Read Twice Weekly by More Than 3500 Cass County Families VOLUME 81 EICHT PACES PLATTSMOUTH, CASS COUNTY. NEBRASKA MONDAY, JANUARY 15. 1962 TEN CENTS PER COPY NUMBER Mrs. Svoboda's 1897 First School Taught Here In 1856' Hy Kuth Miller Nehawka Special Correspondent I called on Mrs. Hcrmie Svob oda this week. The Svobodas are cne of the oldest of the many Bohemian families who came to Platt.smouth quite early. While I was there, I took time to read the Plattsmouth "Eve ning News" a paper dated Octo ber 8, 1807. Following is an ex cerpt from that paper which tell.s the history of Plattsmouth schools. "Platt.smouth boasted of a school house almost as soon as the town was settled for we find that the settlements were made In 1853-4 and the 1st school was taught by Miss Mary Stocking In 1856. "The first school house was built on Gospel Hill. It was a frame building and was also used as a court house. "In the year 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Gorell had charge of what was called the city school, situated on the south side of Main Street. The school was after re moved to the north side of Main street, the building occupied be ing about where Gering's drug store now stands. This was taught by a Mr. White. "By 1861, the attendance had reached 214 pupils. Four teach ers were employed. The prin cJpal received $37.50 per month and the other teachers $20.50 per month each. "It was common practice to ferule children upon the hand. In ona instance, the teacher was in the habit of detaining from 5 to 10 pupils frequently for this purpose, and as no teacher could punish a pupil without the presence of an other teacher there was quite a rivalry as to who could escape from the building without being called to witness the punish ment." It is interesting, too, to note some of the advertisers in this early paper: Smith and Parme le, druggists; Wurl and Coffey, cloaks; James Rebal, Broom Manufacturer; C. A. Marshall, Dentist; R. B, Windham, Real Ertate: and Dovey and Sons, carpets and dry goods. Mrs. Svoboda was Just 2 or 3 months old when she came to Plattsmouth in 1879. Her earl iest recollection of the west side of Plattsmouth where she lived was "all woods. There was Just a path back and forth to the. business district and the shops." She went to the Sec ond Ward school and later to the Central Building in the days when High School Hill was still covered with brush. Plattsmouth's first doctor was Doc. Livingston or rather Doc tors Livingston for there were Dr. Robert, Dr. Theodore (T.P.) and Dr. Stuart. Later came Dr. Cummins and Dr. Cook. Mrs. Svoboda's father and brothers formed the Janda Band quite early. Among the band members were 4 of the Jandas Tom, Cyril, Anton, Frank. The band played for dances, weddings, and marched School of Christian Living In February at Weeping Water The Cass County School of Christian Service will be held in the Weeping Water Congrega tional Church the first three Thursday evenings in February. This school is under the spon sorship of the Cass County Council of Churches. The Rev. Frank Schroeder of Elmwood will be Dean of the School and Mrs. Eldon Mendenhall of Elmwood, registrar. The curriculum of the school will include four courses. They are "Christian Faith Encounters Communism" which will be taught by the Rev. Elton P. Gar rison of Omaha. The Rev. Mr. Garrison has served a number of years as a missionary in Japan, where he has been able to ob serve some of the activities of the communistic organization in the orient. A course on the Bible. "The Prophets and their Message" will be taught by Dr. Raleigh Peter son, professor of Religion in the Cotncr School of Religion in Lincoln. Dr. Peterson needs no introduction, for his ability is well known in the Cass County School, for he has taught in pre vious years. A course for teachers of chil dren will be taught by Mrs. Paper Says: out to the cemetery for funerals. The Jandas were Instru mental in building the beauti ful Holy Rosary Church in west Plattsmouth. Among its earliest members were Jandas, Svob odas, Koubeks and Kalaseks. Rev. Francis Bobal was the first Catholic Bohemian to wet tie in Plattsmouth. He was fol lowed by Joesph Ilra-sky in 1875, John Svoboda in 1876, Anton Kanka, John Fiala, John 1 Krouhlik, John Kashil, John I Korecky, James Skoumal, Joseph Kalasek, Joseph Novot ney, Frank Rezanina, Andrew Nitka and Thomas Janda in 1877. Under Reverend E. Boushka, this group brought, three lots in Duke's Addition from John Svoboda for $300. The new church was dedicated October 4, 1891. Mrs. Svoboda also told about Mikulas, the Bohemian chil dren's Santa Claus. Comparable to the German's "Bellsnickle" he brought switches for the naughty boys and girls and a treats for the good ones. Some cousins of Mrs. Svob oda's were pretty sure they were due for a whipping one time and when Mikulas and Barborki came they ran and hid under the bed. When he searched for them he siid the bed over to see if anyone was under it and the kids scooted along with It so that he wouldn't find them. Mrs. Svoboda's daughter, Dor othy Pilny, recalls that Mikulas still came when she was a girl but they weren't quite so fierce then and never gave anyone a switch. Mrs. Svoboda lives with her daughter in west Plattsmouth. Dorothy is the church organist and has been for many years. She took over right after her uncle, Cyril Janda who held that job for 42 years. Cyril was the,, one, who from memory worked out the music of the old Czech hymns for the Congrega tion to use. Mrs. Svoboda also has two sons. Theodore Is an electric ian in Omaha and John is the tall genial teller you've chat ted with in the Plattsmouth Bank. Mrs. Svoboda represents two of the prominent Bohemian families of Plattsmouth. They certainly deserve recognition and thanks for they played a large part in the building of the city. Larry Austin Hurt In Sled Accident Larry Austin, teenage son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Austin, was taken to Children's Mem orial Hospital in Omaha Sunday after a sledding accident. Larry's sled hit a parked car, and it was thought at first he had Just knocked some teeth out, but it was learned later during the examination he had injured his spleen. He was taken to surgery where they removed the spleen Sunday night. Verna Glantz of Elmwood. This course, "Children and the Bible" will seek to help teachers to know the purpose and principles as well as ways in making the Bible an effective guide book for children. A special course for youth only will be taught by the Rev. Don ald Marsh of Papillion. This course entitled, "Preparing for Christian Marriage and Home Life," will seek to help youth face the problems dating, marri age and home life from the Christian Piont of view. The Rev. Mr. Marsh is a recognized leader of youth. Although the school Is spon sored by the cooperating churches of the Cass County Council, it is open to the public. Member churches will pay group registration fees, but individuals may enroll, paying a small fee. Classes will begin each of the three evenings at 7:30 and close at 9:30. This school is fully ac credited through the State Council of Churches, and mem ber churches of the Cass County Council, with full recognition by the Denominational Boards. The Rev. I. C. G. Campbell is the pastor of the host church. 'Crime Holds Its Own7 in css County Incidence of crime in Cass County in 1961 "held its own," according to a statement in the year-end report by Sheriff Tom Solomon. Vehicle accidents of a charg able nature, however, were down by 100, from 325 in 1960 to 225 in 1961. Nine traffic deaths occurred in the county last year, one more than the toll the year before. In juries rose from 140 in 1960 to 151 last year, in spite of the fact there were 100 fewer accidents of a chargable nature. Other observations in the Sher iff's annual report: DROWNINGS There was only one drowning last year for the second straight year, after four in 1960. Last year, the largest number of persons in history used waters of Cass County for recreational purposes. TAX COLLECTIONS - The current delinquent tax collection drive was begun in October by the Sheriff's Office and so far $21,281.99 has been remitted to the County Treasurer. In 1960, a 96 per cent collection record was reached among taxpayers living within jurisdiction of the Sher iff's Office. COUNTY JAIL Lawbreakers had less experience with the con fines of County Jail the past year. A total of 1,818 days were "layed out" by persons convict ed of crimes, comrjared with 2,150 days in 1961. COURT FINES Fines collect ed by County Court decreased to $28,490 the past year from $34, 947 the previous year. JUVENILES In 1961 only nine children were brought into juvenile court, one more than in 1960. OFFENSES REPORTED FROM CITY-VILLAGE AND RURAL AREAS, in 1961 rob bery, city-village one; rape, city village, one; attempted molesta tion, city-village, one, and rural one; auto theft, four; breaking! and entering (businesses, homes, cabins, cars, etc), city-village, 12, and rural 12; larceny, city village, 7, and rural, 7; check passers arrested, 21; arrested for breaking and entering, 11; arrested for drunk driving, 23 (1960, 29). NIGHT PATROL Full patrol ling of the county commenced the past year. This was asked by groups of citizens holding meet ings in the western part of the county and asking for a man for night patrol. The Sheriff listed these rea sons it was felt a man for such patrol was necessary: "1. Improved roads and more traffic in the county nights. "2. Do to a shortage of State Troopers they are off duty at a certain hour of the night. "3. The location of Cass Coun ty in regard to the adjoining areas of Lincoln and Omaha the FBI in its 1961 report on crimes showed that the Omaha Lincoln area produced 4,702 major crimes during that year, or 14 major crimes occurring every day in the two major areas bordering Cass County. Therefore, it was a 'must' to have some measure of night law enforcement in the county to I keep the criminal element from coming into the county and hav ing free run. One man on duty at night in a county the size of Cass County may seem like a drop in the bucket but it has shown strong effects." Decision on Liquor License Appeal Pending Judge John M. Dierks Thurs day in District Court here heard evidence and arguments in the case, County of Cass vs. Dennis C. Smith, appeal from ruling of the State Liquor Commissi6n. The County Board of Commis sioners appealed the ruling of the Liquor Commission which granted Smith an off-sale beer li cense for a location near the Platte River. The County Board had recommended that the li cense" be denied. Counsel for the Board was County Attorney James F. Beg ley, for Smith was Francis M. Casey and for the Liquor Com mission was Robert Camp, an Assistant Attorney G e n e r al. Camp did not present any new evidence. Judge Dierks took the appeal under advisement and will an nounce a decision in open court Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. CHAIRMAN Virginia Martin, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Martin and a senior at Plattsmouth High, - is teen-age "Tap" chairman for the New March of Dimes here. Teen agers sponsored a dance Friday for the New March and are planning a "Block o( Dimes" promotion Saturday. Dance-Goers Donate $64 To 'March' Youthful Vigor was added to 1962 New March of Dimes in Plattsmouth Friday when Tap Chairman Virginia Martin and other teenagers conducted a dance at the Plattsmouth high school, which added zip and en thusiasm for the younger set. And, proceeds of $64.30 were vol untarily given to the March of Dimes. Dancing was until 11 and fruit punch was served. Chaperones were teachers, Warren Dyke, Alan Kreglo and Donald Woz niak. Miss Martin, a senior in High School, announced that a block of dimes promotion would be held in Plattsmouth on Saturday, Jan. 20, to be conducted by the FHA. , .. Teenagers have a large stake in the National Foundation's ef fort to wipe out paralytic polio, a disease that hits hard at young people. Miss Martin said, "Now we are fighting two other dis eases that offer even greater challenges, birth defects and arthritis." The Plattsmouth Chairman said that another of the major in terests of the new March of Dimes teen-age Volunteers is the Health Scholarship Program fi nanced by the National Founda tion. Through this program, stu dents are trained in nursing, medical social work, medicine and occupational and physical therapy. Say yes to the New March of Dimes when a Volunteer worker asks for your support, the local organization urges. William H. Kempke, 84, Dies Friday; Funeral Today William Henry Kempke, 84, of rural Avoca, died Friday at Weeping Water. He had been in declining health since suffering a fall Christmas Eve. Funeral for the retired farmer was today at Lett Funeral Home Chapel, Nebraska City, with the Rev. Stanley Rogge officiating. Pallbearers were Frederick Schutz, Dale Plummel, Maynard Kempke, Albert Ropers Jr. and Dean and Darrell Seegel. Burial was in Union Cemetery. Mr. Kempke was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. He was born in Germany May 2, 1877, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kempke. Near relatives surviving are William H. Kempke and Mrs. Henry Johns, both of Dunbar, and Harry Kempke. Call Your News And Social Items to 2141 Lions To Solicit Next Sunday afternoon marks the climax of the Plattsmouth Lions Club drive for signatures on Eye Bank Donor Cards. That afternoon, club mem bers will make house calls with the cards to those wishing to give their eyes to the Eye Bank. Headquarters will be set up in the offices 0f Dr. L. A. Amato and Dr. W. V. Ryan. Persons wishing to sign Donor Cards may come to the office or call either Most County Officials Salaries Ray Story Heads C 'Small Town Can Attract Industry' Small communities, Platts mouth too, can attract industry if they work at it, a veteran Chamber of Commerce man told the local CC at their banquet Thursday night. Orville Roberts, for 15 years manager of the Omaha Cham ber, said small communities "are not foreclosed from indus trial development." He said the most important thing a commu nity can do to prepare to invite industry is "create a climate of community receptivity." He said it takes great effort but the rewards are great, too. He commented that "home grown" industry often succeeds and endures. About Chamber membership and participation, he remarked, "The Chamber of Commerce is not an automatic miracle work er. Success is dependent on the effort put into it by its members actively working. It cannot be done by proxy." Everyone should participate, he said, and all members ought to "pay their fair share" of the financial needs. Work is unify ing, he said. In regard to politics, he said the old concept of strict hands off for Chambers of Commerce is fading. While partisan politics is still off-limits, it is important that the Chamber works to pro tect the free enterprise system that has made America great, Roberts said. About competition from other larger business communities, he said the Chamber's and its mem bers' responsibility istlear: to make the local community the "best shopping town, pound for pound, in Eastern Nebraska." Roberts said the Chamber's civic responsibility is a great one to do everything it can to make the community a better place in which to live. 47 to -7 Range Here By P. J. Dingman Temperatures ranged from 41 to 7 below zero here over the weekend. The low was Thurs day night, the high Friday after noon. Observations: P.M. Day Read. Pres. Hi Lo Thurs. .6:30 22 22 -7 Fri 5:20 34 41 21 Sat 10:40 30 39 23 Sun 6:00 14 30 14 A year ago U. S. high, 81 at Los Angeles; low, 3 below at Caribou, Me.; most precip., 1.41 inches at Huntington, W. Va. Two years ago high, 81 at Orlando, Fla; low, 13 below at International Falls, Minn.; most precip., .69 inch at Milwaukee. Rationing Board Appointed for County 'Emergency' The Ca.ss County Board of Commissioners last week ap pointed a County Rationing Board on suggestion of Gov. Frank Morrison, to function if needed in an emergency. It is a move in conjunction with Civil Defense preparedness. The following were named: George Smith, Plattsmouth; Dwight Clements, Elmwood; Clifford Anderson, Eagle; Harv ey, Koop, Louisville, and Elmer Stoll, Nehawka. 3158 or 2186 requesting a card and a member of the club will immediately bring a card to their home. The office will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. and calls will be ac cepted during those hours. Ray Story of the Plattsmouth Lions Club talked with Dr. J. Hewitt Judd, head of the Opthomology Department of University Hospital in Omaha, Saturday afternoon and was told Kay Story Coin Collectors 'Performing Successfully' The Eye Catching Coin Col lectors prominently displayed in the business section of the city to remind residents of the need for financial support for the New March of Dimes voluntary health program, are performing successfully. Ernie's Bar on South 6th St. leads in the contributions re ceived. Please give to the dime boards and "Join the March of Dimes," drive leaders here urged. The Eagles Auxiliary, with Dorothy Janacek and Honey Cole as chairman are contributing their time by addressing mail appeal envelopes. The Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, distributed the coin collections, and are also planning a dance for Jan. 27 and a silent white elephant auction to be held at their regular meet ing Jan. 16. Mrs. Pearl Myers is in charge of the auction. Herman Groves Dies at 51; Funeral Thursday Herman Groves, 51, who spent most of his life in Plattsmouth, died today at a Nebraska City Hospital after an illness of a year. Funeral will be at 2 .p.m Thursday at Caldwell-Linder Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Nenow of First Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednes day from 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Caldwell-Linder. Mr. Groves was born May 11, 1910, at Bonnots Mill, Mo., son of James and Mattie Groves. He was married to Pauline Hind man. Mr. Groves came h?re from Kansas City in 1935. He spent nearly 24 years with the U.S. Corps of Engineers and several years with Citywide Rock Quar ries at LaPlatte. Ha was a member of First Lutheran Church. Survivors are his wife; five children Raymond, Herman Lee j Jr. and Mary Alice, all of Platts mouth: Gerald Herman of Kirk-; wood, Mo., and Dennis Theodore , of Hartsburg, Mo., four grand- I childrn; three brothers Arthur of Sioux City, William of Chomi ols, Mo., and Walter of Tulsa; and a sister, Mrs. Frank Jaqum of Washington, Mo. 'Si by him that there is at this time a patient in that hospital awaiting at least one eye for a corneal transplant. This patient is just one of four blind persons in Nebraska who are awaiting eyes for such an operation. Dr. Judd is also Medical Direc tor of the Nebraska Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, and a member of the Board of Direc tors of that organization. He is also the co-ordinator of work for of C Here Am, Davis, Smith, Woster Named Directors Ray Story of Kent Motel, Cafe and Service Station Thursday right was named president of the Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce in the Board of Direc tors organizational meeting which followed the annual CC banquet at the Lions Community Building. Clem Woster of Woster Real Estate and Insurance was chosen vice president; George Smith, Smith's Men's Wear, secretary, and Bruce Gold, Western Aulo Associate Store, re-elected treas urer. Woster and Smith were re elected to the Board and Sam Arn of Soennichsens and Steve Davis, Steve Davis Agency, were chosen as new members in the election which preceded the ban quet. Other members of the Board, their terms expiring in 1963 and 1964, are: Boyd Linder, Linder Firestone; Bill Knorr, Knorr's 5 and 10; Vyrl Clark, Lincoln Tel & Tel; Herb Freeburg, Gambles Stores; Lyle Grove, Grove Jew elry; John Schreiner, Schreiner Rexall Drugs; Albeit Young, Young & Jose Builders; and Joe Zastera, Cass Drug. Past President Ted Ohnoutka of Plattsmouth Lumber Co. is automatically a member of the Board for 1962. Retiring members were Dick O'Donnell of Ruback's Super market and Chris Bulin of Soen nichsens. The directors are planning a change in their regular monthly meeting, Chamber Manager R. R. Furse said. Tney will have a luncheon meeting the first Thurs day of each month for a time in an effort to give more time for Board members to take part in planning the Chamber program. The first such meeting will be Thursday at 11:45 at Kent Cafe. Thursday night, Ohnoutka wel comed the banquet-goers and congratulated fellowmembers on a successful year. He pointed to Holiday street lighting as one of the major accomplishments of the Chamber in cooperation with many individuals who also sup ported the program. Furse conducted the shortest business session on record at a Chamber banquet here an -announcement calling attention to the annual report which had been distributed as members ar rived; and entertainment of a motion to change the procedure of election to provide for voting on directors at a special October meeting. That motion carried. It had been recommended to per mit a new Board to function and have its officers in office before the annual meeting. Mrs. Thelma Baker, of Style Beauty Shop, president of the Women's Division of the CC, in troduced her co-officers for this year, Mary Alice Ohlschlager. vice president, and Helen Less man of Cass Drug, secretary. Woster served as toastmaster to introduce Board members, Or ville W. Roberts, the principal speaker, and Mayor Grant Rob erts who spoke on behalf of the city. Vera Solomon of Jochimsen's played orean music during din ner. Commissioners To Meet The Cass County Board of Commissioners will meet Tues day beginning about mid-morning for their regular second Jan uary session. The s e c o n d monthly meeting is regularly a two-day session. 'nor the Nebraska Lions Eye B.ink and the University of Nebraska Col lege of Medicine. At the present time, all trans plants are made by Dr. Judd at the Univers.ty Hospital in Oma ha. Ted Ohnoutka, president of the Plattsmouth Lions Club, Cecil Karr, Deputy District Gov ernor, and Dr. Amato, chairman of the committee heading the drive here anticipate a successful drive here this month. TDeputy Salaries Also Will Rise The Cass County Board of' Commissioners Thursday after parts of several days of di libera tion passed a resolution setting salaries of nine county oll'ickils lor the four-year term of office beginning in January, 1903. Eight officials' .salaries were fet at $5,200 a year; the ninth, County Surveyor, was set at $5,000. Setting of salaries is a .statu tory requirement of the Hoard and tlu last State Legislature raised the minimum salary of elected county officials to $5,000. Salaries now in effect, set by a County Hoard in 19.'H, range froni $3,60(1 to $4,600. The new .statutory require ment also calls for officials' de puties to receive a minimum of 75 per cent of the ollicial's pay in each office where a d "puty is employed. For most d 'put .es, this will be an increase from about $265 to about $325 a month, beginning in 1963. An exception arc Sheriff's deputies who are on a separate schedule at present. The County Judge's salary I .set separately by statute and not, .subject to the Board, for Cass County is now $6,000. All county offices at present have deputies except those of Surveyor and Superintendent of Schools. The salary comparison: Effective Jan., 1963 Present Attorney $ Assessor Clerk Clerk of District Ct. Register of Deeds . Supt. of Schools . . Sheriff ( including compensation as Co. Health Officer) Treasurer Surveyor 5.200 $3,600 5,200 4,200 5,200 5,200 5,200 5.200 4,200 4,000 3,900 4,300 5,200 3,900 5,200 4.2f13 5.000 4,000 Dog Search Fruitless An all-day search for a dog which hit a woman here Jan. 4 was still unsuccessful today and Mrs, John Porter of Wintersteen Hill today or tonight was to begin a series of shots to protect her in the event the dog had rabies. Mrs. Porter is expecting a child. Police Chief Fred Teseh today said the police over the weekend investigated additional reports from residents who thought they may have seen the dog. He said one was "close." Mrs. Porter described the dog which bit her in the yard of her home as: medium sized, short haired mixed breed with black back and top of head and yellow ish brown underbody and sides: has a long tail, .short ears and wore a collar with some kind of tags attached. Should the dog still be found, the series of shots might be cur tailed. 'March' Fund Event Planned at Murray MURRAY (Special t - "Polio will be the topic of conversation and if one of these persrns from your neighborhood approaches you, please say "Ye--" to the New March of Dimes, Mrs. Ilav ley Sayers, Murray drive chair man urged. The fol'owing are ns-si-'t i-v : Ray m o n d Lancaster. Boyd Rouse, Mrs. Henry Hobscheidi. Mrs. Chillies Martin, Mrs. Dick Trilsch. Mrs. Laurence Orcg-r. Mrs. Gene Nolte, Mrs. Harold Pice and Dorothy Farri.-- Dana Hoschar is ternac.e chairman here. Smne of the young people met Sunday to Mian a project for "Youth for Polio " Miss Hoschar and Clarissa O rub er will head the project . T.IK WKATIH It Jan. 11. 12, 13, II, 19fi2. Date iligb Low Irer. Thursday 10 -6 .00 Friday 30 12 .00 Saturday 22 11 .00 Sunday 20 2 .00 Forecast: Cloudy and cold Highs 15-20. Sun sets tonight at 5:19; rises Tuesday at 7:48 a m. itxtjii turn tntuti