Iowa Old Press

Allamakee Journal
Lansing, Allamakee co. Iowa
February 3, 1932

Local Editorials - A.D. 1932, A.D. meaning Annus Democraticus, a Democratic year. With acknowledgements to the New York Times.

Official figures show the foreign trade loss in the last two years of the Hoover administration to be $5,126,066,000. No wonder local industries are closed down or running on short time.

HARPERS FERRY NEWS
Don't miss hearing the crooner, Wm. Moore and his Recording Orchestra, playing for a Leap Year Dance at Forester Hall, Feb. 5th. Ladies' dance numbers 50 cents; lady spectators 10 cents; gentlemen 25 cents.

Miss Geneva Meskimen entertained a party of girl friends at her home Wednesday evening. The time was spent playing progressive 500. Those in attendance were: Ferne Boardman, Anna Damon, Mary Frank, Mary Guthneck, Mary Brennan, Teresa Livingston, Bernadette Livingston and Norma Adam. Teresa Livingston received high honors and Ferne Boardman low. After spending a very enjoyable evening, a delicious luncheon was served.

Frank Whalen returned to his work in Kansas City one day last week after a pleasant ­visit with home folks, the Thos. Whalen family.

J.H. O'Neill spent a couple of days at the Michael Corcoran home, returning to Dubuque Tuesday evening, having spent several weeks at the home of his son Henry at Wexford.

HARPERS FERRY SCHOOL NOTES
Wednesday afternoon the Sophomores are debating on the subject, "Resolved, Chain Stores are Detrimental to a Community." Joe Cavanaugh, Margaret Ann Frank and Kate Quillin are on the affirmative side, while Inez Easley, Thomas Cahalan and Theresa Livingston represent the Seniors on the negative.

Win One, Lose One
Our boys' and girls' basketball teams played at Waterville last Friday evening.

Our girls played their usual good game and the outcome was never in doubt, although the Waterville team played good ball and had the best team work of anyone we have gone up against. Score, Harpers Ferry 33, Waterville 19.

Line-ups:
Waterville - Jensen and Spinner, forwards, Ellefson and Hagen, centers, Kinley, McGeough, Pladsen and Wurtzel, guards.

Harpers Ferry - Easley and Guthneck forwards, Adam, Frank and Farley centers, Quillin and Houlihan guards.

The boys' game was a ringer and was anybodys game up to the very last. The score at the half was 8­8. During the third quarter neither team scored. During the last half Frank, Harpers' center, was out on fouls and Waterville went through for the winning score, which was 16 to 9.

The line-ups:
Waterville - Erickson, Kelly and Hagen, forwards, Huff, center, Svebakken, Pederson and Melcher, guards.

Harpers Ferry - Easley and Calvey, forwards, Frank and Valley, centers, Boardman and Traversey, guards.

LANSING NEWS
The Gaunitz Market installed a new electric clock in their shop last week, a gift which Swift & Co. puts out to a number of their good customers in this territory.

The Board of Supervisors, Messrs. John Howes, Henry Quanrude and M.E. Mooney, were Lansing visitors Wednesday of last week, while down this way on official business.

L.U. Towle, former Lansing boy, now Sup't of schools at Detroit Lakes, Minn., writes under date of January 27: "We are having a very fine winter; but three below zero days since Thanksgiving; yet we have good sleighing and fine ice. We ship lots of ice, furnish the Northern Pacific west to the coast. Seeing that Lansing is in the banana belt and can't pack its own ice better let us furnish you. I drove over the new bridge last summer and was glad to see the dream of fifty years come true - it is a wonderfully pretty bridge." Since receiving Len's note, our mild weather changed and on Saturday, Jan. 30, we had 12 below zero.

Wayne Robertson opened up his new pool hall in the old Trayer building, just east of his Black Hawk Cafe. He starts in business with two tables, but will add another if conditions warrant it later on.

Julius Boeckh and Miss Selma Berdel took the latter's uncle, Frank Brunck, of DeSoto, to hospital in Prairie du Chien, one day last week, he having been ill for some time. The old gentleman had $700 in currency on his person when they went to get him to take to hospital.

Miss Agnes Wittke, who has made her home for the past two years with the Henry Marti family near Church, left last Thursday on an extended trip to her old home at Grahs Pomeiske, Germany. The young lady recently became naturalized and plans on returning to America when she tires of her home land.

The Federal Trust Bank in Dubuque, a two million dollar institution, closed its doors last Thursday, giving frozen assets as the cause. Other banks there had small runs but are all open as usual.

V.W. "Pink" O'Connor, promoter of Black Hawk bridge, was here last week with a couple government engineers inspecting the dyke, which he and they both maintain does not need riprapping. Local rivermen think differently, however, and are fearful of what will happen if we ever get our old-­fashioned high water.

LANSING HOUSES SOLD
­Julius Boeckh, the real estate man, made a couple of deals last week. The first was the sale of the Will Nelson home, the old Mrs. Smith house east of the German Presbyterian parsonage, to Mrs. Amelia Buege, the consideration being $600. Mr. Nelson has moved back to his place on the islands.

The second deal was the purchase of the old Pape homestead on Center street by R.W. Carroll, the price being $2000. This is one of the finest homes in Lansing in the early days, a beautiful location, and with needed repairs will again be one of the best houses in town. It is at present occupied by the L. Dehli family, who have until April 1 to vacate. General opinion is that the Carrolls made a wonderful buy, and friends congratulate them on becoming its owners.

Charley Gaunitz was limping around when in town Monday, as a result of a horse stepping on one of his big toes and badly smashing the nail.

LANSING PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTES
Poetry writing seems to have become a common fad in nearby schools. Lansing has a few works which the editor deems worthy of publication. Students were permitted to write any type of poem on any subject. Read 'em and weep.

The Bridge
O'er the mighty Mississippi,
In the little town of Lansing,
Stands the shining bridge of Black Hawk.
Proud beneath it chug the launches,
Race the speedy outboard motors,
Glide the great excursion steamers.
Swift across it speed the autos,
Speed the big and shiny autos,
Speed the old and rattling autos.

-Noreen Batteen

This World
Gone the Indian from the prairies,
Gone the teepees from the valleys,
Gone the buckskins ridden swiftly,
Gone the buffaloes hunted wildly;
Now the paleface hurrying, scurrying,
Now the big trains whistling shrilly,
Now the airplanes droning faintly,
Now the radios catching static,
So is this world in which we live.

-Arthur Magnusson

NEW ALBIN NEWS
On Thursday evening of last week Clem Burke was the victim of a surprise party in honor of his birthday anniversary. Progressive 500 was played at five tables until a late hour, when a delicious luncheon was served. At cards Albert Freuchte won first prize, Mrs. Alvin Wilde the consolation and Mrs. Ledford Irons the guest prize. Mr. Burke was presented with a nice gift in remembrance of the occasion. The following guests were present: Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Twite, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Welsh, Mr. and Mrs. Ledford Irons, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Wilde, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Lenz, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lager, Marcia Baechler, Albert Freuchte, Gretta Lager, Mrs. Otto Hurley, Raymond Higgins, Edward Hannafin and John McCormack. Miss Anna Rouster assisted Mrs. Joe Seigfreid and daughter, Mrs. Burke, with the serving.

[transcribed by E.W., February 2007]

-----

Allamakee Journal
Lansing, Allamakee co. Iowa
February 10, 1932

Editorials
William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor, estimates the number of idle at present to be 8,300,000.
With foreign trade cut in half we hear no more from the Hooverites about keeping up our merchant marine.

HARPERS FERRY NEWS
School Notes - The 8th grade county exams held here Friday, conducted by Miss Irene Cassidy, were written by the following students:
Melvin Traversey, Fern Vickery, Catherine Guthneck, James Frank, Donald Cota, Virgil Hanson, Helma Hanson, Francis O'Hara, Paul Livingston, James Houlihan, Leonard Adam, Anna Damon, Rita Valley, Floyd Pearson, Arla Schager, Grace Monserud, Sedonia Cassidy, Hiliary O'Neill, Regis Foley and Dick Mohn.

Local fishermen and others harvested their season's supply of ice last week, which is certainly of fine quality.

The Leap Year Dance held here on Feb. 5th was well attended and all report a good time.

In the honor roll of Columbia College, Dubuque, published in Sunday's Telegraph Herald, among the sophomores we find the names of two Harpers Ferry boys, Francis Kernan and Michael Cavanaugh, the former standing third in his class. In order to merit a place on the semester honor roll it is necessary for the student to have an average of at least "B" in all of his work. This indicates that his achievements scholastically are far above the ordinary.

Bank News - When the State Bank of Harpers Ferry opened for business Friday morning the officers had no knowledge of the other county banks putting on a drive for waivers, but was soon informed of the matter. At noon the bank ceased to cash checks or receive deposits, but kept the doors open all the time during banking hours. At the time the news of the action of the other county banks was received the bank was undergoing its periodical examination by two State Bank Examiners. It passed the examination to the satisfaction of the examiners however. The officers decided to follow the course of the other county banks and put on a drive for waivers. The result has been most satisfactory. Almost one hundred per cent in town signing and surrounding country territory doing equally well considering the greater difficulty in reaching them. The very good sentiment all the people have shown is a source of great satisfaction to those interested in the bank. There are so many who deserve especial credit that it would be unfair to mention any without mentioning all. The waiver is a great move and should do much to do away with the bank trouble of the middle west. It will stop un warranted withdrawals from banks. This will do much to protect the depositors' money as well, making the necessity of banks having to finance collection from farmers or others at these unfavorable times much less. We all are satisfied that the State Bank of Harpers Ferry will serve for years in the future as it has in the past.

WATERVILLE NEWS
There has been quite a stir in our little city the past couple of days due to a safety move on the part of our bank directors. It appears that they have decided to prevent a run on the bank having at least 98 per cent of the depositors sign waivers agreeing to leave their deposits in the bank for three years. The bank is closed while this is being done, and we are told the plan is progressing nicely. When this is done the bank will open better and stronger than ever. It appears that this is only a safety move that is being taken by all the banks in the county as well as in surrounding towns.

C.H. Hagen is having a septic tank and a toilet and bath put in at his house, all of which will make his residence modern and up to date in every way. Contractor Joel Ellefson has charge of the work.

There was a bad wreck on our branch of the Milwaukee Friday. The train with the coach, a car of hogs and a car of horses, picked up two flats here loaded with heavy steel for the Kelly bridge. Evidently the long, heavy steel was too much for the sharp curves between here and Bluff Springs with the result that the train left the track about a half mile this side of Bluff Springs, dumping the car of horses wrong side up in the creek and also the two flats cars. The horses were all killed, but luckily the coach and engine remained on the track.

CHERRY MOUND NEWS
Several from here attended the Declamatory Contest at Waterville Friday night. Misses McCormick and Opfer of Waukon and Gabe Pederson were the judges. Walter Hagen won first in the oratorical division and Marlin Johnson second. In the dramatic division Gladys Hagen won first and Evelyn Gavin and Madonna Desmond won second and third place. In the humorous Helen Klees won the honors while Mercedes and Grace McGeough were second and third, respectively.

LANSING NEWS

Lansing Banks Re-Open After 3-Day Suspension
After four days of the tensest strain and gravest misapprehension in the banking circles of the city, the clouds of distrusts have cleared and the sunshine of normal business conditions again prevails, much to the relief of all concerned, bankers, business men and citizens generally. The alarm was first sounded Thursday evening when a number of business men were called to the Peoples State Bank and notified that the Waukon and Postville banks had closed that day for the purpose of securing waivers from depositors as a last resort to stem the tide of withdrawals that had been going on since the closing of the large Weiser bank at Decorah and the two big Dubuque banks the previous week, and thereby add materially to the solvency of the institutions. The same conditions prevailed with them, Mr. Thompson, cashier of the Peoples announced, and asked for expressions from business men and other bankers present. The four Kerndt brothers, owners of Kerndt Bros. Savings Bank, were present and acquiesced in what Mr. Thompson said regarding the situation, claiming it was the right thing to do, and the sentiment was practically unanimous for giving the waiver a try-out. Mayor Miller, who was also present, at once proclaimed a three days moratorium, as legally required and early next day the canvas began. Volunteer business men enlisted for the campaign, a meeting was called for Saturday afternoon, at the Princess Theatre, when Judge Taylor and George McLachlan, a LaCrosse bank employee visiting in the city, addressed a full house, many signers being procured after the meeting. By Saturday evening it was found that owing to merchants devoting too much time to their own business and too little to the bank's, in the matter of securing waivers, only about 80 per cent, had been secured. So another meeting was held at the bank Monday morning, addressed by Cashier I.O. Halverson, of the Waterville Savings Bank, who told the boys "what's what" and how they had gone over the top at Waterville, practically securing 100 per cent. It was then decided to close tight that afternoon and new recruits were enlisted for the fray, with the result that by evening the job was finished with percentages in time deposits and checking accounts of 98 and 95 percent, respectively. Too much cannot be said in praise of the loyalty of depositors to their home bankers, and this applies to the whole county as well as Lansing. Their action guarantees the future of the banks and has stabilized the business, obviating the necessity of slow and expensive liquidation by State Bank Examiners, from which Good Lord deliver us now and forever more. The bankers doubtless appreciate the kindly spirit of cooperation shown by all and we feel quite sure that depositors expect no further reward for having done a duty to themselves and their fellow-men. Nothing remains now but to cultivate the friendly feelings engendered by adversity and go on in the even tenor of their ways, doing business as usual in a spirit of confidence and all will be well. Both banks opened up yesterday the usual hour, but Kerndt Brothers had not figured up their percentage of waivers but considered them sufficient and well up towards the 100% mark.
--
J.W. Luth was up from Heytmans last Thursday, and reported Holzheimer, the LaCrosse contractor, getting his job there in full swing that day, commencing hauling rock and brush from the mainland. The ice is now in good condition for the work, which will be rushed along as fast as possible.

Ray Strub, who lost 18 head of cattle last year with a peculiar contagious disease, had a couple more head die last Friday, and Sunday had a Waukon veterinary vaccinate 77 head cf cattle and horses for him. The work would have been done the day before except for the fact that the doctor could not get his supply of medicine, on account of the business close­up in Waukon that day.

Among the first shipments of baby chicks this season was a lot on February 3rd, consigned to Gus Wagner of this city. Gus says he will have his frys on the market early this year.

NEW ALBIN NEWS

New Albin Savings Bank Made Grade In Good Shape
After a three-day moratorium declared Friday for the purpose of securing waivers with the rest of the banks in Allamakee County, the Old Reliable New Albin Savings Bank makes its bow for business as usual this morning, having secured the requisite amount of waivers, thanks to its loyal depositors and the good work of business and professional men drafted for the purpose at the preliminary and subsequent meetings. The failure of the Farmers' Savings made the task a little more difficult here than in some places where no banks closed, but New Albin never does anything by halves and thanks again for the hearty and loyal cooperation shown by depositors and all concerned.

Ice Harvest Begins - Ice harvesting commenced at New Albin last Friday morning. The ice is brought by trucks and teams from the Minnesota Slough, a distance of some three miles, to the numerous ice houses of this place. The produce is of fair quality and from 10 to 14 inches thick, due to the sub zero weather the past week.
--
On Tuesday evening of last week a number of local folks enjoyed a sleigh ride party, after which the entire group journeyed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Reiser and enjoyed an oyster supper. Games furnished the balance of the evening's entertainment until a late hour, when the guests departed for their respective homes.

[transcribed by E.W., February 2007]

-----

Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
February 11, 1932

Local Happenings
-Chet Pearson was a business caller in Decorah Wednesday.
-Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Burns were Ossian visitors Sunday evening.
-Clem Burns of Jackson Junction was here Sunday visiting his brother T.H. Burns.
-Roy Saacke of Farmersburg was a Postville business visitor on Monday.
-Mrs. John Hill and son Jack of McGregor spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Willard Wagner of this city.
-Henry Johansen is night clerk at the Commercial Hotel.
-Mrs. Cy Harrington is laid up with an attack of pneumonia.
-A fine and dandy baby dauhter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hawkins of this city last Saturday morning.
-Mrs. Julia Pearson, 82, had the misfortune to fall part way down the stairs last Sunday at the home of her son, Chet Pearson, on route 2, but fortunately was not seriously injured.
-A nine-pound boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Geiger at Postville Hospital Tuesday evening, a Caesarian operation being performed. The mother will be best known as Sophie Linderbaum.
-Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Buraas of Clermont, who have been wedded for eighteen years, are rejoicing over the arrival of their first born, a fine baby girl born to them at Postville Hospital Monday night. Congratulations are in order.
-Henry Muchow of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was here the first of the week to attend the funeral of his sister, Mrs. Mary Sawvelle. It is about 23 years since he visited here before and he found few whom he recognized or who knew him.
-County Agent Fred O'Riley was wearing a broad smile Wednesday morning on account of a ten-pound baby girl having been born to Mrs. O'Riley at the Hall maternity hospital. They have three sturdy boys in their family and this little Miss is very welcome - Waukon Democrat.
-Rumor has it that Louis Christofferson and Miss Sylbert Smith of route 2, Postville, were united in marriage at Waukon yesterday. Further particulars next week.

[transcribed by S.F., May 2011]

-----

Allamakee Journal
Lansing, Allamakee co., Iowa
February 17, 1932

HARPERS FERRY NEWS
- John Weidner and sons made a ten thousand pound haul of fish Monday.
- Mrs. Clem Cassidy and children and Mrs. D.G. Boardman and son Lester were Waukon visitors last Wednesday.

HARPERS FERRY SCHOOL NOTES
- The winners of our Declamatory Contest last Tuesday evening were as follows: Oratorical, "The Masterful Man of the Ages," Clement Kelly; Dramatic, "The Death Disc," Almeda LeHeu; Humorous, "Ma at the Basket Ball Game," Margaret Ann Frank. The second places were taken by John Kernan, Marcella Schulte and Margaret Mary Calvey, respectively. The judges were Misses Njus, Hardin and Betts of McGregor.

CHERRY MOUND NEWS
- Raymond Charland bought a Nash car at the Frank Kinley sale.
- Gilbert Eadie purchased a horse at the Palmer sale last week.
- Richard Hermanson spent Valentine's Day with his friend, Harold Wagner.
- A large crowd of young folks, including all the neighbors and a few friends from a distance, attended the farewell party at the Wagner home after the sale. Music was furnished by Herb Campbell and Mr. Hagensack, and all enjoyed the delicious supper. The Wagners will move to Ion and reside on one of the McGuire places.

WATERVILLE NEWS
- Roy Ellefson, our local husky, left for Chicago Saturday for an over Sunday visit with his brother and sister, who are employed there.
- The card party held at the high school gym by the Catholic ladies on Monday night of last week was well attended and a very sociable time enjoyed by all. The head prize in 500 was won by Bernard Roese for the men and the consolation by Gilbert Collins. For the ladies Mrs. Ted Kelly won head prize and Mrs. John Heffern, Jr., the consolation. In euchre head prize was won by Claire McGeough, low by Ted Spinner. For the ladies Florence Mullaney won head prize and the consolation went to Mrs. Ole Hanson. The prize for the best looking man was won by Billie Dennison, and for the ladies by Margaret Brady. Door prize was won by Ole Hanson.
- Theo. Gronna of Waterville again brought commendable honors to himself and to Allamakee county in winning his share of awards at the state corn show recently held at Ames. A report just received of the show states that Theodore displayed the best eighty ears of any variety in the professional class. He also won sectional sweepstakes in the eight ear professional exhibit. When we stop to consider that this state corn show is probably second to none, we can then have some idea of the importance of the awards won. The Iowa State Corn Show is a contest in which the best seed corn experts of the state are entered and when first place can be secured over professional material of this nature, it is a splendid recognition both for the quality of product exIuoited and expert knowledge.

DORCHESTER NEWS
- Mrs. Max Teff and son Mack are victims of the prevailing epidemic of grippe, but are now both improving.
- George Waters, Jr., who has been taking treatment at the Spring Grove hospital for an infection in his foot, is improving.

LANSING NEWS
- The Gaunitz meat market and grocery is having a fine veneer ceiling placed in the front shop, carpenters Fred Weber and Karl Kohlstad doing the work. This will be a nice improvement to their already attractive market, and with their recently installed Swift electric clock puts them right up to snuff.
- Mrs. P.E. Rethwisch was on the sick list last week with her old heart trouble, suffering several spells on Saturday and having the doctor three times. Her condition since has been somewhat improved.
- The sick folks at the Gene Brennan home, their baby son and Mrs. Bea Connolley, are all on the road to recovery and nurse Miss Mary Regan Of Waukon, who was caring for them, has returned home.
- Miss Emma Nelson furnished us last week with a picture from the Anamosa Journal, sent her by her sister, Mrs. Martha Chesire, of Marshalltown, showing the Reformatory Guard Force, number 72, taken twenty years ago when there were 678 inmates in the prison. The late James H. Lowe and his son Eddie are shown in the picture and easily distinguished by old home friends here.
- Rain and soft weather last week forced the Lansing Fish & Fur Market to discontinue their ice harvest for a few days, but the cold spell following made the ice all the better and work was resumed the latter part of the week. The lower house in South Lansing was filled from a field a little north and across the river, and towed over by boat, 40 to 50 cakes in a raft, thus obviating the truck hauling. A fine quality of ice of good thickness was thus obtained and the job has now been completed.
- The value of Black Hawk bridge as a means of bringing strangers to the city was illustrated one day last week when barber Will Severson had a couple customers from Madison, Wis. They came up this way when they could not cross the ice at Prairie du Chien, got a supply of fresh fish at the Lansing Fish Market and proceeded on to visit relatives in Iowa.

LANSING SCHOOL NOTES
- The Home Declamatory Contest was held in the high school gym Tuesday evening of last week. Owing to illness, several of the contestants were unable to give their selections, leaving only two in oratorical, nine in dramatic and five in humorous divisions. These acquitted themselves very capably and a great improvement was shown over last year's contest, proving that "practice makes perfect." Musical selections were interspersed in the program, relieving the monotony of the many long selections. Attorney Frank Riser, Mrs. Herbert Dehli and Dr. Warren Hayes acted as judges, awarding honors as follows: Oratorical, Myrta Wurm, first; Truman Aldrich, second. Dramatic, Feme Wolfe, first, Gretchen Saam, second. Humorous, Edith Feuerhelrn, first; Charles Hayes, second.

WAUKON NEWS
- Harry Fox, 35, Decorah, was arrested late Saturday night of last week by Sheriff L.J. Bulman on the charge of having a quantity of liquor in his car. He remained in jail until Monday afternoon when given a hearing before Justice of the Peace R.A. Nichols. He waived preliminary hearing and was released on $1,000 bond. He will appear before Judge H.E. Taylor within a period of ten days.
- Martin Bauercamper, son of David Bauercamper of Ludlow township, took charge this week as Manager of the Mid-Continent oil station on Spring Avenue. James Markley, who has been the Manager since its inception twelve years ago, remains as Mr. Bauercamper's assistant.
- There was a total of 211 eighth grade pupils in Allamakee county who wrote the eighth grade examinations conducted in Dorchester, New Albin, Lansing, Harpers Ferry, Waterville, Postville and Waukon. All the papers are being graded in the office of the county superintendent of schools.

NEW ALBIN NEWS
-If you have a nice horse or beef hide do not sell it. Have a robe made from it. For prices see Elmer O. Lenz, agent for the Rhomberg Fur Company, New Albin.
- Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kuehn entertained a few lady friends at their home last Friday afternoon in honor of his mother, Mrs. Julia Kuehn, who celebrated her 89th birthday. The honored guest received many nice gifts and hearty congratulations. The following guests were present:
Mrs. Oscar Lenz, Mrs. Geo. Hayes, Mrs. Herman Welper, Mrs. J.W. Irons, Mrs. Dora Freuchte, Rev. and Mrs. F.R. Bemberg and Mrs. Wm. Kirchoff.
- "Gus" and "Nick", better known to the sport fans here have been the big shots in the N.A.H.S. as far as athletics were concerned the past three years. Their constant fighting whether behind or out in front won them great prestige with local fans as basket ball players. Irons' ability to hit that loop from difficult angles and the use of his height under the basket was the main factor in our scoring. While Twite is handicapped by his size, he easily makes up for it in scrap, having earned a regular berth the past three years as a guard. We hope to see these boys on some college freshman team next year.

ENGLISH BENCH NEWS
- Several farmers had their harness oiled at the Bench Store last week for 75 cents a set.
- Johnnie Hagen and Wm. Shields cut a pile of firewood 80 ft. long and 8 ft. high for Fred Weymiller. Some wood in such a pile.
- Lewis Staggemeier and Rob Lager of Eitzen attended the horse sale at Waukon, Saturday, both men buying several good work animals.
- Quite a few from here took in the ski jumping contest near Caledonia Saturday.
- Jim Sheriff is cutting cord wood on the islands for Fred Weymiller.
- J.L. Hirth put in a new cistern pump for C.G. Beardmore on Saturday. Charley now has both hard and soft water in his home.

[transcribed by E.W., March 2007]

-----

Allamakee Journal
Lansing, Allamakee co., Iowa
February 24, 1932

LANSING NEWS
- Lansing Button Company's cutting plant resumed operations Monday morning after a several months layoff, which was caused by the general depression.

- The Dr. Christensen farm at West Prairie, back of DeSoto, with buildings that cost more than $100,000, now apparently cannot be sold for anything. Litigation involving it once reached the Wisconsin supreme court and another angle of the same case may be settled there again.
The farm was developed by the late Dr. Christian Christensen, a leading La Crosse surgeon in his lifetime. He bought the first piece of land in 1906 and added more to it as he became increasingly interested in the farm as a hobby. He spent more than $100,000 for the buildings alone and the latest of all farm machinery and conveniences were installed.

When Dr. Christensen died in 1919 two of his associates were appointed administrators of his estate and turned the farm over to his sons, Johan and Carl, who live in Norway, and Olaf who lived in Montana at the time but who now lives on the farm.

A local bank has two mortgages on the farm for $10,000 and $3,000, respectively, and is now pushing action to foreclose. Disposal of the farm is physically difficult because no one appears willing to buy a farm so large and if it was split up into smaller farms the expensive buildings, which are grouped together, would have to be sacrificed.

The two brothers who live in Norway have little interest in the farm other than realizing as much from the property as possible. Olaf, who lives here, started action last year to get title to the farm, claiming that he was paying the cost of upkeep, but the court rejected his application. He carried it to the supreme court and lost there, too. So the farm in which a fortune was invested is now in danger of being sacrificed to pay mortgages of $13,000.

- Master Tommy, four year old son of Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Thornton, met with quite an accident one day last week, when he fell and cut a bad gash in his lip, which required eight stitches to close. He also knocked loose a couple of his front teeth, Dr. Hayes being called in to straighten them. Tommy looks "slightly disfigured but still in the ring."
- The general depression is evidenced by the great number of auctions or public sales in the newspaper these days. This paper has printed four sale bills already this month, the other three county papers advertised six last week, and in the current issue of the LaPorte City Progress Review no less than five sales were announced in Black Hawk county.

- The senior of the Journal was at New Albin last Friday and found highway No. 182 the worst it has been all winter, in spots especially. This is a much traveled road and should have a coat of gravel or rock in the near future.

- Calhoun Creamery Co. has a new secretary in the person of Lloyd Bieghley of Elon, who was hired by the board of directors at their regular monthly meeting on the 15th, his salary to be $60 per month.

- Charley Fleener, in charge of the State Bank of Lansing receivership here the past couple years, was down from Waukon, where he is now stationed, a day or two last week.

WATERVILLE
School Notes
- In the spelling contest last week grade 2 attained first place. The following received perfect scores: Earl Erickson, Ordell Iverson, Mary McCormick, Marguerite McMillan, Wilmar Monserud, Helen O'Brien, Norma Sorenson, Ruth Swain, Clarice Tysland, Gertrude Hancock and Marcella Kolsrud.

- The Seniors gave a program Friday afternoon consisting of musical selections by the Senior Orchestra, led by Alf Odegaard; "Mother's Observations" by Grace McGeough; talk by Mr. Laughlin; "If for Boys" by Alf Odegaard; "If for Girls" by Sylvia Monserud; talk, Madonna Desmond; and a poem by Dorothy Palmer. The selection by Alf Odegaard and his Troubadors was heartily applauded. Some fun guessing riddles ended the program.

NEW ALBIN NEWS
- Mr. and Mrs. Otto Pottratz and family of Irish Hollow were here Sunday visiting relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Dierksen.

- Miss Ruby Sires is again back at her duties at Co­operative Store following a week's illness.

- On last Saturday afternoon the stockholders of the local Co-operative Creamery held their annual business meeting at the city hall, nearly all of the stockholders being present. The annual report by secretary E.J. Welsh showed that the creamery did a nice business during the past year, and hope to do a much more volume of business the coming year. The following officers were elected for the coming year:
President - L.F. Moore
Vice Pres. - John C. Schuldt
Secretary - E.J. Welsh
Treasurer - John Rouster, Jr.
Directors - Martin Dierson, George Hammell, Walter Middendorf. George Solberg is the buttermaker.

WAUKON NEWS
- Ten thousand two hundred and sixty-nine pocket gophers were killed in Allamakee county during 1931 on which a bounty of 10 cents each was collected. In 1930 only 6,222 pocket gophers were killed, indicating that the animals are on the increase.

- At his home Tuesday of last week Rev. R.L. Van Nice officiated at the marriage of Harold James Decker and Mildred Jan Fish, both of Luana. The attendants were Fred Fish and Miss Doris Decker. Rev. Van Nice officiated at the marriage of the groom's parents thirty-­three years ago.

[transcribed by E.W., March 2007]

Iowa Old Press Home
Allamakee County