LeMars Globe-Post
December 1, 1938
MRS. KNOX MAY BE AT SALE OF HER HEIRLOOMS
GETS A THREE YEAR SENTENCE IN SURPRISE PLEA HERE
Federal Prosecution On Check Charge Not Likely
Mrs. Sumner Knox, central figure in LeMars' 9-days-plus wonder, was quietly
taken in to the deserted court room at LeMars at 8:30 o'clock last night and
personally pled guilty to the charge of "trying to conspire with persons
unknown to commit a public offense" as specified in the code of Iowa.
[Photo portrait of R. G. Rodman placed here]
Judge R. G. Rodman of Cherokee, who had made a special trip to LeMars for
the night session, presided. Judge Rodman read the county attorney's
information present by County Attorney E. P. Murray, and asked Mrs. Knox how
she would plead.
"I plead guilty," she said in a flat voice.
The court then passed sentence in the formal manner, ending, "I hereby
sentence you to 3 years in the women' reformatory at Rockwell City." The
judge added:
"I consider that, under the circumstances this is a lenient sentence."
BACK TO JAIL
Immediately after passing of the sentence, Mrs. Knox was returned to her
jail cell, where she sank upon her bed in apparent exhaustion. She drank a
glass of water, made no complaint.
Present in the court, in addition to the officials of the court, were
Sheriff Frank Scholer and Deputy Leo Hentges, State Agents George Dickey and
Marshall Hewitt. Mrs. Knox was accompanied by her attorney, James M.
McNally.
Mr. McNally declined to comment on the sentence. When asked he said Mrs.
Knox will become eligible to apply for parole in one year, under the Iowa
indeterminate sentence law.
NO FEDERAL PROSECUTION
William Merrill, in charge of the U. S. secret service, with headquarters at
Omaha, who investigated the federal angles of the case, said Mrs. Knox could
still be prosecuted by the federal government on other counts, but added
that it is the usual practice for the government not to step in when
prisoners are being prosecuted under state laws.
The Globe-Post has learned from several reliable sources that the question
of whether Mrs. Knox would be taken into federal or state court was the
principal pawn in a legal chess game played between James McNally, defense
attorney, and local, state and federal authorities.
NOT A SIMPLE CASE
Federal authorities were not anxious to take Mrs. Knox into a federal court
because they felt that there was an excellent chance under procedure as
established in the federal courts, for Mrs. Knox to escape very lightly.
The defense, considering that she might emerge with a 25 year sentence, 5
years on each of 5 counts, also felt that this would be too much of a
gamble. A state sentence would not be so long in the first place, and good
conduct usually earns a fairly easy parole.
The defense conceded that circumstantial evidence pointed to Mrs. Knox, but
pointed out that the only identification of the body was that made by Lemuel
Trow, brother of Mrs. Knox, who had subsequently hired an attorney for her.
Should he later express anything less than absolute certainty as to the
identification, his testimony would be worthless to the state.
"GUESSED" TEETH FIT
When Mr. Knox identified the body as that of his mother, he do so on the
assumption that false teeth believed to be his mother's fitted the body but
this would have been difficult to prove in a trial because, first, the body
has been buried, and second, if it were exhumed, its condition is such that
the shrunken tissues would probably not fit the teeth anyway. At least it
might have been hard to convince a jury, and the defense would have made
strenuous efforts to keep Trow from testifying at all.
At the same time Mrs. Knox's attorney could not help realizing her
vulnerability-the possibility of a jury might say, "What the heck! Maybe
they haven't proved that on her, but she's guilty of something, so let's
stick her on this charge anyway."
COULDN'T GET CHECKS
If the state attempted to prove forgery charges against Mrs. Knox, it would
almost have to have the checks to which she put her mother's name. But the
federal treasury has a rule that cancelled checks will not be released for
us in court. The state could get certified copies, but a jury looking at
certified copies would wonder how some clerk in Washington could know
whether the signatures were forged or genuine. Photographs could be used,
but might only cast doubt in the jury's minds.
COSTLY TO TAXPAYERS
If the case actually went to trial, the cost to taxpayers would no doubt be
great. Mounting expenses have already worried Plymouth county supervisors.
Commenting on this phase, Supervisor Henry Grimjes said this morning:
"The case has already cost the taxpayers plenty." He indicated that the
board might seek to compel Mrs. Knox to pay at least part of the expenses.
SCHOLER FEELS RELIEVED
Sheriff Frank Scholer indicated this morning that he is not yet ready to
write "finis" to the Knox case.
"There are some mysterious angles that haven't been solved," he said.
"However, they are not of such pressing nature, and we can go about their
solution in a leisurely manner."
"In the meantime, I'm sure glad to get Mrs. Knox off my hands. She isn't
thriving under jail conditions, and I was always afraid she'd throw one of
those fits on me. She's a lot thinner than she was, and looks rather sick.
Just watching her and wondering what she's going to do next was enough to
make me nervous."
The sheriff revealed that he was warned Mrs. Knox would get up out of her
chair and stand in a stiff, unnatural attitude just before going into a
cataleptic trance. He said that several times, while she was being
unmercifully grilled, she appeared on the verge of such a fit, but each time
she came out of it.
BLAMES NEIGHBORS
The sheriff said Mrs. Knox felt bitter toward her former neighbors, and
seemed to blame them for her plight. Informed that she was charged with
forgery, which would have carried a sentence of about 15 years, she became
belligerent.
"All right, I'll fight 'em in court. I would just like to have those phonies
come in as witnesses against me. I'd welcome a chance to show them up!" she
snapped.
Mrs. Knox asked the sheriff for permission to attend, under guard, of
course, the auction sale of her personal effects in the old Beely furniture
store, which will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. She said that many of the
Trow heirlooms have a special value as antiques and she wants to see what
they will bring.
SOUVENIR SEEKERS
Lemuel A. Trow, brother of Mrs. Knox, is selling the property, both as
co-heir and as attorney-in-fact for his sister. He said that all articles,
even those of little value, had to be closely watched to prevent their being
taken by souvenir hunters.
State Agent George Dickey revealed that he had to drive off curiosity
seekers who actually were tearing boards off the house to take as souvenirs.
NEVER COMING BACK
Sheriff Scholer said that he will send Mrs. Knox to Rockwell City in about a
week. He said that two police matrons will accompany her.
"Mrs. Knox never wants to come back to LeMars, she told me," the sheriff
said. "She said she want to sell everything she has, get rid of it, and
after she gets out of jail, never come back here. She said the people here
blame her for everything. I came close to asking her if that surprised her,
but didn't see any sense in arguing about it."
MRS. SCHARRER WOULD LIKE TO OWN KONGIE CHU EHR
[There is a full length photo of Mrs. Knox standing up, caption says:
Maybelle Knox In Jail]
Mrs. Amanda Scharrer, good natured police matron who became nationally known
as a result of the Knox case, admitted last night that she would like to own
Mrs. Knox's Pekingese, Kongie Chu Ehr, which she has been taking care of.
Mrs. Scharrer "called" a reporter, however, for his inaccuracy in reporting
that the dog cost her 10c a day for food, and that he would eat only
hamburger and liver. The reporter had to "excuse himself all to pieces."
Actually, Mrs. Scharrer said, Kongie Chu Ehr doesn't eat hamburger, though
he does eat liver, and he likes to drink milk. He has one bad habit-he
doesn't bother to wipe the milk off his whiskers, Mrs. Scharrer said.
But she admitted that she has grown very fond of the friendly little dog,
and would like to won him. She said she might present a bill for feed at
the sale Saturday, in part payment for Kongie. And Kongie seems willing.
UNDER DOCTOR’S CARE---
H.J. Ludwigs, of Craig, has been confined to his home by sickness for the
past week.
Mrs. Anka Johnson, of Craig, has been confined to her bed by sickness for
several days and is under the care of a physician.
Henry Van Peursem, of Maurice, who is suffering from pneumonia, is being
cared for in St. Joseph’s hospital in Sioux City.
Ellsworth Hoekstra, of Maurice, who has been under observation in the Mayo
Clinic at Rochester, Minn., is expected home this week.
Mrs. Wm. Ernst, of Perry Center, was sick several days last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sitzmann, of Kingsley, are the proud parents of an 8 ½
pound baby girl, born Thursday, Dec. 1.
Edward Barents, 19, Ireton, broke his leg nine weeks ago while digging a
well near here. Last week the cast was removed and he tried to walk, leaning
on a chair as he did so. The chair slipped, throwing Barents to the floor
and breaking the leg again. He must wait nine weeks more for the fracture to
mend.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wilken, of Akron, a baby son, Saturday, November
26.
Mrs. Maurice Redmond, who has been sick for several weeks, suffered a
relapse on Sunday and is now under the care of a trained nurse.
LeMars Sentinel
December 3, 1918
John Hoffman, of Milnerville, is Victim of Pneumonia. Mr. and Mrs. Charles B
Hoffman, who live near Milnerville, have been advised of the death of their
son, John, somewhere in France. He died at a hospital of pneumonia. He left
his home in July for Camp Gordon with a Plymouth County contingent of
soldiers.
LeMars Globe-Post
December 8, 1938
PROBATE WORK NOW IN COURT
Jury Work To Commence Here Next Monday—Cases Assigned
Probate work occupied most of Judge R. G. Rodman’s time in court here this
week, as the petit jury was excused for service until Monday, December 12,
at which time jury trials for the term will start.
Judgment on a note amounting to $28,312.44 was awarded the Metropolitan Life
Insurance company of New York against Daniel Keegan, et al. Foreclosure
proceedings were also ordered by the court.
Mrs. Estella G. Weisgerber was awarded judgment of $724.82 against
Marguerite V. Larsen, administratrix of the estate of Henry W. Johnson.
The lawsuit of Edward Stillingwerf against the Iowa highway commission was
set for hearing Monday. The Herman Eilers vs Henry Pecks case was also
assigned for this term.
--------------------------------------------------------
~Rex Truesdell, of Hawarden, and Mr. and Mrs. James Boettger and son,
Lowell, also of Hawarden, visited on Tuesday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.
R. Truesdell.
~The Women’s Relief Corps social will be held at the home of Mrs. R. H.
Zimmerman on Saturday, Dec. 10.
MRS. KNOX IS STILL CONFINED IN JAIL HERE
Extra work in the sheriff’s office because of the present court term, and
the desire of County Attorney E. P. Murray to complete the work in his
office before the first of the year, has necessitated keeping Mrs. Sumner
Knox in the local county jail this week.
Sheriff Scholer said he planned on removing her to Rockwell City this week,
but will be unable to do so. Her three-year sentence on a conspiracy charge
does not officially start until she arrives at the woman’s reformatory.
Mrs. Knox is a model prisoner, the sheriff says, and although he has only
see her twice since she was sentenced, he said that she gets along fine with
Mrs. Scholer, who looks after her.
LeMars Globe-Post
Thursday, December 15, 1938
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The following Christmas program will be presented by the Sunday school of
the First Baptist church on Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Prelude, Mary Tindall
Hymn, "Silent Night," school
Scripture and prayer, Rev. Jones
Presentation of "White Gifts" for Baptist Home for Aged
Song, "Christmas Morning," Primary group
Recitation, Carolyn Rees
Recitations by the following children of the primary group: Sandra Edwards,
Donna Coppock, Betty Rozelle, Ronald McArthur, Jean and Joan Witt, Gordon
McArthur, Larry Sager, Sally Rippey, Forrest Kramer, Beth, Tom and Kay
Reynolds, Ada Rozelle, Patty Rickabaugh, Jimmy Sager, Bobby Witt, Clifford
Herzig, and Jerry Coppock.
Christmas playlet, "Eyes and Ye See Not"
Characters in this play, Carol Totman, Dickey Rippey, Gordon Rozelle,
Shirley Rozelle, Merlyn Kalas and some children representing angels.
Pageant, "The Light of the World."
Characters in the pageant:
Angels: Geneva Bensley, Alice Chamberlain, Dorothy and Mildred Winchester
Mary: Joan Shilt
Joseph: Billy Keihn
Prophet: Robert Glaser
Apostles: Bobby Collins, Richard Albert, Herbert Norton, and Marvin Herzig
Knights: Wayne Albert and Urban Vander Schaaf
Crusaders: Frank Jenkins and Charles Kramer
Children from other lands: Dale and Geo. Rickabaugh, Richard Kalas, Lorraine
Rozelle, Harriet and Johnnie Lee Klohs, Shirley Herzig, Eileen Chamberlain,
and Lois Winchester.
The singing during the pageant will be as follows:
Solo, "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," J.D. Tindall
"O, Little Town of Bethlehem" and "To The Knight in the Days of Old," by
Irene Jones, Betty Collins, Norma Herzig, Marjorie Norton, and Genevieve
Maxey.
"In Christ There is No East or West" and "We Would See Jesus" by a mixed
quartet, Mr. and Mrs. John Schoep and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Totman.
Hymn, "The Light of the World is Jesus," school
Benediction, Rev. S.A. Jones
LeMars Globe-Post
December 19, 1938
SENEY: (By Special Correspondent)
Mrs. Roy McArthur spent the weekend in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
C.J. Darville, in Sioux City.
A community gathering in the form of a reception for Rev. and Mrs. Richard
Mohler was held in the hall Wednesday evening. A large crowd was present and
enjoyed the evening in a social way. The closing refreshments were served by
the ladies after which guests departed wishing Rev. and Mrs. Mohler success
in their work here.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex McDougall, of Struble, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. C.F.
Nanninga, Monday.
Mrs. John Becker, Mr. and Mrs. John Fredrickson, and Mrs. Hogan and
daughter, Eleanor, all of Sioux City, were afternoon visitors also supper
guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker.
Mrs. Chas. Dornbusch and son, Leon, of Milbank, S.D., visited in the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Gatzke, Tuesday.
Mrs. Carrie Reser and Miss Leona Gabel were guests of Mrs. Roy McArthur,
Wednesday night.
Mrs. John Lancaster and son, Donald, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Lancaster of
LeMars, spent Tuesday with relatives here.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex McArthur visited in the home of their son, Melvin
McArthur, Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Nanninga and children, of Ireton, spent last Wednesday in
the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Nanninga.
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Kennedy and son, Dennie and daughter, Doris, were
guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Penning, Sunday.
Several children from the Seney school are confined to their homes on
account of an epidemic of chicken pox breaking out in the school.
A small group of friends and relatives surprised Mrs. Albert Penning in her
home Tuesday evening, the occasion being her birthday. A few hours were
spent in a social way. Delicious refreshments were served after which the
guests departed for their homes, wishing Mrs. Penning many more happy
birthdays. The guest list included Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker, Mrs. Alex
McArthur, Mrs. Floyd Becker, Mrs. Marshall Rees, and Mrs. Margaret Rees.
Roy McArthur, Ruth and Raymond McArthur, Miss Evelyn McArthur motored to
Sioux City on Sunday where they visited in the homes of Mr. and Mrs. C.J.
Darville and Mr. and Mrs. Irving McArthur. Mrs. Roy McArthur, who had been
visiting there a few days, returned home with them.
Mr. and Mrs. John Cooney and son, of Luverne, Minn., spent Sunday afternoon
visiting relatives here.
Geo. Osborne was taken to the Sacred Heart hospital in LeMars Saturday where
he was operated on. He is making satisfactory recovery and expects to return
home soon.
Miss Lavonne Criswell of LeMars, spent the weeknd with the Misses Lois and
Georgine Osborne.
The Ladies Aid society met with Mrs. Albert Hawkins, Wednesday, Dec. 7, with
a large attendance. No new business was taken up after the usual business
session luncheon was served by the hostess.
Members of the Seney Epworth League were invited to the home of Rev. and
Mrs. Mohler Sunday evening where an interesting program was presented. After
the league service members of the choir met to practice music for the
Christmas services.
Miss Alberta Null of LeMars, was a guest of Miss Maggie Mae Nanninga,
Wednesday evening, and attended the social at the hall in honor of Rev. and
Mrs. Mohler.
A number of interested fans attended the golden glove tournament held in
Sioux City, Wednesday night.
SENEY: (By special correspondent)
Mrs. Frank Jeffers, Mr. and Mrs. Elerd Miller of Ruble, Mr. and Mrs. Irving
Boyer and daughters Blanch and Dorothy of Fairpoint, S.D., visited Mrs. A.D.
Jeffers Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Carrie Reser who has made her home here the past six years disposed of
her household goods and left Thursday morning for her old home in Missouri
Valley. During her residence here she was interested in the church affairs,
being chosen teacher of the Samaritan Sunday school class which place she
held the entire time of her residence whom she made acquaintance regret her
leaving but wish her well in her future location.
A Christmas program is being prepared by the Sunday school to be given in
the church Christmas eve.
Mrs. Will Lehrmann and grandchildren, Bobby and Mary Lou Lehrman, visited in
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Elmer DeRaad Wednesday of last week.
Mrs. Leora Laughton and Mrs. A.D. Jeffers attended a family reunion in the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jeffers Sunday evening given in honor of Mr. and
Mrs. Irving Boyer of Fairpoint, S.D., who have been visiting relatives here.
Charles Connor of Kingsley spent Sunday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John
Daugherty.
Edwin Lancaster who is attending school at the Iowa U. is spending his
holiday vacation in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Lancaster.
Lora Green returned home Thursday from the Veterans hospital in Des Moines
where he has been receiving treatment the past month.
Marilyn Rees, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Rees, was taken
suddenly sick Monday night, on investigation it was discovered she had drank
some furniture polish. After administrating an antidote, she was relieved of
her suffering.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mohler attended a birthday dinner in the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Albert Hawkins Tuesday given in honor of their son, Richard, on
this 21st birthday.
Lincoln Rayburn of LeMars called on relatives here Wednesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Irving McArthur, of Sioux City, spent Sunday in the home of Mr.
and Mrs. A. McArthur.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker and son, Floyd, motored to Hudson, S.D., Tuesday
and spent the day with their daughter, Mrs. Walter Woodhouse and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jenkins and family were callers in the home of Mrs.
Margaret Rees Monday evening.
Vernon Penning of Hawarden spent Tuesday in the home of his mother, Mrs.
Albert Penning.
Mrs. M.B. Mock and son, Stanley, and daughter Melva Rae of Indianapolis,
Ind., are spending the holidays in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
C.F. Nanninga.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reints and family, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Nanninga, Mrs. M.B.
Mock and children, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wurth were dinner guests in the C.E.
Albert home Sunday.
Relatives and friends were terribly shocked Monday night when they heard of
the tragic auto accident in which Vincent Buss was one of the occupants. Mr.
Buss lived with his parents in this vicinity several years before moving to
LeMars vicinity. His condition is reported serious in the LeMars hospital.
JOHNSON-PRESTON: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Eilts and children, of near Hawarden, were supper
guests in the Lyle Stephens home on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. William Borchers were visitors in
Ireton on Saturday evening.
Several attended the married folks dance held in Brunsville on Friday
evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haage and children, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Borchers and
children were visitors in the William Borchers home on Thursday evening.
PERRY CENTER:
Miss Anna Vondrak and pupils of Perry Center district No. 5 gave a
successful program and box social, Friday night Dec. 16. A very large crowd
attended and a total of $34.89 was taken in clear. The boxes sold high,
averaging $2. Tap dances were given by Betty Quintele, Delores Vondrak and
Corene McCord, all of Sioux City, with piano accompaniment by Betty
Griswell. Don McCord, KTRI cowboy singer, sang several numbers, all of where
were enjoyed by the crowd. Mrs. William Montagne of Perry township was
awarded the groceries and Carl Walker of Liberty township was awarded the
bushel of hybrid seed corn.
LINCOLN: (By Special Correspondent)
Darlene Wetrosky visited her sister, Mrs. Harry Porsch, Thursday afternoon.
Word was received that Lilah Barnes and Elmer Conner were married last
Thursday.
Visitors in the Joe Wetrosky home Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and
daughter, Donna Mae, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne,
Clarence Wetrosky and Ruby Baum.
Mr. and Mrs. William Utecht and family were Sioux City and Leeds visitors
Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Fritz and children were visitors in the Clarence
Wetrosky home, Sunday.
Mrs. Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne, Norma Jean, Noreen and Jerry
Fitzpatrick, visited Darlene Wetrosky, Tuesday.
George Lau shelled corn for Joe Wetrosky Tuesday forenoon.
Shoppers in Sioux City last Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Porsch and
daughter, Jeanne, and Herman Greenaburg, Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and
daughter, Donna Mae, and William Lau, Joe Wetrosky and family and children,
John, Percy and Luella, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wetrosky and son, Lowell, and
Ruth Barnes.
Mr. and Mrs. William Utecht and children, Margaret Ann, Robert and Harold
and Jim Smith, Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and daughter, Donna Mae and William
Lau visited in the Joe Wetrosky home, Wednesday evening.
Darlene and John Wetrosky and Carl Zimmerman were visitors in the George Lau
home, Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and daughter, Donna Mae, Mrs. Forest Fitzpatrick,
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wetrosky and sons, John and Percy, were Sioux City shoppers
Tuesday afternoon.
ELKHORN: (By Special Correspondent)
Mrs. Kate Grugg from Kingsley spent last week in the John Bainbridge home.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hendrin, of Sioux City, spent the weekend with
relatives here.
Mr. and Mrs. John French and daughter, Francis, Mrs. Allan Bolton, Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. Bolton and family and Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Fletcher, were LeMars
visitors, Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Kehrberg and son, Harland, were Sioux City visitors last
Wednesday.
Russell Bainbridge arrived here last week from Iowa City, where he attends
college, to spend the holidays with home folks.
Mrs. W.D. Moser was called to the Andy Morgan home at Quimby, last Thursday
on account of the sickness of Mrs. Morgan.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Anderson has been very sick the past
week with a severe cold.
Mr. and Mrs. Dell Spink and son and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Plendl were Sioux City
visitors Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Page, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Page and daughter, and Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Fletcher were Sunday dinner guests in the Raymond Fletcher home.
An organization of young people of the Brethren church and their friends met
at the Harold Graham home, Sunday evening for their regular meeting. A
splendid program or readings, Bible verses and singing was enjoyed by all,
after which an exchange of Christmas gifts was held. Refreshments were
served at the close of the evening.
Miss Iona Pratt came over from Sioux City Saturday night for a visit in the
home of her parents.
Wm. Fahrenkrug is spending a couple of weeks in the home of his daughter and
son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bainbridge.
Ed Reinking purchased a new Buick car recently.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pratt attended the wedding of Miss Opal Langle and
Arthur Holt at the First Baptist Church in Sioux City, last Saturday
evening.
The many friends of Ed Stoltz will be glad to know that he was able to
return to his home near Fielding last Saturday after spending several weeks
at the hospital in Cushing.
Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Fletcher and Mrs. Geo. Fletcher and son, Frank, visited
relatives at Anthon last Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Graham spent last Friday night in the Francis Hendrin
home in Sioux City.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bolten were Sioux City visitors last Friday.
John A. Bainbridge and sons, Russell and Harland, were visitors in Sioux
City, Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Bainbridge, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Applegate and Mrs.
Mary Heifner attended the Langle-Holt wedding at the First Baptist Church in
Sioux City, Saturday evening.
STRUBLE:
At the business meeting of the Ladies Aid of the First Reformed church last
Wednesday the following officers were re-elected for the following year:
Mrs. John Roggen, president; Mrs. Mary Kots, vice president; Mrs. Ben Kots,
treasurer; Mrs. John Van Roekel, secretary.
Mrs. C.L. Bowen was the guest of honor at a dinner at the Leslie Bowen home,
Friday, Dec. 9, in honor of her birthday anniversary which was that day.
After a delicious dinner, the afternoon was pleasantly spent by the guests
who included: Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Kopeck (sic Coppock), of LeMars, who
are sisters of Mrs. Leslie Bowen, and Misses Nora Buckley and Carrie Orton,
of Maurice.
W. Kamstra of Orange City was a visitor in the Andrew Hop home, Thursday
afternoon.
EAST CRAIG: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Schultz of Remsen spent Sunday here with relatives and
friends.
Mrs. August Ludwigs was hostess to the Ladies Aid. Two new members were
taken into the organization, Mrs. Etta Ehlers and Mrs. Clara Eilers. After a
pleasant business meeting and other business routine, a lovely lunch was
served.
The town has taken on a "Christmas Air" with its colored lights strung in
the principal streets.
Miss Joan McDougall, of LeMars, spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Alex McDougall.
Alex McDougall and John Weyen were drawn for jury duty this term of court.
Mr. and Mrs. Jas. McGrory and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Johnson were LeMars visitors
on Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Peduzzi visited Omaha friends over the weekend.
Miss Vogelsang (sic Vogelzang,) our lower grade teacher, has the sympathy of
her pupils and friends here in the death of her sister at the Hawarden
hospital. A number from here attended the funeral at Hawarden. [Transcriber
Note: Miss Grace Vogelzang taught at Craig school from 1936-1941.]
Milo Croon, who is employed at Nokomis, Ill., is visiting his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Herman Croon.
Dr. Hussey, of Remsen, who has been here in the T. B. testing of bovine,
found few reactors, due to the persisting testing from year to year.
Henry Siebens of Akron vicinity was here last week in the interest of the
sale which he held. The Siebens family will moved to Wisconsin, where they
purchased 89 acres of land.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Tripp and sons, John and Carl, returned from an extended
visit at Grand Rapids and Saginaw, Mich., where a number of relatives live.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heeren visited relatives at Chatsworth on Sunday.
Dr. Figg of LeMars was a business caller here Sunday.
Miss Josephine Beaubien, of Sioux City, visited in the home of her sister,
Mrs. Dale Noble.
Wendell Hanstein was 12 years old Sunday and he with relatives enjoyed a
goose dinner in the home of her (sic-his) grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Baack. Those present with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Hanstein, Marian,
Edwin and Ronald, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Baack and children of Luverne, Minn.,
Mr. and Mrs. Hiney Baack and family of Sioux county.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Oloff will move to a farm two miles west of Craig.
Sunday at a family dinner were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Oloff and Emeral, Mr. and
Mrs. Emil Schuette and son, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Winterfeld and daughter,
Lucille, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Winterfeld and children and Art Wilkens.
Miss Norma Popken is assisting her sister, Mrs. Henry Oltmann, who is
ailing.
Miss Velma Lynch, of Luverne, visited in the Baack home, Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Fett visited in the Grant Hanstein home, Sunday evening.
Mrs. August Wilken and children were LeMars shoppers, Saturday.
Miss Dorothy Jahns, of Maurice, who has been visiting her aunt, Mrs. Will
Eilts, returned to her home.
Those purchasing new radios this week were Otto Popken and Fred Ronsick.
LINCOLN: (By Special Correspondent)
Darlene Wetrosky returned home Sunday afternoon from working the past three
weeks for her sister, Mrs. Vernon Cooper, of Correctionville.
A party was given at the home of Harry Baum's Friday evening. The evening
was spent playing cards and a delicious luncheon was served later in the
evening. Guests present were: Mr. and Mrs. William Utecht and children, Jim
Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wetrosky and children, Albert Rosenmerkel and sons,
Mrs. William Langle, Lilah and Ruth Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wetrosky
and son, Laurel, Earnest Huffman, Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and daughter,
Donna Mae, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huffman and daughter, Bernice, Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne Conrad, Earnest, Ferdinand, Gus, Jess,
William Lau, Carl and Harley Zimmerman, Elmer and Glen Conner, Phyllis Ward,
Johnny and Albert Porsch, Helen Roepke and Michael Mathers.
Clyde Wetrosky of Hinton visited in the Joe Wetrosky home, Thursday.
Mrs. Joe Wetrosky, John and Joe, visited in the Vernon Cooper's home,
Wednesday. Joe helped Vernon finish picking corn.
Jake Porsch and son, Johnny, assisted Theodore Porsch finish corn picking
Tuesday.
A surprise birthday party was given on William Utecht Sunday night. The
night was spent playing cards and a luncheon was served later in the
evening. The guests present were: Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and daughter,
Donna Mae, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Huffman and daughter, Bernice, Mrs. Joe Wetrosky and children, Johnny
and Albert Porsch, George, Bertha, and Walter Rosenmerkel, Miss Bashaw,
Willard, Ruby and Henry Baum, George Held, Earnest Huffman, Lilah and Ruth
Barnes, Glen and Elmer Conner, Ferdinand, Jess, William, Gus, Conrad and
Earnest Lau, Carl and Harley Zimmerman, Carl and Dick Meyers, Dick Milles,
Michael Mathers and Bert Ward.
Joe Wetrosky and Earnest Lau were business callers at Sioux City, Tuesday.
The neighbors assisted Harry Baum at picking corn last Tuesday. The neighbor
women cooked the meals for the pickers. The pickers were: George, William,
Jess, Conrad Lau, Dwight Saunders, Earnest Huffman, Walter Rosenmerkel,
Albert Porsch, Raymond Utecht, Jim Smith, John, Joe and Clarence Wetrosky,
William Langle, Michael Mathers. The women who assisted with cooking were
Bertha Rosenmerkel, Mrs. George Lau, Mrs. Clarence Wetrosky, Mrs. William
Utecht and Mrs. Joe Wetrosky.
Sunday visitors in the Joe Wetrosky home were Mr. and Mrs. Forest
Fitzpatrick and children, Darrell, Norma Jean, Noreen and Jerry, Mr. and
Mrs. Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne, and Herman Greenaburg.
George Lau shelled corn for Val Plendl Monday.
Joe Wetrosky and children, Joe, Luella, and Darlene, were Sioux City
shoppers, Monday.
LeMars Globe-Post
Thursday, December 22, 1938
[Photos of the Victims & the Wreckage Included in this news issue]
HOLIDAY PARTY TURNS TRAGEDY
Four Died in Wreck; Two Are Badly Injured
Inquiry at the Sacred Heart hospital just before going to press reveals that the two remaining victims of the accident, Vincent Buss and Mae Ellen Nelson, are now practically out of danger and unless unexpected developments occur, will recover.
A widely circulated rumor, that was printed in some of the daily papers, that Elaine Buss, sister of the injured driver, had been with the ill-fated party but had been let out of the car at the Buss home a mile south of LeMars, just before the crash, was denied today by Mrs. Ed Buss.
“Elaine wasn’t with them at all,” Mrs. Buss said. “They didn’t stop at our house, but went straight on to LeMars.”
In one of the worst crossing accidents in the history of Plymouth county, four members of a carefree holiday party were fatally injured, and two were so badly hurt that at this time their recovery is not yet assured, though considered probable.
The dead:
Neva Phelps, 19, Cozad, Neb. Died as soon as she reached the hospital. Broken neck and crushed chest.
Mildred Menke, 23, Odessa Minn. Both legs broken and fractured skull.
Claude Miller, 21, Galloway, Neb. Fractured left arm and skull fractured.
James Meade, 21, Colo, Ia. Broken left leg and right arm. Severe head injuries.
The injured:
Mae Ellen Nelson, 21, Hastings, Neb. Scalp lacerations, broken shoulder and back injury.
Vincent Buss, 21, LeMars. Broken shoulder.
The accident occurred Monday night about 7 o’clock. The Hawkeye Limited is due in at 7:01 p.m. and this is the train that hit the car, on the crossing about a block east of the McDuffie Park main entrance.
…The car was going east; the train was going north. The railroad crossing at this point is about 6 or 7 feet higher than the nearby streets. The car was almost over the track—a tenth of a second more and it would have been safe.
The engine hit the rear end of the car, hurling it against a telegraph pole about 18 inches in diameter and 60 feet high, breaking it off clean about 4 feet from the ground. The car bounced back against the right side of the engine, breaking the brake airline and damaging the air tank. Again the car was bounced, with its mangled occupants, and landed in the ditch, upright, heading south.
All of the occupants remained in the car, jammed against the floorboards in one grisly heap, except Mae Ellen Nelson, who, according to Mrs. Tom Cain, a witness, was thrown clear of the car.
In a few minutes a crowd had collected, and the victims were rushed to the hospital. So great was the confusion that reporters who later interviewed some of the eye-witnesses were unable to reconcile all of the accounts, some of which varied from each other. Lukens’ and Wiltgen’s ambulances took the victims to the hospital, but the first one was taken in Tom Cain’s (car), as reported elsewhere in today’s Globe-Post.
Radio Still On.
One of the freaks of the accident was reported by Miss Laura Leeder, one of the early arrivals, who said that the radio of the wrecked car was playing. Some of the others present did not hear the radio, as the battery acid leaked out. It is not known if the radio was playing before the accident, as none of the surviving victims was able to say.
Hermann Dambrink, waiting for the train at the Pech Foundry corner, heard the firemen yell at the engineer: “Cut the air, we’ve hit somebody.” Due to the damage to the train’s braking system, it took four blocks to stop.
At the next crossing, at the Plymouth Mills, Leo Dominick, also waiting for the train to pass, saw the engineer stick his head out of the cab and shout, “Hurry back and help those people. We’ve hit a car.”
Speaking of his experience, Herman Dambrink said:
“Herman Becker and I rushed to the wreck and helped pull them out. When I saw Meade’s mangled leg, and one of the girls with her scalp half torn off, I had to walk away awhile to steady my stomach.”
Had Been Shopping.
The party of 6 had been shopping in Sioux City, Buss driving the car. They had called at a company making advertising signs, to find out what it would cost to have a neon sign made with the letters, “WUC.” The sign was to be the senior class gift to the college, and was to be hung at the front of the administration building, where it would do double duty by illuminating a walk now inconveniently dark.
Two of the victims were engaged to be married, Mildred Menke and James Meade. Miss Menke was the second to die, Meade the fourth. Joint funeral services were held for them at the Hildreth Memorial church. Memorial services for the other victims were held there, too. All of the bodies have been shipped to the homes of the victims’ families, accompanied by representatives of Western Union College.
All Were Prominent.
All of the victims were prominent in college activities. Miss Phelps was taking a teacher’s training course and would have been graduated in June with a teacher’s certificate. Buss is an honor student, vice president of the college Y. M. C. A., a member of the debating team.
Miller and Meade were athletes. Miller a baseball player and Meade for 3 years a football player.
Miss Nelson, who survived, but, who will spend months in bed, would have graduated from teacher’s training in June.
Miss Menke was president of the college Y. M. C. A. , co-editor of the year-book, secretary of the student council, has had nurse’s training in a St. Paul hospital
Meade Had A Chance.
James Meade, the fourth to die, had been given a chance by hospital attendants. However, a lung injury, possibly by the end of a broken rib, sapped his strength. He was put under an oxygen tent, but he died early yesterday morning.
Young Buss appeared to be suffering from shock almost as much from actual injuries. His mother has been at his bedside most of the time. Whenever he talks he says, “Don’t go and leave me, Mother.” His mother, however, has been unable to stay with him much. His father, Ed Buss, has been at the hospital almost all of time since the accident.
Similar Tragedy.
Another visitor in the Buss hospital room was Mrs. Cora Baldwin, whose husband was killed by a train in a similar crossing accident, at the Plymouth Mills crossing. Mrs. Baldwin is a cousin of Ed Buss.
The Monday night tragedy increased the number of victims to (of) crossing accidents to six in recent year(s). Mr. Baldwin was killed at the Mill crossing; Mrs. Sam Scheduler was killed when a car she was driving was hit at a crossing two blocks southwest from there, and the latest and most wholesale killing occurred hardly more than a half a block from the point where Mrs. Schessler’s car was struck.
There is, however, a clear vision down a long stretch of straight track, and the drivers could see the trains coming for a long time. Apparently they underestimate the speed of the oncoming trains and think they have plenty of time to get over.
Statement Of Wilbur Ahlrichs:
Statement of Wilbur Ahlrich, one of the first to reach the scene of the accident:
“I was sitting in the house with Lester Bunt, and we were listening to the radio. We heard a crash but didn’t know what it was. It sounded like steam blowing out of a train boiler. I could hear a grinding noise but thought it was just the sound of the train going by. My wife stepped outside where she met a Mandelkow girl. This girl told my wife there was an accident. Bunt and I heard her and ran over to the scene with no coats or hats on.
“When we got there Bob and Hank Ruble and Ben Cramer were there. We started to take the bodies out of the car; they were all jammed together on the floor boards. As we removed the bodies, one of the boys started to move and murmured, ‘I want to stay with the rest of them.’ I believe this was Meade.”
Could Hardly Move Bodies.
“We could hardly carry one of the girls. Her leg was broken so badly. We pulled five bodies from the wrecked car and placed them on the grass. Then two ambulances were called.
“We then heard a moan. At first I thought it was a cat. Several feet from the car we found another girl. She was thrown clear of the wreckage and I believe she was the Nelson girl. One of the girls was placed in Tom Cain’s car and another was taken to the hospital in another car. The other four victims were taken to the hospital in Luken’s and Wiltgen’s ambulances.”
A representative of the Illinois Central system rapped on the Ahlrich door at this point of the interview. He was admitted and the following statement was made by Mr. Ahlrich:
“I heard the train whistle. It was almost on the crossing. The weather was clear. The train usually comes through here at about 50 to 55 miles an hour. I believe that is too fast for right in the residential section.”
SERVICES HELD WEDNESDAY FOR CRASH VICTIMS.
Services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 in the Hildreth Memorial church for Miss Mildred Menke and James Meade, two of the victims in the tragic accident which killed four members of the Western Union student body. Rev. Golden Thompson conducted the ceremonies.
The entire Senior Class of the college marched into the church together with the Albright Fellowship League to pay respects for their classmates. During the service, Arnold Marzolf, senior class member, offered a prayer for the deceased which was followed by an obituary reading by Clarence Dekne, also a classmate.
Omar Lemke read a scripture reading and then a quartette, composed of seniors, sang several selections. Professor Danner sang a solo.
The members of the Albright League and the members of the senior class marched out of the church first and formed lines before the church between which the bodies were carried to the waiting hearses. Students were given a chance to see their two classmates again at Mauer’s and at Luken’s funeral parlors, before the bodies were sent to their homes, one in Colo, Iowa, and the other at Odessa, Minn.
The pallbearers were Jesse Rottler, Junior Thomas, Glen Hulsebus, Victor Miller, Melvin Farley, and Irwin Schmidt.
The body of James Meade was shipped to Colo for burial, with Jesse Rottler, captain of this year’s football team, acting as escort.
CRIPPLED TRAIN PUSHED TO CHEROKEE BY FREIGHT.
The Hawkeye Limited, crack Illinois Central passenger train which struck the ill-fated Buss car Monday night, was pushed to Cherokee that same evening by train No. 76, Illinois Central freight, according to R. B. Howard, local agent.
The Hawkeye Limited had a broken air pump and with no air-brakes was unable to continue the route. At Cherokee another engine was hooked on and the train continued on to Chicago.
Mr. Howard said that the drive-rod on the engine was not broken. In addition to the air pump, the auxiliary air tank was broken off and also three rods out of the pilot, commonly known as the “cow-catcher.”
The statement as to the driver being broken, published in the daily newspapers and contained in the diagram in today’s Globe-Post, is erroneous, Mr. Howard said.
LeMars Globe-Post
Thursday, December 29, 1938
PLYMOUTH-STANTON: (By Special Correspondent)
Miss Rachel Brandstetter, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, arrived on Saturday to
spend the Christmas holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. J.
Brandstetter.
Rev. and Mrs. Elmer Bauer and son, Carlton, observed Christmas with their
relatives at Pipestone, Minn.
Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Schultz and family and Lester Schultz spent Christmas day
with Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Schultz at LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Hodgson and sons, Clayton and Jimmie, motored to
Griswold, Iowa, where they spent the Christmas holidays with Mrs. Hodgson’s
parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. McKinley.
Pupils of school districts Plymouth No. 4 and Stanton No. 4 invited their
parents and friends to attend their Christmas program held on Wednesday
evening. Very interesting Christmas were presented and Santa Claus managed
to make a short stop at both of the schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schultz attended a family gathering at Hawarden on
Christmas day.
Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Lippke and family were Christmas day dinner guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Chris Miller, at LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fischer were hosts to Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Fischer and
family, Carl Fischer and Ferdinand Fischer of LeMars at a Christmas dinner.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Braband entertained Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morris of Sioux
City, and Mrs. Ed Carpenter of Ireton on Christmas day.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Ellwein of Sioux Falls, S.D., spent Christmas with the
latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Danne.
Miss Mildred Schultz and Geo. Schultz attended a business meeting of the
Farmer’s Union at Des Moines a few days last week.
Mrs. Bessie Schultz and children, Roy, Juanita and Jimmie and Kenneth
Gaumnitz, left on Wednesday evening for Pequot, Minn., where they spent the
Christmas holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Denniston. Mrs. Denniston was
formerly Goldie Schultz.
Otto Kaiser, a former resident of this vicinity, died suddenly at his home
in LeMars Saturday afternoon. A large number of old friends attended his
funeral which was held Monday afternoon at the Nazarene church in LeMars.
Mrs. Jacob Brandstetter presided at a large family dinner at her home in
LeMars, Monday noon. The guest list included Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Brandstetter
and Roger, Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Brandstetter and daughters Marjorie and
Rachel, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Brandstetter of Sioux City, Mr. and Mrs.
Russell Knapp and Marilyn and Evan, Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Weidauer and Alan,
Mr. and Mrs. Merle Weidauer and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Knapp of LeMars
and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Logan, of Diller, Neb.
Mr. and Mrs. Art Zimmerman entertained Mrs. Anna Cobb and son, George, of
Sioux City, Frank Zimmerman and Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson and daughters, on
Christmas day.
Christmas dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kehrberg were Mrs. Gertrude
Albert and family of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Schultz and family and Mr.
and Mrs. Carl Schultz and Darrell.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Logan of Diller, Neb., spent Christmas with the latter’s
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Weidauer.
PRESTON: (By Special Correspondent)
A family dinner was enjoyed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Collmann on
Sunday. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Morrison and Mr. and Mrs.
Andrew Paul of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Collmann, Grandma Collmann, Annie
Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Collmann and Ralph, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schroeder,
Dean and Lynn, and Helen Schroeder, of Milford.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Taylor, Bobby and Ralph, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Early and
Bobby, of Sioux City, spent Christmas day at the Geo. Bauerly home at
Brunsville.
Mr. and Mrs. Lou Oloff entertained Mr. and Mrs. Herman Reichel and Mr. and
Mrs. George Reichel and Mildred on Christmas day.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bohlken and Donald and La Verle, spent the Christmas
holidays with relatives at Coleridge, Neb.
Mrs. Fred Schroeder and children, Dean and Lynn, of Milford, are visiting in
the Lou Collmann home this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Brooks and Ronnie, of Sioux City, spent Christmas day at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bohlken.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Barker entertained relatives at a family dinner Sunday.
Rocille Rohlfs of LeMars and Henrietta Hoeck of Ireton spent Christmas day
at their respective homes.
Fred Schroeder of Sioux City spent the weekend at the L. Collmann home.
Mrs. Henry Collmann and children and Mrs. Albert Collmann and Annie visited
in the A. R. Morrison home in LeMars, on Monday.
Helen Schroeder of Milford is visiting this week with the Herb Schroeder and
Wash Timmons families.
Mr. and Mrs. John Koch entertained Mr. and Mrs. Herb Schroeder and family,
Mr. and Mrs. James Gabel and Connie, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Borchers, Mr. and
Mrs. John Wilken and Dennis, at dinner, Sunday.
ELKHORN: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. John Jensen spent Christmas eve in the Ben Franzen home.
Dell Spink received a telegram Friday informing him of the death of his
father, which occurred at the home of his daughter at Oregon City, Ore. The
remains were shipped to Ortonville, Minn., for burial. Mr. Spink left Monday
for Ortonville to attend the funeral which was held Tuesday. He was
accompanied by his uncle, Jay Spink, from Bronson, and Mr. and Mrs. Ed
Plendl.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Teisinger of Kansas City, Mo., arrived here last Saturday
to spend Christmas in the J. L. Kehrberg home.
Miss Ilene Henry, who teaches near Council Bluffs, is spending the holiday
vacation in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Henry.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Wink drove to Holstein Saturday evening to spend
Christmas eve in the home of Mrs. Wink’s mother.
Mrs. Mary Bolton had as dinner guests on Christmas day all her children and
their families.
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Kehrberg and sons, Harland and Verle, Mrs. F. R. Kehrberg
and Chryl Bolton were visitors in Sioux City, Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Conley and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Alyea and son, and
Leonard Plendl were dinner guests in the Artie Pratt home on Christmas day.
Florence and Ann Lindgren of Sioux City spent Christmas day in the home of
their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Lindgren.
Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Fletcher and son, Dean, were visitors in LeMars,
Saturday.
A very fine Christmas program was give at school district No. 4 last
Thursday evening. After the program Santa Claus made his usual visit. A very
fine lunch was served at the close of the evening. The proceeds were used to
buy an oil stove for the school.
Twenty-five members of the Fletcher family enjoyed Christmas day in the Dell
Spink home.
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Fry and son, from Moville, spent Saturday night and
Sunday in the Fred Calkin home.
Mr. and Mrs. Emery Kurtz and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Graham and son, and
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hendrin were Christmas dinner guests in the Albert
Kurtz home.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Swanberg and family from Merrill were supper guests in
the H. C. Fletcher home Christmas eve. Later in the evening Mr. and Mrs.
Swanberg and son, Max, attended the wedding of their niece, Miss Darlene
Swanberg, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Swanberg.
RUBLE: (By Special Correspondent)
Mrs. F. Schmidt and sons, John and Mervin, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Klemme and
family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schmidt and Frances and Dick Osterbuhr reminded
Mrs. Emory Klemme of her birthday on Monday evening.
Quite a few from here attended the Married Folks dance in Brunsville on
Friday evening. Pete’s furnished the music.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Klemme and daughter, Darlene, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Klemme
and Mrs. Louie Plueger spent Christmas eve at the Jack Borchers home near
Brunsville.
The Jesse Kallsen home is at present quarantined for Scarlet Fever.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Heeren and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Heeren enjoyed a dinner at
the August Borchers home on Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Borchers are the proud parents of a baby boy born Dec.
25th.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Klemme, Mrs. Anna Klemme, and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Heeren
and son, Arlan, spent Christmas Eve at the Herman Heeren home.
Mrs. Elmer Hoffman is a patient at the Akron Hospital at present.
Monday dinner guests at the Fred Klemme home were Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Klemme.
Clarence Kallsen is staying at the John Kallsen home at present.
Herman Heeren and John Heeren were Monday callers at the Louis Heeren home.
Hannah Anderson is assisting with the work at the Fred Borchers home at
present.
Fern and Pearl Nitzschke and Erwin Klemme spent Christmas at the Paul
Nitzschke home in Remsen.
Berniece Borchers spent Monday visiting at the Henry Plueger home.
Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Jeffers and family spent Christmas Holidays with
relatives at Webster City, Iowa.
Wilmer Klemme spent Sunday at the Will Vreugdenhil home in South Dakota.
Mrs. Elmer Borchers was a Tuesday afternoon visitor at the Norman Heeren
home.
Several from here attended the Lloyd Stickfort sale on Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Koplin and family were Tuesday afternoon guests at the
Alfred Klemme home.
Fern and Paul Nitzschke spent several days this week at the Mrs. Anna Klemme
home.
Tuesday evening visitors at the Alex Klemme home were Mrs. Anna Klemme and
son, Erwin, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Klemme and Fern and Paul Nitzschke and
Shirley Koplin.
Bert Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, passed away at his home on
Christmas morning. Death was due to a brain concussion which he received
when he fell down the basement steps at his home on Saturday evening. Death
comes as a severe shock to the relatives and friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thietje assisted with the work at the Lambert Jeffers
home the past few days.
Mrs. Will Jensen spent the past few days at the Fred Borchers home.
WESTERN STANTON: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Donlin entertained at dinner on Christmas having as their
guests Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Hoffman and son “Ted”, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hoffman
and son Jerry from Ruble and Verner Hoffman from Sioux City.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Logan came from Diller, Neb., to spend Christmas in the
home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Weidauer and family.
A large number attended the Christmas program given by pupils of the
Evangelical Sunday school on Saturday evening. The program was well
rendered, much credit for its success is due the committee in charge
composed of Mrs. Clifford Kress, Mrs. Carl Schultz, Rev. and Mrs. E. M.
Bauer and Miss Alva Kehrberg as pianist.
Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Hodgson and two children, Clayton and Jimmie, left
Saturday for Griswold where they joined the family circle for their
Christmas dinner in the home of Mrs. Hodgson’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C.
Kinley.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Hodgson acted as hosts on Christmas Day having as guests
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Remer and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bowers and family, Mr.
and Mrs. Art Allison and family and Mr. John Allison.
Miss Rachel Brandstetter arrived Saturday morning from Benton Harbor,
Michigan, to spend the holidays in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B.
J. Brandstetter and family.
The Geo. Hodgson family from Wessington Springs, S. Dak., arrived Saturday
to spend Christmas with relatives in this community.
“Ted” Hoffman motored to Storden, Minn., to spend a couple of days in the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hoffman and family.
Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Hoffman are enjoying a new Chevrolet car, which they
recently purchased.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Schrooten and Barbara were guests on Christmas day in the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ball.
The Women’s Missionary Society of the Stanton Evangelical church will be
entertained on Wednesday, Jan. 4th, in the home of Mrs. Elsa Brandstetter.
Mrs. H. G. Pech went to Lennox, S.D., Sunday to spend Christmas in the home
of her sister, Mrs. Ted Nussbaum and family and with other relatives.
A fine baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dick Laughton on Thursday, Dec.
22nd, at the Sacred Heart Hospital at LeMars. Mrs. Laughton was formerly
Carolyn Bogenrief.
STRUBLE: (By Special Correspondent)
Otto Oltmann was a Sioux City visitor Tuesday, having stock on the market
that day.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nolan, Jackie, Jimmie and Patty Rose of Beaver Creek,
Minn., were holiday guests in the Harry Landgraff home.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex McDougall had as their guests Christmas Day, Mr. and Mrs.
Grant Hanstein, Miss Marian, Edwin, Wendell and Ronald.
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schuelte and Dale spent Christmas in the Fred Oloff home
in Craig.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Siebels and family were guests in the Fred Harms home in
LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Frericks and family spent the day in the George Frericks
home in LeMars.
Mr. and Mrs. John McDougall and Jackie were guests of their mother, Mrs.
Martha McDougall in LeMars, who entertained at a family dinner.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Nicholson and Ellen drove to Sioux Falls to spend the
holidays in the Bob DeMois home.
GRANT: (By Special Correspondent)
Miss Irene Doering who is employed in Sioux City spent the weekend visiting
relatives in this vicinity.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Plueger was christened Ronald LeRoy on
Thursday.
Dinner guests in the John H. Hauschild home in LeMars on Christmas Day were
Mr. and Mrs. George Borchers and Mildred, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ronsick and
family and Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Hauschild and family.
Born on Christmas Day, to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Borchers, a baby boy.
Congratulations. Mrs. Will Johnson is helping care for the new arrival and
the mother.
Dinner guests in the Fred Harms home on Christmas Day were Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Siebels and family and Mr. and Mrs. John Harms and family.
Mrs. Anna Aalfs was a Christmas Day visitor in the John Aalfs home.
Tuesday evening callers in the Charley Plueger home were Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Plueger and family, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Plueger and family, Elmer, Eddie,
Louise, Regina, Clara and Clarence Plueger.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Klemme, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Heeren and son Arlan were
Saturday evening visitors in the Herman Heeren home.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Von Hagel and family were Sunday evening visitors in the
Albert Heeren home.
OYENS: (By Special Correspondent)
Miss Gertrude Fisch of LeMars was a Christmas day guest in the home of her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fisch.
Miss Norma Kunkel, student nurse at St. Joseph’s hospital in Sioux City,
spent Christmas day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kunkel, and with
her brothers and sisters. The Kunkel family were among the guests
entertained at a family dinner in the Vincent Schnepf home at Merrill.
Lawrence, Ambrose and Alfred Hansen, all of whom are employed in the
vicinity of Granville, spent Christmas in the home of their parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Emil Hansen.
Christmas visitors in the John Meis home included Mr. and Mrs. Maurice
Carrigan, daughter Paula and son, Michael, and Miss Olivia Meis, all of
Sioux City.
The Ben Hansen family were visitors on Christmas in the home of Mrs.
Hansen’s father, Carl Staab, at Remsen.
The Misses Magadel Kemp and Mildred Nielsen arrived Tuesday from Santa Cruz,
Calif., to spend holidays with relatives in and near Oyens. Magadel is
visiting her father, Harry Kemp and Mildred is a guest of her grandparents,
Mr. and Mrs. Torval Kloster, and other relatives. At the time of their
arrival, Magadel’s hope of seeing a white Christmas in Iowa, her former
home, seemed hopeless, but her dream came true and we all shared it. The
girls will remain about six weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Weber were entertained to Christmas dinner in the Frank
Fiedler home. Other Christmas visitors there were Mr. and Mrs. Cletus
Mayrose of Morningside, in Sioux City, and Miss Margaret Fiedler, who
attends a business college in Sioux City, and who stays with the Mayroses.
Mrs. Frances Schnepf of Remsen and her daughter, Miss Carrie Schnepf, R.N.
of St. Joseph’s hospital in Sioux City, were Christmas guests of the William
Schnepf family.
Miss Lois Kemp of St. Joseph’s training school for nurses, in Sioux City,
was a Christmas visitor in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Kemp.
The Walter Meacham family of Sioux City, visited in the Charles Kuster home
on Christmas day. Bill remained until Monday, to help his grandfather and
his aunt, Della, in the Kuster Lumber company.
Mr. and Mrs. George Lanzendorf and children entertained the Ted Genglers of
near Remen, the John Peter Genglers of near here, and the Mike Genglers,
also of near here, Christmas night.
Mr. and Mrs. Othmas Rolfes and children of near LeMars, spent their
Christmas day in the home of Mrs. Rolfe’s parents, Mrs. Frances Theisen.
Christmas guests in the Joe Kemp home included Mr. and Mrs. Kemp’s
daughters, Mrs. Donald Kissinger of Des Moines, the Misses Isabel and
Margaret Kemp of LeMars, and Mrs. Elmer Peters, with her family, also of
LeMars.
Harry Heinrich was a Christmas dinner guest of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius
Ludwig, in Remsen.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Doud were entertained on Christmas day, in the Hastert
home, near Alton.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peebles and daughter, went to Dakota City, Nebraska, to
be with Mrs. Peeble’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Krumweide, Sr., on
Christmas, and have since returned.
On Christmas Eve the family and near relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Toval Koster,
gathered in the Kloster home to enjoy the distribution of gifts to the
children, and on Christmas day they reunited for Christmas dinner in the
Axel Petersen home. The Jens Kloster family of Oyens, were among the guests,
both Christmas eve and Christmas day.
Christmas day in our little town had a very lovely beginning with a high
mass at 5:30 in St. Catherine’s church, to which the faithful congregation
members flocked through velvety darkness, in good will and thankfulness that
the affairs of their lives were as blessed as they have been the past year.
At dawn, as the vario-colored street, church steeple, tree lights and those
of Christmas window wreaths, were extinguished, a white Christmas was in
evidence. The annual gift to each child of the parish from Father Rolfes,
the Christmas tree, laden with presents, to be distributed on the Feast of
the Holy Innocents, on Wednesday, was viewed after the first mass. The
second mass was at 7:45 and was a low mass, while the third, a high mass,
took place at 10:30.
The Christmas holidays for the pupils and teachers of St. Catherine’s school
began last week and will end, after New Years day. The rural schools in our
neighborhood are also having their Christmas vacation.
Mrs. John Meis was a guest of relatives in Remsen last Thursday. She was
accompanied home on Friday by her brother, Peter Homan and son, Bob, of near
Remsen.
Joe Kelly returned last week from the Sacred Heart Hospital at LeMars, after
a brief period of treatment there, for an infection in his right eye that
has been present for many weeks and improvement is being noticed.
Election of officers took place Thursday evening at a meeting of the
Columbus club members, in Columbus Hall. Andrew Kunkel is the new president,
Charles Kuster is the vice president. Tom Dixon has been re-elected
secretary and John Cronin, Fidelis Heissel, Joe Kemp and John Peter Gengler
are on the committee. Luncheon followed the business session.
The Sherman Laddusaw home has been placed under scarlet fever quarantine
because of little Dickie Laddusaw’s having come down with that sickness, but
most homes are fortunately free from children’s epidemics, otherwise.
At the funeral of Mike Brucher of Remsen, at St. Mary’ church there Friday
morning, the following relatives from in or near Oyens acted as pallbearers:
Mike Weber, Leo Schroeder, John Fiedler, Frank Fiedler and Ray Fiedler, as
also was Louis Fiedler, of Waterloo. Mrs. Weber, Mrs. John Fiedler, Mrs.
Frank Fiedler and Mrs. Schroeder also attended the funeral, as did Mr. and
Mrs. Mike Heuertz and their daughter, Mrs. Albert Kurtzhals, of near LeMars.
The Oyens Social Club will meet Thursday evening in the Kuster home, for
their regular meeting, after which a covered dish luncheon will be served.
LINCOLN: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. George Lau and daughter, Donna Mae, Mrs. Forrest Fitzpatrick,
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wetrosky and son, John, were Sioux City shoppers Tuesday
afternoon.
Wynola Hansen and Helen Roepke returned home from Lawton high school Friday
afternoon to spend a week vacation with their parents.
Mrs. Harry Porsch and daughter, Jeanne, Norma Jean, and Noreen and Jeffry
Fitzpatrick visited Darlene Wetrosky all day Tuesday.
Lincoln No. 5 school gave their annual Christmas play Friday night. Presents
were exchanged by the school pupils while the parents and friends drew
presents from the grab bag. The evening was enjoyed by everyone present.
Garland Trassvell and Percy Wetrosky assisted Willard Moesur with grinding
corn fodder Saturday.
Jess Lau, Carl Zimmerman, William Langle, Darlene Wetrosky and Harley
Zimmerman were visitors in the George Lau home Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Hansen and children, Wynola and Larry, visited Mrs.
Hansen’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Harrison Christmas Day.
Joe Wetrosky Jr., assisted Clarence Wetrosky with sawing wood Thursday.
Carl Zimmerman, Conrad Ferdinand Jess and Guss Lau motored to Sioux City
Saturday.
Luella Wetrosky returned Friday evening to her home from Sioux City after
spending two weeks vacation with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. William Hansen and son, Larry, Garland Trasswell and Percy
Wetrosky were Sioux City shoppers Tuesday.
Bert Ward purchased a new Chevrolet truck Saturday.
Willard and Ruby Baum were visitors in the Joe Wetrosky home Thursday
evening.
Christmas guests in Joe Wetrosky’s home Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Mrs.
Forrest Fitzpatrick and children Darrel, Norma Jean, Noreen and Jerry, Mr.
and Mrs. George Lau and daughter Donna Mae, Harley Zimmerman and George
Wetrosky, Conrad Lau, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Porsch, William Lau, Percy
Wetrosky, Earnest Lau, Jeanne Porsch, Guss Lau, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
Wetrosky, Ferdinand Lau, Lorrell Wetrosky, Jess Lau, and Ruth Barnes.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baum and children, Ruby and Henry, were Sioux City
shoppers Friday.
Carl Zimmerman and John Wetrosky were business callers in the George Lau
home Tuesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baum and man Greenaburg and Joe Wetrosky were Sioux City
shoppers on Friday. [Transcriber Note: I suspect there is an error in the
typeset that spelled out that name, man Greenaburg.]
Percy, George and Joe Westrosky and Ruth Barnes motored to Sioux City Sunday
afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Giffrow are visiting Mrs. Giffrow’s parents, Mr. and Mrs.
William Utecht during Christmas vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. George Lau, John and Darlene Wetrosky and William Lau were
visitors in Sioux City Friday.
A party was given in the honor of Herman Porsch’s birthday and Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer Connor’s marriage Tuesday evening. Mrs. Connor being the former Lilah
Barnes. The evening was spent in playing cards and visiting. A delicious
luncheon was served at a late hour. Many relatives and friends were present.
SENEY: (By Special Correspondent)
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hinde and children motored to Springfield, S.D., Thursday
and visited with relatives over the holiday, returning home Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Penning were dinner guests of Mrs. Margaret Rees,
Christmas day.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex McArthur spent Christmas in the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Melvin McArthur and family in LeMars.
E. F. Anstine went to Council Bluffs the latter part of the week where he
spent a few days visiting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hughes. Mrs.
Hughes is a niece of Mr. Anstine.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy McArthur, Ruth and Raymond McArthur, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey
Buss and son, Stanley, motored to Sioux City Christmas where they attended a
family reunion in the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Darville.
Walter Jenkins and son, Marvin and Darrell, and David Laughry called on Mr.
and Mrs. Kenneth Rees in the home of Mrs. Margaret Rees, Tuesday evening.
Miss Ruth McArthur is spending the week with relatives in Sioux City.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker were Christmas day guests in the home of their
son, Floyd Becker, and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred DeRaad and son, Dean and daughter, Doris, Mr. and Mrs.
Elmer DeRaad and daughter, Shirley Ann, attended a Christmas reunion in the
home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John DeRaad of Kingsley.
Mrs. Stella Criswell entertained Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hinde and daughters, Betty
and Joan, and son, Max, in her home Christmas day.
Joseph, Kinsella, and Robert Deegan returned last week from a visit with
relatives at Los Angeles, Calif.
Rev. and Mrs. T. C. Batho and son, Robert, of Sioux City, called on friends
in town last week.
Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Nanninga entertained at a family reunion in their home
Christmas day. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Albert and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Mock and daughter, Melva Rae, and son, Stanley, of
Indianapolis, Ind., Orville and Howard Nanninga of San Jose, Calif., and Mr.
and Mrs. Alex Nanninga and children of Ireton.
Billy Osborne is confined to his home with an attack of measles.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Detloff and sons, Wayne and Glen, Mr. and Mrs. Harold
Rees, Lila, Orville and Melvin Rees, were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Will
Rees in LeMars, Christmas.
Mrs. Ella Zimmerman, of LeMars, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mohan and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. Richard Zimmerman of Sioux City, were Christmas day dinner guests
of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hawkins.
Guests in the home of Mrs. Lizzie Buss Christmas day were Mrs. Bertha Utecht
and daughter, Elsie, of LeMars and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Utecht and family.
Rev. and Mrs. Richard Mohler and daughter, Delores, left Sunday for
Waterloo, Iowa where Rev. Mohler officiated at the marriage of his two
sisters, Sunday evening.
A large audience was in attendance at the program given by the pupils of the
Seney Sunday School in the church, Christmas eve. The committee in charge
encountered much difficulty in preparing the program on account of an
epidemic of chicken pox among the children of this community, nevertheless,
the program, though short, was enjoyed by those present. In closing bags of
candy and nuts were distributed.
SOCIAL NOTES.
~Don Remer and Melvin Hathaway of Los Angeles, Calif., are spending the
holidays with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Remer and Mr. and Mrs. E. D.
Hathaway.
~Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Reeves returned Tuesday from Centerville, Iowa, where
they have spent the Christmas vacation in the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. C.
Finnell, parents of Mrs. Donald Reeves. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Reeves of
Peoria, Ill, also spent Christmas in Centerville, thus making it possible
for both of them to be with their parents at Christmas.
~Mary Ellen Joynt, who spent the holidays with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. R.
J. Joynt, left this morning for Washington, where she will resume her duties
as secretary to Congressman Vincent Harrington. Before leaving she will
close the Sioux City office. Congressman Harrington’s other secretary, Lloyd
Prince, will remain in Sioux City on vacation until after the first of the
year.
~The post-Christmas cold spell, while wreaking havoc on coal bins, was much
appreciated by skating enthusiasts, who have not had much fun to practice
their favorite sport this season. Skaters have been daily enjoying the ice
at the New Deal park and at the Whitewae. At the latter place admission is
charged, but the ice is kept in excellent condition and a warming house is
provided. The sub-zero weather has made the ice of safe thickness.
~Mr. and Mrs. Lewis MesKinner and two-year-old daughter, Cynthia Louise,
returned on Tuesday evening after spending Christmas visiting friends and
relatives at Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Mason City, Iowa. They drove about
800 miles and also through a blinding snowstorm from Charles City to Mason
City.