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Newspaper
Elgin Echo
Location
Elgin, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 19, 1949
Page
5
A 1949 letter to Elgin residents imagines the town’s 200th anniversary in 2049. It recalls Elgin’s 1849 founding, local growth, and the century vault project by the Des Moines Register and Tribune. The writer muses on future travel, war, and community progress, urging 2049 residents to enjoy the centennial.
Kirkjorden of Farmersburg announces the engagement and coming marriage of his daughter Ella to Lester L. Butikofer, Elgin farmer. The couple will reside on Butikofer’s farm south of Elgin with a Norway Lutheran church ceremony at St. Olaf west of town and a reception afterward.
The regular auxiliary meeting will be held Thursday evening May 26 in the Legion room. Hostesses are Clara Muehrenthaler Sue Bovis Jessie Anderson Ruth Kirkeberg and Esther Kiple.
State offices housed in downtown Des Moines will be moved to the International Harvester Co. building on the statehouse grounds to ease crowding. The liquor commission and store will move first to the main floor, with remodeling costing an estimated 100 000 to 200 000 dollars. The project hinges on appropriations and may delay full relocation of other commissions. A separate 1951 state building project on statehouse grounds is funded, aiming east of the Capitol. A new Iowa sleeping pills and health product labeling law, aligned with federal act, will restrict purchases to prescriptions and take effect July 4.
The statehouse faces renewed talk of a five day, 40 hour week. Employees seek staggered hours to keep offices open until noon Saturdays, mirroring private industry. Some officials have previously supported the plan to attract staff, though the personnel issue continues.
Miss Joanne Marie Mosby and Paul R. Watters wed in a Saturday ceremony at St. Pauls Methodist Church Elgin. Rev Bruce Jones officiated with bridesmaids Roberta Mosby and Charlotte Winger. The couple will reside in South Bend Indiana after a reception for about seventy five guests. Out of town relatives attended from Iowa towns, Honolulu Hawaii and South Bend.
Elgin is extending its water mains with copper pipe from Carl Hackmann home to Mrs Ruby Benson residence in West Elgin and from Ina Kohler corner north to Brackin and Dennler homes. DeSart home on Pleasant street to be connected. Extension north of Kohler’s uses 2 12 inch pipe. Mrs Ella Humphry and Robert of West Union were supper guests at Chris Wenger’s home.
About one hundred ten members and guests attended the Tabitha Society tea in the Baptist church parlors on Thursday afternoon May 12. Hostesses included Mrs. Harry Johnson Mrs. Abe Habeger Mrs. Alfred Baechler and Mrs. Clara Baumgartner. Bouquets and candles themed the decor and refreshments. President Edna Miller and past president Eileen Krueger presided at the tea tables. A Mother’s Day program featured songs and readings by society members.
Arlington Eastern Star Chapter members attended a Friendship gathering in Elgin last Wednesday evening featuring a musical program by Arlington members followed by a social hour. The Elgin committee provided lunch for attendees.
Capper’s fourth year producing started chicks expands total capacity to 100,000. Most chicks ship at three weeks by express. several kept to six weeks. Two large Capper farm houses house the starting plant with nine to ten full time workers, mirrored by a similar crew at the Franklin street hatchery.
Centennial Balloon Ern Cristen found a balloon in his field last week with an instruction sheet asking the finder to report date and place of finding to the Decorah Chamber of Commerce. The organization releasing multiple balloons expects dispersion over several hundred miles.
Imogene Mitts of Elkader was called Sunday evening at the Walter Mitts home.
Otto Torkelson announces his retirement after 15 years with Torkelson Motor Co, formed from C O Torkelson, Carl, Otis and Ivan Torkelson. The firm shifts to merchandising and servicing Plymouth and Chrysler products, while Otto remains involved with Elgin Food Lacking partners.
Our Town Dads publish the town official roster for Elgin residents in 2049. Names include Mayor G. H. Falk Councilmen Leo Schori D. O. Dean Chas ONeill Lorence Muehlethaler Sheldon Bayle Clerk R BE Kohier and Treasurer Max Thoma.
Lands nine pound carp on Sunday while fishing in the Turkey. John Hellum aimed to beat Jacob Hoover but finished five pounds behind. The Turkey shoreline was crowded with anglers Sunday but most failed to land a fish.
Elgin firemen were called to the Ed Boleyn home last Friday afternoon when the house filled with smoke. They traced the source to the furnace and found little damage.
Charles Gehring is supervising a full remodeling of the upstairs apartment in the former Schricker building. Contractor Shoen tags of Strawberry Point is tearing out old partitions and rebuilding them to modern plans. Upon completion a north entry will replace the former rear entrance.
The Rough Ashlar group will meet in Fayette on Tuesday May 24. All focal Masons are asked to keep the date in mind and attend if possible.
The Senior Class of 1949 at Elgia High School lists Clara Mae Bane Barbara Crist det Karolin Falk Marilyn Falk Eunice Gehring Marion Gehring Lauretta Gilson Peggy Helms Luella Little Loraine Miller Amy Lou Torkelson Helen Wender Kenneth Blockhus Gerald Blockhus Raymond Frieden Robert Hanson Ted Jacobson Russell Larson Bill Minihan Duane Pinney Gordon Pollock Clarence Reierson Earle Strang and Dean Torkelsor. Baccalaureate exercises are set for Sunday evening May 22 at the Methodist church with Rev Arthur Ittermann of the Baptist church delivering the sermon.
Commencement exercises set for Monday evening May 23 with Bruce Gates, president of Gates Business College Waterloo, delivering the address. Class motto is We Finish to Begin, colors Red and Gray, and the class flower is the Red Rose.
Bruce D. Gates of Waterloo will deliver the commencement address for the Class of 1949. He has served Gates College for 34 years, eight as instructor and 26 as president, and has previously spoken here, his talks leaving a deep impression on audiences.
H D Shealstall retires as Elgin station agent on May 21 after 49 years 7 months with Chicago Rock Island Pacific Railway. He began at age 15 in Prairie City and held ten regular assignments. Mr and Mrs Shoafstall moved from Center Point a year ago, befriended locals, and plan to relocate to their 80 acre farm near Clear Lake next week.
Jacob Butikofer was taken to Postville hospital last Saturday and on Monday morning underwent major surgery. Latest reports indicate he is getting along fairly well.
Regular use of want ads strengthens reputation and visibility for sellers and buyers. Consistent placement increases responses, trust, and engagement across local markets.
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