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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Aug 26, 1954
Page
5
A Hoover talk at West Branch Iowa on his 80th birthday decries communism as clap trap cloaked as freedom. He warns that minor intellectuals and labor leaders recruit agents and that ordinary Americans are immune to the infection, in concise hard-edged contrast.
Economists say minor recession ended and IGA advertising boosts sales with 16 percent growth in five months. Orville W. Johler credits advertising, service, and low prices as lifeblood. Iowa 4-H clubs, with Soil Conservation Service guidance, plan terrace-building demos to halt runoff, aiming to expand terraces from 16,400 miles in 1953 toward the needed 500,000 miles, led by the younger generation.
The report notes a first demonstration held with the county plowing match near Runnells on August 19th. Details and photos are promised on the farm page in this issue.
Two speakers at the World Council of Churches in Evanston Illinois warned that seeds of communism grow if Africa and Asia are exploited. Rever end Peter Dagadu cited Africa’s resource exploitation and labor discrimination while Dr Charles Malik warned Asia and Europe could fall to communism. Both urged Christian conscience to act and end discrimination.
Washington Evening Journal urges a two-cent gas tax rise to fund a 50 million primary road program costing the average motorist about 13 dollars annually. Coon Rapids Enterprise laments loss of prairie wildlife and urges citizen help to protect birds and habitats with conservation groups and scouts.
Fifty years ago Herman Rietveld led a push to build a railroad from Pella to Harvey linking with the Rock Island bridge and feeding Pella power from Harvey. The plan envisioned ties to C B Q and Wa bash, with local capitalists to own and operate the line. A front page note recounts a bicycle mishap after dark, injuring two ladies, and a scolding rider. The Merchants picnic drew about a thousand, with band music, free coffee and ice water, a basketball draw 8–8, and river bathers. Evening dancing featured Skip to My Lou and Old Dan Tucker. The Pella band boasted top state status, despite the Buxton group not matching them.
Local report notes Pella Meteors fell to Oskaloosa 10 to 6 at Monroe with Carson pitching for Pella and Boatman for Oskaloosa. Also mentions Towa potato crop at 13 377 000 bushels and rice at 90 cents per bushel. News items include Brussels evacuation, Leige fortress resistance, and sinking of American vessels. City budget set with 43 mills levy. Death of 86 year old Leslie Hugh Sadler in Omaha following an earlier appendectomy. Details on his wife Nelle Doedyns.
The Chronicle reports a mix of town items including Belle Byram ill with typhoid fever and Mrs A Scott returning home from Milton to nurse her. a car buyer under Art Verrips knocks down a light post at Main and Huber, noted as an unlucky corner. Jacob Weertstra purchases Goulooze property for 1675 dollars. a 57 pound watermelon from Van Zante farm near Eddyville. The Pella Fair set for September 8 to 10 with Western Vaudeville Association providing entertainment. A stranger at Security State Bank performs death defying stunts, bound and suspended head down, then leaves when no pay offered. Grandman’s Grove hosts a 325-person family picnic on a fine threshing day. Mrs Will McAdoo of Okmulgee visits relatives in Pella. New show windows installed in Fred Van Rheenen’s store. Ray Vander Wal and wife go to West Union to teach. Southern Town Fair ads occupy over two pages for Oskaloosa merchants. Karl Kettering signs to coach at Iowa Wesleyan College Mount Pleasant. Wedding news: Edna De Bruin and Gerrit Van Boekel to wed August 27. George Hankamp tied the Ee at the J C De Bruin home.
Frans Huyser, 95, Pella's oldest male resident, died at his son in law William De Geu's home. Mary Renaud, longtime Pella kindergarten teacher, was in poor health and Miss Marjorie Momyer of Knoxville planned to take her place.
A fragmented account recalls a 1900s Pella area scene with mentions of local figures Charene tte, Otto Mathes, and the Farmers Union. plans for a goodwill car caravan to Sully and Galesburg. a concert by the Pella band. a newly legal playground project supported by the city. Grimes Canning securing a government contract to process meat and aid relief, amid drought impacts and strikes affecting Marion County workers and Knoxville laborers.
The issue’s front page features Supt. C. C. Buerk ens and seven new teachers with schools opening September 4. Also pictured are Sgt. John Lefers who died en route to the U S, Lt. Charles Vander listed as missing in action over Germany, and De Wild a bomber navigator. Farmers plan a chicken dinner at Pool Park for local businessmen on August 29 as the Pella Band and Pella Merchants prepare a goodwill concert at Sally August.
The passage argues that wealth alone does not bring happiness. It emphasizes that happiness stems from spiritual inner wealth, not material success, cautioning that money and status fail to secure true well being and urging reflection on personal choices.
Pfc. Ernie Schippers, Normandy veteran, reports slight wounds to his parents. Lt. Gene Stientjes completes bombing missions over Germany as Libertas pilot, dated August 11. Others pictured include Sgt. Walter Visscher, Arnold Vander Hart, Henry W. Van Weelden, Albert Van Waardhuizen, Arie Van Weelden Jr., and Pfc. Earl Clement, honored for Italy action before going missing with the 5th Army. D-Day films in Pella camps delight service members. John Vander Baan’s Lubbers Dairy Wagon feature and Mentink family meal scene appear in the page’s photos.
One hundred years of ownership marked by 62 Spurrier descendants at the Spurrier homestead near Amana. William Spurrier bought the farm in 1864 for 1.25 per acre and the property has stayed in the family since.
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