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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1939
Page
3
A Christmas meditation recalls the angelic message of joy to all people and the season of giving. It emphasizes re dedicating to the Babe of Bethlehem and the ideals guiding men to serve their fellows.
An assortment of opinions on American values during Christmas and Thanksgiving. It contrasts crass materialism abroad with America’s commitment to democracy and equal opportunity, followed by anecdotes about marriage, sea warfare, a snowless winter, water shortages, and global perspectives including Holland and Argentina.
In a Des Moines Register column, Harlan Miller argues Americans favor Finland not for debt payment but for its athletes, music, and adherence to the Golden Rule. He contends Finland’s character elevates it among nations, while condemning wartime propaganda and deceit. If Finns falter they will rise again, the world needs them.
Iowa sheriffs and county attorneys heard W H Lester condemn lenient parole practices and urge tougher terms while a State Bar panel recommended a non political, fully trained parole board appointed by the supreme court. Separately A P Hinrichs warned unemployment may persist at high levels despite industrial activity.
Toledo Chronicle urges timely help and sympathy before crises, while Mapleton Press defends a town’s voice through a strong newspaper. It argues a modern paper links communities, boosts civic effort, and spreads local views to wider audiences.
The Chronicle publishers thank readers and advertisers for 36 years of support and pledge improvements in content and appearance. H. H. Sadler urges helpfulness and peace amid world distress, reminding readers of faith and justice.
To our contributors and readers we send greetings and thanks for this past year. The Chronicle aims to represent the community with high content and typography standards and to interpret local life to outsiders. We also strive to unite town and country residents for constructive work with the help of our contributors, George Ver Steeg, Editor.
Forty years ago in Pella, Bon Ton restaurant advertised a grand band concert with music from 11 to 2 and 5 to 7, serving oysters all day. The item notes local cultural happenings, a talk of a youth military brigade, a gravity paper at the library meeting, and other town news including a basketball tie and a Salisbury Orchestra coming Jan. 2.
Thirty years ago Dec 23 1909 Tharon Denbow of Marshall county was named state champion corn husker after husking 126 cashels in eight hours He husked only forty more near I eighty Js in a whirlwind fashion Bosses at Arbuckle Bros paid 700000 into the U S treasury and National Sugar Company owed the same amount Five officers of the latter company faced scrutiny over dinner while the sea board tolls weighed in
The Colfax Clipper reports on a Monroe mausoleum described as the most beautiful yet built, noting locals allegedly risk death to access the retreat. The piece mentions civic actions in 1910 including a pavement petition, the denial of an electric fire alarm system, and local commerce in cold weather.
Twenty years ago in December 1919 Pella people faced coal restrictions lifted recently while local mines kept the town in good shape. The piece lists residents and visitors including Carl Schmolke of Dutch descent, Joe Rhynsburger moving to Oklahoma City bank work, Henry Bootsma visiting Rochester relatives, and others returning from Ann Arbor Des Moines and San Francisco. Rail service suffered after the miners strike, affecting schedules as families prepared for Christmas and holidays.
A message to merchants in Pella outlining the newspaper’s need for advertising to cover payrolls and stay current with equipment. It calls for cooperative effort with the Chamber of Commerce to boost local business and make the city a good place to live, hoping 1940 brings greater prosperity.
Deaths of the week include Isaac Milledge and G G Thomassen and baby John Verrips infant son of Mr and Mrs Sam Verrips.
A December 19 1929 issue recalls Dr John L Beyl former Central college president and DePauw professor who died at 66 in Indiana. Other items note Jackson Wickes Construction overcharges on the Des Moines river bridge near Knoxville, Marion County supervisors eye creek straightening, Rev Ralph Nordand chosen pastor of Foster Park Chicago, NY visitor Jay Cassatt at Cassatt funeral in Pella, Babe Tusseling named Central football captain, Clarence Wilkins receive C blanket at banquet, and Beulah Roorda dies after heart illness.
J Warren of Ivy sold his automobile business to nephews Ralph and Edgar Warren. Mrs. Johnson died at 96 years 9 months, long a Jasper County resident, buried from her daughter's home. Rev R T White led services. Ed Huibregtse family received fruit and vegetable shower. Thirteen youths publicly joined the Reformed church with five baptized. Rev and Mrs Weltman welcomed a baby boy. Christmas party by Methodist teachers Dec 16 for pupils included a box for York Nebraska orphans. Mrs Ifenken ill since August sent to Lutheran hospital for observation.
A Pella High Spirit feature recounts a Christmas scene framed by a mother’s memory of a fatherless son. The narrative reflects longing and faith with biblical imagery and a whispered Silent Night concluding the vignette.
Last Thursday Ver Heul defeated Dock's five 25-15 in the high school gym. In the second game Hopley Bears beat Laboratory Five 22-19 as fans filled the arena with excitement during the bitter battle.
Pella High hosts Montezuma in the opener at 7 30 p m on the home floor. The Little Dutch seek revenge for last year’s 25 15 loss and will counter Montezuma’s Van Zee and Reynolds who bring speed and scoring threat. Both teams beat New Sharon and face junior high games after the main contest.
The Pella Junior High team opened the season by edging Tracy 22 to 11 in Tracy gym. Carl Vander Ploeg led Pella with six points as Tracy battled back in a tighter closing period but could not overcome the early 12- total by the visitors who led 12-2 at halftime.
Office walls hold items from a hair raiser to a lonely lady’s black kid glove and a bracelet mixed with pens and keys. Girls at Old P H S are urged to claim studious notebooks, blue print dress fragment, galosh mate, and brown gloves awaiting warm hands for Christmas.
FFA boys design a mineral mixing method for ready supply after previous shortages. Farm Shop finishes farm tool repairs and starts glass cutting. Animal Husbandry studies poultry with egg grading and weighing reports. Dockendorff eyeing a poultry judging team for Ames. Farm Management draws building plans focusing on cost and space. Night school enrolls 70 to 80. part time class meets twice weekly with 21 last session.
Rumor centers on Donnie R and a New Sharon youth named Jack meeting secretly. Details unclear in the fragment, but chatter suggests a possible dispute or plan. No official statements or corroborating sources available.
In school gossip a student named Everett Klein is teased as schular helping in government class. Remarks mock Miss Hop ley and Santa Claus beliefs while a fire place stocking becomes a joke. De Wit's catchphrase and De Wild fame spread in classrooms. Arvin H. wins $1.65 at New Holland theatre.
It wont be long now before homemaking girls reveal dresses crafted in class. Martha Scheinkhoven Jean Van Gorkum and Minnie Hol lead the first arrivals with cinnamon brown spun rayon printed and plain lace collar designs. Minnie’s green and orange plaid garment nears completion.
Last Friday the Pep Club sponsored Green and White Day with students and teachers wearing green and white. Girls wore white skirts and green sweaters, notes read Beat Knoxville, and staff members showcased green attire. The event drew strong school spirit and the crowd urged more days like it.
Mary Christmas of Racine Wisconsin handles a flood of letters each year seeking her autograph on Christmas cards. She replies personally and sends the letters to Santa Claus Indiana for remailing. She gives away no money for stamps, a former mayor later paid the postage. After marrying Sam Christmas she faced disbelief from stores and banks and even prank calls claiming to be Jack Frost. She briefly changed her name to Myrtle but the name Mary Christmas stuck with everyone.
A Wallace's Farmer piece notes farm value hinges on topsoil depth and erosion. Grandpa’s spade tests showed deeper tan soil boosts yield, while shallow or eroded land cuts production. Gully and sheet erosion threaten soil longevity and farmer livelihoods.
Voice of the Public from Pella praises a Chronicle editor's piece titled Fond Memories. The writer recalls twenty seven years running a millinery shop in Harrisboro South Dakota and buying hats in Chicago St Paul and Minneapolis. He describes choosing a trimmer and watching swains at the shop during busy times and notes dates and lively chatter about the trimters.
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