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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 29, 1955
Page
3
A reflective note by Ray Stannard Baker urges each person to tackle their small job to collectively solve world and community problems. The writer finds reassurance in individual effort as the new year begins, hopeful for cooperation and progress.
In Davenport Times Sylvia Bremer cites a sharp remark masked as goodwill about telling secrets while Rathor urges better neighborly talk over gossip. Year end thoughts urge kindness as Iowa forecasts for 1956 warn of high traffic tolls and polio vaccine success shows declines in hospitalizations among 7 and 8 year olds.
The message praises contributions to the March of Dimes and notes twelve hundred children saved from crippling. It reports the 19566 campaign will run January 3 through January, urging liberal gifts as results justify. The goal of protection for every child is within sight.
Isaka Okwirry, first Kenyan district officer and Kenya Legislative Council member, toured 13 southern states visiting the United States. He lauded free public schools, franchise, land ownership, bank loans, and Agricultural Extension Service cooperation. He said Americans are kind and felt at home, expressing gratitude and asking for more African privilege. He spoke during the State Department foreign leader program.
The Eagle Grove editorial notes nationwide calls by the National Farmers Union for a major membership drive in Iowa. It cites Fred Stover's Iowa Farmers Union as prepared to oppose the national group, tracing origins to a past Iowa factional battle. The piece observes strong Iowa Farm Bureau and Grange presence while warning that labor movements aim to unite, criticizing further farm divisions.
The article contrasts the old general store with its scents and era nostalgia to today’s modern shops. It notes consumers favor fresh, clean stores with air conditioning, better lighting, and efficient service. Chain stores and supermarkets have set the pace, shaping today’s retail experience.
Items of interest from The Chronicle column revisiting events from ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty years ago. It highlights notable names, places, dates, and outcomes remembered by readers, with concise recaps of past happenings across decades.
Fifty years past, The Chronicle reports the week of December 2nd as machinery and offices removed with presses dismantled signaling a major newspaper transition.
Forty years ago Adrian Donai died at 91 in Des Moines The father of Mrs G Van Vliet L M Donai Gertrude Donai of Pella John and Kryn Donai of Des Moines Mrs Mary Hofland of Orange City and others Also noted were YMCA director Harry Goodrich to address men and older boys in Pella and various local happenings including a Christmas program, property gifts to Central College, and town developments.
Thirty years after 1895, Robert Lautenbach, a Iowa State College graduate, will supervise Rosscreen Agency branches in New York City and Philadelphia with more offices planned in Cincinnati Baltimore Miami Kansas City and Louisville. A 16 year old, John Vanden Baard, died after an accidental shooting near Big Rock. Reasnor residents were urged to fund part of an Iowa Southern Utilities line to serve Reasnor Galesburg and Sully, with refunds as patrons grow. Fordson Tractor demonstrations were slated at Star Auto Co with free movie and lunch and a speaker. Dr J W Shankland, Central College alumnus and longtime Pella dentist, named Hospital Commissioner of St Louis with oversight of area hospitals. Pella firefighters received Christmas gift checks from Leighton residents for aiding a lumber yard fire. Five young men left for the Gary Vogelaar camp on the Skunk River for a week of camping and hunting in a flivver, amid a blizzard.
Anthony Tysseling, Roland Klein, Kenneth and Keith Fox and Marion Vander Linden are named. Ben Kuyk had become commander of the Legion Post. Prof. G. F. Sadler directs a play to be presented by the Post on January 14.
Twenty years ago work on a new PWA pool and park began under supervisor Charley Hoek sema while a cold weather workers’ building rose. East Second and Independence streets hosted a flooded park for ice skating as a blizzard swept the area. Reverend R J Richey of Des Moines planned to dedicate Open Bible Church on January 3 with Rev. Lester N. Pease as pastor. A Os kaloosa fire caused $90,000 in losses, Pella firemen aided, and Mayor Burdock sent a gift. Dr Karl Ver Steeg of Wooster was named to national Who’s Who for geology leadership at Wooster College. John F Dykstra planned an auto supply store on South Main, after long-time Vander Meulen ties. Hoogheem led Central College in a 37–28 win over Buena Vista, with 6 field goals and a free throw. Will Rogers starred in In Old Kentucky at Pella Theatre next week, showcasing radio tube history from valve to metal tube. Pella High tied Knoxville 17–17, then lost 19–17 in overtime as Liter led with 4 field goals and 2 free throws. Don and Bob Menning, Langerak, Van Rees and Vander Linden also played.
Ten years ago the community noted Dr Gerrit Van der Lugt accepting the presidency of Central College with duties to begin after January 1. He previously worked with Carroll College in Wisconsin. The item also mentions AAA subsidies to farmers in Knoxville, a death of longtime Pella grocer T Plette, Dr Alvin Evers addressing Rotarians on Leyte service, and radio station WHO Des Moines aiding Dutch people.
Article highlights returning service members and those on furlough including Richard Tysseling and Vernon Bobbitt resuming teaching at Central College after military service. Mentions Lt. Philip Sybenga visiting parents, and Captain Dudok Langerak awaiting reassignment after 22 months in Europe. Also references games of High's pity Dutch with Winterset Osceola and opponents.
Luther Severtson of Kelley was killed at an Ames stock yard when icy conditions caused cattle to slip while he stood behind a gate during weighing. Authorities described it as a freak accident.
A Fayette County speaker warns Iowa residents that soil loss endangers the state’s productive black soil formed over millions of years. He notes topsoil erosion from careless farming on hills could render counties barren, desert-like, with scrub pasture, urging conservation to protect farms, homes, and investments.
A man toppled against a gate in a fatal incident. He fell, striking Severtson and died at the scene. Further details are not available in the fragment.
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