This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 24 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Feb 25, 1932
Page
6
A deranged man murdered his wife, two children, and his wife's sister in Stout Iowa last week and then killed himself. The killer was not previously seen as dangerous, but such mild madness can lead to deadly crime. The incident ends with multiple lives lost and broad sorrow for the community.
The Political Bees buzz as numerous aspirants enter county and state offices. Runners promise to nominate and elect only proven, efficient leaders, stressing caution to avoid risks for the public and the country.
The Commerce Department reports 52 percent of the population lives in small cities or rural areas. About 30 percent of the nation's retail business is transacted there, and roughly 45 percent of retailers are located in these sections. In 1929, retail dealers in cities with populations of 10,000 conducted about 15.515 billion dollars in business.
Statistics show total luxury expenditures of 4.819 billion dollars in 1928, doubling the 2.449 billion spent on public school education. Tobacco, soft drinks and candy, jewelry and cosmetics appear among the top luxury items. A local citizen quipped education is a luxury to some, though not overall.
Better Iowa urges farmers to neither expand nor cut production to combat the economic depression. Keep costs down and expenses low while meeting rising demand for horses. The advised strategy emphasizes stability, no major changes in acreage, and cost control amid economic strain.
Engineers Charles P. Steinmetz A R Stevenson Jr F H Faust and E W Roessler report a practical cooling method using the same plant that warms houses in winter. A R Stevenson Jr will describe the method at the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers meeting in Cleveland.
A columnist ponders if the ukulele is a musical instrument and if its player is a musician. Questions arise about crooners strummers and marimba players, noting the ukulele’s controversial classification as an instrument of torture in some views. The piece claims no ancient history for the ukulele and calls it a modern unknown.
The piece notes that colds cost American industry half a billion dollars annually and 90 million work days. Nutritionists favor good food rest and sunshine with butter as a preventive. An old physician echoed that fresh air and sunshine are the best remedies, suggesting less reliance on medicines.
A 1931 report notes a 29.2 percent drop in grade crossing automobile accidents on Rock Island Railroad lines, with 16.8 percent fewer injuries and 19.6 percent fewer deaths versus 1930. The education campaign is credited, while improved highways reducing crossings also lessen this hazard.
A Republican reader pressed editor to sign Dan Turner nomination papers but was declined due to nonpartisan policy. The Chronicle states it is not a partisan journal and aims to serve both sides and support the best in American life regardless of party. The editor refuses to back any man with a red face or Roman nose and aligns with a County Agent’s hope that parties fade as men grow larger in stature.
Des Moines readers praise the Baldwin Patterson American Legion post for urging businesses to replace married women with dependents. The letter endorses a boycott of such employers, calling it a sensible movement to improve employment conditions and community standards in Des Moines.
A column outlines popular radio features aired weekly, sharing impressions and practical life lessons drawn from program themes. It notes how daily routines can be influenced by listening choices and underscores thoughtful engagement with broadcast content.
A long-winded editorial critique discusses Hoover supporters and postmasters, taxes, and the idea of backing the incumbent. It contrasts war costs with human life, arguing wealth holders profit while sacrificing lives, urging restraint and prioritizing humanity over investments abroad.
The June primary offers Smith W. Brookhart a chance to gauge Iowa voters enthusiasm and to present his accomplishments to the state. The campaign will focus on persuading voters that his achievements merit their backing.
In Des Moines during Wheelock's trial Northwood Anchor notes his claim of a gallon of unopened Jewish sacramental wine at home and the ease with which others possess such wine. The piece questions who may legally or normsarily own sacramental wine beyond clergy and raises curiosity about sources for lay possession per media and rumor.
A man in Iowa Falls visited his ill wife to kiss her goodbye then shot himself in another room. The note reflects sentiment over duty, noting the wife would have preferred him staying to support the family until she recovered.
A local column recalls a California mayor who gifts brides with a silver dollar and rolling pin at weddings and jokes about husbands. The piece weaves in farm eggs, gourds, local merchants, and social commentary on politics and weather, with quips about a Democratic donkey and Valentine Day at Sterrenberg’s barber shop.
A rambling column blends local humor with anecdotes about misused prepositions, Leap Year dating jests, and everyday quirks. Vignettes include Van Houweling garage chats, Dutch language slips, and small town café chatter, ending with a nod to church groups and newborns.
Dr Walter L Wilson, noted Bible lecturer, returns on Station WDAF Kansas City after a break. He broadcasts weekdays except Sunday at 9 16 am, appealing to busy professionals and housewives with plain language and no sectarian bias. His clear method aims to present fundamental biblical truths centered on Jesus Christ, drawing on prior visits and local Bible studies.
The Iowa State Department of Health urges natural motherhood and notes its Bureau of Maternity and Child Hygiene began sending prenatal letters to expectant mothers in November 1931. Letters arrive through the eighth month to cover pregnancy signs and confinement prep, supplementing medical care. Requests span seventy six counties with physicians contributing 55.5 percent of the requests.
Chronicle item notes the Second Reformed church liquidated an $18,000 debt by burning the mortgage. It also lists mayoral vacancy filling, a West Pella residence fire, marriage licenses issued to several couples, a store stake bought, nursing training, a college course, new depot operator, and multiple local weddings within the week.
A batch of items recounts a break in at the Standard Oil filling station in Bussey with 126 dollars stolen, a funeral for J T Bohe, a family birthday gathering for D S Huber turning 85, a failed attempt to rob Otley Savings Bank, a barn shower for Worp Borgman, births to two couples, a four year old injured by a vehicle, contractor Jacob Plender awarded cement walk work in the park, and several local weddings including Edward Tyseling with Jessie Heeren and others from area families.
Physicians and mothers in smaller cities receive mailed guidance as 60.8 percent of sets go to expectant mothers in populations under five thousand. Officials urge public action and educated effort by doctors nurses and lay people to provide adequate maternity care. A state report lists weekly communicable diseases for Iowa through February 18 1932 including diphtheria scarlet fever measles and tuberculosis with counts by county.
A playful dialogue shows a little girl asking why her father sings so much. The mother explains it is to lull the baby to sleep, and the daughter quips that she would pretend to sleep if she were the baby.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.