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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 04, 1940
Page
3
A reflective piece urges readers to curb worry and fear as a drain on effort. It cites Napoleon and Finland as lessons, arguing that resolve and faith improve outcomes in trying times. The author urges dads, mothers, leaders to work hard and trust Providence, predicting a better 1940 if failure fears are forgotten.
A health department tale about Christmas calls to the sick contrasts with two brief Chicago Tribune items. One notes Dr J R Womack of Houston forgives all debts after 46 years of practice, the other reports Blackie the Tramp found dead in a cave along the river. Both tiny items hint at larger stories of drama and pathos.
The World Alliance of Churches urges Americans and Canadians to observe a Sunday honoring 125 years of peaceful relations since the Treaty of Ghent ratified in 1814. The piece notes no border fortifications since then and urges individuals to reflect on sustaining good relations Amid a Poland dispatch reports the destruction of a Woodrow Wilson statue in Posen, Germany mocks democracy as a war-time target.
A plain notice warns drivers to slow as winter arrives after early snow. It notes ice and slippery roads multiply crash risk, likening fast, alcohol impaired driving to a bullet with no steering. The piece stresses caution to prevent deadly wrecks and emphasizes reduced control on slick surfaces.
A column blends concerns over censorship and free press with local infrastructure talk. It urges open reading, condemns book burning, cites library and democracy values, and shifts to Pella road debates seeking a westward pavement to Knoxville, urging preservation of historical treasures and local cooperation with the Historical Society.
Cresco Times notes a loyal dealer avoids strong enthusiasm for Roosevelt and his apparent first choice. Albia Union-Republican condemns social order as a travesty. Des Moines reports Welsh, an illiterate convict involved in a Mason City robbery and murder, testified about his unstable background.
The Ames Milepost notes that Dies committee activities have provoked mixed public reaction. It credits uncovering work to inform the American people, despite attempts to mock the process by critics including Mrs. Roosevelt and the President.
The column pauses to remember notable events from Pella's past, looking back roughly 10, 20, and 30 years. It highlights civic moments, local growth, and community milestones that shaped the town's evolution.
A collage of historical notes from The Blade recounts editor changes sermon on progress and wartime souvenirs. Mentions Rev J W Poot of Pella replacing a former editor, Cyrenus Cole visiting Cedar Rapids Gazette, and local figures like Van Zante Bros advertising a 75 cent history book. Describes weather, Zionist talk, postal delays, and rural carrier struggles with icy roads and box etiquette.
Miss Henrietta Ver Heul won first prize a Lombard piano in the Chronicle subscription contest with Nelle Neels second and a diamond ring Leona Hunt third Mary Helen Vander Linden and Winifred Dickey tied sixth Lucy Roelofsen also sixth Each winner received a certificate worth over 200 for piano purchases In the rural Mix contest Oscar Holds worth of Sully won first prize Mim Blanche De Vries Otley second a kitchen cabinet Ma bel Grandin Leighton third Harriet Laren Leighton Lena Ver Steeg Harvey Bertha Carpenter Field sixth Also planned a mock trial at the 4th Reformed church Geo Thomassen to judge with Verhey Faassen and Baron as prosecutors Wat son Vander Ploog Francis Cole Lon Wormhoudt defense Hugo Kuyper clerk A petition signers paying on East Franklin street examined Local merchants paying thirty cents a dozen eggs while hens with laying are lucky
Local notes cover college sports with Drake players and refereeing remarks, chapel plans, and a Catholic choir in Colorado. Friends celebrate C G Tice’s 63rd birthday with a snowbath and song, while residents report home purchases, medical recoveries, and mission furloughs. cattle buyers in Chicago foresee high prices amid a one million cattle shortage.
Names of residents and couples, marriage licenses, and travel notes from Pella area. Dr and Mrs Will LaForce return from China and plan Pasadena relocation. Mayor Simon De Haan urges merchants to curb downtown car traffic on Saturdays to ease congestion and warns against double parking. Bell Clothing House advertises a 14 day pre memorandum sale.
In Oskaloosa rumors of an epidemic and state malice circulated before the Chamber of Commerce ran an ad in Pella declaring no alarm needed for visitors. A concerted crime tale followed a theft near Pella with a harness stolen, a pursuit, a drag, and eventual capture of a suspect named Bradshiw from Mitchellville. Local residents Henry Brom, Jacob Plender, Ed Liter, and Charley Dennis helped identify and bring the thief to justice.
A farm wagon overturned after a loose yoke on the wagon driven by Volrath Knaack died near Vierson. The 1 year old driver was delivering a load of cobs to a neighbor when the accident occurred.
Five Kansas City youths robbed an interstate bus at night gaining about 12 dollars. Police captured the bandits five hours later in a tourist room of a Ti residence, ending the weekday crime spree tied to Jesse James nostalgia in the prairie town.
A young pullet with hillbilly tendencies in Audubon near Chas Baker’s home has reached eight months and is now the mother of a fine flock of chicks. The event boosts farm life vibes in the locality as the hen takes on maternal duties.
Cresco farmer George Niewald showcased his air turbine motor using a Model T chassis, claiming 98 percent air and 2 percent diesel fuel, delivering more power and less noise than the old engine. A separate trial in Clarion collapsed when the complainant withdrew after noting the Norwegian background of all parties and judge, leading to dismissal with county attorney consent.
Forest Ranger Joseph Teff vanished during a rendezvous and was found drowned after slipping through an ice hole in the Mississippi near Lansing Iowa. His gloves and pickaxe lay by the hole and his body was recovered later with gear still on him. Meanwhile 2300 Volts Andy Van Heiden, a municipal light plant worker in Ackley, was electrocuted after grabbing a high tension wire while on a pole.
Assistant Fire Chief William Hagensick leaves the McGregor volunteer unit after realigning from the force. When Chief Hagen first joined, the department had only a lone ladder truck and buckets for equipment.
J. L. Bay, a Lineville real estate agent, had a blowout near a corner last week. His car overturned and was demolished but he survived, with only severe bruises.
Lawrence LaBarge topped a footrace of all state football players amid a showcase of speed and agility. The event highlighted standout athletes from multiple schools competing for bragging rights and recognition.
A whimsical letter column from Pella recounts Tam the Tree pleading for proper care in Central Park and notes local figures like Harold Klein and Donald Schalekamp joining clubs. It blends town gossip with holiday updates, weather quips, and a Leap Year quiz.
A puzzling OCR fragment shows Spooks from Anamosa making a notable move in a high school race. The wording suggests a competitor named Spooks gained a late advantage while others started ahead. Further details are unreadable.
Darrel Roepke, 10, of Hinton, found a pigeon shot near Kingsley wearing an aluminum leg band marked Chicago 39 5.0522. The bird likely belonged to a prize racing pigeon released for races that have grown popular, but it could not return home.
Mrs Jennie Enarson aged 68 of Villisca burned her clothing while burning wrapping paper last week and died minutes later from the burns. In Mondamin at H C Hillman’s home a dog chased a cat causing cows to trample Hillman leaving him with a broken hip dislocated shoulder and broken ankle. In Preston two residents narrowly missed by bullets last week a shooter remains unknown and residents fear further harm unless justice comes.
An elderly Iowa couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on December 17. For 48 years of their married life they have lived on a farm northeast of New Sharon, surpassing the Coxs of New Sharon in length of marriage.
Nude Harris Hanson of Decorah escaped serious harm after a woodsawing accident in which his clothes were shredded by the belting. He stood up to discover only his left shirt sleeve and one trouser leg remaining, the rest blown away.
Friday evening at the Home for the Aged Rev John Griffioen of Sully preached on St John in a fine sermon after prayer and psalm singing. Visitors included W Van Sant Kildue Mr and Mrs J Vanden Heuvel Mr and Mrs J Jonker and family and Mrs John De Jong of Peoria with many other local households dropping by for calls and greetings.
The community records a New Year greeting and lists visitors thanking residents Mrs M Rillihan Mr Nick Terlouw Dr Welle and families from Cedar Falls Sully and Grand Rapids movers Mrs G Van der Hart Henry Terpstra H Vander Gaarde A A Doedyns and five new members joining on various dates. Rev H S Koning of Tracy preached. Sara Mathes sick with tonsillitis with Margaretta Vos substituting from Peoria.
A 17 year old Orange City girl Johanna Pennings died Christmas afternoon after a car crash near Orange City. She and Bernard Brunsting 18 of Sioux Center were in the late model car that veered into a ditch. Brunsting suffered minor injuries and shock. Johanna died from a fractured skull and injuries before reaching hospital. The couple had planned to perform in a Christmas program at First Reformed church. a neighbor Tony De Weerd and Anthony Pennings aided the injured. Surviving are her parents and siblings Arthur and Carl plus Vera at home. Services were held at the Pennings home and First Reformed church. Rev H Colenbrander officiating.
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