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This newspaper page contains 14 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 13, 1955
Page
3
The piece urges readers to focus on the future day by day. It quotes The Lion on progress and cautions against worrying about unseen problems. It promotes tackling issues as they arise, prioritizing first things first and maintaining calm.
The piece reflects on longer days and partial frost melt as winter wanes. It notes green lawns, early January moisture seeping into soil, and mentions a first seed catalog arriving on December 31 signaling near spring. It ends with hopeful mood despite remaining winter.
Safety experts note belts cut head face and chest injuries and may prevent up to eighty percent of deaths and serious injuries in crashes. Belts already used on highway patrol cars and airplanes, with nylon two inch wide seven feet long belts fastening to floor ends of seats. A simple precaution against injury.
Editorial argues for a clear speed limit law in Iowa as lawmakers near session. It supports 60 mph by day and 50 mph by night to curb reckless driving, note safety depends on driver control yet current law lacks distinction between skilled and reckless drivers on narrow curving roads.
The piece compares 1954 stock market behavior with 1929 busts, noting rising NYSE volumes and delayed ticker action. It recounts Fed margin changes from 50 to 60 percent, immediate price dips with partial recovery, and argues that Fed regulation offers a potent tool for economic stability, with mature government judgment needed.
Lake Mills graphic notes Governor-elect Leo Hoegh supports a constitutional amendment to allow 18-year-olds to vote and urges the next legislature to lower the voting age from 21. Eisenhower also backs 18-year-olds in national elections. Democrats have urged extending the franchise. The piece surveys momentum toward youth voting and includes other editorial observations on age and civics.
The Chronicle presents items of interest recalling notable moments from 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years ago. Readers glimpse people, places, and events that shaped local history through concise reminiscences and archival notes.
Fifty years ago a deal closed when John G. Thomas exchanged merchandise at Leighton for a 36 acre fruit and dairy farm about one mile from Pella, price $145 70. Farmers and Merchants Bank opened with Van der Ploeg family atop, Gliatone lauded as Opi House manager, and Ballengee's Concert Band gifted a rocking chair to a married man. J Bolhuisen and aunt moved to Southwest Minnesota after selling 116 acres north of Pella to R Van Essen for 71 per acre. The Chronicle prepared 3000 catalogues for Buerkens Wagon Factory while county paper circulations were listed. A Knoxville squib recalled Civil War veterans in 1865 and New Year week. The Wabash Railroad harvested ice. a January 13 double header matched Highland Park men and women against Central College. W. C. Carris of Central basketball was ill. Pella Banner paused while The Chronicle bought its subscription list.
Forty years ago January 14 1916 Pella High defeated Eldon 29 to 20 in a famed Central College gym clash. Renaud starred with four baskets while Buerkens Van Rees Ver Ploeg and Rillihan also played. Frank Den Adel urged fans to back the Pella Tigers ahead of games with Webster City and the touring Meteors. Town note includes sewer bond vote 10 000 with 352 yes 49 no and voters count Ninety women cast ballots with all but three approving. Newton Newton story mentions Boatsma and Hunter purchasing The Big Store. Debating at Pella saw a two to one loss to Albia on immigration literacy test with Walter Hal- struggles.
City Council eyed a sale offer from The Ver Steeg Company for a Produce Building site to use as a hitching lot. Price options: 1500 with barn, 1200 without barn. George Heeren crafted a four foot corn dollar to display at a San Francisco exposition. A horse owned by Ed Thomassen was struck by a train on the Rock Island tracks. Albert Van Skike bought the White Way Hotel on Main Street in the 700 block, long run by the Schrubringg family.
Thirty years ago Mahaska County residents faced a false report about a nine and a half mile pavement contract on the Ite Way between Oskaloosa and Pella. County officials denied bids or any such project while the auditor warned funds were red. Other items note Dr. C F Aschenbrenner elected Chamber president and hospital plans, Wallace McKee resigning to join Chicago livestock commission, Central College basketball loss to Simpson, and local business and social notes including a film at the Alamo Theater and plans by Deckie Roehlsz to retire to California.
Twenty years ago a house fire on West First Street endangered Mr. Barney Mensch as he escaped with help from neighbor Douwstra. The same period saw farmers withhold cattle from government markets, a strained federal canning project, and erosion talks by SCS technician Davidson. The Farmers Savings Bank at Leighton was robbed of 1400 with 400 from drawers and 1000 from the vault, Vander Linden and Groenendyk held briefly, pursuers failing to catch the robbers. Local stores advertised clothing at Wormhoudt Kempkes, with suits from 13.85 to 22.85 and overcoats 11.85 to 17.85.
The piece recalls WWII stories including Jacob yen’s front page injuries and a letter to Franc his wife promising return. It lists soldiers wounded or killed, efforts in China Burma and Belgium, and local Iowa farm bureau membership goals as part of a retrospective layout with scores from Central’s Flying Dutchmen and Valley games.
A labor secretary warns against bias against workers over 45 and urges equal status to maintain a skilled defense workforce. He cites rising numbers of older workers, proposes social security reforms, and stresses government action to prevent mass unemployment and idleness among able-bodied seniors.
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