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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 19, 1956
Page
3
A concise meditation on belief versus denial noting that minds favor affirmation over scrutiny. It argues readers accept printed statements as truth because distinguishing truth from falsehood is hard and denials require courage to challenge what is presented.
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis reports Salk vaccine effective after a single shot with 97 percent protection in 9,800 children and only eight cases among 900 unvaccinated. Polk County health director Dr. Abraham Gelperin notes no adverse reactions. Polio season arrives later. March of Dimes urged donations.
The 1955 USDA Yearbook titled Water highlights water conservation as vital for farming and industry. Severe droughts in Iowa and the Midwest drive farmers to haul water and seek irrigation, while nationwide plans emphasize hillside water retention, terracing, and watershed projects to curb floods and protect livestock, crops, and water supplies.
The article argues for water conservation through Howell and Saylorville dams and watershed projects to raise the water table and prevent flood damage in the Des Moines river valley. It also advocates marking road edges with a white line, a safety measure shown to reduce accidents in New York and being tested in several states, including Iowa to clarify shoulders and drainage ridges.
Editorials discuss how a dry summer dries out homes causing higher heating costs and urge charging the extra to dry weather. A Burlington Hawkeye Gazette column urges readers to face rising 1955 tax bills and criticizes long-term dependence on federal aid, warning of costly consequences.
A retrospective column reviews notable items from The Chronicle published ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty years ago. It highlights community highlights, notable figures, events, and local milestones that shaped the town’s history.
The LeCocq and Sipke firm offered furniture at reduced prices while closing their store. Central College Advan Literary Society members rode a bobsled to Ouey serenading H W Peterson who wed Miss Carr a teacher in Otley schools. Arthur Donai suffered a shop accident with deep arm gashes after a pane broke. Marshall Van Zee reported four men at a keg in the Opera House basement at 6 am and liquor to a minor led to fines and paroles. Death of Chicago merchant Marshal Field noted. Rural route petition for Peoria area by farmers NE of Pella. Tunis Smorenberg returned from Ames after ISU short courses. Few wheeled vehicles on Pella streets. one snow storm preceded by rain. First college gym basketball tied 20–20. A patent medicine advertisement featured prominently. J H Wormhoudt bought a building by the Square to remodel for furniture sales.
Forty years back on January 20 1916 report notes the marriage of Bastian Groenendyk and Mattie Hoksbergen at the Hoksbergen home near Tracy dated January 12. Central loses to Penn 23 to 22 in a nerve wracking game with Rhyns burger hurt twice. Central players include Boyd Rhyns burger Vander Linden Roach Muirhead Baer and Vogelaar while Synhorst stars for Penn. Central girls fall to Penn 26 12 with Smorenberg and Ver Ploeg leading. Ice stored from local ponds reaches 10 to 14 inches thick in insulated houses. Harry De Haan moves to Prairie City for retail work. Crip Den Adel wins $5 at Electric Palace. Dwight Beman and Bob Hunter plan to buy horses from a Pella livery stable. Local elders Govert Ver Ploeg 77 Mrs Akkerman who came from Holland in 1856 Lampertus Boland 79 and Tuomas Sweem of Tracy have died.
A Civil War veteran from Co. B of the 33rd Town Infantry is mentioned. The city electric light department reported receipts of 1959.54 and expenses of 548.78. bonds valued at 2000.00 were paid off. A meat and canned goods cache bore William Van Welf’s name. he claimed thieves entered through the front door. Van der Welf bought property at West First and Washington from B. J. Brom. Mrs. Frank Garlick of Valley Junction, aged 68, formerly Frances Liter, born in Pella, died after living there with her husband before moving to Valley Junction in 1893.
A 30 year retrospective notes President John Wesselink’s appeal for a new Central College building, Marion County radios not taxable per supervisors, a routine Pella Historical Society meeting, firemen extinguish a roof blaze at Plainview School, $100 damage, Pella Chamber officers listed, $1700 spent in 1926 to support the band, Red Grass drive organized, gravel roads worsening bus service, deep ruts hindering cars, property purchases on West Second and East First Streets, Will Menninga and Julia Post properties changing hands for $1,000, and more local items including real estate moves and civic concerns.
The obituary notes Dena Vander Pol age 80, twice a local businesswoman in Pella, formerly a restaurant proprietor on the Square south side and later a general merchandise store operator at Franklin and Main. The piece also mentions a January 22 temperature of 24 below zero and snow piled near ten feet on South Main. Ralph Ver Meer became assistant cashier at the new in County State Bank after completing a banking finance program.
The report notes a Chamber meeting where Scrip and its retirement were discussed, Tulip Time and a horse and mule show plus gravel for Sully road were aired as projects, and two cars stolen from Ulrich Motor Co with thieves abandoning them due to cold. Central College lost to Iowa Wesleyan 46 to 36 with Hoogheem top-scoring. Pella High fell to Winterset 25 to 16. Mrs. Peter Van Niewaal bought property on Oskaloosa Street. swimming pool construction employs 36 workers pictured in heavy coats amid snow.
Fire heavily damaged the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Van der Ark at 218 East Franklin Street with most of the roof blown by a chimney ember and interior soaked. The report notes a busy period with veterans registering for a second semester at Central College and Holland residents seeking used clothing for overseas aid.
The Press lauds three Toms River teenagers Robert Toscan Mary Ellen Murphy and Edward Murphy Jr for saving 12 people from a sinking boat at Pine Beach last summer Their photographs and bravery story front page coverage highlights positive teenage contributions amid concerns about juvenile delinquency and calls for responsible parenting and public awareness of youths good deeds.
After a long absence due to the war the 2nd Christian Reformed church group set aside 500 dollars to buy shoes and clothing for a Reformed Church in Treebeek Limburg Province Netherlands. Mr and Mrs Vernon Bobbitt turned the funds over.
The Ringgold County centennial fund recently turned over its final balance to Ringgold authorities, marking the completion of its financial obligations. The transfer closes a long community effort honoring local history and philanthropy.
The county hospital earmarks 2062 dollars for the purchase of air conditioning units.
January or February is a good time to order strawberry plants. Extension horticulturist A E Cott of Town State College advises stating delivery timing as closely as possible and that plants should be set out soon after receipt from the nursery for best results.
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