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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jul 21, 1955
Page
7
A reflective note on living with self awareness. It argues the greatest fault is lack of consciousness of faults and praises those who acknowledge imperfections while noting those who deny them carry ongoing hurt. The piece underscores wisdom in self critique and forgiveness.
A radio recount notes Governor Beardsley might have survived his fatal crash if a safety belt had restrained him. Belts are now optional on several cars, with authorities citing that about forty percent of highway fatalities stem from being thrown from a vehicle. The safety belt concept is gaining traction as evidence of its life saving potential grows.
Dr. E Preston Sharp of the Youth Study Center addressed librarians at the 74th annual American Library Association conference. He urged praising a child’s reading interests rather than lecturing about book damage, noting children seek discipline and recognition, and stressing libraries provide talking resources.
Reports from one day last week show elderly county home resident drowned in a farm pond, a boy drowned seining minnows in a river, and another in an abandoned rock quarry pond. Radio and press note drownings rise with heat, not in municipal pools, urging supervision and prompt rescue.
Editorials note increased car ownership costs at 10c a mile from AAA, split into 3c variable and 1.65 daily fixed. Sigourney Review laments dam effects on Mississippi catfish and urges removal. The Sentinel criticizes rising city taxes, arguing locals fund services via neighbors while shopping elsewhere, causing higher local costs.
A column revisits notable items from The Chronicle recalling events from 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years ago. It highlights remembered people, places, and moments that shaped the local scene. The piece offers nostalgic snapshots and context for enduring community themes.
Fifty years ago reports describe Rock Island raily and Cedar Rapids competition over electric time hourly service on a short line. Two trains on Sunday would run on the K D Line enabling Pella residents to ride to Des Moines and return. A fatal heat incident affects John Vanden Heuvel near Pella. Local doctors plan an electric light plant to power dental and medical tools and ventilation.
The town recalls four homes struck by lightning with minimal damage while the Baptist Sunday school plans a picnic on Central College campus and Reverend Z Henry Lewis is to become pastor. The Morning Telegram stops publishing in Oskaloosa after seven months as a Chicago buyer relaunches a morning paper. A large loss is noted at 10,000 dollars and local merchants are urged to support ongoing concerts by Cox s band in Garden Square. The body of Herman Neye ness arrives for burial after a drowning on the coast. Excavation begins for a new science building on the Central College campus and Rock Island Railway gains attorney for upcoming condemnation to build a depot. Teachers from Knoxville attend an institute with local residents also listed.
A 40 year old item recounts D. S. Huber Clarence Walker Rock Island Railway agent and Theodore Baldwin bringing the region’s first bicycle to Pella around 1866 1867. The odd two wheel design with a large front wheel toppled Huber on Main Street near the Postoffice corner and the bike was saved by bystanders. The piece notes the Des Moines build and a $135 price as the bicycle’s origin and value.
Narratives mix local sports and town happenings in a Pella area page. Pella defeats Milo 12 10 with claims the umpire was the game’s key asset. Meteors beat Severs 6 5 in a prior thrill. Sheriff visits Lucas County to arrest a local operator for bad checks. Mrs. Downing of Des Moines dies in an auto crash near Ankeny. husband Harry injured. Mark McWilliams, Knox College graduate, headed to coach Central’s teams after coaching school. A Washington State car plate travels through town from July 4, headed to Missouri. Three inch rain floods street tents. grain harvest under way. Adam Woolard, 92, dies after a life north of Pella and in town. Legend says he shaved during a 1884 Cleveland election vowing not to. beard later restored.
Seventy years ago an annual picnic by Men of the Legion Post and the Auxiliary featured baseball, horseshoes, a treasure hunt and a large dinner at Ralph Grundman farm. Excursions to Keokuk and Fort Madison, a Sully baseball loss, and a Federated Club extrapaganza titled The Womanless Wedding drew local interest. Oat yields ranged 40 to 65 bushels per acre and wheat 20 to 36. A seven foot seven inch Dutch woman seeks an American husband, while eel catches of Des Moines River reach thirty inches.
The front page features a photo of John Stubenrauch in a beard and bow tie. At 92 he died at home after a life serving as mayor alderman assessor city clerk township clerk and postmaster. A eulogy by E V Goad speaks of his gracious presence. Also noted are a Mary Meulpolder holding a silver fox and a report on Pella Junior Chamber elections and Tulip Festival plans. Relief work and school expansion debates close the page.
A July 19 1945 front page photo shows Robert J Van Roekel in uniform as he earns his commission and pilot wings. The 10 year old item marks his achievement in military aviation.
The notice notes Pfe Edward J. Huyser of Sully receiving the Bronze Star for heroic action with the 30th Infantry Division in Germany on March 27, 1945. It also mentions a June 5 farewell for Dr and Mrs I J Lubbers, plans for Marvin Van Gorp’s letters, Stan Den Adel’s injury, Lt Harold Haverkamp’s Okinawa service, and other local wartime items from Monroe to Holland Michigan.
An unusual church gathering encouraged the congregation to name familiar hymns. The moment sparked a shared spirit with memories from childhood and a message on kinship with God. The piece cites McKinley and a later paraphrase about brotherhood as a call for unity and peace.
The article notes that farm machinery remained scarce and that two new mowers were offered to credentialed buyers, Tunis Kempkes and Parl Van Hemert of Otley. It mentions a Des Moines meeting where War Chest fundraising plans for fall were discussed, and that the issue is filled with military items and war news.
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