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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Mar 03, 1955
Page
3
A Des Moines address by President Virgil Hancher of Iowa University argued that education in a free society should avoid indoctrination. It should develop originals with free minds able to make their own choices and judgments, not disciples.
Forecast notes warmer days will bring first tulip tips in sunny spots and robins returning soon. Moist fall and winter 1954 strengthened bulbs with large root systems, promising bigger blooms this year. Time moves quickly and festival success hinges on public enthusiasm and readiness.
The piece notes growing female participation in the labor force before and during World War II and into the 1950s. It highlights 20 million of 65 million workers being women, many aged 40 to 55, with some qualifying for social security. It contrasts with earlier fears of recession and notes broader economic resilience and rising living standards.
The article notes a shift from farms to urban work as mechanization grows and farm numbers shrink. It cites U S farm population peaks in 1933 at 82,393,000, then declines to 25,058,000 in 1950 and 21,890,000 in 1954, with farmers dropping from 31 percent to 13.5 percent of the population.
The 1954 farm population distribution shows about half in the south, 9 percent in the northeast, 9 percent in the west, and 32 percent in the central area. The piece argues continued farm to city migration fueled by mechanization and larger farms with less manpower, and warns that as farmer numbers fall, land use and erosion control become crucial to preserve fertility.
Senator Arch McFarlane introduces a measure requiring lobbyists to register in both Iowa houses, disclose employers, compensation, and biweekly expenditures with recipient names and purposes. Violations carry a misdemeanor penalty. He cites an overabundance of lobbyists, while insisting he remains friendly to their information value.
A broad editorial survey notes rising college enrollment nationwide, especially in Iowa where freshmen gains exceed the national rate. It then quotes contrasting editorials from Glendora and Sigourney about modern war aims and small town news value, arguing local papers reveal rich daily life despite criticism.
Items of interest from The Chronicle reflecting events and memories from ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty years ago. A compact look back at notable people, places, and happenings that shaped the community history across decades.
Fifty years ago King and Chick Perkins toured the Opera House in Old Farmer Hopkins though attendance was light. Emma Abbott De Bold led the Irma Opera Company with hoarse start but strong praise for chorus and male quartet. A Rock Island freight incident near a lake bridge followed by local Chautauqua chatter and a Nellie Koopmans Henry Van Ekeren wedding addition. Local merchants advertise a Clean Sweep sale while J S Wilson moves to a new East First Street home. Racing horse Chilly the Clipper shipped to Knoxville signals local imperial interests and Texas land rumors persist.
Trustees from Des Moines College and Central College, both Baptist affiliates in Iowa, met at a Pella dinner to discuss common problems and future plans amid allegations Central lacked denominational support. Candidates and incumbents for the school board were named, a Daily Tea fundraiser supported Central College, and local sports noted Pella High’s 44 to 19 win at Eldon.
At K of P Hall an open forum discussed Should Sex Hygiene be Taught in Public Schools led by Mrs. F. M. Frush. The item notes Towa becoming the 17th state to go dry and Arkansas the 16th to ban liquor. Thursday there was a live model display “the store” in the afternoon.
Front page news heralded the Hamm Brewing Co saloon site as it will be torn down for three new shops a garage print shop and plumbing business. Henry and Christine Vander Meulen plan to move to California for civic leadership while 15 Marion County 4 H clubs form to study homemaking. Radio comes to town via inaugural address of Calvin Coolidge and new Mohawk radios. Beans priced 2.50 per bushel and several business changes including Marsh Grants at Knoxville and Ivo Ver Beek taking over as tank wagon man. The Black Style Shoppe plans a remodeled South Side Square opening.
Dr H O Wormhoudt leading a Legion Post group and others presented a petition with 400 names to the City Council seeking an election on a swimming pool proposal. Council asked for time to review. Dr Lubbers of Central College spoke on a work plan to fund tuition. Meeting held in the high school auditorium amid other remarks. Gerrit Wormhoudt attended a G E sales convention in Des Moines and reported optimism in the dealers. Dr T G Fults polled 228 votes and Simon De Haan 84 in the city primary election, four
Local firm yrall Com. Pella Over plans moving machinery and yeast fat into a newly built facility at East Third Street, with fresh equipment from Machine Co. The move signals expansion and modernizing of operations in the one story building project downtown.
Ten years ago the Pella chapter set a Red Cross goal at five thousand dollars with local leaders Warner Vande Voort and Dr. T G Fults at the helm. Drake’s basketball team visited to close Central’s season, Drake winning 41 to 25. Central College faculty member Dr. W Goldsmith spoke on an electronic microscope for industry. No mayoral candidate filed as primary looms with F M Flush. Kiwanis President Noel Logan backs a town wide house numbering and street sign project. Graham Hall on Central College campus announced a wing expansion.
The piece discusses the pressure on farmers with too little land to operate efficiently. It notes two groups—larger, failing farms and very small holdings—that tend to disappear as consolidation proceeds, leaving only a few viable arrangements. The text hints at structural causes behind farm size divergence.
I J Lubbers of Central announced details about a new building and addition project. Central College students discussed cinema star Theda Bara. filming dated to 1914. Earl Pohlmann served at the Navy Air Base in Ottumwa visiting Pella. Captain Clarence Caldwell had weekend leave from U S Air Force. Mr and Mrs Dave Thomas Dr and Mrs George Lankelms and Mrs Robert Menning attended a War meeting in Des Moines. Mark Thomas and Bob Menning are identified as prisoners of war, with Menning held in Germany. Mark's exact location is undisclosed.
An incomplete OCR snippet mentions hot and cold conditions, a nation, and Iowa, but lacks clear subjects or events to form a full news item.
Vandals broke into a Rockwell City ski area causing extensive damage to furniture and equipment. Among the ruined items was a nearly completed cedar chest scarred with deep gashes.
A compact musing on how intuition, hope, and insider knowledge shape decisions. It frames faith as a mental input blending subtle cues and belief to guide action in uncertain situations.
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