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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 11, 1939
Page
3
A garbled OCR fragment presents a Henry Van Dyke line about home and friendship, followed by a misread caption and a debt item stating a balance of three dollars and eight cents. It also mentions wives and children owing the same amount, though details are unclear.
THIS WEEK PELLA is on trial before the people of Iowa. Gentle courtesies shown by residents during Tulip Time shape the city’s reputation for hospitality and welcome to visitors.
A safety statement notes most accidents occur on dry roads in fair weather rather than wet or icy surfaces. It urges drivers not to be careless simply because the road is dry and recommends careful driving as prudent.
The Chronicle notes a city expenditure for street cleaning and argues it pays off as the front door of Pella. Clean streets, neat lawns, painted houses and bright tulips reinforce the town slogan and welcome visitors, preserving the city’s sharp image.
The author reflects on Iowa’s climate and the perennial pleasure of spring. They marvel at the green world, restored plant life, and the sensory joys of evening bird calls and blossoms such as apples, peaches, pears, and plums across the state.
The author observes papers across the state giving space to the Queen and the upcoming Festival. They remark that if Pella's Tulip Time were commercialized papers would still spread gratis coverage, and praise honest propaganda over disguised pitches from outside sources.
The Iowa dairy farmers consider taxing themselves one cent per pound for a fund to market butter. The idea mirrors long standing plans used by orange and grape fruit growers, with each member assessed by output to advertise and sell surplus. The author also urges farmers to consume their own butter rather than trade it for substitutes.
Today begins the Fifth Tulip Festival as preparations are complete to celebrate the Dutch arrival in Iowa in 1847. The Historical Society aims to maintain the high standard set since 1935, ensuring Tulip Time’s continued dignity and tradition despite prior trial years.
A dispatch reports Catholics condemning Father Coughlin for anti Jewish innuendoes on his radio program. They warn he bears responsibility for anti semitic sentiment in America as his popularity wanes. He, once trusted by many, now speaks aimlessly and risks losing support. Radios offer a way to tune him out.
Law enforcement in Pella allows boys and girls to ride wheels on sidewalks as a safety measure. The notice warns that many riders take unfair advantage and reminds residents that wheels are tolerated on the sidewalks.
Officials tell pedestrians have priority and riders must control bicycles. The weekend crowd for the Festival calls for extra caution. Riders are urged not to ride on downtown sidewalks during the celebrations to preserve the privilege.
The piece argues the state should not grant pensions to specific groups. It suggests allow self funded pensions via members' own pay, akin to postal workers, but warns an outright public subsidy would create gateway for broader demands and unfair treatment by lawmakers. It cautions that educated petitioners may push for favored treatment.
Alfred Landon urged a cool, businesslike approach to international affairs. He argued negotiations between nations are cold and ruthless and warned against U S economic aid to democracies, saying Doughboy aid could follow emotional pulls, urging America to stay aloof from Europe and question commitments to England and France.
Assistant Secretary of War Louis Johnson urged expanding practical training for youths to fill thousands of skilled labor jobs. He notes college students lack aptitude for trades, apprenticeships decline, and a new dignity for manual work is needed to prepare youth for the practical world.
Northwood Anchor quotes Grundy Center Register urging restrictive marriage licenses tied to family finances to reduce failed marriages due to income. Eldora Herald-Ledger notes Fayette county plan to favor local printers, boosting local taxes and employment, continued after a successful year.
An indictment of Toledo patrolman W J Brenda reveals his time padding after witnesses read county warrants published to public funds. Brenda’s brother noticed a nearly $100 overpayment for county work not performed, suggesting disclosure spurred the investigation and charges.
The Knoxville Journal argues punitive business taxes are indefensible and urges fair, equitable taxation to invite capital and industry. It notes some chain stores avoid taxes and calls for firm correction without driving industries out of the state, aiming to improve opportunities for workers, farmers, and miners.
A list of staff positions follows by a student club anecdote. The piece notes editor in chief Stuart Kuyper and others, then recounts a South Woods dairy visit where a snake skin caused fright and a joke about skin. Juniors send-off mentioned. Vocational work updates include engine work, rust removal on a saw, and chicken feeder project.
May 1909 news notes: Joyce Lapham wins 60 prize for her oration America Among the Nations. J L Watson steals it for a contest speech. Rock Island trains require tickets on board. Tim Sullivan jailed after festive street scene. fined $14.85. Mahaska statue unveiled in Oskaloosa by J D Edmundson. Sherry Fry of Creston the Iowa artist. 105 Pella residents ride to Oskaloosa for Redmen unveiling. Bond issue for light plant and water system proposed. June 22 election date set. Ed Van Gorp wrecks car after repair. steering failure causes chaos. Walter Johnson drives car through post office door. barn wreck follows. Vandermeulen ads new surface cultivator corn plow. Grade schools stage Jack and the Bean Stalk operetta. Carrie Cox directed, Nick Vander Ploeg leads. Thomassen Rhynsburger Keables aid Waterloo Pella Southwestern Railway promoters. Mayor Gesman warns against Sunday crowds outside churches.
Twenty years back in May 1918 Mrs. Sarah Downing of Des Moines turned 99, celebrated with son J O Guthrie. Local real estate transfers included Link Tice to Albert Dyketta 95 acres near Monroe at 331560 per acre and other 80 to 160 acre parcels. News notes cite homecoming of the 168th at Oskaloosa with trains through Pella, local discharges, and community remarks about Bolshevism themes among Juniors.
Ten years ago on May 9 1929 Miss Ila Fox trained in aviation at Davenport Iowa Her photograph showed her beside an airplane with one arm around a propeller blade and she wore a flying suit in the image
Girls spent the day playing baseball ping pong tumbling deck tennis bowling track tennis and a free throw contest. Lunch was served for all at the Oskaloosa Cafe and the girls had a gay time learning to sing the songs of their organization.
Pella High traveled to Des Moines on May 6 for the South Central Conference meet at Valley High. Peter Thomas set a wind aided 880 yd dash record, while the two mile relay fell short of Lincoln 1938’s mark due to wind and an injury. Morning events yielded limited placing but Thomas led in field and relay events, and H Grandman and M Thomas posted several top finishes.
Nor wal Trainers held a departure picnic for seniors with the motto Eat and Be Merry. Juniors organized the gathering to honor the graduates and celebrate their upcoming departure.
The Rolscreen company in the southend factory reports a 500 screen order from Green Lake Wisconsin. The prior week total orders exceeded 2000 as business boomed. Miss Hannah Nollen earned a mission teaching post in Salonica Greece with Des Moines roots and Pella ties. Fred Faassen gave a notable organ recital at the First Reformed church last week. The Chronicle was urging the yearbook’s story.
Students in Pella schools play a key role in Tulip Time success through Dutch dances orchestra band operetta and many grade level drills songs and dances. Cooperation and effort will boost the school’s name and the festival’s finish.
A curious note discusses the unlikely event of a comet striking Earth in vast timescales, alongside remarks on flowers whose scent changes, and Shakespeare manuscripts that remain partly undeciphered due to illegible handwriting.
Melvin Van Duren builds a 10 ft ladder while Lester Van Zee and Harold Vander Linden install ledger plates in a mower. Lawrence Tysseling nears completion with remaining spokes. Clarence Van Zee works on harness sewing. Edward Van Zante starts an electric fence project.
Garden City FFA boys held a picnic at Elk Rock three miles past Fifield on May 4, 1939. About 25 members attended the gathering.
Norman Vander Linden and Andy Hockman work on repairing motors in a local shop setting. The scene highlights apprentices learning trades, tool usage, and hands on practice common to a community business. The article emphasizes practical skill and neighborhood involvement.
A full page ad signed by business leaders urges support for a major bond measure to be voted on May 22. Ruth Pietenpol of Pella High School won first prize in the state typing contest novice class. Elia Mac Van Houweling and Margaret Van Dellen also took first place with teacher Mrs. J M Clair Gook noted. The Kuyper boys feature remarks on speed and officer presence.
Crops club and FFA boys plan lawn landscaping and a potato plot on Mr Dockendorff s farm. They planted several potato varieties in different piece sizes and spacings and used various fer tilizers for experiments. The group thanks Allis Chalmers Co Vogelaar Hardware and Ulrich Motor Co for assistance.
Helen Viola Den Hartog earned the Gregg pin for dictation at 100 words per minute for five minutes with only three errors. The Standard Gregg letter from April notes she and Ruth Huizenga later tested at 120 words per minute for five minutes and are eligible for Gregg certificates, a rare achievement for high school students.
Under supervision of Mrs Tysseling Dutch folk dances are progressing splendidly with forty eight girls in costume dancing on the streets twice daily. The routine combines one drill with singing and two authentic Dutch folk dances.
Last Saturday a group of seven girls accompanied by Mrs. B Tysseling attended the Girls Athletic Association Play Day at Oskaloosa High School. The participants included Helen Klyn Freda Zwank Evalena Wynberg Florence Robinson Harriet Schilder Ruth Huizenga and Barbara Van Sittert from Pella Knoxville Oskaloosa and Ottumwa were among the four participating schools.
The pecan twig girdler is identified as a major pest attacking pecan trees in North Carolina, rated by growers as one of the trees' chief threats. The dialogue hints at a lighthearted moment before noting the pest’s impact on orchards.
A bright new oyster serving idea with Vienna Rolls. Toast the rolls after hollowing centers, brush edges with butter, and broil until golden. Fill hot with creamed oysters for serving.
Instrumental students from Pella earned fine ratings at the Iowa City State Music Contest last weekend. The Clarinet Quartet and Violin Solo in Division II led the showing, with Jean Van Gorkom among the performers. Saturday featured marching bands on the field and a display of sixty baton twirlers, drawing attention to the event.
Grade school musicians from the instrumental department will present a program featuring an orchestra, small groups, and solo numbers. Performers include Madeline Diekema Esther Klein Eleanor Vos Virginia Clark Bonnie Burkens Lorraine Meulpolder Phyllis Van Hemert Patty Jo Shaw Albert Van Houwel ing Carl Vogelaar Ruth Phyllis Van Ee Bill Vanden Berg Bill Lankelma Peter Van Gorp Keith Lautenbach Carl Vander Ploeg Clifford Paltzer Madeline Diekema Baton Twirling Madeline Van der Zyl Madeline Diekema Virginia Clark Jane Lankelma Madeline Vander Zyl Orleath Vogelaar.
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