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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 15, 1952
Page
3
The Bu Journal reflects on Tulip Time in Pella showing community spirit under tough weather. Residents in key positions and volunteers faced delays and challenges yet mobilized with determination to ensure a successful festival with flowers not at peak beauty.
A harsh critique of modern psychiatry contrasts idle women seeking counsel with a call for common sense and humane restraint for criminals until debts to society are paid. The piece also commends Lyall Mitchell and Mahaska County staff for soil conservation tours shown to rural students, praising photo-rich reporting to raise countywide awareness.
The article discusses farm population shifts from 1920 to 1960s, noting 31.6 million on farms in 1920 dropping to 23.3 million by 1950, while average farm size grew and total cultivated land rose. It blames farm elders for not attracting youth back to farming and questions how to reverse or slow the trend.
Publicity efforts for Tulip Time drew broad support from Iowa media and stations. Newspapers Davenport Times Des Moines Register Tribune Oskaloosa Herald radio stations WHO WMT KBOE KBIZ television WOI-TV Ames provided extensive coverage, photos and features. The campaign showed that goodwill from press and broadcasters far exceeds any monetary budget.
A Sigourney editorial extols Iowa’s spring appeal while contrasting western aridity. The piece praises removing foreign doctors’ citizenship requirements and argues retirement age should depend on ability, not a fixed 65. It cites Iowa Falls and Hampton liquor sales, joking about revenue used for “the curse of all evil.”
Items of interest from The Chronicle feature notes and memories from ten, twenty, thirty, and forty years ago. The column recalls notable events, people, and local happenings with concise archival sketches and period mood.
Forty years ago death records note Thomas George of Dayton Iowa died at 14 from brain access burial near Pella. Marriages list Catherine Niemeyer with John De Wit and Jennie Ziegelaar with Henry Brom. Alex Miller of Washington bought a Ford from Star Auto and returned home. Vander Zyl bought a $1500 Overland. Kilduff Town signs city limits go to it. An accident injured a girl when a buggy was jolted by a horse. City Council limits parking near businesses. garden square allowed only limited curb parking. Cen tral College president Beyl reports funds drive for a women’s dormitory. pledges total about $35k with aim for $50k building. Pella Meteors beat Newton semi-pro 5–4 in opener. Staff moves include De Cook and Van Zante to Davenport for publishing firm work. Sanitary drinking fountains being set downtown. Local teachers and residents travel for schooling and work. Van Houweling injured south of town.
A mower incident left a worker with a severed tendon and two bones cut when the blade started during adjustment. Three airship flights were planned daily for June 28 and 29 at the Pella Fair Grounds. The program also included horse, car, and motorcycle racing.
Thirty years ago the Old Central building burned after midnight on the college campus. The fire, starting in the lower hall, reached the second and third floors, destroying most valuables and prompting a mass meeting to fund replacement. Insurance totaled 3000, with significant losses including six pianos and eight typewriters as water pressure failed to reach the upper floors.
Twenty five year anniversary of John Heerema’s drug store is front page fodder with his photo beside the storefront. The issue notes a community scrip auction draw and mentions officials and local figures like Herbert Wormhoudt Paul Van Viiet and Ivan Sadler attending a YMCA camp in Boone. References to a riot over serving papers on a saloon keeper, National Guard call out, and Memorial Day parade critique follow alongside campaign chatter for Smith Brookhart and Henry Field ahead of the primary election.
Ten years ago front page photos showed Dutch flyers arriving from Java for special flight training at Scott Field Illinois with three visiting Pella residents including Lawrence Lautenbach, recently commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Force. Darel Mensch Carl Van der Ploeg and Howard Borgman joined Boys State at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for citizenship honors. Pfc Harold Vande Noord served with American Army forces in Ireland with the 138th Infantry. Boy Scouts opened a trading post at Star Oil Company to collect scrap rubber for tires as rubber shortages persisted. Princess Juliana’s private secretary sent a note about doll gifts for the Princess’s children during her Pella visit on May 18.
The Christian Science Monitor reflects on seething racial tensions in South Africa, urging caution in dismantling segregation and warning outsiders against simplistic notions of equality. It notes historic exploitation of natives and the need to combine Christian compassion with realism to find a path out of the present dilemma.
A government funded industrial arts program for young men will run summer at the high school featuring welding and metalworking in a ten to twelve week course. The city pool will open Monday under manager Coach Ellsworth Miller of Pella High. A Marion County scrap drive collected 124 tons of metal. The Sugar Caning registration was completed with help from teachers and students. The Evers twins Bobby and Myrtle celebrated a birthday party pictured in the issue. Phyllis Ver Ploeg won a prize for progress in music and piano at Lindenwood College Missouri as a freshman. Russia thanked the American Red Cross for drugs valued at 3.5 million dollars for war relief.
Mr and Mrs Henry Bettis of Chariton celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on May Day. They were married in 1887.
Shelby County auditor Chet Hansen reported a busy day issuing bounties totaling 298 dollars for 88 foxes four wolves and six gophers.
An old casino style savings ad invites deposits at Polk County Federal Savings and Loan Association promising 3 percent earnings. It highlights safety, easy account opening by mail, and quick access to funds with withdrawal signers and checks mailed to customers.
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