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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Oct 27, 1955
Page
8
A reflective Thought of the Week notes that few live up to high standards we set for others. The piece comments on petition circulation for office in the municipal election and suggests critics would be charitable if they faced similar scrutiny of themselves.
Parks in Pella showcase vibrant green lawns after recent moisture return. Lime and fertilizer fed the earth while autumn leaves were mulched into humus, enriching soil. Citizens are urged to maintain soil fertility and enjoy the brief Indian summer scenery before winter departs.
Regret grows over the Nat ural Resources Council choice on early November to approve or disapprove dams and reservoirs at Saylorville and Howell. The news recounts Civil Defense Red Cross and Salvation Army relief efforts after the second flood of 1955, notes rebuilding work, and urges flood prevention plans now. Local opposition faded after the August deluge.
A safety message urges children to never step into the street between parked cars and only at intersections with a clear view. It notes that over a quarter of child pedestrian fatalities occur when stepping from between parked cars, often with blameless drivers unable to stop in time.
Four hundred and twenty citizens, many of them women, went to the polls in the unofficial primary. Voters acted from relatives or friends who were candidates, or from a conviction that voting is a civic duty. Officials take cues from constituents, and the primary vote should be tripled in the November 8 municipal election. Government begins with you.
Northwood Anchor questions whether any executives spend as much time on the job as President Eisenhower before his illness, while Cedar Rapids Gazette comments on a law protecting jury room privacy and Iris Indian summer lore details from Indianola Tribune.
Items of interest from The Chronicle recalling notable events from 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years ago. The column highlights local history, people, places, and milestones in a reflective roundup.
In 1905 October 26 notes, Rock Island Depot construction halted due to poor quality gravel for mason work. a carload arrived by rail but unusable. Local events include H Neyenesch turning 82, a church consistory surprise, several local marriages, saloon injunctions in Pella, church pastor discussions, De Vos visiting, and a sales auction for Dirk Kruidenier property. Moving picture projector interest, a Pine/Des Moines trip, and predictions of 24 hour electric service following Main Street light outages.
Fifty Pella residents donated skin for Maip Breuklander after a severe burn from gasoline. In Pella Sully road efforts, fifty business leaders hauled two hundred dirt loads to fix mud-prone sections. Talks of four thousand dollars for gravel surfaced. Iowa license plates 200000 to be Pullman green. Pella District Fair posted receipts and disbursements leaving 217.14. A. W. De Bruyn reported. L Stegeman property bought on West Washington. Knoxville voters considered commission government.
The record notes a vote of 49 for and 308 against. New Ford touring cars sold by Star Auto Co to Arie De Quartel P De Hamer and Mrs W C Huyser. Omaha Symphony directed by Henry Cox to perform at the Nebraska Teachers' Convention in Omaha described as the largest orchestra in the United States with over one hundred pieces. Essex closed car a market hit. Prices listed: hogs 8.50 to 10.50, wheat 1.33, oats 0.31, eggs 0.35, cream 0.45. Checkered caps appear in Faassen Den Adel ad. Full page urging local trade by twenty merchants. Essex car, local ads, and prices reflect era commerce.
Thirty years ago Pella High was routed by Fremont 7 to 0 on a wet field with a raw wind while Central’s Dutchmen were crushed 38 to 0 by Coe in Cedar Rapids. Other items note Sousa preparing for Des Moines concert and Armistice Day plans, Halloween parade, a 105‑pound pumpkin, and a Hudson Essex motor ad.
Front page outlines Pella corn show events with farmers delivering corn to stores and prize offers. A $88,545 appropriation for a city swimming pool plus $12,000 from the light fund, and an Eight acres for pool and park site are noted. Work to start immediately with dismantling of the Park schoolhouse. An election vote favored a high school bond. Federal aid to support bond funds and A A A cern hog program continuance are mentioned. Winterset Savages beat Little Dutch 27 0. Central defeats Simpson 90 yard interception led TD by Louie Kegel.
Pass by Bebo Van Arkel fueled a long run and setup for another touchdown as Gardner and Newhers'in the story unfold. John Leydens, operator of a West End service station, sold to William De Bruyn of Kirkville. Dr Jnkelma moved his dental office above the Van Sittert Store.
About a hundred residents subscribed for stock in Pella Golf and Country Club with a golf course planned for 1946 on Scholtes land north of town. The city admired expansions such as a College Inn and a Graham Hall addition while a Victory Loan Drive and community chest drive were to be held. Local sports noted Den-Pella High beating Valley 18 to 6 and Simpson losing to Central 26 to 6. Captain Richard Caddock and Captain Caldwell were discharged from military service. Lt. Lee Vriezelaar returned home.
In the 1955 national directory of small-city newspapers it is shown that many papers refuse any alcohol advertising and several avoid whiskey ads. Texas reports 25 percent of small papers answering no to running alcoholic beverage ads. A Liberty County church women's letter praises a clean paper free of alcohol advertising, arguing it guides youth away from social drinking.
After discharge, Pte William K Zee returned home to the ground forces of the army sir corps in the India China area. Sgt Harold Slings was discharged at DeWitt General Hospital Auburn California. he was wounded and earned two bronze battle stars the Purple Heart and Good Conduct medals. The service flag in the Pella National Bank printed the names of all men who served in World War II.
Mary Joan Kuyper of Pella married Lt Paul V. Farrer of Lakewood Ohio at the P H Kuyper residence. Her wedding photo appeared in the issue.
Urban Red Faber, famed right handed pitcher from Cascade, led the Chicago White Sox to a 4 games to 2 series win over the New York Giants in October 1917. He earned four victories in the series, a feat matched by only two others up to that era.
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