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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Sep 19, 1940
Page
3
A maxim from Old German lore warns that people who think themselves free may be most bound by false beliefs. The line frames freedom as a mindset, not a status, challenging complacency and urging introspection about true autonomy.
A column weaves through wartime propaganda, religious debates, royal anecdotes, marriage views, and civil liberties. It cites Nazi superiority rhetoric, British royalty under attack, a Presbyterian talk in Des Moines, a Canada joke, and George Creel warning against xenophobia and bans on foreign tongues amid wartime memories.
The article honors General John Pershing on his 81st birthday, praising his trust in American soldiers and his reluctance toward military regimentation. It notes the diverse composition of the 1918 army, including 300,000 Italians and others, and the support from foreign groups at home. It lauds Pershing’s insistence on troops first and his belief that soldiers must not be puppets of the state.
The American Legion commission investigates how subversive propaganda enters public school textbooks. It outlines four attack patterns aimed at debunking heroes, undermining the Constitution, promoting collectivism, and eroding religious and moral foundations. The piece cites the Legion magazine story Treason in the Textbooks and urges school authorities to reject New Thought influenced material.
Editorial notes see European papers discuss American news and compulsory training. It highlights German praise of Nazi air gains on London and predicts eventual British air power shift. The piece warns that once Britain gains air superiority, resistance may turn.
The Pella Blade recalls a busy 1899 period with college lecture plans including Motte and Comett, a band concert series, balloon ascensions, and a Central University meeting. Residents report water main leaks, booming construction, new homes, and social notices of local figures like Andrew Vander Menlen and Walter Johnson.
Thirty years ago on September 22, 1910 every school in Mahaska Mar and Keokuk counties received a new flag funded by a town fund. Auto owners were urged to donate a car for a Lake Prairie District Fair advertising tour. Infantile paralysis hit Marion County for the first time this year with several children paralyzed in the lower limbs. Frank Elscott bought a new automobile from HP Van Gorp joining the Overland family. Three quarters of Iowa’s corn crop was safe from frost per Dr. Geo Chappel. Squirrel hunting featured as John Robertus returned with a gameful bag. Charley Dykstra and Artie Vander Linden visited Des Moines by rail. News of births, moves, and business filled local life, including Mrs. Dena Vander Pol’s dry goods store, George Dewey’s admiralcy, and the death of Cornelius Vanderbilt at New York City.
A 20 year old clipping reports Mrs. Wild Poyou jer of Washington East Street fell on the steps of the Methodist church and sustained a broken injury.
At a Chamber of Commerce gathering, steps were taken to elect for placing Peila’s parks under a Park Commission. D. C. Van Zante explained Iowa law on Memorial Building bonds. Abraham Goemnat, 71, died fighting an enraged bull. Fire touched Garden City Feeder Plant roof but was suppressed. Miss Anna Hospers to teach in Dickinson North Dakota. Vander Linden and Louise head to Ames for civil engineering study. Picnics noted at Fair Grounds with amused mishap when two visitors were mistaken for police. John R. Dieleman advertises household goods sale. Van Houweling touts Marivan Hampshire hogs for sale. Byram marries Marguerite Cole at Luverne parsonage. Farmers National Bank assets near one million. down from 1918. Rev. A. C. Droz of Monroe to lead Luverne Baptist Church starting Oct 1.
Ten years ago the Otley IGA store opened as part of a roundup of local notes from September 18, 1930. The issue highlights the Otley Co operative Exchange shipping 200 livestock cars and 75,000 bushels of grain, the Re formed Church of Otley turning fifty, and schoolyard tug of war bouts between Central Sophomores and Freshmen. Also noted are Ed Vos lighting a neon-ringed Wapello Station, a silo collapse on the Ralphman farm, the Sully Creamery set for public open inspection on September 26, and Jewel Peterson joining Central College as music head. The first Lincoln school eighth grade class photo from 1905 appears, with names of pupils including Donald Mair and Frank Den Adel. Woodrow washers selling in Kansas City amid a national mood, and city council talks on a new sewage disposal plant conclude the roundup.
Pella High School plans a Homemaking Conference at Montezuma featuring singing visiting and learning with a hoped for 250 to 300 attendees from Newton Oskaloosa Grinnell Pella and Montezuma. Imogene Doggett of Oskaloosa will supervise activities including a mixer luncheon skits and workshops for teen problems and personal issues.
The Sigourney gridiron clash with Little Dutch Friday at 7 30 p m features a veteran Sigourney squad that trounced Marengo 24 to 6 and a Pella Hi team missing quarterback Jerry Carpenter and Bob Black due to injuries. Both schools have tied games in recent years and coach Claypool works on pass defense faster interference and revamped plays after a 20 to 0 win over Lynnville.
A morning election at Pella High School chose class officers for each class. Senior officers: Gertrude Van der Ploog president, Jerry Carpenter vice president, Marjorie Van Wyk secretary, Arvin Hoogenakker treasurer. Junior officers: James Kempkes president, Stanley Ver Ploog vice president, Virginia Carpenter secretary and treasurer. Sophomore officers: Carl Van der Ploeg president, Margaret De Wild vice president, Delbert Berg secretary and treasurer. Freshman officers: C. H. Berg president, June Van Gorkum vice president, Marvin Smith secretary and treasurer.
Miss Henrietta Ver Houl head of the mathematics department outlines home room programs and class plans for the upcoming year at Pella High School. She oversees five subjects and one study hall, teaching a general mathematics class of 27, an Algebra I group of 89, and Latin I II with emphasis on pronunciation.
Continuing from last week, David Braashart works at the Rolscreen and Chester Bricker is in a reconerative cream store in Ot cy. Ralph De Cook, Jacob De Haan, Fred Heerema, and Dorothy, June Langerak, Margery Van Heukelem attend Central. Thressa Van Heukelem teaches at Bunker Hill School. Janet Hol and Edna De Jong also working. Watch for more news next week.
A freshman mixer drew comments as students in Des Moines were spotted Friday night. Lola Carter has not missed school in three years, and hopes to keep that streak. Rumors swirl about locker keys, a missing student Jerry Carpenter, and questions about Evelyn Vos and Joy learning to drive.
Sam Garthewell from the Justice Department will address students Monday in the high school auditorium about the FBI, crime fighting, and the role of fear in life. He will recount cases, emphasize right thinking, and discuss his rise from a Cincinnati tenement to Stanford. Ten cents activity ticket advised.
Girls in the Pella High Pep Club were initiated last Thursday in the business district and on school grounds. Seventeen new members joined the group this year as the club welcomed the initiates noted by banners and cards on their backs.
In the Pella High Spirit column the faculty share summer activities. Miss Lenora Hepfinger normal training instructor spent her summer exploring the West, according to her report.
Editorial praises recent upgrades at Pella High School including shrubbery on the southern lawn, a new side walk and steps, and redecorated auditorium study hall and classrooms in cream and green. It urges students to appreciate these conveniences and thanks the school board and taxpayers.
The writer notes the third week has begun with the building’s appearance drawing seven compliments. Teachers and students remark on the auditorium, the study hall paint, and the overall comfort and attractiveness of the school.
The Dutchmen defeated Lynnville 20 to 0 Friday in Pella's opener. Klootwyk rushed 30 yards for a touchdown, Grundman added the extra point, and another score came on a 10 yard run with a Schilder pass for the extra point. Halverson and Klootwyk starred for Pella. Wagaman led Lynnville.
The article playfully notes Miss Hepfinger seeking a small souvenir from Pike’s Peak while Miss Ver Heul enjoys multiple small vacations near home. It recalls English and dramatics instructor Maurice Birdsall truanting to North Carolina, and music instructor Robert Ruby returning from Iowa City to help his teething son Erlin as hay fever saps sleep.
The first pep assembly of the new school year was held in the gym to send off the Little Dutch before the Lynnville game. The band played, students cheered, and Jeanette Lankelma with Carol Cook led yells while Mr. Buerkens, the superintendent, delivered a humorous talk using football terms and a light miscue on a coach.
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