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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Sep 22, 1955
Page
3
Luther Burbank quotes on thinking freely and editors facing the hardest task of keeping an open mind. The message urges balancing heart and mind and reexamining prejudices occasionally to avoid closure of judgment.
A reader questions cement versus asphalt for Iowa highways. We note asphalt's potential to seal cracks, extend pavement life, and reduce future deterioration, while raising concerns about frost heave on porous soils. The piece favors asphalt if technical issues are resolved.
Herbert Hoover spoke in Newberg Oregon on his eighty first birthday reflecting on national state and public life. He praised record productivity health libraries hospitals and charitable institutions while urging vigilance against moral civic political and industrial criticisms. He stressed America’s freedoms and religious faith as safeguards of civilization.
Nobel laureate Dr Irving Langmuir reports that cloud seeding with dry ice may break up typhoons and hurricanes while at sea. He notes past seeding failed and warns defense against nature remains uncertain, suggesting Pacific typhoons be steered away from populated areas to prevent costly damage.
Joseph C. Harsch notes from Berlin that Western Europe shows rising vitality while Eastern Europe under communism stagnates. He argues free enterprise sustains prosperity and Western openness challenges the Soviet bloc, with Russians observing the signs of freedom during their visit.
A Gowrie News aphorism critiques pursuit of righteousness without practice. The Laverne Star-Herald discusses German space leadership and world peace through science. The Sigourney Review laments Iowa paving woes due to cement shortages and water damage, urges better drainage and cheaper roads, noting oil and bacon runs.
Items of interest from The Chronicle recalling events from a decade, two, three, four, and five decades past. Highlights may include notable local happenings, anniversaries, and people who shaped the community’s history.
Fifty years ago Henrich Van Gorkum, a longtime Pella blacksmith, died of pneumonia contracted while weeding his lot. A Warren County Fair exhibit tent saw three youths killed by lightning. A Pella man was jailed after a Saturday disturbance at Roe lofst store with a crowd. Depot work for Rock Island railway expected to begin. Zeadings Feast on the college campus raised funds. Carson Bobzin returned to manage his pool hall. Local farmers reported two foot long yardstick beans. A South Dakota land purchase near rail prospects was announced. Jasper County voters faced a courthouse bond proposal. Yank Brown of Prairie City, ex St. Louis Browns pitcher, visited town for tennis. Pella beat Prairie City Diggers 7 to 2 with Johns pitching and Moody catching.
Forty years ago the Pella Fair edition highlighted fair association invites and a holiday plea for school closure. Editor W A Young reminisces on the 1890s, lamp lighter rounds, and Central College memories. Advertisers and local shops loom large as college faculty parade and football players display new uniforms amid town scenes. The Knoxville road logjam and Federated Club benefit show Tom Thumb Wedding are noted alongside local commerce.
Jake Plender counted 946 parts in a Cole's Hot Blast display in a Van Zante Brothers contest. Andrew Vander Wal guessed 944. the actual total was 941. Plender noted 5 more than the manufacturer listed. Warner Van Spanckeren left for Drake University law school in Des Moines. Twenty-five men reported for Central football practice with lettermen Beyers Woody Hites F Rhyns burger Hillyer Roach Droz and newcomers Hicks C Lunt J Lowe L Allen Reece Ter Louw. H Thomassen advertised a farm sale and planned to operate the former Bay less store at Harvey.
The issue reprints Diamond Dick’s tale from July 4, 1899, recounting his arrest after leaving train tickets at a hotel while moving fifty Tama Indians from depot to Pella. Other items note water shortages in Orange City, spring 1926 road plans, a tax list with big payments, a church singing by Gerald Mokma, a watermelon feed by the Legion, and a Pella Gun Club shooting with high scores.
Harry Boland hit 24 of 25 tar targets in a 26 shot match while Van Vliet scored 46 and Walter Butt 44 in a high scoring contest.
Twenty years ago at First Reformed Church a new balcony and Sunday School rooms were added and dedicated on September 18. Tulip bulb varieties were listed for citizen selections as bulbs from Holland would arrive next week. Junior Chamber of Commerce members sponsored a banquet for men in football at Central College and Pella High School. Len Winter and Tiny Wilkins were named coaches. Marion County State Bank opened Saturday with heavy deposits. Legion members at the St Louis convention included D C Van Zante, G H Vanden Berg, Ben Kuyk, John Hackert, Will Vande Voort, Martin Hoeksema and George Ver Steeg. All Iowa University home games were to be broadcast, Maytag sponsor, station WHO. Central College lost its first football game 13 to 3 to Grinnell College after leading 3–0 until subs ran short.
The report notes a tense contest with Gardner hitting a pivotal field goal for Central. Pella led Ville briefly but saw Knoxville benching three players and Dillon ejected from the game. Deputy state fire marshal Lubberden traveled to California to apprehend a woman suspected in a Riceville house fire and returned to Des Moines by air. Gene Wormhoudt kept two autographed baseballs given by Henry Bootsma, who personally knew several players.
Ten years back front page photos showed Captain Alvin Evers in the 18th Air Force HQ in the Philippines and Roy Van Niewaal aboard a Navy vessel. A Pacific Island waterway dig with dynamite was planned on H. Gaass farm in Dallas Township. Dutch officer Lt Col Meerloo urged aid for Hollanders after hardship. Passes aided Little Dutch to defeat Montezuma 12 to 0 led by Chuck Vander Ploeg and Ray Rouw. The Knoxville game loomed with eight lettermen. Lt Elmer Ver Meer spoke to Kiwanians about Normandy beachhead climbs. A Marion County farm tour by Clay Barnett promoted soil conservation. Four pictures accompanied the story. Ensign James Kempkes met Major Herman Kregel on Okinawa and visited Klaas In’t Veld and Shorty Van Houweling. Farmers awaited Clinton oats from Iowa State College experimental seed. Arthur Tysseling on Okinawa promoted to Corporal. Sgt. R. Walter Roorda returned to the States after over two years with the 8rd Armored Division.
Texas reports over 16,000 railroad miles, the most of any state, reflecting extensive rail infrastructure and ongoing expansion plans. The figure underscores Texas reach in freight and passenger service amid nationwide network growth.
A reflective fragment on advertising and its impact on living standards reveals a cascade of social costs from rising prices to job losses and changing leisure. It notes theater closures grocery concerns and the evolving role of newspapers as a communication standard.
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