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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 08, 1938
Page
4
The article recalls Mr. and Mrs. Pratt debating whether a real fire existed as a long siren wailed. Firemen, called to duty, were puzzled by a break in routine with the operator signaling the location before the alarm. John Custer notes all firemen reported for duty, unsure why the event occurred.
Marjorie White the saleslady who rooms at the J. D. Dayton home slept through the twenty minutes of blowing and did not notice an automobile collision that occurred in front of the Dayton residence, practically under her window.
Mrs. Charles Crone asked her husband what was wrong with the fire whistle. He replies the town salutes him on his birthday. Today is Chick Crone's birthday but Mrs Crone marked him zero in his lesson.
Mr and Mrs Manton Hebner argued about how long the whistle blew. He claimed about five minutes while she contended it was closer to thirty, wagering on who was right as the dispute escalated.
Gerald Duncan noted at the Poultry show this morning that excitement kept the birds from laying eggs and even a radio fright kept them alert. He cited the lack of eggs as evidence of the birds’ agitation.
Firemen at the station at four this morning indulged in a lively game of pin ochle, seeing it as a favorable chance for a quick and spirited pastime.
Mike Robinson explains the whistle stretched due to a missing ladder. The 1.8.U. keeps a ladder atop the building to reach the cupola in emergencies. This morning workers found no ladder and issued an SOS to assistants.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson living above the State bank slept through traffic and fire noise. He learned of the furor only when he came to work.
The fire siren has long sat atop the National Bank building. A black box seen nearby is the siren housing. Some residents incorrectly believed the siren moved when the Hotel Washington relocated to the old site, but that move did not affect the siren.
Dogs across the town exercised their Yowlers more than in years this morning. John Lemmons dog Snaps loudly startled Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon, while their son Jon Bruce slept through the noises.
Hotel Washington manager Harry Sowden faced chaos as a fire alarm rang through the building waking guests and sending many into the halls. The siren blared from the roof while the switchboard lit up and some rooms slept through. Guests then crowded the Iowa lunch area after the confusion.
L. E. Travis of Iowa Continental credits Florence Hout with a heroic performance as alarms from 3:30 begin. About 495 calls flooded the system while firemen, telephone workers, and Iowa Southern responded. Travis helped at the switchboard as five operators worked overtime to manage the flood of messages.
The Independent School District of Washington Iowa adopts a resolution to plan a public water main for Lincoln School with an estimated cost of 450 dollars. A hearing is set to review guidelines and contract forms. objections may be made at the December 23, 1938 meeting at 1 45 PM in City Hall. Bidders may submit sealed proposals by December 28 1988 for the water main project with a 1 percent bid bond.
Independent School District of Washington Iowa invites bids for a project with requirements to favor Iowa produced goods and labor. Bids open in 30 days. plans and specs available after December 2 1938 at the Architects and District secretary. $10 plan deposit refundable after letting if bonafide bid is submitted.
In the District Court of Washington County Iowa a plaintiff sues a long roster of defendants including Nathan Baker Thomas Baker Sarah Baker John Lyon Margaret Lyon Alexander Lee Rosanna Lee and many Ritchey Littler Kopp Ashby Malin Conger Jenkins and Conger. The document lists guardian relationships and multiple family surnames in a sprawling civil action.
A dense roster of names lists administrators, guardians, commissioners, heirs, and trustees connected to the estate of James Warren Moore and various Washington County, Iowa associations. The document names dozens of individuals, including C. L. Parker, Simon P. Teeple, Richard Moore, and Elizabeth Ashby, among others, tied to estates, loans, and county governance across territory.
Iowa unemployment benefits for October totalled 508 578 dollars, the Social Security Board reported. The figure shows a drop from September by about 87 000 dollars as 8475 initial claims were filed in October, with 29 states reporting declines. Total Iowa benefits for January through October reached 1 557 687 dollars amid rising claims in nineteen states due to second claims and seasonal layoffs.
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