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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 14, 1939
Page
1
A Cedar Rapids column reports Linn county courthouse files show an allegedly overdue bill for cleaning supplies with a twist as two pints of liquor were found cached in a soap barrel. The piece frames the odd discovery as a local curiosity tied to courthouse happenings.
Nile Kinnick, star All American from the University of Iowa, was elected President of Presidents. The honor goes to the senior class president from each college within the university.
Ottumwa woman Nellie F. Prescott, aged 100, received a birthday letter from Governor George A. Wilson among many congratulatory messages. The governor wrote that in half a century he has found many good people in the world and guesses Prescott met even more than he will ever know.
David J. Murphy of Dubuque brother of the late Senator Louis Murphy is named supervisor of the federal census for Iowa's second district. Murphy states his office and district headquarters will be at the Dubuque post office.
United States Senator Clyde L Herring announced he will recommend Ruth M Stoltz for postmaster in Ottumwa after directing a competitive exam. Stoltz ranked first with Reed L Blankinship second and John J Miller third. Melvin L Burns failed to meet the three eligible-appointment rule.
A district court jury after about 11 hours deliberation acquitted William Mayfield Sr., 62, a Boone WPA worker, on charges of second degree murder in the shotgun death of his son-in-law George Benshoof during a family quarrel at Mayfield’s home last July.
The charge against State Highway Patrolman Robert Muir for towing a disabled patrol car was postponed indefinitely in Justice Court. Muir and partner John Flynn tied the front bumper of the disabled car to the rear bumper of the other patrol car after failing to find a tow vehicle, a practice ruled improper under state law which requires a tow bar and safety chain and limits towing to the nearest garage.
Council Bluffs residents debated the schools physical training program at Abraham Lincoln High School. Principal G W Kier n said costs were covered by student fundraising except for shower water. The ROTC supplies rifles for target practice and girls pay 2 dollars yearly for ammunition.
The silent film star Douglas Fairbanks Sr. died of a heart attack in Santa Monica California. He was married to Mary Pickford and later to Lady Sylvia Ashley. His son Doug Fairbanks Jr. is also a noted actor.
An Associate Presbyterian Congregational meeting hosted by Dr and Mrs W J Masson followed a potluck. It was a continuation of the October annual gathering. A finance committee report by A B Atchison chaired the session, with twenty members present discussing additional church matters.
Forty AFL truck drivers went on strike in Sioux City against three wholesale fruit firms citing wage and hour disputes. Firm spokesmen say the sole issue is a closed shop. Report notes several local residents visiting town.
L. Muench, transferred from Iowa City, becomes manager of the John Nash Wholesale grocery near the Milwaukee station, replacing Arthur Nebson. A longtime wholesale grocer, he partners with Mrs. Muench to move here after the new year. They join local churches and fraternal groups.
Members of the district line of the state poultry association held a potluck supper and meeting in the Legion rooms at city hall. Attendees from Burlington Packwood Winfield Mount Union Mount Pleasant Washington and other towns heard a Washington Centennial movie program and a county play by Washington county poultry association women. Davison's Coppo ck orchestra provided music and State Representative Charles W. Nelson of Packwood spoke. Harry Ramseyer presided and a round table discussion on poultry raising followed. The next meeting will be in
Washington readies its new armory for dedication with Governor George A. Wilson delivering the address. Cap tain O J Brown leads troopers in demonstrations and a band from Oskaloosa will perform. The four part program includes a governor speech a band concert vaudeville acts and weapon demonstrations for a crowd of several hundred amid parking and tax exemptions. Proceeds go to armory equipment and unlisted building items.
In January, Williamsburg will host a joint session of the nine and six districts to coordinate policies and areawide matters. Officials said the meeting aims to align district priorities and discuss shared projects.
Washington stores will stay open evenings next week through Christmas. They will operate until nine o'clock to help shoppers finish Christmas purchases. Secretary O E Schmitt of the Chamber of Commerce announced the extended hours.
The League of Nations voted to expel Soviet Russia for invading Finland. The expulsion was approved unanimously by the assembly after the council received the resolution, with four nations abstaining: China Finland Greece and Yugoslavia. Separately Finnish forces burned the border town of Salm a jaervi as Russians advanced and air raids intensified along the Finland Norway frontier.
Des Moines Iowa Republicans announce a major cut in state operations for 1939 to 1940. Comptroller C Fred Porter reports first quarter spending of 2 267 591 versus 2 296 375 a year earlier, a 123 8754 drop, with further savings from highway budget controls and staff reductions totaling 1 267 616 for the year.
Funeral services for Miss Mittle Wolfe who died early yesterday will be at St James Catholic Church Friday at nine o'clock with Rev. H J Corcoran officiating. Burial follows at Elm Grove Cemetery. Brother Louis Wolfe of Corvallis Montana cannot attend. A rosary will be held this evening at 704 West Second Street at eight o'clock.
Washington high school and junior college will present a Christmas program on December 20 at 2 30 p m in the high school auditorium. Admission is free. The program is organized by Boyd White Maurice Brayton and Ruth Flood and will feature orchestra vocal music and a Christmas play with works by Handel and Schubert among numbers performed.
Funeral services held in Des Moines for Tom Messenger a Des Moines resident and former Washington native. He served in Company D during the Spanish American War and died Tuesday after a heart attack at about 55. Survived by wife daughter Betty a brother in Minneapolis and a sister in San Diego. He was a cousin of Elizabeth Irwin and the late Dr. EK McConaughy.
Judge Daniel H Sheehan of Council Bluffs Municipal Court and W H Drane Lester of the FBI addressed the joint session of the twelfth annual conference of county attorneys and the fifteenth annual school of the Iowa Sheriffs Association in Des Moines. Lester warned parole systems contribute to crime through improper administration.
Mary Westphal conducts selections from Handel and Messiah with Jone Steele and Martha Anne Mace Everett. The program features Christmas Tide and A Medley of Eleven Christmas Carols by Rosario Bourdon with accompaniment by Carolyn Strong, Paul Fry and the High School Orchestra.
In a dramatic clash off Uruguay, three British cruisers pressured the Graf Spee into Montevideo harbor after a night battle. The German ship suffered hull and superstructure damage and 36 killed with 60 wounded, while Deutschland and others roam sub Arctic waters.
The Washington county Schoolmasters club met at Priple's tea room and Brighton High School for dinner and a program attended by about thirty. They authorized forming a county educational council to coordinate with the state department. The program featured March of Time films and an underwater cables documentary. The next meeting January 10 in Washington will cover religious tolerance with Rabbi Manneheimer and Father Johnson from Des Moines.
Mrs. Keith Wells hosted an oyster supper last evening honoring her husband on his birthday. The gathering featured pinochle with guests including Mr and Mrs Harley Davidson and Mr and Mrs Curtis Long.
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