29 Feb 1940
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 29 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Feb 29, 1940
Page
1
A. W. Sailor of Ottumwa was found guilty by a justice court jury of receiving stolen property. The case stemmed from the arrest of a 13 year old boy who confessed stealing to raise funds for hamburgers and movies, with police reporting stolen items found at Sailor’s shop. Sailor faces sentencing today.
Debaters from 15 colleges compete in Iowa City at the Ten and Lowe Invitational Forensic tournament starting Tuesday. Events include debate extemporaneous speaking original oratory after dinner speaking and discussion competition.
Darrell Bhick 16 of Floris was found dead in his car parked on Ormanville road. Family members say gas penetrated the car and carbon monoxide is being investigated. Coroner Gordon Traul will send a blood specimen to the state laboratories for testing.
After 20 years leading the department, Dr. Howard Bartow will retire in June. A formal announcement will accompany a departmental news series. Bartow, born January 12, will be 70, meeting the university’s mandatory retirement age for department heads.
Des Moines reports the state welfare board created a $21 monthly level for old age assistance. Previously aged recipients were paid at $25 $22 or $18 monthly. The board cites conferences with county boards and committees for increased flexibility and changes to base rates.
Iowa merchants reported at least 202 million dollars in retail sales during the 1936 Christmas quarter. State sales tax collections show the period, ending with more than a month to go, at about 4.029 million in tax, from roughly 202 million in sales. The prior three month peak was in 1928 with 4.02 million in taxes on 201.0 million in sales.
RED OAK Iowa Nathan Tucker 89 Montgomery county pioneer who years ago announced his personal creed and lived by it died at his farm home He came to Iowa in 1874 and had lived on the same farm 30 years He drove a 1912 model car until recently His life code urged fairness to others and enjoying friends and warned of the finality of death with the idea to seek pleasure while alive.
Des Moines Edward Weeks editor of the Atlantic Monthly told the Des Moines Women's Club that books shape the nation. He urged reading to understand world events and emotions, calling John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath a curtain call to his talk and praising Sinclair Lewis and Ernest Hemingway as trendsetters in realistic fiction.
The senate approved the export-import bank bill allocating 100 million dollars to back a 20 million dollar Finnish loan for non military use. The House passed the measure 168 to 51. Former President Hoover urged Congress to begin a general European relief program as a humanitarian effort not violating neutrality.
Mrs. Clara J. Wells 82 widowed wife of William P Wells died at 11 30 am at her home 315 West Main Street after a five week bedfast period from injuries from a fall She was born June 18 1857 in the community daughter of Dr James B Combs and Mary Jane Combs She lived in the area most of her life moving from a farm west of town to Washington 35 years ago Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at Sherman’s funeral home conducted by Dr F W Eastwood of the Presbyterian church Burial will be in Elm Grove cemetery.
German officials warned residents temporarily in Hertland to return to Germany before March 15. Reported defense extensions along the Siegfried line across the Belgian Dutch frontier to the North Sea. US patent growth noted at 4700 percent in 100 years.
The obituary notes Mrs Wells died December 27 1928 after a February 9 1882 birth. Survived by daughter Stella W Latchem of Washington a grandson Dr Charles W Lathem of Baltimore a sister Mrs J E Lemmon of Washington and several nieces and nephews. She belonged to the Presbyterian church and the Journal’s Three Quarter century club.
The 1940 Junior College Directory shows United States enrollment rising from 155,588 to 196,510 last year, a 26.4 percent gain and a record. California leads with 64 junior colleges and 3,669 students, while Los Angeles City College has the largest full-time enrollments. The San Bernardino Valley Junior College is the largest with 8,317 students.
Farmers under the 1959 agricultural adjustment program received total benefits of 56.93 million dollars, with Washington county at 549,930 and Jefferson county at 301,680. January payments reached 126 million, the highest monthly total since the program started, boosting farm cash income to 733 million versus 634 million in January 1939.
Don Paul marks his unusual business anniversary on February 29 while running Don Paul's 1&N station. He began in 1936 at the D-X station on February 24, and today observes his first anniversary in a fourth year of operation. The station has added a new wash and grease house.
Dougall Bros cafe to open tomorrow occupying former Iowa Lunch site in Washington. Hugh Dougall moved to a new modern restaurant across the street. Family owners Skeet Joe and Mae Dougall invite the public for a complimentary treat between 9:00 and 10:00 am.
Mrs. Virgil C Smith dies from burns after an explosion destroyed a filling station and attached living quarters in Lees Summit Missouri. Her husband Mr Virgil Smith severely burned while rescuing her. both were taken to St Joseph hospital in critical condition.
Northwestern University astronomer Dr Oliver J Lee says the calendar will be one day off in 5103 and require an extra leap day. He traces leap year history from the Julian calendar to Gregorian reform and notes a remaining 0.0284 day annual excess and a future 0.5 second yearly decrease due to precession.
Burlington auditors report a 9842.80 shortage in the Washington lodge and Eureka encampment accounts of the Burlington Odd Fellows. Harry F. Droegemeyer, 74, Burlington shoe dealer and lodge trustee chairman, is sought on embezzlement warrants after he vanished February 6.
Alto Neal, 22, of Geddes recalls a string of family calamities. Her father Guy Neal died in Geddes last Friday, then Everett Neal died from a stroke. While en route to Clear Lake for Everett’s funeral, a hearse crash near Emmetsburg injured driver Thomas and others.
Oval J Gingerich will move to Washington as building superintendent for Eclipse Lumber. J Moraine joins sales with L A Wilson, expanding the local Eclipse unit. The plan prioritizes small modern houses with easy monthly financing through federal housing programs to meet Washington area demand.
Four year old John Pugstey, son of Mr and Mrs Claude Pugstey, drowned in a stock tank on the Pugstey farm ten miles east of Emmetsburg. He was playing alone in the yard when he fell into the four foot deep tank.
Firefighters in Independence rescued a half frozen cat perched about 35 feet up a tree. The feline appeared unable to descend on its own and required a ladder ascent to safety.
Paris reports Premier Edouard Deladier’s cabinet approved about a score of decrees to tighten production and conserve resources for a long war with Nazi forces. Bread rationing cards and bakery controls are to be enforced, with the army to cultivate lands in the army zone to boost food supplies.
The war briefing reports the Russian army nearing Viipuri as Finns fall back to new positions along the Mannerheim line. Burning buildings glow in the city while Russian forces assault Finnish defenses, but Finnish morale remains strong and mediation talks gain little traction.
U S Undersecretary Sumner Welles travels from Zurich toward Berlin to confer with Adolf Hitler, Joachim von Ribbentrop, and Hermann Goering on U S aims for Roosevelt policy. He plans to return to France after meetings that may include Mussolini and other Italian leaders.
Moscow dispatch reports Soviet forces have tightened positions four miles from Viipuri in preparation for a decisive push to capture the Finnish city. The military announcement frames the move as part of a broader onslaught plan.
Moscow says the Red Army pushed against the Mannerheim line near Viipuri, forcing Finnish troops to fall back to new positions on the western 25 mile stretch while the eastern Taipale front held after repulsing three attacks.
Motion picture films on fracture treatment highlighted the Washington County Medical Society gathering. The event occurred at the nurses' home Tuesday evening with a 6 30 dinner follow up and featured educational demonstrations from medical professionals.
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