01 Jan 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 01, 1944
Page
1
Damages estimated at fifty thousand dollars followed a blaze that swept a two story brick Seymour public school building. The fire began likely from wiring above the coal bin and destroyed all old records while only this year’s high school records were saved. Much equipment burned and smoke and water damage spread throughout the 20 year old structure.
Boyd Underwood was sentenced by District Judge M A Kepler in Fort Madison to life imprisonment for first degree murder in the slaying of James E Hill at Manly in 1932. He had returned from Red Bluff California after voluntary confession and the hearing determined the degree of the crime.
Des Moines reports show oleomargarine tax collections by the state department of agriculture fell 15 percent in December from a year earlier. The December total was 17 871 dollars versus 21 032 dollars in 1942, a 5 181 dollar drop equating to 65 620 fewer pounds sold. The five cent per pound tax is noted, with lower meat point values reducing oleo purchases in favor of butter.
Seven girls aged 18 to 20 were sentenced by Municipal Judge Harry Grund to 11 days in jail for unlawfully frequenting a place where beer is sold after a police raid on the Hawkeye club at 811 Walnut street in Des Moines. Two additional parties were sailors from Ames and handed to the navy shore patrol. A 17 year old girl and a 17 year old boy were sent to the juvenile court.
A spectacular blaze Friday night consumed the two story Peter Pan store at 309 Locust Street in Des Moines with losses over 100000 dollars. Firefighters and police controlled crowds as flames rose 30 to 40 feet and threatened the adjacent Hotel Martin, forcing guests to evacuate and lights to be turned off.
Six year old Ruth Landau, daughter of Mr and Mrs Everett Landau, was fatally injured Friday afternoon when struck by a truck while crossing a street near her Waterloo home. Local police and emergency responders attended the scene as the tragedy unfolded in broad daylight. The victim was rushed to a local hospital where she died from injuries sustained in the collision.
V J Spevacek former Washington resident dies at Kalona at three this morning after a week in Iowa City hospital. Funeral arrangements by Peterseim Kalona funeral home not complete. He lived on a farm southeast of Kalona before eight years in town. Survived by wife and three children Joseph Spevacek Chicago Blanche Cartwright former beauty parlor operator Washington and Mrs John Shalla Richmond.
Records of the Washington county selective service board show 1588 inductees by early 1944 with volunteers not yet counted. The county will likely surpass 1600 as more join the army navy marines or coast guard. Fifty years earlier about 1000 served in World War I and hundreds more may enlist this year. Ninety three men have been discharged and are no longer in the services. No record exists for women enlisting in nurses corps WAC WAVES or SPARS from the county.
Washington D C January 1 The wage dispute involving 15 non operating unions and three of five operating brotherhoods is dead locked with little prospect of advancement until next week Spokesmen for the non operating unions rejected President Roosevelt's offer to arbitrate and accused War Mobilization Director James E Byrnes of thwarting the effort to solve the overtime pay issue They adjourned until Thursday The president has not indicated the next move or any plans to release correspondents between himself and the unions
London reports the U S and British air forces lost 29 heavy bombers in raids on targets in France. Allied planes downed 28 German aircraft as the year ended, with 17 German planes shot down by American bombers and 11 by allied fighters. Three allied fighters were missing. The Paris radio provided further updates.
Director Joseph B. Eastman of the Office of Defense Transportation warned that the nation faces the most difficult period for transportation since the war began yet no breakdown is expected if all concerned do their part. He cited intensified military demands cold weather and sickness and stressed shared responsibility for keeping transit functioning in the coming months.
A Paris region attack leaves 206 dead and 286 injured with thousands forced to flee their homes. Authorities report widespread damage across multiple municipalities and ongoing emergency relief efforts.
Allied forces massing for a major strike in the Aleutians with reports of air, sea and land buildup near Dutch Harbor Attu and Kiska. Trans ocean dispatches claim 1 000 war planes and long range bombers ready for operations toward Tokyo.
Washington observed New Year’s Eve and Day 1944 with calm celebration. Hundreds gathered at the State and Fox theaters for midnight shows as police reported orderly traffic and no accidents. Churches held watch night services and a Union Church event followed a preservice dinner and program.
Sheriff H. M. Putnam and Deputy Walt Kiesey report 26 prisoners were housed in the Washington county jail in 1943, down from 60 in 1942, with the jail empty for a period last summer and only one inmate at year’s start. The 1943 board and care cost $485.18, versus $941 the prior year, and warrants ranged across forgery, false checks, intoxication, motor vehicle offenses, larceny, assault, child desertion, parole violations, and more, including cases from outside the county and one visit to the state girls' school.
Nevada's Washoe County divorce courts filed 5,846 actions in 1943 setting a record high, while marriage licenses issued dropped about 40 percent from 1942. County clerk Elwood H. Beemer said the filing level was double normal years.
The January term docket for the Washington County District Court lists seven new cases, including four divorces. The term opens Monday January 10 with Judge J. G. Patterson presiding, no criminal cases. Some cases from prior terms may go to trial, including four actions by farm owners against the Natural Gas Pipeline Co of America with motions heard January 3.
In heavy fog on road 18 a collision occurred about 10:40 p m near Haskins involving Melvin Rodgers of Fairfield and E L Conry of Ainsworth. No injuries except a forehead bump to a Fairfield woman. two cars sustained about 200 dollars in damage.
The article notes that wartime prosperity prompted rapid marriages as a direct consequence of the period. It emphasizes social shifts and the urge to wed quickly amid economic gains and uncertain futures.
Mrs. Bessie Ida Ross aged 80 died at 4 08 yesterday at her home 3038 East Van Buren Washington. She was born April 8 1863 in New York state and moved to Jesup Iowa at age 12. Surviving are two sons A W Ross Washington and N A Ross Fullerton PA and two daughters Mrs Harry Humble Washington and Mrs C A Turner Alexander VA. Funeral 9 30 Sunday at L A Jones funeral home. Burial Jesup Iowa. She was a Presbyterian and widow of Joseph E H Ross who died July 8 1932. Burial in Jesup cemetery.
The county employment service reports 617 placements in 1943 including 379 agricultural, 15 on the Alaska Canada highway, 10 in the Pacific Northwest, seven at Kaiser shipyards, 40 at Iowa ordnance plant, 62 in essential Washington work, and 36 in other defense jobs. It notes 391 new applications, 2,815 interviews, 563 field visits, 849 local orders for help, 1,523 referrals, and 31 veterans placed under Mrs. Albert Lay.
German forces retreat along a 200 mile front as Kiev nears the Polish border and Romanian column advances. Red Army tightens grip on Vitebsk and Malinovsky’s 3rd Ukrainian Army breaches the Dnieper. West of Kiev Germans fall back toward Poland and the Dniester line. Allies gain in Italy as British Fifth Army nears Pescara and Rome corridor. raids and bridge destruction reported north of the Garigliano.
Mrs. Maud Koehler and Private Maurice Koehler traveled to Rock Island yesterday to spend a few days with Mrs. Maud Koehler's sister Mrs. Fred Bowen and his family.
Thirty six young men who turned eighteen in December registered for military service at the county selective service board. The month’s total mirrors the year’s average, with some months higher or lower. Registrants listed include David Galloway R3 Washington Leland Love R1 Crawfordsville Robert Ross 711 S 4th Donald Davis Washington Elmer Kron R2 Riverside Harry Suter R1 Crawfordsville Clarence Zieglowsky R8 Washington Max Beenblossom 5218 9th Washington Charles Bond R1 Brightster Robert Dowr 316 E Main Washington
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