01 Jan 1951
Page 1
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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 01, 1951
Page
1
United Press dispatch notes a subdued New Year across the United States. Crowded Times Square celebrations contrasted with lower holiday death counts, thanks to fewer traffic accidents and wary public mood amid war jitters. Major cities held midnight services as a cold front brought snow inland.
Mrs. J. A. Sprague a longtime Columbus Junction resident and former teacher died at 4 20 am at age 75. Funeral arrangements are pending at Stacy funeral home. She was born Nancy Huston May 29 1871 and taught in Louisa County and Columbus Junction schools. She married J. A. Sprague in 1924. he died in 1946. Surviving sisters include Margaret Huston Lilylie Gookin Kate Robertson and a Clinton brother Clark. Three stepdaughters live in Tipton Iowa City and Pasadena California.
Mostly cloudy in the afternoon with colder air moving in from the west and center. Highs range from 22 to 28 in the northwest and 35 to 40 in the southeast with snow in the northwest half and rain in the southeast half arriving late tonight or Tuesday. Winds shift from west-northwest to southwest at 15 to 20 mph. Lows tonight 15 to 20 northwest and 38 to 34 southeast. Tuesday high 25 to 80 northwest and 34 to 38 southeast. Wednesday snow flurries and colder with a 12 above northwest to 25 above southeast outlook.
Washington marked New Year with quiet observation. Church services and a midnight movie dominated the scene while most stores remained closed. Employees worked on annual inventories, lending a deserted holiday feel to the business district as the Evening Journal published at noon.
Glen Mace begins 1951 by celebrating his 31st anniversary at the Savage business. He started as assistant manager to J F Duffy, later Falk Motor Company, and bought the garage in October 1921. He recalls auto industry changes from a $5000 Lincoln to lower priced $1500 models. Bill Boshart, son in law of Mrs. Mace, joined after World War II and has since been active in management.
Eight soldiers injured when a C 54 troop carrier crashed during an emergency landing at Yakutat due to icing and heavy winds. The four engine plane, en route from Anchette Island to Elmendorf AFB, cartwheeled after losing altitude. one engine was hurled 50 feet, engines caught fire but no main blaze reported.
Lt Gen Walton H Walker, a top commander in Korea, lay in Arlington vault awaiting burial with full military honors. He was killed in a Jeep accident near Seoul on December 23 and to be laid to rest near General Pershing, with an 8 am move to Fort Myer and 2 pm Episcopal services.
Congress convenes on New Year’s Day to wrap up lame duck business led by a $3.3 billion corporate tax bill. Senate aims to finish its work and start anew next session while major defense and war powers measures await House action. Preparedness plans and pension leadership races also surface as agenda items. Local note: Ora Hayes visits Cloyee Stewart home. Sterling College English head is named. Small alloy: a 12 millionth pound coil spring used by jewelers for necklace clasps.
The Chamber of Commerce announces January to March changes for Washington retailers. All stores and grocery outlets will close at 9 50 on weekdays and 4 on Saturday evenings, with grocery stores closing at 5 45 on weekdays and 9 30 on Saturdays.
President Truman opened 1951 with a peace prayer during a four day cruise aboard the Williamsburg. He expressed hope that the new year would bring world peace and prepared a state of the union message for the 82nd Congress. White House press secretary Joseph Short said the president would attend New Year services at the National Presbyterian Church.
About 250000 Chinese and North Korean troops backed by one million reserves launched a broad offensive across Korea, forcing the 8th Army to withdraw and tighten defenses around Seoul. The Imjin River line was breached, with bombardments and rapid advances pushing UN forces back along a 146 mile front.
Mrs. Henry Dittmer aged 72, longtime resident of the county, died Sunday at 4:20 am after a ten day illness. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 pm at Jones funeral home with Dr. C. Raymond Reed officiating. Burial in Kim Grove cemetery. She was born Elma G. Barr on April 21, 1878 in Charlotte Iowa, married Henry Dittmer Oct 14, 1904, and lived on a farm before moving to Washington in 1946. Survivors include her daughter Mrs Roy Carter and two grandsons, sisters Mrs John Toltenaar and Mrs G M Brown, and several nieces and nephews.
A year-end recap notes Washington weathered 1950 with modest impact from national tensions. Despite service drafts and local shortages, the community posted a profitable year as leaders and residents handled civic duties, schools, and clubs amid a shifting postwar landscape. Notable events include bond approvals, chamber appointments, and local sports milestones.
Four Iowans died during the New Year weekend in incidents across the state. A Decorah woman died when a car struck a parked truck. a Wall Lake man died when his car left the road near Manning. a Sioux City woman died after a stair fall following a dinner engagement. Waterloo residents died from a fire and a later burn injury.
Erma Leach, 25, ends a 152 day flagpole stint to win the world title. She descends amid New Year celebrations with 87,500 in cash, a fur coat, and a Cadillac. A crowd of 6,000 watches the descent as a sponsor hands out hot dogs.
Walter Oshier, 62, of Des Moines, to be charged with murder in the weekend shooting that killed his estranged wife Pearl Osheir, 59, at their home. The granddaughter Mareee Lee Zeckman, 4, witnessed the incident as Oshier, in critical condition, wounded himself. Police say he admitted inflicting the wounds and named his wife as "on my blacklist."
Eclipse Lumber celebrates its 19th anniversary and looks toward its 20th year in Washington. Manager changes include L. E. Wilson to Barney Sakulin who now leads the firm as 1951 begins. The staff lists Peg Henry, Floyd Marston, Junior Griffith, Martin Weston, Fred Reid Jr., Harry Dettweiller, Bill Swick, and Barney Sakulin.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:50 in the Jones funeral home with Dr. GR Reed directing. Mrs Elouise Sorden sang with accompaniment from Klein. pallbearers included Durst Lawrence Whisler We Baker Daryl Dodder Bera and Harold Wehr. Honorary bearers were Fred Reid Glen Mace Virgil Knerr Lee Holland C S Lemmon and Russell Bell. Burial followed at Elm Grove Cemetery.
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