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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Sep 11, 1971
Page
5
Dear Aunt Agatha reports welcome rainfall sparks life in lawns and fields after a dry spell. The piece notes teacher salary funding, adult education partnerships with Kirkwood College, a new Developmental Center planned for October, and the county hospital’s steady blood bank supplies. The letter ends with watermelon giveaways and Christmas decorations at the Chamber of Commerce office.
The piece recalls rapid crop maturation after rains easing heat. It describes crane-like silo filling with corn knives, fodder wagons, and a steam engine powered filler later replaced by gasoline tractors. It notes hard labor, injuries, and the change to power unloading with silage now tramp-free, needing fewer workers.
Ed Augustine begins third year at Iowa State College of Agriculture. Carolyn Stewart works at Call-Bulletin in San Francisco. Artemas Brown becomes Hastings YMCA executive secretary. Marriages baptisms and visits feature among church and family events. Local business changes include Don Shepherd joining Standard Oil territory and Marion Sheetz buying into Scott Furniture. A wind and thunderstorm event and a fall festival planned with prizes and decorations are noted.
The past week brought soaking showers in Washington, with 2.17 inches reported on Saturday ending a drought spell since August. County extension agent Jim Frier says the rain revived pasture and crop outlook though early corn and beans may be too late. Visitors from Indiana left after ten days with Hawkins family. Sandra Lee Little, daughter of Carl and Mrs Little, drowned during a Spirit Lake vacation.
Ed Jones of Washington captured the Class C title at the Governor’s Invitational Skeet championships at New Pioneer Gun Club near Waukee. He placed second in 28 gauge with 92 of 100 and second in Class D 20 gauge with 90 of 100.
A list of local deaths includes Donald P. Helfrich 46 of 739 East Jefferson Street who died this morning September 6 1971 in Crawfordsville Simon Graber 94 of rural Crawfordsville died this morning at Rest Haven Nursing Home Mt. Pleasant after a short illness Mrs Ralph Nina E. Davis 86 died September 5 1971 in Washington County Hospital. Burial services were held for Gladys Page Miller 70 formerly of Kalona in Tucson Arizona after dying in Colorado while visiting relatives. Sister Margaret Marie and Wilford Chatham have been named admissions counselors at Marycrest College Davenport Iowa. Local social notes mention travel and visits as well as Washington Y's Men activities and a motorcycle accident involving Yale Jarvis.
At a regular meeting, the Board of Education unanimously allowed teacher salary increases in the Washington Community School District noting the raises were approved March 17 but could be adjusted if federal limits or court rulings deem payments improper. The city council revised mobile home rules to permit replacements for existing units and keep upgrades from declining, while a new Rolling Meadows center will open in October to serve southeast Iowa. Blood donors in the county form a walking blood bank aiding the local hospital. Several area residents married Sept 3–4 in local churches, with ceremonies held in Washington and nearby towns.
The nation sees a drastic fall in hospital admissions, leaving beds underused at Washington County Hospital. The long term care unit remains full, while the new county hospital operates well below its 50 two bed capacity. 1970 bed occupancy averaged 67 percent, with a single-day low of ten patients. The report notes broader weather and community updates, including conservation camp experiences and local social notes.
A hospital notices page lists admissions on Sunday and Tuesday across Washington and Keota including Dr J M Lievd Washington and Yate Jarvis Washington. Births include a daughter to Mr and Mrs Steven Blakley Washington and a son to Mr and Mrs Jeffrey Olson Washington. Dismissals name Mrs Grace Cottrell and others in Washington and Columbus Junction.
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