THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER wSERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE %S7S" Volume $2 -- No. 1 McHENRY, ILLINOIS. THURSDAY, MAY 10. 1956 10c Per Copy JMcCULLOM LAKE CHILD ACCIDENT VICTIM WllfciBUlK j. The Milwaukee railroad has Announced the promotion of an Elginite and former .^McHenry resident, Granger Smith, from assistant superintendent of transportation to superintendent of transportation - passenger, with headquarters in "the Chicago Union station. He has been with the railroad for more than forty years. - Mr. Smith's family were among |^ie early settlers in this community and his father built what is now the Bassett house on Main street. His parents were George G. and Ada Granger Smith, the father having been prominent in the lumber business in McHenry. The young Mr. Smith left this area as a youth but still visits here frequently. A mission is being held at St. Mary's church starting Sunday, May 13, and continuing through May 27. The mission will be conducted by the Redemptorist " Fathers, Rev. Gerard J. Kulleck and Rev. Francis J. O'Neill. Plans go forward for the annual spring music festival in which "^^out 200 students will participate on May 23 in the high school gymnasium. Last year's event attracted almost 1,000 people to Tiear the instrumental and vocal groups and the guest Blue Jacket octet from Great Lakes. This year's guest artist is Ralph Nielsen, popular radio and television tenor, who has been £eard on "Chicago Theatre of jhe Air," "Northerners" and "Treasury of Muisic" programs, among others. He also has sixteen Chicago symphony appearances to his Infant Killed In Auto-Truck Crash credit. 45 Volunteer workers for the McHenry county chapter of the Red Cross will be honored at a tea in Woodstock Friday, May 18. Red ^ross leaders active in the work of the Gray Ladies and in the field of disaster will be guest •speakers. Awards for recognition of actual service will be made at this time. Some complaints have been reported from the lady of the house concerning solicitors for magazine subscriptions, etc. Local police say they would be happy to cooperate in putting a stop to such nuisances if they were given a call. The use of abusive language and attempting to force their way into homes are among the complaints. There is an air of excitement at the local high school this week as juniors and seniors prepare for the annual spring prom. Last minute decorations are being put in place in the huge gym, where dancing will continue until midnight. From there, the young people will go to the Country club, where members of the Kiwanis clubs have prepared some fine entertainment for the postprom party. A A good reputation always proves to be good business capital. 11-YEAR-OLD BOY INJURES EYE IN FISHING ACCIDENT While fishing in McCullom Lake Sunday morning with his brother, Glen, and three other fining companions, Bobby Gates, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gates, was accidentally struck with a fish hook which lodged in the cornea of his right eye. One of the boys was preparing to throw his line in the water- when the accident occurred. Bobby was taken immediately to a local physician, who recomf iended referral to an eye sureon. The youngster was rushed to Passavant hospital by his grandfather, Arthur Stuhlfeier. where he underwent surgical removal of the hook. It will be a week before the outcome of the operation will be known. Only an even chance of saving sight in the eye was given. A tragic accident of the highway took the life of the'infant daughter of a former Lakemoor girl Monday evening about 7 o'clock at Rochelle. Charlene, four-week-old daughter of Richard Courtney and Toinette Weiler Courtney of De- Kalb, was killed in the crash. Mrs. Courtney, a graduate of the local high school a few years ago, is the daughter of Francis E. Weiler of Lakemoor. The Courtneys were returning from Rockford, where they had taken the children for a medical check-up, when their car was struck by a truck which reportedly ran through a red light. Mrs.. Courtney and baby were thrown through the windshield. The infant was killed instantly and the mother suffered two broken arms and was badly cut. Valerie, a year old, and Richard, 2l,2, were injured in the accident but were released on Wednesday. The father was unhurt. Services were held at St. Mary's church, DeKalb, Wednesday morning. SPEAK IN CITY McHenry In State Sw akes Finals STORE'S GRAND OPENING «M *•- Photo by Kolin This picture shows McHenry's new store, Roth Shoes, which has its grand opening at 118 Green street on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12. Patrick Crowley and his wife, Patricia, will highlight an open meeting of the Knights of Columbus, to be held tonight, May 10, at St. Mary's school hall. All interested men and women of the community are invited to be pres ent. The Crowleys will show pictures of their recent tour around the world. He was one of the founders of the Christian Family movement. McHENRY GIRL RECEIVES CAP IN NURSE'S TRAINING Miss Marge Freund, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Freund, was one of a large class of St. Mary's College School of Nursing and Holy Cross Central School of Nursing in Notre Dame, Ind., to be honored in the cap and cape investiture ceremony last Sunday, May 6. The program was held at the Church of Loreto. The address of the day was given by Rev. James P. Doll, C.S.C. Marge, a 1955 graduate of the local high school, entered nurse's training last fall. Attending the ceremony were Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Freund, Mrs. Volney Brown and daughter, Alice, Mrs. William Herrmann and Ralph Freund, the latter from Crystal Lake. BREAKS ARM Sandra Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs: "Huppy" Smith, suffered a broken arm in a fall last week. NATIONAL KHTAL WEEK IS OBSERVED MAY 6-12; MEMORIAL EMPHASIZES AREA CONTRIBUTIONS National Hospital Week b^gnn Sunday and Memorial Hospital for McHenry County is participating in this recognition of community service as being one of the area's most vital institutions. Theme for the May 6-12 week is "Your Hospital... For You and Your Community." Bert Hanson, Memorial hospital administrator, said emphasis this year is on the many contributions to the community provided by the hospital. Special attention is being devoted to the hospital's role in the event of a community disaster. "Think of just a few of the services your hospital performs,'^ Hanson said. "Your hospital is ready when there is an accident or an emergency. It has obstetrical facilities with the finest in trained personnel. It has complete x-ray service and modern laboratory facilities. It has surgical facilities for those in need of that service. "Your hospital is on duty twenty-four hours a day, instantly ready to provide whatever service is required. Trained personnel to assure every department's function are always on duty around the clock. "During National Hospital Week we hope to call the public's attention to the vital role every hospital plays in community life," contiriued Hanson. The county medical society, the police department and the local chapters of the Red Cross and the Federal Civil Defense administration are cooperating in presenting this special salute to hospitals. With 2,410 persons admitted as patients and another 1,785 using the facilities as out-patients for x-ray and laboratory tests, one can readily see the number >f families each year who use and appreciate Memorial hospital's services. Mr. and Mrs.. Michael Justen attended the wedding in Waukegan last Saturday of Miss Patricia Justen and Harvey Sand. DISCUSS HOSPITAL WEEK NAME COMMITTEES HEADING BICYCLE RODEO IN JUNE A committee composed of1 Mrs. Robert Kerr, William Creutz, Rudolph Bryant and A. Anderson has been selected in charge of the program.„ selecting events and judging in the bicycle rodeo to be held in McHenry next month. Hugh Kirk, D. Jaeger and the Elm Street Bike shop, with the Explorers of Post 662, will make up the committee for the safety zone test. In order to be eligible for a bicycle to be ^warded, every boy and girl must pass the safety lane test. This will be open a week prior to the event so that the boys and girls will have an opportunity to get their bikes in shape. Ed Bailey will be in charge of the essay contest, along with Dr. H. S. Fike and J. Thomas. These people will also be in charge of registration and entry fees. A best dressed bicycle contest is also scheduled to be held in conjunction with the rodeo. Any young person between the ages of 8 and 14 years is eligible to enter the contest if he or she attends a McHenry school. A model inspection form will ^appear in next week's issue of the Plaindealer. Roth Shoes Grand Opening May 11-12 Roth Shoes, the city's newest; shoo store, will hold grand open* ing at 118 Green street on Frfc* day and Saturday. May 11 and 12. Art Roth, owner, announces a complete line of nationally advertised brands for the entire family. Mr. Roth has been in the shoe business for twenty-eight years, having been with one leading company for ten years and with another, as store manager, for sixteen years. Since 1954 he has been in business in Zion and will continue operation of that store along with his McHenry business. Mrs. Roth is no stranger to McHenry, having been born in Johnsburg, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred DeThorn. The family later moved to Spring Grove before taking up residence in Waukegan. Her great-grandfather became the first teacher i in Johnsburg. Mr.- Roth, active in civic and county affairs in Lake county, will move to McHenry in the near future. ART jUNMY, MAY 13, OPEN TO PUBLIC Several Hundred Paintings To Be Shown Al School Arson Hinted In Club Fire Two fires demanded the attention of local volunteers this week. In the early hours of Monday morning, they were called to the former Danny Daniels club on Rt. 120, in Lakemoor, where arson was believed responsible for flames which caused only a limited amount of damage. Open valves on two 275-gallon oil tanks were found, as well as an oil-soaked newspaper near a pile of wood in the basement. Entrance of the firemen was delayed by heavy smoke and oil fumes. The fire was noticed by someone across the street from the club. Not in operation for the i past three years, it was being remodeled in recent weeks. The building is said to be managed by a Maywood man and owned by the 5100 Corp. Harold Hobbs of McHenry, district fire chief, asked the aid of a state deputy fire marshal in making an investigation. Later Monday morning, volunteers were called to Green street, where the new hospital is being erected. Sparks from welding apparatus caused an electric motor to burn. Against an appropriate background of medical supplies, Mrs. H. M. Engdahl of McHenry, a member of the Memorial hospital auxiliary, is shown discussing National Hospital Week, which will be ub-H-iAI'd May <1 through 12, v.'ith H«'fu*> HeLe. New Repair Service 1 Opens On Elm Street Richard Adams announces the opening of Adams Brothers Repair service at 300 E. Elm street. The young man received his discharge from the Air Force in March and during his service period was an instructor in gas and dn'sel engines. Local residents are reminded again that on Sunday, May 13, between 2 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, there will be an art exhibit of the work of local artists at Edgebrook school. There is no ^admission charge and the public is invited to attend. Several hundred drawings and paintings will be shown, including the work of the students of Miss Margaret Dorman, accomplished during the past winter, and some local painters. All of the work has been done from life and is original, which makes the exhibit particularly interesting. Although for the majority this was the first attempt, their efforts show much originality, many of them a sense of humor and all of them a great interest in art. The charming model for the drawings was Jean Marion, who probably never dreamed of being the source of inspiration for such a variety of characterizations. She is shown in as many different aspects as there are individual drawings. All of the artists have retained a sufficient amount of truth to make the mode] recognizable. Winter Classes The classes conducted this past winter have resulted in an aroused interest in this phase of the fine arts and doubtless a great number will avail themselves of the opportunity to see the results of their work. In addition to the students of Miss Dorman, Mrs. C. W. Klontz, Mrs. Lee Gladstone, Mrs. Sam Leibsohn and Mrs. Ruth Mead will make contributions to the exhibit. Anyone desiring to make reservations for the dinner following the exhibit, which will be served at the Country club, must arrange in advance. Richard Baringer, one of the country's leading architects and painters, will be guest speaker. Mr. Baringer, who is associated with the Illinois Institute of Design, will give an illustrated talk on "Spontaneous Design in Europe," using colored slides. IMPROVE CITY PARK City employees have been busy improving condition^ in the city park. New picnic tables have been secured and playground facilities improved. Additional swings are being considered and an estimated price is being sought for blacktoppng a basketball court. Give generously to the cerebral palsy drive when a volunteer beeks jour tlimaliou May SIX "FIRSTS- 1ECEIVED FROM FIFTEEN ENTRIES Two Organizations, Four Ensembles Among Winners Word came to the Plaindealer from Bradley university, Peoria, on Monday of this week, listing McHenry, one of the smallest schools in the state final music competition for Class A, as fifth in the sweepstakes final winner standings. Competing for their first year in this advanced classification. they were topped only by Ottawa, Quincy, Rochelle and Harlem of Rockford. In organization competition on Saturday, both the boys' and girls' choruses were declared state champions. The fine school orchestra, state champs in Class B as recently as last spring, received a second place "excellent" rating. The previous day, local soloists and ensembles made a bid for honors and four of them won blue ribbons. They, were the horn quartet, saxophone trio, cornet trio and girls vocal sextet. Although rated on a division basis, only two boys' choruses and two girl's groups received superior ratings from the three judges. Other Awards Second place awards went to Art Beck, baritone, Dick Wissell, tenor, and the brass quartet. Points accumulated through first and second place ratings determined the sweepstakes winners. Over 3,000 aspiring musicians from fifty-nine high schools who had excelled in their respective district finals achieved" the opportunity to compete on the Bradley campus for the coveted state laurels in Class A and AA. The colorful two-day festival was climaxed Saturday by the awarding of the sweepstakes trophies. FIVE KILLED IN COUNTY HIGHWAY CRASHES THIS WEEK Edward E. Anderson, 66, of Rt. 3, Harvard, was one of three motorists to lose his life in accidents in McHenry county last Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday. He was a brother of Dorr Anderson of this community. Mr. Anderson's car was struck by a freight train shortly after 1 a.m. on the railroad crossing in Chemung, just north of the Dean milk plant. Frank Benjamin Ostrum, 67, of Darien, Wis., a passenger in the car, was badly injured and was taken to Harvard hospital. He died later. The auto, after being struck, travelled fifty feet before plung- Continued on Page Five DONNA LEE HARRISON KILLED IN CRASH Of FAMILY CAR SATURDAY NIGHT AT Rl. 62 INTERSECTION JOSEPH C. GROBEL NAMED CHIEF OF POLICE BY COUNCIL Appointments of city officers and employees were made by Mayor Freund Monday night and approved by the Council. Joseph C. Grobel, who has been acting chief of police, was named chief and the present officers were reappointed. Harold Aim, former chief, will return to the force,™ following an extended illness. With the combining of the water and sewer departments, Joe Diedrich was named superintendent. Jack Smith will head the street department. John E. Looze will continue as city attorney and Mayme Buss as city collector. Dr. W. A. Nye was named chairman of the board of health. REVERSE DECISION INVOLVING SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY In Circuit court Saturday, Judge Albert S. O'Sullivan of Boone county entered an order reversing a decision of the McHenry county board of school trustees in regard to a case involving some land in Wauconda township high school district which was detached and annexed to school district 156 in McHenry. The "petition was presented on Jan. 4, 1954, to the trustees and approved. Two years of litigation followed, including an appeal to the Appellate court. In making his decision, -Judge ^Sullivan said he found "no evidence was taken or preserved by the board of trustees at their hearing Jan. 4, 1954, as provided by statute." The petitioners included Harold Vaupell .Lesslie Carlson, Joseph Wjllard, F. Lawrence, H. Weyland, J. Carney and G. Brooks, all of Lake county. The McHenry consolidated grade school district has for several years included the territory in question and the petitioners wish to have their children continue their education here. On Tuesday of this week, a committee met with the local school board, at which time they announced their intention of presenting another petition to the county board of school trustees, with action expected at the July meeting. Minor Injuries Suffered In Saturday Accident Cars driven by Donald Johnson of McHenry and James Thompson of Ingleside collided Saturday afternoon a mile east of the outdoor theatre. They were treated for minor injuries by a local physician. Sheriff's deputies investigated the accident. Tragedy came to McCullom Lake in the form of an automobile crash which took the life of Donna Lee Harrison, age 11, about 7 p.m. Saturday. It is reported that the car, driven by Mrs. Evelyn Harrison, was struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Route 62 and Barrington road. Mrs. Harrison, according to the report, had started to cross the intersection when the other car crashed through the right front door. Other occupants of the Harrison car included Linda, 2, and Richard, 6. Apparently Donna shielded baby Linda with her own body which cushioned the shock for the little one. The baby was found under the car after the accident. All the victims were rushed to Sherman hospital, Elgin, where Donna died on the operating table. Thirty-two stitches were required to close a head wound of MrS. Harrison and she is Still in critical condition. Linda suffered a bad cut on her cheek, but is reported doing well. Dickie, riding in the back seat, suffered scratches, but was released from the hospital. The second car was driven by Orval Peterson, 28, of 114 Caddy avenue, Meadowdale, Kane county, who was also injured, as was his brother, Eugene, 29. Donna was a fifth grade pupil at Edgebrook school, where she was a favorite of classmates. Services were held for her (Hi Wednesday in Chicago. BURGLARY ARRESTS The mystery of several burglaries of the Thorny Vanderwagt home in Hickory Grange subdivision was solved by the arrest of three 'teen-agers this week. Most of the loot taken was recovered. The three will be brought to county court on delinquency petitions. Two of the boys are 12 years old and the other 16. THIRTEEN SPEEDERS Thirteen speeders were apprehended within the city during the past week. In addition, police report six stop sign violations and two arrested for driving under the influence of liquor. PROGRESS AT NEW SEWAGE PLANT sin The above picture shows the existing City of McHenry disposal plant and the progress being made in enlargement of the plant at the bauie site. ivjiorts to the City Counril Photo by Kolin indicate very favorable progress in the const ract ion work. It has*, been more than twenty years since the last construction at the plant and . a modern, rflkient operation is assured. »