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Volume 82 -- No. 28 --3 Sections "Serving The Chain-O-Lakes Region Since 1875" McHENRY, IUJNOKTTHUHSDAY. MARCH 28- 1957 LOCAL FATALmES 18 Pages -- 10c Per Copy TOLL TO FIVE m Symbolic of the fickleness of spring is the family of huge rabbits, complete with colored eggs, which occupy a prominent place in the front yard at the Harry Conway residence on John street-- fashioned of snow. With the advent of spring and the consequent increase of traffic within the city, folks have been «ondering when we may expect le new stop and go lights at the corner of Green and Elm streets. The answer se^ms to hinge on state action, which occasionally takes a period of time to pass through the proper channels. As will be remembered, the sign at this corner was given state approval some time ago, after which the city of McHenry had its engineer draw np plans. Just re- «ntly, word came from the Capsi city, stating that these were ^ing studied, and upon approval the sign will no doubt be installed. Probably the most congestion noted in recent months was the Dollar Day weekend, when at the point mentioned above, a driver was fortunate to get through the intersection with only a five-minute wait, even though traffic was kept moving as smoothly as posle by a police officeiV It couldn't help but prompt local motorists to look ahead a few months to the busy summer months, when conditions can only grow worse. Growth has made the new electric signs almost a necessity. With competition keen for places in the select Monmouth college choir, McHenry friends are proud %{ the fact that Shirley, daughter of the R6bert " J. ThurlweHs;' has been named to the forty-one voi^e group. It began its annual tour March 21, taking the singers through Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. A little more than a year ago, local folks redd with interest a newspaper release regarding the (ossibility of government appropilations for the erection of new post office buildings in certain cities. McHenry was included amone the locations named. This past week, the Post Office department indicated a change in procedure from that mentioned last year. Robert R. Justus, regional director of the 2,164 post offices in Illinois and southern Michigan, says that in the past twenty ^fionths the department has moved into, or contracted for, more new buildings than at any other similar period in history. However, with the exception of the Illinois federal building at Roi k Island, every' new postal installation in the two states since 1958 has been erected by private capital and rented to the Post Office department on a 10, 15 or 20-year lease. £hus the land and building remain '*n the community tax toll and never become the property of the government. The Chamber of Commerce in McHenry has been undertaking a survey of local postal facilities ' The results, in connection with the atfcve information, should be of interest. The family and friends of Peter /W'. Miller are looking forward to '?he occasion of his eighty-first birthday jCn April 2. The family will gather at his hotne at 308 Richmond road Sunday to offer congratulations. Work began the middle of last week on an addition to St. Mary's parochial school, which has been growing steadily in enrollment in the past few years. Progress of Construction will be watched with interest. v. Unlike most of us who have had a distinct yearning for spring since March 20, the weatherman forgot to look at the calendar last Monday and Tuesday Mien he brought us a variety of unpleasantness, the like of which we have known few times this winter. A With a characteristic flare for *mirprises, he encouraged predictions of 6 td 8 inches of snow. Folks hurried to the store room for galosrtes packed away for the summer, and saw to it that shovels were ready at a moment's notice. After everyone was entirely prepared for the worst, the old . gentleman smiled as he brought the wjiite flakes almost to a stop (Continued on Page 8) UDGE CARROLL NOMINATION No Attempt To Put Cowlin's Name Before Convention William M. Carroll, even without the support of his own county, and Bernard M. Decker of Waukegan were nominated for two of the three circuit ju&ge posts only mirjutee after the G.O.P. 19th judicial convention convened last Saturday . Their names and that of Sidney H. Block of Waukegan will now appear on the June 3 election ballot in the new circuit. According to Judge Carroll, it was the greatest political victory of his career. Although action on Carroll and Decker was quick, a three and one-half hour Lake county caucus followed before Sidney Block of Waukegan was nominated over Willis A. Overholser of Waukegan and Judge L. Eric Carey of Zion City. Key Vote In a surprise move which ended the long session, County Judge Henry L. Cowlin, who had gone to the convention with the pledged support of forty-two delegates from McHenry county after a stormy committeemen session two weeks ago, cast the key vote to assure Block's victory. He stated that he was waiving instructions in his favor when he cast McHenry county's forty-two votes forN Block. Cowlin's name never was put before the convention by the county delegation in an attempt to replace Carroll. The last ballot in the Lake caucus listed 51 votes for Overholser. 19 for Carey and 40 for Block. It was at' this pi<SrH l6n ~tTfe*rconvention floor, that Judge Cowlin pledged his votes to Block, giving him a total of 82 votes. A quorum (Continued on page 8) Holiday Seed Sale Totals j|15.608 When board members of the McHenry County Tuberculosis association met at the court house last week, a financial report was given in which it was stated that $15,608.51 had been received for Christmas seals this past year. Money is to be used for many more ohest x-rays, tuberculin testing with follow-up on positive reactors, health education and research. 1 . At the present time, tuberculin tests are being given in the schools to the first and ninth grade students, according to Berneice Stoneall, county [tuberculosis nurse. A report on the audit of the books will be given at the annual dinner meeting cn April 30. At this time, Richard Tazewell, chairman of the nominating committee, will also make a report. The campaign for placing on the ballot at the judicial election June 3 the care and treatment law for patients was discussed. DEATH VEHICLE Photo by Kolin An unidentified young man looks at the badly smashed auto in which three young Waukegan people met death early •Sunday morning on Rt. 31, just north of Ringwood. The accident brought the county toll to six for this year. v -+• TEN MERCHANTS SPONSOR EASTER COLORING CONTEST Ten McHenry merchants arc making plans for the annual Easter coloring contest for local children. Participating are Rainbow Cleaners, Ace Hardware, Roth Shoes, Wahl Jewelers, FitzGerald's Realty and Insurance, Local Cleaners, McHenry Savings and Loan association, Althoff'c Hardware, Nye Drug store and Main Paint Center. The contest opens today, March 28, and closes at the end of the business day Saturday, April 13. Winners will be published in the April 18 issue of the Plaindealer. It, is open to boys and girls between the ag&ref 6 an<n2f. Complete rules can be found on the special page devoted to the contest which appears in this edition. CONFIRMATION ADMINISTERED AT McHENRY CHURCH One of the most impressive confirmation rites ever held at St. Patrick's Catholic church in McHenry took place last Thursday evening, at which time eightyeight children and thirty-eight adults were administered the. Sacrament by Bishop Loras Lane of Rockford. The church was crowded to capacity as the young people made their way down the aisles, attired in white, with red capes. Included in the processional, preceding the Bishop's entrance, were Knights of Columbus members and thirty-five priests from parishes in this area. The adult choir offered appropriate music during the rite. MOLLIE GIVENS DIES Mrs. Mollie Givens, 87, a lifelong resident of McHenry, died early Wednesday morning, March 27. The bodjf will rest at the George R. Justen & Son funeral home until Saturday morning at 9:30 o'clock, when services will be held from St. Patrick's church. ITALIAN FEAST SCENE Photo by Kolin One of the most impressive events of its kind ever held in this area took place at the Parratore home ia L'akemoor last weekend, when the family was host at a traditional Italian feast honoring St. Joseph. Shown standing around the festive aboard, completely filled with delicacies customarily served on such occasions, are Henry Parratore, his wife, Lena, and their daughter, Angela. The feast was planned by Mrs. Parratore, assisted in its preparation by neighbors and friends, in thanksgiving after a long period of misfortune. Install Basilican Bells In Church A Schulmerich "Basilican" Bells instrument, described as the most complete liturgical bell instrument ever developed, is now being installed at St. Peter's Cathoiic chUrch in Spring Grove, according to Rev. Fr. John Daleiden, pastor. It will be used for the first service on Palm Sunday. The instrument is a gift to the church by the family of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Schmitz in memory of Nicholas Schmitz, Cecelia Schmitz, John W. Schmitz and Anthony Schultz. t ' The "Bisilican" is. the instru- -mentvwhich wafr opiginallydesigned for the new North American college at Rome, Italy, to conform exactly with the liturgical bells of St. Peter's, Vatican City, from the standpoint of tdnality and program. The installation was presented to the college by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Spellman. The six bells of the "Bisilican" instrument provide the total equivalent of forty, 180 lbs. of perfectly tkined, pure toned cast bells. The bell tones are produced by miniature bell tone generators of traditional bronze bell metal which are struck by metal hammers. These minute but exacting bell tones are then amplified over 1,000,000 times by means of specially designed electronic equipment, producing true bell tones having all the depth, and richness of cast bells of massive proportions. Designed to provide the ultimate in automatic bell functions, the bells of the Schulmerich "Basilican" instrument are controlled by a 5-minute interval, 24-hour, •even day calendared program clock. Once set, this clock selects and programs the proper bells for the Angelus, weekday Mass and Sunday Mass. "°re-Regis!raiion At High School April 9 A pre-registration for incoming, freshmen to the local high school, better known as Freshmen )Wight, will be held this year on Tuesday evening, April 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the gymnasium. 7 It is expected that about 275 Students will be present that night with their parents, to have recommended to them the sublets for which they showed an aptitude 'in tests given recently. Clarence Anglese conducted the testing program and Mrs. John Bolger is in charge of Freshmen Night activities. In addition to the regular curriculum, the students will have an opportunity to register for extra activities, including sports and music. LIST DATES FOR HELP ON PERSONAL PROPERTY SCHEDULES Assessor Lester R. Bacon has announced d number of dates when he will assist residents of this township in filing before the deadline, May . 31. Failure to complete the personal property schedules being sent by mail may result in a 50 per cent penalty. Mr. Bacon will be at the following locations to give assistance: Johnsburg public school, April 8 9, 10, 11 and 12 from 1 to 5 p.m.; Wonder Lake fire house, April 15. 16, 17, 18 and 19 and May 6, 7, and 8 from 1 to 5 p.m.; McCullom Lake beach house, April. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.; Lakemoor fire house, April 29 and 30 from 1 to 5 p.m.; Sunnyside real estate office, May 1, 2 and 3 from 1 to 5 p.m.; McHenry city hall. May 9, 10, 13 ,14, 15, 16 and 17 during the same hours. He can be contacted at his home at 203 John street on May 20, 21, 22. 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29 from 1 to 5 p.m. •0 VA ASSISTANCE A Veterans Administration representative from the Rockford VA office will be on duty at Woodstock Tuesday, April 2, to inform and assist veterans, their dependents and the general public regarding all benefit programs of the VA. Their representative will be on duty from 10 a.m. to 4 pjn. at the U. S. Post Office building, second floor, in Woodstock. ARGEST TAX BILL N HISTORY GOES TO fOUNTY TAXPAYERS } Taxpayers learn this week that fehey will have to pay the largest tax bill in county history, $6,832,- 089.76. This is $704,386.69 higher #ian last year, when the bill amounted to $6,128,603.07. • The figures came from the office of County Clerk Raymond D. Woods, where extensions .were made. - All townships show an increase With the exception of Riley, Marfengo and Nunda. The highest total to be collected in one town- fip is $l,454,p86.79 in Algonquin. cHenry township runs second qighest with $1,089,816.89. | The total valuation of all property in the county jumped from $220,475,704 in 1955 to $233,930.- 290 last year. Algonquin has the highest valuation with a total of $ 4 2 , 8 2 6 , 6 8 6 . M c H e n r y r a n k e d ifecond with $35,394,166 and Dorr third with $29,717,309. ! Other township valuations: Riley, $4,853,620; Marengo, $14,082,- 407; Dunham, $7,123,244; Chemung, $16,224,102; Alden, $4,984, $05; Hartland, $5,825,236. Seneca $5,282,670; Coral, $6,- 948,564; Grafton, $11,733,822; Greenwood, $8,622,587; Hebron, $7,367,253; Richmond, $7,721,147; Burton $2,376,605 and Nunda, $22,845,967. Crash Brings Death To Three The deaths of three young Waukegan people in an accident just north of Ringwood Sunday morning doubled the county traffic toll for the year, bringing the number of dead to six. Killed in the crash were Guy Hrovatin, 22, of 1413 Catalpa avenue, Richard Cretan, 21, of 12 N. Jackson street and Patricia Romeo, 21, of 114 Belvidere street. According to Coroner Ehorn, they were found by John Schrein of Berwyn about 6:55 in the morning. Schrein found the car, completely wrecked, just off Rt. 31, north of Ringwood, on what is familiarly krown as Wiedrich curve . All three occupants of the car were dead when Schrein stopped to investigate, although the exact time of the accident was not ascertained. It is believed, however, that it was not too long before they were found. Car Southbound According to the coroner, Cretan was apparently driving the car, which was southbound when it left the highway'and struck a tree. After the sheriff's office was notified, they called state police to investigate. The bodies were removed to the Peter M. Justen funeral home, wnere a jury was sworn in and the inquest continued until next Saturday. Hrovatin was said to have been home on leave from Army service at Fort Leonard Wood. SMALL F9CKEM BROTHERS LOSE LIVES BY DROWNING IN POND ON FARM FKDAY M0RNIN6 Grand Opening Of Savings And Loan Later In Spring Many an admiring glance has been cast in the direction of the new home of McHenry Savings and Loan association at 206 W. Elm street , this past week. The business, which had its beginning on Main street little more than a year ago, transferred to the new and very modern structure on Elm Wednesday of last week and opened its doors to the public the following day. The grand opening is being planned for later in the spring. REVEAL C THREE With the deadline for filing for school district board elections last Saturday, a number of contests are evident,- revealing a lively interest in this very important phase of community service--the education of young people. The terms of two members of High School District 156 expire One of them, LeRoy Welter, seeks re-election, while the second, A. J Wirtz, will not be a candidate. Mr. Welter has served as president for the past three years and Mr. Wirtz has been secretary. A third member, H. C. Reihansperger, resigned from office a few months ago and at that time Fred A. Marks of Wonder Lake, a former board member, was appointed to take his place until the spring election. Mr. Marks is the only person to have filed for this unexpired term, which runs another two years. Besides Mr. Welter, five others have filed for positions on the board, each to run a three-year period. In the order filed, the men and their addresses are as follows: LeRoy J. Welter, '404 Grove avenue; Francis H. Wirtz, 300 Freund avenue; Charles A. Turack, 409 West avenue; Joseph W. Lundborg, Wonder Lake; Vale Adams, 705 S. Green street; and Ernest H. Vogt, Wonder Lake. The high school election and all others in the township will be held Saturday, April 13, at polling nlaces to be named later. District 15 In Grade School District 15, two present office holders' seek reflection. They are H. S/Fike, who resides on Rt. 31, and Naomi Meyer of McHenry. Also filing for a Dosition on the board is A. J. Uttich of Lakeland Park. The terms are for three years. Harrison School At Harrison school, Wonder Lake, three persons seek threeyear terms and " two will be elected. Listed on the ballot are Maxine Lichty, Lawrence R. Hensel and George A. Rink. Two others are seeking the two year term and one of them will be elected.' Filing before the deadline were Martha L. Thompson and Francis O. Marion. M.P. GRADUATE Two little boys, 3 and 5 years old, who lost their lives while at play in spring-like weather last Friday, were buried in a snowcovered cemetery Monday of this week. The youngsters were Randolph Ficken, 5, and his brother, Rodney, 3, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Ficken, who were drowned in a pond near their home on ' When the boys could not be found, however, she summoned her husband and shortly afterward he discovered the bodies beneath the surface of the water. He had been attracted to the pond by a stick to which a line and hook had been fastened. It was believed the older boy may have lost his life in an at- 1P? v '<Ks RODNEY FICKEN ^ ^ ^ RANDOLPH FICKEN Hillside road, between Crystal Lake and McHenry about noon on March 22. . The double drowning was discovered shortly before 12 o'clock by the boys' father, who had gone in search for them when they failed to return home for dinner. A short time before, Mrs. Ficken saw the youngsters coming over the top of a hill behind their home and believed they were coming to the house. A quarter of an hour later, when they had not arrived, she started to look for them, asking a sister-in-law, who lives nearby to help. As each went different ways to search, Mrs. Ficken approached the pond and saw a pair of galoshes. She was not too alarmed at the time, thinking perhaps they had be-< come muddy and the children had taken them off when they hamp- j ered movement. tempt to save his brother. The Crystal Lake rescue squad responded to a call for help and worked over the boys for about thirty minutes in a futile effort to revive them. An inquest was continued until April 1. Randolph was born Jan. 31,1962 and his brother on April 12, 1954. They moved, to. the. farm on which ^ they now live only a few months ago. Surviving are the parents; a ' brother, Rudolph, 8; the maternal grandparents; Mr. arid Mrs. Walter Krause, of Crystal Lake; and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ficken of McHenry. The bodies rested at the Querhammer funeral home until Monday afternoon, when, last rites were conducted from Immanuel Lutheran church in that city. Burial was in McHenry County Memorial Park. JSTMI EVENT, ARMERAMA '57 Pvt. John J. Huff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Huff of Johnsburg, recently graduated from the Military Police school at Fort Gordon, Ga. He is now stationed at Camp Hanford, Washington, in the personnel conduct and security detachment. The young soldier graduated from McHenry high school in June, 1956, where he was a leader jn many activities. He entered the Army on Oct. 15 and received his basic training at Fort Carson. Colo. TOP SCOUT RATING Among five Scout troops and one Explorer post winning top honors at the Kishwaukee district first aid meet in Woodstock last Sunday was Troop 162, Wolf patrol of McHenry, which received an "A" rating, and Explorer Post 662 and Golden Arrow patrol of McHenry, which received "B" ratings. ' RED CROSS CONTRIBUTIONS Out of a quota of $3,600 for the Red Cross, a total of $1,997.74 has b&en collected locally to date. Contributions may be sent to Red Cross, McHenry, 111. Elected Officers Place Emphasis On Farming Of Future With farm and other groups endorsing the proposal to present "Farmerama '57" in McHenry county, there promises to be plenty of work ahead in just a few short weeks. McHenry county will be the site of the 1957 state plowing matches and Soil Conservation day, and Henry Marlowe, Huntley businessman, has been elected chairman of the mammoth project. Board members were to meet this week to develop the program and to set up the necessary committees. 'First stages in the county's part of "Farmerama '57" were completed at an organization meeting last week. . While the program is not* set, some of the features of "Farmerama '57" are known. Besides the state plowing matches and Soil Conservation day, local sentiment is for great emphasis on what farming of the future will be like. Developments which the United States Department of Agriculture are working on, or are likely to uncover are to be stressed, the board hopes. Role of Atomic Energy The part that atomic enegry will play in the near-future of agriculture is to be investigated. Vivid demonstrations of modern farming techniques is closely related to this "future" business, and one tool to carry this educational phase of Farmerama to the visitors will be big-screen television. .Manufacturers of farm machinery have indicated a willingness to cooperate if the scope of the program is vast enough and the attraction made big enough to warrant spending considerable sums of money to set up demon- (Continued on Page 8) McHENRY AMONG COMMUNITIES WITH HIGHER TAX-RATES It has been disclosed this week that taxes will be higher this year in twenty county communities, while in nine other taxing districts, they will be lower. The highest combined rate in the county is in Fox River Grove, it being $4,091 compared to $3,778 last year. McHenry's rate is higher with $3,572 against $3,094 last year. Lakemoor's rate in McHenry township is listed at $3,445. to $3,209 last year and in Nunda | township, $3,421 to $3,271 the previous year. McCullom Lake has a rate of $3,404 to $3,163 and at Richmond the ra*e is $3,063 to $3146, ot lower. Also lower is Spring Grove's rate in Richmond town-; ship, $2,563 to $2,589 and in Burton township, also lower, $2,628 to $2,652. In Sunnyside, the first rate for this new village is $3,028. Island Lake has a higher rate in Nunda township (districts 15-118) $3,371 to $3,245, and lower in districts 8St118 from $3,505 to $3,398. Other communities where the . tax rate is higher include Woodstock, Crystal Lake and Harvard. The combined county rate is lower this year, .194 from .227. MINpR ACCIDENT Mrs. Martin Wegener of Pearl street escaped injury when the car she was driving left the highway on a curve on Rt. 14, a mile north of Crystal Lake, and went into a ditch. The accident occurred early this week. ENROLLS IN UNIVERSITY Winn C. Davidson, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Davidson of Wonder Lake, has enrolled as a freshman at the University of Illinois' Chicago undergraduate CARS DAMA( Cars driven by Walter J. Freund f and Charles White, both Of McHenry, were damaged in a col-" , lision on Rt. 120, west of Rt. 12, early this week. ^"