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1 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "Serving The Chaii-O-Lakes Regioa Since 1875" Volume 86 -- No. 40 -- 2 Sections McHENRY. ILLINOIS, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 2. 1961 16 Pages -- 10c Per Copy FIRE DESTROYS HOME AT LILYM00R )ne of this community's grand old men, Dr. William Hepburn of Ringwood, observed his eighty-seventh bifrthday anniversary on Monday of this week. In spite of the fact that he has been bedridden for the past seven years, the occasion was more a celebration than an observance, for Dr, Hepburn still enjoys the freqtWit visits' of friends and relatives, as Vvell as former patients who just "feel better" when they' have talked with him. The congratulations of the entire community are extended to one of northern Illinois oldest physicians, both in age and length of service. Jin unusually large number Oi young people have been fined recently in our community for having open liquor in their cars. Such incidents, of course, bring up the question of where the liquor was purchased by minors. Local police say their experience has been that most times when they appear in ccoouu:r t in McHenry, the 'teerraQrs have denied the purchase of it themselves, saying it was given to them by others. A sheriff's office spokesman we talked with said he was not aware of any cases pending at this time concerning tavern keepers or others who might be guilty of such an offense. He said a complaint must be signed, either by authorities who press charges or by inter- «feff etttewrw, ffftei* wMeTi the case goes before a justice of the peace, with members of the Uquor commission present. It is certainly something Worth watching if arrests continue to be made in tho number recorded in recent weeks. Island Lake Man Dies Of Injuries hen Struck By Car On Rt. 176; People Hurt In Accidents Congratulations are in order i^ the week ahead for the large number of McHenry boys and their leaders engaged in scouting. Using a most appropriate theme, "Strengthen America --Character Counts", 1 o c a i Scouts will join with 5.100,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers and leaders throughout the nation in observing the fifty-first anniversary of the Scouts of America. It is good to see such an outstanding organization received with such popularity at a time when the training and guidance given boys of this age are so greatly needed. Our schools can boast a number of outstanding students, and not least among tbjm is Kathy Curran, a senior who last week was selected winner of the annual DAR award. The 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cur- (Continued on Page 8) An inquest is scheduled to be held at 8 o'clock on the evening of Feb. 7 at the George R. Jus ten & Son funeral home in the death of Charles Hunt, 74, of Island Lake, who died of injuries sustained when he apparently walked into the path of a car as he crossed Highway 176. The elderly man, who was crossing from the north to the south side of the highway, struck the side of an eastbound auto driven by Fred Cederholm of Forest Gardens, Wauconda township. Cederholm said that although he swerved when he saw Hunt, he was unable to avoid the accident. His family wsffe unaware of the accident until after Hunt was taken by ambulance to McHenry hospital, where he died two hours after being admitted. The body was removed to the Justen chapel and then transferred to Black's Memorial home, Arlington Heights, where services were held at 2 o'clock Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt had resided for about eight years. at their home at 306 Southern Terrace, Island Lake. Survivors include his widow, Margaret; two daughters, Mrs. Donald Hoyer and Mrs> Robert Buechner, both of Rolling Meadows, and three grandchildren: two sisters, Mabel Gralf and Rosella Maher. Students Hurt Two young McHenry college sophomores were reported improved in St. Paul, Minn., after an auto accident in which they were injured late Sunday night. The crash took nlace lust hours after Mark Vycital of McHenry and Terry Brady of Lakemoor returned to St. Thomas college after spending the weekend at their homes here. The boys had gone to bed, but were awakened by a call which informed a friend, A1 DuPont of Hawaii, that there was cancellation of a reservation on a plane to his native state, leaving in a short time. The McHenry youths and another friend. Bob Johnson of Chicago, hurried to assist DuPont to get him to the airport in time. Mark was driving another student's car when they struck a second auto at an intersection. Charles Vycital, father cf Mark, and his brother-in-law, Robert Beckenbaugh, left McHenry immediately after hearing of the accident. In a call home late Tuesday afternoon, they said DuPont, most seri- High Adventure * : Continued on Page 8 PUN REPORT HIGHLIGHTS Community Facilities (The fpllowing facts are ta'ken frpm informati&n contained in the recently released Plan Report for the city of McHenry). - - ' Recommendations for improvement and extensions of ihe sanitary sewage utility V|f£hin McHenry have been prepared with estimates on the southwest portion only, because of the fact that bids were about to be feceived for the southeast area when the. survey was made. Stanton & Rockwell felt that the existing treatment futility location on the Fox river, just north of the Country club, designated for a population of S§J>ut 4 ,500, should adequately serve the future needs of the city. In the second and final phases^jjo service was considered for the area east of the divide on the east siOo of the river since planners feel that divide presents a barrier to the economical provision of sewer service. It was also fisf^ med that the city would continue to operate its small plants separately from the proposed facility for the jurisdictional area. If it were abandoned to economize on operating costs, an addition to the area plant would be required to service an additional 5,00C persons. Such an addition, they estimate, would cost about $250,000. The costs for sanitary sewers and sewage treatment, as they were with the proposed water system i mprovements, represent the actual portion which the city would reasonably assume over and above t he improvements required of developers. A sanitary district could be established to administer the system and operate the plant. The estimated costs were given as follows: City only (southwest corner), $87,360; second phase (17,300 population), $2,508,840; final phase (66,000 population) $2,472,720. It is proposed that a closed (Continued on Page 8) One little kitten caused considerable concern and also a little trouble this past week in Holiday Hills. "Boots", sevenmonth- old kittenv belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mroz, became adventurous and climbed to the top of a telephone pole. Neighbors saw the cat but didn't know the owners. The family missed their pet but didn't know its whereabouts. A plaintive cry from high above caught Mrs. Mroz's attention on Thursday noon and she 900i) .faund the missing pet high above, its back covered with, recently: fallen snow. Some further investigation revealed that it would be necessary \o secure the services of the Illinois Bell Telephone company to bring kitty to safety. The results of considerable thougftt toward solving the problem is happily shown above £s |&rry Ekeroth, a compajty employee, holds "Boots" in his arms as he descends the high pole. "Boots" wasn't talking when asked whether another trip into "space" is contemplated. MAN HELD IN BURGLARY CASE JAYCEES SELECT OJECT FROM SURYEYJESULTS Form Community Council Of All Area Civic Groups Community Development Director Henry Heise, of the McHenry Junior Chamber of Commerce, this week announced the first tentative project originated from results of the Jaycees' recent public opinion survey. That project is the possible formation of 8 community council or other similar group with community betterment as its goal. A community council is a voluntary organization, made up of representatives from each of McHenry's civic groups, serving as a coordinating body within the community. This means that by being represented on the council, each group is, to a great extent, committing itself to the council's goals. Unite Efforts An organization of this nature would serve to unite common efforts, to prevent overlapping of services of its member groups, and sponsor combined Actions in instances when the current project is too large for individual groups. Thdsidea to get such a group organized \ and functi oniiig, wmlejrt^is by no means a new one, is a worthwhile project that the Jaycees would like to be instrumental in establishing. In short, the Jaycees would like to put "UNTFY in the commUNITY." Y GOALS Of C Of C EXPLAINED BEORE GENERAL MEETING Of GROUP; SICKLE IS SPEAKER The importance of each member contributing to the best of his ability toward the success of the organization was a thought expressed in various ways at a general meeting of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce last week. Richard Bickle, manager of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, impressed the large assemblage with his remarks gained through the experience of a number of years working with such groups. He explained the C of C as a voluntary organization of business men and women who join together to do something beneficial for the community that cannot be done alone. He pointed out that the primary importance of the organization is to help existing firms in the city to build and grow. Recommendations for a program of work in the months ahead included assistance in business development, commercial betterment, good citizenship and organization improvement. Edwin Rook gave a report of the membership committee in which he stated that a drive for new members is being planned. At present, there are seventy-five members and a goal of 250 is set for the year ahead. The budget for the 1961 year is $4,500. Goals for the year ahead as told to members at the meeting include extra protection in the business districts; provision of more service for retail merchants; further curtailment of solicitors; a plan or general meetings every other month and newsletters to be sent in the intervening period; help in promoting a planning and industrial committee. In the matter of extra pro- OKER HELD WITHOUT BOND ON MURDER CHARGE In a statement made at the conclusion of the inquest in the death of Janice Reinboldt Oker, held Wednesday morning at the court house in Woodstock, members stated: "It is the opinion of the coroner's jury that Janice Oker came to her death as victim of homicidal intent at the hands of Herman Oker, Jr., and hereby recommends that Herman Oker, Jr., be held over to the grand jury for further investigation." The jury's findings were explained further in their conclusion that t her death was caused by a .22 calibre gunshot wound of the brain fired from a .22 pistol by her husband in the parking lot at the Oaks Manufacturing Co., in Crystal Lake at about 7:55 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 13. Mrs. Oker died at McHenry hospital about half hour after the shooting. Chief Deputy Edward Dowd testified that Oker fired twice and when she fell, fired one more time. He quoted the young husband as saying that the third shot was made to prevent her from suffering. In a preliminary hearing before Crystal Lake Police Magistrate Percy Lodtz, former McHenry resident, last Thursday, Herman Joseph Oker, Jr.. 26, of Crystal Lake was held to the county grand jury with- Oker is charged with fatally wounding his wife of more than five years after an unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation. He waited in his car in a parking lot of the Oak Manufacturing Co., where she worked, and approached her as (OMttniKI on Page 8) (Continued on Page 8) Anthony Fritch Apprehended By Deputy Sheriffs A 29-year-old Northbrook man, Anthony Fritch, was being held in custody by McHenry county authorities as a Suspect in the burglary of the Otto Heinz Fur shop on Riverside Drive Monday, Jan. 23. Police Chief Joseph Grobel of McHenry said he confessed to being the look-out man for others who are still being sought by police. Fritch was apprehended in the early hours of Saturday at his home at 2830 Shermer road. McHenry county deputies joined Lake county deputies aihd police in surrounding the home and demanding Fritch to surrender, which he did without resistance. Bond was set at $25,000. Authorities have been investigating since three men took $42 in cash from the Heinz Fur shop and also broke into Martieke & Nixon and the Huck Service Station on Elm street the same morning. They eluded P road block set up by sheriff's deputies, followed by a wild chase at high rates of speed through Johnsburg. A barrage of bullets from the burglars' car was answered by the squad car, but the three men later escaped after their auto crashed in a ditch. Seek Others The whereabouts of the three have been sought since that time. Ownership of a white Buick said by authorities to have been involved in the break-ins last week was traced to a W. Welter of Melrose Park, whose parents are reported to have a home at Wonder Lake. When the three men involved are apprehended, police hope also to solve the recent Wahl Jewelry store burglary in McHenry which netted at least $12,000 for the intruders. Mrs. Fred Wahl, Jr., wife of the store owner, and Otto Heinz identified a photo of Welter as the same man seen in their business establish^ ments earlier in January. Fight Blaze MOTHER. THREE SMALL CHU.DREN REACH SAFETY Firemen from McHenry and Lakemoor are shown fighting tho blaze which destroyed the frame home in Lilymoor where the Wesley Mays family of seven resided. Mrs. Mays and three small children were aided to safety by passersby, who noticed smoke rising from the roof. THEFT ATTEMPT AT DEPOT THWARTED BY CITY POLICE Bishop Lane Confirms 305 Intruders at the North Western depot office in McHenry were believed frightened away by the appearance of night police officers early Friday morning. The squad car stopped at the station on a routine check about 4:50 in the morning. They found the hasp on the bottom of the door had been cut to gain entrance. Papers were scattered about, but nothing was reported tak- $500 Fine For fn+oxreer+rorr Rule Against Two Petitions The county electoral board last week ruled null and void the*petitions of R. J. Heilgeist and Eugene Piotrowski, who had filed for justice of the peace and constable, respectively, on the Independent Democratic ticket. Adams, himself a candidate for J. P. on the Citizens' Party ticket, claimed in his petition that Heilgeist and Piotrowski had failed to file with their petitions affidavits that they are members of the Democratic party, and further that the Illinois statute states that a major political party name may not be incorporated in another party name unless this be done as the result of a caucus by a particular party. Since the Democratic party did not caucus, the name could not be used. With the Heilgeist-Piotrowski petition ruled out, two candidates remain for each office. R. R. Marshall of JTohnsburg for justice of the peace and Sigurd Jacobsen for constable were nominated at a Republican caucus held Jan. 16. The Citizens ticket is represented for these two posts by Charles Adams for J. P. and Lawrence Murray for constable. INJURED AT PLANT Edward Pepper of Lake Zurich suffered a severe head injury late Tuesday afternoon at the American Terra Cotta plant, when a 10-foot high, 4x4 timber which had been wedged in an upright position, tipped and struck him. He was taken to McHenry hospital by ambulance #nd then transferred to Augustana hospital, Chicago. Mr. Pepper was work^ ing in the maintenance department of .the plant when the accident occurred. A ChicagQan, Fred Lang. 43, received a $500 fine and costs when ne appeared in county court last Thursday on H charge of driving while intoxicated.. A reckless driving charge was withdrawn by Assistant State's Atty. C. Russell Allen. ! The trial had originally been scheduled to be heard by a jury on Lang's request, but later he asked that a judge hear testimony. Lang pleaded not guilty to the charge, but testimony by Deputy Glenn Vermett, who investigated, resulted in the fine. The charge resulted from an accident in mid-January on Rt. 120, between McHenry and Woodstock, in which several 'teen-agers from this area were injured. DOLLAR DAYS McHenry businessmen will hold Dollar pays on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11. Remember Heart Sunday later in February. out bond. His Excellency Bishop Loras T. Lane of Rockford arrived in McHenry as the Plaindealer went to press Wednesday to preside at two confirmation rites, one at St. Mary's and the other at St. Patrick's Catholic churches. , A special high Mass for the confirmation class and their parents was held Wednesday morning at 10:45 at St. Mary's, when attired in caps and gowns, the class members received Holy Communion. Rev. Fr. Eugene Baumhofer, pastor, officiated at the Mass, which was sung by the children's choir. At 4 o'clock, Bishop Lane was scheduled to confirm approximately 200 children of the parish. The adult choir, under direction of Sister Mary Andreella. offered "Emitte Spirituum", "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" and "Veni Creator Spiritus". Bonediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed the confirmation ceremony, with ihc entire congregation singing the recessional, "Holy God We Praise Thy Name". Very similar was the ceremony scheduled to take place at St. Patrick's church at 7:30 the sr.me evening, when 105 children were confirmed. Between thirty and thirty-five priests were present on the altar. The adult choir, with Mrs. Carl Weber at the organ, sang appropriate music throughout the service. Also taking part were the following, many of whom were brothers and sisters of the young folks confirmed: Mike Conway, cross bearer; James Passerby Sees Smoke, Hurries \ To Aid Family J A mother and her thre«£ younger children escaped front their burning home in Lily-' moor early Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 1, after a passerbynotified them of the blaze. ~ Mrs. Wesley Mays and three, small children were assistedto safety by Mrs. Lawrence Schuerr, also of Lilymoor^ about 1 o'clock in the afters noon, after the latter detected? smoke rising from the resit, dence as she passed along the^ highway. The Mays home iS' located on Rt. 120. ^ Two older children were iir school when the fire broke out£ Work Several Hours Firemen from Company t- (McHenry) joined Company II (Lakemoor) when it becam£ apparent that the blaze wag. out of control. They worked' for several hours to extinguish: the flames, but not before they had destroyed the four an<£ one-half-room frame home. £ Firemen were of the opinion: that the fire may have been caused by an oil stove explosion. Tho blaze had gained ?uch headway when members of the local department arrived that it was necessary to return to McHenry for additional water. The Mays family had been residing in the home since Igsj spring. The owned by Jacob Johnson, alio of Lilymoor. Edward Pow*ri Aids Capture Oi Ex-Con vi... Edward J. Powers, brother of Mrs. Albert Stilling of Me- Hqnry, wasyone of the key figures in the canture this week of William Ellsworth Spencer, 57. wanted for a Gary. Ind.. bank robbery. Powers, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation office at Indianapolis, said the exconvict had approximately $83,- 700 stuffed into iwo suitcases when captured. Powers spent a great deal of time last summer in the McHenry vicinity, where he is well known. BENEFIT PARTY A benefit bridge party for the swimming pool fund will be held at the Legion home Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. (Continued on Page 8) McHenry high school report cards ire being sent, home with students this week Friday. City Receives Gift A resuscitator which should prove most useful in helping save lives in eipergencies was presented by the Elks lodge in Woodstock to the city of McHenry at a dinner meeting held in the lodge hall last week. Pictured, left to right, are Arthur keevil, past exalted Elks ruler; Mayor George ,) P. Freund, City Clerk Earl R. Walsh and Police Chief Joseph Grobel of McHenry; Robert Kramer, exalted ruler; Harold Sahs and William Rhoades, Elks trustees.