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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "Serving Thi Shili-O'Likii Begloa Sliet 1875" Volume 87 -- No. 51 -- 3 Sections McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, MAY 3. 1962 18 Pages -- 10c Per Copy TWO AREA MEN DIE IN AUTO CRASHES There are a few things about the Spring seasons of our youth that we miss, and one of these is arrival of gypsy bands in town. There is that wonderfully magic time in' life when the greatest thrill of all is to find something from story book tales come to life. These are f/nes when the very essence 6f excitement seems to lie in the arrival of these darkskinned, capricious individuals who usually came by wagon and aroused suspicions of foreboding among the very young. The greatest fun of all was in the fear we could conjure up within ourselves as we recalled the mischief and trickery with which they were associated in nction. It was almost disappointing when they departed as quietly as they had come, and failed to provide one unsavory deed which we could enlarge upon to our young friends. Another "guest" of the Spring was the tramr^\yho also seems to have becomb quite extinct in our parts. At least j)e have had none at our door for some time. For many years his arrival could be classified as one of the very sure signs of the season. We recall even today the compassion which came over us, even as we took safe refuge from his disreputable appearance on the other side of the open door. We were glad lo have . a ^Ibfiiily who refused to turn away a hungry beggar, but at the same time we felt some relief he wasn't invited within. Spring was such a glorious season, it seemed impossible that in such a wonderful world there was someone so pitiful. It never occurred to us until many years later that their state of life might be of their own choice, or even their own 4ault. Today the place of the gypsy and the tramp is taken by the itinerant salesman selling everything he thinks the housewife might buy. Fortunately, the city has taken precautions to save gullible, people from themselves by requiring a letter of authorization in order to sell. Even so. there are any who live outside the city limits who are not so protected and who every year find their faith in strangers over their own merchants can be an expensive mistake. |£ach week, throughout our large count ry, many folks give fly-Jjv-night peddlers thousands of dollars for merchandise they never receive or merchandise ihat is inferior to what they • lought they were buying. In most cases, these people found out the hard way that they could buy 1he same merchandise or have the same repairs done by local firms at far less cost. We'll take a chanro on the gypsies, ourselves, for they arrived amidst suspicion of the public, and ^ departed the same way. Two of the hardest working organizations i n McHenry these first days of spring are the Red Devils drum and bugle corps, entering big competition for the first time this year, and the Viscounts corps, national champions in their class in 1961. ~ The community has long ™^een proud of both of these groups and will be watching their progress with interest in the season ahead. Charge Lawyer With Embe^zlem Atty. Vernon J. Knox Accused By State Of $252,400 Atty. Vernon J. Knox, 51, of Crystal Lake, former McHenry lawyer, was arrested Monday of this week and charged with embezzlement of $252,400 from two savings and loan associations. Action covered the past three years, according to Atty. Gen. William G. Clark. Knox was apprehended in his home at 350 Grove street, Crystal Lake, Monday morning. He is reported to have given false information in obtaining loans totalling $138,000 from the Crystal Lake Savings and Loan association, for which he is attorney, - and $114,000 from the Hillside institution since 1959. The other man involved is Robert W. Pfeiffer, 35, of Hayward, Wis., who was president of the Hillside Savings and Loan association until he resigned in June of last year. He was arrested April 25 in Hayward and extradition has been sought. Reports on appraisals and fire insurance submitted by Knox on a number of lots he owned carried descriptions containing houses, but investigation revealed they were vacant. In some cases, photos of other homes were submitted as existing on the lots. Started In 1959 According to the attorney general's office investigator, Knox began taking out the loans in 1959 and regular payments were made by one or both of the men until last February. when it was believed they learned they were under investigation. Most of the lots were located in and near Crystal Lake and McHenry and are said to be worth about $2,000 each. The eleven loans obtained by Knox ranged from $15,500 to $35,000. Before leaving the Hillside firm, Pfeiffer is reported to have released two of Knox's lots, one in each community, from collateral status and the latter built homes on them and sold the properties. Discover Fraud The fraud was discovered during a routine check of the Crystal Lake association in January bv the state department of financial institutions. The check showed that tax bills for the properties were too low for the values listed for tiiem in the association files. Knox appeared oefore a Hillside police magistrate on Tuesday. and his case was continued to June 9. He was released on bond of $50,000 in real estate or $25,000 in cash. Pfeiffer is also expected to appear in court. All evidence will be turned over to ihe Cook county state's attorney's office, according to the investigator, who added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is checking into the case for possible violations of federal securities laws. Knox, who operates Random Realty in Crystal Lake, is the father of four children. The family js well known in the McHenrv area. TWELVE WIN COVETED PLACE IN HONOR SOCIETY „ It has always occurred to us that McHenry is fortunate in having so many very talented folks living in its midst. This was brought to mind again last Sunday evening when we attended an original musical play written and directed by Eleanor Locker, presented by / Sjxty-five pupils in the Ridgefield school. This would have been an outstanding prograsa regardless of the author; the fact that a local resident was responsible made it even more enjoyable. K. A. F. NFW LIVESTOCK GROTTP ORGANIZES, ELECTS OFFICERS The much coveted honor of becoming members of the National Honor society came to ten seniors and twelve juniors this week. Names were released after eligible students were voted into membership by the faculty on the basis of several qualities in addition to scholarship. Newly named seniors are Richard Beck, Jackie Ann Cannon, Charles Dietz, Richard Himpelmann,, Tiina Keerberg, Robert McDonald, Klaus Mueller, SharonJBike, Marcia Pretzman and Marilyn Smith. Juniors named to membership are Carroll Beck, Donald Cameron, Marcy Christensen, Richard Johnson, Albert Kissling, Kathryn Kostal, Kathleen Kozicki, Lorraine Lid, Edward Parks, Susan Prawl, Sandra Spohr and Roger Thompson. Seniors who are members because of being named to the society last year are Bob Beckenbaugh, Paul Morenz. Pant Munroe, Janet Schimke, Ginny Peterson, Ray Franklin, Mary Jane Pitzen, Peg March!, Lynn Gustavson. Bill Anderson, Dorothy Curran, Janet Eckstein, Bob Harris and Dorothy Kerr. MERIT AWA DINNER WILL HONOR YOUTH : The McHenry County Live- I stock Feeders association was j organized at a meeting heid in 1 W o o d s t o c k T h u r s d a y n i g h t . ! Don Stoxen, Harvard, acted as ; chairman of the meeting and j was elected president of the ! n e w o r g a n i z a t i o n . E u g e n e Meyer, Marengo, was selected , to fill the office of vice-president. and Luke Oberwise, Harvard, was elected secretarytreasurer. The county was divided into (Continued on Page 8) , Six From City Schools Recognized By McHenry Kiwanis One of the highlights of the spring season honoring young neople in the community is the annual Merit Award dinner s n so red bv the McHenry Kiwanis club. This *"">r 'he event is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, at 7 o'clock at the Legion home. Thr~e "••-d~ boys and three girls from the city schools have been selected for outstanding qualities and will be honored by the Kiwanis. From McHenry Junior high, they are Virginia Grek. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Grek, and Robert Townsend, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram M. Townsend; from St. Mary's, Kathleen Blake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Blake, and Kenneth Etten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Etten; and from St. Patrick'^, Patricia Foran, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Foran, and Patrick Wirtz. son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wirtz. ( Consider Qualities According to the rules'of the merit award system, faculties of the three schools were asked to make their selections according to the qualities of thought fulness to others, leadership, courtesy, scholastic record, personal hygiene, sportsmanship and honesty. Family and friends of honored guests and of Kiwanis are invited to attend. Tickets should be secured at once from club members or by contacting the president. Gene Adams. 'TEEN DANCE The Viscounts will sponsor a 'teen dance on Friday, May 4, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Legion home. It will be adult chaperoned. REPLACEMENT ON C OF C BOARD EXPECTED SOON The resignation of J. R. Levesque of McCul'om Lake as a board member in the Chamber of Commerce, because of other commitments, was accepted at the monthly board meeting held Tuesday of this week. A replacement is expected in the near future. A discussion took place concerning signs at the various entrances to the city, listing churches and organizations. It was noted that they are badly in need of repair, and plans call for the C. of C. meeting with some of the organizations which shared in the original expense of the signs to decide whether or not they should be repaired or replaced with new signs. y The Chamber board has also decided tc prepare brochures for use by industrial firms expressing arf interest in settling in the community. They will contain such pertinent information as the availability of a labor market, utilities, population and schools. Later, a date will be released for the general membership meeting in June. Htescue Three From Fox River JThree fishermen in the Fox rfver will long remember their narrow escape from drowning list Sunday after two hours of struggle to keep afloat and attract attention to their predicament. JsThe men are Edward Clouse, 51, and Raymond Reed, 50, bfth of Aurora, and Rowland M. Stinson, 30, of Oswego, who were finally rescued by fishermen and nearby residents of the Sunnyside area. Although lihinjured, they were taken to McHenry hospital for treatment of exposure and shock. State police said the men told a story of shutting off the motor of their boat, which resulted in the front of the craft dipping, and a high wave capsizing the boat. The three were tossed into the water, but all managed to i grab the partly submerged boat and hold on during the early hours of the chilly morning. The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m., and authorities i estimated they were in the ! water about two hours before their cries for help attracted other fishermen and residents ojf the area. CHILD HIT BY CAR IMPROVES ON WEDNESDAY COUNCIL APPOINTS LEMK CHEF SF POUCE; ALDERMAN BROWN SUITS OVER WAGREEME I The annual meeting of McHenry's City Council on Monday night had its tense moments as Mayor Doherty appointed Officer Richard Lemker to replace Joseph Grobel as chief of police for the coming year and Richard Clark as sergeant. Difference of opinions led Alderman Charles Brown to vote "No" on the police appointments, then announce his immediate resignation from the Council. Unrest in the police depart- , ment for some time has caused j concern to the Mayor and Council. While responsibility ! for the unrest seemed to be shared with other members of i the department, it was the decision of the Council to make a change at the top to restore > the McHenry police depart- | ment to the position of high j esteem in which it has been i held for many years. Joseph ! Grobel, who has been highly regarded by many through his years of service, will continue as a police officer under the new chief. Officer Richard Burmann 1 tendered his resignation to , Receive First Communion Ninety-nine ennaren received their First Communion at St. Patrick's Catholic church in an impressive service during the 8 o'clock Mass Sunday. RICHARD LEMKER Mayor Doherty tc accept a position with the Jewel Tea Co Another change finds Officer John Behrendt resigning to take over police duties in the village of Lakemoor. Chief Lemker enters his new duties with over 30 years experience in various departments of police work. His manner of handling his duties as desk map on the local force during the past has attracted the attention and commendation of the Council. Lemker has lived in this community for the past four years at 337 N. Draper road. He and his wife and son moved to McHenry following his retirement from the Chicago department. For two and one-half years he has been desk man with the McHenry police. Besides his wife, Vivian, and son. Donald, in McHenry. he has another son, William, in Barrington, a daughter,' Mrs. Patricia Morgan, of West Shore Beach, and four grandchildren. Mike Budler was employed FOG GIVES RISE TO FALSE ALARM CALL FOR FIRE The sudden fog which developed Sunday evening prompted a resident of Main street to summon firemen to the business district, in the belief that the Buss Ford garage was on fire. Company I answered the call about 10:30 o'clock. Firemen also hurried to the Harry Michelson residence at 5220 Cleveland avenue, West Shore Beach, at 4 o'clock Monday morning when the family became alarmed after a sp<|ce heater became overheated.. The heater had been started'when the baby awakened, and it later flooded. No damage was reported. The previous Friday, a grass fire was reported in the woods back of the Stiilirg farm on Pistakee Eav ro'^i.. An over-heated oil stove at the Dennis Latimer home in West Shore Beach Tuesday noon caused slight damage in the way of a .scorched wail. (Continued on Page 8) YOUNG FOLKS BENEFIT FROM j KIWANIS^ EVENT Plans are under way for the second annual Kiwanis club box supper social, which is scheduled for May 12 at the Legion home at 7:30 o'clock. All proceeds will be used for | programs benefitting children ' in the area. ! Each year the Kiwanis pro- ! vides individual assistance med- ' ically, and also food and clothing for unfortunate children. They also assist by sponsoring i projects for the Chicago Crip- I pled Children's camp and the I Woodstock Children's home, as ' well as many, many other pro- 1 jeets involving children of the | community. Much work is done through cooperation with the local high school, including the scholarship program. Money raised through the 1962 social will be used to assist in these endeavors. Admission to the social is a box supper for two, which will Eleven-year-old Kathleen Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence F. Young of 2014 W. Rt. 120, McHenry, was still unconscious in McHenry hospital Tuesday morning after being struck by a car on the highway near her home about 7 o'clock the previous night. However, the fifth grade St. Mary's school pupil regained consciousness for a short time about 2 o'clock Wednesday morning and called for her mother. Since then, she has had several periods of consciousness. Kathleen had been playing with the Haptas children on the south side of the highway and was on her way home when she was hit by a car driven by Irvin J. Hermes of 213 Walnut drive,. Wonder Lake. There is a curve in the road at just* about this point, and the child evidently failed to N«e the oncoming car and the driver was unable to stop i n t i m e . $ • + ' The injured girl's father was going into the house at the time, and saw the girl start to cross. Just as he was inside the door he heard the sound of brakes and turned in time to see Kathlen tossed in the air. Her body came to rest on the pavement, and the impact resulted in a head injury. She was rushed to the local hospital, where she remained u n c o n s c i o u s t h r o u g h o u t t h e night. The sheriff's office investigated the accident. Kathlen has two brothers, David and Kenneth, both over high school age. Jury Asks Driver Held Joe F. Massie of Pine Tree road. Lake Zurich, is being held on a charge of reckless homicide on recommendation nf the Lake county coroner's iury. Action is pending further investigation by the Lake county gnrrtd jury in the death of James Long of McHenry, which occurred March 20. Lone. 44, a resident of Eastwood Manor, died in Condell Memorial hospital, Libertvville, about an hour after his car and another collided on Rt. 45, east of Rt. 83. in Lake county. The crash occurred about 10:30 in the evening as the Massie and Long autos. travelling in opposite directions, crashed head-on. Although there were no witnesses to the accident, authorities said that it seemed evident the Massie car drove into the wrong lane of traffic. SENTENCE WONDER LAKE MAN TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON A Wonder Lake man accused of stealing items valued at $5,000 from a neighbor's home was sentenced to a year and a day in the state prison at Joliet early this week. He is Verne L. Bartling, Jr., 37, of White Oaks Bay, who learned his fate from Judge James Cooney after he denied a petition for probation filed in behalf of Bartling. The latter pleaded guilty to b u r g l a r i z i n g t h e h o m e o f Claude Canning last December when Canning was in Texas. Discovery was made by members of the sheriff's office, who were on a routine check of the area when they noticed a window in the Canning home broken. They found the Bartling car parked near a tavern nearby, and a search revealed the loot. A warrant permitted authorities to search his home later, where more stolen articles were recovered. It was at this time that they placed him under arrest. Among items taken were included a portable radio, record player, outboard motor, movie cameras and other items. They were later identified by the One-Car Accidents In Lake County Result In Local Tragedies OPEN LOCK FOR SEASON; PLAN IMPROVEMENTS On Tuesday of this week, the lock at the McHenry dam opened for the navigation season. At the same time, W. J. Payes, Jr., director of the Illinois Department of Public Works and Buildings, said the Illinois Division of Waterways had completed the placing of buoys marking the dredged channels in the Chain O' Lakes. A contract has been awarded and work is scheduled to start next week on channel improvements in the Fox river from the McHenry lock downstream to Burton's Bridge. Payes said this will limit the service at the lock on week days for several weeks in May while the dredge is working in the south approach channel. Boats may be delayed five «r ten minutes if they arrive at the' dredging site when operations are in progress, he added. Boat traffic in May is normally light, averaging about eighteen per 16-hour day of operating, excluding weekends. The dredge will not be operating on weekends when boat traffic is heavier. In response to public requests, Payes said the daily closing time at the lock is being extended from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. This is being done without employing additional lock tenders and improves the service to the public. DIES IN CAR Lona M. Brever, 74, of Ringwood, died of a heart attack in her car in front of her home early Tuesday evening, May 1. She had just returned from a physician's office. The body will rest at the Ehorn funeral h o m e , R i c h m o n d , a f t e r 7 o'clock Thursday evening. Rites will be conducted at 11 o'clock Saturday morning from St. Mary's Catholic church in McHenry. , An unfortunate accident which occurred on Darrell road, one mile south of Rt. 120, near Lakemoor, cost one man his life and resulted in serious injuries to another last Thursday evening about 8:43 o'clock. The dead man is Willard Christensen, 39, of 103 Vernon drive, McHenry, who was thrown from the auto as it proceeded south. According to members of the Lake county I sheriff's police, the vehicle was travelling south and the driver. Miles Rowland of Columbia drive swerved to avoid hitting several dogs which wandered into the road. In doing so, the car struck the shoulder of the blacktop and went out of control, turning over several times. Rowland, who operates a grocery store at Fritzsche Estates, was taken to McHenry hospital, where his condition was reported critical. Since then he has been transferred to Hines hospital. Eric Swanson, 18, of 206 N. Boulevard, Lilymoor, was less seriously hurt. The accident was witnessed by William Bolich, who testified to the manner in which the crash occurred. Christensen was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. War Veteran The deceased, a veteran of World War II, was a machinist and had resided for the past five years in this area. He was employed by Campbell Detachable Cab Co., Waucon» da. The body was removed to the Peter M. Justcn chapel in McHenry, where Coroner Theron Ehorn swore in a jury, then continued the inquest pending improvement of other j crash victims. Funeral services were con- ; ducted Monday from the Oetai lers funeral home in Desi Plaines, with burial in Ridge- | wood cemetery, DesPlaines. j Survivors include a son, Ken- I (Continued on Page 8) Gypsy Vagabonds Return With Spring At May Choral Program Eighty-three local musicians, i n c l u d i n g s i x t y - f i v e c h o r u s members and eighteen orchest r a m e m b e r s , . , w i l l c o m b i n e talents to offer variety to a vagabond theme when the McHenry Choral club presents its John Marco in his role as Tonio, the famed clown he will portray. annual spring program next Saturday and Sunday evenings, May 5 and 6. Tickets are now on sale for the presentation, which will be given in the McHenry high school auditorium at 8:15 o'clock. Four scenes will transform the stage into appropriate settings for an expansion of the main theme. The curtain will open on a typical gypsy setting in the woods and will feature the chorus and individual members in favorites such as "Romany Life", "Dark Eyes" and "Play Gypsies, Dance Gypsies". A special fortune telling number will feature Ruth Barger telling of "Gypsy Life". Scene II will highlight vagabonds of scng, with the choius singing the stirring "Song of the Vagabonds" and the haunting strains of "Ziguener". In this particular section, the theme will be expanded to contain a bit of the comic opera, "The Mikado", and a new arrangement of the long time favorite, "Lazybones". Humor has its place in every way of life, and the vagabond is no different than others. A special "street of vagabonds" will be featured, with soloists and ensembles using a special background for such numbers as "Mutual Admiration Society" and "Little Bit of Luck". "Classic Vaga bonds" will conclude the program, and the finale will be a fifteen-minute version of '"Carmen", in which the orchestra will join the chorus. Soloists in the latter portion of the nroeram will he John Marco, who portrays the tragic clown T^onio of "Paglt- (Continued on Page 8)