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Volume 57 M'HENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1931 NO. 31 HAPPENINGS IN -M1NRY IN 1931 BRIEF REVIEW IS MADE FROM FILES With this eld world of ours going •'at a dizzy pace, we have come to the end of another year--absolutely the worst year in all history--according to', the Opinions of a/^Sdek^many of us. According t*i' H. G. Wells, well known author and "writer, once through 1932 we shall be on tW high 1 ip*id to world recovery.. Here's what •Jfc. says about it, iR part: '"I think "...if ;we can carry fth without either some dire social convulsion or the onset; of harsh suppressions until' Jan. 1, 1933, we shall have got through the •worst of the immediate dangers that threaten 6ur civilization. Nobody de- „pies those dangers now. That is one thing to the good. The whole world is afraid. A few years ago it was impossible to convince people that the social framework in which we live was not, as the phrase goes, absolutely fool-proof. Those days of happy; careless assurance have passed. We have all been bumped out of that optimistic Eden, to face a singularly harsh looking world. We have played the market to a giddier height than ever and this time it does "not swing back." Not very encouraging is H. GWells as he goes on to say that it depends upon the people of today as to what the year will bring forth. Poor old 1931! It surely has been a battered year with old man Depression that we have heard v So much about hitting it hard during the past twelve months. As we say "Happy New Year to one and ail," let us pause for a moment and take a look over the past year and recall what changes have transpired in the city and in our lives and see just what did happen that we can remember with pleasure and profit. While money and work is not as plentiful as in previous times, when business was in 'a more flourishing condition, yet we are far from being "broke." We have plenty of money for parties and other amusements, we travel around in automobiles, talk to our friends over the telphone and listen to fine programs that come to us over the radio. About $10,000 in. Christmas savings club checks was mailed out by the two McHenry banks before Christmas, much of which is now in circulation, and the Farmers Co-operative association again declared dividends as evidence of a year of progress and prosperity. Make 1932 Bigger and Better As we pause to review the happenings of the present year, we will also plan for the new year with resolutions ta make this and every coming year bigger and better than any before. This section has enjoyed -the reputation of being situated in one of the finest spots in the country, the frox River valley, which is gaining fame throughout this part of the country. The Fox River has gained much notoriety during the year through the efforts of various statesmen and politicians in an endeavor to obtain funds to further beautify it and make it a bigger and better navigable stream- The question of more dams in the river has been agitated and it was also most thoroughly described in the tale of a canpe trip from its source to its mouth, by Bob Becker of the Chicago Tribune. The worst blizzard of' the year was In March, when nearly eight inches of snow fell, blocking traffic and calling all of the fifty-four state snow plows into service. The summer was ;| exceptionally hot with all heat records broken in June and it surely seems as if the old world was all topsy-turvy with a pre-Christmas heat jvave, or something to that effect. The added Rainfall during the autumn was welcomed by farmers in this community as an aid to crops. Building Slowed Up* Building in this locality slowed Up considerably with carpenters and contractors idle most of the year. Just now work has picked up slightly with a line new garage being bujlt on Route 61 for Allan Noonan, a house being built for George Kane in the Wattles subdivision and Earl Whiting building a home near McCollum's lake. Several bams have been built during the year attd Nick Freund put up an oil station at Overton's garage. Perhaps the largest contract was the building of the new Fox pavilion, which was a work of beauty in addition to involving the expenditure of thousands of dollars- A home building and finance plan was inaugurated by the McHenry Lumber company during the year. Not many lots were sold during the year and property changed hands slowly. Business Changes Several important business changes took place during the year and with prices at rock bottom this seems a good time to buy. LeW Kircher bought the Bemer building on Green street where he opened1 his barber shop, occupying the flat above and renting his other store room to the gas company for a show room. Joe Regner purchased the Heimer building, also on Green street, which he remodeled and opened a grocery and market. A new business was welcomed to West McHenry when M. W. Crouch bought the greenhouse* , . • AUXILIARY DOES / WELFARE WORK I The ladles of the American Legion Auxiliary went to the state hospital at Elgin on Wednesday of last week where they assisted in the Christmas canteen work for the World war soldiers as sponsored by the McHenry County council. They were assisted by members of the American Legion, who helped in 'distributing the gifts to the more than 500 patients ai the hospital. The McHenry County council was in charge of the Christmas program Which was supervised by Myrtie Jane and Julia Feffer. A large Christmas tree brought cheer to the boys and community singing was enjoyed and a program put on !>y members of the Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Marengo, Harvard, Hebron, Richmond and McHenry units. • The local unit's contri* bution to the program was a dance put on by Evelyn Schaefer and Eleanor Althoff. The McHenry unit furnished bags of candy, nuts and dates and each soldier at the hospital was given a pair of bedroom slippers by the department, a bag of candy, tangerines and cigarettes, . Those from McHenry who lyent'to the Christmas party on Wednesday were: Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schaefer, Mrs. Ambrose Schaefer, Miss Ellen Frisbv, Mrs. James Beavis, Mrs- William H. Althoff, Mrs. J. J. Marshall, Mrs. Howard Cairns, Mrs. Emily Lawson, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Neiss, Mrs- Joe Williams and Laura Weber. ! The next county meeting will be held at Crystal Lake on January 8, and a membership drivd is being planned for the month. Among other welfare work done by the local unit was a check which they sent,to the children's home at Normal to assist] in their Christmas party. Two gold star mothers and a gold star father were remembered with Christmas baskets, those receiving them being Mrs. J. Vasey, Mrs. Tonyaif and E. Peterson. r v"":^ ' on Route 61 and opened the McHenry Floral company. A new ball park was mflde on the site of the old mill pond and a fine large grandstand was built- Ball games during the season drew many to this locality, the McHenry team proving to be a winner under its blinJ manager, Walter Freund. An attorney was added to the list Of McHenry professional men with C.. M. J$$Bermott opening an office and making his home here. The Tri-County Produce company' William F. Wandel, former direcwas a new firm, consisting of Peter [tor of the Waukegan State Bank,- WHS W. Frett and Son, which opened dur-1 the twelfth witness to take the stand ing the year, making a market for all, in the Oscar Nelson trial at Woodfarm produce. The McHenry banks j stock Thursday prior to the- adjournhave shown an excellent condition • ment of the trial over Christmas, through this trying year, doing much: Carl W. Stenger, former McHenry to add to the permanence and stabil- j banker, was the chief witness on Wedity of business in McHenry. The j nesday, describing in detail a confer- West McHenry bank was twenty-five ence called in Chicago, by Nelson, at NEXT YEAR S TAXES WILL BE LOWER WttKLY EXCHANGE i faxes payable in 1932 will be lower ITEMS OF INTEREST than last year, according to figures reported by County Clerk Raymond D. Woods, because of the reductions in valuations made by the board of review and assessors last summer.' The total valuation of the county for 1931 is $45,870,078, as compared to $49,544,300 in 1930. This is a decrease of about nine per cent. The total amount raised from the 1931 levy will be $174,306.30, aseomparcnl to $188,268.34 in 1930- ; : Payment of taxes for the coming goose. year will be divided into two parts j Swallowing a mimber ^f Iaxativ^/ under a new law passed a year ago. tablets, wfyile; playing with her broi- • The first payment will include all of ther, Mary Elizabeth Steller, aged,14; i the personal and one-half of thfe real' months, passed away Wednesday at« estate tax and in ordinary years j the Wheeling hospital. Death caine would b«e payable not . later than. .Feb- [ about half an fcfawr after tfcf child • ^ ruary 1, but by an amendment passed ! taken the pills. : n ^\V.{yy.,. in the present special session the! Andrew Gallagher, son of Mr. and deadline was changed to Mrs. Anthonv Gallagfcr.of BamVgfc Siii-V- 1932. •' •• ' ' " " ' TAKEN FROM COLUMN* OF OUR EXCHANGES At present there are 42i inmates lithe'county farm at Hart land, 37 being1 men and 5 women. Dieting of persons at the home is estimated,, to cost . II per day., A feature of ChrMnias djijK at the home Wras a dinner ot duck andi K-y>Vf .LETTER WRITTEN IN I 1841 IS LOCATED " NICHOLAS FRETT IS THE AUTHOR fell from a- pony last Tuesday after* noon and .sustained a fracture of the left elbow. He was riding near hit home when the saddle slipped out of place causing the fall. Townships in McHenry county h&ve levied a total of- $29,300 for the cape L._of the poor. The largest levy, $10,000, j was made. by Chemung township while the smallest was by„Hartland for $500. Nunda township levied $6500 and Algonquin township $6000. -.- Mrs. Mildred Faulkner, of Barririg- Below ' the reader will find an ex- ton, who is employed at the Royal cerpt from a letter written by Nich- Blue grocery store" fefl, from a ladder olas Frett in 1841 to a friend of his j Tuesday afternoon breaking the large*, in the Eifel, Rhineland Germany- This j bone in her left arm just above the copy of the letter was sent to the,wrist. She was standing on $ ladder Plaindealer by N. M. Freund of St.'about three feet above the floor when j Louis, Mo., who says: "This was pub- J the ladder spread at the bottom cau*> | lished in the Chicago Tribune Dec. 20,ling her to lose her balance and fall. NELSON TRIAL RESUMED MONDAY C. W. STENGER IS WITNESS STAR years old on Sept.- 10. The Empire theater opened under new management during the year, E- O. Long of which the condition of the finances of the bank were taken pp. He corroborated testimony given Tuesday by Crystal Lake purchased the brick! Edward W. Durkin, former director, garage on U. S, 12 and the Chevrolet who said that the bank's officers were company took over the George Still-; not interested in the stock re-assessing garage. John Fisher took over the Royal Blue store on Riverside Drive and Mr. Lyons bought the variety store from Mr. Johonnott. John J. Vycital celebrated twenty-five years of business in McHenry in June. A 2,000-foot levee was built along the west shore of Fox River above tKe dam by Julius Keg and Frederick ment recommended by Nelson to bolster the shaky financial structure of the bank. He declared they were cf the opinion that the bank was solvent at the time of the conference, which took place in October, 1930, and disregarded Nelson's suggestion to accept the offer made by heads of the National Bank of the Republic, Chi- Beller completed his work of reclaim- j cago, that a trust fund be created ing the marshy land* along Boone from sale of 795 shares of stock in the creek and the river. And so, you see, folks, there have been many business changes in our city during the year, every one of which denotes progress, growth or Waukegan bank held by the Chicagoans. Stenger admitted he had sold about thirty-eight shares of the stock to TWO BARNES BURNED IN RINGWOOD FIRE The big barn on the Ed. Bell farm, near Ringwood, occupied by Lewis Schroeder, and the James Rainey farm adjoining, were destroyed by fire at 7 o'clock on Sunday morning. Rollo Chamberlin, driving into the Schroeder yard, saw flames coming from the haymow and quickly gave the alarm. The McHenry and Richmond fire departments responded, but the flames had gained such headway that the structure could not be saved. The flames spread to the barn on the James Rainey place next door and it was soon a raging furnace- The sparks caught the roofs on the George Harrison bungalow and the Henry Stephenson home, but, with the' help of men with buckets and brooms, they were extinguished. Mr. Schroeder lost one Tiorse, wagons, grain, hay and straw, whichwas partially covered by insurance. Mr. Bell figures the loss of the barn and silos- at $6,500 and Mr. Rainey his barn at $800. They are partlalTy covered by insurance. Much credit is due the McH >r.ry and Richmond fire departments, w n >.<e work undoubtedly saved tha n» arby homes. GOOD FELLOWS BUSY THIS XMAS MANY NEEDY FAMILIES ASSISTED call 200 more witnesses. This announcement followed the decision of Judge Shurtleff that the state must prove the insolvency of the Waukegan State Bank some other way than the report of the bank examiners. Twenty-three witnesses had been called as court adjourned for the noon his friends, including two Catholic prosperity or the change would not'priests at Waukegan, recommending have been made- Among other ! them as good investments at $150. changes which were brought on by the j Formerly the stock was sold at $153 • recess on Tuesday. condition of business in the country'per share, he s^d. Assistant State's Attorney Mcwas the discontinuing of two of Mc- j Stenger will be recalled to the stand. Gaughey indicated it may take a . ... .. . when the state produces records which 'month or more to call the remaining. Judge Shurtleff ruled, must be In 200 witnes court when he testifies concerning detailed matters- *A really happy Christmas" was the practically unanimous verdict of McHenry residents as voiced following the observance of Christmas day. Perhaps the principal reason behind the majority opinion may be found in the fact that McHenry this year was assured that its less fortunate citizens were amply provided for. Throughout this area hundreds of people abandoned worry and care, and filled their hearts with the merriment abundantly supplied by the annual adjoint of the year's principal holiday. More children were made happy and more clothing and more food was given to .deserving families this Christmas than at any other time in history and McHenry was thoroughly searched that there might be no family nor any child overlooked who was deserving of assistance. Good Fellows, working under the guidance of the Mothers club and tlfe Catholic Daughters of America, carod for an unestimated number of families and provided necessary clothing, shoes, underwear and outer garments in addition to Christmas baskets distributed by the Mothers club and the C. D. of A. These Good Fellows, organized in a several weeks' campaign, left their routine occupations in their homes and visited local households in their 1931. Nicholas Frett was the first settler in McHenry township from Germany and was the great-grandfather of citizens by that name living in Johnsburg, McHenry and Chicago and no doubt the article would make good reading matter if published in the Plaindealer for the present generation living in McHenry township." The letter follows: " We left our wife and1 children in the city of Chicago and we three (Nicholas Frett, Nicholas Adams and Jacob Schmitt) went out into the country to look for an oppertunity, Henry's places, of business being farced out by bankrupt sales and the sale of buildings at public auction. Lodges Various sports have been popular during the year, with bowling leagues Stenger testified that he had beeB in the banking business twenty-height in full "swing during the winter j years prior to the closing of the WaiK, months and basketball comingi in for Its share of popularity. The clubs and lodges have had kegan bank. He said he had conned* tions with the West McHenry, Cary, Spring Grove and" then the Waukegan prosperous and interesting year, each; State Bank. He testified that wheSl doing its own share of good in the! he organized the Waukegan Stat# community, and much charity work! Bank it had a capital of $100,000 and has been done for needy families. St. Clara's Court, No. 569, W. C. O. F-, celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday as did Fox River Valley Camp, R. N. A., and Riverview Camp, R. N. A., celebrated twenty years of activity. The McHenry Country club spent a surplus of $10,000. He said when the bank closed it had a capital of $200,000 and surplus of $100,000. The jury returned from its Christmas vacation Monday morning ready for a busy week. Milton E. Smith, vice-president of the defunct Waukegan State Bank, its ninth year of prosperity and the;was . ^he feature witness Monday local American Legion post was host,rooming. ^ Smiths story was almost to the county meeting with about 300 *he same as told by former witnesses, in attendance. A Business Women's club was formed in the county with several local members and the Daughters of America honored their mothers at a banquet on Mothers Day. The Boy Scouts observed the twenyt- first year of the founding of their organization and attended a jamboree at Byron, where they saw Governor Emmerson and Lord Hampton and mingled with more than 2,000 Scouts- They also gained another Eagle Scout during the year, making three for the McHenry troop. *> Churches and Schools The churches have had a snceeesfa! year with impressive services on Eester and Christmas. The Lutheran church was dedicated forty years in September and this fact was observed. St. Mary's church was honored by a (Continued to Page S) who told of the conference held in Chicago at which Nelson was present. He said that Nelson was the first to say that the bank was in ik bad condition and needed an assessment or reorganization. He also told that Nelson said salaries were too high in the bank when it was learned that the president received $8,00ff per year; the vice-president, $5,00€; cashier, $3,500, and tellers $2,40® each- The now famous conference of bank offcials with State Auditor Nelsoa and officials, of the National Bank of the Republic in Oct<&er, 1930, it known by heart by both counsel, court and court room fans. • In ...summing up the testimony in the case thus far it is evident thai _ this conference in Chicago is the makt issue in the case. State's Attorney Smith stated Tuesday morning that the state may people and later brought good cheer by returning with the fulfillment of many of their direst needs. Charity, impelled possibly more than ever before by necessity, has been in greater evidence than In past years and every ,,need which was known to local Good Fellows in th:s vicinity was supplied. In addition to giving out baskets of food, new clothing was given in many places where it was needed and the Daughters of America also sent used clothing to the orphange at Freeport. This woric which has gotten so well under way will not end - with the Christmas season, but will continue throughout the winter and all through the year as emergencies and cases of need arise. Thus the spirit of Christmas will continue even though the day itself has gone into history with the year of 1931 and the faith and hope instilled by charity will remain to warm the hearts of those who givt u ;w»ll • those who receive. vJLONG BOY SAYS "HERE'S HOWE" Happy New Year to you alL Did not expect to see me, eh? Well the powers that be got a map of my physiognomy some how and the local artist, Jake coup d MILK PRODUCERS PLAN BIG MEETING The regular monthly meeting of the members of the McHenry local, Pure MSlk association, will be held at the K. of C- hall, Thursday evening, Jan. 7. The officers of this local invite the business men of McHenry to be their guests at this meeting. Nels Pearson, newly elected president of the McHenry local, is putting on an oyster stew, while an excellent speaker from the Pure Milk office ii. Chicago will be present to explain conditions relative to the present price of milk. Special entqirUiaws* wtt* follow the The Belvidere plant of the Gossard Apparel company is humming with industry. During the past few weeks the manufacturing concern has increased its force by taking on 34 additional employes and further additions to the payrqll will be made just as soon as new machine parts are received and the machines equipped for operation. It cost Roy Harmon, of Chica|f0v $125.00 to learn that hunting season is closed on pheasants. Arrested last Saturday by Game Warden Kern of Waukegan, Harmon'had in his posand we found it thirty English miles j session 3 hen pheasants and 2 cocks, from Chicago near the village of Mc-; He was brought before Justice of the Henry, where there is an English free ( Peace Henry Stadtfeld of Wauconda school'and a house of correction. The and fined $25 for each bird, or $125.00 village is only three English miles' total. Unable to pay. Harmon left his distant from us. There I bought me gun in th$ hands of the local judge. a: farm of 160 acres which according j Sending her two children to town to the German measure, makes 200 with the hired girl to purchase Chrisfcmorgen, at $2 50 per acre, in German mas presents, Mrs. Ruth Knaack, money 6 marks. The land lies in a j barricaded her home at LibertyviHa* good situation and also a beautiful, and then turned on the gas jets in the neighborhood. Also we have very fine j kitchen. Her dead body was discovered meadbw land upon which'the grass -s at 11:45 o'clock Wednesday morning so high it reaches above my head, by Police Chief Frank J. Druba. who This will perhaps seem unbelievable , was called to the home after the childto you, but it is true. I would not j ren and the maid returned and could have believed it myself had I not seen j not get in. Mrs. Knaack had been Iff it. The forest is composed of many, ill health for tw0 years. trees and hazel brushes like none such John York, Walworth farmer, is to are found in Germany and they grow.{receive $125...for his farm horse killedin great mass. Also in the woods the, on the highway between Big Foot and wild lemons (plums) grow in abund- Walworth from Edward Lordan, Hjufance. When we bought the land we vard young man, under a decision hardly knew, what to say as we|given by Justice W. S, Battern at glimpsed the splendid fruit and high i Woodstock on Dec. 21. York sought to grass. Nicholas Adams from Hirten obtain damages of $200. Mr. Lords* also has as much land as we. Jacob'then introduced a counter claim Schmitt of Muenck has 60 acres. We amounting to *73.83 for damage to ttB| three took ours all together in one f car which it is claimed struck th* piece. We also bought two oxen that animal. _ are as heavy as the largest one findsl Rose Whitney, aged 15, daughter in Germany. £lso a double span j of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Whitney^ wagon and a cook machine (cook living about a mile and a half east of stove) which is very artfully con- j Garden Prairie, lies at the point of structed. One can ..cook upon four death in Highland hospital at Bel*ri« fires at once and at the same time. dere and with no hope held for her rehave an oven for baking. We also (Covery and four other young people bought two cows and a plow, besides were painfully but not seriously in- ^ household gear that one needs on a jured when the old model THPdf^J farm. The oxen cost $40, the wagon coupe in which they were1 riding to a x $33, the stove $22, whit the utensilo holiday dance at Marengo went into included, and the plow $7.00 and the the, ditch a short distance beyond the two cows $24. Wben we once get first bridge on the Lawrenceville road things somewhat arranged ^ we can just east of Belvidere shortly after keep a hundred head of stock on our 10 o'clock Wednesday night and overown place. Here it is not like in Ger- turned twice. The car was practically many that one must support the cat- demolished but what w«s left of it tie with his labor, here cattle support was towed to a garage. themeslves. They run. out day and, night, -cows, hogs, oxen, horses, etc> HOME BUREAU MEETING Cows come home evening and morn- ^ nert meetinr of the Rin(rwc*| ing by themselves. Feed is absolute- f ^ Home Bureau wm ^ ^ ly free. One can make as much hay ^ H of Mrs F A Kitchens at •'A he wants and where he wishes 1:80 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Jufi. Without paying for it. Here one knows 5 Miss Clara Greaves will be prosnothing about taxes. Orf* does not ^ Ieader? will have charjre af need to worry aboet beggers, as they ^ ,esgon to ^ on the effect of foo^ do in Germany. Here a man works on aenemji and ^oiter. This is ** for himsef. Here one is equa o ^ q meeting and friends are invited, other. Here no one takes off his ha*. ( The community project for the t,, another We no longer long for month wjn bp ^ donations ^ Germany. Every ay we ^ _ children's clothing for the Woodstock dear Lord that He has brought us >o orphanage. Anyone having donar to speak out of slavery into paradise ^ p,eas<? brin}f ^ send to the hot^ This also I wish from my hear^ 0f Mrs. Kitchens before the meetinf. my dear friends, sisters and brothers ( who continue to live in Germany as j ' • if under lions and dragons, fearing ( . PLAY SAFE! every moment to be devoured one way to safeguard them- ! 1 against serious loss by fire, tornado, Costuming in America is similar to accident, collision, theft, etc., and that of the best people in Germany.; that's insurance. That's granted and, It is particularly handsome in th° no argument. The next best bet Is case of men. One cannot distinguish to insure in safe, reliable com pan i« the farmer from the gentlemen, they which are able to pay losses whM all stand on the same plane. If a they come. We represent that kin*, woman should cross the street with-. Kent A Co., McHenry. Tel. 8. 31-fJp out a hat she would be laftght at. In j --r * ; New York I bought my wife and] BENEFIT DANCE daughter, Maria, a new mantle oft A benefit dance will be held aft tb» American cut. f parish hall in Johnsburg, WednesdJty Board in America is also cheap. The, nightt jan g. Music by Frank* common man lives better here than orchestra. Tickets are 73 cents' the highest in Germany. iper couple. Everybody is tavltc*. "• Practically, in a word, one cannot . describe how good it is in America and as for the money remarkable things to be found here. If one should Ufriti} ijyuz,, OgQulfl AAL IjdLp Hero it> ^ -J NOTICE The Nobby Style Shop will cloie ery evening at 6 o'clock ' urday ant - r - _ - i. • [t l-• ,~