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Jt""/ ;| ^ V- --.*r- --», Jvjj ;."t\ V £" ' > • ' «:"i 'A -.•^ . * L ^1a> ' ' %-Pi, T%-'-m t--tnf> > (|^p . fl^ff T.*'< -&?..%2, • - ' : 4. ^g" r ' « //»,>•• ^/V. s.'S^.C:. Sf'4' KiseiS -•» wV^> V" ' McHenry Plaindf.aler * T-r / w ' , "• r; ••*', * • <.» / -*~ - «•«* - Volume 77 -- No. 26 McHENRY, ILLINOIS. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 8. 1951 10c Per Copy WEEKEND FIRES DESTROY COLONY THEATRE DOWN IN FUMES EARLY SUNDAY MORNM& SCHMTT .HOME M RUMS AFTER TWO HUB? Fires. tw' TMchinK diiMtroni proportions, raged in McHenry this past weak, the toll in destruction re&ching thousands of dollars. Worst of the Six fires was that w h i c h e n t i r e l y d e s t r o y e d t h e Colony .theatre late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Albuild a new theatre whan materials became available. This would be an entirely fireproof building since state requirements to that effect have bean imposed In recent year*. Mr. Miller said he was grateful for the patronage of the public * Photo by John Shadle (M Above is a picture pf the remains of the Colony theatre, which -went down in flames early last Sunday morning. The ruins of the large structure still smouldered when the photo was takan, only the front wall of the theatre remaining standing. though firemen from McHenry and fife other nearby communities battled the blaze for more than sis hours in temperatures 'lit 10 degrees above zero, it yas impossible to save the structure from ruin. However, the efficiency H«nd persistence of local fire fighters in ° keeping the flames from spreading through the business district north, drew comments of praise from an who «m aware of the situation. The operator tn the projection room left the theatre about 11:35 Saturday night, following the last show,_ and just fifteen minutes later a passerby, Edward Thennes. who incidentally is a member of ftthe local fire department, drove by and detected what he thought was smoke rising from the bulld- • tag. He turned his car and passed by the building twice more before he could be certain that there was a fire within. He immediately turned in the alarm for other members of the department and within a few minutes the Richmond and Crystal Lake firemen were summoned also. . f Later, someone pht in a call tor the Woodstock, Wauconda and Wonder Lake departments. There was danger from the time the fight was waged near midnight until about 6 a.m. that the fire might spread to nearby buildings on the north. Fortunately, a short time after the fire started the wind changed ino the northwest, carrying flames over the fcreek, where no damage could result Even then, however, the fire reached such heights that every effort had to be put forth to protect nearby establishments. Local residents served coffee and coffee cake to the fire fighters throughout the night in the Legion Home. Although it has not been determined just (tow the fire started, it is believed to have originated ^between the false ceiling and the roof. Persons who entered shortly after it was discovered found no smoke in the theatre or lobby but firemen were forced to retreat from the projection room on the second floor, em though they were equipped with masks. The building was entirely destroyed, with damage by the fire chief estimated at $100,000. The theatre building which #1 burned is believed to have been constructed shortly after World War I. In 1940, R. J. Miller, owner, added a modern lobby and the •outh wing. i Mr. Miller, when contacted this week, said he is of the opinion that he would have no trouble obtaining a permit from the government to re-build. However, a priority is needed for the purchase of many critical items Which Would be necessary to the erection of a structure of this kind. He added that it was his intention to in recent years and hopes to be able to accommodate the McHenry community with a fine theatre in the near tftture. SefcnNt Ftae Just as some of the tired firemen who had worked {he longest were preparing to leave about 6:30 a.m. another call was received and they hurried to the Math N. Schmitt home oa north Court street, where flames had already gained such headway that only the frame of the residence could be saved. That fell, too, in a 'second fire in the home Monday morning. Mr. Schmitt arose and went to tend the furnace shortly after 6 o'clock Sunday morning. He then returned to the first floor and within fifteen minutes found the kitchen filled with smoke. Investigating further, he found that in the short time which had elapsed the basement, too, was so filled with smoke no one could enter it. Mr. Schmitt, his son, Florian, and daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brefeld and three small children, immediately left the burning building after summoning assistance. In the more than four hours which followed, in which firemen fought to control the blaze, there was at no time any danger to nearby buildings. The garage was saved from fire and a wash machine and gas stove also taken from the house. A- thorough investigation of the remains of the building was made in the late afternoon Sunday, when only ice-laden household articles were found in the remains of the Schmitt home. Those present at that time have no hint as to what started a second fire about 1:30 q'clock Monday morning. when what was left of the frame of the building was destroyed, as well as several household items. Frank Weingart, a neighbor, saw the flames emanating from the structure and turned in the alarm. It is believed the first fire may have originated in the cold air ducts. Mr. Schmitt and his family are making their homq for the present with his brother, Stephen N. Schmitt, south of the city. He may re-build at the same location in the near future. Other Fires Other fires to occur during the cold days the last of the week included one resulting from a Hallowe'en prank. Firemen were called to a point on Rt 120, a halt mile east of McHenry, about 2:30 o'clock to extinguish a fire which partially destroyed a large sign on the highway. They smelled fuel oil and concluded the incident was a Hallowe'en prank. Although local firemen were not called, there were several reports of corn shocks being burned in the Gris- FJELA. CHAPTER IN McHENRY SELECTED BEST IN SECTION ; In an informal ceremony before an assembly of high school students in the school auditorium at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon of this week, Robert B. Bellows, president of the McHenry-Boone County Bankers' Federation, presented the traveling plaque of the Illinois Bankers association to the Future Homemakers department of the local school. Louise Hunt, president of the F. H. . accepted the plaque in behalf of her organisation.. Through its committee on agriculture, the Bankers association presents this trophy annually to the F. H. A. chapter which is recognised as outstanding in its line of work In the section. Illinois chapters are divided into twenty sections, with the section winner the best chapter of twentyfive in this area. Miss Carey Clark is adviser for the Future Homemaker chapte< and is homemaking instructor in the local school. List Program For Football Dinner Thomas Stanley, vice-president of the McHenry Township Klwanis club, will present the coveted trophy at the fourth annual football banquet tonight (Thursday) in the high school cafeteria. Rev. J. Elliott Corbett will act as toastmaster. Joseph Waynne, club president, coipmends McHenry businessmen for extraordinary cooperation in helping to make, the football ban ft success. Mr. Waynne, In dirfjMr so, also announced the program, which will be as follows: Pragma Call u» Oftiar -- Joseph X. Waynne, President Kiwanls Club I "America* -- Assemblage. (Invocation -- Rav. J. K. Corbett ; Dinner ! Musical Selections -- High School ! Boys' Octet Address of Welcome -- Joseph X. Waynne. Introduction of Toastmast#r -- Thomas ' Stanley, vice-president KiwaniB Club. Introduction of Football Team -- Coach McCracken. Introduction of Cheeir Leaders Coach McCracken. Presentation of Trophy -- Thomas Stanley. Introduction of Guest Speaker -- Rev. Corbett Quest Speaker -- Vic Schwall, recently with Chicago Cardinals. Closing Song -- "God Bless America". 8TL'DENTS' YI8IT On Thursday of last weak, thirty-five students from Illinois State Teachers college at DeKalb visited Edgebrook school. They are students of Dr. Helen F. Messenger, who accompanied them to McHenry. The group will be entering the teachers' field next fall. wold Lake rlcinlty Wednesday night Llnd Fir* Thursday afternoon, neighbors notified firemen Of flames rising from the garage at the Dr. A. E. Lind residence lit the Country Club subdivision, where no one was at home. One wall was destroyed but the remainder of the building saved. Although firemen were not sure what caused the flames, it is believed the fire may have resulted from a short in an electric wall Plug. ' . Wall Damage The Lesch family on south Park street called the tire department Friday evening about 7:30 when a wall in the home started to burn. A pipe into the chimney is thought to have become overheated and caused the wood In the wall to burn. On Saturday morning, a fire on the Leo King farm at McCullom Lake caused only a small amount of damage. A tractor In which there was alcohol had its radiator covered with a blanket which caught fire and burned. When the burning blanket fell to the barn floor it was feared that further damage might result and firemen were called to the scene. City Opens Big [Heart In Disaster That McHenry people have Mg hearts has been demonstrated more than once, but never more clearly than throughout last Sat^ urday night and Sunday morning^ when many of them contributed to the best of their ability to assist, in small but important ways, the men who fought the theatre fire. Not only the needs ot Mo- Henry firemen but those ot neighboring communities were considered by thoughtful local ctticens. who attempted to make the long cold hours of battling the tltunee easier to endure. Several young women throughout the night in the Legion Home, preparing hot coffee and serving it to tired men. Tfeay included Henrietta Vycital, Eleanor Peterson, Marilyn Lively, Mary Hopkins, Lillian Conway, Pearl Nerstad, B. Neihill, all of McHenry, and Betty McDermott of Wauconda. Dick Jager ot the ~ Riverside Bakery brought sweet rolls, doughnuts and coffee cake to the scene. Certified Foods provided the coffee and Riverside Dairy furnished cream and milk. Walter H. Hopkins of Riverside Drh\ contributed cash to meat any needs which might arise. We are always happy to say we live in McHenry, but particular!) so at a time like this, when our fellow townsfolk show vs j» why it is such a wonderful little city. PERMANENT ZONING ORDINANCE PASSED BY CITY COUNCIL At the regular meeting of the city coonctl on Monday night this week, the members passed the permanent zoning ordinance covering the various problems which confront McHenry in a rapid growth and development For many years the city and civic groups have recognised the need of zoning. It was also recognised that such a plan could neveT be one hundred per cent satisfactory to all. The only hope was to develop a plan that would benefit the city as a whole. Whenever the idea of zoning came up, the cost of bringing in engineers to survey and complete the plan was beyond any appropriation available. It finally came about that the council passed an interim Zoning Ordinance in June of 1950 and Mayor Freund appointed a committee consisting o< the latp Roy Kent (Chairman), Floyd Covalt. Henry Tonyan, Charles Vycital and Leo Rothermel. With the able guidance of City Attorney John Looze and advisory assistance from Engineer V. H. Kasser, a map was drawn and the new ordinance formulated. A hearing date was designated to give the public a chance to review the ordinance and voice any opinions or objections. The ordinance will now be published and persons contemplating building are urged to file applications allowing plenty of time should an appeal for variation be necessary. CONDUCT THRD OPEN HOUSE M CITY SCHOOLS Book Fair Planned la Connection With Evini November 15 , In keeping with the community's Parent Teachers' association theme of the year "Thdse are your Schools", the third open house will be held at the high school Thursday night Nov. IS. The open house will follow the .regular P. T. A. meeting to be neld at 8:15 p.m'. in the high school auditorium. Carl Buckner. principal, will give a welcoming address and introduce the high school teachers. After a brief business meeting, there will be a tour of the classrooms. Esrlier that same day, the P.T.A. will be in charge of a book fair which Is being held in connection with Children's Book Week. Nov. 11 through 17. The fair will begin at 11 o'clock and continue through the afternoon and evening. Miss Ida p. Swall of Lake Zurich. who has charge of hon^e and school service book shops, will Set up this book fair in the high School, in the room used last year by the fifth grade. 1 Books will go on sale at 11 o'clock, the collection to include books for pre-school children and those from first through eighth grade. There will also be some high school and family books. The fair is sponsored by the P. T. A. as a public service to all members and to the community. All persons attending the opeq fcoipke are invited to look over this splendid collection of books. The open house and book fair are timely, being held as they are during American Education Week. Nino-Year Resident Of Lily Lake Died Nov. S Peter C. Simon, 65, died lasi Monday, Nov. 5. A resident of Lily Lake for the past nine years, he was employed for forty-eight years by the North Western railway. The body was taken to the Sheldon funeral home at 5708 W. Madison street, Chicago, where it will rest until Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, when last rites will be conducted at St Michael's church. Interment will be in All Saints cemetery. Survivors include the widow, Mae Simon and a daughter, Lucille Allind, of Franklin Park. '-a WINTER DEFIES ^ CALENDAR; MAKES EARLY APPEARANCE McHenry joined the mid-west and a good portion ot the country this past week in experiencing a severe cold spell which contradicted the calendar in informing the public that winter had arrived. Frost-covered windows throughout the weekend extended into this week and with the cold came snow and wind which reached blizzard proportions. Roads throughout the area became dangerous to travel and in some parts of the state schools were closed. By Monday noon, reports indicated that between 150 and 200 persons had lost their lives either directly or indirectly due to the severe weather. Those persons who bemoaned the fact that summer, 1951, had passed us up will have no reason for such comment on winter, which has definitely arrived with appropriate fanfare. KIWANIS CLUB TO PURCHASE NEW VISION EQUIPMENT In meeting last Monday evening, the McHenry Township Kiwanls club voted to purchase Massachusetts vision testing equipment and put it into service in local schools with certain reservations. The equipment will be put in charge of one of the members to insure availability ot the equipment to all schools and *or the further purpose of securing reports on tests to determine the usefulness and efficacy of it It this project proves to be ot as great an aid to children as It Is hoped, the club will consider financing the purchase ot equipment for testing hearing. Members feel these projects are in line with their purpose ot halplng local youth. Robert Bruce of the Bruce Marine Service was welcomed as a member at the Monday meeting. COLLISION CAUSED DAMAGE TO AUTO. TRUCK TUESDAY WONDER LAKE CHILD FOUND DEAD IN BED FRIDAY MORNING Little Raymond Charles Eberle, two and one-half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Eberle of Wonder Lake, was found dead In hie bed in Indian Ridgq subdivision last Friday morning. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Eberle, who survive as do two other children, Jphn Howard, 6, and William Paul, 4, and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Eberle of Wonder Lake and Mr. and Mrs. Win. Mclnnes of Glasgow, Scotland. The body rested at the Peter MJusten funeral home until 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when Rev. Frank Anderson, paptor of the Wonder Lake Gospel church, officiated at last rites. Burial was in Ringwood cemetery. An autopsy was held in Elgin, after which Coroner Harry Ehorn reported that it was impossible to determine whether death resulted from a heart condition or an attack of dysentery. < SETTLE IN HARRINGTON Mr. and Mrs. Paul Albert and son. Ronald, 11, recently moved into the new home In Barrington which they purchased. They had been living in Clinton, Wis., where Mr. Albert published his own newspaper, since moving from McHenry more than a year ago. Now a printing plant floorman at Barrington, he was formerly foreman of the printing department of the McHenry Plaindealer. Need Rubber stamps? Order at The Plaindealer. Damage to a ear and truck topped $3,000 in an accident which occurred at Lily Lake in Tuesday afternoon's snow storm. No one was hurt John Allen of McHenry wA driving a 1949 Nash west on Rt 120 when the car Is believed to have skidded on the icy pavement and struck the rear wheel of a Krickl Motor Service truck driven by Henry Knaack. The truck was east-bound and was turning the curve in Lily Lake when the colfisldi took place. The truck, containing a television set among other it^ns, turned over and resulting damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,500. The Allan car was damaged to the extent of about $600, according to authorities who investigated. Among those who attended the wake or funeral of Mrs. John De- Lire in Warren last weekend were Mrs. Norbert Tegge, Miss Mildred Kinsala, Mrs. May Powers and Mr. and Mrs. James Powers. Scene From Junior Play Business Men Report First Paper I Collection In McHenry Gratifying LimeUkM CHURCH ANNUAL IAZAAR NEXT TUESDAY Event Planned For Legion Homo; Servo 5:30 Public Supper Amidst a colorful fall setting, Zlon EVangellcal Lutheran church Ladles Aid will hold Its annual fall bazaar on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Amerloan Legion Home. The event will start at 2 o'clock and continue through the evening. Ladies have been busy during the past month with fancy work, such as pillow cases, towels, aprons, doilies and beautiful woven rugs. Besides these, there will be found booths with the results of their culinary skill in the form of cookies and candy and other delicacies. Other items will include Christmas cards, napkins suitable tor all occasions and the "Lord's Last 8upp«r" plates. A "white elephant" booth is also scheduled and the children will not be forgotten for there will be a fishing booth with prises sure to please them.* Many items will make most appropriate gifts for shOwerB, anniversaries and weddings, as well as for Christmas. Tea and cake will be served during the afternoon and at 5:30 o'clock there will be a turkey supper served to the public, with Mrs. Emil Patzke chairman and Mrs. Muriel- Patsfce as oo*chair man. For information eoncerning tickets, call Mrs. E. B. Ward. 806 Richmond Road, phone 198, or Mrs. Emil Patzke. phone 65-M. No tickets will be sold at the door. Much work has already been expended by members of the Ladies Aid to make this year's event otte of the finest ever held. NEWS ABOUT OUR SERVICEMEN William Harvey, Bruce, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Bruce of McHenry, was enlisted, in the U. S. Navy oa November 2 through the Navy recruiter in this area and is now undergoing recruit training at the U. S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes. Duane Bacon, who has been serving with the Marines for a year and one half, arrived home this past week. He Is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bacon. Duane who served for fourteen months in Korea, .recently ^rrived in California. After a month spent with his family and friends in McHenry. he will report to a base In Virginia. Pvt. Maurice Foley is najr stationed with the Army at Camp Chaffee, Ark. He reports temperatures as low as 30 degreee last week. , Master Sgt Eugene Freund, recently returned from Korea, is now stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis. Edwin Stoffel, stationed on Okinawa, has been promoted to the rank of corporal. He is the son ot Mr. and Mrs. Martin Stoffel of John street John McQee, serving with the Navy at Key West. Fla., Is enjoying a leave at his home here; The McHenry Business Men's association reports the cooperation of the public with the scrap paper and metal drive gratifying the first day of collections last Saturday. In all, about two and onehalf tons were received. Collections will continue each Saturday in the future, with proceeds to help finance the purchase of new and mbdern street lights for the business sections ot the city. Paper will ^e picked up east and north of Boone creek from 10 a.m. to noon and west and south of the creek from 1 to S p.m. Saturdays. Home owners are asked to leave newspapers, cartons and magazines on the tree bank between curbing and sidewalk. Persons residing outside ot the city limits, or business men. may find it more convenient to bring paper to either the A. S. Blake Motor Sales, 301 E. Pearl street, or to the J. C. Thies Candy company, 401 W. Elm street and it will be taken from these places to the warehouse. Business men wish to announce that there is still time to donate to the clothing crusade which they are assisting in cooperation with local schools. SECOND McHENBY LIQUOR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED . _ <• "4 ••M:im For the second time in the number of weeks, the McHenry county Liquor Commission suspended th% liquor license of a McHenry tavern. On Thursday eC last week the license of McHenry Recreation tavern, located east of the McHenry Bridge was a ed for a period of thirty days selling whiskey and beer to ors. All liquor was ordered re* moved from the premises. Both Stephen Koenig, propria* tor, and his bartender testified that they did not remember the boys involved. They also quoted a different price for their packaged beer than that said to have been paid by the youths. Several members of the Friday night women's bowling league were present and testified that they were at the bar that night and failed to notice the boys. On Thursday morning. CecU Vogts, 17, who testified to purchasing the beer and whiskey, and Ralph Beck, also 17, both ot Woodstock, were given suspended fines of $50 each and placed on probation for six months by Justice Joseph Ritter on a plea of guilty to disorderly conduct They and two other Woodstock youths were apprehended by local police officers for causing a disturbance at the McHenry-Delavan football game in McHenry the previous Friday night. The other two boys, Ronnie Rowe and Harold Sherman, both 16, of Woodstock, were sentenced to serve ninety days in the county jail by Judge Henry L. Cowlin on Monday in violation ot probatiMt from his court LARGE CROWD ENTERTAINED BY "OUR MISS BROOKS4" Photo by Dick Collins This is a scene from the junior class play, "Our Miss Brooks," as the president of the school board, left, comforts her daughter (Val Cappell), who was unsuccessful in her efforts to secure the lead in the school play. Looking on are the school principal, center. (Harvey Sand) and the play's leading characters (Sally Nye and Gerald Freund.) BILL WEBER WON RESERVE CHAMPION HONORS AT ILLINOIS Bill Weber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Weber of McHenry, won honors as an agriculture student at the University of Illinois last week when the twentysixth annual Little International Livestock show was held. Bill, a freshman at the Univeraity. was one of twenty entered in the showmanship contest The twenty were divided into three groups and Bill not only topped his group but went on to be declared reserve champion. He received a large purple rosette with the honor designated on the University colors. A large and enthusiastic cr greeted the performance of the junior class play, presented by a cast of seventeen in the high school auditorium last Friday evening. The play was a comedy, "Our Miss Brooks." which set forth the tribulations of a high school dramatics instructor in surmounting the difficulties scheduling rehearsals amidst % crowded school program. A new junior student. Jennifer Houda, displayed a good deal ot natural dramatic talent as the lead. Miss Brooks, and was ably supported by a fine cast Miss Kathleen Tully. a?'director of her first play at M. C. H. S. deserved the many compliments paid her for her entertainlao presentation. SEW HOWES A new home is being constructed on the Crystal Lake, blacktop road for the Eugene Miller family. His brother, Jerome, and family are having one erected in the WaUias subdivision. CONTRIBUTE TO SCRAP PAPER DRIVE SATURDAYS 4# 'i % It S £ . A*