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I ' *SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875* Volume 80 No. 45 McHENRY, ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, MARCH 17. 1955 10c Per Copf Musin' and Meenderin' Polks who passed the Guettter fa service station on Rt. 31 Tuesday morning and wiped v their eyes hoping what they saw was not really there, can now be assured everything is alright. There really was a horse in the air. In fact, he was high on the wash rack stall for cars and its owner, Mr. Guettler, was ' trimming the horse's hoofs. An art project featuring paintings done by fifth graders in Edgebrook school is published in the April issue of "The Instructor," nationally circulated. teachers' magazine. Mrs. Rutlh A Mead, art supervisor for McHenry county schools, submitted the project which appears under the tittle, "Children Paint an Easter Window." The "Christmas Windows" at Edgebrook school were also featured in an article submitted by Mrs. Mead for the December issue of the magazine. Mothers and youngsters who are fashion-minded in this pre- Easter season will be anxious to see the latest 'styles for young ladies and gentlemen to be shown at Saturday's Easter^ Parade in the high school auditorium, spon- • sored by circle II of the Community Methodist church. Miss Alice Clark, daughter of the Clyde C. Clarks who reside on Rt. 120, six miles west of McHenry, is among seventy-five students who were ^honored at the ajinual Honors Day banquet at 'Northern Illinois State Teachers college on March 15. The dinner is given in recognition of the scholastic achievements of the top students in academic standing in the college. Ilene, daughter of the Lisle E. ^Bas:?<>tts, a sopihomore at Corhell ' college, Mouiu Vernon; 'i.>wa, U<*&> pledged the Delta Phi (Delphi) social group. Cornell has no. national fraternities or sororities but sponsors ten local social groups, four for women. Plans are in the discussioh stage by the board of supervisors for the possible purchase of the old Central school building in yVoodstock, to be used as art annex to the present court houM|, which is at present overcrowded- The structure has great Historic sentiment to many folks, who would be assured by this move that at least for many years no effort would be made to change the appearance of the building in any way. y McHenry county was declared winner of a membership drive in competition with adjoining Lake county when Farm Bureau members gathered at the Legion home in McHenry for a dinner meeting Monday noon. The total gain for th* two counties was 412, with 240 for . McHenry and ;72 for Lake, Owen J. Charrey, service officer of McHenry, was one o{ the representatives of the Catholic War Veterans, Department of Illinois, to attend dedication arid blessing services of the new Blessed Sacrament chapel, 'located in the west side VA hospital, 820 Damen avenue, Chicago. Services opened Sunday, Inarch 13, with the 11 o'clock mass in the chapel, celebrated by Rev. Edward Norkett, hospital chaplain. Money can do a lot, but it can't beat talent and willingness to work hard. McCULLOM LAKE INCORPORATION DECIDED APRIL 2 A petition was filed late Monday, March 14, petitioning Judge Henry L. Cowlin to set a date for an election to incorporate McCullom Lake, where there are said to be 457 residents. He set %.pril 2 for the election. This will be the third attempt at incorporation in the community. Other elections were held on March 25, 1950, when 77 voted "no" -and 65 "yes," and on Sept. 23, 1952, when it was disapproved by 155 voters and favored by 126. BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Work has begun this week on the new bridge on south Green street, near Edgebrook school, and, traffic has been re-rOttted. %t will provide improved conditions both for motorists and pedestrians. MOVE FIFTEEN SWITCHBOARDS IN LOCAL TELEPHONE OFFICE; NEW INSTALLATIONS TO INCREASE CAPACITY BY 300 PHONES They greased the skids--and the floor--Saturday" night in the McHenry telephone exchange here. And without interruption of telephohe service, fifteen switchboards were moved into a new- position eight feet away. The job took 2 % gallons of water pump grease plus unlimited amounts of elbow grease by twelve telephone men who supplied the muscle power. The switchboard move, unusual in the annals of telephone engineering, was necessary to make room for the installation of four switchboards which will be moved, into the telephone office next week. Eight operators continued to take and complete calls as telephone and Western Electric craftsmen slid the five tons of switchboards to the west end of the building. Approximately 120 pieces of eight-foot cable spliced to the equipment provided plenty of slack for the move. The cable followed the switchboards as they began their ten minute ride. The switchboard sections were bolted together and lifted on two 32-foot skids previously well greased to make sliding easier. Acting as an anchor was a telephone trdck parked on the street outside with its winch attached to the switchboards. Thirty Minutes' Work Work began about 3 p.m. Saturday when the crew of men began tilting the switchboards, preparatory to sliding them onto the greased planks. Actual moving began at 9 p.m., and was completed- in less than thirty minutes. Immediately after 4;he move, Illinois Bell maintenance iren began testing lines to make sure all was in working order, and everything was. Delivery . of the four new switchboard!) is expected next week when Western Electric craftsmen begin their installation. Scheduled for completion thiff '" T^ mer, the boards will incieaSe the capacity of the phone system here by approximately 300 telephones. Along with the two and onehalf gallons of grease, several gallons of coffee were consumed in the operation. The latter, along with a cocoanut cake, was provided by Miss Rovena Marshall, chief operator in the McHenry exchange. Five Western Electric technicians supervised by Harry White and six Illinois Bell men under R. R. Kelly, wire chief here, pushed and pulled the switchboards to their new location. Helping direct the operation were Joe Simek and Stan Ryba, Illinois Bell engineers. ISLAND LAKE BURGLARY A burglary at the William Hendee home at ,Island Lake has been under investigation by the sheriff's office. The home v/as broken into one evening last week and clothing valued at thirty dollars taken. GEORGE B. SHAW PRESIDENT McHENRY PUBLISHING COMPANY A change in the officers, directors and operating heads of the B. F. Shaw Printing Co., Dixon, 111., has been announced by the firm's executives. The action followed the death last week of Mrs. Mabel S. Shaw, president of the organization. George B. Shaw, Mrs. Shaw's eldest son, becomes president of the corporation which controls seven newspapers in Illinois and Iowa, including the McHenry Plaindealer. Two other sons, Ben T. Shaw and Robert E. Shaw, were elected vice-presidents, and Arnold V. Lund was named vice-president in charge of newspaper operations. In addition to the vicepresidencies, Ben will serve as the firm's secretary, while Robert was named treasurer. All reside in Dixon. Named as directors were George, Robert and Ben Shaw, Arnold V. Lund and George E. Barnes, the latter of/River Forest. George B. Shaw was also named president of the affiliated corporations in" Illinois and Iowa which publish Shaw newspapers. These posts were formerly held by his mother, Mabel S. Shaw, with Mr. Shaw acting as vicepresident. Aside from the B. F. Shaw Printing Co., and the Plaindealer, the other corporations involved in the change are the Woodstock Publishing company and the Morris Publishing company in Illinois and the News Printing company, Newton, Iowa^ the Creston Publishing company, Creston, Iowa, and the Webster City Publishing company, Webster City, Iowa. ROBERT FRISBY. JR.. VICTIM OF HIGHWAY AUTO ACCIDENT A highway auto accident COst the life of Robert Frisby, Jr., of Chicago on Rt. 68, about eleven miles east of Elgin, early Sunday morning, March 13. The 16- year-old lad was the son of the senior Robert Frisbys of Chicago and a grandson of the late Bernard .Frisby of McHenry. The accident victim was enroute home from a visit to Elgin when his car went out of control and rolled over twice and then went down an embankment. He was said to have suffered a skull fracture and died shortly after 5 a.m. in Sherman hospital. A passenger in the car, John McGrath, 16, also of Chicago, suffered bruises, cuts and shock but is( reported to be recovering. Frisby, the oldest of eight children, was a grand-nephew of Mrs. Mollie Givens, Mrs. Nellie Bacon and Miss Ann Frisby of McHenry. The body tested in a funeral home at 6150 N. Cicero avenue, Chicago, until 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, when a mass was read at Queen of All Saints church, followed by burial in St. Joseph's cemetery. SEVERAL GRASS FIRES HERALD SPRING'S ARRIVAL If anyone ia in doubt about the arrival of Spring, he heed only look at this list of grass fires, to be convinced. Last Thursday two occurred, one near the fichroeder Iron Works on Rt. %% south of the city, where burning grass spread to a light pole,' Causing damage. Later, a similar fire was reported at Lilymoor. Grass fires also occurred at Huemann's subdivision on'Friday, on Rt. 120, a .mile east of the city, on Saturday and in Cooney Heights subdivision Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. John Pufahl of Lake Geneva, Wis., attended the operi house for Martin Conway in the high school cafeteria Sunday evening . TAKES OFFICE Judge Charles H. Davis of Rockford took the oath of office Monday as the Illinois Supreme Court opened its March term. His wife, Ruth, and their seven children were present for the ceremonies. C CHURCH FILM Next Wednesday evening, Mar. 23, the Men's Fellowship of the Community Methodist church is sponsoring a film, "The Promise." INCORPORATION MEETING A meeting will be held Friday, March 18, at 8 o'clock at the McCullom Lake beachhouse for discussion regarding the incorporation of that community. Atty. William Carroll, Jr., will be present to answer questions. An election will be held April 2. Immunization Clinic Continues * The annual immunization clinic continues in the local schools, according to Mrs. Joanne Rulien, school nurse. Smallpox vaccinations only will be administered under the following schedule: St. Patrick's school, Monday, March 21, 9 to 9:30; St. Mary's -school, Tuesday, March 22, 9~lo 9:45; Junior high and kindergarten, Wednesday, March 23, 9 to 9:30; Johnsburg public school, Lakemoor and Ringwood at. Johnsburg, Thursday, Maroh 24, 9 to 9:30; Edgebrook, Friday, March 25, 9 to 9:30. Pre-school aged children may be brought to any of these clinics. A clinic for second combinations of diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus will be held at Edgebrook on Wednesday, March SO, from 9 to 9:30 and third combinations will be administered Wedensday, April 27, from 9 to 9:30 o'clock. Investigate Vandalism At Old McHenry Bridge Members of the road and bridge committee of the county board were reported to have been called Saturday night to investigate what is believed to have been vandalism at the old bridge in McHenry, where a plank had been removed. The highway department was summoned to make repairs* the following day and in the meantime the road was closed. Seek $8,000 Goal In Annual Easter Seal Campaign In County A kick-off meeting for the 1955 Easter Seal campaign by the board of directors of the McHenry county chapter of the Illinois 'Association for the Crippled ,was held at Crystal Lake last Thursday, file campaign will end syndaytA April 10< Mora than 17,000 Easter Seal appeal letters containing sheets of seals are bi&g mailed to county residents this week* "as the first step of the drive to help physically handicapped children and adults in the county. April 1, tag days will be held In McHenry, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Harvard, Hebron and Huntley. Among those participating actively in the campaign is Mary Kauss of McHenry. Thomas Cooney, president of the association find general chairman of the Easter Seal campaign, hopes that the seals distributed in the county will realize a goal of $8,000. Mrs. Eleanor Jorgensen, physical therapist at the therapy center , in Woodstock, was present at the kick-off meeting to discuss the various types of patients served, stating that the average number totals nine a day, with thirty-five active patients treated at the present time. She added that there are five half-day volunteers assisting with the work. There was a discussion of the speech clinic sponsored by the association each summer and members voted to continue with two therapists. Last year thirty children of the county completed the clinic directed by two instructors. BRUNO JUERJENS DIED AT 87 AT McHENRY HOME Bruno Juerjens, 87, a resident of McHenry for many years, died at bis home on East River road Wednesday morning, March 16, following a seven-month illness. include the - widow, tta; o&e son, Vffederlc, of Peoria, two grandsons and one granddaughter. Two sons, Walter and. Robert, preceded him in death. Mr. Juerjens was a florist by occupation and had been actively engaged in business until this past year. The body was taken to the 43#orgep Justen & Son funeral home and then removed to Peoria, where the Schiller Masonic lodge will conduct services at the Scottish Rites cathedral Saturday. No time for last rites was set by Wednesday noon. Interment will be in Springdale cemetery, Peoria. WATCH SWITCHBOARD OPERATION Present to watch the unusual task of moving fifteen switchboards into a new position at the local telephone office without interruption of service were the following: Miss RoVena Marshall, operator Peggy Tait, Miss Lillian A. Stilling, Stan Ryba, G. L. Wilburn and Russell Kelly. News About Our Servicemen Joseph J. Stoffel, fireman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Stoffel of 111 John st„ McHenry, is serving aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. The Lafte Charhplain is participating in continual tactical exercises at sea, deigned to maintain her planes and crew in readiness for combat in time of emergency. From Cpl. Gerald Wegener in Fort Meade, Md., comes the following letter: "Since I will be getting released from active duty tihis month, you may discontinue sending me the Plaindealer. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the American Legion and everyone who was responsible for my receiving the home town paper." Mr. and Mrs. Jack Laures have returned from Destin, Fla., where he has been in service. They are mpking their home for the present with Mrs. Laures' parents, the Joseph G. Huemanns. The recently discharged serviceman hopes to .resume his studies in September. Donald, son of Mr. and Mrs. Math Brown of 103 Broad street, called- at the Plaindealer office Monday morning to inform us that he was released from service on March 9 after serving sixteen months in Korea. Mr. Brown told of his gratefulness to the American Legion and the Plaindealer for sending him the weekly paper. HONORED ON PROGRAM MARTIN CONWAY GUEST ON SUNDAY"% COf. PROGRAM M Max Kolin photo The above picture was taken on th£ stage of the high school gymnasium after Martin E. Conway was honored on a "This is your Life" program during intermission of the state finals of the state Forester basketball tournament. Front row, left to right: Mrs. Martin E. Conway, Mr. Conway, and the couple's grandson, Martin Conway. Back row, left, to right: Susie Conway, Patty Conway and Kathie Conway, granddaughters. SWIMMING PROGRAM DEPENDS ON SUCCESS OF RED CROSS DRIVE • With a number of local territories still not reported, Mrs. Audrey Glosson announced on Tuesday of this week that approximately $1,600 of a local goal of $3,000 had been collected in the 1955 Red Cross drive. The campaign will continue through? out March and anyone who would still like to contribute may do so by sending a check to Red Cross, McHenry, 111. During the year, much emphasis is placed on the volunteers of the Red Cross who drive their cars, serve in the. hospitals, or make sewing kits for inductees, but little recognition is given to the hundreds of faithful volunteers, who, during the . month of March go from door to door across their communities calling fjn the; people; telling the story of the Red &ross and collecting the membership fundB which enables the work of tjie McHenry county chapter to go on. Great interest has been shown in the thirteen branches of the county by the volunteer chairmen and the hundreds of men and women enlisted to assist in achieving the goal of $27,000 necessary for this year's quota. Many veterans are aiding this year in the solicitation for membership in the Red Cross. It should be remembered that it costs $2.56 to .provide swimming lessons for each child under the Red Cross water safety program. Money for this service is derived through the annual campaign. On Tuesday of this week, county headquarters revealed that unless community quotas are met the program will not be conducted in 1955. Hold Clothing Training School For 4-H Leaders A 4-H clothing training school for 4-H home economics leaders is to be held at Woodstock Community high School March 26. The class will start at 10 a.m. in the home economics clothing room on the first floor of the school. Mrs. Clarence Seeg^rs, Marengo, and Mrs.. Paul Walkington, Ringwood, are teaching the class this year. McHenry Tops Contest Winners Accumulating 68 sweepstakes points, McHenry high school musicians topped the county and possibly the district as a result of competition in the annual district music contest, held last Saturday in Antioch. Winning a record number of blue ribbons in the instrumental division were three soloists and three ensembles. They included Barbara Eggert, string bass; Nancy Briggs, bassoon; Sue Stinespring, violin; the flute trio, violin quartet and brass quartet. With only six blue ribbon, superior ratings awarded in all vocal divisions to McHenry county students, the local school captured three, of them. They were a girls' sextet, boys' octet and Vicki Kleinhuizen, soprano. Second' place, excellent ratings, tfeht to Terry Lishamer, French horn; Kenneth Sawdo, saxophone; David,Fantus, cornet; Don Kice, tuba; Carol Schmitt, oboe; Patty Blake, flute; Diane Tonyajfc and Joan Wegener, twirlers; Virginia Audlno, clarinet; Howard Useman, James Keohane, Ann Lundborg and Nancy Swanson, vocalists; a girls' vocal sextet, two clarinet quartets, French horn quartet and woodwind trio. • Sweepstakes points gained at the solo and ensemble contest will be added to those earned at the organization contest, also to be held in Antioch, on April 2. The winning school, selected among those of all sizes, will receive a plaque. McHenry has placed second to larger district schools for the past two years. RUTH OONK IMPROVES McHenry friends who visited Mrs. Ruth Oonk at Mt. Sinai hospital, Chicago, last Saturday report that she is improving as well as can be expected so soon after her accident. Mrs. Oonk, it will be remembered, was seriously injured in an auto crash on Rt. 31, north of McHenry, about three weeks ago. She suffered a fractured vertabra and after treatment at Memorial hospital was transferred to Chicago, she will ineed to remain in the hospital for some time and no doubt would appreciate hearing from her friends. Education Meeting Speaker Stresses Present Problems Of School System Mrs. Elizabeth Nimsgern and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nimsgern and son of Waukegan spent Sun- 1 day with McHenry relatives. Willard E. Goslin, administrator of the George Peabody college for Teachers proved an interesting speaker as he talked to approximately 500 faculty members of the county at the eighth annual meeting. of the McHenry County Education association at the Woodstock high school Friday. Mr. Goslin stressed the four problems of the school system in America to be solved by the people themselves, the first being "Are there enough classroom facilities?" He continued by stating that indications point to a need for a million classrooms in America by 1965. Secondly • was the question, "Who shall teach school?" He pointed out that for twenty years the salaries of teachers have prompted those desirous of such a profession to turn to others which are more profitable. Money Problem In speaking of the third aspect, "How do w6 get the money to pay for the American school system?" he said that in spite of having the greatest wealth in the world, there are obstacles in getting money for school purposes and he blamed the tax structure of the country rather than the people. The fourth problem concerned the function of the teachers and administrators in letting members of their community know the great need for better facilities. Robert Mattix of Woodstock was elected president of the county association in the business meeting held. Delegates and alternates were also elected from the four areas to attend the Northeastern association division of the I.E.A. next fall and the annual Illinois Education association meeting in December Among local delegates were Weldon Andreas of Ringwood and Elliott Wheeland of McHenry. Alternates includ^d^ Mary Harvey and Paul R. Yanda of McHenry. An interesting musical program entertained the faculty members following the lunch hour. Memories Of Long, Useful Life Were Recalled Before 800 Pleasant memories of a life-! time of service to his community, his chosen work and family all passed before' Martin E. Conway last Sunday evening in a featured "This is Your Life" program honoring the lifelong McHenry resident It was held in the high school gymnasium during intermission in the state Forester basketball tournament. -- To organ background music of "Killarney," "River Shannon," "When You and I Were Young Maggie" and other old favorites of this American-born guest of ' honor, a son of Irish parents, life atory unfolded. The*program ifras most appropriately opened when a miniature milk wagon, complete with "horse," ipa£e its way into the gym and affgrr travelling a rather uneven course, pulled up directly in front of Mr. Conway. The latter had been brought to the basketball game on the pretext of seeing his son, Marty, lead a drum and bugl#- corps. It was only when Fred Meyer, the master of ceremonies, introduced Mr. Conway as guest of honor that the latter had any idea he was to be the center of attention, on a program which attracted a crowd of about 800. Mr. Conway was led to the stage and thereafter was unfolded events in a long life which begad with his birth oh Irish Prairie, south of McHenry, Sept. 28, 1876, the youngest child at Margaret and Martin Conway. His school days ended at the age of 10, when his father passed away and he found it necessary to take on the duties of man's work. At 17 he decided on a new venture and took a job at Charley Miller's livery stable. Hie job failed to meet expectations, however, and within a short time he decided to' go back to farm* ing, taking on duties as hired man on the Gracy farm. Organize Foresters In 189)7, Mr. Conway was one of a few local men who helped organise the Catholic Order of Foresters, which since then come to be recognized, with its more than 600 members, as one of the largest courts In the state. In 1909 he was elected chief ranger. Another highlight in his life was recalled when his wife, Josephine Buss Conway, made her appearance and recalled how on their wedding day fifty-five years ago next June, Harry Whitman's horse and surrey took the couple to St. Patrick's church, where Rev. Fr. O'Neil, performed the wedding ceremony, Mrs. George Wegener, only surviving member of the wedding party, was present, the others having been Margaret Buss, Will Conway and a friend, Bill Schmathemp. Besides , working hard and faithfully until his retirement a few years ago, Mr. Conway spent his younger days as a volunteer fiseman, fighting the flames with the old hose cart. It was recalled how on March. 30, 1906, the department of which he was a member got a real test in protecting their city when a half block in West McHenry was destroyed. In spite of the Evanson Dry Goods store, the Besley drag store* and the Ed Long saloon, plus doctors' and lawyers' offices upstairs being destroyed, the firemen fought courageously and managed to get the fire under control before visiting departments arrived on the scene. Joins Borden's It was in 1916 that he started his occupation as a milkman, a job faithfully carried out until retirement. John Pufahl of Lake Geneva, Wis., foreman at the Borden Milk company plant, now site of Ton^an Construction company, surprised Mr. Conway after a period of twenty-six years, the two men having long worked together. In 1926 he changed jobs but continued in the milk business as he started what wis to be a long period of employment with _ Riverside Dairy. Fred Ferwerda came forward at this point to offer his congratulations to those of others and to recall amusing incidents of their years in business. One of the happiest events remembered was Mr. and Mrs. Out* way's golden wedding day in 1950, when St Mary's hall was crowded to capacity with friends calling to extend best wishes. (Continued on