Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Decatur County, Iowa December 02, 2015 Twice Told Tales - 75 Years Ago December 06, 1940 Surprised Sister After 37 Years’ Absence Niles White and son, Roy of Eagle Bend, MN, and his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ferry of Minneapolis, drove to Leon arriving here and were guests at the home of his sister, Mrs. Lee Pickering and family. They completely surprised Mr. and Mrs. Pickering. Mr. White, a former resident of Leon, had not been back for 37 years. A large oil painting of the new stock pavilion at the 4-H Show grounds north of Leon, the work of George Machlin, was on display in the window of the state liquor store. It was a nice piece of work. More Old Time Barbed Wire Don Akes of near Leon brought a specimen of old time barbed wire to the Journal-Reporter office that was entirely different from any of the other specimens that have seen. This wire found embedded in a tree on a farm four miles southwest of Osceola occupied by his son, Steve Akes, was a two wire twisted strand with a diamond shaped piece of metal fastened as a barb about every four inches. Wayne Ventling, 23, of Leon, was the first selective service youth to represent Decatur County. Wayne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Ventling of Leon, had been a book-keeper at the Dailey Implement Co. He volunteered for the one year of service in preference to waiting his turn to be drafted. Marriage Licenses – Joseph Bernard James and Ilean O’Brien; Howard Houck and Henrietta Idelle Welch. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nulph were the parents of a son, Larry Ray, born November 19. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Fry were the parents of a baby girl, Mary Frances. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Miller, Mount Ayr, were the parents of a six pound and two ounce daughter born November 22. Transcription by Sharon R. Becker

The Lamoni Chronicle OFFICIAL PAPER OF DECATUR COUNTY Lamoni, Iowa, Thursday, December 19, 1940, Page 1 DEBATERS TAKE SPECIAL HONORS Graceland Team Made Outstanding Record - Debated Against Four-Year College In Meet Graceland College debaters had the distinction of tieing (sic) for first place in the four-year college division as well as tieing (sic) for first place in the junior college division of the debate tournament held at the Missouri State Teachers College, Kirksville, Mo. Dick Irwin and Elbert Dempsey, negative team, and Charles Martin and David Carmichael, affirmative team, made the trip to Kirksville with Mr. Gould, debate coach. Graceland had attended this annual tournament held at the Missouri State Teachers College each year for the past several years. Prospects for a victorious season seem good with the honors that have been taken in the last two tournaments that the debate squad has participated in. At the first debate tournament which was held at Iowa University, Graceland rated in the top percentile with Elbert Dempsey being acclaimed outstanding individual speaker of the tournament. The national question for the 1940-41 season is: Resolved: That the nations of the Western Hemisphere should form a permanent union. CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN LAMONI Some people in Lamoni have the Christmas spirit and what's more it is the working kind. Monday morning someone cleaned the sidewalk in front of the Arthur Derry and Mark E. Anway homes and even cleared a path to the parking. Mrs. Derry looked out just at the work was being finished and called to the man. "What do I owe you, Mr. Ford," she asked. And Ray Ford replied, "Not a thing, Ms. Derry. I've got the Christmas spirit and just wanted to do something for you." Haden Nursery Closes Until Spring Session Mrs. Haden's nursery will close this week and will not open until the spring session. The little ones are completing their imaginary trip to Bethlehem by which they have learned the Christmas story. In addition to regular nursery school, Mrs. Haden is also conducting work in child guidance among parents during the afternoon. While away on her annual vacation this winter, Mrs. Haden will visit a number of federal and private nurseries. Hammer Fractures Arm H. R. Hammer is carrying his right arm in a sling as a result of an accident which happened last Thursday evening. He climbed on the roof the to close a ventilator, a feat he had accomplished many times, however this time he fell, fracturing his arm at the wrist. Bible School At Davis City Beginning Tuesday, December 31, at 9 a. m. William Campbell will conduct a nine weeks reading and study of the entire Bible in regular school hours five days each week with night sessions for reviews, lectures and vocal music. The course is open without tuition charge to any who desires to learn the book as it is, giving the opportunity under an experienced and competent leader. Any one desiring to be in the class can enroll now with Mr. Campbell and be on hand at the opening of the chapel of the Church of Christ. Buy Texas Grapefruit Robert Bixby, of the Hyde and Vredenburg, Inc., purchased a trailer load of grapefruit direct from the Texas valley this week. This is the first load of Texas grapefruit to be delivered to Hyde and Vredenburg and will be received this week. Mrs. John Bracken Dies After Prolonged Illness Mrs. John Bracken, who passed away on Friday, was buried on Sunday. Funeral services were held from the White Funeral Home with Rev. W. A. Draves, of Independence, Mo., as the officiating minister. Interment at Rose Hill. Mrs. Bracken had been in poor health for some time and suffered a stroke a number of days ago. CHURCH FUND IS GIVEN TO BISHOP Women's Department Turns More Than $900 To Bishop - For Church Building Fund Slightly more than $900 was the amount of money earned by the members of the women's department for the church building fund this year. The fund was turned over to the bishop at a special service on Friday. Reports made by various leaders indicated that the women had earned the money in various ways, some by sacrifice, some by surplus shops, food sales, the bazaar, election dinner, lunch room at the sale barn, exchanges, and earning dollars to turn into the fund. Contributions were made also by the Kensington Club as an organization and the Mite Society. The money raised by the vanishing luncheons and the sale of magazines is not included in this fund, as that is under the general fund. More than a hundred women were present for the special service which was held on Friday. VACATION AHEAD; STUDENTS READY Annual Vacation On December 20 and Lasts Until January 6 - Charter Buses Christmas vacations will begin on December 20 for both Graceland College and the Lamoni public schools. Work will resume again on January 6. College authorities are making special arrangements to charter buses for large groups of students who have the same destination. It is hoped that a bus to Chicago will be included in the special arrangements. The college is also arranging for party rates in order to reduce the transportation charges for the students. Graceland students will begin their vacation at noon on Friday and are expected to be back on the campus Sunday evening on January 5. Public school vacation begins on Friday at the regular closing hour. MASONS ELECT OFFICERS At the regular Masonic meeting, which was held Monday night, the following officers were elected. Gerald Turney will be the new worshipful master; Henry Allen the senior warden; Herbert Sprague the junior warden; H. W. Teale the treasurer; and Mark E. Anway the secretary.

SANTA HERE TO GIVE CHILDREN A SACK OF CANDY Saturday Afternoon Santa To Give Away Candy - Stores To Be Open Monday, Tuesday Eves. Seven hundred children were in Lamoni last Saturday to see Santa Claus and to receive a free sack of candy from him. Through special arrangements made by the Lamoni business men, Santa will again be in Lamoni next Saturday afternoon with plenty of candy for every boy and girl. All you have to do is be here at 2 o'clock and meet Santa. He will distribute the candy from the vacant lot by Dr. Shipman's home. Besides coming to Lamoni with free treats for the children, old Santa has also left many samples of his toys and holiday merchandise at the various stores in Lamoni for you to look over. Every effort has been made by Lamoni merchants to have special holiday merchandise on hand for last minute shoppers. Gifts for the home, toys, dolls, wearing apparel and hundreds of other items will make your Christmas shopping a pleasure in Lamoni when you visit the local stores. Lamoni merchants will follow the usual custom of staying open nights the week of Christmas. For your convenience all stores will be open Monday and Tuesday evenings, next week and every night this week. Special Fun Night To Be On Monday Eve. Also Since the next "Fun Night" falls on Christmas Eve the Coliseum management has announced the same show will also be shown on Monday night for the benefit of those who want to leave town for Christmas Eve. So this week only, the Fun Night show will also be offered on Monday night at 7 and 9 o'clock. Tuesday night the shows will be at the regular time, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30. This is the same both nights. LOCAL DENTISTS CONDUCT SURVEY Drs. Barrow and Shipman Complete Second Survey - Comparisons Made With Last Year This year's dental survey in the Lamoni schools has been completed by Drs. F. L. Shipman and S. C. Barrows. Four hundred and eleven school children were examined and 600 cavities were discovered, making an average of 1.46 cavities for each person. Last year 360 students were examined and a total of 528 cavities were reported, or an average of 1.44 per person. The project is being carried on in cooperation with the county dental associated and includes work done among the rural schools throughout the county as well as other town schools. Local dentists are in charge of the work in each vicinity. Increasing data assembled by Dr. Barrows and Dr. Shipman include the amount of milk in the diet of school children. Fourteen children in the age five group averaged 3.7 coups of milk a day; 25 youngsters in the six year age group averaged 2.8 cups a day; and 19 boys and girls in the 7 year age group consumed 3.1 cups of milk daily. The average for the whole school was 3.07. Eggs are also considered protective foods and it was discovered that the school average was slightly under the one egg a day ratio for the school, the exact figure being 0.99 per cent. The average number of students using cod liver oil was 185 with the peak of the load coming in the 11 and 12 age group, and it was discovered that 1.9 of the children in that group were taking cod liver oil. The average extractions needed were 0.193 and the average number of fillings were 1.52. Missing teeth averaged 0.095. This is the first time such an extensive survey has been made by the local dentists and should prove to be of valuable aid in dental education work. JACKETS DEFEAT DOWLING Graceland Yellow Jackets had little trouble in defeating the Dowling junior college of Des Moines by a score of 29-18 in a slow moving gave at Des Moines, December 10. Graceland took an early lead and held it throughout the game with the half time score 19-11 in their favor. THIS PROBLEM OF BIRTHDAYS ON CHRISTMAS Do people who have birthdays on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day receive birthday presents or Christmas gifts? It looks like they might suffer a loss one way or another by having their presents marked, Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Birthday, all in one. In case you want to check up on this problem you should contact J. C. Bergman, Mrs. Lee Baird, Mrs. George Gibson and C. E. Cunninghan whose birthdays fall on December 24. Those having birthdays on Christmas Day include Winsome Barnett, Kenneth Kinnaman, Roger Marshall and Mrs. R. A. Scott. CALLED BY BROTHER'S DEATH Mrs. Emma Giles was called to Chariton Monday by the death of her brother, Mr. Luke. Pastor D. B. Borden accompanied Mrs. Giles to Chariton and returned the same day. ANNUAL BRANCH BUSINESS TAKEN UP AT MEETING Branch Officers Elected - Supervisors For Church School Named - New Church Discussion Wednesday night the annual branch business meeting was held in the basement of the Coliseum. Regular matters of business were discussed, including the election of branch officers and church school supervisors. D. B. Borden was sustained as president of the branch and R. A. Cheville and Willard Moon as counsilers (sic). R. A. Cheville will again be director of religious education and T. A. Beck, branch treasurer. Other officers elected were Miss Mabel Carlile, director of music; Miss Nellie Newlin, librarian; Mrs. H. H. Gold, secretary-treasurer; Miss Tess Morgan, branch correspondent; and Miss Clara Allen, branch auditor. Supervisors of the church school include: Willard Moon in the adult division; Roscoe Faunce for the young people; and Mrs. D. B. Borden in the children's division. The terms of A. Neal Deaver and R. A. Cheville, as members of the building committee, had expired and they were again re-elected. M. A. Hynden was re-elected as a member of the cemetery board. A discussion of the proposed new church was held and a number of questions asked. This subject will be continued at a later meeting of the branch. At the Movies: Thurs., Fri., Dec. 19 - 20 - "ESCAPE" Saturday, Dec. 21 - "WYOMING" Tuesday, Dec., 24 - "POP ALWAYS PAYS"

Mr. and Mrs. Haas Observe Golden Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. John Haas will observe their Golden Wedding anniversary on December 21 and will be at home to their friends in the afternoon from 2 until 5 o'clock. Saturday evening a family dinner will be held in their honor at the C. E. Gibson home and special friends and guests from out of town will join with the family in observing the event Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. [Mary Ann "Mollie" (Hatcher)] Haas were married in Green (sic, should be Greene) county [IA], December 21 in 1890 and lived there until the moved to Lamoni in 1894. Since that time they have been valued citizens of this community. Mr. Haas contributed to the civic life of Lamoni by serving on the city council for a number of years. The couple have three children, Mrs. Loren [Flava] Truman, of Wray, Colo.; Mrs. C. E. [Myrtle] Gibson and Mrs. Jeannette Ivy, of Lamoni. The picture below was taken on Mr. and Mrs. Haas' wedding day 50 years ago.

For each year of married life There rings a little bell It rings shrilly at the first, But with each passing year The ringing grows more mellow Until there rings a special bell, A golden bell, to tell That fifty years have passed. A Toast - To two of the nicest people we know From all of the people they know Wishing them good luck and good cheer For many and many another year.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker

News Index   ***   Decatur County IAGenWeb