Lee, Donna Lynch, Joseph McManus, Delhert Witt and Marie Wolfe.

De Sales graduates were: Jeanette Beer, Elmer Hawkins, George Hemesath, Helen Schroeder and Marie Wiltgen.

The ninth annual alumni banquet was held at the Wiltgen hotel with 55 members and guests in attendance. Cleo Cahill served as the toastmaster. Impromptu talks were given by Mrs. Ruth Grace, Mrs. H. J. Mayer and Glen Oyloe. The following officers were elected to serve during the coming year: Hartvick Knudsvig, president Hazel Nicholson, vice president; and Mrs. Gerda Gilbert, sec'y and treas.

The public school teachers were all re-elected for the coming year. Mrs. Ruth Grace later resigned her position and was replaced by Mrs. Emma Bushman.

Per capita tax paid by the average taxpayer in Ossian for the year was $27.90. The state census lists 842 residents—a decline from 858 in 1920. Military township's population dropped only six residents in the five years—from 1601 to 1595.

A. C. Heck passed away in March. He was a barber by trade, but expanded his activities to the positions of newspaper editor, postmaster, mayor, justice of the peace and a prominent member of the Democratic party.

Grovdahl Bros, grocery store offered these specials on their opening day: salmon—17¢; com flakes—15¢ ; large can peaches—19¢; large can apricots—21¢; and a dozen clothes pins free to every customer.

Many of the town's merchants were advertising bargains for Christmas. F. A. Figge: overcoats—$15.85; men's suits—$14.75; Florsheim shoes—$7-95, R. B. Jones: hosiery—$1; ladies gloves—$1; Glover shirts—$1.75; handbags—$1.75, Fleischer & Helwig; end tables—$3.75; smoker sets—$1.50; mirrors—$1.25; floor lamps—$10. Etteldorf's: pajamas—$1.50; belts—50¢; slippers—$1.25; handkerchiefs—10¢. L. Bernatz: apples—$1.90 a basket; Baldwins—$6 a bbl. and Christmas trees—25¢ .

THE FIRST AND LAST RADIO BROADCAST

It was the fascination of early radio among the people of Ossian that gave rise to the biggest hoax ever perpetrated in the community. This prank was conceived by the fertile imagination of Ford dealer, Henry Dessel. It took place shortly after Decorah's enterprising merchant, Ben Bear, installed broadcasting station KDCA, the first in northeastern Iowa.

A common practice, during the genesis of early transmissions, was to invite musical groups within the area to entertain on the air. The Ossian high school orchestra participated in this role with a Sunday afternoon appearance on KDCA. Much excitement was generated among the residents—especially those whose children were members of the musical group. Citizens, fortunate enough to own receivers, invited friends and neighbors into their homes to witness the memorable event. Requests for musical selections were phoned to the station, read on the air and honored by the orchestra.

One of Ossian's more colorful citizens, at this time, was an old-time fiddler named Happy Knight (a pseudonym adopted for this story). Happy, like Jimmy Buller, the fiddler who accompanied John Porter's dancing guests in pioneer days, fancied himself an accomplished musician. Indeed, who can witness to the contrary, since he could proudly display an award for placing second in an old-time fiddling competition at the Winneshiek county fair.

During the week following the triumphant performance of the high school's orchestra, Happy made disparaging comments to Mr. Dessel on the quality of the entertainment, hinting that his own musical renditions were much more professional. Following this conversation, Henry's thoughts turned to Happy's inflated opinion of his musical expertise, and plans to exploit this vanity slowly evolved. By Sunday the plot was complete. He revealed his plan to several co-conspirators, including, we believe, his brothers, Andrew and Leo, Greg Figge, telegrapher Glare Gilbert and the telephone operator.

Happy was invited to bring his violin to the Dessel garage and participate in a broadcast over station WOC, Davenport, via telephone. WOC was Iowa's earliest