The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 20

PAGES TODAY. THE DECATUR REVIEW Tuesday, June 13, 1950. Streets Blocked After Rainstorm; Power Affected Shower In One Hour; Towns Without Electricity Decatur was darkened and flooded by an hour-long storm this morning. City street crews and Illinois Power Co. workmen were busy most of the morning undoing the damages done by the storm, which combined rain, and lightning flashes with wind and hail.

About one and one-half inches of rainfall was recorded during the storm which reached its peak between 8 and 9 a. m. Black clouds made the city almost as dark as night. RESIDENTS of the east section of Decatur and residents of seven towns east and south of here were without electricity for 27 minutes, according to Ralph Williams, area service manager of the Illinois Power Co. He said lightning struck a line which feeds the East Decatur substation, which in turn feeds eastern Decatur and the following towns: Mount Zion, Elwin, Dalton City, Long Creek, Hervey City, Lake City, La Place.

The line also feeds the ArcherDaniels-Midland Co. and Spencer Kellogg Co. plants, east of Decatur. These two plants were without electricity for about one hour and 35 minutes, until full repairs had been made on the line, Mr. Williams said.

Another report of damage came from Oakley where lightning struck the Church of the Brethren parsonage. Slight damage was caused to insulation and the kitchen and basement of the house were filled with smoke. The Cerro Gordo fire department answered a call to the parsonage. but firemen reported that there was no fire. Decatur streets filled and overflowed quickly in many places and street crews answered several emergency calls.

The catchbasins at Jasper and Wood streets became clogged and water nearly flooded basements of stores in the area before men from the street department opened up a manhole to allow the water to drain into sewage mains. CREWS ALSO drained the Jasper street and Condit street viaducts, which were flooded by the downpour. A foot of water was standing in Hotel Orlando basement after the storm, according to Jack Powers, owner. He said it was the first time in the history of the hotel that the basement had been flooded. One Illinois Terminal train, bound for Decatur, was stopped by a flooded subway in Maroa, a railroad spokesman said.

The train was sent back to Clinton. The spokesman said the subway was cleared later this morning and that other trains during the day would run on schedule. NO REPORTS of crop damage were received this morning at the Macon County farm bureau office. "This rain should be very helpful, not only to the corn and soybeans, but also to the young clover," Walter W. McLaughlin, Citizens Nationfarm service department manager, commented.

"It will also help to bring the weeds up and give farmers a chance to kill them." Mr. McLaughlin said that the rain was welcome around Heyworth, Wapella, and east of Hammond, where it had been very dry. The Municipal airport reported that the highest winds registered there this morning were blowing at a 35 mile an hour rate. George N. Brenner, Wagner Employe, Dies George N.

Brenner, 54, a Wagner Malleable Iron Co. moulder for the past 22 years, died at 6:45 a. m. today in St. Mary's hospital.

Mr. Brenner, who lived at 3911 East Logan street, was in failing health for the past 10 years, and seriously ill for the past four weeks. He was the son of the lat Michael and Sarah Brenner and was born in 1896. Mokena, near Joliet, March 17, He came 1928 from Joliet. He leaves his wife, the former Cecelia Roan, one daughter, Mrs.

Irene Lockwood and one granddaughter. Mr. Brenner was a member of the Central Christian church. His funeral will be 10 a. m.

Friday at the J. J. Moran Sons funeral home where friends may call after 7 p. m. Wednesday.

Burial will be at Graceland cemetery. ASK SETTLEMENT Approval of a $3.300 compromise settlement of a claim for the death of Gottleib Teike is asked in a petition filed in county court by Martha Koslofski, executor. The claim is against E. Meier, whose car hit Mr. Teike on Dec.

4 in the 1000 block East Condit street. HARNESS RECOVERED Some harness stolen from John Chenoweth of near Shady Rest has been recovered, Sheriff A. C. Ammann said today. Three boys from 10 to 14 years, who were implicated in the theft, were not arrested.

HEAVY RAIN FLOODS CITY STREETS A Crosley automobile, parked on West William street in front of the Masonic Temple, was Cars found the going difficult in the 2100 block East Prairie street this morning. Water filled the street and overflowed onto Fall Through Skylight Fatal To Hollenbeck Samuel A. "Monk" Hollenbeck, 54, of East Main street, died last night in a fall through a skylight on the United Automotive Electric Co. roof which he had crossed to visit a friend. The garage is at East Main street.

Mr. Hollenbeck's apartment is on the second floor and its back door opens on the garage roof. The apartment of Harold- Karl, the friend, also opens onto the roof. POLICE AND firemen called to the scene were told that Mr. Karl had given Mr.

Hollenbeck a lantern to use for night fishing. Mr. Hollenbeck cleaned the lantern and took it across the roof to show his friend. On the way back SAMUEL A. HOLLENBECK he apparently stumbled over the low ledge of the skylight and fell about 20 feet to the concrete garage floor below.

Authorities blamed the darkness for the accident. The lantern did not have any fuel in it and was not lit. Mrs. Hollenbeck found her husband's body. She told police she had heard a crash and, believing that Mr.

Hollenbeck had dropped the lantern, she looked out. Her investigation disclosed the broken skylight. POLICE SAID the skylight was made of heavy glass with a mesh inside. They said they were surprised that it did not hold Mr. Hollenbeck's weight, Mr.

Hollenbeck's head was crushed in the fall. He was taken St. Mary's hospital in a Dawson Wikoff ambulance and was pronounced dead there. The accident happened about 9:15 p. m.

The dead man was an elevator operator in Hotel Orlando His wife operates a switchboard there. He was born March 22, 1896, in Bruce, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hollenbeck. He married Leona Fry in Hot Springs, on April 13, 1945.

BESIDES HIS wife, he leaves a son, J. C. Hollenbeck of Allenville; three sisters, Mrs. Leafy Allgood of Sullivan, Mrs. Frank Hood of Chicago and Mrs.

Irvin Jeffers of Iron River, one brother, Harry of Chicago, and two grandchildren. The body is in the Brintlinger funeral home. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon Wednesday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. There will be an inI quest.

Standard Oil Officials Visit Offices Here The president of the Standard Oil company and the vice president in charge of sales visited the company's offices here today. A. W. Peake, the president, and R. F.

Baity flew here from Chicago this morning despite poor flying weather. Mr. Peake, speaking to a group of about 120 employes, said that all Standard Oil employes have the same objective: "To make a profit and to provide jobs and other benefits for ourselves and others." Today was the first time that the president of the Standard Oil Co. ever has visited Decatur. Mr.

Pe Peake termed the trip "just a Mr. Peake became president of the company in 1946. He said he had been with it for 20 years and was connected with a subdivision for 10 years before that. His first job with Standard Oil was as a roustabout on one of the company's oil wells. Mr.

Baity, formerly assistant general manager of the company, also spoke briefly to the assembled employes. Following their visit to the company offices at 101 West Cerro Gordo street, Mr. Peake and Mr. Baity went to the bulk plant at 400 East Cerro Gordo street. They left early this afternoon to return to Chicago.

Davis Heads Legion Post Gene Davis, now senior vicecommander of the Castle Williams American Legion post, last night was elected post commander, succeeding L. T. O'Laughlin who holds the position until the state Legion convention. Other officers elected were Clay Peck, senior vice-commander; Fred Walker, junior vice-commander; H. J.

Bruhn, finance officer. Mr. O'Laughlin pointed out all new officers were World War II veterans, making this the second year when the post elected no first World War veterans. At last night's meeting only nominations were supposed to have been submitted, but since only one man was nominated for each post, those nominated became elected. Installation of officers will be immediately following the convention Sept.

8-11 in Chicago. City Receives Bus Route Proposals Two alternate routes were submitted to the traffic department today by Clarence Beyer for a bus route to carry patrons proposed parking lot in the block South Main street to the downtown area. But Lt. William Kitch, busy this morning with traffic problems brought on by the sudden rainstorm and an "origin and destination" traffic survey meeting, had not found time to look at them yet, he said. Mr.

Beyer's plan is to submit the two alternates, if approved by the traffic department, and his original 10-stop route on Franklin, North, North Church and West and South Main streets, with a letter to the Illinois Commerce commission asking what action he can expect when he requests I. C. C. approval. Maroa Man Reported 'Resting Comfortably' Jesse Mathews of Maroa was reported as "resting comfortably" in the Decatur and Macon County hospital this morning.

Mr. Mathews suffered a broken leg, cut eye and facial cuts Saturday night in a fight with Alfred Brunella, also of Maroa. Deputy sheriffs said Mr. Mathews was struck with a baseball bat wielded by Mr. Brunella's child.

ASKS PROBATION John Furry pleaded guilty today circuit court to a charge of burglary and made application for probation. He was named in three indictments charged with burglaries of the Spaulding tavern, the cafe and the Dooley service station. Helm 'Y' GLEE CLUB The Decatur Y. M. C.

A. glee club suspended its practise sessions for the summer last night, according to Dudley Davidson, club president. Practises will be resumed the first Monday night in September. STANDARD OIL PRESIDENT IN DECATUR Standard Oil Co. President Decatur today to visit the local the company.

R. D. Sharp, DeA. W. Peake, second from left, offices and bulk plant.

His visit catur, assistant general is greeted by Robert Lee, man- was the first by a Standard Oil ager, is at right. ager of the Decatur division of president to Decatur. At left is the company. was in R. F.

Baity, vice president of (Pfile Photo) MISSES ALARM WILLARD ARCHIE HOLCOMB Capt. Holcomb Found Dead At Firehouse Fire Captain Willard Archie Holcomb, 52, was found dead in bed at the No. 4 firehouse early today when he failed to get up to answer a still alarm at 4:45 a. m. Coroner Harold Brintlinger said Mr.

Holcomb, who lives at 533 East Condit street, apparently suffered an acute heart attack. The coroner said he had a severe attack last October and had been off work until February or March but was apparently in good health when he retired last night. No. 4 firehouse is at Jasper and Locust streets. Captain Holcomb, who Fire Chief Ira Leech describes as a "good fireman," had just completed 25 years with the Decatur fire department June 1.

He had been appointed captain July 1, 1944, with permanent appointment the next year. Captain Holcomb was born Nov. 2, 1897 in Lynnville, the son of the late Ora and Lenora Barber Holcomb. He lived in Lynnville but a short time, coming to Decatur when he was a boy. He leaves one son, Dean, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs.

Pearl Putnam, Decatur; James Holcomb, Panama Canal Zone; Mrs. Blanche Screeton, Peoria; Mrs. Edna Doolen, Decatur: Mrs. Lillian Davis, Chicago; Harvey Holcomb. Peoria; Mrs.

Olive Overman, Decatur; Mrs. Irene Voyles, Decatur; Oren Holcomb, Peoria. He was a member of the Grace Methodist church and belonged to local 505, International Association of Firefighters. Funeral, which members of the Decatur fire department will attend in a body, will be at 3 p. m.

Friday at J. J. Moran Sons funeral home. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.

m. Wednesday. Street Topping Blocks Streets Asphalt streets have to be blocked off if rain starts within about five hours after resurfacing. Lyle Kirby, street commissioner, said today in answer to complaints about blocking part of West Main street over the week end. If the asphalt gets wet before it is set, it rises to the surface over the crushed gravel.

Then if cars drive on it the asphalt not only gets on the cars but is scattered on streets all over town. Then the resurfacing has to be done over. West Main street from Haworth avenue to Edward street was closed Friday night and all day Saturday. Some Like It Objection to the blocking off of West Main street from Edward street to Haworth avenue Friday night and Saturday because of rain on new asphalt was not unanimous, Lyle Kirby, street commissioner, found. "Mr.

Kirby, that is the first good night's sleep I have had in years," one woman said. St. Teresa Booster Club Plans Meeting Booster club at St. Teresa high school will have a business meeting at 7:30 p. m.

Thursday in the school. New officers will preside and a farewell party will follow for Rev. William Hamilton, chaplain, who will leave Friday for Maryville, Ill. He has been with the school nine years. Friends and alumni are invited to attend.

New officers are: President-Joseph Riggs Vice president -E. A. Carlier Secretary-Mrs. E. J.

Martin Treasurer-Mrs. Al Niemann. Two Persons Injured Near Forsyth Improve The conditions of two persons, injured in a traffic accident on route 51 at the Forsyth black top intersection Saturday, were reported as "good" today by Decatur ar Macon County hospital attendants. The two are Mrs. Blanche Ainsworth, 44, of Taylorville, and Mrs.

Daisy Marie Gilbert, 48, her sisterin-law, of Chicago. Two other persons, injured less seriously in the accident, have been released from the hospital. They are Mrs. Mary Lihosit, 46, and Donna Marie Gilbert, 15, both of Chicago. Petition Asks Strict Zoning Enforcement George Johns, Credit Bureau Manager, To Be 'Cover Boy' Business Week magazine will carry an article and picture of George P.

Johns, general manager of the Credit Bureau of Decatur, in its June 17 Johns is expected to be elected president of the Associated Credit Bureaus of America, at the 36th annual International Consumer Credit Conference in Cincinnati this week. He has been vice president of the organization for the last Mr. is also dean of the yearns credit bureau collection managers institute held every July at the University of Illinois. Mr. Johns has been with the local credit bureau since 1939.

Labor Agrees To Terms Of Old Contract Workers in the building trades will receive no pay increase this year. The A. F. of L. Hod Carriers Common Laborers union voted last night to "hold the line" and sign a new contract with the Decatur Contractors association.

More than 150 members of the union gathered at the Labor Temple last night to give unanimous approva! to a "no raise" recommendation presented by union business agent Harry Meisenhelter. "Somebody has to hold still sometime." Mr. Meisenhelter said. 'We figure we will be ahead to accept the old terms and be sure of continued employment." However, the contract will be signed with the understanding that if any building trades union does accept a raise a similar increase will be given to common agent said. Mr.

Meisenhelter said today that the agreement with the contractors would be signed soon, perhaps this week. Common laborers in the Decatur area now receive per hour. Artist-Pastor Talks Tonight The man who designed the crosses, candlesticks, candelabra. and vases for the new St. Paul's Lutheran church here will speak at dedication services tonight in the church.

He is Adalbert R. Kretzmann, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church of St. Luke of Chicago, and a student and lecturer on church art and architecture. Rev. Mr.

Kretzmann will speak on "Where God Speaks to Man." The services begin at 7:30 p. m. Dedication services began at the church on Sunday and they will continue each evening this week through Frday. There will be a different speaker at each service. the Milwaukee Play Leader a Talks Here This Week Dorothy Endris, former recreation director of Milwaukee, will speak to the 60 summer staff members of the recreation department at their annual playground institute Thursday and Friday at Mueller recreation center.

Miss Endris had been with the Milwaukee department 30 years. The annual two-day training meeting precedes the opening of the summer recreation program next Monday. Its purpose is to afford summer staff members a brush-up opportunity and to introduce them to new ideas, Recreation Supt. Russell J. Foval said.

Immediately following Friday's session, playground leaders and their famlies will have a picnic at Fairview park. Pipe Unloaded For Oak Grove Mains Oak Grove water moved a step nearer yesterday as the Sangamo Construction Co. appeared on the scene to unload pipe at the waterworks, where the long main that will carry water to the new addition in the northwest corner of the city will be started. The Rees Construction Co. started digging water main trenches in the Oak Grove section last week.

The line the Sangamo company will lay is the longest in the water service extension program. It extends three miles from the waterworks to Oak Grove. Stewart Co. Corset Expert at Institute Mrs. Louise O'Donnell of the Stewart Dry Goods Co.

is attending the school of corsetry held by the H. W. Gossard at the LaSalle hotel in Chicago. The four-day institute features classes in basic anatomy, current fashion trends and modern merchandising technique. Strict enforcement of Macon county zoning regulations is urged in a petition of 10 homeowners in Oak Ridge Point, Brooks addition, presented today to the county board of supervisors.

The petitioners, apparently concerned over a reported move to obtain a referendum at the November election on a proposal to abolish zoning, ask the board not to submit the question to a vote. The petitioners also state their opposition to issuing hardship building permits for construction of homes closer together than the general restrictions, contending that this is unnecessary in the area. nearly submerged by morning's heavy rain. Several persons were able to move this their cars before they flooded out, but others not so fortunate. (Kileen the boulevards.

Street depart- downpour in several sections of ment workmen reported that the city. even though street drains were open, they couldn't handle the (Herald Review photo) to-From' Survey to Start Local, State Officials Meet Today on Plans Census takers will start knocking on the door of every eighth house about July 1 and asking residents where they drove the day before. That is about the time the city "origin and destination" traffic survey will start here, J. G. Harrington, engineer highway research for the Paris district, estimated.

Six engineers and officials from the Paris office, the state traffic division in Springfield and the federal Bureau of Public Roads met today with representatives of local planning groups to describe and discuss the survey. STATIONS to stop cars and ask drivers where they came from and where they are going will be set up at various times at each of the 20 entrances to Decatur. Making 16-hour checks at 12 of the entrances and 24-hour checks at the eight main routes into the city will take about a month, Mr. Harrington estimated. The survey of houses within the city, although less noticeable to the public, will bring out the most significant data.

It will show where city streets are needed by showing the flow of traffic to and from each section of the city. For this purpose the city has been divided into about 100 districts. J. C. HOSTETLER, who represented the city plan commission at the meeting, said he would be especially interested in the movement of traffic along Garfield avenue.

Extension of Garfield avenue at both ends to make, an east-west thoroughfare through the city is one of the main points in the present city plan. Garfield avenue now dead-ends at North Monroe street on the west and North Woodford street on the east. Ways of handling certain types of cross-town traffic should be developed from the survey, Mr. Hostetler said. THE SOLUTION to traffic problems is to keep dispersing by removing obstacles to traffic flow, he said, citing the city's experience with North Monroe street as an example.

The street now carries 500 times as much traffic as it did before the subway was built under the Wa- were were photo) bash railroad tracks and the street was widened and resurfaced, he said. Henry Bolz. representing the Association of Commerce, said the survey also should help to avoid mistakes. He cited the subway on Condit street under the Illinois Central railroad tracks. The survey also may emphasize the need for more parking facilities, Mr.

Bolz suggested. He added that perhaps the parking problem is another example of misplaced emphasis. "We have spent more time on parking a few airplanes than we have on problem of parking thousands of cars," he commented. FRANK HOUSKA, state engineer of traffic studies from Springfield, said the survey probably can be adjusted without making a complete resurvey for such things as new factories coming into a town. The survey will be studied with results of traffic counts that have been taken here in the past year.

The Federal Bureau of Public Roads and the state will share the cost of the survey. Federal representatives at the meeting today were S. F. Coffman, and planning staff officer the Chicago office, program, and H. G.

Tipton, highway engineer from the Springfield district were: OTHERS at the meeting were: N. E. Sprague, assistant district engineer, Paris; G. H. Zimmerman, assistant state engineer of traffic studies, Springfield; Mayor James A.

Hedrick; John M. Weir, city engineer; Lyle Kirby, city commissioner of streets; Police Chief W. Glenn Kerwin; Traffic Lt. William Kitch; J. W.

Ross, engineer for the county highway department. Decatur Firms Low On State School Job Two Decatur firms are the apparent low bidders on contracts for alterations and repairs to the girls cottage and annex at the Lincoln State School and Colony, it was reported today by the state Division of Architecture and Engineering. The J. L. Simmons bid for construction work is $31,770, and the S.

E. McDaniel bid for plumbing and heating is $8,950. Board Allows $4,311.15 in Fees Before adjourning its June session at noon today, the Macon county board of supervisors allowed $4,311.15 in fees of members for committee work since the last meeting. Harry H. Seitz, Decatur township assistant supervisor, led the list in amount received, filing claims for $230.85.

Other members with claims exceeding $100 are: Webber Borchers, John A. Carr, Roscoe W. Graves, Harry Jackson, $102; B. F. Johnson, $19 90; Grafton Mason, Pete Mattchen, William R.

Mattson, Harry B. Munch, John I. Pasold, Cecil Pistorious, George Raney, S. D. Rainey, T.

A. Roche, William C. Spent, George E. Truebe, F. P.

Williams, T. A. Brinkoetter, $139.40. Supervisor Good Heads Sanitation Committee Supervisor R. E.

Good of Hickory Point township is chairman of a new sanitation committee created by the county board of supervisors today. Other members appointed by C. A. Baker, county board chairman, are William R. Mattson and George R.

Truebe, both Decatur township assistant supervisors. The new committee will cooperate with representatives of other civic bodies and groups in seeking to improve sanitary conditions in suburban areas. The supervisors also made several changes in their rules. Tavern Tax Upped Licenses for taverns licensed by the county board of supervisors were boosted from $400 to $500 annually today by the board. The licenses are payable in advance of July 1.

One Registration Day For November Election There will be only one day for registration of voters in Macon county precincts for the November election, the county board of supervisors ruled today. Registration day was set on Oct. 10 and the precinct polling places will be open from 6 a. m. to 9 p.

m. One registrar and two deputy registrars were appointed to serve in each precinct. They will receive $7.50 each. The board also selected precinct election judges and clerks for the November election. County Board Okays Farm Home Show The Macon county Farm Home Show association was designated today by the country board of supervisors to receive aid from the state of Illinois, through the state department of Agriculture, for the sion of 4-H clubs and future farmers club work and farm and home exhibits.

The Farm Home show in Big Creek park will be on July 26, 27 and 28 this year. Church 'Story Hour' Plans to Be Discussed Hetty Evans, a national worker in the children's division of the Baptist Convention. will meet tonight at 7:30 in the First Christian church with representatives from about 15 Decatur churches. Miss Evans will work with the church representatives in planning for the interdenominational "story hour" program, scheduled for August. The story hour will be only for children not attending church school.

Such children in each area will meet once a week in the home of a volunteer hostess and trained story tellers will entertain them. At the end of the five-weeks' program, each child will be taken to the church of his choice. Many of Decatur's churches participated in a similar program last year. Miss Evans also will be on hand July 20-27 to conduct a study course for the story hour leaders and for church school teachers. TOASTMASTERS MEETING Walter Glosser will be toastmaster and Rudy Dennis, topicmaster, at the Toastmasters club meeting at 6 p.

m. tomorrow at the Surrey restaurant, Orville Roderick, publicity director, said today. Speakers will be Harry Stewart, Arnold Luther, Leslie Harder, Fred Tratzik and Paul Swarm. Marcell Painter will be evaluator..