1931

Following a series of burglaries in the business district, the Ossian town fathers hired C. S. Dewey as night marshal at a salary of $60 a month. He patroled the town by foot from 10:00 P. M. to 8:00 A. M. every night.

Shortly after the night watchman was hired, we find the following story in the Bee; "Watchman Dewey doesn't scare! Pranksters, expecting a bit of fun at his expense, tossed a dummy from the roof of a downtown building after firing a shotgun into the air. Marshal Dewey not only captured the mannequin, but also a local businessman, who was injured in an 18 foot fall from the roof in his attempt to escape."

Later, Charles Dewey was credited with the early detection of a fire in the Scholz & Sand drug store. His prompt alerting of the fire department saved the building from serious damage.

A vagrant, quartered overnight in the city jail, inadvertently pressed the button that activates the fire siren. The hastily assembled firemen reported chat the frightened hobo was last seen "legging it" out of town. Evidently, he feared the wrath of the inconvenienced volunteers.

A home talent play, "The Tumult", was presented by the young people of the Catholic Parish under the auspices of the DeSales alumni. The following were members of the cast: Joseph McManus, Mrs. A. N. Kass, Philip Lansing, Dorothy Cole, Ilmer Hawkins, Elizabeth Powers, Wilfred Barthelme, Lucille Dessel, Francis Klein and Wilbur Peyer.

DeSales High presented a class play, "Welcome Home Jimmy", at the opera house. The members of the cast included: Victoria Funke, Herminigild Dessel, Ann Powers, lack Collins, John Hemesath, Marcel Barthelme, Evelyn Bodensteiner, Roland Peyer and Emerentina Barthelme. An interlude, "Good Fellowship", was given between acts by Lyle Holder, Bert Dessel, Wilbur Peyer and Quintin Barthelme.

The public school senior class play, "The Ghost Bird", was shown at the opera house under the direction of drama coach Mildred Raker. The actors were: Alice lee, Knut Lee, Cyril Geskin, Esther Johnson, Arthur Anderson, Billie Brown, Robert Allen, Francis Boyle, Rosalind Riveland, Magdalene Arneson, Mildred Larson and Clair Cornell.

These students received diplomas from O.H.S. in 19311 Robert Allen, Arthur Anderson, Magdalene Arneson, Billie Brown, Clair Cornell, Cyril Geskin, Esther Johnson, Mildred Larson, Alice Lee and Rosalind Riveland.

Graduates from DeSales were: Emerenda Barthelme, Evelyn Bodensteiner, Jack Collins, Herminigild Dessel, Victoria Funke, John Hemesath, Roland Peyer and Ann Powers.

Robert Allen received the highest marks awarded in the school district in examinations covering American history and literature. He represented our area in statewide competition at Des Moines.

Marie Hendrickson was Winneshiek county's spelling champion for 1931- She advanced to the spell-down in Des Moines.

Charles Tatro left some fine "early" Ohio potatoes at the Bee office. Mr. Tatro reported digging these spuds on Feb. 23. The editor notes that this winter has been the mildest within his memory.