Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-18
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Rock Island Said to Be Ready to
Build Bridge Into City.
ENGINEERS BUSY ALONG RIVER
rel jed sOkOl Plans TO Have Bis
Celebration ON New Years
NiEht-MayOr Writes
Christmas Letter.


It Is probable that within the next year
new bridge will be erected over the
Missouri river in that section of South
Omaha lying between o street and the
county line. The bridge 1t is understood
will be erected by the Rock Island road
in order to bring the cattle and stock
from Iowa directly into the Union Stock
yards.
From the information that could be
CLEANED such bridge will cost in the
neighborhood Of S1.OOO,OCO.
Six or seven years ago congressional
provision for such a bridge was obtained
by Congressman David Mercer. A year
ago the permission was extended For a
while many Of the residents of South
Omaha feared that tho proposition had
| fallen through.
Engineers came and went. after doing
some little part OF the survey work. No
one seemed 20 know for whom the work
was being done. Even as It is there is
doubt whether the bridge will finally be
erected by the Stock Yards company or
the Rock Island road.
Several weeks ago engineers again In
vaded the territory, and soundings of the
river we're taken at points between o
street and the Douglas county line. Later
tree markings and stakes we're put in and
the work has been going on quietly ever
since. Property holders in the vicinity
of o street have shown interest in the
work and some heavily capitalized bust
ness men are quietly making inquiries
along the line of the proposed right-of-
way between the river and o street and
the Union Stock yards.
One real estate man yesterday spoke
confidently of the new bridge and de-
clared that the proposed crossing would
be built by the Rock Island railroad,
which now has an entry to Omaha only
by way Of Council Bluffs. The truth Of
the statement seems to be borne out by
the fact that for some weeks engineers
have been making a survey in the western
section of the city that lies between l.
street south to the territory Immediately
below the county line. This is said to
be the right-of-way for the Rock Island
railroad, which at present uses the tracks
of the Union Pacific in order to get in
and out Of Omaha The Rock Island has
shown a disposition to make extensive i'm
provements within the near future and
the proposed bridge and main line that
will affect South Omaha are looked upon
as something entirely probable.
ChiId's hank Disappears.
orville and Hazel Backus, who reside
with their mother at the residence Of
Charles Hatcher, Thirtieth and Q streets,
will not be able to bride visit from
Santa Claus because the little bank In
which they kept their pennies was taken
by a thief who is said to be Leo Gallagher,
an erstwhile boarder at the Hatcher
house.
Penny by penny the little ones had
saved up s. cents in all Childishly they
dreamed of the coveted toys that were
to be purchased with the money. Daily
they waited for Christmas and the COM
ing OF Old Santa.
Instead Gallagher is charged with hav'
| ing taken the bank and the money
Gallagher only recently was given a sus'
pended jail sentence OF fifteen days for
taking $3.50 from a restaurant in the
neighborhood OF Cudahy's plant on Thirty
third street.
Later he is said to have beaten his
board bill at the Hatcher home. Judge
Callahan has given orders that Gallagher
be brought In an made to serve the rest
of his sentence.
New Years for Tel Jed SOkOl.
Tel Jed Sokol, the local Bohemian
Turner association, is preparing for g
big celebration on New Years day. The
celebration is planned to extend from
early afternoon until late at night wher
the exercises will close with big dance
Strict orders have been issued by the
officers of the association as to the re
quirements for admission on that oc
casion. All the members. men ano
women, are required 70 pc in uniform
The girls will be given the preference OF
the program and will do their turns early
in the afternoon. The function will b
held in the Bohemian National hall.
Mayors christmas Letter.
In the interest of the poor and needy
of the city. Mayor Tranor yesterday is
sued a letter to the business men anC
public of the city generally In tn,
mayors letter emphasis is put on the fac
that there are deserving poor who do no
come under the class subject TO the dol,
of public charity. The intention OF IN,
mayor and those interested in the matte
is to render assistance to poor families
much in the same way as the Elks do
The following is the mayors letter:
To the Public: Any citizen or business
concern in the city of South Omaha VIII,
desires to donate something in the way o
a Christmas gift to the needy and poo
people OF our city, something in the wa!
of clothing, poultry or food, toys or any
thing that will help to make Christina
merry for the poor, will be received a
the city hall II any OF the parties desir
ing to contribute to this cause canno
spare the time TO deliver said presents
call the city hall by phone and we shall
send a messenger after same.
There are many people in our city o
ness man or citizen has little or no know
edge, people who are actually in neet
and are too modest to ask for aid. tt
this end, therefore, We desire 10 assist II
making all the needy and poor OF ou
city happy at this season OF the year
p. ]. TRAINOR. Mayor.
Boy Dies of Appendicitis.
Joseph stawaaz, the 5-year-old son o
Mr.. and Mrs. Kaziemerz Stawaaz. die
yesterday morning at ST. Josephs hospi
tai in Omaha, following an operation 10
appendicitis.
The young lad was taken suddenly sicl
Friday and Immediately rushed to tn
hospital where an operation was per
formed that afternoon. The funeral vii
be held today at / o'clock at the famil!
residence, Fifty-second and streets, L
st. Francis church. Interment will b.
made in the German Catholic cemetery.
Christmas at POstOffiee.