davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
Boys Regain
Lost Mother
For Christmas
Nightly Prayers
Have Been Said
For Her Return

SHENANDOAH, Iowa R-Four
young brothers, motherless for five
ChriStmaseS, today had reason to
believe in Santa Claus and in
prayer.
They were reunited early today
with their mother, who disap-
peared five years ago.
The mother, now Mrs. Elsie
Rhoades Hill, flew here from New
York with her husband in answer
to her sons prayers.
The boys, their grandmother
says, have prayed nightly for her
return.
"Tl never 60 away again." Mrs.
Hill promised the boys as they
ran up to be hugged and kissed.
Mrs. Hill and her mother cried
for several minutes after their air
port reunion.
"Oh, mother, I am so sorry"
Mrs. Hill said.
Everything is forgiven" Mrs.
Hills mother replied.
Sees News Story
1t was just 13 hours after Mrs.
Hill, %, walked into the offices
of the New York Post yesterday
that she had arrived home to meet
her sons and parents.
She said she had read a Shen-
andoah story in the Post that her
eldest son, Mike Rhoades, had
cried for her every Christmas, and
wanted.
Mike, now 10, was only when
the plump, blonde woman left here
in 1949 to attend a dance at Sheri-
dan, Mo. She never returned.
Two of the boys, David, 8, and
Richard, s, remember her less
distinctly. The youngest, Robert,
S, was two months old when she
disappeared.
The boys have been living with
their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Woods, since their mother
left.
Believes In Santa
"Sure l believe in Santa Claus, y"
declared Mike. 1--WE asked him
every year to bring my mother
back for Christmas. I'm thrilled
to pieces"
The children'S father was killed
in an auto accident Aug. 2, 1949.
About a month later their mother
vanished.
Mrs. Hill went to Chicago where
she met her present husband, Da-
vid, "a. They were married last
year and moved to New York
where she worked as a waitress
and he as a chef.
Il never meant to be separated
from my babies" Mrs. Hill said.
Troubles can pile up on a per-
son and you can't think straight. "
She said that each year away she
became more afraid and ashamed
to 60 home"
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
Hello Girls
ReallyHave
Xmas Spirit
Needy Family Is
Helped All Year
By Bell Operators

During these Christmas holidays,
everyone is filled with love and
service for others. Consequently,
it's reasonable to assume that the
voice with a smile," which per-
Sonifies service has a heart full of
love, too.
This is not only reasonable to
assume but it is a fact.
Everyone knows about the "voice
with smile" which will help Key
Westers perfect their Christmas
day by talking with loved ones off
of this wonderful L,3nd of ours.
$ Now it is evident tiat a heart
goes with these voices.
Needs Learned
This heart love is not restricted
to holiday spirit. About a year ago,
the Key West operators heard a
bout needy family.
They went by and met a boy, a
girl and their grandmother. 1t was
love at first sight. The girl was
handicapped by a speech impedi-
ment caused by swollen tonSils and
adenoids which should have been
removed years ago, but because
the family lacked funds, it had not
been done.
The girls went to work.
A local doctor aided them. The
operation was Immediately per-
formed with success at a mini
mum of expense which the girls
raised money to provide.
Frequently the girls drop by and
take the children out for a movie
or soda.
Holidays Marked
Easter time was a bright time for
this family with bunnies and as
sorted chocolates and candies.
Thanksgiving baskets were fill
ed not only with canned goods.
fresh vegetables and turkey, but
with sacrifice and love.
1t gave the local family some
thing to be really thankful for.
Now it is Christmas time with
the girls taking up the role of San
ia Claus with food baskets and
gifts for the entire family.
So, tomorrow, when Key West
ers will be making 1000 phone
calls to their loved ones, they
needn't feel sorry for these opera
tors. These young ladies are very
rich.
How better could these words of
Jesus Christ, whose birthday the
Christian world is celebrating be
fulfilled: HE, who is greatest a.
mong you shall be your servant:
whoever exalts himself will be
humble and whoever humbles him
self will be exalted"
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
Convention Of Jeboub5
Witnesses Begins Today

The Southeast circuit as
sembly of the Jehovah's Wit
nesses will get under way
at 5 this afternoon when
the local police will provide
an escort for a motorcade to
advertise the main lecture
docs God Really Care?" at
8 p. m. Sunday at Wickers
Stadium.
The lecturer will be A. Catan-
FARO of Brooklyn, N. Y. Catan-
zaro is southeastern servant and
coordinator for the religious sect.
Program Announced
The official program for the en-
tire assembly is as follows:
Friday, December "a, 7 p. M,
songs led by F. Davis; 700, We'll
come by w. G. Shawver, West
Palm Beach, circuit coordinatOr;
7:15 7:45, Theocratic ministry
school conducted by Shawver, in
Guiding student talks by w. Lyt-
ton, and N. Ward and discourse
by P. L. Talarico.
The circuit analysis will be pre-
sented by Catanzaro at 7:45 follow
ed by songs.
A training session for minister
ial work will begin at sos with
Catanzaro speaking on The Impor-
tance of the Training Program.
Other phases of the program will
be discussed by Shawver, P. Rug
gieS and E. A. Hauschildt.
The Friday night session will end
at $50 with announcements and
songs.
On December Is at 900 a. m,
G. Feaster will speak on Skilled
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24

A. A. Harris is chairman at a
public meeting at 800 p. m. when
Catanzaro will deliver his feature
address.
After announcements and inter-
mission set for a p. m. J. Brunn
will give the summary of 1.-The
WatchtoWer" at 4::30.
At 500, Shawver speaks on Be-
come a Skilled Preacher of the
Word, followed by Catanzaro's fin
al talk on Continue in the Things
You Learned.
The Assembly ends at 6 pm.
with concluding announcements
and song.
According to ]. A. Payette, Je-
hOvah's Witness publicity director,
the purpose of the assembly is to
"recreate in the minds and hearts
of all people of good will the need
for Bible instruction and knowledge
of Jehovah's purpose at this time"
Many Assemblies
"Within the past six months,
Payette said, cover 400, 900 people.
have attended Jehovah's Witness
assemblies representing persons of
nearly all faiths.
THAT there can be peace and
harmony now in this confused
world has been demonstrated time
ard again within the past year
and a half, especially at Yankee
Stadium in New York last summer
when 10000 people from So lands
worshipped in complete peace.
when love of God and neigh
bor is the motivating factor in the
lives of people there can be no
ether result"
The activities of the Watchtower
Bible and Tract society with head
quarters IN Brooklyn, ~ Y. are
International in scope with branch
offices in 81 countries.
The Watchtower magazine, Off
cial organ of the society is now
published in 40 languages through
cut the world and has a circuIa-
ton of 2 million copies each BIZ
monthly issue.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24

BRIGHT CHRISTMAS FOR BRIGHT EYED LITTLE GIRL
Baby Dolores Dgdier nspects early Christmas gift at
Mr. and Mrs Abelardo Disgdieri Last
Christmas the little gaucoma victim couldn't see her presents
plight brought the attention of Key Westers
by story The Citizen enough money contributed to
take the little girl to New York where eminent surgeon
performed delicate operation that has restored her sight Her
parents grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Rodriguez
credit The Citizen with making this the brightest Christmas
Dolores and familYCiizen Staff Photo. Don
pindex.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24

plenty of tricycleS for the three
wheelers." Only a few want wa
CONS.
One forehanded youngster ask
ed for sled because he might be
up North sometime where there Is
snow.
One Bad Child
Nearly all of them informed San
ia that they had been good, but
one youngsters admitted that ne
had been 'half-good" and another.
perhaps more honest than some OF
the others, added that she had been
bad.
A majority send their love to
Mrs. Santa and asked Santa to re-
member the poor children. One
youngster went even further and
asked Santa to be sure to visit all
the children in Key West.
All the letters were sent to the
North Pole by special plane and all
the moppets have to do now is %
climb into bed early, close their
eyes and go to sleep.
And tomorrow morning, when
they bounce out of bed, they will
find that the jolly old elf has left
their presents under the Christmas
tree.
They're Pretty Busy
But if he doesn't bring every
thing they asked for, it isn't be-
cause he doesn't want to, but be-
cause with all the children in the
world, his elves and brownies just
can't keep up with all the orders.
And because Santa and his help
erS know that no one would want
to know on Christmas morning that
some other child didn't get any
Christmas from Santa, and If ne
doesn't bring something they have
asked for, they'll know that he had
to take it to some little child that
wouldn't have had any Christmas
without it.
Santa knows, too, that while he is
a very important part of Christ
mas, we are celebrating the birth
of our Lord Jesus Christ and that
He never wanted anything for Him
self - but only to make others
happy.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24

More than 200 of these letters
have been sent in care of The
Citizens Special Mail Box this
year.
Most of the children told Santa
that he will find all manner of
refreshments, from CokeS and
cookies to hot chocolate and coffee
waiting for him.
He had better be sure to bring
plenty of 'Prince Valiant" swords
and shields which seem to have
replaced the traditional cowboy and
Indian suits in popularity.
The more mechanically mind
cd young men still want erector
sets - the bigger the better. A
few future scientists, both boys and
girls, have asked for chemistry
sets.
Walking Dolls
The girls, as usual want dolls
but specify that they must be
walking dolls" The girls also like
the miniature appliances such as
washing machines, stoves and re-
frigeratorS. One asked Santa to
bring her little sister a set of
brooms so she could help her mo-
ther keep the house clean.
II Santa grants the wishes of the
older boys and girls, he'll come
laden with shiny new bikes and
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24

AS usual, railroads, air.
lines, bus companies and au-
tomobile associations expect
a big last-minute rush of
people waiting to go back
home again for Christmas.
All public transportation
lines have scheduled extra
equipment.
One disappointed grandfather
likely will be Presid ent Ei-
SenhOWer.
No Grandchildren
His grandchildren won't be able
to be with him and Mrs. Eisen-
hover, who are spending the holi-
days In Augusta Ga. The grand
children are at Ft. Leavenworth,
Kan. with their parents, Maj. and
Mrs. John Eisenhower.
However, Mrs. Eisenhower's
mother Mrs. John S. Doud, of Den
yer, and a number of friends and
associates will spend Christmas at
the Little White House.
Hlghlights of other Christmas OBJ
servances:
Hot Springs, Ark.-A candlelight
procession down a mountainsida
will be followed by the oath an.
nual pageant in a natural amphi-
theater. Five thousand spectators
are due.
Bell Ringers In Boston
Boston-Two groups of bell ring
erS will tour Beacon Hill. They will
ring Christmas carols on English
hand bells cast in Whitechapel
Foundry, London, where the Lib
erty Bell was made. This event
was originated some Is years ago
by Mrs. Arthur A Shurcliff. One
group taking part this year will be
made up of her grandchildren.
Sun Valley, Idaho-Several hum
dred skiers will race down Dollar
Mountain on Christmas Eve in a
spectacular torchlight procession.
Elkhart, Ind.-A thousand church
choir members ioin in the second
years Parade of Carolers through
the heart of the city. The carolers.
clad In old-time costumes, also
travel by bus to sing at homes of
sEut-ins.
Syracuse, N. Y. Onondaga
County Masons are staging night
ly this week in downtown Clinton
Square a pageant depicting the
birth of Christ.
Carville Celebration
Carville, Lathe 325 leprosv
patients at the Public Health Sery-
ices Hospital will put on their an
nual nativity play, to be followed
By various religious services.
Bethlehem, PA huge lighted
cross has been erected atop South
Mountain at the edge of the city.
Thousands of visitors have come
to the city nightly to see it, az
well as other elaborate decorations
in the city.
Rodanthe, N. C.-Seafaring folk
on the Outer Banks, an Atlantic
barrier reef, have their celebra-
ton on Old Christmas or Epip-
hany, Jan. 6. Just before then Old
Bull, villager wearing papier
mache head of a bull, goes
grounding believing to the chill
dren they had better be good for
Christmas.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
NOCitizen
Tomorrow

Because IL is the policy Of
The Key West Citizen to give
its employees Christmas Day TO
spend with their families, we
will not publish . paper tomor.
row.
The next issue OF The Citizen
will appear on Monday, Dec.
ember n.
A Merry Christmas TO you all
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
9 DIE ON HIGHWAY

Speeding automobiles claimed at
lease nine lives in Florida yester-
day. At least seven other persons
were badly hurt.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
Children Prepare To
Give Santa Something
Bv SUE JONES

The younger set will uphold Key Vests traditional
"Southernmost" hospitality when Santa comes to visit
them tonight the letters the youngsters have been writ
ING to the good saint are any criterion
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
ROBBED IN "FoREsT"

KOBBE ed IN "fOREST"
SAN FERNANDO, Calf. Up -
A customer" led Christmas tree
dealer o. R. Sneed back among
his forest" of trees, then pro-
duced pistol and robbed him of
his holiday receipts-S615.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-24
U.S.. Scene Is Marked Again
By The Warmth OF Christmas
Transportation Facilities
Are Crowded By Home-goers
BY The Associated Press

In song and story, and in the warmth of the heart,
Christmas has come again.
AS in bygone years. the occasion will be observed in
many ways - the carols, the brilliant decorations the
sparkling trees exchange of gifts the warm handshake
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

ible. They remain in position on
the tree from 8 to years.
The cones that bear the seed and
those that bear the pollen are sep
arate but are to be found on the
same tree. Two years are required
for the maturing of the cones
which are erect the first year and
turn downward the second. The
cones bearing seeds are from la
to 21s inches long and, when ma
ture, about as wide as they are
long. The seeds are shed from
September through october and
weigh about 81, 1000 to the pound.
They are distributed by the wind
and may germinate from 20 to so
percent. The seedlings bear 6 to
Z cotyledons and by the end of the
first year after termination may
be over 1 inch high.
The wood of the Red Pine is
light and hard and about 40 per
cent as strong as white oak. 1t
weighs 30.9 pounds per cubic foot,
is close-grained and pale red.
Red pine is valuable as timber
tree and as an ornamental. Its
timber has been used for piles,
masts and in general heavy con-
struction. The bark has been used
in the tanning of yeather.
Normally, the Red Pine ranges
from Nova Scotia through Quebec
and south through Pennsylvania
and Minnesota in northeastern
United States. 1t may grow ir
pure stands at which time the
! trunks are tall and straight ans
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

waps the winner. II is sensible to
call this tree the Red Pine because
of the flaky orange-red bark of the
young trees. In spite of this, it is
known far and wide also as Nor
way Pine although it is a native
American species. Some say early
explorers took it for Norway
Spruce. Others offer the explana-
ton that large stands of the tree
were to be found near Norway,
Maine. In this latter case, one
wonders whether it is not as likely
that the village was named after
the tree rather than the tree after
the village. II was apparently in
troduced to the British Isles in
1856.
The Red Pine may grow to a
height of $50 feet, according to
some authorities, but more con-
servative students set the limit al
100 feet with a trunk diameter of
8 feet. Unusual trees have been
known to have a trunk diameter
of 5 feet. Red Pine is a beautiful,
clean-looking tree at all times of
the year. Each years growth may
be identified by a falsewhorl of
branches such as may be found
also in the White Pine.
The needles of the Red Pine are
in rs though sometimes they may
appear in 3s in areas attacked by
insects. Normally there are rela-
lively few insect and fungous pests
in trees grown in the open. The
needles are from 4 to 6 inches
long, clean dark green and fiex-
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

The Smyrna Fire company's So
iciting campaign started on Mon
day, January Is, and will continue
through this week and during the
next three or four weeks. This
campaign was decided upon rather
than having the expense and work
of home-talent performance with
the risk of making little or no
money.
One of the most delightful social
events ever given by an organiza-
ton of Asbury Church was the
Fellowship Dinner given by the
Mems Bible Glass last evening
when about one hundred anc
thirty-five members attended
dinner prepared by a committee
of ladies from the Mite Society.
General discussion is taking
place regarding whether the State
Highway Department should make
the North East Boulevard, the new
road around Wilmington, to the
Penny Hill road, a dual highway
or a fourlane road.
Mrs. Edward S. Dwight, presi
dent of the Twentieth Century
Club of Smyrna, and Miss Bertha
Hoffecker, are attending the forty
fifth anniversary luncheon and en-
tertainment of the Wilmington
Century Club today.
Miss Elizabeth Kendall of East
vile, Va, was the guest last weel
of Mrs. Margaret w. Grimm. Mrs
Grimm entertained at dinner Wed
nesday evening at her home il
honor of her guest.
Mr.. and Mrs. v. Wallace Elter
ich, Sr., spent Sunday with theil
son, V Wallace Elterich and Mrs
Elterich at Rehoboth.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles w. Biting
and daughter of Stonehurst, spen
Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs. Waite
Ford and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence ]. Pyl,
of Wilmington, were visitors Of
Sunday of Mr.. and Mrs. Georg
Carter at Cedar Brook Farm.
Miss J. Agnes Cummins is visit
ing her sister, Mrs. Charles B. Nc
Michael at her home in Philadel
phia.
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

The Smyrna Town Council met
in regular session last Friday ev-
ening with all present except Pres
ident Robinson. There was some
exchange of opinions regarding the
affairs of the town that were of
vital Importance to the general
public. One of these was the pres
ent condition of the Opera House
and the necessity of providing
more and better exits for the safe
ty of the people in case of an out
break of fire.
Yesterday was the day appoint
ed for the annual meetings of the
stockholders of our two National
Banks and the reports of the con-
dition of these two honored Smyr-
ma institutions was gratifying to
all concerned. The only change in
The personnel of directors was at
the National Bank where Mr..
Samuel M. Taylor of Kenton was
elected director in place of Mr..
John Cosgriff of this town.
Announcement has been made of
the engagement of Miss Alma
Frances Groves of Wilmington,
daughter of School Superintendent
James III. Groves, formerly of this
town, TO the Rev. Charles Howell
Goodman, pastor of st. Paul's M.
Z. Church of Middletownk, N. Y.
Mrs. L o. Waller, Mrs. John
Farrell and DR.. William Mitchell
of Philadelphia, were summoned to
Smyrna Friday by the sudden ILL
ness of Mr.. Edward Farrell who
suffered a stroke of paralysis early
that morning.
Miss Dora Wilds of Dover was q
guest of Miss Bertha Smithers last
Thursday and Friday.
Miss Rebecca Bailey left Mon.
day enroute for San Joe, Cali.
fornia, where she will spend the
winter.
Mrs. H s. Foster of Philadel.
pfia, is visiting her sister, Mrs
George M. Stevenson.
Herman Sevil and James Kelly
have gone to Florida for the win.
ter. They sailed from New York
yesterday.
Mr.. H. T. Stats of Townsend
has been awarded the contract tc
build the new building in Middle.
town for Mrs. Kate Naudain or
North Broad street.
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

things of genuine beauty as well
as of great value to the forester.
Grown separately, the tree quickly
develops stout lateral roots which
give good wind resistance.
The National Wildlife Fedora
tion through its stamp program
and through other activities en-
deavors to develop in the public an
understanding of how useful trees
like the Red Pine may best be
handled to continue their useful
ness.
E. Laurence Palmer
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14
Serving in Korea

Pvt. George E. Mannering, %,
whose wife, Patricia, lives on
Route 2, Middleneck Road, Middle
town, Del, is serving with the oath
Infantry Division in Korea. The
oath Infantry originally landed in
Korea during July 1850 and spent
10 months in combat before going
to Japan for security duty. 1t re-
turned to Korea shortly before the
cease fire. Private Mannering, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. John Mannering,
Townsend, Del, is a rifieman in
Company G of the 34th Regiment.
He entered the Army in May 1853
and arrived overseas last Novem-
ber.
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

Most farm visitors look at the
mail box to check the name of the
owner, so make sure your box is
that the name is easy to read.
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14
SMYRNA DOINGS
OF SO YEARS AGO
getes of Marriages, Deaths
and Matters of Interest
of Half Century Ago
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

Taken from our old files of
corresponding week, as near
date of this issue as possible
Fifty Years Ago. This column,
now a regular feature of the
Times. viii call to mind people
and events of the older genera
ton.
Smyrna times., 1954-01-14

Every child born into the world
is a new thought of God, an ever
fresh and radiant possibility
Kate Douglas Wiggin.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-05-04
1896 VOTERS APPEAR
Continued from Page One)

Continued from Page One)
delayed by rain. He took off later
in the morning by plane for Starke.
Rain Slows Voting
Rain in other parts of Florida al.
so slowed the early morning vote.
In Dade County and Miami, the
Associated Press reported voting
from slow to brisk. The weather
was good and Carl Holmer, Jr.,
Dade County supervisor of regis
tration, stuck to his prediction that
ITS, 900 to 100, 600 persons will vote
in that county.
Some 100000 persons are ex.
pected to vote throughout the state
before the polls close at p. m.
today.
Slow At Lakeland
In Lakeland's seven precincts,
only 2,464 voters had visited the
polls by IL a. m.
Two years ago, 4,120 persons had
voted by noon. That county is using
voting machines for the first time
and some officials thought timid-
ity over using the machines might
be slowing the vote.
But voting was heavy at Orlando
where referendum on a multi
million dollar city improvement
bond issue has heightened interest.