davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
10 Missing
AS Airliner
Lands In River

PITTSBURGH R-An airliner
carrying 2S men-23 of them GIs
homeward bound for Christmas
crash landed in the icy Mononga-
hela River last night.
This morning 10 men were still
missing. Eightesn-.four of them
crewmen-were saved, some res
cued by a human chain. The
planes wreckage was hoisted by a
crane and towed to a sandbar.
There were no bodies in it.
Walter Ketchel, superintendent of
Allegheny (Pittsburgh) county po-
lice said both escape matches of
the plane were open but the main
exit was locked.
The twin-engined DC3 chartered
airliner was en- route from the
Newark (N.J.) airport to a Colo
RADIO and two West Coast forts. 1t
pancaked into the river Is miles
south of here shortly before mid
night.
Heard BY Tower
A tower operator at ALLEGHENY
County Airport some two miles
from the crash scene - said the
pilot reported he was out of gas
and was "going to ditch"
Pilot Harold Poe, 80, of Seattle,
Wash, one of the missing, skill
fully guided the big ship to crash
landing near the shore. 1t floated
for some IS minutes, while the
men scrambled to the wings. Some
went back into the ship for their
gear.
Then the ship slipped back into
midstream - some 800 feet from
shore. 1t was an icy swim to shore
In the Is degree chill and some
OF the men apparently couldn't
make it.
The liner sank in about IL feet
of oily water.
Help Comes Quickly
Help came fast from shore. Res
cuers formed human chains to pull
the oil-soaked men up the slippery
river banks.
Motorists on the river bank
turned their lights on the scene.
spotlighting the way for the chilled
to-the-bone men.
All 1S were rushed to the Nc
Keesport Hospital. There wasn't
broken bone among them and the
hospital said the chief ailment was
exposure to the cold.
Among those reported missing
was the pilot, 33-year-old Harold
Poe, Seattle, Wash, a veteran of
the China Brma India theater
during World War II.
The public information officer at
Camp Kilmer said the plane was
bound for Ft. Carson, Colo. Fl.
Ord, Calf, and Fl. Lewis, Wash.
It was on the first leg of its trip.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Commission Meets

The city commission met We'd
nesday in private caucus with the
Utility Board, The Citizen learned
today.
The meeting was held to discuss
the possibility of obtaining a high
er payment in lieu of taxes from
the city-owned utility, but no infor-
nation on any possible decision
has been released.
City commissioners have been
critical in the past of the fact that
the City Electric Co. pays only
$50 per year to the city. They
have indicated that they will ask
for provision in projected Old
nance setting up a 4,2OO, 900 bond
program to finance needed expan-
sion, that the city receive a larger
payment in lieu of taxes.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23

touch with the most recent trends
in instruction in public speaking.
Important Course
There is an increasing tendency
to incorporate speech into the ba-
sic English program so that our
high school graduates will have the
poiSe and assurance that speech
skills foster.
Reports from the colleges of
our state have been that students
who enter college with back
ground of high school speech are
better able than those who have
not taken speech course.
''We feel that it is just as i'm
portant for those who finish their
formal education with high school
graduation to be able to meet bus
mess and social life with poise.
81 feel highly honored that out
of the many hundreds of high
schools throughout the United Sta
ties, Key West High School was
chosen to be represented at this
Continued On Page Ten)
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
The Coolest Spot

The eoldesf spot in the ma
tion today was police headqUar.
ters.
They had their air condition
ina turned on full blast.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Mrs. Stark To
Attend ndSpeech
In Ill.
Local High School
Teacher To Serve
In Demonstration

Mrs. Edgar Stark, speech teach
er at Key West High School, will
leave Sunday for Chicago, Illinois
where she will attend the annual
convention of the Speech Associa-
ton of America, December %,
20 and 80.
She will serve as one of the two
diseussants for the demonstration
on Teaching Speech in the High
School" sponsored by the Speech
Associations committee on prob
lens in the secondary school.
Mrs. Stark who has coached sew
eral Key West High School speech
students to state honors said this
morning, "The Speech Convention
offers an opportunity to keep IN
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Anh-Noise Campaign
Planned By Chamber
Policemen Repeat
Party Offer Today

As scores Of Christmas par
ties got underway today, po-
lice repeated their invitation TO
give free rides home to Key
Westers who may have one
drink TOO many.
They emphasized the fact
that most accidents occurring
during the holiday season are
the result of motorists who par.
take too literally Of Christmas
cheer.
The phone number at police
headquarters is 2-3011.
"Phone US, and we'll be right
there" police said today.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
.FloridaI Is
Warming Up
sy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Florida is gradually warming up
again after two nights of biting
frost but weathermen looked for
the cool weather to continue until
Christmas.
Light frost formed in low places
over most of the state last night
but there was no further damage
apparent to crops and fruit.
Weatherman Warren johnson at
Lakeland said the same air mass
which brought freezing tempera-
lures early this week still lowered
over the state and showed little
indication of moving.
He said the sun and moisture in
the air was gradually warming
up the state but that chilly weather
could be expected for the next
several days.
Lowest temperatures reported
last night ranged from % to "a
away from Lake Okeechobee in
the Everglades farming district.
Scattered frost was reported in the
district.
Northern and central Florida re-
ported lows of about 35 with spots
80 to 3S. Ocala and Barlow both
reported 35 degrees.
A nursery near the Broward
County line in Dade County re-
ported 80 degrees. In the keys, AL
ligator Reef light station near the
lower end of Key Largo reported
warm 50 degrees.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Sailor Injured
In Accident Here

A Navy man suffered a fractured
collar bone in an accident on Stock
Island sometime last night, The Cl-
tizen learned today.
Naval Hospital officials identified
the injured man as Duane Keasey,
2l. Keasey is stationed at the hos
pital.
The identity of six other persons
in the car, which repeatedly turn
ed over, was not known today.
They were all uninjured.
Police, up until The Citizen went
to press, had not filed a report on
the accident.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23

velopment.
The use panels recon-
mendations okaying Monroe
County airport plans were
made despite objections to
the field by National Air
lines and the Navy.
The word on the panels report
was telephoned to County Commits.
Sloner Joe Allen by Sen. George
SmatherS' office.
Panels Action
Allen said the panels recon-
nendatl0nS were:
1. That Meacham Airport be inn
proved and developed as proposed
by Monroe County.
2. That federal funds be used in
the proposed development of Mea.
cham Airport to the extent consid.
red proper by appropriate federal
agencies.
s. That county funds be used in
proposed developments of the field
to the extent deemed proper by
county officials.
The Civil Aeronautics Authority
las granted the county $13O. 900 for
improvements at Meacham Air
port.
The county now is in the process
OF selling half million dollars in
Airport revenue certificates. this
money also to be used for field
development.
Wilde Notified
Allen said that as sooa as word
was received yesterday afternoon
IRON Washington, Harold Wilde
county airport consultant, was no.
tfled to go ahead with the sale of
the certificates.
Meanwhile, architects and enoi-
neerS were completing plans for
the field Improvements.
The plans include paved and ex-
tended runways, lights for night
operations and terminal building.
A minor recommendation of the
panel, and one that may or NAV
rot be acted on, was that the east.
west runway at the field be re-
aligned to avoid possible conflict
between traffic at Meacham and
Boca Chica.
Re-Alignmenf Study
Allen said Wilde would be in.
structed to investigate the possi-
blllty of re-aligning the runway.
1T depends on Wilde's recon-
mendations," Allen added. eve
may or may not change the run
way direction"
Rear Adm. G. C. Towner, COM
mander Of the Naval Base here.
had objected to the improvements
to Meacham Field on the grounds
that the air traffic from Meacham
would interfere with Boca Chica
jet flights.
Towner forwarded his objections
to the Chief of Naval Operations
and asked that the objections be
taken up with the CAA whit the
idea of killing the $3.50, 900 federal
grant.
The Chief Of Naval Operations
turned down Towner's objections.
National Airlines also objected to
Continued On Page Ten)
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
European Students
Visit In Key West
BY JIM COBB

Spear : fishing and small
community newspapers were
the chief topics of converse
ton Wednesday when two
European Rotary Club ex-
change students dropped
into The Citizen office for
a visit.
Dutch-born Hendrick L. Leffelaar
25. and native Italian Mauro Mon
ii, "a, were the pair. They are
graduate journalism students at
the University of Georgia and are
spending the holidays here as
guest of william Van GoidStnoven,
SIG Duval ST., also a student at
the university.
Skin.Divins Fan
Monti is the one with the inter-
est in spear fishing, largely be-
cause of the fact that skin-diving
was a popular sport in Italy long
before it spread to this country,
and he was a pioneer advocate of
the pastime in his homeland. Need
less to say, Monti is pursuing his
interest in skin-diving during his
Kew West visit - despite the cold.
81 don't think it's cold" said
Monti, who halls from the north
ern Italian city of Forli.
Leffelaar has the distinction of
serving on the staff of his home
town newspaper, the Haarlem Dag
blad (in English, the HARLEM Dai-
ly), a publication which lays claim
to being the oldest in the world.
II was founded in 1857 and is rated
one of the best newspapers in Hol-
land.
Writing Thesis
Leffelaar, who is writing a thesis
for his Doctor of Philosophy de-
gree on the subject of the rural
newspaper, was especially inter-
ested in The Citizens newly ex-
panded plant.
He expressed considerable a
mazement at the size of the plant
and the news-coverage of The Ci-
tiZen.
Leffelaar sees three chief differ
snces between American and Dutch
Journalism. Newspapers in Holland,
he said, are much smaller than
Continued On Page Ten)
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Judge Promises
On
Local Perverts
But Says He Won't
COndOne Molesting
OF HOmosexuals

A full-scale breakdown on
sex perverts in Key West
was promised today by City
Judge Enrique Esquinaldo,
Jr.
But at the same time, the
Judge said that he will not
condone molesting of per-
verts.
He made that statement after
dealing out six month Jail SEN
tence to a man accused of badly
beating Casa Marina Hotel bell
boy.
The man, AL Lessard, an assist
ant cook at the Key Wester Hotel,
found guilty on counts of assault
end battery and theft, was SEN
fenced to pay $3.50 fine or serve
three months in the city jail on
each count. When he said that he
could not pay the fine, he was re-
manded to the city Jail.
Charges Propositionins
Lessard said that he struck the
beating victim, identified as Bur-
dette Fisher, because "he PROPOSE.
toned me-" The alleged indecent
proposal, he said, took place as
they were seated in Fishers car
near the Casa Marina.
But Fisher testified yesterday
that he was driving Lessard to the
Key WeSter after meeting him in
Duval st. bar when he said che
was on the lam and needed money
and car to get away"
"And then he started beating me
- he was like maniac" said
Fisher. He added that Lessard then
took his watch and the one dollar
bill that was in his wallet. Fisher
said that he then told his assailant
that he had more money in his
room in the Casa Marina, and
dashed into the lobby from where
he called police.
Left In Car
Lessard then drove off in Fish
er's car and was picked up later
in a local bar by Police 1t. W. L.
James. Lessard was wearing Fish.
cr's watch and his shirt was Spat.
tered with blood when he was ar
rested.
eff ever a case of assault and
battery was proven, this is it, "
said Judge Esquinaldo as he meted
out the sentence Wednesday.
The term is unusually severe for
city court, and was the maximum
under city law.
Judge Esquinaldo said today that
the homosexual problem "is not
too serious in Key West - and
we're not going to let it get that
way"
'The police are picking up per-
verts as soon as they spot them
and they're going to realize that
Key West is not a good hunting
ground" said Judge Esquinaldo.
Police authorities added today
that 1--WE are keeping right after
them"
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23

Key West Florida. hos the
most equoble climdte in the
country. with ON overuge
Tonge Of only IA Fahrenheit
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Federal Funds Set
For Meacha1n Work
Okay Given By Use Panel
Despite NAL Objections
BY DENIS SNEIGR

monroe County won every point in the Meacham
airport controversy and Federal funds will be forthcom-
ing shortly for Improvement of the field it was learned
today.
Inc Airport Use Panel of the Department of Com
erce came through with its report the field Yesterday
Every major recommendation in the report backed up
the county commissioners in their plans the fields de
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Cut In Street
Noises Asked
In Some areas

Edwin r. Trevor, preSl-
dent of the Key West Cham
Der of Commerce, announc-
ed today that the Chamber
will conduct a drive for re-
ducing unnecessary street
noise in Key West.
The campaign will be
purely a voluntary one.
Motorcycle and motor
scooter operators will be
the first ones invited to CO.
operate in the movement.
Letters Sent
Today letters were mailed by the
Chamber to the 900 licensed owners
of these two types of motor vehi-
cles, pointing out that improperly
muffled machines create undue
noise.
ScooterS and motorcycles, even
properly muffled, can be noisy too,
if the operators insist upon "gun-
ming the motor" while moving or
even at a standstill position.
Chamber committees have dis
cussed noise abatement problems
for long time" said Mr., Trevor,
"And it is difficult to pass or en-
force ordinances that will solve the
problem.
Difficult Task
"The police department and city
officials have been cooperative but
agree that it would be impossible
to ride herd on 900 vehicle owners
and apprehend the violators.
81 believe that a vast majority
of scooter and motorcycle owners
will cooperate and that the pro-
gram has fair chance of success, "
Mr.. Trevor concluded.
One particular neighborhood in
Key West where a number of
complaints have originated is in
the lower Simonton South Street
area. At this location are nearly
1000 rooms for tourists.
Visitors complain their sleep is
interrupted, particularly early in
the morning when a good many mo-
tor cycles and scooter owners are
on their way to work.
Route Change Asked
The Chamber letter requests cy-
clistS to use other streets en- route
downtown or operate their machin-
es in courteous manner while
travelling through this zone which
was long ago designated quiet
zone by the police department.
If the drive to effect quieter op-
Grafton of motorcycles and motor
scooter is successful, other phases
of a general noise abatement cam
paign will be attempted, accord
ing to the Chamber.
A good many Florida cities have
enforced anti-noise programs. Re-
sort cities particularly, have seen
the wisdom of such moves.
Miami Beach Rule
Miami Beach is a close example,
where even building contractors
! using heavy machinery and equip
ment are restricted from working
around-the-clock, in order that va
cationists may get their rest.
Motor vehicles can create even
more a nuisance If their operators
have no regard for others who may
be trying to rest.
The Chamber points out that in
striving to expand and progress
as tourist resort, it is necessary
that 100 per cent cooperation be
obtained from all of us who live
here to make our community a
place where tourists come be-
cause they can enjoy a quiet at
mosphere.
The Key West citizen., 1954-12-23
Lang, Roberts
Study Trash
DisposalPlan

City Manager Victor Lang and
Public Service Director Ivan Rob-
erts will journey to Coral Gables
Wednesday to investigate the pos
sible purchase of a trash chip
per-" a machine which grinds up
palm frondS, brush, coconuts and
other debris into a fine powder
valuable as fertilizer.
Lang was authorized Monday by
the city commission to investigate
and call for bids on the machine
after he reported that it is being
used with great success in other
South Florida cities.
Operation of the machine, Lang
said, will be observed next We'd
nesday in Coral Gables, Mimami
and Hollywood.
Advantages Told
Advantages of the machine, he
added, are that by grinding up de-
briS the amount that can be loaded
into the city's trash trucks is upped
three times, a saving in the a.
mount of fill needed to cover it at
the city dump is effected and it
will provide good source of fer
tilizing material for city parks, the
golf course and the cemetery.
Lang said that in the event the
city purchases the machine, the
cemetery would have priority on
the fertilizer.
He added that in other cities,
surplus material is given to resi-
dents for use on their lawns.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30

Prize fashion for a perky little
miss She'll adore the elasticized
shoulders that slip way down on
sizzling hot summer days. So
simple to sew you'll make several.
Eyelet combined with cotton is so
pretty! Remnants are ideal! Make
another in gingham.
Pattern Glib: Children's Sizes
2, 4, 6, s, 10. Size 6 takes is yards
35-inch; is yards contrast.
This z9easy-to-use pattern gives
perfect fit. Complete, illustrated
Sew Chart shows you every
step.
Send ThirtY-five cents in coins
for this pattern-add S cents for
each pattern for 1st-class mail
ing. Send to Marian Martin, care
of The Key West Citizen, No.
1856, Pattern Dept, 232 West 18th
ST., New York IL, N. Y. Print
plainly NAME. ADDRESS with
ZONE. SIZE and STYLE NUM-
Der.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30
Mrs. Bernreuter.
Great Grandson,
Mark Birthdays

Mrs. Carrie Bernreuter and little
Bobby Bernreuter had a joint birth
day party on Sunday.
Mrs. Bernreuter celebrated her
eightieth birthday and Bobby, her
great grandson, celebrated his
eighth.
The party was held at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Goldberg.
Mrs. Goldberg is a niece of Mrs.
Bernreuter.
The family and guests enjoyed a
buffet dinner, birthday cake and
ice cream.
Among those present were Mr..
and Mrs. Waldo Leon and Mrs.
Helen billiard of Miami, Mr.. and
Mrs. J. D. Bernreuter, ST., and
Mary OF, Tavernier, Mr.. and Mrs.
J. D. Bernreuter, Jr., Bert Ben
reuter- of Miami, Johnny, Bobby.
and Barbara Ann Bernreuter; Mrs.
c. L. Spring, Angela Vaughn, Mr..
and Mrs. T. Thompson and son,
Mr.. and Mrs. Jim Gunther, Mrs.
Johnny Baldwin, Mr.. and Mrs.
Harold Todd and their guests Mr..
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30

Acheson, Chapter president.
All the proceeds from this party
will be donated to the emergency
polio fund drive to be held from
August 16 to August 81.
The date for this affair has been
set for Saturday evening August 81,
and will be held in the beautiful
patio of the famous Casa Marina
resort hotel.
Tentative plans have been made
for musical program and floor
show which promises to be out
standing.
A door prize will be awarded
and another prize will 60 to lucky
winner.
Names of chairmen appointed to
head the various committees will
be announced at later date, as
well as names of the patronesseS
who will participate in making this
party one of the most successful
and outstanding events Of the
drive.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30
Wesley House BID.
Makes Plans For
Coming Year

The Institute on Program which
was recently held at Sacrritt Col
lege, Nashville, Tennessee was the
subject of discussion at the special
meeting of the Wesley Community
House Advisory Board.
The Institute on Program which
the Bureau Of Urban Work of the
Woman's Division of Christian Ser
vice of the Methodist Church, and
was directed towards the members
of the board and staff most closely
connected with the planning and
executing of the program.
Community centers throughout
the United States were represent
ed by a board and a staff person.
Those attending from the Wesley
House were Mrs. Aleida Salinero,
a member Of the board, and Miss
Ramona Hundt, kindergarten tea
cher and group worker.
Recommendations were made
concerning the newly written con-
stitution Of the Wesley House
Board, the functions of the board,
the place of the program in the
community center, and ways of de-
termining and meeting community
needs.
It was also announced that the
Wesley House will be closed
through the month of August. A
new program, based on the find
ings of the Institute, will begin in
September.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30
Local Girls accepted
By Virginia College

Miss Sylvia Margaret Fernandez,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. J. M.
Fernandez, Jr., of SO1 Virginia
Street, and Miss Edith (Ray) Win
kle, daughter of Mrs. M. M. To-
pei of 1910 Reynolds Street, are
among the seven hundred recent
graduates of secondary schools
who have already received notifi-
cation of their admission this Sept
ember to Mary Washington College
of the University of Virginia at
Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Miss Fernandez and Miss Win
kle graduated from Key West High
School last June and both were
active in school affairs.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-30
Watermelon Feast
At USO-YMCAO On
Sunday EUening

Servicemen are invited to the
USO-YMCA for a watermelon feast
on the patio at o'clock Sunday
evening. The party will be follow.
ed by the movie "City Beneath the
Sea" at 500 p. m.
Tomorrow night at 900 the Deb
onaires will play for the regular
Saturday night dance on the pa.
ito. Refreshments will be served.
door prizes awarded, and the host
esses have planned some special
"get-aquainted" dances for new ar
rivals.
Coffee and doughnuts are served
Family Style" during the Sunday
morning coffee hour" from $3.50
to 1890. This week Joyce and Vida
Thompson and Dotty Atwell will
be hostesses.
The USO has a complete listing
of churches in the city and "cha.
pei chimes" remind you when it is
time to leave for the church Of
your choice.
Dorene Clauson and Mae Kap.
Ian will be hoStesseS for the
Lucky Party" at 500 Monday
night. There are lots Of prizes for
the lucky winners!
Tuesday night is fudge cooking
time. Charlene Smith and Fran
cine johnson will be on hand to
help. Classical music hour begins
at 700 p. m.
Gene Arrow conducts the free
dancing classes at 1880 Wednesday
nights. Songs and games after.
wards.
Thursday night the Ayala Combo
plays for dancing on the patio
from 800 till 1900. Door prizes
and refreshments
Bridge, pinochle, hearts, canas.
ia, scrabble, Kalah, chess and
checkers - take your choice on
Friday night - always "Games
Choice" night at the USO.
The USO-YMCA is open from 8
in the morning until midnight sew.
en- days a week and offers all
sorts of services to servicemen.
The snack bar, open from $50
a. m. to 1880 p. m. is q popular
spot for a hamburger or soda.
All servicement stationed in the
area are cordially invited to take
advantage of the many events
planned for their entertainment.