The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 13, 1999 Page: 9 of 12
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the West Public Library.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The West News - Thursday, May 13,1999
50 Years Ago
WEST, TEXAS, FRIDAY, MAY. 13, 1949
Children Today—Citizens Tomorrow
Top row, left to right: Wm. Joseph, son of Mr. and Mrs. Syl-
vester Sulak, Jr; Ernest, syn of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Kaska;
Edwin, sen of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Schuetz. Bottom row: Diane,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Uptmore; Margaret, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Robert HutyTa; Patricia Ann, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Jesse G. Harper.
Top row, left to right: Janet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E.{
Campbell; Phillis Ann/ daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmond May;
Mary Katherine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred PLsek. Bottom
row: Dorothy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Kotrla; Betty,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mashek; Beth, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. E. C. Goodman. j
4-H Girls in
Dress Revue
Last month eight senior andj
fifteen junior 4-H Club Girls
held their first dress revue.1:
There were several others who,
did not finish their dresses in
time for the revue and some who
did, but could not come because
of the weather.
Although the club was organ-
ized a tittle over a year ago, the
interest in the revue was most
gratifying, and the girls are due'
compliments on the dresses they
ni2de, which were all school j
dresses. Besides these dresses
they have five co-operator goals1
which they must complete in
order to get pins for their years
work.
Winners In the senior group
were: Pauline Blaha, Evelyn Slay
and Maurita Russell, blue rib-
bons; Bonnie McCoy, Jeanetta
McMillan and Lou Carlyn John-
son red ribbons; Betty June
Nelson and Patsy Tunmire, white
ribbons.
In the junior group were:^Val-
anne Park, Shirley Ann Crabb,
and Edith Rydel, blue ribbons;
Beth Goodman, Shirley Rydel,
Jo Ann Campbell, Peggy Sue
Bloomfield and Anna Lois Pat-
terson, red ribbons; Yvonne Wil-
lis, Nida Russell, Shelia Shields,
Monell Herring, Eulee Mae
Pomykal, Nelda Faye Tunmire
and Betty McGee, white ribbjns
Pauline Blaha was over all
winner in the senior’ group. 15 •
Shfrley Ann Crabb yfas over all
winner in the junior group;
Th8 winners of blue ribbons
will represent the West Club at
the County Dress Revue to be
held May 21 at Alta Vista School*
in Waco. >
The Club plans to continue
: their meetings during the surtvy
mer, and they ho:e next year to.
enter one or both of the other;
type dresses, which are Dressjf
and Tailored Dresses.
During the judging, a musical
program was given by Misses.:
Bernice Jezek, Helen Jo Plasefep
Virginia Cocek, and Joyce Van-
zura, students of West High.
The Club was sponsored by,
the ?-TA.
KICKED BY HORSE
Adams Langer was kicked in
the head by a horse on Tuesday j
morning while doctoring the j
animal at his farm home near!
here. Mr. Langer was un-j
conscious for some thirty min-j
i utes, but is now recovering.
Miss Shelton
Weds W. H. Lee
Miss Pauline Shelton and W.
Howard Lee III of Midland were
united in marriage by Rev. Roy
L. Crawford of West at 4 o'clock
Sunday afternoon in the home
of Mr and Mrs. Charles P. Spivey
in Waco.
Mrs Lee, a former West resi-
dent, attended local schools,
Hockaday Junior College in Dal-
las and Southern Methodist Uni-
versity. She taught speech ir.
West schools for three years and
during the war, was employed
with the F’BI in Washington,
D C. At present, she is employed •
a" a stenographer in the First}
National Bank of Midland and'
is active in Little Theatre work)
there.
Mr. l.ee is the son of the late
Mr and Mrs. W A Lee of Yaki-
ma, Wash., and is a veteran of
both world wars. He attended
Hardin-Simmons College and at
present is employed at Mid-West
Motor Co. in Midland.
* *
Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Kruse and
children spent Sunday in Clif-
ton, visiting their parents.
Gapt. M. Pazdral
Receives Gift
From Sun. School
Captain Method Pazdral re- }
ceived a pen and pencil set and j
the following letter from mem-;
bers of the West Presbyterian}
Church last Sunday morning.'
The letter follows and is self!
explanatory:
To Capt. Pazdral
Our dear friend;
In loving appreciation of you
and the long faithful and help- j
ful service you-rendered as our;
Sunday School Supt., we wish to}
express, both in word and a |
token of love our gratitude to}
you. We wish to also assure you j
that our love, very best wishes,!
and sincere prayer shall always'
be for your happiness and con-1
t.'nued usefulness. We know that;
ycur years of service as our Supt.}
Will continue to minister to*
others and the cause of Christ
through those of us whose lives
you have helped so much here.
May Ood continue to bless you
and use you.
Sincerely,
Dr. and Mrs. Robt. E.
Robinson, J F. Svacek,
Olga Svacek, Roland B
Rydel, F. M. Kelsey,
Willie B. Kelsey, Harry
and Ida Moore, Miss {
Marie Brichta, Mrs. j
Frances Malach, Jose-i
phlne Schiller, Mrs. J. A.,
Olga Pazdral,1
A. Pazdral.
Prasifka - Marek
Wed in California
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Prasifka
announce the marriage of their
ton, Method Prasifka to Miss
Georgia Marie Marek, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Marek of
Los Angeles, California on April
23 at 8 a. m. at St. Francis x
Calrini Catholic Church in Los
Angeles. Rev. Paul Joseph Kon-
oska performed the double ring
ceremony before an altar deco-
rated with white gladioli and
stock.
The bride was given in mar-
riage by her father. She wore a
dress of marquasette, inset with
lace. A sweetheart neckline in-
set with marqusette. The skirt
formed a long train. Her lace-
trimmed veil was set into a crown
of orange blossoms.
Miss Joane Mierer was maid
of honor. She was accompanied
by Jerry Marek, brother of the
bride.
Bridesmaids were Misses Con-
nie Delonti and Eileen Hall They
were accompanied by Raymond
Konvicka and Edwin Volcik.
Witnesses were Charley Pra-
sifka and Charles Delahousay.
Flower girls were Deana and
Patricia Marek, attended by Ted-
dy Watkins and Russel Cocek.
The bride carried a bouquet of
white carnations inset with a:
white orchid corsage on a white
prayer book. The bridesmaids}
and flower girls carried bouquets
of pink and white carnations.
They wore head pieces matching
their bouquets.
Tlie bride’s mother wore a grey
dress with a white Camillas cor-
sage.
An all day reception was held
at the church hall immediately
following the ceremony. Ap-
proximately 150 attended.
Among those from West to at-
tend were Vince Marek, Mr. and
Mrs. Joe Mynar, Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Hromadka and Edwin
, Volcik.
Page 9
Podsednik - Rabbe
! ..
Married at Tours
On April 26 at 8:30 a. m. in
St. Martin’s Church at Tours,
Rev. John T. Gciser united in
marriage Miss Evelyn Rabbe of
M'aco, daughter of Mrs. Paul E.
hlcLean of Houston, and Edward
F Podsednik, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Anton Podsednik of Tours.
TMe altar was beautifully
decorated with Easter lillies,
roses, and carnations at the
communion rail.
The bride, who was given in
marriage by her step-father,
wore a suit of white gaberdine
with a navy blouse and navy
and white accessories. Her cor-
sage was of orchids.
For something new she car-
ried a white linen handkerchief,
for something old, a ring, some-
thing borrowed, a stone bracelet,
something blue, blue garters.
Mrs. R. L. Stephens, sister of
the bride, was matron of Donor.
She wore a street length dress of
blue crepe. Her accessorries were
pink and navy, her corsage was
of pink carnations.
Miss Bennie Mae Podsednik,
sister of the groom, was brides-
maid. Her dress was of fuschiali
crepe made identical to that
worn by Mrs. Stephens. Her ac-
cessories were navy blue and tier
corsage was also of pink carna-
tions. She was attended by Geo.
Straten.
Mr. R. L. Stephens served as
best man.
An all day reception was held
at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Anton Podsednik in Tours, and
at night a dance was given at
the K. J. T. hall.
Out-of-town guests were: Mr.
and Mrs. Paul E. McLean of
Houston; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest
Dreyer and Mr. and Mrs. Albin
Dreyer of Coryall City; Mrs.
Clara Rabbe and children and
Mr. and Mrs. R, L. Stephens of
Waco; Mrs. Jerry Pratka ana
children of Houston; Mr. and
Mrs. Raymond Hrabal and dau-
ghter of Dallas, and Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Podsednik and son
of Palestine.
After a honeymoon trip to
Mexico and other states the
couple will make their home in
Waco.
The bride was honored with a
miscellaneous shower April 17 at
St. Martin’s parish hall Fifty
guests were present, enjoying
chicken salad, pickets, cake,
cookies, candy and coffee. The
bride-elect received many lovely
gifts.
-o-
0. E. S. ELECTS OFFICERS
Schiller,
Dr. Geo.
The following officers were
elected at a regular meeting of
the Order of Eastern Star, No.
203: Mrs. Jim Morgan, Worthy
Matron; C. B. Morgan, Worthy
Patron; Mrs. E. J. Black, As-
sociate Matron; Mrs. Boyd Eaker,
Patron; Mrs. Kittie Sanders,
Secretary; Mrs. Alma HortOn,
.Treasurer; Miss Maggie \H6rn,
JConduotoress; Mrs.- Annie Lee
Aaspcia^;
: f ' . ij
Parents Receive
Son’s Purple
Heart Decorationgi
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. GfOdbi
last week received the Purple tiet
decoration which was awarded&i
their son, Pfc. Louis J. Gajd
for wounds received in action,:
the Italian, theatre of war on fjfl
ruary 3. $f|
Pfc. Gajdosik was serio1
wounded in both legs. In his let
to his parents, which was. thetc;
first message of his injuries, '
minimized the seriousness of
wounds. A later war departm1
message revealed the truth. '(/P
Pfc. Gajdosik was a member c
the West Medical DetachnWnl,
which later was federalized and
came a contingent of the
Division. He has two brothersiln;
the services. They are Cpl. Jerry}.;
J. Gajdosik of Camp Campbell'/
Kentucky and Pvt. Rudolph A. Gaj->
dosik of C’amp White, Oregon, >4’
--o--
Sgt. Kudelka Tells
Of Injury Received
On Italian Front r
Sgt. Ernest Kudelka, 27, the^d,r,
est son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe KuiielltS
of near Ross, who was wounded ih
action in Italy on February 17, re-
cently notified his parents and
other, relatives about the extent of,
his injuries.
In the letter to his sister an\l
brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan}
Cerncsek of Dallas, he says: I got
hit in my right hip by a piece ofj
shell fragment about the size of i
silver dollar. They had to cut it out?1
at the hospital. I got hit Feb. 17 at
noon and at seven o’clock that'
night I was on the operating table.
I had quite a hole in my hip. Part
of it grew together and they arg
going to graft some skin on part of
it. I don’t know when but believd
it will be in a week or two.
"I am having the best of oare,
They really have some swell doc-
tors and nurses here. The doCtof
that works on me is from Waxali-
achie." J,
Sgt. Kudelka found his way Into
the 36th Division via the West
Medical Detachment, which h$
joined in Sept., 1940. A brother);
Cpl. Raymond, entered the service}
about the same time.
LOOKING BACK,., (Items to clip and save)
Preserving the history of West and it s residents
Robert Prikryl Is
Homeward Bound
Robert Prikryl, who has not had
a single furlough since he was. in-i
ducted into the army in February}
1941, recently wrote his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Prikryl, that he
would be home within the next few
weeks.
As a member of a medical detach-
ment, Robert has seen several
months of action in the fighting
in New Guinea. At one time he
stayed in action over two months
without a rest.
-o- *
John Smaistrla
Has Second Attack
Of Malaria
Sgt. John Smaistrla, in a letter
H to his brother, C. J. Smaistrla, says
he just recovered from a second
attack of the Malaria. Several
1 months ago when he had the first
attack of that sickness, he wrote
that this was the first time he had
been ill in his life. He was in Africa
at that time.
Sgt. Smaistrla participated In
two major battles to date. He was
in the invasion of Africa and Sicily.
He wears the two bronze stars
which indicate he is a veteran of
.two major campaigns. He also
wears the good conduct medal and
the pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon. The
latter is awarded to men who were
in the service before the outbreak
of the war.
At present Sgt. Smaistrla is with
an armored division in England.
He is the son of Mrs. Chas. Smai-
strla, Sr.
Awarded Purple Heart Decoration
Cpl. Geroge Snokhous, who re-
cently returned to duty after be-
ing in a hospital with wounds
received in action in Italy, was
awarded the Purple Heart de-
coration by the war department.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John
Snokhous of near Leroy received
the decoration from their son
Saturday.
Cpl. Snokhous, a member of
the 36th Division, entered the
army ot the age of 17 via the
Texas National Guard. He has
been overseas since March,-1943.
Another brother, Cpl. Jerry J.
Snokhous, is stationed at Camp
Barkeley, Texas.
Wounded in Action
CPL. GEORGE SNOKHOUS
i&Ji
ROBERT V. HUTYRA
A letter received from Pfc.
Robert V. Hutyra this week by
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vince
Hutyra of West, Route 1, informs
them that he has been trans-
ferred by air transport to a sta-
tion hospital in North Africa.
Pfc. Hutyra was wounded in
action on September 22 in Italy.
Mrs, Robert V. Hutyra, his wife,
was notified last Tuesday, Dec-
ember 14.
Pfc. Hutyra joined the West
Medical Detachment in Septem-
ber, 1940 and has been with them 1
for the past three years. He mar-
ried Miss Betty Macicek in No-
vember, 1942 and has- a little son,
Robert Joseph, who was bom this i
month.
Blahuta Here After 32 Months on Aleutians
OFFICER >^L
CHIEF PETTY
LIAM DEVERS, Beefy to most of US, ny Urbanovsky.
appeared in West Tuesday night.,lle
is home for a fifteen days furlough..
Beefy is the first of the West boys,;
•who saw action in Africa, Sicily And'
Italy, to come home for a visit.
*
LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER MEN
who have come home from the,
fighting fronts, he claims war Is.’hq
fun, but hell. As a pharmacist %h
the U. S. S. Elizabeth C. StantOU/a
transport ship, he saw the crueleSt
phase of the war... the wounded
men returned from the battlfe;
fronts.
DURING THE INITIAL STAG
of the "Battle of Salerpo”, wfi#
the 36th Divlslon'JdifyWJ Such an
poFlant part, lie took care of at lei
700 wounded men before they'wi
sent to the hospitals in more prMjf
tected areas. According to reports'
from his commanding officer, -Jfte
not only took care of the .wounded}
men, but helped save two other men
from dorwnlng. For this he was
commended twice by his commaj^l-
ing officer.
*
"THE BATTLE OF SALERNO”
Beefy says, "was the worse of all his
experiences." Since Italy had given
up, most of the men figured the ocj
cupation of Italy would be routine
work. The ships took the men to
within a few hundred yards of a
beautiful beach. As they advanced
toward the higher ground, they were
peppered with machine gun fire.
This did not stop the advance. The
men kept going.
BUT AS THE MEN approached
the top of the hills, the Germans,
opened up on them with the large1
guns, driving them back almost t|
the water’s edge. Men fell like flies.
It took a lot of stamina to face those
heavy guns, but the 38th had what,
It took. They faced them and ove^
powered them. $,
* \7
BEEFY WATCHED several of tl
men from the West Medical D6-,
tachment leave the ship and land|
on the beach under heavy fire.
"They were all real soldiers. If thC'1
were afraid, you certainly could no
tell it by their actions. It took a lot
of "guts" to go out on the battle-
field without a rifle or even a knife.
This is what the West Medical Per
tachment had to do. lrheir business
war caring for the wounded. They
did just that.”
SOME OF THE WEST MEN on his
ship were Pfc. Edwin Vrana, the
Barton boys from Abbott, Edmund
Kudelka and Sgt- Frank Holland.
One of the Barton boys, Vrana and
Kudelka are now prisoners of the
Germans. Sgt, Holland was a pri-
soner for six days but managed to
escape.
FIVE YOUTHS REPORTED
FOR ACTIVE DUTY WITH
NAVY MONDAY . i
The five youths who volunteered! After spending 32 months on the f Pfc Blahuta participated in the
for service with the U. S. Navy ori! Aleutian Islands, Pfc. George A. action at Dutch Harbor, Adak and
June 30 and were accepted, ended' Blahuta, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. was aj] se^ for ftiska when they
their civilian life In this.communl-' Blahuta, found the United States,; were bombed He wears the Ameri-
ty for the duration Monday morn-j anc^ especially the little town ofjcan defense ribbon with a star, the
ing when they reported for duty! a paradise. He arrived in West} Good Conduct ribbons and the Asi-
to Dallas. last week for a few days furlough. ( a^c pacj[jc ribbon with one star
Cards received from them by rel~: Pfc. Blahuta has been in the ar-
atives later this week reveal th^E'my over six years. He first joined on]
I they all have been sent to Soil Dec. 11, 1936 and re-entered the!
Diego for boot training. army on Aug. 28, 1939. As a member
These five youths are Joe of the 37th Infantry, he was shipped;
stik, Edward Smajstrla, Gedrgeiito the Aleutians in July, 1941. He
Chudej, Alois Hajdusek and Dan-
has not been at home since he re-
enlisted.
Printed as a tribute to the veterans
DEVERS,VCLYDE G.
Pfc. Clyde G. Devers, 4327 Memorial Drive, Waco, son of
rf Mrs. Allie Forrest, husband of Mary Lou Harvey, attended
'* San Marcos High. Entered Army, 1942 trained in Ft. Ben-
nlngj Ga. Served in Ireland, England, France, Belgium and
__________ a _J ^ J PI/ TXt *nl a Unn TTtvif GUotlnn V FO
«...
Jill
Ribbon with I Battle Star and Arrowhead Wounded in
France, 1944. Discharged in 1946.
LEE, DEWEY EDWIN, JR.
4 S/Sgt Dewey Edwin Lee, Jr., 1807 S. 6th St., Waco, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Dewey E, Lee, Sr., husband of Judy Darby
4 Jones, attended! Waco High. Entered Army, 1940, trained at
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, Camp McCoy, Wia. and N. Ireland.
Served in Normandy, N. France, Rhineland and C. Europe.
Awarded Purple Heart, OLC, GCM with Amer. Def. Ribbon,
EAME Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars and Victory Ribbon.
Wounded in France and Germany. Re-enlisted in 1945
LEE, DEWEY EDWIN, SR.
Pvt Dewey Edwin Lee, Sr., 1807 So. 6th St, Waco, son of
Mrs. E. F. Lee, husband of Alma Phillips, attended Meridian
and Cohoma, Texas, Schools. Entered Army, 1942, tiained
at Camp Robinson, Ark. Served in USA Discharged in 1943.
DICKENS, CHARLES LEROY
Flight Officer Charles Leroy Dickens, son of Mr. and Mrs
C. H. Dickens, 3007 Cole Ave., Waco, husband of Mary Beth
Williams, attended Waco High and Texas A&M. Entered
AAC, 1942, trained at Sheppard Field, Texas. Served in
China. Awarded Air Medal. Killed in Action in China, 1946.
DICKENSON, HOMER G.
1st Lt. Homer G. Dickenson, 1323 N. 9th St, Waco, son of
Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Dickenson, husband of Margaret E. Leon-
ard, graduate of Waco High. Entered AAF, 1942, trained in
Texas, Florida, Wash, and Kansas. Served in China. India
and Burma. Awarded DFC, Air Medal with 3 OLC, AP Rib
bon with 6 Battle Stars and Pres. Unit Cit. Discharged, 1945.
DICKENSON. CHARLES W.
1st Sgt Charles W. Dickenson, 1800 N. 12th St., Waco, son
of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Dickenson, husband of Bertha Geld-
meier, graduate of Waco High. Entered Army, 1941, trained
in N. J., Texaa and Calif. Served in Australia, New Guinea,
Netherland East Indies, Luzon and Philippines. Awarded
GCM, Amer. Def. Ribbon and AP Ribbon with 3 Bronze
Stars. Discharged in 1946.
DICKERSON, PAUL M.
S/Sgt Paul M. Dickerson, 1227 Church, Belimead, son of
Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Dickerson, husband of Lissie Grace
Reed, attended Waco High. Entered AAC, 1943, trained at
Keesler Field, Miss., Laredo, Texas, Tucson, Ariz. and Cha-
nute Field, 111. Served in ETO. Awarded DFC, Air Medal
with 4 Clusters and 6 Combat Stars. Discharged in 1945.
DICKSON, JAMES R.
2nd Lt James R. Dickson, 928 N. 10th, Waco, son of Mr. and
Mrs. J. R. Dickson, graduate of Waco High. Entered AAC,
1943, trained at Selman Field. La., Maxwell Field, Als. and
Pueblo, Colo. Discharged in 1946.
DICKSON, JOE DON, JR.
EM 3/c Joe Don Dickson, Jr., 1636 Lyle, Waco, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Joe D. Dickson, husband of Pauline Serafin, gradu-
ate of Forest Ave. Hign. Entered Navy, 1944, trained in
San Diego. Served in Pacific. Discharged in 1946.
DICKSON, G. P;;.- ^
Pfc. G.'P.TKckson, son, of Mrs. Kate Eddlemon, 818 S. 6th
St, Waco, -attended Burton High. Entered Army, 1941,
trained at Ft.1 Bliss, Texas. Served ^Australia, New Guinea
• and-Philippines. {’Awarded Purple Heart-and Silver Star.
AVounded On Luion,1944.Tfilled in action’ta.Manila, Feb. 21,
ims. Hwfc' v m - ■ w*
'■v.
J
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Knapek, Larry. The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 13, 1999, newspaper, May 13, 1999; West, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth715680/m1/9/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting West Public Library.