NEWS: Items from the Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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Items from the ALTOONA MIRROR, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 1

CONDITION OF INJURED YOUTH REPORTED FAIR

  The condition of Herbert Fries of 3718 Sixth avenue, who was severely injured 
yesterday morning in the automobile accident at Cross Keys which claimed the 
life of Thomas J. Pfiester, aged 24, of 915 Twenty-seventh street, is reported 
to be fair at Mercy hospital today.  X-ray reports on the possible pelvic 
fractures he suffered are not yet available.
  Meanwhile plans have been completed for the Pfiester funeral on Monday 
morning.  Military honors will be accorded the young man, a veteran of World war 
II in the naval aviation branch, by the local unit of the naval reserve.  
Friends will be received at the N. A. Stevens mortuary after 7 o'clock this 
evening.
  He served for a period of 15 months aboard a carrier in the Atlantic and 
Mediterranean areas and was discharged with the rank of lieutenant junior grade.

TYRONE VETERAN NAMED TO ACT AS POSTMASTER

  Eugene C. Grazier of 1450 Blair avenue, a World war II veteran, has been named 
acting postmaster of Tyrone, effective Aug. 1.  This was announced today by 
Postmaster John D. Cox, who has received his official notice of retirement, 
effective July 31.
  Mr. Grazier will fill the vacancy until the position is filled by the civil 
service commission through competitive examinations of the field of nine 
applicants for the permanent appointment as postmaster.
  Although Mr. Cox is past the compulsory retirement age of 70 years he was 
allowed 15 years' service as postmaster under the law.  On July 31 he will turn 
the office over to postal inspectors who will formally transfer it to the acting 
postmaster.
  Mr. Grazier was born April 18, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Grezier 
[sic] of 1450 Blair avenue, Tyrone.  He was educated in St. Matthew's parochial 
school and the Tyrone High school.  He enlisted in the marine corps in April, 
1943, and was discharged June 1, 1946.  He has since been employed at the Tyrone 
plant of the West Virginia Pulp & Paper company.
  The new traveling postal service [continued, page 12:] between Altoona and Oil 
City, which includes Tyrone, was instituted yesterday morning, with the truck 
stopping at Tyrone at 6.30 o'clock.  The mobile unit made a return stop at the 
same hour last evening and the service will be daily except Sunday.  The large 
truck, similar in design to a bus, is painted white and equipped with folding 
mail racks.  It carries one driver and a postal worker.
  Miss Beatrice M. Cochrane, Democratic chairman of Blair county, said the 
appointment of Mr. Grazier as acting postmaster at Tyrone was confirmed 
yesterday by United States Senator Francis Myers and Vince C. Burke, first 
assistant postmaster general.
  The county chairman also announced the appointment of Attorney Robert W. 
Anthony of Altoona as treasurer of the Democratic committee for Blair county as 
successor to Dr. P. S. Healy.

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 4

YOUR ALTOONA HIGH SCHOOL - YESTERDAY AND TODAY
The War-Time Class

  The 67th class to graduate from Altoona High - the class of 1944 - was 
composed of 796 members, 100 of whom had left the school before the term ended 
to enlist in the armed forces during World war II.
  The officers of the class of 1944 included Robert Pennington as president, 
Jack DeArmitt as vice-president, Doris Reed as secretary and Joan P. Mallory as 
treasurer.
  The Maroon and White bid for an undefeated football season that year came to 
an end at Mansion park when a powerful Windber team gave Altoona its only 
setback of the season, 21-7.  Of the eight scheduled games they played a 
checkmate game with Westinghouse, 0-0, and rolled over Conemaugh, Latrobe, 
Greensburg, Lewistown, Donora and Braddock.  The annual "A" blanket award for 
excellence in football was presented to Remo Moffa.
  The 1944 basketball team reached the district playoffs but fell in a hard 
battle to Franklin, 29-25.  The record for that year stands at 18 wins and two 
defeats in a 20-game interscholastic schedule.  The squad, of which Frank Moore 
was the only holdover from 1943, chalked up a string of 14 consecutive 
victories.  Ray Hoffman was head coach.
  Summing up the position of the class in society, Dr. Harry L. Kriner, 
superintendent of schools, explained in the 1944 Horseshoe: ". . . Your class of 
1944 is certain to have great significance to all members of society.  Possibly 
it is difficult for you to appreciate the fact that your are graduating from 
high school in one of the most crucial years in history. . . .  You can 
rightfully feel proud of your contributions to the victory march because your 
faithful work in the class room as students and of the conscientious 
contributions made in the many community war activities."  He concluded by 
praising the class of the "patriotic zeal" they displayed and added that the 
class was deserving of the most sincere congratulations.

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 12

ALTOONAN KILLED BY PHILADELPHIA TROLLEY

  Donald D. Pendleton, aged 46, of 1815 Fifteenth avenue was killed Wednesday 
night when struck by a trolley car in Philadelphia where he had been working in 
a restaurant.  The accident occurred in the trolley company yard at Upper Darby 
and the man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Delaware County hospital.
  He was born March 18, 1902, in Bellefonte, a son of Levi and Tamazine 
(Williams) Pendleton.  Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Barbara (Bolyar) Pendleton; 
one son and two daughters, Donald, jr., Gladyse and Mahulda, all at home in 
Altoona, and the following brothers and sisters: Thomas of Atlantic City, N.J., 
William and Mrs. Maud Orbison of Altoona, Harold of State College, Mrs. 
Marguerite Watson and Mrs. Louise Glover of Philadelphia.
  Friends may call at the Lafferty funeral home after 9 o'clock tomorrow 
morning.

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 13

SCOTTISH RITE CLUB ELECTS AT EVERETT MEET

EVERETT, July 2. - Carl T. Whetstone of Everett was elected president of the 
Bedford-Huntingdon Scottish Rite club of the Harrisburg consistory, A.A.S.R., 
32nd degree, Wednesday evening at the annual Ladies' night program in the 
Everett High school.
  Other officers named were: Vice presidents, Oran E. Turner of Bedford, Percy 
G. Foor of Everett, William F. Parks of Saxton, Charles N. Snyder of Huntingdon, 
Roy M. Krepps of Mount Union and Benjamin F. Potts of Robertsdale; secretary, 
Charles E. Williams of Saxton, and treasurer, Joseph W. Stewart of Everett.  
Paul Maxwell of Mount Union, 32nd degree, is the retiring president.
  It was announced by President Maxwell that William Banks, retiring secretary, 
would receive the 33rd degree in Masonry this September in Boston.  Governor 
Thomas S. Dewey is slated to receive a similar degree at the same ceremony.
  Included among the honored guests at the Ladies' night program of the club 
were the following officers of the Harrisburg consistory: Commander-in-chief, 
James D. Hayes, 33rd degree; first lieutenant commander, Ashby B. Paul, 33rd, 
who later served as master of ceremonies; treasurer, Ernest Keyes, 33rd; J. 
Everett Morgan, 33rd, thrice potent master; Herbert T. Senseman, 33rd, past most 
wise master; and Earl S. Shaeffer, 33rd, most wise master.  Their ladies also 
were presented at the same time.
  Following a brief address by Commander-in-chief Hayes on the work and 
activities of the organization, an entertainment program was presented with the 
master of ceremonies in charge.  The program included the appearance of Betty 
Haydn in an acrobatic dance; Bart, one of the first cartoonists in television; 
Ruth Day, xylophonist; Bobbie Brooks, character actress and singer, and Arno, 
the magician.
  Retiring officers of the Bedford-Huntingdon club introduced by the president 
included: Treasurer, Stewart Kurtz of Huntingdon; secretary, William Banks of 
Huntingdon; vice presidents, Lloyd H. Hinkle of Bedford, Carl T. Whetstone of 
Everett, Charles E. William of Saxton and Charles Huston of Mount Union.  Arand 
Kelley of Huntingdon and John B. Harnish of Robertsdale, who are also officers, 
were unable to attend the meetings.

ARM IS LACERATED
  
  Davis Amos, aged 5, of Hagerstown, Md., visiting at the home of his 
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. McNelly of 873 Twentieth street, was admitted 
to Mercy hospital last evening suffering from a laceration of the left arm 
received in reaching through a broken window for a ball.  Six sutures were 
required to close the wound.

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 17

ELDEST OF 3 NAVY BROTHERS RETIRES ON 20-YEAR RECORD
JAMES GEORGE SANTILENA [photo]
 
  Its' a satisfying feeling to be exempt from the draft because of 20 years' 
active and continuous service with the United States navy.
  At least that's the feeling of James George Santilena of Altoona, aviation 
chief machinist mate, who has just retired from the United States navy.  The 
only draft he will be exposed to will come in the door when he opens it to take 
his pension check out of the mail box once each month for the remainder of his 
life.
  Jim is the eldest of three brothers who decided some years ago to make the 
navy their careers.  Being the oldest in the family doesn't mean he is an old 
man.  To be retired at the ripe old age of 39 with a monthly income for life is 
not to be sneezed at.
  Jim's plans for the future are not known at this time, but the field of work 
or private business is wide open as he may hold any job or go into any business 
for himself and still expect the postman to ring twice every two months.
  His career started in Pittsburgh, Nov. 26, 1927, when he enlisted in the navy 
as an apprentice seaman.  After recruit training he saw service in Norfolk, Va., 
Pensacola, Fla., aboard the cruiser Chester; with torpedo squadron 2 on the 
U.S.S. Lexington, and wound up his career at Quonset Point, R.I., with 20 years 
and six months of service.
  Two brothers, Louis John, aged 27, an aviation machinist mate first class, and 
Anthony Joseph, aged 33, aviation chief machinist mate, are following Jim's 
footsteps to full retirement at an early age.
  Louis is stationed at the naval air station, San Diego, Calif., and Tony is 
recruiter in charge, navy recruiting branch station, Lewistown.
  All of the brothers enjoyed the distinction of serving aboard the Lexington.  
Anthony and Louis survived the 1942 sinking of the carrier.
  Jim has returned to the home of his father, Napoleon Santilena of 503 Crawford 
avenue.

Altoona Mirror, July 2, 1948, page 28

VISIT RELATIVES HERE.

  William E. Barnhart of Watervillet, N.Y., formerly of Altoona, and his son, 
William E. Barnhart, jr., of Washington, D.C., were here recently to attend the 
50th anniversary of Hiram lodge, F. & A.M., of which the former's father, the 
late John Barnhart, was a charter member and former chaplain.  While here Mr. 
Barnhart and his son visited the former's sister, Mrs. Alice Dorries and his 
brother, John C. Barnhart of 1805 First avenue.

PENNSY EMPLOYE COMPLETES 50 YEARS' SERVICE

Shown above as he received the gold button emblematic of 50 years' service with 
the Pennsylvania railroad is Yardmaster Clarence G. Houseman.  Pinning the 
emblem to his lapel is Middle Division Superintendent H. G. Hostetter.  Others 
in the group (left to right) are M. F. Mikusinski, Clerk James L. Kelly and 
(extreme right) Freight Trainmaster J. K. McConnell.  The presentation was made 
at the division offices yesterday.

MD YARDMASTER RECEIVES PRR GOLD BUTTON

  Clarence G. Houseman of 2628 Quail avenue, Hileman Heights, yardmaster on the 
Middle division, Pennsylvania railroad, received the gold emblem in recognition 
of 50 years' service with the company at a special ceremony at the division 
offices yesterday afternoon.
  Harry G. Hostetter, division superintendent, presented the gold button to 
Yardmaster Houseman while Freight Trainmaster J. K. McConnell, Assistant Freight 
Trainmaster M. F. Mikusinski and Clerk James L. Kelly looked on.
  In congratulating Mr. Houseman on his outstanding service record, 
Superintendent Hostetter recalled that Mr. Houseman entered the company's 
service June 1, 1898, as a division messenger boy when he was sonly 14 years of 
age.  He became a division clerk April 1, 1901, a car tracer Dec. 24, 1901, 
assistant yardmaster Jan. 1, 1916, and yardmaster Jan. 14, 1928.  He was born 
May 25, 1883.
  Mr. Houseman is the father of two children, Kenneth H. and Jack D. Houseman of 
Altoona.  There are also two step-children, Curtis C. Wright of Altoona and Mrs. 
Gerald Butler of Greensburg.
  He is also well known as a local pigeon fancier and has owned birds which won 
prizes all over the United States.
  Mr. Houseman said that in his 50 years with the railroad the developments 
which have impressed him most have been the tremendous improvements in 
locomotives and the increased emphasis placed on safety programs by the company.

"Y" SECRETARY
WILLIAM G. GREEN [photo]
Green Family Back Safely in Alaska

  William G. (Billie) Green, son of Dr. and Mrs. W. A. Green of 2722 Fifth 
avenue, has returned to his post of duty in the Armed Forces Y.M.C.A. in 
Fairbanks, Alaska, after spending two weeks visiting with his parents and local 
friends.
  He has been located in Fairbanks since January, coming back to the states 
early in June to attend the triennial international convention of the Y.M.C.A. 
where he served as song leader for the assemblies.
  Accompanied by his wife and two children, he left Altoona Sunday afternoon by 
train for Pittsburg, from where they flew to Seattle, Wash., and on to 
Fairbanks.  A telegram to his parents assured them that the family arrived 
safely and on time in Fairbanks.

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