This Was Doylestown, 1956

Central Bucks students collect "Coins For Courage" -

Editor's note - On Oct. 23, 1956, Hungarians began an armed uprising against the Soviet-backed Communist regime that had ruled the country since the end of World War II. Just as the revolution appeared to be succeeding, Soviet forces invaded Hungary on Nov. 4 and within a few days had crushed the resistance. In the aftermath, approximately 200,000 Hungarians fled the country. The American government established a refugee center at Camp Kilmer, N.J. (near New Brunswick), and by May 1957 about 32,000 Hungarians had been resettled in the United States.

Central Bucks High School students are forgetting movies and ice cream sodas as they dig down into their pockets to help Hungarian freedom-seeking refugees at Camp Kilmer, N.J.

Touched by the world-shaking revolt of the Hungarian people against Soviet chains, the teenagers have launched a "Coins For Courage" project to raise money for the refugees.

Phil Gleason, chairman of the project group, said contributions will be welcome from all sources. "Coins For Courage" will be carried on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Eight containers--coffee cartons donated by Ed's Diner--have been attractively covered and decorated and will be placed in various parts of the school building.

Miss Jane M. Kohler, veteran English faculty member, and the journalism class are sponsoring the movement at Central Bucks. Members of the committee are Ronny Beach, Mary Hockel, Judy Derstine, Judy Stryker and Phil Gleason.

The girls are wearing bows either in their hair or on their dresses with "Coins For Courage," and the boys wear badges with the same wording.

"Any organization, any person or any group interested in aiding the Hungarian men, women and children who arrived at Camp Kilmer, N.J. last week after fleeing for their lives from their homeland, may make a donation through the school and we will be most grateful," Chairman Gleason said.

Gleason said the enthusiasm of the CB students to aid the Hungarian refugees is sensational. "Boys and girls are willing to stay home from the movies, give up ice cream sodas and make monetary sacrifices just to help someone they feel deserves a pat on the back for the courage they have shown," said Gleason.

Flag pole erected in memory of naval officer killed in World War II -

The picturesque Swartzlander Community House at the corner of Main street and Oakland avenue has been further beautified.

A new 30-foot aluminum flag pole with the American flag attached was erected Wednesday on the lawn of the home, facing Main street. The pole was donated by an admirer of Doylestown--William C. Williamson, of Fountainville, a retired business executive.

The pole was erected in memory of the son of the donor, Lt. (j.g.) William C. Williamson, Jr., who was killed in action Aug. 24, 1942 aboard the USS Enterprise.

Editor's note - On Aug. 24, 1942, Japanese dive bombers attacked the aircraft carrier Enterprise during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in the South Pacific. Although 74 sailors were killed and 91 wounded, and the ship was severely damaged, U.S. naval forces won the battle. The Enterprise was repaired and went on to fight more naval battles until 1945, becoming the most decorated American ship of World War II.

At the base of the pole will be placed an attractive bronze plaque inscribed: "In Memory Of Lt. J.G. Wm. C. Williamson, U.S.N. Killed In Action Aug. 24, 1942 On Board U.S.S. Enterprise."

The Swartzlander Community House was a gift to the community by the late Mrs. Rebecca Hart Swartzlander, widow of Dr. Joseph R. Swartzlander, who died in April, 1947. To maintain the property, a $40,000 trust endowment fund was placed at the time with the Doylestown Trust Company.

The Swartzlander Community House is one of the busiest places in Doylestown and the meeting place for many organizations. Mrs. Swartzlander directed in her will that it be "the future meeting place for any charitable, educational or welfare use, purpose or object, or for the general use, benefit or welfare of the public or of the community of Doylestown."

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Melinda Cox Free Library receives $1,000 gift -

A gift of $1,000 was turned over to the Melinda Cox Free Library [at Broad and Court streets] by the Friends of the Library at a meeting of the Friends' board Monday night.

The $1,000 gift will be used to purchase books for the library. It will purchase about 50 new books a month, one-half of which will be for the children's shelves or juvenile readers.

"We have a wonderful library, but we do need more money in order to improve it and make it even better than it now is," said Mrs. William A. Rawak, president of the Friends. "Books are the heart of any library and it takes money to buy books these days.

Mrs. Richard W. Davis, Jr. said the legacy left by Charles Cox in memory of his mother, Melinda Cox, is adequate to cover the maintenance. The salary for the librarian, Miss Martha Edgar, is paid by Doylestown Borough Council.

Mrs. Davis explained that the increasing costs of everything simply do not permit the money from the Melinda Cox Trust Fund to include the purchasing of books to adequately stock the shelves. She said the Doylestown Nature Club, Mrs. William R. Mercer, Jr., and friends have been most generous in aiding the library.

Although the Friends of the Library drive for financial aid and memberships isn't over and will continue until Spring, the board of directors reported membership dues and contributions from about 300 men and women. There are also "junior" memberships.

Guards locked in when prison gate breaks -

It wasn't only a case of the prisoners being locked in the Bucks County Prison [on South Pine Street] on Saturday afternoon.

It was a case of everyone, including the jail superintendent, being locked in. The huge Bastille-like door couldn't be opened.

Bucks County Prison Warden Earl C. Handy said the lock on the "inside door" at the main gate to the prison broke on Saturday afternoon.

"It would happen when we have visiting hours," he said. Scores of men and women had to be escorted through the "inside door" while repairs were being made. A Doylestown locksmith, John J. Myers, worked until 10 o'clock Saturday night to make the repairs.

In the meantime, Warden Handy did what the Army does, stationing guards inside and outside of the door. They "pulled guard" until 10 o'clock.

"It was the first time the prison guards were ever locked inside the jail," said Warden Handy. "And you know who enjoyed that twist of circumstances better than anyone else."

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Jaycees seek Santa Claus Parade queen -

WANTED: Girl between the ages of 17 and 25 to reign over the Central Bucks Junior Chamber of Commerce's Second Annual Santa Claus Parade on Thursday, Dec. 6.

You don't have to look like Marilyn Monroe. Nor do you have to be an Emily Post. Fact is, you don't even need any talent like Miss America or Miss Pennsylvania, who will crown the queen.

CB Jaycees are going to be democratic about it. They'll let the readers of The Daily Intelligencer pick the queen by popular vote. All a gal has to do to be eligible for Queen of the Santa Parade is to meet the age qualification and have a picture of herself.

Take the photograph (preferably a head shot two inches wide), fill out the entry blank on Page 3, stick both in an envelope and mail to the Central Bucks Jaycees, care of The Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown. That's it. Unless you care to go out and drum up a few votes.

The Jaycees have a number of surprises in store for the lucky gal who will be voted queen. And, who can tell, the winner may go on to bigger things.

Pictures of queen candidates will be printed on the front page each day this week. There will be an entry blank for readers to cast their vote or votes. There's no limit. If you're backing a candidate, send in as many votes as you like.

Cadillac-Oldsmobile dealership changes hands -

Paul J. Schneider has succeeded Joseph R. Ruos, owner of the Doylestown Agricultural Company, as Cadillac-Oldsmobile dealer in Doylestown and the central Bucks county area.

The new dealer, a resident of Burlington, N.J., is a past president of the Burlington County Auto Dealers Association and was one-time vice president of the Medford Lakes, N.J. Colony Club.

A formal "open house" for the new dealership is planned for the early part of January. In the meantime, a number of physical changes will be made to the interior and exterior of the attractive sales and service headquarters at 350 South Main street [the Penn's Court office complex now occupies the site].

The builidng housing the Cadillac-Olds sales and service was erected by Mr. Ruos in 1949 on land that was once a portion of the Burpee Company's flower gardens and testing grounds.

Mr. Schneider, whose agency will be known as "Paul J. Schneider Cadillac-Oldsmobile," was active for a number of years in civic and service clubs in Burlington and Medford Lakes. He is a charter member of the Burlington Rotary Club and a one time was a member of the Medford Lakes Lions Club. He headed a number of community drives in recent years.

Mr. Schneider's family consists of his wife, Irma; a son, Paul, Jr., attending college in North Carolina; and a daughter, Nance, a senior at Penn Hall, Chambersburg, Pa.

The new dealer announced that the service manager, Harry Mahoney, and his complete service department will remain intact. Howard Rounds, Fred Beans and Robert Dinlocker will continue in the sales of new and used cars.

From The Daily Intelligencer, Week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 1956