Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
March 30, 1944 tissue wrappings and there found a splendid mahogany box with minute character carvings. He opened the small latch and found the box filled with a quantity of a costly brand of cigarettes. He disliked the nauseating aroma, for they were not his usual brand. Inserted in the box was a pink folded note, heavily perfumed. A feminine hand, strangely familiar thin and scrawly had written words of flattery and asked him to accept the small gift as a slight token for his kindness. It was signed “Grace”. Grace, he mused, must be an acquaintance whom he did not remember! Without giving the gift another thought, he threw it aside and prepared to dress for dinner. His son , Joshua, now a fine youth of twenty-three, arrived to visit his father for a short period before leaving on a tour of Europe. While his father was dressing, the boy noticed the mahagony box and was fasninated by its artistic appearance. Nonchalantly, he smoked one of the cigaretes, commenting on the bitter taste of it. Bellamy explained that a foolish admirer, whom he couldn’t recall, had sent him the gift and concluded that he disliked the brand of cigarettes. Two hours passed. After dinner Joshua returned to the suite to smoke; he craved the cigarettes, but couldn’t explain why. The next day he had a strange feeling that his usual brand of cigarettes couldn’t conquer. He consulted a reliable physician who informed him that he had been using cocaine, a white crystylline powder that has a stimulating effect upon the mind and body. His face grew ashen white as he denied the use of narcotics. Suddenly, re remembered the strange desire for the cigarettes at his father’s apartment. The doctor informed him that there wasn’t much damage done, but it was necessary to cease smoking the cigarettes. He filled out a prescrnption for the afflicted man. Joshua left abruptly and took the prescription to the nearest druggist, where it was filled. He hoped to cure himself of this dread before it got the better of him. Reaching his apartment, he placed some of the crystal powder in a glass of water and drank it. After a while he felt an exhiliarating sensation surge through him. But when the effects wore off, he suffered convulsions. He had the frightening illusion that the furniture in his room had taken on hideous shapes, the faces of goblins and ghosts. Due to a certain mental weakness he could not dispel the shadows and in desperation smoked several of the narcotic cigarettes to gain relief. In a short period of time his features began to change. His face became a chalky color and he lost much weight- His father urged him to consult his physician, for the older man did not know what was troubling his son. Joshua refused any medical assistance ,and gathering together his luggage, left for New York. A year later at the Hotel American, in Chicago, the proprietor and his desk clerk were discussing the startling headline of a Chicago paper: Wealthy Bellamy Meets Death. “Strange, isn’t it”, commented the proprietor, “how wealth and money poisons a youth’s mind. He lived in a fool’s Utopia and indulged in narcotics.” “It certainly is,” said the desk clerk. “And, say, it says here that his own father couldn’t recognise him when he went to claim the body.” “I guess that was the result of the cocaine he had been taking. What about his mother?” “It states here his father divorced his mother many years back and she hasn't been heard of since. Look here, Mr. Blakely, the paper didn’t leave out the excitement we had at Room 206 this morning.’ “Yes; it’s terrible. I tried to keep it out of the papers, but it’s difficult to keep news from the reporters. Let me read it.” He read aloud: “Mrs. Penelope Drake who had been residing at the Hotel American for a year or more, was caught in the attempt of suicide this morning. The chambermaid, Marie Renault, had just entered the suite to arrange the beds, when she saw Mrs. Drake near the window with a .32 cal. revolver pointed near her temple. The maid crept up behind her and as she twisted the gun from her hand, Miss Renault screamed for help. Later, the physician pronounced Mrs. Drake mentally unbalanced.” “Yes, it’s all there just as it happened and you know it’s rather queer, for she kept repeating over and over again: T killed my son! I don’t deserve to live! I killed my beloved son!’ ” “And did the police believe her?” asked the clerk. “Of course not. She had no proof and no one believes the ravings of the insane.”-----------------------V----------------------NOTICE Br. 475 —Milwaukee, Wis Verhovay Journal_______________________________Page 8 THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND----------------------------------- BRANCH 430 ------------------------------------Branch 475, Milwaukee, Wisconsin will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, May 10th. All members and bowlers are expected to attend this meeting in order to bring the attendance up to 100%; which is necessary to make our meeting a success. Fraternally, REPORTER ír. 475 ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO Branch 288 and 432 Dedication of our Honor Roll Board will be held April 9, 1944 at 3 P. M. Enterta inment and Easter Dance will fol ow the dedication ceremonies. M furnished by Bunchy and Orchestra. Everylbody is invited. Come and enjoy yourself. Frank Holbc v CLEVELAND, Branch 3f The Ladies Branch a Spring Dance on April, beginning at 7: the Verhovay Home. 5 637 Buckeye Road, Cleveland, Ohio Medve and Sikor or chestra will play. All our friends pre cordially invited. Mrs. Andrew Kocsis, Chairman Susanne Ocverak, Committee Chairman Mrs. L. Vassy, Secretary, BY P.F.C. WILLIAM C. KOHUT Pfc. Kohut usic will be and Bundy k, Sr., Mgr. OHIO 1. 61 will have the 15th of 03 P. M„ at The famous PITTSBURGH SCENES: Professional Society Meets An excellent program was presented by the Hungarian Professional Society to members and friends at the March 25th meeting, Sat urday evening at the YMCA headquarters on Dithridge Street. Rev. Parkas Rettman, Verhovay associate and minister of the 1st Hungarian Lutheran Church on Hazelwood Avenue, delivered a fine lecture on “A Magyar Falu A Modern Parasztirók írásaiban.” His lecture, a most interesting one, dealt with the most modern trend in Hungarian literature. Miss Marion Bercsl, daughter of Joseph Bercsi, Treasurer of the Professional Society, is a young accomplished pianist, and was the soloist for the evening's program. She presented to an appreciative audience Edvard Grieg's “A” Minor Concerto. We Celebrate March 15th Yes, this year we celebrated March 15th in several ways. One of the more spectacular ways of celebrating it was to formally christen a Liberty ship, “The Michael De Kovats” at a rally held on Sunday, March 12th at the Verhovay Magyar Hall, Hazelwood. The “American Hungarian Liberty Ship Drive” under the chairmanship of Mrs. Joseph Urban represents a job extremely well done. The drive sold more than $3,000,000.00 in' war bonds, and was constantly in high gear to the finish mark; in fact it is still going strong right now. The speech of ten year old Sandy” Beres, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Beres of Deely Street, Greenfield, was of a familiar pattern but good. He put forth Quite an effort, one containing emotion and enthusiasm. Nice going, “Sandy.” Jacobs Creek’s Loss Steve Szaho, Br. 96, Jacobs Creek, Pa. was one of the Verhovay trip winners in 1937, and a jolly companion. I for one was happy to have made his acquaintance during our European journey that eventful summer of 1937. He was well liked by all of the young men and girls on the trip, and proved successful in his contacts with the native Magyar folk. News of his death as a result of an accident in a coal mine at Jacobs Creek on February 23rd, really shocked me, and no doubt many more. Our good friend Steve was buried from his home on Sunday afternoon, February 27th, and laid to rest in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Smithton, Pa. Father Szabó of Connellsville, Pa. conducted the services. I understand a large group of well known friends, relatives and neighbors were on hand for the funeral. Mr. Alex Gyulay, Chief Organizer, and Mr .Louis Cincel, District Organizer of the Verhovay, were present as representatives of the Association. Steve was extremely active in Verhovay affairs and was always coming up with a new member on his hook. His Verhovay participation also included district meetings and other get-togethers in Verhovay competition played in many towns. Our deceased friend is survived by his wife, Mrs. Stephen Szabó, two children, Barbara, 4. and Stephen, Jr., 2 . May He Rest in Peace. Our Directors Meet Into Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 12th, poured the directors of our association from all sections of the country for the semiannual directors meeting. The meeting lasted from March 13th to March 18th and produced concrete results. The points acted upon will be shortly placed before the members for their information. In this day and age, the association, is ever in need of progressive, intelligent individuals. The preponderance of such personnel In an organization always reflects itself in the forward movement of the unit. At Verhovay I believe we can claim the near existence of such conditions, but we still have much work ahead of us. MILITARY VIEWS Corp. Bill Seech, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Seech of Homeville, is now in England. He is attached to a Field Artillery Unit.-------Corp. Mike Kontra is now located in Corsica, France, the island birthplace of another would-be conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte. Mike writes that where he is stationed on Corsica, the movie house is open about “twice” a year......yes, a year! Also, the life is very dull.-------Louis. J. Nemeth, husband of Helen Bischoff Nemeth of Munhall, departed for the Navy several weeks ago......he is now undergoing his "boot” training.—..Coxwain Ernie Ladanyi, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Ladanyi of Margaret St. is home enjoying a nice leave.------Corp. Joe Repassy of Rankin, Pa. is in England as a member of a tank unit.-------Our good friend, Sgt. Joe Orosz, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Orosz of Whitaker, still holds the fort at Fort Benning.------Johnny O’Brien, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo P. O’Brien of Shady Ave. left for an air cadet center somewhere in the South on March 14th. Lots of luck, Johnny!------Lt. Steve Gabocy met up with Corp. Bill Ruskay somewhere in England several mouths ago. They did enjoy the meeting more than I can describe. Bill incidentally is due for a furlough, and he intends “Vacationing” in Scotland if you please!------Pfc. George Walochik is also in Merry England...... claims he had a pleasant voyage across.-------Seaman William Evans, son of Mr. and Mrs. Evans of Clinton St. was home last week after completing his boot training at Camp Sampson, N. Y.------Sgt. Black, husband of Elizabeth Toth Black of N. Braddock, is now in Italy with the Air Corps.—-— Betty’s brother, Steve, is in Hawaii. He is member of a naval Liberator plane crew as a bombardier.-------M/Sgt. George Koko is located at Maxwell Field, and as I understand in great favor with the G.I. Joe’s. George is in charge of the Mess Hall, a very important job in the Army.------A/Student Bill Rapolti is also stationed at Maxwell Field and hopes to become a bombardier one of these days. He sees George quite often—possibly when he’s extremely hungry after a light meal.-------Capt. Steve Nemeth is and Pvt. Steve Túron, husband of Irene Kovács Túron of W. Stl Ave., West Homestead, is now stationed at Fort Benning, as a member of the medical corps.— Pfc. Geo. Bockoras is now gazing at the moon under tropical skies He’s with the U. S. Army in Ho nolulu—but not too enthusiastic about the “hula hula” girls— claims scenery isn’t bad—bars are open from noon to 5 P. M.—and drinks are rationed! Sounds rug ged, eh what?——Seaman John Kertes, of 21st Avenue, Munhall. was home on a leave last week —he completed the first lap o: his naval training at Camp Samr son, N. Y.—seems to like it an< looks quite alright.-------Nick Pas tor returned to Camp Crowd«: after undergoing extensive mane uvers in Tennessee—he’s reported on his way home for a well-deserved furlough.-------Homestead’s favorite “cop” Andy Timko left for the U. S. Army on Tuesday. March 21st—we all wish him lots of luck—hope you don’t become an M. P. “Andy! HOMESTEAD FROM AFAR . Member Jimmy Vajda, son o' Mr’ and Mrs. I. Vajda of McClur St. is employed with the Railway Express and seeing quite a bit o the country—good experience in . way but other activities couh also be ‘as useful.-------Mrs. Eliz abeth Kish Hayward, daughter o Mr. and Mrs. Kish of Shady Ave.. Pgh. was the soloist at the • Easi End Baptist Church in Pgh. on February 20th. Betty has beet, studying voice for sometime nov and I am told she is fast be coming a star performer. We wish her much success in her musica studies.-------Not so long ago talked to an old friend, Fran! Kapalo of Hazelwood and Fran appeared somewhat tired and e: hausted. After a brief questionin the story broke that Frank ha been working on income tax rc turns from morning to night fo some eight weeks—a mighty lon£ time to eat income tax as I to* experienced in 1943.-------Our youn; member, eight-year-old Johnny Seech, son of Mr. and Mrs. Join Seech of 230 Outlook St., Kenny wood, was badly injured tw weeks ago when he was struck by an automobile near the Hoi; Name School in Duquesne. Fror latest reports, he is getting alor fairly well at the McKeesport Ho pital, and we all wish young Johi ny a speedy recovery, and a quic eturn to his good home and h good parents.-------Mrs. Leslie 1 Grove of Baldwin Road has u until recently been laid up wii those pesky colds—but now sh is up and around, the way w like to see all of our friends.— Petty Officer Steve Chontos, U.f Coast Guard, son of Mr. and Mr Steve Chontos, Sr. of Duquesr Ave. Terrace, took as his brid Miss Louise Stein, daughter < Mr. and Mrs. Stein of W. Fifteent Ave., Homestead, at a fasionab candlelight ceremony during ti early part of March. The brid groom is a brother of Verhovs contributor “Arp” Chontos wt has been serving with the U. : Army in India for the past tv years. His baseball teams were the best due home sometime in April.DELAY NO LONGER in GETTING YOURSELF INSURE! because LIFE IS SO VERY UNCERTAIN