WITZ Announces Its German Days Schedule

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

It has been announced today by Radio Station WITZ that they will offer the listeners a variety of broadcasts throughout Pioneer German Days along with German music that was sent to WITZ direct from Germany plus several tapes from various communities in Germany.

WITZ’s broadcast week will begin on Monday evening at 5:15 P.M. and they will carry the formal opening of Pioneer German Days direct from the Square in Jasper.

On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon they will have various broadcasts originating from the square in Jasper during the Koffee Klatsch and other activities that will be in progress.

On Thursday, July 4, they will be broadcasting from Breidenbaugh Bros. in Jasper where WITZ will be tuned to Breidenbaugh’s two-way radio system to report to the listeners the progress of the parade.

Breidenbaugh will have several of their mobile units in the parade and will broadcast at various times throughout the length of the parade as it moves from Cannelton to Jasper. This will give people a first hand account of the parade as it progresses without having to stand in line too long to await its appearance in Jasper.  

After the parade reaches Jasper, WITZ will be broadcasting from the reviewing stand at the Stewart Hotel and also from the Square.

Also on July 4 WITZ will have German programming from 10:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and this will include German music that was recently sent to WITZ from Hamburg, Germany, and the tapes that were sent by radio stations in Stuttgart, Bremen, and Berlin, Germany.   The tapes from Stuttgart and Bremen are in German and then are followed with an English translation.

In addition, throughout the week, WITZ will have its station breaks on the air in German.   The broadcasting throughout Pioneer German Days will come to a close when WITZ covers the closing ceremonies on Saturday at 5:15 P.M. from the courthouse.

Special Music At K. of C. Home Tonight

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Following the evening’s regular meeting of Jasper Council 1584, Knights of Columbus, there will be a program of special musing in keeping with the Pioneer German Days celebration.

Entertainment will be furnished by the “Jasper Deutsche Dorf Kapelle” (Jasper German Village Band).   This is a local group directed by Herman Kiefer.   The public is invited to the musical program, which will begin around 8:30.

Special Program Tonight at 8 On The Square

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Jasper’s downtown area was a beehive of activity today as final preparations were being completed for the six-day Pioneer German Days celebration which opens this afternoon.

The “market place” booths around the square and the Relic Museum and Book and Document Gallery were expected to be in operation right after dinner with the official opening set for 5:30 on the west side of the courthouse.

In addition to the opening ceremonies at 5:30 P.M. it was announced that another special program will be conducted at eight o’clock this evening from the west portico of the Courthouse.

It was anticipated that there will be some citizens in costume on the Public Square this evening.  

The Madeleva Literary Club of Jasper has issued a request for more books and documents for its display at the German-American Bank Community Room.   The items will be catalogued before being put on display.   Anyone having such items and willing to lend them should call Mrs. Omer Kuebler.

Many retail stores have unusual window displays.

Tewell’s Shoe Store has devoted one of its display windows to an exhibit of shoes worn in bygone days.   The display, entitled “Shoes Through the Ages,” was rented from the International Shoe Co. of St. Louis.

Sermersheim’s Auto and Home Supply Store has a window full of dolls, arrayed in many styles.   All but one are from the collection of Mrs. Guy Lambert of Jasper.

Tuesday’s Agenda

Included in the market place around the Public Square on Tuesday will be the Grandmothers Club’s “Kaffee Klatsch” in the southeast corner.

The Grandmothers will be open for business at nine A.M. with genuine old-fashioned kuchen and doughnuts and coffee.   Later they will add ham sandwiches, German Style slaw, German potato salad, hot dogs and soft drinks to their menu.

The Astra theatre has Western movies slated at ten o’clock Tuesday morning, mostly to keep the small fry occupied while mom and dad take in the rest of the festival.

The Kiwanis Club’s “Kinder Karnival” switches the spotlight to Armory Park at one in the afternoon where the usual variety of kiddie rides, special events and refreshments will be provided through the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Back on Public Square, the Astra has a German movie, “Der Foreliche Weinberg” booked for Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The old fashioned “Schwaben picnics” are scheduled for Tuesday night at Armory Park and elsewhere.

Das Music Fest Will Provide Varied Music

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

“Das Musik Fest”, a musical variety program sponsored by the Philharmonic Club, will climax Friday’s program of Pioneer German Days activity.   The program will be staged in the Tivoli theatre, beginning at 8:00 P.M.

The majority of the musical numbers scheduled to be presented have a German flavor and the type of music offered runs the gamut from pioneer German ballads to the more serious work of Beethoven.   While the program committee has aimed at including music of all types, most of the works are those popular with all who enjoy music.

The Tivoli’s stage will be transformed into a German beer garden setting, replete with bearded and costumed patrons.   Jack Newton will serve as master of ceremonies and the German band will consist of Arch Schwinghammer, Dennis Eckerle, Herman Kiefer, Dan Hoffman and Dave Sermersheim.

Singing waiters, “The Four Krauts”, will take part.   The quartet, made up of Ray and Ralph Birk, Charles Schuch and Tom Vollmer, will include an old German ditty they are working up especially for the program.

Sprinkled in with the light and the serious German music will be several numbers by contemporary composers.   A mixed quartet consisting of Mrs. Flora Stenftenagel, Mrs. Martha Pittman, Tom Thomas and Tom Wuchner, will sing Cole Porter’s “Wunderbar” and a sextet, Mesdames Marilyn Gramelspacher, Pat Fritch, Louise Newman, Stella Joseph, Marie Gramelspacher and Louise Traylor, will render the ever-popular “Make Believe”, by Jerome Kern.

German songs of pioneer days will be offered by “The Schnickelfritz Band”, headed by Albert Kapp and including Joe Altmeyer of St. Meinrad and Oscar Kunkler and Herbie Obermeier of Fulda.   A German polka folk dance will be presented by Ruth Weaver and Randolyn Potter.

Mrs. Dot Graves will do German dialect monologues and a trumpet duet, “The Polkateers”, will be played by Dennis Eckerle and Arch Schwinghammer.   The Philharmonic chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Rosina Schuler, will sing two numbers.

Piano solos, both classical yet popular, will be presented by Mrs. Lou Newman, who will play Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu”, and Mrs. Margaret Wilson, offering “Moonlight Sonata”, by Beethoven.

The melodious combination of flute and soprano voice will be heard in the “Swiss Echo Song” by Karl Eckert.   Mrs. Schuler will sing while Phyllis Schneider will play the flute and Mrs. Jane Krempp will provide the accompaniment.

“Neu, Wer die Sehnsucht Kennt” (None but the lonely heart), will be sung by Mrs. Pittman, a mezzo-soprano, accompanied by Mrs. Dorothy Collins.

The audience will take part in the closing number, the old German drinking song, “Schnitzelbank”, lead by Mrs. Della Krodel and accompanied by the German Band.

Geh Rous Die Shed!

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Many of the old citizens of Dubois county thought they were talking good German when in reality they were using an ingenious mixture of German and English.

When my grandfather, Blaise Hettich, my parents, Christian and Maria Rumbach and two elder brothers arrived in Jasper from Baden, Germany, they were cordially received by grandpa’s brother, Mathias Hettich and his good wife, Aunt Paula (Eckerle) Hettich, a native of Jasper.   Wanting to be helpful in every way, Aunt Paula, referring to one of the big sea-chests in which they brought their clothes to America, said to my father:

“Geh, Christian, geh rous die SHED; hohl den HATCHET, und OPEN die BOX.   Rehm rous die SUITS and HANG sie on die FENCE in the BACKYARD und gib ihnen am gute AIRING.   By selle TIME is BREAKFAST READY.”

Dad was in a quandary what he was expected to do, for each of the capitalized words above were English and meant nothing to him.  But he had his first lesson in English, and as the objects were pointed out to him, he understood and made them a part of his own vocabulary.

Relic Museum, Book-Document Gallery Open

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Two of the features of the Pioneer German Days celebration which all festival visitors will want to be sure to take in are the relic museum and the book and document galleries.

The relic museum has been the work of the Navy Club, Ship No. 90, and is located in the community room of the Dubois County State Bank.

The book and document gallery, compiled by the Madeleva Literary Club, is located in the show windows of the Ben Franklin store on the Public Square.   As this edition went to press, the response to the appeal for the books and documents was so great that steps were being taken to acquire the use of the community room of the German American Bank to supplement the Ben Franklin location for the material.  

Officials of the Navy Club reported, too, that appeals for suitable relics have brought response and that the collection displayed contains many interesting items.

Amount the unusual displays, the navy Club has is a set of pioneer cooper’s tools, a handmade bedspread more than 100 years old, and many others.

The literary group has been fortunate in acquiring for display such important works as original and photo static copies of records from Pfaffenweiler and Wagshurst, Germany, relating to families who immigrated to this area.

Kuchen, Sausage, Fish Just A Few Food Features

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Lusty appetites were synonymous with the pioneer Germans of this area and the celebration of Pioneer German Days would be incomplete without special events featuring food.

Many of the stands in the “market place” erected around the Public Square, deal in foodstuffs and in addition, specialties are being offered on at least five days.

The Grandmothers Club has dug out many old German recipes with which to make heim-gemacht kuchen and German pastries to go with its “Coffee Klatsch” which is being held all day Tuesday at the southwest corner of the Public Square.  

On this same corner on Wednesday and Thursday, plans which were incomplete at press time called for the sale of old-fashioned fried chicken by the Legion Auxiliary.

The Loyal Order of the Moose is planning a fish fry Friday, featuring fiddlers and German slaw.

On the Public Square all day Saturday, members of the Lions Club will stage a “Pancake and Sausage Social”.   Aunt Jemima is to be on hand to help with the “pfaffen-kuchen” and the local Dutchmen will prepare the “wurst”.

German Consul Accepts Bid To Attend Festival

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Dr. Ferdinand R. H. Friedensburg, IV, West German consul for this area, has accepted an invitation to attend the July Fourth festivities of Pioneer German Days in Jasper and will be among the dignitaries reviewing the holiday parade.

The consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany serving Indiana, Michigan and Illinois is located in Detroit, Mich.   Dr. Friedensburg has served here since July of 1956.

Special Events Each Day During Week-Long Fete

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Pioneer German Days officially open at 5:30 this evening in Jasper, heralding six days of celebration filled with special events and festival atmosphere.

According to Arthur C. Nordhoff, general chairman for the first annual affair, at least twenty special events are scheduled throughout the week in addition to the festival market stands which will operate on the Public Square through-out the six-day event.

Today was “Preparation Day” as booths and stands were erected and displays readied.   Although the festival itself was to open about noon today, the opening ceremony, including a short welcome by Mayor Lorey and other dignitaries, is set for 5:30 P. M.

Chairman Nordhoff explained today that the celebration has two purposes:   to keep alive the high traditions of German-speaking people in America and to commemorate those German pioneers who transplanted their heritage here and made it a part of the American way of life.

Each day of the fete, which will continue through Saturday, will feature special events of a variety to attract the interest of everyone.   In most instances, the events will tie in either with the pioneer or the German theme, or both.   Such activities as a musical festival, kiddie carnival, German movie, German eating specialties, sports events, a relic museum and document gallery are only a few of the features.

Since a national holiday, Independence Day, falls within the week, a giant parade is to be held on Thursday, July Fourth.   At least thirty units, including bands, floats, military units and special attractions, are expected to be part of the line of march.  

Stone Cross Is The Result Of Vow Made At Sea

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

The stone votive cross standing in the church yard of St. Joseph’s just south of the church has an interesting history.  

On March 25, 1847, eleven families emigrated from the town of Pfaffenweiler, Baden, Germany, and came to the United States via Rotterdam and Havre, landing at New Orleans.

Prominent among these were the Eckerts, Becks, Kieffers, Schmidts, Ecks, Schubles and George Bauman, a sculptor.

The voyage was a perilous one and during the first week of its progress the weather was so hazardous that it seemed as though the ship would go down with its crew and passengers.

At the height of the storm, Mr. Bauman made a vow to erect a cross near the church built; or to be built, by the congregation with which he might make his future home.

Following his arrival at Jasper and with the pecuniary aid of a Mr. Heim of Tell City, Frank Beck and Joseph Gramelspacher, he fashioned a stone cross.   During a storm in the 1930’s, this cross was struck by lightning and destroyed.   It was replaced, however, by a duplicate which now stands where the original one was.

Parade Still Growing

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

The July Fourth parade continues to grow as more units are reported each day.   Mobile units plan to follow the old Kundek circuit from Cannelton in the morning, to be joined by other units in Jasper for the parade through town by 3:00 P.M.

Besides local units, floats and marching units from a widely-scattered area have indicated their intentions to take part in the parade.   Croatian girls in native costumes from the Chicago area and the replica of the USS Forrestal from Memphis, Tenn., so far are the units coming from the most distant cities.

The American Legion has charge of the parade arrangements.

Croatian Group Plans Special Thursday Program

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Because one of Jasper’s early pioneer leaders was a countryman of theirs, members of the Croatian Catholic Union of America are planning to participate in Pioneer German Days as well as in the more formal observance of the anniversary of that pioneer’s death which is set for December.

The leader was Father Joseph Kundek, a Croatian by birth who founded a string of German-speaking communities in southern Indiana and who was one of Jasper’s outstanding early civic leaders as well as serving with distinction as a religious leader.

Father Kundek’s accomplishments are recognized by the Croatians in this country who regard him as one of the outstanding native sons of the land.

The Croatian population in the Chicago area numbers around 40,000 and it is from this section that the groups coming to Jasper will come.

Because the group became aware of the July celebration at a late date, officials of the C.C.U. were unable to determine at presstime whether or not they would be able to take an active part in the program.   Tentative plans call for an exhibition of native Croatian music and dancing in Kundek Hall Thursday night and representation in the July Fourth parade Thursday afternoon.

Kinder Karnival Opens 2-Day Stand Tuesday

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

An event which has proved popular with the small fry and adults alike and which was begun as a “labor of love” by a group of youngsters, this year has been incorporated by the Kiwanis Club into the Pioneer Days Celebration.   The two-day stand opens Tuesday at 1:00 P.M. in Armory park, continuing through Wednesday evening.

It is the Kyote Kiddie Carnival, which this year is known as the “Kinder Karnival”.

About seven or eight years ago a group of youngsters known as the “Kyote Club” decided to do something to raise money for the hospital construction fund which was being sought at that time.   The backyard project proved to be so popular that it outgrew its narrow confines and young management and was taken by the Kiwanis Club to a larger area.   After several years at the Recreation field park, the carnival moved to Armory park last summer.

The carnival has been featuring rides for the kiddies only but the adults have found the food and home-made candy offered to their liking.   Among the special features of this annual event are the Pet Parade, the fish pond, and the pony and hay rides.

German Movie Slated Tuesday At The Astra

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Helping to establish the German Atmosphere in Jasper during the Pioneer German Days celebration will be a German movie to be shown Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Astra Theatre.

“The Grapes Are Ripe” is based on a play of the German Repertory Theatre “Der Froehliche Weinberg”, a favorite comedy for more than 30 years.   A matinee for two o’clock and an evening performance at 7:30 is scheduled Tuesday.

Screened along the Rhine, where the grapes for the famous wine are grown, the picture is typically German in every aspect, picturesque settings, good-natured light-hearted story, amiable acting, mass merry-making, multiple romance, contrived ending of happiness for all and the broad German humor.

The music is a cheerful folksy band and there is an abundance of dialogue (in German, of course) with English titles to explain the action.   The story is directed by Erich Engel in accepted musical comedy style.   Willy Schmidt-Gentner provided the score which is not traditional – such as “Du Du Liebst Mir Im Herzen” sung and danced in waltz tempo.

The movie will be of particular interest to those of German ancestry since the forefathers in this area came from the region of Germany in which (this is all that was printed).

Business Areas Are In Festive Dress

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

What is probably the most elaborate mass decoration project attempted in Jasper has left the community decked out in festive array from “head to toe” in the business areas. Professional decorators were called in by the Jasper Business and Professional Association, whose task it was to see to proper display.   The Old Glory Flag and Display Co. of Brazil, did the store front and street decorations and many business firms have added their own individual touch within their display windows.

Special Events Each Day During Week-Long Fete

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

The pioneer leader whose historical contribution to the community’s development will be especially commemorated during this year’s Pioneer German Days is Father Joseph Kundek, Croatian missionary priest who was one of the founders of a chain of German-speaking communities in southern Indiana.

The beginning of an annual Pioneer German Days Celebration coincides with the 100 th anniversary of the death of Father Kundek, making it doubly fitting.   Elsewhere in this special edition of the Daily Herald are accounts of the accomplishments of this priest as a civic leader and a religions leader during Jasper’s pioneer days.

Fr. Kundek Recognized As An Early Leader

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

The pioneer leader whose historical contribution to the community’s development will be especially commemorated during this year’s Pioneer German Days is Father Joseph Kundek, Croatian missionary priest who was one of the founders of a chain of German-speaking communities in southern Indiana.

The beginning of an annual Pioneer German Days Celebration coincides with the 100 th anniversary of the death of Father Kundek, making it doubly fitting.   Elsewhere in this special edition of the Daily Herald are accounts of the accomplishments of this priest as a civic leader and a religions leader during Jasper’s pioneer days.

Celebration Is Cultural Revival by A. T. Rumbach

From The Dubois County Daily Herald - July 1, 1957
HARK THE HERALD | By A. T. Rumbach

Never in the history of this community has so much interest been aroused in the history of early times of the city and county as the celebration of the Pioneer Days planned for the first week of July.

An unbelievable amount of historical literature, published and unpublished, much of which was hidden in musty files and in forgotten book shelves and drawers came to light for the first time in years, after the announcement of the event.

In addition, many old documents, maps and papers, private and official, clippings from old newspapers and magazines, photographs of early building, individuals and groups, many of them long since gone and forgotten except by the older generation, but   seemingly now of great interest to everyone, including the teenagers of the present generation.

Another phase of the interest aroused was that in the home of origin of most of the pioneers, especially Croatia, the home of Father Kundek, and South German states from which most of the early German settlers came.   Special interest was manifested by the German Consul, a citizen of Freiberg, the so-called capital of the Black Forest in Baden, Germany, who took time away from his duties at Detroit to honor with his presence as a visitor, the local celebration.   Letters from pastors and town officials were received from a number of German communities near Freiberg, Karlsruhe Baden, and Strasbourg in Alsace, which contributed most heavily to the early German influx of immigrants.   Among these towns are Pfaffenweiler, Wagshurst, Reute, Oberhirch, Hugstetten, Gundelfingen, Emmendingen, Bolschweil, and others.   Included with view of local interest were photographs of many of our earliest immigrants which they had sent back to relatives in Germany, which had been cherished as precious mementoes all these years.   It is a remarkable fact that, in spite of the close contact that most of the immigrants kept with the villages of their origin, very few, if any, ever returned to their native country.   When the German immigrants severed their home ties, they did so with finality that was definite.   They applied for American citizenship papers, abjured their allegiance to the emperor of Germany and became United States citizens in every respect.

By a strange quirk of fate, many descendants of the immigrants, most of whom left Germany to get away from militarism, found themselves arrayed against their blood cousins in World War I and especially World War II against Nazism.   Like the present Chancellor of Germany, and our guest, the Consul from Freiburg, most of the citizens of Baden and other south German States from whom our own citizens descended, had little love for Hitler and his cohorts and looked upon our soldiers as liberators, rather than as conquerors.   Our soldiers on their part, admired the thrift, energy and self-reliance the Germans used in rebuilding their ruined cities, and enjoyed their sojourn in Germany.  

We are convinced that the Old German Days celebration will be a cultural and historic tonic to this community and an aid to international understanding.