davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
To Observe Golden
Wedding Xmas Day

Married fifty years ago on Christ
mas day, Mr.. and Mrs. w. C. Booth
by will celebrate their Golden we'd
ding anniversary at their home on
South Jackson street, next Monday
Following family dinner at the
noon hour, the couple will hold open
house in the afternoon from 2 to 4
o'clock at which time friends are in
vited to call.
Mr.. and Mrs. Boothby were mar
ried in Lima, December 25, 1889
After living in that city for sever
years they moved to Bluffton where
they have since resided. Mrs. Booth.
by was formerly Miss Emma Rath-
bone. Mr.. Boothby, youngest OF
eleven children, is the last of his
family. He was employed here fol-
many years as stationary engineer
The couple have six children liv
ing: Clair, Lowell and Donald Of
Lima, Charles of Long Beach, Calf.
Mrs. Oscar Luginbuhl of Toledo anc
Mrs. Fay Isham of Bluffton.
Mrs. Boothby has two brothers
Dell Rathbone of Kelleyville, Okla.
and David Rathbone of Los Angeles
and one sister, Mrs. Frank Whitmel
of Cleveland.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21

Mrs. Lou Eckels, 81, former Bluff
ton resident, died at her home in
BlythevilIe, Arkansas, Thursday, ac-
cording to word received by friends
here. Her death followed an ex-
tended illness.
Mrs. Eckels was the daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. James Grindell, pioneer
Bluffton residents. She was born in
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada.
For twenty-five years she was con-
nected with the National Handle
company of Blytheville and later
moved to Memphis, Tenn. where she
was connected with the American
Fork & Hoe company.
Funeral services were held in the
Blytheville Methodist church, Satur-
day morning followed by interment
at that place.
Surviving are three sisters: Mrs
H. r. Brandon, Mrs. A. E. Huntley
and Mrs. G. G. Hubbard all of
Blytheville.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Former Bluffton Girl Winning
Her Fight Against Paralysis

She is the daughter of Rev. E. A.
Lesson, former Methodist minister at
Beaverdam, who was later trans
ferred to Pandora.
Miss Lesson suffered the attack of
infantile paralysis while attending
high school at Beaverdam. Altho
she recovered, she was badly Grip
pied, and attended college classes
here in a wheel chair.
Notwithstanding her physical
handicaps, she ranked high in her
studies, and her unfailing cheerful
ness and sunny disposition made her
a favorite among students and fac.
ulty.
This year, word from her reports
continued improvement in her condi
tion, and she also has the satisfac
tion of knowing that a host o.
Bluffton friends look forward will
hope to her eventual complete re
covery.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Christmas Brings
Demand For Geese

Approach of the Christmas holi-
day season has materially strength
ened the market for geese, Bluffton
poultry dealers said Tuesday.
With goose favored by many as
the principal item of the traditional
Christmas dinner, prices for the
birds have become firmer within the
past week.
Farmers in the Bluffton area are
receiving IL cents a pound for the
general run of live geese, from two
to three cents less per pound than
last year. Retail prices are around
Is cents.
Chickens are retailing at 15 and
16 cents pound, with farmers re-
ceiving II cents for choice heavies
Bulk of the turkey supply was
disposed of at Thanksgiving, and
both the demand and the number
available for the Christmas holidays
is slight, dealers reported. Producers
are getting 20 cents a pound fol
what turkeys are being sold, and the
market price is around % or q
cents.
Eggs are selling at low prices fol
this time of the year, largely because
of mild weather which brings gooc
production from fiocks. Top grade
eggs are bringing the farmer IL
and 20 cents a dozen in the market:
here.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
College Students
Home For HOLIDAYS

Bluffton young people attending
college are returning home this week
for the Christmas holidays. Among
them are:
Ohio State university - Harriet
Balmer, Barbara Carr, Paul Rhoads,
John Romey, Mr.. and Mrs. Orden
Smucker, Harold Schick, Evan Som
mer, Wayne Yoakam.
Bowling Green State university
Letha Niswander, Annabelle Weed,
Mary Marshall.
! Miami university Ethel Jean
Marshall, Neil Baumgartner.
Eastman School of Music-Nelson
Hauenstein.
University of Cincinnati-Morris
and Ropp Triplett.
Oberlin college-Roberta Biery.
Heidelberg college-Josephine Mis-
wander.
Mary Manse college - Adelaide
McGinnis.
Wheaton college-June Burkholder
Western Reserve university-Mil
burn Diller.
| st. Joseph's college-Chas. Hank
ish, Jr.
Case School of Applied Science
Richard Wenger.
Cincinnati Conservatory of Musi,
flames Bixel.
Tiffin Business university = Johl
Lloyd.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Rev. Robert Maher Describes
Life on Board Steamer as
War Broke
Luxury Steamer Scuttled in
Mid-Ocean at Time of Ad-
dress Here Tuesday

While Rev. Robert Maher, pastor
of st. Mary's Catholic church here,
was relating to the Bluffton Lions
club Tuesday night his thrilling and
unanticipated adventures on the
North German Lloyd liner Colum-
bus at the outbreak of the Euro
pean war last September, the magni-
ficent luxury steamer was sinking in
the Atlantic, the latest victim of
ruthless sea warfare.
At the same time in which Rev.
Maher was addressing the Lions din
ner meeting in the Walnut Grill
here, Lowell Thomas, radio news
commentator was describing the
sinking of the ship. Rev. Maher
was unaware of the strange coinci-
dence until after his talk.
The Columbus with Rev. Mahel
ard other vacatio11istss .on 4hoare
played a game of hide and seek fol
several days in the Caribbean sea
at the outbreak of the war seeking
Continued on page p
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
POSTOFFICE TO
OPEN EVENINGS
Windows to be Open Thursday
And Friday Nights Until
Nine O'clock
Will Sell Stamps and Receive
Parcel Post and Letters
For Mailing

With Christmas mailing giving
every indication of topping previous
records, Postmaster Ed r. Reichen-
bach announced this week that stamp
and parcel post windows at the post
office will be open Thursday and Fri
day nights until nine o'clock, to ac-
commodate patrons.
In his announcement, the postmast-
er pointed out that service during
evening hours will be restricted to the
sale of stamps, and to receive parcel
post and letters for outgoing mails.
Patrons are requested not to call at
the window for mail or parcels during
the evening hours, as these will be de-
livered by the regular carrier service.
Volume Increases
Bluffton post office attaches report
that first class mail is showing an in
crease over the normal volume, but
that the most marked uptrend is in
the third class mailing, which includes
greeting cards with " cents postage,
All first class mail is being cleared
from the postoffice on schedule, Post
master Reichenbach said Wednesday,
At times, however, handling of third
class mail may be delayed slightly be-
cause of the heavy volume.
Increasing Mail Heavy
Incoming mail began to pick UP
early last week, but the greatest rush
is expected on Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday of this week. Saturdays
mail also will be heavy, but if the
/ trend in past years continues, the
peak will be past before that day.
The heavy voume of mail has re.
suited in some delay IN delivery or
town and rural routes, and the parce
post delivery department has been op.
Grating at top speed. A long line al
the windows of the post office has
kept clerks busy with the sale Of
stamps and in receiving parcel post.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Couple Is Married
At Home Of Minister

Announcement has been made of
the wedding of Miss Carrie Frank
houser, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. G.
Frankhouser residing south of Bluff
ton, to Wayne Neuenschwander, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Neuensch-
wander of Pandora.
The wedding took place in Lima,
December s, at 7:30 p. M, at the
home of the officiating minister, Rev
E. J. Penhorwood, pastor of the
Lima South Side Church of Christ
and a former Bluffton pastor. The
single ring service was used. The
couple was unattended.
Following week end trip to To-
ledo the couple returned to Lims
where they will reside. The bride i,
a graduate of Bluffton high schoo
with many friends here.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21

Friends made at Bluffton college
who rallied to the help of Betty
Leeson last Christmas with Yule-
tide donation to assist in her battle
against the ravages of infantile
paralysis, are pleased to learn that
this holiday season finds her well
on the road to recovery.
Miss Lesson is remembered in
Bluffton as the girl in the wheel
chair who was a junior in the local
college three years ago.
She went to Chicago following the
close of the school year to take
treatments, which have been contin.
ued over the three-year period.
Last Christmas former classmates
at Bluffton college, members of th'
faculty and residents of the tow
raised a fund of 5000 and sent Il
Miss Lesson to assist in continuing
her brave fight.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Torch Club To Hold
Dinner Meeting Here

Dinner meeting of the Lima chap
ter of the Torch club, a national or
ganization of professional men, will
be held in Bluffton at the Walnut
Grill this Wednesday night at 6:3C
o'clock.
Speaker of the evening will be
Benz. S. Conner, director of the Fed
eral Reserve Bank of Cleveland and
President of the First National bank
of Ada. Mr. Conner's subject vii
he "The Federal Reserve Bank ano
It's Functioning."
An attendance of thirty is expect
ed. Members of the Lima chapter
include DR.. C. Fl. Smith, DR.. l.. L
Ramseyer and Prof. N. L. Byer'
from Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
SCANT PROSPECT
FOR WHITE XMAS
Blizzard Brought Buttons
Last White Yuletide Four
Years Ago
Fifteen White, I3 Green Christ
mas Days Here in Last
2S Years

Mild weather, hailed with delight
by Bluffton area residents so far
this winter, wasn't quite so popular
this week as it appeared Christmas
may come and 60 without the tradi-
tional blanket Of snow that adds so
much to the atmosphere of the Yule-
tide.
With only one light furry of snow
recorded thus far in an early winter
period of unseasonably warm wealth
er, indications are that Bluffton will
have its eighth green Christmas in
the last IL years unless conditions
change decidedly in the next few
days.
"Will Bluffton have snow for
Christmas?", is favorite topic for
grownups and children alike, and
with the odds favoring green Yule-
tide the prospect is none too well
liked.
In the last % years, Bluffton has
had Is white and 13 green Christ
masses, records reveal. But in the
last 12-year period, beginning with
1928, there has been snow for only
four holidays, and on one of those
occasions it was pretty scant.
Last year, a heavy snowfall ar
rived "a hours too late, and Blufftor
celebrated a green Yuletide. Not
since 1885 when the entire district
was swept by blizzard has Blufftor
had snow for Christmas Day.
Here is the actual record OF
ground conditions on Christmas fol
the last 28 years:
1911, no snow; 1912, no snow
1913, trace of snow; 1914, sever
inches; 1915, three inches; 1916, /:
inches; 1917, seven inches; 1918
trace of snow; 1919; one inch; 1920
no snow; 1921, nossnow; 1922, trac'
of snow, 1923, rs Snow. = sdsAs~ss
1924, five inches; 1926, one inch
1926, three inches; 1927, no snow
1928, one inch; 1929, five inches
1880, no snow; 1881, no snow; 1892
no snow; 1888, no snow; 1884, thre,
inches; 1885, eight inches; 1886, nj
snow; 1887, no snow; 1888, no snow
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
To Observe Golden
Wedding Tuesday

One of the events of the holiday
season of interest to many friends
here is the Golden wedding of Mr..
and Mrs. Noah j. Basinger to be
held at their home 205 South Broad
way, Columbus Grove, next Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Basinger who resid-
ed for the past thirty-five years on
the homestead six miles west of town
sold their place last fall and moved
to Columbus Grove.
Observance of the day will include
family dinner followed by open
house in the afternoon from 2 to 4
o'clock when the couple will be
pleased to meet their many friends.
Five generations may be repre-
sented at the Golden wedding if the
health of Mrs. Basinger's 91-year-old
mother, Mrs. Isaac Burkhart of Pam
dora permits of her attendance.
Others in the five generation line are
Mrs. Basinger's daughter Mrs. Waldo
f1OSL6ItlGT Ol Lllfldy tic idlLSl -
daughter, Mrs. Gordon Bogart of
Vaughnsville and 10 months old
Carol Ann Bogart.
Mr.. and Mrs. Basinger, members
of pioneer families of this district
were married in the Zion Mennonite
church three miles west of Bluffton
on December 26, 1889. The Rev.
Christian Zimmerly officiated. Mrs.
Basinger was the former Miss Anna
Burkhart.
Their six children living are: Mrs.
Hostettler of Lima; Mrs. Albert Gar
matter, Bluffton; Mrs. Philip Wood,
| Cortland; Mrs. Russell Kidd, Colum-
bus Grove; Otis Basinger, Bluffton
| and Marc Basinger, Lima.
Mr.. Basinger has one brother, G.
J. Basinger of Mountain Lake, Mimi.
Sisters of Mrs. Basinger are: Mrs.
Harry Roth, Goshen, Ind; Geo. Leh-
man, Miss Mary Burkhart, both of
Pandora and Mrs. J. B. Smith, Elida.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
XMAS BASKETS
FOR INDECENT
Mayor Centralizes Community
Activity to Make Sure
None be Missed
Boy Scouts Will Distribute
Baskets to the Needy on
Saturday Afternoon

Every needy family in Bluffton will
be remembered at Christmas this year
and Yuletide cheer will be spread
among the INDECENT by the distribution
of Christmas baskets.
In systematic program to make
sure that every one in need is reached,
Mayor Wilbur A. Howe this week
named Mrs. Guy Corson chairman OF
a municipal program to plan and di-
rect the distribution of baskets.
He asked the cooperation of all
community groups planning Christ
mas welfare programs in correlat-
ing the activity under one general
committee. BY so doing, there is
less chance that any needy families
will be missed entirely while others
receive help from more than one
source, Mayor Howe said.
Contact Chairman
Any organization planning to make
Christmas distribution is asked to con-
tact Mrs Corson.
Donations of foodstuffs, toys and
money are needed to make the pro-
gram a success, Mrs. Corson announc-
ed Tuesday, and will help in making
Christmas more real for the needy.
Contributions may be left at the
mayors office until noon on Saturday.
Baskets will be prepared shortly af-
ternoon and distribution will be made
before evening by Bluffton Boy
Scouts.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
BluftOn Girl Is In
OrdtOric0L Contest

Phyllis Steiner, Bluffton High
school senior, will compete with rep
resentatives from seven other Allen
county schools in an oratorical con-
test on tuberculosis this Wednesday
night in the Beaverdam High school
auditorium.
Dorothy Fett, of Beaverdam, will
be one of the eight speakers. Other
schools to be represented are Elida,
Conner, Harrod, Lafayette, Shawnee
and Spencerville.
The eight competitors were win
ners in recent essay contest on
tuberculosis, sponsored by the Allen
County Department of Health. Prizes
of $40 and SIS will be awarded for
the best orations.
The meeting will be open to the
| public. 1t will start at 8 p. m.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21

Jesse Hummon, 81, Union township
farmer is a patient in the Bluffton
hospital with q badly mangled left
forearm as the result of an accident
while shredding cornfodder on his
farm FIVE miles north of town Tues
day afternoon.
Hummon's arm was caught in the
shredder and severely torn before he
was released. DR.. j. S. Steiner, at
tending physician, said he believed
the arm could be saved.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Labor Trouble Here Is Aired
In NRLB Washington Inquiry
Former Regional Director of
Labor Board Testifies at
Investigation
No Election Held at Triplett
Plant After CIO Opposes
Step, Miller Says

Charges that partiality was shown
to the CIO by the National Labor
Relations Board in a labor contro-
versy at the Bluffton Plant of The
Triplett Electrical Instrument Co.
were made last Saturday by James
P. Miller, former regional director
for the NLRB in this area.
Miller's statement figured promin-
emily in testimony taken last Satur-
day in Washington by congressional
Investigators.
Miller had jurisdiction in labor
disputes in this district, including
that at the Bluffton plant, during
1887 and 1888.
In accusing the NLRB of wilfully
showing partiality to the CIO, Miller
is reported to have told investigators
that in the case of the Triplett COM
pany he was asked to confer with
| CIO leaders to learn if they wanted
an election held at the local plant.
ELECTION REFUSED
He said CIO officials told him
they did not want an election, and
that eventually the labor relations
board certified the CIO union at the
plant as bargaining agent, altho
there was no election to determine
majority of the employees as its
members.
1t was recalled here that in a
hearing in the summer of 1887, the
NLRB ruled that the Triplett COM
pany should recognize the CIO union
as bargaining agency for the plant.
No election was held, altho the COM
pany and an independent union, The
Bluffton Electrical association, had
several times requested that an elec-
tion be conducted.
Feeling the order was unfair and
that a majority of the workers were
not members of the CIO, the Trip
lett company refused to comply with
the NLRB ruling.
No attempt was made by the board
to enforce the matter in the courts
thruout 1887 and 1888, a delay that
labor observers have said was almost
without precedent in customary
NLRB procedure.
SETTLEMENT MADE
Early in 1889 a settlement was
effected between the company anc
the NLRB, with no recognition being
accorded to the CIO group.
In ruling that the CIO had {
majority of workers in it's unior
here, the NLRB based it's decision
on purported membership list sub
mitted by union officials. This, tn,
company asserted, was largely fcti
tious.
Miller told Investigators at Wash
ington that he was advised to max,
industry fear him and the board.
He was dismissed as regional di
rector of the board last spring. HI
told Investigators the reason givel
for his dismissal was that he ha,
attended a champagne dinner givel
in New York by lawyer who ha'
cases pending before him.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
YULETIDE SPIRIT
PERvADES TOWN
Lights in Homes and Streets
Reflects Gaiety of the
Holiday Season
Program of Christmas Music
Is Broadcast; Stores Open
Every Night

Dressed in colorful Yuletide raj
ment, Bluffton this week entered a
fortnight of holiday gaiety that will
continue thru the celebration of the
New Year.
Homes, lawns and the business dis
trict of the town are resplendid with
the traditional color of the season,
and provide a perfect setting for the
observance of Christmas.
In the downtown area, Illuminated
arches span Main street, and the seas
onal decoration of shop windows
further adds to the holiday atmos-
phere. Interiors and exteriors of
homes are ablaze with the traditional
Yuletide trappings, including trees
and lighted Christmas wreaths.
Church Programs
Yuletide programs in churches of
the district beginning on Christmas
Eve, together with the traditional
community caroling will bring to a
climax a busy season of pre-holiday
activity.
Opening event in the musical OBJ
servance of Christmas was last Sun
day with rendition of Handel's ora
torio, "The Messiah" by the Bluffton
College Choral Society.
Nightly reditions of Christmas mu-
sic comprise the open air broadcast
from large speakers in the tower of
the high school building. Recorded
music and selections sung and played
by Bluffton musicians are included in
the programs that will continue until
Christmas. The broadcasts are suffi-
ciently amplified to be heard thruout
most of the town.
Remaining open each night this
week, Bluffton places of business have
been experiencing an increasing vol
ume in holiday trade. Last Saturday
was big day for most Christmas
shoppers, but brisk business is con-
tinuing this week.
Santa Claus will be in Button or
Saturday afternoon and evening with
candy for all the children, it was an
nounced the first of the week. The
free picture show for children largely
attended last Saturday will also be
continued on Saturday afternoon OF
this week.
School Recess
Christmas vacation at Bluffton col.
lege will begin with the close OF
class room activity on Thursday, ano
students will not return until Wed.
nesday morning, Jan. 8.
Bluffton grade and high school stu
dents will be dismissed for the holi-
DAYS Friday afternoon, and classes
will convene again Tuesday morning
Jan 2.
The customary Christmas mail rusf
is under way at the post office, anc
for the convenience of Bluffton pat
rons. Postmaster Ed r. Reichenbacf
announced that stamp windows vii
be open Thursday and Friday nights
of this week.
Business generally will be suspend
ed in the town on Christmas day, ant
there will be no regular mail deliver
les.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Tell OF Central
American Mission

Rev. and Mrs. A. Aglesias, mis-
s;onaries to the San Bias islands, off
the coast of Central America, will
give an illustrated lecture in the
Ebenezer Mennonite church, Thurs
day night at 8 o'clock to which the
public is invited.
Rev. Aglesias, a native of these
islands. together with his wife, have
been for the past year at Asbury
college, Willmore, KY. The Sar
BIAS islands are said to be an ex
tremely difficult field for missionar!
work.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Weather Sharps Confirm Local
Mans Forecast Of Mild Winter

Bluffton people were interested
Tuesday in hearing a well known
radio commentator state that wealth
er records thus far show this to be
the mildest winter since 1889.
The record bears out the forecast
made by Charles Burns, Bluffton
weather prophet. In Burns annual
forecast published in the Bluffton
News on November %, he stated
Predictions for this year tend to
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
IN NEW HOME

Mr.. and Mrs. Jack Remde are oc-
cupying their newly built home on
Grove street.
Three other homes on Grove
street, those of Norman Triplett,
Lugibill Sisters and Ed Smith, now
under construction, are nearing COM
pletion.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
LIBRARY HOURS

Beginning Saturday and continu-
ing thru next week, the Bluffton
Public library will be open from 2
to 8 p. m. daily except on Christmas
day when it viii be closed all day,
it was announced by Miss 0cie
Anderson, librarian.
The library will be closed all day
on New Years. Regular library
hours will be resumed on January 2
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
German Liner Sinks AS Speaker
Relates Adventures On Boat


LUTHERAN-Sunday a. m.
CHURCH OF CHRIST-Sunday 9:15 a. m.
METHoDIsT-Sunday 10 a. m.
PREsBYTERIAN-Sunday p. m.
ST. JOHNS REF'D.-Sunday 1880 p. m.
MIssIoNARY-Sunday 7:30 p. m.
DEFENSELEss- ss-Sunday 1880 p. m.
college ChapeD
EBENEZER-Sunday 1880 p. m.
FIRST MENNoNITE-Mon 7:30 p. m.
EMANUEL's REF'D.-Monday 8 p. m.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21

indicate the winter will be similar to
that of 1882.
In that year, Burns said, there
were only three and one-quarter
inches of snow. He also predicted
an early spring in 1910.
Burns bases his predictions by the
markings on the furry coat of cater
pillars and for several years his
forecasts have proved unusually ac-
curate.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-12-21
Births

Mr.. and Mrs. Wayne Galloway
are the parents of a daughter born
at the Bluffton hospital, Thursday.
The Washington times., 1939-01-11

ficer of the Royal Guard of the
King of Denmark. Even minus his
colorful uniform, Captain Sauer-
brey looks like a soldier.