davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1944-04-28
IA A T II E R
Mutterings
BY Jim FOltz

Strange how some people can
put it out to others on draft de-
ferments but cannot take it when
shown the shoes fit their feet so
neatly. How come?
A number Of our boys do read
Mather Mutterings by Jim Foltz.
This became very apparent upon
publication of an article on draft
deferment. To you who liked
that article and to those of you
who took personal offense,
thanks. There is no apology
some day Norm Glover and our
boys in the armed forces will
be home. Nuff said.
A bright red box hangs on the
wall of the time office stenciled
on the front-News Items for
Mather Unit. Why not use this
box? Put your news items, NUT
terings etc. in there. Any thought
on paper may help make our
column a success.
When a timekeeper's job also
consists of bringing in morn
ing paper-it is his duty to see
that the paper reaches us even
when he stays home in bed.
We have known Of great train
ed animal acts including flea
circus or two. Perry the plumber
rates highly in the profession of
trainers. At times when there
are visitors in his home at Luna
Pier he turns loose the trained
hornets to sting and molest the
guests.
HERE AND THERE
Com. Britton would like to
know if the days of Langley,
foreman Joe and the other old
time rulers in this shop have
been forgotten by management.
Are the clips manufactured for
our firm on the outside made by
Union Workers? Not if rumor
is correct.
Who is the straying Mather
Romeo who caused that brown
eyed gals heart to flutter? How
comes he sings "A tear on my
pillow each morning." Hope he
don't talk in his sleep.
See w. Bryan Forming Dept
bard, Poems for any and all
occasions, eh Dutch?
Sgt. Tommy Young will sure
appreciate the fact Bro. G.. II. has
his commodores suit neatly
pressed shoes highly shined, big
outboard gassed up-ready to go
The two group leaders in
finish room had better stay out
out of various lunch packs
There may be a bad taste one
of these days.
Fisher don't call Carl louise
seems that typewriter affair is
not to be published.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
With The Sick

Condition of Peter Matter who has
been ill at his home on Spring street
was reported serious the first of the
week.
Mrs. Eliza Fett continues quite i'll
at her home on South Main street.
Noah Basinger, Bluffton furniture
dealer continues to make satisfactory
improvement at Bluffton hospital
where he underwent an operation
for gallstones nearly two weeks ago.
Condition of Elmer Diller suffer
ing from a heart ailment and COM
plications at his home on Spring
street is improved.
Samuel Blosser residing south of
Bluffton underwent an operation for
removal of tonsils at the office of
DR.. NJ. d. Soash, Tuesday.
Charles Keifer residing south OF
Bluffton is medical patient at Lima
Memorial hospital.
Mrs. Bennie r. Shafer who recent
ly underwent a major operation al
the Findlay hospital is convalescine
at her home on Cherry street and
able to receive visitors.
Mrs. Dennis Diller is convalescine
at Lima Memorial hospital following
major operation last Thursday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Former BIuftOn
Man Hurt In Fall

Calvin Niswander, 65, former
Bluffton resident now living in Lima
is in a critical condition at st. Rita's
hospital in that city suffering from
multiple fractures and internal in
iuries as the result of 80 foot fall
at the plant of the Lima Locomotive
works where he was employed.
Notwithstanding his serious condi-
ton, there are hopes that he will
recover.
The accident occurred last Thurs
day when Niswander who was work
ing on top of building at the
plant slipped and fell thru sky
light, crashing to the floor below.
He is a native of Pandora, the
son of the late Cleophas Niswander
His wife, the former Elizabeth Lora
is a sister of Mrs. Ray Mumma
Frank Niswander of Pandora is q
brother. The family lived here
about thirty years ago, later moving
to Lima
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
q men TAKEN IN
BOARD NOS DRAFT
CALL FOR AUGUST
This Months Inductions Re-
main Light, Altho Heavier
Than July's Total of 8
Six of Those Inducted Tuesday
Are From BlufftOn Area;
Two Live in Town

August draft calls of the three
Allen county boards were heavier
than in July, with Board No.
which has jurisdiction over Bluffton
and Richland township sending %
men to Ft. Hayes, Columbus, for
induction, last Tuesday.
Six Bluffton area men were in
cluded in the group. They were
Richard Rockey and William P.
Mericle, both of Bluffton; Donavin
L. Sommer, Pandora Route 1; Will
mer J. Lehman, Columbus Grove
Route 2; Ralph f. Burwell, Lafay-
cite Route /, and Kenneth f.
Barnes, Lafayette Route 2.
August's call of %, including one
transfer, took nearly three times as
many registrants as in July when
only eight men were inducted from
Board No. 3.
However, the number of men call
ed for service remains materially
less than in the spring months when
ITO men from Board No. were
inducted in April, May and June.
The August call for all three Allen
county boards totalled only 45 men
in comparison to the June record
when there were 72 inductions from
Board No. 3 alone.
So far there is no indication as
to whether the September call will
be light or heavy, but it is expected
that inductions for the most part
will be made for that month from
18-year-old registrants who have had
birthdays during the preceding
month.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Hilty-CrOU Wedding
At Pandora Tuesday

Simplicity marked the marriage
of Miss Evelyn Hilty of Pandora
and Cpl. Lyle Grow of Mt. Cory
which took place at Pandora, Tues
day evening at 5:45 o'clock in the
parsonage of the Grace Mennonite
church.
Rev. Forrest Musser, pastor of the
bride, officiated in the double ring
ceremony.
Miss Rachel Criblez was the
brides only attendant and Roy
Grow, brother of the bridegroom
was best man.
The bride was attired in a fur
trimmed aqua wool suit with gold
accessories and corsage of peach
gladioli. The maid of honor wore a
gray wool suit with fuschia acces-
sories and corsage of matching glad
ioli.
Following the ceremony the couple
left Tuesday night for a short we'd
ding trip.
The bride, only daughter of Mrs.
Adam Hilty of Pandora was gradu-
ated from Pandora high school and
received her Bachelor of Arts degree
from Bluffton college. During the
past year she was instructor in So
cial science and history at Pandora
high school.
Cpl. Grow, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ferd Crow of Mt Cory was gradu-
ated from Mt Cory high school and
prior TO entering the Army attended
Findlay and Bluffton colleges. He is
now serving in the signal corps sta
toned at Drew Field, Tampa, Fla
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
SUGGEST ANNUAL
FEE FOR OUTSIDE
FIRE PROTECTION
Richland and Orange Trustees
and Beaverdam Council At
tend Meeting
Area Conference is Held al
BlufftOn Council Chamber
Monday Night

Preliminary discussion of Bluff
toms future responsibility in fighting
fires in the surrounding area outside
the corporation limits was completed
Monday night in the council cham
Der at a conference between the
town council and trustees from
Orange and Richland townships and
Beaverdam village councilmen.
Union township, whose trustees
were invited to attend the conference
was not represented.
AS a result of the meeting the
two township groups and Beaverdam
council have propositions under con-
sideration and upon their reply will
depend largely Bluffton's future
policy in regard to answering out of
town fire calls.
Determine Type of Equipment
Also to be determined by their
replies will be the type of equip
ment to be purchased in Buttons
planned program of undermining its
Continued on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Wedding AT Methodist
Church On Saturday

The wedding of Mary Alice
Geiger, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Millen C. Geiger of South Lawn
avenue and Cpl. Franklin L. Farms
worth, son of the late Mrs. Ida
Farnsworth of Wheatland, Wyoming
took place Saturday evening, August
5th, at $3.50 o'clock in the Methodist
church. Rev. J. A. Weed, pastor,
officiated in the presence of the inn
mediate families and close friends.
The altar was decorated with
candelabra, white gladioli and ferns.
Preceding and during the ceremony
the Misses Betty and Jean Ann
Steinman, playing the cello and
piano, presented a musical program
selected by the young couple.
A lilac gabardine suit was chosen
by the bride for her wedding and
going-away costume. Her corsage
was white roses and purple larkspur.
The bride carried an heirloom lace
handkerchief, which was also carried
by her mother on her wedding day.
The maid of honor was Miss Har-
riet Cooney of Bluffton and Dayton,
who wore a suit of cocoa brown
wool. Her corsage was Johanna
Hill roses.
The best man was Pfc. Stanley
Boyer, who is stationed at Vandalia,
Ohio.
An informal reception for twenty
five guests followed at the home of
the brides parents.
The couple left for a fifteen day
furlough-honeymoon at the ranch
home of the groom in Wheatland,
Wyoming.
The bride was graduated from
Bluffton High School and attended
Bluffton college. She will return to
the office of the Triplett Electrical
Instrument Company of Bluffton,
where she is employed.
The groom was graduated from
Wheatland High school and attended
the University of Wyoming before
enlisting in the Army Air Forces.
He will return to the Army Air
Base at Vandalia.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Funeral For Gust
Basinger On Fridau

August (Gust) Basinger, 81, farm
er of three miles west of Bluffton.
died in Lima Memorial hospital last
Sunday evening after having been
ill for five weeks with undulant
fever.
Funeral services will be held at
the Ebenezer Mennonite church on
Friday morning at 1890 o'clock
with Rev. A. C. Schultz officiating.
lnterment will be in Zion Mennon-
ite cemetery. His son J. August
Basinger in naval service is expect
ed to arrive Thursday from Seattle.
Survivors include his wife, the
former Elizabeth Oard, and the fol-
lowing children, Mrs. Virginia Reich
enbach, Bluffton; Mrs. Elene Schu-
macher, Columbus Grove; Daisy Ba-
singer, at home; j. August Basing-
er, with the U. S. Navy at Seattle,
Wash; Clark L. Basinger, in navy
training at Great Lakes, H.; Karl,
Ernest and Shirl Basinger, all at
home.
Surviving brothers and sisters are
Fred, Chris, Irwin and John Ba-
singer, all of Columbus Grove
Walter Basinger, Pandora; Mrs.
Regina Kohl and Mrs. CAROLYN
Kohl, both of Columbus Grove.
His mother, Mrs. John Catherine
Kiene) Basinger resides in Columbus
Grove. The body is at the Paul
Diller funeral home where it will
remain until time for the services
Friday morning.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
DROUGHT RETURNS
after WEEK END
RESPITE IN AREA
Hot and Dry Weather Resumed
After Rain Breaks Six
Weeks Record
Sp0tty Downpours Bring Meas
ure of Relief to Part
of District

Drought conditions, broken tenn
porarily by rains over the week end
have returned with indications point
ing to a resumption of the hot and
dry spell which has proven the
longest in recent years.
After six weeks of virtually no
rainfall, a heavy downpour, accom-
panied by an electrical storm
drenched Bluffton last Saturday
afternoon, bringing to lawns and
gardens welcome relief.
The week end rains, altho heavy.
were spotty-the area northwest of
town receiving good rains on Friday
and Saturday while the district east
of Bluffton got none.
TEMPERATURES DROP
Temperatures also dropped follow
ing the rains, with the Thermometer
registering low of 81 degrees early
Tuesday morning The respite, how-
ever, was short lived with the mer-
curry mounting into the nineties
Wednesday and still warmer weather
in prospect for the last of the week.
The return of rainless weather will
further aggravate drought condi-
tions which are already severe and
in marked contrast to conditions a
year ago when fields and victory
gardens were repeatedly flooded by
recurrent heavy downpours.
Effect of the week end rains on
crops was being appraised by farm
ers the first of the week. The late
potato crop should be one of the
chief benefciaries, they said. Also
it will be of help to soy beans and
those stands of corn which have de-
veloped sufficiently deep root sys-
TENS to benefit from sub-surface
moisture.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Better Fishing And Hunting Locally
In Prospect For Bluffton Sportsmen
Gasoline Rationing Prevents
Trips, So Home Restocking
Program Is Stepped Up
More Than Two Tons of Fish
Will be Released Locally Be-
fore Arrival of Winter

Gasoline rationing restrictions
, growing out of the war may prove
a blessing in disguise for Bluffton
area sportsmen, as a result of ex-
tensive fish and game restocking
programs now under way in the
area.
Sponsored by the Bluffton Com
munity Sportsmen's club, the propa-
cation projects are intended to pro-
vide better hunting and fishing right
at home, thereby eliminating the ne
cessity of making trips to other
parts of the state for those pur-
suits.
Highlighting this summers activi-
ties of the club is the largest fish
restocking program ever sponsored
in this district, which was started
two weeks ago with the release of
ton of fish in local quarries and
streams.
In this shipment of fish were
"catch-size" Lake Erie channel cat
fish from 10 to IA inches in length.
START OF PROGRAM
However, this represents only the
initial stage of an extensive re-
stocking program that will be- eli
NAKED in the fall when two tank
truck loads of crappies will bt
brought here from Lake Erie hatch.
cries, for release in local fishing
waters.
Crappies obtained for distribution
here will be large size fish, and
total weight will approximate one
ton, all of which will be large
enough to catch next spring. Cost
of the fish will be about three to
four cents each.
Hunting improvements have not
been overlooked by the sportsmen's
organization, altho this area already
is known as one of the best pleas
ant districts in the state.
Very few pheasant chicks reared
in the area have been released on
contracted land by the game ward
ems due to the fact that pheasants
this fall will probably be more nu-
merous than in previous years.
Farmers are complaining there are
! almost too many pheasants, the sur
plus being built up as result of a
shortage in shells, and the fact that
last fall there were fewer hunters
than usual because of so many young
men being in the armed forces.
Thirty-three raccoon raised locally
will be released for next winters
hunting, continuation of Bluffton
propagation project started two
years ago by the sportsmen's club
For raccoon raising alone the club
appropriated $3.50.
Cost of the fish and game propa-
cation programs is being paid from
proceeds of the Fourth of July rodeo
sponsored jointly by the sportsmen's
club and other local organizations.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Lions Club To Meet
At Buckeye Tuesday

Members of the Bluffton Lions
club will hold a picnic supper at
Buckeye lake at $50 p. m. next
Tuesday, and after the meal will di-
vide into groups to work on inn
provements to the park and its
buildings.
Weeds at the park will be cut, the
grass will be moved, buildings will
be painted and minor carpentry re-
pairs will be made to the structures.
All members of the club are re-
quested to report for the park inn
provement drive.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Births

The following births at Bluffton
hospital:
Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert Reichenbach
of Bluffton, son, Samuel Herbert,
Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Swank,
Bluffton, a daughter, Nancy Ellen,
Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Huber Jones, Co
lumbus Grove, son, Robert Lynn,
Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Evan Anderson,
Findlay, a son, William Evan, We'd
nesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Welty, Pan
dora, a son, Ronald Dean, Wednes-
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis Basinger
are the parents of daughter born
at their home southwest of Bluffton,
Tuesday morning.
Mr.. and Mrs. Orden Smucker OF
Columbus are the parents of a
daughter, Lisen, born at the Uni
versity hospital, Saturday.
Lieut.. and Mrs. Cleon Althaus are
the parents of a daughter born al
Ft. Belvoir, Va, last Wednesday
Lieut.. Althaus is the son of Mrs
Elizabeth Althaus of North Jack.
son street.
Cpl. and Mrs. Gerald Basinger are
the parents of a daughter, Patricis
Ann, born at st. Rita's hospital
Lima, Thursday. Cpl. Basinger, sta.
toned at Lowry Field, Denver
Colo, is the son of Mrs. Martha
Basinger of near Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
In New Locations

Frank Patterson, new instructor
in languages at Bluffton college who
last month purchased the ]. w.
Jackson property on South Main
street will move here next week
from Circleville and occupy the res
idence. Mrs. Norah Koch, daughter
of the late J. w. Jackson and ad-
ministratrix of the estate who has
been living in the property this
summer will return to her home in
Lima.
Harold Kennedy and family OF
South Jackson street expect to leave
August 81 for California where they
will make their future home.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Mayor w. A. Howe Takes Over
Job in Present Wartime
Emergency
Precarious Footing on Shiny
Creek Bed Brings FIRE.
quent Dunkings

Wading in Shiny water, burdened
with a 25-pound spray tank, and
not always being successful in re-
naming upright on a treacherous
underfooting of slippery rocks is
the very unglamorous wartime job
Mayor w. A. Howe has taken over
in keeping Bluffton free of mosqui-
toes.
For 35 to 40 hours each week, the
mayor sloshes thru the unsavory
waters of Big and Little Riley
creeks and circumstances of his job
are such that the worst areas of
stagnant pools are where he must
spend the most time in applying
spray to kill mosquito larvae.
Shiny rocks are a constant men
ace to anyone wading in the creek
in rubber boots, and, laden with a
heavy spray can, he has little chance
to maintain his balance once he
slips. As a consequence frequent
"dunkings" in the sewage coated
waters do little to improve the
mayors outlook on life-and the
war.
When the scarcity of labor last
year grew so acute there were no
applications for the mosquito treat
ment job, Mayor Howe took it over,
and is serving again this year in the
emergency.
Contrary to popular opinion, dry
weather this summer has not de-
creased the breeding of mosquitoes,
and the fact Bluffton residents have
not been troubled has been due en-
tirely to the unceasing vigilance of
the patrol.
LARVAE FEED On SEWAGE
AS long as any water is present,
mosquito larvae will thrive, and cir
cumstances are even more favorable
in dry years than those in which it
is unusually wet.
Sewage particles that can GO
found along every stretch of the Big
Riley, and which virtually clog the
Little Riley, are ideal for mosquito
breeding. The larvae cling to the
sewage, and to make certain that
all are killed it is necessary to get
out in the creek and kick the de-
posits over so that both sides can
be coated with spray.
Every foot of the water courses
must be patrolled weekly, and the
job is hot one and dirty one as
Mayor Howe can attest.
More than 500 gallons of larvi-
eide and oil are used every summer
on the streams of the town, and all
500 gallons must be carried over
the treacherous stream beds in the
four-gallon spray can.
It's a dirty job, but those who
remember when Bluffton every sum-
mer was infested with swarms of
mosquitoes that made it impossible
to spend a moment of relaxation
out-of-doors in the evening can bear
witness that the program is a
worthwhile one, so far as the town
is concerned.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Wading Sewage Laden Creeks In High
Top Boots Is Task OF Mosquito Patrol
SGT. Oldn Herr Wins
Bronze Star Medal

Staff Sergeant olan Herr, son of
Mrs. Alice Herr, of Bentley road,
has received Bronze Star medal
and citation for meritorious service
in actual combat, it was learned this
week.
Sgt. Herr has been serving in Italy
with a field artillery battalion. He
received an award of the Purple
Heart several months ago, after hav-
ing been wounded in a fox hole
while serving as an observer for his
artillery unit at an advance post
under enemy fire.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
LOngsdOrf Accepts
Internal Revenue Job

A. ]. B. Longsdorf, who resigned
as superintendent of Bluffton public
schools last spring, has accepted a
position as deputy collector of in
ternal revenue, it was announced
this week.
His headquarters are at internal
revenue Offices in Lima.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
Real Estate Deals

Fred Lingel has purchased the
residence property on Campus View
occupied by Woodrow Little and
owned by 0rden Smucker of Colum-
bus, former Bluffton high school in
structor. Lingel expects to oc-
cupy the property this fall moving
from his present location, the Mrs
Edna Badertscher property at Grove
street and Kibler road.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-08-10
SCHOOL TO OPEN
FOR FALL TERM
TUESDAY, SEPT. 5
Action on Three Vacancies in
Teaching Staff Expected
Monday Night
Superintendent Ralph Lanham
Takes Over Duties as
School Head Here

Buttons public schools will open
for the fall term on Tuesday,
September 5, it was announced by
Ralph S. Lanham, new head of the
school system who arrived Monday
to assume his duties here.
Superintendent Lanham's arrival
came at the same time as an un-
expected vacancy develops in the
teaching staff and this together with
the filing of previously existing
vacancies in the corps of instructors
is scheduled to come before the
board of education at it's monthly
meeting next Monday night, the last
regular session before the opening
of school three weeks hence.
Latest vacancy to occur in the
teaching personnel was that of Mrs.
Marilyn Holmden RAIDER, employed
two weeks ago as instructor in the
first grade. Mrs. RAIDER asked Mon
day to be released from her contract
in order to return with her husband,
r. B. RAIDER to an army camp near
Los Angeles where he is stationed
as an instructor. RAIDER is now home
on furlough.
Expect Release
Altho the matter will not come
before the board of education form
ally until next Monday night, MEM
bers indicated unofficially Tuesday
that the release would be granted
and the couple are making prepara
tions to leave shortly for California.
Because of an anticipated enroll
ment of So pupils in the first grade
this fall, the largest in recent years,
the board Of education is planning to
divide the lass between two teach
ers instead pf one and Mrs. RAIDER
had been employed as the additional
instructor. A
The vacancy created by Mrs.
RAIDERS resignation will probably be
filled at the meeting of the board
next Monday night.
Other Vacancies
Also scheduled for board action
are two other existing vacancies;
one in the manual training depart
ment occasioned by the resignation
of Hayden Steiner and the other by
the resignation of Sidney Hauen-
stein, instructor in instrumental
music.
In the matter of manual training,
it was stated by informed sources
the first of the week that no in
structor had yet been obtained, altho
efforts to fill the vacancy are being
continued. In this connection it was
pointed out that unless an acceptable
instructor can be secured there will
be no alternative except to close the
department.
Less definite is the music situa-
tion where an instructor is to be
supplied in band and orchestra. 1t
Is UEllGNcd pOSStDlC Alfll &AtoS la
riet Brate, present instructor in
vocal music may be given super
vision of both vocal and instrumental
music with part of the vocal en-
semble instruction assigned to
present high school teachers and
part time instructor employed to
take charge of the band.
Superintendent Lanham has been
unable to move his family here be-
cause of lack of housing accom-
modations. He is hoping to find
living quarters by the latter part of
August when his family consisting
of his wife and two daughters will
move here from Mt. Victory, south
of Kenton.