davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
VeInad BOrkOsky
Weds Kermit Herr

In a candlelight ceremony in the
First Mennonite church at 6 a. m
Sunday, July 2, Miss Velma Bor-
kosky, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs
Gust Borkosky, became the bride OF
Kermit Herr, son of Mr.. and Mrs
P. c. Herr. All are of Bluffton.
Rev. J. N. Smucker, pastor of the
church, officiated in a double ring
ceremony.
For the event the bride wore a
powder blue crepe street length dress
and a blue hat with a shoulder
length veil. She also wore strand
of pearls, a gift of the groom, and
a gold bracelet which was worn by
her mother at her wedding. Her cor
sage was of white gardenias and
baby's breath.
Mrs. Rose Zimmerman, of Lima,
was the brides attendant. She wore
an aqua crepe dress with matching
hat and a gold bracelet given to he1
by the bride. George Landes, also
of Lima, attended the groom.
Mrs. Herr is employed at The
Triplett Electrical Instrument Co
here and the groom is associated
with the Lima Locomotive Works.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Yank Soldiers In England Popular
With Children Craving Candy And Gum
SiefeLd Is In France
With InUdsiOn Troops

Herbert Siefeld, Jr., son of Mr..
and Mrs. Herbert Siefeld, of South
Main street, is with American troops
on the Normany invasion coast, his
parents were notified in a letter re-
ceived from him this week.
Young Siefeld who is with an ar
tillery unit had been in England only
six weeks before being shifted to
France. He entered the Army on
March 10, 1943. So far he is the
first from this area who has notified
relatives of being in France with in
vasion troops.
In his letter to his parents, Siefeld
said the weather was disagreeable,
there was almost constant rain and
plenty of mud.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13

Here he remained for over a century
when the monks, thinking it disgrace
full that 50 great saint should have
so lowly a burial place, resolved to
move the body to the church.
The 18th of July was set for that
purpose. But on that day a heavy
rain came and continued without in
terruption for the next forty days.
The monks took this as a sign of
heavenly displeasure and instead Of
removing the body they Quilt a
chapel over it where it lay.
Unfortunately, however, for the
legend, it happens that the removal
of his remains from the grave in the
churchyard to magnificent shrine
within the cathedral took place or
July Is, 971, one hundred and nine
years after his death without any
interference from the weather.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
EARLIEST WHEAT
CUTTING IN YEARS
NEARLY COMPL
Prolonged Drought Speeds I'M
interrupted Harvesting of
Excellent Crop
Most Farmers Market Grain At
Once to Eliminate Second
Handling Later

Speeded by prolonged dry weather,
this areas earliest wheat harvest in
the memory of the oldest farmers
is practically completed, and the
bulk of a better than average crop
will be marketed before the close
of the week.
Most farmers are hauling their
wheat directly to market from
combines or threshing rigs, for the
current farm labor shortage is an
inducement to sell now and eliminate
the extra handling of putting the
grain into bins and later taking it
out for marketing.
Both local dealers, the Bluffton
Milling Co. and the Farmers Grain
Co., are prepared to handle the
large volume, and have been remain
ing open evenings to handle the
steady influx of grain.
Ample Shipping Facilities
For a short time last week, mar
keting was temporarily delayed be-
cause Of a shortage of freight cars,
but the situation has been remedied
and plenty Of transportation was
available early this week to move
the wheat on to large city markets.
Quality Of this years crop is one
of the best on record, testing from
SO to Ga, and the yield is running
from % to 40 bushels to the acre.
The prolonged drought prevailing
since June % has made ideal harvest
conditions. There has been no inter-
ruption because of rain, and with
little or no dew falling combines
were able to get into fields early in
the morning to speed the harvest.
Hot weather caused the crop to
ripen much earlier than usual, and
the peak of the harvesting was
passed early this week altho many
farmers worked last Sunday to get
their wheat cut while conditions
were favorable.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Leaves Sunday For
Chaplain's Training

Rev. Ernest Bigelow, pastor of the
Bluffton and Rockport Presbyterian
churches who has enlisted as an
army chaplain will leave next SUM-
day afternoon for Harvard univers-
ity, Cambridge, Mass, for five weeks
of preliminary training.
He will conduct final services at
both churches next Sunday morning
and leave late in the afternoon for
the east.
Following the services last Sunday
morning Rev. Bigelow was honored
by the Bluffton congregation with a
dinner in the church basement.
At a congregational meeting pre-
ceding the dinner the pastor was
given a leave of absence for the dur
alton and six months thereafter.
Similar action is expected to be
taken by the congregation of the
Rockport church at a meeting called
for this Wednesday night.
Another congregational meeting
will be held at the Bluffton church
Friday night at $50 o'clock.
Rev. Bigelow enlisted last spring
for the duration and six months
thereafter and has been commissioned
first lieutenant. He has been pas
tor of the Bluffton and Rockport
churches for the past two years and
is graduate of Wooster college and
Yale Divinity school.
Mrs. Bigelow and their six
months old son Bruce will continue
to make their home here.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Real Estate Deals

Mrs. Mary King Schiffke of De-
troit has purchased from the estate
of her father, the late ]. Norman
King, the family home on South
Main street together with a five acre
tract of land on which the residence
is located. The property was pur-
chased at its appraised value of
$4,000. Mr.. and Mrs. Schiffke and
family moved here the first of the
week. Mr.. Schiffke is employed in
Detroit.
Mrs. Corrin King Blackburn has
purchased the Carl Devier property
on East Elm street and expects to
move here with her family from
Kalida. Her husband, DR.. John
Blackburn is a physician in the army
medical corps.
The Esther Blymyer property in
Rawson was recently purchased by
Mrs. Eugene Basinger of Bluffton
The deal was made by Mrs. H. w
Althaus.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
THREE WEEKS OF
DROUGHT BRINGS
CRISIS IN CROPS
Light Shower Wednesday Morn
ing Hoped FOrerunner of
More Rain
Cooler Weather Brings Relief
from Week of Heat and
High Humidity

Bluffton area residents were hope
full that scattered showers Wednes-
day morning might break three
weeks drought which admittedly has
reached serious proportions and
resulted in damage to farm crops
and victory gardens.
The showers Wednesday morning
were not sufficient to alleviate
drought conditions, however farmers
and gardeners were hopeful that they
might be the forerunner of heavier
downpours.
Accompanying the rain We're over
cast skies and definitely cooler
weather bringing a welcome relief
to high humidity and heat which has
continued here for week with
temperatures in the high nineties.
Need Heavy Rain Soon
The three weeks drought has
burned up pastures and lawns and
parched field crops. Observers
estimate that commercial and victory
garden vegetable production has been
cut from 10 to 90 per cent under
last year.
This areas last rainfall was a
heavy shower on Friday, June %,
and altho light precipitation was
predicted over the last weekend, it
passed by Bluffton to make the
situation more alarming with each
passing day.
In addition to threatened crop
losses, dairymen have reported a
growing milk shortage, because of
lack of feed in brown meadowlands.
Many farmers are considering put
ting their focks on dry feed, and
the move may be general unless last
ing relief comes soon.
Egg production also is down con-
siderably, helping marketing situa-
tion that has provided many head
Continued on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Fire In StrdUstack
Burns GiYbOd Barn

Fire originating in strawstack
from an undetermined cause de-
stroyed large hip-roof barn on the
farm of Fred Hector, Jr., two miles
north of Gilboa on Tuesday after
noon at 4 o'clock.
Threshing at the farm had been
completed Tuesday noon.
Gilboa, Ottawa and Leipsic fire
departments called to the scene sue
ceeded in preventing spread of the
flames to the house and nearby
buildings.
A large farm tractor and con-
siderable amount of feed and grain
were lost, together with two large
strawstacks. The loss is partly COW
cred by insurance.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Resurfacing OF Main Street Delayed
Until About First Of September
Application of Hot Mix Surface
Awaits Installation of
Water Taps
Curb Repair and Raising of
Catch Basins Also Must
Be Done First

Resurfacing of Bluffton's MAR
street will be delayed until Septem.
Der to permit the installation of new
tap lines connecting city water mains
running down the center of the
street with the water systems of 160
homes and business places bordering
the thorofare.
Replacement of the water lines
has been unavoidably held up most
of the time since early in June be-
cause large shipment of new taps
was lost enroute of Bluffton, after
leaving the factory at Decatur, H.,
on May "a.
So far the shipment has not been
located, and workman have been
able to proceed only as a few taps
can be obtained here and there.
Start September !
1t now appears that installation
of the new tap lines cannot be
completed until late in August, anC
the start of resurfacing consequent
Fly has been set back to- September /
In addition to installing the water
taps, curbs must be repaired anc
catch basins and manhole covers
must be raised to make them flush
with the new surface of the street.
Cost of the $27,5OO program vii
be shared by the State Highway
department and the municipality
but Bluffton will have to provide
only $4,000 as its contributions.
Hot-Mix Surface
In the street improvement, one
and three-quarters inch asphalt hot
lmix surface will be placed over the
present brick pavement, beginning al
the Bentley road, and continuing
north to the Allen-H Hancock county
line. This will comprise a one anc
one-half mile project within the city
limits.
In addition, the Dixie highway i;
being resurfaced from the Allen
Hancock county line, north of its
intersection with State Route So
near Mt. Cory.
Work already is underway on the
Dixie highway phase of the program
outside Button, with resurfacinl
starting at Route SO and proceeding
toward the town. The contract il
held by the Maumee Asphalt anC
Paving Co., of Toledo.
Traffic is being maintained on the
highway during the progress of the
work, and no detours have beer
necessary.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Boy Hurt In Farm
Accident Loses Toes

Willis Marquart, five-year-old. son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Wilbur Marquart, of
near Jenera, who received crushed
foot in a farm accident last week
will lose two toes thru amputation.
The boys foot was run over by a
tractor operated by his aunt, Dorothy
Hartman, while working in field
on the Marquart farm. He was TAX
EN- to the Bluffton Community hos
pital, and after an infection became
serious was transferred to ST. Rita's
hospital in Lima.
Amputation of the two toes is ne
cessary, but the foot will be saved,
the family was informed.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Advanced In Rank

Denver Augsburger of Bluffton,
now in North Africa, has been pro-
NOTED from the rank of sergeant to
staff sergeant, it was announced the
first of the week.
Cpl. Evan r. Badertscher, sta
toned at Camp Polk, Louisiana, has
been advanced to the rank of SER
geant. He is the son of Mrs. Edna
Badertscher, formerly of Bluffton,
now living in North Baltimore.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Sgt. Roland Swank, formerly of
BlufftOn Writes of English
Life
French Fried Potatoes Take
Place of American Ham,
burger Sandwiches

A graphic account of picturesque,
wartime England is given in an in
teresting letter received this week by
The News from Sgt Roland Swank
graduate of Bluffton High school and
Bluffton college, who was superin-
tendent of Elida High school before
entering the service.
He writes from England:
'I've been fortunate to have the
privilege of travelling over a large
part of Scotland, Wales and England
in my brief stay here. Great Bri-
tain is land of rare scenic beauty
The land is gently rolling almost
everywhere and quite hilly in spots.
THE fertile brown fields and deep
green pastures with their inevitable
stone wall or hedge, no two appar-
emily alike in size or shape, form a
giant quilt-like pattern over the
countryside.
"The trees here are almost beyond
description. The estate on which we
now are encamped has many which
are much larger than the old land
mark in the Presbyterian church
yard. l measured the spread of an
oak just a few PAGES from out tent
and found it to be over $50 feet.
ROADS NARROW
The country roads here are very
old, winding, and narrow. 1t is inn
possible for two army trucks to pass
on one. They are usually covered
with macadam. The main highways
are excellent and adjusted to care for
military traffic.
"The pub here is quite social in
stitution. 1t is the poor mans club
house. Darts, ninepins, checkers and
dominoes offer diversion; but most of
the time the villagers and farmers
discuss their mutual problems over a
glass of cider, bitters, ale or stout.
Most of the pubs are served by prim
middle-aged or elderly women who
bear resemblance to the typical
'old-maid school marm' of the States.
If anyone shows the slightest indica-
tion of tipsiness she rings a little
bell and the taps close. She reports
Time please, drink up, the boobies
are coming.
Spirits are rarely seen and a
small glass of wine costs five shill-
ings or about one dollar.
"The only thing that is slightly
comparable to our sandwich shops at
home are their fish and chips joints.
French fried potatoes are as popular
here as hamburgers in the States.
Continued on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Promoted To Captain
In Army Nurse Corps

Miss Jennie Beery in the army
nursing corps, well known here, has
been promoted from the rank of first
lieutenant to captain, it was an
nounced the first of the week. She
is chief nsrse on the army hospital
ship Ernest Kinds.
Miss Beery, registered nurse has
been in army service for the past
two and one-half years. She is a
daughter of Joshua Beery and a
sister of Mrs. Clayton Murray OF
West Elm street
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
High School Girls
At Camp For Week

Six Bluffton high school girls,
members of the cabinet of the Girl
Reserve organization are spending
the week at Camp Pittenger near
McCutchensville. The camp is oper-
ated every summer for training of
leaders in Girl Reserve work.
Those from Bluffton spending the
week there are Genevieve Buhler,
Jean Ann Steinman, Juanita Bame,
Mary Lou Schmidt, Janet Steiner
and Louise Soldner.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Drought And Hot Weather Fail To
Affect Bluffton's Supply Of Water

Hot, dry weather brought on by a
l9-day drought has not affected
Buttons municipal water supply
and the three wells being pumped by
the water works are yielding a suffi-
eiently large volume to meet all COM
merclal and residential needs.
Approximately 100000 gallons of
water are used daily in the town,
about half of which goes to the
Page Dairy Plant, which is the larg
est local consumer.
Two wells provide the water for
the regular city supply. One is on
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Orange TWp. Bond
Drive Continues

Orange townships quota of $780,
900 in E-bonds was reported short,
Wednesday morning with total of
$4,000 subscribed. Residents will
still have an opportunity to buy
bonds during the remainder of the
month either from their district rep
resentative of the township chair
man, John Warren.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Man Breaks Leg
In Fall In Barn

Vim. B. Luginbuhl sustained a
broken right leg near the ankle as
the result of a fall last Thursday.
He is confined to his home on East
Kibler street.
The accident occurred when Lug
inbuhl fell a distance of about six
feet while making repairs in the
barn on his farm northwest of Bluff
ton. The farm is occupied by Mer-
lin Zimmerly.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
In New Locations

Albert Garmatter has moved into
the West Elm street property which
he purchased last winter from Miss
Lydia Basinger. The property has
been extensively remodeled.
Robert Lewis has moved into the
North Lawn avenue property vacat-
ed by Garmatter.
Mrs. Grace Wilson will move soon
into the property at Jackson and
Elm street vacated by Lewis. She
purchased the residence last spring
from Hiram Welty of TT. Wayne,
formerly of Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13

the grounds of the water works and
the other is new we'll drilled last
fall on the Mrs. Noah Matter farm
opposite the Community hospital. A
third well on the plant property is
held in reserve.
Another new we'll drilled last fall
is supplying water for the Page
plant. 1t evidently has tapped un-
derground springs which formerly
fed water into the large quarry of
the Bluffton Stone Co, 400 feet
away, for there has been no water
in the pit since the well has been
in operation.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
st. John Mennonite
Holds SingspirdtiOn

A youth night singspiration will be
held at st. John Mennonite church
on Sunday evening at 9:f5 o'clock.
Appearing on the program will be
a boys quartet from the Ebenezer
Mennonite church and also Myron
Nelson and his Glad Gospel Trio
from Ada will furnish specials. This
group sings over WIN every Tues
day night. Nelson, a 17-year-old
youth is a talented singer and has
won awards in many musical con-
tests.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
Kenneth Henry
In Navy School

Kenneth r. Henry, 27, husband of
Mrs. Evelyn Henry, 2111a North
Main street, was recently assigned to
the Naval Training school (DieseD
on the University of Illinois campus,
Urbana, Illinois.
His enrolment in the speciality
school is based on the results of
recruit training aptitude tests. The
course will cover the use, operation
and maintenance of diesel engines.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
To Collect Taxes
Here Next Week

Representatives from the Allen
county treasurer's office will be Mt
the Citizens National bank on Tues
day and Wednesday of next week
for the collection of the last half of
1943 real estate taxes.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
BLUFFTON MARKETS

Grain (bushel prices) Wheat
STAG; corn $112; oats 75c; soys
S1.86.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
LATE RETURNS AID
IN BOOSTING BOND
CANVASS To QUOTA
Goal of $4,000 Believed
Reached as Final Reports
are Checked
Purchases During Past Week
Seen as Making up Need
ed Balance

Bluffton's Fifth War Loan is be-
lieved to have reached its goal of
$4,000, according to incomplete re-
turns, Wednesday morning. This an
nouncement came from committee
heads who were making a final check
on results of the canvass here.
Final figures probably will not be
available until the last of this week.
However those in charge of the loan
campaign were optimistic that the
local quota had been attained.
Late returns by solicitors are cred
tied with having made up the $10,-
600 needed a week ago to reach the
goal.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-07-13
CAN STILL BUY BONDS


The drive was scheduled to end
officially this week, but regional war
loan officials have announced that
all E, F and G bonds purchased un-
til the end of July will be counted
in the Fifth War Loan campaign.
Allen county's drive went over the
top last Saturday, when aggregating
sales amounting to S6,535,751, were
reported. This is S1,029,751 more
than the quota of S5,506,000 set for
the county.
Ohio also has surpassed its goal
of $797, 100000, by s44,169, 900, state
headquarters reported last Saturday.
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1944-09-26
Mrs. Nickel
Reviews Book
for Guild

ANNA AND THE KING OF
Siam" written by Margaret Lam
don, was reviewed by Mrs. Otto
Nickel last evening before the
Young Women's M e hodist
Guild at the home of Mrs. Rom
aid Clarke. The review of the
biography of Anna Leonowens,
English governess TO the King S
children, revealed the glitter,
Squalor and mores in the King
of Slams court.
Preceding" the book review
business meeting was held for
the ID members present. Mrs.
Emory Caukin was a guest. A
beautiful candle light devotional
service was led by Harriet Eli
colt, who was also assisting hos
tess at the meeting.
The October % meeting of the
Guild will be held at the home
of Mrs. Frank Kissell.
The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1944-09-26
Local Members
at Luncheon

THE MISSES HELENA Mar
quardt, Myrta Bowers, Irene
Crawford, Hulda Dauebler,
Mary Geddes and Victoria Mo-
ross attended the District l
meeting of Business and Pro-
fessional Women's Club, which
was held Sunday at Pine Lake
at Rotunda Inn.
Following the business meet
ing held for the various chair
men, luncheon was served, after
which Mrs. Philip Prediz Of
Bloomfield Hills spoke on ''The
Balkans"
MRS. LOUIS SONNENBURG
was hostess yesterday to the
members of the Ladies' Auxil-
larry of the Presbyterian Church.
Twenty-four members were
present. The program was open
ed by Mrs. Marguerite Weston
dorf, who sang two solos. Mrs.
Robert Eastman and Miss Pansy
Bell gave several piano duets.
The group will hold a rummage
sale, October 1914. The next
meeting will be held with Mrs.
Jessie Mackenzie, Clinton street,
October 80.
M. E. WATKINS was host last
evening at dinner to the mem
bers of the Twelve Study Club.
Mr.. Watkins led the discussion
on the subject Of, "The Enigma
of DeGaul'. Sabin Croker, of
Crosse Pointe, the out-of-town
member was present. The group
listened to Governor Thomas E.
Dewey's speech during the eve
ming.