davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
First Well Drilled Was Gusher
That Spurted Higher Than
The Tree Tops
Lack of Capital and Curtailed
Demand Stifled Initial Local
Oil Venture

Additional background in the his
tory of the Bluffton area oil boom of
the Nineties came to light this week
with the disclosures that altho the To-
cal field did not come into prominence
until September, 1894, oil actually was
discovered in Orange township four
years earlier.
1t was known that coil could be found
in the Bluffton district as early as
September, 1890, when the first we'll
in this vicinity was drilled on the Asa
Stratton farm, now occupied by Mrs.
Henry Niswander.
Three additional wells were put
down in the same area during the
furry of 1890, but only one proved to
be a top-fight producer. Lack of
capital in the hands of the promoter,
a curtailed demand and inadequate
facilities for handling the oil stifed
the newborn oil field in its infancy,
however, and renewed interest did not
come until the boom of 1894, which
has its 50th anniversary this year.
Recalls First Well
Drilling of the first well was recall
ed this week by Horace Stratton, now
residing south OF Bluffton, an Orange
township native, who helped on his
fathers farm.
In that first stirring of the infant
oil industry in this district, an oil
man, with experience in the Pennsyl-
yania field opened 20 years earlier,
played a prominent role.
Frank Doc Morical will go down
in history as the first man to see the
oil producing possibilities of the Bluff
ton area, shortly after he had come
to Findlay with small group of
Pennsylvania oil men.
Leases Three Farms
Morical took leases on the Asa STRAIT
ton, Silas Ewing and George Nonna-
maker farms in Orange township
early in 1890, and the first well drilled
by his crew proved to be one of the
best ever struck in the Bluffton field.
1t was on the Asa Stratton farm,
and it is interesting to note that the
oil boom of 1894 was centered in the
same area where Morical established
his early leases.
Horace Stratton recalled that when
the first we'll reached oil, the drillers
left the drill in the casing with wrench
on the square to serve as a cap as an
overnight safety measure before go
ing home.
Stratton was assigned to stay on
watch all night and inasmuch as it
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Janet Soldner Will Be in Charge
of Medical Care for Home
less Youngsters
Journey to Bogata, Colombia,
Will Be Made by Airplane
from New Orleans

Miss Janet Soldner, former assist
ant superintendent at the Bluffton
Community hospital, will leave the
United States this week to go by
airplane from New Orleans to Bo-
gaia, Columbia, where she will work
as a medical missionary among
children whose parents are the vic
Tins of leprosy.
She will travel with a party of
five which has the responsibility of
inaugurating the first foreign mis-
sion work of the General Conference
of Mennonite churches in South
America.
Arrangements have been completed
for the group to leave by plane this
Friday, providing their visas, re-
quired for foreign travel, are
cleared by the state department.
In case the visas do not arrive
this week, the departure for South
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
CONFIRM REPORT.
OF LYLE kOHLI'S.
Death IN FRANCE
Word Received by Mother
Ends Two Months of
Uncertainty
Memorial Service at Missionary
Church This Sunday
Afternoon

Pvt. Lyle B. Kohl, 25-year-old
son of Mrs. Eva Kohl, of N. Main
street, died in France on June 8
from injuries received in action on
the same day, according to tele-
gram received by his mother from
the War Department, Saturday.
Official confirmation of his death
ended two months of uncertainty
which has prevailed here since the
War Department originally reported
that he had been seriously wounded,
following which a schoolmate wrote
home that he had seen Kohlis grave
in France.
Mrs. Kohl on July 25 was notified
by the War Department that her son
had been seriously wounded in
France ON June 8, the second day
after the invasion.
CONFLICTING REPORT
The conflicting report was in a
letter written on August 6 by Clay
ton Weiss, in the Navy and son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Aldine Weiss, of Riley
street, who mentioned that he had
visited Kohli's grave in France.
This was the first indication of
his death and Mrs. Kohl asked the
adiutant generals office in Wash
ington, D. c., to make an investiga-
tion. War Department confirmation
of the death was received by Mrs.
Kohl last Saturday.
Following Saturdays telegram, the
War Department forwarded letter
of confirmation which was received
by Mrs. Kohl on Monday. 1t in
formed her that Lyle had died on
the same day his wounds were re-
ceived in the Normandy invasion.
INFANTRY MAN
Kohl was in the infantry and
had been in England nearly two
years. He enlisted in March, 1912,
and landed in the European theatre
in September of the same year. His
last letter to his mother was writ
ten on May 25.
He attended school here through
the sixth grade, then was student
at McComb for two more. Follow
ing that he enlisted in the CCC
and was in camp at Vail, Oregon.
Memorial service for the youth
will be held in the Missionary
church, Sunday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock with Rev. A. F. Albro of
Swanton former pastor and Rev.
Robert Which, present pastor officiat-
ing. The Bluffton Legion Post will
assist.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Births

The following births at Bluffton
hospital:
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Fruchey,
Columbus Grove, daughter, Clara
belle Agnes, Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gale Griffith, Mt
Cory, a son, Tuesday.
Twin sons, Thomas Richard and
James Ronald were born to Mr.. and
Mrs. Maurice Huber residing south
of Beayerdam at St. Rita's hospital,
Lima, Sept. 10. Mrs. Huber is the
former Hildegard Quiring of Bluff
ton.
Born to Capt. and Mrs. Joseph
NJ. Parker of Long Beach, Calf, a
son Joseph Messenger Parker V,
August ID. Capt. Parker, now with
the air corps in the South Pacific
area, is the son of Mrs. Alice Parker
of Washington, d. C., and grand
son of Chris Santschi of East Kib-
Ter street.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Radio Pastor Here
For SingspirdtiOn

Rev. Victor Paul Wierwille, radio
pastor together with a group of mu-
sicians heard every Sunday noon on
the Chimes Hour will conduct the
evening service and singspiration at
the Defenseless Mennonite church
Sunday.
The evening service will begin at
7:30 followed by the singspiration at
8 o'clock.
In addition to his regular group
Rev. Wierwille will be accompanied
by Jack Stargel, an outstanding per-
former, who will be guest pianist on
the Sunday noon broadcast of the
Chimes Hour from Lima station
WLOK.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Gerald Filhart Back
From South Pacific

Gerald Filhart of the Seabees,
formerly of Bluffton, returned Tues
day after service in the South Pa
cific. He is now with his wife, Mrs.
Glenna Amstutz- Filhart and family
who live north of Bluffton on Route
II.
Filhart, who was a shipftter first
class is the son of Jack Filhart of
North Jackson street and brother
of Mrs. Fred Fritchie of South
Jackson street.
He was cited recently by Admiral
Nimitz for meritorious and efficient
performance of duty on Bougain-
vile island in the South Pacific war
theatre.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Is FARM DRAFT
DEFERMENTS TO
END THIS MONTH
Men in &c Classification Be-
cause of Farm Re-
quirements
Appeals Board Continues One
Case in la, Board 3
Announces

Deferments of Is selective service
farm workers registered with the AL
len County Draft Board No. 3 are ex-
piring this month, it was announced
from offices of the board, Wednesday.
The men were classified &c by the
Draft Board of Appeals because of
being engaged in farm work. None
of the group is from Bluffton.
At the same time is was announced
that Earl Dean Luginbuhl of Bluffton
who had been classified IA by the
local board at Lima who later carried
his case to the Board of Appeals was
continued in IA by the latter board.
Luginbuhl is now enrolled in a Gin
cinnati Bible seminary.
Expiring Classifications
Registrants with &c classifcations
which expire this month are:
John Richard Basinger, Albert
Frank Wright, Columbus Grove.
Russell Mark Long, Ada.
Hubert Elmer Elwer, George An
thony Wienken, Delphos.
Wilbur Vernon Bunke, Wapakoneta.
Thomas Victor Fetter, Lloyd Ever
EFT Early, Gilbert Warren Breitigam,
Harvey L. Hefner, Robert Cannon,
Gerald Richard Downing, James Rich
ard Moser, Paul Samuel Spallinger,
Lima.
Harold Eugene Stevenson, Alger.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
BedUerddni To Vote On
TlUO Mill School LeUy

Electors of Beaverdam school dis
trict will vote on special two mill
levy at the coming election on No
vember Ia, it was announced the
first of the week.
The Beaverdam board of education
has filed application with the Allen
County Board of Elections for per-
mission to submit the proposal to
voters of the school district on the
ballot at the election.
The levy would be used to estab-
lish a bus replacement fund and to
help defray general expenses.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Minard Deeds Dies Death of
Hero in Fighting on Saiban
Oil First Was Discovered Here In 1890
Although Boom Did Not Come Until 1894

was raining he was inside the derrick
housing the drilling machinery.
Gusher is Struck
About IL p. m. the pressure of the
oil from the bed below was so great
that there was sudden uprush of
oil in the casing which spurted from
under the cap and sprayed the shack
with crude oil. Stratton was forced
out into the rain by the squirting oil.
The folw of oil soon subsidized, but
about three hours later there was
Continued on page q
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Spontaneous Celebration Expected
In Bluffton To Mark European V-Day

the V-Day observation at Bluffton
High school, with Rev. V. C. Opper-
mann, pastor of the Reformed
churches, appearing as the speaker.
No announcement has been made
relative to business hours but the
towns war industries may operate,
depending on the need of their pro-
ducts in the japanese war, it was
announced.
In the main the celebration prin-
cipally will be entirely spontaneous,
and probably will be pretty much a
repetition of that which occurred 26
years ago when Germany was beaten
in the First World War.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28

Buttons V-Day celebration mark
ing the end of hostilities in Europe
probably will be spontaneous dem
onstration much the same as that
which occurred at the close of World
War I in November, 1918.
So far the only announced formal
plans for the day have been those
drafted by the Bluffton Ministerial
association, which has arranged to
have churches of the town open dur
ing the day for meditation and
prayer. Worship services also will
be held in the churches on the even
ing of V-Day.
A special chapel service viii mark
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
kindergarten VIII
Open Here Monday

kindergarten classes will open in
the Grade school building Monday
morning with Mrs. w. A. Howe as
teacher. Glass sessions will be from
8 to IL o'clock five mornings each
week. Parents interested are asked
to see Mrs. Howe for enrolment of
their children.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Current Off Next
Sunday Afternoon

Electric current service will be
suspended next Sunday afternoon
beginning at l o'clock in parts of
town principally west of Main street
while changes are being made in
high voltage lines, unless unfavor-
able weather prevents, it was stated
by attaches of the municipal plant,
Tuesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Company Commander Writes of
Heroic Action of Bluffton
College Graduate
Memorial Services to Be Held
at Rawson, Sunday After
noon at 200 p. Nj.

Details of how Minard Deeds,
former Bluffton college athlete, died
a hero's death with the U. S. Ma
rine Corps on Saipan were received
this week by his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Dwight Deeds, of Rawson.
The complete account, written by
Capt. L. NJ. Rulison, commander Of
the company with which Deed:
served in the South Pacific, is as
follows:
"0n the afternoon of 16 June 1914
"K" company was engaged in ter
rife battle with the Japs. A large
blockhouse was holding up our prog
ress and many of our men were
pinned down by its fire. Several
had already been wounded and il
was imperative that something be
done.
DEEDS VOLUNTEERS
"Your son volunteered to take a
patrol around to one side of the
blockhouse. This would divert the
attention of the Japs and allow the
other Marines an opportunity to es-
cape the murderous fire being placed
on them. With your son in the lead
the patrol moved thru the Jap fire
and the mission was successful, saw
ing the lives of many of our men
"But the Japs started firing at the
patrol and bullet struck your son
killing him instantly. He suffered ne
pain and was not disfgured. This
all happened on Saipan.
"At present your son has beer
recommended for a high decoration
Until it has been awarded I'm un
able to tell you what medal he wa!
recommended for.
BURIED ON SAIPAN
"His body was taken to the Ma
rine cemetery on Saipan. He il
buried in u. S. Cemetery No. !
Grave No. 419, Row No. |. He wa
given religious burial.
ut was my fortune to have hin
under my command. Several times
we had talks concerning college anC
his future. He was always an ex
ample to the other men. At al
times he was courteous, polite anC
willing. In addition he had tn,
courage which makes a man a true
Marine.
"He died a hero, fighting for hi!
country. He sacrificed his own lif,
to save several of his comrades
You indeed have every right to b,
proud of him, not only because o,
his conduct in combat, but becaus,
of his own sterling qualities. You
grief is shared by every man anc
officer of the company. May ex
tend to you all my heartfelt sym
pathy for the loss of great Marin'
and fine son."
Deeds long will be remembered il
Bluffton as the smallest linemal
ever to become a regular on a Bluff
ton college football team, but despit
his lack of weight he starred OF
the gridiron for three years.
Memorial services for Minar,
Deeds will be held at the Unite'
Brethren church at Rawson Sunda
afternoon at P. M. with Rev. Hill
lizard Camp in charge.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Close Schools Oct. 5
For OttdlUa Fair

Buttons public schools will be
closed on Thursday of next week for
the Putnam county fair, it is an
nounced by Supt. Ralph Lanham.
Schools here are closed one day every
year to permit pupils to attend the
fair.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Union Service
On Sunday Niqht

Bluffton churches will hold their
monthly union service at the Meth
odist church, Sunday night at 7::3o
o'clock. The speaker will be Rev.
Charles Donaldson of Delta, interim
pastor of the Bluffton and Rockport
Presbyterian churches. His subject
will be Unity in Christ.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Shortage Of Help And
Points Force Closing

Which restaurant, Bluffton eating
establishment, will be closed on Sun
days, it was announced the first of
the week. Shortage of help and ra-
tion points was given as the cause.
The Risser Sandwich Shop also
has curtailed hoursb ecause of help
shortage.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Masonic Anniversary
Celebration October )

Seventy-ffth anniversary of the
Bluffton Masonic lodge and 30th an
niversary of the Order of the East
ern Star will be celebrated in joint
social meeting Thursday night, Octo-
Der 5, in the lodge hall.
Members of the two organizations
and their families are urged to at
tend the session. An interesting
program is being planned and there
will be refreshments.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Attend Legion
Convention

Ralph Stearns and Quinten Burk-
holder of the Bluffton Legion post
attended the national Legion conven-
tion in Chicago, the past week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28

To make 1000 board feet of lum-
Der would require 35 10-inch logs but
only 10 logs which are Is inches in
diameter.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
Details Lacking

No details were contained in the
telegram beyond the fact that Thomp-
sons ship had gone down during the
height of the hurricane, and that he
was missing.
Thompson entered the service in
October, 1912, and spent 20 month in
the South Pacific where he was in
three sea battles. Before enlisting he
was employed at the Lima Locomo-
tive Works.
He was last home two months ago
when he spent furlough with his
father and two brothers, Junior and
Darrell Thompson. Raymond Thomp-
son, of North Main street, Bluffton,
who is now in the Army at Camp
Hood, Texas, is another brother.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-09-28
BLUFFT0N MAN is
MISSING AT SEA,
Navy ANNOUNCES
Clifford Thompson, p, Is Lost
When Ship Goes Down In
September Hurricane
Lost Seaman Had, Served 20
Months In South Pacific
War Theatre

Clifford Thompson, %, formerly of
Bluffton, has been missing at sea since
the hurricane of September Is sank
the ship on which he was serving as
seaman first class.
Notification of his loss was received
this week from the Navy department
by the father, Homer Thompson, of
Carey, who until recently resided four
and one-half mile southwest of Bluff
ton.
The CIO news., 1944-10-23

which built and operated new
plants and thusaddej TO their labor
force.
A. a rough measure nf expanded
operations, taxes might be reduced
for those corporations which in
creased their payroll above what it
was in 1871. of course after max
ing proper allowances for the in
creased cost Of living In the mean
time. This would stimulate the hir-
ing OF additional workers and would
also reduce the opposition Of cor
p0raiion management 70 wage in
crcaseS. But Mr.. Puml does not
do this.
He wants straight reduction in
corporation profits to no more than
s.. This would ronstiiuf" the most
gigantic dole II the rich that the
American government has ever
handed out TO anyone.
As one who is an economist a
corporation president myself. and at
the same time a member of or
ganizcd labor predict that this
great government gift to the
wealthy will he just what will hap
pen If Dewey is elected and carries
a substantial majority of Republi-
can Congressman and Senators with
him.
The CIO news., 1944-10-23


the idea that il we only make the
wealthy happy and prosperous they
will be glad to let some crumbs Of
prosperity fall off their tables to
the workers and farmers down be-
low. Thus prosperity will trickle
down from the owners of industry
to the common man.
Since the public acknowledgment
of such a scheme right now would
be campaign poison. the Republican
candidates avoided ii. So a wealthy
corporation president from New
York City. Bcardslcy Ruml. IS the
spearhead for their campaign for
reducing the taxes Of the rich
He proposes to abolish all corpora
ton taxes above 5rc. The CORPORA
ton profits taxes under Roosevelt
are 400 for the noraml tax and 93g<
(of which too Will be refunded
after the war; on excess profits.
Despite such comparatively stiff
tax rates. corporation profits after
taxes are near their all-time peak.
Their profits before taxes are gi-
gantic. at levels so high that they
are unheard of in American history.
II corporation taxes were cut 20
only SCI as Mr.. Ruml proposes. the
net profits would be enormous. The
prices Of stocks on the Stock Ex-
change would zoom to dizzy heights,
like those under Hoover and Cool
ldge. SO that rich men would double
or triple their wealth. (And the
process would be followed by an
other depression like that under
Hoover in all probability)
RUML'S ARGUMENT
Mr.. Ruml and his fellow propa-
gandistS for big business justify
these tax reductions for corpora
tions on the ground that they
would stimulate business and en-
ployment. II corporations were SO
extremely prosperous. they would,
ne argues. re-inveSt part of their
profits in expanding their plants.
and thus would give more jobs.
They would increase their dvi-
dends. and their wealthy stockhold-
ers would have more money and
therefore would be eager to invest
l., pn,,, t,,i,iah ,sotIld
provide still more jobs. They give
the whole trickle down theory OF
prosperity in short.
This theory Of course is entirely
fallacious. Not low taxes but the
certainty Of purchasing power to
sell their products is what makes
business enterprises hire more men
and expand their plants. We had
very low taxes on the rich under
Hoover hut lack of adequate pur-
chasing power in the hands Of the
workers and farmers. The result
was depression We now have very
high taxes on the rich and on the
corporations. But there is practi-
cally a government guaranty OF
purchasing power because Of the
tremendous war demands. The re-
suit is employment at the highest
levels in our history. Not low taxes
on the rich. but adequate purchas-
ing power in the hands Of workers
and farmers. what the New Deal
has tried 10 provide in other words.
Is the secret Of prosperity
TAX REDUCTION BETTER
Furthermore Mr.. RumIs plan has
no guaranty that the greatly in
creased profits that his scheme
would deliver 20 all corporations
would actually be used 70 create
more jobs. Possibly no such elfec-
tive guaranty could be worked out
at all. If Mr.. Ruml really wanted
TO use taxes to stimulate employ
ment he could advocate reduction
- .o..os fhr naysy businesses
The CIO news., 1944-10-23
Timely Comment
Big Gift to Rich
BY Alfred Baker Lewis

The Republican platform promises to reduce taxes balance
budget reduce the debt OF but magician
could of thing be they will
duce if they get the power. But whose takes?
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-04

BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENING

How does one get rid Of these
H gremlins Of discomfort?
Well, incantations have al
ways been a favorite method Of
banlShlng them, according 10
mankind's ancient mythology
Nothing Will do govt as much
good as / can personally testify,
as good thorough, sincere.
deep-Souled cussing. And they
yield 10 very simple remedies.
such as my aspirin doctor uses
phenscetln, and soda bicarb,
and hot lemonade and coffee.
TfiE gas grcmlinS seem 70 be
Il troubling a number Of my
readers lately 10 judge by my
correspondence.
A very wise physician tells
them something like this.
Gas is constantly being
formed in the intestines in large
amounts. The volume of gas
made In the course of the day
II several times greater than
the volume OF the body.
"An equable distribution Of
gas throughout the intestines il
essential 90 the proper function
ing Of the bowels. 4 healthy
animal when slaughtered IL
found 10 have the intestines
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-04
BROADWAY,

shine through Shoddy radio
scripts.
Radios run-of-the-millodra-
mas make unknown hack scrib-
blers richer than well-known
and competent novelists.
In your list of heroes and
heroines don't forget TO add
those obscure actors and ac-
tresSes who have been enter
tanning our troops abroad for
many years minus all that
tIumpetlng and fanfare.
Bands that specialize in
brasSy renditions of Holiday
for Strings" oughta be tortured
by having TO listen 10 their own
clang Via the recordings next
day.
Danny Kaye, who was a big
Broadway click for five years.
went 10 Movietown where he
made a film that scored.
Now Hollywood hogs the credit
for making him a star. Horse
collar!
The success Of Lady in the
Dark" will start cycle of mu-
steal films with lavish dream
sequences.
Why doesn't Clifford Odets
use his stiletto-typewriter 10
write a play about the enemies