davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
BUTTONS FUEL
SITUATION IN new
CRISIS THIS WEEK
Transportation Delays, Cold
Wave, Rail Embargo Cause
Acute Coal Shortage
Farmers Are Busy Cutting
Wood for Fuel as Coal
Supply Fails

Aggravated by the return of sub
zero weather, Bluffton's domestic
fuel situation has taken turn for
the worse, and many local household
ers are running short of coal in the
midst of one of the seasons most
pronounced cold waves.
Coal supplies of Bluffton's three
dealers are entirely exhausted with
the exception of two cars which ar
rived Monday, and the three-day en-
barge on railroad freight of all kinds
except war goods over the past week
end makes it difficult to determine
when other shipments may be re-
ceived.
In an effort to keep everyone sup
piled, coal from meager stock on
hand is being delivered only to those
with less than a five days supply on
hand. The amount for each home
owner is being restricted to less than
ton in an effort to make the supply
stretch until additional coal is re-
ceived.
Bluffton's fuel situation, precarious
all winter, is in its worst stage at
present, the result of transportation
tieups, last weeks embargo and the
renewal of wintry assaults in a new
cold wave.
Many farmers are out of coal, and
snow-drifted roads make it impossible
for most of them to get into town
for a new supply, and those who have
open roads can obtain only small
amounts of coal.
As a result, cutting of wood for
fuel, virtually forgotten on most
farms in the district, has come into
its own again. Right at present
wood cutting rapidly is assuming the
proportions of the No. job facing
farmers, even more important than
the task of trying to keep drifted
roads clear of snow.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Two Grandsons, Two Nephews OF
Blufft0n Couple War Casualties

is survived by his wife and one-year-
old child. His brother, Donald, of
Lorain telephoned the news here
Tuesday night.
Wounded in action in France is
a grandson, Francis Badertscher,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Orville Bader-
tscher of North Manchester, Ind,
former Bluffton residents. He is in
an Army hospital in France and his
condition is reported as not serious
according to word received by the
grandparents here the first of the
week.
A granddaughter wounded in action
in France is Maynard Badertscher,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Bader-
fischer of Bluffton. He is convalesc-
ing in an Army hospital in England.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Sgt. Norman Kirkland
Receives Air Medal

Staff Sgt. Norman E. Kirkland,
%, son of Mr.. and Mrs. V. A. Kirt-
land, has been awarded the Aid
Medal at a 18th AAF Base in Italy.
He is an armorer-gunner on a B-24
Liberator heavy bombardment plane.
The award was "for meritorious
achievement in aerial flight while
participating in sustained operational
activities against the enemy. Kirt-
land joined the USAAF in Decem-
Der, 1943, and won his wings at Har-
lingen, Texas, on June 3, 1914. He
has been stationed in Italy since
last October.
Kirkland is now a member of q
group that has staged more than 200
attacks against Nazi targets thru
out the dwindling empire. He has
been cited twice by the War De-
partment for outstanding perform
ances in the Mediterranean theatre
of operations.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
TWO MORE LOCAL
YOUTHS REPORTED
MISSING In ACTION
Seed. Lieut.. Homer Gratz Miss
ing in South Pacific Thea
tire, Parents Learn
Pfc. Ralph Althaus Missing i'm
Belgium Since Day Before
Christmas

Two additional Bluffton youths in
the armed forces are reported miss
ing, one in the Pacific war theatre
and the other in Belgium.
They are:
Second 1t. Homer Gratz, Jr.,
22, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Homer
Gratz, two miles south of Bluff
ton.
Pfc. Ralph Althaus, 10, son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Levi AIthaus, four
miles west of Bluffton.
1t. Gratz, pilot of Marine Corps
bomber, was reported missing at sea,
according to a message received last
Thursday from the War Department.
No details were given.
His last letter, received by his
parents on January %, was written
on January Is, and it is believed he
was reported missing in action on
the day after the letter was posted.
A graduate of Bluffton High school,
1t. Gratz attended Bluffton college,
and went into the service in March,
1912. The Marine flyer took his train
ing in Florida, Kansas and California
before going overseas last October.
1t. Gratz is married to the former
Roxanna Eaton, who lives with her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Eaton,
in Lima. She is a granddaughter of
Mrs. Lou Eaton, of Bluffton.
Pfc. Althaus has been missing since
December "a in Belgium, according
to word received by his parents, last
His last letter home was written
on December II, and altho no details
were given in the War Departments
message it is assumed he was with
one of the divisions which opposed
the Germans in the Belgian bulge"
fighting.
4 Pfc. Althaus was graduate of
Bluffton High school in the class of
1943. He was in the infantry.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
DIMOUT WILL BE
PUT In EFFECT
HERE ON THURSDAY
All UnessentiaI Illumination Is
Banned Under New Federal
Regulations
Fuel Shortage Is Not Critical
Enough to Close Schools
and Public Buildings

Nationwide "brownout" regula-
tions will dim the lights of Buttons
downtown district beginning this
Thursday night, but local schools,
public buildings and places of recre-
alton will not curtail their operation
despite a federal recommendation
that all public buildings close dur
ing the present coal shortage.
Detailed information based on
official federal information rela-
tive to lighting restrictions is
published by the Board of Pub
lie Affairs on Page 3.
Elimination of all unessential out
door and show window lighting is re-
quired under the new regulations in
a national effort to conserve electric
ity and save fuels used in general
ing the current.
Prohibited lighting after February
1 includes outdoor advertising and
outdoor promotional lighting; outdoor
display lighting except where neees-
sary for the conduct of business of
outdoor establishments; outdoor dec
orative and ornamental lighting,
show window lighting; marquee light
ing in excess of so watts per unit;
and white-way street lighting.
Street Lights Exempt
Buttons street lights, however,
will not be dimmed, for they meet
with nationwide requirements, and
continuation of present illumination
is believed to be a factor in safety.
Buttons city clock in the town
hall tower will not be dimmed, but
no other clocks in the town can be
illuminated under the new order.
Protective lighting around war
plants is permissible, and gasoline
service stations may have outdoor
lighting to the extent necessary to
carry on business.
On the other hand, Bluffton's fuel
situation has not reached the point
where curtailment of operation of
schools and other public buildings is
required.
Enough Coal Here
Atho coal has been relatively hard
to get all winter, the situation at
present is no worse than it has been.
All householders in the town are
supplied at present, and officials of
Bluffton college and Bluffton public
schools announced they have ample
fuel to operate several weeks.
Bluffton's municipal water works
and light plant also is we'll supplied
with coal at present and business
places of the town have sufficient
fuel for current needs, it was an
nounced.
Should Bluffton dealers continue to
receive shipments of coal on a
schedule approaching that of the
early part of the winter, it is not
believed that Buttons fuel situa-
tion will become critical.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Noah Zuercher Dies;
Funeral On Friday

Funeral services for Noah Zuerch-
er, 81, of South Main street, Bluffton
municipal light plant engineer, will
be held at the First Mennonite
church on Friday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock with Rev. j. N. Smucker and
Rev. G. t. Soldner officiating.
Mr.. Zuercher died at Bluffton hos
pital Monday afternoon following a
six months illness. Funeral serv-
ices were delayed until Friday
awaiting the arrival of his son-in-
law, Harold Thiessen from Florida.
The family has resided in Bluffton
for the past twenty years, moving
from Berne, Ind, where he was born
on April IA, 1891, the son of Samuel
and Marian (Amstutz) Zuercher. He
was a member of the First Mennon-
ite church here
On January 20, 1918 he was mar
ried to Rena Springer who survives
together with three children: Ken
meth of Lima and Mrs Marie Thies-
sen and Merlin Zuercher at home.
There are three grandchildren.
Also surviving are five brothers:
David Albert and Jephtha of Berne,
Ind; Oswin of Hatfield, Pa; Martin
of Chicago and Palmer of Vassar,
Michigan.
The body is at the Paul Diller fun
eral home where it will remain until
time for the funeral services. Burial
will be in the Ebenezer Mennonite
cemetery west of Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Bluffton Hopes
Grounding Doesn't See Shadow

Hope that Grounding Day this
Friday may bring a prediction of a
break in two months of uninterrupt-
ed snowbound winter weather is
causing widespread interest in the
generations-old tradition.
Legend has it that if the Ground
hog sees his shadow on February
second, he holes up again for six
more weeks of winter weather.
Should there be no sun to cast a
shadow, he stays outside and an
early spring can be expected.
Even folks who put little stock in
the legendary forecast are looking
forward to Grounding Day with
hopes that break may come in the
old-fashioned winter that has grip
ped the area since December IL
without interruption.
Tired of snow and cold weather,
residents see in the grounding some
hope of prediction that may herald
early relief.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Births

The following births at Bluffton
hospital:
A daughter, Susan Frances to the
late 1t. Gerald Tripplehorn and
Mrs. Tripplehorn, of Bluffton. 1t.
Tripplehorn was killed in December
in the campaign on Leyte island.
A daughter to Mr.. and Mrs. Milo
Lora of Col. Grove, Tuesday.
A son, Charles David was born to
Cpl. and Mrs. Francis Niswander,
Thursday at the University hospital,
Augusta, Ga. Mrs. Niswander is
the former Esther Luginbuhl, daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Cal Luginbuhl
of near Bluffton. Cpl. Niswander il
stationed at Camp Gordon, Ga.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
T-5 George ID. MOser
Gets Army Citation

T/5 George d. Moser, formerly of
North Main street, has received
certificate personally signed by his
commanding general honoring him
for fighting with the Twenty-Ninth
Infantry Division from D Day to
st. Lo.
The honor is personal salute
from Maj. Gen. Charles H. Ger
hardt to the officers and men who
battered their way through flooded
areas and the Normandy hedgerows
and storned the key city of st. Lo
in campaign where the taking OF
every 500 yards was major battle
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
BluftOn Veteran At
Cambridge Hospital

Pfc. Frederick Reichenbach, "a,
son of Henry Reichenbach northwest
of Bluffton who was wounded in the
European theatre of war last June
90 is convalescing, at the Army's
Fletcher General hospital at Cam
bridge, Ohio. Reichenbach received
shrapnel wounds in his right hip
and leg.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Concert Pianist In
Program, February z

Cara Verson, concert pianist, will
be heard in a recital on the Bluff
ton college music course on Wednes-
day night of next week at $3.50
o'clock. Miss Verson is known for
her Interpretation of modern music.
Southernaires, noted negro ensem-
BILE will be here under auspices of
the college music department in a
program at the high school auditor
ium on Friday, February Is at 500
p. m.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Race Relations Is
Union Service Tonic

Race relations will be the topic for
Buttons monthly union service to
be held at the First Mennonite
church Sunday night at 1880 o'clock.
Rev. Gaar Davis, pastor of Zion
African Methodist church, Lima, will
be the speaker. The monthly union
services are sponsored by the Bluff
ton Ministerial association.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Real Estate Deals

Willard Frankhauser residing on
the county line east of Bluffton has
purchased the Georgia and Wayne
Yerger property on South Jackson
street and expects to occupy the
place this spring.
Lawrence Hosafros residing on the
George Boedicker farm south of
Bluffton has purchased the Jonathan
Agin property on Cherry street oc-
cupied by Earl Jorg and family.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Promoted

Byron Fritchie, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Fred Fritchie of the Navy
has been promoted from seaman,
first class to signalman third class.
Noah Zimmerman of Bluffton now
with the American Army in Holland
has been promoted from the rank of
corporal to sergeant, it was an
nounced the first of the week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
In England

Pfc. Halsey Hutchinson has ar
rived with an Army unit in England,
it was learned the first of the week
by his sister, Mrs. Dan Alspach. He
is the son of Mrs. Ellen Hutchinson
of Beaverdam.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
In Graduate Study
At Western ReserUe

Miss Ruth Steiner, eldest daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Calvin Steiner of
Poplar street will leave the first of
next week for Cleveland to take a
graduate course in library science at
Western Reserve. She recently re-
signed a teaching position in the
high school at McComb.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Former BIuftOn Man
Is Train Dispatcher

Ray Root, of Lima, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Edgar Root of Mound
street has been promoted to the po-
sition of train dispatcher on the
Nickel Plate railroad, it was an
nounced the first of the week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Radio Broadcast

A mixed octette directed by
Waldo Hofstetter will be heard in
the Ebenezer church broadcast from
Findlay station WIN, Sunday after
noon at $3.50 o'clock.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-02-01
Library Closed

Bluffton public library at the high
school building is closed this We'd
nesday and Thursday while the Ii
brarian, Miss Ocie Anderson is at
tending a library meeting in Column
bus.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
Farm Group To
Meet At ElktOn

The farming public is invited to
the Elkton annual Southern States
Membership meeting to be held at
the residence of Joseph l.. Thomp-
son, Elkton, Thursday, August 23, at
8 O'Clock (EWT).
The detectives OF the meeting will
be outlined by Thomas H. Reynolds
of North East, who will preside Mrs.
Wholey Brown, NortE East, will
make talk on 1.-THE Necessity for
Farmer Cooperatives." A report on
Southern States Cooperative's activi-
ties during the past year will be Civ
en- by District Manager F. d. Puncke,
Newark, Del, who will also show the
sound movie, Endless Acres" JOS
eph l.. Thompson, Elkton, will re-
view the local cooperative program.
From the following nominees, to-
gether with any named from the
floor, successors to the two retiring
board members will be chosen:
George l.. Rash, North East; Reuben
Reynolds, George Foster and Clar-
ence Leveredge, all of Elkton.
Successors to TIE two retiring
members of the Farm Hime Advisory
committee will be elected from the
following group of farm WON N plus
any nominated from the floor: Mrs.
George Rash, Mrs. Thomas Reynolds,
Mrs. Harry McCleary and Mrs.
Whooley Brown, Nirth East.
The Feed Bag Style Show will be
open to three classes of entrants
juniors, misses and older women.
Participants will wear to the meeting
dresses which they have made from
Southern States feed bags, either
plain or figured, or a combination of
the two. Prizes will be awarded i'll
tkis competition. Judges are Mrs
Thomas Reynolds, chairman, North
East; Mrs. Frank Quay and Mrs.
Mrs. Walter Grose, both of Elkton.
Chairmen of the various commit
tees which will function at this an
nual event include Gilbert Cam, Elk
ton, greeting committee; Mrs. George
| Rash, North East, serving of refresh
ments; and Mrs. Gilbert Cam, Feed
Dag olyle OioW. IeoN. ~ ~ otepuolS
of Zion Circuit, will give the invoca-
| ton. Flowers for the speakers stand
will be furnished by Mrs. Gilbert
Cam. Mrs. Ray Miller, Elkton, will
lead group singing. Special music
will be furnished by local talent
This local annual Membership
meeting is one of 1872 being held
throughout the cooperative's terri
tory of Virginia, West Virginia, Ken
| lucky, Maryland and Delaware.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
Promoted To Sergeant

LANGLEY FIELD, VA.-Cpl. Cal
eb K. Brokaw, son of Mrs. Louise K.
Brokaw, of Rising Sun, now station
ed at Langley Field, Va, AAF Train
ing Command Radar Observers
School, where he is serving as a
member of the Base Alert Crew, has
been promoted to Sergeant, it was
announced this week.
This promotion was one of ten
hundred and forty-four announced at
the post during the week, making
one of the largest lists raising enlist
ed men and women in grade in the
history of the post. Tie promotion
was authorized by Headquarters,
AAF Eastern Training Command at
st. Louis, Mo-, which stressed that
only qualified personnel should re-
ceive the new ratings.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
Why The Ammuni-
ton Shortage?

There had been a movement afoot
for fifty years to disarm the citizens
of America, according to the state
ment of an Attorney General of d
western state.
Then came our entry into the war,
What golden opportunity it was
for our anti-firearms birds to strike;
And they did not overlook the bet,
for if you remember at that time the
fact that a hue and cry was raised for
sportsmen to sell their firearms; that
such arms were needed
There are three things the average
sportsman hesitates about parting
company with: his guns, his dog and
his fishing tackle. Naturally the de-
mand for his guns did not meet with
the response anticipated by the de-
manders, the result being that nine
ty-nine out of every hundred retained
their shotguns and rifles.
With our fleet wrecked at Pearl
Harbor, small supply of coastal de-
tense ammunition, about five hun
bred combat planes in operation and
very small peace time army, things
looked bad. If an American citizen
ever needed firearms and ammuni-
ton, it was then, for protection
against invasion. On our coasts this
was the time to place all available
ammunition in the hands of our citi-
zens to form guerilla bands to defend
their land against the invaders I'M
Ill the regular army could be brought
TO bear upon the enemy. Instead am
munition was frozen Leaving the
,itizen- sportsman nearly helpless at
he mercy of an invading enemy
DON'T think they couldn't have hand
I'd out a lot of grief to the invaders
lad they landed and had said hunt
ers been supplied with enough am
munition.
Ammunition was pooled, all the
sportsmen could muster up. Guer-
rilla bands were formed. Then what
happened? They were ordered dis
banded. Why were they denied am
munition? Why were they disband-
I'd? Why is rifle ammunition scarce?
Why is there only one box of shot
gun shells allotted each season. 1t has
)een stated on good authority that
there should be plenty of ammuni-
ion available for the sportsmen of
America today. Why can they not Sc
cure it? The American citizens did
not fall for that turning in or selling
If their favorite firearms business
What more simple method could be
,ound to disarm them than to cease
putting ammunition on the market?
There is much in the situation today
or sober thought and especially
when you know the fact that the re-
ormers have been seeking to disarm
he citizens for fifty years.
Hang on to your guns, Brother,
nd yell for ammunition. If we all
hout long enough and loud enough,
we'll get it back on the shelves. But,
we take it meekly, we are liable to
md that the anti-frearms bunch OF
eforming screwballs has slipped
ometking over on us.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
SERVICES AT METHODIST
CHURCH

Chaplain Boyd, cambridge, was
he guest preacher Sunday morning
t the Methodist church. His subject
vas, "The Message of the Cross"
he text, "But God forbid that
hould glory save in the Cross OF
Thirst" The LTL met at $50 in the
primary room. Singing, Work for
he Night Is Coming" Responsive
scripture reading. Reading. Prayer
~ the leader. After a short business
Meeting, plans were made for the
even girls attending the YTC En-
ampment at Glyndon, Md, begin.
ling August goth. Adjourned to meet
It $3.50 p. m. next Sunday evening
when we hope to have the delegates
the encampment from other LTL's
n the county, meet with us.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
PENNSYLVANIA HAS RECORD
PEA CROP

Farmers in Pennsylvania, like
those in Maryland, lost muck of then
hay and wheat crops on account OF
wet weather during harvest, but the
pea crop was banner one in thu
Keystone State. Conditions were ST
favorable to green peas for process
ing that growers in the State this
year achieved the second highest
yield per acre in the United States.
According to information received
by the Department of Agriculture
through TIE Federal-State Crop Re
porting Service, an all-time record
Pennsylvania yield of $500 pounds OF
shelled peas per acres was obtained
this year. In only one other State
Utah, did growers obtain a higher
record, with an average of 2,75C
pounds per acre.
Much of the States 1945 RECORD
production of 24,750 tons of shellel
peas will be processed for use of the
Armed Forces. This compares will
1910 tons last year and the 10.
year average of slightly less than g..
900 tons.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-17
PORT DEPOSIT

A farewell party was given on the
lawn Of the Kimble home Gu Wednes-
day evening of last week, by Rose
Ridge and Chester Kimble. The
guests of honor were Commander
and Mrs. LYNNE Richardson and son,
and the occasion celebrated was the
return to civilian life of the Com /.
mander. The family will reside in
Washington, d. G.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Peters, Mrs.
Verna Todd and Wilbur Baker enjoy .
ed Ike weekend at Atlantic City.
DR.. and Mrs. John Link, of West
minister, Md, visited friends here
during the week.
Rev. Wayne A. Monroe, of Horse
Shoe, N. c., former resident o.
Port Deposit, called on friends here
ON Monday last.
Miss Hanna Pugh spent the week
end with DR.. and Mrs. j. e. Pugh,
Yeadon, Pa.
Miss Virginia Neavett, of Pitts
burgh, Pa, has been visiting Miss
Mildred Todd.
Charles Pierce, of the U. S. Navy
has been spending ten-day leave al
his home in Port Deposit.
Walter c. Robinson, PhM1 C has
received his discharge from the
Navy after spending three years at
cambridge.
Miss Lenora Rappaport is visiting
DR.. and Mrs. William Shub, at Lynn,
Mass.
William Campbell and Willard
Burlin enjoyed a trip to Betterton
and tried their hands at grabbing,
with fair success.