davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
GRADE CROSSING
CRASH CAUSE OF
Y0AkAM'S DEATH
Injuries Received When Jeep
Was Struck BY Train First
Believed Minor
Letter From Wife Gives First
Details of Accident Re-
ceived by Parents

Injuries which took the life of 1t.
Wayne Yoakam in Germany at first
were believed minor, according to an
account of the fatal railroad cross
ing mishap in a letter received Mon
day by his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Vernon Yoakam, of near Bluffton.
The letter was written by his Wild
ow, who had been in Germany since
last May with 1t. Yoakam, and it
gave local relatives the first details
of the fatality.
Supposition that 1t. Yoakam's
jeep had been struck by train, in
dicated in cablegrams received pre-
viously from Mrs. Yoakam and the
War Department, We're confirmed by
the account in the letter.
The mishap occurred at q blind
crossing near Wuftsburg, Germany,
where the BIZ sfton army officer had
stopped his jeep in an effort to see
if anything was coming on the rails.
Believing the track was clear, he
attempted to go over the crossing,
but failed to clear in time to avoid
being struck by an oncoming fast
train because his jeep was pulling
heavily loaded trailer and was too
slow in gaining speed.
1t. Yoakam was rushed to the ar
my hospital at Kitzingen, where he
was stationed with the American
Army occupation forces. At first his
injuries were believed minor in ma
ture. X-Rays showed five broken
ribs, and altho the lungs evidently
had been punctured and there were
internal injuries there was no i'm
mediate indication of the serious as
pect of the case.
The mishap had occurred at a
p. m. on Saturday, Dec. Z, and late
that night, Lit. Yoakam told his wife
he expected to be out of the hospital
in few days. Mrs. Yoakam spent
Sunday at his bedside, and there was
no fndfcaJf0n OF tne serious nature
of the injuries until 6 p. m. of that
day when his condition took turn
for the worse. Death occurred at IL
p. m. that night.
Mrs. Yoakam's letter advised rela-
tives here that the body is on its way
home, and she was under the impress
sion it would reach this country be-
fore she arrived here. AT the writing
of the letter, sent airmail on Decem-
ber Is, she still was at the home of
friends in Kitzingen, awaiting orders
from army headquarters to leave for
home. The widow is the former Luel-
la Smith, of Jenera.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
TEACHERS SPLIT IN
TWO GROUPS OVER
PAY RAISE BASIS
Board Faced with Divergent
Demands Working on New
Salary Schedule
Seek Compounds Basis to
Satisfy Old and New Teach
ers in Schools


Faced by the dernand8 Of two fac
tions in the public school teaching
corps, the Bluffton board of educa-
tion is working on revised salary
schedule which it hopes will recon-
cile the divergent viewpoints of both
groups.
At a special meeting last Friday
night to consider the Increase in pay
made possible by passage of spe-
cial two-mill bond levy, last Novem-
Der, members of the board announced
new salary schedule will be pre-
sented to teachers at the next reg
ular meeting on January g.
While many suggestions were dis
cussed at the meeting Friday night,
there was no hint as - the general
outline of the new salary frame
work, and board members frankly
admitted there was 10 definite plan
in mind at this TING.
In making a decision in the matter
of re-adjustment of salaries, the
board must reconcile Che conflicting
views of teachers NJ have been ON
the public school an for a num-
Der of years, and tI36se who recently
have been hired.
HIRE OVER StIfEDuLE
Older teachers are reported dis
satisfied with the present salary
structure, claiming tlisy have been
Disseminated against BY board ac-
tion during the last year in hiring
new instructors at figures above the
CONTINUED on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
HOPES RISE FOR
WHITE XMAS IN
BLUFFT0N area
Twenty White and Is Green
Christmases Here i'm Past
35 Year Span
Heavy Snowfall of Past Week
Gives District Pre-Yuletide
Setting

Buttons prospects for white
Christmas-perennial hope of the
holiday season-w materially
frightened by two heavy snowfalls
in the week preceding the Yuletide.
Warmer weather Monday which
threatened to melt the snow was
halted by lower temperatures Tues
day and predictions of continued
cold and fair weather for Wednes-
day indicated white Christmas.
The latest wintry assault, coming
on the heels of an Indian Summer
that dragged into mid-December.
brought six inches of snowfall Fri
day night, and there were hopes the
weather would be cold enough TO
preserve the blanket of white until
Continued on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Three Injured In
Accidents Past Week

Three Bluffton people were injured
in accidents the past week, two be-
ing the results of falls on icy side
walks Friday. Injured were:
Mrs. Harry Shrider, Sr., received
a fractured left wrist in a fall near
her home on North Jackson street.
Miss Huldah Schifferly, nurse at
Bluffton hospital is at her home on
Poplar street with hip injuries as
the result of a fall.
Paul Schumacher employed with a
crew installing automatic signals on
the Nickel Plate railroad here re-
ceived fractured right arm Friday
while attempting to crank a gasoline
motor car used on the railroad to
transport men to and from their
work.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Gordon Hilty Is
"Messiah" SOIOist

Gordon Hilty, prominent vocalist
of Denver, Colorado, and son of Mr..
and Mrs. Philip Hilty residing
south of Bluffton on the Dixie high
way sang the tenor solos at the an
nual Messiah" concert presented by
the city of Denver as an annual
event last Sunday afternoon.
Presentation of the concert was in
the city auditorium, Sunday after
noon, with a large chorus supported
by a forty-piece orchestra. Denver
newspapers referred to the four so-
loists as the city's outstanding vocal
talent.
Hilty is soloist at large Denver
church and takes an active part in
musical affairs of that city.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Early Dutch Settlers Transform Thin st.
Nicholas TO Jolly ROtund Santa Claus
Local Girl EnrOute
Home From japan

Miss Betty Steinman of Bluffton
who has been in Japan in Red Cross
service for the past year is enroute
home according to a cable message
received by her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Forrest Steinman of South
Lawn avenue.
She sailed from Yokohama last
Wednesday on the liner Arcadia, ac-
cording to the message. This was
several days before the disastrous
earthquake and tidal wave which
devastated portion of Japan the
latter part of last week. She is
expected to arrive home next week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Couple Is Married
At Home Of Minister

Miss Margaret Young, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Young,
Lake avenue, became the bride of
Ray Core, Jr., son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ray Core, Sr., of Pandora, in a
double-ring ceremony last Thursday
morning at the home of Rev. Ernest
Bigelow, pastor of the Presbyterian
church.
Rev. Bigelow received the vows of
the contracting parties, who were
attended by Robert Young, brother
of the bride, and Miss Bette Merriot,
of Pandora.
For the occasion the bride wore a
white wool dress, and red rose
corsage.
The newly welded couple will live
in Pandora where the groom is a
truck driver for Geiger Bros, Pan
dora livestock dealers.
Mrs. Core was graduated from
Bluffton High school in the class OF
1912, and her husband attended Co
lumbus Grove High school.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
BLUFFTON AGLOW
WITH LIGHTS FOR
YULETIDE SEASON
Residences and Business Dis
trict Gaily Anticipate
Coming Christmastide
Holiday Mail Heavy; Carolers
Make Rounds, and Church
Programs Presented

With the rush of pre-Christmas
activity at an end, Bluffton area
residents were ready Tuesday for
their annual celebration of Amer
ica's. bestowed holiday season.
Dressed in brilliant holiday raj
ment and aglow with lights, homes,
lawns and business places provide a
colorful setting for the observance
of the Yuletide which opens with
the Christmas eve observance Tues
day and continues thru the advent
of the New Year.
During the week Immediately pre-
ceding Christmas there was a busy
rush of activity, reaching peak
over the past weekend. An eight
inch snowfall Friday with moderate
temperatures added materially to the
holiday spirit.
SHOPPING SETS NEW RECORD
Shopping was heavy, with a new
record volume of Christmas trade
reported by local merchants. Christ
mas mail had Bluffton postal en-
ployes swamped from the mid-part
of last week until Tuesday but every
effort was made to deliver letters
and parcels promptly despite the
rush.
To cope with the heavy volume of
Christmas mail, windows at the post
office were open Saturday afternoon
instead of closing at the usual dead
line, p. m. Later-arrival Christ
mas parcels and perishable packages
will be delivered by postal attaches
until noon on Christmas Day.
Musical presentations in keeping
with the season were given by grade
school, high school and college
groups the latter part Of the week,
before the institutions closed last
Friday for their annual Christmas
holiday recesses extending until
after the first of the new year.
YULETIDE CARoLINC
Mild weather was favorable for
Yuletide caroling, and several bands
of singers traversed the town and
countryside in the week Immediately
preceding Christmas to bring Christ
mas songs to shutins and friends.
Church observances of Christmas
were featured by the customary
children's programs, most of which
were presented Sunday night, altho
a few were reserved for Christmas
eve.
Stores and industry generally will
suspend operations here on Christ
mas Day, and Buttons new Carma
theatre also will be closed for one
day in observance of the Yuletide.
Business places and industrial plants,
however, will resume operations as
usual on Thursday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Births

The following births at Blufftor
hospital:
Mr.. and Mrs. Orlando Lugibill
Bluffton, a girl, Ruth Miriam, Sun.
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert McCombs
Ada, a girl, Judith Anne, Monday
Mr.. and Mrs. Franklin Blackstone
Jr., Lima, boy, Donald Gene
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Ellis, Lima
boy, Clarke Jay, last Wednesday
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Ludwig OF
Lima, former Bluffton residents, 9
boy, Bruce liam, born at Lima ST
Rita's hospital, Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Spinelli
South Bend, Ind, girl, Mary
Theresa, born in that city, December
IT. Mrs. Spinelli is the former
Mary McGinnis, daughter of D. A
McGinnis of Garau street.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Origin OF Christmas Tree Goes Far
Back Into North Europe MuthOIOqu
Tree was Formerly Held Sacred
i'm Ancient Morse Pagan
Worship
Use of Candles for Lighting
Tree Brought to America
by Dutch Settlers

The Christmas tree is one of the
most beautiful of all traditions and
customs associated with the Christ
mas holiday.
Use of the fir tree as a part of
the Christmas celebration is of Ger
manic and Scandinavian origin.
From their pagan Morse mythology,
the newly converted Christians of
Northern Europe took the sacred fir
or evergreen tree, and made it a
part of the Christmas festival, dec
Grating it with gilt nuts and gilt
apples, symbols of the stars and
planets of the heavens.
Today, our Christmas trees are
either spruce or fir. These trees
which once were shipped to US from
the north and northwest now often
are grown close by in suburban
areas.
Decoration of the tree has changed
much, with the advent of electric
lights, tinsel, angel hair, and elabor-
ate ornaments.
Basically, however, there still re-
mains the tree, and rich or poor,
from child to adult, Christmas would
| not be Christmas without tree in
the house during the Holiday season
CANDLE-LIGHTED TREES
We all remember the Christmas
of not-so-long-ago, when dozens OF
| cleaning candles were part of the
| Christmas tree decoration. Beautiful
as they were, fire hazards, along
with the advent of the electric
light, made them a thing of the
past; brought to mind only when
conversation turns to Christmas, and
the way it used to be.
The use of candles as Christmas
decorations began in Europe, and
the custom was transplanted to this
country by early Dutch colonists.
| The first settlers in New England
believed that the burning of bay,
berry candle on the Christmas holi
day brought good luck; consequently
bayberry candles were used OF
Christmas trees during Colonia
times. An old New England say
ing goes: "A bayberry candle burned
to the socket brings health to ths
body, Joy to the heart, and gold tt
the pocket"
CANDLES SYMBOLIC
Candles are a symbolic allusion tt
Christ, the light of the world" ant
are almost indispensable for religious
services. Lights are symbols O
CONTINUED on page q
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Boss Manufacturing
Company Pays Bonus

Announcement was made Monday
by Charles Lloyd, manager of the
Boss Manufacturing Co., that all
employees of the company who were
in the employ of the company on
Nov. 30, 1916, will be paid addi-
tional compensation amounting to
five per cent of the total wages paid
to the employee on the payrolls paid
and distributed within the period
Dec. l, 1916 to Nov. 80, 1916.
Whether similar action can be
taken next year or in the future
depends entirely upon the production
and conditions, he said.
The company employs about so
people at its plant here.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Couple Weds In
Church CeremOny

Miss Jane Howe, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. w. A. Howe, became the
bride of James L. Gratz in an inn
pressive double-ring ceremony Sum
day afternoon at 4 o'clock at the
First Mennonite church. The vows
were received by the Reverend J. N.
Smucker, pastor, before an altar
banked with white gladioli, ever
green and lighted candelabra. Two
large decorated evergreen trees COM
pleted the background. Mr.. Gratz is
the son of Mr.. and Mrs. j. Leonard
Gratz of Bluffton.
Clarren Sommer, of Dalton, pre-
sented a medley of pre-nuptial mu-
sic and during the ceremony played
Kreisler's "Caprise venoise." Roger
Howe, brother of the bride, colorful-
" sang always" and "Because.o
and at the close of the ceremony,
"The Lords Prayer"
The bride, given in marriage by
her father, was lovely in a white
slipper satin gown fashioned with a
tight fitting bodice buttoning down
the back, a high neckline with a
yoke of heavy lace, and long tight
fitting lace sleeves pointed at the
wrist.
The full skirt extended into
cathedral train. Her fingertip veil
of illusion and lace was held in
place by a tiara of seed pearls. The
brides bouquet was of American
beauty roses with white satin
streamers sprayed with nacissus.
Mrs. Royal Thomas, of Philadel-
phia, Pa, sister of the bride, was
matron of honor, while Miss Phyllis
Ann Geiser, of Dover, Ohio, cousin
of the bride, was bridesmaid. Their
gowns were styled alike with Mrs.
Thomas wearing pink and Miss Gels
er, blue.
The low necked faille gowns were
made with tight fitting bodices, con-
trasting net yokes, bracelet length
sleeves, and full skirts. Both wore
white sequin Juliet caps. The ma
tron of honor carried bouquet of
yellow roses and the bridesmaid a
bouquet of pink carnations.
Miss Cheryl Kae Geiser, of Dover,
little cousin of the bride, was the
ring bearer. She wore a gown of
white net over taffeta and carried
a white taffeta pillow with the rings
fastened by satin ribbons. A gar
land of pink baby carnations
crowned her head.
Jack Shea, of Ashtabula, former
shipmate of the groom, was best
man. Donavin Moser, cousin of the
groom, and James Howe, brother of
the bride, were ushers.
Mrs. Howe chose for the occasion
an aqua crepe dress with black ac-
cessories completing the ensemble.
Mrs. Gratz wore rose crepe dress
with grey accessories. Both mothers
wore corsages of white carnations
and gardenias.
Following the ceremony recep-
tion for seventy-five relatives and
| friends was held at the home of the
bride, where the table was centered
with four-tier wedding cake.
For travelling the bride selected a
black crepe dress with rose crepe
trim, black accessories, and a cor
sage of gardenias. The couple will
make their home in trailer in
Beaver Village on the Bluffton
College campus.
The bride is employed in the office
of the Triplett Electrical Instrument
company and is graduate Of Bluff
ton High school. Mr.. Gratz is o
graduate of Bluffton High school
and spent nearly three years in the
navy. He is now attending Blufftor
College.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
BLuftOn Man In
FindLdy Hospital

Benjamin Daily, Bluffton Rt. /,
was taken to the Findlay hospital
Monday night because of injuries
received in an auto accident in that
city.
Daily was on his way to work at
the Cooper Tire and Rubber COM
pany plant in Findlay when his car
skidded on an icy pavement and
crashed into a tree. He suffered
lacerations of both eyes and severe
knee injury.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Starts Excavation
For NelC DIUelling

Clair Bucher is excavating pre-
paratory to building a new dwelling
in the Berryhill addition on West
Elm street near the recently COM
pleted residence of Mrs. Gerald Trip
plehorn.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
Publish Early Next Week

AS next Wednesday is New Years day, the Blufton
News will be published on Tuesday morning.
All advertising copy should reach the office not later
than Monday at P. NJ, and items announcements
and correspondence by Monday at 400 P NJ
The office will be closed on New Years day.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
BOARD MEMBER ILL

Donavon Conrad, member of the
school board, is i'll at his home on
South Main street with a recurrance
of q former stomach ailment.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24

Time is precious but truth is more
precious than time. Disraeli
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-12-24
I nAmeriea aua tltr lr1orla ourr-

y 5lse chimes Of 6effs, tie songs Of ear0fers. ~
= the music Of Christmas Rynsns. ..Jlsis is a
I season Of HARMONY ans reverence, ,pher aff {
n people rearns tie lsopes ans faitl. Of nrankir,S
Evening star., 1946-11-10
Model Farmer

Their eldest son. E. T. Will
lis, jr.. returned from Army
service to 60 into partnership
with his father on the farm.
New dairy barns are under
construction, and soon an
other herd will add to the flow
of milk from the Willis farm
to the Washington market.
Another son. William H.,
also an Army veteran, Is a
freshman at Virginia Poly
technic Institute and prepar-
ing to return to the farm. A
daughter, Katie. is a fresh
man at the University of Chi
cago. The youngest child.
Emily. 6, began school here
this year.
A deacon in the Culpeper
Baptist Church. Mr.. Willis
recently was named to the
Board of Trustees of the Uni
versity of Richmond, a Bap-
tist institution. He is a Ma
son, a member of the Cul-
peper Lions Club and a di-
rector of the Farm Bureau,
the Frozen Food Cooperative
and the Artificial Breeding
Association.
Evening star., 1946-11-10
fnn9c oven.
,y JAMES BIRCHFlElD
Sior StuH Correspondent
CULPEPER, VA.
ON A 7OO-ACRE FARM near

CULPEPER, VA.
0N A 700-ACRE FARM near
~ here, Mr.. and Mrs. E. T.
Willis have devoted their lives
to good farming. homemak-
Ing and community service.
For their accomplishments
during the last % years they
have been selected among 10
Virginia farm families to re-
ceive the Master Farm Family
Award. presented jointly by
the State Extension Service
and the Progressive Farmer
Magazine.
Early In his farming ca
reer Mr.. Willis was quick to
try new ideas. He was the
first Virginia farmer to install
electric hay dryers in his
dairy barns, and has been
among the first with almost
every major development in
agriculture. Mrs. Willis, a
native of nearby Madison
County, has been active in
women's organizations in the
community.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-24
EIIisArnoII Will Resign

Atlanta, Ga, Dec. A -UP)- Coy. Ellis ArnalI declared today he was entitled under the Constitu- ton because of the death Of 0Ov.- elect Eugene Talmadge, to hold Of- flee four more years but that he would remain governor only long enough for a line Of succession to be established and then resign.
 T announce definitely to the peo- pie of Georgia that this Is the course I will pursue in order to carry out their expressed will" ArnalI said in a 4O0-word written statement.
 His declaration followed an- nOuncement by Lt. GOv.-Elect A. E. ThOmpson that the people expected him 70 succeed the late Eugene Tal- nadge. wtsO vas buried yesterday. just three weeks before he was to have taken once.
 It also followed opening of a de- termined campaign by Talmadge forces to ask the legislature next month to elect his son, Herman.
 Arnall,s statement said that the confused situation following Tal- madges death op the threshold of inauguration "is one not specifically dealt with by the Constitution"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-24
 Mayor Dies; CityMourns
 C. A. MoyIon
 Foiied 10 Recover
 From Operotion

Hartford, Dec. 24. CUp)-aeus1l,~ ncan Mayor Conelius A. Moylan. "a. died at St. Francis Hosuital toE3nw from complications resulting frnzn an operation two weeks ago.
 His condition had been reported as progressively good until laat weekend when he took a sudden turn for the worse and the lnnk rites of the Catholic Church warn administered. His name was nlaeef7 on the danger list.
 His death followed only a fen hours an announcement Of paavela clans that he was slightly inc proved" last night.
 Moylan was native of Hartford. a graduate of Yale College, lo2A and Yale Law School, 1923. Ha established practice in Hartford right after his graduation and took an active part in city and district politics.
 He served & term in the 6tate Senate in 1888, was 6 former hadNe of the city court, and in l042 waG appointed by the governor as. TInz employment Compensation Cum~ pensation Commissioner for the First Congressional District. He was chairman of the State Commiss1oss when he resigned to run for nlageE in the 1945 campaign.
 His widow and five children szlEe vive.
 Immediately his death was an the flags on the municfpal building were lowered to half-sEakx and preparations were made kQ drape the city hall in deep mourn ing for 30 days
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-24
20 Killed In Crash

Rio de Janeiro. Dec. 24 - OPD - Twenty persons were killed last night when a four-motored Avro York transatlantic plane crashed in to a mountain near here.
 The death toll rose to % today when Enrique Lecrok, one of those aboard, died. An oficial announce ment a short time earlier had set the total fatalities at l9.
 Reports confiicted as to the exact number aboard the big ship when it smashed into a densely wooded patch of Papagayo Mountain in the Tituca District during the hours of darkness. Some sources said 20 were aboard, others 21.
 Military rescue groups including truck borne searchlight batteries, ambulances and ffre-fighting equip- ment had to battle deep mud on virtually impossible country roads to approach the scene of the. crash.