davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Another Year of Prosperity
NearS Close AS 1850
Approaches

AS Old Man 1949 toddles into
history and everyone eagerly
awaits the birth of the infant
1850, we pause for a moment to
recall important happenings in this
vicinity during the past year.
Residents of this area will re-
member 1949 as a year of plenty.
ePrices were high, but leveled OIL
and tended to stabilize. Employ
ment was excellent, with the steel
strike causing lost time to some
workers for a short duration.
Labor-management relations con-
tinued as a model for other COM
munities. Civic progress was not
able, included further work on the
"Million-Dollar" lakefront beach
project, enlargement of the wat
erworks plant, construction Of the
new Youth Building and the Ele-
mentary School Building. Acct
dental deaths were high, with
Lake Erie taking a big toll. Do
you remember these events? ?
= JANUARY - DR.. James Rhiel
was named county Health Com
missioner to succeed DR.. George
Poe, who resigned Colonel
Earl Gruver succeeded Col. j..
f. McInerney as commander Of
the Erie Ordnance Depot .
Council okeys "ten per cent across
the board" salary boost for wat
erworks and cemetery workers.
Kelly Dunn, Curtice, purchases
the Port Clinton Chevrolet Olds-
mobile agency . jeanne McCui-
Tough wins local and Ohio Cherry
Pie Baking championships .
{. Lester Everett gets Pontiac auto
agency Redskins defeat Nor
walk so to As for seventh win in
eight games.
FEBRUARY - Matthews Com
pany workers reject bid to be re-
presented by CIO union . Pen
insular Rubber Company, with
Clifford Christensen as president,
begins production in Danbury
Members of the Matthews Girls
bowling team hit 2689 for a. all
time women's record here
.Priscilla Rhiel's watercolor LOW
Ell Manhattan" wins first prize
at annual Toledo Artists exhibit
Berneice Gittinger is fatally
injured in accident near Green
witch Nine men and a woman
are rescued from drifting ice field
off Inlay Port Theatre's
grand premiere is benefit for Ma
gruder Hospital Gene Collins
is named as local deputy registrar
for motor vehicles.
MARCH-Redskins defeat Will
lard and advance to semi-finals
in tournament at Sandusky
Bodies of Pvt. Robert Cooley and
Lit. Gerald Petersen, war heroes
were returned home for final rites
:. Carolyn Rofkar is announced
as valedictorian of the 1949 P. c.
H. S. graduating class with a su-
perb 1927 average P. U. c.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
SET H { A R | N C
FOR THREE-MILE
CROSSING c JOB
Opposition Anticipated As
State Highway Plans
Change In Erie Twp.

A public hearing for the pur-
pose of hearing arguments foH'
and against the proposed change
in location of the Three-Mile
Crossing in Erie Township and the
junction Of Route 163 with Route
2 in that area will be held at 10:3O
a. M, Monday, January %, "a
the Ottawa County Commissioners
office in the court house.
Announcement of the public
hearing is being made by Theo-
dore j. Kauer, OHIO Director of
Highways.
If, and when, the proposed
change is made, the present por-
ton Of Route 1863 from its june
tion with Route 2 to the Three
Mile Crossing is to be abandoned
as a state highway and is to re-
vert to the Ottawa County High
way System.
Present plans are to change the
road so that it joins Route 2
northwesterly of the Three-Mile
Crossing, rather than continuing
easterly to its present junction
three-quarters Of a mile.
This would necessitate con-
structing OIL mile of highway
from the present crossing to Route
2.
Strong opposition to the pro-
posed change is expected at he
hearing january %. The work
has been discussed off and on for
many years, originally as a reme-
dy to alleviate accidents at the
crossing. When the crossing was
widened and other improvements
made four years ago, this condi-
ton was corrected so that no ser
ious accidents have occurred there
in years, and even minor mishaps
are unusual events.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
HONOR HOSLER
AT MOOSE MEET
Outstanding Secretary Pre-.
sented Life Membership
In Order

Fellow members of Port Clinton
Moose Lodge No. 1910 honored
Secretary Reed Hosler Tuesday
evening when he was presented
with a life membership in the
order.
Kenneth Kreager, trustee, made
the presentation in behalf of the
local membership in honor Of Mr..
Hosler's outstanding and loyal
work. Hosler is recognized as one
of the most outstanding Moose
secretaries in America.
He has been a member of the
order since 1912 and has been sec
retary of the local post for the
past two years. When the life
membership was first proposed,
Mr.. Hosler refused the honor but
his objections were ove,1uled.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
New Company Is
Real Santa Claus

Although it has been in produc-
ton less than a year, the PENN
sula Rubber Company last week
presented large Christmas bonuses
to its employees at steak and
frog leg dinner in the Log Cabin
Inn.
Clifford Christensen, president
Of the new plant which operates
in Danbury township, said that all
employees were given bonus checks
including $50 to 800 checks for
hourly workers.
Wives and lady guests were
given corsages and gifts of per-
fume sets. Mr.. Christensen pre-
sided as host at the party.
In addition to the bonus, Lott
w. Buckley was given an award
of $25 for his outstanding produc-
ton improvement idea.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30

Port Clnton's eldest resident,
Albert Britton, will observe his
lOlst birthday Sunday in the home
of his son and daughter-in-law,
Mr.. and Mrs. Willie Britton, and
his daughter, Mrs. Susan Green
lee, 1O11 East State Street.
Despite his venerable age, Mr..
Bfitton is far from an invalid.
Excepting a hearing difficulty, he
is in fun control Of his faculties.
Grey streaks are to be seen in his
black hair, and he wears glasses,
but Albert Britton remains a mar
very much up-to-date with cur
rent events.
Born in slavery on January l,
1S49, at the Jacob and Becky
Juergens estate near Duck Hill,
Mississippi, Albert Britton was
the son of parents also born in
slavery in the deep south.
He came to Port Clinton short
ly after Christmas a year ago 10
make his home with his children.
Before coming here to live Mr..
Britton had visited this city on
other occasions and learned to
love Port Clinton.
Self educated, Mr.. Britton re-
calls that he first learned to count
by counting the fence poles along
the plantation roads. From the
time he was able to work, Albert
Britton had to take his place along
with the other slaves.
AS child, he tOted water to
the older slaves who were pick,
ing cotton, or he hoed weeds i'll
the gardens or in fields. When he
was IL years old, the Civil War
burst forth to disrupt peaceful
conditions at the Juergens plan
tatiOn.
eve were happy then as Mas
ter Juergens was kind to us and
we didn't know any different
life," Mr.. Britton recalls. He re-
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
REIDER SEEKS
SECOND TERM
Oak HarbOr Publisher Will
Seek Another Term In
Columbus

Robert w. Reider, Ottawa coun-
tvs representative in the Ohio
General Assembly, announced to-
day that he would seek re-elec-
ton. 1t is expected that he will
campaign on the strength of his
first-term record.
Petitions to qualify Mr.. Rel
der for the Democratic nomina-
tion in the May primaries are now
in circulation.
He was elected in 1948 by a
plurality of nearly 5000 votes, one
of the largest majorities ever
given a legislative candidate from
this county.
In his first year as a member
of the house of representatives,
Mr.. Reider attracted statewide
attention as the author of Ohio's
new telephone service improve
ment law, which became effective
Oct. 20, 1949, over the strong
protests of the telephone indus
try.
He also co-sponsored the Ohio
Seed Act as well as new legisla-
tion beneficial to the township
trustees association and local
boards of education.
He has the distinction of being
the onlV firSt-term member of the
lower house named to the Ohio
Program Commission, a permanent
postwar institution studying gov
ernmental problems.
AS a member of the powerful
House Finance Committee Mr..
Reider was credited with helping
to steer the constructive program
enacted by the 9Sth General AS
sembly which imposed no new
taxes on the people of Ohio.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
FRUIT SCHOOL
SET FOR JAN. 4
Patterson. Outright, Rings
To Speak At Annual
Growers Session

Vernon j. Patterson, formerly
of Ottawa County and now extern
sion horticulturist for Ohio State
University, will discuss "Reduc-
ing Production Costs and Market
ing Losses" next Wednesday,
January A, at 10 4, m. when the
Ottawa County Fruit Growers
School is held in the Guild Hall
of st. Thomas Episcopal Church,
A feature of the all-day meet
ing will be latest spraying infor-
nation for 1850. DR.. c. II. Cut.
wright, apple specialist, and DR.,
Roy Rings, stone fruit specialist,
both Of the Ohio Experimental
Station, Wooster, will be in
charge Of this feature.
DR.. Rings has over 1000 OF,
tawa County fruit trees under his
supervision and his report will
deal with the local trees. Fred 4.
Grimm, Ottawa County Agricul-
tural Agent, Will be in charge OF
the meeting.
Also planned for the near fu-
ture are the series of dairy meet
ings to be held in the County
Extension office in Oak Harbor
c. l.. Blackman will discuss herd
health on January II and C. d,
McGrew will discuss dairy feed
ing on january "a.
Perry Ellsworth will be in
charge of the mixer clinic to
be held January 30 in the Oak
Harbor Community Hall while
Guy Miller will discuss dairy barn
economies on February 7.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Spry Negro, Born in Slavery, Who Toiled
Nearly so Years AS Sharecropper,
Observes 1O1st Birthday On New Years

members that some of his older
relatives fought with the Union
forces of the North during the
great War.
When the Union soldiers arriv-
ed at the Juergens plantation, they
burned the homestead and some
of the slave cabins. For hours
before their arrival, the slaves
had helped the master and mis-
tress to remove and hide family
valuables.
While no one was harmed by
the northern soldiers, they took
everything edible when they left,
Britton remembers.
"Our master did tolerable well
by his slaves, but life for us was
better after we were freed" the
centenarian states.
Since his marriage at the age
of "a, Albert Britton was a share
cropper farmer in Granada Coun-
ty, Mississippi. Perhaps his hard
work in the outdoors helped him
retain his youthful, alert appear
ance.
Mrs. Britton, who was 10 years
younger than her husband, passed
away in 1910. Albert Britton is
the father of 13 children, of which
five are still living. He has 10
grandchildren.
An astute student of racial
problems, Mr.. Britton believes
that racial conditions in the south
ern states are now worse than he
can recall during his long life
time.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30

CIVIC PROGRESS is
SHOWN DURING 1949

O. approves local phone rate
boost Virginia Hetrick and
Beverly Smith, Oak Harbor, and
Theodore Stretzel, Fremont, were
killed in an auto accident near
Oak Harbor Col. Harry San
dy" Kerr, announces plans to re-
tire as superintendent of Camp
Perry Allan Brothers pur-
chase Black Building from Ken
meth Black Mrs. Mary Hop
finger, 80, is fatally burned in
home accident Port Clinton
resigns as member of Sandusky
Bay Conference Roy Oman
opens Packard agency and Will
liam Smith is appointed as area
Studebaker agent.
APRIL-Carsten X. Nielsen,
popular local butcher, passes
away Magruder Hospital
Drive closes with receipts of $11,-
265 Minstrel Show plays to
capacity crowd and wins new
plaudits Carolyn Ann Wick
ard, Is months, is fatally injured
in fall from fathers truck &.
Dr.. James Rhiel buys present Of
flee building $50 officers and
men arrive from Camp Campbell,
Kentucky, to prepare Camp Per
~ for summers AA training per-
iod Three Toledo veterans,
Arlo Dunlap, Claire Mason and
Clarence Pulls, are victims of Lake
Erie in years first fishing trag-
edy John Hensler is named
superintendent of Ottawa County
Home to succeed Wesley Wind
isch, resigned 1000 goal is
announced for proposed Port Clin-
ton Youth Building :. State Fire
Wardens investigate mysterious
fires in Oak Harbor Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas Dolnan, Bell, Cali
fornia, and Robert Dykes, Toledo,
are killed in separate auto acci-
dents near city.
MAY-Only 228 votes are cast
in city's smallest primary election
total School board puzzles
"too high" bids for construction
of proposed elementary school e.
Sixty-nine seniors are eligible for
graduation in high school Port
Clinton remains on "slow time"
Body Of T/Sgt. Marvin Sim
ko is returned home from Europe
for burial here City welcomes
guests for "Put-in-Bay Day. {.
Charles Robert Havener dies in
Gypsum fire, Donald Kratz, Bay
Township child, browns in cistern,
Willard Zeller, Danbury, is shot
to death in Sandusky Dayton
men purchase Avalon Club from
Mrs. Inez Duffey DR.. R. S.
Smith retires from dental prac-
tice . Robert Witchner, Lake
side, is killed in truck-auto acci-
dent.
JUNE-Cardinal Beverage Co.
begins production in new Port
Clinton Candy Company build
ing Richard Pietschman, Sam
dusky, confesses murder of Will
lard Zeller Rainstorm ruins
parade as hundreds of visiting
Continued Page 2, Col. 81
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30

Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Petersen,
well-known and popular Bay
township residents, will observe
their golden wedding anniver-
sary Saturday, January 7, when
open house will be held in the
Bay Township Community Hall
from to 5 during the afternoon
and from 1880 until 10 that eve
ming. Mr.. and Mrs. Petersen
were married January 8, 1900, in
Kingsway, but have lived in
Bay township all their lives.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Named National
College Delegate

Miss Beverly Easton, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Orville Easton,
Fulton Street, left Monday with
seven other Bowling Green State
University students to be dele
gates at the National Convention
of Methodist College Students at
Urbana, Illinois.
The convention, held every four
years, opened Tuesday and con-
tinues through January 1.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Drivers Fined For
Rock Garden Crash

Ernest Copeland, Toledo, and
John Charles, Perrysburg, We're
each fined SO and costs, and or
dered to pay $40 each to the Port
Clinton Garden Club Thursday
evening when they appeared be-
fore Mayor Carl Becker.
Copeland and Charles were in
jured Wednesday night, December
IA, when their car crashed into
the Garden Clubs rock garden
west of the bridge, Copeland was
charged with reckless operation
and Charles was charged with be-
ing drunk and disorderly.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Want Data For
Youth Center

Members of the Wauseon Ex-
change Club were here Thursday
to meet with local Kiwanians and
.Rotarians in regards to the local
Youth Center.
Wauseon civic leaders are plan
ming construction of a similar
building and came here to learn
details of the drive for funds and
to inspect the building. Carl Heck
ler served as general chairman Of
the project.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
CITY FINANCES
TOP 1948 TOTAL
Fire Hose Controversy Is
Feature of Years Last
Council Meet

Port Clintoms finances are in
better condition today than they
We're two years ago when Mayor
Carl Becker and the present city
councilmen took office. This pleas
ant announcement was made Tues
day evening by City Clerk William
l.. Zeis at the regular council
meeting.
Mayor Becker told the official
group, ITS a little late for Santa
Claus, but think Mr.. Zeis has a
surprise present for all of u.s..
Mr.. Zeis stated that Port Clin-
ton is now better equipped than
it has ever been in its history,
and that despite recent purchases,
city finances today are over $4,000
higher than on January l, 1948.
His figures were as follows:
General fund, $4,000 today, $21,-
2S2 two years ago; Maintenance
and Repair fund, $4,000 today,
$5,7S2 two years ago; Gas Tax
Fund, $4,000 today, $9,S06 two
years ago; total city finances,
Sal 900 as of December 81, 1949,
$36,S70 on January !, 194S.
Thanks Workers
In his last meeting of the
year" speech, Mayor Becker ex~
pressed his appreciation to the
city councilmen, city officials and
press for their support during the
past two years. He stated there
had been a lot of hard work, some
difficulties, a few arguments and
some mistakes, but that he hoped
friendships had BEEN strengthened.
Councilmen Eugene Collins, who
is retiring from the board along
with councilmen Paul Schmitt,
julius Jensen and Carl Waggoner,
made his farewell remarks. Col
Inns stated: 'l'm leaving council
now after two years. have made
mistakes, but deep down in my
heart, ] hope you will forgive me
if I've offended anyone as friends
are so important. Friends can
not be bought and life is too short
to be without them"
Councilman Waggoner asked if
the present street light near the
city limits in Fremont Road could
be moved eastward so that it
: -l,;poc pnop +1,a uot,.;,ly c+nro -
alleviate blind spot" which is
! dangerous to pedestrians and mo-
torists. Mayor Becker promised
| the matter would be Investigated
and remedies made.
Hose Arguments
A lengthy discussion regard
ing purchase Of fire hose took up
most of the evening, and finally
was settled when councilmen de-
cided to split up the 1900 feet
order between Harry Sutphin, CO.
lumbus, and Union Supply Com
pany, Toledo.
Two weeks ago the councilmen
had ordered the hose from Mr..
Sutphin, after Fire Chief Walter
Miller ard other firemen had
recommended purchase of his
Colonial" brand. At that time,
Sutphin was to ship 500 feet of
hose each month until the total
was received,
During the past two weeks, a
price question controversy arose
and the statesmen We're recalled for
further Interrogation. Sutphin's
original order Of 500 feet of hose
is already enroute here and will
be accepted. He was also given
an order for $50 feet of IL inch
hose while the other company was
given an order for 500 feet of 21a
inch and $50 feet of 113 inch fire
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
Brown Named To
Board Of Health

William Brown, prominent Lake
side civic leader, has been selected
by the Ottawa County Board Of
Health members to fill the va
cancy caused by the resignation of
DR.. Charles McCracken, who is
now living in California.
Mr.. Brown will join Ralph w.
Wheaton, Danbury; Sanke Balm
sen, Bay township; DR.. Gaylord
Willett, Elmore, and DR.. r. d.
Heller Oak Harbor, as a member
of the health board.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
FIELDER is CRITICAL

William Fielder, former Ottawa
County Clerk of Courts and we'll
known Democratic worker, is in
critical condition in Grille Veter-
ar's' Hospital, Parma. Mrs. Field
er has been at his bedside. Fielder
has been a patient in Grille for the
past five weeks.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30
HURTS ANKLE

Mrs. Alvin WadsWorth was
taken to Magluder Hospital for
treatment Tuesday after she
slipped and fell on the court house
steps, and injured her ankle.
Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-12-30

Mr.. Petersen is an active COM
munity worker and has been a
Bay township trustee for 13
years. He is 70 and Mrs. Peter
sen is 81, The couple has two
sons, Donald Petersen, Bay
township, and Bernard Petersen,
Port Clinton; three daughters,
Mrs. Hilda Scott, Dayton; Mrs.
Vernice Walters, Toledo, and
Mrs. Gladys Meacham, Bay
township; five grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren.
Evening star., 1949-05-13
Benefit Set
orWeek End

The patrons list for the play.
Tine Springtime Of Others" 70
be sponsored by the Bennington
College Alumnae tomorrow and
Sunday In Cafrits Auditorium will
include members Of Washington
ofncialdom.
The play, 10 be presented I'm its
American premiere By the wash
|ington Workshop Production
Group, win have as patrons:
Mrs. Dean Aeheson. Justice
Frank Murphy. Senator Paul
Douglas. Senator Ralph Flanders.
Representative and Mrs. Chris
tian A. Herter. Representative
Charles A. Plumley and Miss
Frances Perkins.
Other patrons are the French
Ambassador Henri Bonnet, NJ
and Mime. Armand Berard. Dean
and Mrs. John w. Suter and the
Rev. and Mrs. c. Gardner Monks
Mr.. and Mrs. Jean Baube
Pierre Siraud. Mrs. Francis
Biddle. Mrs. John Cabot Lodge,
Mrs. Herbert Edwards. Mr..
and Mrs. Wayne Coy. Mrs. L. Cor
rim Strong. Miss Leonie Adams.
Miss Mary Stuart French. Mr..
and Mrs. johnson Garrett. Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Dewey. MIR. and
Mrs. Aubrey Hucheson. Mr.. and
Mrs. Walter Bruce Howe. Mr.. and
Mrs. John Timherlake Gibson
and Mrs. Robert Henry Dunlap.
Evening star., 1949-05-13
Brady to Discuss
10y of Theater'

Leo Brady. author. will speak at
the scholarship benefit to be given
tomorrow by the Catholic UNI
versity Alumnae Association at
the home of Mrs. Frederick v,
Murphy. 26 williams lane. Chevy
Chase.
The speaker. an assistant pro-
fessor of speech and drama at
the university. will discuss the
Joy Of the Theater." Proceeds
from the benefit win be used to
establish q graduate scholarship
for q lay woman from any Of the
university departments.
The hostess Ia general chairman
of the benefit, assisted by Miss
Charlotte Murphy. Miss Mary Co
lumbus and Miss Helen Mullaly.
Mrs. Paul MCGUIRE is chairman Of
patrons and Mrs. George Hughes
is reception chairman.
Evening star., 1949-05-13
Exhibit of Arts To Open With Tea

will speak on Indian customs and
costumes. The display will in
clude Navajo rugs. silver. en-
broidery, pottery, wood carvings,
baskets, furnishings from Pueblo
dwellings, Eskimo blankets. ivory
carvings, totem poles. war shields
and ribbon applique work Of the
Woodlands Indians.
Miss Irene Emo, chairman OF the
Industrial Arts Committee. will be
In charge of the exhibit. Many
of the displayed items were Sc
lected by Joseph G. McCaskill
general manager of the Arts and
Crafts Board of the Bureau OF
Indian Affairs.
Evening star., 1949-05-13

The annual May breakfast OF
the Washington alumnae Of
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority will be
held at 10 am! Sunday ut the
Burlington Hotel, 1t was an
nounced by the newly elected
president, Miss Marjorie Spells.
Other officers to be installed by
Mrs. j. Carney Howell. retiring
president. are Mrs. Arthur b.
Amber, jr.. vice president; Mrs.
Chester Leasure. treasurer; Mrs.
w. j. Boyd, secretary: Mrs. g. S.
Arbuthnot. corresponding secre-
tary; Mrs. Albert E. Conradis.
publicity chairman; Mrs. Paul
Kosiak, altruistic chairman, and
Miss Rebecca Holmes, rushing
chairman.
Honor guests will be senior
members from American Univer-
sity and the University Of Mary
Evening star., 1949-05-13

An exhibition of Indian arts
and crafts will open Sunday at
the Arts Club with O tea and re-
ception and continue through
June 8.
Members of Congress and Of
ficials of the Interior Department
have been invited to the opening.
A fashion show of modern adap-
tations of Indian styles and q din
ner will be held June 2. Indian
girls will model dresses, based on
the traditional costumes OF the
Southern Plains Indians. but de-
signed in modern fabrics.
DR.. John H. Provinse. assistant
commissioner of Indian affairs