davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Tommie Ferguson
Struck BY Auto
Vehicle Strikes
Boy On Bicycle

An accident at the corner of
North and Miller streets, Friday
sent thirteen year old Tommie
Ferguson to Bethesda hospital,
GAINESVILLE, with a broken hip.
Young Ferguson is the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. William Ferguson,
of Belford street. Mr.. Ferguson
is a local barber with his shop
in the Farmers g. Merchants
bank building.
Tommie was making deliveries
on his evening paper route when
the accident occurred.
R. J. Bender, of GAINESVILLE,
driver of the car which struck
young Ferguson's bicycle, was
not held by authorities. The
youth was brought to the office
of a local physician. He was lat
er removed to Bethesda hospital
in the McVay-Shilling ambu-
lance. The driver of the car is a
student at Ohio University and
was on his way home for the
weekend.
After x-rays on Saturday re-
vealed a partial fracture to the
right hip, the patient was releas-
ed and removed to the home of
his parents where he is recover
ing.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Basketball Team
To Face Charges
Creates Disturbance
In Belle Valley

Six players on the Helser
Body shop semi-pro basketball
team ct GAINESVILLE were releas-
ed Saturday on a $500 bond
each by Mayor Orville S. Shafer
during a hearing in which they
were charged with disorderly
conduct as a result of a brawl
outside a tavern in Belle Valley,
late Thursday evening.
The charges grew out of a
fight which resulted in Former
Deputy Marshal Russell Baker,
So, being admitted to st. Fran
els hospital, Cambridge, with his
left leg broken in two places.
The charges were filed by
Marshal Arthur Taylor. Another
hearing will be held before May
or Shafer Saturday.
According to Taylor, the
GAINESVILLE team had stopped in
Belle Valley after playing the
Stellfox Ex-Hi's in the Caldwell
gym.
The fight is said to have oc-
Cured later when they created
a disturbance after leaving the
cafe. Baker attempted to quiet
them and the fight ensued.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Top picture was taken shortly
before dawn and shows the gas
from the broken big Inch"
pipeline still burning, although
it had been shut off at Gaysport
and Summerfield three hours
before. The blast, which was
heard for many miles in this
community, occurred on the
Carl Elliott farm, shown above.
Workmen are also shown in
specting the damage. Owned and
operated by Texas Eastern Corp,
the repair crew of so men rush
ed to Noble county from Somer-
set shortly after they had re-
ceived word of the blast.
Shown below is one of the
craters blasted out by the ex-
ploSion.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Punch In Nose,
ROuts Burglar

Richard S. Parrish, 73, former
ly of Noble county but now of
Columbus, wouldn't recommend
it as a steady diet, but he foiled
a holdup Sunday evening at his
confectionery store in that city
by punching the robber in the
nose.
Armed with a nickel plated
pistol, the robber entered the
Columbus confectionery and de-
manded the owners billfold.
Parrish didn't have one so the
would-be robber demanded $500.
Parrish replied, "I've had about
enough of this" and punched the
bandit in the nose. 1t worked
for the culprit fled.
Parrish will be remembered as
the owner of the Valley Hard
ware store in Belle Valley for a
number of years. He is a broth
er of Mrs. Alice Noyes, East
street, Mrs. Nancy Landaker,
south of Caldwell, Mrs. w. c.
Reed, Belle Valley, and Isaac
Parrish, Caldwell.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Harry L. Merritt
Will Be Candidate

Harry L. Merritt, popular far
mer, east of Caldwell and who
served as deputy sheriff of
Noble county for over five years,
announced today that he would
be a candidate in the May 2 pri-
mary on the Democratic ticket
for the office of county commits
sioner.
Merritt is now circulating his
petitions, and they will be filed
before the deadline. ~
Merritt is considered one of
the strongest candidates that the
Democrats in this county could
have nominated.
1t is not expected that he will
have opposition in the coming
primary.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Filing Deadline
Looms February

Deadline for the filing of petit
tions to seek office in the May 2
primary is Wednesday, Feb. l
according to an announcement
made today by j. Kyle Walker
shaw, clerk of the election board.
Several petitions are now be-
ing circulated for various county,
offices and there is every indica-
ton that the primary in Noble
county will be an interesting
one.
Judging from the number Of
petitions taken out, there will be
full slate of central conmitte
men on both the Republican and
Democratic tickets.
The number of candidates and
the office they are seeking will
not be determined until after the.
.deadline. !,
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
March OF Dimes
Totals $4,000

The current March of Dimes
campaign in Noble county has
totaled only $4,000 to date, ac-
cording to an announcement
made today by County Chairman
Rev. o. o: Wilson.
Rev. Wilson said the drive
would come to a close on We'd
nesday, Feb. l, but there are
several other sources yet to be
tailed in the current drive.
Rev. Wilson also pointed out
that $l400 was raised last year
in the polio drive and if this
amount is again to be raised, the
contributions will have to in
crease.
The Noble county chapter
spent over $4,000 last year in
caring for the county's only two
cases.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
New Body Shop To
Open In Caldwell

Roy Bradison, Main street, an
nounced the opening of an auto
body and repair shop, Monday
The new business is located in
the Chester Hayes garage, just
off U. S. Route 81, between
Bridge street and the state high
way garage.
Mr.. Bradison said Monday that
the new business would special
ize in body work, fender repair
ing and refinishing. The former
Canton resident has been em-
ployed by the Ohio Motor Car.
Co., of that city.
Mrs. Bradison is the former
Evelyn Archer, daughter of
Lewis Archer, Canton. M
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Federal-Siaie
Money Received
For County Use
$4,000 Will Be
Used For Highways
On Local System

Auditor Jack Wilson said to-
day that he had received $I0,-
10000 from the gasoline draw I'M
the state and the entire amount
will be used on the highways of
the county. This money will be-
transferred to the road and
bridge fund as needed.
Auditor Wilson also received
S292-54 to be used for blind re-
lief in the county the first quar-
ter. This represents the state and
federal quota.
For aid to dependent children|
in this county. Auditor wilson,
received $1,723.13. This is also
state and federal monies.
A check in the amount Of
$463.79 was received from the
state for poor relief here during
January.
The corporations and town
ships received for their local
government funds, $2,500.00, rep
reSenting return from the sales
tax monies. In this Distribution,
the townships receive 65 percerk
and the corporations 35 percent.
Auditor Wilson said that Noble
county is one of the few counties
in the state where the political
subdivisions receive the entire
amount. 1t is customary else
where for the county general
fund to receive one-half and
then the balance is distributed.
Only routine business was
transacted Monday by the com
missioners at their regular meet
ing.
A check at this office also re-
vealed that 1899 dog tags had
been sold, or considerably less
than for one year ago. A penalty
of $1.00, set by the state, is now
being charged per each tag.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
County Collecting
Real Estate Taxes

Treasurer Ira Pryor announc-
ed today that the tax books are
now open at his office for the
collection of taxes on real estate
representing the first half of
1949.
Real estate taxes may now be
paid at any time. Treasurer Pry-
or said the books would be clos
ed according to the deadline set
by the state tax commission.
The current tax collection is
always the heaviest one in the
county, since most property
owners pay for the entire year.
The increase from the recent re-
appraisement will also be noted
on the tax receipts for the first
time.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Death Drives
Local School
Bus. Monday
Ode DeVoll. Sr.
Stricken With
Fatal Attack

Funeral services for Ode De-
Voll, Sr., 81, will be held at
1890 a. m. this Thursday morn
ing from the home on State
Route 78, with Rev. A. ]. Stats,
pastor of the Free Methodist
church, officiating. Mr.. Devoll
died of a heart attack, Monday
morning as he drove his school
bus east of town. with fifteen
students as passengers. Burial
will be made this morning in
Olive cemetery with the Murphy
funeral home in charge.
The school children saw Mr..
DeVoll die as he drove his bus
over the route he had followed
for almost twenty-five years.
Death came four miles east of
Caldwell near the Hubert Hill
home. The driver had stopped to
pick up student and had start
ed the bus when he slumped
over the wheel. The bus swerv-
ed to the BERN, bumped a fence
post and stopped in an adjoining
field.
Several of the frightened
youngsters waited at the bus
while one group went to the
Hill home for help. Mr.. DeVoll
was dead when DR.. N. S. Reed,
Coroner Jack Berry and Sheriff
Clayton Mckee arrived.
The deceased was a native of
Noble county. He was born May
%, 1882 near Caldwell, and was
the son of Mr.. and Mrs. Levi De-
Voll. He would have been SO
years old in May.
He was a farmer by profession
although in years of service he
was one of Noble county's old
est school bus drivers.
Surviving are his widow, Belle
Westcott DeVoll; a son, Ode, Jr.
of Hamilton; three daughters,
Mrs. Lois Trace, of Columbus;
Mrs. Fern Ferguson. of Akron,
and Mrs. Opal Davis, of Cam
bridge; two sisters. Mrs. Iva OIL
liver, of GAINESVILLE. and Mrs.
Martha Moore, of Caldwell. A
brother, Wilbur of Belle Valley
and several grandchildren also
survive
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

their grandparents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Ed E. Morgareidge.
Huntington police said that
Ross was leaving a dentists Of
flee when he was struck over
the head by blunt instrument.
The attempted robbery failed
when the dentist heard the noise
and sounded an alarm.
Two suspects are now being
held in the Cabell county Jail,
pending full investigation.
The victim had visited in
Caldwell on a number of occa-
sions and was well known here.
His wife, Della F. Ross, passed
away May %, 1916 and the three
sons have since made their home
in Caldwell In addition to the
children, he is survived by his
mother, two brothers and four
sisters, all of Huntington, w. Va.
Funeral services were conduct
ed Monday from the Cavendish
and Johnson funeral home in
that city. Rev. William ]. Tax
officiated and interment was
made in the Woodmere cemetery.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morgareidge and
the three boys attended from
this community.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

ture of work assigned to many
of the employees is considered
most hazardous.
Charles w. Yetter is superin-
tendent in charge of the Dexter
City operations. Dan Testa is
field supervisor.
Immediately following the din
ner and program, an informal
dance will be held at the hotel,
according to Jake Kimbrell,
president of the Dexter City EN-
ployees Protective Union. Mr..
Kimbrell stated that the union,
who is sponsoring the dance for
members and friends, has also
extended an invitation to the
supervisory personnel of the
corporation to attend the dance.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

single loss of time accident was
reported.
During the dinner program, re-
cognition pins will be. awarded
the employees by representa-
tive from the New York office
of the Union Carbide g. Carbon
Corp. A speaker from the New
York office will head the speak
ing portion of the program.
The dinner will be served
promptly at 7:30 o'clock to the
corporations SIS Dexter City en-
ployees and members of their
families.
The record of no loss of time
resulting from accidents accom-
plished by the employees is in
deed one most unusual in coal
stripping operations since the na-
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

tossed hundreds OF feet up
ward from the fourteen-foot
deep crater which was created
by the explosion. The white-hot
flame which shot over two hun
dred feet into the air destroyed
the old Simm Thomas home
stead.
The flames, fed by gas from
the west Texas fields, ragged un-
controlled for over three hours
before burning itself out.
An increase in gas pressure,
brought about by demands for
more fuel from the east coast, is
said to have caused the explo-
sion. Officials of the Texas East
ern Transmission Corp. refused
to make an estimate on damages
suffered by the company.
Gas Consumed
Sheriff Clayton "Jum" Mckee
reported that workmen told him
enough gas was burned during
the three hours to supply the
city of New York with gas for
more than one day.
Maintenance crews had to wait
for the area to cool off Friday
morning after the fuel supply
had been shut off at the Sum-
merfield booster station and at
Gaysport.
Repairs Made
1t was learned Sunday that gas
began flowing through the line
again that afternoon. The pres
sure is said to have been reduc-
ed.
This is the second explosion of
the "Big Inch" lines within the
past year. On May 6, 1949, the
24-inch line exploded on a hill
side just north of Belle Valley
and less than two miles from the
break which occurred Friday
morning. Late last summer, the
company completed work on a
26-inch line and now are laying
plans for a 30-inch line which
may be started next summer.
A group of attacking planes
armed with incendiary bombs
couldn't have done better job
of leveling the farm home and
buildings owned by Carl Elliott,
of Sarahsville.
Farm Home Burns
Some ten minutes after the ex-
plosion the terrific heat from the
blaze ignited the north side of
the farm house and less than
80 minutes later only the CHM
ney was standing. Four smaller
buildings were ignited by grass
fire and were consumed by
flames in a matter of minutes.
Continued on page four)
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

undertaken by the PTA. The
group hopes to have the play
ground completed before the
opening of the school term next
fall.
Present plans call for the COM
pletion of the new $4,000 grade
school building next summer.
The playground equipment will
be installed as soon as the build
ing is completed and the land
scaping of the grounds is fin
ished.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
NEW MANAGER

Robert Harris has been named
the new manager of the Noble
Lunch, Belle Valley. to replace
Roscoe Lombardy, who served in
that capacity for the past four
years. Lombardy has returned to
Columbus, where he will make
his future home. Until recently,
young Harris has been working
with the Caldwell village. Owned
by Clyde Harris, since 1916, it is
probably one of the few father
son World War II veteran COM
binationS.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

served as spokesman of the coal
mining company.
About three years ago, the
Noble County Junior Chamber
of Commerce spent several hum
dred dollars for playground
equipment. During the interven-
ing period, it has remained in
storage. 1t is thought that the
group will probably turn this
equipment over to the PTA unit
for use on the grade school play
ground.
This is the biggest project yet
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
IN FRATERNITY

Joseph Brooks, former acting
county agent for Noble county,
will be initiated into the Alpha
Gamma Sigma fraternity, Satur-
day evening. Brooks is now
working on his BA degree at
Ohio State University, Columbus.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Former Resident Killed
During Robbery Attempt
Father OF Three Caldwell Boys
Dies Following Brutal Assault

Lawrence j. Ross 49, died Saturday morning at 1880
o'clock in St Marys hospital Huntington W. Va from in
ures received in attempted robbery four hours earlier
according to word received here by local relatives
The victim, who attacked and slugged by two as
saants the father of Larry Joe Ronald and Harold
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

NUIICE TU TAAPA EMS
Noble County. The tax books
are now open for paying the
1949 tax on real estate. Whe-'
writing i'm regard to tax, aIwavT
enclose a self-addressed STAMPED
envelope for reply. Away =
state what township or distrs
your property is located i~.
When paying tax also see thu.
you get tax receipts for 81
property you want to pay c.
and be sure that they aX1
stamped paid.
IRA PRYOR,
Treasurer of Noble Co
1880
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
EXPLOSION RIPS PIPELINE NEAR Caldwell |
Shooting Flames l5O Feet High.
Burning Line Visible For Miles

Noble countians still talking this week, of the
posion of the little big Inch pipeline which occurred
Sarahsville at about $40 Friday morning.
The popuace of Sarahsville, Caldwell and surrounding
communities shaken by the frightening blast which
cured in the predaWn darkness.
Large chunks of earth and jagged pieces of steel
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
New Playground For Caldwell Grade
School Is Local PTA Wish This Year

Caldwell will have playground at the grade school
building North street learned today Promoting
the the local PTA chapter headed by Mrs Boyer
donation of several hundred dollars made by the Moscp
Mining Wednesday evening the much
needed boost The pledge made by James Moscrip who
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Thurman Smith, Jr., former
postmaster at Caldwell, has re-
joined the army and is now sta
toned at Camp Carson, Colo, ac-
cording to word received here. A
former officer in the infantry
during the war, he is now a mas
ter sergeant with the ski troops.
His address is Sgt. Thurman J.
Smith, Co. I, 18th Inf, Camp
Carson. Colorado.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
Union Carbide EMPLOYEES Establish
Unusual No Loss OF Time" Record

Officials of the Metalugical Division of the Union Carbide
and Carbon Corp of Dexter City, will be host to employees of
the dner be held Friday evening Feb g.
Lafayette hotel Marietta The occasion will be recogn
outstanding made by the Dexter City
the first operation. during which time
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26


On
"BIG INCH"
EXPLOSION
1t was 3:15 o'clock, Friday
morning. But the usual quiet
which one finds in small town
was missing. The Big Inch ex-
plosion had just occurred and an
intense roaring filled the air,
which was interpreted in many
ways by different people.
Walter Quick, local business
man, thought surely the world
had come to an end but wonder
ed why it hadn't been faster.
Norval Robey got up and
checked the furnace, went out
side for a minute to check the
house and then retired. Many
hours later, he found out what
had happened.
Price and Cynthia Elson were
also aroused, checked the fur
mace, even put the cat out and
then went to bed. They also
heard of the big event much lat
er. .t
A farmer beyond McConnels-
vile, in Morgan county, at least
40 miles west, saw the heavens
lighted up and thought farm
house was burning in the coun-
ty. He got into his car and drove
toward Caldwell. He finally
stopped at the Frank Burlingame
home in Sharon te-find out what
was burning.
Although the explosion was a
major disaster, Gerald Kimnach,
local business man, was the only
casualty. He froze his hands dur
ing the run by the Caldwell fire
department.
The prize comment of the
early morning was mad by Di-
anna Gillespie, eight year old
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Will
liam Gillespie. When told that
the world was coming to an end
little Dianna broke into tears and
sobbingly told her mother, "Oh
l wanted to grow up and have a
baby.
The thermometer registered al
IL degrees above zero when the
explosion occurred.
Sheriff jun Mckee made sew
eral trips to the scene of the dis
aster and Friday morning car
ried sandwiches and coffee tc
the repair crew from Somerset
The last local explosion of the
Big Inch occurred on May 6
1949, near Belle Valley.
Cecil Wilson and John Wheel.
er rushed to GAINESVILLE Friday
afternoon, made a recording o1
their impressions concerning the
Big Inch explosion for coast tc
coast news broadcaster, heard
that same evening at 1918 o..
clock over Station WOR, New
ark, New Jersey.
Lena Alter and Pearl Ralstor
were up with the dawn but they
never did get to the scene of the
blast.
One of the prize chuckles OF
the day was caused by an unin'
territorial error in a Columbus
paper. In reporting on a conver.
sation with Almeda Stottsberry
Sarahsville's congenial telephone
operator, the Dispatch inadvert.
emily called the operator Almeds
Strawberry.
Clyde Stowe, of Florence Ad'
dition, labored for a few minute:
under the impression that an en-
emy airforce had visited Cleve'
land and the northern Ohio in
dustrial cities.
The dubious honor of being
among the first to warm at the
huge fire goes to Alva Watson
Bob Bond, Ira Longfellow, Tim
mie Cooper, of the Sarahsvillt
community, Clair Boyd and Gee
il Wilson, of Caldwell.
Continued on page four)
Basketball Double Header!
Thursday, Jan. 26
Ex-Hi's VS.. Harriettsville (7:O0
Kirch's VS.. ByesviIle (S:00
Byesville is sponsored by th,
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Basketball Double Header!
Thursday, Jan. 26
Ex-Hi's VS.. Harriettsville (7:O0)
Kirch's VS.. ByesviIle (8:00)
Byesville is sponsored by the
Motorists Mutual Insurance Co.,
Joe Buckley, is your local agent.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26
SIDE-LIGHTS
On
"BIG INCH"
EXPLOSION

1t was 3:l5 o'clock, Friday
morning. But the usual quiet
which one finds in a small town
was missing. The Big Inch ex-
plosion had just occurred and an
intense roaring filled the air,
which was interpreted in many
ways by different people.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

CLUB MEETING
The Community club of Whig-
vile, will meet at the town hall
on Friday, Jan. 81.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Walter Quick, local business
man, thought surely the world
had come to an end but wonder
ed why it hadn't been faster.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

SEE III VARIETIES Feb. IA
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

The dubious honor of being
among the first to warm at the
huge fire goes to Alva Watson
Bob Bond, Ira Longfellow, Tim
mie Cooper, of the Sarahsville
community, Clair Boyd and Gee
il Wilson, of Caldwell.
Continued on page four)
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Norval Robey got up and
checked the furnace, went out
side for a minute to check the
house and then retired. Many
hours later, he found out what
had happened.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Although the explosion was a
major disaster, Gerald Kimnach,
local business man, was the only
casualty. He froze his hands dur
ing the run by the Caldwell fire
department
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Price and Cynthia Elson were
also aroused, checked the fur
mace, even put the cat out and
then went to bed. They also
heard of the big event much lat
er. -.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

Clyde Stowe, of Florence Ad-
dition, labored for a few minutes
under the impression that an en-
emy airforce had visited Cleve-
land and the northern Ohio in
dustrial cities.
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1950-01-26

A farmer beyond McConnels-
Vile, in Morgan county, at least
40 miles west, saw the heavens
lighted up and thought a farm
house was burning in the coun-
ty. He got into his car and drove
toward Caldwell. He finally
stopped at the Frank Burlingame
home in Sharon to- find out what
was burning.