davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
WOULD ABOLISH
GRADE CROSSING
WATCHMAN'S JOB
Railroads Spokesman Repeats
Former Proposal at Council
Meeting
FlaShers Would be Installed al
College Avenue Under
This Proposal

Another Nickel Plate railroad
offer to install electrically operated
warning signals at the College
Avenue crossing-if the town govern
ment will consent to the removal OF
watchman service at the Cherry
street crossing-was aired Monday
night at meeting of municipal
council.
Representing the railroad at the
session was Trainmaster C. A.
Hecker, of Lima, whose proposal
was the same as one initially Of
fered by the railroad in the fall OF
1948, and again in late summer, 1949
If the municipality should agree
to removal of Watchman Joe Fisher
the railroad agrees to not only erect
warning flashers at College avenue
but also to install new signal stand
ards at the College Avenue crossing
Railroad Proposal
After councilmen had indicated
! they were not interested in being a
party to removing Fisher from the
watchman post he has held for II
years, Hecker suggested that the
village consent to presenting the
matter to the Public Utilities Com
mission for final decision.
Council deferred making an answer
to the request for arbitration before
the PUCO, preferring to first check
the matter with City Solicitor John
Romey.
Changes suggested by the railroad
for the Cherry street crossing should
the watchraan be removed, include
a new system of warning lights at
each side of the street, eliminating
the existing standard in the center
of the street.
New Circuit
A proposed new circuit would be
actuated SO that cars standing on
the track during switching operations
would not cause the lights to flash
and warning precautions would &c
into operation only when the loco
motive would approach either cross
ing, it was explained.
Acceptance of the railroad proposal
by the council would result in auto
matte protection devices at all Nickel
Plate crossings within the city limits
it was pointed out.
Discontinuance of the crossing
watchman's position here would not
mean that Fisher would be out OF
work, the railroad official said, fo,
his seniority is such that he car
claim a position elsewhere on the
road.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

with the Christmas dinner shopper,
and those who prefer the smaller
fowl will find equally attractive
prices prevailing. Roasting chickens
and fryers were quoted from so to
55 cents a pound dressed.
Dressed ducklings at 65 cents a
pound and young geese at SO cents
also add to the popularity of poultry
as the principal dish for the holi-
day dinner.
Caulifower, broccoli and other fresh
greenstuffs are carrying price tags
slightly higher than at Thanksgiving,
but additional trimmings for the
Christmas table viii cost about the
same as for the November holiday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
White Christmas Is In Prospect
For BlufftOn Area This Season

On the basis Of Blnffton Yalletide
weather conditions over the last 80
years, the odds favor White
Christmas, perennial hope of the
holiday season.
Over the span of nearly four
decades there have ebeen % Christ
mas Days with snow and IT holiday
observances in green setting.
For the last two years Bluffton has
had no snow for the Yuletide, altho
there was snow here for the four
holidays prior to 1948. Having snow
on Christmas during the preceding
four years, however, apparently had
reversed trend established begin
ming in 1886 when there was no
snow on the Yuletide for six con-
secutive years.
This years early winter, with
snow on the ground almost continu-
ously since the last week in Novem-
Der, is another indication that the
area this year is likely to have a
white covering for it's festive Christ
mas scene.
Heaviest snowfall of the 39-year
period was in 1916 when roaring
blizzard brought a 12-inch blanket
of snow. In 1885 Bluffton had eight
inches, the heaviest holiday snowfall
in recent years, altho seven inches
of snow fell in 1914.
Weather Records
The all-time warm weather record
for Christmas here was set in 1882
when the thermometer reached a
mark of 81 degrees shortly before
noon.
Bluffton's 39-year record of Christ
mas weather is as follows:
1911, no snow; 1912, no snow;
I1913, trace of snow; 1914, seven
inches; 1915, three inches; 1916, II
inches; 1917, seven inches; 1918
trace of snow; 1919, one inch; 1920
no snow; 1921, no snow; 1922, trac.
of snow; 1923, no snow; 1924, five
inches; 1925, one inch; 1926, three
inches; 1927, no snow.
1923, one inch; 1929, five inches;
1880, no snow; 1881, no snow; 1882
no snow; 1888, no snow; 1884, three
inches; 1885, eight inches; 1886, nc
snow; 1887, no snow; 1888, no snow;
1889, trace of snow; 1910, no snow
1941, no snow; 1912, two inches;
1943, no snow; 1914, seven inches;
1916, two inches; 1916, two inches;
l1947, two inches; 1948, no snow;
1949, no snow.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
IUan Geiger Named To
Athletic Conference

Ivan Geiger, athletic director at
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology, Boston, and graduate of
Bluffton High school and Bluffton
college, last week was elected vice
president of the Eastern College
Athletic association.
In the Eastern conference are 86
colleges and universities on the east
ern seaport as far south as Mary
land.
Geiger also is president of the
Eastern Association of Rowing Col
leges. He and his family live in
Newton, Mass, Boston suburb.
His wife is the former Winifred
Thompson, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
J. A. Thompson of Spring street.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Youth For Christ
Rally Wednesday

Monthly rally of the Bluffton-
Pandora Youth for Christ will be
held in st. John Mennonite church,
east of Pandora next Wednesday
night, Dec. 27 at 1880 o'clock.
Rev. Arthur Killam, pastor of
Highland Parkside Baptist church,
Joliet, H., will be the speaker. He
is son-in-law of S. S. Bixel, north
west of Bluffton. Special music will
be provided by the Ebenezer Male
quartet.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

IL you can use large turkey, over
Id pounds, you can get it for the
Christmas table at 40 cents a pound
dressed, well under current quota
tions of 55 cents for ham, half or
whole.
Smaller hen turkeys, under IA
pounds, carry price tag of 65 cents
pound dressed, but menu planners
short on ready cash after the
customary Christmas buying spree
still consider the birds a good buy
in comparison with the prices for
beef and pork roasts, steaks and
other choice cuts.
Poultry Popular
Chicken prices also are popular
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

You probably didn't know it, but
winter isn't here yet-fact is, it will
not arrive until Friday morning at
11:01 o'clock according to astrono-
mers who know all about such
things. All that ice and snow we've
been having for the past month is
autumn-usually sort Of preview
of the real thing.
Although winter will begin Off
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

most of the finishing work to be
done this winter.
Total cost of the new building
as of November was s174,063,
it was announced by college au-
thorities. On that date the build
ing fund stood at $4,000 in
cash and $500 iii pledges. APP
proximately $63,f1O In additional
funds will be required to meet
the. estimated cost of s2sO,O0O,
it was stated.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Who'd Ever Thot It-Winter Won't
Arrive In BlufftOn Until Friday

cially on Friday, the sun will set
later each day for the remainder of
the month while it will be rising
three minutes later.
Thus the daylight, at the end of
the month, will be three minutes
longer than when winter begins Off
cially.
The moon, too, will be in on the
holiday celebration at full stage
Christmas eve.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Xmas Cantdtd At
Methodist Church

"The Wondrous Story" Christ
mas cantata will be presented at the
Methodist church, Thursday night at
7:30 o'clock by the Friendly class.
The program arranged by Mrs.
Charles Steiner, Mrs. Earl Stober
and Mrs. James West will be given
in song and pantomime.
Special music will precede the pro-
gram and a social hour afterward
will be held in the church basement.
The public is invited.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
TOWN COUNCIL and
PAGE DAIRY WILL
TALK SEWER PLAN
Conference Set Tentatively for
January 8 in Council
Chamber
Attitude of Dairy Will De-
termine Type of Disposal
Plant Here

Conference of municipal officials
with representatives of the Page
Dairy Co. to determine the course
to be taken in planning action on
state orders to proceed with a clean
up of stream pollution here 10
tentatively scheduled for a special
council meeting on Monday, Jan. 8.
Engineers representing the munlcl-
pality and the dairy concern will
have the major responsibility, how
ever, in shaping plans for Buttons
sewage and industrial waste disposal
problems, and town action will await
engineering recommendations.
Whether the dairy plant will in
stall its own system of disposal
treatment or make use of the city
sewage disposal plant will determine
the future of the towns sewerage
system planning, Mayor w. A. Howe
pointed out.
Smaller Plant
If Page should handle its own
treatment, the municipal plant would
be smaller than originally anticipat-
ed, for planning to date has been on
the assumption that the dairy plant
would be included in the town
system.
In state orders relative to stream
pollution in Bluffton, Page was told
that it had choice in either install.
ing its own treatment facilities OF
tying in with the municipal disposal
plant.
So far there has been no officia
indication of Pages attitude in tht
matter.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Button Ag1ow With Christmas Spirit
Nickel Plate Seeks To Make Deal With
Council On Cherry Street Crossing Here
Marketwise Blufton Housewives Find
Turkeys Best Buy for Christmas Dinner

In addition to its traditional role
as the centerpiece for the Christmas
dinner menu, turkey at prices lower
than the better cuts of meats will
be more popular than ever with
price-conscious Bluffton householders
this year.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
SNOWFALL GIVES
WHITE YULETIDE
HOLIDAY SETTING
Shopping Season Drawing to
Close May Have Set New
Record Here
Churches to Observe Christmas
with Programs Over Coming
Weekend

With the rush of pre- Christmas
activity drawing to a close, Bluffton
area residents this Thursday are
putting finishing touches to plans
for their annual celebration of Amer
ica's best-loved holiday season over
the coming weekend
CARRIED in brilliant holiday raiment
and aglow with lights of the season,
the towns homes, lawns and busi-
ness places provide a colorful set
ting for the observance of the Yule-
tide.
The busy rush of holiday activity,
reaching peak this week, will cul-
inmate on Christmas Eve and Christ
mas Day with the usual children's
programs in churches of the district
and special musical programs in
observance of the season.
Busy Shoppers
A rush of Christmas buying, set
off two and one-half weeks ago after
Bluffton had dug out from under
"the big snow has kept merchants
on the double-quick thruout Decem-
ber and what may be a record
volume of holiday trade has been
reported by local merchants.
For the convenience of shoppers
who have been delayed in making
their rounds downtown places of
business will be open every night
this week. Stores also will be open
on Thursday afternoon. merchants
dkfistfhas ruluzs i swsnped
Bluffton postal employees, with the
heaviest rush coming the forepart Of
this week, partly because of the
usual seasonal rush and partly be-
cause of a wildcat strike in many
rail terminals for a short time last
week which held up mountains of
parcels which now are flooding into
the town. Despite the rush every
effort is being made to deliver let
ters and packages promptly.
To cope with the heavy volume of
Christmas mailing, windows at the
Bluffton post office were open last
Saturday afternoon, and special
deliveries of mail and parcels are
being made this week throughout
the town.
Music Eroerams
Musical presentations in keeping
with the season are being given this
week by grade and high school and
Bluffton college groups.
Opening the musical observance of
the Yuletide, the annual rendition Of
Handel's "The Messiah" Christmas
oratorio, was given last Sunday in
the high school gymnasium by the
Bluffton College Choral society.
Church observances of Christmas
will be featured in the customary
childrens' programs, principally on
Christmas Eve, with special holiday
dlleHliolt III lIiS ic5uieii WoAoihP
services Sunday.
Bluffton business and industrial
establishments will suspend opera
tions next Monday in the usual holi-
day observance. Bluffton public
schools and Bluffton college will
suspend their scholastic schedules
this week for holiday recess which
will continue unit latter New Years
Day. Both school vacations will
start Thursday night.
On Christmas Day, Bluffton postal
workers also will enjoy we'll
deserved day of rest, coming at the
end of what may prove to be a
record Christmas mail rush.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

rain Basinger, instructor of the
group.
Organization of the class was eff.
fected at the first session last Wed.
nesday night, with Maurice Cribles
elected president.
The group will meet for a 10
weeks course at 8 p. m. each We'd.
nesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
New Bluffton College Gymnasium
Scheduled For Completion In Spring

BARRING unforeseen delays,
the new BiufftOn college
gymnasium auditorium now under
construction will be completed by
commencement next spring, it
was stated by Robert Miller,
general contractor who is in
charge of construction.
Structural work is completed
and lighting, heating and plumb
ing have been roughed in, leaving
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21

Bluffton artist.
In determining winners judges will
consider general artistic effect, in
genuity in utilizing the surroundings,
conformity to the Christmas spirit
and size of the displays.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Adult Farm Class
Starts Meetings

Enrolment remains open for an
adult farmers class which will meet
every Wednesday night in agricul-
tural rooms at Bluffton High school,
it was announced this week by Lo-
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
BLUFFTON MARKETS
Wednesday Morning

Grain (bushel prices) - Wheat
s2.25; corn s1.67; oats 95c; soys
S2.91.
Pouitry-Heavy hens 21c; leghorn
hens 19c; heavy springers 30c; heavy
stays 13c; leghorn stays 12c.
Eggs-Large white Soc; large
brown Acc; medium white do;
medium brown 44c; pullets 42c.
Butterfat-No. /, 63c; No. 2, 5sc.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1950-12-21
Town Gay With Outdoor Lighting

Rejecting all TIL magic of the
Christmas sea aas, illuminated
decoration of Bluffton's homes this
year tops by far anything ever at
tempted here before in the way of
Yuletide lighting; successfully mark
ing the elimination of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce residential
Christmas decoration contest.
In providing fitting setting for
the holiday season, the town has
taken on cloak Of fairy-like beauty,
achieved thru myriads of twinkling
colored lights and other decorative
schemes in keeping with the Yule-
tide.
Decoration of Bluffton homes
covers wide scope-with residential
cooperation in the Jaycee program
ranging all the way from the
customary lighted tree in the window
to large elaborate "spectaculars"
some of which have moving parts
I and striking combinations of flashing
lights.
With residents of the community
demonstrating with lights and other
decorative effects their keeping of
the Yuletide, judges in the Christ
mas decoration contest will have a
difficult task in selecting the Win
ners. Jaycees are elated with success
of their campaign to dress up the
town for the holiday, and thanked
residents for their cooperation as
all the beauty of Buttons Christmas
garb was coming into reality by
midweek.
Must File Entry
Only residents filling out and
mailing in entry blanks will be con-
sidered for the five cash prizes of
fered by the Jaycees for the best
decorative themes. Entries should
be addressed to the Junior Chamber
of Commerce.
Officers of the organization this
week again pointed out that all
entries must be postmarked on Dec.
%, this Friday. Judging of contest
entries will be done Saturday night,
Dec. %; Sunday night, Dec. "a, and
Christmas night.
| Contest Judges include Mayor w.
A. Howe, Grover Soldner and Mrs.
Gordon Bixel, representatives of the
Bluffton Garden clubs; Prof. John
Klassen, of the Bluffton college art
department; and Mrs. Russell Lantz,
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-07-28
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

notice is hereby given that sealed
oIds VIII be received and publicly
opened and read at 10 A. NJ. MIST, Aug
ust 4, 1850 by the State Board of Elk
amlners at their office in the Capitol
iBulIdlng, Helena, Montana, for the en-
aearg cement of pipe tunnels under the
state Board of Health Building, Capitol
GROUNDS, Helena, Montana.
bld snail be made on the Bid Pro-
posal attached to the specifications
80 SPECIFICATIONS may be obtained from
the Engineer for the State Board of Elk
amlners, Capitol Building, Helena, Mon
tana.
Contractors are urged to view the site
Oh the work, and to check their bid
careIully as no alterations or correc-
lions viii be allowed after bids have
been entered
Each bid shall be accompanied by
certltled check in the amount of 80
or more OF the amount of the bid. Check
shall be made out to the state Treasur-
er; Each bidder will be required to have
license from the Montana State Board
Vi ,i,'quallzatton in classification that
contract
Bld checks of unsuccessful bidders
VIII be returned as soon as award is
I,laue. Inc check of the successful bid
u i' WIN De returned after contract
is furnished
Your proposal must be enclosed in
am enVelope addressed to the under
race Enlargement of nine tunnels
under the State Board of Health Build
ing, capitol grounds, Helena. Montana"
ou ,p, ae ~ "A. M. MIST, August 4, 1850.
ne right is reserved to reject any
ana all bids and to waive such techni-
eailties as the best interest of the State
may warrant
STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS
STATE OF MONTANA
by; w. J.. Fitzsimmons,
Clerk
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-07-28
TO CLEAR THEATM0SPHERE

Another point in the report supreme court
members and the attorney general of prejudging the
grand Jury stating: "Some members of the supreme
court and the attorney general of Montana have all
most from the very beginning of proceedings
shown definite antagonism to this jury and its in
vestigation :" This is serious charge, and unless
the defunct jury produce proof of such an as
serton the members of that body may well be wide
open to having contempt and other charges pressed
against them by the court and the attorney
general.
Still another point asserts that the supreme court
has in no way attempted to protect the public
from the vicious attacks made upon their courts by
counsel for some of the named indctees" This bit
of verbal garbage is readily disposed of by calling at
enton the effect that in the only pertinent instance
that the supreme court had brought before 1.-THE
contempt citations of Roger Porter and his attorney
Stanley Doyle the higher court upheld the decision
finding both in contempt. Period.
And still another: Accusation is made that :"
the attorney general has given this jury lip ser
vice only ;" in its nvestgatory activities By inn
plcation he attorney general paid only lip service to
law enforcement. Sounds -but-recal if you
will, Lewis & Clark county was closed down tight by
the attorney general before the grand jury ever
called Several months after the jury into being
and under the protective wing of that body slot
machines than were in operation in Lewis Clark
county-as per official reports and claimed by
Foreman Salisbury.
One final point: Foreman of the defunct grand
jury James Salisbury, has announced that the
of that body have been taken from the courthouse
stating 1--WE doing this IN the interests of justice
and will responsibility" Judge Padbury has
condoned this saying: according the Helena indie
pendentRecOrd, 81 think that is proper" Since by
Supreme order, county Attorney Melvin Magnus-
was directed refie good actions from material
collected by the grand jury should not these records
have been retained by the court placed in the hands
of the county attorney? These records resting in
the hands of private citizens could possibly be lamp
cred with Could any court recognize validity of rec
ords in making judicial determination, in view of
the records having been without its jurisdiction for
any period of time? Further by what right does Mr.
Salisbury, private citizen since last Sept H. as it
We're remove these records from the courthouse? I'm
der what authority does Judge Padbury condone such
removal? Is it not possibility that were you or
to evidence (and property owned by the coun
ty) from the court house. would be subject to ar
rest for grand larcency illegal removal of evidence
etc?
Helena people would do well to bear all of the
above in mind they attempt to clear away the simu-
lated confusion these latest decisions has caused