davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
IS-Ye1r-OId
SUiss Choir
Opens Season

The widely-known Swiss Male
Chorus of the Bluffton-Pandora COM
munity, which during its 1S-year
history has at times reached a size
of 48 members, will resume its fall
activities on October 6 with a re-
hearsal at the First Mennonite
church at 8 p. m.
Earl Lehman, choir director, has
announced that several engagements
have already been booked for the
1928 season. All men who wish
to participate with the group are
urged to attend the October 6 meet
ing. Last seasons choir numbered
20 members.
James Suter is president of the
organization this year with Gordon
Lugibihl, business manager; Fred
Amstutz, treasurer, and Evan Welty,
Librarian.
Mr.. Lehman, who has served as
director for the past eight years,
was preceded by former directors in
GLIDING Alvin Burkholder, Roy Hilty
and Dwight Somer.
Mrs. Dean Niswander and Mrs.
Earl Lehman are the accompanies.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
FIFE Drills, Household Inspections
To Mark Fire Prevention Week Here

Fire drills are also planned dur
ing the week in both school build
ings and another will be held al
Lincoln hall, Bluffton college. Patri-
cia L~ouensburg, a junior at the col
lege, has been appointed by the
House council as chairman of a COM
mittee in charge of the drill.
Mayor w. A. Howe is to issue
proclamation announcing the observ.
ance here, and a speaker will discuss
the subject in both schools.
Lamp post posters announcing
Fire Prevention Week are also to be
a part of the campaign, and plans
are being made for a waste paper
collection sometime during the week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

public utility rate consultant, has
been employed to make an exhaustive
study of the municipal plants cleo
trio rates.
Members of the board expect that
the rate revision will enable Button
consumers to make the fullest use of
electricity and will result in industrial
rates for the average typical small
industry that will be as low or lower
than those available elsewhere. The
change should have an important in
fluence in attracting new industries
to Bluffton, it is believed.
Since the war the municipal light
and power rates have been increased
to offset higher costs, principally for
coal and labor. The last increase, a
15 per cent surcharge, was placed in
effect in 1947.
Members of the board feel that
these past increases, made without a
detailed study, have not always been
on a fair and equitable basis. In
some instances it is wondered wheth-
err the form of the increases may
have hindered the maximum develop
ment and fullest use of electricity by
Button users.
The rate survey is already well
|~ahdyeway and will probably be COM
pletH in the near future, Nh. Kim
mel said. At that time the Board
will &eview the findings and announce
its c nclusions.
Thu earnings of the electric de-
partraent have improved in the past
year by reason of the completion of
a major expansion program, greater
volume and better operating efficien.
cy, the board of public affairs point:
out. 1t was because of this that
downward revision of rates was be
lieved possible.
In addition to Kimmel, other men
bers of the board are Carl Lehman
vice president, and Forrest Steinmal
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
TAX RATE DROPS,
BUT R~EAPPRAISAL
BILLS
New Rate Set At 17.65
Mills, rs Mills Less
Than Old Rate

Increased real property values in
Button which on the average have
been advanced 22.54 per cent, will
be offset to a certain extent by a
reduction in the tax rate, citizens
were advised at the public hearing
on the reappraisals last Friday by
County Auditor Russell Hire.
The tax rate in the Bluffton coz
poration limits will drop from 1S.40
mills to 17.65 mills, a difference of
rs mills or rs cents per thousand
dollars of property value.
According to an example cited by
the county auditor, if you're a
Button village property owner and
your home has been on the duplicate
for $4,000, you paid $500 taxes
under the old rate. With a village
duplicate boost of 22.54 per cent
your valuation, if it was on the
average, went up to about $3.50
and on the new rate the taxes will
total about s64.90.
Buttons tax rate decrease wa.
the smallest in Allen county, due t.
the fact that an extra rs mill rate
for interest payments on the $3.50,
900 sewer improvement bonds voted
= .nrn - --- -lI1l
The new appraisal sets the value
of all taxable real estate in Blufftor
now at $5,046,455 compared tc
$4,118,O9 under the former values.
In the Button School district out,
side the corporation limits the tas
rate dropped from 1855 mills to
1915 mills.
Beaverdam village enjoyed 9 the
biggest rate slash, where the new
rate is 1905 mills, compared with q
l21.60 old rate.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

Plans were well underway here
this week for the observance of Ma
tional Fire Prevention Week, Octo-
Der 5 to IL, under the sponsorship
of the Junior Chamber of Commerce
with Robert Simcox and Harold
Balmer, ~co-chairmen of the event.
To make Button fire safety con
scious with the opening of the fall
heating season, the Jaycees have ar
ranged to distribute home fire in
spection blanks to all dwellings in
the community through the school
children. Prizes are offered to the
elementary school room and high
school class returning the highest
number of blanks filled out by par
ents.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
~ Area Students
In College Choir

Twelve Bluffton are students at
Bluffton college have been selected
as members of the vesper choir for
the 1928 season at the college, it
was announced last week by Prof.
Russell A. Lantz, director.
In the choir are Betty Bauman,
David Bixel, John Bauman, Ada May
Oyer, Shirley Hauenstein, Harvella
Bauman and Lois Marquart, all OF
Button; Betsy Kohl, Lafayette;
JoAnn Wore and Marilu Amstutz,
all of Columbus Grove; Alden Bohn,
Pandora, and Joan Clymer, Rawson.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Dean Ferguson Climbs
FuHydma

A seven-and-one-half hour climb to
the peak of Mt. Fujiyama in Japan
was made recently by Yoeman Dean
Ferguson, of the u. S. Navy, in
company with several of his ship
mates, according to a letter received
this week by his grandparents, Mr..
and Mrs. George Rauenbuhler, of
North Ma street.
ClimbRd the 12,935-foot mountain,
the an boys had to. travel a
narfpw, lazapasus trau<A the top
the party left aSsaafl iag marking
- peak &fftheir ascent.
Ferguson is with the Executive
staff of the U. S. S. Bryc4 Canyon,
and is stationed with his ship at
Yokosiha Harbor, Tokyo. Vie has
been in the Navy two years.
Ferguson formerly attended school
in Bluffton before his parents, Mr..
and Mrs Fred Ferguson, moved from
here to California.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Local Orchestra
May Combine With
Ada Musicians

Plans are being discussed for
combining Buttons Community
orchestra with a similar organ
ization in Ada sometime after
Christmas, it was revealed this
week by n. Laurence Burkhalter,
director of the local group.
Mr.. Burkhalter explained that
the combination would provide
an orchestra of worthwhile pro-
portions which would be avail
able for engagements in both
communities.
All members of the orchestra
which performed at the dedica-
ton of Founders hall are urged
to attend the first rehearsal of
the season Tuesday evening,
October Z, at 1880. The must
clans will rehearse on the stage
at Founders hall, Bluffton col
lege.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Births

The following births were record
ed during the past two weeks at
Bluffton Community hospital:
: Nj. and Mrs. Keith Moore,
Bluffton, a girl, Jody Ann, born
Wednesday, September "a.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Bracy, Jr., Mt.
Cory, a boy, John Lewis III, born
last Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Pierman, PAN
dora, a girl, Barbara, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Winfred Dunlap,
Columbus Grove, a boy, Virgil Duane,
born last Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Harden, Leip-
sic, a boy, John Paul, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gerald Sterrett,
North Baltimore, a boy, Steven Ray,
born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clinton Chapman,
Bluffton, a girl, Rebecca Sue, born
Tuesday.
Nh. and Mrs. Harold Weaver,
Beaverdam, a boy, Philip Gail, born
Tuesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
4I6-Year-M Bible Is Most Ancient
In Church WOmen's Display Here

Swiss dialect. 1t is the property of
d. j. Basinger and Mrs. Elizabeth
Amstutz.
Two other German Bibles, 2S6 and
208 years old, belong to w. A. Am
stutz. Other German bibles in the
display were loaned by Mrs. E. C.
Stultz, Mrs. Carl Burkhart and Mrs.
Isaac Neuenschwander, Mrs. Millen
Cell n Dan Krischbau1 JIG. Stet-
tier, md Mrs. Lloyd r4old,
Tho oldest English &ditiop on dis
Ian S5-year-ola Hibae belogef
ing P J. BattersonN Two Wei
editions we're loaned by GilIisafE&
wsfds.
~ Others on display are the proper
ties of Mrs. Harry Ewing and Mrs.
w. A. Stratton.
Members of the United Church
Women committee in charge of ar
ranging the exhibit are Mrs. Orville
Basinger, Mrs. w. A. Stratton and
Mrs. Harry Ewing.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
-Four Families Change
Residence In TOUn

Four Button ares families have
moved to new residences within the
past few weeks, it was learned this
week from the records of the NUM-
cipal light and water plant office.
The Dennis Millers have moved
to an address on Route l, Button;
the James Strunks have taken, the
Jirg apartment; the John Warrens
have moved to the Mel Long farm,
and the Hilton Edwards family has
moved to 131 North Lawn avenue.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Charles Co. To Open NeW Dept. Store
In Bluft0n Next Wednesday,, Oct. s

The interior of the new store
has a modernistic touch with
fixtures designed and construct
ed on the spot to custom fit the
store area. Unusual lighting eff
fects are also an outstanding
feature of the new store.
The doors will be open to the
public at $3.50 a. m. next We'd
nesday and the store will be
open until 8 p. m. Gifts will be
given to customers opening day.
e. S. Charles, president, and
o. 2. Hurst, secretary of the
company win be here for the
grand opening.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

Vi parents Oh IOOCDdll squad meIl-
bers recommended that Glass B Bluff
ton drop out of the otherwise Glass
A athletic loop, and instead substi-
tute games with teams representing
schools with enrolment more nearly
the size of Button.
At the same time there were in
dications that an open airing of pro
and con views on the proposal will
~monopolize the discussion at a meet
ing of the Pirate Boosters club at
8 p. m. next Tuesday in the high
school Cafeteria.
CONTROVERSY IN 1949
Launching the second move in
three years to get out of the West
ern Buckeye loop recalled the stormy
course the same question aroused
back in the fall of 1949 when the
school first withdrew from the
league, then bowed to public pres
sure led by former Pirate athletes
and applied for re-admission.
Before circulation of petitions was
started this week, the matter was
discussed with Aaron B. Murray,
superintendent of schools, and all
parties agreed the move would help
determine local sentiment on the
controversial question.
Behind the newest league with
drawal proposal are the same cir
cumstances which brought about the
1949 situation. Shrinking enroll
ment which makes it difficult for
Button, the only Class B member,
to compete with other league schools,
all Class A, is cited as the basic
u for the recommended with
drawal.
25 On SQUAD
This fall Buttons meager 25-man
varsity grid squad must face in
league competition teams which have
up to as many as 100 candidates.
Where Bluffton is forced to rely
upon a handful of regulars forced to
play "iron men" roles on offense and
defense their opponents can shuttle
manpower at will under the widely
used-two-platoon system.
On the other hand, the 1949 OBJ
jections to withdrawal contended
that smaller school enrolment and
undermined football squads are
something encountered in the normal
cups and downs" of athletic play.
Breaking off athletic relations with
traditional foes of long standing and
a wholesale re-shuffling of the local
schools sports schedules are other
disadvantages which would result
from withdrawal from the league.
Continued on page ten)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Mems Garden Club
To Meet Wednesday

New officers OF the Bluffton Mems
Garden club will be installed at a
meeting in the home of Edgar Bixel,
d21 N. Spring street, at 8 p. m. We'd
nesday of this week.
Discussion will feature a questions
and answers period on problems en-
countered during the summer months
of gardening. ia
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Staufe Is Speaker
At Church Meeting

Paul w. Stauffer, president of the
Bluffton board of education, was n
of the speakers last Sunday at the
225th anniversary of founding of the
West Swamp Mennonite church, at
Quakertown, Pa.
A native of Quakertown, Stauffer
was a member of the church before
coming to Button. Present pastor
of the West Swamp church is Rev.
A. S. Rosenberger former president
of Button college.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

A display of Is of Buttons old
est family bibles, the most ancient
having been published in the Ger
mar language 416 years ago, is cur
rently attracting wide attention in
the window of the Basinger Furni-
ture store on N. Main street.
The interesting display was ar
ranged by the Button Community
United Church Women as a means
of focusing attention on the release
of the new Revised Standard Version
u B srd o1I 4iyear-old edition is
the property ofkMrs. Elmer. Diller.
and considering age, is emarks
ably we'll preseryA H6ntinl kpf the
large book in hans~ sspe must
have rsqalred years under the print
method&ssM the time.
HEQst of the bibles are bound in
kavily embossed and gold-stamped
leather covers. Practically all carry
a family geneology in the front.
The second oldest in the display is
396 years old and printed in the
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

Buttons new department
store, which has been attracting
wide attention in the past few
days as finishing touches were
added, will be open to the public
next Wednesday, October 8,
when The Charles company un-
locks the door Mt their new
store in the double room in the
Hankish building on Main street.
The Button store Is the
twelfth unit in Northwestern
Ohio now operated by The Char
les company. The FIRST store in
the Charles group was opened
in Napoleon 80 years ago.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Queen Selected For Gala Homecoming
October IL AT BluftOn College

10 Ann Steider, Metamora, ILL.,, a
senior at Button college, was chos-
en- by the student body this week to
reign as homecoming Queen at the
annual event October IL which
brings hundreds of alumni back to
Button and the campus to renew
old acquaintance.
Miss Steider's court will include
Jean Saylor of Colmar, Pa, and
Lorraine Ferguson, White Pigeon,
Michigan.
The queen and her attendants were
selected from a group of five seniors
selected by members of the football
team as candida ks for the honor.
The Homecot zpg activities this
year are under direction q Will
liam Burcky, prd dent of tho Mems
Varsity "B"; Mjg Apne B4ftsche,
~presidsaeA of eeAsataK e+us,
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

have ordered steel to be used in
erection of the treatment plant.
According to bids, cost of the
treatment plant will be s268,910, and
the i~ntercepting sewers win cos,
$~210.527.25.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

Downward Revision Is Possibility
As BPA Authorizes Rate Study

An electric rate study with the objective of revising Bluff
tons charges for light and power downward as far as practicable
in line with those of nearby communities, has been authorized by
the Board of Public Affairs, it was announced this week by Joel
Kimmel, president.
Kimmel said that J. S. Sawvel of Findlay, a widely known
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

uOlldIs. opOIISIlSIl Will X6H nave Tie
privilege of retaining a stub on their
membership cards designating them
as charter members of the clubs
building fund foundation by payment
of an additional dollar.
With $500 already in the fund,
the Sportsmen's club looks forward
to a day when it will be able to
erect a combination shelter house
and club house, possibly on the
Buckeye banks. The facilities would
make possible large summer meet
ings and picnics for which adequat,
indoor space is not now availabl.
considering the enormous member.
ship.
i At the same time the clubs execu-
tive committee approved q motion ia
voring development of swimming fa-
~cilities at the Buckeye. The action
removed any doubt that the fisher
men were not in accord with use
of the area for public swimming.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Parent Group ReneWs Move To Withdraw
Button Hi From Western Buckeye Loop
Subject Expected To Be Big Topic
At Booster Club Meeting Tues. Night

Recalling a storm of controversy which broke over the same
subject as recently as three years ago, a movement was launched
here this week seeking Buffton High schools withdrawal from
the Western Buckeye Athletic league it helped to organize near
ly two decades ago.
Petitions placed into circulation Tuesday by a small group
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
|DEADLINE NEARS
FOR LETTING
SEWER CONTRACTS
Easement Rights Remain AS
Big Obstacle Blocking
Disposal Plant Start

With less than a weeks grace
remaining before the showdown on
whether Button can let contracts
for its new municipal sewage dis
posal system before an October 8
deadline, the towns representatives
still have a man-sized job ahead of
them before completing all neces-
sary legal and financing details.
Principal obstacles remaining to
be hurdled in pre-contract negotia-
lions is the responsibility for obtain
ing sewer easement agreements with
all private property holders through
whose land the interceptors will pass
in building the system.
Until easements are completed,
financing arrangements do not be-
come legal land it is, impossible to
come legal, and it is impossible to
completion of botbN ~ i
~contractoss' bids u til knstruS
ton of the 5Awers and dij Pos& plan
were received with tn 4ndeH standl
ing that contAec& muAgbe le6sbe-
fore October kr bids no longer
were binding, R6ounting for the
race against tint to complete legal
and financing details this week.
Should it be impossible to obtain
all necessary easement agreements
before the showdown date next
Wednesday, the town has two alter
natives to consider.
One course would be to take the
matter into the courts and as g
matter of Fright of eminent domain
obtain an order to make use of the
land. 1t was explained this would
comply with legal requirements fol
immediate use for the sewer system,
The other alternative would be to
ask contractors for an extension of
the length of time in which their
bids could be accepted.
Although no legal agreements
have been reached, municipal council
has tentatively awarded contracts to
Beusching Brothers Construction Co.
of Fl. Wayne, for construction Of
the treatment plant, and to Frank
Pfaf, Of Bryan, for installation Oh
the intercepting sewers.
Pfaf already has made arrange
ments to bring his excavating equip
ment here and has taken a six.
months lease on the rear ,workroon
in tire Marathon Service station build.
ing, North Main and Elm streets, a.
headquarters for his operations, i
was announced this week.
Beusching Brothers, according h
engineering reports, also are pro
ceeding with construction plans AMI
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
Quarry Water Test
Results Still UnknOUn

~ NH5SS, S"'U '
fAAN his department had taken
their own samples from the
quarry Monday, but that the
tests would not be completed un-
til later this week. 1t was neces-
sary for the county to set up
testing equipment for this pur-
pose.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02

and Arlene Reiff, member of the
senior class selected by the Student
Council.
The Homecoming program includes
the traditional browning of the
Queen, the Freshman-S Sophomore tug
of war, the important football game
with Olivet college, and the Home
coming banquet in oFunder's hall.
The banquet will include all stu
dents, members of the faculty, par
ents and visiting alumni.
Sunday, October IL, will be Par
ents' Day r&rked by the first vesper
service whid will lbe followed by a
reception fd parents, students and
faculty.
Accommodate IONS for those attend.
ing Nay bepnH#de by contracting Elei
raor Weaver III President Lloyd L.
'Ramseyer.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-10-02
|SPORTSMEN LAY
GROUNDWORK FOR
next TROUT DERBY
Funds Appropriated For
Restocking Buckeye Lake
With Rainb0ws

Buttons famed Fishing Derby,
which has made the local Sports
mans club with 1900 members the
largest in Ohio, can be marked up
again on the calendar for next
spring. Action taken by the clubs
executive comittee Tuesday night
assured the event being on the same
large scale as last year.
Three thousand fishing badges we're
placed on order and $1,000 was ear
marked for the purchase of nearly
|}STf.a ton of Rainbow Trout to be
Prefeayed in Buckeye quarry waters.
AWioh vii be taken at@ later meet
ira 10 determine IL number of
lWafeye to be release come spring.
Il Mkt Yes 4emh|esfp cards will
AmbiRse ~nendbsFiip tand fishing
privileges Ma total cost q I've
dollars. Sportsmen will klp have the