davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Turkey Cheaper,
Chicken Higher
This Thanksgiving
Oven-Dressed Big Toms On
Market At 49c Compared
To sec Last Year

This year, it appears Bluffton
families can take their choice-turkey
or chicken for the Thanksgiving
when Pop selects the
bird, the price per pound will be very
close.
Turkeys are down somewhat under
last years prices, but roasting chick
ems, apparently more scarce this year,
have come up about five cents.
Early this week It appeared you
would be able to get turkey dressed
and ready for the oven for 59-65 cents
pound for choice young hens as
compared with prices to "a cents last
year; and if you can use one of the
larger big-tom types the cost of a
dressed bird will rln as low as As
cents pound compared With 5o.cents
last Thanksgiving.
On the other hand heavy roasting
chickens are retailing locally for
around SO to 68 cents dressed and
ready for the oven. On foot they're
bringing around 40 cents. One local
marketer noted that there has been a
stretch between the cost on foot and
dressed this year due to higher labor
costs. Farmers receive about 32
cents for the chickens when they sell
to dealers.
Farmers, it is reported, are receiv-
ing about 43 cents a pound for the
choice Beltsville breeds on a live
weight basis as compared with 45
cents last year. For the bronze
breasted birds farmers are receiving
about the same as last year 30 to 32
cents a pound for toms Us to 25
pounds) and SO cents for hens ia to
Is pounds). Last year the hens
brought 40 cents.
Cranberries, traditionally associat-
ed with Thanksgiving menus have
gone up to 90 to 80 cents per pound
as compared with 10 to 25 cents last
year and the two pounds for 25 cents
price tag they bore in 1850.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
is not shown.

Old fashioned box socials and
strawberry festivals still have their
place in the fund raising activities
of rural churches, but as on the
farm, modern methods are stream
lined.
Last week members of the congre-
CATION of the Pleasant Hill Metho-
dit church netted $S16 for their re-
modelling fund when they harvested
their share of a 16-acre field of
corn planted on a $3.50 basis on the
Owens farm, Lincoln highway at
the County Line road.
After Kenneth Hauenstein went
through the field with his modern
two-row corn picker on the day be-
fore, four other members of the con-
gregation polished off the harvest in
an easy half day.
The church's share of the crop
was 700 bushels. After deducting
the cost of seed and fertilizer, the
effort yielded the 1916.
The money will help finance re
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Traffic Light Dark;
Parts Still DELAYED

Hope that the traffic signal at
Main street and College avenue,
darkened for more than a month,
will be back in operation within
the next week was expressed
Monday by Mayor w. A. Howe.
In response to repeated in
quiries from village officials,
manufacturer of the traffic light
has promised That long-awaited
repair parts will be delivered here
sometime this week, the mayor
pointed out.
Because of the delay in obtain
ing new parts from the factory,
ordered by the town back on Oct
ober IL, Mayor Howe said that a
spare motor will be purchased, SO
that future delays of this kind can
be eliminated.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20

"Rusty." a 7-year-old pet cocker
spaniel belonging to Mr.. and Mrs.
Rufus Gorham, 103 Cherry street,
Bluffton, was electrocuted Sunday
evening about 9 p. m. in a freak
accident when he came in contact
with a shorted guywire leading from
an electric light pole to the wet
ground in front of the Millard Ober-
ly home at 140 Cherry street.
Rusty was being exercised on the
end of leash by Mr.. Gorham when
thes accident occurred. Mr.. Gorham
pulled his pet away from the wire
when he howled with pain, but the
shock killed him instantly.
That the accident might have been
even more serious was the view OF
the Oberlys, who half an hour earl
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20

ton by every business place, and it is
not necessary to make a purchase in
order to get ticket, it was announc-
ed this week by representatives of
the business mems association. A free
ticket will be given each time a per-
son enters a business establishment.
More prizes than usual are being
offered in the Treasure Hunt this
this year, and windows of business
establishments will hold awards rivall-
ing the tabled "pot-of-gold" at the
foot of the rainbow in this years pre-
holiday observance.
Sponsored by the Bluffton Business
mems association, the Treasure Hunt
will find windows in downtown stores
decorated in Christmas themes, and
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Gunner Sees Pet Spaniel Electrocuted
In Freak Accident On Cherry Street

ier had noted sparks jumping from
the wire at the ground. A son,
Richard Oberly, Lima, had driven
up to his parents home with his
family an hour earlier. His three
year-old boy had noted sparts COM
ing from the wire. Fortunately
he did not touch it.
Mr.. Oberly, who some time age
worked for the Bluffton municipal
light and power plant, notified work,
men about the short and was ad.
vised that the line would be repaired
in the morning.
After the dog was electrocuted
however, he called again and the en-
tire residentaial street lighting cir
cult was shut down. Repairs wer'
made early Monday morning.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Basinger's To
Celebrate 5Oth
Anniversary Sat.
Furniture Firm Marks
Event With Formal Opening
OF Remodeled Store

The Basinger furniture store, one
of Buttons oldest retail firms, will
celebrate the completion of half a
century of service to the homes of
this community Saturday with the
formal grand opening of the recently
remodeled and modernized showroom
at the corner of Main and Vine
streets.
The store, which has been under
going a transformation throughout
the summer, will be ready Saturday
for the formal public inspection. The
gala celebration, which is expected to
attract hundreds of old friends and
customers of the firm as we'll as
people from a wide surrounding area,
will open the doors on one of the
most modern furniture establishments
in this part of the state.
A number of special demonstra-
tions have been arranged throughout
the day and evening and representa-,
sives of a dozen nationally famous
Hines of furniture viii be on hand Il
assist Basinger visitors with prob
lens of interior decorations, selection
of styles, colors and fabrics
Climaxing the celebration will be
the awarding of number of un-
usual door prizes. Visitors will be
asked to register as they enter the
store and until 9 p. m. when the reg
istration will close. Half an hour
later the prize winners will be an
nounced in front of the store.
The impressive array of 50th an
niversary door prize awards in
cludes an electric stove, 2-piece Sec
tional sofa, lounge chair and otto
man, occasional chair, innerspring
mattress, mahogany coffee table, floor
lamp, planter lamp, Sunbeam cooker
and deep-fryer, and a 12-pound
dressed turkey.
Another feature of the opening
day celebration will be the presenta-
tion of copy of the Perfection Cook
Book to each of the first 100 women
who visit the store Saturday morn
ing.
The remodeling work at Basinger's
includes setting up new Fostoria
glassware and gift corner and a
model kitchen, new office arrange
ment and complete streamlining and
redecoration of the large store.
A coral ceiling and upper wall
blends into a sandalwood background
Continued on Page 12)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Births

The following births were recorded
during the past week at the Bluffton
Community hospital:
Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Crawford
McComb, a boy, Dennis Eugene, born
last Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Donald Ranes, Nc
Comb, a girl, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles d Crego
Deshler, a boy, Gregory Scot, born
Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs John Hawk, Colum.
bus Grove, a boy, William Allen
born Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Rausch, Viii
Jamestown, a boy, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Milton Goering
North Newton, Kans., girl, Susar
Kay, born November IL at Bethe
Deaconess hospital, Newton, Kans
Mrs. Goering is the former Marg,
Rickert, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs
A. M Rickert.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20

approved last week by both the
Western Buckeye and the Northwest
conference covers football only, and
Bluffton will continue in WBL play
so far as basketball is concerned, it
was explained by school officials.
EIGHT TEAMS IN LOOP
With Bluffton remaining in the
WBL cage setup, the number of
competing teams is increased from
seven to eight by the addition of
Shawnee. These schools will be
Bluffton, Shawnee, Van Vert, Ce-
lima, st. Marys. Bellefontaine, Wa
pakoneta and Kenton.
Beginning with next falls foot
ball season, however, the Pirates will
be out of the Western Buckeye
league and into the Northwest con-
ference. This has been accomplished
by the simple expedient of Shawnee
playing Buttons 1868 WBL grid
schedule, while Bluffton takes over
Shawnee's games carded in the
Northwest conference
PIRATES NEW OPPONENTS
In the Northwest loop, Bluffton
will be playing Columbus Grove,
Lafayette, Spencerville, Pandora
Gilboa, Delphos Jefferson, Forest and
Elida.
Of these teams, Bluffton now plays
only Columbus Grove, which has been
Northwest conference champs for the
last two seasons. Until three year!
ago, however, Pandora always ap
peared on Buttons grid schedules
| and over the years the Pirates have
played all other conference members
in football except Spencerville ano
Lafayette. The last two named how
ever, have fielded football teams only
for the last four or five years.
Ada high school, which is in neith-
er of the two leagues will be con-
tinued on the Bluffton football sched-
ule and the only other non-league
date opening will be filled by a game
with either Kenton or Wapakoneta,
it was reported.
WBL ENTIRELY CLASS A
Buttons withdrawal from West
ern Buckeye league football play re-
moves from the loop it's only Class
B school, for all other members are
in the Class A bracket.
The local school was one of the
founders of the league back in 1886
and won the football championship
in 1910 and 1916, the last time by
virtue of an undefeated season.
League transfers exchanged last
week by Bluffton and Shawnee were
approved by unanimous vote of both
loop memberships at meetings held
on Wednesday night.
Bluffton High schools athletic
committee approved the shift from
the WBL to the Northwest confer
ence at a meeting held at noon on
the following day.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Thanksgiving Union
Service Announced

Buttons traditional union
Thanksgiving service will be held
on Thursday morning next week at
the First Mennonite church at 9:30
o'clock. The Rev. Leonard McIntire
of the Presbyterian church will be
the speaker. His subject will be
"a Christian Thanksgiving" The
Bluffton Ministerial association is in
charge of arrangements for the serv-
ice.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20

two years ago.
In the Treasure Hunt, lucky wind
ow shoppers may claim free gifts if
they find they have tickets matching
those displayed in the windows of
business district retailers. The
tickets will be distributed by local
business firms starting Monday.
Winning numbers, drawn from stubs
of tickets which will be distributed
free of charge beginning next Mon
day, will be put on the gifts early on
the evening of window shopping night.
Holders of the lucky tickets must
claim their gifts that night.
Treasure hunt tickets are being
distributed without charge or restric-
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Pleasant Hill Methodists Net SS16
From Congregations Corn Harvest

pairs to the Methodist church build
ing including interior painting, ap-
phcation of new shingle roof and
installation of an oil conversion
burner in the heating system.
The project was lot of fun, men
of the congregation agreed at har-
vest time. 1t would take a good many
box socials and strawberry festivals
to equal the fund raised with the aid
of modern farming machinery and
willing hands.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Christian Ed. Glasses
Plan Thanks Service

The traditional annual Thanks
giving program of the classes in
Christian Education of the Bluffton
Elementary Weekday is to be pre-
sented Nov. 26, at 200 p. m. in the
First Mennonite church.
Theme of the service is "The Bible,
the Living Word of God" Approx
mately 800 children will be partici-
pating in this outstanding service
of Thanksgiving. Food gifts brought
by the children will be presented to
the Community Hospital, and sur
prise bags are being prepared for
the Allen County Children's Home.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
r. L. TripIett At
RTMA Conference

R. L. Triplett, president of the
Triplett Electrical Instrument Co.,
will be in Chicago Thursday and
Friday to attend meeting of the
board of directors of the Radio-Tele-
vision Manufacturers association.
The local man has been one of the
official leaders of the association for
nearly a decade, and last spring was
honored upon the completion of his
5Oth year in the industry.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
ReU. Beachy Heads
Ministerial Assn.

The Rev. Alvin J. Beachy, pastor
Of the First Mennonite church, was
elected president of the Bluffton
Ministerial association at a meeting
Wednesday evening of last week in
the high school building.
Rev. Mr.. Beachy will succeed the
Rev. Leonard w. McIntire, pastor of
the Presbyterian church, who is COM
pleting his second year at the head
of the group.
Also elected last week was the
Rev. Robert King to the office of
secretary-treasurer. Rev. Mr.. King
is pastor of the local Methodist
church.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Masonic Installation
Next Monday Night

New officers of the Bluffton Mason
ic lodge will be installed in the lodge
hall at 7:30 p. m. next Monday, with
Wilbur B. Amstutz as installing Of
ficer.
Assisting in the installation will be
Kent c. Amstutz, grand marshal, and
Robert M. Neiswander, grand chap
lain.
A pot-luck supper at $50 p. m.
will precede the installation
ceremonies.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Chest X-Ray Unit
Due Friday, Sat.

Free Chest X-rays are being offer
ed by the Allen County tuberculosis
and Health association to Blufftor
residents this Friday and Saturday
according to Morris M. Triplett
Bluffton representative to the organi-
zation.
The mobile X-ray unit will be in
operation on the following days and
hours: Friday, November 21, 1000
a. m.-1:00 p. m. and 200 p. m.-5:00 p
M; Saturday, November %, 1000 a
m.-1:OO p. m, 200 p. m.-5:0o p. m
and 6:0O-9:OO All Bluffton residents
over Is are urged to take advantage
of this free service, Triplett said
Men and women over 35 are par
ticularly asked to have their chests
X-rayed, as more and more tubercu-
losis is being found in this age group
Early discovery of TB, combined with
modern treatment methods, almost
positively assures complete recovery
from the disease.
A report on the findings of his K
ray will be mailed to each individual
within two or three weeks. Lawrence
Staup, X-ray technician, will be II
charge of the operation of the unit.
The service, Mr.. Triplett said, is
made possible through the public's
annual purchase of tuberculosis
Christmas Seals. He pointed, out
that the TB and Health Associations
annual sale of Christmas Seals begar
Monday and strongly urged everyone
to support the drive by buying anc
using as many Christmas Seals as
possible.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Area Schools Buy
Surplus Materials

Beaverdam and Lafayette-Jackson
were two of five Allen county schools
which brought back $272.39 worth of
merchandise from a government war
surplus sale in Columbus, last Wed.
nesday.
Attending the sale were w. M
Floyd, the county school superintend.
ent, and executive heads of Beaver
dam, Lafayette-Jackson, Cairo, Elids
and Conner schools.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
NAMED TO CHURCH POST

A Bluffton college senior, Donald
Wismer, was recently named youth
minister of the Hancock county Pres
byterian Larger Parish. He will as
sist the Rev. Henry E. Stammer, pas
tor of the parish, and succeeds the
Rev. Oscar Schultz, who was called
to Lamar, Colo. Wismer will con-
tinue his college work at Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
BLUFFTON ELECTRIC RATE SLASHES
WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE JAN. |
New Commercial
Industrial Rates
Announced Wed.
Percentage Reductions
Greatest For Residen-
tial Customers

Although percentageyise, the rate
reductions will not be as large for
Bluffton commercial electric consum-
ers as for domestic users, the COM
munity's business firms will save
from three to 90 per cent on their
monthly light bills next year under
the proposed new municipal rate
schedule.
The merchants were to be advised
of the new schedule, which will be
placed in effect January /, at a din
ner meeting of the Businessmen's
will be placed in effect January /, at
a dinner meeting of the Businessmen's
association Wednesday evening at the
Elk restaurant.
Under the old rate the average
commercial consumer used about 800
XVIII per month and paid a bill of
$13.28. Under the new rate he will
write his check for $3.50 per month,
or a savings of 7S cents.
James Draper, superintendent of the
municipal plant has explained that
under the new rate the local business
men will fare as well or better than
those served by private utilities OF
the area. He said that bills on 800
XVIII would vary from $11.50 to
$3.50 under nearby utility rates.
Power Rates Revised
At the same time Wednesday night
Bluffton's eight power consumers will
be advised of the change in their rate
structure. Because it is of a new
demand-type, Mr.. Draper would not
attempt to set up an average example.
Present rates, he said, are discrim-
inatory since they give no recognition
to the capacity required at the munich
pal plant to serve the customer. The
new rate gives customer an oppor-
ltunity to earn better rate.
| Under the new system it will be
necessary to install different types Of
meters which measure demand as well
as consumption, he said.
Attractive To Industry
However, Draper continued, the new
Bluffton power rates will range from
5 to II per cent lower than other
rates available from private utilities
of the area. This should reflect well
for present Bluffton industries and
serve as an inducement for new power
users to locate here.
Several weeks ago domestic con-
sumers were advised that the average
household bill will drop from $5.92
per month to $50 under the proposed
new rates.
Total savings to Bluffton consum-
ers, the board of public affairs est
imates will reach in the neighborhood
of $4,000 per year.
Despite the fact that Bluffton's new
electric rates will be practically as
low or lower than those charged by
nearby utilities, the municipal system
also provides the village with its
street lighting, lights municipal build
ings, and furnishes power for the
water works plant without compensa-
ton from tax money.
Draper estimated that it costs the
municipal plant approximately $4,280
per year to furnish the street light
ing. The average customer pays
about 10 cents per month on his light
bill for this service.
If the street lighting current were
purchased from a private utility,
Draper said the cost would be nearly
$4,000 at present rates.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
B],1ffton Plans Annual Xmas Treasure Hunt;
eliminates Window Shopping Night Dec. 5

Christmas window shopping plus free gifts offered by
Bluton business firms will bring beehive OF activity 10 Dull
tons business section on Friday night Dec B.
Most popular feature of the prehrsmas window shopping
will be the Hunt attraction first started here
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Pirate League Switch
Not To Affect Cage Seized.
Blufft0n Ends Football Ties
With WBL 1t Helped To Found

Buton High schools controversial withdrawal from Western
Buckeye league football play which became effective last week.
does not represent complete break with the schools traditional
conference foes for the Pirates will continue in WBL
basketball competition this and in succeeding years.
The switch of Buton and Lima Shawnee schedule
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1952-11-20
Firemen May Ask
Farmers To Buy
Water Tank Truck
Need For Emergency Water
Supply For Rural Fires
Is Emphasized

Buttons fire department will
haul its own water to rural fires q
a new proposal by the towns fl s.
men meets with the approval d
farmers in Richland and Orange
township districts.
Because Of the ecupsing 3 fage
of water at gal 1atibs, R}hffton'S
fire fghs Is he com Fding the
purchase AoNS..Huck which
would carryRk large enough to
hold 1000 to- 200 gallons of water.
Possibility N equipping the truck
with an auxiliary pump and several
hundred feet of h6saelso ~bsie
studied.
Firemen will com oct srme in
the areas for which the town pro-
vides fire protection to determine
whether there is sufficient senti-
ment for addition of the truck at the
expense of the rural residents who
would benefit.
Should sufficient interest be ex-
pressed, funds will be raised through
solicitation, and the tank-truck will
be added to the equipment of the de-
partment.
Lack of water often handicaps fire
men in attempting to bring rural
fires under control, and there have
been instances in which homes,
barns and other buildings have been
dstroyed because of that situation,
Fire Chief Guy Corson declared.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1952-09-04

Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene Miller and
sons, Silver Spring, and Mrs.
Claudia Nine spent Friday with
Mrs. Rosetta Harvey.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jess Blamble. Of
Mansfield. Ohio, visited their par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Brown Cooper
and Mr.. and Mrs. John A. Blamble
over the Weekend.
Those attending the Cullers re-
union at Matthias, W. Va were Mr..
and Mrs. Lee Richie, Mr.. and Mrs.
Alvey Richie and children, Mr..
and Mrs. Elmer Nine and son and
Nh. and Mrs. Harry Arnold and
children.
Nj. and Mrs. Joe Brandt spent
the Weekend visiting friends in
Hai Evansville, Emoryyille and Mt.
Storm.
Mr.. Scotty Bowden, Red House.
spent the Weekend with the Elmer
Sellers family.
Sunday dinner guests of Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Blamble were Mrs. b.
B. Sturdivant, of West Union, w
Va; Mr. and Mrs. Byron c. Moon
and daughters, of Mt. Lake Park;
Mr.. and Mrs. George Kerins and
sons, of Tunnelton; Miss Rose
Marie Houck, Of Mt Savage; Mrs.
Vivian Schwartz, of Gormania. and
Mrs, c. p. Evans and daughter.
Alison, of New London, Conn.
Afternoon visitors were Mr. and
Mrs. Willard Feather and daugh-
tiers. of Eglon.
Weekend guests of Mrs. Joel
Gregory were Mr.. and Mrs. Mark
Thompson and children, Of Gov
ington, Va, and Mr.. and Mrs. Vir-
gil f. Miller and family, Murray
vile, Pa. Sunday visitors were Ny.
and Mrs. J. c. Black and son,
George, of Washington, d. c.
Rev. and Mrs. Wesley Harvey,
Of Akron, Ohio, were week end