davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Bluffton Girls
May Enter Ada
Centennial Parade

Representatives of Ada's Centennial
committee, now working out plans for
the towns Tooth anniversary celebra-
ton on August % were in Bluffton
Tuesday with the objective of en-
listing number of candidates for
Sesqui-Queen in the Fourth of July
celebration to enter the Ada event.
Floats and vehicles of historic
interest used in the parade here are
also being sought for entry in Ada's
parade.
Frize money totaling $1,000 will
go to contestants, both individuals
and groups.
Among major parade attractions
already booked for the event are
Buckeye Riders and Drivers club
Shriners Oriental band and the well;
known Cochran's Majorettes of Port
Clinton. Parade entries can be made
with Chairman C. B. Hindall through
Tuesday, July 81.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

The Bluffton Mems Garden club,
only four years old this summer and
one of the smallest and newest groups
in the North Central conference OF
Mems Garden Clubs of America, has
been chosen to play the important
role of host for the annual conference
to be held here August 7, 8, and 3.
The story of how the little Bluffton
organization was selected for the big
Job is interestingly told by Kermit
Herr.
Last summer during Mr.. Herr's
presidency of the Allen Co. Mems
group, he was visited here by Clair
johnson, Akron, then a director In
the national association. Johnson hao
been in Lima for the charter presenta,
tion to the Allen County Mems
Garden club.
.What does Bluffton have thai
would be of interest to gardeners ane
that might make it good place tt
hold district conference" johnson
asked, taking Mr.. Herr completely BY
surprise.
First thing Kermit could think o.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Chance Visit Of National Officer
Rrings Gardeners Conference Here

was the Bluffton College campus, and
he took his visitor to look it over.
Impressed by what he saw, john
son exclaimed that the town would
be ideal for a conference, if the little
club thought it could undertake the
organization work.
"This is what we need, small
town, a beautiful campus, where
gardeners would find peaceful and
restful weekend away from the hustle
and hustle of metropolitan homes"
johnson was enthusiastic.
And the directors enthusiasm
spread through the conference after
the Bluffton club agreed to handle
the meeting. Kermit said it did not
take a great deal of engineering,
because everyone who heard about
the proposed locale for the conference
agreed it would be an ideal setting.
1t was only four years ago during
the summer of 1949 when the Buff
ton club was organized at meeting
in the school cafeteria. Karl Gierman
presented the opening remarks on why
Continued on Page ~
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
College Booster
Committee Named

Silas Diller, Bluffton clothier, was
la& week named chairman of the
BliMfton College Booster committee
to kerve during the Forthcoming
schd@ year. Mrs. Herman Hilty,
Bluffon, is the new secretary, and
Mrs. Dave Reichenbach of Pandora
is the third member of the committee.
The Booster committees of past
years have sponsored such events
as the Booster banquets, concerts,
operettas and special Sunday eve
ming speakers.
The last such events were the
Governor Lausche banquet and the
presentation of the operetta, "The
Mikado."
These committees have endeavor-
ed to bring to the community per-
sons and programs which would not
be sponsored otherwise.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

This Saturday night has been des-
ignated as youth Night" at the In
ter-Church Bible Conference now in
progress at the Ebenezer Mennonite
church. The program, beginning at
s o'clock is under the direction of Joe
Thompson, local Youth for Christ
leader.
DR.. Milo A. Rediger, conference
speaker, will have the subject, 81 Will
Make You" Special music for the
evening includes a selection by the
Junior Choir of the Riley Greek Bap-
tist church.
Other topics this week to be dis
cussed by DR.. Rediger are: accord
ing To Thy Word, Thursday; so
Shall You Be-, Friday; and Thou
Art the Christ" Sunday.
Nearly 500 persons attended the
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Jaycees Can't
Duck Duty, Ducks
Remind Jdycee's

Nineteen members of the
Bluffton Jaycees were each con-
fronted this week. with the ne
cessity of locating another men,
ber for the local service club or
stand the consequences of hav-
ing to provide home for Dag.
mar or Marilyn, two ducks
whose duty it is to remind the
members they can't duck duty.
Dagmar and Marifyn began
their city tour Monday at the
homes of e. James Szabo and
Jack Koontz. There they were
to stay until the men located an
other member for the club.
When they secure their member,
the sooner the better, the ducks
will be transferred to the homes
of other members for board and
lodging.
The ducks were borrowed for
the membership drive from the
farm of Harley Marquart.
Several years ago o similar
method of obtaining new men,
bers was used by the club, only
the unwelcome visitor was
goat instead of ducks.
The membership drive Ns
launched after the July Is mel
ing when Joseph Moore, distri
vicewpresident of Toledo, visite
the lub and spoke on membe
ship IA
kd htz, club president, aIn
Harfa Nonnan eker, sAendkd
the bl1Ask meesg IsAss&r-
daYand SdAday if-Columbus.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

As result of the out-of-court
settlement of the two cases, Motter
is dropping the $4,000 pollution
damage suit he filed against the town
on May /, 1851, in Allen county
common pleas court.
At the same time, the village is
receiving an easement across the
Motter farm for the Little Riley
inercepting sewer, which had been
the basis of legal action instituted
in the common pleas court last
spring, but which was withdrawn on
June IL because of an error in the
engineering description.
Council approval of the $500 set
tlement was on a split vote. Casting
affirmative ballots for the settlement
were Councilmen Gerhard Buhler,
Richard Davies, Clay Henderson,
Delbert McGinnis and Donald Ream.
The negative vote was cast by Coun-
Gilman Everett Sutermeister.
In breakdown of the $500 settle
ment for bookkeeping" purposes, so
far as the town records are concern
ed, $3,500 was ear-marked for the
sewer easement and $4,000 for pollu-
ton damages.
The $4,000 will come out of funds
allocated for construction of the new
municipal sewage disposal system,
but the $4,000 will be paid from the
general fund. Part of the $4,000
figure, however, will be paid to the
town from an insurance policy, which
covers a part of the pollution damag-
es claimed by Motter. 1t has been
estimated that settlement from the
insurance company will amount to
from $3.50 to $1,000.
Motter's claim for $4,000 in pol
luton damages was based on the
loss of livestock and other damage
to 55 acres of bottom land along the
Little Riley, used as pasture on his
farm.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
RdlUsOn Homecoming
OPENS This Wednesday

Rawson's annual Homecoming and
sesquicentennial observance opening
this Wednesday night will continue
through Thursday and Friday.
Now a town of 450 persons, Raw
son in two years will observe its
Tooth birthday. The village has two
grocery stores, two restaurants, a
hardware store, an electrical ap-
pliance store, a grain elevator, two
garage and service stations and a
blacksmith shop.
Disaster nearly wiped out the vii
lage in 1887 when a September 7 fire
destroyed the entire business section.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Prospects Good
For Heavy Corn
Crop Here In Fall
Wednesdays Soaking Rain
Sets Prospects High
For Bumper Yield

Wednesdays rain, good steady
soaker, was welcomed with open
arms by Bluffton area farmers who
predicted that it would possibly
push what seemed to be an average
good corn crop into prospects of a
bumper yield this fall.
A veteran farm observer said
Tuesday that good rain delivering
about an inch of precipitation to the
thirsty soil within the next week
could spell the difference between a
good and an excellent harvest. The
rain came Wednesday.
Despite the long dry spell in June
and the planting date which was ap-
proximately two weeks late for most
farmers here, the crops look excep-
tionally good. Although the soil was
ready for planting far ahead of
schedule this spring because of the
mild winter and early plowing
weather, rains the middle of May
kept planters out of the field. Most
local seed was planted between May
% and June l.
Hot humid weather in the past
couple weeks has had a good effect
on the crop, but rain is particularly
useful as the stalks begin to tassel
and ears begin to shoot out.
Although corn borers are in
evidence this year the infestation is
definitely not serious, local observers
say.
Only thing which could happen, it
appears, to interfere with the good
prospects for corn would be an
earlier than usual frost. This would
lower quality of the product.
Combining operations in the oats
fields were expected to be just about
ended this week. The yield has been
averaging from so to 80 bushels per
acre as compared with 35 to so
bushels last summer. Tests at the
Farmers Grain company are averag-
ing from 80 to 35 pounds to the
bushel
Although most oats grown locally
remain on the farm for feed uses,
several carloads have been purchased
at the elevator. 1t will be resold al
most entirely to local farmers.
The price this week stood in the
neighborhood of 81 cents per bushel,
about seven cents under last years
market price at harvest time.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
To Investigate
Alternative OF
Selling System
BPA Urges Immediate
Action To Take Bids On
Purchased Power

Clarifcation of board of public
affairs recommendations in Buttons
heated electric light system controv-
ersy was contained in q written
statement presented to municipal
council Monday night by Carl Leh-
man, president of the board.
AS a conclusion to the four-page
statement, the board again requested
council to pass emergency legisla-
ton at Mondays session empower
ing the board to proceed with adver-
tising for bids on buying power and
preparing the ground for firm con-
tract if that course later would be
approved.
However, the board stated it would
agree not to enter into any contracts
until such time as municipal council
was satisfied with the investigation
requested last mid-week by the Bluff
ton Business Mems association.
Councilmen, however, refused to
act on the request for passage of the
legislation requested, on the basis
that they felt it best to wait until
the entire matter is decided before
proceeding with any Legislative
action.
In the statement of explanation,
the board declared it felt it was
justified in not asking for an earlier
bid on selling the entire system be-
cause: 1-0f a need to act quickly
because $4,000 savings can be effect
ed every month after current is
bought; 2-The town would receive
better offer for supplying current
if there was no question of outright
sale of the entire system; 3-The Of
fer for supplying current is at lower
cost than that given to any surround
ing towns which have discontinued
operation of their plants.
Present board action in contrast
TO the 1948 light plant expansion
program was answered by the board
as follows: 1--None of the present
| members were on the board in 1913;
2-No study has been made now of
the conditions under which the 1948
| decision was reached; 3-The board
believes the decision today should be
made on today's conditions.
To the question as to what would
happen in the case of serious sleet
storm if the board purchases the
power, the answer was: "This prob
lem would be no different from what
it always has been, except that we
would be in a better position to fin
ance the necessary repairs. 1t should
not be difficult to issue bonds if that
should become necessary"
In the statement the board re-
iterated it's engineers report claim
ing that an annual saving of at least
$4,000 can be effected every year
by buying current, instead of gener-
ating it Ga saving of 5.3 mills per
XVIII over the present actual cost.
Spokesman for the board also de-
clared at the council meeting that
sale of the entire system would
throw a heavy additional financial
burden on the village which then
would be compelled to pay for cur
rent used for street lighting and in
pumping water from the waterworks.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
: Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital dur
ing the past week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hubert Basinger,
Bluffton, girl, Doreen Mabel, born
last Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Arnold, La
fayette, girl, Myra Marie, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Smith, Nc
Comb, a boy, James Kent, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Franks, Nc
Comb, a girl, Karen Marie, born last
Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Myers, Har-
rod, a girl, Lucinda Sue, born last
Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ralph Basinger,
Leipsic, twins-a girl, Bonnie Lou
and boy, Barry Lee, born last Fri
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Florise Fisher, Find
lay, girl, Vicki Lynn, born Sunday
Mr.. and Mrs. Franklin Reigle, Ar
lington, a girl, Gloria Jean, born
Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Camden
Bluffton, boy, Steven Ray, born
Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Morris, Find
lay, a girl, Dana 10, born Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Young, Bluff
ton, a girl, born Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Granger, Raw
son, a girl, Connie Sue, born Tues
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Eldon Moffitt, Find
lay, a girl, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Ferrell,
Deshler. a girl, born Wednesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Fire And Auto Gone
Before Fire Truck
Reaches The Scene

A minor automobile fire in the
brake lining of Pennsylvania cal
was extinguished in hurry by the
driver at 10 p. m. Tuesday on South
Main street, and he was on his way
again before the Bluffton fire depart
ment reached. the scene.
Called by residents of the street
the fire department made hurried
trip, only to learn that the unperturb-
ed motorist had jumped from his car
put out the smoldering blaze and re-
sumed his journey in a matter Of a
couple of minutes.
Spectators said the fire had been
caused by failure to release the emer-
gency brake.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

six to seven days. Operated by the
Southern Fargo Express, the coach
was pulled by four-horse team.
The stage coach will be trucked
from Tulsa to Findlay where Coleman
will have it repaired and painted for
parade purposes.
In addition, Coleman owns an old
range buggy and prairie schooner
which was shown here in the July a
sesquicentennial parade. The old
wagon is 85 years old and was dis
covered by Coleman in log barn on
the old Latchaw farm at Union Gen.
ter, near Mt. Cory.
The schooner made trip west with
a party of pioneers around 1868, but
in Kansas City the owners decided to
turn around and come home.
Coleman has nine head of fine sad
die horses in his Findlay stable, in
cluding Golden Beauty, a prize-win-
ming palomino, which won the reserve
championship at Eaton, o., on June
81 at the All-American palomlno
show.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
BIufftOn Fire Fighter
Elected To Office

Lester Niswander, of the Bluffton
fire department, was elected vice
president of the Allen County Fire
Fighters association at the annual
meeting held in Lafayette Thursday
evening of last week.
Walter Young, chief of the Spen-
cerville department, was elected presi-
dent, and Chief Don Williams, La
fayette, secretary-treasurer
Forty-five members attended the
meeting.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
saddle Eerss CBS
ERc,,ie set FTMnday

w. Mefhbers of the Bluffton Saddle
Horse club will hold their annual pic
mic dinner at Fox Hill Sunday noon,
July 26. Those attending are asked
to bring well-filled baskets and their
own service. Watermelon, ice cream,
soft drinks, coffee and paper plates
will be furnished by the club. The
picnic grounds is the wooded area at
the rear of Herr Bros. farm off the
Bentley road.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
DIR. Ramseyer To
Give Commencement
Address At Ohio u.

DIR. LLOYD L. Ramseyer, president
of Bluffton college, has been selected
to give the commencement address at
the close of the summer session at
Ohio university, Athens, Ohio, it
was announced this week.
DR.. Ramseyer has chosen for the
title of his address, "The Fine Art
of Understanding" a theme similar
to his baccalaureate address here, at
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Orange TWp. Man
Buys Farm, Machine 60

An Orange township man, Rayon
Boutwell,, has purchased the Mans
field Implement company Of Ada,
from Britton Mansfield, it was an
nounced this week.
Mr.. Boutwell, has been sales man
sager of the Evans Farm and Indus
trial Sales in Findlay for the past
year and half, and before that he
operated the Tom Kitchen farm north
of Riley Greek church.
The Ada firm will carry the Allis-
Chalmers line of farm machinery.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Saturday Designated youth Night"
At Inter-Church Bible Conference

opening service of the conference
Sunday night. John Tosh, president
of the Tri-County Evangelistic asso-
citation, presided and introduced the
key scripture for the conference,
John 1913, "And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent"
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Pipe Bought For
Water Line Extension

Purchase of 1000 feet of four
inch cast iron pipe to extend the
city water system to the new mu-
nicipal sewage disposal plant a
Buckeye lake was authorized by city
council at meeting Monday night
in the council chambers.
Acceptance of bid of $1,593.83
from the James B. Glow Co. for
providing the pipe was recommend
ed to council by the board of public
affairs.
In servicing the plant with water,
Bluffton water mains must be Sex-
tended from Spring and Riley streets
to the plant location.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
WASTE COLLECTION

The village waste collection truck
will begin its monthly rounds to pick
up cans and trash on Thursday morn
ing, July 80, it was announced this
week by Street Commissioner Lee
Coon. Residents are urged to have
their containers at the curb at that
time for pickup.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

for the new sewage disposal system
now under construction here, accord
ing to the budget presented to coun-
Gil by City Clerk A. ]. B. Longsdorf.
Comprising the bonded indebtedness
going into 1854 will be three sewage
bond issues amounting to the $685.
900 total; two revenue bond issues
for light plant expansion on which
the town still will owe $14I, 900; a
water works and electric light plant
bond issue dating back to 1917, on
which $4,000 will be unpaid; and a
$500 debt on Main street improve
ments financed in 1914.
At the budget hearing it was re-
vealed that operation of the general
village services, excluding utilities
and debt retirement, will cost the
town total of 1,372.S4 in 1854.
Included in this sum will be
$27,772.S4 for general fund expendi-
btures; $2,4OO for the cemetery fund;
| $11 200 for street maintenance and
repair Tin two funds, $4,000 in
street maintenance and repair fund
and $7,400 in the gasoline tax street
repair fund.-.
Total expenditures for the coming
year are estimated to vary little
from those for 1862, based on first
half actual cost in 1852 and last half
estimates.
In addition to the regular village
operating expenses, the budget ear
marked $4,000 for the sewer service
fund, the first year in which the new
sewage disposal system will be in
] EIaSSi< <ligHsaa rsFst plant ex-
Aaknditures for the coming year are
estimated at $151, 400, whicf also will
be about the same as for tH current
| year.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Council Delays Light Plant Action;
Board Clarifies Recommendations
BLuftOn's Bonded Debt
Nedrs Three-Quarter Million

Buttons outstanding bonded Indebtedness at the end
this will be $72S500 it revealed in budget
calendar of 1854 adopted the municipal at its
meeting Monday night in the town hall.
major proportion of the debt nearly threequarter of
million dollars however involved of $685. 900 owed
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Council and Motter Agree
On Settlement For $500
.Xs
Pollution Suit Dropped, Easement
Granted For SeUer Right-Of-Way

Ending two of wrangling pollution damage and
nearly nine months of negotiations easement for the
Little Riley ntercepng sewer, Blufton village council
special meeting last Thursday paid Myron Motter $500 settle
the damage and obtain the
Motto farm,
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
Business Men
Voice Opinions
On Power Deal
Urge Officials To Weigh
Sale Of System Against
Power Purchase Plan

The possibilities of an outright
sale of the municipal light and power
system, clock, stock and barrel" as
a going business should be examined
more closely before the Bluffton
board of public affairs and town
council decide definitely to purchase
electric power for distribution over
the municipal system and to shut
down the generating plant.
This was the gist of opinions ex-
pressed by members of the Bluffton
Business Mems association at a meet
ing last Thursday evening in the
school library.
The meeting, held at the request
of the board of public affairs to dis
cuss its proposal for purchasing pow
er, was marked by heated discussion
that at times nearly reached the ex-
plosive point. Approximately so men
attended the meeting.
During the course of the meeting a
petition which was to be presented
to the village boards was read. 1t
called on the officials to investigate
thoroughly the alternative plan of
complete sale as well as the BPA's
proposal to buy power.
eve believe that if a contract for
powersis made without also advertis.
ing for a bid for the entire plant anc
distribution system as going con
Germ also being taken, the plant coulc
be sold only for salvage and the deb
on the plant would still have to be
paid. If the plant can be sold as q
going concern, much greater price
could be gotten as was the case, ac-
cording to newspaper reports, when
Arlington and Spencerville sold their
plants, the petition stated.
The petition was signed by approx
imately 100 persons.
At the same time the Business
Mems association acted to request
the BPA and town council to inves-
tigate both possibilities, and asked
that the two boards meet with the
Business Mems association after the
facts were ascertained. The motion
was made by Maurice Fett.
Another motion presented by Ropp
Triplett and adopted by the asso-
citation provided appointment of a
citizens committee to meet with the
council and BPA to prepare material
to be presented at the associations
next meeting.
A committee of four nominated
from the floor included: Ropp Trip
lett~.Clair B. Fett, Herbert Conrad
and B. w. Travis.
lie association action followed a
lon Il discussion VIII Nh lasted until
neal s11:SO. MenIssrs of the board
of nblic affairssafid their consult
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23
SOLDIERS ADDRESS

A/3c Charles w. Draper, AF 1549SO82
Bali Student Squadron
Box 1856
Kessler Air Force Base, Miss.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-23

approximately $4,000 per year less
than the present cost of generating
it.
Carl Lehman,member of the util-
tiles board, pointed out that increased
consumption of electricity has now
brought the plant to point where
it no longer has 100 per cent standby
Continued on Page 4)