davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-03
Modigon Alters Landscape

The grass isn't always greener
on the other side of the fence.
Take the word of DR.. George F.
Madigan for it. AS an agrono-
mist, a soils scientist who deals
with such matters, he knows.
A lot of folks, such as Angus
Heeke. DR.. Julie Radice and
Boots Scruggs. will remember
Madigan as their old Eastern
High School teammate, Skinny
Madigan. who was 6-foot-2 and
1853 pounds Of fire and fury In
athletic competition.
Madigan may be the only man
with a doctors degree associ-
ated with a race track, aside
from the veterinarians who look
after the horses and the M. DIS
who care for track personnel.
He's a consultant on such things
as soil conservation. planting
and. maintaining Bowie's track
and landscaping.
With turf racing booming in
this country, Madigan may find
his services in increasing de-
mand. A former member OF the
University of Maryland faculty,
the tall, grazing ex-athlete
headed the Civil Aeronautics
Authority's program of turf care.
dust control and soil erosion
prevention for five years, until
leaving last April. Before that
he was In charge of an eight
State region with headquarters
in Chicago. and his official
duties have taken him all over
the country.
Studied Tracks i'm 1914.
Investigating the makeup of
race tracks wasn't new to
Skinny when he came to Bowie
in the spring. In 1914 the old
Maryland Horsemen's Protective
Association asked him to make
an analysis Of the four major
tracks and recommend improve
ments. Madigan was teaching
and doing research at Maryland
at the time and the idea ap-
pealed to him.
One thing he discovered was
that the Havre de Grace track,
since abandoned, had the best
racing strip Of ALL, When Skin
ny was loaned to Marlboro for
a resurfacing job before last
summers meet opened, the crew
found the horses actually had
worn a groove about six feet from
the rail in the ancient half-mile
oval, where George Washington
is said to have raced horses.
A proper base, good drainage
and a lively cushion are needed
for a safe but fast track, Madi-
gan says. The task Of building
or rebuilding a strip is heavy
with technical problems. Bowie,
you may remember, had serious
trouble after Larry MacPhail re-
built the track a few years ago.
To go into the subject properly.
would require more space and
time than this article would
allow, however.
When you look at the grass in
the infleld, the shrubs or the
track at Bowie, just remember
it didn't happen accidentally,
but required a lot Of work and
scientific care. Madigan's work
at Bowie has been concerned
chiefly with landscaping.
Marty Myers got this track
In Al shape" Madigan said.
ut would be hard to Improve. :
Skinny pitched for the late
Chief Guyon's potent baseball
teams at Eastern and played
basketball and football. At Mary
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-03
PimGeo Futurity Winner
70 Get 100000 in 1855

BALTIMORE, Dec. 8 R.-
Pimlico announced today that
the winner Of its 1865 Futurity
probably will take down more
than 100000.
Louis Pondfield. executive di-
rector, said the track is doubling
Its share of the pot from $40, 900
to $4,000. The rest Of the
money from owners PROBABLY
will add up to at least $l75,000,
he said.
The race for 2-year-olds is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-03

held In the fall. Owners have
to make four payments totaling
$685., starting on December Is.
to keep q horse eligible They
must pay $500 to enter and an
other $1,000 to start.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Freedom Parade To Emphasize Original
Purpose OF independence Day Observance

Emphasizing the original purpose
of the independence Day celebration
a Freedom Parade% featuring floats
symbolic of the freedoms guaranteed
by the Bill of Rights will be staged
at p. m. as prelude to Buttons
eleventh annual Independence Day
Rodeo, Monday, July 5.
Heading the colorful parade will be
the Bluffton Post 382 American
Legion color guard and drill team,
which will also be in charge of the
ceremonial flag raising preceding the
rodeo at Harmon Field. The parade
will pass in review at the Harmon
Field stadium as the opening event
of the rodeo.
Robert Guy Ayres Post No. 211,
Portland, Ind, drum and bugle corps.
one of the leading units in the state
of Indiana, will take part in the
parade and will give an exhibition
Immediately preceding the rodeo
which is scheduled to start at
1880 p. m.
The parade will consist of six
classifcations in the adult division
and six in the children's division
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Day Camp Program
Closes Today At
Harmon Field

Nearly 100 Bluffton girls, mem
bers of the towns three Girl Scout
and three Brownie Troops, will close
a five-day camping program today
at Harmon Field where they have
been engaged in various outdoor
activities of scouting.
The day camp, now in its second
year, gave the girls as opportunity
to work on various badge require
ments including outdoor cooking and
horsemanship. Most of the meals at
the camp were prepared on "tin-can"
stoves and one-spot dinners were the
rule.
Mrs. Paul Stauffer was site di-
rector and Mrs. Stanley Basinger
directed group singing which opened
the program every day following
the morning flag-raising program.
Troop leaders assisted by several of
the mothers were in charge of the
camp.
Sally Schaaff brought her pony,
"Champ" to the camp for use by
girls taking tests for their horse
woman badge. e-~
The day camp operated Wednes-
day and Thursday of last week and
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day this week.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

which includes high school age and
under. Twelve golden trophies viii
be awarded for the best floats OF
parade presentations depicting one
of the four freedoms as guaranteed
by the Bill of Rights which include
Religion, Speech, Press and As
sembly. There will also be a classi-
fication for Freedom of Education
and historical events of national
significance.
Many Trophies Offered
Trophies valued at some 1925 will
be awarded to the best entry in the
parade depicting any of the four
freedoms.
Two trophies will also be awarded
in the horseman class for the best
decorated horse and rider in dude
ranch rodeo attire. These will be
sponsored by Steiners Stock Barn,
Bluffton.
All entries in the parade must be
registered by 5 p. m. on Vance street
opposite the Saddle Horse Club field
where the parade will start. Parade
Marshall Carter Shisler and his as
sistants will direct entries to their
formations which will be designated
by number.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

will leave the town without admin
istrative or executive heads for its
important electric power, water and
sewage treatment departments.
Mr.. Draper's terse letter to the
board stated:
"This is. to notify you that I
am resigning my position as super
intendent Of the light, water and
sewerage treatment departments
effective July /, 1854.
"Other interests make it impossible
for me to continue in my present
position"
The boards letter to Mayor Howe
explains the decision of its members
to resign as follows:
"Inasmuch as the electric distri-
button system can only be sold by
the board of public affairs and in
asmuch as we do not believe such
sale is in the best interest of
the people of Bluffton we do not
choose to have any part in such a
sale.
"We do however firmly believe
in the right of the people to make
the choice they have made and in
no wav wish to hinder the will of
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Explorers Ply
Canoes On Weeks
Trip In Michigan

Eleven Bluffton Explorer Scouts
and their senior adviser left Bluffton
last Saturday morning for a canoe
trip in the intermediate chain of
lakes of Michigan's Traverse Bay
area in the lower peninsula region.
Their tentative itinerary included
a stop at Battle Greek, Mich, where
they We're to tour the Kellogg cereal
plant. They were to go to church
in a group Sunday morning. The
canoe hike was TO get under way
from East Jordan, Mich, Monday,
and is expected to last week.
The canoe trip will follow branches
of lakes and rivers in the Traverse
Bay area and is regarded as one
of the most thrilling events in all
outdoor scouting.
Explorers making the trip were
Bret and Bruce Triplett, Rex AUX
erman, Joe Urich, Jan Conrad,
Richard Basinger, Dean Badertscher,
Jerry Kohl, Jim BURY, Larry
Mumma and Ralph Reichenbach, Jr.
The Explorers were accompanied
by Ken Bracy, senior adviser and
are expected to return to Bluffton
Sunday or Monday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Services Wednesday
For leila HiXOn

Funeral services were held at 2:30
p. m. Wednesday in the Diller Fun
eral Home for Mrs. Zella Hixon,
II, of Orange Township, who died
at lis p. m. Monday in Bluffton
Community Hospital following a two
year illness.
Born July 3, 1883, in Putnam
county, the daughter of Harvey and
Alice Jones, she was a member of
the Olive Branch Evangelical United
Brethren Church and its Ladies Aid
Society.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs.
Russell Ebay, Bluffton; a son, Ray
mond, Hillsboro; sister, Mrs. Carl
Sanderson, Ada; a brother, w. II.
Jones, Columbus Grove, four grand
children and two great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Stanley Walton officiated
and burial was in Truro Cemetery.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

the people. We are therefore sub
mitting our resignation effective July
/, 1854"
1t was signed by V. A. Neeper,
president of the board, James w.
Benroth and Carl M. Lehman.
According to law, vacancies on
the board Of public affairs, must be
filled by appointment of the mayor,
subject to approval by council It
will then be up to the new board
of public affairs to select a successor
to Superintendent Draper.
Arden Baker, president of council,
said Wednesday morning upon learn
ing of the turn of affairs, that coun-
ell would ask the present board to
at least take action to advertise for
bids on the sale of the system next
week. The advertisement must run
in a newspaper for a period Of at
least five weeks, and Mr.. Baker, said
that any delay in the procedure
could upset the timetable by which
proceeds of the plant sale are to be
used to retire the sewer assessment
debt,
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Polio Victim Of
Ten Years Ago
Undergoes Surgery

Rodney Habegger, 12-year-old son
of Mr.. and Mrs. J. Newlin Habegger
of Columbus Grove Route 2, under
went surgery on his left leg Monday
morning at Lima Memorial hospital
and is reported getting along nicely
The operation was necessitated by
a case of polio suffered by young
Habegger as a child about 10 years
ago. The surgery on the leg I'M
affected by polio is an attempt to
slow its development so that it will
not grow disproportionately to the
affected member.
Rodney hopes to be able to return
home from the hospital in from two
to three weeks. He will be a
seventh grade pupil this fall in the
Beaverdam school.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
POck- Marked Glass? This
Seems To Haze CrystdLized

igan and other parts of the U. S.
in recent months, the Spallingel
glass appeared to have been struck
a heavy blow at one point which
spider-webbed the entire pane
Strange part, however, was that the
object which struck the glass could
not be found nor did it penetrate
the glass.
An investigation at one of the
local auto sales agSncies, Pwever
indicates that the 81 Ame thiAg has
happened before when Ia caf left
tightly closed and therA is \ 81 Addef
change in temperatures. NAppar&tk
the expanding heat insidN the auto
breaks the glass. MotoGsts are
advised to leave windows Of their
car open slightly.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

Although David Spallinger hardly
believed that radioactive particles
from the latest atomic explosion
were responsible, he was relieved
to learn Wednesday that what hap
pened to the rear window of his
auto was apparently caused by the
heat.
Trying to peer out of the glass
in the Spallinger car is like looking
through bathroom window. He
noted the strange appearance Satur-
day morning when he went to drive
the car from his barnyard on Route
103, seven miles east of here. Mr..
Spallinger farms the Burcky Bros.
farm.
Unlike the sparsely pock-marked
glass reported in Washington, Mich
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Street Repair
Program Off To
Early Start Here
Eight Blocks ReSurfaced
Last Week AS Street
Crew Opens Summer Work

Launching one of the earliest
summer street improvement pro-
grams in years, the Bluffton street
department last week completed the
resurfacing of more than eight
blocks of the towns thorofares.
Major portion of last weeks i'm
provements were to Riley street
between Spring and Main, and on
College drive from the College road
to College avenue, including the one
block strip of Spring which links
College Drive and College avenue.
In addition to the four blocks
on Riley street and the three blocks
improved on the other project, re-
surfacing also was completed on
College road from the bridge to
Grove street, and a portion of Kibler
street torn up last summer to per-
nit the installation of new gas lines
was patched.
The tar-chip method of re-surfac-
ing was used by the street depart
ment, with Street Commissioner III.
l.. Coon reporting that more than
6000 gallons of tar and $50 tons
of stone were used.
Additional street resurfacing will
follow in the summer as an aug
mented street crew succeeds in get
ting the thorofares ready for work,
the street commissioner reported.
improvements completed last week
end were not necessarily those most
needed, Coon pointed out, but that
work was done because the contrac-
tor was available and the streets in
question were the only ones ready
for treatment at this time.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
RawsOn Council
OK's Improvements
AWillage Park !

Several additional improvements 1T
the Rawson village paTK'~weTe ap-
proved by Council at its meeting
Monday evening after Earl Hoch
appeared before that body to explain
the needs.
Mr.. Hoch said that other partic-
ipating organizations are planning to
install an electric stove and water
heater in the community building
for use of groups meeting there. He
also advised that, following inspec-
ton of sanitary officials, additional
tile must be laid in the park due
to the proximity of a septic tank
to the village water supply.
Council agreed to pay one-fourtf
Of the cost of the tile project. Harry
Rlymyer, who represented the Lions
club and Rawson firemen said that
all labor would be contributed with
out cost by the sponsoring groups
These include the Lions club, Lions
auxiliary, and the Rawson- Union
township fire department.
In other action council increased
wages for street labor to $3.50 per
hour plus six cents per mile for
privately owned vehicles used on
village business. The former wage
rate was 81 per hour. Council also
agreed to pay Miller Fink $1.25
per hour for park maintenance for
the 1854 season.,
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

A freak electrical storm accompan-
led by rains in almost cloud-burst
proportions buffeted Button Tues
day afternoon, filled easements with
flash flood waters and played electri~
cal tricks in scores of homes. Fire
resulted in the home of Mrs. Sam
Locher on South Jackson street.
Dozens of reports came to the
News particularly from the south end
of town, that lightning had entered
homes in several instances burning
out light bulbs which had been turned
on during the storm. In severa
homes it was reported that lightning
entered homes and played about fur,
mace registers and other grounded
metal objects.
One report of the effect of a
charge of lightning was that it had
turned on a light which had been off
when the bolt struck.
The fire at the Locher home result
ed in an estimated damage of 5000
when the cord on bed lamp shorted
out and set fire to the bedclothing
and mattress.
Mrs. Locher found her home filled
with smoke when she returned after
the heaviest part of the storm from
a neighbor's house across the street.
The bed and mattress were complete
ly destroyed. Fire Chief Corson said
that the smoke was so thick it was
almost impossible to enter the house
when firemen arrived.
Sewers, unable to carry away the
downpour, backed into many homes
which have never had drainage prob
lens before. Even parts of The
Triplett Electrical Co. which had
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital dur
ing the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Cloyd Bowersox, Nc
Comb, a boy, Neal Allen, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Weyer, Bluff
ton, a boy, Hickey Lee, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Kurtz, Nc
Comb, boy, Kevin Lee, born Friday
Mr.. and Mrs. Rodney Sampson
Arlington, a boy, James Bruce, born
Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. David Zoll, Arlington
a girl, Barbara Good, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest Basinger,
Bluffton, a girl, Karen Sue, born
Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edward X. Hauen-
stein, Rawson, a girl, Judy Lynn,
born Tuesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Fathers Officidte In Service Orddining
Their Children As Missionaries To Japan

With both of their fathers of
ficiating in the service last Sum
day in the First Mennonite
church, the Rev. Robert l.. and
Mrs. Alice Ruth Ramseyer were
ordained as missionaries of the
General Conference Mennonite
Church TO Japan.
DR.. 5. +. Pannabecker, q form
or missionary to China and
father OF Mrs. Ramseyer, and
DR.. L. L. Ramseyer, president of
Bluffton college and father of
the Rev. Robert, conducted the
ordination service with the Rev.
A. ]. Beachy, pastor of the
church also assisting.
The newly ordained mission
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Adah Lehman Enters
MCC Service Work

Miss Adah Lehman, who has been
employed for more than 10 years in
a plant seeretarial post at the Trip
lett Electrical Instrument Co, re
signed Tuesday and will spend the
summer associated with the Memo
mite Central Committee in voluntary
service work in migrant camp in
Hamilton.
The camp director is Don Wismer,
q graduate Of Blnffton college, Glass
of '53, M. Wismer will be assisted
by his wife. the former Patricia
Lowenberg, who was graduated from
the college this spring.
Miss Lehman is the daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter Lehman Of
Columbus Grove.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Closes Bitter Controversy

Closes Bitter Controversy
The referendum decision closes
what was probably Buttons bitter
est town-wide controversy. 1t broke
into flames last July when the board
of public affairs announced a recon-
mendation to cease generating power
at the municipal plant and purchase
power wholesale for distribution over
the towns lines.
At a meeting of the Bluffton Busi-
ness Mems association action was
taken to urge a study of an alter
native plan to get out of the power
business altogether and sell out the
plant lock, stock and barrel. From
this point on the town divided into
two camps, one side favoring the
BPA plan; the other an outright sale
of the plant.
Members of council last year voted
to approve the BPA recommended
tions, but only after it was too late
for the ordinance to become effective
during their terms Of office. When a
newly elected council took office in
January, the complexion had chang
ed. The new council, feeling that
most Bluffton people wanted to be
rid of the municipal power plant
completely, passed an ordinance
authorizing the sale. At the same
time, however, members of council
urged that the question be submit
ted in referendum to the citizens
of the community.
Tuesdays election results bore out
councils contention. Most Bluffton-
ties want to sell their plant.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17

aries are to sail on August %
from Portland, Oregon, for
Japan. There in Kobe, they will
study for two years in a Japan
ese language school. When they
have mastered the language of
the people they will live with and
work among. they will be assign
ed to a missionary post in
kyushu, the southernmost island
in the Japanese group.
The Ramseyers have returned
to their home i'm Chicago before
leaving for Japan. MIR. Ramseyer
was graduated magma cum laude
recently from the Mennonite
Seminary in Chicago.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Cairo Plans July 4
Western Horse Show

Silver dollars will be offered as
prizes this year instead of trophies
in Cairo's All-Western Silver Horse
Show to be held in the towns Mem
orial Park Sunday, July A.
Invitations are being sent to all
horsemen in and around the COM
munity to participate in the show.
The Allen County sheriff's Posse
and the Ft. Wayne, Ind, Sheriff's
Posse will also be on hand to exhibit
horsemanship in the ring.
Virgil Bartz of Cleveland, former
" of Columbus Grove, will play the
organ for the occasion.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Chester Stduffer's
Condition Fair

Condition of Chester Stauffer,
Bluffton plumber, who underwent
surgery at Lima Memorial Hospital
last Thursday, is slightly improved
it was learned by friends here this
week
Stauffer was admitted to the
emergency ward at Bluffton Com
munity Hospital a week ago last
Friday after he was found in his
shop in serious condition by Dave
Riser. He was later transferred
to Memorial where he underwent a
number of blood transfusions.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-06-17
Steinman Names Mgr.
For Ada Lumber Yard

A Russells' Point man has been
named manager of the recently
purchased Steinman Lumber Co.
yard in Ada, which for % years
operated under the name of King
Lumber Co.
Frederick ]. McGown, who served
in a similar capacity at Jackson
Center, plans to move with his wife
and daughter to Ada from Russell's
Point in the fall.
He is a past commander Of the
Jackson Center American Legion
post.