davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
School Board Urges County Action
To Make Rural Road Intersections Safer

Aroused over Mondays tragic &C.
cident in which two local men were
killed at dangerous county road in
tersection, the Bluffton board of ed
ucation will urge county commission
ers to establish more arterial high
ways protected by stop signs in Rich
land township as a badly needed safe
ty measure.
The seriousness of the intersection
traffic hazards as they relate to the
operation of school buses was dis
cussed at length at the Tuesday eve
ming board meeting. Members point
ed out that most of the serious acci-
dents occurring in this area take place
on the more remote county roads
rather than on the main highways.
Paul Stauffer, president of the
board, said that support of other
community organizations would be
sought in bringing pressure for ac-
tion on the arterial highway system
by the commissioners.
Mr.. Stauffer said that he had been
advised by the State Highway Patrol
headquarters in Lima that commit
tee to study safety in the county had
recommended the establishment of
more arterial highways and the erec-
ton of $50 stop signs at various in
tersections.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Harvest Festival
Planned Sunday At
Emmanuel Church

The Rev. Don Hochstettler, Find
lay, one-time Bluffton resident and
now director of Christian Education
of the Sandusky Conference E. U. B.
churches, will be the guest speaker
at the Harvest Home and Homecom-
ing at Emmanuel's Evangelical and
Reformed church this Sunday, the
Rev. v. C. Oppermann, pastor, has
announced. The church rs three miles
south of Bluffton just off Route rs.
Rev. Mr.. Hochstettler will speak at
the 10:45 a. m. service and also at the
afternoon service at 2 o'clock.
A basket dinner will be held at
noon on the church lawn. Special
music is being arranged by the
church choir in the annual program
with special emphasis in welcoming
"home" former members and friends
of the church.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
First SOybeans
Marketed Here
OF High Quality
Irwin Amstutz, Rockport
Road Farmer, Sells First
Load To Grain Co.

The first of the new fall crop of
soybeans was marketed Monday
afternoon in Bluffton when Irwin Am
stutz, who farms west of Bluffton on
the Rockport road, brought in load
to the Farmers Grain company.
Mr.. Amstutz's soybeans tested s.
pounds TO the bushel and moisture
content was II per cent indicating 9
high quality, the local dealer said.
The price of beans Monday was
$2.51 per bushel or 18 cents higher
than the same time last year when
the first crop hit the market.
Harley Marquart, north of Bluff
ton, was the second person to market
new soybeans, bringing in his first
load on Tuesday afternoon.
1t is believed that large acreage
of soybeans will be harvested in the
Bluffton district this fall. Tt is too
early to tell what the average yield
may be, but in recent years it has
been about 80 bushels per acre.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Opening Day Rain
Deters Hunting

Heavy rainfall early Wednesday
morning deferred local squirrel hunt
ing, but some of the faithful were
out in the dripping woods before
breakfast and a few successes were
reported before The News deadline.
As the skies cleared later in the
morning the shooting in nearby
woodlots could be heard with in
creasing frequency.
Before press time Gene Benroth
reported to the News office with
four tails, one grey and three fox
squirrels. He said he had met Ira
Crozier of Ada in the woods. At
that time Ira had bagged one fox
squirrel. Ivan Montgomery was re-
ported to have bagged one, and an
unidentified hunter appeared at the
Pine Restaurant early in the morning
after being rained out. He had shot
two.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

Styles in milady's attire for
Fall 1854 and those of more than
a century ago will be contrasted
Monday evening at the Fall Style
Show sponsored by the Bluffton
Business and Professional
Women's club at Ramseyer
chapel, s p. m.
Mrs. Fred Hahn will wear the
dress of her grandmother styled
in Basil, Switzerland, when she
appears on the stage to play sew
eral Swiss numbers on her
either. Approximately 80 models
will present the newest fashions
offered by six Bluffton retail
stores in the women's, mems and
children's apparel business.
Mrs. Eloise Travis and Mrs.
Flo Basinger viii give the CON-
mentaries on the new styles
modelled by local people.
Stores to be represented in the
show are The Lape Co., Vida
yidella Shop, Rice Dry Goods
and Tot Shop, Waltermire's, The
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Lumber Firm s "Open House" Saturday;
St0nenan To Greet Cr0Uds At Three Yards

"Who is Stan?", the most fire.
quently heard question at The Stein
man Bros. Lumber Co., will be
answered this Saturday when the
celebrated "Stan, the Stoneman" ap-
pears in person as chief host at the
firms open house celebration of the
formal opening of its third yard in
Ada.
Stan will visit the celebration
party being held in all three yards,
Bluffton and Jenera as well as Ada.
He will be accompanied by lovely
Miss Barbara Quinlan of Alliance,
"Miss Ohio of 1855" and chief hostess
for the area celebration here.
Actually, Stan has been developed
as the trademark of rugged dependa-
bility for Steinman Bros, the name
Steinman itself, meaning stone-man
in German. The trademark will be
personified by one of the organiza-
tion's personnel wearing the mask
and costume created for the character.
The gala party, advertised as
'three yards wide, is expected to
attract record crowds at each of the
Steinman locations. There win be
$500 Princess Aloha orchids flown
here from Hawaii for distribution to
.(Continued on Page ~
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Beaverdam Man
To Teach School
Music In Blufton
School Board Also Employs
Mrs. Vernal Cors0n AS
Clerk-Secretary

The Bluffton board of education
Tuesday night approved the employ
ment of Jack Arnold Pugh, Beaver
dam, junior at Ohio Northern uni
versity, to teach elementary school
music on halliday schedule.
Pugh, a music major, was hired by
the board on the recommendation of
Superintendent A. B. Murray. He
will teach music in grades one
through eight on the half day basis.
Mrs. Vernal Corson of Bluffton has
been hired by the board to serve as
clerk of the board of education and
office secretary for the remainder OF
the 1854 and the 1856 calendar year
to fill the unexpired term of Mary K
Gratz, resigned.
Supt. Murray also announced that
the board had accepted the resigna.
ton of Miss Lois Oyer who has &C.
cepted a teaching position in South
America.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Bluffton's First
Tractor Pull Is
Slated Sept. Is

A tractor pulling contest, the first
of its kind ever to be staged in
Bluffton, win be held Saturday night,
September 25, at z pm. at the
Bluffton Saddle Club field, formerly
Schmidt's Field. The contest is be-
ing sponsored by the Bluffton Amer
lean Legion Post.
Ten trophies and 5000 in cash
prizes will be awarded to winners
and runnerups in four classes. There
will be lightweight and heavyweight
tractor pulls and lightweight and
heavyweight team pulling contests.
In the lightweight division will be
tractors up to $500 pounds and in
the heavyweight class tractors up to
1000 pounds will appear on the pro
gram. The distance to be pulled is
Is feet.
About 65 entries from several
counties and as far away as Circle
vile are expected to be on hand for
the event. There is no age limit
and anyone capable of driving a
tractor may participate.
Officials of the contest stated that
while there is no deadline for entries.
each participant is required to be
weighed in at the Farmers Grain Co.
by p. m. the day of the event. The
contest will get under way promptly
at Z p. m.
A temporary flood lighting system
will be erected and bleachers will be
provided for the contest. The Legion
will serve refreshments on the
grounds.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Rural Road Corner Crash
Kills Two Bluffton Men
Word OF Tragedy Stuns Community;
Albert Garmatter, Don Jones Victims

Blufftor was stunned Monday at
noon to learn of the tragic two-car
accident at nearby county road in
tersection which snuffed out the lives
of two of its residents, Albert Gar
matter, owner of the Garmatter Lum-
Der Co., and Donald d. Jones, Route
/.
Word of the accident spread rap
idly af@r the town hall siren sum
moned tie Button fire department. to
extinguish blaze which had started
in the wrecked Jones auto. The Paul
Dillef ambulance brought both Of the
'critically injured men to Community
hospital. They were pronounced dead
within 45 minutes after their arrival.
Rosh Of the men were.~~srro6te
Thome to Bluffton.. .Ms~Gsrmatter was
travelling east on Bixel road and Mr..
Jones was headed south on the Phil
lips road when they collided at the
intersection, in front of the Reformed
Mennonite church. Vision at the in
tersection marked dangerous" is OBJ
structed by fields of tall corn.
The Garmatter auto was thrown
into field and the impact tossed the
driver from the car. Jones car
veered into utility pole after the
collision and caught fire.
Jones died at 1:i0 p. m. of brok-
en- neck and severe burns and Gar
matter expired ten minutes later of
a fractured skull, chest injuries and
q broken left leg.
First to- arrive on the scene of the
accident were Jesse and Vernon Yoa-
kan, Harold Marshall and DR.. L. L.
Ramseyer, president of Bluffton Col
lege. They assisted in placing the
victims in the ambulance.
Young Jones had just recovered
from serious injuries received last
November in a railroad crossing ac-
cident in Ada. A truck he was driv-
ing was hit by train near Ada and
demolished.
Born March S, 1898 in Allen coun-
ty, Mr.. Garmatter was the son of
Amos and Rosina (Nusbaum) Gar
matter. He married Sylvia Basin
ger July 19, 1912 and she survives.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Financial Drive
For Boy Scouts
Underway Here
Committee OF so Men
Begins Solicitation OF
BlufftOn Families

Buttons Conan campaign com
mittee went into high gear this week
in opening the annual Boy Scout
financial drive following the Putnam
District Kickoff Meeting in the
County Court House, Ottawa, and
subsequent meeting of local team
captains Wednesday evening at the
Basinger Furniture store.
During the three-week drive clos
ing October 2 members of the solicit
ing committee will call on the heads
of Bluffton families seeking aid for
financing the program of scouting
here and through the area. Persons
who may be missed in the solicitation
may send their contribution to Norm
an Triplett, finance chairman.
William Edwards and Ralph Reich
enbach are community campaign
chairmen for Bluffton.
AT the Kickoff meeting attended
by six Bluffton representatives,
Robert L. Ellington, regional scout
executive of Cincinnati, told the
group:
America needs the ideals of the
Boy Scout Movement more today
than ever before A generation
imbued with the ideals of duty to
God, to country, and to others viii be
the determining factor in Americas
leading the world to a lasting peace.
These are the ideals of the Boy Scout
Movement"
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
James Reusser To
Be Ordained Here

James Reusser of Williamsport,
Pa, graduate of Bluffton college in
1851, will be ordained to the Chris
tian ministry in services Sunday af-
ternoon at $3.50 in the First Menno-
Mite church.
The Rev. Olin Krehbiel, Berne,
Ind., will preach the ordination ser
mon and the Rev. Alvin J. Beachy,
pastor Of the First Mennonite church,
will have charge of the ordination
service. A special vocal ensemble will
sing.
Prior to his ordination an examina-
tion service was held Sunday after
noon for Mr.. Reusser. Participating
were the Rev. E. j. Bohn, the Rev.
Olin Krehbiel and DR.. L. l.. Ramsey
er.
Mr.. Reusser was graduated from
the Biblical Seminary this year with
cum laude recognition. He is the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Reusser
of Williamsport.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Fashion Show To Contrast
54 Styles With Yesteryear

Charles Co. and Geiger & Diller.
Mems styles will be modelled as
well as women's.
A feature of the program will
be several numbers by . vocal
trio including Misses Irlene and
Miriam Gierman and Wilma Jorg.
Eleanor Wismer will accompany
on the chapel organ.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

Mr.. Garmatter was carpenter
contractor for many years and has
constructed many Bluffton area
homes. For the last 10 years he has
operated lumber yard on Elm
street.
In addition to his wife, he is sur
vived by daughters, Mrs. Violet Mos
er, Mrs. Dorothy Houts, Mrs. Ruth
Strahm, all of Button; son, Mark,
Wilmington, Del; sisters, Mrs.
Dwight Deeds, Lima; Mrs. Vernon
.Burkholder, Columbus Grove; broth
Continued on Page 12)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

students who have transferred here
from other colleges. This compares
with seven transfers last year.
Accounting for the drop in total
registration despite the increase in
new students, was an unusually heavy
number of upperclass drop-outs this
year. The armed services claimed
some of the upperclassmen; others
have turned to attractive job opnpr-
tunities.
Dale Dickey, director of admiss
sions, noted that the official registra1
ton figure whichAwill not be ayails
able for another week, could easily
vary five students NE way er an
other. Last year the aHy unofficial
count set the enrol1Ment at 220
whereas the later offic A. enrolment
reacAed 225a :
Tue freshmen were introduced to
.camn1 Nfe h various orientation
hgogrAms Aince last Friday and with
thSNheb of NQper class ''big brothers
and bse sisters"
1 Highlighting the Freshman Week
Aogram was the Freshmen Banquet
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Some improvements
Already Made, Town
Council Is Told
Company Urges Reports
Of Undue Waits For
Operators Answer

Assurance that the Bluffton Tele-
phone Co. is taking steps to do every
thing possible to provide more satis-
factory service for Bluffton patrons
was voiced at meeting of municipal
council Tuesday night by Frank
Quatman, executive of the utility.
In explaining moves by the compa-
ny toward improvements in service
locally, Quatman listed the following
developments:
IA seventh toll line now Is
being added to improve long dis
ance service.
Changes are being made in
the Lima switchboards also to i'm
prove long distance calls.
3-Improvements are being
made to the local switchboards
TO insure more prompt response
by the operator When local sub
scribers wish to make calls. ~
4-Work on outside lineA locAl
ly is completed to the extentNthN
they are in the best conditionNjA
many years.
In addition to these improvements
either completed or under way, Quat-
man also assured council that the
telephone company is willing to in
stall here an outside public telephone
booth, available for use "a hours
daily, providing the town will furnish
only a location and the lights. All
other costs of installation and service
would be paid by the telephone
company, he said.
Admitting that long distance serv-
ice had been poor at peak load per-
iods during the day because of in
sufficient lines, the telephone repre-
sentative said surveys showed that
addition of the seventh trunk and
changes now being made in Lima
headquarters will adequately handle
Bluffton's toll demands.
In the future the maximum waiting
period on long distance call should
be no more than 10 to Is minutes
providing the line is not busy con-
stantly at the other end, he said.
1t was the opinion of the telephone
company that there was no wide
spread patron dissatisfaction with
delays involved in contracting the OPP
orator, particularly after completing
one call and then attempting to con-
tact the operator again.
In the past this could have been
true in some cases, he said, due to
faulty switchboard equipment, which
however is now being replaced as the
result of an inspection made here a
few weeks back by representative
of the public utilities commission.
Ask Trouble Reports
Should there be delays in the future
in establishing contact with the op-
orator, telephone officials asked that
a report be made Immediately by
telephone to the trouble clerk so that
a proper investigation can be made.
Proper reporting of such instances
will serve to indicate to telephone of
ficials if there are certain periods
during the day when the number of
operators on duty are insufficient.
In addition to making the report
Continued on Page 12)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

Harvey Bauman, board president.
He pointed out that removal of the
office from the abandoned power
plant building will eliminate the ne
cessity of installing a costly heating
system.
The only part of the plant which
will be heated will be the shop, which
can be warmed with coal stove
whenever there is need for men to
be working in it, Bauman pointed
out. 1t also is the plan of the board
to install stove in the garage.
In addition to economizing on op-
erations by eliminating the need of a
heating system for the plant, the
board presented to council new
salary schedule for board employees.
It provides a salary for working
superintendent of $325 monthly; OPP
orator of the sewage disposal plant,
5000 monthly; assistant operator,
1886 monthly; skilled labor, $3.50
monthly; office clerk, $3.50 monthly,
and common labor, s1.25 to S1.50 per
hour.
Previously when the board operat-
ed the power plant in addition to
sewage disposal and water depart
ments the non-working superintend-
ent's salary was $40 monthly, Bau-
man pointed out.
In the retirement of board of public
affairs employees, Bauman said it is
expected that the working force will
consist of two and one-half men as
signed to the water department and
one and one-half men in the sewage
division. This total of four men will
include the superintendent.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
RaWSon Council
WithdraWS From
Stockyard Squabble

Rawson village council at special
meeting Monday evening officially
withdrew from the controversy be-
tween the Rawson stockyard and
Mrs. William Tooley, neighbor, ov-
er alleged excessive odors and noise
created by the stockyard. Village
Solicitor Fred Eberhart advised coun-
Gil it had no jurisdiction in the issue.
Eberhart gave council his opinion
after Charles Barger, manager of the
yard owned by Ira Moser, stated that
the stockyard was licensed by the
state and had always passed county
health officer inspections.
Unless the stockyard is found in
unsatisfactory condition by official
Inspection the owners may carry on
business as usual, Eberhart said. He
added that council had no village or
dinance governing stockyard opera
tions, the matter is subject to Ohio
statutes, and that council has no con-
troll over the enterprise.
Acting upon this advice, council
adopted motion to table the issue.
Council also further discussed a
proposal to hire a full-time village
employee to perform all village func-
tions such as caring for streets and
sewers, town hall custodianship, snow
removal and care of the village dump.
In addition to these service duties, he
would serve as town marshal.
Council may advertise for bids on
the job since thus far no candidates
have been suggested.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Legion Party
To Honor TICO Score
Veterans Of Korea

More than 40 veterans of the
Korean conflict who have quietly
returned to their civilian pur-
suits in this area have been
invited as honored guests at
Korean Vets Night" at the
Bluffton American Legion Post
3s2 next Monday evening at s
o'clock in the Legion Hall.
Because of incomplete records
available to the post, Command
er Don Corson said that some
veterans many have been over
looked in sending the announce
ments. They are asked to come
and bring their veteran friends
for a good time.
Merle Brady, District III CON-
mander, of Van Vert, will be
the principal speaker of1he &C
hing. A program of movies and
other entertainment is planned
Refreshments will be served.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital dur
ing the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Kenneth Mccullough,
Pandora, boy, Randall G., born last
Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Myron Ripley, Find
lay, a girl, Jennifer Ann, born Sat-
urday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Brown
(Juanita Strunk), Bluffton, a boy,
Emery Frank, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gresencis Valesques,
McComb, boy, Ricky, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joe Harris, Bluffton,
boy, John Kent, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. James West, Bluff
ton, boy, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Cook, Pandora,
a boy, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Norman Lugibihl,
Downey, Calf, a girl, born Monday.
Mr.. Lugibihl is the son of Mrs. VIM.
Lugibihl of North Lawn Avenue.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
TOtUn Billed $4,000
For Legal Services

Legal assistance of City Solicitor
John Romey in connection with the
new municipal s580,000 sewage dis
posal system cost the town $1,000,
according to bill presented to mum
icipal council Tuesday night.
Romey's charge for services above
the $3.50 yearly retainer salary COW
cred more than two years of work
embracing ordinances, preparation of
easements, title searches and the cost
of clerical assistance.
Also involved in the billing was
the complicated easement and dam
age suit cases involving the Myron
Motter farm.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

sponsored by the student council with
DR.. Robert Kreider, Dave Tice, Mar
ion Keeney and George Bailey on the
planning committee.
Earl Campbell and M'Della Will
liams headed this years "big brother
and big sister" program.
Tonight, Thursday, the all-college
formal reception at Sis will bring
tie \entirs student body together
FOR the first time. The an
nual get-acs csuainted event, sponsored
by the Studnt Christian association,
will be held the Stauffer Memorial
room in Founders hall.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

The committee included Anthony
Bowers, prosecuting attorney, Cpl.
Fender of the highway patrol, Sheriff
Clay Cotterman and County Engi-
neer Hobart Mummaugh.
Before the signs can be erected,
the commissioners must approve all
or parts of the recommendations.
This action, according to Mr.. Stauf-
fer, had not been taken up until noon
Tuesday.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16

Saturday attended by members of the
student council, SEA cabinet and
faculty; the SEA retreat atkthe site
of the proposed new college cabin; an
all-college sing on MoElaay, @hN a
skit introducing student orgaaiza-
tions and aetivitiesA on Tuesday.
The entire orientation program was
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION

Inspector A. T. Garlock of the
Lima office of the State Highway
Patrol will inspect the Bluffton high
school buses at the high school build
ing, Monday, September 20. At the
same time school bus drivers will be
given safety pamphlets covering pas
senger safety rules and regulations.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-09-16
BPA Moving Office To Town Hall
AS Part OF Program To EcOnomKe

Office of the board of public affairs will be moved later this
the chamber thereby eliminating need to in
stall heating system in the municipality owned plant
building decided meeting of council Tuesday night
Request that the board be permitted to the council
office during the coming made by