davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Township Pays LE&L $4,000 TO Bring
Rail Passenger Service Here in 1872

Some towns were born because the
railroad came - while others died
because it didn't and merchants
in many communities fought bitterly
back and forth to make sure the Iron
Horse passed through their own town.
Bluffton was no exception in the
turbulent post-Civil War days when
it became obvious that growth of
towns was in direct proportion to
their railroad connections.
The Lake Erie and Louisville, whihc
still hasn't reached Louisville, had
managed to extend its tracks as far
as Findlay and trains had been run
ming into the Hancock county seat
since March, 1860.
Bluffton and Richland township vot-
ed to appropriate $4,000 to insure the
coming of a railroad, Through the
influence of Senator Calvin Brice, a
prominent Lima lawyer as well as a
politician, a stock company was Or
SdIlLGu W COilIIOl Tic AAlINA'
The new company began consruc-
ton in the spring of 1872 and by fall
Bluffton had her first railroad service.
The Lake Erie and Louisville present
ly became the more honestly named
Lake Erie and Western. 1t was even
tually absorbed in the Nickel Plate
system, which operates it today.
Besides connecting Bluffton with
the industrial world, the railroad also
moved the towns business center
from the banks of Riley creek to the
crown of the Main street hill.
Before the LE&L came to town the
business district was clustered near
Main and Riley streets but when
Judge Eaton donated five acres of
land for the construction of a rail-
road depot on its present site the
(See First Trains. .. d
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital dur.
ing the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert Ballinger,
Lafayette, boy, born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dale Parlette, Bluff
ton, a boy, David Seth, born Aug.
uSt 1.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dean Niswander
Bluffton, son, Thomas Edward
born July 81 at Bluffton Community
hospital.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kenneth Bowyer, q
girl, Teresa Lyn, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. c. Wilson of Rich
mond, Ind, boy, Mark Guy, borr
July Is at the hospital in Richmond
Mrs. Wilson is the former Betty Lape
of Bluffton.
Pvt. First Class and Mrs. Ronald
E. Heldman tMarylin Manges)
Washington, D. c., girl, Linda Jean
born August IL in Washington. Mr.
and Mrs. Raymond Heldman, Rt. #.
and Mr.. and Mrs. Byron Manges, Rt
fl, Bluffton are the grandparents
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Red Cross Life
Saving Courses
Offered at Pool

BlufftOn young people will have
an opportunity to qualify for the
coveted American Red Cross
Senior Life Saving certificate and
the Junior certificate in courses
to be offered beginning August I8
at the Bluffton municipal pool.
The Senior Life Saving course
is Oaea to persons 16 years of age
or over, while the Junior Life
Saving course is open to young
people IL to 16 years of age. Jerry
Kohl, life guard and instructor at
the pool, has been registered by
the Red Cross to give the in.
structiOn.
The senior class will be con.
Quoted from 8 to 10 p. m. in the
evenings, and the junior course
of 13 hours from until ii a. m.
each day.
The life saving classes follow
on the heels of instruction given
this summer to beginner swim
mers, beginner adults, and ad-
Vanced swimmers.
Persons interested in the life
saving certificate classes are
asked to register at the pool.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Blufton's Leading Lady Pilot Enters
Ontmio-BaHama @ Air Race Saturday

Dottie Anderson, .eluffton flying
instructor, who is known throughout
the area for her aerial activities, has
been entered in an international wo-
mems air race Saturday.
Miss Anderson and lone Kiplinger,
Toledo, will pair off the plotting of
a Piper Comanche owned by Walter
R. Crow, Inc, Toledo, in race be-
tween Welland, Ontario, and the Ba-
hama Islands.
Competitors will leave Welland on
August 16 for Ft. Lauderdale, Flori-
da and all the planes in the contest
will leave Ft. Lauderdale for mass
flight to the Bahamas on August 10.
Entries may stop as many times
as they wish and their only course
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14

requirement is that they be spotted
over st. Simon's Island, Georgia.
The flyers will be racing against the
advertised air speed of their planes,
trying to exceed what manufacturers
claim for their products. The team
scoring the biggest plus factor over
manufacturers claims will win the
race.
The plane the two women will be
flying is owned by the Toledo firm,
distributors of Piper products in this
area. Piper products are sold through
the local airport.
Miss Anderson's flying companion
is a registered nurse, who flies only
as hobby.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14

Do Bluffton high school students
lose their sense of values in plans
for extravagant decorations for their
spring proms in the gym and their
commencement week trips to Wash
ington, D. c., and New York?
School Board Member Kenneth Lug
inbuhl told other members of the
board Tuesday evening that he had
received numerous complaints from
parents regarding what they consid-
cred excessive class dues and fees
covering their activities.
Mr.. Luginbuhl said that he was
aware that the students voted on the
fees they are to pay, and that some
of the expense money is raised by
class projects. Parents, however, are
beginning to feel that they are get
ting out of bounds, he said.
A suggestion that the school board
examine the practices of setting the
class dues and trip fees and that
some control be exercised by spon-
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Builders Located, GiUen Green Light
On Alumni Memorial Bell Project

An item in last weeks Bluffton
News concerning a shortage of con-
tractors to handle the task of erect
ing the high school alumni associa-
TONS school bell memorial brought
quick results.
Silas Diller, chairman of the me-
mortal committee, said that the
news article produced several skilled
craftsmen and builders who said they
would be willing to undertake the job.
The result was that a team of
Lazarus Basinger and Ed Good was
employed to proceed with the project.
The green light was given Basinger
and Good after Diller was given final
approval of the memorial plans at
Tuesday evenings board of educa-
ton meeting.
The base on which the bell is to be
mounted will be constructed of con-
crete and brick matching the brick
used on the school building. It will
be located on the south side Of tn
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14

Bluffton football fans will get an
early peek at the 1858 Pirates - and
seven other area high school squads
at the annual preseason preview
which will be held at Harmon field
September 5.
The Pirates are matched against
North Baltimore in the opening game
of the evening. --~ ~
Following in order will be: Nc
c m b Leipsic; Vanlue Col
umbus Grove; and Cory-Rawson
against Pandora-Gilboa.
Each game will be made up of
two eight-minute halves, with five
minutes intermission between each
game.
The first game will begin at 7:30
p. m, Robert Ewing, preView man.
ager, said this week If the preview
should be rained out on Friday it will
be played on Saturday evening.
A new system of rotating the OPP
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Dollar Day Business Hits Peak
Great Grandpa Wins
Pony dt GiUedUGy

Ideal hot and sunny August weather
marked Biuffton Dollar Days last Fri
day and Saturday, and despite the
general slump in business activities,
local cash registers rang up one of
the most successful community sales
events conducted on Main street.
While some merchants reported
that some of the customary larger
sales of household items fell off
slightly, others in soft goods lines and
foods put new record figures on their
account books.
Most Bluffton retailers were happy
with the Dollar Days sale and heaved
sighs of relief as heavy inventories of
summer merchandise were pared.
The early shopper, as usual on Fri
day morning were lined up 20 to 80
persons before some of the stores
opened. Crowds reached their peak
about 1875 a. m. and then slowly
tapered off Friday afternoon, and
there was no grand rush on Saturday
Unusual sales promotions marked
this years event including a pony
give-away at the c. F. Niswander &
Son store. Here, more than 1,480 per-
sons registered, consumed 80 dozen
cookies and 1000 cups of punch
The four-month-old Shetland pony was
won at the drawing Saturday evening
by John Watkins, "a. of Cherry street.
Mr.. Watkins gave his prize to his
three great-grandchildren, Mike, Jeff
and Mark Augsburger, sons of Mr..
and Mrs. Donavin Augsburger of
South Jackson street.
A large rotisserie complete with
electric motor-turned spit, was won
at the Niswander event by Leon ms
keep, Route 1, Lafayette.
At the Fett hardware where it had
been advertised that all children ac-
companied by parents would receive
an ice cream cone, the store was
packed with shoppers. Children were
given tickets redeemable for cones at
the adjacent Lugibihl Newsstand.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14

Proposed abandonment Of passeng-
er service on the Nickel Plate rail-
road reminds local historians of the
clamor aroused here in the 1S60's to
bring a railroad to Bluffton to pro-
vide passenger service for the resi-
dents.
When railroads were first being
built they derived the major share of
their income from passengers and not
from freight far cry from the
modern situation where railroads find
passenger. trains are their biggest Ii
abilities.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Pirates, North Baltimore Clash
In September 5 Preview Opener

ponents in the annual preview in
volving the eight schools is being used
for the first time this year. Oppo-
nentS will be rotated each year I'M
til all schools have met each other
one time.
Mr.. Ewing said the only exceptions
which would be made to this policy
would be if two preview opponents
were also scheduled to meet each
other in an early season game.
Until this year the slate for the
preview was determined by an open
draw before each preview, and il
would have been possible for teams
to meet on two consecutive years.
Perhaps the strongest team in the
eight-team event will be Columbus
Grove, team given a strong chance
to get back on the Northwest confer
ence throne after an absence of sew
eral years.
Most of the other clubs are uncer-
tain quantities. The preview will give
Bluffton fans their first hints as to
the offense which the Pirates might
present this year. Coach Frank Os-
borne is confirmed T-formation
man, but even the strongest T-mar
might be forced to turn elsewhere il
T-quarterback cannot be discovered
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Insurance Plan
Available for
Local Pupils

The Hoosier Casualty company, an
Indianapolis insurance firm, was Sc
lected by the Bluffton Board of Edu-
cation Tuesday evening to provide
the customary blanket school child
accident insurance offered each year
to parents of local school pupils.
The Hoosier policy was approved
upon the recommendation of Superin-
tendent A. B. Murray, who pointed
out that n appeared to be the best
insurance opportunity offered for the
premium paid.
A new feature of this years school
insurance program will be that all
students participating in sports and
any other school activities will be re-
quired to have the coverage or let
ter from parents stating that they
have other insurance or wish to as
sumo all liability themselves.
The board will also require that the
athletic association pay the addition
al insurance premium of Sc on every
high school boy who turns out for
football. This is the only sport not
covered by the $50 policy.
Mr.. Murray and Principal Frank
Mayer recommended the new insur-
ance policy as an outgrowth of sew
eral instances when the athletic as
sociation was held responsible for
large medical bills by parents of
football players who were injured. In
some cases the bills exceeded the
amount of coverage provided by the
insurance carried.
The new football policy insures the
I boys for medical expenses up to $500
for any one injury.
The $3.50 policy covers medical and
! hospital expenses up to $500 plus
80 per cent of the next $500 for
each accident. These expenses may
be the outgrowth of an accident oc-
curing while the child is attending
school and going to and coming from
school, while practicing or participat-
ing in any scheduled school sport or
other activities, while attending or
participating in any activity spon-
sored by the school.
The school will make it clear that
it cannot be held responsible for med
ical bills of any kind, but that in
surance coverage is strongly recon-
| mended.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
new elementary building.

new elementary building.
The heavy bronze bell, which was
salvaged from the 75-year-old build
ing razed three years ago, will be
mounted on the platform. Mr.. Diller
said he hoped it would be possible to
have the metal sand blasted and
cleaned up before placing it on its
permanent platform. A suitable
bronze plaque will be mounted on the
east side of the memorial.
Mr.. Diller noted that his committee
had received an anonymous contri-
button of $40 this week toward the
memorial fund.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14

The title of Buckeye Queen" to
be awarded Bluffton's most beautiful
at the annual picnic of the Bluffton
Business Mems association will not
be cinch. More than 20 candidates
have already entered the community S
first bathing beauty contest to be
held Thursday evening, August q, at
7:3O at the municipal pool at Buck
eye Lake Park.
Judges will have their task cut out
for them in deciding the winner from
among girls entered from Lafayette,
Rawson, Mt. Cory, Beaverdam,
and Williamstown as well as Bluff
ton. The competition is open to girls
residing anywhere within the Bluff
ton trade area. Contestants may reg
lister until midnight Monday at The
Bluffton News and will be sponsored
by various business firms.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
High School Football
PhysicdIs Tuesday

Physical examinations for Bluff
ton high school football candi-
dates will be given Tuesday at
9 a. m. at the high school, coach
Frank Osborne announced this
week.
All candidates, from grades nine
through 12, are requested to be
present at that time.
Equipment will also be distrib-
uted at this meeting. Practices
are scheduled to begin August 20,
the earliest date allowed by
OHSAA rules.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
TAKES POST IN URBANA

Kenneth Markley, who has been
working at Loofbourrow's drug store
while attending pharmacy school at
Ohio Northern university, has accept
ed a post with the Urbana pharmacy
firm of Hatten and Enwright.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
OUer 20 Candidates
Enter Beauty Contest

f. James Szabo and Paul w. Stauf-
fer, co-chairrnen of the program com
mittee, have announced that Mrs.
Janice Murray Millberg, former Miss
Philadelphia of 1850 and candidate in
the famous Miss America contest,
will head the judging committee.
Easter Straker, of the staff of Lima
WIMA-TV will emcee the event.
Contestants will meet at Bluffton' S
elementary school Wednesday eve
ming at o'clock, the night before the
contest, for briefing and instruction
by Mrs. Millberg. Judging will be
based on poise, gracefulness and
attractiveness.
The contest is open to young ladies
Ia years and older, and entrants may
be single or married. The girls will
be presented with gifts by their
sponsoring firm and the contest win
ner will be awarded SIS merchan.
disc certificate and an engraved low,
ing cup from the Business Mems
association.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Planning Commission, Richland
Trustees Meet County Planners
Village Group
Working on New
ZOning Ordinance

The Allen county Master Plan in
relation to Bluffton and Richland
township was explained to local au-
thorities at meeting with the Coun-
ty Planning Commission yesterday
evening in Lima after The Bluffton
News went to press.
The action came on the heels of the
announcement that Bluffton village
solicitor Malcolm Basinger has been
drafting a zoning ordinance for the
local Planning Commission.
Richland township trustees are also
faced with the possibility of institut-
ing zoning regulations in the rural
areas. Trustees have been contacted
by a number of rural residents, ask
ing protection against the establish
ment of "jerry-built residences and
neighborhoods in the rural area"
Trustee Robert Neiswander said
earlier this summer that trustees
would investigate ways under which
the township can be protected under
county regulations.
BlntftoR ZoniRg
Some of the proposed Bluffton zon-
ing ordinance has been drafted, Mr..
BaSinger said, but all of it is subject
to change by the Planning Commis-
sion before they submit it to council.
The new law will be centered on a
plating code to be applied to new
subdivisions which may be added to
the village and on a series of zon-
ing regulations which will apply to
the present situation.
Mr. Basinger emphasized that mo
existing structure or its use can be
changed" through any action of the
village Planning Commission or the
town council. Zoning regulations
would apply only to future building
in the village.
Authority of the Planning Commits
sion and the village council extends
only to the corporation limit and To-
cal officials are hoping to work with
township trustees in projecting zon
ing codes which will not be in con
flick.
Dr. Howard Raid, one of the Plan
ming Commission members, said the
group has been studying the Ohio code
and zoning ordinances of other cities
Hoto Many ZoneSs
The commission has discussed es
tablishing commercial and manufac.
turing zones, single-family and mul.
tiple family residential zones. The
proposed zones would be used to con
troll any new construction or expan
sion of facilities and keep shops anc
stores from encroaching on any pri
marily residential zones.
The plating code under considera
ton would regulate the installation o.
sewers, streets and other public utili
ties to be installed in the village, o.
in sections which hope for anneXa
ton to the village.
Utilities installed would be required
to meet specifications included in the
new plating code before they coult
be accepted or annexed by the village
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
GAY 9O's Contest

A second feature of the evenings
entertainment will be a Gay Nine
ties" bathing beauty contest. Old
fashioned swim suits will be modelled
by both men and women. The winner
of this division will be awarded an
engraved trophy.
A water frolic is also being
arranged between 8:15 and 900 p. m.
under the direction of Bernard
Schiffke, chairman of the recreation
commission, and assisted by the pool
guards.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1958-08-14
Pot Luck Supper

The merchants and their employees
and families, and parents of the con-
testants will enjoy a pot-luck supper
scheduled from $50 until Z 80 prior to
the program. Maurice Fett, general
chairman of the picnic, has announc-
ed that all families attending are re.
uuested to bring hot and cold dish
of food and table service.
(See Contestants Listed, p. 1O)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-13
Resort Forecast

New Jersey and Long Island
beaches-Cloudy with a south
breeze tomorrow, high rs.
Skyline Drive-Partly cloudy
with scattered afternoon thun-
dershowers tomorrow, high 80.
Visibility good.
River Report
tFrom U S Engineersl
Potomac River clear at Harpers
Ferry and clear at Great Falls; Shen-
andoah clear at Harpers Ferry
Temperatures for. Yesterday
Midniaht - 4 Noon - 81
) am ann: - = ) pm. - 80 81
Record Temperatures This Year
Highest, "a. on June IL.
Lowest. 5. on February IL
High and Lev of last "a Hours
High, SO, at 5:35 pm.
Low, 70, at SOB am.
Furnished BY the United states Coast
and Geodetic Survey
Today Tomorrow
High -------- $3.50 am. ga am
Low - d.m. .NO Eli
High - 6:17 pm. 7:06 y m
Low $3.50 leo am. l:4S pm
The Sun and Moon
Rises Sets
Sun, today 5:42am. S35 pm
| Sun. tomorrow 542 am. S35 pm
Moon. today 3:l4 am. $40 pm
| Automobile lishts must be turned on
( one-han hour after sunset.
Precipitation
l Monthly precipitation In inches n
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-13

Tense Murray Snyder was espe-
cially criticized by the Subcom-
mittee. The report presented to
the House by the full Govern
ment Operations Committee
declared:
"Capricious censorship by
the ONCE of the Assistant Sec
rotary of Defense for Public
Affairs has been a major factor
in undermining the military
establishments security sys-
tenn. AS long as arbitrary re-
strictions for reasons of policy
are intermingled without dis
tinction with restrictions for
true security, it is impossible
to expect military and civilian
personnel, the press, the public
or Congress to have respect fol-
the secrecy labels authorized
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-13

partments. The vote was the
closest Of the day-l83-l70.
The House then rebuffed,
1887, an attempt TO dilute
the power Of Congress over
changes In major combantant
functions Of the armed forces,
The third Republican amend
ment went under by q l50-82
vote. 1t sought to bar military
and civilian service chiefs from
taking controversial matters OF
defense recommendations 10
Congress on their own initia-
tive.
Clevenger Move Fails
Finally. the House respected
21l-l92. a move by Representa-
tive Clevenger. Republican Of
Ohio, to return the bill to thu
Armed Services Committee witt
instructions to write in tn,
three defeated amendments.
When the final vote came
Mr.. Clevenger was the onl.
member to oppose the bill.
The key voting yesterday wa
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-13

Republican legislative ma
neuver.
@. o. p. Denies Charge
The setbacks were admin
istered to the President after
angry Democrats charged that
the Republicans had injected
partisan politics" into q ma
tional defense matter.
This charge, which was de-
MED by the Republicans. grew
out Of the heavy White House
generated pressure on Congress
for the Presidents amendments
and from a statement by Rep
resentative Martin of Massa-
chusetts after a @. o. P. caucus
Wednesday night. Mr.. Martin
told newsmen he thought that
IS per cent of the Republican
members would support the
President.
The tip-off vote yesterday
came on the first Republican
amendment. This one sought
to cut out the requirement that
the Defense Secretary exercise
his authority over the three
military departments through
the secretaries of those de-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-13

ment has it been so easy to
substitute secrecy for candor
and to equate suppression with
secrecy"
In a 35-page dissent, Repre-
sentative Hoffman, Republican
of Michigan, accused the SUBJ
committee headed by Repre-
sentative Moss, Democrat OF
California, of being dedicated
to self-serving press-agentry
and its own perpetuation."
Mr.. Hoffman denounced the
subcommittee methods as a
dangerous disregard of secur-
tty problems. He asserted the
subcommittee staff has at
tanned publicity by the gross
est sort of management of the
news" and described the SUBJ
committee report as f1imsy
cryptic and one-sided.
Assistant Secretary of De-