davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Eagle Creek
Church Begins
Expansion Move

An extensive expansion pro-
gram involving additions to the
front and rear and deepening of
the basement is under way this
winter at the Eagle Creek Church
of the Brethren located on Route
80, east of New Stark.
Bluffton builders, Klay and
Amstutz, who recently completed
an addition to the First Mission
ary church, Bluffton, have the
Eagle Creek church contract.
The front addition is II by "a
feet and will provide space for a
new entrance, a nursery room,
small all-purpose room and jani-
tor supply and pump room in the
basement. Exterior of the new
front will be of sandstone veneer.
AT the rear a IL by 30 foot addi-
ton will provide a new Sunday
School classroom and rear en-
trance to the basement.
The old basement floor is being
lowered 80 inches and an ac-
coustic tile ceiling installed. The
completed project will provide a
large IS by 25-foot fellowship
room and a completely new
kitchen.
A new baptistry is also being
constructed.
The plans were prepared by
Niles Miller, Findlay architect.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Census Takers
Will Find 1920
Growth Locally

Census takers who will swarm
down on Bluffton early next year
will find growth of 10 percent
or more, according to an unoff-
cial census prepared early this
year by. the Lima Association OF
Commerce.
Buttons 1850 population of
2,423 had jumped to the unoffi-
cial mark of 2,671 early this year.
This is an increase of 248 and a
boost of more than 600 from the
1910 census of 2,035.
Surprising growth has char
acterized Beaverdam during the
past decade, as its population
has leaped a spectacular 81 per-
cert, from 45O to, 594.
The unofficial figures show
Bluffton still holds its place as
third in the county. behind Lima
(56.0O0) and Delphos (7,173) and
wel ahead of Spencerville u, ,993)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Winter PrOUes
Its Identity
With q Chill

Winter sneaked into town
early Tuesday morning.
bringing with 1t the seasons
coolest day to show its power.
The thermometer dipped to
nine above zero, tying the
low mark which was set on
November I8. The slow slide
TO nine above marked a de-
parture from totally unsea-
sonable temperatures earlier
in the month, with the ther-
mometer climbing as high as
81 on December 16.
Snow, which has been pill
ing up and disappearing at a
record rate, will set a new
record if the winter Is as
snowy as the fall. Sundays
fall of 1.6 inches brought the
total for the season to 1873
inches. If this pace continues
IL will eclipse the old record
for total snow fall during a
single winter.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Bulldogs Picked To Regain
Carnival CrOaUn From Pirates

been an in-and-out offense which
yields points only occasionally.
They hit their i1igh-water mark
last week end when they scored
So points against Spencerville but
the highest total of the year to
be racked up against their de-
fenSe. Starters Buck Schiffke
and George Burkholder were
benched for the Spencerville
match, but their performance in
reserve rolls may have won new
recognition for both of them.
Pandora Gilboa, slowly i'm
proving, finally broke into the
win column by easing past OF
toville last Friday night. Like the
Pirates, their problem is putting
the ball through the basket with
more frequency. Rol Etter, Dale
Basinger and Mike Meinke have
done perhaps the most of their
meager scoring.
A prediction from The Bluffton
News? Certainly. Columbus
Grove to win their fourth Carni-
val and break a four year dry
spell. Bluffton win defeat Pan
dora Gilboa on Wednesday af-
ter losing to Cory Rawson
again on Tuesday night.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
What Happened to White Christmas?
Only One Here in the Past Decade

snow; 1921, no snow; 1922, trace
of snow; 1923, no snow.
1924, five inches; 1925, one
inch; 1926, three inches; 1927,
no snow; 1923, one inch; 1929,
five inches; 1880, no snow; 1881,
no snow; 1882, no snow; 1888, no
snow; 1884, three inches; 1885,
eight inches; 1896, no snow;
1887, no snow; 1888, no snow.
1889, trace of snow; 1870, no
snow; l941, no snow; 1912, two
inches; 1943, no snow; 1914, sew
en- inches; 1945, two inches; 1916,
two inches; 1947, two inches;
1913, no snow; 1949, no snow;
1860, six inches; 1851, trace of
snow, sleet; 1852, trace of snow;
1853, no snow; 1854, no snow;
1855, no snow; 1856, one inch;
1857, no snow; 1858, no snow.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Physicians Offices
Closed Saturday

Bluffton physicians have joined
several local business firms in
announcing that their offices
would be closed the day after
Christmas to permit them to en-
joy the long weekend holiday.
Among business firms which
have announced the Saturday
closing are Steinman Bros. Lum-
Der Co., the Master Feed Mill,
and Farmers Grain Company.
All downtown retail stores will
be open as usual Saturday, sew
eral announcing that year-end
sales will begin on that day.
The Citizens National Bank
will remain open this afternoon,
Thursday, until 2 p. m. instead
of closing at the customary noon
hour.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
1860 Baby Derby
Will Cover II
Mile Radius

Rules governing the annual
Baby Derby sponsored by the
Bluffton Business Mems associa-
ton were released this week. In
charge of the program are DR..
B. w. Travis, DR.. Howard Shell
ly and DR.. F. D. Rodabaugh.
A shower of awards, contribut-
ed by many members Of the
Bluffton Business Mems associa-
ton, awaits the first baby of the
new decade 10 be born in Bluff
ton Community hospital.
The mother must reside within
II mile radius of the local hos
pital, or she may be a regular
patient of any physician living in
Bluffton or on Bluffton rural
routes who has been previously
scheduled to come to the local
hospital for delivery.
These limitations are broad
but necessary since the Business
Mems association sponsors the
program to show their apprecia-
ton to the people of our trade
area" Gene Benroth, Business
Mems secretary, said.
Last years winner was Alan
Titus, son of Mr.. and Mrs. By
ron Titus, Lafayette.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24

Traditional and popular White
Christmas seems to be slowly
slipping over the horizon in the
Bluffton area.
Only one really white Christ
mas has been recorded during
the 1950s and that one, a fine
six inch blanket, came during the
opening year of the decade, A
one inch snowfall graccd The
area on December 25, 1856, but
came SO late in the evening Fhat
practically every one WITH
wishful interest in white Christ
mas had already retired to their
beds to dream of the next year.
The law of averages and the
odds both favor white Christ
mas. Snow, or trace OF snow'
has fallen 26 times in the past 40
years. The almost complete
drought of the past 10 years
also points up the long overdue
need for a white Christmas.
Weather of every type has
marked Christmas in this area.
A snowy, icy cold Christmas is
quite likely to be followed by
almost spring-like weather the
following year.
Temperatures have covered a
range of 75 degrees, from the
low 12 below zero in 1924, to the
balmy high of 63 in 1910. A
roaring IL inch blizzard hit the
area in 1916, by far the heaviest
snowfall since records were kept
in this area.
Other heavy Christmas snow
falls have been eight inches IN
1885, seven inches in 1914, 1917
and 1914 and six inches in 1850.
The 48-year record of Christ
mas SHOWS is: 1911, no snow;
1912, no snow; 1913, trace of
snow, 1914, seven inches; 1915,
three inches; 1916, IL inches;
1917, seven inches; 1918, trace OF
snow; 1919, one inch; 1920, no
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Farmers Produce
Has New Location
On S. Main St.

4! Farmers PruA luce has moved
10 a new loca sn on S. MAR
street foIlowing nearly IA year.
at their old location at 322 N.
Main.
The new location is in the barn
at the rear Of owner Clayton
Harkness's residence at 321 S.
Main street. The barn has beeQ
completely remodeled to accomo-
date the cream, egg and poultry
pickup business operated by Mr..
Hardness.
He has been in the produce
field in Bluffton for the past %
years, with the exception of over
two years spent in the Navy dur
ing World War II.
He came here in 1887 as man.
ager of the Gray and White
company's Bluffton store, which
was then located where Pats
Barber Shop now does business.
Mr.. Harkness operated the busi-
ness there until 1943 when he
was called to the Navy.
After his return he opened
Farmers Produce at its N. Main
street location in January, 1916.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
"Santa's House" Wins Top Prize
For Weisses in Lighting Contest

"Santa's House" portrayed
with Santa departing from the
lawn in his sleigh while his wife
awaits him seated beside the
fireplace, won first place in the
Jaycee outdoor Christmas light
ing contest for Mr.. and Mrs. AL
dine Weiss of Riley street.
The awards were announced
Tuesday evening following deci-
sions by the judging committee
consisting of Russell Brooke,
Dean Nonnamaker, Morris Gro
man and the Rev. James Helm
niger.
Second prize was awarded to
the Swan Stonehills on East Elm
street for their colorful red, white
and blue display of a large star
over a gaily lighted television
tower. The lights also outlined
the entire front of the house.
A Christmas greeting in lights
at the Alan McCluer home on
East Jefferson street received
the third award. Santa was shown
in his sleigh before the colorful-
ly Illuminated shrubbery and
house carrying a sign, Seasons S
Greetings from the McCluers.
The prizes were $500, $3.50
and $500 merchandise certifi-
Gates provided through courtesy
of the Bluffton Junior Chamber
of Commerce and the Greding
hardware store. The Certificates
are all redeepable in merchan-
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
One-Way Street
Passes Again

Proposal to make Campus
Drive a one-way street around
Ropp hall passed OH second read
ing by a 81 vote at Tuesday
evenings council meeting. Pas
sage one more time will make il
effective and give Bluffton its
first one-way street.
Councilman Charles Hankish
Jr., again cast the lone negative
vote. He suggested setting up a
no parking zone, rather than l.
600 feet of one-way street.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Insurance Agency
To Change Hands
Here January 4

Paul M. King, who has repre-
sented the Nationwide Insurance
Co. in Bluffton for the past three
years, will step up to a district
managers post and has transfer.
red the local agency to Bruce
Shelly, effective January 4.
Mr.. King will undertake pro-
gram of training at company
headquarters and then do field
training before being assigned to
his own district office. 1t has not
been determined which office he
will head, but it is thought that
it will be one within a 50-mile
radius of Bluffton.
In entering the insurance busi-
ness here, King succeeded Her
bert Traucht, who took a SIM
liar advancement in Bellefon-
taine.
AS present vice president of
the Business Mems association,
Mr.. King would have assumed
the presidency next year, if he
had remained in the community.
Mr.. Shelly is a Bluffton col
lege graduate of the Class of 81.
He is the son of the Rev. and
Mrs. Wilmer Shelly of Bluffton.
He is presently employed in the
accounting department of the
Ohio Oil company, and will leave
that position to take over the
local agency.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Stone Go.
Buys Farm
Near Quarry

Expansion plans of the Bluff
ton Stone company were outlined
this week following the disclosure
that the company has acquired a
58-acre farm from Miss Rhoda
Matter and Mrs. Marie Craig.
A small housing subdivision,
expansion of the quarry and a
new quarry access road are in
cluded in plans outlined by Her
bert Conrad, manager of the
Stone company.
The Matter farm is located at
the corner of Bentley road and
Harmon road in the southwest
corner of Bluffton and adjoins
the present quarry property.
Seven acres between Harmon
road and the Nickel Plate rail-
road Will be Subdivided into
building lots, Mr.. Conrad said.
Another IL acres, lying in a
strip between the Nickel Plate
railroad and route 25 viii be
used for expanding the stone
quarry. An access road win be
built in this strip, running from
the present quarry to the Bent
ly road. This will enable many
quarry trucks to come and 90
without bucking traffic on village
streets, Mr., Conrad said.
The remaining 40 acres Of the
purchase lies on the south side
of Route 25, across from the
present quarry.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24

need for practice. Each service
requires a half hour or more OF
practice several evenings of the
week.
In August of 1856 Mr.. Hauen-
stein was honored by the con-
gregation for his long service as
church organist. A small plaque
was attached to the organ COM
memorating his record.
Always modest, he has request
ed that no special recognition be
given Sunday as he leaves the
organ console.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
65- Year Service
Ending for O1ganist

Sixty-five years as Presbyteri-
an church organist will be con-
cluded Sunday morning at wor-
ship service when Edgar Hauen-
stein plays the chords of his last
postlude as official organist.
The 82-year-old Bluffton drug
gist began his services to the
church as youngster in the sixth
grade. The congregation felt at
that young age, he was capable
of playing its reed organ for Sun
day services.
Edgar had been persuaded ear
lier to take up the organ by B. F.
Biery, who was head of the Sun
day school at the time. He stud
led on the church's reed organ,
and has seen the church add
another reed organ then switch
to the pipe organ, donated in
1919 by Mr.. and Mrs. N. w. Gun
ningham.
Mr.. HauenStein and c. A. Biery
studied pipe organ together after
installation of the new instru-
ment, and they have alternated
at the keyboard for the past 40
years.
During his 65 years as a church
musician, Mr.. HauenStein has
played the piano or the organ in
every church in the community
as his services came into wide
demand.
Even with his years of expert
ence, he has still not escaped the
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24

public employees and Board oil
Public Affairs members sudden
ly entered the meeting.
Noting with satisfaction that
many of the men who combined
to give him the gift were former
pupils of his during his 19 year
term as superintendent OF
schools, Mr.. Longsdorf also
thanked all of them for the Co
operation they had given him
curing his term in office.
IF a few of the nice things
said about me during the pas
two weeks are ule, I'll consider
myself well paid,p he said.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
Births

The following births were re-
corded at Bluffton Community
hospital during the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Woodrow Little,
Bluffton, a boy, William Jay,
born Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Huffman,
Bluffton, a girl, Merry Christine,
born Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charlie Gil
breath, Harrod, a girl, born
Monday. ',
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24

disc at the hardware store.
Honorable mention was award
ed to Maynard Geiger for his un-
usual "black light" illumination
of two evergreens in his front
yard, and to the angelic front
porch of the Gene Benroths.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
MdsOns To Attend
Church on Sundau

Members of the Bluffton Ma
sonic lodge will attend church
as a group Sunday morning at
st. Johns United Church of
Christ, one of the two yearly OBJ
servance's of st. Johns Day.
The men will meet at the
church at 10:30 a. m. for the
10 0:45 services, John Gilbert, mas
ter of the Bluffton lodge, has an
nounced.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
NYC Closes It's
Arlington Depot

The New York Central Lines
has closed its express office and
depot at Arlington. Express and
freight is being handled at the
Findlay depot.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
PLOT ANNEXED

Annexation of a small plot on
Geiger street belonging to Albert
Finn was approved at Tuesday
evenings council meeting.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1959-12-24
May Require Tax To Finance
Beaverdam Water Construction
Bond Firm,
Making Study

Beaverdam council has author
lied Cincinnati investment
house to prepare tentative con-
tracts for users of the proposed
municipal water system.
April /, 1860 has been set as
the target for preparation of con-
tracts and completion of survey
by the company.
"We should know long before
then whether this project will
work." Robert J. Brink, repre-
senting Charles A. Hinsch and
Company, Inc, told the council.
Mr.. Brink also recommended
financing the proposed system
through a combination of mort
gage revenue bonds and general
obligations bonds or property as
sessments. This would be a big
step away from the councils
original hopes of financing the
water system from revenue
alone. U
To Prepare Survey
Hinsch and Company will pre-
pare a survey which will show
what monthly rates should be
charged, the type of financing
the village should use and the
minimum number of users the
water system must have to be
profitable.
If they find the project is not
workable they will report this to
the council. Acceptance of this
company means they will be
given first chance to purchase
mortgage revenue bonds at an
interest rate to be set later when
the method of financing has been
chosen.
If the project is considered
unavoidable and is dropped there
will be no charge to Beaverdam
for preparing the survey, Mr..
Brink said.
How To Pay?
Issue of general obligation
bonds or property assessments
to carry part of the costs seems
necessary, Mr.. Brink said. Either
of these would require a vote of
approval from the village. A fav-
orable vote on these bonds would
also make it easier for Bea-
verdam to market mortgage
revenue bonds and could mean a
lower interest rate for these.
i Consulting engineer Francis
Corners pointed out the councils
early decision to finance the
whole project through revenue
from the utility.
Mr.. Brink countered that Bea-
verdam is "a borderline situa-
ton" Their proposal will receive
better attention from financial
institutions if it is not based
completely on revenue bonds |
from such a small water system.
"Beaverdam has possibilities,
but it will take time, thought and
work." the bonding representa-
tive concluded.
A preliminary survey shows |
178 prospective users of a village |
water system. Usually between
70 and 80 percent of the potential
customers will sign for a water |
system, Mr.. Brink said. This
would mean that Beaverdam
could expect from 125 to 142 to
sign options to subscribe to the
system.
Financial firms will be far
more favorable if the village can
produce the top figure when
(See Water, p. 12)
Evening star., 1959-06-25

EASToVER SHOPPING
CENTER
Indian Head I'd. al D, G. LIRS
KEkSIkGToN, ND.
ais KsnslRgtsn-W wheaton nd.
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
1909 Mt. VsFHon Avenue
WASHINGTON
1871 Savannah Street Sc.
1853 PenRsyIVsnia Ave. Sc.
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
Here, There and Everywhere
By SIG DECREE

Globe: It is a fact not generally known, we presume, that no PreSi- dent of the United States, who had sons, was ever re-elected-Wash- intgon, Jefferson, Madison, Mon roe ,and Jackson, had no sons, and were reelected. John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Van Buren, Harrison and Tyler had sons and were not reelected (Ed. note: Times have changed since then, luckily)
 Hunters should not be confused when they read that the hunting season on Elks begins October 1.
 Hunting should be confined to the four legged variety which are to be found in the wilds, not those here for the convention. A shake of the hand would be more in order.
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
Letter to the Editor

Kodiak is a nice little town. Pic turesque, quaint, sleepy, dull stagnate. Right now it seems to be a town without future. Even the young people going outside to school refuse to come back. Why?
 Kodiak has nothing to offer them, or anb0dy else for that mat ter. It can't even support what is aiready here, and that dSn't much.
 It has no market to entice out side interests. It has no worthwhile tourist attraction except an over sized, coWardly bear that reekS of -'otten salmon.
 Let's face it. If the fish run con- tlnueS to fail, and if the Navy moves away, Kodiak may well be- come a ghost town remembered
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
By Their Deeds Ye Shall Know Them"

We particularly enjoy welcom- I1g the group of Elks who will be our guests next week.
 The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a comparatively old and certainly an honorable or ganization with record of good works and charitable deeds in its past that is almost staggering.
 This is the first State ElkS As SOciation convention - the organ ization as it standss.today embraces the whole of Alaska. Conceived some twelve years ago, the. group started with three organizations. It now has twelve, and one more to come.
 FF'' ~7-e'>o not concerned with is history. We are instead offer ing 2 salute to an organization whose iniluence is felt in every community and throughout the State.
 'By their deeds ye shall know them. ."-So says the Scriptures. Nothing that could be said of the Efks is truer than that.
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26

The Grand Lodge of the B.P.O.E. is made up of common, everyday man-dtS membership from every walk of life. It breaches and prac- ticeS Charity.
 The State ElkS Association brings hope and new life to the little Cerebral Palsy victims throughout the state; it assists the young boy by sponsoring Boy Scout work in the various com munitieS;'it encourages the young student by awarding scholarships; -. Aj3lSrs the boy and girl in per- iods O. recreation; and many, many more
 It is frs. and foremost an Am erican organization dedicated to loyalty to our country
 Is it any wonder we in Kodiak are proud to host this fine group.
 ElkS-May you accomplish the good you have set for yourselves at bhis convention. And may you enjoy yourselves in your moments of relaxaton-May we assist you. Call on us.
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
KODIAK MIRROR
only in history books.

This situation has but two al ternativeS. Do nothing until. the town dies-or create something imaginative that will put Kodiak on the map. I suggest that some thing is this:
 Let's turn Kodiak into the show place, the play place of all Alaska.
 Let's make it wide-open, gut busting town where anything goes except murder and mayhem.
 Let's turn it into Little Reno with all the bright, gay luStinesS that can be mustered.
 People need a place to blow off steam. Let's give it to them right here in Kodiak, with all the bawdy free-wheeling that made Alaska famous.
 Let the hard noses on the main land keep their mid Victorian blue laws over there-as long as they spend their money over here They will, too, by the hundreds, maybe thousands.
 Outside help? There will be an overflow of it once the town an- nOunces it's intentions to the world. Kodiak is an ideal place for such an adventure. The possibilities are limited only by imagination. So what are you waiting for?
 ROBERT CASKEY
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
Thomas CarroI
 Renamed To Post

Brigadier General Thomas P. Carol, 40 year old Silver Star hero of World War II, was renamed ad- jutant general of Alaska earlier this week.
 The appointment by Gov. Will liam A. Egan placed Carol at the head of the States Department of Military Affairs, activated stimuli taneOusly with the reappointment as adjutant general.
 Carrol thus heads the States IT, 700-member National Guard. He is the son of Mrs. Charles Edris of this City.
Kodiak mirror., 1959-09-26
E gan Orders Study

JUNEAU -LRD- The A.5 k4 lt- torney General has been direc9e to review the relationship betw. en other state governments ana state employee unions. The study, or dered in the wake of efforts to organize Alaska state emp oyees, was directed by Egan.