The Bluffton news. [volume], July 25, 1940, Image 2

About The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current

Image provided by: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

                
PAGE TWO
Daniel Goble, First Postmaster,
Received Yearly Salary
Of $15
Net Receipts of Bluffton Post
Office in 1841 were $28,
Records Show
First Post Office Opened Here
In 1837 Town In Putnam County
Bluffton’s first post office was es
tablished within four years after the
first settler, Joseph Deford, came
here in 1833, according to John E.
Lamiell, director of the division of
international postal service, who rep
resented the post office department
of laying of the corner stone for
Bluffton’s new federal building last
Sunday afternoon.
Lamiell obtained his information
relatives to the early history of pos
tal service in Bluffton from records
of the post office department
Opened July 20, 1837, the first post
office here was known as Croghan,
Putnam county. That name was
given in honor of Col. George Crog
han who so ably defended Fort
Stephenson, Fremont, in the war of
1812.
In Allen County
On May 7, 1852, the post office of
Croghan was changed from Putnam
to Allen county when the territorial
makeup of counties in this area was
revised.
Another change came on August
17, 1861, when the citizens of the
town voted to change its name from
Shannon to Bluffton. Thereafter the
Times change—and so do ideas in
corner stones, it is explained by Wm.
W. Cooke, construction engineer who
is the inspector representing the fed
eral government in the building of
Bluffton’s new post office.
She was a little woman—barely
noticed among the crowds that milled
about the corner stone at the post
office building Sunday afternoon
after the program was over—but she
smiled bravely and carefully replaced
a tinq box in her purse and turned
away. It was just another of life’s
disappointments.
The woman was Mrs. J. E. Orch
ard of Lima whose father, John
Martin, was a Bluffton postmaster
in the early days. She arrived here
early Sunday afternoon w'ith a small
CEE the new 1940 G-E
the refrigerator with
Conditioned Air! From the
great General Electric Re
search Laboratories have
come advancements that
make this the mo st complete,
the most thrifty G-E refriger
ator ever built. Yet G-E prices
go even lower for 19401
Come in and see it! __
1
post office was known by name it
still bears.
In 1861, Bluffton was on what was
known as Route 1659 from Findlay
to Lima. Mail was brought here
once a week by the contractor-car
rier, Jacob Rosenberg, of Findlay.
High Postage
Times Change—And So Do Ideas
In Corner Stones, Engineer Says
Corner stones are no longer heavy
cubic pieces of granite with a recept
acle cut therein to hold archives and
mementos. Present day corner stones
are slabs, usually Indiana limestone
Postage rates at that time were
as follows: “For every letter com
posed of a single sheet of paper,
weighing less than one ounce, con
veyed not exceeding 30 miles, six
cents from 30 to 80 miles, 10 cents
from 80 to 150 miles, 12 *4 cents
from 150 to 400 miles, 18’4 cents
over 400 miles, 25 cfents.”
Earliest available records of post
office compensation in Bluffton shows
that the postmaster, Daniel S. Goble,
received $15.08 for the fiscal year,
1939. Net receipts for the fiscal
year of 1841 were $28.68, and the
postmaster received $15.17.
In contrast, postal receipts in 1910
were $5,788 for 1920, $8,889 for
1930, $14,534 and for 1939, $25,949.
Rural Route in
1901
Rural delivery service from the
Bluffton post office was established
Sept. 2, 1901, with one carrier. He
received $500 a year. City delivery
service was established April 1, 1927.
In addition to the first recorded
postmaster, Daniel S. Goble, the fol
lowing have served:
Erastus Thompson, William Mc
Dermitt, Miles W. Vance, Jacob
Moser, Robert D. Murray, Abraham
Long, Andrew’ Hauenstein, Edwin
Edsall, John Martin, M. G. Smith.
William P. Bentley, John H. Pat
terson, Henry L. Romey, Russell B.
Day, George H. Lewis, Gideon
Locher, M. M. Murray, and Edward
R. Reichenbach, incumbent.
bearing a suitable inscription at the
back of w’hich, embedded in the wall
is a receptacle containing documents
to be preserved.
Daughter Of Early Postmaster
Comes Too Late With Memento
The corner stone of Bluffton’s post
office building is an Ohio sandstone
quarried near Lorain. Although of
a grayish cast it is known to the
trade as buff sandstone. Its di
mensions are three feet in length,
one foot 11 inches in height and four
inches in thickness.
box containing a thimble which had
belonged to her father, a harness
maker by trade.
She had intended to place it in
the corner stone as a memorial to
her father and was disappointed to
learn that the copper box containing
the various mementos had been
sealed on Saturday night.
“You see, the thimble is of no
value to anyone but me—and I have
no one to leave it to”, she explained,
“and I thought it would be nice to
put it in the corner stone of the
post office here”.
See GE!
and you’ll see the difference
New 1940 General Electric
k
Refrigerator
NEW GoldStorage Compartment.
NEV Air Filler. NEV Humi
dial. NEV Stainless Steel Super
Freezer. NEW Stainless Steel
Sliding Shelves. NEV Beauti
fully Styled, All-Steel Cabinet.
Sealed-in-Steel G-E Thrift Unit
famous around the world for
quiet, low-cost operation, en
during economy and lone life.
Richard Bixel
GENERAL ELECTRIC
ZALESKI STATE PARK
Ohio’s newest State Forest for
mally opens this Spring.
It is the 22,400-acre Zaleski
Forest, near Zeleski, Ohio. There
has been a 3,400-acre Zaleski
State Forest since 1932. Recently
the Government added 19,000
acres, in which were built the
park facilities. The recreational
area is near Hope on State Route
278, in N. E. Vinton County, with
Ranger headquarters at Zaleski,
Ohio.
There are 14 attractive vacation
cabins. All have running water,
electric lights, modern plumbing,
window screens, kerosene stoves,
ice boxes, cooking utensils, dishes,
bedding and linens. Groceries,
kerosene and ice may be obtained
at the caretaker’s lodge. Each
’cabin is equipped with a shower
bath and has normal sleeping ac
commodations for four people,
though as many as eight are al
lowed. Rental rates are set ac
cording to a sliding scale based
upon the number of occupants and
the period of rental. Weekly
rates for small cabins start at
$20.00 per week for two persons
with $2.00 added per week for
Declaring that the power of
Gandhi in India is greater than that
of any world dictator, Harold Fey,
associate editor of Christian Century
magazine, Friday night addressed a
public meeting closing a six-day
state-wide peace conference on the
Bluffton college campus.
Approximately 100 delegates -were
here for the meeting arranged by
the Fellowship of Reconciliation, with
which Don Smucker and Rev. Carl
Landis, both formerly of Bluffton,
are affiliated. Smucker and Landis
each appeared on the program as
speakers.
Fey has recently returned from an
extended tour thru the Orient, and
his talk dealt with conditions in the
Far East.
Gandhi is Powerful
Violence has been shunned by
Gandhi, and yet his civil disobedience
program has been the greatest prob
lem ever faced by the British em
pire. His power is the greatest
force in India today, the speaker
said, and India’s future depends up
on his decision.
His great following was attracted
principally due to the fact that he
became one of the lower class, lived
with them and grasped a broad un
derstanding of their problems.
In commenting on the Chino-Japan
ese war, Fey said that if the former
did not have the forces of Nipon to
contend with they would be fighting
each other.
China Disorganized
Russia has been hard at work
spreading the theories of communism
in China, and sentiment between con
flicting forces has been at a boiling
point for several years.
The Japanese threat, however, has
served to unite communistic and
anti-communistic forces against the
invader, but even now clashes be
tween the two Chinese groups some
times occur.
In sections of China which ha/e
been conquered by Japan, civil dis
obedience similar to that of Gandhi’s
has been used effectively, and it in
some ways is a question if Japan
can control the areas efficiently.
Chinese Starve
Japan’s goal has been to uite the
yellow race against the whites, but
the program is not very popular with
Chinese because of the war the Nip
ponese have been waging on them.
Conditions are deplorable in
Shanghai where half of the people
who die are found dead on the
streets, Fey declared. Starvation is
prevalent since the price of rice has
increased approximately six times
because of the blockade and because
of profiteering.
Starving Chinese comb the ruins
of the city for scrap iron which they
sell to the Japanese to use in mak
ing armaments for waging war on
other Chinese. It is the only way
they can eke out an existence, he
said.
Tired
of War
In Japan the common man is grow
ing tired of the war, but despite
that the country is ready to fight
should the United States attempt to
become receiver in bankruptcy for
the Dutch East Indies and other
European possessions in that quarter.
THE BLUFFTON NEWS, BLUFFTON, OHIO
BLUFFTON’S MAIL CAME ONCE A WEEK IN DAYS BEFORE THE WAR
STATE PARKS
each additional occupant. Rates
for large cabins start at $22.00 per
week for two persons and an in
creased charge of $3.00 per week
is made for each additional per
son.
Application for the cabins
should be made to the Zaleski
Forest Ranger, Zaleski, Ohio, or
to the Division of Forestry, Woos
ter, Ohio.
The cabins, themselves, are lo
cated on forest-covered hills, close
by a 120-acre lake which has been
plentifully stocked with fish. On
the shore of the lake is a bath
house, 92x40 feet, with diving
boards built to Olympic specifi
cations.
For those who wish to visit the
park for a swim, or a day’s outing,
there are tables and fireplaces for
picnic use scattered throughout
the area.
Zaleski Forest derives its name
from Peter F. Zaleski, a Paris
banker of Polish extraction, who
organized the Zaleski Mining
Company in the early 1850’s.
On one of the hilltops overlook
ing the surrounding countryside
Zaleski Castle was built, a pre-
Japan Brooks No Interference
In Far East, Says Peace Speaker
Japan also wants French Indo-China
and is bending every effort to get it.
Since the outbreak of the Chino
Japanese war, the cost of living in
Japan has mounted 64 per cent and
"wages have increased only 34 per
cent. A cotton shirt which would
sell for $1 here would bring $4.50
in Japan.
The common people are those suf
fering from the war because the
government has first claim on all
products for war materials. Second
preference is to those manufacturing
goods for export to obtain foreign
exchange for money to finance the
war. This leaves little for domestic
consumption.
Christian Degeneration
Fey also assailed the degeneration
of the Christian faith in Japan. Due
to government pressure, most of the
church sects now operating on the
island have made concession after
concession to the national religion of
Shintoism.
Japanese Christians can be seen at
pagan shrines because it is the pa
triotic thing to do, and Christian
church operation is rigidly con
trolled.
For example songs which hail God
as “Lord of Lords and King of
Kings” must be censored because the
statement conflicts with the Japan
ese Shinto belief that the Emperor
is of divine descent and is supreme.
Totalitarianism will not survive in
this world, the speaker declared, be
cause it is not human nature for the
residents of any country to perman
ently conform to its theories and
modes of operation.
Flood Of Business
Deluge Flag Makers
Flags are at a ^premium in the
United States at the present, it was
learned when placing orders for
patriotic colors to decorate the down
town area during ceremonies inci
dental to laying of the cornerstone
for Bluffton’s new’ post office last
Sunday.
Firms which make our country’s
flags are from four to six weeks be
hind ord rs, local purchasers were
told, and there w’as quite a bit of
trouble in obtaining all the flags
needed for the celebration.
Recent patriotic trends and the na
tional defense program are credited
with the increased demands for flags
thruout the entire country.
‘Up-Side Down’ Girl Wed
Alyce Jane McHenry, who was op
erated on for an “upside-down”
stomach when she was 10, is now a
normal married woman still in her
’teens
Melville D. Soash, M. D.
The Commercial Bank Bldg.
Bluffton, Ohio
X-RAY FLUOROSCOPE
Telephone 254-W
MUNSON R. BIXEL, M.D.
Office Hours: 8:30-10 A. M.
1-3 P. M. 7-8 P. M.
Office, 118 Cherry St.
Phone 120-F Bluffton, O.
ZALESKI A
STATE FOREST
MC ARTHUR
COURTESY-THS STANDARD oil co. (OHIO)
tentious brick house made of
bricks which were molded by
hand and fired in a little kiln in
a pit near the new Zaleski school.
In spite of his preparations for
making this his home, Zaleski
never came to Ohio but remained
in Europe.
The State Park is built around
the nearly 100-year-old Zaleski
holdings.
W. L. Stouffer Dies
At North Baltimore
Wilson L. Stouffer, 67, prominent
North Baltimore merchant and fath
er of Mrs. Charles Montgomery of
Orange tow’nship, died in the Findlay
hospital Monday morning. Death
w’as due to complications and his con
dition had been critical for the past
three months.
Funeral services were held at his
home in North Baltimore, Wednesday
afternoon with Rev. Rufus Rings,
pastor of the Lutheran church offi
ciating. Burial w’as at North Balti
more.
Besides a large department store
which he developed from his fathers’
small hardware busness, Mr. Stouf
fer was an extensive landholder and
at the time of his death owned
thirty-eight farms in Hancock and
Wood counties.
He was a native of North Balti
more, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Stouffer. He was married to Lillie
E. Welch and later to Almeda Spit
ler. Mrs. Montgomery is a daugh
ter by the first union. Besides his
daughter he is survived by two
grandchildren, Charles Wilson Mont
gomery and Sue Montgomery.
Oliver Optic
Oliver Optic was the pseudonym
of William Taylor Adams, who
wrote 126 novels for young people
and over a thousand newspaper
stories.
Look at this—
Ladies
gypsy
with
arch.
$3.50 inow
white oxford,
last, medium heel
special built-in
Regular price
Shinti
Exhaustive investigation is made
of every employe hired in the large
airplane factories on the west coast,
according to a letter written to The
Bluffton News by A. T. Worthington,
former Bluffton movie proprietor.
The letter follows:
“Here we are, way out West, and
in the airplane business up to our
ears. They have four or five big
airplane factories here, all expanding
constantly. I am working at the
Douglas Santa Monica plant, which
has 18,000 employes.
“They surely are strict on hiring
men—birth certificate, interviews, re
ferences, finger prints, photographs,
physical examination, including eyes,
teeth and throat. They furnish you
with a badge with a number on it,
also an identification card with your
picture on it. You must carry both
all the time.
“There are F. B. I. men and cops
everywhere, and they constantly
check everything in sight. I hope
they don’t fall down on the job. It’s
really a wonderful thing to find prac
tically all the employees are Ameri
can citizens.
“This surely has been wonderful
Part of the evolution of one of
America’s oldest magazines can be
traced thru three old copies of “The
Deliniator” brought to the office of
The Bluffton News this week by Mrs.
John Biome, of North Main street.
Issued in 1885, 1897 and 1906, the
magazines were owned by Mrs.
Biome’s mother, Mrs. Tine McGriff,
from whom she obtained them.
In the April, 1885, issue of 80
pages, printed in black and white,
everything is devoted to ladies fash
ions and w’ith the exception of a
few’ pages on children’s clothing.
Former Ojl Field
Worker Succumbs
Kerw’in Stratton, 67, formerly em
ployed in the oil field near Bluffton
died in Tiffin, Sunday where he had
resided for the past several years.
He was the son of Harry and Har
riet Stratton and formerly lived in
Orange township.
Surviving are his wife, one sister,
Mrs. Harry Morrison of Tulsa, Okla.,
and one brother, Myron Stratton of
Bluffton.
Funeral services w’ere held in Tif
fin, Tuesday afternoon followed by
interment at that place.
Lawn Picnic
A lawn picnic wras enjoyed here
Sunday by staff members of the Day
ton agency of Investors Syndicate
and their wives and families, enter
tained at the G. T. Soldner home on
Cherry street as guests of Mr. Sold
ner who is connected with that or
ganization.
The afternoon, spent informally,
also included talks by several of the
guests followed by an outdoor ham-
Prices Slashed
Big Savings on All White and Sport Footwear.
Footwear for Children, Misses, Women, Boys and Men.
All Summer Footwear Must Go—Nothing Reserved
One-third off from all regular prices here is your
opportunity to save.
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1940
?ederal Men Keep Sharp Eye On
Airplane Plants, Local Man Says
Fashions Of Grandmother’s
Day Shown In Old Magazine
experience, and I get an awful kick
out of it all. The place to me re
sembles a mad house with noise from
all kinds of machines and men. But
it looks from here that we will soon
be ready for Adolf and his wreck
ing crew if they want to come this
way.
“We surely are building some big
planes, and they really are rein
forced. There must be a million
ri’.ets in each plane.
“Have had some great sport fish
ing pulling in Ban-pcuda, Tuna and
Yellowtail. Why fish in Riley creek
when you have an ocean. You can
go out all day for two bucks.
“We attended the America?! Le
bion Fourth of July celebration at
the Coliseum. They had a circus and
fireworks and they really put on a
show for the 73,000 people there.
“Helen and I are both fine and
dandy and send our regards to our
many friends in the old hometown
and don’t forget to come up and see
us some time, or send a card.
“P. S.—If the U. S. A. enters the
!\ar, wire me. It’s safe back in
Bluffton.”
Colorful inserts of the latest styles
in women’s wear are featured in the
March, 1897, magazine.
It has 140 pages, and the inserts
in color are real works of art. Prac
tically all the volume is devoted to
the latest styles for women, but in
the back are two short stories, de
noting the trend to fiction that was
then taking hold.
The August, 1906, magazine also
placed its emphasis on women’s fash
ions, but a great share of the vol-
ume carries fiction, including short
stories and serials. Advertising, also,
is much more prominent.
burger fry.
Present from out of town for the
occasion w’ere:
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lee and son,
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Merritt, Owen
Thompson, A. J. Wosmuth, Mr. and
Mrs. Glen Massman and Miss Helen
Engler all of Dayton and Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Morlock of Piqua.
Other guests were: Grad Clark of
Battle Creek, Mich., and Mr. and Mrs.
Karl Sharpe and daughters Dorothy
and Ruth of Columbus.
Little Boy Blue
More boys than girls have blue
eyes, says the Better Vision In
stitute.
Francis Basinger, D. D. S.
Evan Basinger, D. D. S.
Telephone 271-W
Bluffton, Ohio
D. C. BIXEL, O.D.
GORDON BIXEL, O.D.
Eyesight Specialists
Open. Evenings
Citizens Bank Bldg., Bluffton
Men
savings.
& tiusci
warmest
Now with the
weather of the
coming—is the
buy summer footwear at
summer
time to