The Bluffton news. [volume], January 09, 1941, Image 2

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

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PAGE TWO
Noah Basinger Outlines History
Of Local Post Offices in
Talk at Dedication
Daniel Goble, First Postmaster,
Received Yearly Salary
Of $15.08
Post Office Here Changed Location
At Slightest Whims Of Postmaster
Bluffton’s first postmaster, Daniel
S. Goble, received the munificent
salary of $15.08 for the fiscal year
1839, according to Noah Basinger,
Bluffton merchant, who traced the
history and development of the local
post office at dedication ceremonies
last Wednesday afternoon.
Earliest available records show
that the net receipts for the year
1841 were $28.68 and the postmaster
received $15.17. In contrast, postal
receipts in 1940 were $27,213.89 as
of December 27,
times more than
ago.
1940, about 1,000
a hundred years
The first post
Croghan, was opened July 20, 1837
when this territory was located in
Putnam county. The name was giv
en in honor of Col. George Croghan
who so ably defended Fort Stephen
son, Fremont, in the war of
office, known as
1812.
Croghan
office of
Putnam
On May 7, 1852, the post
Croghan was changed from
to Allen county when the territorial
makeup of the counties in this area
was revised.
In 1838 the town was named Shan
non and on August 17, 1861 it was
decided by ballot to incorporate the
place and call it Bluffton. The name
of Bluffton was suggested by
Moser and others who had
here from Bluffton, Indiana.
Jacob
moved
estab-
Money order business was
lished at the post office on Septem
ber 9, 1867.
delivery service from the
post office was established
1901 with one carrier who
$50 a month for his serv
City delivery service was es­
Rural
Bluffton
Sept. 2,
received
ices.
tablished April 1, 1927 the office
Awakened interest in stamp col
lecting in increasing amounts has
been evidenced here as a result of
the dedication of Bluffton’s new $80,
000 post office last Wednesday, ac
cording to local postal officials.
Although it is the privilege of a
collector to assemble and arrange his
stamps any way he cares to, it is
well to understand that a lot of
stamps jumbled together in a box is
not a collection of stamps.
When anyone interested in stamps
says a “collection of stamps” he
means any number of stamps, wheth
er a few or a great many, arranged
in an orderly manner in an album
or some other kind of holder. Us
ually what is meant is one stamp of
a kind and the stamp should be the
cleanest and
to be had.
Soiled or
called “space
having had village delivery service
for about ten years prior to that
time.
Moving of Post Office
The speaker then recalled many
amusing circumstances in connection
with the regulation permitting the
postmaster to choose his own site
for conducting the business. In the
late part of the nineteenth century
the post office was located in what
is now Siefield’s bakery
South end residents were
one morning to find that
had disappeared overnight,
revealed that business was being
conducted from the town hall.
Post Office Dedication Increases
Interest In Stamp Collection
most perfect specimen
damaged stamps are
fillers” and while they
are sometimes placed in albums it is
only because a better
specimen is
not obtainable for the moment.
The easiest way to start a collection
is to buy a packet of “all different”
stamps of all the world. The all
different packets can be had in al
most any size. There are packets of
all different stamps containing one
thousand stamps that can be had for
about a dollar. This is large enough
for the younger collector as too
many stamps all at once are liable
to be confusing.
If the collector is a bit older there
are packets of two thousand stamps
for four dollars, three thousand
eight dollars and four thousand for
less than thirteen dollars. These
prices are subject to change, but
they represent the approximate price
one would have to
liable dealer.
All these packets
large number of
pay to any re-
now contain a
unused foreign
Poor relief accounted for the
largest single expenditure by the
Allen county board of commissioners
during 1940, according to a report
released last week.
For relief, the county spent $85,
366.24, of which $32,043.46 was spent
outside of Lima.
During the year, the county had
new, modern sewage disposal plants
installed at the county infirmary and
the children’s home. Cost of the
new plants was $18,823.50. They are
of the latest gravity flow type.
An item appearing on the list of
county expenditures for the first time
in many years was $2,501.63 for the
treatment of 81 persons for preven
tion of rabies.
A total of $24,152.58 was spent by
the board for the cleaning of 30.26
$85,366 Poor Relief Is County’s
Largest Expenditure In Year
however,
surprised
the office
A search
This delighted north end residents
but so incensed the south-enders that
many of them refused to buy stamps
at the local office but bought them
at Lima instead. The postmaster,
however, had connections at the
Lima court house where he sold
enough stamps to balance the reve
nue losses incurred here, the speaker
pointed out.
Changing Locations
The post office throughout the his
tory of the town has occupied many
different locations before finally be
ing located in the present new
structure. Often the basis for the
location of the post office would be
the location of the residence of the
post master who desired proximity
to his place of business, the speaker
continued.
In addition to the first recorded
postmaster, Daniel S. Goble, the fol
lowing have served:
Erastus Thompson, William McDer
mitt, Miles W. Vance, Jacob Moser,
Robert Murray, Abraham Long, An
drew 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 Loch
er, M. M. Murray and Edward R.
Reichenbach, the incumbent.
In concluding his remarks the
speaker noted the pride of the com
munity being reflected in every ma
jor improvement and that the pres
ent structure constituted an addition
al symbol of civil responsibility and
concern.
stamps, but while they are pretty
because they have no cancellation
marks to mar them, the stamp col
lector treasures cancelled stamps
equally. Formerly collectors did not
care for uncancelled stamps becaus?
they were so often counterfeits. In
recent years, however, so many coun
tries have issued stamps of very low
denomination that unused stamps can
be included in even cheap packets.
Many collectors like to specialize
in certain types of stamps, like
“animal” stamps. These are stamps
with pictures of wild animals or birds
as the principal feature of the de
sign. These usually are kept separ
ate from the general collection even
though they include stamps from
many parts of the world.
Another way to keep a continued
interest in stamps is to specialize in
some one country.
Almost any coun­
try will do. A packet of 42 stamps,
for example, from Iceland can be
had for about a dollar and this will
enable him to fill a good proportion
of the pages in his album on Iceland.
An album is an absolute necessity
for any stamp collector. Local col
lectors point out that the “Modern
Album” is generally
best standard album
ner. It has spaces
12,000 stamps, with
tions of stamps.
considered the
for the begin
for more than
5,000 illustra-
In addition to the album the start
ing collector should have stamp
hinges, a perforation gauge, a small
magnifying glass, and other tools of
stamp collecting. Without hinges the
stamps cannot be put in the album
properly.
It is comparatively easy to get
started in this fascinating hobby and
the local post office is constantly se
curing commemorative stamps and
special issues and is always ready
to give help to collectors.
miles of drainage ditches during the
year. Sheep claim payments amount
ed to $2,104.63.
For new typewriters, chairs and
other fixtures for use in county offi
ces, the commissioners spent $2,
090.44.
Harry L. Burgess, chairman of the
board, announced that the year end
ed with all bills paid, and indicated
that the board expected to operate
within the 1941 budget.
News Want-ads bring results.
Melville D. Soash, M. D.
The Commercial Bank Bldg.
Bluffton, Ohio
X-RAY FLUOROSCOPE
Telephone 254-W
Harmoniously blending with the
colonial brick, cast bronze letters are
used in the inscription for the let
tering running the width of the front
part of the building of Bluffton’s
new post office immediately above
the doors.
Bronze, an alloy dating from re
mote antiquity, makes an ideal metal
in this type of ornamental lettering
in that it reflects light, has a rich
golden
rosive.
brown color and is non-cor-
alloy contains nine part of
to one of tin and sometimes
The
copper
has other ingredients which if found
are usually accidental. It is capable
of being worked by casting, a pro
cess little applicable to its compon
ent parts.
Bronze, Good Casting Metal
The casting process
cessful in bronze, its
hardness allowing it
impression of a mould
cate.
is very
density
to take
however
Harry E. Lewis, Lima, a morti
cian, took over the county coroner’s
office from Dr. Burt Hibbard.
One of two Democrats successful
in last fall’s election, Sheriff William
V. Daley, began his second term
an. 6. The only other Democrat
be re-elected was Judge Raymond
Smith who will start a new term
February.
i’J
suc
and
any
deli-
alloy
History first records the
in the celts and dagger blades of
the second city of Troy about 2,500
B. C. Archaeological evidence re-
Six new Allen county officers as
sumed their duties the first of the
year, with one of two Democrats
who survived last November’s Repub
lican landslide succeeding himself.
In the commissioners’ office, Dale
Jennings, of Lima, succeeded Homer
Hilty, of Spencerville and H. T.
Morris, of Sugar Creek township,
succeeded Ralph W. Sigler, of Mon
roe township. Harry L. Burgess is
the carryover member of the board.
All are Republicans.
Hobart Mumaugh, of Lima, suc
ceeded Walter Neidlhart, of Spencer
ville, as Allen county engineer. In
the clerk of court’s office Ernest
Mills, of Lima, replaced J. Leonard
Schnabel, also of Lima.
Six Allen County Men Elected
Last November Assume Offices
on
to
P.
in
Elrose
and Mrs. C. V. Klingler,
Mr.
Merlyn and Howard of Ada were
guests at the Ami Nonnamaker home
Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Fisher spent
Friday forenoon at the
Koontz home. Afternoon
were Mr. and Mrs. Rolland
and Martha.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard
are the parents of
came into their
morning.
Thomas
callers
Koontz
Stratton
son who
Saturday
a little
home
at Olive Branch
Prayer services
Thursday evening.
Mrs. Rilla Marshall, a former resi
dent of this community, died at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Gladys
Rainey in Findlay, Sunday afternoon.
Funeral services Tuesday afternoon
at the Basinger funeral home, Rev.
Paul Zimmerman in charge.
Callers at the M. J. Stratton home
the past week were, John Koch, John
Stratton, Shirley
Myers, Bernard
Nonnamaker, N.
Thomas Koontz.
R. Elzay and
Callers at the C.
W. Klingler home
the past week were Mr. and Mrs.
M. J. Stratton, Miss Flo Stratton, J.
D. Clymer, Mr.
Miss Dorotha
Boutwell, Mrs.
Mrs. Margaret
Mrs. Golda Battles, Mrs. U. M. Mar
quart, Mrs. Fred Marquart daughter
Merilyn, Mrs. Albert Marquart, dau
ghters, Irene and. Treva, Mr. and
Mrs. Russell Elzay daughters Doro
tha and Jo Ann, Mr. and Mrs. Clyne
Warren sons Jimmy, John and Rob-
and Mrs. Mel Long,
Long, Mrs. Ethel
Mildred Triblehorn,
Tongo, of Findlay
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.
For Vigor and Health—
include meat in your menu.
Always ready to serve you.
Bigler Bros.
Fresh and Salt Meats
NEWS. BLUFFTON. OHIO
NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING MARKS BLUFFTON'S PROGRESS
last Bronze Lettering Is Used In
Bluffton Post Office Inscription
veals that several centuries later
the metal was worked into beautiful
pottery, bowls, statuettes and other
decorative pieces.
The daggers, swords and statuettes
of this early period may be viewed
in the Metropolitan museum of New
York. Later it was used consider
ably for large statues because of
its strength and lightness.
Corinthian bronze was said to
have been produced by accident in
the Roman burning of Corinth
when streams of molten copper, gold
and silver fused into the alloy later
known as bronze.
Later the alloy was used for cast
ing the big bells of the towers of the
cathedrals of Europe. These hells
were graceful in outline and usually
had inscriptions and »i amental de
signs on them.
The bell for Big Ben in the West
minster cathedral was cast of
bronze in 1854 and weighs
than 14 tons.
more
for a
where
and
Bronze today is still used
variety of ornamental work
durability, lightness, beauty
non-corrosive qualities are needed in
one metal.
Ray W. Barnett, a Republican,
elected county treasurer, will take
office in September,
ron Dershem.
succeeding By-
as elected to a
prosecutor, and
week. He had
Paul T. Landis v
full term as county
began the term last
been appointed to fill the unexpired
term of Congressman Rebert F.
Jones.
W. F. Failor, a Republican, start
ed his third term as county record
er and L. H. Myers. Republican,
will again serve as representative to
the general assembly.
Crow, elected to his
the Third District Coi
took office on Jan. 6.
a Democrat.
Judge Phil M.
sixth term on
jrt of Appeals,
Judge Crow is
deputy regis
i for the coun­
Endorsements for
trars of motor vehicle
ty, made last week by the Republi
can central committee, included the
name of Clayton C.
ton.
Bixel, of Bluff
Richland town
chief deputy in
Joy K. Huber, of
ship, has been named
the clerk of court’s office.
Mrs. Wade Marshall,
’isner, Mr. and Mrs.
ert, Mr. and 1
Mrs. J. R. Fi: ___, ___ ___
Arthur Nonnamaker, Rodie
Kaye, Mrs. Anna Koontz.
and
Dime Novels Popular
hot
Dime novels are selling “like
cakes,” according to H. A. Schulte,
who owns and operates two rapid
transit station houses in Cleveland.
“I saw great stacks of the old thrill
ers—like ‘Frank Merriwell’s For
tune,’ ‘Jesse James’ and ‘Deadwood
Dick’ and the like—in a second-hand
store,” he said. “I thought I might
be able to sell them—and I was
right!”
Seen and Heard at
Bluffton Post Office
Dedication Ceremonies
New Year’s Day
(Continued from page 1)
ing a memento of the ceremonies by
getting a first run cancellation. En
velopes with the cachet were obtain
able from the employees and many
“Famous
cancella
the pro
to make
used the less common
American” stamps for the
tion. This is in line with
cedure used
their covers
by collectors
more valuable.
bouquets and baskets of
Numerous
flowers, with congratulatory greet
ings attached, added color to the
lobby where they were placed at var
ious points. Flowers were received
by the post office from various civic,
fraternal, business and service organ
izations in the community.
Long familiar to Bluffton audi
ences, Francis Durbin, Bluffton city
solicitor from Lima, rose to ora
torical heights, in outlining details
of obtaining the present structure
for the community and its signifi
cance in American democracy.
Neither of the two living former
post masters were able to attend the
ceremonies,
master
tioning
Gideon
master
was unable to attend on account of
illness. He has been confined to
his home on Cherry street for mote
than a year.
M. M. Murray, post-
from 1924 to 1934, is vaca
in Florida for the winter.
Locher, who served as post
before the Murray regime
Orchids to the members of the
Lions club who were in charge of
the program and who made up the
reception committee and provided
ushers during the entire afternoon.
They were in evidence at all times
conducting patrons through the
building and explaining variouA de
tails of the operation and construc
tion of the post office.
club posed
ceremonies
post office.
Members of the Lions
for a picture after the
on the front steps of the
This will be published in Lions In
ternational monthly magazine.
Many humorous remarks were
heard about the “Swing Room” lo
cated at the rear of the building on
the elevated level. Some thought
the room had something to do with
jazz music until ushers informed
them that in post office parlance this
refers to the room where employees
wait until time for starting work.
Orchids to Dr. C. Henry Smith of
*Bluffton college who presided so cap
ably as master of ceremonies in the
inside program. Bits of humor in
jected here and there during his re
marks kept the program moving
along in lively fashion.
Many congratulations were re
ceived by Postmaster Ed. R. Reich
enbach from people in the commun
ity and out of town postal delega
tios.
Don't forgot Yii
Airmail service of a new kind was
inaugurated at the Bluffton post of
fice at 10:45 a. m. Monday, when a
carrier pigeon was released at the
building and soared into the air, en
route to Cleveland.
The pigeon w’as started on his way
by Robert Potts, of Spring street,
and it carried a message in a band
on its leg to a Cleveland friend of
the Bluffton man.
Raising carrier pigeons is a hobby
of Potts’, and he obtained the bird
released Monday from the Cleveland
Generations yet unborn will be
able to get a picture of the Bluffton
of 1940 from the contents of the
copper box receptacle sealed in the
cornerstone of Bluffton’s new post
office dedicated Wednesday.
In a century from now, or maybe
two, future Blufftonites may open
the box which is placed in a niche
in the wall at the rear of the corner
stone at the southeast corner of the
building fronting South Main street.
Committee in charge of the corner
stone contents was Ralph Stearns,
E. C. Stultz and A. J. B. Longsdorf.
The box was sealed in the corner
stone in ceremonies last July.
The following articles are con
tained in the copper receptacle:
Bible, names of post office officials,
architect, engineer
Pictures Post
Bluffton churches,
industrial concerns.
and contractors,
office building,
public buildings,
Laying of the cornerstone for
Bluffton’s new $80,000 post office last
July 21 will long be remembered by
local residents as one of the most
impressive public events in the his
tory of the town.
Witnessed by a crowd of more
than 2,500 persons, the cornerstone
was put in
prescribed in
the Masonic
work of the
DLUrrTOIN NEWS
SUBSCRIPTION
tJANUARY,
lf ycir ytncw LAEEL on this Issue Reads
YCUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE NOW!
Renew, Your Subscription for the
Coming Year!
Special Club Dates on Newspapers and Magazines
place with ceremonies
the ancient ritual of
order, exemplified in
Bluffton lodge.
With white-plumbed Knights Temp
lar, khaki-clad National Guardsmen
and the Bluffton High school band
in white heading an impressive pa
rade, the cornerstone laying was a
colorful affair. Legionnaires wore
jaunty overseas caps, there were
Lions club members in red coats and
Masonic Blue Lorge members in
white aprons were headed by officers
bearing the age-old symbols of their
order.
Sealed in the cornerstone of the
building was a copper box containing
many items pertaining to the occa
sion and relating to Bluffton in
year 1940.
Appearing on the program
speaking roles were Mayor W.
the
THURSDAY. JAN, 9, 1941
Mail Sent By Carrier Pigeon From
Bluffton Post Office To Cleveland
in
1941
friend, for breeding purposes. Altho
he had the pigeon here two months
he expected it to be in Cleveland
within two hours after its release.
Here Is List Of Contents Contained In
Bluffton Post Office Cornerstone Box
Average speed of carrier pigeons
is 75 miles an hour and with gen
erally fair weather prevailing Mon
day the bird should have been in
Cleveland shortly after the noon
hour.
Potts is a native of Belgium,
where raising pigeons is one of the
principal hobbies. He is an employe
at The Triplett Electrical Instru
ment Co.
Post Office Dedication Recalls
Corner Stone Laying Last July
Roster and History—Bluffton Ma
sonic lodge, Bluffton American Le
gion Post, post office officials and
employees, city officials, board public
affairs, Community hospital board
and staff, Board of education, offi
cials and teachers, Bluffton Federa
tion of Women’s clubs, Bluffton Boy
Scout Troop.
Publications—July 18, 1940 issue
of the Bluffton News Bluffton High
school Cutlass Bluffton college Wit
marsum Lions Club Jungle News
Bluffton College catalogue.
Bluffton’s first air
Envelope from
mail delivery.
Addresses
chairman of the
tion program John E. Lamiel, Can
ton, representing post office depart
ment.
Forrest Steinman,
cornerstone dedica-
List of committees in charge of
cornerstone laying.
Howe, Forrest Steinman, Postmaster
Ed R. Reichenbach, John E. Lamiell,
director of the international postal
service of Washington, and Attorney
Francis W. Durbin. Rev. J. A.
Weed asked the invocation.
Taking part in Masonic ceremonies
were Charles Wilson, deputy grand
master of the Ohio Masonic order
C. G. Coburn, Ralph Stearns, Dr.
B. R. Herring, Charles Aukerman
and Stanley Basinger.
The program was brought to a
close with the benediction by Rev.
H. T. Unruh.
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
Office Hours: 8:30 A. M—5:30 P. M.
7:30 P. M.—8:30 P. M.
Citizens Rank Bldg., Bluffton