Looking Back Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News
100 YEARS AGO, DECEMBER 22, 1920
Prepare for Zero Weather and No Gas— We have a limited number of two and four hole Laundry Stoves…$ 9 and up. Two and three burner Kerogas coal oil ranges, burns 400 gal. of air to 1 gal. of common coal oil--$ 20 and up , Laurel 20th century coal heating stoves are fuel savers. The fire pot is guaranteed for five years--$ 28 and up. We have a full line of electrical fixtures and supplies. Plumbing and Heating. Kolter & craft. Opposite Hotel Steinberg. Phone 94.
75 YEARS AGO, DECEMBER 22, 1945
Corporal Robert Wahrer, Jr., is at the home of his parents, MM Robert Wahrer, Sr., West Pearl Street, after receiving his discharge from the service at the Separation Center, Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Cpl. Wahrer is a veteran of three and one half years with the 263rd Medical Battalion with 2 years overseas service in New Guinea, Neonnoor, Biak, Philippines and Japan.
Carl Sawmiller, coxswain of the Seabees, U. S. Navy, called his parents. MM A. W. Sawmiller, southwest of Wapakoneta, by telephone from San Francisco. He had just arrived from a 20- months’ stay in the South Pacific seas. He will be home on December 29 for a 35 day furlough visit, he told his mother.
Robert Snyder telephoned his wife from Seattle, Washington, where his ship had arrived, after a journey across the Pacific. Bob was safe and well, he told his wife, Mrs. Ann Snyder, chief clerk of the rationing board. He wired his parents, MM Lewis Snyder, East Benton Street, saying that he will be home after Christmas.
T- 5 Mark Winget is home from Thayer General Hospital, Nashville. He is visiting his mother, Mrs. Mildred Winget. On a 20- day furlough. Upon his return he will report to Northington General Hospital, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Discharged from the naval service on December 16 at the U. s Naval Personnel Separation center, Great Lakes, Illinois, was Dallas Knoch.
50 YEARS AGO, DECEMBER 22, 1970
NOTICE: As of January 1, Streaker’s Incorporated will terminate sales and service at its Wapakoneta, Ohio Store. Due to a duplication of a very costly inventory of parts, we feel that we can be of better service to our customers by carrying a more complete stock of parts at our Minster store. Mr. Tee Burgoon will still be our salesman for the area and can be reached at his residence here in Wapakoneta.
With a variety of trouble and bad luck dogging him most of the day, Benny Joe Hughes finally arrived home safe and sound last weekend. Benny, 20, son of MM Charles Hughes, 311 South Street, was a Spec. 4 with the US Army Engineers in Vietnam. He had served his tour of duty here and had competed his enlistment in the Army. He was ready to come home and resume his role as a civilian. Eagerly awaiting to start his journey homeward, he was notified that the plane that was to take him from Vietnam had crashed. Boarding another, he arrived safely in Oakland, California. While making his stopover here, he decided to stow his gear in a locker in the terminal, on his return to the locker, he found that all his personal belongings , including Christmas presents for family and relatives, wee gone. Apparently someone had a duplicate key. He board the plane to complete his journey to Vandalia Airport where he was met by his parents, who then brought him to Wapakoneta To all darkness, there some a dawn, and things brightened for Benny. Upon his arrival home he was greeted with a surprise welcoming home party.
Roy Pitchford, of the WDN’S composing room, received word recently that his brother, James Pitchford, was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Winter Garden, Florida, Jaycees. He was also elected president of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce. James is owned of a chain of supermarkets in the area.
25 YEARS AGO, DECEMBER 22, 1995
Wapakoneta High School senior Chad Gibson has been nominated by U. S. Senator Mike Dewine for admission to the United States Air Force Academy. Nominees will begin their four year course of study in 1996. Gibson was one of some 55 nominees statewide. “I am pleased to nominate these young Ohioans for academy positions, and I am proud of their commitment to service this great nation,” stated Dewine.