Looking Back
Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News
100 YEARS AGO, MARCH 16, 1921
Little Miss Josephine Motter favored the Daily News with a visit and proudly exhibited two tiny grasshoppers that she had captured and imprisoned in a glass jar. She says that three of the insects were caught at her home about on the flower plants. Miss Josephine is positive that these are the first “hoppers” taken this year, but will be glad to hear rom anyone who has made a prior catch.
75 YEARS AGO, MARCH 16, 1946
Fred Harrod, 52, 126 ½ West Auglaize street, succumbed to skull fracture and other injuries received from a fall that occurred early March 13 in the Koneta Hotel. He was a veteran of World War I, being a member of Battalion B, 325 F.A. Mr. Harrod was by trade a salesman.
Harry Kahn and Sam Chrismer, representing Western Ohio Driving Club, were guests at Portland, Indiana, at the annual Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan race horse meeting. Mr. Kahn and Mr. Chrismer were fortunate in securing 22 head of horses for the harness racing, which begins Decoration Day, May 30, until June 8. His racing will be held under the lights.
What do you need for a night of romance—just a girl, a moon, and a car.
A girl that is sweet, shy, and discreet, a moon that beams forth from afar.
A car that is dressed in only the best, with grille guards and fog lights of chrome,
A vanity mirror, a jeweled knob to steer, and a compass to guide you back home.
Natured provided the beautiful moon, for the girl you just do your best—
But when you’ve acquired the moon and the girl, come to Moore’s and get all the rest.
MOORE’S AUTO DOLL-UP Dept., 108 W. Auglaize, Main 1841
50 YEARS AGO, MARCH 16, 1971
Two still-active Auglaize Street merchants and one retired will be honored at an informal koffee klatch this morning from 10 to 10:30. Wilbur Nagel of Nagel Electric and Roy Bauer of Piel’s Clothing Store, along with Herman Piel, retired, will be recognized by their many well wishes and friends at this time. Everyone is invited to drop in and say hello.
The first juvenile in Auglaize County found in possession of an illegal drug has been committed by the Juvenile Court to the Ohio Youth Commission on a permanent surrender. There has been much talk and many rumors to the effect that the Sheriff’s Department and the local police departments throughout Auglaize County have had numerous drug cases but nothing has been done about it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some eight weeks ago, a 16 year old Wapakoneta boy who is a sophomore in a local high school went to a teenage dance spot known as the “Other Place” in Mercer County, where it is rumored drugs are used and sold by many. This boy, whom we shall call “John” for the purposes of this report, took one LSD pill before arriving at the Other Place and after a spat with his girl friend took an additional six speed pills. This resulted in an OD (overdose) and John was taken to St. Rita’s Hospital by some of his friends…..his guardian visited Sheriff Knoch about this matter to see what could be done about closing the Other Place because of what happened to John. A couple of days later John visited Sheriff Knoch, related this incident and some others to him and sought help in his drug abuse….sherff Knoch and Judge Shaw were of the opinion that John was still suffering from the effects of his overdose some five days later. He was having problems in school and was what the kids call “way out”….within a week Sheriff Knoch came into possession of two pills found in John’s room and upon analysis it was determined they were LSD…JOHN admitted that he always obtained his supply in Allen County and that the pills cost him one dollar each…..john will be taken to the Ohio Youth Commission Juvenile Diagnostic Center in Columbus where he will be tested further to determine to what type of an institution he will be assigned….there is a great possibility that this boy will return to Wapakoneta after his stay at some Ohio Youth Commission institution and if his name had been published as being a drug abuser it would be most difficult for him to return to Wapakoneta and to school. Because of the hope we have of saving this boy and making a useful citizen out of him in the future we do not splash his name in the newspaper. If any one desires to know the name of this boy, it will begiven by personal contact with Judge Shaw.
25 YEARS AGO, MARCH 16, 1996
Timothy Burkhart, a member of Buckland Boy Scout Troop 73 under Scout Master David Krites, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The troop is sponsored by the Buckland United Church of Christ. Burkhart’s Eagle Project required him to plan, raise funds, and supervise the work to be done. He chose as his project to paint and install handicapped rails in the restrooms at Fort Amanda State Park.