Looking Back
Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News
100 YEARS AGO, APRIL 7, 1921
Attention of the proper authorities is called to the bad repair of the railing on the Harrison Street bridge. The heavy bolts that hold the north rail have rusted off on the west end of the bridge and the rail is just about ready to swing loose. Inasmuch as that particular point is a favorite fishing point there is danger that some one may be left down into the water when the crowd gets large.
Modern House for Sale—new furnace, cellar, toilet and bath, electric lights and gas, garage. Full lot 50 x 150. Newly papered and painted. Everything in good repair. 6 Rooms located at 506 W. Pearl Street. Price $4500. 5% off for cash. The best bargain in Wapakoneta to-day for the price. This property has been renting for $35 per month. Possession given April 15th. City Decorating Store, John V. Purvis, Prop. P.S. The lot is valued at $2000 alone. All street assessments are paid.
What five dollars would buy in March 1920 and at the present time is the subject of a very interesting displayed arranged by Lee Jarvis in the show window of his Cash & Carry grocery, Auglaize street. The display of articles of staple food products which may be bought with a five spot at present leaves little room for doubt that prices have gone down when a comparison is made to the few articles that represented five dollars in 1920. March 1920—10 pounds of sugar and 1 ½ pecks of potatoes. April 2021—10 pounds sugar, 5 pounds beans. 4 pounds rice, 1 pound coffee, 5 boxes of macaroni or spaghetti, 2 cans pork and beans, 1 pound oleomargarine, 1 can salmon, 2 cans peas, 2 cans corn, 5 bars of common soap, 1 box starch, ½ gallon syrup, 1 ½ peck potatoes, 1 box oats, 12-pound sack of flour.
75 YEARS AGO, APRIL 7, 1946
Three new cases of scarlet fever have been reported in Wapakoneta and Auglaize County. The latest victims are Fred Woods, six year old grandson of MM Ray Tussing of Waynesfield, Walter Campbell, 16 year old son of MM W. Campbell of Route 1, Waynesfield, and Stephanie Lynn Gehrlich, three year old daughter of MM F.H. Gehrlich, 815 West Benton Street.
The directors of the Auglaize County Tuberculosis Association met with the following members present: president Lester Blanke, Mrs. Emil George, Ross Downing, Miss Florence Pollitt, Mrs. Pauline Menges, Mrs. Nelle Kohler, Mrs. L.B. Kuhlman, Mrs. J.C. Reichelderfer, Mrs. Theresa Carter, and Carl Hutchens to discuss a program of tuberculosis control legislation as suggested by the director of the Ohio Department of Health. The four-point plant provides Ohio with facilities to fight tuberculosis, which are lacking a the present time.
Military Discharges—donald Gierhart, Uniopolis. Chas. Hawkey, 603 Lima Street. Gunther Christian, 502 W. Pearl. Don Shuler, 103 Logan. Robert Bubp, 406 Lima. Mark Winget, 201 E. Pearl. Richard Selover, Box 108, Uniopolis. Frederick Hobler,102 Park. Gerald Newland. Route 1, Waynesfield. Frederick Fisher, 202 Harrison. Virgil Link, 609 Maple. Irvin Kuhn, 609 W. Pearl. Harold Zwiebel, Route 2. Ralph Fisher, 613 E. Pearl. Robert Catterlin, Route 1, St. Johns. Ned Delong, 501 E. Mechanic. David Disney, 402 Wood, Edwin Harpest, 706 Park. Harry Heinl, 310 W. Silver. Paul Madigan, 103Defiance. Carl Morris, Wapakoneta.
50 YEARS AGO, APRIL 7, 1971
The three year old triplets--david, Diane, and Danny—children of MM Norville Freymuth, Hauss Road, Route 6, have been joined on the farm by triplet lambs recently born there.
The Senior Choir of St. Paul United Church of Christ will present a cantata on Maundy Thursday (April 8) at 8 pm. Soloists will be Mrs. Mildred Jones, Dudley Schuler, and Harold Wheeler. The quartet will be Mrs. Helen Jauert, Mrs. Jones, James Presar, and Schuler. Narrator will be Rev. Lewis Fritz. The cantata is presented under the direction of Mrs. Catherine Fuller, organist and directress.
The Richard Bradings are back from Florida, as are the Riley Hardacres. Riley comes back around this time each year to scout the mushroom areas. Paul Fisher, too, will be out “in the woods” seeking the elusive beauties.
25 YEARS AGO, APRIL 7, 1996
Wapakoneta made it clear that it plans on being a force to be reckoned with in track and field again in 1996. The team swept the boys’ and girls’ meets at the Bath Relays. The boys’ team took the victory by piling up 112.5 points, while the girls achieved 92 points. Pete Lisi led the way for the Wapakoneta boys, winning both the 1600 meter and 800 meter races.