Looking Back
Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News
MARCH 7, 1923
■ Preliminary work in clearing the ground for the new Wahrer Garage, corner of Park and Main streets, was started by workmen Monday morning. The old building, across Park Street, which was owned by Charles Puetz, and which is being remodeled into a strictly modern warehouse, drove a lot of rats from their homes, and now, as the other old buildings are being torn down, rats are scampering in every direction.
■ Plans are being made for the construction of an oil filling station on West Auglaize street, near the intersection of Pearl street.
MARCH 7, 1948
■ More about the fire in the storage building at the rear of the 200 block of East Auglaize Street….
■ Suffering the largest loss was the Standard Churn Company, which, according to Wendell Spear, firm manager, had approximately 40,000 glass containers stored in the building. He stated a “rough” estimate of loss might be $20,000. He said he hoped that more containers could be obtained so that production of churns would not be interrupted. He added that the company had some containers at the plant.
■ Gamble’s store, 103 East Auglaize street, stored stokers and shingles in the building and reports from the store indicated the loss might reach $12,000.
■ The George Wehner Tin and Plumbing Shop was located in the storage barn. Mr. Wehner said he had recently purchased some new equipment and that this was badly damaged. He said some may be salvaged. He estimated his loss at between $4000 and $5000.
■ Herb Seitz, who soon plans to start a new bakery in Wapakoneta on Blackhoof street, reported he had equipment stored in the building and added that his loss might reach $5000.
■ Bernard Oen, who owned the storage building, reported that his own personal loss might hit $4,000. In the building, he reported, was some furniture which he had planned to place in his new house, which is being erected at Mechanic and Court streets. He also reported he lost several tires and a large number of tools in the blaze. A large truck, owned by Oen, was driven away from the fire and was not damaged.
■ Rev. Fr. Ernst, CPPS, of St. Joseph’s church, reported the church recently had placed some organ parts in the building and they were damaged. Loss probably will amount to $75, he added.
■ A 1935 sedan owned by Raymond Frazier was destroyed.
■ Chief Foos called out his off-duty firemen and for several hours all city firemen were on the scene. Clouds of smoke came ut of the debris as late as 9 am the day of the fire (which had started at 2:40 am) and around 2:30 pm firemen were again called to the scene as the fire flared up again. Later reports indicated that fire broke out again as late as 10 pm, but quickly burned out. Men in the surrounding neighborhood formed a bucket brigade in order to save garages. All of the garages were saved. The building, which was about 44 years old, was about 100 by 100 feet. The alarm was turned into fire department headquarters by an East Mechanic resident who looked out of her window and saw flames sweeping from the storage building.
MARCH 7, 1973
■ Knights defeat New Bremen, 79-41Now on to District Play
■ Game time for the St. Joseph-Lincolnview fray, to be played at Shawnee High School gymnasium tonight, has been changed to 7 pm, Thomas Goheen, high school principal, announced.