Looking Back

100 YEARS AGO, NOVEMBER 2, 1921

Postmaster A.E. Schaffer recently received from the War Department through the postal department the list of Auglaize County deserters checked up during the late war. The list contains the names of two men from the Wapakoneta community and two from the city of St. Marys. The Wapakoneta district men lived, or gave their addresses on Route 1 and 6. Whether intentionally or by accident, the government selected yellow paper on which to print the list. Appropriately selected to say the least. The list also contains information regarding the payment of a reward of $50 for the arrest and delivery of either of the men to the

nearest military station of the United States. Public posting o the notice is required and the list may therefore be

seen and the names ascertained at the postoffice.

A most pleasant and successful affair was the Hallowe-en Ghost party given in the WCI Club rooms under

the auspices of the entertaining committee of the YLS and WCI for the young folks of St. Joseph’s congregation on

October 25. The guests had been asked to come masked as ghosts and quite a large number complied with the request. Even in their spooky attire, the ghosts’ hearts began to flutter when they entered the weird domain, for a lighted skeleton head in a corn shock was the first thing to meet their astonished gaze. Yellow and black ribbons,

pumpkin faces, cats, witches, etc., effectively decorated the Club rooms proper. After the grand march in which they wound in and out of the building in snake-like fashion, they all unmasked and a most merry time was had. Into

a room dimly lighted with pumpkin faces each guest had to go alone and there clasp the clammy hands of a tribe of ghosts. A marshmallow eating contest was the cause of much fun; Albert Kohler won the prize. All formed in a circle, and with flickering lights shedding a mysterious glow over the scene, a guessing contest was held. Miss Betty Bitler was the successful contestant and was awarded a prize. In the spider web game Charles Geen found the

spider, for which he received a prize. Various other games were played and delicious refreshments were served.

October 31 saw the passing from this life of D.U. Shappell, a prominent horse breeder and well-known resident of Auglaize County, at his home six miles north of Wapakoneta on the Hume road. He died from the effects of

tuberculosis at the age of 66 years, 9 months, and 13 days. The name D.U. Shappell is known far and wide in Auglaize County and outside its limits. His activities as a breeder of

high-grade horses created an enviable reputation for him. Particularly did he breed and own fine draft horses, the presence of which at county fairs and their exhibitions almost always meant that they would draw awards. Mr.

Shappell was a large stockholder in the Auglaize Couty Agricultural Society.

75 YEARS AGO, NOVEMBER 2, 1946

Attention, Voters—at the regular council meeting of March 20th of this year, your council passed an ordinance for the installation of parking meters in the congested area of our City, meters to be installed temporary or on a trial

basis. These meters are to operate as follows: for the first 12 minutes, a cost of one cent; for the second 12 minutes, a cost of two cents; and for each additional 12 minutes one cent, up to one hour, when the cost will be five cents. We

believe the only fair way to determine the success or failure of parking meters is to give them a trial….your council asks you to vote for the parking meters. Alden Lucas, 2nd Ward Councilman, Chairman of Parking Meter Committee

50 YEARS AGO, NOVEMBER 2, 1971

Raymond Frank, Route 4, is a retired farmer. At 68, he is retired after years of work on his farm, but retirement is shadowed by the crippling effects of arthritis. Mr. Frank has to have total hip joint replacement of both joins to ensure his being able to walk again. He was…taken to University Hospital, Columbus, for the operation and then discharged because the hospital didn’t have enough

of the type of blood necessary to replace that lost during the operation—b-negative—eight pints. His daughter, Mrs. Barbara Anderosn, also of Rt. 4, is seeking B-negative donors to that the operation can be completed. Mr. Frank

is willing to pay for the blood.

Mac Mcdonald is at it again. This time he is putting on a seafood smorgasbord at the Wapakoneta Country Club on Sunday, 5 to 7 pm, $5 per person. There will

be plenty of shrimp, he promises, and for those who don’t particularly care for seafood, there will be prime rib.

Mrs. William Crawford, 505 E. Mechanic, is working in the Court House, replacing Cora Kettler.

25 YEARS AGO, NOVEMBER 2, 1996

From the smallest Wapakoneta resident to the senior citizen—that’s who organizers say will be served through the passage of the city of Wapakoneta’s Parks and Recreation Levy on November 5. The 1-mill levy, said Rec Levy ’96 chairman Dave Webb, will raise approximately $100,000 per year. The proposed yearly cost for a homeowner with

a house valued at $50,000 would be $15.75. “We asked [the levy committee] to make a wish list of what they would like to see completed at Belcher Park and Veterans’ Memorial Park,” said Webb. Proposed projects included construction of an open shelter house at Belcher Park, as well as a band stand and lighting for security and activities. At Veterans’ Park projects would include a perimeter walking and jogging track. Three open shelter houses, parking lots with handicap spaces, landscaping and trees, 15 park

benches, sidewalks and paths for handicap accessibility, lighting for security and activities, etc.