Looking Back Through the pages of the
Wapakoneta Daily News
100 YEARS AGO, APRIL 26, 1922
⬛ Tennis Time is Here. Tennis Rackets. We have a very large assortment at prices ranging from $1.50 to $10.00. Racket cases, presses, tennis balls, etc. Baseball Goods—we are Spalding agents—a full line of gloves, mitts, batts, balls, etc. Anderson’s Central Drug Store. Eat Anderson’s Special Ice Cream—“it’s Better”
75 YEARS AGO, APRIL 26, 1947
⬛ Bringing their week-long celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of Eagledom in Wapakoneta to a close, the Fraternal Order of Eagles transferred the scene of activities to the Elks Home, where a class of 17 candidates was initiated. John Bennett of Waynesfield was the newest Eagle in Wapakoneta and believed the oldest in the world. Mr. Bennett, born on May 11, 1845, is past grand commander of the GAR in Ohio, and has been accorded honors by the Masonic fraternity. He had frequently ben a visitor in the Eagles club and expressed his desire to become a member only recently.
⬛ Kirby Helmlinger, an employee of the Telephone Service Co., jumped the gun on the early birds this year with the discovery of the season’s first mushrooms in the alley between Idle’s Beauty Salon and Herwig’s Drug Store. Dr. Alfred Veit, long time “first” in the mushroom hunt, lost out this year when illness confined him to his home last week. Helmlinger, collected six of the delicacies.
⬛ Oscar Raberding, Auglaize County prosecuting attorney, reported to authorities the theft of his 1938 Chevrolet coupe, which disappeared from South Chestnut street, St. Marys, The car carried no insurance, it was revealed by officials.
50 YEARS AGO, APRIL 26, 1972
⬛ Doris Weber has heard from Dan Porter of the Ohio Historical Society regarding the donation the 1947 class of Blume High (Neil’s class) wishes to make to the museum. Porter told her that the money could best be used for helping defray the cost of planting shrubbery along the main entrance walkway from the parking lot to the Museum entrance, but that no plaque could be placed in the Museum attesting to the fact. However, he said that a plaque would be given the class which Doris added could be placed in WHS building. A meeting will be held May 1, 7:30 pm in the First National Bank’s Community Room at which time a final decision will be made. All members of the class re urged to attend. The 25th reunion will be held around dedication time, she said.
⬛ Neil denies report that he will serve as President Nixon’s campaign manager in Ohio. This rumor was categorially denied by Public Relations Director of the University of Cincinnati after the Wapakoneta Daily News attempts to talk with Armstrong failed. The University of Cincinnati quoted Neil as saying,” I cannot think where any such report could have been made because it simply isn’t true.” The rumor appeared in the Presidential Countdown column for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate.
⬛ We received a letter that Jim Kent wrote to the county commissioners April 19. He wrote in part: “I am writing you as a concerned citizen of Wapakoneta as to what our community may do to solve the Blackhoof Street bridge situation. The closing of this bridge has constituted a traffic hazard in the detouring of traffic through the parking lot and remaining available routes. This summer, children on bicycles attempting to get to the swimming pool will definitely be in danger. With the coming election. I know may people in our area would be much influenced if they felt that some type of action could be institute to open his main artery throughout town. I there anything that we citizens can do to help the officials responsible to get this project started?” R.C. Wiesenmayer, president of the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce, also received a copy of this letter. To date, Jim hasn’t heard anything from with the commissioners or Wiesenmayer.
25 YEARS AGO, APRIL 26, 1997
⬛ A Special Event at the Brick Place—boyds Bears and Friends announces a Royal Visit from Prince Hamalot our first time ever!!! Special Event Piece for 1997. Prince Hamalot will be available on May 2, 3, and 4 at the Brick Place, 202 W. Auglaize St.
⬛ If Wapakoneta’s new recreation director has his way, the city can expect to see a large influx in organized sporting activities in years to come. Jack Hayzlett, recently selected by Wapak Recreation, Inc., to take the newly created recreation director position, is a Wapakoneta native who spent 15 years in Columbus before moving back to town about a year ago, Hayzlett said the direction his new position will take is one that will be determined as time goes on and by the direction Wapak Recreation takes.