Looking Back

Through the pages of the Wapakoneta Daily News

JANUARY 13, 1923

B.F. Minnich, Santa Fe hay dealer, came near losing his life when his Ford coupe skidded on the ice-covered roadway near the George Slater farm at Slater junction, over turned into the ditch and caught fire. The gasoline from the carburetor, spreading to the heated manifold caused the front portion of the machine to catch fire, the flames spreading to the body before Mr. Minnich could extricate himself from the wreck. He hastened to the Slater home for a bucket of water and during his absence the gasoline tank melted down and released a greater quantity of gasoline. The entire vehicle was consumed. It is covered by insurance, Mr. Minnich said.

JANUARY 13, 1948

One birth and seven deaths were recorded in Wapakoneta during December, while the conty total of births and deaths was four, and deaths, 2, according to a report issued by R.C. Hunter, County Health Commissioner. Wapakoneta deaths included Malissa Haines, 91; Gustave Schneider, 71; Barbara Kennedy, 72; Jo Hanne Schrimpf, 82; Carrie Immel, 62; John Sexton, 69; Charles Miller, 82.

St. Joseph High School Sunbeam-new Year’s Resolutions. Margaret Huelskamp has resolved to fill her fountain pen before class starts so as not to cause any confusion. Virginia Moell intends to stop talking. Martha Eisert will getup in the morning when her mother calls, no matter how sleepy she is. Joe Veit resolves to be serious. Ned Kuhn resolves to play better basketball. Barbara Elsass says she will polish her shoes every night before she goes to bed. Helen Madigan intends to stop eating so much candy in study hall. Ruth Tangeman resolves to stay at home two nights a week. Iva Lou Greve has resolved to keep track of her pencil bag.

JANUARY 13, 1972

Knights come from behind to win-defeat Sidney-lehman 73-69. When two rival roundball squads are pitted against each other , the air has an expectation of a close, fast-paced, rigorous contest. Thus, when the Knights of Wapakoneta St. Joseph met the Sidney-lehman Cavaliers their hardwood fray met all of the qualifications of the previously mentioned basketball skirmish. In what is traditionally a shouting contest as well as a cage bout, St. Joseph proved its superiority in both capacities. However, the Cavaliers gave St. Joseph a rough time in both areas, as the Cavaliers emerged as the Knights’ most diligent opposition thus far. St. Joseph scoring was led y Rick Heinl with 18, followed by Fahncke/14, Charlie Street/13, Dan Drexler/12, and Ted Hemleben/11.

Two area youths have been invited to attend the inauguration of President Richard Nixon and Vice-president Spiro Agnew, Dan Howe, son of MM Frederick Howe, 310 Stinebaugh Drive, and Martin Metzger, son of Mrs. Betsy Metzger, 305 Benton street, will be in Washington on January 20 to attend the inaugural ceremony. Dan and Martin have both been invited to attend an inaugural ball, an inaugural concert, plus a program entitled “Our American Heritage,” held at the Smithsonian Institution. They will also attend the inaugural parade.

Dan and Martin have worked with the Committee to Re-elect the President in Wapakoneta and at the Ohio State University where they are both students. Dan and Martin are 1972 gradates of Wapakoneta Senior High School.

Specialist Steven P. Shaffer, 20, was the victim of a shooting incident in Managua, Nicaragua, January 11. He was the son of MM William Shaffer, 602Lima Street. Shaffer and a Nicaraguan National Guardsman were innocent bystanders to an argument among Nicaraguan citizens. Steven enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after his graduation from Wapakoneta High School in May 1971. Arrangements are in charge of Siferd Funeral Home, but are incomplete pending arrival of the deceased’s body.

JANUARY 13, 1998

Dr. David Nielsen was re-elected president of the Auglaize County General Health District’s board of health. Linda Kitzmiller was elected vice president. With the new year, the board also adopted its 1998 permanent appropriations, “We set the permanent appropriations conservatively,” said Kelly Roettger, administrative assistant. Permanent appropriations of $1,460,433.78 were approved. Last year, appropriations were $1,474,437,78. The board established a $75 licensing fee for all tattoo/ body piercing businesses in Auglaize County. An exercise program in the schools was also discussed. Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland will be conducted in New Knoxville, New Bremen, Minster, Waynesfield, Wapakoneta, and St. Marys schools in conjunction with indoor walking at each school. The program will end March 31. The board also renewed he medical director’s contract for one year. Dr. Dwight Becker is currently the medical director.