125 Years
March 25, 1899
If the voters were to decide in favor of the city building our own electric light plant, it would be three years before the plant could be made available for lighting the city, as the city has a contract with the present company to supply light for that length of time yet. Another important question for voters to consider is whether it is advisable to add $25,000 additional bonded debt to our present indebtedness, when we are paying taxes at the rate of $3.46 on the $100.
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Quite a number of counterfeit dollars and half dollars have been passed in Sidney during the past few days. Businessmen should keep a careful watch for them.
100 Years
March 25, 1924
With the breaking of ground yesterday for the proposed Dorothy Love Presbyterian Home for the Aged at the Russell farm, northwest of the city, the erection of the homes will now be pushed rapidly to completion. The ceremony yesterday afternoon was simple but very impressive with Herbert J. Johnson, of Troy, president of the board of trustees, in charge. Among those attending the ceremonies was Rev. Robert McCaslin, who was pastor of the Sidney church for many years. He is now past 90 years of age.
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Arrangements are being made for a special Arbor Day celebration to be held at Shelby County Children’s Home. Prof. H.A. Hartman will be the speaker with music to be furnished by the Home children and the popular Sidney Kiwanis quartet, composed of Homer Crusey, H.L. Bland, Fred Dull and M.B. McKee.
75 Years
March 25, 1949
The Sidney Bus Center is moving to its new location at 114 East North Street from 122 North Main Avenue where it has served for five years.
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Historical information on the Sacred Heart Church at McCartyville has come to light with the locating and opening of the cornerstone during present demolition of the church building.
50 Years
March 25, 1974
Yesterday’s bone chilling temperatures broke a 40-year low when the mercury dipped to four degrees at 5:30 a.m.
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Life expectancy for the average resident of Shelby County has reached an all-time high. Expectancy at birth is now 71.1 years, compared with 59.7 years in1930 and 68.2 in 1950. Some 1,440 county men and 2,060 women, equal to 93 per cent of the total population are now in the 65 and over bracket, say Census Bureau figures.
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RUSSIA – Ten students have been inducted into the Russia High School Chapter, National Honor Society: Tina Simmons, Rita Barga, Dorothy DeMange, Joan Francis, Chris Hoehne, Dale Borchers, Nancy Freisthler, Diane Gariety, Elaine Grillot and Deb Koverman.
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Cherry Pie…29 cents. SPOT
25 Years
March 25, 1999
There is a new business consolidation in town. Area Energy and Electric has purchased Gibbs Heating & Air Conditioning. Dave Gibbs and the employees of Gibbs will become new employees of Area. The acquisition will make Area the largest HVAC dealer in the tri-county area.
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Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke Counties has announced the match for the month. It is Mary Rickert, the big sister and Laura Lyons. The pair has been matched for 7 years. Mary Rickert and her husband Gene live on a farm. They have raises several types of animals, including, pot bellied pigs, Llamas, reindeer, and several types of cattle. Laura loves the farm experience.
These news items from past issues of the Sidney Daily News are compiled by the Shelby County Historical Society (937-498-1653) as a public service to the community. Local history on the Internet! www.shelbycountyhistory.org. Visit the Sidney Daily News website, www.sidneydailynews.com to read the rest of the week’s columns.
