125 Years

July 21, 1893

The Sidney firemen are holding their annual picnic at the fairgrounds today. Every member of the company has his wife and little folks with him, and in addition a number of friends have joined them. After dinner the crowd continued to increase until at the time of our going to press there were about 300 present.

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The Sidney Liederkranz Society gave a reception last night for their friends and to show off their recently redecorated home. The affair was well attended with the guests enjoying dancing and refreshments served. The room where this society meets has recently been papered and refurnished, and with the very pretty banner presented by the ladies, makes it as cozy as a parlor.

100 Years

July 21, 1918

Another epoch in the history of St. Michael’s church at Fort Loramie will begin next Sunday at 3:30 p.m., when the big new pipe organ will be blessed with appropriate services. The new organ is a masterpiece of the Wangerin-Weickhardt Co. and was built by Frank Munch. The cost is in the immediate neighborhood of $4,000.

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Otto G. Strahlem, who has been managing the Murphy Five and Ten Cent store at Piqua, has been transferred to the management of the firm’s store in Sidney. C.N. Ketchen, who has been with the store here, is now in charge of the one in Piqua.

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One hundred and five big Packard army tracks passed through Sidney this afternoon about 2 o’clock. They were enroute south. The men ate their dinner near Botkins. They continued through the city without stopping.

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The fourth day of the big battle along the Marne finds the Germans still halted in their attempt to envelop the city of Rheims. In the meantime, the American and French forces have opened an offensive of their own along a 35 mile front, advancing some two miles.

75 Years

July 21, 1943

Plans for a step-up in production to meet the new demand was announced today by the C.D. Beck Co., following the receipt of a War Production board authorization for the building of 200 additional motor coaches. The firm is currently completing an order for 100 41-passenger vehicles under a similar authorization.

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Return to two-shift operations, commencing July 26, was announced today by Monarch Machine Tool Co. For the past 15 months the company has been operating on a three-shift, round-the-clock basis. Principal reason cited for the change in operations is that the intensive demand placed on Monarch for volume production of standard lathes has been met, and now the emphasis is shifting to construction of more special-purchase machines.

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To bring the personal history of registrants up to date, all married men with children born before Sept. 15, 1942 are receiving a new selective service form on family status and dependents, Emerson Deam, chairman of the selective service board, said today.

50 Years

July 21, 1968

RUSSIA – Kenneth Borchers has been elected grand knight of St. Remy Council No. 3890 of the Knights of Columbus at Russia. Other officers elected include: David York, deputy grand knight; Carl Magoto, chancellor; Charles Voisard, financial secretary; James Hoehne, recording secretary; Ben Seger, treasurer.

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All window service on Saturdays at the Sidney post office will be discontinued, effective Saturday, July 27. This was announced today by Acting Postmaster Griffis Jenkins, following instructions issued by Postmaster General W. Marvin Watson. The order curtailing service is in line with the employment cutback required by Congress under the recently enacted tax bill.

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The Shelby County Fair Board voted Wednesday night to limit the variety of passes used to gain free admission into the 108th annual fair which opens July 27.

25 Years

July 21, 1993

Retired banker Jerry Wagner, Jr. is known by virtually everyone around town. Now that he has retired as a banker, he is still into “growing things.” Jerry owns a farm where 60,000 evergreen trees are being grown for harvesting later on. He has also developed a business as a consultation expert to small business development.

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A county family has lost their home in a devastating fire. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Smithy resided on Middleton-Hume Road south of Sidney. A fire the other night resulted in the $75,000 total loss of their home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were away seeing Mrs. Smith’s mother and checking on her because of the flooding conditions. Lightning hit the Smith home and caused the fire.