125 Years

November 3, 1892

A break in a gas pipe on the main line caused the gas to be shut off at 7 o’clock this morning. It burned, however, until 11 o’clock in many stoves. The break was above the Sidney connection with the main line, and Piqua and Troy were in the same condition as Sidney. Tales of woe were multitude, but repairs were made and the gas came back on at 3 o’clock.

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Recorder Pfaadt and C.P. Rogers have made bets on the election. In the event of Cleveland’s election, Rogers will furnish Pfaadt a Cincinnati daily paper for one month gratis. If Harrison is elected, Pfaadt will pay two prices for the paper for one month. It looks like Pfaadt would have reading matter at some price.

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Bellefontaine is now a railway town. The old Miltenberger House has changed its name to “Hotel Ingalls,” in honor of the president of the Big Four railway.

100 Years

November 3, 1917

At 3 o’clock this afternoon, indications were that a heavy vote would be polled at the various precincts about the city. The main fights seem to be on the Prohibition question, with both the wets and drys working hard to get out the vote.

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Plans to raise $15,000 in Shelby county in support of the Y.M.C.A. work, especially with military cantonments and overseas work, were outlined at a meeting of the Commercial Club last night. J.E. Russell has been selected as chairman for Shelby county in raising this money, with Harry Faulkner, as secretary.

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Mayor Harry B. Hole, of Versailles, seized three cars of coal at Versailles yesterday to help supply the people of that town who are in need of coal. The coal famine in that community had reached a point for drastic action and Mayor Hole and Marshall Ward stopped a Big Four Train loaded with Indiana coal, demanding three car loads. On authorization from the dispatcher at Bellefontaine, three cars were set on the siding.

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Arrangements are being made to have the football team of the 324th regiment at Camp Sherman play here in the future.

75 Years

November 3, 1942

Kenneth M. Purnell has been appointed assistant chief of the Sidney Fire Department by George Gould, safety director, following his successful completion of the civil service examination. The permanent appointment became effective yesterday. Purnell has been acting assistant chief since the resignation of Cleo Westbrook several weeks ago.

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Eugene Millet has been re-elected commander of the Sidney chapter of Disabled War Veterans. Serving with him will be: Frank Miller, senior vice commander; Clyde Grate, junior vice commander; Dale Sheely, adjutant; Pearl Johnson, treasurer; Herman Maxson, sergeant at arms; James Henke, chaplain.

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Two former Sidney coaches are now in officers candidate school according to information received here. Now stationed at Miami Beach, Fla., are Del Drake, former coach at Holy Angels, and Howard Brown, formerly at Sidney High school.

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George M. Cohan, theatrical producer, died today at his home in New York. He had been seriously ill for some months.

50 Years

November 3, 1967

If record statewide vote is cast in Tuesday’s general election, as predicted by Secretary of State Ted Brown, the feat probably will be achieved without the help of Shelby county. Election officials here today clung to their belief that the local ballot total will be under those of the recent comparable elections in 1963 and 1965. Four years ago, 7,471 votes were counted here and in 1965, the figure was 9,307. Director of elections, Mrs. Jeanice Bernard, and her assistant, Mrs. Willa Woodruff, worked at full speed in board offices today, getting everything in readiness for the start of balloting tomorrow in the county’s 59 precincts.

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Semper Fidelis Grandmother Club members held the annual installation of officers when they met Thursday, November 2. Mrs. Charles Miltenberger entertained in her Foraker avenue home. The hostess was installed as the new president with Mrs. Richard Elliott, Sr., to serve as the vice president. Mrs. Lester Finkenbine is the secretary; Mrs. L.H. Lehman, treasurer; Mrs. W.E. Nichols, historian; and Mrs. Orson Small, chaplain.

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Four Sidney attorneys are holders of new degrees as a result of the retroactive granting by the College of Law, Ohio Northern University, of the Juris Doctor degree. Recipients of the new degree in absentia are: Rodney Blake, class of 1939; Roland Beery, class of 1941; Carroll Lewis, class of 1948, and City Solicitor William Lang, class of 1959. All four were granted the new degree at a special convocation held on the Ohio Northern campus at Ada recently. The granting of the Juris Doctor degree follows a practice being adopted by a number of the law schools in the country.

25 Years

November 3, 1992

Financial problems are plaguing area entities. The Piqua Historical Area located on Hardin Road in Miami County, just south of the Shelby County line may have to close at the end of the year. Lack of funding was cited as the reason. Also, the Children Services Board is experiencing a significant lack of funding. This report was made by its Director, Pam Helmlinger. She reported the shortage to Terry Pellman, who heads the Shelby County Human Services Department. Pellman indicated he may transfer funds on a temporary basis to the Childrens Services Board to keep this entity open for business.