125 Years

November 4, 1892

The weather seems to be in favor of elections, and the vote throughout the county was probably never so large as it will be at 6 o’clock this evening. The returns tonight will be received at the assembly room of the court house by the Democrats and at the law office of S.J. Hatfield by the Republicans.

———

A barn on the hill at the west end of Poplar street, owned by William Shine, caught fire in the hay mow late this afternoon. It is thought a spark from a passing engine entered a crack and ignited the hay. The building was heavily damaged, but capable of repair. It was insured.

———

C.R. Sargeant, of Tawawa, is attending Beck’s Piqua Commercial College.

100 Years

November 4, 1917

Harry K. Forsyth has been elected mayor of Sidney after what provide to be one of the closest votes in a mayoralty contest here for many years. He defeated Hudson Flinn, the Democrat candidate, by 39 votes out of more than 2,000 cast. Henry Shaffer was named auditor; Grover Timeus, treasurer, and Urban Doorley, solicitor. Council members elected: at-large, Harley Baker, H.A. Morris and Edward Kaser; George Loudenback, first; Hugh Toy, second; Henry Berger, third; James Hewitt, fourth.

———

The proposition to issue bonds for the extension of Poplar street west through Wilkinson avenue was defeated by a big majority. Every precinct in the city voted against it, with the total showing 548 in favor, and 1,395 against.

———

In Shelby county, the voters turned down both constitutional amendments – that on prohibition by 125 votes, and women’s suffrage by 1,139 votes in the state, the dry’s claim to have won by 18,000 votes, although the suffrage amendment was snowed under by more than 100,000 votes.

Now with one of the sharpest contested elections ever held in Sidney over, let everybody get to work for a better and larger city.

75 Years

November 4, 1942

Registration for “A” (automobile) and “D” (motorcycle) gasoline ration cards will start in Shelby county on Nov. 12 and run through Nov. 14, it was announced today. Registration will be held at the schools in the city and county, which will be open after school hours and all day Saturday to facilitate the registration.

———

Glen H. Hildebrand was elected worshipful master of Temperance Lodge at the annual election held last evening. He will succeed Perry Partington. Serving with Hildebrand will be: Harold Shue, senior warden; O.W. Gruebmeyer, junior warden; W.R. Blake, treasurer; Herman Schlagetter, secretary; Harry Sanderson, senior deacon; Walter Blake, junior deacon; C.W. Shopp, tyler.

———

Ownership and management of the Fort Loramie Mills changed this week with the sale of the business by Henry Landman, of St. Henry, to Anthony Ernst and John Siegel.

———

Complete and absolute victory in the battle of El Alamein in North Africa, was claimed today by Lt. General Montgomery of the British forces.

50 Years

November 4, 1967

Plans for the construction of a Holiday Inn motel at the west edge of Sidney were announced today by Builders Construction Service, Inc., of Memphis, Tenn. In making the announcement, Jerry Tucker, president, and Herbert Ratcliff, vice president of the construction firm and holders of the franchise, indicated that the estimated cost of the new motel would be $1,120,000. Planned to have 100 units, the motel will be located on the Folkerth property just north of Michigan street at the State Route 47 interchange with Interstate 75. The five acre tract of land on which the unit will locate was purchased from Robert Folkerth at a price to be around $100,000.

———

Plans to organize a Junior Federated Women’s Club of Anna were made at a recent meeting held in the home of Mrs. Dale Locker. Four members of the Junior American Club of Jackson Center, the sponsoring group, were present to explain the purpose of the club. A committee including Mrs. Locker, Mrs. Ronald Westerbeck, Mrs. Wayne Korn and Mrs. Larry Bell, was appointed to form the constitution and by-laws to be presented at the next meeting.

———

CELINA – Harley C. Jones and Harold M. Harris of Sidney have purchased the Voegele Jewelry store, 116 West Market street, Celina. Jones will manage the store which will retain the Voegele name. Harris has been a Sidney jeweler for 22 years.

25 Years

November 4, 1992

It was quite the Election Day last Tuesday. First of all, the turnout was record-breaking. The Board of Election officials indicated out of 24,000 registered voters, 20,300 actually voted. That was an all-time record for the county. Board of Elections Director Shyla Goffena said the pace was “fast and furious” throughout the day. There were some very interesting and highly-contested races. Two new Shelby County Commissioners were elected: John Laws and Dick Meeker were the victors. They defeated Eric Smith and Chuck Craynon. All sides campaigned hard. The Shelby County Coroner race was also a record-breaker. Dr. Phil Edwards defeated Dr. Raul Tramontana and Dr. Jerry Mestemaker. No one can remember a coroner’s race which was contested by three physicians. Long-time County Coroner George Schroer will be retiring at the end of the year. Dr. Edwards was the victor.