125 Years
March 15, 1898
Phil Sheets at Botkins has bought a new gas machine from Settlage and Clume of Wapakoneta. It is a water gas machine and is said to make more light than any other light known at present. They intend to light up the Home Mercantile Company, Leckenshege Saloon and meat shop and Shelby County Bank.
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A general debate is scheduled for the St. Patrick school house the evening of March 17. The subject will be resolved that intoxicating liquor has caused more misery than war and pestilence. Some of the best speakers of the county will be present.
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The appearance of the meat market of McVey and Son on North Main Avenue has been greatly improved by being papered and painted.
100 Years
March 15, 1923
Plans for the development of what will be known as the Clem Flower Gardens, northeast of Sidney were announced today by Joseph A. Clem. The gardens will be located between the newly paved Bellefontaine state road and the Miami River directly across the country home of Harry Oldham. Water from the river will be utilized for irrigation. Mr. Clem expects to grow flowers for retail as well as the wholesale trade.
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Members of city council at their regular meeting last night discussed at length the West Court Street extension; the Main Avenue Big Four crossing proposition and the cleaning out of the river between the concrete abutments at the new construction work in the south end of the city.
75 Years
March 15, 1948
March cold records were shattered in most of Ohio today as the mercury plunged to as low as 18 degrees below zero at Findlay and to new low marks in other places across the state. Nine degrees below zero – believed to be a new March record in the Sidney area – was recorded at 7 o’clock this morning at the state highway department weather office here.
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The board of directors of the Sidney Grain Machinery Company has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Carl F. Berger, treasurer and general manager of the company since its reorganization in May, 1925. Due to ill health, Berger stated that he desired to be relieved of his duties. During Berger’s managership, sales of the company passed the one-million-dollar mark annually.
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Shelby County’s hopes of gaining additional honors in district competition were completely dissolved today after its remaining entry, Coach Gene Kavanaugh’s Russia High School Raiders toppled before high-powered Beavercreek 48 to 44 at Springfield last night.
50 Years
March 15, 1973
HOUSTON – Houston High School FFA Chapter had its annual election of officers recently.
Roger Ditmer, a junior, was elected president. Other officers elected were Chuck Widney, vice-president; Kim Laughlin, treasurer; Marcia Owen, secretary; Scott Webb, reporter; Dort Cathcart, sentinel and Doug Hixson, student advisor.
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Shelby County Board of Elections has reported three more persons have filed as candidates for township trustees in the November election. Russell Lenhart, R.R. 4, Sidney, has filed in Franklin Township; LeRoy L. Regula, Maplewood, in Salem Township and Robert C. Hoying, R.R. 1, Minster, McLean Township.
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The Most Rev. Joseph L. Bernardin, new archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will visit Sidney Deanery March 29. The visit is the fifth of a series Archbishop Bernardin will make to deaneries throughout the 19 county Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The Sidney Deanery includes all Catholic parishes in Shelby, Miami and Darke Counties.
25 Years
March 15, 1998
The second phase of the hospital building project is completed. It will open Monday. The emergency entrance will now face State Route 47. There will be a new physical therapy department and occupational therapy department. The entire project costs $6.5 million. There will be an open house April 23.
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City council received an earful of criticism last night about the anti-drug billboard. James Daniel and others were upset about the lack of concern shown for those listed on the board who had been convicted of selling drugs. Police Chief Steve Wearly admitted it was his idea to help fight drug use in town. City Law Director stated he thought the prosecutor had a protected right of free speech to construct the message.
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.
