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OTTOVILLE — One might forget news heard on the radio or news seen on the television, but the printed word is able to refresh the memory again and again. Newspapers printed 65 years ago indicate mankind’s problems were the same as today’s: the war, the economy and weather-related disasters.
An Ottoville family recently recovered copies of 11 different newspapers printed in 1942 and 1943. Mike Eickholt was assisting his daughter, Heidi, and her husband, Kyle Miller, renovating a home the couple had purchased in Ottoville.
The residence had previously been the home of Mary Catherine Heckman, who inherited the home, and her brother, L. W. Heckman. Mary Catherine had taught for many years at Ottoville; L. W. had been a principal, teacher and coach. The Ottoville gymnasium is named for L. W. Heckman.
Eickholt assisted the Millers in tearing up the old linoleum kitchen floor to get to the wood floor underneath, where they found pages and pages of newspapers used for padding.
“Apparently they used the paper as padding instead of felt, which is used today,” he explained.
The newspapers are issues of the Western County News, The Delphos Courant, The Lima News, Putnam County Sentinel, Putnam County Gazette, Toledo Blade, Dayton Daily News, Cincinnati Enquirer, Chicago Tribune, Catholic Chronicle and The Register. The newspapers are about 50 percent larger in size than today’s papers.
The main topic of all the newspapers was World War II, with reports given on the fronts in Europe, the Pacific and North Africa. Rationing cards for gasoline, tires and butter were being issued.
Even the fashion industry was affected by the war. The War Production Board stated in the May 26, 1943, issue of the Delphos Courant, “After July 1 and until the war is over, no double-breasted women’s suits and jackets will be made.”
Other conservation measures imposed rigid controls on the use of trimming on dresses.
The same issue of the Courant reported on the first blackout drill conducted in Delphos.
“The first warning signal was received at the control center in the city building after 8:30 p.m., and the blue signal was given on the sirens at the city building and the Delphos Bending Company. The street lights were turned off and homes and businesses were darkened. When the red signal was given, automobiles ceased to move and the city was plunged into complete darkness. F. R. McKowen, director of the Citizens Defense Corps in Delphos, was greatly pleased with the success of the blackout.”
The obscure Western County News, printed in Kalida, shows a sample war ration book in the May 28, 1943, issue. The ration book for gasoline was being delivered by letter carriers and directions were given on how to fill out the card correctly.
The war even affected the time as reported by the Putnam County Sentinel on April 9, 1943.
“Ottawa village will turn the clock ahead one hour Sunday at midnight and will return to eastern war time after seven weeks of the slower central war time. The council took the action to overcome most of the confusion existing in Ottawa at the present time. A large number of local persons work in the

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