A Kink in Canal Street
For many years, in fact for so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, there has existed a jog in Canal Street, between Third and Fourth streets, that has always been a detriment to the appearance of this thoroughfare, and had been of no earthly necessity since the overflow from the mill pond of the Dolby and Morton flour mill was changed, the “tumble” being located on the north side of the pond.
For several years a low boggy place has existed between Canal Street and the mill pond, the street existing west of the property line. All this land is owned by the state, and there has been a movement afoot for some time to have the low place filled up and the street changed to its proper place. Since the street paving work is soon to be started, there will be plenty of earth removed to fill up just such places as this and council will be asked to procure permission from the State Board of Public Works to make the change.
W.T. Dolbey  has the ground under lease and is willing that the change be made. The straightening of Canal Street will be a big improvement.
Aug. 8, 1908
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“Tumble” Burned at Blume’s Lock
Between 8 and 9 o’clock Friday night, report was received from Blume’s Lock, five miles south of Delphos, that the wooden “tumble” or waste way at the east side of the lock, was afire from burning grass along the track of the C.H. & D., which passes nearby, and which was started by a spark from a locomotive. Water Boss, James Kohn, secured several men and went to Blume’s Lock, where they remained until midnight, succeeding in quenching the flames and preventing them from attacking the lock. The “tumble” was completely destroyed, but will be rebuilt at once.
Delphos Herald, Sept. 5, 1908
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Plans For Fine Office Building
Architect H.H. Richards, of Chicago, is preparing plans for the new office building of the Delphos Manufacturing Co., to be two stories, 42 by 50 feet, pressed brick, stone trimmings, composition roof, oak finish, maple floors, marble and mosaic, gas and electric fixtures, lavatories, water closets and bath tubs, and cost $12,000.
Delphos Herald, Sept. 30, 1908
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Old Landmark Being Razed
Joseph Imber, owner of the old two story frame store room on North Main Street, between his business block and the Adam Schuck store, is having the structure torn down, as a precautionary measure against fire. Fred Schaknot, conducted a shoe repair shop in the front part of the first floor room, and this he has moved to the Frank Wulfhorst building, just south of the bowling alley.
This building, ancient in style, but containing good timber and well constructed, has long since fallen almost into a state of disuse. It was erected by L.G. Roebuck, after the Hollister, Bliss & Pettit addition to Delphos was laid out, and was near to a four story grain elevator located across the street, just north.
The building was occupied by various persons for different lines of business during the years that followed, the last occupant of the entire building being a Mr. Peters, who conducted a general store. Doubtless some of the older, residents of Delphos might be able to connect some interesting history with this structure, should they get together and compare notes.
Its location between two other frame structures made it a constant menace so far as fire is concerned, and Mr. Imber decided upon its demolition.
Delphos Herald, March 22, 1909
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Many Milk Bottles
The dairymen of Delphos have decided upon radical action in the delivery of milk. The use of quart and pint bottles, in which milk is delivered to customers, has been in vogue for several years, and while there has always been a certain amount of loss by customers breaking bottles and retaining them for their own use, the dairymen are driven to the abandonment of the bottle by the increasing expense of keeping up the supply.
Jos. Weisgerber, Mart. Jettinghoff, Ray Kesler and Wm. Stottlemeyer deliver milk in bottles but will go back to the old plan of requiring customers to furnish receptacles in which to receive milk. One of the dairymen stated that only a short time ago he purchased a new supply of bottles at a cost of $32, and that now he has only a few left. At one residence, the dairyman said he endeavored to secure the bottles after the milk had been used, but was informed each time that they had been returned. Not satisfied with the evasion, the dairyman made it his business to investigate the kitchen, and there found 25 bottles.
The milkmen are making a general cleanup this week, getting in all the bottles possible, and next Monday will go back to the old way of delivering the milk supply from a can, the customer to furnish receptacles in which to receive it. Another reason for the cutting off of the expense of bottles is the price at which milk is sold. The milkmen claim that in most every other town milk is sold at 6 or 7 cents per quart (check those prices, R.H.) but that in Delphos they are unable to get a better price than 5 cents.
Delphos Herald, March 23, 1909
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Rats Have Stormed
The Dump Ground
A.M. Fettig, who has under lease, a portion of the ground owned by the city, northwest of Delphos, purchased as a dump ground, reported that rats are multiplying so rapidly in the piles of refuse at the dump that they are becoming a pest. The rodents have attacked the standing corn Mr. Fettig planted on the unused portion of the ground and are causing considerable havoc. Gus intends to leave several rows of corn standing when the field is cut, so that there will be something for the rats to attack and perhaps they will not invade the shocks.
Delphos Herald, Sept. 8, 1908
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Picture Added For
Delphos Memorial Wall
J.H. Wahmhoff, Thursday, received an addition to the pictures which he is collecting for the “Memorial Wall” to be arranged at the Delphos Public Library building.
This picture was sent by Dr. F.H. Schlink, a former Delphos resident, who is now leaving New Riegel for Cleveland. This contribution is a picture of Mrs. Elizabeth Bredeick-Ostendorf.
She was the wife of Ferdinand Bredeick, the founder to a portion of Delphos west of the canal then known as West Bredeick. She was the first white woman who settled in Section Ten, as Delphos was then called, and was the mother of Mrs. G.F. Lang, West Second Street, who was the first white child born here.
Mr. Wahmhoff now has a number of pictures of prominent early settlers in Delphos for the “Memorial Wall”. Among these are pictures of Father Bredeick, also a founder of part of Delphos then known as “East Bredeick,” lying east of the canal; Theo. Wrocklage, and Col. Lester Bliss, prominent businessmen of Delphos in the early day and both active in bringing in new settlers for the community; Dr. Rudolph Reul and Dr. H.P. Wagner, two of the prominent physicians in the early history of Delphos; Isaac Ludwig, one of the old settlers; Mrs. H.P. Wagner, Mrs. Henry Lindemann, Mrs. Fred Kollsmith and Mrs. John Cowan. The last three named were the makers of the first American flag flown in Delphos. This is on display at the museum in the library building.
Mr. Wahmhoff is planning to place these pictures, and others which may be added, upon the walls in the library.
Delphos Herald, Aug. 6, 1926
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Company of Farmers
Buy Fine Horse
Ed Youngpeter, John and Charles Williams and Matt  Hemker went to Decatur, Ind., Monday, where they purchased from Frysinger and Company, a fine Belgian draft horse, four years old, and weighs 2,000 pounds. This animal is a fine specimen of horseflesh. The owners are farmers and stockraisers living in the vicinity of Landeck. The horse will be delivered at once.
Delphos Herald, Mar. 23, 1909
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Small Catch By Police Drag Net
Offenders in less numbers were caught by the police drag net in 1910 than for several years previous. Only 98 arrests were made during the entire year, divided as follows:
Disorderly conduct    69
Larceny    8
Obtaining money under
false pretense    1
Defrauding inn-keeper    2
Provoking the peace    1
Assault    12
Carrying concealed weapons    1
Cruelty to animals    1
Speeding auto    2
Vagrancy    1
The records of Mayor Williams also show that the total receipts of his office for the year were $549.80, in which fines and costs, licenses and hall rent go to make up the total.
Delphos may not have the best police force on earth, but as a general rule they stack up very well with the average force in a town of this size, and the peace is generally conserved. There has been a striking lack of cases of burglary and robbery, and holdups and cutting and shooting affrays are almost entire strangers to Delphos.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 4, 1911
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154 Tramp Lodges
Since November 5
(2 months)
A large well warmed room, bare of furniture of any sort, is maintained at the City Building, where tramps are housed at night, away from the chill blast of winter, where they may dream of better days and lay plans for the campaign that will bring them a lunch and hot coffee from the kitchen of some more fortunate citizen the following morning. A register is maintained by the police department, every tramp applying for lodging being required to register his name. This register was opened Nov. 5 and up to Wednesday night, including the lodgers that had been received, the number totaled 154.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 5, 1911
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Commercial Club Will Recommend
Some of the old time booster spirit was in evidence at the meeting of the Commercial Club, Friday evening, when several important questions were under consideration. The subject being the cleaning of paved streets. After considerable discussion was had, J.H. Wahmhoff recommended the paved streets and that a man be employed for each district, working six days each week at keeping the pavement clean, and the cost of same be paid by the property owners, according to the feet front of property.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 14, 1911
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Harry Metzger Has
Long Journey
Before Him
Harry Metzger, aged 21, a Jew, walked into Delphos Saturday morning from the north, on the Clover  Leaf railroad, en route from New York to St. Louis. He walked from Continental to Delphos and expects to remain here over Sunday, resuming his journey Monday morning.
He is foot sore and weary and although  young and full of vitality, plainly evidences that exposure is affecting him. Young Metzger is a garment worker by trade, and had a good position in New  York until a strike was declared, when he started for St. Louis, where he has an uncle, his only relative in this country.
Metzger arrived in Toledo, on Friday of last week, his feet and hands frozen, and completely exhausted from facing the severe weather on his tramp from Cleveland to Toledo. He fell unconscious on the street, after tramping about all day searching for work. He was given temporary relief by a physician after he had been carried into a bakery and then removed to the hospital. Metzger was discharged Thursday, and at once started west, arriving here Saturday.
Metzger beat his way on freight trains, or walked, as the opportunity afforded, but walked from Toledo to Delphos. The young man says for the most part the people along the way have been good to him in furnishing food, but that he has many times refused. Metzger is of prepossessing appearance, neatly attired, and exhibited a membership card in the Garment Workers’ Union of New York.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 7, 1911
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Lima Contractors’ Supply
Office Moved to Delphos
All the business of the Lima Contractors’ Supply Co. will hereafter be transacted from Delphos, the company having moved its office outfit to Delphos, Thursday. A four horse team pulled the big wagon into Delphos, on which  was loaded the office outfit and supplies. The office is now in the office building at the foundry, south of the Water Works Park. The Delphos Foundry and Manufacturing Company’s plant, occupying the Foundry building, is owned by the Lima Contractors’ Supply Company.
In view of the fact that they have no plant in Lima, it made sense to move their office to Delphos. A.C. Feltz, of Lima, is the secretary and treasurer, and expects to move his family to Delphos this coming spring.
At the present time there are 24 men employed at the foundry and machine shop, and soon it is expected that the force will be increased to 30 or 35 men. On Monday, the work was resumed to manufacture cast iron culvert pipe.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 13, 1911
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Organized a Local Mandolin Club
Prof. F.W. Schaeffer is organizing a mandolin club in Delphos and is meeting with splendid success. Prof. Schaeffer is located at 226 West Fourth Street.  He is a first-class musician, having had advantage of instruction from the best tutors. At the present time, the club members, ten in number, are both ladies and gentlemen. The present members are Chester Patton, Henry Harter, Rex Malin, Edmund Kohn, Richard Hummer, Albert Rubert, Paul Harter, Marie Gump, A.J. Gump and Elva Bodkin.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 12, 1911
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The other day President Bush spoke with the Amish. He didn’t want to, but they were the only group that weren’t upset by the high price of gas. — Jay Leno
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The average national price for a gallon of gas hit an all-time record high, meaning that wherever you’re going this summer it might be cheaper to mail your car. — Amy Poehler