Old Delphos News

By Robert Holdgreve, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, June 23, 2008 (5 months ago)
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City council passes “chain gang”
ordinance
Council met in regular session Tuesday evening and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. On account of the absence of President Otto Moennig, President pro tem, Frank Scherger, held the chair.
A distinct surprise accompanied with keen regrets was expressed when Councilman David Bliss tendered his resignation as a member of council because he had moved from the Fourth Ward to 616 East Sixth Street.
Cecil D. Laing took his chair as a regular elected member of council and gave early evidence that his former acquaintance with the office to which he was elected stood him in good stead and he was able to enlighten council on many points of business. Mr. Laing was elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jos. Burger, councilman at large who recently moved to Toledo.
Ordinance No. 129A was introduced by the clerk. This ordinance grants full power to the mayor to sentence any prisoner convicted of a misdemeanor or a violation of any of the city ordinances in the mayor’s court to work on the streets or on materials to be used in the construction of streets or their improvement. It is understood that the ordinance is wide enough to allow the men in charge of such prisoners to place them at work in the city park, in the water works, or any other publicly owned property that may need their endeavors. After considerable discussion concerning the amount the prisoners were to be allowed each day, it was decided that sixty cents would be sufficient. The mayor contended that it should be at least that amount in order to secure three meals a day for them.
Councilman Krieft thought that forty cents per day would be more than enough to sustain a prisoner and asked the mayor how the city stood on finances for the purpose. The head of the city replied that Delphos was “long on water and short on bread.” However, sixty cents per day is the way the ordinance reads and that amount will be allowed the prisoners for each day’s work they put in on the streets. It should not be difficult to get sixty cents worth of work out of a man in ten hours.
Delphos Herald, April. 12, 1916
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More Police Clocks
Hereafter, the Delphos night police will have a larger territory to take in on their regular night beats while looking out for fires and preserving the peace and quiet and good order after nightfall. Five police clocks, placed at various points, record the visits of the patrolmen at stated intervals and there will be more of these stations, eight additional clocks having been ordered by council, and are being erected. The clocks will be placed at various points, one at the Dolby & Morton mill, another at the rear of the city building, at the bank, and other places and one as far west as the corner of Second and Jefferson streets.
These clocks are provided with revolving paper dials and when visited by the patrolmen, a push button presses a needle point through the paper. In this manner it is possible to maintain a “tab” on the movements of the night patrolmen.
Delphos Herald, Feb. 15, 1911
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Delphos Is In City Class
Washington D.C. Jan. 14 — Delphos Village population, as a result of the Thirteen Census, is 5,038. (The 2,000 Census was 6,944.)
Delphos Herald, Jan. 14, 1911
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Notice to Teachers
On February 10, I shall make the rounds of the schools and ask to hear the best composition on the following subject: “How to make Delphos a city of Ten Thousand by 1915.” This will apply in all grades from the second to eighth inclusive. I suggest that the pupils look over each other’s composition and pass judgment, as well as the teachers.
Prof. T.L. Mendenhall
Delphos Herald, Feb. 2, 1911
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Some History On Now
Closed, Food Locker
Building
Fidele Johnson now has his machine shop permanently established in new quarters, a substantially built brick structure, 45×110 feet, having been completed on his property on the east side of Washington street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. The building is provided with a self supporting high roof, the frame standing 13 feet above the concrete floor. Mr. Johnson has been engaged in the machine business in Delphos for many years, and when scarcely more than a boy, erected a small frame shop at the rear of his father’s home. By industry and close business application, Mr. Johnson has been able to erect this building which is a splendid addition to Delphos industries. Mr. Johnson has had installed a five horse power electric motor, as well as a gasoline engine for power, and now has floor space for automobiles, traction engines, etc. brought in for repairs. In addition to all kinds of repair work that require a machinist, Mr. Johnson is prepared to do new work. (At some time, I think this building was used as a roller rink. R.H.)
Delphos Herald, Feb. 17, 1911
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Fidele Johnson, the east Sixth Street machinist, is building an automobile. All parts of the steam engine, as well as the carriage wheels, will be ball bearing.
Delphos Herald, July 16, 1901
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New Ford Garage
The Standard Garage which was purchased from Mathias Etgen by W.C. Scott & Son several days ago, has again changed hands. John Mueller of the Mueller Implement and Auto company is the new owner.
Mr. Mueller intends to use the Standard as sales room and repair department for the Ford automobile and the Fordson tractor. It will be used for these machines exclusively.
A healing system will be installed for the garage and sales rooms. The rear portion of the building will be remodeled and will be completely equipped with the latest machinery for the repair of Fords and Fordsons.
The change was felt to be necessary because of crowded conditions at the Mueller plant. It will provide the best of service for the Ford owners.
Mr. Mueller took possession of the place Saturday morning. Charles Griffith who has been with the Mueller company for some time past will be in charge of the new garage and repair station.
Delphos Herald, July 3, 1920
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Red Beet Canning
To Start at Macke Plant
Officials of the Macke Packing Company are rushing work at their plant here in preparation for the opening of the canning season. It is stated that red beet canning will be started within a week.
The construction work on the scale room and receiving room is going forward. These departments will be situated just north of the new building which was erected to house the canning machinery. The tomato soakers, sorting tables and scalders will be placed in the buildings now under construction. A 30-foot scale will be installed.
Work was started Tuesday in placing the steam boilers in condition for use in the factory. The boilers are those formerly used by the Nickel Plate railroad, that company having abandoned the boilers for electric energy.
Charles Best, electrical contractor and a force of workmen are now installing lighting equipment and power lines.
An electric conveyor has been installed at the storage room for unloading of material from freight cars. The fourth carload of cans is being unloaded in preparation for the busy season.
Company officials state a large number of applications for jobs have been received. It is stated that those applying must have social security numbers before they will be placed on the job. Workers will be notified by cards when they are to report for work.
Delphos Herald, July 20, 1937
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“Made In Delphos”
The “Made In Delphos” label goes on many different manufactured articles that are the result of Delphos skill and labor, but none are more fitting or permanent than the furniture and office fixtures made at the plant of H. Ricker & Sons. At the present time the skilled men at the concern are preparing office for the new Auglaize National bank. These fixtures will be somewhat on the order of the fixtures of the Delphos National Bank. They are also building 60 feet of clothing cabinets for Jettinghoff Bros.’ clothing store and 24 feet of jewelry cabinets for John Walsh. New office fixtures for Steinle Brewing & Ice Company are also under way.
Delphos Herald, Feb. 14, 1911
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One Car of Coal
Confiscated for Water Plant
As far as Delphos is concerned, the five days factory suspension and the closing of stores on Monday and Tuesday, in order to conserve fuel, did not help any. Delphos has far less coal now than when the order was issued.
Tuesday night, through the efforts of Chief of Police Thompson, a car of coal was secured from the county committee at Lima, for the Delphos water plant. The car was sent here from Lima over the Pennsylvania after it had been confiscated from the C.H. & D. tracks. The situation was such in Lima that the rest of the coal confiscated there was needed in that city, where there is said to be much suffering on account of lack of fuel.
No coal for domestic use was received in Delphos Tuesday night or Wednesday, and there was very little prospect of any coal arriving soon, unless a few cars are shipped in by the state coal administration.
Wednesday the only orders being filled were those sent to Ricker Brothers for 500 pounds only. Every applicant for a coal card is asked if he has enough coal to last two days. If so, he is asked to wait and take his chance with other people on coal arriving by Thursday night.
Delphos Herald, Jan. 23, 1918
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Accident at Creek Bridge
Early Thursday evening after dark, Henry Meyers, and a friend started for home, northeast of Delphos, driving east on Third Street. Because there is no electric light close to Flat Fork Creek, Mr. Meyers could not well see where he was driving.
Consequently when one of the buggy wheels struck the iron bridge, the horse was thrown sideways so that it was whirled about and faced west and landed partly in the creek, over the stone embankment between the bridge and foot bridge on the north side.
The cries of the occupants of the buggy attracted the attention of A.B. King, Jacob Werner and others and they assisted in rescuing the horse from its dangerous position. A frail wooden railing between the main bridge and the foot bridge was broken down.
The horse was somewhat bruised and the buggy was damaged.
Delphos Herald, Feb. 17, 1917
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Auto Does Funny Stunt
An automobile accident which might have resulted quite seriously took place on West First Street Sunday at about noon. Gale Baxter, son of W.C. Baxter, was driving on west First Street with his father’s new Overland automobile, accompanied by three other boys. The machine was running at a very rapid rate of speed and likely much faster than the boys had an idea. When they were nearing State Street, young Baxter attempted to slow the machine in a hurry and in his excitement got his foot on the brake. The machine skidded on the icy street, turned from a westerly course to an easterly one and ended up again at the curb with a crash. The right side rims and spokes were shattered and the wheels gave way, letting the axles down on the lawn. No one was injured. The tires on the broken wheels were not damaged. The machine will be out of the shop in a few days.
Delphos Herald, Feb. 14, 1914
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Stone Quarry Now in Operation
The Limestone Quarries Company (Delphos) started Saturday to crush stone at their new plant west of Jennings Creek and south of the Clover Leaf railroad.
The first blast was set off over a week ago, great quantities of stone having been broken loose. The incline connecting the quarry with the crusher has now been completed and placed in operation.
The old quarry on Ohio Street which was abandoned some months back by the Limestone Quarries Company is now being used by local boys as a swimming pool. Only those who are good swimmers will find this a desirable place to swim, as the water is quite deep.
The place is now guarded by a wire fence at the north where the quarry extends almost to the road and endangered traffic. The fence was erected by the owner, Mr. Hawisher, of Lima, at the request of city council and the Washington Township trustees.
Delphos Herald, July 12, 1924
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Radio Improves Delphos
Herald’s News Service
The telegraph service which is received daily by the Herald has been supplemented during the Democratic national convention, by radio reports taken at the Zenith radio agency, courtesy of Wm. Schuck, local agent.
Up-to-the-minute reports were received and the Herald was able to give later reports on balloting than would have been possible otherwise.
Delphos Herald, July 10, 1924
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Paint Lincoln Highway Poles
The state highway commission started Monday to paint the telephone poles on the Lincoln Highway. Poles on all state routes will be painted in the same manner, solid white from the ground eight feet up the pole.
Delphos Herald, Feb. 7, 1911
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Good Oil Well
in the Landeck Field
The Hadley & Kelley Oil Company has drilled in a fine well on the Louis Karst farm, a half mile south of Landeck. The well made a good showing before being shot and immediately after the shot filled up to a depth of 800 feet. It is estimated that it will be good for from 75 to 100 barrels per day.
About six weeks ago, this same company drilled a well on the Frank Etzkorn farm. This started off with 60 barrels a day. A large power plant has been erected on the Etzkorn farm to pump the wells.
Other wells are being drilled by other Companies on the Angelina Handle farm, one mile northeast of Southworth and on the John Egts farm, adjoining the Handle farm.
Delphos Herald, July 7, 1911

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