Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Historical Information

 

----Local Happenings of 1917


  Source:  THE MANSFIELD NEWS:  31 December 1917  
 
 
 

Submitted by Jean and Faye

 

THE YEAR IN MANSFIELD

A Brief Resume of Local Happenings of 1917 That Are of More Than Passing Interest.

TONIGHT marks the close of a year filled with momentous events which will pass into national and world history, and in Mansfield and Richland county, as in every community this great land, the force of these events have been felt in marked degree. Mansfield and Richland county people have responded loyally to every call of state and nation for co-operation in food and fuel conservation, investment in Liberty Bonds and contributions to organizations sharing in the work of war preparations and the relief of suffering. Hundreds of Mansfield and Richland county young men have marched away to training camps to prepare for overseas service and some are already in France. The seriousness of the war in which the United States is engaged has from month to month during the summer and fall been brought closer home to Mansfield people and each is coming to realize more fully the need of full co-operation in thought, word and action with the plans of the government for winning the war.

Locally the year has marked the passing of a number of citizens whose activities have been closely linked with the city's history through a number of years.

Industrially the city has advanced notably during the year, the closing of negotiations to secure another large industry coming as a fitting finale. Great strides have been taken in the city electrically as a result of increased power facilities coming with the completion of the big plant of the Mansfield Electric Light & Power company at Melco.

JANUARY.

1 - Golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Mentzer. First 1917 baby arrived at home of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Arnold at 12:02 a. m. Majestic theater opened.

2 - Z. Dew Seibert died.

3 - Bonus plan announced by Aultman & Taylor company. Alexander H. Shambaugh died.

4 - George Forney died.

5 - L. J. Bonar presented with gold watch by Insurance company of North America.

6 - Charles H. Wolfe appointed freight agent for Pennsylvania lines.

7 - Women's Union Label league organized.

8 - Golden wedding anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bissman.

11 - Floyd Schwartz injures M. L. Branyon in attempt to shoot wife at Hautzenroeder cigar factory. Cockey mills at Lexington burned.

12 - Mrs. Matilda Hautzenroeder died. Mrs. James M. Merrell died. Hiram Harroun died. Stanley G. Soden, sergeant Co. M, died at Ft. Bliss.

13 - Ninetieth birthday anniversary Fred Walter, Sr. Frank Lay died. Philip Hartnagel died.

14 - Goerge F. Swasick died. Mercury went four degrees below zero.

15 - Annual meeting chamber of commerce. First city teachers' institute.

16 - Experts start industrial survey. Corp. Roy B. Stafford, of Co. M, died at Ft. Bliss.

17 - Mrs. Mary Beal-Hess died.

18 - Mrs. Arthur W. Nash died. Mrs. Sarah J. Wright died. Annual meeting Retail Merchants association. John Hursh injured by fall from haymow.

19 - William A. Harris died.

20 - Miss Emma Julier fatally burned.

21 - George L. Callin died.

22 - Mrs. Eliza Boals died.

23 - Henry Wagner died.

24 - Dr. N. A. McQueston died. John Anderegg died. Edward Stryker died.

25 - Charles Reinewald died. Jack Harris died.

28 - J. T. Blizzard died.

FEBRUARY.

2 - Skating at its best at park lakes.

4 - Stephen D. Etzwiler died.

5 - Thermometer touches 12 below zero.

9 - George A. Holm died. W. J. Bissman succeeds D. W. Cummins as probate judge.

11 - The Rev. E. J. E. Kuhlmann installed as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Edward Netscher died.

12 - Sixteen degrees below zero.

13 - Andrew Burneson died.

14 - Gustav A. Flohr died.

16 - Francis Macfullden (?) concert.

17 - Miss Susan Sturges died. Mrs. Mary L. Race died.

19 - Capt A. C. Cummins died.

23 - City Electrician George Adams injured by electric shock.

24 - First auto show opens in new Cotter building.

MARCH.

1 - March comes in very lamblike.

4 - Moses L. Kelly died. Thomas Lewis becomes musical director of the First Congregational church.

5 - Edwin S. Greenlee died.

6 - Albert J. Lawrence died.

9 - William Eichert died. Henry Bartlow struck by auto and injured.

11 - Miss Amelia Matthes struck by auto and injured.

14 - The eighty-third birthday anniversary of Mrs. Nicholas Pluck. Golden wedding anniversary Mr. and Mrs. William R. Tingley. Fred Walter, Sr., died.

17 - Annual banquet Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Members of Teeter family narrowly escape asphyxiation.

18 - Miss Harriet Coates died. Lee E. Richey died.

19 - Charles E. Brooks died. Charles W. Messersmith died.

20 - Mrs. A. Sturgess died. J. C. Waters becomes manager of the Freundlich store.

22 - Demonstration for Co. M and Supply company upon their return from border service.

23 - William Kohler died. Mrs. Jay DeLee died. Banquet at Elk home for members Co. M and Supply company.

27 - William H. Goodwin died. John Kissel died.

28 - Mansfield chapter Red Cross organized.

29 - Mrs. Mary S. Hughes died. Jacob Motter died.

30 - Junior-Senior reception at high school.

31 - Mrs. Mary Davey died.

APRIL.

1 - S. T. Campbell died.

2 - Mrs. Charles Stander died.

4- William R. Smith died.

9 - Patriotic rally at the Opera House.

10 - Business Women's club rooms opened. Charles L. Campbell died.

11 - Homer Bossler hurt when auto struck buggy. First production of Fi Fi of Toyshop.

12 - State convention of horseshoers. Carl Gottles hurt by fall through skylight.

14 - Carlo Bacaro shot by unknown assailants.

15 - Y. M. C. A. opens membership campaign.

16 - Meeting for organization Mansfield branch Red Cross.

18 - Bread advanced to 12 cents a loaf.

21 - Mansfield Tire & Rubber company reaches production of 1,000 tires a day.

23 - C. H. Juber, former county recorder, died at Shelby.

24 - Bloomer Sowers, pioneer resident of Lexington, died. Peter Hovarth, aged 9, killed by an auto.

26 - Y. M. C. A. membership campaign ended with 171 new members added.

29 - Harry Lowman, Luther Prince and Mabel McElroy killed in auto accident at Bowman street crossing of the Pennsylvania railroad. Mrs. Otto L. Berno died.

30 - P. G. Ross reaches home after voyage through war zone.

MAY

3 - Josephine Falvey killed, three injured in auto accident on West Fourth street. Christmas tree planted in Central park in observance of Baby week. Mrs. Louis Koch died.

8 - D. K. Andrews, of Lexington, died.

9 - R. N. Chaffee died.

10 - Harley Temple injured when struck by auto. William Gandert died.

11 - Municipal flag-raising in Central park. William Zay died.

13 - Mother's day observed. Charles Lampert died.

16 - E. W. Donley died.

17 - William H. Conley died.

19 - Mr. and Mrs. J. E. LaDow reach home after seven-month trip through orient. Mrs. Elizabeth Underwood died.

20 - Mrs. Orley W. Wright, Mrs. Edna Sutton and Marjorie Sutton killed in auto accident at Pennsylvania crossing near Lucas.

21 - Leroy Luman fatally injured by a fall from roof at steel plant.

23 - Christian Weaver died.

26 - State convention of Gideons opens.

29 - August A. Krebs died.

JUNE.

2 - Red Cross day observance with concert by Margaret Wilson and Francis Macmillen.

3 - Rev. D. J. Meese died. Baccalaureate sermon by the Rev. O. L. Kiplinger.

6 - Genn F. Champney arrested on bigamy charge. Seniors give class play.

8 - Commencement exercises of Mansfield high school with 119 graduates.

9 - John W. Stone died.

11 - Auto accident near Galion kills DeForest Fish, of Shelby, and two Crestline young men.

13 - George Alheim injured by being struck by auto.

17 - J. Edward Smith died. Commencement exercises of the St. Peter's commercial school.

18 - Campaign started to raise $10,000 for Red Cross.

19 - William W. Patterson died. Charles B. Lucas died.

20 - Louis Bowers died.

22 - Annual Masonic picnic at Seccaium park.

26 - Fred Munz injured when thrown from bicycle. Timothy Haggerty died.

27 - Dr. John A. Taff (weight 460 pounds) died. Robert B. Maxwell died.

30 - Seventy-five enlistments at close of county campaign to fill military companies. C. H. Huston promoted to the rank of major.

JULY.

1 - Charles Reinewald hurt by fall from engine. Rev. L. A. Wood enters upon pastorate of Baptist church.

2 - Henry Baer died.

4 - Bob Jones delivers address at South park. Safe and sane celebration.

5 - The Rev. H. W. Kellogg accepts chaplaincy of state reformatory.

9 - James R. McEvoy killed by fall of 70 feet at Cotter building. Mrs. Jacob N. Atherton died.

10 - Ringling Bros. circus.

13 - Eightieth birthday anniversary of m. B. Bushnell.

15 - Co. M and Supply Co. mobilize for war service.

17 - Stillman Lawrence, dreading draft, attempted suicide.

18 - Harry L. Bookman killed when train hit truck at Melco.

19 - Richland county auto club organized. Ray Emptage injured by fall from roof at street car barn.

27 - Capt. A. I. Harrington succeeds W. S. Bradford in command of Co. M.

28 - Co. M and supply company mustered into federal service. Ira C. Switzer died.

30 - Christopher J. Hoffman died.

AUGUST

2 - Mrs. T. T. Dill died. Opening of Mansfield's fourth annual chautauqua.

4 - William Weidner died.

6 - Harry H. Becker takes office as county clerk. Selective service board starts examination of draft registrants.

7 - Milk prices advanced to 10 cents quart and 6 cents pint.

8 - John Schantz died. Announcement made negotiations closed whereby Doherty interests secure Mansfield Railway Light and Power company.

9 - J. E. Parry elected musical supervisor of public schools.

10 - William J. Holway died.

11 - Visitors' day at Camp Fred Marquis, with exhibition drills.

12 - A. R. Clegern, former Mansfield merchant, died in Detroit. Fred Wendland drowned at Lakeville.

14 - Heavy rains end drought.

15 - Twenty-seven Co. M and Supply company soldiers transferred to Fourth Ohio, go to Camp Perry. Mansfield contingent returns from officers training camp at Ft. Ben Harrison.

16 - Mrs. R. B. Maxwell died. Ralph Wise and Ernest Adams injured by fall of elevator at Melco. Attorney R. W. Hartman injured in auto accident in Chicago.

18 - Ohio Brass company annual outing at parks.

20 - Rupert Straub fatally injured in auto accident at Galion.

21 - Golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. King.

22 - John L. Fiedler died.

23 - Lowell T. Brown struck by auto and inured.

24 - Mrs. George Roadpouch died of burns sustained when home was destroyed by fire.

25 - Thirteen family reunions at Mansfield parks.

27 - Mayor Lowrey performs his first wedding ceremony.

29 - Merchants' outing at Casino park.

30 - Reunion of Sherman brigade.

SEPTEMBER.

1 - D. C. Severns injured in Toledo.

3 - W. A. Cassel takes office as county recorder and Boyd Wierman as surveyor.

5 - Collyer Stone died of infantile paralysis. W. B. Eggert victim of hold-up in Cleveland.

6- Unusually violent electrical storm at 3 a. m.

7 - First contingent of Richland county draft soldiers left for Chillicothe camp. Union depot plans viewed at chamber of commerce.

8 - Selective board completes examination of first draft quota. Robert Jones injured in motorcycle accident. Tremont hotel closed. George Reed, publisher of the Plymouth Advertiser, died.

11 - W. S. Kerr died. Fire at Butler destroyed seven buildings with loss of $50,000.

13 - Mrs. C. A. Ruhl injured in auto accident.

14 - Henry Alguire died.

15 - Raymond Aten injured in first hunting accident.

16 - St. Peter's Catholic church dedicated. Charles Spriggins fatally injured when city car hit auto.

17 - Million dollar power plant of Doherty company started operating. Receiver is asked for Halladay company. Mrs. Arliss F. Porter had hands badly out by breaking of fruit jar.

18 - Mrs. M. B. Bushnel died.

20 - Second Richland county contingent of National army (104) left for Camp Sherman.

21 - E. R. Hartman inured while out hunting.

22 - George R. Adams died. Tony Feusser, aged 9, fatally injured by fall from tree.

24 - Leroy Cunnick loses arm by accident at steel plant.

25 - Carl Rappold, 75, killed by fall over banister. County fair opens.

27 - Crowd at county fair breaks record.

28 - Philip Thoma died. Franklin Swingle died. Prizes awarded in garden contest.

29 - John S. Artz died. Co. M and Supply company leave for Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Ala.

30 - Rex Hammond and Walter Dyminsky injured in motorcycle accident.

OCTOBER.

1 - David Harris died.

2 - Y. M. C. A. opens membership campaign. Glenn Rhoads died.

4 - Third Richland county contingent of National army left for Camp Sherman.

7 - Russell Alger injured by automobile.

8 - Spiro Kaler and family in auto accident near New London. Ohio bankers' convention.

11 - Harry Orwig dropped dead at Lima. Henry R. Murphy died.

15 - William F. Fisher takes office as county auditor.

16 - John Scott, East Mansfield boy, knocked down and injured by auto.

18 - Sidney Smith died.

23 - John Hartenfels died.

24 - J. E. Harter of Bellville killed when interurban car hit auto. Charles Wentz, former Mansfield resident, killed at Toledo.

26 - Ellsworth H. Bennett died suddenly.

27 - John Ricketts died. Mrs. Anna Kueiling killed by train at Orange street crossing.

29 - Coal shortage felt here.

31 - Food conservation campaign launched in county.

NOVEMBER.

2 - Higher postage rates effective.

6 - Silas Rummel, of Lucas died. Election day.

8 - Richland county campaign started for $40,000 Y. M. C. A. war fund. Two prisoners escape from reformatory by cutting through cell - first escape of the kind in history of institution.

9 - Long's 10 cent barn destroyed by fire. One hundred Mansfield men visit Camp Sherman.

10 - Thomas W. Ford died.

11 - John B. Hoover, of Lucas, died of burns at Emergency hospital. Humphrey Crombie died.

13 - Philip Walters died.

14 - Louis Burkhart died. W. J. Hajeltine resigned as city engineer. Judge R. M. Campbell died at Ashland.

15 - Carlo Bocaro shot and killed by Frank Veloni. C. Reed Robinson married at Akron.

16 - Home of Vaughn Bates burglarized.

17 - Ralph Lomax died. Mrs. J. C. Sell of Little Washington killed at grade crossing near Lucas.

18 - Veterans' day celebrated by McLaughlin camp, S. of V. Mrs. Peter Bissman died.

19 - Mme. Sarah Bernhardt at Opera House. Dr. J. A. Leonard started on extended vacation in effort to regain health. Earl Richy, of Pavonia, died of asphyxiation.

20 - Hulbert W. Ditwiler died. Auto stolen from Fred Hunt in August found near Bellville.

21 - Home of Walter Underwood on Bowman street burglarized.

24 - Delegation here from Camp Sherman for football game. Joseph M. Hunter died at Shiloh. Walter Wright hurt in coasting accident. Herman Smith hurt when train hit taxi.

25 - Henry H. Leiter died. Memorial tablet to late Dr. D. J. Meese unveiled at First Presbyterian church.

26 - Senator Warren G. Harding addressed meeting of Ohio Fair circuit.

27 - Henry Rigby and Russell Upson reach home after service in France. Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes here for lecture on winter chautauqua course.

28 - Golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Hoover.

29 - Rev. S. P. Long concludes eight-month lecture tour.

30 - William T. Cookston died. Older boys' conference of northern Ohio opens at Y. M. C. A.

DECEMBER.

1 - County fuel board starts to work. Mrs. Raymond Bartles, of Plymouth, injured by fall from a street car.

4 - Mrs. D. S. Hoover died. W. S. Pealer appointed major in the National army.

9 - T. R. McManital overcome by gas fumes. Blizzard, with drop to 12 degrees below zero. Rev. S. P. Long announces having received call to Chicago church.

10 - Cleveland Southwestern interurban employees go on strike. George E. Overholt died. Beecher O'Harrow, of Perrysville, asphyxiated.

11 - Local coal shortage becomes acute.

13 - High school closes on account of fuel shortage.

14 - Thirty-page edition of The News, largest regular edition ever issued in Mansfield.

16 - Rev. L. E. H. Smith announces having received call to Philadelphia church.

17 - Red Cross membership campaign opens.

21 - Strike of the Cleveland Southwestern employees ended. Negotiations closed for plant of American Clay Machinery company to locate in Mansfield.

24 - Red Cross campaign closed with enrollment of about 15,000 members in county. Arrival of three car loads of sugar relieves near-famine. Unusual rush for marriage licenses. Annual poultry show opens.

25 - Many soldiers home from camps for Christmas.

28 - George D. Heinberger died.

29 - Standard Upholstering plant destroyed by fire. Local apportionment of stock in American Clay machinery company oversubscribed and work on new plant will start at once. M. E. church at Perrysville destroyed by fire.


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