Special election, war news and striking workers

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Editor’s note — As The Times-Gazette celebrates its 200th anniversary, we’re taking a look back each Saturday at some of the important, interesting or even odd events as they were reported during the same week throughout the years, along with interesting advertising features from back in the day.

This week in 1879, the Hillsborough Gazette reported a special election was announced for Saturday Dec. 6 to elect a state senator to represent the Sixth State Senatorial District, which comprised Highland and Ross counties. The election was to fill the vacancy caused by the death of A.L. Brown.

Spargur Brothers and Company, located inside the Masonic temple on High Street opposite the Wright Motel, announced the arrival of 100 more new cloaks and dolmans, described as “perfect marvels of beauty.” They also had the largest stocks of hardware, iron, stoves and tinware in town.

An advertisement for druggist and pharmacist John Quinn said all of the goods in his store were pure, fresh and reliable. He also sported a large selection of pure wines and liquors “for medicinal purposes.”

Wedding bells rang for Warren Johnston and Julia Brown at the bride’s parents’ home on East Main Street in Hillsboro. Mr. Johnston was described as a well-known resident of the county and a good companion for “a good little woman like Julia.”

This week in 1917, the Hillsboro Dispatch reported that county clerk Wisecup had 150 blank forms from the director of the Bureau of Mines for licenses for those who buy and sell explosives. Hunters were exempt from getting a license for using powder in their cartridges, but all others were urged to visit a Bureau of Mines agent in Greenfield, Leesburg, Lynchburg and Mowrystown.

The First World War was in its third year and a Col. Glenn told those at Bell’s Opera House of Germany’s efficient rail system. He was quoted as saying that at the outbreak of war, Germany had seven and a half locomotives to every 10 automobiles, while in this country, America had one locomotive for every 90 cars.

On page five was an ad in large print saying “Children are crying for Fletcher’s Castoria,” while over on the right side of the paper another ad told readers to immediately buy a 100-count box of Dr. Edwards’ Olive Tablets – both were quick relief for constipation.

The Philadelphia Mercantile Exchange, formerly Spargur and Company at 121 E. Main St., was going out of business after 50 years. Their advertisement admonished folks not to miss the going-out-of-business sale, advising “knock off work, break engagements, if indisposed send a son, daughter or neighbor.”

At the Forum Theatre, showing Monday was the Pathe war news followed by a “Keystone Cops Komedy.” On Tuesday, showgoers could enjoy little Jackie Sounders in “Betty Be Good,” and coming soon Dorothy Dalton, Babie Marie Osborn, Olive Thomas and Fatty Arbuckle would be appearing in a soon-to-be-titled comedy.

This week in 1943, the Hillsboro Press-Gazette was filled with articles and advertisements that took on a war theme as the global conflict was at its peak. Lt. William Price of Greenfield had returned home on leave after flying 52 combat missions in a B-25 Mitchell bomber.

Greyhound Bus lines, with a depot in the Parker Hotel in Hillsboro, encouraged patrons in its advertisement to take 45 minutes and donate a pint of blood for servicemen fighting overseas. Phone 45 and roll up your sleeves, it said.

Showing at the Colony Theatre was “Guadalcanal Diary” billed as “the screen’s greatest victory picture.” The movie, which starred Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan and William Bendix, was based on the best-selling novel by Richard Tregaskis.

At the Boltz-Haggerty Shoe Store, the Christmas gift of the year was new slippers – and they were ration free. The Hillsboro merchant encouraged patriotic shoppers to buy war bonds or stamps with every gift purchased.

Shoppers could use their ration stamp book and buy a pound of Alberly coffee, roasted fresh daily, for only 25 cents a pound with the coffee stamp in the ration stamp book.

The rationing timetable was given in the week’s edition. For sugar, stamp 29 in book four was good for five pounds through Jan. 15, 1944. In the “A” book of ration coupons, No. 9 was good for three gallons of gas through Jan. 21, 1944.

Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Company warned customers to not waste electricity. Their ad said “waste in war is sabotage. Don’t waste electricity just because it is not rationed.”

Morris’ Five and Ten Cent Stores invited Christmas shoppers to “take a tip from a guy who knows and give a practical gift” in 1943. In their ad, they invited customers to shop for a “wartime Christmas buy that is practical and will last the duration.”

This week in 1962, The Press-Gazette reported the old Highlands Community Hospital had been sold and would be converted into a rest home.

Two Lynchburg youths were seriously injured in an accident about a mile east of Dodsonville on U.S. Route 50. The driver and his passenger were thrown out of the car through the top. The wreck happened about 2:30 a.m.

Picket lines were up at the Moore Drop Forge plant on Moore Street in Hillsboro. The plant was said to be operating at about 50 percent capacity, while members of United Auto Worker Local 192 picketed along SR 124.

The Hillsboro Indian basketball team, who in the words of The Press-Gazette sports editor “couldn’t hit the proverbial side of a barn with the doors closed,” lost their season opener to the Paint Valley Bearcats 57-41 at Paint Valley.

The Hillsboro Bank and Savings Co. told customers to get ready for a big Christmas ahead, and start planning for 1963 with a Christmas Club account.

It only took 1,200 S & H green stamps to fill a savings book, and customers could get them at Albers at no extra cost.

Not to be outdone, Kroger on Muntz Street in Hillsboro advertised that with its Ruth Lyons 50-50 Club special coupon, shoppers could get 50 extra Top Value stamps with the purchase of one dollar or more of Tenderay beef. The coupon was good until Dec. 1, 1962.

At Jack Matson Chevrolet-Pontiac-Oldsmobile, the new Impala sports coupe was “jet-smooth for 1963.” New car buyers could also get a free record album, and test drive new cars by Chevrolet, including the Chevy II, Corvair and Corvette.

Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.

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A look back at news items through the years

By Tim Colliver

[email protected]

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