The Mail-Journal, Volume 4, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 10 November 1965 — Page 9

Phones: 658-4111 & 457-3666

VOLUME 4

Town of Leesburg Reels Under Blow of Two Bad Fires During The Past Week

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LUMBER CO. FIRE — These two photo* are of the Lumber company fire which occurred last Wednesday evening. »

w,\- ■§ \ ?4 L \ V I t LjfiSf&J I H , #§P|9HM^ I 11 H / I $ 200,000 Loss At Leesburg Lumber Co. The town of Leesburg reeled under the blow of two fires during the past week. The first and most costly was that of the Leesburg Lumber buildings, and the second, on Sunday morning was the fire at the Francis Oswalt home (see story).

Tlk fire lass at the Leesburg Lumber* Company amounted to <a figure in excess of $150,0(0, it, wast learned . I Good news reached residents of f the area this week when the company issued the story that the yard would be rebuilt (see story>. j At the lumber company fire, de- j partment units from most all county | towns, responded to one of the j largest fires the county has witnessed in'a number of years. It was a particularly hard blow for the ( tiny town of'Leesburg l Burned to toe ground was toe j main office building measuring 78 j by 180, filled with office equipment and much building material, ineluding hardware equipment. To the east of toe mam building and also completely destroyed was a long budding measuring 38 by 180 and fitted with budding- materials. Both buikhags were one story and of frame structure, although toe main building had a second story on a small portion and had a partial When the heavy westerly wind made M obvious that toe second building would go. volunteers carried a considerable amount of tarpaper, paint. 2 by 4s and other light material from toe building. The Fire originated in the main building, but no one could be sure how h started. Water to fight toe fire came from toe town’s cisterns, but they soon ran dry and water was brought from the gravel pit south of town in tanker units. As the wind whipped the fire, it was obvious that a plan for containment was all the firemen could hope for. Firemen expressed gratification that toe wind was from the west Had it been from toe north, M would have threatened toe entire ( business block of Leesburg.

fissri' The MaiMlJoarnal

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (E5t.1907)

The top photo was taken as the fire was at its height, and the lower photo was taken the next morning showing a spectator viewing the

The firm employs about 45 workhnen. Lyndon Shenefield, an employee, said a large amount of redwood siding was recently stored in the second building to burn, j The company had several large ■ stockpile buildings, one at the raal--1 road siding east of town, that were I free from any fire threat A tall radio tower located near the main building withstood the i fire, although it was feared it , would topple during the height of [die blaze Telephone and electric lines ware disrupted in parts of Leesburg. Firemen Casualties A Leesburg fireman. Robert Ferverda. was given oxygen when he suffered from too much smoke. He was taken to the hospital in Warsaw m an ambulance, and socks returned. A Milford fireman; R. E. Slabaugh, fainted from to much smoke and exhaustion, but was revived by oxygen. The company is owned by Herman Buchmgbam of Tippecanoe River, east of Leesburg, end Clair Bunyan of South Bead. They have successfully promoted the aqedic “Honest John” image over a three state area where they do business. Their announcement this week to rebuild their comoany came as good news to residents in a far greater area Siam the community of Leesburg. On Thursday morning, following the fire, the comoany’s officiate opened temporary offices in a downtown budding they own in Leesburg Soon a large house trader was erected in die business block which is being used as an office. dean up crews were busy before the week was out deanmg up the debris and making plans for the new structures to go up.

■ ugly remains of the night-long holocaust. A Mail-Journal staff photo.

Announce Plans To Rebuild At Leesburg Lumber Herman Buckingham and Clair Bunvan, owners of the Leesburg Lumber Company of Leesburg, announced today that they plan to re-1 build and restock their damaged ] buildings and continue their busi- ’ , ness operations. Their lumber yard was extensive-[ ly damaged by fire last Wednesday | night. Their main building and a j large warehouse were completely [deutroycd by a fire which started | :n the main huilding. The cause of the fire, which has not been com- j phielv established amounted to a figure in excess of $150,000 and is j con end by insurance. The owners announced that they were fortunate f in that nearly ah their records were saved, including their accounts receivable records. Saved from the flames were all j the supplies for their Farm building j operations, their roofing inventory, truss fabricating shop <hml all lumber for framing work. Mr. Bunking-' haam and Mr. Bunvan said that they have placed orders with their supI pliers for a compete restocking of 'destroyed and damaged inventories and deliveries will be coming in 'shortly. I The well known lumber company j ' has been in business in Leesburg, for over fifty years and does busi-; j raws throughout northern Indiana, j southern Michigan and western / Ohio. Their familiar trademark is | “Home of Honest John”, A temporary office has been set up in the main business section of Leesburg and additional office space has been provided by a large mobile home parked nearby. TRANSFERRED TO BRUNSWICK, MAINE 1 Blake Baumgartner of Milford. wt» is a member of the United ; State Ntay, has been transferred from Groat Lakes to Brunswick, Maine, He recently completed his basic training. A Milford high school graduate. Mr. Baumgartner ';is die grandson of Mr. apd Mrs, Ray Ferverda and brother of Bryce Baumgartner, all of Milford. His new address is as follows:; Blake D. Baumgartner SA 997-87-41, ETA SCL, NAS Brunswick, Maine 04011.

RECENT ARRESTS BY MILFORD POLICE The following are recent arrests made by die Milford police departi ment: Michel A. Hinshaw, 19, r 4 Warsaw, was arrested on October 28 for wreckless driving. | Dale M. Rink. 16, Milford, was arrested on October 29 for disregarding a stop sign. Robert P. Ruch. 27, Milford, was arrested on October 29 for disregarding a stop sign. Charles R. Westerman. 17, Milford. Was arrested October 30 for wreckless chiving and fined $43.25. He was also ticketed fir no operator's license and fined $19.25. Both fines were levied by Van Buren township justice of the peace Harry i Dale Doty.

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OSWALT FIRE — Leesburg and Milford firemen are on the roof of the Francis (Tuffy) Oswalt home on Yah Buren street in Leesburg car-

Unestimated Damage At Tuffy' Oswalt Home

Leesburg and Milford firemen responded to an alarm at 9:45 a. m. Sunday to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis (Tuffy ). Oswalt on Van Buren street in Leesburg. Fine, which had originated in an upstairs bedroom in the two-story Oswalt house, completely gutted the second floor and did considerable damage throughout the house. Mrs. Oswalt, a realtor and insurance agent, said no fire loss had been determined early this week, but felt the entire house would have

MILFORD SCOUTS ATTEND CHURCH The Milford Boy Scouts, troop 47, and scoutmaster Dean Wallace met at 6:15 last Sunday morning and hiked to the New Paris United Missionary church where they attended Sunday school and church. From the church they went by car to the Holiday House at South Bend for dinner. In the afternoon they enjoyed bowling at the Wawasee Bowl. Boys attending were Don and Billy Leemon. Mark Mynhier, Mark Treesh. Tony Newman. Don Steffen. Dick Wallace. Larry Dowty, ..Rex Westerman, John Gorsuch, Bill Burgett, Paul Roudabush, Jan Beer. Daye Miller. Jay .Anglin,- Jim Morrin and Ron Rosser. TIME SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR B AND O TRAINS E. A. Culbertson. Baltimore and Ohio inroad's Syracuse agent, has announced the following important changes in the B and O train sen - ice at Syracuse. The changes became effective Sunday. Oct. 31. Westbound — Number nine, due at 4:46 a. m. and number seven due at 2.31 p. m., both flag stops. | East bound — Number 10 due at 2:06, a regular stop: and number ehd»t <bie at 1:40 a. m. local time, stop ly prearrangement only.

Hoy Jones Under Treatment For Radiation Exposure

Hoy C. Jones, 1801 East street, Golden, dote., a former Milford resident, was one of eight Dow Chemical Co., employees undergoing routine observation for internal radiation after being exposed to plutonium in an October 15 fee at Rocky Flats plant northwest of Arv ada, Colo. In a letter to Milford friends this week Jones said, “I feel no ill effects from the accident whatsoever. We are all still taking treatments end tests and will be for some time.” Exceeds Limit The employees have slightly exceeded the recommended limit of the emount of radioactive material in their limgs, according to John Mann, supervisor for dosimetry in the Rocky Flats Health Physics Dept. The plant, operated by the Atonic Energy Commission, is engaged in the manufacture of atomic weapons. 1

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER I©, 1965

ying burning household items from tie upstairs room at 10 a an. Sunday. j- The fire alarm which brought

to be rebuilt. The Oswalts had to move out until repairs can be made. A Zartman boy, living to the i southeast of the Oswalt home, saw smoke and told his mother, "The i Leesburg lumber company is on ' fire again!” 1 ; Mrs. Oswalt and daughter Vicki » were in church when they were notified of the fire. While the cause of the fire • reI mains undetermined, there is speculation that a cigarette might have ■ been the cause.

Grace Lutheran Church Holds Annual Harvest Dinner The annual Harvest dinner was j held in the Syracuse Grace Lutheran church Wednesday and was sponsored by the Lutheran Church Women. Over 100 persons attended the dinner. A former pastor of the church, Rev. Carl Sorenson of Rome City, gave the table grace. Mrs. Fred Johnson showed films of the harvest dinners of the last five years. . Others from out of town attending were Rev. and Mrs. Carl H. Satre and Miss Ruth Carrol of Fort ; Wayne and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hamman of Goshen, 1 The committee in charge of ar--1 rangements was composed of Mrs. Charles Miller, Mrs. Samuel Bush ong, Mrs. Alma Laine and Mrs. Myrtle Robinson. MILFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT I MAKES THREE RUNS > The Milford fire department : made three runs last week. The first was on Monday afternoon around 3 p. m. and was to Waubee Lake where an old building used to store ' boats burned. t The second fine was on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p. m. when an old cemetery near town caught fire, j The third run was to Leesburg | where they assisted with the fire at the lumber company.

, j The amount is being measured and compared to a safety scale set forth by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, which also has been adopted by the Atonic Energy Commission and Federal Radiation Council. The “safe” limit for this scale is based on a conservative figure and i is used to determine the level at which no health impairments are expected for the life of the individual. The men inhaled small dust particles containing a very small percentage of radioactive plutonium which were released in the fire. Before the fire Could be extinguished, it burned through a temporary plastie enclosure used to control contamination where these maintenance men were working. : Radiation from the plutonium is primarily alpha particles which have

both departments was sounded at 9:45 when a Zartman boy told his mother there was a fire. A Mail-Journal staff photo.

Silver Thimble Club Elects Officers Mrs. Luther Steffen of r 1 Milford was hostess Tuesday evening, Nov. 2, to the Silver Thimble club. Co-host-esses were Mrs. Carlton Bear and Mrs. Frank Beer, Jr. Officers for the doming year were appointed. They are as follows: President. Mrs. Carlton Beer; secretary, Mrs. Richard Hunsberger; treasurer, Mrs. Bernard Beer; charity box. Miss Priscilla Haab; devotions, Mrs Lowell Rassi; and reporter. Mrs. Richard Kaiser. The committee in charge of the program books for the coming year consists of Mrs. Lowell Rassi. Mrs. Otto Beer, Jr., Mrs. Jesse Beer and Mrs. Harlan Beer. Refreshments of barbecue sandwiches, sweet pickles, potato chips, fruit bars, coffee and cider were served during the social hour. Door prizes of Thanksgiving dandles were won by Miss Edith Baumgartner and Mrs. Levi Beer. Mrs. Amos Steffen of r 1 Milford was a guest. The December meeting will be the Christmas dinner-party. .

Rev. Walter Krider *. Transferred To Nursing Home Rev. Walter Krider of Denver, Colo., formerly of Milford, has been transferred from the Porter hospital in Denver to the Bella Vita Towers, a mjrsing home. His address is Bella Vita Towers, 4450 East Jewell Ave., Denver, Colo. He will be happy to hear from his friends. A SYRACUSE MAN FINED IN GOSHEN CITY COURT A Syracuse man, Cleo Junior Frazier, 60, r I, was assessed in ; fihe and costs in Goshen City court ■ last Monday night for driving without a valid operator’s license.

l an extremely short range. Accordt ing to company officials, they cani not even penetrate a sheet of paper, i Thus, the radiation is confined to the lung itself. After the flash fire, which was due to spontaneous ignition of plutonium i chips, all workers in the vicinity ! were externally cleaned and meas- : ured for posable internal contaminai tion, in the body counter. This technique was developed at Rocky Flats to determine the presence of material plutonium deposits in the human body. Plutonium in the lung is removed very slowly, by normal body elimination processes, in harmless quantities, according' to Mann. The employes have not lost any work time but continue to receive periodic measurements in the Rocky Flats bofy counter to determine bow much plutonium has been released.

Milford American Legion Auxiliary Meets The American Legion Auxiliary at Milford met Tuesday, Nov. 2, at* the Legion hall for its monthly meeting. Meeting was opened by the president, Mrs. Harold Freeman. Pledge to the flag, prayer and the national anthem were given by the 24 members and one junior member present. The secretary and treasurer's reports were given and approved, i Song of the month “Over the River and Through the Woods” was sung. Various reports were given by j the chairmen. ■| Finance chairman Mrs. Russell } Ruch gave a report on the beef and electric knife raffle at the Fall Festival. A profit was made. The quarter of beef was won by Mrs. Laura Richcreek of Goshen and the electric knife was won by Harold Watson of Anderson. A contribution was given to- the Beatty hospital for popcorn. The second district meeting will be today i < Wednesday, Nov, 10) at Portage. Mrs. Lloyd Felkner who will be 80 years old this month was honored with a decorated birthday cake given to her by Mrs. Noble Fisher, a niece. Mrs. Herbert Felkner pinned a corsage on her and presented her a basket of birthday cards. Mrs. Felkner's granddaughter Joan Felkner, sang “When I Grow too Old to t Dream.” Hymn of the month “Come Ye ankful People” was sung by the members. There will be a pdtluck Christmas supper in December with a gift exchange. The social committee for De-! icember is Mrs. -Harry Haab, chairman, Mrs. Seybert Coffman, Mrs. j Dick Felkner. Mrs. Don Wolferman, Mrs. Howard Berkeypile, Mrs. Clyde McDonald and Mrs. Betty Hare. Following adjournment of the busi-' ness meeting refreshments of ice | cream, cake, nuts and mints .were i served bv the committee; j ' : ' I ELMER HAMMAN ATTENDS XLPSCO BANQUET j Elmer Hamman of North Webster attended the Northern Indiana Public Service Company's banquet last Monday evening in the Hotel Van Orman at Fort Wayne. The banquet was one of six planned for employes with 10 years or more service with the company. Next year will mark 40 years of sendee for Mr. Hamman. The Fort Wayne dinner honored Ronald Ryckman of r 4 C 'umbia City, who has completed 25 years with the company. He is a gas crew supervisor. There were 375 employes present as he Was presented a gold watch and inducted into the company's Quarter Century club. The speaker of the evening was Dean Mitchell whose topic was “NTPSCO'S Heritage”. He stated that in 1966 both the State of Indiana ( and the gas industry will celebrate their 150th anniversaries.

Clip ami Save 1965-1966 INDIANA HUNTING SEASONS DATES AND LIMITS \ LimitsSgecias £>»«* Migratory Birds {official sunnse—sunset) Rails & Gallamles Sept I-Nov. 9 15 (30) Woodcock Oct. 9-Nov. 27 5 HQ) Stupe Oct. 9-Nov. 27 8 (16) Geese Oct 16-Dec. 14-Dec. 23-Jan. 1 5 f S)A Ducks Oct 30-Mov. 24 Dec. 23-Jart. 1 4 { B}/l Coots Oct 30-Hov. 24 Dec. 23-Jan. 1 10 (20}/I Dee* :sunrise-sunset' Archery Oct 234t0v. 20 (any sex) 1 { l) Gun Nov. 25-Oee. 4{buekoniy)l ( l) Squirrel Aug. 15-Oct. 13 „5 (10) Rabbit Z2/3/4 N; Nov. 10-Jan. 10 SHov.2o-Jan.lo 5 (10) Pheasant*/2/3 N: Nov. 10-Dec. 11 S: Nov. 2W>«121 2( 4) Quail /2/3 M: Nov. 10-0ec.20 S; Nov. 20-Dec.3l 10 (2<KSO) Hungarian Partridge /2/3 ffcffcm 10-Dec.2o S;Nov. 20-Dec.2o 5 Uoj Raffed Grouse** Nov. 10-Nov. 24 2 { 4) Beaver Nov. 15 (noon) -Feb. 15 (noon) none Raccoon 2 - Hunting Nov. 8 (noon)-Jan. 31 (noon) Trapping Nov. 15 (noon)-Jan. 31 (noon) Mink 6Muskrat Nov. 15 (noon)*J*t 31 (noon) none Dog tunning open season. kb*. f 2 Northern zone: That erea North of highways U.S. 40 East of Indianapolis and U. 5. 36 Nest ot lndiariapoMt. Southern zone: That area South of highways U,S. 40 Eastof Indianapolis ami U.S. 36 Nest of traSawpclis. Season opens on Ist day at 9:00 A.M. according to thee ofthe county tn which your hunting Is taking place. /4 Experimental season extension until January 31 on the following Fish and Game Areas: Willow Slougtg Tri-County, Pigeon River, ! For further detailed information contact: Local Conservation Officer, | County Clerk, or write to Hunting Seasons, Division of Fish and Game, | 595 State Office Building, Indianapolis, Indiana. ■ml hunting will be permitted in the following counties f management experiments taking place tome: Ntnson. Shelby, Tipton-and Vigo Counties. « ruffed grouse will be permitted only i« Brora, dads- j pace Monroe, Morgan and Bartholomew Counties. j

Boost The Lakeland Area

MILFORD DEN MOTHERS TAKE TRAINING The den mothers of Pack 47 of Milford completed their first session of Cub training last week in the home of Mrs. Lois Smith of Warsaw. Subjects were, “Advancement in Cubbing”,. "What Cubbing Is”, and “Pack Organization”. The training will continue this morning (Wednesday) at 9 a. m. with Mrs. Norma Longnecker of North Webster instructing the den mothers on “How to Run a Den Meeting,” County Scout Leaders Have Roundtable Meeting The scout leaders of Kosciusko county gathered Tuesday evening at Millers Merry Manor for their | monthly roundtable meeting. Gene Gronninger and Paul Graham, assistant district commissioners. were hosts for the roundtable sessions for Cub and Scout leaders, while Russell Kinsey will host the Explorers. Subjects to be covered are themes of the month, ideas for leaders to use in programs, and plans for the I next three months.

Past Matrons Meet With Mrs. Stoelting The Past Matrons club of the Syracuse order of Eastern Star met Tuesday evening in the home j of Mrs. Jack Stoelting for the November meeting. Mrs. Edgar Kuhn ! and Mrs. M. E. Rapp were the cohostesses. The president. Sirs. Gerald Cramer, presided at the business session. Games provided the evening's entertainment with Mrs. Mary Hoy j winning the grand prize. The next meeting will be the Christmas dinner party December , 7 at Marley’s Steak House. I ; • ——" ' Senior Mothers Welcome New Member The Senior Mothers club of Syra--1 euse met Monday evening in the I home of Mrs. Noble Blocker. Mrs. | Louis Kuilema was welcomed as a | new member. ' | The president, Mrs.. George Myers, presided at the business ’ session. Miss Carolyn Barnhart, laboratory technician at the Murj phy Medical Center at Warsaw, pre-sented-a most interesting and ini formative program on her work, i There were 14 members and one i guest, Mrs. John Fick, present. The next meeting, to be held November 15 in the home of Mrs. William Bailey, will •be project | night. Visited In Cincinnati Mr. and Mrs. Howard Judav and daughter, Karen, and Barbara Fishier, of Syracuse, spent a few days I recently in Cincinnati. Ohio, as guests of Rev. and Mrs. Robert j Janney and family. The Janneya 1 are former Syracuse residents.