Twice-Told Tales Redux
This edition of Twice-Told Tales appeared in the former Barnesville Enterprise on May 18, 2016. Dates have been changed to reflect the current year.
Twenty Years Ago – 2006
The BHS Blood Bash last Friday was held in memory of three BHS students – Brandon Butler, Jaycob Groves and Dominic Tamborello. All three lost their lives this past year.
The Dickinson’s of Dickinson Cattle Company, Inc., who have lived just south of I-70 for the past 12 years, also considered homes in Mexico and Canada before relocating here from Colorado.
In celebration of Grange Month last month (April), members of the Belmont County Granges and guests journeyed to Hocking and Athens counties to visit the Taber Forest and ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad. The forest was paid for by donations from Junior Granges across the nation and named in honor of Louis J. Taber, master of the National Grange, who was also part owner of the Barnesville Enterprise until his death in 1960.
Leah Mae Stephens’ Quaker City News includes tidbits from past issues of the former Quaker City Home Towner newspaper.
Thirty-five Years Ago – 1991
The Super 10 Store Discount Store at 102 E. Main is holding “going out of business sale”. Over 60 different departments will sell out to the bare walls.
For a second time, the school board operating levy falls at the polls. The May 7 issue went down by 88 votes.
Girls’ State selections this year include Kathryn Clayton, and Jennifer Barylak, delegates; Heather Back and Elizabeth Wells, alternates. Boys’ State delegates are Robert Warrick and David Carpenter, delegates; Kevin Hannahs and Tim Starr, alternates.
With two weeks to go, the Barnesville Railroad Fund stands just $2,500 short of its goal of raising $125,000 to purchase the former B & O Depot.
Barnesville area residents may now call the Belmont County Courthouse toll-free as the commissioners secure a local number, 425-1118, that rings directly into the courthouse switchboard.
A total of 429 individuals showed up and 331 productive units of blood were donated during the annual BHS Red Cross Blood Bash.
Barnesville Rotary Club hosts six members of a Rotary International Group Study Exchange Team from Japan.
Officers elected to serve the Barnesville Hospital Twigs branches the coming year include the following: Verna Kaiser, Nancy Fogle, Zepha Reinacher, Brenda Skinner, Lynn Atkinson, Glenna Cain, Bobbi Moore, Cathy Perkins, Aggie Timmons and Marjorie Carpenter.
The Walter Thomas Store is the initial Barnesville Retail Merchants window decorating completion winner. Windows are judged for placement of product, color, creativity, signage and lighting.
Sixty Years Ago – 1966
The old school gymnasium in Bethesda on N. Main Street has been transformed by three local men, John Lucas, Harry Wright and Don Perkins, into the “Hilltop Family Raceway” featuring model car racing, a craze sweeping the country.
Barnesville Seventh Grader Tommy Schumacher was a tragic pedestrian victim on Route 800 at his home north of town Tuesday afternoon. After alighting from the school bus, he was struck by a truck while crossing the road.
Frances Dalton, owner of the tire and service station at the corner of W. Main and S. Gardner, confirms “out of town” interests are interested in his properties for a commercial building. Two adjacent property owners, Mr. and Mrs. John Mott and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Steele have also been contacted and agreed to sell.
Ray Shepherd, long-time automobile agency operator in Barnesville, announces the opening of an auto sales and service center on the east end in the quarters previously housing Shepherd Auto Sales (today’s Joe’s Tire).
Earl H. Watt, 81, life-long resident of Barnesville, died at Washington, Pa., following a long illness.
Eighty-five Years Ago – 1941
School Board member Vernon Burkhart tenders his resignation due to his removal out of the city to the Warren Township School District. John Bradfield is named to fill the vacancy.
Louis J. Taber of Columbus and Barnesville, master of the National Grange, will deliver the 1941 commencement address at Bethesda next Thursday.
This week’s Interesting Neighbor of Yours features George H. Cless, Sr., 84, Barnesville’s oldest active businessman. He and his wife moved here several years ago before purchasing the Barnesville News Agency from A.E. Grier six years ago. Mr. Cless’s daughter, Margaret Palmer, is associate editor of the Enterprise.
C.E. Edwards, 39, who has been ill for the past several months, died Friday. Until his health failed, he was associated with his father in the plumbing and electrical business.
Foster’s, Barnesville’s newest store for men and boys at 113 W. Main Street, declares today “Straw Hat Day”. New styles, colors, wider brims, fancy bands, Cocoanut, Panamas in light and dark, Peanut, Jamaica, Bumba, NuKu and Sailors, all “quality straws”, priced from $1.95 to $3.50.
One Hundred-Ten Years Ago – 1916
From the Whetstone
The Sunnyside Electric Co. has connected the high-tension line, and Barnesville patrons are now consuming city-made electricity from our own plant. Users will notice an improvement in lights and power.
During the electrical storm Sunday evening lightning struck the farm residence of Oscar Shepherd, one mile south of Fairview. The fire which followed entirely destroyed the house and contents. The family was absent at the time. The estimates loss was $3,000 with $1,700 covered by insurance.
The first big show of the season is coming. The Sun Brothers Circus will be here Saturday, June 3rd.
Deputy Fire Marshal Bert Major was here Monday inspecting the schools and moving picture houses under a new system recently initiated by the state. The method is sure to meet with the approval of the people. While here, he observed fire drill practice for the school students.
Local milk dealers announce another change in prices on June 1. The three leading dealers here will offer milk at 7 cents per quart, 8 cents if credit is extended.
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Twice Told Tales is compiled by Bruce Yarnall, former general manager of the Barnesville Enterprise.
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