More on Fostoria

More on Fostoria (1939)

From Local Papers

March & April of 1939

From R/t Plus

Aug. 19, 2000

by Gene Kinn

"Grudge Fight"

The largest crowd to attend any of the current series of boxing shows, promoted by Benson and Lavery, awaited the opening bill of last night's fight show, promoted by the much heralded "Grudge Fight" between Clyde Alge and Cloyce Wolfe. The semi-finals between these two boys, whom it seems had some difference to settle, took on the aspects of a main go affair and a large representation from the Auto-Lite Foundry, where both boys are employed, were present to cheer or boo their favorite.

After six rounds, in which science and caution were thrown to the winds, the judges saw fit to award the decision to Wolfe, much to the likes and dislikes of the fans

________________________________________________

Local Boys attend Tony Lucadello School

Tony Lucadello had 28 boys on hand for the first session of his baseball school at Vanlue.

Dick Karg, Mike Kamana, (later his brother-in-law) George Rader and Billy Beeson of Fostoria were among the students.

__________________________________________________

Home Improvement Show

A big Home Improvement Exposition was held April 12-15, 1939 at the Hakes Building, corner of South and Poplar Streets.

Exhibitors included boat dealer, Howard Havens; Glenn Smith Chevrolet; Fostoria Ice & Coal Co.; Art's Norge Store; Nye Implement Co.; Hartman Radio Service; F.A. Copley Crosley Appliance Dealer; W.E. Kinney, Chrysler-Plymouth Dealer; A.E. Bristow, Antique Furniture Store; Ballreich' Bee Hive; Harrow Strowman, Bendix Appliances; Wissing Furniture Store; J. B Basehore & Co.; J. H. Jones & Son; Kenneth Kitchen Music Studio; Sorg Mattress Co.; Peggs Wallpaper Store, and the Fostoria Wireless Association.

________________________________________________

Busy Lady

Miss Gladys Andes, (Later Gladys Harrison of Fostoria) director of publicity at the Barbizon-Plaza Hotel in New York City, has recently been given another department, manager of the Hotel Concert Hall.that makes five departments under her management besides her singing engagements. the other departments are: Hotel Theater, Art Galleries, forums and entertainments.

1939

From R/t (Plus Aug 12, 2000)

By Gene Kinn

Old Swimming Spot Replaced

Fostoria new $65,000 swimming pool to be dedicated June 11, 1939. The pool was the 37th built with the help of Works Progress Administration (WPA) and open Decoration Day.

The pool is 165 feet long and 75 feet wide and built to accommodate 450 swimmers at one time.

The depth ranges from three to 10 and a half feet. There are two one-meter diving boards and a three-meter board. The pool is equipped with 32, 400-watt underwater lights and four 1,000-watt floodlights mounted on a pole above the island.

The pool which holds 450,000 gallons of water, adjoins a sand beach. A total of 125 tons of white Lake Erie sand was used in building the beach.

The first pool manager was Fostoria High School Physical Ed. Director, Al Sawdy.

The new pool replaced the city's former swimming spot, a dangerous abandoned quarry in which 10 swimmers were drowned in the past 12 years.

(In the late 90's a water slide was added to the pool)

1939

From R/t Plus July 22, 2000

By Gene Kinn

Local Kinsey Players Entertained Thousands

In March 1939, the following news item appeared in the Fostoria Daily Review:

The Madge Kinsey Players who have been presenting a varied repertoire at the Grand Theater in Canton all winter, will close their engagement there next Sunday night. They will return to Fostoria to get their tent equipment in shape for the summer season according to word received here from Madge Kinsey Graf.

Many stories have been written in the past about the Kinsey Players, but here is a brief recap.

Madge Kinsey was the daughter of M. L. and Beth Kinsey. M. L. was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He entered the theatrical profession at an early age and organized his own theater company in 1888, playing the smaller towns in Iowa, before moving to Ohio. Beth Miller met and married M. L. while he was touring with his company in Michigan. She soon graduated into a leading lady. After her husband;s death in 1907, she took over all the duties of the show. She later married Frank F. Miller and retired from the company in 1937.

Madge Kinsey Graf was known as the undisputed "Queen of the Rep. Show." She charmed her first audience at the age of two on the original Kinsey Komedy Kompany tour. Billed as "Baby Madge, Phoenomenal Child Artist." she moved on up through hundreds of demanding roles to eventual stardom in an industry that at one time saw over 250 rep shows, under canvas.

Married to Harry Graf, in Fostoria, in 1921, the actress launched her own show, "The Madge Kinsey Players, " to open the 1934 season. Through their astute and talented direction, the couple saw the show grow and prosper to become the greatest rep show in history.

Playing approximately 20 weeks a year in Ohio, Madge and Harry's celebrated troupe entertained over three decades of Buckeye families with the always difficult presentation of seven different shows a week.

In the 20s and 30s the Madge Kinsey Players expanded into winter stock, playing opera houses and theaters, with occasional jaunts into the southwest. The tent performances continued through 1954.

Madge and Harry retired to Delray Beach, Florida, after several seasons with the John B. Rogers Producing Company of Fostoria, during which time they provided technical assistance for the costuming , lighting and sets for the company's historical spectacles in 26 states.Harry died in 1972 with Madge following in 1975. They had two daughters, Bette and Jean.

Bette married Jack Murdock and settled in California. Jack played on the series,"Operation Petticoat" and appeared on other TV and movie productions. Jean and her husband Glenn Graves were both connected with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus World in Haines City, Florida.

Otto Imig, who played the bumbling "Toby" in many of the Kinsey shows, stayed in Fostoria after the touring company folded. He became a parking meter attendant in the police department where I (Gene Kinn) would frequently talk with him about his days in the theater. He died in 1990. His wife Ester (Fortner) operated the ticket booth for the Kinsey shows for over 40 years. She passed away in 1988 at a local nursing home.

Mrs. Jim (Pat) Beeson of Fostoria is a niece of Madge Kinsey Graf, the daughter of Madge's sister Katherine. Pat was a child actress with the tent shows as was her mother before her. After her husband, James Travis, died Katherine owned and operated the Little Theater Shoppe, a costume shop in Findlay. She passed away in 1978.

Mrs. William (Esther Davis) Munsey of Fostoria is a former member of the Kinsey Players.

While in high school, in the early 1950's my parents took me to one of the Kinsey tent shows, which were staged yearly on the then empty lot on the northwest corner of Poplar and Crocker Streets. I (Gene Kinn) can still remember laughing at the antics of "Toby".

________________________________________________________________

From R/t Saturday May 27, 2000

1939 More on Fostoria

Local Fire Fighters taking up Ping Pong

The members of the Fostoria Fire Department have taken up ping pong. When they received a set of paddles and several ping pong balls from Odenweller's in their list of Christmas presents, the fire laddies had ideas. After getting donations of one-half of a table from East North Street Lumber company, the other half from the Fostoria Lumber Company, the legs and base from Seneca Lumber and Millwork Company, a net and holders from Fruth Hardware Company, and some green stain from Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, the firemen had added table tennis to their list of city building recreations.

________________________________________________________________

1939

City Council offers Physician $1,800 per year.

Preliminary steps were taken by Fostoria City Council for the hiring of a resident physician at City Hospital. An amendment was made to a previous ordinance stating that a physician, holding an M. D. degree, and licensed to practiced medicine in Ohio, would be hired at a salary of $1,800 per year, plus room, board, supplies and office space at the hospital. The doctor would be on call 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

____________________________________________________________

1939

FHS Graduate Commands New U.S Navy Cruiser.

Word was received here by Mrs. W. D. Kuhn that her brother, R. Fletcher Good, a graduate of Fostoria High School, had been promoted in the U.S, Navy to commander of the USS Tuscaloosa, a new cruiser.

____________________________________________________________

1939

From Fostoria R/t (Plus) Sat. June 3, 2000

By Gene Kinn

Burglars hit unlocked restaurant

Burglars took advantage of the fact that the Holman Restaurant on South Main Street was not locked while it was closed, to obtain a lunch, a small amount of cash and some smokies some time yessterday.

A music box was smashed, but no money was obtained there. cigars, several bottles of wine , candy, a penny slot machine, containing about $10, and approximately $2.50 in cash from the register, were taken.

While the burglars were looting the restaurant, they took time off to eat lunch and drink a couple bottles of beer.

WFOB employee to be

(Has Birthday Party)

David, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Carr, was five years old Jan. 9. In honor of the event, a party was held this morning at Miss Maurine Risser's private kindergarten, in connection with the regular morning classes.

Mrs Carr brought a lighted birthday cake and elephant and rabbit ice cream molds, to be served to the children. She also gave favors to the boys and girls, as well as balloons and paper hats.

One Injured When Oven Explodes

Mrs. Ollie Medley was slightly injured and two large plate glass windows were broken Jan 10, shen an oveen exploded at the State Restaurant on West Center Street.

Mrs. Medley sustained a brusied leg when the oven door flew open. In addition to the two large plate glass windows in the front of the restaurant, several smaller windows in the kitchen were also broken.

the explosion was believed to have been caused when not all of the burners on the oven ignited, resulting in an accumulation of gas.

State Liquor Dept. Cuts Jobs

The Ohio Republican reorganization steamroller reach Fostoria today (Jan.13) when it was announced that half of the personnel

of the local state liquor store had been dismissed. Lloyd Gamersfelder, and Howard Murphy clerks, were cut off by the move, leaving only the manager W. C. Huber and cashier Ray Colburn to operate the store.

New Governor John W. Bricker announced the dismissal of 275 employees in the state liquor department at a savings of $333.720

Talk About Inflation

Kieffer's Country Chunk Meat Market, located on state Route 18 South of Fostoria, "On the East side and North of the Wolf Creek Bridge," featured beef roast at 14 cents a lb. and veal roast at 15 cents a lb.

_____________________________________

Isaly's (across the alley and south of the State Theater) had ice cream bricks on sale at 25 cents a quart. Flavors included Chocolate Bubble, Fruit salad, Three-Layer Neapolitan and Fireside (frozen fresh strawberry, butter pecan and Delighful Sunshine).

"Hot Shooters"

Paced by Jake shiff and Stretch Kisabeth, who scored 20 and 16 points respectivelly. the Fostoria High Redman went on a hot streak last night (Jan. 13) to whip Upper Sandusky 52-40. The boys were "hotter than a little red wagon" and caged a remarkable average of 45 persent of their shot (50 percent in the first half).

Mrs. Harriet Gear 100 Yr.'s Old

Mrs. Harriet Gear, who resided practically all of her life on North Union Street was 100 Years old on Jan. 17.

Mrs. Gear was a fine dress maker and achieved her greatest success in the 1870's

Mrs. Gear, formerlly Harriet Doe, became the bride of Joseph Gear in 1860. They resided in a yellow brick house across from the Uniion Street School, when Fostoria was known as Rome and Risdon.

Her husband, who served in the Civil War, died of typhoid fever while in the service and is buried in the National Cemetery.

Mrs. Gear is the mother of one son, Duane A and three grandchildren, Inclucing Duane E. the grocerman.

1939

From R/t Plus July 1, 2000

By Gene Kinn

Hooded Bandit Visits Fostoria Again

Northwestren Ohio's famous "Hooded bandit" made another successfrul raid in Fostoria Feb. 17 when he held up Allen Blose, an attendant at the Bonded Gas and Oil station corner of Crocker Street and Columbus Avenue, and escaped with an estimated $40.

Blose told police that he was preparing to close the station about 9:30 p.m. when the bandit ran from near the closed root beer stand just north of the station, and forced him back into the building. The bandit carried a sawed-off pump shotgun and wore a sack over his head.

The bandit forced Blose to place a money changer, and the money he carried in his pocket, into a sugar sack. He then ordered Blose into the station wash room and warned him to stay there for five minutes.

Probably Prize Winners

Art Berlinhoff, Harry Aldrich, Les Houser, Roy Hartsook and Earl Adams, members of the Peter Clothing Co. Bowling Team, received a message from officials of the Red Crown Bowling Sweepstakes stating that their recent high scores in the City League competition at the Pastime Alleys would, "probably win one ot the prizes in the big national contest."

During the weeks of the sweepstakes, the local quintet ripped off totals of 3,070 3,058 and 3,144 Each of the five members of the team averaged better than 200 pins for the nine games. Adams had an average of 215; Berlinghoff and Houser, 210; Hartsook, 209 and Aldrich, a 203

Columbus Ave School Being Torn Down

Workmen will start tearing down the old Columbus Avenue school building during the first week in March, in perparation for construction of a new edifice (Bryant School) on that site. During the remainder of the school year, classes will be held in a dwellingon on Seneca Avenue, just behind the present building.

Joseph Dell Received Appointment

Joseph Dell, son of John Dell of Fostoria received notification of his appointment as a payroll auditor in the Unemployment Compensation Department. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton where he received the highest grades ever given a student in accounting.

"Medical Service Bureau"

A "Medical Seervice Bureau", which assured Fostorians an opportunity to obtain the services of a physician at any hour of the day or night, was inaugurated Feb. 23, The Bureau was located at the home of Miss Rega Gabriel, corner of Main and Elm streets.

1939: More on Fostoria

From R/t (Plus) July 8, 2000

Gene Kinn; Article

Gas prices March 4, 1939

Gasoline prices in Fostoria dropped two cents per gallon on March 4. Rates range form 15 cents to 18 cents per gallon.

Dial Telephone Service Coming to Fostoria

Fostoria is to have dial telephone service in 1940, it was announced today by Charles Swift, commercial manager for Ohio Bell Telephone Company.

The program will include construction of a new one-story and basement building at 121 E. North St.,just east of the company's present rented quarters.

Local Bowler Should Receive Top Honor

Fostoria should cop at least one top honor in the ABC (American Bowling Congress) tournament this year. K. K. (Fat ) Kieffer will roll with the Moose team next Wednesday at Cleveland and his 420 pounds of pin crushing avoirdupois (Weight-degree of heaviness) should win the title of biggest bowler in the classic.

Other bowlers on the Moose team were Homer Cline, "Hot Dog" Kelley, Earl Klotz and Charlie Babb.

FHS High-Score Cager Lost

The Fostoria High Cagers will lose the services of their High scorer, Jakey Shiff (272 points in 18 games), and several other veterans including Charley Smith, Roscoe Marshall and Joe Keys, but for the 1939-1940, coach Johnny Rolfes will have Stretch Kisabeth, Charley Imber, Bob Might Alex Lind, Harry Smith and Frank Kirian.

State Professional Business Women Meet in Fostoria

Business and Professional women from among the 58 clubs and 5,000 members in the state, including state officers, will be in Fostoria tomorrow (March 12, 1939) to present the charter to the Fostoria Business and Professional Women's organization, thus affiliating them with the state body

Mrs Dorothy Flechtner, president of the Fostoria club, will preside at a luncheon at the Hays Hotel. Other officers of the club are vice President, Margaret Coe; secretary, Miss Ester Frederick; and treasurer, Miss Bernice Dicker. The Fostoria chapter has 33 members.