Looking back
Aug. 4, 1958
Rockport scored all of its runs in the fourth inning yesterday as they beat the Jasper Redlegs, 3-1. The victory was Rockport’s 10th as compared with six losses. Jasper is now 6-10 for the season with five games to be played. Southpaw Jerry Schneider allowed only three hits in a losing effort for the Reds yesterday. He struck out six while passing four. Henry Ayres was the winning pitcher. He fanned seven and walked one.
Second-place Holland scored their sixth victory of the season yesterday in Deer Trail League play by beating Stendal, 8-2. The Haysville Cubs got a sharp pitching performance from Don Patcheak as he blanked the Dubois Grays, 4-0. A July 22 make-up game was forfeited by Washington to Dubois when the Washington club failed to make an appearance for the night game on that date. Dubois players and the umpire assigned to work the game made the trip to Washington. The umpire checked the field and ruled that it was fit to play on. Thus, Washington is 6-1 for the season as the result of the forfeit.
Aug. 5
Ray L. Merkley, 29, one of the partners in the Merkley & Sons Packing Co., Inc., of Ireland, was seriously hurt in a traffic accident yesterday evening near Evansville. He suffered internal injuries and head injuries, and while he regained consciousness this morning, he is reported to be still in critical condition. Ray Merkley had gone to Evansville in a panel truck to deliver some products of the Merkley family’s meat packing company, as he does three times a week, and was on the return trip when the accident occurred. The accident happened on U.S. 40 North, a half mile north of the Pigeon Creek Bridge, a few minutes after six o’clock. Ray and a brother, Norbert, are associated with their father, Othmar Merkley, in the operation of the packing house near Ireland. Ray and Norbert live on W. Ninth St. in Jasper, in the building formerly occupied by the Merkley grocery store and meat market.
Aug. 6
Courses in Junior and Senior Life Saving will be conducted at the Jasper Swimming Pool starting next Monday, August 11. The courses will run for two weeks and will be taught by Phyllis Hoffman, a qualified Red Cross life saving instructor. Persons wishing to take the Junior life saving course must be 12 years of age or older. This class will meet each day from 9 to 10:30 A.M. The Senior course is for persons 16 years of age or older. This group will meet from 10:30 to 12 noon daily. Persons interested in these courses need not sign up, but simply report to the swimming pool at the appointed time, said Victor Nixon, manager of the Jasper Swimming Pool.
Aug. 7
Sunbeam’s Jim “Lefty” Wallace, former major league hurler, stopped the Jasper Redlegs on three hits as he pitched the Bakers to a 3-0 I-K League triumph at Recreation Field last night. The defeat virtually eliminated the Reds from finishing in the first division. Jasper has now won six games while losing 11. They dropped from sixth to seventh place in the standings. Sunbeam’s triumph was their 10th in 17 games. The win tightened their hold on fourth place. Sunbeam’s crafty left hander scattered three singles last night while striking out nine and walking only two. He gave up a one-out single to Bobby Reinhart in the third and a one-out single to “Bipps” Reckelhoff in the fourth. Jim Eckerle, Redleg right fielder, collected the other single leading off the fifth inning. Wallace helped his own cause by banging out three singles. The contest was run off in record time. It was played in two hours and seven minutes.
Aug. 8
The following merchants donated to the pet parade prize fund at the Kiddie Karnavel: Uptown, Berger Grocery, Jerry’s Sundries, Monica’s, Sears, Ben Franklin, Weigel’s, Lorey Bros., Luegers Liquor, Wilson Drug, A & P, Cottage Inn, Sermersheim Home & Auto, Lorey Fashion’s, Tewell’s , Georgia Lee Gift Shop, Theo. J. Welp, General Auto Supplies, Rochester Bargain House, Matt’s Cafe, Fritch Pontiac, Jasper Laundry, Rumbach’s, Edw. J. Fromme, Wehr Electric, Geo. P. Wagner, Eckerle Electric, Corbin’s, Casper’s Drugs, “Dutch” Egloff, Newberry’s, Taichert’s, Elfrieda’s, Eckerle’s Music, Yaggi’s, Jasper Locker, Jasper Bakery, Jasper Automotive Supply, Nelson Studio, Vic’s Home and Auto, and the Squire Shop. These prizes were solicited by Kenny Hoffman, Bill Steinhagen, Dave Steinkamp and Tom Wagner. These boys also helped to conduct the pet parade.
Aug. 9
Another big step toward eliminating rabies in this area was taken Friday night when owners of 64 dogs brought them to a clinic at Dubois to have them inoculated against the disease. The clinic was set up in the William Kalb service station and implement building. Incidentally, a Jasper vet, Dr. C. R. Jones, was notified in a phone call from the State Board of Health yesterday that a dog died at his clinic the day before was definitely a victim of rabies. The dog, a pup that was owned by a family in the Cuzco community, was brought to the clinic at Jasper after it became ill. It was at the clinic for three days, and then died. It is believed the dog was possibly bitten by a rabid fox. So far as could be determined, the pup had not bitten anyone before it was brought to the veterinarian.
Aug. 6, 1973
The Jasper Reds staged a dramatic come-from-behind victory Sunday afternoon over Rockport to clinch a tie for their second straight Lincolnland League baseball pennant. The win was Jasper’s eighth in nine league outings this season. Jasper player-manager Steve Barrett won the game for the Reds Sunday with a solo home run against the scoreboard with one out in the bottom of the tenth inning, 5-4. Rockport, beaten only by Jasper this season in the Lincolnland pennant race, rallied with two runs in the top of the ninth inning to gain a 4-3 lead. Jasper battled back in their half of the ninth. With two out and nobody on base Steve Mehringer singled and then scored the tying run on a solid clutch double by Greg Berger. Jasper southpaw Mark Hildenbrand, who went the distance for the win, stopped Rockport in the tenth to set the stage for Barrett’s game-winning homer.
Aug. 7
All three plants of the Jasper Novelty Furniture Company were struck at 7 a.m. today by employees who are members of Carpenters Local 2631. The strike was called by Jules Verlin, Louisville, an International representative of the carpenters’ union after union and company officials failed Monday afternoon to reach agreement on terms of a new contractto replace the one that expired on July 28. Verlin said, “it’s a matter of wages. We want more money for our work.” He commented that it is now up to a federal mediator to call the next meeting. However, Robert F. Schnaus, president of the firm, said in a statement this morning that the main issue that proved to be a stumbling block to the adoption of a new contract was a union shop clause that the union insisted on incorporating in a new contract.
Aug. 8
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Oeding, of Rt. 1, Ferdinand have purchased the stock of the former Ruttkar UVR stores in Ferdinand and Huntingburg and opened Oeding’s Variety Store at the corner of Ninth and Main Streets in Ferdinand. Mrs. Oeding formerly served as manager of Ruttkar’s Ferdinand store for four years. Mrs. Oeding said grand opening is being held all this week and over $200 in prizes will be awarded next Saturday.
Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Jim Oeding operates a farm on Rt. 1 Ferdinand. The couple has three children, Steve, Mike and Susie, who will help to operate the store as time permits. Other employees are Mrs. Evelyn Leinenbach, Mrs. Geraldine Buse and Mrs. Virginia Klueh.
Aug. 9
A photo in this issue shows a crowd of shoppers waiting outside the Rochester Bargain House at Fifth and Main streets in Jasper Wednesday morning for the 9 a.m. opening of the doors and the start of the “Going Out of Business Sale.” The crowd was so large that by opening time not all of the shoppers were admitted at once. Throughout most of the day and until 9 p.m. groups of six or eight persons were admitted as others left. The closing of the Rochester brings to an end of a merchandising venture that started in August of 1929 when Harry Newman of Evansville opened the local store and put his son, the late Dave Newman, in charge as manager. Harry Newman at the time was operating four stores in Evansville and one each in New Harmony and Tell City. Dave Newman and his wife, Goldie, acquired the local store upon the death of his father in 1945. The couple’s son, Lenny, became a partner in 1950. Dave Newman died of a heart attack in March of 1965 while working in his yard. The operation of the store has always been a family affair. All but the youngest member of the Lenny Newman family, which includes two sons and three daughters, have worked in the store.
Aug. 10
Rod Zink of Ferdinand, a 1973 graduate of Forest Park High School, has accepted a baseball scholarship from Indiana State University. The son of Mr, and Mrs. Charles Zink, Rod will major in physical education at ISU. Zink’s senior year with the Rangers was hampered by injuries as he missed four games. However, he led the team in home runs, doubles and putouts. His home run sent the Rangers into the finals of the IHSAA Baseball Sectional at Jasper. Zink ended the season with a .320 batting average, drove in 16 runs and scored 15. He spent most of his time behind the plate, but pitched on several occasions. In 1973 he was the unanimous choice for all-conference honors in the old Patoka Valley Conference. The past two summers Zink spent playing Legion baseball with the Jasper Legion team. Zink helped lead Jasper to the Sectional Championship last weekend and will be competing this weekend in the Rockport Regional.
Aug. 11
The Jasper Legion baseball team, who started the season strongly but faltered at mid-year and dropped below the .500 mark, moved over the .500 mark Friday night thanks to a big win over Terre Haute in the opening game of the Legion Regional Tourney at Rockport. Jasper carried the worst won-lost record into the four-team field at Rockport. Terre Haute went into the game with a 15-8 mark. Southpaw Dave Doyle held Terre Haute scoreless until the ninth. Jasper’s only error of the game placed Terre Haute’s lead off hitter on base. Following a force, Wooley singled to right to drive in Gillespie, setting the stage for a dramatic game-saving play by Jasper second baseman Bill Alles. A line drive was stopped on a diving play by Alles, preventing the tying run from advancing to third. Stan Giesler relieved Doyle on the mound and retired the next two batters on fly balls to deep center. Alles also led the Jasper hitting with two singles.
Aug. 3, 1998
The budding talents of two local swimmers were on display recently in the state meet at the the Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI. Jasper’s Taryn Brelage and Huntingburg’s Janae Gill, both 12, each brought home first place medals in the statewide meet. Brelage, an eight-year swimming veteran, won both the 50 and 100-meter breast stroke, and also competed in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle. Gill, who began swimming competitively only 2 1/2 years ago, won the 100-meter backstroke, and also competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly. Her winning time of :32.56 was not only a personal best, but also fast enough to rank her time among the top 16 in the nation. Gill swims for SARGE and attends Southridge Middle School. Brelage swims for JAWS and attends Jasper Middle School. Both will go on to compete in their zone meet, August 6-9 in Quincy, Illinois.
Aug. 4
Noon today was the deadline for political parties to fill vacant slots on the fall ballot for local and state offices, but no candidates filed at either the Dubois County Clerk’s office or the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
Candidates elected in the spring primary who face no opposition this fall are virtually elected. Unopposed candidates for Dubois County offices are: Leon Fleck, County Commissioner, Second District, Democrat, Stan Verkamp, County Council, First District, Democrat, Chick Alles, County Council, Second District, Democrat, Scott Knies, County Council, Third District, Democrat, Jerry Hunefeld, County Council, Fourth District, Republican, Howard Lytton, Judge, Superior Court, Democrat, Mike Fritch, Prosecutor, Democrat, Ray Lueken, Assessor, Democrat, Donna Schroeder, Recorder, Democrat. Contested Dubois Co. offices this fall are: Sheriff, Democrat Jerry Breeding facing Republican Mike Schmitt, Auditor, Democrat Martha Wehr facing Republican Ken Schmitt, Clerk, Democrat Mag Kress facing incumbent Republican Janet Sendleweck.
Aug. 5
Kimball International today reported record fourth quarter sales and record revenues for fiscal 1998, although net income for the year was down about 5%. Annual sales surpassed $1 billion for the first time. The company reported net sales of $256.9 million for the quarter ending June 30, which was 4% higher than the 1997 fourth-quarter sales of $247.3 million. Earnings for the quarter, however, dropped about 15% from $15.1 million in 1997 fourth quarter to $12.8 million this year. The earnings decline was primarily because of competitive pricing pressures in the office furniture market while the company strived to sustain and increase its market share. Shifting to lower margin assemblies and product mix in its electronics segment also contributed to the decline. Kimball president James C. Thyen said the company was excited by the growth in revenue but not so pleased with the drop in profits and stock prices during the fourth quarter.
Aug. 6
Workers, excavation equipment and a water hose signaled the beginning of the end of the St. Ferdinand School building Wednesday. Lechner Excavating Inc. used three excavators to break up the roof and walls of the building, starting the day-long process on the building’s north side. Another worker sprayed water to settle the dust. By the afternoon, the building was nothing more than a pile of rubble. “There are now four parish buildings left,” said an angry Dave Kemper, president of the Ferdinand Historical Society Preservation Committee. “Hopefully the church won’t be next.” The old school, built in 1908, had been used as the church’s Spiritual Life Center since 1989. The parish voted in December 1995 to demolish the building and build a new center.
Aug. 7
Discussion heated up Thursday when councilmen considered a smoking ban in public buildings and city-owned vehicles. The motivation for the smoking prohibition was the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke. “Individuals who need to use public buildings and access municipally owned motor vehicles who may have respiratory problems necessitate a smoke-free environment, so the proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking from all public buildings and all municipally owned vehicles,” said city attorney Phil Schneider. The only exceptions: League Stadium and any park shelter. Some, like councilman John Songer and water department employee Gary Meyerholtz, said the proposed ordinance went too far. Others, like councilmen Marvin Boeglin and Larry Tenbarge, suggested it didn’t go far enough. “I don’t see how this gets by the State Fire Marshall,” Boeglin said of League Stadium’s exemption. Mayor Gail Kemp said the Fire Marshall’s office was specifically asked last year about League Stadium’s status. Smoking is OK there, but trash cans, which would heighten fire risks, are not, the mayor said.
Aug. 8
The move would have looked great on the dance floor, but the two-steps forward, two-steps-routine the Dubois County Dragons pulled off against the Lafayette Leopards didn’t produce much in the Heartland League standings. After winning the first two games of their crucial four-game set with the Leopards, the Dragons backpedaled twice on Friday night, dropping a doubleheader at League Stadium, both by one-run margins. In game one, Lafayette (16-12) spoiled the return of ace pitcher Brian Piddington, grabbing a 1-0 decision, and then came back to tease the Dragons in extra innings, taking the nightcap by a 3-2 count in eight frames. The Dragons (11-13) will be back in action tonight with an exhibition contest scheduled against the Owensboro River Rats. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
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