West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 109 by Charlie Miller

____The 1914 Fire Department consisted of George Baber, Chief; William Grassel, Asst. Chief; Wm. Neighborgall. Fred Grassel, Miller Clark, Frank Westenberger, James Strain, Firemen.

____1914 Commercial Bank Officers: P. M. Gregg, President; T. C. Gregg. Cashier: Howard Johnson, Asst. Cashier.

____1914 Farmers’ Bank Officers: Owen Harbage, President; E. W. Johnson, Cashier; R. C. Millikin, Asst. Cashier; C. W. Wade, Teller.

____January 15, 1915 – A resolution was passed to improve Main Street from the corporation line of Little Darby Bridge to the east line of London Street by grading and paving with asphalt macadam and constructing curbs where necessary.

____January 1915 – 58 street lights were being lighted by the Sun Vapor Company using natural gas. The Company employed its own lamplighter.

____April 8, 1915 – An opinion election was held, and the results were: The sale of intoxicating liquor as a beverage shall be prohibited-158; It shall not be prohibited-176. (West Jeff was “wet” again!)

____April 1915 – Bonds were sold for the improvement of Walnut Street from the railroad tracks to the school lot (Garrette Park), then on Fellows Ave. to the west limit of West Street, cost $10,500.00

____May 3, 1915 – The town rented the island on the northeast side of Darby Creek, belonging to George Gillivan's heirs, for one year for use as a dump. (This was a 3.75 acre lot, current site unknown)

____May 17, 1915 – An ordinance was passed granting the Ohio Electric R. R. Co. to supply the inhabitants of Jefferson with lights, heat, and power by means of an electric current for a period of 25 years. The Village of Jefferson reserves the right, at any time after a period of 10 years, to engage in the manufacture and distribution of electricity on its own account for the purpose of public lightning.

____July 6, 1915 – Council moved to donate the southeast room of the City Building to the Library Trustees for use as a public library as long as use for it remains the same and the Trustees keep the room in good repair and pay expenses. (Currently Hurt/ Battelle Library on Lilly Chapel Road.)

____July 27, 1915 – The contract to pave Main St. was awarded to the Andrew Asphalt Paving Co. of Hamilton, Ohio, with a bid of $1.95 per square yard.

____Bonds were sold for the paving of Main St. in the amount of $42,000.00.