USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 28
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The Buckeye Hook and Ladder Company was organized as an independent company of about 50 men. With their own money they purchased a hook and ladder truck and the necessary apparatus. Several years later the company sold their property to the village. Since then, up-to-date trucks and equipment have been purchased. The well-drilled hook and ladder company never fails to accomplish good work when called upon.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper in Van Wert was start ed by George E. Burson in 1844, and named the Van Wert Patriot. The next paper, owned and published by William Moneysmith was named the Bugle.
The Bugle passed into the hands of Conn and O. W. Rose, and the name was changed to the National American. It was edited by I. N. Alexander, Lewis Evers and Tilbery in succession. The name was next changed to the Ohio Weekly Bulletin, and was edited in
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turn by Col. Joseph Cable, William C. Scott, R. B. Encell, A. C. Tucker and H. C. Glenn. The name was changed in 1859 to the Van Wert Bulletin. After its editor and proprietor, William C. Scott, entered the army in 1861, the Bulletin was owned and edited in turn by H. C. Glenn, J. H. Foster, Foster & Hammer, Glenn & Foster, Summersett & Arnold and John A. Arnold and was finally formed into a joint stock company, the stock being owned by J. H. Foster and his family.
In 1873 in addition to the weekly Bulletin they started an evening daily, which has had a very large circulation from the start. In 1895 the weekly Bulletin was discontinued and a twice-a-week Bulletin took its place. The pa- per is ably edited and the young members of the family are furnishing the vim and push that we often find lacking in country papers. In addition to their papers they conduct an up-to- date job office.
The Bulletin traces its history back to the Bugle's first appearance in 1844, never having suspended for a day. After many moves from its first location between Jefferson and Wash- ington streets to Main street, it has finally be- come a permanent fixture on the south bank of the "Little Jordan." It is Republican in poli- tics, following that organization since it first made its appearance as the champion of free territories and free speech.
The Watchman was started by William Moneysmith in 1854. He was followed in 1856 by H. S. Knapp (known as the fighting editor), and he by Duane Roberts in 1857. In that year the press was purchased by a joint stock company and the name changed to the Weekly Constitution. Its editors in succession were H. S. Knapp, J. Clutter, E. B. Hearn and Van Valkenberg. On August 29, 1865, it was purchased by Moneysmith & Tucker and the name changed to the Van Wert Times. It
was later edited and owned by A. C. Tucker, Wright & Phillips, A. C. Tucker, D. McDow- ell and Hall & Moore until 1870 when it was purchased by W. H. Clymer, by whom it was edited. It was finally purchased by a joint stock company and was edited by George W. Kohn until 1900, when it was purchased by a newspaper syndicate and since has been ed- ited by Emery Lattanner. In addition to the weekly paper, a morning daily was started in 1904. A job office is operated in connection with the paper.
The Times is Democratic in politics. Af- ter many changes both of name and editors, it seems at last to have become a fixture on West Court street.
The Press was established in 1874 by Grimes Mcconahay & Son. It later passed into the hands of J. A. Mcconahay and was finally discontinued.
The Morning Star was issued as a spiritual paper but after a short struggle expired for want of patronage.
The Van Wert Republican was started April 26, 1883, by Milton B. Evers and was sold to E. L. & T. C. Wilkinson on October 5, 1885. T. C. Wilkinson disposed of his inter- est to E. L. Wilkinson in July, 1895; E. L. Wilkinson sold to John B. Smith, in February, 1897; and Smith sold to W. L. Scott in April, 1802. The Republican Printing Company was incorporated in December, 1902. Since then the paper has been edited by D. J. Evans. They have a well-equipped job office in connection with the paper.
The Republican as its name indicates is Re- publican in politics and has a large circulation, especially in the country where the dailies do not reach.
STAVE FACTORIES.
The first stave factory was erected by War-
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ren & Wells on the ground now occupied by the Cincinnati Northern freight house and tracks. Washington Zeigler was foreman for many years.
The next one was put up by Messrs. Penny- packer and Sibley and occupied 10 acres be- tween West Main street and "Keartown." It was a joint stock company. The charter members were D. H. Pennypacker, R. Shep- pard, George Sibbett, Samuel Neel and Josiah Sibley. The officers were: W. G. Penny- packer, president; W. S. Craig, vice-president ; I. H. Eldridge, secretary and treasurer.
The Eagle Stave Company was formed as a stock company in 1870, the stockholders b :- ing A. Conant, F. J. Bonewitz, W. N. Longs- worth, I. N. Alexander, W. Zeigler, A. B. Gleason, H. C. Glenn and Warren & Wells. In 1871 G. H. Marsh bought an interest and later on bought a controlling interest and has managed it since that time until a few years ago, when he surrendered the charter. The machinery has been taken out and moved to Missouri.
L. Meredith and Henry Butler started a hardwood stave and heading factory and dress- ed their staves by horse power with what was called a bucking machine. Later on Mere- dith sold his interest to Brumback and J. K. Scott, and the factory was enlarged, steam pow- er installed and the timber bought in the bolt instead of being split and then bucked. They afterward added slack barrel works to their plant. The firm's name was H. Butler & Com- pany.
The stave factories added much to the wealth of the county and hastened the clearing up of the land. After the hard and soft tim- ber that could be worked up by the factories was taken off, there was little left and the land was easily cleared. While many did not save the amount of timber land that they should
have, yet with the almost universal use of wire fencing and of coal for fuel it is not necessary.
THE ANDERSON PIANO COMPANY
Is the present name of Van Wert's leading manufacturing concern. The original com- pany was organized in February, 1896, by G. W. Newton, Charles F. Manship, James F. Higgins and George W. Kohn, Gust. Ad. An- derson and O. C. Nelson came here April 15, 1896, and began the making of the famous Anderson piano, the manufacture of which had already been begun by Mr. Anderson in Rockford, Illinois, in 1892.
This company is now controlled financially by the leading financiers and business men of Van Wert. The directors are George H. Marsh, J. G. Rupright, J. P. Reed, R. J. Cavett, F. L. Webster, Charles F. Manship, J. B. Smith, O. C. Nelson and Gust. Ad. Anderson; and the officers are J. G. Rupright, president; George H. Marsh, vice-president; R. J. Cavett, treas- urer ; Charles F. Manship, secretary; Gust. . 1. Anderson, manager ; and O. C. Nelson, superin- tendent.
This concern has always advanced on con- servative lines and has ever held the quality of their instruments up to the highest standard, which has resulted in a steady increase in the volume of their business. This year the com- pany will not turn out less than 48 pianos a month.
THE UNION MILLS
Were built by C. Link, who sold out a few years later to Hardesty & Hardesty, who in turn sold to Link & Emerson, and they in turn to John Rout. On February 27, 1871, the Union Flouring Company was incorporated and purchased the mills of John Rout. The
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incorporators were F. J. Bonewitz, S. Swine- ford, John A. Conn, T. S. Gilliland and Jacob Fox.
The building is situated on the corner of Crawford and South Walnut streets. The building is a frame 65 feet square, three stories high with a capacity of 400 bushels per day. At the time the company was formed and the plant purchased, there was considerable real es- tate attached, which has since been sold. This real estate was located where are now F. N. Walker's, C. B. Johnston's and Keiger & Dick- inson's feed barns and other buildings along Market street, and represented a valuation at that time of $16,000. An important improve- ment was added in the way of an elevator by which it is possible to hold sufficient grain to keep the mills going when there is but little grain moving. The mills are now owned by Adam Wise, who is a practical miller and su- perintends it himself. He is having a good run of custom.
WAREHOUSES AND ELEVATORS.
The first grain warehouse was built by L. F. Fletcher on the corner of Washington and jackson streets, but it was soon abandoned for that purpose, because the railroad company re- fused to put in a side track.
Fletcher then built another on the north- east corner of Market and Jackson streets. Shortly after this was built, the War of the Rebellion broke out and Fletcher's sympathy being with the South he had the courage of his convictions and went South. It is said that he secured. letters of introduction from his friends in the North and had a pair of shoes made for the purpose with the papers between the outer and inner soles. He engaged in the cotton trade between the Southern States and Mexico and amassed a large fortune. As he
bought with Confederate money and sold for gold, the profits were large. After a sale he would exchange his gold for Confederate money and buy more cotton, but after changing about $30,000 in gold and investing the pro- ceeds in cotton the Union forces captured his cotton and left him bankrupt. After the war, he came back North, broken-hearted, and died in the county infirmary.
His last warehouse was finally purchased by T. S. Gilliland and an elevator put in and oper- ated by steam. Bonewitz & Johns built a small elevator on the east of the one owned by Gilliland and after operating it for a few years sold it to Gilliland. Both of these elevators were consumed in the fire that destroyed six buildings for Gilliland and three for C. W. Lown, one for the Standard Oil Company, and one for Mrs. Henrietta Lown. Gilliland re; built and operated the elevator until July, 1905: when he sold out and the elevator is now own- ed and operated by Mahan & Johnson.
The Grange organization built a large ele- vator on the corner of Jackson and Cherry streets, according to the Chase plan, but it was not suitable for a country elevator. This they operated for a number of years. It was finally. sold to George H. Marsh and he to Ireton Brothers. This elevator was destroyed by fire and was replaced by one more suitable for the kinds of grain handled in the county. This they are still operating, having taken a brother-in- law into the firm, which is now Ireton Brothers & Eikenburg.
J. W. McMillen built an elevator in the west part of town on the Cincinnati Northern Railroad. This was burned down but it was replaced immediately and is now operated by J. W. McMillen & Son.
Van Wert is a good location for grain and hay. The territory has been restricted by the elevators being built in the neighboring towns
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yet our elevators are having all they can take care of at present. They are frequently an- noyed by the scarcity of cars for shipping, yet with the amount of incoming freight that is unloaded here they fare much better than ele- vators at neighboring towns.
MERCHANTS.
The names given under the above heading include both those who are in business now and those who were so engaged in the past.
Grocers .- S. Swineford, A. Conant, A. Lynch, D. H. Clippinger, Andrew Conn & Company, H. J. Wise & Son, David New- comer, Jacob Miller, C. W. Wallis, Andrew Moebus, D. H. Shull, Tucker & Patterson, Pet- terson & Halfhill, Brehm & Slade, Fox & Slade, M. L. Purmort, George Hammer, David & Allen, Henry David, Edwards & Gaskill, William Pier, George Hull, Dunathan & Humphreys, Humphreys & Hughes, McCoy & Harnley, McCoy & Collett, Collett & Harnley, A. W. Scott, Harry Darnell, A P. Conn, Conn & Cave, C. B. Pearson, J. E. Fowler, J. C. Sells, A. K. Sweet,, A. R. McCoy, Collett & Son, George W. Moltz, Luman Slade, David Harnley, Ream & Doran, U. S. Wise, Meredith & Clippinger, D. L. Clippinger, Capper & Terry, Evans Brothers & Collins, Evans Brothers, G. W. Newton, Collins & White, Conn & Scott, John Stouder, John A. Conn, Willard Pennell, Wisman & Allen, A. P. Wis- man, W. H. Dye and Sherman Allen. The fol- lowing grocers are now in business : D. R. Mil- ler, W. W. Collins, Benjamin Coleman, Will Young, H. V. Allen, A. Rothacker, Lynch & Greenwalt, Hire & Crosby, Charles W. Kig- gins, H. A. McCoy, Benjamin Yoh, R. B. Pearson, L. D. Whiteleather, C. M. Siders, E. Brown, WV. G. Edwards, DeVoe & Son, Frank Clay, H. Woolery, Lewis Graves, Charles W.
Webster, Wisman & Mohler. O. W. Allen, Conn & Balyeat and Jerry Agler.
Wholesale Grocery. - The Humphreys Grocery Company is worthy of notice. It has grown from a small beginning in the retail trade until it is one of the largest wholesale houses outside of the large cities. It occupies a large stone building, 66 by 132 feet, three stories and basement, which are filled with the wares they carry.
Bakers .- Charles Beiber, Christ Huffman, Kesler, Swoveland & Gephart, A. Lynch, Jacob Miller, Miller and Gephart, David Newcomer, Ream & Doran, Capper & Terry, Blanchard & Brown, E. Brown, Yost & Son, - Jones and John Jacobs. The bakers in business at present are: A. Rothacker, Lynch & Green- walt, A. B. Miller and Lewis Graves.
Dry Goods Merchants .- Samuel M. Clark, Adam Nimon, Thomas R. Mott, J. G. & Robert Gilliland, Walter Buckingham, George S. Crafts, (A.) McGavren & Clark (O. P.), O. P. Clark, S. F. Hahn, Reuben Frisbie, James Webster & Brother, E. Laukhart, D. H. Hack- adorn, Bonewitz, Schumm & Company, L. G. Schumm, Webster & Troup, F. L. Webster, D. R. Bonewitz, Williams & Roberts, I. Sealberg & Company, J. O. Roberts, Kyle & Reece, E. R. Wells, D. S. Miller, E. Vance, William Anderson, Bonewitz & Johns, Thomas S. Mc- Kim, Charles Mount, W. B. Harb, McKim & Zimmerman, McKim & Hall, Zimmerman & Hall, McKim & Son, George W. Moltz, J. S. Brumback & Company, R. L. Gipe, L. F. Zim- merman, Roebuck & Teubner, A. L. Teubner, D. R. Bonewitz's Sons, G. M. Hall, New York Store and Bigelow & Wilson.
Furniture Dealers and Undertakers .- Fred Coffin, William Morse, G. G. Goss, Crum- rine & Wells, Crumrine & Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Zeigler & Evers, C. W. Lown and Penn & Strother.
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Here the furniture business and undertak- ing became separated, and the furniture busi- ness was carried on by Penn & Cupp, C. W. Goss, Ream & Streit, H. J. Cavett, J. F. Sidle & Son, Balyeat Brothers and Palmer Brothers. The present firms are Sidle, Bonewitz & Need- ler, Balyeat Brothers and Palmer Brothers.
The undertaking was carried on by C. W. Lown & Son, Vore & Fronfield, W. L. Rank, B. F. Fronfield, B. L. Vore and Rank & Painter. The present undertakers are B. L. Vore and Rank & Painter.
Druggists .- Linn & Martin, A. P. Linn, Dr. Fred Coffin, Dr. D. K. Galliher, Dr. U. W. Hertz, Hines & Morse, Hines & Son, C. A. Melshimer, H. Noell, Noell & McDonald, D. L. McDonald, Gackenheimer & Son, L. F. Gack- enheimer, Butler & Boroff, F. J. Boroff, Mc- Gavren & Holbrook, Stemen & Dunathan, Stemen & Gipe, Clark, Stemen & Gipe, C. B. Stemen, Longsworth & Pennell, W. H. Pen- nell, F. P. Hill & Company, L. K. Webster & Company, Webster Brothers, Pennell Brothers and C. J. Haven.
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Of the above, Linn & Martin sold to A. P. Linn; he kept the store for many years and finally moved it to his residence. Dr. Fred Coffin sold to Dr. D. K. Galliher and there the store was lost sight of. Dr. U. W. Hertz sold to Longsworth & Pennell; Longsworth & Pen- nell to W. H. Pennell; W. H. Pennell to F. P. Hill & Company ; F. P. Hill & Company to L. K. Webster & Company; L. K. Webster & Company to Webster Brothers, the present pro- prietors. McGavren & Holbrook sold to Stemen & Dunahan; Stemen & Dunathan to Stemen & Gipe; Stemen & Gipe to Clark, Ste- men & Gipe; Clark, Stemen & Gipe to C. B. Stemen. Hines & Morse sold to Hines & Son, and later the business passed to Hines Brothers, the present proprietors. After C. A. Mel- shimer's death, H. Noell bought the stock and
then sold to Noell & McDonald; they sold to D. L. McDonald and he in turn to C. J. Haven, the present proprietor. Gackenheimer & Son sold to L. F. Gackenheimer and at his death the business went to Butler & Boroff, who sold to F. J. Boroff, the present proprietor. Pen- nell Brothers started July 4, 1894, and are pres- ent proprietors.
Clothing Dealers .- Ed. Steinfield came first with a pack on his back. Afterward he bought a horse and soon had capital enough to start a store. Finally he went to Rochester, New York, where he became wealthy. The next clothing dealer to locate in Van Wert was Gen. A. Jacobs, who has been in the business since 1855 and is now the oldest merchant here, hav- ing been in business continuously for over 50 years. Charles Rose was here for a few years. Decker Brothers were here in 1865. Gus Brewer abandoned his stock of goods and went to California. His creditors took the goods. Emanuel Straus also let his creditors pocket their loss. Other clothing dealers who have been engaged in business in Van Wert in the part are: E. Alexander, G. W. Day, Cahn Brothers, - Stamm, - Knapp, H. V. Olney, Davies & Jones, Hy. Davies, W. H. Clymer & Son, L. G. Germann and Ed. Doe. The following firms are in business at the pres- ent time: Bien Brothers, Stamm Clothing Company, Gen. A. Jacobs, Balyeat & Wassen- berg and Feldner, Olney & Richards.
Hardware Dealers .- A. B. McCurdy con- ducted the first hardware store. Before his time hardware to a small extent was kept in the gen- eral stores. S. B. Hertz was the second dealer in hardware. Others who have been engaged in this line, including those still in business, are j McCurdy & Company (J. H. Kauke being the partner), Casto, Eyler & Leliman, Casto & Eyler, Smith, Bard & Bentley, Clark & Bouton, Bouton & Lawrence, Jones & Tudor, Jones &
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Tudor Company, Wilson & Girod, Kauke & Alspach and Lowery & Heistand.
Farm Implement Dealers .-- Dunathan & Hard have been in the implement business for many years. They now have a building front- ing 84 feet on South Market street and 06 feet deep, with two stories and basement, filled from top to basement with all the latest improved machinery. Gilliland & Gilliland have been in the implement business for many years. Both are practical farmers and have a large acquaintance in the country. They carry a large stock, having purchased the old Armory Building, which they have weil filled with ma- chinery. Charles Cook has been in the im- plement business for some years and is well ac. quainted with the trade and carries a good stock. Charles Strother has had a number of years experience in handling machinery and besides is a good machinist, having learned that trade and followed it for a number of years. He has now embarked in the farm implement business with a fair stock.
Harness Dealers .- B. F. Shoop, Nelson Fugate, -Guyselman, Fred Henerman, John Strandler, - Rague, S. B. Bradberry an 1 Standler, Gilliland & Company.
Jewelers .- Including those still in business, the following jewelers have been engaged in business in Van Wert: William Snashall, Snashall & Son, L. Meredith, J. C. Sholler, A. P. Mcconahay, Mcconahay & Myers and J. D. Rowland.
BANKS.
The First National Bank of Van Wert was organized February 25, 1863, with a capital stock of $60,000. The original stockholders were : D. W. Burt, C. Emerson, E. R. Wells, A. S. Burt, S. Swineford, F. J. Bonewitz, D. A. Johns, A. Conant, Jacob Fox. A. W. Baker, A.
B. McCurdy, Almira Smith. William Smith and J. W. Rout. The first off.cers were : Pres- ilent, C. Emerson; cashier, A. S. Burt : direc- tors-C. Emerson, D. W. Burt. E. R. Wells, F. J. Bonewitz and A. Conant. The bank's statement in 1864 showed a capital stock of $65,000 and deposits of $7,328.11.
The bank's statement January 29. 1905. showed a capital stock of $150,000 : surplus and undivided profits of $45,424; and deposits of $565,321. The present officers are: Presi- dent. A. R. Gleason; cashier, F. L. Webster ; directors-G. H. Marsh, L. R. Bonewitz, E. K. Ream, A. B. Gleason and F. L. Webster.
The Van Wert National Bank was incor- porated in March, 1882, succeeding the private bank of Emerson, Marble & Company.
A comparison of the assets and liabilities of May 19, 1882, on which date the first state- ment was made to the Comptroller of the Cur- rency, with the last statement made November 9, 1905, shows the growth of the bank, with the rapid increase in wealth of our city and county :-
Loans and bonds
ASSETS 1882. $175,018.43 60,170.33
ASSETS 1905. $511,480.68 169.232.59
Cash
Total
$235.188.76 LIABILITIES 1882.
$780.713.27 LIABILITIES
1905.
Capital and profits
$ 61,148.87
$156.493.82
National bank notes
45,000.00
25,000.00
Deposits
129,039.89
599.219.45
Total
$235,188.76
$780,713.27
The People's Savings Bank has an author- ized capital of $100,000, of which $50.000 has been paid in. It commenced business on De- cember 7, 1903. Following are the officers : President, W. T. Hughes : vice-president, W. H. Pennell : cashier, F. W. Leslie : directors-
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FRANCE STONE QUARRY, NEAR MIDDLEPOINT
AUDITORIUM, VAN WERT
THE ANDERS[ | FAT & COMPANY.
THE ANDERSON PIAND GIRPE
FACTORY OF THE ANDERSON PIANO COMPANY, VAN WERT
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W. T. Hughes, C. L. Ireland, M. Woodruff, H. V. Olney, J. W. Longwell, F. W. Leslie, W. R. France, W. H. Pennell and S. Kohn.
LIGHT, POWER AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES.
The Van Wert Gas Light Company, now one of the most prosperous institutions of the city of Van Wert, had a humble and weakly. beginning. The first gas works were erected in 1881 by J. H. Miller, Jr. The gas necessary to supply the demand was generated with one bench of three retorts, worked only to about one-half of their capacity. The storage facility consisted of one gas-holder, capable of holding 10,000 cubic feet. The insignificance of these figures are apparent when the present capacity -that of generating a half million cubic feet per day with a storage capacity of 120,000 cubic feet-is understood.
In the same year, 1881, the Van Wert Gas Light Company, a corporation, was formed with an authorized capital of $25,000, and Mr. Miller transferred the property to the corpora- tion, though he held the bulk of the stock. The first board of directors consisted of J. H. Mil- ler, Jr., Jerome Miller, H. C. Glenn, O. C. McCurdy and John VanLiew. H. C. Glenn was elected president, O. C. McCurdy, secre- tary and J. H, Miller, Jr., treasurer. In 1882 a syndicate, composed of John VanLiew, G. M. Saltzgaber, H. C. Glenn, O. C. McCurdy and Perry Zimmerman, purchased a majority of the stock and soon thereafter sectired the en- tire stock of the company. Changes occurred from time to time in the personnel of the syndi- cate until the year 1893, when H. C. Glenn having acquired all the stock became the real owner of the property.
In the meantime the works were practically rebuilt. A water-gas generator took the place of the three retorts; a new gas-holder of 20,000
cubic feet capacity supplemented the first one; new purifying and condensing apparatus took the place of the old and large extensions were made to the mains and service pipes.
In 1896 H. C. Glenn sold all his stock, rep- resenting all the property, to J. B. Stevenson. Jr. Mr. Stevenson by his son, J. B. Stevenson, third, owned and operated the plant for about three years, during which time he added some valuable improvements. At the end of this period he sold all the stock to W. T. Morris and the Bradleys, who also purchased the prop- erty of the Van Wert Natural Gas Company and united the two properties. These parties made other valuable improvements. Upon tlc death of the late J. B. Bradley, all the Bradley interest passed to W. T. Morris, who is the owner of the principal portion of the stock. The present officers are: President and treas- urer, W. T. Morris; vice-president, T. S. At- kinson; secretary, H. C. Glenn. The capital stock has been increased from time to time, and is now $150,000, and the property is considered to be of that value.
The Gas-Electric Light & Power Company of Van Wert was incorporated in the year 1889 as the Citizens' Electric Light & Power Com- pany, the incorporators being Levi Meredith, G. J. Wright, George W. Beers, G. L. Marble and Thomas J. Ryan, with Levi Meredith as president and George W. Beers, secretary. Various changes in personnel and management of the plant occurred from time to time until the present owners came into control a few years later.
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