Gas Station Operator [Earl Bartholf] Has 'Run Out of Gas'
The Ithaca Journal, Aug 31 1966, P. 10, Cols. 1-2, with photo of Bartholf

'Earl Bartholf has run out of gas.
  But the proprietor of the Mobil Gas Station at Dryden Rd and Map[l]e Ave. doesn't seem to care too much. That's the way he planned it.
  Bartholf, who has run the station there for 23 years, retired Tuesday and by that time his inventory of regular gas was gone, and customers had to settle for what little premium gas there was, or find another station.
  Most of the people, who appeared to be his steady customers, took the premium and wished Bartholf a happy retirement.
  "I've been thinking about retiring for a year," said the soft-spoken Bartholf, wiping off one of the last windshields, "and today is the day." Any regrets?
"Not a bit. no sir, not a bit.
  After you'd put in 12 or 14 hours a day, you'd be glad you were retiring too. Over the years, I bet I've spent more time here than anywhere else."
  Bartholf plans to spend his retirement in Ithaca, and someone is supposed to take over his station. "I haven't seen the fellow yet," he said.
  His inventory of gas will be taken over by Mobil, but he will have to sell whatever remaining tires, batteries, and other materials he has.
  Nothing, though, seemed to faze him Tuesday as he pumped gas, made out credit card charges, didn't charge a man from Nebraska for checking his battery, and said his goodbys to his customers, who wished him a happy retirement - and used premium gas for the first time.'