Ottoville Items - 1937

Monday May 24, 1937 Lima News

Pupils Strike at Ottoville

Student Body Resents Dismissal of Three Popular Instructors

            Ottoville, May 25 – Resenting the action of the school board in refusing to renew the contracts of three popular members of the faculty, approximately 75 students of the high school division of the Ottoville centralized school walked out of their classrooms at noon today.

            The students had engaged in a sit-down during the morning, remaining in their seats and refusing to take part in any school-work.

            When these tactics did not appear to be securing results, the pupils walked out at noon and were marching around the school building and through the village carrying variously worded banners.

            Supt. F. J. Uhrich refused to discuss the matter when contacted over the telephone by The Lima News, and the head of the village school board also stated that “I know nothing about it.”

            According to early information, the school board, at a meeting last week, refused contracts for next year to F. W. Koenig, Commercial teacher; Miss Jeanette Wagner, Music teacher and Miss Susanne Mulaney, grade teacher.

Three Teachers Are Popular

            The three had been members of the faculty for the past 18 months and were said to be popular not only with students but with town people also. The dismissal action is resented by the village residents as well as the students, was reported, and there were reports also that demands had been made that the school board members and Supt. Uhrich resign.

            A student whose name was not divulged, told The Lima News that the dismissed teachers claim the boards actions were based on “purely personal” reasons and not over any dissatisfaction with their teaching ability.

            The student also stated that there had been considerable dissention among the faculty for the past few months and it is believed the dismissal of the three is the culmination of this situation. One of the banners carried in the parade about the town, which boasts a population of 425 and is about seven miles northwest of Delphos, stated “Cooperation Among Faculty.” Another demanded the rehiring of the dismissed teachers.

           

Tuesday May 25, 1937 Lima News

School Heads in Putnam County Voice Warning

Reports Students Frequenting Beer Halls to be Investigated

Both Sides Stand Firm

Walkout Over Dismissed Teachers to Continue, Say Pupils

By Vic Sheron Lima News Staff Writer

            Ottoville, May 25 – An ultimatum to parents to have their children back in class by Thursday morning or face arrest, and reports that the state Department of Liquor Control has been asked to send investigators here to probe reports students are frequenting beer dispensing establishments, marked Ottoville’s school strike today.

            The only break in the line of cheering students was primarily among members of the senior class who are to graduate June 2.

            Changing of the school bell this morning failed to bring back many of the pupils who left their classes in protest over failure of the school board to reengage three popular instructors.

            The teachers, F. W. Koenig, Miss Jeanette Wagner and Miss Susanne Mullaney, together with Supt. F. J. Uhrich, maintained a discreet silence on the situation. C. D. Vermilya, Putnam County Superintendent, was emphatic in declaring, “Steps are being taken to break up the strike and to punish ring leaders.”

Meetings End In Deadlock

            The Ottoville school board, Putnam County school officials and Uhrich met Monday night but refused to discuss the conference. It was rumored on the street the meeting ended in a deadlock.

            Students were making much of their self-declared holiday. They paraded about town waving banners, shouting and generally making merry.

            The situation appears to be unique in that questioning of men and women on the streets reveals a large number of the populace back the stand of the students.

            Manifestation of this spirit was given Monday night when the marchers were invited to a free supper in a local restaurant.

            One of the students said Tuesday that when a committee sought to present a petition with approximately 150 signatures, asking the retention of the teachers, the door of Supt. Uhrich’s office was slammed in their faces.

            Boys and girls gathered about the school building this morning and voiced a determination to continue the strike. The mother of two striking students, indicated to The Lima News reporter, they were marching with parental approval.

            Supt. Vermilya said Tuesday morning that he had made a telephone request to the Ohio Board of Liquor Control to send a flying squadron of inspectors here to inspect beer and liquor establishments on charges of harboring school pupils under 16 years of age. He said the inspectors would be here during the afternoon and would also investigate charges that these drink establishments are providing the leadership in the strike.

Parents Are Given Warning

            The county head said that the attendance officer has been instructed to warn parents of striking pupils to have their children in school Thursday morning or face arrest. He added that “definite action is being taken to end this strike, and to apprehend all leaders in school and out of school, including members of faculty.”

            The superintendent asserted that he was standing behind local school board and superintendent in their actions in the strike and that the Putnam County Sheriff is on duty here checking for any violations of the law in regards to disturbances in the school or damaging of school property. Arrests are promised if any violations are observed.

            Supt. Vermilya stated further that the three teachers were refused contracts for next year because of “disability of inefficiency.”

Wednesday May 26, 1937 Lima News

Truce Reached in School Strike

Board Agrees to Reconsider Cases of Trio

Pupils Back in Class as Directors Ponder Retaining Teachers

Citizens of Town Irate

Reports of Beer Drinking by Students Branded as False

            Ottoville, May 26 –At a special meeting Wednesday, the Ottoville district board of education re-hired for one year three teachers whose dismissal caused a student strike. Action of the board in reemploying the instructors was announced to the high school student body when classes resumed Wednesday following the noon recess.

By Herb Coates Lima News Staff Writer

            Ottoville, May 26 – Approximately 150 striking students returned to their classes Wednesday morning following a two day strike in retaliation for alleged refusal of the district board to offer 1937-38 term contracts to three popular instructors.

              Question of reemploying the three teachers was to be officially heard by the board in a special meeting Wednesday. Students promised another strike if action of the board did not meet their approval.

High school classes were resumed after a committee of five parents conferred for over two hours Tuesday night with three members of the district board in a fiery session. At conclusion it was announced the board had agreed to "accept" the pupils Wednesday and would instruct teachers not to reprimand or seek an apology from any pupil for his

or her conduct in the strike.

BEER DRINKING RUMORS FALSE

Ohio Department of Liquor Control operatives are understood to have reported that rumors striking students were buying beer were without foundation. Officials in Columbus said a report may be forthcoming this afternoon.

The board also agreed to hear pleas of distraught parents and pupils who seek to retain the three teachers: F. W. Koenig, a commercial instructor; Miss Jeanette Wagner, music teacher and Susanne Mullaney, third grade teacher.

Partial settlement of the differences which enabled resumption of classes Wednesday was effected after more than 300 pupils and their parents gathered in a small hall, opposite the school building, Tuesday night and picked a committee of five to meet with the board of education, which was, in session at the same time.

Irate parents, with sympathies for their children at boiling point, picked the following to represent them in the board meeting: Harry Niedecken, Charles Looser, Arnold Lauer, Peter Fischbach and Alex Miller.

Three members of the school board who met with the committee were Joseph Hoersten, Anthony Koester and George Rieger. Walter Wanamaker, president of the board whom students said sympathized with them, was confined to his bed with illness, and William Dickman, another member, were absent.

Martin J. Wanamaker, a Delphos attorney, was retained by the parents and took charge of their meeting. He suggested to the assembled group that they ask the board

to permit the pupils to return "without discrimination or apology."

Aloud "No" resounded thruont the hall. When informed later of the board's action, the students accepted with reluctance the decree they could return to classes.

"We want the teachers re-hired first" was the comment from a least 100 mouths. To this Atty. Wanamaker told the group the board had agreed to meet again Wednesday and "re-consider" the action in refusing the three teacher new contracts.

In event the committee of strikers and Ottoville board cannot settle the question of re-hiring the teachers, it was agreed by both parties to take the matter before the Putnam-co board of education.

DISTRICT BOARD REMAINS SILENT

The district board, however, has declined to voice any charges against the three instructors since the strike developed Monday when the students sat idle for several hours, then walked out.

Garrett Otto, restaurant operator and strike sympathizer, said G. D. Vermilya, Putnam-co school superintendent, slammed a door in his face Monday afternoon when he sought to present the Ottoville board with a petition carrying 200 names of townspeople demanding re-employment of the Instructors.

Monday afternoon and again Tuesday they paraded the Ottoville streets carrying signs which denounced the district board and F. J. Uhrich, Ottoville school superintendent. He has been in the district's school system the past 28 years.

One of the placards read: "Roosevelt is for Old Age Retirement — So Are We Students."

They said reference was to Supt. Uhrich who has served three years past the retirement minimum fixed by statute.

Thursday May 27, 1937 Lima News

Quiet Prevails as Strike at Ottoville Ends

OTTOVILLE, May 27—Students of Ottoville high school were peacefully

pursuing their studies Thursday and looking forward to the close of the present term next week, following a two-days strike which terminated Wednesday.

About 150 high school pupils walked from their classes Monday in protest after the Ottoville district board of education declined to offer three instructors new contracts.

Al Humphrey, head of the Ohio liquor control enforcement division, announced from Columbus Thursday morning his investigators were unable to find evidence in support of a charge permit holders in Ottoville were selling beer to the striking students.

The liquor selling charges were made to state officials during the heat of the strike and Humphrey dispatched investigators from Toledo to Ottoville to delve into the allegations.

Students returned to their textbooks and prepared for final examinations Wednesday morning following a mass meeting Tuesday night at which a committee of five men were named to confer with the board on the matter.

Following a two-hour confab, during which both factions hurled verbal blasts at the other, the students promised to resume their studies Wednesday morning providing teachers did not discriminate, reprimand or demand an apology from them.

At another meeting Wednesday morning, the board extended 1937, 1938 contracts to F. W, Koenig, Miss Jeanette Wagner and Susanne Mullaney, the three teachers around whom the controversy centered.

Ottoville Items - 1935

10-15-1935 Lima News

Grizzled Canal Boat Skipper Relives Days Along Tow-Path

Ottoville's 87-Year-Old Resident Recalls Exciting

Period When Packets Dotted Miami And Erie

Waterway From River To Lake

By TEX DE WEESE

OTTOVILLE. Oct. 15— Fourth of July in 1843 was a history maker in Ottoville, for it was on that date 90 years ago that the first boat passed thru here on the Miami and Erie canal.

Ottoville was known then as "Lock Sixteen" and was nothing more than a stopping and transfer point on the canal system. Lock Sixteen became known as Dog Creek in 1858 when the Monterey-twp post office by that name was moved the farm now occupied by John Plescher, to this Putnam County center of activity along the canal.

The name Ottoville was not given to the community until 1880 and the town was not incorporated for ten years after that. The village of today has a population of approximately 500 persons.

Ran Canal Boat

            The canal gave Ottoville its start. When here I talked for a long time with Oliver Sellet, 87, the oldest man in the town, who worked on the canal when a boy, and who later operated a state packet boat between Defiance and the state dam and between Delphos and St. Mary’s.

            The first boat that passed through here on Independence Day in ’45 was the Marshall, laden with furs and pelts enroute from Piqua to Toledo. But it was not until 17 years later that Sellet was to play his first roll on the canal.

            He was born in Alsace Loraine in 1849 and came to America with his parents when he was five years of age. The family first settled in Seneca County and moved here from Fostoria in 1861 at the outset of the Civil War. When he was only 13, Sellet got a job working on the cabal as a laborer. His work was to help make repairs and to do general work in keeping the canal in good shape through this district.

            Sellet recalls a day in 1862 when there was a break in the lock here that held up canal traffic for a day. Just to give a rough idea how busy the canal was, Sellet says that in just a few hours upwards of 50 boats were docked up in Ottoville awaiting their turn to ship through the lock.

            In later years Sellet was Captain of a state boat that patrolled the canal to keep it in repair. Boats, he said, were towed by horses or mules, using two animals to tow a boat. At feeding time the animals were led across a drawbridge into the boat where they were fed in quarters in the middle of the barges. The canal was from 60 to 70 feet wide and from six to eight feet deep.

Limit On Loading

            Sellet said that there was a law which permitted boats to load only to a depth of three feet and any excess loading was punishable by a fine. Lock lifts varied from six to 16 feet. In the days of horse power it required from two to three days to make the trip from Ottoville to Piqua, a distance of about 60 miles. However the time was reduced in the last days of the canal when steam packets plied the route.

            An idea of the extensive canal operations in the early days is gained from from the fact that in the early pioneer settlement of Delphos alone, various interests owned 14 canal boats and then smaller packets. Much grain and lumber were chipped via the canal to lake ports and all manufacturers along the route used canal water power to operate their plants.

Record Book Stolen

            Sellet told me that for many years he had a priceless record of canal activities, which he had kept, but said that in recent years it was stolen from him.

            I would like to make another appeal to the fellow that took that book to bring it back to me,” Sellet said.

            Every industry needed to supply pioneer demands could be found along the banks of the canal in its balmiest days. Among them were stave factories, Saw mills, heading mills, cooperages, shipyards and dry docks, packaging houses, shingle factories, distilleries, shoe peg factories, asheries, planning mills and lumber yards.

            According to Sellet, the canal proved to be the main artery of commercial existence for the pioneer industrialists. Even after the railroads came to supplant the canal, the route still was used many years by pleasure packets. The last of these to operate through Ottoville was the Marguerite, after it went out of service, was owned for many years by a Delphos stock company an lay moored in the canal there between First-st and the Pennsylvania railroad bridge.

The Pirougues

            The canal business must have been pretty interesting. In digging through some old records I have found that in addition to the regular canal boats there also were operated by many individuals smaller craft known as pirougues. A pirougue was something on the order of a narrow ferry boat – perhaps three to four feet wide and from 35 to 40 feet long.

            These boats were used for lighter cargoes and were employed mostly by farmers as a means of conveying surplus grain, pork, butter, eggs, etc., to market at Defiance.

            They became a source of annoyance to the skippers of the canal boats when they first came into use, there were numerous collisions between packets an pirougues on the canal. Many times some interesting free for alls were conducted along the tow-path – probably much after the modern fashion of two autoists hopping out with blood in their eyes to settle the blame for a “tie” at a crowded street intersection.

            However, the individual owner of the smaller craft soon became expert mariners and the canal collisions were fewer.

            At times, tho, they had their ups and downs. A clipping from the Defiance Democrat, of April 1852, records one such instance of a court victory for the purougue pilots. It says:

            “J. P. Simon, of Putnam County, recovered a judgment of $10 and costs against the canal boat, Gold Digger, before Squire Bouton, Wednesday, for damage done to his pirougue, through carelessness or inattention of the hands on the Gold Digger. This settles the question that the pirougue drivers at our docks are entitled to some protection and that canal boatmen must be more cautious.”

Hauled War Supplies

            The Miami and Erie probably saw greatest activity when 14-year-old Oliver Sellet was employed on it during the exciting days of the Civil War. Boats could be seen on the canal almost any day or night going to and from Toledo and Cincinnati and other points, carrying war supplies.

            Today Sellet looks back into that dim long ago and recalls his experiences – and it doesn’t seem so long to him, either. Time just gets away from you, that’s all.

            To get at the background of this great canal, now in disuse, which extended 247 miles from Cincinnati to Toledo – joining the Ohio River and Lake Erie – one finds that the preliminary surveys and period of actual construction consumed the years from 1817 to 1829 before the first canal boat moved from Cincinnati to Dayton. And it was not until 1845 that the entire system from top to bottom of the state was completed.

            The Mercer County reservoir, Lake St. Mary’s, was the canal feeder in this district. An army of nearly 2,000 men worked day and night on the construction.

Small Wages

            Wages were small – about 30 cents a day – and the contractor who could supply his men with the largest jiggers of whisky was considered the most successful employer. Dirt was taken from the canal bed by shovels and wheeled to the banks. Oxen were used when practical, and according to Paul W. Cochrun, the Spencerville editor, there was little law among the workers. It seemed to be a case of survival of the fittest. Difficulties were settled with fists and sometimes with weapons. After completion of the canal, relatives of the men who were unaccounted for searched for months for those who were lost.

            Probably one of the biggest jobs of the entire project was the one which confronted the builders in the Lima district – that of cutting the canal through the elevation at Deep Cut, two miles southwest of Spencerville. It took hundreds of men two years to remove the dirt from one of the highest points of land in Ohio.

            Anybody could get a job working on the canal. even women disguised themselves as men and went to work in the diggings.

            The first steam locomotive ever shipped into Allen County passed through Ottoville in 1854. It was shipped from Toledo to Delphos on the canal to be used for construction work on the first railroad built through the county – now the Pennsylvania.

            Time moves backward in its flight for Oliver Sellet, Ottoville’s 87-year-old canal boat Captain, when you start talking the “language of the locks”.

            It makes his forget all about 1935 and borrowed time. As we sat in the kitchen of Sellet’s home here and talked of those early days on the canal – there came over this aged man a great change. A smile spread across his face, and once again he was a youthful captain of that state of Ohio packet, shouting orders to member of his crew along the banks of the Miami and Erie.

10-16-1935 Lima News

Devout Pioneers Crossed Sea To Build New World Ottoville

Monterey-tp Village In Putnam-co Basks In Sunlight Of Religious Life And Peaceful Pursuits Established By Early Settlers

By TEX DEWEESE

OTTOVILLE, Oct. 16—The original site of this village was platted in 1845 for the Rev. John Otto Bredeick, the German Catholic priest who had come to America

several years prior to this date and had established the town of Delphos, seven miles south of here.

In Tuesday's article I wrote of Ottoville's growth with the old Miami and Erie Canal. For it was at the time the village was laid out that the first canal boat passed thru on the way from Dayton to Toledo. That was a red letter day in the pioneer life of the community.

            The first permanent settlers in Monterey township, in which this village is situated, were the families of Henry Schroeder and Henry Upland, who came in 1845 – three years before the township was organized. They were followed in 1846 by Joseph Gruber and in 1847 by John Livingston, Jonas Dash, Conrad Henry and Bernard Esch. Mathias Schroeder came in 1849.

            Monterey township held its first election on January 19, 1850. Henry Schroeder, Esch and Gruber were named trustees, and Dash was elected clerk. Sparsity of the population is attested at that time is attested by the fact that only 11 votes were cast. In March of that year the trustees organized the township into two road and two school districts.

            Present township trustees are Gerhard Utrup, Frank Ruen and Charles Weber. George Altenburger has been justice of the peace for many years. A. F. Wannemacher is the Ottoville postmaster.

            Growth of what now is the town of Ottoville was slow in the pioneer days. The fact that it was a canal shipping point was about the only claim the community could hold as a center of township activity.

            Father Otto Bredeick, after whom the town is named, stood out as the beacon light in the toiling group of pioneers. He had come to the New World with a band of his followers from Osnabrueck, Hanover, Germany and his devotion to his flock enabled them to fulfill their mission in America.

            It was a dismal swampland into which they had come, they were industrious, god-fearing people and spurred on by the counsel of their church leader they succeeded in hewing from the wilderness and creating from the Black Swamp country an agricultural spot which today is one of the best in Ohio.

            There lives here today a man who came in 1875 from the hometown of Father Bredeick in Germany to the community now known as Ottoville. Even at that time there was little here that could be called a town – not much more than a general store and a few farm homes. This man is Ferdinand F. Vincke, now 84 years of age. When he was 24 he landed in America with a letter of introduction to Gerhard H. Otte, this villages second storekeeper, who had opened his mercantile establishment in 1860. W. H. Beckman was the first storekeeper in the village.

            Vincke proceeded to Ottoville with his letter and was given a job, working in the store and on the farm of Otte. Four years later Vincke bought a half interest in the store and a year later, in 1880, Otte sold his half and Vincke took over the business to run it

until his retirement from active business life in 1916.

Vincke was proprietor of the Ottoville general store for 41 years. Today he occupies himself between a devotion to his church and to working around his home here and in the garden.

In the back yard of the Vincke residence there stands today what probably was the first public building erected in the village. It is the two-story frame structure that served as the community's first church. It was built in 1850 thru the generosity of Father Bredeick. In 1863 the structure, 36 feet by 20 feet, was sold for $225. After passing thru various hands, according to Mayor L. W. Heckman, it came into the possession of

Vincke and stands today as a mute reminder of an accomplishment of the community's pioneer church workers.

Today Ottoville has one of the finest churches in the Northwestern Ohio district—the church of the Immaculate Conception which is inseparably linked with the growth of the village and Monterey- tp.

At the death of Father Bredeick in 1858, construction of the second Ottoville church was started by Father Westerholt When the latter was transferred to Cleveland,

the work was completed by Father Goebbels and a parsonage was erected. This move resulted in Ottoville church being changed from a mission to a parish. The Rev. A. J. Abel was the first resident pastor. There were several changes in pastors until 1868 when

the Rev. Michael Mueller assumed he pastorate and held it until his death in 1900.

So great was the parish growth under Father Mueller that a new church was built in 1885 at a cost of nearly $60,000. The building, of pure Gothic design, is considered

a masterpiece—and is said to be one of the two finest examples of Gothic architecture in the United States.

The lofty double spires rear their heads in the midst of the Ottoville community today as a reverent reminder of the memory of father Mueller. The Rev. J. B. Mertes became pastor in 1900 and served the parish for 20 years. The present parsonage was completed in 1903 at a cost of $10,000 and it was in this year that Father Mertes engaged the Sisters of the Precious Blood to teach in the Ottoville grade schools. During his

pastorate a sisters' residence was built, a new pipe organ was installed, a community hall constructed, clocks installed in the steeples and many other improvements were made. Father Mertes resigned in 1920 because of illness and the Rev. J, S. Arnoldi, the present pastor, succeeded him.

Since his coming the various parish sodalities were canonically established, the Association of Holy Children was formed, and a Council of the Knights of Columbus was organized.

His crowning work resulted in the movement, which consolidated the many school units in the Ottoville school district, which now are housed in a new and modern school building here. The Rev. Fr. Arnoldi is assisted in the pastorate duties by the Rev. Ralph Mueller, and the parish consists of approximately 500 families.

Ottoville is proud of its schools. F. J. Uhrich has been superintendent since 1909, and L. W. Heckman has been principal of the high school since 1911. Frederick Kaiser and Miss Helen Coyle are the other high school teachers, and the grade pupils are taught by the parish Sisters. More than 500 pupils are enrolled in the village schools, which are under the supervision of the Monterey township public school board comprised of George Rieger, Joseph Hoersten, Walter Wannemacher, Anton Koester and William Dickman, Felix Hoersten is clerk of the board.

In addition to being principal of the high school, Heckman is the village mayor. Other village officers are, Gerald Kromer, treasurer; J. L. Wannemacher, clerk, and Henry Perrin, marshal. Councilmen are Louis F. Weber, Frank King, J. P. Wurst, Joseph Schwerter, Adolph Miller and George Rieger.

Among the business and professional establishments in town are Miller Bros. clay works, Odenweller Milling Co., Ottoville Produce Clement C. Metz, manager; Dixon-Peterson Lumber Co., August Eickholt, manager; J. J. Miler, general store; L. F. Weber,

general store; Nick Bedink, cobler; George Vincke, cobbler; W. Remlinger, drugstore; George Rieger, tinner; George Smith, cream station; Miss Alvira Otte, cream station; Klima Bros., saddelry; King and Sons, groceries and meats; Gilbert Bendele, hardware;

George Wannemacher, farm implements.

Restaurants are operated by G. H. Otte, Frank Miller, Ralph Siler, Millie Neidecken, John Thines, and H. J. Thidof. The town has three garages run by Sanders and company, John Pittner, and Hoehn and Allmeier.

Alex Miller is president of the Ottoville Bank Co., and Rudolph Maag is cashier. Ralph Kramer the town's barber and undertaker. C. B. Wannemacher has a jewelry store, and a photo studio is conducted by H. J. Niedecken, Dr. O. J. Fatum is the village physician.

Among older residents of the town are Oliver Sellet, 87; Frank Thessing, 83; Henry Kemper, 80; Mrs. Margaret Perrin, 80; Frank Brokamp, 80; Mrs. Catherine Hazelman, 79; Ferdinand F. Vincke, 84, and Andrew Kehres, 81.

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Sanders, living three miles west of town: will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary Oct. 29. He is 88, and she is 86. Mrs. Mary Eberle, who resides a mile and a half northwest of the village, is 88 years of age.

Three state highways meet in Ottoville—224, 66 and 329—making the town an active rural trading community with live-wire merchants whose civic spirit generates the village commercial life.

Ottoville is a comparative youngster as far as incorporated towns go. It did not enter that class until 1890. Joseph Wannemacher was the first mayor. Today the village boasts fine streets with towering shade trees, a modern fire department, good light and power services and a system of schools second to none.

Even the farm community surrounding the village bespeaks the industrious trend of the rural residents of Monterey. As I drove out of town onto the highway in the autumal splendor of an Indian summer afternoon, there rolled away from me on either side the splendid well-kept farms of Old-World descendants whose ancestors came her to pioneer with the good Father Bredeick.

His heavenly spirit must approve of what it surveys here below – he must feel a deep sense of gratification at that manner in which the children of his flock have nurtured the seeds of a new civilization, scattered by him nearly a century ago.

Ottoville Items - 1932

1-1-1932 LN

Ottoville Items

Mr. and Mrs. Hilarius VanOss and son, of Marion, visited several days' with Mr. and Mrs. John VanOss and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Huley Rowe, of Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wessell, of Dayton, Miss Anne Wurst, |of Toledo, visited several days with Mrs. Frances Wurst.

Misses Bernie and Loretta Schlagbaum returned to Ft. Wayne after a several days' visit with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schlagbaum.

Miss Margaret Schneeg has returned to Ft. Wayne after visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneeg.

Mr. and Mrs. George Altenberger, Jr., and daughter, Joyce Anne, of St. Joseph, Mich., Walter Altenberger, of Detroit, Miss Clara Altenberger and Russell Burke, of Lima visited several days with George Altenberger, Sr., and family.

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lauer and daughter, visited with relatives in Coldwater on Wednesday.

Miss Gertrude Lauer, of Toledo, and Miss Zelma Lauer, of Cleveland, visited several days with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lauer.

Messrs. Elmer Wurst, of St. Louis and Wilbur Wurst, of Columbus, are spending their holiday vacation with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wurst.

Miss Florentine Sellett has returned home and Anne Otte received the prizes with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sellet.

            Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Maher and son, Billy have returned to Celina after visiting with Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Wannemacher several days.

            Rev. Alphonse Uhrich has returned to Carthagena after several days visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Uhrich.

Miss Wilma Kromer has returned to Toledo after several days visit with her mother Mrs. Anna Kromer.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Nelson, of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Menzing, of Toledo, visited several days with Mr. and Mrs. John Zahm.

Miss Esther Krupp returned to Akron after visiting with her mother; Mrs. Lillian Krupp.

J. J. Miller and daughters, Margaret and Catherine, visited in Celina on Friday with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mersman and family.

Miss Alma Friemoth has returned to Toledo after visiting several days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Friemoth.

Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Wannemacher and Miss Lue Lauer visited in Lima on Monday.

Wayne, visited several days with her

Miss Martha Schlagbaum, of Ft. parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Schlagbaum.

Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ulrich and son, Richard, of Ft. Wayne, visited Sunday with relatives here.

Mrs. L. J. Wannemacher, Misses Marie Uhrich, Euletta Rieger and Lorene Altenberger visited in Lima on Thursday.

Mrs. Alex Miller entertained a number of friends at her home on Wednesday evening in compliment to the Kehres Sisters.

The evening was enjoyed by playing cards in which Mrs. L. J. Wannemacher was most proficient.

At a late hour, a delectable luncheon, prettily appointed, was served.

The Miller home was attractively decorated in keeping with the holiday season.

Participating were: Mrs. L. J. Wannemacher, Misses Lue Lauer, Catherine and Margaret Miller, Mrs. Flo Friemoth, Misses Clara and Amelia Kehres, of Washington, D. C., Cyril Kehres, of Washington, D. C., Miss Gertrude. Kehres, of St. Louis.

A surprise party was tendered Miss Elinor Looser at the home of her parents, on Saturday, the occasion being her birthday anniversary.

The afternoon was whiled away in playing various games in which Miss Agnes Heckman, Genevieve Grubenhoff and Anne Otte received the prizes.

At 5 o'clock a luncheon was served, decorations being carried out symbolic of the holiday season.

Many pretty gifts were given to Miss Looser in remembrance of the occasion.

Present were: Misses Irene Miller Julianna Wannemacher, Agnes Heckman, Ruth Anne Rieger, Genevieve Grubenhoff, Anne Otte, Margaret Eickholt, Dorothy Schlagbaum, Adelaide Rellinger, Madonna Weber Marie Lehmkuhle, Maggie Studer Dorothy Rekart and Elinor Looser.

Ottoville Items - 1931

12-7-1931 DH

Ottoville Business Is Reorganized

Wanamaker Hardware Concern is Incorporated as the Wanamaker Hardware Company – Business in Existence Under Control of Same Family for More Than Half a Century

            A change has been made in one of the oldest business institutions in Ottoville. The Wanamaker Company has been reorganized and will hereafter be known as the Wanamaker Hardware Corporation.

            This concern dates back more than fifty years in its mercantile operations in Ottoville, Charles Wanamaker, who formerly spelled his name Wannemacher, having started the first hardware store in Ottoville in the year 1880. It is stated that of all the business firms in that village in existence at the time, this is the only one that has continuously remained in control of the same family up to the present time.

            There have been a number of changes in the firm, however. In 1887, Joseph C. Wanamaker, eldest son of the founder of the business, became associated with his father as a partner, the firm name becoming Charles Wanamaker & Son. This firm was continued until the death of Charles Wanamaker in 1898. The business was then in operation for about two years by Joseph C. Wanamaker and his brother Stephen. The firm of C. Wanamaker & Sons was then formed with another brother, Alex F, becoming a partner. Stephen P. Wanamaker retired from the business in 1929 and the remaining two members of the firm continued under the same firm name until the later part of last week when The Wanamaker Hardware Company was formed under Joseph C. Wanamaker and his three sons, Martin J., Urban F., and Arnold A., as stockholders. The business will in the future be under the control of a son and grandsons of the founder.

            All of the men actively connected with the present organization were born in and lived most of their lives in Ottoville and have long and extensive experience in the hardware business there.

            The new organization is making plans to improve its facilities for serving the
Ottoville community and is contemplating adding several new lines.

Ottoville Items - 1928

6-4-1928 LN

Bishop Confirms 100 At Ottoville Sunday

            A class of more than 100 was confirmed Monday morning in the Immaculate Conception church here by Rt. Rev. Samuel Stritch, of Toledo diocese of the Roman Catholic churches.

            Rev. J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of Immaculate Conception church, celebrated at the same time the 25^th anniversary and jubilee of his elevation to the priesthood. He has been stationed at Ottoville for many years.

6-9-1928 LN

Notice To Contractors

            Sealed proposals will be received until 12 o’clock, noon, June 25^th, 1928, by the Board of Education of the Ottoville School District at Ottoville, Ohio, on furnishing labor and material for remodeling and electric wiring of the Public school at Ottoville, Ohio, according to plans and specifications prepared by A. DeCurtains.

            The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

7-2-1928 LN

Alex Kroeger Jailed After Wild Ride And Damage Of Two Autos

            Delphos – Alex Kroeger, 21, son of Matt Kroeger, of Cloverdale, landed in the city jail here at midnight, Saturday, as a climax to a wild automobile ride that started in Ottoville-rd, three miles north of here.

            In a telephone call to Police Chief Bob Edwards here Saturday night, Mayor J. G. Wannemacher, of Ottoville, asked the local police apprehend Kroeger, who headed for Delphos after damaging two automobiles in the village owned by Dr. Fred Fatum and William Schlagbaum.

            Edwards’ search terminated on Ottoville-rd, where he found Kroeger’s automobile rammed in a ditch and the youth in a seemingly unconscious condition. When he was found to be only slightly injured he was jailed here.

            Kroeger may be released to Toledo federal authorities, by whom he is wanted on an old warrant charging violation of the prohibition violation, police say.

7-5-1928 LN

Alex Kroeger Goes To Federal Court

            Delphos – Alex Kroeger, 21, son of Matt Kroeger, of Cloverdale, arrested near here by local police after he damaged two automobiles during an alleged wild ride that terminated when he wrecked his own car on Ottoville-rd, was released to a Toledo U. S. Marshal Tuesday evening.

            Charges of possession and transportation of liquor and maintaining a nuisance have been placed against Kroeger in Toledo in Federal court. He was taken on an old warrant, and is being held in Lucas-co jail for Arraignment Thursday afternoon before U. S. Commissioner F. W. Gaines.

7-19-1928 LN

            Miss Clestine F. Zahner, of Ottoville, who recently was an applicant at the State Chiropractic examination at Columbus, has been notified she was successful and has been given a license to practice.

7-19-1928 LN

            The Odenweller Milling Co., with headquarters at Ottoville, acquire its fifth grain elevator thru purchase of the Charles Pierce elevator at Middlepoint, it was announced Wednesday.

7-30-1928 LN

50 Mile Speed In Boat Tryout

Ottoville Craft Lives Up To Expectations In Initial Test Break Halts Trials

            A speed of 50 miles an hour with a boat equipped with a 22 horsepower motor was attained in the initial tryout of a new speedcraft Sunday afternoon at Indian Lake, according to Ben Schneeg, inventor, at Ottoville.

            “There were about 150 spectators,” Schneeg said. “The speed was about 50 miles an hour and the boat would have probably gone faster had it not been for the bursting of an oil line.”

            The motor assembled of parts from various makes of motors, required two years for him to make perfect, Schneeg, Ottoville garage owner, explained. He claimed the motor can develops more revolutions per minute and carries a wider range of speed than any motor he has ever seen. Many speed boats attain a maximum speed of 33 miles an hour with motors as powerful as 210 horsepower. Schneeg declared. He named the boat “The Spirit of Ottoville.”

11-23-1928 LN

Bazaar, Ottoville Nov. 25, 26 and 27

Chicken Supper Sunday, Nov. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Ottoville invites you to come and to bring your friends along.

Ottoville Items - 1927

1-17-1927 LN

Only 19 Pupils at Ottoville Found “Perfect”

School Nurse Reports Defects in Health Numerous Among Children – Parents’ Aid Sought

Report of Survey to be Mailed This Week to Homes in District

 Ottoville -- But 19 out of an enrollment of 818 pupils in the Ottoville centralized school were found to be without defects, according to Miss Violet Husted, county health nurse. Miss Husted made the announcement after she had completed an inspection of the school this past week.

            The total number of defects in the school was 799. Boys suffering fewer defects than girls, it was shown by the inspection. Of the number, 374 boys were found to be afflicted, while 425 girls showed defects in general health or in body.

            Seventy girls had enlarged tonsils, as against 63 boys. Sixty-eight girls have enlarged glands against 54 boys. This survey included those afflicted with enlarged thyroid glands. Seventy-nine girls showed mal-nutrition as against 44 boys in the school.

            Boys and girls were almost evenly divided as to defective teeth. Ninety-seven girls and 85 boys were included under this classification.

            Cards calling attention to the defects as they appeared to Miss Husted, will be mailed this week to parents of the children. They will be asked to cooperate with health authorities by placing the children under the care of a family physician. In this way, Dr. Frank Light, county health commissioner figures, the health and work of the child as he goes on thru school, may be kept at par.

2-10-1927 LN

Funeral Held

            Joseph Trentkamp 9, son of Mr. And Mrs. Oscar Trentkamp, of east of this city, died from scarlet fever. Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Immaculate Conception church at the village of Ottoville. Internment was made in the church cemetery.

The Delphos City team defeated the Ottoville town team by a score of 75 to 18.

2-21-1927 LN

Teams To Play In Tri-County Meet Load Up

            Nine teams to participate in invitational tournament in Delphos, the Ottoville team consists of Odenweller, Bedink, Obringer, Brandehoff, Grubenhoff, Warnecke and Schneeg

            Games scheduled, 1:00 p.m. Payne vs. Ottoville, 4:00 p.m. Payne-Ottoville winner vs. Paulding-Convoy winner

2-25-1927 LN

            Mr. and Mrs. Edward Obringer, Ottoville, are announcing the birth of twins. Mrs. Obringer was formerly Miss Emma Mosgrove, Frankiln-st, Lima Ohio.

3-30-1927 LN

Supreme Court Legalizes New School District

Suit by Taxpayers at Ottoville is Lost in Final Decision – Lower Courts Reversed

Action of Boards of Education in Constructing Building to Stand

            Ottoville – the supreme court Tuesday handed down a decision making legal the creation of the new Ottoville school district and construction of the new school building, under supervision of the Re. Father J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church of Ottoville.

            The highest court thereby reversed the decision of both the common pleas court of Putnam-co and the appellate court of the Third Judicial District, located at Lima.

            Prof. George J. Keinath, county superintendent of schools, and Prof. F. J. Uhrich, superintendent of schools here, have maintained that this would be the decision of the supreme court and that the county and district boards of education would be vindicated and the action affirmed.

            Joseph Brickner, Joseph Ricker, G. H. Hammons, William Dickman and Albert Schimmoeller, patrons of the district, sought to prevent consolidation of portions of the outlying townships with the Ottoville school district. They contend they are forced to pay more than their fair share of taxes. They sought tot stay by the little red school house.

            The new district as created by the county board of education is composed of Monterey-tp, which includes Ottoville and portions of territory in Jackson and Jennings-tps. A modern school building, as designed by Rev. J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of Immaculate Conception church, Ottoville, has been completed and is now in use in Ottoville.

5-14-1927 LN

Class To Take Communion At Ottoville

            Ottoville – A class of 50 boys and girls, students at Immaculate Conception school here, will receive there first communion at special services to be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 26, it was announced here Friday by Rev. J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church.

            A solemn high mass will be read and special sermon will be delivered by the pastor. A class of 26 will receive their solemn communion at the same service, at which priests from cities in this locality will assist.

First Communicants Are:

            Arthur Beining, Kenneth Eickholt, Lawrence Eickholt, Joseph Gasser, Gerald Grote, Arnold Heitmeyer, Victor Hoehn, Hugo Hoersten, John Krietemeyer, Lawrence Miller, Joseph Niedecken, Paul Ostendorf, Oscar Rellinger, Sylvester Sanders, Walter Schweller, Walter Schmitt, Henry Schulte, Henry Smith, George Sellet, Richard Wannemacher

            Marie Bendele, Agnes Bendele, Lucille Bendele, Alvera Decker, Gertrude Bensman, Margaret Dietrick, Dorothy Dehe, Marie Friemoth, Dorothy Gasser, Barbara Gasser, Janet Herman, Mildred Hoersten, Anna Hoehn, Helen Heising, Barbara Hoersten, Alberta Koester, Alice Markward, Marie Miller, Magdelena Miller, Anna Otte, Agatha Rayman, Rose Sawmiller, Rita Shumaker, MaDonna Shumaker, Mary Louise Schaffner, Ruth Schneeg, Mary Catherine Siler, Elizabeth Van Oss, Irene Wannemacher, Henrietta Wellen

Members of the Solemn Communion Class Are:

            Hubert Bendele, Ralph Bigelow, Alvin Giesken, Roman Hilvers, Leo Horstman, Joseph Klima, William Klima, Sylvester Odenweller, Thomas Odenweller, John Pohl, Anthony Sanders, Cyril Sawmiller, Leonard Shumaker, Lawrence Turnwald, Edmund Van Oss

            Evelyn Geier, Mary Grote, Sabina Honigfort, Alma Janka, Virginia Looser, Margaret Rekart, Mildred Schimmoeller, Alma Shumaker, Mary Studer, Dorothy Wannemacher, Lidvina Van Oss

5-29-1927 LN

Ottoville Seniors To Present Play Sunday

            Members of the graduating class at Ottoville public high school will enact the class play, “It Pays to Advertise,” in the school auditorium at that village Sunday night.

            Fifteen will be graduated at commencement exercises to be held Friday night, June 3. Baccalaureate services are set for Sunday evening, June 5.

6-2-1927 LN

Commencement – Exercises Will be held Thursday Night at Parish Hall in Village

            Ottoville – Class day exercises of the Ottoville high school will be held Thursday night in the hall of the Immaculate Conception parish.

            The program consists of the salutary, to be given by Miss Margaret Smith, the welcome by Miss Mary Miller and Vincent Schlagbaum, while Miss Loreen Schneeg will discuss the class motto, “Build for Character Not for Fame.” Miss Mildred Rekart will give the class prophecy and Miss Amelia Knippen the valedictory.

            The class colors of nile green and coral will be prominently displayed upon the stage. The class flower is the Ophelia rose.

            The commencement exercises will be held Sunday night in Immaculate Conception church, Re. Francis J. Macelwane, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools will deliver the class address.

            Members of the senior class are Melvin Perrin, William Bigelow, Harold Rekart, Walter Schlagbaum, Edward Wannemacher, Urban Warnecke, Edna Recker, Loretta Brinkman, Mary Droll, Amelia Knippen, Mary Miller, Mildred Rekart, Margaret Smith and Loreen Schneeg.

            The commencement program activities started Sunday and Monday nights, when the class play, “It Pays To Advertise,” was given in the parish hall to large audiences upon both occasions.

7-20-1927 LN

Farmer Jailed – Henry Brabant is Bound to Jury on Wife-Beating Charge

            Henry Brabant, 37, farmer, residing north of Ottoville, is in the county jail under bond of $3,000, awaiting action of the next grand jury, on a charge of assault, with intent to kill his wife.

            Sheriff Clinton L. Felkey was called to the farm where Brabant resided Tuesday, where he found Mrs. Brabant in serious condition, due to the kicking and beating which her husband is alleged to have administered the night previous.

            Neighbors had called the sheriff to make the arrest. Brabant was placed in jail and arraigned late Tuesday night before Justice Labadie. It is charged that Brabant floored his wife, then beat and kicked her, almost into insensibility.

8-12-1927 LN

Ottoville Church To Have Annual Social

            Ottoville – The annual social of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic parish will be held Saturday and Sunday August 17 and 18 on the grounds surrounding the school.

            Refreshments will be served Saturday night, while the annual social and chicken dinner is scheduled for Sunday afternoon and evening.

Ottoville Items - 1926

1-10-1926 LN

School Merger Injunction is Oked by Judge

Court Order Denying Right to Establish Ottoville District Made Permanent

Appeal Decided Upon

County Board of Education Prepares to Carry Action to Superior Body

            Ottawa – the injunction obtained in common pleas court to prevent the creation of the new Ottoville school district, comprised of its present territory, Saturday, was made perpetual.

            Judge William F. Duncan, of Findlay, who on December 20 heard the case in common pleas court, held court here Saturday and announced his decision. At the time of the hearing he took the matter under consideration.

            The decision, as handed down by Judge Duncan, contained ten type written pages of matter.    

He held that section 1021.6 did not apply in construing section 1736and that the decision is given on common law, or decisions made on prior court questions.

            The case will be appealed to the appellate court, it was announced Saturday by the county board of education, defendants who lost the case. The county board must pay court costs.

Great Interest

            No school decision in years has aroused interests as the Ottoville case. The action was started by Joseph Brickner, Joseph Ricker, G. H. Hammons, William Dickman and Albert Schimmoeller, patrons of the district, who contended that duress had been used in the obtaining of signatures to the consolidation petition, that the petition had been filed promptly and that they would be forced to pay more than their share of taxes.

            In making the decision, Judge Duncan held that the time for filing the petition expired at midnight Sunday and that the filing of the petition on Monday rendered it illegal.

            One of the unusual features of the case was that the new building was designed by Rev. J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of the Immaculate Conception church, and all of the plaintiffs are catholic, some being members of the parish.

            Judge Duncan held in the decision granting the injunction that the plaintiffs had failed to prove that the distribution of assets was not equitable.

2-1-1926 LN

Appeals Court To Get School District Case

Jurists Announce They Will Be Ready to Hear All Matters on Feb. 10

Ottoville Trial Due

Great Interest Being Expressed as Higher Body Arranges to Review Decision

            Ottawa – the appellate court consisting of Judges Phil Crow, Kent W. Hughes and E. N. Warden, all of Lima, will convene here on Wednesday Feb. 10, at which time cases now pending in the higher court will be up for consideration.

            Among cases especially to be heard will be that of Joseph Brickner and others, against Dr. H. A. Neiswander and members of the county board of education, or more popularly known as the Ottoville school case.

Brickner Wins

            Brickner and his associates won in common pleas court, when, after a hearing before Judge William F. Duncan, of Findlay, the court decided creation of the Ottoville school district, as it now stands, was illegal.

            It is expected that a big majority of the taxpayers of Monterey, Jackson and Jennings-tps, which are included in the new district, will be present to listen to the arguments.

            According to a notice sent to the county clerk of courts by Judge E. N. Warden, presiding jurist of the court of appeals cases now pending in the higher court may be heard at that time by briefs or oral testimony.

            The Ottoville school case is one of the most interesting which has occupied the common pleas court docket in many months.

2-9-1926 LN

Judges To Set – Court of Appeals to Hear Cases at Ottawa Wednesday

            Ottawa – judges of the court of appeals, consisting of Phil Crow, Kent H. Hughes and Ernest N. Warden, will come to Ottawa Wednesday for hearing cases appealed to the court they represent.

            They will sit in the county court room. They especially will hear the Ottoville school case, wherein taxpayers of that district, headed by Joseph Brickner, are seeking to make illegal the school district as a created a year ago by the county board of education.

            Judge William F. Duncan, handing down a decision following a hearing here the latter of December, held that the taxpayers side of the case was well taken and decide in their favor and against the county board of education.

            The county appealed the case, arguments will be made Wednesday by T. R. Hamilton, of Lima, representing the taxpayers who instituted the suit, while the widely known law firm of which Attorny Knuepper, of Columbus is a member, and Herbert Eastman, of Ottawa, will be arranged on the side of the county board of education

            The residents of Ottoville school district and of the townships included, following creation of the district, representing all of Monterey and parts of Jennings and Jackson, will lay down their labors Wednesday and come to Ottawa to hear the case argued in the court of appeals.

2-11-1926 LN

Decision Near – Verdict in Ottoville School Case Expected Middle of March

            Ottawa – a decision in the Ottoville school case, urged orally Wednesday before the court of appeals, which held a session in Ottawa, may be expected by March 10 or the middle of the month, according to announcement by the court.

            Leave to file briefs in the case were given the plaintiffs, Joseph Bricker and taxpayers of the school district, until Feb. 20.

            Then the county board of education, defendants in the case, have until Feb. 27 to submit its brief.

            The taxpayers are seeking to show creation of the district by the county board of education was illegal. The present district includes Monterey-tp, and parts of Jennings and Jackson-tps.

            Taxpayers are in favor of the little red schoolhouse of the townships, instead of sending their pupils to the schools at Ottoville, which have been modernized to take care of educational wants.

            Taxpayers won in common pleas court following a decision handed down by Judge William F. Duncan, of Findlay, who heard the case here.

3-8-1926 LN

Hurt In Crash – Ottoville Man Cut About Face and Suffers Body Bruises in Auto Accident

            Delphos – Ellis Weber, of the village of Ottoville, was cut about the face and hands and bruised about the body when an unidentified motorist crashed into his automobile on N. Main-st near the Hinde and Dauch Paper Co. and Fled.

            Weber’s automobile was hurled from the road, and when it turned over on its side he and a companion, a man named Graulauch, were pinned beneath. Graulauch was only slightly bruised.

4-28-1926 LN

INJUNCTION IS CONFIRMED BY HIGHER COURT

Putnam-co Board of Education Loses in Ottoville Consolidation Program

CASE TO BE APPEALED,

Supreme Court to Be Asked to Pass on Merits of Case

OTTAWA, April 28--(Special) —Affirmation of the injunction obtained in common pleas court to prevent creation of the new Ottoville school district, as comprised

of its present territory, by appellate court, will not deter the county board of education from permitting the supreme court to pass upon the case.

 Conference of Prof. George J. Keinath, county superintendent of schools, with Russell Knepper and Robert Wilcox, Columbus attorneys, and H. P. Eastman, now of Columbus but formerly of Ottawa, who represented defendants in the case, will be commenced at once to prepare to enter the highest tribunal in the state.

This was the announcement of Keinath Wednesday. The county board of education and the Ottoville school board are defendants.

DISCUSS CLAIMS

The action was started by Joseph Brickner, G. H. Hammons, William Dickman und Albert Schimmoeller, patrons of the district, who contended that duress had been used in obtaining signatures to the consolidation petition, that the petition had not been filed promptly and that they would be forced to pay more than their share of taxes.

            In announcing his decision, Judge William F. Duncan, of common pleas court, held that the time for filing the petition expired at midnight Sunday and that filing of the petition on Monday rendered it illegal.

            He held that Section 10216 did apply in constructing Section 4736 and that the decision is given of common law, or decisions made on prior court questions.

            The district, as now created by the county board of education, is composed of Monterey-tp, which includes Ottoville and portions of territory in Jackson and Jennings-tp. A fine, new modern school building, as designed by Rev. Father J. S. Arnoldi, pastor of Immaculate Conception church of Ottoville, is used to house the youth of the district.

Pastor Cleared

            Judge Duncan, in common pleas court, ordered that three paragraphs of the reply, made to the school board’s answer to the petition dissatisfied taxpayers filed, struck from the records. This included that names on the petition obtained by Rev. Father Arnoldi and his supporters were procured by duress, fraud and misrepresentation.

            He held that the side represented by the taxpayers was pleading conclusion of the law, instead of facts, and held that it was not illegal to have signatures to the petition attached on Sunday, as this act was not prohibited by Ohio statute.

            The court also maintained that in case the school was being made a sectarian one and turned over to the Catholic church as plaintiffs pleaded, there was a remedy to the law – that an injunction against procedure of the building, now completed.

            The two things left for the court to decide was whether there was equitable distribution of the assets and liabilities in creation of the district and whether under Section 10216 of the Ohio statute when the last day of the month falls on Sunday the preceding day be comes the last day of the 30-day period allowed by law in which action mat be taken.

Held Equitable

            In drawing his conclusion he practically decided that the distribution of assets and liabilities was equitable.

            The only question to decide and which appellate court affirmed was that Sunday was the closing day of the month period open which the petition must be filed. The decision legalized the carrying on of business on Sunday.

            The case is monumental in the fact that Rev. Arnoldi is pastor of the church where some of the five worship who instituted the suit and they all are members of the Catholic faith.

            However, plaintiffs standing legally by the little red school house and hold they want it for the education of their children.

            The county board of education was made a party to the case because of creation of the Ottoville school district

5-6-1926 LN

Ottoville Fire

            Fire caused damaged estimated at $250 to the residence of A. Wannemacher in the town of Ottoville. The flames were quenched thru the efforts of a bucket brigade.

5-7-1626 LN

Valuable Horse Taken by Theif

            A thief with old-time tendencies visited the town of Ottoville Wednesday night on foot, and left on the back of a valuable double-gaited bay mare owned by Harry Myers, farmer, of near the village limits.

            Myers awoke about 5 a.m. Thursday and discovered his loss a few minutes later. He immediately notified police here. The animal is described by him as having a thick black tail that reaches the ground and white spots on both hind feet.

5-9-1926 LN

Sheriff Finds Dobbin at Home

            Ottawa – Sheriff Roy N. McCullough went on a wild goose chase Thursday across to western Putnam-co.

            Mrs. Meyers, a widow, residing south of Ottoville, reported early in the day to the sheriff’s office that a horse had been stolen from her barnyard.

            The sheriff jumped in his car and drove to Ottoville, expecting to find traces of horse thieves.

            But when he got there “Old Dobbin” was in the barnyard. He looked up at the sheriff and whinnied, as though that official need not be concerned about him.

            It is believed he broke away during the night and after helping himself to new grass and clover, came back to his usual place on the Meyer farm.

            Mrs. Meyers apologized to the sheriff for causing him so much trouble but said she was very glad to get her horse back.

5-21-1926 LN

Public Auction

            Large House to be sold and removed from school premises. House of eleven rooms. Modern heating, water and lighting system and hardwood floors. Adaptable for two bungalows. Saturday, May 29^th 1926, 4 p.m., at Ottoville

6-27-1926 LN

Ottoville Priest Says First Mass Thursday

            One of the most impressive services ever held at the Catholic church of Ottoville was carried out Thursday when Rev. Roger Hoehn, O. S. B., son of Mr. And Mrs. Anton Hoehn, celebrated his first mass after being ordained to the priesthood.

            Assisting him were, Rev. Father John Becker, who acted as Deacon, and Rev. Ignatius Wagner who served as sub-deacon. Ruth Mae and Mary Ann Hoehn, nieces of the priest acted as flower girls in the procession that preceded the ceremonies which was led by the Ottoville band.

8-6-1926 LN

Summer Festival – Ottoville School Grounds Ottoville, Ohio

            Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and evening, August 7 and 8, 1926. Fine chicken supper served Sunday afternoon and evening. Amusements of all kinds. You are welcome.

8-12-1926 LN

Rev. Francis Kermiller Assigned to Ottoville

            Rev. Father Francis Kermiller, who is a native of Ottawa and was educated in his boyhood here, has been transferred from assistant pastor at St. Agnes’ Roman Catholic Church, Toledo, to become assistant to Father J. S. Arnoldi of Immaculate Conception church at Ottoville.

            Rev. Father Carl Finsel, who has been assistnt at the Immaculate Conception church at Ottoville, has been names as assistant at St. James’ church in Toledo.

9-21-1926 LN

Ottoville Schools to Stage Annual Exhibit

            Ottoville – Sisters of the Ottoville public schools, as has been their custom for many years, are preparing an unusually fine school exhibit, which will be shown in the educational building at the county fair the first week of October.

            Prof. F. J. Uhrich, superintendent of schools, is supervising the display. Each year the Ottoville schools carry home a large percentage of the premiums offered in the educational department of the fair.

11-19-1926 LN

Annual Bazaar – Three Nights – School Gymnasium – Ottoville, Ohio

            Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, November 21, 22, 23, 1926

            Amusements, Refreshments, Valuable Gifts for all

            You Are Welcome

            Chicken Supper, Sunday 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Fine opportunity for rural and city folks to motor to a real home cooked chicken supper

You can’t miss us, don’t let us miss you.

Ottoville Parish To Have Annual Bazaar

            The annual bazaar will be held by Immaculate Conception Parish in the school gymnasium Nov. 21, 22 and 23. Preparations are being made for a large attendance and the bazaar this year is expected to be bigger and better than ever.  The various booths will be filled with toys, tasty gifts, and useful and valuable article.

            A chicken supper will be served by the Alter Rosary Society from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Regular suppers will be served Monday and Tuesday nights. A cedar chest containing many useful articles will be presented to some lucky winner by the C. L. of C.’s. The young ladies have charge of the bingo stand and the candy concession.

12-28-1926 LN

Delphos Professional Cagers To Have Game

            Delphos – Announcement was made Monday by Ed Hotz, manager of the Delphos City basketball team, that the professional team from Ottoville will come here Friday night for a game with the locals, to be played on the St. John’s floor. A preliminary with a local high school team performing is being arranged.