The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-07-12

Boosters of the Bluffton Fourth
of July Rodeo gained new followers
Wednesday of last week when the
celebration attracted one of the larg-
est audiences in the 13-year history
of the spectacle at Harmon Field.
Not only did the event attract
what was probably the largest num-
Der of viewers there were also more
contestants in the rough riding
events, bronc and steer riding, than
had ever appeared here. One hun
dred and twenty-six entries from IL
states, including cowpokes, women,
boys and girls rode in the nine
events on the program.
There were so many cowpokes on
the program for the rough riding
events entries had to draw their
names out of a hat to get chance
to ride the broncs and Brahma bulls.
Five of these riders were injured, all
requiring disqualification.
Clair Fett, Bluffton's weather OBJ
server, who has predicted clear
weather for each of the 13 years two
weeks prior to the rodeo, had to
stretch his crystal ball far out of
shape this year. But, as usual, he
was correct although the weatherman
threatened during the entire day. At
six o'clock in the evening the stands
were nearly bare because of the dark
clouds overhead. However, by eight
o'clock the stands were filled to over
flowing and the crowd stood six to
eight abreast on the field.
Credit for fine jobs for their part
in the rodeo was extended by the
committee to Post 382, American
Legion, whose rife squad under the
direction of Bill Stonehill handled
the flag raising ceremonies, and the
148th National Guard unit of Ada,
commanded by Capt. Kenneth Tressel
for their police duties.
Grand champion in this years event
was Leonard Cox, Kenton, who
compiled IL points in the grueling
eight-event contest. He placed first
in the musical tire and wild cow
milking events, third in the stake
bend and fourth in the steerhide race.
The Bluffton Stone company furnish
ed the trophy. Second place went to
Jim Knoch, Wapakoneta, with seven
points.
Moe Hartings, St. Henry, grand
champion winner in 1854 and 1866,
is now in the U. S. Navy.
Christine Geiger, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Wilford Geiger, E. Kibler,
was crowned "Miss Liberty Belle"
and reigned over festivities at the
Rodeo. She was crowned by Mayor
David l.. Riser, who also presented
her with a silver loving cup. Her at
tendants were Miss Judy Schiffke,
Miss Pamela Berry, Miss Karen Ba-
singer and Mrs. Maxine Schmidt.
Twenty-four floats and parade en-
tries carrying nine queen candidates
along with 78 mounted horsemen
and horsewomen in eleven classes
made up the "Glad I'm American"
parade. Bands from Bluffton,
Pandora Gilboa and McComb were in
the line of march and participated in
the flag raising ceremonies at Har-
mon Field.
Winners of rodeo events were:
Grand entry, silver mounted
Wanda Breda, Cairo, Ohio; second
Micky Carpenter, Marion, Ohio; third
Carolyn Kraut, Forest, Ohio;
fourth-H. ID. Clay, Ada, Ohio.
Grand entry, plain tack-Beverly
Sperbeck, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin;
second-Keith Minor, Swanton, Ohio;
Wilhelm, Custer, Ohio;
Young, Denver, Colo.
Bronc riding, bare back-first-
Dick Kohlriser, Wapakoneta, Ohio;
second-Tom Quigley, Toledo, Ohio;
third-Calvin Thilo, Ypsilanti, Mich;
Stein. Vallejo, Calf.