davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Cairo And Columbus GrOUe
Consider School Merger

Possibilities OF merging the strug-
Cling Cairo school district with the
Columbus Grove district have been
discussed at joint meetings of the
two boards of education recently.
State support for the Cairo district
has been declining under the state
policy of disseminating small and
primary only" school districts. The
Putnam County Vidette reports that
sentiment in the Cairo district favors
merger with the larger district in
Putnam county.
Some Cairo residents feel the state
board of education may force them
into an unfavorable solution of their
difficulties if they do not act shortly.
Unification of the two school
districts can be completed if 55 per-
cent of the voters in the Cairo school
district petition for it, Their action
must also be acceptable to Columbus
Grove authorities.
However, if the Allen county board
of education, which now includes
Cairo, objects, petition of Is per-
cent of eligible voters would be
necessary for the transfer.
Tax rates in the two school districts
are nearly identical. School author
tiles also report thatsthe bonded debt
of the districts is divided almost
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Fourth OF July Celebration Features
Colorful Parade, Rodeo And Fireworks
Plenty Of Action
FOreseen For 18th
Annual Mite ROdeO
Bull-Throwin', Bronc Bustin'
Cowboys To Find Rough
Time On Harmon Field

Bluffton's Fourth of July Might
Rodeo will feature the largest con
dngents of livestock ever exhibited
here in the 14-year history of the
show, Floyd Hutchins, general chair
man, has announced.
Included in the show will be nine
Brahma bulls for the bull-ridine
event; nine broncs for the bareback
contest and six more buckers for the
saddle bronc riding event.
In addition, half dozen Brahms
calves will be on hand for a new
event, the Brahma calf scramble. A
feature attraction of the evening will
be bull wrestling exhibition featur-
ing three bulls and wranglers from
the Bob Spence Brahma ranch al
Tecumseh, Mich.
The 1857 edition of the Bluffton Ro-
deo is expected to write a new chap
ter in the western shows history. IT
is said to even surpass last years
rough and tumble exhibit in which
several contestants ended in the hos
pital with broken bones.
In the Brahma calf scramble, top
prize will be $50 Brahma calf and
the blue rosette ribbon of honor Of
fered by N. P. Steiner & Son, local
livestock dealers. This event is linn
tied to youngsters IA through Is.
Those competing must bring proof of
age before they will be permitted to
register. Other prizes in the event
will be awarded by the Bluffton Un-
ion Stockyards.
Plenty of action is promised in all
events by Program Chairman Wood
row Herr. Included in the thrill-pack-
ed evening will be the fast stepping
musical tire events for men, women
and children riding some of the fin
est mounts in three states. Stake bend
races promise plenty of action along
with steerhide racing and Brahma
calf roping.
Horseflesh ranging from paints to
palominos and Sorrels will be put
through the PAGES in pleasure horse
classes, pony events, and during the
grand entry exhibition.
Ringmaster Carl Marshall. vet
eran of Bluffton Rodeos, expects one
of the largest showings of horses in
his long experience with the event.
Harmon Field will be packed with
fine steeds and expert riders, he
says.
The largest prize list in the Rodeo's
history is offered. More than S700 in
cash, trophies and ribbons will be
awarded this year. Grand champion
rider will win a handsome $50 sill
yer trophy awarded by the Bluffton
Stone company.
A spectacular fireworks display is
also planned during the evening with
the Fire Department in charge.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Mrs. Louise Ream
Is New President
Legion Auxiliary

Mrs. Louise Ream was installed as
the new president of the Bluffton
American Legion Auxiliary at the
organization's meeting Tuesday eve
ming. She succeeds Mrs. Marjorie
Huber.
Other new officers sworn in by
Installing Officer Mrs. Marie Stone
hill included Mrs Rosalie Mericle,
first vice president; Mrs. Peggy
Hursey, second vice president; Mrs.
Golda Wiess, secretary and Mrs.
Marcine Martz, treasurer
Appointments announced by the
new president include Rosalie Mericle,
flag bearer; Eileen Mericle banner
bearer; Harriet Stonehill, Sgt.-at-
arms; Gaynell Rockey, Americanism;
Ruth Huber, child welfare; Marie
Geiser, community service; Reah
Geiger, legislation; Elva Zimmerly,
national security; Eva Kohl, Pan
Americanism; Genev Rammel,
poppy chairman; Marcine Ream,
rehabilitation.
Margaret Turner, flowers and sick;
Golda Wiess, publicity; Joan Dillman,
tax stamps; Marcine Martz, music:
Edna Schultz. historian; Ina Amstuh,
chaplain; Eileen Mericle, junior
activities.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital dur
ing the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Marvin Sigler, Otta-
wa, a boy David Allen, born last
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Hollenbock,
Findlay, a girl, Phyllis Michel, born
Saturday
Mr.. and Mrs. Donald Martin, Pan
dora, a boy, Thomas Lee, born Sat
urday.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Montgomery,
Benton Ridge, boy, Byron Phillip,
born Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Kempher,
Findlay, a girl, Cynthia Marie, born
Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilford Diller, Bluff
ton, a girl, Joan Marie, born Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kenneth Basinger,
Bluffton, a girl, born Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cecil Fields, Airing
ton, girl, Dorn Wednesday.
+
Mr.. and Mrs. David Slusser, Celina,
boy, Jeffrey Lynn, Mrs. Slusser is
the daughter of Mrs. Gid Steiner,
Pandora.
Mr.. and Mrs. Spencer A. Sawyer,
of Wheaton, H., twin girls, Karen
Diane and Katherine Marie, born
June 81 at the Elmhurst, Ill. hospital.
Mrs. Sawyer is the former Ruth
Irene Diller, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Clarence d. Diller.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Hall
(Jean Anne Amstutz) of Columbus
Grove, a girl, Lesa Jean, June 20 in
Memorial hospital, Lima. The baby
is a great-granddaughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Philip Hilty of Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Methodist Church
Picked AS Rural
Church OF The Year

The Bluffton Methodist church has
been named class c Rural Church of
the Year by the Ohio conference of
the Methodist church. The award is
sponsored by the Town and Country
commission Of the conference to en-
courage improvement among rural
churches.
Congregations of less than 500 in
villages above $500 population are
eligible for the class C award. This
is the first year an award has been
made in class c. Class A churches
are villages under 500 and class B
churches are in villages between 500
and $500.
The Bluffton church first won the
district contest and then was judged
top church in Ohio among the II
districts of the Ohio conference.
Judging was based on church pro-
grams of worship, Christian education,
evangelism, lay organization and
community relations. Condition and
appearance of church property and
equipment and administration of the
church were also bases for judging.
The Bluffton church received 2502
points of a possible 5000.
The Rev. Heininger was presented
an engraved plaque honoring the
church's selection during the annual
meeting of the Ohio conference re-
Gently. He accepted the plaque in
the absence of Forrest Steinman, lay
leader of the local church. The
plaque is now hanging in the vesti-
bule of the church.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27

A Bluffton man who has completed
his theological training in California
and has accepted a call to a West
Coast pastorate will return to his
home church Sunday to be ordained
into the ministry
Arrangements are being completed
for the ordination of Lyman Hof-
stetter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo
Hofstetter, in services at the Eben-
ezer Mennonite church Sunday at
7:30 p. m.
After graduating from Bluffton
high school, Lyman was graduated
from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha
and later Wheaton college, Wheaton,
Ill. He recently received the bachelor
of divinity degree from the Fuller
Theological seminary at Pasadena.
The former Bluffton man has been
serving the Bethel Community church
in Whittier, Calf, for the past six
months as a student pastor, and re-
Gently accepted call from the
church to become the regular pastor.
The Rev. W. ]. Flickinger, pastor
of the Ebenezer church, will be in
charge of the ordination service.
Pastors of other Mennonite churches
of the area will have a part in the
service. Everyone is invited to attend.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Council Rejects
S173O Estimate On
Pool Lighting

inexpensive methods of lighting the
municipal swimming pool for late
swimmers are being sought by village
council after Paul Diller, recreation
committee chairman. requested $3.50
for pool lighting at Tuesdays council
meeting.
Ten 1900 watt floodlights with a
complete system of underground wir-
ing are included in the S1730 figure
prepared with the help of Ross Irwin,
local electrician. Diller said this does
not include erection of light standards,
uenchs or concrete work.
No figures were submitted for an
overhead wiring system, which council
members felt would be considerably
cheaper. Councilmen estimated the
total bill for the underground wiring
system would approach $1,000.
Diller said Ohio Power company
officials had recommended under
ground wiring for swimming pool
installations. Besides citing safety,
Diller also said overhead wiring would
be unsightly.
The request for the underground
wiring system had been approved by
all members of the recreation COM
mittee, Diller said.
After failing to persuade Diller to
reduce the number of floodiights or
consent to overhead wiring the council
tabled the matter until Irwin could
be consulted on costs of overhead
wiring.
Councilman Gerald Swank noted
that council had already spent nearly
$4,000 on the swimming pool al
though the village had voted only
$4,000 in the bond issue of 1855.
Cost of the lights alone viii be
S475 but council mem-c-s feel the
lower material and labor costs of in
stalling overhead wiring will save
approximately $500.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27

Several area contractors have in
spected plans for the building since
the completed set was received from
Welty and Kielawa, church architects,
Dayton. Several bids are expected on
the project.
Church members authorized the
building committee to increase the
building program from $65,000 to
100000 last January, after a 1856
fund drive had oversubscribed the
$65,O0O figure by nearly $25, 900 in cash
and pledges.
Plans call for a loft X Aft. one
story addition with full basement to
be erected between the present
structure and the alley on the south
side of the church.
Classrooms, a pastors study, church
offices and large social room are
included in the addition plans. One
present classroom will be remodeled
into a soundproof nursery.
A new gas heating unit will be in
stalled in the almost completely re-
modelled basement of the old church.
A modern kitchen and serving
counter will also be added to the old
basement This will be connected to
the new social room being planned
for the basement of the new addition.
Stairways will be broadened and
relocated to reduce congestion within
the building. Also included are plans
for alteration of the choir loft, re-
decoration of the church and new
pews for the church balcony.
The addition will be entered either
from Church street or from Jackson
street.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Two BluftOn
Churches Included
In Historic Merger
Evangelical & Reformed
Churches Unite With
Congregationalists

Two Bluffton area church congre-
cations were involved this week in
what is said to be one of the most
significant developments in American
Professionalism since the Reformation.
The Rev. v. c. Oppermann, pastor
of ST. Johns and Emmanue's Evan
gelical and Reformed churches, is re-
presenting the Northwest Ohio Synod
as delegate to the historic confer
ence which will unite the General
Synod of the Congregational Christian
and the Evangelical and Reformed
churches at Cleveland this week.
In the Music Hall of Cleveland's S
Municipal auditorium, the local pastor
was one of 357 delegates from the
E! & r. churches. They worked-with
an equal number from the General
Council of the Congregational Christ
ian Church to create the new United
Church of Christ.
Mrs. Julia Oppermann and Mrs.
Stella Lauriat of Bluffton also attend
ed the meeting as official visitors.
OF greatest significance in the join
ing of the two groups is the difference
in governmental structure. The E. &
r. church operates under a presbyter-
ian system in which local congrega-
+;o,,c have oo,.4o;, Iaf;rod ,.oIo+;o,,
ships to regional and national bodies
called synods.
The Congregational Chris t a n
churches are traditionally free
churches" with each local congrega-
ton autonomous and not subject to
denominational control. There are,
however, voluntary cooperative re-
lationships with regional groupings of
the churches and with the denomina-
tion's General Council, which re-
presents the overall fellowship.
The union will bring together
100000 members of the E. and r.
churches and 100000 Congregation
alists.
Most important business matter be-
fore the Cleveland meeting will be
election of a commission to draft a
constitution for the new church. After
adoption of the constitution, which
may require longer than year, the
Bluffton churches will probably be-
come known as congregations of the
United Church of Christ.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Public Meeting Slated Friday Night
On Towns United Fund Constitution

trustees are to be elected by the
public under the constitution to be
considered tomorrow evening.
1t is understood that some nomina-
tions for the board have already been
prepared. Nominations will be open
throughout the session and all mem
bers of the Bluffton community are
eligible for membership on the trust
ees.
Miss Meredith Stepleton, chairman
of the steering committee which has
formed plans for the new organiza-
ton, urges large public attendance
at tomorrow's meeting, sEessing that
everyone will be eligible to join in the
voting.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27

Bluffton citizens will have their
opportunity to express approval of the
United Fund plan offered by the
Fund steering committee at the open
meeting at the high school auditorium
at s p. m. tomorrow evening.
The constitution drawn up by the
steering committee in consultation
with United Fund representatives
from area towns will be presented for
adoption. All persons attending the
meeting will be eligible to vote on the
constitution.
IF the constitution is adopted elec-
ton of officers for the first years
operation will follow. Twelve mem
bers of the organizations board of
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Swimming Pool
Attendance Climbs

Attendance at Buttons mu-
nicipaI swimming pool established
another new record Sunday when
the suItry weather sent more than
500 persons through the pool turn
stiles, according to Paul Diller,
chairman of the recreation COM
mission.
Collection of individual admis-
siOns totaled $85 for the day.
Many of those swimming hold
season passes.
At one time during the day 225
persons were counted at the pool.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Wanda Montgomery
To Teach In Burma

Prof Wanda Montgomery, EXten-
sion specialist in textiles and clothing
at the State College of Home Econom-
les, Cornell, has been awarded a
Fulbright Grant to teach in a state
girls school in Burma. She will leave
July 1.
Miss Montgomery received the
bachelors and masters degrees in
science from Ohio State university
in 1916 and 1854 respectively, and has
been on the Cornell staff since 1854.
She is the daughter of Mr.. ana Mrs.
Frank Montgomery of Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
BlufftOn News To Be
Day Late Next Week

The next issue of The Bluffton
News will be delivered one day
late, on Friday instead of Thurs
day, because of the post office
closing for the Fourth of July
holiday, which occurs on the
regular News distribution day.
Copies of the paper will be on
sale as usual Thursday at either
the Niswander or Lugibihl news
stands.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Triplett Workers Relax Friday Night
AS Annual Two Week Vacation Begins

will be closed next Thursday to OBJ
serve the independence Day holiday
reopening on Friday.
Although some of the vacationers
are planning extended trips, many
plan on remaining in town for the
Fourth of July Rodeo and then take
trips later.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27

proportionately.
Columbus Grove authorities have
stated the Cairo district will be vel
come if they seek to unity, but said
the action must be started by the
Cairo board.
Presently Cairo operates primary
school. Their high school students
attend Columbus Grove and Beaver.
dam high schools.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
BlufftOn Boy Wins
Toledo Stock Car Race

Don Augsburger celebrated 5-day
leave from service with hot night
at Toledo's Raceway Park stock
car track last Saturday night. Augs-
burger won his heat, finished third in
the pursuit race, and came close to
winning the featured race before he
spun out of contention.
He is the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Len Augsburger, who live 212 miles
north of Bluffton on County Line road
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
TOUn And Country
Parade At 6 p. NJ.
Precedes ROdeO
Coronation OF Queen
Before Rodeo Stadium Crowd
Is Highlight OF Event

What parade officials believe will
be one of the biggest street exhibitions
in the hosiery of Bluffton's colorfuI
July 4th celebrations will move down
Main street next Thursday evening at
g p. m.
The giant mixture of floats, queens,
bands, baton twirlers, horsemen, and
machinery vii pass in review before
the assembled rodeo crowd at Harmon
field stadium at $50 p. m.
Parade Formation
Parade marshal Carter Shisler an
nounced that service clubs and
organizations entering the parade will
form at the high school, moving north
on Jackson street; churches and
schools will join the parade at Frank
lin street: junior organizations at
Church street; merchant presentations
at Vine street; farm organizations at
Elm street; comic and miscellaneous
groups at Jefferson street and farm
machinery dealers at Washington
street.
Industrial exhibitions will join the
parade at Riley street where the
parade will turn eastward to Main
street. At Main street it will move
southwark again, with horsemen join
ing at Washington street and the
children's parade falling into step as
the parade passes the Town Hall.
Growing of Queen
Judges choices for the Town and
Country" queen and two maids of
honor to grace the rodeo festivities
will be announced when the parade
has reached Harmon field. The queen
will be presented an engraved gold
cup, furnished by the Vida-Vidella
shop. Her floral crown and bouquet
and corsages for the maids of honor
and attendants will be furnished by
Basinger Florists.
Marching bands from Bluffton, Pan
dora-Gilboa, Lafayette, Bath Town
ship, McComb and other area high
schools viii be featured in the parade.
A gold trophy win be awarded the
band making the best parade exhibit
ton.
a Special feature this year will be
the Nannettes twirlers, 50 baton
twirling youngsters from Lima and
the crack El-Karan Oriental Grotto
band from Lima
Parade theme this year will be
Town and Country" with entries
stressing appreciation of town and
country life or depicting the coopera-
ton between country and community.
The theme was chosen from list
of nearly 20 suggestions submitted in
the theme contest held last winter.
Mrs. William Althaus, Columbus
Grove, who submitted the winning
theme, received S25 bond for her
suggestion.
Ten Parade Classes
Winners in each of the ten parade
classes will receive a $40 award and
a blue ribbon. The most outstanding
parade presentation from all classes
will also receive an engraved gold
cup.
The best decorated horse and rider
in the parade will receive a gold
trophy as will the best plain tack
outfit entered.
Parade awards will be donated by
Continued on Page g.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Towns To Retain
Legal Counsel In
Phone Rate Fight

The war on proposed telephone rate
increases waged since early last
March by the Northwestern Ohio Tele-
phone Subscribers association will
enter new phase soon, with qualified
legal and technical counsel retained
to assist the 21-community group in
their battle.
Employment of counsel for an all
out assault on the telephone COM
pany's position before the Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio will
follow just as soon as the individual
communities complete ratification of
their shares of the expenses involved
in this new phase of the campaign
against rate boosts.
Buttons estimated share of cost
will be $154.20, based on this village S
position as the fifth highest revenue
yielding community among the q
involved.
Village council voted to appropriate
their share, $154.20, at Tuesdays
meeting. Council decided to partici-
pate on the basis of a letter from
Attorney-General William Saxbe to
Napoleon Mayor Harold Huff advising
him that it was legal for villages to
contribute to this fund.
The appropriation was passed as an
emergency measure, making the
money Immediately available to the
Subscribers association.
Napoleon and Wauseon, $353.40 and
S308.40 respectively, will pay the
largest shares. Total amount ear
marked for this phase of the attack
on rate boosts is $1,000.
In contrast to this figure of $1,000,
it was pointed out at meeting of the
Subscribers association last week,
the 81 communities save $13, ,160 each
month the rate boost is delayed, as
suming the telephone company should
get everything it asks; in addition to
whatever other saving will be involved
should the telephone company re-
quest be scaled down as a result of
the hearing before the p. u. c. o.
Meanwhile conferences between the
telephone company and the Subscri.
ber's association are continuing, in
the hopes of further mediating exist
ing differences over both rates and
service.
In this phase of the campaign a
meeting is to be held in Lima within
the next week between telephone
officials and a committee from the
subscribers group made up of Edward
Yeager, Napoleon manufacturer; John
Bigelow, Wauseon merchant; Dave
Rupp, Archbold chamber of COM
merce president, and Arden Baker,
of Bluffton.
Local committees in each commu-
nifty also have been urged to collect
as soon as possible all complaints
which subscribers have recorded on
standard blanks distributed to the
homes of telephone users. In this
community the blanks should go to
Arden Baker. Additional blank forms
are available to those who want them.
These complaints in writing will be
important in a hearing on service
rendered by the telephone company;
and the subscribers association has
indications from the utilities COM
mission that an investigation of COM
plants may get under way soon.
Although the commission has ruled
that unsatisfactory service cannot be
used as a basis for denying requests
for rate boosts, representatives of
the subscribers association were told
that every effort will be made by
the P. u. c. O. to investigate and
remedy practices which do not mea-
sure up to service standards.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1957-06-27
Mennonites Opening Bids
On Church Addition july 10

Contractors bids the First Mennonite church addition will
be opened July Dr. W. E. Nswander chairman of the church
building committee has announced Construction will begin
soon as possible after the contract has been let.