DD – Defiance Democrat
DH – Delphos Herald
LN – Lima News
PCS – Putnam County Sentinel
LTD – Lima Times Democrat
6-20-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
On last Thursday morning while Mr. John Moss was hauling a saw log across the bridge north of
Ottoville, the bridge broke down, precipitating Mr. Moss and the team to the bottom. Fortunately Mr. Moss
and his team escaped with but slight injuries.
Last Sunday Mrs. Harpster residing three miles west of Ottoville, was severely if not fatally hurt by being
thrown out of a spring wagon by reason of the team running away.
The Ottoville Cornet Band will participate in the grand prize play at Delphos, tomorrow, on the occasion
of the Firemen’s Tournament. They will win the highest prize, if it will be allowed to go to a little town.
C. W.
6-27-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The pickpockets got in their work very successfully at the Fireman’s Tournament held at Delphos last
week. Jacob Stohl, of this place, and Mr. Lee, of Kalida, were among the victims from this county.
Mr. Jos. Fournier and his wife have returned from a visit to the eastern part of the state.
Mr. C. J. Wannemacher has put up an addition to his tavern, and opened a saloon.
The bridge that recently broke down has been rebuilt and travel over the road is resumed.
Our Band took one of the prizes at the Delphos Tournament, and the Band boys are highly delighted.
C. W.
7-4-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The Cornet Band of this place has arranged a picnic to be held to day (the 4th) in a grove near town.
The proceeds to be applied on the purchase of new uniforms. A grand time is anticipated, as no labor or
expense will be spared to make the picnic a success.
Gen. A. V. Rice and N. H. McCracken, Esq., gave us a short visit last Sunday. Our people were glad to
see them and take them by the hand. They departed with the best wishes for the success of the General.
The extension of the narrow gauge from Delphos to Spencerville will be opened on the 4th, and excursion
trains will be run during the day.
The house of Joseph Brenner, near the narrow-gauge road, two miles north of Fort Jennings, was
burglarized on Wednesday last, and Joseph is short of a Sunday coat and a number of shirts.
The new tavern building of Henry Beckman, Jr., is under construction. In appearance it will be an ornament to
the town.
The rain of last Sunday made a peculiar divide to our neighboring town of Kalida. On the west the roads
were dry, not a drop of rain falling, while in this part the ditches on the east are running full and the roads
very muddy. This is apparent that the Kalidians have water on one side.
ARGUS
7-11-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The Fourth of July Picnic held by the Cornet Band was a very pleasant and successful affair. Although
the weather and roads were bad the people gathered in the grove and enjoyed themselves in a fine manner,
the band realized about $135.00 out of the Picnic, which sum will be devoted to buying their uniforms.
The grand strike, so long talked of and predicted, has now come, and stores, shops, mills and
everything is brought to a stand-still, as everybody has struck for the wheat fields to help the farmer gather in
the abundant wheat crop, the gathering of which has been much interfered with by rains.
A serious accident occurred near here on last Saturday. A son of J. D. Miller, while harvesting, was
chased by bumblebees and jumped into the reaper, which cut his leg very seriously.
Henry Klakamp, a student from Cleveland, returned home last Saturday, looking hearty and feeling
energetic enough to accomplish his purpose of being a clergyman, which may be at the expiration of another
term of studies.
The election of delegates to the Lima Convention took place last Saturday. J. C. Fournier, Ch.
Wannemacher, G. H. Otte and L. Odenweller were chosen to represent this township. We hope they will
return with their heads down as much as they did from Defiance.
ARGUS
7-18-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
During the past week, the heavy rains and high water caused great damage to the farming community.
Many farmers have suffered very severe losses, especially those along the Auglaize River. John Hedrick last
fourteen acres of wheat in the shock, Anton Von Lehmden lost a large crop of wheat and corn, and many
other farmers lost heavily from the fact that they could not get into their fields soon enough to remove their
wheat.
N. Schilling is lying in a critical condition from the injury he received by his horse running away and
throwing him out of the wagon.
On last Thursday evening, the Cornet Band discoursed some sweet music in front of Dr. Skinner’s office,
in honor of he Doctor’s 25th birthday. As the Doctor can never be taken by surprise he was ready to receive
his friends, which he did in a very appropriate manner, and the Band boys returned to their homes with the
best wishes for a long life and prosperity for the Doctor.
On last Sunday, Peter Schneider; a young man, came very near being drowned at this place, but
fortunately was saved by others coming to his rescue.
ARGUS
7-25-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The extremely hot weather appears to be over. While it was unpleasant to many it served a good
purpose in drying out the damaged wheat, especially on the bottomlands.
The sound of the threshing machine is now heard in almost every locality. Wurst and Perry and Kaebele
and Reckert having bought new machines, are now operating them full speed in this locality.
The accident to which I referred last week, by which Nichodemus Schilling was so badly hurt, proved
fatal, and Mr. Schilling died on Wednesday of last week after lying in an insensible condition for two days. He
was a pensioner of the late war, on account of loosing his eyesight.
Mr. Sebastian Kehres, who, sometime since, made a visit to his old home in Alsace, has returned to his
home and family, enjoying good health and highly gratified with his trip.
ARGUS
8-8-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
On Thursday last two unknown scoundrels created considerable excitement in the neighborhood about a
mile west of this place. They were in the woods near the road, and as Edward Miller, a boy of 15 years old,
was passing along the road on horseback, one of the villains tried to stop him. Young Miller whipped up his
horse to get away from them, and the villain shot at him, the ball passing through the rim of his hat. The
same scamps are supposed to have made a raid on the house of Henry Stratman on the following night, and
were frightened away with an unloaded shotgun.
The eldest son of John D. Miller has returned home from California, where he went some three months
ago for the purpose of making his home, bur has returned with a view of making Putnam county his home,
preferring it to California.
Squire Wannemacher has been laid up for the past week from injuries received while threshing on his
farm. Dr. Fournier was nicely serenaded on the evening of the 30th ult., by our Cornet Band, it being his 67th
birthday. The lungs of the boys are still in a healthy condition and they can discourse excellent music.
ARGUS
8-29-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
Pills and quinine are in demand! Cucumbers and green fruit are as plenty as straw-hats at Christmas.
The price of wheat is declining. Mr. D. R. Boor, of Junction, is here again to buy a boatload of wheat, and the
farmers are hauling in large quantities. However, there is considerable threshing to do yet in the surrounding
country.
Nicholas Gillen broke his left arm last Wednesday, while assisting a man, who was hauling a saw log
across the canal bridge.
A singular case of surgery was performed on last Thursday, by Dr. Jas. C. Fournier, upon Jacob
Schneider of this place, Mr. Schneider, who is about 30 years of age, while working at the carpenter trade,
was struck on the arm by a falling board, causing considerable pain and exposing the flesh. Being afraid his
arm was broke, he went to Dr. Fournier to have it set, though upon examination it was found the arm was not
broke; but there was something wrong; so the Doctor cut into the arm and soon pulled out a large sewing
needle. It is thought that Mr. S. must have swallowed the needle while a small child, as he has no recollection
of such an occurrence.
Mr. Adam Wilhelm and lady, of Defiance, have been visiting relatives here and at Ft. Jennings last week.
Our town is about to have its first brick building. Mr. W. Helmkamp is preparing to build a fine brick
residence.
ARGUS
10-3-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
It is with regret that I chronicle the death of Mrs. Martha Wannemacher, wife of Joseph Wannemacher,
Esq., of this place, who died last Friday morning, after suffering many years with the lingering disease,
Consumption. The decease was aged 42 years at the time of her death. She came to Putnam County in her
childhood and has lived here ever since. She was an affectionate wife, a kind mother and beloved by all who
knew her. Her funeral took place last Sunday afternoon and was attended by a large number of friends from
near and abroad. Rev. Father Muller officiated. R.I.P.
We are greatly pleased to learn that the culvert under Lock 19 is now going to be built, and the work will
be let at Piqua on the 4th of October. The construction of this culvert has long been a necessity, as it will
afford drainage for a large scope of country, our thanks are due Hons. Geo. W. Light, C. J. Swan and D. I.
Brown for their labors in bringing about this improvement.
Our locality has been subject to several storms lately. One raised in the northwest, on last Wednesday
evening threatening danger to everything that was loose. The other rose in the southeast, in the direction of
Columbus Grove, dark clouds filled the sky, but after raising the dust there it petered out after reaching Ft.
Jennings. It was all wind.
A butcher from Delphos and R. J. Spelman are now engaged in the cattle trade. They have made the
round trip through the county to buy stock, but the butcher is badly dissatisfied, as he did not find any oxen
to suit.
ARGUS
10-17-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The general health in this section of the country is improving.
Farmers are up to time with their fall work.
Only three Republican votes were cast in Monterey Township. About ten colored citizens voted the
straight Democratic ticket.
We extend our sympathy to John Hipp, of Paulding county; Judge Taylor, of Van Wert, and McBride, of
Allen, who were unsuccessful at the late election.
The new tavern was opened on last Wednesday, by a nice ball, attended by a large crowd of young
folks. Mr. Beckman has opened a fine saloon in connection with the tavern, and has everything first class,
and is doing an excellent business.
The stone abutments for the canal bridge are nearly completed, making a fine and substantial
appearance.
Last Sunday another one of our best citizens, Mr. George Muehl, died, after an illness of several weeks.
Mr. Muehl was formerly a resident of Greensburg Township, but for the last to years resided in Jackson
Township. He was widely known throughout the county, and respected by a large circle of friends. He leaves
a large family to mourn his death.
Oct. 12th, 1878 ARGUS
10-24-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
The culvert at section 19 was let by the Board of Public Works on the 4th instant, to parties from
Middletown Ohio, at the round sum of $2000.
Our old friend Peter Schuck, and John Weber, proprietor of the Germania House, of Fremont, was in
town last week on a sporting expedition and visit to old neighbors.
Last Wednesday the canal bridge, which is being repaired and was hoisted for the purpose, was thrown
from the trestles by a dredge passing through, and the bridge fell upon the dredge. The strength of the
dredge prevented its being destroyed by the fall of the bridge.
Several changes in the management of our business houses are anticipated in the next few days.
Our planning mill is supplying a large quantity of its manufacture along the line of the narrow-gauge
road. Business is lively with them.
Oct. 22, 1878 ARGUS
11-7-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
On last Wednesday afternoon the schoolhouse in district No. 2 in this township, was the scene of
considerable excitement. During the time of school the schoolhouse was discovered to be on fire in the
ceiling near the chimney. The teacher, Mr. Samuel Fretz, immediately dismissed his pupils, and they had
scarcely got out of the building when the chimney fell through the ceiling breaking the stove to pieces. The
fire was then extinguished with a few pails of water without doing further damage, the fire caught from a
defective flue. The building was not insured.
Mr. Odenweller, our schoolteacher, has been ill during this week.
The scarlet fever has made its appearance among our little folks.
Locks numbers 14 and 15 are to be rebuilt this winter, and carpenters are already at work framing them.
ARGUS
11-14-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
During the past week an important change has taken place in the business interest of our place. Messrs.
Schulien & Wannemacher have purchased the Flouring Mill from H. W. Beckman for the sum of $8000, and
have secured the services of a miller from Bellefontaine, who has a good reputation in his business. The mill
is acknowledged to be one of the very best in Northwestern Ohio, and as the men composing the new firm
have proven themselves to be thorough businessmen, they will no doubt carry on the business more
extensively than has been heretofore. They guarantee the best satisfaction and solicit the patronage of the
public generally.
The Steam Saw Mill heretofore owned by Schulien & Wannemacher has been purchased by Peter
Wannemacher for the sum of $2,500. Considering the strength of his family, their energy and management,
they will no doubt succeed in the business.
Several boatloads of stone have passed through here recently, for the construction of the culvert below
lock 19.
Two marriages have taken place here during this week. One was our clever merchant, Fred. Vincke, who
was married to Mary Schlagbaum on Tuesday evening, and the other, John Brandehoff and Elizabeth Loose,
on Thursday last. May happiness follow them through life.
Nov. 12, 1878 ARGUS
12-19-1878 PCS
Ottoville Items
Our town is rather isolated at present, as the roads are without bottom.
The water in the canal has been drawn off and the mills are standing idle, during which time they will
undergo repairs.
Mr. Coleman, our miller, has gone to Belle Center for his family, which he will remove here in a short time.
Work has commenced on locks 14 and 15, also on the stone culvert at section 19.
Michael Buck and family and Mr. Shade and family have left here to make their future homes in Conway,
Ark.
Mr. Biedenharn, of Cincinnati, and Mr. Clements, of Massillon, have bought farms here and become
citizens of our county.
On last Sunday Lewis Lalande, a Canadian Frenchman and son-in-law of Jos. Gruver, was buried here,
having died with typhoid pneumonia. A few days previous, Mrs. Schmersole died. Both of these persons
leave a number of children.
Mrs. Mina Sellet is very sick and but little hopes are entertained of her recovery.
A large number of people attended the public sale of the property of H. W. Beckman, on the 7th inst.
Our neighbor, Mr. Jos. Wanstroth, of Jackson Township, will be a candidate for the nomination for
Commissioner next spring.
ARGUS