In 1934, onion workers in Hardin County organized to protest low wages and labor exploitation. 

In August, as McGuffey Mayor Ott and his wife slept, a bomb destroyed several windows and a wall of the house. No one was injured, but Union President Okey Odell was arrested for allegedly planning the attack, though he denied involvement. He was later dragged out of the jail by an anti-union mob who proceeded to beat him and threaten his life if the protests continued.

After months of violence, involvement from the Secretary of Labor, and a visit from the National Guard, the dispute settled on October 8, 1934.

Photos: The New Slavery and Onion Strikers Guard O'Dell, September 1, 1934, Labor Action; archived on Marxists.org.

DOWN MEMORY LANE
During October-December 2026, the series "Down Memory Lane" will offer historical features and archival storytelling for the greater Ada area. Four students--Kaden Arn, Jazmin Zink, Isaac Morrison, and Dylan Blubaugh--will provide items as part public history coursework at Ohio Northern University.