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teENHAL-OGY COi_i_£CTiON
■^ST'
HISTORY
City of Columbus
Capital of Ohio,
ALFRED E. LEE, A. M.
Author of "European Days and Ways," "Battle of Gettysburg,"
"Sketches and Studies of Leading
Campaigns," etc.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
ILLUSTRATED.
VOLXJlwdlE I.
PUBLISHED nv
MUNSELL & CO.,
New York and Chicagc
COPVRIOHX. 18»2.
BY
IVIUNSELL & CO. NEW YORK.
1194900
TO THE
Brave, Honesthearted, Muchenduring Men and Women
who were the pioneer architects of civilization in Central Ohio ;
to all of their successors -who, by industry, intelligence and
virtue, have contributed to the advancement of their
work to its present naajestic proportions ; and to all
who shall hereafter strive -with honest purpose
to carry forward that -work to results yet
naore beneficent and beautiful, these
volumes are respectfully dedicated.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
Origin of the State:
Chapter I. The Ohio Wilderness . . .... Alfred E. Lee.
Chapter II. The Prehistoric Races Alfred E. I.ee.
Chapter III. Ancient Earthworks in Franklin County . .lames Linn Rodgers
Chapter IV. The Iroquois and Algonquins . . . Alfred E. Lee.
Chapter V. Advent of the While Man Alfred E. Lee.
Chapter VI. Founding of Ohio Alfred E. Lee.
Chapter VI. The Territorial Government ....
Chapter VI. The State Government . . . . :
Paoe.
19
Origin op the City :
Chapter
Chapter
VII. Franklinton I . . .
. Alfred E. Lee.
135
VIII. Franklinton II . . .
Alfred E. Lee.
152
Chapter
Chapter
IX. Frai
klintnnTTT .
. Alfred E. Lee.
164
IX. Franklin County Civil List
174
Chapter
Evolution of
X. WorthinirtoTi
. Alfred E. Lee.
184
■HE City :
Chapter
XI.
The Forest Settlement .
Alfred E. Lee.
201
Chapter
XII.
The First War Episode
. Alfred E. Lee.
230
Chapter
XIII.
The First Public Buildings
Alfred E. Lee.
251
Chapter
XIV.
The Capital as a Borough.
1816 1834. I. Alfred E. Lee.
260
Chapter
XV.
The Capital as a Borough
1816-1834. II. Alfred E. Lee.
273
Chapter
XVI.
The Borough Taverns and
Coffeehouses . Alfred E. Lee.
281
Chapter
XVII.
Fur, Feather and Fin
Alfred E. Lee.
291
Chapter
XVIII.
The Scioto River
. Alfred E. Lee.
301
Chapter
XIX.
From Trail to Turnpike
Alfred E. Lee.
311
Chapter
XX.
The National Road .
. Alfred E. Lee.
320
Chapter
Chapter
XXI.
The Canal
A If red E. Lee.
330
XXII.
JIail and Stagecoach
. Alfred E. Lee.
341
Chapter
XXIII.
Mail and Telegraph
. . Alfred E. Lee.
357
Chapter
XXIV.
Beginnings of Business
. Alfred E. Lee.
368
Chapter
XXV.
Business Evolution
Alfred E. Lee.
380
Chapter
XXVI.
Banks and Banking .
John J. .Tanney.
396
Chapter
XXVII.
The Press. I
Osman C. Hooper.
419
CKapter
XXVIII.
The Press. II
. Osman C. Hooper.
452
Chapter
XXIX.
The Schools. I .
James IT. Barnhill, M. D.
494
Chapter
XXX.
The Schools. II
James U. Barnhill, M. I).
521
iv. ~^ Contents.
Evolution of the City— Continued : Page
Chapter XXXI. Bench and Bar . . Leander J. Critchfleld, A. M. 582
Chapter XXXII. Lands and Land Titles John E. Sater,, Esquire. G16
Chapter XXXIII. Geoloc;y and Geography. . . Edward Orton, LL. D. 663
Chapter XXXIV. Climate and Hygiene. I . . . . Alfred E. Lee. "695
Chapter XXXV. Climate and Hygiene. II . . . Alfred E. Lee. 716
Chapter XXXVI. Social and Personal Alfred E. Lee. 7o0
Church History — Part I.
Chapter XXXVIL Presbyterian . . . W. E. Moore, D. D., LL. D. 757
Chapter XXXVIII. Methodist .... Jolin C. Jackson, D. D. 784
Chapter XXXIX. Congregational . . . Benjamin Talbot, A. M. 830
Biographical :
Chapter XL. Representative Citizens . . . Walter B. O'Neill, Esq. 855
Ambos, Peter E. 86S
Andrews, Doctor John 888
Buttles, Joel 857
Carpenter, William B 909
Cox, Samuel S 893
Critchfleld, Leander J 902
Egan, Patrick A 909
Fieser, Frederick 893
Firestone, Clinton I) 920
Frisbie, Charles H. 885
Galloway, Samuel 856
Greene, Milbury M. 870
Harrison, Kichard A 903
Hildreth, Abel 885
Hillery, Luther 910
Hinman, Edward L 872
Hoster, Louis _. 915
Hubbard, William B '890
Hughes, John K 873
Jaeger, Christian K 869
Janney, John J. 396
Johnson, Orange 912
Jones, Kichard 876
Kilbourn, James 866
Kroesen, James C 917
Kilbourn, Lincoln 878
Lee, Alfred E 900
Leonard, Theodore 876
Lindeman, Louis 887
Neil, Hannah 911
Neil, Robert E 884
Neil, William 879
Orion, Edward 906
Otstot, John 868
Peters, Oscar G 919
■ Contents. v.
Representative Citizens — Continued : Page.
Pfaff, Carl T 874
riatt, William A 864
Pugh, John M 874
Powell, William 888
Reinhard, Jacob 877
Sater, John E 905
Sessions, Francis C. 912
Shepard, William 908
Slade, William H 899
Smith, David 896
Sullivant, Lucas, Frontispiece
Taylor, David 881
Thurman. Allen G 855
Townshend, Norton S. 859
Wilson, Andrew 916
Wright, Horatio 917
Wright, James E 861
Zettler, Louis 814
LLUSTRATIONS.
Historical: • P'^f"--
Glacial Boundary in Ohio 20
The Serpent Mound 38
Ancient Earthworks near Worthinjjcton -16
Ancient Mound on the Pope Farm opiwsite 48
Ancient Earthworks in Delaware County • ■ 50
Ancient Earthworks in Pickaway County •''0
Map of Franklin County Earthworks opposite 56
Ancient Earthworks in Fairfield County opposite 56
Surrender of the Captives 88
The Indians and Bouquet in Council 90
Original Plat of Franklinton 1-10
The Lucas Sullivant Store, Franklinton 154
The Lincoln Goodale Store, Franklinton 165
Original Plat of Worthington 190
Original Plat of Columbus, West Section 202
Original Plat of Columbus, East Section 203
Portrait of John Kerr 206
Portrait of Lyne Starling 207
John Kerr's Land Office 209
John Brickell's Cabin 211
General Harrison's Headquarters, Franklinton . _ 242
Harrison Elm and Hawkes Hospital, Franklinton 247
View of High Street, ].s4ti 253
The Swan Tavern 283
Old Milestone 321
Fort Cumberland in 1755 325
Freeman's Chronicle Extra, January 24, 1813 -121
Page of Freeman's Chronicle, June 16, 1813 431
First Page of Freeman's Chronicle, July 23, 1813 455
Page of Freeman's Chronicle, February 25, 1814 . . . . . . . 465
Western Intelligencer Extra, October 1, 1814 477
School District Map of Columbus, 1826 1845 497
Old Kich and Third Street Schoolhouse 501
The Old Academy 506
Sullivant School 511
Third Street School 514
Garfield School 517
Franklinton School 524
viii. Illustrations.
Historical— Continued : Pagk.
Twentythird Street School 530
Fifth Avenue School 535
Siebert Street School 543
Portrait of Asa D. Lord 5-17
Library Room, Public School Library 550
Portrait of D. P. Mayhew 553
Portrait of E. D. Kingsley 55-1
Central High School : 556
Portrait of William Mitchell . . 558
Portrait of R. W. Stevenson 561
North Side High School 563
Land Map of Columbus ' 631
Franklinton Presbyterian Church, 1811 760
Original First Presbyterian Church in Columbus 764
"Trinity in Unity" ' 766
Present First Presbyterian .Church, before Alteration 769
First Presbyterian Church, State and Third Streets 777
Wesley Chapel, 1892 792
Third Avenue :\rethodist Episcopal Church 801
Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church 815
Shepard Sanitarium . opposite 704
Portraits :
Ambos, Peter E opposite 128
Andrews, Doctor John opposite 400
Buttles, Joel opposite 56
Carpenter, William B opposite 720
Cox, Samuel S. . opposite 448
Critchfield, Leander J. - opposite 584
Egan, Patrick A opposite 736
Fieser, Frederick opposite 432
Firestone, Clinton D., Volume II opposite 160
Frisbie, Charles H opposite 368
Galloway, Samuel opposite 32
Greene, ISIilbury M opposite 240
Harrison, Richard A opposite 600
Hildreth, Abel opposite 376
Hillery, Luther opposite 816
Hinman, Edward L opposite 256
Hoster, Louis opposite 752
Hubbard, William B.. opposite 416
Hughes, John R opposite 264
Huntington, P. W. opposite 768
Jaeger, Christian F opposite 224
Janney, John J., Volume II opposite 256
Johnson, Orange . opposite 312
Jones, Richard opposite 304
Kilbourn, James opposite 184
Kilbourn, Lincoln opposite 336
Illustrations.
Portraits— Continued : Page.
Kroesen, James C opposite TL'O
Lee, Alfred E opposite .'■>04
Leonard, Tlieodore opposite ^96
Lindeman, Louis opposite 384
Neil, Hannah opposite 784
Neil, Kobert • . . . . opposite .300
Neil, Robert E opposite 352
Neil, William opposite 344
Orton, Edward . opposite 672
Otstot, John opposite 200
Peters, Oscar G., Volume II opposite 152
Pfaff, Carl T opposite 272
Piatt, William A opposite 144
Powell, William opposite 392
Pugh, John :\I. opposite 288
Reinhard, Jacob opposiie 328
Sater, John E. . opposite G16
Sessions, Francis C opposite 832
Shepard, William opposite 704
Slade, W. H opposite 480
Smith, David opposite 456
Sullivant, Lucas Frontispiece
Taylor, David opposite 160
Thurrnan, Allen G opposite 16
Townshend, Norton S opposite 80
Wilson, Andrew opposite 168
Wright, Horatio opposite 192
Wright, James E opposite 104
Zettler. Louis opposite 640
Residences :
Ambos, Peter E opposite 128
Fieser, Frederick opposite 432
Frisbie, :\Iary L opposite .368
Hinman, E. L opposite 256
Hoster, Louis opposite 752
Hubbard Homestead opposite 416
Hughes. John R opposite 264
Otstot. John opposite 200
Powell, Frank E opposite 392
Pugh,, John M opposite 288
Sessions, Francis C opposite 832
•Thurman, Allen G opposite 16
Zettler, Louis opposite 640
Preface to Volume I,
The laliiii- which has pruduoed this work, so far as its author is
concerned, lias liccn performed durinti- such intervals and opportuni-
ties as ha\c Ixm'U \uuchsafed l)_y an exacting business. Two years
were spent in preparatory investiuation and collection of materials
heture a line of the text was written. No statement has been made
without authority, and the l)est authorities within reach, pertaining
to the ditferent sulijects treated, have been consulted. When these
have differed, as has not infreipiently been the case, the author has
exercised his own judunient according to the best lights before him.
His primary and directing purpose has been to be, before all things,
truthful and fair. Tens of thousands of details have had to be dealt
with, but in no instance has anything been left to mere hypothesis or
opinion when the exact truth, real or apparent, could be arrived at.
Much of the routine work has necessarily been confided to copyists,
but tlie utmost care has been taken to prevent errors. For mis-
prints, or errors in the matter quoted, neither the copyist nor the
author is responsilde. As a rule, quoted matter has been reproduced
exactly as it has been found, verbatim ct litcratnii. Even the punc-
tuation, however awkward and contrary to present rules, has usually
been preserved. Where inelegancies of expression or grammatical
mistakes have occurred, these have been allowed to remaiji. Some-
times these faults of diction have historical significance; they help
to reflect the writer's mind and the s|)irit of his time.
In general historical treatment the plan has been atlupted of pre-
senting each subject separately, rather than that of blending all sub-
jects, chronologically, into one continuous narrative. This classifica-
tion, it is believed, will make the work much more convenient and
useful for reference than it could possibly have been if constructed
on the continuous narrative jilan. To produce a symmetrical histor-
ical tree we must have both stem and branches, and in order to give
these their proper balance and i)ro]»ortion we must before all consider
the origin ot the tree and the elements from which its life and char-
acter have been derived. Hence the preliminary chapters of this
work which relate to the primitive races and wilderness and the
original settlement and organization of the State. The history of
Columbus is not merely that of a city, but also that of a capital, and
no history of the capital of Ohio would be complete which did not
take into account the settlement and social organization of the great
commonwealth Avhich created the capital and of which it is the polit-
ical centre.
If any readers expect to find in these pages any labored and
irrelevant personal mention ; any connivance at pretentious selfasser-
tion at the expense of merit ; any indulgence of mere family pride
to the detriment of historical fairness ; any unnecessary parade
of personal folly and weakness ; any pandering to appetite for
the salacious and criminal ; any appeals to the partiality of wealth,
power or personal vanity ; any disguised advertisements masquerad-
ing in the name of history ; or any fulsome laudation of the city or
its citizens, individually or collectively, they will, the author hopes,
be profoundly and completely disappointed. The mission of this
work is to record facts and not to praise or dispraise persons or
things except in the voice and terms of accurate and unswayed his-
torical statement.
To those, of whom there are many, who have responded orally
or otherwise to the author's requests for informaticni, his acknowledg-
ments are due, and are hereby heartily tendered ; to the others, hap-
pily few, who have not responded to such re(|uests even to tlie extent
of the ordinary courtesy of acknowledging the Teceii)t of a letter, no
aspersions are oifered and no reference would l)e made except as a
matter of justice to the author in showing that the task of collecting
the materials for such a work as this has not been easy or always
pleasant.
To the gentlemen with whose contributed articles the author has
been favored he feels deeply indebted, but his obligation is small
compared with that which these conscientious, painstaking and able
writers have laid upon the students of local history. The work they
have so faithfully done is their fittest and best eulogium. No invid-
ious distinction is intended, and certainly none will be inferred, when
it is stated as the tribute of a personal friendship more than twenty
years old, and as a matter of justice to one of the greatest living
geologists, as well as to a citizen to whom Ohio and science owe a
measureless debt, that the scholarly yet most interesting and practi-
cal chapter on local geology and its related topics which Doctor
Edward Orton has contributed to this volume was one of the very
latest tasks which had engaged his pen prior to the moment when a
sudden affliction conii)elled the suspension, brief, let us hope, of his
work and usefulness-
The biographical sketches which close this volume, it should be
stated, have mostly been written by Walter B. O'Neill, Es(|uire, a
graduate of Mi(;higan University-
For the i)ublishers of this work tlie author desires to say that
the spirit they have shown in risking a large amount of money in an
undertaking of this kind, and the etI"orts they have made to produce
such a result as would Vie creditable to the city and satisfa(;tory to all
interested, are such as richly deserve the cordial, helpful and liberal
recognition of every publicspirited citizen. Few indeed are there
who would have had the courage, not to say the ability, to grapple
with the (litticultics and di.'^couragenieiits incident to such an enter-
prise, and still fewer are there who would not have found in it the
grave of their financial hopes. The response with which the business
skill, energy and determination of those gentlemen have been met
has surpassed the author's expectations, luit has not surpassed their
deservings.
ALFRED E. LEE.
Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1892.
©•
Origin of the State.
CHAPTER I.
THE OHIO WILDERNESS.
In the annals of Ohio the middle of the seventeenth century forms the divid-
ing line between history and myth. All beyond that is vague and shadowy. Two
hundred and tifty years ago the country now known as Ohio was a primeval wilder-
ness which no white man had ever seen. Except along the southern shores of Lake
Erie, where dwelt the Cat Nation of Indians, it was occupied by no fixed inhabit-
ants. During the latter half of the seventeenth century it was a hunting preserve
to the various Indian tribes which approached it from the north, south and east.'
The authentic descriptions of this primitive solitude are extremely meager.
For adequate conceptions of its virginal grandeur, gloom and loveliness, changing
with the seasons, and untouched as yet by the hand of man, we are left mainly to
the conjurations of our own fancy. La Salle, who was its first white explorer, has
left us no record of its physical aspects.- Hunters and captives tell us of their ad-
ventures, but do not describe the country.^ We know more of the interior of
Africa than they have told us of the vast interior regions west of the Alleghanies.
The early travelers and annalists have done little better. They came to view the
land not for historical purposes, but to inspect and report its material resources.
They have given us glimpses here and tiiere of the external features of the coun-
try, but only glimpses. They have at best drawn but the vague outlines of a
picture the details of which would now be of intense interest.
The Jesuit missionaries who explored the region of the Great Lakes and the
V^allej' of the Mississippi were so absorbed in the work to which they had conse-
crated theij' lives, or so occupied with other special purposes set before them, as to
have given little thought, apparently, to their unique surroundings. They nar-
rate incidents and experiences with minuteness, but dismiss natural objects with
the barest allusion. It is by free interpretation of what the}' say, rather than by
what they have actually said, that we must fill out and perfect our impressions of
the great northwestern wilderness. Such interpretation we find in the pages of
one of their most accomplished annalists, who has drawn the following Dore-like
picture of the primitive Canadian forest :
Deep recesses where, veiled in foliage, some wild, shy rivulet steals with timid music
through breathless caves of verdure ; gulfs where feathered crags rise like castle walls,
where the noonday sun pierces with keen rays athwart the torrent and the mossed arms of
fallen pines cast wavering shadows on the illumined foam ; pools of liquid crystal turned
emerald in the reflected green of impending woods ; rocks on whose rugged front the gleam
of sunlit waters dances in quivering light; ancient trees hurled headlong by the storm to
dam the raging stream with their forlorn and savage ruin ; or the stern depths of immemorial
4 History of the City op CoLnMBUs.
forests, dim and silent as a cavern, columned with innumerable trunks, each like an Atlas
upholding its world of leaves, and sweating perpetual moisture down its dark and channeled
rind ; some strong in youth, some grisly with decrepit age, nightmares of strange distortion,
gnarled and knotted with wens and goitres ; roots intertwined beneath like serpents petrified
in an agony of contorted strife ; green and glistening mosses carpeting the rough ground,
mantling the rocks, turning pulpy stumps to mounds of verdure, and swathing fallen trunks
as, bent in the impotence of rottenness, they lie outstretched over knoll and hollow, like
mouldering reptiles of the primeval world, while around, and on and through them springs
the young growth that battens on their decay, — the forest devouring its own dead. Or, to
turn from its funereal shade to the light and life of t he open woodland, the sheen of sparkling
lakes, and mountains basking in the glory of the summer noon, flecked by the shadows of
passing clouds that sail on snowy wings across the transparent azure.'"
The scenes witnessed by Marquette and Joliet while descending the Wisconsin
in search of the Mississippi are thus portrayed by the same writer:
They glided calmly down the tranquil stream, by islands choked with trees and matted
with entangling grapevines ; by forests, groves and prairies,— the parks and pleasure grounds
of a prodigal nature ; by thickets and marshes, and broad, bare sandbars ; under the shadow-
ing trees, between whose tops looked down from afar the bold brow of some woody bluflf. At
night the bivouac,— the canoes inverted on the bank, the flickering fire, the meal of bison-
tiesh or venison, the evening pipes, and slumber beneath the stars; and when in the morn-
ing they embarked again the mist hung on the river like a bridal veil ; then melted before
the sun, till the glassy water and the languid woods basked breathless in the sultry glare.*
Another writer tells what these voyagers saw as they descended the Mis-
sissippi : *
Soon all was new ; mountain and forest had glided away ; the islands with their groves
of Cottonwood became more frequent, and moose and deer browsed upon the plains ; strange
animals were seen traversing the river, and monstrous fish appeared in its waters. But they
proceeded on their way amid this solitude, frightful by its utter absence of man. Descend-
ing still further they came to the land of the bison, or pisikiou, which, with the turkey
became the sole tenants of the wilderness ; all other game had disappeared.'
From Marquette himself we have these striking bits of description :
We see nothing but deer and moose, bustards and wingless swans, for they shed their
plumes in this country. From time to time we meet monstrous fish, one of which struck so
violently against our canoe that I took it for a large tree [probably a catfish] about to knock
us to pieces. Another time we perceived on the water a monster with the head of a tiger, a
pointed snout like a wildcat's, a beard and ears erect, a grayish head and neck all black. On
casting our nets we have taken sturgeon and a very extraordinary kind of fish ; it resembles
a trout with this dift'erence, that it has a larger mouth but smaller eyes and snout.*
" Both sides of the river," continues Marquette, "are lined with lofty woods.
The Cottonwood, elm and whitewood are of admirable height and size. The num-
bers of wild cattle we heard bellowing make us believe the prairies near. We saw
quails on the water's edge, and killed a little parrot with half the head red, the rest,
with the neck, yellow, and the body green."
Some of the glorious scenes which Hennepin has faintly described but must
have witnessed when he explored the upper Mississippi in 1680, are thus portrayed
by his poetic chronicler:
The young Mississippi, fresh from its northern springs, unstained as yet by unhallowed
union with the riotous Missouri, flowed calmly on its way amid strange and unique beauties ;
a wilderness clothed with velvet grass; forest-shadowed valleys; lofty heights whose smooth
slopes seemed levelled with the scythe; domes and pinnacles, ramparts and ruined towers
TiiK Ohio Wii.nEiiNKss. 5
the work of no h\iiuan hand. The canoe of the voyagers, home on the tiaiii|nil eurient,
glided in the Mv.mU' of irray eiau;-: festooned with blossoming lioneysnckles ; hy trees
mantled witli wild grapevines, dells bright with the flowers of the white euphorbia, the blue
gentian and the purple balm ; and matted forests where the red squirrels leaped and chat-
tered. . . . And when at evening they made their bivouac fire, and drew up their canoe,
while dim sultry clouds veiled the west, and the flashes of the silent heat-lightning gleamed
on the leaden water, they could listen, as they smoked their pipes, to the strange, mournful
cry of the whippoorwills, and the quavering scream of the owds."
The wilderness stretcliinji; southwiird from hake Erie was analogous to these
solitudes of the Northwest, and yet different. An enthusiastic writer declares that
" the Creator never planted on any other portion of His globe a forest more mag-
nificent that that which clad the primeval hills and valloj's of the Ohio basin." '"
Another, writing in 1S38, says " the wild scenery of tliis region seventy or even
fifty years ago must have been einincntlj' beautiful. If any one at that time had
ascended any elevated ground near the Ohio, or any of its larger rivers, the prospect
of hill and dale, spread out immense, must have been delightful to the eye of the
beholder. The spectator beheld tall trees covered with vines of the grape and of
wild roses hanging in clusters from near the ground to the topmost boughs. He
saw, too, a beautiful shrubbery of flowering plants, tall grasses and a great profu-
sion of wild flowers in full bloom, of every shade of color. All was silent and still
except the singing birds of every variety, of wild fowls,— the paroquet, bob-of-lin-
coln, quail, turkey, pigeon and mocking-bird.'"
Daniel Boone has left this record of what he saw when he entered Kentucky
in 1769 :
We found everywhere abundance of wild licasi;; of all sorts throiigii this vast forest. The
buflTalo were more frequent than I have seen cattle in the settlements browzing on the leaves
of the cane, or cropping the herbage on those extensive plains, fearless because ignorant of
the violence of man. Sometimes we saw hundreds in a drove, and the numbers about the
salt springs were amazing. . . . Natnre was here a series of wonders, and a fund of delight.
Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry, in a variety of Howera and fruits, beautifully
coloured, elegantly shaped and charmingly flavored ; and we were diverted with innu-
merable animals presenting themselves perpetually to our view. In the decline of the day,
near the Kentucky River, as we ascended the brow of a small hill, a number of Indians
rushed out of a thick canebrake upon us, and made us prisoners.
In another part of Hoone's narrative occurs this passage :
One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of
nature I met with in this charming season expelled every gloomy and ve.xatious thought,
.lust at the close of the day the gales retired, and left the place to the disposal of a profound
calm. Not a breeze shook the most tremulous leaf. I had gained the summit of a command-
ing ridge, and looking around with astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains, the beau-
teous tracts below. On the other hand I surveyed the famous river Ohio that rolle<l in silent
dignity marking the western boundary of Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur. At a vast
distance I beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows, and penetrate the clouds. I kin-
dled afire near a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the loin of a buck which a few hours
before I had killed.
The unstudied rhetoric of this narrative, and its artless grouping of events,
rather deepen tium impair the impressions it conveys.
The scenes along the Ohio River at this period po.ssessed a unique fascination
which excited the enthusiasm of every voyager. Colonel .Tohn May, who visited
6 History of the City of Columbus.
" the Ohio country " in 1788-89, floated down the river in a flatboat crowded, as he
informs us, with men, cows, calves, hogs, dogs, and baggage. His journal contains
this striking passage referring to his experience while he took his turn at the helm
one dark night during a thunderstorm :
We moved on still as night. In the thick forest on either hand was to be heard the howl-
ing of savage beasts, the whooping of one kind of owl, the screaming of another, while every
now and then would come a burst of thunder.
In another part of his journal May makes this record: " Could not help re-
marking again the beauties of the river. On each side mountains with valleys be-
tween, rising progressively to view, and filling the mind with admiration and
wonder. . . . While bathing I saw a flock of yellow-legged birds flying over
and called them, when they lit down quite near me."^-
More suggestive still, and much fuller in details, is the journal of " A tour in
the unsettled partsof North America," in 1796 and 1797, by Francis Baily, a Fel-
low of the Eoyal Society of England, and a scientist of considerable repute. Mr.
Baily set out from New York in September, 1796, and while descending the Ohio
from Fort Duquesne disembarked to visit the ancient mounds at Grave Creek, in
Virginia, below the present site of Wheeling. Describing this adventure he says :
We at first traversed over a fiat bottom on the banks of the river, and then ascending a
very steep and high hill we were carried along the ridge of it till we came within about a
mile of the place. As this hill carried us above the level of the surrounding country, every
break through the trees presented to us a sea of ivoods, whose tops just tinged by the setting
sun displayed one of the most beautiful sylvan scenes I ever remember seeing ; at the same
time every now and then the Ohio opened to our view, whose gentle stream, covered with
drifting ice, formed a fine contrast to its umbrageous shores. We had scarcely proceeded
half our journey before a bear with three cubs crossed the road at some distance before us.
Another incident which conveys a vivid idea of the scenes along the Ohio at
this period occurred while the rude craft bearing the voyager was descending with
the current at midnight, in the midst of a violent thunderstorm. It is thus de-
scribed :
We were surprised at seeing a light ahead of us, apparently on the banks of the river. On
our nearer approach to it we observed this fire to move in different strange directions, and
for some time puzzled our imaginations in conceiving what it could be. . . . On our com-
ing opposite to it we saw distinctly the appearances of human beings nearly naked, and of a
colour almost approaching to black ; and each of these beings furnished with a couple
of firebrands which they held in each hand. There might be about a dozen of them, and
they had got a large fire blazing in the middle of them, and were dancing around it in the wild-
est confusion imaginable, at the same time singing, or rather muttering some strange incohe-
rent sounds. Their peculiar appearance, whose effect was heightened by the contrast of the
tempestuousness of the night, and the rolling of the thunder and lightning around us,
put me in mind so much of the descriptions which are given of the internal regions that for
the moment 1 could not help considering them as so many imps let loose upon the earth to
perform their midnight orgies ; though it proved to be. nothing more than a few Indians who,
disturbed by the inclemency of the weather, could not sleep, and were innocently diverting
themselves with singing and dancing round their fire.
In another place Mr. Baily speaks of " the delightful scenery " along the river
and says : " If we put ashore ... we saw the works of nature profusely lavished
through an uninhabited country ; if we possessed the water, our attention was
continually attracted by the flight of immense flocks of wild fowl and other birds,
The Ohio Wildekness. 7
who, undisturbed, preserved their course regardless of our near approach ; or we
might behold the nimble deer browzing on the banks, or the fierce bear darting
through the thicket."
This passage is suggestive : " After we liad retired to rest sometime ... we
heard ( as we had often done before ) the howling of wolves, bears and other wild
animals around us; and .several times the noise of their feet among the dry leaves
on the ground, prowling about in search of prey."
Further interesting chronicles of the scenes along the Ohio are found in the
journal of "A tour into the territory northwest of the Alleghany mountains," in
the spring of 1803, by Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, a member of the Massachu-
setts Historical Society, of Boston. Journeying by way of Philadelphia, Lancaster,
Carlisle, Shippensburg and Sbarpsburg, Mr. Harris arrived at Pittsburgh and
there embarked for the parts below in one of the primitive boats of the period. Of
the appearance of the country from the river he says:
Sometimes we were in the vicinity of dark forests which threw a solemn shade over us
as we glided by : sometimes we passed along over banging banks decorated with blooming
shrubs which timidly bent their light boughs to sweep the passing stream ; and sometimes
around the shore of an island which tinged the water with a reflected landscape. The lively
carols of the birds, which "sung among the branches" entertained us exceedingly, and gave
life and pleasure to the woodland scene. The flocks of wild geese and ducks which swam
upon the stream, the vast number of turkies, partridges and quails we saw upon the shore,
and the herds of deer or some animals of the forest darting through the thickets, afiforded us
constant arausemeut.
The verdurous islands set like gem.s upon the bright surface of the water must
have contributed much to the beauty of the river then, as they still do. Harris
notes their loveliness and mentions the curious circumstance that -'thej' are
increasing in extent at the upper end and losing ground at the lower, which has
led to the remark that the 'islands are moving up the river.' "
In the recollections of H. M. Brackenridge, who journeyed down the Ohio to
the Mississippi in 1792, we are told that "not far from the Wabasli they [Bracken-
ridge and his companions] saw a small herd of buffaloes and secured a large ciilf
for their supper. Once having encamped near a beautiful grove of sugar trees, the
party found that a flock of turkeys had taken up their night's lodging over their
heads. Twelve or fourteen of these served them for supper and breakfast. At
another time the travellers had a 'naval battle with a bear' which they attacked
as he was swimming across the Ohio River. After an exciting fight .
they dragged their valorous but vanquished foe into their boat, and he proved to
be of enormous size. . . . Flocks of screaming paroquets ])reseutly alighted
over their heads, and humming birds attracted by blossoming honeysuckle flitted
around them and flashed away again."
Thus far we have seen the Ohio wilderness only as it was observed by early
voj-agers descending the river from Fort Duquesne (Pitt), now Pittsburgh, t'rom
the mouths of the Muskingum, the Scioto and the Miami, some of these men turned
aside to explore the country north of the river and there found themselves im-
mersed in
Majestic woods, of every vigorous green,
Stage above stage, high waving o'er the liills,
Or to the far horizon wide difl'used,
A boundless, deep immensity of shade.
8 History of the City op' Columbus.
To one of thene explorers''' who ascended the Miami Valley, we are indebted
for this bit of description :
About one or two o'clock, having come to a delightful spot surrounded by lofty trees,
(all of which were in full bloom) and furnished with a carpet which nature had decked with
her most luxuriant colours, through which ran a rivulet as clear as the purest crystal, we
agreed to halt. . . . The sun shone beautifully bright and the atmosphere was without
a cloud ; and as our horses required a little rest, we tied them to a tree and wandered out
into the woods, in order to enjoy the sweet present of nature, wherein every step we took
afforded new beauties.
Speaking of the same region this writer tells us that he had "seen oak trees,
and those not uncommon, which measured near four feet in diameter at the bot-
tom, and which had a straight trunk without a single branch for seventy feet; and
from that part to the termination of the upper branch it has measured seventy
more."
Such was the .sylvan majesty which, at a later period, inspired the pen of
William D. Gallagher when he wrote, one .says, "from the very bosom of the Miami
woods," these stately lines:
Around me here rise up majestic trees
That centuries have nurtured ; graceful elms,
Which interlock their limbs among the clouds ;
Dark-columned walnuts, from whose liberal store
The nut-brown Indian maids their baskets filled
Ere the first Pilgrims knelt on Plymouth Rock ;
Gigantic sycamores, whose mighty arms
Sheltered the red man in his wigwam prone.
What time the Norseman roamed our chartless seas;
And towering oaks, that from the subject plain
Sprang -when the builders of the tumuli
First disappeared.
Another explorer" makes this record of what he saw in these woods:
There is something which impresses the mind with awe in the shade and silence of these
vast forests. . . . Our course through the woods was directed by marked trees. As yet
there is no road cut. There is but little underwood, but on the sides of the creeks and near
the river the pawpaw [Annona glabra,) the spice bush, or wild pimento (Lawrus feeiiroin,) and
the dogberry (cornus Florida,) grow in the greatest abundance. We often stop to admire the
grapevines in these forests, which twine among and spread a canopy over the highest trees.
Some are nine inches in diameter. They stretch from the root, which is often thirty and
forty feet from the trunk of the tree, and ascend in a straight line to the first high limb thirty
and even sixty feet from the ground. How they have reached such an height without the
help of intermediate branches is unaccountable.
The Muskingum Valley, as it appeared to the Moravian missionary Zeisberger
when he explored it in 1772, is thus described in his biography:
It extended a distance of nearly eighty miles, enclosed on both sides by hills, at the foot
of which lay wide plains terminating abruptly in bluffs, or sloping gently to the lower bot-
toms through which the river flowed. These plains that now form the fruitful fields of the
" second bottoms," as they are called, were then wooded with the oak and hickory, the ash,
the chestnut, and the maple, which interlocked their branches, but stood comparatively free
from the undergrowth of other forests. The river bottoms were far wilder. Here grew wal-
nut trees and gigantic sycamores, whose colossal trunks even now astonish the traveler;
bushy cedars, luxuriant horse-chestnuts, and honey locusts, cased in their armor of thorns.
TiiK Ohio Wilderness. 0
Between these, clustereil laurel-bushes, with their rich tribute of flowers, or were cdiUMl tlir
thick mazes of the vine, from which more fragrant tendrils twined themselves into tlu'
nearest boughs, while here and tluTc a lofty spruce tree lifted its evergreen I'rown aliove the
groves.
Daniel Boone refers to the vScioto Valley, through which he was conducted
during his captivity, as "exceedingly fertile" and "remarkable for fine springs
and streanas of water." Others speak of it as marshy and malarious. Smith's
narrative contains the following allusions to the upper Scioto country lying
within the present boundaries of Franklin and the neighboring counties west and
north :
About the time the bucks quit running, Tontileaugo, his wife and children, Tecaughre-
tanego, his son Nungany and myself left the Wiandot camps at the carrying place, and crossed
the Sciota River at the south end of the glades, and proceeded on about a southwest course to
a large creek called 011entangy,'= which I believe interlocks with the waters of the Miami,
and empties into Sciota on the west side thereof. From the south end of the prairie to
OUentangy, there is a large quantity of beech land, intermixed with first-rate land. Here we
made our winter hut, and had considerable success in hunting. ... A few days after
Tecaughretanego [an Indian soothsayer] had gone through his ceremonies and finished bis
prayers, the rain came and raised the creek a sufficient height so that we passed in safety
down to Sciota, and proceeded up to the carrying place. About our winter cabbin is chiefly
first and second rate land. A considerable way up OUentangy on the southwest side thereof
or betwixt it and the Miami, there is a very large prairie, and from this prairie down OUen-
tangy to Sciota, is generally first-rate land. The timber is walnut, sugar-tree, ash, buckeye,
locust, wild cherry and spicewood, intermixed with some oak and beech. From the mouth
of OUentangy on the east side of Sciota, up to the carrying place, there is a large body of first
and second rate land, and tolerably well watered. The timber is ash, sugar-tree, walnut,
locust, oak and beech We proceeded from this place down Sandusky, and in
our passage we killed four bears, and a number of turkeys.
But the country was by no means all timbered. Smith s|)eaks of •' the great
meadows or prairies that lie between Sandusky and Sciota,"'" which must have
been in their ])rimitive, as they are now in their cultivated state, of great natural
beautj'. Samuel Williams, a member of Captain Henry Brush's company of Chilli-
cothe volunteers who marched to the relief of Hull at Detroit in the summer of
1812, writes on the third of August, that year, from camp at Maumee Rapids.
" The country we yesterday passed through [yet in its original wildnessj is the
most delightful I have ever seen. Our route most of the day was over natural
plains of many miles in extent, apparently as level as the ocean, seemingly boumlcd
only by the distant horizon, and interspersed with a few islets or groves of oak
and hickory timber and hazel bushes, and here and there a solitar}- oak tree or two
standing out in the open expanse. These isolated trees and groves contributed
much to the beauty of the seenerj-. But this is not all. These plains are covered
with a most luxuriant growth of grass and herbs, and an endless variety of beauti-
ful native flowers, representing all the hues of the rainbow, and loading the atmos-
phere with their perfume. "
Other prairie districts, since known somewhat indefinitely as I he Darby and
Pickaway plains, are referred to by Williams as the '• barrens, " through which, he
tells us, the Brush company marched for two days exposed to the hot sun, before
reaching Urbana. Speaking of this district Atwater says, " the jirairie north of
Circleville appears to have been the bed of some considerable stream, the Scioto
10 History of the City of CoLUMBtrs.
River, perhaps. In some plates it is four feet from the present surface to the
ancient one. On the latter once stood a thick forest of white cedar trees; these
trees now lie on the ancient surface, in different stages of decay. . . . The whole
prairie was once a cedar swamp."''
The animal life of the wilderness was exceedingly interesting, and uaturallj-
drew more of the attention of the early chroniclers than its vegetable life. Smith's
narrative contains frequent reference to the wild game of the woods. In his
earlier pages, after having narrated his wanderings and adventures with the
Indian party to which he was captive until they arrived at the creek now known
as Eocky Eiver, in Northern Ohio, and there halted for the winter, he says:
As it was still cold weather and a crust upon the snow, which made a noise as we
walked and alarmed the deer, we could kill nothing, and consequently went to sleep without
supper. The only chance we had under these circumstances, was to hunt bear holes; as the
bears about Christmas search out a winter lodging place, where they lie about three or four
months without eating or drinking The next morning early we proceeded on,
and when we found a tree scratched hy the bears climbing up, and the hole in the tree
sufficiently large for the reception of the bear, we then fell a sapling or small tree against or
near the hole and it was my business to climb up and drive out the bear, while Tontileaugo
stood ready with bis gun and bow. We went on in this manner until evening, without suc-
cess ; at length we found a large elm scratched, and a hole in it about forty feet up, but no
tree nigh suitable to lodge against the hole. Tontileaugo got a long pole and some dry
rotten wood which he tied in bunches, with bark, and as there was a tree that grew near the
elm, and extended up near the hole, but leaned the wrong way, so that we could not lodge
it to advantage ; but to remedy this inconvenience he climbed up this tree and carried with
him his rotten wood, fire and pole. The rotten wood he tied to his belt, and to one end of
the pole he tied a hook, and a piece of rotten wood which he set fire to, as it would retain
fire almost like spunk ; and reached this hook from limb to limb as he went up; when he
got up with this pole he put dry wood on fire into the hole, after he put in the fire he hcanf
the bear snuff and he came speedily down, took his gun in his hand and waited until the
bear would come out ; but it was some time before it appeared, and when it did appear he
attempted taking sight with his rifle, but it being then too dark to see the sights, he set it
down by a tree, and instantly bent his bow, took hold of an arrow, and shot the bear a little
behind the shoulder; I was preparing also to shoot an arrow, but he called to me to stop,
there was no occasion ; and with that the bear fell to the ground We remained
here about two weeks, and in this time killed four bears, three deer, several turkeys, and a
number of raccoons.
This simple narrative, rude and spontaneous like the forest itself, conveys a
more vivid impression than we obtain from many a more polished and pretentious
attempt at descriptive writing.
Bears were common in the Ohio woods down to the beginning of the present
century, after which they were rapidly exterminated. Major John Rogers's
journal of a voyage along Lake Erie in 1761 contains this passage: " We traveled
eleven miles and encamped, having killed in our march this day three Bears and
two Elks." The following adventure in the valley of the Little Miami is narrated
in Baily's journal, already quoted :
We had not proceeded far in the woods ere we discovered a hole in the top of a lofty
oak, whose diameter was upwards of three feet at the bottom, and its height near 150 feet.
. . . We saw evident traces of his [a bear's] claws impressed on the bark of the tree, and
it was soon resolved that the tree was to come down. Accordingly our two men set at it, and
when they had nearly got through it we took our appointed stations to watch the egress of
this tyrant of the woods. In a short time the immense trunk began to give way, and carry-
The Ohio Wilderness. 11
ingall before it, fell with a tremendous crash upon the ground. Bruin, findinx his habita-
tion in motion, began to look out before it reached the ground, and with a sudden spring
arrived there first. Immediately Dr. Bean levelled his piece and shot him through the body,
but only so as to wound him, anil the bear began to turn upon him; when at the lucky
moment a limb of the tree fell upon the stump of his tail, and left him struggling to get free.
This afforded me time to come to Dr. Bean's assistance, when I shot the poor animal through
the head. ... In this expedition we killed two or threes cieer, and saw great quantities
of wild turkeys.
Both elk and buffalo roamed the Ohio woods prior to the year 1800. Smith
mentions the slaying of a "buck-elk" which, he remarks," was the fattest creature
I ever saw of the tallow kind." His account indicates that the animal was taken
somewhere in the neighborhood of the Muskingum. Atwater affirms that " when
Circleville was first settled the carcasses, or rather skeletons, of fil'tj- individuals of
the elk family lay scattered about on the surface."'"' In his paper on the Mam-
mals of Ohio, embodied in the State Geological Survey Report, Prof A. M. Bi'ay-
ton says ; " There is ample evidence of the former existence and abundance of
the buffalo in Northern Ohio; it occurred in other parts of the State. Colonel .Tohn
May met with it on the Muskingum in 1788, and Atwater says 'we had once the
bison and the elk in vast numbers all over Ohio.' Hutchins says that in the natural
meadows, or savannahs, ' from twenty to fifty miles in circuit,' from the mouth of the
Kanawha far down the Ohio the herds of buffalo and deer were innumerable, as
also in the region drained by the Scioto." In his description of Lake Erie, about
1687, La Hanton (quoted by Professor Bray ton) saj's : "I cannot express what
quantities of deer and turkeys are to be found in these woods and in the vast
woods that lie on the south side of the lake." In 1718 Vaudreuil said of Lake Erie ;
■'There is no need of fasting on either side of this lake, deer are to be found there in
such abundance. Buffaloes are to be found on the south but not on the north
shore. . . . Thirtj' leagues up the river [Maumee] is a place called La (ilaise
[now Defiance] where buffaloes are always to be found; thej' eat the clay, and
wallow in it." Harris speaks in his journal of "open cleared spots on the summits
of hills called ' buffaloe beats' because supposed to be occasioned by the resort of
those animals thither in fly-time.""
Smith's narrative contains this passage ;
We then moved to Buffaloe lick, where we killed several buffaloe, and in their small
brass kettles they made about half a bushel of salt. I suppose this lick was about thirty or
forty miles from the aforesaid town,'" and somewhere between the Muskingum, Ohio and
Sciota. About the lick was clear, open woods, and thin white-oak land, and at that time
there were large roads leading to the lick, like waggon roads. We moved from this lick about
six or seven miles and encamped on a creek.'-'
Smith also tells of ambuscading a buffalo herd, from which he succeeded in kill-
ing " a very large cow." This seems to have occurred between the Olentangy
( Darby Creek ) and the Scioto.
Of the panther species both the niuuntain tiger and the niouiitaiii cat were in-
habitants of the Ohio wilderness. The commissioners of Athens County offered
bounties for both panther and wolf scalps down to the year 1818."' Within a mile
of Newark, Licking County, a marauding panther was shot as late as 1805."
Wolves infested the wilderness in great numbers, and their ululations at night,
particularly in winter, must have been extremely dismal.
12 History of the City of Coi.umbus.
The graj- fox, a beautitui animal, was very abundant, but, strange to say, with
the appi'oach of civilization the red fox supplanted it.
Another frequent inhabitant was the deer, whose timidity, grace and innocence
enlist our sympathy although they never evoked the hunter's mercy.
Squirrels were numberless, and their grand migrations were among the curi-
ous phenomena of the forest.-'
Serpents of various kinds frequented the marshes, the tall grass of the prairies
and the tangled copses. Atwater says: "At an early period of our settlement
the large rattlesnake was found along the Scioto, in considerable numbers, but the
newly settled inhabitants, ascertaining that these serpents burrowed in a large
stone mound a few miles northeastwardly from Circleville, after the serpents had
gone into their winter quarters fenced in the mound, and, as the serpents came
out of it in the spring of the next year, they killed them, so that it is a rare thing
now to tind one on this region." '*
Probably no other portion of the earth was ever peopled by a more interesting
variety of birds than the Ohio wilderness. Mr. Atwater's remarks on this subject
are interesting. He says: "The wild goose visits us on the Scioto early in the
autumn, and tarries with us until spring. . . . This bird lives all winter about
Sandusky bay, and from thence southwardly to Pickaway plains. . . . Loons are
seen along the Ohio Eiver, but they are seldom killed. The heron and the crane
visit us in the spring, and tarry here all summer and rear their young. The sand-
hill crane lives on the Scioto, and tarries there nearly all the year. . . . After a
long storm from the southwest many birds of diiterent species are often seen here
of a most beautiful plumage, which disappear again after a week's fair weather.
. . . Gulls, or stormj' petrels are often seen along the Ohio Eiver, before a south-
western- storm. A few years since, paroquetts, in large flocks, lived in the woods,
along the Ohio River, from Miller's bottom downwards, and along the Scioto Eiver,
upwards from its mouth, to where Columbus now stands. They are still in the
woods along the bottoms below Chillicothe near the river where there is proper
food for them to eat, and birds enough for them to torment by their squalling
noise. " -"
Myriads of wild pigeons nested in the wilderness, and their migratory flights
over the silent "sea of woods " were sometimes prodigious. One of the French
voyagei's on the Mississippi remarks that " the air was darkened and quite covered
with them." Harris's journal (1803) contains these statements referring to
Ohio:
The vast flights of pigeons in this country seem incredible. But there is a large forest
in Waterford ( on the Muskingum ) containing several hundred acres, which had been killed
in consequence of their lighting upon it during the autumn of 1801. Such numbers lodged
upon the trees that tliey broke off large limbs ; and the ground below is covered, and in
some places a foot thick, with their dung, which has not only killed all the undergrowth,
but all the trees are as dead as if they had been girdled." *
John Bradbury, an English botanist who explored the Missouri country in
1809-11, writes of these birds :
I . . . soon discovered that pigeons were in llie woods. . . . This species of pigeon (Col-
umbo migratorius ) associates in prodigious flocks: one of these flocks when on the ground,
will cover an area several acres in extent, and are so close to each other that the ground can
scarcely be seen. This phalanx moves through the woods with considerable celerity, picking
The Ohio Wilderness. 13
up, as it passes along, everything that will serve for food. It is evident that the foremost ranks
must be the most successful, and that nothing will remain for the hindermost. That all may
have an ecjual chance the instant that any rank becomes the last, they rise and Hying over
the whole flock alight exactly ahead of the foremost. They succeed each other witli so much
rapidity that there is a continual stream of them in the air, and a side view of them exhibits
the appearance of the segment of a large circle moving through the woods. 1 observed that
they ceased to look for food a considerable time before they become the last rank, but strictly
adhere to their regulations, and never ri.se until there are none behind them." -»
The ornithologist of the Geological Survey, Dr. .J. M. Wheaton, M. D., late
of this city, says in his report :
Until about 1S55 pigeons were extremely abundant in Central Ohio, having at and before i
this time a roost and breeding place near Kirkersville, Licking County. Then, for weeks at Jf /[f, t^ uno^i
a time, they might be observed flying over this city or around its suburbs. In the morning ^^ / Ijittm,
soon after sunrise until nine o'clock or after, their flight was westward from the roost. In *^ ' y^
the afternoon from four o'clock until sundown they were returning. During these periods ^ ^^ " "a'
they were never out of sight, and often dozens of flocks were in view at once. . . . Vast ** '^'•y "^ '-' ""^
numbers were shot, killed with poles on their roosts, or captured in nets. . . ."Many oc Jvt gjl<^ "t^*^
thousands were offered for sale in the market of this city. Most of them were brought alive /ulVt P^c-^'^ - " 'y
in coops, and the purchaser had the choice of carrying them home alive or having them killed (;i ^^;. ^-ffu. Ac*'
on the spot. If he chose the latter, the seller by a dexterous movement fractured or dislo- J /- / M^m^
Gated the bird's neck between his teeth. 'The average price at this time was Ave or six cents *-^^*^-'^ '^
a dozen. . . . a^o ^^y-<. i^****^.
On several occasions we have been favored with a general migration of these birds, when cu^ Oi~u-i ^'-««» ♦
they have appeared as described by Wilson, in " congregated millions." This was the case in j j-Ju^J iMcd,
1854, when the light of the sun was perceptibly obscured by the immense, unbroken, and ^^ ' ,
apparently limitless flock which for several hours passed over the city. In the fall of 1859 I ^Jr Vrt*m»4- ov**^
witnessed a similar migration near Granville, Lickmg County, since which time the birds ^i .l/J.
have been much less numerous. On this occasion I had an opportunity of observing a large '
flock while feeding. The flock, after a little circling by the foremost ranks, alighted upon the
ground, presenting a front of over a quarter of a mile, with a depth of nearly a hundred yards.
In a very few moments those in the rear, finding the ground already stripped of mast, arose
above the treetops and alighted in front of the advance column. This movement soon became
continuous and uniform, birds from the rear flying to the front so rapidly that the whole pre-
sented the appearance of a rolling cylinder having a diameter of about fifty yards, its interior
filled with flying leaves and grass. The noise was deafening, and the sight confusing to the
mind.^"
If such were the multitudes of the.se birds which swarmed over the country
nearly sixty years after civilization had begun to ilestroy them and di-ive them
from their haunts, how phenomenal must they have been when tliej* roved the
silent, unseen wilds before the white man's advent!
The waterfowl of the wilderness,
Consulting deep, and various, ere they took
Their arduous voyage through the liquid sky,
we may well believe constituted one of its most curious phases. Smith gives us
some glimpses of it in his narrative. Describing a grand circular hunt on the
Maumee during which the Indians drove multitudes of deer into the river he says :
" The squaws and boys were busy tomahawking the deer in the water, and we
shooting them down on the land. We killed in all about thirty deer, tho' a great
many made their escape by water " ; and then adds :
We had now great feasting and rejoicing, as we had plenty of homony, venison, and
14 History op the City of Columbus.
wild fowl. The geese at this time appeared to be preparing to move southward — it might be
asked what is meant by the geese preparing to move? The Indians represent them as hold-
ing a great council at this time concerning the weather in order to conclude upon a day that
they may all at or near one time leave the Northern Lakes and wing their way to the south-
ern bays. When matters are brought to a conclusion and the time appointed that they are
to take wing, then, they say, a great number of expresses are sent oflF in order to let the dif-
ferent tribes know the result of this council, that they may be all in readiness to move at the
time appointed. As there is a great commotion among the geese at this time, it would ap-
pear by their actions that such a council had been held. Certain it is that they are led by
instinct to act in concert and move off regularly after their leaders.
In another place Smith says : " Then (in October) the geese, svrans, ducks,
cranes, &c., came from the north, and alighted on this little Lake (Sandusky bay)
without number or innumerable. Sunyendeand [a Wyandot town on the bay] is
a remarkable place for fish in the spring, and fowl both in the fall and spring."
The approach of civilization modified but by no means discontinued these
phenomena. " Wild geese, swans, ducks and wading birds," wrote Dr. Kirtland in
1850, " literally swarmed about every lake, pond and creek, during spring and
autumn. Many species also bred on the Eeserve. Forty years since, while travel-
ling from Buffalo to Ohio, along the immediate shore of the lake, the scene was
constantly enlivened by the presence of ducks leading their young on the margin
of the water, or hastily retreating to it on our approach. It often happened that
on doubling some point of land or fallen tree, we placed ourselves in a position to
cut off their communication with their favorite element. The instructive expedi-
ents to which the thoughtful mother would resort to extricate her charge from
impending danger, was to us a matter of amusement and interest."
"At the present time," wrote Dr. Wheaton in 1879, "the geese find no more
secure feeding grounds than the vast cornfields of the Scioto Valley. However
these birds are less numerous than formerly, at least in the vicinitj' of this city.
They seem to retain for a long time an attachment for places, and visit each year
a favorite locality on the Olentangy River, so near this city that I have known
amateur sportsmen to refrain from shooting them, for the reason that they ' were
too near town to be wild geese.' "''
A letter quoted by Dr. Manasseh Cutler, writing at the Marietta settlement in
1788, says: "Every spring a prodigious number of storks come to visit these
plains; they are at least six feet high, and more than seven feet from tip to tip of
wings. I have never seen them come to feed that they were not surrounded by
sentinels who watch around them to announce the approach of enemies. Some-
times before their departure they assemble in great flocks, and the day being fixed
all rise, turning slowly, and preserving always the same order, they describe long
spirals until they are out of sight."
Paroquets in the Ohio woods are referred to in various old chronicles, some of
which have been already quoted. Their harsh squawk must have been one of the
most impressive if not pleasing voices of the summer wilderness. They seem to
have been partial to the valley of the Lower Scioto, although they were observed
as far north as Lake Michigan. Audubon, writing in 1831, says: "OurParra-
keets ai-e very rapidly diminishing in number, and in some districts where twenty-
five years ago they were plentiful, scarcely any are now to be seen." In 1838 Dr.
Kirtland observed that " the parrakeets do not usually extend their visits north of
The Ohio Wilderness. 16
the Scioto." In July, 1862, the late \V. S. Snilivant, of Columbus, noticed a flock of
twenty-five or thirty which alighted among the trees opposite his residence on the
Capitol Square.*'
Another impressive bird of'tlie wildorne.'^s, and one especially in kfcpitig with
its gloomier aspects, was the turkey buzzard, of which we have the following strik-
ing picture in Bradbury's account of his explorations of the Missouri woods : " We
began to notice more particularly the great number of drowned buffaloes floating
on the river; vast numbers of them were also thrown ashore. . . . These
carcasses had attracted an immense number of turkey buzzards ( Vultur aura) and
as the preceding night had been raiuj^, multitudes of them were sitting on the
trees, with their backs toward the sun, and their wings spread out to dry, a com
mon practice with these birds after a rain."''
A similar spectacle formerly frequent on the Ohio is mentioned by Harris, who
says in his journal : "On the upper beach of one of the islands we saw a targe
flock of Turkey Buzzards, attracted there by a dead carcass that had floated down
the river, and lodged upon the bar. These birds did not fly upon our ap-
proach."''
Dr. Cone says of these scavengers : "The Turkey Buzzard breeds sometimes
in communities and sometimes by single pairs, depositing its eggs on the ground,
on rocks, or in hollow logs and stumps. The situation is generally in thick woods ;
and when numbers breed together, the foulness of the resort is beyond description
— vegetation may be destroyed over large areas. . . . They walk or hop
indifterently, and sometimes move with a succession ot leaps, accelerated with the
wings. When about to take flight (i-om the ground, they stoop for an instant till
the breast almost touches, and then unfolding the wings, give a vigorous spring
into the air: with a few powerful hurried flaps they are fairly oft". They soon
begin their gyrations with set wings, only beating at intervals, when they are
forced to rise rapidly away from some obstacles; and circling thus thej- are
short!}' in the upper air."
Of the eagles a whole chapter of interesting facts might be written. Smith
says in his narrative : " We came to Lake Erie about six miles west of Canesa-
dooharie [Black River, in Lorain County]. ... I saw on the strand a number
of large fish, that had been left in flat or hollow places; as the wind fell and the
waves abated, they were left without water, or only a small quantity ; and num-
bers of Bald and Graj' Eagles, &c., were along the shore devouring them."
In another place he says " great numbers of turkey-buzzards and eagles "
collected to devour some rockfish left by the Indians.
The black eagles, says a colonial writer, " are most frequently sitting on some
tall tree by the riverside, whence they may have a prospect up and down the
river, as I suppose to observe the fishing hawks ; for when they see the fishing
hawk has struck a fish, immediatel}' they take wing, and 'tis sometimes very
pleasant to behold the flight, for when the fishing hawk perceives herself pursued,
she will scream and make a terrible noise, till at length she lets fall the fish to
make her own escape, which the eagle frequently catches before it reach the
earth or water."'"
Wilson's Oruitiiology contains the following references to the whiteheaded
eagle in this State :
16 History op the City op Columbus.
In one of those partial migrations of tree squirrels that sometimes take place in our west-
ern forests, many thousands of them were drowned in attempting to cross the Ohio ; and at
a certain place not far from Wheeling, a prodigious number of their dead bodies were floated
to the shore by an eddy. Here the vultures assembled in great force, and had regaled them-
selves for .sometime, when a bald eagle made his appearance, and took sole possession of the
premises, keeping the vultures at their proper distance for several days. He has also been
seen navigating the same river on a floating carrion, though scarcely raised above the sur-
face of the water, and tugging at the carcass regardless of snags, sawyers, planters or
shallows. ""'*
Doctor Wheaton, writing in 1879, says; "In the immediate vicinity of Colum-
bus the white headed eagle is rare, and migrant or winter visitor. I have not
seen one tor twenty years, but a fine adult speciman was observed on Alum Creek,
about four miles fi-om the city,b3' my friends Doctors FuUerton and Landis iu Sep-
tember last. I have seen it in October, at the Licking County ileservoir, and have
been informed that it remains through the summer and probably breeds there.
About thirty years since, when a fatal epidemic prevailed among cattle, eagles ap-
peared in considerable numbers in the northern part of this county and fed upon
the carcasses of the victims.""'
The song birds of the wilderness excite the admiring comment of all its early
explorers. Among those partial to the Scioto Valley was the thrush, of which At-
water writes in the following strain of rhapsody:
This Shakspeare among birds seats himself on some tree where the greatest variety of all
sorts of birds dwell, and makes it his business to mock and disappoint them. Hence his com-
mon name of mockingbird. Having seated himself in a proper place he listens in profound
silence to the songs of the several birds around him. In the vernal season he makes the
love call of a female of some near neighbor with heart stirring melody, until the males come
in flocks to caress their loved mate, when lo ! no such lovely bird is there. They find in-
stead of the lovely fair one a homely brown thrush. ... In the evening, after the birds have
reared their young ones, and when all join to raise their several hymns of praise, the thrush
seats himself in this woodland orchestra, and begins by singing in succession the notes and
songs of all the birds around him, beating all of them, using their own notes and singing their
songs. '
Having thus, as he supposes, carried off the prize in this musical contest, he prepares for
flAuAi.t.tJ^'^' l^ his.A'"«^<', hy taking his seat on the topmost end of the highest bough of the loftiest tree
standing on the highest ground in all the grove, and then commences to sing his own clear
notes, and his own most delightful song. At times his wings are expanded, his neck is ex-
f4x^ t^TU-*iu <M tended, every feather in his whole body quivers with his exertion of every limb, and his
., i,,^fjn,^4, ***^ whole soul is exerted to its utmost power to produce the most perfect melody that was ever
/ . heard in the woods of Ohio.^*
a-Jta. </«^ <»*^ Such are some of the best indications we can obtain of what the Ohio wilder-
^F^ ».-/X«- ^>*«-. "''*'' ^^^ before modern civilization entered it. But strange to say, we find here
/7 /V V. ->S^ the traces of another civilization, or at least of a modified barbarism, which must
'', Q ^ have antedated even the advent of the red man. We also find imbedded in the
' "V^ • rocks, and scratched upon their surfaces, the tokens of events which took place in
Jlo*^ Kt^^M/ ^i^g y^gt development of nature before this goodly land became habitable for man,
^*mm , h, /***^ whether civilized or savage.
ri^^Ahilrxi^ /vi'-tf' Before proceeding farther let us examine these vestiges of the past, and inter-
u» tji/tt** pret, 80 far as we can, their mysterious meaning.
o^.
The Ohio Wilderness. 17
NOTES.
1. All the early voyagers on the Ohio, and all the first emigrants to Kentucky, represent
the country as being totally destitute of any recent vestiges of settlement. Mr. Butler, in his
history of Kentucky, remarks in the text, that " no Indian towns, within recent times, were
known to exist within this territory, either in Kentucky or the lower Tennessee " ; but in a
note he says, " there are vestiges of Indian towns near Harrodsburg, on Salt River, and at
other points, but they are of no recent date." The same author and all others assert " that
this interjacent country between the Indians of the South and those northwest of the Ohio,
was kept as a common hunting grQund or field of battle, as the resentments or inclinations of
the adjoining tribes prompted to the one or the other."— ir. H. Han-ison's Discourse on the
Aborigines 0/ the Ohio Vallei/.
In the latter half of the seventeenth century, after the destruction of the Eries by the
Five Nations, in 1656, what is now the State of Ohio was uninhabited. — Manning F. Force on
The Indiam of Ohio.
Speaking to the same effect, Hildreth says : " A. belt of country from forty to sixty miles
in width, on both the north and south banks of the [Ohio] River seems to have been appro-
priated by the tribes who laid claim to the territory, almost exclusively as hunting grounds."
—Pioneer History, by S. P. Hildreth.
2. History accepts it as an established fact that early in July, 1669, this bold adventurer
left Montreal at the head of an exploring party, and that he probably spent the winter of
1669-70 in the Ohio country between Lake Erie and the great stream which the Indiana
called "Ohio," " Oligheny-sipu," or " Meeschzebe." Writers conjecture variously that he
reached the Ohio by following down either the Muskingum, the Scioto, or the Big Miami. —
Footprints of the Pioneers of the Ohio Valley, by W. H. Venable.
.'5. The Narrative of Colonel James Smith afifords a good illustration of this. Smith was
captured by the Indians in Pennsylvania in 175.5, at the age of eighteen, and remained with
them, most of the time in the Ohio wilderness, until he made his escape near Montreal in
1 759. His journal kept during that period, and afterwards revised and published, is a valu-
able and extremely interesting record of experience, but portrays meagerly the wild and
wondrous forest scenes in which that experience took place.
4. The Old Regime in Canada ; Francis Parkman.
5. Discovery of the Great West ; Francis Parkman.
6. In June, 1673.
7. Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley, John Gilmary Shea.
8. Polydon spatula, now very rare.
9. Parkman.
. 10 Venable's Footprints in the Ohio Valley.
11. History of Ohio ; Caleb Atwater, A. M., 183S.
12. Yellow-legged snipe or tattler, then common along the western rivers in autumn.
13. Francis Baily, already quoted.
14. Thaddeus Mason Harris.
15. This probably refers to the Big Darby. A note on this passage by Smith's commen-
tator, Mr. Darlington, based on John Brickell's Narrative, says : " By a law of the legisla-
ture of Ohio, passed in 1833, ' to restore the Indian names to certain streams,' this name
(Ollentangy) is incorrectly given to the Whetstone, the eastern affluent of the Scioto, the
Delaware Indian name of which was Keenhongsheconsepung, or Whetstone Creek, in Eng-
lish. . . . Big Darby Creek, which rises in Logan County and flowing southeast empties into
the west side of the Scioto in Pickaway County, opposite Circleville, is the real Ollentangy ;
this is evident from Smith's description of his route from the Sandusky portage to that stream,
and of the country between it and the waters of the Miami (or Mad River)."
16. Afterwards known as the Sandusky Plains, and now embraced within the counties of
Crawford, Wyandot, Marion and Hardin.
17. History of Ohio.
18. Ibid.
2
18 History op the City op Columbus.
19. Harris's Journal.
20. The town here referred to is mentioned by Smith on a preceding page, as " an
Indian town on the west branch of the Muskingum, about twenty miles above the forks,
which was called Tullilahs, inhabited byDelawares, Caughnewagas and Mohicans."
21. " In Licking and Fairfield counties, now known as the Reservoir or Licking Summit
of the Ohio Canal, ten miles south of Newark. The main Indian trail from the forks of the
Ohio to the Miami towns led by this swamp, then, no doubt, of vast extent. Christopher
Gist, agent of the Ohio Company (of Virginia), sent out to examine the country, with George
Croghan and Andrew Montour, messengers, with presents from Governor Hamilton, of Penn-
sylvania, to the Twightwees (Miamis), reached this point and encamped on January 17th, 1751.
On the next day they ' set out for the Great Swamp,' as it is noticed by Gist in his journal." —
NoU by W. M. Darlington.
22. History of Athens County; C. M. Walker, 1869.
23. History of Licking County ; Isaac Smucker.
24. Hildreth's Pioneer History of the Ohio Valley speaks of the migration of gray squir-
rels, ia early times, "coming in millions from the north to the south, destroying whole fields
of corn in a few days."
" I learn from Dr. Hoy" [of Racine, Wisconsin], says Prof. Brayton, "that one of these
migrations is said to have taken place in 1842 ; he witnessed another in 1847, and a third in
1852. From these facts, and from observations made in Ohio and elsewhere, he is of the
opinion that the migrations, in most cases, at least, occur at intervals of five years, and if he
be right, the squirrels, which are now exceedingly abundant again in Southern Wisconsin
may be expected to migrate in the autumn of 1857.* He further says that the migrations ob-
served by him in Southern Wisconsin occurred when the mast was exceedingly abundant
and the squirrels in good condition. Near Racine they were observed passing southward in
very large numbers for about two weeks, at the end of September and the beginning of October,
and it was a month before all had passed. They moved along rather leisurely, stopping to
feed in the fields, and upon the abundant nuts and acorns of the forests. So far had they
departed from their accustomed habits that they were seen on the prairie, four or five miles
away from any timber, but even there, as usual, they disliked to travel on the ground, and
ran along the fences, wherever it was possible."— iJeport on the Mammalia of Ohio, by Prof. A.
M. Brayton. Ohio Geological Survey Report, Volume IV.
25. History of Ohio.
26. History of Ohio.
27. Gravier.
28. Journal of a Tour, etc.
29. Travels in the Interior of America in the years 1809, ISIO and 1811 ; by John Bradbury.
30. Report on the Birds of Ohio ; by J. M. Wheaton, M. D., 1879. Geological Survey Re-
port, Volume IV.
31. Ibid.
32. Ibid.
.33. Travels, etc.
34. Journal of a Tour, etc.
35. John Clayton, Rector of Crofton, to the Royal Society, May 12, 1688, on Virginia and
what he saw there.
36. American Ornithology, by Alexander Wilson, Philadelphia.
37. Geological Survey Report, 1808-14.
38. History of Ohio.
* A migration of black and gray squirrels did take place in 1857, as predicted.
CHAPTER 11.
THE PREHISTORIC RACES.
The antiquity of man in the Ohio Valley is one of the dark and fathomless
secrets of the past. Science has endeavored with but faint success to pierce its
mystic shadows. Only within the last few years, and then by accident, have the
first feeble glimpses been obtained into its remoter mysteries. By these glimpses,
vague anil unsatisfactory as they are, the eye of science traces the existence of
man in this region hack to that wondrous period when a vast sheet of ice,
descending from the north, lay like a monstrous shield over the greater part
of the Ohio basin.
Of the advance and recession of that stupendous continental glacier the record
is clear, copious and authentic. Nature has herself written it in cyclopean char,
acters, manifest and enduring as the earth itself. " The evidence is conclusive,"
says Professor Wright, " that, at a comparatively recent period, the northern por-
tions of Europe and America were covered with a vast mass of slowly moving ice,
pressing down from the north pole towards the warmer latitudes."' This prodig-
ious sliding mass was doubtless produced, like the glaciers of the Alps, by annual
accumulations of snow, under a low temperature, packed and solidified by the
influences of wind and sun. East of the Atlantic it covered most of the British
Islands, the whole of the Scandinavian peninsula. Northern Germany, and West-
ern Hussia. On this continent it slid down over the present area of New England
and New York until it plunged into and was dissolved by the ocean. "Westward
from New York City," says Professor Wright, " I have myself carefully traced in
the field the southern boundary of the glaciated regions as far as the Mississippi.
Beginning at New York City, and omitting the minor features, the line marking
this southern boundary runs northwest to Salamanca, New York, thence southwest
to the neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, thence bending north to the upper
part of Brown County, Indiana, thence southwest to Carbondale, Illinois, and
thence northwest to the neighborhood of St. Louis. To this limit the ice of the
glacial period continued in its southern movement, grinding down the elevated
surfaces and filling up the depressions of the country, and bringing its vast burden
of granite rocks from the north."'
In Ohio the glacial boundary is wonderfully distinct, and has been located
with precision. Professor Wright, who ex])lored it during the summer of 18S2,
declares his belief that he has traced it with " tolerable certainty . . . upon nearly
every mile of its course."' Entering the State from the east at Achor, in Columbiana
County, it "continues ncarh- west to the middle of Stark County, where it turns
[1-.]
20
History of the City of Columbus.
more to the south, crossing the northern portion of Holmes County' to the northeast
corner of Knox and Licking Counties, the western part of Perry, turning here so
as to pass through Lancaster, in Fairiield Countj' ; touching tlie western edge of
Hocking, and entering Eoss at Adelphi in the northeast corner. Here it turns to
the west, crossing the Scioto Valley a few miles north of Chillicothe, and emerg-
MICH.
ing from the county at its southwest corner, proceeding thence thi'ough the south-
eastern corner of Highland, the northwestern of Adams, reaching the Ohio JRiver
in the southern part of Brown County, near Eipley. Cincinnati was completely
enveloped by ice during the glacial period, and extensive glacial deposits exist in
the northern part of Campbell and Boone Counties, Kentucky, and near Aurora
in Dearborn County, Indiana."^
TlIF. PREHrsTOKIC R.-VfES. 21
Tlie force oxortod ami tlie crtouts produced by this resistless ice-current
were inconceivably vast. In New England, says Professor Newberry, it was "of
such thickness and magnitude as to override all the features of the local topog-
raphy except Mt. Washington."' From its marks on that mountain, which served
as a kind of Nilometcr to the glacier. Professor Newberry concludes that its upper
surface must have been six thousand feet above the level of the sea; "in other
■words that the ice was three thousand feet thick."* By the movement and pres-
sure of tills mass the sin-face of the earth was prodigious!}- scoured, furrowed and
shapeil. Hills were abraded, great valleys and basins scooped out, huge heaps of
gravel deposited, terraces now known as ridges heaped up, and enormous quanti-
ties of loose rock pushed or carried into the depressions formed. Crossing the
original channel of the Ohio twenty-five miles above Cincinnati the ice-barrier
arrested and threw back the descending waters, and thus, as it is believed, formed
a lake six hundred feet deep in its lower part, and in its upper covering the pres-
ent site of Pittsburgh to the depth of three hundred feet. When the ice melted,
enormous volumes of water were produced which carried the gravel and silt down
into the prodigious groovings of the glacier, tilling them in many instances to a
depth of more than two hundred feet. Thus the beds of our present watercourses
were raised approximately to their present level," and the whole surface of the
country was submerged or swept by swirling eddies and currents. In the basin
of the Great Lakes, excavated by the mighty glacier,' a fresh-water sea was formed
in which pinnacled icebergs floated do\A-n from the Canadian highlands, sowing
broadcast their monstrous freightage of rocky debris as it fell fi-om their slipperj'
sides under the action of the sun.
Behind it the receding ice-sheet left a surfiice of boulder clay which seems to
have been overgrown, in the lapse of time, with immense forests of coniferous
trees.' This growth continued long enough to form a carbonaceous soil, and in
many places beds of neat in which remains of the walrus, the musk-ox, the masto-
don and the giant beaver have been found. " When the forest growth had spread
over most of the drift area south of the lakes, and had occupied it for hundreds
and perhaps thousands of years, a submergence of the continent took place which
brought the waters of the Gulf of Mexico up the Valley of the Mississijipi until
this formed an arm of the sea which reached and covered all the lower half of our
state."'"
The lapse of time which has taken place since the close of the glacial era can
be only conjecturally estimated. Judging by the rate of erosion which has been
produced by the waters of Niagara and other post-glacial streams, Professor
Wright thinks the recession of the ice cannot date farther back than ten or fifteen
thousand years. A period of about eleven thousand years seems to have elapsed
since "the Niagara began its work at Queen.stown. '
Whether the existence of man has been coextensive with this period, and
reached back to the stupendous but vanishing disorder of the Ice Age, is a question
which has been often asked. "To give an answer," says Sir Archibald Geikie,
"we must know within what limits the term Ice Age is used, and to what partic-
ular country or district the question refers. For it is evident that even to-day
man is contemporary with the Ice Age in the Al])ine Valleys and in Finnmark.
There can be no doubt that he inhabited Europe after the greatest extension of the
22 History of the City op Columbus.
ice, but while the rivers were still larger than now from the melting snow, and
flowed at higher levels.""
That man was contemporary with glacial recession on this continent is now
one of the most positive conclusions of science. At the time when the ice-front in
Ohio extended as far south as Cincinnati, sa3-s Professor Wright, " man, in a state
of development similar to that of the Eskimo, was hunting the mastodon, and the
reindeer, and the walrus in the valley of the Delaware. ... At that time the
moose, the caribou, the musk-ox and reindeer ranged through the forests and over
the hills of Kentucky."'* Eemains of these animals have been found in the peat
bogs of the glacial epoch, and while human remains have not been found thei-e, evi-
dences have nevertheless been brought to light which clearly indicate the presence
of man in the Ohio Valley ten thousand years ago. While digging a cistern at
Madisonville, on the Little Miami Eiver, eleven miles northeast of Cincinnati, in
the year 1885, Doctor C. L. Metz took out of the glacial gravel, eight feet below
the surface, a stone implement " of the true paleolithic type." The stone was
black flint "not smoothed, but simply a rudelj- chipped, pointed weapon about
three inches long."^' Subsequently, in the spring of 1887, Doctor Metz found
another palffiolith in a similar deposit, thirty feet below the surface, at Loveland,
Ohio. This second find was an oblong stone about six inches long, and carefully
chipped to an edge. Both the Madisonville and the Loveland implement are ob-
viously of human manufacture, and must have lain imbedded in the gravel ever
since their deposit by the glacial stream. " They show," says Professor Wright,
"that in Ohio as well as on the Atlantic coast, man was an inhabitant before the
close of the glacial period."''' Simple as these articles are, they furnish proof's dif-
ficult to dispute that the Ohio Valley was one of the first portions of the globe to be
inhabited by human beings.
That earlier race, perhaps resembling the present Esquimaux of the distant
North, was doubtless the beginning of a series of races which have since come and
gone. Many years ago, says Geikie, the Danish archaeologists, taking their cue
from the Latin poets, classified the prehistoric races of man as those of the Stone
Age, the Bronze Age, and the Age of Iron. " There can be no doubt that on the
whole this has been the general order of succession. Men used stone and bone
before they discovered the use of metal. ",5 The primitive Ohio man now appears
to have been a user of stone, and an antitype and contemporary of the cave and lake
dwellers of Europe. What further traces of him the gravel beds may yield no one
can tell, hut that further traces await discovery and will in due time come to light
seems altogether probable.
Who and of what particular character the paleolithic man's immediate suc-
cessors were must be determined, as yet, chiefly by analogj^ Everywhere, says
Dr. Wilson, man seems to have passed through the same progressive stages: First,
that of the savage or purely hunter state wherein he appears as " the savage occu-
pant of a thinly-peopled continent, warring with seemingly inadequate means
against gigantic carnivora, the contemporary existence of which is known to us
only by the disclosures of geological strata or ossiferous caves, where also the
remains of still more gigantic herbivora confirm the idea of man's exhaustive
struggle for existence"; second, the "pastoral state, with its flocks and herds, its
domesticated animals and its ideas of personal property, including in its earlier
The I'ltKiiisTdRio IJArKS. 28
stages that ofpropertj' in man himself": and thinl, tlio ai^riciilt iirul sluiro, m- that
of tillers of the soil, "the Aiyans, the ploughcrs and lords i>i (lie earth, among
whom are developed tlic elements of settled social life involved in the personal
homestead and all the ideas of individual i>roperty in land.""'
The succession of the earlier races on this continent seems to have followed
something like this order of development, except that a savage race has succeeded
one of apparenth" agricultural habits. Whether the more enlightened race degene-
rated into the savage one or was displaced by it is an unsolved problem, but that a
race or races antecedent and in some respects superior to the Indians dwelt here
and spread over a large proportion of our present national area, is not doubtful.
The evidence of this is palpable, not speculative, and is spread before us at our
very doors. It was not submerged by glacial floods, or buried in glacial debris,
but dates from a far more recent period than the Age of Ice. It confronts us on
hilltop and plain, and in the depths of the unplowed forest. We see its mani-
festation in multitudes of ancient works of earth and stone, erected with immense
labor, contrived with superior intelligence, and .stored with curious mementoes of
a vanished race.
In the Scioto Valley that ancient people seems to have dwelt " in greater
numbers than anywhere else in the Western States."" In no other equivalent
space are their works so numerous, varied, and interesting. Between Columbus and
the Ohio River they strew the valley to the number of perha])S fifteen hundred.
About six hundred of these are found within the limits of Ross County. Some
memorable specimens once stood within the present corporate limits of Columbus.
Manifestlj' this region was a favorite dwelling-place of these m3'sterious pioneers
of the prehistoric period. It was an attractive seatr of population in their day just
as it has been since. Whatever has been or can be ascertained about them musl
therefore have an absorbing interest for their successors in this valley.
The number of these ancient works within the State of Ohio approaches twelve
thousand, but the entire area of their discovery embraces a vastly greater field. They
do not, so far as known, occur north of the Great Lakes, but they are found in
Western New York on the head*}«ai4ei^ of the Alleghany, as far east as the county ij-^-^^^^^
of Onondaga, and along the shores of Lake Ontario to the River St. Lawrence.
In Pennsylvania they accompany the Susquehanna as far down as the valley of
Wyoming. They are observed along the Mississippi as far north as Wisconsin
and Minnesota, and, at wide intervals, on the Upper Missouri and its tributaries.
They are scattered through the Gulf States from Texas to Florida, from whence
they extend noi'thward into the Carolinas. Their occurrence is frequent in
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mis,90ui-i, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
But the distribution of these works is by no means uniform. They keep
company with the larger watercourses, and are seldom found among the hills.
"The alluvial terraces or ' river bottoms,' as they are popularly termed, were the
favorite sites of the builders. The principal monuments are found where these
'bottoms' are most extended, and vvhere the soil is most fertile and ea.sy of cultiva-
tion. At the junction of streams, where the valleys are usually broadest and most
favorable for their erection, some of the largest and most singular remains arc
found. The works at Marietta ; at the junction of the Muskingum with the Ohio;
at the mouth of Grave Creek ; at Portsmouth, the mouth of the Scioto, and at (he
24 History or the City op Columbus.
mouth of the Great Miami, are instances in point. Occasional works are found on
the hilltops, overlooking the vallej-s, or at a little distance from them ; but these
are manifestly, in most instances, works of defence or last resort, or in some way
connected with warlike purposes. And it is worthy- of remark that the sites
selected for settlements, towns and cities, b}' the invading Europeans, ai-e often
those which were the especial favorites of the mound builders, and the seats of
their heaviest jjopulation. Marietta, Newark, Portsmouth, Chillicotho, Cirole-
ville,and Cincinnati, in Ohio ; Frankfort in Kentucky; and St. Louis in Missouri,
may be mentioned in confirmation of this remark. The centres of population are
now where they were at the period when the mysterious race of the mounds
flourished.'"^
The exploration of these works was undertaken in the year 1845 by Messrs.
E. G. Squier, A. M., and B. H. Davis, M. D., of Chillicothe, Ohio. It was the
original purpose of these gentlemen to investigate the ancient monuments of the
Scioto Valley, but their researches were finally extended to the general field for
this class of antiquities in the West. From their admirable report, embodied in the
Smithsonian Institution Contributions to Knowledge in 1847, the statements last
above quoted are taken. Theirs was by no means the first or the last investigation
that has been made, but it was so painstaking and thorough that subsequent dis-
coveries have not added verjr materially to the light which it sheds on the nature
and significance of these vestiges of the past.
Technically the word mound signifies a tumulus of earth, but the works of
earth and stone from which the so-called Mound Builders have derived that name
are by no means all of that character. Messrs. Squier and Davis classify them as
mounds and enclosures, which generic orders they subdivide as mounds of sacrifice
or worship and sepulture, and enclosures for defense, and for sacred and miscel-
laneous purposes. The distribution of those works according to their character is
comprehensively stated by General Force ;
In the Southern States are most of the great truncated mounds and terraces, while de-
fensive are scarcely found, unless the great ditches peculiar to the southern works were of
this character. The extraordinary collection of great truncated mounds at Carthage, Alabama,
was formerly surrounded by a feeble line of embankment now wholly ploughed away, that
once might have been the base of a stockade. The works found on the affluents of the
Upper Missouri are massive defensive works. Those found in Wisconsin are almost exclu-
sively effigy mounds or isolated conical mounds; and effigy mounds are scarcely found out-
side of Wisconsin. Going eastward from the Mississippi we find in Illinois and Indiana
many conical mounds, both large and small ; in Illinois at Cahokia the giant truncated
mound ; and in Indiana some, though not many, are elaborate defensive works. In Ohio are
found the most important works of defense ; numerous mounds, some quite large ; and a few
of them truncated, and several effigy mounds. Besides presenting representatives of every
species of work formed elsewhere, Ohio contains some of a character found nowhere else,
such as the combinations of great squares and circles, and the altar mounds. South of the
Ohio, in Kentucky and Tennessee, there is also a marked prevalence of works of a military
character.
An attentive examination discovers more local distinctions. The Scioto Valley, forming
a belt running north and south throii^;h the middle of Ohio, has for its peculiarity the
mounds designated by Squier raid Uavis as " altar mounds," and also systems of embankments
making enclo.sures of various mathematical figures, mainly the square and the circle. The
distinguishing feature of the eastern belt of the state is the truncated mound or terrace so
The Prehistoric Races. 25
rare at the north yet found in great perfection at Marietta. The distinguishing feature of the
western belt of the state is the great line of strong and naturally supporting works of defense.
These three belts, corresponding with three valleys — the valley of the Miamis to the west,
the Scioto Valley in the centre, and the Miiskinguni Valley to the east —appear by these
local peculiarities to have been the homes of three different though kindred tribes. They
appear, moreover, to have lived in the valleys as fixed abodes long enough to have learned
to borrow from each other. For one small truncate<l mound or terrace is formed in the Scioto
Valley, and a few of the mathematical figures that abound in the Scioto Valley are found,
but not so perfectly constructed, in the valley of the Miamis. The pipe of peculiar form,
called by Squier and Davis " the pipe of the Moundbuilders " seems to be a specialty of the
tribe of Moundbuilders who lived in the Scioto Valley."
The topographical relations of the different works in the same valley or sec-
tion are such as to indicate some general design. Touching this subject General
Force says :
Three great works on the Great Miami— one at its mouth, one at Colerain and one at
Hamilton, with subsidiary defensive works extending along the river at Hamilton; several
advanced works to the north and west of Hamilton, and streams flowing into the Great
Miami ; and other similar defenses farther up the river at Dayton and Piqua, all put in com-
munication with each other by signal mounds erected al conspicuous points, constitute
together a connected line of defense along the Miami River. Fort Ancient on the Little
Miami stands as a citadel in rear of the centre of this line. A mound at Norwooil, back of
Cincinnati, commands a view through a depression of the hills at Redbank eastwardly to a
mound in the valley of the Little ]Miami: northwardly through the valley of Mill Creek and
the depression in the lan<ls thence to Hamilton, with the works at Hamilton ; and by a series
of mounds (two of which in Cincinnati and its suburbs have been removed) westwardly to
the fort at the mouth of the Great Miami. So a series of signal mounds along the Scioto from
the northern boundary of Franklin County to the Ohio River, a distance of over one hundred
miles, could transmit by signals an alarm from the little work north of Worthington through
the entire length of the valley to the works at Portsmouth.-"
Further proof of genei-al design is seen in the arrangenienl of the mounds,
vyhich seem to form in each valley a chain of signal stations like the cairns of
the ancient Celts. Squier and Davis remark that "ranges of these mounds may be
observed extending along the valleys for many miles. Between Chillicothe and
Columbus, on the eastern border of the Scioto Valley, not far from twenty niaj' be
selected so placed in respect to each other that it is believed, if the country were
cleared of forests, signals of fire might be transmitted in a few minutes along the
whole line. On a hill opposite Chillicothe, nearij- six hundred feet in height, the
loftiest in the entire region, one of these mounds is placed. ... A fire built upon
it would be distinctlj- visible for fifteen or twenty miles up and an equal distance
down the valley, (including in its range the Circleville works, twenty miles dis-
tant), as also for a long way up the broad valleys of the two Paint Creeks, — both
of which abound in remains, and seem to have been especial tiivorites with the
moundbuilders. . . . Upon a hill three hundred feet in height overlooking the
Colerain work and commanding an extensive view of the [Miami] valley, are
placed two mounds which exhibit — in connection with other circumstances not
entirely consistent with the conclusion that they were simple signal-stations —
strong marks of tire on and around them. Similar mounds occur, at intervals,
along the Wabash and Illinois Rivers, as also on the Upjier Mississipj)!, the Ohio,
the Miamis and the Scioto. On the high bills overlooking the Portsmouth and
26 History of the City of Columbus.
Marietta works mounds of stone are situated ; those at the former phicc exhibit
evident marks of fire."
An enthusiastic student of these anti(|uities, Colonel W. M. Anderson, of Circle-
ville, " has demonstrated by actual survey, made at his own expense," says one of
our local historians, "that these signal posts or watch towers which occur in the
Scioto Valley, formed a regular chain or system, and that by means of fires upon
them signals could be sent up or down the country, to give warning of the
approach of an enemy or to convey other intelligence." To which the writer adds
this interesting comment:
It is by no means improbable that centuries ago stirring information of danger, of
defeat, or of victory may have been flashed from station to station by means of beacon fires,
the whole length of the Scioto and that messages of vast import may have been almost as
quickly sent by this means in the prehistoric age as they now are by electricity. It is an
astounding but in every respect reasonable conclusion that before the discovery of America
by Columbus or by the Norse adventurers intelligence may have been sent from the Ohio
River to the interior of what is now the State of Ohio with at least as great rapidity as in the
present age by the steam-driven mail train that sweeps up the valley from Portsmouth to
the Capital.'-'
The magnitude of these ancient works is no less impressive than the skill of
their arrangement, or the extent of their distribution. "Some of them recall the
barrows of Europe and Asia, or the huge mounds and ramparts of Mesopotamia, as
displayed at Babylon and Nineveh ; while others remind us of the ruined hippo-
dromes and amphitheatres of the Greeks and Komans. . . . The barrows and ram-
parts are constructed of mingled earth and stones; and from their solidity and
extent must have i-equired the labour of a numerous population, with leisure and
skill sufficient to undertake combined and vast operations. . . . These barrows vary
in size, from a few teet in circumference and elevation, to structures with a basal
circumference of one or two thousand feet, and an altitude of from sixty to ninety
feet, resembling, in dimensions, the vast tumulus of Alyattes near Sardis.""' The
lines of embankment vary in height from five to thirty feet, and, in the inverse
order of their frequency enclose areas of from one to fifty, two hundred and even
four hundred acres. Lewis and Clarke discovered one on the Upper Missouri
with an estimated interior area of six hundred acres. But the space enclosed does
not always indicate the amount of labor expended. A fortified hill in Highland
County has a mile and five-eighths of heavy embankment enclosing an area of only
forty acres. The group of works at the mouth of the Scioto has an aggregate of
not less than twenty miles of embankment surrounding a space of about two hun-
dred acres.'-''
The mounds vary in height and diameter from a few feet, or yards, to the
dimensions of the famous tumulus at Grave Creek, in West Virginia, which has a
height of seventy feet, and measures a thousand feet around its base. The great
mound near Miamisburg, in Montgomery County, Ohio, rises to a perpendicular
height of sixty-eight feet, has a circumference of 852 feet, and contains 311,353
cubic feet of earth. "The truncated pyramid at Cahokia, Hlinois, the largest
ancient earthwork in the United States, has an altitude of ninety feet, and is
upwards of two thousand feet in circumference at the base. The great mound at
Selserstown, Mississippi, is computed to cover six acres of ground. Mounds of
The Preiustoiuc Kapes. 27
these extruordinai-}- dimoimions arc most cominun :U llic .Stnilli, thuugli llicro arc
some of groat size at the Nortli."-' Says Flint in his ycogi'aphj' : " W'v have sih'h
mounds which would roquire tlic hiltcir (if a thousand men em])i(iyod u|ion mir
fanais, with all tiicir moclianical aids, and the improved implemonts of liicii' iahor
for months. We have more than once hesitated, in view of one of these prodigious
mounds, whether it were not really a natural hill."
The builders of such works, observes General Force, "could not have been a
sparse population ; they must have been to some extent an agricultural people;
they must have had, perhaps each tribe for itself, a strong government of some
sort, whether a chief or a council, that directed and was obeyed."-''
The purpose of all this mammoth delving, ramparting and mounding is indi-
cated rather by the form it has taken than by its dimensions. A few special ex-
amples may illustrate both. Let those of an obviously military characlei- be first
considered.
The positions of such works, as well as their tonus of construction, are almost
invariably suggestive of a judgment shrewd and trained in defensive warfare. The
elevations which they occupy ai'c such as no other points can command, and are
usually inaccessible by their steepness except at one or two points. The summits
are guarded by simple parapets thrown up a little below the brow of the hill, and
of variable height and solidity, according to the facilities of the outlying ground
for assault. Sometimes the embankment crosses the peninsula formed by the junc-
tion of two watercourses and is refused along each bank which it touches, as if to
guard against flank attack. Within the intrenchments water for the garrison is
invariably supplied by springs, streams or ponds. Mounds so located as to suggest
their use as watchtowers sometimes rise within, without or in connection with the
parapets. Concentric or overlapping walls usually guard the openings which seem
to have been intended as gatewaj-s. Other openings, sometimes numerous, are
believed to have been occupied by bastions of wood, which have now disappeared.
"Nothing can be more plain," says Colonel Whittlesey, " than that most of the
remains in Northern Ohio, particularly those on the Cuyahoga river, are military'
works. There have not yet been found any remnants of timber in the walls; yet
it is very sate to presume that palisades were planted on them, and that wooden
posts and gates were erected at the passages left in the embankments and ditches.
All the positions are contiguous to water, and none of them have higher land from
which they might in any degree be commanded. Of the works bordering on the
shore of Lake Erie, through the State of Ohio, there are none but may have been
intended lor defence, although in some of them the design is not perfectly mani-
fest. Thej- form a line from Conneaut to Toledo, at a distance of from three to five
miles from the lake, aud all stand upon or near the principal rivers."" This line
seems to have been part of a general system of defenses "extending from the
sources of the Alleghany and Susquehanna, in New York, diagonally across the
country through Central and Northern Ohio to the Wabash.' ■'
Whittlesey continues: "The most natural inference in respect to the northern
cordon of works is, that they formed a well-occupied line, constructed either to pro-
tect the advance of a nation landing from the lake and moving southward for con-
quest; or, a line of resistance for a people inhabiting these shores and pressed upon
by their southern neighbors. The scarcity of mounds, the absence of pyramids of
28 History op the City of Columbus.
earth which are so common on the Ohio, the want of rectangular and other regu-
lar works, at the north, — all these differences tend to the conclusion that the north-
ern part of Ohio was occupied by a distinct people. At the north there is generally
more than one wall of earth, and the ditches are invariably exterior. [In the non-
military works the ditches are usually behind the parapets] There are some pas-
sages, or ' sally ports,' through the outer parallel, and none through the inner one.
There is also, in general, a space between the parallels sufficiently large to contain a
considerable body of fighting men. By whatever people these works were built,
they were much engaged in offensive or defensive wars. At the soutli, on the
other hand, agriculture and religion seem to have chiefly occupied the attention of
the ancient people.
" In view of the above facts we may venture to suggest a hypothesis, without
undertaking to assign to it any more than a basis of probability. Upon the as-
sumption that two distinct nations occupied the State, — that the northern were
warlike, and the southern peaceful and agricultural in their habits, — may we not
suppose that the latter were overcome by their northern neighbors, who built the
military works to be observed on the Ohio and its tributaries, while the more regu-
lar sti-uctures are the remains of the conquered people ?"■-
The differences here pointed out between the northern and southern earth-
works are important. The northern are exclusively military, the southern are
partly so but mostly of'a non-military character. First among the defensive works,
in the order in which they are mentioned by Squier and Davis, is that which oc-
cupies the summit of a lofty detached hill near the village of Bourneville, twelve
miles west of Chillicothe. This striking eminence rises abruptlj' in the broad val-
lej' of Paint Creek, the waters of which wash its base. Its summit is a wide plain
marked with considerable depressions which contain water the whole year round.
Around its brow, a little below the crest, are seen the remains of a stone wall which
is two and a quarter miles in length, and encloses a space of 140 acres. On its
southern face this wall cros.ses an isthmus between the waters of Black Eun and
Reeves Run, and is so arranged there, by curving inward, as to form three gate-
ways eight feet in width. The stones are of all sizes, and of sufficient quantity to
have formed a parapet eight feet thick and of equal height. On the least abrupt
sides the wall is heaviest. The position commands a view of numerous other
works of the mound-building race, which seems to have been partial to the Paint
Creek Valley. In respect to area inclosed this is the most extensive hill-work
known in this country. It betokens groat labor and the presence of a large popu-
lation.
The work known as Fort Hill, described in the first Geological Survey of Ohio,
is situated in the southern part of Highland County, thirty miles from Chillicothe
and tvvelve from Hillsborough. This also is a steep, detached eminence and on
most of its circumference difficult to scale. Its embankment, over a mile and a
half in length, consists of mingled earth and stone, and varies in height from six
to fifteen feet, with an average base of thirty-five or forty feet. It extends arouud
the brow of the hill, enclosing an irregular space of forty-eight acres within which
are three different ]5onds. The ditch has an average width of fifty. feet, and is in
some places sunk into the stratum of sandstone which underlies the' terrace.
Thirty-three gateways, eleven of which have corresponding causeways across the
The PREniSTORic Races. 29
ditch, open in the embankment at irregular intervals. "Considered in a military
point of view, as a work of defence, it is well chosen, well guarded, and, with an
adequate force, impregnable to any mode of attack practised by a rude or semi-
civilized people. As a natural stronghold, it has few equals ; and the degree of
skill displayed and the amount of labor expended in constructing its artificial de-
fences, challenge oui- admiration and excite our surprise. With all the facilities
and numerous mechanical appliances of the present day, the construction of a
work of this magnitude would be no insignificant undertaking."-" Excepting a few
small scattered mounds there are no other ancient remains nearer this work ilian
the Paint Creek Vallej', sixteen miles distant.
Another fortified eminence rises on the west side of the Great Miami in Butler
Countj^, three miles below Hamilton. Its summit, skirted by a ditchless wall of
earth and stone averaging five feet in height, overlooks all the adjacent countrj-.
The sides of the hill are steep, and are flanked bj- deep ravines. The enclosed
space, sixteen acres, shows several excavations or "dugholes," from which material
for the work seems to have been taken. Mounds suitably placed for sentinel and
observation posts are composed, in part, of loose stones. Four entrances twenty
feet wide open at the salieiits, and are curiously guarded by curved embankments
folding over one another like the Tlascalan gatewaj^s of the Aztecs.
Tlie crowning illustration of this class of works, and one of the most interest-
ing on the continent, is that known as Fort Ancient, situated in Warren County,
on the banks of the Little Miami, thirty-five miles northeast of Cincinnati. Profes-
sor John Locke, of the first Geological Survej-, thus described it in 1843 :
Tliis work occupies a terrace on the left bank of the river, and 2:50 feet above its waters.
The place is naturally a strong one, being a pennisula defended by two ravines, which, origi-
nating on the east side near to each other, diverging and sweeping around, enter the Miami,
the one above, the other below the work. The Miami itself, with its precipitous bank of two
hundred feet, defends the western side. The ravines are occupied by small streams. Quite
around this peninsula, on the very verge of the ravines, has been raised an embankment of
unusual height and perfection. Meandering around the spurs, and reentering to pass the
heads of the gullies, it. is so winding in its course that it required 196 stations to complete its
survey. The whole circuit of the work is between four and five miles. The number of cubic
yards of excavation may be approximately esdmated at 628,800. The embankment stands in
many places twenty feet in perpendicular height ; and although composed of tougli diluvial
clay, without stone except in a few places, its outward slope is from thirty-five to forty-three
degrees. This work presents no continuous ditch ; but the earth for its construction has been
dug from convenient pits which are still quite deep or filled with mud and water. ... I am
astonished to see a work, simply of earth, after braving the storm of thousands of years, still so
entire and well marked. Several circumstances have contributed to this. The clay of which
it is built is not easily penetrated by water. The bank has been, and is still, mostly covered by
a forest of beech trees, which have woven a strong web of their roots over its steej) sides ; and
a fine bed of moss (PolytriclMm.) serves still further to afford protection.
The embankment has an average height of between nine and ten feel, but
sometimes rise^ to twenty, with a base at the most exposed parts sixty feet in
width. There are over seventy openings in the line which it is believed were
originally occupied by bastions or blockhouses of timber. Originally these open-
ings seem to have been ten or fifteen feet in width. An outwork 1350 feet long
consists of two parallel walls which close at their farther extremity, there enclos-
ing a small mound. The main work comprises two grand divisions connected by
30
History "of the City of Columbus.
a long and narrow passage across which traverses are thrown. Water for the
o-arrison is supplied by reservoirs and springs. At numerous points along the em-
bankment are found large quantities of water- worn stones which it must have
required great labor to collect. Bravely defended the work is impregnable against
barbarian assault.
The ancient earthworks in Ohio excel in numbers, extent and variety those
of all the other States. Whatever the force was which has left these vestiges, we
find its presence, its character and its magnitude more profusely and significantly
symbolized here than anywhere else. In part this symbolization betokens a mili-
tary people, but only in part. While certain works, such as those just described,
are plainly of a military origin, a much larger number, of no special military adap-
tation, seem to be intended for some purpose connected with the superstitious or
pastoral pursuits of the builders. This is particularly the case in the Scioto Valley,
where the square and circle, either separately or in combination, were favorite
forms of construction. "Most of the circular works are small, varying from 250 to
300 feet in diameter, while others are a mile or more in circuit. Some stand iso-
lated but most in connection with one or more mounds, of greater or loss dimen-
sions or in connection with other more complicated works. Wherever the circles
occur if there be a fosse or ditch, it is almost invariably interior to the parapet.
Instances are frequent where no ditch is discernible, and where it is evident that
the earth composing the embankment was brought from a distance, or taken up
evenly from the surface. In the square and in the irregular works, if there be a
fosse at all, it is exterior to the embankment; except in the case of fortified hills,
where the earth, for the best of reasons, is usually thrown from the interior."^"
The circular and rectangular enclosures are generally situated on low bottom
lands under the command of adjacent heights. This of itself proves that they
could hardly have been intended for defensive purposes. The fiict that the fosse,
whenever it accompanies this class of works, lies within the parapet, makes the
proof conclusive. The walls are sometimes massive, but for the most part vary
from three to seven feet in height. The smaller circles have each a single gateway,
openino- usually to the east. Sometimes they contain one or more small mounds
supposed to be intended for sacrificial purposes. Numerous little circles, from
thirty to fifty feet in diameter, and devoid ofentrances, are observed in the vicinity
of larger works. Conjecture has doubtfully assumed that they may be remains of
the vanished lodges of officers or priests. A few of the circles are slightly ellipti-
cal, and octagonal forms ol construction, as well as squares and rectangles, are
sometimes seen. A large octagon near Chillicothe has equal sides, and angles
arranged in mutual correspondence. In the rectangular works gateways open at
the angles and midway on each side, all covered by small interior mounds or other
elevations. The geometrical symmetry of the forms is striking. Many of the cir-
cles are perfect, and many of the squares exact. Taken with the further fact that
several of the squares measure exactly one thousand and eighty feet on each side,
this is supposed to indicate the use_of some standard of measurement and some
means of determining angles.
The great magnitude of some of these enclosures has been cited as the strongest
objection to the hypothesis of their exclusively religious purpose. Squier and
Davis, who raise this objection, answer it by suggesting that the Ohio works "were
The PitEiiisTouii' Uace.s. HI
probablj', like the great circles of England, and the 8qiiare8 of India, Peru and
Mexico, the sacred enclosures within which were erected the shrines of the gods of
the ancient worship and the altars of the ancient religion. They may have em-
braced consecrated groves, and also, as they did in Mexico, the residences of the
ancient priesthood." Like the sacred structures of the Aztecs, they may liave
been regarded as a final refuge in time of peril, ,under the ])rotection of the
deities to whom they were dedicated. The}' maj- al.so have been used as arenas
for games and other amusements.
The further suggestion is made that the religious ceremonials of the mound-
builders may have partaken of a national character, and therefore have drawn great
multitudes together. Seasons are not wanting for the belief that tlie government
of the people may have been a government by the priesthood, and that the popular
superstition, whatever it was, exercised a powerful control over the minds of its
devotees. Certain it is that altars have been found within the sacred enclosures
on which sacrifices were performed, and on which human beings were probably
immolated. "We find also pj-ramidal structures which correspond entirelj' with
those of Mexico and Central America except that, instead of being composed of
stone they are constructed of earth, and instead of broad fiights of steps have
graded avenues and spiral pathway's leading to their summits."''
As these structures resemble those of the ancient Mexican race, may not the
ceremonials to which they were consecrated have borne a like resemblance?
Human sacrifices were practised by the Aztecs, we are told, surpassing those of any
of the nations of antiquity. The number of victims annually offered up has been
estimated at from twenty to fifty thousand. One of the most important Aztec
festivals, says Prescott, "was that in honor of the god Tezcatlepoca, whose rank
was inferior only to that of the Supreme Being. He was called 'the soul of the
world,' and supposed to have been its creator. He was depicted as a handsome
man, endowed with perpetual youth. A year before the intended sacrifice, a cap-
tive distinguished for his personal beauty, and without a blemish on his body, was
selected to represent this deity. Certain tutors took charge of him, and instructed
him how to perform his new part with becoming grace and dignitj'. He was
arrayed in a splendid dress, regaled with incense, and with a profusion of sweet-
scented flowers, of which the ancient Mexicans were as fond as their descendants
at the present day. When he went abroad he was attended by a train of royal
pages, and as he halted in the streets to play some favorite melody, the crowd
prostrated themselves before him, and did him homage as the representative of
their good deity. In this wa}- he led an easy, luxuriou.s life till within a month of
his sacrifice. Four beautiful girls, bearing the names of the principal goddesses,
were then selected to share the honors of his bed; and with them he continued to
live in idle dalliance, feasted at the banquets of the principal nobles, who paid iiim
all the honors of divinity.
At length the fatal day of sacrifice arrived. The term of his shortlived glories was at an
end. He was stripped of his gaudy apparel, and bade adieu to the fair partners of his revel-
ries. One of the royal barges transported him across the lake to a temple which rose on its
margin, about a league from the city. Hither the inhabitants of the capital flocked to wit-
ness the consummation of the ceremony. As the sad procession wound up the sides of the
pyramid the unhappy victim threw away his gay chaplets of flowers, and l)roke in pieces the
32 History op the City op Columbus.
musical instrilments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. On the summit he
was received by six priests whose long and matted locks flowed disorderly over their sable
robes, covered with hieroglyphic scrolls of mystic import. They led him to the sacrificial
stone, a huge block of jasper, with its upper surface somewhat convex. On this the prisoner
was stretched. Five priests secured his head and limbs ; while the sixth, clad in a scarlet
mantle emblematic of his bloody office, dexterously opened the breast of the wretched vic-
tim with a sharp razor ot iiztli— a*volcanic substance hard as flint, — and inserting his hand in
the wound, tore out the palpitating heart. The minister of death, first holding this up
toward the sun, an object of worship throughout Anahuac, cast it at the feet of the deity to
whom the temple was devoted, while the mullitudes below prostrated themselves in humble
adoration.'*
Who knows but that scenes of wliich this was a type, exaggerated, perhaps,
only in its splendors, may have taken place within these mysterious circles,
squares and polygons, and around these skeleton-bearing mounds, in the valleys
of Ohio?
The most primitive form of human memorials is that of a simple heap of earth
or stones. It is the form which seems to have first suggested itself to the prehis-
toric races, and time has fully justified the wisdom of its adoption. While the
proudest architecture in marble and granite has crumbled in decay these mounds
of earth have preserved tlieir symmetry almost perfect through the lapse of cen-
turies. Many of them stand to-day apparently as rounded and complete as the
hands of their builders left them before recorded history began. Nor have thjey
been limited to any single country, or continent. "They are scattered over
India; they dot the steppes of Siberia and the vM.st region north of the Black Sea;
they line the shores of the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean , they are found in
old Scandinavia, and are singularly numerous in the British Islands. In America,
they prevail from the great lakes of the north, through the valley of the Missis-
sippi, and the seats of semi-civilization in Mexico, Central America, and Peru, even
to the waters of the La Plata on the south. We find them also on the shores of the
Pacific Ocean, near the mouth of the Columbia River, and on the Colorado of Cali-
fornia.'"*' In the Western and Southern States of this Union they may be counted
by tens of thousands.
The individual forms of the mounds were doubtless determined by the special
purposes for which they were intended. Usually they are simple cones, some-
times terraced, frequently truncated. Some are elliptical or pearshaped. The
pyramidal form is always truncated, and commonly provided with graded ascents
to the summit. A lozenge-shaped mound surrounded by a wall and ditch rises on
the Virginia shore of the Ohio nearly opposite to Blennerhassett's Island. An
octagonal mound in Woodford County, Kentucky, measures 150 feet on each side,
and has three graded ascents. Two small cones surmount its level truncated sum-
mit. A curious oval-shaped mound rises on the east bank of the Scioto River in
Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio. In Bradford County, Tennessee, exist
several extensive terraces or earth platforms, one of which covers three acres.
The courthouse of Christian County, Tennessee, at Hopkinsville, is built on one of
these artificial terraces. Another large terrace in Henry Countj^, same State,
serves as the site of a dwelling. In the South are found many Teocalli-shaped
structures, bearing a suggestive resemblance to those of the Aztecs. Examples of
this form are found as far north as Portsmouth, Marietta, Chillicothe and Newark.
Y^/^/T^j/ ^'My^^'^^
^-^^.
races resembling stairs.
Tlie size of the mounds varies extremely, generally increasing as we go south.
The great Cahokia mound on the Mississijjpi, at the mouth of Caiiokia ('reek, in
Illinois, is in the foi-m of a parallelogram, covering a surface of eiglit acres. It is
500 feet wide and 700 long at the base, and is ninety feet high. On one side of it
is a broad terrace which is reached by a graded ascent, and was once cultivated by
the monks of La Trappe as a garden. The entii'e smuniit area measures about tivi^
acres, and the interior contents of the whole struclnre about twenty million cubic
feet.
Earth predominates in the composition of the moiimls. ami sometimes ilie
material is clay exclusively although it is not f()uni| near by, and must have been
transported for a long distance. It may have been preferred because of its superior
tenacity and power to resist the elements. Stone is frequently- used, sometimes
exclusively and sometimes as a component part.
The Ohio mounds occur sometimes in groups but oftener singly, and mostly
within or near the ancient embankments. A remarkable group of twentysix on
the Scioto River three miles above Chillicothe has acquired the name of Mound
(iity. The single specimens are numerously seen crowning the valley -bordering
hilltops and promontories in the neighborhood of the circulai- and angular (earth-
works, but it is no unusual thing to find them among the hills and in seclnde(l
places remote from the principal watercourses.
Popularly, these shapely works have been supposed to be the monuments and
sepulchres of distinguished persons, or to mark the sites, and enshrine the slain of
great battles. But all this is mere conjecture. In accordance with their form and
indicated purpose the mounds are classified by Squier and Davis as sacrificial,
sepulchral, templar and nondescript or anomalous. Exclusive of the temple
mounds, which are least numerous, those of the Scioto Valley are distributed
among the other three classes in nearly equal proportions.
The sacrificial mounds have three distinguishing characteristics: 1, the\-
occur only within or near the sacred enclosures: 2, they are stratified ; 8, they
contain altars and altar deposits which have been subjected to the action of fire.
The sti-atification is composed of separate layers which conform to the convexitj-
of the outer surface, and cease at the natural level. In one of the Mound City
(Ross County) specimens into which a shaft was sunk, these layers were pene-
trated in the following order : 1, gravel and pebbles to the depth of a foot; 2,
earth, slightly mottled, to the depth of two feet; 'i, a lamination of fine sand one
inch thick: 4, earth, eighteen inches; 5, another lamination of sand still
thinner than the first; 6, an earth deposit a foot thick; 7, sand; S, a few
inches of earth ; 9, a round altar of burned clay, concave on the top and nine feet
in diameter at the base. The basin of the altar was evenly filled with fine dry
ashes mixed with fragments of pottery the exterior of which exhibited excellent
finish with tasteful carvings. Over the ashes covering the entire basin sheets of
silvery mica were laid, and on these was heaped the partially- burned fragments
of a human skeleton. A few convex discs of copperlike harness ornaments were
also found. The altar was solidified throughout by fire, its basin being so vitrified
as to resist the lilows of a hatchet. During the excavation a human skeleton was
;-!4 History of the Citv ok Columbus.
found about two feet below the surface, with its head to the east. No relics
accompanied it. Probably it was an example of the Indian interments for which
the upper portions of the mounds were used long after their original construction.
The red men are known to have held the mounds in great veneration and to have
frequently buried their dead in them, usually from eighteen inches to three feet
below the surface. Most of the bodies lie horizontally, but some are found in a
sitting posture. Among the relics found with them are rude implements of bone
and stone, coarse pottery, silver crosses, gunbarrels and French dial plates, all of
which, of course, are of Indian or modern origin. "As a general rule, to which
there are few exceptions, the only authentic and undoubted remains of the inound-
builders are found directly beneath the apex of the mound. "^^
The altai's found in the sacrificial mounds, and from which they take their
name, vary both in form and size. Some are parallelograms, others round, ellipti-
cal, or square. There are diminutive ones only two feet in diameter, and others
fifty feet long and twelve or fifteen wide. Their height rarely exceeds twenty
inches. Thej- are all moulded of fine clay burned hard, and rest on the original
surface of the ground which has in some instances been first sprinkled with sand.
They have occasionally been found without superstructure or covering, and have
in such cases been referred to by eaiif annalists as " brick hearths."
Beneath another tumulus of the Mound City group an altar in the form of a
parallelogram was found, with ashes in its basin with which fragments of pottery
were mingled. A beautiful vase was restored from these fragments. Three feet
below the apex two well-preserved skeletons were found, accompanied by numer-
ous implements of stone, bone, horn and copper. In the altar-ashes of a third
mound of the same group were found discs, tubes and silver-mounted ornaments
of copper, and about two hundred stone pipes skillfully carved with figures of
quadrupeds, birds and reptiles. Among the images shown in these carvings are
those of the otter and the heron, each holding a fish in its mouth ; the hawk grasp-
ing in its talons a small bird which it is tearing with its beak; the turtle, frog,
toad and rattlesnake; and the crow, swallow, buzzard, paroquet, and toucan.
In a fourth mound of this group was reached, at the depth of four and a half
feet, a floor of water-worn stones on which a human skeleton lay with its head,
which was singularly large and massive, pointing to the northwest. The bones
retained much of their animal matter although a fire, of which the traces were
plain, had been built over the body after its deposit. After the burial the hole
had been filled and another fire kindled, burning the earth to a reddish color.
Around the skull lay fragments of syenite such as the Indians were accustomed to
use for the manufacture of implements before they learned the use of iron.
In a fifth mound of the same group were found several instruments of obsidian,
scrolls skillfully cut from thin sheets of mica and perforated, traces of cloth made
apparently from some fine vegetable fiber, pearl beads, and articles carved from
stone, bone and copper.
In a sixth mound an altar was found composed of successive layers placed one
on top of another at different periods. The basin was paved with round stones
about the size of a hen's egg and contained a thin layer of carbonaceous matter
mingled with burned human bones. Ten well wrought copper bracelets encircling
some calcined bones were found in two heaps of five each. These and other cir-
1194900
'I'llK I'uKllisTdKir K'acKs. :;:,
eunistaiices stroii-flv indifuleii tliut liuman sacriticc- IkhI Ijiih olVcicil ou iliis altar
Mounds of the character just described are almost iiiv:iiialil3- oinhraccil within
enclosures which bear evidence of having been intt'iiiicd lor rclii^ioiis purposes.
Their location, their nietliod of construction and tlioir rinitcnts aliko Jiistity the
inference that they were primarily iiesi>rned and used for sacrifice, and not for
interment. Fragments of the altars are found mixed with the calcined bones as if
scaled off by the heat at the time the burning took place. The relics found
deposited in and about the altars are so arranged and protected as to indicate tiiat
thej^ were placed there as votive offerings Among the articles of this class were
found in one case fragments of ivory, fossil teeth, pieces of pottery, ami stoin>
carvings of coiled serpents carefully' enveloped in sheet mica and co|i])er. In lieu
of an altar there were fbun'd, in another instance, two layers of honistouc di-c-.
some thousands in number, round in shape or formed like spearheads. The relig-
ious zeal wliicii prompted such jiainstaking offerings must have been of an exliaoi-
dinary t^-pe.
The mounds classed as sepulchral are destitute of altars, vary in height I'roui
six to eighty feet, and generally take the form of a simple ecme. "These mounds
invariablj' cover a skeleton, (in very rare instances more than one, as in the case
of the Grave Creek mound), which at the time of its interment was enveloped in
bark or coarse matting, or enclosed in a rude sarcophagus of timber,^ the traces,
in some instances the very casts, of which remain. Occasionally the chamber of
the dead is built of stone, rudely laid up, without cement of any kind. Burial by
lire seems to have been frequently practiced by the mound builders. I'ln burial
appears to have prevailed to a considerable extent in the ."southern States."
Various remains of art are found accompanying the skeletons.'-''
Burial in this form must have been a deliberate and solemn ceremonial. En-
veloped in its coverings of bark, slabs or matting, and .sometimes overspread wilh
plates of mica and framed in by horizontal timbei's, the skeleton lies prone on the
smoothed original level of the ground, directly beneath the apex of the tumulus,
whici) seems to have been piouslj' and skillfully heaped over the remains. The
bones have been so borne upon bj- its weight as to have sometimes indented the
hard ground on wliich they la}-. Usually a stratum of charcoal lying within a
few feet of the summit betokens the use of sacrificial fire, whiijh was covered with
earth before it had burned long enough to produce ashes or bake the earth be-
neath it. Fragments of bones and a tew stone implements have sometimes been
found mingled with the charred embers. The skeletons have been reduced by the
lapse of time to a few handfuls of dust, but have often left a good cast of their out-
lines in the superincumbent earth. Their positions indicate cei-emonious deposit,
but are not uniform as to direction. None occupy the sitting posture in which
Indian remains are often found. The sepulchral mounds are sometimes seen in
groups, as in Butler, Pike and Ross Counties, but no general cemeteries of the race
of their builders have yet been discovered. Presumably the remains covered and
commemorated iiy the mounds are those of distinguished persons. Their less con-
spicuous contemporaries have vanished utterly.
The Grave Creek mound exceptionally contains two sepulchral ihauibers, one
at the base and one about thirty feet above it. Two human skeletons were found
in the lower chamber, one male, the other female. The upper chamber eontained
36 History of the City op Columbus.
one skeleton only. Some thousands of shell beads, some mica ornaments, several
copper bracelets and various stone carvings were found with the human remains.
Mounds of this, as well as of the first class, were often disturbed by the later Indians.
Their remains are frequently found, in some cases in large quantities, as if the mound had
been used for a long jieriod as a general burial place. Such was the case with a large mound
situated six miles above the town of Chillicothe, in which a great number of burials had been
made, at various depths, from eighteen inches to four feet. The skeletons were, in places,
two or three deep, and placed without arrangement with respect to each other. Some were
evidently of a more ancient date than others, showing, from their condition as well as posi-
tion, that they had been deposited at different periods. One or two were observed in which
the skull had been fractured by blows from a hatchet or other instrument, establishing that
the individual had met a violent death. . . . Beneath all of Jhese, at the depth of fourteen
feet, and near the base of the mound, were found traces of the original deposit of the mound-
builders.""
The socalled temple mounds are not numerous in Ohio. The only well-de-
fined specimens known in the State are found at Portsmouth, Marietta, Chillicothe
and Newark. They may be round, oval, oblong, square or octangular in form, but
invariably have level tops. Sometimes the upper surface embraces several acres,
in which case they are called " platforms." Usually they are embraced within
embankment enclosures, and are mounted by terraces or graded paths. Tbeir
name has been given them because of their apparent suitableness as sites of tem-
ples, or for the performance of spectacular religious ceremonies. ■ Their likeness to
the Mexican teocallis of the Aztecs is suggestive. No relics or human remains are
found in them.
Another form of ancient memorials occasionally found in the West is that of
stone-heaps, or cairns. One of the most notable of these in Ohio is situated near
the old Indian trail, about ten miles southwest of Chillicothe. It is a rectangle in
form, sixty feet wide, one hundred and six feet long, and between three and four
feet high. It is composed of stones of all sizes laid up origiuallj^ in symmetrical
outline. A similar heap, not so large, is seen on top of a high hill near Tarleton,
Pickaway County. The plow has turned up many rude relics in the neighbor-
hood. Small and irregular stoneheaps are often seen in hilly districts. Almost
invariably each covers a skeleton.
Pictured and inscribed rocks, bearing the images of birds, beasts and other
objects are seen in various parts of the West. A few specimens have been found
in Ohio. They are probably of Indian origin.
Most singular and striking of all the w^orks of the moundbuilding race are
those which assume, fancifully, the shape of men, birds, quadrupeds, and reptiles.
In the Northwest, notably in Wisconsin, these effigies are seen upon the undulat-
ing prairies, accompanied by earth cones and embankments. Along the great
Indian trail from the shores of Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, to the Mississippi
above Prairie du Chien they are especially common. One of the human forms
measures 279 feet between the extremities of the outstretched arms, and 111 feet
from the top of the head to the thighs. Another effigy of a gigantic man with two
heads measures tweutyfive feet across the breast.
Some of the most curious of the effigy works extant are found in Ohio. Lick-
ing County, which seems to have been "the centre of poj)ulation of the old mound
builders of the State,"" contains some remarkable specimens. One of these forms
The PREiiisTORin Races. 37
a striking feature of one of the wonderful complex of mounds, circles, parallels and
angular enclosures spread over the plain at the forks of the Licking, one mile west
of Newark. This group covers a space of over one thousand acres. "The most
prominent features of these works consist of an octagonal enclosure embracing fifty
acres, a circle of thirty acres, and a smaller circle of twenty acres. A number of
covert ways extend from these enclosures, and various mounds, circles and crcs-
centic embankments are connected with them."'* The walls of the largest of the
circles are about twelve feet high by fifty foot wide at the base, and are skirted by
an interior ditch thirtyfive feet wide and seven feet deep. At the gateway the
walls are sixteen feet high and the ditch thirteen feet deep, making an aggregate
height from the bottom of the ditch to the upper plane of the embankment of about
thirty feet. The entrance faces to the east. On either side of it the walls extend
outward, in a parallel direction, for a liundred feet, leaving between them and
their adjunctive ditches a majestic avenue eighty feet wide. "Here, covered with
the gigantic trees of a primitive forest, the work presents a truly grand and im-
pressive appeaj'ance ; and iu entering the ancient avenue for the first time, the
visitor does not fail to experience a sensation of awe, such as he might feel in pass-
ing the portals of an Egyptian temple, or in gazing upon the silent ruins of Petra
of the desert."'"
Precisely at the center of this great circle rises a group of four mounds con-
nected with one another in such a way as to suggest the outlines of a bird with its
wings outspread and its head pointed toward the gateway. Mr. Smucker, the
historian of Licking County, believes it is intended to represent an eagle. Assum-
ing it to be such, the length of its body is one hundred and fiftytivo feet and of
each wing one hundred and ten feet. The distance iu a right line from tip to tip
of the wings is two liundred feet. Investigation of one of the mounds composing
the effigy disclcsed an altar, which has been taken as evidence of superstitious
design. A crescent-shaped embankment, concave toward the effigy, rose at the
distance of a hundred feet behind it.
Equally if not more interesting is the earthwork bas-relief commonly known
as the Alligator, which spreads its lizard-like form upon tlie brow of one of the
headlands of Raccoon Creek about a mile below the town of Granville. The paws
of the effigj- are outspread, its tail curved. Its total length from the snout to the
tip of the tail is 250 feet. The length of each of the legs is thirtysix feet. The
average height of the earthwork is not over four feet. A circular space near it,
covered with stones which show the effects of fire, has been called an altar. The
image is approached from below by a grader! way ten feet wide. The circle and
bird effigy near Newark could be seen from the position of the Alligator but
for the intervening forests. In the opinion of Squier and Davis this unique animal
representation " had its origin in the superstitions of the makers. It was perhaps
the high place where sacrifices were made on stated or extraordinary occasions,
and where the ancient people gathered to celebrate the rites of their unknown
worship. Its position, and all the circumstances attending it, certainly favor such
a conclusion. The valley which it overlooks abounds in traces of the remote people,
and seems to have been one of the centres of ancient population."^"
A similar interpretation has been placed upon the great serpent mound in
Adams County. Ohio, w-hich is the largest and most remarkable of the ancient
History of the Citv ok CoLUiMBus.
%>.'l;
'U
THK SERl ENT
earthwork effigies. " It is situated upon a high, crescent-form hill or spur of land
rising one hundred and fifty feet above the level of Brush Creek, which washes its
base. The side of the iiill next the stream presents a perpendicular wall of rock,
while the other slopes rapidly, though it is not so steep as to preclude cultivation."
The top of the hill is not level but slightly convex, and presents a very even sur-
face one hundred and fifty feet wide bj^ one thousand long, measuring from its ex-
tremity to the point where it connects with the table land. Conforming to the
curve of the hill, and occupying its verj' summit, is the serpent, its head resting
near the point, and its bodj' winding back for seven hundred feet in graceful undu-
lations, terminating in a triple coil at the tail. . . . The neck of the serpent is
stretched out and slightly curved, and its mouth is opened wide as if in the act of
swallowing or ejecting an oval figure, which rests partially within the distended
jaws. The oval is formed by an embankment of earth, without any perceptible
opening, four feet in height, and is perfectly regular in outline."'"
Such was the appearance of the work as it was seen and described by Sqiiier
and Davis in 1846. It was then covered with stately forest which was swept down
by a tornado fourteen years later. The work of the husbandman followed that of
the storm in clearing the surface, which was abandoned after a few years to a pro-
miscuous growth of red-bud, sumac and briers. Fortunately the spot was visited
in 1883 by Professor F. W. Putnam, now of Harvard University, who became so
much interested in the preservation of the work in the interest of science, that he
arranged for its protection and also for its purchase. His efforts were nobly
■ Thk Prehistoric IUces. 39
seconded by Miss Alice C. Fletcher and other Boston hidies of rare intolli^enco, hy
whose zeal subscriptions to the amount of. six thousand dollars were obtained, and
sixtj^ acres of land, including the Serpent Cliff, wore purchased and conveyed in
perpetual trust to the Peabody Museum of Harvard University.^'- Additional land
has since been purchased and the whole has been laid out as the Serpent Mound
Park, which, at the suggestion of Professor M. C. Read, of the State Geological
Survey, the General Assembly of Ohio has, by special onactmont, placed under
police protection, and exempted from taxation.
The measurements of the serjient are phenomenal. The oval tigure at the ex-
tremities of its distended jaws is sixty feet across at its point of greatest width and
one hundred and twenty feet long. The point of the promontory on which it rests,
eighty feet from the precipice, "seems to have been artificially cut to conform to
its outline, leaving a smooth platform ten feet wide and somewhat inclining
inwards all around it. "■*''• Near its center once existed a small elevation of stones
showing the marks of tire. This probable altar has been demolished by ignorant
visitors in the search for treasure.
Partly- enclosing the oval, nine feet from its eastern extremity, is a crescent-
shaped bank seventeen feet in width. The serpent's jaws begin from the extremi-
ties of this crescent, which are .seventyfivo feet apart. The head at the point of
union of the jaws is thirty feet wide and five feet high. The total length of the
body, from the extremity of the uiJiier jaw to the tiji of the tail is, 1.2.'i4 feet. Its
average width of twenty teet, ami its average lieighr nl almut five, respectively
taper down, to one foot, and two.
The graceful curves throui-'hout the whole length of this singular effigy give it a strange,
life-like appearance; as if a huge serpent, slowly uncoiling itself and creeping silently and
stealthily along the crest of the hill, was about to seize the oval within its extended jaws.
Late in the afternoon, when the lights and shades are brought out in strong relief, the efTect
is indeed strange and weird ; and this effect is heightened still more when the full moon
lights up the scene, and the stillness is broken only liy the " whoo-hoo, hoo-hoo" of the
unseen bird of night."
The purpose which prompted the construction of this curious work is believed
to have been a religious one. Such are the conclusions of Squier and Davis, who
say in their comments: "The serpent, separate, or in combination with the circle,
egg, or globe, has been a predominant symbol among many primitive nations. It
prevailed in Egypt, fireece, and Assyria, and entered widely into the superstitions
of the Celts, the Hindoos and the Chinese. It even penetrated into America, and
was conspicuous in the n^J-thology of the ancient Mexicans, amoug whom its sig-
nificance does not seem to have differed materially from that which it i)Os.sessed in
the old world. "^'
Professor Putnam, who has carefully examined this work, and explored its
ancient grave and mound adjuncts, is of like opinion. He sa}^ : •' Here, near this
sacred shrine, ceremonies of great import have taken place ; individuals of import-
ance have been buried in connection with ceremonies of fire, and in two instances,
at least, accompanied by the burning of human bodies — possibly human sacrifice,
that constant acces.sory of many ancient faiths. In later times the shrine was
still a place of resort, pos.sibly as one held sacred in myths and legends; and finally
a few of the .scattered bands of the last century made their habitation on the spot,
40 HiSTORT OF THE CiTY OF COLUMBUS.
probably without au_v legendary kuowledgeor thought of the earlier worshipers at
the shrine, overgrown and half hidden by a forest which seventy years ago was of
the same character as that on all the hills about.""
While these lines are being written it is announced from Chillicothe that the
form of some feline animal in gigantic outline has been traced for the first time
among the ancient works of Ross County. Evidently the mj'stery of the mounds
may yet be probed more deeply than it has heretofore been.
How shall we measure the antiquity of these works? How far back in tiie
unwritten and unexplored history of man lies the secret of their origin? "The
growth of trees upon the works," says General Force, "gives one indication.
Squier and Davis mention a tree six hundred years old upon the great fort on
Paint Creek. Barrandt speaks of a tree six hundred years old on one of the works in
the country of the Upper Missouri. It is said that Doctor Hildreth heard of a tree
eight hundred years old on one of the mounds at Marietta; Many trees three hun-
dred and four hundi-ed years old have been observed. Some of the works must
therefore have been abandoned six or eight hundred years ago. It is quite possi-
ble they were abandoned earlier, for these surviving trees may not have been the
first to spring up on the abandonment of the works. ... It may, therefore, be
fairly held with some confidence that the disappearance of the mouldbuilders did
not begin further back than a thousand years ago, and that their extinction was
not accomplished till centuries later."'"
Others who have carefully studied the subject believe the mounds have stood at
least twice ten centuries. General W. H. Harrison suggested that the mixed forests
which grew ujjon them might have been the results of several generations of trees.
He believed their builders were of a race identical with the Aztecs. Many of their
works, says Atwater, " had gateways and parallel walls leading down to creeks
which once washed the foot of hills from whence the streams have now receded,
forming extensive and m^wer alluvions, and worn down their channels, iasomc
instances, ten ami i'\rii liiiciMi feet."*'' That the race of the mounds lived here a
long time appears evident, thinks Mr. Atwater, because of the " very numerous
cemeteries, and the vast numbers of persons of all ages who were here buried. It
is highly probable that more persons were buried in these mounds than now [1833]
live in this state. They lived in towns, many of which were poj)ulous, especially
along the Scioto from Columbus southward. . . . Some have supposed that they
were driven away by powerful foes, but appearances by no means justify this sup-
position. That they contended against some people to the northeast of them is
evident, but that they leisurely moved down the streams is also evident from their
increased numbers and their improvement in the knowledge of the arts."*'
Who were the moundbuilders, whence came they, and whither did they go ?
These questions will perhaps never be settled conclusively. The Indian traditions
which seem to touch the ancient race ai-e very few and meager. The most tangible
and interesting is that of the Delawares, who claimed to be the oldest of the Al-
gonquin tribes and were ktiown as grandfathers. Originally they were called
Lenni Lenape, signifying men. According to a tradition transmitted by their
ancestors from generation to generation they dwelt many centuries ago in the Far
West, and for some reason not explained emigrated in a body toward the East.
After long journeying they arrived on the Namaesi-sipu (Mississippi) where
Thk PuEUisToKif Hacks. 41
tliov fell ill with the Mengwe (Iroquois) who were also prototMlinj^ oastwani. He-
fore the Lenape reached the Mississippi their couriers, sent forward to recon-
noitre the countrj-, discovered that the regions east of the Mississippi were in-
habited b)' a very powerful nation which had many large towns built beside the
great rivers. These people, calling themselves Tallegwi, or Tallegewi, are said to
have been wonderfully tall and strong, some of them being giants. Thej- built in-
trenchments from which thej' sallied forth and encountered their enemies. The
Lenape were denied permission to settle near them, but were given leave to pass
through their country to the regions farther east. Accordingly, the Lenape began
to cross the Mississippi, but while so doing were attacked by the Tallegwi who
had become jealous and fearful of the emigrants. The Ijcnapc then formed an
alliance with the Mengwo, and fought numerous battles with the Tallegwi. who,
after a war of raanj- years, abandoned the country and Hed down the .Mississip]ii,
never to return.
Such, in substance, is the tradition of the Delawares as narrated by the Rev.
John Heckewelder, a Moravian missionar}' to the Indians. Mr. Horatio Hale,
who is an authoritj' on the subject of Indian migrations, arrives at the conclusion
that the countrj- from whicli the Lenape emigrated was not the Far West, but the
forest region north of Lake Su])erior; that the people who joined them in llieii-
war on the Tallegwi were not the Iroquois but the Hurons; and that the river
they crossed was the Detroit, and not the Mississippi. The adaptation of the line
of defensive works in Northern Ohio for resistance to an enemy ai)proaching trom
the northwest seem.s to support this tlieorj-. But as to the identitj' of the i-ace
which fought behind those works we are still left mainly to conjectiu'e. No
hieroglyphics or scrap of written record remains to tell their story. Thai they
were of a race now e.xtinct, and had reached a degree of civilization far above that
of their Indian successors, is a hypothesis strongly confirmed by evidence and
sloutlj- maintained by many thoughtful and learned students of American anti-
quities. Others equally careful in their investigations insist that the builders of
the mounds were Indians of the same race with tribes now living. As the subject
belongs to the department of ethnology rather than to tliat of Instorj-, its iliscus-
sion will not here be attempted.
NOTES.
1. The Glacial Period and Archa-ology in Ohio; Professor G. F. Wright in the Archa--
ological and Historical IJuarterly, September, 18S7.
2. Ibid. Discussing the same subject from a European standpoint, Sir Archibald Geikie
says : " From the height at which its transported debris has been observed on the Harz, it
[the ice] is believed to have been at least 1470 feet thick tliere, and to have gradually risen
in elevation as one vast plateau, like that which at the present time covers the interior of
Greenland. Among the Alps it attained almost incredible dimensions. The present snow-
fields and glaciers of these mountains, large though they are, form no more than the mere
shrunken remnants of the great mantle of snow and ice which then overspread .'Switzerland.
In the Bernese Oberland, for example, the valleys were filled to the hrim with ice, which,
moving northwards, crossed the great plain and actually overrode a part of the .Iiira
mountains."
.3. Reportof the Geological Survey of Ohio, Volume V., page 75.5. 18H4.
4. Ibid, page 757.
42 History of thk City of Columbus.
5. Professor J. S. Newberry's theory of the climatic cause of this is thus stated: "At a
period probably synchronous with the glacial epoch of Europe — at least corresponding to it
in the sequence of events — the northern half of the continent of North America had an arctic
climate; so cold, indeed, that wherever there was a copious precipitation of moisture from
oceanic evaporation, that moisture fell as snow ; and this, when consolidated, formed glaciers
which flowed by various routes toward the sea." One solution of this phenomenal con-
dition of things has been found, says Professor Newberry, in the eccentricity of the
earth's orbit. The suggestion of this explanation was first made by Sir John Herschel, but
it has been subsequently advocated by Professor James CroU, of Glasgow, with so much zeal
that he may almost be considered its author. By careful determinations of eccentricity,
through a period of several millions of years, Professor Croll ascertained that the earth re-
ceded, at one time, eight millions of miles farther from the sun than it is now, and that this
must have caused the winter in the northern hemisphere to last thirtysix days longer than
the summer, the heat received during the winter being one-fifth less than now. " Hence,
though the summer was one-fifth hotter, it was not sufficiently long to melt the snow and
ice of winter ; and thus the effects of the cold winter might be cumulative in each hemisphere
through what may be called the winter half of the great year (of 21,00U years) produced by
the precession of the equinoxes." — Report of the Geological Survey of Ohio, Volume II.
6. Geological Survey Report, Volume II.
7. The Ohio throughout its entire course runs in a valley which has been cut nowhere
less than 1.50 feet below the present level of the river. . . . The Beaver at the junction of
the Mahoning and Chenango, is flowing 1.50 feet above the bottom of its old trough, as is
demonstrated by a large number of oil wells bored in the vicinity. . . . Borings at
Toledo show that the old bed of the Mauniee is at least 140 feet below its present surface
level. — Prnfeisor Newbeiry.
8. No other agent thau glacial ice, as it seems to me, is capable of excavating broad,
deep, Ijoat-sliaped basins like those which hold our lakes. — Ibid.
it. The forests and flowers south of this margin [of glaciated territory] were then very
different from those now covering the area. From the discoveries of Professor Orton and others,
we infer that red cedar abounded over all the southern part of Ohio. Some years ago a pail
factory was started in the neighborhood of Granville, Licking County, using as the material
logs of red cedar which were probably of preglacial growth. 'L'here is a record of similar
preglacial wood, in Highland, Clermont and Butler Counties, specimens of which can be seen
in the cabinet of the State University. In a few secluded glens opening into the Ohio River
above Madison, Indiana, where the conditions are favorable, arctic or northern plants, which,
upon the advance of the glacial sheet had been driven southward, still remain to bear witness
of the general prevalence.— P>'o/^ssor O. F. Wright in the Archceological and Historical Quar-
terly, September, 1887.
10. Professor J. S. Newberry in Geological Survey Report, Volume 11.
11. Sir Archibald Geikie, Director General of the Geological Survey of tlie United
Kingdom.
12. Archwological and Historical Quarterly, September, 1887.
13. Ibid, December, 1887.
14. Ibid.
15. Sir Archibald Geikie.
10. Daniel Wilson, LL. D., Professor of History, University of Toronto.
17. Atwater's History of Ohio.
18. Squier and Davis, in Smithsonian Institution Contributions to Knowledge, Volume
1, 1847.
19. To What Race Did the Mound Builders Belong? A paper read before the Con^rcs
International des Americanistes, by General Manning F. Force, of Cincinnati.
20. Ibid.
21. History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties; published by Williams & Company,
1880.
22. Article "America," by Charles Maclaren, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edin-
burg, Enc. Britannica, Volume 1.
TriE PREinsTiiRir H;
2:1.
Squier and Davis.
24.
Ibid.
25.
Force.
2fi.
Colonel Charles Whittlesey, of Cleveland, Ohio.
27
Squier and Davis.
2S.
Whittlesey.
20.
Squier and Davis.
30.
Ibid.
31.
Ibid.
32.
History of the Conquest of Mexico ; William H. Prescott.
33.
Squier and Davis.
34.
Ibid.
35.
Ibid.
36.
Ibid.
37.
Archa?ology of Ohio ; M. C. Read.
38.
Ibid.
39.
Squier and Davis.
40.
Smithsonian Contributions.
41.
Ibid.
43.
In 1SS().
43.
Squier and Davis.
44.
Professor F. W. Putnam in the Century Magminr for April, 1S90.
45.
Smithsonian Contributions.
4(i.
Centiirij Magmine.
47.
Force.
48.
Western Antiiiuities, |.s:«.
49.
Ibid.
CHAPTER III.
ANCIENT EARTHWORKS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.
BV JAMES LINN RODOERS.
[James Linn Rodgers was born on Pullivant's Hill, near Coiumbus, September 10, 1861.
He received his education in the .schools of Columbus and at the Ohio State University. His
chosen profession is that of journalism, in which he has been engaged during the last five
years. He is now, and for some time past has been. Associate Editor of the Columbus Evening
Dispatch.]
The science of geology has demonstrated that (he southern half of that terri-
tory which is now Ohio offered to agriculture for centuries before positive history
began a soil abounding in fertilizing elements. The researches of ethnologists
have led to the conclusion that the mound builders were inclined to pastoral pur-
suits rather than to war. Archseologists have obtained convincing evidence that
these people were also in many ways artistically inclined. Science and investiga-
tion have therefore given us a basis of fact upon which to build the general struc-
ture of knowledge of the early conditions which surrounded the ancient people who
dwelt in the region about us. It will not be diverging from the line of history to say
that the fertile valleys of the Muskingum, the Scioto and the Miami were undoubt-
edly densely inhabited by the people of that early da3-. Between these valleys
were lands of promise, but along the water courses, the Ohio areha?ologist has dis-
covered the most general evidence of a practically coextensive population. Of the
traces of habitation which make the Muskingum and Miami valleys rich fields for
archseological exploration, it is not necessary to write because antecedent and con-
temporary literature has had much to say concerning them. Of those of the Upper
Scioto and the small tributary valleys something may be written that can claim to
be new.
The alluvial deposits left by the floods whicli for centuries unnumbered swept
through the central groove of the southern half of Ohio made a broad and continuous
valley, from the site of Columbus, or a little north of it, to the Ohio River. When
the softening influence of time had altered the aspect of the landscape, this valley
could well have had great attractions for an agricultural people. That its advan-
tages were appreciated can be seen even at this late day, for no extensive area of the
Scioto Valley exists that has not some faint or pronounced trace of the works of
ancient human beings. The hills which overlook what was once the broad Scioto
bear evidence of the labor of ancient man; the level lands and river terraces show
remnants of earthworks and mounds, and the soil itself is the repository of count-
less relics which contribute their testimony to the solution of the question of the
[44]
AncIKNT liAUTUWllHKS IN FnANKI.IN ('lMlNT^. tfl
idfiility and cUfstuiiis ultlii'ir <jrigiiial ownors. 'riiiTct'orc «o know that tlic Siidtn
couiUiy was the chosen home of a iiuiiieroiis people. It is of llie ti-aces U^tt liy
these aborigines in this immediate vicinity that this cliapter will treat.
Anyone who has studied the topography of Franklin Coimly neeil not lie toM
that the Scioto River, which is the main channel of the local watershed, has a com-
paratively broad vallej- until it passes Columbus, going northward. The trihu-
taries of the river spread out like the veins of a leaf as soon as Franklin ("ounly
is reached in the journey up the valley, and this, while furnishing apparent |iidot
of the causes for the greater width of the valle}' to the southward, shows thai ilic
identity of the principal basin is lost in this vicinity. The point known to the
pioneers as The Forks, forming the junction of the Scioto and the Whetstone, now
called Olentangy, may be deemed as a general terminus of the bottom land of the
basin. That this tact had its intlueiice with the ancients is proven by the further
fact that the territory round about us contains the last of the distinct and numer-
ous traces of the race which inhabited the Scioto Valley, justifying the conclusion
that the ancient people stopped their northward Scioto River migration in Frank-
lin County, or that they selected this region as the starting point of their habita-
tions on their southward retreat. Consequently an inference, justified by all tads
and theories, would be that while other branches of the same race penetraled
farther north in other valleys and spread over a wider territory, the peojilo of the
Scioto Valley limited their domicile to the Franklin County portion of the Scioto
basin.
Franklin County was once rich in the works of the mound builders, and while
the specimens could hardly rival the great products of the race which have made
the lands around Chillicothe perhaps the richest of all tields of Ohio arcbieological
exploration, thej' were important enough to warrant early attention and careful
preservation in history, if not in material shape. Fifty years ago accurate descrip-
tions of these works could have been had; to-day much time must be spent in re-
search and investigation to make possible even a fragmentary account of their
existence. The pioneers were too busy in establishing their homes to give niucli
attention to the vestiges of an unknown race; and their later successors, although
possessed of more leisure, regarded such piles of earth as fit objects tor the subdu-
ing influence of the plow. Engineers of public roads and canals respected no such
impediments reared by ancients, and cut through or leveled them for the gravel
they contained. Later realists and men of practice, not theory, have nearly com-
pleted the work of destruction, and so it has come to pass that in a county which
once had nearly a hundred of the distinct and well-defined productions of ancient
labor, there remain but few which have been spared in their original form. This
fact has i-endered a complete catalogue of these works an impossibility, and has so
seriously interfered with the task of collecting historical and descriptive data that
this chapter must be given with a frank acknowledgment of its deficiencies. It
may also be said that the partial destruction of the earthworks and tumuli has
resulted in such a chaos of reports and theories that a perfect classification of the
works is now hopele.ss. The mounds that have been explored by inex])erienced
persons received none of the careful scrutiny now accorded to similar works b}-
competent field archieologists, and therefore accurate accounts of the discoveries
made, and scientific identification of the relics, are lacking and will never appear.
46 History of the City of Columbus.
For this reason, principally, the statements made here must be restricted to bare
detail in the majority of instances.
the earthworks.
In all discussions of these remains, precedence is given to the enclosures which
seem to iiave combined the mysterious functions of fortifications and places of
worship. In deference to the established rule, which is doubtless correct in theory,
the peculiar work near Worthington will first receive attention.
In Squier and Davis's Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley-, published
as volume one of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, is found a descrip-
tion of this Worthington work as it appeared over fifty years ago, when it was
surveyed and delineated by Colonel Charles Whittlesey. Time has changed it
much since then, but the following extract from Colonel Whittlesey's account is
worthy of repetition :
This work occurs on the banks of Olentangy Creek, a tributary of the Scioto River, about
one mile west of the town of Worthington, Franklin County, Ohio The plateau upon the
edge of which it is situated, is elevated about iifty feet above the bottoms of the Olentangy,
and consists of a clayey soil resting upon the black shale formation of Ohio. The work is
rectangular in form ; its sides correspond very nearly with the cardinal points (varying but
five degrees) and measure six hundred and thirty and five hundred and fifty feet respectively.
The walls are accompanied by a ditch, and are very slight, though distinctly traceable.
In the line of the southern wall is a large truncated mound, twenty feet in height and measur-
ing one hundred and ninety-two feet in diameter at the base, and seventy-six feet in diameter
A.NllENT I-'aRTIIWORKS IN I''HAM<I,IN CoiNll. -17
at the summit. It is I'ovt-n'd with large trees. Tlie wall thut Ica.ls fmm this iii..iiml In th.'
left, isplaceil a little further outwards tlian that leading to the right. The mound in the
centre of the enclosure is small and low. Near the soutliwestern corner of the work is a
small circle with an interior ditch and single entrance; it is one hundred and twenty feet in
diameter. Some distance to tlie northwest of the enclosure, and on the opposite side of a
deep ravine, is another small ciri'le, one hundred and forty feet in diameter, with three
entrances.
A plan ofthi.s work, i-eproducod from the drawing of Colonel Whittlesey as it
appears in Squierand Davis's report, is herewith presented.
A short tiistance south of Worthington, on tiie Cooi< farm, are some remnants
of an embankment and accompanying mounds. These are on an elevated spur at
the Junction ot two small rivulets, or more properly speaking, dry ravines as they
now are. Tlio emijankment, which in part follows the brow of one ravine, is nearly
circular with an interior ditch, and the walls are but a few feet high. Two
mounds, now very small, but originally conical in shape and about ten feet high,
are in the enclosure. One mile southeast of this work, on the farm of Amazon
Webster, and near the tracks of the C. C. C. & St. L. Railway, is an earth circle
about thirty feet in diaiyeter with slight walls. Another embankment of an irregu-
lar coiirse is located about twenty rods west of the circle.
In Williams's History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties is a desi ii])tioM of
some remains of earthworks which occur near Dublin in this eoimty. As these
works exist in a much damaged state, the observations made a j^oo.l many years
ago are valuable and are here quoted :
'■On the banks of the Scioto Eiver, in Perry Township, ' the Williams History
says, "are remains of ancient works which have the aiipearance of fortification
and were undoubtedly used as such bj" some earlier inhabitants of this county, of
whom all trace, further than these forts and mounds, is lost. On the farm of
Joseph Ferris, a-<nile north of Dublin Bridge, are to be seen in a good, state of preser-
vation, the outlines and embankments of three forts. One of these is within a few
feet of his house and is perhaps eightj' feet in diameter inside, with an entrance at
the east side. The ditch and embankment are well defined A short distance
northeast of this spot, and within arrow shot of it, is a large fort in a sijuare form,
and enclosing nearly, or quite, half an acre of ground. Although the tramping of
cattle for many years has worn down the embankments, they are several feet high
and the ditch, which is inside the works, is now some six feet deep. When the
eountrj- was first settled this ditch was filled with water, and was a bed of mire, a
pole thrust into the ground to a depth often feet finding no solid ground beneath.
This would tend to show that originally this was a strong place and that the ditch
was quite deep. Time has filled it with dead leaves, and refuse matter has assisted
in obliterating this work. It is situated on a hill that commands a wide view of
the country for a considerable distance in either direction. At a little lower
point, and nearer the river, is a small mound. There was also a small mound in
the centre of the larger fort, which was opened man^- years since, and was found
to contain the bones of a large man. These crumbled in ])ieces .soon after being
exposed to the air. It is possible that by uncovering the ditch of this fort some
relics of the extinct race that built tliese works might he obtained. Search of this
kind has generally been turned to the mound, instead of the inner ditches of the
48 History (if the Oity of Columbus.
fort, where probably was the habitation of the builders. A short distance from
this larger fort is a smaller one than that first described. There have been several
old works of this kind along the banks of the river between these works and
Columbus, but they are mostly obliterated by the cultivation of the land on which
they stood."
In this rather extended description, which has been quoted verbatim, there is
much to interest the general reader besides the theories with which many have
studied these ancient works will not agree. The Dublin works can be seen to be
somewhat similar to those opposite Wortliington. In each is displayed the appre-
ciation of the builders for a strong natural position. In reference to the statement
that other works were located farther south along the Scioto, it can be .said that it
is more than probable that there were remains of thi.s character, but if such was the
fact a diligent search has failed to disclose their sites. It should be remembered,
however, that ten years of cultivation of the land will do more to destroy such
earthworks than hundreds of years of natural decay, and inasmuch as that portion
of the Scioto plateau has been plowed and harrowed for nearly seventy years, it i.s
not strange that the traces of circles or fortifications have not survived.
Another extract from Colonel Whittlesey's paper reads : "Along Big Darby
Creek, in the western ^jart of Brown Township, there existed many evidences of
that mysterious people of whom so much has been written and so little known.
On the farm of Henry Francis there is yet remaining an extensive mound, and
towards the creek were numerous others which have now disappeared. These were
evidently tumuli, or burial places, as many human bones were found during the
excavation of these works. There was also an enclosure, or fort, on the (arm of
H. C. Adler, Esq., with two circles, enclosing perhapsone half an acre of ground. Its
location was upon the high bank of the creek, toward which was the usual opening
found in works of this kind. It was comprised of gravel which has been removed
for building and other purposes. Human bones were also fo"Tind here. It is
highly probable that this was a favorite camping ground for the Indians, as stone
hatchets, arrow points, skinning knives, etc., were found here in great numbers by
the settlers." These remains are the only ones yet discovered in the northwestern
part of the county.
In the valuable contribution of Colonel Whittlesey to the publications of the
Smithsonian Institution, contained in Volume III., there is a description of ancient
works on the Harrisburg Eoad, about three miles southwest of Columbus. "These
structures," wrote Colonel Whittlesey, "are simply circles or figures approaching
to circles with occasional irregularities. There is a difference offiftyfeetin the
diameters of the larger ones and the outline bends each way from the curve of a
true circle a few feet, making short straight portions not capable of representation
on our scale. The ditches are at present very slight and not uniform in depth or
breadth. From the top of the bank to the bottom of the ditch, the difference in no
place exceeds two and a half feet. On all sides, for miles, is a low, clayey plain in-
clined to be wet, with very slight undulation. This is the only remarkable fact
connected with this work. Its ditch being external and its openings nari'ow indi-
cates a work of defense, and if it were known that the ancient inhabitants of the
Scioto Valley used palisades, we mightsafely conclude this to be a place of defense,
relying solely upon artificial strength. There is no running water in the vicinity."
Ancient Rartiiwoiiks in Kuanki.in Coi'ntv. Mt
These circular works, according to the same authority, were about eight hundred
and five hundred feet in diameter. At this time little ifanj' trace remainH to at-
tract the inexperienced eye.
Upon insufficient authority it liu.s been stated that remnants (if earliiwcirks,
supposeti to be ancient forts, existed on the second, eastern terrace ol the Seiolo
River, about two and a half to three miles south and southeast of Columbus. No
such traces, faint or otherwise, are now to be found. Not only have the socalled
earthworks vanished, but all recollection of them has faded from the minds of men
who can remember when agricultural labor was new in the Scioto Vallo}'. The
most easterlj- and southerlj- work was said to have been situated on the level, mid-
way between Alum Creek and the Scioto. The others were assigned to a situation
directly south of the city, on the brow of the terrace. It is more than doubtful
whether these small enclosures ever existed, and the strong probability is that
some low mounds, perhaps surrounded by the ditch and embankment, slight in
form, •^vel•e accepted as places of defense and called "forts" in lieu of a better
name.
On the farm of Absalom Borror, one mile south of Siiadeville, on the western
side of the Scioto, is a ci)-cular embankment with low but very distinct walls. The
diameter is about one hundred feet. It is situated on the level near the river and
at the opening of a large ravine which extends towards the west. There are no
accompan3'ing evidences of ancient work.
About ten miles southeast of Columbus, on the second terrace of Big Walnut
Creek and midway between that stream and the eastern line of the count}-, there
is to be found on the farm of Thomas Patterson a nearly obliterated embankment,
which is now be_yond .satisfactory measurement. A similar embankment or enclos-
ure is found on Noah Leahman's place, on George Creek, a mile southeast of the
Patterson remnant. It is i^artly in the woods, and, from the distinct trace there,
is suppo.sed to have been circular, or approximately so.
The late Joseph Sullivant, of Columbus, who took a great interest in these
ancient works, said that parallel lines of embankment existed near the old site of
Franklinton, now enlarged into West Columbus. These works cannot now be dis-
covered ; they vanished with the coming of the pioneers.
Besides these well authenticated works in Franklin County, there are two
which have often been credited to Franklin, but which really belong to Delaware
and Pickaway Counties. The first of these is situated on the eastern side of the
Whetstone, four and a half miles above Worthington. The artificial defenses con-
sist simply of an embankment of earth, three feet in height, with an exterior ditch
of corresponding depth. This embankment, which Ibrmed the arc of a circle,
when combined with the high bluff of the creek and the two ravines leading east-
ward, made a place of strong defensive advantages. The Pickaway County work
is situated on the ea.stern side of the Scioto River, some distance south of the
Franklin County line. Colonel Whittlesey said of it: "The ditches are here
interior to the walls, which circumstance is averse to the idea of a defensive origin.
The situation, however, with a steep bank and deep water on one side, and deep
ravines with precipitous banks on the others, is one of great natural strength and
adaptation lor defense."
History of the City of Columbus.
Ancient Earthworks in Franklin Cottnty. 51
A circular work about one mile west of Alum Creek, ami five niilcs distant
from Columbus, near the Westerville Eoad, has been called an ''ancient fort," but
its authenticity as a product of the nioundbuilding race has been seriously ques-
tioned on account of a tradition that the embankment was the base of a stockade
constructed by General Harrison's Indian-tighting force in 1812. Sonic old settlers
declare that the stockade was garrisoned for some time, and that the slight em-
bankment is the only remaining vestige of that work. How true this ma^- be
cannot now be definitely ascertained, but the weight of opinion inclines to the
theory that the circle is of ancient origin, because if a stockade had been a feature
of the embankment, some trace of it would have been left, whereas there is none.
Moreover, no mention is made in history of an outpost established by General
Harrison so near to Franklinton. At any rate, whoever may have built the cir-
cular work, it possesses little that can attract attention. It is small and isolated,
and there are no mounds near it.
At some remote period there maj' have been other earthworks aloirg the high-
lands bordering the various watercourses of Franklin County, but at this time no
record or knowledge of them seems to be extant. If probabilities are to bo con-
sulted, it may be said that from the location of several mounds along the valleys
of Big Walnut, Rocky Fork and Black Lick Creeks in the northeastern part of the
county, it could be imagined that some earthworks existed there, it not for defen-
sive purposes perhaps for sacred observances. But since other more thickly settled
portions of the county are barren of these works, the theory fails unless other
embankments and the like are discovered. It can be stated, therefore, that as far
as known the works above described constitute the only authentic and easily
recognized remains of the kind in this immediate vicinity.
That Franklin Count}-, especially the portions of it contiguous to the Scioto
River and extending eastward along its tributaries, had once many specimens of
ancient mounds of nearly all classes and sizes, can be perceived even at this time.
Although the present generation, and its predecessors, of our people have shown
little respect for the.se interesting works, a sufficient number of mounds exist, in
whole or in part, to prove that we now dwell in what was once a district thickly
settled by the nioundbuilding race. This is proven not only by many visible ves-
tiges, but also by numerous traditions relating to ancient works which have been
obliterated. The heedless destruction of these works has made it difficult to
ascertain where they were situated, and the ill-treatment accorded to those
remaining has necessitated conjectural descriptions to some extent. But with the
assistance of old county maps, the recollections of citizens who ma}- now be
called pioneers, the notes' of the earlier observers, and personal investigations
during many days ol rambling over the country in franklin County, a compara-
tively accurate record of the mounds it now contains has been obtained.
One of the most pretentious mounds of the county was that which formerly
occupied the crowning point of the highland on the eastern side of the Scioto
River at the spot where now- rises St. Paul's Lutheran Church and adjoining build-
ings, on the southeast corner of High and Mound Streets, in Columbus. Not a
trace of this work is left, save the terraces of the church, although if it were j-et
standing as it stood a century ago it would be remarked as one of the most impos-
ing monuments of the original Scioto race. When the first settlors came it was
52 History of the City op Coldimbus.
regarded as a wonder, and yet it was not spared. The expansion of the city de-
manded its demolition, and therefore this grand relic of Ohio's antiquity was
swept away. From the best information- to be had at this time this mound must
have been quite forly feet in height above the natural surface of the river terrace
or bluif It is said to have been a shapelj' and graceful structure, with gradual
slopes in all directions save to the southward, where the declination was somewhat
abrupt. Standing as it did at the very crest of a natural shoulder of the highland,
it must have been a giant among mounds. As was usual with such works, it was
in the form of a truncated cone, and if we accept its reported height, its diameter
on the level surface at the top was certainly one hundred or more feet. Its base
diameter cannot be estimated accurately, but was probably not less than three
hundred feet. That its proportions were ample is attested by the fact that a large
double frame house stood on its summit. Doctor Young, who erected this build-
ing, was in later years succeeded in its occupancy by several well-known families
of the town. Oak trees three feet in diameter grew upon the mound in those
days, and it is stated that five large locust trees were rooted in the level surface on
its summit. Such was the condition of the work up to the time when the city's
streets encroached upon its slopes. When its destruction began, two forces of ex-
cavators pushed into it from north and south until they met, and High Street
became continuous in a straight line. The outer covering of the mound consisted
ol hard clay followed successively and regularly down to the base by stratifica-
tions of gravel and sand, much of which now forms the bed of some of the princi-
pal streets of that neighborhood. While the excavation was going on many
human bones were unearthed which crumbled to dust as soon as exposed to the
air, but were probably not remains of the moundbuilding race. Inasmuch as the
Indians buried their dead in the upper portions of these mounds, it is reasonable to
assume that these bones belonged to the red men. All who remember the opening
of this mound have a mite of information to add to the story of its demolition.
One says " utensils" of various kinds were found ; another that " trinkets " were
discovered; a third, that the father of the late William Piatt found a skull so large
that it would go over his head ; a fourth that a silver buckle was turned up by the
spade, and so on. But none of these statements can now be verified by the identi-
fication of the articles taken from the mound, every trace of them having been lost.
It is therefore .safest to assume that, with the exception of the silver buckle report-
ed, the finds are to be classed as i-elics of uncertain origin and doubtful antiquity.
The buckle was probably the treasured possession of some Indian who had been in
commercial relations with the French or English at Montreal, or their emi.s.saries
in the wilderness.
It will be seen from this story of the High Street mound that its value as a
means of unlocking the secrets of its builders was completely lost. If it was reared
over the treasures of a tribe or the bones of its dead, the excavators did not go
deepenough to discover them, and they may still lie beneath the massive church, or
its adjuncts. This theory has often been advanced, but putting aside such con-
jectures, attention may be given to another possible purpose of this work. For
many centuries the great earth-pile rose above the primeval forest of the river
terrace. The natural elevation is such that when artificially increased forty feet,
an extensive view of the upper Scioto Valley was obtained, and this has led to the gen-
AVCIKNT E\RI'll\VORK.S IN FkANKI.IN ('ij|-NTV. 5:',
onil belief tliat the mound wusa piMiininent signal station from wliieli rnmmiiriicatinii
by beacon-light couUi be had with distant points in the valley. The fiiets whicii
support this theory will develop as other mounds in this vicinity are mentioned.
It has been maintained by intelligent persons who have studied this subject, and
particularly bj- the late Joseph Sullivant, that upon the bottom lands near the
junction of the Scioto and the Whetstone, were several well-defined specimens of
mounds of which the pioneers availed themselves vvhen they needed earth or
gravel. One of these is said to have been situated in the central part of Frankim-
ton : another where the Ohio Penitentiary now stands, and several smaller ones
immediately south of these on the west side of the rivei-. Not a vestige or even a
record of these \vork.s remains.
The next nientionable mound stands on high lands which forms the terrace of
the Scioto, about two and a half miles northwest of the State Capitol. It is on the
northern side of the river, and in such a favorable location that from its summit the
whole southward sweep of bottom lands may be seen. It may have been due to
this fact that local tradition has assigned to this mound the purpose of marking the
head of the valley together with that of serving as a station for one of a chain of
signals. Of all the mounds in Franklin County this is the best preserved. The
owners of the land on which it stands have jealously guarded it, and to-day it
exists in a state as uearl}' perfect as the lapse of time and the fret of the elements
will permit. A sj-mmetrical truncated cone, graced with trees of modern growth,
it is and may always be an inviting mystery. It is twentyone feet in height, one
hundred and eleven feet in diameter at the ba.se, and fifty feet in diameter at the
summit. Its present owner, Mr. William A. Pope, takes great pride in it, en-
courages nature in covering its surface evei-y season with a beautiful sod and care-
fullj- preserves it from any kind of injury. Concerning this work Mr. Pope
recently gave the writer some interesting information. In planting a tree at a due
east point on its circumference, he discovered several large stones, which, with
much regularity, were set at nearly a right angle from the slope, and adjacent to
this curbing was a mass of hard burned claj*. At another time, when digging a
hole for a llagstafF which now rises from the summit of the mound, he noticed that
the stratification was clearly defined, and, at a depth of about three feet, clay con-
taining charre<l wood was reached. This is the extent of the exploration of the
work yet made, but from these discoveries it may i-easonabl}- be inferred that
extremely interesting I'evelations await further investigation. The ])ortion of
curbing unearthed would indicate that the mound has a continuous base protection
of that kind, and the burned clay discovered ma}- be part of one of the sacrificial
altars so common to these works. The antiqiiitj' of this mound is indicaleil by the
fact that several years ago Mr. Pope dug out nf it stunqis of black walnut trees
three feet in diameter.
On the second terrace of the river, a short distance north of the mound last
described, is a smaller one which was recently explored by Mr. Pope. In it were
found five skeletons which were undoubtedlj^ of the later Indians. They were
placed in a sitting posture, and were above the original level, a (iict which disposes
of any theory that they were remains of the ancient race. As the excavation was
not complete, more important developments may reward a careful investigation.
The mound was originally about ten feet in height, and possibly sixtyfive feet in
diameter at the base.
54 History of the Citt of Columbus.
Northwest of these mounds, on the west side of the river, about a quarter of a
niile from tlie locality which for nearly a century has been designated by the
rather misleading name of " Marble Cliff," is a mound of about fifteen feet in
height and eighty feet base diameter. It is on the Shrunim farm, and quite near
the Dublin Pike. Although much overgrown with brush and trees, it is in a fair
state of preservation, and has never been explored. The location is such as to
justify the assumption that it could well have been utilized as a signal station.
About a mile and a half north of the work just mentioned, and on the same
side of the river, are said to exist the cultivated remnants of two once pretentious
mounds. The writer has not been able to locate these works and must therefore
accept, on seemingly good authority, the assurance of their existence.
The mounds near Dublin have already been described in connection with the
circles. These, so far as can be ascertained, conclude the list of mounds on the
west side of the river. To the Pope Mound and its neighbor on the east side can
be added the record of two remnants of ancient works, now nearly ])lowed
away, on the Legg land, one mile north of Marble Cliff, and of another on the
Davis farm, five miles north of the works last named. The Davis Mound stands
on clear ground which has been cultivated for half a centurj', and is therefore
much damaged. Its original dimensions probably measured fifteen feet in height
and one hundred feet in base diameter. These are all the mounds of the most
northerly Scioto group. Those of the Worthington work, and the ones attached to
the embankment on the Cook farm have already been referred to, but concerning
the first named some additional information can be given. The large mound
which interrupts the southern wall of the enclosure remained untouched by ex-
plorers for a long time, but earlj' in the autumn of 1806, it was partially investi-
gated by Mr. William McK. Heath, of Worthington, who, after much diflSeulty,
obtained permission from the Vining family, who owned the land on wiiich the
works are situated, to explore these mounds and circles. From the Ohio State Jour-
nal of October 1, 1866, the following account of the exploration is taken :
Mr. Heath ran a tunnel from eastward to centre, and sank a shaft from the top intersect-
ing the tunnel, developing hundreds of fine beads, ashes, charroal, etc., fragments of antique
pottery, and remains of two skeletons, much decayed of course, surrounded on all sides by
multitudinous layers and carvings of wood now decayed. The positions of the skeletons
were nearly east and west. Mr. Heath was prevented from pushing his explorations further
on account of want of time. He is confident tiiat interesting developments await the explorer.
This account is introduced here because it has a decided bearing upon the ques-
tion of classification of other mounds in Franklin County. In Koss County, where
such mounds abound, explorers have had almost the same results as those obtained
bj' Mr. Heath. The same traces of fire, the beads and shells, the pottery and the
human bones covered with vegetable mold, have been found in the more southern
mounds. The evidence is therefore practically conclusive that the customs of the
ancients who inhabited Franklin County territory were identical with those of the
race which dwelt in other counties of the Scioto Valley. It may further be re-
marked that Mr. Heath probably discovered all the articles of any consequence in
the mound which he explored. From the fact, clearly established by nuuiy ex-
plorations, that the altar in this class of mounds was usually in the line of the
axis of the cone, or, if the mound was elliptical, then near its center, and on the
Anoient Earthworks in Franklin (^ounty. 55
original surface of the ground, we may reasonably infer that Mr. Heath exiiausted
the secrets of this work. So far as known no attempt has ever been made to ex-
plore the small mound in the center of the enclosure.
Along the Whetstone is found a series of small mounds, one of which, on the
Kenney farm, east side of the river, was originally fifteen feot high and seventy-
five feet in diameter at the base but is now nearly extinct. It occupies a site on
an elevated terrace from which a wide view of the bottom lands can be obtained.
On the Coe farm, on the west side, is the remnant of another work which originally
was ten feet in height and nearly seventy feet in diameter at the base. One mile
north stands another which once may have been a distinct feature of the landscape,
but is now of greatly diminished size. With the additional mention of a cache on
the Wetmore land, a short distance south of Worthington, it may be said that the
field of the Whetstone has been exhausted. This statement, however, depends
upon the identity of the field to which some of the mounds situated immediately
northeast of Worthington are assigned. The first of these is on the farm of G. J.
White, one mile and a quarter north of Woi-thington and near a small run called
the "J^arrows." North of that, about half a mile, and within view from the
C. C. C. & St. L. Kailway, stands a mound which was originally about twelve feet in
height and seventy feet in diameter at the base. The first named is much smaller.
Both have been considerably damaged by the cultivation of the laTid.
In going toward the northern central part of the county, we observe the first
of the most northerly mounds on Alum Creek. It is situated on the Samuel farm,
one mile west of Alum Creek, on the high land near the Westerville road. It has
been greatly reduced by the plow, and no estimate of its original size can lie made
at this time.
Six miles, or thereabouts, to the southward from this work stands a mound
occupying the high lands west of the creek. Its dimensions are small. Remains
of a small mound once existed on the old Buttles farm two-thirds of a mile west of
the creek, and about two and a half miles northeast of the geographical center of
Columbus. The traces of this woi-k are now so slight that they admit of no de-
scription, briefer otherwise.
Until the last five years, a mound of fifteen feet in height and of a diameter of
seventyfive feet at the base, stood on the crest of the creek's eastern terrace, about
two hundred j'ards .south of the present extension of Broad Street. Its excellence
as a gravel bed led to its partial destruction, and now only a confused mass of earth
remains from it. During its excavation a variety of relics were found, but prob
ably none of importance, since no record of them has been preservcfl.
The mioiukIs along the northern portion of Big Walnut Creek next claim at-
tention. Those found in the .southern jiart of the county aloii^- this watercourse
will be mentioned later.
One mile and a half north of Central College, in Bleiidoii Township, on the
west side of the creek, rises a mound the dimensions of which cannot be ascertained
at this time. One mile south of Central College, and also on the west hank of the
creek, is a small mound which constitutes a toijographical featui-e of the fiarm of
M. Dickey. For a long ilistance from that point southward no uiounds are to be
found, but finally, on the high land of the farm of A. Morri.son, one-fourth of a mile
north of the tracks uf the Pan Handle Railway, on the east side of the creek, we
56 History of the City of Columbus.
encounter a mound of perhaps ten feet in height and eighty feet in diameter at the
base. It has for some time been subjected to the work of the plow. To com-
plete the record of the most northerly mounds of the Big Walnut, it i.s necessary to
mention one which is situated on the land of W, Cornell, on the east side of the
creek, about seven miles from Columbus. Although greatly marred b}' the exca-
vation for the Old National Road, which cuts into its southern slope, enough of this
work remains to show that it was originally symmetrical and of large dimensions.
Probably it was thirty feet in height and two hundred feet in diameter at the base.
No one seems to know whether it has ever been explored.
Rockj- Fork, a tributary of the Big Walnut, flowing through Plain, Jetferson
and a small part of Mifflin Townships, has several mounds along its Franklin
County course. The most northerly of these works is on the ShuU farm, in Jeffer-
son Township, two miles northeast of Gahanna. It stands on the east side of the
creek. This mound is elliptical in shape, its greatest dimensions (estimated) being
three hundred feet long by two hundred feet wide and about forty feet in height.
A small conical excrescence marks its summit. Trees of large size are growing
upon this work.
One-half a mile east of Gahanna, on the western terrace of the creek, is found
a large formation usually called the " Table Mound." This ma^' or may not be an
artificial work, the strong probability being that it is not, because it occupies an
area of at least eight acres, and is decidedly unlike other products of the
ancients. Being a slightly elevated plateau, it has a shape which perhaps justifies
tlie name given it. A small mound is reported as having once occupied the crown
of this plateau, but no vestige of it now remains. On the opposite bank of the
creek, near the Table Mound, on the Dryer land, is a much-plowedover mound,
which was originally fifteen feet in height and one hundred feet in diameter at the
base.
Black Lick, another tributary of the Big Walnut, and a much larger stream than
Eocky Fork, is bordered in Jefferson and Plain Townships by some mounds of great
size. Three miles north of Black Lick Station, on the Pan Handle Eailway, rises
an immense mound on the farm of .Vraba Mann, Although no accurate measure-
ments of this work have been taken, it is certainlj' thirty feet in height and over
three hundred feet in diameter at the base. The cultivation of the land has some-
what reduced its size, but in its present shape it is one of the largest ancient works
in the county. It is rather oblong than circular in its form. One mile north of
it, on the west side of Black Lick, stands a mound now about ten feet high and
nearly one hundred feet in diameter at the base. A group of three mounds is
found in Plain Township on the Headiey farm, almost due north of the works last
described. One of the members of this group which immediately arrests the eye
on account of its irregularity and great size, has been suspected of being a natural
rather than an artificial work. Competent and trustworthy judges, however, have
pronounced it a work of the mound builders which was probably left in an un-
finished state. It is nearly forty feet in height and, by moderate estimate, three
hundred feet in (its longest) diameter at the base. The second mound of this group
is forty rods, or thereabouts, northeast of the one just mentioned, and was origi-
nally very large, but has been nearly leveled down. The third mound of the
grou]j is about sixty rods south of the one last named, and is ten feet in height and
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jjossibiy seventy-five feet in diameter at the base. The
mentioned is protected by the original forest, bill the
been badlj' damaged by the cultivation of the land. It i
that none of these northeastern mounds have been ex
evidence and tradition points to that conclusion.
The order which has been adopted for naming and 1
suggest that tiiose in the southeastern and southern cent
should be next mentioned, but since the mounds of the h
and those outside of these districts, or in more remote
those of the Scioto Valley are passed for the present, and attention will iie.\t be
given to suih as are found in the western and southwestern sections of the county,
beginning with that drained by Big Darby (Jreek and its numerous " runs '
One-half mile north of Galloway Station, in Prairie Township, rises a small
mound on the farm of A. J. O'Harra. Tlie dimensions of this work cannot at this
time be given.
The mounds on the Francis fixrm, in Brown Township, have been previousl}-
mentioned. On the high lands east of the Big Darby, about one mile from ("hcno-
with's Mills, in Pleasant Township, is seen a mound of good size, and two miles or
more southward another work of this kind stands on the farm of John Young, about
half a mile northeast of Harrisburg.
Near Morgan's Station, on the Columbus and Cincinnati Midland Railway, a
sboi-t distance south of the Pickawaj- County line, are two mounds on the bottom
lands of the Darby One of these which had already been reduced by the cultivation
of the soil to a height of about three feet, was still further disturbed by the railway
builders, who excavated deep holes in it in order to obtain a resting-place for the
massive timbers of a trestle work. This digging resulted in the discovery of two
skeletons, a large number of arrowheads, and a quantity of relics of various kinds,
among which were some stone utensils. These articles were then and there dis-
tributed among the workmen, and although a few specimens fell into the hands of
more appreciative persons, the value of the discovery was practically lost. It
seems certain, however, that a large proportion of the relics were of Indian origin.
About one hundred feet north ot this mound stands another of loftier build and
more amjjle dimensions. It was originally about fifteen feet high and one hundred
feet in diameter at the base, but is now much cut down. After the discoveries in
the smaller mound, the people of the vicinitj- determined to exploi-e the larger
work, but their enthusiasm subsided after a small opening had been made, and
since that time the work has remained undisturbed.
The mounds of the southern central and southeastern portions oftbecouiily
may now be described. It was upon the southern terraces of the Scioto, and
along its tributaries, that the most extensive moundbuilding population existed,
and by comparison of the number of mounds in the different sections it would
seem almost certain that where ten people dwelt on the land along the upper por-
tions of the streams, fiftj^ occupied the bottom lands further .south. The most
westerly of the mounds which stand on that part of the Scioto watershed now under
consideration is situated on the Alkire farm, on the south side of Big Run, in
Franklin Township, about onehalf mile west ol the Harrisburg Pike. It is of
average size, and has been injurecl by the ])low. About two mile- southeasl of this
58 History or the City of CoLnMBirs.
workwefind another small mound the exact location of which, cannot now be
stated. One mile further southeast, on the Corry land, near the Jackson Pike, is
found the remnant of a once large mound, the greater part of which has been re-
moved for its gravel. Excepting the fact that human bones were found in this
work during its excavation, nothing is known as to its contents.
On the farm of Joab Bon-or, in Jackson Township, two and a iialf miles south-
west of vShadeville, stands a mound now only six feet high, but covering about one-
fourth of an acre of ground. Local tradition states that an exploration of this
work was made many years ago and that a few relics were found in it, but what
they were is not stated. This work is situated about one and a half miles due west
of the circle on Absalom Borror's farm heretofore described.
About three miles in a nortli westerly ilirection from Sliadeville, on the land of
Solomon Swagler, is situated a mound about twenty feet high and one hundred feet
in diameter at the base. It is in a good state of preservation, and has never been
opened.
Crossing to the east side of the Seioio, and beginning at the southern boundary
of the county, we tind no mounds until we reach the plateau between the Scioto
and the Big Walnut, two miles south of Shadeville, when three mounds are found
on the Cloud farm, standing in a north and south line, about two hundred feet
apart. The most southerly of these works, which is ahso the largest of them, is
about tifteen teet in height and nearly one hundred feet in iliametcr at the base.
To the summit rises a smooth slope which i-esembles and may be taken for one of
the graded roadways of the ancients. The other mounds of this group are smaller,
and being in the woods, are well preserved. The largest one is damaged by a road
excavation which has clipped oli' its southern base. Another mound, about ten
feet high and fifty feet in diameter at the base, is situated on the high elevation
which overlooks the Big Walnut fi-om the east side. It is a mile northeast of the
mounds last mentioned, and is also situated on the Cloud land,
Fai'ther up the creeic, on its east bank, two mounds rise on ihe Clark farm,
but a little distance apart. One of them is ten feet in height and fifty feet in
diameter at the base ; the other, eight feet in height and thirty feet in diameter at
the base. On the farm of Mrs. B. J. Young, about one mile northeast of Lock-
bourne, exists a mound of which little is known except that it is small and has
never been subjected to exploration. On the high land which overlooks the
secondary terrace of the Scioto, one mile and a half north of Shadeville, and one
mile east of the river, stands a conical mound having a height of ten feet and a
diameter of thirty feet at the base. It is situated on the land of William T. Span-
gler, and has never been opened. On the Simpson farm, two and a quarter miles
from the Spangler Mound in a direction bearing somewhat east of north, is found
a damaged specimen, of average original dimensions. Like nearlj' all of the
mounds of that vicinity it has not been explored.
Three quarters of a mile northwest of the work last named are situated two
others on the Shoaf farm. They stand in a north and south line, and are only a
few rods apart. The cultivation of their slopes and summits has resulted in their
almost complete obliteration.
A quarter of a mile northeast of the Shoaf .Mounds are found the remains of
two others of enormous size which have severely suffered whenever the road-
Ancient Earthworks in Franklin r<iiTNTv. 59
builders desired a supplj- of gravel. Thcso O'Harra Mounds, as tliey have been
called, furnish some meager knowledge of the character of this singular class of
worlvs. Many years ago a count}' roa<i was surveyed ami excavated through
these mounds, and although the excavation did not go down to the original surface
it disclosed the outline of what was once a loifbiiilt chamber, and the usual li-aces
of human bones. A sknil found at that time is now in iIk' posscs.siou nf Doctor
Starling Loving, of (Jolumbus. 'I'iic O'llarru Mounds stand in a line true to tiic
compass, and are separated l^y little space. The northernmost one is oblong in
shape and has a maximum diameter at the base of five hundred and scventyfivo
feet. Its minimum <liameter at the base is one hundred and fifty feet and its
height is twenty feet. The most southerly of these mounds is conical in form,
nearly forty feet in height, and has a diameter at the base closely approacliing
four hundred feet. Eighty rods west of the O'Hifrra Mounds, on one of the Fisher
tracts, stands a much reduced mound now only four feet high. Another i-cnmant,
one mile north of the O'Harra Mounds, is in much the same comlition as the work
last mentioned.
At the intersection of the LockbouiMie and Grovejjort roads, on the south.
eastern face of the elevation known as Baker's Hill, stands a mound which has
been partially explored, and has 3'ielded some implements and fragments of
pottery. All trace of these articles is now lost. Before being disturbed by the
excavator and the gravel digger, this work was fifteen feet high and seventytive
leet in diameter at the base. As a point for signaling over the broid valley it
could hai-dly have been excelled, and it maybe remarked in ])assingthat the |)osi-
tion of Spangler's Mound offered the same facilities foi- communication by beacon
light up and down the valley.
Two miles southeast of Columhus exists a low mound upon which Origin
Harris built his home many years ago. This improvement has put an end to the
investigation of the secrets of this work and deprived it of many of its original
characteristics.
Within the present limits of Columbus, on the grounds of the late Peter
Ambos, on South High Street, stands a small mound, well jji-eservod. It is a
truncated cone, about eight teet in height and thirty feet in diameter at the base.
By reason of its situation on the very edge of the steep bluff which overhangs the
Scioto, it affords an excellent point of observation. .\s a signal station it couhl not
have been better located, .\ttenipls have been made tt) exjilorc it but have ii"ver
been carried to completion.
A small mound which once stood-at the [iresent intersection of Town Street
and Champion Avenue, was obliterated when Town Street was extended eastward.
Near Canal Winchester, in the extreme southeastern part of the county, an in-
teresting series of small mounds exists.' Their value and interest to the anti-
quarian have been greatly impaired b}- the excavations of inexperienced persons
whose discoveries were of little value and by whom the articles found have been
widelj' scattered. The first Franklin County Mound to be considered in this
series is on the land of W. K. Algire, the second on James Lawrence's farm, and
the third on the farm of Isaac Leahman. A pronounced swell of ground on which
stands the home of E. Stevenson, has been i'ated as an artificial work, but it is now
believed to bo a natural formation. The three mounds here mentioned are all
small and are situated about equal distances apart along the headwaters of George
60 History of the City of Columbits.
Creek, a tributary of the Little Walnut. Tlie most northerly one rises about two
miles north of Canal Winchester.
On Samuel Dietz's farm, a quarter of a mile north of Canal Winchester, stands
an almost obliterated small mound, one mile west of which, on the Chaiicj^ place,
is found aiKil her in alioiit the .same >lalc nf ]in'servation. One mlK' further west, on
the south Mdr .iC til.' I.inic Walnut and half a niilo ca>t of ( ; ruvc|iort, is found a
work which was oriyina II y I'iglit Ici-l in height and thirty feet in diameter at the
base, but now exists only in a tew vestiges. Another mound, nearly obliterated,
is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the township. All of these mounds
rise on what may be called the second terrace of the Little Walnut Creek.
Li Fairfield Count3-, about three miles to the southeast of Canal Winchester,
exists an interesting group of mounds, all of which are situated on the spurs of the
high hills of that locality. From any one of the five mounds of this group a view
of the others can be obtained, and, in addition, a wide expanse of the eastern side
of the Scioto basin can be brought within the range of vision. Three of these
mounds lie upon a practicallj^ continuous spur. Another lies across a deep ravine,
and a third some five hundred yards further southeast, upon another high point.
In Plate III., where they have been uumbered tor convenience of the descriptive
text, it will be seen that numbei's one and four are enclosed by earth walls. Num-
ber one is by far the most ]ieculiar wcjrk of the group. It is now eleven feet in
height and elliptical in sha]ie, its maximum diameter at the base being eight}--
eight feet, and its minimum diameter sixtytwo feet. A.side from the fact that it
is surrounded by two broad earth walls, which now vary in height from a slight
trace to over ten feet, this woi'k- is i)eeuliar in being constructed, in greater part, of
sandstones which vary in size I'mni ti-agrnents three inches in diameter to others
as large as a man can carry. These s'ones were evidentl_y obtained from a place
near by, where the evidences of an ancient quarry exist. Number three, two
hundi-ed yards north of number one, and on the highest elevation, is also a stone
mound, now about ten feet in height and seventy feet in diameter at the base.
Number four is an earth mound onl}' four feel in height and thirtyfive teet in
diameter at the base. It is surrounded by a moat and wall, the traces of which
are now very slight. Perhaps twentyfive per cent, of the composition of this
mound is sandstone. Number two, situated two hundreil yards west of number
one, is an earth formation, twelve feet in lieiglit and ei^-hty feet in diameter at the
base. Explorations of the stone mounds have given no results in relics or signs of
burial. However, numlier five, which was an earth iiKiund ten feet in height and
sixty feet in diameter at the base, gave a rich return for the labor of opening it.
In the present month ol' February, 1S92, it has been explored by some eager peo-
ple who had been wrought up to a high pitch of excitement and expectation by
the remarkable discoveries lately made near Chillicothe.^ Defying the inclement
weather, these inexperienced explorers thoroughly demolished the mounds, and
made some discoveries verj^ interesting to the archa'ologist but rather disappoint-
ing to themselves, as they were in search of gold, silver and precious stones rather
than implements of common stone or relics in copper. Penetrating a well-
defined stratification intermingleil with wood aslics, they encountered, near the
natural level of ground, small boulders beneath which were tound human bones,
presumably of the ancient people who built these mounds. The skeletons of a
woman and a child lay near the boulder covering, beneath which, in a compact
Ml .still .ICOIH
■r. i,MV|,osit,,rie
.unci tiio l.n
mail remains a
d Ije useless
to iitidertalie
resting ilisco
very. Tiic liist<
A VCI EST ivVHTII Wdli KS
layer, were discovered the skeletons of iii
out of the bed rock, lay other skeletons.
of an unimportant kind were found. It
more than a simple statement of this v. ly interesting discovery. The history of tli
twentj' human beings whose remains were found in this work belongs to an insci'ul
able past which their successors of to-day can never penetrate or understand.
From the catalogue of Franklin County mounds and earthworks given in the
preceding pages it will be perceived that, after making due allowance for the |)oi--
tion of these works wliich may have escaped observation, and for such of them as
have long since disappeared through the agency of man and the elements, the
estimate that fully one hundred distinct specimens of such works have existed in
the county is not excessive. It has been the purpose of the writer to devote this
chapter especiall}- to the Franklin County works, without attempting any discus-
sion of their relations to similar remains in the adjoining counties, although such a
discussion might add materially to the completeness ol this record. It may be
further observed that little attention has been here given to the numerous tradi-
tions and authentic records of discoveries of human remains and relics in different
parts of the county, becaiise their antiquity cannot be known to be more remote
than that of the Indian races of this region. The Indians buried their dead in
numberless places, and the discovery of human bones, ornaments and implements
in the surface deposits is a logical result of that custom, corroborated by the char-
acter and position of the articles fouiui. In bi)ih wliich respects they are broadly
distinct from the remains of the prehistoric race. An illustration of this remark
maj" here be cited. Two miles west of the Statehouse, on the Old Mational Hoad,
now West Broad Street, lies the remnant of a large mound which has been
commonly supposed to have an artificial origin. In cutting the road thi-ough this
work many bones, pipes, arrowheads and flints of various kinds were found by the
workmen. All these relics, including the bones, which were reasonablj- well pre-
served, were of unmistakable Indian origin. This fact, together with the geologi-
cal probability that the mound itself was a glacial deposit, disposes effectually of
the ]j0pular notion that it was one of tlie works of the moiindhiiilding race.
XOTKS.
1. Xo small part of the data concerning the mounds of Franklin County has been ob-
tained from the paper of Mr. Prosper M. Wetraore, of this city, submitted as a report to Pro-
fessor G. Frederick Wright, of Oberlin College, Editor of the Ohio Arcbn'ological and Histori-
cal Society's Quarterly, and contained in Volume 1, published in April, ISSS. Mr. Wetmore,
who has, for a long time, been interested in the study of the.se earthworks and mounds, de-
voted many a summer and autumn day to field observation, and upon his notes of measure-
ments and the present condition of the mounds a portion of the foregoing has been based.
The writer gratefully acknowledges the aid thus given, and also the kinil coilperation of Mr.
Wetmore in obtaining information of value at this time.
2. The information relating to this mound has been gathered from many sources, but
chiefly from several old residents of Columbus.
3. Mr. George F. Bareis, of Canal Winchester, Franklin County, a gentleman who takes
the deepest interest in these mounds, has furnished most of the data concerning the Madison
Township specimens, and is the authority for the reference to the result of the e.xploration
of the Fairfield County mound.
4. See lllmlrated Ainencan, New York, Volume IX, number lOL'; article, '."^ome
New Relics of tlie Moundbuilders," by Warren King Moorehead, Esq.
CHAPTER IV
THE IROQ.UOIS AND ALGONQUINS.
Emerging from the mystery of the mound builders we cross the line which
separates tiie extinct and recordless races from the races known to history. New
light dawns as this boundary is passed, but very much that we would like to know
still lies in deep, impenetrable shadow. Whether the inhabitants of the two
American continents at the time they first fell under the eye of civilization were
properly speaking one great family, or were fundamentally segregated by one
or more lines of racial distinction, is a question not yet fully settled. That they
approached more nearly to one common family character than the indigenous popu-
lation of Asia or Africa is scarcely disputed. "The Indians of New Spain"
[Mexico], wrote Humboldt, " bear a general resemblance to those who inhabit
Canada, Florida, Peru and Brazil. We have the same swarthj' and copper colour,
straight and smooth hair, small beard, squat body, long eye, with the corner
directed upwards towards the temples, prominent cheek bones, thick lips, and ex-
pression of gentleness in the mouth, strongly contrasted with a gloomy and severe
look. Over a million and a half of square leagues, from Cape Horn to the River
St. Lawrence and Behring's Sti'aits, we are struck at the first glance with the
general resemblance in the features of the inhabitants. We think we perceive
them all to be descended from the same stock, notwithstanding the prodigious di-
versity of their languages."
" At one extremity of the country," says another writer, " we find the pigmy
Esquimaux of four feet and a half in height, and at the other the Patagonian stand-
ing above six feet. In complexion the variet}- is great, and may be said to em-
brace almost every hue known elsewhere on the face of the earth, except the
pitchy black of the Negro. About onehalf of all the known languages belong to
America ; and if we consider every little wandering horde a distinct community, we
have a greater number of nations here than in all the rest of the world."'
Among the American aborigines, numbering seven or eight millions, as many
languages were spoken as among the seven or eight hundred million inhabitants
of the Eastern Hemisphere. Yet it is a significant (act that between these multi-
form modes of speech and those of the other brancliesof the human family none but
an occasional and evidently accidental resemblance can be traced. At the same
time there run through all these aboriginal tongues, numbering about 450 in all,'
certain threads of connection. " It is the confident opinion of linguistic scholars,"
says Professor Whitney, " that a fundamental unity lies at the base of all these
infinitely varying forms of speech ; that they may be, and probably are, all de-
[62]
The Iroqi'ois and Ai.doNQUiNs. fiS
ecendeii from a single parent language. For, whatever their differences of materiiil,
there is a single type oi' plan upon which their forms ai-e develoi)e(i and tlieir e<in-
Blructions made, from the Arctic Ocean to (^'ape Horn."'
The German naturalist Blumenbach'' places all the American tribes uii<ler one
class except the Esquimau.x, who are deemed to be of Mongolian origin. After
examining scientificalU- the skulls found in ancient tomh.s, and those of existing
tribes, Doctor Morton' concludes that the American aborigines, except those inhab-
iting cireumpolar latitudes, were all of one species and one race, and comprise two
great families differing intellectually but strongly related in their physical traits.
These families are denominated the Toltecau and the American, the first being par-
tially civilized, the latter wholly' savage.'' The Esquimaux are a dwarfish race,
rarely over five feet in height, crafty and dirty. They inhabit the northern coasts
of this continent and its neighboring islands. On the northwest coast of Alaska
are found four peculiar tribes known as Kaluschi, who have the distinction of
being as fair, when their skins are washed, as the Europeans.
At the time of the arrival of the English colonists on this continent the Indians
occupying its eastern half belonged almost entirely to three stems : 1, The Algon-
quin, comprising the Delawares, Shawnees, Narragansetts, Cbippewas, Knistonaux,
and thirty or forty other nations, spread over the territory between the Mississippi
and the Atlantic, and all speaking dialects of the same language ; 2. The Iroquois,
called alternately the Five Nations or the Six Nations, and comprising fifteen or
more tribes, among which were the Mohawks, Hurons, Senecas and Oneidas, dwell-
ing on the south side of t lie Great Lakes and all speaking dialectic forms of the
same language; 3, The Florida Indians, including the Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws.
Chickasaws, Natches and Mobiles These three families, together with tlieWocons
and Catawbas, numbering altogether about a quarter of a million souls, occupied
nearly the entire region east of the Mississippi, from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of
Mexico, embracing a territory of more than a million square miles.
Generally speaking these various tribes were noted alike for the viri lus and
vices of savage chara,cter, in their fullest development. They cherished a high
sense of honor, absolute fidelity in personal and tribal relations, and a fortitude
which disdained sufi'ering or misfoi'tune. Few races have e(|ualed and none have
surpassed their stoical apathy in good and ill. Stern, gloomy and severe, they de-
spised mirth or laughter, and gave expression to joy only in the hour of trium])h.
They believed almost universally in theexistence of a Supreme Being, and also in a
spirit of evil, hostile to human welfare. They also believed firmly in a future state
in which the souls of brave warriors and chaste wives would tranquilly pursue the
occupations in which they most delighted on earth. According to the creed of the
Dakotas the road to the " villages of tht:- dead " leads over a ledge of rock sharp as
a knife's edge, on which only the good could keep their footing and from which
the wicked fell into the abysses of the evil spirit, there to be flogged and subjected
to hard labor. Polygamy was practised, and incontinence and incest were in-
dulged in, but the distinction between vice and virtue was clear in the savage mind.
Wives were purchased, marriages festively celebrated and funerals conducted with
decorum; Some of the nations wore little or no clothing, the usual dress of the
males of the better clad tribes comprising a buffalo-skin hung from the shoulders,
a breechclout of undressed skins and moccasins of the same material, the women
64 History of the City of Columbus.
M'ore a long robe of undressed hide, fastened around the waist. The Indian habi-
tations consisted of huts or cabins, usually round and small, but sometimes thirty
or forty feet in diameter, formed with stakes set in the ground and covered with
bark. All opening in thy top served for the escape of smoke, and the skins of wild
beasts for carpet and betiding. The practice of painting and tattooing the body
was almost universal. The warrior.s also adorned themselves fancifully, and often
tastefully, with plume.s and otiier ornaments.
Each tribe was governed by a chief and council, who were elective, but when
matters of importance had to be decided all the warriors were consulted, and the
concurrence of all was necessary to any final conclusion. The young might be
present at the council but could take no part in the debate. Among the North
American Indians there were several hundred distinct governments, which differed
from one another chiefly in degrees of organization. The government of the Wyan-
dots, who were the immediate predecessors of the white men in this part of the
Scioto Valley, may be considered typical of them all. Its principal features may
be thus stated :'
The Wyandots recognized, in their social organization, the family, the gens,
the phratry and the tribe. The family comprised the persons who occupied one
lodge, or one section of a communal dwelling. Such dwellings, when permanent,
were oblong in form, and constructed w^th poles covered with bark. The fire was
placed in the center, and served for two families, one occupying the space on each
side. The head of the family was a woman.
The gens was an organized body of blood kindred in the female line. It took
the name of some animal, which also served it as a tutelar deity. At the time the
tribe left Ohio it comprised the following gentes: Deer, Bear, Highland Turtle
(striped), Highland Turtle (black). Mud Turtle, Smooth Large Turtle, Hawk,
Beaver, Wolf, Sea Snake, and Porcupine. By these names and their compounds
the person.s belonging to each gens were distinguished, as for example :
Man of Deer gens, De-wa-ti-re, or Lean Deer.
Woman of Deer gens, A-ya-jin-ta, or Spotted Fawn.
Man of Wolf gens, Ha-ro-un-yu, or One who goes about in the dark.
Woman of Wolf gens, Yan-dino, or Always Hungry.
The tribe comprised four phratries, each containing three gentes. The phra-
try had a legendary basis, and chiefly a religious use. The tribe, by reason of the
inter-relationships of the gentes, comprised a body of kindred.
Civil and military government were entirel}' separate. Civil powers were
vested in a system of councils and chiefs. The council of each gens comprised
four women who selected a chief of the gens from its male members. This chief
was head of the council of his gens, and the aggregated councils of the gentes
composed the council of the tribes. The grand tribal chief or sachem was chosen
by the chiefs of the gentes. The women councilors of the gens were chosen, in-
formally, by the headsof the households. At the installation of a woman as coun-
cilor, a tribal feast was spread, and the woman, adorned with savage braveries,
was crowned with a chaplet of feathers. Feasting and dancing followed, and con-
tinued, civilized fashion, late into the night.
At the installation of a gens chief, the women adorned him with a chaplet of
feathers and an ornamental tunic, and painted the tribal totem on his face.
ThF Iu(>(.Mii|S and a l.fidNQllNS. C;")
The suoheiu was chonen troin the Bears until liealli cai-rii'd ott' all ilie \visi>
men of that iJ-ens. Wisdom and chieftainship wei-e after that sought amon>r the
Deers.
The chief of the Wolves was the herald and sheriff of llie trihe. It was his
business to superintend the erection of the council house, to take caro of it, to
give notice of meetings of the council, and to announce its decisions. Councils of
the gentes were called as often as necessary. The tribal council met c)n the niirht
of the full moon. When the councilors were assembled they were called I ihr
by the herald, who lit his pipe and discharged a puff of smoke to the heavrn> and
then one to the earth. He then passed the pipe to the sachem, who tilled his
mouth with smoke, and turning from left to right with the sun, slowly jjurted it
over the heads of the councilors who were sitting in a circle. The man on his
left next took the pipe, which was smoked in turn by each person until it hail
passed around the circle, whereupon the sachem explained I he oliject of the
assembly and each member expressed his opinion as to what should be done, it
was considered dishonorable for any councilor to change his opinion after he had
once committed himself.
It was the function of Wyandot government to protect rights and enforce the
performance of duties. Rules of conduct were established by usage. Rights were
classified as those of marriage, names, personal adornments, precedence in encamp-
ments and migrations, property, person, community and religion. Men and
women were required to marry w^ithin the tribe, but marriage between members
of the same gens was forbidden. Children belonged to the gens of the luother.
Polygamy was permitted, the wives being of different gentes and the first wife re-
maining head of the household. Polyandry was forbidden. A man seeking a
wife was obliged to consult her mother, who consulted the councilors of her gens.
The marriage was usually consummated before the end of the moon in which the
betrothal was arranged. For a time the newly wedded dwelt in the houselxjld of
the bride's mother.
The names of children horn during the year were .selected and announced by
the council women at the annual greencorn festival. Original names could not be
changed, but additional ones might be acquired.
The methods of painting the face, and the oi'nameiits worn, were distinctive
of each clan.
The tribal camps were pitched in the form of an o])en circle or horseshoe, the
gentes and households taking their places in regular order.
Lands were partitioned among the heads of households by tiie women coun-
cilors once in two years. The right of a gens to cultivate a particular tract was
settled in tribal council. All the Wf)men of the gens took part in the cultivation of
each household tract. The wigwam and its furniture belonged to the woman who
was at the head of its household, and were inherited at her death by her eldest
daughter or nearest female relative. On the death of the husband his i)ropert3'
was inherited by his brother or his sister's son, exce])t the articles buried with him.
Personal freedom and exemption from personal injury except as an awarded
punishrnent for crime, were assured to each individual.
Each gens was entitled to the services of all its women in the cultivation of
the soil, and of all its men in avenging its wrongs. Each phratry had the I'ighl to
5
(j6 HiSTClRY OF THE OlTY OF (IdLftMBtis.
conduct certain religious ceremonies, and to prepare certain medicines. Bacli gens
was exclusively entitled to the worship of its tutelar god, and each individual to
the use of his own amulet.
The crimes recognized by the Wyandots were adultery, theft, maiming, mur-
der, treason, and witchcraft. A maiden guilty of fornication was punished b}' her
mother or guardian, but if the ei'ime was flagrant and repeated it might be taken
in hand by the council women of the gens. A woman guilty of adultery had her
hair cropped for the first offense, and for its repetition had her left ear cut off.
Accusations of theft were tried before the council of the gens, from the decision
of which there was no appeal. A defendant adjudged guilty was required to make
twofold restitution. The crime of murder was tried before the offender's gens, but
appeal might be had to the council of the tribe. If compensation was not made
when guilt was found, the crime might be jjersonally avenged.
Treason consisted in revealing the secrets of medicinal preparations, or giving
other information or assistance to the enemies of the tribe. It was punished with
death.
The charge of witchcraft was investigated by the grand council of the tribe,
and when sustained incurred the penalty of death, but the accused might appeal
from the adverse judgment of the council to the ordeal by fire. For this purpose
a circular fire was built, and the accused was required to run through it from east
to west, and from north to south. If he escaped injur}' he was deemed innocent;
otherwise he was adjudged guilty.
An inveterate criminal might be declared an outlaw having no claim ujion the
protection of his clan. An outlaw of the lowest grade might be killed by any one
who chose to take his life ; outlawry of the highest grade made it a duty to kill
the offender on sight.
The military management of the tribe was vested in a council composed of its
ablebodied men, and a chief chosen from the Porcupines by the council. Pris-
oners of war were either adopted into the tribe or killed. If adopted, it was nec-
essary for the captive to become a member of some family. As a test of his cour-
age the prisoner was required to run the gantlet. Should he behave manfully he
would be claimed for adoption, but if disgracefully, ho was jjut to death.
The institution of fellowhood was common among the Wyandots. According to
this custom two young men would agree to unite in a perpetual covenant of friend-
ship, by the terms of which each was bound to reveal to the other the secrets of
his life, to give counsel to his fellow in matters of importance, to defend him from
wrong or violence, and at death to be his chief mourner.
Indian migrations, by clans and confederacies, were frequent, and resulted in
a series of wars by which entire tribes were sometimes exterminated. " After the
destruction of the Eries in 1655," says General Force, " the tract now the State of
Ohio was uninhabited until the next century. The nations known as Ohio Indians
moved into it after 1700."* Who were they, and whence did they come? General
Harrison says, " the tribes resident within the bounds of this State when the first
white settlement commenced were the Wyandots, Miamis, Shawnees, Delawares, a
remnant of the Moheigans, who had united themselves with the Delawares, and a
band of the Ottawas."" The migrations and conflicts in process of which the State
became thus peopled constitute one of the most momentous episodes in Indian his-
tory, and cover an immense territorial field.
TlIK lll(>(,irolS ANIJ A l,(ai\(,ll'INS i\t
for coiii|uest .surpassed thai of all Ihe coiiloinijorui y Imliaii lacos. They have been
called The Romans of the New World. They called themselves Ilodenosaiinee,
Tueaning " they form a cabin."'" Collectively thoy wei-e known as the Ongwc-
houwe, or Superior Men. The name lro()uois was given them by the Ficnih. They
proudly boasted of their racial antiquity, and it was undoulilcilly gieat. The
Lenapes, who bore the title of Grandfathers, and paternally styleil the other .\l
gonquins as children or grandchildren, acknowleged the superior age ot the lr<i-
quois by calling them uncles. In turn, the Lenapes were denominated liy the
more ancient race as nephews and cousins.
Tradition, supported by circumstances ot locution and language, indicates iliat
the original hordes of the Iroquois emerged at some vei-y remote period Irom the
human hives of the Northwest. When Jacques Cartier sailed u]j the St. Lawrence,
in 1535 he found them at the present site of Montreal. There, and along the St.
Lawrence, they had dwell since 1450 or 1500. When Champlain followed in the
track of Cartier, in ICOfl they had been driven south by the Adirondaeks, and
dwelt on the southern borders of Lake Ontario. Here they had formed a confeil-
eracy afterwards joined by the Tn.scaroras" and known as the Five Nations. The
tribes originally composing this confederation were the Mohawks, Oneidas, O
dagas, Cayugas and Senecas. This league, .said to have been of very early origin,
was joined by the Tuscaroras in 1713. It then numbered about twelve thousand
souls, and was unquestionably the most powerful confederation of Indians on the
continent. Its geographical situation, its unity and its warlike qualities, alike con-
spired to make it the jiredominant race. "Other tribes," says Douglas Campbell,
'■ were hemmed in by mountains or by boundless barren wastes.'' Not so with the
Iroquois, " their ' Long House,' as it was called, lay on the crest of the most won-
derful watershed in the world. On the north they had water communication with
the St. Lawrence and the Lakes, while on the south and west, the Hudson, Dela-
ware, Susquehanna, Alleghany and Ohio attbrded them highways to a large portion
of the continent. Launching their light canoes on the streams which flowed from
their hunting ground as from a mighty fountain, they could in time of need hurl
an overwhelming force upon almost any toe."
To this league, says Morgan, " France must chiefly ascribe the final overthrow
of her magnificent schemes of colonization in the northern part of America."'- Had
the French been able to obtain its alliance, as they did that of nearly all the othei'
Indian tribes, the English would have been expelled from t he continent, and we
would have had here a Gallic instead of an Anglo-Saxon civilization. But nothing
could move these Iroquois warriors from their constancy to the Dutch and Eng-
lish. For a century and a half they held the balance of power between the Gaul
and the Saxon, and it was decided by the cast of their influence that the Gaul
must go.
Kindred in language with the tribes of this league were the .Vndastes of Penn-
sylvania, the Eries of Ohio, the Alliwandaronk or Neutrals, so called, on the north-
ern shores of Lake Erie, and ihe nations occupying the peninsula between the
Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. These together with the Six Nations composed
the Huron-Iroquois family, which has liecn described a- an island in the vasl sea
ot Algonquin population .'.Mending >outli tioni Hudson Bay to the ( 'arolinu.s. uud
68 History of the City of Columbus.
west from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. The Indians of this family who dwelt
along the eastern shores of Lake Huron were known to the Iroquois as Quatoghies,
and to the French as Hurons. They called themselves Ontwaonwes, meaning real
men, but adopted the tribal designation of Wendats, or Oueudats, as it was
Frenchified by the Jesuit missionaries. Champlain and the Franciscan missionary
Joseph le Caron visited them in 1615, and Father Sagard in 1624. According to
the Jesuit Eelations their settlements at that time extended .southwardly about
one hundred miles from the mouth of the French River and comprised twentyfive
or thirty towns, of which that of Ossosane was chief The total population of these
settlements was about thirty thousand. The frontier towns were fortified with a
triple palisade and interior gallery ; the others were unguarded. The dwellings
were made long so that each might contain several families, and were built of
poles covered with bark.
The tribes comprising the Huron confederation are differentlj- named by
different writers. The most authentic nomenclature seems to be that of Attigna-
wantaws, Attigneennoiiquahae, Areudahronon, Tohonteerat and Tionontates or
Tobacco Indians,'^ whom the French called the Nation de Petun. The first two
of these clans were original Hurons, the others adojjtive. From the coni^lomera-
tion of these tribes, or rather of their fragments after the Iroquois dispersion,
came the Wyandots known to history.
The Wendats who formed the basis of that stock were much more intelligent
and inclined to agriculture than their neighbors, the Northern Algonquins. None
surpassed them in courage. To die for the interest and honor of his tribe, says
Harrison, and to consider submission to an enemy as the lowest degradation, were
jjrecepts instilled into the Wendat mind from earliest youth." In Wayne's battle
at the Rapids of the Miami thirteen chiefs of this tribe perished and but one
survived.
Very anciently, according to one of their historians," the Wendats "inhab-
ited a country northeastward from the mouth of the St. Lawrence, or somewhere
along the gulf coast," but "during the first quarter of the sixteeuth century"
(1500-1525) they quarreled with their neighbors, the Senecas, while both were
dwelling near the present site of Montreal. One of the traditions ascribes the
origin of this quarrel to the intrigue and passion of a Seneca maiden who pledged
her hand to a young Wendat warrior on condition that he would slay one of the
chieftains of her own tribe. The murder was accomplished, and its recompense
paid, but the Senecas were so enraged by it that they rose in arms and drove the
Wendats from the country. Taking their course westward, the fugitives halted
first on the Niagara, next at the present site of Toronto, and finally on the shores
of Lake Huron. Their subsequent settlements in Ohio, says one of the State's
historians, were in the nature of colonies from the main tribe, the principal seat of
which was oj)posite Detroit."
The curious cosmogony of the Huron Indians is thus summarized : " A woman,
Ataensic, flying from heaven, fell into an abyss of waters. Then the tortoise and
the beaver, after long consultation, dived and brought up earth on which she
rested and bore two sons, Tawescaron and louskeha, the latter of whom killed his
brother." Aireskoi, son of louskeha, was the chief divinity of the Iroquois and
Hurons."
The Iroquois and Aloonquins. fi9
Although Algonquins, the Ottawaa, famous cliicfly as the tribe of the great
Pontiac, were earlj- friends of the Wyandots. When first discovered they inhab-
ited the islands of Lake Huron and the peninsula of Michigan, but at an earlier
period they dwelt on the Canadian river which bears their name, and while there,
it is said, exacted tribute from all the Indians who crossed from or to the country
of the Hurons.'" Thej- were unique among the North American tribes as wor-
shipers of the heavenly bodies, the sun being the object of their supreme rever-
ence. The French traders found them on the Sandusky peninsula as early as
1750. "The Ottawas, so fur as they have been observed on the soil of Ohio," says
Taylor, " have hardly sustained the gravity and dignity of position which we spon-
taneously assign to the Wyandot and the Delaware. Compared with his forest
brethren the Ottawa, or Tawaii, as the early settlers called him, whose life was
nearly amphibious by his joint avocations as tnipper and tisher, seems to be
rather a Pariah among his brethren."'*
The Neutral Nation, so called by the French because they refused to take
sides in the Huron-Iroqnois war, were known to the Seneeas as Kahkwas, and to
the Hurons as Attiwandaronk. Their dwelling places were along the banks of
Niagara and the neighboring coasts of Lake Erie.
The Andastes were identical with the Susquehannas and Canestogas. Thej-
inhabited the countrj- watered by the upper branches of the Ohio and Susquehanna.
Of the Eries, so called by the Hurons, and named Eriquehronons by the Iro-
quois, but little is known. They dwelt in that part of Northern Ohio which is
skirted by the southeastern shores of Lake Erie. Their territories are said to
fiave been •' verj^ populous.'"™ The title, Nation du Chat or Cat Nation, given
them by the French, is thus e.Kplained in one of the Jesuit Relations ; " We call
the Eries the Cat Nation because there is in their country a prodigious number of
wildcats, two or three times as large as our tame cats, but having a beautiful and
precious fur."-' Father Sagard, who was a missionary among the Hurons in 1823,
says: "There is in this vast region a country which we call the Cat Nation, by
reason of their cats, a sort of small wolf or leopanl found there, from the skins of
which the natives make robes bordered and ornamented with the tails."*'' School-
craft regards it as certain that the Eries " were at the head of that singular con-
federation of tribes known as the Neutral Nation, which extended from the ex-
treme west to tlie extreme eastern slfores of Lake Erie, including the Niagara."
Traditional and circumstantial grounds have been found lor the belief that the
Kickapoos, Shawnees and Catawbas all sprang from remnants of this tribe. That
the Eries wei-e a warlike race cannot be doubted. A missionary journal of l(i.i8
refers to them as "the dreaded Cat Nation," the snbjui;ation of which had then
been accomplished.
Next west of the Eries wore the Mianiis, another warlilce trilie. first discovered
in Eastern Wisconsin by the French, and numberingat thattime (Iti79)about eight
thousand souls. Tlieir belligerent spirit involved them in perpetual broils with
their neighbors, the Sioux, and later with the Iroquois and French. Their cour.se
of migration was thus described by their famous chief, Little Turtle : " My fore-
fathers kindled the first fire at Detroit ; from tiience they extended their lines to
the headwater.s ol the Scioto; from thence to its mouth ; from thence down the
Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, and liom thence to Chicago over Lake Micbi-
70 HlSTORV OF THE CiTV OF Col.UMBUS.
gan." Their territoiy, says General Harrison, " embraced all of Ohio west of the
Scioto, all of Indiana, and that part of Illinois south of the Fox River, and Wiscon-
sin, on which frontier they were intermingled with the Kickapoos and some other
small tribes. . . . Numerous villages were to be found on the Scioto and the head
waters of the two Miamis of the Ohio."'" By this tribe, it is believed, the Eries
were crowded inland fi-om the northwest.
The neighbors of the Miamis on the west were the Illinois, whose confederacy
extended along the eastern shore of the Mississippi south to within about eighty
miles of the Ohio.
The Lenno Lenape, or Delawares, claimed to be the oldest of the Algonquins,
and to have come from the west. After driving the Tallegwi from the Ohio they
pushed eastward and settled along the Delaware River, near which they were
dwelling when first known to the whites, and which gave Lhem their English name.
William Penn bought large portions of their territory, after which they moved
inland. This transaction resulted in a war, in the course of which the Delawares
were driven west of the AUeghanies. Thej' reached the Ohio about the year 1700,
and moved into the Muskingum and Scioto valleys.'" They afterwards asserted
their dominion over most of the eastern half of Ohio.
The Shawuees were a nomadic tribe, sometimes descriptively designated as
American Arabs. Their roving disposition has given rise to the fancy that they
were "a lost tribe of Israel."'^ They were Algonquins, primarily of the Kickapoo
tribe, and were first found by the whites in Wisconsin. Moving eastward, they
encountered the Iroquois, by whom thej' were driven south into Tennessee. From
thence they crossed the mountains into South Carolina, and spread southward to
Florida, and northward to New York. At a later, period they drifted northward,
again came in contact with the Iroquois, and were driven into Ohio. Their arrival
here, after these wanderings, took place about the year 1750. Gist found one of
their settlements in that j'ear at the mouth of the Scioto. The French called these
nomads Chaouanons, the English Shawanoes, the Iroquois Satanas. Their tribal
divisions, four in number, bore the names Kiskapocke, Mequachuke, Chillicothe
and Piqua. According to one of their legends, while their ancient warriors and
wise men once were seated around a smouldering council fire there was a sudden
crepitation and puffing of smoke amid the embers, followed by the apparition of a
man of splendid form emerging from the ashes. This was the first Piquan.
" We first find the Shawano in actual history about 1660," says Force, " and
living along the Cun:iberland river, or the Cumberland and Tennessee. Among
the conjectures as to their earlier history- the greatest probability lies, for the
present, with the earliest account given by Peri'ot, and apparently obtained by
him from the Shawnees themselves about the year 1680 — that they formerly lived
by the lower lakes, and were driven thence by the Five Nations."-" " The Shaw-
nees and Cherokees seem to have been the foremost in the Indian migrations
which met the Mound Builders," says Judge Baldwin. According to the same
authority, " while the Eries were at peace the Shawnees lived next south, probably
in Southern Ohio and Kentucky."" But the Eries did not remain at peace, nor
were the Shawnees permitted to stay. A thunderbolt fell in the midst of these
tribes and their neighbors which crushed the Eries, drove oif the Shawnees, and
scattered other clans and confederacies to the four winds.
'PllK Irmi;Iii1s ami Al.iioNQriNS. 71
When the French navigator, Sanuul de Cliamplain, began liis settlement at
Quebec in llIOS. the Iroquois were at war with all the Canada Indians from T;alce
Huron to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Dui-ing the same year a messenger from the
Ottawas visited Champlain. and urged him to reinforce them in this struggle. The
"Father of New France" complied with this request, set out with a band of
Hurons and Montagnais, and in May, 1609, defeated an Iroquois force on the
shores of the lake which still bears his name. In 1615 he took part with the
Hurons in a second expedition, directed against a town not far from Onondaga.
Thenceforward the Five Nations were active and seldom relenting foes of the
French. Shrewd in diplomacy as they were brave inthefield, they effected a firm
alliance with the Dutch, obtained fire-arm,s, and, in 1621, invaded Canada. They also
made war on the Mohigans, and killed the Dutch commander at Albanj', who had
taken sides against them. When the French recovered possession of Canada from
the English in 1632 they found the Iroquois everywhere dominant.
Following in the track of the fugitive Wcndats, the allied tribes pushed their
conquests westward. In 1639 they destroyed a town of the Hurons, and in 1642
cut off all communication between that tribe and the French. Thej- renewed the
war in 1646, boldly attacked the French and their allies, slew the great Montag-
nais chief, Piskaret, an'd fell with all their force upon the Hurons. That tribe
abandoned its smaller towns and fortified the larger ones, but its strongholds were
carried by storm. Part of the discomfited Hurons fled down the Ottawa to seek
French protection, and were pursued to the ver}' suburbs of Quebec. Another
Huron division, the Ahremlas, surrendered and were incorporated with the Senecas.
Others took refuge on the Manitoulin Islands, but were pursued thither and
obliged to fly to the Chippewas, of Lake Superior. They were saved from the
fierce clutches of their enemies only by a stubborn battle fought near the promon-
tory above the Sault Ste. Marie, now known as Point Iroquois. The fugitives thus
I'escued were the Tiontates of the Hurons After going to tiie country of the
Chippewas they encour)tered and were defeated by the Sioux. Returning toward
their old haunts, they halted on the island of Mackinac, gathered around them the
remnants of their tribe, and eventually descended to Detroit where, by their
sagacity and valor they succeeded in restoring the waning fortunes of the Wen-
dats, and regaining their ascendancy over the surrounding Algonquins. They con-
tinued to participate in the wars of the period, which, according to their tradition,
culminated in a des]ierate battle, fought in canoes on Lake Erie, in which all or
nearly all the warriors engaged on both sides perished.
The tide of Iroquois conquest by no means terminateil with the dispersion of
the Hurons. The allied tribes next drove the Algonquins from the Ottawa, and in
1651 nearly annihilated the Attikamegues. In the same year they attacked the
French settlement at Three Elvers, and slew its governor. Thev fell upon the
Neutral Nation, west of Niagara, and crushed it. Then they made peace with the
French and announced at Quebec that they were going to make war on the Fries
who already held captive their great chief Annencraos. In August, 1654, Father
Simon LeMoine, as an ambassador of the French governor, presented to them
four hatchets as symbols of good wishes for this new adventure. By this present,
Le Moine says, he " wiped away the tears " of all the young warriors for the death
of their captive leader. The decisive struggle followed soon, J[and was soon over.
72 HiSTORT OF THE ClTT OF CoLDMBUS.
In the year 1655 the Iroquois, using their canoes as scaling ladders, stormed and
carried the Brie strongholds, fell like tigers upon their defenders, and butchered
them without mercy.'' The Bries seem to have been utterly dispersed, and were
scarcely more heard of in history. The Shawnees, probable next neighbors of the
Bries, were driven south and scattered to the winds. Having cleared Ohio of its
inhabitants the Five Nations regarded and kept it as a hunting ground.
Turning eastward, they next crushed the Tiogas, Abenakis and Susquehan-
nas, placed half of Long Island under tribute, and asserted their supremacy on
Massachusetts Bay. Then they resumed their career of western conquest. A map
attached to Baron La Hontan's Voyages and Adventures in North America be-
tween 1683 and 1694 has a line drawn across the country south of Lake Erie, ap-
parently about thirty miles from the lake, representing "ye way that ye lUinese
march through ii vast tract of ground to make war against ye Iroquese : The same
being ye Passage of ye Iroquese in their incursions upon ye other Savages, as far
as the river Missisipi." The annals of the Jesuit Missionaries say the victorious
Iroquois attacked the Chicktaghicks, or Illinois and Miamis, encamped together
on the Maumee in 1680, killed thirty and captured three hundred prisoners. But
the defeated clans rallied, ambuscaded the retiring victors and retook their
prisoners.
The extent of these later conquests of the Iroquois has been much disputed,
one side being represented by Governor De Witt Clinton and the colonial histo-
rian Colden, the other by President AVilliam H. Harrison. The first, says Bald-
win, rely too much on the Iroquois accounts, the other too much on' the ti-aditions
of the western Indians, but "it seems to be well settled that the Iroqnis continued
to occupy a considerable portion of Ohio at will.'"" Colden's history '" maintains
that they had subdued the Illinois in 1685, and is full of their wars with the
Miamis. A French memoir of 1787 says they had attacked the Miamis and Illinois
at Fort St. Louis, founded by La Salle near the Mississippi, had there encountered
La Salle himself, had captured many prisoners, and had threatened the extermina-
tion of the tribes of that region. They had ranged over the whole of Ohio, and
scoured the country south and west of it. Of the Delawares, whose westward move-
ment had brought them into southeastern Ohio, they had not only made subjects
but " women." ^' About the year 1700 "Messieurs les Iroquois," as La Hontan
calls them, were at the climax of their power. Their conquests were vaguely re-
tained, and their dominion was loose and flexible, but such as it was it extended
over New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the northern
and western portions of Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Northern Tennessee, Illinois,
Indiana, Michigan, part of New England and a large part of Upper Can-
ada.''-' In Ohio they held not only admitted sovereignty-, but actual legal oc-
cupancy extending over most of the territory which now constitutes the State.''
Both the Shawnees and the Delawares were their tenants at will.
The cosmogony of the Iroquois resembled closely that of the Hurons. They
worshiped Agreskoi, whom they honored with offerings of flesh and tobacco, and
even with human sacrifice. They believed in spirits, and were particularly reverent
to the presiding genii of maize, pumpkins and beans. The French missionaries
succeeded in persuading them, or part of them, to worship God, whom the converts
recognized under the name of Hawenniio, meaning "He is master." They buried
The' Iroquois and Aloonqi'INS. 7H
their dead temporarily, and every tenth year collected the remains in one lont;
grave which they lined with furs, and variously decorated. Tlicir cajitives taken
in war were either adopted or tortured and burned at the stake. Their dress was
mainly a breechclout for men and a short ]ielticoat for women. Both sexes wore
moccasins and lec;i,'inys. Their huts were roofed with hark laid ovci- an arborlike
frame of poles.
The distribution of tribal bodies and fragments, in and outside of Ohio, caused
by the whirlwind of Iroquois conquest, was somewhat promiscuous. A nuiji pre
pared bj- Colonel Charles Whittlesey, and published in 1872,** makes the follow! iii^
apportionment of the Indian occupation of the State from 1754 to 1780: To the
Iroquois, anU tribes of their adoption. Northeastern Ohio extending as far south as
Wheeling Creek, and including the valleys of the Tuscarawas and Cuyahoga; to
the Wyandots and Ottawas the valleys of the affluents of Lake Erie west of the
Cuyahoga as far as to the counties of Fulton and Henry; to the Delawares the
valley of the Muskingum; to the Shawnecs the Scioto and its tributaries, including
territory eastward to Raccoon Creek and westward to the counties ol Brown and
Highland; and to the Miamis the western part of the State, including the valleys
of the two Miamis and the Upper Maumee.
The Ohio Iroquois were mostly Senecas who settled in the nni'thern and
eastern portions of the State. They dwelt on friendly terms with iheii- neighbors
and dependents, the Shawnees and Delawares, with whom the}- also intermarried.
Those in Eastern Ohio were called Mingoes, a Pennsylvania corruption of the
term Mengwe applied to the Iroquois nations by the Delawares. Among them
were probably- some portions of the conquered Andastes. The Cuyahoga River is
supposed to have derived its name from a band of Cayugas settled in that vicinity.
Another portion of the Cayuga tribe emigrated to Sandusky.
In 1831 the Senecas sold their (~)hio lands and i-emoved t<i the Indian Terri-
tory. Originally they were the largest and most westerly of the Iroquois nations.
One of their principal chiefs was Red Jacket, of the Wolf tribe, whose original
Indian name was Otetiani, meaning " always read}-." He died in 18o0. The most
illustrious chief of the Mingoes was Tahgahjute, boi-n a Cayuga, on t lie shores oft he
Susquehanna, and commonly known as Logan, of whom morr will be said in a sub-
sequent chapter.
The Miamis probably came to Ohio wiiliin the histoi-iral piTiod. Together
with their kindred the Illinois, they niaiiitainoil a viiiorous war with the Iro(juois
by whom, some writers claim,''' the}- were not woi'sted. They were knowTi to the
Five Nations as Twightwees. Ijed by their noted chief Mishekone((uah, or Little
Turtle, they defeated Colonel Hanlins forces twice in (October. 179t), and routed
General St. Clair's army a year later. In 1S34-5 they were removed to a Govern-
ment reservation in Kansas.
Drifting westward in their war with the Cherokees, the Delawares arrived in
(Jhio about the year 1700 and settled on the Muskingum In 1750 Gist found
several of their villages on the east bank of the Scioto.'* one of them, perhaps, be-
ing that which gave its name to the ))rrseiit city of Delaware In 1741 the Mora-
vian missionaries began to lal)or among them in Pennsylvania, making numerous
converts. Later a general emigration took place, and by 17ti.S the tribe had ceased
to exist east of the Alleghauies. In 1772 the Moravian Delawares formetl a settle-
74 Hr.sTORv of the City of Columbits.
meiit at Gnadenhiitten — "Tents of Grace" — now in Tuscarawas County, where
ninety of tiiem vvere cruelly butchered by the whites in 1782. on alleged but
groundless suspicion of having been concerned in certain outrages in Pennsylvania.
There is no darker blood-stain in the Ohio wilderness than this. By treaties of
1785-89 lands were reserved for the Delawares between the Cuyahoga and the
Miami, and for the Christians of the tribe on the Muskingum, but causes of dis-
content arose which induced the beneficiaries of these grants to transfer their set-
tlements to Canada, on lands granted by the English government. In 1808 a few
members of this tribe remained on the Muskingum, and a small band was settled
on the Whitewoman Crock, near Sandusky. Their Canada settlement at Fairfield,
on the Thames, was dcstroycil liy tlie Americans in 1814, In 1818 tbej' coded all
their lands to the United Stalos and retnoved to Missouri, leaving only a small
liand in Ohio.
The Ottawas, although intimately associated with the Wyaudots, appear to
have been in most respects their opposites. Mr. Shea speaks of them as " great
cowards." After their overthrow by the Hurous tliej- fled to the islands at the
mouth of Green Bay, and thence to the Sioux country beyond the Mississippi.
Driven back eastward by the Sioux in 1660, they halted at Mackinac, where they
became involviMl again with the Iroquois, After the settlement of Detroit part of
them migi-ated to that vicinity, while another part, remaining behind at Mackinac,
crossed to Arbro Crochr. ,\ttor 11172 (hey wore in constant companionship with
the Wyaudots, by wiioiii thoy wore ))ei-suaded in 1747 to settle on the lower Mau-
inee. They took part in the last struggle of the French for (^anail.a, and when it
ended disastrously to their allies, their bold chief Pontiao, refusing to yield,
organizoi.l.a su]irenio oftort by all the western tribes to drive out the English. He
stealthily laid his |>hins for a uonoral niassaii-o of the I'higlish garrisons and settle-
ments in May, ITlii;. I'osorving for biniself the attack u]:i(.)n Detroit. His intentions
becoming known in time to prevent the surprise of the post, he placed it under
siege and neglected no expedient known to savage warfare for its reduction. To
obtain sulisistenco for his warriors he issued promissory notQ.s written on birch
bark and signed with the figure of an otter. All these notes were I'edeemed.
The siege was raised after several months, and most of the tribes ceased their hos-
tilities, l)ut Poutiac remained unsubdued. Withdrawing to the Illinois country
he instigatcil fresh hostilities and held out for a time, but his followers dropped
away from him, and he was obliged to submit, in 1766, to English rule. He was
finally slain, wiiile intoxicated, by an Illinois Indian at Cahokia, opposite St.
Louis.
In 1836 the Ottawas at Maumee exchanged 40,000 acres of land for 36,000 on
the Osage, whither two hundred of them removed while about the same number
remained in Ohio. The Michigan branch of the tribe continued its settlements
there, but accepted lands in severalty in lieu of reservations. The Canadian Otta-
was on the Walpole, Christian and Manitoulin Islands have fused with their Indian
neighbors of other tribes, and arc generally self supporting and |n-osperous.
The Shawnees are clustered, on the ancient maps, along the Scioto from its
mouth northward to the Pickaway Plains, and also northeastwardly- through the
present counties of Clark, Champaign and Logan. Their Ohio settlements seem
to have been resumed, after the Iroquois dispersion, by a discontented portion of
ThK ri!(l(jtl<ll,s AND A l.lillNI.>riNS 75
the tribe which emigrated from Virginia about the j-ear 173lt. Tn January, 1751,
Christopher Gist, a Virginia surveyor sent out to ex]iiore tlie Oliio woods, arrived
as he says in liis journal at a Shawnee town, " situatcl on botli sides of the Oiiio,
just below tlio mouth of Scioto Creeij, and containing aliout tiueu liundred men.
There were about forty houses on the south side of tiio river and about a liundred
on the north side, with a kind of state house about ninety feet long, with a tight
cover of bark, in which councils were held."'^' At the time of Bouquet's expedition
in 1764 the Shawnees had upon the Scioto about five hundred warriors. Pickawaj-
Count}-, which takes its name from their Piqua tribe, contained their most impor-
tant villages, the largest of which, said to have been the residence of the Mingo
Logan, was Old Chillicothe, now Westfall. Cornstalk, one of their famous chiefs,
and his sister, known as the Grenadier Squaw, gave their names to two others.
Another village, which occupied the present site of Frankfort in Ross County, is
called Old Chillicothe, or Oldtown, by Squier and Davis. According to these
writers a famous Shawnee village was situated there, grouped around oneoftlie
interesting works of the Mound Builders. In its old Indian buryingground numer-
ous relics deposited with the dead have been found. Another Shawnee village was
located about three miles north of Xenia,'" and doubtless bands of these restless
wanderers sojourned for a time in many different parts of tiie State. Theii' multi-
plied migrations and settlements have bewildered antiquarian research. Their most
famous chief was Tecumseh, born near the present city of Springfield about 17(JS,
and killed in Harrison's battle of the Thames, October 5, 1S13. In '831 the Ohio
Shawnees ceded their lands to the United States and were i-ciiiovcd to a tiiivcrn-
ment reservation in Kansas, where, in 1S54, the tribe nlicicil nine liiniilicd.
The Wyandots, after having rallied from the Iroquoi.s disjicr-sion, oci.u|jifd the
country north and west of Detroit, and ranged southward through the wilderness
to the Ohio and bej'ond. In 1706 they penetrated to the Shawnees and Choctaws
on these excursions, and encountered detachments of Cherokees then roving north-
ward. One of these Cherokee bands joined them later in their settlements at San-
dusky. In 1732 the Wyandots claimed the entire area of this State as their hunt-
ing ground, and warned the Shawnees to shift thi'ii- settlements south nl the (»liio.
Gradually the trihe centered at Sandusky prior to the colonial \Vai- nC Inde-
pendence.
The territory com])rise(l williin the present liniits of Franklin Couhty was
visited and temporarily occupied hy parties of Delawares. .Min:,nies, .Shawnees and
other tribes, but the Indians wlm held it in preilorninaiit possession diirini;- the
historical ]ieriod wei'C Wyandnls. 'J'heirs were the eoi'ntields planted m I he
meadow openings where Franklinton was built, and theirs the Indian village whose
smoking lodges stood in the forest where now stands the city of Columbus. The
Iroquois, apparently reconciled at last with their old antagonists, were also here,
at least three of their villages being located within the present Ixiuinl.-iries ollhe
county.
The following anecdote ol local occurrence, deemed tn he illustrative of the
character of the Ohio Wyandots, has been narrated :'"
A party surveying on the Scioto above the site of ('oluinl>us, in 17'.i7, liail heen ri'dueeil
to three scanty meals for four days. They came to the eain|> of a Wyumlot linlian. witli Ins
family, and he gave them all the provisions lie ha<l, which comprised only two rabl)its ami
76 History of the City op Cohjmbcs.
a small piece of venison. This Wj'andot's father had been murdered by the whites in the
time of peace ; the father of one of the surveyors had been killed by the Indians in time of
war.
The pathetic story of the murder of the Wyandot chief known as Leatherlips
at his dwelling-place in the northern part of Franklin County has gained currency
as authentic historj-. Tlie order for this murder is said to have emanated flirect
from Tecumseh anil his jjrophel brother at Tippecanoe and to have been executed
by their emissaries. General Harrison entertained thi.s o])iuiori,-" wbicii is sup-
ported by one of Heckewelder's correspondents in his historyof the Indian Nations
The following account of tbe tragedy is given in the autobiography of Rev. J. B.
Finley, who was at the time a missionary among the Wynndot Indians :
During the summer of 1810, an event occurred, on the circuit adjoining the one which I
traveled, of a tragical and melancholy character; and, as I propose, in connection with my
own biography, to furnish the reader with a cotemporaneous history of the times in which I
lived, I will relate the circumstances connected with that event.
On the evening of the first day of June, six Wyandot warriors went to the house of Mr.
Benjamin Sells, on the Scioto River, about twelve mdes above the spot where now stands the
City of Columbus. They were equipped in the most warlike manner, and exhibited, during
their stay, an unusual degree of agitation.
Having ascertained that an old Wyandot chief, for whom they had been making diligent
inquiry, was then encamped, at ;i distance of about two miles further up, on the west bank
of the river, they expressed a detcnuinaliMn to put him to death, and immediately went off
in the direction of his lodge. Tlusi- facts were communicated early on the ensuing morning
to Mr. John Sells, who now resides in the village of Dublin, on the Scioto, about two miles
from the place where the doomed Wyandot met his fate. Mr. Sells immediately proceeded
up the river on horseback in quest of the Indians. He tioon arrived at the lodge, which he
found situated in a grove of sugar trees close to the hank of the river. The six warriors
were seated in consultation at the distance of a few rods from the lodge. The old chief was
with them, evidently in tlie character of a prisoner. His arms were confined by a small
cord, but he sat with them without any manifestation of uneasiness. A few of the neighbor-
ing white men were likewise there,*' and a gloomy looking Indian, who had been the com-
panion of the chief, but now keiit entirely aloof, sitting sullenly in the camp. Mr. Sells
approached the Indians and found tliem earnestly enirageJ in debate.
A charge of "witchcraft" had lieen made at a f.inner lime against the chief by some of
his captors, whose friends had been destroyed, as they lielieved, by means of his evil powers.
This crime, according to immemorial usage of the tribe, involved forfeiture of life. The
chances of a hunter's life had brought the old man to his present locati'in, and his pursuers
had sought him out in order that they might execute upon him the sentence of their law.
The council was of two or three hours' duration. The accusing party spoke alternately,
with much ceremony, but with evident bitterness of feeling. The prisoner, in his replies,
was eloquent, though dispassionate Occasionally a smile of scorn would appear for an
instant on his countenance. .\t the close of the consultation it was ascertained that they
had reafhrmed the sentence of death which had before been passed upon the chief. Inquiry
having been made by some of the wbite men, with reference to their arrangements, the cap-
tain of the six warriors pointed to the sun and signified to them that the execution would
take place at one o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Sells went to the captain and asked him
what the chief had done. " Very bad Indian,'' he replied, " make good Indian sick — make
horse sick — make die — very bad chief."
Mr. Sells then made an effort to ])ersuade his white friends to rescue the victim of super-
stition from his impending fate, but to no purpose. They were then in a frontier situation,
entirely open to the incursions of the northern tribes, and were, consequently, unwilling to
subject themselves to the displeasure of their savage visitors by any interference with their
TheJroquois and Ai,gonquins. 77
operations. He then proposed to release the cliief by piircliase, ottering to the captain for
that purpose a fine horse of the value of three hundred dollars. ■' Let me see him," said
the Indian. The horse was accordingly brouj;lit forward and closely examined, and so much
were they staggered by this proposition that they again repaired to their place of consulta-
tion, and remained in council a considerable length of time before it was finally rejected.
The conference was again terminated, and five of the Indians began to amuse ttiem-
selves with running, jumping, and other athletic exercises. The captiiin took no part with
them. When again inquired of as to the time of execution he pointed to the sun, as before
and indicated the hour of four. The prisoner then walked slowly to his camj). partook of a
dinner of jerked venison, washed and arrayed himself in his best apparel, and afterward
painted his face. His dress was very rich, his hair gray, and his whole appearance graceful
and commanding. At his request the whole company drew around hiui at the lodge. He
had observed the exertions made by Mr. Sells in his belialf, and now presented to him a
written paper, with a request that it might be read to the company. It was a recommendation,
signed by Governor Hull, and in compliance with the request of the prisoner, it was fixed
and left upon the side oi a large tree a short distance from the wigwam.
The hour of execution being close at hand, the chief shook hands in silence with the
surrounding spectators. On coming to Mr. Sells, he appeared much moved, gra.sped his
hand warmly, spoke for a few minutes in the Wyandot language, and pointed to the heavens
He then turned from the wigwam, and, with a voice of surpassing strength and melody,
commenced the chant of the death song. He was followed closely by the Wyandot warriors,
all timing with their slow and measured march the music of his wild and melancholy dirge.
The white men were all likewise silent followers in that strange procession, .-it the distance
of seventy or eighty yards from the camp they came to a shallow grave, which, unknown to
the white men, had been previously prepared by the Indians. Here the old man kneeled
down and in an elevated but solemn tone of voice addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit.
As soon as he had finished, the captain of tiie Indians kneeled beside him and prayed in a
similar manner. Their prayers, of course, were spoken in the Wyandot tongue. When they
arose, the captain was again accosted by Mr. Sells, who insisted that, if they were inflexible
in the determination to shed blooil, they should at leastremove their victim beyond the limits
of the white settlement, " No I " said he, very sternly and vyith evident displeasure. .
Finding all interference futile, Mr. Sells was at length compelled, reluctantly, to abandon
the old man to his fate. After a few moments delay he again sank down upon his knees
and prayed as lie had done liefore. When he had ceased praying he still continued in a
kneeling position. All the rifles belonging to the party had been left at the wigwam. There
was not a weapon of any kind to be seen at the place of execution, and the spectators were
consequently unable to form any conjecture as to the mode of procedure which the execu-
tioners had determined on for the fulfillment of their purpose. Suddenly one of the war-
riors drew from beneath the skirts of his capote a keen, bright tomahawk, walked rapi<lly up
behind the chieftain, brandished the weapon on high for a single moment, and then struck
with liis whole strength. The blow descended directly upon the crown of the head, and the
victim immediately fell prostrate. After he had lain awhile in the agonies of death the
Indian captain directed the attention of the white men to the drops of sweat which were
gathering upon his neck and face, remarking with much apparent exultation that it was
conclusive proof of the sufl'erer's guilt. .Again the executioner advanced, and with the same
weapon inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows. .\s soon as life was entirely
extinct the body was hastily buried and with all its apparel and decorations and the assem-
blage dispersed. The Wyandots returned immediately to their hunting grounds and the
white men to their homes. . . . The Wyandot Nation to whom the old chief belonged never
afterward were reconciled to the tribe that killed him.
Although the charge made against Leatherlips was that of witchcraft, his
friendship for the whites is believed to have been the real cause of his murder.
The great Wj^andot sachem, Tahre, The Crane, was accused of leading the assas-
sins, but Harrison exculpates him. The real leader seems to have been another
chief named Eouudhead,
7s History (if tite City (if' Colttmbijs.
For a long time the place of execution and burial of the ohl chief was marked
by a rude heap of stones which has now l)een replaced bj' a handsome monument
erected by the Wyandot (Uub, a social organization of Columbus. The movement
which resulted in this memorial was begun at the annual reunion of the club held
September 18, 1S87, in the stately forest known as Wyandot Grove, eight miles
northwest of the city. On that occasion Colonel Samuel Thompson, a member of
the club, delivered an oration in wliich he paid a glowing tribute to the general
character of the Wyandots, and among other things .said ; "I learned from our
venerable friend, the late Abraham Sells, former proprietor of this beautiful grove,
rightly named l)y him Wyandot Grove, [that] near yon crystal spring once stood
the cabin of this noted chief It was here that the Wyandots halted to rest and
refresh themselves when on their way to the wiiite settlements at Chillicothe, and
subsequently at Franklinton, this county.''
In 1829 a small band of Wyandots still dwelt on the Huron River, in Michi-
gan, but the principal portion of the tribe, numbei-ing about six hundred souls,
was collected on the headwaters of the Sandusky. By treaty of 1832 they sold
their lands to the United States, and were removed, 687 in number, to the junction
of the Kaw and Missouri Rivers in the pre.sent State ot Kansas. Colonel S. P.
McBlvain, a prominent citizen of Columbus, assisted as Government Agent in
their transportation to their now home. A further removal of members of the
tribe is thus referred to in the A'cin,! Torrhliijht of July 26, 1843 :
We are informed by a returning wagoner, who had been assisting in the transportation
of the Wyandot Indians to Cincinnati that four deaths occurred among them before their
departure from that city. The deceased persons were a woman and a child, Warpole, a
chief aged ll.S years, and John Hicks. The Indian last named was on board a boat from
which he fell into the river, in a state ot intoxication, and was drowned
" The one drowned," says a writer of the pex-iod, " was probably the only
intemperate man of the tribe. "■'°
NOTES.
1. Charles Maclaren, fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburg.
2. The Italian geographer Adriano Balbi estimated the number of Indian languages at
423, of which 211 belonged to North, 44 to Central and 158 to Sonth America. Other autlior-
ities estimate the total number of aboriginal tongues at 760, of which 430 were attributed to
the north and tlMO to the south. •:
:'.. Language and the .Study of Language ; by Profes.sor Whitney of Yale College.
4. Johann Friedrich BlumentM-, born at Gotha, May 11, 17,52; celebrated for his
craniologicul researches, and first to apply tlie science of comparative anatomy to ethnological
study.
,5. Dr. Samuel G. Morton, of Philadelphia, a physician and celebrated ethnological in-
vestigator.
(5. The Toltecan family embraced the civilized nations of Mexico, Peru and Bogota,
extending from the Rio Gila along the western shore of the continent to the frontiers of
Chili, and on the eastern coast along the Gulf of Mexico, in North America. But even before
the Spanish conquest, the Toltecan family were not exclusive possessors of these regions;
they were only the predominant race, or caste. ■
7. On the authority of a paper entitled : "Wyandot Government; a Short Study in
Tribal Society" ; by J. W. Powell, Director of the Bureau of Ethnology. First annual report
to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881.
S. A paperiMititU'il : ••Tn\Vli;it R;u'e di.l the M. mini liiiiMcrs Hplnii),' ■■ " liv ( icni-ral
Manning F. Force.
y. Discourse on the aborigines of the Ohio Valley.
10. Their territorial grouping was supposed to fake tliat shape. " Of this cabin," savs
Mr. Shea, " the fire was in the centre, at Onondaga, and tlie Mohawk was the dour."
11. The Tuscaroras were a cognate nation which migrated southward at an early period.
They attempted to massacre the North Carolina colonists in 1711, but troops were called from
.South Carolina, and they were routed in the battle of the Neuse, January 2>S, 1712, losim'
four hundred killed and wounded. On March 21), 17i:i, they suffered another disaster by the
loss of their fort at Snow Hill, and eight hundred of their number captured. The residue of
the tribe fled northward, and became the sixth nation of the lro<|uois league. At a later
period some of them settled in Ohio.
12. " [^eague of the Iroquois," by Lewis Henry Morgan ; Kocbester, l.s.51.
13. So called from their extensive tobacco product and trattic.
14. The following note is attached to General Harrison's •' Discourse " :
When General Wayne assumed the position at Greenville in 179::!, lie .sent forCajilain
Wells, who commanded a company of scouts, and told him that he wished him to go to San-
dusky and take a prisoner for the purpose of obtaining information. Wells . . . answered
that he could take a prisoner, but not from Sandusky. "And why not from Sandusky?"
said the General. "Because," answered the Captain, "there are only Wyandots there."
" For the best of reasons," said Wells, "because
the Wyandots, by Peter D. Clarke ; Toronto, l,S7t).
" Well,
why will not Wyandots do.'"
Wyandots will not be taken alive."
1.5.
Origin and Traditional Historv ol
16.
HistorvofOhio; J. W. Tavlor.
17.
Shea,
18.
Taylor.
\9.
History of Ohio.
20.
Jesuit Relation of 164S.
21.
Ibid.
22.
Histoire du Canada. l(i3G.
23.
Harrison's Discourse.
24.
During his exploration of the Oh
intry in 17.50 Christopher Gist found several
Delaware villages along the east bank of the Scioto, and was favorably received. He esti-
mated the fighting strength of the tribe at that time at five hundred warriors. Commenting
on this fact in a note to his text Taylor says :
" Gist by no means found the bulk of the Delawares u|)on the ' east bank of the Scioto,'
although 'several villages' might have been scattered along its course. His route was doubt-
less by the 'Standing Stone,' now Lancaster, and thence to the fertile Pickaway Plains, where
the Shawnees were afterwards assembled in considerable force. When the Delaware chiefs,
wbo were in the American interest, visited Philadelphia during the Revolution, they spoke
of 'placing the Shawij^es in their laps '—a figurative expression for the surrender of the
Scioto Valley to them, as they ascended from the mouth of the river But the Delawares
continued their occupation of the region now bearing their name in Ohio, and George San-
derson, Esq., in his History of the Early Settlement of Fairfield County, mentions them as
joint occupants of tliat vicinity with the Wyandots. . . . While the Wyandots occupied the
present site of Lancaster, a Delaware chief, called Tobey, ruled over a village called Tobey-
town, near Royalton."
The Wyandot village at Lancaster, according to Sanderson, contained a hundred wig-
wams, and was called Tahre, or Cranetown, from the name of its chief.
25. Taylor says they claimed to be such. History of Ohio, page :i:i
2t>. Some Early Notices of the Indian Tribes of Ohio ; a pai)er read before tin- Historical
and Philosophical Society of Ohio, by General Manning F. Force, ls7!t.
27. Indian Migration in Ohio; Hon. C. C. Baldwin, 1«7S.
28. The Jesuit Relation of lC5t) abounds in descriptions of the burning ami torture of
the captured Eries by the Iroquois. In its account of the storming of one of the Erie pali-
sades occurs this extravagant passage :
80 History hf the City op fVji.nMBi's.
" The besiegers try to carry the place by storm, but in vain ; they are killed as fast as they
show themselves. They resolved to use their canoes as shields. They carry these in front,
and thus sheltered they reach the foot of the intrenchment. But it was necessary to clear the
great beams or trees of which it was built. They slant their canoes, and use them as ladders
to mount the great palisade. This boldness so astonished the besieged, that, their armament
being already exhausted, for their supply was small, especially powder, they thought to
retreat and this was their ruin. For the first fugitives being mostly killed, the rest were
surrounded by the Onnontaguehronnons, who entered the fort, and made such a carnage of
women and children that the blood was in places knee deep."
29. The Iroquois in Ohio; a paper by Hon. C. C. Baldwin.
30. History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Depending on New York ; by Cad-
wallader Golden, member of the King's Council and Surveyor-General of the Province ;
1727-55.
.31. General Harrison says in his " Discourse " :
"Singular as it may seem it is nevertheless true that the Lenapes, upon the dictation of
the Iroquois, agreed to lay aside the character of warriors, and to assume that of women.
This fact is undisputed, but nothing can be more different than the account which is given
of the manner in which it was brought about and the motives for adopting it on the part of
the Lenapes. The latter assert that they were cajoled into it by the artifices of the Iroquois,
who descanted largely upon the honor which was to be acquired by their assuming the part
of peacemakers between belligerent tribes, and which could never be so effectual as when
done in the character of the sex which never make war. The Lenapes consented, and agreed
that their chiefs and warriors from thenceforth should be considered as women. The version
of this transaction as given by the Iroquois is, that they demanded and the Lenapes were
made to yield this humiliating concession as the only means of averting impending de-
struction."
32. Morgan.
33. Baldwin.
34. Walling and Gray's Atlas.
35. Notably General W. H. Harrison.
3fi. See note 24. In his address before the Franklin County Pioneer Association in 1871.
Mr. Joseph Sullivant, of this city, said he had reasons for the belief that Gist, iii his journey
" passed over or very near the present site of Columbus."
37. American Cyclopedia, Vol. XII.
38. Gist's Journal.
39. Royce, in the AnHquarian for July, 1881.
40. Howe's Historical Collections.
41. Drake's Life .of Tecumseh.
42. Martin's History of Franklin County, published in 1S58, mentions William Sells,
Esq., of Dublin, as " perhaps the only survivor of the white men referred to that were pres-
ent at the execution."
43. OhioState Journal. J u\y 27, 1S4S.
y ^(^^/^'^i-z^ ^
CHAPTER V,
ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAN.
First of Pjuropeans, or of the Caucasian race, to (re:)il ihc soil of Oliio, was I ho
hrillianl Norman, a native of Rouen, Robert Csiveiici' ilc la Salle. Rai^i'r ami
daritig, this tireless explorer arrived in Canada from Franco in IdGd, his niinii
teeming with glowing fancies concerning the unknown West. Learning vaguely
from the Indians of the great Mississippi and its beautiful tributary the Oyo, as the
Iroquois called it, he conceived the idea that, launching upon these waters, he
would be borne to the Pacific, and far round the globe toward India and China.
Therefore, in token of the expected destination of his proposed enterprise, he gave
to the settlement which he founded on the St. Lawrence the name of La Chine.'
Disposing of his po.ssessions in that colony, he set out in 16(>9 to explore the counir}'
between the lakes and the Ohio. At the head of Lake Ontario his two white com-
panions quitted him, but he persisted in his purpose, reached the Ohio Rivei', and
descended it to the present site of Louisville. La vSalle's record of this expedi-
tion, if he ever wrote one, has not been preserved.. After his assassination some
years later, his papers seem to have been lost. He spent the winter of 16()!)-70
within the present limits of Ohio, and probably passed through the State down the
Muskingum, the Scioto, or the Big Miami. It is quite possible that he was the first
white man who ever visited the spot whereon, nearly one hundred and tift}' years
later, was founded Ohio's capital.
Having ascertained from this and subsequcnl expeditions (he real course of Ihr
Mississippi, La Salle conceived some new and fiar-reaching schemes. Engaging in
the fur trade, for which he obtained special favi)rs from the King of Frame, he
launched his canoes on the Ohio, the Wabash and the Maumee, and establislicd
posts for traffic along the banks of these rivers and the shores of the Great Lakes.
He was also first to conceive jdans for exploring the country from Lake Frontenac,
as Ontario was then called, to the Gulf of Mexico, in order to extend the dominion
of France over the entire Mississippi basin, and bring its inhabitants to the knowl-
edge of the Christian religion. In 167S he began to build the Grittbn, a bark of
sixty tons, which he launched the following summer near the present site of ]?uf-
falo. On August 7th, 16((9, with a crew of thirtyfour hunters, soldiers and
sailors, he set forth in this ship, which was the first craft of civilized construction
to ride the waters of Lake Erie. He was accompanied by an Italian soldier named
Tonti, and Lewis Hennepin, a Franciscan friar of the order of Recollects. From
Green Bay, which was reached in September, the (iriffon, laden with furs, set out,
and was lo.st, on her return to Niagara, while La Salle, with seventeen men and a
6 [81]
82 History of the City of Columbus.
Eecollect monk sailed in canoes to the mouth of St. Joseph's River, then called the
River of the Miamis. After building there a trading fort he led his party over-
land, carrying its canoes and equipage, until be reached the Kankakee, which he
descended to the Lake of Peoria, and there first came in contact with the Illinois
Indians. Here be built another trading fort, and fitted out an expedition under Hen-
nepin to explore the Upper Mississippi, reserving for himself the voyage of dis-
covery down that river to its mouth. He then returned to Fort Frontenac, and
after various journeys back and forth rejoined Tonti, in November, 1681, for the
crowning expedition. Quitting the shores of Lake Michigan in January, 1682, La
Salle led that expedition across the country by way of the Chicago River to the
Illinois, and on the sixth of February arrived on the banks of the Mississippi.
On the thirteenth of February, all being ready, tlie voyage was renewed, the party
comprising twentytwo arms-bearing Frenchmen, Father Membre — one of the Rec-
ollect missionaries — and a band of Indians, including several women. After
many interesting adventures La Salle arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi,
named it the River Colbert, and explored the three channels by which its waters
were dischai"ged into the sea. He then reascended to a point beyond the reach of
inundation, erected a cross and formally proclaimed the dominion of the French
king, by right of discovery, over all the territories of the Mississippi Valley.
Louisiana was the name with which, in honor of his sovereign, he christened this
vast wilderness realm, including the present State of Ohio. Over these immense,
indefinitely-bounded territories France held jurisdiction for eightyone years. By
treaties of 176'2 and 1763 she ceded her claims west of the Mississippi to Spain, and
those east of it to Great Britain. La Salle undertook to colonize the Louisiana
province, and for that purpose brought over a party of settlers from France, but
their ship missed her longitudes, passed the mouth of the Mississippi, and landed
in Texas. From thence the hardy explorer undertook to make his way overland
to Canada, but had not proceeded far before he was treacherously murdered by his
companions. ° La Salle was a man of genius, and deserves greater credit for his
achievements than he has usually received.
To colonize the Ohio country and set a bulwark against the claims and en
croachments of the French, the Ohio Land Company of Virginia was chartered in
1749. It included in its membership George Washington's brothers Lawrence and
Augustine, and was chiefly represented in England by John Hanbury, a wealthy
merchant of London. , Thomas Lee, its founder and most active colonial member,
was President of the Virginia Council. Robert Dinwiddle, another shareholder,
was Sui-geon- General for the Southern Colonies.
This company obtained from the British government a grant of five hundred
thousand acres of land " between the Monongahela and the Kanawha, or on the
northern margin of the Ohio," ' with the stipulation that no quit-rent should be
paid for ten years, that at least one hundred families should be settled within
seven years, and that the colonists should, at their own expense, build and garri-
son a fort for defense against the Indians.
There were at that time, says Sparks, " no English- residents in those regions."
A few traders wandered from tribe to tribe, and dwelt among the Indians, but they
neither cultivated nor occupied the land. The French had established numerous
trading posts in the country, including one at the mouth of the Scioto, the founda-
Advent of the White ^^.\^ 83
tion of which dated prior to 1740. Perceiving the purposes ot the English thoy
began to assert, formal possession of thoir discoveries on the Ohio and its tributaries,
and warned the English and colonial traders to keep out of them. To emphasize
their claims, the Marquis de la Gallissonniere, Governor-General of Canada, dis-
patched a force of three hundred men under Captain Celeron de Bienville, who
was commissioned to nail on the trees and bury in the earth, at the confluences of
the Ohio with its tributaries, leaden plates engraved with the arms of France, and
bearing a legend asserting by right of discovery and treaty tlie paramount sover-
eignty of Louis XV. over all those regions. Above each buried plate was erected
a wooden cross. Mr. Atwater states that he had in his possession for some time one
of these medals, which he describes as a thin plate of lead, rudeU' lettered. " It
asserted the claims of Louis XV. to all the country watered by the ' rivii'-re Oyo'
and branches, and was deposited at the mouth of the 'Venango riviere le 10 Aout,
1749.'"'' This plate was washed out at the mouth of the Muskingum — the Ye-
nan-gue of the Indians — in 1798, and was delivered to Governor De Witt Clinton,
who deposited it with the Antiquarian Societj' of Massachusetts. A similar plate
was found in 1846 at the mouth of the Kanawha, a short distance above its junction
with the Ohio. '
Immediately alter Celeron's reconnaissance, the French began to tbrtify their
frontier with stockaded garrisons. One of these was established at an inlet known
as Presque Isle (now Erie) on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie, another on Le
Boeuf (now French) Creek, fifteen miles inland, and a third at the confluence of
that creek with the Alleghany. From its site on that of an ancient Iniliun village,
the fort last mentioned took the name of Venango.
At an earlier date, in 1744, a treaty had been made with the Delaware and
Iroquois Indians, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by which, in consideration of four
hundred pounds sterling, the^' ceded all right and title to lands west of the AUe-
ghanies to the English. This pretended cession was a fraud. It was brought
about by the free use of spirituous liquors, and was scoffed at by the tribes in actual
possession of the lands ceded. The only event which seems to have creditably re-
lieved the proceedings of this Lancaster council was the delivery of a speech, b^- an
Onondaga warrior, in which he suggested to the whites the importance of a union
of the American colonies. The Indian statesman who made this suggestion forti-
fied it by citing the advantages which the tribes of the Iroquois league had derived
from unity. This is believed to be the first instance in which the consolidation of
the states on this continent as one nation was ever broached.
In the autumn of 1750 the Virginia Land Company employed Christopher
Gist, a hardy pioneer and woodsman, experienced in Indian life, to explore its al-
leged possessions on the Ohio and the tributaries of that river. (Quitting his fron-
tier home on the Yadkin, in North Carolina, Gist set out ti'om the Potomac on the
thirtyfirst of October, and journeyed westward by an Indian trail leading from
Wills Creek, afterwards Fort Cumberland, to the Ohio. Crossing the Alleghany
ranges, Gist arrived at Shannopin, a Delaware village on the Alleghany, swam iiis
horses across that stream, and descended to Logstown, an Indian village on the
Ohio, fourteen miles below the present site of Pittsburgh. Here Tanacharisson, a
celebrated vSeneca chief and haltking under the Inxiuois contbderacy, ruled the
tribes which had migrated to Ohio. At the time of Gist's arrival. tlii< eminent
History of the City op Coltimbus.
18 absent in the chase. George Croghan, an envoy from Pennsylvania,
withAndrew Montour, his halfbreed interpreter, bad passed through Logstown a
week previously on bis way to the Twigbtvvee and other tribes on the Miami.
Gist was regarded with jealousy by the rough people at Logstown, who sulkily
intimated that he would never " go home safe." Preferring, he says, the solitude
of the wilderness to the companionship of such cutthroats, he quitted them, pushed
westward from the mouth of Beaver Greek, and on the fourteenth of December
overtook Croghan at a town of Wyandots and Mingoes on the Muskingum. This
town contained about a hundred families, half of them of French sympathies and
half of English. He spent some weeks among them, and invited them in the name
of the Governor of Virginia to visit that province, promising presents. On the
sixteenth of January, 1751, he i-esumed his journey accompanied by Croghan and
Montour, crossed the Licking, and on the nineteenth arrived at a small Delaware
village bearing the now familiar name of Hockhocking. Thence he passed on to
Maguck, another Delaware village, situated near the Scioto. " 24th, went south
fifteen miles to a town called Hurricane Tom's Town on the southwest of Scioto
Creek, consisting of five or six families. 25th, went down on southwest side of the
Creek, four miles to Salt Lick Creek.'" The next point noted is a Delaware town
of about twenty families situated on the southeast bank of the Scioto. Here a halt
was called for a few days, a council held, and some Indian speeches made. This
was the last of the Delaware towns to the westward.
The next stop was made at the Shawnee town at the mouth of the Scioto.
Here a curious Indian dance was in progress, which is described. After feasting,
the savages spent the night in saltatory- revelry. This was kept up for several
days in succession, " the men dancing by themselves, and then the women in turus,
around the fires ... in the form of the figui-e eight, about sixty or seventy of them
at a time. The women, the whole time they danced, sung a song in their language,
the chorus of which was :
" ' I am not afraid of my husband,
I will choose what man I please.' "'
The Shawnees found by Gist at the mouth of the Scioto iiad latelj^ returned
from their southern wanderings. After his departure they were joined by various
additional fragments of the tribe, and extended their settlements up the Scioto and
Miami. They were friends to the English until these were suspected of trying to
dispossess themof their lands; after that they held everything English in detesta-
tion. Their chiefs promised Gist to attend a conference at Logstown the follow-
ing spring.
On the twelfth of February Mr. Gist parted with the Shawnees, and set out for
the Twightwee town on the Big Miami. He was accompanied by Croghan, Mon-
tour, and Robert Kallender. The Twightwees are described as a very numerous
people, consisting of many tribes, all under the same form of government. The
chief of their confederacy at that time was the kingof the Piankeshas. Their town,
situated at the present site of Piqua, contained about four hundred families, and
was considered the most important in the Ohio country. The Miamis had been at
war with the Iroquois, but were then at peace. Mr. Gist was kindly received by
these Indians, and closed with them, in spite of overtures and presents by the
French, a treaty of amity with the English. He then returned to and descended
Advent of the Wliitk Man. 85
the Ohio to a point about fifteen miles above its Falls. From thence ho Ijenl liis
course inland to the Kentucky River, from a mountain in the vicinity of which " ho
had a view to the southwest as far as the eye could reach, over a vast woodland
country in the fresh garniture of spring, and watered by abundant streams ; but
as yet only the hunting ground of savage tribes, and the scene of their sanguinary
combats. In a word, Kentucky lay spread out before him in all its wild magnifi-
cence ; long before it was beheld by Daniel Boone."**
In May, 1751, Gist reached his home on the Yadkin, but found his cabin
vacant. An Indian massacre of the whites had taken place in the neighboi'hood,
and his family, unharmed, had fled for refuge to the settlements on the Roanoke.
By the unique journeyings thus ended much authentic information about the
wild country west of the Ohio was for the first time obtained. " It was rich and
level," says Washington Irving, " watered with streams and rivulets, and clad
with noble forests of hickory, walnut, ash, poplar, sugar-maple, and wild-cherry
trees. Occasionally there were spacious plains covered with wild rye ; natural
meadows with blue grass antl clover ; and buffaloes thirty and forty at a time graz-
ing on them as in a cultivated pasture. Deer, elk, and wild turkeys abounded.
'Nothing is wanted but cultivation,' said Gist, 'to make this a most delightful
couaitry.' Cultivation has since proved the truth of his words. The country thus
described is the present state of Ohio.'"'
These discoveries led to the circulation of some exaggerated and fanciful ac-
counts of the regions explored by Gist, and also to some attempts to <'ol()nize them
which were not successful. In 1749'" a party of Pennsylvania traders started the
first English-speaking settlement known to have existed in Ohio. It was located
at the mouth of Laramie Creek, now in Shelby Countj-, and was called Pickawil-
lany. Its duration was brief. In 1752 the French aiid their Indian allies swooped
down upon it, destroyed its trading house, killed fourteeen friendly Indians of its
garrison, and bore off the traders to Canada, some of them, it is said, to be burned
alive. Under instructions, Gist surveyed the Ohio Company's lands down to the
Great Kanawha, laid out a town at Chartier's Creek on the Ohio just below the
present city of Pittsburgh, and started a settlement at Laurel Hill, near the Yough-
iogheny. The Company also established a trading post at Wills's Creek, now
Cumberland.
On the ninth of June, 1752, commissioners representing the Virginia colon}'
held a conference with the Indians at Logstowu. The Shavvnees and Dclawares
were represented, but the Iroquois declined to attend. The Ohio Company was
represented by Gist. The commissioners urged the Indians to confirm the Lan-
caster Treaty, but they at first refused, protesting that they had not intended
to convey by that treaty any lands west of the war trail at the foot of the Alle-
ghauies. Some of their chiefs shrewdly remarked that since the French were
claiming all the lands on one side of the Ohio and the English all on the other,
the Indians seemed to have nothing to concede. Finally, bj^ intrigue and bribery,
they were prevailed upon to ratify the treaty, and grant all that was desired.
The French met this bj' strengthening their garrisons at Presque Isle, Le Boeuf
and Venango." George Washington, at that time a young man of twentytwo,
was thereupon selected by Governor Dinwiildie, of Virginia, to go to Logstown,
confer with the Indians there, and ascertain the force, positions and intentions of
86 History of the City of Columbus.
the French. He bore, a letter from the Governor to the French commandant ask-
ing for explanations. Accompanied by Gist and a few frontiersmen, Washington
arrived November 23, 1753, at the present site of Pittsburgh, inspected it, and
thought it would be a good place for a fort. He reached Logstown on the twenty-
fourth, conferred there with the Mingo, vShawnee and Delaware chiefs, visited the
famous Delaware, Bockengehelas, at his lodge, and after a few days set out for the
French forts. His party was augmented at Logstown by the Seneca halfking,
an old sachem called White Thunder, and a few other Indians. He visited the
French forts at Venango and Le Boeuf, presented Governor Dinwiddle's letter to
Chevalier de St. Pierre, the commandant, and received from that officer an evasive
answer which, with much hardship and adventure, he bore back to Williamsburgh.
Perceiving, from this artful reply, the hostile purposes of the French, Gover-
nor Dinwiddle dispatched Captain Trent, a brotherinlaw of Croghan's, to finish
the fort alreadj' begun by the Land Company at the Forks of the Ohio. Trent
took with him about forty men. On the seventeenth of April, 1754,'while this de-
tachment was busily engaged upon its intrenchments, it was suddenly confronted
by a motley force of more than a thousand French and Indians, with eighteen
cannon. This force, under Captain Contrecour, had dropped down the Alleghany
in canoes and barges from Venango. Ensign Ward, commanding in lieu of Tre.nt,
who was at Wills Creek, surrendered after a brief parley, and was allowed to
march away with his intrenching tools. The French took possession of the un-
completed stockade, finished it, and named it, in honor of the Governor-General of
Canada, Fort Du Quesne.
Thus began a nine-3-ears war between the French and English, in which the
various Indian tribes took sides according to their caprices or predilections. We
need not follow its details. It ended with the Paris treaty of 1763, by which
Prance surrendered her North American possessions to Spain and Great Brit-
ain." The revolt of Pontiac followed. To the triumphant English this great
Ottawa chieftain spoke defiance. '' Although you have conquered the French you
have not conquered us," he exclaimed. " We are not your slaves. These lakes,
these woods, these mountains were left to us by our ancestors. They are our in-
heritance, and we will part with them to none." Immediately, from the Allegha-
nies to the Lakes, the tribes with which Pontiac had conspired rose to exterminate
the English. On the sixteenth of May, Fort Sandusky, on Sundusky Bay, fell, by
treachery, into the hands of the Wyandots,who massacred its garrison, and carried otf
Ensign Paully, its commandant." On the twentyfifth the stockade atthe mouth of
St. Joseph's, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, was surprised by Pottawattomies
from Detroit, and its garrison massacred. Fort Miami, where the city of Fort
Wayne now stands, was attacked on the twentyseventh. Fort Ouachtanon, on
the Wabash, just below Lafayette, surrendered on the first of June. On the
second, the fort at Michillimackinac was surprised and captured Presque Isle
succumbed on the twentysecond. Le Boeuf and Venango were taken and burned
on the eighteenth of July. Deti'oit was besieged by Pontiac in pei-son, and a de-
tachment sent to its relief was destroyed. Fort Du Quesne — named Pitt by the
British — was surrounded by an Indian horde, and cut off from all intercourse
with the East.
Colonel Henry Bouquet, commanding at Philadelphia, was dispatched with a
force of five hundred men to the relief of the beleaguered post at the Forks of the
Advent of thk White Man 87
Ohio. Bouquet was an ex])eiienccd nml able soldier who had sei-vod in Holland
under the Prince of Orange. A Swiss by birth, he had been prevailed upon to
accept a commission in the British colonial service. His expeditionary force, the
old chronicles say, comprised " the shattered remainder of the Fortj'socond and
Seven tyseventh [Highlander] regiments, lately returned in a dismal condition from
the West Indies." Bouquet took his course by way of Carlisle, and on the twenty-
fifth of Jul}- arrived at Fort Bedford. All along the frontier he found plantations
ravaged, mills burned, and the settlers fleeing from their homes. The march was
i-esumed from Bedford on tlie twentyeighth, and continued without interruption
until Fort Ligonier was passed, and Bushy Run approached. Here, at a point
four days' march from Fort Pitt, the advance guai-d was suddenly assailed bj^
Indians, who delivered a galling fire, and though driven from point to point by
the Highlanders, stubbornly returned to the onset, with increasing numbers, until
Bouquet's entire force was surrounded. The fighting ceased onl}' at nightfall, and
was resumed at early dawn next moi-ning, the savages coming on again with
horrid yells. For a time it seemed that the fate of Braddock, eight years be-
fore," would be repeated, but Bouquet was a more skillful leader than Braddock,
and entirely equal to the emergency. Feigning retreat, he drew the savages into
an ambuscade, attacked them simultaneously in front and flank, and routed them
completely. They disappeared in precipitate flight, leaving the column to con-
tinue its march to Fort Pitt without further molestation. The Indian force which
took part in this battle was composed of Delawares, Shawnese, Mingoes, Wyandots,
Mohicans, Miamis and Ottawas. The defeat of these tribes had a discouraging
effect upon Pontiac, who raised the siege of Detroit, after having maintained it for
eleven mouths.
In the spring of 1S64 two expeditions were organized to carry the war into
the Indian country west of the Ohio. One of these, eleven hundred strong, made
for the lake region, and in July arrived at Niagara. It was led by Colonel John
Bradstreet, who, as he approached Presque Isle, was met by ten Indians who pre-
tended to be authorized to treat with him in behalf of the Delawares, the Shaw-
nees and the Sandusky Wyandots. Deceived by these emissaries, who were only
spies, Bradstreet closed an agreement with them, they stipulating that all captives
possessed by the Indians should be given up, and all claims to English posts and
forts abandoned. After this treaty, Bradstreet was disposed to turn southward,
but was required by the commander-in-chief, General Gage, to push on to Detroit.
He arrived there on the twentysixth of August, and in the following September,
led his force back to Sandusky.
The expedition under Bouquet set out from Fort Pitt October third, passed
Logstown and the mouth of the Big Beaver, crossed into Ohio oti the present east-
ern boundary of Columbiana County, and, on the ninth, pitched its camps on
Yellow Creek. The march was conducted with the utmost precaution against
surprise, the column moving through the woods in parallel lines, open order, cov-
ered by scouting parties in front, and by a strong guard in rear. The men were
required to march at a distance of two yards from one another, keeping profound
silence, and when attacked faced outwards, forming a square covering the supply
trains, cattle and baggage. Sometimes the forest was so thick that the brush had
to be cut to make way for the column, and sometimes it was interspersed with
88 History of the City of Columbus.
beautiful openings and savannas. Here and there trees were seen symbolically
painted by the Indians, denoting the number of their wars and their success in
prisoners and scalps. " Two miles beyond Beaver Creek, by two small springs,"
says the chronicler of the expedition, " was seen the skull of a child that had been
fixed on a pole by the Indians."
On the fifteenth, Bouquet encamped on the Muskingum, where, the next day,
he was visited by six Indians who said their chiefs were assembled eight miles
distant, ready and anxious to ti-eat with him. On the seventeenth a parley was
held with these chiefs in a "bower" erected for the purpose, the Senecas being
represented by Kiyashuta, the Delawares by Custaloga and Beaver, and the Shaw-
Ai)\KNT ()!■ TiiK White Man. R9
iiees by Keissinautclitlui. Those warriors iirottVrod abject siibinissioii, ami doliv-
ereii up part of their oaptivea. Bouquet donianded the surrender of tlio remainder
of their prisoners within twelve days, after which requirement ho further terror-
ized the neighboring tribes by advancing to the Coshocton forks of the Muskin-
gum. At the fortified camp which was there laid out, a further delivery of
prisoners took place, increasing the whole number surrendered to 206, most!}-
Pennsylvanians and Virginians. The Shawnees held one luindi-ed more which
they promised to and did deliver up the following spring.
The scenes at Bouquet's headquarters when the captive whites wore brought in
and surrendered must have been very touching. " There were to be seen," says
the chronicler of the occasion, "fathers and mothers recognizing and clasping
their once lost babes, husband.s hanging around the necks of their newly recovered
wives, sisters and brothers unexpectedly meeting together after long separation
scarce able to speak the same language, or, for some time, to be sure that thoy
were children of the same parents. . . . T'he Indians, too, as if wholly forgetting
their usual savageness, bore a capital i)art in this most aifecting scene. They deliv-
ered up their beloved captives with the utmost reluctance; shod torrents of tears
over them, recommending them to the care and protection of the commanding
officer. Their regard to them continued all the time they remained in camp.
Thej' vi.sited them from day to day, and brought thom what corn, skins, horses
and other matters thoy had bestowed on thom while in their families, accompanied
with other jirosents, and all tiio marks of the most sineore and tender affoclion.
sulieiled ;ind dlitained leave to ae-eoiii pun) tlieic funiier e;iplives all the way to
Port L'itt, and emidojod themselves in hunting and bringing provisions for thom
on the road. A young Mingo carried this still further, and gave an instance of
love which would make a tigui-e oven in romance. A young woman of Virginia
wasamonti- the caiitives, to whom he hail formed so str.)Mg an atlaehment as to call
her his wile. Ai;ainst all renMHisI ranees of the imminent danger to wiiieh li.'
e.xjMise.l liiniself by a|j|iroaehing to the frontior.s, ho persisted in following her. at
tlu' risk ol' lieing killed l,y the surviving relations of many unlorlnnale jierscnis
who had lieen eaptivaled oi' sealpod by tho.se ot his ii;ilion,"
It is no wonder, continues this ipiaint narration, that the children who had
been taken captive in vei-y tender years. Iiail been kindly Irealt'il by the Indians.
and had loarnetl their language, .shoidd have "considered their new slate in the
light of a captivity, and parted from the savages with tears. But it must not be
denied that there were even some grown jjorsons who showed an unwillingness to
return. The Shawanese were obliged to bind several of their prisoners and tbrce
them along to the camp ; and some women, who had been delivered up, afterwards
found means to" escape and run back to the Indian towns. Some who could not
make their escape, clung to their savage acquaintance at parting, ami continued
many days in bitter lamentations, even refu.sing sustenance."''
The episodes thus described have furnished themes (or the i^eniiis of Benjamin
West, and will forever engage the student of history with the same uniipie lasci na-
tion with which they have inspired the soul of the artist.
Everything having been arranged with the Indians, Bouquet began his return
march on Sunday, November 18, and arrived at Fort Pitt on the twentyeighth, hav-
90
History of the City of Columbus.
ing lost during the expedition but one man, who was killed and scalped while stray-
ing from camp. His troops had retained perfect health, and had at no time been
short of supplies. In testimony of the skill and success with which he had con-
jyiini^aencaunf^afjpitf,
The Indians and BouciUET in Council.
ducted the expedition Colonel Bouquet received complimentary addresses from the
legislative bodies of Pennsylvania and Virginia. He died three years later of
yellow fever contracted at Pensacola.
From the marches of Bouquet and Bradstreet considerable additional informa-
tion concerning the Ohio country was gained, but the ideas of it which popularly
prevailed were still extremely crude. This is illustrated by a map published in
Advknt of TiiK WiiriK Man. 91
ITHo, i)iirportiiig to give a(i oiilline of tin- '■ Hritisli Dominions in North Aniericu,
with the limits of the (iuvornnienls auut'xed llicrelo liy tiic late treat}" of poai-e
and settled by jiroolamatioii Octobei- 7th, ITiiS. "'" On this map V'irginia extends
to the Mississippi, and takes in the southern half of the present Slate of Ohio, the
remainder of which is relegated, under British sovereignty, to the Indians. The
mouth of the Great Miami (llauniee) is assigned to the longitude of Fort Wayne,
and the only settlement shown between Detroit and Niagara is " Sandoski,'' which
is placed as far east as Cleveland. The only stream indicated in Northern Ohio is
the Maumee, which is faintly and inaccui-ately traced. A town called " Gwahago "
takes the place of the Cuyahoga, of which there is no vestige. The " Sciota " is
drawn in its correct position, witii a Delaware town on its banks about where the
present city of that name stands. Such was the state of inf()rmation as to Ohio
only a century and a quarter ago.
The claims of the English to this territory were as shadowy as their know-
ledge ol it. Prior to the treat}- of Paris these claims were based chietl}- upon the
rights supposed to have been acquired b}' the Iroquois conquest, and the convey-
ance of those rights by the chiefs of the Six Nations. A treaty of this kind was
made in 1684, another in 170], and a third September 14, 1726. By the latter the
Indians conveyed their lands in trust, to be defended by the British sovereign " to
and for the use of the grantors and their heirs." By the negotiations at Lancas-
ter, in 1744, alreadj' referred to, a deed was obtained recognizing the right of the
British king to "all lands that are, or by his Majesty's appointment shall bo,
within the colony of Virginia." On this deed, obtained by intrigue and the free
use of intoxicants, the grant to the Ohio Land Company of Virginia was based.
Its worthlessness was recognized, and the Logstown Treaty of 1752, which eon-
firmed that of Lancaster, and was obtained by similar means, was regarded as
equally unsubstantial. Efforts were therefore made, as soon as peace was declared,
to obtain a new and better gi-ounded concession. These efforts were hastened by
the encroachments of the whites upon the disputed boundaries, and the resulting
discontent of the Indians. Alter supplementary and ineffectual treaties hud been
made in 1764 and 1766, a conference with the chiefs of the Shawnees, Delawares
and Six Nations was held on the twentyfourth of October, 1768, at Fort Stanwix,
now Rome, New York. Sir William Johnson conducted the negotiations for the
English, and obtained a grant of all lands not within a line, beyond which the
whites were not to pass, extending from the mouth of the Tennessee to the Dela-
ware. For this grant a sum of money anKiunlini:- to about tilly thousand dollars
was paid. It gave up all the territories elainied hy the Six Nations south of the
Ohio and Alleghany, including Kentucky, Western Virginia and Western Penn-
sylvania. Much of this land was distributed as a bounty to the Virginia volun-
teers, among those making claims being George Washington, who obtained patents
for thirtytwo thousand acres. To inspect and locate the lands thus ceded, Wash-
ington descended the Ohio from Fort Pitt to the Great Kanawha in a canoe during
the autumn of 1770. He was accompanied by Colonel fieorge ("roghan, then ile])-
uty agent to Sir William Johnson.
During this voyage, we are told. Washington iiad ahuMdani (i|)|i(irlunily to
indulge his propensities asa sportsman. '• Deei' were eoMtinually to In- seen coming
down to the water's edge to drink, oi- lirowsing along the shm-e ; tliere were innu-
92 History of the City of Columbus.
nierable flocks of wild turkeys, and streaming flights of ducks and geese ; so that
as the voyagers floated along, they were enabled to load their canoe with game. At
night they encamped on the river bank, lit their fire, and made a sumptuous hunt-
er's repast."'"
Landing at a Mingo town about seven tyfive miles below Pittsburgh, the
voyagers found the warriors busied with preparations to make a foray into the
Cherokee country against the Catawbas. Stopping at the mouth of Captina Creek,
now in Belmont Countj', this State, they investigated a report that a wiiite trader
had been recently murdered hy the Indians in that neighborhood. They soon
learned that the man had not been murdered at all, Ijut had been drowned while
rashly swimming the Ohio. "Washington did not fail to note, however, the dis-
content of the Ohio Indians with the Stanwix treaty, and their jealousy of colonial
encroachments upon their territories.
Meanwhile a trio of devoted men liail jienetrated these wilderness I'ogions, not
upon any selfish or warlike erraml, but upon a mission of peace and good will.
These were the saintly and indefatigable Moravian missionaries, Charles Frederick
Post, John Heckcwelder, and David Zeisberger. Post was the pioneer. He had
begun his inissionarj' labors among the Indians at Shekoneko, near the present city
of Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1743, had married a baptized Indian woman, and,
at a later period, had shifted the scene of his efforts to Pennsylvania. Prom
thence, in 1758, the colonial authorities had twice sent him to the western tribes
on peace-making missions, which he bad siieeessfully fulfilled. In 1761 he went
alone to the Muskingum Valley, and with the |iei-niission of fhe Delawares, who
bad lately sottleil there, built a cabin on the lianks of the Tuscarawas. He then
returned to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and brought out Heckewelder, at that time
a 3-outli of nineteen. After a jjerilous journey of tbirtythree days they reached
their destination, and entered the Tuscarawas cabin " singing a hj-mn." Below
them. (HI the river, dwelt a white trader named Calhoon ; still farther below was
an Indian town called 'I'uscarora, containing about forty wigwams. In the course
of the summer the services of Post were required bj^ the Governor of Penns^'lvania,
and Heckewelder was left alone. He remained until' autumn, when the changed
temper of the Indians obliged him to fly lor bis life.
Zeisberger was moi'c fortunate. Invited by the Delawares aud Wyandots, he
led a hand of Christian Indians to the Tuscarawas in 1772, and founded the mis-
sions of Schoenbiainn, vSalem, and tJnadenbiitten. Among his companions wei-e
Heckewelder and the I'ev. ,lobn Ettwein. The siniple and ]>ioas code of civil and
religious obligation adojUed fiy tiie Scboenbrunn congregation bas been s])oken of
as " the first act of Ohio legislation — the constitution of 1772.""
While these noblehearted Moravians were engaged in their mission of peace,
other influences were at work to produce war. During the winter of 1773-4 Doctor
John Connolly, an adventurer of the period, undertook to assert the jurisdiction of
Virginia over some of the western portions of Pennsylvania, including the country
about Fort Pitt. Connolly was a nephew to Colonel George Croghan, an in-
fluential man whose worthless brotherinlaw was the absent commander of the
detachment which surrendered Fort Du Quesne to the French. Supported by a
band of armed followers, Connolly proclaimed the authority of Virginia, gave the
name of her governor, Dunmore, to Fort Pitt, and got himself recognized as com-
Advknt (IK THE White Man. 93
laaivlanl of a ilisirid called West Aii>;usta. At tho instance of tlio I'ennsyl.
vania proprietors lio was arrested, and Ibr a linie held in custody, by (leiu'i-al
St. Glair, who suga^ested that this jiestileiit borderer desired an iTidian war in
order to palliate his own misdoing. His eorrespondenee with the traders, e.xploiers
and land jobbers along the river justifies this presumption. His letters abounded
in artful pretexts for brutalities toward the Indians, and his suggestions wei'e soon
carried into execution. The war of 1774, like some similar troubles of later date.
was essentially a land-jobbers' war.
On the sixteenth of April, 1774, a canoe belonging to a Piltsl)ui;irb ii-ader was
attacked by Cherokees near the Wheeling settlement, and one white man was
killed. Although the ott'ense was not committed bj' Ohio Indians, it was im-
mediately seized upon as an excuse for attacking them. The Virginia surveyoi-s
and ad%'enturers along the river assembled at Wheeling and organized undei-
Captain Michael Cresap. This band got its cue from ("onnollj' in two letters, de-
nouncing the Indians, and declaring that war was inevitable. War was according-
ly declared "in the most solemn manner,' and duringthe same evening the seal])s
of two friendly Indians were brought into camp, perhaps with e([ual solemnit}'.
Circumstances indicate that still more unoffending savages wei-c niiii-dered. Kben-
ezer Zane, the pioneer oftbe Wheeling colony, opposed this biilchery, but be was
not listened to.'"
Next da}- some Indians were seen in canoes on the river, and ])ursued. They
were chased filteen miles and driven ashore, when a battle ensued and sevei-al of
them were shot. It was then decided to march against Logan's cam]), thirty
miles farther up the Ohio. Let us pause to learn something of Logan. It is
w(5rth while.
When Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian bishop, visited America in 1741-2, he
established the first Indian congregation of his sect at Shekomeco, on Seneca l^ake,
in New York. While sojourning there, he was entertained by Shikellamy. chief
of the Cayugas, who ruled a large body of the Iroquois. Shikellamy was converted
to Christianity, and destroyed the idol which he wore about his neck. He died in
1749, attended in his last moments by David Zeisberger. Logan was a son of this
chief and derived his name from his father's attachment to James Logan, Secretary
of the Pennsylvania colony. During his early manhood he was known all along
the frontier for his tine presence, attractive qualities, and friendship for the whites,
.ludge William Brown, a contemporary Pennsylvanian, said of him : 'lie was the
best specimen of humanity I ever met with, either white or I'ed.' Meckewelder
sounded his praises in a letter to Jefferson. Zeisberger s])oke of him as a man of
good judgment and quick comprehension.
In 1770, or thereabouts, Logan removed to the Mingo town, on the banks of
the Ohio, which took his name. He was thei-e when the border ti-oubles of 1774
broke out, and in the councils of his people advised forbearance.'" The Shawnee
chief Cornstalk had sent his own brother only a short time anterior to the Wheel-
ing tragedies to escort some Pittsburgh traders. Determineii to ])rovoke hostilities,
Connolly undertook to seize this friendly Lulian, and in the attempt to do so
wounded one of his companions.
Further outrages were .scarcely nece.ssary to provoke the hostilities desii-ed,
but they were not spared. After some hesitation which made the crime deliberate
94 History of the City of Columbus.
and the more atrocious, the Cresap party, led by Captain Daniel Greathouse, as-
cended the river to carry out its meditated designs against the Mingo village.
The method of this procedure stamps its perpetrators with the brand of covsrardice.
The Indian lodges were on the Ohio side of the river, the Greathouse company
took its position on the side opposite. Unsuspicious of harm, a party of five men,
one or two women and a child, crossed from the lodges, and by direction of Great-
house were offered rum. Three of the men became intoxicated ; the others, and
the women, on refusing to cirink, were shot. The three who were stupefied with
liquor were then tomahawked. <Jnly the child, a tender female infant, was spared.
Hearing the firing, the Indians at the lodges sent over two men in a canoe to see
what was the matter. These were shot as soon they landed. Several more Min-
goes then crossed at a point lower down, and were received with a volley which
killed most of them. The survivors fled.
Among the victims of this massacre were Logan's brothers and a sister. He
vowed vengeance. While he brooded on the unspeakable wrong done him, all the
savage impulses of his nature rose within him, and took possession of his soul.
From a counselor of peace and a pattern of gentleness, he was transformed into
an unrelenting fury. Such was the beginning of the Dunmore War.
Roaming among the w^hite settlements on the upper Monongahela, the en-
raged chief, accompanied by eight chosen warriors, soon had his belt dangling
with scalps. The Shawnees and all the Mingo bands took the field, recruited by
some Delawares, Cherokees and Wyandots, although these tribes refused to take
part as such. Soon cries of distress went up all along the border. Connolly and
his fellow miscreants had aroused a tempest which they could not allaj-. At the
hands of one of his captives Logan dictated a letter written in gunpovvder ink and
tied to a war-club. It read :
"Captain Cresap:—™ What did you kill my people on Yellow Creek for? The
White people killed my kin at Conestoga a great while ago, and I thought nothing of that.
But you killed my kin again, on Yellow Creek, and took my cousin prisoner. Then I
thought I must kill too, and I have been three times to war since. But the Indians are not
angry — only myself. Captain John Logan."
The legislature of the Virginia colony being in session, steps were immedi-
ately taken to protect the settlements and chastise the Ohio Indians for resenting
the outrages they had suff'ered. A preliminary fora}' was made into their country
by a band of Virginians who assembled at Wheeling, in July, under Colonel Mc-
Donald, marched to the Muskingum, and destroy-ed several villages. This exploit
only precipitated a general conflict. To force this to an issue, and crush the In-
dians on their own ground. Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, organized an
expeditionary army in two divisions, one of which assembled, under his own di-
rection, at Fort Pitt, the other at Camp Union, now Lewisburg, in Greenbriar
County, Virginia, under General Andrew Lewis. These columns were to unite,
under Dunmore, at the mouth of the Big Kanawha, and from thence strike the
Shawnees at the center of their jiower in the Scioto Valley. Lewis's division con-
tained three regiments, in all eleven hundred men, mostly hardy woodsmen. One
of the regiments was led by Lewis's brother. Colonel Charles Lewis, another by
Colonel William Fleming, the third by Colonel John Fields. A fourth was being
recruited under Colonel Christian. Fields and the Lewises had served under
Braddock.
Advent of thf. White Man. 05
Christian's regiment not being ready, Lewis set out uitii tlie otiiers (ui llic
eleventh of September, aiul was piloted by Captain Mathew Ai-bucklo, an experi-
enced woodsman, through the trackless forest. All the supplies atKl munitions liad
to be borne by pack animals, which clambered with difficultj- over the steep un-
trodden mountains, and through their narrow detiles. After a toilsome march, the
column arrived, about the sixth of October, at the mouth of the Kanawha. Dun-
more was not there, he had changed his plans. Having marched up the Potomac
to Cumberland, and thence across the mountains to Fort Pitt, he floated his divi-
sion in Canoes and barges down the Ohio and landed it at the mouth of the Big
Hockhocking. From this position, which he fortified, and called Fort Gower, he
sent to Lewis a command to march across the country and join him near the Pick-
awaj- villages. '' Lewis was preparing to cross the river in compliance with this
order, when suddenly, on the tenth of October, he was attacked by about a
thousand Indians, mostly Shawnees, led by the great chief Cornstalk. This force
had descended the Scioto from the Pickaway Plains, shrewdly intending to inter-
cept and crush Lewis before he could unite with Dunmore.
The battle raged from early morning until past noon, and did not entirely
cease until after sundown. At the first onset the Indians drove back the regiments
under Charles Lewis and Fleming, and advanced from point to point, adroitly
availing themselves of the shelter of the trees and logs. Above the din of the rifles
Cornstalk's voice was heard calling to his warriors, "be strong! be strong ! " He
was seconded, it is said, by Logan, Red Hawk, EUinipsico, and other celebrated
chiefs. By precipitating Fields's regiment upon the Indians while they were driv-
ing the other two, Lewis obliged them, in turn, to retire. They drew off sullenly
and took up a new line, covered with fallen trees and driftwood, extending across
the point from the Ohio to the Kanawha. They held this line stubbornly until dark,
and then retreated. Thus ended one of the most skillful and obstinate battles
fought with the whites by the Western Indians. It has passed into history as the
battle of Point Pleasant. It cost Lewis a loss of seventytive ofticers and men
killed, and one hundred and forty wounded. Among the killed were (Joloneis
Charles Lewis and Fleming. As the Indians threw many of their dead into the
river, and bore off their wounded, their loss is not known.
While Lewis was fighting, Dunmore was advancing up the valley of the liock-
hocking. He followed the river to the point where the town of Logan now stands,
then crossed the divide and halted on the banks of Sippo Creek, about seven miles
southwest of the present city of Circleville. Here he drew up his forces, in the
woods, surrounded his position with parajjets and ditches, and gave it, in honor of
the young queen of England, the name of Camp Charlotte. As he approached
this position, he was met by a white man named Elliott bearing a message from
the Shawnees proposing submission, and asking for an interpreter through whom
they could communicate. Pursuant to this request, Dunmore appointed Colonel
John Gibson, who set out to confer with the chiefs at their lodges.
Meanwhile Lewis brought forward his division and encamped on the banks of
Congo Creek, a few miles southwest of Camp Charlotte. He had been reinforced
by three hundred men under Colonel William Crawford, and was eager to avenge
his Point Pleasant losses. Despite his commander's negative, and the pending ne-
gotiations for peace, he was determined to fall upon the Shawnee villages, and was
96 History of the City of Columbus.
only dissuaded from so doing when Dunmore, going to him in person, drew his
sword, and threatened to kill him if he did not obey orders. Incensed at this,
Lewis and his men accused Dunmore of intendini;- an alliance with the Indians
against the colonists, wlio were then on the point of revolt against British author-
ity. There seems to have been no ground for this accusation. Dunmore was
very much disliked by the Virginians, and was the last of their governors by royal
appointment. Their prejudices against him were easily excited, and were prob-
ably the only real basis for their suspicions. On the other hand he certainl}' de-
serves great credit for having refused to tolerate a useless and perfidious massacre
of the Indians after he had begun to treat with them.
The negotiations witli the chiefs at Camp Charlotte were conducted with con-
siderable formality and caution. Mr. Joseph Sullivant, of Columbus, remembered
hearing the occasion described in his boyhood by the famous woodsman, Simon
Kenton, who was, at the time of the narration, a guest at the house of Mi'. Sulli-
vant's father. Kenton claimed to have been an eyewitness of the proceedings at
Camp Charlotte. The apjjroach of the Indians to the treatj' ground, he stated,
was the most imposing sight he ever saw. Over five hundred warriors came rid-
ing over the prairie in single file, and full paint, each one's face stained half red
and half black. Asked by young Sullivant what this signified, Kenton replied
that it meant that the braves were equally for peace and for war, and indifferent
as to which should be the outcome. But this was only for effect ; they really
wanted peace. •'•
Apprehensive of treachery, Dunmore permitted not more than eighteen war-
riors to enter his enclosures at a time, and these were required to deposit their
weapons outside. Chiei' Cornstalk spoke for his people. Colonel Wilson, of Dun-
more's staff, said of this Indian's appearance and oratorical gifts : " When he arose
he was no wise confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice,
without stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks while
addressing Dunmore were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and attractive.
I have heard many celebrated orators, but never one whose powers of delivery sur-
passed those of Cornstalk on this occasion. "
The Mingoes sullenly refused to take any part in the council. Kenton told'
Sullivant that their chief, Logan, was not only not present, but not believed to be
anywhere near. On the other hand Colonel Gibson declares in an affidavit ap-
pended to Jeffei'.son's Notes that while he was conferring with Cornstalk and other
chiefs at the Indian lodges, Logan came and took him aside and delivered to him
a speech nearly the same as that reported by Jefferson; and that upon returning
to camp the deponent, Gib.son, delivered this address to Dunmore.
Writing at Circleville in 1838, Mr. Atwater says : " Though he (Logan) would
not attend on Dunmore's council in person, yet, being urged by the Indians,
who were anxious to be relieved from Dunmore's army, he sent his speech in a
belt of wampum, to be delivered to Earl Dunmore by a faithful interpj'eter. Un-
der an oak on the farm of Mr. Wolf this splendid effort of heart-stirring eloquence
was faithfully delivered by the person who carried the wampum. The oak tree
under which it was delivered to Lord Dunmore still stands in a field, seven miles
from Circleville, in a southern direction. An interpreter delivered it, sentence by
sentence, and it was written as it was delivered. Its authenticity is placed beyond
Advfnt kv thk Whitf. Man. 07
tlie shadow ofa doubt, and it of riirlit liL'longs, and lorevor will belong to the His-
toiy of Ohio. " '''
On the other hand Kenton toUl Mr. SuUivant that he had never heard of such
a speech until months after the treaty. He was positive that no such speech was
made. But Kenton's knowledge of all that took place at the council mav not have
been quite perfect. It is just as well to let the beautiful tradition stand, and
thereby preserve to the literature of the wilderness one of its brightest gems.
Of Logan's address three versions, substantially the same, have been preserved.
One of these, taken from a letter of February 4, 1775, from Williamsburg, Virginia,
found its wa3' into the American Archives: another, also extracted from a Virginia
letter, was published in New York,' February 16, 1775. The third is Mr. Jett'crson's,
published in 1781 -2, and seems to be most authentic. It reads :
I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's cabin liungry, and he gave
him not meat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clotlied him not. During tlie course
ol the last long and bloody war Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace.
Such was my love for the whites that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, Logan
is the friend of the white men. I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the in-
juries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered
all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop
of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have
sought it ; I have killed many ; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I re-
joice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear ; Logan
never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for
Logan ? Not one.
Taken in connection with the circumstances which are said to have inspired
it, this is one of the most pathetic deliverances in all literature. In bi'cvit}-, sim-
plicity and directness of appeal, as well as in the immortality of its thoughts, it
bears a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln's dedicatory address at Gettys-
burg.
Owing to the refusal of the Mingoes to participate in the negotiations, a force
was dispatched by Dunmore to destroy their villages at the Forks of the Scioto,
meaning the junction of that river with the Whetstone, at which now stands the
city of Columbus. One of Dunmore's officers mentioned this expedition in his
diarj', a publication of which was seen by Mr. Joseph SuUivant, and is i-eferrod to
by him in his address before the Franklin County Pioneer Society in 1871. Mr.
SuUivant thus describes in that address the location of the Mingo towns against
which he believes the Dunmore expedition to have been sent, and narrates some of
the events which took place at the time they were attacked:
There were three Indian encampments or villages in this vicinity; one on the high
bank near the old Morrill House, one and a half miles below the city, from which the party
was sent out to capture my father and his party, on Deer Creek, in 1795 ; one at the west end
of the Harrisburg bridge; and the principal one on the river below the mouth of I he Whet-
stone, near the Penitentiary where formerly stood Brickell's cabin, and now (1.S71) stands
Hall and Brown's warehouse.
The location of these villages I had from John Brickell, Jeremiah Armstrong and Jona-
than Alder, who had been captives among the Indians. Alder was my visitor in my boy-
hood, at my father's house and afterwards at mine, and I had many of the incidents of his
life, as related by himself, which afterwards, at my suggestion, were written out. In his boy-
hood Alder had been captured in Virginia by a marauding party of Indians, was brought into
98 MlSTORy OF THE CiTY OF COLUMBtJS.
Ohio and adopted into a tribe, and when grown up married and lived among them. He lived
on Big Darby, died there, and was well known to our earlier settlers. . . .
In one of the personal narratives to which I have alluded he told me he had heard from
the older men of this tribe that, in the fall of 1774, when all the male Indians of the upper
village, except a few old men, had gone on their first fall hunt, one day about noon the vil-
lage was surprised by the sudden appearance of a body of armed white men who immediately
commenced firing upon all they could see. Great consternation and panic ensued, and the
inhabitants fled in every direction. One Indian woman seized her child of five or six years
of age, and rushed down the bank of the river and across to the wooded island opposite,
when she was shot down at the farther bank. The child was unhurt amid the shower of balls,
and escaped into the thicket and hid in a large hollow sycamore standing near the middle of
the island, where the child was found alive two days afterward when the warriors of the
tribe returned, having been summoned back to the scene of disaster by runners sent for the
purpose. This wooded and shady island was a favorite place for us boys when we went
swimming and fishing, especially when we were lucky enough to hook Johnny Brickell's
canoe, and I have no doubt the huge sycamore is well remembered by many besides myself.
" This interesting incident," adds Mr. Sullivant, " connects our county directly
with the old colonial times.""
Colonel William Crawford, who commanded the expedition against the Min-
goes, thus describes it in a letter to Washington :
Lord Dunmore ordered myself and two hundred and forty men to set out in the night.
We were to march to a town about forty miles distant from our camp, up the Scioto, where
we understood the whole of the Mingoes were to rendezvous the next day in order to pursue
their journey. This intelligence came by John Montour, son of Captain Montour, whom you
formerly knew.
Because of the number of Indians in our camp we set out of it under pretense of going
to Hockhocking for more provisions. Few knew of our setting off anyhow, and none knew
where we were going to until next day. Our march was performed with as much speed as
possible. We arrived at the town called Salt Lick town »' the ensuing night, and at day-
break we got around it with one-half our force, and the remainder were sent to a small vil-
lage half a mile distant.
Unfortunately one of our men was discovered by an Indian who lay, out from the town
some distance, by a log which the man was creeping up to. This obliged the man to kill the
Indian. This happened before daylight, which did us much damage, as the chief part of the
Indians made their escape in the dark ; but we got fourteen prisoners, and killed six of the
enemy, wounding several more. We got all of their baggage and horses, ten of their guns, and
two hundred white prisoners. The plunder sold for four hundred pounds sterling, besides
what was returned to a Mohawk Indian who was there. The whole of the Mingoes were
ready to start, and were to have set out the morning we attacked them. Lord Dunmore has
eleven prisoners, and has returned the rest to the nation. The residue are to be returned
upon his lordship's demand.
In the same letter Colonel Crawford thus summarizes the treaty concluded by
Dunmore with the Shawnees :
First, they have to give up all the prisoners ever taken by them in the war with the
white people ; also negroes and all of the horses stolen or taken by them since the last war.
And further, no Indian for the future is to hunt on the east side of the Ohio, nor any white
man on the west side ; as that seems to have been the cause of some of the disturbance be-
tween our people and them. As a guarantee that they will perform their part of the agree-
ment, they have given up four chief men, to be kept as hostages, who are to be relieved
yearly, or as they choose.
After the treaty, Dunmore'e army, twentyfive hundred strong, returned to the
mouth of the Hockhocking, and thence to Western Virginia, where it was dis-
Advknt ok TiiK WiiiTK Man. Oil
As to the siilisc(iiient (.•arccr and ciul of \j>u^:iu, Mr. 'I'aylor inaUes tlic Collow-
iiig slateiu.Mil.s on iho authority of llonry C. Biiish, of Titlin : -He waiulcred
about IVom tribe to trilie, a solitary and loiiel}- man. Dejoeted and broUen-heai-led
by the loss o( his friends and the decay of his tribe, he resorted to the stimulus of
strong drink to drown his sorrow. He was at last murdered in Michigan, near
Detroit. He was, at the time, sitting with hislihmkri over his head, before a camp-
tire, his elbow resting on his knees, and liis hi'ad upon his hands, buried in pro-
found reflection, when an Indian, who had taken some ottenee, stole behind him,
and buried his tomahawk in his brains."-'
Accounts differing from this both as to the manner and place of Logan's death
are given by other writers, one of whom claims that the old chief came to his end
in the vicinity of Urbana, Ohio.
The Dunmore treaty proved to be btit a truce. With the opening of the War
of Independence at Lexington the following year,-' the intrigues of British agents
were brought actively to bear upon the Indians to induce them to take sides
against the colonists. Otficially sustained in his pretensions by Governor Dunmore,
('OnnoUy, the Port Pitt adventurer, assisted in these schemes. The Six Nations,
except the Tuscaroras and Oneidas, allied themselves wilh the Rnglish. The
Shawnees and Wyandots were inclined to do the same thing. The hrlawares,
under the influence of the Moravian missionaries, were neutral.
To promote good relations with the frontier tribes, and countervail the efforts
to alienate them, the Continental Congress orgauized an Indian Department, in
three divisions. In 1776 Colonel George Morgan, of Princeton, New Jersey, was
placed over the middle division, including the Western Indians, with headquarters
at Fort Pitt. This seems to have been a fortunate appointment. Morgan was a
prudent man, widely and favorably known by the tribes in his department, and
for nearly two yeai's prevented, by conciliatory management, any general outbreak.
His efforts, and those of the kiud-souled Moravians were finally set at naught by
acts of cruelty which have planted in the western course of civilization indelible
marks of infamy. One of these deeds of shame was the murder of the Shawnee
chief Cornstalk while on a friendly visit to the stockade erected after the Dunmore
invasion at Point Pleasant.'" Accompanied by lied Hawk, Cornstalk brought to
that fort timel}' warning of the hostile disposition of his tribe, whereupon the com-
mandant of the stockade, Captain Arbuckle, caused him and his companions to bo
seized and held as hostages. The captive chief's son, Elliiiipsico, a brave young
warrior, came innocently in search of his father, and was also detained. The next
day; while two men from the fort were hunting in the neighboring woods, one of
them was killed by a party- of hostile Indians. Enraged at this, the soldiers of the
garrison fell upon their helpless captives and mercilessly slaughtered them.
Arbuckle, it is sai<l, protested against this deed, but was powerless to prevent it.
The behavior of the Shawnees after that was just what such an act of perfidious
butcbei-y might be expected to provoke."' Thenceforward until 1794 there was no
peace along the border, anywhere from the Falls of the Ohio to Fort Pitt. For a
time, Colonel Morgan and the Moravian Heckevvelder managed to keep the Dela-
wares from joining the English, but their pacific ett'orts, prejudiced by the further
slaughter of unoffending Indians, were finally overborne.
Early in 1778 General Lachlin Mcintosh was appointed by Washington to
command on the western frontier, and erected at the mouth of the Big Beaver a
loo History of the City of Oolttmbds.
stockaded fortification bearing his name. Ttience lie marched into the interior the
following autumn with a force of one thousand men, and erected upon the present
site of Bolivar, in Tuscarawas County, another fort which, in honor of the Presi-
dent of Congress, was named Fort Laurens. This work was garrisoned with one
hundred and fifty men under Colonel John Gibson. In January, 1779, it was be-
sieged by over eight hundred Indians, and had been reduced to great extremities
when it was relieved by a second expedition under tVtcIntosh. A few months
later it was abandoned.
During the summer of 1779 Colonel John Bowman marched from Kentucky
with a force one hundred and fifty strong, and attacked the Shawnees at Old Chil-
licothe.™ The assault upon that place was to be made at daylight from different
directions by two detachments, one of which was led by Bowman, the other by
Captain Benjamin Logan. As usual in such cases, there was lack of cooperation,
and the effort failed. The enemy then took the aggressive and surrounded Bow-
man during his retreat, but he managed to cut his way out, and recrossed the
Ohio. Some months later Colonel Byrd, a British ofiicer, at the head of a band of
Indians and Canadians, made a retaliatory raid into Kentucky.
During the summer of 1780 Colonel George Eogers Clark, who had two years
before captured Kaskaskia and subdued the Illinois, organized an expedition against
the Indians on Mad River. His force, about one thousand strong, assembled on
the ground where Cincinnati now stands, and from thence pushed for Old Chilli-
cothe, which was found deserted and burning. From thence a forced march was
made to the Indian settlements at Piqua, which were attacked and dispersed. The
town of Piqua was burned, and the cornfields around it laid waste. The expedi-
tion then returned to the mouth of the Licking."'
This chastisement relieved the settlements from Indian forays only tempora-
rily. Active hostilities were resumed after a brief interval, and conducted in a
miscellaneous way, as before, on both sides. Many of the expeditions by the
whites were gotten up at private expense, without authority of law, badly con-
ducted, and productive of no good results. Thus was precipitated the crowning
atrocity in the annals of the border. Although the Moravian settlements had
preserved strict neutrality between the combatants, they had not escaped molesta-
tion. White and Indian banditti alike threatened them. The neighboring tribes
bad generally enlisted in the cause of the British, and endeavored to press them into
that service. On the other hand, they were subjected to considerable annoj^ance,
and some violence, by the colonial border ruffians of that period. In 1777 the
Wyandot chief Pomoacan, of Upper Sandusky, appeared before their settlements
at the head of two hundred warriors, but treated them kindly, and retired without
doing them mischief. In 1778 Gnadenhiitten was abandoned, for a time, on ac-
count of its annoyances from white marauders. Lichtenau was then settled, and
vacated, in turn, the year following. In 1781 a Delaware chief, of the English
party, approached with eighty warriors, but attempted no violence. On the con-
trary he assured the Moravians of his good will, admonished them of their danger-
ous situtation between two fires, and strongly advised their withdrawal from the
frontier. He assured them that the Long Knives, meaning the Virginians, would
one day murder them. Finally, in the summer of 1781, a band of Wyandots, insti-
gated by the British commandant at Detroit, compelled them to abandon their
-AnvENT OK THE White Man. 101
settlements, unci remove to Sandusky. Here they were soon reduced to a condi-
tion of great destitution. Necessity compelled them to send part of their number
back to their deserted homes and fields to procure food. Some of these messengers
were borne off as ca^jtives to Fort Pitt.
About this time, it is said, some depredations were committed bj' hostile
Indians on the Pennsylvania border. This was made a prete.xt for a raid upon the
Moravian villages. The raiding party comprised one hundred and sixty men
from the Monongahela settlements, led by Colonel David Williamson. It arrived
before Gnadenhiitten on the sixth of March and found the Christian Indians at
work in their cornfields. After these unoffending people had been corralled and
persuaded to surrender their weapons, Williamson put the question to his fellow
miscreants whether their captives should be taken to Pittsburgh, or put to death.
There were but sixteen votes for the more merciful alternative. Of tiiose who
voted for death, some were for burning the prisoners alive, but the majority were
for scalping them. Let one of the chronicles of this sad history narrate wiiat fol-
lowed :
When the day of their execution arrived, namely, the eighth of March, two houses
were fixed upon, one for the brethren and another for the sisters and children, to which the
wanton murderers gave the name of slaughter houses. Some of them went to the brethren
and showed great impatience that the execution had not yet begun, to which the hrethren
replied that they were ready to die, having commended their immortal souls to God, wlio
had given them that divine assurance in their hearts that they should come unto Him and
be with Him forever.
Immediately after this declaration the carnage commenced. The poor, innocent people,
men, women and children, were led, bound two and two together with ropes, into the above-
mentioned slaughter-houses, and there scalped and murdered. . . . Thus ninetysix persons
magnified the name of the Lord by patiently meeting a cruel death. Sixtytwo were grown
persons, among whom were five of the most valuable assistants, and thirtyfour children.
Only two youths, each between sixteen and seventeen years old, escaped almost miraculously
from the hands of the murderers.''
The Delawares, whose tribe was represented in the victims of this atrocious
outrage, were soon given an opportunity to avenge it, and most horriblj* did they
do so. In May, 1782, a mounted force four hundred and fifty strong was organized
for an expedition against the Moravian, Delaware and Wyandot settlements along
the headwaters of the Scioto and Sandusky. Its place of rendezvous was the
Mingo village on the Ohio, a few miles below the present city of Steubenville.
The expedition set forth on the twentyfifth of May, under Colonel William Craw-
ford, one of whose lieutenants was Colonel David Williamson, of the Moravian
massacre. On the fourth day out, the column halted over night at the solitary
scenes of that massacre, and on the sixth day arrived at the Moravian village,
likewise abandoned, on one of the upper branches of the Sandusky. Here some of
Crawford's men mutinously insisted on turning back, but it was finally decided to
continue the march for another day. After the column had proceeded for a few
hours, its advance guard was attacked and driven in by Indians concealed in the
tall grass. The fighting continued until dark. It wasnot renewed the next day,
but the Indians were largely reinforced. At nightfall retreat was resolved upon
and begun. It soon became a panic, and the whole command fled precipitately,
abandoning its wounded. Only about one-half of the fugitives ever reached their
102 History or the City of Columbus.
The rest were hunted down by the Indians, and butchered. Crawford
abandoned his men, in whom he had lost all confidence, and after wandering
thirtysix hours in the wilderness was captured by a party of Delawares, who took
him to their camp on the Tymochtee, and there put him to death amid unspeakable
tortures. This horrible scene was witnessed by Doctor Knight, who was taken
with Crawford, but afterwards escaped. Another witness, complacent and merci-
less, was Simon Girty, the notorious white Indian of the border.
A Delaware chief named Wingenund told Crawford that he must suffer in
expiation of the Moravian massacre. The victim, with his hands tied behind his
back, was then bound to the stake in such a way that he could walk around it
once or twice. This being done, Captain Pipe, a Delaware chief, made a speech to
an assembly of thirty or forty Indian men and sixty or seventy squaws and boys.
Doctor Knight thus narrates what then followed :
When the speech was finished, they all yelled a hideous and hearty assent to what had
been said. The Indian men then took up their guns and shot powder into the Colonel's
body, from his feet as far up as his neck. I think not les.s than seventy loads were discharged
upon his naked body. They then crowded about him, and, to the best of my observation,
cut ofl' his ears. When the throng had dispersed a little, I saw the blood running from both
aides of his head in consequence thereof.
The details of the torture which slowly and finally extinguished life from
Crawford's body are too horrible for recital. In respect to their fiendish atrocity
there is but one material distinction to be drawn between them and the cold-
blooded butcheries of Guadenbiitten and Salem. In the one case the perpetrators
were savage, in the other civilized.
With the surrender of Cornwallis on the nineteenth of September, 1781, the
independence of the American colonies was substantially achieved. A preliminary
treaty of peace was signed at Pai'is 'On the thirtieth of November, 1782, and on
September 3, 1783, a treaty was concluded at Versailles by which the colonies were
finally acknowledged to be free, sovereign, and independent.
In October, 1784, the Six Nations, by treaty at Fort Stanwix, released to Con-
gress, with certain reservations, all their territorial claims. In this negotiation
Oliver Wolcott, Eichard Butler and Arthur Lcc represented the colonial govern-
ment, and the chiefs Cornplanter and Eed Jacket the Indians.
On the twentyfirst of January, 1785, a similar treaty was concluded with the
Wyandots, Delawares, Chippewas and Ottawas, by which they released all their
Ohio claims except certain reservations the boundaries of which were defined,
fort Mcintosh was the scene of these negotiations, which were conducted in behalf
of Congress by Arthur Lee, Eichard Butler and George Kogers Clark. Among
the chiefs signing in behalf of the Indians were Hobocan, or Captain Pijje, Wing-
enund and Packelaut, who is supposed to have been identical with the famous
Delaware, Bockengehelas.
By a conference held with the Shawnees at the mouth of the Big Miami in
January, 1786, they were induced to "acknowledge the United States to be the
sole and absolute sovereign of all the territories ceded by Great Britain."
Thus the Indian title to the Ohio country was virtually blotted out, and the
wilderness was prepared for the occupancy of a new race. The white man had
come, and come to stay.
A"l)VENT UK TIIK WllITK MaN.
NOTES.
1. A short distance above Montreal.
2. In Texas, March 17, 16S7.
3. Bancroft's United States.
4. History of Ohio.
.5. Pioneer History ; S. P. Hildretli.
(). Gist's Journal.
7. Ibid.
5. Washington Irving.
9. Irving's Life of Washington.
10. Taylor says, " early in 1752." See History of Ohio.
11. Both Virginia and Pennsylvania at that time claimed the territory within which
these garrisons were located.
12. To the Indian tribes this change, says Parknxan, " was nothing but disaster. They
Iiad held in a certain sense the balance of power between the rival colonies of France and
England. Both had bid for their friendship, and both competed for the trade with them.
The French had been the more successful. Their influence was predominant among
all the interior tribes, while many of the border Indians, old allies of the English, had of
late abandoned them in favor of their rivals. While the French had usually gained the
good will, often the ardent attachment, of the tribes with whom they came in contact, the
English, for the most part, had inspired only jealousy and dislike. This dislike was soon
changed to the most intense hatred. Lawless traders and e(iually lawless speculators preyed
on the Indians ; swarms of squatters invaded the lands of the border tribes, and crowded
them from their homes." — Francis Parkman.
13. Paully's life was saved, it is said, by the fancy taken for liim by a hideous old
squaw, whom he was obliged to marry.
14. While leading an expedition against Fort Du Qncsne, General Edward Braddock
fell into an ambuscade of French and Indians near that fort, ami was defeated and mortally
wounded, July fl, 1755.
15. Historical Account of the Expedition Against the Ohio Indians in 17t)4 ; by Doctor
William Smith, Provost of the College of Philadelphia, 17(i(i.
II). Irving's Life of Washington.
17. Taylor's Ohio.
18. " In 1770 Wheeling was settled by a number of men from the South Branch of the
Potomac, among whom was [were] Ebenezer, Silas and Jonathan Zane, with Colonel Shep-
herd, all prominent men in the colonization and establishment of that place. Soon after
which, locations were made on Buffalo and Short Creek, above Wheeling, where the town of
Wellsburg now stands, then called Buffalo, and afterwards Charleston."— fliWrrf/i's Pioneer
Bistory.
10. Hon. Henry Jolly, for many years a judge of the courts of Washington County,
Ohio, is quoted to this effect. See Taylor's Ohio.
20. Cresap may have connived at the expedition under Greathouse, but he was not
present at the massacre.
21. This message, Hildreth says, was borne by Dunmore's guide, Simon Girty, and a
man named Parchment. Girty was one of three brothers, Simon, George and James, who
were taken prisoners in Pennsylvania about 1755,and adopted intodifferent tribes. "Simon,"
says Taylor, "became a Seneca, and although a white savage, was not incapable of humane
conduct, and was scrupulously exact in the redemption of his word. James was adopted by
the Shawanese, and seems to have been an unmitigated monster. George was adopted by
the Delawares, and belonged to that small fragment of the tribes who were constantly
engaged in the campaigns against the settlements. The trio were desperate drunkards.
104 History of the City of Columbus.
" Early in the Revolutionary struggle the Girtys, like their Indian brethren, were unde-
cided how to act. Even in the summer of 1777 James Girty was the medium of speeches
and presents from the Americans to atone for the murder of Cornstalk ; while Simon Girty
acted as interpreter for the United States on many occasions. About 1777 both brothers had
been seduced by the British emissaries, and are known to border tradition as renegades.
This is hardly just. They should not be regarded otherwise than as Indians of their respect-
ive tribes. Such had been their training, their education. They were white savages, noth-
ing else, and the active partisans of Great Britain for the rest of the century." — Taylor's
History of Ohio.
22. Mr. Sullivant gave a synopsis of his eonvereation with Kenton on this subject in an
address delivered before the Franklin County Pioneer Association, in 1871.
23. Atwater's Ohio.
24. SuUivant's address.
25. Called, according to some authorities, Seekonk, or Seekunk, which is the corrup-
tion of an Indian word meaning " a place of salt."
26. Taylor's History of Ohio.
27. The battle uf Lexington was fought June 20, 177-5.
28. Called Fort Randolph ; built by troops from Virginia in the spring of 1775.
29. See Taylor's History of Ohio ; Dodge's Red Men of the Ohio Valley; etc.
30. "The Shawnee town, ' Old Cliillicothe,' was on the Little Miami, in this county
[Clark], about three and a half miles north of the site of Xenia: it was a place of note,
and is frequently mentioned in the annals of the early explorations and settlements of the
West. It was sometimes called the Old Town."— Howe's Historical Collections.
31. From the skillful and energetic leader of this expedition Clark County, Ohio, takes
its name.
32. Loskiel's History of North American Missions.
c
^^
CHAPTER V
FOrNDING OF OHIO.
Of the events iiirideiit to the birth of Ohio, as the seventeenth State in the
Union, some interesting volumes might be written. Only an outline sketch will
be here attempted. So far as the subject relates to the grants, surveys, sales and
titles of lands, it will be left mainly lo the pen of an expert.
At the close of the Eevolutionary War the northwestern territories, embracing
those of the present State of Ohio, were claimed, simultaneously, by the Indians,
whose titles were but vaguely extinguished : by the individual colonies, and by
Great Britain. The treaty arrangements by which the Indian rights were tempo-
rarily disposed of have already been referred to. The pretensions of the embryo
States were less easily adjusted, and for a time postponed the consummation of
their confederation. Over the entire region which now constitutes the States of
Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, both New York and
Virginia maintained the right of exclusive domain. On the other side it was
vigorously argued that whatever territories were wrested by the joint efforts of
all from the common enemy, should be placed at the disposition of Congress for
the common benefit. Maryland conspicuously held out for this proposition, and
made its acceptance a condition of her assent to the articles of confederation. The
articles were dated November 15, 1777, and were ratified Ijy ten colonies July 9,
1778. New Jersey signed November 25, 1778, and Delaware February 22, 1779,
but Maryland, for the reasons stated, still withheld her concurrence. Other col-
onies threatened to join her, and the incipient union was placed in jeopardy of di.s-
ruptiou. Persisting in her claims, Virginia opened an office for the sale of laud.s
west of the Ohio. Congress intervened by driving out the settlers, and the crisis
became acute. At this juncture General Philip Schuyler announced in Congress
that New York had executed to the general government a deed of cession of all
the disputed territory west of her present boundaries. This patriotic act was con-
summated March 1, 1781, in pursuance of an act of the legislature passed the j'ear
before. The cession was made without reservation. Thereupon Maryland joined
the Confederation, thus completing, for the first time, the American Union.
Constrained by the example of New York and the persuasion of Congress,
Connecticut and Virginia made conditional concessions, the first reserving her
jurisdiction, and the second excepting the whole State of Kentucky from her grant.
These proposed acts of conveyance were carefully considered and exhaustively
reported upon by a committee of Congress, which declared that New York had the
[105]
106 History of the City of Columbus.
ooly valid title. The deed of New York was therefore accepted, that of Virginia
rejected. The acceptance dates from March 29, 1782.
Virginia thereupon authorized a new deed of cession, still excepting Ken-
tucky, but omitting some of the objectionable features of the former conveyance.
She also reserved a body of land bounded east by the Scioto, west by the Miami
and south by the Ohio, to be distributed as a bounty to her soldiers in the War of
Independence. By this act, perfected March 1, 1784, Virginia relinquished to the
United States all her claims on the territories north of the Ohio River, excepting
the reservation named. By deed of April 19, 1785, Massachusetts conveyed to
Congress, without qualification, all rights under her charter to lands west of the
western boundary of New York. Connecticut executed a like deed of cession
September 14, 1786, but excepted from its provisions a belt of country one hundred
and fifty miles long and about fifty wide, called in early times New Connecticut,
and since known as the Western Eeserve. By the distribution and sale of this
tract she indemnified her citizens for their losses by the British armies, and raised
a fund for the support of her common schools. Washington and many other
prominent men protested against her action, but Virginia's reservations furnished
her a precedent which, with the general desire for peace and union, enabled her
to enforce her conditions. Her civil jurisdiction over the Reserve was finally sur-
rendered to the national authority May 30, 1800.
The claims of Great Britain upon the territories of the Northwest were main-
tained with great tenacity. Even after tiie treaty' of peace ihej' were relinquished
tardily and ungraciously. The ministry which negotiated the treaty was censured
and overthrown, one of the accusations brought against it being that it had "given
up the banks of the Ohio, the Paradise of America." Lord North, leading the
opposition, insisted that the ministers " should have retained for Canada all the
country north and west of the Ohio." The united colonies being too weak to
assert immediately their authority over so large a territory, the British resorted to
every pretext to hold it, and in defiance of the treaty continued to mainiain their
western garrisons. They even built a new fort where the town of Perrysburg
now stands and practically continued the war through their allies, the Indians.
Only the casting vote of Vice President Adams defeated a resolution in Congress
to suspend intercourse with Great Britain until her armed forces in the West should
be withdrawn. History fairly justifies the declaration attributed to General
William H. Harrison, that the War of Independence was not finally concluded
until General Wayne's victory of August 20, 1794, blasted the hopes of the British
by crushing the power of the Indians.
Plans for the settlement of the new territories of the West were first conceived
and carried into effect by the veterans of the colonial army. While yet awaiting
the conclusion of peace in their camps on the Hudson, two hundred and eighty-
three of these veterans memorialized Congress to grant them their arrears of pay
in lands located between Lake Erie and the Ohio. Washington, by request, laid
this petition before the Continental Congress, and reinforced it with his great
influence, but without avail. The claims of the colonies upon the new territories
being then still unadjusted, nothing could be done. The movement was obliged to
bide its time, and so doing, proved to be the precursor of the most important
pioneer enterprise of the West. Fortunatelj' its most active spirit was General
FinNniNoiiF Ouio. 107
Riifiis Piitiuim, ot'Mas.sacluistais. On tlio iwentietli of -May, 1785, Cuiigrcss [lassod
an ordinance providing I'or tho survey of its now western domain. Prom tliis
ordinance as a basis has risen the present system of land division in Ohio.' It pro-
vided originally for tho organization of a corps of surveyors comprising one from
each Slate, all under the direction of Thomas Hutchiiis, Surveyor-General, or so
called (ioographer, of the Confederation. General Putnam was elected for Massa-
chusettis, but was unable to serve, and requested that General Benjamin Tapper,
another officer of the colonial army, should be appointed in his stead. This was
done, and General Tupper repaired to his field of labor only to learn that nothing
could be done on account of the Indians. But while he was not permitted to sur-
vey the Ohio country, he acquired a most favorable judgment of it as a Held of enter-
prise. Accordingly, Putnam and himself joined in a publication dated January
10, 1786, inviting their former comrades of the army to meet them in a delegate
assembly at Boston to organize an association for settlement on the Ohio. The
meeting convened at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, in Boston, March 1, 1786, and
organized by electing Genei-al Rufus Putnam as chairman, and Major Winthrop
Sargent as clerk. It comprised eleven persons, representing eight counties. Arti-
cles of association prepared by a committee of which General Put nam was chair-
man were adopted, and thus the Ohio Company was organized.
It was the design of the Company to obtain from Congress, by inirchasc, a
large body of land on which they might lay the foundations of a new State. " In
one sense," says Pi-esidciit Andrews, " it was a private enterprise, as each share-
holder paid for his share from his private funds; but it was aLso in a measure a
public enterprise, representing, on the one hand, the veterans of the army, whose
private fortunes had been wasted by the long war for independence, and, on the
other, the statesmen and patriots of the country who were anxious to sec a new
empire founded in the western region which, after the long struggle with individual
states at home and Great Bi'itain abroad, was now in the jicucralilc ])(issi'ssion of
the United States."'
The stock of the Company conipri.sed one tlKUi.sand shares of one thousand
dollars each. The owners of each section of twenty shares were entitled to elect
an agent to represent them, and the agents so chosen were authorized to choose
five directors, a treasurer and a secretary. The first directors wei'c General llufus
Putnam, General Samuel H. Parsons, and Rev. Manasseli Cutler. General James
M. Varnura, of Rhode Island, was subsequently chosen as an additional director,
and Richard Piatt, of New York, as Treasurer. General Putnam was President
and Major Sargent Secretary of the Board.
The second meeting of the Company was held at Hracketts Tavern, Boston,
March 8, 1787, by which time two hundred and fifty shares had been taken.
Among the shareholders then, or who afterwards became such, were many of tho
most distinguished men in the Confederation.' No colonial enterprise was ever
favored with abler management or better material. Negotiations with the Conti-
nental Congress for the purchase of a bod^- of land for the Com|>any were author-
ized, but were for some time unsuccessful. Finally, through the ofibrts of
Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent, a contract was obtained for fifteen hun-
dred thousand acres of land at a cost of one million dollars in jjublic securities then
worth about twelve cents per dollar. Onohalf the consideration was to bo paid at
108 History op the City of Columbus.
the signing of the contract, the remainder when the exterior boundaries of the tract
should be surveyed. By the advice of Thomas Hutchins, Surveyor-General of
the Confederation, the lands were located on the Ohio, at the mouth of the
Muskingum.
Such was the Ohio Company's purchase. The contract was concluded verbally
July 23, 1787, and was signed in writing on the twentyseventh of October follow-
ing. It was the first contract of sale ever executed on the part of the Union Gov-
ernment. Under it the Ohio Company finally came into possession of a tract of
964,285 acres.
In order to consummate the arrangement certain concessions had to be made
which were not origiuallj' contemplated. One of these was the substitution of
General Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, as the intended Governor of the new
territory, in lieu of General Samuel H. Parsons. Another concession was the ex-
tension of the proposed purchase so as to embrace the schemes of one William Duer
and others who are described as "principal characters" of New York City.
Unless those things had been done, the negotiations would probably have failed ;
after thej^ were done a favorable conclusion was soon reached. In conformity
with these arrangements a second contract, of even date with that for the Ohio
Company, was made, conveying over four million acres of land to " Manasseh
Cutler and Winthrop Sargent for themselves and associates." Threefourths of
this tract lay west and onofourth of it north of the Ohio Company's lands. Such
was the socalled Scioto Purchase. It was to be paid for at the rate of twothirds
of a dollar per acre in public securities delivered in four semi-annual instalments.
vSiniultaneously with the execution of this second or Scioto contract, ''Cutler
and Sargent conveyed to Colonel William Duer, of New York City, a onehalf inter-
est in it, and gave him full power to negotiate a sale of the lands in Europe or else-
where, and to substitute an agent. Colonel Duer, [who was Secretary of the Board
of Treasury], agreed to loan to the Ohio Company one hundred thousand dollars
public securities to enable it to make its first payment to Congress — [Duer actually
advanced $143,000] — and procured a large subscription to its shares. Soon after.
Cutler and Sargent conveyed a little over threefourths of their retained interest in
about equal proportions to Generals Rufus Putnam, Benjamin Tupper, Samuel H.
Parsons, Colonel Eichai-d Piatt, Eoyal Flint and Joel Barlow. Many others became
interested with these in greater or less proportions."''
The Scioto Company appointed Joel Barlow as its agent for the disposal of
these lands, and sent him to Paris, where he spread abroad such captivating tales
of the Scioto region that a large number of sales were effected. About six hundred
of these purchasers came over from France, intending to establish homes on their
supposed possessions, but soon learned that the Scioto Company had defaulted in
its payments and could give them no valid title. Defrauded, nearly destitute and
surrounded by hostile Indians in the wilderness, these French colonists found them-
selves in a condition truly pitiable. Finally, in 1795, those of them .who still
remained were indemnified, in part, for their losses, by a congressional grant of
twentyfour thousand acres l}''ing in the eastern part of Scioto County.
The Ohio Company's outcome was altogether diftereut. On November 23,
1787, its directors met at Brackett's Tavern, in Boston, and made arrangements for
sending out its first band of settlers. General Rufue Putnam was appointed super-
Founding *oF Ohio. 109
intendent of the colony; Ebenezer Sproat, Anselm Tupper, H. J. AJeitcs, and John
Mathews were selected as surveyors of its lands. The first party, mimbering
twentytwo men, mostly mechanics, set out from Danvers, Massachusetts, Novem-
ber thirtieth, under Major Haffield White. Exposed to the inclement weather of
the season, this little band journeyed tediously over the mountains by an old
Indian trail, aiming for Simrall's Ferry, on the Youghiogheny, thirty miles above
Fort Pitt. At this appointed rendezvous a halt was made for the construction of
a barge in which the entire expedition, when assembled, could float down the
Ohio.
A second detachment, including the surveyors, quitted Hartford, Connecticut,
January 1,.17S8, under General Putnam. When it reached the mountains, its
wagons were unable to go forward on account of the depth of snow, and sledges
had to be constructed for transportation of the baggage. General Putnam arrived
at Simrall's about the middle of February. The galley was then pushed to com-
pletion, launched and named the Mayflower. It was fortyfive feet long and fifteen
wide. Though not graceful it was stanch, its sides being thicklj^-timbered for
protection against the bullets of the Indians. The commander of this pioneer
craft was one of its builders, and a veteran seaman, Captain Jonathan Devol. The
capacity of the Mayflower not being suflBcient for conveyance of all the men and
baggage, a supplementary flatboat and some canoes were provided. Embarking
in this flotilla, the partj% forlyeight in number, floated away tFom Simrall's on the
second of April. On the seventh, in the early dawn of a misty morning, it landed
on the north bank of the Ohio, at the mouth of the Muskingum. There by the
riverside, a rude shed was immediately built as an office for the superintendent of
the colony, and over it was unfurled the American flag. On the opposite or west-
ern bank of the Muskingum, the same friendly emblem was seen floating over the
bastioned pentagon of Fort Harmar.'^
The first laws of the colony were those of its own adoption. For the informa-
tion of all, they were read aloud by Benjamin Tupper, and posted on the trunk of
a tree. But the colonists were of such a character as to give little need for this
expedient, and even that little need was destined to be brief The subject of pro-
viding a system of civil government for the socalled " transmontane half" of the
republic had engaged the attention of Congress long in advance of this initial
attempt at its settlement. A committee of which Thomas Jefferson was chairman
already had the matter under consideration when Virginia completed her cession,
and immediately thereafter reported a plan applicable not alone to the territories
north of the Ohio, but to the entire western region, from the Gulf to the northern
boundary of the Union. On the twenty-third of April, 1784, this plan, after some
amendments, one of which struck out a clause forbidding slavery, was adopted. It
proposed a division of the territory into seventeen States, for ten of which Mr. Jeffer-
son proposed the following descriptive titles: Sylvania, Michigauia, Chersonesus,
Assenisipia, Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, Polypotamia, and
Pelisipia.
This scheme never took practical effect. Its propose(i territorial divisions
were inconvenient. The regions for which it provided government contained
nothing governable, as yet, to govern. It anticipated settlement. But the Ohio
Company's enterprise changed all this. The leading spirits in that venture wanted
k
110 History of the City of Columbus.
law no less than land. They desired freedom, morality and social order
even more than land. They solicited in behalf of their proposed commonwealth
not only a territorial basis, but a strong and practical legal framework. Most
fortunately for themselves, and for the Great West, their wishes were fulfilled.
Various additional projects with respect to the new territories having come
before Congress, a committee on the general subject was appointed. Its members
were Messrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Pinckney of South Carolina, Smith of New
York, Dane of Massachusetts, and Henry of Maryland. In September, 1786, an
ordinance for the government of the territories was reported from that committee.
It was a crude document, yet would doubtless have been passed on the day
appointed for its third reading — May 9, 1786 — but for the antecedent appearance
of the Ohio Company's agent on the scene. The presentation of that Company's
petition by General Parsons caused further proceedings as to the ordinance to be
su,spended. On the fiftb of July Rev. Manasseli Cutler appeai-ed in lieu of General
Parsons as representative of tbe Ohio Company's interests, and this event is
believed to have had some connection with tbe appointment of a new committee
on territorial government which imn\ediately followed. The members of this com-
mittee were Messrs. Edward Carrington and Eichard Henry Lee of Virginia,
Nathan Dane of Massachusetts, Kean of South Carolina and Smith of New York.
From the hands of this committee came the legislative masterpiece known in his-
tory, and famous for all time, as the Ordinance of 1787. It was entitled "An
Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States Northwest of
the Ohio," and was adopted in Congress July 13 by unanimous vote of all the
States. Only one individual vote was recorded against it.
Next to the Constitution, which followed tn-tt the order of time, this ordinance
is the most important act in the annals of American legislation. In 1830 Daniel
Webster said of it : "We are accustomed to pi-aise the lawgivers of a« antiquity ;
we help to perpetuate the fame of Solon and Lycurgus ; but I doubt whether one
single law of any lawgiver, ancient or modern, has produced effects of more dis-
tinct, marked and lasting character, than the Ordinance of 1787. We see its conse-
quences at this moment, and we shall never cease to see them, perhaps, while the
Ohio shall flow."
The authorship of this great ordinance has been variously ascribed. In its
original form it was drawn by Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts, butthe ideas which
made it illustrious, and which fixed the character of the northwestern communities,
were inserted afterwards, and seem to have emanated chiefly from the Virginia
statesmen. The slavery prohibition, and that afterwards inserted in the Constitu-
tion, forbidding all laws impairing the obligation of contracts, have both been
attributed to Mr. Dane, but it is not certain that either was originally his. It is
claimed that Doctor Cutler had considerable to do in molding the final character
of the ordinance, and there are reasons for believing that, while it was being
framed, the committee freely consulted him, and profited much by his suggestions.
The sweeping assertion sometimes made that he was the "Father of the Ordinance"
is not sustained by historical evidence.
One of the thoughtful forecasts of the Ohio Company was the adoption of a
resolution reserving atract of four thousand acres for city purposes at the mouth of
the Muskingum. This was done in October, 1787. On the second of July, 1788,
FiilT.N|)|N(i 111' OllMi. Ill
the directors liold their first meeting on the site ot the proposed eity, and ehris-
tened it Marietta. The name was intended 'as a eompliment to (^uecn Mario
Antoinette, of France, wliose conspicuous Icindnoss to FranUiin wliilo ro])reHouting
tiie colonies at the court of Louis XVI. had touched the iiearts of these brave pio.
ueers. To some of the streets and public places classical names wore given which
show how literary predilections, once well grounded, may predominate even amid
the savage associations of the wilderness. One of the squares was called Cajiitolium,
another Quadranaou, and a third Cecilia; a prominent street, leading up from the
landing, took the name of Sacra Via; a rectangular space, palisaded with hewed
logs, was dignified as the Campus Martius.
For some reason not arising from any imuietliate political necessity. Congress
made baste to provide the new Territorj- with a full corps of officials. On the fifth
of October, 1787, before a single emigrant had set out for the Ohio, Arthur St. Clair
was chosen as the Territorial Governor. James M. Varnum, Samuel Holden
Parsons, and John Armstrong, were at the same time elected Judges, and Winthrop
Sargent, Secretary. At a later date John Cleves Symmes was named as Jutlge in
lieu of Armstrong, who declined to serve.
Governor St. Clair arrived at Fori Harmar July 9, 178S. lie remained at
the fort until the tttteenlh, when he was fonually received at Marietta, and
delivered an address, which was I'eplied to, in behalf of the colony, by (ieneral
Putnam. Such was the beginning of organized civil government in Ohio.
Bj' provision of the Ordinance, no legislature could be chosen until the terri-
tory should contain five thousand free adult male inhabitants. Meanwhile it was
made the duty of the Governor and Judges to provide such laws as might be neces-
sary. These oflBcials therefore addressed themselves at once to the formation of a
statutory code. St. Clair desired, first of all, a law for the organization of the
militia, but the judges, pursuing some unique ideas of their own, drew up and pre-
sented to him, instead, a scheme for the division of real estate. This scheme seems
to have been chiefly intended for the despoilment of nonresidents. St. Clair
rejected it, and a militia law was then passed. Other statutes which .soon followed
provided for the establishment of courts, the punishment of crimes, and the limita-
tion of actions. On July twenty.seventh the Governor established by proclamation
the county of Washington, bounded south by the Ohio, east by Virginia and
Pennsylvania, north by Lake Erie, west ijy the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas as liir
south as Fort Laurens (now Bolivar), and thence by a line to the head ot the
Scioto and down that stream to its mouth. These boundaries included the terri-
tories now constituting the entire eastern half of Ohio and of Franklin County.
The seat of government for the county, as well as for the Territory, was at Marietta.
The colony was soon increased by the arrival of additional settlers, until it
numbered one hundred and thirtytwo. Officers of the militia were appointed, and
also a corps of judicial officers, including justices of the peace and a judge of pro-
bale. Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper were made Judges of Common Pleas,
and on Tuesday, September 2, 1788, the first court ever held within the boundaries
of Ohio was forniall}' opened. On that memorable occasion '-Governor St. Clair
and other territorial officers, and military from Fort Harinar being assembled at
the Point, a procession was formed, and, as became the occasion, with Colonel
Ebenezer Sproat, Sheriff, with drawn sword and wand of office at the head, marched
112 History op thk City of Columbus.
up a path that had been cut through the forest, to the hall in the northwest block-
bouse of Campus Martlus, where the whole countermarched, and the Judges,
Putnam and Tupper, took their seats on the high bench."* Rev. Manasseh Cutler,
then visiting the colony, offered prayer, after which the commissions of the Judges,
Clerk and Sheriff were read, and the Sheriff" solemnly proclaimed : "O, yes ! a court
is opened for the administration of even-handed justice to the poor and the rich, to
the guilty and innocent, without respect of pei-sons, none to be punished without
trial by their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and evidence in the case."
Several Indian chiefs, who had been invited by Governor St. Clair to a con-
ference, were witnesses of this curious scene.
Such was the opening of the Court of Common Pleas. A court of Quarter Ses-
sions was opened September ninth. Paul Fearing was admitted to practice before
it, and was the first lawyer in the Territory.
A memorandum of August 27 reads: "Judge Symmes, with several boats and
families, arrived, on their way to his new purchase at the Miami. Has a daughter
(Polly) along. They lodge with the General and Mrs. Harmar. Stay three days
and depart."
This was a reinforcement for the second English-speaking settlement in Ohio.
In the Miami Valley that settlement was the first. It had its inception with Major
Benjamin Stites, who descende<l the Ohio in a flatboat in the spring of 1787, and
ascended the Little Miami to the vicinity of Old Chillicothe. So captivated was
Stites with the natural beauty of the countrj' that he determined to bring out a
colony for its settlement. Returning east, he presented this idea to Judge John
Cleves Symmes, then a member of Congress from New Jersey, who had himself
visited the Miami country, and was readily persuaded to undertake to purchase
from Congress a tract of land in that region. In October, 1787, Symmes obtained
a contract for a million acres, fronting on the Ohio, between the Big and Little
Miami Rivors. Stites embarked on the Ohio with a party of twentysix colonists
November 16, 1788, and a little after sunrise on the eighteenth landed at a point
now within the corporate limits of Cincinnati. " After making fast the boat," says
the chronicler of this adventure, "they ascended the steep bank and cleared away
the underbrush in the midst of a pawpaw thicket, where the women and children
sat down. They next placed sentinels at a small distance from the thicket, and,
having first united in a song of praise to Almighty God, upon their knees they
offered thanks for the past, and prayer for future protection."
Blockhouses and log cabins were built, and the settlement was named Col-
umbia.
This colony was directly followed by a third, planted five miles further down
the river, on a tract of six hundred and forty aci-es, bought of Judge Symmes by
Matthias Denman. The price paid for this land, now covered by the city of Cin-
cinnati, was thirty cents per acre. The tract fronted on the Ohio, directly opposite
the mouth of the Licking. On the fifth of August, 1788, Mr. Denman associated
with himself as partners in this enterprise Robert Patterson and John Pilson. A
short time afterwards, Israel Ludlow took the place of Filson, who was killed by
the Indians. By Filson's suggestion, it is said, the colony took the name of
Losantiville. Its original settlers, whose debareation has been noted, were members
of a party which had come west under Symmes, and halted atMaysville, Kentucky.
F(n:NOlNii OK Oiiiii. 1 i:{
Tlie exact duto of their arrival at the Denmun tract is somewhat iiueerlain , llie
date most generally accepted is December 28, ITSS, They himled wliere the foot
of Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, now rests, at a little inlet afterwaids known as
Yeatmau's Cove.
Ten months later, a detachment from Port Harmar, under Major John Doughty,
began the erection of a fort within the site of Losantiville, directly opposite the
mouth of the Licking. This work was completed the following winter (17.S9-90)
and named Port Washiugton. According to General Harmar, it was "built of
hewn timber, a perfect square, two stories high, with four block hou.se8 at the
angles."
The fourth settlement in the Ohio series was founded by Syninies in j)erson, at
North Bend, below Cincinnati. It dates from February, 1789.
Governor St. Clair visited Fort Washington Januai'j- 2, 1790, and after consulta-
tion with Judge S3'mmes proclaimed the Symnies purchase as the county of Hamil-
ton. The credit seems to be due to the Governor of having blotted out, at the same
time, the name of Losantiville, and caused the seat ofgovernientof the new county
to be known thenceforth as Cincinnati.
The fifth settlement in the series was that of the Frenrh eol()n\-, t(j which
reference has already been made. It hail its lien-inuiui;- in 1791, ami look the ap-
propriate name of (lallipolis.
The first settlement in the Virginia .Military District was rounded at .Manches-
ter, on the Ohio River, in 1791, by Colonel Nathaniel Massie. In the pursuit of
his duties as a surveyor, engaged in locating lands for the holders of Virginia
military warrants, Colonel Massie found it necessary to establish a station for his
party, convenient to the scene of his labors. A tract of bottom land on the Ohio,
opposite the lower of the Three Islands, was chosen, and thither some Kentucky
families were induced to emigrate. The entire town was surrounded by a line of
wooden pickets firmly planted, with blockhouses at the salients. In the further
prosecution of his work. Colonel Massie explored the Scioto and became promi-
nently identified with its early settlement. In 1796 he laid out the town of Chil-
licothe on ground then covered by a dense forest. The settlement established
there under his auspices was soon largely reinforced from Kentucky and Virginia.
Up to this period colonial enterprise had been limited entirely to the southern
portions of the future State. Emigrants and explorers bad naturally drifted down
the Ohio, and had aimed, thus far, to keep within reach of its facilities forconimuni-
cation. Central Ohio was yet unexplored. In Northern Ohio a .settlement was
made July -t, 1796, at the mouth of Conneaut Creek, by a colony of fiftytwo
emigrants from Connecticut under General Moses Cleveland. In September and
October of the same year General Cleveland and his associate surveyors laid out a
town at the mouth of the Cuj-ahoga, but only two families passed the winter of
1796-7 within its limits. In honor of its founder the place took the name of Cleve-
land. The original colonists, both there and at Conneaut. suffered greatly from in-
sufficiency of food.
After the settlements along the Ohio, which have been nicnlioned, emigration
began to pour into the country veiy rapidi}-. This excited the jealou.sy of the
Indians; nor was this their only incentive to discontent. The treaties of Ports
Mcintosh, Stanwix and Finney had been imperfectly understood by some of the
8
114 History of the City or Columbus.
tribes, and very grudgingly acquiesced in by others. Even those wbo had con-
sented to them regretted it when they saw the consequences of the act in the steady
advance of colonization into the territories where they had been accustomed to
roam in boundless freedom. Added to all this was the disquietude produced by the
intrigues of the British, who still maintained their military posts in the Northwest,
and kept up their trade relations with the Indians.
This condition of things led to numerous forays by the savages along the border,
and a state of great uneasiness in the settlements. Property was destroyed, un-
protected frontiersmen were murdered, or borne away in captivity, and the navi-
gation of the Ohio Eiver was made exceedingly perilous. Governor St. Clair
endeavored to assuage the hostility of the border tribes by friendly advances, but
without success. He finally succeeded in arranging a conference with their chiefs
at Fort Harmar, and in pursuance of this arrangement two hundred warriors made
their appearance at the Fort. On December 13, 1788, they arrived in procession,
and were saluted by a discharge of firearms. Troops, with music playing, escorted
them into the enclosure, and the negotiations with them formally proceeded.
Among those present as peacemakers was John Heckewelder, the famous Moravian
missionary. On January 9, 1789, two treaties were concluded at this conference,
one of them being signed by twentyfour chiefs of the Six Nations, the other by
the representatives of the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Sacs, Chippewas and
Pottawattomies.
The stipulations thus entered into confirmed the treaties previously made, and
were signalized by a large distribution of presents to the contracting savages, but
without producing the desired result. The border disturbances were soon renewed,
and the settlers appealed loudly for military protection. By correspondence with
the authorities of Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky, Governor St. Clair suc-
ceeded in collecting a force about fourteen hundred strong at Fort Washington,
where General Josiah Harmar, commanding the Western Department, held his
headquarters. The expedition set out from the Fort in September, 179(1, aiming to
strike through the woods to the Miami villages bj' way of Old Chillicothe. Gen-
eral Harmar was in command. His force comprised 320 regulars under Majors
Willys and Doughty, and 1033 militia under Colonel Hardin, a veteran of the Con-
tinental Army. The militia were shabbily equipped and poorly officered. When
they met the enemy they broke and I'an, leaving the regulars to do the fighting.
General Harmar and Colonel Hardin, both brave, capable officers, did what they
could to rally the cowards, but their efforts were unavailing. The Miamis were
led by their great chief, Little Turtle. The expedition burned some of the Indian
villages, and destroyed a large amount of ripening corn, but lost heavily in killed
and wounded.
This failure, for such it practially was, emboldened the Indians, and led to the
formation of a confederacy of the northwestern tribes to annihilate the settlements.
To meet this emergency Congress passed a law in pursuance of which General St.
Clair was made military as well as civil governor of the Territory, and appointed
chief commander in the West. After much eff'ort St. Clair succeeded in gathering
together about two thousand men for the renewal of operations against the
Indians. The troops assembled at Fort Washington, and seem to have consisted, for
the most part, of the scum of the border. Their fighting qualities and equipment
FolINniNT, (IK Onlil. I l.T
were alike shabby. At the head of this force St. Clair sot out from Fort Washinirlon
September 17. 1791, and made his waj' by a road cut tiirough the woods to the
pointwhere now stands thecity of Hamilton. Here iieei-octed Fort Hamilton. Fort
St. < 'lair was established about twenty miles fni-ther ori,and Fort Jefferson about six
miles south of the present town of Greenville, The march through the woods was
(littieiilt, and desertions took place daily. Jndians hovered about but offered no seri-
ous i-esistanee until November 4, when the arnij- was suddenly attacked bj- fifteen
hundred warriors led by Little Turtle. The action took place within the present
limits of Mercer Count}-, and resulted in a complete victoiy for the Indians. The
militia were struck first, and fled precipitately through the lines of regulars under
General Butler. The pursuing Indians were charged by Butler, who fell mortally
wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel William Darke, commanding Butler's second line,
also charged, and foi- a time held the savages at bay. General St. Clair was sick
at tlie time of the battle, j-et appeared in the thick of the tight, and exerted himself
to rallj' the troops. He was finally obliged to give orders foi' a retreat, which
quickly grew into disorderly flight. The losses were terrible. The wounded
numbered 283, the killed and missing 630. All the artillery and baggage on the
field were lost. The captured were subjected to horrible tortures. The fugitives
who escaped rallied at Fort Jefferson, whence the retreat was continued in shame-
ful disorder back to Fort Washington.*
Stimulated by their success in this afl'air, the Indians carried on their preda-
tory war more actively than ever. " To describe the bloody scenes that ensued for
twelve months," says one writer, " would require a volume for that alone."' The
settlers along the Muskingum and the Miamis were obliged to seek refuge within
the forts. St. Clair, though acquitted of all blame bj- a committee of Congre.S8, re-
signed his commission in the army, and devoted hin'iself exclusively to his civil
functions as Governor of the Northwest. President Washington asked for author-
ity to recruit three additional regiments of infantry and one of cavalry for a term
of three years, unless peace with the Indians should sooner be made. This request,
moderate and reasonable as it was, provoked great opposition. The infant republic
was poor, and the States, already heavilj- in debt, were averse to being further taxed
fbrthe protection of new settlements. Even the abandonment of the country west of
the Ohio was seriously jjropo.sed. Finally the military establishment was increas-
ed to four regiments of infantry, one of the cavaliy, and a proportionate equip-
ment of artillerj-, making an aggregate of five thousand men. The leader appoint-
ed for this little ai-my — an army in himself — was the hero of Stony Point, Gen-
eral Anthony Wayne. Commissioners to negotiate peace were sent out from Wash-
ington, but accomplished nothing. Cieneral Rutus Putnam, aided by the Moravian
Heckewelder, concluded a treaty with the Wabash and Illinois tribes only. The
others demanded, as an ultimatuni, that the whites should recede bej-ond the Ohio.
General Waj-nc, with Wilkinson second in command, pushed bis preparations.
With a force three thousand strong he quitted Port Washington October 7, 1793,
and advanced six miles beyond Fort Jefferson. Here he established a fortified
camp, near the present site of Greenville, Darke County, and called it Foil Green-
ville. A detachment under Wilkinson gathernd up the bones of the slain on the
field of St. Clair's defeat, and erected there Port Recovery. A band of Indians
under Little Turtle, assisted by officers in British uniform, attacked this fort June
116 HisTOEY OF THE City of roniMBtis.
30, 1794, but was repulsed after a stubborn fight in which the officer commanding
the fort, Major McMahon, and twent3-one of his men, were slain. On the eighth
of August General Wayne resumed his advance. Quitting Fort Defiance on the
fifteenth, he moved down the Maumee, with his right brushing the river, and on the
nineteenth arrived at the head of the Rapids. Here he reconnoitered his front and
found the Indians strongly posted amid fallen timber, behind a thick wood. They
were drawn up in three mutually supporting lines, covering a front of two miles,
and forming a right angle with the river. Behind them was the British fort.
Early on the twentieth General Wayne moved to the attack. His force com-
prised about two thousand regulars, and eleven hundred Kentucky cavalry under
General Scott. The Indians, two thousand strong, were led by Little Turtle. As
Wayne advanced, they undertook to turn his right, but he foiled them in this by
precipitating Scott's cavalry upon their right. At the same time. General Wayne
brought forward his reserves, and ordered a charge, with trailed arms, to dislodge
the Indians from their covert. This charge was delivered with great impetuosity,
and was entirely successful. Within the space of an hour the enemy was driven
from the windfall and thicket and pursued two miles. The cornfields of the In-
dians were then laid waste, and their lodges burned, even to within pistolshot of
the British garrison. After a peppery correspondence with the British command-
ant. General Wayne returned by easy marches to Defiance, but continued the work
of destruction until all the Indian villages within fifty miles of the Maumee were
blotted out. Wayne's loss in the battle was only one hundred and seven.
This brilliant campaign tranquilized the entire frontier, from the Lakes to
Florida, and culminated in a treaty concluded at Fort Greenville August 3, 1795,
by which the Indians released to the Americans all their lands in the Northwest,
except a few specified reservations. The reserved tracts comprised about onefifth
of the present territory of Ohio, lying in its northwestern corner. In considera-
tion of the lands given up, the Indians were paid twenty thousand dollars in
merchandise, and guaranteed a personal annuity' of nine thousand dollars, to be
apportioned among the contracting tribes. The signatory chiefs agreed to deliver
up all captives, and to keep the peace forever.
After the Treaty of Greenville the tide of emigration to the Northwest set in
with renewed energy. In Ohio, new settlements rapidly followed one another
along the valleys of the Miami, Scioto, Cuyahoga, Muskingum and Mahoning. In
1790 the white population within the present area of the State numbered about
three thousand ; in 1787 it fulfilled the prerequisite of " five thousand free male in-
habitants of full age," fixed by the Ordinance of 1787 for the choice of a general
assembly. The Governor therefore ordered an election of territorial representa-
tives, to take place on the third Monday in December, 1798. Wayne County, with
its seat of government at Detroit, was proclaimed August 15, 1795. It included
the territories now constituting the northern half of Ohio, Northern Indiana, and
all of Michigan. Adams County was proclaimed July 10, Jefferson July 29, and
Ross August 20, 1797.
The representatives to the first General Assemblj' of the Northwest Territory
convened at Cincinnati, February 4, 1799. The Ordinance of 1787 required that
they should be freeholders owning not less than two hundred acres each, and
should be chosen by freeholdei-s owning not less than fifty acres each. It was their
FoUNDINH OK Ouiu. 1 17
first c1ul_y to nominate ten residents of tiie Territoiy, each i)Ossessing a Ireeiiold of
not less than five hundred acres, from whom a Legislative t!oiincil of five members
could be chosen by Congress. These nominations being made, the first session ad-
journed without other transactions of importance, until September KJ. The mem-
bers of the first Council, selected by President Adams from the legislative nomi-
nees, were Eobert Oliver, of Washington County; Jacob Burnett and James Find-
lay, of Hamilton County; David Vance of Jefferson ; and Henry Vandcnburg of
Knox. The first General Assembly of the Territory', comprising the Governor,
the Council and twentytwo Representatives, convened at Cincinnati, September
Hi, 1799, and adjourned from day to day, for lack of quorum, until September 23,
when Henry Vandenburg, of Knox, was elected President of the Council and Ed-
ward TiflSn of Ross, Speaker of the House. Governor St. Clair addressed the two
houses in joint meeting September 25. Jacob Burnett was appointed to prepare a
respectful response to the Governoi-'s speech. The response was agreed to by both
houses and was replied to by the Governor. On September 30 Joseph Carpenter
was elected Public Printer, and on October 3 the two houses in joint session elected
William Henry Harrison to represent the Territory as Delegate in Congress.
Governor St. Clair created the office of Attorney-General, and appointed his son,
Arthur St. Clair, to that position. A petition from Virginia settlers, asking per-
mission to bring their slaves into the Virginia military lands in the Territory, was
unanimously refused.
During its first session the General Assembly passed about thirty public acts,
from eleven of which the Governor, pursuant to the authority vested in him, with
held his approval. Its rules were prepared by Jacob Burnett, who was also the
author of much of its most important legislation. Acts regulating marriages and
taverns, creating new counties and changing "the boundaries of counties already
existing were among those vetoed. These vetoes produced dissatisfaction with
Governor St. Clair's administration which he afterwards found inconvenient. On
December 19, 1799, he prorogued the General Assembly until the first Monday in
November, 1800. In his prorogation speech, he gave reasons for his vetoes.
At the time of his election as Territorial Delegate to Congress, Mr. Harrison was
serving as Secretary of the Territory, in which office he had succeeded Winthrop
Sargent, the first Secretary, who had been appointed Governor of the new Territory
of Mississippi. The candidate for delegate against Harrison was Arthur St. Clair,
the Governor's son, who was defeated by a majority of one.'° Agitation for a
division of the Territory, and admission of the eastern portion as a State, had
already begun, and Delegate Harrison, who had been elected as an advocate of
both projects, was made chairman of the committee on division. St. Clair favored
a temporary organization of the Territory in three districts, the eastern, with
Marietta as its capital, to be bounded on the west by the Scioto and a line from
thence to the western extremity of the Connecticut Reserve; the central, with its seat
of government at Cincinnati, to have its western limits at a line drawn northward
from the Kentucky River; and the western, with Vincennes as its capital, to em-
brace all the territory west of the middle district. Congress finally determined the
matter by an act passed May 7, 1800, making the division upon a line drawn from
the mouth of the Kentucky River to Fort Recovery, and thence northward to the
Canada boundary. From the region west of that line the Territory of Indiana
118 History op the City of Columbus.
was organized, with William H. Harrison as Governor, and Colonel John Gibson,
of Pennsylvania, as Secretary. The jurisdiction of the Nortliwest was thenceforth
limited to the territorial area east of the dividing line, and its seat of government
was fixed at Chillicothe. The county of Knox falling wholly within the Territory
of Indiana, Henry Vandenburg, who resided in that county, ceased to be a mem-
-ber of the Legislative Council for the Northwest, and was succeeded by Solomon
Sibley, of Detroit, Wayne County.
The transfer of the territorial capital from Cincinnati to Chillicolhe was
brought about by the settlers who had poured into the Scioto Valley. These were
almost exclusively Virginians and Kentuckians. The settlements in the Muskin-
gum Valley, and along the Ohio, except the French colony at Gallipolis, had thus
far been derived mainly fi-om New England. Cincinnati and the valleys of the
two Miamis attracted the Penn.sylvanians and later the Irish and German irami-
graots. The Western Eeserve colony called itself New Connecticut, and persisted
in retaining its allegiance to the State of its origin. The civil jurisdiction of
Washington County, within which it was included by Governor St. Clair, was
ignored. After the colony had suffered much loss and embarrassment from the
lack of civil government, the Connecticut Land Company asked the State to abate
the interest due on its payments. This precipitated action by which Connecticut,
on May 30, 1800, i-elinquished all jurisdiction over the Western Keserve, and all
claim to lands therein conveyed by her authority. On July 10, Governor St.
Clair reorganized the district, including the entire Eeserve, as Trumbull Countj-,
with its seat of government at Warren. At its first election for Repi-esentatives
this county cast only fortytwo votes.
The first Territorial General Assembly held its second session at Chillicothe
beginning November 3, and ending December 9, 1800. It elected William McMil-
lan, of Cincinnati, as Territorial Delegate to Congress, in lieu of Mr. Harrison, who
had resigned. Not much other business of importance was transacted. The
session was prorogued by Governor St. Clair. At the third and last session, which
began November 24, 1801, acts were passed to incorporate the towns of Cincinnati,
Chillicothe and Detroit; to establish a university at Athens on land granted by
Congress for that purpose ; and to remove the seat of government from Chillicothe
back to Cincinnati. The removal of the capital aroused so much feeling in Chilli-
cothe, that for a time the members who voted for it were threatened with mob
violence. It also accelerated the movement already begun, for admission of the
Territory as a State in the Union. On January 23, 1802, the Territorial General
Assembly adjourned to meet on the fourth Monday in November, 1803, but it
never reassembled.
The politics of the Territory had, at this time, reached an acute stage. The
struggle by which Thomas Jefferson had gained the Presidency, finally by choice
of the House of Eepresentatives, had been hotly contested. Mr. Jefferson's
partisans were known as Eepublicans; those of his antagonist, Mr. Adams, took
the party name of Federalists. The closeness of the contest produced the
temptation which has appeared at various times since, to widen the electoral mar-
gin between the predominant parties by the admission of new States Party spirit
was at high tide in all parts of the country, and nowhere more so than in the
Northwest Territory. Such was the intensity of political feeling that in 1801 the
two parties in Hamilton County held separate celebrations of the Fourth of July.
Founding of Ohio. 119
Tbe Federalists of the Territory were led by Governor St. Clair, Jacob Bnrnot,
Rufiis Putnam and Benjamin Stites; the Republicans by Thomas Worthington,
Nathaniel Massie, John Cleves Symmes and Doctor Edward Tiffin. Parallel witii
the issues between the parties ran the differences which had arisen between Gover-
nor St. Clair and the Territorial General Assembly. The.se differences related
chiefij' to the right of establishing new counties and determining their boundaries.
The Governor stoutly maintained that these functions belonged to himself ex-
clusively; the General Assembly maintained with equal positivenoss that "after
the Governor had laid out the countrj' into counties and townships." it was com-
petent for the legislative body to pass laws •' altering, dividing and multiplying
them," subject to executive approval.
Owing to this and other disputes, Governor St. Clair's retention in office was
strongly opposed. He was reappointed by President Adams, but this only changed
the form of the intrigues for his displacement. Personal and political enmities
were alike marshaled for bis overthi-ow. On the other hand, a strong party rallied
around him, and proposed to make him the first Governor of the new State. In
pursuance of this ambition the St. Clair party brought forward in the Legislative
Council a scheme to procure such an amendment of the Ordinance of 1787 as would
make the Scioto Eiver the western boundary of the most eastern State to be formed
from the Northwest Territory. This scheme was vigorously opposed by the Re-
publican leaders, who determined to send one of their number to Washington to
labor there for its defeat. Thomas Worthington was chosen for this purpose, and
was ablj- seconded by Nathaniel Massie and Edward Tiffin. It was Worthington's
mission not only to defeat the St. Clair scheme, but to obtain such legislation by
Congress as would enable the Territory as it then was to gain admission to the
Union. Incidentally he sought also St. Clair's deposition from the territorial gov-
ernorship. The change which took place in the national adminisiration favored
him in all his endeavors, and he was in all successful.
The Ordinance of 1787 required as a condition to the admission of the Territoiy
as a State that it should contain sixty thousand free inhabitants. According
to the census of 1800 it actually contained only 45,365. This difficulty was re-
moved by an act of Congress passed April 30, 1802, enabling the people of the
Eastern District to frame a constitution and organize a State government. This,
it was hoped, would add another State to the Republican phalanx.
In pursuance of the enabling act, a constitutional convention assembled at
Chillicothe November 1, 1802. It was discreetly chosen, and accomplished its work
in twentyfive days. Early in its deliberations it was addressed by Governor St.
Clair, whose speech on that occasion has been differently reported. According to
Judge Burnet, it was "sensible and conciliatory;" others assert that it opposed
the formation of a State government, and criticised the administration of President
Jefferson. The Governor's removal from office followed directly. Mr. Madison,
the Secretary of State, notified him of it by letter dated November 22, 1802.
Charles W. Byrd, Secretary of the Territory, thenceforward served as its Governor
until the first state executive was installed.
The Constitution of 1802 defined the boundaries of the State, provisionally,
and established the .seat of governmet at Chillicothe until 1808. It was never sub-
mitted for popular acceptance at the polls. Congress approved it by act of Feb-
ruary 19, 1803, and from that act dates the birth of Ohio as a State in the Union.
History of the City of Columi
NOTES.
1. It provided for a rectangular system of surveys, dividing the public domain into
ranges, townships and sections, the boundaries being all in the direction of the cardinal
points of the compass, so that a locality is designated by its distance east or west from a
given meridian, and north or south of a given parallel, as a ship's place at sea by its longi-
tude and latitude. The starting-point was at the place of intersection of the west line of
Pennsylvania with the north bank of the Ohio River. From this point a line drawn west
fortytwo miles was to form the base for the first seven ranges, from which at the six-mile
points lines were to be run south to the Ohio River. The great system of surveys thus
inaugurated has been applied to all the public domain, and through its simplicity and exact-
ness of description has proved of incalculable value to all who have become owners of the
soil. — President Israel Ward Andrews, LL. D., of Marietta College.
2. Ibid.
3. Among the eminent members of the Company were Governors James Bowdoin,
Caleb Strong and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, the latter also at one time Vice-President
of the United States ; Governor William Greene, of Rhode Island ; Governor Jonathan
Trumbull, of Connecticut ; Samuel Dexter, United States Senator from Massachusetts and
Secretary of the Treasury ; Uriah Tracy, United States Senator from Connecticut ; Ebenezer
Hazzard, Postmaster-General under the Continental Congress; Brockholst Livingston, Asso-
ciate Justice of the United States Supreme Court; Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary
of the Treasury ; Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War; and President Joseph Willard, of
Harvard College.
4. Colonel E. C. Dawes, in the Magazine of American History for December, 18S9.
.5. Fort Harmar was built by Major John Doughty in the autumn of 1785, at the mouth
(right bank) of the Muskingum River. The detachment of United States troops under com-
mand of Major Doughty were part of Josiah Harmar's regiment, and hence the fort was
named in his honor. The outlines of the fort formed a regular pentagon, including about
three quarters of an acre. Its walls were formed of large horizontal timbers, the bastions
being about fourteen feet high, set firmly in the earth. In the rear of the fort Major
Doughty laid out fine gardens, in which were many peach trees, originating the familiar
" Doughty peach." The fort was occupied by a United States garrison until September,
1790, when they were ordered to Fort Washington (Cincinnati). A company under Captain
Haskell continued to make the fort headquarters during the Indian war of 1790-95. From
the date of the settlement at Marietta, across the Muskingum, in the spring of 1788, the fort
was constantly occupied by settlers, then rapidly filling the country. — Military Posts in Ohio ;
by A. A. Oraham. Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.
6. Life and Public Services of Arthur St. Clair; by William H. Smith.
7. Rev. Ezra Ferris.
8. Atwater, with his usual defiance of syntactical rules, narrates the following dubious
story : " There were in the army, at the commencement of the action, about two hun-
dred and fifty women, of whom fiftysix were killed in the battle, and the remainder were
made prisoners by the enemy, except a small number who reached Fort Washington. One
of the survivors lived until recently in Cincinnati, a Mrs. Catharine Miller. This woman ran
ahead of the whole army in their flight from the field of battle. Her large quantity of long
red hair floated in the breeze, which the soldiers followed through the woods, as their fore-
runner that moved rapidly onward to the place of their ultimate destination."— ifistor^ of
Ohio.
9. Smith's Life of St. Clair.
10. The votes stood, eleven for Harrison to ten for St. Clair.
THK TKRIMTOKIAI, (ioVF^RNM KNT.'
Governor— Genera\ Artluir 8t. Clair, from 17SS to 1S()2; (^harlon \V.
Byrd (acting), 1802-1803.
/SWrrfr///V.s— Major Wintlirop .Sargent, from 1788 to 1 708 ; William II. Ilairi.son,
from 1798 to 1799; Charles Willing Byrd, 1799 to 1803.
Aftornci/-(i()icrii/ — Arthur St. Clair, Junior, appointed in 179(1.
Treasurer — John Armstrong, from 1792 to 1803.
Auditors ofPiiUir Arro,irits—B}ce Bullock, December 18, 1799; Thomas (iili.s,,n,
in 1800.
TerrifnrinI J,nl,jrs—.] amc» M. Varnum, October 10, 1787, January, 1789;
Samuel H. Parsons, October l(i, 1787, November 10, 1789 ; John Armstroug, October
16, 1787, declined to accept; John ClevesSyniuies, from February 19, 1788, to March
3, 1803; William Barton, August 20, 1789, refused to serve; George Turner,
September 12, 1789, resigned in 1797 ; Rufus Putnam, March 31, 1790, served until
1796; Joseph Gihnan, from December 22, 1706, to March 3, 1S03; Return J. Meigs,
Junior, from February 12, 1798, to March 3, 1803.
Clerks of Gorernor mul of Terrif'vlitl ' V,///Y_William Collis, appointed in
September, 1788; Armistead Churchill, appointed Maj- 29, 1795; Daniel Symmcs,
time of service unknown.
Delegates in Conc/ress — William H. Harrison, from 1799 to 1800; William
McMillan, from 1800 to 1801 ; Paul Fearing, from 1801 to 1803.
The following is a list of Territorial Counties with dates of |ii-o(lam,'itii)ii ;iiid
names of county seats:
Washington, July 27, 1788, Marietta; Hamilton, January 2, 1790. Cincinnati ;
St. Clair, February, 1790, Cahokia ; Knox, in the year 1790, Vincennes; Randolph,
in the year 1795, Kaskaskia; Wayne, August 15, 1795, Detroit; Adams, July 10,
1797, Manchester; Jefferson, July 29, 1797, Steubenville ; Ross, August 20, 1797,
Chillicothe; Trumbull, July 10, 1800, Warren; Clermont, December 6, 1800,
Williamsbui-g ; Fairfield, December 9, 1800, New Lancaster; Belmont, September
7, 1801, St. Clairsville.
When the State of Ohio was organized in 1803, four of the counties above
named fell outside of its limits. St. Clair and Randolph formed a part of the
present area of Illinois, Knox of Indiana, and Wayne of Michigan.
Following is a list of the early territorial towns, with the names of their i)ro-
prietors and dates of foundation :
Marietta, 1788, Rufus Putnam, for the Ohio Land Company.
Columbia, 1788, Benjamin Stites, Major Cano, and others.
Cincinnati, 1789, Robert Patterson, Matthias Denman and Isi-acl Ludlow.
Manchester, 1791. Nathaniel Massie.
Gallipolis, 1791, a French colony.
Hamilton, 1794, Israel Ludlow.
Dayton, 1795, Israel Ludlow and Generals Dayton and Wilkinson.
Franklin, 1795, W. C. Schenck and Daniel C. Cooper.
Chillicothe, 1796, Nathaniel Massie.
Cleveland, 1796, Job V. Styles.
122 History of the City of Colijmbus.
Pranklinton, 1797, Lucas Sullivant.
Steubenville, 1798, Bazaliel Wells and James Ross.
Williamsburg, 1799. General William Ljtle.
Ziinesville, 1799, Jonathan Zane and John Mclntire.
New Lancaster, 1800, Ebenezer Zane.
Warren, 1801, Bphraim Quinby.
St. Clairsville, 1801, David Newell.
Springfield, 1801, James Demint.
Newark, 1802, W. C. Schenck, G. W. Burnett, and J. N. Cummings.
TERRXTORIAI. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1799-1800.
Lei/isldtive Council — Jacob Burnet and James Pindlay of Hamilton County ;
Kobert Oliver of Washington County; David Vance of Jefferson County and
Henry Vandenburg of Knox County.
Representatives — Joseph Darlington, Nathaniel Massie, Adams County ; Wil-
liam Goforth, William McMillan, John Smith, John I^udlow, Robert Benhara,
Aaron Caldwell, Isaac Martin, Hamilton County-; James Pritchard, Jefferson
Coiintj'; John Small, Knox County; John Edgar, Randolph County; Thomas
Worthington, Elias Langham, Samuel Pindlay, Edward TiflSn, Ross County;
Shadraek Bond, St. Clair County; Return Jonathan Meigs, Paul Fearing, Wash-
ington County; Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visgar, Charles F. Chabart de Joncaire,
Wayne County.
Officers lit fill ''')i;),r(7 — President, Henry Vandenburg; Secretary, William C.
Schenck ; Doorkeeper, George Howard ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Abraham Cary.
. Officers of the House — Speaker, Edward Tiffin ; Clerk, John Riley ; Doorkeeper,
Joshua Rowland ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Abraham Cary.
TERRITORIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1801-1803.
Legislative C'oi//)c//— Robert Oliver, Washington County ; Jacob Burnet, James
Findlaj', Hamilton County ; David Vance, Jefferson County ; Solomon Sibley,
Wayne County. Robert Oliver was elected President.
Officers of the 7/o».vv— Speaker, Edward Tiffin ; Clerk, John Riley; Doorkeeper
Edward Sherlock.
Hejjresentatives — Joseph Darlington, Nathaniel Massie, Adams County; Moses
Miller, Francis Dunlavy, Jeremiah Morrow, John Ludlow, John Smith, Jacob
White, Daniel Reeder, Hamilton County; Zenas Kimberly, John Milligan, Thomas
McCiine, Jefferson County ; Edward Tiffin, Thomas Worthington, Elias Langham,
Ross County; Edward Paine, Trumbull County; Ephraim Cutler, William Rufus
Putnam, Washington County; Frances J . Cliabert, George McDougal, Jonathan
Schieffelin, Wayne County.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Temjwrary Officers — President, William Goforth ; Secretary, William McPar-
land.
Permanent Q^'ccrs— President, Edward Tiffin; Secretary, Thomas Scott; As-
sistant Secretary, William McFarland.
Members— 3 oae\y\\ Darlington, Israel Donaldson, Thomas Kirkei-, Adams
County; James Caldwell, Elijah Woods, Belmont County; Philip Gateh, James
FouNDiNo OF Ohio. 123
Sargent, Clermont County ; Henry Abratns, Emanuel Carpenter, Fairfield County ;
John W. Browne, Charles Willing Bynl, Frances Dunluvy, William Goforth, John
Kitohel, Jeremiah Morrow, Jolin Paul, John Roily, John Smith, John WiUon,
Hamilton County ; Rudolf Bair, George Humphrey, John Milligan, Nathan Upde-
gratf, Bazaliel Wells, Jefferson County; Michael Baldwin, Edward Tiffin, James
Grubb, Thomas Worthington, Nathaniel Massie, Ross County : David Alibot,
Samuel Huntington, 'i'rumbull County; Bphraim Cutler, Benjamin Ives (Hlnian.
Rufus Putnam, John Mclntire, Washington County.
NOTES.
1. The foregoing synopsis of the Territorial Government
article entitled " Our Territorial Statesmen," by Isaac Smiicker,
History for January, 1885. .
STATE GOVERNMENT.^
GOVERNORS.
Arthur St. Clair ' .
Charles W. Byrd ^ .
Edward Tiffin '
Thomas Kirker *
Samuel Huntington
Return Jonathan Meig:
Othniel Looker* .
Thomas Worthington
Ethan Allen Brown'
Allen Trimble*
Jeremiah Morrow .
Allen Trimble .
Duncan McAi-lhur
RobeVt Lucas
Joseph Vance
Wilson Shannoti
Thomas Corwin
Wilson Shannon '
Thomas W. Bartlej- *
Mordecai Bartley
William Bebb
Seabury Ford ' .
Reuben Wood"
William Medill'"
Salmon P. Chase .
William Detinison
Iton
. Ham
Ross
. Adams
Trumbull
Washington
Hamilton
. Ross
Hamilton
. . Highland .
Warren .
. Highland .
Ross
. Pike
Champaign
Belmont
Warren .
. Belmont .
Richland
. Richland .
Butler
. Geauga
Cuyahoga
. Fairfield .
Hamilton
Franklin
David Tod Mahoning
John Brough " f . . Cuyahoga .
Charles Anderson f . . Montgomerj'
Jacob D. Cox Trumbull .
Rntlierford B. Hayes ... Hamilton
has been compiled from an
in the .Uiiga;ine of Wrslrrn
Term.
1788-1802
1802-1803
1803-1807
1807-1808
1808-1810
1810-1814
1814
1814-1818
1818-1822
1822
1822-1826
1826-1830
1830-1832
1832-1836
1836-1H38
1838-1840
1840-1842
1842-1844
1844
1844-1846
1846-1849
1849-1850
1850-1853
1853-1856
1856-1860
1860-1862
1862-1864
1864-1865
1865-1866
1866-1868
1868-1872
124 History of the City of Columbus.
state Governors— Continuecl.
Name. County. Term.
Edward F. Noyes .... Hamilton 1872-1874
William Allen Ross 1874-1876
Rutherford B. Hayes " . . . Sandusky 1876-1877
Thomas L. Young t . . . Hamilton .... 1877-1878
Richard M. Bishop .... Hamilton 1878-1880
Charles Foster .... Seneca 1880-1884
George Hoadiy Hamilton 1884-1886
Joseph B. Foraker . . . Hamilton .... 1886-1890
James E. Campbell .... Butler 1890-1892
William McKinley . 1892
1. ArthurSt. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, of which
Ohio was a part, from July 1.3, 1788. when the first civil government was established in the
Territory, until about the close of the year 1802, when he was removed by the President.
2. Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the Territory after the re-
movalof Governor St. Clair.
.3. Resigned March 3, 1807, to accept the office of United States Senator.
4. Return Jonathan Meigs was elected Governor on the second Tuesday of October,
1807, over Nathaniel Massie, who contested the election of Meigs on the ground " that he had
not been a resident of this State for four years next preceding the election as required by the
Constitution," and the General Assembly, in joint convention, decided that he was not
eligible. The office was not given to Massie, nor does it appear from the records that he
claimed it. but Thomas Kirker, acting Governor, continued to discharge the duties of the
office until December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington was inaugurated, he having been
elected on the second Tuesday of October in that year.
5 Designed March 2.5, 1814, to accept the office of Postmaster-General of the United
States.
(i. Resigned January 4, 1822, to accept the office of United States Senator.
7. Resigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to Mexico.
8. The result of the election in 1848 was not finally determined in joint convention of
the two houses of the General Assembly until January 19, 1849, and the inauguration did
not take place until the twentysecond of that month.
9. Resigned July 15, 1853, to accept the office of Consul to Valparaiso.
10. Elected in October, 1853, for the regular term, to commence on the second Monday
of January, 1854.
11. Died August 29, 1865.
12. Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of the United States.
*Acting Governor. Succeeded to office, as President of the Senate.
tActing Governor. Succeeded to office as Lieutenant-Gc
LIEUTENANT-
iOVERNORS.'
William Medill
1852-1854
Thomas L. Young-
. 1876-1877
James Myers
. 1854-1856
H. W. Curtiss'
1877-1878
Thomas Ford
1856
1858
Jabcz W. Fitch
. 1878-1880
Martin Welker .
. 1858
1860
Andrew Hickenlooper .
1880-1882
Robert C. Kirk
1860
1862
R. G. Richards .
. 1882-1884
Benjamin Stanton
. 1862
1864
John G. Warwick
1884-1886
Charles Atider.son
1864
1866
Robert P. Kennedy' .
. 1886-1887
Andrew G. McBuniey
. 1866
1868
Silas A. Conrad"
1887-1888
John C. Lee .
1868
-1872
William C. Lyon
. 1888-1890
Jacob Mueller .
. 1872
1874
William V. Marquis
1890-1892
Alphonso Hart
1874
-1876
ForNDINO OF (")hi
125
1. Under the new Constitution of 1S51, term two years. Until the year 1852, when the
new State Constitution went into effect, the presiding officer of the Senate was elected by the
Senate, and called Speaker. Since 1852, the Lieiitenant-Governor has been the presidinj;
officer of the Senate, and called President.
2. Became Governor, vice Rutherford B. Hayes, who resigned M:ucl] l', 1S77, to ln'i-dnu'
President of the United States.
.">. Acting Lieutenant-Governor, vice Thomas L. Young.
4. Resigned to take a seat in Congress.
5. Acting Lieutenant-Governor, vice Robert P. Kennedy.
SECRETARIES OP STATE.'
William Creigliton, .Tr
Jeremiah McLene
Moses H. Kirby
B. Hinkson^ .
Carter B. Harlau
William Trevitt
Johu Sloane
Samuel Galloway
Henry W. King
William Trevitt
Jame.s H. Baker
Addison P. Kussell
BeniauiiiL R. Coweii^
1803-1808
1808-1831
1831-1835
1835-183G
1836-18-40
1840-1841
1841-1844
1844-1850
1850-1852
1852-1856
1856-1858
1858-1862
1862
1. From 1802 to 1850 the Secretaries of
of the Senate and Hou.se of Representative
people for a term of two years.
2. Resigned in December, 1808.
3. Resigned in February, 18:-i<>.
4. Resigned in May, 1862.
5. Resigned in January, l.sti8.
Wilson S. Ken lion
William W. Arinstront
William H. Smith'
John Hussell
Lsaae R. Sherwood .
Allen T. Wikoft-
William Bell, Jr.
Milton Barnes
Charles Townsend
James W. Newman
James 8. Kobinaon
Daniel J. Ryan
C. L. Poorman
State were elected for three years
!3. Since 18,50, thev liavc l)een t
1862-1863
1863-1865
1865-1868
1868-1869
1869-1873
1873-1875
1875-1877
1877-1881
1881-1883
1883-1885
1885-18S9
188!I-1S!I2
by joint hallol.
'lected by the
Thomas Gibson-
Benjamin Hough
Ealph Osboru
John A. Bryan
John Brough
John Woods
William D. Morgan
Francis M. Wright
1. Until the adoption of the
term of three years; since 1851 t
2. Resigned.
3. Resigned in April, 1863.
AIIIJITORS
IF STATE.'
1803^808
Robert W. Taylor^
18601863
1808-1815
Oviatt Cole
. 1863-18(14
1815 1833
James H. God man
1864-1872
1833-1839
James Williams
. 1872-1880
1839-1845
John F. Oglevee .
1880-1884
1845-1852
Emil Kiesewetter
. 1884-1888
1852-1856
Ebenezer W. Poe .
1888-1896
1856-1860
e constitution
of IS51 the .\uditor of Stat.
was elected fur a
he term of otfi
e lias l)een four years.
History of thf. City of Columbus.
TREASURERS OF STATE.
William MeFarlaiul
Hiram M. Ouir^-*
Samuel SuUivaiil
Henry Brown
Joseph Whiteliill .
Albert A. Bliss .
John G. Breeliii
William H. Gibson-
A. P. Stone
G. V. Dorsey
1. Prior to the adoptii
W. Hooper
S. S. Warner
Isaac Welsh^
Jjeroy W. Welsh
John M. Millikiu
Anthonj- Howells
Joseph Turuey
Peter Brady .
John C. Brown
1803-181G
1816-182(1
1820-1828
1823-1835
1835-1847
1847-1852
1852-1856
1856-1857
1857- 1862
1862-1865
of the Constitution of IS.tI, the Treasur
1865-1866
1866-1872
1872-1875
1875-1876
1876-1878
1878-1880
1880-1884
1884-1886
1886-1892
of State was elected
for a terra of three years; afterwards for a term of two years.
2.' Resigned in February, ]82n.
3. Resigned in June, 1S57.
4. Died November 29, 1875, during his oliicial term.
ATTORNEYS-GENERAL.'
Henry Stanbery . . 1846-1851 Chauncey N. Olds
Joseph McCormiek . 1851-1852 William H. West
George E. Pugh . 1852-1854 Francis B. Pond .
George W. MeCook . . 1854-1856 John Little
Francis D. Kimball . 1856 Isaiah Pillars
C. P. Wolcott . . . 1856-1861 George K. Nash
James Murra}' . . 1861-1863 James Lawrence
L. E. Critchfield . . 1863-1865 Jacob A. Kohler
VYilliam P. Richardson . 1865 David K. Watson .
1. Term of office, two years.
COMPTROLLERS OF THE TREASURY.'
W.B. Thrall . . . 1859-1862 Moses E. Brail ey
Joseph H. Eiley . 1862-1865 William T. Wilson
1. Term of office three years. The office was abolished in January,
lDJUTANTS GENERAL.
Cornelius E. Sedai/1
Samuel Finley .
David Ziegler
Thomas Worthington
Joseph Kerr .
Isaac Van Horn
William Daugherty
Samuel C. Andrews .
William Daugherty
Jacob Medary, Jr.
Edward H. Cumming
Thomas W. H. Mosely
J. W. Wilson .
H. B. Carrington
C. P. Buckingham .
1 . Term of office two years.
2. Resigned March 1, 1891.
1803
1803-1807
1807
1807-1809
1809 1810
1810-1819
1819-1828
1828-1837
1837-1839
18391841
1841-1845
1845-1851
185M857
1857-1861
1861-1862
Charles W. Hill
Benjamin E. Cowen
E. F. Schneider
William A. Knapp
James O. Amos
A. T. Wykoff
Charles W. Karr
Luther M. Meily .
William H. Gibson
S. B. Smith .
E. B. Finley
H. A. Axline
Morton L. Hawkins-
Thomas P. Dill
E. J. Poeock .
1865-1866
1866-1870
1870-1874
1874-1878
1878-1880
1880-1884
1884-1886
1886-1888
1888-1892
1865-1871
1871-1877
1862-1864
1864-1868
1868-1869
1869-1874
1874-1876
1876-1877
1877-1878
1878-1880
1880-1881
1881-1884
1884-1886
1886-1890
18901891
1891-1892
1892
FoT-NPiNO OF Ohio.
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Under the Coustitii
tion of 1802 :
Name.
County,
Name.
County.
Samuel Huniingtou .
Cuj^ahoga
Gustavus Swan
Franklin
Return Jonathan Meigs
. Washington
Klijah Hayward
. Hamilton
William Sprigg
Jefferson
John M.Goodenow
Jettorson
George Tod
. Trninbull
Henry Brush
. Ross
Daniel Symmes
HamiltDn
Reuben Wood
Cuyahoga
. Jefferson
Thomas Scott
. Ross
John C. Wright
Thomas Morris
Clermont
Joshua Collett
Warren
William W. Irwin
. Fairticid
Ebenezer Lane
Huron
Ethan Allen Brown
Hamilton
Frederick (irinikr
Ro.ss
C'alvin Pease
. Trumbull
Matthew Birchaid
. Trumbull
John McLean
Warren
Nathaniel C. Read
Hamilton
Jessup N. Couch
. Hamilton
Edward Averj-
. Wayne
Jacob Burnet
Hamilton
Ruf'us P. Spalding
Summit
Charles R. Sbermaji
Fairfield
William B. Caldwell
Hamilton
Peter Hitchcock
Geauga
Rufus P. Ranney .
Trumbull
Lender the Constitut
on uf 1851 :
Thomas W. Hartley
Richland
George W. Mcllvaine
. 'J'uscai'awns
John A. Corwiii
. Champaign
William H. West
Logan
Allen G. Thurman
Ross
Waltei' F. Stone
Rrio
Rufus P. Ranney
. Trumbull
George Rex
Wayne
William B Caldwell
ILamiltoii
William J. Gilmoiv
. Preble
Robert B. Warden
Franklin
W. W. Bpynton
Lorain
William Kennon
Belmont
John W. Okey
. Franklin
Joseph R. Swan
. Franklin
William W.Johnson .
Lawrence
Jacob Brinkerhoti' .
Richlan<l
Nicholas Longwoi-th
Hamilton
Charles C. Converse .
. Muskingum
John H. Doyle .
Lucas
OziasBiwws .
Marion
William H. Upson
Summit
Joeiah Scott
. Butler
Martin D. Follett
Washington
Milton Sutliff
Trumbull
Selwyn N. Owen
. Williams
William V. Peek
. Scioto
Gibson Atherton
Licking
William Y. Gholson
Hamilton
William T. Spear
. Trumbull
Horace Wilder .
. Ashtabula
Marshall J. Williams .
l-'aye.Ie
Hocking H. Hunter
Fairfield
Thaddeus A. Min.shall
. I{0SS
William' White .
. Clark
Franklin J. Dick man
Cuyahoga
Luther Day .
Portage
Joseph P. Bradbury
John Welsh
. Athens
SUPREME COURT COMMISSIO.V.
Served from 1876 to 1879 :
Josiah Scott . Crawford Luther Day' . Portage
W.W.Johnson . Lawrence Thomas y. Ashhurn' . Clermont
D. Thew Wright . Hamilton
1. Appointed vice Richard A. Harrison, from Franklin County, who resigned in January
1876.
History op the Citt of CoLUMBtJS.
Appointed vice Henry C. Whitman, from Hamilton County, who resigned in March,
Served from 1883 to 1885 :
Moses M. Granger . . Muskingun
George K. Nash . Franklin
Franklin J. Dickman . Cuyahoga
Charles D. Martin
John McCauley
CLERKS OF THE SUPREME COURT.'
Rodney Foos . . . 1866-1875 Dwight Crowell
Arnold Green . . . 1875-1878 J. AV. Cruikshank
Richard J. Fanning . 1878-1881 Urban H. Hester
1. Term of office, three years.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Alexander McConnell
John Harris
R. Dickinson
T. G. Bates
William Wall
Leander Ransom
William Reyan
William Spencer
Oren FoUett
J. Blickensderfer, Jr.
Samuel Forrer
E. S. Hamlin .
A. P. Miller
George W. Manypenny
James B. Steedman
Wayne Griswold
J. Blickensderfer, Jr.
A. G. Conover
John Waddle
R. L. Backus
John L. Martin
John B. Gregory
1836-1838
1836-1838
1836-1845
1836-1842
1836-1838
1836-1845
1839-1840
1842-1845
1845-1849
1845-1852
1845-1852
1849-1852
1852-1855
1852-1853
1852-1856
1853-1857
1854-1858
1856-1860
1857-1860
1858-1861
1859-1862
1860-1863
Levi Sargent
John F. Torrence .
James Gamble .
James Moore
John M. Barrere
Philip D. Herzi^g .
Richard R. Porter
Stephen R. Hosmer
Martin Schilder
Peter Thatcher
J. C. Evans
George PauP
James Fullington
Stephen R. Hosmer
Leo Weltz''
Henry Weible
John P. Martin
C. A. Flickinger-* .
Wells S. Jones
William M. Hah n .
Frank T. McCoUoch
Fairfield
Seneca
1881-1884
1884-1887
1887-1892
1861
1862
1863
1864
1864-
1865
1870
1872.
1875
1876.
1877
1879
1880
1881
1883-
1883
1884
1885.
1886
1887
1891.
1865
1864
1871
1870
1877
1876
1875
1881
1879
1880
1885
1883
1884
1884
1886
1887
1891
1889
1890
1894
1. Term of office, three years.
2. Reelected.
3. Appointed vice Stephen R. Hosmer, deceased.
4. Reelected.
CANAL COMMISSION.
William H. Gibson. Served from April 11, 1888, to April 11, 1890.
A. H. Latty. Served from April 11, 1888, to April 11, 1890.
C. F. Baldwin.' Served from April 11, 1888, to July 26, 1888.
Robert M. Rownd. Appointed April 26, 1888, to succeed C. F. Baldwin, re-
signed. Served until April 11, 1890, when the Commission expired by limitation
of law.
/ ^/^C-z^ C^ct- (^ ^:^~tr:7
The Commission was revived by act of General Assembly, passed April 18,
1890, and the t'ollowing members were then appointed for the term of two years:
W. E. Rodcu, Eobert M. Eownd, A. H. Roose.
1. The Commission was originally created by act of the General Assembly, passed
March 28, 1888, for the purpose of establishing, by actual survey, the boundaries of the canal
property of the State, including channels, reservoirs, basins, etc. The members were ap-
pointed for a term of two years.
2. Resigned April 2(3, 1888.
COMMISSIONERS (IK C()MM0\ SCHOOLS.'
Samuel Lewis' . . 1837-1840 Charles S. Smart . . 1875-1878
Hiram H. Barney . 1854-1857 J. J, Burns . . . 1878-1881
Anson Smythe . . . 1857-18(13 I). F. De Wolf . . . 1881-1884
C. W, H. Catheart^ 18(i3 Leroy D. Brown . 1884-1887
Emerson E White . . 1863-18titi Eli T. Tappan" . . . 18871888
John A. Norris' . . 18G6-18(i9 John Hancock' . . 1888-1891
William D. Henkle' . . 1869-1871 C. C. Miller" . . 1891-1892
Thomas W. Harvey . 1871-1875
1. Term of office, three years.
2. From 1840 to 1854 the Secretaries of State were ex-otticio commissioners of common
schools.
3. Resigned in November, 1863.
4. Resigned in June, 1 869.
5. Resigned in September, 1871.
6. Died October 23, 1888.
7. Appointed to succeed Eli T. Tappan, deceased. Died in office June 1, 1891.
8. Appointed vice John Hancock, deceased.
COMMISSIONERS OF RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHS.'
George B. Wright* . 1867-1871 James S. Robinson'' . 1880-1881
Richard D. Harrison ' . 1871-1872 Hylas Sabine . . . 1881-1885
Orlow L. Wolcott . . 1872-1874 Henry Apthorp . . 1885-1887
John G. Thompson^ . 1874-1876 William S. Cappeller " . 1887-1890
Lincoln G. Delano . . 1876-1878 James A. Norton ' . 1890-1892
William Bell, Jr. . . 1878-1880
1. Term of office two years.
2. Resigned in October, 1871.
3. Died in April, 1872.
in December, 1875.
5. Resigned in
February, 1881.
6. Removed by the Governor.
7. Appointed \
,'ice W. S. Cappellei- and n
-appointed lor a full term.
^LPER\ISORS III-' 1
•I'lil.ic I'UINTINO.'
L. L. Rice
1860-1864
William J. Elliott
. 1879-1881
William O. Blake
. 1864
J. K. Brown .
1881.1885
W. H. Foster .
1864-1867
W. C. A. de la Court .
, 1885-1887
L. L. Rice .
. 1867-1875
Leo Hirsch
1887-1891
Charles B. Flood
. 1875-1877
S. V. Hinkic
. 1 Hill -1893
William W. Bond
. 1877-1879
Term of office, two vears.
History or the City of Columbus.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF INSURANCE."
William F. Church . 1872-1875 Henry J. Reinraund . 1884-1887
William D. Hill . 1875-1878 Samuel E. Kemp . . 1887-1890
Joseph F. Wright . . 1878-1881 W. H. Kinder . , 1890-1893
Charles H. Moore . . 1881-1884
1. Term of office, three years.
COMMISSIONERS OF LABOR STATISTICS.'
H. J. Walls . . . 1877-1881 Alouzo D. Fassett'' . 1887-1890
Henry Luskey . 1881-1885 John McBride" . . . 1889-1892
Larkin McHugh . . 1885-1887
1. Term of office, two years.
2. Legislated out of office.
3. Appointed vice Fassett.
INSPECTORS OF MINES.'
Andrew floy . . 1874-1878 Andrew Hoy 1880-1884
James D. Poston . . 1878-1879 Thomas B. Bancroft . . 1884-1888
David Owens . . 1879-1880 Robert M. Hazeltine . 1888-1892
1. Term of office, four years.
INSPECTORS OF WORKSHOPS AND FACTORIES.'
Henry Dorn . . 1885-1889 William Z. McDonald . 1889-1893
1. Term of office, four years.
DAIRY AND FOOD COMMISSIONERS.'
S. H. Hurst . . . 1886-1887 Edward Bethel . . 1890-1892
F. A. Derthick . . . 1887-1890
Term of office, two years.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.'
Thomas C. Hoover, M. D. Appointed in 1886. Reappointed at expiration of
term.
H. J. Sharp, M. D. Appointed in 1886.
D. H. Beckwith, M. D. Appointed in 1886 for four years.
T. Clark Miller, M. D. Appointed in 1886 for two years.
W. H. Cretcher, M. D. Appointed in 1886. Died in 1889.
Professor B. T. Nelson. Appointed in 1887.
John D. Jones, M. D. Appointed in 1886. Resigned in 1889.
S. P. Wise, M. D. Appointed in 1886. Reappointed in 1889.
Joseph L. Anderson, M. D. Appointed in 1889 vice J. D. Jones, resigned.
S. A. Conklin, M. D. Appointed in January, 1889, for unexpired term of W.
H. Cretcher.
William T. Miller, M. D. Appointed in 1890.
A. J. Scott, M. D. Appointed vice J. L. Anderson in 1891.
C. 0. Probst, M. D., Secretary of the Board.
1. Term of office, seven years. The Board was constituted in 18S6. The Attorney-
General of the State is ex-officio a member of the Board.
Pounding of Ohio.
STATE QEOLOUIST.
1869— John S. Newberry, LL. D.
1872— E. B. Andrews,, LL. I).
X875— Edward Orton, LL. D.
C'ODIFVINQ COMxMISSION,
1875-1879.
M. A. Daugherty George B. Okey'
John W. Okey' Luther Day'
John S. Brazee'
1. Resigned.
2. Succeeded John W. Okey.
3. Resigned.
4. Succeeded Luther Day.
COM.MISSIONER OF IMMIURATION.'
1863 — Bevus Speyer.
1. Office established in 1863; abolished in 1S67.
INSPECTOR (IF STEAM BOILERS.'
1869— Charles M. Ridgway.
1. Office established in 1869; abolished in 1,S7U.
INSPECTORS OF QAS.
1867 — Theodore G. Wormley.
1877— Ezras. Oodd.
INSPECTORS OF OILS.
1878-1879— F. W. (h-een.
1879-1880— William B. Williams.
1880-1884— Louis Smithnight.
1884-1886— (part) David C. Ballentine.
1886— (part) Louis Smithnight.
1886-1890- George B. Cox.
1890-1892— J. H. Dowling.
UNITED STATES LANIJ CLAIMS.
1878— Charles J. Wetmore.
1878— Horace P. Clough.
1881— George H. Foster.
1885— Charles W. Constantine.
1888— George H. Foster.
REGISTERS OF VIRGINIA MILITARY LANDS.
1857— William A. Moore.
1866— Robert C. Smith.
1874— James E. Cox.
1875 — Victor Gutzweiler, Jr.
1876— Robert C. Smith.
1878— William T. Higgins.
1878— T. Y. McCray.
132 History of the City of Couimbds.
PISH AND GAME WARDENS.
1886— L. K. Buntain.
1890— George W. Hill.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF STATE HOUSE.
1860— William A. Piatt.
1862— William M. Awl.
1868— John H. Grove.
1870— Charles M. Eidgway.
I. The foregoing synopsis of the State Government has been compiled from the annual
report of the Secretary of State, Honorable James S. Robinson, for the year 1887, with supple-
mentary additions mostly taken from W. A. Taylor's Hundred Year Book and Official
Register, published in 1891.
Origin of the City.
CHAPTER VII.
FRANKLINTON. I.
Ill the spring of 1795 a surveying party of Kentuckians apjieareil in the woods
on Deer Creek, within the present confines of Madison County. The leader of the
party was Lucas Sullivant, the pioneer explorer of Central Ohio and founder of
Franklinton.
Mr. Sullivant was at that time about thirt}' years of age. Born in Mecklen-
burg County, Virginia, in 1765, he participated, at sixteen, in an expedition to re-
pel an Indian invasion of his native State. Cast upon his own resources early in
life, he gained influential friends, one of-whom was Colonel William Starling,
who.se second daughter he afterwards married. By diligent improvement of his
time and means, he qualified himself as a Land Surveyor, and found in the hos-
pitable wilderness of Kentucky, then an outlying county of Virginia, a useful
field for the exercise of his talents Mr. Sullivant first located at Paris, in Bourbon
County, Kentucky, and became owner of a fine tract of lanil in that vicinity.
Subsequently he resided several j'ears in Washingthn Count}' with a famiij- named
Treacle, whose name he gave, after his arrival in Ohio, to the stream now known
as Little Darby Creek, in the western part of Franklin County. Mr. Sullivant's
biographer' de.scribes him at his maturitj- as a man "of medium height, muscular
and well proportioned, quick and active in his movements, witli an erect carriage
and a good walk, a well-balanced head, finished off' with a cue. which he always
wore ; a broad and higli forehead, an aquiline nose, and a blue-gray eye, a firm mouth
and square chin. Ho was firm and positive in his opinions, but courteous in
manners and expression, prompt and decisive to act upon his own convictions, and
altogether a man of forcible character, exercising an infliienco over those with
whom he came in contact."
After Mr. Sullivant's arrival in Kentucky, Virginia authorized her soldiers to
appoint a surveyor of the lands which she had reserved for them from her cessions
to the National Government. Their choice fell upon Colonel Richard C. Ander-
son, who had served with distinction as an oflicer of the Continental Arnij'.' On
Ju]y20, 1784, Colonel Anderson opened an office for the survey and distribution of
the Virginia bounty lands, under the protection of a frontier stockade and block-
house on the present site of the city of Louisville. Among the deputy surveyors
whom he appointed were Nathaniel Massie, Duncan McArthur, Lucas Sullivant,
John O'Bannon, Arthur Fox and John Bcasley.
Mr. Sullivant was assigned to the northern jiortion of the Virginia Military
District, where we find him at the opening of this chapter. His party had been
[135]
ISfi History of the City of Columbtts.
organized at Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky, and comprised about twenty
men, including assistant surveyors, chain-carriers, scouts, porters, and other
helpers. While running his lines on Deer Creek he encountered a mounted
French trader accompanied by two Indians. Soon after this party had passed
him, Mr. Sullivant heard shots, and going back found, to his dismay, that his rear
guard had fired on and killed the Frenchman, and put his Indian companions to
flight. Sullivant reprimanded his men severely for this unprovoked and unneces-
sary attack, well knowing that it could not fail to incite early retaliation from the
Indians at the villages on the Scioto. Some of his companions scoffed at his ap-
prehensions, but so sure was he of coming trouble, that he resolved to shift the
scene of his operations just as soon as he could close his work in that neighbor-
hood.
His fears were soon realized. While he was running his last lines, four days
after the affair of the Frenchman, Sullivant descried a band of Indians, larger
than his own party, crossing the prairie at a considei-able distance. This was a
hostile expedition sent out from the Mingo villages then clustered about the
present site of Columbus. Sullivant proposed fight, but his men were averse to it,
and remained concealed in the high grass while the warriors passed by unsuspect-
ing that near at hand were the very men whose scalps they were looking for.
But the Indians did not miss their opportunity. After they had passed, and Mr.
Sullivant had cautioned his men to be quiet, and not to use their firearms, he re-
sumed his work, which he was just finishing, at nightfall, when a flock of wild
turkeys flew up into the trees near by. Tempted by these birds, the men disobeyed
orders, and fired several shots. Sullivant warned his companions to be ready, for
the Indians were still within hearing, and would soon be upon them. He had
scarcely ceased when the warriors rushed at them with a whoop and a volley.
Mr. Sullivant, says his son and biographer — who shall describe what followed —
" lifted his compass, which was on the Jacob's staff standing beside him, and, toss-
ing it into a fallen tree top, unslung the light shotgun he carried strapped on his
back, and fired at an Indian who was advancing upon him with uplifted toma-
hawk, and, turning about to look for bis men, saw they were in a panic and rapidly
dispersing, and he also took to his heels, and fortunately in about a quarter of a
mile, fell in with six of his men. Favored in their flight by the darkness, and
shaping their course by the stars, they journeyed all night and most of next
day before halting.
The third night, as they were traveling along, footsore and weary, they heard voices
which seemed to proceed from a hillock in front, and they stopped and hailed. The other
party, discovering them at the same moment, challenged and ordered a halt. A parley
ensued, when, to their great surprise those on the hill appeared to be the other and larger
party of their own men. But no advance was made by either side, each fearing the other
might be a decoy in the hands of the Indiana, for it was not an uncommon trick for the cun-
ning savages to compel their unfortunate prisoners to play such a part.'
After many inquiries and some threats had been exchanged, Mr. Sullivant ad-
vanced alone, and immediately verified his belief that the men he had been parley-
ing with were members of his own company. ■ A reunion at once took place, amid
the gloom of the wilderness, but not of the entire party. Two men were missing,
and of these two one, named Murray, was known to have fallen dead at the first
fire of the Indians.
Frankmntiin. I. 137
Many years after these eventH, while Madison County was being settled up,
Mr. Sullivant's pompass was found, in good condition, jusi where he cast it during
his encounter with the Indians. His son, Mr. Josejjh Sullivant, carefully pre-
served it, and still had it in his po.^sossion at the time he wrote the forej^'oing
narrative.^
Some time after the Deer Creek adventure, Mr. Sullivant began his surveying
operations within the present limits of Franklin County. His party carried with
it a supply of bacon, flour and salt, but depended for its subsistence mainly upon
the wild game of the woods. This not always being a sure reliance, the company
cook was sometimes driven to dire expedients to satisfy the hungry stomachs of the
party. On one occasion, coming in at night, wearj- and hungry, the men, to their
great delight, were regaled with appetizing odors issuing from a steaming camp-
kettle. When the mess was ready each one received his share of hot broth in a
tin cup, the chief being awarded as his portion the boiled head of some small
animal. Opinions differed as to what the animal was, the raccoon, rabbit, ground-
hog, squirrel, porcupine and opossum each having its partisans. Finally, on being
driven to the wall, the cook acknowledged that the soup had been made from the
bodies of two young skunks which he had captured ■' without damage to himself"
in a hollow log. The effect of this announcement was curious. Some of those
who had partaken persisted that the .soup was excellent, others wanted to whip
the cook; one, only, involuntarily emptied his stomach.
Wolves, howling and barking, hovered constantly around the camps of the
expedition, seeking its offal, and the American panther, or catamount, was more
than once seen prowling about on the same errand. Once, when the party had
pitched its camp near a place known to the early settlers as Salt Lick, on the west
.side of the Scioto, three miles below the present city of Columbus, a panther was
detected crouched on the limb of a tree, almost directly over the campfire around
which the men were sitting. The tail of the beast was swaying to and fro, its
eyeballs glaring and its general behavior such as to indicate that it was about to
make a spring. Seizing his rifle, a huntsman of the party took steady aim between
the two blazing eyes, and fired. The panther instantly came down with a ter-
rific scream, and scattered the i-ampfire witli the le;ips and <M,iivulsions amid which
it expired.
When Mr. Sullivant awoke the next morning after this adventure, he felt .some
incubus on his persou, and soon discovered that a large rattlesnake had coiled
itself upon his blanket. Giving blanket and snake both a sudden toss, he .sprang
to his feet, and soon made away with his uninvited bedtellow.
In the course of a subsequent expedition Mr. Sullivant appointed a rendezvous
for his party at the junction of the SciMo and Whetstone (now Olentangy) then
known to the surveyors and map-makers as the Forks of the Scioto. Should his
men arrive there before he did, they were directed to leave a canoe for him, pro-
ceed up the river and await him at the mouth of a stream now called .Mill Creek.
Owing to detention, lie arrived at the Forks late in the afternoon, but found a
canoe awaiting him as arranged, and immediately set out in it to rejoin his com-
panions. He bad but just pushed into the stream when be detected three Indians
lurking in a grove of huge sycamores which then stood on the west bank of the
Whetstone. He drove his canoe rapidly up stream, cautiously followed by the
138 History of the City op Columbus.
Indians, who apparently expected to surprise him after he should encamp for the
night. At dusk he landed on a brushy island opposite a point since known as
the Quarry, three miles above the Forks. Perceiving that the Indians were still
following, he drew up his canoe ostentatiously for the night, cut brush, drove
stakes and built a fire, as if intending to encamp, then taking his gun, compa.ss and
pack, he crossed to the west side of tiie river, and pushed on afoot. The Indians
were completely disconcerted by this stratagem and gave no further annoyance.
After proceeding a little way, Mr. SuUivant wrote an account of this adventure on
a leaf of his note book, and left it in a split stick stuck in the ground beside a tree
on which he carved his initials and the date. "A long time afterward," says his
biographer, " when botanizing on the bank of the river above the quarry, I took
refuge from a passing shower under the spreading branches of a large sugar tree.
Home ancient ax marks on the bark attracted my attention, and, passing around
the tree, I was surprised at seeing the letters L. S. and a date on the bark. This
event, which I had heard related in my boyhood, instantly occurred to me, and I
perceived I was standing on the precise spot where my father had left this memo-
rial of himself, in the solitude of the wilderness, near fifty years before, when
fleeing for his life, with naught but his own courage and self-reliance to sustain
him."''
After rejoining his party, Mr. SuUivant continued his canoe voyage up the
river and halted foi- several days on a creek, to which as a compliment to one of
his trusted scouts and hunters he gave the name of Boke."
The following pas.sages from the pen of Mr. Joseph SuUivant in the SuUivant
Family Memorial^ are ol'such local interest as to justify reproduction entire:
I have heard m)* father state that on another occasion, he was again ascending the
Scioto with his party in canoes, in the latter part of April, and when a lialf mile below the
place now known as the Marble Cliff quarries, with the wind blowing down stream, they
encountered a most peculiar and sickening odor, which increased as they advanced, and
some of the men were absolutely overcome with nausea occasioned by the intolerable
effluvium.
When arriving opposite the cliff the cause was revealed, and it was found to proceed
from a prodigious number of snakes, principally rattlesnakes, which, just awakened from
their winter torpor, were basking in the spring sunshine. iVIr. SuUivant said, unless he had
seen it, he never could have imagined such a sight. Every available place was full, and the
whole face of the cHfl' seemed to be a mass of living, writhing reptiles.
It will be remembered by the early settlers of Franklin Township that the fissures and
holes in the rocky bank of the river were the resorts of great numbers of snakes, that came
there every fall for winter quarters, and that several regular snake hunts, or rather snake
killings, took place. The most famous snake den known was at the Marble Cliffs^ There
were two entrances into the rocks from three to five feet in diameter, leading into a fissure or
cave of unknown extent, and the bottom part of these entrances was as smooth as polished
glass, from the constant gliding in and out of these loathsome reptiles, which were the an-
noyance of the whole neighborhood, as well as the especial dread of us boys, who had to go
with our bags of grain to be ground at McCoy's Mill, about two hundred yards above.
Several times on ray trips to the mill I saw the venomous reptiles sunning themselves
in the road, and I always turned aside, and the horse, from some natural instinct, seemed to
be equally averse to go near them. I have a lively recollection of one occasion, when,
mounted on three bushels of corn on the back of "old Kate," we jogged until near the mill,
when tbe old mare gave a snort and a shy that nearly threw me off, as she discovered a huge
old rattlesnake lying in the middle of the road, as if he owned all the premises. Tlie old
Franklinton. I. 130
mare, of her own accord, gave his snakeship a wide berth, and continued to snort and exhibit
uneasiness for some time, and I know I received such a fright the cold chills ran over me,
although it was a hot summer day.
For years after the settlement of that neighborhood, frequent attempts were made to
break up this resort, particularly when the premises w^ere owned by Thomas Backus, who
one cold winter, had large quantities of dry wood and brush carried into the cave, and
set on fire in the spring: gunpowder was also used in an attempt to blow up this snake den.
as it was universally called, and one of the blasts found vent on top of a ridge a half a mile
away, and formed a sinkhole which remains until this day. One of the most efficient means
was building a hogpen, early in the fall, in front of the den, and the hogs were .said to have
destroyed great numbers. A pair of bald eagles had a nest in a tall cedar that formerly
crowned the cliff, and they also killed many of these reptiles.
While engaged in his surveying operations, Lucas Sullivant was careful to
locate some choice tracts of land in his own right. He was much attracted by the
fertility of the Scioto bottoms, of wiiicli he became, at an early date, an extensive
owner. So far reaching were his acquisitions of the territories over which he
sighted his compass that he came to be known as "monarch of all he survejed."'
The region about the Forks of the Scioto drew his attention especially. He was
not only pleased with the fertility of its soil, and the luxuriance of its forests, but
he foresaw its eligibility as a future seat of population. Its central position in the
coming State then crystallizing into political form occurred to his mind. The use-
ful relations which the Scioto River, then a navigable stream, might bear to a
civilized community were considered. An additional hint was derived from the
fact that the Indians, whose settlements have so often anticipated the location of
the leading cities of today, had congregated in this neighborhood. After the Iro-
quois conquest, they came here to hunt, and also, finally, to dwell. Within a few
miles of the Forks of the Scioto, at the time of Sullivant's arrival, stood several of
their villages. For many decades, apparently, their women had annually planted
with Indian corn the rich bottom lying ju.st below the Forks, within the bend of
the river. Here, in a grove of stately walnut trees, skirting these Indian maize-
fields, Lucas Sullivant, in August, 1797, laid out the town of Franklinton.
The first plat fronted on the river opposite the Forks, and was drawn on a
liberal scale. The lots were to be sold on a certain day, but before the appointed
time, an inundation of all tlie lowlands took place, which has been known in the
traditions of that period as the great flood of 1798. The plan of tlie town was
therefore changed, and made conformable to the boundaries of the higher grounds
adjacent to the original location. Here Mr. Sullivant erected the first brick dwel-
ling in the county, and established his permanent home. His children were born
there, and there he resided until the day of his death.
To promote settlement, he offered to donate the lots on a certain street to such
persons as would become actual residents. To this thoroughfare he gave the name
of Gift Street, which it still retain.s. The very first family settlement in Franklin-
ton was made by Joseph Dixon during the autumn of 1797. Several additional ar-
rivals took place during the ensuing winter and spring. First among these early
comers were George Skidmore, John Brickcll, Robert Armstrong, Jeremiah Arm-
strong, William Domigan, James Marshal, the Deardurfs, the McElvaines, the
Sellses, John Lysle, William Fleming, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier, ArthurO'Harra,
Joseph Foos, John Blair, Michaef Fisher and John Dill. The McElvaines emi-
140
History of the City of Coiumbus.
grated to Ohio from Kentucky in the spring of 1797. They remained at Chilli-
cothe during the ensuing summer, and arrived at Franklinton during the spring of
1798. William Domigan came from Maryland, Michael Fisher from Virginia,
Joseph Foos from Kentucky, and John Pill from York County, Pennsylvania.
OF FRANKLINTO»
The career of John Briekell, who was one of the first three or four white men
who settled in Franklin County, was one of extraordinarj' adventure. . Briekell
arrived at Franklinton in 1797. A few years later he bought a tract often acres
on which the Ohio Penitentiary now fronts, and there built a cabin in which he
dwelt dui-ing most of the remainder of his life. In 1842, the following deeply in-
teresting sketch of his adventures, written by himself, was published in the
American Pioneer .'
Franklinton. r. 141
I was born on the twentyfourth of May, 1781, in Pennsylvania, near a place then known
as Stewart's Crossings, on the Youghiogheny River, and, as I suppose from what 1 learned
in after life, about tour miles from Beesontown, now Uniontown, in Fayette County. On my
father's side, I was of Irish, and on my mother's of German parentage. My father died when
I was quite young, and I went to live with an elder brother, on a preemption settlement, on
the northeast side of the Alleghany River, about two miles from Pittsburgh. On the break-
ing out of the Indian war, a body of Indians collected to the amount of about one hundred
and fifty warriors, and spread up and down the Alleghany River about forty miles, and by a
preconcerted movement, made an attack on all the settlements along the river, for that dis-
tance, in one day.
This was on the ninth of February, 1791. I was alone, clearing out a fencerow, about a
quarter of a mile from the house, when an Indian came to me, and took my axe from me and
laid it upon his shoulder with his rifle, and then let down the cock of his gun which it ap-
pears, he had cocked in approaching me. I had been on terms of intimacy with the Indians,
and did not feel alarmed at this movement. They had been about our house almost every
day. He took me by the hand and pointed the direction he wanted me to go; and although
I did not know him, I concluded he only wanted me to chop something for him and went
without reluctance. We came to where he had lain all night, between two logs, without
fire. I then suspected something was wrong and attempted to run ; but he threw me down
on my face, in which position I every moment expected to feel the stroke of the tomahawk
on my head. But he had prepared a rope, with which he tied my hands together behind
me, and thus marched me off. After going a little distance, we fell in with George Girty, son
of old George Girty. He spoke English, and told me what they had done. He said "white
people had killed Indians, and that the Indians had retaliated, and now there is war, and you
are a prisoner; and we will take you to our town and make an Indian of you ; and you will
not be killed if you go peaceably ; but if you try to run away, we won't be troubled with you,
but we will kill you, and take your scalp to our town." I told him I would go peaceably, and
give them no trouble. From thence we traveled to the crossings of Big Beaver with scarce
any food. We made a raft, and crossed late in the evening, and lay in a hole in a rock
without fire or food. They would not make fire for fear we had attracted the attention of
hunters in chopping for the raft. In the morning, the Indian who took me, delivered me to
Girty, and took another direction. Girty and I continued our course towards the Tuscarawas,
We traveled all that day through hunger and cold, camped all night, and continued till
about three in the afternoon of the third day since I had tasted a mouthful. 1 felt very in-
dignant at Girty, and thought if I ever got a good chance, I would kill him.
We then made a fire, and Girty told me that if he thought I would not run away he
would leave me by the tire, and go and kill something to eat. I told him I would not.
" But," said he " to make you safe, I will tie you." He tied my hands behind my back and
tied me to a sapling, some distance from the fire. After he was gone I untied myself and laid
down by the fire. In about an hour he came running back without any game. He asked
me what I untied myself for? I told him I was cold. He said : " Then you no run away ?" I
said no. He then told me there were Indians close by, and he was afraid they would find
me. We then went to their camp, where there were Indians with whom I had been as in-
timate as with any person, and they bad been frequently at our house. They were glad to
see me, and gave me food, the first I had eaten after cros.sing Beaver. They treated me very
kindly. We staid all night with them, and next morning we all took up our march toward
the Tuscarawas, which we reached on the second day, in the evening.
Here we met the main body of hunting families, and the warriors from the Alleghany,
this being their place of rendezvous. I supposed these Indians all to be Delawares ; but at
that time I could not distinguish between the diflerent tribes. Here I met with two white
prisoners, Thomas Dick, andliis wife, Jane. They bad been our nearest neighbors. I was
immediately led to the lower end of the encampment, and allowed to talk freely with them
for about an hour. They informed me of the death of two of our neighbors, Samuel Chap-
man and William Powers, who were killed by the Indians — one in their house, and the other
near it. The Indians showed me their scalps. I knew that of Chapman, having red hair
on it.
142 History op the City of Columbus.
Next day about ten Indians started back to Pittsburgh. Girty told me they went to pass
themselves for friendly Indians and to trade. Among these was the Indian who took me.
In about two weeks they returned well loaded with store goods, whisky, etc.
After the traders came back the company divided ; and those who came with us to Tus-
carawas, and the Indian who took me, marched on towards Sandusky. When we arrived
within a day's journey of an Indian town, where Fort Seneca since stood we met two warriors
going to the frontiers to war. The Indian I was with had whisky. He and the two war-
riors got drunk, when one of the warriors fell on me and beat me. I thought he would kill
me. The night was very dark, and I ran out into the woods, and lay under the side of a log.
They presently missed me, and got lights to search for me. The Indian to whom I belonged
called aloud ; " White man, white man ! " I made no answer ; but in the morning, after I saw
the warriors start on their journey 1 went into camp, where I was much pitied on account of
my bruises. Next day we arrived within a mile of the Seneca town, and encamped for the
night, agreeably to their manner, to give room for their parade, or grand entrance the next
day. That took place about eight o'clock in the morning. The ceremony commenced with a
great whoop or yell. We were then met by all sorts of Indians from the town, old and
young, men and women. We then called a halt, and they formed two lines, about twelve
feet apart, in the direction of the river They made signs for me to run between the lines
towards the river. I knew nothing of what they wanted, and started ; but I had no chance,
for they fell to beating me until I was bruised from head to foot. At this juncture, a very big
Indian came up and threw the company off me, and took me by the arm,' and led me along
through the lines with such rapidity that 1 scarcely touched the ground, and was not once
struck after he took me till I got to the river. Then the very ones who beat me the worst
were now the most kind and officious in washing me off, feeding me, etc., and did their utmost
to cure me. I was nearly killed, and did not get over it for two months. My impression is,
that the big Indian who rescued me was Captain Pii)e, who assisted in burning Crawford.
The Indian who owned me did not interfere in any way.
We staid about two weeks at the Seneca towns. My owner there took himself a wife,
and then started with me and his wife through the Black Swamp towards the Maumee
towns. At Seneca I left the Indians I had been acquainted with near Pittsburgh, and never
saw or heard of them afterwards. When we arrived at the Auglaize River, we met an Indian
my owner called brother, to whom he gave me ; and I was adopted into his family. His
name vvas Whingwy Pooshies, or Big Cat. I lived in his family from about the first week in
May, 1791, till my release in June, 1795.
The squaws do nearly all the labor except hunting. They take care of the meat when
brought in, and stretch the skins. They plant and tend the corn; they gather and house it,
assisted by young boys, not yet able to hunt. After the boys are at the hunting age, they
are no more considered as squaws, and are kept at hunting. The men are faithful at hunt-
ing, but when at home lie lazily about, and are of little account for anything else, seldom or
never assisting in domestic duties. Besides the common modes, they often practice candle
hunting; and for this they sometimes make candles or tapers, when they cannot buy them.
Deer come to the river to eat a kind of water grass, to get which they frequently immerse
their whole head and horns. They seem to be blinded by light at night, and will suffer a
canoe to float close to them. I have practiced that kind of hunting much since I came to live
where Columbus now is, and on one occasion killed twelve flue deer in one night.
The fall after my adoption, there was a great stir in the town about an army of white
men coming to fight the Indians. The squaws and boys were moved with the goods down
the Maumee. and there waited the result of the battle, while the men went to war. They
met St. Clair, and came off victorious, loaded with the spoils of the army. Whingwy
Pooshies left the spoils at the town and came down to move us up. We then found our-
selves a rich people. Whingwy Pooshies's share of the spoils of the army was two fine
horses, four tents, one of which was a noble marquee, which made us a fine house in which
we lived the remainder of my captivity. He had also clothing in abundance, and of all de-
scriptions. I wore a soldier's coat. He had also axes, guns, and everything necessary to
make an Indian rich. There was much joy among them.
Fr\nki.int(in, I. 14;{
I saw no prisoners that were taken in that battle, and believe there were none taken
by the Delawares. Soon after this battle another Indian and I went out hunting, and we came
to a place where there lav a human skeleton stripped of the fiesh, which the Indian said had
been eaten by the Chippewa Indians who were in the battle ; and he called them brutes thus
to use their prisoners. During the time of my captivity I conversed with seven or eight
prisoners, taken from ditferent parts, none of which were taken from that battle, agreeably
to my best impressions. One of the prisoners I conversed with, was Isaac Patton by name,
who was taken with Isaac Choat, Stacy and others from a blockhouse at the Big Bottom, on
the Muskingum. I lived two years in the same house with Patton. I think I saw Spencer
once. I saw a large lad, who, if I recollect right, said his name was Spencer. He wa,s with
McKee and Elliot as a waiter, or kind of servant; and, if I remember right, he was at the
Rapids.
On one of our annual visits to the Rapids to receive our presents from the British, I
saw Jane Dick. Her husband had been sold, I understood, for forty dollars, and lived at
Montreal. He was sold because he was rather worthless and disagreeable to the Indians.
When I saw her she lived at large with the Indians. She became suddenly missing, and a
great search was made for her ; but the Indians could not find her. .\fter my release from
captivity, I saw her and her husband at Chillicothe, where they lived.
She told me how she was liberated. Her husband had concerted a plan with the cap-
tain of the vessel who brought the presents, to steal her from the Indians. The captain con-
certed a plan with a black man, who cooked for McKee and Elliot, to steal Mrs. Dick. The
black man arranged it with Mrs. Dick to meet him at midnight, in a copse of underwond,
which she did, and be took her on board in a small canoe, and headed her up in an empty
hogshead, where she remained until a day after the vessel sailed, about thirtysix hours. 1
remember well thatevery camp, and the woods were searched for her, and that the ves.-sel was
searched ; for the Indians immediately suspected she was on board. But not thinking of un-
heading hogsheads, they could not find her. I saw the black man at Fort Hamilton as I re
turned from captivity, who told me how he stole Mrs. Dick off, which was in every particular
confirmed by Mrs. Dick's own statement afterward. He also told me that there was a plan
concerted between him and the Captain, to steal me off at the same time. " But," .said he,
" they watched you so close I could not venture it." This I knew nothing of, until I was told
by the black man, except that I observed the vigilance with which they watched me.
In the month of June, 1794, three Indians, two men and a hoy, and myself, started on
a candle-light hunting expedition to Blancbard's Fork of the Auglaize. We had been out
about two months. We returned to the towns in August, and found them entirely evacuated,
but gave ourselves little uneasiness about it, as we supposed the Indians had gone to the foot
of the Maumee Rapids to receive their presents, as they were annually in the habit of doing.
We encamped on the lower island in the middle of a cornfield. Next morning an Indian
runner came down the river and gave the alarm whoop, which is a kind of a yell they u.se for
no other purpose. The Indians answered and one went over to the runner, and immediately
returning told us the white men were upon us, and we must run for our lives. We scattered
like a flock of partridges, leaving our breakfast cooking on the fire. The Kentucky Riflemen
saw our smoke and came to it, and just missed me as I passed them in my (light through the
corn. They took the whole of our two months work, breakfast, jerked skins and all. One of
the Kentuckians told me afterwards that they got a fine chance of meat that was left.
Wayne was then only about four miles from us, and the vanguard was right among us.
The boy that was with us in the hunting expedition, and I, kept together on the trail of the
Indians till we overtook them, but the two Indians did not get with us until we got to the
Rapids.
Two or three days after we arrived at the Rapids, Wayne's spies came right into camp
among us. I afterwards saw the survivors. Their names were Miller, McClelland, May,
Wells, Mahaffy, and one other whose name I forget. They came into the camp boldly and
fired on the Indians. Miller got wounded in the shoulder. May was chased by the Indians
to the smooth rock in the bed of the river, where his horse fell. He was taken prisoner and
the rest escaped. They then took May to camp. They knew him; he had formerly been a
144 History op the Citt of Columbus.
prisoner among them, and ran away from them. They told him : " We know you ; you speak
Indian language ; you not content to live with us. Tomorrow we take you to that tree ;
( pointing to a very large bur oak at the edge of the clearing, which was near the British Fort,)
we will tie you up and make a mark on your breast, and we will try what Indian can shoot
nearest it."
It so turned out. The next day, the very day before the battle, they tied him up, made
a mark on his breast, and riddled his body with bullets, shooting at least fifty into him.
Thus ended poor May.
On the next day, being myself about six miles below with the squaws, I went out hunt-
ing. The day being windy, I heard nothing of the firing of the battle, but saw some Indians
on the retreat. One Indian, whom I knew, told me I had better go to camp, for the Indians
were beaten, and they are preparing at camp to make their escape. The runners, towards
dusk, came in, and said the army had halted and encamped. We then rested that night, but
in great fear. Next morning, the runners told us the army had started up the river towards
the mouth of the Auglaize. We were then satisfied. Many of the Delawares were killed and
wounded. The Indian who took May was killed, and he was much missed; for he was the
only gunsmith among the Delawares.
Our crops and every means of support being cut oft', we had to winter at the mouth of
Swan Creek, perhaps where Toledo now stands. We were entirely dependent on the British,
and they did not half supply us.
The starving condition of the Indians, together with the prospect of losing all their cows
and dogs, made the Indians very impatient, and they became exasperated at the British.
They said they had been deceived by them, for they had not fulfilled one promise. It was
concluded among them to send a flag to Fort Defiance in order to make a treaty with the
Americans. This was successful. Our men found the Americans ready to make a treaty, and
they agreed on an exchange of prisoners. I had the pleasure to see nine white prisoners ex-
changed for nine Indians, and the mortification of finding myself left; there being no Indian
to give for me. Patton, Johnston, Sloan and Mrs. Baker, of Kentucky, were four of the nine;
the names of the others I do not recollect. Patton, Johnston and Mrs. Baker, had all lived
with me in the same house, among the Indians, and we were as intimate as brothers and
sisters.
On the breaking up of spring, we all went up to Fort Defiance, and on arriving on the shore
opposite, we saluted the fort with a round of rifles, and they shot a cannon thirteen times.
We then encamped on the spot. On the same day, Whingwy Pooshies told me I must go over
to the fort. The children hung round me crying, and asked me if I was going to leave them.
I told them I did not know. When we got over to the fort and were seated with the oflScers,
Whingwy Pooshies told me to stand up, which I did ; he then rose and addressed me in about
these words : " My son, these are men the same color as yourself ; there may be some of your
kin here, or your kin may be a great way ofl' from you ; you have lived a long time with us ; I
call on you to say if I have not been a father to you? If I have not used you as a father would
a son?" I said: " You have used me as well as a father could use a son." He said ; "lam
glad you say so. You have lived long with me ; you have hunted for me ; but our treaty says
you must be free. If you choose to go with the people of your color, I have no right to say a
word ; but if you choose to stay with me, your people have no right to speak. Now, reflect on
it, and take your choice ; and tell us as soon as you make up your mind."
I was silent a few moments, in which time it seemed as if I thought of almost everything.
I thought of the children I had just left crying ; I thought of the Indians I was attached to ;
and I thought of my people, whom I remembered ; and this latter thought predominated, and
I said: " I will go with my kin." The old man then said: " I have raised you ; I have learned
you to hunt; you are a good hunter; you have been better to me than my own sons ; I am
now getting old and cannot hunt ; I thought you would be a support to my age ; I leaned on you
as a stafi'. Now it is broken— you are going to leave me, and I have no right to say a word —
but I am ruined." He then sank back in tears in his seat. I heartily joined him in his tears —
parted with him, and have never seen nor heard of him since.
Q]iu^/t-4t^m^
FliANKl.lNH.N. 1. 145
I learned the Delaware language well, and can speak it now about as well as English. I
will give the Deluwaie names of a few streams. .Sepung, is pro))erly what we call a stream,
there being no distinction between runs, creeks and rivers, as with us. They called the Ohio
Whingwy Sepung, or Big Stream. Paint Creek, in Ross County, I never heard called Yocton-
gee; but we called it Olomon Sepung, or Paint Creek. Seckle Sepung, or Saltlick Creek, is
what is now called Alum Creek. Whingwy Mahoni Sepung, or Big Lick Creek, is what we
called Big Walnut Creek. The Scioto was so called, but it is not a Delaware name, and I ilo
not know its meaning.
It was about the first of June, 1795, that I parted with Whingwy Pooshies. The next day
I started for Fort Greenville. I rode on a horse furnished by the Americans. 1 was under
the charge and protection of Lieutenant Blue, who treated me with every kindness; and at
Fort Greenville had a good suit of clothes made for me by a tailor. We had been there about
a week, when a company of men arrived from Cincinnati, among whom was a brother of my
brother's wife, with whom I had lived and from whom I was taken. He told me of a sister I
had, who was married, and lived about nine miles from Cincinnati, up the Licking, on the
Kentucky side. I then left Mr. Blue at Fort Greenville, and went to my sister's. She and
all the neighbors seemed to be overjoyed, and a great crowd collected to see me, and hear about
my living among the Indians. I then went to Grant's Salt Works, up Licking, to hunt for
them. I made money there by killing deer at one dollar apiece, and turkeys at twelve and
a half cents. I bought me a house, and had money left to take me to Pennsylvania. I went
with a man named Andrew Lewis. There was great joy again, at my brother's on my return
to his house, from whence I was taken. My sister-in-law, in particular, seemed much gratified
with my return, as did the great crowd which here again collected to see me, and hear the
narrative of my captivity.
In 1797, I came to this place, that is, now Columbus, Ohio, and have resided here since ;
generally enjoying good health, it never having cost me a dollar in my life for medical aid ;
and without ever wearing any thing like a stocking inside of my moccasin, shoes or boots,
from the time I went among the Indians to this day ; and I can say what perhaps few can at
this day, that my feet are never cold.
At another time, the Lord granting the opportunity, I will give more of the incidents of
my life, as connected with the settlement and improvement nf the cnnntrv.
Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1S42. .I„iin Bkk KKr.i..
Mr. Brickell always wore u suit of buckskin to his latest day, and was nii.s-
takenly supposed by many persons to be, in part, of Indian parentage. The
habits which he had acquired while associated with the Indians during the plastic
l)eriod of his life, clung to him, but did not prevent his beiiiic a useful ami much-
esteemed citizen. He died July 20, 1844, aged sixtythrce.
Jeremiah Armstrong arrived in Franklintoii while ^ot a youth. He and his
brother Robert were among the earliest pioneers of that settlement. After tlio
founding of Columbus, he bought of the proprietors a lot on High Street, on which
he kept, for many j^ears, one of the principal hotels of the town. His first sign
was "The Indian Chief," afterwards "The Ked Lion." His son Harrison
Armstrong took his name from General William II. Harrison, who was frequently
his guest. Of his captivity among the Indians, Mr. Armstrong wrote the following
deeply interesting account, which is taken from Mniiin's History of Fniidlin County :
I was born in Washington County, Maryland, March, 17.S,5. I hail a sister (Elizabeth
and three brothers, William, Kobert and John older than myself. We moved to the Mingo
Bottom, and from there to Virginia, opposite the upper end of Blennerhasset's Island. The
Indians made freciuent incursions into our neighborhood, and my mother was in constant
dread of being killed by them ; she seemed to have a presentiment that she wouhl have the
fate of her parents, who were both killed by them in MilHin County, Pennsylvania. Some-
time in Apiil, 1794, (I perfectly remember all the circumstances of that eventful night,) my
10
l4fi History of the City or CoLUMBns.
brothers William and Robert had gone to a floating mill which my father owned on the Ohio,
near the house ; the younger children were in bed. Father went down to the river to
examine a trotline ; my mother stood in the door, holding a candle for him. I shall never
forget her appearance; it was the last time I ever beheld her ; she stood trembling like a leaf,
so that the candle shook in her hand. I suppose that she was afraid of the Indians, for I
then thought there was nothing else to fear. Father returned safe ; barred both of the doors,
as was his custom, and then retired. Elizabeth, John and I, slept in the loft of our log
house.
About three o'clock, we were awakened by the barking of our dog. Father sprang up,
and without waiting to put on any clothing, unbarred one of the doors and ran out and
hissed the dog; but in a moment he saw several Indians start from behind the trees, hallooed
Indians, and ran into the house, barred the door, and caught up a gun. By this time the
house was surrounded by twenty Wyandots. The poor, faithful dog had kept them off till
he was disabled ; they had cut him so bad in the mouth that his under jaw hung loose. As
the savages approached the house, father fired the gun ; then caught a bullet pouch, and
sprang to the loft, put his bullet and powder into his hand, but in attempting to put it into
the gun found, too late, that he had taken the wrong pouch, and the bullet was too large; so
he threw down the gun, tore open the roof, and sprang to the ground, fully expecting to be
tomahawked the instant he reached it ; but fortunately he was not discovered, for the most
of the Indians were already in the house. They commenced their bloody work by killing
the three little ones. Mother attempted to escape through the chimney, but it is supposed
that her clothes caught for she fell, and, as the Indians afterward told me, in attempting to
raise her they found she could not stand ; her hip was broken. Had she been able to travel
they would not have killed her ; but as she could not, they must have her scalp as a trophy.
They also scalped the two oldest of the children, but from my mother took tioo.
They dry these scalps on little hoops, about the size of a dollar, paint them and fix them
on poles, to raise as trophies of victory when entering their villages. When seeing these so
raised, I inquired why they took two from mother? They said because the babe's hair was
not long enough to scalp, they took one from its mother for it. After killing my sisters and
brother below, they came up to us, and took us down. Oh! who can describe our feelings on
entering that room of blood ! I was led over the slippery, bloody floor, and placed between
the knees of one of the savages, whose hands were still reeking with the blood of my
dearest relatives.
Mr. Misner, who lived about a hundred yards above us, hearing the noise, took a canoe
and started for Belpre, to raise an alarm. When half way across the river, I suppose, he saw
the Indians and my sister ; she was standing in the door and the house was lighted. Mr. M.
called, "What is the matter?" One of the Indians told her to say nothing, which she did,
being afraid to disobey. After plundering the house, they, with their three prisoners,
started southwest ; they went rapidly for a mile or two then halted, forming a ring around us,
and lighted their pipes, and made several speeches, apparently in great haste. We watched
their gestures, and listened anxiously. I was afterward told that I was the subject of their
debate. They expected to be pursued by the people of Belpre, and they thought me too
young to travel as fast as necessary for their safety ; so they proposed killing me ; but a young
Indian who had led me, and observed my activity in jumping the logs, said he thought I
would make a pretty good Indian, and they might go as fast as they pleased, and if I could not
keep up he would carry me. So my life was spared, and we continued our journey at a rapid
rate ; he sometimes carrying me, and I sometimes begging my sister to carry me. She, poor
girl, could scarcely carry herself. I was quite small of my age.
When we arrived opposite the mouth of Little Hocking, they found their canoes, which
they had secreted in the bushes, got into them and hastened across the river. When they
gained the opposite bank, they gave a never-to be-forgotten whoop, for they felt themselves
safe. The next day they dined on a bear, which they had killed the day before. The oil of
the bear was hung up in a deer skin ; they gave us some of it to drink ; we could not drink it.
So they gave us of the bread and sugar which they had taken from my father's house — bread
which my mother had so lately made. And where was she ? Ob ! my heart ached at the
Kkanklintiin, 1. 147
thought. They trcaloil iip Uiii.lly, ;iiicl while o\ir broail and sugar lasteil ur tan'il vci y well.
But to return to niy father. When he juiiiiieil to the groantl froui the roof, lie r.iii to the
river, took a cauoe and crossed over to tlu' island, went to Mr. James's, tlieu to the null tor
uiy brothers, wakened them, and with them returned to the hou.se. Whiit a horrible scene
presented itself! There lay my mother and the babe on the sround. In the house the other
two children were lyini; in their i;ore. The boy was still alive, and he asked my fatlier why
he pulled his liair.
I Siiw Mr. ,Tohn James, a resident of Jackson County, in Columbus some years ago. He
saiil tliat he was one of the twenty that followed the Indians down the river, saw their canoe»,
and wliere they landed, and also discovered by the tracks that we were still alive. They
were afraid, if pursued farther, the Indians would kill us to expedite their flight. They were
not far behind — the water was still muddy — so they returned.
After eating our dinner, we started again, and our next halt was where Lancaster now
stands. There we saw young Cox, a man they had taken from our neighborhood a few days
previous. We spent the night there. In the morning two of the most savage of our party
took John and myself, and started for Upper Sandusky. I missed not only uiy sister, but
the young Indian that carried me. I had already begun to consider him my friend, although
I did not then know that he had saved ray life
Our two conductors seemed to delight in tormenting us. They made us wade streams
where the water came up to my chih. Brother John being two years older than myself, and
taller, would lead me. They would laugh at our fears. We had nothing but roots and herbs
to eat. When we came near their village in Upper Sandusky, they stripped us of our
clothes, and tied a small part around our bodies in Indian style. When I cried at the loss of
my clothes, one of them whijiped me severely with his pipe stem. The Indian squaws and
children came running from all directions to see, and we were no sooner in the hou.se than
the door was completely blocked up with them, which frightened me very much.
A few days after our arrival, the party we had left behind came up, and I, w hen I saw
them coming, ran to meet my friend, and w-as as glad to see him as if be had lieen my
brother. My fondness for him no doubt increased his for me.
The next morning we started for Lower Sandusky. In passing through the Seneca
nation, the pole of scalps was hoisted. A little Seneca Indian ran to us, took the pole from
the bearer, and carried it to an old squaw, who was sitting in the door of her hut. She
examined it, handed it back to the boy, and he returned it to the Indian, then knocked both
John and myself down. It wa.s a privilege they had, as they belonged to another nation.
After leaving the Senecas, we came to some of our own nation, that is, Wyaiidots. There
they formed a ring before we ate, and the prisoner who spoke both languages, gave me a
gourd with shot in it, telling me I must say grace. So he put some Indian words in my
mouth, and bid me go around the ring, knocking the gourd with my hand, and repeating the
words, which I did sa well as I could. But my awkwardness made them laugh; so I got
angry and threw down the gourd. I thought to myself it was very dillerent from the way my
father said grace.
On arriving at Lower Sandusky, before entering the town, they halted and formed a pro
cession for Cox, my si-ster, my brother and myself to run the gauntlet. They pointed to the
house of their chief. Old Crane, about a hundred yards di.slant, signifying that we should run
into it. We di<l so, and were received very kimlly by the old chief; lit' was a very mild man,
beloved by all.
I was then ailopted into his family, the Deer tribe, my brother .Inhn into another, the
Turtle tribe, and my sister into another ; so we were .separated. I was p linted all over, and
a broail belt of wampum put around my body. I was quite an important personage; and if
my dear sister and brother had remained with me, I should have been hapjiy ; yea. happy,
for I thought, now the Indians were my friends, I had nothing on earth to fear. My brother
and sister were gone, and I wasalone. I cried very nnich. An old pri.soner tried tocoinfort me.
He said I mu.st not cat with the paint on me ; if I did, it would kill me. It was the paint of
my adoption, and I suppo.se that while it was on me, I was considered neither white nor red,
and, according to their superstition if I remained in that state, I shoidil dii'. The prisoner
took me to the river and washed it off, then led me back to the house.
148 History of the Citt of Columbus.
John was taken to Brownstown, and Elizabeth to Maumee. I did not see either of them
again for about four years, when my brother and myself regained our liberty. My sister re-
mained with them but a few months. She was stolen from them by a gentleman in search
of his sister, and taken to Detroit. As she had no means of returning to her friends, she
went with a family by the name of Dolson to Canada, and married one of the sons. When I
saw her next she had a family of her own.
After our adoption, the family to which I belonged came back to Columbus and camped
near where the Penitentiary now stands. There we raised corn in what is now called
Sullivant's Prairie. My home while with them was back and forth from there to Lower
Sandusky. The first night I spent in Franklin[ton] the Indians all got drunk. The squaws
put me on a scaffold to keep them from killing me. The squaws had sense enough to not taste
the rum till the Indians were too drunk to harm them ; then they too got drunk. And,
oh, what a time for me for a few days while the rum lasted ; but when it was gone they were
very kind to me.
After parting from my brother and sister, I heard so little of my own language, that I
forgot it entirely, and became attached to them and their ways. In fact, I became a very
good Indian. They called me Hooscoa-tah-jah, (Little Head). A short time afterward, they
changed my name to Duh-guah. They often change their names.
In the month of August, 1794, when I had been a prisoner about four months. General
Wayne conquered the Indians in that decisive battle on the Maumee. Before the battle, the
squaws and children were sent to Lower Sandusky. Runners were sent from the scene of
action to inform us of their defeat, and to order us to Sandusky Bay. They supposed that
Wayne would come with his forces and massacre the whole of us. Great was the consterna-
tion and confusion ; and I, strange infatuation, thinking their enemies mine, ran and got into
a canoe, fearing they would go and leave me at the mercy of the pale faces. We all arrived
safe at the Bay ; and there the Indians conveyed their wounded, Old Crane among the num-
ber. He was wounded in the arm ; and my friend, the one that saved my life, was killed.
Wayne, instead of molesting us, withdrew his forces to Greenville; and we returned to
Franklin[ton] (that now is,) and encamped below the dam, where there is a deep hole, called
Billy's Hole, from Billy Wyandot.
The only war dance I witnessed, was near where the Penitentiary now stands, when a
party of them were preparing to leave for Kentucky in quest of prisoners and scalps. They
returned with three prisoners and five scalps. Billy Wyandot and others were then prepar-
ing to leave for Greenville to form a treaty, (August, 179.5). By that treaty a great part of the
present limits of the State of Ohio was ceded to the whites ; and the Indians were to give up
all the prisoners in their possession, which was done where found and recognized.
My brother and myself were still held in bondage, our friends supposing us to be dead.
When the lands acquired liy the treaty were being surveyed by Generals Massie and
McArtlmr, Mr. Thomas, a former neighbor of my father's, being with them, saw me and
knew me. He sent word to my brother William, who was then residing in Kentucky. As
soon as he heard that I was alive, he left Kentucky in search of me, with only six dollars in
his pocket. He expected to find me in Franklin. Not finding me there, he went on to Upper
Sandusky. The Indians were on a hunting tour, and I was with them. The corn was then
in the silk ; he was told that we would not be back until roasting-ear time. So he went back
as far as Chillicothe, where he remained until the time appointed. Then he started again
and came to Lower Sandusky, where he found me quite happy, and so much of an Indian
that I would rather have seen him tomahawked than to go with him. Old Crane would not
consent to give me up. He said according to the treaty they were not obliged to release any
that were willing to stay. They agreed to go to Brownstown and examine the treaty.
Brother William, knowing the uncertainty of the Indians, went to Detroit for assistance.
He applied to General Haratramck, who gave him an officer and twelve men. With this
force he came to Brownstown, sixteen miles. We were all there, and I had found my brother
John who was as unwilling to leave as myself. We were strutting back and forth on the
porch. I had a large bunch of feathers tied in my hair at the crown of my head and rings
in my ears and nose. I was feeling very large and defiant. When I saw William coming, I
Franki.inton. 1. 149
said to John, " There I'omes our white brother." He came towards us and |iut out his liand
to shake hands, but we drew ourselves up scornfully, and would not allow liiui to touch us.
Oh, how little wo knew or thought of the toil and suffering he had endured for our sake !
We were both determined not to go with liim ; .so they took us by force. William took
one of us by the liand and the officer the other ; they dragged us along to the boat. 1 well
remember our setting one foot back to brace ourselves, and pulling with our miglit to get
from them. But they succeeded in geting us into the boat and pushing oil', leaving the old
squaw who had the care of me, standing on the bank crying. There she stood, and I could
liear her cries until lost in the distance. I cried too, till quite exhausted, and I fell asleep.
John, being w ith the tribe that traded with the whites, did not forget his native tongue.
Some days after we started, William related the story of our capture, the murder of our
mother, sisters and brother. John repeated it to me. Oh, what a sudden change it wrought
in me! It brought back the whole scene so forcibly to my recollection, that I clung to my
brother with affection and gratitude, and never more had a wish to return to the red men.
At Detroit we left our boat, and were kept in garrison four or five days, waiting for a
vessel to take us to Erie, Pennsylvania. We went from Erie to Pittsburgh, from there to our
old home at Mr. Gillespie's, one of our old neighbors. We then changed our savage clothes,
and after remaining several days, we left for Chillic<ithe, from thence to Franklin, my present
home. Jbremiaii Armstrong.
Columbus, Ohio, April, 1858.
In 1798 James Scott opened a small store in Fraiikliiitoii, luucii to the con-
venience of the settlement. This was the beginning of ponuanoiit trade in the
upper part of the Scioto Valley. Robert Russell opened an additional store in
1803. Nearly everything in the way of supplies had to be brought up the valley
in canoes, or on packhorses, from the Ohio. One of the articles most necessary,
and most diflHciill to obtain, was salt, the great scarcity and co.st of which impelled
Mv. Sullivant to resort to an expedient for its manufacture. " Ho knew," says his
biographer, "that the deer resorted in great numbers to the lick on the river below
Franklinton, and he had ob.served, when encamjied there some years before, that
there were strong evidences of the Indians having made salt in that place. The
work was vigorously prosecuted, and the lick cleaned out, when it appeared that a
feeble stream or spring of weak salt-water came to the surface at the edge of the
river. A wooden curb was inserted, which kept out a large portion of the fresh
and surface water. The salt-water was gathered into long and large wooden
troughs hollowed out from huge trees, and with the aid of a battery of common
iron kettles and long-continued boiling, a limited quantity of rather poor salt was
obtained ; but when a road was opened along Zane's Trace'' from Wheeling to
Lancaster, and thence to Franklinton, it furnished greater facilities for procuring
salt, and this well was abandoned."'"
More curious still were the expedients resorted to for providing the materials
tor bread. Writing in 1856, Colonel Andrew McElvain says the " fii'st mealmaking
establishment" for the infant community was contrived by Samuel McElvain, by
burning a hole in a stump, and adding " a sweep so fixed that two men could
pound corn into meal." A sifter was added to this equipment by stretching a deer
skin over a hoop, and burning holes in it with a heated wire. This primitive con-
trivance vanished, in due course, before the entei-prising spirit of one Rogers, who
erected a handmill to do the meal-grinding for the settlement. Those who were
not able to afford the luxury of hiring the services of the handmill, u.sed improvised
graters, or made hominy of their corn liy pounding it in a log " mortar."
150 HiteTOKY OF THE ClTY OP CoLUMBUS.
The first ferry across the Scioto of which there is any account was owned by
Joseph J^oos, who was also proprietor of the first hotel in Franklintou, opened in
1803. Owing to the active part taken in politics by its owner, this tavern — all
public lodging-houses wore then known as taverns — became the political head-
quarters of the settlement. Mr. Foos served as Senator or Representative in the
General Assembly of Ohio during twentyfive sessions, including the first. During
the War of 1S12, in which he took an active part he rose from the rank of captain
to that of brigadier-general. Prom 1825 until be died in 1832, he held a commis-
sion as Major-General of the State militia. He was a man of original ideas, and a
speaker and writer of some note.
Lucas Sullivant settled permanently in Franklinton in 1801. He had shortly
prior to that time married Sarah Starling, the second daughter and fourth child of
Colonel William Starling, of Kentucky. Of the ancestry of Lucas Sullivant little
is known, but the litieage of the Starlings is perspicuous as far back as 1670, when
their paternal ancestor, Sir William Starling, held the office of Lord Mayor of
London. Their family name being one of the most prominent and important in
the early annals of Columbus, a few particulai-s as to its antecedents are germane
to this narrative. The first of the Starlings who came to this country was William,
a great-grandson to the Lord Mayor, who settled in King William County,
Virginia, about 1740. Married soon after his arrival to Jane Gordon, daughter of
a Scoteli physician. William Starling died in his twentysixth year, leaving three
children, who were placed under the guardianship of Colonel Lyne, a wealthy neigh-
bor, descended from an old English family which had settled in King William County.
The Lynes were proud of their lineage, and very ai'istocratic ; nevertheless young
William Starling had the temerity to marry Susanna Lyne, his guardian's sister.
Colonel Lj'ne's displeasure at this match made it convenient for young Starling
and his bride to emigrate to Kentucky, where thej' settled, in 1794, on a farm near
Harrodsburg. One of the eleven children born to William Starling and Susanna
Lyne was the second daughter, already mentioned, who became the wife of Lucas
Sullivant; another was Lyne Starling, who, though he lived and died a bachelor,
has jierpetuated his name for all time as one of the four original proprietors of
Columbus, and the munificent founder of the Starling Medical College.
Among the accessions to the Franklinton colony in 1803 were David and
Joseph Jamison, who came from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and were soon
followed by several othei- representatives of their numerous kindred. A sister of
tlio Jamison broliicrs, while visiting them in their new home, became acquainted
with and niaiiiiMJ Samuel Barr, who had also come from the Shippcnsbui-g dis-
trict. Barr was at that time one of the leading traders of the frontier. In
connection with his cousin, John T. Barr, a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, he
became interested in the firm of Barr & Campbell at Portsmouth, and established
at Franklinton that of Barr & Keys. Imraediatrly iiriur to his settlement in the
Franklinton colony he had been engaged in business al I'hillicothe.
In 1803 Colonel Eobert Culbertson, also from Shijipcnsburg, joined the colony
"with his numerous family of sons, sons-in-law and daughters."" Twice a
widower, there had been born to him twelve sons and daughters. In Franklinton
he married a lady who had been twice widowed and was the mother of twelve
sons and daughters. No issue resulted from this third union but "the Jamison and
Fu.XNKMNTlPN I. 151
CiilberlNoii families intcrinan-icd, and from tlioiicc s]iiaiiL;- a iiumordii.s piomuiy.
One of the suitors of Kuolu'l Jamison, who marrioii Hamiiol liarr, is said to have
boon tlio dislinyuisbcd bcnotactor of Columbus who iius given ids name to Goodalo
Park.
Colonel (Uilbortson bought n largo amount of land, not only about KranUlin-
ton, but on the eastern side of the Scioto. The next year after his arrival be was
chosen as one of the Representatives of Ross County in the first General Assembly
of Ohio.
Soon after the founding of Franklinton, Mr. Sullivanl laid out the town of
North Jjiberty, on the Big l)arb}% where a few families soon gathered. This prob-
ably took place about the summer of 171I9.''- Contemporary settlements were
made at the mouth of the Gahannah, and along the other principal watercourses
within the present limits of Franklin County. Among the earlier arrivals on
Alum Creek were Messrs. Turner, Nelson, Hamilton, Aglcr and Eecd. "In the
mean time," saj's ilartin, "Franklinton was the point to which the cmigranis
first repaired to sjicnd some montlis, or jierhaps years ]irior to their permanent
location."'"
NOTES.
1. His son, Joseph SuUivant.
2. Colonel Andereon was the father of Major Robert .\nderson, the (lefender of Fort
Sumter, and of Hon. Cliarles Anderson, late Governor of Ohio.
.3. Sullis'ant Family Memorial.
4. 1874.
5. SuUivant Family Memorial.
fi. The son of [Arthur] Boke by a negro female, formerly a slave belonging to our
family in Kentucky, was abandoned in infancy by his mother, but was nourished at her own
breast by our mother, with her eldest son, William. This Arthur was, in after years, my
nurse, and, spending his life in the family, at last found a resting-place with his old master in
Green Lawn Cemetery. — Joxeph Sidlirant, in llie SuUimnt Familij Mcmwial,
7. His patents covered most of the territory from Boke's Creek south to a point below
the Forks, and from the Scioto West to the Big Darby.
8. The copy here given is taken from the History of Franklin County, by W. T.
Martin ; 1858.
9. In 17t)7 the Government contracted with Kbenezer (some authorities say Noah)
Zane, to mark a trail from the present site of Wheeling, West Virginia, through the Ohio
wilderness to Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. For this service Mr. Zane was to have
tliree sections of the public land, to be selected by himself. Assisted by some Indians, whom
he employed as guides, he proceeded to survey a practicable route, which was marke<l by
"blazing" forest trees, and was thenceforward known as Zane's Trace. It crossed the
Muskingum and Hocking at the points where now rise the cities of Zanesville and Lancaster,
and was afterward extended from Lanca-ster to Franklinton. For many years it was the
principal, indeed the only traveled route through the Ohio wilderness. The arterial roads
and railways by which it has been since superseded have attested the wisdom of its location.
The Zanesvjlle and Maysville Turnpike is said to follow its path very nearly from the
Muskingum to Chillicothe. Mr. Zane further evinced his sagacity by selecting his land at
the points where now stand the cities of Lancaster, Zanesville and Wheeling.
10. SuUivant Family Memorial.
11. Martin's History of Franklin County.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
CHAPTER VI
FRANKLINTON. II.
We have now reached an important point of political departure for the settle-
ments at the Forks of the Scioto, and in the wilderness circumjacent. It is the be-
ginning-point of the present County of Franklin.
On the twentyeighth of August, 1798, the territorial county of Ross was pro-
claimed by Governor St. Clair. It took its name from Hon. James Eoss, a
prominent Federalist of Alleghany Count}', Pennsylvania, and its boundaries were
described in St. Clair's proclamation as follows:
Beginning at the fortysecond mile tree, on the line of the original grant of land made by
the United States to the Ohio Company, which line was run by Israel Ludlow, and running
from thence west, until it shall intersect a line to be drawn due north from the mouth of Elk
River, commonly called Eagle Creek, and from the point of intersection running north to the
southern boundary of the county of Wayne, until a north line to be drawu from the place of
beginning shall intersect the same; and if it should be found that a north line drawn from
the place of beginning will not intersect the said southern boundary of Wayne, then an
east line is to be drawn from the eastern termination of said boundary until it shall intersect
the aforesaid north line to be drawn from the point of beginning.
From the northern part of the territory thus vaguely defined, Franklin County
was set off by act of the First General Assembly of Ohio, passed March 30, to take
effect April 30, 1803.' Its limits were thus set forth in the statute :
Beginning on the western boundary of the twentieth range of townships east of the
Scioto River, at the corner of sections numbers tweutyfonr and twentyfive in the ninth'
Township of the Twentyfirst Range, surveyed by John Matthews, thence west until it inter-
sects the eastern boundary line of Green County, thence north with said line until it inter-
sects the State line, thence eastwardly with the said line to the northwest corner of Fairfield
County, thence with the western boundary line of Fairfield to the point of beginning.
That is to say, according to Martin, " bounded on the east by nearly our pres-
sent line, south by a line near the middle of what is now Pickaway County, on
the west by Greene County, and on the north by Lake Erie."'
"The creation of the county of Delaware in 1808," continues Martin, " reduced
our northern boundary to its present line; the creation of the county of Pickaway
in 1810, reduced our southern boundary to its present limits ; the creation of Mad-
ison in 1810, and of Union in 1820, reduced our western limits to the boundaries
represented by Wheeler's County Map, published in 1842; but subsequently, by an
act of the Legislature passed the fourth of March, 1845, our western boundary was
changed by making Darby Creek the line from the northwest corner of Brown to
the north line of Pleasant Township, as represented by Foote's Map of 1856 ; and
by an act passed the twentyseventh of January, 1857, entitled ' An act to annex a
part of Licking County to the County of Franklin,' there were nine half sections
[152]
Franklinton. II. 153
taken from the soutliwcsl foriior of Licking, and attaclioil to Franklin. Tiiis oc-
casions the jog in the oastoni line of Truro Township, as represented on tiio maps.
Then at the session of 1850-1851, a range of sections, being a strip one mile in
width, including the (own of Winchester, was taken from Fairfield County and
attached to the cast side of Madison Township, in Franklin County as represented
on Foote's Map. The county is now [1858] in nearly a square form, and is twenty-
two and a half miles in extent north and south, and would probably average a trifle
over that from east to west.""
The statute creating the county further provided that " courts for the said
County of Franklin shall be holden in the town of Franklinton, until a permanent
seat of justice shall be established therein, agreeably to the provisions of an act en-
titled 'an act establishing seats of justice.' "
Under the Constitution of 1802 the Common Pleas or County Judges were
chosen by the General Assembly, and were called Associate Judges. By the act of
April 16, 1S03, it was made the duty of these Judges, to establish townships and
fix their boundaries, to appoint certain county officers, and to discharge various
other duties now performed by county commissioners. The first Common Pleas
Judges appointed for Franklin County were John Dill, David Jamison and Joseph
Foos, of whom the first named was the President or Chief Judge. This Court ap-
pointed Lucas SuUivant as its Clerk,' and on May 10, 1803, proceeded to divide
the county into four townships, two east and two west of the Scioto. The oastorn
townships were named Uarrison and Liberty, the western Franklin and Darby.'
.VI the same sitting of the court an election of Justices of the Peace was ordered,
to take place on the twentyfirst day of the ensuing June. In pursuance of this
order the following justices were chosen on the day appointed : In Franklin
Township, Zachariah Stephen and James Marshal ; in Darby, Josiah Ewing; in
Harrison, William Bennett; in Libi^rty, Joseph Hunter and Ezra Brown. On the
same day, Ohio elected Jeremiah Morrow as her first Representative in Congress.
The vote of Franklin County, cast at that election, as canvassed and reported by
Lucas SuUivant, David Jamison and Joseph Foos, shows the following aggregate,
by townships: Franklin, 59 ; Darby, 22 ; Harrison, 21 ; Liberty, 28 ; total 130.
Liberal extracts from the proceedings of the first Common Pleas Court of
Franklin County appear in Martin's History, ti-anscribcd, the autlior says, from
unbound sheets of manuscript, in the handwriting of Lucas Sullivant, which had
been thrown aside as office rubbish. The following portions of these extracts are
of such local interest and significance as to deserve to be reproduced here:
At a meeting of the Associate Judges of the Court of Coramon Pleas of Franklin County,
on the eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three,
present the Honorable John Dill, Esq., first Associate, and David Jamison, Esq., second Asso-
ciate Judges of said Court Ordered, that the rates of Tavern License in Franklinton be
four dollars per annum.
Ordered, that a license be granted William Domigan, Sr., to keep tavern in his own
house in Franklinton until the next Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, and after-
ward, until he can renew his license.
Ordered that license be granted to Joseph Foos to keep a tavern at the house occupied
by him in Franklinton for the accommodation of travelers until the next Court of Common
Pleas for Franklin County, and afterward until the license can be renewed.
Adjourned without day.
Test Lucas Sullivant, Clerk.
History op the City of Columi
Franklinton. II. 155
At a session of the Associate Judges of tlie Court of Ooninion Pleas for Kraiikliii t'ouiity.
at the place of holding courts in Franklinton for the county aforesaid, on Tliursday, the eighlli
of September, 1S03, it being the first judicial day after the adjournment of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas of the said County of Franklin— present John Dill, David Jamison and Joseph
Foos, Gentlemen Associate Judges, aforesaid, who having assumed their official seats, and
were attended by Lucas SuUivant, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, the
following proceedings were had, to wit: On the prayer of a petition signed by a number of
signers as required by law, and who were citizens of this county, praying for a view of a road
leading from the public square in Franklinton, out of said town on the Pickaway road,
thence the nearest and best way to Lancaster, in Fairfield County, until it intersects the line
between the counties aforesaid. Ordered, that the prayer of said petition be granted, and
that John Brickell, Joseph Dickson and Joseph Hunter bo appointed viewers of said road,
who, or any two of them, shall view the ground aforesaid in this county and act in conjunc-
tion with the viewers that may be appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Fairfield
County, on what point said road will cross the line between the counties aforesaid, to be on
the nearest and best ground to be had from Franklinton to Lancaster. It is further ordered
that Joseph Vance be appointed surveyor to atten<l the said viewers on the above described
road, and that he make a survey and report thereof to our ne.xt January term
[Note by Martin : This road was made to cross the Scioto at the old ford below the canal
dam, and pass through the bottom fields, then woods, to intersect what is now the Chillicothe
road south of Stewart's Grove ; and continued to be the traveled road until after Colnml)us
was laid out. Jacob Armitage kept the ferry over the river.]
On the prayer of a petition signed by a number of freeholders and citizens of Franklin
County, praying for a view of a road to lead from the northeast end of Gift Street, in Frank-
linton, on as straight a direction as the situation of the ground will admit of a road, towards
the town of Newark, in Fairfield County, so far as the line between the counties of Franklin
and Fairfield. Tlie prayer aforesaid granted; and ordered that Samuel McElvain, Elijah
Fulton and Joseph Parks be appointed viewers, who, or any two of them shall view said road
in this county, and act in conjunction with viewers that may be appointed by the Court of
Common Pleas of Fairfield County, at what point on the line between said counties the road
aforesaid shall cross, to be on the nearest and best ground from the point of beginning as
aforesaid to the termination thereof. It is further ordered, that Samuel Smith be appointed
surveyor to attend the said viewers and make a correct survey of said road, and report the
same to our next January term.
Ordered, that there be paid unto Jeremiah McLene, who was appointed by the Legisla-
ture of the State of Ohio as one of the commissioners to fix the permanent seat of justice in
this county (Franklin), the sum of fifteen dollars, it being a compensation for his services as
aforesaid six days, and liis additional service in writing and circulating the notices as required
by law.
[Note by Martin : General Jeremiah .McLene died at Washington ('ity on the nineteenth
of March, lcS37, aged 70 years. His sickness dated from his attendance at the inauguration of
Martin VauBuren on the fourth of that month. He had just completed his second term in
Congress. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early life emigrated from that State to
the then Territory of Tennessee, where he was an intimate companion of General Andrew
.fackson, for whom he always entertained a great partiality. He was subsequently a pioneer
to the Northwestern Territory. In the early part of the present century, he settled in the
infant town of Chillicothe, and was, while there. Slierift' of Ross County. Then, there and
at Columbus together, he served twenlyone years in succession as Secretary of State, and was
a very popular State officer. He was a surveyor and fond of his compass and the business-
was for a number of years county surveyor for Franklin County, ami also city surveyor of
Coluuibus.]
Ordered that there be paid unto James Ferguson, who was appointed one of the com-
missioners to fix the permanentseat of justice in this county (Franklin), the sum of twelve dol-
lars, it being a compensation for his services as a commissioner aforesaid six days.
156 HlSTORV OF THE CiTY OF OoLUMBUS.
Ordered that there be paid out of the county treasury of Franklin, unto William
Creighton, who was appointed by the legislature of the State of Ohio one of the commis-
sioners to fix and establish the permanent seat of justice in the County of Franklin, the sum
of twelve dollars, it being the compensation allowed him by law for six days service as a
commissioner aforesaid.
Ordered, that there be allowed and paid to Joseph Foos, Esq., as follows: Four dollars
expended by him in preparing for the reception of the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin
County at September term, 1803 ; also the sum of one dollar and fifty cents expended by him
in conveying the election box and a volume of the laws of the State to the house of election
in Darby Township prior to the twentyflrst of June as required by law ; also the sum of
three dollars paid by him to James Marshall, Esquire, for bringing from the printing office
part of the number of volumes of laws of this State, as was allowed by law for Franklin
County, and which was brought for the use of the different townships ; also the sum of two
dollars which he paid for the election boxes made use of at the past election in this county.
Ordered, that there be paid to John Blair lister of taxable property in Franklin Town-
ship, the sum of six dollars and fortynine cents, it being the compensation in full this day
claimed by him before this court for his services in taking the list aforesaid, and also the list
of enumeration in said township, and three miles mileage in making said return.
On the prayer of a petition signed by a number of citizens, house and freeholders of
Franklin County, praying for the view of a road to lead from the public square in Franklin-
ton to Springfield, in Greene County, to be on the straightest and nearest direction towards
Springfield as the nature of the ground and circumstances will admit of a good road, ordered
that Thomas Morehead, Alexander Blair and George Skidmore be appointed viewers of said
road, who, or any two of them, shall view the same as far as the line between Franklin and
Greene County, and make report to our January term next. It is further ordered that Cap-
tain John Blair be appointed surveyor to attend said viewers on the above premises, and
survey said road, and return a fair plat or survey thereof as required by law, to our January
session next.
Ordered, that Jacob Grubb be appointed County Treasurer for the County of Franklin.
Ordered that four dollars be appropriated for the purpose of completing the election
boxes in this county, agreeably to the requisition of law.
Ordered, that there be allowed for wolf and panther scalps as follows, to wit : For every
wolf or panther scalp any person shall kill under six months old, one dollar ; for every wolf
or panther that is above six months old, two dollars. The proceedings respecting any wolf
or panther scalp to be particularly and pointedly regulated by the law passed by the Legisla-
tive Council and House of Representatives in General Assembly of the territory of the
United States northwest of the Ohio River entitled, An act to encourage the killing of wolves
and panthers, passed ninth of January, 1802; said law to be complied with in every respect
except the price given for scalps, which shall be as before mentioned in this order; and the
holders of any certificate for such scalps shall be paid out of the county treasury so soon as
the tax for 1804 shall be levied and collected, and not before.
[Session of January 7, ISO-i.] A return of the view of road from Franklinton to New-
ark was made by the surveyor and viewers that were appointed at September session which
return of survey and report were received and ordered to be recorded.
Ordered, that the supervisor in Liberty Township proceed to open said road thirtythree
feet wide, and prepare and make it passable for loaded carriages or wagons. A petition was
presented by the Reverend James Kilbourne and others, praying for a view of a road to lead
from Franklinton to the town of Worthington, from thence to the south boundary of the
fifth tier of townships, etc. It is ordered, that the prayer of said petition be granted, and that
Michael Fisher, Thomas Morehead and Samuel Flenniken be appointed viewers, who, or any
two of them, shall view and make report of the same. And it is further ordered that Joseph
Vance be appointed surveyor to attend said viewers and make a correct survey of the same
and return it to this court.
Pranklinton. II. 157
It is further ordered that the prayer of the petition presented by the Reverend James
Kilbourne and others, praying for a road to lead from the town of Wortbington to intersect
the road which leads from Franklinton to Newark, be granted on the conditions tliat the
said petitioners defray at their own expense tlie viewing, surveying and opening the same.
It is further ordered, that Maj. William Thompson. Ezra Griswold and Samuel Beach
be appointed viewers of said road, and report the same to this court at their next session ;
also, that the Reverend James Kilbourne be appointed surveyor, who shall attend said
viewers, make a fair and correct survey, and return the same to this court at their next
session.
On application of Ezra Griswold tor license to keep a tavern in Liberty Township, he be-
ing recommended to the satisfaction of this court,.and he also paying into the Clerk's hands
the tax required by law, it is ordered that license be granted him accordingly.
On application of Nathan Carpenter of Liberty Township for license to keep a house of
public entertainment, he being recommended to the satisfaction of this court and he having
also paid into the hands of the clerk the tax required by law, it is ordered that license be
granted him.
Usual Osbourn, having given bond with approved security for the collection of the county
tax in Darby Township, it is ordered that he be appointed collector of the same.
Ordered, that Lucas SuUivant be appointed Recorder for the County of Franklin /)ro
tempore, who shall proceed to provide the necessary books for the otflce, who shall, if he is
not continued permanently be paid by his successor the necessary costs of the .same at the
time of delivering up the records, etc., to his successor, which he shall do whenever a Re-
corder shall be permanently appointed.
Ordered that this court adjourn until Tuesday next.
Test, LrcAS Sillivant, Clerk.
[Session of January 10, 1804] Ordered, that there be jiaid unto Adam Hosack, Sheriff
of this county, the sum of one dollar and fifty cents for summoning the grand jury for Jan-
uary term, 1804.
Ordered, that there be a jail built immediately for the use of this county, on the follow-
ing plan, to wit: Of logs twelve feet long and eighteen inches diameter, with two sides
hewed so as to make a face of eight inches, and to be let down dovetailing so as to make the
logs fit close together ; to be seven feet at least between the lower and upper floors, which
floor is to be of timbers of like thickness, with three sides hewed so as to let them lie entire-
ly close, and to be smooth on the face of the low€r floor, and the upper floor to show an even
face in like manner on the lower side, and to have two rounds of logs at least, of like timbers
above the upper floor ; then to have a cabin roof (made of clapboards held down by timbers
laid transversely in lines about three feet apart) well put on, a door cut out two feet eight
inches wide and prepared in a workmanlike order, to hang the shutter of the door, which
shutter is to be made in a strong and sufficient and workmanlike manner of plank two inches
thick. There is to be two windows, eight inches by ten inches wide, made in said prison
house, which windows are to be secured by two bars of iron one inch square sullieiently let
in. in each window, the corners closely sawed or cut down.
Ordered that this court he adjourned without day.
Test, Lix'AS SuLLivANT, (Jlerk.
[Session of March 24, 1804.] Ordered, that theie be paid to Joseph Parks and Samuel Mc-
Elvain, each, three dollars out of the county treasury, for three days services in viewing of a
road from Franklinton to Newark.
Ordered, that there be paid unto David Pugh and John Ho.skins, each, two dollars and
a quarter out of the county treasury for three days services in carrying the chain on the view
of the road from Franklinton to Newark.
Ordered, that there be paid to Samuel Smith four dollars and fifty cents, for three <lays
services in surveying the road from Franklinton to Newark, as per return of survey.
Ordered, that there be paid out of the county treasury to Lucas Sullivant, eighty dollars,
for the building of the jail, in Franklinton, for the county.
158 History op the City of Oolumhus.
Ordered, that Lucas Sullivant be appointed surveyor, to attend the viewers of the road
from Franklinton to Springfield, and to survey and return a plat thereof of that part which
has not been viewed.
Ordered, that there be paid unto John Dill, Esq., eight dollars out of the county treasury,
cash by him advanced to purchase a lock for the jail of Franklin County.
Adjourned, Lucas Sullivant, Clerk.
The county jail ordered in the foregoing proceedings wns built by Lucas Sul-
livant at a cost of eighty dollars. It was burned down not a great while after-
wards. There is no record that stocks and a whipping-post were provided in con-
nection with it, although an early tradition so states, and was corroborated bj' the
customs of the period. Under the Territorial Government the use of such imple-
ments of punishment began as early as 1788, and in 1792 the judges passed a law
directing that the stocks, whipping-post and pillorj-, as well as a jail and court-
house, should be erected in every county. In defiance of the Ordinance of 1787,
forbidding slavery, a law was passed August 15, 1795, providing that a non-paying
debtor might be subjected to servitude for a period of seven years on demand of
his creditor. Under the Con,stitution of 1802 similar laws were enacted. They
were borrowed originally from the Statutes of Pennsylvania.
The courts of Franklin County met in hired rooms until 1807-8, when a court-
house was erected under the supervision of Lucas Sullivant. It was built of brick
manufactured from the clay of one of the ancient mounds of the neighborhood.' A
brick jail, Arthur O'Harra contractor, was built ahoul the same time, situated a few
rods northeast of the courthouse. These buildings continued to be u.sed until the
countyseat was removed to Columbus in 1824' After that, the courthouse was
used, for some time, as a schoolhouse. It remained standing until 1873, when it
was torn away, and the present Franklinton school building was erected on its site.
Among the new settlers in Franklinton from 1805 to 1809 were Isaac and
Jeremiah Miner, Samuel White and sons, the Stewarts, the Johnstons, the Weath-
eringtons, the Shannons, the Stambaughs, the Ramseys, the Mooberr3's, the Sharps,
the Deckers, the Eareys, the Olmsteds, the Kiles, Jacob Gander, Pereival Adams,
John Swisher and George W. Williams.' To these were added, from 1805 to 181'2,
several young men whose talents and energy afterward made them conspicuous.
Among these were Lyno Starling, Doctor Lincoln Goodale, Doctor Samuel Par-
sons, R. W. McCoy, Francis Stewart, Henry Brown, John Kerr, Alexander Mc-
Laughlin, Orris Parish, Ralpii Osborn, and Gustavus Swan.
Owing to their subsequent pi'ominence and usefulness, several of the.se earlier
settlers in Franklinton deserve more particular notice.
Isaac, afterwards known as Judge Miner, arrived from the State of New York
in 1806 or 1807. Jeremiah Miner came a year later. After residing in Franklin-
ton one or two years, the brothers engaged in stoclc-raising on Doer C!reek, in
Madison County. Several years later they bought a large tract of land, since
known as the Miner farm, from which was derived a ]iortion of the ground since
consecrated as Green Lawn Cemetery. Judge Miner died in 1831, aged fiftythree.
Jeremiah Miner was never married. He died at an advanced age, in Upper San-
dusky, and was interred at Green Lawn.
Orris Parish came from the State of New York. He was elected President
Judge of Common Pleas for Franklin Countj' in 181C, and afterwards represented
the county in the General Assembly.
Franki.inton. li. 15!1
Ralph Osborii arrived in ISOO from VVaterhuiy, Coiiiiecliriit, where he had
acquired the profcMsion of the Uiw. After romaining in Fraiiklintoii a few ycarw,
he I'emoved to Delaware County, of which he became the first Prosecuting At-
torney. At a later period ho j-emoved to Pickawaj' County, and in 1810 was
elected Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives. In 1815 he was elected
Auditor of State, an office which he held eighteen years in succession. In 183:-5 ho
was chosen as State Senator for the Counties of Franklin and Pickaway.
Doctor Samuel Parsons, father of Hon. George M. Parsons, whose name has
been a prominent one in Columbus for many years past, was a native ol' Iteading,
Connecticut. Martin's History says of him: " He acquired his profession in his
native State : removed to the west a young and unmarried man, and arrived at
Franklinton on the first daj- of the year, 1811, where he located and commenced
the practice of his profession. In 1816 he removed over to Columbus, where he
continued to practice until the last eight or nine years of his life, when he retired.
As a physician he was attentive and cautious, and acquired a high reputation —
and as a citizen was highly respected. In 1843 he was, without solicitation or
desii-e on his part, elected a Representative for this county in the Stale Legisla-
ture, where he served with ability. He was also for a number of j-ears President
of the Franklin Branch of the State Bank of Ohio."
Gustavus Swan was born in the town of Sharon, New Hampshire, July 15,
1787. After many severe struggles with poverty, he acquired the profession of
the law. He set out for Ohio on horseback in April, 1810, and in the ensuing
Maj' arrived at Marietta. He brought with him fifteen hundred dollars, which he
loaned to a friend and lost. . He was not dismaj-ed by this misfortune, believing,
says his biographer," tliat "a young man's best capital with which to begin
active life is good morals, a liberal education, and the fear of starvation." In the
spring of 1811 he visited Cincinnati, Chillicotlie, Zanesville, and finally Franklinton,
where he concluded to make his permanent settlement. He was led to this tloci-
sion by the conviction that the seat of government of the State would be located
at the Forks of the Scioto. He opened a law office in Franklinton, served as a
volunteer in the war of 1812, and in 1814 transferred the theatre of his professional
practice to Columbus. Of his subsequent career more will be said in its proper
historical connection.
John Kerr was a native of Ireland, born in 1778, and educated at the (Uni-
versity of Dublin. He came to America early in the present century, and arrived,
about 1810, in Franklinton, near which he made extensive investments in land.
particularly on the east bank of the Scioto. Chiefly from these investments he
afterwards became very wealthy.
Lyne Starling, born in Kentucky', December 27, 1784, came to Franklinton.
by invitation of his brotherinlaw, Lucas Sullivant, in 1805. Having served as an
assistant in the office of the clerk of the courts at Frankfort, he soon became a
useful helper in the official duties of Mr. Sullivant, then clerk of the court at
Franklinton. He finally became the clerk himself, and held the office ibr several
years. Induced by a taste for business to renounce official station, he became a
partner in trade with Mr. Sullivant, established a flourishing store, and was first
to venture cargoes of produce in decked flatlioats down the Scioto, and thence 1o
New Orleans. When the war of 1812 broke out, he became a commissary lor the
160 History op the City of Columbus.
Northwestern Army under General Hai"ri8on,and took large contracts for furnish-
ing its supplies. His investments in land were extensive and very profitable, as
will hereafter be seen. Mr. Starling's personal presence was imposing, his height
sis feet six inches, his carriage graceful, and his dress faultless in the style of a
gentleman of the old Virginia school. He was " emphatically a great mau," says
Hon. Gustavus Swan. "He ai-rived at conclusions and was acting upon them,
while ordinary juinds were contemplating at premises. It was this peculiar in-
tellectual superiority which rendered his efforts in business so uniformly success-
ful, and which enabled him, before reaching the meridian of life, to amass one of
the largest fortunes which have been accumulated in the West.""
Although his wealth and dignity made him seem aristocratic to the popular
mind, Mr. Starling was a man of generous impulses. Judge Gustavus Swan, him-
self a man of uncommon ability, paid him these fine compliments: "Before the
progress of disease had undermined his constitution, and a shattered nervous
system had rendered his days wretched, Mr. Starling was amiable, frank, confid-
ing, social and manly, wholly disinterested in his friendships, charitable to the
frailties of others, and only severe upon his own. The poor and necessitous never
applied to him in vain, and he was as far from avarice as any man that ever lived.
His mind had no grasp for small things, and when he relieved, it was no calculat-
ing or grudging bounty. "'-
Another remarkable man who came to Franklinton in 1S05, was Doctor Lin-
coln Goodale. The father of Doctor Goodale was Major Nathan Goodale, one of
the " minute men" of the War of Independence. At the first outbreak of that war,
in 1775, Major Goodale quitted his farm near Braokfield, Massachusetts, and
enlisted in the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry. He fought brilliantly in several
battles, was twice wounded, and suffered the horrors of the Jersey Prison-ship, at
New York, while, for a time, in captivity. Eemoving to the West, after the war,
he arrived at Marietta July 2, 1788, and in April, 1789, settled at Belpre. There
he assisted in building stockades for defense against the Indians, and became an
officer of the militia by appointment of Governor St. Clair. His subsequent fate is
illustrative of the perils of pioneer life at that time on the Ohio frontier. Let the
story be told in the words of one of the leading chroniclers of the events of the
border :
On the first day of March, 1793, the [Belpre] colony met with the most serious loss it had
yet felt from their Indian enemies, in the captivity and ultimate death of Major Goodale.
On that day he was at work in a new clearing on his farm, distant about forty or fifty rods
from tbe garrison, hauling rail timber with a yoke of oxen from the edge of the woods which
bordered the new field. It lay backof the first bottom on the edge of the plain, in open view of
the station. An Irishman, named John Magee, was at work grubbing or digging out the
roots of the bushes and small saplings on the slope of the plain as it descends on to the bottom,
but out of sight of Major Goodale. The Indians made so little noise in their assault that
John did not hear them. The first notice of the disaster was the view of the oxen seen from
the garrison, standing quietly in the field with no one near them. An hour or more they
were observed still in the same place, when suspicion arose that some disaster had happened
to Mr. Goodale. One of the men was called, and sent up to learn what had happened.
John was still busy at bis work, unconscious of any alarm. In the edge of the woods
there was a thin layer of snow, on which he soon saw moccasin tracks. It was now evident
that Indians had been there, and had taken him prisoner, as no blood was seen on the
ground. They followed the trail some distance, but soon lost it. The next day a party of
^'
^■^fwT ^ff'y f(~
I- ItANKI.INToN. 11. 1(11
rangers went out, but returned after a friiitloss scaicli. The liviM- iit this time was nearly at
full bank, and less danger was apprebended on that aiionnl ; it was also early in the season
for Indians to approach the settlements. The uncertainty of his condition left room for the
imagination to fancy everything horrible in his fate ; more terrible to bear than the actual
knowledge of his death. Great was the distress of Mrs. (ioodale and the children, over-
whelmed with this unexpected calamity. His loss threw a deep gloom over the whole
community, as no man was more higlily valued ; neither was there any one whose councils
and intluence were equally prized by the settlement. He was in fact the life and soul of this
isolated community, and left a vacancy that no other man could till. . . .
At the treaty of ITflrj, when thecajitives were given up by the Indians, some intclligciuc
was obtained of nearly all the persons taken prisoners from this part of Ohio, but none of the
fate of Major Goodale. About the year ITliil, Colonel Forrest Meeker, since a citizen of
Delaware County, and well acquainted with the family of Major Goodale, and tlu' circum-
stances of this event, when at Detroit on business, fell in company with three Indians, who
related to him the particulars of their faking a man prisoner, at Belpre, in the spring of 17VI3.
Their description of his personal appearance left no doubt on tlie mint! of Colonel Meeker of
its being Major Goodale.
They stated that a party of eight Indians were watching the settlement for mischief ; and
as they lay concealed on the side of the hill back of the plain, they heard a man driving or
"talking to his oxen," as they expressed it. After carefully examining his movements, they
saw him leave his work and go to the garrison, in the middle of the day. Knowing that he
would return soon, they secreted themselves in the edge of the woods, and while he was
occupied with bis work, sprang out and seized upon him before he was aware of their pres-
ence, or could make any defense, threatening him with death if he made a noise or resisted.
After securing him with thongs, they commenced a hasty retreat, intending to take him to
Detroit, and get a large ran.soni. Somewhere on the Mianu, or at Sandusky, he fell sick and
couUl not travel ; and that he finally died of his sickness.
A Mrs. Whittaker,the wife of a man who had a store, and traded with the hi.liaiis at
.Sandusky, has since related the .same account. That the Indians left him at her house,
where he died of a disease like a pleurisy, without having received any very ill usage from
his captors, other than the means necessary to prevent his escape. This is probably a (cor-
rect account of his fate ; and although his death was a melancholy one, among strangers, and
far away from the sympathy and care of his friends, yet it is a relief to know that lie di.l not
perish at the stake, or by the tomahawk of the savages.' '
Doctor Goodale remembered well being stationed, when a hoy on the farm at
Belpre, to watch for the approach of Indians while his fatluT and assistants were
at work in the fields. When he came to Franklinlun, he l>i-ouu'lil with him his
widowed mother, and engaged in the practice of medicine, which profession he
had studied in the office of Doctor Leonard .Tewett, at Belpre. But the trade of
the frontier was at that time so profitable that he wa.s soon drawn into tnei'cantile
business, and opened a store, which he conducted with great succe.ss. Part of his
stock consisted of drugs and medicines, for which there was great demand. Mean^
while he gave to the poor his services as a physician free of charge. Jjike the
other business men of Franklintoii he made large investincnts in the lands of the
vicinity, and reaped therefrom a liberal profit. He enlisted as a volunteer in the
War of 1812, became an Assistant Surgeon in Colonel, afterwards Governor. .Mc
Arthur's regiment, and was taken captive at IIiill's surrender, and sent to .Maiden
He was afterwards exchanged at Cleveland.
Doctor Goodale was a man of extraordinary excellenic. Hospitable, refined,
strict in his integritj-, and clear and accurate in his juili;inent, he delighted in
assisting others, and did many noble things in an unobtrusive way. Ifis bene-
factions were numerous, that bj' wkich he is now best remembered being his mu-
nificent gift to the City of Columbus of the beautiful park which bears his name.
11
History of the City op Oolumtu
NOTES.
1. The counties of contemporary origin were Scioto, Warren, Butler, Montgomery,
Columbiana, Gallia and Greene.
2. Martin's History of Franklin County.
3. Ibid.
In his address before the Franklin County Pioneers, June 3, 1871, Mr. Joseph Sullivant
said : " The first county of the Northwest Territory, established within the present limits of
the State, was Washington County, which included all of our county east of the Scioto. The
second county was Hamilton, lying betwixt tlie two Miamis, with the Little Miami for its
eastern boundary. The third county was Wayne, which included a large part of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, all of Michigan and a part of Minnesota, with its countyseat at
Detroit. Now the southern line of Wayne County was a line drawn west from Fort Laurens
and continued until it intersected the east line of Hamilton County, which is here declared
to be ' a due north line from the lower Shawnee towns upon the Scioto River.' It is evident,
therefore, from this, that betwixt the time of establishing Hamilton County, in 1790, and that
of Wayne, in 1796, the eastern boundary of Hamilton had been greatly extended. This is
also confirmed, if we refer to the alteration in the western boundary of Adams County
in 1798
" Now, whether we assume the lower Shawnee towns on the Scioto at the mouth of the
river, to be intended, or those in the vicinity of Westfall, in Pickaway County, the due north
line forming the eastern boundary of Hamilton would include the greater part of the present
Franklin County, and must have passed just east of the spot where we are now assembled.
So that it will be seen that our territory has been attached to seven distinct political divisions
in succession, as follows: Bottetourt, Illinois, Washington, Hamilton, Adams, Ross and
Franklin— with eight different countyseats, [viz.], Fincastle, Virginia ; Kaskaskia, Illinois ;
Marietta, Cincinnati, Manchester, on the Ohio; Cliillicothe, Franklinton and Columbus."
4. The Constitution of 1802 contained these requirements : " Each court shall appoint its
own clerk for the term of seven years ; but no person shall be appointed clerk, except pro
tempore, who shall not produce to the court appointing him, a certificate from a majority of the
judges of the supreme court, that they judge him to be well qualified to execute the duties
of the office of clerk to any court of the same dignity with that for which he oft'ers himself."
-Art. Ill Sec. 9.
5. Martin's History contains the following sketch of Franklin Township : " This is the
oldest township in the county, and the only one of the four original townships that retains
its name. It was laid out and organized when the county was, in 1803. It then contained
about twice as much territory as the whole county now does. Its first settlement was the
town of Franklinton and vicinity. . . . Then the settlement extended down the river ; and
amongst the first families to settle there were those of Samuel White, John Huflfman, William
Harrison, Sr., and a few others. The township was not reduced to its present limits until
after the creation of Jackson in 1815 and of Prairie in 1819. The town of Franklinton has
not varied much in population and business for the last forty years [18.58]. It has always
been, to a great extent, a town of farmers and laborers, who lived in the town and worked
Mr. Sullivant's extensive prairie fields, or were engaged in stonequarrying, hauling, etc. For
the last ten or twelve years there has been an extensive business done in this township in
the raising, curing, and shipping of broom corn by Captain P. M. White and C. L. Eaton,
Esq. The town and township have been the theatre for sportsmen. The race courses have
always been in this township, generally in some of the large prairie fields adjacent to the
town, but latterly at the Four-Mile House, so called, but still in the township, where a fine
race course was fitted up some eight or ten years since, and still kept for sporting characters
to practice their nags upon.
" In the vicinity of the town is a large miUing establishment, erected by Lucas Sullivant,
Esq., in his life time, and now owned and worked by some half dozen men, under the name
of the Ohio Manufacturing Company. From one to two miles below Franklinton on the
Scioto are Moeller's Mills and carding machine, erected by John Ransburgh, about the years
1813-14, and which were long known as Ransbnrgh's Mills.
Fkanki.inton. II. ]iV.\
" On the hank of the river in the north vicinity of the town is the oM I'Vankliiilun Imiv-
inggroiiml. It eiubraeos a beautiful little locust grove, enclosed with ;i hoard I'ciui'. This,
it was supposed, was to be the final resting place of tlie pioneers who led the way in the set-
tlement of this once wilderness. But of late years a number of removals have been made
from thence to Green Lawn, amonyst whom were the remains of laicas Sullivant and wife,
Lyne Starling, and General Foos and wife. But still the Franklinton graveyard is rather a
neat and handsome village cemetery, and is as well calculated to call u)! a train nf solenm
and interesting retiections as any other spot of ground in the county."
As to the creation of other townships in the county Martin .says : " Previous to our re-
duction of territory, in ISOS, by the creation of Delaware County, the number of townships
had increased to nine, but by the organization of Delaware County the nnndier was rKliu-ed
to the five following, to wit: Franklin, Sharon, Pleasant, Montgomery and Hamillnn uhieh
have been divided and subdivitled until they now number eighteen, tlie names ajid ilatcs uf
the establishment of which are as follows :
Blendon . . . March ti, IS 1 5 Norwich . . . Ueeember 7, LSI:!
Clinton . . . July I, ISll Perry . . June 27, l.SL'O
Franklin . . . May 10, 1803 Plain .... March 4, 1810
Hamilton . . . March U, 1807 Pleasant . . . July 1, 1807
Jackson .... March ti, 1815 Prairie .... December28, 181!i
Jeller.son . . .September G, 18Ki Sharon . . . March 4, IHUi
Madi.son .... March 4, 1810 Truto .... March 4, 1810
-MilUin . . . September 2, ISU Washington . . March 4, 1810
Montgomery . . . March 9, 1807 Brown .... March :), 1830
G. An act of the General Assendjly passed December 4, 180SI, provides: "'That there
shall be erected and established in each county, whenever the commissioners may deem it
necessary a good and convenient courthouse, and a strong and suHicient jail or prison, for the
reception and confinement of debtors and criminals, well secured by timber, iron gates, bolts
and locks, and also a whipping post; and every jail so to be erected shall consist of not less
than two apartments, one of which shall be appropriated to the reception of debtors, and the
other shall be used for the safe keeping of persons charged with, or convicted of crimes ; and
the commissioners shall from time to time alter or rebuild any of the aforesaid buildings,
which have heretofore, or may hereafter be built, as circumstances may require."
7. Howe's Historical Collections.
8. Martin's History,
y. ibid.
10. Hon. George M. Parsons.
11. Biographical sketch of Lyne Starling, at his death ; by lion. Gustavus Swan.
12. Ibid.
Joseph Sullivant, writing in the Sullivant Memorial, narrates this anecdote of Lyne
Starling ; '• I was once in his room when Edmund Starling was visiting bim. He was lying
on his bed and had just made rather a boasting statement as to his wealth, when, turning to
his brother, he said : ' Edmund, that is pretty well for the fool of the family, is it not ?' ' Yes,'
said Edmund, 'but I don't understand about the fool.' Lyne continued: 'Do you recollect
hearing of old Mrs. Doake in Virginia, who used to ilo the weaving for our family ? ' Edmund
assented, and Lyne said : ' When I was a boy 1 went with my mother to carry some yarn to
Mrs. Doake, and, being very bashful, did not enter the house, but stood outside by the door,
where I heard distinctly every word that was said. The old woman was very particular in
her inquiries about every member of the family, and wound up by saying, 'and how is that
poor simpleton, Lyne?' We all laughed , as he did also, saying: ' Well, after all, 1 think the
fool of the family has done pretty well ; but the fact is, that speech has stuck in my craw for
fifty years.' Whether this speech of the old weaver had stimulated him through life or in
any way infiuenced his career cannot be known, but, pecuniarily, he was the mo.-(t successful
of his family."
13. Pioneer History ; l.v S. P. Ilildretli.
CHAPTER IX.
FRANKLINTON. Ill,
As yet, the Franklinton settlement was but an island of civilization in a vast
surrounding wilderness. It was at best a raw, ungainly frontier village. The
country roundabout was settling up gradually, but many of the squatters had no
neighbors nearer than fifteen, or even twenty miles, and everything was yet in the
rough. "When I opened my office in Franklinton in 1811," says Judge Gustavus
Swan, "there was neither church, nor schoolhouse, nor pleasure carriage in the
county, nor was there a bridge over any stream within the compass of an hundred
miles. The roads at all seasons of the year were nearly impassable. Goods were
imported, principally from Philadelphia, in wagons ; and our exports, consisting of
horses, cattle and hogs, carried themselves to market. The mails were brought to
us once a week on horseback, if not prevented by high water. I feel safe in
asserting that there was not in the county a chair for evei-y two persons, nor a
knife and fork for every four."
"The proportion of rough population," continues Judge Swan's biographer,
" was very large. With that class, to say that ' he would tight,' was to praise a
man ; and it was against him if he refused to drink. Aged persons and invalids,
however, were respected and protected, and could avoid drinking and fighting
with impunity; but even they could not safely interfere to interrupt a fight.
There was one virtue, that of hospitality, which was not confined to any class."'
The hardships endured by the pioneers in the wilderness were many and
severe. The journey from the East, usually made in wagons, by a road which was
merely a trail through the woods, was tedious and perilous. Including unavoida-
ble interruptions, it sometimes lasted for three months. Mountains and swollen
streams had to be crossed, often with great difficulty and danger. Arriving at
their destination the emigrants found themselves alone in the wild forest. In not
a few instances their stock of provisions gave out, leaving them to such subsistence
as they could gain from roots and wild game. Sickness was frequently brougiit
on by the jH-ivation and exposure.
A spot being chosen for a clearing, the larger trees were girdled, the smaller
ones cut down and burned. Corn was then planted by cutting holes in the ground
with a hoe, or an axe and dropping a few kernels into each cavity. When buck-
wheat was sown, it was necessary to watch it, at the ripening season, to keep the
wild turkeys from destroying it. A gentleman whose father settled in Blendon
Township iu 1807'' informs the writer that the wild deer were accustomed to come
into the clearing around the family cabin to browse on the branches of the fallen
[164]
Frankmnton. III.
166 History of the City of Columbus.
trees. The settler was a soldier of the War of Independence, and had brought
with him the long rifle which he had used in the battle of Bunker Hill. With this
weapon, rested on the comb of the roof, he frequently shot the deer by moonlight,
from the top of his cabin. The surrounding forest was very dense and the trees
very largo. Of roads there were none ; logs and swamps were frequent. The
family obtained its fir.st supplies of corn from Pickaway County, in exchange for
baskets manufactured at the home fireside. Night seldom failed to bring visita-
tions of vagrant wolves, howling dismally. Sometimes, to make their musical
powers more impressive, these serenaders gathered in a circle around the cabin.
Cows and other stock were permitted to range at will in the woods, and woi-e
hunted up and driven home in the evening. The animals hunted for the salt licks,
and doing so would sometimes wander away for several miles. On one occasion a
neighborhood damsel named Jane got over the creek, while driving the cows
home, by holding on to the caudal extremity of one of the animals and making it
swim. " She didn't get very wet," observed the narrator. "There wasn't much
on her to wet — only a linen frock."
Tiie cabin ol the Ohio pioneer was usuall3' laid up with round logs, notched
into one another at the ends, and chinked between with wooden blocks and stones.
The chimney was built outside of the walls, of crossed wooden strips, daubed with
clay. At the base it expanded into a large open fireplace, with a firm lining of
stones. The roof was made of chipboards, five or six feet long, riven from oak or
ash logs, and held down by being weighted with stones or poles. Not a nail was
used in the construction of the entire building. Greased paper was used in lieu of
glass in the windows, which were sometimes curtained with a dilapidated garment.
The door was hung on wooden hinges, and fastened by a latch raised from the out
side by a string passed through a ginilethole. To lock the door it was only neces-
sary to draw the latclistring in ; hence, to be hospitable, in current phrase, meant
to leave the latchstring out. A ladder communicated with the " loft," or space be.
tween the ujiper floor and the roof, sometimes used for sleeping purposes. The
floor was laid with puncheons, of which also a stationary table was built, sur-
rounded by benches consisting of slabs supported by wooden pins let in with an
auger.
Pew frontier housekeepers were so fortunate as to possess any porcelain dishes.
The table utensils were mainly articles of wood or pewter. Knives and forks were
rarities. Baking was done by spreading the meal dough on a clean board, and
placing it bofoi-c the fire, under watch of one of the juvenile members of the
family.
Eastern made fabrics wei-e so scarce and expensive as to be beyond the reach
of most of the settlors. Deerskin, flax and the fiber of the nettle were therefore
used in the fireside manufacture of materials for clothing. By the mixture of flax and
wool, when wool could be obtained, a coarse cloth was made called linsey-woolsey.
" Sheep's gray" was a compound of the wool of black sheep and white. The spin-
ning wheel, kept constantly going, furnished the yarn from which woolen and
linen cloths were woven. Deer hides were first thoroughly soaked in the nearest
running stream, then scraped and dried. They were next tramped in a leathern
bag filled with water mingled with the brains of wild animals. After each tramp-
ing, the hides were thoroughly wrung out. To keep them soft, they were some-
Kranki.inton in tr.7
times snioUod. Finally tlioy woiv coIommI witli nclifc, nihlicil in willi ]iiiinici'. A
.single family woukl sometimes dross us miiny as a Imniirod <loi'islvins in this wny,
in the course of tlie wintci'. To manufacture the buckskin tluis ])roiluce(l into
gloves, moccasins, anil other articles of clothing, furnished useful occupation for
many a leisure hour in the wilderness solitudes.'
A liuckskin suit over a flax shirt was considered lull dnss Idi' a niaii. The
luilside masculine garment was a hunting shirt, with a cajjc around the shoulders
and a skirt nearly to the knees, the front open, with heavy foldings, on the chest,
and the whole fringed and belted. Trowsers of heavy cloth or deerskin were
worn, or in lieu of them, buckskin leggings. Women who were so fortunate as to
have shoes, saved them for Sunday use, and carried them on the way to church,
until they ncured the " meetinghouse," when they sat down on a lug to draw them
on. The men went barefoot, or wore moccasins. Their biukskin clcithes wore
very comt'ortable when dry, but just the reverse when wet. Hats and caps were
made of the native furs.
The pioneer women had al)undant o]>]i()rlunily and no end of incentive to
practice the ]ioelical pliil(isii|diy that '■ lieauly unadorned s adorned the most."
'fheir usual garments were made of linsey- w.)olsey, (ir a In.niem.-id.' nii.xtni-e .d'
linen and r.ilt. HI. and wciv fabricated witii little rcgai'd lor ,,fnainent. Yet the
ingenuity of the sex seldom failed to find some resoui-ee for personal embellish-
ment. A typical belle of the wilderness has been thus described : " A smiling face,
fresh but dark, a full head of smoothly combed hair tied up behind in a twist
knot; a dress, made out of seven yards of linsey-woolsey, closel}' tils the natural
firm and i-oaehes to williin six inches of the floor. Ft is fancifully and nni<|inly
sniped with copperas, butternut and indigo, alternating. The belt is made of
homespun, but is colorcil with imported dj'o, and a I'ovv of buttons down tiie back is
also set on a bright sti-ijjc Heavy cowhide shoes conceal substantial feet and
shapely aiddcs.-
Books were rare in the iV.mtiei- settlernenis. and scIumiIs werr a long Uhk.
coming. A wilderness schoolhouse, says one of the clu-oniclers (;f the jieriod, con-
sistod of" a log cabin with a rough stone chimney ; a foot or two cut from the logs
here and there to admit the light, with greased paper over the opctnngs; a large
firejilace, puncheon floor, a few benches made ofsplTtlogs with the flat side u]), and
a well developed birch rotl over tli<^ mastei-'s seat." A teacher who received a sal
ary often dollars a month, jiayable in produce, was c(jiisidei-ed l(>rluiuite.
In a Centennial A.ldi-ess ot July :l, ISTH, Hon. Henry (', Xoldc, of ( 'olunil.us,
d. ■scribed s e ot the social customs of the |Moueei' period : •• A wedding engaged
then, as now, the attention of the whole neighborho(jd, and the frolic was antici-
pated by old and 3'oung with eager expectation. In the inoi'ning the groom and
his attendants started for his father's house to reach the bride's before noon, for the
wedding, by the inexorable law of fashion, must take place before dinner. . .
The horses, for all come on horseback, were caparisoned with ohi saddles, old
bridles, or halters, packsaddles with a blanket thrown over them, and a rope or a
string for a girth or I'eins as often as leather. Thej' formed a procession as well as
they could along the narrow roads. Sometimes an aml)usca<le of mischievous young
men was formed, who tired oH' their guns and friglitcncd the horses, antl caused
the girls to shriek.
KiS History or the City qv Columbus.
The race for the bottle took place by two or more of the young men racing over this
rough road to the bride's house, the victor to receive a bottle of whisky, which he bore back in
triumph, and passed along the procession for each one to take a drink in turn. Then came
the arrival at the bride's house, the ceremony, the dinner, and the dance, all conducted with
the greatest fun and frolic till morning. Sometimes those who were not invited would
revenge themselves by cutting off the manes, foretops and tails of the horses of the wedding
party.
The logrolling, harvesting and husking bees for the men, and the quilting and apple-
buttermaking for the women, furnished frequent occasions for social intercourse, and gave
ample opportunity for the different neighborhoods to know the good or bad qualities of each
other.
Rifleshooting was a pastime which men loved, as it gave them an opportunity of testing
their skill with that necessary weapon of defense, and means, often, of subsistence. When a
beef was the prize, it was divided into six (juarters by this queer arrangement : The two
hindquarters were the highest prizes, the two forequarters the next, the hide and tallow the
fifth, and the lead shot into the mark the sixth.
A recent writer^ draws the following spirited picture of an old-time ajiplc-
cutting frolic: "The middle-aged and the young of a whole neighborhood as-
sembled at some spacious farmhouse to peel and pare great heaps of apples for
drying, or make into 'butter' by stewing in boiled cider.
The love-fortunes of men and maids were determined by the counting of apple-seeds ;
and whoever removed the entire skin of a pipjiin in one long ribbon, whirled the lucky
streamer thrice around his heail and let it fall l)ehind him on the floor, and in the form it
took a quick fancy read the monogram of his nr her intended mate.
After the apples were cut, and the cider boiled, tlie floor was cleared for a frolic, techni-
cally so called, and merry were the dancers and loud the songs with which our fathers and
njothers regaled the Hying houis. The tiddler was a man of importance, and when, after
midnight, he called the "Virginia Reel," such shouting, such laughter, such clatter of
hilarious feet upon the sanded puncheon floor, started thescreechowl out of doors, and waked
the baby from its sweet slumber in the sugar-trough. 1 will not deny that Tom Wilkins,
who came to the frolic dressed in a green hunting-shirt and deer-skin trousers, drank some-
thing stronger than hard cider, and was bolder than he should have been in his gallant
attentions to Susan. But let by-gones be by-gones. The apple cutting was fifty years ago,
and Tom and Susan have danced the dance of life, and their tombstones are decorous
enough.
These pictures of pioneer life, prosaically described, became doubly interest-
ing when animated and idealized in song. No one was more ade])t at this than
the late Hon. John Greiner, of Columbus. At a meeting of the Franklin County
Pioneer Association, August 7, 1869, Mr. Greiner was introduced with the an-
nouncement that he would sing an old-fashioned song to an old-fiishiouod tune.
Stej^ping forward, amid many plaudits, he sang to the tune "Old Times," the
following ditty of
THE EARLY PIONEERS.
What care we for the flight of time, the hasty flight of years ;
The world's the same as ever to the early pioneers.
In memory of the olden time, of youth's bright sunny day,
We'll have a good old-fashioned song, in the old-fashioned way.
Once Columbus was a pawpaw patch, no Capitol stood here ;
No public institutions were there dreamed of, thought of, near :
The people in log cabins dwelt, the latchstring in the door.
Opened to the jolly neighbors, dancing on the puncheon floor.
-uJ'
BORN IN COLUMBUS, FEBRUARY 180 6.
■KRANKI.INT..N. III.
A t'li-ariiif.' in tlie wildwood, and a section square of land,
An axe upon his shoulder, and a rifle in his hand ;
A wife and towhead ehildren and an honest heart, sincere,
Were all the worldly riches of the early pioneer.
tianie hounding through the forest, and game whirring on
The perch, the trout, the salmon from the silver waters spi
Wild honey in the heegum — hoiling sugar into cake.
With heauty in the wilderness, life wasn't hard to take.
Then men, all honestly inclined, in great and little things,
Formeil neither comhinations, oliiiues nor thieving whisky rings ;
OfKceholders could he trusted — unsophisticated loons,
They'd no more roh the puhlic than steal your silver spoons.
Then farmers sweat in harvest, from sun to sun, all day.
With sickles, scythes and cradles, toiled in cutting grain and hay ;
Now cutters, planters, mowers, reapers to the fields they haul.
And ride and drive like gentlemen, and scarcely work at all.
The ladies dressed in homespun, and the linsey-woolsey gown.
Was worn by the upper-cru.st, in country, and in town ;
The house was kept in order, and the rooms were neat as wax,
And the wheel was kept a whirling while a s|)inning of the flax.
The beau who went a sparking staid until the break o' day —
Sometimes till after breakfast — he couliln't tear himself away ;
Sometimes he got the mitten, and a flea put in his ear.
Which made itiiuile unpleasant for the early pioneer.
Your grandmothers, fair ladies, all were modest and <lemure ;
No flattery ever sought or gave, of this you may be sure ;
But, home from meetings Sunday nights, 'twen? worth a sparklin<_' gcin
T(i have .seen these good old pioneers a sitting up lo Ibem !
The liirc!;-()ing poetry is not cla,ssic; il is not c\cn ui-ainniatical, luil it is tin-
yush ofii heart full of enthusiasm for tiic "old times," and ^-Jow.s in every line with
the frank and tree, albeit untrained s])irit of the conquerors of the wilderness.
More ffraccful, Imt scarcely so truthful, or nearly so realistic, arc the musical lines
of William D.. (lallai^hcr. "
A song I'nr the early times out West.
And our green oltl forest home,
Whose pleasant memories freshly yet.
Across the bosom come :
A song for the free and gladsome life.
In those early days we led.
With a teennng soil beneath our feet.
And a smiling Heaven o'erhead !
Oh, the waves of life danced merrily.
And had a joyous flow.
In the days when we were Pioneers
Fifty years ago!
The bunt, the shot, the glorious chase.
The captured elk or deer;
The camp, the big bright fire, and then
170 HtSTOEY OP THE City of Columbus.
The rich and wholesome cheer:—
The sweet sound sleep at dead of night,
By our cauapfire blazing higli —
Unbrolien by the wolf's long howl,
And the panther springing by.
Oil, merrily passed the time, despite
Our wily Indian foe,
In the days when we were pioneers.
Fifty years ago !
This is excellent poetry, but the pioneer's time did not pass quite so mei'rily
as the poet would have us think, ]jife on the border was, for the most part, a
very serious matter. Sickness added its hard lines to those of privation and hard-
ship. Fever and ague prevailed in autnmn, and made life miserable until the
winter frosts set in. Sometimes the ague gave place to a bilious fever of a malig-
nant type. Franklinton, owing to its low situation, and want of drainage was par-
ticularly exposed to these diseases.
After the Treaty of Greenville, the Indians mostly disappeared from the neigh-
borhood, but a few still lingered about. One of these, known as Billy Wyandot,
because of his connection with the tribe of that name, had his lodge on the west
bank of the Scioto near the present crossing of the Harrisburg Pike. Here, we
arc told, he had many a drunken bout with boon white companions. Once, in his
youth, Billy had seen a largo black bear swimming across the river at that point,
and had plunged in, and slain the audacious prowler, in mid stream, with his hunt-
ing knife. Proud of this exjiloit, the old Indian, one winter day, insisted on show-
ing a couple of visitors, with whom he had been drinking freely, how he had
killed the bear. Against remonstrance, he plunged inlo the swirling current, laden
with floating ice, and after whooping and tioundering awhile in the antics of in-
toxication, sank and was drowned in the act of killing an imaginary bear.''
After Harrison's victory of the Thames, in Canada, bands of Indians from the
villages on the headwaters of the Scioto frequently came to Franklinton to trade
with Lincoln Goodale, Starling .t DeLashmutt, R. W. McCoy, Henry Hrown,
Samuel Barr, and other storekeepers, as the merchants were then called. These
Indians brought furs, skins, baskets, maple sugar, cranberries, dry venison, and
other articles, for which they would accept pay only in silver. Having obtained
the coin, they bought ammunition, tobacco, knives, '■ s(pKiw-axes,' " squawcloth "
(broadcloth), pigments for tattooing, blankets,, brightly colored calicoos, and finally
a su])ply of whisky for the " high drunk " with wliidi they usiuilly closed their
trading transactions. These orgies, in which the whole band i)articipatcd except
a few old men and women, who abstained to take care of the I'est, were accom-
panied with much singing, dancing, brawling and Hghting. They no doubt con-
tributed not a little to make Franklinton life interesting in a certain way.
During one of these tia<ling expeditious, a massive Indian named Bill Zane,
, while yet under the influence of his debauch, took offense at Mrs. Lucas Sullivant
because of the accidental loosening of one of his bundles left at her residence, and
was about to stab her with his hunting-knife when Mr. Sullivant rushed in, seized
the savage by the throat, and hurled him out of doors. The marks of Zane's hunt-
ing-knife, with which he had angrily scratched the measure of a piece of calico on
the chairboard, were ibr a long time preserved as family mementoes of this
episode,"
FllANKI.lNTIiN. IIT. 171
Another advoiiluro, I'urioiisly illustrativo of Uio (ondiliiin ot tlir m'UlciiuMi
and the spirit of the times is tlius narrated :
In 1809, while some of Lucas Sullivant's workmen were ])l(iwiiii; in llie Duleh
Prairie; "a nearly grown blaek bear came along very leisurely, witliont a])i)ar-
ently being in the least disturbed by the immediate vicinity of the men and
horses. One of the men, unhitching hie horses, took a singletree, with a heavy
traceehain attached, and mounting his horse, rode up alongside of the bear, and
began thrashing him with the chain. The bear at tirst showed fight, but, winc-
ing under the heavy blows, he started off at a lively pace, the man following, and
with an occasional application of the traceehain finding little diflSculty in driving
him in any direction he chose, and finally, in about a quarter of a mile, succeeded
in guiding him right into the dooryard of the Mansion House, where he was im-
mediately attacked by several dogs. A tierce battle ensued, in which the bear
killed one of the dogs, and fought his way across the garden into the next lot,
where he took refuge in the angle formed by the fence ami house, and, jiroleeled
in his rear, stood at bay. ... A crowd of men and boys, with fnsh dogs soon
gathered, and a regular bcarbaiting commenced.
The bear, standing on his hind legs in his corner, received the attack in front from the
eager but inexperienced dogs, and, with a hearty hug and rip with his hind claws, sent one
yelping cur after another out of the fight. It was soon evident, that, so far as the dogs were
concerned, it was a drawn battle, and measures were devised to capture the bear alive. For
tliis purpose a rope was procured, with a slipnoose at one end, which was attempted to be
thrown over his head, but which he, witli surprising dexterity, cast aside each time. At this
juncture a man by the name of Corhns made his appearance, and, being pretty full of whisky,
undertook to place the rope over tlie bear's head. When he got sufHciently close, the bear
struck him a blow with his paw, whereupon Corbus dropped the rope and pitched in with
his fists and feet, and a very exciting and famous rough and tumble bear fight took place ; but
the poor beast, being much weakened and exhausted from his previous efforts, the human
brute came off best, and killed the bear. This exploit was long the talk of the village."
An incident of a less exciting natui'c, ^-et pleasantly illustrative of pioneer
times in Franklinton, is narrattid in a manuscript sketch furnished to the writer
by Mrs. Emil}' Stewart, of Columbus. William Merion, a young man of twenty-
one, arrived in Franklinton from Massachu.setts in ISIIS, and took boarding with
Isaiah Voris, who kept a tavcin (in (iilt Sirect. where now stands the new West
Side Markethousc. Let M rs. Slcwarl cuiiliniic- the narrative: "Miss Sallie Wait
(daughter of Jefiks Wait, who came with his family to Kianklinton from .lohns-
town, New York, in lSt)5, and was then living one mile south of the village), was
going home from shopping, and stojiped at the door of the Voris House to talk with
Mrs. Voris. The young lady declined to go in, knowing the boarders were at
supper. She talked a little too long. Young Moi'ion came out, and Mrs. Voris in-
troduced her friend. Soon after, Miss Wait resumed her walk, the young man
overtook her with a bridle in his hand, said his horse had strayed away, and he
thought it was at the Salt Lick, a salt spring a short distance from her father's house.
The young couple talked pleasantly, and when they came to her house, he ))olitely
bade her good evening, and passed on, swinging his bridle. The next time she
went to town, her friend, Mrs. Voris, spoke to her about her 'beau.' 'Who?'
she inquired. 'Why, that Yankee that walked home with ycjii.' 'lie was no
beau,' rejoined Miss Sallie, ' he was only hunting his horse that had strayeil away.'
172 History of the City of Columbus.
The horse hud been quietly eating hay in the Voris stable all this time. It was too
good for Mrs. Voris to keep. She told it, and that Yankee had a warm lime of it
at that boarding house for a while. But he was not discouraged, for, on February
14, 1809, William Merion and Sallie Wait were united in marriage b}' the Rev.
James Hoge, then a missionary to the Northwest."
Eev. James Hoge, here mentioned by Mrs. Stewart, had come to Fraiiklinton
in 1805. He had been licensed to |)reach by the I'rcsbytoiy of Lexington, Virginia,
and appointed a missionary of the Prosbytcriaii Cliiircii of the United States to
" the State of Ohio and the parts adjacent tlici-cto." With his advent the system-
atic ob.servancc of the Christian religion hail its inceplidii in the upper Scioto Valley.
For a time, the court-room was used as a (.■liiipri, and (he judges then sitting ad-
journed, it is said to hear the tirst .sermon of tlic. young missionary. From his
etlbrts resulted the organization, on February s, ISDC, ot the first church of any
denomination in this region. This was the Kirst I'rcsbj-terian Church, then of
Franklinton, now of Columbus. On September _'.'), 1S)I7, this society, comprising
thirteen members, extended to young Hoge a formal invitation to become its pastor.'
This call was drawn in the handwriting ot Lucas Siillivant, and was signed by him
as one of the trustees. It was accepted, and the ))astoral relation thus formed
continued, without interruption, nearly fifty years.'" In 1811 Mr. Sullivant pre-
sented to this congregation a brick meetinghouse, the first in Franklinton, erected
at his own expense. This edifice stood near the river, oi)posite tlic "British Island,"
afterwards so called because some of the ]irisoners taken from the British Army in
the War of 1812 were for a short time confined tlicrc. During that wai', the
cluirch was used as a granary and storeiiouse until it was blown down by a great
stoi-m in April, 1813. Soon aflei-lhat calainitv a second church was erected on the
samesite. Concerning this pioneer Chiislian society, the author of the Sitlliniiit
Jfciiiiirial writes the following interesting passages:
There was but one service on the Saljbath, to which many of the members caiiu- after
a ride of several miles along the bridle-paths through the woods covering the site of Colum-
bus. Among these were tlie Reeds, Shaws, Nelsons, Taylors, Mooberrys, Sliannons, Pughs,
Barrs, Stewarts, Hendersons, Longs, Pattersons, Fishers, and others. The service was
tedious —to me, at least — and the sermon an honrand a half long, on the principle, 1 sup-
pose, of quantity commensurate with the distam-c and diflieulty of attendance. The writer
hasalively recollection of the relief he experienced when nineteentldy was reached, for he
knew the practical observations, the application, limdly, and the '■ in eonclnsion" would
soon follow, and the end was happily in view. Nor wdl he ever forget how one of the good
old elders used to step forward in front of the pulpit, and, with a wonderful a-heming and
clearing of the throat, and see-sawing of the hand, pitch the tune, and carry it for the con-
gregation .
In my boyhood I was more than once startled by the appearance of a big Indian, in all
his paint and finery, at the door or windows of the old church, probably attraeteil by curiosity
to see what was going on within.
Eev. Setb Noble, also Presbyterian, arrived in Franklinton, and began preach-
ing there, about the same time as Mr. Hoge. A Nova Scotia refugee, born in
Ma.ssachusett8, he located in the neiirbborhood on a tract of refugee land, whereon
he built a cabin in which he dwelt until he died in 1807.
These sketches of Franklinton as an isolated and independent colony may
properly conclude with the following passages from letters written by Lyne Star-
to his sister, Miss Jane Stai'l
ifterwaixls Mi
Du
Franklinton, Jul}- 12, isno.— " I have hitely purdiased an clcn;ant soal ami
tract of land opposite town, on the utiier side iil' Ihe river, which I have an idt'a (it
improving."
'IMie "elegant seat and tractor hvnd " here referred to was ])art of the jiresent
site of Coluinbus, then eovei'ed with a dense Ibrest.
April 10, ISIO. — " We have strong expectations of getting the seat of govern-
ment here after the silting of the next legislature. Should we .succeed, J think it
would be very much to my father's interest to remove here. This country is now
as health}- as Kentucky, and has every advantage which that State possesses, ex-
cept the want of slaves, wiiich is not so great an inconvenience as is generally
supposed."
October 31, 1810.-" I intend going to New Orleans from this jihice some time
during next winter, and siiall not return until summer."
During the winter of 1810-11 Mr. Starling built some boats, loaded tiiem with
produce, and floated them from Franklinton to New Orleans. This was the [lio-
neer enterprise of its kind.
September IH, 1812.— " Nothing here hut the sound of war."
The War of 1812 had begun.
^re stated to Mr. Virsil f). Moore, one
Til
known ;
NOTES.
1. Hon. George M. Parsons.
2. Virail D. Moore
3. The author is indebted lor many of the facts
of the pioneers of Franklin County.
4. W. H. Venable, LI.. D.
5. Snllivant Family Memorial.
0. Ibid.
7. The former Indian cornfields were so called
Prairie.
S. Sullivant Family Memorial.
9. A full account of this call will he given in M]
in Columbus.
10. The call contained this pledge : "That you may be frc
ocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of three Imi
dollars, in halfyearly payments annually for threefourths of your time, until we tind
selves able to give you a compensation for tlie whole of your time."
11. The letters from which these extracts are taken are printed in tlie Sullivant Fa
Memorial.
story ol the Presbyterian
■orl.llv
History of the City
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER IX.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CIVIL LIST.
KKPBESENTATIVES IN CONGRKSS.
From the ori;aiiiz;itioii of the State Governmonl until 1812, Ohio was entitled
to but one Congressional Eepresentative. From 1812 to 1822 the apportionment
gave her six Representatives; from 1822 to 1832, fourteen; from 1832 to 1842,
nineteen; from 1842 to 1862, twentyone ; from 18G2 to 1882, twenty; from 1882 to
1892, twentyone.
From 1812 to 1822 the Congressional District inclusive of this county com
prised the counties of Franklin, Lickini;-. Dclawai'e, Madison, Fairfield, Champaign
Montgomery', Miami, and Darke; fi i ls2i' until 1832, Franklin, Delaware
Marion, Crawford, Kno.K, Licking and ("dshocton ; from 1832 until 1842, Franklin
Madison, Pickaway, Delaware, and Marion; from 1842 until 1852, Franklin, Lick
iug, and Pickaway. On June 27, 1803, the State chose its first Eepresentativc in
Congress, for a term of two years, beginning with the next preceding fourth of
March. The Representatives for the entire State, and for districts inclusive
of Franklin County, from 1803 to the present time, have been, with the counties
of their residence, as follows :
1803-1813— Jeremiah Morrow, Warren.
1813-1817— James Kilbourn, Franklin.
1817-1821 — Philemon Beeciier, Fairfield.
1821-1823 — Joseph Vance, Champaign.
1823-1828— William WiLson, Licking.'
1828-1833— William Stanbery, Licking.
1833-1837 — Jeremiah McLene, Franklin.
1837-1843 — Joseph Ridgway, Franklin.
1843-1844 — Heman A. Moore, Franklin. -
1844-1845— Alfred P. Stone, Franklin.^
1845-1847— Columbus Delano, Knox.
1847-1849— Daniel Duncan, Licking.
1849-1853 — Charles Sweetzer, Delaware.
1853-1855— Edson B. Olds, Pickaway.
1855-1857— Samuel Galloway, Franklin.
1857-1865— Samuel S. Cox, Franklin.
1865-1867— James E. Hubbell, Delaware.
1867-1873- George W. Morgan, Knox.
1873-1875— Hugh J. Jewett, Franklin.
1875-1877— Ansel T. Walling, Pickaway.
1877-1879— Thomas Ewing, Fairfield.
I'UANKLIN UoUNTV (Ull, LIST. I I T)
1879-1SS5— Georire L. C'oiivei-se, Franklin.
18S5-1893— Joseph H. Outliwaite, Franklin.
1. Died before expiration of term.
2. Died in 1S44.
o. Elected October S. 1.S44, vice Moore, deceased.
STATK SKNATOKS.
The Senatorial District incliisivo of Franklin ('(Uinty iias been constituted and
represented, since the organization of the .^latc. as lollows :
180H— Ross County ; Nathaniel Massie, Abrnhani t'laypool.
1803-1805 — Ross and Franklin; Abraham Claypool.
1805-1800— Hoss, Franklin and Highland; Duncan McArthur.
1806-1807— Koss, Franklin and Highland: Abraham Clayiiool.
1807-18(T8— liosH, Franklin and Highland; Abraham ClaypooL Duncan Me
Arthur.
1808-1810— Franklin and Delaware; Joseph Foos.
1810-1811 — Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Pickaway ; Joseph Foos.
1811-1812 — Franklin, Delaware and Madison; Joseph Foos.
1812-1814 — Franklin, Madison and Delaware; John Barr.
1814-1816— Franklin, Madison and Delaware; Joseph Foos.
1816-1818 — Franklin, Madison and Delaware; Thomas Johnson.
1818-1820 — Franklin, Madison and Delaware; Joseph Foos.
1820-1822 — Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Union; Joseph Foos.
1822-1823 — Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Union ; Henry Brown.
1823-1824 — Franklin. Madison, Union, Delaware, Marion and Crawford;
James Kooken.
1824-1825— Franklin, Madi.son and Union; Joseph Foos.
1825-1828 — Franklin, Madison and Union ; Joseph Foos.
1828-1831— Franklin and Pickaway; Joseph Olds.
1831-1833 — Franklin and Pickaway; William Daugherty.
1833-1835— Franklin and Pickaway; Ealph Osborn.
1835-1837— Franklin and Pickaway ; Elias Florence.
1837-1841 — Franklin and Pickaway; John L. Green.
1841-1842 — FVanklin, Madison and Clark ; Alexander Waddle.
1842-1844— Franklin and Clark; Jo.seph Kidgway, Jr.
1844-1846— Franklin, Madison and Clark; Alfred Kelley.
1846-1848 — Franklin, Madison and Clark; Jennet StuLson.
1848-1850— F'ranklin and Delaware; William Denison, Jr.
1850-1851 — Franklin and Delaware; Abram Thomson.
1851-1854— Franklin and Pickaway; John Cradlebaugh.
1854-1856— Franklin and Pickaway; Samuel Bartlit.
1856-1858— Franklin and Pickaway; Alfred KcUey.
1858-1864 — Franklin and Pickaway; Augustus L. Pcrrill.
1864-1866 — F'rankliu and Pickaway; George L. Converse.
1866-1868— Franklin and Pickaway; Ansel T. Walling.
1868-1870— Franklin and Pickaway; Robert Uiilcluson.
1870-1872— Franklin and Pickaway; Adin C. llibbs
17(i HiSTDRV OF THE CiTT OF CJoI-UMBlS.
•lS72-lS7ti— Franklin and Pickaway; John G. Thompson,' William Miller.'
ISTU-ISTS — Franklin and Pickaway; William Miller.
1878-1880 — Franklin and Pickaway ; Charles F. Krimrael.
1880-1882— Franklin and Pickaway; A. E. Van Cleaf.
1882-1884 — Franklin and Pickaway ; Horace Wilson.
1884-1888— Franklin and Pickaway; A. R. Van Cleaf.
1888-1890— Franklin and Pickaway : William T. Wallace.
1890-1892--Franklin and Pickaway; A. R Van Cleaf. William T. Wallace.
1. Resigned.
2. Vice John (i. Thompson, resigned.
KEPEKSENTATIVES IN THE GK^fEKAL ASSEMBLY.
Martin's History of Franklin County say.s : •' Until the year 1808, Franklin
elected with Ross County, and was represented by four members. In 1808 and
1809 Franklin and Delaware elected together, and were entitled to one member.
In 1810 and 1811 Franklin, Delaware, Madison and part of Pickaway, elected to-
oether and were entitled to one member. In 1812, Franklin alone was first en-
titled to one member, and continued to be represented by one until 1328, when she
was entitled for one session, to two members; then reduced to one until 1882, when
she again elected two members; in 1833, only one: in 1834, two; in 1835 and 183(),
only one ; in 1837 and 1838, two ; in 1839 and 1840, one ; in 1841, two ; in 1842, one ;
in 1843, two; in 1844 and 1845, Franklin and Madison two ; in 1846 and 1847, two ;
in 1848, 1849 and 1850, one; and one additional member elected in common with
Delaware; and since 1851, under the New Constitution, Franklin is entitled to
two members, to be elected biennially."
Following is a list of the Representatives chosen from the organization of the
county to the present time :
1803— Michael Baldwin, Robert Culbertson, Thomas Worthington, William
Patton.
1803-1804— James Diinlap, John Evans, Elias Langham.
1804-1805— Michael Baldwin, James Danlap, Duncan McArthur, William
Patton.
1805-1800— James Dunlap, David Shelby, Abraham J. Williams, Elias Lang-
ham.
1806-1807 — Ross, Franklin and Highland; James Dunlap, Nathaniel Massie,
David Shelby, Abraham J. Williams.
1807-1808 — Ross, Franklin and Highland ; Thomas Worthington, Elias Lang-
ham, Jeremiah McLene, William Lewis.
1808-1809— Franklin and Delaware; John Blair.
1809-1810 — Franklin and Delaware; John Blair.
1810-1811 — Franklin, Madison, Delaware and Pickaway; John Barr.
1811-1812 — Franklin, Delaware, Madison and part of Pickaway ; John Barr.
1812-1813— Franklin ; Gustavus Swan. Since 1812 Franklin County has been
entitled to separate representation.
1813-1814— Thomas Johnison.
1814-1815 -Thomas Johnson.
1815-1816— William Ludlow.
Franklin ('hkntv Civil List. 177
1816 1817— Thomas Moore.
1817-1818— Gustavus Swan.
1818-1820— John A. McDowell.
1820-1822— John K. Parish.
1822-1823— David Smith.
1823182-t— James Killiourn.
1824182C— George W. Willianis.
182(M827— David Smith.
1827-1828— Thomas C. Flournoy.
1828-1829— Joseph Ridgway and Daniel Upson.
1829-1830— William Daugherty.
1830-1831— Joseph Ridgway.
1831-1832— Philo H. Olmsted.
1832-1833— Francis Stewart. Marmaduke B. Wright.
1833- 1834— Philo H. Olmsted.
1834-1835-Adam Read, Jaeob Grubb,
1835-183(1— Adam Read.
1836-1837— Alfred Kelley.
1837-1838— Alfred Kelley, Robert Neil.
1838-1839— John W. Andrew.s, James Kilbourn.
1839-1840— Bulkley Comstock.
1840- 1841— James C. Reynolds.
1841-1842— Joseph Chenowith, Nathaiiicl .Medliery.
1842-1843— Joseph Chenowitii.
1843-1844 — Samuel Parsons, ('ornelius ('rum.
1844-1845- Franklin and Madison ; Joseph Ridgway, Jr., Charles McCloud.
1845-1846 — Franklin and Madison ; Joseph Ridgwa}-, Jr., Edward Fitzgerald.
ls4(j-lS47 — Franklin and Madison ; John Noble, Jeremiah Clarke.
1S47-1S4S — Franklin and Madison; Aaron F. Perry, George Taylor.
1848-1850 — James Dalzell.
1850-1851 — Delaware and Franklin ; Wray Thomas and Charles L. Raton.
1851-1854 — Edward A. Stanley, Edward Courtright.
1854-1856 — Hiram Hendron, Alexander Thompson.
1856-1858— (ieorge M. Par.sons, James H. Smith.
18581860— William R. Rankin, Hugh L. Chaney.
1860-1862 — Benjamin L. Reese, George L. Converse.
1862-1804— George L. Converse, Otto Dresel.
1864-1866— Otto Dresel,' Adin G. Hibbs,- John G. Rdwanls.
1866-1868— Adin G. Hibbs, J. R. Marshall,
1868-1870— C. T. Mann, William L. Ross.
1870-1872— Llewellyn Baber, Clarke White.
1872-1874— William L. Ross, Clarke White.
1874-1876 — George L. Converse, John H. Heitinan.
1876-1878 — J. C. Groom, George L. Converse.
1878-1880— H. J. Booth, Clarke White.
1880-1882— John C. (Troom. P.cnjamin Reese, W. T. Wallace.
1882-1884— William Bell, Jr., .1. B. Hall, Benjamin Reese.
12
178 History of the City of Cot.itmbus.
1884-1886 — Edward W. Young, Caspei- Loewenstein, Allen O. Myers.
1886-1888— Henry C. Taylor, William Shepard, Hugh L. Chaney.
1888-1890— Lot L. Smith, John B. Lawlor.
1890-1892— John B. Lawlor,= Albert D. Heffner," Lot L. Smith.
1892-1894— Philip H. Brack, David P. Boyer, Benjamin T. Gaymau.
1. Resigned.
2. Vice Otto Dresel, resigned.
3. Died before expiration of term.
4. Vice John B. Lawlor, deceased.
THE .rODICIARY.
President .huhjes of the Common Pleas: 1803, Wyllis Silliman ; 1804, Levin
Belt; 1805, Eobert Slaughter; 1807, Levin Belt ; 1810, William Wilson ; 1812, John
Thompson ; 1816, Orris Parish, elected for seven years, resigned 1819; 1819, Fred-
erick Grrimke, appointed to succeed Orris Parish, deceased ; 1820, John A. Mc-
Dowell, died in 1823; 1823, Gustavus Swan, appointed vice McDowell, then
elected ; 1830, Frederick Grimke; 18.34-1848, Joseph R. Swan; 1848, J. L. Torbet,
who served until February, 1852, when the office was abolished by the Constitu-
tion of 1851. Under the new organization of the courts .Tames L. Bates was
elected for five years, and reelected in 1856 and 1861. He served until 1866. John
L. Green was elected in 1867, and afterwards twice reelected. In 1868 Joseph Olds
was elected for the district comprising the counties of Franklin, Madison and
Pickaway. In 1873 E. F. Bingham was elected as successor to Judge Olds; Judge
Bingham was reelected in 1878, and in 1888 was appointed Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, sitting at AVashington. Id 1879 Eli
P. Evans was elected for the term of five years. He was reelected in 1884 and
1889. Thomas J. Duncan was elected in 1886, and reelected in 1891. David F.
Pugh was appointed by the Governor in 1888, vice Bingham appointed Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
Associate Judges: 1803, John Dill, David Jamison and Joseph Foos, elected
for seven years; 1808, William Thompson, appointed vice Foos, resigned; 1809
Isaac Miner, elected vice Thompson ; 1810, Robert Shannon, William Reed and
Alexander Morrison, Jr. ; 1814, Arthur O'Harra, appointed vice Reed, resigned ;
1815, Reed, vice O'Harra; 1817, Samuel G. Flenniken and David Smith; 1819,
Recompence Stansbery, by appointment vice Reed, deceased; 1820, Abner Lord,
elected vice Stansbery ; 1821, Edward Livingston, appointed vice Lord, deceased ;
1822, John Kerr, appointed, and afterwards elected, vice Smith, resigned; 1823,
Thomas Johnston, appointed vice Kerr, deceased ; 1824, Arora Buttles, elected
vice Johnston; 1824, Samuel G. Flenniken, reelected; 1829, William McElvain ;
1831, Arora Buttles and Samuel G. Flenniken; 1836, Adam Reed; 1837,
William McElvain ; 1838, Christian Heyl and Samuel G. Flenniken ; 1843, James
Dalzell, appointed vice William McElvain, deceased; 1844, John A. Lazell; 1845,
John Landes and Christian Hoy! ; 1851, William T. Martin, who served until the
office of Associate Judge was abolished by the New Constitution.
Probate Judges : This office was created by the Constitution of 1851, and in
October of that year William R. Rankin was elected first Probate Judge of Franklin
County, for a term of three years, beginning in February, 1852. His successors
Hut
y; lSG;i,
Lo
ivn/.d 1).
-,,,,
he Court
K-i-k
for the
was always
•0111
ity have
Franklin ('(untv ('ivii. liisr,
have been as follows: ls54, William .lamisoii : \<u. Heniian B
John M. Pui^h ; 1S7S, John T. (iale: 1.^S4. Chark-s (1. Sattiii : 1>
Ilagert}-.
r/,'/7.-.v n/tln Cniiii : Priop tolhoailujilioii of the Coiistitiili I
ipf Coinnion Pleas aiul the Siiiircme Court each appointed its owi
term of seven years, liiit in Franklin County the same iiidividi
a|i|ioiiiliil b)' both courts. The clerks since the organization of tl
luei, as follows: 1803, Lucas Sullivant; ISIO, Lyne Starling: 1815, Ahrain I.
Mrliowrll; 183(j, Elijah Backus: 1838, Lyne Starling, Jr.; 1840, T^ewis Heyl ;
l■^^)l, Kemlall Thomas; 1854, Albert^Buttles; 1857, John L. Bryan: 18C9, James
II. Smitli; isdL'. David W.Brooks: 1871, James S. Al.bott ; 1S77. Harvey Cashett ;
1SS3, .John J. J.iyce: 1890, Theodore TL Beck: ISOO. William H. Simonton,
a]ii.oiiited vice Beck deceased, and elected for full term in ls<l(».
PKO.SJCCnTING ATTORNEYS.
Until 1833 the Prosecuting Attorneys were appointe<l for an indefinite period ;
alter 1833 they were elected biennially, until, by Act of April 20, 1881, the term
was prolonged from two years to three. Since the organization of the county, the
incumbents of the office have been as follows: 1805, Reuben Bonam ; 1810, John
S. Wills: 1813, David Scott; 1819, John A. McDowell; 1820, Thomas Backus;
1821-1830, John R. Parish, James K. Corey, Gustavus Swan, Orris Parish, William
Doherty; 1830, Joseph R. Swan; 1834, P. B. Wilcox; 1836, Moses H. Kirby ;
1838, William W. Backus; 1842, lifiwis Hcyl ; 1840, L. H. Webster; 1848, Thomas
Sparrow; 1850, B. F. Martin; 1854, George L. C(5n verse ; 1850, J. O. Kearney,
Milton H. Mann; 1808, E. T. Delancy; 1870, George K Nash; 1870, Jo.seph H.
Outhwaite: 1879, W. J. Clarke; 1882, R. B. Montgomery: 1885, Cyrus Huling ;
1892, Curtis C. Williams.
snp:EiFFS. ,
1803, Benjamin White, appointed. Adam Hosaek, elected ; 1807, E. N. DeLash-
mutt ; 1811, Samuel Shannon ; 1815, Francis Stewart ; 1819, John McElvain ; 1823,
Robert Brotherton ; 1827, John McElvain ; 1829, Robert Brotherton ; 1833, Andrew
McElvain; 1837, James Graham; 1841, William Doinigan ; 1845, John Graham;
1849, John Greenleaf; 1853, Thomas Miller; 1855, William Miner; 1857, Silas W.
Park; 1859, George W. Huffman ; 1803, William Domigan ; 1807, George H. Ear-
hart, who died November 27, 1868, from which date the Coroner discharged the
duties of the office until 1869, when, by election, Samuel Thompson became Sheriff;
1S74, W. E. Horn; 1878, Josiah Kiniiear; 1880, J. U. Kickenhacher : 1881, Louis
Heinmiller; 1885, William H, Barbee: 18S7, Brice W. Custer.
The General Assemldy creatcil the officii of County Auditor at its session
1820-21.' Prior to that time the duties which have since devolved u|>oii Ihe .\ii(
tor were chief!}' performed by the County Commissioners and iheii- .l.ik. 'I'l
Auditor was elected annuall}- until 1824 ; after that biennially. The liist ,\udit
of Franklin Count}' was Joseph Grate, appointed by the Commissinneis in Man
1821. The Auditors elected since that time have been the following :
^.
180 History (1f the City op Cdlumbus.
1821, Zachariah Mills, elected for one year.
1822, Joseph Grate, elected for one year.
1823, Joseph Grate, elected for one year.
1824, Joseph Grate, elected for two years.
1826, Joseph Grate, elected for two years. Died a few daj-s after his election.
1826, John C. Brodrick, appointed by the Commissiouers vice Grate, deceased.
Brodrick was reelected for a terra of two years in 1827, 1829, 1831, 1833, 1835, and
1837.
1839, Frederick Cole. Reelected in 1841 and 1843.
1845, Smith.son E. Wright. Reelected jn 1847. •
1849, Holdemond Crary. Reelected in 1851.
1853, John M. Piigh. Reelected in 1855.
1857, John Phillips. Reelected in 1859.
1862, Matthias Martin. Reelected in 1863 and 1865.
1866, Dennis B. Strait.
1868, S. B. Kile..
1874, Levi T. Strader.
1878, E. Kiesewetter.
1884, Frank J. Reinhard.
1890, Henry J. Caren.
1. At the preceding session of the Legislature, Judge Flenniken was appointed, by the
title of Auditor, to rate the lands of this county for taxation ; but it was entirely a different
office from the present, and only continued one year.. The lands were then classed for taxa-
tion as first, second and third rate, and charged a specified sum per hundred acres for each
respective class. — Uarthis History of Franklin County. *
teeasueees.
At first the County Treasurer was appointed by the Associate Judges ; after-
wards, until 1827, by the County Commisioners. In pursuance of an act of the
General Assembly passed January 24, 1827, the Treasurer has since that date been
elected biennially. The first Treasurer was Jacob Grubb, appointed by the Asso-
ciate Judges in 1803. He continued to serve, by yearly reappointment, until 1827.
Since that year the Ti-easurers have been as follows: 1827, Christian Heyl, ap-
pointed by the Commissioners ; 1827, Christian Heyl, elected for two years ; 1833,
George MeCormick ; 1835, William Long; 1841, Joseph McElvain ; 1845, Joseph
Leiby; 1851, O. P. Hines; 1855, James H. Stauring; 1859, John G. Thompson;
1863, Joseph Falkenbach ; 1867, Aaron C. Hadley; 1869, James E. Wright, ap-
pointed vice Hadley, resigned; 1870, Lorenzo English; 1872, James E. Wright;
1877, P. W. Corzilius; 1880, George Beck; 1884, A. D. Heffner; 1888, Henry
Pausch.
county collectors.
"Many changes have taken place in the mode of collecting taxes. The first two
or three years after the organization of this county, the chattel tax was collected by
Township Collectors, and a County Collector collected the land tax. After that,
say from about 1806 till 1820, the State was divided into four districts, and a Collec-
tor of non-resident land tax appointed by the Legislature for each district; and at
the same time the County Collector collected the chattel tax, and tax upon resident
Franklin County Oivii, List. ISl
lands. And from about 1820 until 1827, the County Collectors toUecliMl all taxes
for State and county purposes. Since 1827 it has been the duty of the Treasurer to
receive or collect the taxes." — M(niiii's Ifistori/ of Fr<nil;Hii Coimfij.
The Collectors from the organization of the county until the office was abolished
in 1827, were as tbllows: 1803, Benjamin White; 1804, Adam Hosack ; 1808,
Blias N. DeLashmutt; 1811, John M. White; 1812, Samuel Shannon; 1815, Francis
Stewart; 1818, Jacob Kellar; 1822, Andrew Dill; 1823, Arora 15uttles; 1824, Peter
Sells; 1826, Robert Brothortoii, who served until the office was abolished.
COUNTY ASSKSSOES.
The office of County Assessor was created by act of the General A.ssembly,
passed February 3, 1825. Prior to that date, each township chose its own assessor
at the annual spring election. An act passed January 16, 1827, provided that the
assessor should be appointed by the County Commissioners, to serve until the
following October, and that thereafter they should be elected by the voters,
biennially. An act of March 20, 1841, abolished the office of County Assessor and
provided that an assessor should be elected in each township. The County Asses-
sors during the continuance of the office were as follows: 1825, James Kilbourn ;
1S27, John Swisher; 1835, James Graham; 1837, William Domigau, who served
until the office was abolished.
The Count}' Eeeorders were appointed by the Common Pleas Judges until
1831 ; since that year they have been chosen triennially by the voters. The first
Recorder was Lucas Sullivant, appointed in January, 1804. He served until 1807,
when Adam Hosack was appointed. Hosack's successors by appointment were
Lincoln Goodale in 1813, and Abram L McDowell in 1817. McDowell served until
1831, since when the recorders have been elected as follows: 1831, William T.
Martin; 1846, Nathan Cole ; 1882, F. M. Senter ; 1885, Michael A. LiUey; 1888,
Robert Thompson.
SURVEYORS.
An act of March 3, 1831, provided that the Surveyors should be triennially
chosen by the voters; previous to that act, they had been appointed by the Court
of Common Pleas. The first Surveyor was Joseph Vance, originally appointed in
1803, and continued by reappointment until his death in 1824. His successor,
Richard Howe, after serving a brief ]ieriod, transferred the duties ot the office to
his deput}-, General Jeremiah McLcne, who acted as Surveyor until 1827, when he
was appointed to the office. Lyne Starling, Jr., was elected McLene's successor in
1832, but resigned in April, 1833, and was succeeded by Mease Smith, who was
ap])ointed for the remainder of Starling's term. The surveyors since then elected
have been as follows: 1833, Frederick Cole ; 1836, William Johnston ; 1839, Uriah
Lathrop ; 1842, John Graham ; 1845, William Johnston ; 1848, Jesse Cortright ; 1854,
W. W. Pollard; 1857, Daniel Hess, resigned ; 1860, C. C. Walcutt, who resigned and
was succeeded by Uriah Lathrop, appointed for Walcutt's unexpired term ; 1862,
Uriah Lathrop, elected; 1865, W. P. Brown; 1871, Josiah Kinnear; 1875, B. F.
Bowen; 1883, Josiah JKinnear; 1889, John J. Dun.
182 History of the City op Columbus,
commissioners.
The first Commissioners of Franklin County were elected in June, 1804, and
their terras of service, determined by lot, were as follows: John Blair, Clerk of the
Board, until October, 1804; Benjamin Sells, until October, 1805 ; Arthur O'Harra,
until October, 1806. The subsequent membei-s of the board have been: 1S04,
Michael Fisher, Clerk; 1805, Ezekial Brown ; 1806, Arthur O'Harra ; 1807, Michael
Fisher; 1808, James Marshall; 1809, Arthur O'Harra, Clerk; 1810, Eobert
Armstrong ; 1811, James Marshall (Adam Hosack, Clerk) ; 1812, William Shaw ;
1813, Eobert Armstrong (Gustavus Swan, Clerk) ; 1814, James Marshall (Joseph
Grate, Clerk) ; 1815, William Mellvain (J. A. McDowell, Clerk) ; 1816, Robert
Armstrong, Samuel G. Flenniken (J. A. McDowell, Clerk) ; 1817, Joseph Grate,
James Marshall (J. A. McDowell, Clerk); 1818, David Jamison (Joseph Grate
Clerk until 1821, when he was appointed County Auditor, whose duties were, and
have since been, in part, to act as Clerk of the Board of Commissioners) ; 1819,
George W. Williams; 1820, Joseph Grate; 1821, Robert Armstrong, Horace
Walcutt ; 1822, James Marshall ; 1823, Andrew Dill ; 1824, Robert Armstrong ;
1825, William Stewart; 1826, John M. Walcutt; 1827, William McBlvain ; 1828,
William Stewart; 1829, Horace Walcutt, William Miller; 1830, Matthew
Matthews; 1831, William Stewart; 1832, Horace Walcutt, who died in 1833;
1833, John M. White, Matthew Matthews, and Timothy Lee, appointed vice
Walcutt, deceased ; 1834, Hiram Andrews, vice Stewart ; 1835, Robert Lisle ;
1836, James Bryden ; 1837, R. W, Cowles, vice Andrews; 1838, John Tipton,
vice Lisle; 1839, James Bryden; 1840, William W. Kyle, vice Cowles; 1841,
Samuel S. Davis ; 1842, John Greenwood, vice Bryden ; 1843, William W. Kyle ;
1844, Samuel S. Davis; 1845, John Clarke, vice Greenwood; 1846, Adam
Stewart, vice Kyle; 1847, Thomas J. Moorman, vice Davis; 1848, O. P. Hiues,
vice Clarke; 1849, Jacob Slyh, vice Stewart ; 1850, Eli F. Jennings, vice
Moorman; 1851, Jesse Baughman, vice Hines; 1852, C. W. Speaks, vice Slyh;
1853, Edward Livingston, vice Jennings; 1854, Willis Mattoon, vice Baughman;
1855, Theodore Comstock, vice Sjieaks; 1856, Edward Livingston; 1857,
C. P. Hines, appointed vice Mf^ttoon, deceased; 1857, Isaac White, elected
vice Hines; 1858, David L. Holton, resigned ; 1859, Thomas Sparrow, appointed
vice Holton ; 1859, John Snider, elected ; 1860, Dennis B. Strait ; 1861, Jacob Slyh ;
1862, James W. Barbee ; 1864, John M. Koerner; 1866, John G. Edwards; 1H67,
William Gulich;1868, Eli M. Lysle ; 1869, J. O. B. Reni'ck; 1870, Francis Collins,
vice Lysle, resigned; 1870, William Coopei', vice Gulich, resigned; 1870, Frederick
Beck; 1871, John P. Bruck, vice Beck, resigned; 1872, Adin G. Hibbs; 1873,
Francis Riley; 1874, Isaac S. Beekey ; 1875, Daniel Matheny; 1876, Dennis B.
Strait; 1877, Isaac S, Beekey; 1878, Daniel Matheny; 1879, Thomas Robinson;
1880, Joseph M. Briggs ; 1881, Josiah C. Lunn ; 1882, William Wall ; 1883, Joseph
M. Briggs; 1884, Richard Z. Dawson; 1886, Lewis Morehead ; 1887, same as in
1886; 1888, Thomas D. Cassidy ; 1889, same as in 1888; 1890, Richard Z. Dawson,
Thomas Cassidy, Lewis Morehead.
CORONERS.
1805, Joseph Dixon : 1807, William Domigan ; 1815, Townsend Nichols ; 1817,
Thomas Kincaid; 1818, Robert Brotherton; 1819, William Richardson; 1821,
FiiANKLiN County Civii, List. ISS
Adam Brothorlin , IS-i.'), Jacob Bbey ; 1830, .Tonatliaii Noorcainor; 1835, George
JettVoys; 1S39, .lamos Walcutt ; 1843, A. W. Reader ; 1S45, llortoii Howard; 1S40,
A. W. Reader; 1S51, James W. Barbee ; 1853, A. W. Reader; 1S55, Blias Gaver ;
1869, Patrick Egan ; 1891, John P. Egan.
DIKKCTORS OF THE INFIRMARY.
The first Directors were Jacob Grubb, Ralph Osborii and P. B. Wilcox, who
were appointed by the County Commissioners, in 1832. Subsequent appointments
were made as follows ; James Walcutt, George B. Harvey, W. T. Martin, and
William Doraigan. Directors were first chosen by the voters at the State election
of 1842, viz.: George Frankenberg for one year, Augustus S. Decker for two
)-ears, and for the three years term Robert Riorden, who was continued in office
by releection until 1848, when he was succeeded by John Walton. Directors have
since been elected as follows : 1849, S. D. Preston and Arthur O'Harra ; 1852, Amos
L. Ramsey ; 1853, Rufus Main ; 1854, Orin Backus; 1855, L. J. Moeller ; 185U, John
Lysle; 1857, William Aston ; 1859, James Legg ; 1860, John Greenleaf (appointed
vice Moeller, resigned) and Newton Gibbons and Philemon Hess, elected ; 1862,
Fred Beck ; 1867, Jacob Grau ; 1868, Frederick Fornoff ; 1869, Henry L. Siebert ;
1870, W. H. Gaver; 1871, John Schneider; 1872, John H. Earhart ; 1873, W. H.
Gaver; 1874, John Schneider; 1875, John H. Earhart , 1876, W. H. Gaver ; 1877,
James Burns; 1878, John H. Earhart; 1879, Christian Bngeroff; 1880, James
Burns; 1881, Jacob Reab ; 1882, Christian Engeroff; 1883, James C. Cleary ;
1884, Harvey Lisle; 1885, Emery McDerniith ; 1886, James C. Cleary; 1887,
Harvey Lisle ; 1888, Stephen Kelley ; 1890, Adam Fendrich ; 1891, John P. Egan.
SUl'EKINTENDENTS OF THE INFIRMARY.
Robert Cloud, appointed in 1832, resigned and was succeeded by William
King, who continued in charge until October, 1837, when he gave ])lace to Edward
Hcddon. The Superintendents since then have been: 1844, C. F. Schonck ; 1851,
Joseph McBlvain ; 1852, Charles Jucksch ; 1853, Joseph McElvain ; 1854, Daniel
Evans ; 1857, L. J. Moeller; 1860, S. P. McElvain ; 1869, J. J. Fanston ; 1871, S. P.
McElvain ; 1880, Thomas A. Jackson ; 1881, H. C. Filler.
CHAPTER X.
WORTHINGTON.
Al the very beginning of the Eepublic, the National policy with respect to
the limitation of slavery, became a matter of profound practical concern. In New
England, particularly, it deeply affected the movement of population to the Great
West, then opening to settlement. Thousands who were eager to participate in
building up new States beyond the Ohio were inflexibly determined to live under
no slavebolding ref/ime. "Make the land worth having," said Manasseh Cutler to
the Continental Congress when bargaining for a tract for the New England Asso-
ciates. " Unless you do," he continued, " we do not want it." The purport of this
admonition was fully understood. "Exclude slavery from the Northwest, and we
will buy your land there, and help you to pay off the war debt; allow slavery to
enter, and not a penny will we invest." Accordingly the great political charter,
then maturing, for the vast regions northwest of the Ohio, was so framed as to
forever prohibit, within their limits, all "slavery and involuntary servitude."
Fifteen years hilcr this qmstion came again to the front. A new State was
about to be created, and a territorial convention, sitting at Chillicothe, was en-
gaged in framing its constitution. Would that constitution admit slavery or
exclude it? Upon the decision of that question depended the political future of
the new commonwealth, and the destiny of the thousands who desired to become
its citizens. Acting in conformity with the glorious covenant of the Ordinance
of 1787, the Convention gave its voice for freedom, and incorporated these epoch,
making provisionsinto the first constitution of Ohio;
There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this State, otherwi.se than
for the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted ; nor shall
any male person, arrived at the age of twentyone years, or female person arrived at the age
of eighteen years, be held to serve any person as a servant, under the pretense of indenture
or otherwise, unless such person shall enter into such indenture while in a state of perfect
freedom, and on condition of a bona fide consideration received, or to be received, for their ser-
vice, except as before excepted. Nor shall any indenture of any negro or mulatto, hereafter
made and executed out of the State, or if made in the State, where the term of service ex-
ceeds one year, be of the least validity, except those given in the ca.se of apprenticeships.'^
Among the New Englanders who awaited this verdict with deep interest, was
James Kilbourn, then residing at Granby, Connecticut. Mi'. Kilbourn was born
at New Britain, in that State, October 19, 1770. The War of Independence broke
out when he was but five years of age, and swept away nearly all the property of
his father, Josiah Kilbourn, who had been, prior to that time, a prosperous farmer.
This loss, together with that of three members of his family, who perished in the
[184]
u^<^^^.
■ WouTiiiNinoN. 185
war, bereft the senior Kilbourn for several years ol liis ivasoTi. 'I'hc thmily Ikhiio-
stcad was broken up, and young James Killuuini, llion a boy ol' .sixleoir, was
obliged to quit his parents and go forth in search of the means of solf-inainlenani-c.
This he did with a brave heart, and a spirit of determination above his years. His
resources hiy entirely within himself. When he crossed the parental threshold,
and went out alone and penniless into the great world, he had neither coat nor
shoes, and his education was so meager that he could scarcely write his name.
After walking tbirtj- miles, he obtained employment with a farmer, which
engagement he exchanged at a later period for an apprenticeship with a clothier,
whose trade he undertook to learn. During tive months of each year, reserved by
the terms of his apprenticeship for his own disposal, he worked on the farm of a
Mr. Griswold, whose son, then a young man, afterwards became a distinguished
bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The future bishop took a friendly
interest in the young apprentice, and gave him instruction wliieli sui)plie<l, lo .some
extent, the deficiencies of his education.
By means of these helps, and his energetic efforts to help himself, young
Kilbourn rapidly mastered the intricacies of his craft, ami so won iiiion the eonti-
dence of his employers that he was placed at the head of the clothier's establish-
ment. He also won the hand of Miss Lucj- Fitch, daughter of John Fitch, of
Philailelphia, the inventor of steam navigation, and builder of the first American
steamboat." Married at the age of nineteen to Miss Pitch, he soon afterwards en-
tered upon a business career which carried him steadily on to affluence. After
becoming the owner of mills, stores and several farms, including that which his
father had lost by the war, he settled as a merchant at CTranby. Thei-e we find
him at the ojiening of this chapter, meditating schemes of western colonization,
and also officiating occasionally as a clergj-man of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
in which, at the solicitation of friends, he had taken orders. He had meanwhile
founded a public librarj^ and acquired some reputation as a wi'iler and speaker.
After his ordination, several parishes desired him as their permanent pastor, but
he declined their invitations. The fascination of the Great West had seized upon
his mind, and permeated tlie current of his thoughts. In pursuance of these
predilections he had already made sevei-al prelinunary explorations in western and
northwestern New York, when his fatherinlaw, Mr. l^'iteh. advised him to turn
his attention to Ohio. Acting upon this advice, be iiialiireil pbuis for the organiza-
tion of a company to establish a settlement in tb;it region. These ])laim he began
to broach in isOU, but, says his biographer, '• it look about one year for him to per-
suade his friends that he was in earnest — and another, that he was not insane.
Ohio was then regarded as on the utmost verge of the West; and they thought
him too pleasantly situated lo make so great sacritiees as were involved in such
an enterprise."*
Kilbourn thought otbei'wise, and persisted in his designs. Having enlisted
the first seven of the forty members of his ])roposed company', he set out in the
spring of 1S02 on his first expedition to Ohio. Traveling bj' stage until he arrived
at Shippensburg, Penns3'lvania, where the stage line then terminated, he there
shouldered his ]>ack, walked over the mountains to Pittsburgh, descended the river
to Wheeling, and thence penetrated the Ohio Wilderness b}' the way of Zane's
Trace, which he followed lo the Muskiniri iml Lancaster, where' be tnrne.l
186 History ok the City of Columbus.
northward to the Forks of the Scioto. After spending the summer in exploring
the country, and conferring with those best acquainted with it, he concluded his
mission by selecting for the proposed settlement a tract of sixteen thousand acres
on the east bank of the Whetstone, nine miles above Franklinton. He did not
then purchase the land, but returned to Connecticut, and made his report to his
associates. From that report, written by Mr. Kilbourn's own hand, on coarse
paper now yellow with age, the following extracts are here copied :
We, James Kilbourn and Nath'l Little being by a resolve and determination of the
Scioto Company appointed agent for said Company to explore the Territory of the United
States Northwest of Ohio, and to transact any other business for said company which we
should deem for their benefit, beg leave to report.
Here follow descriptions of the country eastward from Wheeling, and of the
lands in the valleys of the Muskingum, Hockhocking and Lower Scioto. The
remarks on the tract finally selected for the colony contain these passages ;
This tract is situate on the Eastern side of the Scioto, and is watered largely by Wal-
nut Creek — a stream as large as Salmon Brook in Granby — and the Bigbelly Creek, which is
near or quite as large as Farmington River at Farmington ; both clear lively streams of
pure water as ever flowed from a fountain, with small gravel and in places large pebble bot-
tom. . . . There is in this tract a thousand acres at least, in one place, of the best clear mead-
ow I ever saw in any place whatever, without a tree or a bush in the whole extent and the
old grass and weeds are burnt off every spring. The present growth (which is good stack hay
if mowed early) was, in the lowest places, higher than a horse's back, except where it was
lodged down; and generally higher than my head, sitting on my horse, to the topmost spires.
It was so thick as to be almost impossible to force a horse through it. A Mr. Spence and Mr.
Little being with me, we had to take turns in going before, to break down a path, as a horse
would tire and tangle himself in a small distance.
This meadow is so dry as to be good plow land, and fit to be planted with corn, any year,
with only plowing and fencing; and for the latter purpose there is a good forest of fencing
timber around it on all sides, so that it might all be enclosed without drawing any rails two
rods. The clear black mold in all this meadow, and others of the kind, is at least three feet
deep, and will produce, if kept clear of weeds, seventy or eighty bushels of corn per acre,
at a crop. This is fully verified by fields of corn on similar lands in the vicinity. . . .
The soil of this tract is, in my opinion, rather superior to any of so great extent I have
seen in all the Territory. It is of various depths from six inches on the highest hills, to
three feet in the bottoms. Upon the large creeks, the bottoms seem to have a soil almost
as deep as the banks of the stream. . . .
The principal timber is oak, making near one half of the whole. Part of this is white-
oak — perhaps half — and the other yellow, black and Spanish oak. . Then there is hard
maple, hickory, black walnut, ash and whitewood in abundance. There is also cherry and
butternut, elm, soft maple, buckwood, some beach and honey locust. The undergrowth
which is not thick except in some particular spots, is chiefly spice-bush, mixed with pawpaw
in all the bottoms and richest uplands. Upon the thinnest upland the underwood, where
any there is, consists of boxwood, hard-beem, hickory saplings and hazelnut bushes ; but not
an alder of any kind have I seen beyond the hills on the Forks. On the sides of the prairies
are thousands of plum-bushes which are very fruitful.
The timber in all this region is much better than it is further south, and increasingly so
as we go to the north, yet not very heavy, but generally of a fine size and straight, hand-
some. Its growth is lighter by half than I had expected. But yet there are some very large
trees in various parts, especially in the bottoms. I have frequently observed solid whiteoaks
which will measure twelve feet in circumference many feet from the ground, and black wal-
nut and whitewood equally large, or nearly so, and buttonwoods in the flats much
larger. . . .
WORTIIINOTON. 1S7
The iiavifiable waters lo tliis tract are tlie Scioto on tlie west and the Bijjhelly, whicli,
when there is water sutlieieiit, is hoalalile ami very good for the business, entirely across the
tract.
Phims an.i api)les are the principal natural fruits, nf which there are tliousands of
bushels to be found in any part of the coutitry. and tliey are not only plenty, but the p.lunis
are a tine palatable fruit, I appreliend, liowever, not very liealtliy. I saw a vast quantity
of grapevines, but few or no grapes. Tliey do not bear in the woods, especially in the rich
bottoms. On the hills, and wliere it is open, they are said to bear well. I frequently saw
vines tliat measure from six to eight inches in diameter. . . .
There are three or four settlers on tliis tract, but none have luinhasiMl except one, Mr.
Oiibson, on the south tier of sections of No. 10.
The main road from Chillicothe to Franklinton, at the Forks leads through tlie western
part of this tract, and a road soon to be cut by order of Congress from the Forks and a great
distance to the northwest, to Lancaster and Zanesville and thence on to the eastward may be
brought through No. 10 in a direct course.
Tlie nearest trading town is at present Franklinton at the Forks. . . . but Chillicothe is
the best and will be so for a considerable time yet. ... It will, for the present, be as much
as twelve miles from these townships to any mill whatever, . . .
Respecting the healthfulne.ss of this country, I have to report that it is in fact sickly, in a
considerable degree. At the first settlement it was thouglit to be very liealthy, there being
only a few cases of the ague and fever; but in the fall of 1800 a bilious fever took place
of which many were sick, in the lowest situations, and some died. In the summer and
autumn of ISOl the fever made its appearance again with more terror. Almost all were sick,
both in towns and country, so that it became difficult, in many instances to get tenders for the
sick. In many instances whole families were down at a time, and many died. ... In the
country around the Pickaway Plains, where are the lowest bottoms or rather the most fre-
ijuent wet prairies, or meadows, and where the people have uniformly settled in the low bot-
toms by side of the creeks, the fever prevailed more generally and violently than in any other
part of the Scioto Country. But there is no part of the country exempt from the malady,
from the Great Miami to the Muskingum River. . . . What seems to me strange is that the
Indians who were natives of this country are as subject to the disorder as the wliites. Of the
few who remain in the Territory some are now sick with it. and they say it has always been
so, and that they have often been obliged to move back from the meadows and bottoms,
where they always lived, into the woods and uplands during the sickly season to es-
cape it. . . .
Colonel Worthington, who is a gentleman of first rate information, informed me that where
families were careful in their manner of living and housing themselves from the damp air
and fogs, they generally avoid the fever : that many families, particularly his own and Mr.
Windship's, liy prudence, had almost wholly escaped. And he is of opinion tliat when a
little more opened and those vast meadows improved by planting, mowing ami feeding, so
that the immense vegetation does not putrefy on the gronnd, and be wafted about in the air,
[this] will become as healthy as any country whatever.
Throiigii the lines of this rc])Oi'l we sue the country iioreabouls us it was wliei]
ju.sl emerging from its primitive wildness. The staieiiK'nls mkhIc are frank, ami
no doubt in the main correct.
The cftccl of this information, and of the free consliliilioii of Ohio, conii.lolcd
in November, was such as to enable Mr. Kilbouni to raise his association, in a
short time, to its full memberslii|), to organize it as the " Scioto Comjiany," and to
close in its behalf, the contract for the sixteen thousand acres of land which he
had selected. The organization of the Comjjany dates from December 14, 1802.
On April 7, 1803, Kilbourn again started for the West, this time on horseback, and
followed by a millwright, a blacksmith, nine laborers, and a family in two wagons.
Follovvinsr is the report of this expedition, transcribed from the original manu-
script in the handwriting of Mr. Kilbourn ;
18S History op the City of Columbus.
James Kilbourn, Agent for the Scioto Company, having attended to the several objects
in the western country for which he was appointed, begs leave to report as follows.
Tuesday, April 5th, 1803. Was prevented from beginning my journey as was expected,
by having to meet the Committee and Secretary, which took up the whole day before the
business could be fully arranged.
Wednesday, 0th. Left Simsbury and proceeded to Hartford to get the specie changed
for bill and credit. Procured the change of Hartford and Middletown notes with much diffi-
culty and one dollar discount. Put up at Pratt's.
Thursday, 7tli. After finishing the business, which was not completed yesterday, set
out on the journey. Dined at N. Haven, and obtained an exchange of the bill on that Bank,
part in gold at the bank and part by private hands in bills of the United States, making dis-
count of 25 cents. Left N. Haven just at evening, and put up at Milford.
Saturday, 9th. Arrived at N. York, and put up at Dr. Stanbery's. Spent Saturday
evening, Sunday and Monday, till 10 o'clock here, & having got the necessary business
arranged set out for the westward.
Thursday, 25th. Arrived at Pittsburgh after a very unpleasant journey on account of
the snow storms & other disagreeable weather.
Friday, 22nd. Proceeded directly to the business of obtaining millirons, blacksmith's
tools, iron, &c, &c, for part of which I had to go to the works & wait to have them made.
Was detained here till Tuesday the 26th, 5 days, & closely employed to get all things in readi-
ness. During this time I purchased the following articles to wit: Crank, gudgeon, ragg-
wheel, stake, 2 cowbells, 1 housebell, 2 faggots, nail rods & a box of window glass. Also
some bilious pills & red Bark to use on emergency. Having this morning got all the heavy
articles on board a Cincinnati boat, to be delivered by the Master (Mr. Reader) to the care of
Mr. Wm Russell, at Alexandria at the mouth of Scioto, at ten o'clock left Pittsburgh & pro-
ceeded on my journey. The day following, at Wheeling, fell in company with two gentlemen
from Litchfield who accompanied me thro' the wilderness to Zanesville, where we parted.
Found no hay for the horse in all the hill country, from St. Clair's to Zanesville ; had to keep
the horse wholly on oats, which foundered him in a degree. Put up here from Friday even-
ing, the twentyninth, till Wednesday morning May 4th, when he became able to proceed on
the journey. Had been hindered here 4 entire days.
On Wednesday, May 4th, left Zanesville in company with Wm. Wells, Esqr., who went
with me one day's journey on Licking road. Passed all the rest of the wilderness alone to
Franklinton. Had a heavy N. E. storm all the way, it to swim my horse througli 2 Rivers,
by which I was completely wet from head to foot as possible; the weather at the same time
quite cold. This storm cleared with a sharp frost. On Friday, sixth, at evening, arrived at
Franklinton very wet, cold and much fatigued. Put up at James Scott, Esqr's, the man who
had the care of survey the Dunlap section.
Saturday 7th. Left Franklinton, went up Whetstone & spent this & the 2 following
days in the woods viewing our lands & choosing out a place most favorable for our first im-
provements. Returned to Franklinton Monday evening, the ninth, & found there the Mr.
[Messrs.] Morrisons, who had arrived the evening before, being the 8th. Put up with them
at Mr. Scott's.
Sunday, 10th. Procured as many articles of supplies as could be had at a fair price at
Franklinton, & in the afternoon of the same day procured a boat with some hands of Mr.
Warren (a New England man), who, with Mr. [Messrs.] Morrisons put oft' down the river to
Chillicothe for the rest of the supplies. Took a horse, and went on myself by land, & by
reason of some hindrance by Mr. Warren's hands the boat did not arrive till I had every-
thing procured and ready to load, altho I had to procure the axes, chains, &c., &c.., to be
made after I arrived. Found all produce much raised by the opening of the port of N. Orleans,
which had been announced about 10 days when I got into the country. Bot. here the fol-
lowing articles, viz : A smith's bellows, 300 cwt. Bar Iron, with some steel, grindstone, a large
iron kettle for brewing & washing pot, dish-kettle, bake-pan, spider, tea-kettle, frying-pan,
three chains, 5 woodsman's axes, 2 wedges, plow-iron & clevis, 3 hoes, 3 scythes, 2 shovels,
one spade, draughts for smith's, hammer, sledges and a crowbar, 3 bushels salt, a sad iron.
WoRTHINCTilN, ISO
olie.st & chest lock, jug, 10 Hour and bran barrels, 3 bags, 2 l-'J bushels malt for beer, I wo
Barrels for beer & one for tubs, 1 tin pail, 2 tin pans, for milk, do. for biisiu, & other house-
hold matters as per bills; tow cloth for bedticks, 1 piece of Hum. for sheets & some blankets;
also 1 Barrel of Whiskey, oO bushels wheat & many articles of provision, which .see, Ac, &c.,
Thursday, 12th of May, arrived at Chillicothe, and Tuesday, 17th, got all on hoard the
Boat, which started just before evening, and myself set off for Franklinton. Wlien we ramp
to the mill, it had broken and the wheat was not ground nor could it be short of a week
and we had to leave it and go on.
Wednesday, ISth. At evening got back to Franklinton ; jmt up at Scott's. While the
boat was getting up proceeded to collect what I had previou.sly found could be had luni'.
Bought of Mr. Lucas Sullivant, 30 bushels corn, 15 do. oats, 8 lbs. pickled pork, 40 do. ball
soap, &c., &c. ; of Mr. Domigan 50 llis. bacon ; of Mr. Flenniken 112 do.; of Mr. Moorehead
and others, 10 bushels potatoes, and of sundry persons sundry articles of provision, &c. Also
bought of Mr. Lyle two cows with calves, one of which diseased of the horn, &c., and was
taken back and another given in exchange, and a better one, I giving a dollar to boot. When
the boat got up, I procured a team to carry up part of the load, and went on to tlie ground.
On my return to Franklinton at this time from Chillicothe, found Case, Bristol and L.
Pinney at Mr. Scott's, who had been in about half an hour. When they had refreshed they
went up the river with me and went immediately to work, while I returned to meet the
boat, &c., at Franklinton, leaving them to board at Esqr. E. Brown's till I returned. Then
bought of E. Brown, Esqr. a yoke of o.xen, $50, & a large cow without the calf, $11, & got
him to make us a plow. Bought also of Capt. Morris Brown a yoke of oxen, |.50, & some
other supplies as per bills and memorandum.
Friday, May 20th. Ground up the axes and made a beginning in clearing. Found
many valuable springs and rivulets. The following day had a visit from Mr. Anijah Rorie, of
Lanesborough. After getting on the supplies, and having the work duly regulated, and
being in want of some cornmeal, took some corn and went up to the upper settlement, other-
wise the Yankee settlement.* Found all well, in fine spirits and rapid improvements. This
was the 25th.
Thursday, 2(5th. Left Capt. Carpenter's and viewed the upper section of ours, and found
it better than I expected. It is indeed good farming land, and will afford a plenty of good
pasture and mowing ground. Returned very late in the evening to our own home. From
this, kept at work with the hands till Pinney and Brown arrived, which was on Sunday, the
2»th, in the morning, previous to which I had negotiated with Mr. King and Mr. Vance that
Mr. King and Benjamin should remove, and in compliance with this arrangement Mr.
King had removed on Friday and on Saturday we had come into his cabin. Soon after, I
agreed on the price of the improvements with Mr. Vance as agent for Mr. Dayton.
Monday, 30th. Began upon King's lot to finish the clearing they had begun, and to add
to it for a cornfield as we could sooner get a large piece here to plant than where we first
began. Put all hands to the w^ork, and kept with them myself what time I could t^et,
till I had to go down the river to get up the flour and other supplies which had been left
behind.
Wednesday, June 1st. Began to plow for corn. Worked with the hands to help dear
the ground before the team, by burning brush, &c. The next day pursued the same Inisine.ss
till I found the cow we had bought of Esqr. Brown to be sick; then attend to her till she
<lied, which was in a few hours.
After my second trip down the river to Chillicothe, on my return to Franklinton
Wednesday morning, June 4th, heard of my brother in Licking wilderness. Went to meet
him, and on Thursday, the 9th, at evening, conducted him safe to our cabin. On Wednes-
day, the 15th, finished planting our corn, potatoes, &•:. . . .
Ja.mk.s Kii.dourn,
Ayftit for Ih, Srt„ti, Coinpaiii/.'
Such wasthebeyiniiingoflhe Worthington colony. In these unsludie<l menio-
rauda ol its fouiick-r he has, without iuteridiiig- it, tuld the slury ollliat begiiiniuo-,
1^'" History op the City op (Columbus.
and of his own sagacity and indomitable efforts in establishing the new settlement.
Heading these homely but significant details, we learn what the conditions of pio-
neer life were, and what foresight, diligence and resolution sucii an enterprise re-
quired.
J L
* 8
'7
- 8
10
"24
23
- 25
26
- 40
38
-41
42
■56
55
"Y
58
7675
74
73
77
78
78
7.S0
80
-86
8
5
" 87
88
"112
111
-113
114
■128
127
-128
130
^144
143
-145
146
^'^P
1^8
6
^ <
11
12 "
22
21 -
27
28 "
38
37 -
43
54
59
53
60 -
70
81
82*
83
84
110
^
lOO-
108-
115
116^
126
125"
131
132-
142
141.
147
148"
158
157'
. i
'6
^ 13
14
- 20
18
-29
30
- 36
35
- 61
46
51
62
-i-
69
92
lOl
-I08
84
102
107
-117
118
-124
123
-133
134
-140
138
-148
150
-156
155
■^
't '
15
16-
18
17 -
31
32-
34
33-
47
48 "
50
49 '
^P
64 -
6867
7S)\ 7io
6665
85
86
87
88
8^b
^8-
103
104"
106
105-
118
120-
122
121-
135
136-
138
137'
151
152'
154
lj^3*
iAT OF WORTHINGTON.
The lands bouohl liy the Company were the first section of the first township,
second and tliii-d sciiiuns of the second township, and the second section of the
third township, iu tho eighteenth range of the Government survey. The price
Worth INCTON. I ill
paid was one dollar and twentytive cents per acre. By llie terms ol'tlieir associa-
tion, the purchasers agreed to reserve one iuindred and sixty acres Ibr tlie supjjort
of seiiools, and the same amount for the Ijenefit of a Protestant Episcopal Church.
It was further covenanted that roads should be laid out, one running north and
south, and one east and west, through the Company's tract, and that at the inter-
section of these thoroughfares should be located a town plat of one hundred and
sixty single-acre lots, four of which at the central corners, should he reserved as a
public square. Eeservation was also made of one lot for the school and one foi-
the church. To the members of the Company town lots were apportioned as
follows :
James Kilbourn, 93, 94, IIG, 117; Thomas T. Phelps, 5, ll, 15(1; Abner Pin-
ney, 54, 59, 70,102, 127 ; Russell Atwater, 30, 40, 46, SCi, 90, lOS, 119, 120, 121, 135,
136; Jedediah Norton, 15, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50, 55, 56, 74, 83, 85, 87, 92, 100, 111,
113 ; Job Case, 84, 88, 91, 95, 155 ; Levi Hays, 13, 14, 19 ; Levi Buttles, 3, 4, 29,
149, 24; Jeremiah Curtis, 68, (i9 ; Zophar Topping, 1, 20, 80 ; Ebenezer Street, 57,
81 ; Nathan Stewart, 07, 99, 100, 110, 143; Roswell Wilcox, 133; Lemuel Kilbourn,
45; Jonas Stanberry, 36; Abner P. Piuney, 28; Josiah Topping, 23, 24, 53;
Azariah Pinney, 44; Moses Andrews, 21, 22; Samuel Sloper, 51, 52; William
Thompson, 63, 77, 82, 103, 115, 141, 142, 146, 159, 160; Alexander Morrison, Sr., 2,
26,39, 58, 72; Samuel Beach, 11, 12, 147, 148; John Gould, 18,109; Alexander
Morrison, Jr., 31, 82, 33, 34, 43, 77, 114, 125, 126 ; Ezra Griswold, 16, 17, (il, 62, 78 ;
William Vining, 104, 105, 123, 124; John Topping, 131, 132; Israel P. Case, 27 ;
Israel Case, 37, 38, 137, 138; David Bristol, 7, 8, 60, 61 ; Glass Cochran, 97, 107,
112, 139, 140, 150,151, 152,153, 154; Lemuel G. Humphrey, Ambrose Case and
Jacob Mills, 9, 93, 98: James Allen, 65, 69, 96: Nathaniel W. Little, 25, 71,
75, 118, 144, 157, 158; Ichabod Plum, 101 ; James Kilbourn and others, committee,
10, 35, 64, 76, 134.
The first of the colonists to arrive have already been mentioned in the report
of Mr. Kilbourn. Additional squads came at intervals, pursuing the Indian trails
and cutting their way through the woods. At midsummer Mr. Kilbourn returned
to Connecticut and led out his own and ten other families. Thus the colony
gradually increased until it numbered one hundred persons. Meanwhile, fields
were cleared and planted, the town of Worthington was surveyed and staked
out,' twelve log cabins, a schoolhouse (used also as a church), and a blacksmith-
shop — all of logs — were built, and a mill and a dam on the Whetstone were begun.
St. John's Parish, the first Protestant Episcopal society in the Northwest, was
organized with Mr. Kilbourn as its pastoral leader. It included in its member-
ship nearly all the adult members of the colony. During the winter a subscrip-
tion school was taught by Thomas T. Phelps, who was succeeded, the ensuing
season, by Clarissa Thompson." Political obligations were not forgotten. On
July 4, 1804, an appropriate oration was delivered by Mr. Kilbourn, and seven-
teen giant trees were felled — one for each State — as a national salute.
The first tavern in the colon}- was opened in 1803 by Kzra Griswold, who
built, two years later, the first frame house in the settlement. The first brick
house was erected in 1804 by Mr. Kilbourn who, in 1805, built a small gristmill
on the Whetstone. Subsequently Preserved Leonard managed to turn an overshot
wheel for milling purjioses by water conducted to it in troughs.
192 History op the City of Coi.nMniis.
The first store in the settlement was kept in the Griswold cabin. Its pro-
prietor was Nathan Stewart, who was also a distiller. A postoffiee was estab-
lisiied about the same time. The first postmaster was William Robe, who held the
office ten years." The mail was brought from Franklinton. The first phj-sician
was Doctor Josiah Topping, who arrived in 1805, but removed to Delaware in
180(3. His place was supplied four yeai-s later by Doctor Daniel Upson. The first
marriages in the colony were those of Abner P. Pinney to Miss Polly Moi-rison,
and Levi Pinney to Miss Charlotte Beach. Thfse alliances were solemnized Feb-
ruary 10, 1804, by Thomas Stevens, Esijuirc. in the log schoolhouse at Frank-
linton.
Among the younger colonists was Joel Buttles, who, later in life, became a
business partner with Doctor Lincoln Goodale. Mr. Buttles's father was a share-
holder in the Worthington colony, and was also interested in the New England
settlement at Granville, twenty miles further east. He brought out his family
from Granby, Connecticut, in the autumn of 1804. A diary written by Joel But-
tles in 1835, and since printed, contains the following passages referring to that
experience :
There were [in 1S04] no white people living north of Worthington, except some four or
tive families in what for a long time wa.s called Carpenter's Settlement, which was on the
Whetstone River, about fifteen miles north. On the east there were some thirtj* families
about thirty miles away ; and near what is now Newark there were a few families. In the
southeast direction, about ten miles, Reed Nelson and Shaw, and perhaps one other family,
had made a beginning on the bottom land of Alum Creek. Following down the Whetstone
south before coming to Franklinton, nine miles from Worthington, a few families had lately
settled, mostly from Pennsylvania. These were the Hendersons, Lysles, Fultons and Hun-
ters. Franklinton was then the principal town or village north of Chillicothe, indeed I
believe the only one, unless Jefferson, on the Pickaway Plains, had been located, of which I
am uncertain. It was a county seat, where courts for the county were held. On the west I do
not know that there were any settlements
For several years after the time of which I write, the Indians still continued to make the
country around their hunting grounds. Many times I have been to their camps. They invari-
ably selected some pleasant situation for these, generally near the river, or some stream, where
water and wood were convenient, and when they had hunted a few days there they would
shift to some other situation and, as they called it, hunt over another ground. It was
thought that the whites would soon kill or drive ofl'the deer entirely, but this did notappear
to be the case for several years. The whites were probably not as good hunters as the In-
dians, and, being so much more engaged in other things, it was found that the deer in-
creased more in the neighborhood of the white settlements than at a distance where the
Indians were more numerous. . . . r-
We ended our journey on the fourth of Decmber, 1804, now more than thirtyeight years
ago. Three days before we reached our destination the snow fell about two or three inches
deep. The storm began with rain and finished with snow, the ground not frozen at all, but
that snow was a foundation for all others that fell during the winter. It gradually accumu-
lated until it was ten or twelve inches deep.
About the first of January there was more rain, which soon turned into snow, and being
cold afterwards, a crust was formed which would generally bear young cattle. We had a
cabin of one room for our numerous family and effects, and this cabin was in the woods,
about twenty rods north of the public square or Main Street. It was a sorry time with us.
Our cattle and horses had to be fed, though not much. We had to go to General Worthing-
ton's mill, on the Kinnacannick, above Chillicothe, for our flour, about forty miles away, but
as the roads were good— good snow paths— sleds, which could he soon made were put in
requisition.
m
.. w
^/--^-z^<^^ y'^^^^^A
WdRTIIINdTOX lilH
Very soon after our arrival, iny father made preparalioiis inr Imildiiij; a inmc comfort-
able liouse. Logs were hauled to the sawmill above the town, on the Whetstone liiver.
These logs were soon converted into two-inch planks, thirteen feet long, which being set up on
end. edge to edge, and spiked to suitable timbers, soon formed a liouse, such as it was. The
roof was covered with boards from the mill, and the rough boards laiil down, without smooth,
ing or straightening, for the floors. Thus, in about two weeks, we had a house to move into,
which, though not warmer, was more roomy than the cabin, as there were two room.'? below,
and what answered to two above. The chimney, if it couUl be called one, was in the middle
of the house; it was constructed of two piece.s of large timber, framed in when the housi was
raised, about six feet apart, and about five feet high, above the floor, reaching across the whole
width of the house. The fire was to be built upon the ground, and the smoke to ascend
between these two timbers, which should be called mantel-pieces. On these mantelpieces
boards were set up on end, running out through the roof, something in the shape of a .^(luare
cone. But this did not do well, aud had to be remodeled as soon as could be done. . . .
At that time there were no other buildings in VVorthington than log cabins except a
frame storehouse built by Nathaniel Little on the north side of the public square. By the
by, what I call and is now the public square, was then pretty much all the "opening" there
was about there. The ground laid out for a public square was, us was all the country about
there, covered by a heavy growth of forest timber. At the time I speak of these trees on the
square had been cut down only, falling across each other and every way, as they were
naturally inclined. It was, of course, difficult getting about among thesrf fallen treei, and
going from house to house.
On the north side of the public square there was the frame house I mentioned west of Main
Street, and Ezra Griswold's double cabin on the east side of the street, who kept a tavern,
the only one there was. On the east side of the square, there was a large cabin built for
public purposes, and used on the Sabbath day as a church, Major Kilbourn officiating a.s a dea-
con of the Episcopal Church. At all puljlic meetings, it was a townhall : and whenever the
young people wished to have a dance or a ball, that being the only room large enough for
that purpose, it was used as a ballroom ; and thi.s, I know, was very oftea, prob.ibly once
in ten days on an average. Of course the house was never long unoccupied or unemployed.
On the south side of the public square, the only house was that of James Kilbourn, then
called Major and Esquire Kilbourn, now Colonel Kilbourn, who was the principal sachem of
the tribe, Deing general agent of the Company settlement — the Scioto Company — socalled
clergyman of the place. Justice of the Peace, large stockholder, or rather landholder hi the
Company, had been the longest out there, and .so the oldest settler, having been there over
a year, and many other things which w^ent conclusively to designate him as head of the clan.
On the west side of the square, I only recollect one house, which was occupied by Isaac Case,
at whose house I frequently boarded. . . .
During the month of March, 1805, Mr. Buttles's father was overtaken by a
frightful tempest in the Licking wilderness. lie vvai endeavoring, at the time, to
make his way, on horseback, from the Kiliiourn colony to the twin New England
.settlement at Granville. Seeing the .storm coining on, at evening, he pushed
ahead, hoping to tind some house or other .siieiler, but lost liLs way, and was soon
involved in utter darkncs.s except as the lightning iliuniinated with its fierce
flashes tiie rayles.s gloom of the woods. " Finding it impossible to go further," nuyn
the diary of his .son, " he took the .saddle from his hor.se, and la\ ing it down in the
snow beside a large tree, he seated himself upon it and leaned against the tree,
holding the horse's bridle in his hand, in which jtosition he expected to spend llie
night. But the rain liiuired down the tree so that lie liail to chaiii^-e si( iialions si- vera I
times before Mioi-niMi;- : Iml no change saved him from wcl. We can hardly con
ceiveofa more uncomfortalile sil nation t'nat what he described his lo he, knowing.
as we did, the horrors of the ni;;ht. As soon a.s the mornini;- li^ht enabled him lo
13
194 History op the City of Columbus.
proceed, he went on, and soon came in sight of the house at which he had expected
to stay. But a new difficulty had arisen. Licising Creek was now impassable,
which the evening before was not ten inches deep. In short, the whole day was
spent in getting himself over, leaving his horse to provide for himself"
This adventure precipitated a fever, which resulted fatally in the ensuing
June. Compelled by this calamity, young Buttles, then seventeen years of age,
cast about for some means of independent support. The expedients which he
adopted are thus set forth in his diary :
Mr. James Kllbourn had procured a printing office to be brought to and established at
Worthington for the purpose of publishing a weekly paper. He was himself acting as editor,
but his other business rendered it desirable for him to disengage himself from the paper. I
had never been in any printing office other than this, nor had I ever seen a type set; but I
proposed buying this in conjunction with a man by the name of George Smith, a printer by
trade. Our proposition was accepted and I engaged at once, not only as editor but as printer.
This business succeeded so well, principally on account of the war with Great Britain soon
after this time, which made this part of the country a scene of preparation, reinforcement,
provisioning, etc., for the army which went against General Hull [sic]. The fadure of that
expedition left this country exposed as a frontier to the British and Indians, neither of which
it afterwards appeared, had the courage or ability to molest us. But they were fearfully
apprehended by our people; and many an alarm, or report of their coming, gave great dis-
turbance and distress to us. Such stirring times made newspapers in great demand, and
gave some good job work, and we made some money by the business. About this time I had
to perform a campaign of a few weeks only with the militia, who were called out en masse to
guard the country from the threatened attacks of the British and Indians of Canada, who it
was feared, would come in by the way of Sandusky.
The weekly newspaper mentioned in the foregoing extract was the Western
JnteUigencei; of which a full account will be given in the history of the press. In
1812 Mr. Buttles sold his interest in the Intelligencer in order to participate in a
store opened by the Worthington Manufacturing Company at Franklinton. The
founder of that Company was Mr. Kilbourn, whose personal career continues to
engage our attention us the most conspicuous factor in the development of the
Worthington colony. Soon after the organization of the State, he was appointed
a civil magistrate and an officer of the militia on the northwestern frontieV. About
the same time he began trade with the Indians, whose boundary, fixed by the
Greenville Treaty, was only twentyeight miles north of the Worthington settle-
ment. Appointed in July, 1804, to survey part of the military lands of the Chilli-
eothe District,'" he explored, in the spring of 1805, the south shore of Lake Brie,
and selected the present site of Sandusky as a post for northwestern traffic. By
vote of the General Assembly, he was made one of the original trustees of the Ohio
University at Athens in 1806, and one of the three commissioners to locate the
Miami University in 1808. Promoted to but declining the colonelcy of the Frontier
Regiment, he was elected in 1812, and many times thereafter reelected, as Presi-
dent of the corporation of Worthington College.
The Worthington Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1811, with
James Xilbourn as President and General Agent. It was the pioneer manufactur-
ing enterprise of Central Ohio, but was by no means limited to manufiicturing.
Besides undei-taking to produce various articles in wool, leather and other
materials, it circulated its notes as currency, and engaged extensively in mercan-
tile business and banking." Its factories were established at Worthington ai^d
WoRTniNliTdN. 105
Steubenville, and its stores opened at Worthington and Franklinton, When the
War of 1812 broke out, the Compan}' engaged extensively in the production of
woolen fabrics for arnij- and navy clothing. This part of the industrial depart-
ment ceased, of course, with the conclusion of peace in 1815, after which the
Company lost heavil}- in its multiplied enterprises until it failed, in 1S20,
sweeping away the investments of its shareholders and the entire fortune of its
President.
"Finding himself thus totally destitute of means," saj-s Mr. Kilbourn's biog-
rapher, " he took up his surveying apparatus again, and went into the woods. For
more than twenty years he was much of the time busilj' engaged in his calling,
and we hazard nothing in saying that he has surveyed more townships, highways,
turnpikes, railroads and boundary lines than any other three men in the State.""
Although fifty years of age when financial disaster overtook him, Mr. Kilbourn
regained, by these efforts, a portion of his financial independence, and continued
to take a conspicuous part in public enterprises. His services in political station,
and on occasions of general interest, at various periods of his life, will be men-
tioned in their proper historical connection.
We have now reached the period when the colonies at Worthington and
Franklinton became rival suitors for the location of the Capital of the State. Their
emulation related not only to different sites but differing elements of population.
Worthington was settled almost exclusively from New England ; Franklinton
from Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The New Englanders offered the
most elevated, the healthiest, and by far the most comely situation, but were over-
matched. Franklinton was rejected for reasons which experience has fully justi-
fied ; but when the location was finally chosen it was near enough to the rivals for
both to unite, and both did unite, in the development of the new community.
Whatever special qualifications each ])0S8essed were actively and hai'monionslj'
exerted to this end. Virginian, Kentuckian, Pennsylvanian ami New Fiiglander
each performed his part. , They joined hands and hearts, \u>i in fdimding a new
fity only, Init in the evolution of a new individuality — that of llic tv]iiral Ohio
Man.
NOTES.
1. In writing this rliapter, the author has made liberal use of a manuscript sketoli of
the Worthington colony, written, and kindly submitted, by A. A. (indunii, Ksi|., .Sciretary of
the Ohio Archteologioal and Historical Society.
2. Constitution of 1802, Art. III., Sec. 2.
3. The original model of Mr. Fitch's steamboat is in the possession of Mr. A. N. Whit-
ing, of Columbus, who is one of his descendants.
4. History of the Kilbourn Family; by Payne Kenyon Kilhunrn ; IS.")i;.
5. This was doubtless the socalled Carpenter settlement, nicntion ni wliicli will lie found
in a subsequent portion of the present chapter.
0. During these visits of e.\ploration Mr. Kilbourn drew a map of Ohio wliich was siili-
sequently much used by landbuyers and emigrants. In executing tliis work, he was assisteil
hy charts and surveys placed under his inspection by Colonel Thomas Worthington, then
Register of the Land OHice at Chillicothe. Ho also drew upon infoi-mntion furnislird him liy
his fatherinlaw, Mr. Filch, who had lici-n, in his yoiitli, a captive aiiiuiitr tlic Indians nf the
Northwest Territory.
196 History of the City or Columbus.
7. The surveying was done by Mr. Kilbourn. The lands of the Company were divided
into one hundred acre tracts, and apportioned among the shareholders, prorata. Each share-
holder was entitled to one town lot for each hundred-acre tract which he possessed. In
the selection of places of residence in the town, Ezra Griswold settled on town lot 71, Wil-
liam Thompson on 70, David Bristol on 60, James Kilbourn on 61, Samuel Beach on 92, Zo-
phar Topping on 83, Alexander Morrison on 82, Nathim Stewart on 100, and Glass Cochran on
101. All drew water from a well on the church lot.
8. The log sclioolhouse stood on the south college lot. In its construction is said to
have been used the first timber cut in the settlement.
9. Mr. Robe was a dwarf, or man of remarkably small size, not weighing more than
fifty to sixty pounds in ordinary health. He was well proportioned and neat in his appear-
ance ; a well educated man, and gentlemanly in his manners. He was a teacher in the Wortli-
ington Seminary — afterwards a clerk in the State Auditor's office. He died in January,
1823, aged about fortyfive years.— iVart/ji's History of Fiaaklia County.
10. This appointment was tendered in the following letter — here copied from the origi-
nal manuscript — addressed to " Rev.'d James Kilburn, Franklin County, near Franklin-
ton " :
Marietta, July 3d., ISO-J.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that with the approbation of the Secretary
of the Treasury, you are appointed District Surveyor for No. 1, of Chillicothe District, or of
all that tract within the Sd. District, which is called the military trad. I must request you to
aftbrd me the speediest intelligence of your acceptance or nonacceptance. In case of the first,
the law requires an oath of affirmation, which it will be necessary to take before some niagis
trate, and transmit a copy thereof to the Secretary of the Treasury. With profoundest re-
spect,
I am Sir,
Your obt. Hum. Servt.
J A RED Mansfield.
It appears on consideration necessary that a copy of the oath should be sent to this
ofljce.
11. The following extracts from the Company's Articles of Association are copied from an
original document, printed, except the signatures, at the office of the Western Intellijeacer, at
Worthington, in January, 1813 :
ARTICLES OP ASSOCIATION OP THE WORTHINGTON 5IANUFACTURING COMPANY.
Article 1st. The objects, which this association or copartnership propose to eflfect, are,
to establish at Worthington in the state of Ohio, an extensive Manufactury of the various
kinds of woolen cloth; of Hats, Leather, and the various manufactures of which leather is a
part ; a manufactory of pot and pearl ashes, and generally, any and all kinds of manufactories
which experience may advise, and the company think fit and profitable for them from time to
time to establish ; to purchase, raise and keep an extensive flock of sheep; to introduc(! into
the state of Ohio, and i-ni'diiraifc the raising of the full blooded Merino sheep; to purchase,
export, and sell, any and all kind,': nf the country productions which we shall judge profitable;
and to establish and cdntinue a cmnplete variety store of goods, both of foreign and domestic
articles which shall be suited to the demands of the country, including our own manufac-
tories, and tlie same to divide into as many branches as we shall think expedient. And to
promote these purposes and the general object of this our association, we will also purchase
and hold, or barter, sell and convey, as circumstances in the opinion of the company duly
expressed shall justify any property or estate, real, personal, or mixed ; prescribing to our-
selves no other limits, as to the amount of the capital stock, or the application thereof, than
such as the body shall determine by ordinance or special rest)lution as may be done in pur-
suance thereof by the proper oflicers. . . .
WoliTUlNliTON. rj7
Art. L'rul. Tliu seat ol' ttu' s;u<l iiianufaotories, the store and idiiiiliii^'liousi', or oHirt' of
the company, shall be in the town of Worthington aforesaid ; bill the members, ami even
some of the oflicers, as occasion shall require, may reside, and i)articular parts of the business
of the company be transacted in any other place or places, where, and when we shall agree,
or appoint by vote or otherwise.
.\rt. 3rd. The capital stock of this company, be the same more or less, shall be divided
into shares of one hundred dollars each, payable by installments of one fifth at a time ; the
first at the time of subscribing, and the remaining four, at such times as the company shall
agree when duly organized.
.\rticle fourth provides for tlie election of a president, a .secretary, tliree directors and
" such other officers as may be found convenient," by the stockholders.
Article fifth provides that the officers shall be chosen by ballot, each share casting one
vote.
Article sixth directs tliat no person shall be emjiloyed by the company in any clerkship
or other important function wlio is not a shareholder.
Art. 7th. When any person shall make his subscription in sheep, labor, materials for
building, land for the establishment, or goods for the store, to the acceptance of the directors,
the payment or performance thereof as stipulated, will be received in place of a regular pay-
ment by installments, as in the case of cash subscriptions.
Article eighth instructs as to the duties of the president, acting as general agent for the
Company.
Article ninth relates to proxies reiiresenting non-resident siiareholders.
Article ten provides for the calling of special meetings.
Art. 11. Books of subscription shall be immediately opened, under the care of James
Kilbourn, of said Worthington, and George Fitch, of New York City, who are hereby author-
ized and requested to superintend the same, provide the proper books, and make exhibition
thereof to the first meeting of the stockholders, to be holden as hereinafter provided.
Article twelve fixes the time, place, and manner of holding regular meetings and elec-
tions, and concludes as follows: "And we do hereby appoint James Kilbourn to be our
President and General Agent, and Joseph Garnett, .Secretary, until the said first Tuesday of
May next, and till others shall be elected and duly qualified to said offices."
To the foregoing articles of association, and to the strict observance thereof we ifo each
of us bind ami pledge himself to the others, in the full amount of all damages which may
accrue by his neglect or refusal.
In testimony whereof, we have severally hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our
seals, in presence of each other and of the attesting witness.
First signed at the city of New York, this first day of November, in tlie year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven.
P. S.— The business proposed by this association shall go into operation so soon as one
hundred shares shall be subscribed.
Evolution of the City.
t
fo-Av^ /Ai^'X-^
- I
CHAPTER X
THE FOREST SETTLEMENT.
Columbus iias ilu' uniqiio distinction of having been born a csipilal. Its origin
dates from the liour wIumi Iho General Assembly of the State passed an act making
it the seat of government. Until then it was an Indian hunting ground, covered
with the primeval forest.
The Constitution of 1K02 fixed the seat of govornmonl at Cliillicothe until
1808, and expressly forbade any expenditure for public buildings for legislative
purposes until 1809. The first (general Assembly therefore met in the Eoss County
courthouse, which is described as a twostory stone building over which rose a
cupola topped by a gilded eagle standing upon a ball. The edifice thus provision-
ally adopted as the capitol had been begun in ISOO and completed in 1801. With-
in its walls, said to have been laid up by a soldier of the War of Independence,' the
Territorial Legislature had held its last session, and the convention which framed
the tir.st constitution of the State had met. But its- apartments were soon found
inadequate for the uses of the General Assembly, and were supplemented by erect-
ing a brick annex connected with the main building by a covered passnge. The
Senate met in the brick edifice, the House of Representatives in that of stone.-
But the government was temporarily located, as well as housed. That its
permanent seat would go to some point nearer the center of the State than Chilli-
cothe was generally anticipated from the beginning, and, in this expectation, every
settlement in the State even remotely eligible to win the prize took timely steps to
secure it. Franklinton, Delaware, Worthington, Zanesville, Lancaster and Newark
were among the earliest and most ardent of these suitors. The "address of the in-
habitants of the town of Worthington " hereto appended' doubtless fiurly rejn'e-
sents the spirit and ingenuitj^ with which each of the embryo cities ambitious of
being Ohio's capital presented its case.
Pressed by these importunities, the General Assembly passed an act Febrnar}-
20, 1810, providing for a commission of five members, to be selected by joint ballot
of both houses, to hear arguments, inspect localities, and recommend a site for the
permanent seat of government.'' In pursuance of this act James Findlay, W. Sil-
liman, Joseph Parlinton, Resin Beall and William McFarland were appointed
commissioners, and visited Franklinton, but discarded its ]>retension8. , It was
condemned, because of its low situation, and the unsuitableness of its plan. The
commissioners then visited various other localities, with like results, and finally
agreed to re])ort : "That they have diligently examined a nunilior of different
places within the circle prescribed [forty miles from the 'common centre'], and
[201]
History of the City of CoLusiBtrs.
ORIGINAL PLAT OF COLUMBDS — WEST SECTION.
T[iE Forest Sktti, k:\tent.
203
INAL PLAT OF COI.f
204 History of the City of Columbus.
the majority of said commissioners are of opinion that a tract of land owned by John
and Peter Sells, situated on the west bank ofthcvScioto Eiver, four miles and three
quarters west of the town of Worthington, in the county of Franklin, and on which
said Sells now resides, appears to them most eligible." This report, dated at New-
ark, September 12, and signed by all the commis.soners was delivered to the Gen-
eral Assembly December 11, 1810. The site thus recommended is that of the ])res-
sent (own of Dublin, Franklin County, and seems to have owed its preference
chiefly to the desire to identify the political with the geographical center of the
State.
The General Assembi}' continued to meet at Chillicoliie until 1810, but in the
latter part of that year was induced to transfci- its sittings to Zanesville, whore a
building for its especial accommodation had lucii pr(j\ ided. Here the sessions of
ISlO-lSll and lSll-12 were held, and various ndilitional ])roposals foi- permanent
location, as well as the I'eport of the legislative commission on that subject, were
received. No detinito action .was taken, but among the new propositions sulmiit-
ted was one wliich narrowed the coiiti'oversy at once to a choice between the in-
ducements which it off'ered and those presented by the pe()])le of Wdi-tliington.
The objections made to Fraiiklinton on account of its low situation and unfit-
ness of plan suggested to some of its citizens, particularly landowners, the eligi-
bility of the plateau forming the east bank of the Scioto, opposite. The elevation
there was reasonably good, and the ujijiortunity for platting a town without hin-
drance from buildings, prearranged sti-eets, or oven clearings, was unlimited. The
lands on the plateau had been patented as early as 1802 to John Ilalstead, Martha
Walker, Benjamin Thompson, Setli Harding and James Price, all refugees of the
War of Independence. Tiie original patentees had disposed of their titles, and
these, after intermediate transmissions, had come into the hands of Lyne Starling,
John Kerr, Alexander McLaughlin and James Johnston. Combining their inter-
ests, these four proprietors laid off a tract of about twelve hundred acres on the
plateau, platted it, provisionally, into streets and squares, and submitted proposal.s,
for the location of the seat of government thereon to the General Assembly at
Zanesville. A copy of the plat accompanied their propositions, the full text of
which was as follows ;
ORIGINAL FKOPUSALS OF TIIE PROPRIETORS OF COLUMBUS."
To the Horfile the Legislature of the State of Ohio :
We the subscribers do offer the following as our proposals provided the legislature at
their present session shall fix and establisli the permanent seat of Government for said State
on the East bank of the Scioto River nearly opposite to the town of Franlclinton on half sec-
tions Nos. 9, 25 & 26, and parts of half sections Nos. 10 & 11, all in Township 5 of Range 22 of
the Refugee lands and commence their session there on the first Mondaj' of December, 1817 :
1st. To lay out a Town on the lands aforesaid on or before the first day of July next
agreeably to the plans presented by us to the Legislature.
2d. To convey to the State, by general warranty deed in fee simple such square in said
town of the contents of ten acres or near it for the public buildings and such lot of ten acres
for Penitentiary and dependencies, as a director or such person or persons as the legislature
will appoint may select.
3d. To erect and complete a State House, offices & Penitentiary & such other buildings
as shall be directed by the Legislature, to be built of stone and Brick or of either, the work to
be done in a workman like manner and of such size and dimensions as the Legislature shall
think fit. the Penitentiary & dependencies to be complete on or before the first day I'f Jan-
uary, 1815, The Statehouse and offices on or before the first Monday of December, 1817.
TlIK FoKKST SKTXr.EMKNT. 205
When the buildings shall be completed the Legislature and the subscribers reciprocally
shall appoint workmen to examine and value the whole buildings which valuation shall be
binding, and if it does not amount to Fifty thousand dollars we shall make up the deficiency
in such further buildings as shall he directed by law, but if it exceeds the sum of Fifty thou-
sand dollars the Legislature will by law remunerate us in such way as they may think just
and equitable.
The legislature may by themselves or agent alter the width of the streets and alleys i)f
said Town previous to its l)eing laid out by us if Miey niiy tliink proper to do so.
LvNE Starling. [seal.]
John Kerfi. [seal.]
A. McLAWiiii.is. [seal.]
James .Iomnsto.v. [seal.]
Attest '
WlI.Sd.N El.r.lOTT.
Isaac HAZi.Err.
These propositions were accompanied by the following bond .
Know all men by these presents that we, James Johnston, of Washington County,
Lyne Starling, of Franklin County, Alexander McLaughlin, of Muskingum County, & John
Kerr, of Ross County, all of the State of Ohio, our heirs, executors, aiiministrators or assigns
do promise to pay to William McFarland, treasurer of said State, or his successors in oflice. for
the use of the State of Ohio, the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars for the payment of
which we do hind ourselves firmly by these presents, which are sealed with our seals and dated
the lOlh day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1S12.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden James Johnston,
Lyne .»<tarling, Alexander McLaughlin, & John Kerr, their heirs, executors, administrators or
as.signs, shall truly ami faithfully comply with their proposals to the State of Ohio by erecting
the public buildings and conveying to the said Slate groun.l for the State House, oflices and
penitentiary they hav.- proposed to do, then this obligation to be null and void, otherwise to
be and continue in full foice and virtue.
James Johnston, seal.
LvNB Starling. seal.
A. McLAi'tan.iN. seal.
John Kerr seal.
In presence ol
WlI.SON El,I,I(>TT.
Isaac Hazlett
The abHolute perinanonco of location on \vhi<h llic Ibrci^rijnir schenic w:
ditioned a])poaring to jeopii
])ropositions were submitted ;
To thf Honl'l^ Die leghlalnre of Ohio:
We the subscribers do agree to comply with the terms of our Bond now in possession of
the Senate of the State aforesaid, in case they will fix the seat of government of this State on
the lands designated in their proi)Osal8-now with the .Senate, on the east bank of the .Scioto
Kiver, nearly opposite to Kranklintnn. and .nmmen.e their .ses^sious there at or before the
first Monday of December, lsi7, and continue the same in the town t.. be laid off by us until
the year IStO.
These conditional proposals are ollered by us for the acceptance of the Legislature of
Ohio provided they may be conshlered more eligible than those previously put in.
John Kerr. seal.
James John.ston. seal.
A. McLauhiimn. seal.
,„., LvNK Staki iN<i. seal.
Witness
W]I.s.,N E1.LI..TT.
Icl.niarv 11, 1,S12.
206 History of the City ov Comimiuis.
TiiK KdREST Settlement.
20R HiSTORT OP THE CiTY OF CoLUMBUS.
This departure was promptly met by counter proposals from other contest-
ants, particularly from Worthington, vvhicli place, it has been said, counted a ma-
jority in its favor. But in the closing hours of the session a supreme effort was
made in which Foos, Sullivant and other alert citizens of Frankliiiton took part,
and when the test finally came, a decided majority was found on the side of Mr.
Starling and his associates." On tiie fourteenth of February, the General Assemby
settled the controversy for thirty years, at least, by passing the following act :
Chapter XXXIV., Ohio Laws, Volume 10.— An act fixing and establishing the perma-
nent and temporary seats of government.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the proposals
made to this legislature by Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, Lyne Starling and James
Johnston, (to lay out a town on their lands, situate on the east bank of the Scioto River, op-
posite Franklinton, in the county of Franklin, and [on] parts of half sections number nine,
ten, eleven, twentyflve and tweatysix, for the purpose of having the permanent seat of gov-
ernment thereon established ; also, to convey to this state a square of ten acres and a lot of
ten acres, and to erect a state house, such offices, and a penitentiary, as shall be directed by
the legislature), are hereby accepted and the same and their penal bond annexed thereto,
dated the tenth of Feb. one thousand eight hundred and twelve, conditioned for their faith-
ful performance of said proposals shall be valid to all intents and purposes, and shall remain
in the office of the treasurer of state, there to be kept for the use of this state.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that the seat of government of this state be, and the same
is hereby fixed and permanently established on the land aforesaid, and the legislature shall
commence their sessions thereat on the first Monday of December one thou-saud eight hun-
dred and seventeen, and there continue until tlie first day of .May, one thousand eight bun
dred and forty, and from thence until otherwise provided for by law.
Sec. :;. Thai llicre shall be appointed !)y a joint ri^solntion of this general assembly a
director who shall, within thirty days after his ajipoiutment, lake and snbscrilie an oath faith-
fully and iniparlially to discharge the duties enjoined on him by law, and shall hold his
office to the end of the session of the next legislature: Provided, Tliat in case the otfic^e of
the director aforesaid shall by death, resignation, or in any other wise liecome vaeant during
the recess of the legislature the Governor shall fill such vacancy.
Sect. -i. That the aforesaid director shall view and exauiine the lands above mentioned
and superintend the surveying and laying out of the town aforesaid ami direct the width of
streets and alleys therein; also, to select the square for public buildings, and the lot for the
penitentiary and dependencies according to the proposals aforesaid ; and he shall make a re-
port thereof to the next legislature ; he shall moreover perform such other duties as will be
required of him by law.
Sect. 5. That said McLaughlin, Kerr, Starling, and Johnston shall, on or before the first
day of July next ensuing, at their own expence, cause the town aforesaid to bj laid out and
a plat of the same recorded in the recorder's office of Frankliu County, distinguishing therein
the square and lot to be by them conveyed to this state ; and they shall moreover transnut a
certified copy thereof to the next legislature for llii'ir insiK'ction.
Sect. 0. That from and after the first day of May next, Chillicothe shall be the tem-
porary seat of government until otherwise provided by law.
Matthias Corwin,
Speaker of Die Iluuxe of Represmlutiivs.
Tnos. Kirker,
Speaker of the Senate.'
The tract of wild woodland thus chosen as the capital of Ohio was named
Columbu.s.' The christening took place very unceremoniously, it secni.s, by joint
resolution passed February 20, 1812, on which date the General Assembly pas,sed
an additional resolution apjjointing Joel Wright, of Warren County, as Director
TiiK FditEST Settlkmknt.
210 History of the City of Columbus.
to " view and examine" llie lands proftercd, and to lay out and survey " the town
aforesaid." Meanwhile the four proprietors whose propositions had been accepted
proceeded to perfect their stipulations with one another, and joined in a written
covenant the preamble, to which recites that " the Legislature of the State of Ohio
have, by law, fixed and established the permanent seat of Government for said
State, on half sections Nos. 9, 25 and 26, and parts of half sections Nos. 10 and 11,
all in Township 5, range 22, refugee lands, agreeably to the proposals of the par-
ties aforesaid, made to the Legislature of said State." In these presents it was
agi-eed that a common stock should be created for the benefit of the copartners ;
that all donations, and the proceeds of all sales, should be received by the syndi-
cate on joint account ; that Starling's contribution to the real estate assets should
be half section number twentyfive, except ten acres already sold to John Brickell ;
that Johnston should contribute half section number nine and one half of lialf sec-
tion number ten ; that McLaughlin and Kerr, who had previously formed a part-
nership with one another and were considered as a third parly to the agreement,
should put in half section number 26; that eacii partner should individually war-
rant the title of the lands he contributed ; that the business of the company should
be managed by an agent of its own appointment; that on the first Monday in
Januaiy, for five successive years, each partner should pay to this agent twenty-
four hundred dollars, and such further sums as niight be necessarj' to complete
the public buildings; and that when the contract with the State should be ful-
filled, a final settlement and equal division of profits and losses should take plaice.
These stipulations were closed at Zanesviile, February 19, 1812.
To complete the town plat in the size and form desired, a contract was made
with Rev. James Hoge for eighty acres from the southern portion of half section
number eleven, and one with Thomas Allen for twenty acres from the south part of
half suction number ten. One half of each of these tracts was retained as a con-
tribution, and the other half conveyed back, in the form of city lots, to the donor.
The McLaughlin and Kerr tract extended from the southern boundary of the town
plat northward to an east-and-west line parallel to and just south of the ]iresent
course of State Street. Starling's tract lay next on the north, extending to the
vicinity of our present Spring Street. Beyond Starling's lay the tracts obtained
from Hoge and Allen. At a later period the proprietors laid out a supplementary
addition of about forty two-acre lots, still further north, and conveyed to the town
one acre and a half for the cemetei-y afterwards known as the North Graveyard.
The value of the total donations obtained by the company on subscription was
estimated at fifteen or twenty thousand dollars. The first agent of the company,
appointed in April, 1812, was John Kerr, who was relieved on his own volition, in
June, 1815. From that date until the company finally wound up its affairs, its
business was managed by Heni'v Brown.
The proprietors having closed their contract with the State, and all the pre-
liminaries having been arranged, Director Wright called to his assistance Joseph
Vance, of Franklin County, and proceeded to survey and stake out the streets,
public squares and building-lots of the capital. The principal streets were made
to take the directions which they yet retain, crossing one another at right angles,
and bearing twelve degrees west of north, and twelve degrees north of east. The
breadth of the two main thoroughfares, one going north and south and the other
Thk Porkst Setti.kment.
2;i2 History of the City op Columbus.
east and west, was, respectively, one hundred and one hundred and twenty feet;
that of the other streets, oightytwo and one-half feet. The frontage of the iulots
was sixtytwo and one-half feet, their depth one hundred and eightyseven and one-
half feet. The outlets contained each about three acres. The town lots were ex-
empted from taxation for county purposes until January 1, 1816, but were mean-
while subject to an equivalent levy by the State Director, who was required to ap-
ply as much of the proceeds as necessary to sinking a well for the Statehouse, and
improving the State Road from Columbus to Granville."
As soon as the Director had marked the boundaries of the streets, alleys,
public squares and building lots of the proposed city, its proprietors published the
following captivating advertisement ;
For Sale.
On the premises, commencing on Thursday, the eighteenth day of June next, and to
continue for three days, in- and out-lots in the town of Columbus, established by an act of the
Legislature, as the permanent seat of government for the state of Ohio.
Terms of Sale: One fifth of the purchase money will be required in hand; the residue
to be paid in four equal annual installments. Interest will be required on the deferred pay-
ments from the day of sale, if they are not punctually made when due. Eight per cent, will
be discounted for prompt payment on the day of sale.
The town of Columbus is situated on an elevated and beautiful site, on the east side of
the Scioto Kiver, immediately below the junction of the Whetstone branch, and opposite to
Frankliuton, the seat of justice for Frankliu County, in the center of an extensive tract of
rich fertile country, from whence there is an easy navigation to the Ohio River. Above the
town, the west branch of the Scioto afi'ords a good navigation for about eighty miles, and the
Whetstone branch as far as the town of Worthington. Sandusky Bay, the only harbor on
the south shore of Lake Erie (except Presque Isle) for vessels of Burthen, is situate due
north from Columbus, and about one hundred miles from it. An excellent road may be made
with very little expense from the Lower Sandusky town to the mouth of the Little Scioto, a
distance of about sixty miles. This will render the communication from the lakes to the
Ohio River through the Scioto very easy by which route an immense trade must, at a day
not very distant, be carried on which will make the country on the Scioto River rich and
populous. The proprietors of the town of Columbus will, by every means in tlieir power,
encourage industrious mechanics who wish to make a residence in the town. All such are
invited to become purchasers.
Dated at Pranklinton, April 13, 1812. and signed by the four proprietors.
The widespread interest which had already been excited by the movement to
found a new State capital in the woods of Central Ohio was intensified by these
alluring statements. Attracted by them, lot buyers and homeseekers came from
near and far to view the " high bank of the Scioto " of which so much had been
said. They found there little except paper plats and freshly-driven stakes to in-
dicate a town, or even a settlement, yet the jjromises of nature and of destiny
alike conspired to make the locality interesting. Of the scenes which at that time
o-reeted the canoe- voyaging pioneer as he approached the site of Columbus, ascend-
ing the Scioto, the following spirited picture has been drawn:''
On his left iiand was a broad plain, bounded on the west by a low range of wooded hills,
now in part a waving cornfield, in part a grassy meadow. Along the water's edge grew many
wild plum trees whose blos.soms filled the air with a pleasant perfume. Beyond tlie meadow
and the corn the busy town of Frankliuton appeared in the distance, guarded on tlie east and
north by the river, whose thread of water was lost in the forest above. On the right
bank of the river rose a sharply inclined lilnff, covered by a sturdy growth of native forest
TiiK FditKsT Skttlemknt. 213
timber. The aluuiitness of this hiulT jjiadnally declined as tlie voyager ascended the stream.
As he came \\p tlie river he wmild liave seen, south of tlie Indian mound, from wliich Mound
Street took its name, a small cleared field, in which was the pioneer home of John McGowan,
who then cultivated a farm which he afterwards, in 1814, laid out as McGowan's addition to
Columbus. On the incline of the bluff', not far from the present crossing of Front and State
streets, stood a round log cabin, surrounded by a small clearing and occupied by a man
named Deardurf and bis family. He was probably a squatter on the Refugee lands, and was
secure in liis home as long as the rightful owner did not claim iiossession. His small garden,
his rifle and his traps furnished him an abundant frontier living, and if he could live free
from many of the comforts of civilisied life, he was also free from many of its cares. Farther
north, and not far from the site of Hayden's rolling mills on the banks of a small stream,
were the ruins of an old saw mill, built about 1800, by Robert Balentinc, a citizen of Frank-
linton. Near it were also the ruins of a distillery, built by Benjamin White about the same
time. They were now in decay and almost covered by small trees and underl)rush. Near
the site of the present penitentiary stood the cabin of John Brickell, who for many years had
been a captive among the Indians. He now had a clearing made in tlie ten acres sold to him
by Mr. Starling. Just above his cabin was the old Indian campground he had seen when an
unwilling member of one of their tribes, and where, for many years before, Indian feasts had
been held, councils of the tribes deliberated, and horible barbarities inflicted on unfortu-
nate captives. Mr. Brickell and his family lived in measured security now, and the man,
though now a freeman, could not, and did not entirely, forego Indian customs. He always
wore deerskin moccasins and a skin cap with the tail of the animal dangling down his back.
Indians were still plenty, and, owing to the evil infiuencea of the British, troublesome. . . .
Had the canoeist moored his birch bark vessel and ascended the bluff', he would have
found himself in a forest of oak, beech, maple, walnut and other trees common to the
uplands of Ohio. Their full leaved tops were now the home of the wild songsters of the
western woods, who filled the air with their melodies as they flitted hither and thither
among the branches. S(tulrrels gamboled up and down their massive trunks, or from their
dizzy heights stopped to gaze at the intruder. Wild turkeys were plenty, deers not strange,
and a still more formidable but not less valuable game, bears, not uncommon. About the
great trunks of the trees huge grape vines were here and there entwineil, whose abundant
blossoms promised a rich repast in the autumn. Smaller fruits, such as hawberries, huckle-
berries, wild plums, anil wild blackberries, were everywhere. The Ohio forest wa.'i here in
all its native grandeur and native beauty. The full leaved treetops and the leaves of the
rambling grapevines almost hid the sun in the heavens. Trees of American growth were
scattered here and there through this forest; the dogwood, wild plum, and hawberry, with
luxuriant blossoms, mingled their odors with those of the wild flowers all about him, filling
the air with a rich fragrance. Nature was here in all her native supremacy, and had the
traveller known of the purpose for which this plateau was destined, he perhaps might have
wondered if the busy life of a city would replace the life of the forest about him. Had he
noticed the topography of the city's home, he would have seen a gradual incline from the
north towards its centre, a more decided one from the west, and a level land towards the
south ; eastward, the plateau slightly declined, while northward was a " prairie," as it w:is
afterwards called, in which he would have found many springs whose outlet was a small
stream which found its way westward to the river he had left. Excepting the cabins already
mentioned, not a human habitation occupied the site of the future city. Where are now the
" busy haunts of man " was a western forest, whose life consisted only in that of bird and
beast, whose home it had been for ages past.
Pursuant to announcement, the sales began on the eighteenth of June, 1812,
and continued until they were sufficient to Justify the commencement of the public
buildings. The lots sold were located mostly on Broad and High Streets, and
brought from two hundred to one thousand dollars each. Among the early pur-
chasers were Jacob Hare, Peter Putnam, George McCormick, George B. Harvey,
214 History of the City op Columbus.
John Shields, Michael and Alexander Patton, William Altman, John Collett, Wil-
liam McBlvain, Daniel Kooser, Christian Heyi, Jarvis, Benjamin and George Pike,
William Long, Townsend Nichols and Doctor John M. Bdmiston. Visiting pur-
chasers lodged in the tavern at Franklinton, and reached the place appointed for
the sales by crossing the river in canoes, or at the ferry.
Iniprovemouts began at once, and were prosecuted with the rude energy char-
acteristic of pioneer life. For a time havoc was let loose upon the forest and soon
many a stately tree lay prone. The most shapely stems were used in laying up
the walls of cabins or split into clai)board8, which served the purposes of sawed
lumber, of which little could be had. The cropped undergrowth and branches and
superfluous logs were piled in heaps aud burned. For want of time and funds to
remove them, the stumps were permitted to remain, and for a long time impeded
the streets. The actual throughfare therefore at first disdained the surveyor's
boundaries, and took such devious courses as convenience and the condition of the
ground might suggest. A few settlers were housed by autumn, but most of the
cabin builders made arrangements to occupy their domiciles the following spring.
The influx of settlers when that season opened, and during the remainder of
the year 1813, was considered large. It was sufficient to increase the population of
Columbus by the end of the year to about three hundred. There were several ar-
rivals from Franklinton, several from Worihington, and a good many from Chilli-
cothe and other settlements down the valley. These newcomers located chiefly on
Broad, Front, Town, State, and Rich streets, and on High Street, west of the
Capitol Square. Front was then expected to be the principal residence street, and
became such for the time being. One of the first mercantile ventures in the vil-
lage was that of the Worthington Manufacturing Company, which opened an
assortment of drygoods, hardware and groceries in a small brick building erected
on the subsequent site of the block known as the Broadway Exchange, a few rods
north of the present Neil House. Joel Buttles was manager of this establishment.
McLene & Green opened a general store about the same time in a small log cabin
which stood just east of the spot on which Mechanics' Hall was afterwards built,
on the south side of East Rich Street. In the autumn of 1812 John Collett erected
a twostory brick tavern on the second lot south of State Street, west side of High.
This pioneer inn of Columbus was opened for guests in 1813, under the manage-
ment of Volney Payne.'" Collett took charge of it himself from 1814 until 1816,
when he sold it to Robert Russell.
Among other taverns opened about the same time as Collett's was one on
Front Street, corner of Sugar Alley, kept by Daniel Kooser, and one by McCollum,
known as the Black Bear, on the northwest corner of Front and Broad. A fourth,
kept at the northeast corner of High and Rich by two brothers, ex-boatmen,
named Day, was disguised as a grocery, but became so notorious for its brawls
among Scioto Riv§r navigators as to be popularly styled The War Office.
The Columbus Inn was opened in 1815 by David S. Broderick, in a frame
building at the southeast corner of High and Town. It is historically mentioned
as " a respectable tavern."
Isaiah Voris came over from Franklinton and started the White Horse Tavern.
It was located on the present site of the Odd Fellows' Temple."
In the spring of 1816 James B. Gardiner, also from Franklinton, started the
Ohio Tavern, occupying a wooden building on Friend Street, just west of High.
'TiiK KoRKST Sktti,kment. 215
Sucli were some of the earlier Columbus liostelries, of whicli, logellier witli
I heir successors, a more particular account will bo given in a subseijuent chaptei'.
A similar enterprise, which afterwards developed as one of the most popular
and widely-known inns of the period, waa undertaken by Christian Heyl, whose
oxjioriences as one of the pioneer settlers in the embryo capital are deeply inter-
csliiii;-. Tliry :nv luirralcd in an ;iut()bio,i,n':iiiiiical sketch'' wliicli slates that Mr.
lioyl, wlu'ii he ai-rivni a( Franklint.jn in the spi-ini;- of ISi;;, found that ])lace so
.•rt)wded Willi soldiers of the Northwestern Army, and labor so scarce, that he
could neither obtain a house to live in, nor hell) I" build one. He therefore betook
himself to Columbus, where he had not at first intended to locate. Ilow he estab-
lished his home in that wilderness borough is thus described:
I succeeded in setting' a very rough cabin on the southeast corner of Kicli and Higli
streets, where the Eagle Drug Store now is. The accommodations were very |)oor indeed,
but still I had to pay $125 rent and the cabins were not worth twenty dollars. They belonged
to Nichols and Mr. Bradney. In the fall of the same year, I moved to Columbus. We were
three days on the way from Lancaster to Columbus; the roads were very bad indeed. We
had two heavily loaded wagons, with a five-horse team to each, and they had very hard work
to get along.
The second day we intended to get as far as Williams's Tavern, about five miles from Col-
umbus on the old Lancaster road, but we did not reach it, and so had to camp on the banks
of the Big Belly, as it was then called. On the last day we arrived at Columbus about three
o'clock in the afternoon. The road from the old William Merion farm was laid out, but the
logs were not rolled out of the way. We therefore had to wend our way as best we could.
When we came to South Columbus, as it was called, at McGowan's Run, the road was fenced.
Old Mr. McGowan refused to let me go through his gates. I tried to prevail on him to let
me pass through. I also found that the old man was fond of a little good old whisky. I
promised to make him a present of some, and the gates were at once opened. We then
passed on without any further trouble, and arrived at my great hotel, which I opened, and
built a fire and got my wi<iowed sister to cook some supper while we unloaded the wagon.
After all was unloaded, I set the tahle, which was the lid of my dough tray laiil across two
barrels of flour set endwdse. I rolled barrels of flour on each side for our seats, and we made
out to take our supper, and as we were very hungry, I think it was the best meal I ever ate
in Columbus. Old Mr. McGowan did not forget to call the next day for the prize I had
promised him. . . .
I then went on and built myself an oven to carry on the baking business. I had to get
all my supplies from Lancaster, Fairfield County, for a number of years, this being a new
county and Franklinton the headquarters of the army, where a great many troops were lo-
cated, and consequently, provisions scarce. . . .
We had to go to Franklinton for all our drygoods, as there was at that time no store in
Columbus. In the spring of the year USI4 Green & McLene, of Lancaster, started a small
drygoods store in a cabin on the same lot where I lived. A second store was opened in a
little brick house by the Worthington Manufacturing Company, and was managed by Joel
Buttles. ...
The first winter that I was in Columbus I had my firewood very convenient, as I cut it
ofl'of the lot where I lived. My cabin was divided into three rooms, or, more properly, into
three stalls. A widowed sister kept house for me and having fixed up the old cabin pretty
comfortably, 1 carried on the baking business quite briskly. In May, 1S14, I married Esther
.\lsbach in Fairfield County, Ohio. When she first saw my great hotel, she seemed a little
surprised, but she soon became contented. I did business in the old cabins for two years. I then
purchased a lot on the same square, and built upon it the house that is now the Franklin
House. I kept a hotel there for twentyeight years, and then traded it oU" for a farm five ndles
northeast of Columbus on Alum Creek.
216 HiSTOHY OF THE CiTY OF CoLUMBUS.
A picture of early Columbus, companion' to this one drawn by Mr. Heyl, is
found in the diary of Joel Buttles, who writes:
When I built my house, in which I lived for some )'ears, it was difficult, after tiie house
was finished, to get the large trees around it cut down without falling on and injuring it. It
was a forest all about it, and the country almost in a state of nature. The winter after I
came to Columbus to live [1813-14], the deer came into what is now, and was then intended
to be, the public sijuaie, to browse on the tops of the trees which had been felled for clearing.
The town, although located as the permanent seat of government, and the plan laid out by an
agent of the State, was looked upon with little regard and slight expectation. The people of
Franklinton were, of course, exceedingly jealous, as naturally they might be, with Columbus
planted directly before them on the opposite bank of the river; feeling ran very high and
sometimes led to insolence and altercation. But Columbus in a short time overtook Frank-
linton, and the latter began to decline while the former increased rapidly.
Manj' of the industries and mercantile establishments of Franklinton were
ti-ansferred, one by one, to Columbus. Among the more prominent business part-
nerships and proprietors in the older town when the newer one was founded were
these ; Henry Brown & Co., Drygoods, Groceries, Liquors, Iron, etc. ; Richard Court-
ney & Co., Hardware ; J. & R. McCoy, Drygoods, Groceries, and Liquors ; Samuel
Culbertson, Hatter; Jeremiah Armstrong, Tobacco and Cigars; Ij. Goodale & Co.,
Di-ygoods, Groceries and Chinaware; Starling & De Lashmutt, Drygoods, China,
Glass, Hardware, Leather, Whisky, Gin, Salt and Groceries ; J. Buttles & Co., Euro-
pean, India and American Goods; D. F". Heaton, "Taylor" [sic] ; Joseph Gi-ate, Silver-
smith; and Samuel Barr, Drygoods and Geneial Supplies. Most of these names
became prominent in the business of Columbus. William Piatt began there as a cT'
silversmith and jeweler in 1815 or 1816.
The first postmaster of the capital was Matthew Matthews, appointed in 1814.
His position seems to have been barren of both duties and emoluments. The mail
arrived once or twice a week, and was distributed at Franklinton. Whatever por-
tion of it, if any, Mr. Matthews had charge of, he gave out from his desk in Mr.
Buttles's store, with which he was connected. He resigned and was succeeded, in
1814, by Mr. Buttles who held the office thenceforward until 1829.
A .sawmill for the supply of lumber to the settlement was erected in 1813 by
Richard Courtney and John Shields. Doubtless this mill wrought a revolution in
the building resources of the village. It was located on the east bank of the
Scioto, a short distance below John Brickell's cabin. A flouring mill erected by
Mr. Shields three years later, in the southwest part of the town, took the Colum-
bus patronage from the Kilbourn mill at Wortliingtou, and other mills down the
river.
In 1814 the tirst markethouse, a substantial frame about fifty feet long, was
erected. It was built by voluntary contributions, and located in the middle of
High Street, a short distrance south of Rich, where it remained until 1817, when the
transfer of the market to some other locality was proposed. The property owners
on Broad, Town, State and Rich Streets all contended for it as a prize, and offered
to' donate sites for a new building. The Broad Street people deemed it a strong
point in their favor that their thoroughfare was so wide, and it is said that in 1816
Joseph Miller erected the front part of the brick edifice afterwards known as the
Buckeye House, where the Board of Trade building now stands, in the confident
expectation that the Markethouse would be located in front of his premises. But
TlIK FilKKST SKrri,KMKNI\ 217
crcfl a now Iwoslory iiiarkcl liuikiintc, liriek l)ck)W anil li'aiiic above, mi Stale
Street, iinineilialely west of High. As a eonsiderutioii for his [lorforniaiicu of the
contract, Shields was permitted tu use or rent the two upper rooms for his own
benefit; con8e(]Uontly one of tliem became occujjied as a jirintinif office, and the
other, occasionallj', for religious services. Finally Sliieids sob! Iiis interest lo.lobn
Young, who appropriated the apartments to gaming and its adjiinets. The lirsl
billiard table in the town was here made use of. "About the year 1S2!> or 1S3((,"
saj-s Martin, "the Council bought out Young's interest, and the building was
removed, and a larger markethouse, without any rooms above, was erected on the
same site, HIijah Ellis contractor. This building continued until the ereetion of
the ]ircscnl markethouse on Fourth Street."
Columbus ))assed the first two years olits existence without a Tiews]ia))cr of its
own. The first pa]xn' jirinted within the present cor]iorate limits of the city was the
Frnniiiii's ('hriinirif, issued wceklj-, or rather occasionally, in Franklmton, by
James B. Gardiner. After an existence of about two years, the Vhronirh' expired,
and its able and independent editor betook himself to tavernkeoping. Its place
as a local news and advertising medium was supplied by the W('>>tern Inti'lli<jcnr('r,
which was removed thither in February, 1814, from Woithington. Its proprie-
tors were Joel Buttles, P. H. Olmsted and Ezra Griswold, Junior. After coming
here the Intrlllijcnn'r took the additional name of Columbus Giizcftc, and was pub-
lished, at first, in part of the building occupied by the City House Tavern, on the
southeast corner of High and Town Streets. Of its history, and that of its .succes-
sors in the Journalism of the capital, a circumstantial account will be given in the
chapters on The Press.
Of the beginning of the Medical Profession in the new settlement the Fri'imnn's
C/iroiiirlf of March 11, 1S14, made this announcement : ''Dr. John M. Edmiston
has commenced the practice of Medicine and Surgery at Columbus. Ilis sho)) is
on High Street, near Mr. Green's store." Doctors John Ball, Lincoln (ioodalc and
Samuel Parsons were among Doctor Bdmiston's earlier colleagues.
By or before 1815 the Legal Profession was represented b}- David Smith, Orris
Parish, David Scott and Gustavus Swan, who were soon joined by John R. Parish,
T. C. Flournoy, James K. Cory, William Doherty, and others of later prominence.
An eccentric Justice of the Peace named Shields is said to have been both droll
and expert as a pioneer in the administration of Justice. The quarrelsome boat men
of the "War Office" kept in active exercise his talents both as a Jurist and a wag.
On Sundays Esquire Shields officiated as a volunteer clei'gyman. Being a poet,
as Well as a preacher, he wrote his own hymns. Justice Shields was a native of
Ireland, and by fundamental occujjalion a bricklaj-er. Among the other eaily
Justices we7-e James Marshall, Michael Patton, Eli C. King, William Long and
Messrs. Townsend, Nichols, Martin. Richardson, Dcshler and Wood.
During the winter of 1818-14 a subscription school was kept in a cabin on
the public S(iuare. Among the earlier teachers of the public schools of Columbus,
all of which were maintained by voluntary donation, were Uiiab Case, .lobn
Peoples, a Mr. Whitehill and W. T. .Martin.
The churchgoers of the new settlement attended the servieo conducted by
Doctor Hoge in Franklinton until a cabin for church purposes, about iwentyfive
21S History of tue City of Columbus.
by tliii'ty feet in size, was built on a lot donated by Doctor Hoge, near the corner
of Spring and Third Streets, in the spring of 1814. Keligious services were held
in this cabin, a.s well as at the Franklinton meetinghouse, until 1818. Such was
the beginning of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus. A Methodist
Society was organized in 1814, and erected a hewed log church, with a shingle
roof, on Town Street. The building thus ^irovidod was u.sed for school as well us
church purjto.ses until 1S24, when the socioly erected a new church on the same
site. The ground is now oeciqiied by the Publie Lilirary building.
The tirst white person born on (ho present site of Columbus was Keziah
Hamlin, daughter of John and Mary Hamlin, who dwelt in a cabin said to have
boon the tirst one erecte<l on the terriUny now embraced within the limits of the
city, on tlic east bank of the Seii^to, The Jlanilin doniieile stoo.l near the present
location of the Hosier brewery. Some nl the Indians then encamjied on the low-
lands of the vicinit}- seem to have been much intei-ested in the advent of the little
stranger, for one day, not long after its birth, they carried the infant away to their
wigwams, and kept it until evening, when they returned it with a pair. of beauti-
fully worked moccasins on its dimpled feet. The date of Keziah Hamlin's birth
was October 16, 1804. On December 19, 1822, she was married to David Brooks,
of Princeton, Massachusetts, one of the later landlords of the White Horse Tavern.
The late David W. Brooks, of this city, was her son by this marriage.
In February, 1814, Mr. George B. Harvey was wedded to Miss Jane
Armstrong. This was the first matrimonial alliance solemnized in the Columbus
settlement. Joseph Dillo and Miss Polly Collett soon afterward celebrated the
second. The first death is not recorded.
The Scioto River not being usually fordable at that period, intercourse be-
tween Columbus and Franklinton was maintained chieHy by means of a ferry, kept
by Jacob Armitage. To mitigate the inconvenience of this mode of crossing, the
General Assembly passed an act, February 15, 1815, authorizing Lucas Sullivant
and his associates, " if any there be," to build a bridge at the foot of Broad Street,
and authorized collection of the following rates of toll :
For each foot passenger, three cents; for every liorse, mule or ass cue year year old or
upwards, four cents; for each horse and rider, twelve and one half cents ; for every chaise,
riding-chair, gig, cart, or other two wheeled carriage, with two horses or two oxen and driver,
thirtyseven and one half cents ; for the same and one horse and driver, eighteen and three
fourths cents ; for every coach, charriot or other pleasurable carriage, with four wheels and
driver, drawn by four horses, seventyfive cents ; for the same carriage and driver, drawn by
two horses, fifty cents ; for every waggon with two horses or oxen and driver, thirtyseven and
a half cents; and for each horse or ox in addition, six and a fourth cents ; for every horse,
mule or ass younger than one year old, two cents ; for every head of neat cattle, six months
old or upwards, two cents ; for every head of cattle younger than six months old, and for
every head of sheep or hogs, one half cent.
All " public mails," and all troops and artillery of the State and United States,
were passed free. The franchise was granted for the term of sixtj- years, but the
right was reserved to change the rates of toll after 1831.
Pursuant to this charter, Mr. Sullivant erected a roofless wooden toll bridge in
1816." As its direction formed a right angle with the course of the river, it
touched the west bank at a pointseveral rods below the ford, making necessary the
opening of a new road across the fields to Franklinton. After the lapse of eight or
TiiK FuiiKST Skttt.kment. :iin
ten 3-earis, tliis bridge became iiifirin, and in IS'id, was re])hiecd hy aiuillur wilh lis
western terminus at Ihe original landing. Like its picdeee.ssui', it was dostiliite of
roof or cover.
A cen.susofthe settlement taken by .lames Marsliall in tlie sprinLC "f 1^1'>.
showed a population of about seven hundred. The more jn'ominent stoi'es at that
time were those of Alexander Morrison, Joel Buttles, Henry Bi'own, Delano it
Cutler and J. & R. W. McCoy. The Franklin Bank, the jiioneer institution of the
kind, was incorporated in February and organized in Sejitember, I^Ki, An ac-
count of it will be found in the chapter on Banking.
Until this time little atteinjit at street improvement had been riuule In
1816 a fund of about two hundred dollars was raiised by private suiiscri]ition to
clear some of the stumps from High Street, and about the same time something
was done to disincumber Front Street of logs and other flchrix. In following the
crooked paths which led through the village clearings, the nightly pedestrian
found the use of a tallow-dip, or the rarer luxury of a lantern, extremely necessary
when the moonlight foiled. Trees, logs, stumps and punds of water alike hedged
his jvay.
Such was the capital as a forest settlement.
NOTES.
1. Major William Rutleilge.
•J. These buildings continued to be used as tlie seat of justice of Ross County until 1853.
:>. The followiuK extracts from the document liere referred to are* taken from an
original printed copy bearing date February 12, LSOS, and entitled an "Address of the
inhabitants of the town of Worthington relative to the seat of government." The autlior
is indebted for this copy to Miss Emma Jones, of Columbus, a granddaughter of Hon. James
Kilbourn.
" To Ihe honorable, the General Agseinhly of the State nf Ohio :
'• We, the undersigned, citizens and proprietors fif Worthington and its vicinity, in
Franklin county, understanding that the present general assembly will have it constitution-
ally in their power to fix the permanent seat of government of this state, and provide for the
erection of public buildings, for the accommodation of the legislature and the officers of state ;
and as this or a succeeding legislature will fix upon a place for the permanent seat of govern-
ment, beg leave respectfully to represent.
"That in our opinion, the town of Worthington is more eligibly situated for the seat of
government, than any other town now .settled, or any other position which can be chosen in
this state.
"The situation of this town will be perfectly central for liusiness, taking all matters into
consideration, and is almost so as it respects territory.
"The centre of Worthington is in the third quarter of the second township in the eigh-
teentli range of the United States' nnlitary lands, and about one and a quarter miles south-
westerly from the centre of said second township.
" By refering to tlie state map, it will be seen that this town is exactly in a middle posi-
tion, between the Ohio river at tlie mouth of Scioto, and the Sandusky bay, west of
the Connecticut Reserve; varying therefore, so far only from the middle of the state,
south, as the north-east corner of said Reserve, and the country west of Lake P>ie, about the
Miami of the Lake, would carry it, whicli cannot, we apprehend, exceed nine or ten miles,
by the best calculation.
" On an east and west line from the ( )bio river U) the west boundary of the state, Worth-
220 HlSTciRV OF THK CiTV OF CoLUMBUS.
ington is about twelve nr tliirteeii miles from the centre, west r but when the slant made by
the Ohio river on the Foiitli-tast jiiirt, is compared with the projecting north-west corner,
about the saiil Miami nf tlu' Lake, it will be found that this town is not more than seventeen
or eif;hti en niilrs south and west of the real centre of the state.
" It will also recollected by the legislature, and admitted by all, that the western part of
this state, Ironi the more even surface of the country, and better quality of the soil, generally,
has and must always have, a greater population than the eastern, according to the extent of
territory.
" Worthington is situated on the east side of the main cast branch of iScioto, (com-
monly called Whetstone river) nine miles from its confluence with the west branch.
'■This river is a fine navigable stream as far ui)as this town, equally so with the Scioto at
Franklinton ; for although the Whetstone is not quite so large as the other branch at high
water, it is a more enduring stream, and has full as much water as the west fork in the dry
season, in proportion to its size. This river is also as murh narrower than the main Scioto,
as it has less water, and has higher banks, and of course is of equal depth at least with the
main river below the forks; and being very straight, of an easy and gentle current, and of
sufficient width (from ten to twelve rods) is fully sufficient for the largest Orlean boats to
descend, or large keel boats to ascend, to and from the town in the proper seasons.
" Another very important advantage is derived from this river, at this particular point.
Immediately above the centre of the town, there begin and continue northward up said river,
for several miles, a succession of falls, made by bars of solid rock, running across the stream^
which furnish a number of the best mill seats in this state, a principal part of which are
now improved and improving for various kinds of mills and water works; and this accommo-
dation is found in the centre of an extensive, rich body of land, equal to any, without excep-
tion, in the western country.
" Above these falls the river becomes still and gentle again, and continues so, and of
about nine or ten rods in width, entirely to the Sandusky plains, there approaching very near
to the east brancfi of the Sandusky river ; so that, by erecting locks ami slopes at the three
or four mill-dams upon the highest of those falls, (which from the solidity of the foundation
might be done at no great expence) salt, goods, &c., might be brought from the Lakes by
water, to this town, with a very short portage. And thus might the mill-dams now made
and erecting upon the river, while they answer the first important end proposed, be also sub-
servient to the better navigation of those falls.
"There are now in operation, at and above this town, three saw-mills, two grist-mills,
and .several other useful water machines, and three other mills are now building. By means
of so early attention tieing paid to these important erection8,''the settlements in this vicinity
have progressed in building and other improvements beyond any other settlement in this
part of the state, for the time, and have for three years past supplied, and do now supply, all
the towns and settlements below for more than thirty miles upon the Scioto, with all their
sawed timber for building, as also with their grinding, to a great distance.
" Wortiiinglon is also situated on a high and handsome piece of ground, commanding a
verv extensive view of the country on all sides. In point of elegance for building ground, it
is not exceeded, if equalled, by any situation in the state; and with respect to healthiness,
four years' experience has proved it without a parallel.
" The road from Zanesville, by the forks of Licking, to the counties of Champaigne and
Miami, and the road from Ghillicothe to Sandusky, cross at right angles, in the centre of this
town ; and several other important roads, from difl^erent parts of the state, intersect with
them near the same point.
" From a consideration of these several particulars, (with many others of minor import-
ance) we have drawn the above conclusion. That this town is a more cenlral and eligible
situation for the sent of yoicniment than any other that can be found in this stale.
" With respect to accommodations for the members of the legislature iluring their session,
should the general assembly think proper to change the seat of government at the next
session, (which, however, we do not expect) and should fix it at this town, we can say with
The Pkuest Setti.emknt, 221
confidence, that the houses now built, and liuilding, (that will be linished within one year)
will be fully sufficient for that purpose.
" We would also state, for the information of tlie general assembly, that a large and
commodious building is now preparing for an academy, in which will be three spacious
rooms, either two of which will be of full capacity to accommodate the two branches of the
legislature, and which, when furnished, will be offered for the use of the state, in the proper
season, until the state buildings can be erected. Tliis house will be ready as soon as
required. Also, an eligible lot for the erection of said public buildings, sliall be furnished
upon the public ground.
" Being also informed, that the citizens of several of the towns have opened subscrip-
tions for the purpose of offering to the legislature, private contributions toward the expences
of erecting the public buildings for the accommodation of government; — although we have
thought there was reason to doubt the propriety of such a measure, yet, from present circum-
stances, we have been induced to follow the example, as the following subscription will
show ; and we confidently trust in the candor of the legislature, that they will not attribute
the tender of this our proposed contribution, to improper motives. We disclaim the idea of
purcliasing, or offering to purcha.se, those privileges which of right might belong to another
part of the state, or which the public interest would require to be elsewhere established. On
the contrary, conscious as we are, that the true interest of tiie state will be best promoted by
that, which our interest and sense of propriety has induced us herein to suggest to the con-
sideration of the general assembly, we have no other motives in this offer, than to render
more secure what we deem a natural privilege, and to manifest to the legislature, aud to the
state, that the citizens of this town, and its vicinity will not be behind their neighbors in
contributing, according to their abilities, in the infant state of their town and settlement, to
lessen the pul)lic expences to the citizens of the more remote parts of the state, who cannot
partake so fully the benefits of a central position, (which is the only consideration, we con-
ceive, to justify those who first introduced this mode of procedure) as also, to counteract, in
some degree, an undue weight, which migbt otherwise operate against the joint interest of
the state and this town.
•'All which we respectfully submit to the consideration of. the general assembly, in full
confidence that a concern so important to the state, will be justly weighed, and tliat tlie
advantageous situation of the town of Worthington for the permanent seat of the slate "ov-
ernment, will be duly noticed, notwithstanding the present infancy of the settlement.
" Therefore we, the undersigned, citizens and proprietors of Worthington and its vicinity,
in Franklin county, do each of us in his individual capacity, and for himself, promise aud en-
gage, to pay to the treasurer of the state of Ohio, for the time being, the sum or sums annexed
to our names respectively, for the purpose of erecting a state house in said town, for the ac-
commodation of the legislature and other officers of the government, provideil this offer shall
be accepted by the general assembly, and the seat of government of this state be periiumeiit-
ly fixed, by law, at Worthington, within two years from the rising of the prc^^cnt a.ssiiulilv,
and not otherwise.
"The sums so subscribed, to be paid in four equal annual installments; the first instal-
ment thereof to become due at the end of one year from the acceptance of the subscription,
and the passage of the law, fixing the seat of government as aforesaid, and the other three in
annual succession thereafter, subject to such other restrictions only, as shall be immediately
annexed to our respective signatures : The money, or other property .so suh.scribed, to be ap-
plied to the building of a state house in said Worthington, and to no other purpose.— Dated
Worthington, January 20, isos.
... 100
. 10(1
100
100
. 101
James Kilbourn
. S-'OOO
l.ciijuel (i. linn
do. for Norton & Kilbourn
loon
Adna Bristol .
do. for Jed. Norton .
■_'i 1(1(1
.MKIO
Charles Thorn ps(
James Kilbourn cash, for .1. I);
lyton lOlH)
.■Varon Strong
in land
.'XKI
l.")()0
(Tcorge Case
Ezra(iriswold .
.500
William Wat.son
990
History op the City of Columbus.
Joseph Sage 1000
William Robe 200
Moses Maynard 300
Timothy Lee 200
Asa Gillet 2C0
Amos Maxfield 300
Samuel Willson 100
Daniel M. Brown 100
Asahel Hart 100
John Goodrich 2000
Noah Andrews 1000
Joel Buttles 100
Glass Cochran 200
Josiah Topping 200
Chancey Barker 100
David Bristol 100
Azariah Pinney 150
Jophar Topping 300
Ebenezer Brown 50
Joseph C. Matthews 200
Roswell Willcox 200
Thomas Palmer 200
William Thompson to be paid in lands 400
Isaac Fisher to be paid in lands . . 200
Abial Case 100
Demmon Coe 100
William Goremly 50
William M'Curdy . . . . . 100
Eliphalet Barker 200
Alexander Morrison, jnr . . . 400
James H. Hills 100
James Russell, jun'r .... 100
James Russell 50
Crnger Wright 150
Samuel Sloper 100
Israel P. Case 100
Israel Case, to be paid in boards and other
property 150
Preserved Leonard .... 500
John B. Manning 50
William Morrison 100
Simeon Wilcox 350
Bela M. Tuller
150
Alexander Morrison 200
Abner P. Penney ....
William Vining ....
Isaac Case
Daniel Benjamins
Benjamin Chapman
Obed Blakely ....
Seth Watson
Samuel Beach, jun'r .
John Case
Levi Goodrich . . . •
David Buell
Roswell Tuller
George Case, jur
Bela Goodrich
Elias Vining
Daniel Munsee
Jesse Andrews
Trueman Case
Robert Justice
Isaac Bartlet .
Jeremiah Boardman
Avery Power
Nathan Carpenter
John Carp"nter
John Patterson .
Thomas Brown
Azariah Root
Orlando H. Barker
Moses Byxbe
Moses Byxbe, jur
Ralph Slack
Jacob Ay
Discovery Olney
Augustus Ford
John Murphy
John Helt
Michael Eli
Eli Manvell
Benjamin Carpenter
Cephas Cone
Daniel Alden
William Fancher
Enoch Doiuigan
Gilbert Carpenter
Daniel Weeks
Gilbert Weeks
Joseph Latshaw
Nathaniel Landon
David Landon
Samuel Landon
Jona. Williams .
Jeremiah Curtess
Ezekial Benjamin
Nathaniel Disbury
Thomas Butler
Moses Carpenter
John Welch
Nathaniel Hall
John Johnson
David Lewis .
Philo Hoadly
Isaac Lewis
Chester Lewis
The F<inKsT Sktti.emknt. 223
Amasa Delano, payable in land out of the
third township and third Section, 18th
range, when the bulling of the state
house shall comnience . 1(10!) Kzekiel Brown 50
Daniel Weeks, jun'r .... 50 Wni. Luce l'5
Stephen Maynard 100 Silas Dunham 1>5
Eber Maynard 100 James Harper 15
Joab Norton :100 Hector Kilbouin :!5
Edward Phelps 100 John Wilson :!0
Oliver Clark 50 Anijah Roy.e 50
Reuben Carpenter 50 Nathaniel W. Little ... 100
Samuel Beach . ■ . . . l-")n John Topping 150
Ivcvi Pinney 50 130 subscribers .... !i!25.:l.",4
" At a general meeting of the citizens of Worthington and its vicinity, for the jjurpo.se of
collecting subscriptions toward.s erecting a state house, in said town, (in case the permanent
seat of government should be there established) ^[ajor James Kilbourn was unanimously
elected agent, to present the address adopted by this meeting to the honorable, the general
assembly, as also to tender to gdvernaient, on behalf of said citizens, their proposed contribu-
tions for the purpose aforesaid.
Wm. Robe, Clerk.
'• Worthington, February M, 1808.
" The agent appointed as above begs leave to observe, that for want of time this subscrip-
tion had not a full circulation, and that there is good reason to expect considerable additions —
also that the subscribers are many and the sums small and there is none who is notable and
willing to pay his subscription in case the end is obtained.
J wrKS Kilbourn."
4. An act to provide for fixing the permanent seat of i;overnim'iit. Passed February
20, 1810. Ohio Laws, Volume S. . . .
Section one and two provide for th'e appointment of five commissioners by jciiiit ballot
of both houses of the General Assembly, a majority of Ibe board to be necessary for the ice-
ommendation of any particidar site.
"SEt- 3. That after the commissioners shall have taken an nafh or allirmation faithfully
to discharge the duties enjoined on them by this act, they shall proceed to examine and select
the mo.st eligible spot, which in their opinion will be most central, taking into view the
natural advantages of the state ; Proviiled ; It shall not be more than forty miles from what
may be deemed the common centre of the state, to be ascertained by ManslieM's map
thereof.
"Sec. 4. That after the commissioners shall have fixed on the most eligible spot, they
shall make up a report of their proceedings and sign the same, seal it up and direct it to the
speaker of the senate, and forward the same to the senate, within ten days after the com-
mencement of the next session of the general assembly ; and if it shall appear to the satisfac-
tion of the next general assembly, that the place fixed on is the most eligible place, they shall
confirm the report of the (fominissioners, and proceed to take such further order tbcicDn as
to them shall appear most advantageous and proper
" Sec 5. That thecommissioners shall meet at Franklinton on the lirst day of Si plinilji r
next, to proceed to discharge the duties enjoined to them by this act, and shall each riicivc
three dollars per day.
"This act to take effect from and after the cnrniucncenient passage thereof.
Edw.mu) Tiki in,
Spnd-er of the house <ij rcprrxenUUiirx.
DuNiA.v McArtuitr,
Speaker of the senate."
5. Copied from an old manuscript in the jio.ssession of II. T. Fay, Esq.
0. The proceedings in 1h(> (General Asseiiiblv with reference to the permanent Idcalinn
of the capital, as reported in the ollicial journal of the llou^r ami Si^natc, were as follows,
copied verbatim el literatim :
History of the City op Columbus.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE.
January 17, 1812; Mr. Evans from the committee appointed, reported as follows :
The committee to whom were referred so much of the unfinished business of the last
session, relating to the fixings of the permanent seat of government and who were directed
to receive donations therefore now beg leave to report that they have received proposals for
the following places, viz. — Delaware, Sells's place, Thomas Backus's land, High Bank oppo-
site Franklinton, High Bank Pickaway plains, and Circleville, Pickaway county.
Your committee beg leave to offer, for the consideration of the senate, an extract from
the different proposals attaching each to the place for which such proposals were made.
For the town of Delaware, or any other part of section 4, township 5, range 19, in section
3, township 5 and range 1 S ; — Messrs. Moses Byxbe and Henry Baldwin, proprietors of said
lands, submitted the two following proposals :
First —to erect, at their own expense, within such time as the legislature shall fix on, a
building which will accommodate both branches of the legislature ; an office for the auditor,
secretary and treasurer; a public prison, and such apperpenances as may be necessary for a
penitentiary togetlier with one hundred acres of land, in a place convenient for raising pro-
visions for the use of prisoners, or such other purpose as may be required. All the buildings
to be built of good materials, in a workmanlike manner, to be in all respects perfectly com-
modious for the above purposes, and of such dimensions and plans as may be designated and
adopted by the committee to be for that purpose appointed by the legislature. The one
hundred acres, and the ground covered by the public buildings, and as much more as may be
required for walks and other public conveniences, to be conveyed to the state or trustees
for their use, in fee simple, clear of all incumbrances.
2d. To convey an equal undivided moiety of four thousand acres of land, to be laid off
in one survey, out of section four, township 5, range 19, and section 3, township 5 and range
1,S, and to include the place to be fixed on for the seat of government: The four thousand
acres to be selected by three persons, one to be chosen by the legislature, one by said Byxbe
and Baldwin, and the third by the two thus named.-^
For the place owned by Messrs, John and Peter Sells, the scite chosen by the commis-
sioners: — John and Peter Sells will convey to the state, three hundred acres of land, to be
taken oft' the east end of their tract, exclusive of the following reservations —a lot of 30 poles
square, including the grist mill of John Sells.
A lot of 30 poles square, including the dwelling house and distillery of John Sells.
A lot of 50 I'lOles in length, 10 poles in width, for a log yard.
A lot of :!0 poles east and west, and 80 poles north and south, including the house of
Peter Sells, and the mill seat; and 10 inn lots in the proposed town.
Mr. Walter Dun agent in fact of John Graham, offers for the same place four hundred
acres of land — beginning at the upper back corner of James Holts's survey. No. 2543 ;
thence south 08 degrees west, 70 poles ; thence north 22 degrees west, till the same intersect
the upper line of the said Holt's survey, No. 2544; thence with the said line, north 6S° east,
and from the beginning east, so far that a line north 22 degrees west, will include said four
hundred acres.
Mr. James Galloway Jun. offers for the same place, two hundred acres of land, entered
and surveyed for John Crawford, on the waters of Darby Creek, No 7075.
For the scite to be on section 4, township 1 four miles from Franklinton, seven miles
below Sells's place ;— Mr. Thomas Backus, proprietor of .said section, offers one thousand acres
of land, part of the aforesai<l section, to be laid out in a town, as follows: One half shall be
on the said given lands, and the other on said Backus's adjoining land. The town to be laid
out in such a manner as the legislature shall direct. Said Backus offers to secure to the
public, the use of such streets and public grounds as shall be laid out on his land.
For the High Bank, nearly opposite to Franklinton— First. Messrs. Kerr and M,Laugh-
lin, James Johnston and Lyne Sterling will convey to the state sections No. 9, 25, 26 contain-
ing about one thousand acres, in townsliip 5, of range 22 said tract to be laiil out by the state
into inn-and out lots, one half of which shall belong to the state, and the other to said donors :
c. J^ X
Thk Korest
KTTI.E.MKNT.
Tlioy moreover ofler to give to tlie state, four thousand ilollars for fmir such lots as they wull
elioose out of the half belonging to the said state.
Second— They oiler to convey three hundred and fifty acres of land, ciH any such pail nl
the aforesaid tract, as the state will, by agent or otherwise choose provided the slate do lay
out thereon a town previous to the first day of September ne.\t ensuing.
They reserve ten acres out of the aforesaiil land, sold by Lyne .Sterling, in tlie north-
westerly corner of his half section ; also about fortysix acres of low and bro'con land, in the
south-westerly corner of M'Laughlin's and Kerr's half section— which laud, so to he reserved,
is designated on a plan accoiupanying this report.
George Stevenson, Esq., proposes, on conditidu that the seat of government shall he
fixed at Frankliuton, or on the eastern hank of the Scioto, within one mile of that town, he
will give five hundred acres part of bis section No. IS, or two thousand dollars in cash, at his
option, the conveyance to he execute<l,or the cash to he paid as soon as the foundation of the
state house, or capitol shall be laid.
For the High Bank, in the Pickaway Plain; — Mr. Henry Nevill oilers a donation of one
hundred and fifty acres of land, for the purpose of laying out a town by the stale, out ol
which he reserves for his own use, two lots to be by him chosen out of all the lots not
reserved by law for public u.se, and moreover, if the state will sell to the highest bidder, at
such time, and on such terms of payment as shall be prescribed by law, each and every lot in
such town, (the two to be by said N'evill reserved excepted) if such sales do not amount to
thirty five thousand dollars, the said Nevill offers to make up to the state deficiency in such
money. Which sum of thirty five thousand dollars, shall ho appropriated for the improve-
ment and benefit of said towu.
Or otherwise said Nevill offers to take upon himself the disposal of all the lots, (except
such as shall be reserveil by law lor public buildings) and out of the proceeds thereof, or of
his own money, if the proceeds are not surticient, he ofl'ers to erect, to the amount of thirty
five thousand dollars, such public buildings as shall be directed by law; ancl if the legisla-
ture thinks proper he will add to the tract of land heretofore ofl'ered, two hundred and fifty
acres more.
For the town of Circleville, Pickaway county;— A subscription, signed by forty one
l)ersons, amounting to five thousand and ninety five dollars; was handed to your committee.
Your committee, having taken into consideration, the several proposals made for the
difi'erent places, are of the opinion that the donations offered, in the fir.st part of the propos-
als of messrs. Byxbe and Baldwin, if accepted, will be the most advantageous to the state. In
thus making up their opinion, your committee had in view the eligibility and central situa-
tion of the places designated in the several proposals.
Your committee begs leave to recommend to the consideration of the senate, the follow-
ing resolution :
Rmihed. That a committee, to consist ol memliers, be appointed to bring in a
hill for fixing the permanent seat of government, on the lands of Moses Byxhe and Honrv
Baldwin, agreeably to the first meiidier of their written proposals.
All which is resiiectfully suhnntted liy
.1. P. R. Bl UK.Vi:.
.1. PlUTCUAHl),
David Piirviancr,
GeoHiiEToi),
Committee.
.\nd from wliicli ,-^amnel Kvans, one of the committee, .lissents as to tl„- res,,lnllons
order of this day.
.lanuary 20, ISlL': Uu motion,
Ordered, That the committee of the whole siMiate lie .liseharged from the liirllier con-
sideration of so much of the rcjHirt of the select comnuttee, as relates lo the pi-oposals of
15
226 History of the City of Columbus.
messrs. John Kerr and Alexander M'Laughlin for fixing tlie permanent seat of government.
On motion,
Ordered, That messrs. Kerr and M'Laughling have leave to withdraw said proposals.
January 24, 1812, Mr. Evans laid on the clerk's table, proposals from inhabitants of
the town of Worthington, for fixing the permanent seat of government, which were referred
to the committee of the whole senate to whom was referred the report of the select committee
on the same subject.
February 1, 1812: Mr. Evans laid on the clerk's table proposals of J. and P. Sells, for
fixing the permanent seat of government which were referred to the committee of the whole
senate to whom was referred the report of the select committee on the same subject. . . .
[On the same date the subject of fixing the seat of government was recommitted to the
committee on that subject which had been previously appointed.]
Februarys, 1812: Mr. Evans from the committee to whom were referred the report
and proposals, relative to fixing the permanent seat of government, reported the same, with
the following additional report :
The committee to whom were referred the proposals for fixing the permanent seat of
government, begs leave to report. They have examined the proposals made since their first
report, and find them as follows :
Messrs. John and Peter Sells oflfers to lay out a town on their land, on such plan as the
legislature will point out, and out of the same they will convey as much ground as may be
necessary for a state house oflSces & penitentiary, and moreover to build a state house, and
such other houses as commissioners, to be appointed by the legislature, shall direct, provided
that the same does not exceed twenty thousand dollars; which donation is to be made,
if the legislature establishes the permanent seat of government on their lands, within three
years.
[The Committee here recites the propositions submitted by Mr. Starling and his associ-
ates. The report then continues as follows :]
Mr. James Kilbourn oflfers, if the permanent seat of government is established in the
town of Worthington, to enlarge and extend the plan of the same, according to a plat trans-
mitted to one of your committee.
He also offers a subscription of three hundred and forty inn-lots, sixty six out lots, in
said town five thousand acres of land near the same, and six thousand dollars in cash, labor
and materials. The inn-lots to contain about three fourths acres each — the out-lots to con-
tain about two and a half acres each.
Otherwise mr. Kilbourn proposes to erect public buildings of the following dimensions,
viz.— a state house one hundred and twenty five feet long and fifty feet wide in the wings,
two stories high, with convenient rooms for the public oflices, and a room for the federal
court; of all which a particular description may be seen, by a reference to his last proposals.
We observe, in short, that according to the plan therein delineated, the buildings will be
elegant and commodious. The said mr. Kilbourn also proposes to erect a penetentiary house
one hundred and fifty feet long and thirty feet wide, with a sufficient well, and every neces-
sary accommodation.
J. & P. Sells have submitted to your committee, new proposals, in lieu of their former
proposals — stating, that in case the legislature should prefer the following plan, they will
erect a state house eighty feet long and fifty feet wide, two stories high, with such rooms as
shall be necessary for the legislature and federal court, and a separate brick building, forty feet
by twenty four, two stories high, for the public oflices ; and also to convey a noted spring by
an aqueduct, into the public square.
Your committee can see it is not expedient nor necessary for them to give a specific
detail of the several proposals submitted to their consideration. They therefore beg leave to
report this brief summary, believing that in case the swiate should fix upon a place for the
permanent seat of government, it will be necessary more particularly to attend to the pro-
posals for that place, and frame a bill accordingly.
The said report was read, and with all do'cuments on the same subject, committed to a
committee of the whole senate, and made the order of this day.
TlIK F<lKKST Sktti.kment. 227
[The subject was then considered lor a liuie by the Heuale ia coininiuee of the whole.]
February ■), 1812: The senate, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself
into a committee of the whole senate, on the report of the select coniniittce, to whom was
referred so much of the unfinished business as relates to a bill, entitled, "An act fixing the
permanent seat of government," and after some time spent therein, the speaker resumed the
chair and mr. Purviance reported, that the committee had, according to order, had said
report under consideration, and agreed to the following resolution :
RemlKd, That a committee of three members be a|ipoiuted to prepare and bring in a
bill, to fix and establisli the iiermanent seat of government, at agreLal>ly to the
jiropositions of ; and that from and after the first day of May next,
Lancaster shall be the temporary seat of government, until otherwise directed by law.
A motion was made bv mr. Fooa, to fill the first blank in said resolution, with these
words, the High-bank on Ihf lafl sidf of I he Scioto river, oppoitite the town of /■'ranklinlon.
A motion wa." made by mr. Bureau, to fill the first blank with tliese word.s, the towit of
Delaware.
A motion was made by mr. Bigger, to fill said l)liink with tliese words, Ihr jann of Peter
and John SelU.
Amotion was made by mr. Caldwell, to fill said blank with these words, //»■ town of
]yorlhington.
A motion was made by mr. Kvaiis, to till said lilank with llicse words, lln Iliijli-Unnk, in
the Pickaway Plains.
A motion was made by mr. Bureau, to lill said lilaiik witli tliese wnnls, the lunil if Moses
Byxhee and Henry Baldvnn.
A motion was made by mr. Pritchard, to fill said blank with the word, New-Lancasttr.
The question was first put on filling said blank with these words, the Jlighbank on the
eaul side of the Scioto river, oppo.nte the loini of Frnnkliiiton, and decided in the affirmative : yeas
15— nays 9.
The yeas and nays being recjuired by two members, those who voted in llie aliinnativc
were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlaji, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Looker, MWrtlmr. M'Belli,
Purviance, Slaughter, Smith, Trimble, Welch, and Kirker (speaker).
Those who voted in the negative were,
.Messrs, Abbott, Caldwell, Kinney, .M.Connell, Pritchanl, Rogers, Stone, •r...l.l and
Woodbridge.
The said resolution was further aineiuUMl and then read, as follows:
Resolved tiy the senate and home of rejinsi ntntires that a committee of three members be ap-
pointed on the part of the senate, to prepare and bring in a bill, to fix and establish the per-
manent seat of government, at the High Bank, on the east side of the .Scioto river, opposite
the town of Franklinton, agreeably to the propositions of niessrs. Starling, Kerr, M'Laughlin
anil Johnston ; and that from and after the first day of May ne.vt, Lancaster shall be the
temporary seat of government, until otherwise directed by law.
.\ motion was made that the senate agree to the same.
The <iue.stion being put, was decided in the afiirmative, yeas 17 — nays 7.
The yeas and nays being reciuired by two members.
Those who vote<l in the afiirmative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Kvans, Foos, Irwin. Looker. M'Arlhur, M'l'.<tli.
M'Connell, Purviance, Rogers, Slaughter, Smith, Trimble, Welch and Kirker. speaker).
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Abbott, Caldwell, Kinney, Pritchard, Stone, Tod and Woodbridge.
Ordered, That mr. Bureau request the concurrence of the house of representatives therein.
February 6, 1S12 : A message from the house of representatives by mr. T. Morris.
Mr. Speaker— The house of representatives have agreed to the resolution sent down for
concurrence, for the appointment of a committee to bring in a bill fixing the permanent and
temporary seats of government, with amendments, in which they desire the coMcurrence of
the senate.
The said amendments were read.
22S History of the (^ity of Columbus.
A motiou was made by lur. M'Arlhur, ihat the senate disagree to the second amend-
ment of the house of representatives to said resolution.
The said amendment was read, as follows :
2d amendment line 10th strike out 'Lancaster,' and insert 'Chillicothe.'
On the question that the senate disagree to the same, no decision was had, yeas 12 —
nays 12.
The yeas and nays being required by two members.
Those who voted in the affirmative were, Messrs. Abbot, Caldwell, Irwiii, Kinney,
M'Connell, Pritchard, Slaughter, Smith, Stone, Tod Trimble and Welch.
Those who voted in the negative were, Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Kvans, ?"oos,
Looker, M'Arthur, M'Beth, Purviance, Rogers, Woodbridge and Kirker (speaker).
The lirst amendment to said resolution, was read and agreed to by the senate.
A motion was made, by mr. Woodbridge, to amend the third amendment.
The question being put, was decided in the negative.
The third amendment was then read, and agreed to by the senate.
Ordered, that the second amendment made by the house of representatives to said reso-
lution, lie for consideration.
February 7 1812 : The senate resumed the consideration of the. motion, made yesterday
by mr. M'Arthur that the senate disagree to the second amendment of the house of repre-
sentatives, to the resolution sent down for concurrence, for the appointment of a committee
to bring in a bill fixing the permanent and temporary seats of government.
The said second amendment was again read as follows:
2d amendment, line 10th, strike out ' Lancaster' and insert in lieu thereof ' Chillicothe.'
On the question that the senate disagree to the same, it was decided in the negative,
yeas 10 — nays 13. The yeas and nays being required by two members, those who voted in
the affirmative were,
Messrs. Abbot, Kinney, M'Connell, Pritchard, Slaughter, Stone, Tod, Trimble, Welch
and Woodbridge.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Looker, M'Arthur, M'Beth,
Purviance, Rogers, Smith and Kirker, (speaker).
In pursuance of said resolution, the committee was accordingly appointed of mr.
Purviance, mr. Bureau and mr. Bigger.
Ordered, that Mr. Evans acquaint the house of representatives therewith.
February 8, 1812: Mr. Purviance, from the committee appointed, reported a bill fixing
and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of government, which was received,
read the first time, and ordered to pass to the second reading.
February 10, 1812 : Mr. Evans laid on the clerk's table, further proposals, &c, of Messrs.
Sterling, Kerr, M'Laughlin and Johnston, relative to the permanent seat of government,
which were committed to the committee of the whole senate, to whom was committed the
bill fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of government.
The orders of the day were postponed till to-morrow.
February 11, 1812: A motion was made, by mr. Woodbridge, that the committee of the
whole senate be discharged from the further consideration of the bill fixing and establishing
the permanent and temporary seats of government.
The question being put, was decided in the negative.
February 12, 1812; The senate took up the amendment, reported from the committee of
the whole senate, to the bill fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of gov-
ernment.
A motion was made by mr. Pritchard, that the further consideration of the same be
postponed till the second Monday in December next.
The question being put, was decided in the negative: yeas 12— nays 12.
The yeas and nays being required by two members.
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Abbot, Caldwell, Foos. Kinney, M'Connell, Pritchard, Slaughter, Stone, Tod,
Trimble, Welch and Woodbridge.
TiiK KdUEST Setti.kmknt. 229
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Kvans, Irwin, Looker, M'Arlliur, M'Beth, Purviance,
Rogers, Smith & Kirker (speaker).
The said amendment wa.s tlien read, as follows:
Strike out of the first section of said bill, these words, 'Alexander M'Laughlin, .John
Kerr, Lyne Starling and .Tames Johnston, to lay out a town on their lands, situated on the
east bank of the Scioto river, opposite Franklinton, in the county of Franklin, and parts of
half sections No. 9, 10, 11, 25, and 2ii, for the purpose of having the permanent seat of govern-
ment thereon established ; also to convey to this state, a square of ten acres, and a lot of ten
acres, and to erect a state house, such offices and a penitentiary, as shall be directed by the
legislature,' and insert in lieu thereof, the following: 'Moses By.xbee and Henry Baldwin, to
lay out a town on section 4, township 5. range 10, of the United States' military district, for
the purpose of establishing the permanent seat of government of this state, in such place, as
this general assembly, or a committee, or director, to be by them appointed, shall direct:
Also to convey to this state, the ground covered by the public buildings, and whatever may
be deemed necessary for walks and other public conveniences: Also one hundred acres for
the use of the penitentiary : And to erect a state house, public offices, and a penitentiary,
within such time, on such place, and of .such dimensions and materials, as the general
assembly, or a committee, or a director, shall adopt.
A motion was made by mr. Bureau, that the senate agree to said amendment.
The question being put, was decided in the negative, yeas 10— nays 14.
The yeas and nays being required by two members.
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Abbott, Caldwell, Kinney, M'Connell, Pritchanl, Slaughter, Stone, Tod, Welch
and Woodbridge.
Those who voted in the negative were.
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Fcos, Irwin, Looker. M'ArtUur, M'Betli, Pur-
viance, Rogers, Smith, Trimble and Kirker, (speaker!.
A motion was made by Mr. Pritchard, that the (ith .section of said bill be struck out.
The said section was read, as follows :
Sec. (). And be it furthrr macled, That from and after the day of ne.xt,
Chillicothe shall be the temporary seat of government, until otherwise provided by law.
The first blank in said section, was filled with the word first, and the second blank with
the word }fny.
The question was then put, and decided in the negative, yeas 11— nays K!.
The yeas and nays being required by two members,
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Abbott, Caldwell, Kinney. M'Connell, Pritchard, Slaughter, Stone, Tod, Trimble,
Welch, and Woodbridge.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin. Looker, M'.Arthur. M'Belh, I'ur-
viance, Rogers, Smith and Kirker, (speaker).
A motion was made by mr. Tod, to amend said bill by striking out all the first section,
after the enacting clause, these words 'that the proposals made to this legislature, by
.Alexander M'Laughlin, John Kerr, Lyne Starling and James Johnston, to lay out a town on
their lands, situate on the east bank of the Scioto river, opposite Franklinton, in the county
of Franklin, and parts of half section No. 9, 10, 11, 25, and 26, for the purpose of having the
permanent seat of government thereon established ; also to convey to this state, a square of
ten acres, and a lot of ten acres, ami to erect a state house, such offices, and a penitentiary, as
shall be directed by the legislature, are hereby accepted, and the same and their penal bond
annexed thereto, dated the 10th of February, 1812, conditioned for their faithful performance
of said proposals, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, and shall remain in the office of
the treasurer of state, there to be kept for the use of this state,' and inserting in lieu thereof
the followinc : ' That, from and after the first day of November, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixteen, the seat of government for said state shall be, and
230 Ilismuv OK the City ov Columbus.
remain, on section 4, towusbip 5, range 19, in the United States' Military tract, situated on
the east side of Whetstone creek, opposite the town of Delaware, in the county of Delaware,
for the term of 15 years.'
The question being put, was decided in the negative, yeas 8— nays 16.
The yeas and nays being required by two members, those who voted in the affirmative
were,
Messrs. Abbot, Caldwell, Kinney, M'Connell, Slaughter, Stone, Tod, and Woodbridge.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Looker,- M' Arthur, M'Beth,
Pritchard, Purviance, Rogers, Smith, Trimble, Welch, and Kirker, (speaker).
The said bill was further amended.
On motion of mr. Purviance,
Ordered, That said bill be engrossed, and read the third time this day.
Mr. M'Arthur laid on the clerk's table further proposals, &c. of Messrs. M'Laughlin,
Kerr, Starling, and Johnston, for the permanent seat of government, which were read.
On motion.
An engrossed bill, fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of govern-
ment, was read the third time.
A motion was made by mr. Bureau, to amend said bill by way of rider, by adding to the
second section these words : ' and there continue until the first day of May, eighteen hun-
dred and forty, and from thence until otherwise provided for by law.'
A motion was made by mr. Pritchard, to amend said proposed amendments, by striking
out forty, and inserting in lieu thereof, twenty five.
The question being put, was decided in the negative : yeas 8 — nays 16.
The yeas and nays being required by two members, those who voted in the affirmative
were,
Messrs Abbott, Caldwell, Kinney, M'Connell, Pritchard, Stone, Tod, and Woodbridge.
Those who voted in the n'egative were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Looker, M'Arthur, M'Beth, Pur-
viance, Rogers, Slaughter, Smith, Trimble, Welch and Kirker, (Speaker).
On the question will the senate agree to said amendment by way of rider ? it was decided
in the affirmative, yeas 20— nays 4.
The yeas and nays being required by two members, those who voted in the affirmative
were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Caldwell, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Kinney, Looker, M'Arthur,
M'Beth, Pritchard, Purviance, Rogers, Slaughter, Smith, Stone, Trimble, Welch, and Kirker,
(Speaker).
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Abbott, M'Connell, Tod and Woodbridge.
On the question, shall this bill pass as amended ? it was decided in the affirmative :
yeas 13— nays 11.
The yeas and nays being required by two members, those who voted in the affirmative
were,
Messrs. Bigger, Bureau, Dunlap, Evans, Foos, Irwin, Looker, M'Arthur, M'Beth, Pur-
viance, Rogers, Smith and Kirker, (Speaker).
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Abbot, Caldwell, Kinney, M'Connell, Pritchard, Slaughter, Stone, Tod, Trim-
ble, Welch and Woodbridge.
Ordered, That the title to said bill be. An act fixing and establishing the permanent and
temporary seats of government.
Ordered, That mr. Bureau request the concurrence of the house of representatives
therein.
February 14, 1812 : A message from the house of representatives by mr. Edwards.
Mr. Speaker — The house of representatives have pa.ssed the bill sent down for concur-
TiiK FoKKST Settlemknt. 231
rence. entitled " An act lixiiij; nwl I'stahlishiiif; tliu lu'i-muiK'nt and k-inporary seats of
government."
I'ROfKlCniNilS IN THE [lOUSE OF KEI'KESENTATIVKS.
Fi"l)iiiary o, Ksl2: A message from the senate by mr. Bureau.
Mr. Speaker,— The senate have i)assed a resolution for the appointment of a committee
of three members, to bring in a bill li.xing the permanent and temporary seats of government,
in which they desire the concurrence of this house.
The house took up the resolution sent down for concurrence, for the appointment of a
committee of three members to bring in a bill fi.\ing the permanent and temporary seats of
government, and the .same being read, was committed to a committee of the whole house,
and made the order of the day for this day : Whereupon
The house, according to order, resolved itself into a conmiittee of the whole house, and
after some time spent therein, rar. Speaker resumed the chair and mr. M'Cune reported, that
the committee had under their consideration, said resolution, and had agreed to the same
with an amendment which he presented at the clerk's table, and the same being taken up
and read.
On motion of mr. T. Morris, to agree to the amendment made in committee of the whole,
by striking out Lancaster and inserting in lieu thereof Chillicolhc, and the question being
taken thereupon, it was determined in the affirmative. The yeas and nays being required
were, yeas 25 — nays 20.
Those who voted in the afhrmative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison, Evans, Foulks, Gregory, Huntington, J.
Jones, Johnston, Ludlow, Monett, M'Kinney, D. Morris, T. Morris, Newport, Pollock, Rus-
sell, Rodgers, Renick, Ross, Sharp, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 2.5.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day, Ford, Frederick, ?rame. Gass, Hooker, Hildreth,
Harman, Imlay, T. G. Jones, Jackson, Mitchell, M'Cullough, M'Cune, Newcom, Shields,
Shelby and Smith, 20.
And the said resolution being further amended,
On motion of mr. Ellison to agree to said resolution as amended : Whereupon,
On motion of mr. Jackson, to po.stpone the further consideration of said question, until
the first Monday of December ne.\t, and the question being taken thereupon, it was deter-
mined in the negative. The yeas and nays being required, were yeas 13 — nays 30.
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day, Ford, Frederick, Frame, Gass, Hildreth, Harman,
Imlay, T. G. Jones, Jackson and Mitchell, 13.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison, Evans, Foulks, Gregory, J. Jones, John-
ston, Ludlow, M'Cullough, M'Cune, Monett, M'Kinney, D. Morris, T. Morris, Newport
Newcom, Pollock, Russell, Rogers, Renick, Ross, Shields, Sharp, Shelby, Sterret, Smith, and
Corwin, (speaker) 30.
The question was then put, that this house agree to said resolution as amended ; Where-
upon,
On motion.
The house adjourned until nine o'clock, to-morrow morning
February 6, 1S12 : The house resumed the consideration of the resolution sent down for
concurrence, for the appointment of a committee of three members, to bring in a bill fixing
the permanent and temporary seats of government : Whereupon,
The motion made yesterday for agreeing to said resolution, as amended, was withdrawn.
On motion of mr. Huntington to strike out of said resolution these words, ' High Bank
on the east side of the Scioto, opposite the town of Franklinton, agreeably to the proposals of
messrs. Sterling, Kerr, M'Laughlin, and Johnston' and insert in lieu thereof, the following:
' In the town of Delaware, or on any other part of section 4, township 5, range 19 of the United
States' military tract, agreeably to the proposals of Moses Byxbe and Henry Baldwin.' A
28:2 History of the City of C'oi.umiuis.
division of the question being called for, tbe question was then taken on striking out of the
resolution the following: 'high bank, on the east side of the Scioto, opposite the town of
Franklinton. agreeably to the proposals of messrs. Sterling, Kerr, M'Laughlin and Johnston,'
and determined in the negative. The yeas and nays being required were, yeas 20 — nays 25.
Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day, Evans, Foulks, Frederick, Frame, Gass, Huntington,
Harman J. Jones, T. G. Jones, Mitchell, M'Cullough, M'Cune, Monett, T. Morris, Renick,
Sharp and Smith, 20.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison, Ford, Gregory, Hooker, Hildreth, Iiulay,
Johnston, Jackson, Ludlow. M'Kinney, D. Morris, Newport, Newcom, Pollock. Russell,
Rodgers, Ross, Shields, Shelby, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 25.
And the said resolution being further amended,
On motion of uir. Pollock to agreee to said resolution as amended ; and on the question
being taken thereupon, it was determined in the affirmative. The yeas and nays being re-
quired were, yeas 24 — nays 20. Those who voted in the affirmative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison. Evans, Ford, Gregory, J. Jones. Jolin-
ston, Ludlow, Monett, M'Kinney, P. Morris, T. Morris. Newport, Pollcok, Russell, Rodgers,
Renick, Ross, Shelby, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 24.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day, Foulks, Frederick, Frame, Gass, Hooker, Hildreth,
Huntington, Harman, Imlay, T. G. Jones, Jackson, Mitchell, M'Cullough, Jl'Cune, Newcom,
Sharp and Smith, 20.
Ordered, That mr. T. Morris do carry the said resolution, with the amendments to the
senate, and request their concurrence.
February 7, 1812: On motion.
Ordered, That a committee'of three be appointed on the part of this house, to act jointly
with the committee appointed on the part of the senate, to bring in a bill fixing the perma-
nent and temporary seats of 'government, agreeably to a resolution to that effect ; and a com-
mittee was appointed of messrs. T. Morris, Huntington, and Sterrett.
Ordered, That mr. Monett acquaint the senate therewith.
February 12, 1812: A message from the senate by Mr. Bureau.
Mr. Speaker — The senate have passed a bill, entitled An act fl.xing and establishing the
permanent and temporary seats of government,' with an amendment by way of rider, in wliich
they desire the concurrence o"f this house, Whereupon,
Said bill was read the first time.
February 13, 1812: A bill fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats
of government, was read the second time, and committed to a committee of the whole house,
and made the order of the day for this day. . . .
The house, according to order, resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, and
after sometime spent therein mr. Speaker resumed the chair and mr. Crumbacker reported,
that the committee had under their consideration a bill from the senate, entitled " An act
fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of government," and had agreed
to the same without an amendment, which he presented at the clerk's table, and the same
being taken up and amended.
On motion of mr. M'Cullough, to amend said bill striking out, in the 6th, section, second
line, the word ChilUcothe, and inserting in lieu thereof, the word Franklinton,
A division of the question being called for, the question was then taken upon striking
out the word ChilUcothe, and resolved in the negative. The yeas and nays being required
were, yeas 22 — nays 24. . . .
On motion of Mr. Jackson to amend said bill by striking out the sixth section to said
bill, as follows :
Sec. 6. Andbeit further enacted, That from and after the first day of May next, ChilU-
cothe shall be the temporary seat of government, until otherwise provided by l«w ; and the
question being taken thereupon, it was determined in the negative. The yeas and nays
being required were, yeas 21 — nays 25.
The 1'"iii{kst Settlement. -'Si
On motion of nir. Jacksmi tn miienii said liill, l>y adding' a nt-w section as a Ttli Hcction to
said Wll, as follows;
Be it further enacted, That all the public inopeity belonging to tlic state of Ohio, now in
tlie town of Zanesville. shall be taken to the town of Chillicothe at the expense of thecounty
of Ross, anything in the above recited act to the contrary notwithstanding ; and the question
being taken thereupon it was determined in the negative. The yeas and nays being requir-
ed were, yeas 10 — nays ;!(i.
[ A motion by Mr. Sharp to strike out the lirst section of the l)ill accepting the proposals
of the Starling syndicate was rejected, yeas US — nays 28].
Those who voted in the aflirniitive were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day. Foulks, Ford, Frederick, Frame, (iass, HiMrelh,
Huntington, Harman, Ijams, .Jackson, Mitcliell, McCuUough, M'Cune, .Sharp and Smith, IS.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison, Evans, Gregory, Hooker, Imlay, J. Jones,
T. G Jones, Johnston, Ludlow, Monett, M'Kinney, D. Morris, T. Morris, Newport, Newcom,
Pollock, Russell, Rogers, Renick, Ro.ss, Shields, Shelby, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 2S.
On motion of rar. T. G. Jones to amend the said bill by striking out in the first section
12th line, the words, and n peiiitentinry, and the question beingtaken thereupon, it was deter-
mined in the negative. The yeas and nays being required were yeas 15 — nays .SI.
On motion of mr. Shelby that said bill be read the third time tomorrow for its final pas-
sage, and tliei|uestion being taken thereupon it was determined in the affurmative. The yeas
and nays being required wei'e, yeas 27 — nays 17. . . .
February 14, 1812: A bill from the senate, fixing and establishing the permanent and
temporary seats of government, was read the third time : Whereupon,
On motion of mr. T. G. Jones, to recommit said bill to a committee of three members ;
and the question being taken thereupon, it was decided in the negative. The yeas and nays
being required were, yeas 1!) — nays 2(i. . . .
On motion of Mr. Huntington to amend said bill by inserting, in the (ith section and :'.ril
line, after the word until, the words following: The ti rut day nfSeptemlierin the yc^ir 1SI7, imlrxx .
and the question being taken thereupon, it was determined in the negative. The yeas and
nays being required were, yeas 1!' — nays 27. . . .
On motion of mr. Harman, to amend said bill by adding to the end of the (ith section, as
a proviso, the following : Pnnided, That tlie inhabitants of Chillicothe shall provide, at their
own expence, a State house, well furnished, for the reception of the legislature, ofliees suitable
for the treasurer, secretary and auditor of State, during the continuance of the seat of govern-
Uicnt at that place ; and the question being taken thereupon, it was determined in the nega-
tive. The yeas and nays being required were, yeas lit — nays 27. . . .
On motion that the said bill do now yass : Whereujion,
On motion of mr. Jackson, that the further consideration of said question be jiostponed
until the first Monday of December nczt; and the question being taken tbereui)on, it was
deterndned in the negative. The yeas and nays being reqmred were, yeas l.'^ — nays 28. . . .
The question was then taken, that said bill do now pass, and resolved in the allirnialive.
The yeas and nays being required were, yeas 27 — nays li). Those who voted in the alliniia-
five were,
Me.ssrs. Barr, Bell, Claypool, Edwards, Ellison, Evans. Gregory, Hooker, hnlay, J. Jones,
Johnston, Ludlow, Monett, M'Kinney, 0. Morris, T. Morris, Newport, Newcom, Pollock,
Russell, Rodgers, Renick, Ross, Shields, Shelby, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 27.
Those who voted in the negative were, Messrs, Bryson, Crumbacker. Day, Foulks, Ford,
Frederick, Frame, Gass, IliMreth, Huntington, Harman Ijams, T. G. Jones, Jackson,
Mitchell, M'Cullough, M'Cune, Sharp and Smith, 19.
On motion,
Resolved, That the title be as aforesaid.
Ordered, That mr. Edwards acquaint the senate therewith.
Messrs. Sharp, T. G. Jones and Foulks gave notice that they, with others, in due time
would enter their protest against the proceedings of this house, on the bill, entitled " An act
fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of government."
234 History ov the City of Columbus.
February 21, 1812: Mr. T. G. Jones with others, agreeably to notice heretofore given,
this day presented their protest against the proceedings of this house, on the passage of the
bill, entitled " An act fixing and establishing the permanent and temporary seats of govern-
ment.
[The protest is signed by Thomas G. Jones, William Frame, William Foulks, John Crum-
backer, Thomas Mitchell, Joseph Sharp, George Jackson, Elias Harmon, Samuel Huntington,
Thomas M'Cune, Samuel Bryson and James Smith.
The protestants object to the locating measure as " injurious to the public interest and to
the interest of individuals " for the following reasons, in substance: 1, "That if it were
necessary to establish the permanent seat of government at this early period, due regard
should l)ave been paid to the geographical centre, and to the probable future centre of popu-
lation of the State ; " 2, that the proposals accepted were not the most advantageous oH'ered,
those of Worthington and Delaware having been preferable, by reason of the " want of
building stone, mills and mill seats " and unhealthfuUness of the place cliosen ; :!, that the
legislative commission of 1810 had unanimously reported against the locality selected ; 4,
" because there was no pressing necessity for fixing the permanent seat of government at this
time; " .5, because the majority in favor of the act as passed was too small " to warrant the
forcing through so interesting a measure against the most earnest remonstrances of a respect-
able minoritv ; " 6, because the questions of temporary and permanent location were voted
upon jointly and not separately ; 7, because " the proposals accepted are ambiguous in their
nature;" S, '• because, independent of the manner in wliich the act aforesaid was carried
through both houses, we believe it to be both inexpedient and unjust to remove the tem-
porary seat of government at this time."]
7. The name Columbus is said to have been suggested by the Hon. Joseph Foos, then a
member from Franklin County. The proceedings in the General Assembly, by which the
name vcas conferred, as reported in the official journals of the house and senate, were as
follows, copied verbiilim et literatim :
In the Sen.ite— Febjuary 20, 1812 : Mr. Evans submitted to the consideration of the
.senate, the following resolution:
Remhed, by the general assembly of the stub af Ohio, That the .seat of government, in this
state shall be known and distinguished by the name of
Ordered, That the same lie for consideration.
February 21, J 812: The senate took up the resolution, giving a name to the perma-
nent seat of government, which was offered by mr. Evans. The said resolution was
amended and agreed to, as follows.
Resolved by the general assejnbly of the state of Ohio, That the town to be laid out at the High
bank, on the east side of the Scioto river, opposite the town of Franklinton, for the perma-
nent seat of government of this state, shall be known and distinguished by the name of
Columbus.
Ordered, That mr. Bureau request the concurrence of the house of representatives
therein. . . .
A message from the house <Sf representatives by mr. Barr.
Mr. Speaker — The house of representatives have passed the resolution giving a name to
the permanent seat of government.
In the House— February 20, 1812: On motion of mr. Edwards and seconded, that the
house agree to the following resolution :
Resolved, by the general assembly of the state of Ohio, That Alexander M'Laughliu, Jolin
Kerr, Lyne Starling and James Johnston, proprietors of the lands whereon a town for the
future capitol of the state of Ohio is authorized to be laid out, be, and they are hereby re-
quested to name and record the town by them to be laid out as aforesaid, by the name of
Ohio city ; and the question being taken thereupon, it was determined in the negative. The
yeas and nays being required were— yeas 19 -nays 22. Those who voted in the affirmative
were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Edwards, Ellison, Evans, Gregory, Hooker, Imlay, Ludlow,
M'Cullough, M'Kinney, D. Morris, T. Morris, Newport, Newcom, Pollock, Shields, Shelby,
and Corwin, (speaker) 19.
The Fiikest Settlement. 235
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Day, Foulks, Frederick, Fniiiie, (iass, HuntiiiKton.
Hariuan, Ijams, J. Jones, T. G. Jones, Jackson, Johnston, M'Uune, Mouett, Kiissell, Ueiiick,
Ross, Sharp, Sterret and Smith, 22.
February 21, 1812 : A message from the senate by uir. Bureau.
Mr. Speaker — The senate liave passed a resolution giving a name to the perniiineiit .seat
of government, in whicli they desire the concurrence of this house ; Wliereupon,
The liouse proceeded to consider the said resolution, and the same lieing read,
On motion that the house agree to said resolution ; and the (juestion being taken there-
ui)on, it was determined in the attirruative. The yeas and nays l)eing re(iuired were, yeas
24— nays 10. Those who voted in the atlirmative were,
Messrs. Barr, Bell, Edwards, Ellison, Evans, (Tregnry, Hooker, Inday, J. Jones, John-
ston, Ludlow, M'Cullough, Monett, M'Kinney, Newport, Newconi, Pollock, Kussell. Rogers,
Kenick, Ross, Shelby, Sterrett and Corwin, (speaker) 24.
Those who voted in the negative were,
Messrs. Bryson, Crumbacker, Foulks, Ford, Frederick, Frame, Gass, Jackson, Mitchell,
and M'Cune, 10
Ordered, That mr. Barr acquaint the senate therewith.
8. Act of January 27, 1814.
9. A. A. Graham, in the Magazine of WeMern History for March, 1885.
10. Directory of the City of Columbus; by E. Glover and William Henderson. 1800.
11. Western Intelligencer.
12. Read before the Franklin County Pioneer Association in April, 1871.
13. The following notice appeared in the Western Intelligencer of December 12, 181i):
" My bridge across the Scioto River, between Franklinton and Columbus is eomplete<l. The
gates will be closed on the first of December next. But they shall be opened at suitable hours
on Sundays and days of Thanksgiving, and a passage on the bridge free to all persons going
to and returning from divine worship, and to members of the Legislature, when going to or
returning from the General Assembly of the state of Ohio. And at all times free to funeral
processions and on such other occasions, and to such other persons as I may deem expedient.
Permits for passage on the bridge by the year may be had on reasonable terms.
Lucas Sulliv.vnt."
'• November 2o, islti.
CHAPTER X
THE FIRST WAR EPISODE.
The beginning of the Cohimbus settlement was eoincident with that of the
second war with Great Britain. The opening sale of lots by the Franklinton
syndicate took place Jnne 18, 1812; on the same day the formal declaration of
war was signed by President Madison. No telegraph flashed the news of what
had been done at Washington, and the sale of lots went tranquilly on as if noth-
ing particular had happened. Yet the war was by no means unexpected, and its
dechiration, when it became generally- known some weeks later, caused no
surprise. Under the lead of Tecumseh, the Indian tribes of the Northwest, insti-
gated, it is said, by British emissaries and acting as British substitutes, had
actually begun hostilities during the preceding summer. On the seventh of
November, 1811, Tecumseh's followers led by his prophet brother, Elskwatawa,
had attacked General Harrison, the trovernor of Indiana Territory, in his camp
on the Tippecanoe, and had been defeated. This chastisement had quieted the
malcontent tribes for the time being, but as soon as "war was declared they rallied
again under the British standard.
In anticipation of the war. Congress, during its session of 181112, provided
for the increase of the regular army to thirtyiivQ thousand troops, and the muster
of a large force of twelve-months volunteers. Pursuant to these measures. Gover-
nor Meigs, of Ohio, began in the spring of 1812 the organization of three volunteer
regiments, and General William Hull, then Governor of Michigan Territory,
proceeded to collect a force, consisting mostly ol' Ohio troops, Ibr the invasion of
Canada West. Hull had served creditably, though without distinction, in the War
of Independence, and was believed to be patriotic and capable. He was appointed
commander-in-chief of the western department.
Under the immediate supervision of Governor Meigs the Ohio regiments,
numbered one, two and three, assembled at Dayton, Urbana and Franklinton, and
were commanded, respectively, by Duncan McArthur, James Findlay and Lewis
Cass. After organization, these regiments marched to Urbana, where the Fourth
Eegulars, a regiment which had participated in the battle of Tippecanoe, had
taken post the preceding autumn. On the tenth of June the volunteers gave a
formal salutation to the veteransof the Fourth, in whose honor a " green arch" was
erected, on one side of which was displayed the word Tippecanoe with the painted
effigy of an eagle's nest, and on the other side the word Cilorii. " The Fourth
Regiment marched alone under the arch."'
On the eighth of June Governor Meigs and General Hull held a conference
with various Indian chiefs in the woods near Urbana, and closed an agreement
The FiiisT War Ki'isopk, 237
with them b}- whicli Hull was to he permitted to o|)en a road IVoni (he Ci-fi'inillc
treaty line to the loot ot tlie Maumee Rapids, and to protect the route with a chain
of bloclvhouses twenty miles apart.'' Immediately after these stipiilatioii.s were
sitjned the little army, with Hull in command, began its mareii, led by the First
Regiment, which built Blockhouse McArthur about twenty miles north of Urbana,
and the same distance further on. Blockhouse Necessity.' Passing the First, the
Second Regiment pushed on and erected Fort Findlay. Nearly the whole eounti'y
through which the army passed was covered with a dense forest through which
a passage had to be cleared for the wagons and artillery. In the Black Swamp,
through which the column floundered with great ditticulty, several of the heavily-
loaded vehicles became hopelessly mired. Hull reached the Maumee June HO,
floated his command over that river in boats, and on July fifth arrived at Detroit.
Seven days later he crossed into Canada, from which, after issuing a boastful proc-
lamation, he withdrew on the eighth of August to Detroit, which stronghold, to-
gether with all Michigan, he surrendered, on the sixteenth, to the British com-
mander-in-chief, General Brock.
The announcement of this cowardly capitulation contained in the Frcciiuiii's
Chronicle, of September 5, 1S12, caused great consternation in Franklinton.
"Such an unlooked-for and astounding blow almost paralyzed the country' and
created great alarm, for many of the Indian tribes, encouraged by. this untoward
event, and urged by the British agents, now openly took sides against us. Months
of apprehension supervened, and a feverish anxiety infected the whole community,
for Franklinton was really a frontier settlement and the inhabitants were in con-
stant dread lest by some sudden attack, their hou.ses should be given to the flames,
and their wives and little ones fall a prey to the tomahawk and scalping-knile.
. . . Indian alarms were frequent, and on such occasions the terrified settlers
from up Darby Creek, Sells's settlement on the Scioto, from Delaware and Worth-
ington and the adjacent regions came flocking into Franklinton, and at one time a
ditch and stockade was commenced around the Courthouse, to convert it into a
citadel."^ To guard against surprise, Mr. Lucas Sullivant kept two experienced
scouts on duty as far north as the present village of Zancsticld, in Logan County,
to give warning of any hostile approach.
Governor Meigs exerted himself with great energy in forvvardin"- volunteers
to meet the new emergency. .\ number of the UrlimiK Wntdi '/'o/r,/, i.ssued earU-
in September, says : " Troops are daily arriving here, at Pii|ua and Delaware and
continually pressing on to the frontiers, right and left. Great exertions are mak-
ing to meet the savages. . . . Captain McNamara's company of mounted rifle-
men started this day for Fort Wayne, to reinforce that post, (tovernor Meigs is
here, and will make this headquarters."
Governor Charles Scott, of Kentucky, was e(jually active in ])usliing to the
front the militia of that State. To lead the Kentucky regiments ordered to Michi-
gan, Governor Scott selected the victor of Tippecanoe, General William II. Harri-
son, who overtook the troops assigned to his command while on Iheii' northward
march, south of Dayton, which place the\- reached September 1. On Ihethii-I oC
that month Harri.son arrived at Piqua, from whence he issued the iMluwing siiriini;
appeal, dated " September 5, 1812, Four o'clock a. .m."
Mounted Volunteei-s ! —I requested you in my late address [.September 2] to rendezvous at
Dayton on the fifteenth instant. I have now a more pressing call for your services ! The
238 History of the City op Columbus.
British and Indians liave invaded our country, and are now besieging (perhaps have taken)
Fort Wayne. Every friend of his country who is able so to do, will join rue as soon as possi-
ble, well mounted with a good rifle, and twenty or thirty days provision. Ammunition will
be furnished at Cincinnati or Dayton, and tlie volunteers will draw provisions (to save their
salted meat) at all the public deposits. The Quarter-Masters and Commissaries will see that
this ordered is executed.
G-enei-al Harrison delivered Fort Wayne from siege on the twelfth of September,
and on the twenty-fourth received a dispatch of the seventeenth appointing him to
the chief command of the Northwestern Army. On assuming that command, he
found the troops in summer dress, unprovided witli socks or mittens, and very
meagerly supplied with blankets. He therefore appealed to the patriotic people
of Ohio and Kontuckj' to contribute the articles of clothing necessary to protect
their defenders from the inclemency of winter. '' Can any patriot sleep easy in
his bed of down," he pleaded, " when he reflects upon the situtation of a eentinel
exposed to the cold of a winter night in Canada, in a linen hunting shirt? Will
the amiable fair sex suffer their brave defenders to be mutilated by the frost for
the want of mittens and socks which they can with little exertion jirocure for
them?"
To collect supplies and organize troops more effectively for the expected winter
campaign, General Harrison transferred to General James Winchester the com-
mand at Fort Defiance, to which point he had pushed his advance, and proceeded
thence, vin Wooster to Franklinton. Thei'e wc find him addressing a communi-
cation to the War Department, on the thirteenth of October. At Chillicothei
which he visited on the sixteenth, he declined a public dinner tendered him, saying
the soldiers of his command, "already far advanced into the wilderness," were suf-
fering for necessary supplies, and that "it would not be very agreeable to those
brave fellows to learn that their general was feasting in the rear at the time when
they were confined to a bare sufficiency of the coarsest food."
In the execution of his plans for retaking Detroit, General Harrison proposed
to establish a depot of supplies at Sandusky, concenti-ate his forces by different
routes at the Maumec Rupids, and advance with this united column to the River
Raisin. Three different lines of concentration and supply were adopted, the most
westerly passing around the Black Swamp by the valleys of the Auglaize and
Maumee, and the others leading through it. The Virginia troops, forming, with
the Pennsj'lvanians, the right wing, crossed the Ohio at the mouth of the Great
Kanawha, marched across the country to Chillicothe, and thence pa.ssed up the
valley of the Scioto r/V( Franklinton and Delaware to Upper Sajulusky. Incon-
sequence of this arrangement, Franklinton became an important rendezvous and
depot of supplies. On the twentyfifth of (October General Harrsion hold a con-
ference there with brigadier-generals Perkins and Beall, of whom the first had
been assigned to the command of a brigade of Oliio militia encamped on the
Huron. A brigade of Virginians un<k'r General rjeflwicli ari'ivcil a( Delaware
November 6, and was met tiiere by Harrison who had incaiiwliilc ):)ersonally
reconnoitered the Black Swamp, and ordered Perk-ins to buikl tlii'ough its oozy
and dismal confines a practicable road. A brigade of Penn.sylvanians had arrived
at Mansfield.
Franklinton had bj' this time become a bustling center of war preparations.
The Freeman's Chronicle of (October 31 saj's : " Our town begins to assume quite a
TitK First Wah Eimsot.k. 239
iiiilitarj' iippertrauce. Six or .scvi'ii huiiiirc(l trooiis ai'c already licrt'. Two com-
panies of Pennsylvania troops are expected in a few days, and we looi{ daily for
the arrival of one hundred U. S. Dragoons from Kentucky. The foi-ce to be col-
lected at this place will ho nearl\' three thousaTid. How long llioy will remain has
not been ascertained. "
The same issue of the Cliroiiirl, contains the ti)llowing items of ininoi- miliiary
mention :
General Harrison left this jilace on Tiiesilay niornin;; for Maiislield, acciimiiaiiieil liy
(ienerals Beall and Perkins.
Captain Garrard's troop of horse arrived here on Monday.
Uolonel Simrall's regiment arrived on Wednesday.
Major Ball, of the U. S. Army, arrived the same day.
A company of U. S. troops under Captain Elliott arrived yesterday.
About one hundred regulars, from Piqua, with three pieces of artillery, arrived today,
and fired a salute.
The Virginia troops arrived some days ago at Chillicothe, They are exiiected here on
Wednesday next.
The same paper of November 7 saj's :
The Virginia troops under General Leftvvich arrived here on Monday evening, and
marched on Wednesday for Delaware, where they still remain. Two companies of Pennsyl-
vania volunteers under Captains Butler and Alexander arrived in town on Friday.
The Chronich of November 17 contains these items:
General Harrison arrived in town on Thursday evening from Delaware, and was received
with the military honors due to liis rank.
On Friday afternoon Ins excellency the Governor arrived here from Marietta, aixl was
.saluted by Captain Cushing's company of artillery.
Major Benson, of the Virginia line, pa.ssed through here a few days ago, to take com-
mand of a battalion now at Delaware.
Several hundred stand of arras for the Kentucky cavalry were received here on Fridav.
All the troops at this place paraded on the public square yesterday, and were reviewed
by his excellency Governor Meigs, accompanied by General Harrison and his slali'.
To intimidate the Indians, who had been emboldened by various minor suc-
cesses, and to clear his left flank, (General Harrison dispatched an expedition
against the Miami villages on the Massassiniway, one of the tributaries of the
Wabash. The expeditionary detachment comprised Colonel Siim-aH's Kentiuk-\-
regiment of six months volunteer dragoons, Major James V. Hall's s<piadrnii of
United States dragoons. Captain Elliott's eompanj^ of the Nineteenth (inited
States Infantry, a small companj' of volunteer riflemen from the neighborhood of
Grecnsburg, Pcnnsjdvania, under Captain Alexander, a company of Pittsburgh vol-
unteer light infantry under Captain James Butler, Captain Marklcy's troop of
horse, from Westmoreland (!ounty, Ponn.sylvania ; Lieutenant Lee's detachment
of Michigan militia, and Cajitain Garrard's troop of horse from fjexingtoii, Ken-
tucky. This combined force, in all six hundred strong, was mostly moiinteil. and
was led by Lieutenant-Colonel .lohn B. Campbell, of the Nineteenth United States
Infantry. The expedition was organized at Franklinton, and marched thence
via Xenia to Da3'ton, where it was detained several days in procuring horses. The
7'>(rw(0('.s C/(/vjh/(7c of December ."), 1812. thus notes its (li'])artnri' : -'On the eigh-
teenth ult.. between six and seven liiindre'l lri>ii|is, under the coinniancl of Colimel
Campbell, of the United States Army, left this jdaco .m a secr.'t exiiedition, '
240 History op the City of Golumbos.
By forced marcbes in severelj' cold weutlier, Colonel Campbell succeeded in
surprising the Indians in their villages near the present site of Muncie, Indiana.
The savages made a counter attack the following day, December 18, but were
again routed. The Fimmii,'^ ('hmnirlr^ of December 3i>, 1812, gives the following
account of these battles, derived from Captain Hite, who had "just arrived, express
from Colonel Campbell's detachment" :
On the seventeentb, after marching all night, Colonel Campbell, with his command,
arrived at one of the Massassineway towns, and instantly charged upon the town, drove the
savages across the Massassineway River, killed seven of them, and took thirtyseven prisoners.
Only two of our men were killed in this skirmish. . . .
On the eighteenth, before daybreak, the horrid savage yell was heard, the word was
given (0 or;H.s, and a most desperate contiict commenced. Captain Pierce, of the Zanesville
troop, was killed at the first onset, while standing guanl. He is represented to have behaved
gallantly and died nobly. Lieutenant Waltz of Captain Markley's company, from Greens
burg, Pa., was shot through the arm and not being satisfied with that, he again endeavored
to mount his horse, and in making the effort was shot through the head. His death was
glorious. Captain Trotter, while charging with fury upon the enemy, was wounded in the
hand. Lieutenants Basey and Hickman were slightly wounded. A great number of horses
were killed. The action continued with unabated fury for one hour, when the savages were
routed, and driven in all directions. ... On receipt of the above pleasing intelligence,
several rounds were fired by Captain Cushing's Artillery company now at this place. '^
Colonel Campbell's loss was eight killed and twentysix wounded. The Indian
loss in killed was supposed to be thirty or forty. As Tecumseh was reported to be
in the neighborhood with five or six hundred warriors, Campbell prudently with-
drew to Greenville, and thence by slow marches to Franklinton, where he arrived
early in January. Many of his horses were nearly starved, and one hundred and
eighty of his men were frostbitten.
On the second of January, 1813, General Harrison announced Colonel Camp-
bell's success in congratulatory general orders issued from the Headquarters of the
Northwestern Army at Franklinton. Until December 30, the headquarters had
been at Up|)er Samlusky, or rather wherever the Commander-in-chief happened to
halt for a brief interval between his rapid and frequent movements. The follow-
ing contemporary items of military news are taken from the Frcemdii's Chronicle o{
the dates given :
December 5 — About one hundred cavalry of General Crook's Brigade of Pennsylvania
militia arrived here from Mansfield on Tuesday last.
Four thousand six hundred and fortyeight large fat hogs have been driven from this
neighborhood within a few days, destined for the Rapids, for the use of the Northwestern
Army.
December 30 — General Harrison's Headquarters are now at Upper Sandusky. A regi-
ment and an odd battalion of the Virginia troops are encamped at that place. The remain-
der of the Virginians are at Delaware ; the Pennsylvanians were on their march from .Vlans-
fleld to Upper Sandusky.
An elegant volunteer company from Petersburg, Virginia, have arrived .it Chillicothe.
They are expected in this town in a few days. They are commanded liy t'aiitaiii .McRae,
brother of the Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia. . . . Since the above was put in type,
General Harrison arrived here from Upper Sandusky, and proceeded to Chillicothe. He will
return in a few days to Sandusky.
Januarys, LSI?. — Captain Cushing's company of Artillery inarched from this place on
the first instant for Sandusky; but owing to the e.vtrenio inclemency of the weather they
have yet progressed no further than Worthington, nine miles from here.
-^^^..^
TuK KiKsT War Kpisohk. 2tl
The company of Petcrslmrj;, Va., X'olmitoers arrived Inn' on Saturday last, in f;iind
liealtli andsiiirits. . . . (u'licral Harrison is still at this plaoi'.
Colonel Campbi'll and AlexaniU'r, with their companies, have returned here from
Mississiniway.
A company of regulars, under Captain Bradford, arrived liere a few days ai,'o from
Cincinnati.
January lo— A comjiany of U. S. Infantry arrived liere on Sunday fnnii Chillieotlie.
There are now at this place four companies of regulars, and three eojn panics of twelve months
volunteers. It is said they will not remain here many days.
We are asked every day wlien tlie army will move for Detroit ? Omniscience alone can
solve the ipiestion.
The public stores wliicli are daily arriving at and forwarded from this place to tlie Head-
quarters of the army are immense. Nevertheless it is said that there is but a small i|Uantity
of forage at Upper .Sandusky.
The weather, for some days past, has been extremely c<ild, the ^'round very bard frozen,
and transportation thereby rendered tolerably easy.
In pursuance of the plans for a winter cani]iaii;n, on wliicli (icneral Ilarrisoti
was still bent, General Winchester advanced Iroin Fort Defiance to the .Maumee
Rapiils where he arrived January 10, and estalilislied a fortified camp near the
scene of Wayne's battle. Here Winchester was visited by messengers from French-
town, on the River Raisin, twenl^'six miles soiitli of Detroit, invoking his protec-
tion against the Indians who threatoned to ravage the settlement. In comi)lianco
with these requests, Colonel Lewis was dis])atohed on the morning of January 17
with five hundred and fifty Kentuckians, followed a few hours later by a detach-
ment one hundred and ten strong, under Colonel Allen. With a loss of twelve
killed and tift^'five wounded, Ijcwis dislodged and routed the enemy at French-
town, to which point Winchester immediately inarched forward with an additional
force of two hundred and fifty men. On the morning of January 22, Winchester
and Lewis were surprised, outflanked and routed by a superior force of British and
Indians from Maiden under General Proctor. Five hundred and fifty of the
Americans were captured, two hundred and ninety others were killed or missing.
The wounded were left to the mercy of the Indians by Proctor, and were massacred.
Among the victims were man}- representatives of the most prominent families in
Kentuckj-. Winchester and Lewis were both taken captive.
The movement which resulted in this terrible disaster seems to have lieon
made without specific authority from (Icneral Harrison," who, as soon us lie heard
of Winchesters advance, rushed through the Black Swamp with a reinforcement
from Upper Sandusky, but arrived too late. Fugitives from Winchester's army
announced its complete destruction, leaving nothing further to be done but to bring
forward the available troops, and concentrate tlicm at tlic Rapids, which was
accordingly- done during the weeks next following. As the term of enlistment of
the two Ohio brigades, and some of the Pennsylvania and Kentucky regiments,
would expire in February, all further thought ot a winter campaign against
Detroit was abandoned. As the position at the Rapids was a key point and an ad-
vantageous ba.se for future operations Captain Wood, of the Engineers, was ordered
to fortify it, and constructed a system of jialisadcs and blockhouses which took the
nftme of Fort Meigs. Wood's own nanu' was afterwards given to the county in
which the tort was located.
10
242
History op the City of Columbus.
"I
of the il
rafte.l
militia,
iiikUt
(Vilonel Stevon-
Several i:
UOlf ill
■afte.l 1.1
,cn arr
y.'t li.Te, ana
The First Wak Kims(ii>k. 2i:i
The news of Winchester's defeat, and the atrocious bulciiorv of iiis vvoinuiod
soldiers, produced widespread amazement and horror. Ail Kontiiclcy was in
mourning for its murdered sons, and all Ohio in apprehension of Indian raids and
murders along the frontier. A draft was ordered, and a ]>roclaniatioii issued hy
Governor Meigs calling tor throe inoiiths' voliinti'iu-s, the tirst divisicin to
rendezvous at Urbana, the second aiui third at Fraiiklinton, and the lourth at
Upper Sandusky. The Fht in mi's r/,,„„„/,(illiiis period contains the following
current militarj- notes :
February 19 — (iovernor Meigs has arrived in town to organize and facilitate the iiiove-
nient of tlie drafted militia now assembliiii; lieie. Three companies are now enraiiiped in
this vicinity.
March 5 — About two hundred and fiftx
son, left here last week for Upper Samlusky.
will march soon.
Captain Garrard's troo]) arrived here last week, and started soon afterwards for San-
dusky, but have since been ordered to Lebanon where the whole of Major Ball's squadron
will remain for some time.
March 1!)— We have heard of no persons arriving from the Rapids for some days. The
road through the Black Swamp is said to be utterly imiiassable.
General Harrison left here on Monday last for (^hillicothe, from whence he will go Cin-
cinnati, and perhaps to Kentucky.' He had iireviously received notice of his appointment as
.\fajor-Oeneral.
About one hundred drafted militia, under the command of Major I'itzer, iiiarcheil from
here on Monday for St. Mary's, (icneral Wiuiu'atc anil suite left here on Sunday for St.
Mary's.
March 2(i — There are no troops now at this place. ( )winj; lo the late rise of the waters,
and the consequent badness of the roads, no trauspoitaliun of l'oia;;e m- militia sinrcs can,
for the present, be effected.
April !) — Cincinnati, April :'.. < )n Tuesday last (iencnil llarrisiui left Ibis place lor the
Hapids of the Miami of the Lakes.
April 23— His excellency. Governor Meigs, arrived here on Tuesday, to organize and
facilitate the inarch of some independent companies, which have been ordered to rendez-
vous here immediately. Part of a company of riflemen arrived here the same dav from
Cirdeville.
April 30 — Within the last week the following companies of Ohio militia, recently
ordered out by his excellency the (Jovernor, arrived at this place, viz: Captain Mcfonnell's
company from Zanesvillc, Captain Kwing's from Lancaster, Captain Brush's from Chilli-
cothe. Captain Harjjer's from Paint Creek, and Captain McElvaine's from Fayette County.
These five companies will form one handsome battalion of upwards of two hundred, and will
be commanded by Captain Brush, of the Chillicothe Guards, who is the senior captain.
They will march this day for Upper Sandusky, where they will he stationed to protect the
vast quantity of public stores deposited at that place. The Governor will coiiiluct them as
far as Delaware.
May 7— By exprees from Fort Findlay, we understand that at that place, lauiionadiiii;
was distinctly heard, from the first instant, in the morninj;, to the third. Fur the tirst
twenlyfour hours it was incessant. . . . Governor Meigs was at Delaware when the
news was first received — who immediately gave orders for mounted men to proceed with all
possible dispatch. . . . Captain Vance's company [the Franklin Dragoons] of Cavalry
left this place yesterday morning under Lieutenant Grate, destined for Upper Sandusky,
where, we understand. His Excellency Governor Meigs will concentrate all the forces now
collecting from this part of the state. We iimlerstand bis excellency will command in
person ; if so, we have the greatest relyance on his courage ami eiiterpri8<-. We helieve (iov-
ernor Meigs will do his duty.
244 History op the City op CoLijMBits.
The firing heard at Port Findlay was that of the siege of Fort Meigs, begun
on the twentjeighth of April by a force of British and Indians three or four
thousand strong under Proctor and Tecumseh. Returning northward from Cin-
cinnati, by way of the Auglaize Valley, General Harrison arrived at the Fort
April 11, and assumed command of the garrison in person. Ball's Dragoons, from
Lebanon, and a force of mounted Kentuckians had reached there before him.
General Green Clay was approaching at the head of an additional Kentucky force
when the enemy opened his batteries on the third of May. Aided by sorties from
the fort. Clay cut his way into it on the fifth. Having lost several of his batteries
and some hundreds of men killed, wounded or prisoners. Proctor abandoned the
siege on the ninth, and disappeared down the Maumce. Satisfied that he would
not soon return, General Harrison rode to Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, where
he met Governor Meigs with a large force of Ohio militia pushing to the front.
Passing on by way of Upper Sandusky and Delaware to Franklinton, the General
found the entire route strewn with Ohio troops marching to the relief of the
beleaguered fort.* The services of these men not being immediately needed, their
organizations were disbanded much to their chagrin, by an order issued by General
Harrison at Franklinton, May 16.
A call for the enlistment of a troop of fifty mounted men for thirty days, to
assist in the relief of Fort Meigs, was published iu Franklinton on the seventh of
May, signed by Joseph Poos," Brigadier-General Fourth Brigade, Second Division,"
of the Ohio militia. During the preceding autumn General Poos had commanded
a detachment from the Second Division, stationed at "the Plains of Sandusky."
His call for dragoon recruits appealed especially to " the patriotism of the young
men of Franklin County," but the troop could scarcely have been equipped or even
organized prior to General Harrison's disbanding order of May 16.
Another Franklinton organization is thus referred to in the GhronicJe of May 28 :
A part of Captain Vance's company of Franklin Dragoons detached at Lower Sandusky,
to accompany the Governor from that place to Cleveland, have returned. . . . Captain
Vance is appointed to the command of the garrison at Lower Sandusky.
General Cass arrived at Franklinton on the twenty.sevcnth, and Major Ball's
squadron of cavalry on the twentyeighth of May.
Further attempts to retake Deti'oit being disallowed by the War Department
until Commodore Perry's naval force, then being equipped at Presque Isle, now
Erie, should be ready to sweep the lake. General Harrison made a hasty tour of
inspection southward to Chillicothe and Cincinnati, but soon returned to Frank-
linton, following the Tvventyfburth United States Infantry, which he ordered
thither from Newport. The Twentyfourth, Colonel Anderson, had been recruited
in Tennessee.
Riding ahead of the Twentyfourth, wiiich came in a day later, General Harrison
arrived at Franklinton June 6, and immediately invited a conference there with
dejjutations from the neutral Indian tribes whose services he was very anxious to
enlist in the American cause. The conference was held June 21, 1813, on the
grounds of Lucas Sullivant, and is thus described in the SiiUmmt Fitviily Memorial :
The Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot and Seneca tribes were represented by about fifty of
the chiefs and warriors. General Harrison represented the Government, a,nd with him were
his staff and a brilliant array of officers in full uniform. Behind was a detachment of soldiers.
TiiK FiKST Wak Episode. 245
In his front wi're tlic Imlians. Arounil all were the inhabitants of tlic ro{,'ion far and nuar,
with many a mother ami mai<l, as interested spectators.
Tlie General began to speak in calm and measured tones befitting the grave occasion,
but an undefined oj>pression seemed to hold all in suspense, as, with silent and almost
breathless attention, they awaited the result of the General's words, which seemed to fall on
dull ears, as the Indian.s sat with unmoved countenances and smoked on in stolid silence.
At length the persuasive voice of the great commander struck a responsive chord, and, when
Tarhe, or Crane, the great Wyandot chief, slowly rose to his feet, and, standing for a moment
in a graceful and commanding attitude, made a brief reply, and then, with others, pressed
forward to grasp the hand of Harrison, in token, not only of amity but in agreement to stand
as a barrier on our exposed border, a terrible doubt and apprehension was lifted from the
hearts of all. Jubilant shouts rent the air, women wept for joy, and stalwart men thrilled
with pleasure as they now thought of the assured safety of their wives and children from a
cruel and stealthy foe, and they prepared at once, with cheerful alacrity, to go forth to the
impending battles.'
Durinij this sojourn of Genci'al Harrison's an event of a tragical nature took
place in Franklinlon. The r7(/-o»/r/, of June Ki, 1813, contains the following ac-
count of it :
AwKiii. Scene. — A man named William Fish, a private in Captain Hopkins's company of
U. S. Light Dragoons, was SHOT at this place on Saturday last for the crime of desertion and
threatening the life of his captain. We never before witnessed so horrid a spectacle ; and can-
not, in justice to our feelings, attempt a description of it. Three other privates, who were
condemned to death by the same court martial, were pardoned by General Harrison. The
last who was pardoned had been previously conducted to his coffin, and the cap placed over
his eyes, in which situation he remained until Fish was shot; his reprief was then read.
In the Chronidc of the same date are found these items:
The Twentyfourth Regiment of U. 8. Infantry marched from this place on Sundav last
for Cleveland, by way of Lower Sandusky.
General Harrison's Headquarters are still at Franklinton.
The affairs of the Northwestern Army begin to assume a new aspect. It will hereafter
be composed principally, if not solely, of regular troops. The route by the way of the Rapids
has been very properly abandoned. Measures are taking to transport the public stores now
at this place to Cleveland.
By this time startling news began to arrive again from the north, where
General Claj- had been left in command of Fort Meigs. The Freeman's Chroniele
of June 26 contains the following announcement which must have caused groat
apprehension :
HiOHLY Import .\nt! — An express arrived here on Wednesday afternoon from Fort
Meif.'S, with despatches from General Clay to General Harrison, stating that certain informa-
tion had been received that FOUR THOUSAND INDIANS had collected at Maiden — that
fifteen hundred British regulars and militia were on their march to, or had arrived at Mai-
den — and that an immediate attack was meditated on Fort Meigs, or the posts in rear of that
Fort. General Harrison supposes that Lower Sandusky will be the first point of attack.
On the receipt of this intelligence, all the troops at this post were immediately ordered
to march for Lower Sandusky. They marched this morning. Colonel Anderson's regiment
have been ordered to halt on this side of Lower Sandusky. General Harrison started yester-
day morning and will overtake Colonel Anderson this evening.
On the first of July a courier from Upper Sandusky ai-rivcd in Franlclinton
bringing a report that Fort Jfcigs, Lower Sandusky and Cleveland had all been
attacked by Indians. These rumors caused great anxiety until contradicted by
later information published in an extra issue of the Chronicle July 5. In this issue
246 History of the City of Columbus.
it was stated that General Harrison had arrived at Fort Meigs on the twentyeighth,
that the post had not even been threatened, and that Colonel Johnson's mounted
regiment had made a reconnoissance to the Eiver Eaisin, but had discovered no
enemy. A band of about one hundred Indians, prowling about Lower Sandusky,
had killed a couple of straggling dragoons, and massacred a family near the fort,
then disappeared. Major Croghan, with nearly five hundred regulars, was sta-
tioned at the Broad Ford, seventeen miles from Lower Sandusky, ready to move
to any point which might be endangered. The State militia ordered out by
Governor Meigs during the alarm wore dismissed again to their homes.
His presence not being required at Port Meigs, General Harrison passed over
to Lower Sandusky, and thence, under escort of Bali's cavalry, to Cleveland, where
the Secretary of War had ordered boats to be built for transporting the army across
the lake. At Cleveland Harrison exchanged communications with Perry at
Presque Isle, and received orders from Washington to call out the militia. Large
quautitiesof army stores were forwarded from Franklintoh to Lower Sandusky by
Quartermaster-General Bartlett.
Eeturningto the Sandusky River, Hai'rison wa.s intercepted by a courier from
Clay announcing that a foi'ce five thousand stroni:, under Proctor, had ascended tlie
Maumee in boats July 20, and was confronting Fort Meigs. A reassuring message
went back to Clay, borne by his messenger. Captain McCune. Harrison suspected
that the movement on Fort Meigs was only a feint to cover a descent on one of the
Sanduskys, or Cleveland. He therefore took his station at Seneca Town, on the
Sandusky, whence he could readily move to any point likely to be threatened.
Nine miles below, where Fremont now stands, a small stockade had been built on
a tract of land reserved as a trading station in Wayne's treaty of Greenville. At
the time Harrison took post at Seneca Town, this work was known as Fort
Stevenson, and was held by a garrison of one hundred and sixty men under Major
George Croghan, a young Kentucky ofBcer of twentyone years, nephew to General
George Rogers Clark.
After various ineffestual attemuts to decoy General Clay out of Fort Meigs,
Proctor reembarked his white soldiers and sailed down the lake, while Tecuraseh,
with some thousands of warriors, crossed the Black Swamp toward the Sandusky
River. On the twentyninth the Indians swarmed out of the woods along the river,
and appeared in front of Harrison's camp. Deeming Fort Stevenson untenable, Har-
rison ordei'ed Croghan to abandon it, and withdraw to Seneca Town. Croghan
replied to this command that he was resolved to hold the fort, and was thereupon
summoned to headquarters to answer for disobedience. Resjjonding promjjtly to
this summons, Croghan appeared before General Harrison, and so clearly proved
that it would be more hazardous to abandon the fort than to attempt to hold it,
that he was permitted to resume bis command, and execute his own plans. His
defense of Fort Stevenson against the assaults of a force seven or eight times as
great as his own, forms one of the most brillant episodes of the War of 1812.
Croghan was the Corse of that war, and Fort Stevenson its AUatoona Pass. As-
cending the river on the thirtyfirst of July, Proctor began his assaults on the
first of August, and renewed them on the second, but was on both daj's disastrously
repulsed. During the night of the second, he drew oif in disorderly I'etreat, leav-
ing the escarpments, ditches and clearings around the fort strewn with his dead
The First War Episode.
HAKKI.SON ELM AND HAWKES HOSPITAL, FBANKLINTON. THE KENTUCKY TROOPS UNDER CiOVKKNfK
SHELBY WEltE ENCAMPEU ON THE MOUND ON WHICH THE HOSPITAL STANDS.
Photograph by F. H. Howe, 1894.
248 History of the City of Columbus.
and wounded, luimbering, in all, about one hundred and fifty. Croghan lo^^t but
eight men. On the thirteenth of August, the ladies of Chillicothe sent him a
complimentary letter accompanied by the present of a sword.
The rumors and reports which reached Franklinton during these events were
of the liiost stilling cliaractir. The State militia, disbanded onlj' a month before,
and iKiw mostly busied willi the harvest, promptly took the field again at the sum-
mons of Guveriior Meig.s. I'hc Freenuin's Chrvniclr. of July 30, says:
The militia are rushing forward from all (luarters of the State. Thousands are already in
advance of this plate, and thousands are on the march to the rear. It is impossible to
ascertain the number of troops assembled and assembling throughout the State. Between
six and seven thousand would be a moderate calculation. Even liis Excellency the Governor,
who arrived here three or four days ago, and has been engaged day and night in the organi-
zation of the militia, is still ignorant of what number of troops are in motion through the
State. Upwards of three thousand have passed through here within the last two days, and
we hourly hear of hundreds of others on the march.
On the authority of Captain Vance, who had ju.st returned from the Sandusky,
the Ghronide of August 13 says :
General Harrison is at Seneca Town with between thirteen hundred and two thousand
men, principally regulars. All the militia, except two regiments, will be sent home in a few
days. The Governor will go to Seneca previously to his return, which will be in a few days.
The Franklin Dragoons will accompany him.
The emei'gency for which the Ohio volunteers were called out on this,occasion
was soon over, but their blood was up, and they were anxious to fight it out with
Proctor this time, and make an end of British invasion. Unfortunately they had
enlisted for only forty days, a period entirely too short to make their services
available for the autumn campaign then being planned. They were therefore dis-
missed and sent home again, to their profound disgust. The Freeman's Ghronide
of August 20 says:
Some thousands passed through here within the last week. Most of those who returned
are extremely bitter against Governor Meigs and General Harrison. They say tbey were
called out and marched' contrary to their will, without proper authority or an adequate
emergency ; and complained that when they arrived at Sandusky they were not permitted
to proceed and terminate the northwestern campaign by one strong and decisive effort.
But, notwithstanding these complaints, whenever volunteers were needed, as
happened again some weeks later, they were obtained. In Franklinton so liberal
was the resjDonse to the call of patriotism that there was sometimes scarcely an
able-bodied man left.
The Chronicle of August 20, 1S13, contains this long-looked- for news:
Commodore Perry writes to the Secretary of War, August 4, 1813, 9 p. m. : I have
great pleasure in informing you that I have succeeded in getting over the bar the United
States vessels, the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Tigress, and
Porcupine. The enemy have been in sight all day and are now about four leagues from us.
We shall sail in pursuit of them at three tomorrow morning.
Perry's brilliant victory over the British fleet on the tenth of September; the
capture of Maiden by Harrison's army (transported across the lake by Perry) on
the twentj'eighth; and the victory of that army over Proctor and Tecumseh on the
Thames Eiver in Canada October 5, practically ended the war in Ohio. After these
events the military operations in the Northwestern Department consisted mainly
TUK FlKST WaI! KiMsoiiK. 240
in guarding; tlio li-oiilior, wliicli was ihine iiiKicr tlu' ilirrution uf llrigailirr-C Jeiiorul
Diinean MeArtbur. General Jlarrison resigned liis niililaiy coinniission, and wa8
elected to Congress from the Cincinnati district. In March, 1814, Governor
Meigs was a)ipointed rostniastcr-G'enoral, resigned the tiovcrnorsiiii>, and was
siiecee.ied llier.-iii hy Olhiiiel Lookei', Sju^ikor of llic Scnalr. A irculy (if |M'iico
Ijclween the UMiled" Stales and (ireal lirilain was signed Deeeinher 24, 1S14, at
Ghent, in Belgium.
To the end of I he war Kranldinloii rcntiniied to he an imiM.rlanl military
rendezvous and point of dislrihulion Ibr hoth troops and sujiiilies. Its armoi'y, sn-
l)erintcnded i)y Williiiin C. Lyman, United .States ('ommissary of Ordnance, repair-
ed muskets and sujiplied ammunition. In February, 1814, the drafted Ohio militia
were ordered to assemble at Franklinton, to the number of fourteen liundred.
Lieutenant McBlvain and Ensign Cochran were the officers locally engaged at that
time in collecting recruits. The weather being very inclement, and the roads almost
impassable, the work of enlistment and organization jjrogressed slowly. No further
imminent danger along the frontier impelled volunteers to exchange the comfort
of their homes for the liardsbips of a winter campaign. In the latter part of
Pehruaiy al)Out two hundred men had assembled at Franklinton under the four-
Icen hundred call, and early in March a battalion of Ohio militia under Major
Dawson, set out for Sandusky. Volunteers were called for about the same time to
guard the British .soldiers at Chillicothe, captured in Harrison's battle of the
Thames. Part of these captives had been retained for a short time at Franklinton.
A company of the Seventeenth United States Infantry, Captain B. W. Saunders,
arrived there from Kentucky June 4. One of the militarj- arrivals in July was that
of British captives, from Chillicothe, rn route to Upper Sanduskj-. They were
escorted by a detachment of regulars under Major Graham. The British taken
bj' Johnson's regiment in the Thames battle were brought uji from Newport,
Kentucky, by Captain Stockton's Company of the Twentycighth Intiintry, early
in August.
Transient bodies of troojis, regulars or militia, doubtless continued to enliven
Franklinton bj' their arrival, departure, or sojourn to the end of the year. This
stimulated the business of the village, and made it prosperous for the time being,
yet all of its people were heartily glad when the war was over, and all danger of
Indian massacre forever passed "Thank God I" exclaimed Mrs. Lucas Sullivant
when she read in the Freeman's Chrnnicle that Harrison had taken Maiden. .\nd
so, doubtless, felt many another matron who had survived throui^h the akuins
and anxietiesof frontier life in the WaroflH12.
NOTES.
L Freeman'n Chronicle, June 24, ISlL'.
2. The names of the Indian Chiefs who signed this treaty were ; Tarhe or Crane,
Sha-ra-to, Su-tusb, Moun-koii, Dew-o-su, or Big River, of the Wyandots ; Cut-a wa-lia sa, or
Black Hoof, Cut-a-we pa, Pi-a-go-ha, Pi-ta-na-ge, Ki-e-hish-enia,of the Shawnees; Ma-tha-me,
of the Mingoes.
3. So named, it is said, because, owing to the difficulty of the trail and the unstable
nature of the ground in the Black Swamp where it was built, this blockhouse was, from
necessity, located at that iiarticular point.
4. Sullivant Family Memorial.
250 History of the City of Columbus.
5. The same issue of the Chronicle (December 30, 1812) announces Decatur's capture of
the British frigate Macedonian, and Napoleon's entry into Moscow.
6. Early in January, 1813, General Harrison wrote to the War Department from
Franklinton: "My plan of operations lias been, and now is, to occupy the Miami
Eapids, and to deposite there as much provisions as possible, to move from thence with a
choice detachment of the army, and with as much provision, artillery, and ammunition as
the means of transportation will allow— make a demonstration towards Detroit, and by a
sudden passage of the strait upon the ice, an actual investiture of Maiden."— Z)ntt)so»'s Life of
Harrison.
7. Referring to this tour of General Harrison's, Atwater says: " Leaving the troops
in the garrison [at Fort Meigs] he hastily departed into the interior, by way of the Sanduskys,
Delaware, Franklinton and Chillicothe to Cincinnati. He everywhere, as he moved along,
urged forward to Fort Meigs troops, provisions, and all the munitions of war. At Chillicothe
he found Colonel John Miller and one hundred and twenty regulars under him, of the Nine-
teenth regiment. These the General ordered to Fort Meigs by way of the Auglaize route.
He found but one company of Kentuckians at Newport, but two or three other companies
soon reaching that place, he mounted the whole of them on pack horses, and ordered them to
Fort Meigs. Going forward himself he ordered Major Ball and his dragoons, who had been
cantoned at Lebanon ever since their return from the Missisine way expedition, to march to the
same point. Harrison himself marched to Amanda on the Auglaize. Here he found Colonel
Miller and his regulars, just arrived from Chillicothe, and Colonel Mills of the militia, with
one hundred and fifty men who had been building and had completed a fleet of boats. Into
these boats the General and these troops and boat builders entered, and in this way, reached
Fort Meigs on the eleventh of April, \Slo.—Atwater's History of Ohio.
8. The Franklin Chronicle of May 13, 1813, contains the following enthusiastic account
of the outpouring of the Ohio volunteers for the relief of Fort Meigs :
" The siege of Fort Meigs was raised on the ninth, the British and their allies had
retired, and the communication was perfectly open. . . . The troops were consequently
ordered to return to their homes, and an express was despatched to order back all who were
then on their way to join the main body. About six hundred were met between Lower San-
dusky and Delaware rushing on to the point of destination with the greatest zeal and alac-
rity. Six or seven hundred more were on their march by way of Fort Findlay, who were also
ordered to return. Several hundred, probably (/wKsanrfs, of others were preparing to march
from various parts of the state, and all this in the course of a few clai/s. Such zeal, such prompt-
itude, such patriotism were never surpassed in the annals of the world. All ages and ranks
of citizens flocked by one noble impulse simultaneously to the standard of their country.
. . . Never have we witnessed such a scene ; never, we believe, was such a scene exhib-
ited in North America. We are confident that if the fort had not relieved itsef for ten days
longer, ten thousand men from Ohio would have been on their march towards it. Although
inexperienced and undisciplined, and sometimes refractory, yet it may be truly said that on
such occasions as the late emergency, the militia is the bulwark of liberty."
9. The Franklin Chronicle's account of General Harrison's speech to the Indians is as
follows: " The General promised to let the several tribes know when he should want their
services, and further cautioned them that all who went with them must conform to his mode
of warfare, not to kill or injure old men, women, children, nor prisoners; that by this means,
we should be able to ascertain whether the British tell the truth when they say that they are
not able to prevent Indians from such acts of horrid cruelty ; for if the Indians under him
(General H.) would obey hia commands, and refrain from acts of barbarism, it would be very
evident that the hostile Indians could be as easily restrained by their commanders. The
General then informed the chiefs of the agreement made by Proctor to deliver him to
Tecumseh in case the British succeeded in taking Fort Meigs; and promised them that if lie
should be successful, he would deliver Proctor into their hands on condition that they should
do him no other harm than to put a petticoat on him, ' for,' said he, ' none but a cotoard or a
squaw would kill a prisoner.' "
CHAPTER XII
THE FIRST PITBLIC HUILPINGS.
Tlio Stall' l)iivit()r ])i-(iviik'(l lor in tin' slatiitr whirli |)onnanently loeate<l tho
capilal was vcsUmI with soinu vii-y impdilant tiiinliiuis. By the exercise of his
(iiserclion in the discharge of the ilulios laid upon him the eliuraclei- of the fuluro
citj' was, in some respects, permanently fixed. Probahly no functionary ever had
more to do with molding the infancy and marking out tiie adult future of Colum-
bus, at least in a topographical sense. He was required to " superintend the sur-
veying and laying out of the town," to " direct the width of streets and alleys,"
and " to select the square for publicbuildings, and the lot for the penitentiary " and
its " dependencies." He was empowered to collect and disburse taxes on the town
properly until January 1, 1816. In brief, the State of Ohio, acting through her
agent, Joel Wright, was the sponsor of the newlyborn capital.
Another duty with which the Director was charged, was tiiat of supervising
the erection of the jiublic buildings which the original proprietors of the town had
engaged to provide. In this matter, however, the agent of the State was by no
means left entirely to his own discretion. By resolution passed February 18, 1812,
a joint committee was appointed "to agree upon and lay down the plan on which
the statehousc and penitentiary shall be erected, and to point out the materials
whereof they shall be built." Two days later a resolution was ]iassed ''laying
down and agreeing to a jilan on which the statehousc and |ienitentiary sliall be
erected," as follows;
Hesolred hy the Sinalf and House of Hcpn-HenUUiikK, That the director, afier selecting the
squares and scites whereon the statehouse and penitentiary shall be built, shall proceed to
lay down the size and dimensions of the said buildings as follows, viz ; The statehouse to l)e
seventyfive feet by fifty, to be built of brick on a stone foundation, the proportions of which
shall be regulated by said director, according to the most approved models of modern archi-
tecture, so as to combine, as far as possible, elegance, convenience, strength and dura-
bility.
The penitentiary to be sixty feel l)y thirty, to lie Imill of brick on a stone foundation
with stone walls projecting in a line with the front lifty feet on each end so a.s to form a front
of one hundred and si.\ty feet, and to extend back from the front one hundred feet, forming
an area of one hundred and sixty l)y one hundred feet. Tlie walls to be fifteen feel high.
The proportion of the penitentiary shall be regulated by the director, according to the
l)est models which he can obtain from those states where theory has been tested by experi-
ence, and the said director shall make a report of his proceedings in the premises, with a plan
of said buildings, to the next Legislature within ten (lays after the commencement of the
session.'
[251]
252 History of the City ov Columbus.
Ill compliance with these instructions, Director Wright selected the ground for
the Public Square, staked out its boundaries, and fixed the location of the State-
house on its soiUliwcsl corner. The Square was then surrounded by a staked and
ridercd " worm IViicc," and was simihirly enclosed as late as 1825. It was covered
by a growth of bcaulifu! forest trees which remained until cleared off by Jarvis
Pike, under contract with Governor Worthiiigton, in 1815 or 1816. '•' Pike was per-
mitted to farm the ground, probably in consideration of his labor in chop|)ing otf
its trees, and harvested from it three or four crops of wheat and corn. After that,
the fencing became dilapidated, and tlie ground lay open for several years as a pub-
lie common. According to yi7///()«/;r('.v «'/(/c-/^rr of 1828, ninetenths of it were still un-
occupied in that year except by the cows and schoolboy ball-players of the village.
In 1834 the Square was enclosed, fur the first time presentably, with a fence of
cedar posts and white painted palings, built "by Jonathan Neereamer. This im-
provement was instigated by Mr. Alfred Kelley, then agent of the State, who had
the grounds planted at the same time with young elm trees, brought from the
forest. The picket fence remained until replaced in 1839 by a higher one of rough
boards, built to screen the convicts at work on the present Capitol.
The Penitentiary was located by the Director on a plat of ten acres in the
southwest part of the town, fronting on Scioto Lane. A complete description of it
is reserved for the history of the prison.
Excepting excavation for the foundations, and the collection of materials, not
much progress was made upon any of the public buildings in 1812. In December
of that year Director Wright submitted the following report to the General
Assembly :
The director appointed to superintend the surve3'ing and laying out of the town of Col-
umbus, etc., respectfully presents on the subject of his appointment the following report:
Having with diffidence submitted to the unexpected appointment, I repaired to the post
assigned me, superintended the surveying and laying out of the town on an elevated and
beautiful situation, on the east side of the Scioto River, opposite the town of Franklinton, in
Franklin County, directed the width of the streets and alleys, selected the square for
public buildings and the lot for the penitentiary and dependencies, according to the
plan or plat herewith presented. After selecting the public square and penitentiary lot, I
proceeded to designate on the ground plat tlie sites and dimensions of the Statehouse and
penitentiary, according to the size of each building prescribed by the Legislature.
Being directed to regulate the proportion of the penitentiary acccording to the best
models and plans I could obtain from those states where theory has been tested by experi-
ence, I have applied for, and, at some considerable expense procured several, viz: Philadel-
phia, Kew York and Kentucky.. On applying for that at Baltimore I was informed it might
be procured for thirtysix dollars ; but at the same time being notified that it was not on
the most improved plan, I did not think proper to make a second application. On ex-
amining and comparing the plans received 1 found the jjenitentiary at Columbus could
not be made exactly conformable to any of those procured without varying the dimensions
proposed by the Legislature; I have, however, drawn plans of the different stories so as to
make the building useful as possible according to its size.
I have also procured the penal laws of Maryland, witli tlie rules and regulations for
the government of the penitentiary at Baltimore, the penal laws of Pennsylvania, and an
account of the state prison or penitentiary in the city of New York. These are submit-
ted to the inspection of the Legislature with the plans above mentioned, to which are
added plans of the Statehouse and public offices.
TiiK FiitsT Public Huii.dino
254 History of the City of Columbus.
It was contemplated to proceed, soon after last harvest, in building the penitentiary,
so as to have it under roof previous to the opening of the present session, a contract to
that effect being made; but the unsettled state of public affairs and the drafts of the
military prevented. The foundation, however, is dug, a large quantity of stone and up-
ward of three hundred thousand bricks are on the ground ready, prepared to proceed
in the work early in the succeeding spring.
Joel Wright,
of Warren County, Director.
Chillicothe, Ohio, 9th of 12th month, 1812.
P. S. — As the last Legislature did not furnish any pecuniary compensation for the
director's services and expenses, he now applies for what may be deemed proper, and re-
quests to be excused or released from further attention to the subject of his appoint-
ment, and another appointed in his room.
Joel Weight.
Oil February 10, 1814, the General Assembly passed a joint resolution naming
William Ludlow as " Director of the Town of Columbus." This appointment was
renewed a year later. Mr. Ludlow was neither an architect, " nor much acquainted
with building," says Martin, but 'a faithful agent," and "a man of some talent
and unquestionable integrity."^ Under his supervision most of the actual con-
struction of the public buildings was accomplished. During the year 1813, but
little headway seems to have been made, the war with its numerous distractions
and constant calls for volunteers to repel invasion proving a great hinderanco; but
the favorable progress of the war in 1814 imparted a fresh stimulus to the work,
and during that and tlie following yotxr all the public buildings contracted for by
the proprietors were substantially completed. The Statohouse, as it appeared
when finished, is described as " a common, plain brick building, seventyfive feet
norlli and sciuth by fifty east and west, on the ground, and two lofty stories high,
wilh a s(|uarc roof, tliat is, eaves and cornice at both sides and ends, and ascending
to tlic balcony and steeple in the centi-e, in which was a firstrato, well-toned bell.
The top of the spire was one hundred and six feet from the ground. On the root
adjoining the balcony, on two sides, were neat railed walks, from which a spectator
might view the whole town as upon a map, and had also a fine view of the wind-
ing Scioto, and of the level country around as far as the eye could reach."''
The foundation of the building had an oulside dressing of cut stone to the
height of two feet above the ground, and a belt of the same material was laid in
the outer wall around the building, at the top of the first story. Benjamin Thomp-
son was contractor for the stone and brick work, except the stonecutting, which
was done by Drummon & Scott. The carpenter work was done bj' George Mc-
Cormack and Conrad Crisnian, the plastering bj' Gottlieb Leightenaker, the paint-
ing by Conrad Heyl. The shingles of the roof were of black walnut, furnished hy
Simeon Moore, one of the pioneers of Blendon Township. Freestone for the trim-
ming to the foundation and openings was brought in wagons from Black Lick,
twelve miles, by a wretched trail through the swamjis. The cla.y ofwhich the bricks
were made was obtained, in j)art, from the ancient mound wliicii rose on the present
site of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, on South High Street.''
The principal entrance to the building was at the center of its southern front,
on State Street. From the interior vestibule adjoining the main doorway flights
The First Public Bimldinhs. 255
of stairs rose right and left leading to a gallery and to tiie Sonatc (Chamber, whicli
was in the second story and had two committee rooms but no gallery. The hall
for the Representatives was on the lower floor, on the north side of the building.
It was provided with two committee rooms and a gallery, and coinniunicated with
High Street by a door at tiie center of the west fi-ont. A rear door led to the wood-
yard.
The halls, we are told, were " of good size," and "respectable wooden finish "
consisting, in part, of large wooden columns handsomely turned, the workmanship
of William Altman. The columns were painted in imitation of " clouded
marble."" A polished stone slab, five bj- two and a half t'cct, buili into tiie wall
over the western enti-ance, bore the following inscription from liariows ('nhnii-
biad :
Equality of rights is Nature's plan,
And following Nature is the march of Man ;
Based on its rock of right your empire lies,
On walls of wisdom let the fabric rise.
Preserve your principles, their force unfold.
Let nations prove them, and let kings behold.
E'liialitti your first firm grounded stand.
Then free election, then your Federal band ;
This holy triad should forever shine.
The great comjiendium of all rights divine,
Creed of all schools, whence yoiiths by millidnsdraw
Their theme of right, their decalogue of law.
Till man shall wonder (in these schools inured)
How wars were niaile, how tyrants were endured.
Afler the stiiiiccutt«- who <'(.|ii.'il these lines hail liiiisbcd liis wnrk, t he Slate
Director, Mr. Ludlow, who believed that the Ameri.^in Kepublie is a nation and
not a confeflerac}-, had the sunken letters of the word Fcdcnil filled up and the
word Union imprinted over it. Many years later the composition with which this
was done fell off, and the obnoxious word Fcilrnil reappeared, a harbinger, perhap.s,
of the approachingconfederacy of the Southern States.and their attempted secession.
A similar stone over the southern entrance was inscribed with an extract
from the same poem. Over the east door Director Ludlow caused a smaller tablet
to be placed, on which were chiseled the following lines of his own composition :
General good the object of legislation,
Perfected by a knowledge of man's wants,
And Nature's abounding mearis applied,
Kstablishing principles opposed to monopoly.
The interior walls of the legislative (diambers wore hung with majis id' tli.>
State and engraved copies of the Declaration of Independence, besides ■' various
other articles of use and ornament.""
In the autumn of 181C, after the building had been coniiileted, a dozen or moi<'
ladies of Columbus held in the Hall of the Mouse of Hepre.sentatives a .sewing party,
at which they put together the first carpet ever laid in that chamber. The party
was suggested by Governor Worthington. who honored it with his presence, an<l
favoi-ed the fair seamstors with some fine apjiles from his IJoss County orchard.
256 History of the City of Columbus.
In further appreciation of their efforts, the ladies were served with tea in the
evenino- at the residence of Mrs. John Martin on the opposite side of the street
from the Statohouse. Among those who took part in this memorable sewing bee
were Mrs. Williiim T. Martin, Mrs. George MeCormack and Mrs. George B. Harvey.
The building for the executive and administrative offices of the State was
erected in 1S15. It stood in line with the Statelimise, tifty or sixty feet north ot
it, and fronted on High Street. B. Thompson, who undertook to lay up its walls,
died before his work was completed, but iiis contract was fulfilled under the super-
vision of his widow. M. Patton contracted for the carpenter work, and Leighteo-
aker and Heyl for the plastering and painting. The building was a plain two-
story brick, one hundred and fifty feet long and twentyfive feet deep. From
Martin's description of it we learn that "it had a rough stone foundation, and a
belt of cut stone along the front and ends at the height of the first story, a common
comb roof of joint shingles, and four front doors, one toward the north end to
enter the Secretary [of State's] office, two towards the south end to the Auditor's
office, one of which, however, was kept closed and not used, and a large door in
the centre." "Immediately inside of the centre door," continues Martin, "by
turning to the left you entered the Governor's office, or by turning to the right the
Treasurer's office, or by advancing without turning to the right or the left you
ascended on winding slairs to the second story, which wasalways appropriated for
the Stale Librarj', but formerly was used also for the Quartermaster's and Adjutant-
General's offices, and by times for other public oiBces. The two front doors to the
Auditor's office rather injured the symmetrical appearance of thebuihling from the
street."*
Five years later, in 1820, the United States, or "Old" Courthouse, as it was
afterwards currently known, was erected. Fronting on High Street, it stood mid-
way between the present western and northwestern gates of the Capitol, in align-
ment with the State buildings, about sixty feet north of that containing llie execu-
tive offices. It was built of hi-ick, two stories hisj-h, on a rough stone louiidation,
and was surmounted by a circular green-latticed dome from which the roof
descended on four sides of the walls, which terminated in castellated forms. It
was probably, says Martin, about fortyfive or fortysix feet square. " The front had
a recess entrance about the size of a large portico, but within the line of the front
wall. The same recess extended up through the second story, thus affording a
pleasant view of the street from the second story. On the lower floor there was
a hall tlirmigh the ccnlre, and two rooms on each side, one of which was used for
Ihe office (lillic ('Icrk of the United States Court, one as an office for the marshal,
and line as a jury r<i()m. On the second story was the court room and one jury
rooMi.""
This building was first occupied by the National Courts, removed thither from
Chiiru-dtlic, about the year 1821.'" It was creeled under the immediate supervision
of (iovci'nor I'jthan Allen Brown, who is said lo have been also its architect. Its
cost was provided for, in part, from uncurrent funds of the Miami Exporting Com-
pany, then in the treasury, but was mostly met by donations from the citizens of
Columbus.
Behind the United States Courthouse a long, single-story brick building was
erected in 1828 or 1829 for the county offices. " It was divided into four apart-
fp;
<i;;^..t-^
TiiF KiitsT I'liii.ii- Hiii.DiNiis :.'r)7
inonts," s:iys Miirlin/- with ;iii oulsido (Idcu- In cacli. 'riiciiorlli i iii \v:i^ Inr ( lie
Clerk oCllio (Vnirl. thf iicxi niio toil i;,r the l.'ecdriler. llic iicxl Inr I he ('(iiiiil y
TivasunT. anil the loiirtli nr snuili one for llio Coiiiily A mlildr.""
The c-onnty oHirew ivmained in this l.uihlin.;- until Ihcii' ivnioval lolhc new
County ('ourtli()ilse,:it the fonu'i- of ITirjh and .Mound Streets, in IsKi It was
(loinolished at the grading of the Cai)itol Square in 1S.')T.
The primitive condition of ( 'oliirnlms at the time ih.' Sl.-ile liiiildin,i;s w<M-e
erected i.s indicated hy the fad thai llie fuel used ahoiil Ihal lime in the \Vi ^Irni
/h/<7//(/('/(c(/' ottic-e, ami perha|).s also in some ol' the |>ulilii' olliees, was ohiaineil hy
(dioppinij down the forest trees on Iliijjh Street.' 'I'he (ieneral .\ssonilily was not
disposed to await, liowever, the evolution of the town. On the seventeenth ol
February, 181('., it pa.'ssed an act providing that from and after the .second Tuesday
in October of that year the seat of government of the State should be established,
and thenceforward continue, "at the town of Columbus." The second section of
this act reads as follows :
The auditor, treasurer and secretary of state sliall, in the month of OctobiT ne.\t, remove
or cause to be removed, the books, maps and papers in their respective oflioes, to the olfices
prepared and designated for tliem severally in the town of Columbus ; and the treasurer shall
also remove any public money which may be in his oHice; and tlie said public olficers shall
tliere attend and keep their oflices rospectivclv from and after that time, any law to the con-
trary notwithstanding.
The third and last section ]>rovided lor paymcnl of the e.\|ien.ses of removal.
On December 2, ISKI, the (ieneral Assembly convened in Columbus ihv the
first time. Colonel P. II. Olmsted, writing in 18(!!l, says "the members generally
came on horseback, and sent theii- horses lo the country foi-the winter. Sevi'i-al
boarded in Kranklinton, ami one or Iwo in the eonntry. ( )n the adjonninuMil ol
the General Assemblj-, several nl' the meniliei-s living in the conniry bordering on
the Ohio IJiver below Portsmouth, descended the Scioto in skiffs.''-
On the twentyeighth of January, 1817, the (Ieneral Assembly passed an act
requesting the (Jovernor to appoint "one or more skillful mechanics" to meet such
))erson8 as might be named by " the proprietors of the town of Columbus, for ihe
purpose of "measuring, valuing and assessing the joiner's woik done on ihe Stale
house and public offices." The act further authorized the (iovernor, ])rovided he
could agree with the proprietors, to adjust their accounts with the State without
the mediation of a commission, and to issue to them an order on the Treasurer in
full jjaj-ment of whatever balance should bo found to ho due ihem "over and abovi*
the sum they were bounden by contract to expend ' in tlu' ereiti )f ■■ the publie
buildings, offices and penitentiarj'."'
In pursuance of this act an amicable settlement was arrivi'd al hv whieh. alter
a deduction of six or seven percent, from the charges for carpenler woik. a balance
of thirtyfive thousand dollars, over and above the tiftj- thousand dollars required
to be expended, was found to be duo, and was paid to the ]iroprictors, whose
unique, difficult and highly res])onsible engagements with the state were tiius sm--
cessfull^- and .satisfactorily terminated.
History op the City of Columbus.
NOTES.
1. An act more particularly " ascertaining the duties of the Director of the Town of Co-
lumbus" was passed January 28, 1813, as follows:
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Ohio, That the Director
appointed by the legislature, shall, within thirty days after his appointment, enter into a
bond, with sufficient security, payable to the treasurer of this state, in the penal sum of four
thousand dollars, and take and subscribe an oath, faithfully to discharge the duties enjoined
on him by law, and shall hold his office to the end of the session of the next legislature;
Provided, that in case the office of Director aforesaid shall become vacant by death, resigna-
tion, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature, the Governor shall fill the same ;
Provided also, that nothing in this act shall be so construed as to exonerate the proprietors
of the town of Columbus, from any reponsihility of their original contract.
Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of the said Director to superintend the erection of the
public buildings in the town of Columbus, agreeably to the plans laid down by the late
Director except, in his opinion, alterations are necessary in the internal arrangement of the
said buildings, in which case he is hereby authorized to direct the same, in such manner as
he shall judge most likely to answer the purpose for which such buildings are erected ; and
in all things to see that the said public buildings are composed, in all their parts, of proper
materials, and built in a good and workmanlike manner ; and he is hereby authorized and
required to object to any materials not of proper quality, or any work not of the description
aforementioned ; and if the Director shall perform or cause to be performed for his own
private advantage, any part of the above work, lie shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit the
amount of his penal bond.
Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of the Director, for the time being, to prevent and
abate all nuisances, either in the streets or public squares of said town, by digging for brick-
yards, or any other purpose, and to preserve from trespass all wood and timber, the property
of the state, within the said town, and to cut and dispose of such part as he may deem proper
for the use of the state, and annually account for the proceeds of the same.
Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of the Director to make a report of his proceedings,
and of the progress made in the erection of said buildings, whether in his opinion the same
is composed of good materials and built in a workmanlike manner, to the next legislature,
within twenty days after the commencement of its session.
Sec. 5. That the director shall be entitled to receive for his services at the rate of six
hundred dollars per annum, for all the time he may be engaged in discharging the duties of
his office, payable quarter yearly on the certificate of the Governor that the services have
•been performed, being presented to the auditor, who is hereby authorized to issue bills for
the same payable at the office of the treasurer of the state.
2. Martin's History says : " The Governor resided in Chillicothe, and some misunder-
standing having arisen between Pike and him as to the terms or conditions of their contract,
on the occasion of one of his visits to Columbus Pike had him arrested on capias and con-
ducted by a constable before 'Squire King, and the matter was decided in Pike's favor— per-
haps adjusted without trial."
3. Martin's History of Franklin County.
4. Ibid.
5. Judge William T. Martin, writing in 18.58, said: "Of those who assisted in the
erection of the old Statehouse, there are still living in the city or vicinity, Jacob Hare,
who kept a team and helped to haul the stone for the foundation, Conrad Heyl, principal
painter, and -George B. Harvey, who was employed on it as carpenter through its whole
construction."
TiiK FiiisT Pi-nr.ir Hi ii.i.iN.is. 'IM
i;. Martin.
7. Kilbourne's Gazetteer.
S. Martin.
9. Ibid.
10. A joint resolution roijuo.stin}; tlie Senators anil Represontativc of Ohio in Ootifircss to
use their best endeavors to liave a law pas.sed reiiuirin;,' removal of the National ("onrls liuni
(^hilliootlie to Columbus wa.s pa.sseil by the (ieneral .Assi'iniily .Tanuiiry :'i(), ISIS.
11. Martin.
12. Mrs. Emily Stewart iiil'nriiis thr :nitlior lliat the I'amily ol' Williatn Meii.m. Senior.
who built and occupied a caliin on their land at the present corner of lli^di ami Meier Streets
in ISIO, '-tapped the sn^'ar maple trees around tlie door and made all the suiiar they needed
for the year."
l:'.. Communication to the Ohio Slale .lonnial.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CAPITAL AS A BOROUGH. 1816-1834. I.
The capital acquired its first corporate existence by act of the General Assem-
bly, sitting at Chillicothe. By that act, passed February 10, 1816, a specifically
bounded portion of " the Township of Montgomery in the County of Franklin" was
"erected into a town corporate," to be thencefortli "known and distinguished
by the name of the borough of Columbus." By the same statute it was made law-
ful for the qualified electors of six montlis' residence to meet at the Columbus Inn
on the first Monday of the next ensuing May, and choo.se " nine suitable persons,
being citizens, freeholders or housekeepers, and citizens of said town," to serve as
its " maj'or, recorder and common councilmen." The persons so elected were re-
quired to choose from their own number a mayor, a recorder and a treasurer, all
of whom should continue to act as members of the Council, the Mayor being also
its President. Thus organized the board was made " a body corporate and politic,"
endowed with perpetual succession, '' by the name and style of tlie mayor and
council of the borough of Columbus." It was further empowered to enact laws
and ordinances, levy taxes, erect and repair public buildings," receive, possess and
convey any real or personal estate for the use of said town of Columbus," and to
appoint "an assessor, a town marshal, a clei-k of the market, a town surveyor,"
and such other subordinate officers as might be deemed necessary. The prepara-
tion of the tax duplicate was made the duty of the Eecorder, the collection of the
taxes that of the Marshal. The term of office of the councilmen was fixed at three
years, three members to be elected annually, but the thirds of the first board were
required to serve, respectively, for one- two- and three -year terms, to be assigned
by lot. The choice of councilmen was made by general ticket, on the first Tuesday
of May annually, all the electors of the town voting at the same poll.'
The first borough election was held at the Columbus Inn May 6, 1816. The
Council then chosen met at the same place on the thirteenth of May, and organized.
Its members, in the order of their terms of service, from one to three years, as
determined by lot, were Jarvis Pike, John Cutler, Henry Brown, Eobert Armstrong^
Michael Patton, Jeremiah Armstrong, Caleb Houston, Robert W. McCoy, and John
Kerr. Jarvis Pike was chosen Mayor, R. W. McCoy, Recorder, and Robert Arm-
strong, Treasurer. Daniel Liggett was appointed Assessor, Samuel King Marshal,
and William Long Clerk of the Market. After ordering a purchase of stationery,
the first meeting adjourned, as appears by the minutes, " to Thursday evening next,
at two o'clock in the afternoon."
[200]
The Cai'Ital a.s a Bnmiiijii. I. 2(i1
Oil the twonlj-socoiid of Api'il, 1817, at a meeting of the Couin'il luld at llio
liouse of John Colloll, the Treasurer's accounts for the first yeai' of the IJorough
were rendered. The " state of the treasury," as reported by John Kerr and Henry
Brown, who were appointed to examine the books, made the following exhibit:
Small bills in circulation $210.8^}
Fees due tlie Common Council 88.50
Due the Uecorder for stationery 14.
Draft due Recorder, paid l)y liim to Samuel Kinj; fm- services as
Marshal, third quarter -!0.
Five per cent, to Treasurer tor mniu'V received (ainount received,
$311.15) . . . . ' 15.J7
Ten per cent, to Treasurer lor issnin;; cor|)oratii)ii hills aiiiuiuit-
iuf,' to $555.75 55..57
.1. dm Culler's hill for .stationery 2.31i
42«.7«J
Cr.
l!y cash in llie hands of Saiimel Kiiifr • .' 165.611
261. 17i
Deduct pay due the Council K8.50
172.67]
On motion llic p;iy due to the mombors was relinquished " for the benefit of tiu!
corporation." Ciiristian Ileyl was chosen Treasurer, t(j succeed Jeremiah Arm-
strong, wiu) resigned. An ordinance ])assed by this Council in March, 1817,
declared the Markethouse on High Strecl to 1k' a nuisance, and ordered its re-
moval. It Inul been erected by voluntary > onl liliMtions, and was never much used.
During the latter ]iart of August, 1817, the caiiital was visited for the first
time by the Chief Executive of the Nation. Keturning from a tour of inspection
of the fortifications in the Northwest, President Monroe and his retinue arrived
at Worthington from Detroit,' whence the ))art}- had journeyed on horse-
back, moving "generally in a canter." The President wore an "old-fashioned
three-cornered cocked hat," but was otherwise plainly attired in civilian costume.
His face was ruddy from pxposurc to the midsummer sun. The Franklin Dra-
goons, Captain Vance, escorted him from Worthington to Columbus, where he was
decorously met and entertained by a committee of citizens. The members of that
committee were Lucas Sullivant, Abncr Lfird, Thomas Backus, Joseph Foos, A. I.
McDowell, (iustavus Swan, Raljih Osborn, Christian He^d, Robert W. McCoy, Joel
Buttles, Hiram M. Curry, John Kerr, Henry Brown and William Doherty. The
President was received at the Statehouse, where a neat and apjiropriate aildress of
welcome was delivered by Hon. Hiram M. Curry, then Treasurer of State. In his
replj' the distinguished traveler and guest favored with some graceful compliments
the "infant city," as he termed it, from which he received these attentions.'
The War of 1812 imparted a great impetus to business, in bi>th Columbus and
Franklinton. Troops were continually passing and repassing, and there were
occasions when a fi)rce of two or three thousand men awaited orders in the camps
along the west bank of the river. Some of the pioneers of the borough acquired
means enough to pa}- for their homes bj- the sale of refreshments to the ]iassing or
sojourning troops of the Northwestern Armj-. The purchases and disbursements
262 History of the City of Columbus.
of the military agents of the Government at Franklinton were large, and the de-
naand for all kinds of produce active, at high prices. The currency was deprecia-
ted but plenty, and nearly every man's pocket was flushed. Pork advanced from
$1.50 to $4.00 per hundred, flour to $4.00 per hundred, oats and corn from fifty
cents to one dollar per bushel, hay from ten to twenty dollars per ton, and other
articles in like proportion." The proprietors of Columbus sold their town lots
readily at good prices, usually receiving a small cash payment with interest-bear-
ing notes for the residue, and giving a bond to make a title when the notes should
be paid.
Thus things went on merrily until the war closed, when there came a reaction.
The disbursements of the National Government, then staggering under a war debt
of eighty millions, suddenly ceased, the last soldier disappeared from Franklinton,
and the early promise of that village was changed into doleful decay. The banks
of the entire country, except New England, suspended specie payment, and the
currency, then destitute of national quality, fell into hopeless confusion. All sorts
of prices suffered a frightful collapse; pork declined to $1.50 and flour to $1.25 per
hundred, corn and potatoes to ten or twelve cents per bushel, and other commodi-
ties at a similar rate. Eeal estate likewise took a downward plunge, and many of
the town lots sold by the borough proprietors came back to them, the first pay-
ments being forfeited by the purchasers. Money became as scarce as it had just
been plentiful, labor went unemployed, and families accustomed to luxurj^ were
obliged to use rye coffee and content themselves with the coarsest dress.
The crisis culminated in 1819, but its financial depression and confusion
dragged wearily along for seven more years. Of the Columbus proprietors
Alexander McLaughlin, once considered one of tlie wealthiest men in the >State,
became completely bankrupt, and was obliged to support himself by teaching a
country school. Early in the thirties he died. James Johnston, another of the
proprietors, failed about the same time as McLaughlin, and emigrated to Pitts-
burgh, where he died in 1842. John Kerr and Lyne Starling weathered the
storm, but Kerr died in 1823, leaving a young family to inherit, and unfortunately
to lose his large estate. Starling lived to the age of sixtyfour, and being a bache-
lor, left no heirs to receive or to squander his property.
Such was the depression, owing to the state of the currency and the failure of
the proprietors, that the greater part of the real estate of the borough was thrown
upon the market. The choicest town lots around the Capitol Square went begging
at three hundred dollars each. A great number of others were offered at forced
sale by the Sheriff or United States Marshal, but had to be reappraised again and
again, at lower and lower values, before they finally found takers. Single lots
which had been held at two or three hundred dollars seven years before, were sold
for ten or twenty, and some as low as even seven or eight dollars each.
To add to the depression of business and price of property [says Martin] about the
year 1822 or 1823, the title of Starling's half section, on which the town was in part located,
was called in question. It had originally been granted to one Allen, a refugee from the
British Provinces in the time of the American Revolution. Allen had deeded it to his son,
and the son had mortgaged it, and it was sold at sheriff's sale to satisfy the mortgage, and
Starling was the purchaser.
It was now claimed by the heirs of Allen, who took various exceptions to Starling's title.
First as to the sale from the old man Allen to his son ; also to the authentication of the
The Capital as a UuudiGii. I. 2U3
iiiort^ige by the son, iuul particularly to the sale of the Slierifl" to Starhiij.'. <ni the iiroiiiKi that
there was no evulence that an appraisement had been made as reiiuireil by the statutes of
Ohio, and suit was brought by ejectment against some of the occuiiants who owned the most
valuable improvements, first in the Supreme Court of Ohio, and then in the United States
Court for the District of Ohio.
Mr. Starling defended the suits, and first engaged Henry Clay, who then practiced in the
United States Courts at Columbus, as attorney. But owing to his appointment as Secretary
of State, he was called to Washington City, and gave up the case, and Henry Baldwin, then
of Pittsburgh, was next engaged, who conducted the defense with great ability, and about the
year lS2ti, it was finally decided in favor of Starling's title. So the matter was put to rest as
to that half section.
The suit against Starling's half section was scarcely decided, when a claim was set up
against Kerr and McLaughlin's half section. They had bought from one Strawbridge, who
conveyed by an attorney or agent, and the deed ran thus : That the agent conveyed for
Strawbridge, instead of Strawbridge conveying hi/ agent, and was so signed ; " J M
(the agent), (seal), attorney in fact for Strawbridge."
Thus the defect in Kerr and McLaughlin's title was merely technical. But it was con-
tended that this was not Strawbridge's deed, but the deed of the agent who claimed no title.
And about the year 182(i, a quitclaim was obtained from Strawbridge's heirs, by some man
purporting to be a New Yorker, upon which a suit was brought in ejectment, as in the other
cases, against one or more of the occupants of the most valuable lots. By a suit in chancery
to quiet title, about the year 1827, this was all set right, and the title of Kerr and McLaughlin
sustained.'
The gratification of the people of the boroiigli at the outcome of these suits
was proportionate to the extreme anxiety and suspense which they bad occasioned.
Accordingly, when Mr. Starling won his case, a grand jollification was held at the
National Hotel, which was the next lineal predece.ssor of the present Neil House,
and it so happened, .says Mr. Joseph SuUivant in his biography of Starling, that
" tiie grand projirictor, his iawj-ers and several friends, had tarried too long over
the wine and were all put to bed in one large room. At a later hour it was
determined to give them a serenade, as expressive of the general joy produced by
the occasion. Accprdijigly John Young, the proprietor of the Eagle Coffeehouse,
and a warm admirer of Mr. Starling, with great exertion gathered a strong orches-
tra of drums, fifes, fiddles, clarionets and horns, and proceeded to the hotel. But
the great prelude, more remarkable for noise and vigor than music or harmony,
suddenly aroused the sleepers, and they arose in haste to ascertain the cause. Mr.
Starling was very tall, six feet six inches in height, but easj' and flexible in move-
ment. In the room with him was John Bailhaclie, quite a small man, once editor
of the Oliio Stiitc Joiirnnl. Somehow, in the darkness and confusion of ideas,
Starling managed to thrust himself into Bailhache's breeches, with his feet and
legs sticking out nearly a yard below, and the little editor, minus his own gar-
ments, got into Starling's high boots and longtailed coat, which covered him all
over and still dragged behind like a fashionable lady's train of the present day.
Others were desperately struggling to force their nether extremities through the
sleeves of their coats, and all were sweating and swearing when they were found
in this ludicrous guise, and informed that the crowd awaited their presence and
acknowledgment of the unusual honor of a serenade."
The domestic life of the boi'ough period reflects better than anything else the
true condition of the iieojjle at that time. Let us take some glimpses into their
2(J4 History or the City of Columbus.
homes, for here wc perceive, us nowhere else, what they enjoyed, what they
endured, and how they lived. The following charming pictures of the typical
home and housewife of the horoutjh are drawn by the pen of Mrs. Emily Stewart,
/iCcMerion, the subject ufwlKise sivoteh is the pioneer life ofWilliam Merion, vSenior,
who built a cabin and settled on iiis land at the present corner of High and Molcr
streets in the autumn of 1810. I^eferring to Mrs. Merion, iice Sallie Voris,'' Mrs.
Stewart writes:
Every one who worked on a farm at that time expected to be boarded and lodged. The
school teacher boarded around. There were no cooking stoves, sewing, knitting or washing
machines, and even the plain washboard was not useil here until about 1830. It is evident
tliat managing the Imusekfc-i.ing ilepitrtnicnt of this family was no small matter. Every
garment worn liy tlir lamily was iiia'lc fmni tlie raw material. The flax bad to be spun,
woven, liU'achi'd and iikuU' into t;arnii'nts. Thu table linen, toweling, bedding, and even the
ticking and .^cw inir I liieail were hand-made. The wool of a hundred sheep was brought in at
shearin.i; tiiiM . :\li> Merion had it washed, picked, carded (in early times by hand cards),
spun, .sciiurcd. dyi'd, woven and made into flannel, jeans, linsey, blankets, coverlets* and
stocking yarn. Then it had to be made into clothing. The men's clothing was all home-
made ; even their suspenders were knitted. Each member of the family had two suits through-
out, two pairs of stockings, and one pair of mittens to commence the winter with. Tiie floors
were covered with 'beautiful carpets, not rag, but all wool, of the brightest colors of her own
dyeing. The milk of fifteen to twenty cows was brought in twice a day, to be turned into
butter and cheese. ...
It is impossible to do justice to the cooking of those days. Turkeys, geese, ducks,
chickens, spareribs, beef roast, whole pigs, etc., were hung by twine cords which were fastened
to hooks in the mantel, and roasted before the wood fire. Chickens, quail, squirrels, and
tenderloin were first dipped in melted butter and broiled on the gridiron over wood coals.
The corn pone that was baked in the Dutch oven all night, and was hot for breakfast, was
matched by johnnycakes baked on a board before the fire, and chicken pies with not less
than three and sometimes five fat chickens in one pie. The boiled dinner consisted of ham
or shoulder, a bag holding not less tlian tliree quarts being filled with meat, vegetables and
pudding batter which were all boiled together. The pudding sauce was sweet, thick cream
and sugar, or maple syrup. The brick oven, which held four pans of bread and twelve pies,
was heated every day in summer, and twice a week in winter. Fruit in its season was pared
and dried in the sun. Canning was unknown. Tomatoes, of which a few plants were
placed in the flower beds, were purely ornamental and were called Jerusalem apples. Soda,
then known as pearl ash, was not to be had. Mrs. Merion made it by leaching hickory
ashes, boiling the lye into potash, and putting it in an earthen vessel, and baking it in the
brick oven, until it dried and whitened. With this and buttermilk she made delicious bis-
cuit, batter cakes and corn bread. Her table linen was of the whitest, her china always
polished, and her taljle butter always stamped, in early times with four hearts, later with
hanging pears. She was like the woman described.by Solomon : " She seeketh wool and flax
and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands
hold the distafi'."
She raised her family without nerves. They never heard of nervousness while under
her care. She was without fear. Returning from Franklinton in 1814, alone on horseback,
she was overtaken by darkness while crossing the river at the old ford, near the present
lower bridge of the Hocking Valley Railway. A gang of wolves took after her and chased
her nearly to her own door. When asked whether or not she was frightened, she said, " I am
a good rider, and was on a horse which nothing could overtake. What had I to be afraid of ?"
The pioneer's wife had no time to improve her mind. All her time was spent in work.
The long winter evenings were occupied with sewing, knitting or spinning on the little wheel.
The family reading was the Bible, Life of Josepbus, History of the United States, French
^^M.-^^
The Capital as a UimoLiiii. 1. lilia
Revolution, Life of Benjamin Franklin, and the weekly paper. The mail came once a month
in early times, and the postage, which was riot prepaid, was twenlyfive cents on each letter.
Mrs. Merion liked to have some one read aloud in the evenings, hut they hail \u< lights except
a large lamp or a homemade tallow-dip candle.' There was a standing oiler in her family of
five dollars to any one of her children that would read the Bihlc through aloud to the
l-iiuily. There were several that read one dollar's wortli. Nathaniel read the Old Tcslamciit
liut did not get into the New. His mother was so plcasi'd, however, that she jiaid hiin in
full.
The story of aiiothof nialroii's lite in liic borough shall here bo presented. It
is told in her letters to her jiarcnts, brothers ami sisters — a package of precious
memenlocs kindly subniitled to the inspeclioii of the author by her surviving son.
In the summer of 1817 the writer of these letters and her husband quitted their
home at Easton, Pennsylvania, and journeyed westward, resolved to try their for-
tunes at the frontier town of Columbus, The youngcmigraiits, then newly- wedded,
were not favored witii an abundance of means, but were vigorous, eager and hoiie
ful. After a ftitiguiug and somewhat adventurous journey across the Alleghanics
and through the still meagerly settled forests west of the Ohio, they arrived at
their destination early in August. At the i)riee of one thousand dollars they
bought of Henry Brown, afterwards Treasurer of State, a town lot, now, in part,
the site of one of the principal business blocks of the city. They were to pay for
it, besides a gold watch worth two hundred dollars, given iu e.veliange, two hun-
dred dollars in cash, four hundred April 1, 1819, and two hundred April 1, 1S2().
The lot was located on "West 15road Street, north side, a few rods west of lliich. On
this ground the purchaser, who was a cari)eiiter, erected with his own hands a
plain, wooden dwelling. He and liis young wife immediately rcj)orled to their
eastei-n friends the enterpri.se which they had undertaken, and in resjjonse were
sharply admonished that they had better not buj' any more town lots, at least not
at such prices. The investment doubtless seemed adventurous at the time, and so
indeed it proved to be. To l)e prepared to make the deferred payments when they
should liill due, and tij fit up their little home comfortablj', was the serious task to
which the young carpenter and his wile addressed themselves, and it was.atask
which they did not fulfil without a most determined and ilifficult strui^glc.
The letters to which reference has been made tell more im]iressively than can
otlicrwiso be told the pathetic story of this brave endeavor to found a home in
primitive Columbus. They ahso contain many valuable historical facts fully jusli
tying the liberal extracts from them which will now he made. The author (dtlu-
letters was Mrs. Betsy Green Deshler, and her husband was David W, Deshlcr,
afterwards one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens of the capital.
That Mrs. Deshler was a woman of uncommon intelligence and natui-al beauty
of character is attested bj- every line she wrote. Judging her by these unaffected,
unconstrained mes.sages, than which there could be no truer refle.x of her mind
and character, she must have been a wife and mother of the noblest type. She
was also an impersonation of modest, practical good sense. Without self-assertion
she narrates in the simplest way her own and her husband's experiences — their
plans, hopes, difficulties and disappointments.
On the fourteenth of August, 1817, Mrs, Deshler writes to hci- parents :
We have purchased and hauled l.iOO bricks for our chimney at |4.50 per thousand at the
kiln, and have engaged a frame twenty six feet front, eighteen deep, one story ten feet be-
266 History of the City of Columbus.
tween the joice, which is to be completed and raised for fifty dollars. We intend setting our
building thirtyfive feet back, fronting towards the street, and dividing it into a room and
kitchen, with chimney in the centre so as to have a fireplace in both. The kitchen will be
eleven by eighteen, the room fifteen by eighteen including walls, chimney, &c.,— small, but
plenty large enough for us and requiring less furniture. As soon as the house is done we
intend building a shop about the same size, and placing it in front, at the upper end of the
lot. Both will cost us about four hundred dollars exclusive of the carpenter work. . . .
The person who owns the nest half lot has offered us one hundred and fifty dollars cash for
five feet, but we do not intend selling it as long as we can possibly hold it. I am in hopes Ijy
industry and economy we will be able to keep it. In a few years it will be very valuable.
October 2, 1817, to her brother:
Everything is cheap and plenty except salt and coff'ee, and a few other grocery articles
which come high, owing to the distance they are transported, which is from Philadelphia or
Baltimore. Sugar is cheaper here than at Easton ; we can get it in the spring of the year for
I2h cents per pound, owing to its being the production of our own state. Salt will come lower
in a short time, as there are many saltworks in this part of the country, and some near
Columbus. We can't boast of as many luxuries as you can, but we have some which you
have not ; one in particular is peaches. Such fruit J never saw before. One of the neighbors
sent me in a basketful, several of which measured a full quarter of a yard in circumference.
I have not seen any pears this fall, or any plums except wild ones, which we have in great
abundance.* Venison is sold here at four shillings * for a whole deer, and turkeys for twenty-
five cents. Rabbits, pigeons and all kinds of game are very cheap. They are brought here,
particularljf venison, by the Indians, who live not far off. I wished for Lydia the other day,
as I had a delightful boiled salmon for dinner, which was caught in the Scioto. [Tlus prob-
ably refers to a large fish with flesh of a red color, locally known as " red horse." No salmon
have ever been taken in the Scioto.] I suppose it weighed between four and five pounds.
That, with a fish called the bas.s, not quite so large, sold for twentyfive cents. We have no
shad in this part of the country, but we have other kinds of fish which are caught at Lake
Erie and sent here salted up in barrels.
I have very good neighbors. People here are remarkably kind to strangers. Several of
the neighbor women have told me to come and get any kind of vegetables out of their gar-
dens. There is a little boy who brings me cream every morning for breakfast. . . . Our
house is getting along very well. . . . All the dry boards made use of here are kiln-dried,
as no board yard is kept here.
We sold our horse and wagon for more than they cost us. The horse we traded to a
man for the plastering of our house, which is the same as cash. . . . Wood sells as it did at
Easton many years ago, for a dollar a load, or k dollar and a quarter for a cord, piled up at
your house.
December 1, 1817, to her father:
We shall occupy but one room this winter, as David must make use of the other as a
shop. Our house is not large, but it is very neat and convenient. . . . We took a great deal
of pains to discover the prices of other lots, and when we compared the diflerent situations and
prices we found ours quite reasonable. Property all sells very high in Columbus ; the lot on
the corner opposite ours was sold for eighteen hundred dollars and the owner has since been
offered twentyfive hundred, which he thought proper to refuse, knowing that in a short time
it would be worth considerable more. You observe that it would be best for us not to buy
any more lots. You need not be the least apprehensive, as we are now using every e.vertion
Note — * The value of tbe shilling was onesixth of a dollar. The most common of the silver pieces was
the York shilling, worth twelve aud one halt cents, or eight per dollar, and known also as a " bit" or " levy;"
and the " fip," or half shilling, worth six and a quarter cents. In the Southern States the fip was called a pic-
ayune. It was the smallest silver coin then used.
The Capital as a Bniiou<iii, I. 2i>7
to pay for tliat we have bought before we put ourselves any more in ilt'l)t. . . . We rise every
mornin<r and have breakfa.st by candle-light, and then work industriously all day. . . . .
Oak. ash, walnut and cherry are the only kinds of boards made u.se of in this country.
and they all sell for nearly the same price, viz, from twelve to tifteen dollars per thou-
sand ; kiln-dried, six dollars per thousand more. . . .
Carpenters do their work by the piece; journeymen's wages one dollar per day and
found; bricklayers, four dollars per thousand, including lime, sand and tenders. Land
unimproved from a dollar and a half to four dollars per acre ; improved from eight to
sixteen dollars. Twothinls of the land in this section of the country will average thirty
busliels of wheat to the acre. The risk of transportation to Now Orleans exceeds the e.v-
pense of carriage. The market for western produce, in two or three years, will be New
York by the way of Lower Sandusky and Lake Erie. Spinning wheels are dull sale on
account of the scarcity of tlax. . . . The Sandusky country [Indian reservation] compos-
ing onethird of the State of Oliio, will either he sold or located next year by the United
States Government.
January 31, 1818, to her brotlier:
We have but one meetinghouse here, and that a Methodist, as onethird of the in-
habitants are of that denomination, but there is one on the other side of the Scioto, about
a ndle from Columbus, which belongs to the Presbyterians. We [the Presbyterians] have
meeting very often this winter in tlie Statehouse. which is a very large and conuuodious
building for that purpose.
March 26, 181S, to her .sister :
I have most excellent neighbors. They arc ;is kind to me as people can possilily lie.
Our nearest neighbor but one is the family of the Auditor of the State. They arc very Uiml.
Mr. Osboru, for that is the gentleman's name whose family I have just mentioned, when we
lai<l up our pork came over and cut it up, showed ns how to salt it, and is now sumkinL' il in
his smokehouse. . . .
The people, as a mark of attention when a stranger moves into the neighborhood, send
them a dish of something that they think would be acceptable. . . . Our nearest neighbors
[a family named Mills] are from Vermont, conse<iuently Yankees. They sent me a fine mess
of stewed pumpkin, their favorite dish. Our next neighbors are Virginians. You must
know that they are extremely fond of anything made of corn, and as a mark of attention they
sent me a dish of hominy. The next, a German family, sent a dish of sonrcrout.
June 20, 1818, to her brother :
We have a very neat house, and furniture good and phiin, with a handsome green yard
before the door, and i>lanted with trees, rosebushes, currant bushes, raspberry bushes or
vines, morning glories, and I know not what all. . . .
The best wheat flour sells here for $21)0 per hundred, butter, by thousands, at twelve
anil a half cents, eggs at six and seven cents i)er dozen, and beef, uncommonly high, at six
and seven cents per pound. .\t the last session a law was passed for the incorporation of
Columbus, and since then we have onr regular market days and hours.
Auf^ust 20, 1818 ; writes to her brother that she had been very sick, and not ex-
))ected to live. The physicians treated the disease chiefly with iaudaiiurn. Her
hu.sband had formed a partnership, and obiaiiicd a lontracl Tor work at the .State-
house by which he hoped to make riiiiui;li lo luccl his first payninit and put uji a
shop. The letter continues :
We have at length got a meeting-house up, and the seats have been sold out to defray
the expence of building. We have bought one, the price of which was thirtyseven and a
half cents . . . The Presbyterian congregation of the place, is very large, .\lmost every
respectable family of the town belongs to the meeting.
268 History of the City of Columbus.
February 3, 1820, to her father:
David works every day, and for the last five months has not got one dollar in money.
. . . All the work that is done in Columbus is for trade, trade, and no money. It makes
it difficult to get along. . . .
Produce of every kind has become low ; beef three dollars, pork ditto, butter twelve and
a half cents per pound, venison fifty cents per saddle, and all else in proportion. Yet it is
more difficult to get cook things, as some of the neighbors used to say, than it was when they
were higher. Groceries are high; coffee 62^ cents per pound, tea |2.2,5. Sugar we make
Durselves, but loaf sugar is fiftysix cents per pound. Salt we jjet by weight, three dollars for
fifty pounds. Drygoods are low in proportion to other things.
April 7, 1820 :
Produce of every kind is very low liere, owing to the scarcity of money. . . . I be-
lieve the price [of freight from Philadelphia] is reduced to ten dollars per hundred weight.
September 10, 1820 :
In the spring David had considerable business, but for some time past he can't get a
dollar's worth of work to do, and not only he but all other mechanics in town are in the
same condition. . . . Many families have gone to the Wabash. . . . There are but three
stores in town that do any business worth mentioning; formerly there were ten or twelve
large stores. Owing to the depreciation of paper money, and the scarcity of specie, merchants
cannot collect their debts, and therefore cannot replenish their stores. The few that can
continue to keep an assortment say they are making money faster than ever they did since
the war.
Produce of every kind sells low; wheat fifty cents per busliel, rye forty, corn 12J, oats
12i, barley fi2\ (its being used instead of coffee enhances its price somewhat), butter from
eight to twelve cents per pound, chickens eight cents apiece, beef four cents, veal four cents,
pork two and a half cents pigeons from IS:] to twentyiive cents per dozen, eggs 0', cents,
apples fifty cents per bushel, peaches tifty cents. All are plenty and very good, but it is
more diflicult to get the articles mentioned than when they bore a high price, even double
what they now bear. Tea and coffee we scarcely pretend to think of, much less taste.
When the coffee ran out we drank rye, and instead of tea, hot water.
December 25, 1820, to her sister:
[Business still stagnant and labor unemployed. Mr. D. had been so fortunate as to get
a contract to make shelves for the State Library, his first cash job for over ten months.'
The first payment on his lot coming due, he had no funds with which to meet it, but
managed to arrange for it.]
Febrnury 14, 1821, to her brother :
(.'olumbus has been very lively this winter. The Legislature sat two months, and the
Circuit Court sat here at the same time. Besides, we had most excellent sleigliing nearly all
winter. Tlie Courthouse is to be placed on the Public Square, near our lot.
We have had a number of conspicuous characters in Columbus tliis winter, among
whom were Henry Clay, of Kentucky, a very genteel man in his appearance, but very plain,
indeed. Tell father I always thought he was plain in his dress, but Mr. Clay is much plainer.
If you recollect Uncle Ben's old-fasliioned drab-colored cloth coat, with the buttons as big as
a dollar, you will have some idea of Mr. Clay's coat which he wore ail the time he was here.'"
With the financial crisis of 1819, and the industrial and business depression
which followed, a scourge of malarial disease prevailed in Central Ohio. During
the spring and summer months the undrained forests of that region, with theii' rank
growth and decay of vegetable matter, exhaled miasma, and filled the atmosphere
with poison. In January, 1819, Mrs. Deshler lost her firstborn infant, a daughter,
Thk Capital as a Borouoii. I. 2(19
allLT :i lirifl' illnoss willi iiiflaminatoiy fovcr. From llialtiiiio Hnwaiil Ikt It-Uors
make fVoijuoiit iiu'iitioii of tlio miasmatic aiui febrile disoawcs with wliieli lierself, her
liusbaiul, llie lioi-oui;;ii and llie country settlements round about were almost con-
stantly afflicted. Kising from a jirolonged and nearly fatal attack of the ijrcvailing
fever, her convalescence was just in time to enable her to nurse her sick luishaMti
whose life, for a time despaired of, was presei-ved by her faithful attentions. To such
distresses were added, not for this ]iarticular family only, but for scores of others,
indeed for the entire community, the gloom and discouragement of almost hopeless
debt arising from the currency derangement and coiise(iucnt industrial stagnation
of the •■onntry. The (nllowing addiliona! c.xlracls from .Mrs. DcMJilcrs Idlers will
convey some idea nl'thc gcnci-al cdmlilion of things which then prevailed
May 17, lS21,t<> her fallicr:
We have had a remarkably n<\<\ and liackwanl spiiiii;; \\un\XK in the -anion arc Imt.
barely up. On the seventeenth of Ajiril a snow fell seveial indies deep, and as yet we liave
not had more than two warm days in succession. Ahnost everybody lieve has been sick,
owing to the disagreeable weather.
September, 1, 1821, to her mother:
We have had nothingbut sickness and trouble in omrariiily since .Imie. . . . David was
taken with the bilious fever on the first of July, and was confined to bed for nearly seven
weeks, and part of the time entirely deranged. Without help, I took care of him fourteen
nights in succession. . . . There has been, this season, considerable sickness in Columbus,
lint none to compare with that in the country. . . . There is not enougli business for onehalf
of the people who are well enough to work.
October 20, 1821, to her brother :
It is, and has been, more unhealthy this season than for many years. . . . The nmst that
appears to occupy the minds of the people this year is sickness, taking care of the sick, going
to funerals, and hanl times. There is no business, and any one wdio can keep wliat lie has
does well, without adding " a mite to the morsel."
March 15, 1822, to her sister:
Very dull times in Columbus. But one building going up next summer that we can hear
of. Produce of every kind sells for little or ngthing. The first lire of any consequence that
ever took place in this town happened a few weeks since. Kiglit buildings were consumed.
They were all small shops except one, a small dwelling house.
Alay 28, 1822, to her brothei- :
Business of all kinds is very dull ami produce very low; (lour ijsl.'ir) per cwt., corn 121
cents, bacon 4 cents, butter from fl to 8 cents, eggs y, and 4 cents, chickens ."> and i; cents
apiece, feathers 25 cents per pound, wool 50 cents, flax 8 cents per pounil, country linen 20,
25 and 37 cents per yard, domestic molasses (for such is all we have) r.O cents per
gallon. We laid in our sugar in time of sugar-making for six cents per pciuiid. Imt now,
owing to the badness of the season, it brings eight cents per pound casli.
September 29, 1822, to her brother:
There has been much more sickness this season than has ever been known since the set tle-
ment of Franklin County. Our burying ground has averaged ten new graves per week, for a
number of weeks past. . . . The most healthy, robust and vigorous persons are liable to be taken
off with bilious fever, the prevailing sickness of the western country, and you would be as-
tonished to see the anxiety of the people in settling u|) their worldly business before the
sickly season commences. None feel safe, not one; for in three or four days, from perfect
270 History op the City op Columbus.
health, many of our enterprising, useful and beloved citizens are laid in the grave, and man}',
many are the orphans and widows that our town presents. . . . Mr. Deshler has not in
eighteen months received twenty dollars in cash for his work. We can get iirnduce of every
kind for work, but more than what we can eat ninst be thrown a\va\ . tor it cannot be sold,
and produce will not buy store goods, except a few articles such as whisky, tVatliers, beeswax
and wool, and these the country people keep for themselves. ...
Prices of provisions are low ; wheat 25 cents, corn \2]>i cents, oats 14 cents, pork $2 per
cwt., beef $3 per cwt., butter6to8cents, eggs 4 cents, chickens 4 and 5 cents apiece, honey in the
comb 8 cents, lard 0 cents, tallow 8 cents, sweet potatoes 75 cents, potatoes IS94 to 25 cents,
apples 37J^ cents per bushel, peaches 12i^ to I834' cents per bushel, dried peaches $1 per
bushel, shellbarks 50 cents per bushel, &c. Groceries are lower than they have ever been ;
tea $1.25, coffee Sl^i cents, loaf sugar .S7J^ cents, maple sugar 10 cents, pepper, ginger and
allspice 50 cents, salt $1 per bushel, feathers 3\^ cents, wool 50 cents, flax 10 cents, <&c.
February 27, 1823, to her brother :
Business is yet dull in Columbus, but I think times are not ,so hard as they have been.
. . . They [the hard times] have proved the greatest blessing to this country. People have
felt the necessity for economy. They have learned the true valuation of property, and are
much more careful about contracting debts.
August 10, 1823, to her parents :
This State has been very sickly this season, and the condition of this town has been for
the last two weeks, and continues to become, very alarming. The fever which a great
number of our citizens have become victims of is bilious, attended with extreme pain, some
losing sight and hearing and still retaining reason. From perfect health, some die within
four days' sickness, and I know of no instance of the patient lying more than ten or twelve
days. . , .
Our town is at present nothing but a scene of trouble, sickne.ss and death. If you go to
the door at midnight you see a light in almost every house, for watching with the sick and
dead. No business of any kind doing, our town perfectly dull, people in the country sick,
and strangers afraid to pass through the town.
October 4, 1823, to her brother :
The sickness of this country does not abate. The distress that the citizens of this State,
and of this western country, and particularly this section of the State labor under, is unparal-
leled by anything I ever witnessed. This town, and towns generally, have been awfully
visited, and with such distress as I never wish to behold again, but at the same time nothing
to compare with what has been endured in the thinly settled parts of the country. I could
relate- cases that would appear incredible and impossible, some of which are these :
On a small stream called Darby, about eighteen miles from here, there are scarcely
enough well people to bury the dead. In one instance a mother was compelled to dig a grave
and bury her own child in a box that was nailed up by herself, without one soul to assist her.
Only think of it ! Another case was that of a man, his wife and four children who had settled
three miles from any other house. The father, mother and all took sick, and not one was
able to hand another a drink of water, or make their situation known. At length a man in
search of his horse happened to call at the house to enquire, and found a dead babe four days
gone, in the cradle, the other children dying, the father insensible, and the mother unable
to raise her head from the pillow.
In another family, ten in number, only a few miles from town, all were sick except
two small children who actually starved to death, being too small to go to a neighbor's, or
prepare anything for themselves. In numbers of families all have died, not one member
remaining. A person a few days ago passed a house, a short distance from town, out of
which they were just taking a corpse. One of the men told him there were three more to be
buried the next morning, and a number sick in the same house. Such is the distress of our
The Capital as a Boroikhi. I. 271
country that the larmers can do no ploughing, nor gatiier their corn, potatues, or anything
else.
Provisions of every kind are very high, and scarcely to be had. There is no money in
circulation, and hundreds who never knew what it was to want, are sick and actually suffer-
ing for the common comforts of life. . . . You would he astonished to behold the faces of our
citizens. There is not one, young or old, but that is of a dead yellow color. No kinds of
business are going on except making collins and digging graves.
We are glad to get Hour at $4 per barrel, beef at 4 cents per pound, butter at 12J to K!
cents per pound, and everything else in proi)ortion ; so you may juilge how living is, between
sickness and scarcity.
October 13, 1824, to her mother :
You have no idea what a scene of tnjuhle and sickness we have passed through the
last four months. George was sick live weeks with biliniis fever, and never walked a step in
four weeks. [This letter was written by Mrs. Dcsbler in her sick bed, on which she liad
lain for twelve weeks.]
November 20, 1824, to her brother :
I Wiis, perhaps, when I wrote home last, as low in spirits as I ever was in my life, and
no wonder; all sick, all trouble, everybody dying, and, as a poor negro says, "everybo<ly
look sorry, corn look sorry, and even de sun look sorry, and nobody make me feel glad."
May 12, 1825, to her brother :
We have had an unspeakable winter in this country —scarcely cold weather enough to
make it appear like winter. ... I hope we shall have a more healthy season than the past ones
have been. If there is any cliange in the times, I think it is for the better. Produce, how-
ever, is very cheap, and store goods are very low, more so than I ever knew them at Easton.
While domestic cotton sells for IL'J to thirtyseven and a half cents per yard, good bed ticking
:!7J, tea 11.50 per pound, coffee .ilj and other things in proportion. Colurab.us has altered
much as respects dress in the last tliree or four years. A woman will not now be seen on the
street unless she has on a leghorn flat and a cro.ss or figured silk or Lafayette calico, or some-
thing as tine. . . . Lafayette prints, belts, vests, shoes and boots, and even pocket handker-
chiefs prevail."
March 6, 182(5, to her lirolher :
Every body in this town has been .severely alllicteil with influenza.'* Some few have
died, but the prevalence of the disease has abated. ... 1 have three little darling children
in the graveyard. . . . We have two here.
October 10, lH2(i. Has visited Easton and returned. Writes to her brother:
You can 't imagine how much handsomer it looks in Ohio than at Easton.
Xovember 26, 182(j, to her brother and sister:
Our town is quite healthy and very lively. Provisions are plenty and cheap.
Mrs. Deshler died August 2, 1827, when hereon, our present welUknown fellow
citizen, Mr. William G. Deshler, was but ten weeks old. She passed away, at the
age of thirty years, while yet in the prime of her womanhood, a victim to the
anxieties and maladies incident to the frontier. Yet her life, albeit so unpreten-
tious and inconspicuous, fiiiled not of enduring results. With such mothers as she
to give birth to the architects of her civilization, it is not strange that Ohio has
won her present distinction in the family of States. J5ut we owe to such motiiers
something more than distinction, for it was by their eflforts and sacrifices, no less
than those of their husbands and brothers, that the rude forces of nature were sub-
dued, and the wilderness converted into sniiliuLC hills, valleys and i.lain.s, spread
with blossoms and waving harvests.
History of the City op Columbus.
NOTES.
1. A more circumstantial account of the organization of tlie borough government, to-
gether with a complete copy of the statute of its incorporation, is reserved for the history of
The Municipality.
2. A formal reception was given to the President at Worthington. The address of
welcome was delivered hy Hon. James Kilbourn.
3. Martin.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. See page 171.
7. " Pineknots, t.allow candles, and lard-oil lamps furnished light. The embers in the
fireplace were seldom suftVred to burn out, but when the last coal chanced to expire the fire
was rekindled by striking a spark from the flint into a piece of tinder. The tinder-box was
to our ancestors what the match-box is to us. Sometimes, when the fire went out, a burning
brand was borrowed from the hearth of a neighbor. Bread was baked in Dutch ovens, or bake-
pans, set over beds of live coals raked upon the hearth, and meats and vegetables were boiled
in pots hung by hooks upon a strong piece of green tiuiber, called the " lugpole," which was
placed across the wide chnunej'-flue, just above the blaze. In time the lugpole gave place to
the iron crane. There was inveuted also a cooking utensil of tin called a reflector, by means
of which biscuits were baked. . . . Corn bread was often prepared in the form of a jolinny-
cake —a corruption of journey cake — a loaf baked upon a "johnny" board, about two feet
long and eight inches wide, nn which the diiu>;li was spread and then exposed to tlie fire.
In Kentucky, the slaves used to liakc similar loaves on a hoe, and called them hoe-cakes." —
Venable's Foolprinls of the Piuimrs in llir (lliii, \'ull,y.
8. Much of the flat land on the west side of the Scioto was thickly overgrown with
wild plum bushes.
9. These shelves, or rather cases, were afterwards called alcoves. About twenty of
them were made by Mr. Deshler's own hands. When the old slate building was demolished
and the library removed to the present Capitol, these shelves were stored in the basement as
old lumber. Mr. William G. Deshler bought one set of the cases of Governor Chase for ten
dollars, and it now stands in the City Library as the Deshler Alcove, to which are attached
over two thousand volumes.
10. Mr. Clay was then attending trial of the suit of the Allen heirs vs. Starling, men-
tioned in the earlier part of the chapter.
11. At that time Lafayette was revisiting and making a tour of the United States. The
gratitude of the American people for his helpful services during the War of Independence
was such that he was feted and lionized wherever he appeared, and one of the forms which
the popular enthusiasm assumed was that of bestowing his name on the prevalent fashions of
the day in articles of clothing. Lafayette was invited to visit Columbus, but was unable to
do so, and sent his regrets.
12. Perhaps a malady sinnlar to that now known as la grippe.
/O^l "'
CHAPTER XV.
THE CAPITAL AS A BOROl'iill. 1M1C,.18M4. II.
Tlio coiitLMiqioriti'v ilosci'i]ilions of ('i)lunilius dm-iiii; its lioroni^li period Cre
queutly rcl'cr to " its e.xculleiit s])i-iny-s and tine niiuiiiijj- stroams (jl water." (loud
wells, it is said, were "easily obtained in all parts of the town."' Later aLitiioriiics
corroborate these statements. They al.so concurrently represent that in and ainmt
the borough were numerous marshes, quagmires and ponds. In other words, the
'• high bank opposite Frankiinton " on which the capital was located, while being
saturated intermittently from the clouds above and constantly from springs be-
neath, had the sponge like quality of retaining much of the water it received, and
held more of it, in solution with decaying vegetable matter, than was good for the
pcojjle who dwelt in that locality. Doubtless much of the sickness mentioned in
the letters just (juoted was due to this fact. The ground had no drainage except
that of the surface, and the imprisoned water, as often ha|)pens with other idle
agents, became a source of deadly mischief.
The principal morass, with its outl3-ing swales and ])oniis, enilnaced the
present sites of the Fourth Street Marketliou.se, Trinity Church, and the Cathe-
dral, cro.ssed the line of Broad Street, and ejctondcd in a northeasterly direction to
the neighborhood of Washington Avenue. That part of it comprising the tract
now known as the Kelley proj'erty, and a considerable area east of it, was a
quagmire, of such an unstable nature that the falling of a rail, or other similar
concussion, would cause it to shake for yards around. Mr. Joseph Sullivant was
accustomed to say that he could take a station on Spring Street from which he
could shake it by the acre. Its most elevated point was the natural mound on
which now stands the residence of the late .1 ndgc .lames |j. Bates, near the corner
of (iranl Avenue and Broad Street.
When the Hon. Alfred Kelley built on lliis ground, in lS8li, the large, colon-
naded mansion which still stands there, it was popularly termed " Kelley's Folly."
But Mr. Kelly knew what he was about, as the sequel proved. He perceived that
the mora.ss was due, primarilj-, to saturation caused by a sjn-ing of strongly cha-
lybeate water which issued in great volume at a point near the site chosen for his
residence, just mentioned. So copious was the discharge of this sjjring that its
fall over a ledge near its origin could he heard, during a quiet evening, to the
distance of several squares. As soon as .Mr. Kelley had changed the direction of
its current so as to afford it a ready esia|ie, the liDg around it began to dry up. but
nnl suttiiienlly l" Jireveiit il ivmu hii|ieli'ssly niiriiii,' llie village enws wliirh were
18 L--^J
2^4 History of the City of Columbus.
seduced by its marsh grass within its quaggy precincts. The soil of this morass
was a black loam, and produced some excellent crops of corn for Mr. John L. Gill,
who at one time owned part of it, for which he paid the sum of eighty dollars per
acre. The price paid by Mr. Kelley was about thirty dollars per acre.
That part of Broad Street which passed through the swamp was easily cut by
wheels, and in wet weather almost impassable. To make it a practicable thorough-
fare, it was corduroyed, about 1820, from the site of the Cathedral eastward, by
citizens working out their road tax. The roadway was thus considerably im-
proved, but for a long time afterwards remained in a very bad condition, insomuch
that even the light carriages which traversed it on social errands were often
foundered.
The entire Bast Broad Street region abounded in springs, one of which, issu-
ing in the street a short distance beyond Cleveland Avepue, is said to have supplied
the Old Statehouse with water, conducted to it by piping. When the sewers were
laid, the waters from these springs, and of the swamp generally, were gradually
absorbed, and so strong was the current which gushed into the channel cut for the
Broad Street sewer that the progress of that work was seriously interfered with.
Spring Street took its name from numerous natural fountains which issued in
its vicinity, and fed a brook of clear water known as Doe Run. This rivulet had
two or three branches, one of which extended through the grounds now occupied
bj' the j-ailwaj's. Another, which had its origin in a copious spring near the present
Cliurch of St. Pati'ick, coursed southwesterly to a point near Fourth Street between
Spring and Long, then, by a sudden bend, changed direction to Spring. Mean-
dering through a wide and treacherous bog, .sometimes called " The Cattail Swamp,"
Doe E,un was confluent on Spring Street with Lizard Creek, the waters of which
were gathered from the springs of the Broad Street morass, and descended Third
Street from a point near which now rises the Cathedral. Pursuing its westward
course, after being fed bj' Doe Run, Lizard Creek crossed High Street by a depres-
sion often or fifteen feet, and ihence rushed down a gulley twentyfive feet deep to
the Scioto. The High Street roadway at first descended to the bed of this creek,
but afterwards leaped it by a wooden bridge. Mr. John M. Kerr informs the
writer that he caught minnows in its waters in his youthful days, and Mr. Harri-
son Armstrong states that when attending a school kept in a building ancestral to
the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bank, he and the other boys of the school used
to amuse themselves in stoning the water snakes which glided in and out among
the rocks in the bed of the creek on GhesLnut Street.
Of all the bogs of the borough, that of Lizard Creek seems to have been the
most untrustworthy for all pedestrians, whether biped or quadruped. Wheels, of
course, dared not venture into it, nor could a horse, much less a cow, expect to get
through it without human assistance, but a judicious man might get over it by
cautiously stepping on the hummocks, called in the borough dialect " nig-
ger-heads," formed by tufts of swamp grass. A "nigger-head" violently
jumped on, however, would suddenly disappear, together with the jumj^er.
On West, no less than on East Spring Street, the bog was totally unreliable. Mr.
John M. Kerr saj's he offered town lots there at one time for five dollars a2)iece,
without takei's. In times of freshet Lizard Creek sometimes asserted itself tre-
The Oaimtai, as a Hdniirciii, H. 275
mciKloiisl}-, and becanu- a roaring torrent. Mr. William Armstrong sa3-s ho lia.s
seen it deep enougli to swim a horse. Although no truces of it arc now to be seen,
as hile as May, 1833, the Council of the borough provided by ordinance for
graveling Third Street on both sides of it, and for repairing two culverts over it on
Fourth Street. The same ordinance provided for draining a pond at the east
end of State Sti'cot, opjjosite the residence of Judge Parish, for repairing tiie bridge
at " the south end of High Street," for filling up holes in Front Street, and for
making a culvert at the corner of that street and Rich. About a quai'ter of a mile
east of the Union Station a sulphur spring gushed forth. The ground where the
Station now stands, and all the territory round about, was of a swampy nature.
On East Broad Street, near its junction with Twentieth, lay an inconvenient
body of water, commonly known as the " Crooked- wood Pond," in which the
piscatorial boj-s of the borough were accustomed to angle for catfish. A practic-
able roadwaj' was finally carried through this slough by rolling logs into it. Some
of these logs were encountered in cutting for the sewer, five or six feet below the
present surface of the street. From this point eastward to Alum Creek most of
the street was laid with a corduroy ti-ack as late as 1S30. Going westward, the
outlying swales of the great Broad Street bog began to be encountered in the
neighborhood of Monroe and Garfield avenues.
Where the Fourth Street Markethouse now stands, so say .several citizens, who
remember it, was a pond in which contemporary boys often went swimming. The
northern extremity of this pond was a few rods south of the jiresent corner of
State and Fourth Streets. Mr. William Armstroni; says he has often niirod his
horse in a marshy place where the First Baptist Church now stands, and sninr
times had great difficulty in extricating him.
Brooks which de.sccnded Fourth and Main streets |Miiiri'il iniili'(ll\- into Peters's
Run, and turned tiie wheels of Conger's Flouring Alill, which, in 1X25, stood in
the ravine back of the llostcr Brewer^-. The Fourth Street brook drained a
portion of the marshy territor}- east of High Street, and was a living stream the
year round. Mr. John Otstot says it sometimes became so rampant in rainy
weather as to sweep awaj- the worm fences along its banks. Mr. J. F. Neereamer,
born here in 1822, says the Fourth Street Run began near the present Highschool
building, coursed westerly on State Street, descended Fourth, formed Hoskins's
Pond where the Alarkethouse stands, and near the present junction of Fourth and
Main streets was joined in forming Peters's Run by a brook the source of which
was near the corner of Rich Street and AVashington Avenue.
The grounds of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb were originally
swamp}-, and wei-e overgrown with the bushes of the wild blackberry. Dick's
Pond, a favorite skating place in winter, was at the junction of Third and Broad
streets, its deepest part being the presentsite of Trinity Church. Where the Denig
& Ferson block now stands, on High Street, the surface of the ground was depressed
three or four feet, forming a pond which was also a winter resort of the skaters.
Among the other early springs of the borough was one on the east bank of the
Scioto, just north of the ])resent location of the State Street Bridge, on wliat was
afterwards known as Wharflot No. 787. A so-called " fountain springhouse " was
kei)t there in 1840 by S. Doherty.
276 History of the City of Columbus.
In 1820, says Mr. William Armstrong, there were not more than two or three
brick houses in the borough. Its improved area terminated eastwardly at Fourth
Street ■ Town Street was yet all in timber. Primitive oak and walnut trees, some
of them nearly six feet in diameter, were standing as far west on Broad Street as
the present site of the First Congregational Church as late as 1827. Mr. Harri-
son Armstrong says he has walked on the fiiUen trees lying in High Street. Some
of their stems, ho avers, yet lie buried under the Odd Fellows' building. Doctor
Theodore Young, who arrived in the borough in 1820, informs the writer that
there were then plenty of tree stumps yet rooted in High Street. At the corner
of High and Friend stood a very large one which it required several days to re-
move. On High vStreet, opposite the present location of the Metropolitan Opera
House, there was a depression in the natural surface of about ten feet. The site of
the Opera House was then occupied by the little shop of a wheelwright named
Aaron Matthews. Doctor Young thinks the present surface of High Street in
front of the Capitol is ten or fifteen feet lower than it was then. The northwest
corner of State and High, where the American House now stands, was then oc-
cupied by Robert W. McCoy's drygoods store. Going thence northward, on the
west side of High Street, the buildings then existing came in "the following order :
1, Marsh's Bakery; 2, McCullough's Tailorshop ; 3, Tommy Johnson's Bookstore ;
4, the National Hotel; .5, three successive frame buildings occupied as groggeries,
and known as the " Three Sisters " ; 6, Judge Gustavus Swan's residence ; 7, a small
frame dwelling, then the residence of Mrs. Nashee, afterwards used as a school for
deaf mutes, and occupying in part the lots forming the southwest corner of Broad
and High Streets.
Northward from Broad on High, west side, came first the residence of Mr.
Greenwood, and next to that the frame dwelling of George B. Harvey. From
that there were no more houses on that side except Zinn's onestory brick dwelling
on the corner of High and Spring.
On High Street, east side, northward from Broad, we found the lots forming
the northeast corner of Broad and High unoccupied, nor was there anything more
in the nature of a building until we came to Wilson's tanyard, which embraced
the present site of the Butler Building, on the northeast corner of High and Gay.
From the tanyard on, there was nothing further until we came to Spring Street,
where then stood a vacant log cabin. Beyond the cabin we stepped into the
Spring Street swamp.
On the west side of High Street, going south from State we first encountered
Harvey D. Little's brick, twostory drygoods store, and next after that came Eus-
sell's Tavern, beyond which there were no more buildings on that side until we
came to Gwynne's drygoods store, also a twostory brick.
The southeast corner of High and State was, in 1820, vacant, but at a later
period it was occupied by a frame building erected by Crosby for a drugstore.
The first building on that side, going southward from State, was a harness shop,
next to which came Northrup's horse-pasture, and next to that a little brick build-
ing, on the corner of the alley. Bej'ond this brick came Brotherlin's hatstorc.
John M. Walcutt, whom Doctor Young mentions by his familiar borough title of
" Daddy Walcutt," had a chairshop on the northeast corner of High and Town.
'I'liK ("apit.m. as a P.()Kc>ii;ii. II. L'TT
Speaking of till' coiHlilion of the borougli :it the time iiis father arrived in it
ill 1817, Honorabio John R. Osboni saj's :
The town had not yet been cleared of its standing timber, trees were standing in |)rofiision
on many streets, and over a large portion of the ground. High ajid Broad streets were well
enough defined, and so were the cross streets between Front and Third, to theMound. The pub-
lic Square was chopped, and I am not sure Init that a wooden fence surrounded it ; but many
years afterwards the thick stumps were still to be seen in it.'-
Mr. Joseph Sullivant stated in an addi-ess'' that a i)awpa\v tliieketgrew durini;-
the borough period near the present Second Presbyterian Church. Speaking of
his schoolboy days, and associates, Mr. Sullivant, in the same address, thus rhap-
sodizes: " AVhat times we had in summer, with prisoner's base, fourholed eat, hojv
scotch, round tiie stakes and roley-bolej' ; and in winter how we gathered the corn
from off the outlots east of Fourth Street, betwixt Town and Rich, and parched it
on the old stove from Mary Ann Furnace ! "
The stumps of primitive forest trees in High Street have been seen and are
remembered by numerous persons now living. Mr. John Otstot remembers a big
walnut one, which stood in front of Heyl's Tavern in 1824, at which time the
street had not yet been graveled. Mr. John M. Kerr speaks of anotiier in front
of the Capitol on which a friend of his used to sit during the summer evenings and
plaj' the violin. Mr. Samuel McClelland, who came to Columbus in 1830, has seen
tree stumps taken out of South High Street, opposite Heyl's tavern. He believes
that many others were not displaced but covered over in the original grading of
the street, and this hypothesis has confirmatiou in the fact thai, between Friend
and Eich Streets, on High, the stump of a beech tree was disclosed in the excava-
tions for the Nicholson pavement in 1867. In 1830 there were yet several tree
stumps in Third Street op]iosite the present Engine House. High Street was then,
in wet weather, no better than a "mudhole." The only important building which
Fourth Street could show at that time was the residence of Hiram Matthews, on
the northwest corner of Town and Fourtli. Mr. Virgil D. Moore remembers High
Street as a " big road full of stumps" about 1825. Long Street, east of High, was
"ornamented " with manj- stumps as late as 1834, says Mr. Reuben B. Champion.
Of the borough at that period Mr. C!hampion further says :
Going out Broad Street, on its south side, after passing Third, all was commons and
farms — not a house until we came to where Seventh Street now is, and there stood a small
log hut on the Ridgway farm. Beyond that there was nothing but woods to Alum Creek.
On the corner of Fourth, north side of Bioad Street, was the residence of Doctor Hoge, the
venerated minister of the Presbyterian Church. Later, Peter Hayden erected his residence
on the northeast corner. There were no houses on the east until you came to where W. A.
Piatt's house was built ; there was also a small house on the Hubbard farm. From thence it
was mud to Alum Creek. The lot at the southeast corner of Broad and Third, where now
stands a church [Trinity] was the " circus lot." The Champion farm contained about three
hundred acres, and embraced most of the land between Broad Street and the Livingston Road,
the western boundary being about opposite the old Lunatic Asylum. That was out of the
world, and but little of it [the farm] was even fenced. Where now stand the Courthouse and
Lutheran Church was a beautiful mound, and about one hundred yards south was " Nigger
Hollow," the end of creation in that direction.*
The socalled "circus lot," it should be explained, took in part of the Capitol
Square, in rear of the United States Court building. Nigger Hollow was the
27S History of the City of Columbus.
habitat of the African population of the borough, and hence its name. Its dusky
denizens seem to have been mostly emancipated slaves, of whom there was a consider-
able influx about the year 1828. On the Champion farm, about one mile from the
Statehouse, grew an injmenseoak tree, which was one of the wonders of the boruugli
vicinage. It was nearly six feet in diameter just above the ground, and when cut
down in 1839 produced 305 fencei-ails and ten and a half cords of firewood. In its
immediate vicinity grew several other oaks nearly as large.
Peters's Run took its name from Tunis Peters, Junior, who removed from
Pickaway County to Columbus in 183(1, established a large tannerj' in the vicinity
of the Euu, and built his dwelling at the spot which now forms the southeast
corner of High and Beck streets. Mr. Peters, at his own expense, erected of brick,
on Mound Street, a Baptist Church building, which was torn away when the street
came to be graded some years later. His descendants are now prominent in the
manufacturing and other business interests of Columbus.
The forest occupying the present area of City Park took from its owner,
Francis Stewart, the name of Stewart's Grove.
The Harbor Road was so called because the pilferers of the borough, and later
of the city, usually harbored in that vicinity. People who missed things wcut
there to look for them. The thoroughfare is now known as Cleveland Avenue.
Friend Street, now Main, was so named because in its early settlement the
people who belonged to the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, were
partial to it.
The woods east of the borough were verj' dense, and abounded in wild game,
of which more will be said in another place. Among the open spaces of the borough
was a pasture field, of mostly solid ground, extending from the present location of
the Penitentiary to the Broad Street Bridge.
A group of cabins on the corner of Spring and Fourth streets took the name
of " Jonesburgh" from that of its proprietor, David Jones, who owned a very large
tract of land in the Spring Street region, east of High. On this ground Jones
erected, ultimately, a score or more of small tenements which he rented mostly to
German families after the people of that nationality began to arrive. One of his
tenants was Jimmj' Uncles, an eccentric character, somewhat intemperate, who
was in perpetual contention with the proprietary lord of the swamp. During one
of their quarrels. Uncles placed an old wooden pump stock in position, pointing
from his window, and declared his purpose to bombard " King David's dominions."
Thenceforward " King David Jones " was one of the colloquialisms of the borough.
On another occasion, when sued by Jones before a Justice of the Peace for the col-
lection of some claim, Uncles put in a counterclaim for services to the plaintiff
in " reading and expounding the Scriptures."
The first German immigrant who settled in the borough was Christian Heyl,
the circumstances of whose advent have already been narrated. In the year 1800
Mr. Heyl, then a boy of thirteen, accompanied his parents in their emigration from
Germany to the United States. So contrary were the winds that the ship in which
they sailed spent tweutythree weeks, or nearly half a year, in making the voyage
from Bremen to Baltimore. Among the borough settlers of German origin or descent
who came after Mr. Heyl, were David W. Deshler in 1817, the Roeder family in
The Caimtai, as a RoKdidii. 11. 270
182(1, John OtHlot ill 1824, Gcorgo Kraii.s in 1S20, liic Sludrr, Knirs, liiinl, Liciit-
oiioggorand Kboriy families in 1831; Pclcr Ambos, Boncdiul IJitter, Otto Zirkol,
ami llio Kriimm, Jacobs and Keinhard families, in 1S32, the Loliror, Zettler
and llindeivr families, Louis Hostor and Loonhard Beck in 1838, and tlio Siobert
and Krienbusch tamilies, Joseph Schneider, Henry Roedler, Fritz Beck, Conrad
lleiiiniiller and the llickly and Esswein brothers in 1834. After the opening of
the canal lo Columbus, the German immigrants were landed at the wharf by boat-
loads. Among the arrivals of that period were the Moehl, Pauseli, Ncufang, Mac-
hold, Zehnacker, Lauer, Aloersch, Scliultz, and Schwcinsberger families, Professor
Juekseh, Doitor Schenck, (i. J. Mayci', Louis Silbernagel, Adam ijuckhau[)t, John
Knopf, Esfjuire J. P. Hriick, Louis Lindemann, John Burkhard, George Kreitlein,
George Schrcyer, Moritz Becker, Joseph Engler, Joseph Weitgenannl, the Koctz
brothers, Casper Miller, John Blenkner, and John G. Bickel.^
A considerable influx of Welsh people took place nearly contemporary with
that of the Germans. Among the earlier arrivals of Welsh settlers were those of
John O., Richard and AVilliam Jones, Thomas Cadwallader and Morgan Powell.
A census of the borough taken during the last week of April, 1829, makes the
following exhibit:
Males under four years of age irvs
" between four and fifteen, 280
" fifteen and twenlyone 153
" over twentyone, 422
Total males, 1008
Females under four 14!)
" between four and fifteen, 282
" " fifteen and eighteen 193
" over eighteen, . 382
Total females, 1006
Grand total 2014
Of the total population, as shown by these figures, one hundred and sixty
])crsons were of African descent.
The census of 1830, taken by Robert Ware, shows a total population of 2438,
of whom 1343 were males, 1095 females, and 216, male and female, of African
descent.
The county seat was removed to Columbus from Franklinton in 1824, at
which time the Common Pleas judges were Gustavus Swan, President, and Edward
Livingston, Samuel G. Flenniken and Arora Buttles, Associates. A. I. McDowell
was the Clerk and Robert Brolherlon the Sheriff. From 1824 until 1840 the county
courts were held in the United States Court building, but the county offices, in the
meantime, were lodged for several years in hired rooms until a building, already
mentioned, was erected for their temporary accommodation, on the Capitol Square,
by the County.
History of the City of Columbus.
NOTES.
1. The National Inldligcnccr , quoted in the Freeman's Chronicle of August 5, 1814.
Address Ijet'oie the F'ranklin County Pioneer Association June 1, lsii7.
Before the Franklin County Pioneer Association June 3, 1871.
Sunday .VnnuMfj News, March 30, 1890.
Most of the information here given as to the German pioneers of Columbus has been
derived from a paper read by the Hon. Henry Olnhausen before the Humboldt Society in Feb-
ruary, 1888.
CHAPTER XV
THE BOROUGH TAVERNS AND COFFEEHOUSES.
Iimkoepiiig in the time of the borough poriod of* 'i)liiiubus was something more
than a business; it was almost a profession. Althoiigli it required no special train-
ing, like the pur.suit of the law, or of medicine, it did both require and develop
.special traits and i|ualitications. To be a successful landlord, or landlady, as the inn-
keepers vvere called, was a worthj- ambition in the public opinion of the time, and
enlisted the best endeavors of many of the best people. Not a few who undertook it
failed, and not a few who succeeded in it became affluent, acquired extensive social
influence, and stepped from it into stations of important ])ublic trust. At the polit-
ical center of the State, where the resources of a now community were strained
to jirovide tor a large official and transient population, the opportunities and
einohinieiiis cif this business were ]iarticularly attractive, and Columbus con-
se(|uenlly ]i()ssessecl. in its eai'ly period, u larger proportion ofinns, oi-, as tiiey wen^
more commonly called, taverns, than any other class of establishments.
The first or pioneer tavern of the borough began its career some liiiu' duiing
the year IHIB under the management of an original settler named Volney Payne.
It was kept in a twostory brick building erected for the purpose by John CoUett on
the second lot south of State Street, west side of High. Its sign in 1816 was The
Lion and The Eagle. From 1H14 the house was kept successively by Payne, Col-
lett, John McElvain and again Collett, until 11S17 or 1818, when it was purchased
by Eobert Hussell, who had an appropriate emblem painted on its sign and called it
The Globe. In conipanj- with Doctor Goodale, Mr. Russell, familiarly known in the
borough as "Uncle Bob,"' had originally come to Franklin County from Lancaster
in 1805, tracing his way through the woods by the " blazed ti'ces." He settled first
in Franklinton, followed merchandizing for ten years, removed to Circleville, then
returned to Columbus and purchased Collett's establishment as above slated.
Under his niangement The Globe came to be considered one of the best taverns
west of the Alleghanies. After an interval of some j-oars during which the estab-
lishment was conducted by Mr. Eobinson, Russell resumed its control, which he
retained until 1847, after which the building was occupied successively by F. C.
Sessions's drygoods store, B. & C. Ortman's shoestore, and the Jewelry store of Buck
& Brown. Its jji-esent successor is the Johnson Building. In 1850 ^Ir. Russell,
having lost his wife by cholera, removed to a farm near Tiffin.
The Columbus Inn, at which the Borough Council held its first sittings, was
opened in 1K15 by David S. Hrodcrick in a frame building at the southeast corner
[2S1]
2S2 History of the City of Columbus.
of High and Town.' This was the boginniiiy of Uir i.slalilishment afterwards widely
known us the City House, and also, for ;i lime, us Kuliinson's tavern, under the
proprietoi'ship of Mrs. Robinson & Son. During the .spi'ing of 1818 Mr. Broderick
retired, and was succeeded by James B. Gardiner, who emblazoned his sign with
a blooming rosetree, and the legend: "The wilderness shall blossom as the
rose."
Oi' llie Hiial fulc of the old Columbus Inn, and of its earlier liistory, the fol-
lowing mention is ma<le, under date of April 4, 1854, in the Ohio Stntr Joiiynul :
Yesterday, tlie workmen commenced, at the corner of High and Town streets, in remov-
ing the venerable old twostory white frames formerly known as the City Hotel. This build-
ing is classic in the early annals of Columbus, and many reminiscences of bygone years are
associated with it. At an early day, David S. Broderick, father of the late Colonel John C.
Broderick, did the honors of host there. He was succeeded by the facetious " Cokeley," who
not only entertained his guests with provant, for which he was an expert caterer, but abund-
antly amused them with his overflowing wit and humor. After him came Mr. James Robin-
son, Mr. Samuel Barr, Colonel [P. H.] Olmsted, and we know not how many others. . . . For
several years past it [the building] has served as a sort of makeshift, and been temporarily
occupied by provision men, hucksters, and mechanic shops until better apartments could be
obtained.
In the same connection we are told that Mr. D. W. Deshler, proprietor of the
premises, is about to erect thereon a sjiacious and beautiful block of business
houses.
The White Horse Tavern was established at an early date, on the present site
of the Odd Fellows' building, by Isaiah Voris, of Frauklinton. Its name was em-
blematically represented on its sign by the picture of a white horse led by a hostler
dressed in green. It was a one-and-a-half-story frame in front, with a long narrow
annex to the rear, supplemented by a commodious barn, which occupied the entire
rear jjortion of its grounds. An upstairs veranda, with which the rooms on that
iloor communicated, opened upon the ample dooryard, and furnished a pleasant
lounging place in summer. The -diuiug room was ranged with long tables, and
warmed from a great open fireplace, out of which, in winter time, the burning
logs snapped their sparks cheerily while the guests gossiped around it, seated upon
sturdy oaken armchairs. In December, 1829, David Brooks became its landlord,
and made it one of the favorite hostelries of the borough. Mr. Brooks seems to
have resumed its management, after an interval, in 1837. It was then known as
the Eagle Hotel.
The Swan Tavern, which had its urigin, already chronicled, in the bakery of
its proprietor, Christian Heyl, was kept in a frame building which yet stands, on
the corner of High Street, east side, and Cherry Alley. On its sign was painted at
one time a white, at an(jther a golden swan. Members of the General Assemby
were fond of stopping with Mr. Heyl, who provided royally both for them and for
the horses from which they dismounted before his door. During its later career
the Swan Tavern became widely known as the Franklin House, of which name,
although at different times adopted hj its rivals, it was the original and proper
owner. In the spring of 1841 Colonel Andrew McBlvain bought the establishment
of Judge Heyl, and became its managing host Its location is described in an ad-
vertisement of that period as "pleasant and commanding, . . . a few rods north of
TllK Hi.mnlUI T.WKHNS ANP {'nl-KKEIinUSES.
284 History of the City of Columbus.
the entrance of the National Road into High Street." In 1842 the establishment
passed from Colonel McBlvain to J. W. & D. C. Dryden, of Xenia. In the sjjring
of 1849 a Franklin House, possiblj' the same, was taken charge of by Grundy D.
Taylor.
Jeremiah Armstrong's Red Lion Hotel, despoiled of many its original appur-
tenances, still stands on South High Street. Its position is on the west side of the
street, a few doors north of the late Metropolitan Opera House Block, between Rich
and Town. Its nearest rival was the White Horse Tavern, which stood nearly op-
posite. On its iirst sign was painted an Indian Chief, but in the summer of 1822
Mr. Armstrong advertised the "Columbus Hotel, sign of Christopher Columbus first
landing from his ship in America;" and in 1827, "The Columbus Hotel, sign of the
Red Lion . . . one dollar ])er day for man and horse. "^ Mr. Armstrong was a
popular host, and entertained many distinguished guests. Mr. John L. Gill, who
alighted at the Red Lion when he first arrived in the borough in 1S26, says that "al-
though not so large as the others, it became famous as the hcailiinarters of several
of the governors, among them Morrow, Trimble and McArtluir."' General Har-
rison, when visiting Columbus, stopped there habitually, as did also Clay, Ewing,
Sherman and other men of national reputation. In 1850 the front part of the old
Red Lion Tavern was removed, and tlie remainder of it fitted up for shops of
various kinds.
James B. Gardiner, who had aequii-ed a large acquaintance as editor of the
Fn'ciihiii's C/iroiiiilr, in Fraiiklinton, started the Ohio Tavernin 1816. Itoccupieda
frame building on ground afterwards known as "the Howard lot," situated on Friend
Street, just west of High. In 1818 Mr. Gardiner took charge of the Columbus
Inn, as successor to Mr. Broderick, and was succeeded. in the Ohio Tavern by Jar-
vis Pike. In 1821 James Lindsey succeeded Pike, and i-aised the sign of The
Swan, but soon exchanged it for The Sheaf of Wheat. In the summer of 1822 Pike
announced that he had "taken that large and commodious stand on Broad Street,
lately the property of H. M. Curry, Esq." It occupied a twostory frame building
on West Broad, and was known as Pike's Tavern.
McCollum's Tavern, The Black Bear, northwest corner of Front and Broad,
was one of the early Columbus inns. Its successor, at a later period, was the Erin
go Bragh. Daniel Kooser opened an inn contemporary with McCollum's at the cor-
ner of Sugar Alley and Front Street, bill its name is not i-ecorded.
In the autumn of 1825 was advciliMMl iIk. Tavern of The Golden Lamb, kept
by Henry Brown "in the building lormnly occupied by Mr. Janies Robinson, and
recently by Mr. William Neil, on High Street, opposite the*LTnited States Court-
house and State buildings." An advertisement of the next month following men-
tions the same place as "Franklin Hall, sign of the Golden Lamb." In 1826 this
establishment passed under the management of Edmund Brown, of West Union.
A twostory brick tavern known as the Union Hotel was situated on South
High Street, west side, nearly opposite The Swan, between Cherry Allej^ and
Rich. John D. Rose, Senioi-, and John D. Rose, Junior, were its proprietors, and
its sign The Golden Plough. In 1836 the Roses announce that " there being a large
wagonyard attached to the establishment, families traveling, and large teams, can
at all times be accommodated." At a later date General Edgar Gale became the
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emigrated to Now Oi-lean.s, \vi
salaiy as a (iis])cnsor of cordial
Tlie lariiv wai^'-onyanl attached to the ["iiion Tavern was situated at tl
l)resent southwest eornef nl M;
kept by Amos Meneely. It wa.s at one time known as the White lIor.se, at another
as the Cross Keys, and was a favorite and famous resort of tlic great wheeled
schooners of the road, which were locked up there over niuht for safetj- of the
merchandise with wliicii they were laden. The Meneely yaid was one of the
liveliest places in the borough, particularly in the evening, when, amid the eraik-
ing of whips, the shouts of teamsters and the jingling of bells wiiiidi the sturdy
roadsters bore upon their hames, the maniTiioth canvas-covered, broad-tread, six-
horse wagons, creaking with their burdens, and dusty with the day's travel came
flocking in for the night.
Another wagonyard. not so large, was kept on Hii^h Street just ojjposite
Meneely 's.
On Front Street, west side, near State, the Culbertson tavern was kept in a
tvvostory brick building which, in 1880, was still standing. Its sign was that id'
The Fox Chase, representing a fox pursued by a pack of hounds. James Culbert-
son, a; son of the proprietor, was a talented j'oung attorney, practising at the Col-
umbus bar. On a lot next to the Culbertson Tavern building a portion (if the old
JIarkethouse, removed from State Street, stood until a recent period.
The use of distilled liquors was very common, and every tuvein had its
licensed bar. The guest was usually invited by his host to one gratuitous dram in
the evening and one in the morning; whatever additional fluid refreshments he
consumed he paid for. " Tanzy bitters" were freely imbibed as a supjio.sed pre-
ventive of the prevailing levers. The habit of treating was common, and at the
Eussell Tavern it was a rule with the loungers who used to sit on the sidewalk
benches in front, that the first one to rise should treat the rest. Mr. John M. Kerr
says it was habitual with many of the most prominent citizens ol' the borough to
enjoj' their mint juleps on summer evenings, seated on the sidewalk chairs or
benches of the cotfeehouses and taverns. If a lad}- of their aei|iiainian(e chanced
to pass by, they rose and greeted her graciously, each with his minted julc]i in
his hand.
The cofiFeehouse of the period was a place for gossip, refreshment and gaming.
Among the exhilarating drinks dispensed there, coffee was one of the least called
for, or thought of The borough and early city life of the capital developed many
of these establishments, by far the most popular and important of which was that
of John Young. This famous convivial resort and gambling ])lace was located on
the west side of High Street, a few rods north of State. Originallj% in 1S2(;, it
took the humble title of "Bakehouse and Grocery," but in a few years it became
known far and wide as the Eagle Coffeehouse. In one sense it was a social center
of the borough. A citizen who remembers it well remarked to the writer that
"everybody went tliere except Hoctor Hogc." This, of course, was intended
partly as a jest, but it was more than hall' serious. People loved a little recreation
286 History of the City of Columbus.
then, as they do now, and John Young's was the place to find it. They went
there to chat and be merry, and right merry they often were. The place was
always cheerful, and its keeper, according to all accounts, was a very prince ot
good fellows. He had been a baker, and had been set up in that business by Lync
Starling, who owned the premises. For the gaming which he tolerated no excuse
can be made except that it was the amusement of a raw, frontier town which had
scarcely any other. The establishment had a public bathhouse attached to it —
probably the only one in the borough — the water for which was pumped by a
big, black bear, chained to a treadmill in the back yard. One day, while quite a
number of loungers were watching this animal at his task, and Trowbridge, the
actor, was teasing him, one of the bystanders remarked to a comrade that he would
like to see, "just for the fun of it," what would happen if that bear sliould break
loose. A few minutes later the bear did break loose, and a general scatterment
followed. Among those who broke for a place of safety was John M. Kerr, to
whom the writer is indebted for the history of this episode. Most of the company
rushed for the street, but Mr. Kerr leaped upon a table, and in the excitement of
the occasion was unconscious for several minutes that in the spring he had made
the entire rear part of a dress coat he had on had been torn away by tlie latch ot
a door against which he had been leaning. The bear was soon secured by his
keeper, and the loungers resumed their julep.s and their jollity.
With the pleasure-seeking roysterers who frequented Young's place, singing-
was a favorite pastime. Among the ditties with which they fed their hilarity was
one entitled " The Bobtailed Mare "; another, "Old Rosin the Bow." Apropos ol
the latter a wellknown citizen describes to the writer a singular scene which he
witnessed as he quitted his place of business to go home very late one night, away
back in the thirties. Passing the open door of Young's Coffeehouse, he saw Tom
West lying on the counter in an accustomed state of intoxication. Reside him
was a group of revelers including various gentlemen whose names, familiar in the
annals of the borough, it is not necessary to mention. At the top of their voices
thej' were all singing "Old Rosin the Row," closing each stanza with the refrain :
Now I'm dead, and laid on the counter,
A voice shall be heard from below,
A little more whisky and water
To cheer up Old Rosin the Bow.'
After each chorus a draught of whisky was administered to West.
As a gambling resort, the Eagle Coffeehouse was frequented by some of the
deftest experts in that vice which the cities of the East, South and West could
then produce, and many pages might be filled with accounts of scenes and events
within its walls, thrilling and sad as those of Monte Carlo. One of its devotees,
strange to say, afterwards became a successful clergyman. Young finallj^ sold the
place, about 1839, to Rasil A. Riddle, who had long been his assistant, and removed
to Cincinnati, where he died. In 1843 Oulbertson & Vinal took charge of the
establishment, and changed its name to The Commercial. The following passage
in the later history of the place is found in the Ohio State Joiinud of March 27,
1876 :
The Borough Taverns and CopFEEHOtrsKs. 2S7
The building on High Street, opposite Capitol Square between the American ami Neil
House, which has been occupied for a great length of time b_v Mr. Sam. West as a billiard
room, will be vacated on Friday next. On the following day the demolition of the building
will commence, to make way for a fourstory stone front building, which will be erected by
E. T. Mithoff and D. S. Stafford.
Most popular and famous of the coffeehouses, next to Young's, was the Tonliiic,
situated on the south side of State Street, a few doors west of High, and known in
the political slang of the thirties and forties as the Tinpan. Sarnuol Pike, Junior,
was its proprietor in 1837; in 1843, 4 and 5, Francis Hall. Politically speaking,
the Whig influences centered at the Eagle Coffeehouse, the Democratic at the Ton-
tine. Partisan meetings were held, and party " slates " made up at both places,
but the Tontine, paraphrased as Tinpan, became particularly noted for its secret
caucuses, and sly partisan manipulation. Ultimately, in the heated party discus-
sion of the period, the word " tinpan " was used as a synonym for caucus dictation
and clandestine j)olitic8.
Many additional coffeehouses, so called, started up during the borough and
early city period. Among them were the Buckeye, on East Broad Street, in 1841,
by Ira Grover ; the Eclipse, in the Exchange Buildings, on West Broad Street; and
the Bank Exchange, by R. Riddell, under the Mechanics' Savings Institute, corner
of High and State, in 1842. In that year the proprietors of the Young establishment
advertised it ironically as a "temperance" place, but real temperance refreshment
rooms were not a myth. In 1845 the Washington Tem|)erance House, bj' Mr.
Alsten, is announced, and in 1840 a temperance restaurant, in the basement of tiie
City Bank, by W. Tolliver. The first saloon, so called, is said to have been kept
bj^ Krauss, about 1832. Its location was on tiie west side of High Street, tiirco or
four houses north of Main.
The advent of the first ]iretcnli(iu8 hotel, bearing thai name, is announced in
the following card, dated March 1, 1S32, and published in the newspa])ers of tiie
borough :
The undersigned, from Lancaster, in this State, has taken the noted Tavern Stand,
nearly opposite to the Public Buildings and Court House, in Columbus, and owned by
William Neil, Esq., which will hereafter be known as the National Hotel, and will be
furnished and attended to in a style equal to the highest expectations. The stages of tlie
Ohio Stage Company stop at this bouse, and their otlice is attached to the establishment.
John Nomi.k.
The signer of the foregoing card. Colonel Joiin Noble, had been engaged in
tavernkeeping at Lancaster, Ohio. As his career was identified in many import-
ant particulars with the early development of the city, it may here be briefly
sketched. Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the emigration of his parents
to Ohio in 1811 brought him to that State, where the familj- settled on a fiirm near
Tarlton, in Pickaway County. During the War of 1812 he was engaged in busi-
ness connected with the supply of the army at Franklinton. His tavern-keeping
career began at Lancaster in 1820, but was interrupted at later dates by various other
business enterprises, including canal contracts, and a trading expedition to Now
Orleans. While in Columbus, he was several times elected to the City Council,
and was first to inaugurate the measures by wiiich Bi'oad Street was redeemed from
the swamp, and beautified. As host of the National Hotel, wliirli was the stage
288 History of the City of Oolumbu.s.
headquarters, and an eddying place to tlie immense eiii-reul of emigration and
business travel tlien beginning to pour through Columbus, he acquired an almost
national acquaintance, and became one of the best known men in the West. In
1840 Colonel Noble removed to Cincinnati, and took chargeof the Dennison House,
in which the future Governor Dennison was, for a time, a clerk. He returned to
Columbus in 1845, and at a later date was elected as Eepresentative of Franklin
County in the General Assembly. He returned to Cincinnati, and took charge of
the Pearl .Street House of that city, in 1847, but in 1854 removed back to Colum-
bus, where he remaineil until his death in 1871, at the age of eightyone. Among
the children of Colonel Noble were the late Hon. Henry C. Noble, of Columbus,
and General John W. Noble, of St. Louis.
The National Hotel was a twostory brick house, painted green. Its sign was
of an oval form, and bore simply the names of the house and of its proprietor.
The stage office, a singiestory brick, also green, occupied the present position of
the main entrance to the Neil House. Colonel Noble's successor as proprietor of
the National in 1839 was Colonel P. H. Olmsted.
The next lineal .successor of the National was the original Neil House, built by
William Neil, whose name it bore, from 1839 to 1843, at a cost of over $100,000. It
was considered a great enterprise in its day, and was intended to provide a hotel
worthy of the new era which had by that time begun in the growth of the capital.
During the night following the day of the Presidential election, November 6,
1860, the Neil House took fire, and owing to the insufficiency of the water supply
was mostly destroyed. A contract tor its successor, the present building, was
closed by Mr. Neil in March, 1861, with Miller A: Auld, of Mount Vernon, on plans
prepared by Mr. Auld. The work of clearing away the (Jehris of the old building
began in the following June, and in September, 1862, the new Neil House, Wal-
stein Failing in charge, was opened to the public. It contained about one hundred
and fifty rooms.
Where the American House now stands, on the northwest corner of High and
State Streets, a tavern called the Franklin was at one time kept by Robinson.
The present building was erected on the site of McCoj^'s drygood.s store by its pro-
prietor, Eobert W. McCoy, who, in accordance with the custom of the time, broke
a bottle of whisky on its chimneytop when the last brick was laid. On the
twentysixth of November, 1836, announcement was made that Charles F. Dres-
bach, then a jeweler, and William Kelsey had taken charge of it, under the title of
C. F. Dresbach & Co. Mr. Dresbach had married a daughter of the veteran land-
lord, Eobert Eussell. In April, 1838, he withdrew from the concern and was suc-
ceded by Samuel Pike, Junior, late of the Tontine Coffeehouse. The firm then
became Pike & Kelsey. The sign of the American of that day like that of the
National, and of nearly all the early taverns and hotels, was of elliptical form, and
raised on a staff standing by the sidewalk in front of the establishment. In 1849
an additional story was added, and various other improvements in the building
were made. Mr. Kelsey continuedjn the management until 1870, when he emi-
grated to St. Louis, and took charge of the Planters' Hotel of that city. His suc-
cessor in the American was A. J. Blount.
An establishment variously known as the Buckeye House, and the Broadway
Hotel, with many transient aliases, occupied for manj^ years the site of the Board
TlIK I>(ll!i>ri{|l T.WERNS AND C'dKKF.EIIOirSES. 289
of Trade Building, on East Broad Street. In 1840 its manager was Ira Grover,
its owner Colonel John Noble. II. Hurd had charge of it in 1842 and 1845. It
led an inconspicuous and cheqiiered career, sometimes as a tavern, sometimes as a
boarding house.
In March, 1846, Colonel P. H. Olmstetl announced that in the following month
of April he would take charge of the United States Hotel, at the northwest corner
of High and Town Streets. In 1850 the house was "reopened " by E. Russell. J.
Smith & Son took charge of it in 1851. Sjmonton & Son conducted it for a long
period of later date.
The list of taverns and coffeehouses of the borough period, and of their numer-
ous hotel, saloon and restaurant successors, might be considerably prolonged, but
without historical advantage. If this chapter has presented facts fairly represent-
ative of the picturesque life and business of the early taverns and their congeners,
its purpose has been accomplished.
NOTES.
1. Western LdelUgencer.
2. Mr. Broderick had kept the Franklinton Hotel prior to his removal across the river
to Columbus. Eliza Springer is announced as his successor in the Franklinton Hotel in ISlfi.
3. Ohio State Journal. December 12, 1827.
4. Address before the Board of Trade, July 2-i, 1889.
5. Various versions of this son;i, some of which are too coarse to be amusing, have been
published. The following representative stanzas are taken from a very long one, containing
both wit and sentiment, which went the rounds of the press in 1841 :
OLD ROSIN THE BOW.
Time creeps on the wisest and happiest,
As well as all others, you know,
And his hand, though it touches him kindly,
Is laid on Old Rosin the Bow.
My fingers grow stiff and unskillful.
And I must make ready to go,
God's blessing on all I am leaving—
I lay down the viol and bow.
This world and my cheerful companions,
I love, but I'm willing to go.
For a better, I trust, is in waiting
Above, for Old Rosin the Bow.
I've ever been cheerful, but guileless.
And I wish all the world would be so,
For there's nothing like bright hapi)y faces.
In the eyes of Old Rosin the Bow.
Full many a gay-hearted circle,
Has tripped on a light heel and toe,
Through the good old cotillion and contra,
Inspired by my viol and bow.
290 History op the City op Columbus.
And when a string cracked in the middle,
They just took a breath, as you know,
While Rosin retuned the old fiddle,
And clapped some new dust on the t)ow.
All the youth love the merry old fellow.
And his heart's not ungrateful, I know ;
For, to see them all joyous and happy.
Is bliss to Old Rosin the Bow.
A few whom we love have departed.
And oft to the churchyard I go.
And sit on some green, grassy hillock.
And think on the sleepers below.
Now when I'm laid under the greeusward,
Don't sorrow too deeply for me.
But think on the morrow that's coming,
How sweet our reunion shall be.
Then lay me 'neath yonder old chestnut.
Without any funeral show,
And but add to the tear of affection :
" God care for Old Rosin the Bow."
Then get me a simple stone tablet,
To reach from my head to my toe.
And modestly trace on its surface
The name of Old Rosin the Bow.
But do not forget to adorn it —
Just over my bosom, you know,
Where so many long years I have borne it -
With my cheerful old viol and bow.
That all who pass by and look on it,
May say, "after all, I don't know
But the truest philosopher living
Was honest Old Rosin the Bow."
(j. N'ow S'lutlieast corner of Wall and State streets.
CHAPTER XVll.
FUR, FEATHER AND FIN.
The chronicles of tlio borough are not complete witliout some incidental iiolice
of the wild creatures of the surrounding woods. Between the animal life of these
forests, and the human life which sprang up in its midst there were naturally
many interesting historical points of contact.
In all the annals of the Ohio Wilderness, the abundance and variety of the
wild beasts and birds which infested it obtained conspicuous mention. Its Iroquois
conquerors regarded it as a hunting ground, and at the time of its first exploration
by white men, parties of Indian nomads were roaming it in quest of its game. It
was this which tempted the Wyandots southward from their villages about Deti-oit
and Sanduskj', and this, probably, which brought the Mingoes westward from
their haunts on the Susquehanna and Mohawk. In every part of Ohio have been
plowed up the arrowheads of flint spent from the bow of the moccasined expert
of the chase. In no part were his skill and daring more liberally rewarded than
in the Scioto Valley. The first explorers and settlers of that region all concurrent-
ly testify that they found its forests abundantly peopled with every species of in-
digenous game, both furred and feathered. The proofs are abundant that in this
particular no exception is to be made of the forests which environed the borough
of Columbus. The village hunters usually went east, says Doctor Edward Young,
nor did they need to go farther than where Twentieth Street now is to find all tiie
game they desired.' The Indian hunters lingered in the neighborhood long after
the first white settlements began, and for many yeam pitched their annual camps
on Walnut Creek, and other watercourses of Franklin County.
" When we first came to this countrj-," says Joel Buttles in his diary, " there
was a great deal of wild game, of course. I have sometimes killed three deer in
one day. Turkeys were numerous, and easily killed. Wolves were also numer-
ous." Bears were few, the country being too level to suit their habits. Buftaloos
had long before left the countiy, though there bad been a time when there were
many about. Raccoons were an annoyance because of the damage they did to tiie
corn in the fall season. The wolves could not do much damage because the sheep
were so few at that time, but tbej' destroyed young pigs, and it was oui- interest to
kill them when we could. ... I trapped for them, and caught many, though my
younger brother Aurora had better success than I had. I also took, in trapping
for wolves, many of a certain kind of animals called fisher — a longleggcd, dark-
brown animal. The wolf, when caught, seeing no way of escape, gives up all at-
292 History op the City of Columbus.
tempts, and yields himself a passive prisoner to be done with as his captor chooses,
but he will not thus submit to a dog, and will fight one with great desperation.
" I must not forget," continues Mr. Buttles, " to mention the opossum, a small
animal about the size of a cat. though very different in appearance and form, being
much heavier, and generally very fot. He has short legs, a sharp nose, small head,
small, thin ears with very little hair on them, and the body covered with a short,
coarse, curly white wool, with long black hairs intermixed, giving it a very un-
sightly appearance. He has a long tail like a muskrat, in which there is great
muscular strength so that the animal can sometimes suspend himself from the
bough of a tree, which, in case of danger, it will ascend with great diflSculty.
It can make but little speed, and when pursued and overtaken, always throws
itself down and feigns death. I never could by any means make it show signs of
life but by putting a coal of fire or a blaze to its nose. I have known it carried for
miles hanging by the tail across a man's shoulder, to all appearance lifeless, and
nothing would make it move but the application mentioned above. It is one of
the marsupial tribe, having a sack or pouch under the belly of the female, extend-
ing from the hindlegs to the forelegs, and capable of being extended so as to almost
prevent walking. Into this pouch a small opening admits the young ones, where
they find a safe and congenial abode. I once caught one with five young ones in
this pouch. They were of the size of a very small mouse, and had no hair at all."
The northeast j^^i't of Franklin County, says Virgil D. Moore, was as good a
hunting ground as any in Ohio. How Mr. Moore's father, with the rifle he had
carried at Bunker Hill, shot, from the roof of his cabin, the deer which browsed
by moonlight in his clearings, has already been narrated.
The first of the wild quadrupeds to disappear from the Central Ohio woods
seem to have been the elk and the buffalo. Both were i-arely seen in the Scioto
Valley by the early explorers. Harrison Armstrong says he has heard his father
tell of elk which the hunters had encountered, but not of buffalo. A history of
Licking County published in 1881' says that about the year 1803 a small herd of
buffaloes, six or eight in number, "strayed from their usual haunts farther west,
and reached a point a short distance east of where Will's Creek empties into the
Muskingum. Here, for a day or two, they were pursued by the late John
Channel, a famous hunter and pioneer, but without success so far as Mr. Channel
was concerned." The antlers of the elk, says the same writer, were found " pro-
fusely scattered in the forest," but no living specimens of the animal remained in
Licking County at the time of the white man's advent. The final extermination
of the elk and buffalo in Ohio dates from about the year 1800. The animals did
not emigrate; they were destroyed.
The cougar, commonly called jmnther, and the wild cat or catamount both
prowled through the Franklin County forests. They were lithe, fierce and not
pleasant customers to meet unarmed. The panther was a whiskered beast,
with small head, large rounded ears, short hair of a tawny brown color, and
a ringed tail. His weight sometimes reached one hundred and fifty pounds. His
favorite prey was the wild turkey, of which he sometimes made havoc bordering
on extermination. A night adventure of the LucasSullivant surveying party with
one of these cats has already been narrated. The wildcat was of the same fiimily
Fru, Feather anp Fin. 2!t:!
a>i the cougar, but sinallor, and of varying coloi-, witli dorsal Mik's, ami sliglilly
spotted. It was too savage to bo tolerated and too unsociable to linger long about
tlic settlements. Harrison.Arnistrong says he has seen wildcats in the woods near
the present starch factory below the city. Another citizen informs the writer that
when a boj- he and a companion killed a j'oung one near the Shepherd Watcrcure,
on Alum Creek.
The bear of the Ohio Wilderness occasionally came nosing around the settle-
ments at the Forks of the Scioto. The late William S. Sullivant stated that he saw
one come out of the woods not far from the spot on which now stands the Kelley
Mansion. This is said to have been bruin's positivelj- farewell appearance in the
immediate neighborhood of the borough.
Of the wolves the chronicles are numerous. They infested the Franklin
County forests in considerable numbers, and were last of the beasts of prey to dis-
appear. In her sketch of the Merion family, whose log dwelling stood at the
present southwest corner of High and Moler streets, Mrs. Emily Stewart says the
wolves were so numerous in that vicinity that "the dogs would chase them from
the house at night," but that " when the dogs turned toward home, the wolves
would chase them back until they would come against the door with such force
as to almost break it down." How they pursued Mrs. Merion on her way home
from Franklinton one evening in 1814 has been narrated. "The first winter that
I lived in Columbus," said Judge Heyl, "we could plainly hear the wolves howl-
ing at night in the east part of the town. A colored man who lived on Rich Street,
one square from High Street, put some old meat on the ends of the logs of his
cabin, and at night the wolves came and carried it off."^ Verily, the " high bank
opposite Franklinton " deserved its title of those days as Wolf Ridge.
Such a nuisance to the settlers were these animals, by reason of their depreda-
tions upon the swine, sheep, and poultry, that the General Assembly began at a
very early period to legislate for their extermination. A statute of February 19,
1810, provided that any person who should " kill or take any wolf or wolves vvith-
in this State" should receive a bounty of four dollars for each one over and two
dollars for each one under six months old, on producing the " scalp or scalps with
the ears entire" to a justice of the peace within thirty days, and taking an oath
that the life of no bitch wolf had been spared by the claimant of the bounty "with
a design to increase the breed." This law was reenacted December G, 1819, and,
with some amendments, December 22, 1821. It was again reenacted in 1830, and
again in 1852. The amount of bounty paid for wolf scalps from the public funds
has amounted to as much as eleven thousand dollars in a single year, but the claims
on which a considerable part of this sum was expended are believed lo have been
fraudulent.
Wild deer were often seen in the vicinity of the borough. Thoy sometimes
approached the cornfields near Franklinton, and loved to linger in the woods
where now rise the monuments of Green Lawn Cemetery. When the first trees
were cut down in the Capitol Square, these meekeyed creatures came to browse
upon their branches. Jonathan Neereamer, a Councilman of the borough, frequent-
\y shot deer in the forest which covered the territorj^ now known as East Park
Place. His son tells the writer that he killed one on the ground contiguous to
294 History of the City of Columbus.
Broad Street, north side, east of Garfield Avenue. In Januarj-, 1825, John Otstot,
as ho informs the writer, saw five deer feeding together near the old cemetery, ou
Livingston Avenue. These were the last deer seen by Mr. Otstot in the neighbor-
hood of Columbus. In the year 1835 he killed one in the Nine Mile Woods, near
Dublin. Mr. John Barr informed the writer that deer were seen between Alum
Creek and the Big Walnut as late as 1845. On November 13, 1855, Mr. William
Neil saw two wild deer in his woods two miles north of tlie city.* A buck's horn
was unearthed six feet below the surface during the excavation for the water-
works building in 1871.^ Judge Christian Heyl relates in his autobiography the
following incident:
Peter Putnam, one of the first settlers of Columbus, went out hunting one day, and shot
an old buck, but when he approached the fallen animal to cut its throat it gave a kick with
its hind legs which knocked the knife out of old Peter's hand, then sprang up and gave him
fight. Putnam retreated behind a convenient tree followed by the enraged buck, which
kept him dancing around that tree for some time. Finally the buck drew off and disappeared,
giving Peter an opportunity to hunt for liis knife, which, however, he was unable to find.
He went home without game or knife, altogether chopfallen.
"The hunting or killing of deer," saj?^ Martin, " was successfully practiced by
candle- or torchlight, at night, on the river. The deer, in warm weather, would
come into the river after night, to eat a kind of water grass that grew in the
stream, and the huntei-s, by taking a canoe, and a bright light in it, could let it
float down the stream, and the light appeared to blind the deer until they could
float near to them, and shoot them with ease."
So numerous and mischievous were the squirrels of the early Ohio woods as to
become, like the wolves, a subject of legislative persecution. A statute passed
December 24, 1807, contained these curious provisions:
Section 1. That each and every person within this State who is subject to the payment
of a county tax, shall, in addition thereto, produce to the clerk of the township in which he
may reside, such number of squirrel scalps as the trustees shall, at their annual meeting,
apportion in proportion to their county levies, provided it does not exceed one hundred nor
less than ten.
Section 2. That the trustees shall, at their annual meeting, make out an accurate state-
ment of the number of squirrel scalps each person has to produce, which list or statement
shall be given to the lister of personal property, who shall, at the time he takes in the returns
of chattel property, notify each person of the number of squirrel scalps which he had to
furnish.
Section three levies a fine of three cents for each scalp short, and provides a
bounty of two cents for each one in excess of the number required. Section four
makes it the duty of the Township Clerk to receive the scalps and destroy them
by burning, or otherwise.
The grounds for this statute, and the facility with which its requirements were
met, are indicated in the following passage from the diary of Joel Buttles :
The grey and black squirrels were sometimes so numerous as to cause much destruction to
the corn crop, men with dogs and guns not being able to protect it. At one time I knew sixty-
seven killed ofi"of one tree; but this tree stood in the midst of a cornfield into which the squirrels
from the surrounding woods had gathered to feed upon the corn. When the dogs were sent into
the corn, the squirrels retreated as best they could, getting up the first tree they could reach. I
l1 kill !1
i.ifil 1m
us nmny s,|Minv
/ tlu. fa.'t llK.t, ii
Is Willi
1 the lal
,-l,.l,s a«
ill 0\-L-V
the couiiti-y tra
.vi'lliiij;
in so,,,,.
i-Tutil
]iis wvvv causi
•a, in 1
a .mil
,n.-l, by
. \vl,i,l,
Fi H, Fkatiier ani" Fin. 295
liavo k„nuii 1p,>_vs to;;n tc, the liv.T i,, tl,t' inoriiing iuv
tliey coulil carry l,iii,,i', ii, half an heir. This is c.xjila
of the year, this siiuirrel seiMiLS In he i,,ii;,-aliii^', and;!
particular tiirection.
Mr. Joboph Sullivaiit Ix'lii'v,'.! Ihal Ihisu ,,,
the restle.ssncs.s of tlic little :i,iii,,:ils |ii',iilii,ivl I'l
lodged itself under their skin.
John M. Kerr avers that while the migrator}' squirrels were swimming the
Seioto, just below the mouth of ih,' Whetstone, he has often waded iiitt) the stream
and killed, in a few minutes, as many scjuirrels as he could cany liome.
The Coliimlnis 0',t~rtfr of Ajtril 25, 1822, says: "On Friday and Saturday last,
there were about nine fhoKxninl si/iiirnis killed in this county, near five thousand of
which were killed in this immediate vicinity."
The same paper of August 2!l, 1S22, contains the l'oll,>\vii,g aeinuiit of the piep
arations for a "grand s(|uirrel hunt," which has deservedly eoi,spicuous mention
in all the earl}- chronicle's of the borough :
The sriuirrels are becoming so numerous in this cmnty as to threaten serious injury if
not destruction to the hopes of the farmer during the ensuing fall. Much good might be
done by a general turn out of all citizens, whose convenience will permit, I'or two or three
days, in order to prevent the alarming ravages of those mischievous neighbors. It is there-
fore respectfully submitted to the different townships, each to meet and choose two or three
of their citizens to meet in a huntlntj caiicus at the house of Christian Heyl, on Saturday the
thirtyflrst instant, at two o'clock p. m. Should the time above stated prove too short for the
townships to hold meetings as above recoinmendeil, the following persons are respectfully
nominated, and invited to attend the meeting at Columbus :
Montgomery, Jeremiah McLeue and Edward Livingston ; Hamilton, George W.
Williams and Andrew Dull ; Madison, Nicholas Goetschius and W. H. Richardson ; Truro,
Abiathar V. Taylor and John Hanson; Jefferson, John Edgar and Elias Ogden ; Plain,
Thomas B. Patterson and Jonathan Whitehead : Harrison, F. C. Olmsted and Captain
Bishop; Sharon, Matthew Matthews and Bulkley Comstock ; Perry, Griffith Thomas and
William Mickey; Washington, Peter Sells and Uriah Clark ; Norwich, Robert Elliott and
Alanson Perry; Clinton, Colonel Cook and Samuel Henderson; Franklin, John McElvain
and Lewis Williams; Prairie, John Hunter and Jacob Neff; Pleasant, James Gardner and
Reuben Golliday ; Jackson, Woolery Conrad and Nicholas Hoover ; MifHin, Adam Reed, and
William Dalzell.
In case any township should be unrepresented in the meeting, those present will take
the liberty of nominating suitable persons for said absent township.
Lucas Sui.i.ivant. Ralph Osbokn.
Samuel G. Flenniken. Gustavus Swax.
John a. McDowell. C. Hevl.
The meeting held pursuant to the foregoing call was well attended, and
adopted a series of resolutions dividing the county, for the hunt, into two districts,
viz.: 1, All east of the Scioto "south of the mouth of the Whetstone and east of
the Whetstone Eiver;" 2, "all west of said boundary." Afield marshal was
appointed for each district, Lucas Sullivant for the first and Kalpli Osborn for the
second. It was arranged that the hunters should meet and the scalps be counted
on the west side of the Scioto, opposite the mouth of the Whetstone, "the scalps
to be given in upon the honor of the hunters." A match was arranged between the
districts, and stakes providcl for as fi)ll()ws:
296 History of the City op Columbus.
Resolved, That for the purpose of proper refreshments, and to encourage attention to so
desirable an object, the hunt shall be for one barrel of whisli:ey.
The days appointed for the chase were Saturday, Monday and Tuesday,
September 7, 9 and 10. The Gazette of September 12, 1822, thus announces the
result :
The hunt was conducted agreeably to the instructions in our last paper. On counting
the scalps, it appeared that nineteen thousand si.f hundred and sixty scalps were produced. It is
impossible to say what number in all werekilled, as a great many of the hunters did come not in.
The count showed a majority of five or six thousand scalps in favor of the
western district.
According to Doctor Kirtland, wild turkeys were at one time more numerous
in Ohio than tame ones are now. They were partial to the Central Ohio woods,
and to none more so than those around Columbus. ■ Attracted by the neighboring
cornfields they frequently ventured close to the borough. One morning while the
door was open at the Merion domicile, says Mrs. Stewart, "the dog chased a wild
turkey into the house, and it took refuge on the bed, where it was caught. It
weighed twenty pounds." A citizen now living assures the writer that he has
shot a great many wild turkeys between Parsons Avenue and Franklin Park.
Mr. John Otstot says he saw a flock of twenty or more near the present Asylum
for the Insane in 1829 or 1830. On another occasion a flock alighted in a West
Side cornfield, just north of the present State Street Bridge. They were fired on
by sportsmen whose attention they attracted, and scattered in a panic. Several of
the bewildered birds flew towards the town, and one of them, striking a building,
was so injured by the shock as to be easily captured. The nest of the wild turkey
was made upon the ground, and usually contained ten or fifteen eggs which were
of buff or cream color, with blotches of dark umber-brown.
Quails in large numbers frequented the cornfields near Franklinton. John M.
Kerr tells the writer that he has often had good success in shooting them there.
Wild ducks made bold to swim in the ponds in and about the borough. Har-
rison Armstrong says he has seen them visit the Hoskins Pond, where the Fourth
Street Markethouse stands, and that he has shot them there from a neighboring
log stable. Another citizen informs the writer that he has shot wild ducks on a
pond just east of Grant Avenue, on the grounds of the Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb.
Wild geese frequently made their diurnal and nocturnal flights over the
borough, and bluebirds and nuthatches merrily chirruped the approach of spring
in the neighboring thickets. Flocks of blackbirds chattered noisily in the
environs of the borough and the early city. For many years, during the city
period, a numerous aud noisy family of swallows inhabited the cornices of the
Fourth Street Markethouse."
The species of house swallow commonly known as the martin was an inhabi-
tant or rather a guest of the borough, invited and entertained by special arrange-
ments for his comfort. During the twenties and early thirties, nearly every door-
yard in town had its martinbox nailed to a tree, or erected on a pole. The
unsightliness of these boxes, and the chatter and insolence of their legionary
occupants, impelled some one to write as follows, September 22, 1831, to the Ohio
State Journal :
J^''-<M~tLe^T^ ^UlMt4.6^^^C^
Jl>
Fur, Feather and Fin. 207
I certainly Jo not know of any other way in wliii-h so iiuuli mlilitinnal lieiiiity may \iv
given to Columbus at so little expense, as by merely taking down the martinboxes. The
Martin is a savage bird, beyond all question, and to retain him among us may justly be con-
sidered as a badge of barbarism, for we find that the Indians have always been fond of him.
It is doubtless an amusement to tliem to see him everlastingly engaged in warfare with all
other birds. We are told by Wilson that the Choctaws and Chickasaws cut ott' all the top
branches from a sapling near their cabins, leaving the prongs a foot or two in length, and
hang on each one a gourd or calabash hollowed out for their convenience. Wilson adds
that "on the banks ol the Mississippi, the negroes stick up long canes with the same species
of apartment fixed to their tops, in which the martins regularly breed."
The writer goes on to condemn the martin as unlovely, noisy luui a vicious
persecutor of other and better birds. Yet this winged vilhiger, wiiatovcr enmities
his pugnacity' evoked, no doubt had qualtitics which made him both a welcome
and useful visitant in those days, and which contributed to the animation of bor-
ough life. Doctor Wheaton tlius describes, in his report, the evening scenes
around the village haunts of the martins :
After the breeding season is over, these birds congregate towards night in large Hocks,
and having selected a suitable cornice on some high building, make preparations tor spend-
ing the night. The retiring ceremony is very complicated and formal, to judge from the num-
ber of times they alight and rise again, all the while keeping up a noisy chatter. It is not
until twilight deepens into evening that all are huddled together in silence and slumber, and
their slumbers are often disturbed by some youngster who falls out of bed, amid the derisive
laughter of his neighbors, which is changed to petulant scolding as he clambers over them to
his perch, tumbling others down. All at once the scene of last night's disturbance is quiet
and deserted, for the birds have flown to unknown southern lands, where they find less
crowded beds, and shorter, warmer nights.'
Apropos of the martins the following paragraph from the O/iio Stufr Jonnatl
of July 25, 1859, may here bo reproduced:
Just before the city council met, a large, beautiful martin flew in through an open window,
and after circling about the ceiling a few moments rested upon the frame of the lifesize and
lifelike painting of Dr. Goodale, just above the President's head. There sat the beautiful
bird nodding approvingly to the action of the council, and blinking with suspicious eye.
The flocks and flights of pigeons in the Central Ohio woods were phenomenal.
These birds were accustomed to alight in great numbers, amid the Franklinton
cornfields, and were sometimes taken by traps in the immediate vicinity of the
Columbus borough. A citizen informs the writer that he used to set his traps for
them at the present corner of Town and Fourth streets. The flights of those birds
over the town were sometimes marvelous to behold. In 18.35 or 183(J their
numbers on the wing were so great as to fairly darken the sky for half a day at a
time. Their general course was from west to oast, probably in the direction of
their grand roostingplace near Kirkersville, Licking County. The height at which
they soared placed them beyond the reach of firearms.
Wild pigeons were plentiful in the woods about Columbus in the spring ot
1852 and autumn of 1853 and 1854; in March, 185G, they flew over tiie city in
myriads. In the Ohio State Jminuil of February 24, 18G0, wc find these state-
ments :
The number of wild pigeons caught in the country the past few days is almost incredi-
ble. We noticed on the streets the other day three wagon loads of the blue-winged binls, all
29S History of the City of Columbus.
caught by one company of trappers. The city market is liooJed witli them, all fat and in
good condition for the table. They sell here for fifty cents a dozen, and thou.sands are
shipped to the east where $1.25 and $1.50 a dozen is readily given for them.
The same paper of March 7, 1861, says:
Wild pigeons made their appearance in this locality as early as the nineteenth of Jan-
uary, and thousands of them have been taken with nets, sold iu our market, and shipped to
the eastern cities. From January HI to .Ai)ril (i there have been shipped by the American
and Adams Express companies from this jicjint four hundred and three barrels [a total of
Kil.L'OO birds]. About one third of that amount were dressed, one barrel containing four
hundred pigeons.
In 1S(39 the birtls were again plentiful, and in March, 1870, tlieir flights over
the city were immense. The jirice at which tlicy wore sold in tlie Columbus
market in 1870 was as low as sixty and seventy cents per dozen.
Of the night birds which infested tiie unregenerato forests about tiie borough
mention is rarely made, but we may well believe that the mottled owl, commou in
this region, habitually intoned in Ihe midnight woods " its wailing screech." In
1846 a fine specimen of the snowy owl — head snowwhito and body same with
black spots — was captured nine miles west of the city. In June, 1870, a large gray
hawk settled down upon one of the trees in the Capitol Square. The perching of
a transient flock of parroquets on a tree in the .same neighborhood in July, 1862,
has already been noted. During the yours next preceding the borough period par-
roquets were occasionally seen in the woods of the neighborhood. A gray eagle,
which measured six feet from tip to tip was shot near Green Lawn Cemetery May
10, 1859, Another bird of the same species which had gorged itself with young
lambs, was caught four miles south of London, Madison County, February 22, 1856.
The eagle's nest at Marble Cliffs in the early part of this century has been referred
to in a preceding chapter. The Ohio State Joiirmil of April 25, 1860, contains
the following curious record :
During the recent boisterous weather, when a strong wind from the lake was blowing,
several lake fowls were conveyed inland, and when no longer able to combat the elements,
dropped throughout the country. A beautiful large loon was deposited alive within the
enclosure of the Penitentiary, captured, killed, and now Doctor Hamilton has it stuffed and
placed in the rooms of the Columbus Scientific Association. Another loon was lodged in the
steeple of the Holy Cross Church, where it died. A large cormorant, as big as a hen, fell on
the farm of Mr. Price, in Gahannah ; also a longbilled lakebird, name not known. These
latter fowls were brought to Secretary Klippart, who has had them stuffed, and will preserve
them as mementoes of the storm.
During the period of the Civil War — 1861-1865 — the quantity of game of all
kinds in the forests of Central Ohio considerably increased, owing to the absence
of the practised hunters, and the absorbed attention of the people.
The finned inhabitants of the primitive Franklin County waters have been
less copiously chronicled than the feathered inhabitants of the air, yet the local
historian is confronted with some fish stories of considerable magnitud'e. To be-
gin with, a citizen whose memory goes back to the twenties has personal recol-
lection of" a peculiar fish, abotit four feet long, weighing fifteen or sixteen pounds,
and possessed of a long snout injhe form of a spatula," which, once upon a time,
long, long ago, was taken at Billy's Hole in the Scioto. [The writer may here re-
FuK, Kkathkk and Kin '2W
mark thai, for want ofupaco, it is Hciirce-ly iio.ssil)ie to record ,i/l ol' llie \v.iii(lort'iil
thiiiirs whicli arc said to have liappoiieMJ at Billy's Hoio.]
Mr. Joiin Otstot says: "Tlio fish liiiowii as I'odliorsc was <-aui,flit in (lie Scioto
with a brush drag, made by tying brush together with grapevines. This drag,
with some men standing on it, was drawn ah)ng the bed of the river, driving the
fish before it. The fish wore taken in this way in great numbers, some being
entangled in the brush. Among the rodhorse captured were specimens tiiree feel
long. Suckers, catfish, gars and waterdogs were also taken. Tiie fish caugiit
were hiid in heaps which were distributed by asking a blindfolded man wiio should
take this one — and this.'' Every little stream, continues Mr. t)lHtot, was in
earlj' times " full of fish."^
Several black bass weighing from tiiree to four pounds each, and two blue
catfish, were caught in the Scioto in October, 1S54.'' Mr. Moler caught a catfish
weighing over thirty pounds in the same stream June It!, 1855.'" In June. 1857, a
catfish weighing fortytwo pounds was caught in the river two miles below the city.
There are probably local anglers living who can tell of fish still larger than this
caught in the Franklin County waters, but a historian feels bound to keep within
the horizon of his information.
In 1875, seventyfive thou.sand young shad from the Itochester, New Yoi-k,
hatchery, were deposited in the Whetstone just above the Waterworks. Hon.
John H. Klippart, under whose supervision this deposit was made, informed the
writer that these fish would annually descend to the Mississippi River, and, if
undisturbed, regularly return, in season, to their spawning grounds in the Whet-
stone.
In June, 1876, nearly eighty thousand young shad from the hatchery of the
United States Fish Commission on the Delaware River were deposited in the
Scioto. During the same month and year Secretary Klippart made a shipment of
live fish from the Scioto River to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. After
Mr. Klippart had stocked the Whetstone and Scioto with shad, the annual return
of the fish was much hindered by the dams in the Scioto, but fish weighing from
one to five pounds each, resulting from his deposits, were taken from the river in
1883.
In the way of snake stories the chronicles of the borough period show nothing
to surpass, in livel}' interest, that told by Mr. Joseph SuHivant of the rattlesnake
den at Marble Cliffs. It has already been repeated in a preceding chapter. With
a single other story illustrative of the prevalence of snakes in the early woods
around Columbus, the subject ma}' be relegated to the imagination of the reader.
It runs as follows :
In very early times, it was a cnstom along the Scioto bottoms, for the pioneer fanners
to turn their horses out to graze in the limitless forest, the natural growth of " woods
pasture " being very luxuriant. John C. , the founder of one of the first families of the
Buckeye State, had brought out to the Wild West, besides a beautiful young wife, what was
almost equally valued by an enterprising Virginia emigrant, two or three very fine blooded
horses. After tethering them about his cabin long enough, as he fondly supposed, to insure
their return home, he turned them out to "range." They stayed away two or three days.
The owner began to fear the pickings might prove so abundant that he would lose his
" impo'ted stawk fo'eve'." Forth be started on the search, provided with bridles, and a very
long black hairrope halter.
3<lO History op the City of Columbus.
Among the terrors to the newcomers of that day were many awful stories of large snakes
— copperheads, blacksuakes, rattlesnakes and divers other reptiles, the very enumeration of
which makes one's flesh creep. Our friend hunted long and faithfully, prolonging the weary
task late in the night. It was moonlight, early in the fall of the leaf. The poor fellow, nearly
discouraged by not having discovered a single trace of his beloved horses, was sad of spirit.
He felt lonely and nervous. He began to think of the serpents and did not know what
moment he might put his aching foot into the very coil of some dreaded monster. He had
thrown his bridles and the rope halter over his shoulder. Passing over a heap of dry leaves,
he heard an ominous rustle. Hastily casting his eye behind him, sure enough ! there was
the enormous blacksnake right at his heels. Instantly John broke oif at his best speed.
Soon he glanced back to see if the danger was over, when there ran the serpent as close as
ever. He wondered at its rapidity in running, and endeavored to outdo himself. He now
passed a small stream and the rustling ceased. Thinking he had left the reptile safely in the
rear, he sat down on a log to rest his tired limbs.
He resumed his way, and soon, as he crossed another pile of leaves, the rustling was
heard again ; again he looked back, and there was another, if not the same serpent, as large
as the first, and nearly as close to his legs. Off he started again as fast as possible, and still
more frightened. Ever and anon John would look back but there was the snake still in hot
pursuit. John was ready to drop with fear and fatigue. At last, while his head turned to
the rear to see if he had yet made good his escape, he ran against a huge log, and in utter
exhaustion fell flat on the other side. Concluding it was all up now he exclaimed : " Well,
then, just bite and be d dl" Wondering why he was not bitten, while thus in the pur-
suer's power, he rose cautiously to a sitting posture, and found instead of a snake, his black
hair halter innocently coiled at his side, which he had mistaken for the great enemy. It was
a snake humbug."
NOTES.
1. In 1839, Mr. Alfred Kelley, then residing on East Broad Street, published the fol-
lowing " Notice to Sportsmen : "
"All persons, whether men or boys, are warned not to come into any of my fields or on
my premises, near the city of Columbus, with guns. Having this day had several panels of
fence and a large patch of grass burned in consequence of wads on fire, being carelessly shot
into dry stumps or grass, I am resolved to put a stop to the practice of shooting on my prem-
ises, and if this warning fails to accomplish the object, I shall resort to more eflectual
iures.
"August 5, 1839."
2. By A. A. Graham & Co.
3. Autobiography of Christian Heyl.
4. Ohio Slate Journal, November 14, 1855.
5. Ibid,July 24, 1871.
6. Ibid, September 10, 1859.
7. Geological Survey Report, Volume IV.
8. Conversation with the author.
9. Ohio Stale Journal.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
CHAPTER XVllI.
THE SCIOTO RIVER.
In his first report to the Scioto Compiiny, in 1802, Mr. James Kilbimrn spolcc of
the Scioto as a navigable stream. In 1803 the supi)lics which he procmvd tor tiie
Worthington colony were brought up bj^ boat from Chillicothe. Those which he
purchased and shipped at Pittsbui-gh also reached tlieir destination by water. The
early Indian traders and merchants at Franklinton obtained tlioir goods by the
same means of transportation. For man}- j'ears after the first white settlements at
and about the forks of the Scioto, that river was the only practicable inlet for
merchandise or outlet for produce. Commercially New Orleans was to Central
Ohio then what New York is now. It was the natural market for the surplus pro-
ductions of the Scioto Valley, and was reached by barges, in frontier dialect " broad-
horns," built and laden at their point of departure, and broken up, and sold with
their cargoes, at their point of destination.
The emigrants who quitted the country, as some of the early settlers did, trav-
eled by the same means. There being no roads, they could not travel by wagon.
The readiest and cheapest way to "go west" at that time, was to build a barge, and
float down stream with the current. This was done by Mr. John Kansburg, who
settled in 1809 on the west side of the river, near the present termination of Moler
Street, and there erected a threestory frame mill. At a later date Mr. Ransburg
sold his property to his soninlaw, Eollin Moler, from whom Moler Street takes its
name, put all of his chattels, even to his domestic animals, on a large " broadhoru "
of his own building, floated down the Scioto and the Ohio to the Mississippi, and
settled near New Madrid, Missouri. In 1816 Colonel Andrew McElvain, who set-
tled at Franklinton in 1797, and was the first white man to raise corn on the Sul-
livant Prairie, built a barge on the Whetstone near the present King Avenue
Bridge, and with his family and goods, and those of his neighbors, Ballentiuo and
Skidmore, descended the Scioto and Ohio in this homemade craft, ascended the Wa-
bash, and settled at Vincennes.
The Scioto was deeper then than it is now, says Mr. S. P. McElvain — son of
Colonel Andrew McElvain — and such is the concurrent tcstimonj' of the surviving
pioneers. The water in it, says one of these, was in early times, never less in depth
than three or four feet. " I have seen the keelboats which navigated it moored
near the present Broad Street Bridge," says another. " Many of the broadhorns
built here were floated to New Orleans, with cargoes of produce, and there taken
apart and sold for the value of the lumber." Fed, as it was, by the ininiitive
[301]
302 History op the City of Coi
springb and from the marsh-reservoirs of the forests, we may well believe that the
current of the Scioto was at that time both copious and clear. No dams obstructed
it, no sewage or factory offal polluted its waters. Through the great, silent wilder-
ness it meandered, overhung and shadowed by the giant button wood ; smooth here,
rippled there, fretted at intervals by sportive waterfowl, and mottled by the re-
flected blue and green of sky, tree and meadow. Such was the Scioto when, nour-
ished and screened as a child of the forest, civilization had not yet cropped away
the trees which protected its sources, made a ditch of its channel, or exposed its
shrinking current to the blaze of the unpitying sun.
Lyne Starling, it is said, was first to build barges, load them with produce, and
float them from Franklinton to New Orleans. His original ventures of this kind
were made in 1810-11. The boats of Lucas Sullivant had navigated the river at a
prior date, and at a later one those of William Neil descended from Worthington to
New Orleans, whence their cai'goes were shipped to Liverpool. Doubtless other
similar enterprises were undertaken during the first quarter of the present century.
In Pickaway County as many as thirty boats were built for the Scioto Eiver trade
in a single year. Most of them, we are told, " had a triangular bow, while others were
square in the front as in the rear. There were three oars on deck — one in the
rear, called the steering oar, and two side oars called sweeps. The sweeps were
only used to pull out of an eddy, or to assist in avoiding objects that were danger-
ous. The steering oar was used only to keep the boats in their safe course. There
was no thouglit of accelerating the progress of these boats after they reached the
Ohio. They were simply put into the current and allowed to go with it." So says
a Pickawaj' County historian.
So much were the natural watercourses used, and so necessary were they, for
the purpose of commerce and local transportation, that the General Assembly pass-
ed, on December 4, 1809, the following act :
Section 1. That the following streams be and they are hereby declared navigable, or
public highways, to wit: The Mahoning from the Pennsylvania line as far up as Jesse Hol-
liday's Mill ; Stillwater from its confluence with the Muskingum River as far up as the mouth
of the Brushy Fork of said stream ; Will's Creek, from its confluence with the Muskingum as
far up as Cambridge ; One Leg (commonly called Kanotton) as far up as the division line be-
tween the fourteenth and fifteenth townships, in the seventh range ; the Scioto from its con-
fluence with the Ohio River as far up as the Indian boundary line ; and the Little Musking-
um from its confluence with the Ohio up as far as the south line of Section number thirtysix,
in the second township of the seventh range.
Section 2. That no person shall be permitted to build a milldam on any of the said riv-
ers, or in any manner obstruct the navigation of the same, unless such person or persons
erecting such milldams shall make a lock or slope, or both, if necessary, to the same, of such
size and dimensions as the board of commissioners of that county in which the milldam is to
be erected shall deem suflicient, so as to admit of the safe passage of boats, or other watercraft,
either up or down said stream, and keep the same in constant repair ; Provided, always, that
if any such person does not own both sides of the stream, he shall not be at liberty to build a
dam without the consent of the person against whose land such a dam is intended to be
abutted.
Section three provides that intention to build a dam shall be advertised and
specifications as to its form and dimensions laid before the commissioners.
The first bridge connecting the borough with Franklinton was that of Lucas
Sullivant, authorized bj' act of the General Assembly passed Fcbruaiy 16, 1815,
TlIF, ScldTO RlVKR. :W.i
and opened for travel November 25, of the year tbilowing. In the division of Lu-
cas Sullivaut's estate, this bridge fell to the share of Joseph Sullivant, whose fran-
chise was purchased, earlj' in the thirties, for ten thousand dollars, and surrendered.
The purchase money was raised by private subscription, except two thousand dol-
lars contributed by the county, and was paid on stipulation with the Superintend-
ent of the National Eoad that he would erect a substantial free bridge in lieu of the
one owned by Mr. Sullivant, the temporary substitute for which was carried off in
1834 by a freshet.' The bridge built in pursuance of this arrangement was a cov-
ered wooden one, with two separated tracks for vehicles, and an outside walk on
each side for foot passengers. It stood until replaced by the present open iron
bridge in 1882-3. The following account of the building of this National Road
Bridge was published in 1882 i'-*
Captain Brewerton and Lieutenants Stockton and Tilden, three young West Pointers,
were sent to superintend the work of building the bridge. They began in 1832, and stayed
about two years before it was completed. Mr. Andrew McNinch, who lives four miles west
of the city, hauled the stone for the abutments, taking it from the quarry near the present
site of the Central Asylum for the Insane. Besides him, EHas Pegg, now of Franklinton, and
Captain Nelson Foos, of o-JO East Oak Street, are probably the only ones now living who
worked on the bridge. No nails were used, except to put the shingles on the roof. No iron
whatever was employed in the construction, the iron rods now seen at intervals overhead in
the bridge having been put in in later years. Only oaken pegs were used to hold the heavy
pieces together, but they were painted on the end to look like iron, and the deception work-
ed well. . . .
When the bridge was finished the question arose as to its strength. There were many
who doubted its ability to stand all it should, and there was a great deal of talk about it. A
few days after it was pronounced done, however, it had a test which settled every question as
to its staying qualities. There was a tremendous amount of travel over the pike in those old
days— ten times as much as there is now. Cattle and hogs were being constantly driven
through the town on the way to the eastern market. One of the largest of these droves came
along a few days after the completion of the Broa<l Street Bridge. It belonged to and was
driven by Richard Cowling, of London, well known in these parts then as " Dick Cowling."
He stopped over night in Franklinton. That village was as separate from Columbus at that
time as two villages could be, and there was not a thought that they would ever be joined,
much less that the corporate limits of Columbus would one day extend far beyond the old
village. .lust over the river it was all farm land, and there was a double row of sturdy locu.st
trees which extended from the river to tlie east entrance to Franklinton, a few of which are
still standing. But, to resume our story.
Dick Cowling stopped over night at the tavern in Franklinton, and the next morning
came down to examine the bridge before attempting to drive his cattle through it. He at
once concluded that it would not bear the burden, and was making arrangements to swim his
stock across. Captxun Brewerton, who had engineered the building of the bridge, assured him
that it was plenty strong enough to hold all that could be piled upon it, and told hiiu the
Government woulil pay all the loss of the cattle if the bridge broke down with them. Ac-
cordingly, Dick decided to venture it, andltroughtthe whole seven hundred head down. Almost
everybody thought the whole drove would go down, and they laid oH' from work for the ex-
press purpose of seeing the bridge destroyed. There was some trouble in getting the cattle
started through, but when they began there was a perfect stampede. The bri<lge was filled
up — both roadways and footpaths — and all with a rushing, rearing crowd of steers. It
creaked loudly, and settled down visildy, and everybody thought the end had come. Two
men who brought up the rear, leading two unruly heifers by halters, became frightened by
the cracking sound, and leaving their charges, ran back as fast as their legs would carry
them.
304 History of the City of Columbus.
But when the last animal was over, and the bridge was still solid, old Cowling went up
to Captain Brewerton, and in his gruflf manner laconically blurted out: "Good bridge, by
G ! " and invited everybody who had come down to see the jiew crossing fall, to come over
to Zollinger's and have something to drink, which invitation was generally accepted. After
that no one had any fear to drive anything across the bridge, and it has stood very nearly
fifty years, and never been injured by anything placed upon it.
the original Sullivant bridge was built, the river was crossed by fords
and ferries. The Old Ford, as it was called, was at the point where the Hocking
Valley Eailway now crosses the river, near the foot of Main Street. A canoe ferry
was kept there by James Cutler, whose buxom daughter Sally, it is said, some-
times manipulated the oars for the transient traveler. Colonel P. H. Olmsted,
writing in 1869, says: "Our usual route to Franklinton, then [1814] the county-
seat, was to cross the river just below Comstock's Slaughter House, generally in a
ferryboat kept by Jacob Armitage, the Scioto those times being much higher than
at present. During the year 1814, 1 think it was, that stream was not fordable but
for a few days the entire year, a circumstance that has not occurred since. Before
Mr. Sullivant built his dike to prevent the overflow of the Scioto during the .spring
freshets, it was notunfrequent for Franklinton to be surroundedby water, and could
only be approached by some kind of water craft. In fact, the country to the west
of us looked like a lake, and Franklinton like a small island. I have passed in a
skiff from this place to that ancient town, and tied up to a signpost."^
The first flood in the Scioto of which we have any record is that ot 1798, the
traditions of which indicate that it must have been of an extraordinary character.
So great was the rush of waters that the flat lands around the town of Franklin-
ton, which had been laid out the year before, were all inundated, " and the plan of
the town was reduced, and made to conform in limits to the higher grounds."^
Freshets more or less formidable no doubt occurred at various times during the
borough period, but the recorded indications of them are meager. With the clear-
ing away of the forests, as usually results from that change of conditions, these
freshets seem to have increased in suddenness and violence. " The great flood of
1832 " is spoken of by old inhabitants as a remarkable event. Early in July, 1834,
a heavy rainfall produced a ra^^id rise in the river which carried away the tempo-
rary National Road Bridge at the foot of Broad Street, destroyed a considerable
quantity of salt at the landing, and greatly damaged the freshly -built embankments
of the canal.
At the beginning of the year 1847 a flood took place which surpassed all rec-
ords previously known. The fencing and bridges of the Valley were generally
swept away, and many of the warehouses and porkpacking establishments along
the river at Columbus were surrounded by water five feet deep. Referring to this
event, the Ohio State Journal of January 4, 1847, says :
So high has [sic] been the waters, and so great the destruction of the bridges, that we
are almost destitute of the news of this terrific flood. The bridge below Delaware, at the
paper mills, is either injured, or the approach to it. Reports say it was swept away, but this
we believe is not so. Report also says the bridge over the Whetstone at Worthington is gone ;
also that over the Scioto at Belle Point, Delaware County. The new stone bridge in this
county, at Dublin, has lost one of its centre piers. Hutchins's flour mill this side of Dublin,
is moved around from its foundations, and on yesterday rested against a tree. The National
/Ztf^^^W
TiiK SciDici Ki\Ki{. ;5(ir)
Roail brulge between this city and Franklinton, and beyond FrankUnton is nuieb injured by
the rush of waters over it. In addition to the injury to the railroad bridge mentioned on Satur-
day, the embankments beyond Franklinton are broken in three places, and iron and timbers
all carried away. . . .
The destruction of corn and fencing is incalculable. One person has estimated the
amount of fencing carried away on the Scioto alone as a dozen miles in length. We have
heard the probable amount of corn lost, if the flood was as severe below as above, at from one
to three million bushels.
Yesterday was bright and warm — as beautiful as a May day — last night it commenced
raining again, and it has been raining pretty much all day. ... By a mark made by Mr.
Ridgway in the warehouse at the west end of the bridge at the great February flood of 1832,
the present flood was just nineteen inches higher than that, and perhaps the highest known
since the settlement of the country.
Daguerreotype views of this flood were taken by George A. B. Lazell.
Under date of December 24, 1852, we have the record of a flood of considerable
dimensions. The river bottoms opposite Columbus were inundated, and the vil-
lage of J'ranklinton was entirely isolated by the surrounding waters. Many of the
workmen at the foundry of Ambos &. Lennox were obliged to fly from their homes.
The lo.ss of property was great. ^
A freshet wortby of mention took place February 21, 1859. On the tenth and
eleventh of April, 1860, a flood of great volume and destructiveness swept down
the Valley. All the flat lands on the West Side were submerged, and the town of
Franklinton became a suburban island. On the East Side, the iron works of Peter
Hayden and the premises of tbe Ohio Tool Company were invaded. On the
eleventh the highwater mark of the flood of 1832 was reached, but on the twelfth
the water fell six feet. The clay-colored current, when at its climax, was " literally
darkened," it is said, " with floating timber.""
On the twentyfirst of April, 1862, the Valley was visited with another mon-
tionable freshet, and in 1866 the greatest September flood took place which, until
that time, had ever been known since the earliest settlement of tbe country.
After some days of heavy rainfall, the river suddenly assumed the dimensions of
a huge, turbid torrent bristling with floating trees, and burdened with fragments
of buildings, drowned animals, fencerails, pumpkins, haystacks and cornshocks
innumerable. From Tuesday, the eighteenth, to five p. m. on Wednesday, the
nineteenth, the river rose twelve feet, passing, it was then believed, the highwater
mark of 1832, and reaching that of 1847. A levee which had been built nortb of
the National lioad proved insufiicient to hold back the flood, and the entire low-
lying area of the West Side was again inundated. The low grounds on the E:ist
Side were also submerged, the flood coming with such suddenness that many peo-
ple were driven precipitately from their homes, and with great difficulty removed
their household goods and domestic animals in time to save them. Immense
crowds of people assembled on the east bank of the river to witness the angry
torrent. Its appearance, as viewed from the dome of the Capitol, is thus described :
Up stream and down stream was traceable the widened current of the swollen river,
hardly detached from the broad lakes of still water clustering about farmhouses and flooding
the city suburbs. Old landmarks were gone, the National Road seemed blotted, in part,
from the map of these suburban districts, as revised, railroads were less than dotted lines,
and fences designated by mere hairstrokes. The low districts to the west and to the south
306 History op the City of Columbus.
were extremely well watered, and were principally inhabited by a floating population. Cat-
tle and horses, caught napping on high points, were navigating the inundated country in a
very careless manner, going no way in particular, if we except certain spasmodic plunges
downward.
There were pretty scenes in the dim distance of women and children being handed from
windows to boats below, of men wading shoulderdeep in the water carrying little children
above their heads across the flood, and of anxious faces framed in windows toward which the
water surged rapidly. The scene was peculiar, grand and novel, and the event is to be
remembered as a landmark in our history.'
All the tributaries of the Scioto were, on this occasion, more than bankfuU,
and the damage to crops, bridges, fencing and highways was very great. Traffic
between the city and country was almost entirely suspended. The water began
to recede on the twentieth, and by five o'clock p. m. of that date had dropped
eighteen inches below the highest point reached at Columbus.
The next notable freshet occurred in March, 1868, when the river rose about
fifteen feet above its usual stage and reached a point six or eight inches below the
highwater mark of 1866, and eighteen inches below that of 1847. The riparian
territory of the West Side was again inundated, the ground stories of the buildings
on State Avenue were invaded, and the countiy up and down the raging river, as
seen from Columbus, assumed the appearance of a vast lake. Middletown, sub-
merged in 1866, escaped injury this time, owing to the protection afforded by an
embankment erected the preceding summer.
High water occurred again in 1869, 1870, and on the second of August, 1875.
On the occasion last mentioned, the "West Side levee was broken through, people
inhabiting the flat lauds were driven from their dwellings, and numerous bridges,
in different parts of Franklin County, were swept away.
Following the breaking up of the ice in the Scioto, February 10, 1881, the
channel of the river was swej^t by a flood which went over its banks, and would
have done a great deal of damage to West Side property but for the frozen condi-
tion of the levees, which enabled them to withstand the pressure of the raging
waters. The greatest damage was done below the south bridge of the Hocking
Valley Eailway, where the bend of the river threw the current with great force
against the dikes. The embankment yielded to the shock, and a large scope of
territory around the railway shops was submerged, in some places to the depth of
five or six feet. The blast furnace in that locality was reached, and its fires extin-
guished. Many of the small dwellings on the West Side bottoms had to be aban-
doned by their occupants. The water rose, on this occasion, 12 inches higher than
the points reached by the floods of 1869 and 1870.
The fourth of February, 1883, is mentioned as a " historical day," in the record
of Scioto Eiver floods. For many hours previously a steady rain had fallen on a
surface of glassy ice which covered the ground and rapidly precipitated the water
into every available channel. In consequence of this the little river soon began
to assert its power and capacity for mischief in a manner almost unheard of before.
The ice which covered the surface of the river broke up on Saturday evening,
February 3, and an instant rise of five feet, followed by further steady swelling of
the current, immediately took place. In the course of a few hours the engines at
the Waterworks were threatened with inundation, thus putting the city in jeo^mrdy
The Scioto Hivkh, 307
of fire, as well as flood. Gangs of shovelers were immediately put to work on the
levee, but were obliged to abandon it, and were able to prevent the aqueous
aggressor from disabling the watersupply engines only by a hasty embankment
thrown up around the building. Thousands of people congregated along the
shores to witness the mighty, resistless sweep of the waters. The scenes which
fixed their attention for many hours of mishap and anxiety are thus described by
one of the chroniclers of the occasion :
Standing on the upper Hocking Valley Bridge, a person could not help feel awed and
impressed at the grand scene before him. To the right and north, the Olentangy was pour-
ing its yellow, turbid waters into the larger and more quiet stream of the Scioto. The large
ice cakes ground together with a peculiarly harsh and crunching sounil, and when they
would strike the piers of the bridge would cause the old frame structure to tremltle ; then
they, with the floating debris, would dive beneath, anil reappearing below would go on in
their' mad rush down stream. The fertile land lying between these two rivers was all inun-
dated. Here and there a peak of some lone haystack would appear, or the tojis of bushes would
rise and fall as the ice-cakes passed over them. Far up to the northwest, looking toward the
building.^ located there, stretched one vast lake of water. The little shanty occupied by a man
named Morris, and which is situated upon the land which has caused so much litigation, was
surrounded by the yellow waters, and only the roof and upper part appeared. The family
had to move out about eleven o'clock Saturday night, and stood on the bank and saw their
poultry and other property move down stream on a cake of ice. To the right were the offices
of the Thomas and Laurel Hill companies nearly submerged by the waters which were gradu-
ally climbing up the sides and finding an easy entrance at the windows. The roadbed of the
Dublin and Columbus Pike had entirely disappeared from view, and only the tops of the
fences showe<l where the road was located. The railroad tracks were all the land that
appeared, and they stretched off to the north and west, seemingly passing over a lake.
Late in the afternoon it became evident that the water would break through the dikes
and railway tracks and make its way down through Franklinton. Those who had boats were
kept busily employed in transporting people from their houses to places of safety. About
eleven o'clock the first break occurred in the levee about two hundred yards north of the
Harrisburg Bridge. The bottom lands at once filled up several feet deep, and the inhabitants
of the houses situated on the flats had to make their way to dry land as best they could. . . .
About four o'clock the water had reached a height of twelve and one-half feet above low-
water mark, which was about one foot lower than the height attained in 18-47. The water,
however, continued to rise, and before midnight the old mark had been eclipsed and the
water was a foot higher than it was ever known to be before. Early in the evening cars were
heavily loaded with pigiron and placed upon the two bridges of the Hocking Valley. This
great weight held the bridges to their places and was all that kept the structures from being
swept away. The water broke over the embankments at the waterworks about eight o'clock,
and the lower engine was extinguished at once. The upper one, however, was started, and at
eleven o'clock was working away, although the water was over the cylinders and the firemen
were up to their waists. . . .
Early last night the water broke over the levee west of the Hocking Valley track, and
plowing its way through the track of the Little .Miami Railroad, it poured down the grade
past the Door, Sash & Lumber Factory and commingled with its kindred element which had
already made its way through the levee below. The water there soon formed a rushing river
and poured through this channel at a lively rate. By this break the bridges were saved, and
possibly other great calamities averted. The water also made its way across Broad Street
farther to the west, above the old town of Franklinton, and the village was thus all sur-
rounded on both sides by the angry flood. It was hard to judge from the meagre reports
received from this quarter last night what was the extent of the damage. . . .
Later reports from Sellsville [the winter quarters of the Sells Urothers' Circus and Men-
agerie] revealed that the damage had not been half told. When last heard from the em-
308 History of the City of Columbus. ,
ployes and employers were working with almost superhuman efforts to transport the animals
to a place oi safety. The cakes of ice had formed a gorge about the cluster of buildings, and
the large elejihants could not be induced to swim to land through this. The smaller ones,
seven in number, had been carried to the dry ground to the west in wagons, as well as some
smaller animals. The lions and other carnivorous animals confined in the building to the
north from that occupied by the elephants kept up a frightful noise. A great many cages
were placed directly on the floor, and at five o'clock the water was three feet deep in the
room and still rapidly rising. . . .
The grandest view of the flood was from the iron bridge in the southern limits of the
city, at the crossing of Green Lawn Avenue. There the temporary lake could be seen with
the miglity current fighting through the curves of the city limits, and the water spread
out over the wliole of the bottom lands as far down the valley as the eye could reach, while the
flats were under water and the little onestory frame houses looked like boats which were just
ready to start out. The water covered most of the territory about sunset and became still
liigher during the night. In the evening the west end of the old slaughter house at the foot
of Friend Street gave way and came down stream like a flatboat bent on a cruise. It had no
donbt passed Circleville ere the denizens of that place saw the light of day. . . .
Numerous incidents are told of the peculiar situations in which people were found in
their houses. They were standing on chairs, and on beds, while the furniture floated about
the mom. A cradle was observed to go down the river yesterday, but no occupant was in it.
A bedstead was floating down in the forenoon, and a washtub full of clothes followed it.
The present high water surpasses the famous flood of 1847. At that time the levee broke
near the upper bend of the river, and the water poured down across the isthmus beyond
Franklinton. The National Road was nearly ruined between the Broad Street Bridge and
Sullivant's Hill. The high water arose on January 4 of that year, and continued unabated
for some days. A man named .loe Bennett made a great deal of money running a ferryboat
between the Hill and Franklinton, as the public had to use his boat for about two weeks.
There were no railroad tracks then to interrupt the course of the waters, and an enormous
lake spread from the State Quarries to the south over the level farming land. There have
been numerous great floods since, but none have reached so high a point till the present one.
The floods of 1867 and 1870 were very destructive to property and spread devastation far and
wide.*
The subsidence of the waters on this occasion was gradual. At least a
hundred families were driven from their homes by the invading element, and had
to seek temporarj' shelter. The Franklinton Schoolhouse was turned into a tem-
porary hospital, and more than twenty fomilies were for a time fed and lodged
within its walls. The police force of the city was kejjt constantly employed, with
its patrol wagons, and the boats from the parks, in the rescue of imperiled life and
property, and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd were untiring in their ministra-
tions of help and comfort.
This, up to the present writing, has been the most recent of the important
Scioto Eiver floods. On the twentyfourth of January, 1S87, the water in the
channel rose ten feet above its normal height, but it soon began to recede, and no
particular damage was done.
Intermittently washed, as it has thus been, by huge volumes of water, the
local topography of the river has exhibited, within the historic period, some inter-
esting changes. Early in the settlement of the borough, a strip of land called an
island extended from Broad Street south to the dam, and was a favorite dancing
place, it is said, for the manumitted slave population which settled in Nigger Hol-
low. Au island just above the mouth of the Whetstone, on which part of Harri-
The Scioto Riveii. 309
mom's British captives of the Battle of the Thames were, for a time, piaeod uiKJer
guard, has now mostly disappeared. Another bit of insular territory, of vvhicli no
vestige now remains, clove the channel of the river just above the present bridge
of the Little Miami Railway. It was variously known as BricUell Island, Willow
Ishuui and Bloody Island, of which latter title the derivation is thus explained :
On a certain occasion, about 1840, a ball took place at the Neil House, and
among the wild and mercilesslj' bewitching maidens there present, was Miss Lizzie
H , a frolic-loving romp, who was simultaneously solicited to dance by two
young gentlemen, one from Logan County, the other from Richland. Miss
II gave her preference to one of the suitors, no matter which, and jok-
ingly told the other he could "settle it" with his rival. The suggestion was taken
in dead earnest, a duel arranged, seconds chosen, and the Willow Island, then a
retired spot, selected as the scene where offended honor was to be propitiated with
blood. The murderous intentions of the young quarrelers having become known,
quite a number of persons assembled on the river's bank to see them tight it out.
Everything being made ready, shots were exchanged two or three times, but with-
out effect. The seconds were sensible men, and had been careful to put no bullets
in the pistols. Finally some boys who had been out hunting came along with
loaded rifles, whereupon one of the duelists proposed to " stop this nonsense," take
the weapons of the hunters and settle the affair at once. But this proposition did not
suit the other antagonist, and so the affair, after some further parleying, ended, and
the willowy sandbar of the Scioto which formed the scene of this melodramatic
episode bore thenceforward the name of The Bloody Island.
Attempts to navigate the Scioto by steam have been frequently made. The
earliest of these attempts seems to be indicated by the following advertisement,
bearing date March (1, 1S2S, and quaintly illustnitod with a jMcturo ol' a steam-
boat:
Fnr RIph-y
The Superior Fa.st Sailing S. 13.
Tioso).
A. H. Keei-, Master.
Will jiositively sail from the port of Columbus for Ripley between the L'Sth and L'.sth of
the piefitnt month — weather permitting; and will touch at Circleville, Chillicothe, Piketon,
Portsmouth, and the several intermediate landings. The Tiosco was built at Columbus in a
superior manner, and of the best materials, being tiu\bered and iron-fastened. She has ex-
cellent accommodations for cabin passengers, being very lofty between the decks, and is
sutticiently capacious to contain several small families. For freight or luissiigc apply lo the
captain on board, or to
S.MiTii & Haunkv, State Strerl.
The writei' hereof is not :i\)U: lo uiiibcllish this rrcoi'd willi any reliable' fads us
lo the late of the Tiosc. With her dcpaiiurc from Coliiinlius, with ■■several small
families," iierha])S, between decks, she disappears from history. Mow successfully
she made her way amid the snags and sawyers of the sinuous Scioto, whether she
ever reached Ripley, or whether she perished miserably- enmeshed in the octopus-
like roots of some riparian sycamore, are matters of pui'c speculation. The i)roba-
bilities seem to be that one trip to Ripley was all that her adventurous commander
cared to make. But however the Tiosco may have fared, there still existed, in
310 History of the City of Columbus.
later years, bold spirits firm in the faitb that the Scioto could be made a vehicle
for the uses of steam. Of this we have evidence in the following advertisement
which was dated August 8, 1843, and appeared in the newspaper prints then
current :
The splendid highpressure steamer
Experiment
will leave Gill& McCune's dock at the foot of Town Street every day (Sundays excepted) for
the head of navigation, at li o'clock a. m., touching at all intermediate points on the Scioto
and Olentangy, and run until lOJ o'clock; and from 3 p. m. until 8 o'clock in the evening.
Parties wishing to take a morning or evening excursion can charter this boat by leaving a
card at the American, or by applying to the Captain on board. The proprietors have been at
considerable expense to make this boat safe and comfortahle, and the engine having been fitted
up by Messrs. J. D. Dare & Co., experienced engineers of Zanesville, is second to none for
safety. Charges moderate.
The end of the Experiment is as uncertain as that of the Tiosco, but whatever
it was it did not prove to be the last of steam navigation of the Scioto, for, in a
Piketon letter to the Ohio State Journal of February 3, 1848, we read :
The steamboat American, Grey, Master is a few rods below this place on her first trip
up the Scioto, and will, without doubt, arrive in the neighborhood of Chillicothe either this
evening or tomorrow morning. A thorough examination of the river was made a few days
since by competent captains, and it fully confirmed the opinion heretofore entertained, that
the Scioto is navigable for light draught steamers during the greater part of the year. The
American is not a small boat, but it has not as yet met with any obstructions, and none are
anticipated.
A steam canalboat called the Enterprise, Captain Douel, arrived at Columbus
from Zanesville in August, 1859, and on the twentyfourth of that month made an
excursion up the Scioto "as far as water would permit."'
In May, 1877, the steamer Vinnie began making trips from ber dock at the
foot of Town Street to points on the river above the tnouth of the Whetstone.
Thus closes the catalogue of steam vessels of local origin which have plowed the
Scioto's waters. It has probably not been exhausted, but a sufficiency of instances
has been given to show, let us hope, that the marine annals of Columbus are not so
barren as an uninformed person might be induced to suppose.
NOTES.
1. In February, 1S33, Mr. Sullivant published an advertisement inviting proposals " for
the construction of a bridge across the Scioto River at Columbus, after the plan of the Alum
Creek Bridge, on the National Road." The advertisement stated that the bridge would have
two spans, of about one hundred and forty feet each.
2. Ohio State Journal.
3. Ibid.
4. Sullivant Family Memorial.
5. Ohio State Journal
6. Ibid.
7. Ohio State Journal. September 20, 1866.
8. Ohio State Journal, February 5, 1883.
9. Ohio State Journal.
CHAPTER XIX,
FROM TRAIL TO TURNPIKE.
Of all inventions, the alphabet and the printing press alone excepted, those inventions
which abridge distance have done most for the civilization of our species. Every iniprove-
inent of the means of locomotion benefits mankind morally and intellectually as well as
materially, and not only facilitates the interchange of the various productions of nature and
art. but tends to remove national and provincial antipathies, and to bind together all the
branches of the great human family. In the seventeenth century the inhabitants of London
were, for almost every practical purpose, further from Reading than they now are from
Edinburg, and further from Edinburg than they now are from Xienna.—Macaulay's Ilistorij of
England, Chapter 3.
At the time the borough of Columbus was originally located and surveyed, it
was touched by no road or path excepting a few primitive trails through the forest.
All the thoroughfares which then existed centered at BVanklinton. " There was not
a road leading to or out of the tovrn," says Colonel Olmsted.'
The first pathway through the Ohio wilderness marked by civilized man was
Zane's Trace, described in a note to a preceding chapter. The original explorers
either took their course by the compass, followed the principal rivers and their
tributaries, or traveled in the paths beaten bj' the foot of the deer, the bison and
the Indian. When the (tnvif-ronn'erv of the pioneer host varied from these paths,
they marked their routes by the barking or girdling of trees. No routes for
wheeled travel having yet been opened, most of the merchandise for the early
settlements was transported on the backs of horses, oxen and mules. "The pack-
.•saddle of yore," saj-s one of the historians of the wilderness period," " was the ex-
press car of the backwoods, carrying passengers, freight and mails. Packhorses
were often driven in lines of ten or twelve. Each horse was tied to the (ail of the one
going before, so that one driver could manage a whole line. The pack or burden
of a single animal was of about two hundred pounds weight." Packsaddles were
made by trimming the forked branches of trees so as to adjust the pronged part to
the back of the burden-bearing beast. "Mr. Speed," says the writer just fjuoted,
" relates an anecdote of a frontier preacher who, at an outdoor service, paused in
the midst of his sermon to look up, and point to a treetop, saying: 'Brethren,
there is one of the best limbs for a packsaddle that overgrew. After meeting we
will go and cut it.' "
Writing in 1868 of his father's emigratiun from Connecticut to Graiivilli', Ohio,
in 1808, Colonel P. H. Olmsted says:
[311]
S12 History of the City of Columbus.
At that time we had to pass through an almost unbroken wilderness to reach our des-
tination. Only a few marked trees served as a guide through the dense forest, there being
no cut-out road. During a December afternoon we were overtaken with a tremendous snow-
storm which so blinded our way that when within about ten miles of Alum Creek, we had to
stop for the night. We made a kind of protection against the storm with logs and branches
of trees, and a large fire in front, which we kept burning all night. Our horses were fastened
to the wagon and covered with bedquilts, where they remained during the night without
water or forage. It was a most terrible situation to be placed in, and one I shall never forget.
The next morning we found the snow about ten inches deep, and the marks upon the trees
so obliterated that it was almost impossible for us to find our way, but we persevered, and
about two o'clock p. m. crossed Alum Creek and were soon domiciled in an old log cabin
which was tendered us for the winter.^
Such vrere the conditions of emigrant travel in Ohio at that early period.
The country possessed neither roads nor bridges.^ The gristmill nearest to Gran-
ville, says Colonel Olmsted, was Governor Wovthington's, eight miles north of
Chillicothe, and thither and back was a journey of six days.
In one of the most striking chapters in his History of England, Macaulay
emphasizes the civilizing importance of roads, highways, and other facilities of in-
tercommunication. Singularly in keeping with the improvement of such facilities
in England, particularly by the construction of solid wagon roads for neighborhood
intercourse, was the advancement made, as the historian shows, in the intellectual
and social condition of the people.^ Just so it has been — still is — in Ohio. The
pioneer settlers being, for the most part, intelligent and enterprising, one of their
very first concerns was the improvement of their means of social and commercial
intercourse. The highway, the schoolhouse and the church were allied enterprises
and advanced abreast.
When the first Common Pleas Court of Franklin County was organized in 1803,
the opening and construction of roads took a conspicuous part in the earlier pro-
ceedings. Prom these proceedings, quoted in an antecedent chapter, it appears
that preliminary steps were taken for opening various roads, first of which was
one leading " from the public squai-e in Franklinton " by " the nearest and best
way to Lancaster, in Fairfield County." This road, says Martin, in a footnote,
"was made to cross the Scioto at the Old Ford below the canal dam, and pass
through the bottom fields (then woods) to intersect what is now the Chillicothe
road south of Stewart's Grove and continued to be a travelled road until after
Columbus was laid out. Jacob Armitage kept the ferry over the river."*
The second road for which viewers were appointed by the Court, was one
leading, " from the northeast end of Gift Street, in Franklinton. on as straight a
direction as the situation of the ground will admit of a road, towards the town of
Newark, in Fairfield County." Joseph Vance was appointed to survey the Lan-
caster road, Samuel Smith that to Newark. At the same sitting a commission was
appointed to " view," and Captain John Blair was authorized to survey, a road
" from the public square in Franklinton to Springfield, in Greene County." At
the January sitting, in 1804, " a petition was presented by the Eev. James Kilbourn
and others, praying for a view of a road to lead from Franklinton to the town of
Worthington." The prayer was granted by the Court, and Joseph Vance was
named as surveyor of the line. Mr. Kilbourn was at the same time appointed to
\
(pM..
fVOc^yi/
Muruirll Si Co NY
From Trail to Turni-ike. :{I:5
survey :i crossroad from Wortliiiiiitoii to intersect the main tlioroui,'lilare I'roni
Franklinton to Newark. The report of the viewers of tiio road from Frankliiiton
to Worthinnjton was received at this sitting, and the supervisor in Tjilierty Town
ship was directed to "open said road, and make it passable for loaded wai^ons."
At the March sitting of the same j-ear, similar action was tn ken as to the road,
so fiir as " viewed," from Franklinton to Springfield. Lucas Sullivant was a|)-
pointed surveyor to "attend the viewers" in their additional work on that line.
Thu.s with the beginning of the county, began also its original system of
highways, but necessarily most of the wilderness roads continued to be, for many
years — even decades — after they were first opened, of a most rudimentary char-
acter. For neighborhood convenience, forest paths and private lanes were made
to suffice. During the early infancy of the Columbus borough its wheels and
pedestrians took their way by the shortest routes and most solid ground they could
find amid the stumps and brushheaps. When Christian Heyl ap]>roached the
place from the south in 1813, he found the only road then existing in that direc-
tion crossed by the private gate of John McGowan. By what means and strata-
gems Mr. Heyl induced McGowan to open the gate, and let him into the capital
of Ohio, has been narrated.
The first step toward reailior ingress and egress seems to have liocn the
authority conferred upon the State Director, by the act cf January 27, 1814, to
apply a certain part of the proceeds of taxation of the inlots to " improvement of
the State road leading from the town of Columbus to Granville." Additional prog-
ress was made in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, ])assed February
16, 1815, appropriating fortysix thousand dollars from the Three Percent. Fund
conferred by Congress,' for the purpose of opening and repairing roads in Ohio.
From this appropriation Franklin County obtained one thousand dollars, thus dis-
tributed : "On the road from Columbus to Newark, beginning two miles east of
Alum Creek," six hundred dollars; on the road towards Springfield, "beginning
eight miles west of Columbus," three hundred dollars; an<l " on the road towards
London, Madi.son County," one hundred dollars. Those sums were not sutlicient to
go very far in the way of making grades, building bridges, or oven in cliojiping
down trees and laying "corduroy," but they indicated a beginning, and a willing-
ness to do more, when the funds should be had, to make the capital aj)j)roachablc.
On December 2, 1816, the General Assembly ])assed an act " to incorporate
the Franklin Turnpike Company," providing as follows :
That Lucas Sullivant, James Johneton, John Kerr, Lemuel Rose, Tiiiiotliy Spclnian,
David Moore, John J. Brice, William Taylor, Zachariali Davis, William W. (iault, Stephen
McDoughal, Lyne Starling, .Joseph Vance and Joseph Miller, and their a.ssociates, be anil
they are hereby incorporated, created and made a body corporate and politic, by the name
and .style of the Franklin Turnpike Road Company, for the intent and i)urpose of making a
turnpike road from the town of Columbus in the County of Franklin to tiie town of New
Ark in the County of Licking, with all the rights, privileges and iumninities, and .subject to
all the restrictions, limitations, provisions and disabilities prescribed in the act cntitleil an
act to provide for the regulation of turnpike companies.
In pursuance of this act, John Kerr opened the books for siilisci-ij)tions to the
stock of this company Maj' 17, 1817.
814 History op the City up Columbus.
By an act of December 10, 1817, Joseph Vance and Abraham Pickens, of Fair-
field County, were appointed commissioners to lay out a road from Jacksonville,
in that county, to Columbus.
An act " to provide for laying out and establishing a State Road from Colum-
bus to the north line of Clinton Township in Frankliii County " was passed
December 7, 1820.
In 1823 the Granville road, which was then the most direct route eastward, was
"little else," says Martin, "than one continuous mudhole." In consequence of its
almost impassable condition the following notice appeared in one of the March
issues of the Coliiinlnis Gazi'tte:
The undersigned respectfully request that as many citizens of Franklin County as can
make it convenient will meet at the tavern of Robert Kussell, on Saturday, the eleventh day
of April next, for the purpose of making arrangements to meet thecitizens of Licking County,
and labor on the Columbus and Granville road for two days, in the latter part of May next.
Ebenezer Butler, Archibald Benfleld, Samuel Shannon, Henry Brown, William Neil, J.
A. McDowell, P. H. Olmsted, A. I. McDowell, Edward Livingston, John Kerr, Samuel G.
Flenniken, Orris Parish, Ralph Osborn, James Kooken, James K.Corey, Eli C. King, Francis
Stewart.
The Granville road at that time cros.sed the Scioto near the present western
terminus of Spring or Gay Street, and took its course eastward through the settle-
ments on the Big Darby and Gahannah. It crossed the Alum and Big Walnut
creeks by toll bridges erected by David Pugh. The Worthington road, up the
east bank of the Whetstone, passed on to Delaware. The road from Franklinton
to Lancaster passed through the cornfields and meadows just south of Franklinton
and crossed the river at the Old Ford.
In 1828, citizens of Knox County memorialized Congress for the construction
of a National Hoad from Cincinnati to Buffalo, New York, via Columbus, Mount
Vernon, Wooster, and Erie.
The first commercial connection of the capital with Lake Brie was furnished
by the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike, built by a joint stock company incor-
jjoratod by an act of the General As.sembly pa.ssed January 31, 1826. The incor-
porators were John Kilbourne, Abram I. McDowell, Henry Brown, William Neil,
Orange Johnson, Orris Parish and Robert Brotherton of Franklin County, and
nineteen others whose residences were on the line in or near Delaware, Bucyrus
and Sandusky. The capital stock of the company' was fixed at $100,000, with
authority to increase it to double that amount, in one-hundred-dollar shares. Con-
gress was at once earnestly petitioned to aid this enterprise, and, largely in con-
sequence of the efforts of Colonel Pardon Sprague, of Delaware County, passed an
act March 3, 1827, which appropriated "to the State of Ohio for the purpose of
aiding the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike Company in making a road from Co-
lumbus to Sandusky City, the onehalf of a quantity of land equal to two sections
on the western side of said road, and most contiguous thereto, to be bounded by
sectional lines, from one end of said road to the other, wheresoever the same may
remain unsold, reserving to the United States each alternate section, through the
whole length of said road through the lands of the United States, to be selected by
the Commissioner of the General Land Office, under the direction of the President:
From Trail to Tirnpike. 315
Provided, That no toll shall at any time be collected of any mail stay;c, nor of any
troops or property of the United States."
The amount of land thus conveyed in trust to the State of Ohio for the con-
struction of this road was 31, S40 acres, or a little over fortynine sections. The
estimated cost of the line was $S1,{;80, which sum included j?8,400 for bridges. The
company was organized by a meeting of the stockholders held at Bucj'riis April
12, 1827. The directors chosen at that meeting were: Columbus, James Robinson,
Joseph Eidgway; Worthington, Orange Johnson; Delaware, M. D. Pettibonc ;
Bueyrus, E. B. Merriman, Samuel Norton; Sandusky City, George Anderson,
Hector Kilbourn and Abner Eoot.
James Robinson was elected President; E. B. Merriman, Treasurer; Abner
Eoot, Secretary; Solomon Smith and Orange Johnson, Commissioners to locate the
road ; and Colonel James Kilbourn, Surveyor. At a subsequent meeting held
January 8, 1828, a new Board of Directors was installed and Joseph Eidgway was
elected President, Bela Latham, Secretary, E. B. Merriman, Treasurer, and Orange
Johnson, Superintendent. Mr. Johnson was the company's principal agent from
first to last. The road was completed, one hundred and six miles, in the autumn
of 1834, at a total cost of $74,376, or about seven hundred dollars per mile. The com-
pany's charter required it to construct " an artificial road composed of stones,
gravel, wood, or other suitable materials, well compacted together, in such a
manner as to secure a firm, substantial and even road, rising in the middle with a
gradual arch." Based on this requirement, a general expectation prevailed tliat
the roadbed would be laid with stone or gravel, but it was not realized. An
ordinary clay road was built and this, in wet weather, soon became mai-iy im-
passable. Nathaniel Merriman, appointed as agent of the State to report uiion its
construction, as required bj' statute, declared that it had been completed in accord-
ance with the requirements of law, whereupon the company erected its toUgates
along the entire line. Popular dissatisfaction with these proceedings, and with
the condition of the road, led to an act of the General Assembly, passed February
28,1843, totally repealing the company's charter, and forbidding its further collec-
tion of tolls. In the month of March, during the same session, a commission was
ajipointed to survey and build a State road on the bed of the turnpike, and on
March 12, 1845, this road was established by law as a public highway." Directly
after this, the tollgates, which had been until then maintained, were torn away by
wrathful citizens. No exception was made of the single gate in Franklin
County, located about two miles north of Columbus. The company maintained
that the legislative acts adverse to it were unconstitutional, and appealed to the
General Assembly for relief. At the session of 1843-4 a committee recommended
that the State should exchange its bonds for the company's stock, and take charge
of the road as one of its public works. On December 19, 1845, the National llousf
of Eepresentatives adopted the following preamble and resolution :
Whereas, By an act of Congress, approved July 3, 1827, there was granted to the Statu of
( )liio, in trust, a quantity of land ecjual to fortynine sections, to aid the Columbus and San-
ilusky Turnpike Company in the construction of a road upon condition that no toll should
be collected on any mail stage, nor any troops or property of the United States iiassing over
said road ; and wherea,s, it is represented that said road is now in such a state of repair that
it cannot be travelled ; therefore,
31(i History op the City of Columbus.
Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire how the
trust fund aforesaid has been used and applied by the State of Ohio ; what is the condition
as to repair and otherwise of the said road ; and what causes have produced the results before
alluded to.
In 1847 the company's claims and complaints were referred, by resolution ot
the General Assembly, to the Attorney-General of Ohio, Hon. Henry Stanbery,
who, ignoring the question of constitutionality, returned an opinion that the com-
pany had not been fairly dealt with. During the session of 1856-7 the Senate
passed a bill authorizing a suit against the State for the alleged wrong done the
company by the repeal of its charter, but the measure was rejected by the House.
The construction of subsequent turnpikes converging at Columbus, down to
1854, may be summarized as follows :
Lancaster, CnrvoU, Plckt'rhujton and National Road TuDqilkt Company. — In-
corporated in March, 1839, to build a road between Lancaster and Columbus.
Committee to receive subscriptions at Columbus: John Noble, Christian Heyl and
Jeremiah Armstrong.
Columbus and Worthinijton Plankroad or Tiirnpi'/.r.— ChAvtQved by the General
Assembly March 23, 1849. Incorporators Solomon Beers, John Phipps, John B.
Piatt, Philip Fisher, Eobert B. Neil, and associates. Stockbooks opened April 15,
and subscriptions completed May 5, 1849. First directors, B. Gomstock, William ■
Noil and Alanson Bull. By permission, the road was built on the bed of tiie San-
duskj- Turnpike. It was completed in 1850, and the first dividend was paid to its
stockholders in January, 1851. Capital stock $27,825, in twentyfive-dollar shares.
Notice of a petition to the General Assembly for a State road from Columbus
up the east bank of the Scioto to the Delaware County line, was published in Sep-
tember, 1831.
ColinnbKS and Portsmouth Tiirnpikt-.—A graveled loll road built in 1847 on sub-
scriptions taken separately in each of the counties through whicli it passed. Three
directors and $8,800 of the capital stock were assigned to Franklin County.
Dividends were paid on the stock at the office of Kobert W. McCoy in Columbus,
November 6, 1848, and in May, 1850. Pursuant to an act of the General As-
sembly, the State's interest in this road was sold November 20, 1865, to Henry B.
Wai-c, of Waverly, for $8,000.
Columbus and Harrishunj T^/vfyvAc.— Incorp.iratod in 1847, built in 1848-9; Uriah
Lathrop surveyor and engineer. Subscribed capital stock $20,815, in twentyfive-
dollar shares. Cost of the road, $35,602. The county donated $4,500 towards
building the bridge over the Scioto. Originally it was a free road, but after the
first two or three years two tollgates were erected, but one of which remained in
1858. Down to that year no dividends were paid to the stockholders, all the re-
ceipts having been applied to debts, repairs and current expenses. The incorpora-
tors of this road were Joseph Chenoweth, John Morgan, M. L. SuUivant, David
Mitchell, Jacob Grubb, Adam Brotherlin and John Dunn.
Columbus and Groveport Turnpike. — Company incorporated under act of March
19,1849; organized May 18, 1849. Incorporators, William Harrison, Natbaniel
Merion, William H. Earey, William Darnell, Edmund Stewart, William W. Kyle,
and associates. Capital stock, $20,000, in twentyfive-dollar shares; actual subscrip-
tidii, $12,300. Road complotcd in tlic :iuUimn of ISfid. Tlic drlil iiicMiiTrd in
building was soon paiil off by carninyH.
<'<ihimlius iind .Jdlnixtoini Tiinijiikc. — Incorporalod under act oT iMaicli I, ISfK),
In- lloijort Neil, Windsor Atciiison, George Jlidcnour, Jesse Haiiglinian, Waller
'riirall, and associates, with authority to construct a turn])ii<e or ]ilanUroad i'roni
Columbus to Johnstown, vin New Albany, and to extend itlo Mt. Vornon. Autiior-
ized capital stock, $75,000, in tweiityfivc-dollar shares.
Colinnhiis iiixl Siiiilniri/ Tiinipihc uml Plnnhnxtil. — Incorporated under act ot
March 20. 1850, by William Trevitt, Christian Ileyl, Peter Aglcr, James Park",
George W. Agler, John Dill, Peter Harlockor, Timothy Lee, W. G. Edmison, John
Curtis, E. Washburn, Stillman Tucker, and associates. Authorized capital stock,
$75,000, in twentyfive dollar shares. Built in 1852 from a point on the Johnstown
road about three miles north of Columbus to Central College.
Columbus and GninriUr Tiinipilu; commonly ('(dial Brush's P/,i„/;rn,id.—ln.
corporated under act of February 8, 1850, by Joseph Ridgway, Samuel Barr, (;ales
O'Harra, William A. Piatt, Samuel Brush, and associates, with authority to build a
road surfaced with gra%'el, stone or plank, from Columbus to Granville, and to ex-
tend it to Newark. Authorized capital stock, $100,000, in fift3'-dollar shares, liuilt
in 1852, with one plank track, from Columbus to Walnut ('reek. Samuel Brush,
President; John M. Pugh, Secretary; D. W. Deshler, Treasurer.
Cott(i(ie Mills II nd Jldrrl^bunj Tunijiil;i:'. — Incorporated under act of March 20,
1851, by Adin G. Hibbs, Jjevi Strader, Solomon Borer, Isaac Miller, William Duff,
and as.sociates, with authority to build a turnpike connecting the Columbus and
Harrisburg pike with that from Columbus to Portsmouth at a point opposite the
Cottage Mills. Built in 1852, seven and a half mil<is, at a cost of about $13,000.
The Chlumhus and Blindon Turnpike dnqxiny was organized Maj- 2, 1850.
Franklin and Jackson Turnpike. — Incorporated under act of March 20, 1851,
by Samuel Landes, John Moler, Adam Miller, Jacob Huffman, John Stimmel,
John Cherry, William L. Miner, Gersham M. Peters and Michael L. Sullivant, with
authority to build a pike optionally from that between Columbus and Harrisburg,
or from Franklinton, to the south line of Franklin County. Built from the Har-
risburg road down the river to the Cottage Mills pike, about ten miles, in 1852, at
a cost of about $8,000, leaving the company about two thousand dollars in debt.
Columbus and Lockirin Plankroad. — Incorporated in the spring of 1853, under
general statute. Original stock, $14,000. First five miles built in 1853, the remain-
ing two in 1854. Surfaced with plank eight feet long and three inches thick, laid
on two stringers four inches square. Cost, $16,500, or about $2,400 per mile.
Began at the intersection of the old Harbor Road with the Columbus and Johns-
town Turnpike.
Cludon and Blend,,,, /->/<//(/,/■.»/, /.—Company organized in 1853, road built in
1853-4. Began at the Lockwin Road, four miles north of ('ohimbus, and extended
to the county line half a mile north of Westerville; total length, eight miles.
Authorized capital stock, $16,000; cost, $16,600.
In 1851 a planked track was completed from the point where Broad Slreet then
terminated to Alum Creek.
The condition of the country roads during the borough ]]eriod was siicii, in
bad weather, as to paralyze ti'ade, and make vehicular hjcomolion next to inipcjs-
HIS History of the City op Columbus.
sible. Speaking of an " administration convention " to be held at Columbus, Decem-
ber 28, 1827, the Ohio State Journal of the twentysixth of that month remarks:
" From the present bad state of the roads (we have never seen them worse) it is
likely some fair weather delegates will be deterred from coming." In 1830 the
journey from Columbus to Worthington and return, such was the condition of the
road, often consumed an entire day. Mr. S. P. McElvain informs the writer that
on the day next preceding the great Whig convention at Columbus, in February,
1839, he quitted Delaware by stage, hoping to reach the capital the following eve-
ning. The vehicle was drawn by four horses, but dragged slowly and heavily most
of tlie way, nearlj' hubdeep in the mire. It reached Worthington at four o'clock
p. M., and did not arrive at Columbus until one o'clock the following morning.
Ruin fell throughout the day of the convention, and High Street, on which the big
political parade took place, was ankledeep with mud.
Mr. Isaac Appleton Jewett, who journeyed from New England to Ohio in
December, 1830, thus describes some of his experiences in a letter dated March 9,
1831:
From Zanesville to Columbus — flftyeight miles— we saw the wilderness in all its
gloominess, and enjoyed self-constructed roads in all their terror. We felt as if carried back
to the times of the early settlers. . . . Our vehicle, which, in the dialect of the country was
called », spanker, was intended for four persons, and on this occasion was drawn by four strong
horses at the rate of two ujiles per hour. . . . What, with the happy recollections of the
preceding day, the fearful anticipations of the future, the wintry wind driving through an
open stage, the warnings of the driver to be prepared for any and every hazard, the confes-
sions of a timid fellow traveller, of horses frightened by the howling of the wolves, of stages
overturned, of bones dislocated, and lives in jeopardy, all of which he had heard of and much
of which he had seen ; what with travelling the dreary, livelong night and arriving at Col-
umbus just before daybreak, and there finding four of the hotels at which we applied not
only full but crou^ded, so that admittance for repose was out of the question ; considering
these facts, as well as the simple incidents that one of our company was ever shrinking with
fear, another had stupefied his senses with strong drink, and another was so much given to
profanity as to succeed every harsh movement of the spanker with a tremendous oath, and I
think one may receive full pardon for uttering the " groans of a traveller."
A Perrysburg paper of January, 1838, contained the following account of the
condition of the roads in the Black Swamp region at that time :
The mud extends to the horse's bridle in many places, and is of a consistency of which
no mind can have an adequate idea without becoming experimentally acquainted with its
appalling reality. A portion of the truth can be gathered from the fact that six horses were
barely sufficient to draw a twowheeled vehicle from Portage River to this town in three days.
The distance is fifteen miles.
The editor proceeds to remark that the mail is often detained at Portage River
for more than a week. In a later issue he says six different mails were waiting to
get forward, and that no strength of man or horse could drag them through the
existing mud.
Under the caption "Infamous," the Ohio State Journal of April 21, 1843,
says : " A gentleman just informs us that he was three hours coming from Worth-
ington, eight miles, on the repealed mud pike north of this, and had to pay toll
From TRAri, to Ti unimkk. 31!)
In July, 1852, complaint is made of the Worthington Plankroad tiiat its
planks are " warped," and that its track has for a long time been in a ver}- bad
condition.'
During the open winter of 1S52-3 the country roads were reduced to a hor-
rible state. Under date of .March 2, ISOS, we read in a contemporary chronicle:
"The country roads in the vicinity ol' Columbu.s are in a terrible condition, and
have been so for some time back."'"
Whole volumes could be fille<l with .such complaints. Nothing more conspic-
uously marks the progress or proves the beneticence of civilization than the marvel-
ous facility and comfort it has brought in the modes and means of travel and
transportation.
NOTES.
1. Communication to the Oliio State Journal.
2. W. H. Venable.
3. Autot)iographical sketch addressed to B. F. Martin, Esq., Secretary of tlie Frank-
lin County Pioneer A.ssociation.
4. Atwater's History of Ohio contains this passage : " When the state was first or-
ganized, we do not believe that there was even one bridge in the state. The roads were few
and it was no easy matter for a stranger to follow them. For ourselves we preferred follow-
ing the pocket compass or the sun, to most of the roads, in the Virginia Military Tract; and
this even ten years after the organization of the state government. Travellers carried their
provisions with them when starting from any of che towns into the then wilderness, now
thickly settled parts of the state. Judges and lawyers rode from court to court, through tlie
forest, and carried their provisions or starved on their route. Tliough they generally got
into some settlement hefore nightfall, yet not always, as we shall long remember. When the
streams were swelled with rain, they swam every stream in their way."
5. See quotation introductory to this chapter.
6. Martin's History of Franklin County.
7. In the Ohio enabling act, says Atwater, " Congress offered the people one thirty-
sixth part of their whole territory for the use of schools. They offered them also, certain
lands, on which they supposed salt water might be procured ; they offered them five per
cent, of all the net proceeds of sales of lands owned by Congress; three per cent, of which
was to be laid out in making roads in the state, and two per cent, on a road to he made from
Cumberland, in Maryland, to the stale."
8. The subscription books were opened under the direction of William Dcnnison and
L. Goodale. William Neil was President, and Josiah Scott Secretary.
9. Ohh State Journal.
10. Ibid.
CHAPTER XX.
THE NATIONAL ROAD.
The beginning of a new era of trade, travel, transportation and of material
and social progress in Ohio dates from the construction of the Ohio Canal and
the National Road. For the sake of topical continuity the latter will be here first
considered.
In 1784 Philadelphia was the starting point of the only thoroughfare which
made any pretensions to communication with the region then vaguely known as the
Far West. After quitting the city and its neighboring settlements, its course, we
are told, "lay through a broken, desolate and almost uninhabited country," and
was supposed to be a turnpike by those who had never traveled it, but in reality
was "merely a passable road, broad and level in the lowlands, narrow and dan-
gerous in the passes of the mountains, and beset with steep declivities." Yet such
was at that time the only highway between the Atlantic seaboard and the Missis-
sippi. To the imagination the Alleghany chain of mountains then assumed the
proportions of a tremendous barrier, separating those who passed beyond it from
all connection, or hope of reunion, with their eastern friends.
To achieve the commercial conquest of this barrier, and extend into the great
wilderness beyond it the domain of American civilization, were projects hindered
and postponed by the poverty of national resources, yet none the less cherished by
the earlier statesmen. With the tide of westward emigration which set in directly
after the second war with Great Britain, and the resulting settlement and organiza-
tion of new States beyond the Ohio, the opportunity for realizing these projects of
extended and improved communication first began to dawn. What had before
been a dream, then became a necessity, and quite as much so for political reasons as
for economic. The utility of a great east and west wagonway, as a bond of union
between the States, was no less obvious after the War of 1812 than was that of a
great transcontinental railway after the War of 1861.
At the time of Ohio's birth, in 1803, the road, or rather trail, westward from
Fort Cumberland crossed the mountains from Bedford, Pennsylvania, in two
branches, which reunited with one another twentyeight miles west of Pittsburgh.
The southern branch, known as the Glade Road, was that originally cut by
General Braddock in his march on Fort Du Quesne, and passed through the dreary
region of the great Savage Mountain then and since known as The Shades ot
Death. The northern branch was first opened by the British General Forbes
when advancing against the same French stronghold in 1758, and therefore bore
[320]
The N.
\U
321
the name of the Forbes Koad. Both were rough, lonely, primitive, often besot
with highwaymen and embellished to the imagination with startling tales of
murder, robbery and accident. " The tavern signs, as if adapting themselves to
the wild regions in which they hung, bore pictures of wolves and bears as em-
blems. High above the Alleghany summits the bald eagle soared."'
As a preliminary step towards providing better facilities for communication
between the States east and the Territories west of the Alleghanies, the following
clause was appended to the enabling act of April 30, 1802, by authority and in
pursuance of which was organized the present State of Ohio :
That onetwentieth part of the nett proceeds of the lands lying within said state sold by
Congress, from and after the thirtieth day of June next, after deducting all expenses inci-
dent to the same, shall be applied to the laying out and making public roads, leading from
AN OLD .MILESTONE.
the navigable waters emptying into the Atlantic, to the Ohio, to the said state, and through
the same, such roads to be laid out under the authority of Congress with the consent of the
several states through which the road shall pass.
This was followed by an act of xMarch 29, ISOC, authorizing the Pn^sidcnt to
appoint -'three discreet and disinterested persons" to lay out a n^id from Cumber-
land, or some point on the Potomac, to the Ohio River at some point between
Steubenville and the mouth of Grave Creek. It was further provided in this act
that, on receiving from the commissioners a satisfactory report and plan, the
President might proceed to obtain the consent of the States through which the
road would pass, and also take prom])t and effective measures to have it built. As
21
322 riisTORY OP THE CiTr of CoLUAimrs.
to the construction, it was required that all parts of the road should be cleared to
the width of four rods, that its surface should be " raised in the middle with stoiio,
earth, or gi-avel and sand, or a combination of some or all of them," and that side
ditches should be provided for carrying off the water. For the pur])()se of defra}'-
ing the expense of laying out and making the road, the act appropriated tiie sum
of thirty thousand dollars.
At the time this act and that of 1802 were passed, there was substantial
unanimity among the leading contemporary statesmen of all shades of opinion in
favor of giving national support to the building of roads and canals, and the im-
provement of navigable watercourses. Mr. Jefferson, who was then President, was
no exception to this, but doubted whether the Constitution, strictly construed,
would admit of the appropriation to such purposes of the public funds. He there-
fore suggested in his December message of 1806 such an amendment to the Con-
stitution as would enable Congress to apply the surplus revenue " to the great pur-
poses of jjublic education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects of jiublic im-
provement as ma}- be thought proper."'
The annals of Congress indicate that the original mover of this policy was
Senator Worthington, of Ohio, but Mr. Clay, who entered the Senate in December,
1806, soon made himself its most conspicuous champion. He maintained not only
that such a policy was desirable, but that it was alreadj- constitutionally authorized.
His vigorous efforts were promptly seconded by public opinion, which found a
voice in resolutions of the Ohio General Assembly, petitioning Congress as early
as 1817 for the construction of a great national highway between the East and
West. Additional appropriations tor the improvement, repair and extension
of the Cumberland Road were therefore successively made as follows:
February 14, 1810, $60,000 for " making said road between Cumberland, in the
State of Maryland, and Brownsville, in the State of Pennsylvania."
Mai'ch 3, 1811, $30,000 to be reserved from the funds provided for by the enab-
ling act of 1802, for the same purpose.
May 6, 1812, f30,000 for the same purpose, and from the same fund.
February 14, 1815, $100,000 from said fund, for building a road from Cum-
berland to the State of Ohio.
April 14, 1818, $52,984.60, for liquidating unpaid claims on account of said
road.
On May 15, 1820, an act was passed which recited in its preamble that "bj-
continuation of the Cumberland Road from Wheeling through Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, the lands of the United States may become more valuable," and authorized
the President to appoint three commissioners "to examine the country between
Wheeling, in the State of Virginia, and a point on the left bank of the Mississippi
River, to be chosen by the commissioners, between St. Louis and the mouth of the
Illinois River," and lay out in a straight line from Wheeling to said point a road
eighty feet wide, its course and boundaries to be " designated by marked ti-eos,
stakes, or other conspicuous monuments, at the distance of every quarter of a mile,
and at every angle of deviation from a straight line." The commissioners were
further required to deliver a report and plan of their work to the President.
From this act of Ma_y 15, 1820, dates the beginning of the extension of the
Cumberland Road through Ohio to the West. In their report of January 3, 1821,
■I'liK. Nationai, Road :{•_>:;
til tiR' Soi-rolarv of llic Troiisui-y, the commissionorH remark that the law limited
the loeation of the I'oad " tlirough the intermediate couiili-}- between the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers to a direct line, with discretion only to deviate from such lino
where the ground and watercourses make it necessary." Strictly observing this
requirement, the commissioners add, "in all probability neither of the scats of
government of Ohio, Indiana or Illinois could bo embraced by the location, although
it has been ascertained that to carry the lino through them all, commencing at
Wheeling and ending at St. Louis, would not exceed in length a direct line between
those points more than three miles."
But the supposed constitutional obstacles to the enterprise had not been sur-
mounted. In May, 1822, President Monroe vetoed a bill to establish tollgates on
the Cumberland Eoad, and accompanied his veto with an elaborate argument
against the constitutional right of Congress to execute works of internal improve-
ment, although admitting the power to aid such works from the National Treasurj^
if constructed by the States. The same subject was brought forward again by a bill
reported in January, 1824, authorizing the President to cause surveys, plans and
estimates to be made for such roads, canals and like improvements as might bo
deemed necessar3- for postal, commercial or militarj* purposes. To defray the ex-
pense of carrying out its purposes, this bill appropriated the sum of thirty thousand
dollars. Kloquentlj- and vigorously supported by Mr. (^lay, it passed both houses
of Congress, and was signed b}' President Monroe, who waived his objections to it
on the ground that it only provided for the collection of infoi'ination.
Although the particular measure thus enacted resulted in nothing more impor-
tant than a few surveys, it was a turning-point in the history of the National, or
as the statutes call it, the Cumberland Road, and thenceforward its extension
through Ohio proceeded steadily. On the fifth of Octol)cr, 1825, Jonathan
Knight, engaged in locating the road from Zanesvillc westward, arrived in Colum-
bus at the head of a corps of engineers, among whom was Joseph B. Johnston,
afterwar'ds one of the most distinguished generals of the Confederate Ai-my. " We
understand," says the Ohio State Journal in announcing this arrival, "that he
[Knight] will return to Zanesville, and divide the line he has located into halfmile
sections, and make estimates of the probable expense of constructing it. W(^ an^
further informed that the line he will locate wdl be only about one mile longer
than a straight line ; that it goes about.seven miles south of Newark, fourteen north
of Lancaster, and intersects the canal about twentysix miles east of this jilace. No
grade of the road, it is said, will exceed three degrees, except about foiiiteen niik's
of the hillj' country near Zanesville, some of which will probably amount to I'oui-
and a half."
DuriTig the summer of 1826 Eni;ineers Knight and Weaver, with Iheii- assist-
ants, completed the permanent location of the road as far west as ZanesvilU'. ami
made a preliminary survey of the line fron\ Columbus west to Indianajtolis. In
Mr. Knight's report, laid before Congress during the winter of 182(i 7, it was
stated that between Zanesville and Columbusfive different routes had been surveyed,
that vi(t Newark being the longest by two miles, twentytive chains and Ibrtyscven
links, but having the lowest grade and being least expensive by $2,740. As to the
localion of the li ne w.-sl ward from CoIuiiiImis thi> Ohn, S/,i/r J. „inia/ s:iys :'
324 History op the City op Columbus.
The adopted route leaves Columbus at Broad Street, crosses the Scioto River at the end
of that street, and on the new wooden bridge erected in 182(> by an individual having a
charter from the state. The bridge is not so permanent nor so spacious as could be desired,
yet it may answer the intended purpose for several years to come. Thence the location
passes through the village of Franklinton, and across the low grounds to the bluff which is
surmounted at a depression formed by a ravine, and at a point nearly in the prolongation of
the direction of Broad Street ; thence, by a small angle, a straight line to the bluffs of Darby
Creek ; to pass the creek and its bluffs, some angles were necessary ; thence nearly a straight
line through Deer Creek Barrens, and across that stream to the dividing grounds between
the Scioto and the Miami waters ; thence nearly down the valley of Beaver Creek.
In June, 1827, the engineers left Columbus for the boundary of Indiana to
locate the road through that State. At the same time it was announced that the grad-
ing between Wheeling and Cambridge had been nearly completed, and that the
construction contracts as far west as Zanesville would soon be let.
The construction superintendent of the Ohio divisions of the road in 1827, was
Caspar W. Weaver, whose i-eport, for that year, to General Alexander McComb,
Chief Engineer of the United States, contains the following statements indicative of
the progress then being made in the work :
Upon the first, second and third divisions, with a cover of metal of six inches in thick-
ness, composed of stone reduced to particles of not more than four ounces in weight, the
travel was admitted in the month of June last. Those divisions that lie eastward of the
village of Fairview together embrace a distance of very nearly twentyeight and a half miles,
and were put under contract on the first of July, and first and thirtyfirst of August, 1825.
This portion of the road has been, in pursuance of contracts made last fall and spring, covered
with the third stratum of metal of three inches in thickness, and similarly reduced. On
parts of this distance, say about five miles made up of detached pieces, the travel was
admitted at the commencement of the last winter, and has continued on to this time. In
those places where the cover has been under the travel a sufficient time to render it compact
and solid, it is very firm, elastic and smooth. The effect has been to dissipate the prejudices
which existed very generally, in the minds of the citizens, against the MacAdam system, and
to establish full confidence over the former plan of constructing roads. . . .
On the first day of last July, the travel was admitted upon the fourth and fifth divisions,
and upon the second, third, fourth and fifth sections of the sixth division of the road, in its
graduated state. This part of the line was put under contract on the eleventh day of Sep-
tember, 1826, terminating at a point three miles west of Cambridge, and embraces a distance
of twentythree and a half miles. ... On the twentyfirst of July the balance of the line to
Zanesville, comprising a distance of a little over tweutyone miles, was let. This .letting of
the road was taken at more regular and fairer prices than any former one.
The engineer concludes by recommending, in earnest words, that " a system
or plan for the regular repair and preservation of the road should be early devised
and adopted." This suggestion he reinforces with the remark that" that great monu-
ment of wisdom and beneficence of the General Government, the road from Cum-
berland thi'ough the Alleghany Mountains to the Ohio River, has nearly gone to
destruction for want of that provident care and constant attention which it
required, and its great utility claimed."' The contentions which arose as to the
choice of routes through Licking and Franklin Counties, caused considerable delay
in the westward progress of the work, and seem to have assumed some political
aspects, for in September, 1827, we find Mr. John Kilbourne, then a candidate for
Congress, announcing that, as to " location of the National Road from Zanesville
The National Ivoah.
325
13M
^A^i^M ^ \i "'
Mm-:- --4
326 IlisToiiv OF THE City of Columbus.
to Columbus " he was " decidedly in favor of the straight and direct route tlirouj^li
the town of Hebron." Efforts were made to induce the General Assembly to
declare its preference as to the rival routes, but a resolution by Senator Gauit, of
Licking, having that object in view was defeated. Referring to this subject in a
letter written from Columbus August 18, 1831, Mr. Isaac Appleton Jewctt
remarked :
The progress of the National Road has Ijeen retarded by a great varietj' of confiicting
interests among private persons who are not reconciled to the destined route between this and
Hebron, twenty miles east of us. But the department have recently dispatched an ofHcer
into this quarter, who, after investigating, decided the matter, and operations are about to be
resumed.
This controversy being allayed, and the Hebron route chosen, the Siijieriiitcnd-
ent gave notice, in July, 1830, that be would receive proposals, in Columbus, " for
grubbing, clearing and grading that part of the National Eoad lying from Colum-
bus to the Big Darby, a distance of about twelve miles," and for " constructing tlic
bridges, culverts and other necessary raasonrj' for the above space; " also, "for
grubbing, clearing and grading twentysix sections of one mile each, east of Colum-
bus, extending from the Ohio Canal to said town, which will be divided into sec-
tions of six and a half miles each for the construction of bridges, culverts, and other
necessary masonry." Fourteen miles of the road westward from Columbus were
put under contract about the same time, the first three miles to be graveled. The
following additional appropriations for the construction, repair and extension of
the road were made b}^ Congress :
March 2, 1827, $30,000, for repairs from Cumberland to Wheeling.
March 2, 1829, $100,000, " for opening and making the Cumberland Road west-
ward from Zauesvillc, in the State of Ohio."
March 3, 1829, $100,000 to repair the road east of Wheeling.
March 2, 1831, $100,000 "for opening, grading and making the Cumborlaiul
Road westwardl}' of Zanesville, in the State of Ohio."
On March 2, 1831, Congress also passed an act consenting to and ratifying an
act of the General Assembly of Ohio, passed February 4, 1831, taking into the care
of the State so much of the completed road as lay within its borders.
An act of June 24, 1834, appropriated $200,000 for continuing the road through
Ohio, and the same amount for its continuance through the States of Indiana and
Illinois. This act further provided that, as soon as completed, the finished portions
of the road should be surrendered to State control, and make no further claim upon
the National Treasury. A similar provision was contained in the acts making
subsequent appropriations for the work. " The Cumberland Road cost $6,670,000
in money," says Mr. Benton, " and was a prominent subject in Congress for thirty-
four years — from 1802, when it was first conceived, to 1836, when it was aban-
doned to the states."' Its total length in Ohio was three hundred and twenty
miles, but that portion of it lying between Springfield and the Indiana boundary
was still uncompleted when, by act of January 20, 1853, it was surrendered by
Congress to the State. By appointment of the Governor, Seth Adams, of Zanes-
ville, became State Superintendent of the road in 1831; in 1833, Mr. Adams was
succeeded by Colonel George W. Manypenny, then editor of the St. ClairsviUe
TiiK National Hoad. 827
(i',i:it/r. The .Supci'iiitciulont of Construction in 18HG was Tjieutonant G. Dulton,
oftlio United States Engineers. In 1847 the resident on_s?inoor of the western divi-
sion was Jolin Field, of Columbus. Late in the thirties, the resident engineer and
superintendent of repairs for the eastern division was Thomas M. Dralce.
One of tlie most important adjuncts of the road was the great suspension
bridge by which it leaped the Ohio at Wheeling. This daring, aerial structure —
a thrilling recolleclion of the writer's childhood — was begun in 1848 and com-
pleted in 1854. The river interest fought it stubbornly, and obtained from the
National Supreme Court a deci.sion to the effect that the State of Virginia had
no right to authorize the erection of such a bridge. To obviate this difficulty.
Congress passed an act declaring the bridge a post route, whereupon the constitu-
tionalii}' of that act was contested in a famous legal argument at Washington, in
which Edwin M. Stanton, afterwards the great War Secretary, represented the
State of Pennsylvania, and Eeverdy Johnson the City of Wheeling.
In Eastern Ohio, where the writer remembers it best — for beside it was his
boyhood home — the National Eoad when completed, appeared like a white riband
meandering over the green hills and valleys. It was surfaced with broken lime-
stone, which, when compacted by the pressure of heavy wagons, became smooth as
a floor, and after a rain almost as clean. Wagons, stages, pedestrians and vast
droves of cattle, sheep, horses and hogs crowded it constantly, all pressing eagerly
by the great arterial thoroughfare — for there were no railways then — to the mar-
kets of the East. Westwardlj', on foot and in wagons, traveled an interminable
caravan of emigrants, or "movers," as they were commonly called, whose gipsy
fires illuminated at night the roadside woods and meadows. For the heavy trans-
portation both east and west huge covered wagons were used, built with massive
axles and broad tires, and usually drawn by from four to six, and sometimes eight
horses. The teamsters who conducted these " mountain ships," as they were known
in the Alleghanies, were a peculiar cla.ss of men, rough, hearty, whiskered and sun-
burned, fond of grog, voluble in their stories of adventure, and shockingly profane.
Their horses were sturdy roadsters, well shod, fed and curried, and heavily har-
nessed :is became the enormous burdens they had to draw. When on dutj^, each
of the animals in the larger teams bore upon its hames a chime of from three to six
small bells, which jingled musically, and no doubt cheered the sweating toilers at
their task, while the groaning wain rolled slowly but steadily up hill and down.
Should one of these teams encounter another of its kind stalled in the road the
teamster latest come was entitled by custom to attach an equal number of his horses
to the stalled wagon, and should he be able to draw it out of its difficulty he had
the right to appropriate as trophies as many of the bolls of the balked team as ho
pleased. Thus the jingling of the champion was sometimes so prodigious, tVoni the
multi])licity of its bells, as to herald its coming from afar.
The road was frequented by traders, hucksters, peddlers, traveling musicians,
small showmen, sharpers, tramps, beggars and odd characters, some of whom made
l)eriodical pilgrimages, and were familiar to the wayside dwellers from Columbus
to Cumberland. The solilar}- places were also haunted, sometimes, by viiliiiMs
bent on crime, and many were the highway legends of robijery, niiirdcr and
accident.
328 History op the City of Columbus.
To Columbus, as to many other towns and cities along its line, the opening of
this great thoroughfare was an event of immense importance. Commercially
speaking it was a revolution.' By means of it the Bast and "West were for the first
time brought into practicable and profitable trade relations. The diflScultiesof the
slow, costly and painful methods of travel and transportation which had hitherto
prevailed were immensely mitigated. But not trade alone profited by means of it ;
the National Eoad was the great original pathway of civilization on this continent.
The vast current of commerce which flowed along its path was a powerful agent,
as commerce always and everywhere is, for the diffusion not of wealth only but
also of light and knowledge. To this splendid enterprise, and to the statesmen
who conceived it, Ohio and her capital owe an incalculable debt both material and
moral.
The National Eoad flourished until the railway era dawned, then began its
decay. Gradually, as course after course was opened for the wheeled couriers of
steam, its intor-state and transcontinental currents of travel and trafiic were di-
verted, dwindled, and disappeared until nothing remained of its original glory but
its convenience for neighborhood use. First, in 185-t, lessees took charge of it, and
a renewed tide of wagon emigration to the West enabled them to derive a profit
from it for a time, although the opening of the Central Ohio Eailway swept away
nearly the whole bulk of its ordinary revenues. In 1859 this condition of things
had so far changed that the contractors claimed to have lost heavily, and begged
to be released. As to the condition of the road at that time there were conflicting
statements, but the signs were unmistakable that its degenei'acy had begun. On
April 6, 1876, the General Assembly passed an act surrendering the road to the
care of the counties, and, last scene of all, on October 23, of the same year, the City
of Columbus assumed by ordinance the care and control of the road within its
corporate limits.
Let an unknown poet of 1871 here take up the refrain, and fitly close this
chapter :
THE OLD TURNPIKE.'
We bear no more tlie clanking hoof
And the stagecoach rattling b)',
For the Steamking ruleth the travel world,
And the old pike's left to die.
The grape creeps o'er the flinty path,
And the stealthy daisies steal
Where once the stagehorse day by day.
Lifted his iron heel.
No more the weary stager dreads.
The toil of the coming morn,
No more the bustling landlord runs
At the sound of the echoing horn ;
For the dust lies still upon the road
And the brighteyed children play,
Where once the clattering hoof and wheel
Rattled along the way.
^ L^^J^^^^J-l^i^ ,
-^c
JNSELL SlC? I
TUK NaTUiNAI, luiAI).
No inoro we hear tlie eraekin;.' wliii),
And tlie strong wlieel's rumbling: sunn.
For now the steamsprite drives us on,
And an iron horse is found.
The coach stands rustin}; in the yard,
The horse has sought the plow,
We have spanned the world witli an in.ii r:
And the Stearaking rules us now.
The old turnpike is a pike no more,
Wide open stands its gate,
We have made us a road for our horse of .■•
And we ride at a (lying rate ;
We have filled the valleys, leveled the hills
And tunneled the mountain side,
And around the rough crag's dizzy verge
Fearlessly now we ride.
On, on, with a haughty front,
A pull', a shriek, and a bound,
While the tardy echoes wake too late
To bring us back the sound ;
And the old pike road is left alone,
And the roadsters seek the plow ;
We have belted the earth with an iron rail,
And the Steamking rules us now.
1. Venable's Footprints in the Ohio Valley.
2. Two later Presidents, Madison and Monroe, raised the same constitutional (ibji'ctioii,
and suggested the same remedy.
a. General Johnston's next visit to Columlius, after his services as engineer of the Na-
tional Road, was made in July, 1S7:!.
4. February 22, 1S27.
5. Superintendent Weaver's assistant wa.s John S. Williams, whose etliciency he strcmgly
commends.
0. Thirty Years in Congress ; by Thomas H.Benton.
7. The location of the road through the town gave rise to a great deal of rivalry. The
North and South " ends " of the borough, then divided by State Street, and both lying south
of the present railway .station, were each jealous of the advantages which the location nught
afford to the other. A compromise was therefore eti'ected by which the road entered the
borough on Friend, now Main Street, passed down High to Broad, and down Broad to the
Scioto. This, it is said, was a great disappointment to some of the property owners in Frank-
linlon, who confidently expected that the road would cross the river and go westward on
State Street instead of Broad.
8. Ohio Sixtcfman, June .^O, 1S71.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CANAL.
The vSeventli Governor of Ohio was Ethan Allen Brown, a native of Con-
necticut. He studied law with Alexander Hamilton, was admitted to the bar in
1802, began the practice of his profession at Cincinnati in 1804, was chosen by the
General As.sembly as one of the Judges of tlie Supreme Court of Ohio in 1810, and
in 1818 was elected Governor of the State. To him belongs the honor of having
first ofiiciaiiy and practically inaugurated the connection of the Ohio Valley by
artificial lines of water transportation with Lake Brie and the markets of the
East.
In 1816, while yet serving on the Supreme Bench, Judge Brown conceived
the vast importance and beneficence of this enterprise. He therefore opened a
correspondence on the subject with the great originator and champion of the Erie
Canal, DeWitt Clinton, and when elected Governor in ISIS embodied the convic-
tions he had thus matured in his inaugural address. The ideas thus expressed
were repeated with more particularity and emphasis in a message which Governor
Brown transmitted to the General Assembly in January, 1819. By that time a bill
had been introduced in the Senate to incorporate a company to excavate a canal
from Lake Erie to the Ohio, but no stops for obtaining reliable information as to
the feasibility of such a scheme had up to that time been taken. That the law-
makers would act blindly in such a matter was not expected, but that a profes-
sional survey and report should be provided for, as a basis of action, was most
cogently urged. The Governor's reasoning, repeated and further emphasized in
his messages of 1821 and 1822, was acquiesced in, and in January, 1819, a commit-
tee to consider a plan of interior navigation was appointed. Early in 1820 the
subject was again taken up, and on February 20, of that year, an act was passed
appointing three commissioners to locate, through the public lands, a route for a
navigable canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio Eiver, and providing that a proposi-
tion should be made to Congress to grant, in support of the improvement, two
million acres of the lands which had lately been acquired from the Indians. Through
various misadventures this act failed to produce any important result, and nothing
practical was done until December 6, 1821, when a resolution was presented in the
General Assembly by the Hon. Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, referring the
canal recommendations of the Governor's message to a special committee. From
the committee appointed in pursuance of this resolution an able report was made
by Mr. Williams, accompanied by a bill "authorizing an examination into the
[330]
The Canai,. -V-U
practicability of connecting Liiko Kv'w with tlic Ohio IJivcr l>y cmikiI." Tlic hill
became a law January 31, 1S22, unci in aciDi-ilaiuc with its in-civisions, HtMijinnin
Tappan, Alfred Kelley, Thomas Worthingtoii, l-llhaii Allen Brown, Jeremiah .Moi--
row, Isaac Minor and Khenezei- Buckingham, Junior, were appointed comniiM-
sionors to obtain the desired surveys and estimates. Jeremiah Morrow resigned
after a service of some months and was suecccdod Januar}' 27, 1S23, by Hon. Micajab
T. Williams. Of four routes suggested for examination, one crossed the State from
the Maumee River, one from Sandusky Bay, one by the sources of the Black and Mus-
kingum rivers, and one along the headwaters of the (Jrand and Mahoning. Con'-
cerning one of the abovenamed commissioners appointed to execute this prelimin-
ary work, local considerations require that some incidental facts should here be
stated. The commissioner referred to, Hon. Alfred Kelle}', to whose financial
genius and executive energy the successful completion of the canal system of Ohio
was chiefly due, and who atlerwards became a distinguished citizen of Columbus
whose public spirit and services have in many ways honored and benefited the
city, had been elected in 1814, at the age of twentyfive, to represent the counties
of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga and C4eauga in the General Assembl}-, had been re-
elected in 1815, and in 1821 had been chosen Senator from a district comprising
the counties of Cuyahoga, Sandusky and Huron. After a careful study of the
topography of the State Mr. Kelley had been profoundly convinced of the importance
and feasibility of an artificial system of inland and eastern water transjiortation for
Ohio, and had devoted himself to its realization about the same time, and with the
.same zeal as Governor Brown, to whom, in the practical inauguration of the
scheme, he became a sagacious counselor and energetic helper.
The first engineer appointed to the service of the commission was James
Goddes, with Isaac Jerome as assistant. A hardy pioneer, and a selflaught survev-
or, Geddes had been employed as one of the engineers of the New York and Krie
Canal. He was engaged for the Ohio service by Governor Trimble, at a salary of
fifteen hundred dollars a year, and expenses. Governor Bi-own resigned .hinuary
4, 1822, to accept the office of United States Senator, but continued t(^ servo as a
member of the commission, and in June, 1822, went to Upper Sandusky to tnect
Mr. Geddes, and cooperate with him in his examination of the country- between
the Maumee and the Miami. As indicative of the progress of the work during the
summer and autumn of 1822 the following contemporary clii-oiiicle, from tlii>
Columhus Gazette of September 12, is important and interesting :
Judge Tappan, Governor Worthington, Colonel Kelley, Judge Minor and Governor
Brown, Canal Commissioners, met in this town on the fourtli instant. We understand that
they have directed the engineer to ascertain the practicability of constructing a canal from
the Muskingum to the Scioto, through the valley of the Licking, so as to open a navigation
from the Scioto country to Lake Erie, provided the supply of water on the Sandusky and
Scioto summits should be foimd insufficient.
They have also directed the engineer to gauge the streams which may l)e brought on to
the Sandusky summit, to ascertain their sufHciency or insulficiency ; also to make further
examination to ascertain whether Mad River can be brought on to the summit between the
Scioto and Miami valleys.
The engineer is instructed to make further examination on the summit between the
waters of the Great Miami and the Auglaize, and to explore the several practicable routes in
order to form an estimate of the probable expense of constructing a canal on each.
332 History op the City of Columbus.
Mr. Jerome is now tracing the route of a feeder from Cuyahoga River to the Tuscarawas
and Killbuck summits. The project of taking a canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio River east
of the Scioto is not abandoned.
The work of the engineers was arduous. " All the routes were along the valleys
ofstreams, with only here and there a log cabin, whose inmates were shivering with
malarial fever. These valleys were the most densely wooded parts, obstructed by
swamps, bayous and flooded lands, which would now be regarded as impassable.
Between 1822 and 1829 Isaac Jerome, Seymour Kiff', John Jones, John Brown,
Peter Lutz, Robert Anderson, Dyer Minor and William Latimer, of the engineers,
died from their exposures, and the diseases of the country. Chainmen, axemen, and
rodnien suffered in fully as great proportion. . . . Of twentythree engineers and
assistants, eight died of local diseases within six yeai-s. Mr. Forrer was the only
one able to keep the field permanently, and use the instruments in 1823."'
Among the engineers who survived, continues the writer just quoted, was
David S. Bates (chief engineer after Judge Geddes), Alexander Bourne, John Bates,
William R. Hopkins, Joseph Eidgway, Junior, Thomas I. Matthews, Samuel For-
rer, Francis S. Cleveland, James M. Bucklang, Isaac N. Hurd, Charles E. Lynch,
Philip N. White, James H. Mitchell, and John S. Beardsley.
Samuel Forrer was longest in the field. His services in connection with the
canals began in 1820, when Mr. William Steele, an enterprising citizen of Cincin-
nati, at his own expense, employed him to ascertain the elevation of the water-
shed between the Sandusky and Scioto above Lake Brie. A report of this work
was part of the information transmitted to the General Assembly by Governor
Brown. During the season of 1822 Mr. Geddes surveyed nine hundred miles of
canal routes, and Mr. Forrer ran his levels over a space of eight hundred miles
with a single instrument. The total cost of this work was but §2,426.10.
There was much rivaliy and contention between the advocates of different
routes, that crossing the Sandusky divide being the shortest, least elevated above
the lake level, and enjoying most popular favor until the surveys and explora-
tions of Engineers Bates and Forrer in 1824 demonstrated that its water supply
was inadequate. After the preliminary reports of the surveyors and commissioners
were made, the beginning of construction awaited the necessary compromise of
these rivalries until February 4, 1825, when the General Assembly passed an act
providing for building the Ohio Canal from Cleveland to Portsmouth, vin Licking
Summit, and the Little Miami Canal between Dayton and Cincinnati.- By the
same act a board of Canal Commissioners was created to supervise the construc-
tion, and also a Canal Fund Commission to provide means for the work by bor-
rowing money, as Mr. Kelley had suggested, on the credit of the State. By the
law, Ethan Allen Brown, Ebenezer Buckingham, Junior, and Allen Trimble were
named as Canal Fund Commissioners, and by resolution adopted on the day the
law was passed, Alfred Kelley, Micajah T. Williams, Tuomas Worthington, Ben-
jamin Tappan, John Johnson, Isaac Minor and Nathaniel Beasley were appointed
Canal Commissioners.
Extensive preparations were made for the ceremonious commencement ot
the work. For the celebration of this event, the Licking Summit was chosen as
the place, and July 4, 1825, as the time. New York's great Governor, Do Witt
TiiK Canal. W.V.i
Clinton, accepted an invitation to be present, ami sol (Hil IVdin Ailiaiiy in .lime,
accompanied by his aides, Colonels Jones and iteed ; by (loloiul Solonuni \':iii Keii-
selaer wlio had campaigned in Ohio as an officer undei- (ieneral Wayne ; by Messrs.
Lord and Rathbone, capitalists, who had loaned the State money with which to
commenee the canal,' and by United States District Judge Conkiing. This -dis-
tinguished party arrived at Newark on the beautiful afternoon of July 3. There
being no houses near the spot where the work was to begin, rough board booths
were built in the woods, and plank tables were spread for the grand feast which
Gottlieb Steinman, a hotclkeeper of Lancaster, had been engaged to prepare.
The roasts and broils for the dinner were prepared upon the ground, says a his-
torian of the occasion, " but all the fancy part of the dinner, including jiaslry, etc.,"
was cooked at Lancaster, twentylwo miles distant.^
The day fixed for the celebration was an ideal Fourth of July, clear and sum-
mery. The atmosphere had just been cleansed by a copious rainfall, and was fresh
and invigorating. Throngs of people came from near and far; Columbus sent a
large contingent; and so great was the crowd, and so intense the pressure of its
enthusiasm and curiosity, that a company of cavalry had to be drawn up to pre-
serve sufficient open space for the decorous observance of the programme. A large
force of volunteer militia was present, equipped and uniformed at its gayest and
best. Governors Clinton and Morrow, accompanied by their aides and a retinue
of civil and military officers, arrived at the appointed time from Newark Directly
afterwai'ds the two Governors were conducted to the spot on the Summit where the
first .strokes were to be made in breaking ground for the canals of Ohio. There,
says the historian above quoted, "Governor Clinton received the spade, thrust it
into the soil, and raised the first spadeful of earth, amid the most enthusiastic
cheers of the assembled thou.sands. The earth was placed in what they called a
canal wheelbarrow, and the spade was passed to Governor Morrow, a statesman
and a fiirmer. He sank it to its full depth, and raised the second spadeful. Then
commenced a strife as to who should raise the next. Captain Ned. King, com-
manding the infantry company present from Chillicothe, raised the third ; then
some of the guests of Governor Clinton's company threw in some dirt, and the
wheelbarrow being full, Cajjlain King wheeled it to the bank. It is impossible to
describe the scene of excitement and confusion that accompanied this ceremony.
The people shouted themselves hoarse. The feeling was so great that tears fell
from many eyes."°
The firing of a hundred guns announced that the great work of building the
Ohio Canal had been begun. As soon as quiet could be restored, the eager
thousands who had witnessed the ceremony gathered around a platform erected in
the shade of the beech woods, and listened to an address by United States Senator
Thomas Ewing. After the address, the State officers, invited guests, and others
who would buy tickets took their seats around the tables, at which the Governor
of New York was accorded the place of honor. As mostof the people had brought
their luncheons with them, the enterprising host who provided the repast is said to
have been a loser by the operation.
From the Summit, Governor (.'Union was escorted on the (itlh lo Lancaster,
where he tarried over night. Attended by a " great concourse," he journeyed to
:?o4 History of the Oity op CoLtiMntrs.
Columbus on the sixth, and on the seventh was formally received and welcomed
by Governor Morrow at the Capitol. The occasion was a great one for the little
borough, and every effort was made to impai-t to it a due measure of dignitj^ and
circumstance. Governor Clinton was ushered into Columbus, we are told, by a
civic and military escort in which General Warner and suite. Colonel P. 11.
Olmsted's squadron of Franklin Dragoons, Captain Hazel's Company of Light In-
fiintry. Captain Andrew McElvain's Rifle Corps and Captain O'Harra's Artillery
bore a conspicuous part. Hon. John R. Osborn, who, then a boy, was present in
the surging throng, thus referred in an address of 1867' to the Statehouse cere-
monies :
The Governors, under escort of tlie military. Colonel Olmsted commanding, were met in
the hall of the House of Representatives by a dense crowd. . . . Jeremiah Morrow, the
slender, straight, intellectual-looking statesman, welcomed the stoutly-built, well-fed, burly-
looking Governor of New York to the Capital of the State of Ohio. Full of the greatness of
that occasion, and alive to the future destinies of the State of Ohio, the welcome to the
Governor, and the excitement of the people, made a deep and lasting impression on my
young imagination.
Governor Clinton replied appropriately to the hospitable words addressed to
him, eulogizing Ohio and her canal enterprise. At the conclusion of the cere-
monies he was escorted to the Robinson Tavern, "sign of the Golden Bell, on the
lot where the Johnson Building is now erected, and partook of a public dinner.'"*
The letting of contracts for construction of the canal immediately followed
the commencement ceremonies at Licking Summit and first took place at Newark.
As to the manner of doing the work, the engineers made the following require-
ments, to be embodied in the contracts :
All trees, saplings, bushes, stumps and roots are to be grubbed and dug up at least sixty
feet wide ; that is, thirtythree feet on the towingpath side of the centre, and twentyseven feet
on the opposite side of the centre of the canal ; and, together with all logs, brush and
wood of every kind, shall be removed at least fifteen feet beyond the outward part of said
grubbing, on each side ; and on said space of fifteen feet on eacfi side of said grubbing, all
trees, saplings, brush and stumps shall be cut down close to the ground, so that no part of
them shall be left more than one foot in height above the natural surface of the earth.
All trees that might do injury by falling were cutaway for an additional space
of twenty feet. It was required further that the canal and its banks should be so
constructed that the water in its bed should be in all places at least forty feet wide at
the surface, twentysix feet wide at the bottom, and four feet deep; each bank to
rise at least two perpendicular feet above the waterline ; the towingpath, always on
the lower side of the channel, to be ten feet wide at its upper j^lane, never more
than five feet above the waterline, and to have an outward pitch at its upper sur-
face of six inches. In crossing all ravines and watercourses, the bed was to be
supported by substantial culverts of stone. All locks were to be ninety feet long,
fifteen feet wide in the clear, and from six to twelve feet high, as required by cir-
cumstances.
The first contract let embraced the section extending from the point of break-
ing ground southward to the Deep Cut, south of which a contract was taken by
Colonel John Noble. Bidders from New York obtained some of the heaviest jobs,
such as that of the Licking Reservoir. The price paid for cutting and filling was
The C'ANat,. 335
from nine to thirteen cents per cubic yard and for grubbing and eloarini; from two
to ten dollars per chain. At the second letting, which also took place at Nowiiik,
the socalled Deep Cut and the South Fork Feeder were taken. The Cut, ahou(
three miles long, and twentyfour feet in average depth, was divided into two
sections and let at fifteen cents per cubic j^ard, the northern section to Hcoville,
Hathaway & Co., of New York, and the southern section to Osliorn, lialhluirn A
Co., of Columbus. The Now York Company sublet its contrait to llani|i.son \-
Parkinson, of Muskingum County, who afterwards abandoned it at a los.s. The
Columbus company completed its work, but was obliged to ask for, and received
advances on the original contract making the average cost about twentyfive cents
per cubic yard.
The ordinary laborers on the canal were paid eight dollars for Iwentysix
working days, beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset. They were well fed,
lodged in temporary shanties, and received, at first, regular "jiggers" of whiskj-
gratis. The "jigger " was a dram of less than a gill, taken at sunrise, at ten
o'clock, at noon, at four o'clock, and at supper time. As it resulted in mischief.
Commissioners M. T. Williams and Alfred Kellj' after a time caused it to be dis-
continued. As the work was paid for in cash, it was eagerly sought by farmers
and their sons in order to obtain ready money, which was then very scarce and
hard to get.
The workmen who were exposed to the malarial atmosphere of the swamps
were often severely scourged by the febrile disorders of the period. " The past
season," says a contemporary chronicle of January 16,1828, " has been peculiarly
unfavorable for the vigorous prosecution of the work on the Ohio Canal. Much
rain fell in the spring and the early part of the summer, particularly in the
northern part of the State ; and since the middle of October few days have occurred
in which work could be carried on to advantage, owing to the same cause. The
heavy rains which fell in the latter part of June and first of July, succeeded, as
thej' were, by weather extremely warm and dry, or some other cause to us
unknown, occasioned the prevalence of sickness to an alarming extent, especially
in the valley of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum. The alarm ci-eated by the prev-
alence of fevers along the line of the canal did not cease to operate in deterring
laborers from coming on to the work until long after the cause of alarm had
ceased to exist.'"-'
On Monday, April 30, 1827, work on the lateral branch of the Ohio Canal,
connecting the capital with the main stem at Lockbourne, was formally begun at
Columbus, and duly celebrated. The newspaper account of the ceremonies of the
occasion states that, at two o'clock p. m., about one thousand citizens of Columbus
and vicinity assembled at the Statehouso, where a civic and military procession
was organized, in which Captain Joseph McElvain's Company of Dragoons, Cap-
tain Foos's and Captain A. McElvain's Riflemen, the Columbus Artillery and the
officers of State took part. Marshaled by Colonels McDowell and McElvain, and
led by General Warner and staff, the procession moved to the appointed spot on the
east bank of the Scioto, where a short address was delivered by Hon. Joseph R.
Swan. At the conclusion of the address, General Jeremiah McLenc, then Secre-
tary of State, and Nathaniel McLean, Keeper of the Penitentiary, first took the
336 History op the City op Columbus.
implements in hand and excavated a barrowful of earth which was wheeled away
by Ealph Osborn and Henry Brown, Auditor and Treasurer of State, amid the
applauding shouts of the multitude. The procession then re-formed, and moved to
the brow of the hill, a few rods north of the gi'ound on which the Penitentiary
then stood, where a " cold collation " prepared by Christian Heyl was dispensed.
After the feast, toasts were drank in honor of Ohio, the Ohio Canal, the Canal
Commissioners and the citizens of Columbus. In the evening the event of the
day was further signalized b}- a ball, numerously attended, at the house of Mr.
Browning.
The contracts for the canal dam across the Scioto, and the Columbus Locks
were taken by Messrs. William and Andrew McElvain and Benjamin and Peter
Sells; for theFourmile Locksby Aaron Lytic, and for the eight locks at Lockbourne
by a Granville company comprising Messrs. Monson, Fassett, Taylor and Avery.
The first mile of excavation was done by Penitentiary convicts, fortyfive of them,
it was stated, having signed an agreement by which their punishment was com-
muted to work on the "Columbus Lateral Canal.'"" Progress in the work was
slow until 1829, when Nathaniel Medbery and John Field took charge of it, and
pushed it as rapidly as possible to completion. The assignment of sections at the
letting of December 9, 1829, was as follows: Number 6, McElvain & Hunter ; 9,
Nathan Spencer ; 10, Watkins & Shannon ; 11, Sanford B. Allen ; 12, Hunt, Bayless
& Millar; 13, Frezell & Boardman; 14, Sidney S. & F. Sprague; 15, and 16, Aaron
Smith; 17 and 20, Simon Doyle & Sons; 18, Eeeseman & Hayes; 19, J. L. Vance
and Love & Love; 21, and 22, Meek & Wright. John Loughry, of Columbus, was
contractor for Section 101, including the aqueduct over the Scioto River at Circle-
ville.
Water was let into the canal for the first time at Licking Summit on Saturday,
June 23, 1827, and on the same date and at the same place, a boat was launched in
the presence of a large crowd of spectators. This boat, called the " Experiment," be-
gan making short excursion trips from the Summit a few days later. Boats first
arrived at Dayton from Cincinnati, on the Miami Canal, in February, 1829, and in
November of that year the Ohio Canal, excepting a few sections in Tuscarawas and
Licking Counties, was ready for the water from Newark to Lake Brie. The first
boat through from Cleveland arrived at Newark July 10, 1830, and with the open-
ing of navigation in the spring of 1831, the boats of the Troy and Erie Line began
receiving freight and passengers at Newark for Cleveland and New York.
On Tuesday, September 13, 1831, water was let into the Columbus Branch,
usually called the Feeder, for the first time, and at 8 p. m., on Friday, the twentythird
of the same month, the firing of cannon announced the arrival of the canalboat,
Governor Brown, from Circleville, with "several of the most respectable citizens of
Pickaway County" onboard. In its circumstantial account of this important epi-
sode in the commercial history of Columbus the Weekly Ohio State Jouriud of Sep-
tember 29, 1831, says :
Tlie next morning, at an early hour, a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen of
Columbus repaired on board to pay their respects to their visitors, and after the delivery of a
brief but very appropriate address by General Flournoy, and exchanging those friendly salu-
tations and cordial greeiing.s which the occasion was ao well calculated to call forth, the party
yl^^t c^^ ^^ ^ /'^/./^X -
■r.iK Canm. :;:!-
procecilcil back lo Ciirlovillc aci-niiiiiiiiciiil :i plmrt .lislnnci' liy a rcsin'chiMr niiiiilu r nl diii
follow citizens, and the Colunilms hand of music.
Oil Monday afternoon [8ei)tenil)er 2t)] atal)oat half i)a.st four o'clock, the caiiallioats <'iii-
riininli and AVrf liorcr, from the Lake I'lVt Newark, entered the lock at tlio mouth of the Coluin-
hns Feeder, where they were received by a committee appointed for the purpose, and pro
ceciied uniler a nationid salute of twontyfour guns and music from the I.anciu«ler Band to a
point just below the bridge, where the commanders were welcomed in the name of the citi-
zens of this town by Colonel Poherty, in a very no.it address. ... A procession was then
formed, when the company proceeded to Mr. Ridgway's large Warehouse, and i)artook of a
collation prepared in handsome style by Mr. .John Young. A third boat, the Lruhi Jaw, ar-
rived soon afterward, and was received in a similar manner. ... On Tuosiiay morning
[twentyseventli] the boats, having disposed of their freight, took their departure back for
Cleveland,inthe8anieorder,and with the same ceremonies, as on their arrival, a large number of
ladies and gentlemen, together with the Columbus Band, accompanying the welcome visitors
as far as tlie Fivemile Lock. Here they were met by the Chitlicolhe and (tfnrge linker, which
took our fellow citizens on board, and reached this place at about two i'. m , when they were
received in the same manner as the preceding. Since that time several other boats have ar-
rived, and we indulge the pleasing hope that the navigation between our thriving town ami
the Lake, which has been commenced nn<ler such favorable auspices, will prove as ailvan-
tageous to all parlies as the most sanguine friends of the canal policy have at any tijne anti('-
ipated.
In a private Icltor written from Columbus lo a tViriid .Xnvcinlicr 1, In:!1,
Mr. Isaac Amiletoii Jewoll makes tlic folldwiiii; iiiten'stiiii; .slaleincnts wilh relcr-
encc to the opening of the canal ;"
Since September 22 we have had more than eighty arrivals of boats laden wilh eastern
merchandise, destined to almost every section of the Mississii)pi Valley. 1 have seen boxes
labeled for Cincinnati, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and the
Arkansas, crowded together in a single warehouse, waiting for transportation to the head of
the Miami Canal [Dayton] to be conveyed thence to their several places of destination. The
final completion of the canal to the Ohio River will, of course, supersede the necessity of
landing gooils at this place for slates further west. [Until the Ohio Canal was com-
pleted from Newark to Portsmouth in 1832, western bound shipments from Cleveland were
brought to Columbus, and transported thence by land to Dayton, whence they were for-
warded by the Miami Canal to Cincinnati.]
The boats which have arrivc<l here full have been compelled to depart empty. We have
not yet gathered our pork, beef, flour and grain togc^ther for transjiortation to every (piarter
of the world. This is a fac't which evinces the incredulity of our w.jrtliy farmers with reganl
to the rapid completion of the canal, and their shortsighteilness with reg.inl to its powerful
operation upon their interests when completed. . . . They would have set a man down as
mad who Iwid ventured to Tiiake to them the assertion two years ago thai in ls:!l three hun-
dred thousand bushels of wheat inJL'lit be sold in Columbus for cju-li, nr lli.it oiu' hun<li-cil
thousand barrels of beef and jiork iiii;;ht be here put up for transportation to the Isaslmi
States.
full scope of wlijrli llir propic, so loii^ aciMist( Jiiied to wildcl-lirss isolalioii, were
slow lo realize.
" The first caiialboals .seeineil like fair}- paiuccB," .sii3-s .Mrs l-lmily Stewart, and
we may well believe her. "They were painted wliite, and thf windows |i:,d i^n-cn
shutters and scarlet curtains. The in.side panels of the cal)i!i contai I mirriirs
and pictures. The officers of the passenger boats wore gontloinoii. 'I'lic cabin was
a dining and sitting room in day time, but was converted into a sleeping anarlincnl
33S History of the City iif Oohimhiis,
at night. There wore staterooms lit each end tor hidies, whose comloi'l was further
promoted by the attentions of a polite and diligent stewardess.
For years after the canal was opened the boats always came in with a \r.uu\ ni iniisic
Inlaying on board. The captain of the boat usually played the clarionet for the onteriaiiiinent
of the passengers. The horses were changed every ten miles, and ahvays moveil on the tmt.
Leaving here by packetboat in the morning, at nine o'clock, the pussengers leached
Chillicothe at nine i'. m. A trip to Europe now is nothing to a canal trip then. On tiic
journey to Chillicothe passengers took dinner and supper onboard. The m-als were supcrli.
lOvcrytliing was well cooked and elegantly served.
Verily, canal travel was not so bad, after all. We are rather disjwsed to liili-
eule it now as we rush through the country fast as the wilderness pigeons llrw, hut
after all do wc enjoy travel any more than did the canal passengers of the thiilies
who floated as fast as a horse could trot through the aromatic summer woods and
meadows of Ohio in the cosy cabins of the Sylph, the Ware and the It'cil Bini .'
When the opening of the Columbus Braiicli was being celebrated in Septem-
ber, 1831, a prominent citizen who was a spectator but not a participant is said
to have remarked : -'Make as much ado as you like over your muddy ditch, but
before twenty years pass by most of its traffic will be carried on wheels." The
prediction came true, and in less than twenty years a poetical I'yiiic, ins|)ii-ed liy
the stoamfiend, was singing in the Columbus tiews])apers in the following ironical
strain :
A life on the raging canawl,
A home on the raging deep,
Where through summer, spring and fall
The frogs their revels keep.
Like a fish on a hook I pine.
On this dull unchanging shore;
Oh give me the packet line
And the raging canawl's dread roar.
Once more on the deck I stand,
On my own swift gliding craft ;
The bosses trot off on the land
And the boat follows close aliaft.
We shoot tlirough the turbid foam,
Like a bullfrog in a squ;dl.
And like the frogs, our home
We'll find in the raging canawl.
Till' sun is no longer in view,
The clouils have begun to frown,
I'.ut, with a bumper or uvo.
We'll say, let the storm come down,
An<l this song we'll sing, one and all,
W bile the storm around us pelts,
A life on the raging canawl.
Oh, we don't want "nothin' else."
Yet the canals have not cea.scd to be useful ; probal)l3- never will. The ])alient,
strong, loreseeing men who conceived the .system, and cai'ricd it through enor-
The ('anal. :{:50
rnoiiM ditfit'iillios to ci)inj)lotion, ])ci-roniu'(l :i work llio licnoliicut cllcils ol wliiili
will ncitlier c-east- nor l)C Ibriiottcii while liio Stale ciKJures. •• i''or lliiriy yoars,"
sjiys Ilyan's History of Ohio, " tiicsc waterways wore the irrout coiitroilinf; factors
of increasing commerce, manufactures and population. Thi-ough their influence
villages became cities, towns were built where forests grew, farming developed
into a profitable enterprise, and the trade and resources of the world were opened
to Ohio. The newly found markets for farm products added fifty per centum to
their prices, thus enlarging the fiekl of agriculture, and bringing wealth to the
State b}- its extension. . . . While the}' have put into the State Treasury over six
millions of dollars more than they cost ... as regulators of our domestic ti-ans-
portation charges, their effect has been marked and adniiltcil. . . . Every canal
line in Ohio has an effective and tangible influence over the tVeii;lU charges of the
railroads.""
The author here ([Uoted proceeds to pivsent an ovorwhelniing array of facts
and arguments in favor of maintaining and ])erreitinn the canal system. His con-
clusions arc sound. There is no country in liic world posses.-.inL;' Mieh a system
which has not found its usefulness inilis)>eiisal)le, no matter how many railways
have followed it.
The first collector of canal tolls at ('..lunihus was .!..seph l!i.ii,'way, Junior,
whose office was at the Ridgway Warehouse, at the foot ol' West ISr.jail Street,
to which nearly all the boats ascended to discharge and receive freight. The next
five collectors, in the order of their service, down to 1858, were M. S. Hunter,
David S. Dohcrty, Charles B. Flood, Samuel McElvain and Benjamin Tresunridcr.
Attcmj)ts at the steam navigation of the canals, have at various times been
made. On September 14, 1849, the " canal steam packet Niagara," said to have
been the first boat projiellcd by steam on the Ohio canals, arrived at Dayton. On
September first, 185U, the arrival of the steamer Enterprise at Columljus, with a
cargo of seventeen hundred bushels of coal, was announced. In IStJO the Cify of
C'>/«fftiKS, a very handsome steam canal packet, belonging to Fitch & Son, ol this
city, plied regularly between the capital and Chillicothc. In November, 1859,
Fitch & Borllc, of West Broad Street, who were then eoiu|ieting with the stages,
announded that in the following spring they would put a line oi steam |Kiekets on
the canal between Columbus and Portsmouth.
This chapter may ajipropriately close with the liiilowing suecinet exhibit of
the canal lines and property of the State as they now exist, taken fioni Ryan's
History, above quoted:"
The Miami and Erie system, being the main (-uud, from Cincinnati tu Toledo, I'.jO miles,
the canal from Junction to the state line IM miles, and the Sidney Feeder 14 miles, makin;; in
all a total of l'«2 miles ; the Ohio Canal, extending from Portsmouth to Cleveland, a distance
of :W!l miles, together with 25 nules of feeders, or a total of 3;U miles; the Hocking Canal, ijd
miles long, and the Walhonding, 25 miles; the Muskingum Improvement, extending from
Dresden to Marietta, a distance of 91 miles, cannot now be listed as a part of the .State's pnip-
erty — the general government controls and maintains it. So, exclusive of the latter, there
is a total canal nnleage of 01*7 miles owned by the state of Ohio. In addition to this, tliere
are necessary adjuncts and a part of the puhlic works in the sliape of reservoirs. These are
as follows: Grand Reservoir in MercerCounty, covering 17,()lX) acres ; the Unvistown in Logan
County, 7,200 acres; the Lorain in Shcll)y County, IHdO acres; Six Mile in I'iinldiiig f ■minty
:U0 IIlSTOUY UF THE ClTY OP COLlIMIillS.
2,500 acres ; Licking in Licking County, ;?,(iOO acres, and the .Sippo in Stark County, fiOO acres,
making a total in reservoirs of ?>2, 100 acres. The Panliling Reservoir, with its IS miles of
canal, from Junction to the Indiana line, lias lately lieen practically abandoned, and is no
lonirer a permanent part of tlie Piihlii- Works of Oldo.
1. Colonel Charles Whittlesey, in Howe's Tlixloricil Collrctiims.
2. Passed in the Senate by a vote of 31 to 2 ; in the House;, by 58 to i:^>.
3. In their report of December !), 1825, the Canal Fund Comissioners stale that tiiey
have made arrangements with Lord & Ratbbone, of New York, for a loan of .f iOO.OilO, gross,
$390,000 net, for which certificates were to be given at !t7i for the gross amniint, at five per
cent, semiannually, redeemable at the pleasure of the State after 1S50.
4. History of Licking County, by N. N. Hill, Junior.
5. Ibid.
6. Martin's History of Franklin County.
7. Before the Franklin County Pioneer Association.
8. Martin's History,
it. Ohio Slitir Joiirmil.
10. Ohio Stnir Journal, May 3, 1S27.
11. For an inspection of this and other letters written by Mr. Jewett, the aullior is in-
debted to Mrs. Richard T. Clarke, of Columbus.
12. Conversation with the author.
13. A History of Ohio ; by Hon. D. .1. Ryan. 1888.
14. Ibid.
CHAPTER XXII
111 17t;() BoMJuiiiiii Friinkliii, tluMi I)ei)uty Postniaster-Oene-riil, siarllcil llio
]icu|ik> of iho American coloniot* by proposing to run a mail " stago wagon"
lictwitii IMiiladelphia and Boston once a week. The schedule time of this vehicle
each way was just six days, beginningon Monday morning and ending on Saturday
evening, wceklj'. In 1775 Tlioinas Jefferson was occupied ten days in making tlie
Journey to Philadelphia, and was obliged to hire a guide to pilot him through the
wilderness. During the War of Indejiendence, it has been said, there were but live
coaches in New York City, and these had been brought over from England. In
1550 there were but three coaches in Paris; in 1()25 iiackncy eoaclies, and in 1S29
omnibuses, were first introduced in London. The first American eoacli factories,
three in number, were established in New York about the year 178() ; public stages
made their advent in ISOO. The mail and passenger carrying vehicles of the
colonial and early national period were clumsy and comfortless. They dashed at
a furious rate along the smooth streets of the towns and villaires, but covered their
journey IVoiii Baltiiiioiv to I'iltsburgli ivi|uirc>l twelve days, umi was iiiadr in |i.Til
of lurking Indians.
In the Ohio Wilderness llie use of wheels for mail and ])assenger transporta-
tion necessarily awaited the development of i-oads and highways. Until then, the
iiMiiiiiuiiieation of the settlements with their neighliors and distant friends was al
iiesi jireeaiious and occasional. "When the mailcarrier tramped from Pittsburgh
1(1 Warren, along a trail that led through great solitudes of Ibrest, he cumbered
liiiiiself with no heavy niailbag," says a recent historian of those times, "but
earried his bundle of letters in a pocket handkerchief When the settlement
through which his route led ])os.sessed no postmaster, the carrier seated himself on
a loir, or stump, sorted out llie mail mai'ked for that neighborhood, left it in eare of
the neai'est cabin, dropped his budget of gossip from the outside world into (lie
hungry minds of those about him, and trudged away upon his lonely Journey
t'leveland's first postmaster transformed liis hat into an otliee, eanying tlie mail
therein, and delivering it to its owners as he niel them, or had time lo .seek llieiii
al their homes."'
In Franklin County the postal service hegaii in the siiiiinicr ..f ISd.") al Frank
linlon. Adaiii llosac took the firsl mail eontrael, and wa^ also the lirsL iiost-
niaster. Colonel Andrew McElvain, employed, in his boyiiood, as ihe liisl post-
[341]
342 History of the ChTV of Coiaimbus.
carrier under Ho.siie, thus doscribcs the service he performed;'' " Tiie route Uieii
was on tl)0 west side of the Scioto. A weekly mail left Fraiikliiiton each Friday,
sta^-ed over night at Markly's Mill, on D;irby Creek, next d.iy made Chillicotho,
and returned to Thompson's, on Deer Creek, thence home on Sunday. When the
route was first established there was no postofficc lictweni Franklinton and Chilli-
cothe, but during the first winter there was one estahlislied at Wesif'ill, now in
Pickaway County, afterward one at Markl3''s Mill, about that time changed to
Hall's Mill. 1 was the first appointed carrier, and did carr3' the first mail to
Franklinton, and was employed in that business about one year, during the winter
and spring, having twice to swim Darby and Deer Creek, carrying the small mail-
bag on my shoulders. ... I commenced carrying the mail at thirteen years old.
There was not a hou.se but William Brown's on Big Run, between Franklinton
and Darb_v, and but a cabin at Westfall and Deer Creek to Chillicolhe. It was
rather a lonesome route for a boy. . . . There was no regular mail to Worthing-
ton, but their mail matter was taken u]) by a young man emploj-ed as a clerk in a
store — I think Mr. Matthews."
The successors of Mr. Hosac in the Franklinton Postoffice are thus named
by Martin : " 1811, Henry Brown ; 1812, Joseph Grate; 181H, James B. Gardiner :
1815, Ja'obKellar; 1819. Jo.sepli McDowell ; 1820, William Lusk ; 1831, W. Ris-
ley. A few years after Risley's appointment the office was discontinued.
As to the efficiency of the service in the delivery of news, even at the capital
of Ohio, during the first decade of the century, the following editorial remark of
the Chillicothe Gazette of January 9, 1809, is significant: " We have had but one
eastern mail for several weeks; of eoui-se no verj^ late news from Congress."
Prepayment of postage was not required, and until 181(; the rates, fixed by
law, were graded according to distance of carriage, as follows ; For a single letter,
which meant one composed of a single piece of paper, ei;:ht cents under forty
miles, ten cents under ninety, twelve and a half cents under 150, seventeen cents
under 300, twenty cents under 500, and for all distances over five hundred miles
twentyfive cents. An act of 1816 readjusted this scale and charged an additional
rate for each additional piece of paper, and four rates for each letter weighing more
than one ounce. The use of the weight standard combined with that of distance
as a measure of postage, dates from 1845. For many years during the earlier his-
tory of the service letters were carried by express between the principal cities at
lower rates than tho.se of the postoffice.
Payment on delivery was the original rule and practice in the collection
of postage, but was by no means rigidly adhered to, as witness the follo-wing an-
nouncement of Postmaster Hosac, dated October 1, 1812 :
Experience proves how inattentive many people are to pay tlie jiostage of News papers
received through the medium of the postoffice. Those in arrears for postage may not expect
to receive any more papers unless arrearages are paid. Letters will not be credited on any
account without a previous arrangement.
To the Hon. James Kilbourn, founder of Worthington, belongs the honor of
having brought about the establishment of the first postoffice opened in Columbus.
On June 22, 1813, Mr. Kilbourn, then a Representative in Congress, addressed the
following letter to Hon. Gideon Granger, Postmaster-General :
Maii, ami Staiikioacii 343
l>KAit Sir: I gnu n><|iu'sltMl to iiuiki- apiilii'iitiim to tlie PostiiiastLT(ioiior:il liir tin- ostali-
lisliineiit.if ii |M>st..lliri- in till" titwri of Coliiinl>us, in tlii'SiahJof Oliio, with wliicli nMiiu-Ht 1
rea<lily comply. lieliovin>t that the pro.m-e 1 i-stablislinnMit wouUl ho of puhlic utility.
Cohiuihu.s is U')\v fstahlislR'il as Iho iii'ituaiUMit .sc-at of goveruiui-nt of thai Stale, ami is
situati'tl in the County of Franklin, on the ea.sl bank of the Scioto River, iniiufiliatfly op-
posite tlie ronrtu.-nri- of ihc two main branch^ of tint str.-ain, sixtythrec luilcs iiorlli of Cliil
licotlie anil nine luiles i^onth of Worthinnton.
WonM also take the lih.rly of noniinatiuj,' to yo,i Maltliru Maltlicusas a suituMc pcrsmi
for lli.M.tn.-c of Deputy fostuiaster at that place. Coniiiiunuatioiis uiay he aa.lresse.l In him
lhroii._'h Ih ■ puslcllice al Worlhin-lon. ...
In the latlcr pari ofliiis leller Mr. Kilhourn recoaimeiuled the ai)l)oiiitmelil ol
.li.hn S. Wilis, .Iu(lgc-.\ilvoi ale nt the North wesleni .\i-uiy, as postinaslur for thai
army Mr. Matthews, who was a ch'rk in llie hraiieh store of the Worthiiigtoii
.Manuracturini,' Company manayeil l>y Joel Buttles, was aiiiioinlod, as suggesto.i, to
ho postmaster .-it Columbus, lie ilid not forinally open an otlice, but seems to iiavo
(lislribute.l Iron, his desk- the mail brought over from l-'ranklintoii. lie resigned
in IsU. and wa> suecocdod by his employer. Joel Buttles, who retained the otliee
until the advent of ihe Jiielcson Administration in isj'.l _ tilteen years — when he
was displu'-ed for pai'tisaii reasons
A postal service fi)r the capital had no sooner been establislied than its
irregularity began to be complained of. Perhaps a little taste of its ciMiveniences
niailc the people loo eager to appri'ciate the diHicullies of inci'casini; or iiiainlain-
ini,' Iheni. 'I'he weekly lunil carried on horsebaek bolweei) Gliillicoihe and Fr.mk
linUm was frequently interruple<i by liigli water, and sometimes did not arrive
for liie space of two weeks. "During the last winter," says the Kranklinton
[/•'/•<■(;/(-/« '.v] Clirniiirlr of Januafy 15, 1813, " at no time did the mail arrive two
weeks in succession regular, and now it seems to take the same course." .\nd that
at a lime wdien the people were eager for news of the war then in progress I '• The
postmaster at Marietta," continues the Chnmirlc in the issue just quoted, •• is in the
habit of sending two mails for this place each week, one by the way of Chillicolhe,
the other \fy way of Zanesville." The eilitor proceed.s to state that these mails, if
promptly f.rwarded by the intermediate poslinasters, should reach Franklinlon
sininllai'eously, but cites an instance in which that coming ihroiiicli /anesville
arrived rid Worthington fourteen days late, and ihat, too, with inii»Mlant War
lJe|mrtinent dispatches for (jcneral Harrison.
Ill manifest hope of relief the Chroniilr of .March 2i;, 1813, makes ihe lolloping
announcement:
We most siniu-rely fonjjralulate the piililii- on the establishment of an Expres.s Post from
Chiiiieotlu- by Franklinlon a'u) Delaware to Ihe Uipi Is of the Miania. It will leave Chilli-
fothe every Wednesday and Saturday, at one o'cli>ck i'. .M . and arrive at Franklinlon every
Thursday and Sunday at about four o'clock v. m. UeturninK it will pa-ss her.,- on Tuesday
and Fri'lay eveninys, and arrive at Chillicothe every Wednesday and Saturday at one o'clock
I-. M. It will travel on the west side of the .Scioto River until it arrives at Franklinton, where
it will cros-s the river and proceed on the ea.st side of the Scioto ami west si<le of the Whet
stone to Delaware — from thence to Upper Sandusky and alon^ the new road to the Kapiils.
It will j.'o in three days from Cliillicothe to the Rapiils, ami in the same time from the Rapids
to Chillicothe. As this post will detain hut fifteen minutes at the Franklinton iMJstollice,
persons havinfr letters to send to the Rapids should put them into the ollice on Wednesday and
S44 History of the City ok Coiaimiuis,
Saturday eveninf,'s liy oifibt o'clock — and to Chillicothe on Tuesday and Friday afternoon by
four o'clock.
As to what \v:is nu-aiil li_v an " oxprc.-8 post" vvu liavc llu! ColiowinLi; statement
from Mr. John L. Gill:'
When General Jackson's inaugural niessafre was sent out [March 4, 182S1J, it was by
express mail, whicli liad horses stationed at every ten miles from Wasbinston City to St.
Louis. The mail was carried in a valise similar to some of those now cairicil by cDinmercial
travelers. Tliis valise was swung over the postboy's shoulder, and be \va!- ir.|iiiriMl to make
his ten miles on horseback in one hour without fail. At the end ol bis nmtH he found a
horse ssiddled and bridled ready for a start, and it took hut a moujeut to dismount and
remount, and he was oH'. The rider was furnished a tin horn with wdiich be used to
announce his coming. His arrival here was about ten a. m., and it was amusing to see tlie
people run to the postofHce when the post rider galloped through the streets lilowiiig his
born. The few letters carried by this express bore double postage.
On Sejitcmbcr 8, 1814, the Hon. James Kilbourn, Ecpre.sontativo in Cori^i-css
from the Fifth Ohio District, published a circular in which ho announced thai, at
his solicitation, the following '-postroads" — routes — had been establislied :
From Athens, the seat of the Ohio University, on tlie Marietta route by New Lancaster
to Columbus, and from Columbus by Franklinton and London, in Ma<lison County, to Xenia
in the county of Green, there intersecting with the old post route from Cincinnati. Also
[but in this Mr. Kilbourn claims only to have assisted] from Columbus through the south-
east part of Madison County, by Washington in the county of Fayette, to Hillsl)orougli in
Highland County, in the direction and with a view to its future extension to Augusta in
Kentucky.
Mr. Kilbourn claimed to have also suggested the o])eniug of routes from
Granville to Columbus, from Franklinton to Springfield, and from f)ela\vare to
Sandusky, but the Postmaster-General did not I'cgard these as immediately
necessary.
In the early part of 1814 the eastern mail tor Columbus continued to be for-
warded from Marietta i^ia Zanesville and Worthington, and often came in away
behind time, causing great complaint. The editor of the Franklinton Ghronidc
inveighs bitterly against this arrangement as one of inexcusable awkwardness,
which prevents him from receiving bis eastern exchanges "until their contents
have become stale by republication in all the Zanesville and Chillicothe papers."
The distinction of providing the first wheeled passenger and mail service
through Columbus belongs to Pliilip Zinn, a luitive of York County, Pennsylvania,
who came to Ohio in 1803. Before quitting his native State, Mr. Zinn had con-
ducted one of the " mountain ships " by which produce and merchandise wore
exchanged across the Alleghanies. " He carried the mails north, south, east and
west of Columbus," writes one who knew him,-^ '' when they could easily have boon
deposited in the toji of his hat, and started the first coach or hack that plied regu-
larly through the capital. The direction of ti-avel then was north and south, and
Mr. Zitin's conveyance carried the wayfarer from Chillicothe along the Scioto and
Whetstone to Delaware. In these labors he relied mainly upon his sons Henr}',
Daniel and Adam ; in fact Daniel often drove the little ronndtopped twohorse
hack that found its way into Columbus by the old river road, entering P)roadway
near liidgway's Foundry. No doubt bis tin lioi-n then made more agreeable
^^ ^'■•v
rS
M.Mi. .\M> Stai;k<u..\.ii. ••'•>
music tliu.i tlu' shrill wliistio of the Inc.. motive docs :it tlio |.ivs..m1 ,lay. II.' olt.'M
fiirricd tlio ureal ( ' ) Kasl-iiml-Wcst mail oi\ liorsoback."
Mr. Zimi's sei-vico l)ci,'aii in ISlC, mulor a contract In carry llic mail once a
week l.etwoen Colnml-us an. I ( 'liilli.'.ilhc. In a si, .,rt lime, says a urilerin the
Ohin Sl<Hr..>,nn>: a semi-weekly mail was arran-cl Tor, an.l in ISIII. or ihenalwuls,
Mr. Zinn contracted to carry the mail in i-oachcs to helaware. In l.si^O.^l, pur
sues the same writer, "an allemjil was made to carry the mail in stages from
Zanesville l)y Newark ami (Iranville l.> Columbus, hy a Mr. IIarringt..n, l)ut
l.r.Ac.l unprolilalile, an.l [\u- .■..acli was run v.u-y irrei^ularly.''
A sclie.lule ..farrivals an.l .1,'i.arlnn'S .,1' mails, |ml.lishe.| hy l',,sl masl er .loci
Buttles in January, lH2:i, is her.' rei.r.Mlu.-cl. with the hours ..millcl
Eastern -Arrives every Tues.lay, Thurs.h.v an.l S;,tnr.lay, an.l is n.a.le n,. eviv M, in-
day, Wednesday and Friday.
Southern - Arrives every Wclnesday an.l Satnr.lay, an.l is ma.l.- np .'V.tv M..ii.lay an.l
Thursday.
Northern — Arrives every Mon.lay an.l Thnrs.lay an.l is ma.le n|i every Sun.Uiy an.l
Wednesday.
Western— Arrives every Satnr.lay an.l is lua.le np ev.'iy Wednes.lay.
Picjua- Arrives every Thurs.lay an.l is nia.l.' np every Sun. lay.
Eastern, via Newark- Arrives every Wednesday and is made up every Satur.hiy.
Washinsjlon, Ky.— Arrives every Monday and is made up immediately.
N. B. The mail is always clofed thirty minutes before the time of departure'.
The Columbus Gazette or May 30, 1822, ann.iiin.cl Ihal the t•oll..^^ in.o- n.'w mail
routes, of local importance, had been establislie.l at tlie last jirece'lin-- sessnin .il
Congress :
From Colund)US by Springfield, Dayton, Eaton, thence to Indiauap.ilis, in the State ol
Indiana; theiu'e by Vandalia, in Illinois ; thence to St. Lewis, in ^liss.mri.
From Culundjus to Sunhury, throuf;h Harrison and (icn.ia t.iwnships.
From Coluudjus throu};h Marysville, the seat of jnsti.'.' in rni.)n ('..nnly. liy Zan. sliel.l
to Bellefontaine, in the county of Logan.
From Norton, in the county of Delaware by Claridon to the City of San.lusky.
From Bellefontaine m Logan Countv, by Fort Arthur and Findlay to the fool of the
Rapi.ls of the Miami of the Lake.
In A|iril, 1S22, .lohn Steai'i.s announced that, " having,- |ii'.'|iareil hiniseir with
a goo.l stage an.l horses," he inteii.le.l ■runnin- a stage tlu' .■iisuiii- s.'ason Ir.Hn
Chillicothe to Lower Sandusky," and other lake jioinls, an.l ■ rrom ( '..Innd.us 1.
any part of the State." The first line between the capital an.l M.mnl Wrii.m wa-
established in the same year by C. Barney, who, two years later, was ass.Miate.
with C. W, Mai'sh in running a line from Columbus to Lower Sandusky, then ealle.
I'ortland. In ls:.'X,, to the great delight of the people, an uncovcrc.l .arriage
called a stage, drawn by two horses, began making trips once a week b.lwe.n ('..
lunibus and Zancsvillc. The road being in an execrable c.n.lili.m. an.l lai.l h.r :
great part of the distance with corduroy, two days were re.|Mire.l lor the Jouincj
from tei-minus to terminus.
This Zanesville line was doubtless one of the e„ler|irises ..f .Mr, William Nci
and hi.-i associates. Mr. Neil was a native <d' Kentucky wh.> had .-.im.- t.. Ohn. ii
1S15, and settled at Urbana. Kuring a visit ai the .apiial in Isls he was th
guest of Captain Joseph Vance, then ,.wncr .,f (he Ian. I n..w .-..nslil uling th.- Slat-
■ UCi IIlSTOUV OF TirK ("lI'V l>V ('ni.HMlillS
University tiirni, of vvhicli ho iifturwanl — in 1S2S _ iiinisolf bowinio (ho ownor.
On tliJH occasion he made arrangements for a commorcial expedition to New Or-
leans, whicli did not result favorably. At a later date, liecoming by invitation
cashier of the Franklinton Bank, he located in Coliimbus, and in 1822 began the
niailcaii^ing enterprises, in the development of whicii, and of the passenger
traffic, lie made himself the chief, and Columbus the center, of one of the most ex-
tensive s}-8tems of stage lines in the Union.
During the year 1S22, Mr. Neil, in association witii Jarvis Pike, became pos-
sessed of Philip Zinn's interest, and undertook to cai-ry the mail three times a
week between Columbus and Chillicothe. About the same time, the firm also ob-
tained contracts for running a line of mail wagons between Columbus and Zancs-
ville, which service was soon afterwards extended to Springfield, Dayton and Cin-
cinnati. Graduall.y Mr. Neil and his associates acquired control of additional lines,
caused the mails which had been reaching Columbus b}' cross roads to come thither
<lirect, and diverted the great through postal service from other channels to the
capital. As these combinations were perfected, both mail and passenircr service
rapidly developed, and we find in May, 182G, the announcement by William Neil
and A. I. McDowell that their line of mail stages would thenceforth run through
from Cincinnati, riii Da5'ton and Columbus to Portland in four days. Each pas-
senger was allowed twentyfive pounds of baggage. In 1827 the Cincinnati and
Portland service was changed from tri weeklj' to daily, and the triweekly line
between (/olumbus and Chillicothe also furnished daily soi-vico lUiring the muiilhs
of January and February.
Meanwhile new lines of lo'-al mail service niullipliod rapidly. The projiosals
of the Postal Dopai'tnionl, imlilished in the siiinnior of 1.S27, show the following
ronles with Cuhiinbus connections;
From Lancaster ria Conrtwri<;lit, tin-ice a week, tvventyeight miles.
To r.,ower Sandusky (Portland) via Worthingloii, Delaware, Norton, Rocky Creek,
Marlon, Claridon, Burjress, Little Sandusky, Upp^jr .San lusky, Tymochtee, Oakly, Fort Ball,'
Fort Seneca an<l Bloonjinyville, once a week, one liundre<i and ten miles. Between Colum-
bus and Delaware this line carried the mail three times a week in twohorse stages.
To Lower Sandusky tliree times a week.
To Piqna rlu Wortliington, Dublin, l>arby, Mechanicsburg, LIrbana, Monroe an<l Troy,
seventyeiglit miles, twice a week.
To Zanesville, Ha Granville, Hanover and Newark, sixtysix miles, thrice a week, in
stages.
To Ripley I'ia Franklinton, Georgesville, Diilf's Fork, Bloomingburg, Washington, Lees
burg. Hillsborough, Scott, New Market, West Union and St. Clairsville, one hundred and
tliree nnles, once a week.
The condition of the roads was still such, however, as to greatly impede the
service, as witness the following announcement of April 10,1828:^
The several mail stages have commenced running through this place [Columbus]. Tlie
unfavorableness of (he season, until within a sliort time, has rendered it impossible to trans-
jKirt the mail otherwise than on horseback. This has no doubt been a serious drawback on
the contractors.
In April, 1828, the following announcement was made :
The subscribers have established, and have now in complete operation, a line of Post
Coaches on the following routes, viz :
M.MI. AM. SlA.iHoA, II 347
From rorthili.l. tlir.'C tiincs :i w.^k, llncuuli M.ninl Yrru.^u. ('..IhimImis, S|,rin..'li.'l.l. .Vic.
Ill (.'iiu-iiniati, in four davs.
From Wlici'lint:torincinm.ti..lMily. I.y «:iy nf C.luinl.us, S|,nn;;ri,-I,l, Iiaylmi mm.I I,. I.-
Imiion, tlirouj^li in Icsstlmn four days.
From Clevt'luiid three times a wicU llinmtrli Wnoslcr, Mouiil Wtihim, ('oliinilius, Spiiii--
(U'lil, etc., to Cinelmiati in four days.
From Portland three times a wrrk tliiniiMli l.mvcr and rpi.rr .'-.ludii.sky. iiilcisi riiii^' lln-
alxive lines at Springfield, throimh in fmir days.
Tliis aiinounceiiient was si<;iic(l hv William Xiil. liidnTl Xtil and .Iar\ is l'il<e.
of C.)liimbus: II. Moore & Co., of Wlieelinir ; T. S'|iii,'r .^ Co, of Dayi'.n. and .1.
Sallerlliwaiio A: Co., of Lebanon.
otiire of the Oiiio Sta-'e C-uiiiany. at Coliinduis, It.diert Neil. Secretary
A ilaily line of Post coaehes from Wheelint; W„ th.. National r:..ad ll.r..M-l, /.mesvill,-.
Columbus, Sprinsrfield and Lebanon to Cincinnati in THRKK I) .\YS. ami hy wav..f Daylnii
and the Miaiid Connl in three anil a fourth days.
.■\ triwecklv line from Cincinnali ria S|,riiij;tic-ld, ('..Imnlm-^. Mount Vernon. Wi.cstcr.
and Ab^dina to (^levdand hv «av ,.f l.ehan.>n in four .iavs ; and l.y |t,..yl.m in fonrand a fourth
days . . .
A line triweekly from Cincinnati through Sprinjriiel.l. MounI Vernon, diltuuhns. M.uis-
lield, Norwalk and Milan to Portland liy Lebanon, in fotn- davs . ami Iv,- Davton in loui and
a fourth days. . . .
The ])r()priotoi-s who.se names were attached to I his circular wire : II. Moore
.It Co., of Wheellnir; .larvis Pike .t W \- I!. Neil. o<' Cohunbus: Timothy Stpiier. of
Dayton; William Wer.len, of S),riiii,'Hcld ; .\ L IlnnI, of Tvmocl.tec : and AImum-
Root, of Portlaifn.
As indicative of the pro^rress which had by this time been made in ihe Irans-
niis.sion of the mails, the followinc- liara'Traph. wlii. h appearcl in the Oliiu Sl.it,
.^'//•«,// r,f Friday. D.'eemberU, ls2';». is siLcnifi.anI :
Unparalhde.l K.V|ieilition. By the extraordinary exertions of the Ohio Stasie Company,
the President's message, which was delivered at Wasliington Citv at twelve o'clock, at noon,
on Tnesilay last, was received at our office at fifteen minutes before eleven in the evenin<r of
the followinj; We'inesiiay, having travelled the whole ilistance between the two jdaces —
estimated at about four hundred and twenty miles — over e.xcessively bad roads, in llif .i/vkv
of lliirfiifimr hiiurs tiHil fori ij fire minutrx — a performance unparalleled in the annals of travidin;;
in this .section of the country.
While the mail service was heiiiir improved a- rapidly as the roiid facilities
would pei-mit, the volume of travel by .slatre steadily inerea.sod. In ls:!l over seventy
coaches, all crowded, arrived at Columbus ])cr week, tlicii- passcnajer lists compris-
ing representatives from every State in the UtiIom. Alouir with this flush of busi-
ness, due^ in part, to the buildinir of the Xationnl Road and its tributarv tMrn|iil<es.
may be noted also a marked f|uiekening of speed. In \KV.\ the mail from Washing
ton City came through to Wheeling in tiltytivc hours, and from Wheeling to
Columbus ill twentyfour hours. The in.-iil lime between ( 'inciiiiiati and Whceliii';,
(•/</ Colnmbus, was fortyeiirht lumrs Th.> lime of the X(»rthei n Line, between
Saii<lus1<y and Portsmonth. r'ni ('(dnmlms, was fn'ty hour- from terminus to termi-
nus. Between Cicvelaml ami flolumlnis, r,„ Wons'teraiid .Mount \'ernon. th.' time
was twentysix hours.
34S History of tiik City uv Oulumhus.
Ill IHHl liob(M-t Neil sold liis interest in the Oliio Stage lines to William Neil
and retireil. In 1S:!4 the coiniiany was known b}' the firm name of Neil, Moore &
Ci)., the |iriiiri|i;il ]i:iit iieis lie'ing William Noil, of Columbus, and Henry Moore, of
Wlieeliiii;. All index (if the luisinoss of the firm at that period is found in one of
its :idv<iiiseiiieiils calling for ' one hundred young men of good steady habits and
moral clianutci- to he ein])loyed as stage drivers." The driving of a stage, indeed,
was no oriliii:ir\- trust, as this advertiseinont indicates. It was not merely drawing
reins, and inaiiagiiig a ioiii-li(irsc team, alllioiigh that was no easy thing lo do, |iar-
ticulaily in winter, on the sli]i|iery roads of the hill country in Kaslcrn (.)hio.
'I'hen ami there, as indeed at all times and jilacos, the fidelity and capacity of the
driver had much to do with the safety of tiie mails and the comfort of the passen-
gers. That teams should run away, coaches be upset, and limbs be broken, or lives
lost, were accidents which could not be wholly avoided. Some distressing affairs
of this kind, personally known to the writer, might be narrated. But considering
the difficulties of the road, the number of passengers carried, and the number of
miles traveled, such accidents were perhaps as infrequent as could be expected.
The drivers, as a class, were men of good, hard sense, steady and taciturn.
They acquired a certain liriisijuencss of manner, as was natural, exposed, as they
were, to the inclemencies of the elements, and obliged to deal every day with all
the patience trxiiig traits of hiinian nature; yet, like the coachmen of Paris, many
if
of Ihcni were men ..f ii.it only rare i.atn
lal intelligence but tine education.
they were not also well versed in the wayso
f the worhl, it was not for lack ofopjio
(unity to learn tiicm. They were ]uirticiil:
irly noted, says a Colnnibns writer, fi
ihoir " never fiiiliiig civility and gallantry
to women. '■"
In 1830 some socalled • oiiposiiion " II
nes sprang up, whereupon staging b
came a lively business, indeed. An old cit
i/.eii iiitorms the widler thai he has sci
the rival coaches come into town side by s
ide at full speed. From a spirited sketi
of one of these races, by a Columbus ;
:iuthoress, the following sentences a
taken : '"
.\s the ca|iital drew near, our restlessness and impatience tieeaiiie intoleialile ; and when
a coiieli eaiiie up lieside US, Beech er called to the drivers, who were enija^ed in eouversatidii,
'■ Let's try ymir mettle, boys. We will make ui) a purse fur the man that tirsteiiteis the town."
There were several passeiiirt-rs in the other eoacli, who joiiie.l lieartily in Beeclier's pruiiosal.
("rack: era. kl went the whips — away we dashed, the passeimers urging' their respective
drivers liy cries of bravo, waving ul liamlkerchii'ls, an. I [leals ..f laughter. The mud Hew in
great heaps, and louder andlouder hu>lieil the whips, while the drivers fairly shrieked as
they urged their foaming horses to greater spec. 1. Snuu Ih^ line lanns liordering (he .Seiotu
were lust in (he distance, and in a shur(er time (haii it. takes to tell you, we galloped into the
hustling town of Columbus. Reining up at tlie Old National Hotel, on the present site of the
Neil House, the wager was unanimously awarded to " Yankee " Cook.
Some other phases of stage adventure are .seen through the lines of the follow-
ing narrative of Mr. lieuben E. Chanijiion : "
That old diary of mine notes that, on the evening of January li7, 1849, a wagonload of
specie came in from Chillicothe, Ohio. It was consigned to Beebe & Co., New York, ami
shoul.l have arrive. 1 several hours earlier in time to go out on our regular stage run for Spring-
Held, where we iiia.le connections \vi(h (he Ma.l River Railroad to Sandusky, thence ?•/« Lake
lo Buflalo and the East.
.MaiI. and Sl'AilKciiAi'II :54()
For good reasons it was not ilecMiied safe to lioM this mnnoy over until I Ik- next nij,'lit ; so
an extra sta-re coaci) was charteroil from Noil. Moore & Oo.. and 1 was detailed ms messen-
ger to take ciiarge. The specie was loailed into tlie eoa<th, tlie haek seat heing lel'i vai^ant for
the niossenfier. .Inst liefore we departeil, asta^e drove up loaded down with seliooli;iils frri?n
the ({ranville Female SoTidnary. Anionu' them was a yonng lady who was exceed inj,'lv anx-
ions to reach her lioine at Sprin<.'liel<l, and did not wish In wail fwentyfonr honrs, m- nntil tin'
rejjular stage would leave.
There was room on the liack seat lor her, ami for tln' iiicsseii^'cr, and we rnnsenlnl to
carry her. She was loaded in ere I put in an appearance. The night was dark and .stormv
(no gas in those days) and I could not sec whether my companion wiis hlack or white, six-
teen or sixty, but, as we passed Cadwallader's Tavern, on Broad .street, near the hridge, the
lamps in front of that hotel enabled me to see that she was young and fair, and I iiiiniediatelv
inaile up my mind to see my valuable cargo through in good shape. It was an awful cold
idght, and I was compelled to loan my charge a piece of my bulFalo robe. She became verv
sleejiy— no pillows in that vicinity — and invohinlarily she took charire of my left slinuMer
and so slept the weary hours away.
The exi)erieiice must have been ot an <)i)i)osite eliuiacler tu this which in-iiireil
a ne\vs|iMlHM- iiiiisc ul' the lilties with the foliowin;,'- sti-aiii nf piinidv ''
.loltiiiy through the valley,
Winding up the hill,
Splashing through the "branches,".
Rumbling by the mill;
Putting nervous " gemmen "
In a towering rage ;
What is so provoking
As riding in a stage.
Feet are interlacinir,
% Heads severely bumi)ed.
Friend and foe together
Get their noses thumped ;
Dresses act as carpets —
Listen to the sage —
" Life's a rugged journey
Taken in a stage."
Spinsters fair and forty,
Maids in youthfid charms
Suddenly are cast in-
To their neighbors' arms !
Children shoot like squirrels
Darting through a cage ;
Isn't it delightful,
Riding in a stage.
.foiled, thumped, distracted.
Racked, and quite forlorn,
"Oh." cries one, " what duties
Now are lai<l on eom .' "
Mad, (liRgusted, weary,
In a sweating rage,
■ Tis the very mischief,
Ridinir in a st.at'e.
;^r)0 TllSTORV f)F THE ClTV OF ( 'oI.ITMr.ITS.
In January, 1S3(;, J. C. Aclioson, aii:ent of Noil, Mooro & t!o., annouiieud the
follovviMg winter arran^enicnt :
Mail Pilot Line, daily to Wheeling ri<, Zancsville and St. Clairsville, thnm>;h in twenty-
fnnr hours.
Good Inient Line, daily to Wheeling by the same route; thronsrh in twenty hours.
Conneets with stages for Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Mail Pilot Line daily to Cincinnati, through in Ihirtysi.x hours, allowing six hours lor
repose at Springfield.
Eagle Line, every other dny to Cleveliind, through in forty hours rin Mount Vernou and
Wooster.
Telegraph Line for Sandusky Cit}' every other day, through in two days, allowing rest at
Marion, and connecting there with the line to Detroit via Lower Sandusky.
Phcenix Line, every other day to Huron ria Mount Vernon and Norwalk, through in
fortyeight hours.
Daily line to Chillicothe, connecting there with the line to Portsmouth and Maysville,
Kentucky.
The starting point of the coaches of these linos was their office next door to
Colonel Noble's National Hotel
Almost simultaneously- with the ])ublication of the foregoing schedule, tiic
"Opposition Defiance Fast Lino of Mail Coaches," between Cincinnati and Wheel-
ing, was announced. The advertised proprietors of this lino were John W. Weaver
and Co., George W. Manypenny and John Yontz-from Wheeling to Columbus ; and
James H. Bacon, William Rianhard, F. M. Wright and William H. Fife from Co-
lumbus to Cincinnati. George W. Manypenny was the company's agent. The
coaches of the line started daily from Russell's Globe Inn.
On July 1, 1837, Neil, Moore & Co. resumed the transportation of the mails
between Cincinnati and Wheeling, and about the same time announced the follow-
ing reduced passenger rates from Columbus: to Zanesville, $2 ; Wheeling, $5;
Springfield, $2 ; Dayton, $3.50 ; Cincinnati, $5 ; intermediate points, five cents per
mile. A reduction of the fare to Cincinnati was made by the company during the
ensuing October.
During the midsummer o( 1837 an " Express Mail " from Baltimore thi-ough
to Cincinnati, via Frederick and Cumberland, Maryland, Uniontown, Penmsyl-
vania. Wheeling, Virginia, and Columbus, Ohio, in sixty hours was established.'*
The time in which this mail covered the distance between Baltimore and Columbus
was fortyfour hours aud a half. A stoppage of half an hour was made at each ot
six principal points on the line, and of one hour itt Wheeling. Letters intended for
this line were marked E.rpirss'Mnil, and were charged triple postage. Money let-
ters were excluded. Newspaper slips of not over two columns of printed matter,
intended as exchanges between publishers, wore carried free. Simultaneously with
this arrangement, the time of the regular mail between Wheeling and Columbus was
reduced to nineteen and onehalf hours, and to twentyfour and ouehalf hours
between Columbus and Cincinnati. The Express Mail was carried on horsebac'K,
at great speed, from one station to another, and was independent of the control of
the stage companies. In harmony with these increased i'acilities for through
mails, the Columbus Postoflico became, in 1838, an office of general distribution,
employing the remarkable number, as it was then deemed, of twelve or fifteen
persons.
A ,lailv lino of stages iH-twoen Colmnl.iis amlClovdan.l wa.s Hi-hI estnl.lisl.od in
li,c auluM.n of 1839. About tlu^ siunc tinio Neil, Moore .^c ('o. announee.l an " ini-
,.,.rhint improvement," as it wan ealle.l, to llu-ir Pilot Line of coaelies, l.y employ-
in:,' lor each eoacli a "guard " whose .luty ii was to protect the baggage, l.iok allrr
llie comfort ..f the passenger.s, see that the changes n[ horses were made prnmiilly
and the time schedule kept, and to re.p.ire of the drivers the faithful pertonnanc.^
of their duty " both to the passengers and the i)roi)rietors." The time allowed for
changing teams at the relay stations was about Hve minutes. The watering ot
teams on tlie road was disallowed.
Ilobberies of the mails carried by the stages sometimes oeeurr.'.l. During the
night of September 19, 1S87, the Great Western Mail, as it was called, hound east-
ward, was taken from the coach between Columbus and Springfield, and i-lnndered
of all the letters it contained. The night of March 9, 1S40, was chosen for a simi-
lar exploit by two villains who sto])i.ed the mail coach hound lor ( 'olunihus alnuit
three miles east of Springfiehl. iiointeil their pistols at the driver, wlio was alone,
an<l made him surrender the Cincinnati maiibag, which they left hy the wayside
after taking out its contents. In 1841 robberies of the stage mails were very Ire-
quent, and' were announced from all .lirections. In 1842 we find the record of an
unsuccessful attempt to rol. the north wardgoing mail near Sunl.iiry, m Delaware
County.
During the winter of 1839-40 freciuent interruptions and delays in the delivery
of the eastern mails were caused by heavy snowstorms in the Alleghanies, and
floating ice in the Ohio Kiver. From these causes the President's Message, sent to
Congress in December, 18:S9, was not received at Columbus until January 2, 1840.
For eight days next preceding that date, the mail communication with Washing-
ton was entirely broken off. All through the forties, until the opening of the tele-
graph in 1847, irregularities in thetransportation and delivery of the mails were sub-
jects of intermittent complaint. After commercial interests and the press had fairly
begun to experience the advantages of prompt and rapid mail communication, the
least interruption of it was keenly felt, and the multiplied accidents to which the
stage service was exposed were not always appreciated. It should he observed,
however, that instances of particularly rapid transmission always evoked hearty
plaudits. In December, 1841, the President's Message was brought through to
Columbus in thirtysix hours and twenty minutes after its delivery at the Capitol,
which was considered extraordinary speed. Tlie mail contractors were lavishly
applauded for this mauilestation of enterprise. In March, 1845, Neil, Moore & Co.'s
express brought President Polk's Inaugural through from Washington to Columbus
in thirtyfour hours and two minutes. The time from Wheeling was nine h<)urs uikI
fortyfivc minutes, which was then unjirecedented. Such rapidity, remarks the
Ohio St'itc.simin, "can scarcely be believed . . . and .speaks volumes for the enter-
prise of the age." From Cumberland to Cincinnati the transmission was made on
horseback. But still greater things were in store, as witness the following
announcement under date of December 11, 1846, under the cajition ■• Unparalleled
Speed :""
The President's Message was delivered and left Washington City at ineri.liaii on Tues-
day; was conveyed thence to Cumberland by regular mail, in six and a lialf hour.s; left
352 History of ttte OrxY of CoLUMiins.
Cnmbcrlanil at. 0:15 Wednosda}' evoning, rearliirif; Wlieeling at a quarter past, eleven Thurs-
day morning. It was received on the western liank of tlie Oliio River, opposite Wheeling,
by the Ohio Stage Company, at thirtyfive minutes jiast one o'clock p. Ji., on Thursday, and
was delivered at Columbus at ten minutes past eight o'clock the same evening, having been
conveyed from Wheeling to Columbus — 1):!5 miles — iji <//f unparalleled xhrnl space of sir lioKrx
and a half! Much credit is ascribed for this achievement to Messrs. Hooker and Terry, the
efficient agents of the Stage Company who managed the Express.
This was the culminating and last exploit of horseflesh in the rapid transmis-
sion of the President's Message to Columbus. Before an opportunity for its repeti-
tion arrived the express ^jost had been superseded by the electric tclegrapii.
During the forties, the credit system in tiic administration of the Postoffice
was still in vogue. In February, 1840, Postmaster Bela Latham gives notice that
" letters will be delivered to no one vrho has not a book account, without the post-
age being paid at the time of their receipt. Frequent losses," continues the Post-
master, "compel him to pursue this course. Book account maj' be ojiencd by
making a deposit, the account to be balanced each month."
On December 3, 1846, Postmaster Jacob Medary gave notice that, as required
by act of Congress,
On the first day of January, 1847, and tliereafter, all duties, taxes, sales of public lands,
debts and sums of money accruing or becoming due to the United States, and also all sums
due for postages, or otherwise, to the General I'ostoHice I'eiiartinent, shall be paid in gold
and silver coin only, or in Treasury notes issued under the authority of the United States.
This requirement, to which the people had not been accustomed, caused, for
a time, much harsh criticism, mostly of a partisan nature.
An act of Congress, approved March 3, 1847, having provided for the use of
stamps in the payment of postage, the Postmaster at Columbus gave notice August
18, 1847, that he had received a supply of stamps of the denominations of five and
ten cents, with the following instructions :
The stamps sent you are intended for the supply of the postmasters in your vicinity, as
well as the customers of your office, and in all cases, whether the postmasters or other
persons, they are to be sold only for cash.
The stage lines continued to hold important relations with the through mails
until the opening of the Columbus & Xenia Railway in February, 1850, of the Bee
Line to Cleveland a year later, and of the Central Ohio Railway, November, 1854,
between Columbus and Wheeling. The remaining record of staging down to the
dawn of this important era in the Ohio annals of transportation may now be briefly
summarized.
In December, 1842, the National Road Stage Company, L. W. Stockton Presi-
dent, and J. C. AtchesoD Secretary, was announced. This company's stages
carried the mails, and covered the distance between Wheeling and Cumberland,
309 miles, in thirtythree hours. At Cumberland they made connection with the
trains on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, then completed from Baltimore to that
point. Reduced faros to Baltimore and Philadelphia were scheduled. As
numerous accidents had occurred through the negligence of drivers while halting
their teams, unhitched, at the wayside taverns, the company's advertisement con-
tained this reassuring clause :
e
No ilriver on any of our lines is perniiUcil, mulrr |irii;iUy nf five ilollars, to sloji mi tlic
road anil water his team, or leave his box I'l- the time he starts from his stand until he
reaches the end o( his route.
In February, 1843, the company reduced its tares from Whi'eliiii; to Haltiinoro
and i'liiladoipbia, respectively, to ton and thirteen dollars.
In Foliruary, 1843, Noil, .Moore & Uo. publisliod the following " notice : "
Ueneral O. Ilinton having sold out all his stock and interest in the firm of Neil, Moore
& Co., on the first day of January, instant, it is important that the business of the lirm
should be finally closed up to that date.
This announcement, signed by William Neil, President, and ll.'iuy .Moore,
Secretary, was one of considerable imporianco both to the coinputi}- and the jjublic
as will be seen further on.
The routes covered by the lines of Neil, Aloore & Co. in 1843 were of an
aggregate length of about fifteen hundred miles, and extended not only to nearly
all parts of Ohio, but into the States of Penn.sylvania, New York, Indiana and
Michigan. Along the lake their stages, first put on the road from Erie to Buffalo
in 184:3, ran continuously from that city to Detroit. On the National Road they
ntaiutained a fast service of three daily lines between Cincinnati and Wheeling,
going through from terminus to terminus in fortytwo hours. Their horses wore
robust selected animals, but this rapid travel on the flint}* turnpike soon used them
up, and obliged the company to relieve them by fre(juent translers to the clay
roads. The repair shops of the eoniiiany in (.'dumlius gave constant employment
to about twenty workmen.
On July 1, 1844, W. T. Howe & Co., J. W. Dryden, Agent, began carrying the
mails between Zanesville and Columbus. This company ran what it called a
People's Line of stages, at low fares, from Columbus cid West Jefferson, London,
South Charleston, Xenia, Wa^'nesville and Lebanon to Deerfield where it connected
with the trains of the Little Miami Railway for Cincinnati. The conqtany's ad-
vertisement contains this significant statement :
Should an opposition be run upon the same route, the umlersigned iiledge themselves
that under no circumstances which can possibly arise will racing on their part be permitted.
Should the opposition overtake the mail coach, orders have been given to the drivers on this
line immediately to take to the right hand of the road, as the law directs, and permit them to
pass if they desire it.
In March, 1845, while c;ne of Neil, Moore it Comjiaiiy's stages was descending
a long hill east of St. Clairsville, the lever of the lock broke, prcci|)ilating the coach
forward upon the horses, which at once took fright, and broke away at full speed.
The stage was up.sct and smashed to pieces, and nearly all the passengers in it, of
whom there were several, were seriously hurt. Among them was W. A. McCoy,
of Columbus. In the same vicinity, near Lloyd.sville, Belmont County, another
stage was up.set in December, of the same year, owing to the icy condition of the
turnpike. A third upset occurred about the same time near Cambridge. When it
was overturned, this stage contained nine Pottawattomio Indians, some of whoin
were severely hurt. These illustrations will sulHre to show that stage, as well as
railway travel, was not without its perils.
354 History op the City of CoMTMnirs.
In March, 184(5, the M»nsfiold nnd Sandusky City and Tjittlo Miami Raii\va_y
companies advertised for proposals from tiic stage companies to connect, from
Columbus, with their trains at Mansfield and Springfield — a circumstance indica-
tive of the progress of events. From different directions tlio railways were, by
that time, steadily approaching the capital.
In 1849, a daily line of stages between Columbus and Ponieroy, rln Lancaster,
Logan and Athens was established. " The daily line of I). Tallmadge to Lan-
caster," runs the aiiiiouncemcnt, "connects there with the line to Pomoroy newly
established by Mr. Iloyt."
In August, 1850, Frederick Douglas delivered an address atColumlms, and on
the following day undertook to pursue his journe_y eastward in one ot the Ohio
Stai;o ('om]iany's vehicles, but after buying his. ticket, and taking his place in the
slagc, was ejected from it on account of his color. So strong was the prejudice
against the negro race at that time that the company felt obliged to make this
concession to the predominating sentiment of the traveling public. From this
affair some interesting legal proceedings resulted, an account of which will bo else-
where given.
Tbis same year — 1850 — saw the advent of W. B. & J. A. Hawkes in the local
stage business of Central Ohio. This firm obtained mail contracts to numerous
points from the capital, and ran its principal line of stages between Columbus and
Portsmouth. Nothwithstanding the opening of railway lines, the firm did a
thriving business, which was much enlarged, in both profits and extent, during the
Civil War period. One of its notable employes was George Patrick, who was in
the stage service as driver for thirtj'three years, and bought a farm with his
earnings.
Another event of 1850, already incidentally hinted at, de.serves mention. On
the twentyeighth of August, in that year. General Otho Hiuton, of Delaware, Ohio,
was arrested in Cleveland on the charge of repeated robberies of the mail extend-
ing over a period of several years. Hinton was at that time an agent of the Ohio
Stage Company, and had previously owned, but disposed of, an interest in the firm
of Neil, Moore & Co., as we have already seen. He was a pretentious politician, of
the most intolerant stripe, and had won his military renown by consjiicuous service
on the musterdays of the "cornstalk" militia. When the trouble with Mexico be-
gan, he denounced the Mexicans as savagely as he had been abusing his fellow
citizens of opposite politics, and made a vainglorious tender of his services to the
President. As he had already begun to pilfer the mailbags entrusted to his keep-
ing, this exhibition of military br.ivado was probablj' intended to divert suspicion.
Ivcpeuted losses of money Irom the mails on routes traveled by Hinton, ante-
cedent U) tlie time of his arrest, liad caused him to be vvatched. A government
detective was placed upon liis track, and decoy packages wore sent back and forth
through the mails ibr his especial benefit. On his trial, which began at Cleveland,
Sej)tembcr 11, on charges of stealing money from the mail between Cleveland and
Oolunibus, and embezzling money at divers other places, Daniel M. Haskell, the
I'osimaster at Cleveland, testified that, on Sunday, August 4, 1850, he placed in the
Wooster bag a package containing one thousand dollars in marked notes, knowing
that Hinton would go in the same coach. Haskell sent forward John N. Wheeler
Maii, and Stacixuacii. 355
tu SovHlc, M.MliiKi County, iis a spy. ami lolldwcl ihr riKid. l.ini.solno .Ml. Vernon,
wlioiv Ik' ariivr.l on .Mdinlay nioininu-, .Vu-'iisl T), iiImmiI an Imnr and a liall' later
tlum the C'laeli. Wlieoler bnardoil llio slaj^o at Seville. The pasHengers wore Ilin-
ton, A. N. Tlxiinas and two ladie.-* named Siillivant. Nothing occurred until a
point was reached ahout cloven miles north oC Mt. Vernon when the coach hailed,
and llinton helped the driver to iniliil<li. Tlie lime was thi'ce o'clocd< in the morn-
ing. All the i)assongcrs except llinton remained in the coach, the shaking of
which attracted Wheeler's attention, whercu])on he saw llinton get down from the
vehicle holding in his hand a mailliag, which he took with him behind a shed.
While llinton was gone with the bag Wheeler di.stinclly heard, in that direction,
the rustling oC papers. Returning in from live to eight minntes, llinton threw the
bag into the front boot, and after sitting there liir a moment, went into the hotel.
Soon be came out again, got into the coach, asked Wheeler to change seals with
him, and requested one of the ladies to let him liave his carpetbag, which she was
using for a pillow, lie then i)ut some jiapers in the bag, and resumed his
former scat. When the coach arrived at Mt. Vernon, about five a. m., he retired to
a room in the hotel. The night was clear and starlit, but moonless.
In its issue of August 29, l.S5(), the Cleveland Phiiwlcilrr eontaineil the IWllow-
ing statements :
Yesterday our town was tlirown into trreat coinmdtion by tlie announcement that ( ien-
eral O. llinton, a gentleman who has represented hiinself in these parts as the Ohio Stage
Company, Init who, in fact, was merely a pensioned agent of said company, was arrested on a
charge of robbing the mail of some .seventeen thousand dollars. ... He was arrested in this
city yesterday afternoon, and large quantities of the marked money contained in those [decoy]
packages found on his person. He was examined before Commissioner Stetson and hound
over in the sum of ten thousand dollars. He ai)plied to several of our citizens without eU'ect.
. . . The following handbill in glaring capitals met our gaze this morning:
Five Hundred Dollars Reward will be paid for the arrest and conlinement, in any jail of
the United States, of General O. Hinton, Agent for the Ohio Stage Company. Said Hinton
was un<ler an arrest, charged with robbing the mail of the United States on the fifteenth
instant, and a portion of said money was found on the person of said Hinton at the time of
his arrest. He is a man about fiftylive or sixty years of age ; weight one hundred and eighty
or ninety pounds; has dark hair, almost black, very fleshy, stout huill, florid coiuple.xion,
and looks as though he was a hard drinker, but is strictly temperate.
1>. 1). Haskei.i,,
Cleveland, Ohio, August 20, 18.50. Spi-cial Agi-iU I'oM<Hli.re Departmrnl.
The events which led to these announcements may bo briefly stated. On the
fifteenth of August a moneypackagc was taken from the mailbags between Colum-
bus and Cleveland. llinton was on the coach from which the theft was committed,
and on his return to Cleveland August 28 was arrested, as stated, by Officer
McKinstrj'. After a ])reliminary hearing l)efore the United States ('ommi.ssioncr,
instead of being locked uj) in Jail, as a less pretentious criminal would have been,
he was permitted to occupy his room in the Weddell Ilouse where three persons
remained with him as a guard. During the night these addleheaded watchmen
dropped to sleep, leaving the key in the door. Thus invited, Hinton arose, went
out, locked the door from the outsi<le and disappeared. Some time later, a great
outcry was raised by the imprisoned guards, calling for help and release.
Hinton was retaken near Wellsville, on the Ohio Itiver, Se])tend)er 3, and on
the fifth was brought by the Deputy Marshal to ( 'olumbus, where, as the news-
35(3 History of the City of Columbus.
jiaper report states, he "put up at the Neil House." The next tlay he was taken
back to Cleveland. At Zanesville, on his way to Columbus, he was pcrnuttcti to
harangue the crowd which gathered to see him, asserted his innocence, and de-
clared that his reason for attempting to escape was the excessive bail exacted.
After a hearing at Cleveland, he was brought back, September 17, to Columbus,
where, on October 10, 1850, he was arraigned, entered a plea of not guilty, and in
default of fifteen thousand dollars bail, was committed to jail to await his trial
before the United States District Court. Before his commitment he asked and
was granted permission to make a statement in his own behalf, and, says the
Statesman, "for half an hour he s^Joke with the voice of a Stentor." Oti October
19, 1850, his bond was fixed at ten thousand dollars for his appearance at the next
term of court, January 17, 1851, and on motion of the defendant's counsel, a con-
tinuance of his case was granted. On April 16, 1851, the required bond was filed
with P. B. Wilcox, United States Commissioner, and Hinton was discharged. His
case was never brought to a final issue. Owing to his prominence, and social con-
nections, public sympathy was wrought upon in his favor, and he quietly disap-
peared, forfeiting his bond. We next hear of him, a few months later, on the
Pacific Coast, where he spent, undisturbed, the remainder of his days.
As soon as the railways had taken up the through mails, a crisis in the fate
of the old stage lines was reached, as witness the following advertisement of the
Ohio Stage Company, dated at Columbus, June 17, 1853:
STAGE COACHES FOR SALE.
Fifty superior coaches, si-^ces, nines, fourteens and sixteens, for sale cheap at our shop at
Columbus, Ohio. Stage proprietors would find it to their interest to call and examine, as
we intend to sell.
Just one year later, in June, 1854, a large part of the company's stock and
equipment was transferred to Iowa, for service on the stage routes of that Slate.
Charles J. Porter, a veteran employe, had charge of the caravan.
Thus do the agencies of material and social progress forever change. With
the coming of the locomotive, the stagecoach ceased to be a leading or very con-
spicuous factor in the development of the Capital City.
NOTES.
1. J. H. Kennedy, in the Magiizine of Ami'rkan History for December, 188(1
2. Letter of Noveujber 30, 1850, to Hon. W. T. Martin.
3. Martin's History of Franklia County.
4. Board of Trado .\d.lress, July 2J, 18S9.
5. (Communication to the Ohio Stale Journal of April 10, 1808.
0. January 22. 1809.
7. Ohio Stale Journal.
8. Ibid.
9. Don't You Remember; by Miss Lida R. McCabc. 1881.
10. Ibid.
11. Co;«m^us .S'lmt/di/ A'etts, March 30, 1890.
12. Ohio Statesman., February 20, 18.53.
13. Took effect July 1, 1837.
14. Ohio Slate Journal.
CHAPTER XXlll.
MAIL AND TELEGRAPH.
l>ii\\ii 1(1 tlir ()|K'iiiiii; dt'tlu' railwaj- lines io 1853, complaints ofirrogularities
ami tailurcs in tin' ]iii.si;il service woro incessant. In frequent instances inefficiency
(iC nianaj;oniciil and i>rtiee dutj- were pointedl}' charged, perhaps indiscriminate!}'
ill MJiiie cases liut in others, and too frequently, with apparent reason. The
apjiointment and removal of postotfice oflBcial.s and employes, from the highest
to the lowest, for predominantl}' partisan reasons, which, with moderate qualifi-
cation, has been the practice, ever since the elder Adams retired from the
Presidency in 1829, has been a costly and constant detriment to the etticiency of
the mail administration, and has been responsible for threefourths, at least, of all
the inefficiency and unfaithfulness with which it has been properly charged. On
the other hand, it should be considered that the difficulties in the way of the
jyrompi, swift and sure transmission of the mails, prior to the advent of the railway
era, and the vastly improved facilities which have followed it, were very great.
Storm, flood, accident and the bad keeping of roads all made themselves incessantly
felt as interfering contingencies. In such cases, when the true causes of delays
and miscarriages were not, and could not be, popuhirly understood, the ]>oslotfice
officials were oflen heedlessly blamed.
Nor did the com])laiiits, or their causes, bj- any means cease until railway
transportation had been made fiir more efficient and reliable than it was at the
beginning. After the public had become accustomed to count the time of mail
transmission by hours instead of days, it was just as impatient of a brief delay as
it had before been of a long one. Yet the history of the mail service since the
sleamcar began to be its adjunct, has been one of steady and ra])id improvement.
One of- the most marked and significant features of this ))rogress has been the
cheapening of the rates of postage. In 1845 Congress took an important step in
tliat direction which proved to bo of great popular benefit, although it caused a
deficit in the po.stal revenues. By an act passed in that year rates were established
as follows: For a letter weighing not more than half an ounce, five cents under
and ten cents over three hundred miles, and an additional rate for every additional
half ounce or smaller fraction. Newspapers were free under thirty miles, but for
distances over that, paid one cent within, and a cent and a half for distanees over
one hundred miles without the Slate where published. The transmission ol mail
matter by express was prohibited unless tlie postage was first paid.
By an act passed March 3, 1851, still more important changes were made, and
the letter rate was fixed as follows: For a letter weighing not over hall an ounce,
[357]
358 History of the City of Columbus.
under 3,000 miles, three cents, if prcimid, and if not prepaid, five cents; over 3,000
miles, six and twelve cents; to foreign countries v?ith which postal arrangements
had not otherwise been made, ten cents for not over 2,500 miles, and for more than
that distance twenty cents. Weekly newspapers to actual subscribers were free in
the county where published ; outside of the county quarterly charges were made
according to the distance.
By an act which took effect July 1, 1855, the letter rate was reduced to three
cents on single inland letters for all distances under three thousand miles, and pre-
payment of all inland letter postage was required. The lowest quarterly postage
on newspapers and periodicals weighing not more than four ounces each, and sent
to actual subscribers was five cents weekly. The latest revisions of postage were
made by the laws of 1872, 1874, 1875, and 1885, which established, in substance,
the rates which now prevail.
With cheaper postage came greater multiplicity of routes, a vast increase of
business, and greater speed by water as well as by land. The steamer Pacific,
which arrived at New York April 19, 1851, had made the trip from Liverpool in
less than ten days, which, up to that time, was the most rapid tri]) which had been
achieved. Postoffices were fitted up on the railway trains by which distribution
was greatly facilitated. On accommodation trains of the Beo Line this was done
in the summer of 1851. Office organization and the facilities of local distribution
were greatly imjjroved. The system of registration of valuable letters was first
introduced by act of March 3, 1855. This was followed by the money order
system, first established in the United States November 1, 1864. Postal notes
were first issued in September, 1883. The foreign transmission of money by mail
took effect between this country and Great Britain October 2, 1871. Postal cards
at a cost of one cent each were authorized by act of June 8, 1872, and were first
issued in May, 1873. By 1874 the number of railway postofiice lines had reached
sixtyfour, and covered an aggregate distance of 16,400 miles. On July 1, 1884,
the railway mail service had in its employ over four thousand clerks, and covered
an aggregate length of routes exceeding 117,000 miles.
A uniform system of free delivery, first authorized March 3, 1863, was estab-
lished on July 1 of that year in fortynino cities. During the fiest year of its
existence the system employed 685 carriers, but on July 1, 1884, its service
extended to one hundred and fiftynine cities, and employed 3,890 carriers.
In 1870 popular expressions on the subject of free delivery for Columbus were
invited bj' Postmaster Conily, but the responses were, at first, not favorable. The
postmaster nevertheless made request to have the system introduced in the city, but
was met with refusal at the Department. In 1873 his efforts were renewed, and
being seconded bj^ popular favor, were successful. Sixty street boxes arrived in
June of that year, and, by permission of the City Council, were attached to lamji-
posts, the distribution on High Street being one to every square. Off of High
Street none were placed nearer to that thoroughfare than two squares, except on
Town Street. On the postmaster's nomination, the Department appointed ten
carriers, the first to serve in Columbus, viz.:' Orlan Glover, Thomas C. Jones, John
M. Merguson, James K. Perrin, Thomas C. Piatt, Wesle}' P. Stephens, James F.
Grimsley, Eobert N. Vance, John H. Condit, and Joseph Philipson. The service
began July 1, 1873, and was successful beyond anticipation. In August the busi-
M.MI, ANI> TK,[,KliK.\l'll. .'55!1
nc88 increased tl.ii-lythiec por ccnl. over lluil H.r.l.ily, u.ul tAvolhir.lsuf U.o rented
boxes and dniwers ill Hie ].osluffice were abaiidoiieil. Tl.e nale of postal eards m
Coliimbu.s beicaii almost siMuiltanoously willi Tree delivery, Hie tirst sale bein-;
made July 1><.
At the be-inniii- of I'l-esidrht Ivimolifs Admiiiistralioii the posU.llice was
loeated on Kast State Street, at the west corner of Pearl, where it had been lor
many years. From theme Postmaster John Graham removed it in the latter part
of IStil to rooms jirepared for it in the rear part of the Odeon Buildin- oi-iiosite
the Capitol, on High Street. Thence the ottice was removed by INistmusler t'omly,
November 7, 1874, to rooms on the irroiui.l Hoor of the City Hall, in the northwest
jiart of the building. The.se room.s were titled up, the postmaster state.l, by private
citizens, at a cost of four thousand dollars. The City Council having, by ordinance,
granted the use of the rooms to the United States at an annual rental of five
hundred dollars, an injunction was asked for to prevent a lease at a lower rate
than fifteen hundred dollars per annum, hut, after hearing, tin- apjilicalion was
dismissed by Judge Bingham.
On July 1, 1877, General J. .M. Conily resigned the postmastership to accept
an appointment as Minister to the Sandwich Islands. Pie was succeeded by Major
A, 1). Rodgers. During his administration —in 187.S — material improvement was
made in the arrangement and convenience of the rooms at the City Hall.
In the spring of 1879 a mail room for assortment, registry and transfer, was
fitted up at the Union Station.
In 1S57-8 the propriety of erecting a public building for accommodation of the
iwstoffice and other business of the National Government in Columbus, was first
agitated. In January, 1858, Hon. S. S. (."ox, then representing the capital district
in Congress, presented in that body a petition with the names of eight hundred
citizens attached, asking for the erection of .such a building. A hill making an
ajjpropriation foi- that purpose was introduced by Mr. Cox, and passed the House
but tidied in the Senate. Another bill appropriating for the same purpose the sum
of 850,000 was introduced by Mr. Cox in June, 1858, but the depleted condition of
the Treasury at that time prevented its favorable consideration. In the course of
his argument in favor of the measure Mr. Cox made the following historical state-
ment:
In 18.56, the State [of Uhi.)] was divided into two districts, and tin- [United States] courts
removed from Columbus to Cincinnati and Cleveland. . . . From the year 1820 until 185(),
tlie courts were held in Columbus. The United Stales used without intermission a building
which was provided for that purpo.se, but not by tlie United Stales. It was built at the joint
e.'cpense of the people of Columbus and of the State of Ohio. The State contributed a certain
amount of depreciated l)ank (.Miami Exportint: Company) paper, then in the Treiisury. But
the burden Wiis borne chieHy by the public-spirited citizens of Columbus. The United States
never paid any rent. This rent, at a fair estimate of thirtysix years, at six hundr.Ml dollars
per annum, would be Sli 1,000.
Mr. Cox renewed his efforts in 1800, but was again unsuccessful, and twenty
years passed before the matter was again taken up. During that interval condi-
tions supervened which, fortunately for further attempts to obtain the building,
produced a necessity for it fiir greater than that which existed in lst;o. These
conditions are found in the very great growth of the city and coM.M^ucnt increase
360 History of the City of Columiuts,
of the postoffice business; the addition of the pension and intcrniil revenue adminis-
tration to tlie localized interests of the National Government, and the passage of
an act restoring to the capital of Ohio the sittings of the District and Circuit
courts of the United States. The act by which this latter result was accomplished
was first introduced by the Hon. George L. Converse, then representing the
Ninth (Columbus) District of Ohio, and was approved and took effect February 4,
1880. Partly as a consequence of this measure, another, also introduced by Mr.
Converse, was passed and approved April 11, 1882, directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to purchase a suitable site and erect thereon "a substantial and com-
modious building, with fire proof vaults for the use of the United States District
and Circuit courts, internal revenue and pension offices, postoffice, and other gov-
ernment uses," the cost not to exceed $250,000. This act appropriated $100,000,
and additional appropriations for the buildiuEr were subsequently made as follows:
March 3, 1885, for extension and completion, $110,000 ; August 4, 1886, for
approaches, $6,000 ; March 30, 1888, for elevator, $8,000.
After much discussion of various proposals the building was located, and its
site purchased, at the southeast corner of State and Third streets. The cost of the
ground there purchased by the United States was, in round numbers, $46,000. On
October 21, 1884, the cornerstone of the building was laid with masonic ceremonies
conducted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, then in session at Columbus. In a cavity
of the stone were placed copies of the contemporary newspapers of the city, various
masonic and political documents, specimens of current coins, and a historical sketch
read on the occasion. While the building was in course of erection, the postoffice
occupied temporary apartments on the present site of the Young Men's Christian
Association building on Third Street, to which it was removed, on expiration of
the Government lease, from the City Hall. From these apartments the postoffice
was transferred to its permanent home in the new building October 1, 1887.
While the officers and employes of the Columbus Postoffice have been efficient
and faithful, as a rule, there have been some very serious exceptions. The writer
has a circumstantial record of these before him, but forbears to reproduce more
than its essential features. The memory of such crimes is at best of very trifling
value, historical or moral, and omission of the names of those who have com-
mitted them, while it may spare pain to the innocent, cannot impair the usefulness
of these pages Let the most general mention, then, suffice.
On November 30, 1874, a deficit of about $12,000 in the m'oney order depart-
ment of the postoffice was detected. The loss, it is understood, was borne by the
postmaster, who was entirely blameless in the matter.
During the summer and autumn of 1875, money losses from the mails of
Central Ohio were continuous, and were finally traced to the Columbus office.
Captain C. E. Henry, a special agent of the Postoffice Depnrtment, was detailed to
work up the case, and soon learned that the depredations were being made by a
thief of extraordinary stealth and cunninsr. Over a hundred decovs were sent
through the Columbus office from different directions, but everyone of them passed
without being touched. Weeks were spent in watching, contriving, and applying
various devices for detection, but in vain. Meanwhile the writer, who was one of
many who were subjected to almost daily losses, received numerous letters of un-
/?v^_yh^
M.VII, ANn TKI.KciltAPII. •Sill
accuiiiilablo romiilainl tlial remitlamoH soul to liiin luul ik.I l>i!iii ackiiowUdf,'*.!.
Tlic i>ii-.iiMasti'i- and his assistaiil.-s wore also harried wiili ])er|)eliial and iiicreasinj,'
eoni]ihiinls. Meaiiwliile lliere was !iol an officer or employi' in the office who was
not, unconsciously to himsell', phiced under the strictest surveiihincc. '• I''or
months. " says a contemporary account,' " tlierc was not a letter dislrihutcd in liic
office day or night, which did not come within the observation of men conslanlly
on the watch. During the night, at ditterent times, walls were pierceil, floors re-
moved and points of observiilion were constructed iji the very walls of the build-
ing, from which men saw the unconscious workers handling all the mail (practi-
cally) that i)a.s.sed through the office for weeks,"
"The criminal in this case," coiilinucs the accoiinl just (juotcMl, " was at work
night after night under the vigilant cyo of a man of wli.ise very existence he was
unconscious; a man whom lie had never met in his life. This man knew accu-
rately every motion of Ids hand ; knew how Jiiuch money ho spent in market, and
the denomination of it ; how many eggs he bought, how many |)ounds of meal,
and what he paid for the imrchase. ... In the iiostoffice, where he supposed he
was out of sight and ]icrfcctly secure, this pooi- wiTlch had been W(jrkiMg in full
nights, another for thirty-eight nights. . . . Finally, one night, the watcher saw
liie distributing clerk, then entirely alone in the front room of the postoffieo, with
a (juick motion -thumb' certain letters, some of which, to the numV)cr of five that
night ho expertly opened, and after examining the contents as exjiertly sealed
again and put back into the mail. Nothing was taken out — nothing reniaineil on
his person as evidence — no |>roo( of guilty intent excejit the opening and scaling
the letters. The same thing occurred another night; two letters were (i|irncd ;
another night two more ; other nights man}-, other nights none.
" Finally yesterday morning [July 30, ]87fiJ,just before the alarm of liic sound-
ed, he was ob.served to open five letters, laying them down on his table, Cuplain
Keniy and another whose name is not to be mentioned (Captain Henry's most
trusted and valued assistant) immediatelj- made a rush from their jilace of ob.serva-
tion, down the stairway, out — into the street — bareheaded, barefooted, at a break -
neck pace, and Ibiind in that short space of time the worker had deftly resealed the
letters and ;.'0iie back to his work ; nothing yet on his person, alter six weeks un-
varied watching. Thealarm of fire proved a friendly tiiversion, ainl Cajitain Henry
and his assistant succeeded in rejoining Colonel Bui-r at his post withmit ol)-
servation.
" Just as the}- were ready to despair of getting the desired incontestable ])roi)f,
they saw the worker open one more letter, and this time he finds money The
money is swiftly janrmed into one pocket, the letter into the other of his pantaloons,
and noir Captain Henry feels that the moment has come. While the clerk opcncil
and seemed to be reading another letter they cautiously wend their wa\- in ilic
open door at the rear end of the postoffieo, and enter. The clerk is engai^od at his
work, and he looks up with a frank and pleasant smile as he recognizes (Japtain
Henry, whom he evidently supposes to have come casually in the cour.se of his
usual tour of ins])oction.
" ' How do you do. Captain Henry,' said he.
362 History of the Pitv i<v Coiaimhii.s.
" (JaiiUiiii iloiiry phieu.s lii.s luiiul on Lho sliouliler ul' tliu smiling man, or-
dei-s him to throw up his hands :uul says [calling him by name]:
" ' llow could you lake that money out of the letters? '
"And the old trusted clerk, the man of unsuspected life, trusted in his church
and in the lodge with the very treasury itself, thuiMlcrslrurk in his guilt, exclaims;
" ' J was embarrassed, could not pay my dchls. and had to ilo it.' "
"Then, in very relief, as it seemed, he went on and ]ioured out a full confos-
" Ca])lain Henry," concludes this account, " says this is the most difficult case
he had ever had anything to do with, or of which he has any knowledge in (he
iinnals of the criminal side of the postal service."
On July 20, 1877, one of the carriers on a route east of Washington Avenue
was arrested on a charge of opening letters, and abstracting their money contents.
He was caught by a decoy package, and confessed.
In December, 1885, fi'equent complaint was made of the loss of valuable letters
which should have been received through the Columbus postoffiee, and arrange-
ments were in progress for the detection of the depredator, but before guilt could
be established, the suspected person quitted the city.
In April, 1887, one of the most trusted carriers of the office fell undei' suspi-
cion, and conclusive proofs of his abstraction of the valuable contents of registered
loiters was developed.
On February 26, 1888, a carrier was arrested on a similar charge.
A comparative statement of the business of the Columbus Postoffiee for a scries
of years past, and of its pi-esent and past organization and equipment, would fitly
conclude this branch of the subject, but the writer's request for this information
not having been respected, it cannot be given.
The ]joslmaste)'s of Columbus and the dates of their service, from the origin
of the city to 1890, have been as follows:
Matthew Matthews, 1813-14; Joel Buttles, ISl-t-29; liela Latham, 1829-41;
John G. Miller,' 1841-45; Jacob Jledary,^ 1845-47; Samuel Mcdary, 1847-49; Aaron
F. Perry, 1849-53; Thomas Sparrow, 1853-57; Thomas Miller, 1857-58; Samuel
Medary, 1858 61; John Graham, 1861-65; Julius J. Wood^, 1865-70; James M.
Comly, 1870-77; Andrew D. Rodgers, 1877-81 ; L. D. Mj-ers, 1881-86; DeWitt C.
Jones, 1886-90; Andrew Gardner, 1890.
The lelegia])h being a twin agent with the mail, its introduction and develop-
ment ill ('i)liuiiliiis may here be briefly sketched.
Saiiiuol F. H. Morse, its in venter, first conceived the idea of transmitting intel-
ligence by means of the electric current while voyaging across the Atlantic, from
Havre to New York, in the packetship Sully, in the autumn of 1832. The original
apparatus was advanced to a woj'king condition in 1836, and was for the first time
exhibited in practical operation at the University of New York in 1837. Morse's
patient but almost hopeless struggles for the recognition and support of Congress
finally triumphed during the night of March 3, 1843, when an act was passed, and
became a law, appropriating thirty thousand dollars for the erection of a trial line
between Washington and Baltimore. At a late hour of the evening, before this
measure came to a final vote. Professor Morse retired to his room in despair ; the
Mail am. 'rKi.K.iUAni 363
iioxt iiioriiiiii; Jli.-- Annio l':ilsw(.rl h, .l:ni,n-hl.T (iC lliu (•..iiiini^sioiirr ol P:iI<miI.s,
aiiiHUiiKTil to him lla- ud.mI hows hI' its paNsa^o, '-As a nwai-.l li.r liriii- the lirsl
h.'aiTi- (il tliis news;' said llio (ivfi-joycd iiivuiitor U) Miss Kll.swurlh, " yoii siiail
>LMi.| ovn- ihc lc-U',L,n-a|ili ihc first iiiussaijc it foiivuys." On May 27, ISI t, fioiii
MoiiMl Claio Dcput, at lialliinoiu. I'n.fossor Morse spoke by the wire lo his yoiiiii;
tViemi ut Wasliiligtoii. sayin,-- he awaited her di~ii:,leh in ,-..iili.rinily with Wis
jilodgo. llor iinmediale and sin^adarly aiiiirojiriale response was:
WHAT II A Til IJOI) \Vli()l(illr^
Siieli was the tirsi lele.ifrapliie message IraiisniiUed in Aineriea. Since that
rapid that in 1^<(;(l()ver tilty thousand niiiesof wire were in operation, lly tiie niithlio
of Septeinher. lS4il, Morse's Magnetic Telegraph Line, as it was eailed, had been
extended westward from New York t'ity rln Troy, Albany, Utiea, Syracuse,
Auburn and Rochester to Butt'alo, and from Philadelphia to Ilarrisbiirg. A liirtlur
extension from Harri.sburg to Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Cincinnati had also heen
arranged for, and the eom|>any's agent, Henry O'Reilly, had alrcaiiy pi'.iposed, on
conditions, to carry the line through Columbus. The Ohio River was reached by
the llarrisburg line a month or two later, an<l by the end ol .Inly tlie pole.settcrs,
following the National Road w.'slward from Wheeling, had pa-sed Columbus and
were ]nishiiig for Cincinnati, wiiich |ilaee tliey reached about the tenth of August.
In the meantime a stock subserijition of five thousand dollars allotted to the '
capital hail mostly been taken. After the polcsetters had done their work" the
wires were (luickly strung, and between seven ami eight o'clock in the evening of
Wednesday, August 11, IS-tT. the lirst telegraphic message ever received in Colum-
bus came over the line from rittsliuri:h It was thus written nul hy -Mr /.ook, the
superintending operator:
l^nrsiiLUii, Au^u.st 11.
Henry O'Reilly presents his respects, by lii,'htninK. to Judge Tlirull, Colonel Medary, ami
Mr. Batcham on the extension of the Telegraph within reach of the Coluuilms Press.
The instruments wnr'ked well for tifly or sixty hours, then stood motionless,
A day. a night, and another day Jiassed, and still liiey refused to speak. The case
was ])articularly jn-ovoking, becau.se jusl then important news was expected from
Mexico. An electric storm " between Wheeling and Pittsburgh" was said to be
the cause of the troul)le. At last the current resumed its work, but not long.
Another break occurred, of which we read in the SI,itr-<in,iH of August IS this ex-
In consei|uence of some arrau>,'euients for «oikin>; the whole line tip Ciriciiin ili the tele-
);rapli at Colninbus will be suspended for two or tluee days, after uiiiili it> o|ieralious will
be constant.
IlKsiiv ()'l{iai,i.v.
On uhich tln' cililor comments with reslraineil and ]iardouable emotion :
AVe hardly kt.ow what to say to the ahove. We can scarcely excuse it on any terms.
Kor two days the machinery would not work here in eonseiiuence of tlie electricity of the
atmosphere, and today, wlieii the weather is fine, the ap|)aratus is removed to Cineinuati
without a u)ouient's notice. Hut we forliear to say what we feel just now.
364 History op the City of Columbus.
By tlic intensity of iiis disappoitilraont hero recorded we may measure tlie
editor's joy in inuUinj^ the following annouiicenient in the evening StutrsiiKiii of
August 25 :
We have the telegraph once more in operation in this city. Mr. Smith arrived this
morning with the instrument to work it, and has been transmitting messages for some hours.
For some time '■ The Latest Streak " was tiie Statesma n s favorite caption for
telegra]>hic news. In the issue of the pa])er for October 5, 1847, it serves to intro-
duce the Ibllowing incident:
During a thunderstorm this morning, the lightning took a notion to work the Telegraph
on its own hook, but made sad work of it. Running along the wires, it entered the Tele-
graph office in this city, and melted the wrapping of the magnet so that the communication
was cut off for several hours.
On the next day the instruments were silent again, "the line being out of
order between Wellsville and Pittsburgh.""
During the month nf November, 1S47, a telegraphic line was strung between
the new capital and the old one-Colunibus and Chillieothe.
On March U), 1S4S, we read that the eastward line was "out of order beyond
Zanesvillo," which, observed a mortified editor, "is peculiarly aggravating at a
time like the ])reseMt, when the ])ublic mind is upon the rjui vive in reference to the
deliherations of the Semite upon the treaty" [with Mexico].'
This interruption, caused bj' some derangement between Wheeling and Pitts-
burgh, continued for some days. Meanwhile a few belated news dispatches were
received riu Wheeling and Cincinnati.
Ill Ma}, 1S4S, a second wire was stretched between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati,
the first one having earned a dividend of six per cent, during its first six months,
and ]ii()veil insufHcient to accommodate the business. The new lino paid a dividend
of three ])er cent, for its first quarter, ended September 30.
The first notable bogus dispatch which startled the general public was one
sent over the wires July 20, 1849, announcing that President Taylor had died of
cholera at Washington. The actual death of the President occurred almost pre-
cisely one year afterwards.
During the summer and autumn of 1849 the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincin-
nati telegraph line was strung, via Woostcr, Mount Vernon, Washington and
Wilmington. Mr. Wade, then of Milan, Ohio, was superintendent of its construc-
tion. Its wire, approaching from the north, touched Columbus October 30. To
Colonel J. J. Speed, then having general charge of telegraph extension in Ohio,
was attributed the remark that within sixty days from that time every county
town in Ohio of two thousand inhabitants — Dayton alone excepted — would be
reached by one or more of the Morse lines.
On Majr 3, 1851, the public was informed that telegraphic wires would imme-
diately be strung along the railway from Cleveland via Columbus to Cincinnati,
and thence to St. Loui.s. This line, it was stated, would use "House's Printing
apparatus, that furnishes the news in good English instead of a row of dots and
straight lines."
The House instrument was introduced in the Columbus office about September
1, 1851. The office of the O'Eeillj' lines was then at the corner of High and State
.M.\n, AMI Tki.k.iuai'II. 3fi5
streets. Ry November 1, 1851, tluw wiiTs cmmiocIimI Cnlninl.us with ("iiicinnati.
Attempts to join the opiwsite sliorc-^ (if tlic Alhuilir \vi(h a IcKi^najihic cable
began in 1S57, anci reiiebe.l iheir first sneeesslul rfsiiii in Aui,nist, 1S58. Tlie in-
spiring thrill of delight with whicii the KngiisbspeiiUing races of two hemispheres
received the news of this snblime triumph oftiie human mind can scarcely be for-
gotten by those who experienced il. WlKithapiHiuii in Columbus on that memora-
ble occasion is thus recorded under liate nf August 17, IS.JS:"
The announcement last evening that a dispiteli was expected from the CJueeu to the
President via the Atlantic Telegraph Cable excited general interest among our citizens.
About eight o'clock it was announced that the dispatch had been received. The telegrapli
oflice, the banking house of Miller, Donaldson & Co., Swayne & Baber's office and the
Gazette office were brilliantly illuminated. The band in the Statehouse yard discoursed
music for the entertainment of the crowd, and rockets, Roman candles, etc., were let ofl"from
various points. The Vedettes repaired to their armory, and soon the sounds of the spirit-
stirring drum and the earpierciiig life were heard issuing therefrom. Shortly after ten
o'clock they turned out for parade, and marched through the streets firing volleys of mus-
ketry. During the whole evening the streets [illumiuateil with l)onlires] were filled with
people.
The messages exchanged between President Buchanan and (^uecn Victoria are
next quoled. That of the (^uocn containeil ninctyninc words, and occujiicd In its
transmission sixtj'seven minutes. The cable continued to work until Se]iLeniber 1,
then ceased. The cause of its failure is one of Old Ocean's .secrets. The first
permanently succossful cable across the Atlantic was laid in 186G.
In April, 1863, Mr. (leorgc Kennan closeil his engagement as a night operator
in the Columbus office, an<l went to Cleveland. Mr. Kennan has since distinguish-
ed himself on the lecture platform, and in literature.
"Opposition" lines of telegraph erected by the United States Company es-
tablished working connections with Columbus during the year 1804. They wore
under the local supervision of Thomas Golden. Altogether about twenty wires
ran into the city at that time. On March 1(1, 18G(;, the lines of the United States
Telegraphic Company were locally mergeil with tlio.sc of the Western Union. In
April, 1808, the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company opened an ofKce in Colum-
bus for general business.
At two o'clock p. M., on May 10, 1SC9, a com])any of citizens, asscmldcil at the
office of the Western Union, listened to the telegraphic signals of the strokes by
which the last spike was driven in the construction of the Union Pacific Railway.
Simultaneous announcement of this event was made in like n\anner at theolRces of
the Union in all parts of the country.
The business of the Western Union office dui'ing the month of March, 1874,
may thus be summarized : Messages received and sent, ti, 500 ; messages forward-
ed or repeated, 16,230, special news dispatches sent, (J5,000 words; Associated
Press dispatches received, 200,000 words. The apparatus with which the office was
at that time equipped included a Sl,200 switchboard, two sets of <luplex instruments,
two sets of automatic repeaters, three testing instruments, a Siemens galvanometer,
and a CoUand battery. The location of the office was on North High Street, near
the Neil House — W. A. Neil's building — where it had remained for .seventeen or
eighteen years. On April 1, 1877, it was transferred to the southeast corner of
High and State streets.
36() IltSTORV OF TUF, (IlTV MF CoMIMHHS
For coini)arisoii, as indicaling llio urowlli "f the Iclograpli business in Colmn-
bus and of llic city itself, the following statement of the business of the Western
Union office during the ycai* 1891, for whieh the writer is indebted to S. M.
Dunlap, the present manager, is hero inserted ; Messages sent, 178,701; messages
received, 193,431; messages relayed, 437,971); total number of messages for the
year, 810,108 ; press specials sent, 2,750,250 words ; press specials received, 1,700, -
520 words; total press specials sent and received, 4,450,770 words. This state-
ment docs not include the dispatches of the Associated and United press associa-
tions which pass over the -Western Union wires, amounting to thirty- thousand
words daily.
On December 12, 1876, the District Telegraph Company was organized ; cap-
ital stock, $50,000. Its purpose was that of supplying a convenient means for <le-
livery and collection of telegraphic mess.ages, and for commanding the execution of
all manner of family and business errands within the city precincts. The system
had already been in successful operation in various other cities. In January, 1880,
the company had in its employ fifteen uniformed messengers; the present number,
so says Mr. George Cole, the manager, is f()rt3'cight. From the fact that but two
messengers were needed during the Civil War period, the growth of the company's
business may be inferred.
In January, 1880, the American Union Telegraph Company opened an ofiicc
in Columbus, only to be absorbed one year later by the Western Union. In De-
cember, 1881, the Mutual Union Company obtained the permission of the City Coun-
cil to erect its poles through the city. This corporation also soon fell under the
control of the Western Union, and a later rival, the Postal Telegraph Union, was
not long in reaching a similar fate.
The first practical test of the telephone in Columbus was made by the Elec-
tric Supply Company during the State Fair, in the autumn of 1878. At that time
a line of telephone communication was erected on Long Street, connecting the
Supply Company's office with the Fair Grounds, and so successful was the
experiment that five working lines were soon afterward put into operation. The
Telephone Exchange, Mr. George H. Twiss manager, was organized January 1,
1879, and one year later there were ninety lines and two hundred and fifteen
telephones in daily use in the city, In April, 1880, the Columbus Telephone
Company was incorporated by C. W. Eoss, George H. Twiss, A. W. Francisco,
William D. Brickell and George F. Williams ; capital stock, f50,000. In 1881 this
company extended its lines to Westerville, Worthington and other neighboring
villages. Within a period of less than two years from the organization of the
Telephone Exchange, over five hundred telephones were in use in the city. In
April, 1883, connections were made with Circleville and Chillicothe, and bj^ that
time, or soon afterwards, Groveport, Canal Winchester, Carroll, Lithopolis, Lan-
caster, Shadeville, Kingston, Clarksburg, Williamsport, Dublin, Delaware, Galena,
Sunbury, Reynoldsburg, Pataskala, Granville, Newark, Hilliard, Plain City, West
Canaan, Marysville, Magnetic Springs, Eichwood, London, Lilly Chapel, Big
Plain, West Jefferson, Mount Sterling, Summerford, Midway, Lafayette, South
Charleston, Springfield, Urbana, Mechanicsburgh, Greenville, Dayton, Troy,
Piqua, St. Paris, and other places within like radius had been brought into speak-
Maii
.imu.li .(Uil.l l.o iKiilo.l i.imI lalkr.l
DiiriiiiT the lust scvon yoar.s tli
st-rvii-.' in tlio city liavo I'l'oii (jiiito
its luliire may In-, and wiial still ni
with the myHtcrions ;ii;.'nt wliicli
may be safelj" vcnlni'o(l.
.lilions ovon <•
NOTKS.
1. Ohio SInIr .r„„runl.
2. Ibi.l.
3. Mr. Mill<M- was a bi-otli.-rinlaw
4. PitMl in 1S47.
5. !n ISfiC. the tcloKrnph sorvioo ..
and privat<> lines, had in nso ITd.Oiii
tlionsand persons.
G. Ohio Slalfiiiinii, Oc\i>hcr a. 1S17
7. Ohio Stale. hiinHil.
8. Ihid.
9. Il.id.
i-orniiipnt, railway
■arly luentytliree
CHAPTER XXIV,
BEGINNINGS OF BUSINESS.
The first trade of the Franklinton colony consisted cliiefly of barter with the
Indians, and the distribution of supplies to the settlements. Goods were brought
from the Ohio River on the backs of packanimals, or were carried up the Scioto in
skiffs. Many of the settlers went personally to Chillicothe for their flour and salt.
Few of tliem indulged in the luxury of " storegoods; " their clothing was mostly
homemade. Implements of husbandry were bought, by those able to buy them, of
the traders in Franklinton. Tea, and otlier luxuries of light weight, were obtained
through the mail or by special arragement with the postcarriers, after the.se re-
sources became available. As rapidU' as new trails and roads were opened, new
supplies were brought in, mercantile stocks were enlarged, and trade increased
proportionately. The risks of transportation were considerable, but prices were
high and profits large. The exchange of trinkets and cheap, showy stuffs for the
peltries and wild fruits brought in by the Indians formed an important and lucra-
tive traffic.
The War of 1812 imparted a great stimulus to trade in Franklinton, as has
already been narrated. Money was plenty while the war lasted, and labor in great
demand. The limited local supplies of produce found ready sale at good prices, to
the purveyors of the Northwestern Army. The founding of the capital, coming at
the same time, added no little to the general thrift of all the settlements at and
near the Forks of the Scioto. The erection of the public buildings created an
additional demand for labor, skilled and unskilled, and produced an expenditure of
money very large for the place and period. Portions of the wild forest which had
hitherto been almost worthless, suddenly took on extraordinary values. Specula-
tion was rife, and the profits of merchandizing, and army contracts, made fortunes
for those who had the opportunity. Thus matters went on until the war closed,
when there came a reaction. The National Treasury was heavily weighted with
war debt, the currency of the States was in an execrable condition, and the evils
of speculation and inflation were quickly followed by those of depreciation, stagna-
tion and collapse. Business became languid, labor idle and distressed, and money,
worthy of the name, almost impossible to get. Wages were paid exclusively in
trade, and all business degenerated into mere barter. Whisky being a sui^posed
remedy for the prevalent fevers, as well as a consolation for other hardships of the
frontier, it was in active demand, and virtually became a standard of values.
Numerous private stills lor its manufacture were established, and it was both
[36S]
^^; <::^6^ C^^ -?^c
^-
offered and
iiceived
ill piinliases, ;
iinl llie payment
to liavo losi
some of
•l.isi.a.isl,ioi,e
i-s because tliev \'
of jiew rent.
All tl
le stores sold
it, as a matter ol
II,
t in
(lis
is
said
.,' \vi
th
dr,\
'A'
.(.(Ik,
1 A n
Lflis
1S21,
)!■ course,
j?roeories iind hardware, and its use was well niffh universal
the wecklj- Guzittf oC Columbus made tbis announcement:
Goo I mcrchantAblo whiskey will lie taken in payment of debts due tlii- olliee, at twenty
five cents per gallon, if delivered by the lirst of Novend)er next.
The reactionary business do]>ressi<.n whi( h began soon aCtor the close of the
War of 1812 dragged wearily "" I'"' '''n '>i' twelve years. Not until 18i5-20 diil
the burden of its distress begin to be lilted. Its eflfecls in Columbus have been de-
scribed so circumstantially and grai.hically in the letters of Mrs. Betsy Green
Deshler heretofore quoted, that nothing needs to be added to her statements to
make the picture of that doleful time suftieiently impressive. We tiirn from it t(.
other and more i)leasing details in the business growth of the capital.
As soon as the borough of Columbus began to take form by the erection of
cabins and the opening of taverns, it attracted much of the trade of Franklinton,
as has been stated. The most important establishments which thus transferred
their business from the west to the east side of the river were mentioned in a pre-
ceding chapter. The subsequent record of these firms is limited almost exclusively
to the meager and occasional advertisements wbi< b a|.]. eared in the borough news-
papers. Among the ])artnersbip atnl individual business enterprises thus men-
tioned, inclusive of Franklinton, were the lolloping;
1812 -Henry Brown & Co., Richard Courtney & Co., J. it K. W. McCoy,
Samuel Culbertson, Robert Russell, Samuel Barr and Jeremiah Armstrong. It is
related, as indicating the vicissitudes of business at that ])eriod, that Mr. R. W,
McCoy, in buying out a partner's interest, stipulated that ])aymeiit should be
remitted in case of destriK'tion ol the gc.ods by the Indians.
1813— L. Goodale iV Co., J. Buttles & Co., and Starling & Deliashmutt.
1814— D. F. Heaton, Tailor; Starling & Massie, General Store; Eli C. King,
Tanner; John McCoy, Brewer, and Joseph Grate, Silversmith. Another early
silversmith was Nathaniel W. Smith, who made a business in "grandfather
clocks," and employed Ste|dicn Berryhill, a schoolteacher, to .set them up for him.
1815 — J. & li.yf. McCoy, drygoods, groceries and liquors.
1816— Lyne Starling & Co.
1817— Goodale & Buttles and Henry Brown &C(j., wb(j bought out the general
store of Starling, Massie & Brotberton. Samuel Cunning arrived during this year,
from Pennsylvania, and erected a tannery.
1818 — Samuel Barr & Co. are the most extensive advertisers of this year, and
announce a stock consisting, "in part," as follows:
All kinds of cloths and drygoods, notions, paper hangintjs, boots and shoes, l)0()ks and
shawls, saddles, bridles and portmanteaus, Bibles, looms, shoe- and scrubbing-brusheg,
groceries, hyninbooks, queen's-, glass-, hard- and tinware, wines, whetstones, Glauber's salts,
stationery, all kinds of spices, drugs, medicines and dyestulfs, bells, shrub, fryingpans, to-
bacco and cigars, crosscut saws, cradles, bedcord, powder and lead, oilcloth, coi>per teakettles,
Jamaica spirits, salmon, French brandy, coftVe, tea, shoepegs, sugar pocketbooks, umbrellas,
Morocco and calfskin, Sco.tt's Commentaries, steelyards and whiskey.
24
370 HlSTOKY OP THE CiTY OP COLUMBUS.
Such may be considered a fair illustration of what constituted a complete
"store " stock in those days.
Among the other names which ajipear in the advertisements of the j'ear ISIS
are those of Hiram M. Curry, Jeremiah McLene, Ralph Osborn, Abram I. McDowell ,
Captain Joseph Vance, Doctor John M. Edmiston, Henry Brown & Co., James
Kilbourn, William Neil, Eobert Russell, Orris Parish, Joseph Olds, Junior, John
Kilbourne, Delano & Fay, and Francis Stewart. William A. McCoy, then a lad of
seven years, arrived in 1818, and was employed in the store of his uncle, R. W.
McCoy, in which he afterwards became a jJartner.
In 1820 we find the advertisements of William Piatt, cutlery, John Warner,
silversmith, and John Kilbourne, bookstore.
In 1821 Atkinson & Martin advertised that they will make " hats of every de-
scription, to order, on the shortest notice," and that they will pay the highest
price, in cash, for muskrat skins. James Culbertson, landlord of the Foxchase
Tavern, indicates the prevailing condition of trade in this year by the announce-
ment that he will accejJt " whiskey, sugar and linen " in payment of all debts due
him. Francis Stewart advertises a store stock comprising " drygoods, groceries,
ironmongerj', queen's-, china-, glass- and tinware; books and stationery; also, one
case of elegant straw and Leghorn bonnets; salt, powder, lead, cordage, iron, steel,
castings, nails, whiskey, tobacco, segars, &c., &c., &c." Russell & Leiby figure
among the advertisers of the year. John F. Collins, blacksmith, "continues to
shoe horses, all round, with the best of iron, for the moderate price of one dollar,"
but adds twentytive cents to this price when " steel toes" are expected. " Edward
Smith, Gent.," announces himself as " Senior Shaver of the metropolis of the State
of Ohio," and in half a column, or so, of magniloquent phrase warns the public
against " those itinerant impiricks ' of his " profession " who "periodically annoy
the regular practitioners in this borough." Gentleman Smith "fondly trusts"
that the "distinguished statesmen and litei-ati " whom he counts as his jjatrons
will continue to reward " his unwearied exertions for the public good."
From a curious class of advertisements incidental to the trade and industry
of this period the following examples are taken :
One Cent Reward. — Kanaway from the subscriber, living in Franklinton, J S ,
an apprentice to the waggon making business, on the eigtiteenth instant ; eighteen years
last March, about tive feet eight or nine inches high ; has a down look, and moves slow. 1
do hereby forwarn all persons from harboring or employing said apprentice, also from trust-
ing him on my account. The above reward will be given for the delivery of said iS , but
uo thank, or extra expense. J J •
Apprentice to the Plaistering, & c. - 1 want a Boy sixteen or seventeen years of age, as
an ai)preutice to the business of flaistering and ornamenting with water colors. One who
will come well recommended will have a good opportunity to learn his business, shall be well
used, anj have common privileges. Jamjjs Uncles.
A "judgment and execution law," which was intended to relieve the stress ol
the times by retarding the collection of debts, was passed February 1, 1822, but
only destroyed credit, and made matters worse. The financial distress of the
"people arose primarily from the abominable condition of the currency, and such
legislation as this entirely missed the root of the evil.
IJRlilNMNdS ciK I5rslNESS. 371
Anioii;r ilu' lu-w ])artiHTsliip nami's wliicli aiipcar in ISlT) are tlm-ii »{' Uath-
l)one \- (tsl)orii, (iryi^'oods and LCi'iMorios ; and ( ). \- S. Oroshy, c|riii;s. Messrs.
Crosby woiv locatotl at llie soiitlioast corner of Ilii^li and Stale streets. On the
iiortliwest corner of those streets stood the dryt^oods store of K. W. McCoy.
In 1S2(! wo find tlio name of L. ReynoUls in the dry^oods trade, and in 1827
that of Jolui Greenwood in boots and siioos. Conlcinporary with (Jroonwood were
I. and K. lironson, liatters, Jacol) Ehnor, furniture, and Jorihin k KIlis, dealers in
•■ Outch hoiiinfj dotlis, from ono of tiie first maimfaeturies in Ilolhmd." A dis-
tillery in operation near Columbus in 1827 was owned by Isaac Taylor.
J. Gridley is a drygoods name of 1828, in which year, or thereabouts, Osborn,
Leiby & Co. sold out to Ualph Osborn and Janios McDowell. Up to this time,
and ioni; afterwards, the drygoods, grocery, ([uoensware and hardware trades were
almost invariablj- combined. In an exclusively drug and medicine trade the
Crosbys were the pioneers. John Kerr camo in as their principal rival sometime
later. Deshlor & Greenwood entered the drygoods and grocery trade in 1828 in a
llireostory brick budding on High Street between the establishments of Goodale
& Co. and Gwynne & Baldwin. Peter Sharp had a tailor shop in the building ot
Gill & (ireen on High Slroet, east side, first door south of Crosby's, and C. W. Kent
ke))t a livery stable on Front Street, between Broad and State. In December,
1828, the Crosbys removed to a new building, "one d<ior norlli of R. \V. McCoy,
directly opjiosite the Stateliouse." In this year we find William S. Sullivant pay-
ing " the highest cash price for wheat at Sullivaiit's Mill, near Columbus.''
In 1829 I. N. Whiting began the book and stationery business on the north-
east corner of High and Town Streets. So states a manuscript now before the
writer, but an advertisement of 1830 locates Mr. Whiting " one door south of But-
tles & Matthews's store, on High Street." P. P. Hall opened a " now general stoi'c "
in 1829, at " the corner of lligli and State, near the market," and in Jul}- of the
same year Philip Keed announced a " new saddler shop, immediately opposite
Messrs. Goodule and Buttles's store, and next door to Mr. Walcutt's Chair
Factory." In 1830 Isaac N. Whiting had combined a hardware trade with that
of books, and William A. Piatt announced a new cstablisliment in watches and
jewelry " a few doors south of Watson's Hotel, between Young's Coffee House and
the Postoflice." The Watson Hotel was kept by John Watson, of Chillicothe, who
had purchased it from Edmund Browning.' Counterfeit notes of the United
States Bank and other banking institutions obtained conspicuous mention as
business plagues of this period. Between the counterfeiters on liie one haml and
depreciated or worthless bank paper on the other, business men of liie tiiirlies and
forties had a rather precarious time of it.
" In front of every store," says Mr. John F;. (iiii, " was a post and rail for the
convenience of the country people to hitch tiuir horses when they came to
town.'"' So numerous were the animals, saddled, and "sidcsaddled, " thus hitched
in rows up and down High Street, particularly on Saturdays, tliat they were com-
monly spoken of as ' the cavalry." " In the spring of the year," adds Mr. (iill, " it
was not an uncommon sight t<j see a number of Wyandot Indians, with their
ponies laden with furs and country sugar, who came down t<j trade with our mer-
chants," nearly all of whom, we are furtlier told, " maile their purchases in Balti'
372 History of the City of Ooi.itmijus.
more, ;is t'hore wms no waj- of gelling goods from Now York ami Pliihulclpliia nnlil
after Uio cDiniilclio;! of tlie Erie and Pennsylvania canals"'
TIr' niisinler])relation and misspelling of business signs wore somctiincs sonrros
of aMiii-cnionl. On " musterdays," whieli were also holidaj-s for tlio d(Muiity
mililiamuii and their friends, it was no uncoran\on thing to see a stoul yi>iing
countryman marching up the middle of High Street, leading his "gat" wilh one
hand and holding a huge section of gingerbread in the other. On one of these
occasions a particularly happy i)air of this species happened to pass along, read-
ing the "siu'ns" and munching gingcrbi'oad, until thc\' came opposite to the store
of Goodalo & Buttles, when the name of that firm, in large letters, arrested the
countryman's attention. Coming to a sudden halt, and swinging his "gal" inln
line, at a front face. Riisticus spelled out the names, letter for letter, anil exchiinied
" Hello. Sal, I'll he darned if there isn't good ale in bottles. That's just what I've
been looking loi-. Let's go in and get some. ' And in they wont.
]5ad orlhographj' on signboards was very common, but an instance of it more
notable than any other because of the sport made of it was that of a certain High
Street dealer in footwear, who, daily expecting a consignment of t'le heavy
brogans then in demand, put up the placard : " Lookout for course boots." Near-
ly cvcrbodj' in the borough did "lookout for course boots" for a good while aftei-
that, and the gibes at the unlucky dealer's expense were endless Another subject
for jocose gossip was a Front Street sign which read: "Fancy dying done here."
The business of the borough was at first concentrated in the vicinity of Ilich
and Friend streets, mostly on High, but by the year 1822 Front had become an
important street both for business and for residences. All this was changed, how-
ever, by the opening of the National Road and the Canal, the latter attracting a
large amount of the business to the vicinity of the river, where several large ware-
ho ises were built. Until the beginning of railway transportation and travel, the
canal landing and the stage offices were the principal centers of business interest.
The effect of canal navigation on general business was immediate, and im-
mensely beneficial. As soon as eastern connections were made, the surplus pro-
ductions of Central Ohio began to find a market, at advanced prices. Before the
canal was built, Licking County, says Hill's History', "had no outlet for produce
except by wagons to the Lake, or by wagons to the Muskinguni River, and thence
by boat to New Orleans. The country was full of produce for which there was no
market. Ham was worth throe cents per pound, eg^'S four cents per dozen, flour
one dollar per hundred, whisky twelve and one half cents per gallon, and other
things pi-oportionately cheap." But as soon as the canal began to carry out the
whcui, it .-idvanccd from twentyfive to seventyfive cents, and within a short time
iM one dollar and one dollar and twentyfive cents per bushel. "Mr. Shoemaker, of
i'lckaway County," says Hill's Ilistor}-, "was a rich land owner, and opposed the
building of the canal on the gr.iuud th:it it would increa.se his tax, and then be a
failure. But ihis ge.itleman, for such he was, said that his boys, with one yoke of
oxen and a farm cart, hauled potatoes to Circlevillo [alter the canal was built] and
sold ihom for forty cents per pushel until they had money enough, and more, to
pay all their taxes for a year." Wheat and other staples found a good market
at ihe Like ports, where Canada appeared as an extensive purchaser. Thus did
liK.llNM.N.iS OK I!. -INKSS HJli
civalo u lioiuiiiid lor llic fniits of llio soil, :iimI innlliiily the coiiilliils ollitc. 'l"lu>
iiwukciiiiij^ of c'Oiiuiiorcial iiitorcliiingo was, in Coiiti'ul t )liio, as it lias liocii i'Vit)-
wlicro fiso, :t great stride in tlie progress of civilization.
Tlic iKivaiitagos of the canal to general business are iini)rossivcly illustrated by
tlie enormous reduction in the cost of transportation which it ett'ected. before the
construction of the National Hoad, freights through from Baltimore to (lolunilnis
had rauijed from six to ten dollars i)er hundred jiounils, and were difficult to get at
an}' price. In .September, IS81, Edward Wareham, agent of the VWdland Canal
Compan}-, announces that he will contract (or spring, summer and autumn transpor-
laiion, by canal, to New Vi>rl< ri<i Clcvclaiid, ilic Wclland Canal and Oswego, at the
following rales ;
Flour, |KT barrel, from (Joluiuhus to Clevelan<l, sixtyseveu eent.«, inclusive of storaj;e ;
from Clcvelaml to New Yorli, one dollar and ten cents; and from Columbua to New York,
one dollar and sevcntyseveii cents. Pork and other staples were carried at proportionate
rales Imth for wci-i'.t ami distance.
O.I westward-going freights, such as drygoods, the rates were, )ier luiiidrcd
pounds, or.o dollar and six and a quartei' cents from New VorU to Cleveland ;
eightytwo and onehalf cents, inclusive of storage, from Cleveland to Columbus;
and one dollar and eiglityeight and thrceciuarler cents Irom New York to Columbus.
The first coal consumed in the capital was hroui^ht thither by .Mr. .roliti L,
(Jill, who tells the story thus :
.After beinj; in business two or tluce years i brou^'lit nut | from tlie Kast] a slock «{ cook-
stoves, the first stoves ever brouj,'lit to Columbus [about 1Kl>'.i] but it was an uphid business to
dispose of tliein. I loaded up four fourhorse WH}»ons, and took them down to .\thens, where
I Buccee led in trailing them for horses which I sent east. Passing throuj^li Nelsonville, I
stopped over night, and there saw a tine coal lire. Inijuiring of the landlord where he got
the eoal, I was informeil that he got it in his jrarden. which wiia literally true. On ini|uiring
what it was worth, he said it co.st one and one half cents to dig it. He agreed to load my
teams on their return to .Athens, which he did, and this was the first coat that eviT i-iiiie to
Columbus, excepta few pieces which I brought in my saddlebags, and interestiMl the natives
and others who SiJw it burning, with the wood, on andirons in my parlor.^
Among the business names and partnershi]is of 1S30-H1-I!2 we find those of
Samuel Cutler, Stewart & Iliggins, Lewis Mills and .lohn Brown, grocers ; VV. S.
Sullivant, millinir; John Bown and Moses Taylor, lumberyard ; William A. Plait
& Co. and C. C. Beard & Co., jowolers; McGinnis &. Pitcher and McDermott \-
Wiley, hatters; William A. Gill & Co., successors to Gill ct Green, stoves, stills
and shcetiron and tinware; Samuel McClelland, merchant tailor — the pioneer in
lliat business; Smith & Johnson, hairdressei's ; J. Hitigway & Co., warehouse; John
Noble, National Hotel; James and Benjamin L. Tundiull, bookstore; I. G. Dryer,
cabinetwarc; S. Cutler and O. & S. Crosby ;is S Cuilei- i\: Co.. forwarding and com-
mission ; II. Delano & Co., drygoods ; funis I'eteis, laiii.ei y and dealer in flour, pork
and wliisky; Isaac Taylor and sons, leather and whisky, -all of their own manu-
facture;" Nathaniel .M. Miller, drugstore, 'in the yellow frame building on High
Street, o])po.sile the Slalehouse ;" M. Northrup, .saddlery, afterwards drygoods;
William L. Ca.sey. lor a time partner of Henry Delano, drygoods; John Brooks,
corner of Rich and High streets, hardware and groceries ; Justin Morri.son, partner
in the drvi^oods firm of Bullies .*c Matthews: McHlvain, Dal/.cll \ Co.. wholesale
374 History of the City of CoLUMmrs.
grocers nrid commission warehouse; Kent & Glazier, general merchandise;
Bridgman & McClelland, corner of High and Broad Streets, merchant tailors; J.
Eidgway & Co., successors to S. Cntler & Co., forwarding and commission ;
Williams & Coekerill, tailors; John Abbott & Co., brewers ; Eobert Eussell & Co.,
drygoods; Sumner Clark, drygoods and groceries; and Doherty & Leiby, agents of
the Troy & Erie line of canal packets, forwarding and commission.
Among the new business names of 1833 were those of Burr & Sherwood, 01m"
stcd & St. Clair, and Sherwood & Gregory, grocers; Brownrisrc & Tartt and Burr &
Gregory, drygoods; D. S. Bradstreet, drugs and chemicals; Tniman Baker, cabinet
ware ; S. M. Whitworth, clothing; William M. Kasson & Co . hardware, hollow ware,
and tin and sheet iron work; T. Van Horn, jeweler ; William Burdell and William
Armstrong, tailors ; William M. Blake, boots and shoes ; Morris Butler, books and
stationery; C. W. Kent & Co., livery stable; and Dodge, Cowles & Co., comb
factory.
In the business calendar of 1834 we find the names of B. Smith & Co., tailors ;
C. W. Kent, southwest corner of High and Town Streets, auction and commission ;
S. M. Whitworth, on Broad Street, near the Episcopal Church, clothing and
groceries; Chester Mattoon, West State Street, bookbindery ; Peter Ambos, " in the
building immediately south of Mr. Greenwood's store. High Street," confec-
tioner; H. G. Spayth, "in room lately occupied by Doherty & Leiby, Goodale's
Eow," druggist; Eudisill & Wiley, corner of High and Town streets, hatters; Ira
Grover, Broad Street, near the Episcopal Church, "white marble tombstones;" J.
& S. Stone, brokers and drygoods merchants, Commercial Eow; Charles Scott,
wholesale paper warehouse; Champion & Lathrop (J. N. Champion and Henry
Lathrop), " in the store late occupied by Bond & Walbridge," drygoods; McCul-
lough & Son, next door to Young's Coffeehouse, High Street, fashionable tailoring ;
John Abbott & Co., corner of Front and Spring streets, brewery; and J. B. Crist,
on High Street, opposite the Statehouse, bookstore.
Some of the new partnerships of 1835 are those of William Hamilton & Co.,
bakery, corner of Eich and High; McElvain, Hunter &; Co., wool buyers; Lazell
& Mattoon, bookbinders; Henry Glover & Co., iron store. Exchange Buildings ; Hc-
rancourt & Dresbach, jewelers ; Stewart & Osborn, drygoods; S. & S. B. Stanton,
Commercial Eow, drygoods; and S. W. & J. E. Palmer, hardware. Contemporary
with these were James W. McCoy, hatter; William M. Kasson, hardware; W. H.
Eichards, China, glass and queonsware ; Mi's. Dunjiavaiit, dressmaker ; J. N. Town-
iy and Samuel McClelland, merchant tailors ; Thomas Bridgman, draper and
tailor; Walter Amos, tailor; and Daniel E. Ball, saddlery.
B3' this time various business blocks had been erected, and had become locally
celebrated by such names as their owners or popular fancy had ascribed to them.
Among these blocks was that known as Goodale's Eow, erected by Doctor Lincoln
Goodale, on the west side of South High Street, extending from Chapel Alley
South, and including the present location occupied by Kilbourn, Jones & Co. The
Commercial Buildings, commonly known as the Commercial Eow, stood on the
southeast corner of Main and High streets. The Exchange Buildings, sometimes
called the Bi-oadway Exchange, owned by W. S. Sullivant, held, for many years'
one of the most conspicuous places, if not the chief distinction, among the business
HK.ilNNIN.iS ..K HlslNKSi<. 375
centoi> ol ('olMinlui>, Tlu'M' l.iiiMiii.i^^s wciv siliKilol ..n tlic s.mtli >i(l.' ol' \Vr>i
Broa.l Shv.'l. ■■xloinliiii; wost Iroin tliu pivsciil silr Mflhc 1 1 mil i ri.,'lou I'.aiik. 'I'll.-
Bii.koyo IJuil.liiig. uv a.s it was sotnolinios i:.IUm|, Iho IJiK-ki'yu IJIu.U, .-..w .>n llu-
rMTdioast coiMir <.(■ Broad and Jlif,'li. A waivlicusc luiill l)y tlio Ilid{,'ways, luar
tlio Broad Sln-i't Bridge, was known as llii' Krankiin Building. A row called tlic
Kiijl.t Buildings stood on West Town Street, south side, a siiort distanec west ot
iiigh.
Among the most cons])ieuoiis iiartnershiji and individual business names
whieh !i|)peiir subso.iuently to Ihosu already recorded were tlie I'ollowing ;
inac — S. W. \- J. E. I'lihner, hardware, Commercial Buildings; Hammond
IIowo, real CHtate ; John Marey, brewer, Front Street ; Kasson A: McCune, hard-
ware ; Kerr & Milton, successors to O. & S. Crosby, drugs, J5road way Kxchange ;
Thomas S. Butler, drugs, next door lo the National Hotel; J. L. Peters and A. .1.
Cain, successors to Tunis Peters, tanners; W. Starr, drygoods and ]>nnlnie;
Penney & Judd, drygoods. Commercial Kow ; P]. & A. Case, rcadymade clothing;
II. N. Owen & Co., merchant tailors, E.xchange Buildings; Dolson, Jessup & Co.,
drygoods, Commercial 15uildings; Monroe I?ell, bookstore, a little south of the
National Hotel; L. S. Huhhard, drygoods. Commercial Buildings; and Dennis
Neil, merchant tjiilor, Exchange Buildings.
1,SH7 — A newspaper business directory for this year, which does nol seem
to have ever gotten into print in any other form, is hero re])i()duccd ■.'
Drygoods — McCoy, Work iV McCoy, corner of High and State ; \V. Uance.
northeast corner High and Friend; Champion & Lathro]), Exchange Buildings; .1.
B. Crist, ditto; Greenwood & King, High, between Town and liich ; S. \- S. 1>.
Stanton, northeast corner High and Rich ; D. Brooks, cast side of High, l)clween
Friend and Itich; Joseph Leihy, northwest corner High and Rich; D. Woodbury
it Co., southeast corner High and Friend; J. & S. Stone, High, second door beiuw
Friend ; D. W. Deshlor, northwest corner Broad and High; P. H. Olmsted, High.
next door to Russell's Tavern; Stewart iV Osborn, High, east side: i>. 1"-. Bali,
Higli, corner Sugar Alley; J. Baldwin & Co., High, corner Sugar Alley; M. f5
Cashing, High, Goodale's Row ; Case & Judd, ditto ; McElvain, Snyder .\: Co., dillo :
Warner .V Penney, ditto; L. (iooilale \- Co, dilto; Malthews\ .Morrison, north-
west corner Jligh and Town.
Watches and jewelry —William A. Piatt, High, oj.posite Statohouse ; <'. A.
Richard, High, east side, near Rich ; G. M. Herancourt, High, east side.
Booksellers and binders — Tiazell & Mattoon, High oppositi^ Statehouse. Mon-
roe Bell. High, opposite Public Otfices; Isaac N. Whiting, High Street.
Hotels and coflfee houses —American Hotel, C. F. Dresbach, High, opposite
Statehou.se; Eagle Coffeehouse, John Young, High, opposite I'ublic Buildings;
National Hotel, John Noble, High, opposite Public Offices ; National Colleehouse,
Theodore L. Shields ; Lafayette Coffeehouse, E. P. Hare, Higli, opposite ( 'on rthouse;
Clinton Coff"echouHe, T. Martin, High, corner Public Alley; Lion Hotel. J. Arm-
strong, between Town and Rich; Robinson's City House, southeast corner lli.i;li
and Town ; Swan Hotel, Christian Heyl, High, east side, corner Cherry Alley :
Hotel, P. C, Whitehead, High, south of Mound ; Tontine Coff"eehouse, S. Pike A: Co.,
State Street, south side, opposite Markothousc; Inn, Thomas Cadwalhider, Broad,
near the Bridge; Broadway House, T. Thomas, Broid, opposite Public Square ;
Globe Hotel, R. Hussell, High Street; Farmers' Inn, John M oyer, southwest corner
Friend and High.
Stage offices — Opposition Stage Company, High, next door to Eagle Coffee-
house ; Neil, Moore & Co., High, next to National Hotel.
Grocers — W. F.Sanderson, High, opposite Public Offices; 0. Risley & Co.,
Broadway Exchange; F. Bentz, bakery and grocery. High, near Rich; J. P.
Brooks, southwest corner High and Rich ; W. Hance (also drygoods), northeast
corner High and Friend ; McElvain, Hunter & Co., Broad Street, Franklin Build-
ings; G. W. Higgins & Co., High Street, east side; John Bown, southeast corner
High and State ; Gregory, Burr & Gregorv, High, east side.
Merchant tailors — Johnson & Burdell, High, opposite Public Offices; W.
Williams, High, between Town and Rich; Adams & Townley, High, east side ;
Walter Amos, ditto; E. Gaver, State Street, opposite Statehou.so ; Samuel Mc-
Clelland, southeast corner High and State; Thomas Bridgman, High, opposite
Public Offices.
Druggists — Thomas S. Butler, High, opposite Public Offices; John M. Kerr,
Exchange Buildings corner High and Broad ; S. Clark, High, next door to
Armstrong's Tavern , M. Jewett, " Chemical Laboratory c*i: Medical Store," Rich
west of Front.
Hatters — J. W. McCoy, High Street, opposite Courthouse; J. E. Rudisill,
northeast corner High and Town; C. Dermott, Broad, opposite Public Square.
Postofflce — Bela Latham, Postmaster, High, near corner of Broad.
Stoves and Tinware— W. A. Gill & Co., Broadway Exchange ; S. W. & J. E.
Palmer, ditto.
Hardware — H. Glover & Co., Broad^vay Exchange; Kasson & Co., High
Street; S. W. & J. E Palmer, Goodale's Row; Ira Grover, marble and hardware,
Broad, opposite Public Square.
Printing offices— Ohio St'ifc Joiirml, State Street, third door west of Clinton
Bank ; Register office, J. M. Gallagher, Broadway Exchange; ffeinisphcir office, S.
Medary & Brothers, Exchange Buildings; E. Glover, Front, south of Mound;
Cutler & Pillsbury, High Street, north of Broad.
Cabiuetware — S. Z. Seltzer, High, east side, between Friend and Rich ; John
Smith, High, opposite Heyl's Tavern ; A. Backus, High, east side, south of City
House; I. G. Dryer, High, east side, south of Rich.
Confectioners — Ambos & Eigner, High, corner Walnut Alloy.
Architect — N. B. Kelly, Architect of the Lunatic and Blind nsylurns, over
Leiby's store.
Auctioneer — W. J. Tyler, High, basement of Brooks's Tavern.
Chairmakers — A. G. Hibbs, High, east side, south i)i' Rich ; J. C. Brodrick,
northeast corner High and Town.
Wagonmakers — John Emmick, Friend, north side; John Otslot, Front, south
of Friend.
Carding machine — G. Jefferies, between Friend and Mound, west of High.
Tobacconist — A. Stotts, High, west side, south of Mound.
M-^t Wie.^^^/'
Hk.;innin.;s ok Hi sinkss. :i'7
Tanneries-. I. L. IVlors. s„ulh cmmI of lli^^h. at ih. iM-id^'c ; P. I'.lnaM.,
cornoi- Front ami l{i(li.
Foundry — J. Ridirway .V Co. I'low mahiilacluriTs, lu-ar Uu' nvor, noilli ol
Broad Street. ,, , .
Sehoolrooms-.l. (). Master.son, lima.lway Kxchan-.' : .1. .M. < IImsoIiiiu.,
Third Street, opposite Hajjtist Cluircii.
Shoestores— W. Keith & Co., Hi-h, next t.. (iivenwood \ Ivin-: .lames
Cherry, Friend, between Hijih and Front.
Gunsmith — Samuel Thompson, Friend, bitwrm llii,'li and I'l-oni.
Blacksmith.s— L. B. Pinney, northwest eonuT Front an. I I'nl.lir AlKy ; Wil-
liam Harrison, High, oppo.site Ileyl's Tavern.
Coachmakers- Robert Cutler. Ili-li, north of 15road ; Pinney .\: Kvans. eorner
Public and Fair allej-s.
Carpenters— J. Neereamer, Town, east of Hi-h ; .lohn LaUin, Town, between
Fourth and Fifth; Jacob Turnev, corner fourth and Town.
Saddlers— Phil!]) Reed, High, east side; C. A Barker, High. ne.\t to Franklin
Bank : D E, Ball, High, east side.
Brewery— L. Hoster & Co , City Brewery, south end of Front Street
Livery Stable — W. Barker, Fair Alley, rear of Eagle Cotleehouse.
Forwarding and commi.-sion — Z. Hanford, Franklin Building; B. Comsioek
& Co., also pork dealers.
Lumber — Casey & Field, Third, between Slate and Town.
Plasterer— Thomas Y Miles, Front, south of Town.
Leather — I. Taylor & Sons, oppo.site market, south side of State.
Banks —Clinton Bank , southwest corner High and State; Franklin Bank,
High Street, eastsiile.
Painter and glazier — Thomas Bowiis, State, opposite Stalehou.se.
Upholsterer — James Aston, State, opposite Statehouse
Saddlery and coach and harness hardware — P. Hayden & Co., late the Ct)-
lumbus Manufacturing Company, importers, manufacturers and wholesale dealers.
To the foregoing list should be added the following changes for the year IS.Hi :
John Sicbert opens a new drygoods store in the Commercial Row ; ( ). liisley \ Co.
(O. Risley and M. L. Sullivant) dissolved partnership; David Brooks resumes
management of the Eagle Hotel; H. Baldwin opens a drygoods Imsine.ss in the
Franklin Buildings; L. McCuUough resumes tailoring on High Street, opposite the
Statehouse; John French opens a drugstore on West Broad Street, third door from
the bridge ; Spilman & Carroll, tailors, succeed Ferguson & Spilman.
1838 — The following business changes and new names ajijiear in tins y<ars
record ; A. A. Stewart succeeds Stewart & Hall in tailoring; B. F. (jonway and M.
B. Ross succeed Conway and Avery in forwarding and commission ; Adams &
Townley, merchant tailors, remove to the vicinity of Young's Coffeehouse, on High
Street; S. W. Palmer, hardware, removes from Uoodale's Row to the Exchange
Buildings; P. Ambos succeeds himself and George Eigner, confectioners ; Kassoii
& Co. (A. & C. W. Kasson and Thomas R. Disbrow) dissolve partnershij), and are
succeeded by Clarke, Runyan & Co.; M. Dresbach withdraws from the American
Hotel business, and is succeeded by S. Pike, Junior, and William Kelsey ; John
378 History of the City ok Columbus.
Young iiikls a bathhouse — probably the first one in the citj' — lo his coffeehouse
on High Slroet; John A. Lazell advertises the "Columbus lloi-ticultural Garden,"
situated noi'theast of the city; Ellis, Winslow & Co., establish a new hai-dware store
at the corner of High and Rich streets; Meachain & Gill buy out Monroe Bell's
bookstore, two doors south of the National Hotel ; George S. B. Lazell and Chester
Mattoon, bookbinders, dissolve partnership; Henry Wharton announces a forward-
ing and commission business in tlie Buck warehouse, lately occupied by B. Com-
stock & Co.; John N. Champion succeeds himself and H. Lathrop in drygoods;
William Aston announces a business in soap and candles ; H.H. Kimball advertises
a leather store at the corner of High and Friend streets; L. D. & C. Humphrey are
succeeded by L. Humphrey & Co. ; G. W. & E. N. Slocum advertise the manufac-
ture of saddles, harness and trunks; Mrs. E. Benjamin opens a millinery and
fancy store in the Commercial Row; Wray Thomas engages in the juirchaso
of Virginia Military land warrants.
1839— G M. Herancourt, music and musical instruments : Buttles & Kunyan,
hardware, sign of the golden padlock ; William Wise, hatter; Robinson Acheson,
general store, Goodale's Row; National Hotel, P. H. Olmsted; Eagle Coffeehouse,
Basil Riddle; Columbus " Tattersalls" — livery and boarding — A. L. Olmsted;
Fletcher's Double Reflecting Lamps, J. M. Kerr & Co., Exchange Buildings ; Mills
& Augur, new shoestore, near the Commercial Row; P. Hnyden & Co., carriages,
barouches and chariotees; Gwynne & Baldwin dissolve partnership; Adams & Free,
merchant tailors; Matthias Martin, house and sign painter; Faj', Kilbourn & Co.,
furs and hatters' trimmings. William A. Piatt removes his " watch and jewelry
shop" to the Neil House.
1840 — Adam Lehman, optician ; Casey & Field (William L. Casey and John
Field) dissolve partnei'ship in the lumber business; James W. Ward, chemist and
druggist, one door south of the National Hotel; S. Brainerd, musical instruments,
Buckeye Block ; James Kilbourn, Junior, & Co., bookstore, directly opposite the
Statehouse ; George A. B. Lazell removes his bookstore to " Deshler's Buildings,
between Broad Street and the Theatre;" Engraving and copperplate printing,
Henry F. Wheeler, Old Courthouse; D. P. Heffner succeeds S. T. Hetfner in dry-
goods; W. M. Savage, watch and clockmaker and jeweler, opposite Russell's Tavern.
1841 — Trescott, Jones & Co., boots and shoes; Sherwood, Miller & Co. (O. W.
Sherwood, John Miller and J. N. Champion) dissolve partnership; Alexander
Backus, silversmith, " shop on High Street, between Broad Street and the Theatre ;"
G. W. Penney & Co. succeed Ellis, Winslow & Co.; John Miller, seedstorc,
Armstrong's Block ; J. Bldridge, tailoring, Neil House; H. Daniels, architect and
contractor; Henry W. Derby, bookstore, op})Osite the Statehouse ; John Williard,
grocer, Franklin Buildings.
1842 — William Kelsey, American House, succeeds Pike & Kelsey; P. Ambos,
confectioner, removes to his new building on High Street, opposite the State Of-
fices ; W. A. Piatt, jeweler, succeeds himself and Cyrus Piatt ; II. W. Cowdre\% tailor ;
Miller & Brown (John Miller), grocers. South High Street; F. Bontz & Co., confec-
tioners, Neil House ; John Westwater & Sons, china, glass and queensware, " new
building on High Street, opposite the State Buildings, between the Neil House and
the American Hotel;" R. B. Cowlcs, lessee of the Neil House ; Franklin House,
liEOINNINciS OK lilSlNKSS. 379
William C. Piper; D. H. Tafl & Co. (D. II. Tad .V D. W. Dcshk-r), (lryf,'o..tls. -lis-
solvo |.MrtnerHhi|i; G. Hammond, stovostoro, Noil House; (i. S. Doming & Co. (G.
S it J. C. Demiiif,') dis.solve i>artnersl)i|) ; "Gon. Samuel I'oridns," barboi', corner of
Hiiih and Slate; " Gentlemen's Dressing Saloon," Joseph Bennett; A. \V. Header,
ealiinclmaker; Fay, Kilbourn tt Co. (Ij. Goodale, C. Kay & L. Kilbourn) dissolve
jiarlnerslii)); Gwynne it Lainson, drvgoods; Wing, Richards & Co. (C. H. Wing,
W. Richards and A. Jjee) dissolve partnership; C. B. Ford, tombstones, mantels
and hearths; R. H. Hubbell sells the "City Livery Stable aiul Tattersalls" to
William Neil. T. Hayden & Co. advertise tiiut they will .-ell -tanners ..11 and
Missouri hides."
This brings the record of changes down to the year 1848, when the tirst busi-
ness directory of the city which ujjpeared in book form was printed by Samuel
Medary and published by J. R. Armstrong. No pretense is made th.it this rec-
ord is complete ; it contains or)ly such memoranda of the successive stages of bus-
iness incipicncy as may bo gleaned from the newspapers, whiclvaro almost the oidy
remaining sources of infoi'mation on the subject Of banking, manufacturing and
the professions little mention has been made, as the}' will be sepai'atel)' treated.
NOTKS.
1. Watson's establish luent was afterwards known as the National llutel, kept by John
Noble.
2. Board ofTrade Address, Jiilv 24, KSWt.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ohio SlaU .lum-iml, July 2'.l, ISo?.
CHAPTER XXV.
BUSINESS EVOLUTION.
The dcvoloptnciit of trade bears such an intimate relatimi to imblic finance,
that tiiu one cannot be comj)rehon8ively considered without takini;- .smno accoujit
of the other. A clear understanding of the general financial conditions which
prevailed is therefore essential to a correct interpretation of the local business
events of the period which has now been i-eached.
Prior to the year 18.S8 and for the most part down to the legislation incident
to the Civil War, local banking was regulated by the States, and was practically
free. Under prescribed rules, any individual or corporation might issue notes on
a pledge that they would be redeemed when presented. In the abu-se of this privi-
lege, during the first two decades of the present centuiy, the country was flooded
with inconsiderate and insecure issues of paper curreni'y, tlie depreciation and col-
lapse of whicli produced universal disaster and ruin. Nearly two luiudred bank-
ing institutions, scattered through all parts of the Union, failed between 1811 and
1820, and for a period of ten years, ending in 1825, trade and industry were al-
most c<nnplctely prostrated Speculators and brokers were for a time enriched,
but labor was impoverished, and business, particularly on the frontier, degenerated
into a condition little better than that of the barter of nomads and savages.
After this bitter experience followed ten years of tolerable though fluctuating
l)rospcrity, due almost entirely to the unlimited resources of the country, and the
ccjually unlimited industrial energy and enterprise of the American people. Had
the ai-tiricial conditions been equull>' as favorable as the natural, all miglit have
been well, but they were unfortunatol}' not so. Another sudden and enormous in-
flation of the paper currenc}' took place, increasing the amount in circulation from
^(i6,lJ2S,S9S in ISSliO to $149,185,890 in 1837. The speculative fever, which is the
invariable aceom]ianiment of such inflation, again raged, and again culminated in
the collapse, bankruptcy and ruin which are its inevitable consequences. The
crises of 1837 and 1839 wei-e currency crises absolutely, and were aff'ected in
no way whatever by the economic measures and discussions of the period.
The amount of bank paper in circulation diminished from $149,185,890 in
1837 to $83,734,000 in 1842, and $58,563,000 in 1843. This enormous shrinkage
measures the extent of the reaction. In 1837 payments were stopped by every
single bank in the Union. As an enormous amount of small notes had been issued,
and these had mainly passed into the hands of the laboring classes, t'ley were, as
nsn.il in such cases, the chief sutferers.
[380]
HrsiNKss \']\
.•Wl
al'"Ml .„„■ lunMhv.l .-umI ri^luv l.;n,k>, i iirl ,,,1, „- I l,.-,l ,.r 1 1,,. I ' „iu..| SimIos. w.t
anniliilatod. TIum. lollnwcl m r:,l.-M-lys f ■• w, hlcat ,• uhI '• sli i i, piMsl,.,- '■ .-iir
nMM-y. ll.o <-hMrarl..r ,,r wlii,!, inay li.' Jii l-,.,| hy t iKMnllowiii- N|..M-iMu.|,s ropi,.,
RECEIVABLE FOR COUNTY TAXES
ALlDfTO/fS OFFICh:. ('11 1 IJJCOTII h\ OHIO.
Tht' Ti^easuiei' of Ross County
(17// r.nj I). <'„f/n,s, or fininr
Fi/f,/
FiftiJ Cintx „/, ilniiiiiiil nut «l itiiij I'll mis in 1 1,, 7);
ir.l/. A'. FI;.\NK1JX, Aintitoi:
6y,.
WILLIAM KINNEV
Will 1.1,1 t/,r lininr
Six and a Fourth Cents
in r,irn„t l„iiil: „„trs
}V/[E.\ THE AMorST OF ONE DOIJ.AH l.S I'liESENTEl).
Will ia III -x k'iliiic
BournvilU, Aug. 7. 1837
History of the Citv of Columbus.
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386 History op the City of ConmBUs.
The passion for games of chance was a natural accompaniment, if not result, of
such a currency as this, and accordingly we find that the sale of lottery tickets
was extensively carried on during the inflation period. The institutions of this
class most extensively advertised in the Columbus newspapers were those of Mary-
land, Delaware and VirgiTiia.
But the condition of tilings indicated by this lottery vice and its twin rag-
money rage, could not fail to produce heroic eitbrts to mitigate its evils The leader
of such efforts in the General Assemblj' of Ohio, was the Hon. Alfred Kelley of
Columbus. To prepare the way for an intelligible statement of what Mr. Kelley
undertook and accomplished in this emergencj^, mention should be made of his an-
tecedent services as a member of the Board of Canal Fund Commissioners, to
which, in March, 1841, he was appointed as successor to the Hon. Gustavus
Swan.' When the financial tempests of 1837 and 1840 broke upon the country
the State of Ohio was engaged in the extension of her canal system, and had in-
curred, chiefly in the construction and enlargement of that system, a debt ap-
proaching the sum of $15,000,000. Owing to the depression and distrust produced
by the crisis, great difficulty was found in raising money on the credit of the State
to meet current demands, and pay the interest on this debt, amounting to nearly
$900,000 per annum. Tempted by a stress of less comparative magnitude, some
other States had repudiateil their obligations, and Ohio, for the first and only time
m her history, was in serious danger of committing the same stupendous folly.
Bft'orts to negotiate a loan in England were made in 1840, but substantially failed,
and at the close of the fiscal year ended November 15, 1841, the Canal Fund Com-
missioners had just $1,393.33^ with which to meet about $700,000 of maturing-
debts. This money Mr. Kelley succeeded in raising in New York by pledging his
personal credit. The details of the legislation by which these obligations were
met will not here be entered into; thej' belong rather to the history of the State
than to that of its capital.
In the autumn of 1844 Mr. Kelley was elected from the Columbus district to
the Ohio Senate, in which body, as chairman of its Finjince Committee, he intro-
duced, January 7, 1845, a bill "to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio and other
hanking companies." This bill, without material change, became a law on the
twentyfourth of the following Februarj',and thus, for the first lime, was the bank-
ing business of Ohio organized as a system, and placed upon a substantial, safe and
solvent basis. The local relations of the system to the trade and industrial devel-
opment of Columbus need be cited here only in ageneral way; thcirdetails belong
to the chapter on Banks and Banking.
The good eff'ects of this legislation were soon felt. Similar financial reforms
were adopted in other States, and the entire country soon entered upon a season of
■> ])rospcrity which has not been surpassed in its history. This continued until 1857,
'H.«*t^actoC when the failure of the Ohio Life and Trust Company on the twentytourtli of
August in that year precipitated dnother crash, and all the banks in the Union
again suspended payments. This crisis was also brought on mainly by currency
disorders. The bank paper in circulation had again been greatly inflated, and
much of it was based on stocks which proved to be unsalable and insecure. Fi'om
Iirs[NKSS KVOI.I-TION. 3S7
1851 until IS")? bank (litsc'iiniits wei-o excessive, speeiiUition was riiniiKint and trad-
ing was overdone. A violent reaction naturally followe I, but after the storm had
passed by, and the speculative fever begotten by a retlundant and practically
irredeemable currency had collapsed, the country iiyaiii boeaine prosperous, and
continued so until the breaking out of the ('ivil War.
Columbus, like every other considerable town in the Slate, was materially
affected, for good or for ill, by these ups and downs of state and national finance.
Indications of the condition of trade <luringtho course of these vicissitudes may be
found in the following memoranda of contemporary prices:
1831 — W. S. Sullivant paj-s fifty cetits per bushel for wheat, delivered at his
mill "one mile west of Columbus."
1833 — The June prices current in the Columbus market were thus quoted :
Wheat 56^c., ryeSTic, corn 25c., oats 25e., timothysee<l Si. 50, common wool 20 to
25c., Saxony wool 31 to 40e., dairy butter 10 to 12Jc., firkin butter 7c., hams 5c.,
beans per bushel 75c., tlour per bbl. S3. 50, country sugar He, whisky ]>er bbl.
$G.75 to $7.
1835— July prices: Wheat 75c., oats 2.i to 31|c., corn 37 to 45c., corn meal 44
to 50u., potatoes 75c., e^gs 8 to lOc, cheese G^c, hams 7^10 9c., middlings fij-c,
flour per bbl. S5.50 to ?5.75.
1837— April prices: Wheat ?1, corn 37^ to 50c., oats 28 to 31 Jc, potatoes 25
to 31Jc., timothyseed SI. 50 to $2, cornmeal per bushel 40 to 50c., superfine flour
$6.75 to $7, sugar 7 to 8c., eggs (j to 8c., apples 25 to 75c., butter 12^ to l(k., hams
10 to 12^c.
1839— The October price of wheat was t;2ic. at Columbus, and 50 to 70c. at
Roscoe and Massillon, with a downward tendency. As to the pork market ue find
the following curvent comment under date of 2Jovember 2!)'':
The staple article of Southern Ohio appears to be going a begging this fall. . . . Drovers
cannot make sales or get offers. Three dollars per hundred lias been named, liut purcliasers
cannot he found to offer that price, or drovers to take it. . . . Some demonstralionH have
been made by the pork merchants of Columbus towards the business this fall, but on a very
limited scale compared with former seasons.
1841 — Columbus wholesale prices in May: Wheat fortyfive cents, rye 31c., un-
shelled corn 15c., shelled do 17c., oatB 12^c. white beans 50c., hops 30c., country
sugar 6 to 7c., New Orleans sugar six to nine cents, salt per bbl, S3, raw whisky-
per gallon 15c., rectified do. 16 to 20c., geese feathers 31c.
In reference to the wheat market of July, 1841, the following comment was
made' :
The price of wheat at Sandusky during the last week was .^1.0(1 to 1 10 c, per bushel.
At Massillon on July 14, from $1 to 1.07 was paid, though the Gazette considers this as the
etl'ect of competition among buyers, and as being altogether too nmch. It is observable that
nearly the same price has been paid for wheat for two or three weeks past, all along the
Lake Shore, at Buffalo, Rochester, and as far east as Syracuse. We do not know how to ac-
count for this unless it is caused by the export to Canada.
The "export to Canada " was doubtless the true explanation. As the market
was expanded, better prices were oljtained.
H88 History of the City op Coliimbos.
A few days later the newspaper just quoted from makes the folhjwing addi-
tional statements:
Corn was selling freely at Sandusky last week for forty cents, and as high as fnrtytwn
cents had been paid. . . . Flour has advanced to $6.50 in New York. From $1.12 to 1. It has
been paid for wheat at the lake ports for a week past. The price at Newark last Saturday was
ninetythree cents. At Zanesville from ninety cents to one dollar was paid. We look for a
further rise.
The following observation, under date of October 25, 1841, obtains special
significance from the business depression then prevailing :
It is gratifying to know that in the eastern cities Columbus credit stands as high as any
of the cities of the West. This speaks well for our metropolis, and is evidence of promptness
and a determination to keep up a good credit abroad.*
1842 — June prices at Columbus: Wheat $1, rye 33c., oats 15c., shelled corn
16 to 18c., hay $4.50 to $6 per ton, wool 20 to 81c., rectified whisky 14 to Ific,
barley 37e., bams 3 to 5c., butter 6 and 10 cents, flour per bbl. $4.00 to $4.50, liop.s
25c., eggs 5c., potatoes 75c. to $1, cloverseed $4.00 to $4.50, timothyseed $1.50, flax-
.secd 65c., turnips 98c. to $1, wood 25 to 75c. per cord.
1843 — The June and July prices of wheat in Ohio this year were 90 to 95c.
1844 — The April ])rice of wheat in Baltimore was $1.00 to $1.12; in Cleveland
S5c. As to wool wc find, under date of August 17, 1844, the following statement :
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of the third instant notices the fact that the Lowell
Manufacturing Company paid Messrs. Perkins and Brown, of Akron, for their wool from fif-
teen hundred sheep, for one sample eightytive cents per pound, and for another ninety cents
per pound. The whole clip was sold at from fifty to ninety cents.
The same paper, August 22 : " Pittsburgh prices current for August 14, show
sales as high as fortyfive cents per pound, to wit : Lamb's wool 28 to 30c. ; com-
mon and quarter blood 28 to 30c.; halfblood 33 to 35c.; threequarters blood 38c;
fullblood 40c.; Saxony 45c. The purchases in this market will come uj) to a million
and a half pounds this season."
1845 — June prices in Ohio: Wheat 75c., corn 40c., oats 35 to 40c., prime
wool 35c., fullblood do. 33c., threequarter blood 29c., halfblood do. 26c., onequarter
blood do. 23c , common do. 18 to 20c., flour $4 50 to $4.75 per bbl., old potatoes 75c.
1847— PebruTiry prices current in Columbus: Wheat 55e., rj-e 40c., corn 1(>
to 20c , oats 16 to 18c., flour per bbl. $4, hay per ton $4.50 to $5, country sugar 7
to 8c., New Orleans do. 8 to lOc, rice 5J to 6c., ham 6 to 7c., butter .8 to 12c.
cheese 5 to 6c., Rio coff'eo 8J to 9]c.; Java coffee 15c., Hocking salt per bbl. $1.75,
countiy molasses 50c. per gallon, New Orleans do. 37^ to 40c.
These were low prices, but with the opening of spring a great advance took
lihuc, and in May, wheat was quoteii in New York at two dollars per bushel, corn
at 81.05, and flour at $8 to $9 per bbl. This advance was well sustained during
the remainder of the j-ear, and in August we find wheat quoted as follows : New
York $1.18 to $1.25; Baltimore, white $1.24, red $1.12 to $1.20; Pittsburgh, prime
red, 84 to 88c. The following November quotations of wheat in New York were
announced : Genesee $1.36, Ohio $1.35, Wisconsin $1.30. Corn was quoted at 72
to73e. The Cincinnati price of prime red wheat November 17, was $1.02.
184.S —
In Mai
vh ul
■ 111 is year wlioal was (jiki
U'.l i
11 N\'
\v V
lUiiry I he
: I'l.ilu:
iii'll)lii
ia ])riro of wool was 'SS to
■^s^■.
Tlic
A,,
.III
in Now York was $l.\2l.
lS4tt — In New York the June prices of wliout were 75 to S(»c., ami of wouj as
tollows: Siixony 38 to 40e.. merino fleece 35 to 37c., onebalC and tliieu(|uarter
blooil 3t) to 32c., common 27 to 29c., pulled number one 30 to 32c.
1850 — Aujrusl (luotations in Columbus: Whcfit 7()c., unsliellcd roni :!<k- ,
oal8 30c., 0K,i,'8 8 to lOc, iH)tatoe8 81 to $1.25, hay $C, to $8 per ton.
1851 — The fullowint; statcmentas to the local wool market bears dale J iily HI
Mr. .Sessions lins purcliiised over 300,(X)0 pounds this season. . . . The liif^licst price he
palil was fiftyseven cents per pouml for a lot in Licking County. He has paid lil'ty ceiils pn
pound for several lots. He goea to the farmers, and buys directly of thiin."
1852 — Auijust quotations, Columbus market: Old wheat '>s to Cdc-., new 5i;
to 57e., corn 35c., oats 20 to 23c., potatoes 40 to 45c., apples 25 to ;i()c.,
butler 12 t'l 15c , e;,'i,'s Sc., beeves $2.25 per hundred poundu; live ho.ifs $4.25 do.
Avoiiur .-iip|.lics were pi()|H)rtionately low, these prices were considered fairly re
miineralive. The Aui;;ust prices of wool in New York wore 36 to 40c.-
1853 — The prices of wool were much hi^^her than in 1852, the averaj^e in ( )hii>
beinir 45 to 50c. The following New York quotations were annouiieed .March .il .
American Saxony fleece 50 to (!2c., fullblood merino 511 to ode., onchalf and ihicc-
qtiai'lcr blood 4(i to 50e., native and onequarter blood 41 to Wn_-., siqici tine iiiilled
45 to 59c., number one pulle<l 39 to 44c. Diirinii; the winter of 1852 .{ about 5(1,(100
hogs were slaughtered in Columbus for the New Y'ork market.
1854— On Ajiril 8, corn sold in the Columbus market at 40e., oats at 37 '^e.,
and potatoes at (>0e., per bushel. The O/ilo Stafr Journal of May 20 contains U.is
statement : " Four hundred bu.shels of wheat were sold last Tuesday in this city at
one dollar and eighty cents per bushel — the highest price ever paid in this mar-
ket." The 0/(/o iSV(/^(',yHi(//( of the same date says: "Flour is now brought to this
market from Cincinnati, and is selling at nine dollars per barrel." In the midille
of June new potatoes were sold in Columbus at four dollars per bushel ; in July at
one didlar and sixty cents. The June ])rice of wool ranged from twentyfive to
thirtyseven cents, and of hay from six to eight dollars per ton. The 0/iio ,St<tfr.^-
iiuin of August 17 made this suggestive statement : " Farmers and others selling in
the city market refuse to change bills, in order to accumulate silver, for wliich they
get a small premium by selling it to merchants and other.s." A similar state of
facts is thus noted September 2G by the Ohio State Jonriuil : "The troubles of the
people in the market places this morning, owing to the .scarcity of small change,
were almost beyond endurance. The country people refused to change any foreign
bank bills, and as many of the buyers didn't have anything else, it maybe well
imagine<l there was a time." The same paper of December 11 says : " Our drovers
who have driven their hogs to the Bast to market are returning with their pockets
lined with gold. Three gentlemen returned last week, bringing with them four-
teen thousand dollars mostly in twenty-dollar gold iiieces "— the product, donbtlc.ss,
of the recent California discoveries.
390 History of the City op Columbus.
The following Columbus market quotations boar date December 9, 1854: Oats
37c., corn 50c , turnips 75c., flour per bbl. $8 50, tiraothyseed $3, clovorseed $6.50,
hay per ton $10, potatoes $1.40, butter 20c., hams 12>4c., rice 8e., Rio coffee 14c.,
Java do. 16§c., New Orleans sugar 6 to 7c., wood per cord $2.50.
1855 — On April 7 potatoes sold in the Columbus market at $2 per bushel,
butter at 25c. per pound, eggs at 15e. per dozen, and other things in proportion.
Hay sold on the streets in May at $15 per ton. Early in the same month a whole-
sale dealer in the city offered seventythree cents per bushel for ten thousand
bushels of corn, but the offer was refused. Wheat was steady at $1.25, and corn
sold at fifty cents, in August. The average price of wheat from Api-il 1, 1854, to
April 1, 1855, was $1.55, and from April 1, 1855, to April 1, 1856, about the same.
Some sales were made during the latter period at as high as $2.05.
A contributor to the Ohio Stntesninn of August 5, 1857, writes:
The highest price that flour has reached during a period of sixty years was in 1796,
when it sold at sixteen dollars a barrel. ... In 1847, the period of the Irish famine, flour
never exceeded ten dollars. The prices of breadstuflfs were liigher in 1855 than for sixty
years, if we enccept the seasons of 1796 and 1817. From the minutes kept at tlie Van Ren-
selaer Mansion, at Albany, for sixtyone years, where large amounts of rents are payable in
wheat as a cash equivalent, on the first of January each year, the fact is ascertained that
wheat has only five times been $2, or upwards a bushel, while it was seventeen times at one
dollar, and twice at seventyfive cents. The average price for the whole period was $1.38, and
for the last thirty years $1 25.
1857 — The financial crisis of this year has already been referred to. The
Ohio States7iian of September 18 remarks: " There is no denying it — hard times
are upon us. . . . Money is scarce, and most business men are in debt." B. Doug-
las & Co., New York mercantile agents, reported the number of failures during the
year at 204,061.
1858 — The price paid this year for wool by Columbus buyers ranged fi-om
twenty to forty cents, according to quality. Some of the July market prices were
as follows: Corn 45 to 50c., oats 40 to 45c., old potatoes 40 to 50c., new do. $1 to
$1.20, butter 12J to 15e., eggs 7 to 8c.
1859 — Wheat sold in February at $1, corn at 80c., and oats at 50c. April
market quotations : Corn 78c., oats 60c., wheat $1.10, potatoes 80c. and one dollar,
eggs lOc, lard 12^c., hay $13, butter 30 to 35c., beefsteak 8 to 10c.
1860 — July market: Wheat 90c. to $l,corn 35 to 40c., oats 28 to 33c., lard 10c. ,
eggs 9c., new potatoes, 60c.
1861 — January wholesale prices : Wheat 80c., corn 25 to 30c., oats 18 to 24c.,
butter 12^ to 15c., potatoes 25 to 30c., eggs 13 to 14c. Wool sold in the spring at
35 to 40c., and in June at 25 to 30c.
This brings us to the outbreak of the Civil War, after which prices were rated
in a depreciated jjaper currency. We therefore resume the record of the more im-
portant changes and new enterprises in business :
1843 — Wing, Richards & Co., drygoods, change partners; Columbus Marble
Works, C. B. Ford; Salmon Thomas, produce, forwarding and commission, west
end Broad Street Bridge ; A. A. Stewart succeeds McClelland and Stewart, mer-
BiMNKSS Evi.l.DTIc.N. :!!• 1
rlia.il lailurs. Wyall .lohnson. LarluT; H. Cuiii-t.M-k .V C.,., waivlu.u.su and whral-
lniytTH; W. Larjn'. (Iiyiroods, third door noi'tli dI llie Amcricnii llousc; li. l^indi--
iiian, loiitl'c-tioDcr, IIi;^li Street ; llarvoy iV Seibci't, boukbiiidei-s, High Street;
warm and cold hathw, J.G.Armstrong, in Jowett's Building, Hieii Street; I. N.
Wliiting it lluntinglun, booi<seilers ; Gray & Co., marble works, near loriui- of
Iligli and Rieh ; E. Gale, livery stable. High Street; S. E. Wright \ Co. (.John
(ireenwood). drygoods; A. Schneider, confectioner, High Street; W. A. iM((!oy H
Co., wholc-iale and retail drygoods, opjjosite the Stalehou.se; Cushman & Howell,
.sad<lles. harne.-!s and trunks; Lawrence l)ii)i)el, ])otter, opposite Petcrs's tannery;
S. 1) Preston it Co., drygoods. cornor Highaid Town; Booth & Minor, carriage man-
ufacturers. High Street, north of Broad ; J. N. Champion, real estate; Derb}' it Al-
len (H. W. Derb}-, H. S. Allen), books and stationery; J.N. Champion, drygoods and
boots and shoes. Buckeye Block ; J. B. Wheaton, chemist and druggist, southwest
corner High and Broad ; A. C. Brown, boots and shoes ; Samuel T. Hetfner, drygoods,
K.xehange Buildings; \V. M. Savage, jeweler, opjwsite Hussell's Hotel; Heed &
Sheldon, tailors. High Street, next to W. B.Brooks's store : William Burdell, draper
and tailor, Neil House; W. B. Brooks, grocer, corner High and Rich; George J.
Pugh, tin, copper and sheetiron ware. High Street, opposite City House; Edward
N. Slocum, saddles, harness and trunks, a few doors south of Neil House ; Jeremiah
A. Slusser, tailor. High Street, third door south of the new Mechanics' Hall ; J. C.
Broderick, cabinetware, corner High and Town ; William Middleton, ro])e, cordage
and twinemaker, corner Front and Broad; C.G.Sheffield, transportation agent;
George Geer, iron merchant; Peter T. Krag, grocer, corner Mound and High ;
Joseph Fenton, cutlery. High Street opposite Franklin House; William l''linthain,
iron merchant. State Street, opposite Statehouse ; I). H. Taft, drygoods. corner
Broad and High; Samuel Thompson, grocer, corner Jligh and Friend; I. D.
Pounds, gunsmith. Friend Street ; J. P. Bruck, cabinetware, High Street, .south of
Mechanics' Hall ; A. Fraid<enberg, groceries, and boots and shoes. South High
Street, between Mound and South : H. Daniels, architect, Buckoj-e Block; Ben-
jamin Blake, carriages, buggies and wagons. Broad Street, near High ; C. Ortman,
boots and shoes. High Street, between Kich and Town ; Matthias Martin, painter,
grainer, glazier and gilder, Deshler's Block ; Nicholas Hess, blacksmith. Friend
Street, between Third and Fourth. A business directory ot the city for 1843-4,
was published this year by J. K. Armstrong. It is the earliest directory in book
form which the author has been able to find.
1844 — A. G. Hibbs retires from the firm of Dalzell, Hibbs & Co., dealers in
grain and mill machinery ; Bowery Nursery, Philip Fisher & Son, north of the
city; L. Buttles succeeds Buttles & Runyan, hardware; Hayden, Morrison &
Co., woolbuyers. Buckeye Block ; Goodale & (.'hamberlain, drygoods, Goodale's
Row ; S. Thomas & R. Fitch, produce and commission, " white warehouse," west
end of bridge; Ellis, Se.ssions & Co., drygood.s, Russell's Building; J. E. lludisill,
hatter, opposite Public Offices ; H. W. Derby succeeds Derby & Allen, bookstore ;
Stewart & Osborn, woolbuyers ; Thomas Atcheson, do.; James Aston, furniture,
West State, south side ; Charles G. Deshler & Co., wholesale and retail grocers,
Exchange Buildings; Faj' & Kilbourn, Goodale's Row, drygoods; Samuel Crosby,
392 HiSTOEY OF THE ClTY OF COLUMBUS.
drygoods, groceries, hardware, queensware, etc., " yellow buildings," corner High
and Hich ; J. H. ililey, bookstore ; William Gregory, wholesale and retail grocer;
Neil House; Armstrong & King (William Armstrong, Matthew King), drygoods,
opposite Goodale's Row; Rosenthaler & Springer, drj'goods; E. W. & E. Gwynnc,
drygoods ; A. Schneider, confectioner, opposite City House.
1845 — G. W. Penney retires from R. Ellis & Co., hardware; J. RicUlcy &
Co. (J. Rickley and Frederick Benniiignus), dissolve partnership ; Ellis & Sessions
(T. P. Ellis, F. C. Sessions) succeed Ellis, Sessions & Co., drygoods; John Burr,
nursery. South Street, east of city ; P. C. & C. A. Bain, drygoods. Exchange Build-
ings; Olmsted & Peebles, oyster saloon. Exchange Buildings; Schneider & Goff,
confectioners, Neil House; Gere, Abbott & Co., hardware, 161 High; Mrs. M.
Brocklehurst, milliner. High Street; Mrs. Snowden, do. ; M. Gooding & Co., dry-
goods.
1846 — Denig & Son, druggists, near the Mechanics' Hall; M. Halm, cabinet-
ware. Rich near High; H. Brown, merchant tailor, Walcutt's Building; A. P.
Stone & Co. , drj'goods, "at their checkered store, with large green window, two
doors south of S. & D. Woodbury & Co.'s;" Bright & Bobinger, tinware, Neil
House ; J. Reeves, merchant tailor, 175 High ; Alhambra Coffeehouse, Riddle &
DeLashmutt; Stanton & Lee, drygoods, Goodale's Row.
1847 — J. M. Kinnej-, bookstore, Neil House; J. Ridgway & Co., Columbus
Foundry; M. Gooding succeeds Goodale & Gooding; Humphrey & Langworthy
succeed Daniel T. Kramer, druggist; J. & W. B. Brooks, wholesale and retail
grocers, corner High and Rich ; S. D. & L. P. Preston, Goodale's Row, drygoods ;
D. H. Taft succeeds Taft & Wilcox, drygoods. Buckeye Block ; Joseph H. Riley
and Joseph Sullivant (Joseph H. Riley & Co.) bookstore, Neil House ; Faxon,
Smith it Martin (Elisha Faxon, B. E. Smith, L. U. Martin), dr3^goods and groceries.
Noil's New Block.
1848 — S. D. & L. P. Preston, in consequence of fire, removed to Exchange
Buildings ; F. C. Sessions, drygood.s, " second drj'goods stoi'e south of the market-
house ;" Mitchell & Baker, real estate; John Conly, grocer, "opposite new court-
house ;" Frederick Bentz, ice ; William A., J. & John L. Gill succeed Gills &
McCuue; Philip Rose, merchant tailor ; M. W. Bliss, tin, sheetiron and copperware ;
James A. Aston, do. ; E. Gaver, merchant tailor; C. R. King, teastore (advertises
"fip muslin") ; McElvain & Fitch, wholesale and retail produce; L. D. Martin re-
tires from Faxon, Smith & Martin ; A. P. Stone, wholesale and retail drygoods ;
O. P. & A. Langworthy succeed Langworthy & Humphrey, druggists; George E.
Walcutt, sign and banner painter; C. H. Wing retires from Wing & Richards,
Neil's New Block ; Scheffer & Schneider, druggists, corner High and Rich ; J. &
H. A. Field, lumber. Third, between State and Town ; P. T. Snowden, ladies'
dressgoods, Neil's Row; Finch & Flynt, Buckeye Block; Joseph Weitgenannt,
nursery, northeast of the city; Frank & Hess, readymade clothing, corner High
and State; Edwards & Davis, books, stationery and jewelry, Neil's New Building;
Kelton, Bancroft & Co., drygoods; Brooks & Johnson (David Brooks, Oliver
Johnson), real estate; G. Machold & Co., variety store and musical instruments; O.
Backus, grocer. High, South of Town; H. Barnes, confectioner, 191 High ; John T.
^^ (y^^-^L^t
Bl'SlNEfS.S KXOUTION. '.WA
Blain & Co., periodical tiiul nows depot; Blaico, Domigan & Co., carriage and
coachmakerK ; D. Brooks, ehairmakor, High, betwoou Jiicli and Town; Cliarlcs
Knodorcr, Cannon Tavern, Friend, west of Higli, south side; Cole & Standish,
foundry. Front, near Last Street; S. Clark & Co., druggists, 189 High ; K. Cloud,
lumber, northeast corner Third and Friend; W. Downs & Co., copper, tin and
shectiron ware ; H. DeWitt, carnage maker; J. & C. Eldridge, grocer.s ; A. k 1>.
llayden, grocers, Buckej'e Block ; James Lennox, Junior, engineer and millwright;
H. Lyndall, Daguerrean artist; Rufus Main, grocer, Broad, between High and
Front; J. H. Mitchell, drygoods, Broadway Hotel, East Broad; William Mur|.hy,
grocer, corner Broad and Front; Augustu.s Piatt, brass founder, corner Front and
Spring; Price & Hughes, cabinetware, Rich, between High and Front ; Reinhard
& Fie.ser, printers, Mechanics' Hall; Siebert & Lille}', bookbinders. High, ojiposito
Public Offices; E. A. Stoughlon, Daguerrean rooms; S. Thompson, grocer, south-
west corner High and Friend ; W. B. Thrall, printer. A directory of the city was
published this year, in book form, by John Siebert.
1849— Fischer & Schneider, Eagle Drugstore ; William BIynn and Thomas S.
Baldwin succeed Piatt it BIynn in jewelry; Finch & Flynt dissolve partnership;
Fay & Kilbourn, do.; Field & Field do.; Preston & Wetmore do.; O. S. Hunter
retires from Morrison it Hunter; Mills & Smith, real estate; L. Preston it Co. rt-
moved to Neil's New Block ; Kelley & Blackmore, architects.
1850 — A directory of the citj' was published this year by E. (ilovir and
William Henderson. The following business memoranda are mostly taken from
its pages: E. Glover, printer, 0])po8ite the Franklin House; J. Schoyei-er, drug-
gist. Mechanics' Hall ; Leamon it Hurley, Marbleworks; A. A. Clark, jeweler, 187
High ; Brown it Buck, jewelers, south of Clinton Bank ; Hall, Case & Co.,
manufacturers of edged tools. State Avenue; H. G. Hood, gunsmith, 1(19
High; B. R. Van Houten, millineiy, north of the American; William
Say & Co., brewery, corner Front and Mulberry Alley; Liiino.x it lleg-
enbothani, machinists, Broad, near Third ; Edward T. Rees, saddles, harness
and trunks; Reader & Williams, undertakers; Ambos it Lennox, Illaglo Foun-
dry and Machine Shop; P. Hayden, manufacturer of builders' and mechanics'
hardware. State Avenue, north of Broad ; J.H. Felcli, draughtsman and engraver ;
J. Ridgway <t Co., castings, plows and steam engines; Caver & Sewell, merchant
tailor, Neil House; V. Burkley & Co., clothing; A. Reed, musical instruments,
High, north of Neil House; William Richards, drj-goods, Odeon Buildings, High
Street; Kellon & Bancroft, drygoods, Commercial Row; B. E.Smith, drygoods,
Odeon Buildings; P. Bain, drygoods, next door north of Neil House; Stage it
Frisbie, grocers, forwarding and commission, southwest corner High and Friend ;
O'Reilly's Atlantic, Lake it Mississippi Telegraph, City Bank liuilding, corner
High and State; Ohio Mutual Insurance Company; Wade's Cleveland it Cincin-
nati Telegraph, Odeon Building; J. H. Stauring, groceries and commission, corner
High and South Public Lane; Buttles, Comstock it Co., forwarding and commis-
sion, head of the canal ; Hanes it George, grocers, forwarding and commission.
Buckeye Block ; A rrMnkcnberg, drygoo^lsand groceries, 212 High ; Fildi .t Hale,
forwarding :iud i-oninii.ssion. K'aiii-oad Bniidiiiir. o]ipo^ite tlir liidgway FoiiiHlry ;
394 History of the City of Columbus.
W. M. Giu-rott, grocer, High, opposite Franklin House ; P. Conrad, grocer, south-
east corner Third and Gay; Eufus Main, grocer, 65 Higli ; G. M. Peters, Green
Lawn Farm, milk delivery; Bain & Horton, ironmongers, 63 High ; George Mc-
Donald and John Miller (John Miller & Co.). grocers; J. W. Constans, boots and
shoes; J. M. McCune & Co., hard-.vare ; John Eickloy, liquors, High, between Town
and Eich ; F. C. Sessions & Co. (F. C. Sessions, L. B. Harris), drygoods, four doors
south of the American Hotel; Kilboui-n & Jones, hardware, Goodaie's Row; J. D.
Osborn & Co., drygoods.
With such imperfect resources as have been available, this record has now been
brought up to a point where it connects with the city directories. There, for the
present, it will rest.
The following interesting sketch of the later drygoods trade, by Mr. William
G. Dunn, one of the veterans of that trade, fitly concludes this chapter :
After an e.xperience of thirtyttve years in the City and State of New York as a retailer of
drygoods (except four years as a buyer in a wholesale house) I looked for a location further
west, and finally decided upon Columbus, Ohio, where I opened business under the firm
name of William G. Dunn & Co., in April, 1S69. I chose Colurahus because it was pleasantly
and centrally situated with a good prospect for enlargement ; also because the drygoods busi-
ness there did not seem to be overdone, and was conducted upon the oldtime plans, trade be-
ing held to each store mainly by the influence of the salesman and credit, as it still is in
many country stores. The influence of the salesman was more depended upon than the
value of the goods. The retail business was at that time all done south of Broad .Street, and
mostly on High Street, but there were somj stores on Town an'l Friend streets. The firms
tlien inexistenc! were Osborn, Kershaw & Co., Hea Hey & (Jo., Gilchrist & Gray, Richards &
Holmes, James Naughton, Fay & Co., Jesse Stone, Kenyon & Wiggin, Bell & Co., Eberly,
and a few smaller stores on Friend Street and South High.
I hired my first store of Mr. David Deshler from April 1, 1869, on the corner of North
High and Linden Alley. The good oM gentleman very kindly cautioned me, as he feared it
was too far north for a retail store to succeed ; several merchants also expressed the same
opinion. I opened at the appointed time, and was successful from the start. The people
seemed pleased with a one price store and gold merchandise. Our sales the first year
amounted to $170,000. From that time until my close I have had a very steady business,
running up as high as $273,000 per year My trade has embraced not only a large number
of Columbus families, but also many from neighboring cities. When we changed to the
department system, we lost considerable country trade, as our customers still desired to deal
with the clerks they were acquainted with, and go all round the store with them ; but our
loss was more than made up by increase of trade, in the city. Most of the larger stores now
conduct their business on the department plan.
In the year ISSo I purchased a lot on which I built, in 1885, my present store on the
east side of High Street, between Gay and Long. Many persons prophesied failure, but the
store being light and convenient, it helped the business and our family trade steadily
increased. This year, 1889, I have withdrawn from the active part of the business and
changed the firm name to Dunn, Taft & Co.
During the last twenty years — 1869 to 1889 — many changes have taken place, and I
believe but one firm retains its original name, viz. James Naughten. A few retired, some
failed, others removed on account of the strong competition, and some new firms were made
out of old ones. There are nearly, perhaps quite, fifty drygoods stores in this city today,
and there are many more in the outskirts of the city than there used to be. The expense of
carrying on the business is much greater than it was twenty years ago, and especially so in
the heart of the city. The people are wealthier, and require more attention and larger
Business Evolctkin. 395
stocks ; but larger stocks mean more taxes, and more attention means more clerks and
expenses, as do also the telephone, electric light, delivery of goods, use of water, steam heat,
cleaning and sprinkling streets, private watchmen, and sundry other necessaries not incident
to the earlier trade. To ofTset these difficulties we have an increased volume of trade in the
sale of better goods which also pay a better profit. Homespun goods, or their imitations,
sucb as flannels, jeans, carpets, hosiery, etc., can hardly be sold at all; even country people
want more stylish and better fabric". To illustrate, we can haidly sell any but "regular made"
hosiery, whereas we used to sell almost altogether the cutup hosiery.
Such are some of tlie more I'eeent changes in the retail trade in drygoods.
Other branches of mercantile business, such as the traffic in groceries, drugs, and
hardware, have undergone a like metamoriihosis. The general store, in which the
people of the olden times were accustomed to purchase everything the}- wanted,
from silks to sugar, and from books to whisky, has vanished from the i)ath of
metrojjolitan progress. New modes of life have produced new wants and new
methods of 8upi)lj'ing them which, less than a generation ago, were unknown and
scarcely thought of.
NOTES.
1. Jud-eSwan ha
1.1 resii:n.(l
L'. Uhiu Skill- .loiin
lid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Il.iU.
li. Ibid.
CHAPTER XXVI
BANKS AND BANKING.
BY JOHN J. JANNEY.
[John Jay Janney was born near Lincoln, then known as Goose Creek Meetinghouse,
Louiloun County, Virginia, April 25, 1812. The founder of the Janney family in this country
was Thomas Janney, an eminent clorgymMi, who arrived at Philadelphia in l(iS3, and settled
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Janney, the subject of this sketch, was just one month
old when his father died leaving him solely to the care of his mother. From his sixth to
his fifteenth year he attended the Friends' school at the Goose Creek Meetinghouse, and at
the age of twenty spent six months in a day school at Alexandria. Dissatisfied with the in-
stitution of slavery, he quitted his native State and removed to Warren County, Ohio, where,
from 1833 to 1848, he was engaged in teaching, landsurveying, and, for a short time, in keep-
ing a village store. For three winters, beginning with that of ISif-^, he served as a clerk in
the lower house of the General Assembly. In the autumn of 1847 the Hon. Samuel Gallo-
way, then Secretary of H»e. State and Commissioner of Common Schools, tendered him the
position of chief clerk in his office, which position Mr. Janney accepted and held until the
end of Mr. Galloway's term in 1851, by which time, without his knowledge, he had been
elected Secretary of the Board of Control of the State Bank of Ohio, in which capacity he
served until the expiration of the charter of the Bank in LSd'). He was then appointed and
served for one year as Assistant Postmaster of Coluuibiis, from which position he jjassed to
that of Secretary and Treasurer of the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railway Company,
wherein he remaineii until July, 18S1, when the road was sold to nonresidents. Mr. Janney
has always been fond of literature and busy with his pen. A friend of free schools, he wrote
the first official decision ever made in Ohio, giving colored children a place in the common
schools of the State. He aided in establishing a public library, which is still in existence, at
Springboro, Ohio, and soon after his removal to Columbus took a prominent part in estab-
lishing the Atheneum Library and Readingroom. As a member of the City Council he was
the author of an ordinance passed by that body January 15, 1872, establishing the present
Public Library and Readingroom of this city. Mr. Janney has been repeatedly elected and
appointed to positions in the municipal and township government. From 185?To 185?nie
was a member of the City Board of Education, of which body he was for two years the
Treasurer. He was a member of the Board of Health in 1867 ; a member of the City Council
from 1868 to 1871 ; Trustee and Treasurer of the Public Library and Readingroom from 1880
to 188G ; Director of the Columbus Atheneum and Readingroom from 1853 to 1858; Director
of the Ohio Penitentiary in 1861 ; member of the Board of Police Commissioners; member
of the Tyndall Association from 1870 to 1880 ; member of the Columbus Horticultural Society,
and part of the time its Secretary, from 1850 to the present time ; member of the State Horti-
cultural Society since 1880 ; member and Treasurer of the Prisoners' Aid Society, the prede-
cessor and forerunner of the present Board of State Charities ; a teacher in the Sabbath-
school of the Ohio Penitentiary from 1850 to lS(i5; Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer of the
Whig and Republican city and county eomuiittees during many years, and Secretary and
Treasurer of the Republican State Committee during the memorable camjiaigus of 1803 and
[390]
3--^
,Ni> Hankini;
:!9"
.if til.' R'li«i(.
ii>^ s.u-ic
tv of Ki
lien. Is, 1
II Wllil
h lie
tlu. yr,uly .u.
■■■(iiit;s 1
if wliii-li
1, at \Vu
VlU'Svi
llr or
part.]
lSti4. Mr. Janiiey's parents were iiii
has also liorne a lifetime attaclimont,
Richnionil, Imliaiia, he lias taken an
At tlu' tinio .ii; ami ilurinjr many yi^ars siil)si'<iiu'iit lo tlio Idralinii ami
estivblislimeiit of the city of Cohinibus, tlu' business of lianUiiij^, not oiil^' in Ohio
but througliout the country, was in a very crude and cliaiitic state. Generally the
socalled banks of that day were established literally without capital or experience
on the part of the manager. Notes for circulation were scarce, and when obtained
were of very doubtful value. In a communication to the legi.slature of Ohio, b3-
Ralph Osborn, Auditor of State, in the winter of 1820, on Finances and Rates of
Taxation, he said :
Having previously written to the oHieers of the banks on thesuljject of exchange in May
last, I called upon the officers of the banks to redeem their paper with current funds, and
from the Miami Exporting Company, five thousand dollars in specie was obtained ; four
thousand dollars deposited on interest, the residue retained (being then to'erable current) for
the purpose of redeeming Audited Bills. The balance of that paper remaining in the tre.i.iury
and on deposit is $11,081.00.
With the Bank of Cincinnati no exchange could b,? had ; and after gaining every pos-
sible information of the solvency vi this institution, ai.d being assured by the ollici-rs that
every honorable means should be used for the speedy redemption of their pajier, a ile])osit of
that iiaper was made, bearing interest, being in amount |(!,.S01 ; a hundred dollar post note
being rejected, as an altered note, $0.1)01.
With the Lebanon Miand Bunking Comi>any, a small exchange was made.
With the Urbana Banking Company no exchange could be made ; having demanded of
the cashier the endorsement of their paper, he objected, and I declined ni:iking the deposit,
they having previously failed in their engagements with the late Treasurer of State, to this
department.
With the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Cincinnati nothing could be obtained in
exchange but one hundred and seventy dollars of scrip of the Corporation of Cincinnati, bear-
ing interest ; the notes on hand and scrip are in amount $400.
For the paper of the banksof Burlington, Greensburg, Georgetown and Columbia (Ken.)
no exchange could be had in that State ; the amount of which is $00.
No opportunity yet oHered to try the exchange of the following paper, but I have no
doubt the greater part is irremediably lost to the State :
Bank of Wooster |«27.iK)
Kentucky Insurance Company, .'j.s.OO
Franklin Bank of Alexandria, ' !i4.00
Merchants Bank of Alexandria, ,").(X)
Bank of Beaver, rv, 00
Elkton Bank of Maryland, ....... 14(100
Farmers' Bank of Somerset and Worcester, . . Kl.OO
Susquehanna Bridge and Banking Company, . r,.()()
Bank of Washington, Pennsylvania, 71.0(1
Cumberland Bank of Alleghany, I."i0.0((
Bank of Juniata, lo.(Mi
B.ink of (ireencastle. ."i.OO
Wilkesbarre Bridge Company, .'i.tKl
Bank of Niagara, ir,m
Farmers' Mechanics' & Man. Bank of Chillicothe, . lii.OO
$14S3.0()
398 History op the City op Columbus.
Mr. Osboni reports on December 5, 1821, that among other things he had
valued in this statement was "four hundred and thirtyone dollars of uneurrent
paper issued by banks in other states ... at a discount of two hundred and fif-
teen dollars and fifty cents," or just fifty per cent.
A writer who signs himself Fabius in the Columbus Gazette of January 25,
1S21, says:
Our government could no longer obtain loans without a vast sacrifice. . . . About this
time the Ohio legislature created a multitude of state banks, in number extravagant, and in
nominal amount of capital twenty times exceedingthe disposable capital of the state; and what
was still more unfortunate, no banker was personally liable for the redemption of his paper
until his emission of bills exceeded three times his capital. The General Government
created a bank for the purpose of securing itself against the extortion of merchants and
money holders. Our state government created within itself banks in number exceeding all
necessity, with the certainty apparent and undeniable that these banks must fall into the
hands of speculators and merchants ; and to judge of the relative wisdom of the two govern-
ments it is only needful to look at the fact that the general government has never transacted
its fiscal affairs with so little trouble and expense as through the bank by it created ; and on
the other hand, that the legislature of our state is now groaning over more than 133,000 of
irredeemable paper of state banks in its treasury.
At the time the United States Bank sent its branches into the state of Ohio, our state
banks, with few exceptions, had issued bills to such an amount as rendered it impossible to
redeem them without pressing hard upon the borrowers, and this pressure, improvidently
made, forced those borrowers to become borrowers of the branch banks to keep good their
credit in the state banks. From a variety of circumstances known to all of us, the principal
of which was the general peace of Europe, the paper of our State banks was not, by far, as
valuable in the seaport towns where our merchants are indebted, as that of the Bank of the
United States. Hence it happened, that the paper of the United States Bank had little circu-
lation among us. It was immediately gathered up by the merchants and sent off, and when
the time came around that the debtors of the branch banks were called upon to pay up, their
only resource was in our daily diminishing specie capital, or in the notes of State bdnks
negotiable only at a ruinous discount. The consequence was that the state banks were
broken, and in truth they were virtually broken before the law passed to tax the branches of
the United States Bank. . . .
The money lenders at one period of the late war [1812], would advance to the govern-
ment only seventy dollars in cash for one hundred dollars in government securities. The
bank of the United States, during the last year, advanced to the government one hundred
and six dollars in cash for one hundred dollars in the same securities.
A writer, referring to this era in our history, says he knew one manufacturer
" who was compelled to borrow from one house about thirty thousand dollars, and
paid as long as he could pay it monthly, at twentysix to thirty per cent." The
coin in circulation at that time was almost entirely Spanish, consisting of the silver
dollar and its half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth, the last two being known as
"four pence-ha'penny" or " fippeny bit," and "ninepence" respectively. There
was also a " pislareen " worth eighteen and three quarters cents. The last two of
these pieces being scarce, their place was supplied by cutting a quarter into two
or four pieces, which passed for a " ninepence" or a "fip" respectively, and were
known in popular parlance as " sharp shins." As late as 1852, Indiana, Illinois,
Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana and Michigan, furnished nearly all the circulation
IUnks and Hankinh. 30!>
used in Ohio. New Eii.-rland liaii whal was known as llio Sulfolk baTik system, !)>•
wiiicii all her banks were required to keep a speeitied amount on dejOTsit in
Boston, so as to keep their noles at par in that eity, and New York iiad adojiled a
safety fund system b}- wliicli tlie eirciihitioM w;is s(uii;'hi to lie made seciii-e Biii
the Metropolitan Dank Xnir llrpmi,,- of Felu-iiary 11, ISdii, cinliiiiiod a lirokers
notice that he would i)ureliase the notes of sixtytwo speeitied banks at a diseount
of from five to ninety ])or cent., and in the list of hunks which was published,
there were one hundred and twontyone "closed," thirty "broken" and nine
"worthless" in New York; and in New Enifland one hundred and twenty
" closed," thirty " broken " and twentysix " worthless."
The following is a list of notes current in Ohio at one time : Hank of Marietta,
Bank of Steubenville, Farmers' and Manufacturers' Bank of Steubenvillc, Western
Reserve Bank, Bank of Mt. Pleasant, Bank of St. Clairsvilic, Bank of Lancaster,
Bank of Chillicothe, Franklin Bank of Columbus, Dayton Manufacturing Com-
pany, Commercial Bank of Scioto and the Bank of Xenia. In ad<lition to the un-
trustworthy character of the bank notes in circulation, counterfeits were so abun-
dant, that it required the knowlege of an expert to avoid them. There were
counterfeits on a large portion of Ohio banks, as well as the Bank of the United
States. The engraving of the bank notes of that day was so poor, that it was not
a very difficult task to imitate them. In 1851, some of the notes of tiie Stale Bank
of Ohio having been counterfeited, the bank had a set of new plates engraved, and
80 perfectly was it done that no successful attempt to counterfeit any of them was
ever made. At the trial of the cashier of the Havre de Grace Bank, Maryland, in
1851, ho was acquitted because, as was claimed by the attorney, "all the opera-
tions of the bank were fictitious ; that the funds, soon after they were paid in by
the stockholders, were returned to them in New Y'ork where ail the money be-
longing to the concern was kept, so that there was notiiing left for the cashier to
steal."
In October, 1837, the Oliio 8t,H,' Joiinuil said the stockholders and directors
of several of the banks of Ohio, entertained serious intentions of closing their
banking business and diverting their capital to some species of investment which
would promise a better return. On the sixth and seventh of June, 1888, a conven-
tion of Ohio banks was held in Columbus, and a committee on resumption of specie
payments previously appointed, consisting of Messrs. Swan, Hubbard, W'oodbridge,
Moore and King, reported that,
Whereas, the General Assembly, by act of March l.S, is:!8, reiinircil resinM|iti(Mi by Ohio
banks on or before July 4, 1.S38, provided the banks of Xew York, Philadelphia iin.l l!;ilti
more shall at that time have resumed :
Kesolved, That it be recommended to the banks of this state to resume the payment of
their notes in specie on the fourth of July next, provided that authentic information shall
have been received that the banks of New York, Philadelphia and Ualtimore have resumed
tlie payment of their notes in specie.
2. In case said eastern banks do not resume July 4, Messrs. J. M. Creed, K. \V. Mc-
Coy and William Neil are appointed a commitlec to fix the day, and give information when
the banks shall resume.
400 History of the Citv op (;;oi,UMErs.
On the seconil of yViinust this committee issued notice that, believing that the
banks ofMassjuiuisctts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ken-
tucky, and Ballimore would resume the payment of tlioir bills in specie on the
thirteenth, they recommended to the Ohio banks to do the same. The Ohio State
Journal in announciuii; the fact adds that, "as the currency regains its original
strength, the hopes of the 'experimenters' sink."
IVih's's Register of Maj' 20, 1820, says, "the speciepaying banks of Ohio are
Chillicothe, Lanca.ster, Marietla, Belmont, Mt. Pleasant, Westoi-n Reserve and two
at Steubenville. The notes of the rest are goner;illy scvent}' to soventyfive per
cent, discount. Some of the liank notes ol' Columbus have heen sold at that rate
in the town of Columbus. The new banks of Kentucky have chiefly gone by the
board; the bills of the old banks are hardly disposed ot at Baltimore at twenty per
cent, discount. The same or a higher discount is required on those of Tennessee,
Mississippi and Alabama. Pennyslvania bills of banks west of the mountains,
are generall\ bad, except those of Pittsburgh, varying from fifteen to fiftyfive per
cent, discount, but happily scarce."
Niles's Register further says; "The following has been published as the true
' democratic' plan of operations when the Bank of the United States shall wind
up its af^'airs; 'A substitute for each state instead of a branch of the United
States Bank, iiicreasing the ca])ital of each state from one to ten millions (to be
owned and managed by the citizens of each state).' According to this plan Ohio,
Pennsylvania and New York would have had ten millions apiece." The Register
comments on this plan by saying, "with this project perfected how great would
be the 'division of the spoils' in presidentships, cashierships, directorships, clerk-
ships, and all sorts of agencies."
On the fourteenth day of February, 183t), the legislature of Ohio enacted a
law "to prohibit the circulation of small bills." The act provided that the
Treasurer of State should draw on the banks for twenty per cent, of their divi-
dend, with the proviso that if any bank should " prior to the fourth of Julj' next,
with the consent of its stockholders, bj' an instrument in writing under its
corporate seal, addressed to the Auditor of State, surrender the right conferred by
its charter to issue or circulate notes or bills of a less denomination than three
dollars, after the fourth of July, 1836, and any notes or bills of a less denomination
than five dollars after July 4, 1837," then the Auditor should draw for only five
per cent, of the dividend. And this legislation was enacted at a time when the
country was flooded with what was known as the " fippenny bit " or " shinplaster "
currency, issued by towns, corporations and individuals in amounts from five cents
up to a dollai'.
On the tenth of the following June, a convention of delegates from the banks
in the State was held in Columbus. The number of delegates in attendance indi-
cates the interest felt. The following is the list: From the Franklin Bank,
Columbus, Gustavus Swan and Alfred Kelley ; Clinton, Columbus, Jo.seph Ridgway ;
Commercial, Cleveland, T. P. Handy; Bank of Cleveland, John M. Woolsey ;
Bank of Marietta, Douglas Putnam ; Bank of Zanesville, D. W. Rhodes ; Bank of
Xenia, J. Hivling ; Bank of Chillicothe, Thomas James and Nathaniel Sawyer;
-^
Banks ani> Bankino. 401
Bank of NorwalU, G. Mygatt ; Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Stouhonville,
Daniel L. Collier; Conimorcial Bank of Scioto, 11. Buchanan and T. Irvin ; Bank
of Circieville, Joseph Olds and H. Lawrence; IJelmont Bank of St. (Mairsville, W.
B. Ilubliard ; Western Reserve Bank, Zalnion Fitch; Columbiana Bank of New
Lisbon, Charles D. Coffin ; Bank of Muskingum, R. Stillwell and B. Van Home ;
Farmers' Bank of Canton, John Harris ; Bank of Wooster, Joseph S. Lake ; Gran-
ville Alexandrian Society, A. G. Hammond and J. Baker; Lancaster Bank, J.
Creed and Samuel F. Maccracken ; The Miami Exporting Company, Daniel Gano.
Gustavus Swan was chairman and T. P. Handy secretary of the convention. The
object of the convention was declared to be to consider the propriety of surren-
dering that portion of the bank charters which allowed the issue of bills of a less
denomination than five dollars, and adopt other measures in relation to the act
before referred to. Resolutions were adopted recommending compliance with
the terms of the act, both by the banks which are and those which are not embraced
in its provisions. Among the resolutions adopted was the following:
Resolved that, in the present state of pecuniary embarrassment, it is, in the opinion of
this convention, the duty of the banks to extend to the community all the relief in their
power not inconsistent with the paramount duties of preserving a sound currency and secur-
ing their own safety.
On the seventeenth of April, 1837, a large meeting was held in the United
States Courtroom, compo.sed largely of leading citizens in attendance on the (Cir-
cuit Court, then in session, to consider the deranged state of the currency and the
measures adopted by the late, and persisted in by the pre.sent administration of the
General Government. Addresses were made by Colonel William Key Bond, Al-
fred KcUej-, General W. H. Murphy and Colonel Richard W. Thompson. A cor-
responding committee was appointed consisting of John L. Miner, r>ync Starling,
William Doherty, John W. Andrews and Joseph Ridgwa^-, Junior.
On June 2, 1837, the Ohio Staff Journal said : '• The fippenny bit note system
has now got completelj- under way in many parts of the country-, especially in the
eastern cities, and is dailj' being adopted in the principal business towns in Ohio."
On the twentieth of May, 1837, the delegates again met in convention, with W. B.
Hubbard, chairman, and J. Delafield, secretary. Among other resolutions the fol-
lowing were adopted ;
1. Each bank pledges itself not to sell, during the suspension, other than by
the exchange of coin for coin, any of its silver, gold or bullion.
2. The business of each bank shall be so conducted as to enable it to resume
specie payments at any moment.
3. The rate of exchange for sight drafts on Eastern cities not to exceed two
per cent.
4. Every bank to receive for debts due it pajirrat piir of hanks represented in
this convention.
5. Every bank to furnish the others its otticially I'crlificd statement ever}-
sixty days.
The statement of the banks of Ohio at this time showed liabilities, «9.r.74,747 ;
available means, 817,715,100. The Ohio Life ItisinuMee and Trust Company saved
402 History of the Citv of Columbus.
its charter by resuming, but succumbed ten years later. The newspapers contained
a notice of $32,000 of Eastern drafts for sale on liberal terms by D. W. Deslilur,
corner of High and Broad streets.
At a convention of Ohio banks held in Columbus on the twentyseventh of
June, 1839, of the thirtytwo banks in tlie State twentyfive were represented.
Among other tilings recommended was that frequent and frank disclosures should
be made between the banks, and by the banks to the public, as to condition and
business. This was subsequently effectually accomplished by the State Bank of
Ohio, every branch being required to make out on -the first of every month a com-
plete statement of its business on that day, which was forwarded to the Secretarj-
of the Board of Control, and by him tabulated and printed, and a copy sent to over j-
branch.
At a meeting of citizens of Detroit in January, 1820, it was agreed that the
notes of Ohio banks should be received at the following rates: Chillicothe, New
Lancaster, Marietta, St. Clairsville, Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Steuben -
ville, and Western Reserve Bank, at jmr, these banks paying specie; Miami
Exporting Company^ J=c>i..orfi ; Miami Banking Company ; Dayton Manufiicturing
Company; Zanesville Canal and Banking Company ; Urbana, Columbus, Canton,
Hamilton, West Union, and Commercial Bank of Lake Erie at twenty per cent,
discount.
As late as October, 1854, "wildcat" banking had assumed serious propor-
tions. The newspapers abounded in statements that monetary distress pervaded
all classes, and "the bank excitement was raging furiously." All the banks of
Columbus except the City Bank refused to receive any notes of banks west of Ohio
except the State Bank of Indiana.
The legislation of Ohio was very hostile to banks during the first fifty years of
the existence of the State, or until the year 1860. Repeated acts of hoslility were
passed changing the bank charters, especially by altering the manner of taxation.
By an act passed March 14, 1853, it was enacted that if a bank should refuse to pay
the lax assessed against it, which might be different from that jJrovided in its
charter, with a penaltj' of five per cent, within five days after notice, the treasurer
was authorized to seize any "gold, silver, or copper coin, bullion, bank bills,
promissory- notes or billsof exchange or other securities or chattels . . . of the bank,
or of any partner or member thereof," and any "commissioner" appointed to col-
lect such tax was authorized to pursue "said coin, bullion, bank bills, promissorj-
noles," &c., into any other couniy in the State to which they may have been re-
moved; and to perform their duties under the act, "the countj' treasurer or com-
missioner . . . shall have power to break and open any outer or inner door, win-
dow, or eiulosuro, and any vault, safe, chest, box, desk, drawer or other depository."
The county treasurer or commissioner was also made subject to a penalty of the
amount of taxes due, with interest and penalty of ten per cent, for any neglect of
duty. Such laws as these were enacted even after the Supreme Court of the State
had declared them unconstitutional.
By an act passed May 1, 1854, it was made unlawful " to pass, transfer, or cir-
culate, either directly or indirectly, or offer to pass, transfer or circulate, or cause
Banks and Hankim; 403
to 1)0 passoii, li-aiislonvd or circ-iilutfcl, or to rueoive or fiiu.so to he rocuivt'd, any
bank bill or note of less donoininatioii than ton dollars" issued by any bank out of
this State, under a ])enalt3', if a bank officer, of one hundred dollars; or if issued by
any other person, ten dollars ; and the bank officer must redeem the notes issued
" in srold or silver coin." The object of the law abolishing small notes was to bring
into circulation silver and gold coin —" Benton's Mint Drops," as the pieces were
then called, from an eloquent [lassage in one of Senator Henton's speeches in which
he represented the gold coins dropping from the mint, and every farmer carrying a
long silken purse, through the rnterstices of which the golden coin would glitter.
The bank of the United States had established a branch at Cincinnati January' 28,
1K17, and one at Chillicothe October 13, in the same year. The charter of the bank
provided the method of taxation, but the Slates Rights doctrine got possession of
the legislature of Ohio, and on the eighth of February, 1S19, an act was passed pro-
viding that " if, after the first day of September next, the Hank of the United
States . . . shall continue to transact banking business within this state" it "siiail
pay a tax of fifty thousand dollars per annum upon each office of discount and df-
positc." The act also taxed "each individual, company or association . . . that
shall commence or continue to transact banking business within this state after the
first daj' of September next" ten thousand dollars per yflar. The Auditor of State
was authorized to appoint " anj^ person " he might choose to collect the tax and,
in case payment was refused, and such person could not find in the hanking rooman}'
money, bank notes, goods, chattels, or other property whereon lo levy hesiiould go
into each and any other room or vault of such banking house, " and every closet,
chest, box, or drawer in such banking house to open and search" and take pos-
session of whatever might be found. If tiie levy should not be made, then the
"cashier, clerk or other persons . . . who have charge of the funds of the bank"
were lo be brought before the next court of common pleas, but if thej- were dis-
charged they must pay the costs.
On the Iwentyninth of January, \H-I\, ihc legislature of Ohio enacted a law to
withdraw from the Bank of the United Slates the protection and aid of the laws
ot the Stale in certain cases. Section one of that act made it unlawful, alter Sep-
tember first, for "any sheriff or other keeper of any jail within this Slate to receive
into his custody any person arrested . . . taken, oi' charged in execution at the
suit of the president, directors, and company of the Bank of the United States, or
any person committed for or upon account of any ort'ense alleged and charged to
have been committed upon the property, rights, interests or corporate franchises
of said bank." Section two prohibited any "judge, justice of the peace, or other
judicial officer" in the Slate from receiving -any acknowledgment in proof of
the acknowledgment of any deed or conveyance ot any kind wlialcvei' lo which"
the Bank of the United Slates was a party, " and no recorder shall receive into his
office or record any deed of conveyance of any description whatever" in which the
bank was a parly. Notaries were forbidden to make pnjtest of any note or bill
payable to the bank. Section four provided that for any violation of the provisions
of the act the sheriff should be liable to a fine of two hunilred dollars, and a judge,
justice or recorder to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, ami a notary should
404 History of the City of Columbus.
be removed from office. But section five was perhaps the most remarkable sjieci-
nien of legislation to be found in the history of the countr}-. It provided that if
the Bank of the United States should discontinue its suits in the courts of the
State brought to determine its rights under the laws of the State, and agree to pay
a tax equal to four per cent, on its dividends, then the Governor should i.ssue his
proclamation declaring the act suspended and that it ceased to have any effect.
Thus a bank chartered by Congress being objected to and an attempt to destroy
it having been frustrated by the courts, the legislature then outlawed it, deprived
it of all the usual means of even collecting a debt, and to give a romantic finish to
such legislation, if the bank would acknowledge itself beaten and do all that had
been demanded of it, the Governor was to repeal the act of the legislature by issu
ing his proclamation declaring it null and void. Why could not such legislation
be enacted against some obnoxious individual as well as against a bank ? The
following members of the legislature entered their protest against the passage of
this act: William Vance, James Cooley, James Harris, Jonathan Sloane, John E.
Parish, and William W. Gault.
On the passage of the act, the bank not ceasing to do business, the officei-s of
the State proposed to collect the tax. The bank applied to the United States
Court for an injunction, which was granted. Notice of the injunction was served
on the Auditor of State, but he issued a warrant for the collection of the tax, and
authorized John L. Harper to collect it. Taking with him Thomas Orr and J.
McCollister, on the seventeenth of September, he went to the Chillicothe branch
and demanded one hundred thousand dollars, which was refused, the refusal being
accompanied by notice of the injunction. Harper entered the vault and seized the
amount in coin and bank notes, and handed it over to the Treasurer of State.
Subsequent!}^, Samuel Sullivan, then State Treasurer, reported that the United
States Court had ordered him to return the amount taken from the United States
Bank, but inasmuch as the Auditor of Stale had issued no order as required by
law, he refused to comply, whereupon he was " placed in custody of the marshal "
and the keys of the treasury taken from him by " the commissioners named in the
writ, who entered the vault of the treasury and took therefrom the ninetyeight
thousand dollars" which had been taken from the bank at Chillicothe. Two
thousand dollars of the sum taken from the bank had been retained by the sheriff
as his fee. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision, and the Slate submitted,
but in January, 1821, the legislature adopted the following resolutions:
Tliat ill respect to the powers of the governments of the several states that compose the
Aiiicriiaii I'liion, and tlie powers of the Federal Government, this General Assembly do
rcio^tiii/.c and approve the doctrines asserted by the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in
Uuir ri'Si>lutions of Koveniher and December, 179S, and January, 18(J0, and do consider that
their jirinciples have been recognized and adopted by a majority of the American people.
That this General Assembly do assert and will maintain, by all legal and constitutional
means, the right of the State to tax the business and property of any private corporation or
trade incorporated by the Congress of the United States and located to transact its corporate
business witliin any state.
That the Bank of the United States is a private corporation of trade, the capital and
business of which may be legally taxed in any state where they may be found.
Banks and P.ANKiNii. 4(1.')
Tluit this fieiieral Assembly do protest iigaiiist the doctrine that the politieal rights nf
the sei)arate states that compose the American Union and tlieir powers as sucli sovereign
Stiites may he settled and deternuned in the Supreme Court of the United States so as to
conclude and bind them in cases contrived between individuals and where they are no one nf
them parties direct.
As ii lurllior illu.stralion of Iho sinj^ular Icgihilation of the )iei-ii)ci, the foUowiiiij;
may be cited : An act passed January 27, 1810, intended to jiroliibit the cii-eula-
tioM of tile notes of unincorporated banks provided liiat, if any |)ei-Non sliall rrerive
and otter in payment the bond, bill, noteor contfact of an}"^ banlv knowing; thesa?ne
to bo nnineor])Oi'aled, ))ayablc to bearer or to order, ho shall for siuli otiense for-
feit three times tjie amount of such bond, bill, note or contract.
On February 8, 1819, an act was ])a8scd which provided that it shall not be
hiwlul for any person within this State to purcba.sc, receive in payment, or receive
upon ail}- kind ofbarter or exchange whatever, any bank note or bank- notes for a
less amount than the sum expressed to 1)0 due in tiiu body thereof undei- a ]ieMally
of five hundred dollars.
In order to furnish a better currency for the State, the legislature, on Febiuiary
23, 1816, enacted a general banking law, incorporating the following batdvs : The
Franklin Bank, Columbus; The Bank of Lancaster, The Belmont Bank of
St. Ulairsville; The Commercial Bank, of Lake Erie; The Bank of Mount Pleas-
ant, and The Bank of West Union, with a capital of one hundred thou.sund dollars
each. The act was signed by Matthias Corvvin, President of the Senate, and Peter
Hitchcock, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The charter provided that
" the total amount of the debts which any one of said corporations shall at any
time whether by bond, bill, note or otherwise contract over and above the monies
actually deposited in such bank, shall not exceed three times the sum (jf cajiital
stock subscribed and actually paid into the bank, one half of which at least shall be
in s])ecie." The cajiital of every bank might be augmented to five hundred thou-
sand dollars bj' vote of the directors. One share in every twentytive was set apart
to the State in lieu of all taxes, the dividends on such shares to bo reinvested for
the State in stock until it should " amount to one sixth part of the whole stock of
each bank," thus making the State a stockholder and engaging it in the business
of banking. This law was-repealed in 182.5 by an act relinquishing the stock so set
apart, arid substituting in its stead a tax of two per cent, on the dividends from
the date of the charter uj) to that date, and four per cent, thereafter.
In the act incorporating the Franklin Bank of Columbus Samuel Parsons,
Lucas SuUivant, John Culler, John Kerr, Alexander Morrison, James Ivilbourn,
(jh" .1 avis Pike, and Henr}' Brown were authorized to receive subscriptions of slock
The bank was organized on the first Mondaj* in September, with Lucas Sullivant
as ])resident and A. J. Williams as cashier. Mr. Sullivant was succeeded as presi-
dent in 1823 by Doctor Samuel Parsons, who served until the expiration of the
charter. Mr. Williams was succeeded as cashier by William Neil, who served until
January 18, 1827, when James P. Espy was elected. The bank did a successful
and honorable business. In 183(5 it reported 8696,(;91 of loatis and discounts, and
S132,(;(;2 specie in its vaults. A writer in the B«nk,rs M,„j„~Jin stated ihal in
406 History of the City of Columbus.
1843-4, when resumption was effected, but eight of all the banks in Ohio remained
solvent, and among those reported as failing was the Franklin, which was an
erroneous statement.
In March, 1834, the Franklin Bank took possession of its now banking house
which is thus referred to in the Ohio State Journal of the eighth : " This is a hand-
some structure, presenting a front of cut freestone, with a portico to match, sup-
ported by four Doric columns. The whole of the building is completely fireproof
and aff'ords a creditable specimen of the skill and good taste of the artisans of our
ri.'^ing city."
At the expiration of its charter in 1843 the bank was closed, but on the
establishment of tbe State Bank of Ohio another bank with the same name was
organized as a branch of the State Bank. It began business on January 1, 1845, at
the southwest corner of High and Town Streets, with Gustavus Swan as president,
who served until the sale of the stock of the bank to D. W. Deshler, W. S. Sullivant,
Orange Johnson, and others, when Mr. Deshler was elected president and served
until the close of the bank, August 23, 1854. Mr. Espy resigned and formed a
partnership with Eli Kinney, of Portsmouth, as Kinne}', Espy k Co., bankers at
Cincinnati. Joseph Hutcheson succeeded him as cashier, but he too resigned to
form the firm of Hayden, Hutcheson & Co., and was succeeded by David Overdier.
The bank did a large and successful business, its discounts averaging from four to
five hundred thousand dollars per-arrnHHft. On closing its books it had but two
thousand dollars pastdue paper and nothing in litigation except one collection of one
hundred and twentyfive dollars, which was not in dispute. It turned over to the
Franklin National Bank, which succeeded it, four hundred thousand dollars of de-
posits. It paid liberal dividends to its stockholders and divided a large surplus
among them. In March, 1868, there were seventeen thousand dollars of its notes
still outstanding.
Upon the establishment of the National Banks the Franklin National Bank was
organized with D. "W. Deshler, William G. Deshler, John G. De.shler, Walstein
Failing, P. W. Huntington and James L. Bates as directors. It commenced busi-
ness in January, 1865, with D. W. Deshler president and Joseph Hutcheson
cashier, and a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with authority to
increase it to five hundred thousand. D. W. Deshler died August 2, 1869, when
John G. Deshler was elected president. He served until his death in January,
1887, when the bank was closed. Mr. Hutcheson resigned as cashier, and was
succeeded by C. B. Stewart, who served until the close of the bank.
In the year 1889 another bank was established by the name of the Franklin
Savings Bank, with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, Albert Goldstein beinsr presi-
dent, and S. A. P'rank cashier. This bank was in existence but a few months.
The Clinton Bank of Columbus was incorporated July 3, 1834, with a capital of
three hundred thousand dollars. The books for subscription to the stock were to be
opened at the store of Olmsted & St. Clair on the eleventh of August, according to
a notice liy Jesse Stone, Ralph Osborn, N. H. Swayne, William Neil, J. Patter-
son P. H. Olmsted and William Miner, published in the Ohio State Jovrnal of
July 19, 1834. The first directors were William Neil, Christopher Neiswander, D.
Hanks and 15ANK-iN<i. 1(»7
W. l)cslilir, l)oin:i> AdaiiiN, John r!iUiT.si)ii, Jesso Sloni', Nuiili II. Swiiyin!, .luMpli
Itidgwiiy, Bcla Liilliiim, Willium S. SiiUiviiiit, VVilliain Miner, O. W. Sliorwuuil
and Kiilliiuiicl Medbcry. Willium Neil waw the first prosidont and John Dclatii'id,
Junior, the cashier. Mr. Neil served as jircsident until 184(i, when William S.
Sullivan was elected and served until the expiration of tlieeharter in 1S54. John Iv
Jeffords was elected cashier in January, 1838, and serveil until his death in 1S42,
when D. W. Deshler took his place, and served until the close of the bank. The
Clinton Bank did a large business outside of the State. It was for a long time af-
ter the destruction of the United States Bank the only United States depository
west of the Ohio River. Payments on government works, the National lioa<l, the
mails and military posts and other government service were made by it, and the re-
ceipts of the land office at the village of Chicago, us it then was, were deposited in
it, being hauled thence to this place in wagons, under guard. The bank is said to
have had an average circulation of six hundred thousand dollars. In 18:i(; it re-
ported its loans and discounts at $557,139, and the specie in its vaults at «l-.i4,S7'J.
Many of the directors of the Clinton Bank will be recognized us men who were prom-
inent in the subsecjuent history of the city, as for in.stunce, Wiljiam Neil, D. \V.
Deshler, Bemas Adams. John Tatterson, Noah II. Swuyne, Joseph llidgway, l!.i:i
Latham, Wdliam S. Sullivunt, William Miner, und S. Medbery.
In Mny, 1835, u successful forgery was practiced on the Clinton I5anl< »)ii
the first ot that month a man giving the name of Lyman, who was stopping at
the National Hotel, presented at the bank a draft purporting to be drawn by the
Dccalur Branch Bank of Alabama on the Union Bank of New York for three
thousand dollars payable to David Leight or order, and endorseil by Leight ami
made payable to bearer. Lyman pretended to be traveling for his health. The
draft was promptly cashed by giving one thousand dollars Clinton Bank notes and
a draft for two thousand dollars on the Pluunix Bank, Now York. Lyman's draft
was forwarded to the I'hccnix Bank for collection and returned on the Iwelflh of
May as a forgery. Mr. Delafield, the cashier, and William Miner, a director, went
to Cincinnati in pursuit of Lyman, having traced him in that direction. Tiny
ascertained that a Cincinnati broker had cashed the Phcenix Bank draft for two
thousand dollars ten days before for a man calling himself James Wilson. They
secured evidence that Lyman had gone to Louisville. Upon going to that city,
in company with the Cincinnati broker, they discovered that a broker of that city
had lately changed three fifty dollar notes for a gentleman of the nameof laidlow,
of the most respectable character, for some lime a resident of Louisville. Upon
going to Ludlow's dwelling they identified him as Lyman, ulinx Wilson, lie had
represented himself as the son of a rich South Carolina planter, and had ctigaged
in marriage the daughter of a respectable citizen of Louisville. A newspai)cr
account of the case said : " Thursday last was to have been the wedding day.
Preparatory to his intended marriage, he (Lyman) had leased a house for three
years at six hundred dollars per annum, and was fitting it up with rich carpeting
and costly furniture, and had purchased a splendid pianoforte for his intended
bride." He had a large number of valuable articles in his possession, presumably
stolen, there being among other things a .seal of Bishop Mcllvaiiie. One of his
408 History of the City of Columbus.
trunks contained sixteen hundred dollars in nione_y. He was arrested and brouylit
to Columbus.
The Clinton Bank was authorized by its charter to draw and issue post notes
and bills of exchange on individuals, companies, or corporations, payable to order,
and at such places and at such time or day as the directors for the time being should
deem expedient. These post notes were violently opposed by the Democratic party.
The Clinton Bank commenced business at the southwest corner of High and
State Streets, from whence it removed to near the northwest corner of High and
Broad streets, where it remained until it was closed. An act to reeharter the
Bank was passed March 12, 1850, the original charter expiring in 1854. A rumor
was started in 1853 that this Bank had failed, or was about to do so, but the report
seems to have had no foundation.
In September, 18fil, William G. Deshler, cashier of the Clinton Bank, was
appointed by S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, an agent to receive subscrip-
tions to the National loan just issued. On the twentyfifth of the month he issued
notice that subscriptions to said loan would be received at the Clinton Bank, and
that the treasury .notes would be issued in sums of fifty, one hundred, five hundred,
one thousand and five thousand dollars, and bear interest at the rate of seven and
three tenths per cent., which would be two cents per day on every one hundred
dollars, the notes being dated August 19, 1861, and payable in three years. On
October 11, seventeen days after notice, it was announced that the amount sub-
scribed was 849,270, and b}' the following persons :
Mrs. Ann Eliza Deshler, $1,000; John G. Deshler, $100; Miss Kale Deshler, |.50; Miss
Mary E. Deshler, $.50; William G. Deshler, $.5,000; S. Burchard, $10; George W. Sinks,
$1,000 ; James F. Dyer, $700; George McDonald, $1,000; James M. Westwater, .f 1,000; D. VV.
Deshler, $10,000; Jacob M. Desellem, $50; Samuel E. Ogden, $1,000; G. Q. McColm, $.500;
Allen G. Thurman, $1,000; Jacob T. Conine, Sl,.500; Frederick J. Fay, $250 ; David L. Wood,
$500; Mrs. Susan E. Smith. $150; Jesse Jones, $50; William S. Sullivant, |I,500; Conrad
Greiner, $150; Joseph A. Montgomery, $100 ; William T. Bascom, |G00 ; Frederick Fieser,
$500; Mrs. Louisa Fieser, $1,000; Benjamin Talbot, $200; L. Donaldson, $100; William B.
Hubbard, 15.000 ; Mrs. A. A. Ogden, $100; Francis A. Marble, $100; Stanton Sholes, $300;
Roswell H. Kinney, $100; Mrs. Harriet Randall, 1500; Sherman M. Bronson, $500; Asa D.
Lord, $150; Harlowe Allen, $100; Ralph R. Anderson, $200; Mrs. Lydia A. Hershiser, $.50;
William A. Hershiser, $50; Jesse W. Dann, $500; Mrs. Ruth C. Bartlit, $100; Joseph
McCampbell, $1,000; James G. Bull, $400; Mrs. A. Claypoole, $750; Adam B. Crist, $100;
Mrs. Mary Bigelow, $100; William B. Hawkes, $3,000; Mrs. Mary M. Coggeshall, $100; Mrs.
Ruth Austin, $200; Richard Miller & Co., $500; John A; Lazell, $250; Mrs. Jeannette S.
Ridgway, $2,000; Mrs. Jeannette J. Ridgway, $700; Miss Esther A. Ridgway, $700 ; Alfred P.
Stone, $1,000 ; Mrs. E. G. R. Hills, $100 ; Mrs. Selina Andrews, $.550 ; Enoch S. Mcintosh, $400 ;
William A. Piatt, $500 ; total, $49,270.
January 3, 1887, the Clinton National Bank was established with a capital of
two hundred thousand dollars, and M. M. Greene, M. A. Daiigherty, W. M. Greene,
H. A. Lanman, and E. S. Warner, directors. M, M. Greene was president, and F.
W. Prentiss, cashier. M. M. Greene died January 26, 1887, when D. S. Gray was
elected president. The bank commenced business at the northeast corner of High
and Chestnut streets.
Banks anh liANKiNi;. I(i;)
The first bank lu issue notes lor circulation in Oliio was tlie Miami i'L\i«)rtin_n
Compan}-, which was incorporated in April, 1803. It was a trading company
merely, and its charter contained no reference to a bank or bank notes. Its author-
ized capital was five hundred thousand dollars in shares of one hundred dollars
each, payable at the rate of five dollars in cash and fortyfive dollars in ))ro(hKo and
manufactures during the first year, the remaining fifty dallars to be paid in pro-
duce and manufactures from July to March in the ensuing year if called for by the
president and directors. The company commenced business as a commercial coi'n-
pany, but there was a clause in the charter by virtue of which the directors claimed
the power to issue notes for circulation. Notes were accordingly issued, but, as
always happens in such cases, the time soon came when the notes became nncur-
rent, and nothing better being at command to redeem thcni a (■()llui)^c fulldwed.
This is a fair sample of the kind of bank notes which constituted the cunviu y of
Ohio during the first thirty or forty years of its existence.
To remedy this grievous public burden, the legislatures of several of llie then
Western States established State banks. Illinois created one in 1834 which was in
existence but about twelve years. Indiana chartered a similar institution in the
same j-ear which had a creditable history; and in 1845 the legislature ol Ohio
pas-iied an act to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio and other banks. This law
differed from any that had preceded it, inasmuch as it did notestahlish a State bank
proper, but the State Bank of Ohio was formed of branches located in all parts ol the
State. These branches severally elected a member of the Board of (Jontrol, which
board formed a legislature for, and had supreme control of, all the branclic-^. This
board met semiannually in May and November. Its fir.st meeting was held July
15, 1845, at which nine branches were represented. On the next day the board
organized by elcctinj; Gustavus Swan president, and James T. Claypoole secretary.
It was the duty of the president to sign the notes, which were then turned over to
the secretary to be by him issued to the branches, as provided by the charter.
In 1852 the board established a clearing bureau at its office in ("oluinlm^. to
which all "mutilated" notes unfit for circulation were returned and Ijunicd, and
for which new ones were issued in their place. The express business iIkii only
reaching the large towns, many of these notes were remitted by mail in |)ackagis
containing as much as fifteen hundred dollars, yet in an experience of several
years, but two packages were lost, one being sent from Steubenville ami one Irotn
Ripley, together amounting to less than four liniidicl dollars. A packai^c <d
twelve hundred dollars from Bridgeport had a narrow escape. The accompany-
ing sack containing the letter of advice was stolen, hut the sack with the money
in it escaped.
As an evidence of the amount of notes which it was necessary lor the secictary
to have on hand in order to be able to supj.ly all the demands of the branches, h
may he stated that he had, on the thirteenth of May, I.Sii2, of signel and unsigned
notes §2,734,749, which was considerably below the average amounl. In .May. 1S7(I.
there were still outstanding 8360,021.
The Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company tiiiled in .\ugii-t, ls.-,7. 'i'his
being an Ohio e.im].any, ami one in which the l>iinl<s of Ohio had eontidenee, its
410 History of the City op Columbus.
New York office was used by tliein veiy generally as a depository for their eastern
funds. At the time of its failure nianj' of the branches of the State Bank had
irearly as much as, and oneof them had more than the whole amount, of their capital
so deposited. Fortunately two leading members of the Board of Control — Daniel
Applcgiite, of Zanesville, and Noah L. Wilson, of Marietta — were in New York
and were successful in making an arrangement with the cashier of the Trust Com-
])any b}' which the deposits of the branches of the State Bank were secured. A
special session of the Board of Control was called, and so intense was the excitement
that Doctor Andrews, the president, who was suffering from asthma, hesitated in
his speech while addressing the Board, and after uttering a few incoherent words
fainteil and fell to the floor. He recovered in a few minutes, and finished his
remarks. At the last meeting of the Board, arrangements were made by which
the redeni])tion of all outstanding notes was secured, it being the wish of the Board
that no notes issued by a branch should ever fall below par.
During the twenty years of its existence the Board of Control occupied the
rooms now used by the Capital City Bank, and so unpretentious was its style that
there was never even a sign at the door to tell where the office of the State Bank
of Ohio might be found. Judge Swan served as president .until November 21,
1854, when he asked to be relieved, and Doctor John Andrews, who had been
vicepresidont, and was at the time president of the Jefferson Branch at Steubcn-
ville, was elected president. He served until November, 1866, when he was suc-
ceeded by Joseph Hutchcson, who served until the final meeting of the Board May
17, 1870, when the Board was finally dis.solved. James F. Claypoole was elected
secretary of the Board at its first meeting, and .served until January, 1847, when
he accepted the appointment as cashier of the Mad Kiver Valley Branch, at Spring-
field, and James Gillet was elected in his place, and served until March, 1850, when
John J. Janney was elected. Mr. Jannej- served until May, 1865, when E. C.
Hull was chosen as iiis successor. Mr. Hull served until the final adjournment of
the Board,
In 1862 the legislature authorized the banks of Ohio to suspend specie pay-
ments. The brokers of the country were more thoroughly oi-ganized than the
banks. A broker in Cleveland would select all the notes he could get in the
neighborhood of Cincinnati, and send them to a correspondent in that city and
receive in retui'n all in his own vicinity. The circulation in the country was being
i-apidly returned to the banks with no benefit to anybody except the broker.
On February 26, 1839, the Mechanics' Savings Institution was oisened for busi-
ness in what was known as the Eussell Building, on or near the spot now occu-
pied by the Johnson Building. The following notice was published by this con-
cern : '■ Deposits will be received until farther notice on the following terms and
rates of interest ; six per cent, per annum, with one year's notice of withdrawal, five
per cent, with nine months' notice; four per cent, with six months' notice; three
])er cent, with four months' notice. Weekly deposits of five dollars and upward
will be allowed four per cent, per annum. On business deposits, to be withdrawn
qM> at will interest would be allowed." This is the first socalled Savings Institution
ilANKS AND BaNKINC II 1
estiiblislnMl ill tlio city. Tlu' Mcchiinics' Savings liistilution wms smcordrd liy the
(;ily Hank in 1S45.
At tho first of tiio niccling of the Board u\' Control of llic Slulo liank, llir
Exchange Branch of tiiu State Bank was ailniiltcd us a Inane li. it hail mm
incneed business on the twentyfoiirth of May preceding, with a capital of nnr iniii-
drod and twentyfive thousand dolhirs. W. B. Hubbard, I). T. Woodluiry, .1.
Edwards Pierrepont, Oren Follctt, Peter Hayden and Lincoln Goodalu were
directors, with W. B. Hubbard i)resident. and II. M. Hubbard cashier. On
January 7, ISSU, M. L. Neville, who succeeded H. M. Hubbard as cashier, resigne.l,
and C. J. Hardj' was elected cashier, and P. W, Jlunlington telKr. D. \V.
Dcshlcr was then elected president. The bank diti husiiiess in the biiildiuii
erected by The Franklin Bank, where the First National Bank now stands, and in
1856 removed to the northwest corner of High and Broad streets. At the ex])ii',i-
tion of the charter of the Exchange Branch, the National Exchange Bank was
organized with William Dennison, D. W. Deshler, William A. Platl, W. B.
Hawkes, James S. Abbott, and William G. Deshler as directors ; 1). W. Dosi.lir
being president, and 0. J. Hardy cashier." The capital stock was one hundred
thousand dollars. At the death of David W. Deshler, July 80, 186;», William G.
Deshler was elected president. The National Exchangi; Bank has been since
its organization a United States Depository, in which are deposited eolleclions
from customs and other funds of the government, lidm whieh ]ia\nunls foi- |ien-
sions, mail service and other public claims are paid. Just after the organization
of the National Exchange Bank it found itself burdened with the bonds o( an
insolvent railwaj- company, but it boldly shouldered the load and sunk it out of
sight in the jirotit and loss account, and has had a remarkably piiisperoiis
existence.
As an illustration of tho knowledge and watchfulness re<juired on the ])art of
bank officers, the following " Cashier's Christmas Stor\-," for which the writer is
indebted to Mr. C. J. Hardy, cashier of the National Exchange Bank, is interest-
ing :
On the twenty.second day of Decenil)er, t.S.")i;, a man piirportin;; to he i'nj.',i^'e(l in huyin';
produce in ttie country around Uohimbus, presented at the counter of llie E.\clian}.'c I'.raiich
liank, located in the old Deshler Buildinjfat the northwest corner of Ilijjli and Broacl strccl>',
three hundred and eighty dollars in the new twenty-ilollar notes of the Troy City Bunk nf
New York, ami requested therefor the same amount in '• red backs," as the circulation of the
State Branch Banks was called by reason of the red desis,'a printed on the backs of llie notes.
Accordingly a package of five hundred dollars in new l)ills was taken from the teller's drawer
and the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars taken out and passed over to the stran;.'er.
About noon of the twentysixth H. K. Grcble, teller of Harshuiim & (iornian's Bank, at l»Ky-
ton, Ohio, sat rea'ling in the Cincinnati Cidzrllf a description of a very ilaiigerouslwentyd'dlar
note on the Troy City Bank of New York, said defcription having been written l.y .Mr.
George Jones, a niPnd>er of Raw.lon, Wright, Hatch &. Co., who had engraved a jiart of llie
genuine plate. While reading, Mr. (Jreble was interrnpteil by a stranger who presented for
exchange three of the very counterfeits of which he had just read the description. Calling
to his side counter one of the clerks, he sent him (|iiiel1y hnt qnickly for an oOicer, ami in idi-
some excuse for dela> to the stranger, who after waiting a few moments, l)ecame suspiclmis,
snatched his three notes from tlie counter, and started for the do<ir Imt there encountereil
412 History of the City ok Columbus.
the officer and clerk as they came in, and was arrested. On searching liitu tlie three notes
could not be found, and the question arose as to how he could be held, but this was solved
by discovery of the Excliange Branch notes, and by answer to a telegram received the same
afternoon from Harshman & Gorman enquiring: " Did you excliange I.^SO of your circulation
for twentydollar Troy Notes ? If so, come first train ; liave caught the counterfeiter." I
answered: "Yes; will come first train in the morning." The early Christmas morning train
carried me to Dayton, where I was met by a city officer, and was informed that they were
waiting for me to identify the suspected party at the Mayor's office. Business being closed,
the Mayor's court was filled with people. I was taken into the crowd and requested to find
my man. This was a new business for me, but I went to work on the crowd with my eyes,
and after a minute or two discovered the rascal standing just at my right. I turned and
putting my finger up to his face said : " You are the man." After he was committed to jail
I was requested by the Mayor to describe the money I had paid to the suspected man, which
I did by giving the numbers and denoininations of the bills. I was jjermitted to take tlie
money back to Columbus. On arriving at the bank 1 sat down to see if I could get back one
of our counterfeit Troy twenties which had been expressed to Atwood & Co., bankers, New
York, for our credit, as was our custom in making New York Exchange of all eastern money.
I wrote to Atwoo<i & Company requesting them to send me one of those "dangerous Troy
notes," and in due course of mail received the reply that they had been very fortunate and
had not taken any. To close the story we got credit for $380 with Atwood & Company, and
got back the same amount of circulation that was given in exchange, making a neat Christ-
mas gift to the Branch Bank, which was credited to tte account of profit and loss. About
three thousand dollars of these counterfeits were destroyed at the clearing house at Albany',
New York, without being recognized as counterfeit.
The act iiieorponitino; the State Bank of Ohio provided for the ostablishraeiit
of independent batiks. In relation to the branches of the State Bank, the only
security that their notes would be i-edeemed in ease of failure was the responsi-
bility of the other branches, each branch being responsible for the redemption of
the notes of all the rest. The independent banks deposited with the Treasurer of
State bonds on which they received ninety per cent, of circulation. The result
demonsti-ated that the State Bank system was equally as safe as the other, for
while out of fortyone branches established six failed, their notes circulated just as
well as before, were received by all the branches and all other parties in the State
at par with those of the solvent branches, and were returned to the office in
Columbus, redeemed from a fund provided for the purpose, and burned.
Among the independent banks established was the Cit}' Bank of Columbus,
which commenced business in 1845. William S. Sullivant, Noah H. Svvaync,
William M. Awl, Samuel McClelland, Orange Johnson, and William A. Piatt were
the first directors. Joel Buttles was president until his death in 1850, when
Eobert W. McCoy took his place, and filled it until his death, when William A.
Piatt became president and served until the bank was closed. Thomas Moodie was
cashier during the existence of the bank. He had been cashier of the Mechanics'
Savings Institution which was closed at the organization of the City Bank. The
capital, 8450,000, was the largest bank capital in the city. The bank was located
in the east room of the building at the southeast corner of High and State streets,
which was erected and occupied by the Columbus Insurance Company. That
Company failing in 1851, the City Bank, which was tlosely affiliated with it, tried
to help it, hut, as is very apt to be the result of such friendly efforts, they both
Hanks anh BANKiMi. • li:!
went down togotlior. Tlic notes ot lln' liank uci-o iimIccmu'iI l.y llic 'rir.i-iir.i- nl
State, and the creditors were paid in full.
Miller, Donaldson & Company coiuim'uccd a jn-ivatr Wankii,,- imsincss in lS,-)4.
in the room formerly occupied by the Columbus Insurance Company, whence they
removed one door oast in 18(il. Mr. Donaldson had been in business with C. A.
Bain as L. Donaldson cV- Company, the (litizens' Savini,'s Hank, and (". A. Hain .V
Company one door further east, during a short time, but Mr. Hain haviiii;- Kli
the city^ Mr. Donald.son, John Miller, and A. II. Greene formed a |>ai( n.Tsliip as
Miller, Donaldson & Company, and did a sucressfiil business until ISS'.t .Mr.
Greene retired in 1S57. Mr. Miller died in ISSS, uud .Mr. I),.nald.s„n a lew monihs
after the close of business.
The banking house of Ilickly i*c Brother was establi.-ihed in 1S57 by S. S.
Eickly and J. J. Rickly. In 1S70 the Junior jiartncr retired, and S. S. Ilickly con-
tinued the business alo'nc until 1875, when the Capital City Bank was incorporated
with a capital of fifty thousand dollars and W. S. Sl.rum, J. VV. Souder, G. W.
Bright, S. S. ilickly and R. 11. Rickly, as directors, S. S. Rickly being president
and II. R. Rickly cashier. Rickly & Brother occupied at first the building formerly
used by the Exchange Bank, but subsequently moved into the room at the south-
east corner of High and State streets, whore they remained until the formation of
the Capital City Bank, which commenced business at its present location in the
room formerly used by the Board of Control of the State Bank. While in business
alone Mr. S. S. Rickly made an assignment atone lime, not because of taihire but
in order to protect himself against an unjust claim, after the arrangement of whieh
he resumed, having paid all creditors in full.
The writer is indebted to Mr. S. S. Rickly for the following letter, u hi,h he
wrote to the president of the First National Bank of Denver ;
Though a total stranger to you, I desire to condole with you in the loss of money you
have sustained on account of a villain, as reported by telegraphic dispatches from your city,
and also to congratulate you ou your escape with life and limb. Two episodes in my life as
a banker will doubtless satisfy you that you pursued the wisest course under the trying
circumstances. Some ten years ago, during the dinner hour, when I was alone in the bank
for a few minutes, two men stepped in, one handing me a package of one hundred new one
dollar bills. The other, after I had commenced counting the package, re<|uesteil me to change
him a gold piece. Tlds necessiuted my going into the vaidt, and thinking to be back in a
moment I unfortunately le(t the safe open, but on one pretext or another I was kept out of
sight of the safe and vault while a third confederate entered by a rear window and succeede<l
in abstracting some six thousand dollars in currency ami some fourteen thousand dollars in
government and city coupon bonds. In the mean time the second party, who ha<i heen pro-
vided, as I learned afterward, with a revolver, and only waited the necessity of using it to
accomplish their i)urposes;, left the room and I finished counting the one hundred dollar
package and gave the party a diaft on New York for it, as he desired when he left the room.
One of my clerks couung in, I remembered leaving the safe open, and, ui)on examination, to
my astonishment found the above mentioned property gone. If I had discovered their trick
in time, I would douhtless have resisted and my life would have been taken. I have never
recovered any of the stolen property except one thousand dollars of our City Hall bonds,
which had been pledged to a hank in New York, an.l from which a fiien<l obtrnned them by
paying fifty cents on the dollar for tlieni.
414 History op the City op Columbus.
The next episode was nearly nine years ago, when a fellow about noontime came into the
bank and presented a certificate of the trustees of one of our bankrupt coal firms, calling for
about one hundred dollars, and said in an imperative manner: " Give me fifty dollars. " I
looked at the certificate, which was wrapped in an envelope, and saw that several payments
had been indorsed on it, leaving but seventy dollars due him. I said to him, calling him by
name, for he was a resident of this city, "I do not know what this is worth, and I don't want
to take anything from you, if it is worth more than fifty dollars." He said in the same peremp-
tory tone as at first: "Give me thirtyflve dollars." I said kindly but firmly to him, " I have
not got the money to spare," and as quick as thought he presented a revolver to my forehead
and fired. The last I saw was that revolver within an inch of the middle of my fore-
head, and in my efiort, I presume, to escape the consequences I must have slightly turned
my head, for the ball entered my left temple and passed through both eyes, lodging against
the right cheekbone. Two thoughts seemed to be passing slowly through my mind ; one was,
"is this fatal ?" the other, " shall I fall ? "
My son, who was in the next room and heard the conversation but did not see either
of us, says I fell instantly, although it seemed several seconds at least while I felt the excru-
ciating pain and the light of day forever passing from me. He aimed at my son who was
coming to my assistance but who succeeded in escaping from the room, and going out to the
street called for assistance. In the mean time the wouldbe assassin went around behind the
counter where I lay, apparently to see if I was dead, and thinking, no doubt, that I was dead,
shot himself dead, and never bled a drop or made a stir. The report of that shot brought
me to consciousness, and I thought he was shooting at my son, while he and a former clerk
who happened along, hearing the report, thought he was still shooting at me, and, taking
their lives in their hands, came in to my assistance. They picked me up and laid me on a
lounge, and I said to my son, " are you hurt ? " He said no, but that the villain lay there dead.
I am still living, but totally blind, and am having this written by an amanuensis. Of course life
is sweet, and it is gratifying to possess that which all men aim to get — money and posses-
sions — but oh, how much sweeter would be the light of day, at least to me without one
dollar or one foot of ground, and you, my dear fellow-banker, may congratulate yourself and
yours on your fortunate escape. We now have our windows screened, our counters screened,
and I might say we have our conscience screened. The dour to my private room is con-
stantly locked and no one admitted unless he be known or can identify himself.
The banking house of Hayden, Huteheson & Company was organized in 1866,
with a slock of $75,000. The firm was composed of Peter Hayden, William B.
Hayden, and Joseph Huteheson. Mr. Huteheson retired in 1871, alter which the
firm comprised Peter Hayden, Charles H. Hayden, William B. Hayden, and E. K.
Stewart, witii Mr. Stewart as cashier. Peter Hayden died April 6, 1888, but the
firm name and the bu.sinessof the bank were not thereby' changed. The Company
began business at Number 13, South High Street, in the rooms formerly occupied
by the State Bank of Ohio, but subsequently removed to the present location on
East Broad Street.
The banking house of Eeinhard & Company began business December 1, 1868,
and was composed of Jacob Reinhard, Thomas Miller, Frederick Fieser, and
Joseph Falkenbach, with a capital of twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Miller retired
in a short tirne, as did Mr. Falkenbach in 1884, after which the firm comprised
Jacob Reinhard and Frederick Fieser. Mr. Fieser died in 1891.
The Fourth National Bank began business in January, 1870, with a capital of
$100,000. It was the successor of the Bank of Commerce, which had been estab-
lished a short time, W. S. Ide, president.
<« in J.i
„n,n-y, IST/ Mr. Sp;
imo Hill
OS, Taylor .V Coiiii.an.v
I M. Wa
ll<cr, aiul David W. lii
Banks and Banki
Sparrow, Hines & Com|)any be_>,'aii Imsii
retired in a short time, and the firm tiu'ii Ix
consisted of O. P. Ilincs, David Taylor, James
From the death oT members and change of ownershi|) the tirni lias clianj^'o.! to !».
W. Brooks and.C. P. L. Butler. D. VV. Brooks died .lanuary HI, ISlll.and vvm>
succeeded oy hi.s son, Herbert Brooks. Mr. Butler died in ISiU.
The Deshler Bank was established May 1, 1879, by William (J. l)(s!il.r,
GeorffcW. Sinks, and John G. Deshler, Junior, with a capital of 8100,0(10, and (1.
W. Sinks as president, and John G. Deshler as cashier. It occupies I'ooms on the
northwest corner of High and Broad streets, in a new hnildinir on the sjwjt for-
merly occupied by the Exchange Bank. On June 15, 1891, the Deshler Bank was
reorganized as the Deshler National Bank, and, as the law required in cities such
as Columbus, increased its cajjital to ^200,000. The organization of the bank was
not changed, and the business was passed over to the new organization.
In 1879, J. H. Anderson & Company established the People's Deposit I'.Miik on
the north side of Broad Street, a few doors cast of High. It existed but a slioit
time.
The First National Bank commenced business December 7, 18()3, with a capi-
tal of $300,000. P. Ambos, William Monypeny, E. T. Mithoff, W. B. 15rooks, and
D. A. Randall, were the directors; P. Ambos being president, and T. P. Gonlon
cashier. At the death of Mr. Ambos, William Monypeny was elected president.
The bank was closed b^' vote of the stockholders in 1890, and i-eorganizod with the
same capital and officers, as the National Bank of Columbus. During its existence
as the First National, it did a large mid successful business, jiayiiig satisfactory
dividends on its stock, which it returned to its stockholders witli a premium of
sixty per cent.
Ide, Bailey & Company did business for a short time, before 1863, wiien, in
company with N. Schlee. they established the Central Bank, with W. E. Ide as
president and L. C. Bailey as cashier. In 1867 the firm of Bailey, Thompson &
Company^ (L. C. Bailey and John G. Thompson) carried on business for a brief
period. In 1876 Bailej', Thompson & Company, B. E. Smith &. Company and W.
E. Ide organized as the Central Bank, with W. E. Ide president, and L. C. Bailey
cashier. This concern had but a short life, but closed it honorahly.
P. W. Huntington & Company commenced business January 1, 186(), at the
northwest corner ot High and Broad streets. The firm consisted of P. W. Hunt-
ington and D. W. Deshler. Since the death of Mr. Deshler, August 1, 1869, Mr.
Huntington has been in business alone in a fine banking hou.se which he erecto<l
on the southwest corner of High and Broad Streets. The firm of P. W. Hunting-
ton & Company was the successor of the Deshler Savings Bank, which was estab-
lished by the same piirties, but was closed after a few years' business on account of
what was deemed to be unfavorable legislation.
The Citizens Savings Bank was incorporated in July, 1.S73, with a capital of
8100,000. The directors were Henry Miller, John R. Hughes, E. L. Uinraan, John
Beatty, and A. D. Rogers, John Bealty being president, John Beatty. Junior, sec
retary and F. R. Sliinn cashier. It has been successfully managed, and has paid
41G History op the City of Columbus.
out during tlio first fiftecD years of its existence one hundred and sixtyfive
thousand dolhxrs in interest on savings deposits.
The Columbus Savings Bank was oi'ganized March 7, 1881, with E. L. Hinman
as president, J. R. Hughes vice president, B. N. Huntington treasurer, C. D. Hin-
man secretary, and E. L Hinman, J. R. Hughes, B. N. Huntington, John Beatty,
Charles G. Henderson, Charles D. Hinman, G. T. Tress and J. P. Oglevee as
trustees. Its banking oflfice is in the Park Hotel Building, North High Street.
The Mechanics' and Manufacturers' Bank was established September 5, 1881,
by J. \V. King and W. D. Park, with a capital of $100,000. At the death of Mr.
King, in 1885, George M. Peters was elected president and Howard C. Park
cashier. The bank occupies a fine banking house built for the purpo.so, at the
southeast corner of High and Spring streets.
In 1869 Orange Johnson, F. C. Sessions and J. A. Jeffrey established the Com-
mercial Bank at the southeast corner of High and Long streets, which did a suc-
cessful business until 1881, when the business was turned over to Sessions & Com-
pany, who have since done a business as investment bankers with a capital of thirty
thousand dollars, dealing in stocks, bonds and mortgages. In 1881 the Commercial
National Bank was established with a capital of $200,000. F. C. Sessions was-presi-
dent, Benjamin S. Brown vice president, and W. H. Albery cashier. The directors
were Benjamin S, Brown, T. Ewing Miller, C. D. Firestone, William G. Dunn, John
Joyce, M. McDaniel, Walter Crafts, and W. A. Mahony, since which time D. E.
Putnam has succeeded Mr. Dunn, and Jesse W. Dann has replaced Mr. Crafts.
Mr. Sessions and Mr. Albery have been in their preseut positions over twenty
years. The bank has done a large and profitable business. At the time of its
establishment, the friends of Mr. Albery advised him not to accept a position offered
him in it, because its location was thought to be so far from the business of the
city that it would get but little custom. At the end of nine years, it is one of the
three largest banks in the city, and there are four banks north of it, still further
away from what was thought to be the business center.
The South End Bank was established in 1882, with H. MithofiF president,
L. Lindeman vice president, and P. W. Corzilius cashier. It was in existence only
six years when, by reason of the cashier's default, the directors determined to close
it, which was done by an assessment on the stockholders.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank commenced business September 5, 1889,
with D. E. Sullivan, Ephraim Sells, J. M. Loren, Charles M. Jaynes, and George
J, Atkinson as directors, D. E. Sullivan being president, and Charles M. Jaynes
cashier,
The Ohio Savings Bank began busine.ss in May, 1888, with a capital of thirty-
seven thousand five hundred dollars. John Siebert was its president, Isaac Eberly
vice president, and Emil Kiesewetter cashier. The capital .stock has since been
increased to $52,500.
John F. Bartlit and F. K. Hulburd established a banking house in July, 1850,
with a capital often thousand dollars. B. E. Smith became a member of the firm
in September, 1851, and the firm name was consequently changed to that of
Bartlit, Hulburd & Company. Mr. Hulburd retired from the firm in 1883, after
CC^.yS ^ J^c^O-z:i.^tK^^
■mm^^^^^mjim;'.
Hanks am. Bankin.; 117
wliiL-li llio luisiiu'ss WHS (.•omiiKtod hj- l^artlil .\: SmitlL with a cajiital of twoiily
thousaml dollars. William Fcrson was cashier. The concern did ti pros])erou8
business, but Mr. Smith liavinj; become largely interested in railways, llio financial
weakness of which was developed by a comniei-cial crisis, the banking house of
Hartlit * Smith was carried down with them. It was accordingly dosed in July,
1S77, and was unable to pay its creditors in full.
Two ^young men who had been connected with the business of Bartlit &
Smith opened a banking office in the same room under the firm name of iMoodie
iV Hubbard, but their enterprise was shortlived and not successful. The house of
IJartiit iV Ilulburd had been preceded in the same room by the firm of Preston &
Com])any, which was in e-xistencc only a (ew months. About the same time, in
1851, William A. Neil and William .M. Finch opciu-d a private hank which existed
only a few months.
The banks of Columbus, both incorporated and private, have been well
managed. There have been thirtyfour different organizations, of which sixteen
yet continue. Only four have failed, and, of these, two paid their creditors in full.
In 1879, the Columbus Clearing House showed balances amounting to
830,773,S00. In 1889 the balances rose to S131, 154,900, the individual deposits to
8105,786,000, and the loans and discounts to $19,998,000.
In 1848 Columbus contained only four banks, with an aggregate capital of
S7-J2,925. Their resources were S2,(;75,000, and their liabilities 82,390,070. There
are now in the city twelve incorporated banks and four private ones, with a total
cajiital of 81,518,000.
The following statement, compiled from the reports of the National banlcs to
the Comptroller of the Currency and of the otliLT banks to the Coiiiily .Vuditor, for
the year 1889, shows the business of the Coliiinlms banking irislilMtinns at that
RKSOUWES.
I-oans and disrount", . }f).:578,00')
United Slates and other Iwnds ai8,S8;5
Checks ami i-asli items (1110,028
Bank notes of other banks, 2!ll,8.')2
Specie, ;!7:{,,s(l.^.
Heal estate 140,sO(i
Other availal)li' a-=sets, ....... i)7."),l.")2
Total $8,778,071
I,IAmi.ITIH>l.
Capital stock .|;i,.51S,()ii()
Surplus aii<l umliviilcd profits, ^.")S,(1U
Notes in circulation, 2(l'_'.(M)()
Imlividual depositors, 5,788.071
United States deposit, H0,(l.-)2
Due other l.anks SIM,:!.")!
Total #S,(iJl,llS
418 History of the City of Columbus.
Deducting capital, surplus and undivided profits, these banks have a net sum
of eight and a half millions of resources against a little over six and a half of
liabilities.
The improvement of the currency which has taken place during the last fifty
years of the period covered by this sketch is one of the most notable facts in the
history of banking. As late as 1842 the writer, then a citizen of Warren County,
Ohio, collected a note in Utica, Licking County, for the sum of sixty dollars. On
receiving the money he perceived that none of it was current in Warren County,
but it was the best the debtor could pay. This event was brought back sugges-
tively to the writer's mind a few years ago by the casual inspection of a package of
the national bank currency of twentyone localities in nineteen diiforent States,
every dollar of which was just as valid and ju.st as current in one part of the
American Union as in another.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE PRESS. I.
nv OSMAN C. HOOPER.
[Osnian Ua.stle Hooper was liorn April 10, IS.'jS, near Alexandria, Lickin;; Comity, Ohio.
His fatlier, Richard Hooper, of RnglLsh birth, was then postmaster and merchant in the vil-
lage. His mother, Celestia (Castle) Hooper, was the daughter of Augu.stus Castle, one of those
sturdy Vermont farmers who came in the early part of the century to make their homes
in Ohio. Mr. Hooper attended school at Alexandria, at Central College and Columbus, and
took a college course at Denison University, Granville, Ohio, graduating there in 1870 with
the degree of A. B. He began newspaper work in the spring of 18.S0 on the Erening Dispntch,
with which ]>aper he has been connected in some capacity continuously, with the exception
of about a year in lS,S(>-7. In the spring of 1887, he became editor and part owner of the
Sunday Morning News, a relationship which he still maintains.]
Churches and newspapers were among the fiivst outgrowths of that civilization
wliifh, in tl»e latter ])art of the eighteenth coiiliiry, came westward and laid claim
to the NorthwcHt Territory. The first settlement in Ohio was made at Marietta by
the Ohio Company, April 7, 1787. The first church on Ohio soil was erected at
Columbia, five miles above Cincinnati, in 1700, and the tii'st newspaper in the
territory now the State of Ohio, was established at Cincinnati by William Maxwell,
November 9, 1703, under the name of the Sentinel of the Northwest Territory.
The white population within the present State boundaries was, in 1700, about
3,000, the population of Cincinnati at the time of the beginning of Mr. Maxwell's
venture being between 700 and 800. Chillicothe was laid out in 17110, and in 1800
the Scioto Gazette was founded bj- Nathaniel Willis and has existed ever since
in various measures of prosperity and power. Similarly in other settlements, the
newspaper came early as an essential exponent of the thought that was then mov-
ing these sturdy pioneers. It served, too, an educational purpose, and played
no small part in directing the energies of the people oven before the days of state-
hood.
In 180S, Ohio was admitted to the Union as a State. Seven j'oars later, there
wore fourteen newspapers published within its borders. Of these the principal
ones were : The Scioto Gazette and the Su])]>ortor, both Federalist organs, published
at Chillicothe; the Fredonian and the Independent Republican, both organs f)f the
then Republican (now Democratic) party, also published at (-'hillicotho; the Whig
and the Liberty Hall, both of Cincinnati ; the Ohio Gazelle and the Commentator,
[410]
420
History of the City of Columbus
both of Marietta; tlie Ohio Patriot, of New Lisbon, and the Western Herald, of
SLeubcnville. Papers were also published at Zanesville, St. Clairsville luul Lebanon.
As settlement and civilization progressed, the list of newspapers grew. Some
of the earliest born served their purpose and died or passed out of existence
for other reasons. But others came to fill the vacant plac
wants, and there was continually a net gain in the number
Columbus Gazette, now the Ohio State Journal, the follow
taken :
LIST OF NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN OHIO
Clevelan.l Herald ; . . . .
Western Reserve Chronicle
Ohio Patriot
Ohio Repository ....
Ohio Spectator
American Standard ....
Delaware Gazette ....
Franklin Chronicle ....
Columbus Gazette ....
Ohio Monitor
Olive Branch
Ohio Eagle (English)
Ohio Eagle (German) ....
Newark Advocate ....
Muskingum Messenger and Democratic
Republican ....
Express & Public Advertiser .
Tuscarawas Chronicle ....
Harrison Telegraph ....
Wcbtern Herald and Steubenville
Gazette
The Philanthropist (4to) .
American Friend
Belmont Journal ....
Scioto Gazette & Supporter .
Weekly Recorder (4to)
Hillsborough Gazette and Highland
Advertiser ....
Political Censor
Scioto Telegraph and Lawrence Gazette
The Benefactor
Farmers' Friend ....
Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette
Western Spy an<l Weekly Advertiser
The Inquisitor
The Volunteer
Eaton Weekly Register
Ohio Watchman ....
Western Star
Ohio Interior Gazette
Farmers' Advocate ....
C. Willes & Co.
Hapgood & Thomjison
William D. Lepper
John Saxton .
J. Clingam & Co.
Charles Colerick
Jacob Drake
Griswold & Spencer
P. H. Olmsted .
David Smith .
William B. Thrall
John Hermann
es and to supply new
of papers. From the
ng interesting table is
S21.
Cleveland.
Warren.
New Lisbon.
Canton.
Woosler.
Mt Vernon.
Delaware.
Worthington.
Columbus.
Columbus.
Circleviile.
Lancaster.
E. T. Cox .
O'Harra & Barrett
James Patrick
Joseph Tingley
James Wilson
Elisha Bates .
Royal Prentiss .
A. Armstrong ,
George Nashee .
John Andrews
Moses Carothers
James Finley .
C. Hopkins
Loudon, Butt & Co.
William A. Camron .
Morgan, Lodge & Co
Looker, Palmer & Reynol
J. M. Mason
T. L. Murray
Samuel Tizard
Robert J. Skinner
A. Van Vleet .
Kendall & Denny
S. H. Rodgers
Newark.
NewPhiladelph
Cadiz.
Steubenville.
Mt. Vefftea.
Marietta.
St. Clairsville.
Chillicothe.
Hillsborough.
West Union.
Portsmouth.
Levanna.
Williamsburg.
Cincinnati.
Hamilton,
Eaton.
Dayton.
Lebanon.
Xenia.
Springfield.
(PU^'^mJt,
SuTJQA-r Evening, •iJ^ANtJARV M
ij-jfjt'i T-iii '^rri
IMPORTANT
flxtrdct of a letter from Gen. Harrison^ to Gov,
Meigs, dated Head Quarters of the North
Westcni Ar.mify .Rapids of the Miami^ fanuary
20,1813.
I haVe the pleasnn* trt ijifonii you that tixe de-
tachfiicnt under roL Lewis was completely sue*
pt^'ssTul in its attack upon thtr part of th^ enemy
at tlic rivet" Retin — -their force tlicn' consisting' of
same humlreds of Indians and a eortipauy of mi-
Jilia which were placed bchindpickets, were at*
tacked by our troops about So'clotk on the 18lh
inst. The action JUsted until night, wlien the
enemy \Vere completely roated. The Indians
sufl'ered considerah]y*--thcii- allies I'an ofi' with a
piece of artillery in the commencement of the
JRction-^oiJj' loss ia about ten killed and two cap-
tains and 20 privates WQiinded. Gen. Winches-
ter marched yesterday with 250 men to takethe
command at the river Rezin — He wiU have
aSoilt 1000 effectives, and I am thisTiiomentdes-
Catching five comj[jani<^ more of Gen. Ferkitt
rigadc.
IKONICLK KXTKA, JANUAUY il. 1813.
422 History of the City of Columbus
Miami Weekly Post . . . . W. Doherty & Co. . . Troy.
The Piqua Gazt'tte .... William R. Barring! on . Piqua.
The Ways of the World . . . A. R. CoUvell .... Urbana.
To convey some idea of Iho rapid growth of newspapers numerically speaU-
ing, it is necessary only to say that in 1826, sixty papers were published in Ohio.
Eighteen of the fortyone published in 1821 had succumbed and thirtyscven new
papers bad been established. The business was quite as seductive and hazardous
then as now, although the losses were not as large.
The list of Columbus newspapers, living and dead, is a large one. Many of
them were shortlived, and the available information about them is meager. Files
are not to be had and the only obtainable fact about them, in some cases, is that
they existed. The local publications are here considered bi<)gra))hically in the
order of their establishment, and for greater convenience are divided and treated in
the following order: First, political and general newspapers ; second, the German
press; third, the religious press; fourth, agricultural papers; fifth, medical
journals; sixth, secret society papers ; seventh, literary publications; eighth, law
journals; ninth, educational papers; tenth, college periodicals.
As the newspaper soon followed settlement in other parts of Ohio, so it was
here. Lucas Sullivant laid oiit the town of Franklinton in 1797. Fifteen years
later, or in 1812, the paper that must be honored as the pioneer newspaper of
Columbus made its appearance. It was called the Freeman's Chronicle, and was
published and edited by James B. Gardiner. Columbus, which has since grown up
and absorbed the elder town, was just then being laid out. The publication office
of the Chronicle was located on West Broad Street near the corner of what is now
Sandusky Street, but the exact site is not identified. The first issue of the paper
bore the date of July 4, 1812 ; the date of the last issue is unknown, but it was
sometime in the year 1815. The Chronicle was a weekly of folio form, with five
columns to the page. At the lop of the first page, beneath the name, was printed
this motto :
Here shall the press the people's rights maintain,
TJnawed by infJuence, unbribed by gain ;
Here patriot truth its glorious precepts draw,
Pledged to religion, liberty and law.
There was no department devoted to editorial expression as is now the case with
nearly all journals, but such remarks as the editor saw 6t to make were inserted
wherever and in whatever type their importance dictated or the emergency of the
moment seemed to require. Eoman, italic, and blackletter type, such as now used
in advertisements, were used to convey the editor's ideas, as the occasion seemed to
demand. Disctission, when entered upon, was conducted with Addisonian grandeur
of style, and even the advertising partook of the "pomp and circumstance" of
utterance. In the news columns there was very little about Franklinton ; the space
was devoted chiefly to news from Europe, Washington and the Indian wars in
which " Old Tippecanoe," William Henry Harrison, with headquarters at Piqua,
and later at Franklinton, was then actively engaged. The foreign news was from
three to five months old, the Washington news was from three to five weeks old, and
TllK I'UESi,. I. 12:5
nearly all oCil \v:i.s taken from ollior luiiicr.s received in exeliauge. Tlio (Jiironiclo
hud also its j)olitical buttles to tight, und thougli not a Hnancial «uceess it served
while it lasted us a medium through which debtors were dunned, personal quarrels
aired and considerable business advertised. The paper was discontinued in 1815,
The Chronicle held undisputed sway at the future capital of the State until
March, 1S14, when the Western Intelligencer was moved to this city from Wortli-
ington, where it had been established in 1811 and conducted up to that time. It is
to the Westei'n Intelligencer that the present Ohio State Journal traces its origin.
The cureer of the paper extends over a period of ninety years, marked by many
vicissitudes of fortune, and absorbing the more or less extended efforts of many
men. The publication of the Western Intelligencer was begun, as stated, in 1811,
but the first steps toward the establishment of the paper were made two years
bclbre. It was in the summer of 1809 that Robert D. Richardson, who, prior to
that time, had published the Fredoiiian, at Cliillicothe, and Colonel James Kilbourn
brought the first newspaper press into the county for the purpose of establishing a
paper at Worthington. The intention was to begin the publication that fall, and
to that end Ezra Griswold, then apprenticed to Mr. Richardson, made a trij) to
Chillicothe and procured paper of the then publisher of the Scioto Gazette, and set
up seven columns of matter for the first number. Mr. Richardson, however, failed
to issue the paper and soon left the place, and the enterprise was temporarily
abandoned. It is worthy of mention tiiat the press here referred to had been the
property of James B. Gardiner, editor of the Freenum's Chronicle, having been used
by him in the publication of his first paper at Marietta, Oliio. This strengthens the
identification of Mr. Gardiner with the earliest journalistic ventures in the county
and city, and gives him u clear title to whatever honor there is in being the futiier
of Columbus journalism.
The Worthington newspaper enterprise remained undeveloped and the press
lay idle in the possession of Colonel Kilbourn until 1811, when the publication of
the Western Intelligencer was begun by Joel Buttles and George Smith. In 1S12,
Mr. Smith sold his interest in the paper to Doctor James Hills and Ezra Griswold,
who, together with Mr. Buttles, continued the publication of the paper until the
spring of 1813, when Mr. Buttles, who had been the editor, retired from the firm,
having connected himself with the Worthington Manufacturing Company, then
doing business at Franklinton. Mr. Buttles's interest in the patper passed into the
hands of Captain Francis Olmsted, who subsequent!}- sold or gave it to his son.
Colonel P. H. Olmsted. It was while the paper was in the hands of Hills, Griswold
and Olmsted that the removal to Columbus was made. Professional duties com-
pelled Doctor Hills, who had been editor, to retire, and Mr. Buttles came back into
the firm, the name of the paper being at the same time changed to Western
Intelligencer and Columbus Gazette. Mr. Griswold became the editor and con-
tinued in that capacity until the winter of 1816-17, when both he and Mr. Buttles
withdrew and Colonel P. H. Olmsted became the sole proprietor. He changed the
name of the paper to the Columbus Gazette and continued the publication
unchanged until July 1, 1825, when George Nushee and John Bailhacbc bought into
the concern and the name of the ]ia])er became the Ohio State Journal and Colum-
424 History of the City of Columbus.
bus Gazette. On November 18, 1826, this partnership was ciis.solve.l bj^ the retire-
ment of Mr. Bailhache. Messrs. Nashee and Olmsted continued the paper under
the firm name of George Nashee & Co., until the death of Mr. Nashee May 16, 1827.
The following month, Mr. Olmsted took into partnership in the concern John Bail-
hache, and William Camron, one of the editors of the Lebanon Star, and Mr. Bail-
hache became the principal editor. Mr. Camron sold his interest to his partners in
May, 1829, and went to Springfield, where he bought an interest in the Western
Pioneer. Bailhache and Olmsted continue 1 together until September, 1831, when
Mr. Olmsted retired and Mr. Bailhache became the sole proprietor, continuing in
that capacity until the spring of 1835, when he sold out to Charles Scott and Smithson
E. Wright. In 1837, Mr. Wright sold his interest to Mr. Scott, and John M.
Gallagher came into the firm, bringing with him the Ohio Political Register, wliicli
he had established a few months before. The name of the paper was changed to
Ohio State Journal and Register, but before long the latter part of the name was
dropped and the paper assumed its present name. In the spring of 1839 Mr.
Gallagher sold and was succeeded in the partnership by Samuel Douglas, who
remained in the firm less than a year and sold to Mr. Scott. In 1843, John Teesdale
came in as editor and the paper was published under the firm name of Charles
Scott & Co. In October, 1846, Messrs. Scott & Teesdale retired and W. B. Thrall
became editor and proprietor. In May, 1848, Henry Reed bought an interest in the
paper and became one of the editors. This arrangement continued until Novem-
ber, 1849, when both Thrall and Reed retired, and Charles Scott again became part
owner, his partner being William T. Bascom. In 1854, this firm made an assign-
ment, and the paper was issued for a time by I. Thomas, assignee, who offered it
for sale and succeeded in March of that year in selling it to a joi nt stock company
organized for the purpose.
The principal stockholders in this company were Oren Follett, of Sandusky,
and Aaron F. Perry, of Columbus. Under the new management, Mes.srs. Oren
Follett and William T. Bascom were the editorial writers and John Greiner was
the city editor Mr. Perry sold his stock in Februarj^ 1855, to Charles B. Dennett
and Nathaniel W. Lefavor. In July, 1856, the paper passed into the hands of
William Schouler & Co. The new proprietors were Colonel William Schouler, of
Cincinnati, and prior to that, of Boston, and Mr. A. M. Gangewer, proprietor of the
Ohio Columbian, which he brought into the firm with him and consolidated with
the Journal. This partnership continued until April 27, 1858, when Colonel
Schouler retired. Mr. Gangewer was not successful in the publication, and in the
following August the material of the office was levied on by Miller & Hines to
secure a debt incurred for paper. On November 19, 1858, the jjapcr passed into the
hands of Henry D. Cooke and J. and H. Miller. In April, 1859, J. and H. Miller sold
out and Mr. C. C. Bill bought into the concern, and the paper was published under
the firm name of Henry D. Cooke & Co., until November of the same year, when
Mr. F. W. Hurtt, of Cincinnati, bought an interest, and the firm name became
Cooke, Hurtt & Co. This arrangement terminated in July, 1861, Cooke withdraw-
ing and the publication being continued by Hurtt, Allen it Co.
TiiK I'KKss, I. 425
In October, 1S()4, the i)!iiK'r passed into the liaiuls of a eompany known as the
(.)hio Slate Journal Company wliicli, in January (ollowiiiff, sold to William 'P. Co^r-
.ijeshall A; Co.. who in turn, on November S, ISt;."), (Iisi),ised of the pai)er to Conily,
Koby & Smith. On Octohei' 12, ISlIC, A. I'. Miller, lornierly of the ScioK. ( lazette,
purchased Mr. liohy'.s inlere.-t but remained in llic tirm l.ul six monllis. In KSdS,
J. (}. Howard bouirhta onethird intercstan<l became an editoi-ial writei', continuinj^
there until March, 1871, when he retired to accept a literary position in the Kast,
selling his interest a year laler to Comly & Smith. In 1S72, Mr. A. W. Francisco,
who had just left the Cincinnati Times, was employed as liiisiness nianagei-, and
on Scptend.er III of the following yeai-, he purchase 1 a onethird inierest. the
firm name being changed to tiomly. Smith & Francisco. On March H, 1S74, (ien-
eral Comly |iurchased Doctor Smith's interest, and later Messrs. Comly ami Fraii-
ci.sco became e<|ual owners. General Comly was appointed United States Minister
to Honolulu and retired Jroui the editorship, September 1, 1877, when Mr. Francisco
assumed full control, with Mr. Sylvanus E. Johnson as the leading editorial writer.
Later, ^vhen Mr. Johnson was called to the editorial staffof the Cincinnati Empiii'ci',
Colonel James Tajlor became leading editorial writer. In Jul}-, 1878, Mr. Fran-
cisco disposed of a onesixlh interest in the paper, selling onetwelfth to Samuel J.
Flickiuger and onetwelfth to George E. Ross, and the firm name was changed to
Comly, Francisco & Co. In March, 1879, Mr. Ross sold to W. W. Bond, and the
])artnersliip continued unchanged until January 1, 1882, when it gave way to the
Ohio State Journal Companj-. At the time of this change, Mr. Alfred E. Lee, who
had been as.sistant writing and news editor for three years with General Comly, was
leading editorial writer, having succeeded Mr. Taylor in the i)reoeding Novem-
ber, hut retired June 24, 1882, and was succeeded b)' treneral B. R. Cowen. Mr.
Henry Monett was jn-esident and business manager of the new company, but
retired from the latter position May 3, 1882, to become General Passenger anil
Ticket Agent of the Nickel Plate route and was succeeded as business manager by
Jerome C. Briggs. In November, 1884, General C'owen resigned as oditoi-, having
been chosen Clerk of the District and Circuit United States courts for Southern (Jliio,
and was succeeded bj- Samuel J. Flickiuger. In the summer of 1889, Jlr. Briggs
retired from the business management, and Mr. Flickiuger assumed the double duly
of managing editor and business manager, in which capacity he is still scrvinir. He
has a.ssociated with him in the editorial department, W. S. Fura^- ;ind K. K Kile,
while his main assistant in the liusiness department is George \i. Hische. wImi. on
the retirement of Mr. Briggs, was elected treasurer of the company.
Having thus traced the career of the Western Intelligencer from its beginning
to the Ohio Slate Journal of to-daj-, we must take a leap backward to 181U and
mention the third newspaper to make its a|)pearanco in Columbus. That was the
Columbian Gazette, ))ublished with the outfit of the defunct Freeman's Chronicle
by John Kilbourn. Two numbers only were issued before the ])uhlishcr lost faith
in the enterprise, discontinued the paper and sold the material by ]>iecemeal.
That same year (1816) witnessed the birth of the Ohio Monitor, which has a
lineal descendant today in ihe Press. The publishers were David Smith and K/.ra
Griswold. The Monilor was not only the rival, hut al.so the polilieial oppcment of llie
426 History of the City op Columbus.
Intelligencer — an antagonism which was maintained until July, 1888, a period of
sevenlytwo years. Messrs. Smith and Griswold did not continue long together in
this enterprise, the latter selling out to his partner, Mr. Smith, who conducted the
paper alone until 1835, when he sold it to Jacob Medary by whom it was con-
solidated with the Hemisphere, and published under that name until July 5, 18H7,
when its name was changed to the Ohio Statesman, with Samuel Medary &
Brothers as proprietors. It was issued weekly except during the sessions of the
General Assembly, when it was published twice a week. Eventually it was pub-
lished tri-weekly, as well as weekly, and was thus continued until August 11, 1847,
when the first number of the Daily Ohio Statesman was issued.
Samuel Medary having become sole proprietor of The Statesman, it was, in
July, 1845, transferred by him to C. C. and C. R. Hazewell, the former being
editor. In July, 184U, C. R. Hazewell became sole proprietor, C. C. Hazewell con-
tinuing as editor until October 23, 1846. On November 4, 1846, Samuel Medary
again assumed the proprietorship of The Statesman and became its editor. The
next change occurred on April 1, 1853, when James Haddock Smith, Colonel
Medary's soninlaw, and Samuel Sullivan Cox were announced as the editors and
proprietors of the paper. On January 2, 1854, Mr. Smith sold hie interest to Mr.
Cox, who then became sole proprietor and editor. The latter sold on May 23,
1854, to the proprietors of the Daily Ohio State Democrat and H. W. Derby, the
well-known publisher and bookseller. The proprietors of the Democrat were
Osgood, Blake & Knapp, who had started it a short time before as a rival Dem-
ocratic paper. The two papers were consolidated and the new journal took the
name of The Ohio Statesman and Democrat. The editors of the Democrat, Horace
S. Knapp and Charles B. Flood, became the editors of the consolidated paper.
On Februaiy 10, 1855, the paper was again sold to Samuel Medary, who thus,
for the third time, became its sole proprietor and editor. The words " and Dem-
ocrat" were dropped from the title, and the paper again assumed its historic name,
The Ohio Statesman. On August 17, 1857, it was sold to James Haddock Smith,
with whom Charles J. Foster became associated in the editorial management. On
June 5, 1858, Mr. Smith sold a onehalf interest in the paper to Thomas Miller, and
on January 4, 1859, the latter and George W. Manypenny became proprietors of
the Statesman, Colonel Manypenny taking the position of editor. Three years
later. Colonel Manypenny retired from the editorship to take the management of
the Public Works of the State for the lessees thereof (he being one of them), and
Amos Layman, of Marietta, was chosen to take the place of editor. Mr. Layman
entered upon his editorial duties on the first of January-, 1862. Two years after-
ward, he organized The Ohio Statesman Company, and on the seventeenth of
January, 1864, the paper was sold by Manypenny & Miller to this company. Mr.
Layman was president of the company and continued to hold the position of editor
until he sold his interest in the paper and retired from its management in 1867.
During several months of tlie year 1864, Le\\-is Baker, of Wheeling, West Virginia,
was associated with him in the editorial department. When Mr. Baker retired, E.
B. Bshelman, of Chillicothe, took his place as asssociate editor and, on the with-
drawal of Mr. Layman from the paper, became the editor.
TiiK I'liKss. I. 427
The Slulcsniaii was sold on Noveinbor 115, 1S(!7, lo IJicliard xS'uviiis, uiul
Cliiirles B. Flood boeaiiie editor witli Mr. Eshelinaii. Tlie liitter retired from tiio
paper in Januaiy, 1869, and soon tiiereafter F'. II. Medary acquired an interest in
it, when the tirni became Ncvins & Medary, with C. B. Flood as editor. On March
31, 1870, the announcement was made that the proprietors were Nevin.s, Medary it
Co., with James Mills as editor. Ai)ril 1, 1872, Jonathan Linton and K. S. Doild
bought the Statesman and changed it from a morning to an evening paper. Mr.
Dodd retired after a few months and Mr. Linton conducted the )ia|iei- alone. In
July, 1872, however, he suspended the ]>ublication of the daily and translerred its
subscription list to the Evening Dispatch, continuing the ])ublication of the
Weeklj' and Sunday issues of the Statesman. Mr. Linton alsosolil the Statesman's
Associated Press franchise to General Comly, then of the Ohio State Journal, who
atlerward sold it to the Evening Dispatch. In October, 1874, Mr. Linton sold the
j)aper to Judge Joel Myers, of Mansfield, and A. J. Mack, of Shelby, who in turn
sold it to John H. Putnam in 1S7G. Tiie following year Mr. Linton bought the
l)apcr back and resumed the j)ublication of the daily edition. In the fall of 1S7S,
Captain Putnam again became owner of the paper, but sold it (lie lollowing year
to The Columbus Democrat Company, which had for some tinn' been publisliing
the Columbus Democrat. The two papers were consolidated and the new journal
was known as the Democrat and Statesman, both morning and evening editions
being published. Solon L. (ioode was manager ; James Goode, bis brother, was
editor; the late George AV. Henderson, afterwards of the Clevclanil l'laiTicK;ilcr,
was associate editor and Leslie McPherson was city editor.
In November, 1879, Captain Putnam brought suit to foi-eclose a chattel mort-
gage for $8,80(1. George B. Okey was appointed receiver and continued the busi-
ness with Captain Putnam as manager, the Sunday issue of the paper being dis-
continued. On March 15, the Times Publishing Companj- was organized, with
Ca])tain Putnam as manager ; V. C. Ward, assistant, and William Trevitt, treasurer.
The name of the paper was changed to the Times, and Car.son Lake was chosen to
assist Ca])tain Putnam in the editorial department. In Noveml)ei', 1880, John (i.
Thompson bought a half interest in the paper, and in August, lHS2, Captain
Putiuim sold his remaining half interest to George H.Tyler, of the Chillicothe
Pcgister. Mr. Thompson continued as leading eilitorial writer, and Leslie
McPherson became news editor. Under this management the paper was con-
tinued for about a year and a half, when it again fell into financial distress and the
courts were resorted to. The paper was bought at judicial sale by Judge J. II.
Collins who, on February 29, 1884, .sold it to tlie Franklin Printing and Publish-
ing Companj-, which had been incorporated with a cajiital stock of §20,00(1. The
incorporators were : Simeon K. Donavin, W. W. Medary, R. S. Warner, F. W.
Prentiss, and William Trevitt. Mr. Donavin became editor, and E. K. Ilite cil\-
editor. In December of the same year, Henry T. Chittenden, as prcsidiMit ot the
company, took control of the paper and conducted it both editorially and finan-
cially. On February 9, 1885, the Times forsook the evening field which it had
occupied for some time and became a morning jiajicr, its I'niled Press fr;in<liisc
pa.ssing by purchase inti> the liaiids nt William 1) Bri'kcll. proprictoi- of il,o
428 History of the City or Coldmbus.
Evening Dispatch. On June 14, 1885, Mr. Chittenden sold the Times for $7,500 to
Perd. J. Wendell, of Dayton, who soon made au evening paper of it again. In
November, 1SS7, Mr. Wendell organized the company by which it is now publiahcd,
and, in July, 1888, changed the name of the paper to The Press. The paper had
been Democratic continuou.sly for seventytwo years, but when this last change of
name was made, the paper ceased to bo a party organ and became independent in
politics. Editions of the pa])er for evei-y morning except Monday were added, and
the paper is now published in morning and evening editions. The morning
United Press franchise of the old Times was retained and the company has since
added the franchise of the Press News Association. The Press is now conducted
under the general management of Mi: Wendell, with Charles W. Harper as busi-
ness manage)-, J. H. Galbraith as chief editorial writer, and William C. Parsons at
the head oVtho local staff.
The Western Statesman was founded in 1825 by Zachariah Mills and Martin
Lewis. In 1826, Mr. Mills sold his interest to Captain Elijah Glover, and the
publication firm was for a time Lewis & Glover. Freedom Sever subsequently
bought Mr. Lewis's interest, and Glover & Sever sold the ]iaper in 1828 to John
Bailhache and P. H. Olmsted, and they merged it into the Ohio State Journal.
The Civil Engineer and Herald of Litermil Improvements, a weekly issued on
Saturdaj-s, was published here for a time, beginning July 10, 1828. John Kilboui-ne
was its editor, and it was devoted to the interests of canals and roads, and the
advancement of manufactures and internal improvements generally.
In 1829, the Ohio State Bulletin was founded by John A. Bryan and John A.
Lazell. In about a year, Bi'yan sold his interest toLazell, though he continued as
editor. In 1832, the paper was sold to George Kesling and George H. Wood, who
changed the name of the paper to the Columbus Sentinel and published it until
1835, when they sold it to Scott & Wright, and the paper was merged into the
Ohio State Journal. Jonas R. Emrie was associated for a time with Kesling and
Wood in the publication of the Sentinel, and, beginning in July, 1833, P. C.
Gallagher was associated with Colonel Kesling in the editorial work.
The National Enquirer, a weekly paper, was established in June, 1827, by
Hoi'ton Howard. The character of the publication may be best judged by the
announcement of the editor, in which he said that, in North Carolina, his native
State, he had become acquainted with the feelings of the slaveholders, and that his
travels in the Middle, Northern and Eastern States, and a residence of '-'seven and
twenty years in that part of the western country which is now the State of Ohio,"
have made him acquainted with the feelings prevailing in these sections of the
country. He deprecates sectionalism, wants to preserve the Union, and proposes
" to encourage charitable dispositions and promote botanic research with a view to
encourage the use of the. vegetable productions of our own country for the preven-
tion and cure of disease." The paper was published for eighteen months, with
Harvey D. Little as editor, being discontinued in December, 1828, and consolidated
with the National Historian, published at St. Clairsville.
The publication of tlie Western Hemisphere, a Jacksonian Democratic paper,
was begun in 1832 by Gilbert & Melcher. It was a weekly-, Init had for a short
TiiE Press. I. 429
limo ill the winter of 1SS3-4 a liaily oilitioii wiiicli was i-allol tlu- Oaily Ailvorliscr.
Tliis latter was very small and vory sliortiivod, liut it enjoys the ilislinclinn nl'
beiiii,' the first daily puhlieation in Columhiis. Mr. Melelier sold his inleresl s
after this daily venliirc to Russell G. l$ryan, aii.l (;ill.erl \- Uiyan s,,ld i,,.I;i(..ii
Mediiry and Georpe W. Many))enny. The hillei- sold it lo .Sackel lieynolds, whn
sold it to Jacob Medary aijaiii. Mr. Medaiy ((nisolidated ii with ihe Moiiii,,r. as
previously stilted.
The Ohio Register and Aiui-Masonie ii.'view was moved to tliis ,iiy from
Milan, Huron County, about the time oCthe Morgan excitement, and was publislied
here for three years by Warren Jenkins and Elijah Glover In lS8;i the anti-
masonic excitement having about died out. the paper was discontinued.
The People's Press was established in 1S33 by James B. Gardiner. It sup.
ported William Henrj- Harrison for President and Robert Lucas, Dcniociat, for
Governor. It lived only six months.
The Ohio Confederate was established in ls;?C> by John (i. Miller, wli.) con.
ducted it for a while as a Democratic and Stale's Rights ])ai)er, but in tinu^ wheeled
it into line in support of William Heni'y Harrison for President. In isn, .Mr.
Miller was apjiointed Postmaster, and transferred the pa|)er to L. J. Moeller ami
N. M. Miller, who changed its name to the Old School Republican, and ((indncied
it for two years, when it was discontinued.
The Tornado, edited by R. P. Sage, and The Straightout llarrisonian, imb-
lished bj' Allen, Sage A Beverage, were puhlieations of the Pi-esidential campaign
of 1840.
The Whig Battering Ram or Straighiout Revived, edited by R. P. Sage, was one
of the publications of the campaign of 1844.
The Ohio Tribune was a Whig paper whicli was started for campaign i>urposes
in 1842 by Captain Elijah Glover, who was the proprietor of a book and job oth'ee.
It lived for about three years under the editorial direction of Walter 'J'hrall, (iideon
Stewart, and others. It was discontinued in 1845.
One of the weekij^ papers of long life and much influence was the Colum-
bus Gazette, which dates back to 1849, when (Jeorge M. Swan b<night the material
which had been used in the publication of the OhioTrilmne and established Swan's
Elevator for the jiurpose of aiivocating Free Soil principles. He conducted the
paper on this line until 1853, when a temperance paper called the Maine Law
Advocate was brought here from Hocking Count}', where it had been established,
and consolidated with Swan's Elevator. The consolidation w.is marked by a
change of name to the Columbus Elevator. In 1855 Mr. Swan sold the pajier
to Gamaliel Scott, who left temperance to take care of itself and continued the iJajicr
on its original plan, as an advocate of Free Soil jirinciples. In 18r)ii, John (ireiner
bought an interest and the name of the paper was changed to the Columbus Gazette,
with Mr. Greineras editor. In 1858, Mr. Scott sold his interest to Charles S. Glenn,
and the paper was published for a year under the firm name of Greiner & Glenn.
In December, 1859, L. G. Thrall, who had been a printer with the Ohio State
Journal for eighteen years, bought the half interest of Mr. Greiner, and t\\v. pa])er
was jiublished under the firm name of Glenn & Thrall, Mr. Greiner continuing as
430 History of the City of Columbus.
editor for several months until his appointment as Governor of New Mexico. The
paper continued under the same management, the editorial work being done
by Milton M. Powers, James Q. Howard and Alexander E. Glenn until 1864, when
Mr. Thrall sold to Glenn & Heide (Charles S. Glenn and Charles Heide). Mr.
Heide was a printer who had been taken into the firm some time before. Glenn &
Heide published the Gazette until 1873, when Mr. Heide retired and Mr. Glenn
continued the publication alone until his death in 1874, when the paper passed
into the hands of his widow, Mrs. S. A. Glenn, and was conducted by her with
S. S. Peters and others as editors until 1882, when she sold to Spahr, Vercoe & Spahr
(George T. Spahr, J. H. Vercoe and Charles Spahr), who, in turn, sold, January 27,
1883, to E. O. Eandall, who sought to make a literary journal of it. On May 25,
of the same year, Mr. Eandall sold the Gazette to Hann & Adair, who changed its
name to the Living Issue and Gazette, and published it as a Prohibition organ.
Subsequently the name was changed to the Home Gazette and published as such by
the lastnamed proprietors until 1886, when the paper was bought by George E.
Thrall, who had edited it for some time, and was by him taken to Cleveland, where
it expired after a few months of unsuccessful effort.
The Ohio Whig Auger and Loco Foco Excavator, Thomas W. H. Moseley editor,
began publication in August, 1844, with the announcement that it would be pub-
lished until after the election of Henry Clay. Its promise was not kept, and the
paper lives in history only as a campaign publication.
The Tax-Killer was the name of a campaign paper issued weekly from the
Statesman office in 1846.
The Ohio Press was a weekly Democratic paper, established in 1847 by the late
Eli T. Tappan, Matthias Martin being associated with him as editor. It had also a
semiweekjy edition and, for a short time, a daily edition. It was intended to give
expression to the dissatisfaction with the Statesman as the Democratic organ, a
mission which it performed with some ability but without financial success. It
lived less than two years.
The Ohio Standard was a Free Soil paper established in the fall of 1848 by E.
S. Hamlin and Israel Garrard. It was issued part of the time as a daily. Publica-
tion was discontinued in February. 1849, but in November of that year Franklin
Gale and Thomas Cleveland revived it and continued the publication as the
People's Weekly Journal until September, 1850. It was then bought by Orlan
Glover, who published it until the spring of 1851 and then discontinued it.
The Campaigner was a Whig campaign sheet jJublished by the proprietors of
the Ohio State Journal, beginning in June, 1848.
The Western Mechanic was a weekly, published by H. H. Braden & Co. in
1849.
In the summer of 1851, a number of journeymen printers organized and began
publication, under the firm name of H. N. Jennings & Co., of the Daily Capital
City Fact. The persons interested in the venture were: E. Burke Fisher, M. L.
Betts, J. A. Kissinger, H. N. Jennings, and M. H. AUardt. Mr. Fisher was the
chief, and Mr. Betts the local editor. In December of that j'ear, John Geary
purchased an interest, and, in November, 1852, the old firm dissolved and a new
The Press I
^canMoOTii „„, „a,u,y ko,»„. tt.. <w of h,. ^"^ r;::r '"£:;:;7-Jc":;r~
• •»fl«»i<r.<tt»j n. ».k Q»P«- >''<:li<'U.«,»ij IS fTScuiuJ li^ ordei-, and TXa!l.'!jH^Z^'\ZatS^
" ' — 11^ Pncral, whu fcir by tvtrj tiji.T.nisUnce-.-;:»^',l7- '•-«•'""••"'»
AMiil Scene. his side, wjj bureicciu) whit-h («ndt lo proem- . ,
;^«jr^ '>-»~- — •«' .. "'tnessoflKeinlercslu.j liy il'fter it , hall hive !>.-.« i,™ ,..„.„,!;!, „V
'^^4Z.iT^,^,.i'^'.t & mv^lanchol)' ceremony cumratjjcxcfjiintil hissr- ».'"?;nil,/iri^'".r. X"
;»^^.:!^r»'X::^''^ J-JjUyremarUs, •■ «lf re- rival ai the, |i'nl of de>. V.^.i\l V". " * '"'•"'^
"~;".'iS:;U',«,''^,T'.» ^"" *"'* tK'=n- Pike's] tination. In all caKS 'v;^-->«" ^'•'^'■' •••^i
'iwahm ^ "" '~^'~' " '"" — *"" "'"" '"■"'° "'"^''^ •'■» ortlerj majr "i'-- >S'i''>i.. .^i'il.-'"i^."I
?^^.2'^~^"''^ "^ '"•""■<'"''' "■" llie as he li^vc been reteivcd fn.m Z'!^'X,!t^,'7:,^,!:'Z'^"i
ininale' ed for the Head Quar- ^™"T.';l2!,«S'«X"tt .tlT.
ebcai-t lers ofthe armv, or an) ^'lu ".'li^'JVj'ri^" "'**
ofcvci V American, the pusl u|x)n the fronlici-s, John M'Elvam,
deparlcd hero- will finj « 'opy of the journal so ,.„ ."""V;,. •"*'•"' '"*■
•^■^•»;~- ° '""'''" li>:p> and certified on "^ '"" ""' """
«^.-.':4;S;:i'ii*;72r. 0»Frida»evefl:nsI».l, l'"""!')^ 'he command. ■"••- , " ,--,.
Jl;t^^':f,~'.?*?i';^,V; Chaoncev's il,-e( anwed '"K "-^■^'■. wdlhefoith- ~i^ ^CJXI^Zi' ViS;.:
A^'2l;rw'*l*,J:;^"'„' »• Fj"' MileCr.ck, iviih "'"' forwai-ded to the SKTNS^i^'I^T'X"!"
2i'S7.i"Ilt,'i;?i'"*^"''' " '«?='^'»''l<^ r<:!iil-'i -«- '^'J'"''"'"<:nw-'»l'8office. l~^'";i^ "£""'•»''
JI_ "'"* raent under bri^' -en '" '^' '"'""' '^*"* ">" •»"■>•«" L.k..^ '^'°~
■•:f^,.^i,''i-. £i-r Chandler A «rag>;]r,e "PX "f ""e jumnal w,U ' Wiirirn;\v;:;;'rp
C^o-^.c*. "ere daUj-.arriving. ' ^.v order. Jp-.VrrVr .'TT.?..
.-<i3;..,.„o-.„ Since last p,p-,, a »„„. Il03£/n' BUTI-En. . ■.•'p'"."V,".'.'\~'t;°U5
tJt't^^^.,'^.-^:i^ the neighborhood of fo" '^•^ ■^djtllml General. "n^J^iS^"", .'ZTL^
Z''-Sr:r.^^.rf^'^',':: Nintar. — ' Win.OHendren,J. p.
2;;~J--"i;;:'K;Sii^ We ,mder,.a,1 Ibal «f»n auAFTim, ^""■'"'■-
i^«.u7c'.T;;,Zi;i"rii' "*■"' «>™l''"'es of ChUHmilie./ufuS.lSlS. :... ^ :,^. ^.... ,„„
• u.,^«, _ .nr- b„ ,. bt! faneJTn tTus ahS the The' Pfesident of fte ICi'^IJ.r.Trr^ "."f V-
.--Hr.r^r.L'Tt.. ".t '«'k'''»'-»r ci^nties for. united sm*. havinif — - — "'~.i":i:<t;"^;:
w«. ».^..„, one month's service If been pleased lo promote l:^'^;,:.'. i.'n'„-J,. r:;.V
J-. 'Jr^r:t.""~" "''"'"'•""•"i^for L.culenanlColonelJohn trS-.Xiru^X-'r'.;"'
Xr-'-TJn"^'-''-'"- ™''""«'"''«'"-''"1'™- B,C.nH>bell,ofth.l9,h * ""•.C/";:. -'••■••' r*-
2ii;».~iS:!n."^:X' "'*" f" ">« Plrpa« regimemof infamr^-, to P""' Alder.J. I'
fc'ii"t: ^::li" *■',"' " "''."''"'" l"-" '" «'''*>; the rank of Colonel by -"111.""
"STo r * ""*" ""'"»"• "I""-"!™ that bre^ el .and Major James '""~'
"r»;':jr':rji;r:::.'~ <'"iei,n..»^B-iff:Oai2. V Unll, of Ih. ad rep.
Sr_«^*l^rjX-.:tr^. //..,rf (?,,<,„,,. M ""="' ••' ''bI" "Iragoons,
ai.rs.rr.'t::::^^^;.!:^:; ' iu[J,'hT''june m,- •J^"'""'^! i")- '>rc^•e^ .nd *;,:L'rj',*;
•«. m-M 1S13 ""^J' "'< "> bo obeyed ~i>"o«....
Tlieun.*rcy. uilablcdc- The above promotions, aiw ««. aT/.^ir.'' wpp'iT„''
Livwhiclih-.tikenpluce "ladc in coosc^aence of H'^r^*lJ.*'*i^'r !*!
in the marchin'; of some the pallantry and good '^'^.Ir.iToVdofu^fci'^ii^'*
,1 of the dclacSnitiits ^.f conduct of Colonels ^" u^-i i™? """
'"^'t:;: '"^P- •^''""'■- 1 lor the CampbeH and Ball, in * "\srSh"e"i.h'eVd'"j'p
-u... ^^ North We.lem .\rmy, the battle of Missisiioni- j™ i.,.. ,.,. ' "
i.i>.i.ii...k makes it nrcessary that way,i8afurthcrevidence ~, : — ■
l^.''l!^'."ili »<Jmecffc-I'iiiI remedy bo t>f the intention of gov- '"" •••o^m-**!— t '••-
ii;ir,^",~7i^u,^ prosHdcJ for an evil ernmenl to reward, in i Ji','", ''J^,°;;|.%£TT.'"J1| ,"
S*,". ","""^ ""'""""'^ the most faial -^onse. 'hie lo thi- feelingi of a li^. Iilli "Jl.'.'it.'Slli'^'rj^
""" i..m,"t^ "'.', n"":'":"' soldier, all those »ho w'^; ^t^.'J'i^i'^TrriJ I^
Mr n, n,-^.."} 'J'";, I'heticnt-ral.lherrforo •hall ditliiiguii>li them- Z^.^Z^Vi^-^Zij!
I'v^L'S'lrrr.r. "h" "■■''"•^d to march their coenlry. '"^"!A'S."iw^,T
f!E,NtRAI. PikK. ,iih a delachroenl of By on/«, *m.......
I hij rem iins of this troops, shall, upon re- KotenSuller.Cafi.am -
jnllaiil lam.-nle<ro0i.,r, eeiving the order, com- H PRI^'TJ^«^
s.c.x.ntcT^.i.lS.cke..'s mence4 a jourial w A,„>,. Adfuunu Genial. ,ZZ"'TT
PAGE OF FRKE.MANS CIIKU.NICLE, JUNE l»i, I81.J.
432 History op the City of Columbus.
firm consisting of John Geary, J. A. Kissinger and M. L. Allardt look charge. Mr.
Fislier retired as editor and was succeeded by Mr. Allardt. In July, 1854, Mr.
Allardt withdrew from the paper and went to Grand Eapids, Michigan, and Mr.
Geary became the editor and continued in that capacity until 1862, when Colonel
W. L. McMillan, of the Ninetytifth Ohio Infantry, became associated with him in
the editorial management. In September, 1863, the Fact was sold to W. H. Foster,
who changed its name to the Daily Evening Express and continued its publication
under that name until June, 1864, when he discontinued it.
The Columbian was a Free Soil weekly paper which had its birth in January,
1853. Its principal editor was L. L. Eice, later Supervisor of State Printing, and
it was published by Osgood & Blake. In October, 1854, E. S. Hamlin assumed
control, and in 1855 it passed into the bands of A. M. Gangewer, who advocated
the nomination of Chase for Governor. The following year he merged it into the
Ohio State Journal.
The Daily Ohio State Democrat was established December 12, 1853, by
Knapp, Osgood & Blake. It was edited by Horace ^. Knapp and Charles B.
Flood. In the following spring, the Franklin Printing Company was organized,
composed of the publishers of the Democrat and H. W. Derby. This company
secured control of the Ohio Statesman and consolidated the two papers under the
name of the Ohio Statesman and Democrat, the editors of the Democrat becoming
tiie editors of the new paper.
The Columbus Eeveille, a daily evening paper, KnowNothing in politics^
made its first appearance in November, 1854. It was published by a company of
printers, viz.: Messrs. Thomas S. Shepard, Samuel Bradford, M. L. Bryan and Ira
Berger. Eightythree numbers of it were issued, but it was unsuccessful financially
and it was suspended in February, 1855. Six weeks before the collapse, Mr. Brad-
ford sold his interest to Charles Bliss, father of J. P. Bliss.
The "Western Home Visitor, edited by E. A. Higgins, was removed here from
Mt. Vernon in November, 1854, and was issued separately for a short time by the
publishers of the Ohio State Journal. In the following January, it was consoli-
dated with the Columbian, which was itself merged into the Journal in 1856.
In May, 1855, W. W. McBeth issued the prospectus of a weekly Know-Noth-
ing paper to be called the Continental, and to bear as a motto Jackson's words,
" It is time we were becoming a little more Americanized." The publication
duly appeared and continued for a short time, its principal editor being A. Bann-
ing Norton, *ho had taken a vow never to have his hair cut until Clay was elected
President.
The Columbus Daily Enterprise made its appearance in December, 1855, and
was continued for a few months by its publisher, John M. Kinney.
The Alliance, a weekly, published by A. A. Stewart, under the patronage of
the Independent Order of Good Templars, was issued here first in February, 1856.
Its platform was: Total Prohibition; Annihilation of the Hum Traffic.
The People's Press was a weekly, established in June, 1859, by James B.
Marshall, and published as a Douglas organ for a short time.
e/
The Prkss. I. 433
The Evoniiii,' Bulletin was I'sliihlisliml in the lattor jjiirt of Augiwt, ISGO, by a
iiunAer of printei-s, who had gone out of the Statesman office on a strike. It was
imiependent jtolitically, but its special purpose was to antagonize the nomination
of S. S. Cox for Congress. It lived just fortyfive days.
Common Sense Against the Maine I^aw, was tiio name of an anti- I'rohiliition
paper piihiished for a short time by Doctor P. Joimson, beginning in lsr)3.
One of the ablest, most witlely circulated and best hated weeklies evei' jnili-
lished in this city was the Crisis, the jiublication of which was begun by e.x-
Governor Samuel Medary, January 31, ISGl. It was an cightpago pa]>or, with
five columns to the ])age. It was established at a most critical period in the his-
tor}- of the country, an<l its mission was to advocate the Monroe doctrine. State's
Rights uTid the settlemcnl of the troubles between the States without resort to
arms. It was essentially a peace Democrat paper, an<l it is not necessary to say
anytiiing further than that to convey to the reader an idea of the sensation which
its articles created, promulgated as thcj' were at a time when the war spirit was
abroad, and when not to be in sympathy with the war seemed to those who were
its advocates to be in sympathy with tlio South. The Crisis did not prevent the
war, but it was a great financial success, reaching at one time a circulation of
22,000 copies. Ex-Governor Medary continued as owner and editor until his
death, November 7, 18G4. The paper then passed into the hands of Samuel A.
Medary, who soon took in as partner the late Willoughb)- Webb, and they, after
publishing the Crisis for a few months, sold to Doctor William Trevitt. Doctor
Trevitt sought to make the Crisis a compendium of the history of the time, includ-
ing all public documents of historical importance as well as the opinions of wellin-
formcd 7nen on the then burning questions of State and National jiolicy. In I.S70,
Doctor Trevitt sold the Crisis to Charles H. Matthews, and a few months latei-,
Mr. Matthews sold the concern to Richard Nevins and F. H. Medary, who merged
it into the Statesman.
The Union League was a stanch Union paper which was established in the
fall of 1863, during the Vallandigham campaign. It was edited by O. B. Chap-
man, and was printed at the office of the Gazette. It was discontinued in 1864.
In December, 1865, a company was incorporated for the purpose of publishing
a Eejjublican paper to be called the Ohio State Sentinel. The incorporators were
Benjamin E. Smith, George M. Parsons, C. P. L.Butler, Theodore Comstock and
Henry Miller. Its purpose was said to be to sustain President Johnson as against
the dominant clement of his party. The paper never materialized.
The Eepublic, a weekly organ of the Grand Army of the Ilepublic, made its
appearance in May, 1867. Its publishers were Wilmer S. Simmons, C. Warren
Campbell and Charles L. Griffin. In October of the same year it was moved to
Cincinnati.
The Whip-poor-will was printed from January to December, 18t!6, by a num-
ber of boys for juvenile readers.
The Mac-o-chee Press, published by Grabble Brothers and edited by Colonel
Donn Piatt, was moved from Bcllefontaino to Columbus in September, 1866. Its
434 History of the City of Columbus.
publication here was not a success, and it was moved back to Bellefontaine early
in 1867.
The Sunday Morning News was founded in November, 1867, by the late Doc
tor William Trevitt. Associated with him, but having no financial interest in the
enterprise, was Willoughby Webb, who had held editorial positions on the States-
man and Crisis. Doctor Trevitt published the News for three years, selling in
1870 to John Webb and Charles H. Matthews, who conducted the paper until July,
1871, and then sold to Honorable W. T. Wallace, who in turn sold November 17,
1872, to Orebaugh & Brodbeck (E. G. Orebaugh and F. A. Brodbeck). They
published the News for fifteen years, reaping a rich financial harvest. In March,
1887, they sold to O. C. Hooper and L. P. Stephens. In the following September,
Mr. Stephens retired and J. B. K. Connelly took his place in the firm.
The News was begun as a sixcolumn folio, and is now a sixcolumn quarto,
it having been changed to its present form from a ninecolumn folio, when
Hooper & Connelly bought the Saturday Telegram in December, 1887, and con-
solidated it with the property.
Among the men who have at diiferent times done work upon the News, in
addition to those already mentioned, are: S. E. Johnson, now of the Cincinnati
Enquirer; Hon. Allen O. Myers; Professor Joseph R. Smith, of the Ohio State
University; the late Lanson G. Curtis, after whom the local Press Club was
named ; Benjamin P. Gaines, who was private secretary of Hon. J. Warren Keifer
when that gentleman was Speaker of the National House of Representatives,
and John A. Arthur, who died in this city after a mysterious assault at his own
door.
The Columbus Evening Dispatch was of humble origin, but it has had a
remarkable growth. It is one of the few instances of successful cooperative effort,
having begun with a capital stock in which labor had a greater representation than
money. It was in 1871 that the foundations of this newspaper property were
laid. A number of men, most of them printers and all of them having a practical
knowledge of the business in some one of its departments, met and decided that the
time was ripe for a new journalistic venture. In the latter part of June, 1871, the
Dispatch Printing Company was incorporated with a nominal capital stock ot
$10,000. The incorporators were : William Trevitt, Junior, Samuel Bradford, Tim-
othy McMahon, James O'Donnell, Peter C. Johnson, L. P. Stephens, John M. Webb,
J. S. B. Given, C. M. Morris, and W. W. Webb. There were ten incorporators and
uU of them were stockholders except the lastnamed, W. W. Webb. Bach of the
nine stockholders i^aid in one hundred dollars, and with a paidup capital of nine
liuudred dollars, and a press which was the property of Mr. Trevitt, the Dispatch
Printing Companj- began business, it being further agreed that each stockholder
should give his labor for ten weeks without drawing any salary, all of his earnings
in that period to be credited to him on the books of the company.
The company was organized as follows: Samuel Bradford, President ; Wil-
liam Trevitt, Junior, business manager; Willoughby Webb, editor; C. M. Morris,
advertising solicitor and city agent; John Stone, city editor; Samuel Bradford,
foreman of tlie composing room. The first number was i.ssued on July 1, 1871.
Tl.K I'RF.SS. I. 435
Tl\e city had ])rovi(iusly liecn canvassed for aiiotlioi- iiaper wliicli was never issued,
and about one thousand names liad been secured. The I)is])atch Company eame
into ))ossession of this list, and tiie Dis])aleh was delivei'ed to ail these persons for
a time on trial. Ovcf eii;lit liiindreil nfthe thousand remained as rei^ular ]iatrons,
and jmid from the dale of the tirst issue.
The af^reenient tliat iioiio of the stocUholder.s should draw any money for
their labor during the first ten weeks was rigidly adhered to, but, beginning with
the eleventh week, each stockholder was paid in cash twontyfive per cent, of his
earnings, the remainder being credited to him on the books as so much payment
on his stock. During the second and third years, the payment to the stockholders
in cash ri'ached fifty ]ier cent, of their earnings, and at the time of the tirst li-ans-
fer of the iiroperty, sevcntyrivc per coiil. was being paid to the stockholders
in cash.
In the summer of 1874, the Dispatch was sold by the company that had
founded it to Captain John H. Putnam and Doctor G. A. Doren for 810,500. These
gentlemen had first agreed conditionally to give S12,000 for the propertj', but on
examination they found that the contract for the use of the Associated Press dis-
patches, which had been made by the original proprietors with the owners of the
Ohio State Journal, was unsatisfactory. When the Ohio Statesman had suspended
its daily issue, its Associated Press franchise hail been sold to General Comly, who
liad only leased it to the Dispatch Company. This fact resulted in the sale of the
paper to Putnam & Doren for 810,500. This firm bought the press franchise from
General Comlj-, otherwise improved the equipment, and conducted the Dispatch
successfully until January 1, 1876, when they sold it to M^'ers & Brickell (Captain
L. D. M}-ers and William D. Brickell). This partnership continued until Nov. 24,
1882, when Cajitain Jlyers, the editor, who had been ajipointed ])oslmastcr of the
city, retired. Mr. Brirkcl! bought his partner's interest and became sole ])ro.
prietor.
In its career of twenty years, the Dispatch has had six cditorsinchief.
Willoughby Webb was the first; John A. Arthur the second, and John M. Webb
the third, all of these serving during the control of the original compaii}-.
Captain John S. Putnam was editor during the ownership by Putnam & Doren, and
Captain L. I). Myers while Myers & Brickell were the proprietors. Captain
Stephen B. Porter has been editor since the sole proprietorship of Mr. Brickell began.
Frank A. Layman became associate editor in 1H75, but resigned in 1880 to go to
Sandusky, where he and his brother Charles bought and for a time published the
Journal of that city. Mr. Layman was succeeded on the Dispatch by Osman C.
Hooper, who served until October, 1886, when he resigned to accept a position on
the Cincinnati Enquirer, and was succeeded by Charles M. Lewis. In November,
1889, Mr. Lewis was succeeded by J. L. IJodgers, jiromoted from the assistant city
editorship.
The first city editor of the Dispatch was John Stone, a printer, still residing in
the city; then John A. Arthur, Lanson G. Curtis, William Galer, Captain Stephen
B. Porter, and the present incumbent, John II. Green.
The Sentinel was a morning daily, of four pages, backe.l by Allen (J. Thunnan,
436 History op the City of Columbus.
Henry Chittenden, John G. Deshler, and other Liberals and Democrats. Its pub-
lication was begun September 15, 1872, and was discontinued November 11, 1S78.
Its mission was to support Horace Greeley for the Presidency. J. Q. Howard was
editor, Henry Reinhard business manager, W. G. Tboman and B. F. Gaines citj-
editors.
The Sunday Herald was established January 1, 1875, by T. J. Ewing, a son of
Judge P. B. Ewing, of Lancaster. J. K. Farver was associated with Mr. Bwing in
the business department. The venture was not as successful as the proprietor
thought it sliould be, and the paper was sold by him in October, 187(5, to Captain
John H. Putnam, who changed it from political independence to the support of the
Democi-acy. W. S. Furay bought an interest, and later, in April, 1877, became sole
owner and made the paper Republican, which it has continued to be up to the
present time. In January, 1879, the late Sylvester W. Gale bought an interest,
and he and Mr. Furay conducted it jointly until December 14, 1880, when Mr. Gale
sold his interest to his partner, but subsequently he published the Herald under a
lease from the proprietor. In the summer of 1881, W. S. Furay sold the property
to Captain T. W. Collier, formerly editor of the Coshocton Age, but bought it from
Collier in August, 1882. Captain Collier went to Raton, New Mexico, where he
went into business, and Mr. Furay conducted the Herald until the spring of 1884,
when W. J. Elliott got possession of it, but be sold it, after issuing a few numbers,
to Samuel Shafer. Mr. Shafer sold it November 2, 1885, to Captain J. C. Donaldson
and George L. Manchester, who in turn sold the property February 11, 1886, to
Charles E. Bonebrake, the present publisher.
The Sunday Capital first made its appearance February 17, 1878, G. W. Hen-
derson and Arnold H. Isler being the publishers and proprietors. It was first
issued as a folio, with eight columns to the page. In politics it was Democratic. The
agreement between the partners was to the effect that Mr. Henderson should put
m $500 cash and take the editorial management, while Mr. Isler should furnish
three hundred paid subscriptions and attend to the advertising and circulation.
The terms of the agreement were fiaithfuUy kept and the concern prospered almost
from the start. After the cam^jaign of 1878, Mr. Isler sold his interest to Mr.
Henderson, but in the following January he, in conjunction with John Bj-rne,
bought the paper back. A year of hard and not altogether successful work followed,
but in the third year the business improved. Claude Meeker, later private secretary
to Governor Campbell, began work on the Capital in 1881 and continued until
February, 1882, when the paper was sold to W. J. Elliott. On March 8, 1884, the
Capital absorbed the Sunday Tribune, which had been founded in the fall of 1883 by
J. J. Lallie, who sought to build up a paper without recourse to advertising. The
Tribune was a handsome eightpage paper, but its beauty could not save it. For
some time after the consolidation, the Capital printed a supplement under the
name of the Tribune, but this was soon abandoned and the word " Tribune" was
added to the Capital heading.
December 1, 1878, witnessed the birth of the Columbus Democrat, an eightpage
morning daily with a Sunday edition. It was established by Allen O. Myers and
Solon L. Goode, under the firm name of Allen 0. Myers & Co., Mr. Myers being
TlIK I'UKSS. I. IM
oililor, W. A. Taylor associalo odiior, J. II. llowitt city oiiitor, and Mr. d'omU'
lii'liiy the business niiiiiai,'!.'!-. In April, lS7it, Mr. Myers retired and the ]):i])fr \v:in
luil.li.siied by the Columbus Democrat Company, witii Solon L. Goodo as nuiiia.uier
anil \V. A. Taylor as editor. Mr. Taylor remained in editorial charge only iiiilil
•liiiu', and then <<ave place to James L. Goode, a brother of the manager. In .Inly,
the Democrat and the Ohio Statesman were consolidated under the name uf I lie
Columbus Democrat and Ohin Slatcsiuan, which wms jinMislud ll)r a liiuc in luorn-
iiig and evening editions.
In the latter partof'187S, the Brown Brothers, then abstractors of titles, con-
ceived that there was need for a more perfect publication of the transactions at the
Franklin County Courthouse, than was given in the daily newspapers. S(i they
began the publication of a little daily which they called the Law Bulletin, which
was designed to furnish lawyers, bankers and real estate dealers with the nt \vs
of the courts in detail This did not jirove a paying enterprise, and the Brown
Brothers were glad enough to sell the Law Bulletin in January, 1S79, to Jonathan
Linton, who had conceived the idea of publishing a weekly paper, partly on
the same plan,- for the information of the people of the county. Mr. Linton's idea
took form in an cightpage weekly which ho called the Franklin County Legal
Record, and which he published until March, 1S81, when he sold it to Brown
Brothers, James Kinley Brown assuming the editorship and \V. P. Brown the busi-
ness management. Shortly afterward, Mr J. F. Brown transferred his interest U<
Mr. W. P. Brown, who has published the paper ever since, the former continuing as
cdiloi-. About the first of January, 1889, the name was changed to the Columbus
Record, and "on January 1 , 1890, the form, which had been for some time a folio, was
changed to a quarto and a new dress of ty])e was bought for it. The Record is an
indeiiendent Democratic paper and makes a specialty of Courthouse and county
news.
The >;alional firccnback Leader, :i i)ai.cr devoted to the interests of the
(ireeiiback l>arty, was removed to Colunibu.s IVom Canal Dover, in April, 1S7'.».
It was published by the Phelps Brothers as a daily and a weekly. In the follow-
ing July it suspended publication.
The Commonwealth was established in the fall of 1878, as the organ of the
Prohibition party, and died in the summer of the following year.
In February, 1879, a number of Union printers, encouraged, doubtless, by tlu^
success of the Dispatch, formed a company and began the publication of the
Daily Labor, a fivecolumn evening paper. A. A. Braddock was editor. Thr
company was incorporated in April, by James M. Boyle, A. A. Braddock, l^'raidv
W. Itiiymond, James A. Miner and A. II. llandiboe. In the following few months,
several changes took place in the company, Braddock and llandiboe retiring and
George H. Ross and W. A. Taylor coming in. The number of stockholders was
increased and the name of the paper was changed to the Daily Courier, with
James M. Boyle as business manager and W. A. Taylor and George II. Ross
editors. Before the end of the year, however, the com])any got into financial
straits and the [>ublication was discontinued.
438 History of the City ov Columbus.
The Ohio Way, by Liston McMillen, of Iowa, an advocate of temperance, and
the Little Buckeye, by Milton R. Scott, of Newark, Ohio, were very shortlived
daily ventures of 1881.
The Ohio State Sentinel, John T. Shryock editor, was a Greenback organ
which was published here in 1881.
Several efforts have been made to establish a colored people's paper. Among
the first of these was the Afro-American, by E. J. Waring, early in the eighties.
David Jenkins began the publication of the Palladium of Liberty in 1884, and D.
A. Eudd started the Ohio State Tribune in May, 1885. None of them lived long.
In 1887, the Free American was established by George M. Dickey and Walter S.
Thomas to champion the same cause, but followed its ])i-edecessors to an early
grave.
The Bohemian was founded by A. H. Isler, in March, 1882. It was a Satur-
day paper, eight pages, with five columns to the page. Its mission was to criticise
the stage, society and politics. At the outset, Mr. Isler was the editor, Claude
Meeker associate editor, and Edward Noble business manager. The paper started
with a boom and gave promise of a future which was not altogether realized. At
the end of the first year of publication, the finances were in a bad state, and Mr.
Meeker left to go to Cincinnati, where he had been offered a place on the News-
Journal. At the same time Mr. Noble also quit, and Mr. Isler, with the aid of his
wife as writer and office assistant, continued the publication into the third year,
when he made an assignment. This ended the Bohemian. Its epitaph is thus
written by Mr. Isler: •' The only mistake that I made in the Bohemian, was in
allowing it to see daylight. There was never any excuse for it. There was never
anything in it worthy of a live journalist, and I cannot for the life of me see how it
lived so long. It only goes to show that the Columbus reading public is very
kind and merciful."
The Telegram, an eightpage Saturday publication, was founded in October,
1886, by Enos W. Barnes, Horace G. Dobbins and Willard Barnes. It was a
branch of the Elmira, New York, Telegram, lialf of the paper being printed there
and sent to this city. The other four pages were filled with local correspondence
from nearby towns and some special feature articles. It was intended to put it on
a nonadvertising basis, but a circulation of four thousand, the result of a year's
work, did not make it a pajnng investment, and the paper was sold in November
to Hooper & Connelly, proprietors of the Sunday Morning News, by whom it was
consolidated with the News. Mr. Barnes returned to his home in New York, and
in a few months died.
The publication of the Evening Post, Democratic, was begun December 4, 1888,
by the Post Printing and Publishing Com])any, which was incorporated November
23, 1888, by S. G. MeCullough, A. D. Heffner, Frank C. Smith, Edward Denmead
and Dundon & Bergin. The authorized capital stock is $50,000, but only half that
amount was issued. The company was organized as follows : President, A. D.
Heffner; Secretary and Treasurer, Frank C. Smith; Directors, A. D. Heffner,
Frank C. Smith, Edmund Smith, S. G. MeCullough and FJdward Denmead. The
fir.st editor was H. S. Chapin and the first city editor was S. N. Cook. The fir.st
The I'kess. I. Hi'J
publiciilioii oftico \v»8 on East Slate Strcot in tlio G'onvorso Jilock. TIuto it
remained for about two j'oars, when it was removed to the soutiiwest corner of
State and Wall streets, where better accomniodations for the growing business
were secured. Early in 1891, Judge Joshua Seney, of Toledo, made a contract for the
purchase of a controlling interest, and a few numbers of the Post were issued
under his management, but the deal was never consummated and he soon retired,
anil the matter was taken to the courts where it still awaits adjustment. On
Ajtril 13, 1S91, Charles (i. Davis bought stock to the amount of 115,000 and became
the general manager, a position he still retains. After two years of editorial work,
Mr. Chapin resigned to return to newspaper work in Toledo, from which city he
iiad come to edit the Post. He was succeeded by David S. Tarbiil who, after five
months' service, resigned to lake a position on the Cincinnati Eriquirer. Henry
Apthorp then became the principal editorial writer, being assisted by Joiiu II.
Mackley. Soon after, Mr. Davis assumed the managcnient, Mr. Cook was trans-
ferred from the news to the business department and R. J. Bancroft became city
editor. At the present time, VV. P. nuntington is the managing editor, and
Messrs. Apthorj) and Mackley, assistants; George E. Kelley, city editor; S. N.
Cook, dramatic editor; Charles l^. Davis general manager, assisted by 15. F.
Gay man.
The Post retains its original form, a sevencolumn folio, except on Saturdays,
when it is issued in eightpage form. A weekly edition was also established at (lie
same time as the daily, but on October 1, 1891, a scmiweekiy edition was begun,
taking the place of the weekly and being furnished at the same price. The Post
is now under contract for the morning and evening franchises of Dalziel's News
Agency, assuring it a good telegraph service.
A humorous illustrated weekly called at first The Owl but afterwards Li.i;lit,
made its first api)earance the last week in March, 1888. Opha Moore was the
editor and O. A. Macy was the business manager. It was a very bright puhiiea-
tion, practically all the matter being original and fully up to the standard of
Eastern publications of the same character. The cartoons and illustrations, too,
were of a high order. Everything about it was firstchiss and expensive, and the
l)aper failed because too much had been attempted at the vei-y outset. It was pub-
lished for six months, most of the time as a twelvepage paper, but occasionally in
sixteenpage form. Other persons took the name and the subscription list and
attempted to establish a pictorial weekly at Chicago, i)iit they, too, failed after
§50,000 had been sunk in the venture.
The Sunday World was an outgrowth of a Saturday labor pai)er, established
in the summer of 1889 by James Bergin and David Boyer, and called the Trades
Ledger. In December of the same year, the day of publication was ciianged to
Sunday, and the name became the Sunday World and Trades Ledger. Tiie
l)aper continued to be an advocate of labor interests, but it became more distinc-
tively a newspaper of Democratic politics. In February, 1890, it was bought by
Charles q. Davis and F. W. Levering, who dropped the Trades Ledger from the
title and eondueteil it as a Democratic organ. It was published for a time as an
eightcolumn (jnarlo, but is now a ninecolumn tblio.
440 History of the City op Columbus.
The United Mine Workers' Journal is, as its name indicates, the organ of the
miners and the mine laborers. It was established early in April, 1891, and is pub"
lished weekly- by the National Executive Board of the United Mine Workers of
America. It is a paper of eiglit pages, six columns to the page. Its first editor
was Mr. W. E. Prine, who resigned a position on the local staff of the State Journal
to accept the place. Mr. Prine retired the first of November, 1891, and was suc-
ceeded by John Kane, of Indiana, a member of the Executive Boiird of the Miners'
oi'ganization.
Among suburban ventures was the Noi'th Side Enterprise, which was pub-
lished for several years under that name, and in 1891 became an organ of labor
under the name of the Labor Courier. The Bust Side News, which is still fioiirish-
ing, made its advent in September, 1890, and is devoted almo.-it entirely to matters
pertaining to that section of the citj'.
The Irish Times, by J. B. O'Reilly, now dead, and the Express, by Stephen W.
McFarland, have appeared at varying intervals.
Clarence C. Waring published in 1889 a few numbers of a moulhly called Our
School Youth.
The Industrial Union was another short-lived paper of 1888. It was a cham-
pion of organized labor.
The Ohio Fish and Game Protector is a small eightpage monthlj- devoted to
fishing hunting and sports in general. It was established in March, 1890, by the
Ohio Fish and Game Protector Publishing Company, with Colonel Horace Park as
editor.
Notwithstanding the large number of papers, the careers of which have been
outlined in the foregoing pages, there are still others that repose in the newspaper
graveyard, with naught but the name recorded to tell that they existed. Among
these are the following: The Independent Press, by Hugh M. Esjjy & Co., about
1832-3; the Budget of Fun, by the same; the Ohio Freeman by Captain John
Duffy, and then the Columbus Herald, by the sauie, both in 1842-43; the Eclectic,
by Horton Howard, edited by William Hance ; the Ohio Intelligencer ((terraan).
published in 1834; the Daily Enquirer, which was published a short time in 1855
by John M. Kinney & Co. ; the Ohio Convention Reporter, in 1870, by J. G. Adcll ;
Shadows, by A. C. Osborn, earlj' in the eighties. The Veteran, Grand Army of the
Republic paper, S. S. Peters, editor; Junia Banner, by Ivor Hughes and John C. L.
Pugh ; the Rural Call, by Charles W. Harper.
The Emigrant was the first German paper published in this city. It was
begun in 1833, and discontinued in the following year. Henry Roedter was the
editor.
The Ohio Staatszeitung was a Whig paper established in 1840. It was discon-
tinued after the Presidential election of that year.
The Ohio Eagle (Adier) was published for about eighteen months by V.
Kastnor, beginning in the spring of 1841.
The failure of the Eagle suggestetl to Jacob Reinhard the idea of trying his
hand at newspaper publishing, and he imniediatclj- set about the |)reliminary
work which resulted in the establishment of the Westbolc, in October, 1H43. F.
TllK I'RKSS. I. 441
Fieser, who waw then in Cinc-inn:iti, a.s tlio iMlitdi- of the Volksblatt, IhuH tells the
story (if tlio estiililishmont of the Westbole, llic oliiosl living and the most buccosm-
ful (iiM-niiin ])aper of Ciiliinibus:
•In Iho snnimor of 1842, Jacob Keinhard vamv to Cincinnati to bidacli the
suhjoct of starling a German paper in Colunihus, as the Ohio Eaglo was a thing of
the past. 1 had become acqnainted with Mr. Jicinhard when be was the eitgimwH
of the National Koad, between Sjn-ingfield and Columbus. The prospects were
good, and so I consonted. Ecinhard returned to Columbus, and I looked after the
numerous small details, in which Stephen Molitor assisted me. Several names for
the new paper were suggested, and we decided the question by writing the names
on separate slips of paper and putting them all in a hat. A daughter of Stephen
Molitor drew the name (Der Westbote) out of the hat. It has been stated that the
Westbote was printed with the typo of the defunct Eagle, but such is not the fact.
I bought the tj'pe in Philadelphia and no secondhand material was ever used.
The first number of the AVestbote was issued on the second day of October, 1843,
the publication office being on East Main Street, in a frame structure which has
since given way for the handsome residence of Isaac Eberly. Columbus was in
1S43 quite small and the German population not very numerous, You could count
the German business men on your fingers. Besides that, the Whigs wore in the
niajoritj^ in both county and city, and the establishment of a German Democratic
newspaper was therefore not an easy task. The difficulties were not overcome for
j'ears ; but when once the turning point was reached, the improvement was rapid.
The field of the Westbote gradually extended into other States and its influence
steadily grew stronger until, in many localities in the State, the paper was con-
sidered the -Democratic Bible.' "
Keinhard & Fieser continued the publication of the Westbote until May, ISSl,
a period of more than fiirty years, when Mr. Fieser sold his half interest to William
F. Kemmler, George J. Brand and Peter Hinterschitt, all of whom had for many
years been in the service of the firm of Ileinhard & Fieser. Mr. Kemmler's sei-vice
rlates back to 18G2, Mr. Brand's to 1855, and Mr. Ilinterschitt's to 1S47. The busi-
ness of the Westbote was continued by the new firm until February 25, 1885,
when a joint stock company was incorporated with a capital stock of S100,000,
Jacob Reinhard, Henry A. Reinhard, William F. Kemmler, George J. Brand, and
Peter Hinterschitt being tlie principal stockholders and forming the board of
directors. Mr. Jacob Reinhard is president of the company ; his son, Henry A.,
is business manager; Mr. Kemmler, managing editor; Mr. Brand, superintendent
of the book and job department, and Mr. Hinterschitt, foreman of the composing
room. The business, since the change from a partnership to a corporation, has
greatly increased, and much material, including a stereotyping outfit, has been
addol. Seventyeight men are .now regularly employed about the establishment.
The Westbote was at first, and for the major jiorliou of its career, a weekly. It
became a semiweckly while in the hands of Reiidiard & Fieser, and is now a tri-
weekly, having lieen made such when the stock company was formed. Henry A.
Reinhard, the ))resent business maniiger, has been actively connected with the
Westbote for a quarter of a century, ihougli lu' is yet a coni]>aratively y<jung man.
442 History of the City of Columbus.
In 1852, Reinhard & Foiscr jniblishcd a Democratic campaign paper called
the Sharpshooter.
The Volkstribune, a paper of abolition tendeiiCies, was started in 1854 by
George Hessenauer & Go. It lived about eighteen months.
The Columbus Republican was a shortlived publication, the first number ot
which was issued March 10, 1859. Philip Croissant, a native of Germany, who
came to Columbus from New Philadelphia, was the editor.
The Republikanische Presse was published for a short time, beginning iu 1858,
by John Siebert and Henry Lindenberg. Herman Euess was the editor.
John H. Orf began the publication of the Allgemeine Volkszeitung, a weekly
independent paper, July 20. 1S7"2. The publication offce was at 1C5 East Friend
(now Main) Street. This paiicr lived only a few months.
The Ohio Staatszeitnng, a dailj' evening paper, began a short career May 21,
1883. The persons interested tinancially in the publication were ; Frank Hem-
mersbach, Theodore Landien, F. A. Wayant, and Joseph VoU. The paper was
not a success, and after several thousand dollars had been sunk in the venture, was
discontinued April 21, 1884.
The Ohio Sonntagsgast, a Sunday paper, was founded in April, 1878, by L.
Hirsch, who is still its editor. Henry Raab, Adolpb Hirschberg and Albert
Guthkeat diiferent times had a financial interest in the publication, but Mr. Hirsch
has always held a controlling interest in it, as well as being its editor. The
Sonntagsgast has always been Eepublican in jwlitics, and has exercised during its
career not a little influence in behalf of the Eepublican party. When the publica-
tion was begun, the paper was a fourpage, uinecolumn paper, but five months later
its form was changed to a quarto of seven columns to the page. To the regular
eightpage paper is now added a fourpage literary supplement. A four23age edition
of the Sonntagsgast is also ]5rinted for circulation at a distance, and to meet the
needs of other than city subscribers.
The first religious paper published here was the Cross and Journal, a Baptist
weekly, which was moved to this city in 1838 and published here for the eleven
j'eai'S next following. Its publisher and editor at the time of the removal was
George Cole, who conducted it alone until 1845, when Eev. D. A. Eandall became
associate editor. In 1847 the paper was sold by Mr. Cole to Mr. Randall and Rev.
J. L. Balcheldcr, who changed its name to the Western Christian Journal. This
partnership continued until 1849, w heu Mr. Batchelder became sole proprietor and
removed the publication oflflce back to Cincinnati, where the paper is still published
under the name of the Journal and Messenger as the organ of the Baptists of the
States of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
There are published in this city twelve Lutheran papers and magazines, the
oldest of which is the Lutheran Staii'lard, a weekly of eight pages now in its forty-
eighth year. Its editors are : Pi-otessor JI. I^oy and Professor G. H. Schodde. The
]iapcr is devoted, as its name implies, to the interests of the Lutheran Church, and
has a circulation of about four thousand. It was established in 1842, and was then
jiublished at New Philadelphia, Ohio, with Eev. K. Greenwald as its first editor.
Two j-ears latei-, Eev. S. A. Mealy was elected as its editor by the Capital Univer-
TiiK I'KKss. I. 44;$
sily Board, and ils pliicu of imblicatioii was i-l)aiigcd to Zanosvillo, wlicro Hov. Mr,
Meal}' was then engaged in pastoi-al work. The following year, Rev. C. Sjiichnan
took charge, and the paper was removed to Somerset. He remained editor until
1848, when Professor F. Tjolimann was cliosen editor, and the paper was brought to
Columbus, where it has remained ever since. Kov. Mr. Green wald served as
editor from 1851 to 1854, and Professor Worley from 1854 to 18G4. In the latter
year, Profes.sor M. Loy was elected editor, in wl.ich capacity ho lias continued to
serve until now. In 1879, Professor Sehodde was chosen as associate editor, a
relationship wlifch he still sustains.
The Lutherische Kirchenzeitung (Lullieran Cluirch Paper) \s a sunii-niontiily
of eight pages which was established in 18G0. It is printed in (ierman. Its tii'st
editor was Professor F. Lehmann, now dead. He was succeeded in 1880 by Pro-
fessor W. F. Stcllhorn, who is still its principal editor. He is assisted b^' Professor
E. Sciuni.l.
The Lutheran CMiiM's Paper, a monthly publication intoiided for Sunday-
school children, was cstablisliud in 1S78, with Rev, H, A, Becker as e.lilor, lie
served in that capacity until 188(1, when he was succeeded by Rev, ti. W. Lose,
who is still its editor. Il is a small fourpage paper, of which about si.x thousand
copies are printed monthly.
A German paper corresponding in character and purpose with the foregoing,
is the Kinderfrende, which was established in 1884, and has a circulation of S,UO().
Its editor is Rev. E. A. Boehme.
The Little Missionary dates its existence from 1S85. It is a fourpage monthly,
devoted to the reports of missionary efforts and to the work of sustaining the mis-
sions of the church. Its e.litor is Rev. E. Pfeitfer.
Lesson Leaves for Sundayschool woi'kers, published in P^nglisb and (ierman,
is edited by Rev. P. A. Peter.
Kinderlust is a sixteenpage riMnithly, devoted ver}' largely to religious
stories. It was established in ls,s2 and is editcl by Rev. G, F. II, .Meiser. It has
a circulation of 4,000.
The Columbus Theological .^laga/.inc is a si.xlyfoiir j.age bimonthly devoted to
the discussion of theological llienies. It was established in 18S0, and is edited b\-
Professor M, Loy.
A kindred periodical dilfcring from the foregoing principally in the fac-t that
it is printed in German, is the Theologische Zeitlilatter. It was esiablished in
1882, and is edited by Professor F W. Stellhorn.
The Christlicho I'jrziehungsbliilter
interests of the Lutheran jiarochial schoi
and is edited by Pi-ofcssor John L. Fehr.
The Blumen und Garben (Flowers and Sheaves) is a bimonthly devoted to
church history and religious news. It is an cii;lit|iaii:e ]iublicatiuii, which has been
in existence since IS.Sfl. its ediior is
four thousand.
The Western Missionarv of the (i.
(id
■mai
1 nnnii
It W
as e
stablisl
Shea
ves)
is a 1.
ight,
lage
public
■. 11.
Rol
lie. Il
444 History op the City of Columbus.
Rev. J. H. Good was its editor, and it was imblished by tlio Board of tbe Synod of
Ohio and adjacent States.
The New Church Herald, edited by Rev. S. Hough, was removed to thi.s city
in 1858, and began its third volume in September of that year.
The Ohio Waisenfreund was founded in 1872, at Pomeroy, Ohio, by its jiros-
ent editor and proprietor, Rev. J. Jessing. Its name was then simply Ohio. In
1877, the establishment was removed to Columbus, the name of the paper changed
to that which it now bears, and its scope extended over all the States. It rapidly
grew in favor, and about four years ago attained its present circulation, about
forty thousand copies. It is a religious weekly for Catholics, containing a synop-
sis of the political news, religious and historical instruction, and selections of read-
ing matter for the family. The proceeds of the Ohio Waisenfreund have been
used for the establishment of the St. Joseph's Orphans' Homo — a home for desti-
tute or homeless boys — and are still used for the support of its inmates.
The Columbian Printing Company, for the publication of a weekly journal,
to be known as the Catholic Columbian, was incorporated on the seventeenth of
December, 1874, by Right Rev. S. H. Rosecrans, Rev. D. A. Clarke, Rev. M. M.
Meara, Luke G. Byrne and Major O. T. Turney. Although incorporated, the
company never organized. Bishop Rosecrans did the editorial work, assisted by
Rev. D. A. Clarke, who acted also as business manager. The ownership was
vested in Rev. D. A. Clarke, who paid in capital, as needed, from the receipts of
the paper.
The material for the publication of the Columbian was bought by Mr. James
F. Turney, late foreman of the Ohio State Journal composition rooms. The paper
was at first a folio, 28 x42, and tbe first number was printed January 6, 1875. It
was issued from the Dispatch press, and the publication office was on the second
floor of the building at 26 North High Street. In July, 1875, the paper was
changed to a quarto, a form which it has retained to the present.
At the death of Bishop Rosecrans in October, 1878, the editorial work devolved
on Father Clarke, who remained business maiuiger as well. This arrangement
continued until 1881, when Father Clarke, finding the burden of the paper too
hcayy for himself alone, in connection with his other duties as jJriest, associated
with him Mr. John A. Kuster, of Newark, who purchased an interest and took
charge of the business mangement
In the spring of 1883, failing health forced Father Clarke to retire from active
work on the Columbian, and Rev. W. F. Hayes, now of Newark, conducted the
editorial and literary deiDartments with marked ability and success for over a
year. On Father Clarke's return from the West, whither he had gone to recuper-
ate, he again resumed charge in the summer of 1884, but after a few months dis-
posed of his interest in the concern to Mr Kuster, who has controlled its destinies
ever since.
The early history of the Columbian is filled with trials and embarrassments,
but hard work, close application and friendly encouragement enabled the young
publisher to overcome difficulties and finally to witness the solid csLablishment of
a Catholic family journal in Central Ohio.
The 1're.ss. I. 445
The Little ("rusador, a weekly jiivonilo iiajier lor ('atliolic Suiidayscliools,
was cstabli.sliod in January, 1S82, by Anna M, Murjiliy, and was edited and con-
ducted by lior until her death, April 17, IStMl. The ])ul)litation is continued by
her sister, Adelaide M. Murjihy. The paper consists of four pages, nine by twelve
inches, and the front page is always embellished by an attractive picture. Several
Catholic priests and others interested in the extension of that church are regular
contributoi-s to the columns of tlie Ijittle Cunsader, which has in its career of eight
years attained great success. It circulates now in every State and Territory of the
Union and reaches into Canada, France and Australia. The number of copies
printed wecklj' is 12,000. The i)apcr is intendo(i strictly for the instruction and
amusement of the j'oung, and no advertisements are admitted to its columns.
During the eight years of Miss Anna Murph3-'8 work on the Little Crusader, her
identity was concealed behind the initials "A. M.," since it was thought that if it
were generall3' known that the editor and publisher was a woman, the influence
of the little paper might be lessened. Her associates in the church speak highly
of her devotion and the excellent character of her work.
The Gospel Expositor, a weekly publication, an organ of the Friends' society,
was established here in December, 1882, by Rev. A. H. Hus.sey and Rev. W. G.
Hubbard. The latter was the business manager, and Rev. Dr. Dugan Clark, of
Richmond, Indiana, was the editor. It was published for two or three years and
was then consolidated with the Christian Worker, another organ of the same
denomination, which was and is still published at Chicago.
Other religious publications of a character indicated by their titles arc : The
Parish Monitor, by Rev. F. O. Grannis ; the District Review, by Rev. J. C. Jack-
son ; Our Sunday School, by George VV. Dickey. There have been, besides,
numerous small church and denominational jjapers which have had for the most
part a rather ephemeral existence.
The first agricultural paper published in this city was the Ohio Cultivator, an
oightpage semimonthly, established by M. B. Bateham, January 1, 1.S45. It was a
journal of very creditable appearance, and seems to have met with marked finan-
cial success. It was devoted to agriculture and horticulture, and covered those
fields with ability and care. Some idea of its success may be had from the editor's
announcement at the clo.se of the first volume, in the course of w hich he takes
occasion to say that " the Cultivator has obtained a circulation of more than five
thousand copies within the State of Ohio, besides many in adjoining States; and it
has published communications from one hundred and fifty correspondents, nearly
all of them practical farmers, and horticulturists, or men of extensive scientific
knowledge." ilr. Bateham continued the publication of the Cultivator for about
eleven years, and when he sold it in 185tJ to S. D. Harris, the journal had a circula-
tion of t«n thou.sand copies. Colonel Harris continued the publication in this city
for some time, but finally removed to Cleveland. Mr. Bateham, before his very
successful venture here, had edited the Genesee Farmer, at Rochester, New York,
His wife, who was an accomplished woman and was the editor of the Housewife's
Department in the Cultivator, died in this city, September 25, 1848.
446 History op the City of Columbus.
The Ploughshiire and Pruninghook, a semimonthly, began iDublieation here in
July, 1845. It was published bj^ the Integral Phalanx, and was "devoted to the
cause of associative unity."
The German Farmer was the name of another agricultural paper which was
published here for a short time. W. Eaine was its proprietor, and the first number
was issued in August, 1S4.S.
The Western Agriculturist, edited by W. W. Mather, Corresponding Secretary
of the State Board of Agriculture, was established in January, 1853. It was first
published by J. H. Riley & Co., and after February, 1852, by Samuel Medary. It
was shortlived.
Field Notes was the name of an eightpage, sevencolumn paper published in
1859 by S. D. Harris and James D. Hurd. It lived only a year or two.
The Farmer's Chronicle was a sixteenpage quarto, the publication of which
was begun in December, 1867, by Joseph W. Dwyer and William H. Busbey.
Among its contributors were G. S. Innis, A. B. Buttles and John H. Klippart.
The City and Country, a monthi}- devoted to home and farming interests, was
established in November, 1881. It was published bj' an incorporated company,
with a capital stock of five thousand dollars. Will C. Turner was managing and
A. G. Lincoln associate editor. In December, 1882, the publication was purchased
by Mr. Turner from the City and Country Company, and the new proprietor
•assumed control of the busine.ss and editorial departments. In March, 1889, the
Will C. Turner and Nitschke Brothers Publishing Company was incorporated,
with a capital stock of $50,000, Mr. Turner taking onehalf and the Nitschke
Brothers the other half of the stock. The business and publication ofiice of the
City and Country was retained here, but Mr. Turner edited it from New York,
with various assistants at the heads of departments. This arrangement con-
tinued until June, 1890, when the paper was sold to O. D. Jackson, who is still
conducting it.
The medical publication first to make its appearance in this city was the
Thompsonian Recorder, published as the exponent of the Thompsonian school of
medicine from 1832 to 1842, when it was removed to Cincinnati. It was pub-
lished by Jarvis, Pike & Co., and was edited by Doctor S. Curtis.
The Medical Counsellor was establisheil in 1856 by Dr. R. Hills, who was its
editor and proprietor. It was discontinued the same year.
The Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal was established in January, 1848,
with Doctor John Butterfield as editor and J. H. Rilej- & Co., as publishers. It
was the organ of Starling Medical College. In January, 1850, Doctor Butterfield
died, and Doctor S. M. Smith became the editor, being succeeded one year later by
Doctor E. L. Howard. On January 1, 1854, Doctor John Dawson bought the
journal from the faculty and issued it as editor and proprietor. In July, 1858,
Doctor J. W. Hamilton became its associate editor. In January, 1862, the Starling
Medical College fiiculty purchased it from Doctors Dawson and Hamilton, and
Doctor Dawson became its editor, assisted by the entire faculty. Doctor T. G.
Wormley was its publisher. The publication was suspended by vote of the Axcidty
in November, 1864. In June, 1876, the pajjer was revived, wiih Doctor J. H.
The Prkss. I. 447
Pooley as editor. This " now serios " ci.nliiuir.l iiiilil ncccrnl.cr, 1S7S, wlu'ii il
again ceased to aiiiiear.
The Columbus Review of Medicine .ind Singly, -■ lilol In Dr. W. I, .McMil
Ion, was a hiniouthly established in August, ISCiO.
The Monthly Sanitary Roeord, the otticial |iulilic;iiii.n df the Statr I'.oard of
Health, began its career in January, ISSS. li is devoted exclusively to the dis-
cussion of matters relating to hygiene and tlie |iublie health, and was conceived
l»y the Board of Health as tiie best means of eomnuinicating to interested ]>ersons
tlie facts and statistics reganling disease and deaths, particularly in Ohio. It is
l)ubiished in sixteenpage pamphlet I'orm, at the nominal price of Iwentyfive cents a
year. Doctor C. O. Probst, Secretary of the Board, has been its editor since its
publication was begun.
The Ohio Medical Itecorder was a fortyeight page monthly, the first iiunilier of
which was issued June 1, ISii;, its editors being Doctors J W. Hamilton and J. F.
Baldwin. It was the organ of the (Jolumbiis Medical College. The intention had
been to call the new journal The Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal, but that
name was found to be the )iroperty of the faculty of the Starling Medical College
and hence not available. A not very amiable eontrovor.sy, however, was indulged
in between the editors of the ])r(iposed ])ublication and the dean of Starling Medi-
cal College before the name was relinquished. In Januarj-, 1881, the Recorder was
leased bj- the College to Doctor Baldwin, and in February of that yoai' Doctor J.
H. Lowman, of Cleveland, became associated with him as editor. Doctor Hamil-
ton being only nominally connected witii the paper. In July, 1881, the Eecorder
became the official " organ " of the Ohio State Medical Society, under the ii.ime
Ohio Medical Journal, and Doctors T. C. Minor, of Cincinnati, George A. Colla-
more, of Toledo, and W. J. Conklin, of Dayton, were added to the editorial force.
Doctor Hamilton's name being dropped. In July, 1882, the contract with the
State Medical Society having expired, the Journal, with all its belongings, was
turned over to the Columbus Medical College, and the five editors, with Doctor
Baldwin as the managing editor, started the Columbus Medical Journal. As the
faculty of the College did not continue the publication of the periodical thus
returned to them, the Columbus Medical Journal became its virtual successor, and
the only medical publication in the field. This journal has been i.ssued regularly
ever since its origin. At flie end of its fir.st volume, the four associate editors,
finding theni-selves unable to be of any assistance on a paper issued at a distance
from them, resigned, and Doctor Baldwin continued as .sole editor until July, 1890,
when the Journal was increased in size, and Doctor J E. Brown became its asso-
ciate editor.
The first secret society publication founded in this city was The Ark and Odd
Fellows' Western Monthly Magazine, the first number of which was pulilished in
January, 1844. Its editors were John T. Blaiii and Alexander E. Glenn. It was
the first Odd Fellow publication west of the Alleghany Mountains, and was, in its
palmy days, really well edited and managed. Both its editors were well informed
on Odd F'ellowship, and their jiajier became the mouth))iece ami oracle of the fra-
ternity. Even to this day, the hound files of the Ark are fre<|ucntly referred to as
448 History of the City of Columbus.
autlioritj' in society matters. Mr. Blaiu retired from the firm in January, lS4ti,
and started a rival publication called The Patriarch, an eightpnge semimonthly,
which was discontinued December 5 of the same year. Mr. Glenn, who became
Past Grand in 1844, and Grand Master in 1849, and was Grand Secretary of the
Order in Ohio from 1850 to 1860, coutiaued the publication of The Ark until 1861,
when that paper too went out of existence.
The Companion and American Odd Fellow dates back to 1865, when Mitchell
C. Lilley, John Siebert, Henry Lindenberg and Charles H. Lindenberg united their
energies under the firm name of M. C. Lilley & Co., for the purpose of publishing a
monthly magazine devoted to Odd Fellowship. An office was established at
Number 28 North High Street, and the first number of the magazine was that for
August, 1865. It was a magazine of fortyeight octavo royal pages, and was called
The Odd Fellow's Companion. Henry Lindenberg was the e<litor; John Siebert
superintended the mechanical part of the business, and Charles Lindenberg went
on the road to solicit subscribers and other patronage. Captain Lilley's part in
the business was that of an adviser rather than that of an active participant in the
work. The first year of tiie magazine was one of hard work and many disappoint-
ments. The war had just closed, and affairs were in a rather chaotic condition.
Many businesses were a source of loss rather than gain, but the new firm
had the satisfaction of knowing, at the end of the first year, that they had made
86.52 over and above all expenses. Henry Lindenberg continued as the editor of
the magazine until 1872, when the growth of the business made it desirable for
him to turn his attention to another department. Mr. H. P. Gravatt then
became editor and remained such until 1881, when he was succeeded by the late
Doctor S. C. Chorlton, who came from Cincinnati to take charge of the paper.
Doctor Chorlton continued as editor until his death in May, 1889, and was suc-
ceeded by Charles A. Poland, the present editor. The Companion grew to be a
very influential organ of the order, and one of its editors, Mr. Gravatt, now of the
Wooster Democrat, tells in a recent letter of the many reforms in Odd Fellowship
which the Companion was among the first to advocate. The paper reached prob-
ably what was its greatest influence after its consolidation with the American
Odd Fellow, of Boston, in 1874.
The Knight, a sixteenpage monthly devoted to the interests of the Knights of
Pythias, was established by M. C. Lilley & Co., in 1673, the first number having
been issued in September of that year. Its first editor was H. P. Gravatt, who
was succeeded in August, 1881, by Doctor S. C. Chorlton. The latter remained the
editor until his death in May, 1889, when he was succeeded by the present editor,
Charles A. Poland.
The Masonic Chronicle dates back to October, 1881, when it was established
by M. C. Lilley & Co., with Doctor S. C. Chorlton as editor. It is a sixteenpage
monthly devoted to the interests of the Masonic fratcrnit}^ Charles A. Poland has
been its editor since May, 1889. Like the other publications issued by this firm,
the Masonic Chronicle has a large circulation, i-eaching into every State and Terri-
tory of the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Australia. The
news field of each is as broad as the dominion of the Order.
^"X^
The Press. I. 440
The Bundle of Slicks, an Odd Fellow publication, was established in Ajn-il,
1884, as a fourpage monthly. Its editor was Rov. 1. P. Stidham and its assistant
editor Cyrus Huling, while its business managers were Messrs. Charles Young and
L. W. Sherwood. The success of the paper was such that, with the third number,
the size was changed from four to eight pages. When, in September, 1884, Ilev. Mr.
Stidham left the city to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, at
Cincinnati, Cyrus Iluling became the editor and C. II. Lyman the assistant editor.
A few months later Mr. Iluling retired to make the canvass for Prosecuting Attor-
ney, and Mr. Lj'man became the editor, a position which he has filled ever since.
About this time the Gazette Printing House bought the paper and continued its
publication, with Mr. Lyman as editor. No subsequent change has taken place.
The Washingtoniun is a monthly paper established in 1889 as the organ of the
Patriotic Order of S(jns of America. It is a private enterprise, and is now owned
and edited by C. C. Raskins.
The periodical of greatest literaiy pretensions ever published in this city was
doubtless the Hesperian, or Western Monthly Magazine, the publication of which
was begun in Maj', 1838. The organizers of the understaking were William D.
Gallagher and Otway Curry, both of whom were men of culture and literarj-
talent. At the end of six months, when the first volume had been completed, Mr.
Curry retired and Mr. Gallagher continued to edit the magazine in this city
for another six months, but in May, 1839, removed it to Cincinnati, where he
continued its publication for some time. The Hesperian was a respectable periodical
of eight}' pages to each number. About half of its space was devoted to original con-
Iributions, all of which were of a statistical and historical rather than of a light and
entertaining nature. It was, in fact, a boast of the editor, made iu his editorial
announcing the change of place of publication from Columbus to Cincinnati, that the
" useful and solid had greatly predominated over the light and simply amusing" in
the contents of the first two volumes. To give a clearer idea of the tone of the
magazine, it may be said that the chief of the contributed articles for the first
volume were: "Ohio in 1838," a carefully prei)ared account of the internal
improvements, the literary and scientific institutions, the common school system,
the humane asylums, mineral resources, etc., of Ohio; "The Internal Trade of the
Mississippi Valley"; -'Notes on Texas"; "The Origin of Bituminous Coal" ; ''The
Claims of Universities " ; and " The Proper Sphere of Woman." About onethird of
the magazine was devoted to miscellany selected from the best European and Ameri-
can periodicals, but if there was at that time anything light in these latter publica-
tions, it did notfind its way into the pages of the Hesperian. The remainder of the
magazine was devoted to the editorial and literary departments, abounding in
stately periods and sober discussion of serious questions. The magazine bore the
imprint of Charles Scott and John M. Gallagher, Printers, 45 State Street, a location
which was just west of High Street.
The Modern Argo was established in July, 1878, by S. H. Dooley, as a literary
and society weekly. It was intended as a highclass journal, and it was everything
that it should have been typographically, but the publisher was a comparative
29
450 History op the City of Columbus.
stranger, and the class of people to whom he appealed was unresponsive. In the
following December the paper was discontinued.
In 1884, W. Farrand Felch, well known by reason of his numerous contribu-
tions to Columbus newspapers and periodicals, printed a few numbers of the
Western Critic. Early in 1885, Mr. Felch, Mr. James M. Kerr and Mr. Thomas
C. Harbaugh united their forces and decided to enlarge the Critic. They called
the remodeled periodical. The Inland Monthly, and issued four numbers, which
were excellent in typography and materials. Lack of patronage, however, forced
the discontinuance of the periodical, and soon afterwards Mr. Felch went to Hai-t-
ford, Connecticut, Mr. Kerr to Minneapolis and thence to Rochester, New York, and
Mr. Harbaugh back to his home in the Miami Valley, where he has since been
engaged in the production of poetry and fiction which have found their waj^ into
various publications.
The Saturday Critic was established by Colonel W. A. Taylor in April, 1882,
and was published for just one year, being discontinued to permit Colonel Taylor
to accept the position of staff correspondent of the Cincinnati News-Journal. The
Critic was an eightcolumn folio, and was devoted to literature, art and general
criticism. Colonel Taylor was its proprietor, publisher and editor. W. Farraud
Felch was assistant editor, V. B. Hanna circulation agent, and C. F. McKenna
advertising solicitor. The Critic had quite a staff of contributors, among whom
were F. E. and W. E. Denton, now of Cleveland ; John W. Cooper of Pennsylvania ;
Mattie E. Owens, of Missouri ; William J. O'Leary and Minnie Owrey, of Pitts-
burgh ; Colonel James Taylor, brother of the editor, and two foreign correspon-
dents— Millikin Pasha, at Cairo, Egypt, and Albert Rlioades, then located at
Nice, France. The Critic, in the year of its publication, paid expenses, which is
probably more than can be said of most of the literary publications of Columbus.
The Home Journal was a monthly, published first in 1880, by J. C. McClena-
han. In March, 1881, a partnership was formed for its further publication, the
partners being Mr. McClenahan, Rev. F. W. Gunsaulus, E. M. Lincoln and Joseph
Ruffner, the latter of Cincinnati. Mr. McClenahan was business manager and
Messrs. Gunsaulus and Lincoln were the editors. The publication was shortlived.
The Saturday Dial was a most creditable literary, musical and society journal,
the publication of which was begun here by Mr. Goddard, of St. Louis, the latter
part of April, 1887. It was suspended after four'issues. May 28, 1887.
The Ohio Law Journal was founded by Charles G. Lord and J. H. Bowman in
1880. It was a weekly publication devoted, as its name implies, to the interests
of the legal profession. It gave in full the decisions of the State Supreme Court,
and had departments devoted to the discussion of current legal questions. Mr.
Lord retired from the firm in 1882, and Mr. Bowman then organized a stock com-
pany for the continuance of the publication. Of this company, William A. David-
son, of Cincinnati, was president; F. Siegel, of Columbus, vice-president, and J.
H. Bowman, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The company very soon
lost faith in Mr. Bowman and retired him from the management, but permitted
him to i-emain a.s a director. Mr. Lord was called to take the position thus made
vacant. Mr. Bowman did not take his retirement in good part, and made much
The Prkss. 1. 451
trouble for the manajjemcnl. Aflvv a lurl)ulcnt ineotiiii^ of tlie directors, Decem-
ber 10, 1883, in which blooilsiiod was iircvcnted only by the interference of the
police, the affairs of the company were put into the hands of O. T. Gunning as
receiver, who, on March 14, 1884, sold the property to George M. Brand, acting
for the publishers of the Cincinnati Tiaw Bulletin. The latter, having got a rival
with an unsavory record out of the waj% established a publication office here and
hegan publication of the Weekly Law Bulletin and Ohio Law Journal. The paper
is still issued as of Cincinnati and Columbus by the Capital Printing and Publish-
ing Company, with Carl G. Jahn as editor and general manager.
The Ohio School Journal, n monthly, was established here Januiuy 1, 1S48,
and published for a short time
In 1852, the Ohio Journal of Ivliication was established by the State Teachers'
Association, and was published monthlj-, beginning in February. It was edited
for a time by Doctor A. D. Lord, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Colum-
bus, assisted by six of the ablest practical teachers of the State. In 18(50, this jour-
nal was succeeded by the Ohio Teachers' Monthly, which was published for a time
by F. W. Hurtt & Co. (Anson Smythe and F. W. Hurtt).
The Lantern is a paper published for and by the students of the Ohio State
Universitj-. The first number appeared in 1881, its founders being Fred Keffcr,
R. H. Pool, F. Howald, F. W. Fay, and VV. K. Cherryholmes. It was in a little
red frame house on West Ninth Avenue that these students met and arranged for
the establishment of the paper. W. K. Cherryholmes was the first editorinchief,
and his successors thus far have been Messrs. Fassig, C. C. Miller, W. R. Malone,
McMurray, George Smart, W. P. Bently, V. J. Emory, H. T. Stephens, J. A. Wil-
gus, Harry Hedges, John A. B^owiiocker and Carl G. Doney. The Lantern was
at first published monthly, and afterwards fortnightly, but is now issued weekly.
The Spectator is the organ of the students of Capital University, the Lutheran
educational institution located on East Main Street. It was established in 188(j.
Its present editor is A. O. Swinehart.
The Mutes' Chronicle is a little paper i.ssued from the printing office of the
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The principal of the school is its editor, and
much of the writing, typesetting and other work on the paper is done by the
pupils. The ])aper furnishes a medium of communication between the present
and the former pupils of the institution.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE PRESS. II.
BY OSMAN C. HOOPER.
The story of journalism in this city is an interesting one, but has heretofore
been but meagerly told. The early editor, or printer as he often called himself
and was called by others, had no easy task. He was the victim of storms, delayed
mails, and scarcity of materials even to the rags of which paper was made. All
of the early papers were weeklies, and each had its regular day of publication, but
announcement was often made in some special waj- that publication would be
made on the most convenient daj^ of the week. This irregularity was usually not
a matter of choice ;. nevertheless publication was often deferred to enable the editor
to attend to some business which he considered more important. The uncertainty
of news transmission was a frequent cause of embarrassment and delay. A paper
worth reading could not be printed when the mails furnished no Eastern exchanges
to clip from. Even when exchanges were received the publisher might have no
ink, or be unable to get a supply of paper because the paper mill could get no
raw materials. Sometimes, too, the journeyman printers, who were none too
numerous, would unexpectedly leave the editor in the lurch. The Freeman's
Chronicle of November 17, 1812, contained the following apologetic statement:
For some time past the Chronicle has not been as interesting and useful to its readers as
the editor always designed to render it. Sickness in his family, his own long indisposition,
the recent pressure of extra work and the impossibility of procuring mechanical assistance
have been the only impediments wliich have caused this deficiency. ■ Having now sur-
mounted the greater part of these obstacles, the public are assured that every exertion will
be made at this all-important crisis to furnish them with the most early and correct intel-
ligence which the very eligible situation of Franklinton at present affords. At no point, per-
haps, in the Western States will more facilities unite, than at this, to collate all the particulars
relative to the operations of the Northwest A.rmy; and as soon as they transpire, it will be
our task to communicate them to our readers as speedily as possible. We shall be carefully
guarded against such idle rumors and marvelous tales as alternately amused, agitated and
tantalized the public mind during Hull's Quixotic campaign.
This was followed by the statement in the next issue, that " a most unexpected
disappointment in receiving our customary supply of paper compels us to issue only
a half sheet, this week, and to omit several advertisements which ought to have
been inserted."
[452]
The Press. II. 453
On December 5, of the same year, the Clironicle contains anotlior lon-j; state-
ment from the editor in which ho complains that his journeymen have left liini,
that his paper has but just arrived, that his ink has not j'et Ijceu received, and
that it is impossible to procure any nearbj'. He assures his readers that he will
print his paper whenever it is possible for him to do so, and that the omitted num-
bers will be made up at the end of the year.
The successors of this pioneer of Columbus journalism had similar embarrass-
ing experiences for manj' 3-car8. Bad roads, floods and delayed mails harassed
them continuallj'. Even as late as 1838 the State Journal explained its delayed
issues by confessing inability to obtain paper with which to print thorn.
During the financial troubles of the first quarter of this century publishers
were unable to get cash subscriptions and were obliged to accept the best sub-
stitutes then current in lieu of money. In the fifth number of the Western Intel-
ligencer (1811) it is announced in bold type that " rags, candles, and oats will be
received at this office in exchange for subscriptions." Whiskj- at the rate of
twentytive cents a gallon, bacon, hams, tallow, beeswax, wheat, flour, beans, peas,
sugar, molasses, flaxseed, raw sheepskin, sausages, fresh meat, cheese, butter, eggs,
feathers and poultry were willingly taken at newspaper offices in payment for sub-
scriptions and printing. But such articles would not buy j^aper and ink. Some
money was necessary, and we frequently find the editor imploring that at least,
onehalf of the sums duo him should be paid in cash. But worse than the sub-
scrilier who wished to pay all his debts in produce was the one who would not pay
at all. To bring these incorrigibles to terms, entreaties were first tried, and when
these failed threats "to put the obligations in suit," or in other words, "to use
the coercive measures of the law," were resorted to. In an editorial threatening
delinquents, the Freeman's Chronicle of April 8, 1814, declares that " one hundred
and fifty dollars have been expended bj- the editor for paper alone during the last
six months, and not more than thirty dollars received for subscriptions during that
time."
The means for transmitting news to these early periodicals were of course
very meager. The stagecoach and canalboat were chiefly relied upon, with occa-
sional resort to horsemen or Indian runners, as during the Indian war. Washing-
ton intelligence a month old was considered fresh,-'aud foreign news, of which a
great deal was printed, was at least three months old. Local events were very
scantily reported, perhaps on the presumption that there was no need of telling
the villagers through the paper what everyone already knew from street gossip or
personal observation. The unreliability of current news and the expedients
resorted to for obtaining it find some curious illustrations. The Columbus Gazette
of November 15, 1821, contains this announcement :
The foUowiug was written on the margin of a waybill received in this town on Tiiesday
evening last :
Putnam, O., Nov. ll', 1S21.
Zanesville is on fire, and has been this two hours, and all attempts to extinj;uish the
flames have as yet proved abortive. One siiiiare is already consumed. There is no telling'
when its ravages will end. In haste. P.M.
454 History of the City op Columbus.
In the next issue of the Gazette these startling statements were thus recalled:
" The fire that was stated to have been raging with such violence in Zanesville, as
noticed in our last paper, has fortunately proved to be a false statement." The
editor's chagrin perhaps explained the blundering construction of this sentence.
The pioneer editor entertained a wholesome respect for the rights of individ-
uals. He was cautious of giving needless oflfense, and was careful to treat his
adversaries fairly. Public opinion sometimes held him in slavish restraint. Even
as late as 1826, a contributor to the State Journal wrote ; " The editor of a news-
paper who should dare to say what he thinks of political affairs would have the
consolation of printing his newspaper without a subscription list." On April 20,
1826, the State Journal prefaced an account of the Randolph-Clay duel with the
following editorial observations: "We know not whether the subjoined statement
of an unpleasant affair which recently took place in Washington will be acceptable
to our readers. We are aware that, with many of them as well as ourselves, senti-
ments are entertained opposed to a settlement of personal differences by a resort
of this kind."
In political discussions the editor was careful to give his opponents the fairest
possible hearing. The State Journal of October 4, 1827, remarked editorially :
" This being the last paper we shall publish before the election, we have declined
all electioneering commuuications" The Columbus Gazette of October 3, 1822,
contains this kindred announcement : '■ As this is the last number that will appear
previous to the election, we have refused several commuuications from our former
correspondents, on the merits, etc., of the several candidates. This course we con-
sidered fair and honorable to all parties concerned. We wish to admit nothing to
our columns to which there would be no opportunity to reply." The editors of to-
day are troubled with no such scruples.
The extra editi(m8 which are given and accepted as a mark of newspaper
enterprise date back almost to the beginning of Columbus journalism. The papers
were then all weeklj-, and the extras were sometimes issued to fill gaps in the regu-
lar publication due to some of the causes heretofore mentioned, or to announce
some extraorditiary news. In 1813, before the Western Intelligencer was brought
to Columbus, and while the Freeman's Chronicle held sole jjossession of the local
field, James B. Gardiner, editor of the Chronicle, issued occasional extras to give
information of the progress of the Indian war One of these was issued Sunday
evening, January 24, 1813. It was but a small handbill, and announced "Lewis's
victory at the River Raisin." Following Mr. Gardiner's example, other early pub-
lishers issued small extras atoning in part for the frequent failures of their regular
editions. The method pursued is illustrated by the following extract from the
State Journal of May 26, 1846 :
We have issued a large number of extras from this office within two or three weeks in
consequence of the deejj interest felt in events now transpiring on our frontier. The eastern
mail arrives in the evening and the other late at night. Our hands have been eniployeil
several times after miduiglit, and occasionally hours before our citizens generally arise in tlie
njorning. . . . We have thus far circulated all our slips gratis, giving them to all who called.
Of one edition we published more than 2,000.
The I'kkss. H.
FREEMAN'S CHRONICT.R
FRIDAY, JULY 2$, Ifis.
FIKST PAGE OK K
KEEMAN'S CURONICLE, JULY S3, 1813.
45(j History of the City of Columbus.
These extras wore circulated free of all cost to the readers, until, by joint
arrangement of the Ohio Statesman and the Ohio State Journal, October 1, 1847,
the practice was discontinued and the extras were sold, "owing to the great cost
of receiving news by telegrajih."
The advent of the telegraph revolutionized the journalism of Columbus, and
made the daily paper a necessity as well as a possibility. Several attempts had
previously been made to establish dailies in the town, but they had proved abor-
tive. As early as 1833, Gilbert & Melcher, proprietors of the Hemisphere, had
published a small paper called the Daily Advertiser, but it was unreraunerative
and was soon discontinued. The demand for more frequent publication was never-
theless respected. The semiweekly followed the weekly and was in turn fol-
lowed by the triweekly. Usually both the Statesman and State Journal made
their issues more frequent during the sessions of the General Assembly than at
any other time in the year. This was at first done by publishing semiweekly
or triweekly editions, but about the year 1840 daily editions during the legislative
sessions began to appear. As soon as the telegraph arrived, advantage was taken
of the improved facilities which it furnished. On August 11, 1847, the State
Journal announced that the city had been connected with the East by wire,
that on the following day telegraphic dispatches would be received, and that the
publication of a regular daily edition of the paper would at once begin. Next day,
August 12, the paper appeared according to promise butin lieu of telegraphic news
contained this announcement:
Six o'clock p. M.— We have delayed going to press for the last four hours waiting for our
expected telegraphic dispatch, but in default of its arrival, are constrained to go to press
■without it, in order to reach our subscribers by mail. Should any intelligence of importance
arrive, it will be given in a second edition.
The next day " the telegraphic dispatch " came, but it was very short. The
State Journal's news by wire appeared under the heading, " By Express Light-
ning;" that of the Statesman was headed, " The Latest Streak." The service was
meager, unreliable and expensive, and before its novelty had worn off the editors
began to consider how it might be improved and cheapened. The Presidential
election in 1848 occurred November 7, but the success of Taylor was not announced
until the fifteenth. On July 20, 1849, a" bogus Washington dispatch was
printed announcing the death of President Taylor. These are samples of the
troubles which caused the State Journal to discontinue the service in August, 1849;
the great cost was another consideration, but the publishers soon found out that
they could not dispense with the use of the telegraph, and resumed it a few weeks
later.
While newspaper proprietors were tlius wrestling with the telegraphic news
question, the field of local intelligence was very indifferently worked. Little indi-
cation then appeared of the present fierce rivalry in publishing the earliest and
fullest accounts of local events. The State Journal and Statesman were accus-
tomed to copy city news from one another, each giving credit. Such was the case
oven with reference to a matter of such importance as the construction of the
Columbus & Xenia Railway in 1849.
s^'CZ.^i^^ O-^^T^^^xJ^ —
TiiK I'RKSs. II. 457
As it was tlio telegraph which oj)ciied commuiiieation botwcun the capital aud
the world at largo, and which made daily newspapers necessary, so it was the rail-
way which brought outside competition to the local press. The State Journal, on
March 18, 1850, under the heading, "The March of Improvement," stated :
On Saturday evening the boys were crying the Cincinnati papera of that morning on our
streets. It made us feel that we were getting to be near neiglibors.
The early life of the Columbus dailies was one of hard work and small financial
returns. There was frequent shifting of the time of publication from morning to
evening and from evening to morning in the hope of stimulating patronage. In
July, 1850, the State Journal changed its hour of publication from six p. m. to one
p. M., and in the course of the following year assumed the character of an early
morning paper to appear, as was stated, " say by six o'clock," in order "to meet
the various mails from the city." The same paper, confining itself to weekday
publication, again changed its issue from morning to evening in 1853. In 1855 the
Statesman was issued in the morning of Sunday and in the evening of weekdays,
but in 1857 it was changed to a morning ])aper throughout. The State Journal
continued to be published in the evening until 18.ol), when Cooke i*i: Miller trans-
ferred it to the morning field.
From 1825 until the office of Supervisor of Public Printing was created under
the Constitution of 1851, it was the custom of the (ieoeral Assembly to electa State
Printer. This office carried with it a good deal of patronage, and was usually
bestowed upon one of the newspaper publishei's of Columbus. Among the early
State Printers were George Nashee and P. H. Olmsted, of the Columbus Gazette,
now State Journal; David Smith, of the Monitor, afterwards Statesman; John
Bailhaehe of the State Journal, and Samuel Medary of the Statesman. Ujion the
political complexion of tlie General Assembly depended the disposition of this office,
the rivals for which were Columbus publishers exclusively. One notable excep-
tion to this rule occurred in 1831, when all the Whig candidates before the legisla-
ture were elected except John Bailhaehe for State Printer, in lieu of whom David
Smith was chosen.
When George Nashee took charge of the State .lounial in 18:^5, he announced
his intention to print a newspaper in which the proceedings of the General
Assembly would be promptly antl accurately reported. " Kegular notice," it was
promised, " would be taken of all bills, resolutions, etc., submitted to the considera-
tion of either Ilou.se, and of their progress until finally disposed of. A brief sketch of
the arguments used tor or against any measure of general interest will be given, and
when room will permit, or after the close of the session, the debates on the most
interesting questions will be published at length." This is a fair outline of the
course pursued by both the State Journal and the Statesman in their reports of
the legislative proceedings for many years. It is noticeable, however, that the
reports were purely routine. They contained none of the explanation, comment,
innuendo and general exposition of the spirit of the proceedings to which the
newspaper readers of today are accu.stomed. This was well enough as long as the
(ieneral Assembly was not only the chief source of news but also a dis])enser
of patronage. But the telegrajih, the railway and the growth of the ca]pital ojiencd
458 History of tub City of Columbus.
other fields for news enterprise which demanded attention, and so it was that,
at the opening of the session of the General Assembly in 185G the State Journal
and the Statesman presented a joint memorial, asking that the House and Senate
each elect an assistant clerk to report the proceedings for publication at the rate of
four dollars per column. A House Committee to which this memorial was referred
reported that it would incur an expense of not less than twenty dollars per day.
After much discussion, in which the proposition was severely denounced, the
House resolved, 48 to 45, to elect an assistant clerk to furnish such reports if their
publication was made free. Thereupon the State Journal withdrew its memorial
and subsequently both the daily papers refused to publish the legislative reports as
they had done before, to the thankless and unprofitable exclusion of better news.
In 1855-6 the editorial columns of both the Statesman and the State Journal
contained comment on the hazardous character of daily newspaper publication.
On resuming charge of the Statesman in 1855, Samuel Medary wrote in that paper:
" The withdrawal of the State patronage from the papers of Columbus has rendered
the newsjDaper business one of great risk and uncertainty. A vast deal is expected
of a paper printed at the capital and intended as the central organ of certain senti-
ments of a great partj-." Commenting on the exit of Samuel S. Cox and Horace
Knapp from the Statesman and the return of Mr. Medary to that paper, the State
Journal said : " The political newspapers of Columbus of themselves have never
been profitable, and, in very few instances, paying concerns. They have always,
except for short periods during exciting campaigns, been sustained by the other
business of the establishment. We are free to acknowledge that, at the present
time, the Journal could be dropped from our printing establishment without any
serious detriment to its profits." The realization of these unpleasant truths seems to
have had a beneficial eff'ect on the publishers. Greater energy was necessary, and
the results of renewed zeal are apparent in the character of the ])aper8 for the next
few years. More attention was paid to local news, and a clearer perception of
latent opportunities was manifest.
The Civil War period was an exciting and eventful one for the newspaper
publishers of Columbus. Hurtt, Allen & Co.'s proprietorship of the State Journal
began with the war and ended with it. The same was practically true of Many-
penny & Miller's ownership of the Statesman. The Capital City Fact changed
hands twice, and finally expired under the name of the Ex])ress. Chapman's
Union League and Medary's Crisis sprang into existence. The Gazette was still
in full bloom. The State Journal, the Fact and the Union League were suppor-
ters of the war ; the Statesman was lukewarm, and the Crisis strongly and offen-
sively opposed to a resort to arms. The uniqueness of the position of the
Crisis, as well as the vigor with which its editor, Samuel Medary, promulgated
his views, made that paper the most conspicuous Columbus publication of the
period. On the night of March 5, 1863, the office of the Crisis was mobbed by
enraged citizens and soldiers. Numbering about two hundred men, and evidently
well organized, the mob moved noiselessly through the heavily falling snow, late
in the evening, to the corner of Gay and High streets, whore the office of the
ott'ensive publication was located. Mr. Medary had gone to Cincinnati, on the
The I'KEiss. II. 459
aflernooii train, ami tlu'io was no ouo in tho office to re«iHt. Sokiiors witli tixoil
bayonots formed a (.irilo about tlio door, and threatened witli death any wlm
should interfere. Tlicu the work of sacking the office began. Doors were forced
o])en and windows were smashed. Books, furniture and fixtures wore destroyed,
and copies of the Crisis were scattered by thousands in the street. Ej-ewitnesses
reported, although no published account so states, that Mrs. Henry Wilson,
daughter of Mr. Medary, forced her way through the line of guards to secure her
father's private papers, in which dangerous undertaking she was successful. The
composition and presswork of the Crisis were done at the office of Richard Nevins,
half a square north, a fact of which the mob did not seem at first to lie aware.
When that became known, however, a rush was made for Mr. Nevins's office
where the first side of the Statesman was then being run off. The door of the
press room was assailed with heavy timbers, but before an entrance could bo
efTected, "the jiolicc arrived and remonstrated till tho crowd desisted," as a news-
paper account puts it. General Cooper also appeared upon the scene, but tho
soldiers had then disperseil.
Whatever private feeling in regard to this resort to violence may have been,
public expression took the form of disapproval. The State Journal, which repre-
sented the war sentiment, while offering no apology for the course of the Crisis,
deplored the invasion of personal and property rights. The next day General
Cooper issued an order with reference to the "outrage" and -'violence" which he
said was "conduct strangely inconsistent with the soldier's duty to uphold the
law." He further characterized the assault as a " cowardly attack and felonious
outrage," and warned the soldiers against similar offenses, deelaritig that tho per-
petrators, if detected, would be punished with tho severest penaltj' authorized by
law. Mr. Medary was not the man to be swerved from his purpose by a mob, and
the tone of the Crisis continued as before. Tho feeling against the paper remained
intense, but there was no further violence. On February 13, 18G4, word came from
Camp Chase that a portion of the Second Ohio Cavalry had determined upon
mobbing the Statesman and Crisis offices. General Heintzelman was infonuLMl of
the scheme, and at once took steps to preserve order. Soldiers were sent to guard
ijoth offices threatened, and the assault, if any had been intended, was averted.
This violence, real and threatened, accomplished the result usual in such cases of
advertising the Cris'is. It was already a financial success, but the demand for it
was made greater. Mr. Medary 's friends, of whom there were many, declared
themselves, and on his return from Cincinnati after the violence of March 5, ISCS,
met him at the station and gave him quite an ovation.
The rush and excitement of war times had a stimulating effect on ncwspajier
energies. The war developed newsgatherers just as it developed generals, and
Columbus papers, as well as those elsewhere, showed improvement, particularly in
their local columns. The city editor was becoming an important personage,
although he still continued to do all the local work himself, the use of reporters, as
they are now called, in newsgathering not having yet been introduced. Among
the city editors of 18G7-8 were W. 11. Busbcy of the Stale .Jourrjai, now of the
Chicago Inler-Ocean; George K. Nasli, also of the Journal, and J. St. J. ( 'larkson, ol
4G0 HiSTDRY OF THE ClTY OF GOLUMBUS.
the Statesman. In the spring of 1872 the city editors of the dailies were S. E.
Johnson of the Journal, W. G. Thoman of the Statesman, and L. G. Curtis of the
Dispatch. Five years had passed, but the development of the reporter was not
yet complete. Aside from the matter which friends and interested parties con-
tributed, the city editor wrote all the local news, besides occasionally doing work
for outside papers, of which those at Cincinnati and Cleveland had correspondents
in Columbus during the legislative sittings, but at other times relied upon their
Columbus exchanges for news from the capital. But a change was at hand. The
rapid growth of the city and the rivalry of the Columbus press with that of Cin-
cinnati made the reporter a necessity. It was about 1875 that the city editor was
given his first regularly employed assistant. One by one reportei'S were added to
the several local staffs, and the work was apportioned among them by the city editor
who became, as he now is, a director rather than a newsgatherer — an office man
who plans the work of each day, makes assignments, reads and revises copy and
adjusts the several parts to one another, so as to make a harmonious whole.
All the early Columbus newspapers were printed on hand presses, and it was
not until 1834 that the steam power press was introduced in Ohio. Such a press
was a part of the equipment of the Cincinnati Gazette, introduced by Stejihen S.
L'Hommedieu, one of the owners of the Gazette at that time. It was not until
some years later that steam presses began to be used in Columbus, and even then
only the machines employed in newspaper and book work were propelled by steam-
power, the smaller presses for job work being driven by crank or treadle. Single-
cylinder, doublecylinder and even sixcylinder presses have been successively used
in the Columbus newspaper offices, and it was not until 1887 that these began to
be supplanted by the perfecting presses now in use by all the leading newspapers
of the city.
The Statesman and State Journal, during the long period in which they wore
competitors and chief newspapers of the capital, were printed on many different
sites. In 1820, the Gazette, now State Journal, was located on State Street, east
of the Statehouse; in 1825, near the Markethouse, which was then on West State
Street; in 1832, in a large frame building on High Street south of State ; in 183G,
on West State Street, south side; in 1843, at the southwest corner of High and
Town streets; in 1845, at the corner of High Street and Chapel Alloy ; in 18G1, in
the Piatt building on Bast State Street; 1870, in a building at the corner of Chajjcl
and Pearl alleys, which had been erected by Charles Scott in 1851 ; in 1881, on
State Street, just east of the City Hall, where it is now located.
One of the early locations of the Statesman office was on Broad Street, just
east of High, but in 1839 the paper was published on Broad Street between High
and Front; in 1844, in a frame building on State Street, just west of the present
site of the City Hall; in 1847, on Bast State Street, in a brick building erected by
Samuel Medary; in 1853, corner of High and Broad streets; in 1858, in Neil's
Building on High Street, near Gay; in 1870, in the building at the corner of High
Street and Elm Alley, which was at that time bought by Eichard Nevins from
Lafayette Lazelie, bj' whom it was erected; and in 1S7(J the office was removed
back to the corner of High and Broad streets, where it continued to be published
The I'RF.ss. 11. 461
as the Tinu's until Mr. Woinlvll l.ou.-lil iho 1):iiht and .■stahlishc.l Kn plac.' .>l' |uil.-
licalion on Wall Siixh^I in roar ..rthc Neil llou.so.
The DCCiision of resort to violence l>y editors, or liy others ai^ainst edifors, have
not l)eeJi very n\imerous, and may be briefly mentioned. Mr. (MarUson, wi-itin^ in
the Ohio Statesman of July 3f), 18(i7, says : " My memory ^oos back to 1H4(I, when
Cohinel James Allen (of the Journal) roeeivcd a trouncing from T. J. Hiiclianjui,
then Speaker of the House of Representatives, for bringing a lad}- into a ]ioliti(al
contest. Soon after this incident. M. II. Meilary, then one of the proprietors of the
Statesman, flogged a Journal editor, helieved to be Mr. Oren FoUett, for a similar
offence. Subsequently Doctor Miller, editor of the Old School Eeimblican, gave a
sound flogging, in front of the American House, to V. W. Smith, known in curi-ent
newspaper slang as ' Bot ' Smith, then editing the Ohio State Journal, for a gross
slander. On another occasion Colonel Medary gave a sound caning to John Tees-
dale, Smith's successor on the State Journal."
On March 27, 1.S55, John Geary, editor of the Fact, was assaultetl on High
Street, in front of Savage's jewelry store, by George M. Swan, editor of the Eleva-
tor. Gear}- was struck but not seriously injured, and the intervention of
bystanders prevented further hostilities. Swan was arrested and admitted to
$1,000 bail. The Grand Jury failed to indict him. In 1864, one of the editors of
theExpress, thesucce.ssor of the Fact, was as.saulted by O. B. Chapman, editor of the
Union League. In the same year a local editor of the State Journal was cowhided
on the .street by a woman whom he had denounced as "a long, lean, lank, sallow-
complexioned she-rebel. " The same night the wife oi' the local writer met on the
street the woman who had wielded the cowhide on her husband, and returned
the compliment with a buggywhii?. The accounts of the affair indicate that the
indigant wife secured full revenge. Chauncey Newton, the legislative correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Enquirer, was twice assaulted while stationed in Columbus.
Senator Peres B. Buell, of the Fourteenth District, took offense at the publication
of his speech by Newton and assaulted him in the Senate Chamber April 19, 1S74.
Newton was thrown to the floor, but not much hurt. On March 12, 1875, ho was
attacked on the street by Edward C. Lewis, Representative from Tuscarawas
County, because of criticisms in the Enquirer correspondence. Nothing serious
came of this att'air. Mr. Newton died in Cincinnati, April 6, 1880. The next day
the newspaper men met, with Senator Lecky Harper as chairman, and Miss Lillie
Darst as secretary, and adopted appropriate resolutions. On the night of Feb-
ruary 5, 1875, Captain John A. Arthur was assaulted at the door of his residence
on Front Street, near S])ring, by some person or persons whose identity was never
discovered. He was struck between the eyes with some blunt instrument and his
skull was crushed. The assault occurred shortly after midnight on Friday, and
Mr. Arthur died on the following Tuesday. At the time of the assault he was a
local writer for the Sunday News and was legislative correspondent for Toledo
papers.
On June 12, 1882, Edward Eberly as.saulted W. J. Elliott, of the Sunday
Capital, for an offensive article which had appeared in that paper. On November
8, 1885, Hon. Emil Kiesewcttor fired two shots at Elliott in the lobby of the Neil
402 History op the City of Columbus.
House. Mr. Kiesewetter was impelled to this act by animadversions upon him in
the Capitiil which he deemed intolerable. Neither of his shots took effect. He
was arrested, admitted to bail in $1,000, and after a hearing before Mayor "Walcutt
on November 16, was discharged on the ground of provocation. This affray led
Jlev. Francis E. Marsten, of the First Presbyterian Church, and Rev. "Washington
Gladden, of the First Congregational Church, to preach sermons on immoral jour-
nalism. On July 27, 1886, Mr. F. A. Brodbeck, business manager of the Sunday
News, was assaulted by Robert B. Montgomery in the office of the paper. The
case against Montgomery vyas taken to the courts, but was not pressed, as no
bodily injury had been inflicted. On February 23, 1891, W. J. Elliott and P. J.
Elliott, of the Sunday Capital, met A. C. Osborn, of the Sunday World, on High
Street, opposite the Statehouse Squai'e, and opened fire upon him with revolvers.
Osborn was killed and Washington L. Hughes, an innocent bystander, was also
shot dead. Osborn tried to return the fire, and in the fusillade a number of per-
sons were injured. The shooting was the result of an interchange of newspaper
attacks of a personal nature. "W. J. Elliott is now serving a life sentence in the
Penitentiary for the crime.
Efforts to form associations of editors and publishers have been numerous
although intermittent. Some have been partisan, some nonpartisan ; some local
and some State. In June, 1833, a call for the first editorial convention of which
there is any record was issued. The date set for the convention was July 9, but
so few were the responses that no organization was effected. The Democratic
Editorial Association held meetings in Columbus in 1845-6-7-8. The principal
business transacted was the adoption of partisan resolutions and plans of organi-
zation to assist the party in its campaigns. *The convention of 1845 adopted a
resolution which condemned personal bickerings among editors. One resolution
of the convention of 1846 declared "uncompromising hostility to a currency of
paper money, which we believe to be one of the most powerful and wicked engines
ever invented to corrupt the morals of the people, to tax their labor and subvert
their liberties." Among the men prominent in these deliberations were D. A.
Robertson, of the Lancaster Eagle; John Brand, of the Steubenville Union;
Daniel Gotshall, "William S. Morgan, Chauncey Bassett, Samuel Medary, Thomas
Sparrow and Matthias Martin.
In 1849 Samuel Medary, "William B. Thrall and Henry Reed united in issuing
a call for an Ohio Editorial Convention, irrespective of party affiliations. The
convention met in the Senate Chamber, November 29, of that j^ear, there being
present a large number of editors of various partisan complexion, from all parts of
the State. Edwin R. Campbell, of the Cincinnati Dispatch, was chairman, and
J.R. Knapp, of the Marion Democratic Mirror, secretary. A committee on plan of
organization, consisting of Charles B. Flood, L. L. Rice and George M. Swan, was
appointed at this or a subsequent meeting, and recommended that the association
meet annually on January 17, the birthday of Benjamin Franklin. Accordingly,
the convention assembled on that date in 1851, in the room of the State Library,
E. R. Campbell presiding, and J. Medill and T. Brown acting as secretaries.
Thirty delegates were present. Permanent officers wore cho.sen as follows:
The Press. II. 40:5
President, A. G. Pi m mock ; Vice ProsidoiU, K. Bratton ; Second Vice I'roHidont,
A. T. Wiilling ; Secretaries, .lames Mackenzie antl I). II. Lyman. Resolutions were
adopted favoring the puidication of tiie new Constitution by one paper of eacii
party in each count}-; compulsory advertisement of all sales of property; discon-
tiiiuanco of gratuitous advertising of magazines ; the revision and equalization of
postage rates, and the election of the State Printer by the people. The organiza-
tion thus effected survived for a number of j-ears, altiiough its meetings do not seom
to have been regular. In 18.')4, the convention was held at the Spencer House, in
Cincinnati, on Januarj' 10, a week earlier than the date recommended bj' the com-
mittee of IS.^1. The next convention was held January 17, 185G, at Deshler's
Ilall, Columbus. J. R. S. Bond was temporary and Samuel Medarj- permanent
chairman. Resolutions were adopted declaring that, in the dignity and imper-
sonality with which the late exciting political campaign was conducted bj' the
journals of Ohio, the question, "What good can an editorial convention do?" is
answered. It was also resolved that, in the growing brotherhood apparent among
the editors of the State, is indicated the good work which the interchange of per-
sonal courtesies will effect. Personalities and bitter controversies were deprecated,
local newsgathering commended, and annual meetings advised. About thirty
delegates attended this meeting. Officers for the ensuing year were chosen as
follows; President, Samuel Medary ; Vice Presidents, W. Schouler, A. B. Lum ;
Secretaries, J. H. Baker and H. D. Cooke ; Treasurer, S. D. Harris. It was decided
to hold the next meeting at Mansfield, January 17, 1857, and Miss Metta Victoria
Fuller, of Lancaster, was chosen poet for the occasion. At the Mansfield meeting
there was a large attendance, and William Schouler, of the State Journal, was
chosen president. The next annual meeting, held in Cleveland, January 19, 1858,
appears to have been the last one held by that association, the excitement and
antagonisms of the war probably interfering.
On January 4, 18G5, a convention of Ohio editors and publishers was held in
Columbu.s. William T. Bascom, of the Mount Vernon Republican, was chairman,
and L. L. Rice, of the Lorain News, secretary. A scale of prices for advertising
and job work was adopted, and the committee was appointed to memorialize Con-
gress for the repeal of the duty on paper, so as to give relief from the monopoly
which that duty protects. A State organization was effected as follovvs ; President,
W. H. P. Denny; Secretary, Amos Layman ; Treasurer, W. D. Bickham. Nothing
more seems to have been done by this particular organization.
A number of Ohio publishers met in convention at the Secretary of State's
office, April 18, 1867, with Doctor William Trevitt as chairman, and J. L. Board-
man, of Hillsboro, secretary. The principal topics discussed were; The best
means of obtaining a reduction of prices of printing paper ; repeal of the tax
on paper ; advance payment of subscriptions ; rights of the press to county printing ;
prices of advertising and job work, and the establishment of an Ohio publishers'
agency in New York. An adjourned meeting was called for June 20, that year,
to further discuss these matters.
On xMay 22, 1873, the day after the Republican State Convention, the Ohio
Editorial Association held a meeting in Columbus. Joshua Saxton. of Urbana, was
464 History (if the City op Columbus.
chairman, and J. Q. A. Campbell, of Bellefontaine, secretary. Oscar T. Martin, of
Springfield, delivered an address on Journalism. In the business session following,
a resolution was adopted, asking for a law graduating the rates of po.stage on news-
papers.
The Ohio Editorial Association met in Columbus, June 3, 1875, immediately
after the Republican State convention, and was largely attended. General James
M. Coraly was chairman of this meeting. A banquet was given to the visit-
ing delegates at the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and on the next day
the Association took an excursion down the Hocking Valley Eailway. Besides its
discussion of professional matters, the Association listened to an address by
S. R. Heed, on The Great Moral Engine, and a poem by Archie McGregor.
The Democratic editors of weekly papers met in State convention July 15, 1880,
Hon. Lecky Harper, of the Mount Vernon Banner, was chairman, and Thomas
Wetzler, of the Lancaster Eagle, secretary. Hon. Alien G. Thurman delivered an
address, and a Democratic Press Association was organized: President, Lecky
Harper ; Vice Presidents, Judge Estill a,nd C. B. Flood ; Secretary, Thomas Wetzler ;
Treasurer, M. L. Bryan.
About seventyfive editors of the State held a meeting at the Board of Trade
rooms, February 9, 1882, as the State Editorial Association, and discussed the law
of libel, legal advertising rates, etc. Hon. Lecky Harper presided. On December
5, 1883, another meeting of the same organization was held at the same place.
There was a large attendance and the usual interchange of ideas was had. The
officers elected were: President, I. T. Mack; Vice President, L. A. Brunner;
Secretary, W. C. McClintock ; Treasurer, E. R. Alderman.
The business managers of Ohio papers held a conference at the Neil House,
November 5, 1885, of which F. J. Wendell was chairman, and organized the Busi-
ness Managers' Association, with the following officers : President, W. S. Cappeller ;
Vice President, F. J. Wendell; Secretary, F. S. Presbey ; Treasurer, J. P. Chew.
On July 13, 1886, another meeting was held and the Ohio Associated Press Com-
pany was organized with a view to establishing a news service for Ohio. F. J.
Wendell was authorized to obtain rates from the telegraph company and report the
cost of the service desired. At a subsequent meeting it was decided that the
expense would be greater than the revenue, and the project was abandoned, but the
business managers still maintain an organization which is known as the Associated
Ohio Dailies, and annual meetings of its members are held.
The first meeting of German editors of which there is any local record
was held at the Westbote office, February 13, 1877. On January 17, 1878, another
meeting, largely attended, was held. A third meeting was held in Schneider's
Hall, February 15, 1886, at which organization was effected as follows : President,
J. B. Froman, of Chillicotho; Vice President, W, Kauffman, of Cleveland; Secre-
tary, W. F. Kemmler, of Columbus ; Treasurer, L. Hirsch, of Columbus Atanother
meeting in 1889, Joseph Zimmerman was elected President, W. F. Kemmler Vice
President, Hans Otto Beck Secretary, and Leo Hirsch Treasurer.
The Republican editors of Ohio held a meeting in Columbus July 8, 1886, and
adopted a series of resolutions denouncing the action of the United States Senate
.fc*;«.'%.."i'.,.^'i,. ...,,. city of pKifc<wi.hiii, b!".'-;;;;"' •s::'!;t!3:.'^,.','~~'.'"'i^
2;i'Y.'i^iU'*'»i."Vi,V vice Rftlitil lottos d«- r"'.', i^.w r,i.m,:. k.,1.,. «.«.». h—^-<|^'«'»
.»«i«^*4,j_ ^- Evci)' lic.son tnler- ni"'.«!;l".'«r4'v>,i,to. ". - _. i^T"^
w2-jriiA^'".fe *"e "" «"icr oTihc u. ,'is.x:.:c;'i'z;'',r. "-^ CT ^.ife.
'tl.nT.'.j- .' Vi"'"^. "[ bounlv of ow hundred rU'?r.".'"»!if"""'* l"US'.".'.iil''i *."w"ii *•
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/ •- ^ ^ ■' ' . bt-sitlcs Ihe usual pay in ^„,I1^'^~ i '?f • ^ r.^ruirr*. i«.«- ; »^_
!.'.'...'... "^ . '. I'i. tvduil.iis lo 1)0 paid al J'^'J'Jj:j| '^'ns <:«a«4k». „;_ "2°„\.; ^, ^i,^ ^
vj, / , '■■ .„,;'. <li<: >"i<= of enlistment f^^* I'.!!**"" """ """T't lI'S'k'ii^r'Mi
'^' — • I' ■' "• '• — fifty when t)rj rCCrtUt On Mini.ot< '•roiet w . Oreait'i (nw*. ' '
,'.:..,■ „".:....:.:.■.,.'.,!. i.;; the babm-c anhc eipir- »:;cr«;i,v™'Nu;;'* ^o-dou*™ luward.
"il1i'.r~° r^'v'"^^' "■ "'"" "''''' ^""' °^ '""■ "riS'^s'S^fVluU Bmmway fiom th»
Mwbn •!!.»< BRUM vice. The olTioer en- oi i.. jrron'*!,^ 4ub>rril>eT in Clark nam
\t. i»*.. r«.r, 1. listing B soldier ivill ho ilu^S^'lSLi'si,*.. ly, JTy. oisl/i* 8«A iiu«. "^
..!;js';r;v.v.' r*-;? f; "";;i-=<i "> '"=iv<=. 'ighi srTm::;.Vi;u. Md.Ho M>n slave,
*!' tine hiMidrcd and t.'i"vii..ti '" p '"•• ''»*">
,: \.;.;: nvcnls-four dollars lm uXl ».. t—., — ,-™ *.ri *— t~
::.', ..,■,■,•;.'.,::."■' boiinv— tight doUars Th..b !.„,.,. — !s','ri:".':.".'!ru.5lS*>ii^K
•b.<.>'«"— •a'"' "■'"'r'' P"' nionlh pay — sfith '» «».<«.» h,»o «—.—««•> »-ri. u
olic, cnterprisingyoun^ *: •» bio« • 4i«iir. w***!] eMmrr cb<h mj**
Jrranklniton:
— , "'"""""• gle now, and we .l>o.iSl '^'.IVl".'' '"'^ fT."
men enough
«D.»*«0
~*or Sale,
•.;. nrit, iliutlherigl.t. and .■■ ,- « ..^^««. .1, ...; A School Master
«tri upon iU success '■^.'iV^i."Ll"p^mM''rZ '^^'ili^ZimSLm t^^.
Pork Wanted.
Tg~v W J.tV*' ** '"'^ ' •" PKIN riNsi ASIA.
PAGE OF FREEMAN'S CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY i.% 1814.
46fi History of the City op Columbos.
in refusing to reinvestigate charges of bribery already investigated by the General
Assembly of the State, pertaining to the election to the National Senate of Hon.
Henry B. Payne. At this meeting a State Republican Editorial Association was
formed, witii J. M. Comly as President, E. S. Wilson Vice-President, S. J. Plickin-
ger Secretary, and F. C. Reynolds Treasurer. This organization did not again
meet until 1891.
The Hocking and Ohio Valley Editorial Association is an organization for
social and business purposes, of which many Columbus newspaper men are mem-
bers. It has been in existence a number of years.
Numerous organizations of Columbus newspaper men have been formed for
social purposes, but for the most part have had an e])hemeral existence. The single
exception is the Curtis Press Club, organized November 29, 1881, and named in
honor of Lanson G. Curtis, then recently deceased. On November 20, 1881, two
days after the death of Mr. Curtis, the journalists of Columbus met and resolved
to pay triinite to his memory by organizing a press club bearing his name. A
committee then appointed to prepare a plan of permanent organization reported
to a subsequent meeting held November 29, presenting a code of regulations which
wa.s adopted. By agreement the following named seven men first signed the con-
stitution and were authorized to act as a quorum to pass upon the eligibility of
additional members, active and honoraiy: W. A. Taylor, W. D. Brickell, T. W.
Collier, Charles G. Lord, F. A. Brodbeck, L. Hirsch, and H. A. Reinhard. The
following jjersons then signed the constitution and were admitted as members:
S. B. Porter, L. C. Macphcrson, S. S. Peters, B. G. Orebaugh, Osman C. Hooper,
W.G. Thoman, Albert Guthke, William P. Brown, H. G.Simpson, John A. Kuster,
T.W.King, Allen O. Myers, H. L. Conard, F. W. Snell, and S. J. Flickinger.
Officers were then elected as follows: President, W. A. Taylor ; Vice President,
W. D. Brickell; Secretary, S. S. Peters; Treasurer, F. A. Brodbeck; Executive
Commiltoc, Allen O. Myers, Chairman, T. W. Collier, S. B. Porter, D. L. Bower-
smith, and C. G. Lord.
To ])rovide funds for fitting up its rooms the Club, on February 17 and 18,
1882, gave two entertainment at the Grand Opera House and thereby realized the
net sum of $365.20. Rooms were then rented and furnished in the buililing
occupied by the Ohio State Journal on State Street, and on the evening of Julj' 11,
1SS2, wore formally opened. Tlio club at that time had sixtytwo active and seven-
teen honorary members. On September 27, 1882, it gave a reception to General
James M. Comly on his return from Honolulu. A welcoming address was made
by President W. A. Taylor and a pleasant response by General Comly. Professor
Eckhardt's quartette furnished music and refreshments were served. On Decem-
ber 5, 1882, the club elected the following officers: President, A.W.Francisco;
Vice President, P. D. Musscy ; Secretary, S. S. Peters; Treasurer, F. A. Brodbeck ;
Corresponding Secretary, W. C. Turner; Executive Committee, H. E. Conard,
Allen O. Myers, D. L. Bowersmith, S. C. Chorlton, and S. J. Flickinger. The club
gave a New Year's reception January 1, 1883, and on March 8 and 9 of that year
gave an entertainment at the Comstock Opera House, from which a net profit of
$414.67 was realized.
For various reasons the interest in the club had by this time begun to abate
to such a degree that on October 26, 1883, its Executive Committee recommended
TuK 1'ress. II. 407
that it be disbainlol, ;iiiil that all its <rifts be retunuil to the (Imiors ami its oiiior
pro]>erty sold. 'I'iio cliil) dciiiird not to (lisband liiil to cai-ry out (lie ollior iH^com-
mendations of llio coinmittce, and its rooms were accordingly given up, and its
property dis]ioscd of. Occasional meetings continued to bo bold and on December
21, 1S83, the (oliowing officers were elected: President, S. O. Chorlton ; Vice
President, D. L. Bowersmith ; Secretary, S.S.Peters; Corresponding Secretary,
C. E. Honebrako; Treasurer, W. C.Turner; Executive Committee, S.J. Flickinger,
K. A. BrodbeeU, W. F. Kemmler, C. G. Lord, and F. W. Snell. Mr. Turnordeclining
to give the bond required of the treasurer, Mr. Brodbeck was continued in office.
The sum of two hundred dollars realized from the sale of the club's effects was
donated February 13, 1884, toward the relief of suflferers by a flood in the Ohio
River. At the annual meeting in December, 1884, the following officers were
elected: President, Allen O. Myers; Vice President, Amos Layman; Secretary, S.
S. Peters; Corresponding Seoretar3-, C. E. Bonebrake ; Treasurer, F. A. Brodi^eck;
Executive Committee, D. L. Bowersmith and W. F. Kemmler.
The last meeting of the Curtis Press Club of which there is any record occurred
October 29, 1886. A donation from the funds of the club to Charles B. Flood,
a newspajier inan then aged and ill, was made, and the treasurer was authorized
to dispose of any ]>roperty of the club still remaining in his custody. Since tliat
date the organizations of the local meml)ors of the press have been special and
temporary. In Sei>tember, 1888, an organization of this kind was eflected under
the direction of W. D. Brickell, Chairman, for the entertainment of newspaper
men who came to attend the National Flncarapment of the Grand Armj- of the
Republic. Writing and sleeping rooms were provided, and a lunch room was
opened for the sjiecial accommodation of visiting members of the press. The
work was creditably done, and a considerable ]iail of the money appropriated for
the use of the Press Committee was turned hack into the treasury of the General
Council.
The most recent attempt to organize a Press Club was made July 16, 188!). A
constitution was adopted and a membership of thirt}' was secured. Officers were
elected as follows: President, \V. D. Brickell; Vice President, D L. Bowersmith^;
Treasurer, W. F. Kemmler; Secretary, George Smart; Directors, S. N. Cook, O. C.
Hooper, and L. Ilirsch. Several meetings were held, but the interest soon died
out and the club practicall}- became a nullity.
The pioneer editor of Columbus is James B. Gardiner, who published the
Freeman's Chronicle in Franklinton in 1812-14. lie was a man of ideas, strong in
his convictions and always ready to contend for wiiat be helicved to he right_
The Chronicle was a verj- creditable paper for its opportunities, hut was not linan-
cially successful, and Mr. Gardiner abandoned it with the intention never to enter
the journalistic profession again. But he was driven to it by his inclinations, and
as he frankly said to the public, by the necessity of earning a livelihood, .so that in
1826 he began the publication at Xenia, of the People's Press. This he did under
rather peculiar circunvstances. A few years before, he had removed from Colnm
468 History of the City of Columbus.
bus to Xenia and had been noniin:ited and elected to the General Assembly from
that county. During the campaign he pledged himself to endeavor if elected, to
secure the repeal of a then recent act increasing the salary of legislators from two
to three dollars per day. He further declared that he would accept the sum of
three dollars per daj', but would pay one dollar of it into the treasury of Greene
County. On taking his seat, the question of his eligibility was raised, and it was
charged that his promise to the electors of Greene County was in the nature of a
bribe. His enemies were too numerous for him and his seat was denied him.
Another election was ordered and Mr. Gardiner was again returned and again
rejected, whereupon he began the publication of the People's Press, as above
stated. He was not vindictive, however, and his case before the legislature was
referred to in his paper only in a series of articles reproduced from an exchange
which reviewed the whole matter and undertook Mr. Gardiner's vindication,
which, however, was accomplished in a more substantial way by his election to
the State Senate in 1826 from the district then composed of the counties of Greene
and Clinton. Mr. Gardiner look his seat in the Senate the following December
and served out the term for which he was elected, at the same time conducting his
paper at Xenia. His next and last newspaper work was done on the Ohio People's
Press, a Columbus paper of which he was the editor and S. E. Dolbee the pub-
lisher. The Press was issued during the Harrison-Van Buren campaign of 183H
as a Harrison organ. It had a circulation of about seven thousand copies. Mr.
Gardiner was born in Marj-land in 1789, and during his boyhood settled at
Marietta, Ohio, where he learned the printing business and was afterwards married
to Mary Poole. He removed to Franklinton in 1810 or 1811. During President
Jackson's administration he served as Indian Agent and assisted in removing the
Indian tribes from Ohio. Two of his daughters now reside in this citj' ; a third
was married to Hon. Richard W. Thompson, of Indiana. Mr. Gardiner died of
apoplexy at Marion, Ohio, during a Government land sale, April 14, 1837.
One of the most earnest and influential of the earlj' Columbus journalists was
David Smith, who was one of the founders and for twenty years the editor of the
Monitor, the paper out of whicii grew the Ohio Statesman. Mr. Smith was born
at Francistown, New Hampshire, October 18, 1785. His ancestors were Scotch-
Irish Protestants and took part in the memorable siege of Londonderry'. He
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811, was admitted to the bar, married in 1814
and soon afterwards removed to Columbus, Ohio, where, in 181G, in association
with Ezra Griswold, of Worthington, he began the publication of a small news-
paper entitled the Ohio Monitor and Patron of Husbandry, which was not a
strictly agricultural journal, although part of its name was afterwards adopted by
an organization of farmers. During the greater part of its career this paper was
known simplj' as the Ohio Monitor. As its publication began at the outset of the
" era of good feeling," under President Monroe, the Monitor had no distinctive
party affiliation during the first six or eight years of its existence. It was always,
however, an ardent advocate of a protective tariff, and in the campaign of 1824
vigorously supported John (^uincy Adams for President. After the famous coali-
tion of the friends of Adams and Clay, resulting in the election of Adams to the
TiiK Pkes.s. II. 4(i9
Prosiiitiiiy :ili(l the ;i|i|)oinliiu'iil (if Cluv as Si'uivtary of Stale, .luil-;e Stiiilli,
whose liatrcd u\' slavery had eauseil him to he bitterly hostile to flay heeaiiso of
his cliainiiionsiii]) of the Missouri Compromise, became vehemently opposed to the
"admiiiistralioii parly," as the supporters of Adams were called, and before the
campaign of 1828 bei,'an, the Monitor had become, as it continued to be diirinj^
tliat campaign, an ardent supporter of ticneral Jackson for the presidency. It
was ever atler an independent, influential, and much quoted Democratic pajier.
Up to the date of its sale it still favored a protective tariff. Soon after the
presidential election of 1836, the Monitor was purchased by Jacob Medary,
brother of Samuel Medary, and became one of the component paits of the Ohio
Statesman.
The distinction of being the oldest living editor in Ohio beloiig.s to
Hon. Oren Follett, who, at the time of the preparation of this sketch (1890) is
living at Sandusky, Ohio, at the age of uinetytwo. Much of his editorial work
was done in New York State, but he was the editor of the Ohio State Journal
during the cam])aigns of 1840 and 1844, and again for a period of three years
beginning with 1854, at w^hich time he was also a part owner. Mr. Follett's early
editorial work was done at Rochester, New York, on the Gazette, in 1817, but in
February, 1819, he began by invitation to publish at Batavia a paper called the
Spirit of the Times. In 1823 he was elected to the legislature of New York, in
182G bought an interest in the Buffalo Journal, of which he was the editor until
1832, and in that year came to Ohio. Concerning his editorial services in Columbus
we have the following account from his own pen :
My editorial experience in Ohio, previous to 1854, had been incidental, temporary, on
special solicitation and occasion : first in 1H40, extending from March to November, to carry
the party through the Harrison campaign ; the same in 1844, through the Clay and Polk
campaign, which old politicians will remember was a very vigorous one and hotly contested
on both sides. The State was carrieil for Mr. Clay, and the editor of the Journal was thought
to have done his full share of the work. This was manifested by a tender (in caucus) at the
session of 1S4.5, of the office of Auditor of ^3tate, to succeed Brough. Both houses were
Whig — a nomination was in etl'ect an election; but I declined the oHer from considerations
entirely personal. So, of the office of State Treasurer, withdrawing in favor of Judge Joliii
Sloane, of Wayne County, who was afterwards United States Treasurer.
But an emergency had arisen, and 1 was called upon to make a sacrifice. The Board of
Canal Commissioners was Democratic and was accused (as is usual in party contests) of
e.vtrcme partisanship and wasteful expenditure. In addition to the canals, the Board had
under its care, the National Road and otlier public ways. It had committed the National
Road to tlie superintendence of one Jolm Youtii, whose abuses were made the subject of
investigation by a legislative committee. There was but one remedy, viewed from a party
standpoint, sufficiently prompt to serve all purposes, and that was to repeal the law creating
the Canal Board and pass another creating a Board of Public Works. The remedy was
promptly applied. The question then very naturally arose, who should be the President of the
new Board and who the acting Conmiissioners ? There was no difficulty in adjusting the latter
but about the former there was a diversity of opinion, (iood old Colonel Chambers, of
Muskingum, who was President of the Senate (now called Lieutenant-Governor) had shaped
the bill so as to make a good place for himself as President and had busied himself in mak-
ing friends in both houses for his election. Tlie Colonel was called "Old Hawkeye," for his
smartness in affairs, but it was feared by the leaders that he udght prove too sharp and
470 History of the City of Columbps.
prompt on occHsion, in the new place. The members, as a bofly, were personally welldis-
posed toward the Colonel, and, as he had had the whole winter to do his work in his elec-
tion seemed sure. In this emergency, the leaders turned to the man who had refused all
offices. The offer was civilly but promptly declined. The Senator making the offer, in due
time returned with members of both houses ; it was urged that by the terms of the bill, the
President held office but one year at the first election — it would not. like the offices, take my
whole time — and "we can beat the Colonel with no other name," etc.. etc. I suffered
myself to be elected, and at the end of the year, notwithstanding my public declination, I
was reelected for the full term of three years.
I now come down to 18.54. The slave power was rampant. I need not repeat history.
My editorial services in Ohio, thus far, had been incidental, temporary, to answer a special
purpo.'se. But now, there was work to be done on a broader field than State platforms. The
proprietor of the Ohio folate .Toiirnal (the paper with which I had been connected) faileil in
business. He had made me one of his assignees. I declined the trust. The situation was
canvassed and four of us (names need not be mentioned) bought the concern for |!20,000, not as
an investment, but to fight slavery and build up a party of resistance. I omit more particular
allusion to the business feature of this enterprise, barely mentioning in passing, that, owing
to circumstances about which but few at this late day would care to hear, it was not a
pecuniary success. My connection with the Journal lasted to the conclusion of the Fremont
campaign, when, feeling that the party was on a firm basis and in a condition to accomplish
its mission, I retired.
Colonel P. H. Olmsted, who was connected with the paper now known as the
Ohio State Journal, either as part or sole proprietor, from 1812 to 1831, was born near
Hartford, Connecticut, and came to this county with hia parents in 1808. The
family settled on a farm near Blendon Corners. Four years later he bought a part
interest in the Western Intelligencer, which paper he and his associates in business
brought to Columbus in 1814, where Colonel Olmsted. spent the remaining years of
his life. He was mayor of Columbus under its borough organization in 1833 and
of the city in 1838 ; represented Franklin County one term in the General Assembly ;
became a merchant and conducted a general store near the corner of Main and
Highstreetsin 1831; was landlord of the old National Hotelin 1839; manager of the
Neil House in 1841 and of the City House at the southwest corner of High and
Town streets in 1843; opened the United States Hotel on its ]iresent site in 1846 ;
retired from that business in 1850 and died February 20, 1870, at which time he was
the oldest representative of the newspaper profession in Ohio. The Wall House,
which is still standing on the southwest corner of Wall and State streets, was
erected b}' him.
George Nashee, another editor of the State Journal, died May 16, 1827, twenty
years before which date he had come to Ohio and made his home at Chillicothe
where, in conjunction with George Denny, he began publication of the Supporter,
which paper was consolidated in February, 1821, with the Scioto Gazette, of which
Mr. Nashee became part proprietor. During the winter of 1824-5 he was elected
printer to tiie State, and consequently removed to Columbus where, in September,
1825, in conjunction with his former partner in the Supporter and Scioto Gazette,
then editing the Columbus Gazette, he began publication of the Ohio State Journal
and Columbus Gazette, to the development of which paper Mr. Nashee devoted the
energies of his last days. At the time of his death, which occurred when he was
The Pkess. II. 471
forlyono, Mr. NuHhw- was l.oliove<l to bo llio .iMist v<\\[«v in (lio SliiU'. Diiiiiii,' liis
rcaiilciicc ut Cliillicotlic lie had boon iiiaydr of lliat oity ami bail ivinosiniod lio.ss
County in Ibc liencral Assoinbl}'.
Aloxamlcr Kwini; (ileiin was born at Sinini; Valloy, I'ciinsylvania, l>i(ornhor
20, 1811; caniu to Obio in 1S25, ontoi-od tho oliicc of tlic St. ClairsvilU^ (ia/.olto
as ap[)rcnticc, and after learning hi.s trade anil workinij; at it in various Obio town.s
came to Coliiinbu« in 1S32 and was lor a (inic Lnijaijjed on the Obio Stale Journal,
tben publisbed l>y Jobn Seott, whose daughter Hannah he niarrietl. llenioving,
after his marriage, to Kising Sun, Indiana, ho there published a Demoeratie news-
paper until 1841, and was elected in 1836 to the Indiana Legislature, iii which Oliver
P. Morton was a contoniiiorary nieniber. In 1841 he returned to Columbus and
became foreman in the office of the State Journal, then published by his brolhcrin-
law, Charles Scott. In 1844 he began tho publication of The Ark, with whi( h he
was connected for sixteen years. He hold the highest offices that Odd Fellowship
could bestow, and his paper was very successful. During the administration of
(jovernor Chase he was (iuartormaster-Goneral of Ohio. He died July 20, 1872, in
his sixtysccond year, leaving several children, one of whom was the late (."harlcs
S. Glenn, for several j^ears editor and publisher of the Columbus Gazette.
Smithson E. Wright, who was at one time an editor and proi)riotor of tho Ohio
State Journal during the thirties, was born at Belmont, Ohio, in 1807. After learn-
ing tho ]>rintor's trade he came to Columbus while yet a young man, and tbrmed a
partnorsiiiii with Charles E. Scott in the publication of the State Journal, married
Alatilda Mai-tin, daughter of Hon. William T. Martin, was afterwards twice elected
mayor of the city and twice County Auditor, served as Clerk of the House of
Itepresentatives, as Secretary of the Columbus & Xenia Hailroad Company and
was Treasurer of the Little Miami Railroad Company until 1888. He dietl in Cin-
cinnati April 1, 1891, and his remains were interred at Green Lawn.
Frederick Fie.sei', who was for more than forty years actively connoctod with
German newspaper publications in Columbus, had the honor of being the editor of
longest continuous service in the oily. The following sketch of his new8i)aper
career, written by himself at the request of the author of those volumes, raodesllj'
outlines his connection with German journalism in this and other cities:
It may be said that my connection willi the German press is due to an accident. While
on my way to Lancaster in the autumn of 1.S41 I casually met Mr. V. Kastner, then publisher
of the Lancaster Volksfreund. I had previously known neither him nor his paper, hut in
the course of our conversation he told me, among other things, that he had the contract for
printing the message of Governor Shannon in the German language, and that he needed a
translator for the same. I consented to do the work, and was soon at my task. Everything
ran smoothly, and at the conclusion of my work 1 became the editor of his paper while he
travelled al)0ut the country in a wagon peddling cheap literature. 1 believe he made more
money in that way than he did with his paper and that without this resort his paper could
not have existed.
The Volksfreund was a small weekly, printed with the type that had been used on the
Ohio Adler in 1807. This type had been laid away for over thirty years, and was so much
worn that it would not show up well on the wooden press. The readers justly complained
of the bad appearance of the paper, and it was sometimes difficult to make out the sense of
the articles. But how could new type be obtained? It was often hard enough to get suf-
472 History of the City op Columbus.
ficient paper to print the edition from week to week. Yes, those were trying times for the
publishers of German papers. The editors of today who sit in tlieir wellequipped offices and
have the railways, telegraph, telephone and all other modern inventions at their disposal,
have no idea of the hards-liips and privations of the German newspaper pioneers.
In 1841 the publisher of the Volksfreund removed his paper to Columbus and published
it here under the name of the Ohio Adler. It was printed on better type tban before, was
rather handsome in appearance and made a good impression on the people. I continued as
the editor and worked hard as such. I even wrote a piece of poetry for the first number, in
which the eagle was pictured as rising to higlier regions. Columbus was at that time a very
small town ; the pigs ran at large on the improved streets, and were considered better than
the street com missoners. The new Statehouse was not built at that time, and the old one
would not now serve even the smailestcounty as a courthouse. But Columbus was the capital,
and the Adler would have been successful had its proprietor rightly understood the problem.
I became dissatisfied at last and resolved to go to Missouri, where at that time most of the
German immigration was going. My resolve was to leave German journalism forever ; but
mail ijannot escape from his fate.
A friend had given me a letter to George Walker, publisher of the Louisville Volks-
biihne, of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Walker received me with great courtesy, and after
reading the letter saiil : " You come at exactly the right time. I would like to have you i-tay
here until the Rev. KriiU returns. I have promised to preach and attend to his other duties
during his absence." Mr. Walker was so amiable that I concluded to grant his wish and
remain. Instead of a few weeks I staid all winter in Louisville. In the spring, Mr. Walker
removed bis paper to Cincinnati, where he associated himself with a lawyer by the name of
Renz. I went with him to Cincinnati. Mr. Walker was first a theologian, later an amiable
journalist and an orator whose speeches were received with the greatest applause, but in real
life he was highly impractical, careless in his appearance and one of those happy people who
do not worry about anything. It was all the same to him whether his paper, which was h
tri- weekly, appeared regularly or not.
In Cincinnati, I made the acquaintance of Stephen Molitor, Henry Roedter, Emil
Klauprecht, Edward Muehl, Carl Reemelin, and others prominent in German literature.
Mr. Roedter. with whom I had become acquainted in Columbus, was the founder of the
Volksblatt, which at a later date passed into the control of Mr. Molitor. Mr. Roedter at that
time edited the Volksblatt and, as he was a candidate for the otfiou of Justice of the Peace,
could not give the paper proper attention. At his request, I assisted him and, when he
retired to enter on the duties of his political office, he asked me to take charge of the paper.
That was quite an honor for a " beardless youth" like me, as the Whig organ of that place
put it, since several others had asked for the position. The Volksblatt was at that time the
only German daily in the United States; even the New York Staatszeitung was published
only thrice a week. "With additional vigor I went to work. My relations with Mr. Molitor
were of the best and I lived some of my happiest days there. I would probably have remaineil
for years, had not a new opportunity suddenly presented itself.
The opportunity here referred to vi^as an offer from Jacob Reinhard to join
with Mr. Ficsorin the publication of a G-erinan paper, the Westbote, in Columbus.
Thi.s induced Mr. Ficscr to re,sign his position as editor of the Volksblatt and como
to Columbus, where the "Westbote was begun in October, 1843. Mr. Fieser's suc-
cessor as editor of the Volksblatt was George Ritz. Mr. Roedter was afterwards
a member of the General Assembly. Mr. Molitor continued his paper successfully
until age compollcd bim to retire, when he transferred the ])r()port}' to his soiiin-
law, Mr. Ilof, and Frederick Hassaurck.
The Tress. II. 473
Mr. Fio8or'.s career of over forty years in this city as editor and one of the pro-
prietors of the Wostboto was full of i)rofit for himself and for his fellowcitizens.
His ability and traits of character were such as to inspire universal respect. For
many years he was one of the trustees of the City Library, an institution in which
he took a deep and valuable interest. He also served in the City Council, as
Trustee of Green Lawn Cemetery and, lor many years, as a member of the Board
of Education.
The connection of the late distinguished Congressman and author, Hon.
S. S. Cox, with Columbus journalism, began in April, 1853, whcii he bought a
half interest in the Ohio Statesman and became its editor. The Ohio Stale
Journal, which was at that time edited by William T. Bascom, greeted the new
editor of the Statesman kindly but rather patronizingly, remarking that " Mr.
Cox is a young gentleman of liberal education and considerable literary acquire-
ments." Subsequent events have shown that Mr. Bascom did not overstate the
case.
The incident of Mr. Cox's editorial career in this city which surpasses all
others in interest was the writing of that now famous editorial, "A Great Old
Sunset," which was the subject of a great deal of contemporarj' newspaper com-
ment, some of which was written in jest approaching ridicule. But the article has
lived as a brilliant bit of wordpainting, and is the subject of much curiosity and
interest on the part of all who study the career of Mr. Cox — not only so, but of all
who .seek out and admire the masterpieces of poetic fancy in American literature.
It gave its author the soubriquet of" Sunset," bestowed derisively, strange to say,
on account of a magnificent achievement in word-painting which should have
elicited only admiration and respect. The phenomenon (described was a sunset in
May, and Mr. Cox's sketch of it, which was an oft'hund effusion and ap])carod in the
Statesman of May 19, 1853, was as follows :
What a stoniiful sunset was that of last night! IIow glorious the storm, and liow
s|>leniiid the setting of the sun I We do not remember ever to have seen the like on our
round globe. The scene oi)ened in the west, with a whole horizon full of golden, interpene-
trating lustre which colored the foliage and brightened every object into its own rich dyes.
The colors grew deeper and richer until the golden lustre was transfused into a stormcloud
full of the linest liglitning, which leaped in dazzling zigzags all around and over the city.
The wind arose with fury, the slender shrubs and giant trees made obeisance to its
majesty. Some even snapped before its force. Tlie strawberry beds and grassplots, " turned
up their whites " to see Zephyrus march by. As the rain came, and the pools formed, and
the gutters hurried away, thunder roared grandly and the firebells caught the excitement and
rang with hearty chorus.
Tl'.e South and East received the copious showers and the West all at once brightened
up in a long polished belt of azure, worthy of a Sicilian sky. Presently a cloud appeared in
the azure belt in the form of a castellated city. It became more vivid, revealing strange
forms of peerless fanes and alabaster temples and glories rare and grand in this mundane
sphere. It reminded us of Wordsworth's splendid verse in his " Excursion " :
The appearance instantaneously disclosed
Was of a mighty city ; boldly lay
A wilderness of buildings, sinking far,
And selfwithdrawn into a wondrous depth.
Far sinking into splendor without end.
474 History of the City of Columbus.
But the city vanished, only to give place to another isle, where the most beautiful forms of
foliage appeared, imaging a paradise in the distant and purified air. The sun, wearied of the
elemental commotion, sank behind the green plains of the West. The "' great eye in Heaven,"
iiowever, went not down without a dark brow hanging over its departing light. The rich
tiiish of the unearthly light had passed, and the rain had ceased when the solemn church
bells pealed, the laughter of children rang out and, joyous after the storm, was heard with the
carol of birds ; while the forked and purple weapon of the skies still darted illumination
around the Starling College, trying to rival its angles and leap into its dark windows.
Candles are lighted. The piano strikes up. We feel it is good to have a home, good to
be on the earth where such revelations of beauty and power may be made. And as we can-
not refrain from reminding our readers of everything wonderful in our city, we have begun
and ended our feeble etching of a sunset which comes so rarely that its glory should be com-
mitted to immortal type.
This article iiroduced a sensation in Columbus journalism. The State Journal
styled it "one of the choicest specimens of literature that have been ushered into
this round globe for we don't know how many years," and republished the article
entire, with a number of annotations intended to ridicule it. Pajjers in other parts
of the State broke into cachinnator^' paroxysms in the contemplation of this
derisively termed "sublime rhapsody," and an editor at Circleville, whom Mr. Cox
refers to but docs not name, produced a parody on the article which was entitled
"A Great Old Henset." Mr. Cox took all this goodnaturedly and returned the
ridicule with interest. Commenting on the State Journal's reproduction, he said :
" Our landscape improves by being thus framed. If we can ever find anj'thing in
the Journal above the dry, dead level, we shall reciprocate favors by framing it in our
best gilding— and the Journal knows that we can gild when it pleases our fancy.
The Journal may now take out its advertisement for the sale of the establishment.
That 'Sunset' will make the paper sell without further notice."
Eeferring to the Circleville parodj-, " A Great Old Henset," Mr. Cox wrote :
"Apollo! Why didn't you shoot him in the gizzard? The Journal threatens to
copy it and would have copied it no doubt but for its vulgarity and personality.
Well, when we reflected . . . that Walter Scott, Wordsworth, Byron, Southcy,
et ill (imne i/i'iius, bad their parodists, we felt consoled and we may say elated. We
felt like sitting right down and doing up a ' great old sunrise.' We maj' do it yet
if we can get up early enough. In this day of newspaporial dearth, anything above
the mud level will create a sensation."
This gives a faint idea of the comment occasioned by the article at the time of
its publication. But that is not all. None of Mr. Cox's subsequent literary
achievements served to throw this incident into eclipse. Frequent public references
have been made to it, and it has been the chronic delight of the reminiscence-
writer to reproduce the sketch and narrate its history.
Mr. Cox retired from the Statesman May 22, 1854, after a little more than a
year's work as editor and proprietor. He had assumed the editorial duties, as ho
stated, " uot unmindful of the responsibilities attending this ])osition; not without
hesitancy, yet with no timid apprehensions;" recognizing the (lifiicul ties even with
past success; convinced that the "best line as well as the shortest line between
two ])oints is the straight line," and proposing to follow it " with an unswerving
The Pkess. II. 475
faith tliut guod men and true will apjtrovo of Huch a coin-He." Mr. Cox retired
from the paper disai)poiiitcd with the results of his labors. In his valedictory
he said he had expected to have the cooperation of a practical jiriiiter and
business manager, but had been disappointed. He had managed the business and
editorial departments himself and was worn out in spirit and body. He intimated
that the paper had not been supported as he had expected it would be, and that it
was in financial straits. The patronage liad been divided between the Statesman
and the Democrat ioundod by Mr. Knapp in the previous December, and the con-
solidation of these two papers was a part of the agreement by which Mr. Cox was
to retire. He was thirtj' years of age at the time of his editorial ex[(eriencc in
Columbus. Quitting journalism, he devoted himself to politics and literature, and
in both fields won success. In 1855 he went to Peru as Secretary of Legation ; in
1856-(J2 represented the Columbus District in Congress; and in 186() removed to
New York Cit}^ from one of the districts of which he was successively- chosen as a l{e|)-
resenlative in Congress until he was appointed by President Cleveland as United
States Minister to Turkey. Eeturning from this mission in 1887, he was again
elected to Congress and continued to represent his New York district in that body
until his death, September 10, 1889. The most notable of his last public efforts were
in advocacy of the admission to the Union of the Territories of AYashington and
Dakota, and as champion of a bill for the relief of letter carriers, by which class of
public servants a statue to his memory has been erected in New York. In iiis
oration at the unveiling of this statue. General Thomas Bwing said : " His public
career was so patriotic and useful, his character so sterling and stainless, his intel-
lect 80 strong, versatile and brilliant, and love of humanity so intense and bouini-
lees that Samuel Sullivan Cox deserves to be commemorated as one of the best
products of .Vnierican civilization."
Mr. Cox's published writings are: "The Buckeye Abroad," " Eight Years in
Congress," " Seai-ch for Winter Sunbeams," "Whj' We Laugh," and "Three Decades
of Federal Legislation."
Samuel Medary, born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, February 25,
1801, removed to Clermont County, Oliio, in 1825, and for a time boarded there as
a teacher with the Simpsons, who.se daughter had married Jesse R. (4rant, tatlicr
ot General U. S. Grant, then a child about three years of age whose mother, said
Medary, frequently remarked as to the future General : " This boy will some day
be President." Mr. Medary began his career as an editor in association with Hon.
Thomas Morris, afterwards United States Senator, in the publication of a weekly
paper at Bethel, Clermont County, in 1828. The paper was entitled the Ohio Sun,
was a success from the start, and now survives under the name of the Clermont
Sun. It was Democratic in politics, and warmly supported Andrew .lackson for the
Presidency in 1828. On its first page it bore the motto: " Unawed by the in-
fluence of the rich, the great, or the noble, the people must be heard and their
rights protected." Mr. Medary served three terms in the General Assembly, tirsi
as the Representative of Clermont County in 1834-5, and immediately tiuic.it'iir
ti.r two tenn.s as Stale Si-nalor fi i IhcCKTmont Di.strict. When lie bciran llic
])iil>lit;ili()n of his first Mews|,Mpci- he was not, by trade, a pi-inlcr, I. ill did Ihcclil-
476 History of the City of Columbus.
ing, asskjted in the mechanical worlv of the office cind supoi'vised its business.
Before the close of his service in the General Assembly he sold the Sun to his
brothers, Jacob and A. C. Medary, and became connected with the Hemisphere, of
Columbus, of which he assumed the management when he quitted the legislature,
and changed the name to the Ohio Statesman. He was about the same time
chosen by the General Assembly as State Printer, a position which he held for
a number of yeai's. He was also chosen Printer to the Constitutional Convention
of 1851. and published the debates of that body. His connection with the Colum-
bus press has already been nai-rated in the historical sketches of the Statesman and
Crisis. He was a sturdy partisan, a clear thinker, a vigorous and fearless writer
and a man of rugged personality, possibly the strongest character that has
appeared in the journalism of Columbus. His connection with the Statesman and
Crisis gave to those papers a wide celebrity. President Buchanan tendered to Mr.
Medary an appointment as Minister to Chili, but the honor was declined. In 1857
Mr. Medary accepted an appointment as Governor of the Territory of Minnesota,
and just prior to his departure to assume the duties of that position was given a
complimentary dinner by his Columbus friends. Governor Chase was on that
occasion president of the evening, and Chief Justice Bartley, Hon. Lester Taylor,
Judge Allen G. Thurman, and Hon. Jacob Reinhard were Vice Presidents. Toasts
were responded to by William Schouler, of the State Journal, and Joseph H. Gei-
gcr, Esq. Hon. Charles Anderson, United States Senator George E. Pugh, Judge
Thomas W. Bartley and others delivered addresses, and John Greiner sang an
original song. After serving two years in Minnesota Mr. Medary was appointed
Governor of the Territory of Kansas, in which position he also served for two
years Returning to Columbus in 1860, lie began, in January, 1861, the publica-
tion of the Crisis, which he continued until his death, November 7, 1864. Over his
remains in Green Lawn Cemetery rises a costly and beautiful monument erected in
1869 by the Democracy of Ohio.
Charles B. Flood, born at Alexandria, Virginia, January 19, 1810, learned the
printing business, removed to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1832 married there Miss Mary
Dean, of Darke County, established the Democrat newspaper at Marietta in 1835,
and was appointed Register of the Marietta Land Office by President Jackson.
Having sold the Democrat in 1838 he came to Columbus, was for several years
engaged there on the Statesman, and early in the forties went to Detroit where he
was for a short time connected with the Free Press. He soon returned to Colum-
bus and resumed his work on the Statesman, was elected Clerk of the Ohio Senate
in 1852, reelected to the same position in 1854, edited the Urbana State Democrat
in 1857, and in that j-ear went to Cleveland where he published the National
Democrat until it expired in 1861. Prom Cleveland he went to New York, where
he was for several years one of the editors of the News. Returning to Columbus,
he assumed for the third time an editorial position on the Statesman, and in 1868
was once more elected Clerk of the Ohio Senate. In 1875 he was appointed
vSupervisor of Public Printing, from which position he retired in 1877. His later
newspaper work was chiefly that of an occasional contributor. He died in this
TiiK Prkss. II.
'")fiice of tlic Western ln(elli?<;ncer, Solumhus, Saturday Mori, ina;, Oct. 1,1
We »re Ei^iificJ th»t it U in nur will) u zeal ond precision liieli'y credit- t'lc 'rem J.nltr«were to follow
V->«er, .lurltis! the rece«.r, .uipcn- ""•= '" tliein.el.e! .nii honorable to iiior.ii.ig. ^
T|<e .Miliii. or Nc»-Yo
„. n.iirjot
,nl'::,"s«r:,::;ru":,.^t rr.:.;u:r"°:eS:„::;™.M:;:; •'""
Clorious Mnos,
We have the hi.-hc«' ^>li>fJCtion in
'EEH;;f;;rJ:;"';iV::u::i; zl
•hi. wo h...u,,tb,. mornirg, C-.m*
Tayini; before our I'cjdcts me lu.l..wiB|;
c.mnnn.l r. root ,ht WrtOLJf .
feVrtun. ofr,ci,l le.l^r,. ,,.kU u,,.
l^rwoundrd.
!rva!1forcrrV..uT','.,',,?hin.''"Dil
Lvcrycflkeronhonrrlmir eoramo-
UKiriSH^HCfc'op thii iL.j;.-,
durc'. ve..c. ... ki led Ol- woonded.
wiMilhe eiii eption 61 3 or C gVl.
c>i.,pil,im,elf IbeB.iilih Cranio-
lien, that ir.ade-iheir eScap.;. 1 h.
•,l Ibe he.<l J.f the L..l;t ui.uU iIk i:n.
d.„. „ J, killed the firiifire. tVon.
vessel., t.ipl.ircd arc. 1 Irijale of
nedille commana of Governor yVc-
•llo.( n-//alh<l.
«i/.y 0/ 0 IctUr from eon. M'Do-
UrwToTk.Seft. )», Sunday la o-
slo- ps ol 10 (runs, each .mcl«»eT,l
gdh.a. Is.aw the iclior-, *h.c»
TheSleini'boMUrofNcpu.ne has
Plallil.urjll 'eay. 'l^wa^l 'vulh-
tBj, J<.,.d ■
lim arrived from Albany, by which we
U. S. »hip SitratoR,, ctr Pbtts.
bu.g, Sept. 11.
l,.>elhelollp«mB.
AoM,, end force oj ieiieli eoS'S"' <'
pending qn ibe land— 1 li.ive siTOilJ
SIR — 1.1= AlmlKhly hai been
,l,e l..,e end neiHcrotle Hani, an
hopes ihcie likuvne-j hot it is vt-
Ble.>.dloi;r.,ntn..».B0.1 victory o,.
Late CAom/i/ora.
ry lv.,rm and «e h.Ave K>. cont.eud
4. !.c Ch..i..p:jin. in the cpturc ol-o<,(j
,wilh say 8000 "Briiiiih uuulws.
*l;;ilc, one 0.1^, inil two ttocps of
— ~ Cl.«a.
Thi shore ol ih.- nier . ,s lin.d
Saralnj., 36
-^villl oar militia -ina abonl 3--lP
.*"l h°,ve 11.0 nonor lobe, »er, renpecl-
bvipeiii.r, SO
4000 volunieers Iraai •.Vc.n.or.t,
«u,.y,.ir,yoaroWltcrv'i.
Ticondciogn. 18
. T. MDONOUGH. -
Prealdeni," 1«
they can reach our bal.cies— but
Boo. Wm. JoncB,
Secretu,,ol.h.Na.,.
90 !
if they tff. eta passag* ol the .i«i^
er at.U ap,iro4c1i the wotlts, ihrj^
will aua.hebattleb.lt ju;l bij,.,,.
More as soon as ever,., .ran.^.re.
Yours, &.. ILY.NDl^,
_J'os!m<:$:er, flaiuiurgk.
■d,py of a leurrfro-n General Ma.
KomT MoBLAl). Sept. 15.1811.
taC-nfi.nce," S5 ) l
Brig, name untaowD, la {J
. t.iowler, ■ lU r
Eagle, 11 5?
Sir— I n>«e the Honor to inform yoa
nt^came. ll^r^
N.B. The iih:K;«ol Plaitshutcli
Visbeenin poss«..io,. of the e /
unce 10 o'clock laM I'uiiaay, ^>«l
«,o.dioo ol norse. .nd. . .tiolg lii;hl
jamp.Td r^sedlbeseige till. .horn. lefi Here on Wednesil.y, inform^ bcpt. we lea™ that Cj
l,g .1 a o'clock. thai(tovtriiorPrevmit,«ilti his army, Ihe second agd thiril
Th.y .re now relreaiingp-ecipilate- had cllccledhisftireatv ifllhoul recciv- re^iecgpied .Mobile P.
ly, leaving ll.eit sick .nd wounded, inn any matenol check subse<]-jciit To wti*" ""> »iid order*
„. puhl.lhcd on Sa.urday.
.he point. An invasuoii <
>t 111.
,.no.n.idiuK.bo.onarov(.g - nd rocket
<„„ la.Td and suile l|>d arrived tl
of the cootllr, was cpprel,
tnde
S.H V>'' Hirlior. »l.ere SO row boats.
Wl'Ilfry "hid compieiely .i.coccd"lh°sI
car.,Hfconel..ni;e.me.ch. and cap.,.
.,.m.ki,i5-on),cet,l,e..,.
heaiienipi It. l.en Jjcks.
' ""he'^m'tro ,,.> and miliiia are no.
«!r'e,'e!.'y''°An'«il,,ck%n"'K.mgswo
Jnrullpn-.oi. ol the ene.ny. maki.ig
or For. Georp ».s conlcmpl.ted.
New.Orlealls with Hour Sic
jri.oncrsinoll jUrorlion) Uesert.r.
:rocon,inu.llyeSi;ng in, so that Ihe
8oiJ"iHb'.l!'w'.!l."a',V'"'
.Uk'i.I
fc.,ol)heB..usn«r,nyln thlt enter-
Jllhanv, S,/,l 1 6.
Ocricl^^.
Maiot Generals Sroti and Gal.ie.,
A safe det.ll'cd leporl will b. made
Wedne'ilfay''e'le'n"ng." '" ' " '"' °"
Col- Newton Ca
NN«
)o|cin.<i.rlyat passible.
Oor accounts l.o.n Erie ore lo Sep-
elected to (Joi-icssl
nil.
The oScr. and lOXT have ill done
Sta c ol I'cnneosri; V
1V.C
Mieirduty. Tbc .nillery and the en-
«lpeer. haf. p<rf.rii>.< tlilir hncliaoi
li'a !'"i6»»'"h"a'r«o'te ' «c" mat"'..}';
GiuiiU^.rciUjntd--
KXrUA OF WE.STERN INTELLIGENCER, OCTOBER 1, 1814.
478 History op the City op Columbus.
city October 27, 1887. By service on the staff of one of the governors of Michigan
ho acquired the military title of colonel by which he was popularly known.
One of the most remarkable men ever connected with the press of Columbus
was John Greiner, born in Philadelphia, in 1810, and located as a young man at
Marietta, Ohio, where he worked at his trade as a painter, married his first wife,
Laura Bennett, and acquired reputation as a composer and singer of songs on the
subject of temperance, of which he remained throughout his life, even through the
hardciderdrinking campaign of 1840, an ardent and consistent advocate. Of the
famous political struggle of 1840 he was the principal songwriter and singer,
although the identity of the verses of which he was the author is somewhat
ambiguous. Most of his compositions were impromptu, written on his hat while
riding to a meeting, or upon the platform while the orators were speaking. He
never failed, however, to strike the popular chord. The phraseology of many of his
songs was preserved in print, but affords no idea, it is said, of the power which his
verses exerted when sung by himself, with a great crowd joining in the chorus-
His songs were conspicuous in the Corwin-Shannon campaign of 1842, and of the
Presidential campaigns of 1844 and 1848. Removing in 1841 to Zanesville, where
he resumed his trade as a painter, he was elected by the General Assembly to the
position of State Librarian in 1844, returned to Columbus and continued to reside
there until 1849, was in that year appointed Indian Agent for the Territory of New
Mexico, was appointed Secretary of that Territoiy by President Fillmore, served
as acting Governor of the Territory until displaced for political reasons by
President Pierce, and in 1861 was appointed by President Lincoln to be full Governor
of New Mexico, in which position he served until 1865. During the interim of
this public service he was connected as a writer with the Ohio State Journal ; later
he was editor of the Columbus Gazette, from the office of which paper he returned
to New Mexico in 1861. On his return from the West in 1865 he settled
in Zanesville, where he bought the City Times which he conducted until 1868 when
he sold that property and began the publication of a Republican campaign paper
called The Workman. In 1870 he returned to Columbus, resumed for a short time
the editorship of the Gazette, retiring from which he again took up his original
occupation as a painter. He was stricken with paralysis while making an address
before the Odd Fellows' Grand Lodge in Toledo, where he died from the effects
of this stroke May 13, 1871. His remains are interred in Green Lawn Cemetery.
William Dean Howells, the wellknown novelist, became engaged as a compositor
on the Ohio State Journal in 1851. He was then fourteen years of age, and had
learned to set type in the office of the Hamilton Intelligencer, of which paper his
father was for some time the publisher. Later, the elder Howells disposed of the
Intelligencer and removed to Dayton, where he bought and published the Dayton
Transcript, which he transformed into a daily. William worked in the composing
room, and when the typesetting was done, aided in the distribution of the paper to
the subscribers. The Transcript failed, and soon afterward William secured a posi-
tion, as above stated, on the Ohio State Journal, and received for his services the sal-
ary of four dollars a week, which is said to have been the first money he ever earned
as his own. Here his talent began to crop out, and he frequently composed verses
The Press. IT. 479
luiil iiut tluiii iiilo type without the use of manuscript. Some ol tliese effusions found
their way into the columns of the Ohio Slate Journal. AfUr iiis connection witii
tiial i)aper ceasc<i, Mr. llowclls tool< up his residence wilii his jiarents in Ashtalnila
County, from wiicnce he i-ea]i]>eari'd in Columbus in 1857-S as legislative cori'cspon-
dent for the Cincinnati and Cleveland papers, a dual position which would now be
considered phenomenal if not impossible. In 1858, when Henry D. CooUe, brother
of .lay Cooke, the banker, reori^anized the working force of the Ohio Stale
Journal, Mr. llowells became its new and literary editor, in wliich position he was
for some time as.sociated with the late Samuel R. iteed, who was the leading edi-
torial writer on the paper. In ISGO a little volume entitled "Poems of Two
Friends" was published in Columbus by William D. Howells and John J. Piatt.
Mr. llowells remained with tlic State Journal until President Lincoln api)oinled
him Consul at Venice in 1861. Before that event, however, be had begun writing
for the Atlantic Monthl3-, of which periodical he became, in 1866, the associate
editor. On December 24, 1862, he was married at the United States Legation in
Paris, to Miss Eleanor G. Mead of Brattleboro, Vermont. His later career as a
novelist and as editor of Harper's Monthly is weilknown.
(iencral James M. ('omly was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1832, came to
Columbus a fatherless boj- in 1842, became a messenger in one of the printing
offices of the city, and when the late Rev. D. A. Randall came here to assume the
assistant editorship of the Cross and Journal, worked in the office and became an
inmate of the household of that gentleman. While learning the printer's trade he
conned tiie old dictionarj- in the composing room, attended a night school, fre-
quented the State Library, the accumulated lore of which had a wonderful attrac-
tion for his youthlul mind, and wrote for the press occasional contributions which
led to ids becoming an accredited correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette. He
stuilied law in the office of Attorney-General Wolcott, and was made Chief Clerk
to A. P. Rus.sell, Secretary of State, in 1858. about which time he was a roommate
with William D. Howells in the Starling Medical College building, where he was
al.so associated with the Rev. Thomas Fullerton, now of Washington, D. C. Both
Howells and Fullerton had made some ventures in the realm of poetry, and
Fullerton had been so fortunate as to have one of his productions accepted by the
Atlantic Monthly. Sub.sequently Howells realized a similar success and was
delighted to receive one day twentyfive dollars in payment for his contribution.
This money having been placed in bank to Howells's credit, he not long afterwards
sought in great perplexity his roommate, Comly, to whom he put the query:
" Jim, when you've put money in the bank, how do j-ou get it outagain ? " Messrs.
Huntington, E. A. Fitch, R. S. Neil, Charles Scarritt and K. L Taylor were addi-
tional members of the circle of young men in which Howells and Comly moved.
These friends were addicted to long walks on Sunday, which took them out into
what was then tlie open country. One of the remote points reached by them in
these walks was what is now the corner of Parsons Avenue and Town Street. In
his daily peregrinations between the Starling Medical College and the Stateliouse,
Mr. Comly pas.sod the residence of Doctor S. M. Smith, at the northeast corner of
Slate and Fourth streets, where he became acquainted with the Doctor's accom-
480 History of the City op Columbus.
plished daughter, Miss Libbie Smith, to whom he was afteinvards married. At an
early date in the Civil War he became a Lieutenant in a Home Guard Company of
which M. C. Lilley was Captain. Later he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Fortythird Ohio Infantry, of which Wager Swayne was Colonel. From this regi-
ment, to gratifj- his desire to get into active service, he was transferred to the
Twentythird Ohio Infantry, of which regiment he was much of the time during its
Virginia and West Virginia campaigns, in command. In the course of his' military
experience he rose through successive grades to the rank of brigadier-general by
brevet. In October, 1865, he became the editor and part proprietor of the Ohio
State Journal, with which paper he retained these relations until he was appointed
United States Minister to the Sandwich Islands. He was a pureminded, warm-
hearted man, and the aid that was given him in his early struggles he was glad
in his later years to give to others who needed a friend. His memory as a man, a
soldier and a journalist is rightly cherished by all who knew him.
The late Rev. Dr. D. A. Randall is not often thought of as an editor, but he
was a man of great versatility and was at diflferent times in the course of his life of
seventyone years teacher, preacher, editor, business man, lecturer, author, journal-
ist and traveler. His editorial career began when he was pastor of the Baptist
Church at Medina, Ohio. For four years while there, beginning in 1840, he edited
the Wnshingtonian, a weekly paper devoted to the great temperance agitation
which was then sweeping over the country. His work attracted favorable notice,
and in the fall of 1845 he was invited by George Cole, proprietor of the Cross and
Journal, the organ of the Baptist denomination in this and adjoining States, to
become the associate editor. Mr. Randall accepted in November of that year, and
removed to this city, which was his home from that time until his death in 1884.
He made himself familiar with all departments of newspaper work, and in 1847
became one of the proprietors of the paper, Mr. James L. Batcheler being his part-
ner. Mr. Randall's literary style was most j)leasing, and all his writings were
characterized by force of conviction tempered by charity and good will.
Alfred E. Lee, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, spent the first twenty years
of his life on a farm, gi-aduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1859 and at
the Ohio State and Union Law School at Cleveland in 1861 ; and after the close
of the Civil War, in which he served from 1861 until Julj-, 1865, as an officer of the
Eightysecond Ohio Infantry and as Adjutant-General of a brigade, he began the
practice of law at Delaware, Ohio, but was soon afterward invited by General
Carl Schurz, chief editor of the Detroit Daily Post, to accept a position on the edi-
torial staff of that paper, the duties of which position thus tendered he assumed
with the issue of the first number of the Post in March, 1866. In August of that
year he bought a controlling interest in the Delaware, Ohio, Gazette, of which he
remained chief editor and proprietor about seven years. After having sold his
newspaper interest at Delaware in 1873 he was invited by Doctor S. M. Smith, one
of the proprietors of the Ohio State Journal, to assume editorial charge of that
paper during the illness of the chief editor. General Comly. Acquiescing in this
request, he was from that time forward assistant or acting chief editor of the pajier
until his appointment as Private Secretary to Governor Hayes in January, 1876.
The Press. II. 4sl
IJoturning IVoiii lii.-< sorvices as Consul-Geiieral at Fi-aiiUlbrt-on-tlieMain, (ior-
niany, he resumed liis connection with tiie State Journal, this lime as ciiicl' writ-
ing editor, in November, 1881, and continued to servo in this position, notwith-
standing the sale of the establishment, until June, 1882. In 1883, he united with
Messrs. Comly and Francisco in the purchase of the Toledo Daily Telegram, but a
few nmnths later sold his interest in that paper, having meanwhile accepted an
appointment tendered him as assistant writing editor on the Cleveland Daily
Herald, from which position he resumed, and for one year continued, his connec-
tion with the editorial staff of the .State Journal. A complete sketch of his life to
the present time appears elsewhere in this work.
Charles S. Glenn, son of Alexander E. Glenn, was one of man}' wiiose names
are inseparably connected with the career of the now defunct Gazette. Born at
Rising Sun, Indiana, September 23, 1834, he came to Columbus with his father in
1840, learned the printing trade, went to Wasliington Citj' and worked there on
the Globe in 1855, and, returning to Columbus, in 1858 bought a half interest in
the Columbus Gazette, the other half being retained by Governor John Greiner.
The firm name, at first Glenn & Greiner, then Glenn & Thrall, became at a later
date Glenn, Thrall & Heide, and still later Glenn & Heide. In 1873 xMr. Glenn
became by purchase the sole proprietor of the paper and printiiig office, which ho
continued to own until his death in 1875. Like his father, Mr. Glenn was active
in secret society work, and at the time of his death belonged to the Masons, the
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Improved Order of Red Men. He was a
solfmade man, upright, industrious, and held a warm ])lacc in the hearts of all who
knew him.
Jonathan F. Linton, for several years proprietor of the Ohio Statesman, arid
whose connection with the Record and the City and Country is elsewhere men-
tioned, was born December Itj, 1831, near Springfield, Ohio, and attended school
at Clifton, Greene County, in a cabin which had been built for the use of Whig
political meetings. His great grandfather, John Linton, was one of the first
settlers in the Little Miami Valley, and his grandfather, Nathan Linton, a pioneer
in Clinton County, held the office of County Surveyor in that county continuously
for fifty years. Jonathan F. Linton learned the printing trade in the office of the
Springfield Republic, then owned by Gallagher & Crane, in 1845, and in 1847
worked in the office of the Wilmington Republican, then owned by David Fisher, a
member of Congress. Afler a varied experience in the study of engineering and
in the pursuit of that profession he bought the Peru, Illinois, Democrat, which,
after changing its name and politics, he converted into a daily. In 1855 he sold
this paper and engaged in farming, but in 1857 returned to the printing business.
In the summer of 18t;i he enlisted as First Lieutenant in the Thirtyninth Illinois
Infantry, a Chicago regiment, and in the course of the war served on the staff's of
General Ilowells, Osborn and Vogdes. (Quitting the army in 181)4 he has since
been engaged in milling, printing and farming.
Franklin Gale, who was for many years connected with the Statesman and
other local papers, was born at Oxford, Massachusetts, October 25, 1802. In early
life a farmer, he taught school in winter, removed to Barnesvillc, Ohio, in 1833, was
31
482 History of the City of Columbus.
admitted to the bar, practised law at Zanesville and Columbus, and made his first
newspaper venture at Zanesville in the forties. This publication he removed to
Columbus in 1849 and consolidated with the Columbian, which was itself merged
into the Statesman. For a time he practised law, but during the greater part of
his residence at Columbus he was connected with the press. During the war and
after its conclusion he was one of the editorial writers of the Statesman. In 1868
he was chosen official reporter of the Ohio Senate, a position which he held until
his death in 1874. During his newspaper career, lasting about twentysix years,
he was connected editorially with six or seven different papers.
Colonel James Taylor was born on a farm in Harrison Township, Perry
County, May 3, 1825, and began newspaper work at the age of sixteen. In 184(i,
in connection with Philander H. Bincklej', he began the publication at Roseville of
a monthly called the Souvenir, which was continued for eighteen months. Later,
in anticipation of the establishment of a new county to be composed of portions of
Belmont and Guernsey, he published a paper at Fairview, which undertaking not
being successful, he sold the property and in 1850 went to New Philadelphia, where
he became associated with Hon. Charles Matthews in the publication of the Ohio
Democrat. In 1856 he returned to Perry County and established at New Lexing-
ton a ijaper called the Ambrotype, which he edited for one year, then sold. Sub-
sequently, in conjunction with his brother, George W. Taylor, he established at
New Lexington the Locomotive, which still lives in the New Lexington Tribune.
Serving in the Thirtieth Ohio Infantrj- and other regiments during the war, he
resumed, at its close, his newspaper work, wrote for a number of journals, and
during the proprietorship of Coraly & Francisco became an editorial writer of the
Ohio State Journal, a position which he held, except during short intervals when
other enterprises interfered, until his death January 25, 1891. Colonel Taylor
was a man of large and varied information, and was first to disclose to capitalists
the great mineral i-esources of Perry County. In conjunction with General
Thomas Ewing he conceived and undertook to carry out the project of building a
railway from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Coast, but the panic of 1873 prostrated
this enterprise, and nearly all that was invested in it was lost. The Toledo &
Ohio Central Eailway was built by others; mines were developed and towns grew
up on land that Colonel Taylor and his associates had once owned, and he lived to
see his great project a success, although others were its beneficiaries. While he
was at the height of his prosperitj^ as a coopei-ator and railroad projector he was
named the " Duke of Ferrara," a soubriquet which clung to him for many years.
William D. Brickell, proprietor of the Evening Dispatch, was born in
Sleubcnville, Ohio, in 1852, and is the only son of Captain D. Z. Brickell, of
Pittsburgh. His grandfather was Captain John Brickell, at one time commander
of the Boston, the first of the fast line of steamers on the Western rivers. His
grandmother, Mrs. Catharine E. Brickell, is still living at Pittsburgh at the age
of ninetyone years. John Brickell, who was one of the earliest settlers in this
locality, and was for some time held captive by the Indians, was a cousin of
William D. Brickell's father. Mr. Brickell spent his early life in Pittsburgh and
was educated at the Western Universitj' of Pennsylvania. He learned the
The Press. II. 483
printer's trade on the Pittsburgh Post when it was owned by tlic bid' linn.
James P. Barr, and did work in all the various departments a\' tbat [Xijier. lie
was also at different times connected with tjie St. Louis Democrat, Indianapolis
Sentinel and other Western papers. In 1876 he became part owner of the
Dispatch, and in 1882 acquired also the interest of his partner. Captain L. I). Myers,
.and has since then remained sole proprietor of the paper.
Samuel J. Fliekinger, the present editor of the Ohio State Journal, was born
on a farm near Millville, Butler County, Ohio, in 1848 and spent his boyhood
there. His education, as far as the schools are concerned, was completed at
Otterbein Universitj', Westerville, Ohio. He began his newspaper work on the
Daj'toii Journal in 1876, as telegraph editor. Two years later lie came to Columbus
to engage in work on the Ohio State Journal and was successively reporter, city
editor and telegraph editor. In 1881 he was the Columbus correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial for three or four months, doing such excellent work in that
time that the Cincinnati Enquirer sought his .services and secured them. For
three years, ending in November, 1884, he remained correspondent of the
Enquirer, resigning at that time to become managing editor of the Ohio State
Journal, a position which he has ever since filled.
The newspaper career of Colonel W. A. Taylor dates back to 185.5, in which
year he began work on the Perry County Democrat, then published at New
Lexington. A few years later he went to Zanesviile where he became connected
with the Press, a daily paper, and began contributing to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
In 1865 he went to Cincinnati and became a member of the Enquirer editorial stafi',
from which he resigned in 1868 to accept aposition on the Pittsburgh Post, which
he retained until 1872, when lie went to New York to accej)! a position on the
Sun. In 1873 he returned to the Pittsburgh Post and remained with tbat
paper until 1876, when he resigned to accept a place on the editorial start' of the
Evening Telegraph. In 1878 he came to Columbus to edit the Democrat, with
which paper be remained until shortly before its consolidation with the Statesman.
Later he was connected with the Times until 1882; published the Saturday
Critic from April, 1882, until April, 1883; then staff correspondent of the
Cincinnati News Journal, and a correspondent of numerous other papers until
April, 1885, when he accepted the position of staff correspondent of the Enquirer,
which he still holds. Colonel Taylor was Clerk of the Senate in the Sixtyninth
General Assembly, and while in that office prepared an official register of the
Territorial and Stale officers of Ohio from the beginning of civil government in tlie
State until the present time.
Stephen B. Porter, son of James and Marguerite Porter, was born August 12,
1838, near Steubenvillc, Ohio, and was early left an or])han. He was reared by
his grandmother, and obtained such an education as a country school and tiie
academies at Richmond, Ohio, and Uniontown, Pennsj-lvania, could give him.
Meanwhile he had worked on a farm and clerked in country- stores. He married
in 1859, enlisted in the Second Ohio Infantry, September 1, 1861, served with his
regiment until October 8, 1862, was twice wounded at the battle of Perry ville and,
owing to his wounds, was assigned to clerical work with General Cox, at Cincin-
484 History of the City op Columbus.
nati, and at hospital headquarters at Camp Dennison. He served three years, was
discharged, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the One Hundred and
Ninetyfirst Ohio Infantry, with which he went to the Shenandoah Valley', where
he served until the close of the war, part of the time as First Lieutenant, to which
rank he had been promoted. He was mustered out of the service in August, 1865,
began newspaper work as a reporter on the Cleveland Herald in November of that
year, and in 1869 went to the Plaindealer, with which paper he was connected as a
reporter for several years. In November, 1872, he came to Columbus to become
city editor of the Dispatch, in which capacity he served until the firm of Myers &
Brickell was di.ssoIved, when he became editor of the paper, a position which he
has ever since continuously held.
Lanson Gr. Curtis, born in Columbus in September, 1845, became a messenger
boy in the office of Governor Dennison at the age of sixteen, served in various
capacities in the executive offices of Governors Tod, Brough and Anderson, was
sent as bearer of tickets and ballotboxes to the army in the Southwest in 1865, was
clerk in the office of General Wikoff, Secretary of State ; succeeded B. J. Looniis,
transferred to Washington, as correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, and,
when Mr. Loomis returned to Columbus, became the regular Columbus correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Times, a position to which was soon added the local agency
of the Associated Press. For a few months, Mr. Curtis was city editor of the Dis-
patch, but soon withdrew from that service to devote all his energies to newspaper
correspondence. He was also the Columbus representative of the New York
Herald and Ciiicago Times. In addition to his newspaper duties, Mr. Curtis for
several j-ears edited the annual publications of the Conductors' Life Insurance Com-
pany of the United States. He died November 18, 1881, at the age of thirtysix,
in the house on State Street in wliich he was born. Commemorative resolutions
were passed in his honor by the members of the Columbus Press, who also, as
befoi-e narrated, organized a club and gave it his name. He was a man of charm-
ing personal qualities and rare professional talent and accomplishments.
W. S. Furay, now leading editorial writer of the Ohio .State Journal, is a native
of Frankfort, Eoss County, Ohio. Alter short attendance at Wittenberg College
and a summer spent in studj^ at Oberlin he entered Antioch College, from which
he graduated in the spring of 1861, having in the meantime taught school several
terms. A day or two after graduating, he loft home to join the Union Army in
West Virginia, where he began his newspaper work with a series of volunteer let-
ters to the Cincinnati Gazette, the proprietors of which were so much pleased
with his work as to engage him as a regular correspondent. As a personal
observer he described eleven of the great battles and many minor conflicts, raids,
sieges, and secret expeditions. The battles described were Perryville, Stone Elver,
Chickamauga, Mission Eidge, Lookout Mountain, Eesaca, Kenesaw, Peach Tree
Creek, Franklin, Nashville, and Blakeley, in front of Mobile, the last taking jjlace
on the day of General Lee's surrender. Mr. Furay remained in the South five
years after the close of the war, conducting a bureau of southern correspondence
for the Cincinnati Gazette. He was tendered but declined the jjost of Private
Secretary to Governor Bullock, of Georgia. The one recollection on which he
The Prkss. II. -is:.
most priilcs liiinscir in (..innoctioii will) tliis [niviud is llial of llio closo of llie Ala-
bama reconstruction convention in 1866, when, at a threat popular mooting hold to
onilorHC the proceedings, ho spoke for an hour and a half from the very rostrum
on which Jetlerson Davis stood when sworn in as President of the Southern Con-
federacy. Ketnrning to Ohio in 1870 ho served for ten j'ears as general State
correspondent for the Cincinnati Gazette with his headquarters at Columbus. He
withdrew from the Gazette to become owner and editor of the Columbus Sunday
Herald, which he sold in 1884. He served five years as Trustee of the Ohio
Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home bj' appointment of Governor Hayes; held
lor two and a half years the position of Chief Clerk in the office of lion. J. F.
Oglevee, Auditor of State, and in 1883 was appointed United States Revenue
Collector for the Columbus District, which position ho .soon lost by consolidation of
this district with that of Chillicotho. In 1883 he was commissioned by President
Arthur as United States Commissioner of the Northern Pacific Railway, and on his
return from service in that position in 1884 was offered and acci'iited the newspaper
connection which he now holds.
Charles Q. Davis, now general manager of the Evening Post, was born Sepleni-
ber29, 1863, at Jackson, Ohio, removed to Columbus in 1869, attended the Ohio
State University three years, began newspaper work as a re^jorter of the Sunday
Morning News, and when he left college in 1885 became a member of the Ohio
State Journal local staff. After retaining this position about a year he was offered
and accepted that of State correspondent for the Cleveland Plaindealer, which
relation he maintained until December, 1890. In April, 1891, he bought a con-
trolling interest in the Columbus Evening Post, and became its general manager.
In 1884 Mr. Davis was Secretary' of the Democratic State Executive Conimittuo, and
in 1890 was Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Leo Hirsch, editor of the Sonntagsgast and the Express, is a native of Germany,
in which country he was apprenticed to and learned the printer's trade. In 1866
he went to London, Enland, where he became manager of the Londoner Zeitung,
then said to be the oidj- German paper printed in that country. Emigrating to the
United States in 1871, he worked six months at his trade at New York City, then
became manager of the Oestliche Post, a German Republican morning paper which
advocated the election of General Grant to the Presidencj-. In 1872 ho went to
St. Louis, where he first worked in the job office of the Democrat and subsenuently
became Superintendent of tlie Missouri Staatszeitung, the career of which was cut
short soon after by its purchase by Messrs. Pulitzer and Hutchins and its sale the
same day to the Globe-Democrat. In 1873 Mr. Hirsch, with others, began the pub-
lication of the St. Louis Tribune, but the enterprise was not successful. While he was
in St. Louis, Mr. Hirsch conceived the idea of German stereotype plates, and traveled
extensively to introduce them, being thus the pioneer in the German stereotype plate
business. In 1876 he was offered a position on the Westbote, and in July of that year
came to Columbus. He served with the Westbote in various capacities for a j^ear and
a half, began in April, 1878, the publication of the Sonntagsgast, and in 1887 was
appointed Supervisor of Public Printing, to which position he was reappointed in
486 History of the City of Columbus.
1889. In October, 1891, lie organized a company and began the publication of the
Columbus Express, a German Evening Daily.
J. H. Galbraith, editor of the Press, is a native of Perry Township, Franklin
County, and graduated from the Ohio State University in 1883. Immediately on
quitting the University he took an engagement as a reporter on the Columbus
Times, then managed by the late John G. Thompson. When the Times passed into
other hands, with S. K. Donavin in charge, Mr. Galbraith was made its city editor,
from which position he passed to that of managing editor, which he still holds
under the proprietorship of F. J. Wendell.
William F. Kemniler, present managing editor of the Westbote, a native of
Wirtemberg, after serving for three years as clerk in the office of the maj'or of
Ebingen, his native town, emigrated to the United States in the autumn of 1857,
and settled in Circleville, Ohio, where he apprenticed himself to the printer's trade
in the office of the Watchman, which was then conducted by Niles & Case,
and now flourishes as the Democrat and Watchman, under the editorial direction
of Hon. A. R. Van Cleaf After fulfilling liis apprenticeship and working an addi-
tional year as compositor, he accepted a position as compositor and translator in the
office of the Westbote of Columbus, January 2, 1862, from which date until the pres-
ent time, excepting an iuterval of six months, he has been connected with the
Westbote either in its mechanical or its editorial department. Since the retirement
of his lamented chief, Mr. Frederick Fieser, from the business in 1884, he has been
managing editor as well as part proprietor of the paper, and since the organization of
the Westbote Company he has been one of its directors. In 1862 he married Miss
Barbara Palm, who, with her parents, came from his native town to Circleville in
1846. Mr. Kemmler's newspaper work has been characterized by sturdy honesty
and the intelligence of a welltrained mind. With the project for the erection of a
moment to Schiller in the City Park he was from first to last closely and actively
identified.
Herman Determann, present associate editor of the Westbote, began his con-
nection with that paper in 1870. He was born at Amsterdam, Holland, and com-
pleted his education at the universities at Gottingen and Munich, where he pur-
sued a special course in philology and jurisprudence. On his arrival in the United
States in 1870, he chose the newspaper profession, in which he has been associated,
at different times, with German-American papers in Cincinnati, Chicago, Mil-
waukee and other cities. For eleven years he was chief editor of the Bvansville
Democrat, much of the success of which was due to his intelligent efforts. He has
taken an active part in recent political struggles, and has acquired prominence as
a campaign speaker. He has rare literary gifts, and is the author of much meri-
torious poetry which has from time to time appeared in current periodicals of the
United States and Germany.
Ferdinand A. Wayant, a native of Cologne, Germany, and of Swiss-French
parentage, after graduating with high honors from the gymnasium of his native
cit}-, emigrated in 1871 to the United States where he at once entered upon a jour-
nalistic career, and found employment on different German papers at Newark,
New Jei-sey, Albany, Providence and Rochester. In 1882 he came to Columbus
The 1'res.s. II. 4S7
and acffplLMl a pusilioii on tlio Woslbotc. Shortly allorwardis lie ami l"\ lloiii-
inersbacli rouiidi'il tlio Ohio SlaatBzeitun<r, a Gorman daily oC Ueinocratic |iolitic.s.
The ontorj)rise was tinancially unsuocossful, and Mr. Wayanl again bocanio uon-
uccted with the Wosthote, with which ho was employed as reporter and assistant
editor. Although jjhysically frail and for years a sufforor with lung att'ei'tion, ho
])erformed his duties with rare ability and devotion until his death, which took
l>lace Juno 11, 1891. Of genial and kind disposition, ho had many warm friends
and admirers. His sense of humor was keen, and often cropped out in his writ
iugs for the press. His untimely death was widely and deeply regretted.
Charles F. Brown (Artemus Ward) worked for a short time as a compositor
in the newspaper offices of Columbus prior to his connection with the Cleveland
Plaindealer, in which he became famous. He came here as a tramp printer,
ragged and dirty, and set type in the office of the Eeveilie, a shortlived daily
which began publication in 1854.
Hon. (ieorge K. Nash had a newspaper experience of about one year, having
been city editor of the State Journal from March 18, 1867, to April 17, 18(j8.
Prior to that time he had done some volunteer writing for the State Journal, and
when W. H. Busbey resigned as citj- editor to become Private Secretary to Gover-
nor Cox, the vacant position was tendered to and accepted by Mr. Nash.
Sylvanus E. Johnson, now the Washington Representative of the Cincinnati
Enquirer, came to this citj- late in the sixties as a printer, in which capacitj- he
was employed on the Statesman, of which he afterwards became city editor. On
April 1, 1872, he became city editor of the State Journal, of which paper he was
subsequently one of the editorial writers. In 1880 ho went to Cincinnati to accept
a position as assistant managing editor of the Enquirer, with which paper he has
most of the time since been connected.
Aaron F. Perry, the wellknown Cincinnati lawyer, did much editorial work
for the State Journal while practising his profession here, although this was not
generally known at the time. Subsequently he was associated with Orun Follotl
anil others in the proprietorship.
C. C. Hazewell, who was in 1845-46 editor of the Statesman, returned to
Massachusetts after severing his connection with that paper, became editor of the
Boston Times in 1850 and figured prominently in the politics and journalism of that
period in the Bay State.
John Teesdale, editor of the State Journal in 1H43-6, was afterwurds editor of
the Akron Beacon. In 1857 he wont to Dos Moines, Iowa, where he lj(niglil and
edited a newspaper.
Henry Reed, who with his brother, S. R. Reed, held a prominent place in Ohio
journalism, came to Columbus May 1, 1848, from Maumee City, Indiana, and
became part owner and one of the editors of the Stale Journal, his associate in the
paper being William B. Thrall. He retired from the State Journal the following
year, and in March, 1S.")2, became editor of the Cincinnati Atlas. In 1855 he was
one of the editorial writers on the Cincinnati Commercial, from which he retiivil
in is5".t. Later, lie and his hi-other began the publication of a chca]) rincinnati
488 History of the City of Columbus.
daily which was shortlived. Both the Eeed brothers are now dead, S. K. Reed
having died at sea in 1889.
James Haddock Smith, a soninlaw of Samuel Medary, began his editorial
work on the Statesman in 1850. He had represented Brown County in the Forty-
sixth and Fortyscventh General Assemblies. When Hon. S. S. Cox became part
proprietor of the Statesman in 1853, Mr. Smith was his partner. In 1854 he sold
his interest to Mr. Cox and formed a law partnership with Judge Warden. From
1857 to 1859 he was again financiallj' connected with the Statesman, but severed
his connection with tlie paper in 1859 and was appointed County Clerk vice J. L.
Bryan, resigned.
William D. Gallagher was born in Philadelphia, in 1808, and at an early age
came West. He was one of the editors of the Cincinnati Gazette with Charles
Hammond, who gave to that paper its first great reputation. In 1838-9 he was
editor of the Hesperian in Columbus, with the literary and political press of which
he was afterwards variously connected. In 1853 he removed to Louisville, Ken-
tucky, where for a time, he edited the Farm Journal and subsequently retired to
a farm near the city. Author of much excellent poetry and prose, he achieved an
enviable rejjutation in the current contemporary literature of his period.
Ezra Griswold had the distinction of being connected at the outset with both
the Western Intelligencer and the Monitor. Besides setting the first tj'pe for the
former paper, he was a partner of David Smith in the establishment of the Moni-
tor. Mr. Griswold sold his interest in the Monitor in 1820 and began the publica-
tion of a paper at Worthington, called the Columbian Advocate and Franklin
Chronicle. This paper he removed, in the fall of 1821, to Delaware, Ohio, where
he continued its publication until 1834, when it passed into the ownership of
Abrani Thomson, and became the Olentangy Gazette. It is still published by Mr.
Thomson as the Delaware Gazette.
John M. Gallagher, after leaving Columbus, published the Springfield Eepub-
lie, and represented Clarke County for three terms in the General Assemblj-, one
term as Speaker of the House.
Charles Scott, who was sole or part proprietor of the State Journal for twenty
years ending in 1854, was a man of much energy although his business ended dis-
astrously. From Columbus he went to Chicago where he was connected with several
business enterprises including a large printing establishment, and died in 1888.
Henry D. Cooke, brother of Jay Cooke, the famous bankei", was for about
three years, beginning in 1858, one of the proprietors of the State Journal. He
had previously hud editorial charge of the Sandusky Commercial Register. During
his connection with the State Journal that paper was greatly improved editorially,
typographically and in its local news service. After his retirement in 1861 Mr.
Cooke was associated in business with his brother, Jay Cooke. He died in Wash-
ington City February 24, 1881.
James Allen, who was editor of the State Journal early in the fifties, sub-
sequentlj' went to California, where he was elected State Printer by the legislature
in 1855.
The I'UEss. II. 489
Walter C. Hood, once an employe of the State .hnirnal, and lul. r ediitif of a
Domocratic paper called llie Spirit of the Times, at Iionlon, was Slate Lilnarian
in 1874-5, having been a])pointed by Governor Willian^ Allen. lie dieil while
iu office.
■\Villiuni T. Bascom's connection with the State Journal began in 1S41I and
ended in 1855. He was at first part owner, afterwards editorial writer. In lS5(i-8
ho wa.s clerk of the Ohio Senate, was at a later date Bank Register in the office ot
the Treasurer of State, was Private Secretary to Governor Dennison, beginning in
1860, and in 1865 resumed newspaper work as editor of the Mount Vernon Repub-
lican until 1867.
Colonel William Schouler, who had been connected with the press of Boston,
Massachusetts, became editor an<l joint proprietor of the State Journal in 1856, and
retired from the ]ia])er in Ajjril, 1858. Prior to his departure he was honored with
a complimentar}" dinner given bj^ Governor Chase, ex-Governor Samuel Medary
and other prominent citizens. He was appointed Adjutant-General of Massachu-
setts in 1861 and died in October, 1872.
William T. Coggeshall was a proprietor and editor of the State Journal about
ten months in 1865. He had previouslj- been Slate Librarian, to which position
he was appointed by Governor Chase in June, 1856. From that position ho went
to Springfield in 1862 and took charge of the Republic. His connection with the
State Journal began January 21, 1865, and terminated November 8 of the same
year. In December, 1865, Mr. Coggeshall was appointed Private Secretary to
Governor J. D. Cox. In 1866 he went to South America as United States Minister
to Ecuador, and on August 2. 1867, died at Guapolo, near Quito.
James B. Mar.shall, who Avas one of the editorial writers on the Statesman in
1856-7, came from the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was chosen Reporter for the Ohio
Senate in January, 1858, and in May of that year became editorially connected
with the Capital City Fact. In 1859 he began the publication of a Columbus
weekly called the People's Press, which was not successful. Mr. Marshall was a
brother of Humphrej- Marshall, the eloquent Kentucky Congressman and Con-
federate General. Some years ago he fell from the window of a Menipliis hotel
and wa.s killed.
John Bailhache, connected with the Stale Journal at ditt'erent limes between
1825 and 1835, was editor of the Scioto Gazette in its early career and came to
Columbus from Cbillicothe. In 1837 he went to Alton, Illinois, where he edited
the Telegraph until 1855. He died there in September, 1857.
A. M. Gangewer was connected with the Columbian until its consdlidaliun in
1856 with the State Journal, with which he was also connected from that lime
until 1858. He was appointed Private Secretary to Governor Chase in 1859, and
in 1861 became connected with the duties of an office in the Treasury Department
of the United States, which position he retained for many years.
James Q. Howard, author of a campaign biography of Abraham Lincoln, was
a young lawyer in Columbus when named in 1861 as United States Consul at
St. John's, New Brunswick, in which position he was succeeded by Colonel Darius
B. Warner in 1866. Returning to Columbus he became one of the editors and a
490 History of the City of Columbds.
joint proprietor of the State Journal, I'rom which ho retired in 1871. In 1872 he
edited a Greeley campaign paper called the Sentinel, an ante election editorial in
which entitled " Victor^' Foreknown," acquired some celebrity as a mistaken
proijhecy. In 1876 Mr. Howard wrote a campaign biography of General Ruther-
ford B. Hayes. During the term of Mr. Hayes as President he was appointed
Appraiser of the Port of New York.
Wilioughby W. "Webb, a native of Canton, Ohio, was for several years city
editor of the Statesman, from which he retired in July, 18(50. During the Civil
War he was for some time a Second-Lieutenant in the Fortythird Ohio Infantry.
He was one of the editorial writers of the Crisis under the management of Doctor
William Trevitt, and was the first editor of the Evening Dispatch. He died June
7, 1872. His brother, John M. Webb, was financially identified at different times
with the Sunday Morning News, the Crisis, and the Dispatch, of which latter
paper he was one of the original proprietors and at one time editor.
Asa L. Harris, who was a local writer on the State Journal prior to the Civil
War, bought the Coshocton Age in 1860, and for some time published that papei'.
He is now editor of the Southern Eailroad Record, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Frank Higgins, who learned the printer's trade in the ofiBco of the State
Journal, published in 1861 a Secessionist paper called the Times, at Messilla, Ari-
zona. He is now dead.
Salmon P. Chase, in 1861, and before, furnished considerable editorial matter
to the Ohio State Journal and the Cincinnati Commercial.
G. W. Pioby, one of General Comly's first partners in the State Journal, came
to Columbus from Eo.ss County, where he had at different times practised medicine
and been Provost Marshal of the Twelfth Congressional District. In October,
1866, he sold his interest in the Journal to A. P. Miller, of the Scioto Gazette, and
purchased the interest of George C. Benhani in the drugstore of Thrall & Benhani,
the firm becoming Thrall & Roby.
W. W. Beach, city editor and agent of the State Journal and author of numer-
ous popular and humorous sketches, changed his occupation from journalism to
the insurance business in 1867, and in 1869 went to Springfield, Ohio, where he
became connected with the Advertiser.
B. J. Loomis, who had for several years been Columbus correspcjndent of the
Cincinnati Commercial, accepted in February, 1868, a position on the editorial
staff of the Cincinnati Chronicle. Subsequently he resumed charge of the Colum-
bus bureau of the Commercial, a relation which he maintained until late in the
seventies. He was Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1866-S, and again
in 1872-4.
W. B. Thrall, a native of Rutland, Vermont, who came to Ohio in 1817, and
did his first newspaper work on the Circleville Herald, of which he was editor and
proprietor for about twentyfive years, became in 1846 one of tlie editors and pro-
prietors of the State Journal, after his retirement from which in 1849 he did much
editorial work for various papers with which he was never publicly identified.
He was a man of marked ability, and, while a resident of Pickaway County, served
on the Common Pleas bench and in the Legislature. He was chosen Comptroller
The Press. II. 401
of tho Truiisurv in 1859, and was appointed bj' Pro.sidont Fillnioic to an ollico in
Wasiiington. He died in Xh'm city duriiiij; tho seventies.
Ludan (J. Tiirali, born at Circlevillc, Ohio, in 1S25, learned the printer's trade
in tile office of the State Journal under the proprietorship of Charles Scott, and in
1852 undertook the publication of the Ohio State Times at Mount Vernon. He
returned to Columbus in 1858 and served in tho composing room of the State
Journal, chieflj- as foreman, until 1859, when he bought an interest in the Gazette,
which he sold in 1864. In 18()5 ho purchased a half interest in the Jeffersonian at
Kindlay. Sub8e(iuenll3- ho was connected with newspapers at Pomeroy, Ohio, and
Aflon, Iowa. He now holds a responsible position in the office of the Westbote.
E. G. DeWolf, onco connected with tho State Journal, became tho editor of
tho Hancock Joffer.sonian in September, 18G8.
V. VV. Hurtt, senior proprietor of the State Journal in 18(Jl, was appointed
Brigade (Quartermaster and ordered to i-ejjort to General Eosecrans, by whom he
was a.ssigned to duty at Clarksburgh, Virginia. In March, 18(i2, the employes of
the State Journal presented to him a handsome military saddle and other horse
equipments. Some months later he was tried by court martial on charges of mis-
appropriation of public funds, and was found guiltj'.
Isaac J. Allen, a partner with F. W. Hurtt in the State Journal during the
war, was ajipointed in July, 18(14, to be United States Consul at Bangkok, but was
subsequently transferred to the consulate at Hong Kong.
M. P. Beach, one of the editors of the Capital City Fact, enlisted in the
Fortieth Ohio Infantrj- in September, 1862.
Colonel E. Hanford, once a writer on the State Journal, is the author of a
history of the Sixth Ohio Infiiutry, written in 1869.
John \V. King, once a citj- editor of the State Journal, entered the legal pro-
fession, in the successful practice of which he is now engaged at Zanesville.
Captain John H. Putnam came to Columbus from the Chillicothc Advertise)-,
of which he had been editor, and united with Doctor G. A. Doren in tlio purcliase
of the Evening Dispatch in 1874. After the sale of the Dispatch by himself and
partner in 1876 he became financially interested in the Statesman, retiring from
which in 1882 he returned from Chillicotho to edit the Register. In 1885 he was
appointed Consul at Honolulu, in which position he remained until 1889.
Doctor E. C. Cloud was for a time city editor of the Statesman, beginning in
August, 1869. •
Francis M. Perlcy was in charge of the publishing department of the State
Journal from August 16, 1869, to January 28, 1871.
Samuel B. Price was associated with Henry D. Cooke in the editorship of the
State Journal in 1860. Subsequently he went to Toledo, where he worked on the
Commercial. He died in Toledo April 20, 1870.
Captain W. J. Vance, for a time assistant editor of the St:ite Journal and its
Washington correspondent in 1871-2, formerly owned and edited a dailv in l'i(|ua.
He wrote over the nom ilc phimt- " Pendennis."
A. \V. Francisco, who was business manager ami part owner of the Stali: .Iouiiki!
between June 20, 1872, and January 1, 1882, came to rnUinilnis from Cinrinnaii,
492 History of the City of Columbus.
where he had been for many years the business manager of the Times under its pro-
prietor, C. W. Starbiick. In April, 1883, in conjunction with James M. Coraly and
Alfred E. Lee he bought the Toledo Telegram, the name of which was very soon
afterwards changed back to that of The Daily Commercial. A month after this
purchase Mr. Francisco bought an interest in the Los Angeles Times, with which,
some months later, he placed himself in personal connection after having sold bis
newspaper interest at Toledo.
Doctor L. J. Moeler, who died at his residence in Columbus, November 17, 1872,
came here in "Tyler times," and became associated with Doctor N. M. Miller,
brother of John Ct. Miller, Postmaster, in the publication of the Old School
Eepublican. He subsequently became a director and superintendent of the
County Infirmary. Previous to his arrival in Columbus he had published a Whig
paper in Somerset, Perry County.
Samuel Bradford, present foreman of the Evening Dispatch composing room,
came to Columbus from Adams County early in the fifties, worked at his trade in
the Statesman office, was foreman in the office and one of the founders of the
Reveille in 1854, and when that paper was discontinued, returned in 1855 to the
Statesman, with which he was engaged from 1855 to 1860. He was one of
several printers who, in August, 1860, began the publication of the Evening
Bulletin; was foreman in the composing room of the Crisis from 1861 to 1871, and
was one of the founders of the Evening Dispatch in the latter year. His service
with the Dispatch has been continuous since its establishment.
David Boyer, one of the founders of the Sunday World, came to Columbus
from Dayton in 1867 to become foreman of the Statesman composing room. He has
for many years been prominent in typographical union and general labor circles.
Frank F. Rankin died November 14, 1881, while a member of the State Journal's
local staff.
Frank A. Layman, who was associate editor of the Dispatch for six years end-
ing in April, 1880, went at that time to Sandusky where he and his brother, Charles
A. Layman, published the Journal for several years.
J. L. Rodgers began newspaper work as a reporter on the Columbus Times.
In 1886 he accepted a situation on the Dispatch, of which he became assistant
city editor and, in November, 1889, associate writing editor.
James R. Armstrong, now one of the oldest printers in the city, was connected
with the State Journal in different capacities from August, 1845, to May, 1849.
He was subsequently connected with the paper for a few months just prior to the
Scott & Bascom failure in 1854. In 1877 Mr. Armstrong entered the business office
of the Evening Dispatch, where he remained as bookkeeper and assistant manager
until Jul}', 1891, when, owing to impaired health, he retired.
Jacob Reinhard, one of the founders of the Westbote, has performed a promi-
nent and creditable part as a newspaper man, banker and citizen. Mr. Reinhard
was born near Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, April 16, 1815, but the greater jjortion of
his life has been spent in this country. A biographical sketch of him appears else-
where in this work.
The Press, II. 493
Jiiliii A. Artluii-, whose death by violence is clsowhoro inontioiKMl in lliis
sl<otcii, was engaged with the Penny Post and tlie Times of ( 'incinnali prior to liu'
Civil War, at the outbreak of which ho entered the army. At the termiiialion of
his military service he resumed newspaper work at Cincinnati, but in 1S71 he came
to Columbus where he was successively engaged on the Dispatch, State Joui-nal
and Sundaj' News, with which latter he was connected when killed.
Hay Haddock was the local editor of the Statesman & Democrat from May,
1854, to Februarj-, 1855. He was succeeded by Asa G. Dimmock, who, in
February, 1856, went to Coshocton to take charge of the Democrat.
Colonel George W. Manj'penny, who was editor of the Statesman for throe
years, beginning in January, 1859, had just prior to that time been Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, and had also been, at one time, the unsuccessful candidate of his
part}- for Congress in the Muskingum District.
Merrill Watson transferred his services as a reporter from the State Journal to
the Cleveland Herald in March, 1875, and afterwards became editor and proprietor
of the Age of Steel, a St. Louis trade paper.
C. R. Riley, born in Culpeper County, Virginia, came to Ohio when a bo}',
learned his trade in the oflSce of the Cadiz Sentinel, and about the 3'ear 1843 came
to Columbus, where he remained continuously employed at his trade for fortj-tive
years. His first work was done on the Statesman, but in 1849 he transferred iiis
services to the State Journal, in the oflSce of which he worked, except during a few
brief interruptions, until his death in December, 1888. He was one of the group
of printers who, in 1860, attempted to establish the Evening Bulletin.
D. L. Bowersmith began an engagement on the local staff of the State Journal
in 1875, under Samuel Shafer as city editor, to which position he was himself after-
wards advanced and in which he has since continuously served except a ])criod
of about two years, 1884-6, when he was the Columbus correspondent of the Cin-
cinnati Enquirer.
John H. Green, who is by trade a printer, followed that profession in Spring-
field, Columbus and Toledo until 1879, when he began work as a local writer for
the Dispatch, being the first regularlj' employed assistant to the city editor of that
paper. In 1882 he himself became city editor of the Dispatch, a position which he
has ever since ivtained. He has served for a period of three years as representa-
tive of the Fifteenth Ward in the City Council.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE SCHOOLS. I.
BY JAMES U. BARNHILL, M. D.
School Lairs. — The histoiy of the Schools of Columbus properly begins with
those of Franklinton, the ijioDeer village of the Capital City, and would be ineom-
plete without an account of the generous gifts and wise policy of the National
Government which so greatly promoted the cause of education, and which have
contributed directlj' to the support of the schools. Before the pioneer settlement
of Central Ohio was planted "on the low banks of the slowwinding Scioto," Con-
gress made certain provisions for the maintenance of schools within the territory
in which that settlement was afterwards situated, thus anticipating its welfare by
a "sort of parental providence." On May 20, 1785, in an ordinance for disposing
of western lands. Congress providedtbat ''a thirtysixth of every township of the
western territory " should be reserved from sale for the maintenance of public
schools within the township. The ordinance of July 13, 1787, for the government
of the territory northwest of the river Ohio confirmed the provisions of the land
ordinance and further declared that "religion, morality and knowledge being
necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the
means of education should forever be encouraged." The original reservation of
land for school purposes did not provide like donations for the support of schools
in certain tracts in Ohio, among which was the Virginia Military District in which
a part of Columbus is situated. The first constitutional convention requested that
a " like provision be made for the support of schools in these districts," and on
March 3, 1803, Congress assented and appropriated lands to the amount of one
thirtysixth of each of these tracts for the use of schools therein, and provided that
all the lands "appropriated for the use of schools in the State should be vested in
the legislature, in trust, for the maintenance of schools and for no other use, intent
or purpose whatever."
The Constitution of 1802 embodied the famous educational clause of the
Ordinance of 1797, and supplemented it by declaring that schools and the means
of education shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision not inconsistent
with the rights of conscience. It further declared that the doors of the schools,
academies, and universities endowed in whole or in part from the revenue arising
from the land gi-ants, shall be open for the reception of scholars, students and
[494]
The SniooLs. I. 495
teachers of every fjradc. The school ImimIs wore to he leased and the revenue
applied iinpartially to the education of the youth, hut owing to the newness of the
eountrj- it was many years hefore the income from this source could materially aid
in niainluinini; schools. The income to the Columbus schools from the land i^ranls
will he separately considered, hut before anj- such revenue was realized the chil-
dren were nee<ling school facilities, and hence private schools or schools supported
by donation or some form of local taxation were necessary. The early inhabitants
were men and women of intelli,!^.ence who held the church and the school to be
indispensable to the welfare of the community. With the usual promptness of our
western pioneers the^- tirst provided places, however rude, for divine worship, and
second, places for the education of their youth. The same building served fre-
quently, if not usually, the purposes of both a church and a school. Private schools
and academies were liberall}- sustained, and for sevei'al years after the organization
of the j)ul)lic schools the predominant sentiment was in favor of the former. But
even these schools were favorably influenced by the educational policy of the gov-
ernment and bj- the general awakening of interest in education occasioned by the
land grants and subsequent school legislation. The private schools directed atten-
tion to the subject of public education and emphasized the truth that general intel-
ligence is necessary to the prosperity of acommunity. They nurtured asentiment
in favor of good schools and inculcated the noble idea that school privileges should
be extended to all classes, so that finally, by the side of the exclusive private
.school the general subscription school also flourished. Donations were not infre-
quently made for the maintenance of schools or to pay for the tuition of the needy.
When at length State laws made adequate provision for the support of good public
schools almost all others were discontinued. The private schools formed a memor-
able epi.sode in the educational history of the infant capital, and fulfilled an impor-
tant mission in its social development.
Common schools sustained by the State and patronized by all classes are of
comparatively recent date. Massachusetts first proclaime<l and established the
principle that it is the right and duty of government to provide by means of fair
and just taxation for the instruction of all the youth of the community, and free
■schools were among her earliest institutions. The article on education in her con-
stitution of 17S0 was one of the first of the kind ever incorporated into the organic
law of a State. Tlie first law fiir the su[)])ort of schools in the State of New York
was pus.sed in 179."), and tint until 1.S34 ,11,1 Penn.sylvania adopt a general free
school system.
The school history of the City of Columbus will be here treated under the fol-
lowing general topics in the order of their mention : School funds and school letr-
islation, private schools, and the public school system.
The schools of Franklinton and subsequently those in that portion of C(dum-
bus west of the Scioto River have been supported in part by the Virginia Military
School Fund. The Virginia Military School Lands, consisting of 105,15.5 acres,
were not finally located until February 13, 1808. They were located in Wayne,
Holmes, Ashland, Richland, Crawford and Morrow counties. Provision was
made by the legislature for leasing the school lands for the purpose of improving
496 History op the City op Columbus.
the same and thereby rendering them more productive in order that the profits
which they should yield might be applied to the support of the schools, but the
lands were really not leased and the rental derived from them was small. In his
annual message of 1821 Governor Brown said: "So far as my information
extends the appropriation of the school lands in this state has produced hitherto,
with few exceptions, no very material advantage in the dissemination of instruc-
tion— none commensurate with their presumable value." In 1826 the income
from all the lands then leased was about five thousand dollars. Pursuant to a pro-
vision oT law the people of this reservation voted in 1828 their assent to the sale of
their school lands, and within the same year the unleased portions were ordered to
be sold. Prior to 1838 sixtyeight thousand one hundred and fiftyfive acres had
been sold for $129,549.29 ; the annual rental on the remainder was then $4,503.76,
which made an annual income from this source of $12,276.71. The proceeds from
the sale of these lands have been loaned to the State, and the annual interest at six
per centum on this money and the rent on the unsold lands constitute the Vir-
ginia Military School Fund, which fund is distributed annually among the several
counties of the reservation in proportion to the youth of school age in each. From
1821 to 1828 the State borrowed the income of these school lands, compounding
the interest annually, during which time the fund amounted to $54,000. Early in
the following }-ear tliis amount was distributed projjorlionately to the schools ot
the Virginia Military district. Our County Auditor's ledger shows that District
Number Two of Franklin Township of this county received on March 10, 1828,
the sum of $73,873, or $1,717 for each householder in the district. The annual
distribution thereafter was of course much less. In 1835 the income distributed
was $11,091.77, or about eighteen cents for each school youth; and in 1837 it
amounted to about seventeen cents for each youth between four and twentyone
years of age. These school lands have all been sold, except a few sections which
ai'e under perpetual lease without revenue, at twelve cents per acre. The total
amount of the proceeds of the sale of this land up to 1890 was $192,622.68, and the
interest on this fund and on the unsold land for that year amounted to $11,800.87,
which amount was distributed according to law to the counties and parts of coun-
ties embraced in the reservation.
In lieu of Section Sixteen of Montgomery Township, which was a part of the
Refugee grant, Section Twentyone of Madison Township of this county was selected
March 4, 1806. There seems to be no record to indicate whether or not any
income was realized from this land prior to its sale. It was sold October 15, 1828,
in half quartersections severally to John Swisher, Adam Sarber, Benjamin Cleringer
and Adam Rarey for $2,688.84, to be paid in four equal annual instalments, with-
out interest on deferred payments. This money was loaned to the State and the
interest on it at six per centum has been annually applied to the support of schools
in this township. In 1882 there were 1,052 youth between five and fifteen years of
age in the township, 886 of whom lived in the school districts of Columbus. This
fund therefore amounted to fifteen cents and three mills for each youth of school
age, or $135.55 for these districts, which sum at that early day gave great encourage-
ment to the schools.
The Schools. I.
497
The first i^eneral .school law of Oliio, entitled an " act to provide for the regula-
tion and .support of coiumon schools," was passed January 22, 1S21. This law
authorized the division of townships into school districts, the election in each dis-
trict of a school committee consisting of three resident householders, and the
assessment of a school district tax, not for the maintenance of a free public school, but
only " for the purpose of erecting a schoolhouse," and of " making up the deficiency
DISTRICT MAI- OF COLUMBU.S, 18S6-lft45.
that might accrue by the schooling of children whoso parents or guardians wer"
unable to pay for the same." The law was entirely inadequate to provide good
schools, but it is of historical interest as the first statutory provision of the Statu for
local taxation for school purposes.
The law of February 6, 1825, being an act to provide for the support and
better regulation of commnn schools, required county commissioners to levy and
assess onehalf of
32
to be appropriated for the use of common
498 History op the City or CoLUiMBUS.
schools in their respective counties "for the instruction of youth of every class and
grade, without distinction, in reading, writing, arithmetic and other necessarj:
branches of a common education." This law made it the duty of the Count3'
Auditor to open an account in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, with each
township, in which the several townships should be credited with the amount col-
lected on their duplicates for the use of schools. Theamount so collected in each town-
ship was required to remain in the county treasury for the use of the schools, and it
was made the duty of the trustees of each township to lay oif the same into districts,
the numbers and descriptions of which were to be communicated in writing to the
.clerk of each township, who was required to record the same. The law further
provides that
The trustees shall take or cause to be taken an enumeration in writing of all the house-
holders residing in the district, and the clerk shall record the same and deliver to the County
Auditor the number and description of each school district and also the list or enumeration
of the householders residing in each, and all alterations which shall from time to time be
made. Onethird of all the householders of a district assembled in pursuance of due notice shall
constitute a legal meeting for the transaction of business; they shall elect three school
directors to manage the concerns of said district, and have power to designate and determine
upon the site of a schoolhouse and to provide the means of building the same and to provide
the necessary funds for organizing a school. It shall be the duty of said school directors to
employ a teacher and also to receive and faithfully expend all funds, subscriptions, donations
or dividends of school funds. The Court of Common Pleas of each county shall appoint
annually three suitable persons to be called examiners of common schools, whose duty it
shall be to e.xamine every person wishing to be employed as a teacher, and if they find such
person qualified and of good moral character, to give a certificate to that effect. No person
shall be allowed to teach any district school or recover at law any wages for teaching
until such person be examined and receive a certificate of approbation. The township
truistees shall pay over to the school directors of the several school districts a dividend of all
rents or moneys received on account of section sixteen for the use of schools, or other
lands in lieu thereof, in proportion to the number of families in each district. School
directors shall pay the wages of the teachers employed out of any money which shall come
into their hands from the revenues arising from donations made by Congress for the support
of schools or otherwise so far as such money shall be sulKcient for the purpose, and for the
residue of the wages of any such teacher the school directors shall give him a certificate stat-
ing the length of service and the balance due him on account of wages thereof. . . .
This law, from the pen of Nathan Guilford, Senator from Hamilton County,
was the first adequate legislative provision for the establishment of free common
schools. For its enactment great credit is due to the commission appointed by
"Governor Allen Trimble in 1822 to devise and report upon a common school
system. This commission consisted of Caleb Atwater, Chairman ; Rev. James
Hoge, Eev. John Collins, Nathan Guilford, Bphraim Cutler, Josiah Barber and
J. M. Bell. In 1827 a supplementary act was passed which created the office of
school district treasurer and defined his duties; authorized the school directors of
each district to levy a special tax of not more than three hundred dollars for
building or repairing a schoolhouse, provided threefifths of the householders
assented ; appropriated certain fines for the use of schools, and authorized an
increase of the number of school examiners to the number of townships in the
respective counties. An act of January 27, 1827, authorized the sale of the school
The Schools. I. 499
lands and established a school fund consisting of the proceeds from the sale of the
salt lands and such donations, legacies and devises as might be made to the fund,
the interest thereof to be annually funded for five years and distributed to the
counties in proportion to the number of free male inhabitants in each above the
age of twentyone. On February 10, 1829, an amendatory act was passed raising
the rate of school taxation to Ihreefourths of a mill, giving minute directions for
holding district meetings and defining the powers of school officers. Failure of
townships to form districts and organize schools within three years forfeited
school funds. Black and mulatto persons were not permitted to attend the public
schools, but all taxes assessed on their property for school purposes were to be
appropriated by township trustees "for the education of such persons and for no
other purpose whatever."- In 1H31 the maximum school tax per district in any
one year might not exceed $200 ; in 183(5 it was again placed at $300 ; two years
later all limitation of the amount was removed. Tlie law of 183-1 made it the
duty of every person sending a child to school to provide his just proportion of
fuel, hut no child could be excluded from school on account of the delinquency of
its parents in this re8])ect. In 1827 each householder was required to pay a school
tax of not less than one dollar, which he might discharge by performing two days'
labor in building a schoolhouse. This tax was lessened subsequently, and in 1838
was omitted entirely. In 1831 the country commissioners were given discretion to
add onefourth of a mill to the existing rate of taxation for school purposes. In
1834 the law was reenacted with amendments and the rate of taxation was raised
to one mill, lo which the county commissioners were authorized to add half a mill
at their option. In 1836 the rate of school taxation was raised to one mill and a
half with an additional half mill at the option of the commissioners.
In 1836 Congress directe<l the surplus revenue of the National Government to
be deposited with the several States in proportion to the number of their Senators
and Representatives. Ohio's share was a little over two million dollars, and by act
of the General Assembly passed in 1837 this fund was distributed to the several
counties in projiortion to their population, the interest on utietwentieth of it to be
appropriated for the support of schools. For several jears the income from this
source was one hundred thousand dollars per annum. In March, 1837, the office
of State Superintendent of Common Schools was created and Samuel Lewis was
elected to the position. Under the able supervision of Mr. Lewis great progress
was made in developing the common school system of Ohio. In March, 1838, the
school laws were thoroughly revised, new features were added to them and new
life was imparted to the entire system by a more liberal provision for its supjioit,
especially by the establishment of a State common school fund of 8200,000 '■ to be
distributed annually among the several counties according to the number of
youth therein." An additional fund to be raised in each county by a county tax
of two mills per dollar was authorized. By this law school directors in districts
consisting of incorporated towns or cities, and township clerks acting as townshij)
superintendents of common schools, were directed to make an estimate of the
money required additional to the distributable fund "to provide at least six
months' good schooling to all the unmarried white youth of the district
500 History of the City or Columbus.
during the year ensuing ; " the question of levying a tax to raise this sum to be
submitted to the voters of the district or township. Provision was made for
instruction in English grammar and geography when requested by three or more
householders. Every incorporated town or city was made a separate district with
power to create subdistricts and assess taxes for building schoolhouses. In 1839
provision was made authorizing any district to borrow money to purchase a lot
and erect a schoolhouse thereon, and the directors were authorized to levy a tax
for such purpose and also for renting rooms for school purposes when necessaiy.
The county commissioners were authorized to reduce the county school levy to one
mill and directors of town districts were required to provide evening schools for the
instruction of young men and boys over twelve years of age whose occupation
might prevent their attendance at the day schools. The directors were also
authorized to determine what branches and languages might be taught provided
they were such as were " generally taught in common schools." They might
employ German teachers when the patronage of such as spoke that language was
sufficient. Since 1853 boards of education have been authorized to provide German
schools for such youth as may desire to study the German and English languages
together.
On February 3, 1845, the General Assembly passed aa act "for the support
and better regulation of the common schools in the City of Columbus," which pro-
vided for election in the spring of 1845 of six directors of common schools, two of
whom should serve for one year, two for two years and two for three years, the
order of seniority to be determined by lot, but after the first election two directors
to be chosen annually for the term of three years. The directors elected in pursu-
ance of this statute were declared to be " a body politic and corporate in law by
the name of the Board of Education of the town of Columbus." The law provided
that this board should emploj"^ teachers, establish rules for school government, keep
the schools in constant operation except during seasonable vacations, and, should
the public money be found insufficient for the support of the schools, provide for the
deficiency by levying a tax at the end of each term on the parents and guardians
of the scholars, provided that exemption from this tax should be made of such per-
sons as might be unable to pay. The law further directed that a vote should be
taken on the question of levying a tax for the erection of schoolhouses under su-
pervision of the Board of Education, all legal title to property acquired under the
act to be in the name of the to.wn of Columbus. It provided also for the enumera-
tion of all youth in the town between the ages of four and twentyone, and author-
ized the City Council to appoint three school examiners whose duty it should be to
examine applicants for positions as teachers and to grant certificates to those found
qualified. " The examiners," pursues the law, "shall visit the schools, observe the
discipline, mode of instruction and progress of the scholars, and semiannually
report their proceedings and suggestions to the Council and to the Board of Edu-
cation. Annually, at such time as the board may appoint, public examination of
all scholars shall be had under the direction of the Mayor, the Board of Education
and the Examiners." Under the provisions of this law the Board of Education
of Columbus maintained schools of two grades in 1845 and 1846, and in January,
The Sriiiio
501
1847, oluctcd a suporintoiiiioiit of puhlic scl Is and tiryaiii/,od in-iiiiary, soooudury,
grainmjir and liigli sclio'ils.
Tho Akron school law passed February 8, 1847, is, with the excei)lion ol' Hvo
sections, a verbatim copy of this law, but the new sections of the Akron law cdm-
stituted its distinctive features, since they provided for establishing a central gram-
mar school and primary school. The Columbus law, as amended February 10,
1849, authorized the Board of Education to establish " schools of such grades as
they may deem most for llu' jiubiii- interest, employ such officers and teachers as
they may deem ex])ediunt, make all necessary rules and regulations therefor.
OLD RICH AND THIRD STREET SCHOOL HOUSE.
determine the age at which scholars may be admitted into such 8choi>l8 and tho
l)eriod for each grade and prescribe terms for nonresidents," and also, in lieu of
the levy made on parents and guardians to supply deficiencies in school funds, to
levy an additional tax of not more than one mill and a half per dollar on tho tax-
valuation of city property. The County Trea.iurer was required to ytuy to the
Treasurer of the Board of Education all school funds collected for the use of tiie
city. A tax for sites could be ordered only by vote of the electors. This act sub-
stituted in the law to which it was an amendment the word city for "town " and
public school for "common .school." The city, whalevcr its corporate limits might
be, constituted but one school district. A further amendment passed March 21,
502 History op the City of Columbus.
1851, authorized the Board of Education to enlarge school buildings, purchase new
sites, erect new buildings as they might be needed, provide school furniture and
apparatus and levy an additional tax of not more than three mills per dollar of
tax valuation for school purposes. On March 25, 1864, the law was so amended as
to provide that " the qualified voters shall, on the second Monday of April, 1864,
meet in their respective wards and elect one member of the Board of Education
for each of said wards who shall serve for the odd wards one year and for the even
wards two years," the term of service thenceforth to be two years and vacancies to
be filled by the City Council with the consent of the board. An amendment of
April 11, 1865, authorized the Board of Education and the County Auditor to levy
such amount as might be needed in addition to the State scliool fund for defraying
the expenses of the public schools of the city, provided such sum should not in any
one j^ear exceed five mills, or after 1868 four mills, per dollar. By a supplemen-
tary act of April 16, 1867, the Treasurer of Franklin County was made I'.v officio
treasurer of the Board of Education. A special act of April 12, 1870, authorized
the board to borrow money and issue bonds to the amount of fifty thousand dollars
for the erection of the Sullivant and Central German school building. An act of April
3, 1871, authorized the board to borrow seventyfive thousand dollars for building pur-
poses, twentyfive thousand to be expended in building and furnishing a schoolhouse
for colored children, twenty thousand for building and furnishing the Ficser School-
house in Middletown on the West Side, and thirty thousand for finishing and
furnishing the two buildings which had been partially constructed the year
before.
By act of February 24, 1848, boards of education in cities were authorized to
establish separate school districts for colored persons, within which the colored
taxpayers might choose their own directors and their own property was alone
chargeable for the support of such schools. An act of March 14, 1853, authorized
and required boards of education to establish separate schools for colored children
when the enumeration of colored youth exceeded thirty, which number was
changed to twenty by an amendment of 1864. These laws relating to schools for
colored youth were not repealed by the codification of 1873. In 1874 colored
youth were admitted to the Central High School, and in 1882 the color line was
entirely obliterated from the public schools of the city. In this, as in several other
instances, Columbus is distinguished for moving in advance of the general educa-
tional progress of the State.
The general school law of March 14, 1853, devoted onetenth of a mill per dol-
lar of tax valuation as an annual fund for providing school libraries and apparatus
for all the common schools of the State. The books provided under this law
formed the nucleus of a school library for each school in the State. This levy
has been maintained by all subsequent legislation, and additional provision has
been made for the appointment of librarians and the regulation of school libraries.
A law of May 1, 1873, entitled "an act for the reorganization and mainte-
nance of common schools " was a codification, producing, to some extent, uniformity
in school organization throughout the State, and rendering loc:il school legislation
TiiK Sniiini.s. I. 503
unnowssary. With n fow supplemoiiUil uiui iimcruiatory aclH it cunnli(iilcs tlio bod y
ofsehiiol laws ombracod in tlio Kcvisud Statutes oflS80.
Sui-tioii 402:^ of tiic Hevised Statutes provided tiiat every child ijetweeii tiic
ages ol' eight and fourteen siiould be sent to a common school at least twelve
weeks per year unless excused for legal cause. It also prohibited manufacturers
and other persons from employing children under fourteen years of age during
established school hours, and made it the duty of boards of education to ascertain
llie condition of all children under fourteen j'cars of age, within their jurisdiction.
wlio were not in attendance at any common or private school, and to report all
infringements of this law for prosecution and punishment, the penalty being a tine
of from five to ten dollars for each offense. The present statute applicable to this
sul)ject was passed April 15, 1SS9, and re([uire8 all parents, guardians and other
persons liaving the care of children to instruct them or cause them to be instructed
in spelling, reading, writing, English grammar, geography and arithmetic, and
requires that such children between the ages of eight and fourteen shall be sent to
some public or private seliool not less than twenty weeks per annum in city dis-
tricts under jienalty of from five to twenty dollars for each violation of this provi-
sion. The law further provides that all children between seven and fourteen years
of age who are habitual truants from school, or vicious or immoral in conduct, and
all minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen who cannot read and write the
Knglish language, who absent themselves from school and habitually wander about
the streets and public places during school hours, shall be deemed juvenile disorderly
persons, and subject to a sentence to some juvenile reformatory or count}- chil-
dren's home. Boards of education in cities of thefirst and second class are required
to cmploj- a truant officer to assist in the enforcement of this act, said officer to b(^
vested witii police powers and authorized to enter factories, workshops, stores and
other jjlaces where children may be emploj-ed, and perform such other service as
the superintendent of schools or the board of education may deem necessary for
preservation of the morals an<l good conduct of school children.
An act passed April 14. 1S88, requires that the nature of alcoholic drinks, iind
of narcotics, together with their effects on the human system, shall be included
ill the branches regular!}' taught in the common schools.
Since 1825 teachers have been required to obtain certificates of (juulitieatioii
from some properly constituted board of examiners. A law of 1831 required (hat
no certificate should be given to any teacher unless he should be found qualified
to teach reading, writing and arithmetic. *A later statute pas-sed in 1853 required
that every teacher should be qualified to teach orthography, reading, writing,
arithmetic, geography and English grammar. The present law additionally
requires tiiat the teacher shall bo qualified to give instruction in United Slates
hi.story, i)hj'8iology, the nature and effect of alcohol and narcotics, and, in city dis-
tricts, in still other branches, and shall be versed in the theory and jiractice of
teaching. A law of 18(J4, now in force, provides for a State board of examiners
who are authorized to issue SUite certificates of high qualification to such tcacliers
as may be founii upon examination to possess requisite scholarshi]) and who ina>'
also exhibit .satisfactory evidence of good moral character and of eiiiiiicnt proles-
504 History op the City or Columbus.
sional experience and ability. Such certificates, countersigued by the State School
Commissioner, supersede the necessity of any other examination, and are valid
throughout the State during the life of the holder.
For the purpose of affording the advantages of free education to all the youth of
the State, Section 3951 of the Eevised Statutes, as amended March 20, 1891, pro-
vides that there shall bo annually levied a State tax the proceeds of which shall
constitute a State common school fund, and that, for the purposes of higher agri-
cultural and industrial education, including manual training, there shall be levied
and collected a State tax which shall constitute the Ohio State University fund.
The General Assembly is expected to designate the rates of levy for these funds
once in two years, but in case it fails to do so the rates are fixed at one mill for the
common school fund, and one twentieth of one mill for the university fund, upon
each dollar of taxable valuation.
From 1825 to 1853 the legal school age was from four to twentyone yo:irs;
from 1853 to 1873 from five to twentyone; from 1873 until now it has been from
six to twentyone years of age. Since the law of 1873 was passed the enumeration
has been taken under oath, but the laws of Ohio have never expressly exclu.led
from school either children under school age or adults over it. In 1834 provision
was made for the admission of adults to the common schools on payment of tuition.
In Columbus it is customary to admit to the evening schools all adults who apply
for admission. The public schools are free to all youth between six and twentyone
years of age who are residents of the district, and no pupil can be suspended from
school except for such time as may be necessary to convene the board of education
of the district, nor can any pupil be expelled except bj' a vote of twothirds of such
board, and then not until the parent or guardian of the offending pupil shall have
been notified of the proposed expulsion and permitted to be heard against the
same. In any case expulsion can be made only for the current term.
An act repealing some previous legislation on the same subject was passed
March 4, 1891, creating a State Schoolbook Board, to be composed of the
Governor, State Commissioner of Common Schools and the Secretary of State, and
providing for supplying the schools of Ohio with good and sufficient schoolbooks
at the lowest prices at which such books could be furnished. This board was
required to fix the maximum price at which said textbooks were to be sold and
purchased by boards of education, the price so fixed not to exceed seventyfive per
cent, of the wholesale price. It further provided that if, in the opinion of said
Schoolbook Board the proposals of publishers for supplying textbooks should not
well and suflSciently supply the public schools of the State with good schoolbooks
equal to the demand and best interests thereof, it should be the dutj- of the Board
to procure texts for a series of Ohio Schoolbooks, and to contract with persons
qualified to compile such texts to be used in the production of a complete set of
books to be known as the Ohio Series of Schoolbooks. Under the operation of
this law the prices of schoolbooks have been greatly reduced, resulting in a
saving to the city of hundreds of dollars annually.
The Private Scliooh. — The pioneers who, in the autumn of 1797, planted the
settlement on the west bank of the Scioto beside which our beautiful city has
I,
TiiE 8ciiO(iLS. I. 505
grown, were mon and women of intelligoiice who brought with them enlightened
views on the subject of education. Tiie}' evidently regarded the school
and the church as indispensable to the prosperity' and hapjiiness of their
new ((iinnuinity. The private schools and academies of a little later date could
only have been the outgrowth of such intelligence and enlightened sentiment.
The early settlers encouraged private schools and instruction. Some of them who
had witnessed the practical operation of public schools in the New England States
clurishcd the hope that free schools might in the course of time be organized here
al.-o ; meanwhile they joined hands with their neighbors in establishing, with
weslcrn jjromptness, private schools for their children. " They lost no time after
securing bodily shelter in providing, first, places — though never so rude — of
Divine worship for their families; and second, of educational training for their
j-outh." The schools were supported usually by tuition fees, the teacher agreeing
with a number of families that for a fee of one, two or three dollars for each child
instructed he would teach school a certain length of time.
The character of the eai-lj' inhabitants is suflficieut assurance that the schools
were not neglected. Lucas Sullivant, the founder of Franklinton, took a deep
interest in education. Jeremiah Armstrong, John Brickell, Jacob Overdier,
Joseph Foos, Arthur O'Harra, Lyne Starling, George Skidmore, Jacob Grubb,
Robert Russell and James Hoge were all intelligent publicspirited men, who held
education to be of prime importance. The names of several of them are insepar-
ably connected with the history of the schools during subse«[uent years. The
primitive schoolmaster, it is said, was a "consequential individual," generally
" morose and forbidding in manner; who with goads and switches in view of the
scholars," ruled his school with an imperious air; that he usually had a local repu-
tation as an astronomer, mathematician or almanac-maker; that he believed in
witches and ghosts, a belief which he took special pains to communicate to his
scholars; that he was looked upon as a prodigy of knowledge and a village oracle,
"the indi8i)ensable terror of school j-outh ;" that in general he was a scholar
according to the books; a stickler in sjielling and arithmetic, but knew little or
nothing about human nature; not unfrequently jirofessing to know a great deal
about dead languages but having really little knowledge of the living ones. Some
of the pioneer teachers of Franklinton and Columbus possessed their full share oC
these charactei-istics, but most of them were well qualified and successful. A few
made teaching their life work, while many exchanged it for other callings and
became leading citizens of the community.
At a very early date, not exactly known, Lucas Sullivant built a roundiog
schoolhouse which was about fifteen or sixteen feet square with puncheon floor,
rough slab benches supported at either end by a pair of hickory pins inserted into
auger holes ; battened doors with wooden hinges and latch raised from its notch
with a string; a clapboard roof with weight poles, and a fireplace and stick
chimney. It is probable that this village scholhousc of early times, like its suc-
cessors of later years, had greased white paper for window light in winter and
open windows in summer. This building was located about a square and a half
nortii of the Old Courtliouse west of Washington (now Sandusky) Street, and was
506 History of the City of Columbus.
probably built before or about the year 180(5. It is the first school building in
the Franklinton settlement of which wo have any recood.
Many persons still living remember this primitive schoolhouse. At first it
was warmed hy means of a large " fireplace," but later by a stove. Joseph Sulli-
vant said his first acquaintance with school life began in this " cabin with its slabs
for seats polished by use, and big chimney with downward drafts, with fleas inside
and hogs under the floor, no grammar, no geography, but a teacher who ruled
with a rod." Miss Sarah Reed, afterwards long and favorably known as an
instructor and Christian worker, was one of its early teachers. She is said to have
l^ipiipp^i
THE OLD ACADEMY.
assisted Doctor Ilogo in organizing the first Sundayschool of the town. Miss
Mary Wait, whose parents came to Franklinton in 1803, taught school there at a
very early date. It is probable that Misses Reed and Wait both taught in this
primitive schoolhouse. The following article of agreementbetween one of the early
teachers who afterwards became prominent in Columbus, and the patron of his
school, is an extract from the diary of Joel Buttles, whose parents settled in Worth-
ington in 1804:
These presents witnesseth: That, on condition that Joel Buttles shall attend duly live
days in one week and six days in the other, alternately, and six hours in each day for the
space of three months and teach reading, writing and arithmetic according to the best of his
knowledge, we the subscribers promise and oblige ourselves to pay said Joel Buttles at the
expiration of said term of three months, each for hiaaself, one dollar and sixtytvvo and a half
TiiK Schools. I. 507
cents for each scholar we may respectively subscribe, and should some unavoidable or unfor-
seen accident hinder said Buttles from attending the whole of said term, we obli{,'ate our-
selves to pay said Buttles in a due proportion for the time he may attend. And likewise the
subscribers are to bear each his just proportion in boardingsald Buttles, and to furnish a con-
venient schoolhouse tofjrether with a sufficient quantity of firewood so that school may com-
mence the first day of January next. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hand
and seal this 14th day of December, 1S08. Name of subscriber : Robert Molean, two
pupils; Michael Rareden, three ; Charles Warde, one and onehalf; Philip Woollet, one;
Alexander Dennixon, two ; Philip Hare, one; William Hamilton, one.
This school was probably located in or near Wortiiington. The following
notice appeared in the Freetiuni's Chroin'elc of Febriiar3' 4, 1810 :
A schoiihiwster wanted. — A man well qualified as a teacher for young scholars, and can be
well recommended by respectable characters to be trustworthy and exemplary in that
employment will, on application to the editor, be fnrnished with proposals from a few
individuals of good standing wherein the necessary encouragement will be given by them to
a teacher as aforesaid to take charge of a school in Franklinton.
In the Chronicli' of February 25, same .year, this notice a|)pcarcd :
A schoolmaster wanted. — A person possessing a good moral character and the necessary
qualifications for a teacher of a school of young scholars will meet with employment on
application to Lucas Sullivant.
It is thus evident that the pioneers took an active interest in providing school
advantages for their children. The leading men of the town were endeavoring to
secure good teachers. They wanted teachers "well qualified, trustworthy and
exemplary in that employment." Peleg Sisson, afterwards a prominent physician
of Columbus, taught school in Franklinton in the log schoolhouse just described,
"boarding around" a week at a time with the patrons of his school. The follow-
ing is an extract from a letter written by Mrs. Judge Price, ?iei' McDowell, now of
Hillsborough, Ohio:
In 1816 Doctor Sisson had a school in Franklinton which I attended. It was a log
schoolhouse built, I think, for that purpose, the only furniture being benches made of slabs of
wood with legs in them. My uncle, Lucas Sullivant, had it built. As no one in those early
days took boarders, Doctor Sisson made his home for a week at a time among his difterent
pupils, with the rich and poor alike. The only two pupils I remember who attended this
school were my cousin, the late Joseph Sullivant, and Mr. Elijah Backus, now of Toledo. Il
was a good school, for Doctor Sisson was a man of high character. I was studying the
elementai-y branches and do not know what else was taught.
At a very early day William Lusk, an Irish schoolmaster who came here from
Massachusetts, settled in Fi-anklinton and taught a common subscription school. In
1817 he began the publication of an alamnac entitled the Ohio Register mid Western
Calendar, a pamphlet of aboutsixty or seventy pages which he publi.shed annually for
about thirtyfive years. In 1818 or 1819 Mr. Lusk established an academy. In his
almanac of 1821 he said: "There are in Franklinton a common school and an
academy; in the latter are taught English Grammar, geography, bookkeeping,
(double and single entry), mensuration, geometry, trigonoTuctr^-, (plane and
spherical), surveying, navigation, algebra, and astronomy."
508 History of the City of Columbus.
First Schools East of the River. — In 1814 a school was opened in the log Pres-
byterian Church on Spring Street. In Zion Chajiel, which was a hewed log house
built in 1815 on the present site of the Public School Library building on Town
Street, William T. Martin conducted a school in 1816-17. He taught the advanced
scholars and his vvife the younger ones. One of his pupils, Elijah Glover, speaks in
the highest terms of Mr. Martin as a teacher and says that he cannot recollect an
instance of anj' chastisement in any form in this school during the time of his
attendance. Joseph Olds, who afterwards became a prominent lawyer, taught
school in a building on Broad Street, subsequently known as the Broadway Hotel.
While teaching, he prepared a manual on astromomy. About this time Uriah
Case and John Peojjles were also engaged as teachers.
The first classical school in Columbus was opened in 1817, in the west room of
a frame building on the northwest corner of Town and High streets, where the
United States Hotel now stands. Its first teacher was a Mr. Butler, who conducted
it for two years, and was succeeded by Doctor P. Sisson who had moved his school
from Franklinton to a room in the Pike Tavern, which room he abandoned to take
charge of the classical school, which contained several quite advanced students,
"thus justifying its enrollment in the list of early seminaries of the State." From
the Pike Tavern, saj's Mrs. Price, above quoted, " Doctor Sisson removed to a build-
ing which stood on the present site of the United States Hotel and which, I think,
was built by subscription for a schoolhouse. This was Doctor Sisson's largest
school, and I think he had an assistant. He had previously taught both boys and
girhs, but now his school consisted of boys alone. About this time Mrs. Smith, wife
of the editor and proprietor of one of the papers published in Columbus, opened a
school for girls only on Front Street near the old Presbyterian Church. She
had twelve or fifteen pupils. In addition to the instruction in the different branches
(Y^ of learning, we were taught to embroider samples, and had lessons in needlework
on satin and painting in water colors. She [Mrs. Smith] was a refined, intelligent
and cultivated woman." Rudolphus Dickinson taught the languages to a class of
boys in a frame house on Front Street, not far in rear of the Neil House. The
Explanatory Monitor, a sclioolbook, was published in Columbus in 1818. Samuel
Bigger, afterwards an able lawyer and Governor of Indiana, and Daniel Bigelow,
were among the early teachers.
During the settlement period the number of schools was sufficient to accom-
modate all who desired to attend. " There was not," says Hon. J. R. Osborn, " as early
as 1817 the same demand for schools that would be found perhaps in similar-sized
villages of the jiresent day, and in the absence of a general law for the maintenance
of schools public sentiment was not sufficiently advanced to permit an assessment
for the education of all the children of the community." The advantages of general
education were not then regarded as indispensable to tiie welfare of the State, j'et
it was sufficiently esteemed to secure to this isolated community fair school
opportunities at moderate cost. When it is remembered that in 1817 there were less
than two hundred dwellings in Columbus and about seventy in Franklinton, it will
be perceived that this community was fairly provided with schools and with
excellent teachers, for a pioneer settlement.
The Schools. I. 509
From 1820 to 1830 the number of private schools increased from about four to
eight or ten, all grades included. From that time the private schooLs for small
scholars diminished in number until 1845, by which time nearly all of them wore
discontinued. John Kilbourne's Ohio (iazctteer for 1826 says: "Columbus con-
tains four or five English schools and a Classical Seminaiy, ' there being " two
hundred dwellings and fourteen hundred inhabitants." Near the close of that
year the first public school was established, and with the gradual growth of the
public school system the ])rivate school pupils, especially the younger ones, wore
drawn to it. Nevertheless, many primary ])ay schools were maintained, while
instruction in the higher branches was left almost wholly to the private schools,
which, under the names of academies, seminaries, classical schools and institutes,
prospered until the introduction of the graded public school system. The number
and character of the schools indicates a strong sentiment in favor of education.
Persons who took " bound " children to rear were required to send them to school
at least one quarter in each j-ear and " to teach them reading, writing and the
three rules of arithmetic." The term of school usually lasted three months but
some of the schools were kept in almost continuous operation. Until the advent
of the common school system the primary schools in which the rudimentary
branches were taught bore the name of "common," and the academies and
seminaries received the more advanced pupils. The terms "subscription" and
" pay," as applied to schools, came into use to distinguish the private ones from
those which were jjublic or free. Many schools designated as academies and
seminaries were simply subscription schools into which pupils of all ages were
admitted, and in which little else than the common branches was taught, while
others contained classes of advanced scholars and merited the names applied to
them.
On December 1, 1820, John Shields, a Newlight preacher, afterwards a justice
of the peace, opened a school called the New Academy, in the second story of the
old markethouse, a single room being used both for schools and for church
purposes and another for a printing office. Mr. Butler, already mentioned, and
others, also taught in this building. In 1820 Miss Sarah Reed taught a school on
the east side of High Street near Broad ; the same lady afterwards taught a
"Female Seminary " in a frame house on the west side of High Street north of
Main. Among the textbooks used were Murray's Grammar and Morris's Geog-
raphy. There being but two copies of the geography in the schools, the scholars
learned their lessons from them by turns. Drawing and painting were taught in
a rudimentary way.
The Columbus Arndenuj. — In 1820 Lucas SuUivant and about twenty other
citizens organized a school company and built what was known as the Columbus
Academy, a singlestory tworoom frame building near the site of the present Second
Presbyterian Church on Third Street. Its furniture was of ])rimitive stj-le
" desks built around the room where scholars could conveniently sit with backs to
their teacher, while their eyes, unobserved, might look out at the open windows or
else be employed with pocketknives upon the smooth surface of the desk." This
building stood away out in the commons " among the pawpaw bushes, with but
510 History of the City op Columbus.
tln-ee other houses in the vicinity." The Academy was opened for the reception
of students, having as its first teacher, Aaron G. Brown, a graduate of the Ohio
University, who was "a gentle and kind man, a good scholar and a good teacher."
One of his pupils refers to him as kind, good, patient Mr. Brown. He was after-
wards a professor in his alma mater and still later became a noted lawyer. His
successor as teacher was Cyrus Parker, a man of education and high character,
who taught in the Academy for a number of years, usually in the north room
after it was removed to Front Street. Moral suasion was not an element ol
school management with him. Although he had a partially withered right hand,
he excelled all the other teachers of the town in the administration of corporal
punishment. His frequent and imm(}derate use of the whip sometimes trans-
cended even tlie tolerance of that age of physical force and heroic living. During
the winter months Parker also taught an evening school. At the close of each
term, certificates of diligence and good behavior were given to the scholars who
merited tliem. Besides the common branches, geometry and astronomy were
taught. The textbooks were Webster's Spellingbook, Murray's English
Grammar, and Pike's and Dab^ll's arithmetics. Among the pupils during the
first two or three years after tiie school was opened were J. Sullivant, W. A. Piatt,
John Overdier, Daniel Overdier, Margaret Livingston, J. R. Osborn, Robert and
John Armsti-ong, Henry Mills, Keys Barr, Margaret Hoge (afterwards Mrs. Judge
Baldwin), Elizabeth Hoge and Rev. Moses Hoge. The Academy was several
times removed ; about 1826 it was taken to the southwest corner of Sugar (Chapel)
Alley on Fourth Street, the latter being then the eastern limit of the town, beyond
which were cowpastures and cornfields. In close proximity to this location was
a large pond which occupied the territory on which now stands the Central
Markethouse. At a later date William Lusk, the almanac-maker, in good nature
and with lax discipline, taught a crowded school, composed usually of boys, in one
room of this building. Often, as he took his afternoon nap, the boys would steal
away to skate on the pond or to enjoy their games of " two and fourhole cat " and
" round the stake.' After the nap was completed, a wave of the teacher's old
umbrella or at most a short trip down to the pond brought back the troop of boj's
who, after mild reprimand, returned to their studies. Mr. Lusk also taught in
other parts of the city. He is said to have been well educated and at first eflicient
and popular, but in later life he became intemperate. " Old Billy Lusk," says one
who knew him, was "a short stout man with a red face, a still redder nose and
short grisly hair, who wore an old camlet cloak and carried an old umbrella with
a brass ring about it."
H. N. Hubbell, Andrew Williams and Moses Spurgeon also taught in this
Academy. Most of the persons over sixty years of age, educated in the schools of
Columbus, received instruction in this institution, which will always be an object
of interest in the histoiy of the city. Although the school directors bought the
Academy in 1827, it seems that members of the original company (whether at that
time school directors or not does not appear) collected part, at least, of the rent
for the use of the building, and William Lusk claimed to have bought nearlj- half
of the shares from the original owners. Lusk says: "Two of the company rented
The Sf'iinoi.s. I.
511
the building, the teachers paying only what wouiil kci]i the lioiisc in rejiair (or
some time. After the disorganization of tlio ci>in])aMy, the member wlio ])ur-
chased tiie lot deeded it to the directors of the district in which it was located. "
On Julj- 16, 1S3G, William Liisk ottered for sale an undivided onehalf of the lot
on wliich the Academy stood. At an early date James Robinson taught school in
a small brick building on tiie southeast corner of Wail and Broad streets. Sheep
were then pastured on the commons around that building. In the fall of 182(5,
.1. r. Sniilli, who afterward taught in the public schools, had charge of a school in
the Academy and gave instruction in the "various branches of Engli.sh learning"
—in orthography and reading at 82.50 per quarter; in writing and composition,
arithmetic and the first rudiments of grammar and geography at $;100 ; in
geography and astronomy, chemistry, and natural and moral philosophy at 85.00.
Mrs. Smith instructed young ladies in fine needlework, drawing and painting.
"In 1824 or 1825 Mi.ss Bigelow opened a school for girls in a double frame hou.se
next to the residence of Otis Crosby. The instruction was in reading, writing,
arithmetic, and grammar, which latter study neither teacher nor pupil under-
stood."
In 1820, J. M. G. Hazeltine, an able teacher, opened a school in a frame
building on Main Street between Third and High. After teaching there (or sev-
eral years he built a frame schoolhouse, probably in 1882, on the east side of Third
Street near Rich, where he and others taught both public and private schools.
512 History of the City of CoLUJiBns.
In 1838, he was accidentally drowned in the river at the foot of Rich Street. J. H.
Godman taught in Fratiklinton between 1820 and 1825, and Orange Davis con-
ducted a school about the same time in a onestory building on the south side of
West Gay Street. Simultaneously with these, Stern Berryhill, James Kiggs,
Cornelius Sharp and Huldah Bull were instructing the youth in the southern part
of the city. Seth Smitli, A. Montgomery and John Calvin were also teachers of
that period.
" A Female Academy," conducted by Miss Anna Treat, formerly of the
Worthington Academ}', and Mi.ss Sarah Benfield, of Columbus, was opened in the
Jarvis Pike propertj- on West Broad Street, in 1826, and was maintained for sev-
eral years Reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and embroidery were among
the branches taught. This was a wellnianaged school. Maps are still extant
which wei-e drawn by a ten-year-old pupil of this school in 1827, and show good
instruction. In 1829, an " English Classical and Scientific School " was opened by
John Kilbourne in the Miller building (Buckeye House) on the north side of the
Public Square.
The Columbus Female Seminary was opened on the first Monday in
December, 1829, under favorable auspices, with Rev. Joseph Labaree as Principal,
and N. McLean, R. W. McCoy, J. M. Espy, Henry Brown and James Hoge as
superintending committee. It occupied rooms in the second story of the McCoy
building on High Street, opposite the Statehouse. Mr. Labaree was a refined
and successful teacher who "required the scholars to get their lessons." The
school contained two departments, one taught by the principal and the other by
Miss Emilj' Richardson, a niece of Mrs. Labaree, assisted in 1829 and 1830 by Miss
Margaret Livingston. Setting copies and making quill pens for the scholars was
no small part of a teacher's duties in those days The studies were reading, writ-
ing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, botany, Latin, and heathen mythology. Mr.
Labaree taught at a later date in the Eight Buildings. The memory of Mrs. Amy
Adams, a teacher of several years, is still cherished by those who received her
instruction.
In the basement of Trinity Church were kept successively a Grammar School
by J. W. Mattison, a Scotchman; an English and Classical School by J. O. Master-
son ; a Select School, in 1837, by W. S. Wheaton ; a Classical School by George
Cole; a "School in English Branches" by Ezra Mun.son ; and an "Elementary
School for Boys 'by Dorance Mathews. Twenty years later R. W.Thompson,
referring to this period, addressed these lines to General Irvin McDowell:
When that old fence was built around
The Statehouse yard, you know,
'Twas there we played our schoolboy games
Upon the lovely green,
And happier hearts — some silent now —
Tlio worM has never seen ;
'Twas Wlieaton's school just over the way,
Methinks I hear the bell.
Thai ciilled us from our sports and play, —
lis ringing seemed a knell.
TllK Scilnot.S. I. 513
For sevoriil years a scIkkiI was taiiirlit in a Ih'W^iI loi^ Iwmso (Hi tlic southeast
corner orSpring uii.l High streets, near tlie liaiiks of Doe Hun, hy Ilugli Maxwell,
who lived in tlio u])|)or story of the same building. The same teacher tiniL;ht in a
small briek building which is still standing on the southeast corner of High and
Gay streets. J. O. Masterson taught in the Old Jail Building on Gay Street, and
also on West Broad. One morning, just before dismissing his school, Mr. Master-
son requested each of his scholara to writean essaj- — a very unusual request —
givitig them as a subject, " never speak ill of the dead," and told them to bring
their compositions next morning, which they did and learned that their teacher
had been drowncil in ihc Scioto. Miss Molly McGowan taught in a building on
High Street near McGowan's Kun. Miss Penelope Lazolle and olher.s taught in a
small schoolhouso near the corner of Third and Lazclle streets. George B. White-
sides, who tau.:lit here about 1830, was very exacting about having the boys
" make bows." He is said to have governed without the aid of the whi|). In 1830
Rev. George Jeflfries taught in a hewed log schoolhouse which he erected on the
south side of Mound Street near Wall. The First Baptist Church, of which he was
pastor, used the same building as a house of worship. The record shows that the
congregation contributed $4 95 in money and two and threefourths days' work
"toward fixing the sclioolhouse built by Elder Jetfries for the purpose of having
meetings in." Several years later the Baptist Church building, which is still
standing on Front Street, near Noble Alley, was used for a schoolhouso. Mrs. J.
B. Ward, a refined Englisli lady, taught a school for young children in a fr.ime
building yet standing on the southwest corner of Fourtli and Walnut. She aiter-
wards conducted a Ijadies' Seniinari'.
During the cholera plague of 1833 the schools were suspended. In an auto-
biography of Christian Spielman we find this jjas.sagc: "The schools woi-c closed
and business was almost paralj-zed. Our seminary was aI~o closed for a nund)er
of months and the students returned to their homes. I desired to utili.se these
months in earning a little money. Through the aid ot Profes.sor Schmidt I secured
quite a number of pupils in German, to whom I imparted instruction in the little
frame church on Third Street, where, in after years, the Universalist Church was
erected. At lliat time there were only six or seven Gorman families in Columbus.
A larger number of my pupils belonged to prominent Anierican families among
whom a lively interest had been awakened for the German. At last, in the height
of the ])lague, I was also forced to close my school."
The department of classical and general education of the Lutheran Theological
Seminary was opened in 1831 under the superintendence of Rev. William Schmidt,-
For fifteen or twenty years instruction was given in the elementary branches to
students preparing for the ordinary business of life as well as to those preparing
for the advanced studies of the Seminary. Neither the teacher nor the students
in this department were required to bear any special relation to the Lutheran sect,
The school was conducted first in the basement of the Reformed Church wliich stood
on the south side of Town Street ; in 1849 and 1850 in the Covert Building on
Town Street; and later in the University Bnilding on South Hiirh Street. The
literary department was alterwanis iuhI. r the direilion oi V. F. SchacllVi' and
514
History of the City of Columbus.
Charles Jiicksch, and special instruction was also given in the training of teachers.
P. Pence, C. P. Schaeffer and S. Heyl were the managing committee appointed hy
the Board of Directors. Throughout the early history of the city the basements
and lecture rooms of the churches were very generally used for school purposes.
In 1888-9 a High School for Young Ladies was conducted in the lecture room of
the First Presbyterian Church by Miss Mary A. Shaw, who had formerly tauglit in
other parts of the city. Rev. J. Labaree conducted a school in this room at one
time, the pupils reciting French to Monsieur Gauthier. Abiel Foster and others
The SciiouLs. I. 515
also tiuislil si'liool in this church at difforcnt times. The Wells sisters, Susannah,
Abbioand Anna, were identified with the schools of the city as prominent teachers
for many years. They taught a Young Ladies' School in a rude building on
High Street just north of the Deshier Block, and also in the Exchange Building.
Among other schools of less note between 1880 and 1845 may be mentioned
ono on the corner of Front an<l Cherry, taught by Jacob Hare, subsequently
founder of the Hare Orphans' Homo; a " Ladies School for instruction in the vari-
ous brandies of a useful and polite education," by Miss E. Johnstone; a school for
the study of French, Spanish and Italian, by Carlo de Haro ; a school in the base-
ment of Mrs. E. Campbell's residence on Front Street by Mary B.Smith ; instruc-
tion in music, singing, drawing, painting, French and German by Edward
Kersten, late from Paris; a school in Number 5, Commercial Row, by Samuel 1).
Preston ; " an evening school for gentlemen in Greek, Latin, bookkeeping and
Euclid," by J. K. Hoffer; instruction in "common and higher branches, together with
the French language, also drawing, painting and needlework, by Miss H. Shaw,
tuition four to ten dollars per term;" school for young ladies and misses in the
Exchange Building, over the store of Gushing & Warner; "boarding and day
school for young ladies by Mrs. and Miss Heilson ;" a school by Doctor and Mrs.
McCaulj- at their residence, Number 32 East Town Street; a Female Seminary in
Mrs. O. Parish's residence by the Misses De Bartholds ; the Columbus Female
Seminary by B. Gonzales; a young gentlemen's select school in the Buttles Block,
corner of High and Town, by J. S. Brown ; and a school for instruction in survey-
ing, engineering, drawing and mathematics in the Exchange Building by Valentine
Gill and others. We here perceive the great variety of this class of schools and of
their location. There was no uniformity in their courses of study or textbooks.
Many of them existed for onlj- a short time.
A High School was opened June 18, 1832, by Horace Wilcox, in a building erected
on State Street by Colonel Olmsted. It contained three departments, each having
its appropriate studies and textbooks best adapted to the ages of the pupils and
their capacity (or improvement. Its managers endeavored to make its course of
study and thoroughness of instruction compare favorably with those of the best
contemporary institutions of its kind, but during the following winter it was dis-
continued for want of a suilalile building. In the ensuing spring it was reopened
with some mollification and in more commodious apartments. As reorganized it
was styled the Columbus High School for Young Ladies. Horace S. Gillett was
engaged as one of its assistant teachers. Adjacent to the building were five or six
acres of land planted with shrubbery and fruit trees, and used as a playground,
The school was subsequently removed to Town Street and is said to have been
equipped with chemical and philosophical apparatus. The tuition was three dol-
lars in it.s primary, four dollars in its junior, and five dollars in its senior depart-
ment, per quarter.
In Jn\y, 183G, a Charity School was established under the patronage of a few
ladies who became convinced of the necessity for it while engaged as almoners of
the Female Benevolent Society. It was instrumental in doing much good. The
ladies who founded it organized a societj- of representatives of all the Cliristiari
516 History op the City op Columbus.
denominations of the city. The annual subscription fee was one dollar. At the
time of the December meeting in 1837 seven hundred and fifty dollars had been
raised and the school had been conducted five quarters at an expense of $287.55,
on a lot in rear of Mrs. Parish's, which had been presented to the society by Alfred
K-clley and on which a commodious brick schoolhouse was erected. Of ninetytwo
children received, thirtynine were fatherless and several motherless. The average
daily attendance had been thirtyfive and the average annual expense of each child
less than 16.20.
The colored people of Columbus have been active in their efforts to secure
educational opportunities for their youth, and their school progress has been in
advance of that of their people generally throughout the State. Prior to 1836 the
colored people maintained a school in the southern part of the city, near Peters's
Run. In that year they organized a school society with David Jenkins, B.
Roberts and C. Lewis as trustees. In the fall of 1839 they had sixty dollars in
their treasury and a subscribed building fund of $225.00. The estimated cost for
schoolhouse and lot was $700.00. M. M. Clark was their authorized agent to
solicit subscriptions. Within the year ended August 31, 1840, a colored .school with
sixtythree scholars enrolled was maintained for six months. On September 7, 1840,
the School Fund Association of the colored people of Ohio met in the Methodist
Church, and received the cooperation of citizens of Columbus in promoting its objects.
In spite of many discouragements the colored people secured fair school privileges for
their children so far as possible to do so by their own efforts, and by prudent manage-
ment prepared the way for the final withdrawal of the color line from the schools.
In 1841 Alfred Kelley, John L. Gill and Peter Hayden, as a company, erected a
building on the northeast corner of Oak and Fifth streets, and established a school
therein which was successfully conducted for several j-ears by Hobert Barrett.
The building is now used as a residence.
On May 11, 1840, the Columbus Institute was opened under the direction of
Abiel Foster and his sister, Miss Catherine Foster. It was begun in a new building
on the corner of Rich and Front streets. Its course of instruction included reading,
writing, composition, English grammar, geography, Latin, Greek, mathematics
and higher branches. It was graded at first into two departments, and was soon
removed to the Eight Buildings, where a third department was opened under
the care of Augusta Foster. In two rooms on the second floor girls were taught by
the Misses Foster, while Mr. Foster taught the boys " down stairs. " One of
the tricks of mischievous boys in this and other schools of that day is said to have
been that of throwing crackling haekberries on the floor and stairways, which
startled the pupils as they walked over them and often prefaced the morning
exercises with a fusillade. The Fosters were well educated and capable teachers.
They introduced new methods of instruction and were quite successful. Special
attention was given to good reading.
The Columbus Literary and Scientific Institute, a school for advanced scholars,
was opened November 2, 1840, in a private residence on Town Street, under the
supervision of Rev. John Covert, formerly of Black Rivei' Institute at Watertown,
JMew York, and Rev. Leicester A. Sawyer, from New Haven, Connecticut. A Female
'I'liK Sn
517
Soiniriary iindor Mrs. S.
the yeiirnil iiiimii;;etm'iil \
wcro II. N. IIul.l.oll. I'ri
Swum, 1). VV. h.sl.lor. Kn
Iclmbod (;. Jones, Williii.i
iiig 3car the nuiiu' ut ilio i
ami Ci)lloi;iatc Instiliik'.
S. Ccivorl \v:is all:iclicil Ic lliis iiisl it uliori, d' wliicli
asunlrusluii t.) a bnard of IriisU'cs llic iiu'1iiIk'1-s ol' uliitli
<i(ionl, J(isc|ili Itidf^way, .liiiiioi-, Vict' Prcsiiioiit, .1. I!
line Ca.so, I'elcj; Sisson, John Covert, Warren JcnkiriN,
Chaiiin, M. J. (Jilborl and L. A. Sawyer. In the follow-
islitiitioii was ohanged to that of Columbus Acatleniical
Oil .lune 1, 1S41, the corner-stotie of a building for this
Institute
d. A twosloi'v brick house of four rooms, ]ileasantly situated
Town Street, in a •' retired jmrt of the city " was erected. It is now the residence
of Mrs. J. J. Ferson. The Institute was designed to partake of the nature of both
an academy and a college, and consequentl}- offered instruction in a great variety of
studies. It was jirovided with chemical and pbilo.soiihical apparatus and a library
of some hundreds of volumes. Rev. Leicester A. Sawyer was President : Rev. John
Covert Vice President ; R. S. Bosworth Professor of Chemistry ; and Mrs. S. S. ( lovert
Principal of the Female Department. The following year l!ev. J. Covert liecanu'
Principal, and Robert Thonip.soii. C. liunyan and \V. B. Hubbard were added to the
518 History op the City of Columbus.
board of trustees. Miss Mary A. Shaw was afterwards employed as an assistant in
the Female Department. T. C. Hunter was the teacher of vocal music, and
R. S. Bosworth of mathematics, surveying and astronomy. Mr. Bosworth had a
, / (y telescope of considerable power mounted upon a pile of rocks^in the Statehouse
L.^^ tic O^luHx yard for the use of his classes. The Institute was closed in 1846 or 1847.
/ujL A Female Seminary, conducted by Mr. and Mrs. E. Schenck, the former a
c/J in-iA^ U^ graduate of the United States Military Academy and the latter from Mrs. Wil-
jl. a ^^iTt^ lard's Female Seminary of Troy, New York, was established in a new brick build-
^y . ing at the corner of Broad and High. It began on Monday, April 3, 1843. and
p^u^dM<ok^. continued until Mr. Schonck's death in 1848. In 1846, the trustees of this school
were J. E. Swan, Adams Stewart, O. Follett, Joel Buttles, N. H. Swayne, P. Sis-
son, John Noble and John W. Andrews.
The Esther Institute was opened October 4, 1852, in a private residence on
Rich Street, under the name of the Columbus Female Seminary, with Professor
Charles Jlicksch, Professor T. G. Worniley, Miss Hermine A. P. Tctu, Samnia
Schnedly, Mary W. Atcheson and G. Machold as the corps of teachers, and
Christian Heyl as business manager. In 1853, the present Irving House, near the
northwest corner of Fourth and Broad streets, was erected for this school, which
was opened therein September 28, 1853, under the name of Esther Institute. Miss
Agnes W. Beecher was principal and Miss Margaret A. Bailey was teacher of
mathematics. The Institute was closed in 1862, and its building was converted
into a military hospital. Financially, it was not successful.
Throughout the earlier history of the city many of its prominent families sent
their children to the seminaries and colleges of other towns or cities; at the same
time the schools of Columbus were also much patronized from abroad. Some of
the disadvantages of the private schools were : 1. The unsuitable character of
their apartments, which were usually adapted for other purposes and were insuffi-
ciently heated and ventilated. Of the seven private schools in operation in 1847,
four were taught in basements and the remainder in a room sp:ice affording less
than one hundred cubic feet of air per scholar. 2. The incompetency of many
teachers and their transient character, which precluded the adoption of necessary
means for testing their efficiency. 3. The want of uniformity in courses of study.
In perhaps the majority of cases, in order to make up a school of sufficient num-
bers, scholars were received without any reference to previous attainments, and
were allowed to pursue such studies as their own caprice or that of their parents
dictated. Hence it was not uncommon to find scholars studying natural philoso-
phy or astronomy who did not know the multiplication table; or studying botany,
geology, or rhetoric without being able to spell the most common words or to
read intelligibly a single paragraph in the English language. 4. Irregularity of
attendance, which was not infrequently encouraged by the practice of exacting
pay only for the time of actual presence in the school. 5. The cost of tuition, in
the better class of seminaries and high schools, was so high as to prevent the
great majority of those who attended them from continuing long enough to secure
anything like a thorough education. But the day of private schools was by this
The Sciiuor.s. [. 519
time past. Thoy had served ji good ])iir|)os(.', but :i now :ind better Hj-stom luul
become esliiblisbed in tlie hearts of the iieojile.
Various societies have at ditierent times been tbrined in the city for mutual
education. Amoiiij these was tiio Columbus Lj'couni, organized in October, 1S31,
under the personal direction of Josiah Ilolbrooif, founder of the Boston Lyceum.
IJcv. .lames Iloge was its Piesident; Hon. J. W. Campbell, Vice President;
William Preston and Jlenry Kspy its Secretaries; P. IJ. Wilcox its Treasurer;
James Labaree and Messrs. Parker and Smith its ('urators. The design of the
Ijyceum was " to procure for youths an economical and practical education, and to
ditl'use useful information throughout the community generally by means of
e8.says, discussions and lectures.'
An Knglish and Classical School was begun by Misses L. M. Phelps and
H. II. Hall in 1SS4 in the Arnold Hou.se on East Broad Street with seventeen
pupils. During its sccoiul year it occupied more convenient apartments in the
Rogers House, a few doors from its former location, and at the end of
that year was removed to the (iwynnc House, which is its present location,
on Kast Broad Street. The school prospered from its inception, and in 1S9U
the trustees of the estate erected the present handsome and commodious
building which it now occupies on Fourth Street and which is admirably adaptetl
to its needs. The rooms are large, well lighted and well ventilated, and accommo-
dations are ])rovided for both boarding and day pupils. The purpose of the
school is to furnish the girls a liberal education while giving special attention to
conduct and health. The school embraces four departments: The Kindergarten,
Prinuiry, Intermediate and Classical, the latter including the studies of the usual
curriculum in liigher institutions of learning. A well-selected library and suitalde
apparatus are among its equipments. The pi-esent teachers are: Miss L. M.
Phelps, Mental and Moral Philosophy and Logic ; Miss B. H. Hall, Mathematics,
Hi.story and Khctoric ; Mi.ss Ellen Dewey, Drawing, Painting and Art Criticism;
Miss Charlotte R. Parmele, Primary Department; Miss Elizabeth
Kindergarten ; J. D. H. McKinky, Latin, Greek and Mathematics; Miss Catharine
Preston, Latin and English Literature; F. W. Blake, M. D., Physical Science;
Miss Anna Petersen, French Language and Literature; Miss Zaido Von Brieson,
German Language and Literature; Miss Mary Shattuck, Elocution and Physical
Culture: Mrs. Emma Lathrop-Lewis, Vocal Music; Professor Hermann Ebeling,
Listrumental and Class Music; Professor Hermann Schmidt, Instrumental Music.
The Columbus Latin School was opened under the name of a Preparatory
School for Boys in the fall of 188S in a building on the corner of Fourth and State
streets, by Charles A. Moore, a graduate of Yale College. During the first year
twentythree pupils were received. Mr. Moore having accepted a tutorship at Yale,
Mr. Frank T. Cole, a graduate of Williams College, took charge of the school in
the fall of 1889 and removed it to East Town Street, where it has since been con-
ducted under the name above given. Professor Araasa Pratt, also a graduate of
Williams College, became as-sociated with Mr. Cole in the management of the
school, the object of which is to prepare hoys for college. The ancient and modern
languages are embraced in the course of instruction. During the last two years
520 History of the City of Columbus.
the school has had an average attendance of forty; its graduates thus far number
eighteen. It has a boarding department, but depends chiefly on the city for its
patronage.
The city being an important commercial and manufacturing center, it has
given rise to numerous business colleges, many of them of high standing. The
Columbus Business College, establish.ed in 1864, prospered for twentyfive years.
The Capital City Commercial College, established in 1878, continued in operation
eleven years. These two schools were consolidated in 1889 under the name of the
Columbus Commercial College, which was discontinued in 1891. The National
Business College, established in April, 1889, by H. B. Parsons, is located in the
Sessions Block, and instructs classes both day and evening. The Columbus
Business College, now managed by W. H. Hudson, on North High Street, was
established about seven years ago. Yarnell's Business College, also on High
Street, gives special attention to bookkeeping. A school of penmanship was
established in 1888 by C. P. Zaner. A school in stenography and typewriting is
now conducted in the Wesley Block by Professor W. H. Hartsough.
Several kindergartens are sustained as individual enterprises; others which
arc free are maintained in different parts of the citj- by the Woman's Educational
and Industrial Union, of which, at present, Mrs. J. N. Dunham is President and
Mrs. F. C. Maxwell, Secretary. These free kindergartens are intended for
children under school age, and especially those whoso parents are unable to send
them to the subscription schools. The Union also maintains at its central build-
ing on the corner of Oak and Fourth streets, a training school for preparing
teachers in kindergarten work.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE SCHOOLS. II.
HY .lAMES U. liAUNHILL, M. D.
P,il,lir Srl,„nl.-<. Distrirt S,'/,„„/ M,ii,,i</,'mnif, 1S2(W<* 1S3.S. — In koci)ini; willi
tlie eiiliglitoncd sciitimtMit oftlic famous educational compact tlic jiionccr .scttlerti
of Franklinton and Columbus provided fair school privileges for their children.
Before revenues from the land grants were realized or general school laws enacted,
private schools and means of education had been ver^- generously encouraged. In
the very infancy of the town of Columbus its founders had constructed a school-
house for the benefit of the community. In 1820 a scliool company formed by
leading citizens for the extension of school facilities erected an academj', organized
a school and otherwise aroused pul)lic interest in education. An academy on the
west side and a classical school and the academy on the cast side of tiie river liail
been liberally patronized. A great many subscription schools had been nuiin-
tained. Some of tlie teachers were college graduates and the leading sjiirils u( llie
community were men of learning. The general sentiment seems to li;ive been in
favor of popular education, but there were very natur;illy differences of opinion as to
the best modes of securing it. Lucas Sullivant and Orris Parish wei-c among the
incorporators of the Worthington College. They with other prominent citizens had
taken an active interest in securing efficient legislation for the maintenance of
schools. Not onlj- had schools been encouraged but the claims of moral instruc-
tion had not been disregarded. The church and school were planted side b^' side
and fostered as cardinal interests. The schools were frequeiitlj- conducted in
church buildings and the New Testament was used as a textbook in reading.
Rev. Dr. James Hoge, the founder of the first church and first Sunday school of
the settlement, was a zealous friend of popular education, was identified with the
efforts to promote its interests and greatly aided in molding the educational
sentiment of the community.
In January, 1822, Governor Allen Trimble appointed a board of commissioners
in which Caleb Atwater, Rev. James Hoge, and Rev. John Collins were the active
men, to report a system of common schools for Ohio, and although the system
agreed upon by these commissioners was not adopted " they arc entitled to grate-
ful remembrance for what they did in awakening an interest upon which more was
acconiplished than they deemed advisable to recommend." They prepared the way
[521]
522 History op the City of Columbus.
for the enactment of the Guilford law of 1825, which was the first general law for
the support of schools in the State.
On April 25, 1826, the Court of Conimon Pleas of this county appointed Rev.
James Hoge, Rev. Henry Mathews and Doctor Charles H. Wetmore as the school
examiners for the county. The examiners appointed by the court in 1828 were
Rev. James Hoge, Doctor Peleg Sisson and Bela Latham ; in 1829 Samuel Parsons,
Mease Smith, P. B. Wilcox; in 1830 S. W. Ladd, R. Tute, R. W. Cawley and Doc-
tor C. H. Wetmore; in 1832 I.saac N. Whiting, Rev. W. Preston and Isaac Hoge,
Cyrus Parker being at the same time appointed examiner of female teachers; in
1834, John W. Ladd, Erastus Burr, Rev. James Hoge, Rev. William Preston, Rev.
George Jeffries, AVilliara S. Sullivant, Jacob Grubb, Doctor A. Chapman, W. H.
Richardson, Jacob Gander, Rev. Bbenezor Washburn and Timothy Lee; in 1835
J. C. Brodrick, W. T. Martin, Joseph Sullivant, Jacob Grubb and M. J. Gilbert; in
1836 David Swickard, James Williams, Joseph Moore, Henry Alden, J. R. Rodgers,
Cyrus S. Hyde, David Smith, and Arnold Clapp. >
Among the first teachers to receive certificates were Joseph P. Smith, W. P.
Meacham, C. W. Lewis, Eli Wall, H. N. Hubbell, Nancy vSquires, John Starr, Robert
Ware, J. Waldo, George Black, Kate Reese, Margaret Livingston, Cj'rus Parker,
Lucas Ball and Ira Wilcox of Montgomery Township ; Ezekiel Curtis, Caleb Davis,
Phoebe Randall and William T. Denson of Franklin Township ; Lucy Wilson, Wil-
liam Dunlev}-, Priscilla Weaver, Isabella Green and F. J. Starr of Sharon ; Grace
Pinn}-, John Sterrett and Benjamin Bell of Mifflin ; Flora Andrews, Emily Maynard
and W. G. Harper of Clinton; Rachel Jameson, W. H.J. Miller, Pymela White,
Hannah Calkins and S. Lucius of Blendon ; Jolin Scott and Daniel Wright of Plain;
W. G. Graham, Mary Ross, Samuel Gould and David Graham of Truro; Orange
Davis and Jacob Keller of Norwich; Peter Sharp, J. M. Cherry and T. J. Howard
of Madison ; Frederick Cole, Jinks Wail, O. Risby and Isaac Lewis of Pleasant ;
C. S. Sharp, Henrietta Christie, J. W. Maynard and D. Benton of Hamilton; John
Juds of Jackson ; J. K. Lewis, Jacob Feltner, T. Kilpatrick, Joseph Ferris and
Jacob Kilbourne of Perry ; Peter Mills and Willis Spencer of Jefferson. All of
these taught in their respective townships prior lo December 31, 1829, and for such
service were paid by the County Treasurer.
Franklin Township was divided on May 10, 1826, by its trustees into five full dis-
tricts, of which the second and third included the town of Franklinton, which con-
tained at that time about sixtyfive houses and three hundred and fiftysevcn
inhabitants. The boundary of District Number Two was thus described : " Com-
mencing at the Scioto River where the road leading from Newark to Springfield
(West Broad Street) crosses it, then along said road to the west line of the town-
ship, thence northerly with the township line to the northwest corner of the
township, thence down said river to the place of beginning." The householders
of this district were Joseph Grate, Reuben Golleday, Nanc}' Park, Sarah Jameson,
Lewis Risley, Joseph Davidson, Polly Perrin, Homer L. Thrall, V^'^illiam Barger,
Nathan Cole, Samuel Flemraing, Jacob Eby, Henry Saunders, Jacob Grubb, Mrs.
Sterling, Elisha Grada, Horace Walcott, Earl Frazel, Joseph K. Young, Edward
Green, William Ross, William Flemming, John Swisgood, J. B. Meneley, John
TllK Srllo„LS. II. 523
Fowler, Mrs. Uaniiiih Meiieley, Mi-h. Hiodi-riek, .lacol) Kcllor, Esther Waldo, John
Sfott, .losoph Badger, Samuel Johnson, S. Wieksoii, William Si-ott, (ioorge Head,
Georgo Skidmorc, Mrs. Marshall, A. Hopper, J. R. (iodown and Jennie Robinson;
forty in all.
District Number Throe was thus bounded : '• Beginning with District Number
Two. thence down the Scioto River to the litie dividing I. Miner's and Thomas
Morehead's land, westwardly with said line until it intersects the Hillsborough
Road, thence northeastwardly with said road until it intersects the road leading
from Newark to Sjiringfield, thence along with said road to the place of begin-
ning." The householders in this disli-ict were Joseph Brackenrage, William Per-
rin, Samuel Deai'dorf, Jacob Armitage, William Lusk, A. Brotherlin, John Robin-
son. Ezekiel Pegg, Mr. Monroe, Samuel Scott, Jacob Runels, Mrs, P;irk, E.
Curtis, William Domigan, Temperance Baccus, Mrs. Lord, Robert W. Rilej-, Mrs.
Barr, E]ikin Johnson, David Deardurtf, Katharine Deardurff, Urias Perrin, Elias
Pegg, Elizabeth Swan, William Wigdin, Lewis Williams, Thomas Reynolds, Arthur
O'Harra, Isaac Miner, J. Ransburg, Andrew Jameson, John Mannering, Mrs.
Rabourn, Cornelius Planning, Mrs. Bennett, Lewis Slaughter, Widow Fannj-; total
thirlyseven. This list is certified in behalf of the trustees by Ezekiel Cui'tis, Town-
ship Clerk. In the entire township there were one hundred and fortysix house-
holders. The school directors were elected in the fall or winter of 182(i. In the
following j'car Caleb Davis and Ezekiel Curtis were emplo3-ed as teaclurs in the
second and fifth districts respectively'. Winchester Risley, William Bailger,
Samuel Deardurff and Horace Wolcutt were among the earliest directors in the
Fi-anklinton districts. The amount of school funds appropriated to the second
and third districts respectively for the year 1826 was §9.84.5 and S9.107; for 1827
89.52 and 88.29; for 1828 810.48 and 811.53. From the levy of five mills for school
purpo.ses in 182(5 Franklin Township received $35.8tj, Montgomery Township
8162.31, Hamilton 8151.04, Truro 817.75, Jefferson 810.t53, Plain 89.68, MifHin 81G.27,
Clinton 827.73, Perry 822.80, Sharon 842.62, Norwich 815.18, Blendon 822.96,
Washington 810.02, Prairie 812.58, Pleasant 817.43, Jackson, 810.60.
On July 26, 1828, that part of District Number Two lying west of the " Cattail
Prairie and a line extending northerly to the river near the stone quarry " was set
apart as Di.strict Number Seven. The householders of the Second District still
numbered forty. Many had moved out of the district, while the following new
names appeared: Fredom Bennett, Ambrose Canfield, John Robinson, Nathan
Cole, Ignatius Wheeler, Peter Lisk, Wesley Srieves, Samuel Scott, William
S. Sullivant, William Mitchell, John Hickman, William St. Chiir and Israel Gale.
The following new names appeared in the third district in 1828; Michael
L. Sullivant, Griffin Miner, Levi Taylor, Abram Mettles, William Riley. Henry
Saunders, Winchester Risley, Enos Henry, Benson Sprague, Riley Thacker, and
Jane Brown. The total number of householders in the district was fbrtythree.
Montgomery Township was divided by its trustees into school districts in tiie
spring of 1826. According to William T. Martin the first school meeting for the
district embracing the town plat of Columlms was held pursuant to the act of 1825
at the old Presbyterian Church on Front Street November 21, ls2t;. Orris I'arisli
524 History of the City of Columbus.
was chosen chairman and William T. Martin .secretary ; and Doctor Pelog Sisson,
Eov. Charles Hinkle and William T. Martin wore elected school directors. Soon
afterwards a Mr. Smith was employed as teacher and a public school which
continued about three months was organized. This teacher was probably Joseph
P. Smith, who a short time before had been engaged in teaching a private school in
the Academy on Fourth Street, and who, as the records show, taught during the fol-
lowing year a public school in the fifth district. However, before the school funds
for 1826 were distributed, the township had been divided into seven districts con-
taining respectively 29, 59, 27, 36, 34, 59 and 24 householders. The total number
NKLINTO.N SCHOOI,.
of householders in the township in 1826 was 268, about two hundred of whom
resided in the town. The distribution of the school funds to the districts for 1826, as
entered on the Countj' Auditor's books, was as follows : First DistrictS17.416, second
S.85.305, third S18.170, fourth $21,644, fifth $20,505, sixth $35,150, seventh $14,063;
total S1G2.313. The following additional entries appear: " March 31, 1827. The
Trustees of Montgomery Township metnnd new-districted the township for school
jiurposes as follows, to wit :
Firpt District to be romposed of all that part of the town of Columbus and township of
Monttjomery lying north of Long Street in said town and as far eastward as the eastern
extremity of the outlets of said town [line of East Public LaneJ ; householders, John Van-
TiiK s,iiooi,s II. 525
voorst, John Brickoll, Stephen Rohinson, John Doliorly, Oiivid Jones, Margaret Johnston,
Benjamin Piatt, H. Rorhesler, Ahraliani Jayeox, Samuel Caily, Jonathan Fnllrr, Thomas
Dawson, John Hamni, John Jaekson, John Jones, John Loulharos, James Di-an, Josei)h
Gamhle, Bela Latham, Thomas Tipton, Solomon Miller, Elizaheth Sparks, Thomas Robins,
Gustavus Swan, G. Leightenaker, William Gimpson, Martin Baringer, Sarah Philips, Tliomas
Locket, Samuel Ayres, James Wooil, Jane Lusk, John Thomas, Elizabeth Zinn. Total thirty-
lour. [The Clerk says this should be tiftyfour. The estimated number of iliildreii in the
district from five to fifteen years of age was sixtyone.]
Second District, to be composed of all that part of the town of Columbus lying between
Lonjr and State streets ; householders, R. Pollock, D. Rathbone, Henry Brown, Charles
Knoderer, G. B. Harvey, Cyntha Vance, Jarvis Pike, D. W.Deshler, Orris Parish, R. Osborii,
R. Armstrong, Mary Kerr, Mary Justice, Jacob Elmore, E. Browning, Thomas Johnston.
Thomas Martin, Edward Davis, John Young, John Marcy, R. J>t. McCoy, J. McLene, Jolin
Loughry, James Hoge, William Doberty, Mrs. Miller, William Latham, Joseph Ridgway,
Samuel Crosby, John Jones, (tailor), Elizabeth Culbertson, David Lawson, James (-oudson,
Benjamin Henly, William Montgomery, Mary Peoples, Mrs. Adams, James Robinson
(teacher), Robert Dawson, William Waite, Henry Hawkin, Hiram Plate, A. J. McDowell,
John Cunning, M. Snutli, E. Herrington, P. B. Wilcox, Theodore Nealy, Samuel Leonard,
Ebenezer Butler ; tiftyone. Estimated to contain sixtynine children from five to fifteen.
Third District to be composed of all that part of the town of Columbus lying between
State and Town streets, including the white house at the end of Town Street ; householders, R.
Rupill, P. M. Olmsted, James Robinson, R. Brotherton, F. Stewart, L. Reynolds, William
Long, David Smith, Joseph Jameson, Henry Farnum, Joseph Leiby, C. Fay, L. Goodale,
W^illiam Armstrong, J. Neereamer, J. M. Walcutt, Otis Crosby, R. Lalaker, George McCor-
mick, Abraham Raney, Mrs. Lanford, Elijah Cooper, M. Northrup, Joel Buttles, Mrs. Tumey,
Ed. Phenix, George Riardon, M. Gooden, Joseph P. Smith, John Wilson; thirty. Estimated
to contain fiftyfour children from five to fifteen.
Fourth District, to be composed of all that part of the town of Columbus lying between
Town and Rich streets ; householders, Alex. Patton, William K. Lawson, J. C. Brodrick,
John Greenwood, Peter Putnam, John Kilbourn, Jeremiah Armstrong, William Madison,
John Whitsel, Nathan Soals, David Brooks, A. Benfield, J. Vorys, A. Backus, Benjanun
Sells, John M. Edmiston, Gibbs Greenhara, Samuel Barr, C. Lofland, Margaret Wherry,
William Altman, M. Matthews, Jacob Overdear, John Stearns, Thomas Wood, Henry Butler,
James Bryden, Amos Jenkins, Samuel Parsons, James Harris, John Wise, Conrad Notestone,
Mrs. Powers, Jennet Vanderburgh, James Uncles, John Boiland, Hamilton Robb ; thirty-
seven. Estimated to contain aixtyseven children from five to fifteen.
Fifth District, to be composed of all that part of the town of Columbus lying between
Rich and Friend streets; househohlers, John McElvain, James Cherry, Peleg Sisson, John
Kelly, Ira B. Henderson, Mary Nichols, William John, J. W. Flinniken, John Ernmick, C.
Heyl, John Warner, Conrad Heyl, Peter Sells, George Nashee, Dennis Faris, Amos Menely,
Jacob Hare, Aaron Mathes, William St. Clair, John D. Hodgkins, John Robinson, Saiiuiel
Gelin, William T. Martin, Mrs. Wynkorp, John B. Compston, Moses Jewett, Thomas Piper,
John John, William McElvain, Elizabeth Strain, H. S High, Sarah Stahl, Moses R. Spingien,
William Thrall, Mrs. Wright ; thirtyfive. Estimated to contain sixtyfive children from five
to fifteen.
Sixth District, to be composed of all that part of the town of Colnmbus and of the town-
ships of Montgomery as lies south of Friend Street, and as far eastward as the ea.stern
extremity of the outlets excepting, however, such territory and families as have been attached
to Hamilton Township for the formation of a school district from a part of each township ;
householders, Matthias Kenney, David Gibson, Caleb Houston, John McLoughlin, Ebenezer
ThdiiKis, N. W. Smith, Jc..^se K. Nixon, Mrs. Bouth, Jo.sepb McElvain, J.iscpli O'Harra,
Arthur O'Harra, Nathaniel McLean, Punly .McKlvain, Oiristian Cnini, ■riiDriiiis I'.rysoii,
^
526 History of the City of Columbus.
Hiram Barret, Andrew Wood, James Pierce, John Scott, William Parker, Jacob Shier, James
Parish, George Dolten, Philip Boreman, Peter Yarnel, Hugh McMaster, James Young,
William Young, Thomas Webb, Jacob Goodhen, Adam Kerns, John Cutter, Richard Fluig,
Samuel Price, Brinckley Daniels, Robert Williams, James Brown, George Eastwood, Mrs.
Huster, Thomas Carpenter, Elijah Telle, Alphan Telle, Walter Vanhorne, Henry Jewett,
Colbert Stewart, Mrs, Putnam, Jacob Robinson, John Miller, Thomas Jones, Nathaniel
Turner, Anson Smith, George Jefferies, L. Sharp, Nathaniel Powers, Gilbert Jewett, Jacob
Leaf, David Shead, John D. Rose, Elijah Glover, Gardiner Bowen, Jonathan Farrer, Edwin
Burnley, Henry May, David Bowen, Charles Hinkle, Julius G. Godman ; sixtysix. Esti-
mated to contain eightyeight children from five to fifteen.
Seventh District, to be composed of the Alum Creek settlement including all that part
of the township not already included in any of the foregoing districts ; householders,
Alexander Mooberry, Thomas Hamilton, Sarah Ross, George Turner, William Turner,
Elizabeth Kooser, C. L. White, Daniel Boothe, William Shaw, David Nelson, Junior, John
Lewis, John Barr, John Wallace, John White, Catharine Vining, George White, Frederick
Otstott, Robert Barrett, Edward Livingston, William White, John Moobery, Isaac Taylor,
Harvey Adams; twentyfour. Number of children not returned A correct extract from the
township record. VV. T. Martin, Township Clerk.
According to this report the six districts embracing Columbus contained two
hundred and seventythree householders and four lumdrcd and five children from
five to fifteen years of age.
On October 4, 1832, the first district, containing 180 school children, was
divided, on petition of Augustus Piatt, John Stain- and others, into two districts,
the part east of High Street and the new turnpike to remain district number one
and the western part to be renumbered as district number eleven. At a called
meeting the inhabitants of the sixth district petitioned the township trustees to
divide their district, as it was " much too large for any common school," and on
October 4, 1832, it was divided and renumbered so that the portion south of
Friend Street and east of High should remain district number six ; the portion
west of High and north of South (Fulton) Street, extending west with the section
line to the river, should be numbei-ed twelve; and the portion lying south of
South Street and west of High should be numbered thirteen. On October 23,
1833, the northern portion of the first and eleventh districts, the dividing line
, U cy If' between which was the north coi-poration line, then Nftghteti Street, was dcsig-
^yyffVr^ nated as district number fourteen, the portion of these districts between Long
^ hj>ty Street and the corporation line remaining as district number one. On March 7,
1838, Columbus became bj' legislative enactment a separate school district, to
which, by consent of the district, the township trustees, on October 13, 1838,
attached all the territory within the following boundaries : Beginning at the Scioto
River on the southwest corner of Henrj- Brown's land, half-section twentj'nine,
and running east on Moler Road to the east line of said section, thence north
to the south line of halfsection number thirty, thence east to the east line of said
halfsection, thence north on a line of the said halfteetion continued to a point half
a mile north of North Public Lane to the Whetstone River, thence with the
meanderings of the Whetstone and the Scioto to the place of beginning. This dis-
trict, comprising the whole town plat and part of the township, and embracing
five and twolenths square miles, was divided by the directors into subdistricts in
The .Schools. II. 527
such a manner "as best to meet the needs of the inhabitants." Tlie di8lriet was
but slightlj- altered until February 5, 1845, when by a .«peci;il act of the lej^islaturc,
the corporate limits of the city became again its boundaries as they have since
remained, except that certain territory within the city limits has occasionally been
attached to the district for school purposes. In 1856 the school district extended
.south to Kossuth Street, east to East Piihlic Lane (Parsons Avenue), north to
North Public Lane and the Johnstown Plank E()ad,and on the west to the Colum-
bus Feeder, the river and Pennsylvania Avenue.
In Franklinton the boundaries of the districts remained about as originallj-
described for thirlythree years. To entitle the third district as well as -^p the
second to the use of the old Courthouse for school purposes, the dividing- line was
fixed on April 18, 1853, as follows: "Commencing at the centre of the National
Road where the same crosses the Scioto River, westward to a stake directly south
of the west side of the south door of the Old Courthouse, then embracing the
entrance to, and ujistairs, and all the upper story of said building and onehalfof
the courthouse lot, then from said stake westward to the line between the Ranee
and Stevenson survey, near the twomile stone. The southern boundary of the
third district was the Columbus and Hai'risburg Road. On September 19, 1858,
subdistricts numbers two and three were united and designated sulidistrict number
two. On December 5, 1870, the corporation line was extended westward with the
Scioto River to Darby Street, thence south along that street to the Ilarrisburg
Pike, and thence eastward to the river, including most of the Franklinton Dis-
trict, while the remainder of it was attached to the city for school pur|)oses.
Division of the history of the public schools of Columbus into periods may be
made as follows: 1, From 1826 to March 7, 1838, twelve years, during which the
schools were under township district management under the law of 1825 ; 2, from
the end of the fii'st period until February 5, 1845, seven years, during which time
Columbus was a separate school district under the law of 1838 ; 3, fi'om the end of
the second period until May 1, 1873, twentyeight years, Columbus being during
that time a city school district under the law of 1845 and subsequent local legisla-
tion; 4, Irom the end of the third period until the present time, eighteen years,
during which the schools have been conducted under general laws, Columbus being
a "city district of the fii'St class." Franklinton was divided into two distiicts
from 1826 to 1858, and was included in one district from that time until 1.S70,
when its identity was lost in the capital city which had absorbed it. I'rioi- to
1830 the school funds remained in the hands of the County Treasuiei- ami were
paid out only on the order of the Auditor; hence the records of these otticials show
the amount of school money raised, the dividends to the several districts and the
names of the teachers employed up to that time. During the remaiM<ler of the
first period the school money passeil through the hands of district treasurers, and
during the second period the Township Treasui-er was custodian of the school fund.
In the spring of 1827 school directors were elected in several districts and
schools were organized. Among the first directors chosen were William T. Martin,
Doctor Peleg Sisson, David Smith, Otis Crosby, William Long, D. W. Deshlcr,
Orris Parish, Andrew Backus, Rev. Charles Hinkle, Thomas Carpenter and Joseph
528 History op the City of Columbus.
Hunter. The pioneer teachers of the public schools were Joseph P. Smith, "W. P.
Meacham, C. W. Lewis, Caleb Davis, Eli Wall and H. N. Hubbell. After the new
districts had been formed the directors chosen in the fifth district, between Rich and
Main streets, were Peleg Sisson, William T. Martin and James Cherry, two of
whom had been directors in the previous year. They employed Joseph P. Smith
as teacher. The time of his service is not given, but the following transcript from
* the Auditor's journal shows part of his salary: "June 7, 1827. Paid Joseph P.
Smith in part for his services as school teacher in the fifth district of Montgomery
\ I a / fsL. Township as per voucher No. 520, $19,625." This account was paid by the County
^ Treasurer June 16, 1827. It is the first item of expenditure for school purposes
found in the records of the County Auditor and Treasurer. The second teacher to
draw a salarj^ was W. P. Meacham, who taught in the district south of Friend,
now Main Street, probablj' in the hewed log schoolhouse on Mound Street. The
record runs: "June 30, 1827, paid W. P. Meacham as schoolteacher in district
No. 6, of Montgomery Township, $34.00." In the fourth district, between Town
and Rich streets, Andrew Backus was one of the first directors and C. W. Lewis
was employed as teacher. A record of payment to Mr. Lewis from the public
funds reads: "July 4, 1827. Montgonery Township, To Paid C. W. Lewis as
1 li Lkt^ schoolteacher in district No. 4, $21,644."
According to this record Caleb Davis was the first teacher to receive public
money for his services in Franklinton, as appears by the following entry : "August
the 12, 1827. Paid Caleb Davis as school teacher in district Number two, Franklin
Township, $9.84i5." Mr. Davis probably taught in the Sullivant log schoolhouse,
as that was the only building in the village at that time exclusively devoted to the
use of schools. The second district paid its first dividend of school money to Bli
Wall. The record reads : " September the 8, 1827. Montgomery Township, To
Paid Eli Wall as school teacher in district No. 2 $35,365," which was a fair salary
at that day for a service of three months as teacher.
The school directors of the third district — Otis Crosby, David Smith and
William Long — who had bought the old academy on Fourth Street " for the sole
use of the inhabitants of the said school district for the use and support of a school
therein according to the statute passed January the 30, 1827, respecting common
schools," employed Horatio N. Hubbell, afterward first superintendent of the
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, to teach a common school, concerning which
service we find the following record : "October 11, 1827. Montgomery Town-
ship, To Paid H. N. Hubbell as school teacher in District No. 3 in said township
in full of all money due said district as per voucher No. 198, $18.17." The
Mr. Smith who was emploj-ed in November, 1826, may have been paid out of
school money which came into the hands of the Township Trustees for the School
Directors as rents from the section of school lands, and would not thei-efore appear
in the county records. Some of these first teachers are known to have been men
of education and ability who distinguished themselves in later years. The names
of the directors are a sufficient guaranty that the school funds were wisely used.
As lo the respectable character of the teachers employed and the libc7'al public
/jri^
soiitinu'iit wliicli ])ri'v:iilc(l willi rcsju'ct (o education, wo liavc the lollowiii;,'' tosti-
iiKuiijil ill 111.' Ohn, St„t, .luHin.il n\- \\,v\\ 10, 1S27:
This tnwn has been laid oil" into sohool districts and teachers of respectability have
been employed. Our citizeiiB seem disposed to give tiic system a fair experiment, and if
found delieient, endeavor to obtain such amendnient as will remedy any defects that may at
present exist in tlie laws iipmi the siiliject.
One of the first ads of the diivitors ot tlio third district — tiie territoiy
between State and Town sti'uets — was to piircdiase tlie academy on Fourth Street
for scliooi purposes. Tins Iiistoric building, tlie first scliool property acquired by
the town, or anj' part of il, was ])urcdiased nineteen daj's after tlio organization of
tlie district. The iiistnimciit of convi'vanec of this property reads as follows:
.bdiii Cnnniii},' to Scho.l Diicctois. This indenture made this nineteenth day of
April, .\. I) 1.S27, between John Cunning <if Franklin County State of Ohio of the one part,
and Otis Crosby, David Smith and William Lonj^ as school directors of school ilistrict No. 3
in the township of Montgomery, and county aforesaid of the second part, witnesseth that
the said John Cunning for and in consi^leration of the sum of thirty dollars to him in hand
paiil by said school directors hath and does hereby sell and convey infeofl" unto the said
Bcliool directors and their successors in office an inlot in the town of Columbus in the
County of Franklin numbered on the town plat of said town six hundred and twenty to
have and bold said inlot with the appurtinences unto said Otis Crosby, David Smith and
William Long as school directors as aforesaid and unto their successors in said office for the
sole use of the inhabitants of said school district for the use and support of a s(diool therein
ect, according to the statute pasfed January 30, 1827, respecting conniion schools. In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and the year first above
written. Executed in the presence of D. W. Desbler, Robert Brolherton, John Cunning,
seal. Acknowledged and certifieil to by D. W. Deshler, Justice of the Peace.
The lot thus conveyed extended from Town Street to Sujjar (Chapel) Alley on
tiie west side of Fourth Street, and on its north end stood the "academy" facing
ea.stward. The building was a tworoom frame forlycight feet long and tbirtyono
feet wide. Its furniture consisted at that time of a few writing shelves or desks
which usually stood against the wall ; botird benches, a few of which had low
straight backs while most of them were plain benches without backs, so arranged
that the pupils on cither side of the room usually sat facing those on the opposite
side ; a plain boxlike desk and a chair for the teacher ; and a small blackboard. A
large box stove in which wood was used as fuel stood in the center of the room.
The Fourth Street Academy, purchased as just narrated, was erected in 1820.
This temple of education, the pride of the infant capital, was distinguished by a
respectable belfry and a bell much superior in tone to "the common tavern bell "
and second only to the Statehouse bell. A publicschool was conducted for an annual
term of three months <»r more in one room of this building for a number of years.
On January 12, IHSfi, the school directors -John L. Gill, Ichabod (i. Jones and
Jonathan Neereamer sold the lot upon which the academy stood to Orris Parish,
reserving the building for school purposes. Sometime afterward it was converted
into a blacksmith shop, and then into a feedstorc. In 1870, it was removed.
Within the year in which the first public money for schools was received, five
teachers were employed in the Cluinbiis Disirict and an aggregate of 8128.80 was
34
530
History of the City or Columbus.
paid for instruction. In these iivo districts there were in 1827 throe hundred and
fortythree children from five to fifteen years of age. Part of these teachers taught
free public schools for all who attended, and no doubt then, as later, the pulilie
money was in some instances used to pay the tuition of children whose i);irents or
guardians were unable to paj' tlie tuilif)n fee; butastlie newspaper files show, there
was from the first a strong o|)position to this misapplication of the school fund. In
oitiicr case, however, the fund was used to provide free instruction to school j'oulh.
Assuming that the wages of male teachers was at that time fifteen dollars per
month, and the average attendance in these schools "fifty, this amount of money
ENTVTIIIKD .STREET .SCMOOL.
would have provided one quarter's schooling to one hundred and fortyone children ;
or, if simply used to pay the usual tuition foe of $2,50 per quarter, it would have
provided free instruction to fiftj'ono school youth, or more than oneseventh of all
the children of the districts between the ages of five and fifteen. The school
money collected and apportioned to the districts of Montgomery Township under
the levy of 1826 amounted to sixty cents and five mills to each householder, or about
fortyone cents for each child between the ages of five and fifteen years. The
dividends apportioned to the same district for the year 1827 amounted to fiftyone
cents and three mills for each householder, The dividends for 1828 were $31,06,
T.IK Sniooi.s. II. 5:51
816.5(5, «ir..S5, S19.32,S19.31, $:}5.7(i ; for 1S29, «47.03, Stfi.HO, $27.:i4, S33.C0, $31.78,
859.03. In 1S30 the ttrst dislrict received 8C3.00, the sccoiul 881.23, ihc third 848.93,
the fourth 845.50, the Ktlli 872.73, the sixth 8119.87, there being 370 houHuholdcrs
at that limo in the six districts.
The tirst public school in the first district was taught bj' John Starr in the win-
ter of 1827-28. The Auditor's record is as follows : " February 13, 1828. Paid John
Starr as school teacher in district number one, Montgomery township, 84(5.30."
In the following winter he taught in the same district, and on March 23, 1829,
received for his services $31.00.. Charles L. Webster, a teacher from Clinton
Township, and J. S. Martin taught a few j-ears later in "Jonesburg," the neighbor-
hood near the corner of Third and Spring streets. The following treasurers of
the district drew from the county treasury the amounts following their names,
respectively, for school, purposes ; Joseph Hunter, March 20, 1831, 803.00 ; David
Smith, February 17, 1832, 858.25 ; same, April 14, 1833, 841.00 ; John Ream, May
22, 1834, S<5S.27 ; John Smith, April 11, 1835, 874.187; J. MePherson, April 1(5,
183(5, 850.85 ; .same, May 15, 1837, 883.7(5 ; T. Mason, April (5, 1838,8150.24. Hugh
Ma.Kwell, who usually taught private schools, was employed to teach a few terms
of public school in the hewed log house on the corner of Spring and High streets.
From 1833 to 1838 the first district was bounded on the west by High Street
and on the north by Naghten. The second district was extended from Long
Street to State. D. VV. Deshler was a school director and the treasurer of this
district from 1829 to 1838, during which time he drew from the county treasury
and expended for school purposes 81,621.22. On February 13, 1828, Robert Ware
received 827.28 for teaching in this district. In 1835 Miss Kate Reese taught a
district school in a frame building on Tliird Street near Long. Miss Penelope
Lazelle and Eli Wall taught in this district. During this same period Hugh Max-
well taught private aTid oc(asi(jnally jjublic schools in this district, in the small
brick building on Pearl ami Gay, and in the small frame on Lynn and Lazelle
streets. The number of white unmarried youth between the ages of four ami
twentyone in this district during the ten years ended with 1838, was respectively,
59, 85, 117, 150, 237, 324, 337, 351, 35G, and 361.
The third district, between State and Town .streets, received for the.se ten
years, respectively, 827.24, 848,03, 876.17, 872.32, 899.56, 867.75, 855.00,8113.00,
8105.02, 8271.67. In 1830, the school tax for this district amounted to 835.00, and
the interest on the proceeds of the section of school land was 813.93; there being
fifty householders, this amounted to seventy cents of the former and twentyseven
cents and eight mills of the latter fund to each family. The successive treasurers
of this district were H. Delano, G. W. McCormick and J. Wilson. After J. P.
Smith and H. N. Hubbell, the next teacher in this district was the severe dis-
ciplinarian, Cyrus Parker, who is best remembered as an instructor in private
schools. He was in 1832 one of the township examiners under the law of 1825.
The Auditor's journal shows that on June 30, 1829, (Jyrus Parker was paid as
teacher in district number three 832.97. In 1832, J. M. Smith was district clerk,
The directors in 1836 were John L. Gill, Icluibod G.Jones and Jonathan Nee-
532 History of the City of Columbus.
reamer. The following report of the clerk of the district to the Counly Au'lilor
or the year 1837, is very instructive :
Number of public schools in the district, one ; number of private schools, two ; nnm-
er of months that public schools have been kept during the year, four ; idem for private
chools, fourteen [two schools seven months each] ; number of scholars in usual attendance
B public schools about forty ; idem for private schools, about forty ; one teacher, male ;
amount paid teacher, one hundred and twelve dollars ; schoolhouse, frame ; value of school-
house, two hundred dollars; amount paid this year for repairing schoolhouse, $19.27. The
teacher has a good moral character and is well qualified to instruct. Books are such as
are generally used in schools, selected by parents and guardians. This district cannot
keep up a school longer than four months, as the amount of school funds is not sufficient
to continue longer, and also not enough to get qualified teachers for all branches of education.
The oflicers of the present year are William Armstrong, Jonathan Neereamer and I. G.
Jones, directors; John Wilson, Treasurer, and J. D. Osborn, Clerk.
Of the fourth district Andrew Backus was treasurer from 1830 to 1838. His
withdrawals of school funds from the county treasury' for the district were as fol-
lows: 1831, $110.00; 1833, $160.00; 1836, $250.00; 1837, $91.31; 18:58, $58t>.75.
The families of this district numbered during the five years beginning with 1826,
rcsjiectively, 36, 37, 37, 41, and 45. The children of school ago in thj3 district
during the eight years ended 1838 numbered, respectively, li!5, 166, 159, 172, 175,
186; 234, and 235. The Hazeltine schoolhouse was situated in this district, as was
also the Presbyterian Church on Front Street in which the first meeting was held
for the organization of the public sciiools. J. M. C. Hazeltine was first employed
as a teacher in 1832. He taught a public school for about one quarter in each
year, and at other times taught a private school in his own building. On Septem-
ber 25, 1835, ho announced a night school which was free except that the "scholars
must furnish their own lights." About the j-ear 1838 Mr. Hazeltine was accident-
ally diowned in the river at the foot of Rich Street. He was a popular teacher.
In 1837 Mathew Mathews was one of the directors and clerk of the district. The
following report was forwarded bj' him through the office of the County Auditor
to Samuel Lewis, State Superintendent of Coramou Schools on official blanks
prepared for the purpose :
Columbus, November 1, 1837. School District No. 4. Number of white males 121, of
white females 113, between four and twentyone years of age. No public school this year.
Three private schools. Number of months private schools have been kept during the year,
twelve. Eightyfive scholars in usual attendance in private schools. Two male and two
female teachers employed in private schools. No officers elected for the year. Character
and qualifications of teachers good. Books in general use. Smith's Grammar, Cobb's Arith-
metic, Olney's Geography. There is no uniformity of practice in the use of books among the
different teachers. They use such books as they have been accustomed to either in their
own education, or in their business of instruction heretofore ; and oftentimes those books
which the pupils bring with them — books which they have used in other schools. It is
much to be desired that a thorough examination of books should be made with a view to the
selection of a set which should be recommended to the teachers and school oflicers of each
district in the county for adoption in their respective schools. An association of teachers
would alone be likely to institute an examination of this kind, and use the means necessary
for conducting it properly and thoroughly. Such an association is much needed among us
on various accounts. It is ardently hoped and confidently anticipated that one will be estab-
The Schools. II. 58:i
lisbed wiihiii llie space of a few months, at least for tlio city if not for the country, as all the
teacliers of this city who have been spoken to on the subject have expressed their decided
approbation of it and llieir desire to support the measure, having personally felt the want of an
institution of the kind. A prominent defect of the system [of public schools] is a want of a
uniform method of instruction. A heterogeneous mass of lessonbooks in every branch enciiin-
bers almost every school.— M. Mathew.-*, Clerk.
Ill liir (ifili (jisli-icl, lying between Kich and Main streets, Charles llinkle,
.lames ('lurry and W. T. Martin were directors. The Auditor's ledger shows the
Ibllowing entiy; " i'aid, in 1830, James Chorrj^, treasurer of school district
number 5, Montgomery Township, $72.78 ; in 1833, f 104.37 ; in 183fi, $2()7.4(;;in
1837, 81S7.O0; in 1838, ?25l).54. " The number of families each year from 182G to
1S30 was respectively 34, 35, 42, 4f), and the number of children of school age for
the same years respectively was 128, 128, 139, 149, and 154. The school directors
in this district in 1S30 were John Warner, Christian Heyl and William St. Clair.
In the following year William McElvain, Horton Howard and Nathaniel McLean
were chosen directors. This district deserves credit for having taken steps to
grade the schools at a very earh^ date. " In 1836, at a public school meeting, it
was resolved that the directors should cause two schools to be opened at the same
time, one to be taught by a male teacher for the instruction of advanced scholars,
and the other by a female for the instructioTj of young children." The number
of school children between four and twentyone in the district in 1836 was 238, and
the amount of school money drawn by the district treasurer that year was
$267.46. One of the city papers of July 24, 1837, remarked : " In district number
five, lying between Rich and Friend streets, a public school was opened this
morning for the children of that district under the directions of a female teacher;
schoolroom on Front Street." William T. Martin was clerk of the district from
1832 to 1837, and George Slocum was director in 1837 and 1838. The teacher,
J. O. Masterson, lived in the district.
Of the sixth district Lucius Ball succeeded W. P. Meacham as teachci" ;
Daniel Nelson, George Jeffries, T. Carpenter, T. Peters and David Spade served
successively as treasurer; an aggregate of $701.75 of school money was drawn
from 1830 to 1838 ; and George Jeffries, Moses J. Spurgeon and James Stevens
successively served as clerk. The clerk reports in 1837 that the teachers aic
generally of good moral ciiaracter, " their qualifications ordinary." The school
fund was not sufficicriL to support school six months out of twelve. Hulda Bull,
James Riggs and Steven Berryhill tauglit public school in the southern part of
the district. From portions of this district the twelfth and thirteenth districts
were created in 1833. The twelfth received from 1834 to 1838, $493.S7. Its
successive treasurers were J. Kelley, J. Whctzcll, William Thomas and John
Otstott, the latter drawing $223.74 school money in 1.S38. The directors in 1837
and 1838 were Robert Cloud, Elijah Glover and John Otstott, of whom the latter
is still living and occupies the same dwelling now as then. In 1837 there were 48
boys and 63 girls of school age in the district; the sum of $104.42 was paid for
teaching its private schoolsand $43.54 for teaching scholars outsideof its boundai-ies.
The number of scholars usually taught in pi-ivatc schools whose tuition was |i:iid
534 History of the (^ity of Columbus.
with the public money of the district was 17. Nine months private school but no
public school was held in the district that year. One female and three male
teachers were employed. The books used were Webster's and Cobb's spelling-
book, Smith's Grammar, Smith's and Adams's arithmetics, and geographies bj'
different authors. Some of the teachers were good, some indifferent ; generally
they failed in good government. "The greatest defect in our district is the want
of a good schoolhouse, and under the present law we cannot build one ; the
greatest part of the real estate is owned out of the district, consequently the sum
which wc can legally raise in a year is so small that we cannot purchase lot and
build a suitable house. As we had no house and the directors would not hire a
suitable room, we thought it best to paj' the money to a private teacher to take
the scholars by the quarter, as there was no one in the district who had a room.
— Eufus Bixby, Clerk." The directors in the winter of 1837-38 ' em])loyed
Elizabetii Williams, who taught in the small brick building which constituted
the old Baptist Church, still standing on the southeast corner of Court and
Front streets.
The thirteenth district contained 44 schoolage children in 1837. P. C. White-
head was its treasurer and one of its directors. The fourteenth dislrict, lying
west of High Street and north of West Naghten, contained 44 school cliildren
during tlie years 1835 and 1837. Kobort Neil, John A. Lazello and John M. Starr
resided in this district. The sum of $38.37 was paid a male teacher for three
months services in 1837. The schoolhouse was built of logs, and was valued at
twenty dollars. The usual public school attendance was fifteen. The successive
treasurers of the district were James Holmes, J. Shasborn and John M. Starr.
Andrew Williams taught a public school in the district.
The number of public schools in Columbus, beginning with one in 1826,
increased to ten in 1837. Five different teachers drew paj^ in 1827 for teaching
in the town districts. The Ohio Gazetteer for 1829 states the population of the
town at 2,014, and the number of schoolage childre}i at 560, and says " there are
not over eight or ten schools actually taught in the town." This included the
public and private school. In 1836 and 1837 the schools were graded and an
effort was made to secure uniformity of textbooks and methods of instruction.
Eented school buildings were mostly used.
The two Franklinton districts contained in 1826 seventyseven, and in 1830
seventynine families; in 1831, one hundred seventyeight, and in 1835 one hundred
eightyfour schoolage children ; in 1837, ninetyseven male and 94 female schoolage
children ; in 1840 one hundred eighty, in 1846 one hundred eightytwo, in 1850
two hundred five, in 1854 two hundred flftythree and in 1858 two hundred twenty-
three schoolage children. In 1829 the second district of Franklin Township
received $73.87 of the Virginia Military school fund, this being $1.71 to each
householder. Winchester Risley was the district treasurer, and on April 19, 1830,
drew tlie sum of $33.93 for school purposes. His successors drew as follows:
Horace Walcott, October 1, 1831, $37.37; same, April 4, 1832, $16.10; R. Golliday,
July 1, 1833, $49.25 ; William Perrin, April 5, 1835, $87.00; William Domigan,
June 21, 1836, $63.85; same. May 8, 1837, $51.00; same, March 27, 1838, $144.52;
The Scekkii.s. II.
535
Jacob Griibb as townsliip treasurer, Januai-y, 1839, $103.77. Similar dividends
were at llie .same lime disimrsed to tbo third district. William Badger was dis-
trict treasurer in ISIU), and Samuel Deardurff from 1S31 to 18.39. It is worthy of
note ihat while the Stiite school fund was reduced S50,000 durinir the tiiiaiicial
dcproosion of 1840, and the county commissioneri
school lev}-, the levy for these districts was ma
generally suppoited. The school money for the
§103.72, or SI.K; for each s.holar. 'The annual re
I were authorized to reduce th
ntaincd and their schools wer
third district for that j'ear wa
536 HlHTORY OB' THE CiTY OP CoLUMBUS.
during tlio ensuing seven years averaged $181.90. Caleb Davis, Ezekiel Cnrtis
and William Lusk were the first teachers in the public schools of Franklinton, the
earlier schools of which were probably held in the log schoolhouse already
described, as it was still used for such purposes in the thirties.
In 1837 William Caldwell and J. D. Perrin wore directors, and A. Cole clerk
of the second district. The clerk's report for that year shows as follows : Male
children of school age, fifty; female, fortyeight; public schools, one; private, two;
public school kept two months: private schools twelve ; forty public and thirty-
five private school scholars; fortysix male and fortyfour female scholars in attend-
ance more than two months ; paid public school teacher $78 ; paid private school
teachers $150.00; amount of school tax, $37.30. The studies pursued were read-
ing, writing, arithmetic, spelling, geography and grammar. John Perrin, William
H. Stevenson and Elias K. Deardurff were the directors and J. Caldwell the clerk
of the third district in 1837. No public school was kept in the district during that
year, but the sum of $302.88 was paid to the teachers of two subscription schools.
A male and a female teacher were employed. The number of scholars in usual
attendance was seventytwo. The textbooks were usually selected by the teachers.
The amount of school tax was $31.13; studies, reading, writing, arithmetic.
Since 1840 the school funds have been suiBcient to provide schools to all who
apply for admission. For many years the old Courthouse was used for public
schools, the second district occupying the lower story and the third the upper one.
The following persons served as school directors in Franklinton : Arnold Clapp,
1853, two years; Michael L. Sullivant, 1853, six years; A. Hall, 1855, five years;
P. N. White, 1855, two years; T. J. Kerr, 1857, two years; J. D. Couden, 1858,
two years ; A. O'Harra, 1860, two years; F. Mull, 1863, six years; M.S. Hunter,
1864, four years ; H. B. Deardurff, 1867, three years. In 1853 the schools of Frank-
linton were maintained seven months, and $315.00 was levied in the second
district to repair the old Courthouse for school purposes. This building stood on
one of the lots originally donated by Lucas Sullivant for public purposes. The
property was leased for several years to the school directors, and on April 6, 1865,
it was conveyed to the Board of Education of Franklin Township for the sum of-
one dollar by Michael L. Sullivant, Charles L. Eaton and Joseph Robinson. Sub-
sequently it was transferred to the City of Columbus. Among the teachers who
taught in Franklinton after 1850 were Miss J. Mull, R. Crain, Miss D. Mix, M.
Harvey, Mary Hurd, James Goldrick, Mary Faundersmith, Miss L. Crain, A. Mc-
Campbell, J. Meyer and W. R. Postle. For the fifteen years beginning with 1855
the average number of schoolage children in Franklinton was 245.
Columbus as (I Separate School Distrirt : Marrh 7, 1838, io 1845.— During the
brief period of twelve years after the organization of the first school under the law of
1825, there had been a great change of public sentiment not only in Columbus but
throughout the State. On June 22, 1826, an observer wrote ; " It is surprising to
seethe indifference of the people of Ohio to the education of their children. Hardly
a cabin can be passed by the traveller in some parts of the State without seeing
rushing from it a drove of little whiteheaded urchins (who, by the way, genei'ally
have nothing to cover their nakedness but dirt and a short piece of dirty linen)
The Schools. II. 537
reared like stock on a farm. " Within the Mime year a resident of the eitj'
recorded his observations thus: "There are amongst our ohl citizens, permit me
to sa3', as mucli order, temperance and morality as can be found amongst the same
population anywhere. We have abroad llie reputation of being a plodding,
industrious, sober, hospitable and going-to-nieeting people; but there are manj^
children growing up amongst us whose parents entirely neglect their education.
They are wholly illiterate and enjoj- at home neitlier the benefit of precept or
example which ought to be imitated. Youth nightly infest our streets with riot
and din, accompanied with the most shocking profanity. What few schools wo
have are for the most part left to themselves and their teachers to manage their
pupils in their own way. Teachers see to the morals of the little ones entrusted
to them no further than the hours of exercise, and even then sometimes siifTer a
state of insubordination wholly inconsistent with improvement." On returning
from a tour through the State in 1838, the Superintendent of Schools remarked :
"The spirit of the people in favor of schools amounts almost to enthusiasm. 'May
Heaven speed the cause of common schools,' has been the prayer of many hundreds
as the}' bid me farewell. Heaven has heard and is answering the prayer."
The drift of sentiment, however, was still in lavor of private schools. The
interest in " seminaries ' and " institutes " far exceeded that in the common schools.
The advanced studies of these independent institutions, their high sounding
names, their respectable buildings and their chartered ]jrivileges gave them a
decided advantage over the public schools which professed to teach only the com-
mon branches. A spirit of exclusiveuess also tended to foster the private and
retard the jirogress oftlie free schools, while the selfish motives of private instruct-
ors very naturally led them to oppose a system of free education. The ci-itics of
the public schools further sought to bring them into disrepute by calling them
pauper schools. Nevertheless, with the low school levy from 1826 to 1838, the
results achieved in Columbus compare favorably with those of any other t(jwn in
the State. The chief cause of the unpopularity of the common schools was the
insufficiency of funds to make them in all resjjects good. Schools maintained only
three monllis a year, in wi-etchedly inadequate apartments, overcrowded by chil-
dren wIkj had no other educational advantages, would naturally be disliked by
people who were able to patronize the private institutions. There seems to have
been tio ojiposition in Columbus to the principle of taxation for school ]jur])oses.
Within two months after the enactment of the law of 1838, which increased the
levy for school purposes fourfold, the leading citizens of the t(jwn held public
meetings to devise the best means of " seeming unitbrmity of aclion ami (he
greatest j)ossible benefits under its provisions.' This indicated a wholesome senti-
ment in favor of the free school system.
Columbus deserves credit for the impulse that was given to llio eau.se of 'p()|)iilar
education in 1837, and also for assistance rendered in securing the wise scliool legis-
lation of 1838. Alfred Kelley, Representative of Franklin County in the General
Assembly, who was lioin ihe first a warm friend oftlie jiublie school system, in
January, 1H37, introduced a resolution in the House instructing the standing
Commitlee on Schools to inquire into the ex]>e(lieney of creating the office of .State
538 History op the City of Columbus.
Superintendent of Common Schools. As a result of this movement, on March 30,
1837, Samuel Lewis became the first incumbent of that office. By his efflciency
and general interest and activity in the cause of education, Mr. Lewis awakened
popular interest in that cause and secured legislation for its benefit. His travels
over the State within the first year after his appointment amounted to over twelve
hundred miles, and were chiefly made on horseback, the streams which he
encountered being often crossed by swimming or rafting. He visited forty towns
and three hundred schools, urging upon school officers "augmented interest, upon
parents more liberal and more active cooperation and upon teachers a higher
standard of morals and qualification." In his report to the legislature lie repre-
sented that the spirit of the people from the humblest cabin to the most splendid
mansion was in favor of schools, mothers and fathers especially speaking of the
education of their children with the utmost zeal ; that where the schools were free
to rich and poor alike they flourish best. He recommended the creation of a
State school fund, the establishment of school libraries, the publication of a school
journal and pro]ier care of the school lands. He desired that school officers should
make reports and was authorized to call upon county auditors for information.
The General Assembly to which the Superintendent addressed himself was
distinguished for its ability. In the Senate were Benjamin P. Wade, David A.
Starkweather and Leicester King; in the House, Seabury Ford, William Medill,
Alfred Kelley, William B. Thrall, William Trevitt, John A. Foote, Otway Curry,
Nelson B;irrere and James J. Faran. The clerks of the Columbus and Franklin-
ton districts made the reports called for to the County Auditor, in whose office
they are still on file. Some of these reports have been quoted in this history, but
it would seem that that they did not reach the State Superintendent, as he does
not mention Franklin County as one of those which responded to his call for
information. The Superintendent was seconded in his efforts to secure improved
school legislation by some of the leading public men of Columbus, notably by James
Hoge, Alfred Kelley, Mathew Mathevvs, P. B. Wilcox and Smithson E. Wright.
Meetings were held to arouse public interest and to carry out the provisions of
the now school law. At one of these school meetings held April 27, 1838 — Joel
Buttles, Chairman, and Smithson E. Wright, Secretary — a committee consisting
of David W. Deshlcr, Mathew Mathews, Jolm McElvain, William Hanec, Josqih
liidguav , Junior, R. Bixby and P. B. Wilcox were appointed a committee to
examine the new school law and inquire what steps were necessary to be lakon
under it to secure uniformity of action and the greatest possible benefit. This
committee was instructed to report to an adjourned meeting the result of its
inquiries and such suggestions as it might deem appropriate and useful.
Sc/kiiJ A'/vo/i'/k/x, 1838 to 1845. — The school examiners during this jieriod
were: Warren .liukins, 1839, one year; Noah H. Swayne, 1839, two years;
William Smith, 1S39 ; Mathew J. Gilbert, Lewis Heyl, Doctor A. Curtis, Rev. F.
Crcssy and Abiel Foster, J unior, 1840; Samuel T. Mills and Eev. H. L. Hitch-
cock, 1842 ; James K. Sinso, 1843; Charles J&cksch and Smithson E.Wright,
1845.
The Schools. II. 539
The passage of the law of March 7, 1838, Tiiarked a now era in the history of
the .scliools. Columbus became, as an incorporateil town, a separate school tlistrict
over which the township trustees had no authoritj-. This gave it enlarged powers.
Elected for three years, the directors were authorized not only to. divide the
district into subdistricts, but were authorized to (■■•<tiiblish srhools of iliffcrvnt ynnlcs,
and were directed to estimate the amount of money required additional to the dis-
tributable funds " to provide at least six months good schooling to all the white
unmarried youth in the district during the year ensuing." The separate school dis-
trict, as created by law, comprised the incorporated territory of the town. Seven
months later contiguous territory was attached for school purposes. The manage-
ment of the schools by a board of directors was under the general supervision of the
corporate authority of the town, the town clerk being clerk of the school board.
In 1838 twelve schools were maintained in the Columl)us district, the amount of
school funds being more than $3,000. Although power was given in 1839 to county
commissioners to reduce the school levy, the amount of school taxes, as shown by
the Auditor's books, indicates that a fair assessment was maintained in Franklin
Count}- during that time. The receipts for school purposes during seven years
beginning with 1838-9, were, by j'ears, respectively: $3,502.10; $3,182.00;
$2,128.91 ; $2,081.79 ; $1,946.80 ; $2,212.82 ; $2,174.80 ; the average annual cnumcru
tion during this time being 1,645, and the average tax being one dollar and
fifty cents per annum for each youth of school age.
From 1838 to 1840 Columbus was the battlefield upon which a great victory
was won for the cause of popular education. The persuasive eloquence of Super-
intendent Lewis was heai'd in the legislature and frequently in public meetings in
behalf of education. Doctor W. II. McGuffey and Profes.sor C. E. Slowe spoke on
the same subject in the churches of the city. Kev. McGuffey preached on educa-
tion in the Methodist Church on Sunday, August 26, 1838. At the Ohio Educa-
tional Convention which met in Columbus on December 18, 1838, its Chairman,
Rev. James Iloge, and its Secretary, Rev. F. R. Cressey, both of Columbus, took an
active part in the deliberations, and Professors Smith and H. A. Moore, also of
Columbus, read papers. The newspapers of that day made frequent allnsioii to the
cause of education, and did much to popularize the free school system. The
increased interest in educational affairs bore evidence to the active spirit of llic new
school law, which had stirred up the " whole common wealth upon the siilijecl
of po|)ular education."
On August 28, 1838, one of the Columbus jiajiers said editorially:
The people are becoming deeply interested in the subject. They see plainly that the
.system of free common schools is, more than all other state lef-islalion, calculateil to secure to
all equal privileges ; and since the people have taken this matter into their liaiuls we may
depend on its ultimate triumph.
At an adjourned meeting of citizens held at the c(jurtroom (jn Scptembci'3,
1838, with P. H. Wilcox as Chairman and J. C. Brodrick as Secretary, a coinoiiltce
was ajjpointed to ascertain the ]n-obable cost of a suitable lot and house ami to
recommend measures relative to the common schools for considii'alioii at a sub-
se(|uent meeting. Joseph iiidgway wa> chainnan of ll]i> coinniillic Anollici-
540 History op the City of Columbus.
committee was appointed to "recommend three suitable persons as candidates for
the office of school director of the city of Columbus " at the " approaching annual
school election to be holden on the twentj-first instant." Colonel Noble, of this com-
mittee, reported the names of P. B. Wilcox, First Ward ; M. Mathews, Second
Ward ; and W^nrren Jenkins, Third Ward. Consideration of this report was post-
poned to an adjourned meeting in the Presbyterian Church September 11, at which
Alfred Kelley presided and Superintendent Lewis was present. At this meet-
ing Joseph Eidgway, Junior, in behalf of the committee on lots and sehoolhouses,
made an elaborate report which was accepted and in its main features endorsed at
the annual school meeting. The committee expressed the belief that it would be
necessary to make arrangements for accommodating during the current and com-
ing year about eight hundred scholars, and suggested that the buildings should be
large and commodious, having some pretension to architectural taste, " since the
recollection of that house would be among the most familiar things in memory."
The report continued :
Our halls for the administration of justice, our temples dedicated to the worship of the
Almighty, are generally intended to display a taste and beauty in their designs and execu-
tion to which we can refer with a proper feeling of pride and satisfaction. Should we not
then feel as much solicitude to render the buildings which are intended for the education of
our children worthy of a place amongst the public edifices toward which we might point with
some little feeling of pride? Is not this a matter of more deep and vital interest than
any other which can possibly command our attention ? Does not the earthly prosperity as
well as the eternal welfare of our children depend wholly upon their education? It is
important, then, to elevate the standard of morals for the rising generation; to instil into
their minds a love of the chaste and beautiful. Let us, then, begin by cultivating a taste for
such things in early youth. Give them the planting of trees, and the cultivation of shrubs,
of flowers, in a schoolhouse yard. Set before them forms of classical beauty.
The committee recommended that a tax should be assessed, at the ensuing
election for directors, sufficient to purchase a lot and build one schoolhouse. " The
location of such a house," says the committee, " is a matter of little importance to
any of our citizens, as the erection of the requisite number to accommodate all
of our children must necessarily follow in the course of another year." The report
proceeds to say:
The committee recommend the erection of but one liouse the present season in conse-
quence of the great tax which would be entailed upon us were we to build the reiiuirod num-
ber at this time It is probable also that our legislature, in the course of their next .session,
will provide a fund in some way to loan to corporate towns for the purpose of education, but
should this scheme fail and direct taxation be resorted to to raise the whole amount
required the committee believe that when the houses are built and the schools in suc-
cessful operation, the enhanced value which will thus be given to all the property in this
city will be tenfold greater than the tax to be rai.sed. The committee would propose a build-
ing which should contain four rooms for smJill and two rooms for large scholars, all above the
basement story : the building shoulil present a neat, chaste front, in strict architec^tural pro-
portion and should be surmounted by an appropriate cupola. One sucli building would
accommodate from 2.i0 to 280 scliolars and we should consequently require about thne such
houses for our present population provided all the children can be sent to these schools. The
coiniiiiltee consider it important that the business to be transacted at the meeting on Tues-
day, the twentyfirst instant, should be fairly understood beforehand as it will be almost
The Schools. II. 541
impossible to discuss any subject satisfactorily on that day. After the diroclors are elected
the business in its details must necessarily devolve on them. It is important therefore that
this selection be judiciously made.
Tho loiiowing resolution recommended by the committee, after having been
aniciided on motion of Colonel Noble by insertion of the word.s in brackets, was
adopted :
Resolved, That this meeting recommend that the district meeting to be holdcn on tlie
twentyfirst instant authorize the levying of a tax of Bve thuu.sand dollars fur the purpose of
purchasing a lot of ground (in the middle ward) and erecting a schoolhouse thereon, and that
it be payable on or before the 6rst day of January next.
The meeting thereupon adjourned to rea.ssomble September 21, at the council
chamber, for the purpose of electing three school dii-ectors and of levying a tax
for the purchase of ground and erection of schoolhouses. At the meeting held in
pursuance of this adjournment. Doctor Peleg Sisson, Ailam Brothorlin and George
W. Sloeum were elected school directors, and a tax of $3,500 was authorized. The
school directors were at the same meeting authorized to purchase one sciioolhouse
site on Long and Third streets in the First Ward; one on Third near Rich Street
in the Second Ward, and one on the corner of Mound and Third streets in the Third
Ward. On January 8, 1839, the school directors purchased of Lyne Starling for
the sum of five hundred dollars inlot No. 531, on the southeast corner of Long
and Third streets. On April 4, of tlie same year, they completed the purchase from
E. W. Sehan of inlot No. 563, on the northeast corner of Mound and Thinl streets,
now the site of the Mound Street School building. For this lot the sum of S525
was paid. On April 8, 1839, " lor the sum of 81,200 in hand paid," Adam and
Elizabeth Brotherlin deeded to the School Directors inlot No. 563, with school-
house and appurtenances thereon, being the same as was deeded to Brotherlin by
M. Mathews, administrator of J. M. C. Hazeltine's estate. This was the middle
lot on the east side of Third Street between Walnut and Rich — the north half of
the present Eicli Street schoolhouse site. The building erected by the teacher J.
M. C. Hazeltine in 1833, was a respectable oneroora frame which was used for
school purposes until 1846, when it was sold and removed to the corner of Sixth
and Main streets where, in a fair state of preservation, it is still standing.
During this period public schools were generally conducted in rented rooms.
Prior to 1845 the only buildings owned by the Board of Directoi's were the
Academy on Fourth Street and the Hazeltino schoolhouse on Third Street. In an
old log house still standing, on New Street, a school was kept which must have
been of a very rough character, since the boys, it is said, practised such tricks as
that of climbing on top of the house and covering the chimney with boards to
smoke out the teacher and the school. Among the other buildings used for
schools were the Jeifrics hewed log house on Mound Street; the Baptist Church, a
small brick builjing still standing, on Front Street; an old frame and an old log
schoolhouse, boih south of Town ; a frame on the east side of Third Street near
Long; and an old frame on Front and Randolph streets. From 1S37 to 1839 C. H.
Wetraore taught a district school in a hewed log schoolhouse on the northwest
corner of Bull's Ravine and the Worthington Road, north of town.
542 History of the City of Columbus.
The following letter, which ujipearcd in one of the cit}' |japers March 22, 1839,
illustrates the educational spirit of the community:
It is not generally known in other parts of this State that there are now twelve teachers
employed in the common schools of this city, and that the schools are free and conducted as
nearly upon the plan of the Cincinnati schools as they can be until we have ourschoolhouses
built, the scliools being taught now in rented rooms and, of course, subject to great inconven-
ience. There are now in daily attendance in these schools more than four hundred scholars,
many of whom but for these institutions would not have the means of instruction, while
children of the most intelligent and worthy citizens of the place are found in the same room
and in the same classes ; and the progress of the pupils generally would do credit to any town
in the State. I speak advisedly when I say that some of the common schools of Columbus,
both male and female, are as good for the branches taught as the best private or select
schools ; and the whole number will bear a fair comparison with any other e(iual number of
schools of the same grade. These things are stated as facts, and they reflect no small share
of credit on the members of the present Board of Directors, who have had the chief labor
and direction in introducing so much order and advancing the schools so far in the short time
since the work was begun. It is said that the public funds are now sufficient, without increasing
the school tax, to keep a free school for all the children the year round, if it were not for the
expense of renting school rooms which has hitherto been necessarily paid out of the tuition
fund. The city has, by a vote of the people, purchased three handsome schoolhouse lots
and levied a tax of $3,500 to pay for the same. Shall these lots remain unimproved and at
the same time the city be taxed |G00 per year for room rent for the miserable accommodations
now furnished in the rented rooms, or shall the people borrow money enough to build at once
the three schoolhouses that are required to accommodate the children ? The interest on the
loan will not exceed the amount now paid for rent; the expense must be borne by the city
and will be the same either way. Will not the parents of four hundred youth now in these
schools, as well as all others who have the prosperity of the city at heart, take hold of this
subject and secure convenient accommodations for their offspring? Will they suffer the
children to contract disease and death by coiifitienient to unhealthy rooms and seats when
they have the right and power to secure good rooms and seats? While the State is expend-
ing millions here for the accommodations of her legislature and other public bodies shall
there be no attention paid to the people's colleges ? Where are the patriotic females that sus-
tained a charity school when there was no other sufficient provision to include the poor ? It
will take less effort on their part to procure the erection of three good common school houses
with four rooms each than it took them to sustain the charity schools for a few. Is the
whole of less importance than a part, or are you unwilling to have the poor sit with the rich ?
The very suggestion, if made in earnest, you would consider an insult. Let us all then take
hold uf this work, ami by taking the only step now required, place Columbus on tLe most
elevated ground iu reference to common school advantages.
It is not improbable that the author of this letter, who signs himself" M.,"
was Eev. Mathew Mathews from whom we have elsewhere quoted, but whether it
was from this warm friend of the common schools or not it is evidently the testi-
mony of an intelligent and public spirited citizen.
In November, 1840, the Directors made arrangements to open an evening
school in the Eight Buildings for the benefit of such white male youth as could
not attend a day school. Arithmetic, bookkeeping, geography and other useful
branches were taught; the school was under the care of Messrs. Soyer and Covert.
Each pupil furnished his own light; in other I'espects the instruction was free.
The Directors also maintained a night school in the middle ward.
THE SciK
543
Id Se)itembor, 1S41, James (.'heiiy, 1*. B. Wilcox .'itid Pelej^ Sissoii were
chosen School Directors for the lerin of ilircc ye.irs. Tlio aiinnnl rci)ort of ihc
directors of tlio coinition sciiools of (^oliinihiis for llio year lHi:i shows the lollo\viii>;
schools were l<r|il iiiilil the liiiids were exhaii-led ; one of these was (ieriiiaii ; tive
were taiiglil ijy male and cii,'ht l)y female teachers; spelliiii;-. readiiii^, wriliii;;,
arithmetic. ,i,'eogra|)h3- and other Knglisii luaiuhcs were tan;,dit, aecoi'dinjf to the
capacity of tiic children; the nnmhcr of scholars varied from COt) to Tfid ; ])ay ol'
male teachers ci.<,dity and of fci
hers til
SIEHEKT STUEET SCHOOL.
drawn since last report $2,677 38, viz. : For pay of male teachers 8946.90, for pay
of female teachers $1,144.47, for rent $409.00, for wood $45.37, for stoves and puttin;,'
theni up $50.50, for cutting wood and sun Iry expenses $81.14. Thesedisbur.se-
ments included a portion of the exjjenscs for the pivceding year; amount still due
on schoolhouse lots purchased $500.00; no school money likely to be in the
treasury until the following spring. According to this report, which was sub-
mitted in behalf of the Directors by P. B. Wilcox and addre.sscd to " the Clerk of
School District in Columbus,'' five schools taught by male teachers were kept in
operation seven months, and tho.se taught by female teachers eight and a half
544 History of the City op Columbus.
montlis of that school year. There being 1,598 cliiklron of school age in the
ilislrici, forlj-oiifht |)er cent, of them were enrolled in the |nililic schools. On
Ueecnilier 28, 1842, a meetinj; of teachers and the friends fit' education was held at
the Covert Institute on Town Street and a teachers' association for iniiirovenieut
of the schixds and elevation of the profession of teaching was organized. The
teachers who signed the call for this meeting were William Cliapin, M. J. Gilbert,
A. W. Penneman, W. H. Churchman, H. N. Hubbell, J. S. Brown, J. Covert and
H. S. Gilbert. The association was maintained for many years. On April 1,
1843, fourteen schools were opened and in the course of the year an additional
one was organized. Of ihe fifteen teachers employed three were males (one a
German) and ten were females. The Directory of Columbus, published in 1843,
states that " the schools and seminaries of learning" comprised fifteen district or
free schools with over seven hundred scholars ; a respectable academy for both
sexes conducted by Rev. John Covert ; a Gorman Theological Seminary, and "some
half dozen small subscription common schools." The first annual report of the
Board of Education made pursuant to the law of 1845 and signed by Smithson
E. Wright, Secretary, states that when the Board entered upon the discharge
of its duties on April 7, 1845, there were in operation thirteen public schools,
of which five were taught bj- male and eight by female teachers.
Thus it appears that throughout the period from 1838 to 1845, which was one
of financial depression and slow municipal growth, from twelve to fifteen common
schools were maintained for twentyfour to thirtyone weeks per annum, and that the
aggregate amount expended for school purposes during the period was $17,229.18.
From 1836 the schools were graded into at least two departments, one for the
primary and one for the advanced scholars. The primary schools were usually
taught bj' female teachers, those for the larger and more advanced pupils by males.
The number of teachers increased during the period from twelve to fifteen in
1843 and thirteen in 1845. Of 1,231 youth of school age in the district in 1838-9,
six hundred, or fortyeight per cent., were enrolled in the public schools. In 1845
the enrollment comprised only fortythree per cent, of the school enumeration.
While the attendance in the public schools had not kept pace with the growth of
the population, this was chiefly due to the lack of school accommodations. The
schools were even at that time regarded as "established facts and not as experi-
ments." Their defects were beginning to be regarded as results of mistaken man-
agement rather than of the principles of the system.
That the common school system possessed superior advantages as a plan for
securing general education had become evident, and the conviction had been
deeply rooted in the public mind that it was the duty of everj' community to
educate all its youth. Hence all publicspirited citizens anxiously anticipated such
legislation as would secure practical improvements in the management of the
schools. In the autumn of 1844 public meetings were held for the purpose of
awakening public interest in education for securing such legislation as would
insure better regulation of the schools and for raising money to erect school build-
ings. This movement took shape in an effort to secure "union graded schools."
Its leading spirits were Joseph Ridgway, Alfred Kelley, P. B. Wilcox, James
TiiK sc i.s. II. njr.
Cliciry. MmIIu'W .M:illu'\vs and .1. I'.. 'ni(>iM|.S(Mi. On I JoccinlxT f, IS44, linn.
Josc))h JJidywu}-, Junior, ]{opivsenlativo (if Fi-anklin County in tlio (icnci-al
Assembly, inlrocluced in tiio House a bill to |iriivitlo for llie bettor regulation and
8U])])orl of the common schools of Columbus. This bill was eiulorscd by Hon.
Allred Kolley, tlicii a member of the Senate, and became a law February H, 1S45.
This statute, understood to have emanated tVom the i)on of Josoi)h Ridgvvuy,
•Junior, laid the foundation of our jireseiit ])ublic school sjstcm and marked an
Onj.nuz.itioH of f/,r ,SrA-»-/.v »/(-/(/■ th. Arl n/ 1 S t5.--.l;,r;/ 15, IS-tf) /„ M,iij 14,
1S47.— At the annual election of city olticcrs which took place April 7, 1845,
William Long, P. B. Wilcox, Jamps Cherry, II. K. Huntington, J. B. Thompson and
Sinithson E. Wi'ight were elected common school directors. This was done in
j)ursuance of the act of Febiniary 3, 1K45. On April IS, they organizetl li}- a|)point-
ing William Long President, S. E. Wright Secretary and H. F. Huntington
Treasurei'. These dii'ectors ami their successors in oftice constituted a bod}' j)olitic
and cor])orate in law by the name of the Board of Education of the Town of Colum-
bus. It was decided by lot that the first two of the directors above named should .serve
for three years, the next two for two years and the last two for one year. At tiic same
election a vote was taken, as required by law, on the question of levying a tax for
erecting schoolhouscs, and resulted in 404 votes in favor of the lax, 211 against it
and 501 blanks. This unfortunate result indicated ajialhy rather than enmity in the
l)ublie mind with i-efercnce to tlie needs of the public schools. The previous Board
of Directors, loyal to the interests of the schools, served until their successors were
qualified and then turned over to tliem thirteen schools then in session, five of which
were taught by male and eiifht by female tcacli('i-s. These schools had enrolled
750 scholars. For the year 1S44 5 the receipts forsclHM.I piir]ioscs from all sources
amounted to $2,174.81, of which sum $1,277.'.":) was expended by the previous
board ; of the remainder, $404.50 was disbursed ])rior to the first of April of that
year. The number of schoolage youth enumerated in the fall of 1845 was 2,480;
the school funds for 1845-6 aggregated $3,877.34. The city owned but OTie school-
house, and that was the frame one already- described on Third Street near Rich,
which was becoming unfit for school purposes. The Board therefore i-ented
rooms, as had previously been done, in different parts of the town. Those rooms
were generally inconvenient, badly lighted, warmed and ventilated, and so situated
that any accurate classification or gradation was inipi'acticablc. The teachers,
remote from eatdi other, had few opportunities for personal intercourse, comparison
or mutual improvoBnent. In 1845 thirteen schools were sustained for three months
and sixteen for an average of five months each, all being suspondeil from the third
until the twentyfirst of July. The amount paid for teachers' salai'ies was $1,499.34.
The whole number of pupils enrolled was about one tluju.sand, the average attend-
ance about five hundred. The expense for the tuition of each scholar was ahout
$1.50, and the cost of the tuition of each scholar in actual attendance during
the year, $3.00.
At the spring election of 184G J. R. ThoMijison an.l S. E. Wright were reelected
directors, and the question of a tax for hnilding schoolhouscs was carried by a
35
546 History of the City or Columbus.
vote of 776 to 323. At a meeting on February 25, 1846, the Board or.lered that
tlie scliools should resume their sessions on the first Monday of April of that year;
that five male and eight female teachers should be employed, at fifty dollars for the
first, and thirty dollars for the last named, per quarter; and that J. B. Thompson
be authorized to provide the schools with fuel. James Cherry was delegated to
furnish the schoolrooms with stoves for heating. The Board appointed P. B. Wil-
cox and James Cherry to report plans and estimates for new schoolhouses. They
recommended that three onestory buildings, modeled after some "Lancastrian"
schoolhouses in the East should be built. This recommendation being approved,
the City Council levied a tax of $7,500 for the proposed buildings, three of which
were located on the sites purchased in 1839. One of these three, called the South
Building, was located on the northeast corner of Mound and Third streets; the
Middle Building on Third Street near Rich ; and the North Building on the
Southeast corner of Long and Third. 'These buildings were completed in Juno,
1847. They were each 187-| feet long and twentyfour feet wide. Each contained
six rooms fourteen feet in depth. The end and two middle rooms were each about
twentytwo by twentynine feet ; the remaining two were each about eighteen by
thirtytwo feet, in lateral dimensions. The two entrance doors each led into a hall
extending along the side of the middle rooms of each half of the building, with
doors opening from it into three schoolrooms. The windows were susjiended 03'
weights ; the ceilings were provided with ventilators and the rooms were heated
by stoves. The middle room of each half of the building was designed for the
large pupils, or grammar grade, and the others for the pi-imary and secondaiy
schools. The primary school rooms were furnished with single scats fastened to
the floor and receptacles for books and slates between each two pupils. Tlie
secondary and grammar school rooms were furnished with seats and desks accom-
modating two scholars each; they were made of poplar lumber stained and
varnished, and were comfortable, firm and "altogether respectiible " in appearance.
The amount invested by the city in these sites, buildings and furnishings was
about $14,000. The now buildings provided a hom« for and gave an air of respect-
ability to the public school system. The effect of this was favorable to the cause
of popular education both here and elsewhere. While the buildings did not con-
form to the suggestions of the Ridgway committee of 1838 as to " strict architec-
tural proportion" and the cupola, they did present "a neat, chaste front" and
interior forms possessing some degree of " classic beauty."
In June, 1846, the Board took measures to secure uniformity in the textbooks
used. They decided to continue the use of Webster's Elementary Speller,
Mitchell's Geographies, Ray's Arithmetics and Smith's Grammar, and adopted the
Eclectic Readers. The primary schools were, as a rule, conducted by female and
the more advanced ones by male teachers. The number of scholars enumerated in
1846 was 2,129. In their second annual report, dated April, 1847, the Board states
that fourteen teachers have been emj)loyed for four quarters. The greatest num-
ber-enumerated in any quarter was 912, and the largest average attendance 528.
They paid for salaries for teachei's $1,992.52; for rent, $40.25; for taking enumera-
tion, $10.00; other incidental expenses, $11.05; total expenditures, $2,053.82.
The I'ln-olliiu'ut \v;i,s iii.n'i' tliaii oik
dollars each. "Tlio cx-]iciiso was a li
tlailj- attendance during the year. "
To ('olunibiis belongs the distint
drill ol' l'ul>lie Sclioi>ls in the Stat(
the del
thoiisai
tllo h-ss
rs lor eaci
1 of haviiii:; omido^-ed the first Superinten-
Having ibund it impossible to give "the
to the schools and to the management of
of a school system for the city," the Board
of E liieation cast about for tiie best me.ins of secur-
ing supervision. After consultation with Hon.
Henry Bai-nard, of Rhode Island, Hon. Samuel Gal-
loway, Secretary of State, and other distinguished
fi'ionds of education, the Board decided to create the
oilier ot Superintendent, and in January. 1-147,
largely upon t! e recommendation of Mi'. I>arnard,
elected Asa D. Lord, M. D., late PVincipal of the
Western Jieserve Teachers' Seminai'y in fiake
Coiintv, to the position. Mr. Ijord assumed the
(liilirs'of his oflice May 15, 1847. About this time,
11) solicitation of Ohio educators, Hon. Henry
Barnard visited the State to aid in ])romoting the
cause of popular education therein, and spent two
^^^ ^^ ^,^i_^^ weeks at the capital as the guest of Hon. John W.
Andrews.
Doctor Asa D. Lord, the first Superintendent of Puhlic Schools of Columbus,
was born in Madi-id, St. Lawrence Count}', New York, June 17, 1810. He taught
his first school at the age of sixteen, and in 1889 accepted the position of Principal
of the Western Ifescrve SemiTiary, at Kirtlund, Ohio, which was one of the first, if
not the very first, of the normal schools of the United States. In lS4r$ he organ-
ized the first teachers' institute in Ohio at Kirtland, from whence he was called to
Columbus. Here he inaugurated the first graded scIkjoIs in the State. He sei'ved
as editor of the Ohio School Journal, the School Friend, the Public School Ailrocitte
and the Ohio Journal of Education. While at Kirtland he took his degree in
medicine. In 18(i3, having completed a course in theology, he was licensed to
preach by the Presbytery of Franklin. He was styled "one of the pioneers and
masterbuildcrs in the educational enterprises of Ohio." He maile the Ohio Insti-
tution for the Blind, of which he was for several years the Superintendent, "an
honor and a blessing to the State." In 1868 he was called to the superintendency
of a similar institution in Batavia, New York, which jiosition he held until his
death in 1874. His memory is inseparably connccird with the scliool history of
Columbus.
During Doctor Lord's incumbency as Superintendent, from May 15, 1847, to
February 25, 1854, the board entrusted to the Superintendent a general oversight
of the schools, the examination of applicants for employment as teachers, the
arrangement of the course of study and instruction, and the supervision, as
Principal, of the High School. For his first years services he received $(il)(»,
548 History of tfie City op Columhus.
of wliicli sum $'[M\ was paid bj' a publiespii-itoil cilizon. The first official ai-t of
the Sii]>ei-iiileiident was tiiat of assisting- iu "tlio oxaniiiiation of caiulidales for tlio
position of toachcr. The Board of Examiners, of which the Superintendent was
chairman, adopted from the first the plan of using printed questions and requiring
written answers in connection with an oral examination. At the beginning of the
school year 1847 the following teachers were employed : North Building,
I). C. Pearson, Principal, Misses Larina Lazelle, Eoxana Stevens and A. N. Stod-
dart ; Middle Building, Charles J. Webster, Principal, Miss Catherine Luniney, Miss
Eoda Sinnel, Doctor and Mrs. A. D. Lord, Miss B. Fally ; South Building, Orlando
Wilson, Principal, S. S. Rickly (German teacher), Emily J. Eicketts. To this list
four more teachers were added during the first year. The principals were paid $400
per annum, the other male teachers less; the female teachers received $140 per
annum. Before the commencement of the schools the teacherselect were assembled
as a class and instructed as to the proper mode of organizing, classifying and govern-
ing schools, together with the best method of teaching and illustrating the studies.
The new schoolhouses were first opened July 21, 1847, and primary, secondary and
grammar grades were organized in each building. At the beginning of the term
fourteen teachers were employed, during the second quarter sixteen and during the
last quarter seventeen, besides the Superintendent. The average cost of tuition and
supervision for each of the 1750 scholars enrolled was $2.07, and for the 798 in daily
attendance during the year $4.53 each.
The popularity and growth of the schools surpassed expectation. The need of
11 High Scho'>! for years to come had not been anticipated. So long had the people
been accustomed to rely on private schools for instruction in all the higher branches,
and so few who were able to patronize such schools had ever made a practice of send-
iiig their children to free schools, that it was assumed that there would be no
iinino(li:ite demand for such a dci)artmont. However, soon alter the new buildings
wii-u occupied, applications began to be made for the admission of scholars already
100 far advanced to be profited by the grammar schools, and it was perceived that
unless insti-uction could bo fuiiiished to such it would be impossible to secure
in behalf of the system the favor and cooperation of many citizens and taxpayers.
On September 22, 1847, announcement was made in one of the daily papers that the
Higli School de])artment of the public schools would be opened in the west room of
the Middle Building on that date, and that in this apartment instruction would be
given in the higher English branches, mathematics and the Latin and Greek
languages. The advanced pupils had evidently not been turned away but had been
organized into classes and instructed in the branches mentioned. These classes con-
stituted, in substance, a High School, but this department was not officially
organized until two months later. Soon after the commencement of the second
quarter the west room in the Middle Building was apj^ropriated by the Board for
the instruction of advanced scholars under the immediate charge of the Superin-
tendent for half of each day, while Mrs. Lord, who was an invaluable coworker with
her husband, taught the school during the remainder of the time. Thus in
November, 1847, the High School was formally established.
TiiK Schools. II. 54!)
For .sumo tiinu the proi)riety of niiikiiig tlie Higli School iui intognil ])iii't of
the .suliool sj-stem was carefully dcliherated by the Board. The concluHions
reached wore: 1. That such a department was irecessar}- in order to give the coui'se
of instruction its requisite completeness, system and eificiency and to enable it to
meet public expectation; 2, that the difference in the average cost of tuition
inclusive or exclusive of a High School was very trifling compared with the influ-
ence and efficiency imparted to the whole system by such a department; 3, that
without such a school the advanced scholars could not be properly instructed
without neglecting the majority of the school ; 4, that there was not a citj- in the
Union with flourishing schools, which did not possess or contemplate such a depart-
ment; and 5, that while more than a hundred towns and cities had established
such a ilepartnicnt, not one had abandoned it after trj-ing the experiment. Such
are some of the considerations which induced the Board of Education to make tiie
High School a permanent part of the sj-stem, by which steji a more influential
])atronagc was obtained.
A systematic and consecutive course of study was prescribed. The re(juired
time for completing the course of study in the lower grades was from two to three
years and in the High School four years. Pupils from five to seven years of age
wore assigned to the primary department; from seven to ten, to the secondary
grade ; those over ten to the grammar grades, and those over twelve, who were
prepared for it, to the High School, in which, during the year 1848, an English
and classical course was arranj^ed. The studies of the lower grades comprised
exercises in elementary language sounds, spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic —
mental and written — geography with globe and Outline maps, and English gram-
mar. In all tiie schools instruction was given in the meaning and use of words,
the elements of geometry and in vocal music.
The English course in the High School included the sciences and was fully
equal to that of the best academies. The classical course was more extensive than
was then required for the preparation of college students. During its second term
this school became so large that the Covert building, now Mrs. J. J. Person's
residence on Town Street, was rented for it, and the school was opened in that
building on Wednesday, April 19, 1848. S. S. Rickly began service as an assistant
teacher June 5, 1848. Ho taughtabout one year, and on April 3, 1849, was succeeded
by E. D. Kingslej-. From Maj', 1849, until some time in the following winter the
High School occupied the basement of the Reformed Church on Town Street at the
present site of the Haj-es Carriage Works. From thence it returned to the Covei't
Building, where it remained until the completion of tiie State Street building in
1853, in which it found a home for nine years. Twontyfive pupils attended the
High School during the first quarter, thirtytlireo the second and fifty the tiiird.
For some time the Superintendent visited the schools several times per week,
and after the organization of the High School at least once a week, for the pur-
]ioso of aiding the scholars, establishing proper order and discipline and inciting
due diligence. For the purpose of awakening deeper interest in the schools a
scries of juvenile concerts was given during the I'all and winter of 1^47 in the
largest churches of the city.
550
History of the City of Columbus.
One school for partly colored children had been sustained since the passage of
the act of 1839, and was still maintained with about fifty scholars who were
instructed at an expense of about three dollars each. Two such schools were
sustained in 1853.
From the organization which took place under the law of 1838 to 1845 one
and perhaps more German schools had been maintained as a part of the public
system. In 1845 there were two German-English schools, and at the beginning of
Doctor Lord's administration three, occupying the South Building and a rented
-LI&RARy R""/«\-
rJT- FA,CMRP4 fAy-ARC/1TS-ASS''CIATED-
LIIIKARY ROOM, FUliLIC SCHOOL LU!KAKY.
room. In 1850 the three schools of this character had an enrollment of 207
scholars.
From the first, teachers were required to attend at the room of the Superin-
tendent three hours every Saturday morning for review of all tlie studies taught
and for instruction as to tuition, government and discipline. In addition to this
the teachers formed a society for mutual iinjirovcment which met biweekly. The
visitation of teachers by one another during schooltinie for ]jrofit by mutual sug-
gestion and observation was requested by the Board. Besides these moans of
improvement the teachers attended county institutes which were held in April.
TiiK SniudLs. II. 551
At tlie uloso of llio tirsl year of Doctor Lord's superintondciicy, the Houril
spoke with ])leasure of tlie grout change that had taken i)lace in public sentiment
in regard to tlie schools, and of the fiiithful services of the Superintendent and
teachers, the schools having " succeeded beyond their highest expectations." The
following official statement of Samuel Galloway, Secretary of State, e.v, officio State
Superintendent of Common Schools, is of interest as coming from a man who, with
favorable opiiortunities, closely watched the indications of school |)rogress;
As evidence of the improvement which may, by appropriate exertions, be realized, and
as deservedly complimentary to those who have conducted and sustained the laudable enter-
prise, it may be stated that an intelligent citizen of this State who recently visited the public
schools of this city remarked that their organization, mode of instruction and advantages
were superior to those which he had seen or in which he had been educated in his native
New Englan<l state.
The Superintendent's salary wa.s increased to $800 in 1848 and to f 1,000 in 184'J.
In 1848-9 the average cost of tuition in all the schools for each of the 1,SU0
instructed was 82.80; for those in actual daily attendance, $5.37. The cost of
tuition in the Iligh School was $18.60; in the grammar schools, $7.80 ; in the
secondary-, $4.15 ; and in the primary, $2.87. The price of tuition in private
schools varied from ten to forty dollars per year. In December, 1850, evening
schools were opened in each of the districts under the instruction of teachers of
the grammar schools, and were attended by one hundred and tiftvthree scliolars,
varying in age from twelve to thirtytwo.
The High School teachers and their salaries in 1S50-1 were as follows: Asa
D. Lord, $1,000; Almon Samson, $700; AnnaC. Mather, $400. The grammar
school teachers were, D. C. Pearson, $500; William Mitchell, $500 ; John Ogdon,
$500. Secondary teachers. Misses M. L. Wheeler, $225.50; J. E. Welles, $225.47,
S. J. Hull, $225.45 ; M. B. Robertson, $225.52 ; H. S. Gregory, $225.4^, and H. S. far-
ter, $225.49. Primary teachers, Mi^. VV. F. Westervelt, $225.63 ; Misses M. Bunker,
$225.60; C. E. Wilcox, $225.47; S. S. Miner, $225.48; Amelia IS^^ner, $225.55;
P. H. Brooks, $225.46, and Mary Sawhill, $225.56; Mrs. M. J. Ogden, $225.54.
German-English teacher, Peter Johnson, $400.60; Gustavus Schmeltz, $300.51 and
Christian Pape, $300.96.
In 1851, N. Doolittle, Secretary of the Board of Examiners, reported that the
schools had been constantly rising in public favor and confidence. The Super-
intendent had guarded them, he said, with a parent's care and his judicious
management and unwearied vigilance had eminently contributed to their ])ros-
peritj-.
The enrollment in all the schools for the eight years from 1847 U, 1S55 was,
res])ectively, 1,750, 1,800, 2,000, 2,000, 1,691, 2,400,2,483, 2,800; the average
enrollment for these years being sevcntyfour per cent, of the average enumeration.
The number of teachers increased from seventeen to twentysevon and the annual
expenditure from about $5,000 to $23,000. Prior to 1850 the annual school
tax, exclusive of the sum paid to the State fund, was less than one mill per dollar on
the taxable valuation. In January, 1851, the German-English schools, four in nura-
552 History of the City op ConiMiius.
ber, had an cin-olliiient of 316 and an average daily attondauce of fifty each.
Their classification was improved.
On November 7, 1851, tlie Board purchased a lot on Fourth and Court streets,
93 X 120 feet, valued at $2,000, and erected thereon in 1852 a frame onestory build-
ing, 32 by 70 feet, at a cost of $3,000. The German-English schools veere removed
to this building during the winter of 1852-3.
The present site of the Sullivant School building was purchased in 1852,
and upon it a plain brick building, 60 by 70 feet, three stories and basement,
was erected. Its estimated cost was fifteen thousand dollars. To this building the
High School, which had been previously taught in the Academy on Town Street,
was removed in 1853. , These two buildings accommodated seven hundred scholars.
In 1854-5 the instruction at the High School embraced a full English course,
a business course and an academic course.
The twentythree schools taught during the last year of this administration
were, one High School, three grammar schools, seven secondary, seven primary,
three German English, and two colored. In the course of tlic year two additional
schools — one secondary and one colored — were opened. Besides the Superinten-
dent, there were employed Ihirtj-two teachers, eight of whom were males and
twentyfour females. In January, 1854, the Superintendent's salary was increased
from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars. Salaries of other teachers were
raised in proportion. The total expense of each pupil during the year 1853-4 was
as follows : High School, $17 ; grammar school, $13 ; secondary, $7 ; primary, $6 ;
grammar, $7; colored, $8. The rules adopted for school government were admirable,
as the following extracts will show:
It shall be the constant aim of the teachers to secure the greatest possible amount of
thoroughness and accuracy in scholarship on the part of each pu|Hl ; to this end they shall
be careful not to propose leading questions, or employ in their questions the language to be
used in answering them, and not to question classes regularly in the same order ; they sliall
adopt as far as possible, the plan of reciting by topics, and of prepRring written atistracts of
the lessons ; they shall con.stantly aim at cultivating in their pupils the habit of selfreliance,
of looking for the meaning of everything studied, of comprehending ideas rather than mem-
orizing words, and of expressing their ideas clearly, correctly and elegantly ; and should
never allow them to think they understand a subject till they can explain it clearly and intel-
ligently to others.
The teachers will be expected to improve favorable opportunities for communicating
prudential and moral in.struetion, to pay special attention to the physical, social and moral as
well as the intellectual habits of their pupils, to exert over them an elevating and refining
influence, and to inculcate both by precept and example the importance of purity, integrity
and veracity, and of habits of industry, order, cleanliness and propriety of deportment.
The High School graduated its first class in December, 1851, and by the
authority of the Board issued diplomas to the graduates atid honorary certificates
to scholars who had completed a course of two or three years. The graduating
exercises were held in the Eeformed Church on Town Street. They elicited the
following newspaper comments:
A large number of our citizens liave this week had an opportunity of attending the
examination and exercises of our public schools under the superintendence of Doctor Lord,
TiiK Schools. II,
553
and we but R'port the genenil voice wliL-n we say it has been with hi^h gratification and
admiration of tlie zeal and ability of the teachers and the progress of the scholars. . . . On Tues-
day evening we attended the exhibition of the schools connected with the High .School at the
Reformed Church on Town Street. The capacious building was completely and densely filled.
The exercises were of an interesting character and well calculated to gratify the teachers, the
Board of Education and the friends of thescholarsth;it took
part in these exercises. We cannot close this article without
commending the arduous labors of our city Board of Edu-
^.^^^ cation in their efforts to make our public schools what
■"^^^ ■ they are. The citizens of Columbus owe them a debt of
^^^^^^^ gratitude that they can never pay. Among the number
'9^'||H^^ '^* us designate one. the Hon. James L. Bates. His address
I ''^S^^^F '° ^^*' g'"2duating class on Tuesday evening was one of the
"■zS^^^^ happiest and most impressive things we have ever listened
^^NSjH^^^ to in that line; and his remarks in favor of the public
^^M^k ^^^^^^^^^ schools of the city to the audience at the close were excei-
^^H^^fll^^^^^^H We every parent in the city could have listened
In acceptinjr Dr. Lord's resignation as Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction on Februiiry 24, 1854,
the Boaril of Education adopted resolutions liiglil.y
eulogi.stic of the efficiency and usefulno.ss of his
services.
David P. Mayhew, second Superintendent of the Columbus schooi.s, was a
native of Now York State, and graduated in 1838, from Union College. From
18.39 to 1852, he was Principal of Lowville Academy. His services with the
schools of Columbus began February 25, 1854, ami ended with his resignation
July 10, 1855. During the next ten years he filled tiie chair of Cheinistr}' and
Physics in the Michigan State Normal School at Ypsilanti, of which institution he
was President from 1866 to 1871. His death took place in 1887. Under his
administration the schools were opened August 21, 1854, and closed for the school
year on June 30, 1855. They included three grammar, eight secondary', nine
primary, three German and three colored schools and the High School. Night
schools under the direction of the Board of Education were also maintained. Rev.
Daniel Worley was appointed Doctor Lord's successor as Principal of tiie High
School, but resigned November 13, 1855. J. Suffern was appointed as a s|iecial
teacher of music and Mr. Folsom of penmanship. These were the first special
instructors in those de])artments. Superintendent Mayhew gave much attention
to the improvement of the primary and secondary departments, particularly as to
methods of promotion, classification and conduct of recitations. On Ma^' 30, 1S55,
the Board ordered tiiat Webster's Dictionary be adopted as the standard. After
the four colored schools had been organized much zeal was shown by the colored
jieople in the education of their children, of whom 336 were etiumorated and 312
in attendance. These schools, of which two were on Gay Street, one on High
and one on Town, were taught by C. H. Langston, J. A. Thomp.son, T. N. Stewart
A. E
Full
c dui
In til
Ihcy.
e High School 150 pu])ils were enrol
in.l Ih
;igo
554
HrSTOEV OF THE CiTT OF COLUMBUS.
During the school year 1855-0, twentyseveii schools were taugiit. At the close
of the term in December, Rev. D. Worley severed his connection witii the High
School and John G. Stetson succeeded him as Principal. The enrollment was as
follows: High School, 159; grammar, 480 ; secondary, G0(j ; primary, 1,262 ; Ger-
miin, 539; colored, 300. The Principals were:
North Building, D. C. Pearson ; State Street, E. L.
Traver ; South Building, George C. Smith; Mound
Street, H. N. Bolander; Middle Building, Miss E.
Robertson. During the summer of 1856, the school
houses on Mound and Long streets were enlarged
by the addition of a twostory wing to each and by
putting another storj- on the middle portion. On
July 18, 1856, an additional lot was purchased for
the Mound Street school.
On July 10, 1855, Doctor Asa D. Lord, who had
resigned the year before to accept the position of
agent for the State Teacher.s' Association, was
reelected Superintendent. During his second admin-
istration more than the usual amount of time was
E. I). KIX(i.SI.EV. . , . . „ ,
spent in the examination of classes for ])romotion
and special improvement was made in reading, spelling and penmanship". The
schools for colored children were classified into two grades. Teachers' meet-
ings, which had been mostly omitted for some time, were resumed. On the sub-
ject of moral instruction, the Superintendent thus expressed himself:
Religions culture should not be entirely ignored in the schoolroom. Whatever
increases our reverence for the Supreme Being and our regard lor His word, whatever height-
ens our sense of obligation to Iliui and cherishes the desire to avoid His disapprobation and
secure His favor, whatever inclines us to do right because it is right, to do this in the dark
as in the light, may be regarded as connected with religious culture. The practice of reading
the Scriptures, of singing appropriate hymns and engaging in prayer, which has been pur-
sued by a majorit)' of the teachers has had a most excellent influence upon our schools and
perhaps done more than any other thing to secure order and obviate the necessity of a resort
to discipline.
Having accepted a call to the sujjerinteudency of the State Institution tor the
Blind, Doctor Lord retired from the superiiitendency of the Columbus schools.
He was indeed a masterbuilder in the educational enterprises of the city.
Erasmus D. Kingsley, A. M., third Superintendent of the Columbus schools,
was a native of Whitehall, New York, and was for one year Principal of the
Aurora Academy. In 1848 he graduated at the New York State Normal School
at Albany. In 1848-9 he was one of the teachers in the Columbus High School.
From the termination of that engagement until his return to Columbus he was
Superintendent of Public Schools at M;iricllii, Ohio. In ls54 ho received the
of iMastcr of Arts from Marietta College. His election to th
ipo
dciicy ol the public schools of Columbus took place July 11, 1856. He fillei
position for nine years.
TllK SriHml.s, II. 555
111 185(i tlie five scliool buildings owiieil l>y the eily were that orocLed in 1853
on State Street, the north, middle and south buildings, and the German school-
house on Fourth and Court streets. Atlded to these were rented buildings, niak-
ing the whole number of school rooms in use thirtyeix. On July 18, 1856, an
additional lot beside that occupied by the German school on the corner of Fourth
Street and Strawberry Alley was purchased for S49t). On February 25, 1857, the
Board purchased a lot adjoining that occupied by the South Building and now ^ /f' i/
forming part of the present Rich Street site. A large lot in Medwiy's Subdivision, ^v^^^C****
now formin<r the site of the Douglas School, was bought about the same time.
On March 20, 1858, the Board jiurcliased lot Number 045 on the corner of Long
and Fourth streets, then valued at $2,500. The school house sites were at that
time estimated to be worth §33,700, and the school buildings, $32,000. In 1859 the
Middle Building was declared unfit for use, and in 1860 a plain, twostory brick
structure of .''even rooms was erected in its stead at a cost of $15,000. This was
the third generation of school buildings on that site, and represents the prevail-
ing style of architecture at that period. At the suggestion of Superintendent
Kingsley it was provided with cloakrooms. This building served as a model for
those afterwards erected on Third and Sj-camoro streets, on Spring Street, on
Second Avenue, on Park Street, and on Fulton Street.
In 1859 the Board of Education purchased of Trinity Church for $8,820 a lot
99x200 on the southeast corner of Broad and Sixth streets, inclusive of a stone
foundation wliicli had been laid on the jiremiscs in 1856. On this foundation,
originallj- intended as the substructure of a church, the Board erected the main
part of the present High School building in 1860-61 This building, opened for
use at the ensuing autumn term, was at the time considered an architectural orna-
ment to the city. From the northwest corner of its main part, 60x200, rose a
tower one hundrcil and fifty feet in height. The first floor comprised the Superin-
tendent's i-oom, in the towei-, three large school rooms, a laboratory and an
apparatus room. On the second floor were three school rooms, a library and a
rcaiiing room. On the third floor a large room for chapel exercises and an
audience room were arranged. The l)uilding cost $23,400, and accommodated
about three hundred pupils. A few years later some contiguous ground was pur-
chased and two additions to the building were nuide.
During Mr. Kingsley's administration the number of buildings belonging to the
Board increased to twelve; the number of school rooms from thirtysix to fiflyseven
and the number of teachers from twenty.seven to sixtythroe; the number of school-
age youth from 4,366 to 7,759, and the enrollment from 2,881 to 4,148 in 1864.
Notwithstanding the distractions of the Civil War, the average <laily attendance
increased from fiftyoiie per cent, in 1S56-7 to s<!ventyfive i)er cent, in IS(;4-5, and
fiflyone per cent, a year later.
In 1856-7 the Board had under its supervision iwentylwo Knglish, tour
German- and three colored schools. Of the fort}- teachers employed, ten were
males. Special teacher^ were engaged for classes in German, French, i)eiima;ishi|)
and music. The German language was taught in the High School by C. E. Boyle,
and music in all the schools by S. 15. IMiipps. The teacher of writing was
556
History of the City of Columbus.
Mr. Rittenberg; of French, Adolph Mott. In 1859 the Principals were: High
School, Horace Norton; grammar, State Street Building, A. W. Train; North
Building, Osmer W. Fay; Middle Building, J. B. Peck; South Building,
G. W. Hampson ; German schools, H. N. Bolaiider; colored schools. J. A.
Thorn|)Son Tiic buildings, -moic at th it tunc ciowdcd to tlicu utmost capacity.
The total attend URC numbcicd 2 000 childieti of whom ih8 wcic in the German
schools and 120 in the colored. During Mr. Kingsloy's administration the rules
governing the schools were made more amjde and ex2)licit and the courses of
TiiK Sciii.,.i,s. II. ^57
study were revised. The classiticaiion was <liaiin-i'il fVoiii lour tn fivo (Icpartinciits,
designated primaiy, sefondary, intcniutliato, •;i-anunar and lii.i^ii. 'i'lic irroiiiidN
appurtenant to the liuildings were ciilai'god and so divided as to ])rovide separate
pla^-grounds for llic sexes, wliieli were also sepai-ated in the High School. Pro-
grammes designating the hours of study and the daily exercises were prepared for
the use of teachers, and sjicciai ]iaiiis wnc lakon to secure uniformity in the
studios of each grade. Natural nu'tluids of instiuction were adopted and special
attention was given to the elementary branches, particularly reading and spelling.
The office of principal of the schools of the disti-ict, or building, was created. In
1856 Mr. Kingsley introduced the word method of instruction in reading. This
method he thus defined :
Instead of commencing with the aliili.ibet, the child is taught at once a few easy and
significant words from cards or blackboard; these words are then combined into short and
simple sentences. The scholars are required to reproduce each lesson on their slates as an
exercise in spelling, and to impre.'s the words more firmly on their minds. The parts that
compose the words are frequently dwelt upon and by such means the child learns tlie force
of letters better than in any other way. The names of the letters can soon be taught by
occasionally calling the attention of the scholars to them as they occur in words. It
has been the universal testimony of teachers that by the word method in a single term
children can be taught to read fluently in easy reading. The only practical use of spelling is
the proper arrangement of the letters that enter into the construction of words in written
composition. The old routine mode of teaching by pronouncing columns of words to be
spelled orally failed to secure the desired end. There is no certainty that scholars who have
been taught to spell orally, correctly, can write the same words without making mistakes,
but it is certain that those who spell correctly in writing will be prepared, if necessary, to
spell audibly ; hence, written exerci.ses should be mainly relied upon in teaching. Oral spell
ing is simply a tax of the memory ; wriiten exercises in spelling are mental and mechanieal,
and correspond with practice in after life.
Pupils entering the primary grades were i'c([uired to furnish themselves
with slates and pencils. From llie organization of the schools undei- Doctor Loi-d,
it had been the custom to invite committees of citizens to visit them, assist in the
examinations and make reports to the Board. Tho course in music was by order
of the Board confined to the grammar, intermediate and secondary schools, and
the music instructor, Mr. Phi|)ps, was provided with a room at each of the bui'd-
ings where ho had the same control of his pupils as that exercised by other teacii-
ers. The average age of the pupils in 1857, was thus stated : Primary, seven and
onefiflh years; Secondary, eight and fivcninths 3-ears; Intermediate, eleven and
onefourth years; Grammar, thirteen and onehalf years ; High School, sixteen
years; average in all the departments, eleven years.
In 1858, Mr. Josejjh Sullivant, a devoted and useful promoter of the educational
interests of the city, procured for the High School, at great personal sacrifice of
time and effort, a wellselected collection of apparatus to illustrate the principles of
natural science, including Oberhauscr's achromatic compound micr08C0))e, a solar
and oxyhydrogen microscope, Atwood's machine illustrating laws of gravitation,
working models of the electric telegraiih, an extensive set of electrical apparatus,
a powerful magic lantern, and various other interesting articles.
558 History op the City op Coiatmbos.
Nii^lit schools and toaciiers' meetings wore maintained throughout this admin-
istration, wiiich was a period of steady growth and prosperity, signalized by
increased patronage and improved equipments. In 1861, George E. Twiss suc-
ceeded T. H. Little as Principal of the Third District.
Until 186-1, the members of the Board were elected on
a general ticket by the whole city, but in that year a
special act, drawn by J. J. Janney, was passed changing
the time of election and authorizing each ward to choose
a member of the Board. The first election by wards in
pursuance of this law took place April 11, 1864, and the
Board thus chosen organized in the ensuing May by
electing Frederick Fieser as its President and H. T.
Chittenden as its Secretary. E. D. Kingsley was at the
same time reelected Superintendent and Jonas Hutchin-
son was chosen as Principal of the High School. Hon.
Thomas W. Harvey, then of Massillon, was elected
Superintendent of the Columbus schools on July 10, 1865,
WILI.I.4M MITCHELL. ^yt declined the appointment.
William Mitchell, A. M., fourth Superintendent of the Columbus Public Schools,
elected September 11, 1865, was educated at the Ashland (Ohio) Academy, under
Lorin Andrews, and received the degree of Master of Arts from Kenyon Col-
lege. Prior to his teaching service here he had been Superintendent of Schools
at Fredericktown, Norwalk and Mt. Vernon. In 1862 he entered the National
Volunteer Army at the head of a company. In the position of Superintendent of the
Columbus schools he sei-ved six years. Subsequently he practised law in Cleveland
and removed from thence to North Dakota, where he was elected State Super-
intendent of Public Instruction and died in March, 1890.
Until 1867 one of the members of the Board of Education served as its
Treasurer, but in that year a special act was passed by virtue of which the
Treasurer of the County became ex officio Treasurer of the School District.
Under Captain Mitchell's administration, as had been the case before, the
school buildings were overcrowded ; accordingly, additional grounds were pur-
chased. These acquisitions in 1866 comprised three lots on the northwest
corner of Park and Vine streets, and one on the corner of Third and Sycamore.
On each of these tracts a brick building costing about $15,700 was erected. In
1867 six lots on the northeast corner of Spring and Neil streets and five on East
Fulton Street were purchased at a cost, in each case, of about five thousand
dollars. In 1868 a building was completed on each of these tracts, the whole cost
being $34,000. These four buildings were all patterned after that on Rich Street,
They were of two stories, plain, and contained besides an oflSce and a recitation
room, three school rooms each.
In 1870 the old State Street building was condemned and iii 1871 the Sullivant
building, so named in honor of Joseph Sullivant, who had done so much for the
cause of education in the city, was erected at a cost of $68,992.27. It is an impos-
ing structure and was the beginning of another era in local school architecture
TiiK Sci .s. II. 5r.n
altliou.i,'li iiol. i'xcv|il ill si/.o. siili.se(|iuMi(ly jiathTiKMl allrr iii,,llici- l.iiildiiiLcs. Ii
i-oritaiiKHl originally ninotoi'ii nioms iiuliHiinn; oiu' lor ivuo|itioii and an (illin".
Two playrooms were iiroviilid in ilir liasinunt. Tlic liirnisliinirs, wliicli wfi'c
very compiote, included an eloctrical clurk and a sysloin of'sii^nals I'l-Dni tlio jn'lii-
cipal office to tlio other rooms — a coTitiMVanio coii.sti'ucled iiiider llio diriMliiiri ol'
Professor T. C. Montlenliall, who was at that time Icachin;^ in ihu High S(dii»il.
The Central Gorman building, corner of Fulton and Foiirlli, was coin|iUtcd the
same year; cost, S17,t)Sl. It. Tlnis, within the six years of Ca|.t;iiii iMiichcll's
administration, six buildings with an aggregate seating capacity of aljoiit three
thousand, were erected; aggregate cost, $174, r)HI). 27. This increased the iininher
of buildings from ten to nineteen and more than doubled the rooms available.
The school enumeration in 18G5 was S,21(i ; in 1.S71 it was 10,117. The aver-
age daily attendance iTicreased meanwhile from 2,773 to 8,70.). From $79,780.78
in ISfifi,. the annual expenditures increased to $140,22!). 95 six 5-ears later. This
shows that the educational progress of the city kept abreast with its material
growth. In 1865-6 the number of children instructed was 4,087; in 1870-1 it was
5,083 — in each case over fifty per cent, of tlio enumeration. The numhei' of
teachers increased during this time from sixtyfive to ninetyfive. In 1S69 the
city was divided into nine school districts. The schools were still classified into
five grades, with a grammar department, when practicable, in each subdistrict.
The school year, beginning on the first Monday in September, comprised three
terms aggi-egating forty weeks. The rules and regulations were revised and in
large part remained unchanged for several years. The course of study was rear-
ranged, but still covered a period of nine years excepting the High School course.
These nine grades were designated as Lower and Higliei' Primarj-, Lower and
Higher Secondary, Lower and Higher Intermediate, and C, B and A grammai'.
The High School course of four years comprised the Freshman, .Sophomore, Junior
and Senior Departments. The textbooks then in use were Webb's Word Method,
McGuttej-'s Readers, De Wolf's Speller, Guyofs Geography, Stoddard's Arithmetics,
Quackenbos's English Grammar .ind Rhetoric, Schnabel's Erstes Deutsches Sprach-
buch, Berthlet's and Adler's German Readers, Goodrich's United States His-
tory, Worcester's General History, Youman's Chemistry, Gray's Botany, Ray's
Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Spalding's English Literature, Woodbury's
German Grammar and various textbooks in the languages. The methods of instruc-
tion were those most approved by the leading educators of the time. Children under
six years of age were not received, although the legal school age was not raised from
five to six years until four years later. Special attention was given to school dis-
cipline and government. Contemptuous language, passionate reproof and the imposi-
tion of additional tasks as a penalty were held to be improper modes of punishment,
and teachers were admonished that their fitness would be judged in great measure
by their ability to maintain goo<l disciiiline by mild measures and gentle influences.
Success in government took rank lielbi-e length of .service or variety of scientific
acquirements.
Guided by such enlightened sentiments, the teachers sought opportunity for
professional improvement, regularly attended the teachers' meetings, collected libra-
560 History of the City of CoiaiMiuTs.
rios .111(1 cdopcraU'iI zealously and hiirmoniously with the Siiperiiiteii(lont and the
Boanl. Corporal puiiishmont averat^ed one case in a school of fifty every twenty-
five days; tardiness avcra<;cd one case to one hundred and twenty days of attend-
ance; the truancj- record showed one case to every thii'tecn pupils enrolled. Only
sixtyfour scholars wei'c re])oi-ted to the Superintendent for infractions of the rules.
" Comjiared with ionner years," says the Superintendent, "these items, though
quite too large, show a satisfactory- falling off." The final examinations of each
year were as far as possible written. Advances from class to class and from grade
to grade were made on the ground of scholarship simply, but honorable promo-
tion could take place at any time on the ground of good conduct united with good
scholarship. The names of all pupils found worthy of honorable promotion were
inscribed on a Table of Honor. Pupils whose general standing reached ninety per
cent, or over were exempt from examination. A general standing of at least
ninety per cent, was a necessary condition to honorable promotion. Pupils whose
general standing was below sixty per cent, were classified without examination in
the next lower grade except that when such low standing was due to protracted
illness the scholar could be examined and passed with his class on condition.
Pupils whose general standing was between sixty and ninety per cent, were
examined and obliged to make an average of seventy per cent, or be sot back to
the next grade below.
Frederick Fieser, President of the Board in 1869, called attention to the
fact that the school attendance was proportion.ately larger in Columbus than in
any other city of the State, and in his annual report of the same year the Super-
intendent said: 'There is no city in the State nearly equal in size to Colum-
bus whijch has in its High School an enrollment and attendance as large in propor-
tion to the enrollment and attendance in the other grades."
Superintendent Mitchell resigned August 25, 1868, and S. J. Kirkwood was
elected to succeed him, but Professor Kirkwood declined and thereupon Mr.
Mitchell was reelected at a largely increased salary.
Prior to 1871 the buildings in which the colored schools were conducted were
unsuitable both in character and in situation, but the active efforts of a few leading
colored citizens, among whom were W. Ewing, W. H. Ronej^, James Poindexter,
Butler Taylor, J. T. Williams, James Hall, J. Freeland, J. Ward and T. J. Washing-
ton, brought the subject prominently before the public, and on May 23, 1871,
the Board of Education decided to reconstruct the school building on the corner of
Long and Third streets and assign it to the colored schools. At the suggestion of
Mr. Andrews it was designated as the Loving School, in honor of Doctor Starling
Loving, the member of the Board who had been the prime mover in its establish-
ment.
In the fifth and sixth districts, comprising the southern part of the city,
the children were taught to read German and afterwards English ; subsequently the
reading exercises comprised both languages. Theschoolsof the eighth district were
exclusively for colored children, whose thoroughness and rate of progress, said the
Superintendent, compared favorably with the achievements in the other schools.
Male principals were employed in each district which contained a large building, and
fx;]
were cliari^iMl with riilorccriu'iit nf the fcLjiihilicuis ni' llio Uoai'il. It. wms inadc llu'
(lutj- of eiicli priiiripiil l(. visit ail tlic rooms n,uWv liis ciiaryo at least lliroo times a
week ami aniioiiiice " l>y the i-in,i;;inf^ of the bell the hour of l)cgiiining and closiriif
school, recessosaml recitations." During tliis administration the average attendance
varied from foi-lyeiglit to filtyseveii per cent., and tiie average daily attendance
from sixlyfniir l,i seventylimr per cent, of the enrollment.
Itoherl \V, Stevenson, A. M., tlie fifth Superin-
tendent of the Colunibiis schools, was ii native of
Zancsville, Ohio. His election to that position took
place July IS, 1S71. lie liad previously performed
similar service at l>rcsilen and Norwallc, in this
took an active jiart in educational societies and
movements, and was a frequent contributor to the
'iirrent educational literature of the daj-. In 1889,
lie was appointeil Superintendent of Public Schools
at Wichita, Kansas, a position which he, at the
present time, continues to occuj)y. During his long
administration of the schools of this city, their devel-
opment in extent and usefulness was steady and
R. w. .sTEVKNsoN. K'"'f''''y'"ff- P^ov lo 1875, oiie of the members of
the Board of Education acted as its Secretary
From 1875 to 1885, Granville A. Frambes, who was Assistant Superintendent,
served also as Clerk of the Board, beginning with a salary of f 1,200, which was
increased to ?2,200. In 1885, O. B. D. Barron was elected Clerk at a salary of
$1,200, and now holds the position at a salary of $2,100.
By the extension of the corporate limitsof the city in 1S72, the following
school property came into the possession of the Board : Franklinton Building —
the Old Courthouse — total value $1,890 ; Mount Airy Schoolhouse ; Friend Street
Schoolhouse; Mount Pleasant Schoolhouse; North Columbus Schoolhouse, total
value, $3,620; South German Schoolhouse; North High Street Schoolhouse;
Johnstown Iload Schoolhouse ; East Broad Street Schoolhouse ; all of which except
the Franklinton Building were suburban. In 1873, the Fieser school building and a
twostory, fourroom building on East Main Street and Miller Avenue were erected.
In 1875, a fourroom addition to the Fieser school was built. The Douglas school,
fifteen rooms, was erected in 1876, and in the same year a sixroom addition was
made to the High School. Most of the large buildings were heated by steam and
supplied with water by the Holly system.
In August, 1879, the corner stones were laid of a twelveroom building on the
corner of Third and Mound streets, of a fourroom building on the site of the Old
Courthouse in Franklinton and of another fourroom structure on Northwood
Avenue and High Street. In 1882, the Loving School building was abandoned
and sold. The Garfield School building, on the southeast corner of Garfield and
Mount Vernon avenues, was built in 1881-2. In 1882, nearly all the schools were
provided with slate blackboards, and during the same year a tract of ground 187J
562 History of the City op Columbus.
feet square on the northeast corner of Front and Loni;; stroetR was ]iurch;ise(I at a
cost of $41,977.16. On the ground thus acquired a threrstdry liuildiiii;- which cost
$54,783 was erected in 1885. A tract nieasuring 145 x 2(i2^ t'cet on the corMcr of
Fifth Avenue and Highland Street was purchased June 3, 1SS4, and two years later
a threestory building of lifteen rooms was erected thereon at a cost of $46,676.48.
This was the last of the threestorj^ schoolhouses, the building committee of the
Board having made it plain that building.s of two stories were more convenient,
economical and conducive to health. The average cost per schoolroom of eighteen
of the principal school buildings of the city at that time was $3,200, while the
average cost per room of the threestory buildings was $3,560, and of the twostory
buildings $3,141. The entire school property controlled by the Board in 1886 had
an estimated value of $700,000. The Ruttan-Smead system of warming and venti-
lating was about this time introduced in several of the buildings ; most of them have
since been equipped with it.
On June 14, 1887, six lots extending from Reinhard Avenue to Siebert Street,
east of the City Park, were purchased for $3,600, and on the same date a site on
the southeast corner of Twentieth Street and Mount Vernon Avenue, 200 x 150
feet, was purchased for $5,500. On June 28, 1887, the Board pui-chased a site on
the corner of Eighth and Wesley avenues for $7,500, and in the following year a
twostory, tenroom building was erected on the Siebert Street ground and a twostorj',
fifteenroom building on Twenty third Street. In 1884 the Board of Education
created the office of Superintendent of Buildings, at a .salary of $1,200, and Henry
Lott was elected to that position. The office was abolished three years later, but
was again established in 1888, at which time it was conferred upon Frederick
Schwan at a salary of $1,800. In 1890 Schwan was succeeded by Frederick
Krumni.
During the eighteen years of Mr. Stevenson's administration the extent and
value of the school property of the city were largely increased and many improve-
ments were made in the equipments of the schools. The few oldfashioned double desks
which remained in the buildings in 1871 were soon displaced by single desks. The
amount expended for slate blackboards alone was, in 1882, $1,751.75. Much atten-
tion to the ventilation, lighting and sanitation of the buildings was given. Radical
changes in the oi-ganization were made. On July 12, 1871, a plan reported from
the Committee on Salaries was adopted by which the city was divided into three
school departments or districts, each to be composed of subdistricts, and a male prin-
cipal for each department and a lemale one for each subdistrict were provided for. E.
P. Vaile, Alfred Humphreys and C. Forney were elected supervising principals of
the three departments, among which the schools were divided as follows : 1, Park
and S^jring Street schools and the suburban ones in the northern part of the city;
2, the Sullivant school, the Middle Building and the schools of Franklinton and
"Middletown" (Fieser); 3, The South Building, the (jerman-Euglish schools
and the suburban ones in the ea.steru and southern portions of the city. A female
superintendent was placed in charge of each largo building, and the A-Grammar
classes which had been distributed among six buildings were united in three
classes, of which two were assitjued to the Sullivant and one to the Central Ger-
m:ui-En<!;lisli sc
which soon took jilai
Ml
llftWl
ll-'IKlll
Th
.. ..„ I -, ^1 oil
course of .study was tlioroiighly revised and its longtli reduced tVum Ihirteeii year
to twelve. The grades were designated as A, B, C and D Primary and A, H, (
and D Grammar. The elements of zoiilogy, botanj- and piij-sics were introduced
and in the sramtnar grades one hour p
weelc was devoted to oral
m^
^f^^
1
^i&^^Hiiiiiie^iii^i),)^^
:tii s[1i|-.
these sciences. To secure full and accurate statistics of the work jicrfornicd new
blanks for teachers' reports were pre]nired. In lieu of the jiraclice of iiuirkiug
daily recitations, periodical examinations were adopted. On the basis of these
examinations many promotions from lower to higher grades took place; the
standing shown by the examinations was considered in the ]ironiotioiis made at
the end of the year. Meetings of teachers for discussion and loiiiparixm \vi ic Ire-
r)(;4 History of the Oity of Coltimbus.
quont, Tlic salary of tlic Supcrintciulent was raised to §8,000; of (lie assislanls
to $1,500 cuc-h ; of the Principal of the Hi.jrh School to $2,000; of the i.riMcii):ils of
the Grammar and Primary departments from $800 to $1,000 ; of the other teachers
the salaries varied from $400 to $700, according to efficiency and experience. T. C.
Mendenhall, then teaching in the High School, gave, outside of school hours, a
course of triweekly lectures on physics for the benefit of the teachers. Visiting
committees whose duty it was to inspect the various grades to which they were
assigned at least once a month, and to attend and report upon the public examina-
tions, were appointed by the Boiird. The standard of proficiency required in the
High School was fixed at sixty per cent, as the minimum in any one study and at
seventy per cent, as a general average. The requirement for promotion from the
A-Grammar grade to the High School was fortyfive per cent, minimum and sixt^^
per cent, as the general average; in the B, C and D Grammar and the Primary
grades forty per cent, was the minimum and sixty the general average. As the
years passed, this standard was raised.
At the end of the school year 1872-3 Professor T. C. Mendenhall retired from
the High School to assume the duties of Professor of Physics in the Ohio Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College. Albert G. Fai-r, who had for several years
been associated with Professor Mendenhall in the High School, was elected teacher
of physics. Soon after the beginning of the school year 1873, C. F. Krimmel
resigned from the duties of Assistant Superintendent, which were thereupon
assumed by the Superintendent and his I'emaining assistants. Drawing and music
were made prominent features of the course of instruction, which was revised from
time to time according to the suggestions of experience. In accordance with sug-
gcslions from the Board, additional time was given to English literature and com-
jjosition, and courses denominated English, German-English, Latin-English and
Classical were provided for. The English course was one of three years; the
others contained English literature in their first and last years. In 1877 the three-
year and the classical courses were abandoned and the other two were combined
with elective studies and English through most of the curriculum. Ln 1884 Greek
was dropped from the High School and in 1885 a "business course " was adopted.
The German-English schools have always formed an integral part of the
Columbus system, of which they have constituted a proportion varying from one-
eighth to onefourth. Generously sustained, they have also been wisely directed
and have been patronized by many native American families on account of their
superior advantages for language study. TUoy send up to the High and Normal
schools pupils of unusual thoroughness in scholarship. In 1872 they were attended
by over fifteen hundred, and in 188G by more than three thousand scholars. They
were mostly located in the southern part of the city. The study of German was
permitted only on the request of parents and was found to be no hindrance but
rather an advantage in the completion of the English course. Institutes for the
teachers of the city began to be held in 1874 and were frequently visited by dis-
tinguished educators from abroad. A City Teachers' Association, organized in
October, 1880, was maintained for several years afterwards. In 1875 the super-
TiiK SiiiiHH.s. II. 51;.-)
vising ibix-c wiis reduced ijy lidding the duties oCtlic Clerk cpftlic lio.-ii-d of I'Mncii
tioii to those of the Assistant Superintendent.
At tlio request of the National Bureau of Edut'ation at Washington the IJuard
prepared an exhibit to represent the scliools of Cohinibus at the Vienna Exposi-
tion in 1S7S. For this purpose the manuscripts of the scholars in the monthly
examination of January, 1872, were bound in eleven volumes, each containing
about one thousand pages. For these papers and accompanying reports a diploma
of merit was awarded. At the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia in 1K76
the ('oluml)us schools were represented by an educational exhibit consisting of
twent3- volumes, eighteen of which wore wholly the work of the pupils. Each
volume contained about eight hundred pages. 15y invitation, an exhibit of draw-
ing from our schools was made at the New Orleans Exposition of 1884. Premi-
ums foi- the art work of pupils of the Columbus schools have frequcntlj- been
awanlccl at tlic Oliiii State Fair; the number of such premiums conferred at the
Fair >>i' iss:; was t wciitytoiir. During the same ye^ar specimens of art work from
our schools, in such number as to cover over one thousand square feet of wall
8i)acc, wei-e exhibited at an educational cx]insition hold at Madison, Wisconsin, and
elicited high commendation.
In 1874 a class of colored pupils applied for admission to the High School, and
all of the applicants who passed the examination were received. The next stej) in
the solution of this problem was to admit colored pupils to the schools for
white childi-en, which was done without difficult}- and with only one protest. The
third step was the distribution of the two higher Grammar grades of the separate
colored school to the buildings occupied by white children. By resolution of the
Board tlie Superintendent was instructed in 1881 to place all pupils in buildings in
the districts where they dwelt, and at the opening of the schools on Monday,
September 5, of that year, the colored people availed themselves of this privilege.
The principal of the Loving School had only four pupils in bis room ; one or two
other teachers had only a few. The final step in this movement was taken
Februarj^ 21, 1882, by the sale of the building which had been used exclusively for
colored children. This resulted in the distribution of all the colored j-oiith of
school age to the other buildings.
In 1883, in order to relieve the crowded condition of the High School, a branch
of that institution was established in the Second Avenue building with C. I). Everett
as Principal and Miss Rosa Hesse as assistant.
During this administration the number of schools increased from 100 to IDS;
the number of pupils in the High School from 211 to 652 ; the number in the
grammar grades from 1,714 to 3,G17; in the Primary, from 4,129 to 7,227 ; and the
number of teachers from 110 to 229. In 1881 Mr. A. G. Fan- severed his con-
nection with the High School, of which he was an alumnus, after a service of eleven
years. Mr. Abram Brown was reelected as Princii)al of the School, the general
progress of which, particularly in the department of physics, probably suiqiassed
that of any similar institution in the State.
Jacob A. Shawan, A. M., sixth Sui)eriiitcn(lcnt of the (Jolunibus .schools,
elected on June 11, IHS'J, is u native of Waiiakonrtu, Ohio, ami a -•|-aduulc
500 History of the City op Columbus.
of Oberliii College. At tbe time of his call to Columbu.s he was at the
head of the public schools of Mount Vernon. His activity in educational associa-
tions and movements has been marked. During his administration numerous
improvements to the school property of the city have been made, among vyhich
may be mentioned the Eighth Avenue building and an addition to that on East
Friend Street, both erected in 1889; the Fair Avenue building and three additions
erected in 1890, and four other buildings and additions now in course of construc-
tion. In conjunction with this enlargement of material facilities the rules and regu-
lations and tbe courses of study have been carefully revised. More time has been
given to reading, arithmetic, geography and history, and less to inusic and draw-
ing. The series of textbooks entitled " Classics for Children " has been adopted
for supplementary reading in the grammar grades. The course in United States
History has been extended from one to two years, and a special course preparatory
to the Ohio State University has been introduced in the High School, the other
courses of which have been so arranged as to afford time for careful review of the
common branches during the last half of the senior year by candidates for the
profession of teaching. Enforcement of the compulsory school law and supervision
of the night schools have been added to the other duties of the Superintendent.
In pursuance of the co7npulsory law, David O. Mull was elected truant officer, but
a conservative course has been pursued in the sentence of delinquents to the
Reform Farm, and the law has been so administered as to commend it to popular
favor while increasing the school attendance. Mr. Mull having died, John E. Jones
was elected his successor. For the benefit of children affected by the compulsory
law, who were unable to attend day school, night schools have been conducted
about two months during the winter season and were attended in 189() by 434
persons; in 1891 by 796.
During the first year of Mr. Shawan's service the following plan of promotions
was announced : 1. The teachers to make an occasional estimate of the daily
work of each pupil in each study, to con.stitute the grade in recitations : 2. Three
regular written examinations to be held during the year, the third covering the
work of the entire year including that graded ; 3. An estimate in habits of study
to be made once or more per year as a test of the degree of ap])lication ; 4. Pupils
sustaining an average grade of eightyfive or more in any study, takinir the three
foregoing elements into account, to be excused from final examination provided
the standing in deportment is eightyfive or more ; 5. Seventy to be the passing
grade in each branch of study. This ])lan lias proved satisfactory and has been
applied, in substance, to the High School. In the lowest primary grades instruc-
tion in reading is begun with the sentence method, "as children comprehend
a simple thought expressed in words more readily than they do an idea as
expressed by a single word." Further on, a combined method is used embracing
the good points of the word and phonic methods. On January 1, 1892, C. W.
Slocum was a]i]3ointed special teacher of ponmanshi]), and recently the Board has
engaged Anton Loibold as a special instruct"!' in pliysicul ciilliirc. The classifica-
tion of the schools has remained subslantiall y unclian^cd ; in buildings of less than
twelve rooms the principals are held responsible for the government of the entire
The Schools, II. 507
buiklinsi; in buildings oontiiining twelve or more rooms the principals teach cer-
tain classes regularity, give model lessons for inexperienced teachers and take per-
sonal charge of the backward pupils; the principal of the High School teaches
from one to two classes regularly.
\V lien women were first employed as principals, it was done as a matter of
economy and with man}' misgivings as to the success that would attend this inno-
vation ; but experience has justified the step to such an extent that the Board has
adopted the eijuitable rule that salaries in school work should he based on the
character of the service performed without i-egard to sex, and in accordance with
this enlightened view, the Board of Education, on June 17, 1890, placed the
female teachers in the High School on the same basis as to compensation as
the male teachers, which is to saj-, thej' were to receive $1,000 tor the first year's
service and an increase of ?100 per year until the maximum of $1,500 should be
reached. As earlj' as 1846 Samuel Galloway recommended the substitution of
female for male teachers, but not merely as a measure of economy nor from the
weightier consideration that the schools could be maintained for a longer perioil ;
but from the " conviction that more eminent moral and intellectual advantages
would result to the country.'' "Woman, ' said he, "appears to be Heaven-anointed
for ministering in the sacred temple of education. "
" I am glad to be able," says Superintendent Shawau, " to testity to the pro-
fessional spirit of our teachers.'' The Columbus Educational Association has a
large membership, and the various reading circles organized under the direction
of the Ohio Teachers' Heading Circle have an aggregate membership of 181,
Columbus having a larger membership than any other city in the State. The
enrollment in the High School now exceeds one thousand ; in 1889 it was 652.
Instruction in music, introduced in 1854, has ever since been included in the
course of study. Its early teachers were Messrs. Dunbar, Phipps, VanMeter, Carl
L. Spohr, Carl Schoppelrei and Hermann Eckhardt. Professor Eckhardt resigned
in 1873 and was succeeded by J. A. Scarritt. Mason's Natural Music Course,
known as the Boston System, was adopted. In 1880, Miss Mary H. Wirth, a
teacher of ability, was placed in charge of the department of music in the High
School. On June 2'J, 1.S86, Professor Scarritt resigned. His successor was W. II.
Lott, by whom the course of musical instruction was revised and the National
Music Course was adopted. In 1888 he was directed by the Board to give special
instruction to all the teachers who were unable to teach music satisfactorily. His
salary was raised during the same year to two thousand dollars. On the occasion
of the reception of General Grant in 1878 a chorus composed of two thou.sarid
school children under the direction of Professor Scarritt rendered the song of
welcome written for the occasion. "The singers were nia.ssed in the Kotunda of
the Stalehouse and made its arches ring with earnest, joyous welcome." One of
the memorable features of the opening day of the Ohio Centennial in 1888 was the
rendering, under direction of Professor Lott, of the (Jentennial song by a chil-
dren's chorus of one thousand voices, llecently the Board of Education has
ado])ted a rule that every teacher shall be qualified to give instruction in
568 History op the City of Columbus.
In 1872 instruction in drawing was given by the teacher of penmanship. At
a later dater Walter Smith's system of industrial drawing was introduced and Pro-
fessor William Briggs, of Boston, was engaged to instruct the teachers and mark
out a graded course in this branch. Before the opening of the schools in the
fall of 1874, Professor Walter S. Goodnough was elected Superintendent of Art
Education at a salary of $1,500. A graded course of Art instruction was intro-
duced, drawing classes were organized, and on November 18, 1875, a free even-
ing art school was opened which continued for some time with an average
attendance of from forty to fifty pupils. A room was specially fitted u|) for
di'awing purposes in the High School and was supplied with a generous collec-
tion of examples and models. Miss N. Neale Stewart, who had for some time been
special teacher of drawing in the High School, resigned in 1879 and was succeeded
by Miss Helen Fraser. The salary of Professor Goodnough was raised in 1882 to
«1,800.
Under his supervision the course in drawing developed into a sj'stem of
manual training. In December, 1890, Professor Goodnough resigned to take
charge of a similar department in the, schools of Brooklyn, New York, and Miss
Helen Fraser was elected as his successor. Miss Jane D. Patterson was promoted
to the position of teacher of drawing in the High School, and Miss Lizzie Cook
was elected an assistant teacher in the same branch.
In his first annual report Superintendent Stevenson suggested to the Board of
Education the propriety of establishing in the High School a class for instruction
in teaching, and in the following year the Board of City Examiners expressed the
opinion that a training school for the preparation of teachers should be estab-
lished. On September 25, 1875, a school for normal instruction, to be held each
Saturday forenoon, was opened under direction of the Principal of the High School,
who was assisted by such members of the corps of teachei-s as he might select.
The teachers chosen for this service performed it witliout extra compensation.
The course of instruction embraced the theory and practice of teaching, reading,
writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, physics and German, and was limited to
two years. Upon its completion a certificate of recommendation to the City Board
of Examiners was granted after a satisfactory test of proficiency. High School
pupils who had reached the age of sixteen were entitled to the privileges of the
normal class. The number of scholars enrolled in this school varied from sixty to
one hundred and twentyfour. It soon became evident that the class could not
supply thoroughly qualified teachers ; nevertheless it was an initiatory step toward
the establishment of a normal department. In August, 1883, the Board of Educa-
tion authorized the organization of a normal school to be placed under the charge
of Miss L. Hughes as Principal, and Miss N. T. Wolverton as training teacher.
The school was apened in the Sullivant building during the following September
and consisted of two departments, one of theory and one of training. The ti-ain-
ing departments comprised three and sometimes four primary schools, usually of
different grades. Pupils were admitted after having completed the High School
course, or its equivalent, and having been tested in the fundamental branches by
the City Board of Examiners. In 1889 the school was reorganized in pursuance of
TiiK Snioiii.s. II. 5U"J
u ])laii ii-piirteil hy the normal sciiool foiiiiniltoo ot the Boiird ol' Education lulopted
.Inly 111. 'riienceforvvard the normal colll•^^e comprised a departiuonl of theory
and two departments of i>racti(:e, one of the latter consisting of eifijht model schools
located in pairs in separate buildings and including tho primary and grammar
grades; tho other department of practice included the eiglitroom buildings and
such others as the Superintendent might select. On July 1(>, 1K,S9, Miss Margaret
\V. Sutherland was elected Principal of the Normal School and Miss Alma Simp-
son, .Miss Mary Gordon and Miss Pauline Mees were elected as training teachers.
In 1890 Miss Anna M. O.sgood and Miss Augusta Becker were also elected training
teachers, the latter in lieu of Miss Simpson, who resigned. Under the supervision
of Miss Sutherland, who is widely known as assistant editorof tho Ohio EiIkch-
tiiiiiiil Monthly, the normal school has taken rank among the best of its kind in the
State. Its course includes psychology and moral science, school management and
tho history of education, and a review of the common branches with reference to
methods of teaching. Tho kind of school government inculcated " is that which
aims at character culture as its result." The department of theory and two of the
model schools under the training teachers are located in the Sullivant building ;
two of the model schools aro in tho Garfield, two in the Central German and two
in the Fifth Avenue building. In tho department of ob.servation and [iracticc the
pupil-teachers assist the principals to whom they have been assigned and in this
way obtain an insight into the general working of the schools of the city.
Before tho Normal School was organized about twothirds of tho teachci's
annually emploj'ed bj' the Board had been educated in the public schools of
the city. Most of them had graduated from tho High School, but a few had passed
through the grammar grades onl}'. Since the Normal School has been established
the standard of teaching qualifications has been raised and few untrained teachers
have been employed. Of tho 297 teachers now employed in the schools of the city,
205 are graduates of the High School and 115 are graduates of the Normal School.
Ever since the gradation of the schools in 1847 the school library has
been cherished as an important educational agency. Early in Doctor Lord's
administration a library of books on tho subject of education and the theory and
practice of teaching was formed. In 1853 the High School library contained (H'.i
volumes ; the libraries of the grammar departments 1,(535 volunns ; lolal 2, list. In
1872 the number of books in the High School library had increased to about
thirteen hundred. At the opening of the City Library on March 1, 1873, the
Board of Education placed therein 385 volumes. Further deposits from the same
source were made as follows: August 21, 1874, one hundred volumes; September
28, 1875, two hundred and nineteen volumes. These later deposits chiefly consisted
of juvenile books transferred from the High School. On July 19, 1875, an
arrangement was made between the Board of Education aiid the Trustees of tlie
Citj' Library whereby the two libraries were ternpoi-aril}' united, that of the city
being controlled bj- a Board of Trustees cotisistiiiLT of tin- Ma\or. tlu> President of
the Cily Council, the President of the Hoard of Ivliiialioi. and fonr nieniljcrs
elected by the Council. Rev. J. L. (irovcr was ll.c l.ibrai'ian. '{\< this board was
entruslcij IJn.. kccliiiiL' and nianaircincnt of the .school library, tlir Hoard of IvIiU'a-
570 History of the City op Columbus.
tion bearing about Iialf of the expense. Since 1876 the Board of Education
has received the benefit of a tax levy of onetenth of a mill per dollar for library pur-
poses, and the City Council has had for the same purpose a levy of onetwentieth of
a mill per dollar. In 1890, 16,796 of the 28,000 volumes in the combined libraries
belonged to that of the schools. The veteran librarian, Rev. J. L. Grover, has had
for his assistants John J. Pugh and Evan J. Williams, who still have charge of the
Public Library.
But the combined collections of books outgrew their accommodations in the
City Hall, and an obvious duty devolved upon the Board of Education of provid-
ing for the school collection separate apartments where it would be under the
exclusive management of the Board. Accordingly, after careful consideration of
the prices and availability of various sites and properties, the committee on Public
School Library recommended that the Town Street Methodist Episcopal Church
should be purchased for $35,000, and that it should be reconstructed and furnished
for the uses of the library and the official meetings of the Board. This recom-
mendation was unanimously adopted ; on June H, 1890, the purchase was con-
summated ; and in 1891 the reconstruction of the building was completed. The
building is centrally located, architecturally handsome, and, in addition to its
principal library room, 52x59 feet, provides assembly rooms for teachers and
principals, rooms for the Board of Education and offices for the superintendents
and clerlis. On March 24, 1891, J. H. Spielnian was elected Librarian ; on April
20 of the same year Miss Hattie Toler was elected first, and Mrs. Charles Taft
second assistant librarian. At a later date Mrs. J. L. Eastman was engaged as
clerk. On April 7, 1892, the building was formally opened, and thus, on the spot
where seventysix years ago a primitive school was conducted in a little log church
on the outskirts of a pioneer settlement, has been established the librar}' of the
schools of a great and prosperous city. The Public Library is still maintained
in the City Hall and continues to grow in extent and usefulness. Both it and the
school collection are alike open to the general public as well as to teachers and
scholars.
BOARD OF EDUCAXIOX.
1826. W. T. Martin, Peleg Sisson, Charles Hinkle.
1827. W. T. Martin, James Cherry, Charles Hinkle, Daniel Smith, Otis Crosby, William
Long.
1828. David Smith, Otis Crosby, William Long, C. Hinkle, W. T. Martin, James
Cherry.
1830. John Warner, William St. Clair, Christian Heyl, George Jeffries, James Cherry.
1831. William McElvain, Horton Howard, Nathaniel McLean, David Nelson, A.
Backus.
1832. John L. Gill. 1. G. Jones, J. Neereanier, Goor^e Jeffries, George Delano, Andrew
Backus.
1833. John L. Gill, I. G. Jones, J. Neereaiuer, David Smith, U. W. Deshler, Andrew
Backus.
1834. John Ream, D. W. Deshler, H. Delano, Andrew Backus, James Cherry, T. Peters.
1836. John L. Gill, I. G. Jones, J. Neereamer, I. Wilson, D. W. Deshler, James Cherry.
TlIK SCIKIUI.S. II. 571
1837. William Arinstrona;, J. Neereainer, 1. (i. .loncs, Matliew Mathews, (ieorgc \V.
Slocura, John Otstot, Robert Cloud, Elijah Glover.
1838. PelesSissoii, Adam Brotherlin, G. W. Slociiiii.
1S4I. James Cherry, P. B. Wilcox, Peleg Sisson.
1.S45-6. William Long, P. B. Wilcox, James Cherry, J. B. Thompson, II. F. lliintin^'tcm,
S. E. Wright.
1S4C-7. J. B. Thompson, S. E. Wright, P. B. Wilcox, James Cherry, William Long.
The first three names of each list denote those of the President, Secretary and Treasurer,
respectively.
1847-S. William Long, S. E. Wright, H. F. Huntington, P. B. Wilcox, J. K. Thompson,
James Cherry.
18-1S-9. William Long, S. E. Wright, H. F. Huntington, J, U. Thomiison, P. B. Wilco.x,
A. F. Perry.
1849-50. William Long, J. L. Bates, H. F. Huntington, J. H. Thompson, S. E. Wright,
J. W. Baldwin
1850-1. J. B. Tliompson, J.L.Bates, H.F.Huntington, William Long, S. E.Wright,
J. W. Baldwin.
1851-2. J. B. Thompson, J. L. Bates, H. F. Huntington, William Long, 8. E. Wright,
Joseph Sullivant.
1852-3. J. B. Thompson, J. L. Bates, H. F. Huntington, S. E. Wright, Joseph Sul-
livant, Thomas Sparrow.
1853-4. Joseph Sullivant, S. E. Wright, Thomas Sparrow, H. F. lluutington, J. K. Lin-
nel, James L. Bates.
1854-5. Joseph Sullivant, S. E. Wright, Thomas Sparrow, J. K. Linnel, J. J. Janney,
J. L. Bates.
1855-0. Joseph Sullivant, S. E. Wright, J. J. Janney, J. K. Linnel, A. B. Buttles, A. S.
Decker.
1856-7. Joseph Sullivant, S. E Wright, J. J. Janney, J. (t. Miller, A. B. Buttles.
18.57-8. Joseph Sullivant, A. B. Buttles, S. E. Wriglit, A. G. Thunnan, J. G. Miller,
A. S. Decker.
1858-9. Joseph Sullivant, A. G. Thurman, Thomas Sparrow, J. G. Miller, William Tre-
vitt, George Gere.
18.59-60. Joseph Sullivant, Francis Collins, Thomtis Sparrow, A. G. Thurniaii, Kuctor
Eels, J. H. Smith.
1800-1. Joseph Sullivant, John Greiner, Thomas Sparrow , A. G. Thurman, J. H. Smith,
George Gere.
1861-2. Joseph Sullivant, Otto Uresel, Thomas Sparrow, George Gere, J. H. Smith, Star-
ling Loving.
1802-3. William Trevitt, Otto Dresel, Thomas Sparrow, George Gere, Starling Loving,
E. Walkup.
1863-4. WiUiuni Trevitt, Otto Dresel, E Walkup, Starling Loving, E. F. Bingham, S. S.
Rickly.
1804-5. Frederick Fieser, H. T. Chittenden, E. F. Bingham, T. Lough, C. P. L. Butler,
K. Mees, H. Kneydel, S. W. Andrews, J. H. Coulter.
1865 6. Joseph Sullivant, S. W. Amlrews. Frederick Fieser, E. F. Bingham, H. Kneydel,
J. H. Coulter, K. Mees, T. Lough, H. T. Chittenden.
1860-7. Joseph Sullivant, Peter Johnson, Frederick Fief'er, E. F. Bingham, K. Mees,
Isaac Aston, Starling Loving, S. W. Andrews, T. Lough.
1S07-8. Joseph .Sullivant, Peter Johnson, Frederick Fie.ser, K. Mees, E. F. Bingham,
Isaac Aston, Starling Loving, S. W. Andrews, T. Lough.
180.S-9. Frederick Fieser, Peter Johnson, Joseph Sullivant, Otto Dresel, r. Lough, Star-
ling Loving, K. .VIees, S. W. Andrews, C. P L. Butler.
572 History of the City of Columbus.
186!»-70. Frederick Fieser, R. 0. Hull, 0. P. L. Butler, Starling Loving, Otto Dresel,
Daniel Carraichael, K. Mees, R. M. Denig, Lewis Hoster.
1870-L Frederick Fieser, R. C. Hull, C. P. L. Butler, Starling Loving, C. T.Clark, Daniel
Carraichael, K. Mees, R. M. Denig, Louis Hoster.
1871-2. Frederick Fieser, R. M. Denig, Starling Loving, C. T. Clark, K. Mees, S. W. An-
drews, Louis Hoster, C. P. L. Butler, T. C. Mann.
1872-3. Frederick Fieser, R. M. Denig, Starling Loving, K. Mees, E. F. Bingham, S. W.
Andrews, Alexander Neil, Louis Hoster, V. Pausch, L. J. Critchfield, L. D. Myers.
1873-4. Starling Loving, Otto Dresel, L. D. Myers, L. J. Critchfield, C. C. Walcutt, J. B.
Scbiiller, S. W. Andrews, Louis Siebert, V. Pausch, Alexander Neil, Rudolph Wirth.
1874-5. C. 0. Walcutt, S. W. Andrews, L. D. Myers, L. J.'Critchfield, Horace Wilson,
J. B. Schiiller, Philip Corzilius, Louis Siebert, J. W. Hamilton, Alexander Neil, Rudolph
Wirth.
1875-6. C. C. Walcutt, J. E. Huff, L. J. Critchfield, Horace Wilson, J. B. Schiiller,
C. Engeroft". Philip Corzilius, Louis Siebert, J. W. Hamilton, J. H. Neil, Alexander Neil.
1876 7. C. C. Walcutt, Charles J. Hardy, J. E. Huff, Horace Wilson, John B. Schiiller,
Henry Olnhausen, Louis Siebert, Starling Loving, J. H. Neil, Alexander Neil, Christian
Engeroff.
1877-8. Starling Loving, J. E. Huff, Charles J. Hardy, C. C. Walcutt, Horace Wilson,
George Beck, Henry Olnhausen, Louis Siebert, J. S. Anilrews, A. Neil, Christian Engeroff.
1878-9. Starling Loving, J. E. Huff, Charles J. Hardy, C. C. Walcutt, Charles E. Pal-
mer, George Beck, Henry Olnhausen, Louis Siebert, J. L. Andrews, Alexander Neil, Christian
Engeroff.
1879-80. Henry Olnhausen, J. E. Hutf, C. J. Hardy, C. C. Walcutt, C. F. Palmer,
George Beck, Louis Siebert, Starling Loving, J. L. Andrews, Alexander Neil, Christian
Engerofl'.
1880-1. C. C. Walcutt, Louis Siebert, Christian Engeroff, George Beck, P. H. Bruck, J.
E. Huff, C. T. Clark. J. L. Andrews, P. W. Corzilius, L. D. Myers, G. H. Stewart, T. P.
Gordon, Alexander Neil.
1881-2. ('. C. Walcutt, J. B. Schiiller, P. W. Corzilius, R. Z. Dawson, G. D. Jones, G. H.
Stewart, S. H. Steward, P. H. Bruck, Starling Loving, T. P. Gordon, G. H. Twiss, E. Pagels,
C. T. Clark, Alexander Neil.
1882-3. C. C. Walcutt, R. Z. Dawson, P. W. Corzilius, J. B. Schiiller, G. D. Jones, B. N.
Spahr, S. H. Steward, W. H. Slade, Starling Loving, F. C. Sessions, G. H. Twiss, E. Pagels,
C. T. Clark, Alexander Neil.
1883-4. Edward Pagels, J. B. Schiiller, P. W. Corzilius, C. A. Miller, C. C. Walcutt,
W. R. Kinnear, B. N. Spahr, J. Z. Landes, W. S Hutf, Starling Loving, George H. Twiss, F.
C. Sessions, F. Schwan, Alexander Neil.
1884-5. Edward Pagels, J. B. Schiiller, P. W. Corzilius, B. N. Spahr, J. J. Stoddart, C.
C. Walcutt, W. R. Kinnear, J. Z. Landes, W. S. Huff, James Poindexter, G. H. Twiss,
Edward Pryce, F. Schwan. Alexander Neil.
1885-6. B. N. Spahr, W. R. Kinnear, C. C. Walcutt, Frederick Kruram, P. W. Corzilius,
J. B. Schiiller, J. N. Bennett, W. S. Huff, James Poindexter, J. E. Sater, Edward Pryce, W.
H. Albery, F. Schwan, Alexander Neil.
1886 7. B. N. Spahr, W. R. Kinnear, C. C. Walcutt, Frederick Kruram, John Hein-
miller, J. B. Schiiller, J. N. Bennett, W. S. Huff, James Poindexter, E. J. Wilson, W. H.
Albery, Alexander Neil, J. E. Sater, F. Schwan.
1887-8. B. N. Spahr, W. R. Kinnear, C. C Walcutt, Frederick Krumra, John Hein-
miller, Frederick J. Hcer, J. N. Bennett, W. S. Huff, .lames Poindexter, K. J. Wilson, J. A.
Hedges, Alexander Neil, D. P. Adams, F. Schwan, J. E. Sater.
1888-9. J. E. Sater, F. J. Heer, John Heinmiller, F. Krumm, C. C. Walcutt, W. R. Kin-
near, E. O. Randall, J. N. Bennett, W. S. Huff, James Poindexter, E. J. Wilson, J. A.
Hedges, W. A. McDonald, D. P. Adams, B. H. DeBruin.
TllK S(lln(.I,S. II. ;■)-:?
]S8!t-00. J. K. Sater, B. H. DeBrnin, .1. II. Bcmiolt. .1. A. Hi'ilnos, .1. I'. Baiiihill, .h.uwa
Poimlexter, E. J. Wilson, E. 6. Ranilall, F. Kriiium, F. J. Her, .l.,lin Ih^iiiMnlUT, \V. S.
Huff, VV. A. McDonald, D. P. A.lams, C. C. Walciitt.
isnn-l. J. A. Hedges, J. U. Barnliill, F. .T. Ileer, John Heininiller, ,1. J. Stoddart, C. C.
Walcntt, T. H. Rioketts, J. N. Bennett, F. (innsanlnp, James Poindexter, K. J. Wilson, W. A.
McDonald, D. P. Adams, William A. In.skeep. Albert Cooper.
l,S!)l-2. E. J. Wilson, James Poin.lexter, F. Gunsauhis, J. X. Bennett, Thomas H.
Ricketts, Thomas C. Hoover, C. C. Walcutt, John J. Stoddart, Henry Olnhansen, F. J. Heer,
G. W. Early, W. A. McDonald, E. R. Vincent, W. A. Inskeep, Lewis C. Lipps.
1S02-3. J. J. Stoddart, F. J. Heer, T. C. Hoover, J. M. Bennett, James Pi.ind.-xter, G.
W. Early, E. R. Vincent, L. C. Lipps, H. Olnhansen, Junior, C. C. Walentt, Z. L. White, F.
Gunsauhis, T. A. Morgan, W. A. McDonald, R. S. Albrittain.
SCHOOL EXAMINERS.
]8'2(j-18<12.
1826. James Hoge, C. H. Wetmore, Henry Mathews.
1828. Peleg Risson, Bela Latham, Samuel Parsons.
1829. Mease Smith, P. B. Wilcox.
1832. Isaac N. Whiting, William Preston.
1834. John M. Ladd, Erastus Burr, George Jeffries, W. S. Sullivant.
1835. W. T. Martin, Joseph Sullivant, Mathew J. Gilbert.
1836. Joseph Williams.
1837. Cyrus S. Hyde, Arnold Clapp, Henry Alden, J. R. Rogers.
1831). W. Smith, Warren Jenkins, Noah H. Swayne.
1840. Mathew J. Gilbert, Lewis Heyl, A. Curtis, T. Ciessey, Abiel Foster, Junior.
1842. Henry S. Hitchcock, S. T. Mills.
1843. James K. Simse.
1845. Charles Jiicksch, Samuel T. Mills, Smithsoii E. Wright, John P. Bnick.
184(1. Samuel C. Andrews, A. P. Fri.'s.'
1847. A. D. Lord, N. Doolittle, A. F. Perry.
1856. S. C. Andrews, James H. Smith, F. .F. Mathews.
1860. E. D. Kingsley, F. J. Mathews, S. C. Andrews.
1872. W. F. Schatz, Abram Brown, Cliarles E. Burr, Junior.
1873. E. E. White, Charles E. Burr, W. F. Schatz.
1876. Frederick Fieser, T. C. Mendenhall, R. W. Stevenson.
1878. Frederick Fieser, R. W. Stevenson, J. J. Stoddart.
18811. J. A. Sliawan, J. J. Stod.lart, J. J. Lentz.
History of the City of Columbus.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND SITES.
1827-1892.
1845
1845
1845
1852
1853
1853
1853
1853
1871
1871
1871
1872
1873
1873
1873
1873
18
1873
1873
1873
1873
1873
1873
1873
1875
1875
1876
187t)
1879
1879
Academy
Rich Street
Midille Building-
North Building—
South Building--
Gernian-English.
Addition North Building
Addition South Building
Central Fourth Street
Old State Street
Rich Street
High School
Park Street
Third Street
Spring Street
Fulton Street
Central Fulton
Loving School
Sullivant
Franklinton
Second Avenue
New Street
First Avenue
Fieser
North High
North Columbus
Mount Airy
Johnstown Road
East Broad
South High
Franklinton
Friend Street
Mount Pleasant
Addition to Fieser
East Friend Street
Douglas
Addition to High School
Northwood
MoundStreet
Franklinton
Addition to First Avenue.--
Addition to Park Street
Garfield School
Addition to Fulton Street- —
Addition to Second Avenue
Beck Street
Front Street
Fifth Avenue
Addition to Franklinton
Siebert
Twentythird Street
Addition to Northwood
Eighth Avenue
Addition to East Friend
Addition to First Avenue- —
Addition to High School
Addition to Fieser
Fair Avenue
Library
Avondale
North Side High School
Medary
Addition to New Street
$ 30 00
600 00
15,490 00
37,500 00
30,070 00
29,546 00
17,056 00
38,900 00
39,550 00
20,781 00
16,000 00
73,497 00
22,371 00
24,574 00
19,734 00
12,100 CO
3,500 00
1,100 00
1,0.30 00
1,000 00
2,300 00
10,500 00
1,000 00
1,350 00
9,345 00
12.710 00
40,848 00
16,361 00
22,217 00
51,430 00
14,551 00
7,944 00
15,406 00
58,783 00
16,269 00
15,406 00
13,900 00
96,500 00
52,582 00
11,140 00
35,400 00
43,500 00
10,500 00
66,000 00
13,193 00
13,203 00
5,500 00
I3,6iil 00
38,652 00
45.000 00
14,000 00
Sugar Alley and Fourth.
Third near Rich.
Third near Rich.
Long and Third.
Mound and Third.
Fourth near Fulton.
Fourth and Fulton.
East State near Fifth.
Third and Rich.
Sixth and Broad.
Park and Vine.
Third and Sycamore.
Spring and Neil.
Fulton and Washington Avenue.
Fourth and Fulton.
Long and Third.
East State near Fifth.
West Broad and Sandusky.
East Second Avenue.
New and Steward Streets.
First Avenue and John Street.
State and Starling Streets.
West Broad and Sandusky.
East Main and Miller Avenue.
State and Starling.
East Main and Miller Avenue.
Douglas near Oak.
Sixth and Broad.
North High and Nortliwood Ave.
Third and Mound.
West Broad and Sandusky.
First .Avenue and John Street.
Park and Vine.
Garfield and Mount Vernon Ave.
Fulton near Washington Avenue.
East Second Avenue.
Beck and Briggs.
Front and Long.
Fifth Avenue and Highland.
Broad and Sandusky.
Siebert Street and Reinhard Ave.
Twentythird and Mount Vernon.
North High and Northwood.
Eighth Avenue and Wesley Street.
East Friend and Miller Avenue.
First Avenue and Harrison Ave.
U and Broad.
State and Starling.
Fair Avenue near Latta.
East Town near High.
Town and Avondale.
Dennison and Fourth Avenues.
Medary and Tompkins.
ENUMERATION, ATTENDANCE AND EXPENDITURE.
1820-1892.
Year.
Enum-
eration.
Av.
Daily
Ati'nl
Num-
ber of
Tench's
Kxpeuditnres.
Year.
eratioii
Dally
Alfnd.
Num-
ber of
Teaebs
Expenditure^.
182C-
244
/
$148 25
lS.59-(iO
5,034
1 ,.S28
41
$2,S,1I1 0(;
1826-27
273
.'-,
1.52 77
ISOO-Ol
5,902
1,700
40
38,315 IS
1827-28
250
6
139 87
1801-02
0,.5.5:!
1 919
39
37,889 72
1828-29
311
0
24.5 8S
iso2-(;:;
7,494
2,390
48
29,703 48
1829-.30
300
0
4:iO 20
1803-04
7,241
2,.55S
50
41,170 30
1830-31
790
6
510 05
1804-05
7,7.59
2,0;!8
()3
52,239 02
ia31-32
880
6
.541 01
1805-60
8,210
2,773
(i8
08,968 70
1832-33
1,015
7
709 90
1800-07
8,598
3,088
70
90,373 42
1833-34
1,208
7
704 78
1807-08
8,019
3,515
84
88,.353 94
1834-3.5
1,295
8
829 12
1868-69
9,373
3,600
88
98,769 82
1835.36
1,381
9
1,101 .55
1869-70
9,518
3,0.52
91
112,488 18
1830-37
1,506
9
1,172 39
1870-71
10,117
3,765
•91
137,.581 (>5
1837-38
1,5.57
9
1,.507 .56
1871-72
10,514
3.713
107
I48,.S40 28
1838-39
1,231
400
12
3,502 10
1872-73
11,340
4,402
104
137,270 51
1839-40
1,230
400
12
,3,182 00
1873-74
11,751
4,710
116
150,027 1 1
1840-41
1,431
420
12
2,128 91
1874-75
12,198
4,9.52
124
170,224 11
1841-42
1,.598
480
13
2,077 38
1875-76
12,086
5 082
128
1 75,4:!4 .50
1842-43
1,598
430
13
1,946 86
1876-77
14,209
5,403
1,33
102,200 70
1843-44
1,612
465
15
2,212 82
1877-78
14,246
5,559
144
182,005 12
1844-45
1,612
420
13
2,174 80
1878-79
14,178
5,707
137
164,709 36
1845-46 2,430
500
15
3,377 34
1879-80
14,662
5,9.53
137
135,857 16
1846-47
2,129
528
14
2,053 82
1880-81
15,889
6,103
157
183,775 95
1847-48
2,419
798
17
17,776 16
1881-82
16,531
6,542
166
266,538 17
1848-49
2,520
910
18
5,122 00
1882-83
10,8.58
6,854
178
237,238 99
1849-50
2,825
1.075
20
6,643 52
1883-84
17,498
7,4:i8
190
202,795 44
1850-51
2,785
1,107
22
7,992 75
1884-85
17,498
7,723
201
209.058 04
1851-52
2,790
1,100
22
13,009 63
1885-86
19,682
8,003
207
243,811 09
1852-53
3.710
1,224
24
19,145 33
1886-87
22,404
8,460
217
227,540 87
1853-54
4,323
1,343
24
33,249 92
1887-88
23,451
8,940
219
264,745 79
1854-55
5,005
1,575
38
23,605 33
1888-89
25,648
9,181
229
347,087 40
1855-56
4,320
1,533
37
18,497 51
1889-90
20,104
9,576
255
364,826 58
1856-57
4,366
1,442
30
29,656 28
1 1890-91
26,001
10,404
279
4.59,166 79
1857-58
4,503
1.550
37
30,547 88
1891-92
27,000
11,000
297
433,000 00
1858-59 5,234
1,787
38
24,8.33 40
576 IFlSTORY np TFIF, OlTY OF CoT.DMRll.S.
(UiADUATES OF THE HIGH SCHOOI..
1851. Ilfiii-.v T. Cliittcndcn, Isabella T'odo, Maria K. nniiton, Maria Cutler, Melane
Far), SU-riic Cliiltcn.Uni, Mary E. Cool, Jaiir Fitcli, Mary M. Dryer, Elizal.eth D. Morijan,
Amelia N. narliii;.', I.iuy M. Wileox, Isabella Brown.
1S52. Abel W. Hall, Enneiiia Gray, Elizabeth C. Thompson, Mary C. McClelland,
Melissa H. Webster, Virginia A. Sampson.
1853. Cornelia Johnson, Elizabeth E. Thatcher, Eleanor Morgan, Francis E. Scarritt,
Henry Butler, Henry V. Hitchock, Mary E. Finley, Mary E. Armstrong, Montgomery
H. Lewis, Mary E. Gooding, Martha Thompson, Sarah J. Laughlin.
1854. Frances V. Washington, Frank Higgins, Jane Shepherd. Kate Gardiner, Mary
A. THursten, Pamela B. Neil, William H. Hubbell.
1855. Anna C. Foos, Eliza K. Ball, Edward C. Stone, Howard Fay, John N. Champion,
John Z. Hall, John F. Hitchcock, Lizzie B. Gardiner, Lucy H. Peters, Mary B. Barnhart,
Margaret Richards, Mary W. Campbell, Melinda S. Holmes, Mary S. Whitney, Theodore
S. Greiner.
1856. Clarissa Cram, Charlotte Herd, Euphemia Duncan, Charles W. Remington, Mary
E. Cutler, Josiah H. Jenkins, William J. P. Morrison, George P. Roberts.
1857. C. Sullivant. Edward Bates, James Kilbourne, John M. Wheaton, Jennie Stump,
Kate Dunning, Lizzie Christian, Louisa Staftbrd, Lucy Weaver, Minnie Awl, Mary Jones,
Mattie Thompson, Mary Howie, Martin Wright, Mary Hirsh, Nettie Johnson, Sarah Siebert,
Tillie Hayden, William H. Rice.
1858. A. Wright, A. S. Field, Linda Clarkson, Lizzie Cooke, C. W. Breyfogle, Emma
Humphreys, Ed. Rudisill, Gus. M. Bascom, H. J. Page, H. Raynor Wood, Jennie Hurd,
Lizzie F. Merrick, Marion E. Gault, M. B. Gilbert, Mary Tuther, L. Babbitt, R. G. Alexander,
Wood Awl, W. H. Day, W. W. Olds.
1859. Anna Hall, Annie Washington, Charles H. Hall, Emma McClelland, Georgiana
Williams, Hannah Wilier, Henry O'Kane, Hiram McArthur, Irene Barnhart, John A. Ball,
Julia A. Pryce, I auraTruax, Lizzie Denig, Lou. Brownell, Mattie Riley, Minnie Lowe, Mattie
Simonton, William P. Brown, Thomas J. Janney.
1860. Amanda McDonald, Amelia Sanderson, D. H. Zigler, Ermine Case, G. W. Shields,
John S. Roberts, L. S. Sullivant, Martha Powell, Mary E. Wetherby, Mary E. Dunbar, Mary
H. Wirth, W. H. Smith, W. B. Headley.
1861. C. E. Baker, C. L. Osborn, Carrie Strong, C. G. Piatt, B. F. Stage, Emma Black,
P. H. Bruck, F. W. Merrick, Minnie Neal, Mary S. Bates, Nellie S. Walker, Selina R. Whitsel,
B. J. Nelson, Mary L Taylor.
1862. Antonie E. Mees, Gertrude Green, Louisa F. Boyle, Mary E. Edwards, Pauline S.
Mees.
1863. Annie E. Marshall, C. Clay Corner, Emma J. Brown, Fannie B. Scarritt, George
W. Ball, Jennie Howell, Julia A. Felton, Julia A. Freeman, J. M. Bennett, Kate Stone, Louise
C. Christie, Sarah E. Ogan.
1864. Clara C. Wetmore, Florence S. Williams, Hattie L. Cutler, Isabella Frost, Jennie
Proctor, Jay A. Coatesworth, John P. Bruck, Mary Douthart, Morris S. Booth, Mary E.
Denny, Nettie R. Curtis, Lillie Nelson, Lucy A. Booth, S. F. Aspinwall.
1865. Annie E. Peters, Arthur Mees, Ellen A. Hartford, Grace E. Reed, Helen M.
■ Hayden, Helen Millay, Isadora Runnels, Minerva S. Louder, Martha H. Pilcher, Theodore
M.K. Mees.
1866. Anna B. Kilbourne, Ada Shewry, Carrie R. Thacker, Delia Roberts, Eugenia G.
Pearce, George Reuhlen, Josie E. Romans, Jennie Hall, Lucy Benton, Lydia J. Milne, Elwood
Williams, Emma C. Willard, Emily A. Jennings, F. D. Albery, W. H. Albery, Maggie A.
Lewis, R. H. Hurd, Sarah D. Crozier, W. C. Stewart.
1867. Albert A. Hall, Alice M. Denning, Belle Clark, Clara A. Pamar, Ella M. Stage,
Ella Harrison, Frank B. Fassig, George S. Knapp, George C. Hall, Julia A. Young, Josiah R.
The Sen ,s. II, 577
Smith, Mattie M. Jenkins, Maggie B. Eldiidge, Marion Neil, Lelie S. Driiry, Mary A.
Rnggles, Robert A. McGowan, W. P. Little.
186S. Alexander W. Krumui, Anna M. Janney, Arthur M. Gray, Anna E. Riordan,
Emma Armstrong, Ellen A. Ruehlen, Francis J. Reed, James L. Harrington, Julia A. Powell,
Josephine Klippart, Kate R. Millay, Linda E. Work, Linnie S. Wood, Maria L. Shield, Mary
E Gale, R. R. Rirkly, Rush S. Denig, Libby L. Tarbox, W. L. Jamison, Z. F. Westervelt.
IStiil. Augusta Pfeiffer, Arthur H. Smythe, Alice Williard, Alexander Eraser, Clara G.
Brown, Cornie Lonnis, Carl L. Mees, Lizzie Briggs, Laura A. Ritze, Lizzie White, Laura
AfHeck, Lucinda B. Weaver, Mary S. Case, Mary M. Harrington, Frank Merion, Frank B.
Everett, Frank H. Eldridge, Frank C. Burt, George S. Innis, Hattie J. Comstock, John S.
Galloway, John N. Eldridge, Susie A. Mendenhall, Mary H. Fowler, Mary Graves, M. Alice
Shaw, Maggie E. Dennis, Nannie S. Wise, Anna E. Sims, Rosa D. Weaver, Sallie M. Harker,
William H. Silver.
1870. Annie E. Spencer, Annie Palmer, A. G. Fare, Ella E. Palmer, Emma Frankeii-
berg, Flora A. Brooks, Helen M. Wheeler, Jessie A. Neate, Jennie Miner, Jennie M. Tracy,
Katie C. Ellis, Kate L. Phelps. Laura V. Schilling, Mary G. Overdier, Mary L. Fisher, R.
Grace Denig.
1871. Alexander L. Smith, C 1'. L. Butler, Clara M. McColm, Ella Fraser, Grace M.
Dungan, Isaac M. Bortle, Isabella C. Innis, Julia L. Lott, Kate B. Foos, Kate B. Ritson,
Lucy IS. Stone, Percy R. Wilson, Retta M. Cox, Ralph O. Smith, Belle Williams, Sallie M.
Daring, Frances G. Janney.
1872. Anna A. Monypenny, Alice Hayden. Carrie L. Olds, David W. Pugh, Edward T.
Williams, George W. Stockton, George B. Stewart, John C. L. Pugh, Virginia S.Clark, Louise
Knoderer, Lida Postle, Mary M. Denig. Samuel Bevilheimer.
1873. Delia Bingham, Je.ssie F.Wood, Hattie L. Brocklehurst, Emma F. Harris. Ella
Jones, I,aura B. Ware, George M. Halm, Curtis C. Howard, Lilla Southard, Frank P. Ross,
Emma B. Thompson, Frank D. Jamison, Eva J. Jones, Wilbur B. Marple, Edward C. Moore,
Annie M. Osgood, Annie M. Perley, Sarah F.Perry, Eva M. Preston, Addie L. Palmer, Alice
L. Duval, Ira H Wilson.
187 +. William Wallace, Allie L. Cherry, Nettie H. Martin, Laura Belle Matthews, Ida
M. Evans, George W. Lattimer, Lillie E. Eastman, A.da A. Bell, A<la S. McDowell, John
Field, Rosella A. Moore, Jennie Ethelyn licwis, Minnie Hammond, L. Anna Cornell, George
T. Spahr, Sadie A. Henderson, Dida Phillips, Wade Converse, M. Laura Cornell, Belle M.
Coit, Jane D. Sullivant, Anna M. Spencer, G. Stanton Coit, Edward Pfeiffer.
1875. Ella M. Earhart, Flora E. Shedd, Julia E. Ware, Clara E. Piatt, Jessie Creighlon,
Jennie S. B. Cashatt, Julia T. Hyer, Mary J. Rowland, Annie E. Hull, Olive M. Beebe, Min-
nie M. Bohanan, Mary Mullay, John H. Williams, Lillie M. Davies, Almeda E. Loomis,
Libbie M. Cherry, Osman C. Hooper, Clara L. Remmy.
1870. Mary D. Anderson, Harry Barcus, George A. Backus, Kate K. Tower, Janie M.
Earhart, Charles D. Everett, John F. Evans, B. (iard Ewing, Caddie M. Field, Harry M. Gal-
loway, Annie Houck, Fannie D. Clark, Jenny Kelley, Anna Lofland, Hattie Adair, Sarah
Murray, Christina Robertson, Cora B. Rnnyan, Noble L. Rockey, Ada Stephens, F. Belle
Swickard, Charles B. Spahr, Ida Strickler, F. Josie Tippett, Edward R. Vincent, Nettie A.
Wasson.
1877. Kate T. Ayers, Harriet E. Akin, Emma Bancroft, Jennie Bailey, Ida M. Stilts,
Kate Deterly, Wilbur T. Eldridge, Bertha V. Farr, Edith Fales, Fred W. Flowers. Nellie S.
Gill, Kittie Tablant, Emma M. Howald, Mary P. Jones, Lily Jami.son, Fannie I. Kinsell,
Rebecca L. Kelly, Emily J. Ogier, Mary L. Miller, Ida E. Marshall, Annie R.Jenkins, Esther
A. Reynolds, Mary E. Rose, Mary H. Ritson, Anna B. Smith, M. Ella Stimpson, Thomas G.
Spencer, Cora Breggs, Kate E. Smith, Fannie B. McCune, Ida B. Rankin, Lizzie Wallace,
Charles A. Woodward, E. J. Warning, Mary Hall.
.37
578 History or the City op Columbus.
1878. Emma Pegg, Caroline Beatty, Edith C. Bingham, Callie M. Breyfogle, Flora S.
Barnett, Laura Monett, Harriet G. Bortle, Emily S. Butler, Mary L. Case, Lettie H. Clark,
Lizzie F. Curtiss, John W. Champion, Mary E. Cunningham, Helen M. Day, Phena Nesbitt,
Martha L. Day, Thomas M. Earl, Mary H. Evans, M. Ada Evans, Lolla J. Foos, •^'eoIna Fank-
house, M. Miller, Lelia J. Griffin, Sada J. Harhargar, Flora Hesse, Sylvester W. Hoffman.
Ida B. Hufl'man, Joseph C. Hull, Adelia M. Hanlen, Louise Harpham, Rosa Hesse, M.
Leonora Horlocker, Minnie B. Hughes, Mary E. Knight, Jane E. Kershaw, Eva S. Knopf,
Emma E. Lesquereux, Margaret C. Livingston, Kate M. Haller, Orville McAninch, Frank B.
Miller, Thomas A. Morgan, Kate A. Mullay, Fred C. Marvin, Mary P. McVay, Henry A.
Morgan, Sarah J. Morris, Sarah J. Mullay, Lizzie B. Nagle, Ella C. Nevin, Mary H.Neil,
Mary Osborn, Clara G. Orton, Emma M. Newburg, Minnie P. Pickles, Mary E. Poste, Rosa
A. Reed, Mary A. Ross. Cora M. Ross, A. Mary Runyan, Charles L. Sehwenker, Frank R.
Shinn, Mortimer C. Smith, Lucy T. Sells, Carrie 0. Shoemaker, Louisa D. Stelzer, Harriet E.
Thompson, Clara Tippett, George A. Weaver, Charles R. Wheeler, Hattie M. Taylor, Kate
Williams.
1879. Allie E. Bancroft, M. Abbie Booth, Sarah D. Broadis, Edward B. Champion,
Oliver J. Gavbr, Nettie C. Claypoole, Minnie S. Davis, Carrie A. Durant, Edwin Eberly,
Mary K. Esper, Olive Flowers, Belle Gardiner, Annie E. Griffiths, Henry F. Guerin, Emma
J. Hall, Hugh Hardy, Mamie E. Johnson, Fannie Kahn, Louisa A. Krumra, Julia Loomis,
Minnie Loy, Ella G. McCoy, Cora A. Miner, George W. Mitchell, Thomas H. Mullay, Anna
Pfeiffer, Lewis L. Rankin, James L. Rodgers, Edwin Fay, Ernestine O. Schreyer, Florence M.
Snell, Carrie B. Staley, Mary Stokes, Flora Stump, Gertrude Swickard, Lizzie Thomas,
Edward 0. Trent, Eliza S. Huffman, Ellery W. Wilkinson, Riley F. Williams.
1880. Harry E. Armbruster, Charles Bauer, Harry C. Cook, William G. Benham, Eagle-
ton F. Dunn, Milton H. Fassig, Warren W, Gilford, Henry Gumble, Edward O. Horn, Fred-
erick W. Hughes, Ewing Jones, David Tod Logan, Charles E. McDonald, James D. Osborn,
Frank C. Smith, J. Macy Walcutt, Alice B. Barnett, Emma C. Elliott, Helen L Bortle, Helen
M. Capron, Lizzie L. Crook, Lizzie S. Denig, Emma Deterly, Louise Dunning, Fannie F.
Elliott, Ella J. Evans, Leanor Fankhouse, Fannie M. Farringer, Dora Frankenberg, Jessie
Eraser, Lizzie C. Ginder, Fannie S. Glenn, Belle Goodel, Ella M. Graham, Louta A. Hamil-
ton, Mary Hanlen, Carrie Hegner, Ida B. Henry, Florence M. Holton, Julia Horton, Emma
F. Irwin, Anna D. Jenny, Katie B. Evans, Lizzie Jones, Louise W. Kanmacker, Maggie H.
Kanmacker, Clara E. Kemmerle, Emma Kienzle, Madie E Knepper, Emma Litchford, Lida
R. McCabe, Cora A. McCleery, Maggie L. McElvain, Stella M. Nelson, Cornelia C. Olnhausen,
Frankie C. Park, Nellie J. Perley, Adah A. Phelps, Kate B. Porter, Louise Reither, Maggie
B. Remmy, Rae F. Sanders, Xenia L. Schaefer, Emma B. Schneider, Mattie Stelzig, Blanche
Stevens, Florence Todd, Geneva Trent, Helen I. Twiss, Lizzie M. Vincent, Lizzie Vogle-
gesang, Ella F. Warren.
1881. William Benbow, John H. Davis, Clyde L. Farrell, Arthur Gemuender. Theodore
E. Glenn, J. Nicholas Koerner, Edmund J. Montgomery, Charles A. Pryce, John J. Pugh,
George R. Twiss, Lizzie Alexander, Jennie Armstrong, E. Louisa Bainter, Tuza L. Barnes,
Ella Boyer, Ada D. Charters, May M. Cherry, Emma J. Clark, Ottilie Clemen, Mamie
Cornell, Emma L. Dieterich, Alma Dresel, Lizzie Earl, Florence Eberly, Bessie M. Edgar,
Mae F. Elliott, Flora L. Engerotf, Eva Ewers, Anna Finn, Lottie I. Geren, Mattie Glover,
Ida Gottschall, Marie S. Greenleaf, Ella M. Grove, Augusta Haberstich, Mary Haig, Emma
Holton, Laura M. Hughes, Addle Johnson, Minnie Jackson, Mattie V. Kershaw, Carrie D.
Houck, Annettie Lakin, Jennie Lee, Mignon Loechler, Oliver Loetfier, Mina Loomis, Lydia
Mahlmann, Harriet C. Marple, Carrie W. Martin, Zitta McConnell, Mattie E. McGrew,
Alma McKenzie, Jennie Merion, Clara E. Miller, Louisa S. Mulligan, Mary E. Nagle,
M. Helen Osgood, Willie A. Phelps, Louisa Piersche, Nettie Poindexter, Sallie E. Price,
Lena M. Schoedinger, Alice H. Sells, Lizzie Shoemaker, Lulu Stelzig, Mamie Taylor,
The Srnooi.s. II. n?!!
Alwina M. Turkopp, Emma C. Uhluiann, Mary E. Vercoe, Caroline M. Viet, Adelia I..
Waring. Dora H. Weis, Carrie Williams, Nellie C. Wilson, Jessie G. Zigler.
1852. Robert H. Allen, Harry Bingham, Charles E. Chandler, Albert B. Fletcher,
Alfred A. Jones, Gnstavus J. Karger, Harvey Kirk, Carlton Nelson, Leonce A. Oderbrecht,
George W. Sinclair, Lillian Auld, Stella Baker, Grace Barcus, Elta M. Benbow, Luella A.
Boston, Caroline Buchsieb, Flora M. Burdell, Susan Cunningham, Jessie Edwards, Estelle
A. Farmer, Ella K. Farquhar, Alice A. Fassig, Lizzie R. Fassig, Emma P. Felch, Margaret
A. Felch, Clara Fisher, Georgia A. Fornofl, Margaret A. Godsall, Kate Hertenstein, Carrie
D. High, Louise M. Hittler, Carrie F. Johnson, Ida M. Joyce, Agnes W. Keagle, Anna R.
Kinney, Florence Kinsell, Ida M. Knell, Emma Lentz, Hattie J. Levy, Emma L. Linke,
Frances E. Loudin, Florence A, Martin, Annetta McDonald, Bertha McVay, Hose B. MuUay,
Sallie B. Olmstead, Sallie Phillips, Adelaide E. Pugh, Harriet M. Ritson, Norma E. Schueller,
Belle T. Scott, Nora F. Seegur, Susan Senter, Viva Torrey, Laura E. Vorhees.
1853. Mary Johnson, Anna B. Keagle, Clarence Jones, Belle Kinsman, Minnie Schaub,
Ella Hesse, E Corner Bnnvn, Cassius C. Collins, Robert Eckhardt, Charles E. Hampson,
John B. Metters, Emma Jones, Mary Jones, Ordelia Knoderer, Mary B. Lakin, Carrie M.
Lash, William H. Siebert, Harry Taylor, Mattie .^Uen, Fannie Bancroft, Emilie Bauer,
Nellie B. Bordie, May Comstock, Lulu Conway. Fannie Doherly, Maggie Ebin, Alice Ewing,
Lizzie Fearn, Hilda Finn, Lida Filler, Mazie Geren, Benigna Green, Ella M. Graves, Lizzie
Griswold, Antointtte Haberstich, Minnie Hoffman, Annie L. Holman, Lizzie A. Hughes,
Nora B. James, Beatrice Joyce, Henrietta Lesquereux, Fannie Litchford, Abbie McFarland,
Clara Miller, Sallie Morgan, Anna Moore, Mary Mulligan, Cora J. Neereamer, Ada Otstott,
Laura Owen. Margaret Pinnev, Mary Reed, Minnie Rees^, Minnie Reynolds. Ida Rowland,
Lulu B. Runyan, Rettie Russell, Lizzie Sinclair, Nellie G. Smith, Ida Stelzig, Leah Thomas,
Clara Weinman, Fannie Wheeler, Emilie Wirth, Clemmie Watson.
1884. Jennie Chamberlain, Josephine M. McGuffey, Theodore B. Comstock, Emma
Parsons, Maude Alexander, Ida L. Pryce, Richard Bebb, George Constock, Rudolph Day,
Joseph A. Frambes, Harry Holton, Daniel Hughes, James Judge, Harry Lum, Edward
McConnell, Morton McDonald, Birnie Neil, Howard C. Park, John F. Robinson, Benjamin
Talbot, Lincoln Wagenhals, Allen W. Williams, Jennie Arthur, Katie Aston, Emily Bortle,
Alice L. Brown, Amalia Buchsieb, Jennie T. Burr, Hattie Clark, Maggie Dent, Clara Dresel,
Lulu M. Fankhouse, L. Minnie Ferrell, Marion (Earner, Bessie Garwood, Mary Etta Gatch,
Jessie L. Glenn, Addie C. Gordon, Kena M. Haig, Jennie Hammond, Nannie Harrison,
Laura Hoffman, Florence Hopper, Jessie Jelleff, Jessie Jones, Louisa C. Junker, Kate M.
Lacey, EmmaC. McCloud, Jessie B. McKim, Effie G. Millar, Henrietta Moler, Telia Miller,
Anda G. Morin, Wilhelmina C)ch8, Julia L. Palmer, Mamie li. Price, Laura J. Pryce,
Sadie Reed, Minnie M. Reichard, Eudora F. Ross, Carrie L. Scott, Jennie L. Shilling, Josie
SuUivant, Clara Spohr, Nellie K. Thatcher, Emma E. Trott, Mea J. Williams, Sarah A.
Williams
1885. William B. Abbott, William Altman, Philip Cullman, William P. Dunlap, Gran-
ville S. Frambes, Earl M. Gilliam, A. H. Huston, John C. Lincoln, Harry F. Miller, William
H. Reams, Andrew D. Rodgers, Frank W. Savage, Sherman T. Wiggins, Charles A. Wikoff,
Thomas D. Williams, Sadie D. Akin, May Baker, May F. Barratt, Pauline Beck, Maude F.
Beller, Elizabeth E. Bortle, Maude E. Botimer, Helen Bradford, Eleonora Brunning, Josie M.
Burck, Sarah A. Carr, Maude Collins, Nellie M. Crawfonl, Jennie M. DeHaven, Lillie E.
Dougherty, Bertha Drobisch, Anna P. Fischer, Kate Fornoff, Margaret S. Getz, Clara Good-
man, Florence A. Holmes, Jestina Jones, Ella Kershaw, Margaret Koerner, Clara McDonald,
Fannie K. Morrell, Mary K. Park, Jennie D. Patterson, Julia T. Phelp.s, Mary H. Ransom,
Rose M. Rittinger, Emma A. Ruppersburg, Emma Schaub, Laura E. Schreyer, Eda H.
Schueller. Stella E. Schueller, Minna A. Schaffer, Ada M. Shipley, Nellie B. Skinner, Nellie
A. Spring, Nellie Talbot, Bessie T. Taylor, Minnie Williams, Alice C. Willson, Emma Wirth,
Adaline E. Woods, Flora L. Ziegler.
580 History of the City of Columbus.
1886. Maude C. Baker, Mabel Basterdes, Harry L. Bean, Nellie Beggs, Frank Benbow,
M. H. Bliss, Junior, Clara T. Buchsieb, Hallie G. Brown, Carrie 0. Bidleman, H. W. Cham-
berlain, George N. Cole, Lucy Corbin, Lillie M. Crethers, May A. Collier, Mary rtoherty,
May B. Davey, Retta J. Duloit, Lollie Flowers, Tillie T. Gill, Alice H. Moodie, Arabella
Marks, Laura M. Martin, Ernestine Mayer, Mary P. Martini, Camma Neil, Clarice G.
Nessmith, Mary J. Orton, Margaret M. Owen, Martha Ochs, Sarah D. Patterson, Thomas C.
Pugh, Florence M. Eeasoner, Grace T. Roberts, Jennie A. Roberts, Grace E. Radebaugh,
Bessie S. Seibert, Ella A. Somermier, Daisy Schaefer, Zalmen P. Gilmore, Gertrude K. Gregg,
Hattie L. Hall, Minnie G. Jeffrey, Frank Jennings, Lizzie Jung, Harriet Knight, Lulu Stout-
senberger, Ray Steward, Myra Slyh, Florence Turney, Dora Walter, May L. Weaver, Mina L.
Waring.
1887. Carrie E. Allen, Edna Adelia Archer, Martha H. Bailey, Margaret Alice Beach,
Hattie M. Blackwood, Mary Blakiston, Clara Blesch, May V. Bromley, M. S. Browne, Olivia
Bruning, Carrie M. Bryson, Le Ora L. Burington, Joseph P. Byers, Charles L. Clark, Junior,
Charlotte L. Claypoole, George S. Cooper, Theresa M. Daly, Jane McC. Doren, Annie L.
Dunlap, Lillian S. Fassig, Laura J. Garner, Daisy Z. Glenn, Mary E. Gormley, H. Louise Hall,
Rose Hammond, Florence E. Henderson, Margaret E. Huston, Helen Ct. Jaynes, Annie O.
Jones, Marie Jane Lash, Clarence Metters, Martha Moses, Edwin A. Myers, Elizabeth H.
Naddy, Desdemona E. Neil, Mary V. Nessmith, May O'Harra, Sarah E. O'Kane, Katherine
Palmer, Lila J. Piper, Edward W. Poiner, Norah Prentice, Isaac Pugh, Elmer (J. Rice, Ida
Richards, Grace H. Rose, Emilie Schaub, Lucy Alice Seely, Harry J. Shaw, Alica B. Sherman,
Christopher E. Sherman, Esther Steinfield, Mignonnette Talbott, Edward L. Taylor, Atta M.
Terry, Mary J. LTart, Hattie B. Waggoner, Edwin R. Wheeler, Ida Wirth.
1888. Riley H. Bean, Elmer J. Butterworth, D. F. Callinan, W. R. Colton, Harry F.
Flynn, James E. Meek, Arthur L. Pace, William E. Restieaux, William C. Safford, Herbert
S. Talbot, Olive Alison, Mary E. Painter, Emilie L. Beck, Mary Beekey, Lois E. Bradford,
Lizzie M. Bratton, Hortense H. Brooks, Henrietta Browning, Etta G. Bryson, Nannie Coff-
nian, Gertrude Conklin, Carrie A. Cooke, Cora B. Crane, Grace E. Croy, Abbie E. Dean,
Esther Dent, Minnie E. Fearn, Ruth E. Fenimore, Evangeline Fox, Grace Fox, Emma A.
Fritsche, Emma M. Gates, Margaret M. Greenwood, Louise Herrick, Harriet A. Judd, Emma
K. Kaefer, Bathsheba A. Lazelle, Gertrude C. Leib, Anna N. Loudenslager, Adah V. Millar,
Ella Miller, Lora D. Dix, Helen Monroe, Mary F. Nelson, Juliet E. Nesmith, Alice Pflieger,
Mary W. Roberts, Alma Schaub, Cora L. Schrock, Winifred A. Scott, Ella M. Shupe, Ada
M. Skinner, Olive Slade, Anna M. Spencer, Carolena M. Stock, Daisy J. Swickard, Florence
M. Taylor, Lucy B. Tucker, Clara B. Turney, Clara A. Tussing, Wilhemina L. Volk, Anna F.
Williams.
1889. Conrad C. Born, John W. Butterfleld. Dennison D. Byers, Jesse H. Comsauth,
William E. Dawson, Walter English, William L. Graves, Christian Jaeger, John K. Krumm,
William H. Krumm, Sinclair B. Nace, John Newton Patton, Frank R. Shepherd, John G. W.
Slemmons, William C. Williard, James H. Zinn, Margaret F. Ackerman, Renetta M. Ayers,
Maude G. Archer, Dorothy B. Beach, Lillie Von Behren, Cora W. Brooke, Minnie Buchsieb,
Luella B. Crook, Anna G. Dill, Helen C. Fickey, Grace M. Ford, Mary C. Gale, Minnie G.
Hanawalt, Alice D. Hare, Florence L. Hess, Carrie B. Humphrys, Amelia Jaeger, Florence
M. Jaquith, Emma L. Jenkins, Dickie Joyce, Anna L. Kaiser, Lillian M. Lee, Theresa L.
Lentz, Nellie Lombard, Elizabeth Lucas, Ella R. Mayhugh, Clara McGuire, Fannie W. Mix,
Minnie A. Mock, Grace O'Harra, Grace A. Piatt, Nettie M. Reitsche, Elizabeth Samuel, Anna
L. Schwarz, Elizabeth Scott, Maud V. Smith, Emma L. Schiele, Laura E. Stoner, Sarah A.
Vandegriff, Anna Wilcox, Elizabeth Williams, Mae Willoughby, Lillie Witter.
1890. Grace G. Alexander, Lois E. Atwood, Louise C. Balz, Effie F. Beach, Albert Bean,
Flora D. Becker, Mary E. Bell, Grace B. Bidleman, Mary A. Blakely, Erden E. Blackwood,
Ella A. Brooke, Ashley Bradford, Amy F. Bratton, Bertha B. Browne, Grace S. Burdell,
Frederick V. Burington, Grace D. Butterfleld, Mary E. Carr, Martha A. Carter, Arthur W.
The SciiDoi.s. II. f.Sl
Colton, Alice Comstock, Emma Criswell, Edith L Dann, Nellie E. Davis, Mertie I. Davis,
Hertha Dilli', Abigail Donovan, Katherine L. Doren, Estelle J)ubois, Carrie L. Earnest,
Mary Eisenbise. Laura H. Eswein, Fannie O. Fassit', Martha J. Fisher, Maud A. Fowler, Oscar
R. Flynn, Francis E. Gill, Joseph C. Goodman, Maud E. Graham, Jessie C. Graves, Marv
Green, Jeannette B. Hall, Charles Hiell, Lulu P. Henry, Ida Hoffman, Chester Hardy, Mary
L. Hull, Holmes Hubbell, Gracie M. Jamison, Ida M. Jones, Rachel E. Jones, Adeline
Kaefer, Edward Kaemmerer. Flora Kercher Anna S. Kilroy, Blanche A. Kroesen, Leanora
M. Krumm, OeCtude A. Leport, Elizabeth M. Lisle, Mamie L. Loewenstein, Bertha Maddox,
May McClane, Grace E. Martin, Clara J. Miller, Helen E. Ziegler, Mary G. Miller, Charlotte
E. Moore, Amelia Moritz, Kate L. Neereamer, Edith B. Newman, Albert Nickens, Au};ust
Odebrecht, Elizabeth H. O'Harra Elsie M. Phaler, Anna L. Phelps, Clara Pfeifer. .Mau<l L.
Piatt, Lewellyn E. Pratt, Mary Pumpelly, Maud Ray, Minnie Ray, Anna L. Rickel, Susan A.
Ritter, Charles A. Roedelheimer, Kate V. Sands, Charles Swan, Annie Sheppard, Alice G.
Shilling, Josie P. Slemmons, Ida Steinhauser, Ethel M. Steward, Lily M. Thomas, Helen M.
Tippett, Mary G. Twigg, Tessa Wharton, H. O. Williams, Elva H.Young, iHarriet A. Ziegler.
1891. Nellie Bachtell, Jessie Barber, Lulu Barton, Emma Blesch, Edith Benbow, Mabel
Booth, Nellie Bradford, Daisy M. Brooke, Grace Conaway, Estella Conklin, Mary E. Conwell,
Grace Crawford, Phena Davis, Emma Drake, Rica Hyneman, Leona I). Humphreys, Ida
Jones Emma Lentz, Maud Jeffrey, Clara Kaiser, Katherine Kiser, Lillian L. Krumm, Daisy
Liiwenstein, Lena Lockhart, Cora Livingston, I<la Ines Martin, Gertrude Owen, Lida Park,
Nellie N. Smith, Effie L. Stewart, Grace Thompson, Lucy Thomas, Daisy Tootle, Daisy
Tyhurst, Edith .\I. Twiss, Clara Volk, Mary Walker, Nellie Webster, Hattie Wilcox, Grace
Williams, Cliristine Wood, Harry Alexander, Cora Eichhorn, Mary E. Ewing, Georgietta
Fisher, Clara Garner, Clara German, Maud Gillespie, Delia Gunning, Helen M. Hague, Rose
Haviland, Nellie Herrick, Retta Howell, Maria H. Peters, Edith Prall, Florence Pritchard,
Mary Pyne, Fannie Kiggs, Grace D. Saviers, Lena Schenck, Alice Schrock, Abbie E. Simpson,
Blanche Smith, (ieorge H. Calkins, W. C. Cole, Harry Frost, Charles Herbert, Newton Jenkins,
Otto H. Magley, William A. Marsh, Perry L. Miles, George A. O'Bryan, Marcus Simonton,
Anna N. Coady, Edna P.Collins, Jessie Crane, Lillie Howie, Sarah Shay, Bessie Shields, Lulu
Townsend, William Beitel, Frank J. Dawson, Oscar A. Newfang.
CHAPTER XXXI,
BENCH AND BAR.
BY HON. LEANDER J. CRITCHFIELD.
Within tho proper limits of a single chapter no more than a mere outline his-
tory- of the Bench and Bar of the City of Columbus can be given. The purpose of
this chapter is not biography, but general notice will be taken of the courts held
in this locality as parts of a judicial system, and of the nature and conduct of
business in the courts, and of the relation of the judiciary to the communitj' and
the government, omitting details and individual names with few exceptions.
Charles Dickens says: "The administration of justice is the noblest duty of
social man."
The history of organized society, whether of a state or a lesser political sub-
division, cannot be completely written or properly understood without consider-
ing tho place and influence of the bench and bar ia its organization. The judicial
function in government is essential to the preservation of public order and the
protection of individual rights. The immeuiorial existence and exercise of the
judicial oflSce in all forms of government, whether a despotism, an oligarchy, a
monarchy or a republic, proves its necessity. In the ruder state of society the
judicial power was usually vested in the executive ; but in more advanced civiliza-
tions, in independent judicial courts established by the sovereign authority and
representing it. The advance in civilization is at once marked and measured by
the learning and independence of the judicial magistrates.
As the bench is indispensable to the State, so is the bar indispensable to the
bench. As oflBcers of the court the members of the bar, in an important sense,
conduct the business of the courts in representing the litigant parties and in pre-
senting their causes for adjudication upon reiison and authority. In the elegant
though florid language of D' Aguesseau, the profession of the advocate is " as ancient
as magistracy, as noble as truth, and as necessary as justice." In the most
enlightened and powerful nations of ancient and of modern times, lawyers, as
a body, have been held in high honor for the learning of their profession, the
responsibility and dignity of their employment, and the importance of their serv-
ices in the vindication of personal rights and the promotion of the public welfare.
From the bar the bench must be supplied and largely assisted in its work. They
act and react upon each other. A learned and pure body of lawyers will
[582]
i)KNi'n AND Bah. r)S3
I'uniisli iL^ariicii iiiul j)urc judges. An olcviitcd biiich will ilraw Uic bar up lo it.s
level. Tliey both come to their best estate undiT I roc iiisiilutions Jind poinihir
government, and, in turn, are their surest guaranty. The fnunders ol'our govorn-
nu-nt, national and t^tate. have wisely jirovided in our eonstitutioiis and legislation
for the ailniinistration oljustiee as iM(lis|iensabl(' to llie permanency of the govern-
ment itself.
The judicial history of Ohio Territory covers a period of over one liiimlred
years, embracing, as it does, the provisions relating to the courts and the adminis-
tration of justice found in the Ordinance of 1787 for the government of the tcr-
ritor}- northwest of the Ohio Rivei-, and in the laws adopted by the Governor and
Judges under the authority of that instrument ; in the sub.sequent enactments of
tiie territorial legislatures; in the first and second constitutions of this Stale; in
the enactments of the state legislatures, and in the practical administration of the
laws b_y the several coui'ts established for that ])urpose. Each county subdivision
furnishes part of that history. The parts furnished are alike in character. The
unit}- of the general plan of our judicial systems appears in their continuity, in the
territorial ordinance and statutes, and in the state constitutions and statutes. The
several changes made in the last century have been largely in matters of jurisdic-
tion and modes of practice, and not, to any great extent, in the i)lan of distribution
of judicial ])owers. The territorial courts are prototypes of those under the state
government, as are the courts under the first state constitution prototypes of those
under the second. That it should be so is natural. Many of the men who
administered or were familiar with the territorial government and its judicial
83"stem were framers of the Constitution of 1802, and the system under that
instrument became familiar to the people and was followed in framing the Con-
stitution of 1851. The General or Supreme Court of the Territory is the ]irototype
of the State Supreme Court in Banc and on the Circuit. The Circuit Court of
the Territory may be likened to the State Supreme Court on the Circuit, or the
later District Court, or the present Circuit Court. The territorial Court of Com-
mon Pleas and the court of that name under the state constitution are substan-
tially identical. The Court of Quarter Sessions of the peace of the Territory with
criminal jurisdiction is the later criminal court established from time to time in
certain counties or cities of the State; the Probate Court, and later, the Orjilums'
Court of the Territory, are like our i)resent Probate Court; and courts of
justices of the ])eace in the townships are common to the tei-ritorial and state gov-
ernments.
Upon the establishment of the state government ))rovision was made by legis-
lation for the transfer of the business pending in the courts of the Territory to
like courts of the State. The transition from the first to the second state consti-
tution did not radically change the judicial plan. The Supreme Court on the cir-
cuit, under the first constitution, was succeeded under the second by the Disli-ict
Court, now the Circuit Court. The probate jurisdiction of the Orphans' Court
under the territorial system was vested in the Court of Common Pleas under the
Constitution of 1802, and divested, under the Constitution of 1851, and vested in our
present Probate Court.
584 History op the City of Columbus.
This unity and continuity in the judicial plan show the present courts in any
county to be related to the systems of the past, and likely to be parts of any future
system. A historj' of local courts is connected with the larger histor}' of the
system of which they are parts.
This locality having been within the jurisdiction of the General or Supreme
Court of the territory uorthwest of the Ohio River under the Ordinance of 1787,
a passing reference is here made to that court and its judges. The Ordinance of
1787 provided for " a court to consist of three judges any two of whom to form a
quorum who shall have a common law jurisdiction." That jurisdiction was both
original and appellate in civil and criminal cases and exclusive in cases for
divorce and alimony. The decisions of the court were final. No reports of them
were made in any permanent form. As to the routine business of the court par-
ticulars are not desirable, and could not be ascertained for want of records. Those
that were made have probably perished in the ruins of time. The general
character of the causes that came before the court for adjudication may be
inferred from its jurisdiction and the condition of civilization and the occupations
of the people in the Territorj^.
The judges and lawyers who went to the Territory took with them the
ordinance for its government and the principles of the common law, and verj'
little additional aid in establishing a system of courts and practice. The Governor
and Judges were empowered by the ordinance to adopt such laws, criminal and
civil, of the original States, as the necessities and circumstancesof the Territory and
people required. They exercised that power and exceeded italso by enacting laws
of their own framing. The task of building up a satisfactory judicial system was
not very well accomplished within the time of the territorial government, but the
work was left to be improved upon under the state government.
The General Court was held at Cincinnati, Marietta and Detroit, at fixed
terms, and in other counties in the territory as the business demanded. The first
Territorial Judges were Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchell Varnum and
John Armstrong. They were appointed by the Congress of the Confederation.
Armstrong declined, and John Cieves Symmes was appointed in his place. After
the National Constitution was adopted. President Washington rea])pointed Judges
Parsons and Symmes, as judges of the General Court of the Territory. William
Barton was appointed to the same bench at the same time but declined, and
George Turner was appointed to the vacancy. Judge Parsons died soon after his
last appointment and Rufus Putnam was appointed in his place. After a short
service Putnam resigned, and Joseph Gillman was apjiointed to the vacancy.
Judge Turner resigned and Return Jonathan Meigs was appointed in his place.
Judges Symmes, Gillman and Meigs were in commission in 1802, when the terri-
torial government was supei'seded by the state government of Ohio established in
the eastern division of the Territory.
It would not be in keeping with the limited scope and purposes of this chap-
ter to give any extended review of the judicial systems of the constitutions of 1802
and 1851 ; but it may be briefly stated that from the beginning we have had a
Supreme Court at the seat of government; a court in the counties superior to the
Bknch and Bar. 585
Court of Common Pleas, being, under the Constitution of 1802, the Supremo Court
on the circuit, and, under the Constitution of 1851, originallj' tiio District Court,
consisting of two or more common pleas judges of the district and one judge of
the Supreme Court, and later, under the amendment of 1883, of the constitution, the
present Circuit Court, consisting of three judges; a court of Common Pleas in
each county, consisting, under the Constitution of 1802, of a pi-esident judge and
not more ihan three nor less than two associate judges, and under the Constitution
of ISoljOf one judge ; a Probate Court under the Constitution of 1851, consisting
of onejudge; and both constitutions provided for"a competent number of justices
of the peace" in each township, as did the Ordinance of 1787.
A most important provision of tiie Constitution of 1851, is the one for the
appointment of three commissioners to revise, reform, simplify and abridge the
practice, pleadings, forms and proceedings of the courts of record, and for abolish-
ing the distinct forms of actions at law then in use, and for the administration of
justice by a uniform mode of proceeding without reference to any distinction
between law and equity. In obedience to this provision of the constitution the
Code Commissioners were appointed, and their work was the beginning of the
reformed procedure now prevalent in this State.
The tcrritoi-y now within the limits of Franklin County was first settled in
1797, then being a part of the county of Koss, and was under the territorial gov-
ernment. In other chapters the history of that first settlement is given, detailing
the work of Lucas SuHivant, a young civil engineer of Kentucky, with his corps
of assistants, in making surveys and locating land warrants in the Virginia Mili-
tar}^ District west of the Scioto Piver. In August, 1797, he laid out the town of
Franklinton, subsequently the first seat of justice of Franklin County-, designated
as such by a legislative commission as hereinalter stated. Under the act of March
30, 1803, the county of Franklin was carved out of the county of Eoss and organ-
ized. It was bounded on the east nearly as it is now ; on tiie south by a iiiu- near
the middle of the present county of Pickaway; on the west bj' Greene County, anil
on the nortli by Lake Erie. The creation of numerous new counties out of this
extended territory, including Delaware, Pickaway, Madison and Union, and some
subsequent changes in lines, and some additions from Licking and Fairfield, left
the county of Franklin bounded as it is at present. Under tlie act of March 28,
1803, "establishing seats of justice," Jeremiah McLeno, James Ferguson and Wil-
liam Creighton having been appointed commissioners by the legislature to fix the
permanent seat of justice of Franklin County, on June 20, 1803, selected "the
town of Franklinton on the Scioto River, in the county of Franklin aforesaid, as
the most suitable place for the seat of justice and holding the courts for said
county." Franklinton remained the countyscat until 1824, when Columbus, the
capital of the State, was made the .seat of justice of the county of Franklin.
The Courthouse in Franklinton was not erected until 1807-8. At what partic-
ular places in Franklinton the courts were held previous to that date the record
does not inform us, except that the March term of the Court of Common Pleas in
1805 was held at the house of Joseph Parks, and the July term of that year at the
house of Pobert Annsti-(jiig. The itrecise location of these houses is not known to
586 History op the City op Columbus.
the present generatiou. They were probably built of logs obtained on or near the
spot. The change of place of holding the courts indicates, what we may well sup-
pose, a difficulty in .'securing either a suitable or a permanent room for the purpose.
The first public building erected was a jail. The houses obtainable were probably
not strong enough to hold offenders against the peace and dignity of the State.
At the January term of the Court of Common Pleas in 1804 the erection of a jail
was provided for, as stated in a preceding chapter. The specifications of this
"prison house," primitive as it was, are certainly artistically drawn, showing the
hand of a master, probably that of Lucas Suliivant, Clerk of the Court and civil
engineer. As the order that this log jail be "built immediately" was urgent, no
doubt a full force of builders was put to work without delay. The logs were prob-
ably obtained in the forest near by, and forest echoes awakened by the felling of
the trees. Tiie building was completed within a few weeks, for, at a session of
the Associate Judges held on March 24, 1804, it was " ordered that there be paid
unto John Dili, Esq., eight dollars out of the county treasury cash by him
advanced to purchase a lock for the jail of Franklin County."
The brick Courthouse built in 1807-8 was located in Frauklinton, fronting on
the north side of what is now known as West Broad Street, on the site of the
present new public school building, and was itself used as a schoolhouse for many
years. The log jail built in 1804 was superseded by a new brick jail erected at
about the same time as the Courthouse, and a few rods northeast of it. All trace
of these public buildin'^s has now disappeared. They answered their purpose
until they were abandoned on the removal of the countyseat in 1824 from Frank-
linton to Columbus. The first courthouse erected in Columbus was a brick build-
ing located on the Statehouse Square nearly opposite the present main entrance of
the Neil House. In this building the United States courts were held until they
were removed to Cincinnati and Cleveland on the division of the district. It con-
tinued to be used as the county courthouse until the erection of the next new one
in 1840 at the southeast corner of High and Mound streets, where the present ele-
gant courthouse now stands.'
The first county jail in Columbus was a brick structure located on the south
side of East Gay Street, and is now part of a tenement house. It was used as the
jail until 1840, when a new one was erected about the same time the courthouse
was. This jail, subsequently remodeled and enlarged, continued in use until the
completion of the present one, erected on the lot fronting on Fulton Street.
These progressive improvements to accommodate the courts were in harmony
with the general progress of the country, and the increasing demands of business.
It may not be said that equal improvement has been made in the administration
of justice. That w.a8 not to be expected. Some advance, no doubt, has been made
in methods of practice, but legal principles are not subject to change, nor, perhaps,
does the iiuman intellect improve in any general sense as the medium for their
application. The principles of law announced in the great decisions of Chief
Justice Marshall and his clear and strong intellectual proee-ses have not been
improved upon and are not likely to be in all coming time.
Bench and 15ar. 587
By the Orilinaiico of 1787 the Governor of the Territory was required to
appoint 8ucli magistrates in each township as he siiouid "find necessary for the
preservation of the i)eace and good order in tlic same." From an inspection of
their jjowers and duties us defined by acts adopted by the Governor and Judges of
the Territory and enacted by its legishiture, it is seen that justices of the peace
were deemed very imjiortant ofiiciais in the Territoiy, as they have been in the
State, both in civil and in criminal administration. These township courts, acces-
sible to the people in their own immediate neighborhoods, and comparatively inex-
pensive and speedy in the disposition of business, have ever been and arc likely to
continue to be regarded as indispensable in any adequate judicial system.
On May 10, 1803, in obedience to an act of the legislature "to regulate the
election of justices of the peace and for other purposes" the Associate Judges of
Franklin County met at the place of holding courts and proceeded " to lay out the
county into a convenient number of townships, and appoint to each township a
proper number of justices of the peace." They subdivided the county into four
townships, as narrated in a previous chapter, and provided for the election of
justices. The election was held June 1, 1803, and thus the first township courts in
Franklin County were inaugurated. It is not practicable and would not be profita-
ble to name the successive justices of the peace in the several townships of Frank-
lin County from its beginning to the present, but a few of those who served in the
townships in which the countyseat was located may be mentioned. Franklin
township was organized in 1803, and Montgomery in 1K07. William Sliaw, tlie
first justice of the peace in Montgomery township, was electcti in 1S(I7; Michael
Fisher was elected in the same township in 1808.
Arthur O'llarra, elected a justice of the peace in Franklin Township in 180!t
and reelected in 1812, 1854 and 1858, was a man of prominence and usefulness for
more than half a century. In 1814 he was a)ipi)inteil an associate judge ol' the
Court of Common Pleas of this count}-.
Jacob Grubb, elected justice of the peace for Franklin Township in 1S20, was
likewise a man in whom the earl3' settlers had great confidence. He was reelected
in 1823, 1826, 1829, 1832, and 1835. During much of this time he was also
Treasurer of Franklin County, to which office he was appointed by the .Associate
Judges in 1803 and reai)pointed for successive terms until 1827.
William Henderson was elected a justice of the peace in Franklin T((wnslii|)
in 1841. His official career became noted in connection with the Jerry Finney
kidnapping case referred to in a subsequent part of this chapter.
William T. Martin was elected a justice of the peace in Montgomery Town-
ship in 1.S20, and reelected in 182G, 1830, 1833, 1839, 1842, 1845, and in 1.S4S. He
declined reelection in 1829. His long continuance in service is a signal ])roof of his
ability and fidelity. His stately presence, dignified appearance, elegant manners
and general culture and intelligence are remembered by the older citizens of the
present day. In 1831 he was elected County Recorder, and was reelected for suc-
cessive terms of three years each until 1846. In 1851 he was elected an as.sociate
judge of the Court of Common I'leas
588 History op the City of Columbus.
David W. Deshler was elected a justice of the peace in Montgomery Town-
ship in 1822, reelected in 1825 and resigned in 1826. The City of Columbus never
had a more excellent citizen. In accepting the office of justice and serving the
public for four j-ears in that capacity he exhibited his appreciation of duty to the
communitj- in which he lived. He was a man of very superior mental powers,
and could have excelled in any other profession, as he did in banking and other
business. Hi.s intellectual qualities were equaled by his kindness of heart,
elegance of manners and fidelity to every trust.
John P. Bruck was elected a justice of the peace of Montgomery Township in
1842, and was reelected in 1845 and 1849. He is remembered as a German gentle-
man of ability and integrity, and a most excellent magistrate. In the list of
causes which appear on his docket was an unusual one thus entitled : " Frederick
^Lu^ ivt-t-Li. ■ J^ouglas V. The Ohio Stage Company." On July 16, 1850, Frederick Douglas,
^"^ the distinguished colored orator, paid to the Stage Companj' the sum of three
dollars, which was the regular stage fare, for his passage from Columbus to Zanes-
ville. When the stage called for him in its rounds for passengers he took a seat
inside in company with a lady who had delayed her journey for a day or two for
the benefit of his protection, but on their arrival at the Stage Office Douglas was
ordered out of the coach by Hooker, the agent. Being in poor health and disin-
clined to contend with the agent, Mr. Douglas got out and was then ordered to
take a seat on the top of the stage. He declined to do that, and demanded his
money back. This being refused he brought this suit to recover it. Joshua R.
Giddings was his attorne}-. The case did not come to trial, but was settled, the
company paying the plaintiff thirteen dollars and liquidating the costs of the suit.?^
John G. Miller was elected a justice of the peace in Montgomery Township in
1854, and was reelected in 1857. He is remembered as a courtly Virginia gentle-
man of the old school, possessing a good legal education and great dignity and
urbanity of deportment. He was commonly spoken of as Chief Justice, and in his
court not only were the principles of the common and statute law duly adminis-
tered, but the principles of equity were freely applied whenever occasion and
justice seemed to require it.
Many other township magistrates are deserving of special mention which the
scope of this chapter does not permit. Let one other name close the list. The
venerable Lot L. Smith, whose recent and sudden death in office, on March 8,
1892, brings his many rare virtues as a citizen and magistrate of Montgomery
Township into special prominence, served as justice for an aggregate term of nine
years lacking one month. First elected to the office in 1878 he was reelected in
1881, and finally in 1889, each time for a term of three years. His legal learning,
rare intellectual endowments, good sense and sterling honesty especially qualified
him for the important deities of a magistrate, which he discharged with ability,
firmness and kindness, and to the general satisfaction of the public. As a man and
citizen he will long be remembered for his amiability, integrity and generous traits
of character.
The Mayor of Columbus exercised police jurisdiction during the years
previous to the creation of the office of Police Judge by the legislative act of March
^r . Mm 9UtUjUi.Cir^ U ^6 .^^ .-^ J— 9^. ^^ '^
^.v*-.c^>* ^-^^' ^^A^ "
^^. ^M/^r^ ^^^A^ l^^iU^ ^.^..^^J
tyuu^h , Pkx^ iLe<**<^ c*-«->*^ ^^^Tx,-t^ U^M-i/ ^oLttZ^ /^L^
fds^
ZyjtO:^f^t --■ — ^^
/ / X ^. fU,^ ^, - A^^--^ «-«'^ jU,i,m^***4^ ftp
^^^^r2^, Jj^-^ ^-L^L^e^ C^cr^.^-t.^.^cW'''^'^^
JfU ^^^*-^' ^h^^ jf^ '^ ^^^' ^^^ /^
Bkn.I1 am. Bak. r)SO
2, 1891. Under that act Matthias Martin was cloctoci Police Judi^c for the jireHcribcd
term of three years, and is now in commission. Ilis administration of the office is
characterized by legal acumen and good sense, promotive of imhlic onUr and safety
without infringing ujion the just rights of the individual.
The Probate Court is provided for in the Constitution of 1S.')1, ami its juris-
diction is regulated b}- statute. To that jurisdiction are coinmiltcd vast property
interests in the matter of estates and trusts, in which widows, children and others
are vitally interested. This court is always open and accessible. The Probate
Judge is elected b3- the voters of the county for a term of three j^oars. In the forty
years of the existence of this court its duties have been discharged by seven judges
in the tbllowing order: "William U. RanUin, William Jamison, Herman B. Albery,
John M. Pugh, John T. Gale, Charles G. SafHn, and Lorenzo i). Ilagerty, the
present incumbent.
The ancient and useful tribunal of the people known as the Court of Common
Pleas has been familiar to our judicial sji-stem from the time of its origin. Follow-
ing territorial precedents in order to meet primitive conditions, the earlier legis-
lation of the State imposed miscellaneous duties not of a judicial character u])on
the judicial branch of the government, and particularly u]ion the Court of Com-
mon Pleas or its judges. Among these duties was the aiijioiMtnient of the Sheriff,
Recorder, Treasurer and Surveyor of the county and of (he eulloctors and asses-
sors or ''listers of taxable property" for the towiishi]is; also the establishment and
opening of roads, together with other duties now discharged by the County Com-
missioners. These and other executive functions, such as granting licenses to
keep hou.ses of public entertainment, gavi> the early courts an<l particularly the
Associate Judges, employment suited to theii' .pialiticalions, to the great conven-
ience and benefit of the ])eoj)le.
The advance of the State in jiopulation was attended by a cf.rresponding
increase in the judicial and nonjudicial business of the courts. The judicial system
of the Constitution of 18(12 was not adapted to this enlarged demand upon it,
and the Court of Common Pleas especially seemed to be beyond relief by legisla-
tion. The circuits of that court, although increased in number as new counties
were created, remained too large for the President Judge, who, alone of the judges,
was a lawyer, and upon whom the judicial business rested. The Associate Judges,
generally most excellent citizens and intelligent men, were not educated in the
law and therefore not able to assist the presiding judge in the discharge of strictly
judicial functions. In probate matters and the numerous executive duties hereto-
fore mentioned, the Associate Judges rendered important service. The system was
found to be confused and inadequate. It was better that much of the executive
business should be vested in the board of county commissioners, the probate busi-
ness in a probate court, and the jmlicial functions of the Common Pleas in a
single judge learned in the law.
By the act of April 15, 1803, "organizing the judicial courts," the State
was divided into three circuits, of which the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Mont-
gomery, Greene, Warren and Clermont composed the first; the counties of Adams,
Scioto, lloss, Franklin, Fairfield, and Gallia, the second ; and the counties of
590 History op the City of Columbus.
Washington, Belmont, Jefferson, Columbiana and Trumbull the thii-d. The
act provided that " a president of the courts of common pleas shall be appointed in
each circuit, as the constitution directs, who, together with three associate judges,
to be appointed in each county as aforesaid, shall compose the court of com-
mon pleas of each county, any three of whom shall be a quorum, and where they are
equally divided in opinion, the president shall have the casting vote." The
act also fixed the times of holding the Court of Common Pleas in the several
counties. In Franklin County the first terms were appointed for the first Tuesday
of May, September and January. The appointments of judges have been elsewhere
mentioned. The records of these courts show, as is characteristic of the ruder state
of society, that frequent acts of violence " against the peace and dignity of the
State," required prosecution and punishment on the criminal side of the court, and
that actions for trespass vi et armis for the same violence took their places upon the
civil docket along with ordinary actions for debts, damages and the like. Questions
as to land titles were numerous in the first settlement of the country, and for
decades afterward. This was especially' true in the Virginia Military District.
Actions of ejectment were common in Franklin Countj-, as elsewhere. Many
such causes are found upon the court records of this county during the first
fifty years of its history. The character of litigation changes in harmony with the
progressive development of the country, the ever-multiplying employments of the
people, and the ever-changing methods and agencies of business. During the
earlj' settlement of the country' the business pursuits were few and primitive,
but as society became more mature and trade more abundant and farreaching
through the agency of improved roads and transportation, legal questions call-
ing for adjudication becameaccordingly more important and complicated. This fact
is reflected in the court records. While general legal principles remained unchanged,
their application to new conditions imposed upon the judiciary new and more
difficult duties.
The first session of the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County was held in
the town of Franklinton " on the first Tuesday in May, and on the third day
thereof," as the record states it. The year is not given, but it was 1803. The court
was held by the Associate Judges. The record runs as follovvs: "John Dill,
David Jamison and Joseph Foos, Esquires, having been duly commissioned by his
Excellency, Edward Tiffin, Esquire, Governor of the State of Ohio, as Associate
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin, and having first
taken the oaths of allegiance, as also the oath of office, assumed their seats.
The court then proceeded to appoint their clerk, whereupon Lucas Sullivant
was appointed Clerk pro tempore, who also took the oath of oflSce." It seems that
Benjamin White was Sheriff, and that no lawyers were in attendance. The record
shows that the first and only judicial act of this first term of the court was
an order, emblematic of the transitory nature of human interests, granting
" the application of Joseph Foos and Jane Foos, widow and relict of John Poos,
deceased, for letters of administration on his estate." The court then adjourned
until the first Tuesday of the ensuing September, the date fixed for its next term.
Hknch and Bar. 5!)1
Tho Common Pleas record of the September term, 1803, roads thus:
At a court of common pleas begun and held in the town of FrankHntcm. cm the lirst
Tuesday in September, in the year of our Lord one thousand oiglit hundred and tliroe, and
of the State tlie first, before the Honorahle Willys Sillinian, Lfcjuire, Presidi-nl, and David
Jamison and John Foos, Esquires, two of tho Associate Judges of said court, John S. Wills,
Michael Baldwin, Philemon Beecher, William W. Irwin and Jonathan Reddick, intending to
appear as attorneys in this court, took the oath of fidelity to this State, the oath to support
the Constitution of this State, and the oath of an attorney-at-law, [and] they are severally
admitted to practice as attorneys therein.
On the same day of the term the three commissioners — Jereniiaii McLcne,
James Ferguson and William Crcighton — appointed by tho General Assemhij- to
fix the permanent seat of justice of the county, reported to the court that they bad
selected the town of Franlclinton. The report was ordered to be recorded and the
commissioners were allowed for their services — six days — the sum of twelve dol-
lars, Jeremiah McLeno being allowed three dollars " additional for writing and
circulating the notices required by the law." As a further specimen of the com-
pensation paid for public service at that time the following entry on the docket is
here copied : " Ordered, that there be paid out of the county treasury unto John S.
Wills, Esq., the sum often dollars as a compensation for his services as prosecuting
attorney for the countj' during the present term. " Probably that fee corresponded
with the hotel bills of that early time.
The first regular business of the court at the September term, 1803, was to
charge the Grand Jury, which " withdrew from the bar. and after some time
returned into court" and made a presentment. It .seems that in the preced-
ing June, Usual Osborn had committeil an assault and battery u])on Joseph Story
" contrary to the laws of this State in such case made and provided." This indict-
ment was signed by John S. Wills, Pro.secuting Attorney pro tern. At the next
term of the court, held in January, 1804, the Prosecuting Attorney' refused to pros-
ecute further on the indictment, probably on account of defects in it, and a new
one was pi-esented by the Grand Jury. The new indictment was " nol pros'd," in
accordance, probably, with the terms of a settlement of a pending civil action for
the same assault shown by the following entry on the record, the orthograi»hy, lint
not the italics being the same as in the original :
John Story, Plaintiff, against Usual Osborn, Defendant. In trespass vi et armis. This
suit being agreed by the parties — It is ordered that their agreement be made the ju<iginent
of the court, which said agreement is in the words and figures following, to wit : " This is to
sMr(t/y that John Story and Usual Osborn has settled thare siiU themselves on these condi-
tion. — Osbourn agreese to pay the cost of the Ritl and of three Suprnes and half the court
and Clarks fees, and John Story pays the balance of the cost. Given under our liands this 4th
day of January 1804— we agree to here set our hands and seals.
John Stohy. [L. S.]
EsCAi, OsnouuN. [L.- S-l
Among the orders entered at this January term (18(14) was the tolhjwing:
"Ordered, that there be paid unto Adam Hosaek, Sheriff of this cciiiiily, the sum
of one dollar and fifty cents for summoning the grand jury for January term,
1804."
592 History of the City of Colombiis.
It may be assumed, without entering into detail, that the routine business of
the Court of Common Pleas'of Franlvlin County continued from term to term and
year to year in its ordinary course, except as now and then marked by cases of
exceptional character. After the lapse of nearly ninety j-ears we now find the
same court continuing its sessions with two thousand eases on its docket and three
judges on its bench — Eli P. Evans, Thomas J. Duncan and David P. Pugh ; occa-
sionally assisted by Isaac N. Abernethy, all excellent judges.
The Superior Court of Franklin County was establisiiod by an act passed in
1857 and was abolished by law in 1865. The object of this court was to relieve
the Court of Common Pleas, whicli had a larger docket than it could readily
dispose of. But such courts being exceptional, and not in direct line with the
other tribunals in the judicial system of Ohio, they have not always been regarded
with public favor, although conducted by able judges. Such was the case with
the Superior Court of Franklin County. Two excellent lawyers successively
occupied the bench of that court, the first being Fitch James Matthews, elected in
1857 and reelected in 18(32, each time for a term of five years, but was obliged by
failing health to resign in February, 1864. Judge Matthews was succeeded by J.
William Baldwin, who was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy, and
who served until the court was abolished about one j'ear later. Noah H. Swayne,
then a resident lawyer of Columbus, was a candidate at the first election for Judge
of the Superior Court against Matthews and came within a few votes of being
elected. Swayne's defeat was probably the greatest good fortune that ever
happened to him except his appointment in January, 1862. by President Lincoln
as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, a position to
which he would probably never have acceded had he been elected to preside over
the Franklin County Superior Court.
All the judges of the courts under the Constitution of 18li2 were elected by
joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly " for the term of seven years,
if so long they behave well." Vacancies were filled by appointment by the Gov-
ernor. Under the Constitution of 1851, all the judges are elected bj' the people
for specified terms, the Common Pleas judges by the electors of each judicial sub-
division for a term of five years, the Probate judge by the electors of the several
counties, for a term of three years. Vacancies are filled by executive appointment
and subsequent election by the people.
The City of Columbus is in the Common Pleas subdivision consisting of the
counties of Franklin, Madison and Pickaway.
Wyllis Silliman, the first President Judge of the Franklin County Common
Pleas, presided for the first time at the September term in 1803, and after his
retirement resided at Zatiesville, where he engaged in the general practice of law.
When the writer was a small boy in Holmes County, Judge Silliman, then in
advanced age, attended the courts there, and is remembered as a venerable gentle-
man of fine presence and elegant manners. He was reputed to be an able and
accomplished lawyer.
Without departing from the plan of this chapter, or making any formal
attempt to write biography, mention may be made of three additional Common
Pleas judges who lived and died in Columbus, viz.; Joseph R. Swan, James L.
Bench and Bak. 593
Bates, ami John L. Giocn. Judge Swan's most useful and distinguished judicial
service, was, perhaps, tliat which he performed on the Common Pleas bench dur-
ing the fourteen ye'irs extending tVom 1834 to 1S4S In tiie lower court in an
extended circuit he was nearer to the people and the lawyers than he could be on
the Supreme Bench to which he was promoted. Ilis administration of the law in
the Common Pleas was performed with such rare ability, impartiality and dignity
as to produce respect for the courts, and it is no exaggeration to saj" that his judi-
cial service honored his profession not onlj- within the limits of his circuit but far
beyond them.
In 1851 James L. Bates was elected as the first Common Pleas judge in Frank-
lin County under the Constitution of 1851, and was reelected without opposition in
1856, and again in 1861. His judicial service for fifteen consecutive years was
efficient, impartial, conscientious and satisfactory to the people. He will long be
remembered as an able and upright judge.
John L. Green succeeded Judge Bates by election in 1866, and was reelected in
1871 and 1876 for terms of five years each. He was a cultured gentleman, a good
lawyer in all branches of jurisprudence, and adorned the Common Pleas bench with
rare learning and ability.
Brief mention may be made also of the two judges of the Superior Court.
Fitch James Matthews, the first judge of that court, is remembered as a good lawyer,
an able and impartial judge and a good citizen. His successor, J. William Bahiwin,
served only about one year, but in a manner eminently satisfactory to the bar and
the public. On the bench, as in the practice of his profession, he maintained
a reputation for great learning in all branches of the law, but particularlj- in equity
jurisprudence and the law of real jjropertj-, in which lie was more of a specialist than
any of his contemporaries. His o]iinions in these branches were generally accepted
as authoritj-.
The difference between the Supreme Court in banc and the same tribunal on
the ciicuit, during the first year or two in the historj- of this branch of our
local jurisprudence, is not easj- todetermine. The record in tlie first order bo(jk of
the Supreme Court of ■' December term, 1810," in the Statehouse, shows that "at a
Supreme Court of the Stale of Ohio, holden in the town of Franklinton, for
the county of Franklin, on Monday the twentj-fourth day of December, ISIO, and
ninth year of the State, the Honorable Thomas Scott, William W. Irwin and
Ethan Allen Brown severally produced to the clerk commissions Ironi his Excellency
Samuel Huntington, Governor of this State, appointing them Judges of the Supremo
Court of this State, and it appearing that they had regularly (qualified thereto, they
took their seats on the Bench . . . Thomas Scott, Chief Judge, and William
W. Irwin and Ethan Allen Brown Judges of said court." The court was in session
three days, and "appointed Lyne Starling Clerk of the Supreme Court for
the count}- of Franklin for the term of seven years," and, "on motion of Charlotte
Smith by John S. Wills, her attorney, her petition for a divorce was withdrawn."
Ou a writ of error the court revei-sed a judgment of the Franklin County Common
Pleas, and ordered to be entered and certified back to the Clerk of the Supreme Court
of the Counties five cases adjourned from Fairfield, two from Muskingum and one from
3S
594 History of the City of Columbus.
Washington ; and it was further " ordered that this court be adjourned until court in
course:' A record is made of the same " December term, 1810," in the County
Clerk's office. The next "court in course ' for the county of Franklin was begun
and held in Franklinton on November 29, 1811 ; present, Thomas vScott, Chief Judge,
and William W. Irwin, Judge, as appears from Order Book Number One, in
the Clerks office in the Statehouse, but according to the recor.ls in the County
Clerk's office a term was begun and held "for the county of Franklin at Pranklin-
tou on the ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eleven, and tenth year of the State;" present, Thomas Scott,
Chief Judge, and William Irwin and Ethan Allen Brown, Judges. The apparent
confusion arises from tlie probable fact that the terms of the Supreme (Jourt held at
Franklinton in 1810 and 1811 were terms of the Supreme Court in binic as well
as on the circuit, if any such distinction was then made.
There were seventeen cases, all told, on the docket of the Supreme Court at its
December term in 1810. The last term of the Supreme Court on the circuit in
Franklin County, under the Constitution of 1802, was that of November, 1851. It
began November 27, of that year, and adjourned without day, January 15, 1852;
present, William B. Caldwell, President Judge ; Kufus P. Ranney, Judge ; and Lewis
Heyl, Clerk. Yearly terms of the Suj)reme Court on the circuit, beginning in
1810, ended in 1852, when that court on the circuit and in banc, and the judicial
system of which it was a part, were superseded by the District and Supreme courts
provided for by the Constitution of 1851. The first term of the Supreme Court
under that constitution was that of March, 1852, and was held in Columbus; pres-
ent, William B. Caldwell, Chief Justice, and Allen G. Thurman, Thomas W. Bart-
ley, John A. Corwin and Rufus P. Ranney, Judges. Under successive judges this
court has continued to be held in Columbus until the 23resent time as the court of
last resort in the State. Such has been the increase of its business, in conformity
with contemporary growth in the population and wealth of the State, that, at the
beginning of its January term in 1892 there were over one thousand cases on its
docket, an impressive showing when compared with the docket numbering only
seventeen cases at the December term in 1810.
To rel.ieve the congested state of business in the Supreme Court, a commis-
sion of five members, each to serve three years, was appointed in 1876, and in 1883
a similar commission was appointed, the members of which were each to serve
for a term of two years. The sessions of these commissions were held in
Columbus.
The first case reported in the first volume of the Ohio Reports was that
entitled " Lessee of Moore v. Vance," and was decided by the Supreme Court on
the circuit held in Franklin County by Judges McLean and Hitchcock. It was an
action of ejectment involving the title to a body of land in the Virginia Military
District, and the controversy related lo the validity of a deed executed without
altesling witnesses under the laws of the Territory and acknowledged outside of
the Territory by one of its judges.
Of the thirty judges of the Supreme Court of Ohio under the Constitution of
1802 not one survives. Judge Rufus P. Ranney who recently died being the last of
Rkntii ANn Bar. 595
the number. Of the five judges who constituted the court at its first session under
the Constitution of 1851, the solo survivor at the present time is Judge Allen G.
Thurman, the " Nestor ol' the Ohio Bench and Bur." Of the successors of those first
five judges, numbering thirtythree in all, only ten, including the five now in com-
mission, are yet living. The writer would deem it a labor of love to recall many
of these eminent jurists by name and characterize their abilities and virtues in
atfectionate terms, but this is not the place for eulogy. " Thej' have ceased from
their labors, and their works do follow them." The present Supreme Court is con-
stituted as follows: William T. Spear, Chief Justice ; Joseph P. Bradbury, Frank-
lin J. Dickman, Thaddeus A. Minshall and Marshall J. Williams, Judges.
The first case decided bj' the Supreme Court of Ohio, held by all its judges,
sitting as a court in banc, was disposed of at a special session held at Columbus in
December, 1823. It was entitled " Luckey v. Brandon and others," and is
reported in 1 Ohio, 50. It was reserved from Stark County and relates to a debtor
imprisoned within jail limits under st:itutes authorizing imprisonment for debt.
The court humanely decided that the debtor thus imprisoned might go into private
houses or labor on private grounds, within such limits, without being guilty of an
escape. In the progress of civilization in this State, imprisonment for debt and
other relics of barbarism have hnppily disappeareil, in obedience to an enlightened
and humane public sentiment.
Under the Constitution of lS51,a District Court was provided for each county,
to be held by a judge of the Supreme Court and three judges of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas of the judicial district, any three of these functionaries to constitute a
quorum. The first district court in Franklin County was held in June, 1852. It
was formally opened June 15, and thei'e were present James L. Bates, Sheppard
F. Norris, and John Ij. trreen, judges of the Court of Common Pleas. The first
order entered was, that H. B. Carrington, E. Backus, N. H. Swayne, Henry C.
Noble and John W. Andrews, or any three of them, be appointed a committee for
the examination of applicants for admission to the bar. On the next day, June 16,
1852, the court met pursuant to adjournment, there being present Thomas W.
Bartley, a judge of the Supreme Court, and the same judges as the day before.
The term ended on the third day by a sine, die adjournment. For some succeed-
ing years the District Court of the county was composed of a judge of the Supreme
Court and judges of the Court of Common Pleas, but the docket of the Supreme
Court increased so rapidly that the judges of that court could not meet its require-
ments and also attend tlie district courts; consequently, contrary to the intention
of the constitution, the district courts were left in charge of the judges of the
Court of Common Pleas; and, whether with or without good reasons, became
unsatisfiictory. One of the chief objections ui-ged against the District Court as held
by the Common Pleas judges, was that in the Di.'^trict Courts they .sat in judg-
ment on their own rulings in the Court of Common Pleas ; and although attempts
were made by legislation to obviate that objection, the District Court came more
and more into disfavor until it was superseded by the Constitutional Amendment
of 1883, providing for a Circuit Court composed of judges having no connection
596 History of the Citt of Columbus.
with the lower courts upon the judgments of which the Circuit Court would sit in
review.
The first term of the Circuit Court for the Second Circuit, composed of the
counties of Franklin, Preble, Darke, Shelby, Miami, Montgomery, Champaign,
Clark, Greene, Fayette and Madison, organized under the Constitutional Amend-
ment of 1883, and the statutes in aid of it, was held in Columbus, beginning Feb-
ruary 23, 1885, the judges present being Marshall J. Williams, Presiding Judge,
and John A. Shauck and Gilbert H. Stewart. The court consists of three judges,
who are elected for a term of si.K years, after the first election, by the people of the
circuit; and any two of them constitute a quorum. The only change which has
taken place in the personnel of the court has been made by the election of Ciiarles
C. Shearer in place of Judge Williams elected to the Supreme Bench. The Circuit
Court has proved to be very satisfactory, and deserves and receives the confidence
of the bar and the public. Its business in Franklin County is large and increas-
ing. At its June term in 1852, the District Court in the county was leisurely
occupied only a little over two days in the discharge of its business, whereas the
business of the Circuit Court at its January term in 1892, taxed the best energies
of its judges for sixtysix days.
Soon after the seat of government of the State was permanently established
the General Assembly passed a resolution requesting Congress to transfer the
National Courts from Chillicothe to Columbus, and the transfer was made. The
first session of these courts in Columbus was held in a brick building subsequently
used as a hotel and known as the " Buckeye House," on Broad Street, located at
the present site of the Board of Trade Building, which is its immediate successor.
In 1821 the General Assembly by resolution authorized these courts to hold their
sittings in the hall of the House of Eepresentatives in the first Statehouse. The
sittings were accordingly held there until a courthouse "for the reception of said
courts" was erected mainly with money contributed by citizens of Franklin
County. This was, as we have seen, the first county courthouse erected in Colum-
bus. Its location and appearance have been described in a preceding chapter.
The National Courts were held in it until their removal to Cincinnati and Cleve-
land. After those courts were reestablished in Columbus, on the creation of the
Eastern Division of the Southern District of Ohio, in 1880, they were at first held
in the Council Chamber in the City Hall, and subsequently and until the comple-
tion of the present United States Building, at the southeast corner of State and
Third streets, in rooms in the second story of the brick building at the southwest
corner of State and Fourth streets.
Charles Willing Byrd was the first United States District Judge in Ohio.
He was born in Virginia and educated in Philadelphia. After serving as the first
Secretary, and for a time as acting Governor, of the Northwest Territory he
became, on the admission of Ohio to the Union, a United States District Judge by
appointment of President Jefferson. He remained in commission until his death
in August, 1828, when President Jolin Quiney Adams nominated as his successor
William Croighton, Junior, of Chillicothe, but for partisan reasons this nomination
was not confirmed by the Senate. Judge Creighton's siorvices in connection with
JJknch and Bar. 597
tlio TTnited States Court at Columbus tlicref'orc lasted only IVom Noveiiiln'i- I lo
December 31, 1828. In Marcli, 1S2;), President Jackson nominated lo tlie vaeancy
Joiin W. Campbell, of Brown County, and this appointment was unanimously eon-
firniod. Judge Campbell aeeepted tbe office, and in 1831 removed to Columbus,
where he continued to reside until his death in 1833, at Delaware, whither he and
his wife had gone to visit the springs for rest and recuperation after exliau.stinn-
vigils with the sick and dying during the cholera epidemic of that year. V]n<\\ the
death of Judge Campbell President Jackson nominated Benjamin Tappan, of
Steubenville, as his successor. He held court only three days — Docemher 23, 24
and 25, 1833 — the Senate refusing to confirm his nomination. The Tappans were
of Massachusetts origin. Benjamin was a brother of Arthur and Lewis Tappan,
merchants of New York, both jironounced in their antislavery sentiments. Arthur
was the founder of Oberlin College. In 1834 President Jackson followed up the
unconfirmed nomination of Judge Tajipan bj- sending in the name of Humphre}-
H. Leavilt, who was confirmed and continued to serve until his death in 1871,
whereupon President Grant ap])ointed Philip B. Swing, of Clermont County, to
the vacancy. Judge Swing served until his death in 1882, when William White,
of Springfield, was nominated and confirmed as. his succes.sor, but died shortly
afterwards and was succeeded by George R. Sage, of Lebanon, Ohio, appointed by
President Arthur. Judge Sage took his seat upon the bench in Columbus during
the month of June, 1883, .and is still in commission.
Pursuant to an act of Congress passed in 1842, the summer tcn-ni of the
National Courts was held at Cincinnati and the winter term at Columbus; finally
the removal of these courts from Columbus was made complete, and in 1855 the
State was divided by act of Congress into two judicial districts, the counties of
Belmont, Guernsey, Licking, Franklin, Madison, Champaign, Shelby and Mercer
and all counties south of these to constitute the Southern District with the courts
at Cincinnati, and all the counties north of those just named to constitute the
Northern District with the courts at Cleveland. Judge Leavitt and Ins siKcesscirs
were assigned to the Southern District; Judge Wilson, appoinleii and Cdntirmed
as District Judge for the Northern District, was succeeded by Judges Shorinun,
Welker, Day and Judge Ricks, the present incumbent.
On February 4, 1880, the President approved an act of Congress rom-ganizing
the Southern District of Ohio in two subdivisions known as the Eastern and Wes-
tern, transferring certain counties from the Northern to the Southern District, and
providing for circuit and district courts to be held at Columbus on the first Tuesday in
June and December each .year, for the Eastern Division, comprisiiig twentynine
counties. The first sittitigs of the courts which took place in jjursuance of this act
were held in the Council Chamber in the Columbus City Hall on the first Tuesday
in June, 1880. The Judges present were Noah H. Swayne, Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States, and Philip B. Swing, District Judge. To
signalize this occasion the Columbus Bar, on the evening of June 1, 1S80, gave a
banquet to the United States Judges and other court officials at the rooms of the
Tyndall Association in the City Hall. An address of welcome was delivered li}-
Henry C. Noble, and was responded to by Justice Swayne. In response to toasts.
598 History of the Cixr of Colu.mbus.
addresses were delivered by Judges P. B. Swing, William White and Joseph E.
Swan, and by Hon. Eichard A. Harrison.
At subsequent terms of the United States Courts at Columbus, no Judge of the
Supreme Court was present; but, in pursuance of an act of Congress creating cir-
cuit judges, John Baxter, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was appointed judge for the
Sixth Circuit, and was present with the District Judge, as was also Howell E.
Jackson, of Nashville, Tennessee, appointed Circuit Judge on the death of Judge
Baxter. At the sittings of these courts in Columbus for the June term of the year
1883, George E. Sage, District Judge, was on the bench, as he has been at nearly
every subsequent term except as occasionally relieved by exchange with other dis-
trict judges. In such exchanges Judges E. Shelby Hammond, of Tennessee, and
Henry F. Severens, Henry H. Swan, and Henry B. Brown of Michigan, have
occupied the bench in Columbus. Judge Brown is now an Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
While it is impracticable and would be unprofitable to burden this chapter
with details of court proceedings, some cases of more or less interest may bo
given, as illustrating the character of litigation at different periods.
Early in the history of Ohio it became very evident that the section of the
Constitution of the United States, and supplementary acts of Congress, providing
for the reclamation and .surrender of fugitive slaves were odious to many persons
in this free State, and were really favored by only a small arid diminishing
minority. Ohio being situated contiguous to the slave sections of the Union, the
escape of bondsmen into her territory was easy and frequent, and bitter contests
often took place between the claimants and abettors of the fugitives. Columbus
being within easy reach of the river border, it was one of the way stations on the
" underground railroad" from thence to Canada, and became the scene of many
of these contentions. A few of the cases which thus arose and were brought before
the courts and judges at the capital may be mentioned :
In February, 1845, Jane Garrison, a colored woman, with her little boy named
Harrison, was living as a servant in the family of Mr. Parish, a law^'er of San-
dusky, Ohio. A man named Mitchell appeared and claimed the mother and child
as fugitive slaves belonging to Driskell, a Kentuckian, and meeting Mr. Parish
near his residence, went with him to the house, where Jane Garrison was called
out. MitclioU subsequently stated that he insisted upon arresting Jane and the
boy on a ])Ower of attorney which he held at that time, but that Parish said he
should not do so, as it required judicial authority to take them, and that he
(Parish) pushed them into the house and went in himself Parish claimed that he
only insisted that the alleged slaves should have a fair trial, and if Mitchell estab-
lished his right to take them he could do so ; also that Mitchell assented to this
and went away without attempting to arrest the alleged fugitives. Driskell
brought suit against Parish in the United States District Court, in Columbus,
under the Fugitive Slave Law for penalties for harboring, concealing and obstruct-
ing the arrest of fugitive slaves. The case was tried before Justices McLean and
Henoh and Uar. 5!tO
Lcavitt, and a jury, in November, 1847. llenr^' Stanbcry and James II. Thomp-
son represented Driskell, and Salmon P. Olia-te and John W. Andrews appeared
for Parish. Tender tiie cliar^e of tlio court the jury found Parish fxuilty, and the
court, refiisiuij to sot aside the verdict, entered judgment against him for two
penalties of five hundred dollars each, which, with costs, Parish paid.
Ill March. 1840, William Ilchdcr.son, Justice of the Peace, had his office in
Franklinton. On the t« entyseventh of that month, between seven and eight
o'clock in the evening, Jeri-y Finnej-, a colored man residing with his wife and
children in Colnmluis. hiought a trunk to Henderson's office from a hotel in
Columbus at the loiinest olJacoh Armitage, upon the representation that a couiile
were to be married at the magistrate's office that evening, and then leave clan-
destinely. On arriving with the trunk Finney found no light in the oftiee except
from the stove, but Armitage, William Henderson, Henry Henderson, David A.
Potter, Daniel Zinii and Jolin Stephenson were there, and were immediately
joined b3' Alexander C. Forbes. The door being locked, Forbes seized Finney and
called for at^sistaiice, whcreujion Potter and Stephenson assisted in tying and
handcuffing Finney, Forbes taking the handcuffs from under a bed in the office.
When Finney was seized he screamed, but his second and subsequent screams
were partly smothered by Forbes, who placed his hand over the captive's mouth.
A candle was then lighted, whereupon Finne^' asked for some water, was told
there was none in the room, and was presented by Forbes with a drink of whisky
from a bottle taken from under the bed. Finney then asked to see his wife and
children, and was told that he was seized for reclamation as a fugitive slave from
Kentucky. He then said he wanted a fair trial, and desired to have certain wit-
nesses which he named sent for to prove that he was entitled to his freedom.
Justice Henderson replied that Forbes had papers suflSeient for a trial without
witnesses. Forbes was sworn and Henderson asked him whether Finney vvas the
man he wanted. A few other questions were asked about the captive's identity,
and Forbes signed a paper which Henderson retained, and Henderson delivered a
paper to Forbes. The papers thus exchanged had been previously prepared.
Finnej' admitted that he had once been a slave in Kentucky, but claimed that he
was brought to Ohio by or with the consent of his owner and IkuI thereby
become a free man. The office door was then unlocked by Honr^' Heiider.-<oii and
Finney was taken out and placed in Zinn's hack which, alter Forbes and
Armitage had also got into it, was driven off. They took Finney to Mrs. Bathsheba
D. Long, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Forbes claimed to bo Mrs. Long's agent to
reclaim Finney and take him back to slavery. He also claimed that his captive
had been born a slave and had e.scaped from his mistress about fifteen years before
that date. The next day, in repU' to an inquirj- as to why witnesses lia<l been
refused when Finney called for them. Justice Henderson .said that no witnesses were
necessary, as Forbes had brought a power of attorney and depositions to show his
authority, and prove that Finney was a slave. To the inquiry why it was that
Finney had been decoyed to Franklinton at night to have a trial without wit-
nesses, and why he was not arrested in Columbus whore there were magistrates,
600 History of the City of Columbus.
Henderson said that the Columbus magistrates were "a set of damned aboli-
tionists," and would not give Forbes and Armitage justice.
When Finney took the trunk to Henderson's office, a colored boy was with
him and is said to have been detained several hours to allow the kidnappers
time to escape with their victim and reach the cars at Xenia before they could be
overtaken. As soon as the boy was released he gave the alarm and there was great
excitement in Columbus. A pursuing party was organized and started on fleet
horses, but failed to reach Xenia before the train with Finney and his abductors
on board had left there for Cincinnati. The pursuers pushed on to that city but
did not reach there until after Finney had been hurried into a mailboat and taken
across the river to Kentucky, on the way to Frankfort in that State.
The excitement in Columbus as to the outcome of the pursuit was only excelled
by the public feeling against the kidnappers and against Justice Henderson and
their other abettors, who were arrested and, after a preliminary examination con-
ducted by Aaron F. Perry, then Prosecuting Attorney for the State, and by Fitch
James Matthews and Albert B. Buttles for the defendants, were recognized to the
Court of Common Pleas, and in default of bail were committed to the county jail.
An immense public meeting was held at the Town Street Methodist Episcopal
Church, at which spirited addresses were delivered by Samuel Galloway, Eev.
Granville Moody and others, and resolutions were adopted fiercely denouncing
Finney's abduction and all connected with it, and expressing a determination "to
rescue him from the scoundrels who stole him from his family." In the mean time
Colonel Miner, of Cincinnati, and Messrs. Cowles and Bartol, of Columbus, at once
proceeded to Frankfort to see what could be done for Finney's release. Awaiting
the result of their efforts, a purse of five hundred dollars was raised by the citizens
of Columbus to be added to a like sum to be offered by the Governor, for the pur-
pose of bringing the kidnappers to justice.
It was stated at the time that before taking .steps to arrest Finney Forbes
applied to Judge Joseph E. Swan, who had resumed the practice of law, for counsel,
and had been refused. By affidavit before Alexander Patton, a justice of the peace
in Columbus, in April, 1840, Forbes and Armitage were charged with violating the
laws of Ohio in forcibly seizing and abducting Finney, and a requisition was issued
by Mordecai Bartley, Governor of Ohio, upon the Governor of Kentucky, demand-
ing their surrender to William Johnson, Esq., as agent and counsel for Ohio, to be
brought back to this State as fugitives from justice. They were arrested on the
warrant of the Governor of Kentucky, and brought before Mason Brown, a Circuit
Judge in that commonwealth, for inquiry as to their guilt or innocence under the
Kentucky statute of 1820 in relation to fugitives from justice, providing that in
case of proof of ownership, the persons abducting a runaway slave, whether prin-
cipal owners or their agents, shall be discharged from custody. Forbes and Arm-
itage were discharged under that statute, although counsel for Ohio contended
that the Kentucky statute was contrary to the Constitution of the United States,
and that slavery, being contrary to natural law, existed only by municipal law, and
being thus local and confined to the territorial limits within which it is sanctioned,
-JVvCA/v \aaJUax '\Uo\^jsA^^
It
Hknch and Bar. (iOl
a slave once free is always free; and that Finuej-, having been brougiit to Ohio hy
the consent of his Keiituckj- owner, thereby became a free man.
In July, 1846, the Grand Jury of Franklin County iiuliclod Forbes for tlie
seizure and abduction of Finney without first taking him before a magistrate
in the count}' and e.stablishing his identity and ownership, and tlie authority
of Forbes to act, as required by tlie laws of the United States and of Ohio.
Armitage was also indicted, as were Henderson and others, as aiders antl abettors
of Forbes. James Cherry was Foreman of the Grand Jury and A. F. Perry Pros-
ecuting Attornej-. Forbes was never brought to trial, but at a special term of the
Court of Common Pleas in September, 1846, Armitage, who had returned to Ohio,
was put on trial with Henderson and his other accessories. William Bennison was
appointed bj' the court to assist the Prosecuting Attorne}-; Noah H. Swaync, John
Brough and Fitch James Matthews represented the defense. Two days were
consumed in impaneling a jury. George liiordan was challenged as a juror
for suspicion of prejudice because of having expressed the opinion that the Associate
Judges had shown partiality and unfairness in overi'uling the President Judge on
some preliminary question, and having s;iid that in case the Associate Judges
differed from the President in charging the jury he would follow the Pi'esideut and
not the Associates.
The taking of testimony ()ccu]iicil a week oi' mure and the arguments of coun-
sel and the chai-ge of the court occupied a day or two. After deliberating seven
hours the jur}- returned a verdict finding Justice Henderson guilty, and acquitting
all the other defendants on the ground, mainly, as was said, that those acquitted
were ignorant of the law and of the facts as to Finney's freedom. Those acquitted
were discharged from custody, but Justice Henderson was committed to jail to
await sentence, which was suspended until the next term, when judgment of
imjirisonment in the Penitentiary was entered against liirn.
During the trial one of the jurors was excused by consent of parlies and the
trial went on with the other eleven. A transcript of the docket entries of the pro-
ceedings in Finney's case before Justice Henderson was put in evidence by the
defense, and a bill of exceptions was taken by him, the State claiming that Hender-
son had uiit acted in good faith. U]>on the exceptions Henderson prosecuted
a writ oi'erriir Ijcfore the Supreme Court in banc and the case was there decided in
January, 1847. The court, Wood, Chief Justice, reversed the sentence of Hender-
son, holding: 1. That a juror could not be withdrawn by consent in a criminal
case and the trial proceed. 2. That Henderson, being a justice of the peace, acted
in a judicial capacity, and had jurisdiction in the case of an escaping slave,
and that consequently his proceedings could not be called in question for not act-
ing in good faith, as he would be protected by the doctrine of judicial immunity.
3. That in consequence of this judicial immunity he would not be liable to
an indictment, but could be called in question only by impeachment. While
Henderson was in jail awaiting sentence, Finney was brought buck from Kentucky
where be had been confined in the Penitentiary, and was restored to his family in
Columbus. His release was obtained b}' the payment of five hundred dollars con-
tributed by citizens of Columbus.
602 History of the City of Columbus.
In March, 1855, Rev. H. M. Denison, desiring to send his slave gii-1 Rosetta
from Louisville, Kentucky, to Wheeling, Virginia, entrusted her conveyance to a
friend, in whose charge she left Louisville for Wheeling, but the custodian of the
girl not finding a boat at Cincinnati, decided, after consultation, to cross the State
of Ohio by the Little Miami Railway to Columbni^ and thence by the Central Ohio
Railway through Zancsville to Wheeling. He took that route on a Saturday
under the impression that the cars ran directly througli. After being on the train
some time he was surprised to learn that it woukl be delayed at Zanesville over
Sunday, whereupon, apprehending less trouble from " abolitionists" at Columbus,
whei-e he had formerly lived, than at Zanesville, he decided to remain over Sun-
day at a private house at the capital, where he hoped to escape observation, but
soon after he had taken his lodgings in Columbus some colored women were seen
making observations; nor was it long until application was made to Hon. Joseph
E. Swan, a judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, for a writ onmheas corpvs to bring
Rosetta befoi-c him for inquiry into the legality of her detention. The writ was
executed by the Sheriff', and it appearing that although a slave in Kentucky she
had been brought into Ohio bj' her owner's consent, Judge Swan held that thereby
she became a free jjcrson and set her at libertJ^ The girl being a minor, sixteen
years of age, and L. G. Vanslyke having been appoiuted her guardian, she was
placed in his custodj'. Rev. Mr. Denison visited the' girl at Mr. Vanslyke's house
and told lier that he had come for her, but that as she was in a free State she could
reinain if she chose to do so. After brief deliberation the girl concluded to remain
in a free State rather than return to slavery. Thereupon Rosetta was placed by
her guardian in the fsxmily of Doctor J H. Coulter, of Columbus. Ou March 23,
two men called about noon at Doctor Coulter's residence and said they wished to
consult him professionally. As they passed through one of the rooms they dis-
covered Rosetta, and one of them, whom she recognized as a person she had seen in
Louisville, spoke to her, and they had a word of conversation. The other man
produced a paper and told Doctor Coulter that it was a warrant issued by a United
States Commissioner for the arrest of Rosetta as a fugitive slave, and asked him
whether he intended to resist their taking the girl with them. He said he should
resist until he had time to consult with his friends, and immediately wont to a
near neighbor and gave the alarm. As soon as he left the house the two men
seized Rosetta, one on each side, and hurried lier to a close carriat;e which stood
in waiting. She was not even allowed time to put on a bonnet or a shawl. Just
as Doctor Coulter returned, the two men were putting her into the carriage which
they had procured at a livery stable. -They then drove hurriedlj' to the railway
station and transferred their captive to the cars which were about ready to start
for Cincinnati. Meanwhile the alarm spread and several citizens reached the
station before the train started. The men having the girl in possession claimed to
have legal process, and by presentation of papers and revolvers showed that they
were determined to take her with them. Mr. Van Slyke and Doctor W. B. Ide
jiroceeded to Cincinnati with the girl and her captors, and there defeated their
plan to take her at once before TJnited States Commissioner Pendory, who had
issued the wai-rant. This was accomplished by obtaining a writ of habeas corpus in
Bench and Bah. 603
pursuance of ttie counsel of Salmon P. Chase, who had just completed his term in
the United States Senate. Upon this writ Eosetta was brought before Judge
Parker of the Court of Common Pleas, where Mr. Chase appeared in her behalf,
accompanied by Judge Timothy Walker, a distinguislied member of the b;ir, and
R. B. Hayes, a promising joung law^-er of CinciuTiati. George E. Piigh, Mr. Chase's
successor in the National Senate, and Judge .lacob Flynn, of Cinciiniati, ap]H'ared
on behalf ol Mr. Denison.
After extended argument by counsel Judge Parkerheld th:it as liosctta had
been brought from Kentucky into Ohio by her master or iiis agent she was free
and should be delivered to the custody of Mr. Van Slyke, her guardian. To avoid
apprehentied danger that the girl, il delivered in the courtroom, would be imme-
diately seized ai;ain by the United States Marshal, Mr. Cliase applied to Judge
Parker for an order that tiio Sheriff should protect the girl at some s;ife place until
surrendered to her guardian. The order was made and Eosetta, followed by an
immense crowd of peojjle, was taken to the Woodruff House in Cincinnati, and was
there restored, amid great excitement, to her guardian, but was soon afterwards
rearrested by United States Marshal Eobinson and taken before Commissioner
Pendery, who, after argument, discharged her from custody, as had previously'
been done by Judge Swan, at Columbus, and by Judge Parker at Cincinnati.
While the hearing was going on before Commissioner Pendery, Judge Walker and
Mr. Chase procured process against the Marshal for contemjjt of court in rearrest-
ing the girl, and ho was taken into custody by the Sheriff. The Marshal, in turn,
applied to Judge McLean, of the United States Supreme Court, for a writ oi' habeas
corpus, and was discharged from the custody of the Sheriff upon the ground that a
state court or judge had no jurisdiction to discharge any person held as a fugitive
slave under process authorized by the Fugitive Slave Act. Meanwhile Rosetta was
at liberty and remained in the custody of her guardian, Mr. \'an Slyke, who
brought her back to Columbus.
At the time this slave girl was abducted from the house of Doctor Coulter by
the United States Marshal, a wealthy lady from New England, who happened to
be in Columbus at that time, became interested so much in her that upon her
return as a free girl she took her, with her full consent, to New England, and had
her educated in one of the best .seminaries of the country. Eosetta was bright,
intelligent and every way deserving of this partiality. In recognition of Mr.
Van Slyke's arduous efforts in obtaining the girl's rescue from slavery the colored
people of Columbus presented to him a silver pitcher. The ceremony took ])hice
at the City Hall and was acconqianied by earnest ami eloquent addresses, and by
songs of rejoicing.
On Saturday evening. May 25, 1855, the following entry ajjpeared on the
register of the American Hotel in Columbus: "P. Erican, three ladies, one child
and two servants." Mr. Erican was a Frenchman from New Orleans, ni route to
Europe, and intended stopping over foradaj' or two in Columbus. On thoevening
of May 28, C. Langston, a colored resident of thiscily, made application to Joseph
E. Swan, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, for a writ of /,,il,r<,s ,»//„/x, alleg-
ing on oath that the two servants were unlawfully deprived of their liberly. Tiie
604 History of the City of Columbus.
writ was issued about midnigiit to Sheriff Thomas Miller, who proceeded with it
to the Amerioan Hotel and aroused Mr. Erican from his bed and informed him
of the object of his visit. Mr. Erican expressed his readiness to have the case
examined into, and it was agreed that the two girls should appear before the
Judge the next day. They appeared in conformity with this promise, and on
inquiry declared their desire to go with their master, which they were permitted
to do. They were escorted to the train by the Sheriff and the costs of the pro-
ceeding were adjudged against Langston. L. G. Van Slyke, Doctor J. H. Coulter
and H. B. Carrington took an interest with Langston in the.^ase.
The cases entitled '■^ Ex parte Simeon Bushnell" and "Kk parte Charles
Langston," reported in 9 Ohio State Eeports, 77, were brought on habeas corpus
issued on the separate applications of Bushnell and Langston by order of the
Hon. Josiah Scott, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, in May, 1859, directed
to David L. Wightman, Sheriff of Cuyahoga County, by whom, as was said,
Bushnell and Langston were held in custody in the jail of that county, and there-
by unlawfully deprived of their liberty. The writs were returned with the per-
sons of Bushnell and Langston before the full bench of judges of the Supreme
Court of Ohio at their chambers in Columbus. The bench consisted of the Hon.
Joseph R. Swan Chief Justice, and Jacob Brinkerhoff, Jos«^h Scott, Milton Sut-
liff and William V. Pock, Judges. From the return to the writs it appeared that
Bushnell and Jjangston had been severally indicted and convicted in the United
States District Court at Cleveland, and sentenced to imprisonment in the jail of
Cuyahoga County for violating a provision of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in
the rescue of a colored man named "John," claimed to be a fugitive slave whose
service was due to his owner, and who was then in the custody of the owner's
agent to be returned to servitude. Under the writs the release of Bushnell and
Langston from imprisonment was sought on the ground that the Fugitive Slave
Act was unconstitutional in specified particulars. Bushnell and Langston being
present before the judges, it was insisted by their counsel that they were unlawfully
deprived of their liberty and should be discharged. The counsel for the Govern-
ment of the United States insisted that the relators should be remanded to impris-
onment.
A. G. Eiddle made an oral argument on behalf of Bushnell and Lang.ston, and
Christopher P. Wolcott, Attorney-General of Ohio, made one on behalf of the
State, also insisting on the discharge of the prisoners. Mr. Wolcott's argument,
covering eightyfour pages of the report of the case, was at the time and has since
been regarded as exceptionally able, and was printed in full in the report of the
case by special direction of the court. G. W. Belden, United States District
Attorney, and Noah H. Swayne, appeared as counsel for the United States
Government, and presented a brief of points and authorities, but did not make any
oral argument. The day of the hearing was a beautiful one in May, and the
spacious Supreme Courtrooni in the Statehouse was filled with distinguished
lawyers and citizens from all parts of the country, as the contest was deemed to
be in some respects one between the State and the National Government, and
there was considerable apprehension that this controversy in the forum might end
Rkncii ami Bar. (iOT)
in a conflict of arms, aa there was in tiie courtroom a rumor, happily untbuiuled,
tiiat a national armed vessel was ready on the lakes to steam into tlie ])ort of
Cleveland to vindicate the national authority in case of an adverse decision by
the judges. In due time after the argument the decision of a majority of the
judges was announced by Chief Justice Swan, with whom Judges Peek and Scott
concurred, remanding the relators into the custody of the Sheritt' of Cuyahoga
County. Judge Peck delivered a concurring opinion. Judges lirinkerlioff and
Sutliff each delivered dissenting opinions and concurred that the relators should
be discharged. Public sentiment was strongly in favor of the discharge of the
prisoners, as was wellknown to the judges, but their action was not swaj'ed by it,
both the majority and the minorilj" pursuing solely their honest convictions of
duty. In the majority opinions it was held that the provisions of Article 4,
Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, guaranteed to the owner of an
escaped slave the riglit of reclamation, and that a citizen who knciwingly ;nid
intentionally interfered for the purpose of rescue of an escaped shi\e I'ldin the
owner thereof was guilty of a violation of the Constitution of the United States,
whether the acts of 1793 and 1S.")0, ccinimonly called the fugitive slave laws, were
unconstitutional or not.
The elaborate opinions delivered by the judges, both majority and minority,
were at the time and have since been regarded as able presentations of the con-
flicting interpretation of the fugitive slave sections of the cf)n8titution — interj)re-
tations influenced on the one side by conservative adherence to the supremacy of
law, and on the other by an equally persistent adherence to the dictates of human-
ity. Both classes of interpreters were loyal to the truth as they saw the Irulh.
I well remember the day when those opinions were delivered. The majority
opinion was not on the popular side. That fact had no possible effect to weaken
the firm purpose of the majority judges to declare the law as they understood it.
In the closing of Judge Swan's opinion he rises to the moral grandeur of a
martyr :
As a citizen I wouI<l not deliberately violate tlie constitution or the law by interference
with fugitives from service, but if a weary, frigliteneil slave should aiipeal to me to protect
him from bis pursuers it is possible I might momentarily f'lrget my allegiance to the law and
constitution and give him a covert from those who were upon his track. There are, no doubt
many slaveholders who would thus follow the impulses of human sympathy ; and if I did it
and were prosecuted, condemned and imprisoned and brought by my coun.sel before this
tribunal on a habeas corpus and were then permitted to pronounce judgment in my own ease,
I trust I should have the moral courage to say. before God and the country, as I am now
compelled to say under the solemn duties of a judge bound by my official oath to susttiin the
supremacy of the constitution and the law : " The prisoner must be remanded."
In closing his concurring opinion Judge Peck gave expression to like .senti-
ments. In Mr. Wolcolt's argument reference was made to a possible conflict
between the National and Slate Government in the event of the discharge of the
prisoners. " And are _> ou, therefore," said he, " to remand these applicants to an
unlawful imprisonment? If these be the only alternatives, it collision can be
avoided only bj- striking down every safeguard with which the constitution has
tiOd History of the Citv op Columbus.
hedged about the liberty of the citizen, let collision come — come now. . . . But
there will be no collision. These threats and fears are alike idle."
In reference to that language Judge Peck, deprecating the policj' of holding
an act of Congress of even doubtful constitutionality invalid, contrary to a long
line of decisions by the national courts, and thereby bringing about a conflict of
jurisdiction between the national and state courts and jjossible collision between
the national and state government, used these words:
If the revolution alluded to in the argument must come, let it not be precipitated by the
courts ! If the arch of our Union is to be broken into fragments, let other heads and other
hands than ours inaugurate and complete the Vandal work.
In less than two years from the date of the decision of that case the collision
had come, not because of that decision, but in the forward march of tlie national
destiny toward a higher civilization wherein, it may be hoped, such conflicts
between law and humanity cannot arise.
Another case worthy of special mention is that entitled "The Bank of the
United States v. Ealph Osborn, Auditor of State ei nl." Under an act of the
General Assembly of Ohio levying a tax on all banks and banking associations
transacting business in this State without being authorized by its laws, a tax of
fifty thousand dollars per annum was levied on each of the two branch offices of
discount and deposit of the Bank of the United States established in this State,
one at Cincinnati and the other at Chillicothe. In the year 1819, one hundred
thousand dollars was levied on these branches and collected by the State Auditor,
Mr. Osborn, and an assistant named Harper, by force, under authority of the
State law. To recover back this amount the Bank brought an action of trespass
in the Circuit Court of the United States at Columbus against the Auditor, his
sureties and assistants, for breaking and entering the branch otflces and carrying
away the mone3^, in disobedience to an injunction theretofore granted by the Cir-
cuit Court. In these legal proceedings Henry Clay and Mr. Bond represented the
United States Bank, and Charles Hammond, John C. Wright, Gustavus Swan and
Mr. Goodenow represented the defendants. The case came to trial in January,
1821, before Justice Trimble, of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Dis-
trict Judge Byrd. The court occupied the Eepresenlatives' Chamber in Columbus,
and was attended by an immense concourse of people. Mr. Clay, on behalf of the
Bank, moved the court for an attachment agafnst Auditor Osborn and Harper, his
collector, for contempt in disobeying the injunction against the collection of- the
tax; and moved against State Treasurer Sullivan to require him to answer a bill
in chancery filed b}' the Bank for sequestrating the tax collected by the Auditor;
but these motions were withdrawn and a compromise was effected by the passage
of a bill through the General Assembly, on January 31, 1821, to refund ninety
thousand dollars of the sura collected in 1819, the tax being deemed unreasonable
and excessive, and the Bank agreeing to submit to a tax of four per cent, on its
dividends, and to discontinue its suits.
The first case taken on error to the Supreme Court of the United Slates from
the National court in the District of Ohio, was a case in ejectment brought by
Jackson vs. Clark to recover a tract of land lying in the Virginia Military District,
Beiicu ami 1!aii. 607
The counsel in the case were Leonard and Haniniond for the plaintiff, and Creif^ii-
ton and Ewing for the defendant. Chief Justice Marishail delivered the O|)inion of
the Supremo Court at the Januar}' term, 1S2S. The case is reiiDrtcd in I Peters,
628. The court held that
The United States liaving received the cession nf the land norllnvcst iif the Ohio Kiver
not only in trust for the Virginia troops on the continental establisliiiient but also for the use
and benefit of the members of the Confederation, have the right to prescribe the time within
which Virginia military warrants might be located, and to annex conditions to the extension
of the time; and that under the act of March 2, 1807 (2 Statutes at Large, 424) defective sur-
veys protecteil the land from being patented under subsequent warrants and surveys by those
claiming under the United States.
In thus holding, the Supreme Court aflSrmed the ruling and decree of the
court in Ohio held by Judge Byrd at Columbus, and settled vital questions in regard
to land titles in the Virginia Military District. The case is a good specimen of the
character of litigation in those early days.
We come now to one of the most interesting and celebrated episodes in the
history of Ohio litigation. In December, 1852, upon the affidavit of Sidney C.
Burton, a writ was issued for the an-est of L3-man Cole, Amasa Chapin, Lorenzo
Chapin, James W. Chandler, Willam F. Kissane and William H. Holland, upon the
charge of conspiring to burn and of actually burning the steamboat Mai'tha Wash-
ington and her cargo on the Ohio River, on December l.i, 1851, in order to defraud
certain insurance companies which had written policies on the boat and its cargo.
These accused persons were arrested and brought before P. B. Wilcox, a United
States Commissioner at Columbus, for a preliminarj- examination which lasted
until January 14, 1853. On January 17, of that j'ear. Commissioner Wilcox held
all the defendants to bail to answer in the United States Court, before which tribunal
they and others with them were indicted by the Grand Jury in the following May.
On this indictment trial took place in October, 1853, Judge McLean presiding. The
District Attorney, assisted by Henry Stanberj- and by Mr. Ware, of Cincinnati,
conducted the prosecution, and Thomas Ewing, Walker & Kebler, George E. Pugb,
George H. Pendleton, Ex-Governor Morehead, of Kentuckj^, R. H. Stone, T. J.
Gallagher, D. Brown, Noah H. Swayne and Samuel Galloway conducted the
defense. The trial attracted great interest not only by the enorniily of the
charge against the prisoners but also on account of the eminence and zeal of the
counsel engaged. It seems that the court entered an order forbidding the publica-
tion of the testimony, and that for a violation of the order Judge McLean, on
motion of Mr. Ewing, expelled from the courtroom two reporters for the Cincin-
nati Sun. But the order forbidding publication of the testimony was subsequentl}-
rescinded.
After a trial lasting many days the testimony was closed, and the District
Attorney made before the jury the opening argument for the pniseeiition, the
expectation being that he would be tbilowcd by Mr. Ewing and dlher cDunsel
for the defense, and that Mr. Sianber}- would make the closing ai-gumenl loi- the
Government, but Mr. Ewing, after the District Attorney had concluded his address,
declined to argue the case and thereby prevented Mr. Stanbery from making
608 History op the City of Columbus.
the closing argument to the jury, greatly to his disai)pointment and to the disgust
of his friends, who openly charged that Mr. Ewing feared Mr. Stanbery's last
appeal to the jury; whereas Mr. Ewing's friends regarded his submission of
the ease on the address of the District Attorney as a masterstroke of policy, as the
event proved. Judge McLean charged the jury in a remarkably able manner, even
for hira, drawing tears, it is said, even from the eyes of Mr. Ewing — crocidile tears,
as Mr. Stanbery's disgusted friends characterized them. The jury deliberated on
its verdict for two days, and when it was announced that a conclusion had
been reached and would be presented, intense interest pervaded the crowded court-
room. The announcement of a verdict of "not guilty" was followed by a
shout from the multitude, while the prisoners, with one exception, gave way to
their feelings and freely mingled their tears with those of their wives and friends, all
of whom united in fervent thanks to the jurymen who had brought deli vei'ancc.
In the chapter on Lands and Land Titles, cases involving questions pert;iining
to those subjects are cited, and will not be repeated here, with a single excep-
tion relating to land on East Broad Street, with the litigation respecting the
title to which the writer was professionally connected. The case here referred to
is that of Margaret H. Paschall vs. Gottlieb Hinderer, reported in 28 Ohio State
Reports, 568, and is one of local interest because of its subject matter and the
parties involved in it, and furtlier because its final decision by the Supreme Court
at its December term, in 1876, settled the title to a parcel of land extending
from Broadway to Long Street, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets, in
Columbus. The phice is remembered by many of the older business men of the city
as a big field in which stood a little wooden house used by aTi old German as a shop
for the manufacture of baseball clubs and similar articles for the boys of that
period, but which is now occupied by numerous elegant resiliences. The title came
in question upon the following facts of a somewhat romantic character:
John George Wheeler, who dwelt with his wife and three infant children
in the kingdom of Wirtemberg, Germany, died there in 1829, leaving 854 florins
($341.60) to his children. This money came into the hands of the guardian of the
minors to whom it belonged. In 1830 the widow Wheeler was married in Germany
to Gottlieb Hinderer^who adopted his wife's children. Desiring to emigrate to the
United States, Hinderer applied, in 1831, to the proper court for leave to take the
children and their money with him, which was granted on the accepted condition
that he would invest the money in land for the benefit of its infant owners.
On arriving in Columbus, in 1832, Hinderer purchased the land above mentioned,
paid on it $150 of the children's money and $100 of his own, and moved upon and
occupied the tract as his home. On July 23, 1834, having made his paj'ments in full,
he took the title to the property in his own name. Of the children, Margaret was
at that time only five and a half years old, George was a year or two older than she,
and John about as much older than George. While quite young these children, the
girl as well as the boy, worked hard in the brickyard which Hinderer conducted for
some years on this land, and after they got older they and their mother began
Hkniii and I5ah. 609
to consider their property rights, and some quarreling ensued between Hinderer
and his wife who insisted that he should give to her children their share of
the land. Finally the mother left Hinderer and was allowed alimony, which was
made a charge on this land by the court.
In December, 1867, Margaret and George brought a suit in the Court of
Common Pleas to obtain a decree declaring a trust in their favor against Hinderer
in the land to the extent it was paid for with their money, and to re(iuire him to
convey to them that share of the land, the value of which had by that time
greatly increased. Hinderer defended, claiming, first, that all the money of the
children was expended in moving from Germany to the United States, and that
none of it was used in the purchase of the laud; second, that their claim was
barred by lapse of time; and third, that if he was liable to account to the children
for their money he was entitled to pay for their support during their minority.
L. J. Critchfield and Francis Collins were attorneys for Margaret and George;
H. C. Noble and Otto Dresel for Hinderer. The Common Pleas and also the
District Court decided on appeal against Margaret and George, on the ground that
by lapse of time their claim had become stale and was barred, although it was
found that their money had helped to pay for the laud. At this point George
abandoned further effort, being in good circumstances without the land ; Margaret,
however, was not so fortunate, but being more courageous she took her part of the
case to the Supreme Court and there succeeded, that court holding that in taking
the whole legal title in his own name Hinderer committed a breach of trust, and
that to the extent to which the purchase money had been paid out of the money
belonging to the children he held the title in trust for them; that his continued
possession and use of the laud as a honie and as a means of support for the family
during the minority of the children was not adverse to their rights and equities ;
and that their claim was not stale or barred, he not having denied their rights in
the land until after they became of age, and not then twentyoiie years before suit.
After this final decision by the court of last resort, Margaret's interest was set off
by Hinderer to her by deed by metes and bounds, and she quitclaimed the residue
to him. The German boy George was none other than George F. Wheeler who
became a prominent and prosperous merchant of Columbus, the founder of
Wheeler's Grocery house at Number 15 North High Street, now conducted by his
sons.
The case entitled "The State Ex rel. Flowers v. The Board of Education
of the City of Columbus," decided by the Supreme Court of Ohio at its January
term in 1880, and reported in 35 Ohio State Reports, 368, was one of very
considerable local interest »t the time, and presented for adjudication a novel
question of parliatneutary law in connection with statutory provisions, in a
mandamus proceeding in that court. At a regular meeting held August 12, 1879,
the Board of Education adopted Harper's geograjjhies as the textbooks on that
subject in the public schools of Columbus, in the place of the Cornell series. That
meeting of the Board finallj' adjourned without any motion to reconsider the vote
by which Harper's geographies were adopted. At the next regular meeting held
August 26, 1879, the Board by a mere majority vote aHsumcd to reconsider and
010 History op the City op Columbus.
rescind the vote taken at its previous meeting, and to reinstate the Cornell series
as the textbooks, and thereafter refused to permit the use of Harper's geographies
in the schools, although Mr. Flowers and other parents who had purchased these
books desired their children to use them. The Board sought to justify this action
on the ground that the vote adopting Harper's geographies had been reconsidered
and rescinded. On the other side it was insisted that under Section 52 of the
School Law (70 O. L. 209) no change in such textbooks could be made within
three years after their adoption without consent of threefourths of the members
of the Board, and that as the rescinding vote was only a majoritj- vote and not a
threefourths vote, and was given at a subsequent meeting, no motion to reconsider
having been made at the meeting at which the Harper geographies wore adopted,
.the rescinding vote could not have that effect, but left the adopting vote in full
foi'ce and Harper's geographies as the textbooks in the schools. The Supreme
Court so decided, and further held that it was the duty of the Board of Education
to permit the use of those geographies in the schools, and that such duty could be
enforced by mandamus on the application of Flowers, a patron of the schools.
The questions raised in this case were somewhat new, and the interest in them,
as well as in the outcome of the contest, commonly called " the geography war,"
was quite general for a time in the city. The case was argued on behalf of
Flowers, the relator, by R. A. Harrison, L. J. Critchfleld and C. N. Olds, and on
behalf of the Board of Education by Lorenzo English, James E. Wright, De Witt
C. Jones and Alexander W. Krumm, City Solicitor. It may bo supposed that back
of the parties on the record were the publishing firms of Harper Brothers, pub-
lishers of the Harper G-eographies ; and Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., publishers of
the Cornell series ; and that these firms took a deep interest in the contest.
In the spring of 1875, Corbin's saloon in Westerville was considerably wrecked
by an explosion of gunpowder. For this act Corbin caused seven of the leading
citizens and temperance people of the village to be arrested and brought before
Justice Remmy, of Columbus, on a charge of riotous destruction of property. The
Justice put the arrested persons under bond to appear at the Court of Common
Pleas to answer to an indictment that might be presented against them by the
Grand Jury. No indictment was found, and the defendants were discharged;
but some ot them and others to the number of nine had also been arrested on a
peace warrant on Corbin's complaint and brought before Justice Eemmy, who put
them under bond to answer the complaint in the Court of Common Pleas. On a
j)lea of " not guilty " the defendants came to trial before Judge Edward F. Bing-
ham in April, 1876, and after full hearing were discharged with judgment against
Corbin for costs. During the progress of this trial one of the attorneys for the
prosecution intimated pretty strongly by his questions that one of the defendants,
a jDronounced temperance man, would himself occasionally take a drink. Finally
the time came for this attorney, just after returning from across the street, where
he had been 'to see a man," as was said, to make a bold charge ia the form of
this interrogatory: " Now, Mr. , don't you think that you and I can drink
more whisky in a given time than any other two men in the State? " The court,
counsel and large audience were appalled at such a question to such a man, but
Bkncii ani> Bar. 611
not 80 the gentleman addressed, who, adjusting his spectacles at a proper focus,
slow!}- and deliberately replied to his accuser: "I don't know but that is so,
and I wouldn't have to drink any either!" At this re])!}- the whole body of
listeners was convulsed with laughter in which the discomfited attorney' himself
joined.
The following incident is said to have occurred in the presence of Judge J. E.
Swan while sitting on our Common Pleas bench. Elijah Backus, then at the bar,
presented the application of a native of Ireland to become a citizen of the United
States, and requested the court to iiave the requisite oath to support the Constitu-
tion oC the United Slates administered to the a])plicant, to whom Judge Swan,
before swearing him, addressed the inquir3' whether he had ever read the Consti-
tution. The man replied that he had not, anil that he could not read, whereupon
the Judge suggested that the proposed oath would not amount to much unless the
man taking it should know what he was swearing to support, and that he had
better tirst inform himself as to what the Constitution was. This was shortly
before the noon recess, during which Mr. Backus took his client out into the
backyard and read the Constitution to him from beginning to end. When the
court reconvened in the afternoon Mr. Backus addressed Judge Swan as follows :
" May it please your Honor, during the recess of the court I have read to my Irish
friend here the Constitution of the United States from beginning to end, <ind he
■wems to be very much pleaseil irith it ! I renew my motion that the requisite oath
to support the Constitution be now administered to him, and that ho be admitted
to citizenship." Judge Swan enjoyed the joke and granted the motion.
Many amusing things occur in court proceedings. On a certain occasion one
A was on trial for stealing hogs, and in the course of his testimony in his own
behalf declared that he bought the hogs of a stranger and gave his note for the
purchase price in whole or in part. He then left the witness stand with a fair
pro.spect of acquittal, but his counsel had omitted to ask him when he gave the
!)0te, and recalled iiim in order to make inquiry on that point, saying: " Mr. A, I
forgot to ask you when it was you gave the note; was it before or after ^ou stole
the hoys? " The answer was, " it irus bi'forr. " The court, counsel and bj-standers
exploded with laughter, and the jury returned a verdict of" guilty as chai'gcd in
the indictment. "
The Supreme Court some years ago decided a case in which Chauncey JST. (Jlds
presented a printed argument for his client. After due consideration the court
decided the case against Mr. Olds. Soon afterward one of the judges on meeting
Mr. Olds referred to the case and the decision against him, and complimented
him highly on the "able" argument he had presented! In his peculiar dry
humor Mr. Olds replied : " Yes, my argument was able; I am .soriy that its abil-
ity didn't get into the decision." The joke was on the judges, and they froquenth"
told it on themselves.
Our courts have tried numerous criminal cases which have attruited i)ublic
attention, but special mention of them would not be justifieil l)y any imjiortant
questions of law involved, as the controlling questions in such cases are generally
questions of fact. Few of our lawyers have made a specialty of criminal practice,
612 History op the City of Columbus.
nearly all of them having devoted their attention to general professional service
and having thereby become better and broader in their accomplishments than they
could have been as mere specialists in criminal cases. I once heard Judge J. R.
Swan speak disparagingly of "criminal lawyers." His remark was that j^ou could
take a loud, glib talker and make a " criminal lawj'er " out of him in from twenty-
four to thirtysix hours. His criticism was made after an oral argument before
the Supreme Court in a criminal case brought there by a noted " criminal attorney "
who addressed the court loud and long in the style in which he was accustomed
to address juries, probably making the same speech before the Supreme Bench
which he had made to the jury in the Common Ple;is. Judge Swan's critici.sm
would not apply, of course, to many able lawyers who engage in the trial of crim-
inal cases of exceptional importance, wherein the best abilities and all the resources
of professional and general learning are required and exerted.
A distinct and interesting phase of professional life at the bar in the earlier liis-
tory of Ohio may here be briefly referred to. It pertains to what were known as " the
lawyers on the circuit." The circuit of the territorial court and bar included JMarietta
on the southeast, Cincinnati on the southwest, Detroit in the northwest and the vast
intermediate region, most of which was an unbroken wilderness during the years
ol the territorial government, and long afterwards. The mere distances, although
great, were not the only or the principal obstacles encountered by the judges and
lawyers in making the circuit. The lack of roads, bridges and even ferries made
their ])ilgrimage8 laborious and dangerous, while the scarcity of supplies for man
and beast caused both inconvenience and hardship. Even bridlepaths through the
wilderness were not always to be found. In passing from one seat of justice to
another, the judges and lawyers traveled in companies of five and six, usually, on
horseback, accompanied by packhorses for extra baggage which included a few
elementary law books. These parties were often overtaken by storms of rain and
snow and also by darkness in the midst of the wilderness, besides being frequently
confronted with swamjis and swollen streams. In the selection of their horses
special importance was attached to the dexterity of the animals in swimming,
which accomplishment was indispensable to a good saddlehorse in those days, as
was illustrated by many interesting adventures in which the instinct of the horse
proved to be superior to the judgment of his master.
This circuit practice continued to a greater or less extent during the first fifty
years in the history of the State, but with increasing comforts and diminishing
dangers. Only a few of the lawyers of that period now survive, but the older ones
of the present generation may remember something of the circuit excursions of
their predecessors from county to county, and from court to court with the judges.
A list of the names of the earlier and later circuit practitioners would revive many
interesting recollections, but space allows the mention of only a very few of a tj-pi-
cal character, such as Jacob Burnet of the territorial circuit, and Thomas Ewing
of the later period. Th« writer well remembers the first time when he, then a very
small boy, saw Mr. Ewing. It must have been fifty years, or more, ago. Mr.
Ewinjr was on his way from Lancaster to Medina to defend a man about to be
tried for murder. He traveled on horseback. The horse was a large black one.
liENCII ANll I^AR. 613
About noon tho distinguished lawyer rode into MiJlersburg, and sto])])(>d at tlio
village tavern for dinner. The horse had a. swinging gait and carried a stately
rider, both ini])ressivc to their boy observer, whose impressions of them have sur-
vived the laj)8e of years. The eorres]iondence between the manner of tho man and
that of the beast which he rode was curious. As a iiassing ol>scrvation it niaj- be
remarked that the exercise of horseback riding was jtromotive of clear tliinking
and of excellent work in court at the end of the journey.
For the ])rivations and dangers which they encountered the circuit ]iraclition-
ers were not without compensation. Such experiences as they Juad would be
endured onlj- bv courageous men more intent on laying deeply and broadly the
foundations of tree and enlightened commonwealths than on the acquisition of
merely personal fortunes, yet it is said that the litigation in the territorial courts
was. in many cases, largely remunerative, inasmuch as it often involved projjerty
of great vmIiio and carried with it large fees. The circuit travelers had in addition
to their jiccuiiiary c(imi)cnsation much satisfaction in exploring the primitive for-
ests, in learning the habits and studying the character of the aborigines, and in
taking part in or observing their amusements. In the .settlements where the
courts were held, the hardy and adventurous settlers and tho official families of the
frontier garrison often entertained the judges and lawyers with banquets, dancing
and other revelry. Illustrative of these phases of professional life at the bar dur-
ing the territorial and earlier state jieriod wo have the following intcrestiiii; reminis-
cences of Thomas Ewing from the pen of the late Joseph Sullivanl ( O/m-/ State
JiMiriuil, October 30, 1871) :
I was born in the old village of Franklinton which was the seat of justice I'm- i'ranklin
County until 1825 or 1826. In my boyhood I was a frequent attendant in tlieOliI Courtlioiist>
(luring the sessions of the court, where was often gatherei) the best legal talent of tlie State.
Besides the members of our own bar, such as Gustavus Swan, Orris and John Parish, Jolin
A. McDowell. Thomas Backus, David Smith, P. B. Wilcox, James K. Cory and others, there
were, from other counties, B. Tappan, Baldwin, Wright, Hammond and Stanbery from the
Eastern part of the Slate ; and Creighton, Scott, Brush and Dick Douglas, from Chillicothe ;
John Irwin, Slaughter, Beecher and Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, and others from Delaware,
Zanesville, London and Dayton, who attended at the old Courthouse in Franklinton. I well
recollect the first time 1 saw Thomas Ewing, then a young lawyer not yet having much busi-
ness, or making much of a mark. I was struck with his large head, and generally massive
and muscular but rather awkward build.
It was summer time, and the court had adjourned early in the afternoon. Several of the
lawyers remamed, and the conversation turned upon athletic exerci.ses and feats of strength.
Among those present was Joe McDowell, a brother of Abrani and John. He declared
that he was so swift of foot tliat he had never been beaten in a race of one hundred yards,
and he believed he could not be beaten, and offered to bet ten dollars that he could beat any
one in the crowd. Finally Orris Parish took him up and they went out on tho green.
It was not yet determined who was to be McDowell's competitor, but when the ground
was measured off, Mr. Ewing, who had taken but little part in the conversation, and whose
demeanor iiad been very modest and retiring, offered himself to run the race, and to the sur.
prise of all, for none supposed he could run. Judges and stakeholders were appointed, and I
will never forget the gleam of Ewing's eye or his air of resolution as he stripped off his
coat, vest and shoes and took his place. The word go was given, and the young athletes
sprang off with an even start ; soon, however, Ewing began to gain and came to the winning
614 History op the City of Columbus.
post well ahead of Mcnowell, who was so chagrined at the result that he began to find
excuses and said he had tripped and stumbled or otherwise he would have won. Ewing
smiled and said : " Well, if you are not satisfied let us try again." They did run again, and
McDowell was beaten worse than before.
Other sports and trials were made — standing jumps, running jumps, shoulder stone,
throwing the ax and the maul, in all which Mr. Ewing proved his superiority— and finally
the high jump over a stretched string was tried; but on this latter, Mr. Ewing made no
attempt until Mr. McDowell, who proved to be the best at that exercise, challenged him, to
"beat that." Ewing replied, " well, let us see your best," and when McDowell was done,
Ewing had thejiudges put the string four inches higher, then stepping back a few feet he
came at it with a curious sidelong swing and motion, and over he went, amid the cheers of
the crowd.
The meeting of lawyers at Columbus, in attendance upon the court, during
the greater part of each winter fifty years ago or more became, in effect, a high-
school of law and oratory. The men who thus assembled were the flower of the
Ohio bar, and in measuring strength with one another in the discussion of causes
in court they developed and exhibited the highest intellectual powers of the pro-
fession and the best specimens of forensic eloquence. During these discussions the
disputants were stimulated to their best exertions not only bj' the interests at
stake, but also by the presence of their professional associates whose habit and
pleasure it was to personally attend the discussions. Wemay readily imagine what
deep interest the court and bar as well as the general public would take in these
battles of the giants, when, during that early period, the combatants were such men
as Burnet, Hammond, Wright and their compeers, with the occasional presence
and participation of Doddridge, of Virginia, and Henry Clay, of Kentucky; and
when during the later period, Ewing, Stanbery, Corwin, Vinton, Goddard and their
associates were in their prime and contended for the mastery. But this distinct
phase of professional life has almost entirely disappeared ; the winter meetings of
lawyers are things of the past; the counsel in cases before our courts arrive by
railway instead of on horseback and deliver tiieir arguments, possibly before the
judges alone or with judges and jurors and a few attending witnesses and clients
as their sole auditors, instead of being listened to by a large number of members
of their own profession. Under these changed conditions forensic eloquence has
degenerated. It may not be true that the legal profession is less intellectual now
than it was during the earlier histoiy of the State, but it has nevertheless been
permeated by the commercial spirit of the age. Verdicts and judgments are now
contended for because of the dollars rather than the principles at stake in them.
The ideal has given place to the practical. In his devotion to science, Agassiz said
he had no time to make money. But in their devotion to money-making many of
the brightest minds in the profession of the law practically admit that they have
no time to develop the principles of jurisprudence except as expedients for acquir-
ing wealth.
In the paragraphs introductory to this chapter the intimate relation which the
bench and bar bear to one another, and their necessity to civil government, have
been referred to. In concluding the chapter some allusion to the local influence
of the legal profession seems to be jjroper. Authority is always impressive, ancj
Bench and Har. 615
the power of the courts to declare the law ami thereby settle controversies and
preserve public order commands both attention and respect. In ovei-y civilized
community the judicial courts conducted with impartiality and dignity by learned
and upright men are sure of the reverence of the people. No oilier institutions of
government are regarded with such venei'ation as are the judicial courts, and pro-
perly so, as they are the last refuge for the security of property, liberty and liie.
This community, like many others, has been influenced to a very considerable
degree in every phase and stage of its existence by the important functions of
judicial administration which have here been exercised. The character of both
the bench and the bar of Columbus has been good from the beginning. Proles-
sional delinquencies have been rare; the judges, as a rule, have been honest and
well-behaved, as have also been the lawyers. Both have impressed the commuu-
it}' strongh' and favorably. The reasons for this are fundamental. On the bench
as well as at the bar investigations are made for the attainment of truth, both as
to fact and as to principle, and the processes adopted are both intellectual and
moral. A body of learned and honest judges and lawyers pui-suing their 'functions
before the public thereby become instructors of the people, and a citizen called
from his farm or shop to the jury box enters a school in which valuable lessons are
imparted. In the peculiar i-elations which they bear to the general ])ublic the
courts become fountains of knowledge as well as means of discipline. They illus-
trate precepts by examples; and careful analysis justifies and confirms the convic-
tion that their general influence has nowhere been more profound or beneficial
than at the capital of Ohio.'
NOTKS.
1. In the summer of 1840 tlie courts and couiity ollicers were removed to the then new
courthouse on the corner of High and Mound streets. This building, it was considered, con-
stituted a firstrate courthouse and jail, but the offices were too contracted; the cost of which
appears to have been about $41,000 exclusive of the ground. The two lots upon which the
building stands having been bought by contributions of the citizens of the south end of the
town, were donated to the County in the Spring of 18,38. Four years after, in 1842, the
County Commissioners purchased the third lot so that tlie county might own the entire
block. — Marlin's History of Franklin County.
A historial sketch of the present courthouse will be given in a subsequent chapter.
2. In the preparation of the foregoing chapter important facts were obtained from Judge
Martin's History of Franklin County, by permission of his son, B. F. Martin, Esq., and from
N. W. Evans, Esq., of Portsmouth, in relation to the early United States District Judges;
from Judge Burnet's History of the Northwestern Territory; and particularly and largely
from notebooks prepared w^ith great research by Hon. Alfred E. Lee. For these valuable aids
thanks are due and are cordially given. L. J. C.
CHAPTER XXXII,
LANDS AND LAND TITLES.
BY JOHN E. SATER, ESQ.
It is a fundamental principle in Englisli law that the king is the supremo
lord and original proprietor of all the lands within his kingdom. Within his
dominion he is the source of all valid titles. It is a principle equally funda-
mental in this country "that all valid individual title to land within the United
States is derived from the grant of our own local government, or from that of the
United States, or from the crown, or royal chartered governments established
hero prior to the Eevolution."^ Every valid individual title to lands within the
corporate limits of the city of Columbus is derived from some grant of the United
States Government. It is the knowledge of this fact which causes the owner of
real estate to feel secure in his title, when it is traced back to the government and
found free from defects. Such sense of security is fully warranted. For all practi-
cal purposes inquiry need not be extended further. It will be proper, however,
to state briefly, at least, how the United States acquired title to the.se lands, and
how the French, the English and the Indian titles were extinguished. It may be
interesting to trace the conflicting claims made to these lands by the colonies, and
how those colonies, when they attained to the dignity of states, prompted by the
loftiest pati-iotism and by a desire for the common weal, made cessions of the
western territory claimed by them to the general government. It may be interest-
ing to inquire, in treating of Columbus lands, as to the origin of the terms United
States Military District, Virginia Military District, Refugee Tract, and Congress
Lands, and to note what portion of the territory within the city limits falls within
these respective districts or tracts. It will be proper to state how the.se lands
were surveyed, and how the title passed from the United States to individuals.
In short, the jiresent chapter, although it is not designed to be an exhaustive
treatise of the subject of land titles, may very properly make some mention
of matters such as those above named, and should refer to some of the more
important state and national legislation and to some of the decisions relating
to and affecting the lands under consideration. It will be proper to recite also such
facts and incidents of a local character as affect any part of the lands and land
titles within the city.
[616]
il
Lands and IjAND Titles. filT
The French were the first civilized inliabitants of the Ohio Valley.' Thoj'
effected their entrance through Canada. As earlj' as 1535 James Cartier, sailinj^
under a French commission, penetrated that country as far as Montreal.' He
erected a cross bearing the arms of France and an inscription which proclaimed
his royal master sovereign of the newly discovered realm. He named the tei-ri-
tories so discovered New France. Immediate attempts at colonization were
unsuccessful. In 1608, Champlain, " the Father of Canada," founded the first
permanent French settlement within the limits of that country, on the present
site of Lower Quebec.^ The aggressive and warlike Iroquois, with wiiom
Champlain and the French came in conflict by reason of an alliance with the
Hurons and Algonquins. turned the French aside from the south and southwest,
from the St. Lawrence and the lower lake regions, to the north and west, to
Lake Huron, the Ottawa and the Nipissing.* The French traded in furs, cultivated
favor with the Indians, made explorations and established missions in the upper
lake regions long before they knew of the more genial climate and productive soil
of the Ohio Valley. Of all the five Great Lakes, Lake Brie was the last to be dis-
covered and explored.* Of all the region comprised within the Northwest
Territory, Ohio was the last to be discovered.' The French reached the Missis-
sip])i by way of the Illinois and Wisconsin rivers long before they knew of tlie
the shorter route by the Ohio.' Their early acquaintance with the upper lake
region is evidenced by the fact that Sanlt Sainte Mario was founded one luuidrud
and twenty years before the first settlement was made in Ohio at Marietta.'' Hut,
in 1666, there came to Canada LaSalle, the most daring, perhaps, of all the
spirits that sought to extend in the New World, at that time, the dominions of
France. French explorations h;id not then extended south of tiie Great Lakes.
LaSalle learned from the Iroquois Indians of a river called the Ohio, flowing
southward to the sea.'" He believed it to open a vfiiy to China. Its discovery
became to him an absorbing ambiiion. It now seems to be reasonably well
settled that he discovered the Ohio River some time prior to 1670, and ])Ossihly
descended it to a point in the vicinity of the present site of Louisville."
Marquette and Joliet, commissioned by the French Governor, Fronteiiac, for
that pur])Ose, discovered, in 1673, the Mississippi River, which they descended to
the thirtythird parallel of north latitude — far enough to determine that the river
emptied into the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of the Mississip])i awakened in
La Salle a desire to secure to the King of France the great valley draine<l hy that
river and its tributaries. Accordinglj-, in April, 1682, he descended the Mississippi
to the Gulf, and a short distance above the mouth of the river erected a column
bearing the arms of France and an inscription announcing that in the name of his
King he took possession of the entire Mississippi Valley. Says Parkman : "On
that day the realTn of France received on parchment a stupendous accession. The
fertile plains of Texas ; the vast basin of the Mississippi from its frozen noitli-
ern springs to the sultry borders of the Gulf; from the woody ridges of the Alle-
ghanies to the bare peaks of the Rocky Mountains, a region of savannahs and for-
ests, suneracked deserts and grass}- prairies, watered by a thousand rivers, ranged
618 History of the City op Columbus.
by a thousand warlike tribes, passed beneatti the sceptre of the Sultan of Ver-
sailles; and all by virtue of a feeble human voice inaudible at half a mile.""
In honor of his king La Salle named the territory thus acquired Louisiana.
It comprised the fairest portion of the western hemisphere ; its area was more than
six times that of France; its resources were unbounded. La Salle's discerning
mind at once perceived that the seat of future empire was not in Canada, but in
those vallej's, and that great commercial and industrial advantages must necessa-
rily follow their colonization. He recognized the fact that the best route to those
valleys lay through the Gulf of Mexico and not through the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
A Spanish sailor, Pineda, discovered the Mi.s.sissippi as early as 1519." De Soto
and his adventurers in quest of gold and plunder in 1510, traversed the northern
portion of the present State of Mississippi, and touched, at length, the Mississippi
River in whose bo.som De Soto found his grave. But Spain did not occupy the
territory thus discovered. So great was the greed for immediate gain that the
thought of founding an empire in the heart of the American Continent seems not
to have entered the Spanish mind. La Salle found the Mississippi Valley unoccu-
pied. France therefore claimed it not only bj' riglit of discovery but by reason of
prior occupation. La Salle proposed to occupy the land, to close it against intru-
sion by the erection of forts and to restrict English colonies to the Atlantic coast. ^*
" It was La Salle," says Hinsdale, " who first distinctls- conceived the policy that
lead on to Fort Duquesne, Braddoek's defeat and Forbes's march to the Forks of
the Ohio.""' Although he fell a victim to foul assassination long before his plans
were executed, in after years a chain of military posts extending from Canada
to the Gulf was established by the French Government to protect the French
dominions."
But France was not the only claimant to the viilleys of the Ohio and Missis-
sippi. In 1497, more than a j-ear before any Spanish navigator had touched the
mainland of the American Continent, and twentyscven years before Verrazano,
the first French explorer, discovered the eastern coast of North America, John
Cabot and his son, sailing under a jiatent granted by' Henry VII, which authorized
them as vassals of the King to take possession of anj- territories they might dis-
cover, and erect thereon the English banner, skirted along the greater portion of
the eastern shores of what is now the United States." The extent of coast
explored by them is a disputed question the solution of which is not important in
the present discussion. By reason of this discovery England laid claim to all the
territories between the Atlantic coast so discovered and the Pacific Ocean, then
commonlj' termed the South Sea. So little interest, however, did she manifest in
her western acquisition that one hundred and ten years elapsed before she planted
at Jamestown her first colony, but within that period the sj^irit of adventure
grew apace, and her maritime superiority became assured.'" When coloniza-
tion began it progressed rapidlj', especially as compared with the French settle-
ments. The second charter of the London Company, granted in 1609, gave to the
Virginia colony a territory having a coast frontage of four hundred miles, of
which Old Point Comfort was the centre, and extending " from sea to sea."" The
second charter of the Plymouth Company, granted in 1620, conferred upon that
Lands and Land Titleh. 619
compan_y the territory lying between the fortieth and the fortyeighth parallels of
north latitude, and extending " from sea to sea. "'" In other words, the territory
included in those two royal grants, extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from
a line drawn due west from the vicinity of Cape Fear to a line drawn east and
west through a point a little north of Quebec.
England did not base her claim to the Ohio Valley upon the right of discovery
alone. The Iroquois Indians who were hostile to the French, and long prevented
French explorations towards the south and southwest, were in the main friendly
to the English. They claimed bj- right of conquest ownership of the lands east of
the Mississipppi between the Lakes and the Cumberland Mountains. In 1684 they
sought the protection of King Charles and the Duke of York ; and in the Treaty
of Utrecht France acknowledged the Five Nations as " subject to the dominion of
Great Britain." A conference was held by the Oneidas and Mohawkh< in 1701 with
English commissioners. The minutes of that meeting recite that those tribes
placed their hunting grounds, which extended to Lake Nipissing, under EnglLsh
protection. In 1726 the Iroquois confirmed that cession by treatj-. The land so
conveyed laj' north of Lakes Brie and Ontario and east of Lake Huron, and was
about eight hundred miles in length by four hundred miles in width. In 1744 the
Iroquois relinquished to Maryland tlieir claims to lands within that colony and
conveyed the entire West by deed to Virginia. England therefore claimed owner-
ship to the Northwest Teri-itory and the lower portion of Canada, not only by
reason of the Cabot voyages, but on account of the Iroquois cessions and treaties."'
England was slow in occupying the lands west of the Alleghanies. Her
settlers on the Atlantic coa.st were not, a.s a rule, adventurers. Colonies were
planted all along the Atlantic shore before the Engli.sh broke the barriers of
the mountains, but at length English subjects found their way along the Mohawk
to the trapping grounds about the Lakes. To prevent these English incursions
and protect the territories claimed by them, the French erected Fort Detroit. It
was not until 1748 that the English planted their first settlements west of the
mountains, at Draper's Meadows '" A j'ear later the Ohio Company was organ-
ized to traffic in land and furs, and obtained an additional grant for half a mil-
lion acres between the Kanawha and the Monougahela. Still another year later
they sent Christopher Gist to make explorations in the Ohio Valley, and about the
same time settlers were making their way through the Cumberland Gap into Ken-
tucky and Tenne.ssee.'" All along the chain of "The Great Mountains" the English-
speaking people were seeking entrance to the West. The conflicting claims of
France and England rendered a contest inevitable. Negotiations to establish the
boundary line between these rival powers proved unsuccessful. The western
boundaries of the British dominions were to be drawn b\' the sword. To protect
their possessions the French constructed a line of forts extending southward from
Presque Isle to Fort Duquesne. The conflict between France and England h;id
begun, and when Washington's command was withdrawn from Fort Necessity the
entire Mississippi Valley was left in the posses.sion of the French." Braddock's
campaign for the reduction of Fort Duqui-snc ended in .lisuster and gloom; but at
this juncture William Pitt became the controlling spirit in the councils of tlicKng-
620 History of the City of Columbus.
lish nation and resolved on a war of conquest for the reduction of the French ]ios-
sessions. War resulted between England and France on both continents, and on
both England triumphed. On the thirteenth day of September, 1759, on the
Heights of Abraham, overlooking the spot on which, more than two hundred and
fifty years before, Champlain had founded the first permanent French settlement
in America, the armies of Wolfe and Montcalm determined the question, adversely
to the French, as to whether the Ohio Vallej' should bear the impress of English
or of French civilization. The Treaty of Peace, concluded in 1763, fixed the west-
ern boundaiy line of the English possessions at the middle of the Mississippi Eiver,
excepting that France retained New Orleans and the island on which it stands.
Thus ])as8ed the title to all the lands in the Northwest Territory to the British
Crown. The Treatj' of Paris, made in 1763, contained the following passages:
His Most Christian Majesty (France) cedes and guarantees to His Brittannic Majesty, in
full riglit, Canada with all its dependencies. His Brittannic Majesty, on his side, agrees to
grant the liberty of the Catholic religion to the inhabitants of Canada ; he will consequently
give the most precise and the most effectual orders that his new Roman Catholic subjects
may profess the worship of their religion according to the rites of the Romish Church, as far
as the laws of Great Britain permit. His Brittannic Majesty further agrees that the French
inhabitants, or others who had been subject to the Most Christian King in Canada, may retire
with all safety and freedom wherever they shall think proper; the term limited for this
emigration shall be fixed to the space of eighteen months from the exchange of ratifications
of this treaty.
In order to reestablish peace on solid and durable foundations, and to remove forever
all subject of dispute with regard to the limits of the British and French territories on the
continents of America, it is agreed that for the future the confines between the dominions of
liis Britlannic Majesty and those of his Most Christian Majesty in that part of the world shall
be fixed irrevocably by a line drawn along the middle of the river Mississippi from its source
to the river Iberville, and from thence by a line drawn along the middle of this river to the
lakes Maurepas and I'ontchartrain to the sea ; and for this purpose the Most Christian King
cedes in full right and guarantees to his Brittannic Majesty the river and fort of the Mobile,
and everything which he possestes or ought to possess (jn the left side of the river Mississippi,
excei)t the town of New Orleans and the island on which it is situate, which shall remain to
France, provi<led that the navigation of the river Mississippi shall be equally free as well to
the subjects of Great Britain as to those of France, in its whole breadth and length from its
source to the sea ; and expressly that part which is between the said island of New Orleans
and tlie right bank of that river, as well as the passage both in and out of its mouth.''
If, as has been stated, "the triumph of Wolfe marks the greatest turning point
as 3'et discoverable in modern history,"* it will be pardonable to pause for a
moment to consider the deep significance of England's triumph. Her colonists,
unlike the Spaniards, were troubled but little with the gold fever. Though not
untouched with religious zeal or indifferent to the salvation of Indian souls, the
conversion of the Indians was not with them a prime motive as with the French.
They built towns, cleared away forests, tilled farms, constructed printing presses,
built churches, fostered trade and manufactures, discussed politics, strove for civil
and religious liberty ; in short, laid deep and well the foundations of future great-
ness. Although notentirely devoid of religious intolerance, their doors stood open to
receive the persecuted ol other lands. The French settlement at Quebec antedated
that of Jamestown almost a century, yet the total jiopulation of Lhe French ^ttle-
Lands an'd Land Titles. 621
ments in 1754, was only oiicfonrtcentli tliat ofthe tliirteen colonies." Tiio Frencli
population south of the Lakes and between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers at that
time is estimated at ten thousand.™ Twenty years after its founding (Quebec had
but one hundred and five inhabitants and but two families that supported them-
selves bj- tilling the soil.'-"' Tiie Huguenots, the most inclined of all the French to
colonization, were expelled from the French colonies and from entrance to the
French possessions.'" The French Jesuits wished no white men at their missions
and sought to exclude even fur traders.-" The French King discouraged coloni-
zation."* French fur traders opposed settlements because they interfered with
their business.** Parkman speaks eloquently of the difference in the characteris-
tics of the two classes of settlement as follows :
In the valley of the St. Lawrence and alon<; the coast of the Atlantic adverse principles
contended for the mastery. . . . The settlements along the niars;in of the St. Lawrence were
like a camp where an army lay at rest ready for the march or the battle, and where war and
adventure, not trade and tillage, seemed the chief aims of life. The lords of the soil were
petty nobles, for the most part soldiers, or the sons of soldiers, proud and ostentatious,
thriftless and poor ; and the people were their vassals. Over every cluster of small white
houses glittered the sacred emblem of the cross. The church, the convent, and the roadside
shrine were seen at every turn ; and in the towns and villages one met each nionientthe black
robe of the .Jesuit, the gray garb of the Recollect, :md the formal habit of the Ursuline nun.
. . . The English colonist, with thoughtful brow and limbs hardened with toil ; calling no
man master yet bowing reverently to the law which he himself had made; patient and
laborious, and seeking for the solid comforts rather than the ornaments of life ; no lover of
war, yet, if need were, fighting with a stubborn, indomitable courage, and then bending once
more with the steadfast energy to his farm or his merchandise — such a man might well be
deemed the very pith and marrow of a commonwealth."*'
England's triumph, however, was fraught with great danger to herself. The
treaty of 1763 gave to her all the territory between the Mississippi River and the
Atlantic Ocean. Her conquest ofthe French possessions was attrihutable, in large
degree, to American valor. When William Pitt, who thoroughly comprehended
the American question, entered the Newcastle Ministry, his sj'mpathies went out
towards the colonies. He was willing not only to use and treat them respectfully
but to give them competent oflficers for their armies and to counsel with their leg-
islatures as to the conduct of the war. He gathered together their forces, and
Fort Duquesne, Northern New York, Louisburgh, Ticonderoga and (Quebec passed
irretrievably from France. The strength exhibited by the colonies in tiie war at
once challenged the admiration of England and excited her fears. Thej- had
united in the prosecution of the war and had learned somewhat of their united
strength. Diflerences already existed between them and the mother country. The
newly acquired territory became another source of contention between them and
England. When the French and English ministers were discussing the treaty of
176o, the English minislei- was warned that the cession of Canaila would be followed
by the independence of the colonics.^' " It is generally believed," says Professor
Johnston, "that the abandonment of Nonh America by France was the
result of a profound policy; that slie foresaw that her retirement would
be followed by the independence of the English colonies, and that Great
622 HiSTOEY OP THE CiTY OP CoLUMBlIS.
Britain's temporary ai^grandizetuent would result in a more profound abase-
ment. Vergennes and Choiseul both stated the case in just this way in
1763."^" The policy adopted by England subsequent to the treat}-, with
reference to the newly acquired territory, excited the keenest hostility on the part
of the colonists. Unlimited western expansion was their main object in prosecut-
ing the war. There existed among them an ever-increasing conviction that the
newly acquired territory belonged not to the Crown, or to any colony, but to the
people whose united efforts rescued it from France. To the great disappointment
of the colonies the settlement of the West was closed to them by royal proclama-
tion made October 7, 1763, whereby all purchases and settlements by them west of
the sources of the rivers flowing into the Atlantic were prohibited unless by the
King's permission. By that proclamation those who had already settled in such
territory were directed to remove. The reason assigned for this restrictive policy
was the preservation of peace with the Indians and the safetj' of the colonists.
Bancroft attributes the policj' to a '' fear that colonists in so remote a region could
not be held in dependence. England by war had conquered the West, and a min-
istry had come wiiich dared not make use of the conquest. ""
The Quebec act, enacted in 1774, included in that jn-ovince all the territorj'
west of the Alleghanies, north of the Ohio, east of the Mississippi, and .south of Hud-
son's Bay ; abolished the right of trial by jury in civil cases within that territory — a
right dear to the heart of every Englishman ; adopted the French system of laws;
abrogated the treaty provisions of 17G3, securing to that territory representative
government; vested the power of taxation in a council appointed by the Crown ;
secured to the Catholic clergy all the rights enjoyed by them under French
dominion, and restored to the Catholic Church all the lands originally held by
them in that province.'' This act was considered by the colonists as practically
establishing the Catholic religion in the newly created province, and thereby excited
the hostility of both the Episcopalians and the Puritans. This measure, the Bos-
ton Port Act and the Massachusetts Act were precipitated on the colonies within
the same year. In the Declaration of Independence the colonies complained of
their sovereign "for abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government and enlarging its boundaries
so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same
absolute rule into these colonies.' The colonies refused to respect the restrictive
policy of the home government. Dunmore, the royal Governor of Virginia, in
defiance of the Quebec Act, in 1774, strengthened Virginia's claim to the Northwest
by invasion. Prior thereto he had made purchases and surveys of western lands.
A patent for a company which was to purchase and locate 2,400,000 acres of land
south of the Ohio had been prepared and was ready for the King's signature when
all negotiations for the colonization of western territory under authority of
the Crown was terminated by the commencement of the struggle for indepen-
dence.™
At the beginning of that struggle there was a well defined sentiment in favor
of the nationalization of western lands, but that sentiment was not universal. Dur-
ing nearly the whole of that eventful period one of the foremost questions was
Lands and Land Titles. 623
that relating to the disposition of tiioso lands. It provoked long discussions,
excited feelings of hostilitj- between the States, prevented the adoption of the
Articles of Confederation until the war was well nigii ended, and excited a lively
hope among the enemies of the Confederation that a permanent niiion of tlio
States could not be effected. Tlie happy solution ot the question is attributable to
4he wise statesmanship and exalted patriotism of the men who directed the coun-
cils of the several States and of the Union. As regards western lands, the States
wore divided into two classes. New Hampshire, Ehode Island, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware were nonclaimants of such lands. The
remaining seven States each claimed land west of the mountains. The claimant
States were notonlj' the more numerous but far surpassed the nonclaimant States
in wealth and population. But these seven States were not all agreed by reason
of overlapping claims. It will therefore be well to ascertain what States were
claimants of the Northwest Territory, and upon what such ]ireteiisions were
based.
By reason of the Iroquois treaties, New York laid claim to all the territory
between the Cumberland Mountains and the Lower Lakes, and between the Missis-
sippi River and the western boundaries of Pennsylvania and Virginia." In 1630,
the Plj-mouth Colony conveyed Connecticut to its President, the Earl of War-
wick. Connecticut then had a uniform width of one hunilred and twenty miles
antl extended from ocean to ocean. On April 20, 1662, Charles II. granted to
Connecticut a charter which fixed its eastern and western boundaries at Narragan-
sett Bay. and the Pacific Ocean, respectively, and its width at sixty two miles.
The southern boundarj- was the (brtytirst parallel of north latitude. Connecticut,
therefore, laid claim to that part of the Northwest Territory- north of that parallel and
south of fortytwo degrees and two minutes north latitude.*' The territory claimed
by Massachusetts lay north of that claimed by Connecticut.
The grant of James I., in 1609, to Virginia, contained the following language :
"All those lands, countries, territories, situate, lying and being in that part of
America called Virginia, from the point of land called Cape or Point Comfort, all
along the seacoast to the northward two hundred miles, and from the said Point of
Cape Comfort all along the seacoast to the (■outhward two hundred miles, and all
tiiat space and circuit ot land lying from the seacoast of the precinct aforesaid up
into the land throughout, from sea to sea, west and northwest." These boundaries
have never been satisfactoril}' defined and are scarcely, if at all, intelligible. The
language employed designed a west and northwest line; if the noi-thwest line
should start from the southern point on the coast, the shape of Virginia would be
triangular, as follows :
History of the City of Columbus.
Northern Poin'
Point Comfort.
Southern Point.
The lerritoiy granted, if the above construction be correct, would not greatly
exceed that included within the present limits of Virginia. The convergence of
the lines, west and northwest, renders impossible an extension to the South Sea.
If the northwestern line should start from the northern point on the coast, the
territory included within the grant would be shaped as follows :"
Point Comfort.
If the latter figure correctly represents the meaning of the charter, the whole
of Ohio, and in fact all the Northwest Territory, were comprised within the limits
of Virginia. The western boundary would be the South Sea, or the Pacific Ocean.
This latter construction was generally conceded to be the coriect one, and was the
basis of Virginia's claim to the Northwest. The constitution of that State adopted
in 1776, in which were formally ceded to Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsyl-
vania the lands which had been detached from Virginia by the King, contained
the following language : "The western and northern extent of Virginia shall in
all other respects stand as fixed bj^ the charter of 1609, and by the public Treaty
of Peace between the courts of Britain and France in the year 1763, unless by act
of this legislature one or more governments be established westward of the
Alleghany Mountains; and no purchase of land shall be made of the Indian
nations but on the behalf of the public by authority of the General Assembly."
Here is a positive declaration of ownership of the Northwest Territory by reason
of the charter of 1609. Virginia's pretensions necessarily conflicted with the
claims of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.
The discussion between the States as to the western lands began in framing
the Articles of Confederation. The first draft of the Articles contained a provi-
Lands and FjAND Titles. G25
sion for restricting tiie western boundaries of States claiming to cxtoinl to
the Soutli Sea, or to the Mississipjji Hiver, aud for tlie formation of now colonies
in western territory. That provision did not appear, however, in the Articles as
completed, hut on the contrary there was a clause stipulating "that no state
shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States." The Articles
were submitted to the States and ratified by ten of them in July, 1778. The
consent of all the States was necessary for their adoption. Maryland, New Jersey,
and Delaware, three of the smallest States and all of them nonolairaants of
western lands, withheld assent. The Maryland delegates renewed the proposition
contained in the first draft of the Articles of Confederation relating to western
lands, but it was voted down. On November 25, 1778, New Jersey approved
the Articles, i-elying on the fairness and candor of the other States to remove the
then existing inequalities as to territory, and through its delegates submitted to
Congress a representation which recited that the boundaries and limits of the
States ought to be fixed and made known, and that, as the wai- was undertaken
for the defense of all the States, the territory acquired during the war should be
the pro])erty of all the Stales, and that all unpatented land should be utilized to
defray the expenses of the war and for other general purposes. The propositions
so submitted were rejected by Congress. On February 22, 1779, Delaware ratified
the Articles of Confederation. On the day following, its delegates presented to
Congress a series of resolutions which declared that limits should be fixed to those
States that claimed to the Mississippi River or the South Sea, and thai as the
extensive country lying beyond the frontiers had been gained from Great Britain
and the Indians by the blood and treasure of all, that State was entitled in
common with the other States to the same, and that it ought to be a common
estate to be granted out on terms beneficial to the United States. Congress per-
mitted the resolutions to be filed but expressly declared " that it shall never be
considered as admitting any claim by the .same set up or intended to be set up."
Maryland then stood alone and pluckily determined not to assent to the Articles
of Confederation until her objections to the western land policy were removed.
She at first submitted to Congress a declai'ation reciting her reasons for refusing
to ratify tlie Articles. Later she submitted instructions to her delegates to be
laid before Congress, which set out at length her views regarding the western
lands. The following extracts from those instructions embody- the principal argu-
ments which they contain ;
Although the pressure of immediate calamities, the dread of their continuance from
the appearance of disunion, and some other peculiar circumstances may have induced some
States to accede to the present confederation contrary to their interests and judgments, it
requires no great measure of foresight to predict that when those causes cease to operate the
States which have thus acceded to the confederation will consider it iis no longer binding,
and will eagerly embrace the first occasion of asserting their just rights and securing their
independence. Is it possible that those States who are ambiiiously grasping at territories
to which, in our judgment, they have not the least shadow of exclusive right, will use with
greater moderation the increase of wealth and power derived from those territories when
acquired, than what they have displayed in their endeavors to acquire them? We think
not. . . . Virginia, by selling on the most moderate terms a small proportion of the lands in
40
626 History op the City op Columbus.
question would draw in her treasury vast sums of money, and, in proportion to the sums
arising from such sales would be enabled to lessen her taxes. Lands comparatively cheap,
and taxes comparatively low, with the lands and taxes of an adjacent State, would quickly
drain the State thus disadvantageously circumstanced of its most useful inhabitants, its wealth
and its consequence in the scale of the confederated states would sink, of course. A claim so
injurious to more than ouehalf if not to the whole of the United States ought to be sup-
ported by the clearest evidence of the right. Yet what evidences of that right have been
produced? What arguments alleged in support either of the evidence or the right? None
that we liave heard of deserving a serious refutation. . . . We are convinced [that] policy
and justice require that a country unsettled at the commencement of this war, claimed by the
British Crown and ceded to it by the Treaty of Paris, if wrested from the common enemy by
the blood and treasure of the thirteen Stales, should be considered as a common property,
subject to be parcelled out by Congress into free, convenient, and independent governments
in such manner and at such times as the wisdom of that assembly shall hereafter direct.
The sale and disposition of v^estern lands having been left by the Articles of
Confederation with the several States claiming them, Virginia precipitated a
crisis by the passage of an act providing for opening a land oflBce for the entry of
lands between the mountains and the Ohio. Eemonstranees against such a course
were jiromptly filed with Congress by the Indiana and Vandalia companies, and
in behalf of the grand company organized by Thomas Walpole. These remon-
strances denied the jurisdiction of Virginia to the particular tracts claimed by
them respectively. Congress, notwithstanding Virginia's objection that it had no
jurisdiction in the premises, recommended to that "and all other states similarly
circumstanced to forbear settling or issuing warrants for unappropriated lands, or
granting the same during the continuance of the present war. " This recommenda-
tion, which was transmitted to the sevei'al states, drew forth a remonstrance from
Virginia, but it proved iuelfectual to stem the current of public sentiment setting
in so strongly towards the creation of a public domain. The patriotism of New
York rose above its desire for western lands, and that State, on March 7, 1780, by
proposing to cede to the United States the western lands claimed by it lying west
of such a boundary as its delegates might fix, cast its lot with the nonclaimant
States. A committee was appointed by Congress ; to it were referred the declara-
tions and instructions of the General Assembly of Maryland, the remonstrances
of Virginia and the proposed cession of New York. That committee submitted a
report which strongly recommends to the claimant States" a liberal surrender of
a portion of their territoral claims" as indispensable to the consummation of a
national union and concludes with the following proposed resolution ;
Resolved, That copies of the several papers referred to the committee be transmitted,
with the copy of the report, to the legislatures of the several States, and that it be earnestly
recommended to those States who have claims to the western country to pass such laws and
give their delegates to Congress such powers as may effectually remove the only obstacle to a
final ratification of the Articles of Confederation ; and that the legislature of Maryland be
earnestly requested to authorize the delegates in Congress to subscribe the said Articles.
Congress adopted this report but in so doing declined to discuss the western
land question, and advised concession and compromise. It appealed to the
patriotism of the States, and on October 10, 1780, resolved ;
Lands and Land Titi.ks. 627
That the unappropriated lands tliat may be ceileil or relinquished to the United States
by any particular state pursuant to the recommendation of Congress of the sixth day of
September last, shall he disposed of for the common benefit of the United States and be
settled and formed into distinct republican states which shall become members of the
Federal Union, and have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom, and independence as
other states; that each state which shall be so formed shall contain a suitable extent of
territory, not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square, or as
near thereto as circumstances will permit; that the necessary and reasonable expenses
which any particular state shall have incurred since the commencement of the present war
in subduing any liritish posts or in maintaining forts or garrisons within and for the defense,
or in acquiring any part of the territory that may be ceded or relinquished to the United
States, shall be reimbursed ; that the said land shall be grante<l or settled at such times, and
under such regulations, as shall hereafter be agreed on by the United States in Congress
assembled, or any nine or more of them.
Inasmuch as Virginia had incurred tiic expense of sending an expedition
under George Bogers Clark to drive out the British from a portion of the North-
west Territory, she would, pursuant to the foregoing resolution, be reimbursed for
such expense if she should relinquish her western lands.
The wisdom of the course pursued by Congress was soon manifest. Mur^-land
instructed her delegates to sign the Articles of Confedei-ation, and on the same day
on which these instructions were fulfilled — March 1, 1781 — New York, through
her delegates, formally ceded all her western lands lying west of her present
boundaries. The cessions first proposed bj- Connecticut and Virginia were
rejected, but on March 1, 1784, Virginia, through her delegates, Thomas Jefferson,
Samuel Hardj-, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, executed and delivered in behalf of
that State a deed whereby that commonwealth conveyed to the United States in
Congress assembled, for the benefit of said States, all the lands claimed by her
northwest of the Ohio River. The deed stipulated among other things that the
necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by Virginia in subduing British posts,
or in maintaining forts and garrisons within and fur the defense or acquisition of
the territory- relinquished should be fully reimbursed by the United States, and
further provided.
That, in case the quantity of good lands on the southeast side of the Ohio, upon the
waters of the Cumberland Eiver and between the Green River and Tennessee River which
have been reserved by law for the Virginia troops upon Continental establishment should,
from the North Carolina line, bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than was
expected, prove insufficient for their legal bounties, the deficiency should be made up to the
said troops in good lands to be laid ofT between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami, on the
northwest side of the River Ohio, in such proportions as have been engaged to them by the
laws of Virginia. That all the lands within the territory so ceded to the United States and
not reserved for or appropriated to any of the beforementioned purposes, or disposed of in
bounties to the officers and soldiers of the American Army, shall be considered a common
fund for the use and benefit of such of the United States as have become or shall become
members of the confederation or federal alliance of the said states, Virginia inclusive, accord-
ing to their usual respective proportions in the general charge and expenditure, and shall be
faithfully and bona fide disposed of for that purpose and for no other use or purpose what-
soever.
During the War of Independence, Virginia had, by several legislative acts,
offered land bounties to encourage the enlistment of soldiers, and the reservation
G28 History of the City of Columbus.
of land between the Scioto and Little Miami rivers for Virginia troops was made
to enable the state to fulfill its obligations. The territory comprised in this reser-
vation is known as the Virginia Military District, and includes the Virginia Mili-
tary Lands. By resolution of July 7, 1786, Congress requested Virginia to so
modify her deed of cession as to permit the creation of not more than five nor less
than three states out of the territory' ceded, and this request was complied with by
an act of the General Assembly of Virginia on December 30, 1788 On April 19,
1785, Massachussetts, through her delegates in Congress, ceded to the United
States the western lands claimed by her. On September 13, 1786, Connecticut
made a like cession excepting so much of Ohio as is known as the Western Reserve,
and in May, 1800, she released all claim to jurisdiction over the part so reserved.''^
By the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, made between the United States
and Great Britain, his Britannic Majesty for himself, his heirs and successors,
relinquished all claim to the territory east of the Mississippi north of the thirty-
first degree of north latitude, but notwithstanding this relinquishment and the
cessions of the several states, the western territory was really not nationalized
until the adoption of the constitution, for by provision of the second of the Arti-
cles of Confederation the United States had no powers except such as were expressly
delegated by the several states. An examination of the deeds of cession reveals
the fact that all the cessions were made to the United States for the benefit of the
states. Whatever the United States received by way of revenue from the lands
ceded would have to come throngli the states. By, the final treaty of peace with
Gi-eat Britain, the cessions of the several states and the adoption of the constitu-
tion the ultimate fee to the territory now occupied by us became vested in the
United States subject only to the Indian right of occupation." The arguments
urging the cessions of western lands to the United States assumed that those lands
would prove a source of revenue. Experience has demonstrated that lands are
practically valueless except as cultivated and developed. From the origin of the
public domain to June 30, 1880, the net cash receipts therefrom aggregated
$200,702,849.11. The cash expenditures on account of the public domain during
the same period were $322,049,595.26. In other words the cost to the date above-
named exceeded the receipts by $121,346,746.85.^' The cash receipts from public
lands since that date have been, and in the future will be, comparatively small ; for in
1879, the agricultural lands of the West, excluding certain lands in some of the
Southern States subject to survey and disposition, and cultivable without irrigation
or artificial appliances, did not exceed the area of the State of Ohio. ^°
Although the ultimate and absolute title to the lands under consideration
became vested in the United States by the various steps heretofore mentioned,
they were held subject to the Indian right of occupancy. The European nations
— England, France, Spain and Holland — recognized and enforced the principle
that discovery gave title to the government by whose subjects or under whose
authority it was made, as against all other European governments, and that the
title so acquired might be perfected by possession. The nation making the dis-
covery possessed the exclusive right of acquiring from the natives the territory
discovered and of making settlements therein. The Indians were recognized aa
Lanes and Lanp Titles. 629
the rightful occupants of the soil, with the right to possess and use it at their dis-
cretion, but with no power to dispose of the same excei)t to the government claim-
ing the right of preemption. The right of the Indians to use and oeeupaney is no
more inconsistent with the seizin in fee in the government than a lease for years.
The United States succeeding England in the ownership of a part of the American
continent asserted and enforced the principle recognized hy the discovering
nations, and excepting those instances in which land has been acquired from the
Indians by conquest in wars deemed just and necessary, all Indian titles have
been extinguished by purchase or by voluntary cessions. In recognition of the
foregoing princij)les Congress provided in the Ordinance of 1787, that.
The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians ; their lands and
l)roiierty shall never be taken from them without their consent ; and in their property, riglits,
and liberty they shall never be invaded or disturbed unless in just and lawful wars autlior-
izedby Congress ; but laws founded in justice and humanity shall from time to time be made for
preventing wrongs being done to them and for preserving peace and friendship with them.
The policy ])ursued by the government towards the Indians under the Arti-
cles of Confedei'ation has been continued under the Constitution by virtue of
Article One of Section Eight, which empowers Congress "to regulate commerce
. . . with the Indian tribes," but an Indian tribe or nation is not a foreign state
ill tiie same sense in which that term is used in the Constitution of the United
States, although it is such a state as may bind itself by treaty. The Indian nations
have been treated as subject principalities or domestic dependent nations, entitled
to governmental protection and relief, but incapable of passing a title to their
lands which the courts will recognize. They do not hold the fee in the land of
their original occupation, but only a usufruct, the fee being in the United States or
in some of the several states. The United States, or the State owning the fee, miiy
grant the same, subject to the Indian right of occupancy. The relations between
the Indian nations and the Government closely resemble those of a ward to his
guardian. "The condition of the Indians in relation to the United States," as was
held in the case of the Cherokee Nation v. State of Georgia, 5 Peters, " is perhaps
unlike that of any other two nations in existence. In general, nations not owing
a common allegiance are foreign to each other. The term foreign nation is with
strict propriety applicable by either to the other. But the relation of the Indians
to the United States is marked bj' a pecular and cardinal distinction wiiieh exists
nowhere else." In the case of Worcester v. The State of Georgia, 6 Peters, 515, the
same court held : "The Indian nations have alwaj^s been considered as distinct,
independent, political communities, retaining their original natural rights as the
undisputed possessors of the soil from time immemorial, with the single exception
of that imposed by irresistible power which excluded them from intercourse tVoin
any other European potentate, and the first discoverer of the coast ^A' the jiarticu-
lar region claimed.""
The Indian right to use and occupancy of lands in and about Columbus was
extinguished by a series of treaties between the Indian nations and commissioners
appointed by Congress. In 1785 George Rogers Clark, Richard Butler and
Arthur Lee, as commissioners plenipotentiary of the United Slates, entered into a
630 History op the City op Columbus.
treaty at Fort Mcintosh, with the Wyandot, Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa
nations, all of whom dwelt and claimed territory within the limits of Ohio. The
second article of the treaty declared the Indian nations and all other tribes to be
under the protection of the United States and of no other sovereignty whatever.
A boundary line as between the United States and the Wyandot and Delaware
nations was fixed by the third article of the treaty as follows: Beginning at the
mouth of the Cuyahoga Eiver, thence up the river to the portage between it and
the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum, then down that branch to Port
Laurens, near Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, thence westwardly to the portage of
the Big Miami (Fort Loramie, Shelby County), thence along said portage to the
Saint Mary's, thence down it and the southeast side of the Maumee to its mouth,
thence along the shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga. The treaty
further provided that all the lands within the above limits, excepting certain
tracts reserved for trading posts, were allotted to the Wj-andotsand Delawares and
to such of the Ottawas as lived within the same, and all citizens of the United
States were prohibited from settling within the territory so assigned to the
Indians. All the lands east, south and west of the tei-ritory so set apart, in so far
as these nations were concerned, were relinquished to the United States. The pro-
visions of this treaty were referred to and readopted in the subsequent treaty of
Fort Harmar, made by Arthur St. Clair, January 9, 1789. The south boundary
line above mentioned is represented on maps as passing through Cardington, Mor-
row County, which is almost due north of Columbus.
In 1786 the United States, through its commissioners, George Kogers Clark,
Richard Butler and Samuel H. Parsons, made another treaty at Fort Finney, near
the mouth of the Great Miami River, with the Shawnee, Delaware and Wyandot
nations. In that treaty the Shawnee nation acknowledged the sole and absolute
sovereignty of the United States over all land ceded by the treaty of peace with
Great Britain made January 14, 1784, and relinquished to the government all
lands in Ohio except an irregular territory lying west of the Great Miami.
The treaty made at Greenville August 3, 1795, by General Anthony Wayne
in behalf of the United States with the Wj'andot, Delaware, Shawnee, Ottawa,
Chippewa, Pottawattomie, Miami, Eel River, Wea, Kickapoo, Piankeshaws and
Kaskaskia tribes was more comprehensive than the treaties above mentioned.
The boundary line between those tribes and the United States was made to begin
at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, from whence it extended up that river to the portage
between it and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum, thence down that branch
to Fort Laurens, thence westerly to a branch of the Great Miami at Fort Loramiei
thence westerly to Fort Eetovery on the Wabash, thence southwesterly in a direct
line to the Ohio, so as to intersect that river opposite the mouth of the Kentucky.
The Indian tribes ceded and relinquished forever all claims to the east and south
of the boundary line so established. The United States, by the fourth article of
that treaty, relinquished all claim to all lands between the Mississippi River and
the boundary line above named, excepting sixteen small tracts ceded for the
accommodation of the United States, and "for that convenient intercourse which
will be beneficial for both parties." These tracts were reserved for forts and posts.
iND Land Title.s
The basis of the treaty was the ]irevious one iiiiido b\ Artluir St. Clair,
the Indian claim or title to lands in Ohio east and south of the Ijouiidii
in the fbregoiiis; treaties forever extinguished.^*
A eCO S C<,r,/s,^Z
A// fvt-i^ Of^/t^t5c/orK3yf>r^yT -w-^* i^'^y^^'^ '*'/C^r^/fy ZA//0.
^^^iv^s^yf
ca?fv^Ar£ A/M/rj
i^jHiMilTMM T^S!t^i?^SmF
LAND M.\P OK lOLlIMISUS.
The treaty line above mentioned, crossing Ohio and generallj' known as the
Greenville Treaty Line, is nearly one hundred and forlyfive miles in length, and,
although represented on the maps as a straight line, is in fact a ver>- crooked one;
" nevertheless all adjacent government surveys were based ujjon it, and there is
632 History of the City or Columbus.
hardly a county within twenty miles of it that does not depend upon it for its
location." Yet the marks and evidences of the location of this line have became
almost entirely obliterated. " Upon a recent and careful examination of about
twenty miles of this line there could be found but three trees which bore the
original mark of the surveyor's ax and the Indian's tomahawk.""
As heretofore stated, there are four classes of lands within the limits of
Columbus, viz : The United States Military Lands, the Eefugee Tract, the
Virginia Military District and the Congress Lands. We shall state briefly liow
these lands came to be so designated, and their location. The United States
Military Lands are so called because they were set apart to satisfy certain claims
of soldiers who engaged in the War of Independence. On September 16, 1776,
Congress by resolution made provision for granting lands to the officers and
soldiers who should engage and continue in service until the close of the war, or
until their discharge by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and
soldiers as might be slain by the enemy, in the following proportions : To a
colonel five hundred acres, to a lieutenant-colonel four hundred and fifty acres, to
a major four hundred acres, to a captain three hundred acres, to a lieutenant two
hundred acres, to an ensign one hundred and fifty acres, to each noncommissioned
officer and soldier one hundred acres. The expense of procuring lands was to
be paid and borne by the states in the same proportion as the other expenses of
the war. Two days later, the provisions of the above recited resolutions were
extended to all who had enlisted or should enlist in the army of the United States
during the war. Subsequently the provisions of the resolution were so extended
as to include major-generals, brigadier-generals, directors, surgeons, physicians,
apothecaries and other designated persons serving in the army. To meet the
obligation created by the foregoing resolution, an act entitled "An act regulating
the grants of land appropriated for military services and for the society of the
United Brethren for propagating the gospel among the heathen," was passed by
Congress June 1, 1796, setting apart the tract of lands in Ohio known as the
United States Military Land. The tract so designated extended from the north-
west corner of the seven ranges of townships — a point fortytwo miles west of the
intersection of the Ohio Kiver and the western boundary line of Pennsylvania
— due south fifty miles, thence west to the Scioto River, thence up that river to a
point where it crosses the Indian boundary line as fixed by the treaties of 1785,
1786, and 1795, thence along that boundary line to the Tuseawaras branch of the
Muskingum River at the point above Fort Laurens, near Bolivar, thence up the
river to a point due west from the place of beginning, thence easterly to the place
of beginning. In accordance with the terms of the act the lands were divided
into townships of five miles squai'e by running, marking and numbering the
exterior lines of the townships and marking corners in such lines at the distance of
of two and onehalf miles from each other. Grants were to be made of only a
quarter of the township to which the lands belong, lying at the corners thereof.
The Secretary of the Treasury was required, for a space of nine months after
public notice in the states and territories, to register warrants for anyone or more
tracts tor any person or persons holding the same on account of military services,
Lands and Land Titles. 033
Immediately after the expiration of that time he was roiiuirod to determine by
lot, drawn in the presence of the Secretaries of State and War, the priority of loca-
tion of the registered warrants. The person or persons holding the warrants then
made their locations after the lots had been proclaimed, on the day fixed in the
public notice for the registration of warrants, but in case they failed so to do, they
were then postponed in locating warrants to ail other persons holding registered
warrants Patents signed by the President of tlie United States and counter-
signed bj'^ the Secretarj- of State, were to issue free of cost to persons so locating,
their heirs or assigns. After the time limited for the making of locations had
elapsed, any person or persons holding warrants for military services sufficient to
cover one or more quarter townships might make their locations on any tract or
tracts not before located. All lands not located b}' January 1, 1800, should no
longer be held for the satisfaction of such warrants, but should, as any other vacant
territory, be at the free disposition of the United States. All warrants or claims
for land on account of military services which were not registered and located by
that date were to be forever barred. All navigable streams within the territory
so set apart were made public highways, and in case the opposite banks of unnavi-
gable streams should belong to d liferent pei-sons, such streams and their beds
should be common to both. By an amendment to the above recited act, made
March 2, 1799, the time for the location of lands within the United States
Military District was extended to January 1, 1802, and all lands not located at
that time were to be released from the reservation and to be subject to the di.-^posi-
tion of the United States as any other vacant territory-. All claims and warraiits
for land unregistered and unlocated at that date were to be forever barred. On
February 11, 1800, the original act was still further amended by directing that for
fourteen days after the expiration of the nine months allowed for the rcgislralion
of warrants for military services the Secretary of the Treasury should still register
warrants in the manner prescribed in the original act. The amendment further
provided that the priority of location of such warrants and of warrants registered
under the original act, should be determined by lot immediately after expiration
of the fourteen days for which the time of registration was extended, and that tiio
day for the location should be fixed bj' the Secretary of the Treasury by public
notice given in one of the Philadelphia Gazettes.
The southern boundary of the United States Military Lands in tlie City of
Columbus corresponds with Fifth Avenue, and constitutes the boundary line
between Clinton and Montgomery townships. There are about four tiiousand
square miles, or two million five hundred and sixty thousand acres, in the tract.
There are six and onefourth square miles, or four thousand acres, in each quarter
township. The accompanying figure indicates the manner in which the quarter
townshijis are numbered:
History of the City op Columbus.
The United States Military Lands lie west of the seven ranges, south of the
Greenville treaty line, east of the Scioto River and north of the Congress and
Eefugee Lands. Clinton, Sharon, Perrj^, Mifflin, Blendon, Plain and Jefferson
townships in Franklin County lie within the district. The act of June 1, 1796,
provided that the lands should be divided into quarters two and one half miles
square. These quarters are often termed sections. To accommodate soldiers who
held onehundredacre warrants some of the quarters were divided into one-
hundredacre tracts. The southeast quai'ter in Plain Township and that portion
of Perry Township bordering on the Scioto Eiver are so divided. The
surplus remaining after satisfying warrants was divided into sections of six
hundred and forty acres. Quarter sections containing one hundred and sixty
acres were dis])osed of by the government as other Congress lands. The lands
lying within the north half of Plain Township belonged to this class. Quarter
township number three was patented to Johnathan Dayton. He was a member
of Congress from Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was probably the largest land owner
in the State of Ohio. His possessions within the State were from fifty to sixty
thousand acres. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives for two terms
between 1793 and 1797, and was elected to the National Senate in 1799. He
was a member of the convention which framed the National Constitution.
Quarter township number four was patented to George Stevenson. The boundary
line between these quarters starts at a point on East Fifth Avenue nearly opposite
Mount Pleasant Avenue, and extends northward through Section Street and Lay-
ton Avenue. Within these two quarters lies all that part of Columbus north of
Fifth Avenue.
The greater part of the City of Columbus lies within what is known as the
Eefugee Tract. These lands were set apart and granted as a reward to such indi-
viduals of the Bi-ilish Provinces as had assisted the colonists in the war of Inde-
pendence, and found it agreeable to emigrate from their old homes. In response
to a memorial of Brigadier-General Hayden in behalf of himself and other Cana-
dian refugees. Congress on April 23, 1783, resolved that, retaining a lively sense of
the services of the Canadian officers and men rendered to the United States, it
would, whenever it could consistentlj- make grants, in that way reward the officers,
soldiers and other refugees from Canada. On April 13, 1785, Congress passed
another resolution of similar import. To fulfill the promises embodied in these
resolutions, Congress, on April 7, 1798, passed an act entitled " An act for the relief of
the refugees from the British Provinces of Canada and Novia Scotia, which directed
Lands and Land Titles. 635
the Secretary of War to give notice in one or more papers of each of the states of
Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, to all
persons having claims under those resolutions to transmit to the war office within
two years from the passage of the act a just and true account of their claims to the
bounty of Congress. The persons entitled to the benefit of this act were :
First, those heads of families, and single persons not members of any such families, who
were residents in one of the provinces aforesaid prior to the fourth day of July, 177G, and who
abandoned their settlements in consequence of having given aid to the United Colonies or
iStates in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, or with intention to give such aid,
and continued in the United States or in their service during the said war, and did not return
to reside in the dominions of the King of Great Britain prior to the twentytifth day ot Novem-
ber, 1783; secondly, the widows and heirs of all such persons as were actual residents as
aforesaid, who abandoned their settlements and died within the United States, or in their
services during the said war ; thirdly, all persons who were members of families at the time of
their coming into the United States, and who, during the war, entered into their sjrvices.
Proof of the facts entitling applicants to the benefit of the act was to be taken
before any judge of the Supreme or District Court of the United States, or a judge
of the Supreme or Superior Court, or the first justice or first judge of the Court of
Common Pleas or count}' court of any state. At the expiration of fifteen months
from the passage of the act and from time to time thereafter it was made the duly
of the Secretary of War to lay such evidence of claims as he may have received,
before the Secretary and Comptroller of the Treasury, and with them examine the
testimony and give their judgment as to what quantity of land ought to be allowed
to the individual claimants in proportion to the degree of their respective services,
sacrifices and sufferings in consequence of their attachment to the cause of
the United States, allowing to those of the first class not more than one thousand
acres and to the third class not more than one hundred acres, and to make
such intermediate class as in their judgment was proper, and make report thereof
to Congress. If any claimant could not be justly classed in any one of the general
classes a separate report was to be made fif his circumstances, together with the
quantity of land that ought to be allowed him, reference being had to the fore-
going ratio. There were certain conditions relating to the allowance of claims,
one of which was that the claims under the law should not be assignable
"until after the report made to Congress as aforesaid, and until the lands bo
granted to the persons entitled to the benefit of this act." The act further
provided that all claims in virtue of the resolutions of Congress that shall not
be exhibited as provided by the act within the time limited thereby, should
forever thereafter be barred.
On March IG, 1804, the act was i-cvived and continued in force foi- two years
from the last mentioned date. On February 1<S, 1801, Congress enacted a law
directing the Surveyor-General to cause fractional townships of ranges Ki, 17, IHi
19, 20, 21, and 22, which join the southern boundary line of the Military Lands, to
be subdivided into half sections containing thi'ee hundred and twenty acres each,
and return a survey and description of the same to the Secretary of the Treasury
on or before the first Monday of the following Uecembci-; ami the act set apart
and reserved the lands within those townships for the purpose of satisfying the
636 History of the City of Columbus.
claims of persons entitled to lands under the act of April 7, 1798, above mentioned.
The Secretary of the Treasury was required to proceed within thirty days after
the survey of the lands liad been returned to him to determine by lot in the
presence of the Secretaries of State and War the priority of location of the
persons entitled to lands. The persons so entitled were to make their location
severally on the second Tuesday of January, 1802, and the patents for the lands so
located were to be granted in the manner directed for the Military La-nds without
the payment of any fee. Claims were made and allowed under the act of April 7,
1798, :is follows: Martha Walker (widow of Thomas Walker), John Edgar, P.
Francis Cozeau, John Allen and Selh Harding, respectively, 2240 acres each ;
Jonathan Eddy ami Colonel James Livingston, 1280 acres each ; Thomas and
Edward Faulkner, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford, Noah Miller, John Starr, John
McGowan and Jonas C. Minot, 960 acres each ; Benjamin Thompson, Joseph Bin-
don, Joseph Levittre, Lieutenant William Maxwell, James Price, Seth Noble, John
Halstead, 640 acres each. The several tracts of land above mentioned were to be
located in half sections by the respective claimants The lands were located bj'
lottery. The numbers representing the different tracts were put in a wheel, and
as each name was called out a number was drawn.
Montgomery Towtiship is known as Townshijj Number Five, Range Twenty-
two, Refugee Lands, and was surveyed in May, 1799, by John Matthews andEben-
ezer Buckingham, United States Surveyors, in piirsuanco of the act of Congress
entitled "An act providing for the sale of lands in the United States in the terri-
tory northwest of the Ohio River and above the mouth of the Kentucky River."
which act will be hereafter mentioned. The division of sections into half sections
was made in 1801 by EInathan Schofield.sui-veyor, in pursuance of the act of Con-
gress of February 18, 1801.
By virtue of the foregoing act relating to refugees patents for half sections in
Montgomery Township were issued as follows, the numbers denoting the half sec-
tions patented : 1, Edward Faulkner; 2, Martha Walker ; 3, Martha Walker ; 4
and 5, John Starr; 6, Carpenter Bradford ; 7, Robert Culbertsoh, preempted by
John De Ruche; 8, Robert Culbertson ; 9, John Halstead; 10, Martha Walker ; 11,
James Price; 12, Soth Harding; 13, Seth Noble; 14, Thomas Faulkner; 15. James
Livingston ; 16, Carpenter Bradford; 17, Pierre Francis Cozeau ; 19 and 20, Pierre
Francis Cozeau ; 18, William Maxwell ; 21, Noah Miller ; 22, John Edgar ; 23,
Joseph Levittre ; 24, Jonas Minot ; 25, John Allen; 26, Benjamin Thompson; 27,
John McGowan; 28, Jonathan Eddy; 29, Joseph Bindon; 30, John Edgar; 31,
Seth Harding; 32, Seth Noble; 33, Pierre Francis Cozeau; 34, James Livingston ;
35, Seth Harding; 36, James Price ; 37, John McGowan; 38, Jonas C. Minot; 39,
Edward Faulkner ; 40, Thomas Faulkner ; 41, Jonathan Eddy ; 42, Thomas Faulk-
ner ; 43, Martha Walker.
The Refugee Tract embraces about one hundred thousand acres of land. It
extends southward a distance of four an] onehalf miles from Fifth Avenue
extended eastward, and from the Scioto River fortyeight miles eastward, except-
ing, however, the lands lying west of Township Twcntj-two (about the west line
of the fiirm of Daniel Thomas.) It is south of the United Slates Military Lands
Lands and Land Titlks. (i:!7
and north ofliic Congress Landn. Tlio tdwnsliips included williiii llio traci, hav
ing an extent north ami sonth of but four and imehalf iniies, an- IVaci ional. 'I'hc
sections arc numbered as in Congress Lands.
That part of the territory included in the corporate limits of the City of
Columbus lying west of the Scioto is within the Virginia Militai-y District. The
lands of that District were reserved by Virginia in her deed of cession to satisfy
the claims of her troops who served in the continental line in the AVar of Inde-
pendence. On August 16, 1790, Congi'ess enacted a law entitled "An act to ennble
the officers and soldiers of Virginia line on continental establishment to obtain title
to certain lands lying nortiiwest of the river Ohio between the Little Miami and
Scioto." This act, after reciting the insufficiency of good land southeast of the
Ohio, assigned by the laws of Virginia to satisfy her troops for the bounty land
due them in conformity to such laws provides that, for the purpose of locating for
such troops the land remaining due them between the Scioto and Little Miami
rivers, the Secretary of War shall return to the Executive of the State of Virginia
the names of such officers, noncommissioned officers and privates of the line of
that state, as served in the army of the United States on the continenal establish-
ment during the war, and who, in conformitj' to the laws of that State are entitled
to bounty lands, and shall al.so i-eturn the number of acres to the line by reason of
such laws. The agents of these troops were authorized to locate betwe<^^n the
rivers named such a number of acres of good land as, with the number already
located between those rivers and southeast of the Ohio, would, in the aggregate,
equal the amount to be returned by the Secretary of War to the Executive of Vir-
ginia. The remaining sections ot the act as amended June 9, 1794, provided :
That all and every oflicer and soldier of the Virginia line on the continental establish-
ment, his or their heirs or assigns, entitled to bounty lands on the northwest side of the river
Ohio between the Scioto and Little Miand rivers, by the laws of the State of Virginia and
included in the terms of cession of the said state to the United States, shall, on producing the
warrant or a certified copy thereof and a certificate under the seal of the office where the said
warrants are legally kept that the same or a part thoreof remains unsatisfied, and on pro-
ducing the survey, agreeably to the laws of Virginia, for the tract or tracts for which he or
they may be entitled as aforesaid to the Secretary of the Department ot War, such officer or
soldier his or their heirs or assigns shall be entitled to and receive a patent for tlie same from
the President of the United States, anything in any former law to the contrary notwithstand-
ing ; Provided, that no letters patent shall be issued for a greater quantity of land than shall
appear to remain due on such warrant, and that before the seal of the United States shall be
affixed to such letters patent, the Secretary of the Department of War shall have endorsed
thereon that the grantee therein named or the person under whom he claims was originally
entitled to such bounty lands, and every such letters patent shall be countersigned by the
Secretary of State and a minute of the date thereof and the name of the grantee shall be
entered of record in his office in a book to be specially provided for that purpose.'"
Holders of Virginia Military warrants were jjermitted to locate anj- lands
within the district which had not already been located. The district was not
divided into townships, and was not surveyed in any regular lorm. Matiy of the
surveys fell short in quantity, others overlapped each other. Confusion and liti-
gation necessarily resulted. The first surveyors in the Virginia Military District
were accustomed to add or throw in a percentage in their surveys. Sometimes as
63H History of the City of CoLUMBtTs.
much as ten per cent, was thus added." Tbe lines specified in the patents, when
ran between the established corners, were generally of greater length than dcsig.
nated. As a result, the government was frequently cheated out of large tracts of
land. "The Virginia Military District," says Professor R. W. McFarland, "was
surveyed in a manner wonderful to behold. It would scarcely be exaggeration to
say that ever surveyor ' did that which was right in his own eyes but wrong in
the eyes of evei'ybody else.' Unlike the modern ' walkist' who has so many miles
and one lap, these lines have all lap and no miles. The worst case falling under
my personal notice was a tract calling for ninety acres, the given metes and
bounds of which enclosed over 1,600 acres. This might be given as a noble exam-
ple of ' making the land hold out.' "'-
That portion of Columbus Ij'ing west of the river is within surveys numbered
1393 and 2068. Survey 1393 was entered by Lieutenant Robert Vance and
assigned by him to Lucas Sullivant, to whom a patent was thereafter issued by
John Quincy Adams, President of the United States, March 20, 1800. Hugh Stev-
enson, a colonel in the Virginia line on continental establishment, entered survey
number 2668; it was assigned by him to Lucas Sullivant. A patent was issued to
Lucas Sullivant for the lands within that survey on May 14, 1800, by John Quincy
Adams, President of the United States.
All lands within the city lying south of the Refugee Tract are known
as Congress Lands, and are so termed because they were sold to purchasers bj' the
National Government through its officers in accordance with the laws of the
United States. In pursuance of "An act providing for the sale of lands of the
United States in the territory northwest of the river Ohio and above the mouth of
the Kentucky River,"" enacted by Congress May 18,1796, and the acts amendatory
thereto, these lands were surveyed into townships six miles square, and the
corners of the townships were marked with progressive numbers from the beginning.
Each distance of one mile between such corners was also distinctlj' marked,
the marks being different from those of the township corners. The townships were
subdivided into sections containing as nearlj' as possible six hundred and forty acres
each, by running through the township parallel lines each way at the end of every
two miles, and by marking a corner on each of such lines at the end of every mile.
The sections were numbered respectively beginning with number one in the north-
east section and proceeding west and east alternately through the townships
with progressive numbers, the last being number thirtysix. The following
diagram indicates the manner of numbering the sections :
IjANDS ANn I;.'
6
5
'
3
2
1
7
8
9
10
11
12
18
17
16
15
14
13
19
20
21
22
23
24
30
29
28
27
26
25
31
32
33
34
35
36
The sections were further suhdividcd into quarters termed the northeast, south-
east, northwest, sounthwest quarter. By act of Congress passed April 24, 1820, and
which went into operation July 1, 1820, the qu;irtei' sections were further equally
divided by north and south lines into halfquarter sections. The law, however, did
not apply to fractional sections less than one hundred and sixty acres. The price
of land was fixed by the act at one dollar and twentyfive cents per acre. The price
had previously been two dollars per acre. The surveyors were further required to
mark on a tree near each section corner and within the section the number of such
section and the number of the township within which it was located. The ran^o
was also marked, although the act does not seem to have required that to be
done. John Kilbournc says in his Ohio Gazetteer: " In establishing the township
and sectional corners a post is first planted at the point of intersection ; then on the
tree nearest the post and standing within the section to be designated, is numbered
with the marking iron the range, township and number of section, thus:
R.
21
R.
20
T.
4
T.
4
S.
36
S.
31
R.
21
R.
20
T.
3
T.
3
S.
1
S.
6
The quarter corners are marked ^ S. merely.""
640 History of the City of ColumbDs.
East of the Great Miami Kiver the ranges are counted from east to west and the
townships are numbered from south to north. A range is a row or line of townships
lying between two successive meridian lines six miles apart. Montgomery Town-
ship, although not in the Congress Lands, is in range -twentytwo, counting from
the point at which the Ohio River crosses the Pennsylvania line, and is known as
Townsliip aSTumber Five, counting from the south northward. Tlie rectangular
system of surveying is the most perfect which has been devised, but it was not
fully matured when applied to Ohio. In referring to the Ohio surveys Professor
E. W. McFarland says :
If there is anything bad in this regard Ohio has it ; if anything good, Ohio failed to get
it. In the Western Reserve is one system, in the seven ranges another; it changes in the
Ohio Company's purchase, varies in the United States Military District, has no head or tail
in the Virginia Military District, changes again west of the Great Miami, and going north-
ward beyond the Greenville treaty line we find another way as far east as the west line of
the Re.serve, thence eastward, south of the Reserve, a hop and skip method is found.*^
The i^assage of the " Ordinance for the government of the territory of the
United States northwest of the Ohio River" was the most important act performed
by Congress under the Articles of Confederation. That ordinance, among other
things, established the laws of descents, endowed widows of onethird part of their
deceased husbands' estates, provided for the disposition of estates " by wills in
writing signed and sealed by the person in whom the estate may be, he being of
full age, and attested by three witnesses;" and for the conveyance of real estate
" by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed and delivered by the per-
son, being of full age, in whom the estate may he, and attested by two witnesses."
A law adopted from the statutes of Pennsylvania, which was published June 18,
1795, and went into effect August 1, 1795, established the office of Recorder. The
same law prescribed the manner of acknowledging deeds and repealed the provis-
ions of the Ordinance of 1787, requiring deeds to be witnessed. Deeds executed
between August 1, 1795 and June 1, 1805, were valid without any subscribing
witnesses if acknowledged by the grantor."
The organization of the State of Ohio, and the location of its capital on the
high bank of the Scioto opposite Franklinton having been treated in preceding
chapters, these subjects need not here be particularly referred to further than to
state some incidental facts which directly relate to the tenure of land.
At an early date there was some important litigation affecting the titles
to large tracts of land in and near Columbus. The title of Lyne Starling and,
of those claiming under him in halfsection twentyfive was called in question
by proceedings instituted in both the State and National courts. John Allen,
the patentee of halfsection twentyfive, conveyed that halfsection in 1801 to
G. W. Allen. The patent was issued in 1802 and the deed was executed and
acknowledged in the presence of two witnesses before E. C. Shannon, a justice of the
peace of Portsmouth, New Hamsphire, but was not of record. Shannon made a
copy of the deed in his notarial book. G. W. Allen mortgaged the premises to one
Langdon on September 18, 1805. At the February term of the Common Pleas Court
of Franklin County, Ohio, 1809, a judgment was attained upon scire facias upon the
Lands and Land Titles. G41
mortgage, execution was sued out against tlie ])remisos and a sale tiicrcof was made
by the Sheriff to Ljnc Starling, whose deed boro date of July 11, 1809. This deed
contained no recital of an appraisement of the value of the mortgaged premises, and
there was no evidence offered on the trial that such appraisement was in fact made.
The heirs of John Allen denied the validit}- of the sale to G. W. Allen and
the authentication of the mortgage given to Langdon, and particularly excepted to
the sale of Starling on the ground that there was no evidence of the appraisement of
the premises. One suit was determined in the Supreme Court of Ohio (8 Ohio 107,
178) and in the United States Court for the District of Ohio. The suits were instituted
against the owners who claimed title through Lyne Starling, and were defended by
him. He was at first represented b}- Henry Clay, and afterwards by Henry Bald-
win, of Pittsburgh. In 1826 the suits were determined in his favor. The Allen
heirs, prior to the commencement of the above suits, instituted proceedings in
ejectment for the recover}- of the premises in the United States courts. One of the
suits was decided against them, and the other failed for want of prosecution.
In 1846 Starling quieted the title to the same premises against William Neil
and the lieirs of John Allen. Neil had obtained a conveyance of a'oneeighth
interest in the tract from some of the Allen heirs." In deciding one of the above
cases (3 Ohio, 107) the Supreme Court held that, although John Allen had sold his
interest in the halfsection prior to the issue of his patents, his conveyance passed
the title to his grantee. The provision in the act of Congress of April 7, 1798, above
quoted, providing that no claim under that law should be assignable until the
lands were granted to the persons entiled to the benefit of the act, was construed to
give the right to the government to declare a forfeiture if a claim was assigned
before the patent issued, but the government having waived such right and having
perfected the title by issuing the patent, the patentee and his grantee became sub-
ject to the principles of the common law and the title acquired by G. W. Allen was
good.
About the time the title to halfsection twentyfive was in dispute, that of the
owners of halfsection twentysix was also assailed. The halfsection was patented
by Benjamin Thompson and conveyed bj' him to James Strawbridge, who
executed a power of attorney to John McDowell authorizing him to sell the prem-
ises. On March 12. 1808, McDowell as attorney in fact conveyed the halfsection
to Alexander McLaughlin and John Kerr. The instrument recited a conveyance
from McDowell for Strawbridge instead of from Strawbridge to McDowell, his
attorney in fact. The deed was signed '-John McDowell, Attorney in fact for
John Strawbridge." Attached to the deed was a receipt for the purchase money.
About 1825, Anthony W. Cooley obtained quitclaim deeds from the heirs of James
Strawbridge" conveying their interest in the halfsection. Proceedings in eject-
ment were instituted by him, but at the April tern^ of the Court of Common Pleas
of the year 1827, in a suit in which McLaughlin and Kerr were plaintiffs and
Cooley and the Strawbridge heirs were defendants, the title of the plaintiffs was
quieted.
Certain persons claiming to be the heirs of Hugh Stephenson by a proceeding
instituted in the United States Di.strict Court, disputed the title of Lucas Sullivant
41
G42 History op the City op Columbus.
to survey 2668. The suit was dismissed in 1822. In 1838, James Stephenson and
others made a second attack on the title of the same premises in the Court of
Common Pleas of this county aejainst the three sons of Lucas SuUivant. Their
bill in equity recited that Hugh Stephenson, a colonel in the Virginia line on con-
tinental establishment, was entitled to 6,666| acres of land in the Virginia Military
District, and that he died leaving a wife and a posthumous child, Richard Stephen-
son, his only heir at law'; that Richard Stephenson died without issue, leaving no
heirs excepting his fraternal uncles; that certain illegitimate children of Hugli
Stephenson assumed control of his warrant and assigned it to Sullivant, who
located the same and obtained a patent for the land in question. The bill further
charged that Sullivant fraudulently obtained an assignment of the plats and certiii-
cates for the land in question and procured patents therefor in his name. The
prayer was that the defendants be required to convey the land to the plaintiffs and
account for lands sold. The bill was dismissed in 1840, without prejudice, at the
complftinant's costs, and the title has not since been questioned.
The title to three hundred acres of land in the third quarter of Clinton Town-
ship was in question in the case of Lessee of Moore v. Vance.™ An action in
ejectment was brought to oust Joseph Vance, who had purchased from his brother
Alexander, by whom the premises had been purchased from Jonathan Dayton
through Dayton's attorney in fact, Joseph Vance. Dayton had also executed a
power of attorney to one Bonham, authorizing him to sell the lands to Moore ; the
lands were conveyed to Moore by such attorney. The deed to Alexander Vance
was acknowledged and recorded but was not witnessed. The acknowledgment
was made outside of the Northwest Territory but inside of the U.nited States, and
was taken by J. C. Symmos, a judge of the Territory. The court held that as the
law then existed witnesses were not necessary and that the deed conveyed the
title to Alexander Vance.
After the Penitentiary was removed to its present site the tenacre lot set apart
by the original proprietors of Columbus becanae the subject of litigation. It was
contended on the one hand that the lot reverted to the original proprietors or
their heirs, and on the other that the title remained in the State. An action in
ejectment was brought March 26, 1847, against Edward N. Slocum, Quartermaster-
General, to recover jjossession of the property.™ The suit was brought in the
name of Gustavus Swan and M. J. Gilbert. Elijah Backus appeared as attorney,
and it was generally understood that he was prosecuting for his own benefit. A
default judgment was rendered in favor of the plaintiffs in 1851. On September
26, 1854, the State brought an action in ejectment to regain possession of the lot.
Two years later judgment was rendered in its favor. Under an act of March 17,
1856, the premises were replatted, appraised and sold.
Although the early suits involved the title to large tracts of land, their value
at the time the suits were institutc<l was less than that of some of the lands which
have recently been and are still in litigation. In 1890 a number of cases were
brought in the Court of Common Pleas by the heirs of John Brickell for an
accounting of rents and profits and the partition of a tract of seven and a half
acres of land extending northward from Spruce Street, between High and Park
Lanhs and IjAnii Titlks. 643
John Brickell died in 1.S44. By his will he gave his wife what tlie law
allowed her; to his daughter Susan five hundred and fifty dollars; to his grand-
daughter Evaline, four hundred dollars. These legacies were to be paid as soon
as his executor could, in his opinion, without sacrifice, convert anj' part of the
testator's estate into nioTicy fnr that purjwse. Ho also bequeathed to his son
McLean ten dollars. After bequeathing the premises then occupied by his son
John to him ho further gave and bequeathed to him tho undivided moiety in the
rest and residue of his I'cal estate, to have and to hold during his natural life, but
to be equally divided among his lawfully begotten children living at the time of his
death. The undivided half of seven and a half acres of a twentyacre tract in Clin-
ton Township, and of a lot near the Penitentiary, passed to John BricUell, Junior>
under this item of his will. The sixth and eighth items are as follows:
.s'i.rtWi/ — Should my son John think proper to remove from this quarter of the country
he may sell in fee his moiety of said residue of my real estate, provided he shall vest the
proceeds in other land in the name and for the use of his children, he, my said son John,
retaining and holding to his use for life the rents and profits of said land so to be purchased,
and the purchasers of said moiety of said residue to be answerable for the appropriation of
the money in manner aforesaid.
Eighthly — AW the rest and residue of my property, choscs in action, notes of hand,
money and everything else not above disposed of I give in equal proportions to my daughter
Evaline, my granddaughter Susan and my sons Cyrus and John, to be divided between them
share and share alike.
Alexander Patton was named as executor. He qualified as such soon after
Brickell's death and fully administered his estate. On September 10, 1845, Cyrus
Brickell conveyed his interest in tho seven and a half acres to Lincoln Goodale for
$750 00, and on September 24, 1845, John sold his half in the same premises to
Goodale for $650. His deed recited that he was about to move from
this part of the country and that after the debts of his father and the
legacies mentioned in the will were paid from the proceeds of the sale, the residue
was to be invested in lands in the name of his children and for their use and
benefit after his death, agreeably to the will of his father. The Brickell heirs assert
that at the time John Brickell sold to Goodale he had not thought " proper to
remove to another quarter of the country," had no intention of so doing, and did
not in fact so remove until in October, 1851. They allege that neither he nor
Goodale invested the proceeds arising from the sale of the seven and a half acres
in other lands in the name of John's children, and that Goodale acquired by his
purchase from John only his life interest in the tract. The defendants claiming
under Goodale interposed a number of defenses. In the Court of Common Pleas
all the cases tried were determined against the claintant heirs, Twent3-two of the
cases were recently disposed of in the Circuit Court. The facts found by that
court were substantially as follows:
At the time of his death John Brickell knew the amcjunt of his dclits and
liabilities and the condition of his real and personal property-. His personal estate
was inadequate to pay in full his debts and liabilities, the legacies mentioned in his
will, the year's allowance to his widow, her distributive share in his jiersonal
property and thecosts of administration. His perf^onal estate was not sufficient to
644 History of the City of Columbus.
pay the legacies or either of them. The testator owned no real estate otiier than the
three tracts above mentioned. By proceedings instituted in October, 1S44, the
widow's dower in all of the three tracts above mentioned was assigned her in the
tract near the Penitentiary, and on November 3, 1846, was of the v:ilue of $480.
Cyrus Brickell, on September 10, 1845, conveyed to Cloodalo his undivided half of
the seven and a half acres. Soon after John Brickell's conveyance to Goodale he
disposed of the lands specifically devised to hinfi to John M. Walcutt. John and
Cyrus conveyed their respective interests in the lot near the Penitentiary also to
Walcutt and sold the Clinton Township land to Windsor Atchesori. In pursuance
of an agreement made at or about the time John Brickell sold to Goodale, and as
further assurance of the title of Goodale to the undivided half of the land conveyed
to hini by John Brickell, and to effectuate the object of the testator in respect to
the title to the premises and secure the payment in full of the legacies mentioned
in the will, Patton, as executor, executed and delivered a deed to Goodale for the
undivided half of the seven and a half acre tract, in consideration of the placing in
the hands of the executor of so much of the proceeds of the sale as would, with
the proceeds of the sale to Atcheson, fully pay onehalf of the legacies. The
legacies were intended to be and were charged upon the lands sold to Goodale and
Atcheson. Cj'rus Brickell at the same time, from the proceeds of sales made by
him, placed sufficient sums in the hands of the executor to pay the remaining half
of the legacies. The entire proceeds of the sale of the seven and a half acre tract
were applied by the executor in payment of legacies, and by John Brickell in the
purchase of land in MifHin Township, to himself for life with the remainder to his
children. This was done with the consent and knowledge of Cyrus, John, Susan
and Evaline Brickell. The receipt of Evaline and Susan Brickell for their legacies,
given when they were of full age, are on file in the Probate Court. The testator
intended to confer on his executor the power to sell and convey any of his
residuary estate for the payment of the legacies.
At the time John Brickell conveyed to J. M. Walcutt the homestead devised
to him by his father, and he and his brother Cyrus conveyed to Walcutt the bal-
ance of the Penitentiary lot, which conveyance was subject to their mother's
dower, Walcutt conveyed to Jolui in fee twoeighths, and to his children in fee,
subject to his life estate, threeeighths of the 283 acres in Mifflin Township. At the
same time, in consideration of $2,625 paid Cyrus Brickell, Walcutt conveyed to
him in fee the remainder of the undivided threeeights of the Mifflin Township
land. The unpaid purchase money on the 283 acres, amounting to $1,000, was
paid by John and Cyrus Brickell in equal proportions. At the same time they
gave to Walcutt a mortgage to indemnify them against the dower interest of
their mother in the Penitentiary lot.
John Brickell removed in 1846, with his family, to Mifflin Township, about
eight miles from Columbus, and in 1881 removed to Iowa. He died February 2,
1890. Prioi- thereto his children had all died unmarried, childless and intestate.
In 1848 the Mifflin Township lands were partitioned, and 117 acres and twentyone
poles were set off to the children of John Brickell. In the proceeding of Andrus,
administrator, against Stickel and others, No. 7830, in the Court of Common Pleas
Lands and Land Titles. fi45
of Franklin County, the Brickell heirs, by virtue of the investments made by
John Brickell in pursuance of his father's will, wei-e awarded the lands which had
been sot off to John Brickell's children in 1848. The persons now in possession
and those under whom they claim, from and including Goodale, have been in o])en,
notorious, continuous, uninterrupted, exclusive and adverse possession of the
jiremises claimed by them respectively since December 24, 1845, and each and ail
of tliem have claimed and believed themselves at all times to be the absolute
owners of the whole of their respective premises. Since 1845 the premises have
been frequentl}' conveyed and transferred bj' general warranty deeds, all of which
are matters of record in the office of the Franklin County Eecorder. The premises
were platted and subdivided by Goodale, and permanent and valuable imjirove-
ments have been erected on nearly all the lots. By proceedings in the Common
Pleas Court Goodale, after platting the premises, vacated some of the streets and
alleys, and after his death his executors, fully empowered so to do, caused an
amended plat of the premises to be made, and in exercise of the powers conferred
on them by his will sold the lots therein to divers persons by deeds of general
warranty. The present owners and those under whom they claim have exercised
full, exclusive and absolute ownership over the premises since the purchase by
Goodale from John and Cyrus Brickell, and took the premises claimed by them
respectively without any notice, knowledge or information of the claims asserted
by the Brickell heirs, except such as was given by the records of Franklin County.
The Brickell heirs knew of the improvements being made on the premises, and that
the persons in possession thereof were exercising acts of ownership over the same,
yet made no claim of title to or interest in said premises until the year 1888.
Cyrus Brickell also had full knowledge of all the facts connected with the sale of
the several paicels of real estate and the parts thereof mentioned in his father's
will, and the application and use of the purchase money arising therefrom to the
payment of the legacies, to the purchase of the Mifflin Township lands, and of all
the matters related to oi' connected with the same, and participated and acquiesced
therein. He participated by the execution of his own deed in the transaction
between himself, his brother John, Goodale and Alexander Patton as executor
whereby Goodale became vested with the title to the seven and a half acres. In
1846 John Brickell executed and delivered to Evaline Brickell a mortgage deed
on his undivided twoeighths interest in the Mifflin Township land, which mortgage
was canceled and satisfied by her. The legatees named in the will accepted pay-
ments of their legacies with notice of all the facts and transactions above men-
tioned, and of the fact that Goodale had seen that the purchase money of the seven
and a half acres was used by the executor in the payment of legacies and bv John
Brickell in the purchase of the lands in MifHin Townshiji to himself foi- life with
remainder to bis children.
The court thereupon found that none of the Brickell heirs have any i-ight,
title or interest in or to the premises in controversy and that they are not entitled
te any relief whatever. The property involved is worth several hundred thousand
dollars. The cases will be taken to the Supreme Court.
646 History op the Citt of Columbus.
Another suit aifecting a large tract of land is that brought by Peter Eamlow
and about eightyfive others against John Eeam, Senior, and others, and known on
the docket of the Court of Common Pleas as number 23,582. William Simmons was
during his lifetime the owner of a seventyfour acre tract of laud in what is
now known as North Columbus. He died leaving ten children, one of whom,
named Nancy, intermarried with John Ream, who purchased the interest of one of
the Simmons heirs in the tract and, on January 11, 1827, together with his wife,
Nancy Ream, for an adequate consideration, as the plaintiffs claimed, conveyed to
David Beers their interest in the tract by a quitclaim deed. The petitioners recite
that the deed was duly signed, sealed, witnessed and delivei'ed and was acknow-
ledged before a justice of the peace of Licking County, but that through mistake
the justice failed to state in the certificate of acknowledgment that Nancy Ream, the
owner in fee simple of a part of the premises conveyed, was examined separate and
apart from her husband. They further allege that if she was not so examined it was
through mistake, as she did in fact voluntarily and freely, for a valuable and
adequate consideration, execute, acknowledge and deliver the deed. The prayer of
the petition is for the correction of the deed and for all other proper relief The
premises have been platted into lots, streets and alleys and constitute a part of North
Columbus. Nancy Ream died in 1881. Several of the heirs filed a voluminous
answer and crosspetition reciting numerous conveyances and denying that the deed
to Beers was the deed of John and Nancy Ream. They assert that these parties
never agreed to convey their interest in the premises, that they received no considera-
tion for the same, that Nancy Eeam was not examined separate and apart from iier
husband by any one authorized to take the acknowledgment of deeds, and that the
deed was delivered to Beers through a brother of hers to defraud her and her hus-
band. They also base their claim to a part of the tract on a deed executed by
Anna Furby, formerly the widow of William Simmons, who, without her husband
joining her, executed a deed in 1825 for her interest in the premises. She died in
1836. There are other claims made, but the jjleading is too lengthy to be
fully abstracted here. The cross-petitioners assert that if the deed of Ream
and wife bo valid it only conveyed onetenth of the premises, and pray for a parti-
tion of the same. They ask that some ninety other pcr.sons be made parties to the
suit, and claim to be tenants in common with such persons and the petitioners.
The plaintiffs reply denying the material averments of the answer and cross-
petition and plead the statute of limitations. The case was determined adversely to
the Ream heirs in the Court of Common Pleas, and is now pending in the Circuit
Court.
The case of Bdmiston Gwynne and others, heirs of Doctor Ichabod G. Jones,
against James K. Jones and others, owners of a twoacre tract in Nelson's Addi- ^
tion, was recently disposed of in the Circuit Court. When the Friend (Main) 0
Street Railway was projected the trustees under the will of Doctor Jones agreed that
if the road were constructed they would donate two acres to the Company. When
the road was completed the trustees executed and delivered a quitclaim deed to the
Company for the nominal consideration of one dollar. The Company sold the
lands to James Nelson for $1,800. Nelson, who had previously purchased and
platted the remainder of the fifty acres, then made a new subdivision of the whole
Lands and Land Titles. (547
tract. The twoacre tract inchidod a number of lots and parts of lots. The Jones
heirs brought an action to partition the premises and to quiet the title. The suit
involved the question as to the right of the trustees to make such a conveyance.
The case was never heard on the issues raised by tiie pleading, but was satisfoc-
torily adjusted by the parties and a decree entered for the defendants.
Space forbids extended notice of other suits. The case brought by the execu-
tors of Harriot E. Ide against Julia B. Clarke and others affected but few people
although it involved a large amount of real and personal property and presented
some interesting legal questions. The same is true of the case of Mary R. English
and others against William Moiiypenny and others. This case is still pending. A
very recent case is that brought by Mary B. Fisher to recover possession of prem-
ises fronting on the south side of West Ninth Avenue between High and Hunter
streets. We have been unable to find a single case involving the title to any con-
siderable amount of property and affecting a large number of owners which has
finally beenvdetermined against the defending parties.
In a historical sketch like this only a few of the important wills conveying
large amounts of property can be meniioned. Of the wills of recent years those of
Theodore Leonard, Luther Donaldson, Louise Deshler and James Ohlen were con-
tested and set aside. That of Doctor Van 8. Seltzer, after a prolonged trial, was
sustained. The will of Alfred Kelley disposed of some of the most desirable pro-
perty in the city. A large tract in the northwestern part of the city passed under
the will of Robert Neil. William Neil, long prior to his death, conveyed to his
children large tracts of land ; yet his will and that of William S. Sullivant dis])Osed
of more land within the present city limits than any others admitted to probate in
Franklin County! Excepting the Goodale, Hubbard, Starr and Fisher tracts, and
a small tract south of Eighth Avenue, William Neil at one time owned all the
property west of High Street between Goodale Street and Lane Avenue. At the
same time his possessions extended south of the western i)ortion of Goodale Street
to the Scioto River. He also owned large tracts east of High Street. William S.
Sullivant, at the time of his death, held considerable property in the eastern part of
the city, but most of his possessions were west of the Scioto River. The magni-
tude of his estate may be learned by an examination of the proceedings in partition
brought by his executors and trustees. Other wills conveying large estate are
those of Lincoln Goodale, Gustavus Swan, David Taylor, Lyne Starling, Jacob
Hare, Phillip Fisher, Daviil W. Deshler and Orange Johnson.
Much information relating to the history of Columbus lands, although required
to be made a matter of official record, has not been preserved, yet enough remains
to show some striking contrasts. The rate of taxation as shown on the duplicate
in the Auditor's office for the year 1826 was six mills on the dollar; in 1827 six and
seveneighths mills. The increase in population and wealth necessarily increased
the expenditures of the city. In 1873 the rate of taxation was higher than at any
other time in the history of the city, the levy for all purposes for that year being
twentyfive and twotenths mills. The levy for 1870 and 1891 was twentyfour
mills. A tabulation showing the value of real property and the rate of taxation
for a series of years will be found in the appendix to this cliapter.
648 History of the City of Columbus.
The duplicate of property listed for taxation for the year 1811 for the whole
county, covered nearly nineteen double pages ; that of 1812 twentythree double
pages; of 1816 thirtyone and a half pages ; of 1817 twentynine and a half pages.
From onesixth to onefifth of the entire space covered by each of the foregoing
duplicates was required for the listing of the lands of Lucas Sullivant. The dupli-
cate of the city of Columbus for 1891 alone covers 974 large double pages. In this
connection it should be remembered that the city limits now extend far beyond
those of the original town, the site of which covered about eight hundred acres.
At the beginning of 1863 the city area was eleven hundred acres, but in the course
of that year it was increased to twentyseven hundred acres. In 1873 the citj'
area was increased by annexation to 6,752 acres ; it is now estimated by Josiah
Kinnear, City Civil Engineer, at 10,240 acres. The number of new dwellings
erected from 1826 to 1829 was one hundred. That was considered rapid growth.
The duplicate in the Auditor's office for the year 1811 shows that in the entire
county four persons owning twenty pieces of property, twelve of which belonged
to John S. Mills, were delinquent for taxes ; that of 1812 shows twelve delinquent ;
that of 1813 five ; that of 1817 four. The amount of delinquent taxes for 1817 was
$274,687; the penalty was $245.79. The record does not show whether the taxes
were paid or not. The greatest delinquents were George Turner, Arthur O'Harra,
James Johnston— one of the original proprietors of Columbus— and Henry
Brown, who was at that time the proprietors' agent. In 1827 seventysix persons
and ninetyseven pieces of property were returned as delinquent. At the close of
the duplicate of 1816 appears a list of transfers of real estate in the county for that
year. These transfers numbered in all sixtj'four, and were accompanied by a brief
description of the property sold. The number of transfers in the entire county
in 1817 was seventyone. There is nothing to indicate whether the names on
the lists are those of purchasers or sellers. In the early history of the County
transfers were not noted as now on the margin of the duplicate. If there was
any systematic method of recording transfers it has escaped our attention. In 1848 a
book of transfers was opened, but the record relating to Columbus skips from page
to page in such a bewildering manner as to defy all attempts to determine the
number. There was, however, a great increase in the number of transfers as
compared with the years above mentioned. Another book of transfers was begun
in 1863. A tabulation of deeds and mortgages filed for record will be found at the
end of this chapter.
In 1831 four hundred persons were returned as owning land in Montgomery
Township; two hundred and ninetythree of these were returned as owning pro-
perty in the City of Columbus; the names of twelve were unknown. The imper-
fect manner in which the record was kept throws some doubt upon the absolute
accuracy of the above figures, but they are substantially correct. It is estimated
by the County Auditor, Henry J. Caren, that there are now in the city as many as
fifteen thousand real estate owners.
The early records in the Auditor's office were not kept in books of a durable
nature and have not been preserved with very great care. Most of the duplicates
are bound with pasteboard covers; but few of them are so much as an inch in
Lands and Land Titles. 649
thickness. They are ordinarily about eight inches long and thirteen wide; some
of them, however, consist simplj' of sheets of paper fastened together. The
method of entering lands on the duplicate differed in many respects from that now
employed. The office of County Auditor was not created until 1H20, prior to which
j-ear the duties of the office were discharged by the County Commissioners and
Tax Collectors. The duplicates of 1811, 1812 and 1813 are contained in a
single book. Following the duplicate of 1812 is evidently that of 1813, but the
entry "1813" placed in the upper lefthand corner of the first page is the otdy
one to indicate the purpose or nature of the record. The du]ilicate of 1820 con-
tains nothing between its covers to indicate what it is; excepting the first three
pages there is nothing at the toj) of the page to shed any light on its purpose or
contents. The book containing the list of delinquent lands for 1829 shows no bead-
ing on any of its pages. An analysis indicates that it comprises a list of delin-
quent land with the taxes on the same and marginal entries showing when and by
whom the taxes were paid. The writer was not able to find duplicates for several
of tiie years between 1813 and 1826. One book is marked : " Year unknown. Notax
on this duplicate." Another, folded like foolscap, cannot be identified but is prob-
ably a tax duplicate of some year. The first duplicate on which we were able to find
the lands of Columbus designated as outlets and inlols was that of 1825. Prior to
that, as far as observed, the lands were returned in bulk as acreage. In 1S27 ilic
value of lots in Columbus, as shown by the duplicate, ranged from six dolhu-s and
forty cents to four hundred and eighty dollars. A large number were valued at
eight dollars apiece. The valuation of other lots was usually some muitii)le of
eight. The first duplicate wiiicli approaches completeness is that of 1S2(). It is
highlj' improbable that any of the early sales of lands for delinquent ta.xcs were in
strict accordance with statutory requirements.
The value of real estate depends largelj' on its proximity to sewers and nn tho
amount of travel on the street on which it is located. The amount of travel
depends in great measure on the condition of the streets. A tabulated stalciiuiii
of expenditures for street paving and sewers is therefore appended hert'to.
The partial destruction by fire of the records in the office of the County
Eecorder during the night of March 31, 1879, occasioned a serious loss of informa-
tion regarding land in this city and count}'. As the territorj' within the ])resent
limits of Franklin County constituted originally a part of Ross County, all con-
veyances of real estate lying within our present county boundaries were recorded,
before Franklin County was organized, in the Hoss County records. These
records, so far as they pertain to Franklin County lands, were transcribed in a book
kept in the Eecorder's ofl3ce. The next oldest deed books were lettered A, B, C, D,
E, F, G, and H. The lettered deed books containeil all the deeds up to al>out the
year 1823. All other deed books were designated bj- figures. Adjoining the
Eecorder's office in the old Courthou.se on the corner of High and Mound streets, a
vault was built for the presevation of all records and documents required to be kept
in that office. This vault was fourteen bj' sixteen feet inside, and was connected with
the Eecorder's office by double iron dooi-s. It was the cusldin nf the I!ci-oi-der,
Nathan Cole, to lock the inside do.ir but simply to dcise the duIct door leading lo
650 History of the City op Columbus.
the vault. Opposite the doors was a window with double iron shutters. Wooden
shelving for books was arranged on the east and west sides of the room ; the cases
for chattel mortgages and other papers stood near the entrance to the vault, on the
west side of which were kept the deed books and on the east side the mort-
gage books. The walls of the vault were hollow and made of brick ; the floor was
stone and the ceiling of brick supported by iron posts. When the Chief Clei'k in
the Eecorder's office, Beal B. Poste, attempted, on the morning of February 1, 1879,
to open the outer doors of the vault he found them bolted and the combination hot.
The space between the inner and outer doors was filled with smoke, and when the
inner door was opened a dense volume of smoke issued from the vault. An alarm
was soon given and in a few minutes the fire was extinguished. It started at the
southwest corner of the vault under deed book A, and extended northward along the
west side.
The deed books began with the oldest volumes on the bottom shelf in the south-
west corner and proceeded north and south alternately along the west side of the
vault in progressive numbers. The volumes burned were the Ross County records
(since replaced) and volume A, B, C, D (except a few pages), E, F, G, H, 1, 2,3, 5i
10, 11 (the last two containing the deeds recorded in the years 1833 and 1834), 105,
112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 119,120, 122, 123, 124, and plat books 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The fol-
lowing volumes were damaged or partially burned : 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 104, 106, 107, 108,
109, 110, 111, 117, 118, 121, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130 and 131. The whole of Volume
119 was not destroj-ed but what remains of it is so badly damaged that it jdelds little
information. The records prior to 1804 and from 1871 to 1877 are damaged or burned.
Volume F contained the orginial town plat of the City of Columbus and the
greater part of the conveyances from the original proprietors of the capital. The
total number of deeds and instruments destroyed was about 11,500. Of these about
3,500 have been restored. About six hundred plals and maps were also destroyed
which have not yet been restored to the records. None of the mortgage records or
chattel mortgages were injured.
The destruction of the county records produced intense excitement. The
presence of petroleum or some other inflammable substance on some of the books,
and the fact thai the backs of some of them were folded together so that their
leaves hung open and projected beyond the shelving, produced a belief that the
burning was the work of an incendiary. The odor of petroleum is still percepti-
ble on deed books 104 and 105. Henry Heinmiller, Chief of the Fire Department,
estimated that there were twentyfive unburned volumes whose backs were folded
together and whose open leaves hung projecting beyond the shelving. Several
of the volumes were burned thi'ongh the center while other portions of them were
but slightly injured. One fireman removed five volumes held in their places by
the backs; the open leaves of these books projected beyond the shelves. Another
fireman removed seven volumes, and still another removed three which were
found in a similar position. The County Commissioners offered a reward of three
thousand dollars for the detection and conviction of the incendiaries. Albert F.
Brown was arrested. In his preliminary hearing before the Mayor the State was
represented by Hon. George K. Nash and Prosecuting Attorney W. J. Clarke, and
Lands and Ijand Titles. 651
the accused by J. C. Groom and Hon. George L. Converse. At the conclusion of
the testimony Brown was discharged and no fartiier arrests were over made.
The origin of the fire remains a mystery. The Board of Coiiniy Commissioners
appointed a committee to investigate and report upon the fire. As the report
contains valuable information it is here given entire:
CoLUMiu-;^, Ohio, February 5, ISTir
To the Board of Coiuity Comiimsioners of Fi-ariklin Coimty. Ohio,
Gentlemen— The Committee appointed by your Honorable Board to examine the
Recorder's vault, and the books recently burned therein have carefully examined the
premises and many of the books dauiaged by the fire. We have also taken the sworn
testimony of about twentyfive persons who had some knowledge of the records and the fire;
and from examination of the premises and books, and from what has been adduced from the
testimony taken, we are forced to the unanimous conclusion that the fire was unmistakably
the work of an incendiary, the proof of which is abundant and conclusive in the partially
burned books which have been saturated with coal oil, or some other inflammable liquid,
and the further fact that many of the books had been taken from their proper position in
the case and reversed by bringing their backs together and putting them — the backs— in
the case with the leaves hanging outside of the shelving; this is further substantiated by the
fact that many of the books have the centre leaves burned while the backs are but little
damaged. This condition of things could not exist without the interposition of an incen-
diary liand. We would therefore recommend that the Board of County Commissioners
immediately offer a reward of not less than $2,000 for the apprehension of the guilty person
or persons, and payable upon their conviction.
The window of the vault is provided with two sets of iron shutters, and while they are
believed to be safe, as against a conflagration, yet they are but little or no protection against
burglars. The main entrance to the vault is a double iron door. The inner door fastens
with a Yale lock, plain key, easily duplicated and of but little security. The outer one of
the iron doors is provided with a combination lock. The combination wheels, however, had
been taken off by tlie Recorder and the lock on that door of the vault has never been used.
There were two keys to the inner door of the vault, one of which was carried liy Mr. Cole,
the Recorder, and the other by his clerk, but within the last six months this one key has
been in the hands of four different persons from one to ten days. The outsi<le office door
was locked with a common key, a simple brass key, without any wards, and therefore of
little or no protection. The vault in which the books of the Recorder's office were kept
was intended to be fireproof, and it is believed to be .secure from exterior fire, but experience
has shown that it was not i)roof against burglarious operations or internal burning. We
believe, too, that the wooden cases in the vault were the means of increasing an<l intensify-
ing the fire, and it is therefore a dangerous element and ought not to be tolerated in any of
the vaults. We are also of the belief that the vaults in which valuable records are kept are
no safer, and much more insecure. We would therefore recommend that the Commi.ssioners
remove or cause to be removed all the wooden shelving, tables and cases in the different
offices and vaults in which valuable records are kept, and cause iron shelving, tables and
cases to be put up in.stead; and to make all other repairs or improvements that may be
necessary to secure all the public records against both fire and burglars. Of such great value
are the public records, and the less, inconvenience and litigation that comes from their
destruction are such as to urge that the Commissioners shall act with promptness in the
matter, leaving nothing undone to secure their safety beyond any (jueslioM. Expense in
securing these improvements is a secondary consideration in eouiparison with the iiliject to
be attained.
Your comuiittee deemeil the suliject uiid.-r investigation of siillicimt inipoilaiicc to
require the services of a stenograpliei- and all the testiujony was therefore taken veiliatiii],
652 History of the City of Columbus.
a summary of which is herewith submitted ; and we would recommend that the entire
testimony as taken be written out in full and retained by the Commissioners in the fireproof
safe, and we would further recommend that none of the testimony be published at present.
B. F. BowEN,
T. EwiNG MiLLEK,
C. H. Feisbie,
Joseph H. Outhwaite,
Commiltee.
Inconvenience and annoyance necessarily resulted from the destruction of the
records. Besides the expense and loss of time incurred by the property owners in
procuring affidavits, new deeds or other evidence to supply missing links in the
chain of title, or in some cases in quieting titles by legal proceedings, the pecuniary
loss actually sustained is not believed to be great. The evidence of many bound-
ary lines has doubtless been destroyed forever ; copies of many of the plats may
be seen in the City Engineer's office but they do not possess tlie same value as the
originals. But time heals every wound, and it is silently and effectually repairing
the loss of the burned documents. In this connection the following communica-
tion from a distinguished jurist, printed in the Ohio State Journal of February 4,
1879, is worthy of repetition :
It seems to me an unnecessary consternation has lieen excited by newspaper comments
about the destruction of some of the records of deeds of Franklin County. It will not pro-
bably result in the loss of a foot of any one's lot or farm. In the first place nearly every tract
or lot has been in the possession of the owner, with those before him, for more than twenty-
one years. In general this is a title that no one can di.sturb. Time is a wonderful quieter of
titles. In the next place, anyone claiming title against the one in possession nmst prove a
paper title in himself. The burden is on him, and what help can he derive from records of
'deeds burnt and originals? Possession is literally, as to land, more than nine points in law.
It is almost impossible to forge a deed, acknowledgment, names of parties and names of wit-
nesses without detection. There is no probability that anybody will attempt it. The mis-
fortune will probably result in some apprehensions on the part of a purchaser who hereafter
buys, and that will not amount to much. The whole county is mapped. Some will allay
their fears by procuring from Brown Brothers an abstract of their title. Better wait until
you have a lawsuit about your title. Reflect how seldom it is that one sees or has occasion
to see the deed of his farm. In a city like Chicago, where the lots are shingled over with
mortgages, and many lying out in prairie, the destruction of the records was a much more
serious inconvenience than the burning of a feM' volumes of our deeds.
J. R. Swan.
The loss occasioned by the destruction of the records is materially reduced by
the existence of abstracts of records prepared prior to the fire. Some of these
abstracts are accessible to property owMiers. In the latter part of 1859, while
General C. C. Walcutt was holding ti\e oflSce of County Surveyor, he began to
abstract the records of the county and continued his operations until the opening
of the war in April, 1861. The abstracts prepared by him give the names of tlie
grantor and grantee in each deed, the consideration therein named, the description
of the property conveyed, the number of witnesses to the instrument, its date and
acknowledgment, the number of the (Itc(lbrK)k in which it was found, and the page
on which it was recorded. A warrarjly deed correct in every particular was
marked " Deed." A quitclaim deed which was correct in all its parts was marked
Lands an'd La.nh Titles. G53
" Q. C." If there was any defect in the instruinent or variation from the iisuiil
terms employed in a deed, the defect or variation was noted. General \V:il(iiU
abstracted all the deeds and instruments filed for record ])i'ior to May 27, 1S21,
and contained in the book of Ross County records and in books A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, 1, and 2. Each day the abstracts prepai-ed on that day were compared with
the original records abstracted, and when the abstracts were indexed they were
again compared %vith the original records. General Walcutt himself, assisted by
William M. Mills, an attorney, made the comparisons. These abstracts are now
owned hy George J. Atkinson and are in daily use bj' him in his abstracting
business. The Walcutt abstracts, as tested by the indexes in the Recorder's office,
by the indexes hereinafter mentioned owned b}' George J. Atkinson and prepared
b}' Poste & Crum, and by the instruments which have been again recorded since
the destruction of the originals b}- fire, are found to be accurate."
In addition to the foregoing Mr. Atkinson is in possession of a complete index
of grantors, grantees, mortgagors and mortgagees prepared originally by Poste &
Crum and continued by Mr. Atkinson to the present time. These indexes were
prepared from the original i-ecords before the fii'e and are not merely copies of the
indexes in the Recorders office. They were carefully compared with the original
records to secure accuracy. They contain the names of the grantors, grantees,
mortgagors and mortgagees, ari-anged alphabetically and with reference to the
vowels and consonants; the volume in which, and the page on which each instru-
ment is recorded, and the consideration therein named ; a pertinent description of
the property conveyed and the date of each instrument. The kind of deed,
whether quitclaim or warranty, is also designated. An index of plats was also
made. From these indexes a complete cliain of title can be made. Mr. Atkinson
has also preserved and tileil away on slips of paper an abstract of all insti'umcnis
shown in abstracts prepared by him.
The Brown Brothers' abstracts were prepared by William P. and James
Finley Brown. In a circular issued by the Brown Brothers, dated November 1,
1879, they claim to have "an abstract of evei-y deed, mortgage, lease, mechanic's
lien, chattel mortgage or other instrument of record in the county, showing the
property to which the same relates, the names of the parties, witnesses and officials
appearing in each ; also the date of execution, acknowledgment and filing for
rec<jrd ; also an abstract of every judgment, decree and entry on the journals of
the Common Pleas and District Courts during the past five years, together with
indexes of all land and divorce suits in said courts the past seventyfive years." At
the time the records in the Recorder's office were burned, the Brown Brothers had
completed their abstracts up to that date. When they were overtaken by financial
reverses their abstracts passed into the hands of John G. Edwards; they are now
owned bj' George L. Converse, Junior. Through the courtsey of Mr. Converse, the
writer was permitted to examine all the abstracts prepared by the Brown Brothers,
excejiting the abstracts of the burned deeds, which are |)repared, however, the
same as those which were exhibited by Mr. Converse. Miss Jennie Geren, of Mr.
George J. Atkinson's office, who assisted in the preparation of the abstracts, aided
in the examination. The abstracts of the bui'ned records are kept by Mr. Con-
654 History of the City of Columbus.
verse in a vault at the bank. All the others and all the papers and documents in
the possession of the Brown Brothers at the time of their failure are stored in a
i-oom in the Converse building. The books while kept in the vault prepared for
them by the Brown Brothers became damp and mouldy. Some of them would
have to be rebound, if used, but the3' have not been seriously' injured.
There are about thirty large volumes of the size of the deed books or mortgage
records in the County Eecorder's office, and about thirty smaller volumes. Tliese
sixty volumes, however, do not all relate to deeds or mortgages.
The abstracts of deeds are contained in bound volumes from an inch to an inch
and a quarter in thickness, and areaboutas wideas the booksin which the Auditor's
duplicate is now kept, and nearly half as long. The abstract of any given
deed begins at the left hand page and extends across both pages towards the right.
The items abstracted are shown in the following order, to wit: — The name of the
grantor and of his wife (if he were married), the names of the grantees, the
civil township, section or survey, township, range, number of acres, number of sub-
division, lot, outlot, addition or subdivision, consideration, date of instrument,
acknowledgment and date of the same, date of filing, where recorded, United
States stamp, if any, release or nourelease of dower, the names of the witnesses, the
name of the notary public or justice of the peace before whom acknowledged and a
description of the property. In designating the kind of instruments, "Q. C."
indicates a quitclaim deed ; " W" a warranty deed with all the covenants ; " D " a deed
without convenants ; " M. C." a master commissioner's deed ; if anj' of the covenants
are wanting the fact is indicated by -1,-2,- 3, and -4, as the case maj' be. The
covenants are designated by the numerals and the minus sign indicates which one is
omitted. Ifthe last covenant only is given, it is indicated by "4 only.'' Ifthereare
no covenants in the deed the letters " N. C." are sometimes used. The deed books
contained abstracts of all deeds filed up to the month of June, 1881. Accompany-
ing each book of abstracts of deeds is an affidavit made by the person comparing
the abstracts with the original record as to correctness. The affidavit recites that
the person making it has carefully compared with the Brown Brothers' abstracts of
any given deed books each of the instruments recorded in such deed books in
the Eecorder's office of Franklin County, Ohio, and that- the abstracts of such deed
records as so compared are correct; that references are noted to all instruments the
abstract of which has been corrected by the affiant while comparing the same, and
that all alterations or corrections are designated in the proper columns on
the Brown Brothers' abstract books. The affidavits were made before Judge John
M. Pugh. The abstracting was done on specially prepared sheets which were
afterwards bound together in book form. The corrections were made on these
sheets and appear on the abstract books themselves. The comparison of the
abstracts with the original records was made in each case by a person different
from the one who made the abstracts.
There are two sets of mortgage abstracts, one of which is bound in volumes similar
to those containing the abstracts of deeds ; the other is made on sheets of paper, each
showing the abstract of five mortgages. These abstracts were made by one person,
and were verified by another who certifies on each abstracted mortgage that he has
Lands and Lanh Tiiles, 655
compared it with the original record ; subsequently a second eom])aris()n uiili lluil
record was made by a person who made affidavit as to cori'ectness of iIk' work.
The mortgages show the same items as the abstracts of deeds.
No indexes were prejiarcd fur the dcdls tiled between tlie j'ears 1827 and
1877. The deeds up to and including- deed book eight, i. e. to the year 1827, are
indexed in one volume. The names are arranged aiphabelicalij', with reference
to the Christian name and the vowels of the surname. The names are arranged in
two columns, the grantors' and grantees' names occurring in each. The grantors and
grantees are designated by the words " from and to, " wi-itton between the columns
of names, thus: "John Doe frowi Richard Doe; John Doe fo Richard Doe." The
indexes give the civil township, section or survey, township, range, number of
acres, number of subdivision, number of lot, number of ontlot, the addition or
subdivision, date, consideration, record and remarks. If the premises are described
as so many acres more or less, the expression " more or less " is indicated by a
circle with a dot in the centre. If the number of acres is actuallj' greater than
named in the deed it is indicated by a plus mark after the number. In the index
beginning with the 3'ear 1877, a minus sign following a name indicates that of a
grantor. The plus sign following a name indicates more than one grantor or
grantee, as the case may be. The index of deeds beginning with the year 1877,
the mortgage indexes and the index of deeds tiled prior to 1827, were all prepared
in substantially the same manner and show the same items. On the mortgage
index the letter "W" following the mortgagor's name indicates that his wife
joined in the mortgage. There is also what is termed a property index for the
inlots and outlets of Columbus. The arrangement of the indexes is such a.s to
show almost at a glance every mortgage ever filed affecting any given lot. If the
release of a mortgage is irregular, it is indicated by an interrogation mark; if par-
tial, by an asterisk. Under remarks statement is made of the portion of the lot
mortgaged. If the mortgage contained reference to a deed or other instument,
the place where such document maj- be found is noted. The mortgage records
are numbered successively. The index is completed to the year 1875.
The plat books contain copies of all the plats that were recorded prior to the
time their books passed out of their hands. These plats bear evidence of careful
prejiaration. On the margin of the books are noted many facts designed to aid
the Brown Brothers in the preparation of abstracts, such legislative acts as affect
the premises described in the plat, suits affecting any part of the platted premi.ses,
a reference to Auditor's deeds for premises sold for delinquent taxes, and proceed-
ings of the City Council relating to the vacation of streets and alleys. The plat
books show where the plat was recorded and by whom it was made and certified.
In many cases plats were made of .surveys in the Virginia Military District; also
of sections, halfsections and quarter townships. The various corners and bearings
as determined by the original survey are also given. The work is done with neat-
ness and conveys an impression of accuracy.
The history of real estate transactions in Columbus iiidiiates th;it the market
has been active or dull as the general business of the country has been prosperous
or depressed. The financial disturbances of 1817, 1837, 1857 and 1873, and the
65t) History op the City of Columbus.
depression which set in about two years ago, affected real estate quite as much as
anj' otiier article of barter and sale. Of the various species of property realty is
one of the last to decline in value in periods of financial depression, and also one
of the last to respond to returning prosperity. The location of the capital at
Columbus gave an impetus to the real estate trade for several years. The effects
upon that trade of the financial stress which followed the War of 1812, coupled
with the failure of two of the original proprietors of the town, and the attacks
made upon the title of the proprietors in the courts have already been described in a
preceding chapter.
In the year 1826 real estate business entered a new period of activitj'
which continued until about 1837. A census of the town taken in the si>ring
of 1826 showed a population of 1,400 and about two hundred houses. Three years
later the population had increased to 2,014 and the houses numbered three hundred.
The iidvance in real estate prices between 1829 and 1837 was rapid. In 1836
the wharf lots were laid out under direction of the City Council. Young's addition
was phitted and put upon the market in 1831, Brotherton & Walcutt's in 1831
or 1832, McElvain's in 1832, Otis and Samuel Crosby's first and second addition in
1833, Heyl and Parson's and Matthew J. Gilbert's additions in 1835 and Kelley and
Northrup's in 1838. John McGowan's addition was laid out in 1814. During the
financial disturbances of 1837 and the agitation as to the removal of the seat
of government which soon after began, real estate became dull and so con-
tinued until 1844 when an upward movement again set in and was maintained not-
withstanding the ravages of the cholera until 1853. Within this period the G wy nne
Block and many other important buildings were erected. In 1853 the financial
disturbance began which culminated in 1857. With the opening of the Civil War
there came a revival of all kinds of business, that of real estate included. The
depreciation of the currency induced many capitalists to invest their money in
realty, the market for which consequently improved and remained active until the
panic of 1873. Although the growth of the city continued after that panic there
was no perceptible advance in real estate prices, except in a few favored localities,
for ten or twelve years. Property remote from centres of trade suffered most, and
some purchasers who were unable to meet their obligations or had become dis-
couraged for other adverse reasons permitted their property to be sold or to relapse
to the original owners. To our personal knowledge there were numerous cases in
which the owners of additions who had faith in the future development of the city,
rather than distress worthy people who had purchased of them, paid the taxes of
such purchasers and waited on them for the payment of interest for periods of
from five to twelve years. The growth of the city was such, however, thut in the
latter part of the eighties such owners, after paying the accrued taxesand liquidating
their mortgages were able to sell their lots without loss and in manj' cases
with profit. Those who held their property, after paying all incident expenses and
six per cent, annual interest on their investment, either realized a profit or escaped
loss.
In 1888 there was a general advance in the prices of real estate all over
the city. An upward movement occurred about the same time in other cities,
LaNIis and IvANlt TlTl.KS. {j57
as for example Cincinnati, Clovclaiul and Toledo. The Columbus " boom " in real
estate began in tlie month of January, 1888, and soon afterward property advanced
considerably throughout the city, that located on East Town and East Broad
Street being most affected. During this activity some of the principal real estate
offices were so crowded that many persons were unable to gain admission and
the agents were in some instances obliged to remain at their desks until nearly mid-
night. The excitmont attracted attention in all parts of the city and in neighboring
towns. Some of the small buyers turned their property with profit three or four
times successively. Platted ground frequently sold in block, and there was some
gambling in options. Prior to the " boom" an average number of from ten to twelve
deeds had been filed for record per day : on February 15, the number of deeds so filed
was fifteen, on Februar_y 7, fortytwo, and on February 10, fortythi-ee. Directly
after the latter date the number declined and the excitement subsided, although
real estate transactions continued to be more freipicnt tlian usual. The number
of sales made in which deeds did not pass is unknown but is supposed to have
been quite large. A large amount of property was purchased by outsiders.
Following this episode largo tracts of land west of the Whetstone and Scioto
rivers, even beyond the State Asylums, also south and east of the State
University, as far north as Clintonville, east of Parsons' Avenue, about the
United States Barracks, beyond Alum Creek, in the southern portions of the
city, and even south of the corporation line, were platted and put upon the market.
Not only hundreds of lots but hundreds of acres which had lain unimproved or as
farm lands were offered for sale. The total number of plats of property- within or
adjacent to the city filed for record from 1879 to 1888 was twohundred and sixty-
four. The number filed in the four succeeding years was two hundred and sixty,
distributed as follows: In 1888 eighty; in 1889 forty eight; in 18!»(» sixtyeight; and
in 1891 sixtyfour. In some additions lots were sold on weekly or monthly payments,
a title bond being in such cases usually given at the time of sale to be followed by
a deed when a specified sum should be paid. In order to attract purchasers the
owners of additions frequently' provided them with sewers, sidewalks and other
street improvements before putting their property on the market. The spread of
the city which resulted from these transactions created a demand for extended
street car facilities and more rapid transit. The system of sewerage was also
enlarged and extended.
Under a street improvement law enacted May 11, 1886, and amended March
21, 1887, many thoroughfares were permanently paved at the cost of the abutting
property. Sometimes these expensive works were extended to unimportant and
sparsely inhabited streets of the suburbs. The aggregate cost of the street
improvement under the law just named amounted to $406,034.69 during the year
ended March 31, 1888. During the year ended March 31, 1889, the cost of such
improvements was $800,836.48; year ended March 31,1890,8850,815.18; 3'oar
ended March 31, 1891, §724,308.39. The aggregate cost of all the street improve-
ments in Columbus during the year ended March 31, 1892, was 8983,1.58.50. The
corporate limits have been extended until the platted jjroperty within and adjoin-
ing the citj' is commensurate with a population of several hundred thousand
42
658 History of the City of ColumbtJs.
inhabitants. Large numbers of new buildings have been erected and the general
style of architecture has been much improved. New streets have been opened,
while others have been widened, straightened or so changed as to make them
more attractive. To accommodate the increasing population costly bridges have
been thrown over the Scioto and Whetstone rivers, new water mains have been
laid, a new pumping station introduced and new fire engine and markethouses
built. A natural gas supply, discovered about thirty miles east of Columbus, has
been carried to all parts of the city.
Notwithstanding the various seasons of depression in the real estate market
the increase in reality values has been on the whole steady and permanent. From
1829 to 1837, from 1848 to 1853, from 1860 to 1873, and from 1880 to 1891 this
increase was very marked. The County Auditor's duplicate of lands subject to
taxation confirms this remark by many interesting facts. The Neil House
stands, in part, on inlots 268, 269 and 270. In 1825 the first two of these were
valued at twentyfive hundred and twenty five dollars, respectivelj^ In lot 269
was doubtless unimproved. In 1827 the respective values of the same lots were
sixtyfour hundred and fortj' dollars. In 1846 the three lots were valued
at twentysix thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and their improvements at
fiftyfive thousand dollars. In 1859 the same lots were valued at $37,700 and their
improvements at $65,000. In 1891 the three lots, including the improvements,
were valued at $241,970. The average estimate of four competent judges as to the
present value of the lots, exclusive of improvements, is sixteen hundred dollars
per foot front, or three hundred thousand dollars. In 1846 the valuation of
inlot 292 at the northwest corner of Spring and High streets, on which a part of
the Chittenden Hotel now stands was seven hundred and fifty dollars; inlot 309,
at the northeast corner of High and Chestnut streets, now covered by a portion
of the Clinton Block was valued at seven hundred dollars; inlot 322 on which
the Sessions Block now stands was valued at $1,650 and the improvements at
$3,500; inlot 324, on which the Hinman-Beatty Block now stands was valued at
$1,500, and the improvements $1,600. The average estimate of the same four
persons abovenamed as to the present value of these lots per front foot, not
including buildings, is $1,300. Each of the lots has a frontage of sixtytwo and a
half feet, and is worth on the above estimate $81,250, exclusive of buildings. In
1846 inlot 445, on which the residence of William G. Deshler now stands, was
valued at $2,800. In 1863 the entire frontage on the east side of High Street
between Spring and the first alley south sold for $25,500. If the buildings were
all removed the ground would now sell for as much per front foot as the inlots
abovenamed, i. e. $1,300. In about the year 1859 William A. Hershiser bought
lot number eight of the Starr farm, as subdivided by William Jamison, adminis-
trator. He paid four thousand dollars for the lot. It lies on the north side of
West Third Avenue between High Street and Dennison Avenue. Mr. Hershiser
has up to the present date sold eighty thousand dollars worth of property from
the tract and values the portion which he retains at twentyfive thousand dollars.
The net advance in the value of the property after deducting the cost of improve-
ments is perhaps seventy thousand dollars. In 1870 the grounds of the old
Lands and Land Titlks. 659
Asj-lum for the insane on East Broad Street were piircliased for $200,5(»0, and
were platted as tlic East Park Place Addition, containing three hundred and ten
lots. The twentyone lots of this addition which abut on Broad Street have an
aggregate frontage of 1104. til feet, and, as estimated by the four persons above
named are worth at this time one hundred and seventj'tive dollars per front foot,
or S193,30().75 in all. In 1869 Henry M. Neil was otfcrcil three hundred dollars
for an acre of land lying on High Street and Fourteenth Avenue. His father
thought it worth at that time two hundred and fifty dollars. In 1888 it was sold
by Mr. Neil at a price fixed before the real estate "boom" of that year for
$15,000. It is needless to further multiply instances to illustrate the increase in
value of Columbus real estate.
Investments in realt}' have largely contributed to the financial strength of
many wealthy families and citizens. The foundations of many of the greatest
estates were laid by large and judicious investments in lands. Not all, however,
have dealt with profit in Columbus lands. The same degree of cure and skill
necessary to success in other kinds of business is requisite to success in real estate
transactions. While many have accumulated a competency, or made large for-
tunes, many others have waited long and in vain for a rise in value or the oppor-
tunity to sell. Yet it is generally conceded that, at almost any time in the history
of the city, investments in real estate, judiciously made, have been safe and pro-
fitable.
In concluding this chapter it is proper to express my gratitude to those who
have assisted in its preparation. Mr. George J. Atkinson and the ladies in his
office. Misses Jennie M. Geren, Henrietta C. Geren and Mary J. Jones, whose
long experience in abstracting titles has made them familiar with lands in every
part of the city, have by their suggestions and assistance materially reduced my
labor. The tables of statistics were prepared by E. J. Converse. The map show-
ing the kinds of lands lying within the corporate limits, the portion of the city
included in the original inlols and the present limits of the city, was prepared by
B. F. Bowen.
NOTES.
1. Kent's Commentaries, Volumes, pages .501, 502, tenth edition.
2. Chase's Statutes of Ohio, Volume 1, page 9.
3. Bancroft's History of the United States, Volume 1, page Ki.
4. Parkman's Pioneers of France in the New World, :i02, .303.
5. Ibid, 308, et seq. ; Hinsdale's Old Northwest. 2.5.
6. Ibid, page 2t).
7. Ibid, page 28.
8. Ibid, page 44; Cha-se's Statutes, page 10.
9. Hin.sdale'8 Old Northwest, .38.
10. Parkman : La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West, 8.
11. Ibid, 24 to 27; Encyclopedia Brittannica, article Ohio; Old Northwest, ,30, 31.
12. Parkman : La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West, 288.
13. Old Northwest, 6.
14. Parkman : La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West, 324, et seq.
660 History op the City of Columbus.
15. Old Northwest, 32.
16. Chase's Statutes, 10.
17. Old Northwest, 12.
IS Bancroft's History, Volume 1, Chapter 4.
19. Ibid, Volume 2, 99; Old Northwest, 73.
20. Bancroft's History, Volume 2, 215; Old Northwest, 75.
21. As to claims and cessions of the Iroquois, see Bancroft, Volume 2, 175, 211, 222;
Old Northwest, 46, 59, 65.
22. Old Northwest, 58.
23. Bancroft, Volume 2, 343, .362.
24. Ibid, 385.
25. Rufus King's Ohio in America Commonwealths, 401.
26. American Political Ideas, by John Fiske, 56.
27. Bancroft, 389, 391.
28. Old Northwest, 48.
29. Pioneers of France in the New World ; Parkman, 395.
30. Ibid, 399.
31 . La Salle's Discovery of the Great West. 93.
32. Ibid, 113.
33. Old Northwest, 48.
34. Parkman's Conspiracy of Pontiac, Volume 1, Chapter 2, 47, 48.
35. Parkman's Wolfe and Montcalm, Volume 2, 403.
36. Encyclopedia Brittannica, United States ; Bancroft's History, Volume 2.
37. Bancroft's History, Volume 3, 32.
38. As to Quebec Act, see Encyclopedia Brittannica, article. United States; Old North-
west ; Pitkin's History of the United States, appendix.
39. As to England's western land policy, see Old Northwest, Chapter 8.
40. Old Northwest, 198; Magazine of Western History, Pt. 2, page 345.
41. Old Northwest, 199 ; Magazine of Western History, Pt. 2, 345.
42. Magazine of Western History, Pt. 2, 345, etc.
43. For cessions by the States, see The Public Domain, by Donaldson, 56 to 88 ;
Chase's Statutes, Volume 1, pp. 12, 13, 14 ; Land Laws of the United States, 1828, 93 etseq.;
King's Ohio, Chapter 7 ; Old Northwest, Chapters 12, 13,
44. Chase's Statutes, Volume 1, 15 ; Old Northwest, 249, 250.
45. Donaldson's Public Domain, 21.
46. Ibid, 22.
47. In addition to authority cited as to Indian titles see Kent's Commentaries, Volume
3, Lecture 51 ; The Public Domain, by Donaldson, Chapter 16, and authorities there
mentioned.
48. For Indian treaties referred to in the text, see Western Annals, 288, 295, 296, 442 ;
Land Laws of the United States, 148 to 154 ; Taylor's History of Ohio, 439, 440, 457, 458 ; Land
Laws of Ohio, 477, et seq.
49. Proceedings of the Society of Civil Engineers, 1881, 13, 14.
.50. For acts relating to the United States Military District, the Refugee Tract, the Vir-
ginia .Military District and the Congress Lands, see Ohio Land Laws, Land Laws of the
United States, 1828, and Local Laud Laws of the United States, Volume 2. Mr. Samuel
McClelland is authority for the method of alloting Refugee Lands.
51. Proceedings of the Society of Civil Engineers, 1881, 16.
52. Ibid, 1883, 47, 48.
53. Ohio Land Laws, 35, et seq.
54. Ohio Gazetteer, 56.
55. Proceedings of the Society of Civil Engineers, 1883, 45.
Lands and Land Titles.
Chase's Statutes, Volume 1, l<i7 ; Moore's Lessee v. Va
Cliancery Record, 7, oOO, etc.
Deed Book 6, pages 172 and 173.
See 1 Ohio, 1.
Ohio State Journal, February 5, 1879.
The description of the Walcutt abstracts is obtair
661
General C. C. Walcutt in the case of Deardurti' v. Dcardiirfl"'
from the tcstiuK
al., Common Plea
ny pn
Conr
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XXXII.
Annual real estate valuation
from 1879 to 1890, inclusive.
id tax levy in the city of Columbus from 1848 to 18(;o, and
Levy per
Levy per
^S,.'°
mills.
1848
$2,568,715
lOrt
1878
$18,746,320
20
1849
2.723.099
141
1879
19,166,640
21 A
1850
2,828,614
i.V.
1880
19,509,460
23i%
1851
2,995,245
15i
1881
21,662,670
20A
1852
:-!,104,384
bVw
1882
22,204,620
22
1853
3,282,196
16^
1883
23,010.870
20
1854
5,514 2.38
m
1884
23,981,980
21 A
1855
5,755,632
VAH
1885
25,252,150
21jV
1856
5,852,391
13,',
1886
26,332,100
20?,
1857
5,900,814
13
1887
27,6.38,310
1858
5,976,264
131
1888
28,8^0,540
2 1 r
1859
6,050,391
14tV
1889
30,079,250
2 ' ( u
18(i0
5,794,922
1890
31,570,710
23
Deeds and nioitgages of city property, and considcrati
and from 18,s() to 1890, inclusive.
in the years 1860, 1870
YEAR.
NO. OF
DEKIJS.
1860
1285*
1870
169(>t
1880
1918
1881
1918
1882
1866
1883
1840
1884
1863
1885
1827
1886
2040
1887
3496
18S8
4542
1889
4450
1890
2903
CONSIDEUATION.
2,406,381 00
186,215 00
3,116,869 00
3,214,800 00
3,934.750 00
3,899,245 52
1,734,000 00
3,146,400 00
4,580,100 00
3,018,400 00
M'RTGAG'S
CO.VSIUEIiATION.
(i85
$1,293,137 49
1214
1,880,875 00
1543
(Kiii.g-J.-) 0(1
1511
1,660,074 (HI
19()7
2,79s,a'.i:', (III
2164
3,04:!,(i53 8(1
2459
3,ir,(;.-.-5:! 50
2448
3,309,(179 44
1675
884,400 00
2788
2,788,000 00
3789
3906
4,500,000 00
2977
2,997,400 00
*Leases, and all deeds for the county, included.
fFor the whole county.
662 History of thk City of Columbus.
Cost of street improvements and of main and lateral sewers in the city of Colu
during the years ended as indicated.
COST OF STREET
improv'ments.
COST OF MAIN AND
LATERAL SEWKBS.
YEAR ENDI^'G
cost of street
improvem'nts.
LATERAL SEWERS.
YEAR ENDING
$ 126,056 38
$ 60,340 64
April 8, 1875
$ 121,139 76
$ 253,064 76
March 31, 1884
110,908 17
11,176 05
" 8, 1876
100,042 82
90,854 85
" 30, 1885
300,443 20
7,099 08
" 8, 1877
64,921 51
21,623 04
" 29, 1886
83,777 74
4,669 60
" 8, 1878
186,060 22
23,470 47
" 28, 1887
5,108 64
1,773 40
" 8, 1879
453,866 83
93,801 94
" 25' 1889
3,070 00
1,182 47
" 8 1 880
871,563 63
63,277 91
12,795 93
1,639 86
March 31, 1881
853,849 25
56,386 89
" 3l', 1890
81,756 41
2,453 76
" 27, 1882
796,190 87
144,127 26
" 30,1891
116,845 42
51,089 91
" 26, 1883
983,158 50
111,646 08
" 23,1892
CHAPTER XXX
GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY.
BY EDWARD ORTON, LL. D.,
Professor of Geology in the Ohio Slate University and Slate Geologist of Olii.o.
In the present chapter a brief account will be given of the geology and physi-
cal geography of Columbus. Under the latter division thetopograjjhj- and climate
of the city will be discu.ssed, and the relations of both its geology and geography
to its water supply, drainage and sewerage will also be considered.
The geological history of Ohio is marked by very little that can be counted
unusual or surprising in character. There are no mountains in the Slate and
there never have been any. Tiiis is the same as saying thei-e is no geological
record in its rocks of great uplifts or extensive fractui-es of the strata, involving
earthquake and volcanic energy, within thai j)ortion of the surface of the earth
which we call Ohio. On the other hand, while the history contained in the rocks
of the State carries us back through vast spaces of time and therefore covers great
changes in the physical geography, and thus in the life of the area represented, its
several stages are connected with one another in most instances by almost
imperceptible gradations and transitions. lu other words, the series that com-
poses our geological column is a very regular and orderly one, considering its
range and extent. But this fact must not be understood as implying that our geo-
logical annals are uninteresting or unimportant. On the contrary, the general
regularity of the record enhances its value in some respects ; and in anj^ case we
may be sure that no portion of the earth's crust can be studied with due care
and with suitable flicilities without being found replete with interest and instruc-
tion. What we already know of the geological history of the State makes for us
an instructive chapter of science ; but our strata will yield to the students of
geology for many centuries to come, materials which will prove the basis of ever-
widening knowledge and ever-deepening interest, and in comparison with what
will then be known all that we have hitherto learned will seem fragmentary and
insignificant.
[(16.3]
64 History of the City op Columbus.
Geological time preceding the present order, is divided into four great divisions
rhich are named in descending order as follows :
Cenozoic time,
Mesozoic time,
Paleozoic time,
Archcean time.
These divisions have all been of vast duration according to the measures that
we are accustomed to employ, but they appear to have been very unequal in
length. The oldest division, viz., the Archsen rocks, undoubtedly cover in the
stages of their history a much longer period of time than any of the subsequent
divisions. Next to it in duration is Paleozoic time. An aggregate of not less than
fifty thousand feet of stratified rocks is credited to the Paleozoic column in North
America ; and probably no geologist would undertake to account for the growth
of this vast series of formations, holding as they do all the distinct records of
the earliest life of the globe, without assigning manj^ millions of years to the
history.
All the bedded rocks of the Ohio scale belong to the Paleozoic series. The
lowest of them are found at about the middle of this series and they extend nearly
to its summit. The Ohio column contains the following main divisions named in
ling order:
Permocarboniferous —
Carboniferous —
Suhcarboniferous-
Upper Silurian-
Lower Sulvrian
Upper Barren Measures.
Upper Coal Measures.
Barren Measures,
Lower Coal Measures,
Conglomerate Series.
Logan Group.
Cuyahoga Shale,
Berea Shale,
Berea Grit,
Bedford Shale.
Ohio Black Shale,
Upper Helderberg Limestone,
Lower Helderberg Limestone.
Niagara Limestone and Shale,
Clinton Group,
Medina Shale.
Hudson Eiver Series,
Trenton Limestone.
It is scarcely necessary to remark in a chapter of this character that all of
these rocks, with the exception of the Coal Measures in small part, are marine for-
CxEOLOliV AND Geoorapiiy. 665
All are the products of the seas that covered the area that \vc now call
Ohio, and widelj' adjacent territorj' as well.
Columbus is centrally located in the State and it so happens that the rocks
underlying it are found at the middle of the state column. The two formations
that crop out within or near its boundaries are the Upper Helderberg limestone
and the Ohio shale. Both are of Devonian age. Tiic former is found in the great
quarries tliat line the banks of the banks of the Scioto within three miles of the
Statehouse, and the latter is shown in many considerable outcrops in the northern
portions of the city. Each of these will be briefly described.
The Devonian or Upper Helderbenj Limestone.— It will be seen bj- an inspection
of the column previously given that the lowest or oldest portions of the rocks of
Ohio are limestones. It is also a wellknown fact that all of these limestone forma-
tions occupy in their outcrops the western half of the State. The stratum with
which we are now concerned is the latest or highest of this series. Underneath
it limestones and limestone shales are to be found without any important inter-
ruptions for at least twentyfive hundred feet. On the other hand, there is no con-
siderable limestone overlying it in the series of the State. It is not only, therefore,
the highest of this particular series, but it is also the last of the great limestone
formations, so far as our column is concerned.
Divisions. — The formation consists of two distinct portions, which by some
would be regarded as distinct strata, a lower and an upper, of about equal thick-
ness. Each has a thickness of thirty to forty feet, in full section. The lower is
an even bedded and fairly pure limestone, suitable for lime-production and for
building stone. The upper consists of thin, shaly beds containing a considerable
number of flinty nodules, in more or less definite courses. When crushed, it serves
a good purpose as street foundations. This is the only use that lias been fouml for
it thus far. It is certain, however, that hydraulic cement could In- iiianulai-ture'il
from some of its beds.
The lower series is, by reason of the service which it has licvii niuilc to
answer, much the better known ol' the two divisions. It is this division which
is recognized as Columbus limestone and which has been turned to so large
account in the building of the city. The Statehouse is the tnost cons])icuous
example of its use in architecture. The quarries have been of great advantage to
Columbus from the beginning. They have furnished not only excellciit founda-
tions for all its wellbuilt structures, but also caps, sills, tiircshholds and sicps as
well ; and all the lime used in the city has been derived from the same source at
least until the last eight or ten years. They have also sup|)Iied in large amount
curbings, crossings, flaggings and road metal for the streets and walks of the city.
The advantages of sucli a supplj' at niodei-ate cost to a rapidly gi'owing citj- are
very great.
For a pai-t of these uses the stone is well adapted. As fiir as architectural
effects are concerned ; in its employment as a building stone it is fairly satisfactory.
The stone is gray in color. It takes a certain amount of ornamentation to fair
advantage and in the matter of strength also it meets all demands. Hut when wc
come to the question of durability, which is tiie most important one that can be
666 History of the City of Columbus.
raised as to a building stone, it does not fare quite as well. While much of the
stone, and most of it when properly set, is moderately durable, a part of it gives
•way when exposed to the atmosphere, as is abundantly illustrated in the State
Capitol and many otlicr structures in the city. It does not avail us to say that
the beds are not all equally liable to disintegration. While this is strictly true,
the products of the entire quarries lose standing to some extent when it is known
that any of the courses are untrustworthy. The trouble originates in the fossili-
ferous character of the beds, combined with the fact that the rock easily gives
away along the lines of fossil deposit. The evil practice that was followed in the
construction of the Statehouse of setting a good deal of the stone on edge in what
are called ashlar courses is i-esponsible for the worst defi^cement and decay that
have taken place.
The quari-ies yield building stone of all desirable sizes, the courses ranging
between four and sixty inches in thickness. Platforms and columns eight to ten
feet in length and of any required breadth can be supplied without limit. The
columns at the west front of the Statehouse show the stone in its most
imposing form. The bed composing the columns was originally sixty inches
thick, but for convenience the blocks were split in the middle befoi-e being laid.
Under this mode of treatment the stone will stand forever. Some of the main
staircases of the capitol building also illustrate the strength and excellence of the
stone ill a striking vvay. The stejjs are thrown out six feet or more from the
adjacent wall without support of any kind except that which they command in
the blocks of which they form a part. These are anchored securely in the wall,
while their free or unsupported ends form the stairway.
For curbing and flagging the stone cannot for a moment compete with the
l^roducts of the great sandstone quarries of Northern Ohio which have been
thi-own open to us for the last few years, but in the early setting in order of the
city it rendered an invaluable service. While the city is not obliged to rely on
these great quarries as exclusively as it. did in its early days, the time will never
come when they can be counted of small importance to its growth. The lime
manufactured from the Columbus stono is of high quality' and has also rendered
practical service of great value to the building interests of the citj'^. The same
courses of the quarries that are best suited to lime production are also turned to
account on a large scale as a source of flux for the blast furnaces of the Hocking
Valley.
Geologic)!/ History. — Passing from consideration of the practical service that
the column is able to render, let us briefly' inquire as to its geological history. If
the story of its origin which it carries within its own beds is intelligently followed
it is found full of interest and instruction. The sheet of limestone that is now
under discussion is part of a widespread stratum that takes an important place in
the geology of the country. It can be traced northward from Columbus through
the Delaware, Marion and Sandusky quarries to those of Lake Brie, and through
Kelly's Island and Pelee Island into Ontario ami Michigan. Westward from Ohio
t is followed into Indiana, thence southwai'd to Kentucky and again westward to
Illinois and Iowa. Followed to the eastward it is found to attain a fine develop-
Geology and Geography. 667
nient in the State of New York, and still furtlier eastward it has been identified in
some of the metamorphosed strata of tlie New England mountains. The stratum
is everywhere charactei'ized through this wide extent by an abundant and highly
interesting assemblage of fossils, the representatives of the life of the Devonian
seas. The fossils are in many cases excellently preserved, and we can learn
almost as much of their structure as if we had recent specimens to examine.
One of the most striking groups of these Devonian fossils is the corals, which
are found in groat numbers and variety. They belong to genera and families
that have no near representative in the present world, but still their structure and
relationship are not atall obscure. These coral polyps built reefs in the old seas, and
their work is often shown in our quarries of Devonian limestone, as distinct and
as well characterized as any that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico or in the
South Pacific at the present day. One reel building form in particular may be
named that apparently covered the floor of the Devonian sea for a time through
its whole extent in what we call Ohio. This fossil h/is a distinct place in our
quarries and can be always recognized when looked for with due knowledge. It
attains a still finer development in Northern Ohio. The type specimen was taken
from our own locality by a famous French geologist Verneuil, who visited the
quarries under the pilotage of Mr. Joseph Sullivant. Ho cai-ried the specimen to
Paris for description. Milne Edwards published the description, commemorating
the discoverer by the specific designation, Eridophyllum Verneuilianum. Another
interesting section of these ancient forms of life is that of the nautiloid chambered
shells, a group now and for many ages past wellnigh extinct. Its development in
the Devonian limestone was remai'kable, and the shells of the various genera and
species are among the most striking of the limestone fossils. They are often iden-
tified by the quarrymen as jietrified ram's horns. This is one of the determina-
tions that the quarryman is least willing to have called in (question. There are
some things that he known.
But the crowning life of the period which we are describing was that of fishes.
For many years it was held that the first appearence of vertebrated animals in the
entire geological scale of the country was to be found in rocks of this age. While
this claim is no longer tenable by reason of the discovery of undoubted fisli-
remains in lower levels in the geological column, it is still true that the first
abundant and varied life of fishes that we know must be referred, at least for
this continent, to the age of this limestone. The Columbus (juarries furnish strik-
ing testimony to the abundant representation of this branch at this time in the
world's historj'.
Immediately lielow the line separating the upper and lowci' sections of the
Devonian limestone, as already described, a veritable boncbed occui-s. It is one to
six inches in thickness and is often composed in main pai't of the |)lales, teeth and
bones of these ancient fishes. Chemical analysis shows in selected |)ortloiis of the
rock not less than eighteen per cent, of phosphate of lime. If (hero wrw iihiru of
it, it would become available as a fertilizer. The honebed was originally dis-
covered by the late Hon. J. II. Klippart, Socrctaiy ol' Ibe Stale Hoard ol' Aiirirui-
ture. This thin stratum takes i-ank willi the most interesting dciKJsit (jI llie whole
(i68 History op the City of Columbus.
geological scale of Ohio. A like formation in the Ludlow beds of England has
been made famous in the geological literature of the entire world. The Columbus
stratum deserves to be much better known than it is.
Without doubt the particular fossil that would arrest the attention of the
untrained observer more readily than any other to be found in these quarries is
the head or rather the surface of the head of one of these old fishes.. The quarry-
men never fail, however little observation they expend on such matters, to notice
and save this one fossil. They identify it promptly and with full assurance as a
turtle. A good head tliej' long ago learned to recognize as having a distinct money
value. The market has its fluctuations, as it has for the game of the fields or the
fish of the rivers, but the old fish hecpR well and a purchaser is sure to find his way
to it at last.
The place in the series in which this fossil is found is ten to twenty feet below
the bonebed. It occurs in various stages of preservation and it has also considera-
ble range in size. An average speciman can be described in general terms as fol-
lows: The skull is about eight inches long and its breadth is rather more than
twothirds of the length. It is covered by a continuous plate of enamel, the surface
of which is thickly set with stellate tubercles. When the enamel is wanting in the
specimen, as it generally is, the upper surfiice of the skull is seen to be composed
of polygonal plates of symmetricial fiattern. The occipital bone has appended to
it a prolongation not elswhere known, according to Cope, which is diflJcult of
interpretation and which has led many paleontologists into error. The eyesockets
are of large size and are \e\-y conspicuous. No teeth have been found in connec-
tion with the cranium above described and it is conjectured that the fish was des-
titute of teeth. It undoubtedl.y belongs to the division of Ganoids, the group
which includes most of the earlier fishes of the world. The group is now wellnigh
extinct, but the lakes and rivers of North America still harbor more surviving
representatives of it than any other quarter of the globe. Among them are the
sturgeon, the garpike and the dog-fish. The ancient fish that we arc now describing
is thought to bo allied to the sturgeon more nearly than to any other living form-
It is known to science by a name of learned length, Macrupitidirthys Snllivanti.
In the specific designation, the geological work of the earliest and most successful
cultivator of the science, in Columbus, viz., the late Joseph Sullivant, Esq., was
commemorated. It was by his sagacity and painstaking that a part of the
admirable material brought to light in the extensive workings of the Slate quarries
for the stone used in the building of the Statchousc, was saved to science.
The quarries of Columbus have already Ijccouic classical ground to the geol-
ogist by reason of such fos.sils and groups of tbssils as have been already named
and there are scores of others that po.s.sess a similar interest. While much study
has already been dovoteil to them, they will continue to furnish attractive fields
for geological investigation for many generations to come. Some of the condi-
tions under which this sheet of limestone took its origin can be inferred with all
confidence from the contents and composition of the formation. In the first place,
the character of the fossils contained in it demonstrates conclusively that it grew
beneath the open sea. Some of the formations of the Ohio column give evi
Geology anp CiKO(iRAPiiY. 669
that they originated in isolated and contracting seas that wore on tlie whole
unfriendly to life. The Lower Helderbcrg limestone, which directly precedes the
Columbus limestone in time, or in other words which underlies it, is a formation
of this character. It contains fossils hut s])aritii,Hy and what tlicrc arc, are of
peculiar type. Moreover, beds of gyii-^nin and occasionally of sail ai-c inlor-
bedded with the dolomitic layers that constitute the bulk ot llu^ lormation. The
Upper Helderberg or Columbus limestone, on the othei' h:ind, when examined in
its upper or more characteristic portion, is crowded with those forms of ancient
life that are most distinctive of the sea, such as crinoids, corals, brachiopods and
molluscan shells. Wherever these are found no question in regard to the condi-
tions in which they originated can be raised. The composition of the limestone
affords testimony also, as to thegcneral conditions under which it originated. The
Lower Helderberg, the underlying formation, as has just been stated, is a true
dolomite or double carbonate of lime and magnesia; and the lowest beds of the
Upper Helderberg are highly magnesian in character, but they arc found to
change rapidly in this respect as we rise in the scale, the percentage of lime
inci-easing at the expense of the magnesia until in the uppermost twelve to fifteen
feet of the formation the rock reaches an average of ninety to nitietysix per cent,
of carbonate of lime. The facts as to the com]iosition of the scries can be shown
in tabular form as follows :
('(irhonate of Lime. Carhonate of Mn<jnesia.
Upper Helderberg 1. Highest, 96 per cent. 2 per cent.
Limestone. 2. Middle, 81 per cent. 16 per cent.
Limestone. 3. Middle, C4 per cent. 34 per cent.
Limestone. 4. Lowest, 55 per cent. 41 per cent.
Lower Helderberg
Limestone. 53 per cent. 43 per cent.
Figures like these seem to mark the progressive change from an isolated basin
of salt water to the open sea.
These facts lead us back to a recognition of some of the physical conditions
which prevailed in this part of the world at the time when this rock was in pro-
cess of formation ; in other words, they lead us back to a recognition of the
physical geography of this part of Ohio at this early time. This, it may be
remarked, is the end and aim of geological science. When it has restored the
physical geography of any part of the earth's surface for the time of which it
treats with all that this description properly involves, its work can be counted
accomplished. A few points under this head we are able to deduce from the facts
already given. 1. The sea floor of this general region was undergoing a slow sub-
sidence at the time, allowing free access of the open sea to what had been a shal-
low and isolated basin before. The i-ate is attested \>y the gi'adual change in the
percentage of lime and magnesia, and also by the want of fractures or faults
in the strata. 2. While free connection was established between this region and
the open sea, the Upper Helderberg limestone was deposited in very shallow
water. This is proved by the occurrence of the impressions of seaweeds in many
670 History of the City of Columbus.
of its courses and by occasional rippie marks upon their surface. Tiie latter are,
however, rare and exceptional. 3. Tlie conditions of this sea were mo.st favorable
to life. Its waters were of ti-opical warmth, as we know from the fact that corals
and crinoids grow only in such temperatures. The waters were clear, as we know
from the same sort of testimony, and also from the remarkable purity of tlie lime-
stone. No sand or sediments are found in them. No more genial conditions in
fact, can be shown in any portion of our entire column than those which prevailed
at that time. On the floor of this clear and tropical sea all the life of the age was
wonderfully developed. Coral reef alternated with crinoid bed, and the interven-
ing spaces were crowded with chambered shells, a group abundant then but now
verging to extinction, and also with univalves and bivalves of familiar types. One
living genus, at least, in each division is represented in our lists of fossils. There
was a time in which fishes swarmed in such numbers in this shallow sea that they
almost monopolized its waters. The teeth, plates, and bones of successive genera-
tions as they grew and finally perished there paved the floor of the sea over wide
areas. The six inches of the bonebed already described stand for a long period of
accumulation.
After this liighly fbssiliferous portion of the series, which terminated in
the bonebed, was completed, a change came in the conditions prevailing here which
it is easy to follow. There was a wholesale destruction of the abundant life that has
been already pointed out, brought about by a reelevation of the seafloor immedi-
ately to the southward. Sediments were now brought in which destroyed the
varied fauna previously existing and they also forbade the introduction of any new
foi-ms of life. Two or three of the hardier species survived and are occasionally
preserved in the shaly and flinty beds which make a part of this series. The sur-
faces of the latter show the abundant presence of seaweeds. The flinty bands were
doubtless organic in origin and they stand for a considerable development of
life of which we have few distinct traces. The shaly beds show the characteristics
here described only in this portion of the territory. To the northward, beds
occupying the same place in the series become the bluestone of Delaware, Marion,
and Sandusky, a series of some economic importance as a source of building stone.
With this series the great limestone formations of Ohio come to an abrupt ter-
mination. They had been growing for vast periods of time on the floor of an
interior sea, a sea which continues in a dwarfed representative even to our
own day and which we know as the Gulf of Mexico. The world was moving
through long and peaceful cycles, with far more uniformity of condition and
far less indication of change than belong to our own day. And yet through all
these tranquil ages change was always coming. Species were being modified;
some that were once abundant in the sea grew rare and finally disappeared and new
forms came in from time to time, from distant stations, perhaps, that multiplied
rapidly and filled the sea in their turn. Occasionally certain structural changes
intervened, as the lowering or elevation of portions of the seiifloor; and these physi-
cal changes are always correlated with changes in the life of the district affected,
The dividing lines between our formations are due to such causes.
(il'.dLodV AND GkiiHHMMIV. G71
The Ohio Black Shak.—The black shale wliicli directly underlies ihc st-rics
already described is in reality a more cliaractoristic and important olomcnt in llie
geology of Columbus than is the better known limestone. It occurs in
extensive outcrops in the northern portions of the cilj-, and is but thinly covered by
driftbeds in other considerable areas, as for example, Irom Fifth Avenue north-
ward and eastward. It therefore dii'cctly influences the topography, drainage and
water supplj^ of the city to a small extent, whereas the limestone is without influence
in these respects except in its westernmost boundaries.
From several points of view, the Ohio shale is an iin])()r(aiit formation. On
first inspection, as shown in Central Ohio, it would be pronounced as indofd it has
been, an undivided and simple formation, but when properl3- umlei'stood, it is
found to be quite com])lex. From its lowest beds to its highest it ]M-oves the
equivalent in age of the whole or a part of four or five sti-ata that are distinct and
important members of the geological column in other ])art8 of the country. The
formations referred to are the Hamilton, iTcne.scc, Portage, Chemung and Calskill.
In its outcrops in Ohio it lias a thickness of 250 to 350 feet, but as it is folhiwed
under cover to the eastward, \>y records of deep wells, it is found to be not less
than ten times as thick. In distribution it has a very wide range. From Ohio it
stretches northward into Canada and Michigan, westward into Itidianaaml Illinois,
southward into Kentucky, Tennessee and the Virginias, and eastward into Penn-
sylvania and New York. Doctor Newberry .made a threefold division of the shale
in Ohio, basing the divisions on color and naming them respectively the Huron,
Erie and Cleveland shales. The first and last divisions were described as black
shales and the middle division as a fireenish-blue shale. But it is impossible lo
hold to these divisions in the State at large, for there are no markings by which
they can be sharply or definitelj' separated fi-om one another. Neither physical
tests nor fossils suflice for this end as yet, but a division will some daj- be effected,
after all, in this interesting series. In composition the formation consists exclu-
sively of finegrained material, silicious clay making the great bulk of the stratum
everywhere. But, as its color indicates, it also contains a notable percentage of
organic matter. This makes eight to fifteen per cent, of the substance of the
blackest portions of the shale. The outcrops of the shale occasionallj- take fire by
accidental means in dry seasons and the burning goes on in the beds, sometimes
for weeks and months at a time. The shale contains a considerable quantity of
iron pyrites, or fool's gold, distributed through it, for the most part in nuggets or
concretions of various size, but sometimes in thin sheets. Part of the sulphide of
iron is in a form that decays easily when exposed to the air. As it weathers it
forms copperas. The weathering shale also contains suljjhate of lime, or gy])sum, in
small quantity, which is formed through the agency of the decomposing sulphide.
Fossils. — Two years ago a very short chaptei- would have sufiiced for an
account of the fossils of the Ohio shale. The substance of such a chapter would
have been "There are no fossils in the Ohio shale." Today the case stands in an
altogether different light. The fossils of the Ohio shale are now recognized as not
only the most striking and interesting of the geological scale of the State by all
odds, but as among the most important representatives of Devonian life that have
672 History of the City op Columbus.
yet been discovered anywhere in the world. The leading forms are the remains of
gigantic fishes of strange type and pattern. Their massive skeletons occur spread
out in the shale, and since we have learned where and how to look for therii they
are found in considerable numbers. Single bones are also met with at the hearts
of the great concretions that are so characteristic of the shale. Some of these
fishes mn.st have been fifteen to twenty feet in length. The names by which they
have been designated in science, as for example Titanicthys, Dinicthys (Titan fish,
terrible fish), suggest the astonishment they have called forth in the minds of their
discoverers. From the valley of the Big Walnut near Central College some of the
largest bones yet discovered in the State have been taken.
It is to Doctor Newberry that we owe most of our knowledge of these
remai'kable fossils, so far as their structure is concerned. The work that he has
done in describing them will remain a lasting monument to his learning and
sagacity. The collectors of these fossils also deserve to be remembered in this
connection. First in the list in order of time is Rev. Herman Herzcr, a clergyman
of the German Methodist Church, to whom we owe the original discovery of
Dinicthys. The first specimen was found at Delaware, in the centre of one of the
great concretions of the shale, and the thousand fragments into which it was
broken were brought together again in their natural positions by Mr. Herzer,
but only by the exercise of considerable skill united with incredible patience. .
Jay Terrell, Esq., of Oberlin, comes next in the list of successful collectors. He has
made some invaluable additions to our knowledge, his finds coming mainly from
the shales of Avon Point and vicinity on the shore of Lake Erie. Following
Mr. Terrell in his order of entrance upon this work. Doctor William Clark of
Berea is next to be mentioned. The additions which he has made to our materials
for study in this most interesting division perhaps outrank all other collections
combined in intrinsic value. Part of the material above referred to was described
by Doctor Newberry in the volumes of Ohio Paleontology; but a later and more
complete account has been published by the same author in the Monograph Series
of the United States Geological Reports, Volume XII.
These gigantic fishes excepted, there are very few conspicuous animal fossils
to be found in the shale series. In some portions of it the brachiopod shells of
Lingula and Discina occur, strown thickly over the surface of the beds. But
there are parts of the formation, a hundred feet thick in a single section, in which
the closest inspection fails to reveal any animal remains except those of micros-
copic. Among the latter we must not omit to mention the hcxactinellid, or six-
rayed sponges. Their spines have been known for several years, but during the
last summer a massive cast of one of the sponge colonies was found in Fish's
quarries on Fifth Avenue. It is somewhat different with regard to vegetable
fossils. Blocks of silicified wood are more widely distributed through the shale
than the great fishbones; while it is not uncommon to find strapshaped forms of
vegetable origin a foot or two in length on the surface of the bods. These forms
suggest their reference to the family of the scowing rushes or calamities, but the
reference is not unquestioned. Sometimes, though rarely, the impression of tree
trunks of lepidodendroid type, a score or more feet in length, are met with. The
^:^d?^'/^ ^ v^Y^/ // y
GEOLddY AND (rKOdRAI'IlV. 673
blocks of wood referred to above are the most common of tliese vegetable fossils.
Excellent specimens are frequentlj^ found within the limits of the city. They
sometimes occur, like the fishes already described, as the nuclei of the symmetrical
concretions which abound in the shale. The wood when examined in thin sec-
tions under the microscope proves exceedingly interesting. It belongs to an
extinct group of coniferous trees. The rings of annual growth are clearly recog-
nizable in the wood and the}- appear to show a division of the year even at this
early time into seasons of growth and rest, as at ])resent. Sovei'al distinct species
of woods have already been described on tlie basis of their microscopic structure.
Most of our specimens fall under Dawson's genus, Dadoxylon, but Knowlton
has recently found some o( them to be Auracarioxylon.
Concirtiotis. — The remarkable forms known as concretions, which occur abun-
dently throughout the entire shale scries, have been repeatedly referred to in the
preceding discussion. They are sure to attract the attention of oven the least
observant. They are brought as curiosities from the ravines where they are found
into dooryards; the}- are em])loyed as hitching blocks, or built into columns, and
in all ihese ways the}- demoiislrate the fact th;it nobody can pass them by without
notice. Asli rule they are symmetrical in form, the most common type lieing
that of an oblate spheroid. When situated in the shale in s/^w the flattening of
the spheroid is seen to be iti the line of the bedding of the shale. In other words,
the shorter diameter is always perpendicular to the plane of the bedding. Some-
times they differ but little from the form of spheres and sometimes they are flat-
tened out into discoidal shapes. In size they show a wide range, their diametei-s
varying from five or six inches to five or six feet. In fiut the extreme figures will
divide or double even the ones aliove given, but the cases in which blocks more
than six feet in diameter occur are rare. In composition they exhibit some diver-
sity. The}' can be said in general to consist of compounds of iron and lime with
which a few other substances are occasionally associated. The iron occurs largely
as carbonate (siderite) but sometimes as sulphide (pyi'ilo or marcasite). Wlien
the iron weathers, hydi'ated peroxide results, and this is the most common
mode of the occurrence of the concretions in the surface deposits of the city.
When a heavy block of stone covered an inch deep with iron rust is found in an
excavation in the city, it is next to certain that a decomposing concretion is in
hand. The lime exists as carbonate. Silica, burite and celestite are occasionally
found in the interior of the concretions. Fluorite has also been reported. As
indicated by the last sentence, the interiors of the concretions are frequently crys-
talized. Calcite is the most common element here, but with it the substances named
above are associated when they are present. The calcite of the concretions has a
Very characteristic appearance. It is distinctly crystallized and has a dark brown
or almost black color. No other known mode of its occuri-ence is likely to be con-
founded with this. The color is due to presence of bituminous matter. The cen-
ters of the concretions often show hollow spaces of a few cubic inches in dimen-
sion. Sometimes a small quantity of petroleum is found here, and sometimes also
asphaltic grains are associated with the crystals.
43
674 History of the City of Columbus.
How are those concretions formed? What explanation can be given of their
origin? The amount of interest which these symmetrical and unusual bodies
inspire can be measured very well by the frequency with which the questions
above given are asked. One can scarcely enter into a conversation upon the
geology of Franklin County with any person of ordinary observation, without
being interrupted after a little witii questions of this character. In attempting a
partial explanation of these formations, a few facts that have been already stated
will be recalled. One of these facts is that the great bony plates of the fishes of
the shale are often found at the centers of the concretions. Another fact i.s that
iossil wood often has a like situation. And still another fact in the same connec-
tion can be profitably recalled, viz., the occasional occurrence of petroleum or
asphalt in the central portions of the concretions. A foui-th fact niA- be added, ft-
viz., that the black bituminous calcite that is so frequently found at the centres of
the concretions is sometimes found also in fossil wood. Part of what was originally
a block of wood has been converted in such a case into this black calcite, while
sui-rounding portions of the same fragment are silicified and retain all the cell
markings of the original growth. It seems safe, therefore, to conclude that all of
the black calcite has this mode of origin.
In the light of these facts it is probablj' safe to say that all of the concretions
of the shale originally had organic nuclei. This is about the same as saying that
some fragment of an animal or a plant lodged in the shale by ordinary agencies is
the cause of the formation of the concretion. Invariable association would carry
with it the idea of cause, under these circumstances. The question returns, how
do these organic nuclei accomplish this work? The answer is by means of the
organic acids to which they give rise in their decomposition, or by means of the
carbonic acid into which all these organic acids soon fall. A wide range of solvent
power belongs to these organic acids. They are, however, energetic in their
attacks on iron, lime and silica, for which, indeed, they are the proper solvents.
All of these substances are rendered freely soluble in their presence. According
to this view the organic fragment is buried in the shale, at least a few feet deep,
on the old sea floor ; decomposition goes forward and petroleum may result, on the
one side, but probably, in sparing quantity ; on the other side the organic acids
are set free in abundant amount and are blended with the water that surrounds
the fragment. Wherever these acids are diffused, — above, below, on the right
hand and on the left, they dissolve the iron and lime of the shale and the silica in
part, and these substances, one or all, descend, or ascend, or migrate, along these
radial lines, towards the centre from which the disturbing agency proceeds. The
silica is quite likely to reach and replace the wood itself, though sometimes the
structure will be lost in part. As we have already seen, bituminous calcite some-
times divides with the silica the space where the wood lay, but it never retains the
vegetable structure.
A bone exerts a similar agency to that of the block of wood, but it does not
itself suffer complete replacement as the latter does. Its organic matter is lost, but
tlie phosphate of lime remains in great part as it was. In concretions in which
the sulphide of iron is prominent, it would seem probable that the nucleus was of
GEOLOCiV AND (iEOIillAlMlV. 675
animal origin, for the reason tliat sulpiuir is found in niiicb iar<;er quantities in
animal structures than in plants. It must be added that the organic nucleus often
disappears altogether in this process, especially if it is of a vegetable matter. Its
former presence is in such cases indicated by black ealcite, petroleum or asphalt.
The answer to the (piestioii, how were concretions formed, is according to this
view as follows : Thtsy result from the dep(jsitioii around an organic nucleus, of
carbonate of iron and also of silica and a few other minerals, all of which were set
free from the surrounding rock by the action of the acids that were formed in the
decomposition of the nucleus. This answer, it may be added, is in substantial
harmony with the facts that wo have latel}- learned as to the growth of concretions
of manganese, silica and ii'on that are now in progress of fiirnuitioii on the floor
of the deep seas.
Petroleum nnd Gas. — The Ohio black shale lias always been noted as a source
of weak oil and gas springs which occur along its outcrop. The formation is given
to '^surface indications," and during the last few years in the eager search that
has gone on for these substat ces, it has raised in half a ilozen states a great
many hopes and expectations that it was unable to fulfill. What is the source of
these bituminous substances that arc found universally distributed throughout the
formation wherever it occurs? In answering the question, petroleum and gas do
not need to be treated separately and independently. Petroleum comes first in
the order of nature and is easily decomposed into the simpler body, natural gas.
When oxidized by exposure to the air it turns into maltha or tar, and final!}' into
asphalt. The origin of petroleum in the black shale is unquestionably duo to the
decomposition of organic matter that was deposited in the shale contem])()iane-
ously with its accumulation. The occasional presence of pctroiouni in the concre-
tions of the shale has alreadj* been noticed and has been connected with tlie
decomposition of the organic nuclei, at least as a possibility. But do we find
. organic matter that suggests or offers a source for the petroleum that occurs in
every loot of the shale from top to bottom of the formation? Unquestionably we
do. The five to fifteen per cent, of organic matter that colors all the darker por-
tions of the shale certainly prove an abundant supply of organic matter in its
formation. What was the character of this organic matter? Fi-om what source
was it derived? The microscope comes to our aid. We find many portions of
the shale crowded with beautifully preserved spores of ancient sea-weeds, and this
fact gives full support to Newberi-y's suggestion that the black shale sea was a
sargasso sea; or, in other words, a sea the surface of which was heavily mantled
with marine vegetation, the decaying fragments of which found their way to the
bottom and became incorporated with the silicious clay that distant rivers were
bringing in.
We are sure that the petroleum of the slialo is not the result of volcanic boat
or of any high temperatures that have affected the formation. There ai'c no traces
of the disturbance or the mineral change that such factors would necessitate. It
is certain that no high temperatures have taken part in the history. We are
therefore shut up to the conclusion that organic matter can pass directly bj' a
peculiar form of decomposition into petroleum. Nor is the art a lost one in
676 History of the City of CoTjUmbds.
Nature. Petroleum is forming now ; ami the last geological age is, in fact, the
most prolific in its production of these bituminous substances of any in the entire
scale. The organic matter of the shale passed through a series of changes of
which jjetroieum was at least one of the products. How could it be retained and
preserved in the shale? This question can be easily answered. Cl;iy has the
jjroperty of absorbing oil. If the oil, when generated, had floated on the water,
it would liave been absorbed by the fine clay that was diffused through the
sea and would in time have sunk with it to the seafloor in the (orm that we find
it now, viz., a petroliferous clay. When the formation rises to the surface in the
accidents of its geological history this original stock is by slow exchanges with
water descending from the surface, brought out in the feeble oil springs to which
reference has already been made. There is no reason to believe that the oil or gas
are forming from their elements now. The world is old and there has been time
enough and to spare for the full operation of all chemical forces. The black shale
is not in its outcrops an important source of either oil or gas in Ohio ; its output is
always small; but in no division of our scale can the law of the formation of these
substances be studied to better advantage than here.
Water Supply. — As will be inferred from statements already made, the black
shale is not a generous source of underground water. It resists the entrance of
surface water and no formation can be expected to give what it does not contain.
The wells and springs that depend on the shale have as a rule a scanty and highly
mineralized supply. They are generally rank with iron and olten reek with
sulphurated hydrogen. Toward the base of the formation and where the shale
comes in contact with the limestone, outflows are sometimes obtained, but even
here they are generally counted mineral springs.
Soils. — The soils derived from the weathering of the shales are marked by
peculiar features. Where the decomj)osition has gone on to its furthest point,
a stubborn blue clay is the residue ; but generally the clay is physically lightened
to a considerable extent by flakes and fragments of shale distributed ihi-ough it.
These soils are fairly well adapted to some varieties of forest growth, as the chest-
nut, the chestnut oak and the swamp Spanish oak, and also to fruit trees and
vines ; but they do not produce the firmer and more valuable woods, and the soils
derived from them are on the whole poorly adapted to grass and grain.
One source of economic value in the shales remains to be named. It gives
rise to clays which, if not fitted to become fertile soils, furnish an excellent basis
for certain clay manufactures. These clays can be made into as good sewer pipe
as the State affords, and this is the same as saying as good as can anywhere be
found. They can also be burned in building brick and paving blocks to excellent
advantage. The uses of the clays derived from the weathering shale are only in
their infancy us yet. These clays cannot fail to become of more economical
importance to the city than they are now counted.
Geological History. — In concluding this description of the shale series a few
words may be devoted to its geology proper. The junction or contact of two
distinct formations is always an intei-esting point for geological study. One
chapter of the record ends and a new one begins at such lines of contact. If the
Geology and Geography. 677
formations difTer in character to a marked degree, an eqiiallj' marked change in
the phj-sical geography of the two periods is necessarily inferred. There is not a
sharper contrast in the Ohio scale than that which the two great formations now
described exliibit when their line of contact is found. For reasons presently to be
given these exposed contacts are rare in the vicinit_y of Columbus. The best one
known is found six miles northwest of the city, near the mouth of Slate Itun in
Perry Township, The limestone is here soon to be overlain sharply but coin-
formably b}- shale beds. The boundary is as distinct as a chalk line on a black-
board. There is no appearance of a lost interval, such as an eroded surface of the
limestone would show, but nevertheless the change in the character of the
dcjiosils is abru])t. On the boundarj^ the drill would show eight hundred feet of
fossiliferous limestone beds with scarcely a single interruption. These beds
belong to four distinct formations, each of which is characterized by its own forms
of life. In other words, each of these divisions comprised in its own time what
we called a creation, as orderly and tranquil in its progress as our own. Above
the boundary, occur a few feet, not more than three or four at most, of impure
and flinty limestone, and then the shale begins with all its characteristics fully
shown at the start. Its microscopic fossils, its fossil wood and its concretions are
all found in their most characteristic state within ten feet of the base; and from
this point upward the formation rises without important change for three hundred
or three thousand feet, according to the locality at which the section is measured.
Below the boundary, the rocks consist of carbonate of lime more or less pure, and
they contain in great abundance marine fossils of all the usual types of the time
which they represent. Above the boundary, silicious shales, blackened by organic
matter and containing a scarely recognizable amount of carbonate of lime, com-
pose the beds, and in them not a single trace of the life that swarms below is found
The beds of limestone show many indications of origin in shallow water. The
shale gives no hint of an adjacent shore line in its wide extent.
What inferences are we warranted in drawing from these facts as to the con-
ditions under which the shale was formed? We have almost everything to learn
as to the history, but one or two points can be counted settled. 1. The shale was
formed in a period of widespread dej)ression of seafioors previously shallow and of
some i)rcviously existing land areas. The seafloor sunk to the southward and
southwestward especially, submerging large areas that had previously become dry
land. There was also a deep and long continued depression over New York and
Penn.sylvania. 2. This dee])ening sea drowned out abruptly the abundant life
that had preceded it and thus put an end to limestone growth over these sub-
merged areas. 3. The fine sand and clay that constitute the bulk of the formation
were derived from shores to the eastward. The materials grow coarser and
thicker in that direction. 4. This sea was covered far and wide with an abun-
dant marine vegetation, the fragments and products of which supjilied the organic
matter to the formation. From the same source the jictroleum that the shales
contain is undoubtedly derived.
Over the site of Columbus the shale originally extended, no doubt, in its full
thickness and perhaps several hundred feet higher than the present surface ; but
678 History of the City of Columbus.
it is easily eroded material, and atmospheric agencies would be sure to waste, fur-
row and degrade it at a rapid rate, wherever it was exposed. In the course of
ages it was largely removed from all the central districts of the citj', but in the
high land from Fifth Avenue northward it is still found as an outcropping rocls.
Driftbeds.— The two formations now described, viz., the Devonian limestone
and the Ohio shale, are the only two rock formations, as this term is ordinarily
used, that take a direct part in the surface geology of Columbus; but, as has been
already shown, neither of them comes to the surface in any large way. To assign
to them onetenth of the area of the city would be generous. What then consti-
tutes the remaining ninetenths of the surface? Everyone is ready with an answer.
The city is built upon beds of clay, sand and gravel variously distributed. Excel-
lent sections of these beds are shown in excavations for buildings, for sewers, for
wells and the like, throughout the city.
Boulder Clay. — In the northeastern quadrant of our area, as well as in many
other similar districts, a dark blue, compact and stony clay forms a universal man-
tle. This clay is in a large way impervious, but generally the uppermost ten to fifteen
feet carry a moderate supply of water. It becomes yellow by weathering. It
bears no marks of having been originally deposited in water. It is unstratified
and without order. Beds of sand and gravel are also distributed irregularly
through it. One of the most striking features of the clay is the occurrence in it
of innumerable boulders, small and great. The largest of them show surfaces of
thirty or forty square feet and weigh many tons. They are largely granitic in
character and are strikingly unlike any rocks that occur in the geological scale of
Ohio. The nearest locality where such rocks are found in place is the region
north of the Great Lakes. The north shore of Lake Superior is composed of rock
masses of precisely the same character as the boulders here described. In the
central and eastern parts of the city, they are especially abundant. Excavations
for the foundations of dwellings near the intersection of Broad Street and Par-
sons Avenue, for example, are sure to reveal the presence of several large boulders
to every square rod of surface.
These granite blocks are fui-ther characterized, in many instances, by peculiar
markings. They bear evidence of having been rubbed and scored in a peculiar
way. They are often covered with parallel markings or striations on one
or on several sides. These markings extend down even to the smallest
fragments of these lost rocks. Most striking exhibitions of this action can
be observed wherever deep excavations are made in this formation in the parts
of the city that have here been indicated. These beds of boulder clay constitute
by far the largest section of the surface deposits of which we are treating. Con-
siderable portions of them wore originally swampy in character.
Next to these clay deposits in amount must be named the beds of stratified
sand and gravel which occur, in particular, in the central and western portions of
the city. They constitute the warmest and kindest soils and the most desirable
building sites of the region, and were therefore the first to be occupied in the build-
ing of the city. Water is always found in them in abundance at a moderate depth
GEOLOcn- AND (iEOGRAPIlY. 679
and they also aifonl effective natural drainage. They have something of a terrace-
like structure.
The river valle^ys proper constitute the remaining section of these drift depositsi
but they require no special description. Collectively these several formations are
known as the drift, or they are sometimes divided into the glacial drift and the
modified or stratified drift. How thick are these drift beds within the citj- limits?
Unless we have given special attention to the facts, wo are scarcely' prepared for
the answer that must be made. The average depth of the drift bed within the city
limits is little if an\- less than one hundred feet. The drill must descend on the
average thus far to reach the underlj-ing shale. How came these deposits here, or
in other words, what is the history of the drift? The answer is one of the most
startling and paradoxical that the science of geology is compelled to make to any
of the questions that come within its purview. The drift owes its origin to a
descent of polar ice on a vast scale from the region which it now occupies, as far
south as the fortieth parallel. The northeastern portion of the North American
Continent, at the same time with many other northern regions of the globe, was
transformed for tliousands and tens of thousands of years into the condition in
which Greenland is today. It was overrun by an enormous sheet of ice, a conti-
nental glacier, that has its nearest counterpart in the great Greenland glaciers of
the present, and in the still thicker and more extensive ice sheet under which the
Antarctic continent lies buried.
Of many elements in the history of the invasion of northern ice we can make
ourselves certain. At the date of the glacial epoch, Ohio had been for a long series
of ages a part of the dry land of the continent. It was raised from beneath the
sea, as we have already seen, where its beds were all originally formed, at the end
of the secontl great division of the earth's history; and for millions of years there-
after it stood exposed to the abrading agencies of the atmosphere. Rains fell
upon its weathered and softened surface for untold centuries and the streams that
carried this falling water away, wore by slow degrees their channels deep into
limestone, shale and sandstone. Each of the river systems of the State carved its
drainage basin into a vast ramification of valleys, sliallow and deep, and the few
remnants of the original plain were left as the hills and highlands of the State.
Over this deeply buried surface the northern ice was gradually extended. It
found all portions of this rocky floor covered with the products of its own weath-
ering in the shape of soils and broken rocks. All this loose material and uurIi
more beside was pushed on by and beneath the advancing ice. By this means
the valleys were gradually filled and the entire surface of the State that was thus
overrun was restored to its original monotony. The vegetable and animal life
that were previously established here were necessarily displaced and driven to the
open lands to the southward. Of the forests that covered the surface at this lime we
have abundant representatives in the fragments of wood that are buried in the
boulder clay. Hundreds of specimens of this preglacial wood have been exhumed
in the various excavations that have been made within the city limits. The wood
thus preserved is in most if not all cases red cedar. When exposed to the air,
after its long burial, it usually falls to pieces; but if left undisturbed in the clay
680 History op the City of Columbus.
there is no reason to believe that it would not last for thousands of years longer
with but slight change.
The striation and polishing of the fragments of rock contained in the glacial
drift have been already touched upon in a preceding paragraph. To this must
be added that the rocky floor of the country has itself sutfered a like abrasion.
Large surfaces of the rock in places are worn and polished in a remarkable way.
These phenomena are unequivocal and indubitable proofs of the agency of land
ice. They occur only under the advance of a glacier, and no more distinctive
markings are left by anj' known geological agent than those that are now
described. Furthermore, there is no portion of the country that contains more
abundant representatives of the first of these effects than Central Ohio. The rock
inscriptions are, however, rarely found just here, largely on account of the heavy
covering ot the deposits already named. The boulder clay, or till, as the forma-
tion is called in Great Britain, is therefore beyond question a product and a proof
of land ice in all the areas in which it is found. The seams of sand and gravel
that occur in the boulder clay in irregular beds stand for occasional melting that
went on in the glacier and around it, in its various stages of advance and
recession.
The main gravel, sand and fine clay deposits of the district come, however,
under another head. All of these were accumulated under water. They bear the
unmistakable proofs of such an origin in the sorting of the materials that compose
them and in their stratification. The materials themselves were derived from the
boulder clay, but the peculiar features of this deposit were mainly obliterated by
the action of water, to which the materials were here subjected. The polishing of
the rock fragments and pebbles was largely made to disappear, and the peculiar
shape produced by running water and the wave action was given to these materials
instead. The deposits of the group were obviously formed at a later date than the
boulder clay. The deposits of the stratified drift are exceedingly varied in thick-
ness. There may be but a foot or two of these beds overlying a heavy deposit of
the boulder clay, or they may constitute the entire section for twentj'five, fifty, or
in extreme cases, one hundred feet.
The gravel and small boulders which the stratified drift contains have been of
great service to the city and vicinity in the making of streets and roadways. In
the last few years we have been able to use better materials, but in the first half
century of its growth Columbus was entirely dependent on these materials for this
important line of service. The country roads are still limited to the gravel banks
in the improvements that they undertake. The sand of the formation is applied
to all ordinary uses and it may be counted among the valuable resources of the
city. These stratified deposits are not confined to the river valleys. They are
found at the greatest altitudes of Central Ohio as well. For example, the highest
land crossed by the Little Miami Eailway between Columbus and Cincinnati lies
three miles west of London, but this summit is occupied by a fine example of
stratified drift in the shape of a gravel bank of large extent.
The boulder clay requires for its explanation a most unfamiliar agent and
exceedingly abnormal climatic condition, conditions which it overtaxes tlie imagina-
GeOI.OOV and CxEOimAPIIY. CiSl
tion to restore. We cannot 8top in the process until wo liavo buried all central
and western Ohio under a Greenland glacier, several thousand t'eel in thickness,
and moving witii irresistible torce over tlie entire region now occupiod by the
boulder claj-. A strain ;ilniost as groat is put upon us in finding an adequate
explanation of the stratified drift. The sands and gravel of this series were all
laid down in shallow water. To account for them it ig necessary to cover all
central and southern Ohio with a freshwater lake or series of lakes. This result
can be accomplished only bj- a depression of the continent on a large scale. By
such a depression the flow of the rivers would be arrested and the water resulting
from the melting of the great body of ice accumulated in the earlier stages of the
glacial period, would flood the entire region covered by the glacier. It has been
suggested that the accumulations of snow and ice in the northern hemisphere
temporarily changed the centre of gravity of the earth, thus bringing the ocean
to a higher level upon the northern lands. Certain it is that the disti-icts named
were submerged during this part of the history. The amount of work done by the
water in this portion of the glacial period can be partially measured in the
enormous accumulations of rounded and wellworn gravel that occupy the valleys
and tablelands of the State. The gravels of the Scioto Vallej^ furnish a good illus-
tration of this line of facts If measured at all, the unit would need to be a cubic
mile. Under any smaller standard of measure, the figures would pass the limit
of intelligibility.
Explanations of the Drift. — While all geologists are agreed as to the general
line of events that has been briefly sketched in the preceding pages, viz : 1. The
burial of a large part of the country under a continental glacier lor a long period
of time and with many mutations in the history; and, 2, a sub.sequent depression
of the land under a freshwater lake or scries of lakes; they do not agree in their
views as to the causes that brought about these surprising conditions. The sub-
ject has attracted a great deal of attention during the last fifty, and especially
during the last twentyfive years, and a large measure of ability and learning have
been expended ujjon the problems involved. But these problems proved to be
large and complicated ones and several sciences must be consulted in their final
settlement. It must be confessed that, at tbo present time, no complete and satis-
factory theory as to the cause of the glacial period can bo ])resente 1. Sivcral
more or less plausible theories have been advanced witliin the last half cent my,
but none of them has been able to bear the criticism to which evei'v theory in
science is necessarily subjected before it can be counted established.
The most prominent of all these attempts to explain the anomalous conditions
of the glacial period is undoubtedly that of the late Doctor James Croll, of the
Geological Survey of Scotland. He dittered from most that had preceded him in
this field by assigning an astronomical cause for the astonishing reduction of icrn-
poraturo which the glacial period demands. In the indirect results of the rarijim/
eccentricity of the eaiih's orbit, he found suflScient cau.se for the changes that we
are called on to explain. The direct effect of the eccentricit3- of the earth's orbit
had been urged before his time as an adequate explaniilion, hiil upon due exainina
tiotj at the hands of the astronomers had been rejected as inadcquati'. ('roll's
682 History of the City of Columbus.
work opened up an entirely new line of inquiry, and one which at first seemed cer-
tain to lead to the solution of this great problem of geology. But within the last
ten years the arguments against it have gathered strength, and the prevailing feel-
ing at the present time among those best qualified to form an opinion is that the
theory is, if not inadmissible, at least not established. The principal objections to
it come from the amount of time which it involves. By astronomical calculation
it is found that the last period of high eccentricity began about 240,000 years ago
and ended about 80,000 years ago. But as much as the geologist values past time,
and exorbitant as are his demands upon it in the popular estimation, it is still pos-
sible to give him, in particular stages of the history, more than he knows what to
do with. The geological effects that have been brought about since the close of
the ice age do not require and cannot account for as long a period as 80,000 years.
The work of rivers in excavating new channels for themselves in cases where old
valleys bad been choked with glacial drift gives us a sort of chronometer that we
can apply. According to our best light these new valleys, like those of the
Niagara Eiver in the gorge below the falls, and the valley of the Mississippi below
the Falls of St. Anthony, cannot have required or used more than ten to fifteen
thousand years i n their work. There are many other facts that are in harmony with
these conclusions, and inasmuch as Croll's theory seems to necessarily involve the
longer period, most of the geologists who were leaning to this explanation, have
found themselves obliged on this account to renounce the theory. There are also
some weighty criticisms directed against it from the astronomical and physical
side.
It is a great disappointment to be obliged to abandon so promising a clue to
the interpretation of this anomalous and complicated history as Doctor Croll
offered to the scientific world, the more especially since there is no other theory of
equal scope and promise to be jire.sented in place of it. But this entire experience is
illustrative of the spirit of modern science. Every explanation of natural phenomena
that is offered to the world is subjected to the most rigorous and unsparing tests, with-
out fear or favor. The love of the truth is the dominant spirit of science, and urgent
as the demand of our rational faculties is for an explanation of facts which interest
us, if the explanation fails to harmonize the facts in any important respects we dismiss
it, confess our ignorance and wait and work patiently for larger knowledge and
clearer light. Some such attitude as this is maintained by most geologists at the
present time in i-egard to the glacial period. The older theories, involving changes in
the disti-ibution of land and sea, and changes in the altitude of the land masses, are
still under consideration, and many still hope that some portion of Croll's brilliant
exposition of a cosmical cause for the phenomena may yet be reconciled with the
facts. But in default of a thoroughly comprehensive and defensible theory at the
present, the study of the phenomena is being carried on with great energy and
success. Out of this more extensive knowledge a better theory is sure sooner or
later to spring. If a feeling of impatience rises at this confession of ignorance
on the part of geology, it is well to remember how short a time it is since we first
learned to know that there had been in the world's recent history such a thing as
a glacial pei-iod. It is not more than fifty years since the first statements as to a
Geoi.oov and Geoorai'iiv. G83
great ice age began to obtain currencj-. The more formal enunciation of the facts by
Professor Louis Agassiz in 1846 was received with widespread incrediilitj'.
The glacial period has done everything for Columl)US. It is practically the
only important fact in its geology. The topography, soils, water supply and drain-
age of the city are all dependent upon this great series of bods. The influence of
the underlying rock is reduced to the lowest possible terms. It mcrfly serves ;i,s a
foundation of the drift which constitutes the actual surface.
These general descriptions cover the gcologj' of Columbus .so far as its most con-
spicuous features are concerned. There remain tfi be considered the other
topics named in the introduction of the chapter.
GEOORAPHV.
Under this head the facts pertaining to the situation, topography and climate
of Columbus will be given in brief
Situation. — The latitude and longitude of Columbus have been determined by
the United States Coast Survey. The observations were made in the Stateliouse
grounds, on the east side of the building, but the figures are referred to the centre
of the dome. According to this supreme authority, the latitude of this point
in Columbus is thirtynine degrees, fiftyseven minutes and forty seconds north.
The longitude of the same point is eightytwo degrees, filtynine minutes and forty
seconds west (Greenwich) making a ditference in time of tivo hours, thirtyonc
minutes and fiftyeight and seventenths seconds.
Topogrnphij. — Central Ohio consists of a slightly undulating plain from eight
hundred to eleven hundred feet above sealevel. Across it the present drainage
channels extend in shallow valleys. As these streams descend to the south-
ward they rapidly cut their beds deeper and deeper until the summits of the
socalled hills that bound them, but which are in reality fragments of the original
plain, reach an elevation of four hundred or even five hundred feet above the
valleys. Columbus is situated in the most important of these shallow troughs above
described, in Central Ohio, viz., the Scioto Valley, but it also extends to the
adjacent uplands in considerable portions of its area. Low water of the Scioto in tlu'
central portion of the city is approximately seven hundred feet above tide. The
uplands of the northernmost portions of the city are not less than nine hundred
feet above tide. For the following figures we are dependent on railway surveys.
The different surveys do not, however, exactl3' agree. Most of the figures
given here are derived from the reports of the Columbus, Hocking Valley &
Toledo Railway. The elevation of the foundation of the Union Station is seven
hundred fortj'six and fiftyfive hundredths feet above tide. (Bench mark on water-
table near door, southwest corner). Another figure is seven hundred an<l forty-
three and seventenths feet above tide. The elevation of the watertable of the Ohio
State University building is above tide. The United States Signal Service Stuiion,
corner High and Broad streets, third floor, reports an elevation of eight lnnMiieil
and five feet. The elevation of the city bench mark at the norlheasi cornel- ot I he
Statehouse is seven hundred eighty and sixtythree hundredths feet ahove tide.
684 History of the City of Columbus.
The feedei- of the canal below the lock has an altitude of seven hundred two and
sixteen hundredths feel.
In referring Columbus to the Scioto Vallej' this term is used in a general and
comprehensive sense. In addition to the furrow occupied by the Scioto proper,
parts of two other important valleys are included here, viz,, those of the Whet-
stone River ajid of Alum Creek. The former of these is in reality a much more
conspicuous feature of the country than its main valley. The Scioto has wrought
out its bed for a number of miles above Columbus in the Devonian limestone. It
therefore has rock bottom and rock walls, though the latter are of but small
height, and it has also veiy limited intervals. The.=e facts demonstrate that this
portion of the valley is of recent origin. The Scioto undoubtedly has an older
channel buried somewhere along or adjacent to its present course and deeper than
the present vallej' by at least one hundred feet. This channel was filled with the
stubborn boulder clay of the drift, and when, at the close of the glacial period, the
river resumed its operations, it found it easier to cut a new channel out of solid
rock than to reexcavate the old one. This older valley very likely lay to the east-
ward, as will be shown in the succeeding paragraph.
The Whetstone Eiver, on the other hand, lying to the eastward of the SciotO;
has wrought its valley out of the shale. It is also still flowing within its pre-
glacial course, unless indeed, it has taken possession of the old valley of the Scioto
above referred to. It nowhere has a rocky floor, but the beds of drift that under-
lie it are not less than one hundred feet deep, as has been proved by repeated tests
in wells that have been drilled here. It is bounded by abrupt walls on the east
side of the old valley, small portions of which still appear as surface exposures in
the gorges of North Columbus. The foundations of the Northwood school build-
ing are laid in the bedded shale, and other portions of the formation rise twenty
or mere feet higher in the immediate vicinity, but at the rear end of the lot, a
pipe was driven to a depth of ninety feet before striking the shale. This shows
the presence of a fairly precipitous wall of shale at least a hundred feet in height
on the eastern margin of the old valley, but the drift deposits have masked and
concealed, for a groat part of the district, all these striking features, and have
given us gentle slopes of limestone gravel in the place of bnrren cliff's of shale.
The breadth as well as the depth of the Whetstone Valley attests its antiquity.
A beautiful scope of fertile bottom land, not less than a half mile in breadth,
constitutes the intervales of the ijresent river, while to the westward the rather
indefinite boundary of the valley is composed of drift beds that occupy to a great
depth the deepi}' eroded channels of the old rivers.
Alum Creek also occupies an old valley, as is proved by a series of facts sim-
ilar to those already given. We thus see that the.se easily eroded shales have been
removed from Columbus and the region south of it on a very large scale, and into
the space from which they have been carried away a vast load of glacial drift has
been deposited. The substitution, as already remai'ked in another connection, has
been of priceless service to the district in every way. The most barren soil of
Ohio, viz., that derived from the shale series, is the one that is geologically due
here. In place of it, the weathered limestone gravel yields a soil that is the very
GEOI.()(iY AND GKOliKAl'llV. (ISf)
type and standard of excel leiK'O. The forest growtli tliat llio slialo would have
supported is decidedly inferior in cliaractei', but in place of it wo find Iheoalc, wal-
nut, hickory and other of our most valued tinihcr trees. The natural waler supply-
of the shale is of the most unsatisfactory soi-t in holh (|ii:iiitity ami i|uaiily, Inu
these same drift deposits constitute a universal and iiicxhaiisiilik' reservoir Ironi
which we can draw all needed sup])lies for all lime.
The Scioto River within and below the city limits occu|)ies its old or prefflac-
ial valley, as is made evident b}- the geographical features olllu' latter and espec-
ially by its breadth and depth. But the present channel is elevated by at least one
hundred feet above the rock floor which constituted its original bod.
In summing up the general statements as to the topograi)hy of Columbus it is
sufficient to .say that the city occupies a slightly rolling drift plain about eight hun-
dred feet above tide, within which the several drainage streams have cut broad
and shallow valleys. The valleys are not more than fifty to seventyfive feet below
the general level of the ])lane, Viut they are so situated with respect to the latter as
to dispose quite promptlj^ oteven the heaviest rainfalls. The drainage of a few
hundred acres in the eastern central portion of the city, forming the divide be-
tween the Scioto and Alum Creek, was originally sluggish and the tracts inclined
to a swampy condition. The surface consists of boulder clay, blackened by the
abundant vegetable growth that has been incorporated with it. When ])rovided
with adequate drainage the tracts referred to are under no disadvantage whatever
for occupation. They constitute, indeed, the best residence portion of the city at
the present time. There is no considerable area of the city to which even the
highest floods bring any threat of damage. Other facts pertaining to the topog-
raphy will be incidentally noticed in connection with the topics to be considered
in the succeeding section.
Climate. — A few words must be given to the climate of Columbus. There is
little or nothing to distinguish it from the climate of the rest of Central Ohio. It
has exactly the conditions to be expected from its altitude, its latitude and its gen-
eral situation. Under the lastnamed heading the continental character of the cli-
mate is included. It is marked by extremes. There is a difference of more than
forty degrees between the average summer and the average winter temperatures,
the latter being thirty degrees and the former seventythree degrees, Fahrenheit.
The city is included between the isotherms of fiftyone and fiftj-two degrees,
Fahrenheit. The annual range is not less than one hundred degrees, and the
extremes not less than one hundred and thirty degrees Fahrenheit. The summer
heat sometimes shows one hundred degrees for the temperature of the air in the
shade, while cold waves occasionally depress the mercury to thirty degrees
below zero. Extreme changes are liable to occur in the course of a few hours,
especially when the return trades are violently displaced by northwest winds. In
such cases the temperature sometimes falls sixtj- degrees in twcnlyfour hours,
while changes of twenty to thirty degi-ees in tvventyfour hours are not unusual
during the winter motiths.
The rainfall averages about forty inches and is excellently distributed, as
follows, the figures designating inches: Spring, 10 to 12 ; Summer, 10 to 14;
686 History op the City of Columbus.
Autumn, 8 to 10 ; Winter, 7 to 10. The annual range is considerable, but a serious
deficiency in the water supply of the region has never yet occurred. Columbus,
like the rest of Central Ohio, and in fact like most portions of the State, is included
within the tornado belt of the country, but thus far no destructive storm of this
character has ever ravaged it. The depression of its surface below the country to
the westward of it is two hundred to three hundred feet. Whether this fact has
any influence in giving it the exemption that it has hitherto enjoyed is not known,
but the exemption may be gratefully recorded. "When the path of one of these
destructive storms shall happen to lie, as some day it will, over the site of a popul-
ous city, the ruin it will work will rise to frightful proportions. Of the means of
protection against such visitations we have absolutely no knowledge, and it does
not seem probable that man will ever gain such knowledge.
SANITARY CONDITIONS OF COLUMBUS.
Closely connected with the geological and geogyiphical features previou.sly
described are two subjects that have an intimate relation with the public health,
viz., the water supply and the drainage of the city. These subjects will be con-
sidered in the closing section of this chapter.
Sanitary science is an important application of modern knowledge to human
wellbeing. It has taken shape only within the last forty years, but it has already
rendered service of immense importance to the cities and towns that have accepted
its guidance. It has lowered the annual death rate of such communities by five or
ten to the thousand in some instances; it has reduced the burdens of sickness in
at least an equal ratio. It has brought more or less complete exemption from
many discomforts and annoyances. It bids fair to become a powerful factor in the
elevation and progress of the race.
It grew out of the discovery made in England about forty years ago that the
germs of Asiatic cholera were in many instances distributed by means of drinking
water. Attention was turned to several other diseases of similar character, and
it soon became apparent that several of the most dreaded scourges of the race were
largely propagated in a similar way, that is, through the agency of polluted drink-
ing water and also by means of soils contaminated by the products of waste. But
it was seen that the water supply of a community could not in ai>y case be pro-
tected from dangerous contamination unless provision should be made at the same
time for the satisfactory disposal of the various forms of waste of the same com-
munity. It is the recognition of this fact that has led the cities of the civilized
world within the last forty years to enter on very large undertakings, necessitat-
ing the expenditure of vast amounts of money, in securing for themselves a safe
water supply and an effective system of sewerage. These questions have become
by all odds the mo.st urgent and important that these cities have been obliged to
meet on the material side of life. The urgency of these questions arises in part
from the unprecedented rate of growth which the cities of the entire civilized
world have attained in the present century, and particularly during its latter
half During the same time, also, man has eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowl-
(tK.ol.iidV AMI (iKcKlMAl'ln. (IST
edge more freely lh;in ever lielore, and !iis e^-es have heeii ()|iciu'(l {n the daiiLCei's
that surround him.
In our efforts to aceomiilish llie twofold objecl wliieli we liave Het before
ourselves, many unfortunate and eostly niistiikos have been made and the remedy
has sometimes seemed worse than the evils to which it was ai)])lied. The cliief
defect has resulted from the system that has generally been adopted in the
disposal of sewage. It has been the almost universal ]iraclieet() conduct llu^ sewage
to the nearest stream and discharge it there without any attempt to cor'recl or
purify it. But it is from this same stream in most cases that the water su])plies of
adjacent cities must be derived. If there were but one city to a river thodilfieulty
might not be serious. Hut, as the case now stands, each town in getting rid of its
own sewage, endangers or pollutes the water supply of.all the towns below it. The
remedy for this state of things can be easily pointed out but it i.s costly to apply.
It requires a hirger measure of intelligence and fidelity in its execution than most
of our cities have been able to command in their public work. It consists in
destroying the dangerous character of the sewage before the water is returned to
the general circulation of the region. The purification can be effected by chemical
treatment or by infiltration through the soil. The soil has been proved to have a
remarkable power in destroying the poisonous products of waste, and it is at once
possible and practicable to thoroughly disinfect sewage by the treatment which
is known as downward intermittent filtration, so that the effluent water can be returned
to the streams without danger or ott'ense. All this has been fully worked out
in European cities and towns, and mainly in the cities of Great Britain. The cities
of the United States have scarcely entered upon this line of action as yet, but
its growing urgency will soon compel them to take up the problems involved.
Water Supjjly.— There are but few great cities in the United States that have
at the present time an adequate and at the same time a satisfactory water supply.
The cities bordering on the Great Lakes are, on the whole, best provided fin-
in this regard. It is possible for them to obtain an excellent supply in unlimited
amount. New Orleans and St. Louis, have the Father ofWaters to draw from, and
while the amount of their supply can never fall short its quality is far from
satisfactory. Of the principal cities of the Eastern border, there is not one
that has not serious ground for anxiety as to the character or amount, one or both,
of its supply. All of them are making strenuous efforts to im])rove their respec-
tive supplies, and relief is possible to most. The cities that are at the greatest dis-
advantage are those situated in the river valleys of the country, except such
as have been alreadj^ named as occujiying the Mississippi Valley. In many cases
these cities have no ])0ssible source of supply except the rivers, but these same
rivers are made to receive an ever-increasing volume of sewage and manufacturing
waste from the growing towns situated on their banks. The quality of the water
is therefore constantly deteriorating and often pa.sses the limits of safety.
Columbus is on the whole favorably located for an inland town in the matter
of water supply. Its river is by no means a great one ; but still it and its main
tributaries carry a large volume of water in the course of the year. They have no
lakes or reservoirs along their courses, in the usual significations of the term, it is
688 History op the City op Columbos.
true; but they still contain a iJirge volume of stored water in their broad valleys.
The latter have been filled, it will be remembered, mainlj' with sand and gravel
for a dejJth of one hundred feet or more below the present surface. In their
storage quality these porous beds constitute the equivalent of a shallow lake equal
in size to the combined areas of the valleys, but they are better in many
respects than any lake could be, for the waters that they contain are protected
from the effect of the sun and to some extent from pollution. The reservoirs pro-
per of Central Ohio at the present time are largely overgrown v\ ith a peculiar
aquatic vegetation, the decay of which affects unfavorably all of their supply.
The underground water, on the other hand, is always clear and cool and free from
some sources of defilement, but unfortunately it is not protected against dangerous
contamination of every sort.
It is easy to be seen, in view of the facts that have now been given, that most
districts of Columbus command an abundant and excellent natural water supply.
Wells sunk or driven to a depth not exceeding thirty feet, and frequently to not
more than half this depth, command a generous and unfailing amount of cool and
well filtered water. The exceptions to be noted are found in the northern por-
tions of the city, in which the shale beds lie at or near the surface, and in some of
the districts in which the boulder clay occurs in unusually heavy deposit. In the
latter case wells are sometimes driven to a depth of one hundred feet without
meeting any promising water vein ; while in the districts in which the shales lie
shallowest they affect in a characteristic way the water reached in wells. The
quantity is small and the quality is inferior. But in ninetcnths of our area the
search for water is successful without the aid of any form of the divining rod,
ancient or modern.
What is the character of this water supply? The supply, in a state of nature,
I answer, is on the whole of high grade. Filtered through limestone gravel, as it
is, it carries of necessity- a considerable percentage of carbonate of lime; but there
is, as a rule, no excessive amount of other minerals. It is clear, cool and abundant
and it deposits little or no sediment. These statements, it must be observed, apply
to this underground water in a state of nature. But when a city is in process of
rapid growth, the natural conditions are no longer maintained. The porous beds
of the surface that admit the rainfall so freely, admit with equal freedom all the
products of waste that human occupation brings with it. Cesspools, no less than
wells, are sunk in the gravel, and the poisonous products of many lines of manu-
facture are returned to the earth in place of the pure water that was drawn out of
it. A threatening change at once appears in the character of the water supply.
Proper tests show the presence of elements of danger, and after a little, typhoid
fever or some like disease spreads from the well in a distinct circle of infection.
Sanitary science in its earliest days drew a conclusion which it has never
been obliged to retract or modify, viz., that water derived from icells in thickly settled
towns is altoc/ether U7isafe. Whoever uses it does so at his peril. No harm may
come for a generation or two, it is true; but, on the other hand, the germs of a
pestilence may spring from it at any hour with explosive violence. The recogni-
tion of this line of facts led Columbus to take up a quarter of a century ago the
GeiU.iiOV ANIl (iKdIIRAl'IIV. 689
question of a pul)lic water supply. From what source could it draw such a
supply? Manifestly not directly from its river channels. The turbidity of their
floodstages alone would render this altogether impracticable. No other resource
was available but the sinking of large wells in the valley gravels. The pumping
station was located in the middle of the broad valley and the wells dug here have
furnished a su]ip!j' fairlj- comparable in quality with the water derived from the
best grade of similar wells throughout the city. It is well filtered, cool and in
moderately good volume. A measure of protection has been thought to be
secured lor the water by sinking into or through a local bed of clay buried in the
gravel, and by drawing the water from these lower sources. The city has taken
great satisfaction in the belief that it is securing a well-protecte<l supply. But it
is doubtful whether any efficient protection lias been reached in this waj-. The
turbidity brought about by even a slight rise in the river can be ]iromptly recog-
nized in the distributing pipes of the city. The truth is, there is no universal or
even general order of these drift dejiosits, and it is not safe to draw conclusions as
to the particular channels and reservoirs ofthese underuround waters. Sometimes
when long droughts have prevailed the main river has been t:iken directly into
the pipes. This is never done without a manifest lowering of the character of
the supply. (Jn several different occasions diirini^ the last few years tiie city
water has been found to be decidedly open to suspicion.
The new pumping station of the east side has been but recently ])ut into
opei'ation, but it promises to make a contribution of great value to the health and
safely of the city. The wells are located in the Alum Creek valley and a very
large volume of water, originally artesian, has been found in them. There is a
larger percent of iron in the Alum Creek watei-than in the older supply, but in all
other respects it reaches the best standard of the natural water of Central Ohio.
The following table of analj-ses shows the character of the Columbus supplj'.
These analyses were all made by Doctor Curtis C. Howard, Professor of Chemistry
and Toxicology in Starling Medical College, and were kindly furnished by him
for this chapter. The examinations go back, as will be seen, to 1885 and cover
the water from both the western and the eastern sources. It would scarcelj' be
in keeping with the character of this chapter to <liscuss the significance of all the
elements shown by these analyses. Those who are trained to this line of work
will see that the table represents on the whole excellent water. The only sub-
stance reported that is out of proportion is the albuminoid ammonia. This stands
for previous contamination, but there is no ground for condemning these waters
on this account.
History ov the City of CoLirMBUs.
ANALYSES BY PROFES
HOWARD. PARTS PER 100,000.
Required
Free
Ammonia.
Albuminoid
Ammonia
Nitrous
Acid.
Nitric
Acid.
Chloriue.
Total
Solids.*
1.
.30
.001
.006
.001
.042
.97
38.6
2.
.18
.001
.00.5
trace
.0.30
.74
61.6
3.
.21
.001
.008
trace
.05.5
.99
51.7
4.
.10
.028
.008 m
.001
.50
56.2
5.
.U
.015
.009
.001
.02
.54.7
6.
.13
.011
.007
.001
.56
52.0
■■Multiply by six to obtain grains per gallon.
1. April 3, 1885. Water from west siJe filtering galleries.
2. October 30, 1885. Water from tunnel, west side, showing increased hardness.
3. April 8, 1886. Water from same source.
4. November 22, 1888. Water from well, east side pumping station.
5. October 24, 1890. Water from hydrant Starling Medical College, showing mixed
supply from east and west pumping stations.
6. February 9, 1892. Water from same source.
Drainage arid Sewerage. — The natural drainage of Columbus, as has been
already shown, is well provided for. It was originally sluggish in a few localities,
but slight relief in the way of open ditches was all that such districts required to
render them arable. By far the greater part of the city would rid itself of the
heaviest surplus of water and snow with all needful dispatch through numerous
and well distributed waterwaj-s, and particularly through the porous beds supplied
in gravel terraces and great valleys. The city went on for many yeai's without
water works or sewerage. Each household derived its water supply from its own
wells, and all the forms of waste were disposed of in vaults and cesspools sunk in
the same lot on which the well was located. But the natural consequences of this
system soon began to manifest themselves in the more closely built portions of the
city. The water of certain wells would become notably bad and the owners would
be compelled to abandon them, but other wells near by would be made to render
service in their place, until they too would fall under deserved condemnation. It
is surprising that persons of even ordinary intelligence should fail to recognize the
danger that was sure to result from this double use of the freely permeable beds upon
which the city is built. If these beds could be rendered transparent for a single
moment so that the constant drainage of vault and cesspool by well could be seen
and traced hy the eye, such a feeling of disgust and such a sense of danger would
be inspired that this use, or rather abuse of the "soil, would be at once and fore-ver
abandoned. But the soil is as good as transparent to those who are able to observe
the facts involved and to reason soundly upon tiiem. The sheet of slowly descend-
ing water can be followed from the polluted surface through all the vile accumula-
Geology and Geohrai'iiv. 691
tionsthatwe have buried in the earth, down to the springs of the fountains on
which we depend for a supply of this vital element, the water which we drink.
If the soil could be kept scrupulously free from all the agencies of contamination,
we might continue to depend upon local wells, as in the beginning. But the soil
cannot be kept free, under occupation. It is certain to be defiled in various ways
and some of these involve the possibility of pestilence. City wells are incompatible
icith tin- public health and the public safety, ami must be everyichere abandoned, but
even if they are given up, the waste of the city cannot be safely entrusted to the
soil that underlies it. There are other dangers besides that of poisoned water to
which such a use is certain to lead. A filthsodden soil becomes a prolific source of
general and specific di.sease. It is a hotbed for development of the germ.s of diph-
theria, typhoid and other pestilences. As soon as due intelligence is directed to the'
facts it becomes evident tiiat the removal of the excretory waste is one of the most
tirgent requirements that can be made upon a city in the interest of the health of
its people.
Columbus took up tliis work of providing itself with sewerage, just as grow-
ing cities in this country generally take it up ; that is, by piecemeal and with an
entire absence of system or wise forecast. Small and shallow sewers were at first
constructed to meet the most urgent necessities. When found inadequate, they
were replaced by larger ones, but still no comprehensive system was brought into
their construction. Every sewer was carried hy the shortest course to the river.
No other disposition of their contents received the slightest consideration. All the
firstbuilt .sewers terminated in the central portion of the valley ; or, in other words,
in the heart of the city. The work has been carried forward by common councils,
the constitution of which undergoes rapid or even complete change in the course
of two or three years. Furthermore, the construction has been carried on under
the direction of city engineers whose terms of office have been alike brief and
uncertain. Under such conditions, it is no surprise to find that many of our sewers
have been unwisely located. Most have been constructed under inadequate
supervision and are therefore poorly built, and they have cost the city much more
than they should have done. But these complaints are not peculiar to Columbus.
They can be applied without change to the experience of almost all of our large
cities. It is only an aggravation to set before ourselves what might have been
done under a wise and comprehensive plan, efficiently and economically carried
out. It is also to be borne in mind that our knowledge in regard to these subjects
has been advancing rapidly, and that work done now would be likely to be plan-
ned and carried forward far more wisely than work undertaken fifteen or twenty
years ago.
Within the last twenty years a new system of sewerage has been introduced
into this country that promiises relief from some of the worst evils of the older or
established system. It consists of a separation of the sewage proper from the
storm water, by an independent system of pipes. The older system makes use of
a single pipe or conduit in which the comparatively small but fairly regular flow
of sewage is mingled with the irregular and occasionally excessive volume of storm
and drainage water. To convey this mingled volume ^requires a large sewer, for
692 History of the City of Columbus.
which, ninetenths of the time, there is nothing like full use. When these two
incongruous contributions are thus mingled, on the one hand, storm and drainage
water, and one the other, sewage proper, it is expensive and often impracticable to
separate them again. The storm water, if not further polluted, could be turned
back into the general circulation of the river without serious offense or danger.
But the sewage must be carried through some process requiring the expenditui'e
of special knowledge, and also of time and money before it can be safely intro-
duced into a river which is likely to be used for water supply at some point lower
in its course. If, however, the small volume of sewage is kept sepai-ate from the
storm water it can be treated or utilized at comparatively small outlay.
If the question as to which is the more desirable system for Columbus could
be taken up as a new one without reference to existing conditions and past expen-
ditures, there is little doubt as to the verdict that would be rendered by the best
knowledge of our time. Unquestionably, in the author's opinion, the decision
would be in fiivor of the separate system. But the question cannot be approached
in this way. Columbus is irrevocably committed to the combined system. Sev-
eral million dollars have alreadj' been expended in the construction of these great
lines and their tributaries, and with them every wellbuilt house of the city is
connected ; furthermoi'e, street improvements, aggregating an oven larger expendi-
ture than the sewers, have been made on the basis of complete and permanent
work in the matter of these buried drainage channels. For better or worse, there-
fore, we must adjust ourselves to the established system.
What are the chief features of the present situation ? 1. In the first place,
the old system of carrying the sewage by the shortest course to the rivers and dis-
charging it there has resulted in an evil of large proportions. During the sum-
mer, when the river shrinks to small volume, the sewage becomes the overmaster-
ing element in it; and instead of the crystal stream of the early days, rippling
over a clean and gravelly bed, we have a channel coated with hateful slime,
through which a sluggish current crawls, black as ink and rank with all the offen-
sive and poisonous odors of decomposing animal waste. The prevailing westerly-
wind catches up this horrible effluvium and wafts it over the adjacent quarter of
the city, certainly to the discomfort and disgust and probably to the impairment
of the health of thousands of our people who have built here pleasant homes for
themselves. When, a few years ago, the offense seemed unbearable, the city coun-
cil, against the advice of the intelligent friends of sanitary science in the city,
ordered a dam to be constructed across the river below the mouth of the largest
sewer, to receive and dilute its hateful contents. The measure resulted as it was
foreseen it must result, and taught anew the lesson that it is often better to "bear
the ills we have than fly to others that wo know not of." The dam was blown
out finally, and the district was temporarily relieved of the worst nuisance that
ingenuilj' could create.
2. In the second place, the city has found itself obliged to build at an immense
outlay an intercepting sewer to catch the outflow of all these older lines and trans-
port it to a new and deeper eddy of the river, two miles below the city limits,
Temporary relief will probably be secure by this means ; but the rapid growth of
(TEOT.<MiV ANT1 (iEOIiHAPHV. C9^^
tliocity and tho atlditiDiial ]iublic water suiiplj- already dcsc-ribod are steadily
augmenting the volume of our sewage. The outlet as planned is sui-e to create a
serious local offense in the course of a few years, and it is by no means certain that
the stench arising from the sewage will not return to jilaguo us, oven within the
boundaries that wc arc seeking to protect. In an}- case we ai-c inflicting, l)y the
course we have adopted and pursued from tho first, an irreparable injury on all
■who occu])y the vallej- below us. We are ruining a river that does not belong to
any one town or district, ami that in realitj* belongs much less to us than to tho
occu]>anls of the fertile and beautiful valley that extends from Columbus to the
Ohio liiver.
3. Is there any relief for this unfortunate state of things, or is this the price
which every river valley must paj- for supporting one or more jn-osperous cities
within its limits? Sanitary science has taught us, and especially through the
experience of European cities and towns, principally in England but partly on the
Continent, during the last twentyfive years, that these evils, serious though they
are, are not irremediable. Various systems have been devised for correcting them
or at least reducing them to lower terms. One sj-stem stands out preeminent in
this list and offers us, when intelligently and eflBcientlj' ajjplied, full exemption
from this threatening source of danger and offense. It is the thoroughly natural
system which invokes the powerful agenc}- of the soil and the air. It is known as
the method of (toirnirard intermittent filtration. The sewage is applied to land pro-
perlj- prepared for this purpose by thorough undcrdraining. The flow of the
sewage must be interrupted .so that the air can take its turn in passing thi-ough
the soil. By this means a natural agency of decomposition is brought into ])lay by
which the nitrogenous elements of waste, which are the most harmful of all, are
broken up into innocuous compounds. This work is done by one of the great
swarms of microscopic life with which we are just becoming acquainted and which,
in this case, we know as one form of bacterium.
The sewage nourishes and stimulates plant growth to a remarkable lUgree. It
transforms barren sands into fruitful fields. On land which is properly |ii(|i:ue(l
for it, gardeners and farmers eagerly compete for the sewage sup])ly. llni iim
tinuous plant growth is not necessary for the efficiency of the process. The wmk
can go on without the agency of vegetable growth and takes place in the winter
as well as in the summer, the warmth of the water preventing freezing even in
climates much more severe than that of Ohio. Tho cfHuont water is not only fil-
tered but purified. Its chemical character has been changed and it is now in all
respects fit to be returned to the river from which it was taken, none the wursi' tor
the detour which it has made through the artificial channels that we have con-
structed for it and the all-important office it has subserved of carrj-ing away tho
waste of a great city.
This is the step that remains to be taken in the jiublie imin-ovenients of
Columbus A sewage farm must bo added to its sanitary e(iui])menl liefore it can
do justice either to its own peaple or to its neighbors. Land apparently well
adapted to this purpose is available. The amount of land required cannot be
determined until the local conditions ai"e thoroughly understood. European prac-
694 History op the City of Columbits.
tice assigns ten acres to the thousand of population for sewage farm from which
some returns are sought in the vfay of vegetable growth. When this lastnamed
element is disregarded, a much smaller amount of land will suffice. If the system
were once put into operation by the establishment of even a small sewage farm on
the broad plains of the Scioto, below the city, there seems reasonable ground to
believe that it would grow of itself The owners of adjacent farms would find it to
their interest to prepare their lands for the vitalizing flood, and the value of all
farms to which the sewage could thus be applied would be permanently enhanced
by such contiguity. To associate the vegetables and fruits of our dietscale with
the purification of city sewage may seem distasteful to some when first proposed,
but a closer inspection shows us that there is no ground for anxiety or even for
prejudice in such a relation. The alchemy of nature is full}' adequate to the trans-
formation required, and in fact it is only by the establishment and maintenance of
some system of return to the soil of that whicii has been drawn out of it, that the
life oC the race can be indefinitely jjrolonged. Shaket<poare's lines may be para-
phrased in this connection :
Imperial C;esar, dead and turned to clay.
May ripen grain tliat keeps gaunt want away ;
Strange that the dust that held the world in awe
Should find its place within a hungry maw.
When all the fever-breeding wells within the central districts of the city have
been filled ; when uncemented vaults are no longer tolerated within its limits;
when the basins from which its water supply is drawn are adequately policed and
protected ; and when a well-appointed sewage farm is added to its outfit, Colum-
bus may enjoy the satisfaction of having done its duty in a sanitary way, and may
complacently expect the rewards that come from obedience to the commandments
l^ertaining to the public health. These rewards will consist in the exemption of
its people from many forms of zymotic disease, and from the heavy taxes that such
diseases levy, and in the increasing comfort and longer term of human life within
its boundaries.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CLIMATE AND HYGIENE. I.
Ill their influence upon llie health of human beings, climate and locality,
although independent agents, are often confused with one another. Much that is
charged to meteorological conditions which are beyond the control of man is
found, on closer examination, to be due to local or terrene conditions which may
and should be essentially changed. It has been said that, as a rule, health may
be preserved in any climate by the exercise of reasonable care, 3-et it cannot be
denied that certain atmosplieric influences, acting in conjunction with those of
locality, may jiroduco deleterious conditions against which no precaution is proof.
The remedy lies in improving the influences, not of the climate, but of the locality,
and in doing this, civilization performs one of its principal functions. The
annual deathrate of London which, two centuries ago, was as high as eightj' per
thousand, is now less than twentythree. Yet the climate of London has undei--
gone no essential change. On the other hand, civilization has produced immense
changes in the modes and comforts of life, and this is no less true of Central Ohio
than it is of the chief city of Europe. We live under the same skies and are
subject to the same atmospheric phenomena as the early settlers, but with very
different conse(juences because of the difTerent relations we bear to the ojierations
of Nature.
Climate and hygiene are therefore associated together, and liere ciiosen ibr
conjunctive treatment, not because the one is believed necessarily to sway the
other, but because the one maj- radically affect the other by acting upon condi-
tions which lie mainly if not entirely within our own control.
Of the meteorology of Ohio i)rior to the beginning of the present centui-y the
record is mostly traditional and vague. Writing from the best information he
could get, Mr. Atwater gives the following account of a series of winters: 1785
to 1790 mild; 1791 and 1792 .severe; 1793 to 1795 mild; 1796 to 1800 severe.
In 1796 the Ohio River was frozen over in November, and a winter followed
which was remembered for more than forty years afterward as the severest known
in the history of the State. The mercury sank to eighteen degrees below zero on
Januarj^ 8, 1797, and di-opped several additional times below the zero point in the
course of the season. The Ohio River remained frozen over for four weeks in
succession, and frost occurred as late in the following spring as May 24.'
[G9.5]
696 History of the City op Columbus.
According to Atwater, the winters from 1801 to 1807, inclusive, were all
mild, but tradition speaks of February 13, 1807, as a cold Friday which no one
could forget who experienced its rigor. On June 16, 1806, a total eclipse of the
sun, visible all over this and the European continents, took place at midday.
Twice only within tlie recorded history of the United States — November 30, 1834,
and August 7,1869 — has such a phenomenon occurred which at all approached
this one in grandeur. At thirtj-seven minutes and thirty seconds past eleven
o'clock the sun's surface was wholly obscured, and the darkness of night super-
vened. As the day was unclouded, this transition from the glare of a summer
noon to midnight obscurity was the more impressive. Cooper, the novelist, who
was an observer of the event, mentions these incidents:
Swallows were dimly seen dropping into the chimneys, the martins returned to their
little boxes, the pigeons flew home to their dovecots, and through the open door of a small
barn we saw the fowls going to roost. ... A few cows, believing tliat night had overtaken
them, were coming home from the wild, open pastures, the dew was falling perceptibly, and
the thermometer must have fallen many degrees from the great heat of the morning.
The duration of the total obscuration was about five minutes.
Hon. Christian Heyl thus describes the tremors of an earthquake which he says
was felt at Columbus in 1810:
The first shock was in the night season. It shook ray bed so that I at first thought that
some person was shaking it. The dogs and fowls made a dreadful noise about it. I got up
and looked out of the window, but could see nothing wrong. The rest of my family slept
below in the cabin, and felt nothing of it. On the next day, however, about ten or eleven
o'clock, we had another shock. There was no wind, yet we could see the treetops swaying,
and articles hanging up in the house were swinging back and forth.''
In 1811 a notable earthquake took place, the oscillatory center of which was
about thirty miles south of New Madrid, in Missouri. The first shock took place
during the night of December 16, and was followed by intermittent vibrations,
which continued until the following February. Some of the tremors were folt as
far east as Pittsburgh, and even along the shores of the Atlantic. These, if we
may presume an erroneous ascription of date, may account for the phenomena
described by Mr. Heyl. At the time the shocks of 1811 began, a comet had for
some time been visible in the heavens.
As to the early summer of 1814 we find the following hints in the Freeman's
Chronicle (Franklinton) of June 10:
Scarcely one cloudless day has been seen in this part of the country during the last six
or eight weeks. Vegetation has been much retarded, and in some instances destroyed, in
consequence of the late excessive and incessant rains. The waters have been extremely
high, and the roads, in some places, impassable.
On September 23, 1815, a terrific and ever-memorable gale swept over New
England, but the writer has been unable to find any account of contemporary
storms west of the AUeghanies.
The year 1816 was commonly referred to for nearly a generation as one "with-
out a summer." In 1850 the following account of it was given in the Rochester
(N. Y.) American :
Climate and Hygiene. I. 097
January was miUi, so much so as to render fires almost needless in sitting rooms.
December, the month immediately preceding this, was very cold. February, except a few
days, was as mild as January had been. The first half of March was cold and boisterous, the
second half mild. A tremendous freshet on the Ohio and Kentucky rivers caused great loss
of property. April began warm, but grew colder as the month advanced, and ended with
snow and ice. In May, buds and fruit trees were frozen, ice formed half an inch thick, and
the fields were again and again replanted until I he planting season had passed. June was the
coldest ever known in this latitude. Frost, ice and snow were common. Fruit was nearly all
destroyed. Almost every green herb was killed. Snow fell to the depth of ten inches in
Vermont, several inches in Maine, and three inches in the interior of New York. It also fell
in Massachu.setts. July was accompanied by frost, and ice as thick as common windowglass
was formed throughout New England, New York, and some portions of Pennsylvania. The
Indian corn wms nearly all killed. August was more cheerless, if possible, than the [other]
summer months had been. Ice half an inch thick was formed, and Indian corn was so frozen
that the greater part of it was cut down and dried for fodder. Almost every green thing was
destroyed, both in this country and in Europe. . . . Farmers supplied themselves from the
corn produced in ISI.t for seed in the spring of 1817. It sold at from four to five dollars a
bushel. September supplied about two weeks of the mildest weather of the season, but its
latter half was so cold and frosty that ice was formed half an inch thick. In October frost and
ice were common. November was cold and blustering. Snow fell during that month suf-
ficiently to make sleighing. December was mild and comfortable. The remainder of the
winter was mild.
During the sea.son of 1816 very little vegetation matured. Tln-oui^'hout tlic
summer the sun's rays seemed to be destitute of their usual ]>o\ver, ami all iiatiii-o
assumed a .somber aspect.
Atwater describes the winters of 1808 and 1809 a.s severe, ami thus classifies
those which followed, down to the time he wrote:. 1810 to 1812 mild ; islo cold-
snow twentyfour inches deep at Fort Wayne; 1814 to 1828 mild; 1829 to 1831
cold; 1832 to 1838 mild. According to ther. same authority, heavy rains began
to pour about November 14, 1S22, "and continued almost daily until the fii'st day
of the ensuing June."
On May 18, 1825, a tornado swojit across Licking, Kmix, Carroll and Col-
umbiana counties and passed eastward until it shattered its force against the
western breasts of the Alleghanios. " Across Licking and Kiio.x cuunties its \\i'\l\\
was scarcely one mile, but where it moved it prostrated every forest tree, or stripped
it of its limbs."'' The autumn of this year was characteriKod by unusual mildness.
In October the temjieraturo of June prevailed, rosetrees bloomed, and vegetation
generally seen.ied to take on a second growth.
The first half of January, 182(!, was very cold ; on the scventcenlli thr mercury
dropped four degrees below zero. In March, floods took phue wliich caused seiious
damage in Franklin and adjoining counties.
The spring of 1827 was cold and backward. " In the winlir of ls27-s. " says
Atwater, " we had the southwest current of air all winter. It came loaded with
water, which fell in torrents during that winter-, and on tlii' cinlitli ot .laniiary
there was the greatest freshet which we had had for years before <>ii the .Scioio
we liad no ice that winter more than threeeii;hts of an inch in tliickncss '
The winter of 1827-8 was open, wet and boisterous. The r.iin iioiircd ,l,,wn
in sheets, inundating the flatland, and swelling even small lirooks to impassable
698 FllSTORY OF THE CiTY OP COLUMBUS.
proportions. Not ice enough was frozen in the Scioto Valley, it was stated, to cool
a glass of soda. The weather in February, 1829, was severely cold, and throughout
the month of March the temperature of January prevailed. When spring opened,
vegetation was two weeks behindhand.
February, 1830, opened witli extreme cold, relieved by a heavy snowfall which
produced fine sleighing. In the autumn of this year a severe drought prevailed,
injuring the corn, making dusty roads and causing streams and wells to go dry.
In 1831 February again began very cold, the mercury dropping ten degrees
below zero. On August 10 of this year Mr. Isaac Appleton Jewett wrote from
Columbus to his friend, Samuel Appleton, of Boston :
Torrents of rain have befu pouring down upon us the entire summer. Deucalion's
age would have been a dry time to this. The heavens are hung with black for weeks.
Indeed, I may say with truth, we have not had a clear day this summer.
A partial eclipse of the sun took place February 12, beginning at thirteen
minutes past ten a. m , according to William Lusk's almanac.
In January, 1832, the temperature went down to ten degrees below zero. It
had previously, during the same season, gone down to eight degrees below. June
of this year was a cold month, unfavorable to agriculture. A " weekly meteorologi-
cal diary " began to be kept about this time, and reported to the press by H. Wil-
cox, of the " Columbus High School for Young Ladies." Mr. Wilcox made notes of
the wind, temperature and general state of the weather for each day of the month.
In both a hygienic and a meteorologic sense the j-car 1833 is one of extraor-
dinary interest. Besides being accompanied by the first notable cholera epidemic
which ever prevailed in Central Ohio, it was distinguished by some of the most
wonderful atmospheric phenomena ever witnessed on this continent.
The winter of 1832-3 was unusually mild. On February 22, 1833, Mr. Isaac
A. Jewett wrote :=' " The winter still continues open and delightful. What a con-
trast to the two preceding ! Never were there clearer skies nor milder breezes.
The month of February has been one long Maj' day. I will not say the birds have
made their appearance, but I have certainly seen the grass green in the fields."
Nevertheless iMarch opened with a slight snowfall, which was closely followed by
some of the coldest weather of the season. During this cold interval, four inches
of snow lay upon the ground, making excellent sleighing. April and the first half
of May were uncommimly dry, but June was a month of copious and constant
precipitation, causing high water, and making the roads for a time almost impass-
able.
But by far the m(wt important meteorological event of the year 1833, and per-
haps the most interesting one of the present century, was the magnificent exhibi-
tion of falling meteors which took place on the morning of November 13, in that
year. Never in the worlds history was there a grander display- of celestial pyro-
technics than this. Beginning about midnight, it was visible all over the American
Continent, and continued until submerged in the light of the rising sun. A citizen
of Worthington, writing on November 13, 1833, thus describes it:
This morning, an hour before day, our sky presented a most singular display of luminous
meteors. The appearance, I am informed, commenced at least as early as half past three
Climate and Hygiene. I. <'>90
o'clock, though it was an hour later when I first saw it ; and it continueil without intcrniission
until the light of day rendered it invisible. A numberless multitude of shooting stars were
constantly marking the cloudless sky with long trails of light. As seen from this place, they
seemed to proceed from a point in the heavens a little west of Delta, in the constellation Leo.
This observation was made at five o'clock. From this point they appeared to shoot with
great velocity down the concave sky, losing themselves in the dark blue expanse, or disap-
pearing in the faint and undefined mist that rested on the horizon. They were not generally
visible in their course through a greater arc than twenty or twentyflve degrees, and those
which seemed to approach nearest to the horizon first made their appearance not far above
it; while those that commenced their course near the centre of radiation uniformly dis-
appeared before they reached the misty part of the atmosphere. Kach meteor in its course
left a pale, phosphorescent train of light, which usually remained visible for some minutes.
Occasionally one would seem to burst into fiames, and burn with increased energy, illuminat-
ing the face of terrestrial nature with a degree of brightness and splendor inferior only to
sunshine. But this effect would be of merely momentary duration, for the substance of the
meteor would be rai)idly consumed, leaving a broad, luminous way which would perhaps
remain distinctly visible for twenty minutes, while the wind or some other cause, would
appear to waft it gently eastward, so modifying its form as to give it the irregular outline of a
cloud. ... A luminous spot, or ring, would frequently appear for a moment, near the point
from which they seemed to emanate ; which was unquestionably occasioned by a coincidence
of the course of the meteor with the line of observation.
A Columbus observer wrote :
The weather was calm and mild ; numberless stars twinkled in the heaven ; while the
middle region of the air was irradiated by myriads of those diminutive meteors usually
denominated falling or shooting stars. These were of various sizes, some emitting little more
light than the ordinary firefly, while others equaled the rocket in brilliancy, and presented
an appearance nearly similar. One, in particular, which we had not the good fortune to
behold, ha.s been represented to us as visible for several minutes — our informant says not
less than ten — and as exceeding in size and splendor anything of the kind ever witnessed by
those who saw it. . . . This singular spectacle [the appearance of the meteors] commenced
a little after twelve o'clock, and was at its height between four and five. . . . They [the
meteors] must have fallen at the rate of at least ten thousand per hour, presenting an appear-
ance of a shower of fire extinguished in midair. They were seen in all quarters of the
heavens at once, but seemed to be most numerous a few degrees south of east Irom the
zenith.''
Anif;o computed that not lc8,s tiiun 240,000 meteors were instantaneou.sly vi.sible
above the horizon of Boston. For some time a very large one hung almost statiorj-
ary in the zenith above the Falls of Niagara, and emited in all directions its
incessant flashes of light. The descent of the fiery shower over the (lurk, foam-
ing cataract is described as an unparalleled spectacle. The movomenl of the
meteors was for the most part noiseless, but sometimes a his.sing nouihI was ]>er-
ceived, and the explosiotis of the fireballs, it was said, were accompanie(l in some
instances by a report i-esembling the discharge of a cannon.
The effect of the display upon the minds of the ignoranl and sujjei-.stilious was
verj- curious. In many districts nearly the entii-e population was paiiiolricken,
and profoundly believed that the end of the world had come. Improinplu prayer
meetings were held, and solemn preparations for instant dcp.-iitiiif tiom ninhd;iiic
scenes were circumstantially made. An old citizen wlio\\;;sal ( ; ran villc al ihc
time, informs the writer that instances of this kind occurred botli tlici-c and .-il
700 History op the City of Columbus.
Columbus. In the Southern States the negro slaves were terrorized beyond con-
trol. A planter who was awakened in the night by the distressed cries of his
bondsmen says that when he went out to respond to their midnight beseechings,
over one hundred of them " lay prostrate on the ground, some speechless and
others uttering tlie bitterest moans, but witii their hands raised imploring God to
save the world and them."
The spring of 1834 opened very ftivorably but on April 26, a frost fell which
destroyed the fruit, cut down the wheat and stripped the trees of their leaves. At
the time of this visitation, ice was formed half an inch thick. This frost was gen-
eral over Ohio, and prevailed also in several States east of the AUeghanies. The
month of July next following was marked by extreme heat, the thermometer rang-
ing in the nineties for several days in succession. An eclipse of the sun, total in
South Carolina and Georgia, took place November 30.
The winter of 1834-5, although quite severe in the Eastern and Southern
States, was in Ohio one of unusual mildness. Up to January 21, no snow had
fallen at Columbus, and scarcely a daj' had passed on which outdoor labor could
not he comfortably performed.
Of tiie seasons of 1836 little mention has been made in the current records,
except that the month of March was one of excessive changeableness, illustrating,
by weather as bad as their orthography, the following lines :
First it rained, and then it blew,
And then it friz, and then it snew,
And then there was a shower of rain.
And then it friz and snew again.
The jirincipal meteorological event of 1837 was a magiticent aurora borealis
which appeared in the heavens during the evening of November 14. Of its
observation at Columbus, possibly prevented by cloudj- weather, no record has
been found, although witnessed at Hudson, Ohio, and at various other points from
the Mississippi to the Atlantic seaboard. As seen at most localities, its duration
was about threequarters of an hour; at St. Louis it continued throughout the night.
Professor Olnistead wrote of its ajipearance at New Haven :
About six o'clock, while the sky was yet thick with falling snow, all things suddenly
appeared as if dyed in blood. The entire atmosphere, the surface of the earth, the trees, the
tops of the houses, and, in short, the whole face of nature were tinged with the same scarlet
hue. The alarm of fire was given, and the vigilant firemen were seen parading the streets in
their ghostly uniform, which, assuming the general tint, seemed in singular keeping with the
phenomenon. The light was most intense in the northwest and northeast. At short intervals
it alternately increased and diminished in brightness until, at half past six, only a slight tinge
of red remained in the sky.
Another writer gives the following description of it as seen at New York :
Innumerable bright arches shot up from the whole northern semicircle of the horizon, and
from even farther south, all converging to the zenith with great rapidity. Their upper
extremities were of the most brilliant scarlet, while heiow they were exceedingly white. At
the formation of the corona the appearance of the cuhirans below, which were very numerous
and bright, resembled that of bright cotton of long fibre, drawn out at full length. The
Climate and 1Iv(iiene. I. "nl
intermingled Imes afforded each other a mutual strong relief, and exhibited tiie most
dazzling contrastsever beheld. The stellar form was wonderfully perfect and regular. Toward
the west there was a sector of more than twenty degrees of unmingled t-carlet, superlatively
beautiful.
The weather of. hiimary, ls:!S, \v;,s .sin.i;-iil;n-l y iniM, iiiid tli;it ol' the laltcr hall'
of March warm, hazy and dr^-, eaiLsiiii;- the larly liar.leii ])lanls to hlciom, and
the bluebirds to appear at their usual springtime haiinls. Diiriuii- .1 uiic and .liil\-
the midday temperature ranged in tiie eigiities.
The sumner of 1839 was so cold as to be likened to tiial of ISIG. A snowfall
heavier than any of the preceding winter took place about March 1, and made
sleighing for the first time during the winter or spring. Severe frosts fell
during the nights of Ma}' 3 and 5.
March, 1840, set in with the warmth and gentleness of June; how it went out
we are not informed. One hundred ami tifiysi.x consecutive days ne.xt anterior to
March 31, 1840, were thus classified : (IH fair, 34 rainy, 28 snowy, and 31 chiudy
without precipitation.
March, 1841, was characterized by heavy snow and fierce cold. About the
middle of the month, the northern stage came through from Sandusky to Colum-
bus on runners. July vvas accompanied by excessive heat, but a low tempera-
ture and drought prevailed in August. The first autumn frost fell October 1.
During the latter part of October cold rains fell, and were followed bj' snow.
The winter of 1841-2 was one of phenomenal mildness. Snow fell scarcelj' at
all during the entire winter until February 17, when it was precipitated to a
depth of three inches. Very little ice was formed. January had the usual tem-
perature of May. February was, for the most ])art, equally mild. March was
ushered in with thunderstorms and greening fields. On one day during the latter
part of the month, the temperature rose to eightythree in the shade. Most of the
fruittrees were in bloom before April 1. In May the weather was so cool as to
make fires necessary for household comfort. June was blessed with an abundance
of rain. The weather conditions for the wheat harvest, which was one of great
luxurance, were favorable. The midday temperatui-e of July ranged in the
nineties. On August 2 and 3 a frost fell, not at, but east and west of Columbus.
In latitude 39 and south of it a severe drought prevailed in autumn. Snow fell
November 16, and on November 22 the Scioto above the State dam was frozen
firmly.
During the night of Januar}- 4, 1843, an earthquake tremoi' was felt at
Cincinnati, and also, slightly, through Central Ohio. At Columbus it was per-
ceptible but not violent. In Missouri it was severe, and in some portions of that
State produced "sinkholes" which belched forth steam. On F'ebruary 7, 1843,
the temperature dropped to one degree below zero. The season had previously
been mild and open. From the fourteenth to the eightccHth the sleighing, it was
said, was the finest seen in Ohio for ten years. On the seventeenth a cold wave
swept over the State, depressing the tcmperatui-e in parts of Northern Ohio to
twentytwo and twentyfive degrees below zero. March was a month of snow,
violent winds, and low temperature approaching the zero point. Spring opened
702 History op the City of Columbus.
about five weeks later than it did tlie year before. Although the temperature rose
as high as the ninetj- mark in May, there were nights in June when ice was
frozen in many places. The wheat crop suffered from drought. In September
some days of intense heat were followed by drenching rains and weather cool
enough to make fires comfortable. During the latter part of October snow lay on
tlic griiund three inches deep.
Tiie great comet of 1843 began to be visible at Columbus March 8, and first
appeared as a luminous column rising in an oblique direction from the horizon.
So brilliant was it, at its full development, as to be visible at middaj^ but bj'
April 4 its recession left only the faintest trace of it perceptible. In the local news-
papers of contemporary dates its splendors arc described but vaguely, yet all
accounts agree that it was one of the most magnificent celestial appearances of the
century.
A table of weather observations taken by Thomas Kennedy, Stale Librarian,
in the year 1844, shows the following mean temperatures for that year : January
30.53, February 36.58, March 43.61, April 64.58, May 65.51, June 70.50, July 74.73,
August 71.79, September 65.9L>, October 49 40, November 12.93, December 34.95.
Fifty days of the year were rainy, eightj^five cloudj' and sixtj-five clear. Of the
remainder, one hundred and fiftynine are described as partly cloudj'.
The coldest weather of the winter of 1844-5, was experienced in February.
Until the beginning of that month the season was so mild that the rivers were
not closed, and violets are said to have bloomed. On May 5 and 7, 1845, sharp
frosts were felt, and ice was formed. This freeze cut most of the j'oung vegetation
to the ground, and was followed by a drought. Further frosts fell during the
latter part of May, and the cold dry weather continued into June.
The winter of 1845-6 was remarkable for its heavy precipitation of snow.
During a single week in the latter part of February this precipitation covered the
ground to the depth of two feet. An eclipse of the sua took place in April, 1846,
but cloudy weather prevented its observation in Central Ohio. The following
winter began so gently that Columbus bricklayers were yet at work in the open
air as late as December 30.
The January flood of 1847 has been described in another chapter. High
water again occurred in the following December, and seriously interfered with the
transmission ot the mails. Copious rains, accompanied by cool weather, occurred
in the middle of August; frosts fell in the early part of September.
The most interesting meteorological event of 1848 was a beautiful aurora
which appeared on the evening of November 17, and recalled, although it did
not equal the splendors of its predecessor of November 14, 1837. A Columbus
observer thus describes it .
As early as half-past^ix, columns of rosy light appeared south of east, also north of west,
tending to a junction, but neither perpendicular to the horizon nor as yet parallel to each
other. At intervals between them, white narrow bands and feathery clouds, sometime tipped
witli scarlet, were reared, while again, too numerous to be distinguished, they formed a sil-
very arch some twenty degrees above the apparent horizon, its apex a little eastward of the
north star, and its base forming the segment of nearly the sixth of a circle. At 8:20 this por-
ClIMATF. ANT) Ilv(ilENK. I. Tdli
tion became dark, almost, black, contrasting strangely with tlie light sky, when smldonly, as if
upon intelligent sumuions, there shot upwards numerous narrow-based pyramids until
responding to the same grand design, the southeast and northwest columns of red light
slowly, yet perceptibly rose as high, respectively, as the Pleiades and Ursa Major, near which
constellations they wavered and stopped. About nine o'clock the dances and flashes gave
promise of a corona, as in 18.'!7, and soon the result of ail these niarshallings appeared in a
splendid crown around the magnetic pole, and, to the eye of the spectator, a few degrees
southeast of the zenith.
At the moment the columns of led light reared their crests to this position, they were
followed by white, fleecy clouds as far in the southeast as Orion w here the deepest glow was
ever found, while below, dark purple strongly contrasted with the scarlet piled upon the
white bank floating next above. This finecolored column was separated from its less beauti-
ful companion of the opposite point of the compass by hundreds of delicate pale bands, over
which, at this moment, fitful waves Hashed until one entire half of the heavens was irradiated
with the gathering lines. These, forced to a centre, as if repelled on their approach, dis-
pensed down the southern sky springing clouds, leaving at the centre an opening of clear
blue a few degrees in diameter, onthe outside of which these streamers radiated downwards
and outwards. Thus a perfect crown was formed, the trembling rays of which seemed to fear
their unwonted elevation, for, as the corona was completed, the piledup masses dropped to the
horizon, no longer forming regular sujiports, but dashing up and down alternately as the
coronal rays themselves fluctuated. This spectacle, so fanciful, ever varying, ever new, lasted
less than five minutes. ... At ten the heavens were as usual, and the aurora, the splendor
of which can be impressed by no language upon the mind, departed. ... At 11:1.5 the con-
stellation Orion was again the seat of the purple glow, but though showy, startling, grand,
the great peculiarity of the whole display was the crown, sending down its messages, and
welcoming to its throne of glory returning currents of beautiful light, that, wavering, trem-
bling, flying, made the whole complete, while in confessed subjection to the glorious master-
piece above."
The local weather annals of 1849 are meagre. Until the beginning of
January the season was mild. A heavy snowfall accompanied hy freezing, took
place in the night of April 17. The month of May was gentle and showery.
The lowest temperature reached during the winter of 1850 was that of
February 5, on which date the mercury dropped to five degrees below zero. The
spring of 1850 was very cold and backward.
A flurry of snow took place on April 30, 1851, and was followed, on Maj- 1,
by a severe and damaging frost. A partial ecli]ise of the sun was visible in Central
Ohio on the morning of July 28. A very fine aurora appeai-ed during the night
of September 10, and an auroral flush during the night of Se]>temlier 29. A con-
siderable snowfall took place October 26.
January, 1852, was a month of intense cold. On the twentieth the mercury
sank at Columbus to twenty degrees below zero During twentyfive consecutive
days ending with January 29 there was good sleighing. The fir.st autumn snow fell
November 15.
Until the last days of January, the winter of 1852-3 was uncommonly inild.
Very little snow fell, and al!no^t nt) ice was rrozeii. The first consideralile freeze
of the season took place January 2(1. The ])eaehlrees were in bloom April 25.
The June heat rose to the nineties, and was accompanied by severe drought.
The autumn was mild, and so dry as to cause most of the wells and springs to
fail, The local rainfall for the year 1853, measured in inclies, was only 29.79; that
704 History of the City of Golumbiis.
for 1852, 47.57. A brilliant aurora appeared during the night of May 24; in the
evening of August 24 a comet began to be visible. An earthquake tremor passed
over the State May 2, and was noticed at Columbus. Two or three distinct vibra-
tions were felt. Their direction was from north to south.
During the night of April 2S, 1854, snow fell three or four inches deejx On
the day following, the storm was continued. The first half of July iw descrihed
as " fifteen days of scorching heat and burning, unclouded sun." The mercury is
said to have ascended to 98° and 100° " in cool positions." On the nineteenth
it hung at 93° at sundown. After six weeks of rainless skies a " terrific gale"
of Augusts blew down shadetrees and telegraph poles, and did other mischief
This phenomenon was followed by more drought, during which the Scioto
became a rivulet, and the water in the canal was so diminished as to pre-
vent boats from approaching the city. The streets of Columbus, it was said,
lay " ankle deep in dust," pasture lands were parched, and the corn withered
under the burning rays of the sun. The volume of water in the bed of the
Scioto, it was represented, had not been so contemptible for twenty years.
The August heat continued into September, during the early part of which the
day heat was fierce and that of the night stifling. At seven o'clock on the morn-
ing of September 9 the mercury registered 81° . On May 26 a partial eclipse of
the sun took place, and was observed from the High School building by Joseph
Sullivant. who states that the first contact took place at three o'clock, thirtyone
minutes and thirtyfive seconds, Columbus time. The duration of the phenomenon
was two hours and nineteen minutes. During the evening of May 80 a large
meteor shot athwart the northern sky "as if from the moon. " '"
" We have had seventeen consecutive days of fine sleighing," says the Ohio
Statesman of February 8, 1855. An observation in the same paper of February
13 reads : "Although the first part of Januai-y was so springlike that some farmers
started their ploughs, yet for the past three weeks we have experienced a uniform
severity of weather seldom witnessed in this region." The average noon temper-
ature in January was 36° ; in February 26°. The spring was backward, and no
ploughing was done up to March 26. Fire was necessary for comfort in the early
part of June.
The year 1856 began with an unusual depression of temperature. On Janu-
ary 4, the thermometer registered eight degrees below zero, and the Scioto was
covered with ice from eight to ten inches thick. At sunrise on January 8, the
mercury indicated fifteen degrees below zero. But the culmination of severity
was reached on Wednesday, January 9. Mr. Joseph Sullivant thus recorded his
observations of this spasm of arctic rigor :
For twentyfive years I have been an observer of the temperature. During all that time
my thermometer has never fallen so low as yesterday morning [January 9], when it marked
twenty degrees below zero. I believe yesterday morning at six o'clock to have been the
coldest ever experienced in this part of Ohio n
D. C. Pearson, another observer, said : " There is no question, I presume,
that last Wednesday morning was the coldest day ever known in Ohio. "
in tlie
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11
^-%.
'~ cX6,_^-.^.^ <2^ly/^ ,^, ,^.
Cl.IMATE ANIi lIVdIKNK. I. 705
From observations taken at the Esther Institute, Professor T. G. Wormloy
reported the mean temperature for January, 1850, at 14.55°; for 1852, at 24.5°.
Febi'uarj- was also a cold month, and temperatures rangini^ from 27° to 29° below
zero were reported. The spring of 1856, was backward, and ice and snow were
frequent until April 21. May was unseasonably cold throughout.
January, 1857, was a cold month, although not nearly so severe as January,
1856. On the eighth the thermometer indicated ten degrees below zero. Feb-
ruarj' was mild, but the spring was backward. A comet appeared in May.
During the night of April 27, 1858, a severe frost fell, doing much damage.
Intense heat, approaching 100° in the shade, prevailed in June. In September,
and the earl}^ part of October a beautiful comet was visible. The weather in
December was mild, the skies clear, the buds swollen, and the grass green.
January, 1859, ended with sunshine so benignant that doors and windows
were thrown open, and overcoats dispensed with. The second snowfall of the
winter took place February 2. Snow, sleet and frost fell in the early days of
April. On May 3 and 7, tiie temperature rose to 80° and 90° in the shade. The
summer was ushered in with abundant jiromise. The Oliio Stutesiiuni of June 2,
said :
No leafy month of June ever coiiinienced with a better prospect for the crops than that
of 18.59. The weather of May was as favorable as could have been wished, and the grain
sprung up under it immensely. The farmers are jubilantly preparing to clear away tlie old
crops to make room for the expected abundance of the coming harvest. Corn is far advanced
and considered out of danger. . . . Wheat may be injured hereafter, but the present pros-
pect is the best of many years.
Portyeight hours after these words were printed the bright prospects which
they described were utterly blasted. During the night of Saturday, Juno 4, 1859,
the severest summer fi'ost fell known to the recorded annals of the State. An
uncommonly low temperature which had prevailed during the two next preceding
days culminated in this di.sa.ster. The cold and fro.st were general, extending to
northeastern Illinois, to all of Indiana except the southwestern portion, to the
greater part of Ohio, and to the western portions of Pennsylvania and New York.
The destruction of growing crops was enormous, but by no means uniform.
Vegetables of the same kinds were destroyed and spared within the same enclos-
ure. The ruin of the wheat crop was in some districts utter and complete, in
others partial. The work of destruction was performed in belts and streaks. In
Northern Ohio the wheat was badly damaged, the green potato hills were changed
to black spots, and the grapevines cut down to the old wood. In Central Ohio the
corn was cut to the ground and small fruits and vegetables were well nigh annihi-
lated. At West Jefferson, Madison County, ice was formed one quarter of an inch
thick, the Osage orange and other shurbs were withered, and the toi)s of the
locust trees were turned black, as though singed by fire. In North western Ohio
ice was formed.
The great frost was followed bj' warm, genial weather, accompanied by show-
ers of rain. July was a dry month, and accompanied bj- intense heat. On the
nineteenth the temperature ranged from 100° to 106° in the shade. On July 29 a
45
706 History of the City op Columbus.
partial eclipse of the sim was visible at Columbus, and during the night of August
28 the heavens wore the flush of a splendid aurora. Another auroral appearance
took place during the night of September 2.
The year 1860 was one of unusual atmospheric phenomena. A beautiful
eclipse of the moon was seen from Columbus during the night of February 6, and
in the latter part of June the fleecy form of a comet hung athwart the northwest-
ern skies. But the most interesting celestial event of the year was the occultation
of Venus by the moon during the night of April 24. This charming episode waa
thus fancifully described by some unknown poet:
The crescent Moon, with silver horn,
Was riding down the sky,
As Venus, in the azure borne.
Came tripping gaily by.
Old Taurus shook his shaggy mane
The evening queen to fright.
When, prompt to rescue, came the Moon
Like a true and gallant knight.
But Venus flushed with deeper glow.
As the night king urged his aid,
Lest all the gossip stars should know
Their queen could be afraid.
But closer to the Moon she pressed
Until, oh sad mishap !
She tripped her foot in luckless stride
And fell into his lap !
At first the wantons deeply blushed.
But soon cared not a feather.
And joyously, with lovelight flushed.
They rode the sky together.
On Monday night, April 9, 1860, a terrific tornado swept over Sharon, Clinton,
MiiHin and Jefferson townships, prostrating trees and damaging barns and
dwellings.
During the night of Wednesday, May 1, 1861, a frost fell which did great
damage to the fruits. On June 16 the weather was cool enough to make over-
coats comfortable. A splendid comet swept through the skies in July, August
and September, 1861, and was still faintly visible in October. The earth was
popularly supposed to have passed through the tail of this comet, the journey
occupying four hours. The sun's surface displayed a dozen or more spots, some
of them very large, during the month of August.
About eleven o'clock in the night of August 4, 1862, " a bright belt of light, of
uniform width, suddenly spanned the heavens from horizon to horizon. The
direction of the line was from a little north of west to a little south of east." Its
motion was southward, and its duration not over twenty minutes. "Large crowds
collected ou the streets to witness it, and many were the conjectures as to the
t'l.iMATK AND Hvi;ip;nk. 1. 7(l7
events it porteiideil. Tlie telofirapli wiw tlioii tulliiig to UioiismihIs tlic call lor
300,000 men. During its eoiitinuance there was a most sublime exliibitioii of the
aurora borealis in the northern celestial hemisphere."'" On the tbllowiiig 'la^', at
noon, a windstorm took place, accompanied by huiic clouds <it ilust, and darkness
80 great as to make the lighting of gas necessary, A <(iiii(l was seen in the sky
during July and August, and a second auroral :ip|ifar:iiiC(' during the night of
October 28. The night of December (i was signalized by a total eclipse of the
moon.
On January 15, 1S03, snow fell at Columbus to the dc]itli of tburlcon inches.
A frost which occurred on August 29 was so severe as to cul many i)lants to the
ground.
Among the weather phenomena of lAWi was the high temperature in February,
«hi( h was complained of on the twentythird as " hot, almost sultry." Yet two
weeks of extreme cold weather had followed immediately after New Yeai-'s. A lunar
rainbow of uncommon brilliancy wasobserved from Camp Chase during the night of
May 16. A severe drought prevailed throughout Central Ohio in June. During
the night of Julj- 19 beautiful auroral lights "shot up from a bed of flame in
the northern horizon in broad and glittering shafts which almost reached the
zenith, and then faded away as swiftly and suddeid}- as they had appeared."" About
two p. M. on September 18, a dark cloud which gathered in the southwest, advanced
slowly until it rested over the city, when suddenly, without the least preliminary
noise, a terrific explosion took place, and the flagstaff on top of the American House
was shivered by a stroke of lightning.
On January 8, 1865, a heavy snow was precipitated, blockading the railways.
On January 19 the trees and shrubs growing in and about the citj- were mailed in
ice. "As the sun shone upon it, this frostwork glittered and sparkleil like
burnished silver. The scene on the West Front of the Statehouse, and in front of
many private dwellings, was very fine."'* The thermometer marked 98° in
the shade on June 6. A partial eclipse of the sun took place October 19, but
local observation of it was prevented by cloudy, rainy weathei'. On November 8,
Biela's comet began to be visible in the constellation Pegasus. The Ohio Stutcxman
of December 1 thus describes a phonomencni which took place on the day next
preceding :
Night, or rather twilight, as it might be called, came on very early yesterday afternoon.
It became quite dark at about three o'clock, and continued to grow darker and darker until
daylight was entirely gone. . . . Lamps were lighted, and gas set to burning in houses, shops
and offices long before the hour designated in the almanac for the going down of the sun,
Tfie gloom and darkness that hovered around reminde(J us of what we had read and Ijeard
in boyhood of the famous dark day in New England.
January and March, 186(3, were each favored with two full moons. A total
eclipse of the moon occurred March 30, but was not very well observed owing to
the cloudiness of the atmosphere. During the night of February 21, the most
beautiful aurora was seen which had been observed for many years. It was
especially notable for the variety and brilliancy of its colors. The phenomenon
was repeated during the night of the twentysccond, and was in some respects still
708 History op the City op Columbus.
more brilliant. A contemporary disturbance of the electric currents on the
telegraphic wires was iioticable. Easter Sunday fell on April 1, and was a day
of bright skies and gentle temperature. Severe frosts fell during the night of May
3, and thin ice was frozen. Shortly before sunset on one of the earlier Sundays in
May a sudden precipitation took place while the sun, unobscured, was pouring
floods of light upon the city, producing what was termed a "golden shower."
A total eclipse of the moon occurred during the evening of September 24. A
display of meteors like that of 1833 was expected to take place November 12 and
13, and some hundreds of "shooting stars" were actually seen, but no such
exhibition occurred as had been anticipated. On December 12 tire canal was frozen
over for the first time during the season.
The. Ohio Statesman of November 23, 1866, says :
Yesterday was a raw, cold and dreary day, affording a good specimen of what is some-
times called "squaw winter," which is supposed to follow in the wake of Indian summer.
The fall hitherto has generally, with the exception of plenty of rainy weather, been mild and
pleasant. . . . Yesterday, however, we had a sample of the roughest kind for the season. It
was cloudy and dismal ; the wind blew cold and piercing from the west ; light snow fell and
melted as it reached terra firma, and pedestrians hurried shivering and gloomily along the
sidewalks.
The first days of the year 1867 were accompanied by low temperatures and a
copious precipitation, of snow. On January 17 the mercury indicated four degrees
below zero. Tuesday night, January 29, was said to have been tiie coldest since
the winter of 1855-6. On the morning of the thirtieth the mercury stood at
17° below zero at the United States Arsenal. A heavy frost fell during the night
of May 8. About six o'clock on the evening of May 15 the city was favored with an
exhibition of prismatic colors to which the following stanzas were descriptively
applied :
Far up the blue sky a fair rainbow unrolled
Its soft tinted pinions of purple and gold ;
' Twas born in a moment, yet quick at its birth
It had stretched to the uttermost ends of the earth.
And fair as an angel, it floated as free
With a wing on the earth, and a wing on the sea.
A lovely aurora was seen during a mid-July night, and on August 21 an
eclipse of three of Jupiter's moons — a very rare and curious phenomenon — took
place, while the fourth moon was at the same time invisibly immersed in the
shadow of the planet. The autumn weather of 1867 was particularly delightful.
A very brilliant and beautiful meteor shot up from the western horizon during the
evening of December 8.
The seven teen -year locusts reappeared in the spring of 1868, and by the
beginning of Juno were coming out of the ground in swarms. The noise of their
myriad hosts among the trees in and about the city is described as "deafening."
During a passing storm on July 6, Christie Chapel, on Cleveland Avenue, was
struck by lightning. A meteoric display was witnessed on the morning of Novem-
ber 14.
Climate and IIyciiene. 1. Tti!'
Durini^r the latter part of January, ISOO, a heavy fall of rain tlianged suddenly
to snow and then, as suddenly, to sunshine. The temperature had fallen mean-
while, and when the sun reappeared every tree and shrub was encased in glitter-
ing ice, and a glorious spectacle was witnessed. A very interesting eclipse of the
moon was observed during the night of January 27. On April 10 a phenomenal
snowfall took place, unprecedented, it was said, since 1837. The congealed pre-
cipitation continued throughout the day, and was so copious, says a contemporary
account, that -'it was impossible to see so far uj) as the ordinary housetops.'
Warm weather followed immediately, and the snow vanished as suddenly as it had
come. During the night of April 15 some peculiar electrical phenomena were wit-
nessed. On July 8 a tremendous gush of rain dashed suddenly down upon the
city, flooding the streets, inundating cellars and more than filling the sewers. The
volume of water which descended within a given time is said to have been greater
than ever before known. It was estimated at four inches. Another similar cloud-
burst took place July 13. On the seventh of August an eclipse of the sun occurred,
for the observation of which elaborate scientific preparations were made by every
civilized country. In Central Ohio the event elicited universal interest, and, at
the capital, caused throughout its duration an almost complete suspension of ordin-
ary concerns. The weather was fortunately clear. Obscuration began at 4:33,
reached it climax at 5:28 and ended at 6:31 p. M., local time. The change of tem-
perature noted from first to last was twentyeight degrees. The darkness was
such that stars became visible, night insects began to chirrup, and feathered creat-
ures sought their usual lodgments for the night.
During the night of September 17, 1869, some interesting auroral phenomena
were noticed. About half past one p. m., November 17, an earthquake tremor was
distinctly proceivcd.
The middle days of January, 1870, were notable for heavy rainfall and exten-
sive freshets. The latter part of Juno was equally notable for high temperature,
rising to 92° and even 102° at Columbus. During a violent windstorm on August
29, a brick building near State Street, on the west side of the Scioto, was struck by
lightning. From 9:30 to 10:25 P. m., September 26, the evening skies were illumi-
nated and tinted by the flushes of a magnificent aurora.
In 1871, the Tyndall Association took the initial steps toward establishing a
bureau for weather observation at Columbus. Under the auspices of the Associa-
tion a series of public lectures was given, the proceeds of which were applied to
this purpose. Mr. Joseph Sullivant was a leading spirit in this enterprise. A
supply of instruments was obtained during the summer, and in October the obser-
vations were begun. This was the first organized attempt at scientific meteoro-
logical observation ever made at the capital, although random and discrepant
weather notes had long previously been taken for ])ersonal information. The
only additional event recorded in the meteorology of 1871, was the extreme heat
of early July, reaching, it was said, 102° and even 104° in the shade.
On May 22, 1872, the Statesman building was struck by light niiii;, and the
plastering of some of its rooms torn off, but no one was seriously hui't. A s|ilciidid
aurora was witnessed during the night of A])ril 10. Another, whicli look phuc
710 History of the City op Columbus.
October 14, had some remarkable phases which were thus described by Hon. John
H. Klippart :
Apparently about midway between the white flocculent clouds and the place where I
was standing were some thin clouds ranging from east by north to about north by west, and
at an angle of say fortyfive degrees from the horizon. . . . The aurora display was seen on
these interior clouds ! The color ranged from a deep crimson to a light or pale incarnadine,
and the same cloud which was a deep crimson would gradually pale away, so that at the end
of five minutes the faintest incarnadine was not visible. Frequently these interior clouds
parted and the pearly white flocculent clouds were seen in the distance through the openings
made by the parting. To my great surprise the clouds so seen in the distance were in no
instance colored by the aurora, liut on the contrary preserved the integrity of the snowy
color imparted to them by the moon. ... Is the auroral phenomenon really so near by us,
between us and the clouds, say five miles away ? At Cleveland no aurora was visible.
The summers of 1871-2-3, were unusually dry, and the winter of 1872 3 was
unusualij' severe. In April, 1873, Venus, Jupiter and Sirius, as viewed from the
latitude of Columbus, formed a curious triangle which is thus described ;
Venus takes the lead as she hangs like a golden lamp in the glowing west ; Jupiter is
of a deeper tint, shading toward orange, while Sirius, glittering with beaming rays, is of a
softened white, tinged with a blending of the most delicate shade of green and blue. 16 The
vibrations of an earthquake were felt on January 4. They were of sufficient violence to
shake the windows of dwellings, and were accompanied by a deep rumbling sound.
The year 1874 is nearly barren of special meteorological events, except that a
comet of great brilliancy appeared in August. During a passing thunderstorm in
the night of May 10 a current of electricity, communicated from the clouds to a
telegraph wire, darted into the oflSce of the chief operator, Mr. Ross, near the cor-
ner of Fourth and Long streets, tore a hole in the ceiling, set some loose articles
on fire, and created a general scatterment. No person was injured.
On March 7, 1875, snow fell to the depth of eight inches. During a thunder-
storm on July 4, three different buildings in the northern part of the city were
struck by lightning and several persons were severally shocked. Central and
Southern Ohio were visited with an extraordinary rainfall in July. An almost
total eclipse of the moon took place in an unclouded sky during the night of
October 24.
A heavy snowfall on March 20 was the only special event recorded in the
earlier meteorology of 1876. On August 10 Joseph Coleman was struck by light-
ning and instantly killed in the northwestern part of the city. A remarkable
meteor was seen during the night of July 8. Winter began early, the mercury
sinking to seven degrees below zero on the morning of December 9. A long cold
term followed, dui-ing which ice was frozen a foot thick on the Scioto.
On June 10, 1877, several bouses were struck by lightning, and two men were
killed by a bolt which descended near the Starch Factory.
July, 1878, was a month of intense heat. Temperatures ranging from 90° to
95° in the shade, and as high as 114° in the sun, are recorded. Many cases of pros-
tration and sunstroke were reported. A house on North Neil Street and one in
West Columbus were struck by lightning July 3. An eclipse of the sun took place
July 29, but owing to rainy weather was invisible at Columbus. On August 5 a
IMATK AND Ih
Wiishorwoman was struck by liujlitiiiiig ami sovcrall}' iiijiirod while at wiirU
in tho open air on Clicny Alley. Two trees, on East Ijong Street, were struck
Aufifust 19.
We liare now readied the point at which tho meteorological observations nf
the United States Signal Service at Columbus begin. Towards the end of June,
1878, a station for tiiat service was established in the upper story of the Hunting-
ton Bank Building, at the southwest corner of Broad and High streets, and daily
barometrical and thermoraetrical i-eports soon afterwards began to bo oflScially
communicated to and published in the newspapers. In lieu, therefore, of continu-
ing tliis record, which is necessarilj' imperfect, tho following tables, with which
the author has been kindly favoreil by Mark W. Harrington, Chief of the Weather
Bureau at Washington, are hereto appended : "
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE.
i
1
S
%
YEAR.
1
5
1
1
<
1
i
^
1
<
S
s
1
1
Z;
s
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
0
o
o
1878
56
94
96
89
91
85
81
86
63
74
48
1879
56
71
82
88
93
62
1880
64
65
67
78
90
92
97
90
87
78
63
59
1881
43
56
58
S3
92
90
103
98
98
84
72
63
1882... ...
59
63
69
81
77
91
88
89
87
80
72
51
188.3
55
68
85
89
94
93
88
84
72
59
1884
48
62
67
77
86
92
89
92
92
87
65
60
1885
h?.
53
64
84
86
90
97
91
82
77
09
60
1886.
56
61
73
82
85
87
93
91
89
81
68
59
1887
66
64
68
83
90
91
100
97
93
83
74
57
1888
59
55
70
84
82
97
91
96
82
76
73
58
56
62
74
82
91
SO
92
91
91
78
67
67
1890 --
67
66
62
7.5
86
93
96
94
87
82
70
53
MEAN TEMPERATURE.
b
1
s
S
1
1
1
i
1
<
1
=
1
1
<
1
1
0
1
o
o
0
o
0
o
o
0
0
o
o
o
o
1878..
78.7
73.7
64.8
52.4
42.7
26.4
1879..
25.4
29.0
41.4
50.5
65.1
71.7
79.1
71.6
61.5
61.9
43.9
36 9
.53.2
1880-
43,8
38.5
40.5
53.7
68.7
72.8
74.9
74.0
64.8
51.6
33.4
24.9
03.5
1881-
24.4
29.2
.36,7
46.8
67.5
69.9
78.1
75.2
73.7
.59.7
43.6
39.7
.53.7
1882-
32.4
41.2
44 2
.50.3
57.0
68.9
70.7
71.1
65.0
58.1
42.0
31.4
52.7
1883..
26.6
33.9
35.0
50.4
.59.5
69.8
73.4
69.5
63.1
53.6
4.3.4
34.5
51.1
1884..
20.5
36.4
39 3
49.0
61.2
72.7
73.4
72.7
70.6
58.1
40.7
31.9
52.2
1885.-
22.9
19.4
29 6
49.5
60.7
68.8
76.3
70.0
63.8
.50.6
40.9
32.5
48.8
is-'e
23.8
27.5
38.6
54.4
62.9
67.6
72.4
71.5
65.7
54.3
38.9
26.7
50.4
1887..
26.8
36.1
37 0
51 ,2
67.4
79.8
72.5
66.0
51.3
41.4
33.0
52.8
1888.-
26.6
32.7
35 3
51 0
60.4
71.6
73.2
71.4
61.3
48.7
44.1
34.2
50.9
1889 -
34.2
26.4
42.2
51.8
61.4
67.7
74.1
70.2
63 8
49.0
41.2
44.6
52.2
1890.-
39.1
40.6
35.2
52.3
60.0
74.6
73.6
V0.2
63.1
53.8
44.6
31.8
53.2
712
History op the City op Columbus.
Note. — From July, 187S, to July, 1888, the averages were deduced from tri-daily observa-
tions made at hours corresponding to 7 a. m.. Sand 11 p. m. Washington time. From July,
1888, to December, 1890, the averages have been obtained from thereadinga of self-registering
maximum and minimum thermometers.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE.
1878.
1879-
1880-
1881-
1882-
1883-
1884-
35
— 7
5
The minus sign indicates temperatures below zero.
MAXIMUM WIND VELOCITY.
MILES PEE HOUR.
1884-
1885-
1886-
^
S
t
n
1
1
'2
1
<
1
i
1
<
1
a
1
29
35
32
31
36
25
43
30
26
25
36
28
38
40
42
28
26
23
36
28
40
32
26
44
36
23
28
26
30
36
46
44
54
44
24
30
22
24
24
24
31
33
24
36
30
40
37
40
32
38
38
31
34
32
32
28
29
30
28
42
36
35
33
32
30
32
22
28
27
24
26
34
32
82
28
28
22
39
34
29
45
40
38
56
51
46
32
38
45
31
30
32
34
36
37
42
39
30
36
26
46
30
49
37
40
38
31
24
36
24
40
26
27
44
30
38
52
42
52
36
28
22
36
36
Note.— The velocities given in the above table are for 5 minute periods, as indicated by
Robinson anemometer. A correction to reduce to true velocities should be applied if great
refinement is desired.
Climate and HvciiENE. 1.
PRECIPITATION.
i
1
i
1
1
1
S
J
1
S
^
1
<
1
1
a
2
<
187K
3.58
5.00
4.64
2.84
2.,33
3.17
0.26
3.06
3.52
3.88
4.29
1879
1.66
1.43
3.77
0.92
2.09
2.68
31.26
issn
4 49
1.70
'>A?.
5.08
3.21
3.30
4 86
6.95
1.80
2.35
4.54
3.98
44.68
ISSl
4.44
4.01
2 04
2 00
402
5.33
2.09
1..54
8 64
5.35
5.28
46.99
-l.r.'.i
•■i.!l4
4.76
4.87
9 59
6.01
2.62
3.14
2.91
2.44
2.05
2.28
51.30
ISS."
:'..-J(i
C.l.S
320
2.85
fi.38
4.25
3.75
2.54
2.43
6.11
3.87
4.12
48.88
ISS-I
•_'.L''l
4.11.)
3.59
2.11
3.79
2..59
2.16
0.70
3.46
1.66
0.99
31.02
1885: 3.75
2.39
0..53
4.61
5.83
5.08
3.28
5.90
2.84
3.11
3.08
1.85
42.25
1886
4.3H
1.26
3.90
3.57
7.67
4.17
2.44
3 61
1.13
4.18
3.41
42.39
1887
2.35
6.48
2.56
3.44
2.97
2.82
1.46
2.21
1.35
0.30
2.45
1.87
30.25
1888
3.78
1.30
3.79
1.53
3.89
1.62
5.81
4.34
0.91
3.77
3.26
in
35.06
188^
3.37
1.06
0.66
0 83
3.92
2.77
2.94
1.59
3.34
1.83
3.83
2.36
2-1 .50
1S90
.73
6.12
5.63
4.32
5.12
4.95
1.80
2.75
7.13
3.02
1.97
2.19
.50.73
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY.
1
1
1
si
1
<
i
2
i
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
S
1
<
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
»ER
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
CENT.
1878
70
70
74
70
69
73
1879
65
67
64
54
54
60
59
69
67
62
69
78
64
1880
74
61
58
58
64
62
67
66
67
69
74
65
1881
76
74
71
63
61
64
58
58
65
73
68
73
6i
1882
74
68
62
6i
69
70
67
74
71
72
70
70
69
66
62
69
65
63
66
72
65
71
67
1884
76
76
68
66
65
60
60
60
(i9
72
76
82
70
1885
80
82
75
76
72
72
79
78
80
78
77
79
72
76
69
73
78
80
73
73
66
70
71
73
1887
70
74
67
60
65
65
63
60
63
61
67
72
66
188^
71
67
68
54
62
62
67
72
V5
75
73
68
78
77
67
61
67
75
70
64
72
70
80
74
71
1890
79
'•■'
13
65
74
65
70
77
79
V3
'•'
73
Note.- Observations were made three times per day prior to .July, 1888. Subse(|uent to
that date twice daily at hours corresponding to 8 a. m. an<l 8 i'. -m. Totli meridian time.
History of the City
■aivj
OF Columbus.
w o 12 S2
g 5
g s
C: O TC O i-j
O M O O
-h O O
If
C (D
I °
^ o
I I
o o o
T2 5 CS of"
w o o
o ~
5 "=3
l^ C I^ o
Climate and IIyoiene. I. 716
NOTES.
1. Atwater's History of Ohio.
2. Autol)iography.
3. Atwater.
4. Ibid.
5. Columbus letter to Samuel Appleton, Boston.
(i. Communication to the Ohio State Journal.
7. Ibid.
S. Ibid.
9. According to the tables kept at the State Library, the lowest temperature reached
during the five winters next preceding that of 18.50 were as follows, the number of degrees
stated meaning, in each case, the extent of depression below the zero mark : 1845, December
20, ()°; 1840, .January 2.3, 2°; 1847, January 8, 2"; 1848, January 10, 12°; 1849, January 11, 8°.
10. Oliio Skdegman.
11. Card in the Otiio State Journal.
12. Ohio Slate Journal.
13. Ibid.
14. Ohio Statesman.
15. Ibid.
16. Ohio Slate Journal.
17. These tables cover the period from the beginning of observations at the Columbus
Stations until December, 18!i0, but for the sake of historical completeness the following
additional events which took place during the period covered by these tables will here Ix'
mentioned :
1880. — On May 10 the rods on the Statehouse were noticeably struck by lightning, and a
ball of fire was perceived on top of the cupola. Various buildings were struck at the same
time.
1881. — Eclipse of the moon June '■>. On June 24 a comet began to be visible. July 10
said to have been the hottest day ever experienced in the city.
1882. — The transit of Venus took place December 7.
1884.— Buildings were struck by lightning as follows: On May .3, a house at the corner
of Third and Fulton streets ; May 30, a small dwelling near the Panhandle Roundhouse ; June
20, a house on Miller Avenue. An earthquake tremor of considerable distinctness passed
over the State on the afternoon of September I'J.
1885 — A brilliant meteor shot athwart the sky at midnight, July 30-1.
1886.— An eclipse of the sun took place March 5. A furious tornado called a cyclone,
but scarcely deserving that name, i)assed over the city at 1:30 r. .ai., July 30. The Unicn
Station building was unroofed, and numerous others were damaged. An eartli(|uake shock
was felt throughout the city during the night of August 31. Three distinct vibrations were
perceived. A large meteor darted across the western sky about 11:30 e. m., October 24.
1887.— Intense heat prevailed in July ; drought in August.
18.88. — A light precipitation of snow- descended from an aiipareiitly cImiuIIcsk sky M;ii(li
11. A violent gale of wind swept over the city during the evening lA Oclulur 1. Several
buildings were unroofed.
In connection with this general subject should be iiientiiim-d the singularly iibilosuphi-
cal weather forecasts of Professor George U. Twiss, of Columbus. These l(jrecasts li:ive had
the distinction of being based upon a careful study of meteorological phenomena, and have
justly attracted a great deal of attention, both popular and scientific.
CHAPTER XXXV.
CLIMATE AND HYGIENE. II.
The bilious fevers and other climatic disorders to which the early settlers of
Cerjtral Ohio were subject have already been frequently referred to. The descrip-
tion of these maladies, and their ravages given in the letters of Mrs. Betsy Green
Deshler, quoted in a previous chapter, leaves little to be said concerning them
which is not of a professional character. Their historical beginning, however,
antedates by nearly twenty years the period covered by the letters just referred
to. The Indians who preceded or were contemporary with the first white settlers
were b3' no moans exempt from these maladies, which were treated by their
"medicinemen" according to their own su])erstitious methods. In liis diary,
which has elsewhere been reproduced. Mr. James Kilbourn mentions the bilious
and febrile ailments which prevailed in Central Ohio when he arrived in that part
of the State in 1802. " In the autumn of 1806," says Atwater's History of Ohio,
" a fever of the remittent type made its appearance, extending from the Ohio Iliver
on the south to Lalce Brie on the north." Of this disease Mr. Atwater furnishes
the following description :
Its symptoms were chills in the forenoon, between ten and eleven o'clock, which were
.succeeded by violent fever afterwards in an hour and a half. The fever continued to rage
until about six o'clock in the evening. During the exacerbation great pain or depression
was felt in the brain, liver, spleen or stomach, and frequently in all these organs. The sweat-
ing stage took place about midnight. By daylight there was a respite, but not a total exemp-
tion from the urgency of these symptoms. This was the common course of the disease, but
there were occasionally found distinct intermittente, and a few cases of continued fever.
These maladies, continues Atwater, were followed by a " most annoying and
incorrigible affection of the ekin." The socalled " milksickness," which was a con-
temporary scourge, is thus described :
Its most prominent symptoms were, first, a sense of uncommon lassitude, and a listless-
ness and aversion to muscular motion. A slight pain about the ankles, which seemed grad-
ually to ascend the calves of the U gs, and, in a few hours more, a dull pain, w hich soon term-
inated in a spasm, or a cramp of the stomach. This was quickly followed by violent efforts
to vomit, which continued for four, five, six or seven days, until death closed the scene. . . .
Where the cattle are kept from wild grass this disease is never found. i
A bilious malady popularly called the " cold plague " ravaged the settlements,
says Atwater, in 1813 and 1814. The editor of the Freeman's (Franklinton)
[716]
Climate ,anii IIv(!ienk. II.
;i7
, refers tollu' jirevailiiii^ sici*
:iioss
of 11
lal season
, aiMl
;i half instead of a full shei't n
flus,
laiKT
lll'CUUS,. .
.t ti.e
ClironirlroUnmiiwy, 1S13,
excuses himself for issuing
illness of members of his own family.
Governor Ethan A. Brown began his annual message of Deeember (i, 1S21,
with the words ; "A season unusually sicklj' has visited this and some of our
sister States since the last adjournment of our legislature." The bilious disorders
seem to have recurred indeed, almost every year. Ensuing from a prolonged rain-
fall in the spring of 1823, a great Juno freshet, says the author of the SuUivant
Memorial, '-overflowed and saturated the country when in the full flush of a most
luxuriant vegetation, and the hot sun of July and the decaying matters ushered in
a season of unparalleled sickness and deadly- fevers." Among the prominent
citizens who were carried oft' by this scourge were Lucas Sullivant, John Kerr,
Barzilla Wright, Warden of the Old Penitentiary, and Judge John A. McDowell.
The fever of this season, says Atwater, was of a remittent type, and more or less
affected nineteentwentieths of the people. Up to this time there had been very
little pulmonary consumption in Ohio, and epilepsy was equally rare. The dis
eases of 1823, says Martin, " were bilious and intermittent fevei-s of all tyjies, from
the common fever and ague to the most malignant." The year 1824, continues the
same author, " was also very sickly, but not so much so as 1823. Amongst the
prominent old citizens carried off this year were Captain Joseph Vance, Billingsly
Bull, Esq., James Culbertson, John Stai'r, Senior, and others.'"-' In 1827, says
Atwater, "the inhabitants of the river country were healthlul, but the dwellers
along the small streams were affected with dysentery." A citizen whose memory
extends back to that period makes to the writer the following statement:
At first the physicians treated the bilious fevers with bleeding and jiliysic, Ijiil not
very successfully. Doclor Turney, a Chillicotlie physician, departed from tlin cdnunon ])rac-
tice, allowed his patients to eat all they wanted, gave them as niucli Inandy as they could
drink, and generally cured his cases. Within a day or two after a rain, a green sruni
gathered on all the ponds about the village.
During the winter of 1825-6, a disease called influenza afflicted most of the
inhabitants of Columbus, including the members of the General Assembly and
other sojourners. Its symptoms are not described, but we are told that it was
sometimes serious. It'was possibly similar to the malady now known as In i/rijijir.
A passage in the Ohio State Journal of April 27, 1826, reads :
The citizens of the town of Columbus, during the fall months, have for sometime past
been afflicted with bilious fevers. A great majority of the citizens confidently believe that
the milldam immediately opposite the town aggravates the diseases with which, ever since
its erection, they have been afflicted. Me.ssrs. Jewett & Smith, proprietors of the null, were
at the present April terra of the court of Common Pleas indicted under the statute which
provides a remedy to abate stagnant pools that cause sickness. Messrs. Jewett & Smith, a
few days before the appointed time for trial, left the county, and are not to he found, conse-
quently the cause must necessarily be continued until the August term of the court. A
goodly number of respectable citizens, finding it inipossihie to obtain an immediate abate-
ment of the nuisance by the process of law, and Messrs. J. ik S. having refused to n^nt the
mill to the corporation on experiment for a reasonable sum, they proceeded on the twenty-
fourth instant gently and peaceably to navigate the Scioto River. Finding, as they antici-
718 History of the City op Columbus.
pated, an obstruction by Jewett & Smith's dam, they proceeded to render the river navigable,
and to abate the dam as a public nuisance.
The editor proceeds to deplore such conduct ou the part of "respectable citi-
zens." Whether or not the health of "the town of Columbus" was improved
thereby we are not informed. We learn, however, from the same paper of May
3, 1827, that in the judgment of the citizens tiie canal dam which was then about
to be erected a few rods below the Jewett & Smith dam, would " not affect the
health of this town," as the water would rapidly flow over this new obstruction
" during freshets," would "remain undisturbed by water wheels," and would " be
almost entirely taken up in the fall months by the current of the Lateral Canal."
A writer under date of December 7, 1827, on climate and health in the Scioto
Valley, makes these ob.servations :
This valley, like all other rich countries which are new and but partially cultivated, is
sometimes visited by bilious autumnal diseases. They are, however, mild, and readily yield
to proper medical treatment, and will no doubt become less and less frequent as the country
becomes older and more extensively cultivated. Chronick diseases, and especially those of
the lungs, are excedingly rare. Consumption ... is scarcely ever contracted in this climate,
and there are hundreds of examples in which a radical cure has been effected by the sufferer
having emigrated from those [eastern] States to this country.'
The re2:)ort of the Canal Commissioners for 1827 contains this passage :
The past season has been peculiarly unfavorable for the vigorous prosecution of the work
on the Ohio Canal. Much rain fell in the spring and the early part of the summer, particu-
larly in the northern part of the State, and since the middle of October few days have
occurred in which work could be carried on to advantage, owing to the same cause. The
heavy rains which fell in the latter part of June and first of July, succeeded, as they were,
by weather extremely warm and dry, or some other cause to us unknown, occasioned the
prevalence of sickness to an unusual and alarming extent, especially in the valley of the Tus-
carawas and the Muskingum.
In one of the Jewett letters, from which various quotations have already been
made, occur the following statements under date of August 10, 1831 :''
The mortality which has prevailed here during the preceding month exceeds that of any
preceding year. The average number of deaths has been one per day, and that in a popula-
tion of less than three thousand souls . . . The natives are reckless to a proverb. They
wander about in the damps at night without reflecting that he who promenades at that omin-
ous hour walks with the fever hanging on one arm and the ague clinging hold of the other.
And then the mornings, which in New England are clear and re£j;eshing, have been with us
stupid in pestilential vapors, rolling their murky volumes about out habitations.
In a later letter bearing date in the same month and year, Mr. Jewett writes :
The chills and damps of summer are now succeeded by excessive heat and consequent
drought. This change is what we dreaded. . . . The frequency of deaths is no wise ditoin-
ished. . . . There are many just lingering on the verge of the grave. Young children are the
most usual victims of the destroying epidemic, which is something in the nature of the
cholera in miniature. Still our citizens are as reckless as ever.
On November 1, 1831, Mr. Jewett wrote: "The epidemic called 'chills and
fever,' which has visited us after an interval of seven years, is fast abating, leaving
for its traces a most deathlike sallowness of visage, and a most wolflike voracity of
appetite."
C'l.lMATE AND IIV(iIE.\E. II. 7 1 i1
During the sjiriiig and siimnier of 1832 the clidlera began to apjjear in varidus
parte of the Amerie.in Union. Most of the towns and cities along tiic Ohio Ivivci-
were visited by it in Maj', June and July. From Wheeling, Virginia, il s|iiTad
into Ohio, and visited St. Chiirsville, Mt. Pleasant and other Eastern Ohio towns.
In October it was very bad in Cincinnati. During the summer of 1833 it became
epidemic in Columbus. The first ease is said to have been that of a negro woman
dwelling in a cabin on tlie cast side of Front Street, about eighty feet south of
Broad. Next a white woman was seized in a stone house which stood on the north-
west corner of Fourth and Town streets. Tiiese cases occurred about the middle of
July; the first appearance of the pestilence in the Penitentiary is ascriliod to the
twelfth of that month.
The filthy condition of the town at that time was a subject of remark. Tiie
streets abounded in "chucUholcs," ]ionds of stagnant water stood on the commons,
primitive swamps remained yet undrained, ashes, shavings and trash of all kinds
were tossed promiscuously into the first alley or other convenient space, pigs and
other foul creatures wore permitted to roam at will, and the carcasses of dead
aminals were left rotting in the sun. To correct these evils and prepare for
the approaching emergency, a Board of Health was appointed June 7, of which the
following prominent citizens were members: Doctor Peleg Sisson, Doctor
M. B. Wright, Hon. J. Campbell, Joel Buttles, John Patterson, William Minor,
Alfred Kelley, P. B. Wilcox, R. Brotherton, Christian Heyl, George Jeffries and
John Noble. The sum of fifty dollars was placed at the disposal of this board by
the Borough Council, which also appointed a committee of three of its members to
procure a suitable place for a hospital, if needed. That it would be needed, and
that badly, soon became evident enough. Meanwhile the street committee was
directed to drain the ponds, fill up the holes containing water, and have the
vile street culverts cleaned.
During the week ended July 20 two fatal cases occurred. Josiah Stagg was
attacked on Sunday morning, soon after he had eaten his breakfast, and died six
or eight hours latei-. Mrs. McHenry was taken ill about ten o'clock on Monday
morning, and expired the following Tuesday evening. ' There is no cause for
alarm, soothingly remarked the St<ite Journnl, but manj^ people took the alarm
nevertheless, and fled to Delaware, Mount Vernon and other neighboring towns,
where several of the fugitives were very soon afterwards attacked, some of them
fatally. The patients were treated mainly with calomel, the stock prescription of
that period, from the effects of which those who convalesced usually suffered for
a long time afterwards. The socalled "steam doctors" of that day mostly quitted
the town with the fugitives. Their principal remedies were pungent drugs such as
Cayenne pepper, number six, and several other " numbers." They made free use
of lobelia as an emetic and purgative.
On July 23 three clearly defini'd cholera deaths occurred, and iVoni that time
on until the end of Sejitcmber fatal cases were reported almost daily. Many of
the persons attacked with choleraic symptoms recovered. In the Penitentiary,
then containing 203 convicts, there were thirtyfive welldefined cases and eleven
deaths up to the second of August. By the tenth of that month the prison was
720 History of the City op ColumbOs.
reported to be entirely clear of the pestilence. In the course of its dismal mor-
tuary reports the State Journal of September 14 makes the cheerful observation
that the convicts continued to be entirely exempt from the cholera. " A large
detachment of them," continues the paper, "are employed daily on the new
edifice, and a heartier set of men we have never seen. We understand that they
are fed exclusively on bread and salt meat, but whether this is the sole cause of
their exemijtion we are unable to say."
On October 12 the State Journal made this reassuring announcement: " We
have the satisfaction to state that no case of cholera has occurred in this town
since our last publication, to our knowledge. Columbus may now be considered
entirely free from disease, and as healthy as in the most favorable seasons." The
final report of the Board of Health, published November 2, gave the following
" list of deaths by cholera in the town of Columbus " from July 14 to September
29, inclusive, the figures indicating the dates of decease :
July — 14, Josiah Stagg; 17, Margaret Henry, Sophie Brickie; 23, M.
Bigwood, Mrs. West, Mrs. Mills; 25, two children of Mrs. Hiesler, M. Worley ;
26, J. Woods, Mrs. Woods ; 27, William Johns ; 29, Henry Jewett.
August— 4, child of H. D. Little; 5, Mrs. Wise; 6, second child of Mr. Little;
7, Mrs. Tobin, Mr. Morningstar ; 9, Ann Howard; 10, Joseph Bishoe ; 12, son of
N. Rochester, son of B. Henley, B. Henley, Mr. Maynard ; 14, C. Widle, C. Otstot,
E. Flagg, N. Rochester ; 15, H. Howard ; 16, child of Mr. Logue ; 17, Mrs. Carr S
18, Mr. Winkelpleck ; 19, child of Mrs. Carr, Henry Combs ; 21, child of Mr. Logue,
H. Howard, Mrs. Vanatta; 22, William Waters; 25, J. S. Whyte, Mrs. Skater;
26, C. Loring, B. Switzer, Mr. Smarts; 28, Mr. Storrs, William Sterritt; 30, Mr.
Rammelsburg, Mrs. Wood, Isaac Wood, Thomas Wood.
September — 3, daughter of Jarvis Pike; 4, Ephraim Sells, C. C. Beard; 5.
Mrs. Beard, Mrs. Eswine, child of C. C. Beard; 6, P. Sweet; 8, Mrs. Britton, Mrs
Harding, Miss Harding; 9, Mrs. Walker, child of Mr. Schodinger; 11, Mrs. Ban
croft; 12, child of Mr. Sweet, J. L. Turner, W. T. Martin, Junior; 13, Mrs. Black
man, Mrs. Jett ; 14, Mr. Campston, Mr. Schodinger; 18, child of Mrs. Filler, Mrs
Calvin; 21, S. Suydam ; 28, Mrs. Sweet; 29, E. Stewart.
These names were exclusive of six colored persons, eleven convicts, and eight
other fatal cases within three miles of the town, making in all, one hundred deaths
attributed to cholera.
During the summer of 1834 the cholera again visited numerous towns in Ohio,
as well as in other states, but the Scioto Valley was singularly exempt from the
pestilence. There is no record of any cases in Columbus. Again, in 1835, the
epidemic appeared, particularly in southern and northern Ohio, but the capital
was not visited, and the general health of its citizens was exceptionally good.
Ordinances were passed in 1834 and 1835 forbidding the sale of unripe fruits, estab-
lishing a Board of Health and providing for the prevention and removal of
nuisances. In Fcbruarj-, 1837, some cases of varioloid gave rise to alarming
reports, but the disease seems not to have made much headway at the capital.
The members of the Board of Health at that time were S. Parsons, M. B. Wright,
R, Thompson, G. Jeffries and P. B. Wilcox. In the spring of 1842 a great deal of
*fvaiion
A large
tke Dew
kit they
«wot
ffe
listoitii
iniidered
Tke
bllowioj
:piember
3,M.
Worley;
.Little;
.SOD of
.Otstot,
i8.Carri
■.Logoe,
Skater:
», Sir.
lard: 3,
!flti, Mr?.
.1(1 eight
iiaik
Ohio,
ithe
l!35,lhe
ctpital
;jOO(i.
r.,ni of
Mrniiii?
, opital,
Wright,
(o A.
Cmmate and Hvoikne. II. 721
sickness prevailed, popularly attributed to the wetness of the season. There is no
account, however, of any pestilential scourge. In the summer of 1848 the disease
called influenza reappeared, and in the autumn of that year some cases of smallpox
were reported. Alarming rumors of smallpox were current in Januar3', 1847, but
Doctor I. G. Jones, Secretary of the City Board of Health, reported that only four
cases had occurred.
The appearance of the Asiatic cholera in New York in 1848 caused so much
alarm as to impel the City Council to pass an ordinance, in February, providing
for the appointment of a Board of Health consisting of seven members, who should
servo without compensation, each for one year. The board was empowered "to
take the most prompt and efficient measures to prevent the introduction of con-
tagious, malignant, dangerous and infectious diseases into the city, and for the
immediate and safe removal of any person or persons who may be found therein
infected with any sucli disease." The members of the board, appointed by the
Council, were as follows : Doctors Robert Thompson, John B. Thomp.son, R. L.
Howard, Samuel M. Smith and S. Z. Seltzer, Isaac Cool, John L. Gill, Alexander
E. Glenn, James Cherrj- and Uriah Stotts. In an appeal to the citizens the board
says: "There is scarcely a street, lane or alley in the city but needs more or
less cleaning. Many lots and grounds attached to dwellings are in a filthy con-
dition, and calculated at all times to excite disease."
During the early days of January, 1849, two hundred cholera deaths were
reported in New Orleans, and eleven cases in Cincinnati. Yet the people of
Columbus seem to have been strangely careless of sanitary precautions. The offal
of slaughter houses, to say nothing of other filth, was dumped upon the surface of
the ground, and allowed to lie there and putrefy until the inhabitants of the neigh-
boring dwellings, to adopt the language of a current newspaper report, wei'o
" greatlj' incommoded." In tiie course of an editorial admonition to "prepare
for the cholera," the Ohio Statesman of April 5, 1849, said ;
Every day we are admonished by the near approach of this fell disease to i)repare for
its reception. If it be true that dirty streets and alleys, and stagnant pools of water areai<la
to its fearful ravages, then there is most assuredly a rich harvest awaiting it here. In stroll-
ing around the city a few days since we were truly astonished to learn from ocular
demonstration, that our citizens, notwithstanding their pride of place, allowed their
streets and alleys to become so filthy and stinking as to startle one whose olfactory nerves
were unused to the stench.
Speaking of the general vileness of the alleys, the State Journal affirms that
just east of High Street, the one between Town and State streets, has "piles of
manure, etc., in every part of it." A contributor signing himself "South Colum-
bus " writes to the same paper of June 27 ;
Several thousand dollars have lately been appropriated to build a fine sewer down
Broad Street to carry the tilth from the Lunatic Asylum [then on East Broad Street] and
deposit it in the river with that which comes from tlie Neil House, the American Hotel, and
several other places about the city. This nauseous matter is lodged at the foot of town by
the Feeder dam, and we who live in that part of Columbus are almost driven from our homes
by the offensive miasma which rises from the stagnant matter. Almost every case of cholera
that has occurred in town has originated in this neighborhood.
46
722 History op toe City of Columbus.
On May 27, Allen W. Turner, who had arrived by stage a day or two before
from Cincinnati, died of cholera contracted in that city. This was the first case of
the year 1849 in Columbus. The weather at this time was ideally seasonable —
gentle and sunny during the day, and just cool enough for fire in the evenings.
" The health of our city," remarks the State Journnl of May 30, "continues good.
We feel warranted in sajing that never, at any time, was it better than at
present."
This reassuring statement was probably intended to allay manifest apprehen-
sions soon to be verified. On June 21 the pestilence made its unmistakable advent
in what was known as the Jewett Block, near tlie point, says Martin, where it
originally appeared in 1833. A six-year-old son of George B. Smith was claimed
as its first victim, and died on the date just named. Thenext day, June 22, both
the parents of this child, and also a Mrs. Kinney and a Mrs. Saunders, dwelling
in the same locality, were carried off. The whole town immediately took the
alarm, and something like a ]ianie prevailed. The Oliio Stiitrsmnii of June 23
said :
As usual in such cases, the rumors in the streets are terrible. Men, women and child-
ren are attacked with cholera and killed oU, and sometimes buried, without tlieir knowing
it. The truth is bad enough witliout making it worse. ... As yet tlie disease is confined to
a particular section, the west end of Ri<.:h Street, in the buildings owned and erected by the
late Colonel Jewett. All the houses in which the cholera has appeared up to the hour of
writing (Saturday afternoon) are located on the same fot. . . . Many of our citizens are flying
its approach, and seeking refuge in the country, or in neigliboring villages.
About this time a Board of Health was thought of, and was appointed. Its
members were Isaac Dalton, N. W. Smith, George B. Harvey, W. W. Pollard and
James Cherry. They were "diligent," we are told, in "procuring medical and
other assistance " and " made daily reports." They doubtless did all they could;
a board composed of stalwart scavengers, appointed earlier in the season, would
certainly have accomplished more.
Mrs. Clark, wife of the druggist Sumner Clark, and daughter of Samuel Had-
dock, an old citizen, was the next victim, and died June 24. Mar}' Young, a girl
of fifteen, residing with Mrs. Clark, died the same day at the house of Mrs. Hunt-
ington, whither she had been removed. This intensified the popular alarm, and
caused a fresh hegira. The Ohio Statesman of June 27 said :
The city continues to be filled with all sorts of rumors in relation to cholera cases. Every
person attacked with diarrhoea or vomiting is reported to be suffering with cholera. . . . One
of our physicians familiar with the disease in 1833 . . . informed us that ho has frequently,
within tlie last few days, been called upon to prescribe for cases of diarrhoea, with the rice-
water discharges, attended by vomiting, and although several of these cases, if not checked in
the very first of the disease, would have run into cholera, yet lie has not yet met with a
case wliicli he would be willing to call the Asiatic cholera in the city.
As to the genuineness of the pestilence this physician probably soon afterwards
changed his mind, although it is very probable that much of the alleged cholera was
mere fright. Mrs. May, a daughter of Mr. Smith, who was one of the first victims,
died June 26. Mrs. Domigan, dwelling in the same neighborhood, was carried oflf
Climate and Hyuienk. U. 723
tlie same dny, Jind, on Ihc twentyuiiitli, John E. Thompson. The fi rut two deaths
in the Penitentiary oeciirred June 30. The j)unieky condition of the j)ooj)lc at this
time had some comic illustrations. A mason dwelling on one of the Public Lanes
sickened from an overdose of whisky, and was believed by his neighbors to have
been seized with choleraic vomiting. Immediately, says a contemporary account,
A general stampede commenced in the neighborhood. Pots, kettles, beds and bedding,
chairs and children, bedsteads and babies were hastily bundled into all the extemporary
vehicles of the vicinage, and a general flight commenced. So frightened was one poor fellow
— the father of the boy who went to rally the medical faculty — that he refused to check his
retreat to take up bis son in tlie street, but heroically abaudoned him to the underwriters,
and dashed ahead to save the rest of his family from the contagion which he Ijelieveil to be
at his heels, in hot pursuit."
From the beginning of July the contagion spread rapidly. Up to July 3,
there had been thirteen cholera deaths in the town ; on July 9, sixteen took place
in the Penitentiar3' alone. Doctor Lathrop, the regular prison physician, was
assisted by Doctors Matthews, William Trevitt, John B. Thomjjson, Robert Thomp-
son ,B. F. Gard, J. Morrison, iSIorman Gay, several medical stu lents, and some citi-
zens who volunteered their services as nurses.* These physicians labored heroically,
and two of them fell victims to the pestilential enemy. Doctor B. F. Gard was
seized at eleven p. m. of the night of July 10 and died at 1:30 P. m., July 11. Doc-
^ tor Horace Lathrop, the Pri.son Physician, died on the morning of July 16. These
men were martyrs to their professional devotion, and should be forever remem-
bered in the shining list of those who have given their lives for the benefit of their
fellow creatures. Doctor Gard is described as a man of stalwart physique and
usually robust health. He sacrificed, as did also Doctor Lathrop, all that a man
could sacrifice for the poor prisoner in distress. When the Ccjlumbus of the future
shall erect enduring memorials to those who have honored the name of the capi-
tal let these noble men not be forgotten.
The State Journal of July 13, says:
Since the prevalence of the epidemic there have been eightyone deaths of cholera and
two of other diseases. Of those who have died, forty suffered in consequence of relanses
brought on by their own imprudence. Out of about 450 convicts but between seventy and
eighty have escaped an attack. . . . While our unfortunate prison has been tlie witness of
scenes terrible beyond description, there is reason to thank God that it is no worse.
On July 12 a meeting of citizens was held at the Courthouse, and a committee
was appointed to cooperate with the officers of the prison in staying the epidemic.
The members of this committee were Peter Hayden, Edgar Gale, John Greiner,
David W. Deshler, R. Larimore, D. Adams, Thomas Stockton, A. H. Pinney and
H. F. Huntington. The members of another committee which the meeting
appointed to confer with the City Council as to sanitary measures were Samuel
Medary, Robert Riordan, Samuel D. Preston, M. P. Howlett and John Graham.
General Edgar Gale, who had been Adjutant-General of Ohio under Governor
Shannon, died July 16. To the legion of depressing rumors which flew about the
town was added, July 21, a bogus dispatch announcing the death of President
Taylor, by cholera, in Washington. Business was stagnant to the verge of total
724 History op the City op Columbus.
suspension. Amusements were out of the question; Welch & Delavan's circus,
which arrived in the city July 30, refrained from attempting its advertised exhi-
bition. One mode of relief of the general misery seems to have been found in
criticising the Board of Elealth, which was disbanded about the first of August,
and reorganized as a " special board" appointed by the City Council. Its mem-
bers were James Cherry, President; Isaac Dalton, Secretary; George B. Harvey,
N. W. Smith and W. W. Pollard.
One of the curious accompaniments of the epidemic was the appearance of no
ends of quacks professing the power of cure and prevention. One of these who
visited Columbus called himself a native of Morocco, and peddled about the streets
what were called "highly aromatic amulets" made of "a berry that grows upon
a tree on Mount Lebanon, and in a botanic garden near Jerusalem." These
amulets, sold at from one to four dollars each, and worn about the neck, were said
to be almost sure preventives of " cholera, scarlet fever and contagious diseases."
As in 1833, the epidemic disappeared first from the Penitentiary. By July 20
the deaths there had almost ceased, although they continued to be reported in the
town until September 12, when the Special Board of Health announced that there
was no further occasion for its' bulletins, and that its labors were ended. The
number of cholera deaths which had been reported since the outbreak of the
epidemic in June was 162. "There were doubtless some omissions," says Martin,
"and the true number may have been between that [162] and 200, beside 116
deaths in the Penitentiary.'" The highest number of deaths in the prison on one
day was 22, which occurred on July 10. Among the prominent citizens carried
ofi', not already mentioned, were Samuel Preston, Abraham Mettles, William Cook,
Eobert and Mrs. Thompson, Doctor Isaac F. Taylor, Christian Karst, Joseph
Murray, Bei'nard Berk, Christian Hei-tz and John Whisker. The epidemic was
general throughout the United States and Canada, and in some places, as in
Cleveland, assumed the character, after a time, of bilious diarrhoea. That
Columbus was not the only place where many people became panicky on account
of it appears from the following extract from a Sandusky, Ohio, letter of August 3:*
The week ending July 21 commences the record. The railroad train introduced the
first cases. On Friday its character became pretty decided. Those attacked were temperate
livers, but of weak constitutional habits; they were rapidly disposed of. On Sunday it
assumed a decided malignant type. Monday opened darkly. And now ensued a scene
which no pen can describe, nor even the imagination conceive. A regular stampede com-
menced. Christian professors seemed to take the lead. Friends, family, property, were
alike deserted. On Tuesday there was a perfect rush for the boats, up and down ; 1,500
persons, it is estimated, left the town on this and the previous evening. By midweek the
population had dwindled down to onehalf. Imagine the consternation, the dread ! The
desolate houses, the closed shops, the stealthy tread of those who ventured abroad unnerved
the strongest, was death to the weak. Ablebodied, clearminded men have assured me the
worst thing they had to contend against was this feeling of utter desertion by friends and
associates.
In 1850 Columbus was again scourged with cholera, beginning with the death
of Mrs. Eobert Russell at the United States Hotel July 8. Mrs. Eussell had just
returned from Cincinnati, where she probably contracted the disease. Her death
Climate ani> Hyoiene. II. 725
was followed a few hours later by that of Mrs. Ililliary, on Front Street. From
this time on the epidemic gradually spread over the city until it had become as
bad or worse than it had been the j'ear before. The number of fatal cases up to
July 16 was seventeen. John Knoderer, a Mexican War veteran, wa.s carried
off July 21. Finally, on July 24, the City Council was stirred up sufficiently to
appoint a "Board of Health, the members of which were George B. Harvey, Isaac
Dalton, W. W. Pollanl and T. J. McCumish. Meanwhile the sanitary condition
of the citj- appears to have been but little better than it was at the outbreak of the
epidemic in 1849. Nests of reeking filth and the putrefying carcasses of dead
animals lying in the alleys are mentioned in the newspapers. The miscellaneous
deposit of garbage was habitual, streetcleaning was a spasmodic virtue; and the
drainage of the town was villainously bad. The plague demon was greeted by
numerous cordial invitations as soon as it arrived, and proceeded to make itself a
familiar guest. Many citizens sought refuge in the country, the country people
refrained from coming to town, the market was almost abandoned, and the toll-
ing of funeral bells became so frequent and continuous as to be complained of as
a nuisance. On August 3 fourteen died, and the Ohio Sfntesman of about the same
date said : " The cholera report today is large — double the worst day of last year."
The same paper of August 19 remarked :
The last few days have exhibited some of the worst features of the disease. Some of the
most temperate and careful livers have parted with there friends in the evening in apparent
good health, and by morning they were with tlie departed.
One streak of sunlight irradiates the dismal scene; it was the announccmoiit,
August 12, that several alleys were being cleaned up — "a late and commendable evi-
dence of propriety as well as good taste," remarks the Statesman.
From the time the Board of Health was appointed July 24, up to August 2C,
the number of choleraic deaths reported was 195. Joseph Ridgway, Junior, a
prominent citizen, and Mrs. W. S. Sullivant both died August 23, at Mt. Vernon.
Timothj- Griffith, another wellknown and highly esteemed citizen, died August 30.
The epidemic had been steadily waning some time prior to this date, and on Se]!-
tember 4, the Board of Health, in announcing the suspension of its bulletins
declared the city was again "perfectly healthy." In a poijulation of 17,S71, a
total of 209 cholera deaths was reported, and probably 225 had actuallj' occurred.
The penitentiary had this time been almost if not entirely exempt from the pesti-
lence. Among the prominent citizens carried off, additional to those already
mentioned, were Elijah Converse, David S. Emanuel and William Doherty, John
Willard and son, William G. Alexander, wife and two or three children, James B.
Griffith's son and three daughters, John Barcus, Kobert Owen, Doctor James B.
McGill, Henry Wass, Isaac Taylor, Hinman Hard, William Henderson, Mrs.
George B. Harvey, Mrs. Matthew (Jiooding, Mrs. E. B. Armstrong, and Miss
Fanny Houston.'
There was no cholera in Columbus in the year 1851, but it reappeared in 1852,
the first victim that year being Philip Link, who died June Ifi, in the south-
eastern part of the city. Among the other citizens carried off by the plague
during the season were William T. Berry, Miss Matthews, William English and
72G History of the City of Columbus.
wife, Miss Henrietta E. Gale, daughter of the late General Gale ; John McGuire,
Kewton Mattoon and Eobert Brooks.
In 1853 the general health of the city was good, although much complaint
was made of dirty streets, stagnant pools, and especially of certain malodorous
slaughterhouses in the southeastern quarter. In June, 1854, the cholera again
appeared, first this time in the northern part of the town, but it did not become
epidemic. Among the victims it claimed were John Leaf, wife and son, two chil-
dren of Mr. Westwater, Jonathan Eeam and Jonathan Philips and daughter." As
might be expected, contemporary complaint was made of bad sewers and intoler-
able stenches caused by the imperfect drainage.
About the middle of April, 1855, the epizootic which had already been preva-
lent in Cincinnati, appeared among the stagehorses at Columbus, and proved
fatal in several cases. " There is but one remedy," said the Statesman, "and that
is, bleeding very freely, after which give the horse eight drams of Barbadoes
aloes, being very careful not to let him drink cold water." According to news-
paper accounts, the decaying bodies of dead animals were still allowed to lie in the
streets. On July 13, 1851, we find this remark in the Statesman: "The alley
running from High to Third, between Friend and Mound, seems to have been
made a depository for all the dead hogs, eats and fowls found in that vicinity."
The reappearance of the cholera in various parts of the country in 1865
prompted measures for the better drainage of Columbus, which will be referred to
when that subject comes to be discussed. At a meeting of physicians held
November 28, Doctor Awl delivered an address on the sanitation of the city with
a view to the prevention of an outbreak of cholera the ensuing summer, and
resolutions hy Doctor Hamilton were passed urging the City Council to adopt at
once such measures as would "secure the best possible condition of the sewerage
and drainage of the city, the cleaning of the streets and alleys, the thorough
inspection of all cellars and backyards, make prompt and systematic provision for
the removal of all slops, filth and garbage, and, in case of the appearance of
epidemic cholera among us, make adequate provision for the poor, and especially to
provide them with medical attendance." On December 18 an ordinance was passed
appointing the following Board of Health : Doctors W. M. Awl, J. B. Thomp-
son, J. H. Coulter, H. Mahlman, C. E. Boyle and William Trevitt, and Messrs.
John Field, J. E. St. Clair, C. E. Felton, Isaac Dalton and W. W. Pollard. This
measure 'resulted, we are told, in a general cleaning-up, and also in considerable
discussion as to improvement of the sewerage. During the spring of 1866 the
chaingang was employed for several weeks in carting away filth from the streets,
and an additional force was employed for the same purpose until the appropriation
to pay such a force was exhausted. In August, 18G6, reports were current affirm
ing the existence of cholera in the city, but they were not verified. The preven
tive measures which had been taken seem to have been effectual.
In March, 1867, diphtheria and typhoid fever prevailed in the Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb to such an extent that the school was disbanded, and about one
half of the scholars were sent home. A Board of Health appointed by ordinance of
May 6 comprised the following members : Doctor William Trevitt, Frederick
Cl.l.MATK A Nil IIVdIKNK II. Ill
II. Walkuii, Frank Howard, .lolui Millor an.l Lonis Iloslor. This hoard was
authorized to aliafc nuisaneos, regulate the registration ofbirtlis and deallis, remove
infected persons, and " make all orders and regulations necessary for public health
and the prevention of disease. " In addition to these measures a uniformed sani-
tarj- ]iolice force was appointed (May 22) by the Mayor and distributed, by dis-
tricts, through the city. This was done in pursuance of a code of regulations
adopted by the Board of Health Maj- 16. The cleaning of streets and abatement
of nuisances were anions the things which this code most urgently required.
Ou May 5, 1S68, the Stiifcsmiiit regaled the musicloving population of the cit}'
with the intbrmation that ''the frogs hold a grand concert nightly in the ponds.''
It is therefore fair to infer that pools of water still existed within the limits of the
city which frogs delighted to inhabit.
Seven or eight cases of smallpox were reported in December, 1871. On May
7, 1872, a Board of Health was appointed by ordinance, and on May 24 it adopted
a code of sanitary rules. The board comprised seven members, who were obliged
to serve without com])cnsation. Among the powers conferred upon it was that of
appointing a health officer, a clerk, and as many district phjsicians as might
be deemed necessar}'.
The epizootic reappeared in Columbus November 17, 1872. shortly after which
date a great many horses were seized with chills and coughing, accompanied)
in some cases, hy the discharge of yellowish-green matter from the nose, and
a swelling of the glands. Prevention was attempted by wrapping asafuctida
around the bridlebits, and administering bromi-cliloralum. Owing to this con-
tagion the running of streetcars had to be suspended November 18, and the horses
of the Fire Dejiartment all being affected, volunteer companies of men to di'aw
the engines and bosecarts had to be organized. By November 26 nearly all
the hoi'ses in Columbus were more or less art'eeted, bakers and grocers were obliged
to deliver their goods by footmen, and oxteams for heavy hauling became so
numerous on the streets as to cease to be a curiosity. Stages, streetcars and omni-
buses all ceased running, passengers were obliged to walk between the hotels and
the railway station, and the country mail transportation was seriously embarrassed.
Many alleged remedies lor the malady, most of which it woulil be unprofitable
to reproduce, found their way into print.
During the spring of 1873, cholera prevailed extensively iu the Soulhcn Slates,
and during the months of July and August of that year it existed to a liiuiied
extent in Columbus. Up to July 19, fifteen deaths had taken place in the Peni-
tentiary, within the walls of which the pestilence was mostly confined. The last
cholera death mentioned took place August 11.
Fifteen eases of smallpox were reported, within the city, in Feluiiaiv. IS"."),
and on March 15 a health ordinance was passed by the City Couneil. In Novem-
ber of the same year ten fatal cases of smallpox were reported. Itmnors were
current at that time that the disease had assumed an epidemic foi-m.
The epizootic again appeared in Columbus in October, 1875, and seems to have
been of a more malignant type than it had hitherto assumed. It was stated that
728 History op the City op Columbus.
twentythree horses had died from it within the city during the week ended
October 30.
A yellow fever death occurred on North Lazelle Street September 22, 1878.
The victim had come to Columbus from Memphis.
During the autumn of 1881, cases of typhoid and socalled malarial fevers were
unusally numerous. One physician estimated that there were as many as four
hundred cases of typhus in the city at one time, in October. Several cases of small-
pox were reported in January, 1882, and a pesthouse was built. The current
rumors as to the prevalence of the disease at that time were said to have been
greatly exaggerated. Thirtysix scarlet fever cases occurred during the latter part
of November, 1882, in the Asylum for the Feeble Minded.
A horse disease called the " pinkeye " made its appearance among the teams
of the Fire Departmant early in January, 1882, and was for a time quite common
in the stables of Columbus and vicinity.
Tlie State Sanitary Association convened at the City Hall, February 14, 1884.
A welcoming address was delivered by Doctor J. F. Baldwin, and William M.
Beach, of London, was chosen to preside at the sittings. A constitution for the
Association was adopted, and the propriety of establishing a State Board of Health
was discussed. The Association again met in Columbus, February 5, 1885, and
was welcomed by Rev. Washington Gladden. Professor Edward Orton was
chosen President, and valuable papers on sanitary subjects were read by Professor
Edward Nelson, Doctor E. S. Eicketts, Professor Edward Orton and others. An
interesting address on the sanitary condition of Columbus was delivered by Professor
Orton, April 7, 1885, before the Board of Trade. A meeting of citizens in the
interest of better sanitation of the city was held April 16, 1885, and resolutions
were adopted demanding that measures be taken by the Board of Health and City
Council to mitigate the filthy condition of the streets, such measures being deemed
particularly important in view of the probable outbreak of the Asiatic cholera in
the United States during the ensuing summer.
Two cases of trichina spiralis were reported February 19, 1885, on Lazelle
Avenue. A paper on the Climate and Diseases of Columbus was read by Doctor
Starling Loving before the Climatological Society of New York, May 28. The
same paper was read before the State Sanitary Association at its third annual
meeting held in Columbus, February 24, 1886. William Halley, of Columbus,
read a valuable paper at this meeting on Sanitary Plumbing. The Association
elected officers for the ensuing year. Doctor J. H. Herriek, of Cleveland, being
chosen President.
The State Board of Health, created by act of the General Assembly, began its
existence in 1886, and held its first or preliminary meeting April 30. On April
14, a special committee of the Board of Trade on Sanitary Regulations made a
report containing the following recommendations: 1. The general circulation of
Professor Orton's address. 2. Such a change of the law as would enable the city
to have a Board of Health. Such a board which could keep the city clean, says
the committee, " would be of more value to it than any other department. The
present law, which attaches the duties of a Board of Health to the Police Com-
C!limate and IIvgiene. II. 709
missioners we think very unwise, as it places one of tlie most important duties of
the city government— the securing of tiio iiealth of the people — under tiie con-
trol of a board organized for a wholly different purpose." 3. Tiie adoption of
such measures as would effect the complete and permanent cleansing of the city.
4. That the (General Assembly be memorialized to grant the use of so much of
the Columbus Feeder as might be necessary to complete the sewerage of the city.
In May, 1887, a new Board of Health was commissioned, in accordance with
the foregoing recommendations, and in September of the same year a meeting of
the board was held at which Doctor Norton S. Townshend presided, a code of san-
itary regulations was adopted, and an important report was made by the Health
Officer, Doctor F. Gunsaulus, showing that the municipal districts along the banks
ot the river, on both sides, were in an abominable state of filthiness, and that the
river itself, even above the point from which the water supply of the city was
obtained, was being used as a depository for excrement, even to that of persons who
were ill with typhoid fever. The biweekly report of the Health Officer at this
meeting showed that 1,137 nuisances had been found and 1,202 abated ; that 841
pounds of meat had been condemned in the shops and markets, that seventeen
slaughter houses and eleven dairies had been inspected, and that seventyeight
milk tests had been made. This report illustrates the current work and useful-
ness of the food insjiection and health administration of the city, of which, when
the Municipality shall come to be discussed, a more particular account will bo
given.
NOTES.
1. History of Ohio.
2. History of Franklin County.
3. Communication to the Ohio State Journal.
4. Isaac Apj.leton Jewett to Samuel Appleton, ot Boston.
5. Ohio State Journal.
6. Martin's History of Franklin County.
7. Ibid.
8. To the Ohio State Journal.
'■>. Martin.
to. Ibid.
CHAPTER XXXV
(hv
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.
Social life during the earlier and intermediate history of the capital differed
from that of the present day as much in character as in moral and material con-
ditions. Some of its phases have been depicted in preceding chapters; a few
others see/ worthy of notice.
The mutually helpful disjiosition of the neighljoi-s of the early settlements
contributed much to assuage the hardships of frontier life. In the letters of Mrs.
Betsy Green Deshler, quoted in an antecedent chapter, some striking illustrations
are given of this neighborly temper among the people of the borough of Columbus.
"Wellbehaved strangers who came into the little community received kindly atten-
tions from every side. Painstaking efforts were made to make them feel welcome,
and to help them over the difficulties and trials of establishing a new home. Even
a high officer of state lent a helping hand to Mrs. Deshler in putting away her
pork. The " best people " were not above doing such things then. As was one
of the beautiful customs of the time, neighbors who were total strangers shared
with the newcomers their little luxuries, and tendered them such household con-
veniences and help as they might need in getting settled. Nor were such attentions
shown to the newest settlers only. A helpful spirit was cherished among the
pioneers, and to be neighborly was esteemed by them as an indispensable social
virtue. If a barn or a house was to be put up, all the people round about came to
help raise it. The sick received all the consolation which kind attentions could
offer. The misfortune of a reputable citizen, however humble in station he might
be, was taken to heart by the entire community. The Frmndu's C/ironii'Je of July
8, 1814, narrates the following incident, characteristic of the frontier :
On Thursday morning the 30th ult., a dauijhter of Mr. Robert Taylor of Truro Township,
six years old, got lost in the woods while driving a cow to a neighboring farm. More than a
hundred men continued in pursuit of her till Saturday morning, when she was found five
miles from home standing against a tree near a swamp. Notwithstanding slie had not tasted
food from Wednesday night till Saturday morning, and was exposed to several severe
rains, she was in good health, and not much dispirited by fatigue and hunger.
Such was the implicit trust of the people in one another, that for many years
of the earlier borough history the doors of their dwellings were seldom locked,
and even the proverbial latchstring was not always drawn in at night.
The insufficiency of school facilities was long felt as a great drawback to the
cultivation of the minds and manners of the young, and much juvenile rudeness
[730]
SdciAi, AMI Pkrshnai,. 7:'.1
is siiitl to have rosulted IVum this cause. The boys ol' Fnuikliiiton were in stand-
ing feud with those of Columbus, and the belligerents frequently manilestod their
mutual dislike by bandying e])ithets and throwing stones at one another aei-oss
the Scioto. A writer in the Htufi- Jonnuil of November 23, 182(), calls attention
to the " crowds of youth who nightly infest our stivots with riot and din, accom-
panied with the most shocking profanity." Frequently, '• on visiting (he streets
in the niorTiing," this writer continues, "yon witness manifestations nl' the most
wanton and mischievous acts. Barrels, boxes, and lumber are removed iVoiu
their places; fences thrown across the streets, doors obstructed, etc" In 1SH3 we
find in the same paper complaint of similar disturbances, attributed, in \)nvt, to the
same cause— want of schools. Juvenile profanitj- and inebrietj' were among tlio
things deprecated. " I do not mean," says the complainant, " tlial religion, mor-
ality or education is wholly neglected. On the contrary, piety and morality-
seem to abound, and great efforts arc made by many to educate their ciiihiron."
The disadvantages of the frontier were numerous and subjected ])eoi)le to
moral and intellectual as well as physical hardship. Doubtless Columbus fared no
better and no worse in this respect than other wilderness settlements, but from the
beginning the predominant influences which moulded its society were exception-
ally good. A large proportion of its pioneer business men, including its original
proprietors, were not only very able and strong intellectually, but were men of fine
education. Lucas Sullivant, Lyne Starling, John Kerr, James Kilbourn, Lincoln
Goodale and manj' of their coadjutors would have achieved prominence and busi-
ness success in any community. Farsijzhted, shrewd, and 7-esolute, they bodly met
and triumphantly vanquished difficulties which would havea])palled men of ordinary
qualities. But for what they achieved, Columbus would proliaiily now be, not the
capital, but its rural, easygoing suburb.
The strong wills and clear, trained intellects of such men did much to give
society its original cast. To this should be added the equally important (act tliat
a large proportion of the borough families were peo])le of refinement, wli<», while
willing to endure the ])rivation8 of the frontier, were yet keenly alive to all
the amenities of well-developed society and genteel intercourse. Jftiny ot llicm
had come from the older communities of the Bast and South, and had l)roui,^lit with
them the vcsy best social influences and traditions of the time.
An eastern visitor, writing from (!olumbus to a Irieiid in IS.l.'!, iluis i-im mils Ins
impressions;'
The society of married ladies is decidedly superior to that of any otlii-r pari of the ."^tate
I have visited. It is not my intention to panegyrize nor even describe; but tliey in general
possess grace, beauty, and no small fund of information. The younger class of females in
these respects resemble their mothers, but with some exceptions^. ... Of the men f shall
only say, they are agreeable and well-informed Tli«' young gentlemen .arc iill.'ntivc to
strangers, polite to the ladies, and have quite a literary tiistc
To this picture there were some shallows. Isaac .V])]deton .Icwelt, a man of
fine education and rare intelligence, wrote from Columbus on February L'2. isiU,
to his friend, the eminent Boston merchant, Samuel Appleton :
732 History of the City op Columbus.
The wine parties have been very numerous during the winter. It is here particularly
that the " members" show off. If ladies chance to be present, as is not unusually the case,
they are too often left to the solitude of their own reflections. The gentlemen are in an adja-
cent apartment listening to the popular songs of "Jim Crow," and " Clar de Kitchen," or
rending their sides with shouting at the facetious stories of a celebrated German doctor who,
although a very obscure individual in the 'House," is unquestionably a hero at these festal
associations.
Referring to the legislative element in Columbus society Mr. Jewett con-
tinues:
As to their morals, they do not invariably furnish the purest models of propriety. Nay,
it is a fact that they grossly violate in the evening and livelong night the very laws which
they were enacting during the day. You may perhaps be surprised when I inform you
that in this village of the West, the capital of our State, are supported two billiard tables
open continually to the public, two roulette tables expressly for gambling, and at the first
hotel a room is occupied by a stranger who is risking his thousands, or rather hundreds,
every night, at the game of faro. Now it is a difficult matter to enter any of these hells
between the hours of six and twelve i>. m., without meeting Representatives " fresh from the
people," or the most grave and reverend Senators. True, we have gaming prohibitions, but
they are quietly reposing on the shelf. The games are too captivating and the green ones
are duped. The citizens are pleased to have the salaries of members untransferred from
the city.
From this twoedged comment we perceive that, socially considered, the official
element connected with the state government was not universally and in all
respects advantageous to the capital. Indeed, the permanently resident society
and the transient official element, both of the borough and of the city, while they
have blended to sucii a degree as was mutually agreeable, have never blended to
such a degree that the one has taken its character from the other.
. The connubial felicities, and infelicities, of the pioneers of the borough have
left some curious traces. In the Freeman's Chronicle of July 23, 1813, and March
18, 1814, respectively, we find these quaint matrimonial announcements:
Married. — On the 20th ult. in Montgomery Township, by Percival Adams, Esq.,
Mr. Josiah Williams to the agreeable Miss Comfort Weartherington.
Hail wedded love, supremely blest.
Where heart meets heart reciprocally soft.
Married. — On the 24th ult., in Truro Township, by John Stevenson, Esq., Mr. William
Cornell to the agreeable Miss Milly Inks, both of Truro.
On Tuesday evening, in this town, by Rev. Mr. Hughes, Mr. Samuel Barr, merchant, to
the amiable and accomplished Miss Rachel Jamison.
The same paper of April 8, 1814, contains the following " notice :"
Whereas my wife Nancy has eloped from my bed and board without any just cause ;
This is to forworn all persons from harboring or trusting her on my account. . . .
Daniel Ferguson.
Another warning of this kind, bearing date April 3, 1827, runs thus:
Notice is hereby given that my wife Maria has left my bed and board, and has since
conducted herself in a very romantic and in corrigible manner. This to forwarn and interdict
all intercourse with the said Maria, as I am determined henceforth, unless {I alter my mind)
SiiciAi, AND Pkrsonal. 733
to liiive notliiiif: fuillier to do with the said AFaria, and to pay no nioiu dohts of licr con-
tracting.
Bkooken Lysks.
Many similar notices might be reproduceil from early newspaper files. That
the charivari was a common incident of early weddings finds evidence in the
following card — OctoberlO, 1826 — ola protesting citizen :
Matrimony should ever be held sacred, and the greatest respect paid to the institution.
Every moral and especially every married person of the community must feel pained at the
foolish conduct of our youth in this town whenever there is a wedding in the jilace. Such
hooping and drumming and ridiculous conduct should be put a stop to.
Among the later novelties in the course of conjugal events we find the
announcement, of February 7, 1840, that Mr. Hilarious Willging had been woddod
to Mrs. Catherine C. Otten. Also this, which bears date August 30, 1834 :
In this City, on the 2Sth instant, by W. T. Martin, Esq., Mr. Joseph Mapes, a Revolu-
tionary pensioner, to Mrs. Eleanor Swordon ; each seventythree years old, and only three
months difference in their ages.
An almii.st jiarallel case is thus mentioned in the Ohio Stiitcxmnii of Mai'ch 29,
1855:
A couple were married in this city on Wednesday morning, the bride being seventyone
and the groom seventythree years of age. The old codger asked the parson whether it " was a
sin," to which the parson responded that he didn't think it a sin before God, hut it was
hardly worth while for all the time it would last.
The oldtime announcements of deaths were a.s quaint as those of marriages.
The following are taken from the Fircnuni's O/ironicIc of dates in 1S13 and 1814 :
Died. — In this town on Wednesday last, after a distressing ilness of four weeks, Mrs.
Elizabeth Davis, consort of Mr. .Jacob W. Davis, and daughter of Mr. Peter Grubb. She sus-
tained a fair and worthy character through life, and is sincerely lamented by numerous
friends and acquaintances.
Died.— On the 7th inst. in this town. Miss Jane D'Lashmntt, a very respectable and
amiable young lady.
On the 14th, Mr. Abijab Dotnigan, a useful and worthy citizen.
The Ohio St'itr Journal of June 4, 1829, announced as follows :
Died. — A few days since, at his residence near Hamilton, Butler County, after a long
and painful ilness, Colonel John Cleves Symmes, the ingenious author of the new Theory of
the Earth, aged about fifty.
Advertisments of runaway apprentices were of frequent apjiearance in the
early newspapers. Some examples of these notices have heretofore been cited.
Runaway children were also advertised, sometimes, by their parents.
The Ohio State Journal of July 27, 1827, thus heralded the advent of the
African element :
Immense numbers of mulattoes are continually flocking by tens and hundreds into
Ohio. . . . This state of things calls loudly for legislative interference, ami whilst the Col-
onization Society rids us of a few, the legislature ought to devise some mode to prevent the
people of this slate from sufTering under nearly all the inconveniences and deleterious effects
consequent upon slaveholding.
734 History op the City op Columbus.
After Uie German people began to arrive, their favorite modes of amusement
were practiced at their i)laces of resort, and attracted much attention.
The earlj' Governors of Ohio, while sojourning in Columbus, usually lodged
at the inns. Sometimes they brought their families to the capital, sometimes not.
Armstrong's Tavern, Russell's Tavern and the National Hotel frequently enjoyed
the distinction of being the place of executive residence. Levees and dinner
parties given by the Govei'nor, or at which lie was the principal guest, were fre-
quent, and contributed much to the social animation of the capital. One of the
most notably amiable and popular of the earlier executives in this respect was
General McArthur, whose presence in society seems to have been much sought
after and much enjoyed. When Governor Wilson Shannon was installed in office
in 1842, a grand inauguration ball was held at the American House, and inaugura-
tion suppers were given at the Franklin House and at Oyler's City House. This
seems to have been the first festival of the kind celebrated on such an extensive
scale. During a high state of political feeling, social amusements sometimes
assumed a partisan cast, and we hear of Polk and Clay balls in 1843.
At various times the socalled "art of selfdefense" has attracted attention,
rather as a passing fancy, we may well believe, than as an accomplishment made
necessary by social conditions. Sometimes fencing exercises were taught, and
sometimes lessons in pugilism, by transient "professors" in such craft. In 183G
one of these peregrinators announced that he had rented a room on State Street " tor
the purpose of giving private instruction in the above manly art [boxing] whereby
pupils, in a few lessons, will be enabled to protect themselves from the assault of the
ruffian. "
Deferential consideration for the sex was esteemed to be one of the cardinal
virtues of the olden time, but there seem to have been some enroachments upon its
observance as the city grew in years. For example, we find in a newspaper
record of current events in 1841 this exceptional statement, reference being made to
a discourse on "tight lacing" by one of the hygienic instructors of the day:
"We were pained to see some dozen ladies standing in the crowd during the
whole of the lecture. It was wrong, ungallant and discreditable, especially in a city so
notorious for its gallantry and civility as this."
To make record of the multiplied whimsies of fashion which have rippled the
surface of society during the lifetime of the city would occupy more space than the
importance of the subject justifies, but a few of these whimsies have been of such
exceptional grotesquencss as to deserve passing notice. One of these was the
socalled Bloomer style or " reform" of female attire which began to attract atten-
tion about the year 1851. On July 4 of that year ihirtyone young ladies dressed
in the abbreviated skirts prescribed by the reform marched in procession at Battle
Creek, Michigan. During the same month and yeav the presence of several
"Bloomers" was noticed on the streets of Columbus. The merits and demerits of
the style became a subject of animated discussion in the newspapers, one zealous
advocate, evidently a wearer of trowsers, making this captivating presentation of
the affirmative side of the case :
SoilAt, AND PEltSlliNAI.. 7.!;)
We have heard many complaints of the ladies of the Capital City for their liacUuardness
in adopting this new and decided improvement in dress; but their liesitation is over, their
false delicacy overcome. The new and graceful f,'arb has appeared upon the fair form of one
of our most distinguished and most intellectual ladies; one whose natural gifts and literary
attainments have given her a title to respect and esteem. . . . The upper dre.ss and petticoats
[of the lady just referred to] were of the same material, we cannot say exactly what, but some
rich, lustrous fabric of a dark and sober shade of green. The bodice was plain, trimmed with
buttons, o la Jenny Lind, the pantaloons were full and flowing and fastened at the ankle with
bands of velvet. The sleevts were loose and graceful. ... On the whole we cannot for the
life of us imagine what immodesty the most fastidious can po.ssibly see in a dress which
appeared to us so simple and so beautiful.
On the other hand the opponents of tlie reform criticised the new costume as
" inconvenient, undignified," and not consistent with the " modest apparel enjoin-
ed by the Apostles." A newspaper chronicler of current events in the summer of
1851 remarks : " We saw several samples of the Bloomer costume in our streets
yesterday afternoon and evening, some of which were decidedly elegant and all
verj- neat." This writer further observes that "some ladies are trying to ease
their consciences in this matter of dut}- b}' just shortening their dresses five or six
inches," but this abbreviation he thinks hardly comes up to the demands of the
times. Mrs. Bloomer, the inventor of the costume, is said to have dwelt for some
time at Mount Vernon and to have there edited a paper called The Lily, devoted
to her reform. Persons who were acquainted with her declared that she was, in
every respect, a most estimable lady. Her ideas of dress seem to have never
made much headway in Columbus, although she made some zealous proselytes.
Occasional '' Bloomers " were seen in the city as late as 1859.
Among the striking articles of male attire worn at different periods
were the queues, kneebreeches and buckles, and ruffled shirts, of which the
Virginians and Kentuckians, especially among the earlier, wealthier and more
dignified citizens were fond. A blue dresscoat with brass buttons completed the
outfit, and is said to have been highly becoming, particularly to a man of Lyno
Starling's splendid physique and stately manners. In the progress of events the
queues and kneebreeches were abandoned, and the shirtruffles were reduced to
lower terms, but the blue coat with its brass buttons lingered into the forties and
even fifties. It has perhaps never been improved upon as a keynote in the har-
mony of apparel for gentlemen of befitting age, manners and comple.xion.
Along in the fifties woolen shawls came into vogue as substitutes for over-
coats, particularly those of young men, apropos of which fashion the following
editorial announcement appeared in the Ohio Statesman: "A few dozen bonnets
and petticoats for young men's wear, to correspond with the shawls worn by them,
are on the way to this city from the East." But in spite of such ridicule shawls
continued to hold their place in male attire until about the time when tliey began
to be exchanged for United States blankets in the stirring months of ISGl.
In 1855, great hooped skirts were among the contrivances adopted by the
fair .sex for keeping men at a distance. They were not always elToctual in this
respect, albeit fii.shionable, and well adapted to magnify the territorial importance,
if not the charms, of their wearers. After having waxed enormously, the hoop-
736 History of the City of Columbus.
skirt gradually waned, until the opposite extreme was reached and the geometri-
cal relations of the sexes again became normal.
When the rappings and other unique performances of alleged spirits set the
whole country agog about fifty years ago, the capital of Ohio, like all other towns
of any pretensions, had its share of this new and novel sensation. The knockings
were first heard in an humble dwelling in the village of Hydeville, Wayne County,
New York, in the year 1847. The tenant of the house, Michael Weekman, was so
annoyed by these noises, that he quitted the jireraises, and was succeeded in the
occupation of them by John D. Fox, whose two daughters, Kate and Margaret,
aged nine and twelve, respectivelj', by a curious chain of circumstances came into
communication with the source of the sounds heard. By this means, it is said, the
body of a murdered man was found buried in the cellar. These revelations soon
became known throughout the country, and awakened intense interest. The strange
phenomena also spread, and were reproduced at pleasure, in multiplied forms, bj* the
socalled spiritual mediums. With the history of this marvelous episode we are
concerned only as it touches the current of social events in Columbus.
The first pronounced phases of spiritualistic excitement seem to have been
manifested in Ohio in 1851. In September of that year announcement was made
that the Misses Fox, the original mediums of Hydeville, New York, had arrived in
Columbus and might be found at a private residence on Third Street, north of
Broad. Their •' sittings " for spiritual communication were three per day, price of
"admission to the circles " one dollar. How numerously attended the sittings
were we are not informed, but the Misses Pox doubtless profited largely from the
awakened state of public curiosity as to their singular gifts. Spiritualist lectures,
meetings and seances were common in the city during the earlier fifties. Various
clairvoyants also made their appearance, among them the socalled wonderful child
Tennessee [or Tennie C] Claflin, afterwards known as a companion adventuress
to Mrs. Victoria G. Woodhull, of political and other notoriety. In October, 1854,
these statements appeared in the city news columns of the Ohio Statesman:
The little knot of spirit rappers still continue their orgies near Peters's Run, in the south
end of town. The performances on Sunday commence at church time, both morning and
afternoon. At night, by way of variety they are held in a dark room occasionally.
In May, 1857, meetings of the believers in what was then known as spiritualism
were held on several successive evenings in a hall at the corner of High and Eich
streets. To render the spiritual presence more assured on these occasion the win-
dows were padded, and all manner of interior light was strictly forbidden. The
charge for admission was twentytive cents, and the audiences were said to have
included a good many people ordinarily possessed of good common sense. The
editor of the Ohio State Journal, whose curiosity led him to investigate the "mani-
festations," thus describes one of the seances :
A gentleman was addressing the audience, and explaining a panoramic picture on
which were painted numerous figures, some of whom were bathing in the " River of Life "
that flowed in the foreground ; others were winged and flew athwart the heavens; others, with
golden crowns and coronets of jasper and precious stones, were playing on golden trumpets
and reposing among the branches or within the shadow of the " Tree of Life." . . . The
uii,was8o
M in tie
Margaret,
came into
Hiil,tlie
itions 800Q
Tbeslranje
msMh
have ken
It las (iiaile
J arrived in
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Itr, price of
be sittings
ilyfromtke
list leclores,
* Varioii!
iWalcliild
jiiventireaa
Dthewilb
oniiiusiiii
jpifilnalisni
(liaoilKicli
OB the win-
;,iJen. Tie
Slid to ha"
ike'Wi'
So('[AI. AND I^KRSONAI,. VH"
brethren and sisters opened the services with a liyriin to thu tune of " Lily Dale." It was
sung very sweetly and when il was concluded, silence and thicli darkness reigned supreme.
Several other hymns were sung, and yet there was no manifestation of spiritual presence.
" Not a drum was heard, nor a funeral note."
Presently one of the mediums was reijuested to play on his violin, which it iip|K'iirs he
had hrought with him. 80 he struck up a march, then he change<l to a hornpipe, and tiiially
struck up the "Arkansas Traveller." Presently the drum hegan to heat, the tamhourine to he
played, and this was kept up alternately for fifteen or twenty minutes. The i)laying and
drumming vere done hy the spirit*. The tambourine jiassed around the circle, up over the
heads of the audience, cutting up all manner of shines.
While these jicrforniances were in full tide, tiio editor and his cdMijianions
lit the candles thej- had brmight with Iheni, when io, the wiiole atiair was dis-
closed as a complete sine! arrant huMiliiit; ! Tlie "noise and contiision " which fol-
lowed were extraordinary. No further spiritualist seances seem to liavi^ elicited
popular interest in Columbus.
Equestrianism be:^an to be popular as a social recreation earlj- in the fifties,
and from that time on we often hear of merry parties of cavaliers and their (iair
companions dashiui; through the streets and along the suburban tiioroughfares.
Cavalcades of twenty and even fifty couples, some goinf^ to the ooiintr}- and
others coming from it to the city, are mentioned.
May parties, particularly for children, were common in tiio forties and fifties.
If the weather was inclement, as often happened, thoy were lield indoors, some-
times at one of the hotels. The May festivals of the schools ordinarily tooic ]daco
at Stewart's Grove, south of the city.
The inauguration soirees and balls of the early Hfiics were notable. In A]iril,
1858, a "legislative festival" was givcTi by .Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey, the host and
hostess of the American House. In 1854 an inauguration ball in honor of
Governor Medill took place at the Neil House. The installation of the State
Executive was thereafter usually celebrated by such festivities until the outbreak
uf the civil war, since which inauguration balls and parties have been occasional.
On a few rare occasions the officers of State and members of the General Assembly
have been entertained, as a body, at pi-ivate residences; much more frequently
these public functionaries have been the guests of the City, or of the Boai-d of
Trade, since there has been a Board of Trade. Such entertainments, however,
including the official levees of the Governor can scarcely be said to have jicr-
formed any very important part in the properly-called social life of the citj-.
White Sulphur Springs, in Delaware County, was a favorite pleasure resort
of Columbus people during the later fifties and earlier sixties, as the springs
hotel — now a part of the Ohio Wesleyan University — at the town of Delaware
had been at an earlier date. In 18fi9 the grounds at White Sulphur were |iur-
cbased hy the State for an industrial home for gii-ls.
Among the more unique social devices of the later period have been such as
were descriptively termed necktie, leapyear, surprise and ghost parties, gentlemen's
receptions (by ladies), Dickens parties, cooking clubs, dairymaids' festivals, pound
social.s, trades carnivals and many others mostly designed for charitahle ])urpose8,
47
738 History of the City op Columbus.
and not of a purely social character. The balls and |Darties of militarj' and fire
companies, secret societies and other like organizations, together witii church
fairs and bazaars, have been very numerous, but for the most part have had a
money object. The part which music has performed in the social life of the city
will be elsewhere treated.
Perhaps the most notable event thus far, in the matrimonial annals of
Columbus society, has been the marriage of the Prince de Lynar, of Germany, to
Miss Ma}' Parsons, daughter of Hon. George M. Parsons, whicii took place at
Trinity Church, May 16, 1871. The Prince de Lynar arrived in Columbus some
days prior to the wedding, and attended a peace celebration in honor of the close
of the Franco-Prussian war, then being held in the southern part of the city. The
marriage ceremony was attended by attaches of the imperial German Legation in
Washington, and loy various distinguished persons. It was celebrated by the
Eight Eeverend Bishop Mcllvaine.
A great many personal events incidental to the historj' of the city have come
to the knowledge of the writer in the course of his studies for this work. A large
number of these are properly assignable to other chapters, and will there be '
treated. Others not so assignable may be here mentioned. We begin with Mr.
John M. Kerr, who is more directly connected with the origin of Columbus than
perhaps any other person now living. A son of John Kerr, one of the original
proprietors of the city, his I'ecollection, which is yet clear, goes back to a very
early period and has been frequently' drawn upon in the course of this work.
Colonel Abram I. McDowell once humorously styled Mr. Kerr the " Dauphin of
Columbus." Dauphin he really was, in one sense, for he fell heir to a large amount
of Columbus territory. A sketch of his romantic career will be found in con-
nection with one of the earlier chapters of Volume Two.
One of the most prominent and useful citizens of Columbus during the earlier
part of its intermediate period was Joseph Ridgway, Senior. Mr. Ridgwaj' was a
Quaker and a bachelor, and was popularly known as " the plowmaker," one of the
principal products of his Columbus foundry, erected in 1822, being plows of th»
Jethro Wood patent, which he sold to the farmers for fifty miles roundabout on
generous terms of credit. His plowmaking industry was a great benefit to the
young town of Columbus, and brought him an extensive and farreaching patron-
age. In early life he failed in business in New York and beclouded himself with
what then seemed a hopeless debt of ten thousand dollars ; but a few years before
his death he returned to the East, hunted up his creditors, or their heirs, and paid
them every cent, with interest. From 1837 to 1843, he represented the Columbus
District in Congress, where he acquired the friendship and high respect of Horace
Greeley. He died at his residence on East Broad Street, January 31, 1861, aged
soventyseven. His nephew and coadjutor, Joseph Ridgway, Junior, was also an
able man, and represented Franklin County at different times in the General
Assembly.
Concerning William Lusk, the eccentric almanac-maker of early times, Martin's
History contains this paragraph :
Social ani> Pkrsonai,. TM
In 1SI7 he pnblislied liis first almanac at Coliiinlins, to which was addi-il a rcKisler of
pnhlie o(Ficers. etc., of the State by counties, making a paiiiplilel of some sixty or seventy
pages, and entitled it the Ohio Regwler and Western Calendar, for wliicli lie obtained a copy-
right. The Register part was continued five or six years, when it was dropped, but the
Almanac was published annually until about the year lsr)L> or IS5:!. Mr. Lusk died at Day-
ton about the year 18,')4 or 185.").
Lusk was a teacher, and coiKJuctod an acailoniy in Fraiikiiiiloii.
General Joseph Foos is described as a man of stalwart physique, resembling
the lato David Ta3-lor, Senior, in personal appearance. Although ho had not the
advantages of education possessed by some of his com])eers among the founders of
Columbus, he was a man of .strong intellect and decided originality. The lato W.
S. Sullivant was fond of telling the following story of this hearty old pioneer:
When General Harrison first revisiteil Franklinton after the War of 1812, a
grand reception was given him. The militia paraded in large numbers, and their
former commander, General Joseph Foos, was appointed to deliver an address.
Foos congratulated Harrison upon his return to the scenes of his military labors,
and congratulated the militia on being permitted to see and meet once more their
leader in the war. Then he spoke of his own efforts in the struggle, and described
the material out of which he had been obliged to organize his forces. Here the
brave General began to lo.se the context of his prepared remarks, and expressed
himself in a manner altogether different from what he intended. When he first
took charge of these men, ho said, they were a parcel of vagabonds, scamps and
pests to society; but he had disciplined them, held camp meetings with them,
trained them. Here the speaker stammered and became confused, but quickly
extricated himself by turning and remarking to General Harrison; "And I'll bo
<l d. General, if they are not just as bad a set now as they were then ! "
Colonel John McElvain, prominent in the earlier histoiy of Columbus, per-
formed a very gallant part in the defen.sc of Fort Erie against an attack of the
British on August 15, 1814. He was twice a Presidential Elector on the Jackson
ticket, and in the spring of 1830 was appointed United States Indian Agent, to
reside at Piqua. At the time he received this ap]ii)iiilmeiit he was serving as
Sheriff of Franklin County.
A life which covered a span of over seventy years in the history of the
capital was that of William Armstrong, who settled in Columbus in 1820, and died
there April 10, 1891, in his ninetyfourth year. A tailor by trade, he became a
merchant tailor, and married a niece of Doctor Lincoln Goodale who engaged his
services as manager of his great fortune.' He was appointed, with A. B. Buttles,
an executor of Doctor Goodale's estate, and with him the Hon. John W. Andrews
was named as advisory- executor. Both were appointed to serve without bond. A
few months before his death he said to the writer: "Everyone who lived here
when I came is now dead." He was one of four persons who organized the first
Methodist society in Columbus.
David W. Deshler, who died in Columbus during the latter pai-t of July, 1SG9,
was at the time of his death the oldest banker in Ohio, The banking business
first engaged his attention in the early thirties, and such was his success, and the
740 History of the City of Columbus.
confidence which he enjoyed, that he was at one time presiiient of three l)anicing
institutions. An account of his earl}' struggles in establishing a h(jnio in Coliiin-
bus has been given in the letters of iiis excellent wife, quoted in another cliapter.'
Hon. John W. Campbell, Judge of the United States District Court for the
District of Ohio, died at Delaware, September 24, 1833, of bilious fever. He was a
man of jironounced literary gifts and high professional standing.
Jarvis Pike, who has been previously mentioned in various historical connec-
tions, died in Madison Township, September 12, 1854, aged si.xty. The Ohio
Monitor of Januar}^ 28, 183(5, thus i-eforrcd to him: "This gentleman held the
office of Associate Judge in Oneida County [New York], and was made a member
of the bench of Common Pleas along with Daniel D. Tom])kins in the commence-
ment of that patriot's judicial career."
In January, 1840, the Long Island Sound steamer Lexington, Captain Childs,
took fire while on her passage from New York to Stonington, and was destroyed.
Nearly every soul on board perished. Among the lost was George Swan, a youth
of nineteen, son of Hon. Gustavus Swan, of Columbus. Young Swan was highly
esteemed, and his dreadful death caused very deep and general sorrow in the
community.
John S. Karey, the celebrated horsetamer, was so well known in Columbus,
and in some respects so nearly identified with its history, as to deserve mention
here. He was a native of Groveport, Franklin County, and of German descent.
His conquest of the celebrated horse " Cruiser," in England, attracted attention all
over Europe and was followed by many similar achievements in European
countries. Before his death the fame of Mr. Earey extended to every part of the
civilized world. The key to his system was simply that kindness which appeals
to '• the intellect and affections of the horse," and wins his confidence. During one
of his exhibitions at Niblo's Garden, New York, Mr. Rarey said :
I have never had an accident since I became perfect in my system, and I don't fear any.
I have been among horses since I was twelve years old, and at first had a great many
accidents. Every limb has been broken except my right arm, but being young when these
accidents happened, the bones fortunately healed strongly. Now I know a horse's every
thought, and can break any animal, of whatever age and habits, in the world. I can make
any animal sensible of my power— make hiiu gentle and even affectionate.
In August, 1862, Mr. Earey gave an exhibition of his system at The Atheueum,
in Columbus. A contemporary report says of it :
Mr. Rarey, who is a sound patriot, at the suggestion of certain estimable ladies who are
steadily toiling for the good of our soldiers, voluntarily tendered his services for an evening
exhibition as a henefit for the funds of the Soldiers' Aid Society. His offer was gladly
accepted and a splendid benefit it was. The Atheneum was literally packed with one of the
must intelligent and genteel audiences that ever assembled in our city, and when it is con-
si<lered that most of the tickets were at one dollar each, the substautialness of the benefit
may be infeired.
A considerhle proportion of the stage was arranged for the e.xliibition by being well
" fenced in " and the floor thicky covered with ground " tan " and clean straw. Three speci-
mens were exhibited, and severally practiced upon by Mr. Rarey, viz : A spirited but well-
broken horse, a spirited but unbroken colt, and a spirited but spoiled and vicious brute.
SiMIAT, AND PkRSONAL. 7H
With the first Mr. Rarey dealt only to explain the mociesaml reasons for his system of training.
This explanation was in the highest degree gratifying to his immense anilience, the animal
itself, though a stranger to Mr. Rarey, presenting no s])ecial difHculties to his manipulation.
The colt, a handsome three-year-old, as we would judge, the property of Mr. Taylor of this
city, was mxt presented. It had never been mounted nor handled except in halter. It had
that afternoon been brought in from the field by following another horse. At first it was
timid ; shrank from Mr. Rarey's touch ; tied from his approach. After a few minutes of coy-
ness and coquetting, the colt permitted his approach. Soon its nose was fawningly pushed
under bis arm and over his shoulder. It directly submitted to all his gentle caresses and
moved as he directed. The straps were applied and its terror was great. It struggled
heroically but it was utterly helpless in his hands. Soon it lay down flat, prone, subdued.
In this position Mr. Rarey mounted it, played with it, petted it, sprang over it, leaped over
its head, laid down upon it, and within his legs, all without a start or a flinch. Tlw coll was
hrokiii: its will was iiiaile subject to one whom it bad accepted as its master. It was per-
mitted to rii-e. Then Mr. Rarey again mounted, dismounted and remounted many times and
in many ways, to all which the colt submitted as gently and quietly as would a ploughhorse.
The experimeiit was a perfect success.
At this point in the exliibition Mr. Rarey presented liis specimens of the "Shetland
stock," wliich he has on his fiirm at Groveport. One was a foal ; the dam and sire he brought
from the Shetland Isles, on his return from Europe. The foal was twenty inches high and
weighs twentyone pounds. As it was brought forward in the arms of a boy, it looked more
like a shaggy dcg than anything of the gemis erjuinits, though it afterward cantered about the
stage with much activity and grace.
Next came the spirited but .spoiled and vicious brute with which Mr. Earey was to try
conclusions. It was a compact, powerfully-built horse, and in good condition, but dangerous
and vicious lieyond all control. Before presenting him, Mr. Rarey read to the audience the
following letter from- the owner of the horse, wherein be gives the general character of the
animal, and expressing a very rea.sonable ajiprehension for Mr. Rarey's safety in handling
him.
CoLu.MiiLTs, August 2!i. IHlii*.
JojiN S. Rarey, Es<i ,
Dear Sir: — The horse I send you is a horse sent here to be sold for an army horse ; he
is full of spirit and power, and if he could lie handled perfectly, would be a valuable animal.
I sold him once to a gentleman who wanted a boat horse, and did not care much how vicious
he was so be was tough, but the gentleman found the horse too tough a customer for liiuj
and sent him back to me. I have since tried to get him shod, thinking I would put him in
for army purposes. I have tried several of the best smiths in the town, and none could do
anything with him ; one of them came near getting his head kicked off. He is one of the worst
i-iVi-«r» 7 /tare eifr seen, and like a mule will kick you when standing by his shoulder. If it
was not for the rejiutation you have for handling horses, I would be almost sorry to see you
undertake this one, /or he is a very dangerous animal. I can only caution you to be very careful
of his heels. I should be sorry to see you get hurt at your last exhibition at home, after
having tamed wild horses over nearly all the world.
Very respectfully yours,
(lEOKiilC W. SllAI'l.KY.
This horse was a total stranger to Mr. Rarey and the first demonstration that attended
their acquaintance entirely justified the «mj(i'ji/i<t/ of character that Mr. Shapley's letter had
so honorably certified to, and which was manifest by the gleam of a pair of glittering shoes
on the bottom of his hind feet, with an unequivocal aim at Mr. Rarey's personnel. These
exhibitions of the brute's tender mercies towards Mr. Rarey were rapidly repeated, exciting
the audience as with a touch of the tragic. But the calm and steady manner of Mr. Rarev as
742 History of the City op Columbds.
he watched this equine performance of the " Highland fling" speedily dispelled all appre-
hensions for his safety.
After a few minutes spent in making acquaintance, Mr. Rarey commenced rnunipula-
tions upon the animal's face, neck, back and sides. This was soon followed by agoodnatured,
hearty, familiar slap, at which theaniraal atfirst " flung out" like a triphammer. This was
immediately followed by another slap, the very audacity of which seemed to amaze the brute,
and he began to look about with a kind of astonishment at finding himself in the presence of
one who was not afraid and who was so evidently bent on familiarity. Mr. Rarey then
renewed his gentle caresses upon the horse's neck, ears, face aud forelegs, and showed
an old shoe that had become deeply indented in the foot by the overgrowth of the hoof and
which no blacksmith had been found able to remove on account of the brute's dangerous
violence.
Mr. Rarey now applied the straps, which confined his foreleg in a fixed position. After
terrible struggles to retain his upright posture the horse was compelled to succumb and came
down upon his side During these efforts Mr. Rarey had done little more than quietly per-
mit the powerful animal to exhaust himself by his own exertions. When prostrate and
helpless he nevertheless continued to signify his belligerent propensities by sundry kicks
that were far more emphatic than agreeable. In a few minutes, however, he had to " subside,"
and soon Mr. Rarey was seen playing familiarly with his rebellious heels. The Secesh ele-
ment of the vicious brute was fully subjugated and he surrended at discretion. After toying
and playing with him awhile, Mr. Rarey loosed him and let him go, and almost the first salute
was a renewal of his kicking vice. Out came straps, and down went the inveterate rebel
again. After some further manipulation the ugly customer gave it up completely and Mr.
Rarey remained his undisputed master. His complete success elicited great ajiplause.
Of the celebrated horse " Cruiser," the taming of which was Mr. Rarey's most
signal achievement, we have the following account:
When Mr. Rarey went to England, his S}'stem was thoroughly put to the test by contact
with Cruiser, an animal that was so vicious that he was closely and continually confined in
a stable in such a way that he could by no possibility reach anybody either with his mouth or
heels. His feed was delivered to him through a sort of funnel, and he seems to have been
kept solely as an extremely wicked curiosity. His splendid muscle and activity gave him
the widest scope for the exercise of his incorrigibility, and he is said to have kicked so high
as to strike a board floor fourteen feet above the floor on which he stood. Ordinarily it was
only the work of a few minutes for Mr. Rarey to tame a horse, but it took him three hours to
subdue the terrific Cruiser.
After putting Cruiser under control Mr. Rarey purchased him and brought him to this
country, and placed him on the Rarey farm at Groveport, in this county, where he became
popular among breeders. He became so gentle that the people about the Rarey farm could
fondle him as they would a kitten, and his colts were noted for their kind disposition. Strang-
ers, however, were not permitted to have much to do with him. This was to prevent teasing
and the revival of the old propensities
Cruiser died on the Rarey farm on Wednesday last [Ohio State Journal, July 10, IST,"}], in
the twentythird year of his age. His teeth were worn so much that he could not eat hay,
and provender had to be specially prepared for him. As contemplated by the will of Mr.
Rarey, he received the kindest care in his old age, and it was only recently that he fell into
a decline.
Mr. Rarey died at Cleveland in October, 1866, and was buried at Groveport.
His funeral was numerously attended from Columbus.
Hon. Alfred Kelley, to whom occasional reference has been made, died at his
residence on East Broad Street, December 2, 1859, at the age of seventj-. The
SorlAI. AND I'KRSdNAI.. "4:?
principal ovciils of his life pertainin<; to tlie iiistory of t'liiimibus arc tnciilioiicd
in their projicr liistorical connection.
Of Robert Najipcr, a colored citizen of Coluniims, wo have the followini;- curi-
ous account: He was born a slave, the property of Mr. Davis, resitiing near
Staunton, Virginia. At the age of thirtj-four, Na])per, then married and the
father of five children, proposed to John Brandeburg, a merchant of Staunton, to
buy him and hire him out, a certain proportion of his wages to be a])plied to his
purchase. Brandeburg bought him for one thousand <lollars, and hired him out
for four years, during which time ho earned his freedom and received his emanci-
])ation papers. lie then came to Columbus, and after the \a\)sii of one year was
able to and did buy his wife for $650. In July, 1860, he bought his youngest boy,
Cornelius, aged eleven, who was forwarded to him by the Adams Express. From
his master Cornelius received, on July 4, a gift of twentyfive cents, of which he
spent en roiifeXew cents; the remainder he handed to his father before he left the
express office, with the request that it be applied to the purchase of his little
brother, yet in slavery. Najjper hoped at that time to purchase the remainder of
his family, comprising two girls aged fifteen and eighteen, and a boj' aged tliirteen.
He little foresaw the great events, then near at hand, by which human slavery
was about to be extinguished forever in tlie American Union. ,
In 1855, James Poindexter, a prominent colored citizen now living, bought
the freedom of his motherinlaw, then a slave at sixty years of age in Christian
County, Kentuckj'. Mr. Poindexter jiaid for his aged relative the sum of 8S75,
and brought her to Columbus.
In this connection mention may be made of a colored lady commonly known
as " Aunt Lucy," who died on East Cherry Street in May, 1887, at the age of one
hundred and two. Prior to the Civil War, Aunt Lucy was a slave to the Confed-
erate General Stonewall Jackson. She was never married, and died of natural
decay.
Hanson Johnson, a colored citizen who died October 15, 1877, had been at
that time a continuous resident of Columbus for fiftyfour years. For thirt3'nino
years be kept a barber shop in the basement of the American House. He was a
native of Petersburg, Virginia, came to Columbus in 1823, was one of the original
projectors and a liberal helper of the Bethel Church on Long Street, was a gener-
ous and zealous benefactor of his race, and at the time of his death was the oldest
colored Mason in Ohio. Of the league of colored Masons known as the " National
Compact," formed at Boston, he was a prominent organizer. His son, Solomon
Johnson, is said to have been the first of his race to receive an a])pointment in the
Treasury Department at Washington. Hanson Johnson was a man of unblemisiicd
character, and died universally kno^vn and respected in the city.
Another C()iore<l citizen wellknown and greatly respected in Columbus was
David Jenkins, who died in 1876, at Canton, Mississippi.
T J. Washington, a colored citizen for thirtyfive years resident in Columbus,
died at Newark, Ohio, April 3, 1881. He was noted for his benevolence and
amiability, was a member of a numerous family, and was widely known and highly
esteemed.
744 History of the City of Columbus.
Colonel Abram I. McDowell, father of General Irvin McDowell of the United
States Army, died at his residence on Front Street, November 16, 1844. He was
a descendant of an ancient Scotch family through Colonel Samuel McDowell, a
prominent oflflcer in the War of Independence, who was a native of Virginia and
after the war settled in Kentucky, near Lexington. Abram I. McDowell emigrated
at an early day to Franklinton, from whence he removed to Columbus, of which
city he was at one time Mayor. For manj- years he served as clerk of the courts
sitting at Columbus. In 1817, he married Eliza Selden, daughter of Colonel Lord,
by which alliance he had six children. His son. General McDowell, graduated at
the West Point Military Academy, and married Miss Helen Borden, of Troj',
New York.
Bela Latham, who was Postmaster of Columbus from 1829 to 1841, and other-
M'ise prominent, died in April, 1848. His funeral was largely attended by the
Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member, and was very imposing.
Isaac Appleton Jewett, whose letters have been quoted in different parts of
this volume, was a son of Doctor Moses Jewett, of Columbus, by his marriage with
a daughter of Samuel Appleton, of Boston. He was made legatee of the sum
of sevcntyfive thousand dollars by provision of the will of Mr. Appleton, with
whom he was a great favorite, but died before his benefactor, whose legacy he
bequeiithed to his halfsister, Mrs. Harriet E. Ide, nee Jewett, who w^as a daughter
of Doctor Moses Jewett by a second marriage, and was in no way kindred, in blood,
to Mr. Appleton. The latter, it was thought, would under these circumstances so
change his will as to revoke the Jewett legacy, since it conveyed a larger sum to a
stranger than to any blood relative, but he refused, saying, " the will must stand as
it is." Harriet E. Jewett was married in the autumn of 1847 to Doctor W. E. Ide,
of GHHHimarti. Isaac A. Jewett died in 1853. His father. Doctor Jewett, died at the
end of August, 1847, from injuries caused by a fall on thestone stairway of the Col-
umbus Insurance Company's building.
R. W. McCoy, one of the earliest, most honored and most successful merchants
of Columbus, began business in Franklinton in 1811, but removed about the year
1816 to the capital, where he continued in mcrchantile business until his death,
which took place January 16, 1856. He was a native of Franklin County, Penn-
sylvania. He was a member of the Borough Council from its beginning and was
President of the City Council from its first organization in 1834 until he resigned
the position July 25, 1853. A man of gentle temper and strict integrity, he was
universallj' esteemed. At the time of his death he was President of the City Bank
of Columbus.
John Kerr, one of the original proprietors of Columbus, died July 20, 1823.
"He was then," says Martin, "a member of the Council, Associate Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas and President of the Franklin Bank— an active business
man, and highly respected."
Hon. William T. Martin, whose History of Franklin County has been fre-
quently quoted in the course of this work, was a native of Bedford County, Penn-
sylvania, whence he came to Columbus in 1814. His public services, which were
very efficient and creditable, have been elsewhere set forth. His surviving chil-
Dlbus
bar
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, lla
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Social and Pers(inal,
dren were B. F. Martin Esq., now a proniinont member of thi
Mrs. Matilda M. Wright, wile of Smithsoii E. Wright, of Ciiicimiali. .Iinlge Ma:
tin died in Februarj-, 18GG.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes nee Bircbard, mother of General \i. B.
ex-President of the United States, died at the residence of her nonii
A. Piatt, in Columbus, October 3(1, 18«(), aged seveiityfoin-. She h:
Columbus for some time, but iiad iii'evii)usly iieeii a resident (if IKI
and was a native of Vermont.
John Brooks, who died in February, lS(i9, at the age ol cightyfour, had been
in active mei'cantilc life in Columbus for sixtj'six consecutive years. His fathei-,
Morton Brooks, was a Nova Scotia refugee who refused to take the oath of allegiance
to the British Crown. John Brooks and family- emigrated to Ohio in the autumn of
1828, and after a journey of fortytwo days from Maine, cia New York, Ti'o}-, Buf-
falo and Sandusky, arrived in Columbus, whei-e he estiblished his home.
Doctor Francis Hoy celebrated his one hundredth birthday at his residence
on East Friend Street December 8, 1871. He was bom in Wiirzburg. Bavaria,
Decembers, 1771. The occasion of his centenaiy was ceremoniously honored by
his friends and acquaintances.
Doctor S. M. Smith, who came to Columbus during the fm-ties, and died there
November 30, 1874, was long connected as Trustee and Professor with Starling
Medical College, anii held various and useful relations witli the public benevolent
institutions of the State. His connection with the ])ress uf the city is elsewhere
narrated. He was a personal friend of Governor Salmon P. Chase, and was
appointed Surgeon-General of Ohio by Governor Tod. His i-:ire ]n(.lessi(inal
accomplishments were united with uncommonly amiable qualities aii<l untiring
activity in works of charity and humanity.
When the steamship Schiller was wrecked and totally lost on the I'eefs of the
Seilly Islands in the English Channel, May 7, 1875, Columbus was represented
among the victims of the disaster by Frederick Uhlman and .Mrs. Pauline
Schreincr, the remains of both of whom were brought home lor interment during
the ensuing June.
William Armstrong, a son of Jeremiah Armstrong, who ke])t the Linn Tavern
of the Borough, died at Omaha, Nebraska, July 1), 1S75. He was well known in
Columbus whore he had resided for some years. Himself anil two of his lirnlln is
were married on the same night to three sisters named Morrison, and nn the saiur
occasion Peter Cool was married to a fourth sister of the Morrison family.
Michael L. Sullivant, second son of Lucas Sullivant, and a native of Fr'ankliii-
ton, inherited a lai-ge body of land in the immediate vicinity of ( 'oliimbus, west of
the city, and became an e.xtetisive farmer and stockgrower. lie was an originator
and member of an organization having for its object the im])rovemenl uf Ohio
stock by iniportiUions, and was active in bringing iibout the^organi/.atiim >i\ the
Ohio State Board of Agriculture. Reaping, mowing ami powei- thresMng
machines were first introduced by him in Fi-anklin County, lu 1^"'' b'' visitcil
Illinois and personally selected eiirhty thousand acres of (dhuee lands, whi.h he
purchased at government prices. This immense farm, known as BriKidlands, to
746 History op the City of Columbus.
which he removed from Ohio, attracted wide attention. Owing to financial ditB-
culties he was obliged to sell half of the tract, and retired to the remaining forty
thousand acres, to which he gave the name of Bur Oaks. In 1872 he cultivated
eighteen thousand acres of corn, and proportionate areas of oats and ha^^ His corn-
fields of 1873 covered a breadth of twenty miles. To his indomitable and charming
wife, nee Fanny Willes, as the "Lady of Broadlands," Mr. William J. Flagg, a poet
of considerable reputation, dedicated one of his finest effusions. At a later period
Mr. SuUivant again became financially embarrassed, and was obliged to sell his
property. He died in Kentucky in 1879.
Doctor William Trevitt, a citizen of Columbus, whose death occurred February
7, 1881, was twice elected Secretary of State, was surgeon of the Second Ohio
Infantry in the Mexican War, held a diplomatic position in South America under
President Pierce, and was in other respects conspicuous in official and political
life. His connection with the press of the city receives proper mention under
that head.
William B. Hawkcs of Columbus was the jiroprietoi' of extensive stage lines
in Ohio, Kansas and other states. At the time of his death, June 1, 1883, he was
one of the wealthiest citizens of the citj'. On March 0, 1882, lie conveyed to the
Trustees of the Columbus Medical College four lots in West Columbus and securi-
ties, valued at ten thousand dolhirs, for the cstalilislnnonl of a hospital which now
bears his name.
Of the multitudes of distinguished persons who have visited or sojourned in
Columbus in the course of its historj^ a great many receive mention in other por-
tions of this work, in connection with the events which brought them to the city.
Some others not included in that category may here be briefly referred to.
Mrs. Henry Clay, one of whose sons was in school at Worthingtou, visited the
capital in August, 1826.
Hon. Joseph Vance was given a "wine ])arty," in honor of his public services,
on his return from Washington, in March, 1829. The festivities were held at
Browning's Hotel. Among those who offered toasts were P. H. Olmsted, William
Neil, Gustavus Swan, John Bailhache. William A. Camron, Ralph Osborii,
A. I. McDowell, J. H. Cooke and J. H. Patterson.
The distinguished orator, Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, visited the
Borough in 1829.
In June, 1833, Daniel Webster, then en route to Cincinnati and Kentucky,
arrived at the National Hotel, and received there the attentions of many promi-
nent citizens. During his brief sojourn the following correspondence took place:
Sir: Columbus, June 10, 18o3.
The citizens of Columbus having with pleasure beard of your arrival among them, and
deeply impressed with a sense of your invaluable public services, have deputed us to
invite you to partake with them of a public dinner, at such time as may best suit your
convenience. Very respectfully, etc.,
Lyne Starling, Sen., William Miner,
Moses H. Kikey, Joh.v A. Buyan,
Jere. McLene, D. W. Dkshler,
Hon. Daniel Webster. L. Goodale, R. W. McCoy.
Social and Personal. 747
Colimhis, June 10, Is:l3.
GfnUemcn :
I have received your letter inviting me, in behalf of the citizens of
Columbus, to a public dinner. It cannot but be cause of sincere gratification to iiie that the
citizens of Columbus have seen, in my public services, anything to justify such a mark of
their approbation. I claim no merits connected with the performance of those services
beyond that of ever having felt an anxious desire for the preservation of the government of
the United States, and for such administration of its powers as should be bt-neticial to every
part of this widespread Union, an<l tend to unite by ties continually strengthening, the
interests and the affection of all the people. I cordially thank those by whom you are
deputed for their indulgent estimate of my efforts in public life; and for the kind manner
in which they receive me on this my first visit to the State. But the time I can have the
pleasure of staying among them is so short that I must ask permission to decline their
proffered public hospitality. Happy in this opportunity of seeing many of them, and of
witnessing the prosperity enjoyed by them all, I renew the expression of my thanks for
their kind and friendly purpose, and tender them my fervent good wishes.
I ara, gentlemen, with much regard for yourselves personally, your obli'.'ed and cbidicnt
servant,
1)a.\'l WEliSTKl:.
To Sirs, Ac.
In .Tanuary, 1S37, l<]d\vin M. Stanton, of Steiibenvillo, Ohio, was married to
Miss Mary M. Laiiison, of Columbus. Rev. William Preston i-oiMliicicd ihe cero-
inony.
General W. II. llan-i-son's visit.s to Cohimbu.s wore frequent, u|) to the time of
his election to the Presidency. General Winfield Scott vi.sited the city in Decem-
ber, 1838, and on different occasions afterwards. Hon. John Tyler, subsequently'
President of the United Slates, arrived in the city Sejiteniber 24, 1840, and was
formally welcomed by the Mayor in behalf of the citizens. "Mr. Tyler I'cspondcd
in a most able and feeling manner, amid the cheers and shouts of an admirin<^and
patriotic people."
Hon. Eicbard M. Johnson, Vice President, stopped in Columbus, ,/; /v,»^' to
Washington December 19, 1839, and gave a recepti»n at the American House.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dickens arrived April 21, 1842, and stopped at the Neil
House.
Hon. Martin Van Buren, of New York, visited Columbus June (5, 1842. He
arrived from the West, and was conducted into the city by a military escort, amid
the firing of cannon. The procession moved up Broad Street to High, anif thence
by that street to the City House, where Mr. Van Burou was formally welcomed
and responded in a speech of twenty minutes. From Columbus he proceeded to
Dayton.
Hon. Lewis Cass, spoken of at the time as "our late Minister to France,"
visited the capital of Ohio in January, 1843, and was escorted into the citj' bj' the
German artillery company and committees on behalf of the General A.ssembly and
citizens. Arriving at the Neil House, he was received with an address of welcome
by the Mayor. Colonel Abram I. AlcDowell. The members of the citizens com
mittee of reception were R. P. Spalding, M. J. Gilbert, Gustavus Swan, A. I. Mc-
Dowell, J. Medary, W. F. Sanderson, L. Goodale, J. P. Bruck, N. M. Miller, Wil-
liam Neil, P. A mhos, T. Griffith and Jacob Hare.
748 History of the City of Columbus.
Hon. John Quincy Adams, Ex-Presidcnt of the United States, arrived in the
city in November, 1843, via canal and National Road, from Cincinnati, where he
had attended the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of an observatory under the
auspices of the Astronomical Society of that city. Mr. Adams was received at the
First Presbyterian Church by the Mayor, Smithson E, Wright, in behalf of the
citizens, and responded in an address of twenty minutes in whicii he eulogized the
State of Ohio, and expressed much gratitude for the kind manner in which he had
been overj-where welcomed in his visit to the West. In tlcparting from the city,
Mr. Adams was escorted as far as Pranlvlinton liy the German artillery, under
direction of CTCneral Stockton.
George Peobodj-, the distinguished London banker, arrived in Columbus April
13, 1857, and in the evening of that day attended, in companj- with Governoi-
Chase, a reception given U> the General Assenibl_y at the residence of Doctor Lin-
coln Goodale
General Zachary Taylor, President-elect, was expected to pass through Colum-
bus on his journey to Washington in February, 1848, buton ari'iving at Cincinnati
he found the Ohio Piver sufficiently clear of ice to enable liim to continue his jour-
ney thence by steamer to Pittsburgh.
In November, 1850, a person called Amin Bey, who was henilded as a favorite
of the Sultan of Turkey and a captain in the Turkish Navy, arrived in Columbus,
attended by two or three other alleged Turks, and escorted by John P. Brown, of
Chillicothc. The party was passed free over the Xenia Kailway, and alighted at
the Neil House. On learning of their arrival, the City Council met, and voted
them " the freedom of the city." They were escorted by Governor Ford and other
officials to the public institutions, and received much other conspicuous attention.
From Columbus they traveled by stage to Circleville. Some time later it was
announced that Amin Bey, the alleged Turkish envoy, was a fraud.
General Gideon J. Pillow, of Tennessee, halted at the Neil House, April 2,
1852, and was visited by many of his fellow soldiers of the Mexican War.
On March 25, 1854, Ex-President Millard Fillmore arrived in the city and was
wtw escoi-tod to the hall of the House of Representatives, where he received the
courtesies of the State.
While making a tour through the West, Hon. Charles Sumner, National
Senator from Massachusetts, stopped at the American Hou.sc June 5, 1855. Dur-
ing his brief sojourn he visited the public institutions in com])any with Hon.
Samuel Gallowaj'. From Columbus he joui'iicycd to Yellow S])i-ings, Ohio, where
he was the guest of his friend and former fellow citizen, Horace M;inn, President
of Antioch College.
In December, 1855, Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, was detained in Col-
umbus by illness, and remained for some days at the American Hotel where
he received much attention from politicai and |)crsonal tViciids.
In July, 1856, Hon. Anson Burlingame stojijied in (.'ohimbus <'n route to attend
a political convention held at Daj'ton on July 28, of" that year. Shortly before this
time Mr. Biirlingame had received and acce]ited a challenge from I'reston S. Brooks,
member of Congress from Soutii Carolina, to fight a duel, the occasion of the
challenge beinn' Mr. HiirliinraiiicN ilciiiinciation of Hiociks's assiiulL upon Sonalor
Charles Sunnier. Burlinifanui named Navy lsian<l, just above Niagnru Falls, as tiie
])luce for the meeting, ami i-ifles as the \vea|>ons to he used. These terms Mr. Brooks
declined.
Ex-Xational SiMial.ir .loiin I'.ell, 'iVMincsM'e, visiU'd CduMihiis .\|.i-il 22, ISf,!).
In ]8(!(l Mr. lUdl was the .socalled Tnion candidate lor the PrcsiiK'ncy with
Edward Everett as the candidate for Vice President.
In the correspondence of the Xnr York Times we find the loliowing account of
the arrival of the Prince of Walesat the capital ofOliio during his j.uirucy through
the West in 18(10 ;
Tliesceneof the day [October 1, ISliO] occurred at Columbus, where the train stopped
fifteen minutes. As it neared the city all the bells rang. The (iovernor's Guard, which had
been sent to tbe depot for the occasion by Governor Dennison, fired a salute, an<l Mi.ss
Brewer present. d the Prince with a large basket of luscious fruit, and an exquisite liouipiet,
on behalf of the young ladies of the Seminary. The Duke of Newcastle was surprised at tlie
magnificence of the .Statehouse and the general appearance of the city.
England's expectant sovereign could not himself, however, have seen much
either of the City or the Capitol, since he does not seem to have quitteil his train.
Another account says:
He [the Prince] is rather goodlooking, pale, sickly youth of about nineteen years of age,
plainly dressed in drab pants an<l black coat, with a white plug hat. Baron Renfrew and
suite arrived at the depot about eleven o'clock a. m. X crowd of about fifteen hundred
citizens were on hand to get a peep at the Prince. His arrival was greeted by a salute by the
gun squad, and the car in which he was seated was inime<liate!y surrounded by the anxious
and gaping crowd. In a few moments the Prince, accompanied by Lord Lyons and the Duke
of Newcastle, made his appearance at the after end of the car, a large covered jjlatform,
in a position where he could easily be seen by the whole assembly.'
This account further states that, in behalf of the ladies of the Horticultural
Society, a basket of fruits, beautifully trimmed with flowers, was presented to the
Prince by Henry C. Noble, President of the Society. After a stoppage of a fevv
minutes otdy, the train bearing the party sped on, followed by the resounding
plaudits of the crowd.
Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, made a brief sojourn in the
city in Februarj-, 18bl. In July of the same year John C. Breckcnridgc and
Henry C. Burnett, of Kentucky, passed through, en route to Washington, and
Major-General and Mrs. John C. Fremont took lodgings for a day or two at the
American House where they were visited by many citizens. In compliance with
numerous solicitations General Fremont made a brief address to a street crowd
from the balcony of the hotel. Henry Winter Davis, of BaltinK^re, was a sojourner
at the American House April 17, 18G3, and Hon. William Sprague, of Rhode
Island, was a guest of Columbus friends for a few days during the month of Octo-
ber, 1864. Ralph Waldo Emerson arrived in the city A])ril 11, 185(), and on the
next daj' Rajdiacl Semmes, of the Confeder.ite cruiser, Alabama, |)assed through to
Cincinnati. Among the transient visitors of May, 1866, General G. T. Beauregard
and Ex-vSenator Foote, both late of the Southern Confederacy, were noted. Con-
federate-General Magruder passed through January 29, 1867. Hon. E. M. Stan-
750 History of the City of Columbus.
ton iind General Pliilip H. Sheridan were present at the Dennison-Porsythe wed-
ding October 18, 1867. General J. Q. A. Gilraore made a short sojourn in the city
in June, 1868. General and Mrs. William T. Sherman visited Columbus in April,
and Genei-al A. E. Burnside in May, 1868. Generals Grant and Sherman both
visited the city transiently in Jul}' of that year. On November 6, 1868, General
and Mrs. George H. Thomas passed through, en route to Washington. General
Sherman was again a passing visitor in November, 1869, and General W. S. Rose-
crans was tor a time a guest at the residence of his brother, Bisho]) Rosecrans, in
December of that year. President U. S. Grant arrived in a special car August 9,
1870, and was honored with a serenade at the Union Station. Hon. Thomas A.
Hendricks, of Indiana, received the attentions of many citizens during a brief stay
in March, 1875. The Irish statesman, Charles Stewart Parnell, passed through,
February 18, 1880, and was met at the Union Station by about fifty citizens. On
March 10, 1880, Ferdinand de Lesseps, builder of the Suez Canal, passed through,
en route to San Francisco. Jefferson Davis, Ex-President of the Confederate
States, ])assed Columbus on his homeward journey from Eurojie December 8, 1881.
An ertort was made by some local representative of the press to " interview " him
but witiiout success. General George W. Morgan conversed with Mr. Davis con-
cerning their mutual experiences in the Mexican War.
President Barrios, of the Republic of Guatemala, passed through the city, on
a special train, July 14, 1882. He was accompanied by a party of twelve Guate-
malan officials, and was en route to Washington for the purpo.se of soliciting the
interiession of the United States Government in the Mexico-Guatemala boundary
(lis|)uto.
Nearly every city or town of considerable size has had among its population
certain droll characters whom nearly all their contemporaries knew or remem-
bered. Columbus has had its full share. A few among many may be briefly men-
tioned. One of the earliest was a wood sawyer popularly known as "Judge"
Thomas, who was a composer of doggerel songs, and was accustomed to say that
his occupation was that of "bisecting and rifting wood."
" Aunt Aggie Lewis," a colored woman who died at the ago of over one hun-
dred years, was consort to Caleb Lewis, driver of an oxteam, of whom it is stated
as a memorable fact that he " ran the first dray ever known in Columbus." The
family dwelt on Peters's Run.
"Granny Sowers," we are told, died in the Countj' Infirmary, aged over a
century.
We hear of an oldtinie gang of "hard cases," conspicuous among whom was a
certain character commonly known as Black Hawk, who was the terror of the
town. Among the associates of this jjerson was a certain Ben Langer, who was a
remarkable thrower of stones.
Samuel Perkins, an exquisite of African descent, who wore ruffled shirtbosoms
and wristbands, kept a barbershop variously under the National Hotel and the
Clinton Bank. He is described as the tallest person of his race in the town —
next to Lj-ne Starling in height — and of the complexion of a moonless midnight.
During the Michigan Boundary " War " he served as a valet to Governor Lucas,
SOCIAI. AN1> PkRS(IN.\1,. T'll
and therebj' atqiiired — as le^Mtiniatoly as some otlioi's wlio wear it — tlu' lillc of
"General." "General" Perkins was a conspicuous and iiidisjuiiisalilo (Ihuit in
the service of refreshments at fasiiionable balls and parties.
At one of the corners of West Bi-oad and Front streets, one of the cui-ious
characters of the town kept a ])lace at which fights and brawls were of daily
occurrence. Having concluded to put up a sign for his " tavern," the proprietor of
this place one day asked a prominent citizen what device he would suggest for it.
The reply was: " A black eye on one side and a red one on the other."
This list might be considerably prolonged, but it may fitly conchule witli the
following ])athotic story of" Old Joe and His Garden." IL is taken from liie Ohiu
SUitr Journal of June 4, 1867 :
The death of Franz Joseph Wcitgenannt, an old resident of Columbus, was annoiini'ed (i-^ J(*^
May 2-^. One full week had passed before the citizens comprehended the meaning of this y^ \,-yuXj.
announcement. The closed gate of a favorite flower garden, the deserted walks of a favorite ,r,i,„tj ■
resort, first made the announcement a reality to the public, and in absolute surprise, a week
after the remains had been interred at Green I.awn, people said to one another, " Old Joe is ' Jj^tJ^f^
dead." Had this simple announcement, these four words, appeared in the city papers, every
child and every adult would have accepted the truth at once. As it is, you ^annot now con-
vince Allie or Albert, who had found a warm place in Old Joe's mysterious great " barn of a
heart," that he is dead, and on Sunday scores of adults turned away from the silent grounds,
scarcely crediting the announcement made by the attendants that the proprietor had been
dead one week.
Old Joe was a permanent fixture of the city in the eyes of the people. They believed
him part and parcel of the garden over which he presided. His peculiwities caused his name
to be always associated with flowers. People were u.sed to his mysterious disappearances into
his retired haunts as his flowers withereil, and considered it a law of nature, almost, that he
should reappear at a fixed time. The younger generation f(jund him -here and never
questioned where he came from. Had you asked a pioneer a question in regard to Old Joe
he would have turned solemnly to Capitol Square, pointed to the majestic elms that are now
such a source of pride to the citizens, and have told you that '" thirtyfour years ago Old Joe
planted those big trees." This was exhaustive. The old settler said nothing more. If this
didn't convey to the mind of the questioner the orthodox respectability of old Joe's charac-
ter, Old Citizen became indignant. Had you asked a lady of Columbus any time within the
last twenty years the question " Who is Old Joe ?" she would have been as much startled as
if you had asked, "AVhois .\be Lincoln?" Imt in answering tjie question she would have
told you of his flowers and nothing of himself. Ask a little urchin in the street, " Do you
know Brown, Smith or Muggins?" and he will answer to each question, no " Who do you
know then ? " Prompt as the explosion of gunpowder will come the quick reply, " I know
Old Joe." If the questioner should .so far forget himself as to ask, " Who is Old Joe ? " little
eight year-old will give him a pitying glance that will [make him] feel as [if he had done]
something sacrilegious.
What nobody has ever done it seems almost out of place to do now. Old Joe was to the
people simply "Old Joe," mysterious and peculiar. His very peculiarity caused people to
accept the situation without questioning, but this same peculiarity made him so much of an
anomaly in this com nunity of ours that it seems proper that some one slionld answer the
question the as-king of which has provoked so many people within the last few days.
Franz Joseph Weitgenannt came to Columbus from Freiburg, (iermany, in 183.S. He
was for some time in the employ of Mr. Kelley and Mr. Fisher, and under tlie direction of
the former planted the elms in Capitol Square. He was one of the earliest professional
gardeners in the ciiy and soon made himself useful to the citizens. He seemed to act
752 History ok the City op Columbits.
towaril a tree or plant as toward a person. He petted, an<l fondled, and talked to tliem, as
he did to tlie children who gathered about Iheni to watch his operations He examined a
diseased tree or a bliglited Hower with the professional dexterity of a physician. He talked
of trees breathing, sweating, choking, being sick, and doctored them accordingly. You will
find his theories impressed still on the minds of many of the young generation of Columbus.
tiuite early he established a garden in the northern part of the city, but the severe
winter of thirty years ago killed all his flowers and plants, and he abandoned the place as a
man woulil Hee from the seat of an epidemic. In 1S42 he established the garden on
Washington Avenue, and though unfortunate for a time, he was soon permanently located.
The soil was not suitable and Old Joe's Howers were not "healthy." This very invalid
quality, i)erhaps, attached him to the place, and with assistance from some of our German
citizens he overcame the difficulty and made his garden so much a scene of beauty that it
became a favorite resort and stands today so much of a personification of his inner self that
when the people say " Old Joe," they mean his garden. Old Joe was a bachelor and lived al.
most entirely alone. Without being uncivil he conveyed to lady visitors the impression that he
was a disagreeable man and a woman-hater Yet this man, who every night locked himself
in his little eight-by-ten room from all the world apart, was the confidant of half of tlie
young men in the city on love matters. He prepared with exquisite taste the bouquets for
sweethearts, emblemed love of the most enthusia.stic young man in beautiful clusters
of flowers that always told the story truly, and entered with all a boy's enthusiasm into the
secret maneuvers by which the lover's bouquet was made a sweet surprise to the fair
recipient. He heard a thousand and one love stories calmly and answered the many shades
of the question, " What is to be done?" in a bouquet. In such matters he never made mis-
takes. The bouquet always suited the sender and the receiver, and not many of the matrons
of the city would be willing to tell you the history of Old Joe's bouquets, now held as the
most sacred mementoes of the happiness of the past.
Old Joe thus became an absolute necessity in the city, and the children of those whose
vows were said over and through his flowers learned to look upon him as had the parents.
He was fond of children and delighted in surprising them and pleasing them. The
little folks of the city have still an abi<ling faith that no one but Old Joe can raise flowers.
He was to them a sort of magician, a reformed " Black Crook " of a splendid tale of enchant-
ment in which they and the flowers were his subjects, doing not as he willed but as they
pleased. He was not sociable but everybody knew him. His flowers always spoke his
prettiest speeches, and a free translation of his bitterest ones, turning always the grumble
and growl into an unmeaning smoothness.
Old Joe originally was a Catholic. Soon after his arrival here, however, he withdrew
from the church, and from that day ignored priests and ministers. The reason for this action
he never explained.^. He said nothing against the recogniz-'d churches, but seemed rather
to obey their preceffts; He was charitable in the two senses of the word. He gave of his
means, and excused the shortcomings of others. He had no fear of death and had made
such preparation therefore as he deemed right. Long before his death he purchased a lot
in Green Lawn Cemetery, and had his tombstone inscribed as he directed. This was pecu-
liar, but so was his every act.
Last winter, during the snow, one of his friends stopped at his house to inquire about
his health. There were no tracks in the snow, no signs of life in the greenhouse or in his
apartments. An efi'ort to force the front door was unsuccessful, but at length the rear door
was forced open, and there Old Joe, with a resignation and a quietness as peculiar as all of
his rctions in life, was found severely ill and waiting for death. Days on days had passed,
and still h-^ viaited, both duors locked and curtains down. He had the same feeling towards
physicians as toward ministers, and refused to have one attend him. In spite of this refusal
one was sent to him and a regular attendant secured. From this illness he never recovered.
The attendant remained with him during the day, but at night Old Joe would be alone. By
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^i7 a^l) .1^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ A. /^-^ ^^ ^<-^
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,S(M1.\I. AM, l'KIiS(,NAI.. f.i:A
his direction, the man at eiglit n'eloek loclved both ilours, put the key in liis pocket anii went
home. This prevented the possibihty of intrusion.
He died on Friday, May 24. A great many of lii.s Herman friends had been present
during the day, and his last wishes were freely expressed to them. On Sunday following he
was interred in the lot of his choosing at Green Lawn Cemetery. His property, amounting
in value to about eight thousand dollars, he willed to the children of two sisters who lived in
some of the Western States. This ol<l man, si.\tyeight years of a^e, who lived for twentyfive
years as a hermit in the midst of beauty of his own creation, though simply ' Old Joe," with-
out what the world would pronounce a lovable or heroic quality, was— puzzle as he was — a
man who numbered his legions of friends. Last week hundreds of these visited the garden,
hesitating to accept the trutli of the saying '■ he is dead." No flowers were allowed to be
touched and there was no desire to touch them. The garden drooped in the absence of the
guardian magician, and even the " hermit's cell," sacred from intrusion for so many years,
was open now. The little couch in the corner, the oldstyle clock with its heavy weights
dangling in free air, the one chair and one stool, the little cooking .stove, and the little table
tell the whole story of the man who entertains none but himself. For twentyflve years, in
this little room, he wa^ cook and master, and the world wondered why a man who had such
a passion for flowers, who had so fine an appreciation of sentiment in others, who loved
children with the devotednessof a parent, could be so much a hermit.
Old Joe kept well his own secrets, as well as those of others, bnt once an unexpected
kindness from a lady of the ciiy caused the doors of the " old barn of a heart, crowded with
the sultry sheaves of the past," to stand open for a moment, and a glimpse was caught of
this " little story : " Old Joe, when he was Young Joe, loved a German maiden. After the
vows had been spoken the lady's family moved to America, where Joe, in one year, was to
follow, and the two were to be married. The young gardener came as he had promised, but
found his sweetheart the wife of another. Disappointment to a sensitive heart is sometimes
worse than death. It made Old Joe half a hermit, and all a mystery.
NOTES.
1. Letter published in the Ohio State JowikiI.
2. Amounting to 11,200.000, all acquir. d at Columbus.
3. The author was kindly favored with an inspection of these letters by Mrs. Desliler's
son. Mr. William G. Deshler, who justly prizes them as precious mementoes of his sainted
mother.
4. Ohio State Journal.
5. Ibid.
Church History.
PART I.
CHAPTER XXXVIl.
PRESBYTERIAN.
BY REV. WILLIAM E. MOORE, D. D., LL. D.
[William E. .Moure, I). D., LL. D., is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 1, tS2:!. His
ancestors were of Scotch-Irish blood, came to America in 1098 and settled in the State of
Delaware. His father, a physician, died when he was six years old, leavinj^ a widow with
four chi dren, and the legacy of a good name. Doctor Moore's early life was spent on a farm
attending school in the winter season. Desiring a liberal education, he taught school and
improved his leisure in preparing for college. After graduating at Yale College in 1847, he
taught for two years in the academy at Fairfield, Connecticut, and in the meantime studied
theology with Lyman H. Atwater, then pastor of the church at Fairfield but afterwards a
professor at Princeton College. He was licensed to preach in April, 1850, and in October of the
same year was ordained and installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of West-
chester. Pennsylvania, where he remained until called to the pastorate of the Second Presby-
terian Church of Columbus in April, 1872. During the twentytwo years of his residence at
Westchester he was instrumental in establishing the State Noi mal School at that place and
was the first president of its board of trustees. He was also elected as its Principal but
declined that position. During the last nine years of his sojourn at Westchester he was Presi-
dent of its School Boai-d. During the Civil War he was active in the work of the Christian
Commission When Lee's army invaded the State of Pennsylvania in 1868, he enlisted as a
private in a battery of the state militia and was elected a lieutenant, in which capacity he
served during the Gettysburg campaign. Accepting the call of the Second Presbyterian
Church of Columbus, he began his ministry therewith in April, 1S72. The degree of D. D.
was conferred on him by Marietta College in 1873, and that of LL. D., by Lake Forest Univer-
sity. 1890 On September 19, 1850, Dr. Moore was married to Harriet F., daughter of Rev-
George Foot, of Delaware. They have six surviving sons, all college graduates. They are
Rev. George F. Moore, D. D., Professor of Hebrew at Andover, Ma-ssachusetts ; Rev. Edward
C. Moore, Pastor of the Central Church at Providence, Rhode Island ; Henry M. W. Moore,
U. D., of Columbus; Charles A. and Frank G. Moore, Tutors in Yale College, and Frederick
A. Moore, clerk in the service of the C. S. & H. Railway. Doctor Moore has been stated
clerk of the Synod of Ohio since its organization in 18S2, and permanent clerk of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church since 1884. He was elected Moderator of the (ieneral
Assembly by acclamation in 1890. He is President of the Columbus Medical College and a
trustee of Marietta College and of Lane Theological Seminary. Since 1878 he has been
Chaplain of the Fourteenth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard.]
The Presbyterians bore so large a part in the settlement of Columbus that a
few words may be in place here as to the antecedents of their settlers in Southern
[757]
758 History of the City of Columbus.
and Central Ohio. They were chiefly the descendants of the Scotch and Ulster
men who fled from the persecution of the Stuarts, who sought to force prelacy upon
all their subjects. Some of them were of the Covenanters of Scotland. Others,
and the majority, were of those who had settled in the English colonies in
the north of Ireland. In the first decades of the eighteenth century many thous-
ands of these migrated to America. Landing on the Delaware, after brief sojourn
in eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, they made their way westward
and southward across the Susquehanna and up the valleys of the Susquehanna, the
Potomac and the Shenandoah, in search of homes. After the peace of 1762 which
secured to England the regions west of the Alleghanies hitherto claimed bj' France,
these men, who wei-e chiefly agricultural laborers with no capital, but brave hearts
and strong arms, worked their way over the watershed to the streams which
poured into tlio Ohio, and were found in large numbers in Western Pennsylvania
and Virginia, and in Kentuckj', looking wistfully to the fertile lands beyond
the Ohio.
These men were almost all of Presbyterian proclivities. They had been
trained in war for a century : as " rebels" in their old homos, fighting for freedom ;
in the wars with the Indians and tlieir French allies; and in the war for indepen-
dence. They were bitter in their'hostiiitj' towards monarchy and prelacy. They
had suff'ered from both. When the War of American Independence came, they
were found to a man on the side of the colonies and against the crown. The Pres-
byterian ministers, without exception were, in the language of the day, " Whigs."
They preached the duty of resistance to tyranny, whether of the civil or the
ecclesiastical powers. Many of them, when the war began, raised companies in their
own congregations and led them to the field. They suffered the especial vengeance
of the marauding parties in common with their people. They were accounted ring-
leaders in the rebellion. Presbyterianism was considered prima facie evidence of
guilt when the emissaries of the royal cause were seeking for " rebels." A house
that had in it a large Bible and David's Psalms in metre was considered as a mat-
ter of course the home of enemies of the crown.
Presbyterianism is at once a creed and a polity. It looks both toward God
and Man. It has resjieet to the life that now is as well as that which is to come.
It recognizes God as the only Supreme Buler, the source of all binding law,
the only being in the univer.se who has authority to bind the conscience. It
claims for every man fi-eedom under law. It holds civil government to be
ordained of God and to derive all its just authority from Him. It measures
the duty of submission to the "the powers that be" by the conformity of their laws
to the will of God as found in the Bible or by necessary con.sequence inferred from
it. It is loyal to government, butgovernment must be true to the interests of those
whom it serves ; otherwise it is right and a duty to choose new rulers and depose
the old. As a creed, Presbyterianism asserts the sovereign control of God over all
his creatures and all their actions, so that in His own way and time He will
infallibly secure the fulfillment of His own eternal purposes, which are holy, just
and good, and are always for the futherance of universal righteousness. It asserts
equally the Godgiven freedom of man to choose for himself whether he will do
Presbyterian. 759
right or do wrong : and so it holds cverj' man responsible for all his acts and amen-
able to all their consequences. It holds that the salvation which God offers to
every man through His son Jesus Christ is of His own free grace ; that it is not of
man's desert, actual or foreseen, but is of God's sovereign choice, and that it is an
election unto holiness of living.
As a polity, Presbyterianism rejects alike monarchy and democracy in the
government of the church. Its ideal is a republic — the administration of govern-
ment by ruler.s and servants chosen bj'^ all the members of tlie church, male and
female, as their representatives, and having no other authority than that which is
conferred upon the church by Christ, who is the only lawgiver, judge and king.
Its supreme standard is the Scripture, the only infallible rule of faith and conduct.
Its subordinate .standards are its confession of faith, form of government, and
book of di^ciplinc, which are of binding authority only as they conform to the
Scriptures. The necessary corollary of the polity of the Church to men who find
the source of authority for all that binds men on earth in the word of God is
representative or republican government in the state. James I. of England, who
knew the Presbyterians of Scotland to his sorrow, was shrewd enough to see, and
frank enough to say that '' God and the devil agree as well as monarchy and pres-
bytery." He recognized the determined fight against prelacy as significant of
the fate of autocracy. Such historians as Bancroft, Motley and Froude aflirm that
to the mon of the reformed faith and polity — Calvinists in faith, Presbyterians in
polity — we owe our republican institutions, whose governors, legislators and
administrators of the laws, are chosen by the people over whom they exercise the
functions of government.
It is easy to see the prototype of the form of government of the tdwn, the
county, the state and the nation, in the session, the presbyterj', the synod and the
general assembly- of the Presbyterian Churches throughout the world. That the
churches did not borrow these forms from the state is obvious when you remem-
ber that the Presbyterian form of church government was established in Scotland
in 1560 and the Westminster A.ssembly sat in 1643-1652. A glance at the names
of the men who framed the constitution of the United States will show that a verj'
large proportion of them were men to whom the Westminster standards were
most familiar. The spread of the polity in political institutions is seen in the fact
that on this continent republican forms of government are wellnigh universal,
while in the old world representative parliaments have restrained everywhere the
power of the sovereign. Hardly less of this is the influence of the polity which
Presbyterianism holds over the government of the churches. Prelacy welcomes
lay representation to a share in the government of the church at which the fathers
would have stood aghast. Democracy finds in association, local, state or national,
the bond of union which gives strength to the individual churches.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United .States of
America grew out of the General Synod of 1788. The first Presbytery was formed
in Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia in 1706. Bj^ 1717 it
had grown to be a synod, and in 1789 the first General Assembly mot in Philadel-
phia simultaneously with the convention which framed the constitution of the
7tJ0 History of the City op Columbus.
United States. It was the first organized body in the land to send its missionaries
to the Northwest Territory which had been set off two years before by the Ordi-
nance of 1787. At its first sessions in 1789, the Assembly took orders for sending
ministers to the frontiers from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was the
first to efi'ect an oi'ganizatioii in Central Ohio. The First Presbyterian Church of
Cincinnati was organized by the Rev. David Rice, of Kentucky, in 1790. In 1802
the Rev. James Speer was at Chillicothe where he was succeeded in 1805 by Robert
G. Wilson. The course of settlement in Central Ohio was up the Scioto and the
settlers were chiefly from Virginia and Kentucky. Franklinton was the extreme
outpost on the Scioto and its branches. It was laid out in 1797 by Lucas Sul-
livant, It was the first town on the Scioto to be settled north of Chillicothe.
Columbus was then, and for years afterwards, a settlement of the Wyandot
Indians. In 1805 the Genei-al Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, sitting in
FR\NKUM N CHUrCH ISIl (_ IFT Ot LL C \'! <!l LLIVANT
B P rm s-i n of Rev F E Marsten
Philadelphia, appointed James Hoge, a licentiate of the Presbyteiy of Lexington,
to serve as a missionary for six months in the State of Ohio and the Natchez Dis-
trict. This service Mr. Hoge performed from October, 1805, to April, 1806. The
Assembly of 1806 renewed his commission for three months " as a missionary in
the State of Ohio and the parts adjacent." His compensation was thirtythree dol-
lars a month.
First Chureh. — Mr. Hoge arrived in Franklinton November 19, 1805, and
preached the next day in a room in the house of John Overdier which was
occupied by the Supreme Court. He remained until April, 1806, when he was
obliged by ill health to return to his home in Virginia. On his way, near
Lewisburgh, Virginia, he was attacked by a violent hemorrhage of the lungs.
He was alone and death seemed imminent. He drank copiously of a spring by
which he had fallen. The cooling draughts refreshed him. He was discovered
Pkksuvtkrian. 761
by a woman living in a cabin near the spring wlio took iiim to her liousc, pro-
cured medical advice and nursed him tenderly until ho was able to resume his
journey. In the fall of 1S06 he resumed his work in Franklinion an<l thenceforth
for more than half a ceriMiiy the history of .lames lloife is identiticMJ willi the
growth of the Presliylerian Church, not only in Franklin Coiirily, hut lhroui,^hoiit
the State.
James Hoge was born in Moortield, Virginia, in 17S4 His father, Moses
Hoge, I). J)., had served for a time previous to entering the ministry in the
Eevolutionary Army. He was an eminent minister of the Presbyterian Church.
He was an accomplished scholar and was President of the Hampden Sydney
College, Virginia, from 1807 until his death, July 5, 1820, in Philadelphia, where
he had been in attendance on the General Assembly. James Hoge received his
education, classical and theological, chiefly under his flither. He was licensed to
preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Lexington, April 17, 1805. On his
return to Ohio in the fall of 180(i, Mr. Hoge continued to preach in Franklinton
in the private houses of John Overdier, David Broderick and Jacob Overdier. A
church had been organized on February 18, 1806, by the Rev. Robert G. Wilson,
D. D , then of Chillicothe and for many years the President of the Ohio University
at Athens. This church was the. first of any denomination organized in Franklin
County, which then contained an area of six hundred square miles and a popula-
tion of about two thousand. It was the fruit of the labors of Mr. Hoge, and num-
bered at its organization thirteen member.s. The names of those who lieeanie
communicant members, or members of the congregation, are ])reserve(l and are of
interest to the many families here and el.sewhere whose ancestors they were.
They arc Colonel Robert Culbertson and wife, William Reed and wife, David
Nelson and wife, Michael Fisher and wife, Robert Young and wife, Mrs. Mari,'aret
Thompson, Mrs. Susan McCoy and Miss Catharine Kessler. Besides those mem-
bers of the church there were in the congregation the families of Lnras Sullivant,
William Shaw, John Turner, Adam Turner, Joseph Hunter, J. Hamlin^
S. G. Flenniken, John Dill, J. McGowan, George Skidmore, Samuel King,
William Brown, Senior, Joseph Park, David Jamison, Andrew Park, John'
Overdier, Jacob Overdier, Charles Hunter, John Lisle, J. Mcllvainc, M. Hess,
M. Thompson, William Domigan, John McCoy, Joseph Smart, Isaac Smart,
S. Powers, Joseph Dickson and Joseph Cowgill. Many of these descen<iants
remain with us until this day. The church when organized selected as Ruling
Elders, Robert Culbertson and William Reed. The congregation chose Jo,se))h
Dixon, John Dill, Daniel Nelson, William Domigan, Joseph Hunter and Lnras
Sullivant, Trustees. The "New Courthouse" which stood on ihc lot at the
corner of Broad and Sandusky Streets, now occupied by the publie school, was
finished in 1807 and was occupied for public worship until 1815. On September
25, 1807, the church extended a call to Mr. Hoge for threefourths of his time; lire
other oneiourth was devoted to missionary work in the IioiumIs of the cnimiy and
" parts adjacent." The salary promised was three hunilred ,i,,ii;n-s in halfve.Eriy
payments. Following is a copy of the call :
762 History op the City op Columbus.
The congregation of Franklinton being on sufficient grounds well satisfied of the minis-
terial (jualiflcations of you, James Hoge, and having good hopes from our past experience of
your labors that your ministrations of the Gospel will be profitable to our spiritual
interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in said congrega-
tion, promising you in the discharge of your duty all proper support, encouragement and obe-
dience in the Lord, and that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations we hereby
promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the sum of three hundred dollars in half yearly
payments annually, for threefourths of your time, until we find ourselves able to give you
a compensation for the whole of your time in like proportion during the time of your being
and continuing the regular pastor of this Church.
This call, which is in the handwriting of Lucas Sullivant, was signed on behalf
of the congregation by the elders and trustees named above. It is obvious that
the best and most influential of the settlers were identified with the congregation.
It will be remembered that tiiere was no other church organization within many
miles, and many Presbyterians came from great distances to attend its services,
at least occasionall3-. There were no roads but bridlepaths blazed through the
dense forests which covered all this region.
Mr. Hoge accepted the call and was ordained and installed by the Presbytery
of Washington, June 17, 1808. The first meetinghouse for the use of the church
was erected in Franklinton in 1811. It was of brick and was built chiefl}' through
the instrumentality of Lucas Suliivant. Before its completion, however, it was
taken possession of by the comniissarj- department of the army and filled with
grain. In March, 1813, it was so injured by a violent storm that the grain was
wet an<i its swelling burst the walls. The church was a ruin; the Government,
however, subsequently made good the loss.
These years wei-e times of pecular trial. Franklinton was a frontier post.
The Indians were numerous and often troblesome. Society was in a turmoil with
wars and rumors of war with the Indians and with the British. A man of less
courage, faith and hope than Mr. Hoge, enfeebled as he was with sickness and
toil, would have abandoned the field ; but he was sustained by his church and by
the community. It was not until 1815 that another house for worship was built.
It was situated on the west bank of the Scioto near a wooded island known as
British Island from the fact that it was the place of detention of British prisoners
of war. The old gravej'ard is there but is seldom used. The population of Colum-
bus soon exceeded that of Franklinton. Mr. Hoge preached therein private houses
until, in 1814, a log cabin 25 x 30 feet was built on a lot owned by him on Spring
Street near Third, in which he preached, alternating the services with Franklinton.
Under date of Maj- 1, 1818, the church records show the following:
Whereas, a considerable majority of the members of the First Presbyterian congrega-
tion in Franklinton, Ohio, reside on the easterly side of the Sciota River, and the Rev. James
Hoge, the Pustor of the said congregation, having his residence also on the same side of the
river, it was deemed expedient for the said congregation that a meetinghouse be erected in
Columbus for public worship on such ground as might be selected and purchased for that
purpose. For the accomplishment of this object an agreement was entered into dated May 1,
1818, as follows:
We, the subscribers, bind ourselves to advance to any person or persons appointed by
ourselves the sum of money annexed to our names respectively for the purpose of building
Preshytekian. 763
and preparing for use a temporary meetinghouse in Columbus for tlie Presbyterian congre-
gation, to be opened for public worship as soon as said congregation shall, by the ptirchase of
seats or otherwise, remunerate us the expense by us incurred in erecting the house.
To this paper were attached the foliowinj^ subscriptions: Sainiiol Barr,
$100; Ralph Osborn, SlOO; Joseph Miller, $100; Henry Brown, $100; .lames
Hoge, $100; Robert Culbertson, $100; John Loughrey, $100; Lucas Sullivant,
$100 ; Robert McCoy, $100 ; John Kerr, $100, The proprietors of ("olumbus gener-
ously donated a lot and the congregation added another by purchtise for $300.
These lots were situated at the northeast corner of Front and Town streets. A
frame house 40x60 was erected on them at a cost of $1,050. It contained eightj^
pews and could accommodate about four hundred people. At the sale of the
pews they netted $1,796.50. The log cabin on Spring Street was abandoned and
tbe congregation worshipped in the new house. On June 20, 1821, in conformity
with an "act for tUe incorporation of religious societies,'' jiassed February 5,
1819, we find the following:
We the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Columbus and the vicinity, do bind our-
selves together as the First Presbyterian Society of Columbus and do agree to bind ourselves
to do and perform all those acts and things which may be or become incumbent on us as
members of said society while we continue as such.
The names of those forming this new society ai'c, N. W. Smitli. .lames \V.
Taylor, John Hunter, David Taylor, William Leathern, John Long, William
McElvain, William Patter.son, Thomas Adams, Daniel Ross, Andrew Culbertson,
Robert Lisle, W. W. Shannon, John Thompson, J. M. Strain, Samuel King, John
Kerr, Robert Nelson, Gustavus Swan, Lincoln Goodale, Henrj' Brown, John E.
Baker, Samuel Parsons, James Dean, Joseph Miller, James Cherry, Samuel G,
Flonniken, William Long, John Loughrey, James O'Harra, Robert W. McCoy,
James Shannon, Jacob Overdier, James Lindsey, William Stewart, John Barr,
Michael Fisher and James Hoge. Among these we recognize the anccstoi's of
many families resident in the adjoining townships, as well as in the cit}', and of
many who have removed from the city and the State. We are not to consider
this us the organization of another church, though that issue would seem to have
been contemplated in certain contingencies. The society thus formed was organ-
ized for business July 1, 1821, and assumed the legal title of "The First Presby-
terian Congregation of Columbus," which it has borne ever since. On Novem-
ber 19, 1821, the Presbyterian congregation of Franklinton met and agreed that
their name should be changed to the "The First Presbyterian Congregation of
Columbus." The two were soon merged in one under the same trustees. No
change was made in the organization of the church. Its elders at that time (1821)
were: Michael Fisher, William Stewart, Robert Nelson, John Loughro3\ William
Patterson, John Long, Samuel G. Flenniken, N. W. Smith and James Johnson.
It will be remembered that the call to Mr. Hogo in 1807 was li)r threofourths
of his time at Franklinton. The remaining oncfourth he had devoted to preach-
ing in the vicinitj-, especially in Hamilton and Truro, where churches were organ-
ized at a later date. In l.'^21 Truro requested onefburth of his time, which was
granted. In June, 1822, the congregation iti Columbus ])ctitiiincil the Presbyter}-
764 History of the City of Columbus
to appoint the Eev. James Hoge their stated supply until January, 1823. This,
Doctor Hoge says, in note oa the Presbytery records, was for half his time in
Columbus. To obviate any diflBculty, a new call was made in January, 1823, in
place of that of 1807. It was for all his time and promised a salary of six hundred
dollars per annum with the prudent proviso; "If we shall be able to collect this
amount from the seatholders and subscribers." This call Mr. Hoge did not deem
satisfactory. A new one was made in February with a salary of $800, and prob-
ably without the proviso. This call was accepted. The Presbyterj' did not deem
it necessary to instal him, holding the church to be that organized in Franklinton
in 1806.
How long alternate services continued to be held in Franklinton is unknown.
It is probable they ceased to be held regularly after the completion of the new
church edifice at State and Third. The building on Town Street having become
ORIGINAL FIRST CUURCU IN COLUMHUS ; ON SPRINC
From " After Eighty Years," by Rev. F.
«EAR THIRD.
unsuitable in size and location, in January, 1830, at the annual meeting of the
society, the Rev. James Hoge, Gustavus Swan and David VV. Deshler were
appointed a committee to select a suitable location for a new house of worship.
The site chosen was that now occupied by the First Church at the southwest cor-
ner of State and Third streets. The problem of ways and means to build was
solved by a proposition on March 8, 1830, by Lyne Starling, Gustavus Swan and
Eobert W. McCoy, to form a company and erect a meetinghouse for the congrega-
tion on such a plan as the trustees might direct, and to furnish the building and
enclose the lot. The terms of the agreement were that the pews were to be sold
and the proceeds applied to the payment of the principal and interest of the cost
of the building. Any deficiency was to be made up bj' subscription. The plan
was successful in securing the speedy erection of the church, which was occupied
for public worship on the first Sabbath of December, 1830. It was at that time
the finest church cditico in the city ; there wei'e (ew finer in tiie State. 1th [liiHtor
was at that time at the height of liis popularity. Columbus was on the groat Hlage
lino from east to west, and many travelers made it their restingphico over the Sab-
bath. Many members of the legislature and officers of the State had their families
with them for the winter. Once here they were mudbound until spring. Many
of them attended on the preaching of Diictor Hoge, and the new house, then furn-
ished with ample galleriers, was always filled, often crowded.
The faithful historian of the pei'iod — Mr. Joseph Sullivant, a son of Lucas
Sullivant, and more than any other man the founder of the society — is candid
enough to tell us that, as often happens even now, the ambition of the societj' was
in advance of its n>eans. The sale of the pews did not pay for the building. The
subscriptions \vere insufficient. Debt was the consequence, with no worse results,
perhaps, than the waiting of the generous builders who were paid ultimately, in
1847, both principal and interest. The shadow of the cloud, however, may be seen
in the prudent proviso annexed to a resolution of the society in 1833, " that the
sura of one thou.sand dollars annually be paid to the Eev. Dr. James Hoge, if that
sum can be raised out of the assessment of pews and subscriptions." It is pro-
foundly to be hoped that it was "raised" and that promptly, for God had blessed
him with a large family of sons and daughters to be fed, clothed and educated, and
it was well done. His sons have honored his name. His daughters, sought for by
worthy men, have been or yet are the mothers of useful and prominent men and
women here and elsewhere. One of his daughters was married to Robert Neil,
another to Judge J. W. Baldwin and a third to Alfred Thomas.
It is not to be supposed that a man by this tiriie so prominent as was Doctor
Hoge would be suffered to remain unsought for as a pastor elsewhere. We have
seen that, in 1825, he had been called to Chillicothe. Other churches in the Old
East and in Virginia sought him, but he wisely saw that God had given him power
here for good in the capital of Ohio, and he steadfastly declined every approach.
In 1827, the Synod of Ohio, meeting in Zanesville, resolved to establish a theolog-
ical seminai-y for the instruction of candidates for the ministry in Christian
theology. The seminary was to be located in Columbus, and Rev. James Hoge
was appointed professor. The seminary was to commence operations in October,
1828, but we do not find that anything came of this resolution. Nevertheless it
shows the Synod's appreciation of Mr. Hoge's ability as a theologian and teacher.
We shall see -that in 1850 he was again called to the theological chair. In 1834 he
was elected a professor in Hanover College, Indiana. He felt him.self obliged to
consult his church as to their willingness to release him for this work, for which,
by his scholarship, he was eminently fitted. The answer he got was the unani-
mous resolution " that the services, labor and zeal of our present pastor. Doctor
James Hoge, are highly satisfactory and useful, and that this congregation do not
consent to this or any other call."
B}' 1838 the population of Columbus had grown to some .six thousand. A
large emigration had been received from New England and the East. The original
settlers were chiefly from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky. Their social
habits and tastes were not the same as those of the later comers, (Questions had
7Ct!
History of the City of Columbus.
arisen in the Presbyterian Church in the United States which influenced the
associations of men in religious matters. There was also much agitation concern-
ing temperance, slavery and other questions of the day. It was with no feeling of
hostility to the First Church or its jjastor, that, in the beginning of 1839, a second
church was formed whose history will be given further on. Meantime the First
Church pursued its way, undiminished in numbers, power or influence. To keep
pace with the improvements in the rapidly growing city it was thought best to
make alterations and repairs of the church within and without. It was, as built,
severely plain. The trustees reported that the cost of the proposed alterations
would be about four thousand doiliars. The actual cost was over twenty thousand
dollars, but the result was the beautiful building with its graceful spire and sweet-
TKINITY IN INITV.
By Permission of Rev. F. E. Marsten.
toned bell which for forty years has been a tribute to the taste and the nerve
of the First Church, for it is needless to say that the cost was speedily paid.
In 1850 Doctor Hoge was selected as a professor of theology in the seminary
which the Old School side were seeking to establish in Cincinnati, and which now,
after many vicissitudes, is represented by the McCormick Theological Seminary of
Chicago. He felt it his duty to accejjt the trust, which would demand about half
his time. This led to a proposal by Doctor Hoge that the congregation should
to his accepting the professorship. The action of the church was;
3, the Rev. Dr. Hoge has made known his desire to be absent from his
charge one half of his time, or more, for the next year, in connection with the
theological seminary at Cincinnati, Resolved: That while we most sincerely
regret such absence, yet out of regard to the general interest of the church,
and particularly in comiilying with his request, this congregation hereby express
Presbyterian. 7(!7
tlioir assent to Doctor Hogc's jiroposal." .Signed liy P. 15. Wilcox, C'hainnan, and
J. D. Osborn, Secretary.
Messrs. R. W. McCoj-, Thomas Moodie and Josejih Sullivant were ai)|>oirited a
committee to correspond witii and recommend a suitable pa.stor to supply Doctor
Hoge's place. The result was a call to the Rev. Josiah D. Smith, then jiastor of the
Church at Truro. Messrs. Thomas Moodie, Samuel Galloway and Joseph Sullivant
were appointed a committee to prosecute the call before the Presbytery. Mr. Smith
was installed in December, 1850, as colleague pastor with Doctor Hoge. lie served
in that capacity until June, 185-t, when he took charge of the newlyformed West-
minster Church. The Rev. David Hall was colleague pastor from February, 185(5,
to April, 1857.
On February 8, 1856, the fiftieth anniversary of the First Cburcli was
celebrated with appropriate ceremony, of which we have a lull and interest-
ing account from the pen of Joseph Sullivant, which may be found in Wilson's
Historical Almanac for 1863. The venerable pastor delivered a historical addi'ess
upon the occasion from which we have gathered many of the facts narrated above
as to the early history of the church. In reviewing the half centurj- of the
Church's existence he says: "Of those who have been dismissed nearly two hun-
dred were set off to form new churches in the town or its neighborhood, so that it
had been a mother of churches. It speaks well for pastor and people that he can
say there has never been any serious dissension in the congregation ; peace and
harmony have genei-ally prevailed. The cases of discipline have been very
few a'.d have produced no permanent injury. Perhaps twiie as many persons
have united with us as have gone from this church, to others." He speaks of the
revivals, especially that beginning in 1807 which continued during the great-
est part of two years, during wliich some fifty or sixty members were added
by profession and the church was increased fourfold. "Taking into view,"
he says, " the number who were in the congregation as hearers of the Gospel,
this increase is seldom witnessed in our day;" and we may add that this leaven
of the Gospel in the new community has been working for these fourscore years
and accounts for much of wliich the Columbus of today is both proud and grateful
in the history of many of her families.
The pastoral relation of Doctor Hoge to the First Church was, at his own
request and with the reluctant consent of his congregation, dissolved by the Pres-
bytery of Columbus on June 30, 1857. He was then seventythree years of age
but his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated. The stripling who more
than half a century before had laid him down by that Virginia spring to die of
hemorrhage had survived all those who first welcomed him as their pastor, and
had seen the little village rise to the dimensions of an important city, while the
church which for so many years had, like its Master, no sheltering roof of its own,
had the joy of children and children's children. The influence of Doctor Hoge
was not limited to his own church or city. Ho was the father of the Presbytery
of Columbus and of the Synod of Ohio. He was a frequent commissioner to the
General Assembly, in which he was always a power for good. He was its Moder-
ator in 1832. In 1862, on the initiation of the First Church, the Assembly met in
7(iS History ov the City op Columbus.
Columbus, and by courtesy of tlie legislature — a testimonial of regard for Doctor
Hoge — its sessions were held in the Hall of Representatives in the Statehouse.
Doctor Hoge's influence was felt as a leader in all measures for the reformation of
morals, the advancement of education and the promotion of charity. He taught
in his own house the first Sabbathschool in this part of Ohio. He was a pioneer
in the cause of temperance. In connection with Governor Trimble, at that time
a member of the legislature, he drew up a series of resolutions on the subject and
secured, in addition to their own, the names of seventeen of the most resjjectable
citizens of the town. This was among the first, if not the very fir.st, of the move-
ments in the direction of associated effort for temperance reform in the state. He
was for many years a trustee of the University of Ohio and of the Miami Univer-
sity. He ardently supported the common school system which was first intro-
duced in 1825.
Doctor Hoge was the real founder of the institution for the education of deaf
mutes. He had learned of the success of the school at Hartford, Connecticut, in
teaching these unfortunates to read, and was anxious that the State of Ohio should
establish a similar institution. He appealed to prominent members of the legisla-
ture, but the most he could secure was permission to experiment as to the feasi-
bility of such education. Doctor Hoge selected the late Horatio N. Hubbell, a
member of the First Church, as instructor. The result was an entire success. The
first report was made to the legislature, December 8, 1827, and the Ohio Institu-
tion for the Deaf and Dumb was organized in 1829. Doctor Hoge was a trustee
and was Secretary of the Board from the beginning until 1848, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Henry L. Hitchcock. The blind also excited his sympathies
and he made an appeal to the legislature for educational facilities for them. On
March 10, 1836, Doctor Hoge, Judge N. H. Swayne and Doctor William M. Awl,
a member and afterwards an elder of the First Church, were appointed by the
legislature a committee to report on the possibilitj' of ameliorating the condition of
the blind. Their report was made in December of the same year and resulted in
the establishment of the institution for the blind, of which Doctor Hoge was one
of the first trustees. The school was opened in the First Church July 4, 1837,
with five pupils. In November it had eleven pupils — four girls and seven boj's.
Doctor Hoge was also largely instrumental in the organization of the first hospital
for the insane, of which Doctor "William M. Awl was the first superintendent.
No man of any j^rofession in the city of Columbus was more instrumental than he
in shaping the charitable and educational policj^ of the state. His home was
always open to the members of the legislature during its sessions, and his church
was frequented by them in large numbers. The influence of his church was a
power for good throughout the state.
As we have spoken of the efficiency of Doctor Hoge and leading men of the
First Church in the works of charity and reform in the city and state, it is but
just to the women of this church to say that among them was found a large pro-
portion of those who organized the Columbus Female Benevolent Society, which
for more than half a century has been a blessing to the poor of the citj'. Mrs. Dr,
If. fkicii
I'ltKSIlVI'KKIAN. 769
Hoge was its first PrcHiiient, and amon;,' its officers have alwaj's liooii f'omiil many
of the niernliera of the First, Set-onil and Westminster Cliureiies.
After the resignation of Doctor Hoge in 1857, tho First Chiirel) called tlie
Eev. Edgar Woods, of Wheeling, Virginia, who was installed Juno 30, 1S57, and
resigned Fobruarj- 27, 18(52. Mr. Woods was suececdod by the Rev. AVilliam C.
Roberts, of Wilmington, Delaware, who was installed November 11, 1862, and
resigned December 20, l,S(i4. Mr. Roberts, afterwards honored with the titles of
D. D. and LL. D., was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in 1889. He was succeeded by Rev. William Marshall, who was in.stalled
in March, 1865, and resigned in December, 1869. The church was without a
settled pastor from the resignation of Mr. Marshall until tho summer of 1871.
Meanwhile it was supplied, Sabbath hy Sabbath, by eminent preachers from
abroad. Mr. Robert J. Laidlaw was called to the vacant pulpit and was ordained
and installed September 12, 1871 During his pastorate the chapel and Sunday-
school rooms of the First Church were built. The cornerstone was laid October
2, 1873. The credit of the eiiteiprise is rightly given chiefly to the ladies of the
church.
Mr. Laidlaw resigned in April, 1875, to accejtt a call to the Jefferson Avenue
Church at Detroit, Michigan. During the interval between the resignation
of Mr. Marshall and for some time after the departure of Mr. Laidlaw, the
choir of the First Church was one of its principal attractions. Mr. Laidlaw was
by Rev. E. P. Heberton, who was installed September 5, 1875, and
770 History op the City of Columbus.
resigned Februaiy 21, 1877. Eev. Willis Lord, D. D., who had recciiti3' resi.i^ned
the presidency of Wooster University, served the church as stated supply for two
years and a half, having declined installation on account of his age. Doctor
Lord was succeeded December 21, 1880, by Eev. John W. Bailey, D. D., recently
the President of Blackburn University, Illinois. Doctor Bailey resigned in
April, 1883. After a brief interval Eev. Francis B. Marsten was called and was
installed as pastor October 4, 1883.
The growth of the city eastward and the removal of many families of the
congregation in that direction led to missionary efforts in that quarter, and the
question of the removal of the First Church to a new location was agitated. The
proposition to remove found many advocates in the congregation, especially
among those who had settled beyond Washington Avenue. But old aissociations
and attachments are not easily broken. The edifice and the location were alike
dear to many. A numerical majority favored or would have acquiesced in the
removal, but the weight of the congregation was opposed to it although favoring
the establishment of a new church. A colony therefore went out with the bene-
diction of the church. Mr. Marsten resigned the pastorate of the First Church in
September, 1887, for the jjurpose of taking charge of the new enterprise, and was
dismissed by the Presbytery October 17, 1887. The Eev. John €. Watt was
installed April 16, 1889. When called to Columbus he was pastor of the Fifth
Church, in Cincinnati. The present oflScers (1892) of the First Church are :
Pastor, Eev. John C. Watt; Elders, James S. Abbott, Alfred Thomas, George
Morton, William Price, B. F. Milligau and Foster Copoland ; Trustees, James S.
Abbott, George M. Parsons, Alfred Thomas, P. W. Huntington and Foster
Copeland.
Second Church. — The organization of the Second Presbyterian Church was
the natural outcome of the growth of the city. By the beginning of 1839 the
First Church had a membership of 333 in full communion and its stated congrega-
tion quite filled its house of worship. Many of its members were newcomers from
the East and had been subjects of the great revivals which had prevailed there
from 1830 onward. So far as they were of Presbyterian or Congregational antece-
dents, they united with the First Church and were active in its Sundayschool
and prayer meetings. The need of another church organization soon became
apparent, all the more so from the feeling of the newcomers that the First Church
and its pastor were not in full sympathy with the revival methods and measures
in wrhich they had been trained and under which many of them had been con-
verted. An association which had been formed for the purpose of weekly prayer
and conference meetings from house to house soon took the form of a society for
church extension. Its members, some twentyeight or thirty in number, were for
the most part members of the First Church. They were mainly young heads of
families, and were naturally drawn to each other. The idea of a new church
gradually took shape. Before, however, any steps for organization were taken,
the chief movers in the matter addressed a letter to thq session of the First Church
through Doctor Hoge. A copy of this letter is given here as throwing light upon
the origin of the Second Church and the spirit of its founder.
Presbyterian. 771
Reverend and Dear Sir, — The undersigned members of your church, having prayerfully
considered the subject have been led to the conclusion that the cause of Christ and of vital
piety would be best promoted by the establishment in this city of either asecond Presbyterian
or a Congregational Church, and that it is our duty to inform you, and through you the Session,
of our intention at some future and not distant day to apply for letters of dismission with a
view of becoming members of such new church when regularly organized.
In making this communication to you we should be doing injustice to our own feelings
if we did not avail ourselves of the opportunity to express in the warmest terms our affection
for you as our pastor, and our undiminished regard for your character as a Christian instructor
and a faithful minister of the Wor.l of (toil. We will also s^ay, that we cherish none liut the
kindest feelings for you and for the iiienihers nf our clmrcli, liotli individually and cullec-
tively.
But. as from the nature of things it cannot be expected that one church can much longer
accommodate all our citizens of like faith, scattered as they are and will be over the city and
the adjacent country ; and as it is not e.tpected that many members will withdraw from your
church, and in consequence there can be no probability of the contemplated movement
deranging your operations or hindering your usefulness ; and, as hundreds, if not thousands
of our citizens at present attend upon no religious instruction, and there is great reason to
hoi>e that if a new church were now formed, a large portion of this class would by this means
be favorably reached and operated upon ; and especially, as we hope and believe, it would
be the means of disseminating wider and farther the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and stir
up to greater activity many Christians now comparatively inactive and be the means of doing
much good ; we have come to the conclusion that it is our duty and privilege to take now the
necessary steps to consummate so desirable an object.
We hope and believe that our course in this matter will give no offense to any brother
in Christ, or be the occasion of disturbing in any degree the harmony which has hitherto
prevailed in our church. In point of doctrine we are not conscious of differing with you in
any particular, and as regards the questions which so unhappily divide some branches of the
Presbyterian Church we earnestly desire to avoid all controversy. For this reason, as well
as on account of our former predilections, the majority of us woulil prefer a Congregational
Church and we desire to organize in that form. With simere an<l affectionate regards yours
in Christ.
To Rev. James Iloge, D. D.
On January 29, 1839, a certificate of dismission was given in the follow-
ing form ;
At a meeting of the Session of the Presbyterian Church, held January 25, 1839, the fol-
lowing persons having expressed their intention to withdraw from this church and form a
Congregational Society, were, at their own request, released from their relation to us, and it
is certified that at the time of making this request they were iu good standing as members:
Alexander H. Warner. Warren Jenkins, Thomas B. Culter, E. N. Slocum, D. Tuttle and wife,
I. G. Dryer, Andrew Lee, T. C. Bulter, Junior, John Jones, Samuel Cutler, William Burdell,
H. N. Hubbell, Mrs. H. N. Hubbell, Miss M. J Foster, Mrs. H. N. Cutler, Mrs. Eliza Dryer,
Miss A. C. Foster, Mrs. Marion Jenkins.
At a meeting of the Session held February 9, ls:!9, the following persons were in like
manner added to the above : Abiel Foster, Junior, Abiel Foster, Senior, Susannah Foster,
Pamelia J. Foster, Catharine Foster, Melissa Cook, Mary A. Robinson, Sarah Foster.
By order of Session, James Hoge, Moderator.
Prior to this, on January 22, at a meeting of those interested it wa.s resolved
"to proceed to take the necessary steps to organize in the city of ('olmnbus a
Congregational church and as soon as possible to jimcurc stated preaching."'
772 History of the City op Columbus.
It was further resolved " that wo are unanimous in the belief of the (h)ctriiic8
as set forth in the Presbyterian Confession of Faith, and more particuhirly in the
Shorter Catechism, and that when we form a ehurch these standartls shall
form the basis or foundation of our organization." In pursuance of this intent
a meeting was held in the Baptist Church January 29, and it w:is resolved " that we
now organize ourselves into a society to be called the First Congregational Society of
the City of Columbus." Horatio N. Hubbell, Abiel Foster, Junior, and Warren
Jenkins, were chosen trustees and were instructed to procure an act of incorpora-
tion and to secure a room for public worship. By the next Sabbath n i-oom
18x86 feet whs secured in a onestory frame building fronting on Uich Street, back
of the northeast corner of Rich and High. Seats were secured, a pulpit extem-
porized, and there, on the first Sabbath in February, they met for worship.
Mr. Stephen Topliff, a licentiate, conducted the services. On the following Sab-
bath the Sundayschool was opened with sixteen teachers and sixt}' scholars.
Abiel Foster, Junior, was its superintendent.
The original intent, as seen above, was to organize as a Congregational
Church, but on the advice of Doctors Hoge and Lyman Beecher this pur|)ose was
abandoned and it was decided to change the name of the society and organize
under that of Second Presbyterian Society of the City of Columbus, and that the
church when formed should be called the Second Presbyterian Church of the
City of Columbus. The church was organized March 3, 1839, by Eev. Lj-man
Beecher, D. D , Rev. Charles M. Putnam, of Jersey, Ohio, and Rev. William
Beecher, of Putnam, Ohio. In addition to those dismissed from the First Church,
Alexander A. Stewart, Horace Lord, Jonathan L. Preston and Sarah Maria Cook
were received on profession of their faith, making thirtyone in all. Four elders
were chosen: Abiel Foster and T. C. Butler, Junior, to serve two years, and
Horatio N. Hubbell and Warren Jenkins to serve one j-ear. The church at the
beginning adopted the principle of "term service," electing its elders and deacons
for the term of three years. In all cases they have been reelected if willing to serve.
Owing to the recent division, in Maj', 1838, of the Presbyterian Church into
two assemblies known respectively as Old School and New School, the church
assumed an independent position. In its internal organization it was thoroughly
Presbyterian but owned no subjection to Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly.
Its affinities, were, however, avowedly with the New School. Its pastors were
members of Pre8byter3- and were installed or dismissed by it. It contributed to all
the schemes of benevolence of the New School Assembly. This disposition as an
independent Presbyterian Church it maintained until April, 1863, when, at its own
request, it was received under the care of the Franklin Presbytery. On March
18, 1839, a charter was procured from the legislature by an act which passed that
body " to incorporate the Second Presbyterian Society of Columbus," as fol-
lows ;
Section 1. TliMt Abiel Foster, H. N. Hubbell, Alexan<ler H. Warner, Thomas D. Cut-
ler, Samuel Cutler Edward N. Slocum, Daniel Tuttle, Isban G. Dryer, Alexander A. Stew-
wart, T. C. Butler, Junior, Andrew Lee, John Jones, William Burdell, A. Curtis and R.
White and their associates and successors be and they are hereby incorporated into a body
Preshvteuian. 773
corporate and politic, under the name and styk' of " Tlie Second Presbyterian Society of
the City of Colunibns," and aa such sliall enjoy and be subject to all and singular the pro-
visions of an act entitled an act in relation to incorporated religious societies passed March
5, 1836.
Section 2. Ten days notice shall be given by the abovenamed individuals or a majority
of them, of their intention to hold their first meeting under the provisions of this act.
Under this ciuirter the society was organized April 24, 1839. Horatio N.
Hnbbell, Warren Jenkins and Alexander H. Warner were elected trustoos and
directed to secure a lot and take measures for the erection of a chureli as
soon as ]iracti(able. The lot selected was on the west side of Third Street, between
Rich and Friend, now Main. Ground was broken on September 29, 1839, and on
Christ niMs day the lecture room in the basement was dedicated to the worship of
God. The buildinij, afterwards enlarged, is that now occupied bj' the Third
Street Methodist Church. Its cost, including the lot, was $14,000. A little more
than onethird of the cost was raised at the outset. The final payment was not
reached until the tenth anniversary of the organization of the chui-ch, in March,
1849. The original subscription list, dated September 10, 1839, is here appended
as containing the names of many of our citizens, most of whom have passed away :
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree to pay the sum set opposite our
names to the Trustees of the Second Presbyterian Society of Columbus, onefourth in sixty
days, onefourth in ninety days and the remaining half on demand after the first day of
April next ; this subscription being designed to aid the society in paying for a lot and erect-
ing a house for public worship thereon, and it being one of the conditions thereof that all
sums subscribed and paid shall entitle the person paying to a receipt, which receipt shall
entitle the holder to a credit for the amount in payment of any pew or pews he ma}' pur-
chase in such house.
The names attached to this pledge were as follows, the figures uccoin}ianying
each one signifying the number of dolhirs subscribed :
H. N. Hubbell 1,000, Warren Jenkins 300, Alexander H. Warner 300, E. N. Slocum L'.'iO,
Abiel Foster, Junior 100, Thomas B. Cutler 1.50, T. C. Butler, Junior 1.50, John Jones .50, I. G.
Dryer ],50, J. S. Hall 100, J. L. Preston .50, J. K. Swan 50, B. Latham 25, John Greenwood 20,
C. Fay 25, A. P. Stone 30. C. Heyl 20, John French 20, Asa Gregory 50, H. Baldwin .30, John
C. Wirt 20, J. Ridgway 2.5, William Miner 50, T. H. Miner 10, P. B. Wilcox 250, Isaac Dalton
ino, C. Runyon .50, E. Case 1.50, D. C Judd .50, William Burdell 100, Samuel Crosby 1.50, Wil-
liam Long 25, E. Trescott Junior 50, James Cherry 25, A. Buttles 25, George Elphinstone 10,
A. Stalls 10, H. F. Huntington 10, I. Graham 20, H. Brown .50, L. J. Burr 20, Jacob Boswell
20, J. Tnrney 20, Frederick Bentz 20, William Amos 10, S. McElvain 5, George Krauss 10,
John Funston 10, John McElvain 25, Amos S. Ramsey 100, Charles S. Decker 10, Robert Mil-
ton 20, Thomas Wood 5, George W. Slocum 5, Joseph P. Brooks 5, L. McCuUough 20, William
L. Casey 20, M. W. Hopkins 75, J. C. Achison 20, Mr. Kelsey 10, Samuel Pike 10, J. Hunter
25, cash 5, Henry Glover 5, P. Hayden 20, Samuel Black 2, Horace Lord 1.50, H. Wood .50;
total subscribed $4,747.
Less than three weeks after the organization ..f the church it gave a call to
Rev. Henry L. Hitchcock, which he declined. Rev. (ieorgc S. Boardman, of
Rochester, New York, having leave of absence from hi.s church, devoted six
months, from November to May, to the work of building uj) the infant chur<di.
In that time fifty additions were made to its Tuembership wliidi was more than
774 History op the City of Columbus.
doubled. Meanwhile the church building had been completed, and on April 10,
1840, it was dedicated. A pressing call to its pastorate was declined by Doctor
Boardman, whereupon the church at once renewed its call to Mr. Hitchcock, who,
on May 10, began his ministry in the Second Church. He was installed as pastor
by tbe Presbytery of Marion, afterwards Franklin, November 21, 1841.
Henry L. Hitchcock, the first settled pastor of the Second Church, was a son
of Hon. Peter Hitchcock, long a distinguished Judge of the Supreme Court of
Ohio. He was a graduate (1832) of Yale College and of Lane Theological Sem-
inary. He was a preacher of great ability and a most efficient pastor. Through
his personal influence many additions to the congregation were made. In 1850
the church was enlarged at a cost of $2,500. By this time the population of the
city was 17,882. The effect of the railways then just being opened, in drawing
the population northward, was obvious to Mr. Hitchcock. He therefore urged the
building of a new church for a new congregation north of Broad Street. The soci-
ety accordingly, in the summer of 1852, built a frame church on the east side of
Third Street, between Broad and Gay, on the lot now occupied by the residence
of Robert Smith. It was agreed that the congregation should be divided geo-
graphically by Broad Street.
On September 25, 1853, fortytwo mernborsof the Second Church were dismiss-
ed to form the Third Presbyterian Church. Among those set oif were two elders
of the Second Church and others who have long been recognized as leaders in
the Congregational Church. This movement was purely in the interests of
church extension in the city— "to create a new center of influence from which
other parts of the city might be reached and by which the increased Christian
activity of a large number both in the old church and the new, might be secured."
The colony thus sent forth with the benediction of the Church " was organized in
the house erected for its use by the Second Presbyterian Society, on Sunday even-
ing, September 26, 1852; a constitution, confession of faith and form of covenant
having been adopted varying unessentially from those of the Second Church."
Warren Jenkins, M. B. Bateham and John W. Hamilton, M. D., were installed as
ruling elders. Rev. William H. Marble took charge of the new congregation and
was installed by the Presbytery of Marion, in 1853. In the fall of 1856 this
church changed its form of government and became the First Congregational
Church of Columbus. At the time of the sending forth of tiiis colony the mem-
bership of the Second Church numbered 245. The growth of the city was rapid
and the church shared in that growth. By 1853, after all deductions of those dis-
missed to form the Third Church, and of those stricken from the roll as unknown,
etc., the number on the roll was 225. The year 1853 was marked by great ingath-
ering. Sixtyone were added to the Second Church, and sixtyfive to the Third.
Large additions were made also to the First Church.
Early in 1855 Mr. Hitchcock, on whom the honorary degree ofD. D. was con-
ferred that year by Williams College, was elected to the Presidency of the College
of the Western Reserve. This call he accepted ; he was therefore dismissed Sep-
tember 4, 185.1, after a pastorate of fifteen years. Doctor Hitchcock exerted
during his ministry here an influence upon the community second only to that of
PltESUVTEKIAN. 77.">
Doctor ITogo. IIo wasgroatly blossod in the ninnlier ol' iiiHiuMitial nion wlio galli-
cred around him as elders and trustees, lie dic(| at Iliidsoii, Ohio, Jul}- (i, 1S7H,
in the sixtietii ycsxr of his age.
In September, 1855, the church gave a unanimous call to the Rov. Edward J).
Morris, then pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Auburn, New York.
The call was accepted and he began his work on the last Sabbath in Sejitember,
1855. He was installed by the Presbytery of Franklin January 2, 1856. Mr.
Morris graduated at Yale in 1849 and pursued his theological studies in Auburn,
New York. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Hamilton College in
1803,
The church, already once enlarged and depleted by the formation of the Third
Church, was found to be too small. The location also began to be unfavorable.
The growth of the city was increasing northward and not southward. It was
deemed best to build anew and in another hication. Daniel T. Woodburj-, a mem-
ber of the church, offered as a free gift, conditioned only on the building of a now
church, the lot on South Third Street on which the church now stands. The lot
was valued at $4,000. It was resolved to build. A. P. Stone, John S. Hall,
Charles Baker, Benjamin S. Brown, C. P. L. Butler, J. M. McCune, Daniel T.
Woodbury and Henry D. Carrington were appointed members of the building
committee. The plans of the architect, Sydney M. Stone, were approved. The
estimated cost of the building was $35,000. A subscription of $20, 000 was secured.
This, with the sale of the old church, it was estimated would be sufficient. The
work was begun April 27, 1857, but many delays occurred through such contingen-
cies as the breaking of the canals, hindering the supply of stone, and the failure
of the contractors making it necessary that the building conimittee should assume
their responsibilities. The chapel was dedicated April 15, 1859, and the church
July 1, IHCO. The building thus erected was, in all, 145 feet in length by C2i in
width and 70 in height to the gables. The height of the northwest tower, includ-
ing the steeple, was 188 feet; that of the southwest tower 109 feet. The audience
room was 97 x 60, and was fortyeight feet high. The chapel for Sundayschool
and conference purposes, was 60 x 48 and two stories in height. The building hud
cost nearly twice the original estimate, owing in part to the change of material
from brick to stone, and in part to the causes named above. The debt at the close
of 1860 was $35,000. In 1861, $20,000 of this was paid ; by 1804, the quarter-
centennial ot the church, the debt and interest amounted still to §18,000, which
was then pledged and paid.
Doctor Morris's pastorate continued for twelve years, closing with the last
Sabbath of December, 1867. It covered the stormy period of the Civil War of
1861-65. But the church was of one mind and one heart as to the issues then
under the discussion of the sword. It enjoyed profound peace. Many of its
members were in the field, and of these several laid down their lives. Its mem-
bers were active and efficient in all the works of Christian charity which the sick,
the wounded and the prisoner demanded of Columbus in no stinted measure.
Doctor Morris resigned his pastorate in the Second Church to accept the profes-
sorship of Ecclesiastical History and Church polity in Lane Theological Seminar}-
776 History op the City op Columbus.
at Cincinnati. He was succeeded at once by Eev. John F. Kendall, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Baldwinsville, New York. Mr. Kendall was a graduate
of Hamilton College and of Auburn Theological Seminary. He received the
degree of D. D. from Wabash College in 1870.
Doctor Kendall's pastorate extended from the beginning of 1868 to April,
1871. It was a period of many changes in the business communitj' growing out
of adjustments entailed by the close of the war and the depreciation of an inflated
currency. During Doctor Kendall's ministry the bell which for more than twenty
years had tolled out the alarm in case of fire was purchased by the society and
hung in the tall northwest steeple. On May 5, 1887, during a violent storm, the
steeple was blown down, but the bell, which was the chief object of solicitude, was
found to be uninjured and was restored after a few months to its place in a belfry
quite as useful if less pretentious. The interest of the firemen in its restoration is
shown by a subscription of $410 secured by them for that purpose. For nearly a
quarter of a century it has been used in sounding the alarms of fire.
During the pastorate of Doctor Kendall the reunion of the Old and New
School Presbyterian assemblies took place. The reconstructed Presbj'terj- of
Columbus met and was organized in the Second Church July 11, 1870, and on the
following day the Synod of Columbus was organized in the same church ; and so
the breach of thirty years was fullv healed, and whatever traces of distrust
between the Presbyterian churches may have lingered was wiped out. Only the
anomalous position of two great churches with but a street between remains to
recall the sad fact that there were days when ecclesiastically " the Jews had no
dealings with the Samaritans." The last traces of the independency of the Second
Church were removed by the action of the church April 2, 1870, conforming its
constitution in all things to the form of govonment of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States.
Doctor Kendall resigned his pastorate in February, 1871. The pulpit was
vacant for a year — the only real vacancy in its history. On February 22, 1872,
it gave a unanimous call to Rev. William E. Moore, then pastor of the First Pres-
byterian Church at Westchester, Pennsylvania. Mr. Moore was born in Lancas-
ter County, graduated at Yale College in 1847, and received the degree of D. D.
from Marietta College in 1873, and that of LL. D. from Lake Forest University
in 1891. Doctor Moore entered on his pastorate in April, 1872, and was installed
by the Presbyter}' of Columbus, October 30, of that year. The elders of the
church at that time were Ebenezer McDonald, Chauncey N. Olds, George L. Smead,
Raymond Burr, John J. Person, and Alfred Ritson. The trustees were Alexan-
der Houi9ton, Charles Baker, L. S. Aj^ers, Alfred Ritson, and Nathan B. Marple.
The church membership was 264. In the summer of 1872, the audience room was
thoroughly renovated and carpeted at an expense of about S6,000. The next year
the chapel was similarly treated at a cost $1,500. In the spring of 1874, the house
at Number 122 East State Street was purchased for a parsonage at a cost of
$10,000. Few further changes were made in the church property until 1882,
when the church and chapel were frescoed and cliangos were made in the east
end of the church to provide room for a new organ, the gift of Mrs. Caroline M. Fer-
Prkshvti;iua>
IKsr I'ltKsriVTEKlAX CIll-KCII, CO
From " After Eighty Yc
t OF STATK A.Vri I
by Uev. F. E, Mur.st
778 History of the City op Columbus.
son, as a memorial of her husband, John J. Person, who was an older of the Second
Church from 18G8 until his death January 4, 1879. The great pulpit, a marvel of
beauty for its symmetry of design and elegance of workmanship, was superseded
by a platform and desk. The total cost of these improvements was $8,881. The
church grew steadily in numbers and in influence.
The phenomenal growth of the eastern and northern portions of the city, and
the building of new churches began, about 1887, to draw on the membership of
the Second Churcii, as also of the First. In 1885 many of the Second Church
members were found north of the railway tracks, and a mission was established
on High Street, near Fourth Avenue, with a view to the establishment of "a
church further north at no distant day. A large Sabbathschool was gathered and
preaching services held in the afternoon were largely attended. In February,
1887, this mission was united with the Hoge Church to form the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church. To this organization the Second Church contributed
thirtytwo of its members, including two of its elders and two deacons.
In September, 1887, the Broad Street Presbyterian Church at the corner of
Garfield Avenue, was organized. Fortysix members of the Second Church, includ-
ing two of its elders and two deacons, were dismissed to unite with this church.
Others of the Second Church members have united with churches in their
immediate neighborhood. Its membership, after all these deductions, is (1892) 520.
The Second Church, like the First, has always been influential in all matters
of public concern pertaining to education, morals and benevolence. Its large
audienceroom has been the favorite gatheringplace of conventions on behalf of the
Bible, the Sabbath, temperance and other moral reforms. The American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions held its annual meeting there. It has
furnished from its officers and members two presidents of colleges, three professors
in theological seminaries, ten principals for institutions for deaf mutes, four prin-
cipals for institutions for the blind, and many prominent teachers in public and
private schools. Nine of its sons have entered the ministry of the Presbyterian
Church. Two of its pastors have been Moderators of the General Assembly —
Rev. Dr. Morris in 1875 and Rev. Dr. Moore in 1890. The present officers of
the Second Church are: Pastor, Rev. William E. Moore, D. D., LL. D. ; Elders,
David E. Putnam, David N. Kinsman, M. D., Edgar T. Thompson, J. Wendell
Cole, J. Edward McCarty, Z. F. Guerin, M. D., William Hughes, John C. Hanna
and Wilson C. Buchanan ; Trustees, Charles Baker, William G. Dunn, S. C. Bailey,
M. D., John W. Lilley and George S. Peters.
Westminster Church. — The Westminster Church is a colon_y of the First Pres-
bj-terian Church. In the month of December, 1850, Rev. Josiah D. Smith,
who, since 1841, had been pastor of the Churches of Truro and Hamilton, was
installed as colleague pastor of the First Church and at once took place among the
first as a pastor and preacher. The First Church was full and strong. It
had been greally strengthened by the revivals of. 1853. In the spring of 1854
it was thought best to organize another church with Mr. Smith as its pastor.
Fiftynine members of the First Church, with its full approval, petitioned the Pres-
bytery to organize them into a church. The request was granted and a com-
Presbyterian. 779
mittc-e of the rrosbytory apitointod in Ai)ril, 1854, wliicli reported to tlio Frcs-
byteiy July 3, 1854, that on June 1 it iiml organized " the Westminster Pre8-
hyterian Church." At that meeting a call was presented to Mr. Smith, who
accepted and wa.s installed by the Presbytery of Columbus Septomhcr 7, 1S54. Its
first elders were William Blynn and John Y. Cowhick. The congregation wor-
shipped in the amphitheatre of the Starling Medical College for some three yeai-s,
until the completion of their house for worship in August, 1857. Its growth was
rapid. Its j)astor was popular and its congregation included many of the younger
and most active families of the First Church. Among them were such men as
Samuel Galloway, Henry ('. Noble, Judge J. W. Baldwin, David Taylor and
Thomas Moody. By the time the church entered on its new home its number of
communicants was more than doubled and its congregation fairly tilled the house,
the seating capacity of which is about five hundred. The cost of the building,
exclusive of the tower, was $16,000. The death of Doctor Smith on May 29, 1803,
was a great loss to the church and the cit}'. He was in the fortyeighth year of his
age and in the prime of his usefulness. He had already come to occupy the place
in his denomination and in the city which had so long been accorded to the vener-
able Doctor Hoge, who, six months later, followed him in death.
On November 17, Henry M. McCrackcn was ordained and installed as pastor
of Westminster. He continued in that office until July 9, 1867, when he was
released from his charge and became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in
Toledo, Ohio. He is now (1892) Vice Chancellor of the University of New York.
Doctor McCracken was succeeded by Rev. Henry M. Iloberlson who was installed
October 16, 1867, and was released from his charge July 14, 1870. For nearly two
years the church which had suffered very greatly from deaths and removals, was
without a regular pastor. It was, however, supplied with stated preaching — a
large part of the time by the late Pi'ofessor E. B. Andrews, then a resident of Co-
lumbus.
Mr. Kob Hoy McG. McNulty was ordained ami installed November 11, 1S72.
He resigned Octobei- 25, 1875. Mr. McNulty was succeeded by Rev. Stephen
G. Hopkins, who was installed May 9, 1876, and continued in the pastoral office
until December 9, 1879. After a vacancy of two years, iti which, however, regular
services were maintained. Rev. Nathan S. Smith, D. D., was installed A])ril 20,
1882. Under the ministry of Doctor Smith the church has grown steadily. Its
building has been thoroughly renovated and handsomely decorated. All indebted-
ness has been removed. Its pastor was a soldier during the Civil War and holds a
prominent place in Grand Army circles. Westminster Church has alw:iys been
noted for the devotion of its members to their cliiireli and tn every goml cause at
home and abroad.
Hoije Church. ~ In 1868 a mission of the First Church was established on
Park Street at tlie corner of Spruce. A lot was procured and a very conifortable
frame church with tower and bell was provided by the First Church. At first it
was known as the Hoge Chapel and was sustained by the ])arent ciinieh. In
April, 1870, it was eni-olleil by the Presbvter-y, having been organized un .lainiaiv
22, with twenty members. Its elders were Warren Jenkins and Josejih C. Noyes.
780 History op the City of Columbus.
"Within the 3-ear its mcrabershiii more than doubled in number. The Eev. J. C.
Tidball was the chief instrument in cathering and organizing the church. He
was a good man and peeub'arly fitted for the work he undertook. His health was
frail and he died November 10, 1870, aged thirtysix. After the death of
Mr, Tidball the church was supplied for a year by Hev. David Kingery. On
April 18, 1872, Mr. John M. Eichmond was ordained and installed as pastor.
Mr. Eichmond was a faithful and laborious pastor, a good preacher and popular
with the people. Under his ministry large additions were made to the communion
of the church. An addition was built for lecture and' Sabbathschool purposes,
and the house was thoroughly renovated. The number of communicants had
increased to 142 in 1876 when Mr. Eichmond was called to the church at
Ypsilanli, Michigan. He was released from the charge of Hoge Church October
4, 1876. Mr., afterwards Doctor, Eichmond was succeeded by Eev. J. Frank
Hamilton, who was installed May 10, 1877. He continued in the charge until
April 5, 1881. On October 25, 1881, a call was given to Eev. David E. Colmery.
He was installed January 10, 1882, and on account of declining liealth was
released from his charge September 21, 1886.
Although comparatively large additions were made year by year, especially
under the ministry of Messrs. Eichmond, Hamilton and Colmery, the net growth
was small owing to the frequent removals of a shifting population. The encroach-
ment of the railway yards on the territoiy nearest the church and the removals
of many of its permanent members northward and eastward, had made the loca-
tion of the church an undesirable one, giving little promise of growth. The
question of removal northward began to be agitated. In 1885 the Second Church
had planted a Sundayschool and mission on High Street near Fourth Avenue,
occupying a vacant storeroom. Its ultimate purpose was to build a chapel and
organize a church further north on High Street, but when the Hoge Church was
made vacant by the removal of Mr. Colmery, a projjosition was made by it to
unite with the mission of the Second Church and form a new organization. At the
meeting of the Presbytery in April, 1887. the congregation of the Hoge Church
asked the Presbytery to change its name to the" Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church,"
the court having given its assent. This was a part of the agreement with the
mission of the Second Cluireh liy which the congregation of Hoge Church sold its
house of woishij), which it had occupied for neaidy twenty years, and united in the
purchase of a lot for the new church on Fifth Avenue, west of High, whence the
new name. The elders of liogc Church at the time of the reorganization were
Z. F. Guerin, M. D.,Eowland Vance and WillardB. Carpenter, M. D. Its trustees
were Z. F. Guerin, Willard B. Carpenter, Ephraim Harris and William S. Sackett.
Fifth Avenue Church — Eeference has been ma<le under the history of the
Hoge Church to the cireunistances which le<l to the sale of its propertj^ on Park
Street and its union uilii tiic mission of the Second Church with a view to organi-
zation and a new name. In January, 1887, some forty members of the Second and
other churches united bj^ letter with the Hoge Church, which at once proceeded
to reorganize under the name of the Fifth Avenue Presbyierian Church. A new
Session and Board of Trustees were chosen. The Elder.s were Z. F. Guerin,
("liarlcs A. Covor
t, K. .M. Doi
y, Will
iani 1!. (■
ai-]i
II. Smith. On .A
jiril 1, 1S.S7,
,"tlK- .■li
ilivli l',.|,
■oi-l
liei-fi, aii.l a lot h
U.i luHMI |,lll
■.■hasc.l
on FilH,
A
Demiison Aveniii
;, on which
a beau
tif.il and
CO
W. II, Iliii^hcs and .losiah
I he ProHbytcry iSd nicni-
liclween Hi,!i;h Slrt'cl and
nt house of \vorHlii|) was
erected at a ccst of about $9,000. The situation is central to the population of the
North Side, which was incrcasini;- with irroat rapidity, very many of the new-
comers being Presbyterians. The cinin'h o-rcw steailily in nunihcis :ind in
strength. lu 1888 a unanimous call was given to Rev. John Rusk, at ihat linie
pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati. Mr, Husk' was installed
as pastor by the Presbytery of Columbus and yet continues in office The
present elders are E, M. Doty, Thomas McKee, and James 11, Puntenny. The
trustees are Messrs, Darling, Whipps, Megahan, Ilotehkiss, McKee and Jackson.
The Welsh Chinrh. ~TUo body to which the Welsh Presbyterian Church belongs
was formerly known as the AVelsh Calvanistic Methodist, but inasmuch as it was
always Presbyterian in polity its name was changed to the Welsh Presbyterian
Church. Its General Assembly, formed in 1870, meets triennially. It has five
synods and eighteen presbyteries. Its'strength lies chiefly in the states of New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota, Its services are chiefly in
the Welsh language. The church in this city was organized in 18-19 by Rev.
John Williams with twentyeight members. Its first house of worship was built
at the corner of Fifth and Long streets, largely through the liberality of Ilichard
Jones and David Price. For several years after its organization it had no regular
pastor but depended upon occasional supplies. In 1855 Rev. David Williams was
installed ; he served until 1858, in which year he Was succeeded by Rev. William
Parry, who, with Rev, Joseph E. Davis and Hugh Roberts, served the church
until October, 1860, when Rev. R, H. Evans was installed, Mr, Evans continued
in the pastoral office until 1869. On December 21 a unanimous call was given to
Rev. David Harries, of Ironton, who was installed March 11, 1870. The church
had at that time eightytive members. TMieir house of worship had been materially
enlarged a little before, and the congregation was in a flourishing condition,
Mr, Harries served the church about (bur years when he resigned to accept a
call in Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert V, Griffith, who remained
until 1885, when he was .succeeded by Rev. H, P, Howell, D. D., the present pas-
tor. la July, 1887, a new church edifice was begun on Long Street, between Sixth
Street and Grant Avenue. When the walls were nearly ready for the roof they
were blown down by violent storm. This accident called out the substantial .sym-
pathy of other churches and of individuals. The damage was speedily repaired and
the church was dedicated in September, 1888. Its cost, including the lot, was about
«25,000. The present membership of the church is about 375,
United Presbyterian Church.-ThQ body with which this church is con-
nected uas formed May 26, 1858, by a uni.,n <,f the As.sociate and Associate
ReJormed Presbyterian churches which owed their origin to Scotland. Members
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, j.opularly known as "Covenanters," and of
the Ai-sociate Presbyterian Church, known more commonly as " Seceders " were
among the earliest .settlers of Pennsylvania and of the re-ion lying .south of it
782 History of the City op Columbus.
Thoj- ami their ftithers had been the victims of the fierce persecutions arising out of
the attempt of the Stuarts in 1617, to impose upon the Church of Scotland the cere-
monies of the Cliurch of England and the headship of the crown over the church
of Christ. In 1782, these two bodies, the Eeformed and the Associate, formed a
uuion under the name of the "Associate Reformed Church, " but a number of the
Associate ministers and congregations did not accede to the union. There was
still an Associate and an A,s80ciate Reformed church. In 1858, these bodies came
together and formed the United Presbyterian Church of North America.
Early in the fifties there had been an Associate church in Columbus worship-
ing on Sixth Street. It was probably small in numbers and without a house of its
own. It had disappeared before the union of 1858. On Februar}' 5, 1887, the
present United Presbyterian Church was organized with twelve memliers. Messrs.
F.J. McKnight and Robert Livingston were ordained and installed as its ruling
elders. Rev. R. B. Patton began his work as its pastor on September 17, 1887. A
site for a church edifice was chosen on Long Street, east of Washington Avenue, and
a chapel for Sabbathschool and present church purposes was erected on it at a cost
of $10,200, including the lot, all of which was paid at once. The chapel was dedi-
cated October 7, 1888, and steps were at once taken to accumulate funds to build
the main edifice. The church is in a prosperous condition and located in a por-
tion of the city where a church with its appliances is greatly needed.
Brniif) Street Chvrch. — For some time after the settlement of Rev. Francis E.
Marsten as pastor of the First Church, his attention had been turned to the region
lying northeast from "Washington Avenue and Broad streets and extending to the
Panhandle shops. A Sabbathschool was organized on Long Street, east of
Garfield Avenue, and preaching services were held in Gospel hall. In a little
while it was seen that the rapid growth of population in the eastern part of
the citj- demanded a church in that quarter. Many families of the First, Second
and Westminster churches had, within a few years, removed east of the old city
limits, and new families were settling there. The question of the removal of
the First Church which was so largely represented in the East End was earnestly
canvassed and was decided in the negative ; but at the same time the old church
resolved to favor the organization of a new one. A lot was secured on the corner
of Garfield Avenue and Broad Street and a beautiful and commodious chapel was
erected on the rear of the lot at an expense, including the ground, of $31,000. At the
meeting of the Presbytery of Columbus in April, 1887, the incorporation of a
society to build a Presbyterian church at the corner of Broad Street and Garfield
Avenue was reported, and a committee was appointed to organize the church.
This committee reported to the next Presbytery that, on September 19, 1887,
it had organized the Broad Street Presbyterian Church with four elders, two dea-
cons and 105 communicants. At the meeting of the Presbytery October 17, Rev.
Francis B. Marsten was released from the pastoral charge of the First Church and
a call from the newly formed Broad Street Church was presented to and
accepted by him, with permission to hold it for the time being. On October 17,
1887, Mr. Marsten was duly installed by the Presbytery. The enterprise was
eminently successful. In 1891 it reported to the Presbytery 409 communicants.
'RESliYTKI
7s:5
It is now cM-et'ting a clmrch ad.joininj; its cliapd, at an I'sli.natci cost of 850,-
000. It will be composoii of buff stone with l)i()wn stone trimmings, in the Byzan-
tine style. The present cliiers are Cbiirlo.s ,\. Bnsw, .VIbcrt A. Hall, S. G. Hutch-
inson, James C. (Jray, A. B. Adair, William (i. Harrington, Edwin F. Johnson and
Frank Frankcnberg. The trustees are M. U. Lilley, president; William II. JoTies,
T. J. Duncan, Theodore H. Butler and E. R. Sharp. Row Francis E. Marslcn, I).
D., is pastor.
During the autumn 1891 Rev. Ilobert 11. Cuiinin-ham was entrnslod by the
Home Mission Committee of the Columbus Presbytery with the niis.sion work on
the West Side of the city under the auspices of our denomination. A Sunday-
school was established, a prayermcoting begun and a preaching service maintained
at a meetingplace hired for the purpose on West Broad Street, about one mile from
High Street. The work a.ssnmed such a shape that at the spring meeting of the
Presbytery held at London in 1892 certain petitioners living on the West Side
requested the formation of a church organization. On April 11, 1802, the Home
Mission Committee met at the mission station on West Broad Street and pro-
ceeded to organize such of the petitioners as were present into a Presbyterian
church, which began its career with twenty charter members. Efforts are now
making to secure for it a regular place of worship in a building of its own. Mr.
Robert Graham was chosen elder and the following persons were named as trustees:
Christopher Ross, Claude K. Seibert, II. M. McLarren and Doctor William Edmis-
ton. Eev. W. E. Dudley, of the Danville Theological Seminary at Danville, Ken-
tucky, was called as the first pastor. Thus the nucleus has been establis.hed for
what will probably prove to be a strong church not far away from the spot where
in 1806-7 Doctor Hoge first planted Presbyterianism in Columbus.
A plan is now on foot, with every prospect of success, to make the mission
now worshiping on Euclid Avenue a regularly organizeil church with an installed
pastor.
Presbyterianism is at present represented in Columbus by eight churches, hav-
ing an aggregate of about 2,200 communicants.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
METHODIST.
BY REV. JOHN COLLINS JACKSON, D. D.
[Rev. John Collins Jackson, D. D., is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. His father,
Samuel Jackson, was a prominent farmer of that county; his mother, Elizaheth Collins, was
a (laughter of John A. Collins, one of the pioneers of Southern Ohio. After a preparatory
course at the Fairfield Union Academy he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which
he graduated in 1874, having supported himself meanwhile by teaching. Having next served
one year as principal of the public schools of Lancaster, he entered the Ohio Conference in
September, 1875; was sent to the Third Street Church, Columbus; remained with that
church three years; was next assigned to St. Paul's at Delaware, Ohio, where he also
remained three years ; traveled in Europe in 1879 ; was married the same year to Miss Eva M.
See, of Zanesville; in ISSl became pastor of the Third Avenue Church, Columbus, the new
edifice for which was chiefly built under his ministry, which continued three years ; was next
stationed for three years at Bigelow Chapel, in Portsmouth, Ohio ; in 1886-7 traveled through
Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, and portions of Europe; in the autumn of 1887 was
chosen delegate to the General Conference of Methodism, and was appointed Presiding Elder
of the Columbus District, which position he resigned after four years to accept a second term
as pastor of the Third Avenue Church in Columbus ; received the degree of Doctor of Divin-
ity from the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1889 ; was again delegate to the General Confer-
ence in 1891. Doctor Jackson has lectured extensively on his travels and other subjects, and
is a frequent contributor to the press. He has declined numerous invitations to college pres-
idencies and to leading pulpits in cities outside of his Conference.]
Methodism in America followed closely in the wake of civilization. Some-
times it preceded it, the itinerant preacher being the first pioneer. In Columbus
it was contemporary with the origin of the city, with which it has maintained a
steady and uniform growth. Columbus was laid out in 1812, and became the seat
of the State government in 1816, in which year also it was incorporated as a
borough. Between these dates Methodism began its existence in this city. It
owes its introduction to a zealous layman. This honor belongs to the memory of
George McCormick. He was a carpenter by trade, and enjoyed the distinction of
taking part in erecting the first Statehouse. He induced Methodist iniMister.i to
come and preach here as early as the year 1812. Two or three little clearings had
by that time been made in the forests and swamps on the east bank of the Scioto,
one of these being near the foot of what is now Kich Street. As in most other
[784]
n, Some-
robiiibis
f lie Scioto,
oiier
Mkiithlist. 785
places, the first Metliodist services were held in the people's homes. Among the
earliest preacliers who visited this locality was Rev. Samuel West, then serving
the Delaware Circuit, in 1813. The nucleus of an organization was formed Decern,
ber 20, 1813, in the appointment of a Board of Trustees, consisting of George McCor-
miek, Peter and Jacob Grubb, John Brickell and George B. Harvey. About the
same time the first class or society was formed. It had onl^- four members, viz:
George MeCormick and wife, George B. Harvey and Jane A rnisii'ohg, Moses
Freeman, a negro, was tiie next person lo join it.
This was the germ from which, as the yeai-s have rolled on, the many and
strong societies of Metiiodism in the capital of Ohio, have successively been
propagated. At first its growth was slow and feeble. The early Methodists of
Columbus were an humble folk. Tliey were very ])oor, were burdened with debt,
and did not hold social rank with the Presbyterians and other denominations.
Some jiersonal notice ol the members of this first class will be interesting.
George MeCormick was lor years the pillar of the rising Methodist temple.
He owned a little farm which la^' east of the town and comprised the present site of
tlie Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and the adjacent territory. Still west
of where that Institution now stands lay McCormick's apple-orchanl, and adjoin-
ing it a wheatfieid. At present his tract of land would be wortli roundly a million
of dollars, or more. Shortly after the organization of this Methodist Society,
George B. Harvej' and Jane Armstrong were married, which is said to have
been tlie first marriage solemnized in Columbus. The descendants of this worthy
couple are found among Columbus Methodists to this day. Some years later Moses
Freeman went as Missionary to Liberia, Africa. Ho was a devout man, of fair
ability for his opportunities, and died in devotion to tlie cause of Christ and of his
oppressed race in that inhospitable clime.
lleturningto the history of this infant society, it is worthy of mention that the
proprietors of the citj', John Kerr, Lyne Starling, Alexander McLaughlin and
James Johnstoti, donated a lot to each of the three denominations then in the field,
viz.: the Presbyterian, the Episcopal and the Methodist Episcopal. The lot
was selected on which the Public School Library stands. One of the conditions of
the donation was that whenever the property ceased to be used for religious
purposes, the Church Trustees were to pay to the donors, or their heirs, $250 for the
lot, with interest thereon from date of conveyance in 1814. In May, 1890, the
entire property was sold to the City School Board, to be converted into a library
building, for $30,000, tiie congregation reserving the use of the lecture room and
parsonage one year. This action has induced John M. Kerr, a descendant of one of
the original grantors, to begin suit for $41. GG, his share of the $250, which at inter-
est at six per cent, from date, amounts to $231.45. Including all the heirs,
the debt would be about $2,500. But, as we understand it, the claim is groundless,
the courts having repeatedly held in similar cases, that where property is thus sold
to be re-invested in a new church by the same society it comes within the meaning
of the donor as originally expressed. We await with interest the decision of the
courts in this instance.
50
786 History op the City op Columbus.
The first church building on this site was an unpretentious structure built of
hewed logs. The records of the trustees indicate that the building cost $157. 53|.
This sum had been raised by subscription and probably required as much effort as
it would now to raise one hundred times that amount. The building was occupied
as a place of worship in 1815, but evidently was not finished, as the records show
that on September 29, 1817, the trustees appointed a committee "to have the
meetinghouse chinked, daubed, and underpinned, and to appoint a suitable person
to keep it in order.'' As this was before the daj's of public schools and school-
houses, this church was used for school purposes also for some years, the little
society receiving a small rental from that source. William T. Martin, the father
of our respected citizen, Benjamin P. Martin, was the teacher in this humble
institution of learning.
The population of the infant capital was now 700. The congregation and
society were also increasing, as is evidenced by the fact that on April 14, 1818,
measures were taken for "enlarging the meetinghouse." This was done by cut-
ting out the rear end, and adding a frame extension, of thirty feet, making the
whole building fifty feet long. The log part was then weather-boarded also, and
the whole of it finished inside. In September of that 3'ear, we find that a bill of
$360 for " completing the meeting house " was allowed by the trustees. The mem-
bership, colored as well as white, continued to increase, and in 1823 the former
had grown strong enough to organize independently for themselves, forming the
society of what is now the St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church on Long
Street.
Moderate prosperity still attended the little fiock, and in 1825, Jacob Grubb,
Nathaniel McLain and Henry Matthews, having secured a subscription of $1,300,
it was deemed " expedient to build a new brick church, 60 feet long, 45 feet wide
and of sufficient height to admit of a gallery." The old wooden building was
accordingly removed and a good brick structure was erected on the site, which was
used for worship the following year. This building was named Zion Church, by
which it was known uetil 1853. The society went beyond its means in building
and the house remained unfinished until 1837. It was not even plastered and for
a long time its seating facilities consisted of planks laid upon squarecut blocks for sup-
port. While in this unfinished state, the annual session of the Ohio Conference was
held here, among its attendants being several converted Wyandot Indians from
Upper Sandusky. In finishing up the account of the various buildings which this
society has occupied, we may add that in 1836 they secured a lot on Third Street,
between Eich and Main streets, and a few years later built a parsooage which was
exchanged in 1849 for a lot adjoining the hcurch, on the east side, and on which
they built the present brick parsonage in 1850. The third church building,
which is the one recently sold, was built in 1852-3. While it was in process of
erection the society w;is jiermitted to hold services in the City Hall. This church
also was occupied before it was complete, only the basement being used at first,
and even it remained uuplastered for years. This state of things indicates that
though in numbers there was substantial increase, yet in means the society
remained poor. For manj^ years collections were taken to pay off the debt of
Methodist. 787
Town Street Church, und during a part of that time the Conference even
appointed an agent for that purpose. But it has proved in tiio end an immense
investment for Methodism, in the Conference and in the entire State, and it was
perhaps wiser to venture as they did tlian to have waited till they were more able,
inasmuch as their necessity drove them to greater endeavors. At this writing
(1891) the society is pushing to rapid completion their new church — the chapel
portion — on the corner of Town and Eighteenth streets. It will be a beautiful
and commodious structure of brick and stone, costing $17,000. This will meet
the wants of the people for some years to come, and the main ])ortion of the build-
ing will be erected when needed. Among those especially active in this enter-
prise arc H C. Lonnis, E. W. Seeds, and George Bellows. The fourth church will
still be "Town Street," so that the mother of Columbus Methodism will not
change her name though she does her location.
Let us now go back to the beginning and review the men of (iod who wrought
as spiritual builders in these material churches. This society constituted a part
of a circuit from its origin until 1830, when it became a station. The circuits were
so often changed in their geographical limits in tho.se days that it is hard to trace
its name from 3'ear to year. At first it was on the Delaware Circuit; sometimes
it was on the Columbus Circuit; again it was called the Scioto Circuit; and at
still other times it was known as the Pickaway Circuit. But the roll of its pas-
tors is accurately known. Rev. Samuel West etl'eeted its organization and acted
as pastor until the Conference of the year 1814. He was a man of average culture
for those days, and was a popular secondrate preacher. Having a wife and two
children to support, he was driven to resign his ministry earl^' in life, or, in Meth-
odist terminology, to " locate." He bought a little farm near Batavia and lived
many years in Cincinnati. Isaac Pave}' was his successor as pastor, serving dur-
ing the years 1814-5. He was not a very strong preacher but was a man of
irreproachable character. Like many others of those times, want of means caused
him to locate early and he settled near Leesburg, in Highland County, Ohio.
Jacob Hooper was the next pastor during the yeai-s 1815-lG. He was a good cir-
cuit preacher, very diffident yet useful. Years afterward Brother Hooper was col-
league with Joseph M. Trimble on the Athens Circuit, and although an elderly
man, he wanted this boy preacher to assume the charge of the work because " he
was a college graduate." William Swayze was next appointed to the circuit for
two years in succession. During 1816-17, Simon Peter was his companion in labors,
and in 1817-18, Lemuel Lane was his colleague. Swayze was a very popular preacher
and a great revivalist. The membership of the circuit is returned for these two
years as respectively, 642 and 846. How many of these belonged to the city
appointment we have no means of ascertaining.
In 1818-19, John Tevis and Leroy Swormstedt served the circuit. It was this
year that the first church was enlarged. Tevis was a fine )ircachcr whose wife
was a scholarly lady. He afterwards located and established a Female Seminar}**
at Shelbyville, Kentucky, called Science Hill Academy, which became a very
popular institution for manj' years. Doctor Swormstedt, as he afterward became,
was twice thereafter returned tf) the circuit but with several years intervening
788 History of the City op Colitmbds.
between his pastorates. He had systematic habits with fine business qualifica-
tions, and was an excellent preacher. His life record shows that he served twelve
years on circaits and prominent stations, six years as pre.sidina; elder and twentj--
four years as assistant or principal agent of the Western Book Concern. He died
August 27, 1863. For the year 1819-20, John Tevis and Peter Stephens were the
associated pastors. Next in 1820-21, we find Russel Bigelow and Horace Brown,
and then in 1821-22, Russel Bigelow and Tiiomas McCleary. Russel Bigelow was
a prince among pulpit orators. When nineteen years old he came with his parents
from Vermont to Worthington, Ohio. He joined the Oiiio Conference in 1814.
He was about thirty years of age when he preached in Columbus. In 1827 he
went as a missionary to the Wyandot Indians at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where
his labors were attended with great success. After a few years, however, his
healih failed and he was appointed chaplain of the Ohio Penitentiary in 1835.
But he continued rapidly to decline and died in this city July 1, 1835, in his forty-
third year. His dust rests in Green Lawn Cemetery, marked only by a fallen
marble slab. The only tribute which we need to pay to his power and eloquence
is to qliote Bishop Thomson : " As a preacher I have yet to hear his equal."
In 1822-3 Charles Waddle and Henry S. Fernandes were in charge, and in
1823-4 Charles Waddle and Alfred M. Loraine. Waddle was a zealous, revivalistic
preacher, but perhaps was not always wise in his judgment. Fernandes was
reputed a man of solid worth. Lorain had been a sailor and published a volume
of sermons dedicated to seamen. His illustrations in preaching were drawn
almost entirely from marine life. The membership of the circuit, which varied
from year to year, often as the circuit itself was changed, is now reported at 1,178.
In 1824-5 Leroy Swormstedt and Joseph Carper were the pastors, and in
1825-6 Joseph Carper and John H. Power were in charge. Carper was a man of
unusual ability. He was popular with the jieople and very full of religious and
business zeal. His son, the Hon. Homer Carper, of Delaware, Ohio, is still
living, as is also his daughter. Power, also, was an acceptable man.
In 1826-7 Samuel Hamilton and Jacob Young served the work. Jacob
Young was a man of great intellectual abilit}- and was instrumental in the
conversion of multitudes. He had great influence among his brethren, who
honored him several times as a delegate to the General Conference. He was con-
nected with an Annual Conference for more than fiftyfive years, and died saying,
"sweet heaven, sweet heaven,' September 16, 1860, at Columbus, in his eighty-
fifth year. His dust lies in Green Lawn.
In 1827-8 Samuel Hamilton and J. W. Myxou were the pastors, and in 1828-9
Leroy Swormstedt and Gilbert Blue. In 1829-30 John W. Clai-ke and Adam Poe
were in charge. Clarke was an excellent man. For many years he was a presid-
ing elder and always commanded universal respect both by his ability and his
integrity. He died suddenly in Pickaway County, August 5, 1862.
ff, Adam Poo was one of tlie noted men of Ohio Methodism. In early life he
was a Presbyterian, but doctrinal objections led him into the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He was admitted into the Ohio Conference in 1827. He spent seven
years of his ministerial life on circuits, six on stations, ten as presiding elder, eight
■ok ( '
'oiiceni, an
(1 I'iglit MioroaH Y
irinc
\\)i\\.
1 to
llie Gcnci
•al Conference.
lie
was
)lli<)
Wcsleyan
University, and
was one
oalb
, .lime 2(1,
IStiS. It' was u
n.loi
•the
Nasi
1, the fatliu
r of (iernian Mc
tliod
lisni.
Mkimio
j-ears as assistant at,'oiit in tlie Western lid
Seven tinu's in suceossioii lie was elei-tei
almost the prime mover in tV)lUKlinjj; liie (
of its trustees from the heirinniny to his li
labors of Doctor Poe that Doctor William
was converted.
In 1830 Columbus was made a station and Thomas A. Morris was a]i|iointcd
to take charge of Methodism here, lie remained but one year. In Ajiril of 1831
Joseph M. Trimble, who was then in charge of the Chillicothe Circuit, came to
Town Street Church at Brother Morris's invitation to assist him in holding a
revival. In those earlj' days of grace and power protracted meetings did not run
into tiie length of weeks and months that they do now. People were less accus-
tomed to hearing the Gospel, and they acted more promptly. Brother Trimble
pi-eached twice on Sabbath, twice on Monday and on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday nights. On Monday the descent of the spirit was felt in power and
until Thursda3- night the work of God was wonderful. Within five days ninety
jiersons united witli the church on probation and most of them were converted.
The first year the membership was almost doubled and the pastor reported to
Conference 320 members.
Thomas A. Morris was a chaste, sincere preacher, who often grew sublimely
eloquent. He was born April 28, 1794, near Charleston, West "Virginia. His early
training was in the Baptist Church but when about nineteen he joined the Metho-
dists. He was admitted into the Oiiio Conference in 1816, and served various cir-
cuits, stations and districts until 1834, when he was appointed the first editor of
the Western Christian Advorate. He was elected delegate to the General Confer-
ence in 1824 and was honored with a rei^lcction every four years until and includ-
ing 1836 when he was chosen bishoji. In this office he discharged his duties faith-
fully and efficiently until he broke down in liealth. lie died at Springfield, Ohio,
September 2, 1874.
The next pastor of Town Street was Hobert O. Spencer, who served during
the year 1831-2. He was a man of marked modesty, piety and industry. He was
the son of Oliver M. Spencer, a wholesale merchant of Cincinnati. At the age of
eighteen he joined the Ohio Conference and traveled as an itinerant fifty years.
His devotion to study and private prax er made him very effective in the ministry.
He coiMJucted the great revival at Athens, Ohio, in 1827, when, among others.
Bishop Ames and Doctors Joseph M. Trimble, H. J. Clark and William Herr,
students at the Ohio University, were converted. Russel Bigelow was stationed
as pastor of Town Street from 1832-3 to 1833-4. His health failed toward the close
of the second year, and Leonard B. Gurley filled out the unex])ired term. The
church reported 374 members at the close of Bigelow's first j'ear. Though Doctor
Gurley served but a few months as pastor it should be said in honor of his memorj-
that he was one of the sweet, saintly men of eai-th. He was a pro.se ]>oet and a
very eloquent preacher. After a long and honored career he closed his earthly
labors in his pleasant home at Delaware, Ohio, in the year 1880. Edward W-
Sehon was the pastor during tlie years 1834-5 and 1835-6, till about tlie middle of
790 History of the City op Columbus.
his second j'ear, when he broke down, and Leonidas L. Hamline was sent to fill out
the year. Sehon was a West Virginian by birth, educated at the Ohio University.
He joined the Ohio Conference in 1829. He was a man of fine delivery and a pop-
ular preacher. When the division on the slavery question came in 1844 he went
off with those of his sympathies to the Church South. Leonidas Lent Hamline
was born in Connecticut, May 10, 1797. Coming to Ohio he studied law and was
admitted to the bar at Lancaster. He was practicing in Zanesville when the death
of his little daughter, in 1828, led to his conversion. He united with the Church
and was received on trial in the Ohio Conference in 1832. After filling out the
year at Town Street he was appointed assistant editor of the Western Christian
Advocate, and when the Ladies' Repository was established in 1841 he was made
editor of that magazine. In 1844 he was elected a bishop, filling tiie office with
great acceptability till 1852, when he resigned it because of poor health, and was,
at his own request, placed on the list of superannuated preachers of the Ohio Con-
ference. He was a finished pulpit orator and a writer of the best diction. For
eight years preceding his death he was a great sufferer. He pas.sed away in peace
at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, February 22, 1865. The next pastor was Joseph Carper,
1836-7. He was followed by Joseph A. Waterman (1837-8), a good preacher and a
well-informed man. He was feeble in body but his pulpit ministrations were
highly appreciated. He reported 260 members — sixty less than were left by
Thomas A. Morris in 1830.
William Herr then served tlie Church two years. The people enjoyed
his ministry. He left a membership of 278. William Herr was educated at the
Ohio University and was converted in the celebrated revival of 1827 at Athens.
He is still living in a green old age at Dayton, Ohio, loved and respected by all.
Joseph M. Trimble was sent as pastor to Town Street in the fall of 1840, serv-
ing it two years. Under his labors the church was blest with a most interesting
revival of religion and 172 were added to the membership, bringing it u]) to a
total of 450. For several years following this revival the church continued to
grow. The society looked much to the coming of Joseph M. Trimble as their
pastor, to give them some of the much coveted social prestige of others. Besides
being an able financier and a powerful ])reacher, he was the son of Governor
Allen Trimble, who was converted and added to the church through his instru-
mentality after hearing him preach his first sermon years before. This social
expectation and requirement of the people was embarrassing to young Trimble,
who wisely admonished the people not to look to him but to God for his blessiug
and to themselves for worthy character which could not be spoken against, but
would adorn the doctrine of Christ in all things. Doubtless, however, the presence
and work in the city of this gifted son of the honored Governor of Ohio had much
to do indirectly in removing those prejudices which were unworthily- entertained
against the early Methodists while it was a "sect everywhere spoken against."
The eightythird anniversary of Doctor Trimble's birth was appropriately cel-
ebrated on the evening of April 15, 1890, in the parlors of the Broad Street Church.
The following incidents in his life were narrated on this occasion by Rev.
J. L. Grover :
Methoiiist. 701
Alter jiradiiatin;; at tlie Ohio University at Athens, in 1S2.S, in a. very short time he was
admitted to the Ohio Annual Conferenee and immeiliately commenced liis life work with a
degree of enthusiasm that marked his entire ministry. He traveled three circuits, involving
a vast amount of labor and exposure, with astonishing results. He sjient thirteen years in
stations; was presiding elder in Coliimhiis, Chillicothe, Zanesville, Marietta and Lancaster
di.-ftricta. For five years he tilled a professor's chair in Augusta College, Kentucky. For
four years he served as second General Conference Missionary Secretary for the West, doing
a vast amount of travel and labor in the different fields embraced in his department. For
thirtyone years he has been a member of the General Conference Missionary Society. For
nineteen years he has served as financial agent of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela-
ware. Much of the time he has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and for years its
president. In 183+ he was electe<l Secretary of the Ohio Annual Conference, and continued
to fill the position for the unprecedented period of thirtyone years. He was also elected Sec-
retary of the General Conference for two consecutive terms. In 1S44 he was elected a delegate
to the General Conference, and has continued to be a delegate to that body every consecutive
conference up to the present time, a fact having no parallel in the annals of Methodism in
this or any other country. Moreover, during all these years, winter and summer, without
intermission, he was preaching the glad tidings of salvation to the crowds that heard him
gladly.
Dr. Triitilile made a happy response, giving some account of his early life and
work ill the niinisliy. lie had received sixtytwo appoiiitincnts in the Ohio Con-
ference.
David Whilcorab became pastor of the church in the fall of 1842, serving with
frreat acceptability one year and then taking ciiarge of the district as Presiding
Elder. He was one of nature's noblemen, genial, witty and wise. Converted
while working at the saltwells of Virginia, he studied under all the disadvantages
of such a life and became an intelligent man. He delighted in polemics and as a
controversialist bad few equals. Doctor Trimble said he was the best versed
in Scripture of any man he ever knew. Many are the anecdotes still lingering in
the minds of the aged of Whitcomb's ready repartee and .•idaptation lo emergen-
cies.
At this time we find that the official members of Town Street Church were
George McCorraick— patriarch of the veteran host— William Armstrong, John
Whitsell, C. Crum, Francis Crum, Charles Breyfbgle, Joseph Fitzwater and S,
A,S,Decker. Among those added to the church in 1841 and who still are
active, are Michael Halm, Thomas Aston and William Arnold. William Arm-
strong is now in his ninetythird year. He was one of the few in those early
days who had some financial strength.
The population of Columbus in 1840 was 6,487. The limits nfthe town may
be conceived when we remember that the house now occupied by Mrs. Ferson on
East Town Street, then an Academy for Ladies, was quite in the country.
At the conference of 1843 two men were appointed to Town Street with the
hope of enlargement by creating a new society, but no such division occurred;
they were John Miiey and Abraham Wambaugh. The latter became a member
of the Cincinnati Conference at its creation, and filled such charges as Milford,
Ripley, Springfield, Cincinnati and Avondale. He died August 14, 1873. John
Miley was reappointed for the year 1844-5. He was, and is to this day, a strong
792 History of the City op Columbus.
thinker and a strong preacher. He joined the Ohio Conference in 1838. When
the Cincinnati Conference was created, he fell within its territorial lines. He
■was transferred to the New York East Conference in 1852 and to the New York
Conference in 1866. He filled the most important charges in the conferences with
which he was connected for over thirty years, and in 1872 was elected to the
chair of Systematic Theology in Drew Seminary, which position he still fills.
He is author of a work on The Atonement, and other books.
Granville Moody, clanim ef venerabile nomen, comes next on the list of Town
Street's illustrious pastors. He served it two years, from the fall of 1845 to that
of 1847. He had great success and reported a membership of 644 the first year,
and 600 the second j^ear. Encouraged by this growth, the society felt strong
enough to divide. William Neil gave them a lot on the west side of High Street,
between Gay and Long Streets, 62J feet front and 187^ feet deep, on which
Wesley Chapel was built. This location was then considered the northern part
of the city. A colony of 190 members went out of Town Street to inhabit this
new hive, whose history will be duly given. As an interesting item in the value-
growth of real estate we may note the assessed worth of Wesley Chapel lot when
it was given and its selling price in 1883. When William Neil gave the lot
he said it was worth $800. Before his death, perhaps in the year 1850, John
r. Bartlit and Isaac Aston persuaded him to give a quitclaim deed, releasing
the reversionary condition on which it was granted. Mr. Neil at that time
said : " The lot will be worth $2,500 some day." " Fudge," replied Mr. Bart-
lit, "it is too far up the Worthington road for that. It may be worth $2,000
sometime." In 1883 it sold for $62,500. Bishop Simpson's objection to the lot
as a church site was that it was too far out in the country.
Before pursuing these threads of histor3' farther we must give our concluding
notice of Granville Moody. He was of Puritan stock, born in Portland, Maine,
January 2, 1812. He was baptized by Eev. Dr. Payson. He settled in Muskingum
County, Ohio, when eighteen years old, and engaged in mercantile pursuits.
While teaching in a Methodist Sabbathschool he was converted, and then aband-
oned his Calvanistic faith for the Arminian belief He joined the Ohio Conference
in 1833. At the organization of the Cincinnati Conference, iu 1852, he became one of
its members, filling its most important charges, serving as presiding elder on two of
its districts and representing it four times in the General Conference. At the out-
break of the great Eebellion, Governor Dennison invited him to take the command
of a regiment. He was appointed colonel of the Seventyfourth Ohio Infantry and
assigned by Secretary Stanton as commandant of Camp Chase, five miles west of
this city, where five thousand Eebel prisoners were confined. The Government
complimented him on his efficiency at tliis post, and when he went to the fi'ont the
prisoners passed the following resolutions: "Should Colonel Moody at any time
become a prisoner of our Confederate government, we hereby earnestly request for
him the highest consideration and treatment, as a proper acknowledgment of his
kindness and care of us as prisoners of war, having given us every comfort, liberty
and indulgence at all consistent with our position and with his obligation as com-
mandant of this militarj' post."
Methodist. TV.i
Colonel Mood}- was aetivoly engaged in the Stone River and other battles and in
the pursuit of John Morgan. He preached regularly every Sabbath to his soldiers
when circumstances permitted. Ho was compelled by physical disability to accept
an honorable discharge in the summer of 1863 and received high testimonials
from Generals Rosecrans, Thomas and others. He did much on his return by his
war speeches to secure recruits for the government. He was a fine orator and as
bold as a lion. The soldiers loved and idolized him. He re-entered the pastorate
and closed his long, honorable and remarkable career at Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
June 4, 1SS7.
After the division of Town Street and the organization of Wesley Chapel.
Cyrus Brooks was appointed pastor of the former, in the fall of 1847, serving two
3-ears. He reported 360 members the first year and 387 the second. He was a
faithful shepherd to whom the flock which he served was greatly attaciied. Town
Street, or Old Zion, as it was still called, now began to agitate the matter of build-
ing a new and more commodious church. A large and more sightly structure
was felt to be a necessity, but the means were not in sight. The hope, however,
was not abandoned, but only deferred. David Warnock was next appointed pas-
tor, by Conference of 1849, remaining two years. He reported 345 members at the
close of his first year and 405 the second. Clinton W. Sears, an active, zealous
young man, was ap]i<)intcil ])ast(ir for the year 1851-2. Ho left a memljcrship
of 365.
J. Asbury Bruner was his successor, serving two years. He also was young,
zealous and deepl}- pious. Though but a moderate preacher, he alwa.xs had revi-
vals in his work. During his first j'ear the long talked of church building enter-
prise begun to assume definite shape. Old "Zion" was turn away ami :i new
church— the present one (1891) — was erected in its stead, IJul like lis two
predecessors it had to remain unfinished because the necessary funds could not be
raised. Only the ceiling of the lecture room w^is plastered, the walls remaining
bare. The auditorium was not occupied at all. The society worshiped in the City
Hall while the church was being built. During this year, also, :i lew nicinlicrs
witlxii'cw from Town Street for the purpose of founding a new s<i(iet\ I'lirtiur
south in tiie city, which will be duly described as Bigelow Chapel.
John W. White was next pastor of Town Street, serving two \ears. No
special effort was made to complete the church. The society runaiMod deeply in
debt, but much good was done. White was a man of ])alhos and tine imagination.
Always hopeful and buoyant, he was (or many years a popular pastor and presid-
ing elder in the Ohio Conference. When he became superannuated he made his
home in Worthington, and afterwards at Delaware, where he died, May 1, 1886.
Mrs. Ann White, his widow, still resides in that city, while their son, John, is Pro-
fessor of Greek in Harvard University. James M. Jameson next served Town
Street for two years, being apjiointed at the Conference of 1856. He raised the
necessary means and had the iiudioncoroom finished and occupied. Hut the pro-
verbial "Town Street debt " still luiiii,' over them. The society iipiilied to Con-
ference for an agent to travel tlirough the Conference territory, and, if |]ussilile,
raise sufficient money to pay their debts and finish the lectureroom also. Rev.
794 History of the City of Columbus.
Uriah Heath was selected for this work, but he was not successful in raising the
necessary amount, and the financial embarrassment continued to drag its weary
length along. Doctor Jameson is a man of excellent parts and sweet spirit. He
has served the church to its great profit and his own credit in many varied fields.
He is now living in honoi-able superannuation at Los Angeles, California.
At the Conference of 1858, Barzillai N. Spahr was appointed pastor, continu-
ing two years. He left 371 members and reduced the indebtedness somewhat.
Brother Spahr died June 4, 1890, from the results of a surgical operation ])er-
formed at the Uawkcs hospital two da^s before.
In the fall of 1860 Joseph M. Trimble was again put in charge of Town Street,
remaining two j-ears. He found a debt of 83,500, but b^- heroic and persistent
efforts during his term he had the class and lecturerooms finished and paid
for and reduced the standing debt to $1,000. He reported 435 members at the
close of his first year and 395 the second, having contributed some members
toward establishing Christie Chapel, a mission charge on Eighth Street. This
church proved to be poorly located. It had a struggling existence for a few years,
but after the organization of Broad Street Church Christie Chapel was sold and its
membership distributed to other charges.
Ill 1862 D. D. Mather was made pastor of Town Street. He remained two
years, rendering acceptable services, and, following out the plan left by Doctor
Trimble, the church was at last freed from its incubus of debt. During these dark
years of the sixties Town Street, like every other Methodist Church, furnished
many soldiers for her country who were also soldiers of the Cross. Doctor Mather
is yet living, spending his closing j'ears in Delaware, Ohio. Carmi A. Vaiianda
served Town Street from 1864 to 1867, rendering three years of good service. Dur-
ing his last pastorate the church was improved interiorly and the rented pew sys-
tem adopted. The plan did not prove successful and a debt was again incurred.
Doctor Vananda was greatly beloved by his people. He has since leaving the
Ohio Conference filled many fine charges, being at present the pastor of Roberts
Park Church, Indianapolis. His successor at Town Street was W. H. Scott, who
served two years, leaving a membership 375. Doctor Scott was for manj' years
President of the Ohio University at Athens and for the last eight years has filled the
same position in the Ohio State University and Agricultural College at Columbus,
with honor to himself and to the prosperity of the institution. During his pastor-
ate Town Street returned to the free pew sj-stem, and her temporary trial of
rented pews was the only instance of the kind, so far as the writer knows of, in the
history of Columbus Methodism. President Scott was followed in 1869 by
Earl Cranston as pastor of Town Street. The failure of his wife's health occasioned
his resigning his pastorate before the close of the year, and going to Minnesota.
Doctor Cranston filled various important charges throughout the West, and in 1884
was elected by the General Conference as the head-agent of the Western Methodist
Book Concern, at Cincinnati, which position he continues to fill with great
efficiency. In 1870 B. N. Spahr was the second time appointed pastor of Town
Street, remaining one year and then becoming presiding older of the Colum-
bus District In 1871, at the earnest solicitation of the charge, Doctor Vananda was
^rKTiionisT. 705
roturnotl to tlioin as pastor, reiiiainin;^ until Novcmbor, 1S7.'^, when he was trans
fci-reil to St. Louis. Bishop Amus appointed Doctor Trimble to take charge until a
perniunent supply could be obtained, and then in A\>n\ following tran.sforre(i .lanios
Hill trou) Indiana as pastor of Town Street Church. He remained two years more.
During his first year the celebrated holiness evangelists, Reverends J. L. Inskip and
William McDonald, held a tendays meeting in Town Street, beginning January
18. These services attracted wide attention and doubtless did good. Doctor Hill's
last year was also marked with a great revival, conducted by himself .\ftor fill-
ing various other charges in the Ohio Conference he again joined the Indiana Con-
ference in 1887. The next pastor of the Town Street Church was Isaac F. King,
who was appointed in 1876 and remained three years. During his term the church
was beautifull}- repaired and all debts wei-e paid oflF. He left 484 members-
Brother King remains a member of the Ohio Conference, held in highest esteem.
In 1879 Charles M. Bethauser was appointed pastor. He served two j-ears and
then retired from the active ministry to enter upon the practice of medicine in
Columbus, where he still resides In 1881 A. C. Hirst, at the end of his third year
as pastor of Wesley Chapel, was appointed to Town Street. He was an eloquent
and attractive preacher and at the end of his second year was transferred to
Christ Church, Pittsburgli. Doctor Hirst reported a membership of 611. He now
fills the presidency of the Pacific University, California. W. M. Mullenix was the
next pastor of Town Street, having charge from 1883 to 1886. He reported a mem-
bership of 650. W. D. Cherington was ap])ointed pastor in 1886, remaining
one year, and then taking charge of Second Street, Zanosville, which, after another
j^ear, he was called to leave to succeed Doctor McConnell, of Third Avenue, Col-
umbus, where he is now closing his third successful year. The next pastor of Town
Street was S. D. Hutsin])iller, who remained one year, and, like his predec.essor, was
then stationed at Second Street, Zanesville, one year, at the close of whicii he was
transferred to Toledo. In 1888 W. H. Lewis wasappointed to Town Street, where
he is now filling his third year with efficiency. The membership of this church is
now over 500, many of whom will be too remote from the location of the new church
to remain with it, but their vacancies will be filled b}- others who await its coming to
their vicinity.
Thus we have followed the history of the parent church of Columbus Methodism
through its life of sevcntycight years. Few, if any, charges of Methodism have had
a nobler or more illustrious line of pastors, and we pray that its future maj' continue
to increase in honor and usefulness as the years roll on. We now turn to the his-
tory of the other charges of Methodism, which must necessarily be less in detail.
Wcsli-ij Cluipcl. — Wesley Chapel was organized as a society, ami its tirsi diuirh
edifice was built, in 1845-6, while Granville Moody was pastor of 'rnwii Stjvrt.
The cost of the church was from seven to eight thousand dollars lioberi Kift-iw
dan, William Armstrong and Ezra Booth were the building coinmittoc. Francis
Minor was the contractor. The lot was given by William and Hannah Neil
under circumstances narrated elsewhere in this historj'. When comi)li'ted the
church was dedicated b}- Bishop E. S. Janes, in September, 1S17. Its fii-.st (Quar-
terly Conference was held October 30, 1847, when appear the names of Abram
796
History op the City of Columbus.
Wanibausjli and liovett Taft as exhortcrs, both of whom aftoi'ward became minis-
ters.
The records of this period seem to be lost and many things which we would
like to know are for that reason inaccessible. The society seems to have started
out with an unusually strong force — about 197 members. Of these a. few are
still living in this city, among them being Isaac Aston, William Arnold, Ruth
Bartiett, William Barton, Ezra Booth, Henry Booth, Jane A. Harvey, Truman
WESLEY CHAPEL. 1892.
Hillyer. Richard Jones, Chester Mattoon, Thomas Aston, Mrs. George M. Peters
and Matilda Rudisill.
Rev. George C. Crum, tlie first pastor, was appointed in the fall of 1847 and
remained two years. He was a superior preacher. Among his accessions was
William Neil. The Sundayschool records date back to December 14, 1848. At
this time we find M. Gooding superintendent. Lovott Taft assistant and Isaac
Aston secretary. In addition to most of those whose names have already been
given, we find as signers of the constitution, Brainardj Dickinson, Daniel Miner,
MK.Tn..i.isT. 707
Lutlicr Ilillciy, Julia Civo.i, Mrs. K. W. Armsiroii- :ni,l llMiiiiMh Noil. At the
dose of his second yciir luv. Mr. Criiiii ropdHeii to CoiifcroiM o 211 riH'inlicr.s.
Ecv. J. W. Clarke, thr jiresidinj,' eliier during those years, was a man of abil-
ity and good report. The next jiastor. Rev. William FI. Luwder, ai)pointed in tlic
fall of 1849, had been an associate of Doctor G. (;. Cruni in their boyhood days.
Failing health prevented his return the following j-ear, and Rev. John \V. Weakly
was appointed pastor. He was a graduate of Augusta College, Kentucky, and
reported at the close of his year 250 members.
We find the Sundaj-school of this chui-ch wrestling with difficulties which we
are apt to imagine arc jieculiar to ourselves and from which it is supposed the
earlier years of city Methodism were exempt. Again and again efforts are made
to establish and maintain a teachers' meeting; committees are appointed for
recruiting the school. From all of which it appears that people were inclined to
neglect important matters then as well as now, and that children were not more
religiously inclined than at present. The f.)rmer times wei-e not bettor than
these. The treasurers annual report for 1S51, shows that the stdiool that year
raised S31.55 and expended $29.35 for l)Ooks.
Rev. John W. Leavitt became pastor in 1S.")1. He was a son of Judge Loavitl,
of the Supreme Court, and served tlie i)eo])lo with acco|)tabilily for two years.
Rev. Uriah Pleath, one of the eminent, earnest and saintly ministers of early Ohio
Methodism, was now presiding elder.
In the fall of 1853, Rev. James L. Grover became pastor, remaining two years
to the great pleasure and profit of the people. These were the da3-s when the sub-
ject of promiscuous sittings agitated the church. The custom h;id hitherto been
for the family to separate bj' sexes on entering the church door and the mother
and daughters to go to the women's side while the father and sons walked in
orderly array to the men's side. But the reform in this matter came in due time
to Wesley Chapel, and after the usual amount of discussion and division of opinion,
promiscuous sittings finallj^ prevailed. The State Journal of October 18, 1854,
states as a news item that " a new rule has been adopted at Wesley Chapel allow-
ing all male and female members of a family to sit together in the same pew."
Also at this time there was great opposition to the use of even a cabinet oi'gan in
the chui'ch, and it was some years before choirs were admitted. But the progres-
sive spirit was irresistible, and choirs and a pipe organ finally came to occupy a
permanent place in worship here as elsewhere.
In 1855, Rev. John Frazier became pastor, serving two years. He was a
"transfer" to Columbus from the Troy Conference, and was a popular minister.
Rev. Zachariah Conncll, an able and influential man of his day, was now the pre-
siding elder of this district. Rev. William Porter became pastor in 1857. He
was a devout man, and served the charge two years, at the end of which time he
reported 167 members, which shows that outside of a few ])illars of the church
the rank and tile were fluctuating. Rev. (icorge W. Brush became pastor in 1869,
and served the full time — two years. He was a man of celebrated eloquence and
power, but in after years, during a fit ol temporarj' aberration of mind, he ended
his own life while the popular pastor of St. Paul's, Delaware. His memory
798 History of the City of Columbus.
always awakens admiration and sadness among those who knew iiim. Rev.
J. M. Jaincsou was now the ])residing elder. He still lives in California, and at
the ripe age of 88 j-ears preaches yet occasionally to admiring auditors. Doctor
Jameson still has hosts of friends iu Columbus. In the fall of 1801 Rev. David D.
Mather became pastor, remaining one year, at the end of which time he was
exchanged b}- the Conference powers for Rev. J. M. Trimble, D. D., who had
just closed his two years at Town Street. Doctor Mather was an effective and
popular preacher. He yet lives, making his home in Delaware, Ohio.
Under Doctor Trimble's pastorate the membership inci'eased in two years
from 185 to 225. The Sundayschool records of these years are exceedingly
meager, and we find no cliurch records whatever. From Doctor Trimble's pri-
vate records we find that the otticial members now were, J. F. Bai-tlett, .Tas. F.
Kelley, Malthew Gooding, Ezra and Henry Booth, E. Hutf, G. W. .M^i^yiien/y, Ct^
Thomas Walker, A. Gardner and Chester Mattoon. I. C. Aston was Suiulayschool
superintendent and the school was flourishing. From the same source we learn
that when Doctor Trimble entered Wesley Chapel for the first time as pastor, he
was greeted bj- an audience which intimidated him. On the platform sat
Governor Salmon P. Chase, Governor William Dennison, and others who had never
been identified with Methodism, but who undoubtedlj- came to tender their
respect to the son of Governor Trimble, whom they had known. His pastorate
was one of popularit)' and power, but of course these notable auditors were not
constant attendants.
Rev. C5ru8 E. Felton was the next pastor, coming in the fall of 1764, after
the General Conference had extended the pastoral term to three 3-ears, and
remaining the full period. Doctor Felton had here, as uniformly, a very popular
pastorate. Under his labors the church was remodeled and enlarged, its front
extended and its towel's added to, at an expense of §30,000. The reopening took
place under the sermon of Bishop Charles Kingsley. At the close of this pastorate
the membership was reported at 286. Some had now left Wesley to organize
Christie Chapel. Doctor Felton, in after years, served our best churches in
St. Louis, Pittsburgh and other cities, returning to some of them as often as three
times. His health failed him a few years ago and he now lives in retirement in
Florida, engaged in orange culture. Rev. C. A. Vananda was at this lime the
presiding elder, of whose pastoral labors in this city and his acceptable abilities
we have alreadj- given extended notice.
Rev. Isaac Crook became pastor of Wesley Chapel in 1867 and remained three
years. An absence of church records prevents any notes of importance during
this period. Doctor Ci'ook reported 316 members his third year. In after j-ears
be served Broad Street Church and is now the President of the Pacific University.
In the Sundayschool we find growing in prominence from year to j'ear the name
of one who afterwards became, and is now, a successful minister of the Ohio Con-
ference, viz: John E. Rudisill, We also find the scliool manifesting its apprecia-
tion of the Superintendent, Isaac Aslon, in a recorded motion to "make him a
present costing from 8-tO to S50. and Brothers Ezra Booth, Trimble and Crook to
be a committee to make the presentation with a speech. "
Mkt I1.ST. 7!l!t
In 1870 Ivov. David II. Mooro bocaiiio llio pawlor, roinaiiiiiig two yeurs. Ho
reported 3S4 members tlie first year and 462 the second. Doctor Moore filled other
important puljjits in the Ohio Conference a!)d then was transferred to Cincinnati,
filling its best stations, after which he became the President of the Wesleyan
Female College of Cincinnati, and still lutei' the C'lancellor of the University at
Denver. After the death of Doctor J. II. Hayliss, he was elected editor of the
Wt'Stern Christian Ailvnrati-, which position ho continues to fill with gi'cat efficiency
and acceptability. Rev. B. N. Spahr was the popular presiding older during these
years. Rev. Samuel A. Keen became pastor in 1872, remaining three years. Ho
reported 543 members his second year and 408 his third year, a strong colony
having gone ofl' for the organization of Broad Street. Dr. Keen's furtlier ministe-
rial record in this city is given in connection with Third Avenue. In 187.'), llev.
Thomas R. Taylor was appointed to Wesley Chapel and served us pastor throe
years. He left 518 members. He afterwards served four j'cars as the |)rosidiiig
elder of the Columbus District, and thori filled various other important stations of
the Conference. In 1890 lie was made presiding elder of tlic Cliillicolho District,
which position he still fills. Rev. Andivw B. See liecamc ]irc'sidini;- cMcr of ilic
Columbus District in 1S7() and sci'ved four years. He has been iiiciil iomil as a
pastor of Third Street Church, and is remoinbored as a man of unusual urbanity
of temperament, and excellent judgment, as well as an able preacher. In 1878
Rev. Augustine C. Hirst became pastor of Wesley Chaj)ei, remaining three years
and leaving a mcmborshij) of 7t)2. His next appointment was to Town Street
Church and his abilities and further record are noted in that connection. In iho
fall of 1891 Doctor Hirst retired from college work and reentered the pastorate.
In 1881 Rev. Hiram C. Sexton was transferred from the Troy Conference and
appointed pastor of Wesley Chapel. During his second year the church was
burned. On the morning of May 13, 1883, while the Sabbath congregation was
assembling (or worshij) the church was discovered to be on fire. In a few minutes
the flames gained such headway that the fire department was unable to save more
than the walls and the floor of the auditorium. The fire seemed to originate from
a defective flue connected wiih the north tower. The destruction of this church,
which had held so pi-ominent a location and had been so thronged with public
attendance for many years, was witnessed by thousands of spectators and brought
tears to hundreds of eyes to whom it was endeared through its sacred associations.
But notwithstanding it was attended with great temporary inconvenience and loss,
it was proved in the providential outcome that "the Lord was in the fire." The
encroachments of business upon this part of the ciiy and the consequent migration
northward and eastward of Wesley's resident membership, had caused the thought
of a change of location to be discussed for some years. The fire precipitated a
decision. There was an insurance of ?13,000 u])on the cliurch, and twentyfive
hundred upon the ])arsonage which stood on llio lot adjoining in Ibr rear but was
left uninjured. The insurance was ))roni|itly |)aiil and the lot was sold in Decem-
ber following for $02, 500, the privilege being ivserved of (occupying the church
until May 1, 1885. The trustees took [)rom])t measures for repairing the basement
for temporary occupancy- until they coubl build elsewhere. This was done at a
800 HisTORy OF the City of Columbus.
coat of $2,100. Several cluirclies, among them the First Congregational and First
Presbyterian, fraternally tendered their rooms to the congregation until they
should again be housed in their own apartments, but the trustees decided on
renting Lvndon Hall, at the corner of Long and Fourth streets.
Within two weeks an option was taken on the lot at the corner of Broad and
Fourth streets, at 132,000, for sixty days. The committee on location consisted of
Colonel Charles Parrott, James Neil, Eichard Jones and Frederick Weadon.
After studying all the proposed sites this one was finally selected, not without
strong disapproval on the part of many leading Methodists of tiie city. It was not
until the following spring, April 12, 1884, that this lot, 128 feet on Broad Street by
187 feet on Fourth Street, was purchased by the trustees for $32,000 cash, from
Peter Hayden and wife. On the following day the work of excavation began.
The building committee consisted of George M. Peters, Emory Hutf and Frederick
Weadon. Seldom was a society in better condition to build, and wisely did they
use their means. They received for their old property $62,500, for their insurance
$10,500, from subscriptions $21,500, and from the Ladies' Aid Society $1,900, mak-
ing a total of $96,400. After repairing the old church, purchasing the lot and
meeting other necessary expenses, they still had $59,600. The total cost from first
to last of the present grand church edifice was $59,600.48. The corner stone was
laid August 6, 1884, and the Sundayschool room was ready for occupancy in May
ibllowing. July 26, 1885, the entire edifice was dedicated by Bishop Randolph S.
Foster. The memorial tablet of Hannah JSeil was transferred from the old church
to its present position in the entrance way of the new one.
Returning to the pastors. Rev. H. C. Sexton diligently pushed the work of
building anew and raised most of the subscriptions for the same, but in the sum-
mer of 1884 he resigned his pastoi-ate and returned by transfer to his native Con-
ference. He left a membership at Wesley Chapel of 760. Rev. James S. Bitler,
who had been doing evangelistic work, was appointed by presiding elder, J. T.
Miller, to fill out the year. His labors were satisfactoiy, and the congregation not
feeling like calling a new pastor into the old church. Rev. Mr. Bitler was appoint-
ed at the session of the next Conference to serve another year, which he did
ucceptedly. Since that time he has acted as an evangelist, in which vocation ho
has been very successful. Rev. Mr. Sexton remained in the Troy Conference for
two years and was then transferred to the Ohio Conference and was appointed to
Walnut Street, Chillicothe. After serving three years there, and three more at
Circleville, he was made presiding elder of the Columbus District in 1891, which
position he is now filling most eflBcientlj\
The first pastor of the new Wesley Chapel was Rev. A. N. Craft, D. D., who
was transferred from the Erie Conference in 1885. He remained three years.
Doctor Craft is a very fine sermonizer and scholar. At the end of his pastorate
here he was transferred out of the Conference and has since been filling very
important pulpits elsewhere. The next and present pastor is Rev. H. W. Bennett,
D. D., who is serving his filth year. Ho was transferred to the Ohio Conference
from Bloomington, Illinois. Doctor Bennett read and practiced law before enter-
ing the ministry. He has filled a fine line of appointments and has had remark-
Ml
801
able success at Wesley Chapel. He is a strong |ire,uliiT and well cli'volo|i<'cl in all
the requirements of a rainistor of the Gospel.
From 1862 to 1885 the Missionary eontrihutioMs d' WusLy ( 'ha|iol avcra-ed
81,000 per year. It is at this time a well orn-ani/,eil, iiarniOhi.Mis t'hiireli. riiniisii-
ing Gospel privile.ue.s to thousands.
Third Street Vhureh. —Originally Higelow Chapel, this was the second oti'shoot
of Town Street Church. In the spring of 185:^, at Town Streets third Quarterly
Conference, M. Halm moved that a committee of three be appointed to select
a i-uitable location in the southeast ]iart of the city for opening a Mi.ssion Sabbath-
school and as a preaching place for the loeal ministers. There was much opposition
THIRD AVENUK METHODIST EIMSCOI
to the motion on the ground that such a movement would militate against the build-
ing of Town Street's new church and lead eventually to organizing a new society
to the weakening of its membership. But the motion finally prevailed and the
presiding elder, Rev. Uriah Heath, appointed J. Q. Lakin, M. Halm and John Fell
as the committee on location. They selected the rooms above William F. Knodcrer's
wagODshop, on the southwest corner of Fourth and Friend streets. By removing
the plastered partition between two rooms they had a hall 38 feet in length by 20
feet in width, accommodating 150 persons. The first session of the new school was
held May 8, 1853, fortyfive being present. On the Wednesday evening follow-
ing Joseph Fitzwater was elected superintendent, M. Halm assistant superintendent,
802 History of the City of Columbus.
James Jones secretary and E. H. Link librarian. Town Street Ciiureli as.si^ned
all the territory east of Fourth Street and south of Rich Street to thi.s Mi.sslon
School.
Owing to the heavy labors of Joseph A. Bruner as a pastor of Town Street,
increased by the project of building, the officiary decided to secure as an assistant
a zealous young preacher who had just come from the South, by name of Edward
Maybee. He was employed for tiie remainder of the year, the expense being
lightened by the preacher " boarding around," as he was a single man. Eegular
preaching was maintained in the new Sundayschool room from this time on.
Brothers Maybee and Bruner frequently exchanging places. Town Street's fourth
Quarterly Conference for this year resolved to ask the approaching Annual
Conference to establish this new opening as a mit^sion and appropriate one half of
a single man's support to it, the church obligating itself to pay the remainder.
The Conference at its next meeting, in Lancaster, complied with this request
and Edward Maybee was appointed to the "Columbus City Mission." But at the
first Quarterly Conference of Town Street lor this year, the presiding elder
decided that a selfsupporting charge, as Town Street was, could not receive a
missionary appropriation, and that therefore this mission would have to be
organized as a separate charge and rest upon its own resources. This decision
caused a good deal of apprehension and feeling. The new Town Street Church was
now begun. All had subscribed to its building, and for a jjortion of the member-
ship now to be diverted to the organization of a new society seemed a most
untimely fulfillment of the prediction of the " I-told-you-so's."
But this was what was done, and doubtless more good was accomplished in
the end by having it thus. Presiding Elder Heath called these new workers
together and organized them into a society consisting of about thirtyfive members,
nearly all of whom were from Town Street. The '• Missionary " pastor,
Mr. Maybee, appointed the following persons as its first board of trustees:
Absalom Cooper, Michael Halm, John Fell, Newton Gibbon. Elijah Glover, (»
Benjamin Barnes and John Whitzell. This infant society, thVust thus unex-
pectedly into existence, was veiy zealous in Gospel work from the first. Of a
meeting held November 1, 1853, we find the following minute: "The Missionary
reported that there are now three classes containing in all 46 members and
probationers, and that it is desirable to have stewards appointed for the Mission,
that they may secure the amount necessary for the boarding of the missionary
the present year." The '• Missionary " was also requested by this meeting to
preach Sabbath afternoons on the banks of the Canal, at some place selected by
J. Fitzwater, as a comtnittee for that purpose. Another committee was
appointed to look out places in which to hold prayer meetings, and still another
to secure il practicable a larger^room for their worship, as the present place was
becoming too small. The society unanimously requested that they be given a
separate (Quarterly Meeting, and this was held in January following in the
Gerniaii Methodist church. On February 1, 1854, a subscrijjtion was started for
tlie building of a church, onetbird of the money subscribed to be paid April 1,
another third June 1, and the last third August 1. A lot \\ as selected on the
Mktuoimst. so;}
north side ut Friend Street, Ijelweeii Third and Fourth .sti'cet.s, at llie corner of
Friend and Lazellc streets, and it was decided to erect a frame building 5S feet
by 40 feet in dimensions. These energetic measures were active!}' put in opera-
tion by tlie earnest pastor of the charge, assisted by liis presiding eider, and they
soon secured a subscription which warranted the trustees in proceeding to build-
Accordingly, at a meeting held F"ebruar3- 27, 1854, M. Halm, J. Q. Lakin and
John Fell were appointed a building committee. The work was in due time
begun and carried to a successful conclusion, Henrj' Doremus being the builder.
The new church was dedicated July 15, 1854, by Bishop Thomas A. Morris, and
named Bigelow Chapel, in honor of Russel Bigelow. The society met with some
disheartening misfortunes. The church had cost them $2,200, besides its furnace,
which cost $109 more. But the hitter proved defective, and llicy had to put in
another at a cost of $110. TIrmi' experience with thtir lot was slill worse.
After bargaining for it at $1,500, they sold off fifty feel of the west side for $800.
But the title was not good, and it went to sale in petition for partition, the church
owning but onethird interest in addition to the widow's dower. They were
therefore obliged to buy it again or lose tiieir building, and so they bid it in a
second time at $1,470, but had not a dollar to stciuo it with. There were many to
sympathize but few to help. By making a small payment, however, they secured
an extension of lime, and through a loan of $850, procured by Eev. Thomas Lee,
in Covington, Kentucky, where he had gone to wait on his dying brother, the
title was this time made good and a part of the lot was afterward sold off to meet
the loan. Edward Maybee left 114 members, and was at the next Conference
appointed to Spencer Chapel, Portsmouth, where in .July following he was sud-
denly seized with cholera and died in triani|ili, oxclainiing, " Thoiigli (iod slay me
\et will I trust in him."
We may remark here th:it J. Q. Lakin, who at this time was proprietor of a
cabinetshop in Columbus, afterward entered the ministry and was for many 3ears
a member of the Ohio Conference. The second pastor of Bigelow Chapel was
Joseph H. Creighton. He was a man of unusual pulpit |)Ower and came from a
remarkably successful pastorate at L-onton. But at Bigelow he found ii hard field,
a small and poor membership, a heavy debt, and one of the hardest times in the
history of the State for raising money. A few jjersons were converted. His
allowance was small and only partially paid. Some of his reminiscences may be
properlj' admitted here. He says: "Michael Halm was then in his prime. As a
classleader I never knew his equal. He would sing lustily and speak and weep
and always make the class interesting and profitable. His class was so popular
that strangers would sometimes unduly crowd the room. He was not only a good
leader, but good all around. If ever a man could be called a pillar in a church,
M. Halm was one. Mathew Westervelt joined us later in the year, unci what is
uncommon, he joined us because we were weak and needed help He came right
past the strong churches to our little church, a r;ire occurrence. Though my
congregation was made uj) chiefly of the poor and uneducated, yet I frequently
had one hearer who was a noted man — James Russell, who built the greatest
orrery ever constructed, far surpassing the one by Kittenhouse in England. Bus-
804 History op the City of Columbus.
sell was a genius in astronomy and mechanics. He built two planolariums, iootli
destroyed by fire. The last one was sold torS10,0U0. Mr. Creighton left Sn nicni-
bers at the close of his year.
Thomas Lee was pastor during the years 1856 and 1857. He did xevy suc-
cessful work in reducing the church debt. At tiie close of his second year he left
a reiiiiiant of but f350 out of a debt which he found of over §2,000. During his
pastorate the society averaged over $10 per member each 5'ear in their contribu-
tions to all purposes. Mr. Lee loft 114 members. He was ardently loved i»y liis
people. He afterward belonged to the Cincinnati Conference and for many years
hail charge of the Cincinnati Union Bethel. He ilied March 10, 1891. In the foil
of 1857 Lovett Taft was appointed pastor, I'cmaining two years. The memlier>hip
which until this time had never gotten beyond its origin.il number, now gi-evv to
178. During his first year the debt with which the church had so long and so
heroically struggled was at last entirely liquidated. During his second J'ear, after
much deliberation on the part of the trustees, the society traded their church
property for that of the Secou 1 Presbyterians on Third Street, near the
corner of Friend, giving them $5,000 besides, payable onethird October 1, 1859,
and onethird annually thereafter. The Presbyterians went tVom this church into
their new stone building on Third Street, near State Street, and our congregation
moved into their old church which became the new Bigelow Chapel. We find that
they voted September 21,1859, to put $250 in repairs on the basement and auditoiium.
Brother Taft, with his devoted wife, was one of the pastors who was destined to
leave a bright and lasting name among Columbus Methodists, llis work will
appear in this history in connection with various other charges, as organizer and
pastor. He was an earnest, winsome man of God, assisted by a wife in every way
worthy of filling her position. Thomas H. Phillips becatne pastor in October,
1859. An interesting item from the Trustees' records of October 11, this year,
throws light upon sundry matters : " Resolved that we give $100 per annum for a
sexton to take charge of cleaning, warming and lighting the church, waiting on
and seating the congregation, cutting all the wood and doing all other duties per-
taining to the sextonship." The sexton lived in three rooms in the basement, for
which he paid $6U per year. The Bigelow society took possession ol the church
on Third Street in November, 1859. Mr. Phillips was a talented and popular
preacher, but a somewhat indiscreet man. He left a membership of 261.
The allowance to pastoral support was not large in those days; that of Rev.
L. Taft is reported at "260 for table and fuel expenses: total amount $500."
Rev. Mr. Phillips was allowed $360 for table and fuel expenses; what the total
was is not stateil. For his second year there are no specifications in his salary,
but the allowance in bulk by the estimating committee was $700, which he
generously moved to be amended to $650, and this was adopted by the Quar-
terly Conference. The jjresidiiig elder's alio Aatice was $28 from this charge.
Districts were then larger than now, and he was not expected to give every charge
a Sabbath quarterly meeting, but they were held on week days as well. Small as
the salaries were, there were often deficiencies in them, as is incidentally revealed.
Ill the Quarterly Conference minutes we find an invitation from the Harrisburg
Methodist. 805
Circuit to this church " to attend their Camp Meeting at Union." Tiio invitation
was accepted, and " Stacoy Taylor was appointed a committee of one to coiiperate
with tliem iti the arrangements." And now Brother Absalom Cooper moves that
"the committee he instructed to use his influence to pi-evont collections at Cam])
Meetings for preachers' deficiencies, if possible." The spirit of this motion prob-
ably was : " AVe paj- our pastor in lull, and wiun wo go to Camp Meeting we
don't want to be dunned for yours."
Andrew B. Sec u as the next pastor, being appointed in the fall of 1S61, and
serving two years. These were tiie dark days of the Civil War, and Columbus
was a central recruiting slation. Mr. See was a diffident but able man and of very
pronounced patriotic sentiments. His church was attended by many soldiers and
here many oftlieir. also joined the army of the Lord. This charge was now in
the long continued toils of debtpaying again, caused by their change in projjerty,
but we cannot help admiring their faith and heroism in confronting such an under-
taking. Money was scarce and times were hard, yet, in 18fi2, thej- actuallj-
reduced their debt from $.^,323.37 to $1,298 27. The pastor's salary was this year
$600, the contribution to missions, $80.51. Number in Sundayschool, 220. The
next pastor was Albert G. Byers, serving from October, 1863, one year, and, after
being reap])ointed for his second year in 1864, resigning to accept tiie appointment
of Chaplain of the Ohio Penitentiary. This was his beginning of a long and use-
ful career in connection with penal and benevolent institutions He was a path-
etic and gifted speaker and died at his post in the fall of 1890. The presiding
elder, Eev. George VV. Brush, appointed David H. Moore to fill the vacancy occa-
sioned by the resignation of Doctor Byers. He had just returned from the army.
In this talented young man the church had a pastor who attracted attention afar
as well as near. He was as spiritual as he was poetic. He left a membership of
402. His salary was $900, and the missionary contribution of the church $280.
Doctor Moore afterwards became pastor of Wesley Chapel, this city, and filled
various other leading pulpits of the State.
In the fall of 1865 John T. Miller was sent as pastor to Bigelow, remaining one
year. This was a year of unfortunate division in the church, over the introduc-
tion of an organ or melodeon into the Sundayschool. The pastor's influence was
largely impaire I by the dissension, nevertheless he had a year of prosperity as is
indicated b^' reporting 438 members and $430 for missions. Mr. Miller is noted
for his ready utterance as a speaker. He afterward served the Columbus District
as pi-esiding elder, and is at present the incumbent of the Zanesville District.
Daniel Horlocker was appointed to Bigelow Chapel in October, 1866, remaining two
years. He was both faithful and acceptable and his work, as will appear in con-
nection with various other charges of this city, always to his praise. His first
j-ear's pastorate at Bigelow was a sort of golden age for that church. The church
was at last paid for again and valued at $15,000. The pastor's salary was $1,100
and $310 for houserent. They paid $138 for support of the poor, gave $300 for
church extension, $200 for education, and $(500 for missions. All the benevolences,
the current exjienscs, and payment on church debt amounted to about $4,100 raised
this year. Yet the membership is reported as one hundred less than the year
800 History of the City of Columbus.
before. His second year the salary was Sl,200, as high as the church has ever
paid, but the membership was scaled down to 279. For several years a desire had
been manifested to procure a parsonage, but the time seemed not to have arrived
till now. The trustees bought the parsonage lot in October, 1867. After par-
tially paying for it, a subscription was started for building a parsonage. This
was reported July, 1869, to be $2,785. A month later Michael Halm subscribed
$2,000 more to this sum, making the amount sufficient to finish pa3-ing for the
lot and to erect the house entire and make some changes in the church steps as
part of tlie stipulation on which it was given. The work was then begun and
carried to a rapid completion.
It was during the first year of John W. White's pastorate that the subscription
was secured. He was the first pastor to occupy the parsonage, moving into it in
the spring of his second year. Tiie work was just about completed and paid for
when a great calamity befell the societj'. At about three o'clock Mondiiy morn-
ing, November 15, 1869, the church was discovered to be on fire. The flames had
already gained such headway in the tall wooden spire and under the metallic roof
that it was impossible to save the building. Only the walls were left standing;
all the contents of the church perished with it. A heavy snow had fallen a few
nights before which prevented other buildings from being burned. The spire fell
just over the northwest corner of the new parsonage, causing small damage. The
entire loss was estimated at $15,000, on which there was $6,000 insurance. The
fire doubtless originated from a defective flue in the northeast corner of the church
where a fire broke out nineteen years before. It was precisely ten years, to the
month, since this society had taken possession of their church until they were
called to mourn its loss. But this people had come through too many hard strug-
gles to quail before any reverse now. They went right on with their worship in
the lectureroom of the Town Street Church, and took immediate steps for rebuild-
ing. The first church did not extend to the pavement by quite a distance. Its
audienceroom was reached by a broad flight of stairs from the pavement to the
door, leading through a portico within four pillars. To rebuild on their former
dimensions would cost $5,200; by remodeling and extending the front, $10,200.
Brick at this time cost $10.20 per thousand. They resolved to adopt the latter
plan. M. Halm was put in charge of the work. He gave it his attention by day
and night. The ceiling of the lectureroom had been too low for comfort; it was
elevated in the rebuilding. With such energy was the vvork pushed that by Feb-
ruary the congregation were occupying the basement again. The entire building
was finished by December, 1870, and on the eighteenth was dedicated by Doctor
J. M. Reed, of Chicago. The reconstructed edifice cost nearly $13,000. George
Bellows was the supervising architect. Once more this heroic society was on its
feet, but with another heavy financial load to carry. John W. White continued
as pastor, being the first to serve the extended term of three years. He was a
man of fine imagination and was popular with the people.
James H. Gardner was appointed to the charge in the fall of 1871, continuing
three years. The salary was restored to $1,200 and the debt reduced to about
$3,000. Mr. Gardner is a devout and sympathetic preacher, still doing efficient
Methodist. SO?
work. IIo was followed in tlic liill of 1874 by .lames KemhiM, who had l>een Irann-
ferred from tlio CirK-imiali Coiiferenee. For si.\ years jjast the membership lia<l
ranged from 2(IG to 270. A financial depression was ujioii the coiintiy, and the
church in general felt it, as well as this society in ])articular. In tlioii' straits
there was quite a spirit in favor of selling the parsonage propertj' to liciuidate their
indebtedness. I?nl wiser counsels prevailed and relief gradually came. Jl was this
j-ear that the iianio df the church was changed to "Third Street." Mr. Kendall
remained but one year, lie was a bachelor of advanced j'cars but an extraordin-
ary ]ircachcr.
In the ImII (illS7r) John Collins Jackson, Junior, was apjiointed to Third Street
Cluirch. 'I hcie were two cousins of identically this same name, differing but a few
years in age, who were now members of the Ohio Conference, and they wore dis-
tinguished by the younger assuming the "junior" suffix. This was his first charge
and a great res])onsibilit\- for one but twentyfive years of age. He continued three
years, leaving a membership of 368. In the fall of 1878 Simeon D. Hutsinpiller
was ajtpointed pastor. He remained one year. After filling various other charges,
two of which were in this city, Mr. Hutsinpiller was transferred to the Central
Ohio Coiilcrcnce, and is at this writing pastor of St. Paul's, Toledo. George
W. Burns was the next pastor of Thin] Street, serving one jear. He remains one
of the valuable men of this Conference. In the lall of 1880 Joseph H. Creighton
became pastor the second time of this charge. He was followed a year later
by Albert C Rikor who had three prosperous years. He reported 560 members.
Mr. Riker is ver^- zealous and aggressive. In the fall of 1887 he was transferred to
Chattanooga where he is serving his fourth year. He is the son of the vener-
able Rev Samuel C. Riker who has a clear record in this Conference. In the fall
of 1884 T. Gilford Dickenson became pastor. He had three successful years. The
church auditorium was beautifully repaired, and he left 470 members. Mr. Dicken-
son is one of the progressive ministers of the Conference. Arthur B. Johnson
became pastor in 1887, remaining two years. In May 1888, the basement was
remodeled and enlarged for the Sundayschool. The floor was lowered and the
i"oom extended by removing the brick partition at the west end, taking in the
adjacent room, and a neat one story room was built on the south side for the
primary department, connected by folding doors. The whole was newly sealed,
carpeted, seated with chairs and otherwise beautified. The entire cost was over
$2,500. Mr. Johnson has fine abilities and is one of the rising young men in this
Conference. He was followed in the fall of 1889 by Franklin McElfresh, who
is now serving his second j-ear with marked success. He is a son of Rev. Ben-
jamin F. McElfi'esh of the Ohio Conference and is a very scholarly j'oung man.
The church has now a membership of 450. Its only indebtedness, mostl}- covered
by good sulisci'iptions, is about $1,500 incui-red two years ago in the remodeling of
the lectureroom. The society is harmonious and retains an utiusual amount of the
oldtime Methodist fervor. It is still a people's church and is doing, as it alwa^-s has
done, great good in this city. Reviewing its record wo cannot conclude otherwise
than that the estarblishment of this church, though opposed at the time, was of God.
There are more Christians on earth and more saints in heaven than there would
808 History of the City of Columbus.
have been had Bigelow or Third Sti'eet not have been organized. With the
removal now of Town Street to the eastern part of the city an enlarged field of use-
fulness will fall to Third Street.
Gift Street Church. — The origin of the first Methodist Society in Franklinton,
which afterward became Franklinton Mission, then Heath Chapel, and is now Gift
Street Church, is enveloped in some obscurity. If any records were kept they are
now unknown, but tradition to some degree supplies their place. As fiir back as
1840, and possibly earlier, there was a Methodist class in tliis part of the city.
They first met in a small house owned by Jacob Grub, on Green Street. After-
ward the old Courthouse which stood on the northwest corner of Broad and San-
dusky streets, and which had then been converted into a schoolhou.se, was used as
a place of worship until the erection of Heath Chapel. One person, Cliarily John-
son, who wa.s a memijer as far back as 1845, still lives. From 1840 to 1850, thin
society belonged to the Franklinton Circuit, and was served as follows. 1840,
William Sutton and James Gilruth ; 1841, Joseph A. Eceder and William Sutton ;
1842, James Armstrong and John W. Kanaga; 1843, James Armstrong and Joseph
W. Smith ; 1844, Stephen F. Conrey and J. W. Smith ; 1845, S. F. Conrey and
James T. Donahoo; 1846, Philip A. Muchner and J. T. Donahoo ; 1847, P. A.
Muchner and Thomas M. Gossard ; 1848, Alexaniler Nelson and John W. Steele;
1849, James Armstrong and James B. Austin. In 1850 it was attached to some cir-
cuit where it cannot now be identified. In 1851 and on to 1856 it was in the Dub-
lin Circuit and was served as follows: 1851, Samuel C. Riker and Andrew B.
See; 1852, Archibald Fleming and a supply; 1853, A. Fleming and Jacob Martin ;
1854, William Z. Ross and Levi Hall; 1855, W. Z. Ross and William Sutton ; in
1856 it became the Franklin Mission and was served by James Hooper.
July 11, 1855, Michael L. and Fannie Sullivant deeded a lot 60 by 185 feet in
what was then a cornfield on the National Road, but is now the southeast cor-
ner of Broad and Mill streets, to the Trustees of Heath Chapel, viz : John F.
/-< Bartlit, Ira M. Gorffon, C. L. Mattoon, Gamaliel Scott, Isaac C. Aston, Philip
Sommers, Ephraim Johnson, James O'Kane and Henry F. Booth. By mistake
when it came to building, the church was placed on the lot adjoining on the east
the one donated us. After holding that lot by possession for twenty two years,
and the corner one adjacent by deed the same length of time. Rev. S. C. Framp-
ton, the pastor, succeeded in February, 1877, in bringing about an exchange in
the title, thus securing a quitclaim deed to the lot on which Heath Cliapel
stood.
Heath Chapel was built in 1856, under the efforts of James Hooper, the pastor
of Franklinton Mission. It was named after Uriah Heath, the presiding elder,
who aided the enterprise with his great energy and ta< t. It was an unsightly,
twostory brick structure, 27 by 45 feet, the lowei' room partly underground, with
an unfinished tower. The society always had a liard struggle for existence and
the appearance of this little coop of a church did not aid in attracting supporters
to it. Yet many souls were converted there from first to last, and it served
its day and generation, doing much good. For many years it was connected with
a circuit, much of the time being thus served by two pastors. James Hooper,
Methodist. 809
with whom the history of this society proper now bej^ins, was in better eireiim-
stances tinaiieially than the majority of Methodist ministers. His family usually
resided on his farm, about thirty miles east of the eity, while he gave miieli of his
time to the church, j^enorally receiving a small salary. He had tiio enviable reputa-
tion of giving awaj' within the bounds of his charge more money than ho received
from it. He closed his useful career in New Salem, Ohio, November 23, 18G5.
After the church was built the following men were appointed to it in the order
named: 1857, J. D. Hathaway and Itichard Pitzer; 1858, J. D. Hathaway and
Jacob Martin; 1859, Richard Doughty and R. B, Bennett; 1S60, Richard Doughty
and Bradford Crook; 18B1, George G. West and B. Cook; 18fi2, G. G. West and
H. L. Whitehead ; 1863, Samuel Ti]>pet/ and H. L. Whitehead; 1864. S. Tippett
and W. H. Gibbons; 1865, Isaac P. King: 18li6, E. II. Heaglor; 1SC,7 and ISdS,
supplied bj- J. F. Harris.
The remodeling of the circuits left Heath Chapel as a station in 1865. It did
not acquire sufficient strength to support it and was abandoned after two 3'ears to
a sii))ply. In 1869 it was reopened as a station and Howard B. Westervelt was
appointed regularly as its pastor. He remained but one year, reporting eightysix
members. Mr. Westervelt has since served as a presiding elder in the Ohio Con-
ference and is at present on his third year as i)a8tor of our church at Athens. In
1870 Samuel Pippelt again became pastor, but before the year expired resigned
his charge and at the session of the next Conference took a supernumerary rela-
tion. He was a man of unusual ability, and had he remained in the regular work
would doubtless have attained to the first rank in his conference. In business he
was not successful, but commanded the confidence of the public, as well as the
esteem of his brethren, to the last. After over two years of decrepitude he fell
asleep at his home on Franklin Avenue, Columbus, December 24, 1888. His unex-
pired year at Heath Chapel was filled out by W. B. Chadwick. In 1871 Daniel
Horlocker became pastor, reporting at the end of his j-ear seventy members.
Thomas G. Wakefield was sent to Heath Chapel in the fall of 1872. He left
ninetyeight members. Mr. Wakefield is one of the most valuable circuit preach-
ers of this Conference and a fine theologian. David Y. Murdock was ap))ointcd to
this charge in 1873 and remained three years, reporting successively fiftylhrce,
seventynine and sixtyeight members. The varying membership reveals the trans-
ient character of the population in this part of the city and the difficulty of secur-
ing u hold among its permanent residents. Methodists of means who locateil
there chose to go to the stronger churches over the river rather than assume
the heavier responsibilities in this weak charge. This is always the case uiidci-
like circumstances and it indicates that there is a sclHsh remnant iTmainiiig
in the heart of converted people.
During these years this charge and some others received a missionary allow-
ence from the parent Missionarj- Society, but in 187(>, the Missionarj- rdimnitiie
wisely, we think, cut off" all appropriations to the Ohio and other Conferences. In
some years following, however, a number of the stronger Columbus churches,
lifter raising their regular assessment, would ap|»ro])riate a specified portinn of
their 8urj)lus to the support of our jiastors in those weaker charges. Mr. Mur-
810 lilSTORY OF THE CrTY OP CoLTTMBUS.
dock, its first threeyears pastor, has for many years been tlie Secretar}^ of tlie Oliio
Conference, and is now the stationed ]);istor at Jackson Courthouse. He was fol-
lowed in 1876 by^ Stephen C. Frainpton, who served Heath Chapel two years in
connection with a country appointment some miles west, known as Skidmore's
School House. Mr. Franipton is a sound and profound theologian, and also
possesses a fine legal mind and knowledge, being a regular member of the bar.
He was su]>erannuated in 1880 and settled in Pickerington, where he had lived
for two years pieccdiiig while serving as pastor of Reynoldsburg Circuit. He is
engaged in the ])ractiee of law, preaches frequently, and exerts an extensive influ-
ence for goo<l b}' his godly' life and conversation. In 1878 Joseph McCiiskey was
appointed to Heath Chapel and Neil Chapel jointly. The two following years he
served Heath Chapel only, leaving it with 104 members. He was an alumnus of
the Ohio Wesleyaii University, but a sufferer from disease contracted while a
soldier for his country, from which he was carried awaj^ prematurely^ September
9, 1884.
During 1881 Heath Cliapel was supplied by Doctor C. M. Bethauser, J. B.
Joyce and D. Horloeker. At the end of the year it had seventy members. In
1882 Jacob P. Bishop was appointed pastor. Mr. Bishop was afterward trans-
ferred to the Cincinnati Conference and thence to the Far West. He was one of
the boys who had worked his way through the Ohio Wesleyan University, and
deserved great credit for the attainments he leached. During his year in this
charge the church was disastrously invaded by a flood from the Scioto. Elias N.
Nichols became pastor in 1883, serving Heath in eonneclion with a country
appointment. Mr. Nichols was for many yeai';S one of the most devoted and dili-
gent pastois of the Ohio Coulisrence. James T. Minehart was appointed to Heath
in 1884, but resigned in the spi-ing, and the charge was supplied for the remainder
of the year by James Haig. Mr. Minehart was for a number of years the Secre-
tary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Columbus. He was a young
man of much promise ami, alter leaving Ohio, for a few years did good work in
the Nebraska Conference; but while pastor of Grace Church, Lincoln, Nebraska,
he drifted off into faith-healing and like vagaries, and went to such extremes that
he finally severed all connection with Methodism. Alonzo B. Shaw was the next
pastor, appointed in 1885, and remained one j'ear. In 1S8G James Haig became
pastor by Conference appointment, and was reappointed in 1887. By the death
of his mother in the winter of 1888, her business developed upon him for settle-
ment or continuation, and Mr. Haig resigned his charge on that account, being
only a probationer in the Conference. Mr. Haig is a devout and zealous man, and
a local preacher. After retiring from the itinerant ministry he began missionary
work among the most neglected and depraved classes of the bad, in the South
Seventh Street region of the cit}-. He carries on several Mission Sabbathschools
and has opened a Eescue Home lor fallen women. The presiding eider, J. C. Jack-
son, filled the vacancy at Heath Chapel by appointment to that charge of William
C. Hollidaj-, who hail resigned his circuit woi'k a short time before In the fall of
1888 Mr. Ilolliday was rea]ipoitited by tiie Conference.
Methodist. 811
It was now evident to everybody that if Heath Chapel was ever to become
anything more than it had been tiiere would iiave to be a better church built.
Accordingly, at the instigation of the presiding elder, Mr. Holliday called a meet-
ing in November, 1888, of the members and friends of the society, and was success-
ful in gelling a number of citizens interested in the project of a new church which
should bo a credit to that part of the city. The presiding cider, Mr. Jackson,
addi-essed the meeting and then .solicited subscriptions. The smull audience
responded well and almost $1,000 was suhscribed that night, including the sub-
scriptions of the pastor and presiding elder. Mr. Holliday continued to solicit
west of the river until he got over $3,000 subscribed in the work, material and
nioney, the latter payable in three annual installments. In the spring of 1889 it
was decided to change the location to a fine lot on the comer of Gift and Shepherd
streets. This was advantageous in every waj-. It insured good light for all time
to come; it escaped the noise and expensive pavement of Broad Street and at the
same time retained the benefit of the street cars. The lot is 79 by 100 feet and
was purchased from F. Waterman lor $2,200. The first payment of $550 was col-
lected in a few days by the presiding elder from friends east of the river. Tbe
society was now incorporated under the name of Gift Sti'eet Methodist Episcdjial
Church with the following as trustees: Doctor S. H. Stewar^, O. T. Fleming,
James Donley, J. F. Lerch, A. A. Shipley, George W. Davidson, George M.
Peters, Cajjtain X. B. Abbott and E. W. Seeds. The last three are members,
respectively, of Wesley Chapel, Broad Street and Town Street churches. The old
church was in the fall of 1888 torn down and the material )ireparcd for use in the
new building. A temporary tabernacle, 35 by 48 feet, was construcled on the
corner of Broad and Mill streets, on a lot which David O. Mull granted fvw ot
charge.
With the 0])ening of spring the p;istor, together with Messrs. Abl)olt, IV'tiis
and Si'cds, pushed the work on vigorously, and the excavation and lonndation^
costing together about $1,200, were com])leted in July. On the eleventh da}- of
that month, 1889, exactly thirtyfour years after the original lot was deeded to the
society by the SuUivams, the cornerstone of tlie new church was lain by the
venerable Doctor J M. Trimble, assisted by Doctor J. (J. .hiekson. Aj)propriate
services were held in the Market House Hall, whei-e the inciting was addressed by
several of the old pastors and old time Methodists of the city. The im])ettis given
to this societj- by the prospect of a new church so increased its Sundav school and
congregations that the little tabernacle erected in the fall preceding could illy
accommodate them now, and the city authorities generously tendered tbeni the
use of the City Hall Tor Sabbath services. In October the foundation was covered
up and the work allowed to rest till the next spring. But the workers did not
rest. Pastor Holliday was uiitiring in his etforts and devices for securing money
to complete the building and was warmly aided by Doctor Trimble, who gave very
liberally to the enterprise; and by the presiding elder, and C:ii)t:iin Abboit, who,
from the first to the last, gave nearly $1,000 himsolf to this churib.
ThrouLrb the petitinTi of the Ohio Conference and the per,^(inal laboi^ ,,\' \),ir-
tor Trimble, the Church Rxtcnsion Society was induced to give $1,800 in cash to
812 History of the City op Columbus.
this enterprise, the first help ever received from the Society by the Columhus Dis-
trict. The exii^encies of the case justified this donation. Here was a population
west of the river of nearly eight thousand souls, practicallj' a city standing alone,
and not a Protestant jilace of worship in it. The wealthy Methodists of Columbus
had bcL'u giving their hundreds, and sometimes thousands, for years to the Church
Extension Society and had never until now asked for a cent in return. Doctor
Trimble now pledged tiiat society $250 a year for four successive years if they
would make this donation, and the presiding elder promised them every dollar of
it hack from this disti'ict alone in the next annual collection — a pledge more than
fulfilled by including Doctor Trimble's individual gift. The membership of this
charge was but 125 when the work of building was undertaken. If left to itself,
no effort could have been more hopeless. By the assistance of others success was
not only assured but an inspiration was given toother Protestant denominations, and
within the year both the Baptists and the Episcopalians received large donations
which enabled them to establish churches. A new era of prosperity opened for
'the West Side also at this time. Several fine city additions were put on the market
and an electj-ic railway- was established on West Broad Street. Events proved
that, under Providence, the building of this church was taken at that tide in the
affairs of men which leads on to fortune. In the spring of 1890 the work of build-
ing was resumed. More money was needed, however, than was available. The
City Church Extension Society this spring enlarged its scope so as to include the
rebuilding of old churches in its work. It promised to aid Gift Street. But, as
the money was not yet subscribed, its Building Cominiltee, consisting of Colonel
A. G. Patton, George M. Peters and H. C. Lonnis, generously advanced the money on
their personal notes, as tbey have done on several other occasions. Thus started
again, the work was pushed rapidlyon, and on Sabbath, July 27,1890, the Sunday
schoolroom was formallj- opened. Eev. W. D. Cheringtoti preached the sermon.
Doctor Ti-imble than asked (or $1,200 to assist in completing the auditorium.
Chaplain DeBruin, D. Horlocker, James Haig and W. D. Cherington worked in
the audience, and $947 was subscribed. At night Doctor J. C. Jackson, after
preaciiingmade another appeal and $167 more were secured.
Work was now resumed in the auditorium. Ten of our generous laymen
advanced $200 each, until the old lot could be sold for $2,000 cash, which was
done in the fall. November 30, 1890, Rev. D. H. Moore, D. D., preached the
dedicatory sermon, after which he called for $700, most of which was secured.
Doctor Trimble, assisted by the presiding elder, then dedicated the church to the
worship of Almighty God. At night Eev. J. C. Jackson, D. D., preached, and
the remainder of the $700, with a good margin, was subscribed. The cost of
the entire building was about $10,000, all of which he paid but about $1,200
amply covered by subscription. The church was planned by Doctor S. H.
Steward, and the building superintended by J. W. Yost, architect. The society
has now a membership of about two hundred, with a bright future before it.
W. C. Holliday, to whose careful and wise management much of the success in
building was due, is now serving his fourth ^ear as pastor of the charge.
Mktiiodist. si:{
Xt'il Chapel. — Neil Chapel, located on the .southwest corner of Michigan
Avenue and Collins Street, was the seventh Methodist Ejiiscopal church of
Columbus. At the Conference of 1870 Rev. Daniel Horlocker was appointed to
servo Heath Chapel, and under the patronage of John P. Bartlit, to organize a
new church in this then extreme northwestern part of the cit^-. There was a
small but growing community hero, composed mainly of emploj-es of the (iictories
bullion the banks of the Olentangy at this point. Mr. Horlocker held his first
services in the house of Joseph Walker, with an audience of seven persons. His
first five members consisted of J. W. Walker and wife, iheir son Joseph Walker
and his wife, and Ephraim Webb. At the end of six months he felt justified in
leaving Heath Chapel to be sei'ved by supplies for the remainder of the year while
he gave his entire time and labor to this new field. With his characteristic devo-
tion and industry- Mr. Horlocker secured means for building. Robert E. Neil, a
son of Hannah Neil, of precious memory, gave a lot on condition of its reverting
to the donor in case the church should ever be moved off. The work of building
was begun and in December, 1872, the lecture room was finished and dedicated
by Doctors Trimble and Byers. Building mateiial and lahor were high, and the
church which had then cost $7,000 was left with the auditorium unfinished. At
the close of Mr. Horlocker's second year he left a memhership of thirty persons,
and the next year, 1873, he reported one hundred and ten. Lovett Taft was the
second pastor, serving one j'ear. J. E. Rudisill came next, remaining three
years, until 1877. Although his work was bles.<cd with extensive revivals, such
was the transient character of the surrounding ])opulation, that he reported each
year one hundred members only. Joseph McCuskey was appointed ])astor in 1878,
serving it one year in connection with Heath Chapel. He reported but seventy
members. In 1879 D. Horlocker again took charge, remaining three years; the
second year he reported 101 members, but his last year only seventy-eight.
J. W. Wait was sent as pastor in 1882, remaining one year. He was a college
graduate and a man of great devotion and much ability. He this year instituted a
journal in the interests of promoting holiness, called The Beulah Land. He dis-
played much editorial ability, and his magazine had a growing circulation. But
gradually he wandered off into the extreme of faith-healing, and at the close of
his 3'oar at Neil Chapel left the ministry, and opened a "faith home" in this
cit^-. He left a membership at Neil Chapel of seventy five. C. F. Prior was
api)oinled pastor in 1883, serving one year, and leaving one hundred members.
In 1884 the charge was left to be supplied, and was served by James T. Minehart
in connection with Heath Chapel. In 1885 D. Horlocker was sent the third time
as its pastor. During this year he raised, bj- indefatigable industry, money
enough to finish and furnish the auditorium, which was opened for u.se for the first
time in December, 1886. The year was also one of great revival, and Bi-other
Iloi-locker reported to Conference 223 members
In ISSG James Milchell was the j)aslor, doing good work This i> one ol llie
saintly names of the Ohio Conference Ministry ; its bearer still live-< in Delaware,
Ohio. In 1887, W. V. Dick served Neil Chapel. There was much agitation this
year in favor of rebuilding in a new location, but all efforts ended in only distr'ucl-
814 History of the City of Columbus.
iiig the niemljership and neutralizing the pastor's work. lu 1888 J. M. Adams
took charge. A valuable portion of the members had withdrawn to other
churches at the close of his predecessor's year, but the result was to spur up those
who had hitherto been derelict, and, inconsequence, the year eventuated unusually
well. Charles V. Pleukliarp became pastor in 1889. His father and mother had
been among the most liberal supporters of this church in former years, and their
uames remained in honored memory upon its windows. The church was now
sadly in need of repairs, in roof, walls and basement floors. Its location, which
at first seemed a wise one, had now become fatally out of place by reason of the
city growing wholly away from it. These facts led its energetic young pastor lo
push for a new church in a more eligible location. C. D. Firestone, A. G. Patton
and other members of the local Church Extension Society, were enlisted in favor
of this project. At a special meeting held in the spring of 1890, under the super-
vision of the writer, who was presiding elder of the district, the society resolved
unanimously to do all they could toward securing a new church. The pastor
worked zealously, and also subscribed liberally, although it was now evident to
him that he would have to seek another climate for his health.
Mr. R. Neil now agreed to give a quitclaim deed to this property provided the
church would buy another in his addition, which they did, on the corner of
Goodale Street and Neil Avenue, for $8,000. The Church Extension Society now
took hold of the project in earnest, and a beautiful chajiel, costing about $0,000 and
accommodating about 500 auditors, was built and ready for dedication by Decem-
ber 21, 1890. President J. W. Bashford preached the sermon, and Doctor
J. M. Trimble, assisted by Doctor J. C. Jackson, dedicated the building. About
$2,000 was raised on that day ; the Church Extension Society of this citj' furnished
a large portion of the total cost, without which the societj- could have done nothing
for themselves. In the preceding July, Rev. C. V. Pleukliarp, for i-easons already
stated, took charge of our church in Raton, New Mexico, and Rev. J. M. Rife, who
had for one j-ear been pastor there, was appointed by the presiding elder to fill out
the unexpired year at Neil Chapel. At the Conference of 1890 he was reappointed
pastor of this charge, which he serves at this writing. The name of the church was
this year changed to Neil Avenue. It now has a bright future before it. Its
membership has already .greatly increased and is rapidly growing. The day of its
fluctuations and reverses is happily passed. 'We expect it to report a membership
of 300 this year.
Broad Street Church. — Broad Street, Columbus Methodism's finest church
structure and wealthiest congregation, is the child of Wesley Chupel. The growth
of the city eastward, and the consequent emigration of many of Wesley's members
in that direction, led to the desire on their part of a church home nearer their own
doors and to meet the wants of that part of the city. John F. Bartlit and David
S. Gray owned a fine, large lot on the southeast corner of Broad Street and Wash-
ington Avenue, on which they had paid over $3,000, or about onehalfits value at that
time. This lot they generously offered to donate if the people of that community
would build a Methodist Episcopal Church upon it and assume the deferred pay-
ment of $3,000. The offer was accepted, and at the fourth Quarterly Conference of
.MKTIIOhlsT. SI.-)
Wesley Chapel, held in Se|.UMiil)er, 1871, the I'oll.nvin-- l..i;ir.l ol' inisLees for
the projiosed church was elccteil : John F. Biirilit, I»iivi(l S. ( I raj", Jesse W. Danii.
William K. Walker, Thomas Vause, William Davis .ind ll..nur C. Lewis. In the
sprinfjof 187.T it wa.'* cJicided lo hiiild ,it n
Thomas Vause were ajjpointed a biiildini;!
the lot, and facing Wasliinglon Avenue,
mI .1. W. ])ann,Tho:,,as Walkerand
lice. \ IVanKM-hiii-ch ,,n tlir rear of
■reeled at a eo.st ol' -S.'IOOO. On the
816 History of the City of Columbus.
eigliteenth of July it was dedicated by Rev. D. H. Moore, D. D., and on the follow-
ing Sabbath the new charge was organized with Rev. Joseph M. Trimble, D. D.,
as its pastor, being appointed by the presiding elder, Rev. B N. Spalir. Ninety
persons, mainly from Wesley Chapel, that day presented their names for member-
ship in this new eharge, which was born an infant Hercules. At its first
Quarterly Conference, held August 26, 1875, a board of stewards, a board of trustees
and a Sundayschool superintendent were elected. As temporary pastor for
this year Dr. Trimble was assisted by Rev. J. L. Grover.
The Ohio Conference at its next session, held in Portsmouth in October,
appointed Robert W. Manly as the first regular pastor of this charge. He served
it with great acceptability the full term of three years, leaving it with 270 members.
Doctor Manly was a rare and deep thinker, with quaint wit, but of despondent
temperament. He was ardently loved by his parishioners and admired by his
brethren in the ministry'. He was transferred to Colorado and died suddenly
while a pastor in Denver. In 1878 Davis W. Clark was transferred bj^ Bishop
Harris from the Cincinnati Conference, and appointed to Broad Street, which he
served two years, after which he was transferred back to his former Conference. Mr.
Clark isason of Bishop Clark. Heis a finespiritand a chaste, classic writer. He is
still a member of the Cincinnati Conference, where he tills the best appointments.
J. C.Jackson, Senior, was the next pastor, taking charge in October, 1880. He
attracted large audiences by his cultured and profound sermons. He remained three
years and reported a membership of 370. After leaving the Ohio Conference Mr. Jack-
son was stationed at Appleton, Wisconsin, and Paterson, New Jersey. Isaac Crook
was in September, 1883, transferred from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and appointed to
Broad Street. He had served Wesley Chapel in other years and remained at Broad
Street three years. Doctor Crook is a polished writer and preacher, at present the
pastor of our church in Louisville, Kentucky. During all of these years the member-
ship had been steadilj- growing with accessions of the most substantial kind, mainly
added bj' certificate from other charges. It was felt that the time had now come to
build the new and permanent church. The people were ready. Mr. D. S. Gray
Colonel A. G. Patton and Robert M. Rownd were appointed by the Quarterly Con-
terence as a building committee. The same gentlemen, with Colonel Patton as
chairman, also constituted its finance committee. Ground was broken in April,
1884, for the foundation, antl on Easter Sunday, one year later, the chapel of the
new structure was occupied for all services. The auditorium was then pushed to a
rapid completion, and on Sunday, July 5, 1885, lacking but three weeks of ten years
after the first chapel was dedicated, this beautiful and noble church building was
dedicated by Bishop Randolph S. Foster. The cost of the building, exclusive of
the lot, was $68,000, all of which was provided for previous to the day of dedica-
tion. It is but just to the building committee, to say that, in addition to the time,
labor and care which they all bestowed so advantageously upon the enterprise,
Messrs. Gray and Patton spared nothing from their bountiful personal resources to
make this church structure the rare and elegant building which it is. The next
pastor was Simon McChesney who was ti-ansferred fi-om Tojieka, Kansas, in
October, 1886. Doctor McChesney remained three years. He was a man of giant
Methodist. 817
intellectual efforts and struck some blows at sin which jarred things to the center.
He went from Columbus to Trinity pulpit, New Haven. Wilbur G. Williams, the
present pastor of Broad Street, took charge in September, 1889, coming from
Meailville, Pennsylvania. He is filling the demands of his pulpit and )>arish with
marked acceptability. Broad Street now has a membership of almost eight hun-
dred. It is noted for its princelj- contributions to home missionary and church
extension efforts, as well as to all the regular bonovolonces of the church. Its Sun-
dayschool superintendents have been as follows: W. R. Walker, J. M. God-
man, W. G. Miles, A. N. Ozias, W. R. Ogior, W. R. Walker (again), D. R. Stevens
and Z, L. White. The church this year built a most commodious and convenient
"8tu<ly " on the south side of the main edifice on the same lot. Its parsonage is at
Number 44, South Washington Avenue.
KliKj Avt'Huc Chiirrh. — This church began as a mission Sundayschool started
by the local Church Extension Societ}-, in Hermann Street Hall, a plain room
over a bakerj-, in the fall of 1888. The building committee, consisting of
Colonel A. G. Patton, George M. Peters, and II. C. Lonnis, rented and furnished
this room for the purpose. Among the prominent organizers of the Sunday-
school were S. A. Cooper, E. J. Pocock and John Tracy. In the summer follow-
ing the persons attending here who were members of other churches brought
their letters and were organized into a society by Presiding Elder Jackson, who
also appointed Rev. J. S. Ricketts temporary pastor. They began with seventeen
members. The Church Extension Society had secured two fine lots at the corner
of Neil and King avenues, costing 83,500, and had contracted in July for the
building of a church on the same, to be completed before January 1, 1890. The
energetic building committee above named pushed the work, and the little
nucleus of a membership was thereby- encouraged to ask the presiding elder to
secure them a preacher from the Conference, pledging to pay him a salary of eight
hundred dollars. Accordingly, the Rev. Byron Palmer, who had already served
one or two charges of the Conference with marked acceptability for a young
man, and who had now completed his studies at Boston, was appointed as the first
regular pastor of King Avenue. The society was built up rapidly under his
zealous labors. The church, when completed, was dedicated by Rev. C. H. Payne,
LL. D., Sabbath, December 22, 1889. A very successful "convocation" of all the
Methodist churches of the city was held two nights in December, at the Park Rink^
by which about S700 was realized, and devoted to furnishing this church. The
remainder of the indebtedness, amounting to about 83, 500, was provided for on
the day of dedication. An interesting incident connected with the dedication was
the reception of a beautiful bouquet from Mrs. President Harrison. A very large
number of persons joined that day by letter from other churches, and with those
who afterward came in closed the ^-ear with 144 members. Colonel E. J. Pocock
was the Sundayschool superintendent this year. The entire cost of the church
was about $5,800, besides the lots. Its seating capacitj- is 730. It is built on the
rear of the lots to allow the main building to front on Neil Avenue in the future.
The original owner of the lots, Mrs. Ex-Govcrnor Dcnnison, did not look with
52
818 History op the City of Columbus.
favor at first upon the building of this church, and was sorry when the lots j)assed
out of the hands of the Candy Brothers, to whom she had sold them, to the
Wesley Chapel Trustees, to be held in trust for this purpose. But afterward,
through the meditation of her agent, J. M. Loren, Esq., and the persistent efforts
of the presiding elder, slie changed her mind, and in February, 1891, she made a
donation on the lots of $500, by releasing her notes held against them to that
amount. Mrs. Dcnnison is a member of the Episcopal Church, which she
generously supports, and a daughter of the honored Hannah Neil of pi^ecious
memory in Methodism.
Rev. Mr. Palmer was i-eturned to King Avenue the second year as jiastor, and
continued to labor very successfully, his salary being $900. He engaged
Rev. (J. H. Morrison, the Kentucky evangelist, to assist Imn a month in his revi-
val meetings, in December, 1890, which were attended with some good results.
He closed his second year with a membership of 225, and at the Conference
following was transferred to the East Ohio Conference, and is now stationeil at
Ashtabula. Rev. Martin W. Acton was appointed to King Avenue in September,
1891, and is now serving as pastor with acceptability and popularity. He has for
years been one of the Ohio Conference pastors. Among the prominent officials of
King Avenue at this time are Judge D. F. Pugh, Piofessor A. N. Ozias,
Doctor S. H. Steward, J. H. Rogers, Esq., J. A. Ivight, Esq., and W. F. .laneway.
Miller Arenve Chvrrh. — This church is the outgrowth of a union Sundayschool
organization which was started there about 1880. Members of various denomina-
tions who were too remote from their own churches, met together for bible study
with the children. Mr. J. J. Nelson, a member of Town Street, was prominent iu
the movement from the first. A lot was donated by himself and others, and a
neat frame church seating about two hundred persons was erected upon it. The
trustees then deeded the property conditionally to the Evangelical Church, but
that organization not being able to hold it, their trustees next deeded it to the trus-
tees of Town Street Church for the Methodist Episcopal Church, on their paying
certain debts. The pastor of Town Street then had it supplied with Methodist
preaching, and in due time it seemed to have a prospect of supporting a pastor of
its own. The property was now valued at about $2,000, and being in a growing
part of the city the outlook was encouraging. After the property was deeded to
the Methodists the Ohio Conference, at its session in 1887, appointed Rev. Charles
T. King as the first pastor of this church. On coming into the field he was assisted
by the new presiding elder, Eev. J. C. Jackson, and together they canvassed that
part of the city, securing almost immediately about seventyfive members, most of
whom came from Town Street, by letter. Brother King, being a single man, was
allowed $500 salary. He was a very earnest, conscientious, faithful worker, and
the society grew steadily under his zealous labors. About the middle of April fol-
lowing he was taken down with typhoid fever, and after ten days of great suffer-
ing, in a spell of delirium he took his own life. This terrible event fell with crush-
ing force on his people who loved him dearly, as well as upon the church gen-
erally and the entire city. It was so contrary to brother King's gentle, submis-
sive disposition that everybody felt instinctively that it was the result of insanity
.Mktikmhst. 819
for wliicli lie was utterly iri-esjuiiisiblo. He was a graduate of the Oliio Wesleyaii
"University, ami bad ho lived would have proved a very valuable uiinister of the
Gospel.
The presiding elder sbortlj- afterwards appointed Rev. Charles C. Bison, of
the senior class at Delaware, to fill out the unexpired year. This proved an
appointment most happily adapted to cause the people to forget their great shock
and sorrow, as well as to advance the growth of the infant church. At the next
Conference Rev. Mr. Elson, being received into its membership, was reappointed
to Miller Avenue. He also was a single man and received a salary of $(100. The
membership had now grown to about 175. So popular were Brother Elson's
labors, both without as well as within the church, that the people, in order to keep
him another year, at the close of his first full year promised to raise $800 for him
for the next j^ear, of which the sum of two hundred was to come from outside
sources. He was returned and his labors continued as acceptable as ever; but the
financial effort was too much for so young a charge, and at the close of his second
full year he was appointed to South Street Church, Zanesville, and the Rev.
Charles H. Sowers became his successor. The membership was by this time 168.
Brother Sowers also came as a single man, but married during the year. His
labors were successful, and he was invited to return, but at the next Conference
(1891) he was appointed to New Straitsville, and Rev. W. C. Ilolliday, who had
been pastor of Gift Street, became his successor.
For more than a year the people of this charge had felt the need of an
enlarged building to meet their wants. Not being able to build anew, thoy asked
and received from the local Church Extension Society S200, to which they agreed
to add two hundred dollars of their own for enlarging the church, and this work
was done in the fall of 1891, under the pastorate of Rev. Mi-. Holliday, assisted b}-
the local Church Extension Society's building committee.
Among the Suiidayschool superintendents of Miller Avenue may be mentinneil
Judge David F Pugh, H. J. Maynard and J. W. Christy.
The present site is felt to be not the proper one f<jr a iiorinanent location of
the church. With a few years more of growth it is hoped that the society may bo
able to build somewhere in the neighborhood of Oak Street and Woodland Avenue.
Third Avenue Church. — The Third Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church is an
illustration of great results grooving out of small beginnings. In the winter of
18()6 7 E. S. Walker, Esq., organized a Sundaj'school in the vicinity of Mt. Pleas-
ant, which is now East Second Avenue. It was composed of children who did not
go elsewhere, and as their number Wiis small the school did not long continue ; but it
prepared the way tor another effort. June twentyfourth of the same year, U,
P. Woodruff, Esq., started a Methodist Episcopal Mission Sundayschool in the
same place. A class meeting also was shortly after organized there; Luther
Hillery and wife, Ann Matthews, R. P. Woodruff, E. S. Walker, Eleanor Say and
Francis Harris were its members. This germ incited the City Missionary Society
of the Methodi.st Episcopal Churches to call a meeting of all the Methodists in the
vicinity of Mt. Pleasant for November 7, 1807. At that meeting, the Mt. Pleasant
Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbus, Ohio, was formally
820 History op the Citt of Columbus.
organized. Tlio following persons were elected trustees ; M. W. Bliss, M. llahii,
II. F. Bootli, J. E. Hughes, L. Hiilery and ilenry O'Kane. Rev. A. G. P.yers,
then Cha]ilain of the Ohio Penitentiary, was appointed jiastor of the Mission.
Sundayschool was held in the afternoon, and Doctor Bj-er.s prcu-hod to the peojile
at the close of its session.
There was a growing interest and also some increase in numbers from the
first. A year later, in October, 1SG8, Rev. Lovett Taft was appointed by the
Ohio Conference as pastor of this Mission. He brought to its service piety
and zeal, and fruits became more abundant. The Fourth Quarterlj- Conference
of the year following changed the name of the Mt. Pleasant Mi.ssion to Third
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The location also had been changed. The
lot on which the present building stands was purcliased November 11, 1SG7, by the
Board of Trustees. It is 130 feet front on High Street by 110 feet deep on Third
Avenue, and the purchase price was $1,200. The Board of Trustees appointed J.
R. Hughes, John Short and H. F. Booth as a building committee, November 11,
18G8, with instructions to erect a ciiureh coating not more than S3, 000. This was
about a month after Rev. L. Taft became the pastor. He went to work zealously
to raise subscriptions from the Methodist churches of the city and the citizens of
that vicinity. He met with excellent success. His heart was in his work. Aris-
ing early one morning, he measured off the ground for the new church, and then
kneeling down dedicated the site to the great Head of the Church and invoked
the blessing of God upon the new enterprise. A neat frame building, thirtyone
by fifty feet, was then erected and dedicated to God the first Sunday in January,
1869. Eev. C. A. Vananda preached the dedicatory sermon ; Doctor Byers asked
the congregation for $500, which was still unprovided for, and that amount was
soon subscribed ; Doctor J. M. Trimble then performed the dedicatory rites.
At the close of his first j'ear, Pastor Taft reported to Conference 70 mem-
bers, 100 Sabbathschool attendants, salary $670, house rent $150, benevolent col-
lections $52, value of church $4,000. At the close of his second year, 1870, the
membership was 80, salary $1,100, of which a large portion was missionary
allowance, benevolences $116, church property $5,000. The life labors of Rev.
Lovett Taft in other charges in this city are spoken of elsewhere in this
history. After his death liis devoted wife continued to be a zealous worker in
the church and in missionary efforts, until called to her reward, on March
24, 1884.
The next pastor was Rev. Isaac B. Bradrick, who served one 3'ear, leaving
86 members, and raising $274 for benevolences. Rev. Mr. Bradrick has served
important charges of the Ohio Conference, was six years presiding older of the
Chillicothe District, and is still preaching with vigor and acceptability.
In the fall of 1871, Rev. H. K. Foster became pastor. He was a man of
unusual ability, who had come to us from another denomination. He resigned
his charge for cause January 20, 1872, and Rev. J. L. Grover, by appointment of
Presiding Elder Spahr, filled out the unexpired year with great acceptability.
During the latter part of this year an additional room was built upon the north
end of the church, 16x24 feet, for the primary deijartinent of the Sabbathschool.
iMetikhiist. S21
Kev. Dr. Grovcr is at present the licnioroil City Librarian, a ixjsilion wliicii lie lias
occupied for many years. He is lielil in iiigliost esteem by liie public, anil is
ardently loved by bis brctbren iM' the ehiircb. iJcv. Eobert H. Wallace became
pastor in the fall of 1872, remaining two j-ears. lie left ICO members, and 170
per-sons in tlie Sabbathschool, and cluirch jiroperty valued at $8,000. Rev. Mv.
Wallace was a preacher of manj- strong points. He left the ministry some )-ears
latei-, and lias since devoted himself to life insurance.
Rev. William D. Cherington became pastor in the fall of 1874, remaining one
year. At the close of this year the church ceased to be a bencficiarj' of the Mis-
sionary Society. The eighth year of its history 0]ieued with Kev. E. I. Jones as
pastor, who remained three years. Ho reported for his first year 190 members;
the second year, 223 ; the thini, 251; Sabbathschool attendants 200; benevolent
collections, 8300 ; value of church jiroperty, 810,000. Though now entirely self-
supporting the church paid a salary of SI, 100. At the close of this pastorate Kev.
Mr. Jones withdrew honorabl}- from the Methodist Episcopal Chuixdi and organ-
ized a Congregational church in Newark, Ohio, where he had once served as a
Methodist pastor. He has built up a good congregation there, and remains a con-
secrated, zealous worker for Christ.
Rev. Samuel A. Keen became pastor in the fiill of 1878, and remained three
years. He threw into the work his wonderful zeal and extraordinary abilities. At
the close of his first year the seating capacilj' of the church was increased by an
enlargement which accommodated 170 persons. The two rooms were connected
by an archway closed by a falling curtain. The committee on improvement con-
sisted of Messrs. C. D. Firestone, G. A. Frambes and James Pleukharj), with
N. B. Perry to superintend the work. The entire cost was 8926. The year closed
with 325 members, 275 in the Sabbathschool, and 8519 for benevolences. The
second year Pastor Keen reported 380 members, and the third j'ear, 436. Doctor
Keen has been spoken of in connection with Wesley Chapel. After some years of
phenomenal success as a revivalist and pastor in the Ohio Conference he was
transferred to Indianapolis where he served Roberts Park Church two years, and
then was transferred to Cincinnati and became pastor of Walnut Hills two years.
In the fall of 1891 he left the pastorate to enter into evangelistic work, lor which
lie had unsurpassed, if not unequaled, qualifications.
In October, ISS], Rev. John C. Jackson, Junior, was ajipointcd to Third
Avenue, remaining three years. Rev. Thomas R. Taylor was on his third year as
presiding elder of the Columbus District. Pastor Jackson icjioried a net increase
of foil}' mombei-s the first year and a total of 81,565 for benevolences ; second year,
521 members and 400 Sundayschool members; third j'car, 620 members, after
fitty names had been removed as unworthy. The church this year increased the
pastor's salary from 81,200 and house, to 81,500 and $350 for house rent. At the
opening of his second year the pastor began an agitation for a new chinch to
7ueet the wants of the rapidly growing congregation. All of the oHicial members
at first thought the effort premature except one, who generously offered to ]iay
one twentieth of whatever it would cost. Some months later the consensus dV
opinion turned almost uriaiiiiiKinsI}' in tiivor of the ]iropositioii, ami after the
822 History of the City ok Columbus.
winter revival of the tliird year tlie pastor opened a subscription for this purpose
and in a few weeks succeeded in raising about 124,000 toward building. A build-
ing commilteo was appointed, eonsistitig of G. 1). Firestone, J. R. Hughes and
James Pleukharp, who also were the largest subscribers to the enterprise. In the
latter part of June, 1884, work was be^jun and by autumn the new structure was
under roof. The old frame church was moved around to the north side of the lot
and made to face High Street, instead of Third Avenue as formerly. Work on so
fine a church as the new one nocessaiilj^ proceeded slowly, and it was not until
the first Sunday of Jul^-, 1885, that the Sundayschool rooiii was formally 0))ened.
The remainder of the building was then completed, and the entire church was dedi-
cated by Bishop Edward G. Andrews on Easter Sabbath, 1886. The entire cost,
including the organ, was $38,072.75.
The completion of the churcii was under the |)astorate of Rev. S. D. Hut-
sinpiller, who was appointed in October, 18S4, and served three years. Rev. John
T. Miller was at that time pi'esiding elder. At the close of his pastorate here,
Rev. Mr. Hutsinpiller was appointed to Town Sti-eet, where he remained one j-ear.
He is now serving St. Paul, Toledo, with deserved popularity, being an unusually
suave public speaker as well as a successful pastor. Rev. Israel H. McConnell,
D. D., was transferred from Indianapolis and stationed at Third Avenue in the fall
of 1887, remaining one year. His labors were attended with a great ingathering.
Doctor McConnell was frail in physique but a powerful preacher. At the close of
his year he was transferred to Massachusetts, and about eighteen months later
fell victim to a fatal attack of pneumonia.
Rev. W. D. Cherington was reappointed as pastor of Third Avetiue in the fall
of 1888, remaining three years, with Rev. J. C. Jackson, D. D., as presiding elder.
His labors were attended with fine success in sj'stematizing a somewhat disor-
dered state of affairs, in organizing the membership and in greatl3- reducing the
church indebtedness which had been for years neglected. At the Conference of
1891, Eev. Mr. Cherington was appointed pastor at Circleville, while Rev. J. C.
Jackson, D. D., having resigned the district at the clo.se of his fourth 3-car, was
appointed pastor of Third Avenue the second time at the unanimous invitation of
its officiary, and Rev. H. C. Sexton, of Circleville, became presiding elder of the
Columbus District.
At the close of Rev. Mr. Cheringtou's pastorate the church reported a mera-
bershijj of about 1,100, in addition to almost one hundred more belonging to Shoe-
maker Chapel, which is under the auspices of Third Avenue, and after contribut-
ing eighty members by letter to King Avenue since its organization.' The com-
manding location of this church gives it a wide influence and patronage. Its
present pastor receives a salary of $1,800 and S400 additional for house rent as his
allowance for the first year. There remains upon the church a debt of about
$5,000, mainly covered by subscription, which it is hoped will soon be liquidated.
The Sundayschool has an attendance of seven hundred at its maximum, and the
church contributes about SI, 500 a year to the support of missions. Mr. O. H.
Perry is the newly elected Sundayschool superintendent, having resumed that
jjosition with the return of the present pastor after having retired with him seven
3'oars aijjo. The boartl of trustees eomprises at jireseiit tlie Ibllowiii^ iiieMibers :
J. R. Huijhcs, President ; J. H. Sells, Secretary; S. S. McDowell, Treasurer ; J.
Cratt^-, James Pleukbarp, Frederick Weadon, A. E. Domoney, O. 11. Perry and J.
C. Fenimore. The stewards are: N. D. Perry, Hiiyh Nesbitt, J. B. Hamilton, A.
B. Ebright, W. E. Hoyer, L. L. Eankin, Esq., Eugene Lane, Esq., W. T. Price, C.
R. McLaughlin, J. T. Hiilery and Doctor J. B. Kirk.
The following ministerial brethren are members of the Quarterly Conference:
Rev. C. D. Battelle, Rev. A. B. Castle, M. D., Rev. I. H. DeBruin, Rev. Daniel
Horlocker, Rev. F. J. Merriss, Rev. Samuel Rankin, Rev. J. S. Ricketts, Rev. W.
H. Saj-er, Rev. W. H. Scott, LL. D., Rev. C. D. Williamson and Rev. S. M. Dick.
Shocviaki'i- Chapel. — This little brick church is situated on the Harbor Road,
near the crossing of the Shawnee and Hocking Railway. It began under the
missionary labors of Rev. Daniel Horlocker. In November of 1887, he organized
a Sunda3"school in the District Schoolhouse of that neighborhood, beginning witii
sixtytive ])ersons the first Sabbath. About a month later the number had grown
to 125 and elected Doctor J. B. Kirk their superintendent, who, with his wife, has
zealously labored in the school fi-om that date till the present time. In January,
Rev. Mr. Horlocker held a series of meetings in the schoolhouse, and a number
professed conversion. Mrs. Sai-ah Shoemaker, a devout member of Third Avenue
Church living in that neighborhood, became so anxious to have a church organ-
ized there that slie offered to donate a lot for that purpose. The proposition was
reported to the local Church Extension Society, and that body senta projtosition to
Mrs. Shoemaker that as soon as she conveyed the lot to the Trustees of Third Avenue
Church the society would take stops to build upon it. Thereupon she deeded to
said trustees a hallacre corner lot worth fully $800. Rev. D. Horlocker and Presiding
Elder Jackson then canvassed the community and got brick enough donated to
build a church, 36 by 50 feet, and also cash subscriptions in and about the city of
$500 more. The local Church Extension Society agreed to appropriate $1,01)0
and this year I'aised $3,000 for this i)urpose and the buiMing of Donahlson Street
Chui'cli lor the colored peoi)le.
Colonel A. C. Pattoti, (Jeorge M. Peters and II. C. Lonnis w^re aiq-ointcd a
building committee, and they raj^idly jtushed the Shoemaker Cha;'el to comple-
tion. In April, 1889, Rev. Mr. Horlocker organized a church class of eight mem-
bers by letter and twenty oti probation, which was ])ut under the superintendence
of Third Avenue Church.
Preaching services were provided foi- hy \W\ . Mr. Ilorlocker iimler lln! direr
tion of the presiding elder and the Third Avenue (Quarterly Conference until
November, 1891, when the Third Avenue Church requested the Shoemaker Chapel
membership to provide for themselves and allow the entire services of Rev. D.
Horlocker to be emploj-ed by Third Avenue in looking after its finances, henevd-
lences and otherwise assisting the pastor. The Shoemaker Chapel jieople then
employed Mr. E. D. Bancroft, a young student member of Third Avenue, to serve
them the coming year. Their memljership was now about seventyfive, with
eighteen probationers.
824 History of the City of Columbus.
North Columbus.— The North Columbus Metbodist Episcopal Churcli was suc-
cessor to the Clintoiiville Methodist Episcopal Church as part of the Clintonvilie
Circuit. The latter was a very old society. The change came under the ener-
getic labors of Rev. Tell A. Turner. The members who lived south of Clintonvilie
and within the corporation of Columbus felt, as did their pastor, that the church
ought to be within the citj- limits, thus bringing it into contact with the people.
But there was much opposition to the movement from very influential members.
Perhaps an older man would have beeu more cautious than was Brother Turner.
He earnestly pushed the project to a consummation during his pastorate in
1879-81.
His first class at the present site consisted of but seven members. A few of
the best families refused to move witii the location but brought their membcrshi])
down into the city, driving past the new church fully two miles, in all tliesc suc-
ceeding years; so strong is tlie attachment for old placesand the prejudice against
new movements. Rev. Mr. Turner succeeded, however, in raising mone}- to build
and the church was dedicated in January, 1881. Larimer congregations were at
once secured and there seems to be no question that the move was a wise one in
the end, however much it may have seemed otherwise at first to those who opposed
it. The name of the Clintonvilie Circuit was changed to North Columbus Circuit
after the church was moved. Rev. Mr. Turner is a man of more than ordinary
oratorical powers and has been a succes.sful pastor. For the last few years he has
filled the pulpit of Logan with great popularity. At the conference of 1891, he
" took a location" with the view of being transferred to the West.
At the Conference of 1889 the North Columbus Church asked to be set oflF
from the circuit of that name, to be made a station and to be transferred to the
Columbus District. This request was granted, and Rev. Louis F. Postle became
its first stationed pastor. They courageously undertook to pay him a salary of
$800, besides $150 house rent. Having but 170 members, and most of these being
people in very moderate circumstances, this looked like a formidable obligation to
assume. But Pastor Postle proveil a perfect fit, and the people entered with zest
upon their new^era of ehurcli life. Theirs had been regarded as one of the weaker
points of the four societies on the circuit the year before, which unitedly had paid
lest than $900, all told, to ministerial support. But now, with new zeal and hope
and increased service, they not only met all of the salar}^ allowed, but bought an
organ, paid some old debts, and in all aggregated $1,500, which they alone raised
this year. It is a striking illustration of what a weak people can do when they
are united and aroused. During Rev. Mr. Posticus second year they enlarged the
church by putting an addition at the rear end and also remodeled the interior in
seating arrangement and gallery, making a very great improvement at the cost of
$300, all of which they promjitly paid. They have a valuable church lot, but it is
not eligibly- located for the parish, and they contemplate a change of site so soon
as they can sell at a profitable price. Pastor Postle was at the last Conference
aii]>ointed for his third year, and continues to serve the people with undiminished
acceptability. At the last Quarterly Conference, in 1891, tlio name of this charge
was changed to High Street Church.
Mktiiuihst. ,s25
Clirixtic C/i(ijJcL—Th\ti is the iiiuuc ot about tlio only Molliodi«t Epinuopul
Chui-fh ever in Columbus whicli began to be, and is not. It waw named after the
renowned Rev. William B. Chri.stio, one of the mo.st gifted and eloquent preachers
of early Methodism in Ohio. Few pulpit orators of any ck'nomination sur-
passed him.
The Town Street Chureh a.sked the Ohio Conference, at its session in 18G0, to
appoint a minister to do missionarj' work in the northeast part of the city. Rev.
Eli Kirkham was selected for the work. Ho began b}' organizing a Sabbath-
school and preaching in a schoolhouse. The ladies of the various Methodist
churches were organized into a sort of Home Missionary Society, and raised
money bj- various means sufficient to ]iay the jiroacher. A lot was ])urchased on
North Eighteenth Street, and a church erccleil. I!ev. Mr. Kirkluun left a mem-
bership of forty persons. In ISCl Rev. T. \V. Stanley was ;qi|i(jiiilc(l as the mis
sionai-y to this charge, and remained two years. He left but fortytwo members
which proves that the field was a hard one, for the Ohio Conference has had but
few more zealous and successful pastors than was Rev. Mr. Stanley-. He after-
wards filled some of the better stations, and died in the midst of his work and in
the prime of life, while ])astor of St. Paul's, Delaware, in 1883.
Rev. Ancel Brooks served the mission in 1S63 and 18G4. He rcjiorted scven-
tyfour members. All of these men were supported largely bj' ap])roj)riatioMS from
the Genei-al Missionary Society of Methodism. In 18G5 Hev. Isaac King became
the pastor, serving one year, and leaving seventyseven members. In 186G Rev.
E. H. Heagler was sent to this charge ; he served it three iears. Rev. James M.
Jameson, D. D., whose labors in Columbus are also noted elsewhere, served
Christie Chapel from 1SG9 to 1S70, inclusive, lie repoi'tcd 144 members. Rev.
George W. Burns, later a pastor of Third Street Church, had charge of this mission
two years, reporting 165 members in 1872. Rev. John E. Sowers became jiastor
in 1873, leaving 124 members. Rev. Daniel Horlocker served it two years, begin-
ning in 1874, and reporting 162 members. The next and last pastor was Rev.
Albert J. Nast, who was ap])ointed in 1876, and served one year, reporting 152
members. He is a very scholarly and devout man, the son of Rev. Dr. William
Nast, with whom he has been associated in editorial work for several years past.
The following year Christie Chapel was left without a jiastor and put under
the charge of Town Street Quarterly Conference. The location of a church par-
ticularly in a growing cit}', is a most important and often ditlirult malUr. li is
not always possible to foresee the direction the citj' growth will lake. Several
denominations in Columbus have made mistakes in this respect. The Roman
Catholics wisel3' submit these matters to a board of most experienced and impar-
tial men, and the favorable i-esults are ])lainly manifest. Christie (;ha|>el never
had a flattering prosj)cct, and the organization of l!foad Sticcl in IST.'i, ellcctmilly
cut off its last hojie. The pro]jerly was finallj' sold, unci llial wliirli remained over
after debts were paid, was mostly reinvested in Mt. Vernon .\ venue Church. 'I'he
old building is now the Shiloh Bajjtist Church, occupied hy the colored pe()])le.
Perhaps, after all, its life was not a failure. Many received (iospel jirivileges in it
826 History of the City of Columbus.
while it lived as a Methodist Church, and its spirit, like that of John Brown, yet
goes " marching on " in the church home of the colored people.
Mf. Vernon Avenue. — This church owes its origin to a godly woman. In Sep-
tember, 1882, Mrs. John Sugdon canvassed what was known as the Mt. Airy
neighborhood, for Sundayschool scholars, and gathered together from twentyfive
to sixty, who met every Sunday in her own home, at 2:30 p. m. Her iiusband
aided her in the work ot teaching them. The next summer they repeated this
effort, but having determined to move from the city shortly, they could not endure
the thought of this work subsiding into nonentity. There was no church within
reach of this then sparselj'-settled community. Seeking to turn the scliool over
into responsible hands, Mrs. Sugdon was directeil to Eev. Thomas R. Taylor, jjre-
siding elder of the Columbus District. After full investigations the Mt. Airy, or
Twentieth Street brick schoolhouse, was rented for the use of this Sundayschool.
Presiding Elder Taylor then secured the almost gratuitous services of Rev. Noble
L. Rockey, a young local preacher, who was at that time a student at the Ohio
Wesleyan University but spending his summer vacation at the home of his father,
Daniel R. Rockey, in Columbus. On July 22 Mr. Sugdon held his last session of
the school wkth tweiitytive present, he being the only adult among them.
Rev. N. L. Rockey was appointed July 24 and at once began visiting the peo-
ple of that neighboi'hood and announcing his work. On Sunday, July 29, he had
a congregation of forty— 34 children and U adults -and a collection of 53 cents.
P'our classes were organized ; the children were quite small, and there were but
seven boj's among them on the first Sabbath. Mr. Rockey also preached regu-
larly to the jjeople every Sabbath. He devoted himself earnestly to the work, and
although in the most unfavorable season of the year, he gathered an attendance
ol 53 .scholars and purchased and i^aid for a cheap organ. After September lU, he
was obliged to leave the field to I'cturn to college, but the local workers now car-
ried it on. The first communion service held foi' tiiis congregation was admin-
istered by Rev. W. W. Cherington, who was living here in superannuation. Rev.
F. A. Spencer, at that time a member of Broad Street Church, became a very
earnest and valuable worker in this field. Robert Rusk and wife were among
the first Methodists to encourage this incipient congregation by their presence
and labors, although holding their membership at Town Street.
After Conference in 1883, Rev. C. F. Prior, who had been a])pointed pastor of
Neil Chapel, gave much of his time and labor to this missionary field. During
the year he organized the gathered members into a society, under the supervision
of Rev. John T. Miller, as presiding elder. They numbered thirtysix, eighteen of
whom, however, soon afterwards moved away. The first member to join by let-
ter was Naomi Staggs. The first trustees were, F. A. Spencer, L. D. Patton, M. C.
Bukey, \k S. Schiill, Charles Henley, L. T. Burris, Robert Rusk, Sextus Scott and
Thomas Hammond, the last three not then being members. The first class leaders
were G. W. Burris, Robert Rusk, L. T. Burris and F. A. Spencer. Articles of incor-
poration were filed April 19, 1884. A building committee was appointed April 21,
1884, consisting of Rev. C. F. Prior, the acting pastor, Sextus Scott, L. T. Burris,
L. D. Patton and M. C. Bukey. On May 1, 1884, they awarded the contract for
^Methodist. s27
a frame cliurc-li, forty by sixly feet, to Wallaee rellicord, to be erecleil at the t-or-
uei- of Ml. Vernon Avenue and Eigliteenth Street, whieli site was .selected by a
eoiiiiiiitice consist! n;,' of George M. Peter.^ II. O'Kane, M. Halm, Rev. D. Ilor-
loclv-er, Doctor J. M. Trimble and M. W. Bliss.
Some huiulreds of dollars were awai'deil to llic iMiter|irisc frmii llic sair oliho
old Christie t'lia])el property. The Broad Slreel Ini.'-tees. al'lei- liuiiiiini;- their new
church, aUo donated their old cliajiel hiiildiiii,^ to the Mount \'eriMni Avenue
Society. The material of thi.s frame strueturc enlered into the new Mt. N'ernoii
Avenue t'luirch, but it lost its identity as a building in being taken entirely ajiarl.
The church, after completion, was dedicated September 14, 1884, by Rev. Dr. J. U.
Baylies, in the afternoon of that Sabbath. Doctor Trimble had charge of the
morning services and presiding elder Miller conducted the exening mci'ting. This
society never received any missionary su|iport, but was selt-sustaining from the
beginning. The first year it paid SS20 salary and $180 h,,use rent, with ST.-) for
benevolences.
licv. William D. Gray was the first Conference fi])pointee as piistor ol' Mt.
Vernon Avenue Church. He came to it in the fall of 1S,S4^ and remained three
years. He began with about 40 members and left 340 menilicrs. lie was young,
zealous and successful. The membership rajiidlj- grevc and became marked foi- spirit-
uality, in keeping with oldtimc Methodism, liev. Mr. Gray's next api>ointment
was to Athens, Ohio, hut before the year eloscd he was transferred to Sedalia,
Missouri.
Rev. J. M. Eife was sent next as ijastor by the (.'onlerence of ISST, and
remained two years. Uis efforts were attended with much revival intlnencc and
continued additions to the membership. He had been a captain in the Union
Arm}' during the great Rebellion and has ever since been ])rominently identified
with its Grand Army reunions and organizations. At the close of his second year
he was a])pointed to the Raton Mission Chuich, in New Mexico, but the climate
not agreeing with his health, he returned after a year and was appointed to Neil
Avenue, where lie is now serving his second j-eai-. J!ev. .1. (', Ai'lmckk' was sent
as i)astor to Mt. Vernon Avenue in the fall of l.SSli and reniaineil two year>. He
had just closed his fourth year as presiding elder (jf the (lallipolis district. His
pastorate in this city was signalized by its ])opularity with his jieoplc. J)uring
his first year the charge paid off a long-standing indebtedness of .^CIMI, which, willi
their salary of ?1,000, and house rent, njade a very heavy Imrlen f.u- tin in. The
second year they rallied with heroic effort, and to retain llirir pastor paid him
$1,400 and house rent. The society numbers over 500 memhers, l.ul it is another
case in which the church gives evidence of doing the work of Ciiiisi hy ihc jioor
having the tiospcl preached to them. This society is greatly in need .,f a larger,
new church, with better accomniodati(jns for its nnillitu'ie of people. K'ev. .Mi-.
Arbuckle was sent next to Second Street ('hiii-ch, /.ane>\ille. and \l<:y . .1. 11. (.'ard
ner became his successor at Mt Vernon Avenue. Thelaiiei' has l)e(,-n s])(d<en of
in this historj' in connection with his successful ])a-tor.-ite '>\' Third Street Church.
He has been filling the better grade of appointments in the Conference and is
ver}' acceplahle in his |ireserit charge.
828 History of the City of Columbus.
First Grrmiin. — Tlie First German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized
by Rev. John Barth in 1843. Its trustees were Michael Decker, Daniel Weir,
Valentine Emrich, Philip Amos and Charles AYootring. For one year the society
worshiped in an enginehouse on Mound Street, near the Courthouse. Then they
bought a lot at the northwest corner of Third Street and Livingston Avenue for
$450. Here they built a brick church which answered their purposes till 1871.
In April of this j^ear they began a new church, costing $16,000. It was finished
in 1872 and dedicated September 8 by Rev. Dr. Per.shing, President of the Pitts-
burgh Female College, assisted bj' the Rev. William Nast, D. D., editor of the
Apologete, and the Rev. Doctor Lcibenstein, of Berea College, Ohio. The church is
75 feet by 45 feet in dimensions. The building committee consisted of J. W. Laut-
erbach, Henry Schneider, C. Bilber, Charles Frank and John Peauerie. In Sept-
ember, 1S6G, the church bought ground for a parsonage at number 438 South
Third Street, wliere thej- erected a fine brick residence at a cost of $5,000.
The following is thought to be a correct list of the pastors to date : John H.
Barth, 1843-45; William McLain, 1845-6; William Hoffer, 1846-7; Peter Wilkins,
1847-8; L. Nippert, 1848-9; Rev. Mr. Gahn, 1849-50; Eev. Mr. Braumiller, 1850-52;
Rev. Mr. Fry, 1852-53 ; Hugo Reiim, 1853-4; G. Nachtrieb, 1854-56; Paul Brodbeck,
1856-58; H. Vogel, 1858-60; H. Fuss, 1860-62; C. C. Helwig, 1862-65 ; C. Bozen-
hardt, 1865 67; H. Herzer, 1867-70; Z. Allinger, 1870-73; George Schwinn,
1873-76; Augustus Gerlach, 1876-79; John S. Schneider, 1879-81; John C. Egly,
1881-84; Jacob Rothweiler, 1884-86; John H. Horst, 1886-91.
The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Treuschell. The German Methodists are a
very earnest, reliable, sincere and generous class of Christians. Their founder
in America is the venerable William Nast, of whom it is fitting that we here give
some extended notice. The following is taken from the Cyclopedia of Methodism :
William Nast, I). D., was born at Stuttgart, in Wiirtemberg, in 1807, and entered when
fourteen years of age the Theological Seminary at Blaubeuren, and later was a fellow-
student with David Strauss. He abandoned the study of theology for that of philosophy,
and emiarated in 1828 to the United States Here he became a private teacher on Duncan's
Island. In 1831-32 he taught German at the Military Academy of West Point. Through
Law's Call to the Unconverted and Taylor's Holy Living. Nast became interested in Methodism.
He heard Rlimer preach, became a teacher of modern languages at the Gettysburg (Lutheran)
Seminary, and then Professor of Greek and Hebrew at Kenyon College, Ohio. In 1835 he
became a local preacher, and joined the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcojial Cliurch.
Since January, 188!(, he has been the editor of the ChrMlche Apologcle, of which, as well as of
the S'lndayschool Bell he was the founder. Doctor Nast was not only the first German
Methodist Episcopal missionary, but also the founder of German Methodist literature and
compilations.
Besides many translations of books, he has given the church a commentary on Matthew.
Mark and Luke, and his Introduction to the New Testament has been adopted into the
course of study for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857 he was a dele,
gate to the Evangelical Alliance held at Berlin, and in 1873 in New York. He read in 1857 a
Ijaper on Methodism, and one in 1873 on the Doctrine of Christian Perfection. He was a
member of every General Conference from 1848 to 1S7G, to the latter of which he was elected
a reserve delegate.
Mktmoimst. S2!)
DoiKihl.xoii Chiiirh.—The Donaldson Motliodist Cliureli, for colored poople,
was l)nilt in tlie summer of 1888, and was located in (lie midst of a lari^c scitie-
mcnt of peo])lc of African descent liavinij no (iospel pi-ivilesics. Bisiiop .Mallalieu
appointed a colored minister, Rev. (Jahriel Wliilo, In nri^aiii/.c a sncicly anunii;
them. He went to work in earnest ami tlic loial Cliuicli I'^xlension siKi<>i3- of
Colnmlius Metliodism took hold to help him. J5y tlieir united labors a lot was
purchased for $481, and :i frame cha]tel costinj; ahout Sl,2()0 was Iniilt. This
property was deeded to the trustees of the Broad Sli-ect Cluircli to hold in trust
for the society until it should become selfsustaininj^. The lniildiiii^ comrnittco
consisted of A. G. Patton, George M. Polors and H. C. Lonnis. I'lfsidini; Ishlcr
Jackson and Rev. D. Ilorlockcr were a])pointed to raise the money for this ])ro-
ject and were successful in so doing. Rev. William John.son is the present pastor.
He is an earnest, hardworking and welldoserving servant of God. The societ.y
now has a membership of sixtyfive and a Sundayschool attended hy about the
same number. A salary of $400 is allowed, but unfortnnatelj' is not paid in full.
The number of Metl.odists in Columbus at the end of each of the last six
decades has been as follows: 278 in 1840; 609 in 1850; 780 in 18(10; 1,200 in
1870; 2,495 in 1880; 5,000 in 1800. In ]8ti0 Methodism had 555 Sundayschool
■scholars in the city ; the number was 1,259 in 1S70 ; 2,197 in 1880, and 4,585 in 18!I0.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
CONGREGATIONAL.
1!V RE\-. HKN.IAMIN TALBOT.
[I^'iijaiiiin Talliot is a native of P,rnol<lyn, New York, linrn May 22, 1S27. At the afje of
six years lie wa.s removed to tlie liomo of liis mother at I'olchester, (Jonneeticut, wliere he
was brought up on a small farm adjoining the village. He was a bright boy with good
memory and was especially quick in mental arithmetic. He was educated at Bacon
Academy, a free school in Colchester. He began his Latin studies at nine years of age and
was ready for college at thirteen. In IS-li), he graduated at Yale College, fifth in a class of
ninetyfour. At the age of seventeen he taught a district school. He was a student in the
Yale Theological Seminary in 1850-3 ; was licensed to preach in 1852 ; was a classical teacher
in Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, in 1853-4 ; was a teacher at the Ohio
Institution for the [)eaf and Dumb from 1854 to 1863 ; was superintendent of a similar insti
tution at Iowa City from 18(i3 to 1870, and of one at Council Blufls from 1870 to 1878 ; was
ordained as an evangelist September 7, I8(i4, and has since 1880 been a teacher in the Ohio
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, of which he was acting Superintendent for three months
in 1881, and for ten months in 1882-3. Many interesting and able papers on subjects per-
taining to the education of the deaf have emanated from his pen.]
The growth of Congregational churches in and around Columbus has been
comparatively recent. It would naturally be supposed that those of New England
birth, in moving west, would seek to preserve the traditions and follow the faith
of the Pilgrim Fathers. But Central Ohio was not largely settled by New Eiig-
landers, and for in any years Congregationalists who came from the Bast joined
the Presbyterians in preference to establishing churches of their own order.
The first Congregational church formed in Ohio was the one at Marietta,
organized December 6, 1796. What is now the Presbyterian church in Granville,
Licking County, was organized as a Congregational church, in Granville, Massa-
chusetts, in the spring of 1805, before the colon^^ started for its new home, but it
did not join Presbytery until 1869. Two years later, 1807, a Congregational
church was formed at Springfield, afterwards called Putnam, now the western
part of the city of Zanesville. This little church was absorbed by the Presby-
terian church of Zanesville in the fall of 1809. The church at Hartford, Croton
Post Office, in Licking County, organized in 1818, is the oldest Congregational
church in this vicinity which has continued such to the present time.
[830]
CoNOHEdATIDNAL. SSI
No Congragational chui-cbes seem to liave heen estalilished in this region for
fifteen years after the organization of the Hartford church. Then, the great anti-
Nlavery agitation which led to the founding of Oberiin, with its church and college,
stirred the churches of Northei-n Ohio to their very foundations, and tlie ground-
swell caused bj' this upheaval was felt deeply in many religious communities in
the central portions of the state. Burning opposition to shiver}' and radical views
on temperance made manj- earnest Christians restive in tlieir connection with the
more conservative element in the churches; and this general uneasiness, with a
growing distaste for the extreme views of llyper-Calvinists, led to tlie formation
of man}- new churches on a more liberal basis, some as Congregational, and some
as Free Presbj-terian. In this way arose tiie Congregational churches at Lock,
Licking Count}', and at Mount Vernon, organized in 1834, and the one at Mans-
field, formed in 1835. The church at Marysville followed soon after, in 1839, and
was long known as the Second Pre.sbyterin church, but, after a quarter of a cen-
tury, became Congregational. In this decade many of the Welsh Congregational
churches in Central Ohio also came into existence, among which was the Welsh
church in Columbus, established in 1837.
The growing hostility to slavery which culminated in the triunipli ol' the
Kepublican party and led to the Civil War dee])ened the conscientious convictions
of man}', and strengthened their sci'uples against the least complicity with the
monstrous iniquity of the nation. Little Congregational cliurches sprang up here
and there, or came over from the Presbyterian connection, composed of warm-
hearted, earnest Christians, full of sympathy for the downtrodden and the oppres-
sed, and ready for every good word and work. In some places they aroused
bitter opposition and even persecution, as was experienced by the little church
at Paint Valley, in Holmes County, whose meetinghouse went up in the flames
kindled by Cojipcrheads during the Civil War. Elsewhere they crystallized
around themselves the j)atrioti8ni and loyally of the community, as in New
Albany, Franklin County, where pastor and people to a man enlisted in the Union
Army.
Made up of such matei-ial, and often ostracized at home because of their sym-
pathy with the lowly and oppressed, these churches naturally sought a union with
kindred spirits; and this desire led to the formation of the ('ongi'egational As.so-
ciation of Central Ohio, now known as the Central Ohio Conference of Congrega-
tional Churches. This body was organized August 13, 1861, at Columbia Center,
in Licking County, a preliminary meeting having been held at New Albany, on
the third of July. The First Congregational Church in Columbus took an active
part in the formation of the association. Messrs. M. B. Bateham and L. L. Rice,
with Eev. Lysander Kelsey, represented the church at New Albany, and the two
latter, with Pastor Goodwin, participated in the meeting at Columbia Center.
The Congregational ministers of Columbus have done their full sh:ii-e in the work
of the Conference at its semiannual sessions.
The first Congregational organization in Columbus was the Welsh Church
mentioned above, which began in 1837. In 1839, a colony left the First Presby-
terian Church with the purpose of forming a Congregational organization, but, in
832 History of the City of Columbus.
deference to counsel from abroad, notably from Rev. Dr. Lyman Boocher, then at
tlio liead of tlie Lane Seminary, in Cincinnati, they became the Second Presbyte-
rian Church. A colony from this Second Church, organized in 1852 as the Third
Presbyterian Church, took the name in 1856 of the First Con,£;re,ijational Church.
They built a new house of worship on Broad Street in 1857.
In 1872, the TFigh Street Congregational Church was formed and erected its
first meetinghouse just north of West liussell Street. In the same year a few
members from the First and the High Street churches projected the formation of
the Third Congregational Church, worshiping in a frame chapel on Goodale Street,
but the enterprise proved to be premature and soon fell through.
The Congregational Church of North Columbus was formed in Jul}-, 1875,
having completed a modest building the previous month. This ehui-eh consisted
largely of persons who had been Methodists.
Eastwood Chapel was erected in 187(1, and enlarged in 1870. The church
organization was effected in 1882. The year 1881 witnessed the completion and
dedication of the High Street Congregational Church. The reconstruction of the
First Congregational Church building occupied the larger part of the year 1887,
and the next year Mayflower Chapel was built. It was first occupied in February,
1889. The organization of Mayflower Church followed in June.
In December, 1889, the Congregational Club of Central Ohio was formed to
promote the fellowship of the Congregational churches in this part of the state.
It meets at intervals of about two months, during the colder part of the year, for
social purposes and the discussion of topics pertaining to the welfare of the
churches and of society at large. The members are mostly residents of Colum-
bus ; though all gentlemen of Congregational affiliations living within convenient
distance are welcome to membership. Mr. F. C. Sessions was its president the
first year, and has been succeeded by Mr. E. 0. Randall, of the Mayflower Church,
and Mr. George H. Twiss, of Eastwood. During the year 1890, one new church,
the South Congregational, was formed, and three new houses of worship were
erected. The Welsh Congregational Church completed and occupied its new
house at the corner of Washington Avenue and Gay Street, and two frame chapels
were built, one on St. Clair Avenue and another at the corner of High Street and
Stewart Avenue, for the South Church. The Eastwood people laid the foundation
for their new meetinghouse, and the First Church spent some $8,000 in remodel-
ing its chapel so as to accommodate a larger number in its Sundayschools, at the
same time refitting and beautifying the whole structure.
The entire resident membership of the seven Congregational churches of
Columbus is now (January, 1892,) about 1,750. They are well officered, having
faithful, energetic, wideawake pastors, fully abreast of the times and equal to the
needs of the community; and as the people also have a mind to work, these
churches will, with God's help, prove more and more a power for good.
To increase their efBcieney, and secure a wiser exj^enditure of their united
strength, the Congregational Union of Columbus was formed March 30, 1891;
composed of the pastors and one laydelegate for eveiy hundred members in the
several churches, to bo chosen annually. This union will hold in watchful survey
liiiircli,
CoNditKiiATiiiNAi.. • sn:5
the wliolu tiolil,;iiid ailvisc and assist in wlialovor now cnlor]ii-iso may ho projoclod
for church work bj' the Congres^atioiml churches of the city. It was incorporated
in June, 1891, with Mr. F. C. Sessions as president. Its officers for 1892 are W.
A. Alaiiony, president ; James T. Jones, vice president ; E. J. Converse, secretary ;
and \V. I). Park, treasurer. These gentlemen with L. H. Bulkeley, E. O. Randall
and W. B. Davis constitute the executive committee of the Union.
Fii:-<f ('oiii/r'(/iitii»uil Church. — Just after the middle of the decade preceding
the Civil Wai', tho First Congregational Church of Columbus took on its present
form. It originated in an offshoot from the Second Presbyterian Church, then
worshiping on Third Street, south of Rich, and was designed to occupy the
field lying north of Broad Street. At two prcliminarj' meetings held on the third
and the tenth of March, 1852, it was decided to purchase a lot on the north-
east corner of Third Street and Lynn Alley, and to erect a fi'ame chapel to
cost about $1,000 for a new congregation under the pastoral care of Rev. William
H. Marble, who had boon employed since the first of January in the interest of the
new entepriso. The chapel was dedicated July 11, and on the twentyninth of
September a meeting was held to organize the church, with Mr. L. L. Rice presid-
ing, and Mr. Warren Jenkins, secretary. The original number was fortytwo,
bearing letters of dismission from the Second Presbj'terian Church. Five of the
fortytwo are still living in connection with the church. They elected as trustees
Thomas S. Baldwin, Lewis L. Rice and Francis C. Sessions. The first elders were
M. B. Bateham, Doctor J. W. Hamilton and Warren Jenkins. Charles H. Goss
was chosen clerk. At a subsequent meeting S. B. Stanton was elected treasurer,
but seems never to have filleil the office. A formal call was given to Rev. Mr. Marble
to become the settled pastor.
[William Horace Marble was born in Winchester, New Hampshire, February 13, 1S22 ;
educated at Union Tlieological Seminary in New York City; ordained September o, 1S.")0;
and preached for two years in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. From Columbus he went to
Oslikosli, Wisconsin, where he preached six years, and became chaplain for six months in a
regiment of Wisconsin volunteer infantry. Since leaving the army his ministerial service has
been two years at Waupun, Wisconsin, three at Waterloo, Iowa, fifteen in evangelistic ser-
vice, one at Boulder, Colorado, two at Newfane, Vermont, an<l one at Enfield, New Hamp-
shire. His present settlement is at Wallace, Kansas.]
The church, though Pre.sbyterian in name and in its form of govorninent,
and under the pastoral care of a Presbyterian minister, was never connected with
a presbytery, following in this respect the example of the mother church, and
showing at the start a leaning towards the Congregational onk^r. Many nf its
members, indeed, would have preferred a Congregational (irganization, but (his
did not seem expedient at the time.
The new church prospered, both financially and spiritually-, under Mr. Marble,
There were large accessions of new converts during 1853, sixtytwo being admitted
by profession in March as the result of evangelistic work the preceding winter.
The minister's salary was materially increased, and, early in 1854, the vigorous
young church began to take steps for building a new meetinghouse. On March
53
834 History of the Citv of Columbus.
29, 1854, a plan was adopted, involving tlio expenditure of some $12,0(10. The
trustees and three other energetic workers were made a building committee, and
active measures were taken to forward the enterprise. The raising of the neces-
sary' funds proved a heav_y task, and at times it seemed as if the work must fall
through. Meanwhile, in Jannary, 1850, the pastor resigned. One hundred and
fifly had been added to the clireh under his ministry', fiftyeight by letter and
ninctylwo liy profession.
l)isa)ip()intniont in the effort to secure another minister, the need of rejiiiirs on
the chapel and the burden of securing means for tlie new building were great
drawbacks, threatening serious weakness and even an entire abandonment of the
enterprise. With these obstacles the little church wrestled heroicallj' during the
spring and summer of 1856. Its resident membership was then 105. Faith and
prayer nerved them with courage to persevere in their good work, and it was unani-
mously resolved, August 6, 185li, to continue the organization. Rev. Anson Smyth,
the State Commissioner of Public Schools, preached with great acceptance for
seven or eight months, during the interval in the pastorate. In the month of
September, Rev. J. M. Steele, of Stratham, New Hampshire, spent two or three
weeks with the church, and received a unanimous call to become their pastor.
On the third of November, after careful deliberation and a full interchange of
opinion, the church decided unanimously to assume the name and form of a Con-
gregational church. The first officers of the reconstructed church were: M. B.
Bateham, J. W. Hamilton, L. L. Rice and S. B. Stanton, deacons; L. L. Rice clerk ;
and T. S. Baldwin, treasurer. The first board of trustees consisted of Doctor R. J.
Patterson, T. S. Baldwin and F. C. Sessions.
[John McClary Steele was born at Epson, New Hampshire, in 1S22; graduated at Dart-
mouth College in 1844, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1847 ; was first settled at
South Woburn, Massachusetts, where he was ordained August 10, 1S4S; was dismissed Feb-
ruary 11, 1852, and settled as pastor at Stratham, New Hampshire, November 30, 1853, where
he remained until called to Columbus.]
The pastorelect, Mr. Steel, arrived in Columbus November 6, and was installed
the next day by a council of churches, the services being held in the First Presby-
terian Church, and the sermon being preached by the Rev. Richard S. Storrs,
D. D., of Brooklj-n, New York. Mr. Steele labored happily and acceptably during
the winter, gaining the eiFection and esteem of the people, and giving hopeful
promise of a useful and successful pastorate. An important business meeting was
held February 25, 1857, when it was decided to proceed at once with the erection
of the new church on Broad Street, facing the Capitol Square, at an estimated
cost of $7,000. To secure material aid the pastor shortly after went east, where he
unfortunately contracted the smallpox, and died in New York City, within five
months of his installation, April 5, 1857. Though grievously distressed by this
great loss, the church went bravely forward with its building enterprise. The
money that had been contributed by members of the Second Piesbyterian Church
towards the erection of the chapel was repaid, and the work on the new church
was pushed with such energy that it was finished before the end of the year, and
CoNliltEdATKlNAL. 835
was dedicated December 23, 1S57. It stood on tlie site still occupied, measuring
externally 120x63 feet, the audiencurooni of 73 feet by 59 being on the rear of
the lot, and the front affording two goodsized social rooms with a sjiacious hall
between them and a Sundayschool room above. The entrance was through a tower
projecting from the middle of the front, with a pastor's study in the second story.
The new lot cost 86,500 and the cost of the editice was a little over $10,000.
While the building was in ])rogre.s8, the church was looking for a pastor. Rev.
Mr. Smyth again supplying the pulpit meanwhile and rendering such further ser-
vice as he could without neglecting the duties of his public office. The Rev.
Naihaniel A. Hyde began to supply the pulpit December 6, 1857. He I'emained
six months, during which time the church received thirtyfour members. In June,
1858, just before Mr. Hyde left, the Ohio State Conference of Congregational
churches and ministers was entertained b}- the church, which had joined the Con-
i'orcncc the year liofore.
[Nathaniel Alden Hyde was born in Stafford, Connecticut, May 10, 1827. He graduated
from Yale College in lS4r. and from Andover Theological Seminary in 18.51 ; preached a few
months in Central Village, Connecticut, in lS.31-2, and in the Second Church of Rockville,
Connecticut, in 18.i2-o; and serveil as assistant secretary of the Children's Aid Society in
New York, 1854-0. He was onlained in Columbus, Hecember 2.3, 1857. On leaving Columbus
he preached for a few months in the Seventh Street Church in Cincinnati, during their pas-
tor's absence, and in the fall of 18.58 became pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in
Indianapolis. At the end of ten years he was appointed Superintendent of Home Missions
for Indiana, and five years later accepted the pastorate of Mayflower Church in Indianapolis.
In May, 1888, he resigned his active duties, and was made pastor emeritus. He has pub-
lished sundry sermons, memorials and papers on special topics.]
The next settled minister was Rev. H. B. Elliott, from Stamford, Connecticut,
who was installed November 7, 1858, and was dismissed in August, 18(i0. The
church grew but slowly under his ministrations, the additions in the two years
numbering only thirtyseven. Financial disasters and the removal of some lead-
ing members, coupled with a general business depression, seem to have led to Mr.
Elliott's resignation, which was tendered in May, 18C0.
A call was extended in June to a talented young minister, Rev. Kilward P.
Goodwin, who was laboring as a home missionary in Burke, Vermont; com-
menced his ministrations here in October, and was installed in February, 18(51.
His pastorate lasted over seven years, until his dismission by council, December
24, 18(i7. The church grew steadily under his leadership, notwithstanding the
obloquy it encountered as an anlislavery church and other adverse circumstances.
Two hundred and twentyfour joined it during the seven j'ears, 125 of them on
profession. The largest additions were made in 18G(], during which j-ear
seventyoue new converts were received into the church. The benevolent con-
tributions of the church rose handsomely, having nearly doubled in 1863, and
more than doubled in 1804. Doctor Goodwin's pastorate is still remembered as
a very successful one. The church reluctantly consented to his departure to a
larger field of usefulness in Chicago.
83(1 History op the City of Columbus.
[Mr. Goodwin was borne in Rome, New York ; graduated in Amherst C'olle{,'e in 185fi
and at Union Theological Seminary in 1853, and preached as a home mipsionary in Burke,
Vermont, for about a year and a half. He was ordained in 1859. His only pastorales liave
been in Columbus and in the First Congregational Church in Chicago. Several of his ser-
mons have been printed, and two valuable pamplets — on 8ui>ernatnral Healing, and a Kcply
to Mr. IngersoU on Thomas Paine.]
The Rev. George W. Pliillijis, of Haydenville, Massachu-setts, succeeded
Doctor Goodwin. He was installed May 12, 1868, and resigned September 24,
1871. He was dismissed bj- vote of the church without tlicactioii of a council. In
his three years of service the church received 137 addition.s, with a net inci-case
of about seventy.
[George W. Phillips was born at Hubbardston, Massachusetts, and received his college
education at Amherst, and bis theological training at Andover, Massachusetts. He was
ordained in ISO-J, and settled as a minister at Haydenville, Massachusetts. From
Columbus be went to Plymouth Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, and from there to the
church in Rutland, Vermont, in ISSG.]
Before Mr. Phillips left a growing demand for more room, both for the
preaching services and for the Suudajschool, led to an eft'ort at enlargement of the
church. This was projected in the summer of 1870, but was not fully carried out
until 1872. An additional strip of ground west of the church was purchased, and
a large commodious building put up on the rear of the new lot, cornering on the
main audienceroom. The lower story was devoted to the Sundayschool and to
conference meetings, and the upper part was used for social rooms and the
pastor's study. By the transfer of the Sundayschool rooms tbe auditorium was
enlarged to oceupj' the whole of the original structure. The change involved
extensive and costly improvements, the entire exjjense of which was reported by
the committee in charge as amounting to $22,000.
After Mr. Phillips's departure the pulpit was supplied for a few months,
beginning in December, 1871, by Eev. S. M. Merrill, who afterwards became the
first minister of the High Street Congregational Church, formed largely by mem-
bers of the First Church.
In the summer of 1872 the hearts of the people were turned towards the
Bev. R. G. Hutchins, of Brooklyn, ]Slew York, who received a unanimous call to
the pastoi'ate, on the twentyeighth of August. Accepting September 19, he imme-
diately commenced his labors, which continued for nearly ten years. Doctor
Hutchins was an eloquent and effective preacher, and a most energetic worker.
The church made a large and healthy growth under his ministrations, both in
numbers and efficiency. He was privileged to receive 384 members, 172 of whom
entered on profession. The largest increase was during his first year of service,
being fortyeight, though the additions by profession were most numerous in 1876,
wlien forty new converts were admitted.
In January, 1882, twentyfour members were dismissed to assist in forming the
Eastwood Church, an enterprise which had grown up under the fostering care and
generous help of the First Church and its pastor.
('ON(iREllATIONAl.. S37
May 21, 1SS2, to tlic great siirpi-ise and decii regret ol' his peojjlc,
Doctor Hiitchins offered his resignation, that he migiit accept a call to Plymoutli
Ciiurch, Minnea))oli.s. The call seemed so plainly providential that the church
could offer no valid objection to the dissolution of the [lastorate, which was
consuinniatod by advice of council, and took- effect on the first of June.
[Robert G. Hutchins was born at West Killingly, Connecticut, April 25, 1838; graduated
at Williains College in 1S61, and Andover Theological Seminary in 1804. He was ordained
June 13, isdii, over the Bedford Congregational Church, Brooklyn, New York, whicli lie
served until his removal to Columbus. His subsequent settleiuents have been at Minneapo-
lis, Minnesota, Oberlin, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California.]
The ]iulpit was supplied during the summer and fall of 1882 b}- ^ Kev. H
Walter Q. Scott, President of the Ohio State University, while the church was
making careful search for a successor to Doctor Hutchins. At last Rev. "Washing-
ton Gladden, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was invited to fill the vacancy. lie
acce])ted the call November 15, and began his work here December 24, 1882. His
installation took place March 22, 1883.
[ Washington Gladden was born of New England .stock, at Pott's Grove, Northundjerland
Count)'. Pennsylvania. His youth was spent in Owego, New York. He graduated from Wil-
liams College in 1859, and after teaching one year was ordained November 15, 18(i0, as pastor of
tlie State Street Congregational Church in Brooklyn, New York. He spent one year witli
this church, five years with the church in Morrisania, New York; five years with that in
North Adams, Massachusetts ; four years on the staff of The Indcpenderd, and about eight
years as pastor of the North Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. Doctor Gladden is a
vigorous and independent thinker, and is always busy with his pen. Besides many con-
tributions to our current periodical literature he has published the following volumes:
Plain Thoughts on the Art of Living; From the Hub to the Hudson ; Workingnien and Their
Employers; Being a Christian — translated into the Japanese ; The Christian Way ;The Lord's
Prayer; Things Old and New ; Young Men and the Churches ; Applied Christianity ; Parish
Prol>leuis; Burning Questions; and Who Wrote the Bible?]
Under the guidance of this new leader the church has gone forward with fresh
zeal, growing sti-ongor numerically, financially and spiritually. To its roll 54(i new
names have been added during the [last nine years, :510 of Ihem representing j)er-
sons joining on confession. The number on the rolls Januai-y 1, 18tt2, is .S14, of
whoui about 7<tli are resident members. Onl}- two or three Congregational
rhuiciics ill the Slate have a larger membershi]i. 'I'hc financial strength of the
society is shown in its liberal support of the public se-ivices ol the sanctuai-y, and
in the recent improvement in the church buil-'ing. In June, 18S6, it was voted to
improve and refurnish the church. This movement led to a thorough remodeling
of the audienceroom. A recess for the jjulpit and choir was built in the space
west of the church ; an entire new stone front was constructed, the gift of a single
member; the roof was opened and the ceiling lighted from above; large windows
of cathedral glass were set in the north and south ends; a rising floor was laid,
and the whole interior was reseated amphitheatrically and decorated anew. The
entire cost of this improvement, including organ, carpets and furniture, with pav-
^
838 History of the CiTr of Columbus.
ing, was about $34,000. The old auditorium was vacated in September, 1886, and
the Sabbath services were held during the fall and winter in the Grand Opera
House until its destruction by fire, when the church accepted the generous invita-
tion of the Second Presbyterian Church to unite with them in joint services in
their house of worship. The new audieneoroom was first occupied on Easter Sun-
day, 1887, and the completed church was rededicated December 17, 1887, five years
after the commencement of Doctor Gladdeii's labors in Columbus.
The develo])nient of the Christian activities of the church is no less gratifying
than its material prosperity and its numerical strength. The midweek service
and the Sundayschool are well sustained and the church has reael.c<l out vig-
orously to help those destitute of spiritual privileges. In Fcbniary, 1889, the pas-
tor called upon the members to organize a new Sundayschool for persons not con-
nected with any other school. The people responded nobly. The district contig-
uous to the church was thoroughly canvassed liy forty volunteers who went forth,
two by two, into all the alleys and tenements between Fourth Street and the river,
and between Broad Street and the Union Station. The work of canvassing was
completed in one week and on Sunday afternoon, March 17, the school was
opened with an attendance of 199 and a full corps of officers and teachers, none of
whom were engaged in the morning school. So crowdetl did this Bethel school
soon become that more room was imj)eratively demanded. This want was sup-
plied the following year bj- the construction of a gallery with classrooms on the
north and east sides of the chapel.
In November, 1888, the church and society voted to employ an assistant pas-
tor so soon as a suitable person could be found. Rev. Henry Stauffer came at the
completion of his studies m Yale Divinity School, and took up the work in May,
1889. The next month twentyone members were dismissed to form the Mayflower
Church. Mr. Stauffer continued to act as assistant pastor until the fall of 1890.
The assistant in 1891 was Rev. William B. Marsh.
The officers of the church for 1892 are Rev. VYashington Gladden, D. D., pastor;
F. C. Eaton, B. D. Hills, O. A. B. Scnter, P. V. Burington, John W. Estill and
Eichard A. Hayes, deacons ; and R. H. Bratton, clerk and treasurer. The officers
of the society are J. S. Morton, W- A. Mahony, E. A. Cole, E. B. Robbins and G.
W. Bright, trustees; B. D. Hills, clerk, and W. H.Martin, treasurer. Abrara
Brown is superintendent of the regular Sundayschool and Walter A. Mahony of
the Bethel school. Twentysix different persons have acted as trustees and forty
have held the office of deacon.
The following persons have entered the ministry from the membership of this
church : 1. Warren Jenkins, born in Lee, Massachusetts, April 12, 1804. Licensed
to preach, 1855. Ordained by Piesbytery September 5, 1855. Preached at Hang-
ing Rock and Genoa, Ohio. Was chaplain in the Ohio Penitentiarj-. Died May
11, 1866. 2. James Lawrence Patton, born in Warren County, Ohio, October 14,
1827. Graduated from Oberlin College 1859, Oberlin Seminary 1862. Ordained
at Clarksfield, Ohio, October, 1862. Preached at Clarksfield and Bronson, 1862-4.
In the United States Army, 1864-5. Chaplain Fiftii United States Colored Troops.
Pastor at Greenville, Michigan, from 1866 until his death, Ajiril 19, 1890.
CONGREOATIONAL. ^'-^^
3. Josiiili H. Jenkins, born in Buffalo, New York, Fobruarj' 23, 183(;. Graduated
at Marietta College, 1862, Lane Seminary, 1865. Ordained at Lebanon, Ohio, 1865.
Preached at Lebanon, Coolvillc, Harniar and Toledo, Ohio, Leavenworth, Kansas,
Mount Dora and Tangerine, Florida, Greenwich, Ohio, and San Bernardino, Cali-
fornia, where he is now settled. 4. William Holden Rice, born in Painesviile, Ohio,
Januarj' 4, 1841. Graduated, Oberlin College 1862, Oberlin Seminary 1865.
Ordained at Genesee, Iliinoi.s, Xovember, 1869. Preached at Brooklj-n, Oiiio, Mount
Carroll, Illinois, Washington, D. C, Vernon and Addison, New York. Late in
1890 he was called to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he is now preaching. 5.
Frank D. Kelsej-, born in New Washington, Clark County, Indiana, February 15,
1849. Graduated at Marietta College 1870, Andover Seminary 1874. Ordained at
Marbleliead, Massachusetts, July 7, 1874. Preached at Marblehead and Attleboro
Falls, Massachusetts, New Gloucester, Maine, and Helena, Montana, his present
settlement. 6. D. F. Harris, born at Medina, New Y'ork, October 18, 1851. Studied
theology in Chicago Seminary and at Oberlin, graduating in 1876. Ordained pas-
tor of the Columbia Church, in Cincinnati, December 13, 1876. Pastor of the Dan-
forth Church in Syracuse, New York, 1884-7. Has been settled since October,
1887, in Hai-mar, Ohio. Has published a book entitled " Calvinism Contrary to
God's Word and Man's Moral Nature." 7. Reuben A. Beard, born in Marj-sville,
Ohio, August 30, 1851. Graduated at Oberlin Seminary in 1879. Ordained Se|)teni-
ber 10, 1879, at Braiiierd, Minnesota. Preached there untilJunuary 1, 1883, then
at Fargo, North Dakota, until August 1, 1888. Superintendent of Home Missions
in Washington for three years. Became pastor of the First Church in Spokane
Falls, Washington, in August, 1891, but resigned about six months later on account
of ill health. 8. Henry Fay Tyler, born in Columbus, Ohio, November 26, 1848.
Graduated at Oberlin Seminary 1880. Ordained at Millville, New York, October
12, 1880. Also pastor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Allegan, Michigan. His
l)resent settlement is at St. Joseph, Michigan. 9. ■ Edward Duncan Kelsey, born
at Wheelersburg, Ohio, January 16, 1853. Graduated at Marietta t'ollege 1874,
and Yale Seminary 1881. Ordained in New Haven, Connecticut, April 21, 18S1.
Preached in Almont, Michigan ; was assistant pastor of Seventh Presbyterian
Church, New York City, and was pastor at Cutchogue, New York. Returned to
Ohio in 1889, and is now preaching at Prospect. 10. William I. Chamberlain,
born in Siiaron, (Connecticut. Graduated at Western Reserve College, 1S59. Was
engaged in teaching and farming until 1880. Secretai-y of the Slate Board of Agri-
culture, at Columbus, Ohio, until 1886. Elected President of Iowa State Agricul-
tural College in May, 1886, and held that position until November, 18il(l. ()r<lained
at Columbus, November 30,1886. Present residence, Hudson, Ohici. 11. .lesse
Levi Bright, born in Westerville, Ohio, May 28, 1859. Academical ciuc'iiion al
Oberlin, and theological at Yale Divinity School, where he gradualed in ISiKi.
Ordained November 24, 1890, as pastor of tiic .South Congregational Cliurdi of
Columbus.
The church is also represented in the foreign missionary work in Ihc person
of Mrs. Anient, at Pekin, China. Mary Alice Penfield was born in Oberlin, Ohio,
July 4, 1756, and graduated from Oberlin College in 1875. Taught tw.i years in
840 History op the City of Columiu's.
the Ohio Institution for the Feeble Minded. Married Eev. William S. Anient,
August 23, 1877, and sailed soon after for their missionary lionie in North China.
One other member of the church deserves mention here, from the sjjecia! rela-
tion which he sustained to the Congregational churches of Ohio. Lysander Kclsey
was born in Vermont. October 30, 1817. Graduated at Middlebury College in 1840,
and at Lane Theological Serainaiy in 1845. Ordained 1846. Preached for several
years in Ohio and Indiana, his longest settlement, eight years, being in Whceler.s-
burg, Ohio. In 1856, he bec.ime agent of the American Home Missionary- Society
for Southern and Western Ohio, and later for the whole State and part of Indi-
ana, serving in this capacity nearly eighteen years. Was Eegister of the General
As.sociation of Ohio 1866-71. Served the chuichcs of Eansom and Praltvillc,
Michigan, 1879 and 1880; Maybee and Eaisinville 1881-3; Augusta 1884; and
Plain, Ohio, 1885. In 1886 he removed to Oregon, where he ]>reached to the
church at Bcaverton one year, and later to Mount Zion Church in Portland. His .
devoted and useful life came to its close in Portland, May 17, 1889. His buri;il
took place a few days later in Columbus, Ohio.
Plymouth Chnrch. — On January 18, 1872, eleven persons, mostly members of
the First Congregational Church, met at the salesroom of Charles H. Walker, 144
South High Street, and took the first steps toward forming another church in tliu
northern part of the city. At a second meeting a month later, a comtniltcc of
ways and means was appointed, and also one on the location and eroilinn of a
church building. On the last day of February at the residence of Mr. David
Price, 791 North High Street, fifteen persons signed a paper agreeing to withdraw
immediatelv from the First Church. They received letters for that purpose, with
others, on the sixth of March. The new organization was eflPected March 9, 1872,
at the house of Mr. Price, where, on the proposition of Rev. Lysander Kelsey,
thirtysix persons (all but eight from the First Church) covenanted together to
form a church under the name of the High Street Congregational Church, adopt-
ing a constitution and appointing a committee to prepare articles of faith and a
church manual. Edwin C. Beach was elected clerk and David Price, S. E. Samuel
and W. A. Hershiser were chosen trustees. One week later the organization was
perfected bj- the adoption of the creed and manual, and the election of W. A.
Hershiser, treasurer, and Warren Jenkins, Charles H. Walker and Samuel M.
Hotchkiss, deacons. An additional deacon was soon afterwards cho.sen, viz., Luman
P. Rose. The first prayer and conference meeting was held at Mr. Price's, March
27, at which time it was voted to emploj- Rev. S. M. Merrill as pastor for one year.
The new church worshiped temj^orarily in the Baptist chapel on Russell Street,
but proceeded with marvelous energy to erect a temporary chapel of its own on
High Street, near the lot purchased for the church. This chapel was completed
in time for the fir.st communion services on tlie first Sal)bath in May.
Earl}' in Maj' the enterprising little church adopted plans for its house of
worship on a liberal scale and went forward with enthusiasm and energj- to secure
its erection. The cornerstone was laid September 9, 1872, and the building so far
advance that the first service was held in the ba.sement Deccmlicr 25. This build-
ing enterprise taxed the financial strength of the little band very heavily and
CoNGHEGATIONAI,. 841
probably retarded its growth. The additions under tlie first jtastor were very
few and he resigned on the ninth of October. The eiuireh tiion made a bold effort
to seeure a minister equal to the demands of their work and of the |)ossibililies of
their situation. They reasoned that the growing population in that section of the
city needed a vigoi-ous church and an able minister, anil so thej' were ready to
devise libei-al things, even bej'ond their means. Rev. A. Hastings Ross wa.'* una n-
imousl}- called to the pastorate and commenced his labors January 26, 1873, hav-
ing preached the first sermon in the new church the ])revious month. Mr. Ross
was installed June 19,1873. But the growth of the church was still small, the
financial burden was exceedingly heavy, and after two j-ears service the pastor
resigned, being dismissed Jaunarj' 25, 1875.
[A. Hastings Ross was bornin Wincliendon. Massachusetts, April IS, 1S:51. Graduated
from Oberlin College in 1857, and from Andover Seminary in 1860. Was ordained in 18()1,
and settled first at Boylston, Massachusetts, 18()l-6; second at SprlngfieM, Ohio, 18G()-7S;
third Columbus, Ohio, 1873-5; fourth at Port Huron, Michigan, 1870 to the present time.
Has been lecturer on Church Polity in Oberlin Seminary since 1872. He has published : 1,
The Church of God ; A Catechism ; 2, A Pocket Manual of Congregationalism ; 3. Sermons
for Children ; 4, The Church Kingdom; 5, Lectures on Congregationalism; and some twenty
articles in different Congregational reviews.]
Quite discouraged, and feeling hardly equal to the bui-den they were beai-ing,
the church, after Mr. Ross's resignation, discussed with much seriousness u plan
for uniting with the Hoge Presbyterian Church occujjying the same purl of the
city, but as neither organization was willing to be absorbed l>y the othei-. the ]iro-
ject soon fell through. On April 7, 1875, it was voted to engage Rev. H. C. Has-
kell for one year, and the engagement was renewed at the annual meeting a year
later. During the month of March, 1876, a series of meetings was held in connec-
tion with the Third Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and Neil Chiii)el, con-
ducted by Mr. and Mrs. Frame, twoQuakoror Friends evangelists. Thcsemcelings
l>i-oughtover forty into the church by jirofession, this being the first considerable
addition in its history and making the whole number id' its mendiers 102.
[Rev. Henry C. Haskell was born in Anson, Massachu.setts, Decendjcr L'8, 1838. Grailu-
ated from Williams College and Andover Seminary. Receiveil ordination in 18(i2, and was a
missionary in Turkey 18(;2-72. Preached in Huntington, Ohio. 1873; Columbus, Ohii..
1875-7 ; North Amherst, Ohio, 1877-80; Ilarmar, Ohio. ISSI-il; and retuiru.l to missionary
work in lss7. He is now living at Samokov, Bulgaria.]
In 1S77 the church was still wrestling with the financial pi<d)lein. A few of
the ladies took u]( the needed work and their enei-gy and perseverance were
crowned with success. In January, 1S7S, il was ropoi-lcil that the heavy debt of
over $11,0(10 was provided for. Meanwhih' Hcv. I'l K S(|ui(i' IkhI been <:ill.d
to the pastorate in Ausrust, 1877, and served the cliunh until the end ol.luly. isTO.
No material advancement was made during this jieriod. During the rollowini^
November a call was voted to Rev. Sanford Martyn, who cominenccd his hibors
December 3, but resigned the following summer, after serving seviui months.
842 History op the City of Colummds.
[Sanford Smith Martyn was born in Haverhill, Massaohusetts, July 23, 183». Graduated at
Yale College in 1865 and at Yale Seminary in 1868. Ordained in 1868 at Newington, Con-
necticut, where he preached two years. Later settlements: New Hartford, Connecticut,
1870-2; Nashua, New Hampshire, 1874-5; Terre Haute, Indiana, 1876; Peacham, Vermont,
1882-6; VVind.sor, Vermont, 1S,S7 to the present time.]
The next jiastor was l!ov. F. \V. Gunsaulus, callcil awaj- from a new cnlei--
priso in another part of llic eit}-. He began liis work willi this thureh August 1,
18S0, and was installed September 15. Under his vigorous and attractive preach-
ing the church was greatly encouraged and was infused witii new activity. With
the opening of 1881 the trustees were empowered to finish and furnish the church
building. The work was pu.shcd with energy; a loan of seven thousand dol-
lars was authorized; and in October tiie completed church was dedicated. Large
congregations attended the services of the talented preacher during this and the
following year; considerable accessions were gained to the membership and every-
thing promised a successful and fruitful pastorate, when, in the fall of 1882,
the pastor's health gave wa}' entirely and he was compelled to ask a release
from his charge. His request was presented January 10, 1883, asking for a council
for his dismission. A week later it was rejiorted to the church that Mr. Gunsaulus
was too sick even to attend a eouneil, and his resignation was unanimously
accei)ted with the most tender expressions of sympathy for his shattered condition
and the deepest regret at the termination of their union. The pastor's comnuinica-
tion, on the other hand, oxj)re8Scd the warmest aftection for his peo])lo and com-
mended ill the highest terms the heroism and devotion of the men and the
unexampled ellort and conspicuous self-sacritiee of the women.
[Krank W. tninsaulus was bom at Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio, January 1, 1850.
Reet-ived his collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware. His tlieologi-
cul education was private. Preached for Methodist churches in Grove City, Worthington and
Chillicothe, Ohio. Came to Columbus in 187!) and wasordained in 1880. His later settlements
have been in Newtonville, Massachusetts, 18834, and Baltimore, Maryland, 1885-6. Was
installed pastor of Plymouth Church, Chicajio, June 27, 1887. lias st'ut to the i>ress :
Mcliiniorphoses of a Creed, November at Eastwood, Tlie Translif,'nration of Christ, Monk
and Knight, and Phidias and other Poems.]
■ring to a Presbyterian ehiireh in Toledo,
1 assnmed his duties September 1. He
slioii stav the membership was consider-
[Edward Anderson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 19, 1833. His
academic and theological instruction was received privately at home. Ordained in 1858.
During the war was chaplain of the Tliirtyseventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry: in eouniiand
of the Northern Military Di.stii.t d' In. liana; Colonel of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, and in
command of a cavalry brigade. !<ince the war he has preached to Congregational Churrhes
in East Cleveland, Ohio, lS(iii-7 ; Ashtabula, Ohio, 18«8-0 ; .Tamostnwn, New York. 1870-2;
Olney, Illinois, 1873; Quincy, Illinois, 1874-8(i; Norwalk, Connecticut. 18S4-S. He is now
(April, US'JO) settled at Danielsonville, Connecticut.]
I<
:ev. Edward And
er.son, then i
next
received a call,
in May, iss
resigi
led November 1,
1884. Dnrii
ably i
iiereased, mostly,
however, b;
CONGREQATIONAL. 843
In April, 18S5, a cull was voted unanimously to Casiiar W. Iliatt, then a
student in Oberlin Seminary, a native of Westfield, Indiana, and a graduate of
Wheaton College, Illinois. He began his labors Julj- 1, and was ordained pastor
September 10. He was eniinenlly successful in building up the eluirch. At tiie
annual meeting in A])ril, 1886, a net increase of fortysix in the membership was
reported; and eacli succeeding year witnessed numerous additions. Not far from
180 were added to the church by profession during the four years of this pastor-
ate, nearly or quite trebling the active membership. Mr. Hiatt resigned in April,
1889, to become District Secretary of the American Missionary Association. The
council which approved his di.*mission testified to his zeal and efficiency in his
work and the abundant fruiifulness of his laboi's. Mr. Hialt lias been pastor of the
Congregational Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, since April 3, 1892.
The vacancy' in the pastorale was soon filled by the choice of Mr. .McxainUi-
Milne, a native of Scotland, and a graduate of Yale Divinity Sclniol. who was
ordained and installed June 19, 1889.
The present number of members is 398. Ten of the oi'iginal nieinbei's are still
living in Columbus and connected with this church, which now sustains a large
and flourishing Sundayschool in the home church and mans another in the cha])el
on Goodale Street. Two ministers have gone out from the church, viz., Revs.
Luman P. Eose and William E. M. Denny. Mr. Eose was ordained in August^
1874, and was pastor in Oi-land, Indiana, for four years. He was Superintendent
of Home Missions for ten years, beginning in 1878, having his headquarters in
Indianapolis. He now resides in Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. Denny was ordained
Julj' 15, 1887. He has been engaged in missionary work as an agent of the
American Bible Society'. Another member of thischurdi, Miss Anna B. .Mulligan,
was married July 1, 1890, to Eev. William II. Hannuni, a Pi-csliylerian minislcr,
who is a graduate of the Ohio State University. They have gone to Kola|>iir,
India, as foreign missionaries.
Twentythree gentlemen have held the office of trustet^, and eighteen have
served as deacons. The ]iresent officers are, Eev. A. Milne, jiastor; W. A. llers-
hiser, E. C. Beach, J. W. Bradley and L. N. Conard, deacons; T. Jeffreys, W. A
Hershiser, J. (^. Judkins, E. J. Convei-se, J. N. McDowell and Henry Dierdorff,
trustees; David Singleton, clerk, and J. E. Shruni, treasurer. Mr. F. W. Wallis
is superintendent of the Sundayschool. In the spi'ing of 1891 the chui-ch voted lo
change its name and its location. Ileiicefbrth il will he known as I'lynioulh
Church. The property on High Street was sold and a U,\ |,un-haM'd on ll.e south
side of West Fourth Avenue. A brick chapel was (•onimenced during the sum-
mer, to be completed before the end of the year. This will grow into a large,
commodious church, as the needs of the congregation may require. The last ser-
vice in the old church was liehl October 11, and the first in the new chapel,
November 22. The formal de<lication took ))lace January 24, lsil2.
Thinl C/iun-li. — This church was organized in the sumnu'r of 1872, with
Joseph J. Davis as deacon, William Davis as clerk, and .f. J. Davis, F. C. Ses-
sions and J. Bardmore as trustees. It grew out of a union Sundayschool
which began June 3, 18G(i, in the shops of the l'i((ua railway. In the spring
844 History op the City of Columbus.
of 18G7, a frame chapel was put up on the back part of a lot on West Goodale
Street, which was given by Eobert Neil. The building was ready for use in
Jul}' and was dedicated in September, the dedicatoiy sermon being preached by
Rev. E. P. Goodwin. Preaching services were held in it whenever a minister
could be secured. At first the undertaking was actually a union effort, but in a
few yeiirs it came to be recognized as a Congregational enterprise. As the
population in that quarter of the city increased, there seemed to be a call for reg-
ular preaching and the establishment of another church, which was effected in
the summer of 1872, largely through the efforts of Rev. Lysander Kelsey and his
son, Frank D. Kolsej-, then preparing for the ministry.
The enterprise proved to be jiremature, and the church was at no time very
large; the only published report of its membership in the denominational statis-
tics showing ou\y nine, January 1, 1873. Its chance for growth and strength
depended on large manufacturing establishments in the neighborhood, and when
these were suspended most of tlie members moved away. The church was
not, however, formally disbanded until the summer of 1887, when Deacon Davis
voted himself a letter of dismission to the High Street Congregational Church, of
which he had ])reviously been a member. The Sundayschool has been kept up,
year in and 3'ear out, to the present time and is in a flourishing condition, with a
regular attendance reaching nearly one hundred. Mr. Davis has been its super-
intendent for over twentyone years. Most of the teachers come from the High
Street Church. The property has rccentl^^ been put into the hands of the First
Congregational Church in trust.
North Columbus Church.— The Congrogaiioiuil Church of North Columbus had
its beginning in 1870 or 1871, in a little Sundajschool oi'ganized and led by Rev.
Joseph Hai-ris, a. local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This Sundaj'-
school was held first in a public school building. After a time the school author-
ities declined to allow the further use of the sclioolhouse and steps were
immediately taken to erect a church. As first projected the church would have
been Methodist, but the presiding elder I'efused his consent to the location of a
nc\\ rliuiili Ml near the one at Clintonville. Desirous of church accommodations
nviiicr to tlair homes, the sup])()rlers of the school sought other help, which was
promised ihcm by friends in the First Congregational Church. Thus encouraged,
they met on the tenth of December, 1874, at the house of Mr. John Sherman;
made Rev. Mr. Harris chairman, and J. J. Pogle secretary ; adopted the name of
the Congregational Church of North Columbus; and appointed seven trustees, viz.,
Joseph Hariis, John J. Fogle, John Sherman, Josej)!! Guitner, James McClintock,
H. Milton Grimm and Richard Brown, Senior.
A buildini;- (•(iinmitlee of five gentlemen was also appointed. A lot was ])ur-
chaseil on lli-h Strict for the church building and the cornerstone was laid
December 13, 1874. The exercises were, a prayer by Professor John M. Ellis, of
Obcrlin; a historical sketch by S. H. Vanderhief, and addresses by Revs. R. G.
Hntcliins, .\, H. Ross and D. HorlocUer. The singing was by the Sundayschool,
wliicli thill had an enrollment oflG5. The church was dedicated June 13, 1875,
witii a sermon by Rev. R, G. Hutchins and a prayer by Rev. C. N. Ransom.
(NiN.IRK.dATICNAI.. 845
About a month later a c-luirch ol' twcnt^foiir iiuimIh'is was loimalK- i>M(io;ni/.c(l li\-
a council of Coiigi'Ogatioiial chnrclies, witli i;<v. .1 (isc|ili (I.iriis as ad iiii,'^ paslor.
The sornion was preached hy Ilcv. Samuel Wdlcull, I >. I»., ciC ( 'lc\i'laml, an.j l he
)irayer of recognition and consecration was ottered hy llrw ltd'. II iih hins .if i he
First Congregational Church. On the Hfieenth of Septeinlier tlu' (u-gani/.alidn was
perfected by the election of Wat.son ('. Tripp and Tihnnn (iriniin as deacons, and
Mrs. M. E. Harris, Mrs. W. C. Tripp and Mrs. J. Ktninel as deaconesses.
Some thirty members were addeil l)y |>rolession in .laniiarv and l'\'hriiarv,
1877, anil the ]ii-ospecls soeincd good for a Honrishing and useful chiindi. In.
August, 1S78, the pastor tendered his resii^Miation, which was iinaiiiinoiislv
declined. Mr. Harris, however, did not deem it wdse to continue his services, and
preached his farewell sermon the tirst Sabbath in October. Jlov. John Joi\cs, was
nextinvite<l to act as pastor and labored for about a year- and a half, be<;inning
December 1, 1878. Aft(ir him a Rev. Mr. San.N invaidied for a while, beginning
September 1, 1880; and in the latter part of April, ISSl, the ehuieh placed itself
under the pastoi-al care of Rev. P. W. (iunsaulus, the nearest congregational
minister. In Sc])tember of the same year, Rev. I. W. Mctcalf accepted the charge
of the church, preaching there Sunday evenings for several months.
In the fall of 1881 a new Methodist society was organized on the same limil(Ml
field, still further weakening the little church, whicli hail been for some time in a
languishing condition. But a few faithful ones persevered, in spite of all dis-
couragements, and called Rev. George S. J. Browne, of Westerville, who began
his ministrations December 1, 1882. Mr. Browne was followed by Rev. Erastus
H. Scott, who served as pastor and superintendent of the Sundayschool from
May, 1883, to March, 1887, when he removed to Chicago. Encouraged by the
promise of liberal aid from the First Congregational Church the little band next
called Rev. Homer Thrall, who came to the church in November, 1887, returning
to Ohio, from Garden City, Kansas. During his brief pastorate of fifteen months
fifteen were added to the church by profession, and its strength was decidedly
increased.
On accepting his resignation the church, with unanimous consent, called
Mr. James Porter Milligan, a graduate of the Ohio State University and a student
in the Oberlin Theological Seminary. Rev. H. L. Whitehead, a resident
Methodist preacher, officiated as minister until the pastorelect completed his
studies. Mr. Milligan was well and favorably known to the peojile, having
preached to them frequentlj' during his summer vacations. He began his labors
June 1, 1889, under most favorable auspices and was ordained on the twentythird
of July. With the new pastor the church took on fresh growth. The attendance
at the Sundayschool and the preachitig services increased greati}', and evident
signs of coming prosperity became apparent. The officers chosen at the last
annual meeting were Itichard T. Brown, Senior, and J. W. Brewer, deacons;
Miss May Grimm, clerk ; J. H. Davis, treasurer, and L. II. Bulkeley, It. T. Brown,
Senior, J. H. Davis, Peter Ramlow and Milton W.. Strait, trustees. Mr. J. II. Davis
is superintendent of the Sundayschool.
846 History op the City of Columbus.
Tlie resident nieiiibershiiJ of this church at the close of 1891 was ninetjeight.
Thoui^h comparatively few in number tliey are active and zealous, courageous and
hopeful, and are laying wise and liberal plans for future work. They have lately
pureluiscd the premises just north of the church, and propose to use them as a
parish Ikuisc. Two rooms in the house have been furnished free of rent to the
ISIorwood Club, lately organized in North Columbus for literary and social pur-
poses. Some twentyfivc young men have become active members of the club.
Eashcood Church. — Eastwood Chapel, a small brick structure on Twentyfirst
Street, was commenced in the summer of 187G, on land given by Mr. P. V. N.
M_yers, a large holder of real estate in that neighborhood, and a liberal giver to
the cost of the building. There were but few houses in the immediate vicinity,
some persons say onlj- rive ; but the builders had sufficient faith and foresight to
assure them that the city would soon grow rapidly in that direction ; moreover,
they knew that a church would add to the value of the homes ai-ound it.
The coiniiKlcd chapel was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, October 15, 1870,
Rev. R. (i. Ihitchins jircaching an appropriate sermon and Rev. David C. Perry
offering the dedicatory prayer. The next Sabbath, October 22, a Sundaysehool
was organized with Mr. J. M. Tibbetts assuperintendent, Mr. J. S. Battcrson as leader
of the singing and Miss Mary K. Foos as organist. This was a union school, hav-
among its teachers Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Congro;j:.itionalists,
working harmoniously together. It was also independent and selfsii|ipi)rtiiig,
always paying its own expenses, without being in any sense a mission school.
So well was it sustained and so fully was it attended, that an addition was built
in 1877 for the infantclass room, the expense of which was paid mostly by mem-
bers of the school. Mr. Tibbetts was followed in the superintendeney by Messrs.
G. H. Twiss, A. N. Ozias and J. H. Brenneman, successively. A single incident
during the administration of the lastnamed gentleman will show the persistency
of the school. As many of the teachers were persons employed in the public
schools, there was frequently a lack of teachers during the summer vacation. On
one occasion there was not a single teacher present and the only officers present
were the superintendent and the organist. They agreed that as long as scholars
came they would hold the school, and so they did. The school has never missed
a single session.
Preaching services, maintained pretty regularly in the chapel, were con-
ducted by different pastors and laymen from the other churches in the city. The
first regular stated preacher was Rev. F. W. Gunsaulus, a young Methodist minister
from Chillicothe, who was invited to take charge of the congregatio'n in June,
1879, and held regular services, both on Sundays and in a midweek prayer-meet-
ing, for about a year. In the fall of 1879 the worshipers enlarged the capacity
of the chapel by building a large addition ou the north side, fronting on Long
Street. The business affairs of the congregation were managed by four trustees,
viz., Messrs. D. D. Bolenbaugh, J. 11. Brenneman, P. J. Lofland and G. H. Twiss ;
but the property was held in trust by the trustees of the First Congregational
Church.
('(iNi;llK(iATInN.M.. ,S47
For more than a year uflor tlio withdraw. il of Mr. Guiisaulus, no ri'guhir
preaching services wore hehl, althongii ministers residing in tlie cit3- occasionally
preached in the chapel and llie .Sundayscliool was Uept ^l\^, summer and winter, willi
n.. thou-hl ord.sire .>r vacation. In" .luiio, IS.Sl, Mr. Irving \V. .Mrlcall, ;i s.Miior
An agreement was then made that im the cDhiiilrlidri n\' his studies he shonid
]>reach and ]icrf()rm pastoral work among llir |k'(>|iK' with a view to forming a
church. His lalioi's, which hegan the tirsi Sunday in Srplrndier, soon developed
ary meeting, Dcccinlier 22, l.S.Sl, .-il whi<'li scvei-al (•(imniillcrs were ;i|i|ioinliM| lo
report a constitution, ninlcssion of Ihilh and cnvrnanl, all nl' wliicli wcr.- :idii|il('ii
January 12, 1882.
An ecclesiastical council met on the last day olManuary, 1S.S2, :il which the
organization of the church was approved and Mr. Metcalf was ordained as a min-
ister and installed as pastor. The church began its organized existence with forty-
nine members, of whom twenty-four came from the Kirst ('ongi'cgalional Church,
five from other cliunhr^ in Columbus, seventeen with Idlers from ollu r |ilaees,
and three who united on confession offailh. The fiist otticers were: l.'ev. i. \V.
Metcalf, pastor and superintendent of the Sundays<'hool ; J. II. Ilrenneman, (J. II.
Twiss and E. F. Church, deacons; P. J. Lofland', I). 1). I'.olenbaugh, A. U. Adams,
C. Atcheson and S. 15. Porter, trustees; J. P. Naylor, secretary, and W. I). Park,
treasurer. The church had a stead}-, healthy growth from tlie start. The first
large increase was in the year ISSd, when fortysix were admitted on profession at
the March communion, as the result of union meetings with the Mount Vernon
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and the Hildreth Cha]>el, Baptist. The net
increase reported at the next annual meeting was sixtj-six, making a total mem-
bership in October, 1886, of 207. This gain was repeated and even exceeded in
1887, when the number of active members rose to 282.
Beginning with t"he new year, 1887, a lady missionary was employed to work
among the poorer and more neglected people of the city, which benevolent work
is still kept up though in a different form. In November, 1887, the jiastor was
temporarily laid aside by the lo.ss of his voice, hut he returned to his duties in full
strength after a winter in California. His place was sup|ilicil by luv. K. (' Bar-
nard, then residing in Oberlin.
The Christian principle and spirit of the church were tested early in ISK'J, hy
the application for admis.sion of a worthy colored gentleman with a letter from an
eastern church. Though objection was made to his reception the members as a body
stood nobly for the right and by an overwhelming majority- voted the admission of
the gentleman, giving no countenance to the sjiirit of caste.
About the middle of March, 1889, Mr. Metcalf resigned his charge, to take
effect the first Sabbath in the Hdlowing May. A council heldAjiril 23, a]ii)Oved
the dissolution of the pastoral relation, with fitting testimony to the fidelity, devo-
tion and efficiency of the retiring minister. Mr. Metcalf had been on the ground
for over seven and a half years, during which time 375 had joined tlie church, 307
of whom were members when he left. When the church was organized in 1882,
848 HtsTORY OP THE City op Columbus.
the only otiior reHgious organization in tliat section of tiie city was a small
Friends society with a meeting house on Ohio Avenue. In 1889, there were on
the same territory twelve churches of seven different denominations.
[Irving Wight Metcalf was born in Bangor, Maine, November 27, 18.55. Graduated at
Oberlin College in 1.S7S, and from its Theological department in 1881, having spent one year
in the Scniinary at A ndnver, Massachusetts. Was ordained January .31,1882. In 1889, he
preai-ht'cl a few nionllis t'cir a new organization in Dayton, Ohio. He is now pastor of Hough
During the interval between Mr. Metcalf 's resignation and his departure the
church had agreed upon and called a new minister, Rev. Robert S. Lindsay, who
entered his duties immediately, and was installed 3n\y 2, 1889. Mr. Lindr^ay was
born in Montrose, Scotland, June 12, 1852. Ho graduated at Oberlin College in
1881, and from its Seminary in 1884. After his ordination June 12, 1884, he min-
istered to the Congregational Ciiui-ch in Ironton, Ohio, three years, and to that in
Yorii, Nebraska, two years.
Eastwood Church has been from the first a working church, giving liberally
to the benevolent causes su])ported by Congi-egationalists generally. It has been
especially forward in the promotion of temperance and of city missions. It sus-
tains a vigorous Young People's Society of Cliristian Endeavorand aSundayschool
with an average attendance of 230. The membership, January 1, 1891, was 322.
The officers are Rev. R. S. Lindsay, pastor; W. D Park, W. N. Cott, J. C. Dilley,
George T. Scott and James H. Parker, deacons ; J. P. Carlisle, D. D. Bolenbaugh,
V. C. Ward, G. II. Twiss and B. M. Brooke, trustees; B. C. Wagner, clerk; and
H. A. Williams, treasurer. C. II. Houseman is superintendent of the Sunday-
school. Eligible lots were purchased on Tweutyfirst Street, near Broad, in 1890,
and the foundation for a new house of worship was laid in the latter part of the
year. Contracts for the erection of the chapel portion of the building were
reported at the annual meeting in October, 1891, the work to be done in 1892.
When the whole building is completed according to the plans Eastwood Church
will have for its home one of the largest and most commodious church edifices in
the city.
Mayfloicer Church.— The pastor of the First Congregational Church, while cast-
ing about for an unoccupied field of labor in the southern part of the city, fell upon
a section Ij'ing on East Main Street which seemed to be full of j^romise. It was
quite remote from any Protestant church and was rapidly filling up with a good
population. A thorough canvass of the neighborhood by ladies of the church
brought in a large list of children who might be gathered into a Sundaj-school.
Accordingly, in the spring of 1886, a vacant storeroom was rented and on Sunday,
May 23, a school was opened which, by a happy combination of the season of the
year and of Congregational memories, was named the Mayflower Sundayschool,
There was an attendance on the first day of 99, including teachers, scholars and
visiting friends. Of course the regular number was for a time somewhat less, but
the school grew thrivingly and soon became a gratifying success. The first super-
intendent was Mr. F. T. Cole, who was succeeded later in the year by Mr.
CoNdREdATloNAL. 849
Pratt. The next superintendent was Mr. E. P. Wood who lias continiiod to the
present time, being now in his fourth year of service.
The scliool remained nearly throe j'ears in its first hired rooms, at 898 East
Main Street, whicii were often so crowded that larger accommodations became an
evident and pressing necessity. Accordinglj', in 1888, a lot was purchased hj- the
trustees of the First Congregational Church at the corner of Main Street and Ohio
Avenue, and the adjoining lot was donated by Mr. F. C. Sessions. A building
committee was appointed consisting of Walter A. Mahony, L. W. Ro.se and E. P.
Wood, with power to raise funds and contract for the erection of a chapel on the
rear of the lots. Mr. W. E. Cheri-y undertook the contract at an agreed price of
S;^,427.4(), and began work in October. The chapel was completed before the end
of winter, and, in the afternoon ot February 24, 1889, was occupied for the first
time with special services of the Sundayschool, followed b}- a dedication service
conducted by Doctor Gladden. The avci-agc attendance of the school for 1889 was
144, which has since been largel3' increased.
After the completion of the chapel. Doctor Gladden preached there every
Sunday afternoon for nearly three months. On April 22, 1889, about fifty persons
met to consider the advisability of forTiiing a new church. The meeting voted
that it was expedient to proceed to the (orinaiioii of a Congregational Church in
connection with the Maj^flower Chapel. They appointed a committee of seven to
arrange plans of organization, canvass for mcndtcrs and ])rei)are a constitution
and form of admission. A second meeting was held May 27, when the constitu-
tion and rules wereadoi)ted for both church and society and the following persons
were elected as the first officers: Samuel Chamberlain, E. O. Randall, Lyman W.
Rose, R. B. Smith and Nelson Hoyt, trustees; Frank T. Cole, clerk; J. Knox Liv-
ingston, treasurer; Eugene S. Peck, Edwin F. Wood atid Frank T. Cole, deacons;
and Miss Mary B. Rose, clerk and treasuier. The .Mujtiower Congregational
Society was duly incorporated Juno 10, 1889.
The church was formally recognized liy a council on June 18 and then con-
sisted of thinynitie members, of whom twentyone were from the First Congrega-
tional Church, five from the Second Presbyterian Church, three from the Eastwood
Church, three from churches outside of the city, and seven united by profession.
Soon after its organization the church put itself under the pastoral care of Doctor
Gladden and his assistant, Rev. Henry Stautt'er. Li their division of duties Mr.
Stauffer was more es))ecially responsible for the Mayflower Church. He entered
on the work May 19, 1889, preaching once a week during the summer and
early fall, and after November 1 holding two services each Sabbath.
The evangelical pastors in the eastern part of the city made a careful canvass
of the district east of Eighteenth Street, between Bi-oad Street and Living.ston
Avenue in the fall of 1889, and found 150 families without church connection. Of
these more than one third are accessible to Maj'flower Church and may be
considered as belonging to its field. With its flourishing Sundayschool and an
active Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor there is every reason to
expect a vigorous growth of this young church. The present oflScers are, Rev,
54
850 History of the City op Columbus.
Henry Stauffer, pastor; Samuel Chamberlain, Ijyman W. Rose, A. floupt, Richard
Plimmer aud W. G. Lockhart, trustees ; Eugene S. Peck, clerk; S. II. Kcriiis, treas-
urer; Nelson Hoyt, D. L. Agler and R. M. Sayer, deacons; and Miss Mary H.
Rose, clerk and treasurer. The total membership at the close of 1S91 was ninety-
five. Mr. Stautter was installed as pastor November 25, 1890.
The latest forward movement of this vigorous young church is tiie erection,
in the closing months of 1891, of a building to be used as a readingroom and
gymnasium for the young men and boys in that part of the city. It was opened
for use the eighteenth of Decemlier, and is sucees.sfullj- accom]ilisliing the ]uir|iosc
for which it was projected.
Welsh Ohurcli.— The Wcl.sli Cougrogational Church of Columbus was organ-
ized late in December, 1837, with twelve members, of whom only three were men.
Following the custom then prevalent in some jjarts of Wales, David Davis was
made ekler, and William Jones deacon. For many years its members were few
and its strength small, and in its weakness it affiliated itself in a measure with the
First Presbyterian Church, on whose pastor, Rev. James Hoge, D. D., it le.medfor
counsel aud hel\). This is doubtless one reason why it was, by a misnomer, often
called and known as the Welsh Presbyterian Church. Owing in part to its weak-
ness, there were frequent changes in its ministry and several interruptions. The
minister serving regularly was Rev. Hugh Price, who for two years divided his
time between this church and one in Dublin. He was followed bj' Rev. Seth
Howell, who served four years; Rev. James Price for one and a half years; and,
after quite an. interval, Rev. B. Evans, who preached nearly two years.
The strength of the church was seriously reduced in 1849, by the withdrawal
of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, now known as the Welsh Presbyterian
Chui'ch. In this same year Rev. Rees Powell began preaching here ; he continued
for five years. After him Rev. John H. Jones preached four years ; then Mr.
Powell returned and served the church ten years longer, finally leaving in 1869.
His successors were Rev. John Jones, for two years ; Rev. Isaac C. Hughes, a year
and a half ; Rev. R. D. Thomas, about two years; Rev. John Jones, again, four
years, and Rev. John Cadwallader, three years. The present pastor. Rev. Grif-
fiths Jones, began his ministry in Columbus in October, 1885.
During the first seven years of its existence the church worshiped in several
different places, the first of which seems to have been a schoolhouse standing on
the alley between High and Front streets and north of Broad Street. After that
they held services for a time in the Baptist Church, still standing in 1892 — a
quaint relic of a past generation — at 338 South Fi-ont Street, a little north of
Mound. They next occupied a schoolhouse, the location of which cannot now be
determined ; after that ihej' worshiped at the residence of David Davis, and still
later in a schoolhouse on the northeast corner of Fourth and Oak streets. In 1845,
they built a frame meetinghouse, 33 x 26 feet, on the north side of Town Street,
between Fifth and Sixth. For several years the title to this property was in lit-
igation, it being claimed as resting in the Welsh Presbyterian Church. After a
tedious aud expensive suit, it was decided that the deed in favor of the Presby-
terian church was given by a misnomer, and that the equitable ownership was
CONOKEIiATIONAL. 851
with the Welsh Congregational Cluirch, as the actual possession had always been.
On the strength of this decision the society sold its property on Town Street and
jmrehased a lot at the northeast corner of Gay Street and Washington Avenuei
where it erected in 1890 a new church at an expense of about $13,1(00, which was
dedicated, free of debt, May 10, 1891.
The church has had a legal existence since April 10, 1872, when it was incor-
porated under the title of the Welsh Congregational Church, with David Price,
John Davies, John Bain, Richard Brown and Jonathan Stephens as trustees. The
present officials are Kev. Griffiths Jones, pastor ; Thomas Baxter, John T. Griffiths,
James T. Jones, Evan Walter and John D. Evans, deacons ; D. D. Phillips, William
R. Evans, Ezekiel Hughs, Evan Davis and Evan Walter trustees. James T. Jones
is superintendent of the-Sundayschool, which numbers from eight}' to one hundred
in regular attendance, a majority being young people just coming to maturity,
although the proportion of children is increasing since the occu]iancy of the new
meetinghouse.
The membership of the church, January 1, 1892, was 140. One of their num-
ber is studying at Ohcrlin, in preparation for the ministry. The worshiji is
always conducted in the Welsh language as being more accejituble to the older
members and to newcomers from the old country and from the mining regions of
our own state. From the indications under present plans this practice will bo
continued, and the Welsh Congregational Church will always stand as a Christian
home for those who cherish the Welsh as their native tongue and the Congrega-
tional order as the one best befitting their sturdy independence and love of freedom.
South Church. — In the summer of 1890, Mr Jesse L. Bright, a recent graduate
of Yale Theological Seminary, made a house to house visitation in the southern
part of the city, where there seemed to be need of a new church. So favorably
was he received that steps were tnken early in September to build immediate!}-
a small frame chapel on South High Street as (he rallying place of a new Congre-
gational church. The work was pushed by the zealous energy of Mr. William B.
Davis so that the room was made ready in less than three weeks. On Fridaj',
September 26, a meeting was held to organize a Sundayscliool, which met under the
superinlendency of Mr. Bright in the afternoon of the following Sabbath. Mr.
Bright preached in the same j)laceoii Sunday evening and these services have been
regularly sustained ever since.
About three weeks later a society was organized and ^elected five trustees,
which number was afterwards increased to seven. The trustees were authorized
to purchase lots and erect a permanent chapel. Ground was bought at the corner
of High Street and Stewart Avenue and the sum of $15,500 was speedily raised
towards the building. A council of churches, called for the purpose, met on
November 24, to recognize the infant churcii and ordain its young minister.
Fortynine persons were re])orted as ready to join in the new organization, three-
fourths of them on confession of their faith. They had selected for deacons Messrs.
R. B. Adams and H. E. Reiser, and for clerk Miss Lorana Stimol. The council
examined and approved the candidates for membership, and, after examining Mr.
Bright, recommended that he be ordained to the ministry. Public services were
852 IIisTDRY or THE City ok Columbus.
accovtliiigly held in the eveninjr for the reeognilion of the church and the ordina-
tion of the pastor. The sermon was preached by Eev. Dr. Gladden and the jirayer
of ordination was offered by Eev. Sidne}' Strong, of Mount Vernon.
This little plant in the southern part of the city has taken good root and bids
fair soon to become a vigorous churcli. The Sundayschool numbers over two hun-
dred in regular attendance, and has literally packed the little chajiel full almost
from the start. The evening audiences have also been large, and thus at both
services there lias been an earnest pressure for the immediate erection oltlie new
building. Pastor an<l pcnjile have bent all their energies to this work, which has
been so far conipldcil lli;ii service was held in it the last Sunday evening in June,
1891. The trustees of tlic society, which is duly incorporated, ai'e Messi's. J. L.
Stelzig, W. B. Davis, H. M. Munk, R. B. Adams and Mr. Mitchell. Frank Strat-
ton is clerk, and Mrs. A. Davis treasurer. The number of members on the cliurch
roll January 1, 1892, was eightysix. The deacons are five : R. B. Adams, J. 11.
S. Ferguson, H. B. Reiser, John Brownlee and J. L. Decker. G. Lindeman is
clerk of the church.
St. Clair Ave7iue Chapel. — Late in the summer of 1890, through the exertions
of Mr. George W. Bright and other members of the First Congregational Church,
a neat frame chapel was erected on lots purchased the jirevious year at the north-
west corner of St. Clair and Hoover avenues. It was dedicated in the afternoon
of Sunday, September 21, with a sermon by Rev. Doctor Gladden. The dedica-
tion service was followed by the first meeting at this place of a Sundaj-school
transferred from a room on Twentieth Street. This school was for some time
under the superintendency of Mr. C. H. Houseman, a member of Eastwood Church
which furnished most of the teachers.
Sunday evening services were held regularly during the f:xll,and in December
Rev. W. B. Marsh, assistant pastor of the First Church, took charge of the work.
In the spring of 1891 Mr. Charles E. Albright became superintendent of the
school, which has made good progress and has sometimes numbered over one hun-
dred. Eev. George P. Bethel joined this enterprise in March, 1892, holding
preaching services Sunday evenings, and a weekly prayermeeting. No church
has been organized as yet in connection with this chapel, but it is expected that
one will in due time grow out of this work.
Biographical.
CHAPTER XL.
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
ALLEN G. THURMAN
^Portrait opposite page 16.]
WuH born ill Lynclilnii-ii;, Virginia, on Novcinbor V.i, 1S13. His iiitlier wiw tlio
Rov. P. Tliurnian, and liis motlicr, .the only daugliter of Colonel Natliunicl Allen
of Nortli Carolina, the nejjhewand adopted son of Joseph Hewes, one of the signers
of the DecliiratioM of Independence. In 1819, his parents removed to Chiliicothc,
Ohio, and he resided there until 1853, when he removed to Columbus, his' present
residence. He was educated at the Chillicothe Academy and by the private
instructions of his mother. He studied law with his uncle, William Allen, after-
ward United States Senator and later Governoi of Ohio, and with JNoah II. Swaync,
afterward Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Ho was admitted to the
bar in 1835 and practiced his profession until elected Judge of the Supreme Court of
Ohio in 1851. From 1854 to 1856 he was Chief Justice. Previous to his election
as Judge he had served in the House of Kepresentatives for the Twentyninth
Congress, liaving been elected a member of that body in 1844. In 1867, he was the
Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio and was beaten less than 3,000 votes,
although the Republican majority the year before was 43,000. In January, ISCS, he
was elected to the United States Senate and took his seat on March 4, ISii',). In
January, 1874, he was reelected. After retiring from the Supreme Bench ho
resumed the practice of his i)rofession in Columbus, and was engaged as counsel
in the Supreme Court in many of the leading cases from all over the State. The
Ohio IJrpmis ((iiilaiiiing his decisions dui-in^- the tour years of his service us .Iinl^-e
had given him a groat reputation as a sound lawNer ami jiii-is(, ami his opinions on
legal questions were much sought after and relied upon by attorneys jiraetieing in
the Supreme Court; hence he was retained as co-counsel in most of the important
cases. He has always been a laborious student and imlefatigable in the through
])reparation of his cases, and a forcible, direct speaker, who wasted no lime on
immaterial points.
Mr. Thurinan has always been a Democrat of the straightest sect and not
inclined to run after temporary expedients in politics. While serving in the
twentyninth Congress, he, with many other Northern Democrats, voted for the
[855]
856 History of the City of Columbus.
Wilmot ])roviso, extondiug the anti-slavery provisions of the Ordinance of 1787
to our newly acquired Mexican territory. He was opposed to the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, because he belived it a fair settlement oP controverted ques-
tions, the reopening of which would cause the sectional struggle which has since
deluged the countiy with blood. On all the exciting questions of that era, he took
n bold and manly stand, speaking out his opinions unhesitatingly and doing his
best to secure their settlement in the interest of the national welfare. He has
always been opposed to the doctrine of nullification and secession, as the plat-
forms of his party in Ohio, in many cases drawn bj' him, have repeatedly attested.
The gubernatorial contest in 1867, wherein the negro suffrage question was
an issue, brought him prominently before the people as a rising national man In
that canvass he spent over four months on the stump, carried the Legislature in
both its branches for his party and defeated negro suffrage by over 50,000 votes
in one of the strongest Republician states in the Union. On the meeting of the
Ijegi.slature, he was nominated by the Democratic caucus for United Slates
Senator over Vallandigham by a vote of two to one. After his election t'l the
Senate no man rose more rapidly in the public estimation. Though in a miriorty
of scarcely- onefifth in the Senate, he exercised groat inflaence and obtaineil among
reflecting people of all parties the character of a pure and honest politician and
statesman, who would expose fraud and corruption, no matter whom the exposure
might hit. Until recent years he has taken an active part in stumping the State
and planning the campaigns of his partj'. In 1873, he succeeded in carrying the
Legislature, which secured his reelection to the Senate, though the State the year
before bad given General Grant nearly 40,000 majority for President. Ex-Sen-
ator Allen, his uncle, was elected Governor, though the rest of the Republican
ticket was elected by a majority of less than one thousand votes. He was
appointed by Garfield one of three commissioners to represent the United States
at the International Monetary Congress in 1881, at Paris. Shortly after this he
was selected with Chief Justice Thomas M. Cooley of Michigan, and Washburne
of Illinois, to serve upon an advisorj- commission in the troubles as to differential
rates between the trunk railroads leading from the Atlantic seaboard to the West.
In 1888, much against his inclination he was nominated by his party as Vice
President and entered into the campaign with a vigor that surprised both friends
and gnemies. Since that campaign ho has been living in the quiet and retirement
of his home on Rich Street.
SAMUEL GALLOWAY
[Portrait opposite page 32.]
Was born on March 20, 1811, at Gettysburg, Penn.sylvania. His youlb was spent
in bis luitivc village, and just before his majority, and very soon after the death of
his father, he removed to Ohio to make his home among relatives in Highland County.
He graduated from Miiimi University at Oxford, Ohio, in 1833, and at once entered
upon the study of law at Ilillsboro, Ohio. In the midst of his studies he became
deeply impressed with the obligations of religion and promptly abandoning his
law studies, he was entered as a student of theology at Princeton. At the end of a
IvKl'KESKNTATLX F. ClTIZKNS. S.')?
year he bec:inio convinced that llie profession of law ami not tlie ministry was his
true vocation. He did not at once, however, assume his legal studies, but accepted
for a term the chair of Greek in his Alma Mater, Miami University, and went from
there to South Hanover, Indiana, to enter upon the duties of Professor of Langua-
ges. He soon renewed and completed his preparations for the bar and began the
practice of law, associated with Nathaniel Massie, in Chjllicothe, in 1848. The fol-
lowing winter he was elected Secretary of State, and removed to Columbus in 1844
to enter upon the duties of that office, and was a continuous resident of Columbus
until the day of his death. By virtue of his office as Secretary of State he became
also an e.v-offirio Commissioner of Common Schools, and by his zeal and indefatig-
able efforts did much to advance pojiular education and jiromotc the common
school system in Ohio.
In the great contest that was finally terminated in the olilitoration of slavery
in the Republic, Mr. Galloway took a ])rominent part, and as early as 1832 was found
on the antislavery side, and although he continued to bo allied with the Whig
party for many years, he finally became a member of the Ee])ublican party. Mr.
Galloway was not only an ardentadmirer of Abraham Lincoln, but was his clo.se i)er-
sonal friend, and spent many pleasant hours in his company. In 1854-5 he
represented his district in Congress, at which time his party was largely in
the minority. As an orator his reputation was national ; his speech on the Kan-
sas contested election was considered one of the most brilliant and effective ever
delivered in Congress. Mr. Galloway was of a deojily religions disposition,
but was not an active member of &\\y denomination.
In 1843 he was married to Joan Wallon, of Ciiicinnati, Ohio. Mr. Galloway
died at his home in Columbus on April 5, 1872.
JOEL BUTTLES
[I'ortrait opposite piigt- Slj.]
Was the oldest son ui' Levi Buttolph an<l Saiali
born in Granby. Connecticut, February 1, 17S7. Tli
ap])ear8 in the earlier English records Botol|ili and lU
and appears on all the family tombstones at (Jranby, ;
papers, and in the early recoi'ds of the town of Jiiitlan
name of Captnin John Buttoljdi, who was one of the ji
quently occurs. By a corruption of jiiiiiiiiiiciation llic uxmw i,M-adually i'liariL,''('d
to Buttol, Buttels, and finally Buttles, unlil it was ac(c|ik-d l.y llic iMinily. Levi
Buttolph became, in 1802, one of Iho ]iroprielors of the Sciolo ('Mni|iaiiy, among
whom were Alexander Morrison, David Bristol, James Kilbonrnc, Levi IJutllcs.
Job Case and others, James Kilbourne beini; the aiccnt. Si.xlceii tl >aiMl acres of
land had been bought at Woi-thin.icton, Ohio, 1o which place Levi I'.ul I Ir^, having
sold his farm and homestead in Granby, niovcd will: I, is family in tlir aulumn <.f
1804. A few years before this emigration Joel IJultlcs had lucn .ducal. d will.
the idea of entering some profession. He was given thechoic.' 1m i-.inain and con-
tinue his stnilics, or go with the fandly ; he chose the latter, and mad.' i h.' Icmi,'
I'licips r.uii..ipii,
and was
>c Man,,, nmiolph,
or as it
itolph, is Iho iru,.
surname
[ind in the family i
Ice.ls and
il, Mas.sacdiusetts, \
vhero the
ii-oprictors of the I
lown, fre-
858 History of the City op Columbus.
snow storm. He has graphically described in his journal their arrival at the little
settlement in the wilderness after the toilsome journey ; the life in a little cabin in
the woods, until a more commodious house could be built, and the apiiearanco of the
town. "The public square was then pretty much all the opening there was about
there, and had been covered with a heavy growth of forest timber, which had
been cut dovrn only, the trees Ij'ing across each other as they had fallen, making
it diflScult to get about among them, and going from house to house. At that
time there were no other buildings in Worthington than log cabins, except a frame
stureliouse built b\- Nathaniel Little on the north side of the public square. On
the ea.st side was the double cabin of Ezra Griswold, who kept a tavern, tlio only
one there, and a large cabin built for public purposes, and used on the Sabbath
day as a church ; Major Kilbourne officiating as a deacon of the Episcopal Church.
On the south side of the square, the only house was that of Maj. Kilbourne, and on
the west one occupied by Isaac Case.
" North of Worthington at this time, there were no white people living except
some four or five families, in what for a long time was called Carpenter's settle-
ment, which was on the Whetstone River about fifteen miles north. On the oast
there woi'e some thirty families about thirty miles away. In the southeast direc-
tion about ten miles. Reed, Nelson and Shaw, and perhajjs one other family, had
made a beginning on the bottom land of Alum Creek. Followitig down the
Whetstone south, before coming to Franklinton, nine miles from Worthitigton, a
few families had lately settled, mostly from Pennsylvania. These were the Hen-
dersons, Lysles, Fultons and Iluntcr.s.'' The s<ttlcnu'nl at Franklinton, made in
1797, was the principal town north of ( 'Mlliccjthe and was the county scat. At
this time Chillicolhe was the most itnj)ortant town near Worthington, and con-
tained a mill built by General Worthington; and to this mill forty miles away
they had to go for flour, until, in 1805, Major Kilbourne huilt the first good mill
near Worthington.
Levi Buttles died in June following the arrival of the family in Ohio, from the
effects of exposure during a visit to lands at Granville, for which he was the agent
of a eompanj' from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Joel Buttles was then hardly
eighteen and had been employed in teaching school for some time. After three or
four years had parsed, he bought the printing office of Colonel James Kilbourne,
who had established it for the publication of a weekly newspaper, an<l became
editor as well as printer; the excitements and dangers incident to the war with
England at that time, and tlie defensive preparations against that power, making
a newspaper welcome and remunerative. It was about this time, when the State
was threatened with invasions of the British and Indians from Canada, that ho
entered the service of the militia for several weeks. In 1812 he sold out the print-
ing office and entered into special partnership with the Worthington Manufactur-
ing Company, and on the twentyeighth of November, 1813, removed the store to
Columbus, which then contained about three hundred inhabitants. The country
about it was almost in a state of nature, and the deer used to come into what is
now the Stalehouse Square, to browse upon the tops of trees which had been felled
for clearing. Much jealousy existed between the older town of Franklinton and
liKPRESKNTATIVF: C'lTI/ENS. S59
its new riviil on the oiipositf bank of tlio river; but ('oliiinbus i^ww rapiilly and
absorbed the business of that ]iart of the eountiy, and finally l)eeanie the eounty
Hcat.
On .Se])tcinbcr 11, 1>!1-1, lie was married to Lauretta Bai'nes, (bini,'hter of
Doctor Sauuiol Barnes, of Massachusetts, deceased, and Cyntiiia (ioodule 15ai-ne8,
tlien wife of Colonel James Kilbourne, and soon after this entered into pai-tnersiiiji
with Dr. Lincoln (ioodale. Li the j-ear 1S14 he received the apiioininu nt of jiosl-
master of Columbus, which office he held until the election of (ieneial .lacUson as
President of the United States in 1829; wlien, being a staunch Whig, lie was
obliged to retire before the then new principle that "to the victor belong tlio
spoils." From this time he identified himself with the life and |)ros]ierit_y of the
city, and was one of its most enlightened and public s]]iritcd eiti/.ens. Ho held
many oflices of trust, was several years before his death I'lesidciit ol' tlu' VAty
Bank, and was one of the founders and most liberal supporters of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Ohio. The original subscription paper for Tritdty Church,
Columhus, was drawn by him. The busy years of his life were crowded with
deeds of generosity to the needy, of sj-nijiathy for the suffering, and of lulplnl
interest for all whose wants and needs came williin his knowledge. Ili^ death
took place at Trbana, Ohio, August, 1S50, in the si.xlylhird year of his age.
NORTON ST K A N(4 K TO W NS 1 1 ]•: N U
[Portrait opijosite page 80.]
Was born at Clay Coaton, Northamptonshire, England, on Decemlier 2.'), \s\:,.
His parents came to this country and settled upon a farm in Avon, Lorain
County, Ohio, in the spring of 1830. Bu.sy with fai'in woik he found no lime to
attend school, but made good use of his father's small liliiar\. lie early took an
active part in the temperance and antislavei'y reforms, and for some time was
superintendent of a Sundayschool in his neighborhood. In 188() he taught a
district school, and in 1837 commenced the study of mediiine with Doctor II. L.
Howard, of Elyria. The winter of the sanie year 1](^ s|iciil in attending a (•our>e
of lectures at Cincinnati Medical College. Returning to Klyria lie ap|ilird liini>clf
to medical studies witli Doctor Howard, and to Latin, Greeic and French with
other teachers. In lS3tt he was a student at the College of Physicians an<i
Surgeons of New York, spending what time he could commaTid as v<dunlary
assistant in the chemical lahoi-atory of l*rofcss,,i- .lolin Toi-rey. In .Mar(di, IslO,
he received the degree cd' .M. D. fnnn llie University of X.-w' V,.rk, of which Ihe
College of Physicians and Surgeons was then a de|partment. Pro])osing to
spend aj-ear or two in visiting the hos])itals and medical schools of Europe, the
temperance society of the College of Physicians and Surgeons requested him to
carrj' the greeting of that body to similar societies on the other side of Ihe
Atlantic; this afforded him an opportunity to make the a<cjnainlanee of m.my
wellknown temperance men. The Antislavery Society of the Stale of Ohio also
made him its delegate to the World's Antislavery Conv(Milion of June, 1840, at
London, England, where he s:iw and heard distinguished antislavery men from
different countries. He then visited I'aris and rcmainetl there thronjrh the
S60 History of the City of Columbus.
summer and autumn, seeing practice in the hospitals and taking private lessons in
operative surgery, auscultation and other branches. The next winter was passed
in Edinburg, and the spring following in Dublin. In 1841 he returned to Ohio
and began the practice of medicine, first at Avon and afterwards in Eljn-ia. In
1843 he was married to Harriet N. Wood, who lived only ten years after their
mai'riage. In 1848 he was elected to the General Assembly by the antislavery
men of Lorain Countj-, and took an active part in securing the repeal of the
" Black Laws" of Ohio, and in the election of Salmon P. Chase to the United
States Senate. In 1850 Doctor Townshend was elected a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention of Ohio, and in the same year he was elected a member of the
Thirtj'second Congress. In 1853 he was elected to the Ohio Senate, where he pre-
sented a memorial in favor of the establishment of a State institution for the train-
ing of imbeciles. At the next session this measure was carried, and Doctor Town-
shend was appointed one of three trustees to carry the plan into etfect, a position he
held by subsequent appointments for twentj-one years. Whiiein political life Doctor
Townshend relinquished the practice of medicine, and with his family returned
to the farm in Avon. In October, 1854, he was married to Margaret A. Bailey.
The same year he united with Professors James H. Fairchild and James Dascomb,
of OberJin, and Doctor John S. Newberry, of Cleveland, in an attempt to establish
an Agricultural College. Winter courses of lectures were given on the branches of
science most intimately related to agriculture for three successive winters, twice
at Oberlin, and once at Cleveland. This effort perhaps had some effect in attract-
ing public attention to the importance of special education for the young farmer-
In 1858, Doctor Townshend was chosen member of the Slate Board of Agriculture
in which body he continued to servo for six years. He also served in the same
capacity in 1SG8-G9. Early in 18G3 he received the appointment of Medical
Inspector in the United States Army, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. This
he held to the end of the war. In 1867 he was appointed one of a committee to
examine the woolappraiser's department of New York and other customhouses, to
a.sccrtain how correctly wools were classified. The report of this committee is
sujiposed to have aided in securing the wool tariff of thatj-ear. Near the same
period he was appointed, with Professor Henry, of Washington, and Professor
Torre V, .if New York, to visit the United States Mint at Philadelphia, and deter-
mine by clicniieal analysis the uniformity and standai-d purity of the government
coinage. In iSdO he was appointed professor of agriculture in the Iowa Agricul-
tural College, where he lemained for one year. In 1870, the law having passed
to establish an agricultural and mechanical college in Ohio, ho was one of the
tru.stees charged with the duty of carrying the law into effect. In 1873 ho
resigned the ]ilaee (it trustee and was immediately appointed Professor of Agri-
culture. During the vacation of 1884 he visited the agricultural and veterinary
schools and botanic gai-dens of Great Britain and Ireland, and attended the
English national fair at Shrewsbury, that of Scotland at Edinburg, and that of
Ireland at Dublin. Doctor Townshend has been for eighteen years Professor of
Agriculture in what was the Ohio Agricultui'al and Mechanical College, now the
Ohio State University. He has been prominent in the work of agricultural edu-
liK.I'KKsKNTATIVK ('
lie y,
JAMKS I
■J)\VAKU
WRI
(iHT
1
Portniit opposite pajjo 101
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19, :it
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r New
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f lli;il
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aiu
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ic Itu:
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riirl.t,
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alive
()(• (lio Sli
ate (>
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111
ami was
CIK
lowed
Was horn on Sc]itenil)er :
of Dublin, in Franklin (.'^
YorU State, cniij^'rated fn
and was, lor his day, a n
reader and a elear tliiiik(
was Margaret Clu-islie, was
with rare mental qualities. Slie was a sisler of llie distinguished Rev. William
Christie, one of the pioneer pieaclieis of the Meliiodist E]iiRCO])al C'hureh, noted
for his great eloquence and earnest zeal. Kvcn in his childhood James E. Wright
displayed great mental brightness and fairly devoured all the books he could
obtain. It is related of him that Itoforc he was twelve years old he had studied
and mastered, with little assistance, thirteen different arithmetics. This love of
mathematics lie developed and cultivated, in all branches of the science, in after
life. After he had availed himself of all the benefits offered by the local schools of
his neighborhood, he continued his studies at Central College, near Columbus,
Wittemburg College at Springfield, and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela-
ware, and finally, in the year 1845, he entered Princeton College and there grad-
uated in 1848. The Master's degree was afterwards conferred upon him by that
noted institution. While at college he cultivated general literature and indulged
in authorship both from taste and to help defray his expenses. The jiroductions
of his pen appeared in PiifiKim's Mngazlnc, a leading periodical of that da}-, and
attracted the favorable criticism of Washington Irving and other eminent authors
for their literary merit and promise. These contributions consisted mainly of
stories of Indian life and tales of quiet rural life which were remarkabl\' simple,
touching and beautiful.
Owing to his constant a)>plieation to study at college, Mr. Wright's eyes were
seriously affected, and after graduation, being quite unable to use them in reading,
he gave up his studies and spent several years with his uncle, James Wright, in
Alabama, on an extensive plantation, enjoying the recreation such a life afforded.
On his return from the South, he entered the office of Samuel Gallowa}-, then a
prominent lawyer of Columbus, for the purpose of studying law. Although ho
was much hampered in his study by his impaired eyesight, which made it neces-
sary for his father and mother to read the text-books to him, he was well equipjied
for the responsible and difficult duties of his profession on his admission to the bar
in January, 1853. The first fifteen years after his admission to the bar he resided
in Dublin, and practiced law chiefly in Franklin, Madison, Delaware and Union
counties. Before entering u))on the practice of law, he had acquired a high
degree of skill as a civil engineer, and he brought to his aid, with great force, in
contested cases involving the principles of mechanics, hissujierior learning in that
science. Shortly- after the Ashtabula railway bridge disaster, he contributed a
862 History of the City op Columbus.
nuinbei- of articles to the press, which were largely instrumental in arousing and
dovelopitig public sentiment in tlic matter of tlie safe construction and jirojicr
ins]iection of railroad bridges.
Although Mr. Wright seldom tool? an active part in political affairs, and was
never ambitiou.s for public office, preferring his chosen profession and the cultiva-
tion of general literature, still he was on more than one occasion made the recipi-
ent of the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. His first county office was
that of County Ti'easurer, to which lie was appointed on August '6, 18()9, by the
Counlj- Commissioners in the ]>lace of A. C. Headly. On July 2G, 1870, he was a
second time appointed to that office, filling a vacancy caused by the death of J. H.
Stauring, treasurer-elect. He was subsequently elected to the same office in 1872,
and again in 1874.
In 1809, Mr. Wright removed to Worthington, where he resided until the
time of his death, Novcmlier 17, ISOO. During his residence in Columbus he
took great pride in building up the ])ublic schools.
He was married in 1855 to Miss Elizabeth Davis, of Dublin. To them was
born a family of five daughters and tiiree sons : namely, Annie, wife of Hev. Way-
land D. Ball, of Baltimore, Maryland ; Edith, wife of Mr. George B. Goodrich, of
Kansas ; Daniel W. who is married to Miss Grace Gilbert ; Mattie, Carrie, Nellie
Moses and Paul.
As a lawj'er, Mi\ Wrigh( was not only In-oadly and solidly' grounded in the
principles of law as a science, but was al.so an exj)ert in the law as an art. Of
an analytic turn of mind and intent on getting at the ultimate reason, he
endeavored to solve legal questions by the application of principles rather than b^'
adjudications— testing the latter by the touchstone of principle. In the ethics of
the ]irol'ession he was a very martinet. His standard of the ideal lawyer was
high. The t-sy;r/Y (/(■ ro;//.s of the profession in him was strong. In his estimation
the profession was a high calling, and not merely a money-making art and system
of arts and tricks. He detested the commercial idea and the drummer methods of
recent times. While not deficient in any department of law, he preferred and
therefore became most pi-oficiont in equity jurispruiience. In his thought, as in
its best definition, equity is the soul and spirit of the law, and in its natural jus-
tice, humanity and honesty, equity was more in harmony with the just, humane
and liberal tendencies of his mind, than were the rigid rules of the common law.
To the aid of a clear legal mind, he brought indefatigable industry and exhaustive
investigation. He kept well up with the learning of the profession and the best
developments of equity jurisprudence, and to that end spared no expense for the
best books as they came Irom the press. His cases were always well prepared for
hearing. His arguments were clear and concise. He was an able lawyer in every
respect. His briefs were always scholarly, and finished and exhaustive, and in
every paragraph could be seen the skilled hand of an accomplished master. His
mind was wonderfully quick in its operations and his memory- was exceedinglj'
accurate and retentive.
He had mingled much with tlie great men of the nation ; with its lawyers,
theologians and statesmen — a circumstance which made his conversation remark-
EeI'RESENTATIVK ClTI/.KXS. 8(!3
ably interesting and instructive, and lie was a slrikinji; oxanijile of llic man who
cultivates learning from the pure love of it. Mr. Wright was a man of ti'iiiler and
att'ectionate disposition ; his friendsliip for others was sincere and iinsellisli, and,
especially, was he a friend of the young man seeking to make the niosi of lil.', and
his love for his wile and children and his devotion to them was dfilir incist inlciisc
kind. In :ill the reiiUions of life, Mr. Wright wms an honcsl man, |dain .-irnl iiM|.re-
tenli.His, and lu- ihur.mglily delesle.i hyiMicri.sy and IVaiui in rvery shape.
PKTER EMir, .VMHOS,
I I'nnrait opposite paKc ISK.I
The son of Ilenry Ambos, was born on Septemlier 20, 1S14, at Zweibrtickeii, Khein-
baiern, Germany. In 1S30, at the age of seventeen, he emigrated to >Vmerica,
landing at Norfolk, Virginia. He remained at Norfolk for two jears working at
confectionery, which business he Icarnnl, In 1S32 he removed to T'olumbus
where he ever after resided. Ilr i.|Mn(d a ((iiifeetionery store on South High
Street in a building situated on llirgroiiii(l afterwards occn|iied by the ( 'onislo(d<
Opera House. lie reniaine.l ihorr for nine yc^ars, one year of which he was
in partnership with (iemge Kgner, who came wilh him Ir.irn Noi-foik. At the end
of nine years he was enabled to Imy the l.'in<l on which Ihe slorc of iho Ambos
Restaurant is now located, where in^ continued ihc confcclicMK'i y bnsiiu-ss. In
1S54 he dis])08ed of his business and hccanu' connecliMl with Ihc ('ohinibus
Machine Manufacturing < 'oni]ianj-, of which he was Iri'asniHT clnring the presid-
ency, respectively, of Samuel (iailoway and John S. Hall, 'fhe name of Ihe com-
pany was afterwards changed to the Columbus Ma<-hiin' ('om]iany, ol which
Ml'. Ambos acted as president and treasurer from ISli") to i he end of liis liic. Ho
was one of the organizers of the First National Bank in l.sdll, ami was elected its
first vice president. After the death of W. H. Ilubbanl in ISliC ho was president,
and continued to bold that position until his <leath. llo was also president of
the old Capital Insurance Company until it was merged into the Franklin Insur-
ance Company. On August 1, 1841, he was united in marriage to Dorothea
Joigcr, who bore him three children : Emilic, Eiiiil and Herman. During the
latter j'ears of his life, Mr. Ambos was in poor health. In the spring of iSdi;,
while at Kelley's Island, he contracted a severe cold, which resulted in catarrh of
the lungs. He went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was much imijioved, hut
never fully recovered his health. His death was somewhat sudden. He was at
the First National Bank, up to the hour of closing on Saturday, in aboul his usual
health, whence he repaired to his home on South High Street. Shortly after his
arrival home he was seized with a fainting spell, reviving from which he soon
after retired to rest. About 11 o'clock he was taken with severe vomiting. Uncon-
sciousness soon followed, which lasted until his death on .Satui-(lay niglit, June 24,
1877. Theimmediatecaii.se ot his death was aj.oplexy. Mi-. Ambos was one of
the founders ol the Independent Protestant Church, on Kast M(mnd Street, of
which Ilev. Christian Heddajus is now pastor. He was one of the principal sii))-
porters of this church until his death.
History of the City of Columbus.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS PL ATT
[Portrait opposite page 144.1
Was born Marcli 7, 1809, in Lane.sboro, Massachusetts, a country hamlet liidden
in the heart of the' Berkshire hills. lie was a descendant of Richard Phitt, who
came to Connecticut from Hertfordshire, England, in 1638. In his very early
childhood, he and his three sisters were left motherless. William was given
into the care of his grandparents, Benjamin and Ada Piatt, and in 1817 came with
them to Columbus, where they established a new home among the earliest settlers
in the new capital city of Ohio. With the exception of two years of his early man-
hood, which he sjient in New York City, and in Wooster, Ohio, he continued
to reside in Columbus the remainder of his Hie, and saw itgrow from a village of a
hundred inhabitants into a cit^- of sixty thousand people. With but slight school
advantages, he acquired a good education, having the faculty for easy and natural
acquisition of knowledge which seems to belong to the old New England blood.
He learned the watchmaker's trade, opened a jewelry store in the Neil House
block, and made it not only a success but the leading establishment of the kind in
this part ol the country. About 1850 he retired from the jewelry business to turn
his attention to other interests and enterprises. He was president of the
Columbus Gas Company from its organization in 1846 until a short time before his
death. He was at the time a leading spirit in many other corporations and enter-
prises closely connected with the history and growth of Columbus.
As one of the original members of tiie Ohio Tool Comjiany, and for several years
its president, engaged in the active direction of its affairs, he had much to do with
making it one of the most successful manufacturing enterprises ever established in
Columbus. He was a member of the first board of trustees of Greenlawn Cemetery,
aided in the selection of its lands, and through a long a series of years, as member
of the board, and for twelve years its president, rendered most valuable services in
the administration of the affairs of the association. By the appointment and at
the urgent request of Governor Chase, he became a commissioner of the State House,
then in course of erection, and continued a wise and faithful supervision of its con-
struction until its completion.
Mr. Piatt was one of the men of strong personality who mark the early history
of Columbus. He had great force of will and character, quick perceptions and rare
judgment in all matters, a sympathetic temperament, and that perfect integrity and
fairness of mind which inspire full confidence and respect. Thoi'oughness in
all that he undertook characterized his whole life. He had a love for horticulture
and was never happier than when enjoying the recreation of work in his garden,
trying a new experiment in grafting or grape culture, or giving his attention to
one or another of the infinite matters of interest to be found by the lover of nature
in a well ordered garden.
In 1855 he planned and built a new residence at the northeast corner of Broad
Street and Cleveland Avenue, at that tiniean almost suburban location. The house
stands today a monument to his .yood taste, and illustrates the generous scale
on which all his undertakings were carried out. After nearly forty years it is one
of the most spacious, sightly and comfortable residences of Columbus. Three
Rei'REsentative thnzENs. 8(55
aiTus of land around tliis residence gnve H<opo tor liortieultural recreation, and for
many years, wiiile liisiieaith was strong and tliCHcantier markets of that time were
an incentive to private gardening for the supply of one's own tahle, Mr. Piatt took
great |)leasuro and pride in ])roducing on that throe acres, and sharing with
his neiglibors, the vcrj' finest fruits and vegetables of all sorts, large and small. The
newest varieties of grapes, strawberries, ])ears, melons and the more prosaic jjotato,
were there, and flowers, especially roses, in profusion. Anotiier characteristic was
fondness for all the animal kind, especiallj' horses, and they seemed, as is oflen
the case, to recognize in him their especial friend and master, iiccoming attadicd
to him and subject to his will in an unusual degree.
He mai'ried Fanny A. Hayes, of Delaware, Ohio, September 2, 1830. She died
July l(j, 1856, leaving a son and three daughters. Prior to this bereavement Mr.
Piatt, with his wife, entered fully into the social life of Columbus, and freely shared
in the maintenance of its wide hospitality. He was alwaj's a kind and genial
neighbor, and generous, considerate host. Even after his increasing deafness and
the bereavement of life had caused his gradual withdrawal from society entertain-
ments, he was cordially observant of all hospitable rites, and always showed a fine
courtesy, whicii was the natural expression of his considcrateness for others.
In isr.8 he was married to Sarah FoUett of Sandusky, Ohio, by whom lie had tiuvo
daughters.
Mr. Piatt died on August 8, 1S82, after an illness of several moiillis, borno
with characteristic fortitude.
HON. JAMES KILBOTIRN
IPortrnit opposite page 1S4.]
One of the most widely' known of the pioneers of Franklin (!oiinly, was liorn in
New Britain, Connecticut, October 19, 177(t. He died in VVortliington, Ohio, April
0, 1.S50. Until the age of fifteen ho worked with his father, a farmer in moderate
circumstances, and enjoyed but few opportunities for instruction. At that time,
his father having met with reverses, compelling him to part with his farm, he left
his home and a])prenticed himself to a clothier. Seven months of each j'oar he
devoted to his master, his only compensation being his board, and instruction in
his trade; the remaining five months lie hired himself to farmers to procure
means to meet his other expenses. During the first three summers of his appren-
ticeship he was principally emploj-ed by Mr. Griswold, father of Bishop Griswold
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The future Bishop became his warm friend,
and with his assistance ho acquired a considerable knowledge of the cla.ssics and
mathematics. About the commencement of the fourth year of his a|)prenticeshi]),
his master relinquished all claims to his serving as an apprentice, and
gave to him the entire charge of the establishment. November 8, 1789, he
was married to Lucy Pitch, daughter of John Fitch, of Philadelphia, the inventor
and builder of the first steamboat in the world. During the next few years he
was extensively engaged in merchandising and manufacturing, meeting with large
success, and early acquiring a competence. During this time he continued to pros-
55
8(l() History iw the City op Columiuis.
ecute his studies, and also devoted niiicli lime to various objects of |iul)lic utility.
He had early in life become a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and
often officiated as layreader. About the year 1800, he presented himself'as a can-
didate for orders in the church, and was ordained by Bishop Jarvis, of Connecti-
cut. He declined several advantageous calls to vacant parishes, having formed a
project of emigration to Ohio, then regarded as the " Far West." In the winter
of 1801-2, he succeeded in obtaining seven associates, who desired him to explore
the country, and if he thought expedient, purchase land enough for i'ovty families.
Accoi'dingly, in the spring of 1802, he started on his first expedition to Ohio. He
traveled the first three hundred miles by stage to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania,
near the foot of the Alleghany Mountains, thence, carrying a heavy pack, he
walked over the mountains to Pittsburgh, 150 miles; thence cfintinued traveling on
foot more than a thousand miles through the eastern part of the territory. After
a careful survey of the country, he fixed upon a desirable location, and returning
home completed the association of forty members, know as the " Scioto Companj',"
and closed the contract for a township of 16,000 acres he had previouslj' selected.
In the spring of 1803, he again started for the West, on horseback, followed
by a millwright, blacksmith, with other laborers and a family in two wagons.
At Pittsburgh he purchased millstores, irons, and other supplies, which were sent
down the Ohio River to the mouth of the Scioto, and then taken in a keelboat to
the new purchase— now Worthington. Mr. Kilbourn arrived at the point of des-
tination some weeks in advance of the others, and on May 5, 1803, he cut the first
tree on the purchase. Upon the arrival of the party, they at once proceeded to
clear land and put in seed for potatoes, corn, turnips, etc. The also erected a
blacksmith shop, school building, place of public worship and twelve cabins, and
commenced a dam across the Scioto River and laid out the town. Mr. Kilbourn
then returned to Connecticut and conducted his own and ten other families
to Worthington. The entire colony now numbered one hundred pei'sons. Nearly
all of the adult members united with the Episcopal Society and were constituted
a cliurch under the name of St. John's Parish, of which Mr. Kilbourn was
appointed Rector. Ever active and efficient, he visited the neighboring settle-
ments, and other parts of the State, preaching and organizing societies, many of
which became and remained permanent churches. Many and arduous duties had
already devolved upon him aside from those pertaining to his profession. He
superintended all the affairs of the colonj-, and the calls upon his time for the
transaction of public business rapidly increased. Up to this time he had never
entertained the thought of leaving his clerical office, but his fellow citizens began
to urge upon him the importance of his taking the lead in their civil affairs, and
having procured the establishment of a western diocese by the General Conven-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he retired from the ministry, in 1804.
Upon the organization of the State Government of Ohio, he was appointed a civil
magistrate and an officer of militia on the Northwestern frontiers. In the spring
of 1805, he explored the south shore of Lake Erie and selected the site of San-
dusky City. About this time he received, unasked for, the appointment of United
States Surveyor of a large portion of the public lands, In 1806, he was appointed
liEl'UKSENTATINK ClTI/KNS. 8G7
one of tlic first trustoes of the Oliio ('(illciro iit AUumih. In 1808, he was elected
one of tlireo commissioners to locate tiio seat of Miami University-. About this
time lie was elected majoi- of tlie {'"roiitier Ifogimonl, and soon afterwards liou-
tenant-coionel, and then eolonel. Tiiis last office he declined, and also resiirMeil
his former commission.
On the organization of Worthinnton College in 1S12 he was elected president
of the corporation. During the same year he was a])pointod bj' the president of
the United States a commifssioncr to settle the boundary between the public lands
and the Great Virginia Reservation. Immediately after the completion of this
service, which was performed under circumstances of much peril, he was elected
to Congress. On his return home at the close of the second session, he was unani-
mously reelected colonel, and was prevailed upon to accept. In the fall of 1814
he was again placed in nomination for Congress, his opponent being General
Philemon Beccher, previously Speaker of the House. Colonel Kilbourii was
elected by a vote of more than two to one. At the end of the Fourteenth Con-
gre.-^s, he declined a renomination. AVhile in Congi-ess the interests of the Groat
West were the objects nf his s]neial care. He was the first to propose donation
of land to actual selllers in the Northwestern Territory, and as chairman of a
select committee, he drew uj) and ])re.sented a bill for that purpose. About the
commencement of the war with (ireat Britain, it being extensively known that
he had a knowledge of manufactui'ing and some spare capital, he was requested
by friends in New York, and urged by the President and his Cabinet and mem-
bers of Congress, to embark in the manufacture of woolen g(jods for clothing the
army and navy. Although remembering the ruin of all engaged in similar enter-
prises during the War of tlie Revolution, he was induced to join a company for
that purpose, in which he invested all his ready capital and incurred liabilities to
a large amount.
On the declaration of peace, there being no further demand f..r ai'my woolens,
the company met with great loss. He sustained the whole establishment until
1820, when the factories at Worthington and Steubenville were obliged to close.
He now found himself at the age of fifty years, with a large family, most of them
young, deprived of everything he had accumulated in his long and busy life.
With his customary energy and spirit, he took up his 8urvo3ing apparatus again
and went into the woods. For more than twenty years ho was much of the time
busily engaged in this calling, and it is safe to say that he has surveyed more town-
ships, highways, turnpikes, railroads and boundary lines than any three other men
in the State. By the practice of his wonted industry and ehterpi-ise he in a short time
acquired a good degree of independence. In 1823 he was elected to the Ohio
legislature, and served with distinction in that body. Soon after this he was
appointed by thd Governor of Ohio to select the lands granted by Congress
towards the Ohio Canal. In 1838-9 he was again a member of the General
Assembly. He was the presiding officer at the great State Convention at
Columbus, July 4, 1839, for laying the corner stone of the Capitol of Ohio ; also at
the noted Whig Convention February 22, 1840. It may be added that, after
arriving at the age of seventy he was called to preside at more than half of all
SfiS History of the City op Columbus.
the conventions ami meetings of every kind wliicii lie ;itli'iiilcil. Cdloncl
Kiibourn declineil ail pubiic offices, except tiiat of assessor of real and iicrsonal
property for tiie Countj' of Frani^lin, tlie duties of wiiicii office iie performed nnlil
1S45, wiien lie resigned. But altiioiigh retired from active pul)lic life, lie still tMt a
great interest in public affairs, and during tiie six years ending witli IStS, he
delivered more tiian one iiundrcd addresses on state and national poiicj'. He died
at liis residence in Wortliington, April, 1X5(1, aged ciglily years. lie was twice
maiTJcd. ills first wife dicil s aflcr Ins reim.val t" Ohio, and in ISOS he was
married in Worthinglon to Cynlhia (ioodalc, .sister of I><ict(.r l>. (ioddalc.
JOHN OTSTOT
[Portroit opposite page 200.]
Was born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsjivania, September 7, 1S(I4.
His father, Adam Otstot, had come to Pennsylvania witli iiis parents from
Germany before the Declaration of Independence was issued. His mother was
born in Yorif County, Pennsylvania. John attended tiie district school for two
years and a half, and this comprised all his seiiooling. At the age of seventeen lie
started in to learn the trade of wagoiimaUer. When twentyone years of age, lie
decided to come west, and finally located in Columbus in December, 1824. Ho
walked the whole distance of 500 miles, aided by nothing but a stout staff, and
carrying his l^napsack, which weighed fifteen pounds. This feat he performed in
the remarkably short time of ten daj's. Shortly after his arrival in Columbus he
engaged in wagonmaking witii Mathias Kinnej*. At the end of two years
Mr. Kinney died and Mr. Otstot bought his shop. He remained in this business
for tiiirtyseven years, finally retiring from business in 18(53 to look after his real
estate, of which he had acquired considerable. In 1885 he was appointed Street
Commissioner to superintend the improvement of the streets, and in connection
with his appointment occurred an incident which shows the high esteem in which
he was held by his fellow citizens. The City Council, witii which the appointment
rested, was a Democratic body, yet they unanimously appointed Mr. Otstot, who
was and is a Republican. Under his careful superintendency a lai'ge saving took
place and economical ways were injected into the methods of the commission.
The steadiness and constancy of his character is shown by the fact that from the
time he first came to Columbus to the present day, a period of sixtysix years, he
has always lived upon the same lot. For forty years he has been a member of the
First Presbyterian Church, and for fortyfive years a member of the Odd
Fellows, having joined Columbus Lodge, Number 9, in 1845. He has passed
througii all the chairs of the oi'der, and was treasurer for fifteen j'ears. He was
also trustee of the same lodge for a period of thirtyone years. He also belongs to
Camp 6, I. O. O. F., and is now colorbearer of the Canton Number 1, I. O. O. F.
He is one of the oldest living members of the Old Pioneer Association. He was a
member of the Mechanics' Beneficial Society from its beginning in 1825 to its
ending about 1880. For thirtyone years he was its trustee. It owned the build-
ing now known us the Eagle Drug Store, southeast corner of High and Rich
streets.
Representative Citizens. 869
Mr. Otstot was married on August 5, 1829, to Eleanor Van Vorst, who had
come to Cohnnbus from the State of New York. They had thirteen children,
namely, Catherine, afterwards Mrs. Henry Deahl ; John ; Elizabeth A., afterwards
Mrs. Henrjr Behmer ; Amanda, afterwards Mrs. William Smith ; Adelia, afterwards
Mrs. Samuel W. Williams; Charles, Lucy, Oliver, Woodherry, Charlotte, after-
wards Mrs. Pliilij) Lukop ; Edward, Frank A. and Albert.
Mrs. Olstot died in 1861. In October, 18(!4, Mr. Otstot married Mrs.
Matilda Wofford, nee Webb.
CHRISTIAN FREDERICK JAEGER
[Portrait opposite page 824.]
Was born in lleilinrode, in Hesse Cassel, Germany, on August 11, 17'J5. Ilis liar
ents were I'ev. John J. Jaeger, a minister of the German Reformed Church, and
Maria Jaeger. When Christian was four years old his father died, and his
mother moved with her children to Hesse Cassel, where they were educated. In
1811 he was admitted to the Westphalian Artillery School, where he pursued his
military studies under able instructors until 1812 or 1813, when the French were
driven out of the city by General Zernicheff and the Russian army. After the
battle of Leipzig, young Jaeger joined the allied forces of his native land. He
entered the Kur-Hessian army, which formed part of the North German allied
army, and was commissioned second lieutenant. The Germans pursued the enemy
into French territory, but the corps to which Mr. Jaeger belonged took no part in
any severe batlles. After the treaty of Paris, he returned to Germany, where he
continued in service as an oflScer of the Kur-Hessian army. He was successively
promoted to first lieutenant and captain, and made commandant of the flying
artillery corp.s, in which he .served until 1832, when he was relieved from further
service by his own request.
He was married in 1821 to Johanna Henrietta Uraucr, who was born on Jan-
uary 28, 1799, and died in Columbus on February 10, 1S(J8. They cniigratod to
America with their children in 1834, leaving Germany in April and arriving in
New York in July. Intending to go to Missouri they took steamer on the Hudson
to Albany, then traveled on the first horse railway built in America to Schenec-
taily, liijin Schenectady by canal to Buffalo, then by steamer on Lake Erie to
Cleveland, where again they embarked on a canal boat. On arriving at Lock-
bourne, they fbuinl the feeder of the canal broken and the boats could not come up
to Colunil)Us. The children anil baggage were therefore conveyed in a large
wagon, while the i-r>l walked to ( 'ol iinibiis. As the cholera was raging with great
violeiK-e, {\\i_'\ decided Id i-eiiiaiu in ('(iliiiiibiis Sevei-al months after his arrival,
Mr. Jaeger bought 140 aurcs of land on South High Street, where he continued to
reside up to the time of his death.
Mr. Jaeger's family consisted of eleven children, seven of wlioni were Imi-n in
Germany. Those who grew to maturity were Dorothea, Herman \V., Henry,
who died in 1846, Maria, Joanna, Edward, who died in 1876, Frederick,
Matilda and Emma. Mr. Jaeger took an active interest in politics, but never held
any otiice.
870 History op the City op CoLUMBtrs
MILBURY MILLER GREENE
[Portrait opposite page 340.]
Was born in Lewiston Falls, Maine, on May 11, 1830. His fatlicr, David Greene,
who was of Now HamiJt^hire family, was one of the first to engage in the manu-
facturing of boots and shoes by organized labor, a business whith has developed
into such immense proportions in the Bast. In the fall of 1839, lie founded tlie
first factory at Auburn, Maine. On his return home from Pittsburgh, where he
had gone to introiluee his goois, he was detained in the Alleghany Mountains for
over a week by tiie fury of a snow storm, then raging. Tins delay caused him to
reach New York in time to take the illfated steamer Lexington, which was burned
on Long Island Sound, and he was among the lost. His body was afterwards
found in a boat firinlj' wedged beneath the ice. His wile, Lynitha (Miller) Greene,
was born in Kcnnebunk Port, Maine, and died in Athens, Ohio, November 5, 1884,
at the age of eightysix.
Young Milbiiry Greene attended school at Lewiston Falls Academy, which
he left at the age of sixteen in order to care for his mother. After leaving school
he was in the emjjioy of Joseph D. Davis & Co. While there he formed an
acquaintance with Walter H. French, from New Hampshire, who was a railroad
contractor and at that time engaged in building a jiart of the Maine Central Hail-
way through the town of Greene, adjacent to Lewiston Falls. Mr. Fi-cnch hav-
ing taken a contract on the Vermont Central, at the town of Bolton, inidwaj'
between Montpelicr and BuVlington, he was desirous that j'oung Greene should
accept a position with him, which he accordingly did, and spent a portion of the
years 1849 and 1850 on this road. In September, 1851, Mr. French offered to take
him as a ])artner in any work that might be secured. Having received an invita-
tion from Captain Kenned^-, formerly an engineer on the Vermont Central, and
then chief engineer of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, which was partially
under construction from Cincinnati to Marietta, Mr. French decided to go west
with Mr. Greene and bid for the work, the contract for which was to be let that
fall. They started from Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 7, 1851. On
Tuesday, September 16, they reached Chillicothe. Here they met members of the
firm of Cushing, Wood & Co., who contracted for the building of the Marietta &
Cincinnati road between Blanehester and Chillicothe. Upon their invitation, Mr.
Greene and Mr. French investigated various parts of the work and soon became
satisfied that, though they were thoroughly conversant with New England work,
railroad construction in Ohio was of such a different character that before they
could successfully compete with Western builders a more thorough knowledge of
its details would have to be acquired. They, however, made an estimate on
twenty miles of the road, which only served to confirm their former conclusion.
Mr. French was obliged to return to Manchester. Mr. Greene determined to
remain and master the difficulty. For this purpose he engaged to act as paymaster
for the firm of Cushing, Wood & Company, and to take charge of their books-
Here he remained for eleven months, during which time he made himself thorough-
ly familiar with the details of Ohio railroad building. He was now ready for
business. A partnership was formed under the firm name of French, D(jdgc &
A
Represkntative Citizens. 871
Compaii}-, composed of Walter II. French, of Miinchcster, New Hampshire, J. B.
French, of Lowell, Ma.ssachiisetts, Arthur Latham, of White River, Vermont,
Frederick Dodge, of Lynne, New Hamjishiro, and M. M. Greene. On September
10, 1852, the}' made a bid for the heavy work to the Ohio River at Belpre and
Marietta, which amounted to $4,000,000. The bid was accepted on the following
day. Mr. Greene made the estimates. On October 8, he returned from the Ea.st
with men and supplies.
After the completion of this contract he bought a .salt works pmportv in
Southern Ohio, which business he engaged in for a time. Here ho first conceived
the idea of building the Hocking Vallej' Railway, which was commenced in 1805.
He entered enthusiastically into the work of promoting the enterprise, devoting
much of his own time and private means to the preliminary surveys and to the
securing of local subscriptions. Finding inadequate encouragement at home and
along the line of the proposed railway, he visited Columbus, a comparative stran-
ger, and entered upon the task of awakening the interests of its substantial
citizens to the importance of the railway to the material prosperit}' of the city.
At first he met with but little encouragement, but finally at his earnest soli-
citation, a meeting was called, at which some half a dozen public spirited citizens
were present. At this small gathering, so able was his presentation and advocacy
of the merits of his proposed enterjjrise and its future value to the citj- of
Columbus, he secured the promises of cooperation of these few citizens. He
emphasized his own faith by offering personally to repay all money subscribed for
making further survej's should it be found that his representations were not true.
The immediate result of the meeting was a subscription of $1,150 by the few gentle-
ihen then present, to make a survey. An engineer was emjilojed to make the
survey, whose report indicated a better line than Mr. Greene had represented.
Steps were than taken to secure stock subscriptions, the name being changed
from that of Mineral to that of Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad Company.
Mr. Greene personally soliciting subscriptions at Columbus and along the line,
obtained in a few weeks $750,000, and the Columbus organization was thereupon
perfected. Contracts were made for the construction of the road and the e(|ui|)-
ment, additional stock subscriptions meantime being secured. In a c()ni])Mrativch-
few months, the first train of Hocking coal was brought to Coluinlius. l-'imn tlii-
small beginning has developed the present Colifmbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo
railway system, to which more than any other eiiterj)rise does Columbus owe its
first onward and upward iin])ulse, demonstrating its peculiar advantages as a
manufacturing and commercial city. His was the leading, guiding and directing
mind in the oj)eration and policy of the road from its ince]>tion until its sale by
the stockholders. After completing the Columbus it Hocking Valley ruad, Mr.
Greene, as ])reHident, built the Columbus & Toledo, and the Ohio Si. West Virgirjia
lines. In 1881 these roads were consolidated under the name of Columbus, llock.
ing Valley & Toledo Railway (."ompany, of which Mr. Greene was president. His
career as a railroad man was continuous from 1848 to June 30, 1886, when, at a
meeting of the board of directors, he resigned the presidency on account of ill
health and need of rest.
872 History op the City of Columbus.
In December, 1886, he organized the Clinton National Bank of ColiimbuK and
was elected its president, which position lie occupied at the time of bis death,
which occurred on June 2G, 1887. Mr. Greene's entire business career was marked
by sound judgment, great energy, sagacity and pi-obity.
In 1853 he was married to Martha K.Gould, of Portland, Maine, who.se death
occurred October 29, 1891. His family consisted of three daughters and
two sons.
EDWARD LEROY HINMAN
[Portrait opposite page 856.]
Son of Daniel and Ilarriolt Woodworth Hinnian, was born in Soutlibury, JSIew
Haven County, Connecticut, on October 25, 1825. He was the eldest of three
children. His brother, Charles W., was graduated at Yale in 1851, studied law
and was admitted to the bar in 1853. Preferring books and literary employment
to his profession he entered the service of the government as an assistant in the
Congressional Library, where he rcmaineil until the time of his death, which
occurred in 1804. Marietta E., a sister, was married in 1854 to George E. Clark
of South Carolina.
Edward L., the subject of this sketch, was educated, in part, at home by his
father, who was an adept in mathematics; and in ])art at the Southbury Academy.
In 1849, after the completion of his school life, he entered a mercantile house in
New Haven, with a view to acquiring a thorough business ti-aining. Seven years
later he became finarcially interested in a farm implement manufacturing com-
pany at Naugatuck, Connecticut, but took up his residence in New York City,
where he opened an oflSce for the sale of bis goods. In 1859 he removed to Colum-
bus and became a member of the firm of Hall, Brown & Co., which, in 1865, was
succeeded by Brown, Hinman & Co., and this in 1888 by the Brown, Hinman &
Huntington Manufacturing Company. These several firms, or perhaps it would be
more accurate to say this one firm under its several names, has for thirty years
been the largest manufacturer of a certain class of agricultural implements in
Ohio, and probablj' one of the largest in the world. Mr. Hinman has now for
twenty years been the vice president of the Citizen's Savings Bank of Columbus;
for twelve years has served as the president of the Columbus Savings Bank Com-
pany. He is also a director of the Franklin Insurance Company, and is more or
less interested, in this and other cities, in many other enterprises and industries
with which his name is not so prominently associated as with the corporations
named.
In 1872 Mr. Hinman was elected to the City Council of Columbus, and
assigned to its finance committee, of which, on his reelection two years later, he
became chairman. This position he continued to hold through his third term. In
1878 he was appointed by Governor Bishop a trustee of the State Asylum for the
Deaf and Dumb. In 1880 he was elected by the voters of Franklin and Pickaway
counties to the State Board of Equalization, and of this body he was unanimously
chosen president. When the Tax Commission was created, he was made a mem-
ber of that board and he is at the present time a member. In 1890 he was
llEPUESENTATlVE CiTI/.ENS. 873
appointed by Mayor Bniek a niombcr ol' tlio Board of Public \\'oi-i<s ibr tho City
of Columbus.
Mr. Hinmaii was inarriod to Isabella G., daughter of i)octor William jj. Simcrs,
of New Yorl< City, in 1855. This most accomplislied and cstiniabk' lady died in
the fortj'nineth j^ear of tiieir married life. They had two childi-cn. Colonel
Charles D. Hinnian, now .Secretary of the Ctilumbus Savings BaiiU ConiiJan}-, and
Miss Flora B. Hinnian.
JOHN U. HUGHES
[Portrait ojiposite page L'64.|
Was born at Fehujiuelcston, near Wrexham, Denbighshire, North Wales, on Ain-il
13, 1827, and is the son of John and Catherine (Davis) Hughes. His schooling
was embraced in the three years that he attended the local school of his birth-
place. He came to America in 1848, and arrived at Granville, Ohio, in May of
that year. He worked there for three months on a farm for twelve doUai-s per
month. After that he came to Columbus and went to work at the Buckeye House,
which then stood where the Board of Trade Building now stands, and was kept
by Mr. Bush, formerly of Granville. At the end of nine months he went into the
employ of Mr. George Peters, who was engaged in the business of trunkmaking on
Long Street, opposite the Long Street School Building. He remained with Mr.
Peters for three years, learning the trunkmaker's trade. On the death of Mr. Peters
he ran the business for his witlow for one j-ear and then liought her out. lie
has been engaged in the business of trunkmaking ever since. He was one of
three persons who started the Buckeye Buggy Company, which has become one
of the most extensive manufoetories of buggies in Ohio; is a stockholder in four
railwa5's centering at Columbus, and is a director of the Citizens' Savings Bank
and vice president of the ddumbus Savings Bank.
He was married on October 7, 1853, to Brady K. Kvans, who resided near
Granville, in Harrison Township. They have had one son and two daughters ;
Frank L., Kate V., now Mrs. Hislop, and Minnie L , now Mrs. Wilson.
Mr. Hughes is a Republican, but has been too deeply engaged in business
to give much attention to politics. He was one of the commissioners a|i|i(iiiiled
to superintend the construction of North High Street, and lias doiM- nmrh lo
advance the growth of the city by the many tine buildings which he lias erected.
CARL T. PKAFK
[Portrait opposite page ■■ili.\
Was borTi November 20, 1837, in Honsehcidt, province .d' Waldeck, (ierniany.
When nineteen years of age he emigrated to the Uniled Stairs and aiiivcil in Ihe
City of New Y(n-k in the middle of Augu.st, 1S5(;. Alln- ivmaining in New V..ik
but a short time he went to Pittsbui-gh, Pennsylvania, where he liveil until .March
13, I860. Thence he wont to Columbu.s, Ohio, where, uji to the present time, he
has always resided, and, as he himself says, always intends to reside. Since com-
ing to Columbus he has been engaged in the glass ami chinaware business, and
he now controls the largest trade in that line in Colundius.
874 History or the City of Columbus.
In 1863, lie married Mary A. Bruok, daughter of J. P. Bruck, Esq. They
have seven children, five daughters and two sons, named, Flora, Carl, Anna, Matilda,
Walter, Paulina and Mary. He has been a member of the German Independent
Protestant Church since he came to Columbus. He is also a member of the
Columbus Miinnerchor, the Turner Society, the Odd Fellows, the Free Masons
and the Humboldt Society. He is treasurer of different building associations and
a member of the Board of Trade. Mr. Pfaff served a term as trustee of the Colum-
bus Waterworks and is largely interested in and a director of the Columbus Edison
Electric Light Company and the Columbus Watch Company.
Starting in with but small means, Mr. Pfaif has, b^' economical methods and
shrewd business foresight, raised himself to a prominent position among the busi-
ness men of Columbus. He is thoroughly democratic in his ways and has a large
number of friends who have been drawn to him by his genial, kindly disposition.
In politics he affiliates with the Eepublican part}-.
JOHN MURPHY PUGH
[Portrait opposite page 288.]
Was born on Ndvcmber 7, 1823, in Truro Township, Franklin County, Ohio. His
father, David Pugh, was a native of Radnorshire, Wales, and his mother, Jane
(Murphy) Pugh, a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His father came
from Wales U> Baltimore. Maryland, where he lived for a year. He then moved to
Ohio and founded the Welsh settlement of Radnor, in Delaware Count3^ The
place was at that time a perfect wilderness and the first white child born in
the settlement was his nephew who died recently at the age of 87. In 1814,
the family moved to Truro Township, where the mother of John M. Pugh died in
March, 1858, and his father in October of the same year.
Mr. Pugh was educated in the log schoolhouse of pioneer days. He also attended
Central College for a short time. When about twentyone years of age he began
toacliiiig school on the Black Lick east of Columbus, for which services he received
eight dollars per month with the privilege of boarding around at the homes of his
pupils. On September 4, 1348, from which date he has lived in Columbus, he
began the study of law with. Major Samuel Brush, a leading lawyer of his da}'. He
was admitted to the bar in November, 1851, and was sworn in bj' Peter Hitchcock,
of the Supreme Court, in the old United States Courthouse. He clei'ked for
two years in the County Auditor's office, and two more in the office of the County
Treasurer before and after his admission to the bar. The first political office
held by Mr. Pugh, was that of township clerk, to which he was elected by
159 majority, as a Democrat, in a Whig township which had a party majority
of 000. He was chosen to the office of County Auditor in 1853 and served in it for
four years. He then retii'cd to practice law with Mr. Brush, with whom he
remained until that gentleman's removal to New York in 1858. He next practiced
with Hon. L. J. Critchfield until 1S63, in which year he was elected Judge of
the Prolialc Coui't. lie held office fifteen j'ears, until 1879, and then resumed his
]ii:i(tiie. lie was a member of the State Board of Agriculture for six years, during
two ol' which he acted ;is president. He was treasurer eleven years and president
Eei>uesentati\e Citizens. 875
three years of the Franklin County Agricultural Society, and served for five years
as trustee of the State Reform School for Boys, near Lancaster, being appointed by
Governor Allen, and reappointed by (Jovernors Uaj-es and Hislio]). Tlio whole
board was remodeled bj' a legislative act during Mr. Pugli's last term and a
new set of trustees ajipointed. For two years he was a member of Uio Intermedi-
ate Penitentary Board. It was greatly through Mr. Pugh's ertort-^, wliilsl a mciii
ber of the County Agricultural Society, tiiat the ])resent Fraiiklin i'aik was
bought for county fair ]iurposos; and also to Mr. Pugh, as :i iiiuinlier oC tiic
Stale Board of Agriculture, is due the <-i-e(lit (irscciiring the pcrniaiiriii Idcalion of
the State Fair at Columbus.
Mr. Pugh was married on Chri.stmas Kvc, is.")l. to Martha F. Cook. They
had jeight children, namely: Martha F., now .Mis. Juines P.Curry; William D.,
John C. L., Serene E., Sarah, Adda E., James and Lovell. His wife died on
November 16, 1881. His second marriage was on July 22, 1S85, to Kli/.ahctii
M. Bradley of Steubenville, Ohio. They have one child, Helen C.
Mr. Pugh has passed through all the chairs of the Odd Fellows, belongs to llic
Jackson Club, is a >l;iuiicli l)ciiiorral,aiid is a member of the Pi-csbylcrian Cluuvli.
RICHARD JONES,
I Portrait opposite page .304. |
Born December 4, 1810, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, is a son of Thomas
and Elizabeth (Brees) Jones. His ancestors on his fathei's side were farmers. His
mother's ancestors were landed proprietors and cari-ied on extensive dyeworks
and fulling mills. Hiehard Jones, the subject of this sketch, started at the age of
nine years to make his own living, working in his uncle's fulling mills, in Norlh
Wales. He continued at this employment until twentj-one years of age, when lie
sailed for America, coming immediately to (Jhio. He attended school for si.x
weeks in a log schoolhouse at Radnor, Ohio, and at the end of that time was
apprenticed to a ]iainter. When he had learned his trade he opened a shop for
himself and continued in the jiainting business until his retirement from active
pursuits. Ho was married in October, 1837, to Nancy Matilda Jones, daugliUr of
David Jone.'^, one of the pioneers of the State, who came here in 1810, and was one
of the fii'st settlers in Columbus Mr. Jones was married a second time lo .Mary
Jones, of Utica, New York. By his first wife he had four children - Mary A.
Hirst, Elizabeth Ohlen, now decea.sed, David Jones, and Julia A. Felloii, IJy his
second wife he had one child, Emma Jones. His second wife died in issi.
As Mr. Jones was fiftyonc years of age when the Civil War ln-oke oiil, he did
not participate in that great struggle. Although originally a Wing in politics, lu- < '^'^
has been a Iiepublicaii since the formation of that party. He lias served several l^^CrL^^"^
terms as a niembei' of the City Council and in other local ollices, but has always ^
been too busv to give much attention to jiolitieal alhiirs. He has been coiineelrd
with the Order ol'Odd Fellows (or fifty years, ui d is one ot the oldest meiubers oC
that order in ( 'oliimbiis. He exercised good business Jiiil^^nneiil in the inveslmeiit,
of his earnings ami has larg.' interests in st..el;s, buildings .-md lands, .Mr. .lones is
now liviiii/ miiellv in ret ii-.'iiieiit at his house on .\ortli lliu'li Street.
iZ,
876 History of the City op Columbus.
THEODORE LEONARD,
[Portrait opposite page 296.1
Son of Louis LcoiKird. a ihrifty Canadian farmer, and his wife, Angelique
LaValiie, was horn at La Prairie, Quebec, on October 25, 1820. Of his ancestry
little is known prior to his grandfather, Captain Jolm Leonard, an officer in the
lMii;lisli army. The hatter was married to a French lady of Bordeaux, France,
by the name of La Planche. At the close of the American Eevolution, Captain
Leonard settled in Canada. He had five sons, viz., Jacob, Peter, Simon, John
and Louis. The family of the latter consisted of four sons and four daugthers, of
whom Theodore, the subject of this sketch, was the second son and third child.
His mother died when he was about twelve years of age, and soon after his father
again married. Tlieodore, on account of his dislike for his stepmother, left the
paternal roof and engaged himself to labor for a neighboring farmer for food,
clothing, and tift^- cents a month. His schooling was acquired in the earlier years
of his life and was limited to reading and writing in the French language. Later
he obtained a rudimentary knowledge of English, by attending night school. In
1840, at the. age of twentj-, he came to Columbus. On reaching the city, his sole
possessions were an extra suit of clothes and fifty cents in money. He engaged
as a laborer in Windsor Atchison's brickyard and soon learned the brickmoulder's
trade. He continued in Mr. Atchison's service for some time, when that gentle-
man, noting the young Frenchman's industry and energj', made him his partner
in business. In 1843, young Leonard returned to his native town in Canada, to
marry Catherine M;ilboeuf de Beau Soleil, the daughter of a well-to-do farmer.
After twelve j-ears of married life, Mrs. Leonard died in 1855, at the age of thirty-
four. Seven children resulted from this union, two of whom died in infancy'. The
surviving children are Sister Mary Dolores and Sister Gertrude, both Dominican
nuns at St. Mary's of the Springs of this city ; Matilda, Mrs. Olive Roberts and
Theodore. In 1S56, Mr. Leonard married Mrs. Hannah M. Eobcrts, nee Brent-
well, an English lady of rare traits of character. She bore him four children,
Mrs. Rose Byrne, Joscpha, Albert, who died in early boyhood, and Robert. G. E.
Roberts, a son of Mrs. Leonard, by her first marriage, was married to Mr. Leon-
ard's fourth daughter, Olive, in 1875.
About the j'car 185(1, Mr. Leonard, having acquired some means, dissolved
liarliicrsliip with Mr. Atchison, bought a farm of one hundred and sixt}- acres at
llir jiiiiclioii of Montgomery, Clinton and Miflin townships, two miles northeast of
Cohuiilius, and there engaged in farming and brickmaking. He steadily invested
his earnings in farm property and in a short time became one of the largest land-
owners about Columbus. He also engaged somewhat in building and supervised
the erection of many residences in Columbus and vicinity. He realized hand-
some ]iriitits IVoin his various fnlei')ii-i>cs, and at the time of his death possessed
considiTulilc wvalllL lie niailc h'oikm-oiis use of liis fortune and gave liberal con-
trilmtions to the various Catliolic institutions of the city, of which faith he was a
sincere and consistent member. He donated largely to the building fund of St.
Josejih's Cathedral, of this city, of which eongregation he was a member, and left
a living monument of his generosity in the Academy of St. Mary's of the Springs,
to which inslitntioM he not only (Icniitrd ( hirl y llii'f.' iicr'cs of hind, hiil i;rhci-(.usly
supportod its Imiliiini; riiiids He alsn i;-;ivo lil)cr;dly lo otiioi- chnrilMlilc instil ii-
tions of Cohimhus.
Ml'. Leonard was a ioni,' an<l ijreal snrtVror from rlicninalisin, and during Iho
last three years of his life, IJrighCs disi'asc did its fatal work. He lravclo<l ron-
siderably in the hojio that a iliangc i>f (diinalc inii,-ht heuotil his hrallh, hat. to no
avail. He spent nidst of the winter of ISSII-T, in ("nh:i, Khn-id:! and Me.vieo,
returning home two m.jntiis liefori' iiis (h'ath, whirh neeni-re<l on .Inly (I, |SS7, at,
the age of sixtyseveii. II is remains weri^ inten'ed in CaKary Ce trry from St.
Joseph's Cathcilral.
JACOB REINHARD
[Portrait oppcsiti^ pase 338.1
Was born on A])ril 2S, 1815, at Neidenborg, Kingdom of J?avaria, CTormaiiy, and
is the son of Michael and Barbara (Geis) lioinhard. His father emigrated to
America in 1833, and died on June 12, 1879. Jacob received his education in (ier-
many and also attended for a time a private school where he took a thorough
course in the study of the English language. When not at school, he worked on
his father's farm. At the age of iwentyone he took a number of contracts for
furnishing broken stone for macadamizing the National Koad, east of Columbus.
On their completion he was appointed assistant engineer, which position ho held
until 1843. During his leisure hours he read law with Hejfman A. Moore.
After leaving the employ of the State, Mr. Reinliard, in 1843, in company with
Frederick Fieser, started Dcr Westbofr, a weekly Democratic nevvspapor, printed
in German. They also started the wellknown bank of ileinhard & Co., in which
Mr. Eeinhard is still actively interested. In 1852, he was elected a member of the
City Council, to which body he was continuously reiMected for twenty years, until
he refused longer to be a candidate. For five years he was president of the Coun-
cil and when not president he was a member or chairman of the finance commit-
tee. For many years he was a member of the Democratic State E.xGcutive Com-
mittee, and its treasurer. On two difterent occasions he was nominated by his
party for Secretary^ of State. In 1857. despite the large Republican majority, ho
was only defeated by 1,197 votes. He was married on July 12, 1841, to Catherine
Ilaman. Six children still survive: John G., Henry A., Jacob Junior, Frank J.,
Mary and Matilda.
LINCOLN KILBOURN
[Portrait opposite page 3%.]
Was born at Wortliington, Ohio, October 19, 1810. His father was Colonel .lames
Kilbourn, an eminent pioneer from Connecticut, who, as clergyman, soldier, con-
gi-essman, editor and public-spirited citizen, was conspicuous in the early history
of Ohio. His mother was .Cynthia Goodalc Kilbourn, sister of Doctor Lincoln
Goodale, prominent in the early history of Columbus, who gave to the city
the park known by his name. She was the daughter of Major Nuthan Goodale,
an officer in the American army during the Revolutionary War (afterwards taken
S7S IIlSldliY III' TIIK ("iTV 111' OuMIMIUIS.
|,risi,iiei- liy llio Imlians iicai- I'.cliuv, Oliiu, in 17'.):!, ilyin,;,- in rapti vily). Slu' wan
Uic lirst wliilo ll'inalc fliilil Lo scd loot on tlio soil of Oliio. Tliu liimily, with
several otliors from MassaoluiscttR, had desceiuled the Oliio liivcr from Wheeling on
a flatboat in 17S8. A landing was nuuic near the month of the Miiskiiignm River,
and there was a strife amonj; tlio ladies and young girls as to which one of them
should be first on shoi-c. The captain, wlio had taken a fanc3- to little Cynthia
Goodalo, lifti'il h((r up as they iioarcd the land and put lici- down in the shallow
water anil she ran ashore.
Miiioln Killiourn was a sluilcnt at the Worthington Academy until his fif-
teenth year, lie then came to (Jolumhus and entered the store of his uncle, Doctor
Lincoln (ioodale, as a clerk, and lii'cauie a partner willi him in 1X85. Fpon the
retirement of Doctor (loodale, Mr. Kilbonrn formed a ]>artncrshi)) with his hrother-
inlaw, Mr. Cyrns Fay, under the firm name of Fay & Kilbourn, doing a general
mercbandiso business. After a few years this partiiersbip was dissolved, Mr. Faj'
taking the dry goods depaitment and removing to tlie corner of High and Chaj)el
streets; Mr. Kilbourn taking the hardware department and retaining the original
storobuilding, the side walls of which, still standing at this time, contain the old-
est brick in any building in Columlius. The firm was reorganized under the
name of Killiotii'n, Kuhns iV Co., which eontiiuu'd until ISfiS, when the firm of
Kilhoui-n, Jones & ("o. was formed, at the head of which Mr. Kilbourn remained
until bis death. He was in mercantile pursuits in Columbus over sixtysix years,
and all that time in tbe same building — changed and enlarged from time to
time — in which he began his business life, a boy of fifteen years. In all these
years he scarcely missed a da}' from his place of business, where be was engaged
the day before his death. Ilis business ability is shown bj' the fact that during
the sixtysix years tbat he was engaged in mercantile affairs, notwithstanding the
great fluctuations in business that took place during that long period, neither he
nor any firm with which he was connected, ever failed in the ])ayment of their obli-
gations wben presented.
Mr. Kilbourn was one of the incorporators of the Kilbourn & Jacobs Manu-
facturing Company, and a director of the company from its organization to the
time of its death. He was one of the executors and for many j-ears sole trustee of
the Doctor Goodale estate, and was one of tbe six bonorary members of the Colum-
bus Board of Trade. In politics, in early life a Whig, he has been a Republican
from the organization of that party. He always took an active interest in political
matters, but never held or sought oflice, nor did he ever belong to aiij- societies,
fraternal or political. While his age incapacitated bim from service in the army
during the Civil War, he was conspicuous in all measures taken by citizens of
Columbus for the support of the army and the Government, devoting to this pur-
pose and to the assistance of dependent families of soldiers in the field, the greater
jjart of the profits of his business during the continuance of the war.
Mr. Goodale married Jane Evans at Gambier, Ohio, on June 13, 1837. He
was the father of five children : Alice Grant, wife of Brigadier-General Joseph
Haydn Potter, U. S. A.; Colonel James Kilbourn, of Columbus, Ohio; Captain
Charles Evans Kilbourn, U. S. A.; Fay Kilbourn, who died in childhood, and
Lincoln Coo.lalc Killuuini, ol' ( 'oIiiiiiImis, Oliio. Mr. I\ illioiini (licil in ( ^oliiniluis
on Fcbrnju-y Ki, ls:»l, in I lie ci-lityHrsI yciir oC his :ii,'c.
WILLIAM NKIL.
Il'orlmil opposite page MA.]
One ol' tlic firsl |ii(nu'ers ol Cohnnhns and most cnor^cclic ol Iut cili/.cns. cainc to
llic inliint (•a])ilai in ISlS, I'l-dni what is now Trlinna, wlici-c he lia^l l.icaliMl iipon
his arrival tVoin Kentucky in 1SI5. ile slopiicil nu whal is now the Slate Tniver-
sitj- farm, then owned l)_y Cajilain Vance. While there ho met a Mr. Simpkin, an
Eastern gentleman, and the two formed a jiartnorship to deal in flour. They con-
structed a kcelboat from timber procured on the farm and floated their cargo down
the Whetstone into the Scioto, and on down to New Orleans. This, however, was
an unlucky venture and the two gentlemen returned to Columbu.s $(5,000 in debt.
Mr. Neil's outfit when he came from Kentucky was a hor.se, saddle and bridle, the
usual fortune of a young man starting out in life. He had tak'cn a fancy to the
Vance (now University) farm and resolved to own it. After his disastrous siiccu-
lation in flour he bought forty acres and a log cabin near Urbana and engaged in
farmer.
In 1818, there was trouble of some nature in the ol.l Franklin Bank of Colum-
bus, and Mr. Neil was sent for to assume the position of cashier. Shortly after this
he bought the first stage line, with a Mr. Zinn, the line running from this city to
Granville. This was the beginning of staging operations that eventually led to the
construction of several railroad.Sw^ Mr. Neil bought other lines; one to Wheeling,
one to Cleveland, and from Cleveland to Buffalo, one to Sandusky through Dela-
ware and Marion, one to Marietta, on to Portsmouth through Chillicothe, and
on through to Maysville, Kentucky; one to Cincinnati and one west towards
Indianapolis, many branches being established as the necessities required. One of
Mr. Neil's partners was Mr. Jarvis Pike, who was a pioneer on West Broad Street,
between High and Front. The firm name was once Neil, Moore & Co. Subse-
quently the business was merged into what was known as the Ohio Stage Companj',
with David W. Deshler, William Sullivant and others who have made Columbus
historj^, as partners with Mr. Neil. This company started the first railway to
Cincinnati, or rather to Xenia, where it tapped theM:id River I'oad. This was in
1850, and as the old constitution required that a certain amount of stock had to be
subscribed before a company' could organize, the Ohio Stage Company had to take
nearly all the stock. Shortly after this road was started the same company began
the operation of the Columbus & Cleveland line, and then the old Central Ohio,
and the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana, now the Pan Handle West.
Mr. William Neil bought the Vance farm in 1828 and moved upon it. There
were about 300 acres in the piece, and the old house stood about wliere the lawn
tennis ground is now located. The house burned in 1803, when William Neil,
Junior, lived there. Mr. Noil bought on south to (y'olurabus all the land west of
High Street, except the tvventyfive acre Fisher tract and the Starr farm, as far west
as the waterworks and south to a point opposite the city prison, from Lyne Star-
ling for five dollars an acre. Nearly all this himl was a forest of finest walnut,
880 IIisTdRY OP THE City op Columbus.
from which the first timber in tlie old Neil House was cut. Mr. Neil owned also
nearly 3,000 acres west of High Street, twentyeight acres of Indianola being pai-t of
the original tract, which ran to the Harbor Road, nearly to the Mock Road, and
south to Tenth Avenue. It embraced also the present State Fair grounds. Part
of this was afterwards owned by Theodore Leonard and Windsor Atcheson, and
part originally bciongeil to the Stephenson heirs. The first house that Mr. Neil
built was on tlic northeast corner of (Ja}' and Front streets. He also resided
between Broad and tlaj', on Front. To ii;iri-;ito in iletail Mr. Neil's career would
be to reproduce the hislory of earl)- Cohiiiilius ;ind Id repeat many facts that appear
in the body of the history.
Mr. Neil's family consisted of si.\ cliildi'cn, all of whom are living except the
first born, a son, who died in iiil:iii<y. 'I'lie cliilclivii are Robert E. Neil, Mrs.
Governor Donni.son, Mrs. General MciMillen, William A. Neil, John G. Neil and
Colonel Henry M. Neil.
DAVID TAYLOR
[Portrait opposite page 100. 1
Was born in the Province of Nova Scotia, July 24, 1801. His ancestors were
Puritans. Matliew Taylor, his great grandfather, emigrated from near London-
derry, now Derrj', New Hamp.shire, in 1722. The emigrants who settled that
town, of whom Mathew Taylor was one, were Presbyterians of the John Knox
school, and were called Scotch-Irish, being the descendants of a colony which
migrated from Argyleshire in Scotland, and settled in the Province of Ulster, in
the north of Ireland, about the year 1612. Mathew Taylor was the father of six
sons and two daughters. His second son Mathew was born in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, October 30, 1727. He married Miss Archibald, of Londonderry,
and had six sons and two daughters born to that marriage, the birth of Robert,
the fourth son, taking place October 11, 1759. Soon after the old French war and
the evacuation of the Province of Nova Scotia by the French about the year
1763, Mathew Taylor, with a number of other families, moved from New
Hampshire to Nova Scotia and settled in the town of Truro, at the head of the
Bay of Fuiidy. At this time Robert was in his infancy. On December 6, 1781,
he was married to Mehitabel Wilson. Four sons and several daughters were born
to that marriage; the oldest son, Abiather Vinton, March 25, 1783; the second son,
Mathew, June 18, 1785; the third son, James, November 25, 1795, and the fourth
son, David, July 24,1801.
In the autumn of 1806 Robert Taylor came to Ohio, with his family, and
settled in Chillicothe. Prior to leaving Nova Scotia he bad purchased some lands
in what is now Truro Township, Franklin County, and in the summer of 1808,
while living in Chillicothe, he determined to remove to these lands. Accordingly,
in that year, he built thereon the first frame house ever erected in the eastern
part of the county. David, then seven years of age, assisted the workmen in the
construction of the house and lived with them iu a camp while the work was
going on. In the spring of 1809 Robert Taylor removed his family into his new
house, where he resided until March 28, 1828, when he died. The house, which
KEntESENTATIVE (JiTIZENS. 881
was built in 1808, is still standiuy and in a good state of preservation. Thei'e were
at the time it was built but three other houses, and these all cabins, in what is
now Truro Township, and they have all long since entirely disappeared. The
exact locations of these first cabins were known only to David Taylor at the time
of his death; all others who had any exact knowledge of them had long since
passed away ; and but for a written memorandum which he has left, all accurate
knowledge concerning them would now be gone. One of these cabins was on
Black Lick, about a quarter of a mile north from where the village of Eeynolds-
burg now stands. It was built and occupied by John Edgar and his family.
Another was on the south bank of a spring run onehalf mile east of Walnut Creek
and a quarter of a mile south of the National Road. This was built by Benjamin
Cornell, whooccuined it with his family. An unmarried brother, William Cornell,
also lived there at that time. The third house stood about half a mile southeast
from Cornell's and immediately at the north end of what is known as Sprague
Hill. The flooring and weatherboarding for the Taylor house was gotten out on
the spot by the old whipsavv pi-ocess. The nails used in the building were brought
through the wilderness from Chillicothe in sacks on paokhorses. There was an
Indian hut standing imracdiatelj' south and in front of the new house, and this
was occupied by the workmen while constructing the building. David had been
brought along to serve as a kind of errand boy, and lived with the men in this old
Indian wigwam for several months while the house was being constructed.
It requires a strong effort of the imagination on the part of most persons now
living to picture to the mind the condition of this country as it was at that time.
Not only Franklin County but the entire State of Ohio was little less than a
wilderness. There was a small settlement at Franklinton and another at
Worthington, and outside of these there were not a score of houses in the county.
There was not a sign of civilization where Columbus now stands. The few
families then hero had settled along the streams, where they found abundant
springs, and by these they located their cabins. In the wide stretches between the
Scioto and the Darbys on the west and Alum creek on the east there were no
houses. So also between Alum Creek and Walnut and between Walnut and
Black Lick, the wilderness was unbroken and iiiiinhabited. This was true of all
the country lying between the Miamison the west and the Muskingum on the east.
The Indians then and for years afterwards maintained their annual hunting-
camps along the banks of Walnut Creek and other streams in this county. One
Wyandot hunter, known to the white settlers as " Billy," had his camp every
fall until 1817 at a spring on the west bank of Walnut Creek in the first ravine
north from where the National road crosses that stream. lie and the other
Indians with him were friendly with the whites, and particularly with the Taylor
family. It was some years after the Taj'lor familj' settleil in this county that
Leatherlips, a chief of the Wj'andots, was executed by the orders of Tecumseh
on the east bank of the Scioto, near the town of Dublin. This was then the very
frontier of civilization. From all this country the Indian and the forest have long
since vanished, and cities and towns and villages and splendid farms and com-
56
882 ' History of the City of Columbus.
fortable homos have everywhere appeared. The most sanguine person of that da}-
eould not have anticipated this wonderful transformation.
There wore, of course, no schools at that time, and the education of the
j-ounger children of the family depended upon tiie parents. The parents of JJavid
Taj'lor were both possessed of good education, and they did the best they could
under the hard circumstances of frontier life to educate their children, but the
best education they could receive under the circumstances was necessarilj- limited.
Before David arrived at lawful age he began business for himself. His first
ventures were in stock. Between the years 1808 and 1820 tlie country had settled
rapidly and the raising of stock had greatly increased. Almost everj* settler had
some stock, but none of them a great deal. A new field of enterprise was opened
up in gathering these small lots together and getting them out of the woods into
the markets. Into this he entered in 1820, and continued it for several years.
Between 1820 and 1827 he collected manj- large herds and drove them on foot to
Eastern markets. During this period he went "over the mountains," as it was
then called, with stock eighteen times, and was successful in almost every venture.
In the meantime he invested the gains of his enterprise in lands, wliich were
brought into cultivation as fast as practicable.
He was possessed of an unusually large and powerful frame, and was singu-
larly indifferent to hunger or fatigue. He ate when it was convenient, and rested
when the work in hand was finished. There was scarcely a limit to his endurance.
On one occasion of gi'cat emei'gency he rode on horseback from Cleveland to
Columbus in midwinter, without stopping except to feed and change horses. He
was continuously in the saddle two nights and one day, and made the distance of
about 140 miles over winter roads without sleep or rest.
In November, 1822, he was shipwrecked on Lake Erie. The vessel was
disabled in a storm, and after drifting for some days it went ashore in the night
about half way between Detroit and where Toledo now is, at a point near the
mouth of the Eiver Raisin. The captain of the vessel and himself succeeded in
reaching the shore, but could not tell where thej- were. Heavy snow had fallen
and winter had set in, and it looked as if they must perish in the — to them —
unknown wilderness. Fortunately they discovered the smoke of a hut, but when
they reached it there was no one there except a French woman, who could speak
no English. They, however, made her partly understand the situation, and she
showed them the blazed niiirks on the trees, and indicated by signs and motions
that it was a long way to the settlement. The cajitain was discouraged and
refused to start, and so alone and without food or guide other than the blazed
marks upon the trees, he started on his journey. The snow was verj- deep and
entirel3' obscui-ed any trail there might have been. The situation was desperate
and he was compelled to push forward with all po.«sible speed. Much of the time
ho ran as host he could, and at all times hurried to his uttermost. Hundreds of
times he fell down in the snow, but persistently held on his way. Just at night he
roaohod Fort Meigs on the Maumee, where Pcrrysburg now stands, and then for
the first time learned where he was, and also that he had covered a distance of
Represent ATI VE Citizens. w.^^
more than forty miles. Tliis performance i;re:itly suriirisoil even (lie liardy
frontiersmen tlien about Fort Meii^s,
From Fort ileitis lie continueil iiis joiirnej- tliroiiii;li tlie " lilaek swamji,"
foliowiny the Indian ti-ails until he reached the Wyan(h)t viMai^^', wiierc Ujnier
Sanduskj' now stands, and thence on to Columbus.
From the Raisin River in Michigan to a point near where the town of Titlin,
in Wyandot County, now stands, he broke the trail throiii;h the deep snow a dis-
Umce of more tlian one hundred miles. He always consideied the iiardshii)s and
hazards of this trip greater than an}- he was ever called on to endure.
Early in life he became a member of the Presbyterian church, and eve< atter iT^
retained that relation, and in that faith he has jiassed awaj-. He came from the
old Puritans, and the Presliyterian faith was his natural iniieritance. For sixty
years he was an elder in that cluireh, and was always a liberal supporter of the
cause of religion.
He has always taken an active part in the development of the au;rieultural
interests of the state, and was for many j'cars officially connected with both the
state and county agricultural societies.
In early life he was an active member of the famous mounted niilitaiy com-
pany called the Franklin Dragoons. This company had served through the war
of 1812, under Captain Joseph Vance, and for many years after that war the
organization was kept up. It was commanded successively by Abram McDowell,
Robert Brotherton, Joseph Mcllvain, Philo H.Olmsted and David Taylor. The
latter was captain from 1824 to 1828. He was present with his companj- as an
escort of honor to Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York, and Governor Morrow,
of Ohio, when the great celebration took place near Newark, Ohio, of sinking the
first spade for the excavation of the Ohio canal.
The late Alexander Mooberry, was the next captain of this companj-, and
served in that capacity for several years. The company consisted ofsixtj'mon,
each of whom had to be voted in by the other members. Each one was required
to keep a good horse and uniform, and any one failing in this could be voted out.
This was perhaps the most noted military organization in the State for a period
of more than twentj^ years.
When Truro Township was organized in 1810, its name was given to it by the
Taylor family, who called it after the town of Truro, in Nova Scotia, from which
they came.
David Taylor was fir.st married in September, 1826, to Nancj' T. Nelson, and
two children had been born of that marriage when she died. In July% 1831, Mr.
Taylor was married to Margaret Shannon, who died soon thereafter. In May,
1836, he was married to Margaret, eldest daughter of the late Judge Edward
Livingston, who came from New York State and settled on the west bank of
Alum Creek, in 1804. The exact location of this settlement was about two hun-
dred 3-ards south of the line of Livingston Avenue. Judge Livingston's father
was Colonel James Livingston, of the Revolutionary Arm}', and was one of the
most distinguished officers of his rank in the War of Independence. He was with
General Richard Montgomery when that officer fell in storming the heights of
8S4 HisTciRY (1F THE City of Columbus.
Quebec. Aflerwartls, when sorvini; with his regiment on tiie Ilndson, he, more
tlian abiiost uiiy otiier afficer, contributed to the defeat of the treasonable schemes
of Benedict Arnold. After the war, Congress voted him one thousand acres of
land on Alum Creek, in what was originally Montgomerj' Township. It was to
look after these and other lands that his son Edward came to this eounlj-. It
was Judge Edward Ijivingston who gave to Montgomery Township its name.
This he did in recognition of his ohi general, who was his relative b^' marriage.
David Taylor came of a lai'ge and powerful i-ace of men, full of courage and
endurance. In person lie was tall and well fornunl, being six feet and four
inches in height and having a giant's build and strength. He was of majestic
presence and had unusual dignity of manner. He was devoid of personal vanity
but had a thorough respect for himself and so commanded respo<'t in others. To
carefully regard the rights of others was a cardinal principle of Ins life. In
January, 1887, he fell upon the ice and so injured his hip llial he could not thereaf-
ter walk. He dieil July 20, 18S9, surrounded by liis family, all <il' whom yet sur-
ROBERT E. NEIL
[Portrait opposite pnge 353]
Was born in Columbus, on Maj^ 12, 1819, and is the son of William and Hannah
Neil. He was educated at Kenj-on College Ohio, and at Georgetown College, Dis-
trict ot Columbia. At the age of twentyone he commenced farming. He gave
this up and entered upon commercial pursuits He is interested in various manu-
flieturing enterprises, but his chief business is dealing in real estate. In politics,
he is a Republican, but has never held any public office. Mr. Noil was married on
May 30, 1843, to Jane M. Sullivant, daughter of William Sullivant. They have
but one daughter living.
CHARLES HARRISON FRISBIE
[Portrait opposite page 368.]
Was born at Worthington, Ohio. His father's name was Israel W. Frisbie and his
mother's maiden name was Sarah D. Camp. They were married on July 14, 1819.
His childhood days were spent in the City of New York with his parents. His
school education was confined to that received at Johnstown, Ohio, to which place
his parents had removed from New York. At the age of fourteen he went to work
for Mr. Alpheus Reed, devoting his spare moments to study and improvement
while in the hitter's employ. After working in Mr. Reed's drygoods house for
sonic years, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and started in the grocery business under
the firm name of Stage & Frisbie. This was the commencement of a long and
successful career. He was always quick, yet discreet in his business operations,
and in addition to his business :it his own place he was a silent partner in the firm
of George McDonald & Co. These interests he retained until ho retired from
active business pursuits in 187-1. From that time he carried on a private money
lending business, in which he continued until the time of his death.
Representative Citizens. 885
Mr. Frisbie wa.s a member of the order of Odd Fellows and took all its
degrees. His wife was Mary L. Kced, to whom ho was married November 16,
1852. Thej' had ten children : Almira Reed, Adelaide Maria, Henrietta Sarah,
Annie Allen, Charles H., Lilian B, Charles Reed, Helen Roed, William Marlin and
George McDonald.
Mr. Frisbie died February '23, 1SS5.
ABEL HILDRETH,
[Portrait opposite page 376.]
Whose connection with the lumber business dates further back than that of any
other man now in that branch of trade, was born in Bangor, Maine, Jaiuiarj- 15,
1819. His parents were Simeon and Susan [BabbidgeJ Hildreth, both of whom
were of English descent, the emigration to America in both families being then
several generations remote. The first seven j^ears of Abel's life were spent on a
farm about twenty miles from Bangor, to which the family had moved soon after
his birth. In 1826, Simeon and his family moved back to Bangor, where he opened
a coopershop and worked at his trade. Abel was sent to the common school in
Bangor, and gained such book education as it afforded, but he early began to assist
his father in the coojjershop, and became such a necessity that bis time at school
was shortened. When he was fifteen, he openeil a general store in Bangor, which
he conducted until 1838, when the family, consisting of Simeon and his wife, two
sons — Abel and Isaac — and a daughter, Louisa, came to Ohio. Their first stop-
ping place was Granville, Licking County, from which place Abel, bis father and
brother, set out on a prospecting tour in search of a farm home, their choice finally
falling on a farm of sixty acres in St. Albans Township, about two miles north of
Alexandria. For the next nine years of his life, Abel worked on the farm, not
starting out in business for himself until 1847, when he rented a flouringraill three
miles east of Newark and established himself in the flouring business. The fol
lowing year he built a mill, which still stands on the canal a short distance north
of Newark, and moved his business thither. This enterprise thrived for a time,
but a drop in wheat at a time when he had a large stock, and bad ]iartner-
ships, conspired against it, and in 1852 Mr. Hildreth sold out to his partner and
came to Columbus in the hope of settling here. He had little money and was
somewhat disheartened by the outcome of his business venture. Two years before
he had married Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Watkins W. and Elizabeth Reese
AV^illiains, of this city, and in this trying hour-, as in subsc(iuent critical perinds
until her death in 1881), she proved a faithful comjjanion, encouraging him, shurJMg
in his labors and helping him in every way to business prosperity. Mr. Ilildrcth's
ctforts to establish himself in business here failed and he went to Somerset in
1853, where he succeeded in interesting a number of people in a project to build a
mill. From these he borrowed ?(),000 at 8 ]>er cent., built a steam fiouringmill,
and successfully operated it for two j'ears. In 1855, he sold out and bought a
Peri-y County farm with a sawmill on it, turning his attention chiefly to the pre-
paration of hardwood. lumber for the market, thus entering on his sucecs.sful career
as a lumber dealer. In the operation of this sawmill and two others in Atlions
8SG History df the City op Columdus.
County, he was engaged for the next four years until 1859, when he sold out,
reserving the machinery of one mill, which he brought with him to this county
and set up in Jackson Townshiji. He established a lumberyard on High Street at
the corner of Noble Alley, and for a time partly supplied it with hardwood lumber
from his Jackson Township sawmill. In 1860, he added pine lumber to his stock.
In 18(32, he bought a lot at the corner of Third Street and Chapel Alley and
moved his yard to that site. This lot he sold twentyone years later to the gov-
ernment, and it is now a part of the postoffice site. The lumber business which
he established in 1859 has been prosecuted successfully and continuously ever
since, by him alone, until 1864, when Joseph F. Martin became a partner, and by
them until the organization of the Hildreth-Martin Lumber Company, of which
Mr. Hildreth is president and the largest stockholder, in 1884.
In 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth united with the First Baptist Church, of this
city and were for years among its active and substantial members. Mr. Hildreth
served for many consecutive years as trustee, and Mrs. Hildreth was very active
in the church mission efforts. The denomination is indebted to them for many
benefactions, two of the Baptist churches of the city owing almost their existence
to them — the Hildreth Baptist Church on Twentieth Street, and the Memorial
Baptist Church on Sandusky Street, both houses of worship having been presented
by Mr. Hildreth to the denomination, the latter in memory of his deceased
wife.
The story of Mr. Hildreth's life fully justifies the statement that he is a self-
made man. His education is that of experience in dealing with men, rather than
that which is obtained from books. He has a native talent for business, which,
exercised untiringlj' and with wisdom, has brought him prosperity and wealth.
His enterprise is manifest not only in the growth of his legitimate business, but
also in the development of the eastern part of the city, where he has made an
addition and built a great many houses and one business block.
In 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth went to Florida to spend the winter and
located on the Indian River, at a jjlace which was afterwards, at Mrs. Hildreth's
suggestion, called Indianola. Other Northern people located near them, and now
there is a thriving little town on the site, a prominent feature of which is a Baptist
church, which they were largely instrumental in building. Here Mr. and Mrs.
Hildreth spent their winters, and here Mrs. Hildreth died in April, 1889. Mr.
Hildreth continues to spend the winter months in Florida, and he has built a
steamboat which he plies up and down the Indian River for the pleasure and
recreation of himself and friends.
LOUIS LINDEMAN
[Portrait opposite page 384 )
Is one of the oldest German citizens of Columbus. He is a native of Zweibriicken,
in the Rheinkreis of Bavaria, where lie was born on August 14, 1818. He is
the son of Louis and Jacobine (Langj Lindeman. After receiving an elementary
education in the Bavarian public schools, he entered the emploj- of his father, who
conducted a grocery business at Zweil7rucken. When eighteen j-ears old, his cousin,
KkI'KKSKNTATIVK ClTIZKNS. KS7
Mr. Peter Ainbos, who liad returned on a visit to liis native land, induced him
to come to America witli him, and in tlie fall of 1S87 he arrived in (Jolumiius. lie
next served as an a|i|)rentiee for four years with Mr. Ambus, who was engaijed in
the iiiaiiurarliirc of eonfeetioiierv. At the end of the lour years, he hci-aiiic a pari
iier. On the reliremeiil of Mr. Anibos, Air. Liiideman ' took in as a i.arlner,
Mr. Kitze Glock, under the firm style of Ijindeman & C'omj)aiiy. Sometime aftei--
ward, he became connected with a Mr. Stevenson in the same business at 55 and
57 South High Street, just opposite the Statehouse. In 1872 he finally retired
from business and has since given his attention' to the management of his
large estate and the care of his beautiful home and grounds on South High Streeti
where he resided with a married sister, Mrs. Magdalene Klio. Since her death, which
occurred a few j'cars ago, he has lived alone. He has never married, never sought
or held any public office or joined an}- benefit or other societies except the
Independent Protestant (German) Church, of which he is j'et a member.
Mr. Lindeman has been and is yet connected with many large business enlei--
prises of Columbus. He is a stockholder and director of the Columbus Machine
Company, of the First National Bank, of the Columbus Watch Company, and of the
Electric Light Companj-, and held the same connection with the Columbus Gas
Light and Coke Com]iany until it was bought out by a .syndicate.
WILLIAM POWELL
[Portrait opposite page 392.]
Was born at Vennington, Shrop^shire, England, on September 2, 1822. His father,
William Powell, was born on January- 12, 1793, in Shropeshire, on a farm called
" The Hazels," and his mother, Harriet Dickens, was also a native of Shropeshire,
being born at a small village called Worthin. After their marriage they con-
tinued to live on the old farm for some time, but meeting w:ith financial reverses,
caused by the burning of their dwelling and barns, they concluded to make a fresh
start in America. He, with his wife and family, arrived in New York, on Novem-
ber 9, 1841. From New York, they proceeded by the waj^ of the lake to Cleve-
land and thence by canal to Columbus, where they arrived the same year. After
settling in Columbus, he followed farming, and later, contracting, until his death
in 1850. William Powell, the subject of this sketch, was but nineteen when he
came to Columbus, and, like all jjioneers, had to work at anything he could
get to do. His first start was in the grocery business in the old Deshler building,
then on High Street, near the corner of Broad. Continuing in this for throe 5-oars
he sold out in 1849, and bought the land on which the Powell House stands, and
built what was then known as the Exchange Hotel, which he conducted uj) to
1862, and again from 1872 to 1874. After selling out in 1862, he engaged in the
wholesale cigar and liquor business on East State Street, and for a number of j-ears
did a very extensive business. In 1878, he with others purchased the North High
Street Railway, which then had its south terminus at the depot. Through his
efforts the chariot line was introduced to furnisli transportation to the center of
the city, and did much to develop the North Side, where he always resided. In
1888, he retired from active business pursuits on account of failing health. He
888 History op the City of Columbus.
was married in 1851, to Mary A. Huggett, daughter of Squire James Hujfgett, of
Brown Township. His surviving family consists of his wife and the well known
lumber merchant, Frank E. Powell. In politics he was a Democrat, but never
held any office. By i;ood business methods, he ha<l acquired large wealth at the
time of his death, which occurred on July 18, 1890.
DOCTOR JOHN ANDREWS
[Portrait opposite page 400.]
Was born at Steubenville, Ohio, April 12, 1805. Tiic following sketch of his life
is taken from a memorial address to the Board of Control of the State Bank of
Ohio, delivered by Mr. Joseph Hutcheson, "ho was his successor as ])resident of
that institution :
" He [Doctor Andrews] was educated at Bethany, Virginia, taking a regular
course of study at what was then known as the Buffalo Seminary, under tiie man-
agement of that man of wonderful genius and acquirements, Alexander Campbell.
He then studied medicine, availing himself of the ailvant:ige8 of the celebrated
medical schools of the city of Philadelphia to complete his education. He then
entered upon the practice of his profession at his native place, which he pursued
in Jeffer.son and the adjoining counties for about twenty years. He had during
this time a largo practice, and was distinguished as a surgeon as well as a physi-
cian. His health becoming impaired, he abandoned his profession and became
actively engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits, continuing also his connec-
tion with banking operations, in the management of which he had been long
and succcssfullj^ engaged. He afterwards became a principal stockholder in and
was President of the Jefferson Branch of the State Bank of Ohio. As the repre-
sentative of this Bank he was one of the earliest members of this Board.
" In the Board his su2)erior business qualities soon manifested themselves, and
upon the resignation of the presidency bj' Judge Swan, in the year 1855, the mem-
bers instinctively turned to him as a fitting successor. The eminent ability with
which his administration has been marked is sufficient proof that this confidence
was not misplaced. He sacrificed his private interests to accept the trust, and
devoted himself from that time until the day of his death with peculiar interests
to its duties. It was one of his fondest hopes that the State Bank of Ohio should
be carried through its career with honor, to a successful i.ssue, and we may all
rejoice that he lived to see this hope realized ; and every member of this Board
will, I doubt not, readily acknowledge that much of this remarkable success is due
to the wise counsels of President Andrews.
" Doctor Andrews was a man in whom were combined rare qualities of head and
heart. His mind was enriched with varied learning and observation. His
researches were not confined to his profession. He was a careful student besides,
of history, politics and finance, and was especially fond of philosophical investiga-
tions. As a business man he had few superiors. In his dealings he was guided
by high moral principle. He avoided all hazardous speculations, and confined his
operations to what was safe and legitimate, and by this course he was eminently
successful in his private affairs. Prompt, exact, just, scrupulously^ honest, he ever
TiEl'RESENTATIVK ClTI/.KN.S. SK'.I
miiintaiiicd a cliaractcr of spotless integrity. In liis social relations lie was kind,
genial and agreeable; alwa}^ willing to listen to others, and ever ready to com-
municate and edify from the rich stores of his knowledge. In his feelings he was
a domestic man. The chief sphere of his happiness was in his home, surrounded
by his familj', by whom he was revered and loved. There he ruled with gentle-
ness, wisdom and love. In short, Doctor Andrews was a scholar, a gentleman
and a Christian. While we hallow his memory, let us profit by his example."
Ext raci from tlic last Mcssacje of President Andretrs to the Bonn! of Control, May,
186(j: " We may now feel like the mariner who has brought his ship safely into
port after a long and anxious voj-age. Sometimes with prosperous gales and fair
sailing; sometimes threatened with ajipaling dangers, in the midst of an ocean
covered with wi-ecks and ruins of other vessels. Still <>iii- imlilr shi]i — the State
Bank of Ohio — has always proved herself equal to the tiials wliicli she has been
called to meet ; and especially in the great storm of 1857, stood tii-m amidst the
ruins around her. Our twenty years" voyage has been a success. The business
men of Ohio have had their business interests with the bank satisfactorily done;
the people have been supplied with a sound circulating medium, which com-
manded their perfect confidence, and by the use of which no one has ever lost a
dollar; and the stockholders have received larger jn-ofits than any other system
of banking ever realized in this or, perhaps, in any other cou^itry, as the results of
legitimate business.
" Of the friends and companions who stfirted with us on the voyage, some have
ended the great journey of life before reaching the terminus of our charter. Of
the first executive committee, consisting of Swan, Kolley, Kilgour of Cincinnati,
Hubbard and Williams, the last only remains, and is a member of the same com-
mittee this day. With these we naturally associate the much respected names of
Kilgore of Cadiz, Grimes of Dayton, and Judge Young of Piqua, among the early
members of the Board ; and the first two of whom were named in the act of incor-
poration as commissione7-s for the organization of the bank. I have often heard
the remark made, and have verified it in my own observations, that the first
founders of a town or city impress their characters on the community, and give
tone to its society, for good or evil, for a long period of time, and which adheres
to it through many generations. If this be true also of a corporation like ours,
may we not conclude that the business habits and eliaractei- of the State Hank of
Ohio were impressed upon it by the men who organized and started it? for the
State of Ohio has never had on the roll of her citizens, men who stood higher, as
men of business capacity', integritj', prudence and sound judgment, or who coiti-
manded in a higher degree the confidence ot the people of Ohio, than the men
who were first connected with and organized this IJoard. It is our duty, and I
have no doubt will be our iiride and pleasiii-e, to chise ils liusincss on llu^sanui
principle on which they started it.
"Other members of the Board, some of whom Irom their age ami appai-ent
strength of constitution, we might have natui-ally expected to he with us at this
time, have also ))aid the great dcl)t of nature. Among these are Hrooks, Kanne^-,
Massie, al! in the jirime of life, beloved and i-espected in tlir comniunilies where
89l( IJisToRv (IF TdK City (if Columbus.
tlie_y livod. The momorj' of ull tlieso will ever bo cherishod li^- the incinbei-s of
this Boaid. For myself, I will only add, that 1 will ever retain a grateful sense
of the honor which this Board has so often conferred upon me in unanimously
electing me its President annually, for a period of twelve years, and ten<ler my
sincere thanks for the kindness, courtesy and indulgence with which I have been
uniformlj' treated b}' every member."
WILLIAM BLACKSTONE HUBBARD,
[Portrait opposite page 416.J
Lawyer, statesman and financier, was born in Utica, New York, August 26, 1795.
He was the son of Bela and Naomi Hubbard. His ancestors sprang from the best
Anglo-Saxon stock. Mr. Hubbard was a descendant of the Stow family, of which
the first American progenitor came to this country as early as 1640, only twenty
j-ears later than the landing of the Pilgrims. The Stow family settled in Connecti-
cut, where it has becTi distinguished for many generations. After receiving a
thorough classical collegiate education, Mr. Hubbard read law with his maternal
uncle, Silas Stow, who was an accomplished lawj-er and the father of the late Chief
Justice Stow, of Wisconsin. With this excellent equipment for his profession,
Mr. Hubbard, after being admitted to the New York bar, removed to St. Clairs-
ville, Belmont County, Ohio, where he began the practice of law in 1816. He rap-
idlj' rose to eminence in his profession and lor years stood at the head of the bar,
being contemporaneous with such renowned jurists as John C. Wi'ight, Charles
Hammond, Benjamin Tappan, John M. Goodenow, Philip Doddridge and Judges
Hallock and Leavitt. Mr. Hubbard served for several years as State's Attorney
for Belmont Countj-. His great ability and enviable success were acknowledged
by his election from Belmont Countj- to the "Ohio State Senate of the Twentysixth
and Twentyseventh General Assembly from 1827 to 1829. During his term as
Senator, Mr. Hubbard entertained the idea of a railwaj', and on the twentythird
of February, 1830, a bill was passed by the legislature which had been drafted by
him, entitled, "An Act to incorporate the Ohio Canal and Steubenville Eailroad
Compauj-." To this interesting and important act. General George B. Wright, in
one of his reports as Commissioner of Railroads for Ohio, alludes as follows :
"This is the first legislation by the State relating to railroads. Is provisions
indicate how crude and unique were the ideas of railroad management at
that time. For example, it contemplated the use of the railroad in the same man-
ner as the canals. Whoever owned a locomotive and cars, could run them, upon
tbe payment of tolls. The section in regard to tolls and the use of the road, reads
as follows : ' The said eorjioration may demand and receive from all persons using
or traveling upcm Uk- Miid railroad the following rates of toll, towit, for every
pleasure carriage iisetl for the conveyance of passengers, three cents per mile, in
addition to the toll by weight upon the lading. All persons paying the toll
aforesaid, may, with suitable and proper carriages, use and travel upon the said
railroad, subject to such rules and regulations as the said corporation is authorized
to make.' This charter was granted before a single railroad designed to be used
by steam power was operated in the world, and only about four months after the
l;K|-[tE.SKNT.\TI\ Is ClTI/.KNS. S'Jl
great ]»rizc trial of motive power in lOiigluiui, in wliiili (M-i)r!j;c SlcpliehNon's loco-
motive, tlie Jtoi-lui, won the \n-\z& of $2,500 ottered liv tlic l^iverpool k Miuicliester
Company for a locomotive engine whicli woulil rnn al least ton miles an hour
drawing three times its own weight. This illustrates the promptness of our
American j)eople to seize upon and utilize any new and useful invention, and to an
Ohio citizen is due the credit of first seizing upon the idea of a railroad and
endeavoring to ajiply it practically."
Mr. Hubbard was elected to the House of Repi'esentalives of the Tliirlieth
Ohio General A.ssembly in 1831, and his fellow members in that body chose him
for their Speaker. He presided over the deliberations of that body with distin-
guished dignity and cajjability. In the fields of law and politics Mr. Hubbard
thus early won distinction and honor, anil had his ambition so aimed, he might
easily have attained the highest politicaf preferment, but from choice he gradually
identified himself with financial and business affairs, and there also he exhibited
the same unusual talent and achieved eminent success. He was president of the
local bank of St. Clairsville, when in 1839, he took up his residence in the city of
Columbus, which citj- would aflford a wider field for his untiring energies. He
became at once a leader in many of the enterprises that advanced the growth and
prosperity of Ohio's Capital. He was made president of the Exchange Bank of
Columbus, and later organized and was ])resident of the First National Bank of
Columbus, the first bank in the citj' to be incorporated and established under tiie
national banking system He was president of the Columbus & Xenia Eailroad
Company, and was director or ofiicial of many other railway projects. He assisted
in the location of the Green Lawn Cemetery, was first president of the Green Lawn
Cemetery Association, and delivered a beautiful address upon the deiiication of the
grounds. Largely through his influence the United States Arsenal was located at
Columbus. He was president of the United States Agricultural Society. From
1834 to 1865 he was tru.stce of the Ohio University at Athens, which in.stitution
recognized his rare scholarshij) by bestowing upon him the degree of TiTj. P. In
politics Mr. Hubbard was first a Whig and afterwards a Ilepublican. Durint; the
Civil War he was a staunch and uncompromising Union man, and used all the
influence at his command in behalf of the Union cause. He was selected by the
citizens of Columbus to preside at a banquet given on the evening of December 8,
18G4, in honor of the Lincoln Electors for the State of Ohio He took a deep
interest in State and Xatinnal affairs, particularly those of a financial nalnre. He
was in.strumental in the legislation resulting in the establishment of the Slate
Banking system. The Honorable Salmon P. Chase, while governor of Ohio and
afterwards as Secretary of Treasury of the United States, frequently consulted
Mr. Hubbard upon financial questions and held his ojjinion in high estimation.
Mr. Hubbard was moreover an enthusiastic and eininiMit nicndicr ol' the
Masonic Order. He served as Grand Master of the (irand L(i<lgc ol Ohio in
1847, and was elected Grand Master of the Gi-aiul Encampment of the liniled
States, being the only Ohio man ever elevated to this rcs|)onsible and exalted posi-
tion. This office, the highest in the gift of the order, he filled for twelve consecu-
tive years, discharging the great labors and imjiorlant duties with niarlced ability-
892 History of the City op Columbus.
and wise judgment. His opinions and decisions, innumerable in number, were
chai-acterized for wisdom and justice, and are retained by the Masonic Order with
great regard and reverence. Few men were so well versed in science, literature
philosophy and the arts. In the mid.st of a most busy life, crowded with cares and
oflScial trusts, Mr. Hubbard still found time to indulge his taste and talent for
learning and culture. He possessed a remarkable memory, and was a great reader
of the choicest literature, old and new. His mind retained a perennial vigor and
brightness. He never lost his love for the classics, and in his last years he could
converse readily with professional scholars in Latin. He acquired an intimate
acquaintance with the works of Shakespeare and was ever ready with an apt quo-
tation from the plaj's of the great bard. Endowed with rare conversational pow-
ers, his speech sparkled with gems of wit and humor. In hia intercourse with his
fellowmen, he was sociable and affable, a most entertaining companion, a wise
counsellor, a firm and fearless advocate of justice and truth ; and a stranger would
at any time have marked him for what he really was, an intellectual, dignified,
cultured gentleman, with a sincerity of purpose and an unswerving integrity in
all his business relations. As an eminent lawyer, as a legislator and as a finan-
cier, he was intimately connected with the history of Columbus.
Mr. Hubbard died in Columbus, January 5, 1866, having lived the allotted
Scriptural span of three score years and ten. He was married January 2, 1817 to
Margaret Johnston, of St. Clairsville, who survived him many years, and was
noted for her loveliness of character and the important part she took in promoting
and assisting the manj' charities of the city. To her and her husband nine chil-
dren were born, and at the time of his death five were living, as follows : Hermon
M., George, Sterling J., Mary N. Bliss, and Margaret Helen Hutchinson.
FREDERICK FIESER
[Portrait opposite page 432.]
Was born October 14, 1814, at Wolfenbiittel, Duchy of Braunschweig, Germany,
and is Uic son of John Jacob and Augusta Fieser. His education was obtained at
the gymnasium of Braunschweig, supjjlemented by his own private reading and
by his contact with the world and practical affairs. He launched out for himself
in 1836, by coming to America, where he found employment at various pursuits.
In 1843, he started Der Westbote, a German Democratic weekly paper, in company
with Jacob Eeinhard, and from that time dates the beginning of a long and highly
prosperous partnership between Mr. Ficsoiaml Mr. Reinhard. In lS6.S,they opened
a bank under the firm name of Kcinliaid & Cn., and banking was the business in
which Mr. Fieser was principally engaged up to the time of his death. He was
united in marriage to Louisa Schede, in 1845. They had two children, Bertha,
now Mrs. George C. Krauss, and Louis F. Fieser. Mr. Fieser was an ardent
Democrat and a staunch sujiportor of that party. He was a member of the Board
of Education for a number of years, but was too busy with his business affairs to
acce])t any other office. To attempt to give a detailed account of Mr. Pieser's
career would, as in the case of his lifelong partner, Mr. Reinhart, be to write the
liistoiy of the progress and developemont of Columbus, for he has been closely
I!k.1'HKsi.:nt.\ Ti\ !•: ('iri/.h^\s. S'X.'.
identified willi its inlere.sl.s and luis _i;iven liearty support to evciy nnivoniciil tiiat
tended to increase its pros])ei-ity, as is evidenced bj^ the IVctpiont mcnliun of his
name in the pages of tiiis liistoiy. A sketch of his long, conspicuous and very
creditable service as a JoMi-nalisl will be li)niid in llie cliaptcrs on the Press. Mr.
Fiesor die<i on May S, ISDl.
.SAMUEL SULLIVAN C().\
[rortrait opposite pftge 44S.]
Was born in Zancsvilie, Oliio, September 30, 1824, and diisd in tiie city of New
Yorlc on September 10, 1SS9. Fi-om a long line of American ancestors of Anglo-
Saxon and Celtic stock, he inherited qualities of mind and ])ersonal charms and
characteristics which made him not only distinguished and respected in his public
career, but loved by all men who came within the circle of his private life. One
of his ancestors, Thomas Cox, was one of tiie twentyfour original jiroprielors of
the province of East New Jersey. He, with his wife, Elizabeth Blaslifiiid, caMic
from the North of England and settled in Upjier Freehold Townsiii]) jji 1(170.
James Cox, their son, was born in 1()72 and died in 1750. Anne, the wife ol'
James Cox, was born in 1670 and died in 1747. Joseph Cox, the son of James
and Anne Cox, was born in 1713 and died in 1801. He was a farmer in easy cir-
cumstances, and a man of strong mind and unblemished character. Mary, his
wife, was noted for her beautj-. In their later years, this venerable couple lived
in one end of their largo old house in Upper Freehold, while James Cox, their
ninth child, with his numerous famil}', occupied the other part. General James
Cox, son of Joseph and Mary Cox, and grandfather of Samuel Sullivan Cox, was
born in 1753 and died in 1810. He was an officer in the Revolution, speaker of
the New Jersey Assembly, and a member of Congress from that Stale at the time
of his death. His conversation is spoken of as having been extremely instructive,
abounding in striking anecdotes with a rich spice of wit and humor. Anne, the
wife of General James Cox and grandmother of Samuel Sullivan Cox, was a
daughter of Amy, the youngest child of Joseph Borden, the founder of Bordun-
town. New Jersey. She came of pioneer stock on both sides, being the great
granddaughter of Thomas Potts, who, with his wife and children, came to this
country in 1G78 in the Shii'ld, the first ship that ever dropped anchor before Bur-
lington, New Jersey. Ezekiel Taylor Cox, the father of Samuel Sullivan Cox,
was one of thirteen children. He was born in 1795 and died in 1873. He moved
from New Jersey to Zanesville early in the century. His wife, Maria Matilda,
who was born on March 16, 1801, and died on April 3, 1885, was the daughter of
Judge Samuel Sullivan, of Zanesville. From this union also sprang thirteen chil-
dren, Samuel Sullivan Cox being the second son. Ezekiel Taylor Cox became
editor and publisher of the Mmkintjum Mcsscni/cr in 1818. Later he and his sou
Alexander became editors and pro])i'ietor8 of the Znnvsville Gazette. For ten years
he was Recorder of the county, and at the time of the birth of Samuel Sullivan
Cox was Clerk of the Supreme Court, ilo afterwards held the position of State
Senator.
894 History "f the City of Columbus.
Samuel Sullivan Cox received liis earlj' training at the best schools of Zaiies-
villc. lie also attended Athens College, Ohio, for two years, under the presidency
of Professor McGuffey, and aftei'wards Brown University, at Providence, Rhode
Island, under President "Wayland, whore he graduated in 1846. While at Brown
the degrees conferred on him in course were Bachelor of Arts in 1846, and Master
of Arts in 1849. The honorary LL. D. was conferred on him by the same Uni-
versity in 1885. Adopting law as his profession he returned to his native city
and entered the office of Goddard & Convers as a student. Afterwards removing
to Cincinnati, he completed his studies with the Hon. Vachel Worthington and
practiced there a few years. It was at this time that he met Rev. Thomas H.
Stockton, the eminent Methodist divine. Mr. Cox admired his talent, and it was
under his persuasive influence that Mr. Cox was led to unite himself with the
First Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati. Mr. Cox was a devoted student of the
Bible, and remained a true believer to the end of his life.
Returning to Zanesville, Mr. Cox was married in that city on October 11,
1849, to Miss Julia A. Buckingham, a daughter of Alvah Buckingham, one of the
pioneers of Ohio. Shortly after his marriage, he in company with his wife visited
the Old World, remaining abroad nearly a year. Upon their return Mr. Cox pub-
lished an account of their ramblings under the title of "A Buckeye Abroad." The
success of this book turned his attention to journalism, although he did not wholly
give up the law, of which he was veiy fond. By the advice of friends he bought
a controlling interest in the (Jolumbus Statesman. It was the Democratic organ at
the capital. Mr. Cox developed sterling qualities as an editorial writer, and dis-
played great aptitude in treating existing issues, and as an originator of strong
ideas. It was while he was editor of the Statesman that Mr. Cox wrote the
article which gave him the appellation of " Sunset." The article, which was
entitled A Great Old Sunset, was published on May 19, 1853, and appears in full
in this work in the chapter on the Press.
As the editor of a leading Democratic paper, Mr. Cox entered the field of
politics. In 1853, he succeeded Washington McLean as chairman of the Dem-
ocratic State Central Committee, and conducted the camjjaign of that year, which
resulted in the election of a Democratic Governor. In 1855, he was offered the
Secretaryship of the Legation at London, but declined it. He accepted an offer
to act in a similar capacity at Lima, Peru, but arriving at Aspinwall he was
attacked with the Chagres fever and ordered home by his physician. Recovering,
he resumed the practice of law until 1856, when he was elected to Congress as a
representative of the Columbus district. He began his Congressional career by
antagonizing his party's administration. In the great fight between Stephen A_
Douglas and President Buchanan, Mr. Cox was an able lieutenant of Judge
Douglas. His maiden speech, which was the first speech delivered in the present
Chamber of Representatives, was an able attack on the Lecompton cojistitution
under which it was sought to admit Kansas to the Union as a slave state. He
served continously for eight years, from December, 1857, to March, 1865. During
three of his early terms he was chairman of the committee on Revolutionary
Claims, and was a delegate to the Charleston, Chicago, New York and St. Louis
I;ei'1{kskntati\k Citi/.kns. S1)5
conventions in ISGO, 1SG4, 1S(!S and ISTC. Diii-iiiii- llu' wai', lie siisUiinod lliu Gov-
ernment by voting men and 8uiii)lios. ll was i)riiKi|ially tlirongli Mr. Cox's
efforts aiding the delegation sent on lor tlio iniriio.se. tliat tlie United States
Arsenal was located at ColumVius — an act foi' which proper credit is awardcil him
in one of the chapters of this work. While serving as a member from Ohio, he
practiced most successfiillj- before the New Grenadaii Commission held in Wash-
ington. All questions of international law aiui comity, were with liiiii studies of
greatest interest.
In 1865 Mr. Cox took up his residence in New York City and there resumed
the practice of his profession. He was elected lo Congress from that city in 1808,
and reelected as metropolitan member to the ten succeeding Congresses. During
these terms, he served on several committees, among them the committees on
Foreign Affairs, Banking, Librarj-, the Centennial Exposition, Rules, Naval
Affairs, and the Census. He was also on the committees which investigated the
KuKlux troubles, the doings of Black Friday, National elections in cities and
the New York PostofBce. In the Fortyfourth Congress he was appointed Speaker
pro temport, and presided the greater part of that session during the sickness of
Speaker Kerr. He was again elected Speaker ^^/o tempore in June, 1876. At the
opening of the first session of the Fortj-fifth Congress, in 1887, he was a candidate
for the speakership, and though not elected frequently presided pro tempore.
In that session, by a special resolution of his own, he took upon himself the
work of the new census law, as he had also done in respect to the preceding law
which produced the marvelous tomes of the Tenth Census reports. He was the
author of the plan of apportionment of Representatives adopted by the House.
The tariff was an old theme with him and reciprocity of trade and commerce his
constant effort and ambition. As a political economist he was alwa\ s a leader of
his party. In recognition of his attainments in that abstruse science, the Cobden
Club of England bestowed upon him an honorary- membership. 'J'he persecution
of the Jews abroad was also one of the subjects of his earnest and philanthropic
protests, personal and legislative; and his sympathy went out to all lands where
men were oppressed and striving for civil and religious liberty. He introduced
and championed for many years the bill concerning the lifesaving service and
finally witnessed its passage. Mr. Cox's W(jrk in Congress also included the rais-
ing of salaries of the letter-carriers, shortening their hours of labor and granting
them an annual vacation without loss of pay. For many years he was a regent
of the Smithsonian Institution and took great interest in its work. In 1808-69 he
visited Europe and Algiers.
In 1872, Mr. Cox was defeated as a candidate for CDngi'essman-al -lari,'-e upon
the State ticket, but the death of Hon. James Brooks, Representative of a
New York City district, necessitated another election, and Mr. Cox was returned
to the same Congress for which he had once been defeated. Among his last
great works as a Congressman was his eloquent and able advocacy- of the admis-
sion of the four new States of Washington, Montana, North and South Dakota.
This he achieved the last year of his life, demonstrating a statesmanship which
soared above partizanship, seeing only the advancement and honor of the whole.
896 History of the City of Columbus.
country. In 1885, while a member of the Fortyninth Congress, he was apjjointed
by President Cleveland Minister Plenipotentiary to Turkey. He resigned this
position with regret at the end of eighteen months, after having arranged, as far
as the Sublime Porte was concerned, the treaty stijuilations which had been
initiated years before by our government. It was alleged that State reasons pre-
vented its being presented to or acted upon by the United States Senate. Within
two months after his return, Mr. Cox was elected to Congress to fill a vacancj'
created by the resignation of Hon. Joseph Pulitzer, being thus a second time
elected to a Congress from which he had once i-osigned. Shortly after Mr. Cox's
resignation and return from Turkey, he received the decoration of the Order of
the Mejidieh from Ilis Imperial Majesty, Sultan Abdul Hamid II., the decoration
of the Order of the Shefakat having al read j^ been bestowed upon the minister's
wife in Turkey.
In addition to his first hook, "A Buckeye Abroad," Mr. Cox publislied in
18G6 a volume of ex])eriences while in Congress from Ohio, viz., "Eight Years in
Congress." His next books were "A Search for Winter Sunbeams in Corsica,
Algiers and Spain," in 1869; " Why We Laugh " in 1876; and in 1882 two volumes
after a summer tour in Northern and Eastern Europe entitled " Arctic Sunbeams"
and " Orient Sunbeams." He also published a little brochure styled " Free Land
and Free Trade," which is an epitome of the principles of Tariff Eeform. His
latest political work entitled, "Three Decades of Federal Legislation," was pub-
lished in 1886. After his return from Turkey he wrote, in 1887, a small volume
called " Prinkipo, or Isle of the Princes," and a larger volume called " Diversions of
a Diplomat." Mr. Cox was a polished writer. His books of travel give vivid
accounts of the countries and the peoples of which he writes, and in his pen-
pictures, the humorous side of human nature is never forgotten. Whenever it
came under the flash of his ej-e it came under the point of his pen, and in present-
ing it he had the happj- faculty of holding the mirror up to nature. All. of his
productions, whether in book form, in the halls of Congress, or on the platform,
were of classic finish and were characterized by thorough scholarship. Proofs of
the unforgetting gratitude of those in whose behalf he wrought so manfully dur-
ing his public career may be seen in the statue erected to his memory, by the
letter carriers, in the city of New York; in the exquisite memorial vase in massive
silver, a gift to Mrs. Cox, by the Life Saving Service; in the bu;iutit'iilly engrossed
sets of resolutions presented to her by the railway postal clerks, and by various
civic organizations; and in numberless other testimonials of love and gratitude
which have come to her from different parts of our country.
DAVID SMITH
[Portrait opposite page 456.]
Was born at Francistown, New Hampshire, October 18, 1785. A sketch of his
career as joui-nalist has been given in the history of the Press, to which reference
is here made. Owing to the participation of his ancestors in the siege of London-
derry, in King William's time, their lands were exempt from taxation, and his
grandfather's farm in New Hampshire was one of those known as " Free Lands."
Uei'uesentative Citizens. 897
David Smith gruiiuiitod at Dartmouth College in 1811. He liad as fellow-students,
if not classmates, Levi Woodbury, afterwards United States Senator and Secretary
of the Treasury; Amos Kendall, the famous editor and Postmaster-ticneral under
President Jackson, and Isaac Hill, editor of the Neu- Jlnmpshire Patriot, and Gov-
ernor, with whom he alwaj^s sustained friendly and even intimate relations. He-
was also a distant relative of Franklin Pierce, with whom, however, he did not
agree politiealh', and especially on the slavery question, being as strongly in favor
of abolition as Pierce was opposed to it. This led him to decline an important con-
sular appointment tendered to him during Mr. Pierce's administration.
Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar before or soon after leaving school, but did
not enter on the practice of law in his native town. In August, 1814, he was
married to Rhoda Susan Mitchell, born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, and a
daughter or descendant of Captain John Mitchell, somewhat famous for his brav-
erj' and military skill in the annals of that rebellious and troublesome colony. The
newly married couple moved to Columbus, which had two years before been fixed
upon as the permanent eapilal of Ohio. Here he was among the first, if not the
first, lawyer to become a permanent resident, and thus camo to be commonly
known as "Judge" Smith, a title which he afterwards earned.
In 1816, in connection with Ezra Griswold, of Worthington, he began the
publication in Columbus of a small newspaper bearing the long title, Ohio Monitor
and Patron of Husbandry. It was not strictly speaking an agricultural journal,
though part of its name was afterwards adopted as the name of a powerful farm-
ers organization. The paper continued for some time under this burdensome
title, but was throughout the greater part of its useful career simply Ohio
Monitor, a name not inappropriate, for it abounded in good advice and timely
warning, like the village clock, and most other papers of its period. As the pub-
lication of this paper began at the outset of the "era of good feeling" under
President Monroe, the Monitor had no distinctive partj- affiliations during the first
six' or eight years of its existence. Still, it was always an ardent advocate of protec-
tion to American manufacturers. In the campaign of 1824 the paper supported
John (Juincy Adams for President with much vigor. After the famous coalition
of the friends of Adams and Clay, resulting in the election of Adams to the Presi-
dency and the appointment of Clay as Secretary of State, Judge Smith, whose
hatred of slavery had caused him to be bitterly and almost malignantly hostile to
Clay because of his inventing and carrying through Congress the famous Missouri
compromise, was so incensed that he became vehemently opposed to the "admin-
istration party," as the supporters of Adams were called, and before the campaign
of 1828 began, the Monitor had become, and during that cam]);iign was an ardent
supporter of General Jackson for the presidency. It was ever after an independ-
ent, influential and much quoted Democratic paper. It was still for pi-otection
and until its sale remained fervent in that faith. Soon after the Presidential elec-
tion of 1836, the Monitor was sold to Jacob Medary, a brother of the famous
Samuel Medary, and it became one of the component parts of the Ohi'i Sl'Hrsman,
in which its power and influence were long continued.
67
History of the City op Columbus.
Judge Smith was elected to the Ohio House of Eepresentatives from Pranklin
County and was here a strenuous opponent of the "Black Laws," which caused
him to become verj'' unpopular with the dominant wing of his party. He was
again a candidate for Representative in 1827, but was defeated by General Thomas
C. Flournoy. He was elected State Printer by the Legislature, December 29,
1830, over John Bailache, editor of the Journal, on the day of the election of
Thomas Ewing as United States Senator; Moses 11. Kirby as Secretary of State
and Byram Leonard as "Keeper" of the Ohio Penitentiary. Judge Sinith
always regarded it a great compliment that he should have been elected to this
position by a parly to which he was oppo.sed, the Legislature then being in con-
trol of the Whigs. He had previously been elected an Associate Judge of the
Common Pleas Court of Franklin County by the legislature elected in 1824, and
held the office for several years. Soon after the Presidential election of 1836, he
went to Washington to accept a position in the Postoffice Department under Presi-
dent Jackson. He hold this office until 1845, first year Polks administration,
when he was relieved as he believed, because of his ultra views in favor of the
abolition of slavei-y.
Isfever of very robust constitution, his health had been very much impaired
by department work at Washington. So, his remaining j-ears were spent princi-
pally in retirement at the homes of his children. Two of these lived at Wheeling,
West Virginia, and two in Adams County, Ohio. The former were his daughter,
Ehoda, who married John W. Gill, a prominent manufacturer, and David J., his
youngest son, then in the mercantile business in Wheeling. Mr. Gill subsequently
removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he died in 1873. His widow is still living
near that city. David J. Smith is also living and is a prominent business man of
Bellair, Ohio. His daughter Elizabeth married Joseph W. McCormick, who was
Attorney-General of Ohio under Governor Wood. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCormick
are now dead. Judge David Smith's oldest son. Judge John M. Smith, was then
and for many years after editor of the Adam's County Democrat, published at West
Union, where he still i-esides. He is probably the best known and is among the
oldest and ablest lawyers of that county. The newspaper instinct and ability of
David Smith have been transmitted to the second generation, where they are now
represented in Mr. Joseph P. Smith, wellknown lor his recent connections with
the Clermont Courier and Urbana Citizen, since ediloi- of the Toledo Commercial and
now State Librarian.
Judge David Smith died at Manchester, Ohio, February 5, 1865. His remains
were brought to this city and interred in the Old Graveyard, near where the
Union Station now stands, but were subsequently removed to Green Lawn Cem-
etery. He was a man of force of character and his memory is still treasured by a
number of the older citizens of this city. In the growth and progress of the city,
to which he, in some mciisuro contributed, he always took the greatest pride.
The greatest .solicitude he felt during the lasty ears of his life was for the comi)lete
triumph of the Union cause, and no event in the history of his country gave him
more ple;i8ure than the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, in
1863.
Representative Citizens. 899
WILLIAM HOOKER SLADE
[Portrait opposite page 408.J
Was born February 23, 1823, at Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont. His father's
name was Norman B. Slade, by occupation a farmer. His mother's maiden name
was Clarissa Alvord. His paternal grandfather, William Slade, was a soldier in
the War of Independence, having enlisted from Connecticut. He was taken pris-
oner at Fort Washington, on tiie Hudson River, and was confined on board a
prison-ship in New York harbor. At the close of the war he settled in Cornwall,
Vermont, where he lived as a farmer until his death in 1827. Mr. Slade's pater-
nal grandmother's maiden name was Mercy Bronson. She died in 1830, His
maternal grandfather, John Alvord, was also a Revolutionary soldier. His grand-
mother's maiden name was Olive Cogswell. His uncle, William Slade, represented
his native State in Congress for six successive terms, from 1830 to 1842, and was
afterwards elected Governor of Vermont.
The only schooling that Mr. Slade received was obtained at the district
schools of his native State. He lived on a farm until twentyone years of age,
when he was compelled by fiiiling health to seek some lighter employment. He
entered the drygoods store of Gordon Searl, in Biidport, Vermont, and remained
there for two years, excepting four months in the winter of the last year, during
which time he taught the district school of that town. He then entered the dry-
goods store of Zach^'iah Beckwith, in Middlebury, Vermont, for whom he worked
two years, until 1848, when he came to Columbus. He found employment in the
drygoods store of William Richards as clerk and bookkeeper, and continued to
serve in that capacity for three years, until 1851, when he entered into partner-
ship with Mr. Richards. This partnership continue<l until 1855, when it was dis-
solved by mutual consent. He next went to Burlington, Iowa, where he remained
until 1858, in the wholesale notion business. In 1858, he returned to Columbus,
and became bookkeeper for Eberly & Shedd, wholesale grocers. In November,
1861, Mr. Slade joined the Fiftyseventh Ohio Infantry- to manage the sutler busi-
ness of that regiment for Eberly & Shcdd. He was compelled to give this uj) in
1863, on account of poor health. In 1865, lie entered into a partnership with
J. & W. B. Brooks, wholesale grocers. From this partnership he withdrew in
1870, when he formed one with Mr. John Field, to carry on a lumber business.
In 1873, Mr. B. Kelton bought Mr. Field's interest, since which time the business
has been carried on in the name of Slade & Kelton.
Mr. Slade was married at Columbus, in 1851, to Marion Elizabeth Bell, niece
of Mr. John Field, of Columbus. Nine chililren have been born to them, six girls
and three boys, namely: Elizabeth Undine, William H. Junior, Marion Bell,
Frank Norman, Clara Alvord, Olive, Alice Carey, John Field, and Abbj^ Field,
Mr. Slade is a member of the Masonic Fratcrnitj-, of the Knights Templar and of
Royal Ma.sonic Rite 95*^. He is a Republican, and during 1883-4, served on the
School Board of Columbus,
History of the City op Columbus.
ALFRED EMORY LEE
(Portrait opposite page 504.]
Was born at Barncsville, Belmont County, Ohio, February 17, 1S38, and spent
most of the first twenty years of his life on a farm adjacent to the Old National
Road, four miles west of St. Clairsville. His education, bci;iiii in a ])riniitivo ]ofr
schoolhouse, was further pursued at an academy founded by liis iniclc, B, F. Lee,
at Poland, Mahoning County, and was completed at tiie Ohio Wesle3'an Univer-
sity, at Delaware, from which he graduated under President (afterwards Bishop)
Thomson, in 1859. Alter another summer spent on the farm, he attended the
Ohio Slate and Union Law School, at Cleveland, of which Judge C. Hayden, an
eminent New York jurist, was president and General M T>. Leggett, for a time, a
professor. From this institution, which was also originally founded bj' his uncle,
lie graduated just after the outbreak of the civil war in lS(il. Returning to the
farm to help gather the harvest, he was at work in the field when he received a
newspaper from Wheeling annouticing the appalling defeat of the National Army
at Bull Run. He soon after engaged in the recruiting service, and on November
4, 1801, was mustei-ed in at Delawai-e, Ohio, as a private soldier of the Eighty-
second Ohio Infantry, a regiment then being organized under Colonel James
Cantwell, of Kenton. About one month later the companj', in which he was one
of the first to enlist, was conducted, nearly ninety strong, to the rendezvous of the
regiment at Camp Simon Kenton, near Kenton. Its leader ^as George H. Purdy,
a talented young lawj-er of Delaware, who was afterwards killed at Chancellors-
villc. By unanimous vote of this company, at the organization of the regiment,
Mr. Purdy was chosen its captain and Mr. Lee its first lieutenant. Its second
lieutenant, also chosen by the company, was Harvey M. Litzenberg, of Delaware
County, who was afterwards killed in battle at Gi'oveton.
Under Colonel Cantwell, a veteran of the Mexican War, also destined to fall
at Groveton, the Eightyseeond took the field early in 1862, and from that time
forward remained in active service at the front until the war closed. Its total
enrollment was 1,721; its total loss in killed and wounded 524. Fox's Regimental
Losses says: "The Eightyseeond lost the most officers in battle of any Ohio
regiment." Of twentytwo officers engaged with it at Gettysburg it lost twenty,
all but two of whom were killed or wounded. Its loss of enlisted men in that
battle was 161 out of a total engaged of 236. After serving eighteen months
in Virginia it was transferred with the Eleventh and Twelfth array corps, under
Hooker, to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Lee served with it, excejH when
detached on staff duty, until its musteroul in July, 1865, and participated in the
following battles and campaigns: Bull Pasture Mountain, Cross Keys, Cedar
Mountain, Groveton (otherwise called Manassas), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, Relief of Knoxville, Resaca, New Hojie Church,
Gulp's Farm, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Sandersville, Monteith Swamjj, Savannah,
Averysboro and Bentonville. After the battle of Cedar Mountain, Lieutenant
Lee was, very unexpectedly to himself, promoted to a captaincy. At the battle
of Gettysburg he was severely wounded, captured and reported killed. By the
kindness of a mounted orderly attached to the staff of the Confederate General
]>EI'RESF.NTATIVE CITIZENS. '.)() 1
Evvell, lie was conveyed to the ("rsiwford House, then the lieadquiirters of lliat
officer, and was cared for by Mrs. Smith, a inonibor of tlio Crawford household.
Amoni; his fellow captives there was General Francis C. Barlow, of New York.
From the Crawford House he was conve3-ed aftei- the battle to the Eleventh Corps
Field Hospital at the Hpangler Barn, in and about which wore \y\ng, at the time,
about 1500 Union and Confederate wounded. Among the Confederates was the
famous General Armistead, who fell in Pickett's charge, and died in a shed a few
yards from the haj-mow in which Captain Lee, with the other wounded, wore
jjlaced.
As soon :is his wound had sufficionlly licakMl to enable him U> walk, Captain
Lee rejoined his regiment at Bridgeport, Alabama. A few days later he look
part in the midnight repulse of Ijongstreet, the old Virginia antagonist of his
corps, in Lookout Vallej-, and with a detachment of four companies, of which he
was placed in command, drove the enemy from a steep timbered height, aflerwards
known (from the commander of his brigade) as the Tj-ndale Hill. From this hill,
at a later period in the campaign, General Hooker directed the attack on Lookout
Mountain.
By the Lookout Yallej- battle, known as Wauhatchie, the direct sup]>ly route
of tlie Army of the Cumberland, then on the verge of starvation, was opened.
For some dayn and nights ensuing, Hooker's troops, while constantlj' shelled in
daytime from the batteries on Lookout Mountain, were engaged in fortifying
their position in expectation of another attack. While thus engaged, with his
company, at midnight. Captain Lee was visited, on a round of inspection, by iiis
brigade commander. General Hector Tyndale, of Philadelphia, with whom he then,
for the first time, made a personal acquaintance. A few days later General
Tj-ndale ai)pointed him Adjutant-tieneral of the brigade, a position in which he
continued to serve, in the field, until the close of the war. A few months after he
had been called to the staff, the command of the brigade devolved upon the late
General James S. Eobin.son, original Major of the Eightysecond Ohio, the effects
of a sevei'e wound having compelled General Tyndale to withdraw from active
service.' During the March to the Sea, Adjutant-General Lee, at the head of an
infantry detachment from his brigade, leading the Twentieth Corps, drove
Wheeler's Confederate cavalry some miles on the road near Sandersville, (Jeorgia.
For this service he received the compliment of persoiuil mention by General
Robinson to General Slocum.
During his army service Mr. Lee wrote a series of " kna]is:ick letters,' which
Were published over the signature " A. T. Seehand " — an imitation of " Eighty-
second," the number of his regiment — in the Delaware, Ohio, (jnzittc. He also
wrote occasionallj' for the Cincinnati CoinmiT<:i(il, the Aniii/ (IikI M'urij Joiirmil, and
othci- jjiiidilicals. While in the field he was a diligent student of military science,
and when the war closed received from Secretary Stanton an a])pointment as
Second-Lieutenant in the Tliirtythird United States Jnfantry (Colonel De
Trobriand), but declined the jjosition. He was mustered out of service at Louis-
ville, Kentucky, Julj- 24, 1805, while serving as Adjutant-CJeneral of a Provisional
Division. Eoturning to Delaware, Ohio, he began the jiractice of law there, but
902 IIit^Tom- uF THE City of Columbus.
soon afterward drifted into llie profession of journalism, as narrated in the chap-
ter on The Press.
In 1868 Mr. Lee was elected to represent Delaware County in the General
Assembly, in which he moved the appointment of a special committee, of which
ho was made chairman, to consider and rejjort upon the recommendations of Gov-
ernor Hayes for a Geological Survey of the State. He prepared the report of that
committee and al.so its accompanying bill, which passed witiiout amondrnent
through both houses, and became the law, in pursuance of which, and supplemen-
tary acts since passed, the Geological Survey of Ohio has been executed. He also
assisted actively in securing the establishment of the State Industrial Home for
Girls, and its location in Delaware Countj-. He was a member of the Republican
State Central Committee in 1868-9; was a delegate to the Republican State Con-
vention which first nominated Rutherford B. Hayes ibr Governor ; was collector
of Internal Revenue for the Eighth District of Ohio in 1871 — a position which he
found incompatible with his professional duties, and resigned; was appointed Pi'i-
vate Secretary to Governor Hayes in 1876 ; was appointed by Pi-csident Hayes to be
Consul General at Fr;inkfort-on-the-Main, as successor to the deceased General
William P. Webster, of Massachusetts, in 1877; was Secretary of the Gettysburg
Memorial Commission of Ohio in 1886-7; was Secretary- of the General Council
which had charge of the local management of the National Encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic, at Columbus, in 1888, in recognition of which serv-
ice he was elected a member of the Board of Trade; and in April, 1890, was
appointed bj^ Governor Campbell as a Trustee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans'
Home at Xenia, from which position he resigned in August, 1891. A statement of
his experiences in the profession of journalism appears in the chapters on The
Press. He is the author of a volume of historical and travel sketches entitled
"European Days and Ways," and has been a frequent contributor to current
magazine literature.
'Note by A. E. L. — General Tyndale was a cousin to the celebrated English
scientist. Professor John Tyndall, of London. At the battle of Antielam he
received a desperate wound, which obliged him, at length, to abandon active serv-
ice, and from the effects of which he finally died. He was a brave man, of rare
intellectual ability and accomplishments. His successor, General Robinson, in
like manner greatly suffered and finally died from tlio effects of his terrible
wound received at Gettysburg. He was a true patriot, a brave soldier and a noble-
hearted man.
LEANDER J. CRITCHFIELD
[Portrait opposite page 584.]
Was born at Danville, Knox County, Ohio, on January 13, 1827. At the age
of eight 3-ears, he removed with his parents to Millersburgh, Holmes County, Ohio,
where he spent his early life receiving such scholastic training as was afforded in
the public schools of that place. When fifteen years old, he obtained employment
in the office of the clerk of Holmes County. He remained there two years, becom-
ItEl'RKSKNTATlVK ClTlZKNS. IIO;]
iiig familiar witli ( la' varioiiH leyal forms which came iiinlci- his (il.scrvalidii ami
fiiiiling that the training tliiis acquired was csj)cciall>- uscliil in llic |iracticc ol' law.
With a view to a ju'ofcssional career at the bar, ami lo lay the founilation of
a broader culture than tliat afforded by public schoolw, he entered the Oiiio
VVesleyan University, from which he graduated in regular course and subsequently
completed the study of the law, being admitted to the bar by the .Su])reine Goui-t of
Ohio in 1S4'.». lie immediately began the practice of law in Delaware. The follow-
inif year he was elected prosecuting-attorney for Delaware County and sub.sequently
rei'leeted, serving four years. In December, 1856, he was appointed by the Supreme
Court of Ohio reporter of its decisions^ in which office he continued to serve, by
reappointment, for five consecutive terms of three years each. During this time
he prepared and j>ublished seventeen volumes, from five to twentyone inclusive,
of the Ohio State Eeports. At the close of that service a reappointment was
offered him, but he declined it in order to devote his entire time and energies to
the requirements of his profession. In 1858, at the request of Judge Joseph
R. Swan, Mr. Critchfield joined that distinguished jurist in the preparation of Swan
and Critchfield's Revised Statutes of Ohio, with notes of the decisions of the
Su])reme Court. The work was completed and published in 1860 and was received
with great favor by the bench and bar throughout the State. These statutes con-
tinued in use until 1880, when they were superseded by the Revised Statutes of
Ohio, prepared by the State Codifying Commission. Governor Haj'es tendered
Mr. Critchfield a position on this commission, but he was obliged to decline it
on account of the press of his business.
Mr. Critchfield has never held any political office not in the line of his
profession, although his advice and cooperation in matters of political concern have
often been sought and freely given. During the presidential canvass of 1877
he took a quiet but useful part, and when the controversy arose as to the electoral
count in 1S77 and 1878, he wrote letters to Senator Sherman and other prominent
men iu Washington offering suggestions, which were substantially adopted, con-
cerning the course to be pursued in obtaining such an adjustment of the difficulty
as would be accepted by the country and avert a national crisis. Since locating
in Columbus he has maintained strict fidelity to his profession in all its details.
He was a partner with Hon. Noah II. Swayne at the time that gentleman was
appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but since that time
he has pursued his practice alone.
RICHARD A. HARRISON
LPortrait opposite pay:e 600.]
Was born April 8, 1S24, in the city of Thirsk, County of Yorkshire, Englaml. Ho
came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Warren Countj-, Ohio,
in 1832, and a few years afterward removed to S|)ringfiold, Ohio. He was dlu-
cated in the public schools, the printing office and the noted Springfield High
School, of which Rev. Chandler Robbins was the jirincipal. Thrown upon his own
resources when twelve years of age, he obtained employment in the office of the
Springfield Jicjnibllc, where he remained until the year 1S44. Upon the suggestion
904 History of the City of Columbus.
of Williiitn A. Rogers, a distinguislied lawyer of Springfield, he entered his offiee
us a student of the law. The late eminent Judge White and W. A. Harrison were
fellow students with him in the High School and Judge Eogers's law oflSce. Mr.
Harrison graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in April, 1846, and was
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court on the eighth of that month. He
entered upon the practice of the law at London, Madison County, and soon had a
good local business. On the twentyfifth of December, 1847, he was married to
Miss Maria Louise Warner, a daughter of Henry Warner, one of the pioneers of
that county. A few years afterward Mr. Harrison began to "travel the circuit,"
and had a good practice in Southern Ohia. His progress was rapid and his rise
steady and permanent. He was elected a member of the Ohio House of Hepresen-
tatives from Madison County in 1857, and in 1859 he was elected to the State
Senate from the district composed of Clark, Champaign and Madison counties.
Among Mr. Hari'ison's colleagues in the House, were such men as Judge J.
A. Ambler, of Columbiana, Judge W. H. West, of Logan, Judge R. M. Briggs, of
Fayette, James Monroe, of Lorain, Judge Collins, of Cincinnati, and William B.
Woods, afterward a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Messrs.
Harrison, Ambler, Rankin and Collins were members of the Committee on Judici-
ary. Hero Mr. Harrison's legal learning, sound judgment and conservative piin-
ciples were recognized. He introduced manj^ important bills which were enacted
into laws; an^mg these was a bill to relieve the district courts, a bill concerning
the relation of guardian and ward, and a bill providing for the semiannual pay-
ment of taxes. Towards the close of the second session he especially distinguished
himself by his eloquent discussion of the report of the commission appointed at the
preceding session to investigate the State Treasury defalcation. By this report it
was sought to implicate and besmirch the character of Salmon P. Chase, who was
then Governor. In his special message communicating the report to the House,
the Governor called attention to its invidious criticisms To rebuke him it was
moved to print the report without the message. On this motion Mr. Harrison
obtained the floor and by reason of his conclusive argument the message went
forth shorn of its partisan significance. During the delivery of his speech he was
attacked by a severe hemorrhage of the lungs ; his friends insisted that he should
not then attempt to proceed with his argument, but despite their importunities,
after a brief respite he continued until he had finished his speech.
Mr. Harrison was elected President p/'o tempore of the Senate and was chair-
man of the Committee on the Judiciary. Associated with him in the Senate were
James A. Garfield, afterwards President of the United States; Governor J. D. Cox,
Judge Thomas C. Jones, Judge Thomas M. Kej', E. A. Ferguson, Professor James
Monroe, and many other able and brilliant men. The session of 1861 will be ever
memorable in the history of Ohio. During that session questions of the greatest
national importance and delicacy were acted upon. Mr. Harrison was the author of
the Joint Resolution which pledged the resources of Ohio to aid in the maintenance
of the authority of the National Government. Among the measures which were
passed shortly afterwards bj' the General Assembly was an " act to strengthen the
public credit;" an "act to raise and equip troops," and an act to " prQ,vide ways
IvEI'RESENTATIVE ClTI/ENS. 905
and nicuiiH for tliu comnion defense and the maiiitcnanee of tlie Union." To these
measures JVLi-. Harrison gave efficient and zealous support. Before the Rebellion
was actually set on foot, he did all in his power to avoid the storm of war, and at
his special request the venerable Thomas Bwing, statesman and jurist, was
appointed by the Governor as one of the commissioners to represent Ohio in
response to the invitation of Virginia for a congress of the States to consider the
impending crisis. Shortly after the legislature adjourned, Mr. Harrison was chosen
to the seat in Congress made vacant by the resignation of Ex-Governor Thomas
Corwin, in 1861. He took his seat in the special session which opened Julj- 4,
1861. By the reappointment of members of Congress in 1862, Madison County
was attached to the Franklin district and Mr. Hai-ri.son was succeeded by S. S. Cox.
In 1870, he was nominated for Judge of the Supreme Court, but with the rest of
his colleagues on the ticket was defeated. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor
Hayes, and confirmed by the Senate, as a member of the Supremo Court Commis-
sion of Ohio, but he declined the position. In 1873, he removed to Columbus,
where iiis high legal attainments were speedily recognized, and for many years ho
was associated with his .son-in-law, Mr. Marsh, and Judge Olds, in a very success-
ful practice under the firm name of Harrison, Olds & Marsh. The firm was reor-
ganized in 1873, and is now the firm of Harrison, Olds & Henderson. Mr. Harri-
son is regarded as the leader of the Columbus bar, and is one of the most eminent
lawyers of Ohio. He has always been espcciallj^ fond of studying questions of
constitutional law, and the re))orts of the decisions of Iho Suproino Court show
that he has argued many causes involving such questions.
JOHN E. SATER
[Portrait opposite page Bill.]
Was born on a farm near New Haven, Hamilton ('(ninty, Ohio, on .lanii;ii-\- Hi,
1854, and is the son of John J. and Nancy Satei\ He was Idt an Mipliun at llic
age often, and largely dependent on his own exertions. He allended the disUicl
school for a short time during the winters, but was obliged to work during the
rest of the year to support himself At the age of .sixteen he began teaching, and
at seventeen entered Miami University-. When the doors of that school closed in
1873, he entei-ed Marietta College, graduating fi-om the classical course in 1875
with honor, though compelled to be absent half of his senior yeai- to olitain means
to complete his education.
Mr. Sater was elected .Superintendenl of Scliouls at Waiiseon, FMlloti County,
Ohio, the same week that he gi-aduated. He was soon thei-eafter appointed a
member of the Board of County School Kxaminers, and as such rendered important
service in tiie reorganization and im|)rovement of the schools of that county.
Under his management the scliools of Wauseon were as pros|perinis, :ii i.ast, as at
ail}- time in their history. lie resigned his sujierintendency in .\|iril, IHSl, to
accept tiie ])osition of chief clerk in the office of the Stale School Commissioner,
Hon. D. F. DeWolf, and removed to Columbus, whore hn has since resided. He
retired from the office in 1884 and was afterwards elected three limes without
906 History op the City of Columbus.
opjjositiou to tlio Columbus Board of Educiition, and was twice elected its
President.
Soon after removing to Columbus be began reading law wilb J. H. Collins,
attorney for the Baltimore & Obio Railroad, and was admitted to practice in June,
1S84. He immediately engaged in the practice of liis profession. In December of
the same year be entei'ed the law office of G. G. Collins, and, after the latter's
death in the May following, closed up bis unfinished business. He soon became
attorney for several important estates, and has had from the first a desirable and
inci-easing court jjraclice. Although engaging in the general practice, Mr. Sater's
professional services are perhaps more largely in demand in eases involving
questions of ])roperty rights, and in the examination of land titles with reference
to investments. His clientage is one of the wealthiest in the city. In February,
1890, he was chosen attorney for the Citizens Savings Bank and the Columbus
Savings Bank Company. Among his clients are also R. E. JSeil, Peter & Lewis
Sells, E. L. Hinman, John Bcatty, the Wassail Fire Clay Company, the Columbus
CoflSn Company, the Pleukharp Barrel Machine Company, The Central Building,
Loan & Savings Company, The Park Building, Loan & Savings Company, and
the Order of United Commercial Travelers. Ho has also been eotinected with the
important Masonic litigation of recent years.
Mr. Safer was married in 1889 to Miss May Ijyon of Wauseon, Ohio, who
graduated from the High School of that place and afterwards from Oberlin
College. He is a member of both the York and Scottish Rite branches of Free
Masonry, and is also a member of the order of Odd Follows. Mr. Safer was born
and reared a Democrat, but in 1875 iiientified himself with the Republican party,
with which he still continues to act.
EDWARD ORTON, LL. D.,
[Portrait opposite page (J72.]
Was born in Deposit, Delaware County, New Yoi-k, March 9, 1829, and is the son
of Rev. Samuel G. and Clara (Gregorj^) Orton. The Ortons were first known in
New England about 1640, the name appearing in that year in the records of
Charleston, Massachusetts. Thomas Orton came to Windsor, Connecticut, in 1641
or 1642. From Windsor certain members of the fixmily emigrated in the year
1700, or thereabouts, to the new settlement of Litchfield, which was then on the
edge of the wilderness. There were thus two branches of the family — the one at
Windsor and the one at Litchfield. The Litchfield Ortons lived for more than a
century on what was known as Orton Hill, South Farms, now Morris, Connecti-
cut. The family was well represented in the AVar for Independence, but beyond
this do not appear to have taken part in public life.
Miles Orton, the father of Rev. Samuel G. Orton, was a soldier in the War of
1812, and died soon after that war. Samuel G. was born at Litchfield and brought
up ou a farm until twenty years old, when, under the ministry of Doctor Lyman
Beecher, he was encouraged to seek a liberal education, and he was obliged to
support himself by his own labor, both while preparing for college and during his
college course. Graduating from Hamilton College in 1822, he studied theology
Kepresentativk Cltizkns. 9l)7
at New Haven and was an lionored minister in (lie Presii^ lerian CIhiitIi Ibr
nearly titty years, most of the time in Western New Yorlv.
Edward Orton, the subjeet of this sketeli, passed liis IiovIhmxI in liis fallur's
country home at Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York. Ho aei|uire(i there a
knowledge of and a life-long interest in country life, dtleii working with neighbor-
ing farmers for weeks, and even months, at a time. Ho was tittod for college
mainly by his father, but spent one year at VVcsttield Academy and anoliier at
Fredonia Academy. He entered Hamilton College in 1845 as a sophomore and
graduated in 1S48. After graduation ho taught for a year in the Academy of Krie,
Pennsylvania, and then, in 1849, entered Lane Theological Scniinaiy at Cincin-
nati and was under the instructions of Doctor Lyman Beccher. Ho withdrow
from the seminary on account of a temporary failure of his eyes, but after a year
or two spent on the farm and in travel lie resumed the work of teaching and
became a member of the faculty of the- Delaware Institute at Franklin, Delaware
County, New York. In college, his chief interest luul heon in ohissical and liter-
ary studies, but in the institute he was appointed to loach the natui-al soiences,
and a latent taste for these studies was soon developed. He pursued the stuiiy of
chemistry and the natural history branches with special interest and to pre-
pare himself for teaching them, in 1852 took a six months' course in the Lawrence
Scientific School of Harvard University where he studied under Horsford, Cook
and Gray. Finding his theological creed giving away before his later studies, he
sought to avert the change by a more thorouizh investigation in this department,
and entered Andover Seminary to attend for a year Professor Park's lectures on
theology. The experiment was successful to the extent of arresting the change
in his views, but after a few j'ears the process was resumed and ended in the
replacement of the Calvinistic creed, in which he had been brouglit n]i. Iiy the
shorter statements of Unitarianism.
In 1856 Doctor Orton was called to the chair of Natural Science in the State
Normal School of New York, at Albany. Ho held this position for several years,
after which he resigned it to take charge of Chester Academy, Orange County,
New York. After spending six years in this position he was called to Antioch
College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. First acting as principal of the preparatory
department of that institution, he next became its professor of natural sciences,
and finally, in 1872, its president, which position he hold for one year, then
resigned to accept the presidency of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical Col-
lege, now the Ohio State University, at Columbu.s, in which institution he at the
same time occupied the chair of Geology. He held the presidency for eight years
and after resigning it retained the professorship of Geology.
During his residence in Yellow Springs the State Geological Survey was
organized under Doctor J. S. Newberry. In 18G9 Professor Orton became a mem-
ber of the Geological Corps, to which he was ajipointed and reappointed by Gov-
ernor R. B. Hayes. After Doctor Newberry's withdrawal from the corps. Doctor
Orton was appointed State (ieologist by (lovernor Foster and liitor hy (Governors
Hoadly and Foraker. This position he now hohls, in oonJuMoiion uiih the pro-
fes.sorship of Geology at the State University. In addition to his .^cologioal work
908 History or the City of Columbus.
proper, Professor Orton has taken an active interest in the application of geology
to agriculture and sanitary science, and especially to the question of water supply
and sewerage of the towns of Ohio. In 1855 he was married to Mary M. Jen-
nings, of Franklin, New York, who died in 1873. He was again married in 1875
to Anna Daveiiiiort Torrey, of Milbury, Massachusetts.
WILLIAM SHEPARD, M. D..
[Portrait opposile page 7M.1
Was born November 25, 1825. Although Canandaigua, New York, is his birth-
plate, he comes from Massachu.setts stock. His father, Charles Shepard, moved
to New York from Chester Factories, Massachusetts, and was a farmer. His great
grandfather, William Shepard, fought in the French-Indian War as second
lieutenant, being commissioned by Thomas Pownall, who was then Captain-
General and Governor-in-Chief In the Eevolution he was commissioned colonel
by Congress and afterwards became general. He also participated in Shay's
Eebellion, having command of a part of the troops under General Lincoln. He
was afterwards a member of Congress and of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Doctor Shepard was raised on a farm and finished his education at the
Canandaigua Academy. He studied medicine at Eoehester and Cincinnati, and
received his diploma as doctor from the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati in
1853. The same year he established Shepard's Sanitarium, east of Columbus.
From a modest beginning this has grown to be one of the largest and most thoroughly
equipped institutions of its kind in Central Ohio, and thousands of patients have
received treatment within its walls. In 1885 he was elected by 1,300 majority to
the Ohio General Assembly as representative from Franklin County, he and his
colleague, H. C. Taylor, being the first to be thus honored in the county for
twentyfive years. At the succeeding election he was the congressional candidate
of his party against J. H. Outhwaite, and though defeated, he cut the latter's
inajoritj^ down 1,200. H.S was also trustee for the Children's Home for four years.
Doctor Siiepard is largely interested in the Alum Creek Ice Company, the
flouring mills at Gahanna, in the grocery business, in real estate, and in other
enterprises. He is a Mason, as was his grandfather before him, and has been
through all the degrees, including the thirtytiiird. He has still in his possession
the Masonic apron worn by his grandfather, and prizes it very highly as a relic of
former days. Eecently he provided the community at Gahanna with a good
jMiblic library ami reading roum, including all the adjuncts for such an institution.
Tiiis Ik' l];i.s endowed so that it, can boa source of good for coming generations.
This is one of several charities in which he is interested. In these and other
instances, he has shown his liberality and large public sjjirit. In 1852 he was
married to Charlotte E. Kose, daughter of Helen Eoso, of Granville. His wife was
of Puritan stock, her father being one of the original company that came from
(iranvillo, Massachusetts, and settled and founded Granville, Ohio. Mrs. Shepard
died in 1887.
Kepkesentative CmzENs. 1)09
WILLIAM BRYANT CAKPENTEK, AL |),,
[Portrait opposite pngc "ao.|
Was born Fehruary 19, ISf)!!, in Kiiijfston, Ross County, < )lii(), ami is tlicoliK'sl
cliiki of Rev. Gcoi-gc and Matilda (i. Carpenter. [lis ralluMwas Ihi' sun of N' alliaii
and Electa Car])enter, of VVorthino-ton, Franklin ('<)nnt\-, Ohio. His uniilu'r was
the daughter of Rev. James and Mary Gilrnth, who, alter a long residence in Ohio,
removed to Davenport, Iowa. Rev. Mr. Gilrnth \va.'< well known throu^^h Northern
and Central Ohio, as one of the strongest, mentally .•nnl physically, of the ])ioneer
preachers of the Methodist Episcopal <'hinih. I.'cv. (icorge Caipenter was the
pastor of the Presbyterian Church at K in^stmi. IVoni is.").-) to lS(i7, and of the
Presbyterian Church of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, IVoni LSOT to 18S5, since
which time the family has resided at Chillicothe, Ohio. Of a family of seven
children only three are living: Doctor W. B. Carjienter, of Columbus; George 11.
Carpenter, of Philadeljihia, and Charles K. Carpenter of the editorial staff of the
New York TrilniDc. Doctor Carpenter, the subject of this sketch, was educated at
Mount Pleasant Academy of Kingston, and the High School of Washington
Courthouse. For some 3-ears after graduating from the high school he worked
in the First National Bank and postoflSco at Washington in order to obtain funds
to pursue his university and medical cour.sc. In 1876, he graduated from the
University of Wooster, and in 1879, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred
upon him by that institution. After reading medicine with Doctor S. S. Salisbury,
a Homoeopathic pbj-sician of Washington Courthouse, he graduated in March,
1879, from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ho
also spent several months with Doctor J. H. Salisbury at Cleveland, Ohio, in the
special study of the microscope and its relation to diagnosis. In July, 1879, he
opened an office at 657 North High Street, and began the practice of medicine.
Doctor Carpenter is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, being connected with DennLson Lodge, 741,
Ridgely Encampment 189, and Canton Columbus 65. He was married on Sej)tem-
ber 29, 1S80, to Carrie L. May, daughter of James and Eliza T. May, of Kingston,
Ross County, Ohio.
PATRICK A. EG AN,
[Portrait opposite page 736.]
Son of John and Margaret Egan, was born in Clonmcl, Tipperary County, Ireland,
September 14, 1830. He, together with his two sisters, came to America in March,
1850. He arrived in this country in an almost penniless condition, having but a
few dollars in his pocket. He soon secured work and with unswerving ])eiaevor-
ance and industry, slowly but surely achieved a most gratifying success. After
working for a short time in a foundry' in Boston, Massachusetts, he came to Col-
umbus in 1852, and obtained employment with Huntington Fitch. lie next held
a position at the Central Insane Asylum, until the spring of 1855, when he went
to California. In 1859 he returned to Columbus where he resided until his death,
in October, 1890. On his return from California he established an undertaking
and livery business, which steadily increased until it became the largest in the
910 History op the City of Columbus.
cit_y. At the timo of his death he was the oldest official in continuous service in
Franklin County, having held the position of coroner for ten consecutive terms.
He vs^as first elected to that office in October, 1869, on the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Egan was united in marriage to Mary, the eldest daughter of Timothy
and Nancy A. Ryan, on October 21, 1861. Mrs. Egan died October 21, 1879.
Their family consisted of seven children: Hannah, Maiy, Margaret, John P.,
Joseph A., Alice and Kathcrine. The oldest son, John P., was appointed by the
County Commissioners to till out the remainder of his fiither's unexpired term.
LUTHER HILLERY,
[Portrait opposite page 816 1
Son of John and Margaret (Boise) Hilleiy, was born August 12, 1799, at Marlow^,
New Hampshire. He was the last of a family of twelve children, some of whom
lived to very advanced age. His father was a Revolutionary soldier and par-
ticipatetl in the battle of Bunker Hill. Two of his brothers fought in the War of
1812. In 1804, his parents removed to Barre, Vermont, where his childhood was
spent. His education was obtained in the District school at Barre. In 1815 he came
to Ohio with a number of his relatives. The parly located at Worthington where for
two years he labored at farming. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to a
carpenter to learn that trade. He removed to Shattucksburg and for ten or
twelve years was mainly occupied in making shingles. In 1832 he removed
to Columbus, where be purchased a lot and built a house on the northwest corner
of Front and Long streets; in this house he dwelt for twenty years. In 1853 he
bought the property on the corner of First Avenue and Summit Street, and erected
a residence in which he resided during the remainder of his life. He assisted in
constructing many of the oldest buildings in the city, including the old asylums
and the old Broad Street bridge over the Scioto River.
Mr. Hillery was married to Lydia Jewett, daughter of Elam and Lucy Jewett,
March 14, 1822. They had ten children, three oi whom lived to adult age. His
wife died January 4, 1846. On May 29, 1846, he was married to Jane Rickey,
daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. They had three children. His second wife
died December 24, 1865. On Maj' 17, 1866, he was married to Adaline B. Royce,
daughter of Daniel and Amanda Royce. Mrs. Hillery died December 19, 1886.
In politics Mr. Hillery was a Whig, and later a Republican from the organ-
ization of that party. He held the office of city councilman during 1835-36 and
'37, and at the age of 89 years joined the Tippecanoe Veteran Club. Mr. Hillery
was identified with the temperance organizations and religious enterprises of his
day. He was one of the oldest members of the Methodist Church in the city and
belonged to the old Town Street Church. From there he, with others, went to
organize the Wesley Chaj)el, where for years he was an official member and class-
leader. In 1867 he helped to establish Mt. Pleasant Mission, now Third Avenue
Church, where be also served as official member and classleader. Mr. Hillery
lived to the advanced age of ninetytwo years, his death occurring on July 23, 1891.
Three children survive him ; they are Mrs. James B. Berry, Mrs, Alfred Phipps
and J. Truman Hillery.
HePRESENTATUE CiTl/ENS. 911
HANNAH NEIL.
IPortrait oppiisito page' 7M. |
I am asked to writo a bi-ief sketeli of my belovod gi-aiuliiuil lici-'s life, l)u( teul
myself entirelj' unequal to the task, so many arc the tliouiflits wliieli |)ress for
utterance. How shaW I do justice to such a true and noble woman ? Wlicro
shall I begin? What is tiie most important tiling to say ? A life so full of (Miris-
tian charity and benevolence has made her name a household word, not only in
her own family, but in many a poor and humble home, where so nuieh ol' her time
was passed in doing good and relieving tiie suffering. I can give very little of
her history — only state a few facts that 1 remember from childhood.
Hannah Schwing was born in Virginia in 1794. 81io went from there
to Louisville, Kentucky, when six yeai's old. At tlie ai^e of twenlylwo, she
married William Neil, who was born in Clark County, Kentucky. In ISKi they
moved to Urbana, Ohio, then to Columbus, Ohio, in 1818, wlien Mr. Neil was made
cashier of the Franklin Bank. My grandfather was also known as the " Old Stage
King." He owned the first line of stages that ran from Wheeling, Virginia, to Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. The old homestead, where the Agricultural College now stands, ever
stood with wideopen doors in true Kentucky hospitable fashion. I often have heard
my grandmother tell of the many sleighing parties of young people that would come
out unexpectedly, and the gay times they had, but it was among tlie poor that her
life was passed, and that she is remembered and thought of I remember the old
house with its wide halls, large open wood fire])laces, high brass fenders, and
heavy old mahogany furniture, and it seems a pity that it should have been its
fate to be destroyed by fire, thus removing one of the old landmarks. My grand-
parents had seven children, all of whom, but one, are living. They are my
father, Robert E. Neil; Mrs. Dennison, wife of Governor William Dennisoii ; Mrs.
McMiUen, John G. Neil, William A. Neil and Henry M. Neil.
My grandmother gave the lot on High Street to the Methodist (!linrch, which
was sold after the church was destroyed by fire, ami that amount went towards
building the new church, known as Wesley Cha])el, on the corner of Broad and
Fourtli streets, where there is a basrelief of her on the church wall. The
"Hannah Neil Mission," named after her, is a home for friendless woTneri and
children, to whom her heart was always open. She was one of the original found,
ers of the Female Benevolent Society. 1 remember seeing my gratnlmothcr giv-
ing away every dress, but the one black silk in the wardrobe, and of protesting
with her one cold day, for even taking off a lieavy quilted skirt which she had on
and parting with her feather bed to give to some poor woman. Ver^- often in the
fall she would lay in large supjilies of provisions, and have ]iork and sausages and
hams packed in barrels, to distribute among the ])oor in winter. Her old horse,
"Billy," was much the most at home among the "byways and hedges," and
always wanted to turn down an alley where he spent so much time, whilst my
dear grandmolhei', like a ministering angel, was in the home of .some poor person,
always cheerful ami making everj- one ha])i)y around her. Her true Christian
spirit always shown in her sweet face, and I almost used to imagine sometimes, as I
looked at her, that I could see a shining light around it. Her whole life was given
912 History of the City of Columbus.
up to doiug good, and working among the poor, and in her church. Hers was truly a
life "hid in Christ." Her liuiiic is .still loved and cherished by those who knew
her; for her unselfish and ]hiII(1 Clnislian litl> and constant acts of benevolence
have raised a monument to her nu-nioi'y more lasting than granite or marble.
She died March 13, 1868, of pneumonia. She passed quietly away and looked as
if she had fallen into a sweet and peaceful sleep. As the funeral procession left
the church, I remember the crowds of poor people who, with tearstained fiices, and
lining the streets on either side (since the church could not hold them all), had
come to ])ay the last ti-ibute of love and resjiect to one who had been a dear and
true friend to them. We cannot but feel that rich indeed has been the reward of
one who fulfilled so completely her Master's bidding, and followed so closely in the
footsteps of her Savior.
By her loving and devoted grandchild,
Lucy Neil Williams.
FRANCIS CHARLES SESSIONS,
[Portrait opposite page !<32.]
Of Columbus, Ohio, was born on" February 27, 1820, at Wilbraham, Massachusetts,
and is the son of Francis and Sojjhronia (Metcalf) Sessions. Ho is of English
descent, and the first of his ancestors that came to America was Alexander Sessions,
who, in the capacity of overseei- for the estates of Thomas Dudley, deputy gover-
nor of the Massachusetts Bay Colonj', accompained the latter to America in 1630.
About sixteen years after he helped to lay out the present town of Andover, and
having become a landowner is mentioned in the town records as a "Freeman of
Andover, Massachusetts, 1G47."
On April 24, 1674, Alexander was married to Elizabeth Spotford. They had
seven sons, of whom Nathaniel was in after years the most prominent. He was
born in 1680. In 1704 he went to Pomfret, Connecticut, where he lived to the
great age of four score and eleven years, retaining his mental and bodily vigor
until almost the last. Among his children was Robert, his fifth son, born March
15, 1752, who, when he attained his majority, went to Boston. This was in the
summer of 1773, the year of the famous " Boston Tea Party." Owing to the
prominent part that Robert took in that historical affair, he was obliged to leave
Boston. Soon after the beginning of hostilities between England and the Colonies,
Robert enlisted, rose to the rank of lieutenant and served with ability through
that memorable conflict. He was married on April 16, 1788, to Anna Ruggles,
whose brother, Benjamin, was afterwards well known to Ohio people as United
States Senator for eighteen years. Shortly after the birth of their first child in
May, 1779, Mr. and Mrs. Sessions removed to South Wilbraham — now Hampden
— Massachusetts, where they afterwards lived. Robert Sessions became a promi-
nent man in his community and was often called upon to fill irajjortant local and
legislative offices of trust. He died in 1836 at the ripe old age of eightyfour.
The seventh child of this family, Francis, was born in South Wilbraham, Mas-
sachusetts, on August 27, 1792. In 1818 or 1819 he was united in marriage with
Rei'kesentative Citizens. U13
Soplironia Metcalf, granddaughtor ol I'oleg Thomas, who was a prominent figure
in the early history of tiie New Enghmd colonies.
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Sessions, Francis Charles, the subject of this
sketch, was the fruit of this union. When but two years of ago his father died,
and Francis removed to the home of his uncle, Robert Sessions, near Soiitli Wil-
braham, with whom he lived during his boyhood. Like all New England boys,
he labored on the farm during the summer and attended the district .school during
the winter months. At the age of sixteen he graduated from the academy at
Monson. Two years after his graduation, he left his eastern home, and after a
weary journey bj^ the methods then in vogue he arrived at Columbus in October,
1840. He soon obtained a situation in the store of A. P. Stone & Co., dealers in
dry goods, in the old Commercial Block on South High Street. Three years latorj
he formed a partnership with Thomas Ellis, and under the name of Ellis, Sessions
& Co., a dry goods store was opened on the west side of High Street, a few doors
south of State Street.
In 1847 Mr. Sessions was married to Mary Johnson, the only child of Orange
Johnson, then a resident of Worthington. Mr. Johnson, who was a man of great
executive ability and enterprise, settled in Worthington in 1813. He began the
manufacture of combs on an humble scale, but his business rapidly increased.
Later he engaged in the construction of turnpike I'oads, and on the introduction of
steam locomotion was the projector of one of the first railroads in Ohio, namely,
the route from Columbus to Xenia, there to connect with a road from Cincinnati
to Dayton. In 1862 he removed to Columbus, where he had acquired considerable
property, and resided here until his death in 1876.
Nine years after his marriage Mr. Sessions sold his store, ceased the life of a
merchant and began dealing in wool. Four j^ears later, at the breaking out of
the Civil War, he was elected secretary of the Columbus branch of the United
States Sanitary Commission and was one of the earliest volunteers who took the
field to minister to the wants of the sick and sufliering in the array. He accom-
panied the Commission on the Allen Collier, on its memorable trip to Fort Donel-
son, and immediately after the battle went to Pittsburgh Landing, where ho was
engaged in earing for the sick and wounded during the spring and summer of
1862. Mainly through the efforts of Mr. Sessions a soldiers' home was establishcid
at Columbus, which rendered great service to sick and destitute soldiers. At the
close of the war he reentered business life, and in 1869, when the Commercial
National Bank of Columbus was organized, he was elected its president, a posi-
tion he held until his death.
In addition to the cares of his own business life, Mr. Sessions has been associ-
ated with many other enterprises, not only secular but educational and religious.
He has been one of the chief su])porter8 of his own denomination — the (Congrega-
tional— in the city and in its various public enterprises, and in addition has done
very much for the churches of the city when in a feeble condition. He has held
the oflS.ce of trustee in Marietta, Oberlin and Columbus Medical Colleges, and of
the State institutions for the education of the blind, and of the deaf and dumb ;
914 History of the City op Columbus.
president of the Humane Society and president of Board of Trustees of the Home
of the Friendless, president of the Public Library, etc. Through his influence the
Sanitary Commission donated the soldiers' home and all its appurtenances to the
U latter society. -fv
Mr. Sessions has been a generous patron of art in Columbus, and when the
^ nmi t'o'iiiTibiis iSchool of Art was started, its jirojectors found him a ready supporter,
not only in encouragement but in practical aid. He has traveled extensively
^'^ throughout the civilized world, and being a close and judicious observer, he
acq^iired a large fund of useful information upon the manners, customs and con-
ditions of the various peoples with whom lie came in contact. While traveling in
Europe in 1879, he contributed a series of very entertaining letters to the Ohio
State Journal, o£ Columbus, which afterwards appeared in book form under the
engaging title of " On the Wing through Europe." He was also author of the fol-
lowing books: "111 the Western Levant;" "From the Yellowstone Park to
Alaska;" "The Country of the Midnight 8uii to Volga;'" "A History of the
Sessions Family," and " Ohio in Art."
Mr. Sessions died March 25, 1892, while sojourning in North Carolina. By
the terms of his will a large part of his fortune was provisionally devoted to the
establishment of a gallery and academy of art in Columbus.
LOUIS ZETTLER
[Portrait opposite page 640.]
Was born in Monsheim, a suburb of the city of Mayence, on the river Ehine,
Germany, in February, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Cornelia (Spindler)
Zettler. His father, while in Germany, was an extensive dealer in wines, and
also had large milling interests, but meeting with business reverses in 1835-6, he
emigrated from Germany to America, in which country he landed in August, 1837,
a poor man with a family of nine children, of whom five were boys, viz.: John,
Jacob, Matthew, Peter and Louis ; and four girls, Magdalene, Ann Maria, Mary Ann
and Susan. Louis Zettler, the subject of this sketch, was educated at a private
school in Columbus, and in May, 1844, started in the retail grocery business in com-
pany with his brother, Jacob. In 1856 they went into porkpacking and the grain
trade. They conducted all three of these branches of business until 1861, when
they quit porkpacking, but still carried on the trade in grain, and also a whole-
sale and retail grocery business. In 1868 Mr. Zettler dissolved partnership with
his brother and went out of business. In 1870 he again resumed the grocery busi-
ness in company with his brother-in-law, James Ryan. This firm continued until
the death of Mr. Eyan, in 1875. After the latter event Mr. Zettler still continued
in the grocery business, to which he admitted his son, J. Bernard, as 2)artner,
in 1885, and his son, Edmund, two years later. At present, Mr. Zettler is engaged
in the wholesale and retail grocery, the wholesale and retail hardware and the
retail chinaware business, with his five sons as partners.
In politics, he is now and always has been a Democrat, and during the late
Rebellion was known as a War Democrat. He was a member of the City Council
from the old Fourth Ward and also a Police Commissioner, both in the seventies.
Representative Citizens. 915
On June 21, 1860, he was united in marriage to Catherine Hose, a native of Aachen
(Aix-La-Chapelle), Prussia. Ten children— nine boys and one girl — were born to
them, viz.: J. Bernard, Edmund, Louis, Albert, Frederick, Raymond, Robert-
Hubert, Harry and Marie Antoinette.
Mr. Zettler has always been a prominent member of the Catiiolic Church
in Columbus, and has contributed generously to every religious and chai'il-
able undertaking. His subscriptions to the Holy Cross Church show such fig-
ures as S1,000 at one time. When the St, Vincent's Orphan Asylum, on East
Main Street, was founded by Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans, in Mr. Zettler's
old homestead, he donated immediately §10,000 towards this noble institution.
LOUIS HOSTER.
[Portrait opposite page 762.1
The city of Columbus lost an influential and wealthy citizen in the sudden
death of Mr. Louis Iloster, at JDeer Park, Maryland, in the early morning of July
4, 1892. Mr. Hoster had gone to Deer Park for rest and recreation, and u|i to
eleven o'clock of July 3, was in his accustomed health. He was suddenly taken
ill, and died at 1:30 o'clock on the following morning. His body was brought to
Columbus, and on July (J was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery, with Masonic
honors.
Louis Hoster was one of the pioneer husiness men of Columbus. His life
began in September, 1807, in the Province of Rheinpfalz, Southern Germany. In
1833 he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Brown County, Ohio.
On his way thither, however, ho stopped over in Columbus, on July 4. At the
same hotel where he stopped, the Governor and state officials were celebrating
Independence Day with orations and other exercises, and Mr. Hoster became so
favorably imj)res.sed with Columbus that in the following year he returned to this
city and made it his permanent home. In 1S36 ho established the brewing plant
on South Front street that has since gi'own to such great proportions. At the
beginning Mr. Hoster did his own brewing, attended personally to the delivery of
goods and kept his own books. The product of the brewery in those early days
was only a few hundred barrels in a year, w.heroas, for the last fiscal j'ear the
report of the Internal Revt;nue officer shows the output to have been over one
hundred thousand barrels. Associated with Mi-. Hoster in these earlier j-ears
were Messrs. G. M. Herancourt and Jacob Silhei-nagle. Mi'. Hoster sul)seinienlly
bought out both of these partners.
Mr. Hoster was married in 1838 to Miss Philopcna Amhos, sister of the late
Peter and Charles AmI)os, well-known Columbus citizens. The married life of
this couple covered a period of fiftyone years, Mrs. Hoster dying three years before
her husband. To them were born five children of whom three are still living:
Louis P., George J. and Lena. All reside in the vicinity of Front street and Liv-
ingston Avenue.
Mr. Hoster's life was an active one. He was at his office desk every day until
his departure for Deer Park, and was reported to be the oldest brewer in the
916 History of the City op Columbus.
United States in active service on the original brewery site. He liad dwelt in the
homestead on West Livingston Avenue since 1839.
During the civil war Mr. Hoster was active in all measures to raise funds for
the aid of the Union forces. He did not hold many public oflSces. He was a
valued member of the City Council from 1846 to 1855, and also a member of the
Board of Education from 1869 to 1873. He was one of the original directors of
the Columbus Machine Company in 1854, and he continued to hold this office until
his death.
A gentleman long associated with Mr. Hoster says of him: "I never knew a
more perfectly honorable man or a more perfect gentleman. He was quiet and
unobtrusive, alwaj'S attending carefully to his own business atfairs but never med-
dling in those ot otliors. He made every cent of his large fortune honestly, and
he was a model citizen in every way."
ANDREW WILSON.
[Portrait opposite page 168.]
Andrew Wilson, a venerable farmer, residing a quarter of a mile north of
North Columbus, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest native born resident of
Franklin County, now living in the county. His father, John Wilson, was born in
Miiflin County, Pennsylvania, in September, 1768. His wife, Eachel Criswell,
whom he mrrried in 1797, was born in the same county in October, 1771. This
couple came to Ohio at the very dawn of the present century. They loaded their
few worldly possessions on two horses and traveled to the Ohio Eiver at Pitts-
burgh, where they took passage on a flat-boat, following the river to the mouth
of the Scioto, at Portsmouth. Thence they traveled on horseback north fifty miles
to Chillicothe, remaining in that locality until 1804, when they came to Columbus.
Mr. Wilson bought 171 acres of United States military land, where his son now
resides, along the line of the Clintonville Electric Railway, for two dollars and a
half an acre. Owing to the wonderful growth of Columbus, and the consequent
advance in real estate, this land in now worth two thousand dollars an acre, and
only a portion of it for sale at that figure. John Wilson died in September, 1849,
and his wife in the same month, 1852.
Andrew Wilson was born on this farm, where he has since resided, on Feb-
ruary 16, 1806. He was married October 27, 1842, to Chloe Bull, who was born
and raised on the farm adjoining the Wilson place on the north. Mrs. Wilson
died in January, 1888. She bore Mr. Wilson two children ; John Morris Wil-
son, on January 2, 1844, and Mary D. Wilson, on February 14, 1851. Both are
unmarried and live with their father. Mr. Wilson is still quite well, except a
slight touch of the rheumatism, although he was six years old when the city of
Columbus was laid out. From the same house where he now lives, he has seen
large bands of Indians pitch their camp on that portion of his farm lying west of
the Whetstone, and looked out upon the primeval wilderness, unbroken by a sin-
gle wagon road or clearing. He has lived to see one of the finest cities on the
continent spring up in the place of this ancient forest, and to hear the whirr and
rattle of the electric car where once resounded the shouts of the wily and treach -
erous redskin.
Hepresentative Citizens. 917
^ HOEATIO WEIGHT.
[Portrait opposite page 1112.]
Horatio Wright is one of the oldest, most prominent and highly respected
citizens of Worthington, this county. He was born in that village early in the
present century, having turned his soventysecond birthday in December, 1891.
His father, Potter Wright, was one of the early settlers of Franklin County, hav-
ing come to Worthington from Providence, Khode Island, in 1815, in charge of
some machinery for a cotton mill. Potter Wright engaged subsequently in the
manufacture of machinery for carding and spinning. He died in 1855. He and
his wife, Louisa, were the parents of eight children, of whom Horatio, the subject
of this sketch, was the oldest. Horatio has resided in the village of Worthington
all his life, owning a good farm east of the village and passing his life in agricul-
tural pursuits. He was twice married, his first wife, Harriet Thom]).soti, hiving
died over twenty years ago. By his first marriage Mr. Wright became the father
of three children, Wilmer and Kobert, who reside in Chicago, and Sarah, who is
living at home unmarried. Mr. Wright's second wife was Laura, the daughter of
Eufus Spencer, an Eastern man, and she is yet living. No children were born of
the second union.
Horatio Wright is one of Worthington's most valued citizens. For a full
quarter of a century he was a member of the village council, and for many j-ears
he was a member of che village school board, his connection with the latter ceas-
ing in 1886. In this year, also, Mr. Wright retired from the office of treasurer of
Sharon Township, which he had long and honorably held. He is known as an
upright, conscientious man, and it is believed, has not an enemy in the world. He
has been in very feeble health during the summer of 1892, and recognizes that his
departure is not far distant.
JAMES C. KROESBN
[Portrait opposite page 720.1
Was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on January- 1, 1844. His father was born in
Virginia, the Kroesen family having lived in that State for several generations.
His mother was born in Scotland, and came to this country when fifteen years of
age. James C, the subject of this sketch, was the second son of these parents, is
practically a self-educated man, having at the early age of seventeen j-ears
devoted the following years of his ripening youth and early manhood to the ser-
vice of his beloved countrj' in the civil war which summoned so many thousands
of the young men to the forefront of battle. Thus the years usually devoted to
the courses of study necessary to active, and especially professional life, were, in
the spirit of patriotism and selfsacrifice, devoted to other, and for the moment, to
the more serious affairs of war, and its attending hardships, exposures and dangers.
When the news was flashed over the wires, in April, 1861, that Fort Sumter
had been fired upon, James was at Rochester, twentyfive miles below Pittsburgh,
on the Ohio River. That same evening he took passage on a steamer for Pitts.
918 History of the City of CoLUMBtrs.
burgh, and the next day his name was enrolled as a member of the " Firemen's
Legion," a military organization which was mustered into the United States ser-
vice, for threemonths service under the first call of the President for 75,000 men.
Thus, at the age of seventeen years, he was enlisted as a soldier.
At the expiration of this term of enlistment he was regularly discharged, but
in the following month he reentered the army in a regiment of Zouaves, known
as the Twentylhird Pennsylvania Volunteers. With this regiment he took part
in the Peninsula campaign. At the battle of Williamsburg, he served with his
company on the skirmish line, and on the following morning, at dawn, they were
the first to advance and enter Fort Magruder, and pursue the retreating enemy
until relieved by Stonemau's Cavalry.
His regiment, with a detachment of cavalry, were the first to cross the
Chickahominy Eiver in the advance on Eichmond. At the battle of Seven Pines*
or Fair Oaks, which occurred shortly after, his regiment was posted at the Seven
Pine.s, where, according to the testimony of Confederate soldiers, occurred the
hardest fighting and most obstinate resistance on that bloody day. The whole
Rebel army, during the afternoon of the first day of battle, was pitted against two
of McClellan's divisions, and in the struggles around the Pines Kroesen was shot
through the left side and in the left leg, and for awhile lay between the fire of the
opposing armies. He was present during the Seven Days battles which occurred
when the Union Army changed its base and moved to the James River; his regi-
ment participating with Couch's Division in the signal defeat of the Rebel army
at Malvern Hill. His regiment formed the rearguard of McClellan's army when
it left the Peninsula to aid General Pope at the second Manassas, and was in line
of battle within a short distance of the spot where the lamented Kearney was
killed. He participated in the South Mountain and Antietam campaigns, and
made the midnight march through the wilderness with General Meade, in bis
Mine Run campaign, in which fight he was wounded twice in the left arm. Before
he lecovered from these wounds his threeyears term of enlistment had expired.
As soon as he was able to use his arm, he reentered the service as an oflScer of
artillery, serving on the Atlantic coast. On the musterout of the artillery regi-
ment, he was attached to the infantry arm of the service, and closed his military
career by two years of campaigning against the Apache Indians in the West.
On leaving the army, he resumed his medical studies, which had been broken
off by the fortunes of war. In 1871 he graduated and received the degree of
Doctor of Medicine from the University of the City of New York. In 1873 he
located in Columbus, and began the jjractice of his profession, which he has con-
tinued without interruption to the present time. He held the position of City
Ph3-sician for two terms. He was also honored with the appointment of the
Governor of Ohio to represent the State in the Convention of National Charities,
held at Boston, Massachusetts. He is at present the local Surgeon of the
Baltimore & Ohio Railway, and also of the Travellers' Accident Company. He
has taken a lively and effectual interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the
Republic ; is a member of J. C. McCoy Post, Number 1, Department of Ohio ;
Eepresentative citizens. 919
has presided over the Post as its Commander; lias been twice honored by the
Post as Delegate to the Depai'tment Encam])mont, and was elected a Dolofjate of
the Department of Ohio, to represent it in the National Encampment, which met
in the City of Washington in 1892, and is at present a member of tiie Stiiti' of the
National Commander in Chief of the Grand Armj'.
Doctor Kroesen has been for many j'ears affiliated with many of the society
organizations which are well known in all communities. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Red Men ; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of
the Order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, of the Supreme Council for the United States of America,
their Territories and De]iendencies, of which Supreme Council he is an active
member, of the Thirtythird and last degi'ce. He is also a member of the lioyal
Masonic Rite, in which he has attained the ninetyfifth degree.
In all the relations of life Doctor Kroesen maintains an upright walk and
conversation. He carries along with him, in all his affairs, the same zeal and
devotion to the right and the true, as he conceives them, which characterized his
early devotion of himself to the cause of his beloved country. He is genuine,
reliable and faithful ; an exemplary citizen ; a successful and beloved physician, a
generous, atfectionato and devoted friend. A life of usefulness and honor, so
intelligently and devotedly entered upon in youth and maintained to the pi-esent,
still opens before him, more widely and welcoming than ever, the prosperities and
the rewards which, when truly earned, are faithfullj' awarded.
OSCAR G. PETERS
[Portrait opposite page 152, Volume II.]
Was born in Chillicotbe, Ohio, April 6, 1842. When he was three years of age the
family moved to Columbus and lived for several years on South High Street, in the
old family homestead near Fulton Street. While he was still quite young a house
was bought on the corner of Long and Front streets, "away out in the country."
Here the mishaps of boyhood were encountered, and here the developments of a
shrewd business career began to manifest themselves. His inclination to earn
money led him when about twelve years of age. while still attending school, to
seek employment as an errandboy mornings and evenings and Saturdays, his
first engagement being with A. II. Sells, noxt with Henry PlimpLoii, lidtli in tlie
millinery business.
During the Fremont presidential campaign, 185tj, he earned mone^- selling
peanuts and apples, and probably was the first newsboy in Columbus, as he sold on
the street daily and weekly papers and monthly magnzines, thus early showing
a natural tendency to a business career. Grammar and High School studies were
mastered and at tbe age of fifteen he went to work in his stepfather's tan yard
breaking bark for the mills. Three weeks sufficed to satisfy his mind that there
were better avocations for him, and he decided to take a course in the Commer-
cial College, and imjjroved rapidly in double entry bookkeeping, graduating in si.x
months. Anxious to ])ractice his newly acquired knowledge, he accejited the tir.sl
920 History of the City of Columbus.
position tendered him ia the tinware house of P. B. Doddridge, on High near
Town Street. Instead of booltkeepiug, his energies were utilized for doing chores
and worijing at the bench. This was so foreign to his tastes that he left the place
after nine weeks of humiliation and discouragement, and soon after went into the
grocery store of Godfro}- M. Robinson, wiio treated him with respect and con-
sideration, and permitted him to keep books, to the complete satisfaction of both
the employer and employe.
A little more than a year sufficed to enable the young man to outgrow the
business, and he found a larger field in the Brotherlin, Halm & Company's furni-
ture manufacturing business us bookkeeper. Eighteen months later he was ten-
dered the position of clerk with his uncle, Nathaniel Merion, who was Commissary
of Subsistence in the United States Army (volunteer service). On the resigna-
tion of Captain Merion, eight months afterwards, Mr. Peters closed the accounts
without the loss of one dollar. He took the same position under Captain George
Evans, remaining one year. At this time, at the age of twentyone, he was mar-
ried to Alice E. Heckler. Two children were born of this union, the daughter
died in infancy, and the son is now attending the University of Michigan. He
then accompanied Captain William A. Murfey to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as
chief clerk, under whose administration he commanded the highest salary that
was then paid to a government accountant in the Commissary Department. This
post was one of the largest and most important depots for subsistence supplies in
the country.
At the close of the war, after four years' service, Mr. Peters returned to
Columbus, and became bookkeeper for the wholesale firm of Kelton, Bancroft &
Company. Several months later he opened a retail grocery store. His success
was marked, and he was obliged to move into larger quarters on the corner of
High and Chestnut streets. Eight years of close application made him a small
competency, which wa« merged into the Peters' Dash & Columbus Buggy Com-
pany, where his ability as a business man and expert accountant proved invalu-
able in helping to build up the largest manufacturing plant for light vehicles in
the world.
CLINTON D. FIRESTONE.
[Portrait opposite page 160.]
Mr. Firestone's father, a pioneer of Ohio, settled near Canton, Stark County,
and b}' his toil and energy became the possessor of an excellent farm. Here on
JSJovember twelfth, 1848, the subject of our sketch was born and spent his early
life — following in due time the usual custom of getting instruction from the coun-
try school in winter, and in the summer working upon the farm. His surround-
ings were such as to develop that intelligent and untiring energy which forms the
basis o£ success. Working upon the farm and attending to the stock, the boy was,
true to the old adage, the father of the man.
In May, 1864, at the age of fifteen, he entered the Union Army and served
until the close of the war. After leaving the army he spent several years in
Representative Citizens. '-1
school at the Beaver Academy, Beaver, Pennsylvania. an<l the Allegliony College,
Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Believing that there were more openings for young men of plueU and energy
in the- West, he located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, accepting a position as time-
keeper of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Nortliern Railroad, then being con-
structed, and soon rose to be chief clerk of the engineering corps, and general
accountant of the Construction Company.
In 1870 he returned to Columbus, and became engaged in the manufacture of
vehicles, which iiidustrj- at that time was in its infancj-. In 1876, he, with his
associates organized the Columbus Buggy Company, and with energy and push
they have made this Company one of the largest in the world, and the name
"Columbus Buggy Company" is a household word throughout the civilized
world.
Mr. Firestone might well find sufficient ground for pride in a business to the
success and greatness of which he has so largely contributed by his energy and
perseverance. His activities, however, cover a much wider field than this, while
his high character as a citizen is attested by the honors that have been heaped
upon him.
In 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention that nomi-
nated Hon. James G. Blaine as the candidate for President of the United States,
and the same year he represented the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcojjal
Church in the General Conference that was held in Philadelphia. He was Presi-
dent of the Columbus Board of Trade in 1889, and the same year was one of
the Commissioners who represented the State of Ohio at the Washington Centen-
nial held in New York City April 29.
He is at the present time a Trustee of the Chautauqua University, and a
Director of the Commercial National Bank, The Columbus Gas Light & Coke
Company, The Columbus Natural Gas Company, and the Columbus Street Rail-
road Company.
ERRATA.
Page III. Contents, fifth line, read "Algonquins" for "Aglonquins."
Page VIII, list of illustrations, read '-796" for "792," opposite to " Wesley Chapel."
Page .53, twelfth line, read "land" for "lands."
Page 40.5, eighth line from bottom, read " Jarvis " for " lavis."
Page 40i>, twentyfirst line, omit " per annum."
Page 407, fifth line, read " SuUivant" for " Sullivan."
Page 410, last line, insert "' no " after " will."
Page 5S2, fifteenth line, read "prove" for proves."
Page G04, nineteenth line, read •' Josiah Scott," for "Joseph Scott."
Page 6 IS, seventh line, instead of "those valleys" read "the valleys of the Ohio .tnd the
Mississippi."
Page 622, fifth line from bottom, instead of " wag" read " were."
Page 62S, eleventh line fron bottom, after "states" inserta comma.
Page 629, twelfth line from bottom, instead of " peoular " read "peculiar," and in sixth
line from bottom, instead of "and " read " than."
Page 030, sixth line from bottom, instead of " to the east ami south '' read " to the lamls east
and south."
Page 6o6, instead of " Cozeau " read "Cazeau."
Page 638, seventeenth line, instead of " by him " read " by his heirs."
Page 641, seventh line, instead of " the sale of Starling" read "the sale to Starling; " in the
ninth line, instead of "and in the United States Court," read "and another in the
United States Court ; " in the eleventh line from the bottom, instead of " Strawbriiige
to McDowell," read " Strawbridge by McDowell ; " in ninth line from bottom, instead
of "John Strawbridge" read " James Strawbridge."
Page 643, tenth line, after " seven and a half acres," insert a comma.
Page 644, fifth line from the bottom, instead of " 1881," read " 1851."
Page 647, twentyfirst line, instead of " north western" re.id " north eastern."
Page 6.50, twentythird line, instead of "1801" read "1824;" i'l twentyfourth line, instead
of " orginial," read "original."
Page 655, ninth line, instead of " from and to " read " from " and " to."
Page 656, fourteenth line, instead of "1836" read "1830;" in twentysecond line, after
" maintained " insert a comuia ; in thirtythird line, omit the word " adverse."
Page 657, last Hue, instead of "commensurate with " read " suHicient for."
Page 6-58, tenth line, instead of "reality," read "realty;" in the fifteenth line instead of
" twentyfive hundred," read "twentyfive hundred dollars;" in seventeenth line,
instead of "si-xtyfour hundred" read " sixtyfour hundred dollars."
Page 7.53, read folio aa "7.53" instead of "375."
Page 899, second line read " opposite page 480 " instead of "408."
Page 901. eighth line read "was" for "were."
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