Yahuda Hochzeit

 The Marietta Times, March 9, 1898

The first orthodox Hebrew wedding ever solemnized in Marietta was that of Mr. Israel Evin and Miss Jetes Feika which took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Newman on Butler Street Friday evening, the bride, who has not been long in this country, being a sister of Mrs. Newman's and a cousin to Mr. A. Feika the tobacco and cigar merchant. Mr. Evin came here recently and is in business on Greene Street. A good sized company had been invited most of them Hebrews but a few Gentiles were present.

It is not our purpose to dwell on the manliness of the groom or the loveliness of the bride as these qualities are always taken for granted, but to briefly describe the spectacular part of the ceremony We cannot tell the pledges Rabbi Terscheid required them to make as, to us, Hebrew is one of the dead languages and we cannot resurrect it at will.

When the hour had come a canopy was erected which was made of embroidered cloth supported by poles which were held up by a man at each of the four corners. The broom was brought forward by an attendant and stationed under the canopy facing the Rabbi; then the bride with two attendants came forth and marched a number of times around the groom, finally taking a position to his left. All of those present had been supplied with wax tapers which they lighted and held in their uplifted hands all standing and the Rabbi, groom and other gentlemen with their hats on. 

All was now ready and the Rabbi began chanting the ceremony, which has come down through the ages from the time of Aaron, in a musical and melodious voice. As we listened we could not help thinking of the wonderful preservation of the ceremonies, the religion and the individuality of this people through all the vicissitudes of time for thousands of years.

A ring was placed upon the finger of the bride by the groom and near the close a wine glass was crushed under foot by the latter. A contract written in Hebrew which was signed by both parties was read and given into the custody of the bride. With singing, also in Hebrew, the marriage was over and two souls had been made one. The ceremonies were pretty and impressive and brought tears to the eyes of some of those who understood them.

After the wedding refreshments were served, the seats at the long tables were filled and full justice was done to the ample repast. As the newly married ones had not been permitted to partake of food from sundown to the evening before, they were no doubt ready to break their fast of more than twenty-four hours.

When all, except Mr. Fragner, had been fully satisfied, Mr. M. S. Luchs took charge as toast master and responses were in order. The first call was upon the representative of the Times and the company soon had all of his speechmaking they wanted and were delighted to applaud him for stopping so soon. Appropriate responses which were well received were made by Messrs. E. S. Alderman, Marcus Unger, Peter Unger, Rabbi Terscheid and others. Mr. P. Fragner made at least sixteen speeches and was always applauded - when he sat down.

One of the very pleasant features of the evening was the singing in Hebrew, German and English which was led by Mr. Miller who is certainly an artist. We thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. The festivities were closed with dancing. There was no Miriam with a timbrel but some Sons of Ham, with more modern instruments, made the music. We are notified that there will soon be another Hebrew wedding and are sure it will mean another "hot time in the old town."

Albany Enterprise Academy

The Marietta Register, July 8, 1864

Amesville, O., June 20, 1864.

Having been requested by some friends and patrons of the Albany Enterprise Academy, a school for the colored people, to visit that institution, I would hereby state that I have endeavored faithfully to perform the duty assigned to me, and that I find the effort to build up a permanent school of the kind designated, in successful progress.

The walls of the edifice, 30 by 48 feet, and two stories high, are completed, well and thoroughly built and ready for the roofing and floors. The materials for enclosing the building are nearly all on the spot and mechanics are engaged on the work. The building is well located for its purposes and when completed will be an honor to its donors, and a proud incentive, as well a great facility for the intellectual and moral elevation of the Colored People of the region. Thus far the undertaking is nearly free from debt and I doubt not has been as well and economically conducted as any similar enterprise.

There is also a school of colored persons ready to occupy the building when completed, of 49 enrolled scholars and a regular attendance of from 30 to 40 pupils. The school embraces the various ages from small children to full grown men and women, and the various hues from the most sable to those of the fairest complexions.

From a personal and particular examination on the spot, I have no doubt that the effort thus far conducted by the colored people to found an institution for their own benefit and which shall not be liable to be wrested from them, has been as successful as the most sanguine friends of the enterprise could expect, and that it is entirely worthy of the confidence and generous cooperation of the friends of education and of the colored race. The enterprise has the confidence and cordial sympathy of the enlightened and virtuous community where it is situated, with the exception of a few individuals who object to the institution because it is under the control of people of color, and who though impotent for evil at home, may possibly inure the cause abroad.

It is earnestly to be hoped that all the means necessary to complete this very important enterprise will be generously given until the long oppressed race shall have a fair opportunity of asserting their claim to a standing among the enlightened, intelligent and cultivated mankind.

Charles Merwin

Pastor, Presbyterian Church

Fourth of July in Marietta, 1798

 Home News, August 20, 1859

A correspondent of the Columbus Gazette, in searching among the old records in the Secretary of State's office, had his attention called to the following account of a Fourth of July celebration in Marietta in 1798. It was found in manuscript on the fly leaf of a surveyor's field note book, and no doubt the readers of the Home News will be interested in its perusal and preservation:

The day was ushered in by the discharge of cannon in three principal divisions of the town. At ten o'clock, Capt. Buell's company of Volunteer Cavalry paraded on the common near Campus Martius, uniform and martial (appearance) with the various movements performed in the course of the day, yielded honor to themselves and those who composed it, gave great pleasure to the spectators. Except Capt. Buell's company, who dined at Brough's tavern, the principal gentlemen of the town dined under a bowery erected for the purpose, on the banks of Muskingum river, and after dinner the following toasts were drank, under the discharge of cannon:

1. The day we celebrate.

2. United States - May her arms be successful against the enemies of her Independence, and her justice terrible to the agents of foreign influence and intrigue.

3. The Congress - Wisdom and unanimity in their Councils, firmness and decision in their measures.

4. The Hero and Father of his country, George Washington, President of the Society of Cincinnati. May his fellow citizens imitate his virtues and pursue and precepts left them in his last legacy.

5. The Citizens of the United States - May all Jacobins be made to know that the people of America cannot be separated from their government.

6. The Army of the United States - May they remember they are citizens in arms, employed for the defence of their country and the support of the rights of freemen, and not for the purpose of keeping the slaves of tyrants in subjection.

7. The Navy of the United States - May it be successful against the piratical cruisers of the Ocean, and soon become a scourge to all who shall dare insult our lawful Commerce.

8. The men who had the sagacity to suspect, the wisdom to detect and the courage to oppose French politics and intrigue.

9. Our late Envoys Extraordinary to the Republic of France.

10. Success to the Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce of America.

11. The Territory in which we live. May we soon add another star to the American Constellation.

12. The Marquis La Fayette - The Hero and magnanimous sufferer in the cause of liberty. May his sufferings be held in grateful remembrance by every true American.

13. Governor St. Clair.

14. The American Fair - May they never give their hearts nor their hands to any but the friends of their country.

15. May the happy period soon arrive when the joyful song shall resound from pole to pole, "peace on earth and good will to men."

16. May those virtuous patriots by whose arduous struggles our National independence was achieved, never want successors, who at every hazard will defend our national honor and interest against the open attempts, or secret intrigues of foreign enemies or domestic conspirators.

And not only in Marietta, but in all the towns in its vicinity, the day was celebrated by every class of citizens, with festivity and joy, expressive of their attachment to the government of the United States, and their firm resolution to give their aid in the support of the Independence of their country. In truth it is not known that there now is, or ever has been, a Jacobin inhabitancy within the circle of the Ohio Company's settlement.

The Gazette correspondent adds, Capt. Buell named was Capt. Timothy Buell, not Gen. Joseph Buell of a later date.

The allusion in the second toast, to wit, of foreign influence and intrigue, evidences how fearful and jealous were our forefathers of the intrigues of European Courts, which were so prevalent in those days.

And the reference to Jacobians in the fifth toast, will be understood when the young reader calls to mind that at that time, the Infidels and Jacobins were making sad havoc in France, and it was found by "the fathers," that some of our own statesmen of that day were impregnated with what were called "French Ideas."

It will be seen by the tenor of the sixth sentiment that the people had not yet acquired a perfect confidence in the integrity of a standing army, hence the warning given.

The eighth toast again alludes to "French Politics," all of which shows that the patriots of those times were ever on the watch for the enemy, let him be in whatever guise he might.

The Ministers to France from the United States were James Monroe, 1794; Francis Dana and Charles C. Pinckney, 1797.

The wish expressed in the eleventh toast was realized five years subsequently, as we all know, and a glorious star has she become in a short half century.

The fourteenth sentiment would be well to repeat every 4th of July at least.

The fifteenth, hope for blessing upon the earth, has not been fully realized as yet!